Chapter 68: The Whole World Fell Silent

This time, the event directly affected the update schedule for the entire game server, extending it from one day to three. There were only a few players online now, but their frustration was even greater. They wished they hadn’t logged into the game at all, as once again they felt the system’s deep malice.

The gap was simply too vast!

“Damn!”
“Damn! Why is it always him?”
“Shit, he must be the system’s favorite son!”
“Fuck! Can we even play the game properly? Is this your family’s game? Isn’t a daily server-wide announcement enough to crush us? Now there are two!”
“He must be cheating, he must be cheating! I refuse to accept this, I need to figure out this cheat.”
“Shit! Can’t this guy just chill out for once?”
“Damn! We’re all players, so why are you so overpowered? This time, even the game’s update schedule changed because of you—why don’t you just ascend to the heavens?”

No matter how composed they were, the players couldn’t help but curse. The difference was simply too great; they couldn’t even kill a level-one beast, being chased and bitten instead, while Tang Shen seemed to have monopolized the system announcements, putting their nerves under constant pressure.

And each time wasn’t a mere ounce; it was like a whole Mount Tai crushing them, leaving them unable to breathe.

If the daytime system announcement had driven them mad with jealousy, prompting them to wildly belittle the so-called top player, the nighttime announcement left them feeling utterly powerless.

A sense of helplessness rose from within, the feeling of facing an unknown, overwhelming enemy with not a shred of confidence.

And so, those who had still been holding on collectively logged out.

Damn it! I’m done with this game.

Since the whole server is about to upgrade anyway, they’d rather log out and share the news with everyone.

If their frustration was unbearable, it was better to spread it to all.

Now, only a handful of players remained online; most others were resting in the real world.

They became messengers, sharing their sorrow and frustration.

Sharing made them happy!

The offline players immediately relayed the announcement word for word.

Suddenly, a flood of players appeared.

“No way!”
“The poster is an idiot, spreading rumors.”
“He’s just a player—how could he possibly affect the game update? It’s obviously fake.”
“Can’t the poster use his brain when lying? Brains are important, but unfortunately the poster has none.”
“This is clearly fake news.”
“Although the top player is impressive, this news is just too unbelievable!”
“Exactly, the top player should hurry and share his upgrade guide with us.”
...

At first, no one believed it; the responses were all sarcastic and dismissive.

Especially those who had been online at the time—no matter what they said, no one believed them.

Until the official game website refreshed with new information.

It matched the announcement the players had shared almost exactly.

Suddenly, the entire world fell silent.

All the players were dumbfounded.

Even those paragons of talent in the real world fell silent, none daring to speak up.

They knew some of the secrets behind this holographic game—not much, but just enough to be shocked.

Originally, they thought that by unleashing the fury of the internet, the scorn of players worldwide would pressure Tang Shen into revealing himself.

But unexpectedly, Tang Shen responded with action, delivering a slap to their faces.

He didn’t care at all about their words or deeds.

He was not a fool, but a cold-eyed observer standing at the summit.

It was as if he was watching a group of clowns performing, pitiful to the extreme.

Through his actions, he showed just how vast the gap was between them.

A genius could perhaps be caught up to through effort and resources.

But someone who was monstrous—someone above even monsters?

All you could do was revere.

Though the online scorn continued, laced with envy and hatred, there was nothing they could do. They themselves were useless, yet hoped to soar to the skies.

Pinning hopes on unrealistic dreams would only result in a handful of bubbles, dispersed by the wind.

That night, unseen currents stirred; the various genetic families began probing one another in secret.

Some predicted the top player must be a scion of some great family—such boldness and composure could not belong to an ordinary person.

But which family?

They found nothing.

The undercurrents would only grow more intense as Tang Shen’s influence in the game rose, stirring up ever greater storms.

...

At that moment, Tang Shen was somewhat bewildered.

Two server-wide announcements in one day—wasn’t that a bit too overwhelming?

If he went out and shouted about it now, would he get beaten up? Would he be mobbed?

The answer was obvious—even he felt he was too extraordinary.

He hadn’t expected that saving Kuina would alter the storyline.

Thinking carefully, it made sense. Kuina’s swordsmanship talent was so strong; with his guidance, she could surely reach the pinnacle of the world, which would indeed impact the original plot.

His heart was filled with delight—after all, Kuina was his disciple.

Hiss!

He drew a sharp breath; his injuries were still too severe.

Saving her hadn’t been easy.

Tang Shen had Kuina soak in a tub of medicinal bath. This time, Kuina was the one who helped him undress and put him into the tub.

The lighting was dim, so Tang Shen couldn’t see the color on the girl’s face, but he sensed her hands trembling as she undressed him.

This time, he’d added a heavy dose of medicine. Though Koshiro had reset his chest bone, recovery would take time, and a medicinal bath was the best remedy.

Life points couldn’t simply be restored by eating.

The scalding water, infused with medicine, made Tang Shen grimace in pain, but also left him feeling invigorated.

“By the way, Kuina, I’ll be away for a while. Make sure to train every day,” Tang Shen said, watching her stand at the door with her back to him.

“Yes, Master. I will,” Kuina replied softly.

“And go to bed early, don’t climb so high at night like you did today. Next time, Master won’t be here.”

“Mm.”

“Train in moderation; don’t overexert yourself. You’re still growing. Take care when training alone. The herbs I collected are stored in the warehouse, along with the ointments I prepared.”

“Also, I’m leaving the weight-adjusting device here. Remember to massage yourself—don’t push too hard and leave hidden injuries.”

“Don’t worry about being a girl. Girls can become the world’s greatest swordmasters too. Master believes in you.”

...

For some reason, Tang Shen spoke a lot that night—many small, trivial things.

Kuina simply stood with her back to him, quietly listening.

Only when the medicinal bath reached its most crucial stage did Kuina turn to look at him deeply, then silently stepped out.

That look, a parting—when they would meet again, it would be seven years later...