Chapter 1480: Chapter 1481: Rank-A Time Artifact
Neither of them paid much attention to the environment. Even though romantic songs were playing in the restaurant, and robots occasionally created a special atmosphere, the two diners remained unmoved.
They conversed sporadically throughout the meal, though their topics were inconsequential. Out of consideration for the setting, they slowed down their eating, trying to make the most of the moment.
"When are you leaving?" Bai Kou asked.
"After the first prop is completed." Xu Huo took a sip of his wine, "Do you have any clues about Dr. Wu?"
"It’s mostly outdated information, not very valuable," Bai Kou said. "However, Dr. Wu deliberately left some information in game instances. Although many instances have been destroyed or taken over by the game itself, the uniqueness of the game is that it isn’t entirely controllable. Just like the birth of an instance, it’s not something anyone can entirely dictate."
This is actually similar to human-developed games. Developers can set the rules, but they must also abide by them. In this game world, full of evolution and mutations, some changes might be beyond the game’s anticipation.
"It’s been proven that foresight-related props do work. Dr. Wu may also possess similar props and understand game operations. The advanced placement of potions across different districts proves this. These locations aren’t randomly chosen. The specific patterns and reasons are not yet clear, but the potions have indeed reached the players."
This implies that Dr. Wu might, like He Pu, use some method to strategically plan, ensuring goals are achieved under the game’s protection.
"If you live long enough, you’re bound to encounter him again." Bai Kou remarked, looking at him, "Besides, you won’t need new potions anytime soon."
The fact was indeed as such. Xu Huo paused and then shifted the topic to the Holy Sword Society.
Bai Kou knew more about the situation than he did, but she looked down on both factions that emerged after the Holy Sword Society split, saying, "There’s nothing to say about the utterly evil ones. The remaining few, while not entirely wicked, lack the smarts."
Bai Kou raised her glass, watching the bubbles floating in the wine, "They think that as long as they have enough people and power, they can fight against the game, without realizing the real problem."
Then she made a profound statement, "Evolution is the foundation of the game."
The topic was dropped here, as she had no intention of continuing. She finished her drink, lightly wiped her mouth, and stood up, "Time to go back."
After leaving the restaurant, Bai Kou left first, while Xu Huo was still escorted back to the Eternal Star Hotel by the Law Enforcement Team.
From the open car window, Xu Huo felt again the vibrations from underground. Initially, he thought it was mechanical noise. Now, it seemed more like a burgeoning heartbeat—a reference to the evolution Bai Kou mentioned, possibly signifying a force beyond individuals.
This was actually not difficult to speculate. In the vast game world, there are as many players and advanced players as there are ants. Even super players can at most destroy a city, a country, at best a section. This cannot shake the game. If one section disappears, more will appear, and without reaching the pinnacle of power, one might not even find the birthplace of the game...
So, the essence of the game is advanced technology.
At least from places like the Eye of Platinum, technology is the future.
In the days following, Xu Huo did not meet Bai Kou again until the Law Enforcement Team’s monitoring and protection time was almost up. Assistant Fang Jie of Artificer Master Lu sent a message via the game platform, informing him that he could collect the first prop.
She also included details on the prop’s creation.
Originally, he had brought several Secondary Stones, which could make multiple props if separated. But when signing the contract, Xu Huo only requested "preferably a defense prop," leaving everything else unchecked. Therefore, the "willful" Elder Lu ignored cost-effectiveness and used all the Secondary Stones, working overtime to create what she thought was a near-perfect Rank-A Defense Item, which was also a time-related item.
According to the agreement, no handmade fees were charged on the bill, and even the other materials used in the process were given the biggest discount by Teacher Lu, making it quite generous.
Under the surveillance of the Law Enforcement Team, he created a persona with a strong background during his "date" with Bai Kou. Xu Huo found it inconvenient to personally thank them at the door, so he expressed his gratitude via the game platform, paid the remaining balance, and received the first Rank-A Time-related Defense Item.
[Revolving Lantern: A Rank-A prop crafted by a master. Its exterior looks no bigger than a marble, but its outer layer’s hollows reveal nine nested smaller hollow spheres inside, each capable of independent rotation and engraved with different patterns—even without serving as a prop, it is a miraculous carving piece.]
[The name ’Revolving Lantern’ comes from folklore in some regions, suggesting that before one’s death, past scenes automatically reappear before one’s eyes, commemorating life in this instinctive way. This Revolving Lantern has a similar function, automatically stopping time within a fifty-meter radius for five seconds upon the holder being subjected to an offense trait and showing the attack scene to the holder to prompt evasion. (Rest assured that the slight time lag doesn’t lead to any corresponding space-time collapse due to its relatively small range.)]
[However, holders should note that when faced with absolutely powerful traits with overwhelming effects, it may fail, though the probability is very low, it does exist.]
[Additionally, please note the effective escape time, as trait failure doesn’t mean the enemy won’t launch a second attack. Nonetheless, a second offense trait generally won’t work within the five-second static time.]
[Usable three times consecutively; after three uses, requires a 12-hour cooldown.]
The stronger the prop, the greater the potential restrictions. Xu Huo was surprised by ’Revolving Lantern’s’ mere twelve-hour cooldown time, as he held the ivory white sphere, slightly smaller than a walnut, between his thumb and index finger. Looking through the outer hollows, the inner layers moved quite fluidly, with the nine nested spheres shifting upon his hand movements, revealing intricate carvings in fleeting glimpses.
It slightly resembled a ghost craft ball. However, judging by the craftsmanship, it was likely not carved from the outside but layered from the center out. The advanced technology at the Eye of Platinum had already made any flaws undetectable.
Honestly, this prop far exceeded Xu Huo’s expectations. While it couldn’t guard against all traits, it was a Rank-A prop. Players and traits exceeding this level likely weren’t numerous, and traits aren’t as easily defensible as props. Its replay function offers better protection against covert assailants, though it’s uncertain if its defense range is only fifty meters. With Player Level upgrades, trait ranges may also expand correspondingly.