Calamity Messenger

Chapter 382 - 313: My Happiness Is Enough for Two

The effect of the Mediation Creation Jade Talisman absorbed by Yan Qing from the Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends is a passive skill that comprehensively enhances combat power. Although the Tongyou Secret Record is also passive, its effect is extremely astonishing, one might even say it’s a divine skill that shouldn’t appear in an MMORPG:

"Tongyou World: At the moment of a significant attack, you step into the world of gods and ghosts. In the slowly flowing time, you have time to rewrite your destiny. Cooldown: 24 hours."

In short, this means time slows down drastically!

In single-player games, such effects are often common, such as "Link Time" in Zelda: Breath of the Wild or "Time Stop Dragon Roar" in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. But in "Messenger," as an online multiplayer game, even for a Foundation Establishment level player, let alone a Ninth Transformation Full Level Messenger, such a divine skill shouldn’t be accessible. If you pause time, it might be fun for you, but what about other players? If everyone is playing the game and suddenly time stops, they might think the game has frozen or disconnected.

Therefore, "Tongyou World" has an extremely stringent limitation: the trigger probability is inversely proportional to the number of players.

The more participants in the same scene, the lower the trigger probability, and vice versa. For example, in the open world, Tongyou might only appear once a day.

This means, unless players are soloing a Secret Realm, there’s rarely an opportunity to trigger "Tongyou World." But if players can solo a Secret Realm, why would one need a life-saving "Tongyou World"?

On gaming forums, "Tongyou World" is often seen as a show-off by the development team, clearly demonstrating to players that the developers can design mind-blowing skill effects that entice players to endlessly explore the game content in pursuit of full-level.

Though unlikely, what if the developers actually implement time stop as a regular talisman effect? Wouldn’t it be exhilarating, like in online game novels?

What if someday the game comes to reality and others are unaware, but I’ve already purchased a game account capable of stopping time... hehe.

Though it’s not practical, "Tongyou World" is a critical weapon for stirring things up. Yan Qing has watched videos multiple times where players use "Tongyou World" to slay a level 69 Yama Daoist Lord with mere human power.

Yan Qing always viewed the Tongyou Secret Record as a plain Earth Fiend, purely used for pairing with a Dao Foundation. He never thought it would trigger "Tongyou World," perhaps because fewer people are in the Demon Gathering Land? But he no longer had time to ponder these details, because in a near-still world, a sorrowful black spear smashed through all whiteness. Even time couldn’t halt its advance; both Yan Qing and Murong Hui were in its attack path.

Although unseen, Yan Qing could imagine its arrogance... daring to pierce two elite Third-Turn characters in one strike!

He pulled Murong Hui over and slashed the black spear with a sword!

Boom! The building behind was shattered into pieces by the breaking spear as Yan Qing exited "Tongyou World." His whole body was wracked with unimaginable pain, especially his arm, feeling like it was twisted into a pretzel, so painful he wanted to sever it.

He was psychologically prepared for this. "Tongyou World" is akin to Heavy Rain Messenger; the former slows world time while the latter accelerates personal time, both imposing immense load on the messenger. Yet, Yan Qing, now at Third-Turn level with gathered Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends, can still manage the daily Tongyou.

Putting on "Golden Fish Goggles," Yan Qing glanced along the attack path, unable to see anyone, perhaps they had already shifted.

This strike undoubtedly reached Foundation Establishment level, but Demon Gathering Land accommodates at most Third-Turn Messengers—if a Foundation Establishment Messenger managed to squeeze in, they wouldn’t need to hide. Such a strike from a Third-Turn Messenger demands significant cost and preparation; the assassin can’t possibly attack consecutively.

Despite this thought, Yan Qing still pulled Murong Hui into the building’s shadow. They had just been walking in the middle of the road, allowing the assassin’s ranged attack to flow unimpeded. Even a slight obstruction could let both Yan Qing and Murong Hui dodge quickly.

"Wasn’t this enough thanks?"

"What?" Murong Hui was still a bit confused, looking up at Yan Qing.

"I’ve saved you twice now; there may be a third or fourth time in the future. This should be enough to thank you for your help." Yan Qing said, "Stop asking for the bracelet. I won’t let you play with it."

Murong Hui blinked and softly mumbled, "If you won’t give it, then don’t..."

Hmm? Suddenly obedient? Perhaps scared? Yan Qing didn’t want to strain relations with Murong Hui; he’d need her guidance in the coming days. But...

"It’s all over now, why are you still hugging me?"

Yan Qing had let go, yet Murong Hui was still clinging to Yan Qing like a koala, her substantial softness continually pressed against his arm.

"No, I’m scared!"

"If you’re scared, head to a place with building coverage and don’t walk in the middle of the road."

Such remote snipers, though formidable, have considerable limitations; even minimal obstruction can deflect their attack path, ensuring vigilance prevents seizing chances.

More importantly, he didn’t believe the opponent could one-shot him; Mountain Heart-Protecting Mirror + Mediation Creation Jade Talisman + Bodhisattva Jade Pendant + Natural Calamity [Sigh]—Yan Qing’s highest damage sustained exceeded 5000 points. The assassin probably couldn’t break his defensive barrier, not to mention his inherent health.

"Let’s walk together."

"If you don’t lead the way, how can I go? Cowardly cat."

"I’m not a coward! I have a name, okay!"

"Nuisance cat?"

"Hmph, not speaking to you anymore."

Murong Hui clung to his arm and dragged him along, her ponytail swinging like a sickle weasel. Yan Qing thought she was scared by the assassins, so he let her lead him.

Suddenly, the sound of a bell rang from afar. Yan Qing raised his wristwatch and saw that all six puppet cards he had collected in the past half-day had vanished, leaving only the Ascension Dragon Attendant in the puppet slot. Moreover, a new puppet slot appeared — he could activate a second Flesh Puppet!

Nearby, there was a commotion, and a brand new Ascension Dragon Attendant refreshed beside Yan Qing. Murong Hui cheered and released Yan Qing, going over to touch the Dragon Attendant from various angles, even rubbing her face against its skull. Her face was filled with affection — it seemed that the taste of the wealthy was truly hard to understand.

...

...

"Once we’re here, there’s nothing to fear! This is a special building, as long as we block the door, no one can assassinate us!"

"It’s assassinate you."

"It’s us, we’re a team now!" Murong Hui opened the fridge and grabbed two bottles of orange juice: "Catch."

Yan Qing caught the orange juice, and as he looked at the living room’s fireplace, sofa, kitchen, bookshelf, and cool-toned decor, a huge sense of unreality filled him.

Even though there was no difference between day and night in the Demon Gathering Land, they had fought all morning and were exhausted. Yan Qing planned to find a corner to rest for the night, but Murong Hui mentioned an excellent resting spot with high security.

Then, she dragged Yan Qing over here —

A hot spring cabin!

Yan Qing was puzzled as to what the official designers were thinking, stuffing a hot spring inn into the Demon Gathering Land, and as a special building at that. But since the amusement park had places to stay, it wasn’t too strange...

According to Murong Hui, there were hundreds of such rest cabins in the Demon Gathering Land. Many messengers, upon entering, would team up, visit bookstores to find books first, then scour food places, roam around by day, and return to rest at the hot spring cabin by night. It was the most popular socializing method in the Northern Territory; young people yearned to join, and those who weren’t eligible were often scorned.

"Aha!"

Yan Qing turned his head to see the wooden door leading to the indoor hot spring opened, black scale armor and leg guards on the ground, Murong Hui jumped into the hot spring, undid her ponytail, and tied up her wet hair, revealing a soft and slender nape. She beckoned to Yan Qing and giggled: "Come, soak in the hot spring together!"

Yan Qing walked over and glanced to confirm all the hot springs were indoors, with windows facing outer walls. Even if assassins attacked, they couldn’t shake the ’indestructible’ property of the hot spring cabin.

Murong Hui stood up from the hot spring, hands on hips, and smiled: "Well? Isn’t it a good place?"

"It is quite..." Yan Qing looked at Murong Hui, his gaze fixed, then turned and closed the wooden door.

"Why are you leaving? I’m not naked," Murong Hui said curiously and amusedly, "I’m still wearing clothes, you know, never thought you’d be so..."

She glanced down at herself, a blush climbed her neck, and she quickly submerged herself into the misty hot spring. Although she was wearing a vest and shorts, they clung too tightly and wet, making the curves and peaks all too evident...

When Murong Hui came out of the hot spring, Yan Qing couldn’t wait to get in and bathe. Though he was prepared for tough battles, who would neglect themselves when they could bathe daily? He stayed cautious, keeping the bandages on his face while in the hot spring. As expected, it wasn’t long before Murong Hui ran over with grilled meat skewers and iced orange juice, making Yan Qing quickly cover himself with a towel.

"What are you doing here?"

"Soaking feet while having a midnight snack!"

"Where’s the grilled meat from?"

"There’s some in the cabinet, not as fresh but still good," Murong Hui ate a piece and offered it to Yan Qing’s mouth: "Here, it’s delicious; I added my signature sauce!"

Yan Qing took a sniff, finding it aromatic, and bit into a piece. The sauce-infused meat juices exploded between his teeth. Murong Hui looked at him expectantly: "How is it?"

"Not bad, but I’ve had better," Yan Qing critiqued sharply.

"If it’s good, it’s good; you talk too much." Murong Hui handed him orange juice: "Drink."

Yan Qing wasn’t used to her enthusiastic feeding: "Why do you have to eat with me?"

"Because I’m happy!"

"What does your happiness have to do with me?"

"Because my happiness is enough for two!"

Murong Hui devoured the meat skewer and orange juice, watching Yan Qing with a smile. Her legs in the hot spring splashed gently, sending ripples across the surface.