2: A three-year agreement, the road to eternal life!

In a certain classroom,

Su Jin pushed the door open and immediately spotted Wang Jie, who had earlier awakened as a Lord.

She was standing quietly to the side, accompanied by a man and a woman.

The man was tall and slender, dressed in a crisp suit, his features gentle as he smiled at Su Jin.

The woman beside him wore a pair of glasses, giving her an intellectual and efficient air. She was currently speaking softly to Wang Jie.

Su Jin approached, and the man spoke first: "Hello, Student Su. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Wan Yun, a specialist from the Special Talents Division of the Education Department."

Wan Yun paused before continuing, "The Lord profession is exceptionally unique and crucial, bearing on the future of the Blue Star Alliance."

"Before you activate your World Beads and proceed to the trial of the Initial Lands, there is some key information you must be made aware of. Simultaneously, the Alliance will provide some necessary assistance, hoping to help you smoothly navigate the novice period and swiftly elevate your territory to Level 4."

"After activating the World Bead, you will be randomly transported to a 'World Fragment.' The size of these worlds varies, but they typically do not exceed two hundred thousand square kilometers."

"You will need to build your territory, recruit soldiers, and develop production within that initial world..."

Wan Yun's tone shifted slightly here, "Most importantly, you must withstand wave after wave of monster tides and potential incursions from any indigenous inhabitants that may exist."

"Monster tides? Indigenous inhabitants?"

"Yes,"

Wan Yun nodded, "The initial worlds are home to various monsters that will continuously attack your territory."

"As you progress into the Late Stage, they will become more numerous and stronger. This is also a test of a Lord's capabilities."

"Of course, you can also take the initiative to attack. However, the environment in the initial world is complex, and venturing out is not recommended."

"As for indigenous inhabitants, they are native forces that might exist in the rare fragments on the verge of ascending into complete worlds. They may have already unified their world."

"The probability of encountering such a situation is extremely low, but if you do, the difficulty becomes nightmarish."

"Finally, when you have developed your territory to a certain degree, reached Level 4, and met specific conditions, you can use an Ascension Ritual to return to Blue Star."

"Every year, many Lords depart full of hope, and then... never return."

"Therefore, I hope you make thorough preparations before activating your World Bead. Remember, there, no one can help you but yourself."

"To increase your chances of survival, the Alliance has prepared a 'Novice Gift Pack' for each new Lord. We hope you make good use of it."

As he spoke, several cards materialized in Wan Yun's hand, which he offered.

Su Jin took the cards. They felt cool to the touch, their surfaces shimmering with a faint luster.

He quickly glanced over them: three Troop Cards, one Building Card, and four Resource Cards.

The Troop and Building Cards were of [Bronze] grade. The Resource Cards bore the number [10000], likely representing ten thousand units of basic resources.

Wan Yun continued:

"The highest grade of items you can take into the initial world is [Bronze]. Of course, items acquired or manufactured within your territory after entry are not subject to this restriction."

"Any other questions?" Wan Yun looked at Su Jin.

"After entering the initial world, we cannot contact Blue Star?" Su Jin asked one of his most pressing questions.

"That is correct. The only external means of communication is through the [Lord Channel], which is limited to Lords who awakened in the same batch."

"Therefore, all preparations must be completed before entering. Remember, you only have one life..." Wan Yun's tone carried a warning.

"Alright, thank you." Su Jin nodded, indicating his understanding.

Su Jin turned to his teacher, Yu Hong: "Teacher, may I leave now? I'd like to go prepare some things."

Yu Hong looked at this student who had just awakened to infinite possibilities, his gaze complex—filled with emotion and also concern.

He patted Su Jin's shoulder, his eyes brimming with expectation. "Go. May your martial fortunes prosper."

...

In a special care room at Mingde Central Hospital, the distinctive smell of disinfectant hung in the air.

Su Jin stood before a hospital bed, silent for a long while.

Su Jin stood by the bed, his gaze lingering on his father's pale face. Though gaunt, it still faintly reflected the handsome features of his youth.

Mother...

In his memory, she existed only vaguely for a month before vanishing without a trace. Whenever he tried to ask, his father would always evade the subject.

His father raised him alone, acting as both father and mother. The hardships involved were probably something only he himself could truly understand.

Three years ago, his father, the lead researcher at the Mingde City branch of the Central Academy of Sciences, was urgently requisitioned for a top-secret investigation at a newly discovered convergence point in the Boundary Sea.

No one could have predicted that expedition would turn into a life-devouring nightmare.

Of the team of over two thousand people, including the security detail and scientific personnel, in the end... only about twenty, including his father, were brought back alive.

When they were found, without exception, all had fallen into a bizarre, deep coma.

Their vital signs were all normal, every indicator showed normal readings, yet they simply would not wake up. It was as if... their Souls had been lost.

The hospital organized multiple expert consultations but could never determine the cause. They could only temporarily place them in special care rooms for 24-hour uninterrupted life monitoring.

"According to observations by some high-level 'Spirit Healers,' Mr. Su's Mental Energy has been continuously dissipating. Slowly, but it has never stopped. At the current rate, I'm afraid... it will be completely depleted in at most three years."

"Three years?" Su Jin murmured, as if questioning the doctor, or perhaps himself.

"Yes," the doctor sighed, "They speculate that this condition... might only be cured by the legendary 'Flower of Eternal Life.'"

He gently took his father's hand. That once broad and warm hand now felt cold and weak.

'Flower of Eternal Life...'

Su Jin silently repeated the name in his heart. He certainly knew of this marvel.

Legend said it possessed the miraculous power to reverse life and death and reshape the life's Origin. It was a priceless treasure dreamed of by countless dying people.

However, although the 'Flower of Eternal Life' is only rated as a ninth-tier marvel, it is only occasionally sighted within the unpredictable and perilous depths of the Boundary Sea's Secret Realms. The difficulty of finding it is akin to scaling the heavens!

"Three years..."

Su Jin looked at the flashing numbers on the monitor, an estimate of the remaining time for his father's Mental Energy.

Within three years, if he couldn't find the 'Flower of Eternal Life,' his father would become a completely empty shell, devoid of a Soul.

"Heh..."

Su Jin suddenly let out a soft laugh, a sound filled with the desperate resolve of burning one's bridges.

"Three years is enough! I will definitely find the 'Flower of Eternal Life'! Father, you must wait for me to return!"

He gently laid down his father's hand, took one last deep look, then resolutely turned and left the room.

The corridor lights stretched his shadow, solitary and straight, like a sword about to be drawn, thrusting towards an unknown fate.