179: Another World Chapter

【System Announcement】

【Version 2.0 'Time of Breaking Boundaries' update complete.】

【Thank you to all players for your two years of waiting and accumulation. A new chapter begins now.】

At the Juexiang Guild headquarters, Liao Jianfeng, Feng Chengcheng, and Guan Xin almost crashed through the door to Lu Qinghe's office.

"Wisdom! It's updated! They were definitely holding back something big!" Liao Jianfeng's voice crackled with excitement.

Feng Chengcheng's eyes sparkled: "Resurrection! There's resurrection now! And a new skill mode!"

Guan Xin was relatively calm, but his fingers were also rapidly swiping across the virtual screen in front of him, browsing the update details.

Lu Qinghe sat at his desk, the system interface already expanded before him. He was quickly scanning the summary of the update log and nodded upon hearing them: "Mm, I see it."

To summarize, there were six core updates, but every single one carried significant weight:

1. New general skill 【Resurrection】: Passive, takes effect automatically. After a player dies, they will resurrect at the last bound safety point. Cooldown: 7 days. If death occurs during the cooldown period, resurrection cannot be triggered and will be treated as permanent death.

2. 【Return to City】 skill upgraded to 【Otherworld Return to City】: The number of bindable safety points has increased from 1 to 2. Cooldown reduced from 24 hours to 12 hours. Cross-realm teleportation is now possible.

3. New 'Frenzied Breath Mode': Once activated, attacks and defense will carry a trace of the 'Frenzied Breath' attribute, providing extra effects against Otherworld creatures and specific rules. The level of this mode requires 'free annihilation points' to increase.

4. Player backpack basic usage limit increased: Daily basic storage and retrieval attempts increased from 10 to 20. For every level the player gains, daily usage attempts increase by an additional +1.

5. New 'Item Recycling Shop': Specific materials, minerals, etc., obtained from the Otherworld can be exchanged for contribution points or game currency.

6. System Shop content expansion: Added various items for Otherworld exploration, potions, and some auxiliary items related to 'Frenzied Breath Mode'.

Lu Qinghe's gaze lingered longest on 'Frenzied Breath Mode,' a sharp light flashing in his eyes: "I see... using the enemy's power to defeat the enemy. This is the solution provided by the system."

He recalled the defense that was easily dismantled by 'Anti-Tithe' in Beiyuan City. If he had possessed even a trace of the 'Frenzied Breath' characteristic back then, the situation might have been different.

"There's a lot of update content; a new main quest will surely follow immediately."

Lu Qinghe made a quick judgment and ordered Liao Jianfeng, "Notify all online guild members to check their status immediately and stand by. Unless there's a special circumstance, do not use the Return to City skill lightly! The two binding points must be chosen carefully!"

"Understood!" Liao Jianfeng immediately turned around to post the emergency notice in the guild channel.

Feng Chengcheng was still immersed in the excitement of 'Resurrection.' Seeing Lu Qinghe and Guan Xin both looking like it was 'perfectly natural,' she couldn't help but ask: "Boss, Guan Xin, aren't you guys surprised? It's resurrection! You can come back to life after dying!"

Guan Xin said calmly, "Isn't this a basic configuration for online games?"

Lu Qinghe directly changed the subject, pointing at 'Frenzied Breath Mode':

"The focus is this. free annihilation points... it seems new tasks and resources will revolve around this. Send out the word: guild resources should prioritize tasks that can yield 'free annihilation points'."

---

Beiyuan City, Superpower Association.

Shen Future appeared in the Association's tactical hall almost the instant the update was completed.

On the virtual map before him, areas where new quest points might appear were already being marked.

"Zhijie!" he said in a deep voice, "Immediately notify all association members to pay close attention to energy fluctuations in otherworld rifts everywhere, especially non-naturally generated ones or areas with abnormal spatial disturbances!"

His deputy, Lin Zhijie, quickly recorded and transmitted the orders.

Shen Future continued, "For the post-update tasks, any marked with rewards containing 'free annihilation points' are to be given the highest priority! Accept and complete them at any cost!"

Lin Zhijie understood immediately: "President, are you saying that the level of 'Frenzied Breath Mode' directly relates to our survival and combat capabilities in the Otherworld?"

"Exactly," Shen Future confirmed. "The Otherworld environment suppresses our rule-based powers. Frenzied Breath Mode might be the key to maintaining our combat power over there. Increasing the mode's level might even increase our sustainable activity time in the Otherworld."

The team's analyst, Mu Rongrong, raised her hand to ask: "But, could free annihilation points be obtained from things other than tasks? For example... killing specific monsters? Or through exploration and discovery?"

Another team member, Fang Lu, interjected: "Regardless of the source, prioritizing their acquisition is never wrong."

The main combatant, Ling Tianfeng, crossed his arms and looked at the markers for the Juexiang Guild's sphere of influence on the map, snorting:

"Our main competitors will likely still be those guys from Jiangdong Province. That 'Lord of Wisdom' of theirs has a nose sharper than a dog's; he's always one step ahead."

Mu Rongrong added with a giggle, "That's right, Captain. Your title of 'Lord of Future' is for nothing; you're always half a beat slow!"

Ling Tianfeng said, "It's lord of time! And the Chairman is just being prudent!"

Shen Future waved his hand, stopping their argument:

"There's no need to compare intentionally. Juexiang Guild follows a path of comprehensive expansion, while we focus on elites and deep regional cooperation. Healthy competition is fine, but there's no need for deliberate rivalry. More often than not, we are in a cooperative relationship with them."

Lin Zhijie nodded in agreement: "True, the last time we had a cross-province joint cleanup of an A-class rift, the coordination was quite good."

Shen Future looked at the clock in the center of the hall, his eyes deep: "Next, the system will definitely take the initiative to open stable passages to the Otherworld. When that happens, everyone's 【Otherworld Return to City】 must have one point bound to an Otherworld outpost and the other left behind on Blue Star. This will be our lifeline for entry, exit, and supplies."

Mu Rongrong, seeing everyone around her discussing Frenzied Breath and tasks, finally couldn't help but raise her hand again, asking weakly: "Um... do you guys really not care about the 'Resurrection' skill? You can live even if you die!"

Ling Tianfeng, Fang Lu, and the others all looked at her simultaneously, their eyes carrying the same confusion: What is there to be excited about?

Ling Tianfeng: "Isn't this a basic function?"

Mu Rongrong: "..."

She suddenly felt that she might be the only one whose understanding of the 'game' wasn't deep enough.

---

North Bear Country, Winter City, an underground training base.

The lid of a massive high-grade recovery pod slid open. Ivanov sat up and yawned, his bare upper body showing well-defined muscle lines with lingering traces of grayish-green energy that quickly dissipated.

"Your Highness, you're awake?"

Andrei, who was waiting nearby, immediately stepped forward. "How do you feel? Your control over the Frenzied Breath energy..."

"It was a waste of practice." Ivanov rubbed his sleepy eyes, his tone a bit depressed. "I had just figured out a bit of the knack and could trigger a tiny bit. Then the system just goes and releases a 'Frenzied Breath Mode'." He felt like the cool factor from his two years of secluded bitter cultivation had instantly dropped by half.

Andrei suppressed a laugh and comforted him: "Your Highness is exceptionally talented; self-realization is the foundation. The system mode merely provides a more convenient path for growth. With your foundation, your progress will surely be countless times faster than ordinary people."

At that moment, a half-body projection of Adjutant Nikolai suddenly appeared in the room, speaking rapidly: "Your Highness! The system update is massive; the impact definitely won't be small! According to our analysis, for a cross-version move like this, there's a ninety percent chance the starting point will be in Xia Country! Should we send a vanguard team ahead to establish a teleportation point?"

Ivanov stepped out of the recovery pod, took the towel Andrei handed him to wipe his face, and said decisively: "Fine. You guys go ahead first, pick an inconspicuous but well-located spot to bind your Return to City points. I'm hungry; I'll head over after I eat."

Beside them, Yekaterina looked at the system announcement and muttered in a low voice: "Resurrection... aren't you guys going to discuss this? You can live even if you die..."

Vitaly and several other men turned to look at her upon hearing this, their eyes showing a unified sense of confusion.

Only Vitaly spoke up to ask:

"What's wrong? Katya? Is there a problem?"

Yekaterina looked at this group of teammates whose nerves were thicker than vodka and silently swallowed her words: "No... it's nothing. Forget I said anything."

She finally understood that in the eyes of these battle maniacs, resurrection was probably a 'default setting,' just like a gun needing bullets.

---

System World Chat Channel.

【Superpower is Laji】: Holy crap! This update content is explosive! Resurrection! Otherworld Return to City! New shop! System Daddy finally remembered us! (Tears streaming down my face)

【Superpower is Laji】: "Brothers, why is no one talking? Aren't you excited? There's resurrection now! We can go wild from now on!"

【Superpower is Laji】: "...Where is everyone? Did you all disconnect?"

...Just as players worldwide held their breath, rapidly digesting the update content while adjusting their status and cautiously choosing their Return to City binding points in anticipation of the expected "big move"—

【System Announcement】

【main quest: Chapter 2 - 'Otherworld Arc' has officially begun.】

【Task Background Summary:】

【Before the gods fell, they each sought a way to save the world.

One deity desired to use the power of 'Termination' to purge the chaotic rules and allow the world to heal itself, but this act unexpectedly drew the gaze of the 'Otherworld'.

The 'Otherworld', originally known as the Starlight Realm, was a world once invaded and completely shattered by the 'Void'.

Now, the Starlight Realm has become a springboard for the 'Void' to erode the Blue Star Realm, where a steady stream of otherworld beasts are born, aiming to trigger the appearance of the Blue Star's 'origin' and complete the final devouring.】

【Ultimate Task Goal: Reclaim the Starlight Realm.】

【Chapter 2, Section 1: Establishing an Otherworld Outpost】

【Task Description: Cross the barrier and establish a stable Blue Star outpost in the Starlight Realm. Clear threats around the outpost, construct basic defensive facilities, and ignite the fire of Blue Star.】

【Task Rewards: Settled based on contribution, including a large amount of free attribute points, contribution points, game currency, skill books, basic construction material packs, and a small amount of 'free annihilation points'.】

【Failure Penalty: None, but the loss of the outpost will lead to a significant increase in the difficulty of subsequent tasks.】

As soon as the announcement came out, global player forums and various guild channels were instantly set ablaze!

"It's here! As expected, we're invading the Otherworld!"

"Reclaim the Starlight Realm? The ultimate goal is that boss?!"

"Outpost construction! I love this kind of gameplay!"

"free annihilation points! I'm doing it just for those!"

At Juexiang Guild headquarters, the cheers almost blew off the ceiling.

"main quest! Otherworld outpost!"

"otherworld beasts! Your grandpa is coming!"

"Pioneering! Pioneering! Pioneering!"

Lu Qinghe pressed his hands down to signal for silence, his eyes fixed on the system interface: "There's more, there's definitely more announcements..."

As if to confirm his suspicion, the next second, a new golden announcement popped up, the font even more striking:

【System Announcement】:

【Blue Star Era, Xia Country Time, August 8th, 2026, 09:00.

The system will actively open a large, stable, two-way Otherworld passage connecting Blue Star with the initial safe zone of the Starlight Realm. The location is at the Light Fall Point in Linshui City, Jiangdong Province, Xia Country.】

【Estimated passage duration: 3 hours.】

【All players intending to participate in the Chapter 2, Section 1 task, please prepare in advance and travel to the Starlight Realm through this passage while it is open.】

【Please note: After the passage closes, players can only travel between the two worlds via the 'Otherworld Return to City' skill or fixed teleportation points established later.】

【Countdown begins: 14 hours 59 minutes 58 seconds...】

Time, location, all clear.

The eyes of players worldwide instantly focused on Linshui City, Jiangdong Province, Xia Country.

"Linshui City..." Shen Future looked at the coordinates, showing an expression that said 'as expected,' "The Lord of Wisdom's nest."

"Linshui City..." Ivanov mumbled while gnawing on a huge piece of roasted meat, "Tell Nikolai to bind near there. Don't get into a conflict with the Xia Country officials or that 'Wisdom' guy."

"Linshui City... Light Fall Point."

Lu Qinghe stood up and walked to the window, overlooking the city he had protected for two years, which was now about to become the starting point for the global players' expedition.

Outside the window, the sun was setting, painting the sky in a magnificent orange-red.

The countdown ticked silently on every player's system interface.

14 hours, 58 minutes, 37 seconds...