78: Chapter 78 The Labyrinth Builder

Pure white, flawless, boundless.

This was Zhang Hao's first sensation after his consciousness regained clarity.

He was suspended in a pure white space almost identical to the mission settlement space, with invisible yet solid support beneath his feet and soft, uniform light surrounding him, devoid of any superfluous scenery.

The Silver Star on his shoulder seemed constrained by some rule, lying quietly, with only the Taiji diagram between its brows and the faint, flowing brilliance in its pupils indicating it was in a state of high alert and analysis.

Just then, lines of cold, orderly, mechanically printed text were projected directly in front of his retina without warning—or more precisely, presented directly into his consciousness:

[Detected Host entering [Exclusive Dream Talent Task — Rank B++] ... ]

[Parsing Host Talent ... ]

[[Talent Name] Confirmed: [Child of Numerology]]

[[Talent Rank] Confirmed: [Rank B]]

[[Root of Talent] Confirmed: [Fate], [Karma]]

[[Soul Foundation] Confirmed: [Logic]]

[[Exclusive Dream Talent Task Rank] Confirmed: [Rank B++]]

[Starting to generate [Exclusive Dream Talent Task — Rank B++] ... ]

The text emerged line by line, at a steady speed, carrying an unquestionable authority.

Zhang Hao's pupils contracted slightly.

Not because of the task starting, but because of two unprecedented terms revealed in this prompt information—[Root of Talent] and [Soul Foundation].

"Root... Foundation..." he mused over these two words in a low voice.

In his understanding, a Talent was just a Talent, a special ability that a Host was born with or awakened during a mission; he had never heard of a deeper "Root".

And "Soul Foundation" touched upon the very concept of existence itself; this seemed to be something even more fundamental than a Talent.

[Logic]... Did this have anything to do with his initially awakened [Logical Connection] Talent?

Did his way of thinking determine his Soul Foundation, or did this [Logic] foundation guide him to awaken the relevant Talent, and ultimately carry the [Child of Numerology]?

In an instant, countless questions flooded his mind.

Was this detailed, essence-touching analysis something every Host who entered the [Dream Talent Space] would see?

Or was it that only when a Talent reached Rank B, or like him, after fusing four chances to open a Rank B++ task, was one qualified to glimpse this tip of the iceberg?

Or perhaps... was it just because what he possessed was that so-called [Special Unique Talent]?

Subconsciously, he wanted to activate the [Child of Numerology] Talent, the golden starlight in his left eye and the chaotic darkness in his right eye lighting up slightly, attempting to observe and parse the more massive rules and information implicated behind these two words.

However, just as he was about to fall into deep thought, or even risk using his Talent power to probe the secrets behind this, the pure white space before him rippled slightly, and that string of systematic analysis text vanished instantly as if erased.

Replacing it was the official prompt panel for this task, unfolding in the form of a more eye-catching light curtain with a hint of fantasy color:

[Dream World Task]: Maze Builder

[Task Type]: Exclusive Dream Talent Task — Rank B++

[Task Content]: This is a newly born fantasy adventure world. Apart from the Adventurers Town on the surface, the core of this world is the massive maze located underground.

Please fulfill your mission as a Maze Builder.

[Task Hint]: Please use your Talent reasonably.

You will temporarily obtain the [maze builder panel]. After adventurers enter the maze and undergo emotional changes, you will obtain [maze construction points] based on the magnitude of their emotional changes, which can be used for operations such as building and expanding the maze, generating monsters, and creating treasures.

Please do not expose your [Maze Builder] identity.

Only one person or one team is supported to enter the maze for exploration at the same time.

[Task Reward]: Talent enhancement or evolution (depending on the Host's performance in the task)

The text on the light curtain was clear and explicit, and the task content made Zhang Hao feel an unprecedented novelty and... compatibility?

Maze Builder?

Using his Talent?

Gaining points to build the maze through the emotional fluctuations of adventurers?

His gaze fell on the two hints: "Please use your Talent reasonably" and "Do not expose your identity," and many thoughts flashed through his mind instantly.

[Child of Numerology], observing fate, interfering with [Karma]...

A Maze Builder who could guide and even "design" the fate trajectory of adventurers?

Using the maze's layout, the distribution of monsters, and the temptation of treasures to guide the adventurers who entered to experience fear, greed, surprise, despair... various intense emotional fluctuations, thereby providing "resources" for him to build the maze?

This was a task tailor-made for him!

An excellent stage that would allow him to test to his heart's content, deeply understand the two major roots of his Talent—[Fate] and [Karma]—and perform a grand "weaving" with [Logic] as the foundation!

Rank B++... truly extraordinary.

This was not just a test of power, but an ultimate challenge of understanding the essence of Talent and creative application.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his urge to delve into the "Root" and "Foundation," and focused all his energy on the task at hand.

Silver Star moved slightly on his shoulder, conveying a sense of readiness.

Light began to gather around him, the pure white space gradually faded, and the outline of a brand new, unknown "newly born fantasy world" was slowly condensing before his eyes.