16: Is it too late for me to quit the group and join group 114514 now?

Just as Gu Yanci fell into a deep slumber.

And the entire starfield transformed into a silent graveyard.

The cold system notification sound of the Multiverse Chat Group.

Echoed in the minds of every group member.

【Calculating God-Slaying level mission: Battle of Guixu — Judgment of the Lingering Flame...】

【Judging... Core protected target 'Heavenly Court Civilization' social structure has completely disintegrated, life signal disappearance rate 100%, judged as: Logical Annihilation.】

【Judging... Group member 'Gu Yanci' life characteristics have disappeared, soul fluctuations have returned to silence, conforming to the definition of 'KIA'.】

【Preliminary conclusion: Mission failed. Generating punishment mechanism based on group member contribution...】

The hearts of Huang, Lin Moyan, and Su Qingyuan all sank.

Although they had long anticipated this outcome.

The system's judgment still made them feel a sense of powerlessness.

However, the next second.

A piercing alarm ripped through everyone's thoughts!

【ERROR! ERROR!】

【Detected unknown supreme authority interference! Detected mission's underlying causality forcibly reset!】

【Logical paradox occurred! 'Annihilation' status redefined as 'Ascension Slumber'!】

【Logical paradox occurred! 'KIA' status redefined as 'Civilization Fusion'!】

【System judgment model encountered irresistible force, emergency reconstruction in progress... Reconstruction successful!】

【Recalculating mission... Calculation complete!】

Before the group members could recover from this sudden change.

A 【Multiverse Announcement】 radiating seven-colored divine light.

Exploded throughout the entire 114514 chat group.

Coupled with the continuous breakthroughs in chat group levels.

It shook the higher-level communication hall!

【Miracle Announcement】

【Congratulations to chat group number 114514 for completing the former Age of Dharma's Requiem, now God-Slaying level mission 'Battle of Guixu', in an unimaginable way!】

【Final evaluation: SSS+ (Over-completed)!】

【The flame of civilization has been preserved and awaits rebirth in annihilation!】

【Based on contribution, rewards are as follows:】

【Group Leader "Old Days Ruler - Gu Jianghan"】:

—Contribution 99.99%.

1. Reward points: 2,000,000!

2. Reward 【SSS+ Grade Mythical Treasure Chest】 x1!

3. Reward special item 【World Embryo · Cradle of Original Sin】 x1!

【Group Member "Last Human Emperor - Gu Yanci"】:

—Contribution 0.01%.

1. Reward points: 500,000!

2. Reward 【S Grade Legendary Treasure Chest】 x1!

3. His status has been corrected to 【Human Path Ascension, Slumbering with Civilization】!

Other Spectating Group Members: 1. Reward points: 10,000.

【Due to completing an SSS+ rated mission, chat group number 114514's level has increased from Lv.5 to Lv.10!】

【Unlocked advanced feature "Multiverse Hall Live Stream"!】

【Group members can synchronize their observations and experiences to billions of chat groups across the Multiverse!】

【During live streams, there is a chance to receive rewards from Multiverse deities!】

【There are blessings, protections, and even divine artifacts!】

【Finally... beware of certain entities crossing realms...】

【Wish everyone a pleasant time (smiley face)】

【Signed — Carefree Heavenly Lord.】

Every word of the announcement.

Was like a star, smashing into the hearts of Huang and the others.

Leaving their minds blank.

Especially the reward for Gu Jianghan.

The item named 【World Embryo · Cradle of Original Sin】.

The moment the system issued it.

A crimson warning popped up for Gu Jianghan:

【Warning: This item was formed during the collapse of the previous era, from the ultimate resentment of billions of despairing gods and demons, fused with the core of a shattered universe.】

【It is filled with silence and wailing, regarded by all high-level entities in the Multiverse as an aggregate of 'Supreme Karma'.】

【This item has led to the complete fall of three 10th-tier entities and one 11th-tier entity in past eras, and is universally recognized as the number one hot potato in the Multiverse.】

【Due to its excessive karma, it has been sealed in the system warehouse for countless years, unclaimed. It is now being issued to you based on the highest contribution principle. Please handle with caution.】

While the group members were still in a daze.

On Gu Jianghan's panel.

There was already a completely black item.

Like a bizarre heart that could swallow all light and faintly emitted the wails of countless gods and demons.

The silent chat was finally broken by the Future Heavenly Emperor - Huang's incredulous message.

【Future Heavenly Emperor - Huang】: Did I read that right? The mission... was completed? (Jaw-dropping.JPG)

【Old Day Witness - Lin Moyan】: Praise the Group Leader! (Praying.JPG)

【Divine Seat Interpreter - Su Qingyuan】: Group Leader is awesome! (Thumbs up.JPG)

【Old Day Witness - Lin Moyan】: I never thought Gu Yanci would advance from an ordinary Qi Refiner to the 9th-tier in just seventy years... Lin Moyan's message was like a thunderclap of creation.

Completely shattering the recently calmed atmosphere.

Within chat group number 114514.

This time.

Even the most fervent Su Qingyuan was momentarily speechless, only mumbling unconsciously.

Shi Hao.

This Future Heavenly Emperor who would dominate all ages and witness the rise of countless prodigies.

His Dao Heart was currently undergoing an unprecedented violent impact.

Ninth-tier!

That was a power sufficient to be revered in the Immortal Realm, overlooking the succession of eras!

And now.

The system told him.

Someone had completed the path that would take him endless years and countless tribulations to traverse.

In just seventy years.

This was no longer genius! No longer a prodigy!

This was a complete subversion and merciless mockery of "cultivation" itself.

At the same time.

Due to chat group number 114514 being promoted to Level 10.

That golden 【Miracle Announcement】.

Also appeared simultaneously in the "Multiverse Chat Hall".

Instantly causing an uproar.

【Technological Era Council - Chat Group】:

"Analysis report is out. According to model deductions, without external high-dimensional energy infusion, the probability of a carbon-based lifeform naturally evolving to the ninth-tier 'single universe level' within seventy years is... zero. Absolute zero."

"Conclusion: This individual 'Gu Yanci', or the entity behind him, has mastered life ascension technology that we cannot comprehend. Danger level recommended to be raised to 'Unknown'."

【Eternal Immortal Alliance - Chat Group】:

"It's that 114514 group again! It's them again! Last time they forcibly upgraded a 10th-tier world to 11th-tier, this time they conjured a 9th-tier out of thin air? Who exactly is behind this? Is some forbidden entity awake and playing games with the world?!"

"Investigate! Investigate at all costs! Such uncontrollable variables are a huge threat to the order of the Multiverse!"

(The next second, he was backlashed by an indescribable power)

(All avatars of that Immortal Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws perished)

【Multiverse Loafing Fun - Chat Group】:

"(Yawn) Oh, Group 114514 is trending again, folks."

"Let me see... Oh, 'SSS+ rating', '70 years to 9th-tier'... Standard operation, don't cue. Disperse, disperse."

"Exactly. Last time their group leader caused a BUG in the system, which made everyone receive compensation points. From then on, I knew that logic and rules were nothing in front of that esteemed person. Calm down, everyone sit down."

"+1, I'm just curious now if they'll announce they've captured the system's backend in the next announcement."

"Ah, forget it, forget it..."

The clamor of the Multiverse Chat Hall.

Was far more intense than imagined within Group 114514.

That golden 【Miracle Announcement】.

Was like a nuclear bomb dropped into a calm lake.

The ripples it created swept through every corner.

【Multiverse Nursing Home - Chat Group】:

"Daily question: Did Group Leader 114514 take down the system today? ...Oh, didn't take down the system today, but took down all of our worldviews."

"(Image: A screaming marmot emoji) I just came out of seclusion, after eighty thousand years of arduous cultivation finally broke through to the eighth-tier, was about to show off, and then I saw this? Seventy years to ninth-tier? I'm shattered!"

"I just want to know now, what cultivation level is needed to offer a cigarette to Group Leader 114514? Is my eighth-tier peak enough? If not, I'll go back and train more!"

"Wake up, upstairs. Do you think offering a cigarette to such an existence requires cultivation? It requires having your household registration in their group!"

【Hot-Blooded Shonen Manga Protagonists - Chat Group】:

"I don't believe it! This is absolutely fake! It's an illusion! It must be some damn enemy trying to shake my Dao Heart! Seventy years to ninth-tier? Even my cheat isn't that outrageous!"

"My efforts... my ceaseless hard training, my breakthroughs again and again on the brink of death... In their eyes, is it all just a joke?"

"@All members, I propose this group be disbanded! What's the point of cultivating anymore! With this time, it's better to research how to join Group 114514! That's the only shortcut to the peak! Does any expert know the way? Please take me with you!"

【Multiverse Tycoons Pay-to-Win Group - Chat Group】:

"(A string of valuable reward effects) I'll offer the World Origin of ten Great Thousand Worlds, plus a complete high-grade mineral vein. Can anyone help me contact the Group Leader of 114514? I just want to ask, is this price enough to customize a ninth-tier enforcer?"

"Don't dream, upstairs. That's resources; they're playing with rules. You try to negotiate with the GM with money? They'll just modify the backend data directly. What can you compare with?"

"Sigh... Suddenly feel our little wealth is meaningless. Disperse, disperse, no more chatting. The more we chat, the poorer I feel."

【Behind-the-Scenes Masterminds Mutual Aid Association - Chat Group】:

(Ten minutes of silence)

"...I propose raising the threat level of chat group number 114514 from 'Extremely Dangerous' to 'Absolute Taboo'."

"Seconded. All members and their subordinate forces are prohibited from observing, contacting, or mentioning the worlds where members of that group reside, including all parallel timelines and past and future, in any form, for the next hundred thousand years."

"This isn't a threat; this is a 'phenomenon'. You cannot fight a storm; you can only stay away from it. We... cannot afford to play."

All sorts of external comments.

Appeared before the members of Group 114514.

Through the system's message panel.

Huang, Su Qingyuan, Lin Moyan.

Looking at the shock, envy, fear, and helplessness of these top figures from across the Multiverse.

And then looking at the ID at the top of the chat interface.

The one named 【Old Days Ruler - Gu Jianghan】.

An indescribable sense of pride and awe spontaneously arose.

They were in the eye of a storm that even the Multiverse trembled before.

And the source of that storm was their Group Leader.

Just then.

That ID, which had been silent, finally lit up.

Gu Jianghan ignored all the external commotion.

Those discussions that could make even ninth-tier, or even tenth-tier, powerhouses lose their composure.

Were nothing but insignificant dust in his eyes.

His "gaze".

Always rested upon the 【World Embryo · Cradle of Original Sin】 floating in the void, exuding an ominous and tempting aura.

Gu Jianghan activated his causal vision.

Countless bloody cobwebs, densely packed.

Crawled all over the 【World Embryo · Cradle of Original Sin】.

He sensed the aura of a kindred spirit upon it.