189: Chapter 189 They say it's a version trap

Moon God Realm.

This was not the elven territory from the game, but a real world with a minimalist style that exuded a sense of future technology everywhere.

Inside a circular architectural space, a soft moon-white glow spilled down from the dome, illuminating the tall figures seated around the central conference table.

The woman leading them was none other than Arrow of the Moon.

In reality, she had shed her divine aura from the game and appeared to be around thirty years old.

Her long silver hair was neatly tied back, and her features were exquisite yet heroic.

Compared to her ethereal, otherworldly image in the game, she was currently wearing a well-fitted silver-grey uniform, adding a touch of mature charm.

“...That is the situation.”

Moonfall Base reported on the recently concluded trip to Ten Thousand Fox Cave, his tone still carrying a trace of lingering shock.

Around the conference table, several core elders of Moon Gods Radiance looked at each other, their expressions equally strange.

Arrow of the Moon's brow furrowed tighter and tighter.

A melee mage?

She had suspected before that those inconceivable long-range sword-controlling methods were not something a warrior-type class should have.

But a mage...

Arrow of the Moon pulled up the combat footage of Chen You in Ten Thousand Fox Cave—it was recorded from Moonfall Base's first-person perspective.

In the video, the man didn't even bother to take out a staff; facing the fox demons, he simply pointed his fingers casually.

“Sizzle—”

A thick bolt of purple lightning appeared out of thin air, instantly turning the monsters in the fan-shaped area ahead into charcoal.

No chanting, no casting gestures, not even a post-cast delay.

Instant cast!

Arrow of the Moon was well aware of the pain points of casting classes.

The more powerful the spell, the longer the preparation time, and the more obvious the casting rigidity.

But what about Chen You?

That attack speed, that fluidity—it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he was strafing with a machine gun.

“Guild Leader, is it possible... this really is a hidden class we don't know about? For example... a Thunder Law Swordsman?”

Moonfall Base cautiously offered his guess.

Arrow of the Moon did not answer; instead, she closed the combat footage and pulled up another top-secret document.

Document Title: “Feasibility Analysis Report on the ‘Cultivator’ Class.”

This was an attempt all Three Great Divine Races had made after the new class appeared.

They had screened hundreds of newcomers to choose the “Cultivator” class when entering the Source Realm.

However, the results... were disastrous.

The report's conclusion was cold and blunt:

“The early-stage attributes of this class are average, with no outstanding strengths. Not as tanky as a warrior, not as high-damage as a mage, not as fast as an archer; it’s like an incoherent, defective product.”

“The acquisition path for cultivation arts is unknown, skills cannot be used, and the cost-performance ratio is extremely low.”

“Overall Assessment: A trap class; it is not recommended to invest any resources.”

So, was the “immortal path pioneer” really a Cultivator?

If a Cultivator was this monstrous, then what were those hundreds of “cultivation failures” they had raised, who couldn't even beat a Level 10 wild boar?

Arrow of the Moon felt her temples throbbing.

She couldn't understand it.

She completely couldn't understand it.

“Perhaps our current focus should be on that new team dungeon...” an elder beside her spoke up.

He didn't seem to have much interest in Chen You.

Not just him; many elders felt that Arrow of the Moon was giving Chen You too much attention.

In their view, even if Chen You had created many miracles, he was still only Level 20.

In the Source Realm, level was the ultimate truth.

Once he passed the newbie protection period, if someone intended to target him, he would find it hard to take a single step.

Arrow of the Moon took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the chaotic thoughts in her mind.

“According to the original plan, the first, third, and Seventh Elite Teams will form the main force for the first clear.”

“All logistics resources will lean toward them. We must enter the dungeon at the first possible moment.”

Her eyes sharpened, regaining the decisiveness of a guild leader.

“Our goal is to take the first kill of the Mythic Dungeon.”

“Understood!” everyone responded in unison.

...

About half an hour after the temporary maintenance shutdown of the Source Realm.

Deep in the Qinling Mountains, White Jade Capital.

This immortal city seemed to have restrained much of its overall radiance due to the shutdown of the Source Realm.

It was no longer as shrouded in immortal mist as before; it was more like an ancient giant beast quietly lurking within the mountain range.

Atop the eastern city gate tower, Chen You sat cross-legged.

His eyes were tightly closed, his breathing long and steady, with a faint air current nearly invisible to the naked eye swirling around his body.

Although the Source Realm was closed, the spiritual energy concentration in White Jade Capital was still much higher than outside.

The Nine Revolutions Primordial Chaos Art was still operating.

The spiritual power within his body flowed slowly through his limbs, bones, and meridians.

With every cycle, he felt his five senses, strength, and even his spirit undergo a minute, almost imperceptible refinement.

“It’s comfortable, sure...” Chen You grumbled inwardly, “but this efficiency is still a bit worse than the training room.”

However, just as his mind sank deep, an inexplicable impulse erupted within his body.

“Hmm?”

Chen You’s heart stirred.

Is this... the Nine Revolutions Primordial Chaos Art about to break through?

So sudden!

His spirits lifted, and he was no longer in his previous lazy cultivation state. He began to concentrate his entire mind, guiding all the spiritual power about to erupt within his body.

He launched a charge toward that invisible barrier.

...

At the same time, the Qinling Command Center.

The atmosphere was serious and quiet, with only the sound of keyboard clicks and the low hum of instruments.

Suddenly—

“Beep! Beep! Beep!—”

A piercing alarm sounded throughout the entire command hall without warning.

On one of the main screens, the numerical chart representing energy fluctuations instantly spiked from a smooth green line into a violently oscillating red curve!

“Report! A high-intensity energy reaction has appeared at the A-3 area energy monitoring station!”

“Energy source locked! It’s... it’s the eastern city gate tower!”

“Target identified... it’s Comrade Chen You!”

The entire command center instantly fell into chaos.

“Director Li!” Zhang Yun sea's face was grave. “The situation is unclear. I suggest immediately initiating the Level 1 defense contingency plan and evacuating non-combat personnel from the surface!”

Director Li Guoan's gaze was locked onto the main screen; he had already thought of a certain possibility.

“Don't panic.”

Director Li Guoan's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a power that calmed people's hearts, instantly suppressing all the noise in the hall.

He looked at the motionless, cross-legged figure on the screen, his gaze complex.

There was worry, but also uncontrollable excitement and anticipation.

“He should be about to break through.”

“Break through?” Everyone was stunned.

Director Li Guoan paused for a moment.

“Order: Initiate the highest-level observation contingency plan! Turn the power of all data collection equipment to the maximum!”

“Furthermore, all personnel within the range of White Jade Capital do not need to evacuate; find cover nearby.”

The moment the order was given, the alarm turned into a continuous, long wail!

“Report! An energy vortex has formed! It is absorbing free energy from the surrounding space!”

“The spiritual energy concentration in White Jade Capital is dropping sharply!”

“No! Not just White Jade Capital! The energy field of the entire Qinling mountain range is converging toward him!”

On the city gate tower.

The wind howled, and Chen You’s robes flapped loudly.

A massive amount of heaven and earth energy poured into his body, merging with his own spiritual power to form an unprecedented, towering wave that slammed fiercely against that indestructible barrier!

With the experience from the last time, this breakthrough was familiar and smooth.

“Break... for me!”

Crack!

A crisp sound seemed to come from the depths of his soul.

The solid dam shattered upon impact!

Boom!

Chen You felt as if his body had exploded, yet also as if it had gained new life.

The original stream of spiritual power, after breaking through the barrier, instantly expanded into a surging great river!

The total amount and purity of his spiritual power had undergone an earth-shaking change!

The Nine Revolutions Primordial Chaos Art had entered the third layer!

He slowly opened his eyes and looked at his palm.

“This... is what?”