441: Chapter 441 Did they eat my mission?

In Sander's eyes, Chen You's performance took on a completely different interpretation.

The Mentor was angry.

To protect her art and provide her with a platform to showcase it, the Mentor had actually shouldered the malice of the world alone, even going bankrupt in the process!

Seeing Chen You's face slightly twisted in "heartache," Sander's eyes reddened once again.

But this time, it was not because of despair, but because of being moved.

"Mentor..." Sander's lips trembled.

"Don't call me Mentor." Chen You turned around, leaving Sander with a lonely yet firm back.

"In this world ruled by capital and old rules, true art is destined to go underground. Since they won't give us a stage..."

Chen You turned his head abruptly, his eyes as sharp as knives: "Then we shall turn this world into our stage!"

Boom!

It was as if a thunderclap had exploded in Sander's mind.

Decadence, self-doubt, and despair were completely shattered at this moment by Chen You's grand promises.

She stood up straight abruptly, and an aura even more fanatical than before erupted from within her.

She strode to Chen You, knelt on one knee, and struck her chest heavily with her clenched right fist.

"Mentor! I understand!" Sander raised her head, her eyes as fanatical as a cultist's.

"The system of the old era cannot contain my art, so I will break it! From today on, I am the number one warrior of the underground label!"

The corner of Chen You's mouth twitched slightly.

What the hell is an underground label? You sure learn new terms quickly.

Chen You stared at Sander with burning eyes.

"Go into hiding, James Sander."

"One day, I will have the sky of the Source Realm flash neon lights for you; I will have the creatures of ten thousand races wave glow sticks for you!"

A blazing fire ignited in Sander's eyes: "Mentor! I swear to you, the next time I take the stage, it will surely stir up an even greater storm!"

Chen You nodded heavily.

Hooked.

"Get up." Chen You waved his hand, quickly getting to the main point.

"Since matters in Cangxing City have come to an end, it's time for me to continue opening up new stages."

"Shall we hand over the main quest?"

Sander stood up and brushed the dust off her body.

Although she was wearing worn-out leather armor, there was a hint of composure and depth in her eyes at this moment.

She walked to the throne and took out a crystal token emitting a pale blue light from a hidden compartment.

"Mentor, this is the Starrail Pass to the City of Aurora." Sander handed the token to Chen You with both hands, her tone respectful.

"Your power might bring new hope to that frozen city."

[System Prompt: Main quest "Frozen Past" has been triggered.]

[Quest Description: Your strength has been proven, and your reputation has spread far and wide. The City Lord of the City of Aurora has heard of your deeds and would very much like to meet you.]

[Quest Objective: Go to the City of Aurora and unlock a long-frozen past.]

[Quest Reward: EXP + 500,000]

[Accept / Decline?]

Chen You looked at the prompt that popped up in his vision, his brows furrowing bit by bit.

That's it?

Just this?

500,000 EXP looks like a lot, but the EXP he needs to level up now is an astronomical figure.

Most importantly, the process is wrong!

Chen You didn't rush to accept the quest; he stood still, staring straight at Sander.

"City Lord, did you forget something?" Chen You asked tentatively.

Sander was stunned, touching her messy hair, "Mentor, is my hairstyle messed up?"

"It's not the hairstyle." Chen You stepped forward, lowering his voice.

"I mean, does this city have any hidden dangers? Is there any catastrophic disaster that needs my help to resolve?"

According to Chen You's understanding, every major city in the Source Realm has hidden quests that trigger monster sieges.

After tossing and turning in Cangxing City for so long, how could it just let him leave so blandly?

Without fighting a monster siege, how is he supposed to farm EXP? How is he supposed to level up quickly?

Sander looked completely bewildered: "Hidden dangers? Haven't you already helped me solve them, Mentor?"

"Those old-fashioned concepts that don't understand art have already been completely shattered by your talent show."

Chen You took a deep breath, explaining patiently: "I'm not talking about ideological hidden dangers, I'm talking about physical ones."

"For example, are there any ancient seals outside the city that have loosened?"

Sander shook her head: "No."

"Then are there any dark forces gathering underground, preparing to slaughter Cangxing City under the cover of night?"

Sander shook her head again: "Absolutely not. The underground of Cangxing City is solid Star Rock; even a mouse can't dig a hole out of it."

Chen You wouldn't give up, gesturing with his hands: "Then is there anything like... ugly, covered in black energy, numbering in the thousands, howling and climbing up the city walls?"

Sander fell silent.

She stared at the gestures Chen You was making, her eyes gradually becoming serious, as if she had fallen into some deep contemplation.

Chen You's eyes lit up.

There's a chance! This NPC finally remembered!

"Mentor..." Sander took a deep breath, her tone pained, "Are you talking about... those crazy sasaeng fans and haters?"

Chen You stumbled, almost falling headfirst onto the steps.

"What the hell, sasaeng fans!" Chen You broke down, pointing outside the great hall and roaring, "I'm talking about monsters! Beasts! EXP bags! The kind that gives EXP!"

Sander suddenly realized, then revealed a confident smile.

"You're overthinking it, Mentor. Although Cangxing City is dilapidated, the defensive formation was left by our ancestors."

"Let alone thousands of monsters, not even a fly can fly in." Sander patted her chest in assurance, "You can rest assured and go to the City of Aurora; I will guard this place."

Chen You despaired.

He looked at Sander's confident face, ten thousand alpacas stampeding through his heart.

This isn't scientific.

The previous acting city lord was definitely a hidden quest; ordinary players couldn't possibly complete it.

The system forcefully rolled back, clearing all the prosperity he had spent money to build. Could it be that it also cleared the hidden quest progress along with it?

Isn't this just screwing me over!

Chen You looked at the sincere-looking Sander.

Counting on this City Lord, whose head is full of singing, dancing, and rapping, is a lost cause.

If he wants to dig up hidden quests, he still has to rely on himself.

"Fine, no rush to go to the City of Aurora." Chen You sighed and turned to walk out, "I'm going to get something to eat first. You practice your ball-handling well and don't slack off."

"Safe travels, Mentor! I will definitely not let you down!" Sander shouted from behind, and then the familiar "thump-thump" sound of dribbling echoed in the great hall.

Chen You walked out of the City Lord's mansion.

The streets had returned to their wasteland appearance, with NPCs wearing coarse linen clothes, wandering the streets listlessly.

A few players passed by, still grumbling and complaining that the system reboot didn't offer any compensation at all.

Chen You rode Big White Rabbit directly back to the Supreme Tower.

"Hill, I have a question to ask you."