64: Chapter 64 'Wanting Both'

"nightfall" descended directly upon the realm of Taoyuan Wonderland by tearing through space, bringing with it thick corruption and countless Calamity Demons.

The "Twin Trees" were still standing.

Countless Calamity Demons clashed with the soldiers continuously spawned by the tree of morning light;

The thick corruption was also being absorbed by the tree of dark twilight inside the Home Base through the opening connected to it.

But the fall of Taoyuan Wonderland was still just a matter of time; the "Twin Trees" could hold back the corruption and the Calamity Demons, but they could not hold back the devouring of "nightfall".

Once "nightfall" devoured the tree of morning light in Taoyuan Wonderland, the entire balance would be broken immediately, and at that point, the Dragon Country's Home Base might not even last for a minute.

"What a pity. The [Taoyuan Wonderland] ability is truly quite good.

It can provide shelter without banishing the protected people and objects to a space they cannot leave.

In other events, this skill would certainly belong to the strategic category; it is just a pity that it is not suited for the current situation..."

In the live broadcast room, York praised the ability of [Taoyuan Wonderland] while expressing regret that the Dragon Country was about to lose this Game of National Destiny.

Heller, who was also a commentator, curled his lips and said disdainfully,

"Saying all that is useless!

Losing is losing.

For a trash country to get fifth place is already a result worth popping champagne over, even if they won't get any rewards."

Sakura Country had used a "Foundation Item"; as long as they couldn't squeeze into the top three, a higher or lower ranking was meaningless. Heller was mocking the wasted effort of the Dragon Country people.

...

On the Star Chessboard.

Chen Aoyun was somewhat annoyed,

"It was my wrong decision that kept the Dragon Country from even squeezing into the top three.

I was too self-righteous.

Other countries followed the ideas provided by their items to delay the advance of "nightfall", but only I tried to be unconventional.

And by being unconventional, I led the Dragon Country into a pit!

The Dragon Country also has [Heroic Spirits] that can delay "nightfall". Britain could place [Prometheus] to summon divine fire, so I could also place [Suiren]!

[Prometheus] is "stealing fire", while [Suiren] is "getting fire".

If I had also followed the normal line of thinking, "getting fire" is a level higher than "stealing fire"; perhaps it could have allowed the Dragon Country to hold on longer without the assistance of items.

As long as we held on until other countries with "Twin Trees" were eliminated, the Dragon Country could at least have squeezed into the top three and broken that shameless "Foundation Item" of Sakura Country!"

A punch landed on Chen Aoyun's abdomen. Can one hit people in a soul state?

Chen Aoyun looked at the person who threw the punch in astonishment: Zhao Hongxiu.

Zhao Hongxiu still had that unchanging poker face,

"Do not negate yourself!

And do not discard your 'unconventionality'!

It is precisely because of your unconventionality that we have [Seven In, Seven Out], the shouting that stopped the rushing river bridge, and [One Man Against the Pass].

It was your 'unconventionality' that allowed the Dragon Country to reach this point; why would you want to negate it?"

The [Strategist] is the "direct superior" of all [Roleplayers] in the Game of National Destiny, and you dare to hit him?

Fan Ling shrank his neck, not daring to say anything about this action, but instead followed Zhao Hongxiu's words to persuade Chen Aoyun,

"Hongxiu is right, this is not your fault.

You were the [Tao Yuanming] who placed pieces in advance; who the hell knew that the [Chessboard Rules] would add those qualifiers in the new phase.

You didn't lose because of being 'unconventional', it's just that our Dragon Country's luck was a bit worse.

Besides, you have already done very well.

Fifth place, man!

This is a good result the Dragon Country has never had before. If you act so depressed about fifth place, it will make those older generation Dragon Country [Strategists] who participated in the Game of National Destiny feel very ashamed!

You have to think about their feelings, you bastard..."

Fan Ling was also worked up. No, that's not it.

The people who should feel ashamed include him, Fan Ling. He, Fan Ling, had also participated in the Game of National Destiny many times; every time, being able to squeeze into the middle rankings and leaving alive was something to be thankful for.

Fifth place? This was a result that Fan Ling and those other older generation Dragon Country participants wouldn't even dare to dream of.

You, Chen Aoyun, not only achieved it, but you also treat such a good result with disdain? It's infuriating, you guy!

A few words awakened Chen Aoyun.

"What is the reason that I am annoyed?

Is it unwillingness? No!

It is that I took myself too seriously!

Adjust my mindset!

The Game of National Destiny is not a playground where I am invincible just because I have memories of the Old Era in my heart; this is a battlefield!

On the battlefield, there are victories and defeats; I cannot hold myself in too high regard.

Arrogance is not advisable. Being disheartened is even less advisable!"

Having readjusted his mindset, Chen Aoyun took a deep breath and stopped sighing.

"The Game of National Destiny is not over yet; I still have Construction Power in my hands!

One can lose the Game of National Destiny, but one cannot admit defeat!" Chen Aoyun clenched his fists tightly, and fighting spirit reignited in his eyes.

He's still not admitting defeat? So my persuasion was all for nothing?

Fan Ling patted Chen Aoyun on the shoulder,

"It's good that you can stop negating yourself so quickly.

I know you still have Construction Power in my hands.

But big brother, don't forget, the new Construction Power you obtained is, in the current situation, equivalent to having nothing!

That [Suiren] you mentioned probably can't enter the field.

The 'Arrival Phase' can only 'place' special Heroic Spirits like [Nightingale]!

A special Heroic Spirit!

In the thousands of years of the New Era, ever since the existence of the Game of National Destiny, the whole world has only had [Nightingale] as the one recognized as a special Heroic Spirit that can be summoned during the Arrival Phase.

You think the Dragon Country has one too? Stop joking!

[Nightingale] was recognized as a special Heroic Spirit because she once treated the wounded in the Old Era without distinguishing between enemy and friend; her existence surpassed contributions to a single civilization, making her the only such special Heroic Spirit.

If you can successfully place such a Heroic Spirit, in my opinion, the probability is even smaller than winning the championship of the Game of National Destiny ten times in a row!

"Fine, let's take a step back and say the Dragon Country has a Heroic Spirit similar to [Nightingale].

But just being able to place a Heroic Spirit is useless.

The placed Heroic Spirit must meet the prerequisite of being a 'special Heroic Spirit' while also being able to precisely handle the current situation.

What is the current situation?

It is the threat of 'nightfall' to the 'tree of morning light'!

Are you sure you can place such a 'having it both ways' Heroic Spirit?"