120: Chapter 120 Blessings of the Gods and the Butterfly Effect

The strong wind, laden with snow spray, carved white marks on the canyon's rock walls.

Qin Ji had just placed the two Saint Grade Talent Awakening Stones, radiating a colorful mist, into his backpack when the communication bar flickered again.

"Snow Emperor boss, since the ring has been sold, can you also part with those two Saint Grade Talent Awakening Stones? The price is negotiable, I can exchange them for guild shares!"

Frenzied Blade's message followed closely, clearly coveting the rewards from the System announcement.

Qin Ji glanced at the message, a playful arc forming at the corner of his mouth.

This Frenzied Blade has a keen sense of smell.

"A set of Bronze equipment is 200,000 gold coins. The Saint Grade Talent Awakening Stone is not for sale for now."

Qin Ji replied directly and decisively.

At this stage, even Bronze equipment was merely a transitional item for him. If he wanted, he could easily get them in bulk from high-level dungeons later. But the Saint Grade Talent Awakening Stone was different; it was a strategic resource.

After the Cataclysm descends, the invasion of the Aleit Star System will destroy the existing order. At that time, fighting alone will not work. He needs to establish his own territory and form his own Divine-Grade army. These two stones are the stepping stones for recruiting peerless masters in the future.

"Alright, then let's trade for the Bronze equipment first."

Frenzied Blade was also a decisive person. Seeing Qin Ji's firm tone, he no longer pestered him and quickly completed the transfer transaction.

Watching the gold coin balance on his account surge again, Qin Ji closed the communication panel and looked towards the distant, hazy horizon.

"I wonder how much will change in this life because of me."

In the trajectory of his previous life, there was no 'Snow Emperor' stirring up trouble in the Early Stage of the server's launch.

At that time, although the Berserk Guild also rose with official backing, it was never as smooth-sailing as it is now, and it would have been impossible to gather ten sets of Level 25 Bronze equipment at this stage.

And that unlucky fellow whose 'server's first' reward he snatched — Scrape by Until Eternity, was probably still doubting life in some Newbie Village at this moment.

In the original timeline, Scrape by Until Eternity was the first person to finish watching the promotional video, and thus awakened a Divine-Grade Talent, becoming a famous top-tier expert in later generations.

"The storm stirred by this butterfly's wings seems to be even fiercer than I imagined."

Qin Ji's fingers gently tapped the longbow in his hand.

Scrape by Until Eternity, this person must be recruited. Although his ID is 'Gou' (meaning 'to lie low'), this person never equivocated when it came to major issues. In his previous life, when fighting against alien civilizations, this guy was a ruthless individual on the front lines.

If there are extra god-tier talent awakening stones in the future, he could compensate him with one.

Recalling his thoughts, Qin Ji's eyes once again became sharp.

Although he had fleeced Ice Snow City once, it was clearly not bald yet. Since there was someone behind the scenes pushing things here, just like in Black Wind City, then he might as well go all out.

"Monkey, let's go, let's visit Ice Snow City again."

However.

Just as Qin Ji stepped out of the canyon, preparing to head towards Ice Snow City again, his steps suddenly halted.

In the snow ahead, an figure had appeared at some point.

The person wore an unremarkable grey cloth robe, with hands tucked into sleeves, back to the wind and snow, as if they had been standing there for a long time, or as if they had grown out of the wind and snow from nothing.

This silent appearance made Qin Ji's muscles instantly tense.

A master.

And one who could pose a fatal threat to him.

Qin Ji said nothing unnecessary. The nine harmonies-evil slaying bow instantly drew to a full moon, three feathered arrows locking onto the opponent's throat, heart, and glabella.

"Grand Marshal?"

He tentatively uttered a title. In the Star Kingdom, the NPCs with such an Aura were few and far between, and this person's back resembled that of the legendary number one military figure.

The person slowly turned around, revealing a slightly pale and refined face. He saw Qin Ji's tense state, smiled gently, and waved his hand.

"Snow Emperor, no need to be so nervous. I am not the Grand Marshal, I am his younger brother, Luolin Muye."

Luolin Muye?

Qin Ji frowned slightly, quickly searching his memories for this name.

There did seem to be such a figure in the Star Kingdom's noble circles, but his presence was extremely low, like a shadow attached to the Grand Marshal's halo. However, the oppressive feeling this person gave him was even stronger than that of Black Wind City's City Lord back then.

This was definitely not an ordinary noble scion.

"Are you here to encircle and suppress me?" Qin Ji asked coldly, his bowstring not loosening in the slightest.

Luolin Muye shook his head, his gaze sweeping over the longbow in Qin Ji's hand, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes: "No, you misunderstand. If it were an encirclement, this canyon would already be filled with magic cannons of the Royal Guards. I am here simply to talk with you."

"Representing whom? The Grand Marshal, or the King?"

"The King."

Luolin Muye put away his smile, his tone becoming serious: "You may have some misunderstandings about the ban issued by King Abra."

"Misunderstanding?"

Qin Ji sneered, the arrow still pointed at the other party, "The ban clearly states in black and white that I am a rebel, wanted throughout the server. If this is a misunderstanding, then it's far too big of a misunderstanding."

"Alas, this is the crux of the problem."

Luolin Muye sighed and took two steps forward, completely ignoring Qin Ji's lock-on, "The King merely doesn't want you to get involved in the struggle for the throne, which is why he issued the restriction order. As for the aggressive wording and bounty in the ban... that was the work of Prime Minister Kesenluo."

Qin Ji's eyes flickered slightly.

Indeed.

Just as he had guessed.

Although King Abra was incompetent, he wouldn't force an Adventurer with unlimited potential to rebel at this critical juncture. The real instigator was the Prime Minister, who wielded immense power.

"Prime Minister Kesenluo had long planned this; that ban was specifically aimed at enraging you." Luolin Muye's voice was exceptionally clear in the wind and snow, "Once you retaliate, you will confirm the crime of rebellion, and then he will have a reason to mobilize a large army to completely eliminate you, and incidentally weaken the King's prestige."

"So?"

Qin Ji was noncommittal, "You also said, the ban was issued by the King. Regardless of who wrote the content, he stamped it. Is it too late to ask me to stop now?"

"Not too late."

Luolin Muye flipped his wrist, and a scroll emanating a faint golden light appeared in his palm.

"Snow Emperor, you've been tricked, but this game isn't over yet. The King sent me to find you because he wants to give you a way out, and himself a way out too."

With that, he gently tossed the scroll over.

Qin Ji reached out to catch it, and the System prompt sounded immediately.

[Ding! Congratulations on triggering the hidden quest: Prelude to the Blessing of the Gods.]

[Quest Giver: Luolin Muye (representing King Abra).]

[Quest Background: Due to your continuous attacks on the main city, the internal stability of the Star Kingdom has been severely affected. The King hopes you can temporarily cease your actions.]

[Quest Requirement: Snow Emperor and his affiliated forces are to cease involvement in the Star Kingdom's internal affairs for a duration of 7 days.]

[Quest Reward: free attribute points +100, special status 'Blessing of the Gods' +1.]

[Failure Penalty: Unknown.]

Looking at the quest panel, Qin Ji's pupils contracted slightly.

One hundred free attribute points!

This reward was indeed generous, and more importantly, there was the 'Blessing of the Gods.' Although he didn't know the specific effects, anything with the words 'Gods' in it was definitely not ordinary in 'Heavens.'

"Seven days..."

Qin Ji calculated in his mind.

Seven days might be a long time for players, but for the NPC's struggle for the throne, it was merely a flick of a finger. The King wanted to use these seven days to clean house, or... was he stalling for time?

"I can accept this quest."

Qin Ji put the scroll into his backpack, looked up at Luolin Muye, his tone showing no signs of softening, "But I also have two conditions."

Luolin Muye seemed to have anticipated this and nodded slightly: "Please speak."

"First, my attack on the King will not end temporarily. This is related to another quest I have, and it's beyond my control."

Qin Ji spoke with righteous indignation.

The Black Robe Leader's quest wasn't finished yet. If he stopped, it would be hard to explain to that mysterious black-robed organization.

Upon hearing this, Luolin Muye's expression immediately turned somewhat grim. How could someone accept the King's peace talks quest while continuing to attack the King?

But he remained silent for a moment, seemingly weighing the pros and cons, and finally nodded: "If it's a quest restriction, it's understandable. As long as it doesn't cause substantial strategic damage, I can explain it to the King."

"Alright."

Qin Ji's lips curved upwards, then he dropped the real bombshell, "Second, you know my influence among the Adventurer community. This attack on the main city has the entire server watching. If I just withdraw ignominiously like this, who will compensate me for my loss of reputation?"

"What else do you want?!"

Luolin Muye's originally refined expression instantly broke, his eyes turning sinister. He had vaguely guessed Qin Ji's intention, but this appetite was simply too large.

"I want to attack Black Wind City, and I want to conquer it!"

Qin Ji spoke each word distinctly, his voice not loud, but it exploded across the snowy plains like thunder.

"That's impossible!"

Luolin Muye almost instinctively roared, his robes fluttering without wind, and a terrifying Aura instantly erupted, shattering the surrounding snow.

"Black Wind City is a vital border town of the Star Kingdom, a strategic stronghold of main city Rank! How can you just say you'll break through it? This concerns the Kingdom's face!"

"Face?"

Qin Ji sneered. Facing Luolin Muye's pressure, he not only didn't retreat but stepped forward, his purple-golden pupils burning with a mad Battle Intent.

"When the Prime Minister plotted against me, did he give me face? When the King ordered my arrest, did he give me face?"

"Black Wind City must fall, otherwise I, Snow Emperor, cannot afford to lose face."

Of course, this was just an excuse.

The real reason was that conquering Black Wind City was a death order issued by the Black Robe Leader. If Black Wind City was not taken, the subsequent critical plotline concerning the Aleit Star System would be cut off.

The two faced each other in the snow, the air seemingly solidified.

After a long while.

The anger in Luolin Muye's eyes gradually subsided, replaced by a deep sense of helplessness. He took a long look at Qin Ji, as if to re-evaluate this crazy Adventurer.

"This matter is too big; I cannot make the decision. Wait a few minutes for me."

Luolin Muye turned and walked to the side, taking out a communication crystal from hisIn my arms and talking in a low voice with his back to Qin Ji.

The wind and snow still howled, covering the specific content of their conversation.

Qin Ji stood still, his fingers gently stroking the bowstring, not in a hurry. He knew that the Star Kingdom's interior was already riddled with holes, and King Abra desperately needed external forces to break the deadlock, even if this force was a double-edged sword.

After a full ten minutes.

Luolin Muye finally returned. At this moment, his face was even more solemn than before, but also held a hint of determination.

"The King said that your conquering of Black Wind City... he can agree to it."

Luolin Muye took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on Qin Ji, "However, you also need to agree to a few conditions. This is a transaction, Snow Emperor."

The setting sun, like blood, stretched their shadows long. Qin Ji slowly lowered the longbow in his hand, a smile like a hunter seeing his prey caught in a net curving at his lips, his eyes glinting with a chilling light in the twilight, like a Vicious Beast that had been dormant for a long time, finally waiting for the best moment to tear out its prey's throat.