Ch 40: The Calm Before The Storm
While contemplating this difficult problem, the System suddenly stirred.
System Task Updated!
『
Blue Task,
『Sleeping King』
Befriend the Newsstand Owner and make as deep an impression on him as possible.
Note: He may be interested in information about “Invaders,” but be mindful of the scale.
』
The Sleeping… King?
It’s hard to believe what kind of existence the System has evaluated as a king.
And what a town full of hidden talents this is, it’s too outrageous.
Not to mention anything else, just that Baron alone is not simple; a Fourth Rank in a town like this is very rare.
Actually, regarding the Baron’s identity, he had asked yesterday. They said that the Lord here half a year ago was only Third Rank and even more of a scoundrel, but for some reason, he was replaced by Baron Reiser.
Xia Jiuyuan shook his head, casually found a passerby to ask for directions, and then headed to the newsstand.
Perhaps this king is the key to breaking through?
Moreover, this is actually where he wanted to go, but he originally thought there was no newsstand here because it was too small.
Following the directions of the passerby, he only turned twice before seeing the newsstand.
The entire newsstand is a wooden structure, with weathered wooden planks carrying a color that has settled over time. Outside the newsstand, several potted flowers are kept as decoration.
It’s not like ordinary small pavilions; it has a certain scale. On the side facing the street, the newsstand is fully stocked with various newspapers. Behind the newsstand, there should be a few houses where the newsstand owner lives.
Xia Jiuyuan looked inside and saw a handsome uncle leisurely reading a newspaper,
And there was also a beautiful woman here, watering the flower pots around the newsstand.
“Boss, what should I call you?”
The handsome uncle first glanced at Xia Jiuyuan’s wrist, then subtly scanned the sword on his cuff and the necklace around his neck, before replying:
“Call me Boss Xu.”
“Boss Xu, I need all the newspapers from the past few days.”
“3 First-Order Spirit Stones per copy, pick them yourself.”
Xia Jiuyuan stroked his chin; he was penniless now.
“Can I use some interesting information instead?”
“Information?”
Boss Xu put down the newspaper he was holding and smiled, “I don’t think you have any information that would interest me… actually, maybe I’m a bit interested in how you found me.”
Xia Jiuyuan smiled slightly,
“Boss Xu, is this Tenth Rank World-Ending the highest realm in this world?”
“You ask me?”
“My Master told me so. This world only supports up to Tenth Rank; if you want to become stronger again, you can only Ascend,”
Boss Xu lightly tapped the chair with his finger. Xia Jiuyuan continued, “But Ascension isn’t for one person; it’s for everyone. My Master told me that the path to Ascension is getting closer and closer.”
“That’s it? You’re telling this to me, a newsstand owner, how could I understand?”
Xia Jiuyuan chuckled, “It’s okay, Boss Xu, you can listen to it as a story. It’s not finished yet.
Actually, what I want to say is, is the highest in this world really only Tenth Rank?
Boss Xu, you say, if we are all World-Ending, is it possible for one person to fight multiple people?”
In Xia Jiuyuan’s opinion, this was clearly unlikely. Those who could reach World-Ending Grade in the entire world were all Heaven’s Chosen. There might be differences in skill, but fighting one against many was still…
But this time, Boss Xu didn’t retort with “You ask me” but grinned wryly,
“Practice More!”
?
This answer did leave Xia Jiuyuan speechless for a moment. He didn’t know if Boss Xu was deliberately trying to provoke him or if it was his genuine thought.
“Hmm… Boss Xu, do you think some Strong Persons can influence the entire world,
For example, block certain development processes in our world, or perhaps alter our memories…
They seem to have appeared in the Southern Territory.”
This time, Boss Xu finally frowned and asked, “Why are you telling me all this?”
“Heaven’s will?”
“Bullshit heaven’s will. You look unfamiliar to me; you must be that stranger who suddenly arrived these past few days.
I admit your words are somewhat interesting. I’ll have someone send the recent newspapers to the Trinity Church.
But I warn you, don’t disturb me again. No matter who you are, I don’t want to get involved in your mess.
Now, get out.”
At the same time, the System’s voice sounded in Xia Jiuyuan’s mind,
Congratulations to the Host for completing the task 『Sleeping King』, and obtaining the reward “Life-Saving Pill”.
Xia Jiuyuan fell into silence. First, he didn’t know why Boss Xu suddenly wanted to kick him out, and his tone was very serious.
However, the task was completed, and a Seventh Rank pill, the Life-Saving Pill, was dropped.
As long as it’s not a particularly fatal injury, like a stab to the heart or a headshot, taking it will keep you alive for a short period.
But Xia Jiuyuan hoped the System would give him a fruit-flavored Pill Formula, because only when such a reward was given would it mean that, at least in the System’s view, he wouldn’t encounter danger soon.
Now that he got a Life-Saving Pill, it’s over, gg.
He hurried back to the Trinity Church. As expected of a small town, he reached it after only two turns.
“Na’er, Dean, Grandma Lisa!”
Entering the church gate, he found the three praying next to the statue, “It’s not good, I feel like the Baron might make a move against you.”
Na’er turned and smiled, “Brother, you’re back. I was just praying for your safe return.
You don’t need to worry about us; that hateful Baron can’t make a move against me because we are Nuns of the Trinity Church.”
“Is that so?”
Xia Jiuyuan looked at Grandma Lisa, the eldest among them,
“He indeed cannot make a move against the Nuns of the Trinity Church.” Grandma Lisa paused, then explained:
“Although our place is dilapidated, every so often a Bishop will inquire about the situation through the statue. If he does anything bad, he might not be able to bear the responsibility.”
“I see… Then I can rest assured. But you should still be careful.”
“Hehe, Brother, don’t worry. Every time that person sees Sister Dean, he drools. If he could make a move, he probably would have already.”
Dean playfully tapped Na’er’s head and said without reservation:
“He drools over you even more!”
Dean knew clearly that her current appearance was only average.
“Hey, but I’m only fourteen!”
“That’s why he’s a pervert.”
Hearing everyone’s words, although Xia Jiuyuan felt that things were not that simple, he still felt relieved.
He didn’t choose to pray with Dean and the others to the round statue, but casually chose a seat below, waiting for the newspapers to be delivered.
Xia Jiuyuan didn’t believe in gods, but he wouldn’t make a scene in such an occasion.
According to his Master, the round statue of the Trinity Church was actually a Naturally Formed Treasure of their Popess. All its Divine Might and Divine Power were converted from Faith Power.
The Popess is that World-Ending person from the Eastern Territory—Korvina.
So, whether they believe in this round god or Korvina is unclear to anyone.
The religious tenets of the Trinity Church can be summarized in six words:
Supreme, Harmony, True Self.
Because of the word “Harmony,” they are considered a righteous sect, which is why the Southern Territory and the Western Territory allowed their entry.
After waiting for a moment, a basket of newspapers was delivered as scheduled.
Upon closer inspection, the person delivering the newspapers was the beautiful young lady beside Boss Xu. She was carrying a large basket of newspapers alone and looked completely unburdened.
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