"The remaining playtime for this game is 479 hours and 59 minutes."

Seeing this small text reminder below the brief description of "Inverted World," Ren Suo felt a sense of unease for the first time in a while.

In his more than half a year career in Minor World games, only two games had a time limit for play.

The first time was, naturally, his first gaming experience—"Assassin."

With less than 1 day of playtime, just as Ren Suo was uploading his game review, the plot of "Assassin" unfolded in the Black Thorn Building in London, Britain.

The second time was last month's "Hand of Fate."

But "Hand of Fate" had many characteristics: continuous uploads, the ability to use holiday sales to reduce the difficulty, divided into multiple chapters for play, and no saving or loading.

One could say that the time limit was just a trivial issue for "Hand of Fate," a special case not fit for reference.

Therefore, "Inverted World" could be considered the second game Ren Suo had encountered in the past six months that could be replayed an unlimited number of times but had a time limit.

If it were the old Ren Suo, maybe he wouldn't think much of it.

But the current Ren Suo was different, possessing Comprehension enhancements like "A Thousand Miles in a Day" and "Seeker's Ornament," faintly perceiving a problem: This remaining playtime is too long, a full 20 days.

Ordinarily, Ren Suo's playtime for a game was about 10 days.

But this is a 5-star game, and he can save and load; maybe Ren Suo might need hundreds of hours to clear it?

But the issue is, many previous games had no time limit, like "Mage Under the World Tree," "Midnight Walker," "Devouring the Spirit of the World," etc. These games were closely related to the real world and even affected world peace whether he cleared them or not, but the game console did not impose a time limit. Instead, this game, which seems to be set in a different Martial Arts timeline, has a time restriction... So strange.

Although he had many doubts, Ren Suo quickly decided—this is it.

A time limit means missing out forever once it passes.

"Crowdfunding Rebirth," Ren Suo could play later; it didn't seem urgent, and it wouldn't go anywhere. Perhaps Ren Suo could accidentally unlock the "Swindler" effect (special effect of the Player's Privilege "Plucking Feathers from a Flying Goose"), then he could acquire this 4-star game without spending money.

But "Inverted World" was different. If missed, Ren Suo wouldn't be able to buy it, even with Merit Points, and it's a 5-star game—missing out on it would be a real loss.

Yes, aside from tags like '-99%' or '50%OFF,' labels such as 'First-time Limited,' 'Frost Festival Specific,' or 'Christmas Limited' also had a significant impact on Ren Suo—the superiority of having what others don't or having better than others brought him great pleasure.

If a few months earlier the domestic version hadn't lacked the Hell 4PRO limited edition console, maybe Ren Suo would have splurged on a device that was only pricier by a few hundred and had an extra layer of coating.

For games labeled 'never again once missed,' Ren Suo almost never passed them up.

Not to mention it was a 5-star game. Ren Suo had been longing to advance to a Level 5 Player for some time, and this seemed like a sure bet.

Once I clear it, I should certainly advance to a Level 5 Player, right?

Although he can casually improve to Third-level Cultivation by sleeping, to advance to a Level 5 Player, he must seize every opportunity, or he'd have to wait for the next game!

The game's exclusive reward "Erase Authority" also looked interesting, but without any description, Ren Suo didn't have much expectation—still, it was much more impressive than "Crowdfunding Rebirth's" "Wish Exchange."

As for whether he could clear the game, Ren Suo hadn't considered it at all—this game had in-app purchases, and wherever in-app purchases appeared, "Plucking Feathers from a Flying Goose" would demonstrate its power!

Having finished his contemplation, Ren Suo still chose "Inverted World"!

In 1 minute, the game downloaded, and the game icon was a dark silhouette of a woman.

Once Ren Suo entered the game, this dark silhouette covered the whole screen, with a ray of light shining at the end of the screen, faintly revealing the figure of a man.

Finally, the scene revealed a lush natural forest landscape, with a man and woman dressed in ancient attire standing on a cliff.

The man was imposing and heroic, with a back that exuded casual elegance; the woman wore a hooded cloak in a conservative style, but the peach-like curve of her buttocks highlighted her feminine charm.

"Once you enter the martial world, the years press on"

"A lifetime drowned in drink, we can't surpass"

"Worldly matters surge like tides, and people flow like water"

"Only to sigh at how few return from the martial world's lure"

The phrase "A lifetime drowned in drink, we can't surpass" is grayed out, undoubtedly the option to load a game, so the first one, "Once you enter the martial world, the years press on," must be for starting a new game.

Ren Suo clicked the third option and found it to be akin to a collection of story CGs or game records, titled "Xiao Suo's Secret Diary."

Then Ren Suo selected the fourth option, and a game prompt appeared, "Are you sure you want to delete this game? All upload records will be invalidated after deletion."

Ren Suo found it unbelievable. Options to delete the game placed within the game itself? What if I accidentally click the wrong thing? How is this different from the pitfall of having a test question suddenly with options in the order of DCBA, testing visual acuity and reaction speed?

Selecting "Once you enter the martial world, the years press on," all option icons dispersed like smoke, and the man and woman on the cliff smiled at each other, then leaped off hand in hand.

"In times when chaos is about to erupt, those with ambition act in the shadows. The approaching storm intersects with hidden exceptional beings, including the enigmatic and unpredictable Demon Lord, Young Master Mu..."

The scene brightened, revealing a sunny chamber. A handsome hunk with a ponytail slowly sat up from a bed, clad in only a thin garment, eyebrows sharp, eyes like stars, his figure tall and his smile warm.

Ren Suo took a look and realized that this was a super handsome guy no less handsome than himself!

"You're awake?"

Next to the handsome guy, a black-haired beauty with her clothes half undone also sat up. She pulled at her clothing and a dialogue box appeared, "You were quite restless last night, and my clothes are all a mess."

Is the game this explosive right from the start?

Having played games for so long, I've never seen such a protagonist with such great starting benefits—companions like the adventurer (dead at the start, burn paper for issues), Ren Family Descendants (won't live past 23), Devouring the Spirit of the World (starts as a Pangolin, Evolve all by scavenging), Magician (starts from scratch gathering teammates), and Truth Seeker (barefoot climbing ten-thousand-meter peaks) would all be crying!

The protagonist 'Young Master Mu' said, "Last night, we talked by candlelight and shared a pillow. I couldn't help myself, please forgive me. Moreover, Ling'er, you are developing splendidly, sure to be a nation's downfall, I just..."

The black-haired beauty 'Ling'er' chuckled, "Such sweet talk."

Ren Suo watched them flirt with each other indifferently. Is the Mini-World Game Console also aware that Singles' Day is approaching, so it's giving me this incredibly sweet display of affection to rub it in?

Right at that moment, there was a knock on the door from outside the room, "Young Master, Young Master, something terrible has happened!"

Young Master Mu and Ling'er exchanged glances, then the two left the room to see a flat-chested pretty Maid waiting anxiously outside.

Young Master Mu asked angrily, "Xiao Suo, making such a ruckus early in the morning, is that proper? I was just chatting with Ling'er. By causing such a disturbance, do not blame me for being ruthless."

The Maid named 'Xiao Suo' immediately said, "Young Master, we need to escape at once! The Sanctuary of the Six Major Factions has found out through the Stargazing Technique that you are the descendant of the Demon Lord! They've also pinned the recent upheavals like the earth dragons stirring, the blood-soaked sacrifices, and the lightning disasters breaking the city wall, all on you, claiming it's all the doings of the Demon Lord's descendant in his training!"

Young Master Mu was startled, but then he calmed down, "The Sanctuary is far from here, and as a minor leader of the Six Major Factions' Skycraft Pavilion, I haven't committed those acts. Without solid evidence, they can't..."

Maid Xiao Suo said, "Young Master, I have received reliable information, Skycraft Pavilion is sending people to capture you! The evidence provided by the Sanctuary is very solid, with extremely sophisticated framing techniques. Even under factional pressures, Skycraft Pavilion must capture you for interrogation! Young Master, the people from Skycraft Pavilion are nearly here!"

Young Master Mu was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Xiao Suo, Ling'er, do you believe in me?"

Maid Xiao Suo said, "Although the Young Master is utterly odious and filled with malevolence, he would never do such appalling deeds!"

Ling'er said, "If Xiao Suo doesn't believe it, neither does Ling'er."

Young Master Mu walked to the window and said, "Since you believe in me, then I must not be a coward... I will go with the people from Skycraft Pavilion!"

Having said that, Young Master Mu leaped out of the window and landed on the open ground outside.

At that moment, several chariots could be seen speeding towards him in the distance. The people inside the chariots surrounded Young Master Mu upon seeing him, and many Knight-Errants stepped down.

Young Master Mu looked at the red-haired man leading them and said loudly, "Earth Dog, are you here to capture me?"

The red-haired man hadn't spoken yet when a black-haired man next to him with squinting eyes said, "Indeed. But rest assured, Young Master Mu, both you and I are colleagues. We've come to ask for your help with the investigation. The continuous natural and man-made disasters have created panic in the Martial World. If you're innocent, I, Insomnia, guarantee that Skycraft Pavilion will grant you justice!"

Earth Dog and Insomnia have brought nearly the entire force of Skycraft Pavilion. It seems they are determined to capture me. I only hope that the experts in Skycraft Pavilion can discover the truth and grant me justice... Young Master Mu thought to himself.

Just then, among the members of Skycraft Pavilion, someone loudly proclaimed, "Dealing with such a wicked fiend, why talk of the chivalry of the Martial World? He's just stalling for time – we should capture and kill him at once! The Holy Hall Celestial Master knew you guys from Skycraft Pavilion could be deceived by treacherous ones, hence I was given a Demon-Reflecting Mirror to reveal the true form of the Demon Lord!"

Three rays of rosy light suddenly shot out from the crowd towards Young Master Mu. Unable to dodge in time, Young Master Mu got hit by the light, and immediately billowing black smoke rose from his body. Within the smoke, countless figures appeared, as if myriad spirits were wailing.

The wailing spirits weren't trying to attack Young Master Mu, but were instead trying to get as far from him as possible, like those seeking to escape from the torment of hell.

However, no matter how hard they tried, they could not control their own fate within the billowing black smoke and flowed into Young Master Mu's body like a turbid stream!

The person who seemed to be from the Sanctuary shouted, "This is the Demon Lord's extraordinary Demon Technique, obtained by wreaking havoc in the world and slaughtering the innocent to gain the Power of Sin! Those Evil Spirits are the Energy cultivated by the Demon Lord. As long as he keeps killing, his power will continue to grow, and one day he will bring terror upon the mortal realm!"

Young Master Mu exclaimed, "I haven't—"

The person from the Sanctuary shouted loudly, "First, sever his limbs and pierce his lute bone! He harbors endless Power of Sin; ordinary chains can't restrain him at all. We must make him utterly powerless to resist!"

At the same time, several from the Sanctuary charged toward Young Master Mu.

Seeing the abyssal wraiths behind Young Master Mu, the faces of the Skycraft Pavilion crowd turned extremely ugly, and the red-haired Earth Dog shouted, "Follow me to seize the criminal, Young Master Mu!"

Ren Suo blinked, realizing the battle screen had finally appeared!

Except for the protagonist Young Master Mu, everyone else in the frame had red icons, and the mini-map showed only one green dot, while the rest were all red dots!

A 1v99 scenario right from the start?

But when Ren Suo saw Young Master Mu's skill bar, he felt it might actually be possible—

"Fierce Sky of Demon Flames," "Phantom Demon Body Technique," "Demon Armor," "Immortal Demon Mark," "Invisible Demon Sword that Breaks Armor," "Earth Demon Beheading," "Demon Blood Dyes the Blue Sky," "Demon Rise"...

A good dozen Skills in total, covering all aspects including Attack, Defense, Move, Scouting, Healing, and Support. The attack Skills included both strong AOE sweep abilities and high burst single-target output abilities, and all with extremely short cooldown times!

Ren Suo gauged the control method and decisively gave up the game controller in favor of keyboard and mouse mode for operation.

The battle began!

Right at the start, countless sparks burst forth from Young Master Mu's body, and the battle info list popped up with over a dozen notifications, "Young Master Mu has been attacked by People of Skycraft Pavilion's thunderbolt grenade, receiving 3 points of damage."

Fortunately, defensive abilities like "Demon Armor" automatically activated, leaving Young Master Mu unscathed!

Facing the oncoming Sanctuary Warriors, Ren Suo immediately commanded Young Master Mu to use "Invisible Demon Sword that Breaks Armor" and "Phantom Demon Body Technique" to Teleport behind them and execute all with Formless Sword Qi in a series of critical hits!

Once blood was shed, the battlefield immediately became intense. At this point, Earth Dog had already closed in on Young Master Mu and hurled flames from his hands toward him—

"Young Master Mu has been attacked by Heavenly Policy Earth Dog's Burning Wood Sword Technique, receiving 104 points of damage!"

Spotting the enemy who had seriously injured him, Ren Suo showed no mercy, throwing out "Immortal Demon Mark," "Earth Demon Beheading," and "Fierce Sky of Demon Flames" all at once, instantly depleting Earth Dog's Health Points!

Earth Dog was sent flying away, lying in the dirt like a pile of mud, as Insomnia rushed over to pick him up.

Perhaps because Young Master Mu had used Flame Martial Arts, Earth Dog said with hatred, "I just taught you how to cultivate the Flame Martial Arts School not long ago, yet you turn around and use it for killing and arson!"

Young Master Mu exclaimed, "I did not!"

"Hahaha." Earth Dog laughed as he coughed up a mouthful of old blood, and pointing at the tens of thousands of Resentful Spirits behind Young Master Mu, he cursed loudly, "Skycraft Pavilion, follow Insomnia's command, kill the Demon Lord!"

Insomnia did not engage in combat with Young Master Mu like Earth Dog; instead, he commanded nearly a hundred People of Skycraft Pavilion to encircle and suppress Young Master Mu from a distance.

Outnumbered, amidst the coordinated assault by nearly a hundred people, even though Young Master Mu could beat any one of them, his Health Points and Inner Qi were still being rapidly depleted.

In no time at all, his health bar was already down to half, and his Inner Qi was almost exhausted!

But there were still too many enemies from the People of Skycraft Pavilion!

Could this be a no-win scenario? Ren Suo couldn't help thinking.

Indeed, some games grant Players powerful Skills right from the start but will arrange an ensured defeat in battle.

After the Player loses, they naturally lose the powerful Skills and have to start leveling up from scratch.

However, this way, Players can experience the exhilarating combat right from the beginning and have a justified reason to "grow from weak to strong," maximizing the game's appeal.

This type of opening is quite favored by game companies, albeit a bit cruel to the protagonist.

But the Mini-World Game Console soon overturned Ren Suo's speculation, "Would you like to consume the Resentful Spirit's Power?"

Ren Suo blinked, hesitated for a moment, but seeing Young Master Mu was now unable to use most Skills and was on the brink of being killed by Skycraft Pavilion members, he clicked "Yes."

In an instant, the wailing Resentful Spirits behind Young Master Mu turned into a red light that covered him, replenishing his Health Points and Inner Qi at a visibly rapid pace to full, and he gained a special status:

"Kill to Nourish: By consuming a vast amount of Resentful Spirit's Power, enhance All Attributes by 50%, increase the power of all martial arts by 100%."

"Due to consuming the Resentful Spirit's Power, Young Master Mu's alignment shifts towards Lawful Evil."

Nevertheless, this act was very noticeable, and all the members of Skycraft Pavilion saw this scene, shouting aloud, "Demon!"

"It really is the Demon Lord!"

"For the sake of the people, we cannot let him go!"

However, against Young Master Mu who was continuously at full health and mana, and whose Attributes were greatly enhanced, the members of Skycraft Pavilion could not beat him. In no time, they were all defeated, with more than half dead or wounded.

When Young Master Mu ended the battle, Maid Xiao Suo and the beautiful Ling'er emerged.

First, they stared in horror at the corpses on the ground, then they quietly watched Young Master Mu, their pupils revealing a strange emotion, as if wanting to say something.

After this slaughter, I have no chance of turning back. Even if I was framed before, the act of killing my colleagues is now confirmed. The Skycraft Pavilion can no longer tolerate me, and the Five Major Sects are hunting me. I cannot implicate Xiao Suo and Ling'er. I must leave. But where in this vast world can I find refuge...? Young Master Mu thought to himself.

So Young Master Mu glanced at Xiao Suo and Ling'er, then activated his movement technique and quickly strode away.

However, just as he had left the crime scene, he encountered a Slovenly Taoist and many Heavenly Policy Warriors head-on!

"Beast!"

The Slovenly Taoist shouted in anger, with a wave of his sleeve, Thunder Beast and Fire Bird rushed out, attacking Young Master Mu!

The Heavenly Policy Warriors also followed suit, barraging Young Master Mu with Military Crossbows.

Compared to the members of Skycraft Pavilion, the attacks of the Heavenly Policy Warriors were more organized. Countless projectiles landed on Young Master Mu, actually managing to slow down his pace and nearly breaking through his Qi Barrier completely!

Ren Suo controlled Young Master Mu to use "Phantom Demon Body Technique" in an attempt to barge in and wreak havoc.

However, the Slovenly Taoist was not only adept in Taoist Magic but also capable of using Sword Control Technique, directly emptying Young Master Mu's health with the Flying Sword as he charged in.

Indeed, when Ren Suo first saw the Demon Lord, he had a feeling that the upper limits of martial force in this game were quite high.

But now it seems this is not a Martial Arts game at all, but an immortality game!

This time Young Master Mu quickly ran out of health and Inner Qi, and Ren Suo, left with no choice, once again opted to consume the Resentful Spirit's Power.

However, the cooperation between the Slovenly Taoist and the Heavenly Policy Warriors was so exquisite that Young Master Mu, despite repeatedly consuming the Resentful Spirit's Power, could only manage to kill a few Heavenly Policy Warriors before he achieved no further success. Instead, unsettling game prompts kept popping up—

"Due to the consumption of the Resentful Spirit's Power, Young Master Mu's alignment shifts towards neutral evil."

"Due to the consumption of the Resentful Spirit's Power, Young Master Mu's alignment shifts towards absolute evil."

"Due to the consumption of the Resentful Spirit's Power, Young Master Mu's alignment is permanently fixed at absolute evil."

"You have lost control of Young Master Mu."

Huh?

Ren Suo released the mouse and keyboard, only to find that Young Master Mu, now under no need for his control, was casting Skills with a bloodthirsty fury, his eyes red and face contorted.

The visual style of the screen, at some point, had turned into a sinister dark red and dimly lit palette.

As Ren Suo lost control over Young Master Mu, darkness gradually crept in from the edges towards the center, and eventually, the screen was engulfed in total darkness.

After a few seconds, a beam of light appeared on the screen, and the game automatically returned to the start menu, along with a game prompt,

"Ending·Powerlessness: Young Master Mu ultimately succumbed to the whirlpool of evil and was finally slain by the Six Major Factions."

That's an ending, just like that?

Though it was termed an "ending," not even a mission evaluation was given; this was purely telling Ren Suo—you've screwed up.

Ren Suo scratched his head and crossed his arms, pondering how to play.

Kill fewer people?

Avoid using the Resentful Spirit's Power?

Take a different escape route?

Ren Suo then replayed the game three times: the first without killing anyone, but he still messed up due to consuming the Resentful Spirit's Power; the second without using the Resentful Spirit's Power, he got killed by Earth Dog and Insomnia right at the start; the third, he took a different escape route, only to encounter the Slovenly Taoist and Heavenly Policy Warriors again…

How am I supposed to play this?

Ren Suo clicked his tongue in frustration and had no choice but to use "Demon King Descent - Imperial Edict" to strengthen "A Thousand Miles in a Day" and increase his Comprehension to figure out a way to break the situation.

Soon, Ren Suo found the pivotal turning point in the game:

When Young Master Mu initially went to surrender, Skycraft Pavilion still believed him. However, because the people from the Sanctuary used the "Demon-Reflecting Mirror" to reveal the Resentful Spirits on Young Master Mu's body, the situation spiraled out of control!

So, the correct approach is to rush over and take out the people from the Sanctuary right from the start?

But the "Demon-Reflecting Mirror" is a product of the Sanctuary. Even if I kill the people from the Sanctuary now, similar items will likely appear later, right?

Moreover, it's obvious that the Sanctuary has a working relationship with Skycraft Pavilion. If Young Master Mu silently rushes in to kill, he would probably be ambushed by Skycraft Pavilion as well.

So, there's clearly only one correct method.

「——————————」

PHEW…

In the underground training facility of the Lian River Tactical Bureau, Yu Kuangtu's expression was grave. He unleashed Orange-Red Flames from his hands, scorching the ground ahead. The intense heat caused the temperature in the entire basement to rise, with the concrete floor showing severe warping.

Suddenly, his gaze sharpened, "Now is the time!"

In an instant, the flames seemed to be enveloped by an air current, escaping Yu Kuangtu's control and transforming into a Fiery Flame robe which settled on the girl standing amidst the flames.

Yu Kuangtu ceased his flames and examined the flaming robe on Qiao Muyi's body, exhaling deeply, "Now you've learned the Third-Tier Magic 'Flame Dance.' Though, with your ability to shape flames into a robe on your first try… I'm starting to suspect you're an Awakener of Fiery Flame."

"Hehe, still no match for Deputy Director Yu though," Qiao Muyi diffused the flaming robe around her, smiling, "Thanks for helping me this time. If you need anything in the future, just let me know, except for lending money."

"Even without me, you would learn this Spell quickly given your adaptability to flames," Deputy Director Yu remarked casually, "The number of Spells you've exchanged for is almost the highest across the bureau… I used to think you were treating the internal network like Taobao, but now it seems you genuinely can master these Spells."

"Just picking things up casually…"

"Others exchange for a bunch of Spells to find out what suits them, but you are the only exception," Deputy Director Yu glanced at his phone to check the time, "I'm heading up. If you want to practice some more, feel free to stay."

"No, I'm going home to take a bath and get a good sleep. I have a day off tomorrow; I'm not staying in the bureau," Qiao Muyi sniffed her own arm, "It's hard to even take a shower here, and I don't want to smell sweaty."

"…" Deputy Director Yu looked at Qiao Muyi with a puzzled gaze, "Why is it that even though we're both deputy directors, it seems like I work far more hours than you…"

"Because Li Dan isn't under my command." Qiao Muyi walked by, patting Deputy Director Yu's shoulder, "Who told you to have someone who doesn't sleep under you? He's so harsh on himself; naturally, he's even harder on you…"

"Then hurry up and roll out, I have no affection for someone who doesn't work tomorrow," Deputy Director Yu waved his hand in disgust.

"Is there anything you need my help with?" Qiao Muyi smiled, "For example, pulling some strings to get a relation placed in the bureau, I could turn a blind eye to that. Or, maybe arranging a young and beautiful college girl to be your secretary on weekends…"

"Roll, roll, roll, as long as you don't scorch me with your flames, I'll be more than satisfied!"

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