"No problem, male healer." Yutianxiao said carelessly, smiling: "I transitioned from the [Fine Artistry] pathway's [Mechanic] to [Magician], and then advanced to [Magic Tutor]. Who knew I had great luck and triggered a special inheritance task—'Heart of the High Court'. After I completed this S-level task, my occupation became the current [Element Conqueror]."

"The High Court was once a large Predator Society that could stand alongside the [Secret Society] of Gaia and the [Outer Society] of Perjalai."

Xia Yubing explained:

"In fact, the reason we were able to obtain the intelligence for this submersion smuggling is inseparable from Yutianxiao's task results."

"Oh?" Severston was surprised: "You mean Yutianxiao's ability comes from the [High Court Society] — have you come into contact with remnants of the [Society]?"

"Sort of."

Yutianxiao said this as he took out an ancient ring and placed it on the table:

"Inside this resides the Speaker of the former [High Court Society]—Asphat, The Heart of the Cluster Flame. But regretfully, the secrets of Gaia and the outer Perjalai inflicted him with a lot of severe harm, so much so that the current Asphat can hardly communicate."

"Indeed, the secret is an important plotline..."

Caramel Snail's eyes hardened:

"Although he is a member of the [Society], his nation has already fallen, and he poses no threat. At the same time, he is an enemy of the secrets and the outer realm, and the enemy of our enemy is our friend."

"Asphat communicated with me before; his original power even surpassed that of the secret [Scholar], and was stronger than the Omega (Level 24) strong of the Starry Abyss. However, as a Speaker, without the support of the [Society], he would soon collapse and disintegrate once he left this ring."

Yutianxiao explained:

"Of course, even with this condition, Asphat residing inside is still an immensely powerful NPC. Occasionally, he gives me guidance on skills and some intel. We can also use some materials to assist him in unleashing power, which is quite beneficial."

"But after all, this is someone from the [Society]'s side..."

Lanan showed concern:

"Is it really reliable?"

"The fact that secret demons divided the High Court is true." Xia Yubing explained: "I have reviewed a lot of information and can confirm this to be true, and Asphat's hatred towards the secret is also genuine and real."

"Previously, right after completing the task, Asphat demonstrated how he purifies land contaminated by the secret's Ether Blood."

Long Yuqiong also spoke:

"It's not reliable; he just holds the same deep-seated hatred towards the still-existent [Society] as we do."

"Hmm." Lanan frowned slightly, "It can be understood, but..."

"Hold on a moment."

Severston raised his hand, questioning:

"Don't you think... it's a bit too coincidental?"

"Uh, how so?" Caramel Snail was puzzled.

"Just before, Lai Anding only announced the closure of the only Underwater Abyss Port, and immediately we obtained a method to submerge into the Starry Abyss."

Severston placed his hands on his knees, leaned forward, scanned left and right, and looked at the crowd, saying:

"Don't you think it's too much of a coincidence?"

"What's the big deal? It's just normal game planning teaching players how to play the game."

Caramel Snail scratched his head.

"...Huh?"

Severston was stunned.

Others in the audience started discussing as well.

"Yes, in fact, considering the carelessness and oversight of the Qiqiao Network's development team earlier, this should be considered a symbolic compensation."

"Speaking of which, does the Qiqiao Network development team not know that their game plot is as messy as a magpie's nest, hitting randomly here and there? So far, besides knowing to kill the [Society], I'm still not clear what the main storyline wants us to do."

"Relax, relax, this kind of large MMORPG is like that. High freedom inevitably weakens player immersion, especially in a game like 'Starry Abyss', which is a multi-faction large-map world. We're only at the second layer of the Starry Abyss for now; there's more maps to explore later."

It was only at this moment that Severston suddenly realized that the people around him aren't personally involved like he is.

Even with the Cognitive Filter affecting everyone's views, no matter how skilled or knowledgeable they are about the game content, at its core, it's still from a gameplay perspective.

Indeed, if considering the development team's intentional regulation of gameplay, preventing players from massively entering the Starry Abyss.

Then the prior closure followed by allowing a few players to enter the Border Abyss through task means, making selections through thresholds, can be understood.

But in this case, it's Severston's turn to have a headache.

After all, all these people possess conscripted bodies; only he personally reincarnated, the levels of safety and risk are completely different.

Most bothersome is like what Lai Anding said initially.

...............

"Severston, your situation is very special. You were not killed by anyone but had everything taken by something, and I had no choice but to have you reincarnate as a mortal again."

"Compared to those reincarnated Spiritual Warriors, your situation is more dangerous because you are not like them, using conscripted bodies as Descenders but directly descending into the Starry Abyss with a mortal body."

"I understand this." Severston laughed: "Anyway, I have three revival opportunities per day, it's no big deal."

"This is not the same, Severston, you ultimately are personally descending into the Starry Abyss, many things cannot be controlled, especially..."

"The [Society], right?"

"Not just that." Lai Anding expressed concern: "Actually, even for the players, I haven't fully prepared for what happens after they reach the Mass Abyss; the player Senators are optimistic and believe the game will continue. But to be honest, the Mass Abyss is a place where the ongoing conflicts of gods play out. Can players really be safe when they arrive there?"

.........

Got it.

Severston shrugged, not expecting the things he thought were no big deal back then to now face these issues.

Clearly, from past experiences of dealing with the [Society], these monsters are irrational, even Leo Doesn't dare to make deals with someone of the Speaker rank.

However, on the Baizhu Star, he did hear from the lady of the lake that there was a Speaker who had a good relationship with Leo's Meteor Fall Master underling; they once used a Red Giant Star as a trade to witness their friendship.

Even so, it was merely at the level of 'friendship'.

Ultimately, the Starry Abyssal Spirits and [Society] citizens can never stand together, let alone fight side by side.

He has seen too many young samurai, out of sympathy for some corrupted individuals' tragic encounters, lend a helping hand or show leniency—resulting in the [Society] citizens they helped immediately reporting information to the [Society] main body, leading to more deaths and the samurai being held accountable, jeopardizing their careers.

As for that citizen?

Unknown, probably taken back by the society main body and continued to cling to life as a cell.

How should he advise these young, rash ones? These players obviously know the hidden can breach the Lai Anding protocol, yet they muster the courage to continue fighting.

Severston really doesn't want to dampen these people's enthusiasm, but even so, many, including Long Yuqiong, firmly believe this trip is feasible.

"I truly have no answers."

Severston shook his head:

"Do what you want, anyway now against the society, I can barely manage to kill a Senator."

Just then, a message suddenly came through in the group.

"Oh, True General and Night Fighting Sword have already met."

Caramel Snail saw True General post a group photo with Night Fighting Sword, happily saying:

"This way we have four Martial Artists, congratulations, no need to worry about having enough at the front line."

But looking at the photo, Xia Yubing felt something was wrong and simply @ mentioned True General, asking:

"Wait, where did you take that photo?"

"In front of the Narrative Civilization's Gate."

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