Chapter 531: Establishing the Ancient Era History! (Two-in-One)

After checking the internet and the live stream, Xu Zhi left the Reincarnation Hall. As the supreme NPC of this online game, the great being who governs the Six Paths of Reincarnation, he chose not to immediately summon the lucky player who had arrived in the Underworld. Instead, he began preparing for their meeting.

He needed to consider what to say and how to act once they met.

With a flash, he appeared before the interwoven black and white reincarnation, standing at the Underworld's core. He calmly looked up and remarked, "These players are more capable than I thought. They even helped me complete the mythical Underworld settings for this world's ancient history, making the world feel more substantial. It seems I'll need to start early and expand the number of reincarnations."

Originally, he hadn't planned to rush. He knew he couldn't achieve everything at once and intended to let the existing 'cubes' (referring to the souls) reach a certain level of cultivation and talent development before introducing new ones.

However, to inject souls into the arcade machine and create a true "hell," thereby forming ancient mythical history and filling historical voids, new 'cube' identifications were necessary.

After all, the talents of the current 600,000 sentient beings within the reincarnation system were already formed and thus unusable for this purpose.

Only new, blank souls could absorb the 'incense' (spiritual power/faith) from sentient beings and condense into the formidable talents of characters like the Abandoned Heaven Emperor, fully fitting their roles.

The method was straightforward: condense new souls that would not enter the Six Paths of Reincarnation. Instead, they would become true prisoners within this "hell" inside the "arcade machine," absorbing the spiritual power of all beings.

However, the talents of figures like the Abandoned Heaven Emperor were incredibly formidable. While shaping them might require immense energy, their transformation from virtual to real would offer enormous potential for the future development of this world.

"They're quite good; they've opened up a new avenue of thought for me and helped complete the rules of the Six Paths of Reincarnation," Xu Zhi mused. "This is the advantage of collaborative thinking. My original approach was correct: creating a world alone would limit my ideas due to finite power. For now, I'll expand by another fifty thousand 'cubes'." His eyebrows twitched slightly as he began preparations. "I need to get this done quickly before summoning those players."

He felt no urgency, knowing he could covertly observe the live stream and forums at any time to make informed decisions.

In the distance, Cat Jump was diligently recording test data.

User feedback was crucial, and Zhang Xiao, as the Heavenly Emperor, was naturally the most qualified and significant experimental subject.

To be frank, playing this groundbreaking online game was incredibly challenging. Everything mirrored reality, feeling like a genuine second life, with authenticity palpable at every turn. Many even strongly suspected that major global powers had somehow acquired alien black technology to create this game, leapfrogging Earth's technological advancements by centuries.

But did the truth concern ordinary players like them?

It was not their concern to investigate.

In short, it was an immense benefit, and they should simply push to join in. Furthermore, precisely because of its realism, any achievements garnered an unparalleled sense of excitement and thrill.

"Cough, cough, cough." He continuously scribbled in his notebook, deep in thought. "This mode was improved based on Zhang Xiao's feedback... it helps train nerves, combat reactions, and composure. However, a problem has arisen: the wear and tear on the buttons. Even if players try to control their force, hitting them like this won't last long, and the replacement frequency will be very high."

"Moreover, this could be considered another type of rhythm game, similar to *Dance Dance Revolution* or *Rhythm Master*."

In terms of difficulty, it was a success; even the Heavenly Emperor, a being forged in battle, had lost. Their design philosophy was simple: if it could be harder, it would be, making "no hardest, only harder" their guiding principle.

Cat Jump said earnestly, "Brothers, hold on. In a few weeks, after we climb a bit further up the tech tree and this arcade machine is fully developed and tested, we'll deploy it and make a big splash!"

"Let's crush them!"

"Hahahaha, we'll make their lives miserable!" The players in the live stream also cheered, a group of them flushed and exhilarated, as if on a high.

Other netizens' faces darkened, turning as black as charcoal. "You beasts! Give us back a pure and simple ancient mythological Underworld!" Yet, they secretly exhaled in relief. At least the squandering was happening in the Underworld; since the deceased would eventually reincarnate, it was a blessing in disguise.

Over the next few days, Cat Jump's live stream remained enthusiastic as they worked to refine game bugs and loopholes, covertly observing and making continuous adjustments.

Soon, in less than half a month, with the collective help from the live stream community, and Zhang Xiao's intense practice on the new machine model, continuous improvements led to its final formation. Mass production then began, preparing it for market release.

At that moment, Cat Jump, perched atop a vantage point on Fengdu's city wall, aimed his camera downwards, a look of ambition on his face. "Brothers, it's starting!" he exclaimed. "This arcade machine is absolutely central to Fengdu's construction plan, and these coins are already gaining purchasing power. Perhaps they'll even become the Underworld's universal currency in the future!"

Perhaps a new era for the Underworld was about to dawn.

Under the gloomy, dark sky, as news spread, countless people clamored and rushed towards the new combat booths near Fengdu's massive construction site.

"I heard they've opened it up from Tier Three all the way to Heavenly Emperor difficulty!"

"Before, it was only Tier Three, which was a bit dull since many of us here already surpassed that. Now, finally..."

"They say even the foreman couldn't beat the Heavenly Emperor difficulty..."

They resembled teenagers rushing to arcades or internet cafes after school.

In the shadows, calm and composed celestials, their faces alight with fervor, clenched their fists, brimming with zeal and battle intent. "I want to try the Heavenly Emperor difficulty!" one exclaimed. "Before, we weren't even worthy of facing such majestic, world-dominating beings; we'd be killed instantly with a single misstep. But now, this is our chance to experience the might of a Seventh-tier Heavenly Emperor! To engage them, to test their terrifying cultivation, and to grasp the true gap between us!"

Meng Po felt a wave of unease. Could one truly contend with a Heavenly Emperor simply by pressing a button? Could they experience the difference in power, command armies, and direct the world? It was preposterous. As the one in charge, she knew the truth. His Majesty was right; they absolutely had to be wary of the Asura Path's deceptive tactics, which were so brazen they had thrown the entire Underworld into chaos.

In fact, she was partly responsible for this.

Someone had once subtly inquired whether this "Gate of Hell" was a divine artifact akin to the Three-Life Stone. Since the Three-Life Stone projected past and present lives, did the "Gate of Hell" suppress ancient beings from the primordial Underworld?

Shangguan Man was dumbfounded on the spot. After much consideration, she could only remain silent.

She truly had no choice. Fengdu needed to be built, and she couldn't very well undermine their own project. It was a pragmatic issue; after all, she wasn't inherently righteous or kind, nor was she inflexible or pedantic. She simply acquiesced because it was an immense advantage: she didn't have to do anything except utilize "novels" and "arcade machines" to construct Fengdu.

Since even Meng Po had tacitly acknowledged the "Gate of Hell," the various beings along the Underworld's Yellow Springs Road naturally ceased to doubt.

"Indeed, His Majesty was right: guard against fire, guard against thieves, and guard against the Asura Path." To Shangguan Man's utter astonishment, the entire Underworld then experienced the greatest surge of excitement in its history.

Countless people flooded into the combat booths, creating an atmosphere akin to a bustling exhibition hall. People moved constantly between the arcade machines, generating an incredibly lively ambiance, as if a grand festival had arrived.

The new Hell difficulty levels had been unlocked.

Although these individuals had thoroughly prepared themselves for the appearance of new, even more powerful suppressed figures from the Underworld than someone like Kyo Kusanagi, the sight of the ancient, formidable beings now available was utterly unbelievable.

"Physician Mu Shao Ai." A peculiar figure emerged: a white-haired man with a youthful face and long, whisker-like eyebrows, yet as handsome as a young lord. Bathed in divine light, he stepped forth, striking a graceful pose reminiscent of a hero selection screen in *Honor of Kings*, as a clear, poignant poetic verse resonated:

"In youth, an aimless love for flair,In old age, content, from all affairs.My myriad fame, beyond self's lonely sphere,A hundred ages' wisdom, in this goblet clear.

As a youth, on terraces, the zither's song I heard,With wine and song, I embraced a spirit stirred.I defied the martial world's aging hand,And laughed at empires, chasing dust across the land."

"Why is it reciting poetry this time?" The onlookers around the arcade machine immediately widened their eyes, feeling a thrill.

As the poem was recited, they seemed to glimpse a fleeting image of the character's youth: descending the mountains to roam the martial world, conquering all. He had countless lovers, but gradually, friends passed and lovers aged, leaving him unrivaled yet solitary, a desolate figure of profound melancholy.

"This is the life of this great being—how unrestrained! Yet, it resonates with profound loneliness! Especially... 'I defied the martial world's aging hand, and laughed at empires, chasing dust across the land.'" An old man murmured these lines, and a vivid, tangible character seemed to materialize in everyone's minds. Many standing by the arcade machine felt a deep resonance, as if the words had sharply pierced their hearts, bringing tears to the old man's eyes and stirring a whirlwind of complex emotions.

Indeed, along their journey, which of these formidable individuals hadn't faced life's hardships: the passing of parents, the departure of friends and family, the painful loss of loved ones? This was an inevitable path; every powerful individual was destined to be solitary.

Life is short and hard to bear; is it not tragic?

Inside the combat booths, people watched the ethereal, immortal-like characters displayed on the arcade machines. A continuous stream of onlookers gasped in astonishment, creating an unparalleled and magnificent spectacle.

On another arcade machine, a sensation erupted as someone selected yet another supreme being, whose words were astonishing, seemingly containing ancient secrets of the universe.

"Everyone, look over here! This character's life poem seems to hold a world-shattering mystery!" someone exclaimed within seconds, drawing curious onlookers to gather around. The opening of the new Gates of Hell, after all, meant the chance to see more ancient beings suppressed within the Underworld, naturally sparking immense excitement.

The Lord of the Ruined Forest. Through the glass screen, a man strode forth, proclaiming sternly:

"All renowned blades lie shattered, where do heroes reside?How long can prosperity maintain its tide?To ponder rise and fall, a bitter heart's refrain;As one house ascends, another falls in pain,The world's affairs, like shifting clouds, sustain.In triumph, sorrow fills the world;In defeat, sorrow is unfurled."

"This...!" Though they had come prepared, their hearts still stirred, a ripple spreading within them. The brief line, "All renowned blades lie shattered, where do heroes reside? How long can prosperity maintain its tide?" evoked profound sorrow, as if in their own time, they too had faced a cataclysmic foe, a dark epoch, compelling him and his contemporary heroes to fight without hesitation. And what did the latter part mean? "'In triumph, sorrow fills the world; in defeat, sorrow is unfurled.'" The final line instilled a sense of chilling dread. What was its true meaning? Why did it feel so anticlimactic? What exactly transpired before that era?

They suddenly felt a pang of fear and dread, becoming as frightened as Zhang Xiao, as they began to consider much deeper implications.

They were currently tasked with rebuilding this Underworld, with everything in disrepair. Even Meng Po and the Black and White Impermanence were newly recruited. So, why had the previous Underworld shattered, and why did it require rebuilding? Where did its former inhabitants go? Had they, perhaps, perished?

"These beings," someone exclaimed, "each one feels capable of transcending centuries, possessing unparalleled brilliance!"

"Why are they suppressed here?"

"Their fate is truly tragic; each once dominated the world, yet now they're reduced to this, with any deceased person on their way to reincarnation able to freely observe them, even insert coins to control their battles!"

"Alas, such majestic, peerless existences, suffering in the depths of hell! Forever suppressed, their very bodies and minds tormented by such methods!"

They discussed animatedly, their voices fervent, many already showing signs of panic. The sheer number of powerful individuals present created a scene like a bustling marketplace, filled with constant, noisy chatter.

This was a terrifying situation that fueled wild speculation.

At this point, to reinforce their elaborate theories, players noted that if one arcade machine was being used to play a particular character, that character became unavailable on other machines, further solidifying their conjectures.

At another arcade machine, a young man sat, his eyes wide. "Su Huan-Jen," he exclaimed, "it's unbelievable! This person single-handedly dominated a prosperous ancient era... 'Half-god, half-saint, half-immortal; wholly Confucian, wholly Daoist, entirely virtuous. With ten thousand true books hidden in his mind, he commands half the literary and martial heavens.' He must be the world's greatest sage, far surpassing everyone else!"

Everyone gathered, listening intently to the poetic verse and savoring its depth. This individual was undoubtedly more powerful than any other, an unparalleled being from ancient times.

"This ancient god must be an ancestor of our Beast Path!" exclaimed a powerful being from the Beast Path, his face gaunt with a pointed mouth and monkey-like cheeks, his tone solemn and dignified. "It's a pity he's also suppressed... allowing weaklings like us, the dead and those awaiting reincarnation, to merely observe him? In the past, he would have simply slapped us to death. Why should he endure such a bizarre humiliation?"

Hiding in the shadows, Meng Po's face was a picture of bewilderment. "This... are they already claiming ancestors?" she wondered. Watching them gathered around each arcade machine, captivated by the characters, she was overwhelmed by the spectacle. She considered herself a seasoned operator, otherwise how could she run a brothel and lure scores of lustful men to hand over their money? Yet, at this moment, her entire worldview was utterly shattered.

Deception. It was all deception. Meng Po's face darkened completely. She couldn't help but curse, "Which Celestial spread the rumor that the Asura Path consisted of iron-blooded, unyielding tough guys? And even let Di Ting know, allowing the rumor to reach the Underworld, so that Black and White Impermanence and I also heard it from Di Ting?" These Asura Path individuals were clearly as sly and cunning as merchants! They wouldn't lift a finger without profit; it was nothing but pure deception!

Of course, she also found herself pondering: these lifelike characters, could they be real? They couldn't have been fabricated in an instant. The alchemy system described in the previous *Record of the Alchemy Emperor* seemed so plausible and incredibly intricate that it made one wonder if it had truly happened. Could it be that these extraordinary, peerless figures before her had also genuinely existed?