Chapter 140: Calamity Level

[You gaze out at this magnificent land and up at the clouds in the sky. Your inner fire for exploration grows once more; Lantern Aspect +1.]

Has my Lantern Aspect increased?

Chen Qi rubbed his head. That was not bad at all. There was still quite some time before reaching the Disaster Messenger Tower. Taking advantage of the time while his character traveled, Chen Qi entered the Traveler’s Box to organize the various materials he had bought or traded for, categorizing them by Lantern and Edge aspects.

Immediately after, he opened his interface and retrieved the Circuitry Garment.

Looking at it, it appeared less like clothing and more like a collection of interconnected, mystical symbols. Chen Qi let out a breath and channeled his spiritual energy into it. The white character-clad garment clung to his skin.

The symbols adhered to his skin one by one; the moment they touched, a searing, scorching heat flared, only to quickly shift into an icy cold sensation. This cycle repeated hundreds of times until the "garment" finally covered his upper body. The primary "symbols" were concentrated on his hands, meaning the Circuitry Garment provided the best conductivity through his limbs.

As these white symbols fully attached themselves, their color gradually faded, blending seamlessly into his skin. In an instant, his body seemed to lose all weight, as if he had arrived in a brand-new world composed entirely of spiritual energy.

Chen Qi looked back at the game.

[Game Notification: You have equipped—Circuitry Garment: Conductor’s Modification!]

Chen Qi attempted to circulate the spiritual energy within his body. Under the enhancement of the Circuitry Garment, his body felt incredibly fluid and comfortable, and the speed at which his spiritual energy flowed increased significantly!

"Black Fire Imbuement."

Chen Qi threw a punch, and black flames—simultaneously icy and searing—appeared on his arm. This enhancement technique, originally intended for weapons, could now be applied directly to his own body.

He pondered for a moment; perhaps he could call this move the "Black Fire Fist."

After equipping the Circuitry Garment, he immediately pulled out the Lantern-Fire Bow to practice with it. He searched for an "archery tutorial" on a pink video site to hone his skills.

The Lantern-Fire Bow was a large, golden weapon. Once spiritual energy was channeled into it, bright flames would ignite along its frame. The arrows formed from spiritual energy were like burning fire; once fired, they became searing hot.

"Spirit of Shadow, come forth!"

Chen Qi summoned the Spirit of Shadow. With his Blood-Blade Meal Fruit, hitting a static target was far too easy. The Spirit of Shadow’s leaping ability and agility were excellent, making it a perfect moving target for practice.

He had to admit, the Spirit of Shadow was incredibly versatile—it could be eaten, and it could also act as a damage sponge!

Chen Qi had the Spirit of Shadow hold an apple and began his practice. He fired an arrow, instantly blowing the Spirit of Shadow’s head off.

"A slight miscalculation..."

With the enhancement of the Circuitry Garment, the damage of the Lantern-Fire arrows was such that two shots were enough to take down the Spirit of Shadow. Chen Qi exhaled and signaled for the Spirit of Shadow to keep running.

[Your archery skill learning progress: 30%]
[Your archery skill learning progress: 45%]
...
[Your archery skill learning progress: 100%]
[You have completed your archery training. Barring external interference, you can now accurately hit any point you aim at.]

"Done."

Chen Qi wiped the sweat from his forehead, feeling invigorated. With the boost from the Blood-Blade Meal Fruit and his current physical strength, he had learned archery remarkably quickly.

Chen Qi ate an egg tart from the Traveler’s Box and looked back at the New Sun game. With the Lantern-Shadow Fox running at full speed, he had arrived before the Disaster Messenger Tower!

He had made it...

Chen Qi let out a sigh of relief. Having reached the Disaster Messenger Tower, he would no longer need to guard against the nocturnal Shadow Fiends and could finally get a good night's sleep.

[The daylight is fading. You look up toward the distance, where a black tower stands tall atop the mountain peak.]

[You gaze at the mountain ahead in surprise; you see the Raven Witch gripping the left heel of a Disaster Messenger apprentice, tossing the apprentice down from the heights.]

Chen Qi paused. What was she doing?

[You watch from afar as the discarded Disaster Messenger apprentice falls from the sky. Amidst the intense sensation of weightlessness, she screams, waving her magic staff. In an instant, her inspiration erupts, and spiritual energy flows forth, forming a gust of wind that catches her.]

Chen Qi rubbed his chin; this must be some form of extreme teaching method. It meant that Lin Yuxing had now learned wind magic.

[Whew...]

[A dense flock of crows flies toward you from the sky. A black feather appears before your eyes, and the moment it obscures your vision, the Raven Witch steps out from the flock and appears before you.]

[The Raven Witch looks at the Lantern-Shadow Fox beneath you with curiosity; she does not know what breed this pitch-black fox is. After all, she is not a beast tamer; that is outside her area of expertise.]

[The Raven Witch sets aside her questions and looks at you: "Long time no see, Herb Picker. Have you returned from the Land of Faint Light? You seem to have been to that train; you look rather exhausted."]

Chen Qi checked his interface. His character had been out and about for days and was already in a state of mental fatigue; he really did need a good rest.

[You say nothing, nodding silently, and look up at the dying daylight. You tell the Raven Witch that you wish to spend the night here.]

["No problem. The Disaster Messenger Tower always welcomes travelers of the Lantern Aspect." The Raven Witch agrees. Long ago, the Disaster Messengers had always maintained a good relationship with wandering adventurers. However, after some members of those adventurers' Death Groups walked the path of madness, conflicts arose between them and many treasure hunters, Wayfinders, and Death Group members. To this day, the relationship between the Disaster Messengers and the Treasure Hunter Association has not been repaired.]

[The Raven Witch tells you that she wants to know about the Textile Train. If you agree, she is willing to pay 5 Daylight Coins in exchange.]

[Do you agree to the information exchange?]

5 Daylight Coins...

Chen Qi pursed his lips and thought for a moment. The price was quite reasonable.

Yes.

[You have received five Daylight Coins.]

[You share the information you gathered, omitting details about yourself, and emphasize the various calamities you encountered.]

["I have noted it down." The Raven Witch records everything you said, word for word, in her notebook. She tells you that the detective with the right eye you encountered was likely a professional sent by New City District 2 to investigate the Mist City incident. The rumor that the treasure hunter Kano Doll had become an official of the Tribunal was spread by New City District 2. This is a standard tactic of the New City District 2 Investigation Committee—to pin all rumors on the Tribunal. The final test for joining the Tribunal is a full-body and spiritual examination; even if a doll could pass the preceding tests, it could never pass the final one.]

So it really was just a rumor.

Chen Qi continued reading.

[The Raven Witch ponders for a moment, sighing, "So, it was the Cocoon Witch on that train." The Raven Witch says the Cocoon Witch is likely a madwoman who worships the Revelation-level Calamity, the Doll Dance. She had once gone to handle this matter, but the witch had escaped.]

Is this Cocoon Witch related to a Revelation-level calamity...

Chen Qi mused. On the Earth forums, calamities were generally classified into five levels based on destructive power: Breeze, Rainstorm, Black Flood, Earth Disaster, and Dead Sea. These classifications were established by the Disaster Messengers among the players, based on the common occurrences in New City: the Rain of Edges, Ghost Rain, the Great Tide of Shadow Beasts, the Gluttonous Earth, and the Sea of Stone.

Currently, the most severe calamity to appear on Earth had been only at the Rainstorm level. Beyond that, there were even more complex classifications. Among those higher levels, the most frequently heard was "Revelation-level"!

Revelation-level was the highest tier of calamity, and the Four Revelations were the four most terrifying calamities in the Land of No Light. They were synonymous with immortality, desire, and power. The daylight in New City existed precisely to resist Revelation-level calamities. In New City, the term "god" was rarely used, but most who worshipped Revelation-level calamities believed they were worshipping gods.

Chen Qi rested his chin in his hand and continued to read the text.

[The Raven Witch blows a whistle, and a great raven flies down from the Raven Tower: "Herb Picker, your spiritual energy is turbulent, and your eyes are bloodshot. You are exhausted. May you have a good night's sleep."]

[The Raven Witch looks at the little Lantern-Shadow Fox, a spark appearing in her serious eyes. Finally, she greets the little fox and bids you farewell. She still needs to instruct her apprentice who returned from the brink of death; the girl has quite a bit of potential.]

(End of chapter)