Radiant Kingdom and the King of Ancient Gods

As expected.

Dreaming can lead to grave consequences, and even gods are no exception.

The Ancient Earth is truly terrifying.

"It's a good thing I'm the Fourth Calamity."

Yang Qizhou reined in his smugness and refocused his attention on the game. So far, he had used two save-scumming attempts and one resurrection, which was enough to push the plot a little further.

"You feel deeply puzzled and ask what she means by that."

"You see Lena's expression turn grave as she states that what she is about to say is a taboo that cannot be mentioned lightly; if you were to learn of it, something terrible might happen."

"You reply that an explorer never fears death."

"Lena looks at you deeply and finally reveals the secret she knows."

"It turns out that dreaming itself is not the problem, but dreams can attract the attention of entities who hold corresponding 'authorities.' It could be a god, an evil god, or an ancient and powerful hidden lifeform. If they are well-intentioned, you might have a pleasant dream, but if they harbor malice..."

"Lena does not continue, but you already understand in your heart."

"Soon, Lena leaves. The Ancient Fire-Stealing God has encountered an unknown crisis in the dream realm, and the divine protection is fading. Coupled with the death of the Fire-Stealing Priest, these are all matters she must attend to."

"You return to the lodging arranged by Yixiu."

"Night is about to fall, and you take out the Ancient God Fire Lamp, using the 'Fire-Stealing' method to ward off the horrors in the darkness."

"The next morning,"

"You find the scenery in Fire-Stealing Village looking somewhat dim. The Sacred Fire in the Basin, which symbolizes the Ancient Fire-Stealing God, is much fainter than before. The villagers are filled with terror, and even the little girl who spoke to you before has lost her original liveliness. Vaguely, you can see a terrifying figure wandering outside the village, already very close, peering into the village with hateful eyes."

Still camping outside?

It was just one "Night Watcher Remains" you swindled from her, just one act of deception—how much grudge and hatred could there be?

Yang Qizhou was speechless. Although the text did not specify who the figure wandering outside Fire-Stealing Village was, he knew instinctively that it must be Aliceina, the suspected follower of an Old God.

This woman clearly still held a grudge over the game character's deception and wouldn't be satisfied until she killed him a few more times.

Shifting his position on the sofa, Yang Qizhou continued the game.

"Lena happens to come by at this moment. Looking at the terrifying figure outside Fire-Stealing Village, her expression is very grave. She says the Night Watcher squad has long known that an unknown horror in the wilderness has been eyeing the village, and many Night Watchers who investigated the situation at the Moonlight Ancient God Altar have died at its hands, though its origins remain unclear."

"You express curiosity about the abnormalities in Fire-Stealing Village and ask Lena what exactly is happening."

"You see Lena's expression turn grave, her body trembling, and her voice can no longer remain steady."

"She replies that just as the Fire-Stealing Priest prophesied, the Ancient Fire-Stealing God has encountered a major problem. The divine domain is shrinking, and the protection is fading. In at most five days, the 'Sacred Fire in the Basin' will vanish completely, and at that time, Fire-Stealing Village will be completely swallowed by the horrors of the wilderness."

"You express your regret over this."

"Lena turns her gaze toward you, her beautiful eyes blinking, making it hard for you—who already has no resistance to beauty—to keep your heart calm."

"She solemnly issues a commission to you, hoping that you can cross the unknown and mysterious wilderness via the divine path to reach Dark Fog Town and seek reinforcements. Lena indicates that she will provide a satisfactory reward as a token of gratitude."

"You subconsciously want to flirt, saying, 'I don't want a reward, I only want you.'"

"But you don't want to get beaten up."

"You hold back."

"And so, for the explorer who always harbors ulterior motives toward the beautiful Lena, the fork in the road of fate appears once again."

"You refuse Lena's commission, stating that you will leave Fire-Stealing Village immediately and then flee."

"You accept Lena's commission, generously stating that you do not need a reward."

"You accept Lena's commission, stating that if she uses the secret of the 'Blasphemy Slate' as a reward, you agree to make the trip."

"You accept Lena's commission, stating that if she is willing to use the 'Night Watcher Remains' as a reward, you agree to make the trip."

"You accept Lena's commission, stating that she can decide the reward herself."

"You accept Lena's commission, but insist that Lena must accompany you."

"Please make your choice."

What the hell, does it really need to be this granular?

Yang Qizhou was shocked. The most options he had ever seen before was four, back when he learned the secret of the "Fire-Stealing Priest," but this time, there were a full six options.

This forced Yang Qizhou to seriously consider how to choose.

After all, the "Doom-Bringing Raven" only gave him one chance to regret his decision. If he chose wrong twice, the subsequent gaming experience would likely become quite miserable.

Choosing the third plot line, Yang Qizhou quickly made his decision.

The reason was simple: he had been curious about the "Wizards" for a while and wanted to know what they had done to become so despised by both gods and men on the Ancient Earth. Since the "Blasphemy Slate" contained secrets about the "Wizards," it was right up Yang Qizhou's alley.

As for the "helping others" line of generously refusing a reward, and the "go together" line that was clearly for romancing Lena, Yang Qizhou rejected them both.

Come on, this isn't a high-budget CG masterpiece; it's just a text game. No matter how beautifully Lena is described, you can't see her, and besides, what would you need a woman for in a Lovecraftian-style game?

Choice made, continue the game.

Curious explorer, your heart has already made the decision, and you have expressed to Lena your interest in the Blasphemy Slate.

You see Lena's expression turn grave, filled with hesitation and concern, yet thinking of the villagers' lives, she makes a difficult decision, stating that as long as the crisis in Fire-Stealing Village is resolved, she is willing to take you to the location of the Blasphemy Slate.

Lena further proposes conducting an Oath Ritual, signing an unbreakable oath under the witness of the King of Oaths, one of the three ancient God-Kings who rule the Radiant Kingdom.

Having never heard of the King of Oaths or the Radiant Kingdom, you curiously inquire about them to Lena.

Lena does not hold back and answers your question.

The Radiant Kingdom is the most ancient and powerful divine realm on the Ancient Earth, home to numerous ancient gods who have protected humanity since the dawn of creation, guiding them through countless catastrophes, including the shifting of eras; the rulers of the Radiant Kingdom are none other than the three most exalted ancient God-Kings.

Lena continues, explaining that Fire-Stealing Village is actually within the territory of the Radiant Kingdom, but because this location is too close to the wilderness and too far from the radiance of the gods, the divine protection here is exceptionally weak.

You are shocked by this information and readily agree to Lena's proposal.

You quickly complete the Oath Ritual, and Lena reveals the Divine Road Signpost for Dark Fog Town.

You have obtained the Divine Road Signpost for Dark Fog Town.

Yang Qizhou's eyes light up; the world-building of the Ancient Earth has finally revealed the tip of the iceberg.

The information revealed in the text just now is substantial: Fire-Stealing Village is located within the territory of the Radiant Kingdom, but because it is too remote, the radiance of the gods can hardly reach it; furthermore, as one of the three ancient God-Kings ruling the Radiant Kingdom, the King of Oaths is likely a top-tier existence among the gods.

Also, a new map is finally opening; Dark Fog Town is clearly a town-level dungeon, which should yield even better rewards.

Yang Qizhou sits up, his entire body brimming with motivation.

The game continues.

"Fire-Stealing" dispels the terror of the night, and early the next morning, you arrive at the Divine Road Signpost leading to Dark Fog Town, where Lena has come to see you off.