The selection panel faded away, and a new panel unfolded, blazing with brilliant red light as though a myth had descended. Wisps of red-and-black radiance coiled around it, flowing endlessly.
"This light is even more dazzling than gold!"
Wu Yu's heart skipped a beat, and anticipation welled up within him.
He immediately looked down.
"So that's it. Black means an identity choice with a curse!"
"A Sin Immortal is an immortal cast down into the mortal world, with an innate red talent and a unique curse!"
"As for whether red quality ranks high or low..."
Delight filled Wu Yu's heart, easing much of his confusion and panic.
Strength gave a man courage.
The moment that brilliant red light shone down, Wu Yu stopped worrying about the future.
Immortals had been humanity's ultimate dream since ancient times. Their talent quality absolutely had to rank above the golden "Godspawn"!
"The curse information is vague. It looks like it's because I have no spirit root and can't cultivate?"
"All these starting setups might have nothing to do with the real world!"
Wu Yu spotted the key point. Whether it was the outdated automatic rifle, Bajiquan, or this seemingly terrifying yet practically useless curse, they all pointed to one thing!
The identity choices offered by [Nameless Chaos] were not restricted to any world. They might even transcend the boundaries between fantasy and reality, holding infinite possibilities.
This was an era after the Great Cataclysm. Even in a small city like River City, money could buy an "External Spirit Root"!
This was also an era when even mortals could cultivate. Put on a Life Circlet, insert an External Spirit Root, and you could immediately enjoy the cultivation speed of an ancient cultivator with a heavenly spiritual root.
Thus, "Heavenly Lawbreaker" had very little negative effect on Wu Yu!
"My gamble paid off!"
Wu Yu was delighted, but he forced down his excitement and joined the others' discussion without letting anything show on his face.
While they talked, he checked his items, talent, and innate Talisman Seals.
In his inventory, stacks of one hundred portions each of spirit wine and food occupied one slot apiece. He could take them out with a thought.
Compared with the "spirit stones" and "pills" of the other identities, the spirit wine and food were rather ordinary.
But Wu Yu was not greedy. Now that he had obtained a red talent, he would have been fine even if his starting items were a pile of grass.
But... where are the innate Talisman Seals I comprehended?
[Mountain-Sea Sigil]. The first sigil I comprehended was Bi Fang. Could it be related to the Classic of Mountains and Seas?
Ancient myths might well descend into reality. This could be a talent that lets me become a myth myself.
As Wu Yu pondered, he suddenly sensed something.
Somewhere beyond his conscious awareness,
he seemed to glimpse the depths of his own mind.
A sigil shone there, brilliant and dreamlike.
Its lines traced the shape of a divine bird.
The instant he saw the "Bi Fang Sigil," Wu Yu felt it was as easy to control as his own limbs, as though he could release its power at any moment.
The sigil... looks like it needs a medium. Could it be something like the talismans among the Hundred Arts of cultivation?
Industrially mass-produced talismans have been around for ages. Talisman makers aren't exactly in demand these days.
"There's an evacuation point at the end of this road. Maybe we can get home within a day!"
"Right. Since it's called the Newcomer Secret Realm, and the danger has been greatly reduced, we should be able to evacuate without trouble!"
"Then it's settled. We'll follow the road!"
The group finally finished their discussion.
Inspector Liu said, "Get ready, everyone. We're setting off right away!"
"Got it!"
"We'll follow Inspector Liu's lead!"
"Sir Liu, you've got a pistol. You have to protect us!"
The fat cook and Bai Xiaotian crowded around Inspector Liu, chattering nonstop.
Chen Lingling stood to one side with her head lowered. The blue-haired young man comforted her with a grin, talking so animatedly that spit flew from his mouth.
Just then,
the middle-aged woman approached, her eyes intent. "Young man, my surname is Jin. I'd like to hire you to protect me in this [Newcomer Secret Realm]. Would you be willing?"
"Ten thousand a day... no, a hundred thousand a day!"
Boss Jin gritted his teeth and offered a tempting price.
A hundred thousand was enough to buy a low-grade [Nine Dragons' Might] on the market!
"Sorry."
Wu Yu refused without hesitation and glanced over to the side.
Yu Tiezhu followed behind her. He had probably agreed to those terms.
"Well... all right. If you change your mind, young man, be sure to come to me. The offer stands!"
"If something unexpected happens along the way, I'll pay you at least ten thousand as long as you help me!"
Boss Jin narrowed her eyes as she spoke, making a generous promise.
"Of course."
Wu Yu replied politely, keeping a faint smile on his face.
Meanwhile,
Inspector Liu exchanged a few words with the man in the suit, Blue Hair, and the others, then walked toward Wu Yu.
"Young man, may I ask your name...?"
He spoke gently and assured him, "Since we're traveling together, we should get to know each other! Don't worry. I'll make sure everyone stays safe."
"..."
Wu Yu's gaze shifted as he recalled this mortal inspector's name. In the news he had seen on a billboard earlier, there seemed to have been a Captain Liu...
"Wu Yu."
He spoke slowly.
Inspector Liu frowned, then nodded. "Very well. It's natural to be cautious when you're away from home."
"I'll leave you to it."
He said no more, turning to lead the group down the road.
"?" Wu Yu was baffled.
Inspector Liu took the lead, and everyone else followed.
Wu Yu was speechless, but he realized the man had misunderstood him.
He stepped forward, only to see the man called Liu Yu approach and walk alongside him at the same pace.
"Unmoved by money, unwilling to bow to power."
"Not bad, kid."
Liu Yu looked slightly pale, with conspicuous dark circles beneath his eyes.
"My name really is Wu Yu." Wu Yu shook his head and explained, "He's no ordinary man, and he's seen our real faces. Hiding our names is pointless."
"Now you're mocking me too!" Liu Yu chuckled. "True, my name isn't Liu Yu, but aren't you hiding your name as well?"
"Word's been going around lately that the Inspection Bureau's old director is about to retire, and the next director's surname is Liu!"
"This Captain Liu has been making quite a splash, showing off on the news at every opportunity! He's not even trying to hide that he's padding his credentials..."
"???" Wu Yu was utterly baffled.
"Cunning little brat. I hope you don't die too soon," Liu Yu said flatly, then quickened his pace to catch up with the others.
"..."
Wu Yu was momentarily at a loss for words, but he was not the sort to insist on proving himself. He simply ignored their misunderstandings, picked up a small stone from the ground, and experimented as he walked.
The "Bi Fang Sigil" existed deep within his mind and might be related to the Classic of Mountains and Seas. As a divine ability derived from a red talent, it should possess tremendous transcendent power.
Holding the stone, Wu Yu willed it, and runic lines appeared on its rough surface, swiftly forming the shape of a divine bird.
Once the sigil was complete, a golden light flashed across the stone's surface and vanished.
[Small stone] Type: Miscellaneous. Quality: None. Imprinted with: [Bi Fang Sigil]. Description: Even stones can explode. Stones are art too!
Before you continue