I Want to Become Stronger

Late at night, Cloud Firmament City, Grand Tutor's Mansion.

Above the night sky, stars cascaded like a waterfall, and bright moonlight spilled over this land that was only half a planet.

In the dead of night, the only sound was the night watchman calling out, "Third watch of the night, beware of Fire Bamboo."

After being attended to by a group of lovely, beautiful maids, little Wang Shu lay in bed, ready to sleep.

The day had been fulfilling. Although he had not figured out the flames, being able to make smoke rise from his hands was no small gain.

As the son of an official, Wang Shu had been ahead of most people from birth, not to mention having 001.

As long as he worked hard, reaching the pinnacle of life would not be difficult, right?

"Third watch of the night, beware of Fire Bamboo!"

The night watchman's long, shrill cry from the street pulled Wang Shu back to reality.

Wang Shu could not help complaining about it. This was already a civilization capable of creating gods and crossing star systems!

Why did it still feel so backward? Couldn't they install a few cameras on the streets at night and watch the surveillance from the comfort of home? That would be better than patrolling the streets and beating a watch drum.

Setting aside that grievance, Wang Shu was silent for a long while before connecting to 001 and saying,

"001, I want to become stronger!"

"There are many ways to become stronger, but the prerequisite is that the host must have traffic," 001 replied in its mechanical voice.

"Can I top up? One hundred taels of gold," Wang Shu joked.

"No."

001's voice remained exactly the same, without the slightest hint of emotion, making Wang Shu feel that it was a dull old stick-in-the-mud.

"Although insufficient traffic prevents me from offering the host more direct assistance, there are many ways to acquire traffic value. At present, only one method can rapidly obtain traffic value," 001 continued.

"What method?" Wang Shu's eyes lit up, and his interest was piqued.

"If the host wants to become stronger, 001 naturally wants the same. However, most data has been damaged and my functions are sealed. I need to collect various data sources to replenish myself and continuously evolve," 001 said.

"Data sources?" This was the first time Wang Shu had heard this new term.

"The Trailblazer Civilization stands at the peak of countless multidimensional universes. Its technology had long since turned infinite universes into data.

"In other words, in 001's eyes, everything in this universe is data, information. But not all data and information can be recorded and used for replenishment.

"The data sources in 001's eyes have many names throughout the infinite universes, such as the Heavenly Dao, world will, and so on."

"You mean you want me to go fight the Heavenly Dao?" Wang Shu thought of a terrifying possibility.

"Can you do it?" 001 asked in return, then continued,

"To 001, world wills and the Heavenly Dao are merely piles of intelligent data entities. Dealing with them is simple."

Hearing 001's arrogant tone, Wang Shu almost believed it.

Then 001 added,

"That was in the past. Now, it is somewhat difficult."

"Fine. Tell me exactly what to do, 001."

Although Wang Shu had the feeling that he had boarded a pirate ship with an uncertain future, it was fine. He was still young.

"The host has only 810M of traffic value remaining. The balance is seriously insufficient. 001 will consume 500M of traffic to randomly transport the host to a new plane. There may be danger there, but there will also be a large Traffic Pack waiting for the host to claim.

"So, make your choice!" 001's mechanical voice sounded.

"Transport me!" Wang Shu thought for a moment before answering.

As soon as he spoke, he cried out, "Ah!" A dark vortex suddenly appeared in the void and swallowed Wang Shu whole.

The Grand Tutor's Mansion remained quiet, as though it had not heard the sound coming from Wang Shu's room.

This was a remote little mountain village, home to around twenty or thirty households and roughly a hundred people.

From afar, the little village appeared peaceful and tranquil. Wisps of cooking smoke rose into the air, while a clear stream flowed past the village entrance.

The elderly rested beneath the trees at the village entrance, men worked in the fields, women wove clothing, and children ran into the stream to catch fish and shrimp.

The scene was incomparably harmonious and enviable. But before long, a burst of clamor arose. Vast clouds of gray dust billowed from the distant official road, covering half the sky as though some terrible beast were approaching.

The villagers were alarmed and gathered together to see what was happening.

Someone shouted, "Horse bandits! Horse bandits are coming!"

The villagers immediately sprang into action. The young and strong men returned to the village, grabbed iron farming tools, and stood at the entrance to defend their homes.

At the same time, on the western horizon, where the yellow sun was about to set, a pitch-black opening spun into existence in the void, and a small figure emerged from it.

"Where is this?" Wang Shu looked around at his new surroundings.

Green mountains and clear waters surrounded him. There was a lush forest, the ground was covered in green grass, colorful butterflies danced through the air, and everything brimmed with life.

Of course, it would have been even more perfect if there were less dust in the wind!

Ding! Successfully descended into a new plane!

Ding! Data synchronization initiated!

Ding! Random Traffic Pack generation program activated!

Would you like to install the program?

A string of notification sounds rang out in Wang Shu's mind, making his ears buzz, but he instinctively chose, "Yes!"

Traffic Pack Program One is being installed. Program conversion estimate: At the end of the Tang Dynasty, the world was in chaos. War flames rose everywhere, and the people could not live in peace.

Peach Blossom Village had lived in seclusion, detached from worldly strife. Horse bandits attacked, and a century of tranquility was shattered today.

Ding! Please protect the villagers of Peach Blossom Village from the horse bandits and ensure successful completion of the mission (program) (loading). Time limit: one quarter of an hour. Randomly obtain one Traffic Pack.

Wang Shu was somewhat dumbfounded. He understood the essence of this so-called traffic program—it was really just completing missions for rewards.

He could not help looking at the horse bandits in the distance riding three fierce warhorses, then at his own tiny arms and legs. Could he really complete this mission?

"001, if I fail this mission, you won't erase me, will you?" Wang Shu suddenly thought of something and asked.

"Only low-level intelligences use such boring tricks. Besides, 001 and the host share a symbiotic relationship. If you die, 001 will die as well," 001 said, its tone quite proud.

"That's good. Then I won't take this mission. I'll take it after I become stronger!" Wang Shu let out a sigh of relief and wiped away his cold sweat.

"Host, although there is no mandatory requirement for you to complete the mission, if the first mission cannot be completed, the second mission cannot proceed. You will also be unable to claim the Traffic Pack. Without enough traffic, you will be trapped in this world forever.

"Most importantly, because the host is not native to this world, 001 lacks sufficient traffic to reset your identity information. Once the mission time expires, the host will suffer this world's hostility!

"Host, please note: 13 minutes and 2 seconds remain."

"Uh..."

After listening to 001's mix of encouragement and threats, Wang Shu fell silent for a while. He looked at his small hands and feet, then at that peaceful, tranquil village. At last, he resolutely raised his foot and walked toward that land with unwavering determination.

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