Unknown Level Cataclysmic Object

Hidden plotlines are common in alternate dimensions.

It's much like the difficulty levels in past-life games.

The first time you enter, it's normal difficulty, then elite, nightmare, hell, and so on.

You continuously explore and unlock higher difficulty plotlines.

This is usually good news for treasure hunters.

Because triggering hidden plotlines typically means better settlement rewards and the potential discovery of hidden treasures.

Ji Xun had experienced this once before in space 407.

But this time, it was clearly different.

According to the hunters' previous intel, this was just a low-level alternate dimension for farming skeletons.

But now, it seemed the monsters weren't just skeletons anymore.

"Keeper of Secrets, immortal and indestructible?"

Ji Xun caught the keywords and pondered.

Since the mastermind believed that increasing the space's difficulty could threaten Governor Cao's life, it was naturally not simple.

"Choosing an inescapable maze and then using monsters to kill someone, that's a foolproof plan."

Ji Xun quickly figured it out.

He observed the maze walls again without delay and walked towards the depths of the maze.

Regardless of the cause or effect, what he needed to do now was to get further away from the Governor.

If they were outside, Ji Xun felt that as a Card Master Apprentice, he would most likely be dead if caught in the crossfire.

But this was inside an alternate dimension.

The will of the space wouldn't change with individuals.

Even the mastermind had only used the spatial rules to set up a few arrangements.

This assassination was definitely extremely dangerous.

But it wasn't aimed at him.

As long as he stayed far away from the Governor, the danger could be reduced by 99.9%.

Ji Xun saw the current situation clearly and decisively chose to flee.

After just a few steps, sounds of battle echoed through the maze.

"Bang, bang, bang."

The sounds of guns and cannons mixed with exaggerated noises like a thunderstorm echoed in the maze.

Because the maze was a sealed corridor, sound traveled very far.

Listening to the instantly fierce sounds of battle, Ji Xun discerned the direction and thought, "I need to find a safe place to hide first."

He didn't need to think about finding an exit to escape the maze for now.

Not to mention he had no idea about the route out, even if he did, he absolutely couldn't go there now.

He could tell with his toes that there would definitely be ambushes at the exit.

Laying in wait for those who had a one-in-ten-thousand chance of escaping.

Staying further away would be safer.

With that thought, Ji Xun avoided the corridor from which the sounds of battle were coming and chose another dark passage in the opposite direction.

The reality was just as Ji Xun had predicted.

At this very moment, outside the maze, two mysterious figures in cloaks, a man and a woman, were hidden in the darkness.

Ambushing Cao Sihai, the lord of Sinless City and a great noble of the Federation, was already considered a grave crime akin to destroying an entire family.

But the two showed no fear. Instead, they waited like patient hunters, chatting enthusiastically.

"That fatty Cao Sihai is actually hiding on the cargo train trying to escape back to the Upper City. Tsk, he really doesn't care about the dignity of a high-ranking noble anymore. Once this guy dies, Sinless City will be truly lively."

The cloaked woman's tone was clearly laced with schadenfreude.

In contrast, the cloaked man beside her, who was half a head shorter, was taciturn.

Seeing her companion remain silent, the woman continued on her own, "I heard from unofficial sources that the Cao family recently acquired an Ancient Relic with a very high Cataclysmic level. They're probably carrying it with them on their escape back to the capital. It's said to be the one that wanted criminal 'Lone Wolf' Baron brought back from the Demon Cross. I'm quite curious about its level."

Hearing this, the cloaked man showed a flicker of interest and chuckled, "I was the one who spread that news. I also put out the bounty on the Black Market."

The cloaked woman turned her head to look, pouted, and her interest immediately waned significantly, "Ah, so that was fake news?"

The cloaked man shrugged and added, "Not entirely fake, otherwise Cao Sihai wouldn't be in such a hurry to leave Sinless City. However, what that guy has isn't the Ancient Relic brought back by Baron, but an uncontainable 'Cataclysmic Object'."

Hearing this, the cloaked woman's eyes widened, and she became very interested, "Cataclysmic Object?"

The cloaked man continued, "The Cao clan in Dragon City inherited some ancient texts from before the Great Cataclysm, but they haven't been able to decipher them. But more than half a month ago, pioneering hunters discovered the temple ruins mentioned in the texts on the Old Continent and found many Ancient Relics, including that uncontainable relic. Its effects are unknown, and its Cataclysmic level has not yet been rated. Governor Cao's hasty departure this time, besides escaping for his life, is also to bring that Cataclysmic Object to Dragon City."

Upon hearing this, the cloaked woman's eyes shifted. She looked at the incredibly calm man beside her and changed the subject, "Aren't you interested in that thing?"

After all, it's a Cataclysmic Object.

Anything called a "Cataclysmic Object" has some unimaginably useful applications.

Regardless of its rating, its appearance is guaranteed to cause countless powerful individuals to fight over it, even sparking wars.

"It's not that I'm not interested, it's that I don't pursue futile obsessions."

The cloaked man chuckled lightly, his tone breezy.

He then explained his reasoning: "Ancient Relics from before the Great Cataclysm are all tied to peculiar Fate Laws. They are gifts from ancient demon gods, but not everyone can bear them. No matter the process, they will eventually fall into the hands of someone compatible with them; that is destiny. If this thing were meant for me, I wouldn't miss it. If it's not destined to be mine, I can't force it. Otherwise, even if I obtained it, I'd merely be keeping it temporarily for fate, only to invite more trouble."

"Whoa, that fatalistic view is a bit too far-fetched, isn't it?"

The cloaked woman rolled her eyes as she listened.

As she spoke, she couldn't resist a wistful jab: "If that's the case, then everyone is destined to die. Might as well die sooner. Come on, since your ability is so amazing, why don't you tell me about my love life?"

"I can't divine the future."

"Deduction is the same thing. Come on, deduce for me, will I meet a hero of unparalleled prowess? Hmm, and he has to be handsome too."

"Seriously?"

"Mhm."

"You might be disappointed. I think you're highly likely to end up alone."

"Pfft! Pfft! Pfft! You're really asking for a beating. Can't you say something good? What kind of useless ability is this, it's not accurate at all."

"..."

The two exchanged a few pleasantries.

The cloaked man smiled without arguing and returned to the main topic: "At least based on the current intelligence, whoever obtains that 'Cataclysmic Object' will suffer misfortune. The first to find it was the Thunder Hammer Mercenary Group, and ninety percent of them died right after leaving the ruins. As for those who returned alive, they were all silenced by Cao Sihai. Later, six more individuals came into contact with the item, but each died of various causes. Governor Cao is no exception. It's like some bizarre fate is involved. Even stranger, no one knows what that thing actually is to this day."

After speaking, he asked with a playful tone, "After hearing all this, do you still want to try and get your hands on it?"

Although the cloaked woman didn't believe it verbally, she highly valued her companion's abilities. She raised an eyebrow, "That's so weird?"

If he said there was a problem, there was definitely a problem.

"Otherwise?"

The cloaked man smiled noncommittally.

He didn't dwell on the topic and changed the subject: "In comparison, this maze is what truly interests me. I took a stroll earlier and discovered that this Great Cemetery Maze was created by the resentment of the tomb artisans killed by 'Mad King' Augustus of the Taren Dynasty three thousand years ago. That was the last recorded ancient dynasty before the Great Cataclysm. The history before the Great Cataclysm is cut off at this point. Don't you think this is more valuable than any treasure?"

"..."

The cloaked woman rolled her eyes, clearly not thinking so.

They fell silent for a moment.

She had no interest in this topic and directly changed the subject: "The Cao family actually wants to control Sinless City and monopolize the Old Continent. This time, they've eliminated the Frost Knight Legion as well, so the Cao family's plans for Sinless City are completely ruined. Hey, who do you think is paying for our mission this time?"

The cloaked man's tone was indifferent, "Does it matter who it is? Besides the Cao family, don't you think the other few families in the Council have the same idea? If the Cao family continues to dominate, they might not be satisfied with just a few seats."

He paused, his tone as lazy as ever, but his gaze held a hidden sharpness. "The major main cities have been in the rich mineral layers for too long. Now, those stuffy old guys in the Federal Council are indulging in debauchery and luxury, having lost their adventurous spirit. They've also forgotten the ancestral teachings and no longer explore the depths of the underground. But we are treasure hunters. Since we've discovered the Old Continent, let's get those bloated old guys moving."

Hearing this, the cloaked woman quipped, "Heh. Politics is truly boring."

She had no interest in discussing that and asked again, "Cao Sihai is definitely dead now. What happens to Sinless City next? Although the gangs in the lower city are constantly fighting amongst themselves, they are united against outsiders. Even if the Governor isn't from the Cao family, it won't matter who the new lord is. Are they going to have the Council send troops to force their way in?"

The cloaked man chuckled, "Can you kill all the rats in the sewers? Besides, Sinless City is not as simple as it appears. Anyone who tries to force their way will surely stumble."

The cloaked woman asked in confusion, "Then what should we do? We can't let these gangs keep control of the Gold Digging Dock leading to the Old Continent, can we?"

The cloaked man said meaningfully, "Strength often begins to fracture from within."

Hearing his cryptic tone, the cloaked woman rolled her eyes, having lost the desire to continue the conversation. "Forget it. This kind of scheming and trickery is more your style."

She then asked, "By the way, were there some particularly unusual individuals among those raiders before?"

The cloaked man replied, "Remnants of the old era. They have some connections over there. We set up a situation and killed a few more people while we were at it."

"..."

The two chatted casually.

Meanwhile, inside the maze, it was already a scene of carnage.

Thanks to 'Redteam' for 1500, '1kose55' for 500, 'GT Wanlihong', 'Guai wo bu shi hao ren' (I'm not a good person), 'Xi Shang', and 'Shoucang zhe huiyi' (Collecting memories) for their generous support.