Longevity's Mystery and the Bond of Rebirth

Several days of quiet cultivation at Mount Fangcun made Su Yan's aura more restrained, and his control over spiritual power increasingly refined. After [Damaged Compass] absorbed Crimson Tail's Data Fragments, that faint warmth never faded, and its guidance became clearer—steadily pointing north, toward the region shrouded in ice, snow, and legends of longevity.

After using the sect's teleportation array and traveling a great distance, Su Yan finally arrived at Longevity Village. Unlike the warfare and restless data outside, Longevity Village seemed forgotten by time, enveloped in tranquil peace. In the distance, the towering Longevity Snow Mountain gleamed beneath the sunlight. Streams burbled through the village, white-haired, rosy-cheeked villagers strolled leisurely, and even the air carried fresh spiritual energy that promised long life.

Yet Su Yan's sharp senses, along with the Compass's continuous faint tremors, told him that undercurrents lurked beneath this tranquility. Rather than entering the village directly, he followed the Compass's guidance to a secluded mountain foot outside the village. There stood an ordinary-looking thatched cottage, but a crude yet exceedingly intricate formation had been arranged around it, faintly isolating the aura within from the outside world.

"Is a fellow cultivator cultivating in seclusion here?" Su Yan's heart stirred. Anyone capable of setting up such a formation was certainly no ordinary player or low-level NPC. He cautiously refrained from barging in. Instead, he circulated the Yellow Court Scripture, sent a thread of gentle Spiritual Power toward the formation, and called out, "This junior is Su Yan, a disciple of Mount Fangcun. Passing through this treasured place, I sensed extraordinary Dao Rhyme here and came specifically to pay my respects."

After a brief silence, the cottage door opened with a creak. An elderly man emerged, dressed in a faded old Daoist robe. His face was withered, but his eyes were as deep as a sea of stars. His gaze fell upon Su Yan, lingering for a moment on the Compass at his waist, and a trace of barely perceptible surprise flashed through his eyes.

"A young friend from Mount Fangcun? You are indeed a rare visitor." The old man's voice was hoarse, yet it carried a calming power. "This old man is Daoist Xianyun, a wandering cultivator. I built this cottage here simply for some peace and quiet." With a wave of his hand, the formation's glow flowed and opened a passage. "Since you have come, it is fate. Come in and have a cup of coarse tea."

Su Yan thanked him and entered. The cottage was simply furnished: one table, one chair, and one meditation cushion. That was all. Daoist Xianyun brewed two cups of clear tea, its fragrance curling through the air with a surprisingly calming effect.

"What brings you to Longevity Village, young friend?" Daoist Xianyun asked casually.

Su Yan did not fully reveal the Compass or the hidden quest. He merely said that he had come under his sect's orders to travel the lands and temper his Dao Heart, while mentioning that Longevity Village seemed to carry a somewhat "unusual" aura.

At those words, a sharp glint flashed through Daoist Xianyun's eyes, and he sighed. "It seems you sensed it as well. Indeed, Longevity Village appears peaceful, but it has been far from calm lately." He pointed toward Longevity Snow Mountain outside the window. "Starting a month ago, abnormal spiritual power fluctuations occasionally began coming from deep within the mountain. They are not signs of natural heavenly treasures being born. Rather... they seem more like the noise of some 'rule' being forcibly twisted and torn apart."

Rules twisted? Torn apart? Su Yan's heart shook violently. This description was more serious and fundamental than the "data anomalies" he had encountered before!

"More than that," Daoist Xianyun continued gravely, "the entrance to Netherworld Rebirth north of the village has recently become heavy with yin energy. Souls that should have rested in peace are sometimes disturbed, and some weaker wandering spirits have even shown signs of... 'Data Dissipation,' as though the Underlying Code supporting their existence is failing."

Netherworld Rebirth! Data Dissipation! Su Yan immediately realized that this was likely the true reason the Compass had guided him here. The anomaly here might involve the world's most fundamental laws of reincarnation!

"Senior, do you know the cause?" Su Yan pressed.

Daoist Xianyun shook his head, his brow tightly furrowed. "This old man has investigated many times, but the abnormal source lies deep within the Netherworld, wrapped in dense yin energy and chaotic Data Turbulence. It is difficult to go deeper. Its nature... it is neither demon nor devil, neither immortal nor ghost. It is more like a kind of... 'erosion' from beyond this world." He looked at Su Yan. "Young friend, you carry a rare treasure." His gaze swept over the Compass again. "Your Spiritual Sense is keen, so you may be able to resonate with that abnormal source. If you wish to investigate, the entrance to Netherworld Rebirth is the only path. But remember this well: the Netherworld is no trivial place. Its dangers far surpass those of demons outside, and there is also the peril of losing one's mind and falling eternally into reincarnation."

[Hidden Quest Updated: 'Echoes of Data' -> 'Rumble from the Netherworld Depths']

[Description]: Beneath Longevity Village's tranquility lies a crisis concerning the foundation of the world. The anomaly at the entrance to Netherworld Rebirth may be connected to a deeper collapse of data rules. Investigate further and find the source of the anomaly.

[Objective]: Enter Netherworld Rebirth and investigate the source of the abnormal yin energy and Data Dissipation.

[Warning: Recommended Area Level: 30-50. Environmental Effect: 'Netherworld Erosion' (continuously takes shadow damage; mental resistance checks become more difficult).]

[Reward: Unknown. (Hint: May involve valuable information or items related to world rules.)]

The quest had updated, and its difficulty had risen sharply! But Su Yan's eyes remained resolute. The truth of this world seemed within reach. He could not retreat.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior. This junior will certainly be careful." Su Yan rose and bowed.

Daoist Xianyun nodded and took a talisman glowing faintly gold from his sleeve, handing it to Su Yan. "This is a [Calm Heart Guardian Talisman]. It can help you temporarily resist some of the 'Netherworld Erosion' in the Netherworld and stabilize your mind. Remember, its power is limited. You must act quickly."

Su Yan accepted it gratefully. It was aid in the nick of time.

After leaving Daoist Xianyun's cottage, Su Yan did not immediately head to Netherworld Rebirth. He first returned to Longevity Village and made thorough preparations. He bought a large supply of Advanced Wound Medicine and Calming Incense, consumables that resisted mental effects, repaired all his equipment, and redistributed his [Probability Accumulation] points, focusing them on [Skill Comprehension/Breakthrough Probability] and [Special Event Trigger Probability], hoping to make a breakthrough amid the coming danger.

At the same time, he noticed that besides players doing daily quests, Longevity Village had gained several hurried figures with extraordinary auras. Quite a few were above level 30, and he even saw several people with IDs prefixed by "Drunken Spring Breeze" gathering at the tavern. It seemed the anomaly here had already drawn the attention of more factions.

Once he was ready, Su Yan brought Little Big Dipper to the ancient stone gate north of the village, shrouded in murky gray fog—the entrance to Netherworld Rebirth. An icy, bone-piercing chill rushed toward him. The air was filled with the whispers of Lost Souls and the rumble of data. The stone gate resembled a gaping maw, devouring all light and vitality.

"Little Big Dipper, stay close." Su Yan took a deep breath and activated the [Calm Heart Guardian Talisman]. A faint golden glow enveloped him, immediately reducing more than half of that chilling, corrosive sensation. He gripped the Compass and stepped through the stone gate.

The scene before him changed abruptly! No longer were there green mountains and clear waters, but a gray, barren, shattered land. The sky was eternally dim yellow, without sun, moon, or stars, holding only twisted light and shadows. Beneath his feet lay cracked black earth, strewn with broken gravestones and wandering, translucent ghost-type monsters. The air was thick with resentment and... that unsettling sensation of Data Rend, ten times stronger than at Flower-Fruit Mountain!

[System: You have entered the special area 'Netherworld Rebirth (Outer Region).' You are affected by 'Netherworld Erosion,' losing 5 HP per second. Mental resistance check threshold increased.]

[System: [Damaged Compass] has been strongly stimulated by abnormal data. Temporary ability 'Low-Level Data Sense' enhanced; range expanded.]

The Compass trembled violently in his hand. Its needle spun madly before finally pointing toward the deepest part of this shattered land.

Su Yan did not dare delay. Relying on Wound Medicine and his own regeneration to resist the erosion, he advanced cautiously. Little Big Dipper seemed extremely uncomfortable in this environment and appeared somewhat restless, yet it still stayed tightly beside Su Yan, warily watching the wandering "lone ghosts" and "Skeleton Monsters" around them.

These Netherworld monsters were generally above level 35, and their attacks came with disgusting effects such as "corrosion," "fear," and "instant death" at low probability. Su Yan had no choice but to remain fully alert, alternating between [Mind Loss Talisman] and [Immobilization Talisman], using [Dragon Quelling Talisman] as his main source of damage. Little Big Dipper relied on its high speed and [Life Steal] to harass enemies and add damage. The battles became exceptionally difficult, and his potions were consumed at a frightening rate.

As he went deeper, the abnormalities in the environment became increasingly obvious. He saw spatial rifts—cracks like shattered mirrors, from which chaotic Data Streams and unknown fragments occasionally erupted. He saw some ghosts not naturally dissipating, but flickering like images with poor signal before directly breaking down into "pixels." This was exactly the "Data Dissipation" Daoist Xianyun had described!

He even discovered a [Shattered Soul Crystal] flickering with error code beside a broken gravestone.

[Shattered Soul Crystal] (Quest Item)

Description: A soul crystal that should have been pure. Due to erosion by an unknown force, its internal data structure has fallen into complete chaos. A trace of savage, unfamiliar will remains within.

All these signs showed that the Netherworld's Underlying Code was being violently disturbed by some force!

Just as Su Yan followed the Compass's guidance and struggled through a Mass Grave filled with Wailing Banshees, a sudden change erupted!

The space ahead twisted violently, and a huge deformed monster forcibly fused from countless painfully wailing souls and Data Turbulence crawled out of an enormous spatial rift! It possessed no fixed form, resembling a writhing mass of black mist flickering with Garbled Code. Only a pair of crimson data eyes, filled with madness and hunger, locked firmly onto Su Yan!

[Data Chimera (Elite)]

Level: ??

Description: A twisted existence forcibly gathered from the data of countless dissipated souls and abnormal turbulence. Extremely unstable, it craves to devour all orderly data and souls.

Skills: ???

An overwhelming pressure descended instantly! This was absolutely a monster far beyond what he could handle at his current level!

The Data Chimera released a piercing shriek mixed with countless wails, firing a black-purple beam laced with mental impact and data corruption straight at Su Yan!

"Watch out!" Su Yan's expression changed drastically. He activated the [Immobilization Talisman] with all his strength in an attempt to block it while rapidly retreating!

The silver talisman collided with the black-purple beam, only to instantly dissolve like snow beneath the sun! The beam continued without losing momentum, about to swallow Su Yan whole!

At that moment, Little Big Dipper, which had been following close at Su Yan's feet, seemed completely enraged by the Data Chimera's aura. Or perhaps... the star-like spots on its shell had instinctively rejected and resisted that chaotic Data Stream!

"Chirp—!"

Little Big Dipper let out an unprecedentedly sharp cry. The star spots across its body erupted with silver radiance as brilliant as a galaxy! It leaped up, its body seeming to expand within the light, and charged fearlessly toward that terrifying black-purple beam!

Light and darkness collided violently!

There was no great explosion, only a teeth-grating sound of data annihilation. Little Big Dipper's body was swallowed by the black-purple light...

"No!!!" Su Yan's eyes split with rage.

The next instant, silver light exploded outward, forcibly dispersing part of the black mist! Little Big Dipper's body fell from the air, its aura weak and the star spots on its shell much dimmer. Yet it had actually... withstood the attack! Though heavily injured, it had not directly suffered Data Dissipation!

Its special mutated physique—or rather, the mysterious star spots on its shell—possessed unimaginable resistance against attacks on the data level!

The Data Chimera seemed to grow even more frenzied from that attack, writhing as it gathered another strike.

Su Yan had no time to check Little Big Dipper's injuries. Intense fury and danger stimulated every nerve in his body. In his mind, the cultivation method of the Yellow Court Scripture circulated at unprecedented speed, and he desperately invested every point on the [Probability Accumulation Panel] into [Skill Comprehension/Breakthrough Probability]!

A trace of resolve flashed through his eyes. His hands moved rapidly, no longer constrained by known talisman forms. Spiritual Power, his understanding of data anomalies, Mount Fangcun's foundation in talisman arts, and the intent to purify everything were all poured into it!

An unprecedented talisman phantom, incomparably complex and radiating pure platinum-white light, slowly condensed before him—[Exorcise Evil and Bind Demons Talisman]! A higher-tier talisman art of Mount Fangcun had been forcibly comprehended at this moment!

"Be... purified!"

Su Yan roared and viciously thrust the platinum-white talisman, condensed from all his power, toward the twisted Data Chimera!

Wherever the talisman passed, chaotic Data Streams melted away like spring snow, and the wailing souls seemed soothed as they peacefully dissipated. The platinum-white radiance pierced like a Sharp Sword straight into the Data Chimera's core!

"Roar—!!!"

The Chimera released an incomparably miserable scream. Its enormous body twisted and swelled violently before finally exploding amid endless platinum-white light! It became the most primitive data motes. Most dissipated, while some were swiftly absorbed by Su Yan's Compass!

[System: Successfully killed elite monster 'Data Chimera'! Gained experience points!]

[System: Congratulations! You have reached Level 9!]

[System: [Damaged Compass] absorbed a large amount of high-concentration abnormal data. Repair progress increased by 10%. Gained new ability 'Anomaly Marker' (can mark abnormal data sources within sensory range for an extended duration).]

[System: Your summoned beast 'Little Big Dipper' has awakened its potential while resisting data erosion. Level increased to 8. Attack aptitude +10, Defense aptitude +5. Comprehended new skill 'Ghost Exorcism' (damage against ghost-type enemies increased by 50%)!]

After the battle ended, Su Yan was nearly exhausted. He hurriedly fed the severely injured Little Big Dipper the best Golden Wound Medicine. Seeing the little creature weak but bright-eyed, even gaining improved aptitudes and the Ghost Exorcism skill through misfortune, left him filled with both lingering fear and relief.

The Compass's repair progress had jumped to 15%, and it had gained the useful marking ability. He immediately used "Anomaly Marker" and looked into the depths of the Netherworld. In the Compass's vision, an incomparably huge marker pulsing like a heart and radiating dense black-red data appeared clearly in the distance. The sensation of twisted rules emanating from there made even his soul tremble.

Was that the source of every anomaly?

Su Yan knew that with his current strength, he could not possibly approach it. But at least he had found a clear target.

He picked up Little Big Dipper, which had recovered a little energy, took one deep look at the distant marker, then turned and retreated the way he had come.

The purpose of this journey had already been achieved. He had confirmed the anomaly source's existence and approximate location, the Compass had been repaired, and Little Big Dipper had grown stronger. It was time to leave this dangerous Netherworld and return to Longevity Village to make longer-term plans.

The world's cracks ran deeper than he had imagined, and the journey to repair it had only just begun.