"The black particles within this special crystal emit a unique energy whenever a Black Mirror Vortex appears nearby. The particles inside the crystal form a snowflake-like pattern."
"We are temporarily calling it the 'Black Snow Crystal'," explained Wan Jin, standing beside Lady Red as she thoughtfully detailed the information for the various Ghost Kings and Demon Kings. A large floating screen in front of her displayed a comprehensive image of the Black Snow Crystal and diagrams of the shifting black particles. "Our researchers have made simple modifications to it. Using the Black Snow Crystal, we can immediately determine the location and distance of a Black Mirror Vortex. It can also predict the vortex's intensity—the stronger the vortex, the greater the particle reaction."
"We are still researching the black particles that react to the Black Mirror Vortex. If any of you have talented individuals in this field, cooperation is welcome," Wan Jin continued. "Our next goal is to develop an instrument capable of predicting the arrival time, location, and intensity of a Black Mirror Vortex in advance. Once that is achieved, the Black Mirror Vortex will become a 'natural disaster' that can be prevented and managed."
"I have a player skilled in research, though his combat ability is low. You'll need to ensure his safety if he comes over," Yu Chuhan from Illusionary Dreamland raised her hand and offered. The players she recruited all had their own unique specialties. As for these R&D personnel, Yu Chuhan had originally recruited them to develop large-scale, realistic illusion domains. However, progress had been… touching, due to the massive costs involved.
"Of course."
"I also have a few. I'll send them over to you later," said the clan leader of the Thunder Roc tribe.
Following their offers, the other Ghost Kings and Demon Kings seriously considered the players they had recruited. The Ghost Kings also thought about the spirits under their command, and soon promised to send over any subordinates who might be helpful to the research effort.
Ji Huaichu sat quietly in the corner, unusually attentive this time. She wasn't spacing out, but listening carefully to the meeting while providing real-time updates to Mu Anqi in her mind. However… she had only recruited one player. Her other subordinates were skilled in fighting, but when it came to research… they were rather lacking. The only one researching anything was Mu Xiaobai, who developed various gourmet foods, and she had only recruited her because of Mu Anqi.
"Next, here is the data on Black Mirror Vortex occurrences over the past ten years."
As Wan Jin continued her presentation, sets of data charts appeared on the screen.
"The annual frequency of Black Mirror Vortex appearances shows an upward trend, but the number of vortices formed by sentient spirits has significantly decreased."
As she spoke, the chart on the screen shifted. The rectangular bars grew progressively shorter, and year predictions were listed below.
In other words… "Based on this trend, before the next Feast of Extreme Bliss is held, the number of new spirits joining the continent each year may drop below fifty."
With fewer and fewer external spirits arriving… well, at least the Mingdu could rest easier. Many of the demon tribes had been worried that the Black Mirror Vortexes would continue their incessant invasions, that the spirits of Taiyin would increase year after year, potentially even encroaching upon the Mingdu's territory, forcibly taking the last half of the land belonging to the demon tribes.
For the spirits of Taiyin who had already arrived in the Shattered Mirror Continent, this news wasn't exactly bad, but it wasn't particularly good either. However, at the very least, if no more spirits emerged from the Black Mirror Vortexes in the future, the relationship between Taiyin and the Mingdu might see a breakthrough development?
"This is something we can tell the old-timers. They might even be able to come out and move around more freely then," Yansha said with a laugh.
Most of those spirits who had come to the Shattered Mirror Continent early on had now retreated to uninhabited lands to live in seclusion. Because their power was so immense, they did not participate in the games, nor did they recruit players. They lived quietly as recluses, occasionally drinking tea and chatting with like-minded companions—a quite pleasant existence. This wasn't because they disliked city life, but rather… spirits do not die. They had to leave space for the younger spirits. The Mingdu was also wary of these old-timers; their every move was met with suspicion, a somewhat helpless situation.
Take He Guxia, for example. Before recruiting Xia Yun, she had also planned to live in seclusion and cultivate the Dao.
"By the way, General, where have all the players gone?" Mu Anqi suddenly asked as she listened.
Sitting in the corner of the meeting room, Ji Huaichu was taken aback. 'That should be a question for the Nirvana Space,' she thought inwardly.
"Many players… just left suddenly. They never appeared on the Shattered Mirror Continent again."
Ji Huaichu was silent for a moment, then added, "Have I told you about this? There was a Ghost King who fell in love with a player but was brutally betrayed. That player never appeared on the Shattered Mirror Continent again. Hmm, I heard that player's ability involved absorbing the power of spirits to strengthen themselves, but that's just hearsay. I don't know if it's true."
"…Ah." Lying in bed, Mu Anqi couldn't help but sigh. She found it hard to believe: Did so many players all choose to return to the real world?
…Real or fake? After experiencing the Shattered Mirror Continent and dimensional travel, Mu Anqi honestly didn't know how to distinguish whether her current reality was genuine anymore. But then she thought, what did it matter? Her experiences were real, the spirit she loved was real, their past and future were real—that was enough.
So, where had the players gone? Mu Anqi felt somewhat lost. She posed this question to the Nirvana System, but as usual, the system didn't reply immediately. Hah! These systems were probably all temporary workers!
—[Player?]
[Players who have reached a certain level of growth can, of course, take on more advanced missions.]
[We have special systems equipped for capable players, allowing them to travel to other dimensions to collect emotions.]
[You're on the list too, dear~ But you still need to gain more experience in the Shattered Mirror Continent.]
"!!!" Mu Anqi's pupils shook violently. Even lying in bed, she was so startled she jolted. She never expected to get such a reply!
But thinking about it carefully… while unexpected, it made sense. It was definitely something the Nirvana Space would do. What was this? Wasn't this just being promoted from an ordinary tool to a specialized tool, capable of generating more and higher-quality emotional energy?
"Is it mandatory?"
[Of course not. We follow the principle of player voluntariness,] the Nirvana System replied.
[We've detected a special mark on you. Considering your special circumstances, you could also consider taking your family member along for a side job. Payment can be in points, Guansi, or dimensional travel discount coupons.]
"…" Damn!
Mu Anqi's heart throbbed fiercely. She was seriously tempted.
She thought, 'What kind of rich lady am I? I'm just a wavering piece of leek, ready to be harvested.'
But considering the General was in a meeting, now wasn't the time to spring such explosive news on her. Mu Anqi quietly listened as General Ji relayed the meeting contents to her.
"It's time to establish a Black Mirror Vortex Extermination Task Force," the Thunder Roc clan leader said solemnly. "To be jointly created by spirits and demons. This way, once the early warning instrument is developed, mobilizing forces for extermination will be more convenient."
"The airship routes between Taiyin and the Mingdu also need updated planning."
"Speaking of which, I know a few players with teleportation abilities. We could try inviting them to see if they can construct a teleportation array, using alternative means to offset the energy consumption."
With everyone offering suggestions, Wan Jin diligently noted the key points, displaying them on the screen and formulating plans based on the new ideas from the various Ghost Kings and Demon Kings.
Lady Red's side would be responsible for researching the instrument. The Thunder Roc tribe was one of the wealthiest among the demons, so they would handle the proposed update of the airship routes. It would be best to redesign the airships as well.
Yu Chuhan's side would be responsible for researching the teleportation array issue.
The Vampire Bat and White Fox tribes would be responsible for the ground transportation planning and connections between Taiyin and the Mingdu.
Wan Jin specifically mentioned the Peony tribe. Even though no one from their tribe was present, they could be notified after the meeting. Due to the Peony Beauty's outstanding performance in the competition, her fame had skyrocketed. To foster unity between Taiyin and the Mingdu, they could arrange a tour of Taiyin for the Miss Peony. As for the other races that were later controlled by Mu Anqi… singing and dancing depended on the individual.
The young man from the White Fox tribe would obviously rather die than agree, while the very willing Giant Bear tribe… well, their appearance might be slightly less refined than the Peony Beauty's, but they could still be arranged! They could participate in the tour as mascots.
As for the matter of exterminating the Black Mirror Vortexes… even though Ji Huaichu remained utterly silent when it was brought up, the task was immediately placed on her shoulders.
Before Ji Huaichu could even get a word out, she became the first Minister of the newly established "Yinming" Black Mirror Extermination Headquarters.
—Noticing Ji Huaichu's expression, Yu Chuhan "thoughtfully" added the rules: "As for the next candidate for Minister, we'll vote on it during the next Feast of Extreme Bliss. If you perform well, you can keep getting re-elected."
Ji Huaichu: "…"
'Don't get angry. Don't get angry. I'm about to get married soon. No need to argue with this perpetually single ghost.'
After taking a deep breath, Ji Huaichu thought optimistically: 'At worst, I'll just appoint Xia Fenghua as Vice Minister when I get back. Then I can hand the work over to her.'
'It's only reasonable for someone newly wed to have their subordinates handle some affairs while they spend time with their beloved, right?'
With the major issues settled, the screen changed again, displaying the suggestions collected from the citizens of Taiyin and the Mingdu before the Feast of Extreme Bliss.
For example, Taiyin also wanted food delivery services. When would the universal communication device for spirits be available? Ji Huaichu looked at the suggestions one by one, even spotting one that read: "When will we get horror games featuring the Ghost Kings of Taiyin? The current horror games aren't scary at all for spirits—no sense of immersion or experience. (Movies would work too.)"
"We strongly protest against Taiyin spirits dressing up as ghosts to scare demons in the Mingdu's haunted houses! Taiyin spirits should not be allowed to set foot in the Mingdu's haunted houses!"
"Can you be more considerate to demons who can't fly? When will personal small aircraft go on sale? Can airship prices be cheaper?"
"Pandas craving bamboo is only natural! Why do Green Bamboo spirits refuse to date pandas? This is racial discrimination!"
"Shattered Mirror games are for collecting players' emotional energy. Certain players, please do not reverse the roles and maliciously toy with spirits!"[T/N: I feel like it's specially Money Tree lol!]
This was really…
Wan Jin and the others had truly put in a lot of preparatory work for this Feast of Extreme Bliss.
Author's Note:
Pushing a friend's novel, if you're interested, go check it out~
The full-dive VR game "What's So Great About Healers [Full Dive VR]" by Li Tang.
Work ID: 5929009
Gives a new nickname every chapter. A deeply double-standard, scheming older sister x a cute, milk-sweet, timid, chatty, warm, and brave younger sister.
The older sister is the ranked #2 assassin player in the beta server. The gap between her and #1 is because she lacks a dedicated healer. She can't understand what's so great about healers, so she creates a healer account in the public server to try and figure it out.
While diligently leveling up, a clueless newbie assassin player steals 6 of her wild monsters. When she asks why, the little assassin thinks she was actually helping, and reveals she chose the assassin class because she read the older sister's famous guide on the forums.
Afterwards, the two team up to level. The little assassin is timid, not very skilled, but loves to play. The older sister acts annoyed but secretly dotes on her and guides her. The two gradually become hot topics on the forums, known as super lucky players who trigger hidden quests…
This story focuses mainly on the in-game plot. It's an adventure world (mostly) about girls gaming!!! [T/N: …hmmm~]