Morning.
Lin Zhao woke up. Outside, a spring rain had begun to fall softly. He didn't get up immediately, but leaned against his headboard, watching the fine rain condense into streaks on the window and listening to the faint rumble of spring thunder in the distance. His mind, however, kept replaying the scenes of Xiao Jiu'er, Tang Guangjun, Yu Wanning, Liu Liying, and others sacrificing themselves.
At this moment, Lin Zhao was somewhat lost. If "Tian Xia" were truly just a game, he wouldn't have to be so conflicted. He recalled Gu Lingyu being confined within the boundaries of the Lotus Breeze Academy; in what way was he, Lin Zhao, not also confined within the boundaries of this game?
In reality, he should be living a freer life!
He got up, washed up quickly, and changed into fresh clothes. As he went out, he happened to catch breakfast. Luo Man grabbed Lin Zhao's wrist, "Brother, eat!"
"No rush."
Lin Zhao gently brushed away Luo Man's hand and smiled, "I'll go online and check if my account has been recovered. Regardless of whether it's recovered or not, I'll be back to eat immediately."
"Okay."
Luo Man and Chen Xue nodded with smiles.
Lin Zhao went upstairs, lay down in the game pod, and the moment he entered the game, the system prompted an account anomaly. When he logged into his character, his vision was still pitch black. Apart from the exit game option, almost all game functions had disappeared. With a sigh, he shook his head and went offline to eat.
Breakfast was quite lavish, with cake and bread, naturally, as well as Hulatang and fried dough sticks, everyone taking what they liked.
Lin Zhao's tastes weren't those of a pure Su-Nan native, so he favored Hulatang, especially with fried dough sticks and sesame cakes.
"The frontline has already shifted to Xi Jian Jiang."
Chen Xue placed her phone on the table and swiped, sharing the real-time game content. The demon race had assembled three military camps, along with a group of powerful demons, launching a fierce assault on Xi Jian Jiang. However, to everyone's surprise, Lin Xingchu, the River God of Xi Jian Jiang, commanding hundreds of Haitang Golden Boats, was able to directly contend with the demon race. Although her golden body was severely damaged, she still held Xi Jian Jiang as solid as a rock.
Conversely, the demon army's camps suffered casualties in waves, and many powerful demons were also injured.
"Xi Jian Jiang has been defended."
Chen Xue smiled faintly, "This is the best news we've had in days."
"Indeed."
Lin Zhao also smiled. Although he had expected Xi Jian Jiang to be defended, Lin Zhao was not a god. He could only guess probabilities, not absolutely control outcomes. Therefore, seeing Xi Jian Jiang held so stably, he finally felt a weight lifted from his heart. This way, his aunt would definitely be safe.
Shen Xingchen said, "Eat quickly, then log in. Many teleportation points have appeared on the south bank of Xi Jian Jiang. Our Crimson Moon Knights' battlefield for today will be entirely shifted to Xi Jian Jiang."
"En!"
Ding Chi, Zhang Jun, and Mo Chenxue nodded in unison.
After breakfast, everyone went upstairs to fight the decisive battle at Xi Jian Jiang.
Lin Zhao obtained a phone number from Shen Xingchen, which was supposedly the customer service number for "Tian Xia," though a rather high-level one. Ordinary players didn't know about it, and this customer service number only handled appeals from more "high-end" players.
...
"Tian Xia" China Headquarters, Control Hall.
Countless holographic images flickered everywhere as staff of all descriptions began their morning work. In the center of the control hall, a woman in a white work dress stood with her arms crossed, her brow furrowed. Watching the battle at Xi Jian Jiang, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.
Dong Xiaorou, Executive Director of "Tian Xia" China Region, one of the true behind-the-scenes owners of the game's official operations. However, Dong Xiaorou was extremely capable, not just a behind-the-scenes owner, but also the CEO of the China Region.
At this moment, looking at the game's visuals, Dong Xiaorou felt a bit apprehensive. She frowned, "Although the system's main brain is reconstructing the world on its own, hasn't this gone too far? From the moment the demon race attacked the mountain, the daily complaints we've received have exceeded previous levels tenfold. How can a version event lead to players being chased and killed like this?"
"Director Dong, it can't be helped."
Beside her, a young man wearing an ID badge chuckled lazily, "Since we've handed over control of everything to the main brain and claimed that the plot will develop freely, we can't interfere too much. This is the advantage and selling point of 'Tian Xia,' and at the same time, it's also one of its drawbacks – it's very easy to lose control."
Dong Xiaorou glanced at the man and snorted.
Lin Baiyu, this person, indeed possessed talent and ability. He was the Chief Data Analyst Engineer and Operations General Manager for "Tian Xia" China Region. Unfortunately, he was a bit too unruly. However, there was nothing to be done; in terms of technology and operations, such a person was needed to hold the fort.
Just then, a female staff member looked up and said, "Director Dong, we've monitored a customer service call. The caller has been identified as Lin Zhao, and he's requesting to speak to a human representative. What should we do?"
"Lin Zhao?"
Dong Xiaorou couldn't help but frown. "Don't let ordinary staff handle Lin Zhao's customer service call. Transfer it directly to me. Lin Baiyu, you'll handle it with me."
"Okay."
A moment later, the desk phone beside Dong Xiaorou rang. She quickly answered it, and before Lin Zhao could speak, Dong Xiaorou said first, "This is 'Tian Xia' China Region Headquarters. Lin Zhao, I am Dong Xiaorou, the Executive Director of the China Region. Is this about your account?"
Lin Zhao was taken aback, then said, "Oh, hello Director Dong... You guessed correctly, it is indeed about my account. After being suppressed under Wuwang Mountain, my account has been in a blank state. According to the game rules, even if I were killed in an unusual manner by being suppressed by Wuwang Mountain, at most I would only lose a few dozen levels. I can accept that, but this state of neither living nor dying is unreasonable."
"I am aware of your account's situation."
Dong Xiaorou continued, "Beside me is the Chief Engineer and Operations Manager of 'Tian Xia' China Region, named Lin Baiyu. He will explain the related account matters to you."
"Alright."
Lin Zhao frowned. "Manager Lin, hello."
"Oh dear..."
Lin Baiyu scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed by being called "Manager Lin" by Lin Zhao. "Lin Zhao, we've tested your account and found no anomalies, nor any data tampering. In other words, your account is functioning entirely within the game's settings. The problem isn't due to an account anomaly, after all, you can log into the game, right?"
"Yes."
Lin Zhao frowned. "But I can't return to the city, nor can I leave Wuwang Mountain. Doesn't that count as an anomaly?"
"It does, but not entirely."
Lin Baiyu said, "According to our tests, your account is normal. Its location is deep within the base of Wuwang Mountain, but it's trapped by various chaotic data. So, in simple terms, this period should be a penalty for your account being suppressed under Wuwang Mountain. We're not quite sure how long it will last or how to resolve it."
"I see."
Lin Zhao said, "So, this phone call of mine was essentially a waste of time?"
"Oh dear..."
Lin Baiyu scratched his head again. "I'm truly sorry. Because our data and systems are all hosted by the main brain and evolve freely, our permissions really can't allow us to pull you out from under Wuwang Mountain."
"That's right."
Dong Xiaorou added, "Lin Zhao, you should also know that this version event isn't just happening in the domestic server; the other three major regions are also experiencing it. Their enemies are from the Sea of Heavens, the Realm of Eternal Life, and the Heart Demon Legion. All four major regions are striving to achieve the best outcome. At this time, we would definitely want to pull you out from under Wuwang Mountain more than anyone, not that we don't want to, but that we are unable to."
"I understand."
Lin Zhao nodded. "Thank you for the explanation, Director Dong and Manager Lin. I'll wait a bit longer then."
"Yes, alright."
Dong Xiaorou said, "Lin Zhao, I will send you a message from my private phone. Save it, and if you have any further issues, call me directly. There's no need to go through customer service."
"Okay, thanks~~~"
"You're welcome!"
...
After hanging up the phone, Lin Zhao frowned. Logging back into the game now would be meaningless. He had already made arrangements for the battles at Xi Jian Jiang, Fusu Great Wall, Shanhai Pass, and Yunzhou. There was no point in having someone command online. Therefore, his remaining time should not be wasted.
The next moment, he dialed Huo Dao from Crimson Moon Transport.
"Boss, what do you need?" Huo Dao answered the phone with a crisp salute.
Lin Zhao said, "Daozi, are you at the base?"
"Yes, I'm running a delivery to the Su Rong line this afternoon. Is there something?"
"En."
Lin Zhao said, "My account is suppressed under Wuwang Mountain, and I don't know when it will be unsealed. Since that's the case, I shouldn't waste time. I'll head to the base now. Have you or someone from your department teach me how to operate Cloud Shadow class or even Chi You class, as well as those various machines and firearms. I want to be proficient in everything."
"Sure!"
Huo Dao burst into laughter. "Come on, come on, I'll be waiting for Boss at the base!"
"En!"
After informing Chen Xue and Shen Xingchen, Lin Zhao departed.
Lin Zhao's idea was actually quite simple: he couldn't truly be trapped in the game. His skills in the real world had to improve. After all, from childhood, Lin Zhao felt that the coolest a man could be was when he acquired a skill.
...
In the game.
North bank of Xi Jian Jiang, a somber atmosphere prevailed.
In the clouds, the Azure Kui Demon Ancestor, clad in a grey robe, showed dissatisfaction. The demon race had been attacking Xi Jian Jiang with elite forces for over three days, yet they could not shake Lin Xingchu's defenses. The entire Xi Jian Jiang, along with hundreds of Haitang Golden Boats, had pinned down the demon race's million-strong army north of the river.
"Yu Zhi."
The Demon Ancestor looked at the foremost strategist of the demon race beside him and asked, "What do you think we should do now?"
"Hmph, it's just a Xi Jian Jiang..."
The powerful demon Yu Zhi sneered, "In my opinion, we should immediately order the three armies to the east, outflank Xi Jian Jiang through the eastern mountain range, and let the ten military camps of the demon race march south, directly towards Shanhai Pass. The reason Xi Jian Jiang is difficult to attack is because of its strong incense offerings. Once we destroy the human race in the south, we can cut off Lin Xingchu's support, and then dealing with Lin Xingchu will be as easy as turning over a hand?"
"It's just that..."
The Demon Ancestor frowned. "The army marching to the eastern border might delay us for quite some time."
"It's better than being stalled here and losing troops and generals. What do you think, Lord Demon Ancestor?"
"Very well, then we will bypass Xi Jian Jiang and march south to attack the Fusu Great Wall!"
"Yes!"