Chapter 142 The Strange City

Chen Tian's vision blurred, and he instantly found himself in a city. Looking at the city before him, Chen Tian felt perplexed. What kind of trial was this?

He then stepped into the city. The city before Chen Tian's eyes felt as cold as an ice cave, extremely frigid. Even the city walls exuded a chilling aura. However, Chen Tian detected no elemental power, so this coldness was not an elemental force, nor was it divine ice or divine fire. But why was the entire city so intensely cold?

Chen Tian could even feel the coldness of the entire city, which his Elemental God Body struggled to resist. His divine fire erupted, engulfing him in azure flames, and only then did Chen Tian feel a sliver of warmth.

As Chen Tian walked through the city, he saw countless NPCs wandering about. Yet, Chen Tian found it strange, as these NPCs seemed to avoid acknowledging each other. Whether they passed by or blocked each other, their expressions remained indifferent, as if they didn't care, before simply walking away.

Chen Tian also felt puzzled. This was a place for trials, so where were the trials? What were the trial objectives?

Chen Tian opened his quest panel. To his surprise, no trial quests were displayed. Chen Tian had no choice but to close the interface.

He then began to observe. Suddenly, with a bang, a little girl flew out of a house. A fierce voice boomed from within, "Useless. Go fend for yourself. You're no good to keep around!"

The door slowly closed. The little girl was battered and bruised, but her expression remained calm, as if she didn't care.

Chen Tian then approached the little girl and said, "What's wrong, little one? Do you need help?"

Chen Tian thought it best to interact with an NPC to understand the strangeness of this city before gradually searching for the trial objective.

However, the little girl completely ignored Chen Tian. She got up and slowly walked down the road, clad in beggar's rags, her face covered in mud. Her eyes seemed to be indifferent to everything, as if even being abandoned didn't faze her.

Chen Tian scratched his head. What was going on with all the NPCs here?

Chen Tian was truly confused.

He then followed the little girl. However, she knew Chen Tian was trailing her and didn't say a word, nor did she make any gestures. She simply walked straight ahead.

Chen Tian finally stopped her and asked, "Tell me, what's wrong with the people here?"

But the little girl continued to ignore Chen Tian and walk down the road. The city was vast, and the little girl seemed unsure of where to go. Chen Tian didn't follow. He had a nagging feeling that this city was too bizarre.

It was as if the NPCs were all too indifferent. Yes, indifferent, ignoring and disregarding those around them and their surroundings, only caring about themselves.

But Chen Tian felt that way. Still, he had to find the trial quest!

"What exactly is this trial quest?"

Chen Tian looked around, utterly clueless. Suddenly, a coughing sound reached his ears. Chen Tian looked and saw an old man in an alley, slowly coughing, blood showing on his body.

Chen Tian rushed over immediately. Looking at the old man before him, his entire body was mangled, his limbs broken. Yet, the old man seemed unconcerned, lying on the ground, waiting to die.

He seemed resigned to his fate.

As Chen Tian reached out to treat the old man, the old man frantically shook his head. Chen Tian was stunned.

Why? He could clearly be saved, so why choose to die?

Chen Tian only needed a healing skill to restore the old man's injuries and make him whole again, but the old man shook his head wildly, his eyes constantly gazing at the sky.

Finally, he breathed his last. Chen Tian sighed, then knelt before the old man and gently closed his eyes.

Chen Tian felt the surrounding chill, his flames being suppressed. A peculiar emotion arose within him, then vanished.

Chen Tian couldn't identify the emotion, but he didn't dwell on it. He turned away, leaving the old man without another glance.

Walking through the city, Chen Tian lost all track of time. A year, three years, five years. He had been searching for the trial quest in this city tirelessly, but to no avail.

Even now, Chen Tian hadn't discovered what the trial entailed. He might not be able to pass this trial!

But Chen Tian didn't give up. The city was immense. Chen Tian had explored most of it. As time passed, Chen Tian continued to wander through the city.

He walked forward, ignoring the surrounding NPCs who wouldn't even glance at him, as if he had forgotten the purpose of his arrival.

He walked onward with unwavering resolve. Soon, the entire city began to blur, but Chen Tian continued to walk forward.

"Chen Tian! Come play games!"

"Chen Tian, let's go out! My treat today!"

"Brother, do you think this dress looks good on Qingling?"

Countless figures appeared before Chen Tian's eyes. They were all Chen Tian's good friends, confidants, and brothers. But Chen Tian didn't respond, walking through the dark space with a placid expression.

It was as if Chen Tian was the only one in this completely dark space. Chen Tian only knew to keep walking forward.

"Chen Tian, from today onwards, you will retire! Here is the contract. Four years, you cannot touch games. This is for your own good!"

"Chen Tian, can't you just listen to my explanation? I wasn't like that. I only did that back then to save you!"

"Chen Tian, as captain, you have fulfilled your duties. But it's time to retire! This is for you!"

"Captain!"

"Captain!"

.......

Scene after scene flashed before Chen Tian's eyes. These were all scars on Chen Tian's heart. But at this moment, Chen Tian seemed to ignore them, walking right past.

Chen Tian moved forward like a robot, completely changed.

Within Chen Tian's heart, white light filled his entire being. Simultaneously, his nerves, blood, and bones all turned white.

Chen Tian slowly transformed, yet he remained oblivious.

"Chen Tian, what are you doing?"

A voice slowly emerged from beside Chen Tian. Hearing the familiar voice, Chen Tian's eyes regained a sliver of clarity, and he murmured, "Sister?"

Then, a phantom image of a woman appeared before Chen Tian. The ethereal figure reached out a hand and caressed Chen Tian's cheek. The woman spoke, "Silly brother, how could you forget your sister? Hurry and remember. The times spent with friends, the joyous days with me. This is not where you belong. Wake up!"

Chen Tian remembered the times he spent with his sister. Sister Chen Xue had doted on him the most; his sister had loved him the most. But why had he forgotten his sister? Why?

Then, Chen Tian clutched his head, feeling immense pain. Emotions surged into his mind, as if vying for control.

But Chen Tian gritted his teeth and persisted, then cried out, "I will no longer forget those who are important to me, nor will I ignore those who care about me. I, Chen Tian, am not like this."

"Ah!"

Then, Chen Tian tilted his head back, a faint aura of flame spreading from his body. The dark space slowly collapsed.

Chen Tian instantly returned to his senses, looking around in confusion. The surroundings were still pitch black, then a point of light ignited the darkness.

Before Chen Tian, a white lotus flame appeared. Chen Tian looked at the flame, a divine fire, and moreover, a spirit-grade divine fire.

"Hahaha! Kid, congratulations on passing my test and trial."

The flame slowly spoke. Chen Tian was shocked. The flame could talk?

"Test? Trial? Passed? What's going on?"

As Chen Tian remained bewildered, the flame spoke calmly, "I am the spirit-grade flame, Ice Heart Cold Flame, born from the coldness in people's hearts. I am the embodiment of indifference."