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--- Chapter 512 ---
"This really feels no different from the real world..."
Although Han Yuan projected the core blueprint for this realm, all the fine details and physical immersion had been brought to perfection by Xu Deming and Gnosia.
After all, DND Online was merely the initial beta-testing phase for the full-scale DND Realm.
Han Yuan then looked around the vast, open plaza, taking in the sights of hundreds of youngsters standing in stunned silence. Well, these are just avatars. Calling them all teenagers wasn't entirely accurate, as quite a few were just as young as himself.
Surprisingly, the majority of the crowd remained remarkably calm. While a few individuals naturally showed hints of panic and confusion, this was still the Douluo Continent.
A fantasy world where children were conditioned to fight and cultivate the moment their Martial Souls awakened. Their inherent adaptability to the extraordinary was far higher than normal humans.
BUZZ—!
Suddenly, the sky above the plaza bled open into a deep, abyssal hue as a massive, towering shadow enveloped the entire square.
The crowd gasped in unison, looking up toward the heavens, Han Yuan included for immersion.
Suspended high above the platform stood a colossal figure shrouded in a sweeping black robe, its facial features completely obscured beneath a void of shifting darkness.
"Welcome... to DND Online," The mysterious entity's deep voice echoed, resonating directly within everyone's minds like thunder.
"I am the Game Master of this world. You may think of me as a God, a Creator... or even the Devil himself."
"Setting such titles aside..."
"Every single one of you stands here today because you were chosen."
"Chosen for greatness."
The entity spread its long arms, causing the shadowy robes to billow as if encompassing the expanse of the world. "There are over ten thousand of you gathered across this realm... and every one of you possesses the right to inherit my power."
"Yes! To put it in terms your minds can grasp..."
"You are currently participating in the Trials of Gods!"
The moment those words fell, the entire plaza drew in a sharp, collective breath.
Inheriting divine power? A Trial of the Gods?!
To the people of the Douluo Continent, divine inheritances were mythical legacies spoken of only in ancient legends or kept secret by the most elite factions such as Shrek Academy and Tang Sect.
Experiencing the Trials of Gods event firsthand sent a wave of shock and boundless excitement through every single player.
Meanwhile, Han Yuan stared blankly at the soaring, dramatic figure in the sky, his expression utterly priceless. 'There's no mistaking it... That guy is definitely Xu Deming.'
What genuinely caught Han Yuan off guard was Xu Deming's sheer audacity and brilliance. By wrapping a DND Online in the guise of a "God's Trial," he had instantly dispelled any potential mass panic or suspicion.
It was an outstanding move, because if there was one thing the children of the Douluo Continent worshipped above all else, it was the glory of rising to be a powerhouse—divinity.
The 'Game Master' continued speaking calmly, "However, there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. While all of you are young, you should understand this basic truth."
"DND Online is a special realm of inheritance—a place similar in nature to the Spirit Ascension Platform, where you can fight one another as well as ferocious spirit beasts."
"And... here, you can still be hurt... You can still feel pain..."
"You can even die."
"Of course, the one dying is not the 'real' you, but rather your avatar."
"I must warn you, regardless, that your avatar can only die three times in here."
"Once you perish three times, you lose all qualifications to remain in DND Online and will forget everything that ever happened here."
"As for why I set such a rule..." He paused before letting out an echoing laugh. "Because I need monsters!"
"Only the most powerful monster is eligible to inherit my mantle, while those who prove unworthy shall merely serve as nourishment for their rise!"
"So, young diamonds! Show me your absolute best!"
After giving his speech, the mysterious 'Game Master' seemed to recall something, adding in an amused tone, "Oh, right... By swiping your right hand downward, you will access DND Online's System Interface."
"There, you can inspect your personal stats and inventory."
"Within every inventory, I have left behind a small 'gift' for each of you."
"Well, until we meet again, young diamonds."
The colossal shadow dissolved into mist and scattered into the night sky, plunging the plaza into silence.
Left behind on the platform, the players glanced at one another nervously and warily. Slowly, one by one, they swiped their right hands downward, triggering a floating virtual interface that manifested before them.
[Status]
[Map]
[Inventory]
[Quest]
Han Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly and tapped the Inventory tab. A grid layout manifested, revealing a single item bearing a glowing question mark in the upper-left slot.
[ Item Details ]
Name: Tears of Soul
Effect: Possesses a mysterious, protective power!
System Warning:Tears of Soul has been configured with an auto-activation timer!
Auto-using Tears of Soul in 3... 2... 1...
WOOOOOOOOSH!
A blinding, blue-golden light erupted across the plaza, covering Han Yuan and every player in cocoons.
Exclamations of shock then echoed throughout the square as the radiant beams gradually dissipated, leaving behind 'Martial Soul' floating beside their respective owners.
"T-This is my Martial Soul... But why does it look so strange?" One player muttered, tilting his head in confusion.
"Yeah... My spirit is a Wild Tiger, but this one has completely different fur patterns and size..." Another player mumbled, examining the glowing beast beside him.
"I don't feel anything wrong at all, though," A thin youth in green robes added, flexing a thin, flexible sword. "It's definitely still my spirit. Aside from the changing appearance, it feels completely familiar."
Meanwhile, Han Yuan stood frozen in place, staring blankly at the long, dark metal 'fishing rod' resting in his grip.
As he raised the rod, his lips twitched violently. There was no mistaking it—this was his Underworld Anchor of Heaven.
Except the anchor had been turned into a fishing rod, and the chains had been strung out as a translucent fishing line.
He could still channel the Martial Soul's power, but its external form had been completely disguised, as were his spirit skills.
"Identity Protection..." Han Yuan mumbled under his breath.
"Identity Protection?"
Someone nearby caught Han Yuan's mutter and turned to gaze at him solemnly. "That makes total sense!"
The young player turned to the crowd and shouted, "Everyone! Our current appearance is just an avatar, and we don't know each other's identities in the real world..."
"...and you can't normally conceal your Martial Soul!"
"It's something you're born with!"
"But anyone could easily trace someone's real-world background just by identifying their unique Martial Soul!"
"Since DND Online is a realm of divinity, there must be strict safeguards. The Game Master even said we'd forget everything if our avatars die three times, but he never said this competition was fair!"
"If people figure out your real identity... who's to say they won't try to sabotage or eliminate you in the real world?!"
The moment those words echoed across the square, paranoia ignited like wildfire. The players instantly backed away from one another, eyes filled with heightened wariness and hostility.
"I will be the winner! I will become the inheritor of GOD!" Someone yelled.
"Dream on, that title belongs to me!"
As the plaza fell into shouting and chaotic posturing, Han Yuan glanced over at the individual who had deliberately provoked the crowd. It was a brown-haired girl wearing a hood that partially shadowed her face.
Noticing Han Yuan's speechless look, the girl gave a playful, mischievous grin. "This is more like it, don't you think? A game should be fun!"
Catching his eyes once more, she gave him a cheeky wink. "Thanks for the cue! We'll see each other again if fate allows."
"Adventure awaits!" She cheered softly, slipping like a ghost through the agitated crowd and vanishing into the distance.
Han Yuan watched her retreating, then let out a helpless sigh. "Was she stirring up chaos purely for her own entertainment?"
Shaking his head slightly, he focused his thoughts back on his other main objective. "Whatever... let's find Sister Mu Xi first. She should be online by now."
"Although masked, I should be able to find her through our bonds."