Section Four: The Battlefield

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Three minutes remain before entering the next scene.

The three stood before the portal of light in the grand hall. Yang Wentian’s expression was tinged with hesitation; Zhou Yingxiong looked cheerful, a smile hovering on his lips; Wang Luo appeared somewhat distracted.

The door slowly opened, and at once, a dazzling array of colors burst forth before them, radiant and brilliant.

“There are too few cases to summarize any pattern here; much is left to chance.”

“Faces are forcibly blurred, yet some seem to reveal their true countenance; sharing the same position with certain people doesn’t result in collision, but with others, you might bump into them; sometimes, communication with those outside your team is possible, sometimes only a buzzing sound can be heard. Item transactions and information exchanges occur through the auction house, for it’s said that private dealings in the hall may lead to items vanishing.”

“Perhaps even more random events await. In the end, this is not something one person alone can fully test.”

Regarding these changes, Yang Wentian believed that as long as one followed the tasks assigned by the space, there would always be corresponding rewards. Wang Luo gathered all the information in his mind, pondering quietly. Unconsciously, he had fallen several steps behind his two teammates.

“A more thorough test can be conducted later, when we have more manpower. For now, what I need to do is provide my teammates—those present and those yet to come—with one or even several grand goals worth pursuing. Whether those goals are ultimately achievable or not, they will give those who pursue them a reason.”

“A reason to forsake short-term gains in favor of greater, long-term benefits; a reason to abandon unnecessary evil and choose to cooperate with fellow contract holders…”

The three, staggered, stepped into the pale yellow portal.

“People need reasons for their actions, even if often they themselves are unaware. Take my excellent teammate, for example: though he is eager to let his innate goodness shine, poverty and hardship squeeze out his positive thoughts, forcing and luring him into deeds he despises and loathes, yet must do to survive.”

From now on, every mission begins here.

“Yes, instinct, blindness, aimlessness. What was evident among the residents in the last scene is equally obvious among the people in this space. In any group, only a few possess strong ambition and firm will, while most simply drift with the current.”

Passing through the portal brought no discomfort.

“Perhaps the most crucial thing is to curb the novelty and excitement of entering this world, and proactively reflect. Once you stop thinking and act on instinct alone, succeeding and surviving by mere chance, you step onto the wrong path.”

“The harder you try, the further you stray from what truly matters.”

You are entering the next historical node…

“The ignorant, suddenly endowed with great power, crush others with their newfound strength, even trampling the masses, thus developing the belief that the weak must obey the strong.”

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The space has matched you according to your attributes. Prepare yourself…

“Then, according to the eighty-twenty rule, the majority—about 80%—are like Yang Wentian, struggling near the poverty line. Gradually, they realize that even starting anew in a different environment, they aren't truly strong, but merely stepping stones for the powerful.”

Matching successful, entering…

“When facing the weak, they believe the weak should submit to the strong; when facing the strong, they believe in equality for all. These conflicting mindsets intertwine within countless individuals, creating collective confusion.”

“If there is no proper and robust theoretical framework, and they act purely on instinct, they will slowly form a group incapable of deep cooperation and thus unable to progress.”

Entering…

“The key issue is this: development isn’t solely about combat, and strength in battle isn’t absolute strength. Groups formed through the cooperation of diverse types are far superior to those built on simple survival of the fittest.”

Assimilating with the world…

“And what I must do is outline the right theoretical system and development direction, uniting them as one.”

Entering successful.

“To eventually confront true and greater enemies.”

----

This time, there was no fainting. Entering the scene caused no discomfort.

Wang Luo found himself standing in a shabby, ramshackle tent.

Yang Wentian and Zhou Yingxiong were nowhere nearby, nor was anyone else.

Soon after, the task prompt appeared before his eyes:

“Number 19572, you have entered the historical node: The Battle of Guangzong (battlefield scenario).”

“If you wish to learn about this world, you may silently recite your question in your mind and receive an answer within a certain range.”

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“Warning: You have automatically mastered the language: Ancient Han. You can interact with people in this world and obtain certain things from them, but you are forbidden from revealing any information about the world in any manner.”

“Tip: Your appearance has been disguised; local residents will not find your looks peculiar. You may pay to modify your appearance as you wish.”

“Warning: You must accomplish the required objectives within the allotted time, or you will face the appropriate punishment.”

“Main quest: Ensure the Yellow Turban forces you belong to achieve ultimate victory on the Guangzong battlefield.”

“Available time: 30 days (subject to change according to battle developments).”

“Mission difficulty: Grade B (minimum battlefield difficulty is B)”

“Current time: July 16th, 184 AD”

“Mission success reward: 3,000 universal points, all attribute points +1”

“Mission failure penalty: Erasure.”

“The once-mighty Yellow Turban Rebellion is coming to an end. After Zhang Jiao’s death, the surrounding remnants began converging with the main Yellow Turban force under Zhang Liang’s command. Zhang Liang is preparing to lead his troops in a decisive battle against the Han army—the outcome is yet unknown…”

“Tip: Because you possess three command points, you will begin this scenario as an officer.”

“No achievement prompts will be given in the battlefield scenario; please seek them out yourself during combat.”

Just as Wang Luo finished reading these prompts, Yang Wentian burst into the tent, Zhou Yingxiong following behind.

“This damned space!” Yang Wentian exclaimed in panic, “This is a battlefield!”

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