The Monster is Coming

Chapter 483 Future Choices, Huge Debt
On the battlefield, the smoke of battle has cleared.

Faced with the Diyuan tribe's decisive retreat after abandoning all facilities, the player army's pursuit did not last long.

The scattered retreat of the Diyuan tribe also significantly reduced the gains from the war.

The player could only stop the pursuit in frustration.

虽然这场战争让迪源族损失惨重。

From the player's perspective, if the enemy isn't completely wiped out, it can be considered a target escaping with low health, which is a huge loss.

Despite their reluctance, the majority of players chose to leave.

They're getting ready to call up their "old friends" for another exhilarating village brawl.

伴随头顶上方横贯天穹的巨大空间裂痕缓缓愈合，最后一丝气血余晖消散无踪，玩家大军通过跨界传送阵离去。

It took away the noise and the overwhelming pressure that made the Rongling tribe feel suffocated.

It's as if the devastating war we just witnessed was nothing more than a fleeting illusion.

At this moment, on the scorched and shattered earth, only the remaining figures of the Rongling tribe members remain.

The damaged fleet, like wounded giants, fell from the sky and lay prostrate on the ground.

工程舰的探照灯是这片深邃黑暗中的主要光源，光束在舰体巨大的创伤处移动，映照出忙碌维修的工程人员的渺小身影，焊接火花在破损装甲上明灭。

The atmosphere in the temporary medical area was heavy. The remaining medical personnel moved between stretchers, doing their best to treat the warriors who had collapsed under the impact of the Diyuan ethnic group's spiritual pollution. The suppressed groans were particularly clear in the silence.

In a scene filled with sorrow, the wreckage of a massive warship, cut in half, stands tall on the earth.

Its lower half is buried in the ground, and its bow points directly at the starry sky that is regaining its color.

At this moment, Tu Hu and Xing Tong were sitting on top of the wreckage of the warship.

Xing Tong gazed at the distant, faintly visible mountain outlines, lost in memories, as she recounted to Tu Hu everything that the Rongling tribe had experienced since his departure.

Resources are gradually dwindling, internal divisions are brewing due to uncertainty about the future, and a hidden future crisis is gradually emerging beneath the surface of prosperity.

这个阶段的绒灵族，对于如何解决资源问题有许多构想。

For example, implementing family planning.

By curbing population growth, resource consumption can be reduced.

However, this plan is fundamentally contrary to the development philosophy of the Rongling people. Their long history has always told us about the benefits of having many children. It will take time to change course, but there is not much time left.

Secondly, this solution cannot fundamentally solve the problem of resources gradually being depleted.

It only delayed the day when resources were exhausted.

When searching for a way out of the predicament, the information in Dreamweaver Crystal became an important breakthrough.

当年的织梦文明，也曾有过类似的困境。

Until the emergence of "Dream World", the Dream Weaving civilization ushered in an unprecedented period of rapid development.

However, she did not forget her ancestors' last words and held a cautious attitude towards the dream world full of unknowns. She believed that she should not go against her ancestors' teachings. The Rongling civilization had gone through many hardships to develop to this day, and it must not fall into a dead end again because of exploring the unknown.

However, this idea gradually changed over time.

When she realized that the existing predicament could not be solved by simply increasing the size of the pie, she understood that the problem could not be solved by simply adjusting the allocation of resources.

The dream world became the only way out.

During this period, in order to find out the truth about the dream world, a reconnaissance ship was also dispatched to investigate.

但时间差，乃至跨空间通讯技术等各方面的短板，让调查难以推进。

Ultimately, she decided to gamble the future of the Rongling civilization while there were still available resources.

If they change their minds in the future, even if they have the idea, they will have lost the resources to build a large-scale space teleportation array.

Rather than waiting to die, it's better to take a gamble when you have a choice.

Facing Tu Hu, Xing Tong's voice was calm, but she no longer concealed the weariness she had carried for too long.

Although she didn't complain in her words, Tu Hu could still hear the bitterness in Xing Tong's heart.

This is the dilemma faced by a civilization stumbling forward in the dark after losing its guide, and all choices must be faced by itself.

Tu Hu listened quietly without interrupting.

He gazed at Xing Tong's gray hair under the starlight, feeling the heavy pressure behind her words.

The anger in my heart caused by her not listening to my instructions gradually dissipated.

事实就是，这并不是一次鲁莽的冒险，而是内忧外患的困境下，被逼到悬崖边上的文明，所能看到的唯一可能。

Perhaps many races that have descended upon the monster world have had similar experiences.

Even the so-called "Heavenly Fire Dharma King" mentioned by forum players is no exception.

When the path of the small world comes to an end, the only option is to forge a new path.

“We thought…this place would be a new hope.” Xing Tong’s voice trembled with self-reproach.

长久的沉默在两人之间蔓延，只有风声掠过金属断口，发出呜咽般的低鸣。

Suddenly, Xing Tong turned her head, her weathered eyes looking directly at Tu Hu, and asked the question that troubled her the most:

"Ancestor, what about you? Why... are you here?"

Tu Hu met her gaze, a smile playing on his lips. He blinked and asked in a relaxed tone:
"you guess?"

Upon hearing these words, Xing Tong fell silent.

Starlight illuminated her profile, her eyes sparkling with contemplation.

She had pondered this question countless times before assuming the leadership position.

One of the more logical inferences is that the ancestors may be the only remaining spark left by the previous era, the Dream Weaver Civilization.

He escaped at the end of civilization's demise, carrying the wisdom and heritage of the entire civilization (Dream Crystal), drifting in the endless void, following ancient coordinates, and returned to his "hometown" world, which had long since changed.

During this period, he suffered severe physical damage for some reason and also lost his memory.

It just so happens that during this period they encountered the Rongling tribe, who were still in a state of ignorance at the time.

Perhaps seeing some potential in the Rongling tribe, they chose to sow the seeds of the Dream Weaving Civilization in the Rongling tribe's soil.

It is hoped that the legacy of the Dream Weaving civilization will continue to grow in the hands of the Rongling people.

This hypothesis provides a reasonable explanation for why our ancestors possessed the Dreamweaver Crystal.

This also aligns with the records about "inheritance" in the Dreamweaver civilization materials.

But this conjecture cannot explain everything that is happening right now.

The ancestor, whose energy had dissipated and whose life force had been extinguished before her, had been confirmed dead for hundreds of years from a physical perspective. How could he cross over and return?

This is clearly not something that can be explained by feigning death.

unless…….

A bolder hypothesis gradually took shape in her mind.

或许，她们所熟知的那位老祖宗，自始至终都只是一具承载其意志的分身，织梦文明中就有克隆技术的记载，甚至是以梦境编织的投影。

This clone descended upon her home world, carrying out a mission of inheritance.

而老祖宗的本体，或许从未离开梦想世界，他沉睡在某处，远程操控着身处故乡的分身。

也唯有如此，才能解释已经死去的老祖宗，为何会在梦想世界复活归来。

However, upon closer analysis, this conjecture still has many flaws.

如果是远程操控，怎可能会出现失忆的情况，难道是投影连接出现了问题？导致意识被困在分身中，无法连接上本体的记忆库？
After a period of random thoughts, Xing Tong still offered her analysis.

She raised her head, looked at Tu Hu, and tentatively asked with a hint of uncertainty:
"Could it be... that the you we once knew was not... the complete you? Perhaps it was just a projection of yourself? Or a clone?"

语罢，星瞳继续分析：
"But I am certain that you are the torch of the Dreamweaver civilization."

Upon hearing Xing Tong's seemingly rigorous and imaginative reasoning, Tu Hu was first taken aback, then couldn't help but burst into laughter, easing the oppressive feeling in Xing Tong's heart.

Tu Hu shook his head, a hint of reminiscence in his eyes, and sighed:

“你的分析很有意思，其实在我失忆那会儿，也冒出过类似的想法，觉得自己可能是织梦文明留下的最后火种，肩负着复兴文明的使命……听起来是不是挺悲壮，也挺合理？”

The conversation changed:
“但事实并非如此，我的存在比织梦文明的层次更高。”

Tu Hu gestured with his hand to indicate a height, and continued:
“我与织梦文明的关系，更像是一场……交易，我接受了一位织梦文明的前辈所托，答应他将织梦文明的知识体系带回故乡世界，寻找合适的继承者，只是在穿越虚空前往织梦世界的途中，遇到了点小意外……导致我的身体和识海受到重创，记忆支离破碎……这才有了后面你熟知的一切。”

He paused, then concluded:
“所以，传承织梦文明，是我的目的，但这并非我的起源。”

Xing Tong listened with curiosity; the amount of information the ancestor had given far exceeded her expectations, so she couldn't help but ask further:
"Then... Ancestor, what... what exactly are you?"

屠虎站起身，伸手拍了拍星瞳的肩膀，就像很久以前那样：
"You don't need to know what I am. You just need to understand that your ancestor is a little bit more powerful than you can imagine."

Confident words shattered the barriers that had existed for so long.

星瞳望着他，眼眶微热，随后用力地点了点头，语气里是毫无保留的信赖：

"That's right, I've always known that our ancestor was the most amazing!"

The words drifted away in the quiet night breeze, and the two fell silent once more.

Tu Hu withdrew his hand, his gaze falling upon the bustling and sorrowful scene below, and the boundless darkness in the distance.

A pressing question arises: what is the future of the Rongling people?

The resources of their home world were nearly exhausted, and the stored resources were almost burned to ashes for this expedition, leaving only two Fire City barely intact, and their size had shrunk to its limit.

Going back now would mean that the barren homeland could not support the returning population of the Rongling civilization, let alone its future development.

回去，只能是慢性死亡。    但脚下的土地想要留下，谈何容易。

Even if he already possessed the power of a demigod, in the monster world he would be nothing more than a small fry with a little strength on the roadside.

The technology that the Rongling civilization was so proud of was meaningless here.

Their war-fighting capabilities are at best on par with the "domesticated civilization" of the Mingshi tribe.

It doesn't even qualify to be served on the dinner table, let alone as a side dish.

Staying here is a dead end.

But it seems that there is no other way out but to stay.

Tu Hu took a deep breath and broke the silence:

"I can never go back to my hometown."

星瞳的身躯微微一颤，没有反驳。

She knew the harsh reality better than anyone else.

She followed Tu Hu's gaze and looked at her clansmen busily working among the wreckage of the warship, a hint of confusion in her voice:
“We have no way out… Ancestor, will you still stay by our side?”

这句话问得轻，却是重若千钧。

星瞳望着屠虎的侧脸，内心是翻涌的不安。

The fact that her ancestors are still alive is her greatest comfort in this desperate situation she encountered during this crossover.

But the ancestor has regained his memories. He comes from a wider world, possesses powers they cannot comprehend, and has a powerful clan.

他对绒灵族的守护，源于责任与失忆期间的陪伴。

But with the revival of memories, the Rongling civilization has also been inherited through dream weaving.

Perhaps, the moment the mission of inheritance was completed, his connection with the Rongling Clan, which had spanned countless years, came to an end.

Their past, coming from a small world, was merely an interlude in the long lives of their ancestors.

这一刻，屠虎也陷入了沉默。

His feelings toward the Rongling people were very complicated.

The journey through the small world was like a long and highly immersive dungeon in his eyes.

He poured his heart and soul into it, leaving a deep impression.

如今“副本”结束，他本该了无牵挂地回归小队，以玩家的身份继续他的旅程，享受纯粹的战斗与冒险。

他从未想过，绒灵族会以如此惨烈的方式，闯入他所在的世界。

The Rongling tribe is too weak now, like a seedling that has just been transplanted into a primeval forest surrounded by ferocious beasts.

The soil in my hometown is so bad that it is no longer possible to survive there.

Settling down here is their only way to survive.

Without the protection of a powerful force, this seedling could be crushed at any moment by any passing minor power, becoming nourishment for the opponent's growth.

He looked at the fear in Xing Tong's eyes, as if she were about to be abandoned, and then looked down at the younger generation struggling in the ruins.

As his thoughts raced, Tu Hu let out a long sigh.

He thought of two predecessors.

一位是小小法师，也就是现在的灵息族血帝。

He leads his clan, but he also bears the heavy responsibility of ensuring the survival and development of the Spirit Breath Clan in the monster world.

The other one is known as "Rebirth Bro" among forum players.

具体情况不清楚，但他同样走上了和小小法师相似的道路，成为一个族群的依靠。

In fact, both of these groups now depend on the player ecosystem for development.

The Lingxi tribe seeks development by producing a range of daily necessities such as fishing tackle, comfortable seats, and portable tents on a large scale.

These seemingly insignificant items enrich the player's daily life needs, allowing them to devote more time and energy to hunting, exploration, and other ways to grow.

It also curbed the chaotic situation where some players listed cheap handicrafts at high prices on the trading platform.

Secondly, the large-scale supply of high-quality spirit beast meat by the Spirit Breath Clan to the trading post has lowered the price of spirit food, making such consumables more affordable for more players. It has also enriched the variety of spirit food, contributing significantly to the development of the entire player faction in terms of daily life.

The Dragonwing Clan, to which "Rebirth Bro" belongs, has embarked on a different and unique path.

They focus on producing all kinds of practical tools, especially their signature product: the mining golem.

This bot, capable of efficiently and automatically collecting resources, broke the arms dealers' monopoly in the mining tools field with its excellent cost performance after its launch.

For small and medium-sized guilds and even individual players who rely on occupying resource nodes for development, the Dragonwing Clan's mining golems are undoubtedly a godsend, saving them a lot of costs and improving resource gathering efficiency.

The successful precedents of these two ethnic groups undoubtedly point to a possible direction for the Rongling tribe, which is currently in dire straits.

But the prerequisite is that he is willing to stay.

Without him as the player responsible for connecting player factions, everything is just empty talk.

Faced with this choice, Tu Hu thought of his teammates.

兄弟们都在等着他回去继续开荒新的副本，开启新的冒险。

Without him, a tanky and damage-dealing role, many challenging gameplay elements become difficult to execute.

充满激情的冒险生活，也是他曾经的追求。

But on the other side were Xing Tong and the Rongling clan juniors who were looking at him expectantly.

This is a civilization that he personally accompanied from the beginning of ignorance to its current growth, and which he poured countless efforts into.

Watching them transition from a tribe to a technological age, only to face annihilation in a monster world.

这份情感，哪能轻易放下。

On one side are teammates fighting side by side and the adventures they yearn for; on the other side is the responsibility of cultivating civilization with their own hands and an inescapable duty.

He felt as if he were standing at a crossroads, and choosing either side would mean betraying the other.

The inner turmoil made him feel irritable.

Why can't there be a way to have the best of both worlds?

就在这时，一个念头如同闪电般划过他的脑海。

His eyes gradually brightened.

Why must we choose one of the two?

Or... why not just bring all the teammates over?
He could very well forge a completely different path from his two predecessors.

You can invite your brothers to play this "civilization training" game together.

Together, we will protect the Velvet Spirits and help them establish themselves in the monster world, using the power of players to clear away early obstacles to their survival.

At the same time, guide the Rongling tribe to develop industries that can be integrated into the player ecosystem.

Just like the Spirit Breath Clan and the Dragon Wing Clan, as long as the Wool Spirit Clan can find its own place in the player ecosystem and form a stable output, the benefits it brings may be far greater than what they spend all day grinding monsters or even exploring dungeons.

At that time, the Rongling civilization will also be able to give back to him and his team brothers, making them stronger.

To form a mutually beneficial development cycle.

If feasible, the squad's adventure will then evolve into a grand narrative of managing a civilization.

With his thoughts clear, Tu Hu's gloom vanished, and a smile appeared on his lips.

他抬手，用力揉了揉星瞳已经灰白的头发，就像她还是当年那个跟在他身后的小丫头。：
"Alright, you're all leaders of your clan, yet you're still so useless. With all of you troublesome little brats, where else can I go? If the sky falls... I'll hold it up first."

话音未落，星瞳的泪水瞬间决堤。

She lunged forward and hugged Tu Hu tightly, as if she wanted to release all the grievances and pressure she had accumulated over the past few centuries.

Her shoulders trembled uncontrollably, and she sobbed uncontrollably.

“Ancestor… I knew… you wouldn’t abandon us.”

Feeling the trembling body in his arms, Tu Hu gently patted Xing Tong's back, a hint of helplessness appearing in his eyes.

Next, he plans to contact his brothers and explain his thoughts in detail.

He brought up his friends list and was about to start a conversation when his gaze fell on an unread message from A-Lan.

Upon opening it, I found a detailed bill.

上面罗列了制作个人传送阵与超大型传送阵的材料消耗，以及当时的交易行价格，附上了购买截图。

Due to the tight schedule, only top-tier space-grade materials were used in its production.

The price of Kongyuan Stone also saw a slight increase due to the sudden large-scale purchase.

With all material costs added up, Alan gave a price that only charged for materials and did not include labor costs, totaling 1039 million.

At the end, A-Lan added a note: "Brother Bangbang, let's put the debt on hold for now. I'm not in a hurry. We'll talk about it when you have more sacrificial energy."

Tu Hu's lips twitched as he looked at the long string of numbers on the bill.

Including the 3400 million yuan debt incurred from creating the "Sword of Civilization," he has just returned with a huge foreign debt of nearly 4500 million yuan.

Before he even got started, he was already overwhelmed by debt.

(End of this chapter)