When the game shut down, I took my skills with me.

Chapter 57 The Moon Priestess's Invitation, the World Administrator's New Mission!

The "divine punishment" incident in Paris, through the mouth of "order," spread to every corner of the world.

Players and factions around the world were as if they had been doused with cold water, instantly sobering up.

They finally realized that what the high and mighty administrator needed was not a group of madmen who would do anything for a "divine position," but rather "maintainers" who would truly contribute to the survival of this world within the framework of the rules he set.

In an instant, everyone put away their cleverness.

The major guilds became extremely cautious in their actions. They preferred to be less efficient and strictly followed the most reliable "purify-repair" model of the Dragon Shield Bureau, cleaning up the data pollution area step by step.

The global frenzy of competition suddenly cooled down, and a steady and orderly construction phase began.

Lu Yuan didn't care about any of this.

He was lying on the rooftop terrace of the Ark Villa, enjoying the afternoon sun, while Fatty Wang next to him was excitedly browsing the global player forum.

"Damn, Yuan-ge, you're now the world's number one tyrant!" Fatty Wang held up his tablet in front of Lu Yuan. On the screen was a post that had been pushed to the top of the charts—"In-depth analysis: Behind the 'divine punishment' incident, the administrator's three ironclad rules!"

"Look at this analysis. It says you're using this as a warning, and your first ironclad rule is 'those who obey me prosper, those who defy me perish.' Any opportunistic behavior is a challenge to your authority!"

"And this, saying that by giving your contribution points to Dragon Shield, you're supporting your own faction," is a warning to other forces not to even think about seizing supreme power!

Lu Yuan didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, he just turned over and mumbled something.

"It's so noisy."

He simply banned an account that exploited the bug to rack up points, and incidentally compensated the players who honestly completed the tasks for the losses caused by the bug.

How come the basic operations of gm are as complicated as reading comprehension in the mouths of these people?

Just then, Su Muqiu's calm and capable figure appeared at the terrace door.

"Mr. Lu, there's an emergency." Her expression was unusually serious. "Priestess Leandera of the Moon Whisper Clan is outside the Ark. She has once again requested an urgent meeting, and she is very agitated."

"Liandra?" Fatty Wang sat up abruptly. "Is that the elven priestess who said the World Tree was going to die? She's here again?"

"I won't see her." Lu Yuan refused without hesitation. "Let her find someone to handle it."

All he wants to do now is bask in the sun; anyone who disturbs his salted fish life is an enemy.

"She refused to communicate with the Order," Su Muqiu continued. "She said that the message she brought concerns the very survival of the most fundamental people in this world, and only you have the authority to know it."

"Quite the boast." Lu Yuan finally opened his eyes, somewhat annoyed.

"Sir," Xiaoya's holographic projection appeared out of thin air, her neat white hair flowing, data streams flashing in her eyes, "Liandra's energy fluctuations this time were several orders of magnitude more intense than last time, and her vital signs were extremely unstable, indicating a new, unknown event may have occurred. Considering the World Tree issue she mentioned earlier, I suggest you receive her."

""

What is the origin of the "harvester"?

Lu Yuan sat up.

This piqued his interest. Although he could easily delete those monsters, if he could solve the problem once and for all, he could live a peaceful and carefree life forever.

"Let her in," Lu Yuan waved his hand.

A moment later, a figure, led by Su Muqiu, walked onto the terrace.

She wore a simple, moon-white robe, and possessed the pointed ears and stunning beauty characteristic of the elves, with long silver hair flowing like moonlight. But what was most striking were her violet eyes, which were filled with a sense of vicissitude and wisdom that seemed incongruous with her appearance.

"We salute you, the supreme ruler of the world."

The moment she saw Lu Yuan, this noble elf actually took a step back and placed her hand on her chest in an incredibly ancient and solemn gesture. Her posture was humble, full of reverence for her superior.

"I am Liandra, the High Priestess of the Moon Whisper Clan."

Lu Yuan looked her over and casually asked, "What brings you here?"

Leander raised her head, her purple eyes fixed on Lu Yuan: "Mr. Administrator, we felt the pure, vast, and creative torrent of data that you used to repair that steel city a few days ago."

"That power is extremely similar to the aura of the life source of our race—the Heart of the World Tree—but it is purer and more supreme."

Her voice carried a hint of excitement and pleading.

"Our World Tree is withering, our people are being assimilated by data corruption, and we are on the verge of complete extinction. Administrator, only you, only your creation-like power, can save us!"

"Save you?" Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow. "That sounds like a lot of trouble. Why should I help you?"

Leander seemed to have anticipated his question, and she took a deep breath before revealing a bombshell.

"Because we can tell you the truth about the Reapers."

"They are not invaders," Leander's voice was low, as if uttering a taboo, "They are the cleaners," the world's immune system. Their sole mission is to eliminate all data deemed "unstable" and "contaminated" by the observers.

"And unfortunately, our Moon Whisper Clan, and all life in this world, are on the list of those to be cleansed."

Lu Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly.

He finally understood. These "harvesters" were like antivirus programs in a game, while he, the players, and NPCs were the "viruses" in the program's eyes.

No wonder they keep appearing.

"We can make a deal with you, Mr. Administrator," Leander said earnestly. "You will cleanse the data corruption within our race, restoring the World Tree to life. In return, we will grant you access to all of our race's ancient knowledge bases. There, the only method to shield this world from observers and remove it from the cleansing list is recorded."

A solution that solves the problem once and for all?

Lu Yuan was tempted.

Rather than getting up every few days to delete monsters, it's more in line with his personality to solve the problem once and for all and then sleep soundly.

"Sounds pretty good." Lu Yuan stood up, stretched, and said, "Where is your tribe's territory? Lead the way."

Seeing Lu Yuan agree so easily, a glint of elation flashed in Leander's eyes. She quickly bowed again, "Thank you, Manager!"

She took out a silver leaf that looked like a crescent moon and gently pinched it.

A silvery light shimmered as a spatial portal, brimming with the vitality of nature, slowly opened on the terrace. On the other side of the portal lay towering trees and a dreamlike forest.

"Holy crap! Brother Yuan! Are we going to explore a hidden map? Take me with you!" Upon seeing this, Fatty Wang rushed over excitedly and grabbed Lu Yuan's arm.

Lu Yuan gave him a disdainful look, but then thought that the trip might be a bit boring, so bringing someone to keep him entertained would be good.

"Keep up."

He stepped into the portal.

Fatty Wang cheered and followed closely behind.

Leander gave Su Muqiu, who remained standing, another elegant bow, and then walked inside.

The portal slowly closed, and the terrace returned to calm, leaving Su Muqiu standing there, gazing thoughtfully at the vanished portal.

That administrator seems to be playing a much bigger game.