Alone and Infinite

"You're not Tier 1?"

"Yes, someone asked you the same question before, and you should have already met him."

Claude readily admitted it:

"But don't worry, I won't participate in any ranking competitions, nor will I cause you any trouble."

In fact, I was just an observer.

"Because of draft picks?"

“Very keen intuition.”

Claude's voice carried an air of appreciation:

"Although I know it's unlikely, I still can't help but ask, would you like to join our Brotherhood of Steel?"

I will apply to the team for the most prestigious seed treatment and do my best to nurture you.

As long as you don't fail halfway through, you might even become a core member of the group!

Join a guild?

Li Xia shook his head. He could hide his special abilities from the Hall of Light, which only used 10% of its brain.

It's absolutely impossible to fool the old fox who's been fighting in the Infinite for who knows how long.

"Sorry, I have no intention of joining a guild."

Claude let out a sigh of regret:

"Sigh—okay, I respect and understand your choice, but I still want to offer a piece of advice tactfully:"

Countless amazing apostles have appeared throughout the long history.

However, not many of them grew up smoothly; on the contrary, many mediocre apostles went further.

The Hall's dynamic difficulty matching mechanism will push you to your limits every time, but it will also give you rewards that match the difficulty level every time.

What you give, you receive; that is the essence of a temple.

Therefore, with the help of a team, you can progress more steadily and safely. If you feel you can't persevere, feel free to contact me anytime.

Li Xia listened attentively. He had never entered a proper hall or communicated with anyone before.

Moreover, even if you enter the hall of fame, it's unlikely you'll find anyone from a major guild willing to share anything with you.

So he thanked them very sincerely. Sometimes information is a resource, just like the 500-point Trial World Intelligence Collection that newcomers all buy.

Claude was very satisfied with Li Xia's reply, so he decided to make an exception and reveal a little more information:

"If you have the opportunity in the future, I suggest you establish a guild, even if it's just you, because only guilds have the right to obtain 'territory'."

The strength of top-tier guilds far exceeds your imagination; for example, us... well, I'd better not go into details."

Claude paused, then changed the subject:

"Let's talk about the Treasure Chest of Destiny."

Honestly, if it weren't for observing that you obtained the Treasure Chest of Destiny...

I simply can't believe that someone could obtain it at level one.

However, its value isn't as high as you might imagine. We crave the Treasure Chest of Destiny, but we're not so willing to pay a hefty price.

Li Xia frowned. Claude's words were contradictory: "Why is that?"

"This is because of the uncertainty of the Treasure Chest of Destiny. Most people have only heard of the Treasure Chest of Destiny, but know nothing about it."

Claude patiently explained, "To give you an analogy, the Treasure Chest of Destiny is like a lottery ticket. The odds of winning are very low, but if you do win, you'll gain something very important."

Furthermore, winning this lottery ticket inherently involves uncertainty; do you understand now?

"Um"

Those guilds are willing to accept treasure chests as if they were lottery tickets; they desperately want to win the lottery, but they can't afford to pay more than the price of the prize.

That's why this situation has arisen.

"Even so, if you choose to sell it, what you get is still amazing for a Tier 1, enough to smoothly advance to Tier 4."

I guarantee you'll have suitable equipment for each tier you level up; it won't be top-tier, but it definitely won't be ordinary either.

After thinking for a moment, Li Xia asked, "What can you get from the Treasure Chest of Destiny?"

“Destiny equipment!” Claude’s tone was surprisingly awe-inspiring. “First of all, destiny chests are completely different from ordinary chests.”

Normal treasure chests are generated by the Hall of Fame from the enemies you kill, and at most, they will add equipment to the Hall of Fame equipment pool.

But the Treasure Chest of Destiny is different; its opening is unrelated to luck (Li Xia raised his eyebrows, even showing some joy).

When opened, the treasure chest will weigh the opener's fate; the higher the fate weight, the more likely it is to yield a Fate-themed item.

Or rather, the Treasure Chest of Destiny has only two outcomes: Destiny Equipment or an empty chest.

Claude spoke fluently and without any intention of hiding anything, or rather, there was no need to hide anything.

Although few people have heard of the Treasure Chest of Destiny, the other families already know that there might be one, and this cannot be kept secret any longer.

If you're determined, you can always find out.

"Destiny equipment has transcended the limitations of rank. Only by obtaining it will you know how amazing it is. Once you obtain destiny equipment, it will evolve into the most suitable form according to your destiny. It can accompany you to travel through infinite worlds until the end of your journey."

Li Xia keenly sensed what was hidden in Claude's words: the limitation of rank?

"Does this mean that ordinary equipment becomes unusable after being upgraded?"

Claude laughed heartily: "You don't actually think that advancing in rank is just about moving to a different place, do you? Or that different rank worlds are just different planets in the same universe?"

Huh? Isn't that right?

Li Xia frowned. He had always thought that the so-called adventures in different worlds were just about going to different planets in the universe, and he had never even thought of asking about the Transcendent Hall.

Claude laughed heartily, as if he had made the same mistake and been laughed at in the same way before.

After laughing for a while, Claude gradually calmed down, his aged voice carrying a strange solemnity and reverence.

"Every world is just an insignificant bubble in the void sea, and every advancement is a leap forward for the world!"

Li Xia didn't quite understand, but he was greatly shocked.

Silence fell over the walkie-talkie.

After a long while, Claude slowly said, "Well? Can you give me an answer?"

Li Xia took a deep breath and said slowly as well:

"Thank you for your explanation, but I want to test the weight of my own destiny!"

"Is that so? It's a pity, but all apostles who reach the highest rank will make that choice."

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Chapter 55 Thranduil, the Elf King

The chat ended quickly. Claude's purpose was simple: the Treasure Chest of Destiny and Li Xia.

If it succeeds, everyone will be happy; if it doesn't, it's still a good connection, since the temple isn't just about fighting and killing.

"Mr. Claude, how do I return the walkie-talkie to you?"

Claude's nonchalant voice came through the walkie-talkie: "It's just a little gadget, consider it a small gift."

This is standard equipment from our Brotherhood of Steel. If we encounter it in other infinite worlds in the future, it can be connected to the team's public channel and might be of help.

We also hope that when you encounter our lower-ranking members, you will show mercy if there is no conflict of interest.

Li Xia was silent for a moment: "I'll try my best."

After putting away the walkie-talkie, Li Xia stood up. At this moment, the sky in the distance was beginning to lighten, and the long night was finally coming to an end.

He didn't plan to open the Treasure Chest of Destiny now. He planned to wait until the trial ended and he returned to his space to continue to inquire about the Treasure Chest of Destiny.

It's unlikely that Cloud is lying to himself, but verification from multiple sources is definitely safer. This joint trial instance is nearing its end.

There is no rush for this moment.

The apostles were extremely efficient; in the short time it took them to chat with Claude, a large amount of salvaged supplies had already piled up on the shore.

The lake was filled with the residents' wooden furniture boxes. The apostles were overjoyed, earning three contribution points for each box they retrieved, although it was quite laborious as they still needed to put them on the shore.

But you don't need to run around or fight; you just need to put in some effort, which is practically free money!

Those apostles who were skilled in practical work before entering the hall began to tinker with the small boats, not to make them as perfect as before, but just to make them last until they crossed the long lake.

By the time the sun rose, the apostles had completed most of the faction quests they had issued.

One of the apostles, whose talent skill was repair, single-handedly repaired 30 ships, earning a whopping 300 faction contribution points, and excitedly roared with joy.

Previously, in the dwarf faction, due to my weak combat ability and poor performance in other aspects, I only received a pitiful twenty points of contribution.

Who would have thought I could earn three hundred here in one night?

The other apostles didn't earn much, but it was a world of difference compared to before. Those with outstanding individual strength mostly chose to stay in their original camp.

Seeing that the apostles had reaped a bountiful harvest, they sat down in twos and threes, preparing to eat something and rest.

Li Xia sneered, "You want to rest? Even the donkeys in the production team don't rest like this!"

Issue new faction quests directly.

[Faction Quests]

[Mission Objective: Escort the residents of Longlake Town to River Valley]

[Task time limit: 1 days]

[Task Reward: 10 Contribution Points]

"Quickly! Another job is needed!" The apostles jumped up as if their pants were on fire and pushed the small boat into the water.

More than a hundred people, carrying supplies, were scattered across forty small boats, rowing towards the depths of Changhu Lake.

The lake surface is like a giant mirror, and the morning sunlight shines on it, giving it a golden edge.

The bow of the boat broke through the lake water, making a soft splashing sound. As the boat moved forward, the mirror-like surface was slowly cut open, rippling in layers, and the golden light also rippled, like fine golden scales.

As the boat sailed deeper into the lake, a light mist began to rise from the surface. This mist seemed to linger on the surface of the lake for a long time, regardless of the weather.

Li Xia stood at the bow of the small boat at the very front, holding a torch high, truly like a leader, guiding the fleet's direction.

Boris, who had previously been appointed as a member of the Long Lake Town Guard, stood to the side, his eyes wide as he tried to find the familiar path.

The fog was getting thicker, but fortunately, experienced people had already tied the boats together with ropes to prevent anyone from getting lost.

The light from the torch at the forefront remained constant, even though only a faint orange glow remained in the thick fog. This light, however faint, calmed the unease in people's hearts.

"This way!"

Boris suddenly shouted excitedly, pointing to the rotten wooden stakes protruding from the water not far away.

We're almost there!

As if in response to his words, the mist before him suddenly cleared, and a majestic stone archway stood tall by the lake.

"Sir, this is River Valley State! The old dock is over there."

Following Boris's gaze, Li Xia saw a vacant lot next to the gate, with a stone-built dock extending into the lake, the latter half of which had collapsed into the water.

Near the shore, in the shallow water, the masts of boats protrude above the surface. Even through this dilapidated scene, one can imagine how prosperous the valley state once was.

From here, the dwarven castle at the foot of Lonely Mountain is clearly visible; no wonder the orcs had to divert their forces to attack this place.

River Valley is the only way to the castle.

Boris is right. While large ships can no longer pass through here, it's perfectly fine for small boats that only carry a few people.

The group began moving things down the river like ants carrying food, while Li Xia led his men to wander around the valley, looking for a suitable location.

The city at the foot of the mountain is not large, at most accommodating ten or twenty thousand people, but the buildings are exquisite, with carefully polished stones adorned with decorations.

This shows how prosperous the city-state was back then, with human skeletons scattered everywhere on the ground and weeds growing extremely lushly.