Chapter 2004 - 1997: It’s So Damn Ruthless
"Brother Ying Zheng, what do you mean by ’the rise of myriad tribes’ you just mentioned?" Zhang Menglong suddenly took note of a term Ying Zheng had mentioned earlier.
"Exactly, you just got here and aren’t very familiar with the situation yet, nor have you encountered anyone besides us," Ying Zheng said, "The enormity of this world exceeds any I have ever been to before. It is said that the doors to here are scattered across various worlds."
"Does that mean the God Race’s world is just one among countless worlds?" Prior to this, Zhang Menglong always thought that the God Race’s world was a top-level world, but now it seems that it’s just one among countless worlds, and there are many worlds at the same level as it.
"Of course," Ying Zheng said, "Perhaps the humans from your previous world weren’t fully aware of worlds beyond theirs, but in my world, although there wasn’t a clear definition of Supreme Worlds, we did know about the existence of countless parallel worlds!"
"Multiverse, parallel worlds?" Zhang Menglong asked, "Then in another world, wouldn’t there be another me?"
This concept was something Zhang Menglong had heard many times in science fiction novels and movies before, but he had never seen countless versions of himself!
"Hahaha, Menglong, think about it, does this logic make sense?" Ying Zheng said, "For example, after this second, countless possibilities are born in the subsequent timeline, which then give rise to countless changes, forming countless identical worlds. Perhaps in an hour, significant changes occur to you across countless worlds: in some, you no longer exist, while in others, you’re still chatting with me."
"Indeed," Zhang Menglong nodded.
"Wrong, wildly wrong!" Ying Zheng laughed, "Don’t forget, all of this is based on the premise that it starts from this moment. So in every parallel world, your existence is present, but does this premise hold true?"
This question caught Zhang Menglong off guard!
Indeed, that premise simply does not exist! The appearance of countless worlds where he exists is premised on the idea that all these worlds originated from the time he existed.
However, those worlds clearly existed since the birth of some primary world, and the changes within those worlds have already been occurring for countless years. There wasn’t even a Zhang Menglong during that time! Therefore, in those countless parallel worlds, Zhang Menglong’s existence is impossible!
Perhaps since the first life form was born, the evolution of life across those countless worlds has already been diverging in different directions. The existence of Zhang Menglong and Ying Zheng is merely a product of the developmental processes of these myriad worlds!
Hearing Ying Zheng’s words, Zhang Menglong suddenly realized that what Ying Zheng meant by the rise of myriad tribes could be the final life forms evolved from different species across countless parallel worlds?
"Now you can probably understand it a bit, right?" Ying Zheng could tell from Zhang Menglong’s expression that he had roughly grasped the concept.
"Then, the number of races here must be unimaginably vast?"
"Indeed, it’s beyond calculation!" Ying Zheng nodded, "Every race sends a certain number of creatures here to compete for entry into the Supreme World. Some races are incredibly prosperous with powerful individuals, so many can arrive here. In contrast, some races are less evolved, so their probability of coming here is small, and their number is few."
"As far as I know, the race with the fewest numbers still has around twenty or thirty people, but those with large numbers possibly go into the billions or trillions."
"And what about us humans?" Zhang Menglong curiously asked.
"Our human group is actually quite widely distributed, but unfortunately, it doesn’t count as a major race. The total number of humans who have arrived here is merely a few million!"
Ying Zheng continued to tell Zhang Menglong that everyone who arrives here receives an imprint of their respective race and is placed near a certain giant city, which means that within the territory of Great City of Aiville, you’ll find human Martial Artists! This city is considered a city for humans.
Other species’ creatures are also placed near other giant cities.
"Having a racial support system isn’t bad," Zhang Menglong nodded, "At least here, you can find some fellow kind, so life isn’t too difficult."
"Actually, there’s another thing I haven’t told you," Ying Zheng said, "Here, the way to obtain a large number of Supreme Coins and Supreme Crystals is not just by killing Warcraft; that’s merely the most insignificant approach! There’s actually a quicker way!"
"Are you suggesting... killing people?"
"Exactly!" Ying Zheng said, "The chances of in-fighting within the same race are low because everyone knows that the strength of our group fundamentally ensures our survival in this world, so we’re almost unanimously opposed to outsiders!"
"So racial wars begin, right?"
Ying Zheng nodded, "The chance of dropping items from killing Warcraft is minimal, but killing different races almost guarantees you can take everything from them, which is of immense significance both for individual growth and the reputation of the race!"
"This game is truly bloody!" Zhang Menglong exclaimed, it’s akin to placing a large group of people in a gladiator’s arena for a spectacle, and it is uncertain who created this world and for what purpose.
"Moreover, in this world, there are two horrifying things," Ying Zheng’s expression turned serious as he continued, "If one race exterminates another, very substantial rewards are given. These rewards include Supreme Coins, Supreme Crystals, and even Supreme Weapons!"
"This essentially forces inter-racial slaughter!" Zhang Menglong’s expression darkened. If some races are small in number, they might be perpetually oppressed; life is tough for them, let alone accumulating enough Supreme Coins or Supreme Crystals to leave here.
"Of course, the rewards differ for destroying different races; larger races naturally receive more substantial rewards, while weaker races get lower ones," Ying Zheng said, "During my hundred-plus years here, I’ve lost count of how many races have vanished. But I heard that a race once existed, similar in size to humans. Do you know how much reward was given after their extinction?"
Zhang Menglong shook his head; how could he know such things?
"The race that exterminated them is one of the peak races in this world, with a population around 200 billion, and with immense individual strength. After destroying that race, anyone who participated in the extinction received at least one Supreme Crystal as a basic reward, with even more bonuses for outstanding contributions!"
"No wonder," Zhang Menglong muttered to himself, "What is the other terrifying thing?"
"Hehe, racial wars are actually optional; some races are warlike, some love peace, and racial wars can actually be avoided," Ying Zheng said, "But the other matter pushed all races to the brink!"
"What is it?"
"Every 1000 years, a large-scale event is initiated across the world, where all races must compete; those ranking low will be eradicated, while the top ranks get generous rewards," Ying Zheng said.
"Survival of the fittest, those eliminated can only blame their own weakness," Zhang Menglong said, "But isn’t this a rule determined by this world, while inter-racial conflict remains more daunting?"
"Menglong, you’re too naive," Ying Zheng shook his head, "If your friend has a conflict with people from another race during the competition, even if both your races rank well, what will happen next?"
"I would find a way to avenge my friend!" Zhang Menglong replied without hesitation.
After saying this, Zhang Menglong fell silent; regardless of the situation, an eventual racial war seemed unavoidable.
Zhang Menglong sighed and quoted a classic line from "Three-Body," "It’s dark! It’s so damn dark!"