Chapter 2614: Then Can I Steal It?
Regardless of which assumption one holds, following the Night Tour Team to escape the restricted area is definitely not feasible. Without another way to prematurely end the instance, rescue players must continuously send others out from the restricted area, thereby reducing casualties.
Fortunately, the players in the instance venue did not attempt to forcibly break through the barrier and flee to other places. Most players at this time displayed an outstanding personal charisma and moral baseline.
The turning point appeared on the fourth day within the restricted area. The Rank-A players from District 001 joined forces to destroy three Night Tour Teams that were about to form. Consequently, the number of bizarre headgear capturing people in the instance venue decreased, and the expansion of the restricted area halted. The previously anticipated Night Tours across eight cities suddenly decreased—District 001 discovered a practical method to delay the instance, ensuring casualties wouldn’t continue to rise. With fewer Night Tours, the instance’s earlier fierceness in killing and plundering advanced players declined, reducing player losses and slowing the growth of the Night Tour Teams.
This created breathing space for all instance venues. As the restricted area ceased expanding, some citizens began returning to normal life. After all, as long as one could avoid the restricted zone, those flying headgear weren’t entirely indefensible.
It’s impressive how quickly District 001 recovered in the face of such a large crisis, even ordinary citizens stabilized swiftly.
"We can’t go outside. As long as we’re alive, does it matter how we live?" Someone thought openly.
Those rescued from the restricted area were gradually released. Since Mr. Xi couldn’t go home, he sought out Xu Huo, and the three of them visited Jing Shi again.
Grateful, Jing Shi entertained them and invited them to stay.
"Anywhere is the same." Mr. Xi had no objections. He instructed the shop assistant to bring his tools over, to begin researching ways to craft props for Xu Huo.
"Just to clarify, the props might not be completed quickly. If you wait in District 001, I don’t mind, but don’t rush me daily."
Xu Huo naturally agreed, as his primary goal in staying was to learn more about space-time power through conversations with seniors like Jing Shi. After chatting with Jing Shi for several days, he met Xiao Chuan’s teacher, the renowned clockmaking maestro.
The clockmaking maestro was not an Artifact Maker and could not create props; however, his skills in clockmaking were exceptional. Some clocks he made have contained time-related items, a testament to both his craftsmanship recognized by the game and an extraordinary opportunity, attracting many to learn his skills and artisan spirit, while also attempting to understand temporal evolution.
Mr. Xi knew the clockmaking maestro and spoke with a complicated expression, "He’s considered a good person, except he’s not very discerning."
Xu Huo raised an eyebrow, "Not discerning yet considered a good person?"
"He doesn’t do bad things but prioritizes making clocks over everything else. Even if someone with no integrity holds suitable materials to commission him, he would comply."
District 001 is a special zone where everyone possesses "law enforcement consciousness." Each person has an understanding of "evil" and firmly believes they are right, making those who are vague in their actions few.
"His skills are excellent, so you should take the chance to see him. If he weren’t trapped within the instance venue, you might not have been able to meet him."
Mr. Xi clearly planned to avoid meeting him, retreating to his room in advance.
The clockmaking maestro didn’t arrive alone; he was followed by over ten apprentices, including the female player Xu Huo had seen on the train who used Primeval Stone as decoration.
The clockmaking maestro, known as Master Cong, was a taciturn elder. However, unlike Mr. Xi, his physique was exceptionally robust, his arms visibly strong, and his hands covered with calluses. His gaze was steady, lacking any scrutiny or examination.
To him, people seemed the same, even those apprentices following him.
After Jing Shi arranged accommodations, he retired to rest, leaving an assistant to inform others that the next lesson would be scheduled, allowing apprentices free movement within permissible areas of the host’s home.
Jing Shi’s yard was large, and since Xiao Chuan was also an apprentice, preparations were made in advance, with accommodations and meals overseen by domestic robots.
The Girl in the Painting couldn’t wait to find the female player. The female player and her companions, still wearing apprentice clothes, had a good attitude and even lent the Jade Pendant to the Girl in the Painting.
After playing with it for a while, the Girl in the Painting asked where she could buy the S-112 numbered Primeval Stone.
"Little sister, ordinary people can’t buy this," said the man nearby with a smile, "People who own such Primeval Stones usually aren’t short on money and won’t sell them."
The Girl in the Painting thought for a moment, "Can I steal it?"
The three at the table all looked at her, and the female player said with a meaningful tone, "Oh? How do you plan to steal it?"
The Girl in the Painting raised her hand to stuff the Jade Pendant into her chest, a habitual action of hers. Previously, she would stash the Medal of the Radiant Gentleman inside her clothes too, but now it wasn’t feasible.
Xu Huo held her arm, "That’s someone else’s item."
The Girl in the Painting was disappointed, reluctantly putting the Jade Pendant back with evident desire in her eyes.
"You’re quite interesting," the female player said with a grin, "No one ever talks about robbing me right in front of me and actually tries to do it."
She looked at Xu Huo, "You didn’t teach your sister well."
"She doesn’t really understand social norms," Xu Huo smiled gently, "and doesn’t realize what consequences such actions could bring. I apologize on her behalf."
The female player stared at him intently, in a gaze laden with scrutiny—not hesitating about whether to teach him a lesson, but genuinely appraising, as if considering a lengthy evaluation.
Xu Huo remained silent, calmly waiting for her final decision.
"The tea is freshly brewed; apologies for neglecting the guests," Jing Shi entered the garden, directing the robot to serve tea and snacks, seemingly unaware of the tension, and amusedly invited them to taste the cakes made by the newly arrived chef, while activating more robots to clear the floating headgear.
Within Jingshi Manor, all living beings wore headgear items or equipment, adequately dealing with the sluggishly progressing instance.
Of course, drinking tea under a sky filled with weird headgear was somewhat bizarre, but humans adapt quickly.
The female player did not pursue the prior actions of the Girl in the Painting, instead projecting refusal, clearly indicating she wasn’t interested in joining them for the afternoon tea.
Xu Huo perceptively led the Girl in the Painting away.
Upon returning to the main building, the Girl in the Painting quietly typed, "Can we snatch and run immediately?"