Chapter 168
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Chapter 168: Church of Ruins
Bai Yan immediately identified the target of the new event.
The Church of Ruins.
It was undoubtedly them—the followers of the Outer God, the Balancer, and the Ashen Ruins. They were the ancient cult from Noah’s world, their motives dark and unfathomable.
Bai Yan knew quite a bit about this organization.
Like many cults, the Church of Ruins did not view themselves as heretical. They genuinely believed they were working for the greater good of the universe.
To them, the Night Watchers and others who opposed their efforts were malignant tumors, enemies of balance, and obstacles to be eliminated—all in the name of restoring the equilibrium of the world.
In a way, they were akin to “extreme environmentalists,” willing to destroy all life if it meant returning the universe to its pristine state.
“Honestly, I can’t fathom their reasoning. If I could understand a cultist, I’d probably be insane myself.”
Bai Yan shook his head, his expression one of wry amusement.
He glanced at his phone screen, tapping the display repeatedly as he reviewed the details of the new event.
“New Event: Chaos of Balance”
The announcement appeared on the screen in bold black-and-white text, exuding a foreboding sense of symmetry.
“This event consists of four tasks. Participants can earn partial rewards upon completing each task. Upon completing three tasks, they may choose to conclude the event and receive all accumulated rewards. However, if all tasks are completed, an additional ‘mysterious reward’ will be granted to the Savior.”
Beneath the announcement, four seals resembling ancient runes appeared on the screen. Each bore a distinct phrase:
“Accumulation of Impure Desires”
“Fleeting Beauty”
“Raging Anger”
“Approaching Death”
Bai Yan stared at the cryptic words, his mind working swiftly to connect them to his memories.
“This… I’ve seen this before. This was part of my first playthrough.”
He paused, his gaze thoughtful.
“If I remember correctly, this time, I’ll make it perfect. No deaths. I’ll complete the game in one life.”
Exiting the game interface, Bai Yan returned to the mysterious message he had received earlier.
A Sinister Invitation
The message read:
“We aim to restore balance to all living things, to enable this world to return to its prime, which will prove beneficial to all mankind.
Please contribute to the universe and usher humanity into a new era.
Yes / No
Bai Yan frowned.
“If someone clicks ‘Yes’ here, they’ll be forced to become a sacrifice,” he muttered under his breath.
The ritual clearly required voluntary consent to initiate. Ordinary people, unaware of the significance, would likely respond without much thought.
“In this city, who knows how many have already fallen victim to this scheme? Most people don’t have the awareness to be cautious about these things.”
He tapped the screen, attempting to search for information about the “Equal Wellness Club,” but found nothing of real value.
Shaking his head, Bai Yan rose from his seat.
“This ritual must have taken a long time to prepare. The Church of Ruins wouldn’t orchestrate something like this without careful planning.”
He didn’t open the event interface or select any tasks. Instead, he left the villa, stepping into the morning mist that shrouded Tatsumi City.
The streets were coming alive, people bustling about as they began their day.
Bai Yan activated “Deep Blue World” and navigated through the city. In no time, he arrived at a location embedded in his memory.
A Familiar Setting
“This is the place,” he murmured.
Standing before him was an old school—Tatsumi City’s 17th High School.
It was an unremarkable institution in the Hikarishi district, attended by ordinary students with average grades and mundane lives.
There was nothing inherently special about it.
However, Bai Yan recalled that the second task, “Fleeting Beauty,” could be solved here.
He furrowed his brow, muttering to himself:
“But there’s a complication in this school—something big. If she gets involved, things could spiral out of control.”
“But… given her personality, she probably won’t interfere without a reason.”
He pulled out his phone.
“I’ll need a reliable Core Operator to assist me. Let’s see who’s fortunate enough to earn the role this time.”
Li Yin’s Obsession
Li Yin always believed she was beautiful.
Her parents had proudly praised her looks since she was a child, and neighbors often admired her, calling her “the little beauty.”
These compliments weren’t mere flattery—Li Yin knew they were sincere.
In junior high, she never lacked admirers. But she valued academics more than romance and found her classmates immature and unworthy.
Even so, she reveled in the attention. She adored being confessed to and enjoyed the envious gazes of others.
To maintain her status, Li Yin learned to enhance her appearance, mastering the art of makeup and fashion. By high school, she was confident she’d be the school’s most beautiful girl.
Until she met her.
On her first day of high school, Li Yin arrived dressed impeccably, ready to claim her title as the school flower.
But then she saw her—a girl who casually slept through class until the teacher roused her.
When the girl lifted her head, the entire classroom was stunned.
Her beauty was breathtaking.
Unlike Li Yin, this girl wore no makeup. Yet her natural elegance and stunning features overshadowed everyone.
“Is she even human?” Li Yin thought, her confidence crumbling.
From that day forward, Li Yin lived under the shadow of this girl’s presence.
Even her renewed efforts couldn’t surpass that natural beauty.
Her jealousy festered until a chance encounter at a middle school reunion introduced her to the Equal Wellness Club.
The Club promised balance, harmony, and beauty.
And it delivered.
After joining, Li Yin became more radiant than ever. Yet, she still fell short of that one girl.
She couldn’t let it go.
One day, as she left school, two strangers stood in her path.
A man in a black robe smiled gently, his demeanor aristocratic and serene. Beside him stood a young girl with golden hair and emerald eyes, her beauty almost otherworldly.
“Have you been to the Equal Wellness Club too?” Li Yin asked cautiously.
The young girl, Maryse, turned to the man and spoke softly.
“Elder, I’ve found her. She’s the one.”
“Our mission objective.”
