Chapter 399

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Chapter 399: The Virtue of Honesty

Broken Paradise was a world unlike any other—a dimension where every event was as real as it could get. Here, life held no second chances. Death in Broken Paradise meant death in reality.

Walking its treacherous paths, some were blessed with fortune, while others faced relentless suffering. Few experienced moments of hardship only to rise above, while many surrendered to despair. Surviving alone was nearly impossible, and thus, cooperation became a necessity.

This necessity gave birth to teams—groups of practitioners from various disciplines banding together to brave the unknown dangers of Broken Paradise. For those who endured, the rewards were immense. Beyond the trials, hunting ancient god residues often yielded treasures: fragments of ancient thoughts or rare materials, invaluable even in the outside world.

Bai Wei soon learned that not all ancient god residues worked alone. Some retained fragments of sentient will, transforming human souls into their puppets. These puppets—warriors, mages, immortals, and others—were deadly projections, fighting under the control of these residues.

Encountering such enemies signified reaching the mid-level areas of Broken Paradise, where the stakes grew perilous. Here, practitioners faced threats that didn’t abide by rules. The puppets were often indistinguishable from real people, making ambushes frequent and lethal. Falling into one meant not only death but also becoming a puppet yourself.

For Bai Wei, his first encounter with such an enemy was a trial by fire. The residue—a clam-like creature with grotesque, purple flesh—controlled over twenty projections. Each puppet bore strength beyond average warriors, their red health bars glowing ominously.

Bai Wei left his companion, Crouching Tiger, to hold the line, while he unsheathed his second sword: Yunhu.

Yunhu wasn’t an extraordinary blade, but it was unyielding—unbreakable in the face of adversity. Bai Wei valued practicality over flashiness, believing a true swordsman could wield any weapon with skill and purpose.

Swinging Yunhu, Bai Wei unleashed a devastating move: “Deficiency of Mountains and Rivers.” A tidal wave of power erupted, crashing through the ranks of puppets. One by one, the projections fell—shattered, broken, lifeless.

But the residue remained. Its shell closed, deflecting Yunhu’s strike. Undeterred, Bai Wei charged forward, golden power flaring as he pried the shell open with sheer force.

Crouching Tiger seized the opportunity, leaping into the clam and spinning wildly like a deadly blade. Bai Wei shut the shell tight, leaving the tiger to wreak havoc within. Moments later, the clam cracked open, revealing a battered and defeated residue. Crouching Tiger emerged, triumphant and satisfied.

With the residue vanquished, the remaining puppets collapsed. For a brief moment, their dull, lifeless eyes flickered with clarity. Knights saluted with imperial grace, warriors bowed respectfully, and mages offered solemn gestures. Then, one by one, they dissipated, leaving behind their ancient weapons and artifacts.

Hatsurai Wagaizuma, Bai Wei’s companion, picked up a red gemstone bracelet. “This looks like an antique,” she said.

“Probably over three hundred years old,” Bai Wei replied, examining it briefly.

“What about this sword?” she asked, holding up an imperial blade.

“Standard issue for knights. Seven hundred years old, maybe. But without maintenance, it’s not worth much.”

Hatsurai sighed, her arms filled with relics. “So many… Twenty, maybe thirty items. All left behind by people who died here.”

Bai Wei nodded. “Each of them came here hoping to survive. Their presence proves they fought until the end.”

Hatsurai’s eyes clouded with sadness. “They vanished without a trace, forgotten by history… Would I become one of them if I died here?”

Bai Wei glanced at her and said firmly, “Instead of thinking about death, focus on surviving.”

The pair ventured deeper into

Broken Paradise, the stakes

climbing with every step.

Suddenly, a knightly angel

sculpture crashed from the

heavens, shrouded in dust.

“Another trial?” Bai Wei

muttered, already accustomed

to such tests.

The sculpture spoke with an

imposing voice: “Accept the

trial of honesty, or remain here

forever.”

Bai Wei smirked. “Honesty? A

virtue I’ve mastered. What’s

the test?”

“Each of you must answer

three questions honestly,” the

sculpture declared.

Hatsurai raised a hand. “Do I

need to answer too? Can I join

in?”

Ignoring her, the sculpture

began. “The man will answer

first. Question one: Why do you

keep wielding a useless big

stick?”

Bai Wei clenched his fists. “I’m

about to destroy you right

now!”