Chapter 1053: Revival of All Things
Su Ming'an resurrected many people.
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[Passive Skill (The Republic): From now on, you can retrieve history through personal experience (touching antiques, studying ancient paintings, contacting old era ballads, consulting the elderly about the past, exploring relics, etc.), and store history in your mind.]
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Heart's Blood + Soul Ferry, equivalent to a large C drive + computer. When Su Ming'an viewed the lives of fifty Fire Transmitters, their information formed the Heart's Blood.
The second person he resurrected was Tang, the former Alliance Hierarch of the Human Self-Rescue Alliance.
Upon rising, Tang gave him a serene and soft smile: "Greetings, Old God. It seems we are really heading into spring."
Su Ming'an had a very peculiar feeling. Watching the characters from these images truly step before him gave him a sense of "Genesis." Creating life has always been the domain of gods, and he was already involved.
The third person to be resurrected was Su Shize, the former Deputy Minister of the City Guardian Department.
"...So, there really is a day to see the Mortal World again."
Su Shize was still wearing the Evil Ghost Mask, dressed in Tang's clothes, with a withered white morning glory pinned to his chest.
The fourth and fifth resurrected were Su Lixian and Yi Zhongyu's mother, Lin Yuzi.
As Lin Yuzi rose, Yi Zhongyu couldn't help but approach. Although he knew this might not be his resurrected mother, as long as Schrodinger's cat's box isn't opened, the cat's death isn't inevitable.
Beside him, Su Lixian kept gazing at Su Ming'an. Although Su Ming'an wore a Human Skin Mask, she seemed to perceive something.
"...Is it Wensheng?" Su Lixian stared at Su Ming'an, extending her hands as if wanting to give him a hug.
Su Ming'an froze. Su Lixian's eyes were incredibly soft, filled with a mother's concern and longing for her child.
...How long had it been since he last saw such an expression.
He shook his head, not informing this mother of Su Wensheng's death: "I am not Su Wensheng. Su Wensheng is... far away."
He only used "Wang Han's Human Skin Mask" to borrow Su Wensheng's address and identity. From the start, the Tenth World had told him—his role this time was merely [Su Ming'an]. As for the later appearing corrupted version of Su Wensheng, he truly didn't know where it came from.
Su Lixian regretfully withdrew her hands: "Okay... then I'll go find him again."
The sixth person resurrected was Doctor Su from Dao Ya City. Doctor Su did not choose to participate in this war but decided to return to Dao Ya City.
"I don't understand the essence of life, nor do I know if I count as resurrected." Dr. Su murmured, "But... my memory tells me a child who loves playing with dolls is still waiting for me in the basement of Dao Ya City, he's been waiting for me to return to see him... Old God, thank you for bringing us back to the Mortal World."
"Please deliver something for me after returning." Su Ming'an took out a long-held stuffed doll—this was a doll he bought for Chi before the college entrance exam.
Doctor Su left with the doll.
Afterwards, Su Ming'an resurrected those lives he had stored, one by one.
Old Day 779, researcher Tina. Old Day 779, politician Lusi. Old Day 784, Northern General Yang Jiayu. Old Day 784, priest Wyklev. Old Day 788, painter Tengsaki Nanako. Old Day 794, envoy Baselomew. Old Day 797, white-collar worker Shen Yuqing...
Individual silhouettes woke up on the dark land, with different hair colors, different skin tones... Those skilled in healing went to the healing team. Those skilled in research went to the Central Research Institute. Those skilled in talismans went to the army.
The first reaction of people after resurrection was to contact their family. However, a long time had passed, and many woke up alone, without any relatives in sight.
"Mom... has already passed away...?" Shen Yuqing's tablet fell to the ground.
She gazed incredulously at the date on the tablet and knelt on the ground.
Su Ming'an could not hear her voice, his mind was already filled with enormous information. When he attempted to resurrect Su Wensheng, a system prompt popped up:
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["Su Wensheng's" information no longer exists in the Heart's Blood, resurrection is impossible.]
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Su Ming'an's gaze paused; he had multiple encounters with the corrupted version of Su Wensheng. Could it be that the corrupted version of Su Wensheng took away Su Wensheng's information?
Time was tight, so he quickly devoted himself to resurrecting others.
Lu Meng and other players continuously brought energy to Su Ming'an. Energy was limited; it was impossible to resurrect millions of people. Su Ming'an could only make targeted choices, prioritizing those with high abilities, strong strengths, and high willingness to be resurrected.
During this period, Lu Meng reported the situation on the frontline:
"On the west line, 38,291 have died, 192,810 wounded. On the north line, 28,191 have died, 103,912 wounded. On the east line, due to an attack by Shui Daochuan's army, and the involvement of many players, casualties have exceeded one hundred thousand. Their skills swept over, making it difficult for the soldiers to withstand..."
"The west line is the five corps of the Human Self-Rescue Alliance, the east line is the combined forces of alliances and guardian departments, ancient martial arts in the north, while the player army brings up the rear. A total of thirty-seven corps are advancing, we will ensure that you can still guard Nine Serenities after leaping down, waiting for your return."
"Now, besides the Nine Serenities battlefield, away from thousands of smaller battlefields, the largest battlefield is the rear battlefield near Dawn City. The deities know our military deployment well, They want to cut off our resources line, but fortunately, there are many Talisman Family members with teleportation abilities. Isabella and Eli are leading the Dream Patrol Family troops in resistance. We players will also do our best to assist you..."
She reported, looking up for a moment.
The Old God listened quietly, motionless, even his eyelashes seemed frozen.
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A giant crow flew across the sky.
A blond-haired youth sat on the crow, overlooking the battlefield.
"What an orderly battlefield. The formation changes, in-battle support, and logistical support are all smoothly done. Typically, such a massive war must have neglected areas, but this battle seems to have only one brain commanding." Noel muttered to himself.
Compared to the Holy Alliance Army, the orders from the Old God Army were too timely, the command perspectives were on completely different levels. One side seemed to be fighting with an open map battle, the other side seemed to be fighting with their eyes covered.
"Who is commanding the Old God Army?" Noel said.
Since the Witch Age had not yet fully connected with the current world, he still needed to periodically return to the Witch Age and could only occasionally come to see the current world.
Yinke's beak pointed in one direction.
The battlefield was vast, the most conspicuous position was near Nine Serenities—a blue shimmering shield, like a small island standing immobile in the black waves.
When Noel looked over, he was stunned.
The Old God, surrounded by many, sat under the protection of the blue barrier. The Old God's eyes were closed, seemingly with consciousness traveling afar. The Eye of the Old Days was held in his left hand as a faith collector, the Sword of Yarman in his right hand, white tendrils like wings layered and accumulated behind him.
One by one, the figures he resurrected rushed to the battlefield.
—This battle seemed to be commanded by only one brain.
In comparison to the Holy Alliance Army, the Old God's army orders were too timely, the level of command perspective of both sides was not on the same level. One side seemed to be fighting with full map awareness, the other appeared to be battling blindly.
Yinke's beak pointed in a direction.
Noel looked over and was stunned.
The battlefield was vast, and the point closest to the Nine Serenities was the most visible—a blue shimmering shield, like a small island standing immobile in the dark land lake.
Noel looked towards it and was stunned.
The Old God quietly listened, motionless, even his eyelashes seemed to be frozen.
One by one, figures were resurrected by him, rushing towards the battlefield.
—This battle seemed to have only one mind directing it.
"No wonder... the orders on the battlefield are so timely," Noel murmured.
Those resurrected by Su Ming'an have a vague connection with him. The Revivers are scattered across the vast battlefield, like independent AI, while Su Ming'an is like the central control of the Dawn System, coordinating and controlling their actions.
Even if someone dies, the information remains stored in Su Ming'an's mind, allowing them to be resurrected a second, third time.
These Revivers have already died once; some will cherish life more, while others, left alone, no longer value life. The villager Debbie always ran at the forefront, running as if rushing towards endless freedom. With a loud "boom," she vanished in the flames like someone clearing a minefield.
Soon, new Revivers were born again. In the next round, Su Ming'an would tend to resurrect those who cherish life.
He sat on the Divine Platform, strategizing.
His eyes were tightly closed, yet he could oversee the entire situation, akin to a deity.
Every crisis from every corner could be transmitted to him immediately, analyzed by the think tanks beside him, and then fed back. It was as if the battlefield in his eyes was a completely clear chessboard.
With every resurrection, his face would turn paler, his mind burdened with an overload of information, a pain beyond words.
Each appropriately resurrected Reviver could save dozens of lives that were meant to be lost.
He bore the weight of "a multitude of lives" in war onto himself. Just a little longer, and he could prevent many from perishing.
...It was as if he was consuming his own life to replace those that should have died.
"...Yinke, look." Noel murmured.
Noel looked at the immobile blue barrier, where resurrected people kept emerging from Su Ming'an's side and heading in different directions.
"He's continuously resurrecting new soldiers, he now seems... truly a bit like a 'Queen of the Insect Race'," Noel said.
Hearing this joke from the world's forum, Yinke humorously wanted to laugh. Many people had hoped for Su Ming'an to become the Queen of the Insect Race in the Tenth World, and now he does resemble that. After all, the mission of the Queen of the Insect Race is to constantly produce new soldiers, quite fitting with the current scenario.
"Ga—ga—"
But after letting out a laugh, they saw Noel's face without a hint of a smile.
...Only solemnity.
Yinke also restrained their smile and fell silent.
"...How is this possible, to keep going," Noel's blue eyes showed no trace of humor: "Even for the Queen of the Insect Race, there is a cost to producing new soldiers... What about Su Ming'an?"
Thus, he perceived Su Ming'an as a statue of a god.
Su Ming'an's complexion was almost as pale as a marble statue.
Yet people couldn't notice his expression, for they believed in the god. How could a god be as weary as humans, since gods do not rest, they do not tire.
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[Broke through the twelve defensive lines on the western front, Exp+3000!]
[Killed the deputy general of the third legion of the deities, Exp+3000!]
[Battlefront advanced 1km, Exp+2000!]
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"Ding dong!"
[You have been promoted to a (Fifth Rank Three) player.]
[Your faction contribution points are now ranked first.]
[Your battlefield contribution points are now ranked first.]
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Su Ming'an looked up.
The battlefield is the fastest place to gain experience points; he is the highest leader. Since the start of the war, his experience points have soared like a rocket.
High faction contribution points can be exchanged for rewards, likely for a weapon as powerful as a floating cannon; he prefers something defensive, as the shield of the mechanical wheelchair is still somewhat inadequate.
"...Su Ming'an." Chao Yan's voice came from beside him.
Su Ming'an turned and saw the black-haired girl riding a motorcycle towards him.
"Take a break, someone's brought you a strawberry cake." Chao Yan held a dinner plate in her hand.
Su Ming'an glanced at it and then looked away.
Noel's crow was too large to approach this core area, so he could only entrust Chao Yan to deliver it, but he had no time to eat cake.
"Did Noel go back?" Su Ming'an asked.
"Yes, he's returned to the Witch Age. Because a Kennit Emperor arose in the Witch Age, starting a war in an attempt to unify, and also wanting to unify the script and develop industry. Such an overreaching act has provoked the wrath of the Church. His militarism has incurred widespread wrath," Chao Yan said calmly, "that era is very chaotic; as a Divine Son of the Church, Noel cannot leave for too long. Perhaps he's back to suppress the Kennit Emperor."
Su Ming'an was somewhat surprised that Noel was the Divine Son in the Witch Age. The deity was indeed bold, not fearing being stabbed in the back.
"I had no idea the Witch Age developed like this; I really don't have time to play," Su Ming'an said.
Thanks to Blackberry's ability, it made no difference even without the support of the Supreme Mage; Noel would know his limits.
He noticed new burn marks on Chao Yan's arm:
"...Did you burn yourself again?"
"Having the ability, I can't not act. I saved dozens on the way." Chao Yan's gaze was very tranquil: "[The Witch Age←→Reality] inter-dimensional creatures are still alive; each time, only Noel and I can temporarily extract their souls, allowing Noel to complete the smuggling."
Su Ming'an sometimes thought, if he were a woman, perhaps his possession target in the Tenth World would be Chao Yan.
Whether it was her composure, perseverance, cool-headedness, or her refusal to give up in the face of numerous world resets, and her sense of responsibility—"I can, so I must stop the world reset"—it was all very similar. Even her mentality of burning herself to save others was very alike.
"Sometimes when I see you, I think of myself," Chao Yan rested her chin in one hand: "Including what you're thinking now, I can see it. You're thinking... since you can save more people, you must push yourself more because the price is just yourself, right?"
Su Ming'an gently closed his eyes.
There was no expression on his pale face.
"In just the two minutes I was speaking," Su Ming'an said softly, "102 people died."