Chapter 2404: Chapter 2404: Suspected Space Collapse

Xu Huo seemed to have gained some interest and asked which district the Gemstone Earring Man was from.

"C01-001." The Gemstone Earring Man answered cheerfully.

"What a coincidence." Xu Huo raised an eyebrow, "I also entered the Fish Banquet from District 001."

The Gemstone Earring Man laughed heartily, "That’s quite a destiny. After we leave here, why don’t you come visit my company? Although my status in the family is not in the first tier, entertaining a few friends is no problem."

Xu Huo had also been to a few 001 districts. Generally, districts are sorted according to the order of evolution commencement, though there are exceptions like E27-011 Zone where other districts were annexed, causing gaps filled by later evolving districts. However, District 001 is a Wormhole Point, one of the earliest districts, usually developing well with no external interference.

"The conditions in District 001 seem not so good." He hinted.

The Gemstone Earring Man’s expression did not change. "It’s not something unspeakable; a long time ago, there was a district defense war in District 001. The district barely survived, but the adverse effects remain unresolved to this day... that was decades ago."

Xu Huo nodded.

Seeing the relationship was a bit closer, the Gemstone Earring Man began to introduce himself. His surname was Lan, given name Huaijie. The family is somewhat famous in the southwest region of District 001, with many family members. The affairs are still managed by his great-grandfather’s generation, and as one of the younger generation, he has gradually been assigned a few companies to manage after reaching adulthood — nothing extraordinary but sufficient. In two years, his nephews and nieces will also start entering the game and companies.

What Lan Huaijie said could all be found on the Collection of Information Terminal. To recruit Xu Huo, he detailed it personally, and as a businessman, he was adept at displaying sincerity in all means, making others feel his genuine intent to the greatest extent.

Xu Huo appeared much more cautious, telling the other just his surname, Xu.

Lan Huaijie didn’t mind and rather discussed the situation in District 001. It was a consensus among all that without strength, anyone could be attacked at any time, so he candidly informed Xu that the entire District 001 was striving to retain more players, offering exceptionally good treatment to players from outer zones.

"Violent incidents have broken out in several places due to treatment issues," he said: "The local players feel it’s unfair, but the District Government is also helpless. After all, District 001’s conditions are not as good as other districts; to retain people, one must show sincerity."

"Moreover, from a business perspective, bringing people in means the resources allocated to them will ultimately be spent in District 001, and the items players bring back from other districts could also enrich District 001. It’s a profitable, no-loss trade."

"But it’s understandable since they didn’t leave during District 001’s crisis and endured hardships for District 001. It’s hard to be balanced seeing outsiders doing better."

"How was this issue resolved later?" Xu Huo asked.

"A foundation was established by player families, which compensated local players through government channels." Lan Huaijie said, "My family pays two billion White Notes annually."

He didn’t appear angry about paying this sum, but rather agreed and comprehended, "Everyone looks toward District 001’s future. The more peaceful and stable District 001 is, the easier it is to do business."

"How much do you earn in a year?" A mechanical electronic voice suddenly interjected. It was the Girl in the painting, who added, "I own a city."

Lan Huaijie didn’t perceive her boastful intent, instead expressing surprise: "Territorial management? It seems Mr. Xu has considerable influence in his district as well."

He showed a bit of regret, "In that case, the likelihood of you staying in District 001 is quite small."

"I am very powerful." The Girl in the painting said again: "The city is mine."

Lan Huaijie, having a keen eye, quickly noticed that Xu Huo was leading between the two. Although the Girl in the painting was strong, she seemed not too bright, but seeing Xu Huo said nothing, he went along complimenting her.

The Girl in the painting wasn’t foolish; after listening to a couple of sentences, she spitefully turned the game volume to maximum, staring expressionlessly at the person across.

Lan Huaijie immediately asked if she wanted another nutrient.

Of course, the Girl in the painting wanted one, and without any moral qualms about accepting resources, she drank while keeping the game volume high.

After listening for a while, Lan Huaijie couldn’t endure it anymore and put on sound-damping equipment, "Pardon me, this advanced player of mine is all fluff; my endurance is not comparable to genuinely skilled players in the game."

Xu Huo patted the Girl in the painting on the shoulder. Though reluctant, she glanced at Lan Huaijie before turning off the sound, but soon found other amusement to point out a spot growing larger behind Lan Huaijie.

They had previously seen a few such black spots, usually bodies projected from a space layer and disappearing after a while, but this time, the black spot gradually enlarged, turning into a pitch-black hole. Nothing could be seen inside from outside, and the fluctuating glow on the Spatial Body also vanished into this black hole.

Lan Huaijie stood up, alarmed, and took a few steps back, "Space collapse! Retreat quickly!"

While retreating, he pulled open his coat, extracting a thin wire from his chest skin—a miniature device implanted in his body, mixed with a small amount of fresh blood, was pulled out. The moment the device activated, a Space Portal made up of several intersecting two-meter-square frames appeared in front of him.

However, this Space Portal was unstable, with oscillating light on the square frames weakening and strengthening, possibly affected by the Spatial Power here. The passage failed to form completely while the black object already swallowed half the room. Facing life and death, Lan Huaijie could no longer maintain his previous composure. His temple veins throbbed; he tried reopening a space passage while attempting preventive measures with some instruments, but under these circumstances, their effectiveness was negligible. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Standing behind him, Xu Huo was not as anxious. Space collapse—he found it hard to believe this term would appear within a Prop. His understanding of space collapse should be like a dimensional storm tearing a train track, resulting in irreversible disasters, not a gradual blackness as seen now.

"Is this a space collapse?" Xu Huo tried his personal panel and it still opened normally; he put a ticket into his pocket, drawing the Girl in the painting closer to himself.

Lan Huaijie could not even spare a glance backward at him, speaking in an anxious tone, "Do not underestimate it. The reason it seems so harmless is due to this space’s uniqueness, where the Spatial Body thickens the space. The collapse must’ve originated from afar; if it engulfs this room, we might be thrown into an unknown place—finding oneself in a secluded small space is a stroke of absolute luck. Falling into a Dimensional Space rift, we wouldn’t leave even a strand of hair behind!"

"That’s exactly what puzzles me," Xu Huo calmly watched him, "even in such a situation, you don’t consider using the ticket to return to District 001?"