Chapter 279: 188: Finally Waiting for You, Glad I Didn’t Give Up_1
Chapter 279: Chapter 188: Finally Waiting for You, Glad I Didn’t Give Up_1
This was a boundless void where no limits could be seen.
In the distant sky, like a fractured mirror, each scene reflected the vista of a different world.
At this moment, Jiang Chen’s consciousness had already transformed into a fluctuating humanoid light being, hovering in this domain of nothingness.
Countless meteor-like orbs of light fell around him, turning into similar luminous beings.
Because they were so densely packed, some of the luminous beings appeared to ignore Jiang Chen’s presence.
They collided directly with him, passing through his “body” to the distance beyond.
“This is the Abyss Levels…”
Jiang Chen’s gaze swept across, where countless mecha pilots had transformed into luminous beings, almost forming a river of light.
All of them were abyss mecha pilots of the 3rd Rank or higher, their numbers endless and impossible to calculate.
As he attentively perceived…
He discovered that these luminous beings, while seemingly existing in the same void, actually resided on different planes.
That’s why they couldn’t touch each other and could pass directly through.
“This isn’t quite accurate, actually.”
“It seems everyone is in a different world, yet they can sense each other, communicate, and even distinctly feel each other’s presence.”
“It’s as if they are in some kind of incomprehensible superimposed state.”
“They exist, yet they do not exist.”
Jiang Chen had received information about the Purgatory level from Lan Yi.
Right now, he still felt a sense of eye-opening wonder.
In particular, this inexplicable superimposed state greatly moved him.
It inspired a flash of insight.
He couldn’t help but enter the state of the Extreme Battle Spirit, perceiving and analyzing the countless pieces of information drifting in the Purgatory level, enriching his own repository of knowledge.
It was during this process that he suddenly sensed something and stepped towards a certain direction.
Moving past numerous luminous beings, he saw two groups of them gathered in an open space, transmitting thoughts and rapidly exchanging information.
These thought waves did not travel far in the void, dissipating automatically after a certain distance.
When Jiang Chen arrived, the two groups of luminous beings seemed to have finished their exchange.
The group with fewer members left indignantly, leaving behind only a trace of their fluctuations.
“Bluegreen Deity Civilization, the shame of level 8!”
The remaining group, larger in number, revealed emotions of joy and disdain as they rapidly communicated.
“Heh, the little brats of the Divine Lord Civilization are barking again.”
“…Alas, our Bluegreen Deity Civilization prioritizes the greater good and does not wish for the destruction of many civilizations at the hands of the Infinite Purgatory, mediating in the middle.”
“…Who would have thought, to be slandered by the Divine Lord Civilization like this…”
“It’s okay, brother, we understand.”
“With Jiang Chen now on our side, we no longer need to make compromises.”
“…You’re right, let’s go, I’ll treat you to a nourishment for the soul!”
This group of luminous beings quickly disappeared after their exchange.
Leaving Jiang Chen standing in place, scratching his head.
Divine Lord, Bluegreen Deity… Is the other party Ancient Eon?
Were the mecha pilots from the three great civilizations of the Purgatory level just in a meeting?
Talking about what happened to themselves… Was it the Legendary Shadow’s record of challenges?
Jiang Chen was puzzled, but seeing that the onlookers were about to disperse, he hastily found someone at random to ask what had occured.
After a brief exchange, he finally realized.
The three major civilizations of the Purgatory level each represent the Fire Transmission, Fire Plunder, and neutrality camps, maintaining stability on the surface.
However, when Jiang Chen shattered the Legendary Shadow, he also shattered that state of affairs.
Now, the Bluegreen Deity Civilization had completely taken sides with the Ancient Eon Civilization, jointly suppressing the Divine Lord Civilization.
Frankly speaking…
Jiang Chen, listening to this passerby’s story, could in fact understand the Bluegreen Deity Civilization’s choice.
The Bluegreen Deity Civilization was neither a Fire Transmitter nor a Fire Plunderer—it did not have any Fire Transmitter traits at all and took a different path.
However, because it was invaded by the Infinite Purgatory as well, it was classified as part of the Purgatory level.
It had no direct conflicts of interest with the other two major civilizations; it couldn’t be plundered, and so naturally, it did not concern itself with good or evil, focusing on the bigger picture.
Seeing that the Fire Transmitter camp was rising now, its change of stance also followed logically.
The only thing that puzzled Jiang Chen was…
“They are, after all, three level 8 civilizations.”
“And their method of struggle is to throw insults on the street?”
“…You’ll get used to it.”
This passerby knew that Jiang Chen was a newcomer to the Purgatory level, unfamiliar with many rules, and spoke up.
“The Abyss Levels themselves are an exchange venue provided by the Abyss Rune for the numerous abyss civilizations, a safe area that discourages combat.”
“Even the [Endless Deathmatch Arena] exclusive to the Purgatory level requires mutual agreement before it can be initiated and entered…”
“The Deathmatch Arena is no place for simple sparring, you either win or you die.”
“Unless there is a truly deadly vendetta, few people would enter and risk their lives.”
“With all these restrictions in place, isn’t it only natural to vent by hurling a few insults, to indulge in a little verbal satisfaction?”
“Not just the ancient civilizations, we also vent like this in our day-to-day lives.”
The passerby paused for a moment, then suddenly intensified their thought waves.
It was akin to shouting loudly in a crowd.
“The Fire Plunderers are all fools!”
Countless passing luminous beings halted for an instant.
Numerous thought waves followed in transmission.
“That’s right, the Fire Plunderers are all fools!”
“I curse those Fire Transmitters…”
The passerby said with a smile.
“See, that’s how it is.”
“…6.”
Although this passerby was a bit hard to read.
Still, after he found out that Jiang Chen was a mecha pilot of the Fire Transmitter civilization, he was very friendly.
Having given quite a bit of information and guidance to different paths, he then left.
Jiang Chen watched the luminous being depart and nodded slightly.
Even if one were to set aside emotional factors, abandon entrenched notions, and elevate their perspective to a higher level—
civilizations themselves don’t inherently possess a distinction between good and evil.
Whether they are Fire Plunderers or Fire Transmitters, they all strive for better survival in the abyss and the expansion of their own civilizations.
However, the different paths they choose lead them to different camps, influencing their civilizations’ overall styles of conduct and tendencies.
Members of civilizations in the Fire Transmitter camp tend to be kind to others.
Even when facing strangers, with no expectation of any return, they do not mind stopping to offer some information and assistance.
Members of civilizations in the Fire Plunderer camp are often more self-centered.
Considering they treat humans from other civilizations like livestock, they naturally don’t show much goodwill or a friendly demeanor.
If Jiang Chen had to choose friends…
He would certainly choose the former.
“However, civilizations are complex and cannot be simply summed up in a few words…”
“Even within Fire Transmitter civilizations, there can be different stances.”
“For example, what happens when a Fire Transmitter civilization defeats a Fire Plunderer civilization?”
“Completely annihilate them, destroy them utterly?”
“Disperse them thoroughly and provide guidance?”
“Or perhaps… eliminate all high rank mecha pilots of the Fire Plunderer civilization, replicate their methods, and let them taste the bitterness of being plundered?”
Each choice corresponds to a certain inclination.
And with each situation, there are many choices.
Jiang Chen didn’t yet know what he would do if he found himself in such a situation.
“Take it slow…”
“There’s no rush to think about subsequent plans after blowing up the Fire Plunderer civilization.”
Jiang Chen followed the directions given by the passerby towards the “store.”
Although his name and Planet Blue Star’s name, due to Legendary Shadow’s record of passing through, had completely spread throughout the Purgatory level.
Even many of the Abyss Levels surrounding the Purgatory level also knew of his existence.
Yet, his heart was not greatly moved.
The abyss system was laid out like this.
The attentions of these ancient civilizations wouldn’t affect his growth.
Uh…
Considering that one could trade knowledge and civilization materials with ancient civilizations from the same camp,
to be accurate, it could accelerate the speed of growth.
“First, let’s browse the store and see what the specific materials are.”
The “store” of the Purgatory level was not a “shop” in the traditional sense.
But rather a [Civilization Traveling Merchant], or an [Abyss Levels Traveling Merchant].
Depending on the nature of the calamities, the Abyss Levels also have varying depths.
In some deeper Abyss Levels, there exist ancient civilizations stronger than level 8 civilizations with the likes of Primordial Fire, Rebirth, and Soul Plunder.
Lower level civilization mecha pilots do not have the permission to travel to those ancient civilization levels; they can only communicate with the civilizations in their own levels.
Thus, the concept of Abyss Levels Traveling Merchants came into being.
These merchants, carrying resources from ancient civilizations, emerge from deeper Abyss Levels, and their footsteps cover every shallow level.
In this way, they collect countless inheritances and resources from many abyss civilizations.
At this moment, before Jiang Chen even reached the vicinity of the Abyss Levels Traveling Merchant, he saw many tall giants of light.
They stood silently there, extremely conspicuous.
There were also many luminous beings gathered around the luminous giants.
They stood together in layers, almost forming a circle of light, with people occasionally stepping into the circle and others leaving.
“Is this how the overlay state is used?”
Jiang Chen’s gaze swept over these giants of light as information flowed into his mind.
[Primordial Fire Civilization], [Rebirth Civilization], [Heroic Spirit Civilization], [God Descending Civilization]…
Among these merchants from deeper Abyss Levels, besides the already known Primordial Fire and Rebirth civilizations, there were several fresh names.
They each represented different ancient civilizations.
Suppressing his curiosity, Jiang Chen walked towards the merchant of the Rebirth Civilization.
Lately, during his pie-in-the-sky planning on Planet Blue Star, he had imagined the Rebirth Civilization’s pie.
He had to first confirm whether this pie could actually be realized.
If what divine prodigy Ying Tian had said was a lie, and the Rebirth Civilization did not trade reincarnation qualifications…
Then he would have to find a new method for Senior Ruan to start anew.
…
Around the giant merchant representing the Rebirth Civilization, ephemeral rings of light revolved.
Luminous beings approached, merging into the rings of light.
It was inside these rings that the luminous being transformed from the consciousness of divine prodigy Ying Tian suddenly sensed something and was flooded with ecstatic joy.
“I knew it, if you came into the Purgatory level, you would definitely seek out the Rebirth Civilization’s merchant to confirm the qualifications for reincarnation!”
“I’ve finally waited for you, Enigmatic Mecha Pilot!”