This is ridiculous! Is there a bug?
Hao Jiu checked the conditions for completing the mission repeatedly, and they were all fully met. The Black Dragon had already kicked the bucket, so why wasn't the mission completed?
If you don't complete the beginner quests, you won't be able to accept new quests and will be stuck with the beginner label forever. There might even be some kind of punishment for not completing the beginner quests.
Most importantly, completing the missions rewards you with time-travel items, which are essentially free trips to other dimensions. If you don't get this reward, you'll have to spend energy to buy them if you want to go to other dimensions, which would be a huge loss!
"System God! I'm not done with you! You come out here! Aren't you a god? Can you hear me cursing? You're a liar!" Hao Jiu had tried to contact the System God before, but he couldn't do it no matter what he tried. He even thought that the System God would renege on the remaining two requests, and regretted not using them together in the first place.
"The God of the System?" Xiang Yu wondered. So there was an even stronger god above the God of Wine. But why did he have no respect for the God of Wine at all?
Hao Jiu was in a fit of anger and didn't care about anything else. He had accepted a task but couldn't complete it or cancel it. What was going on?
"Damn it! The system is too powerful..."
Just then, the sky, which had been sunny just moments before, suddenly turned pitch black.
"Big what?" The voice of the System God echoed softly.
"Great, great, great honor to grace us with your presence! I am so sorry for not welcoming you properly. My God, my newbie quest has a bug and I can't complete it. I am ashamed before the God of the System! I have no face to see the God of the System! What brings you here?" Hao Jiu wiped away non-existent sweat, thankfully he reacted quickly.
"Hao Jiu, I have created countless systems. Your starting point is higher than most new systems, if not the highest. Yet you managed to mess up even a beginner's task like this. It seems that using human souls to modify systems was a mistake. I am very disappointed."
"I've come here to fulfill the last two requests I granted you. I've already chosen the first one for you: to help you complete this beginner's quest. As for the second request, are you aware that this plane will soon collapse because of you?"
"Dimensional collapse? Why?" Hao Jiu was a little confused, but he vaguely felt that this might be related to his inability to complete the newbie mission.
"Because you used a time-reversal item in a lower plane, and it caused the worst side effect—time splitting. Now this plane has six split planes, each with a different time flow rate, but they all consume the energy of this plane."
For lower-level planes, let alone six branch planes, even one branch plane could potentially drain the main plane dry. After the main plane collapses, the branch planes will lose their energy source and, lacking stability, will soon collapse as well. Once the planes are destroyed, the living beings within them will naturally perish as well.
Therefore, I suggest that for your second request, you consider letting me help you resolve this problem and preserve this plane. Of course, if you don't care about this plane, I can send you on a time-travel trip to another plane.
"Go to another dimension? Can I bring other people with me?" Hao Jiuwan never expected that the flawed time reversal prop was so flawed. How could it be called flawed?
"Of course, you can take the host with you to another dimension related to the host, but you will have to complete another beginner mission. If this mission is canceled, I will not help you complete it."
"Bringing only the host isn't enough. I need to bring several more, the more the better!" Hao Jiu could tell from Xiang Yu's expression that he definitely disagreed. He was joking, of course. Besides Yu Ji, there was also Xiang's mother, Xiang Long, and the whole family. How could they all collapse along with the plane?
"Do you think traveling through time and space is an easy thing? However, if you can afford the extra cost, you can bring as many people as you want. Each additional person will consume an extra 10,000 energy points, and you will also have to buy a spaceship first, otherwise it will be a soul travel."
"Oh, omnipotent and great God of the System, could you please send me a spaceship?" Hao Jiu's heart sank. He only had 2,000 energy points left, but the God of Wealth was right in front of him, so there was still a chance.
"What do you think? This is no longer something that can be solved by flattery."
"Uh, I can't give it to you, how about I borrow one? I'll return it when I have more energy later." Hao Jiu thought to himself, how come this system god is even stingier than him? No matter how much energy he has, it's just a number to him, right?
"Don't waste my time any longer. Make your choice now, or I'll make it for you," the God of Systems said coldly.
"My God, don't be in such a hurry. The fact that you've come to me to fulfill the two requests you owe me shows that you are a trustworthy and reasonable god. Since these are my requests, it's better if I make them myself, right? Of course, if you insist on making the decision for me, there's nothing I can do, but if you insist on doing so, there's no need to tell me all this. I'll state my requests now, and I promise I won't take up too much of your time."
Hao Jiu is starting to realize what's going on. The God of the System must have some ulterior motive for coming all this way to save him. Otherwise, why not just pretend he doesn't know anything? Only a fool would believe that he came all this way just to fulfill a promise and meet a request!
Although it's unclear what the system god is after, having something to gain provides leverage in negotiations. The only certainty is that the system god doesn't want him to be buried with this plane in a muddled way; otherwise, there wouldn't be an option to transfer to another plane.
Moreover, if the God of the System only wanted to protect the plane, he could have done it quietly without having to come and tell him. Even if he spoke up because he heard those insults, he should be punished first.
"You're quite clever. Well then, you can make your request. It has to be reasonable. Don't say things like 'I want three more requests,' or you'll just humiliate yourself."
Hao Jiu thought to himself, "Just as I thought. Then I won't hold back and I'll extort you to death!"
"My God is right, it has to be reasonable! First of all, let me state that the state of this world is not entirely my fault, I am also a victim! What kind of bullshit flawed time reversal artifact is this! Is this a flaw? The world is about to be destroyed, is this a flaw?"
It's bad enough that you gave me this item without instructions, but even the name is misleading! If I knew beforehand that using this item would cause the destruction of a plane, would I have used it?
While using this item, time started accelerating forward halfway through, almost wasting all my effort. I thought that was the so-called flaw, but the real flaw is the damn destruction of the plane! I'm not taking the blame for this!
And do you think I want to use that broken tool? I just transmigrated here and haven't even bound myself to a host yet, and I've already run into the mutated system that I have to capture in the mission. It's such a big and long black dragon, it almost killed me!
It has also tampered with me. No matter who I bind to, it can know immediately. Moreover, the host of the mutated system is Liu Ji, who has the largest military force in this plane. It has already surrounded my host. Is this a beginner's task? Does it treat me as a beginner?
If it weren't for my god giving me a super newbie gift pack, my cleverness, and my powerful host, I would have been swallowed by that black dragon long ago!
Now, I finally managed to kill Liu Ji, the host of the Black Dragon, and then used a capture tool to narrowly escape death and kill the Black Dragon, but I still can't complete the mission. What did I do to deserve this? Why should I pay the price for everything?
You want me to make demands? Fine! First, give me a reasonable solution to this matter. Compensation for emotional distress, property damage, lost time, lost wages, nutritional expenses, and so on—all of it must satisfy me, the victim. Only then can it be considered reasonable!
Otherwise, you might as well just kill me here. Anyway, if this plane is destroyed, my host, their family, friends, and even all living beings in the entire plane will die. Coming here to harm others and myself is a sin I could never atone for! Do it!"
Chapter 97 Compensation
Hao Jiu's outburst left him feeling parched, but it was so satisfying!
I love reasoning and logic the most. Oh my god, face or money, choose?
Xiang Yu blinked, also shocked by Hao Jiu's words, and quite moved. The God of Wine was risking his life for him and his family!
It's not hard to tell from Hao Jiu's words that the owner of that voice was someone Hao Jiu couldn't possibly contend with, yet Hao Jiu managed to silence this incredibly powerful true god.
At this moment, the God of the System was indeed silent. This was not the first time Hao Jiu had said that this true god, who could only be heard but not seen, was out of power, but the last time was nothing compared to this time.
Just moments ago, he acted like a submissive sycophant, but suddenly he turned on the God of Systems, hurling insults at him. His change of heart was faster than flipping through a book; he was utterly fearless and utterly emboldened.
No, it should be called "the barefoot are not afraid of those wearing shoes." This is blatant extortion. Compensation for mental distress, property damage, lost time, lost wages, nutritional expenses... and so on.
With that mouth agape, it looks like even a spaceship wouldn't be enough to compensate Hao Jiu.
Of course, Hao Jiu didn't dare to go too far; enough was enough. He wasn't the kind of person who was unreasonable.
Hao Jiu wasn't worried when the God of the System remained silent. He would just wait for the outcome. In any case, the worst outcome would be that the God of the System would quietly resolve the plane collapse and then disappear. At least he would still have one reasonable request left.
After a long while, the voice of the God of Systems finally rang out again.
"I just carefully investigated the memories of that mutated system, and what you said is basically true. In your human terms, you committed manslaughter, and I just gave you a product without any explanation."
As for the word "flaw," you can understand it as the product itself boasting and exaggerating its own shortcomings. If the product's flaws are truthfully reflected in its name, would anyone still buy it?
I can only say that you were unlucky in this matter, but I did misunderstand you before. This task was indeed quite difficult, and you did a good job. Your choice of host was also very good.
Therefore, I have decided to resolve this issue in a different way and offer you some compensation. However, you have no room for negotiation and can only choose between the two options.
The first option is to compensate you with a spaceship that can take ten people to other dimensions, and I'll help you complete the beginner's quests.
The second option is to compensate you with the items needed to complete this beginner quest on your own, as well as the methods and items to save this plane, which you will have to accomplish yourself.
Both options have their advantages and disadvantages. You should think carefully about whether you want the spaceship or the plane. Let me remind you, although the spaceship I'm giving you isn't large, it's by no means a simple spacecraft. With this spaceship, you can easily occupy many planes.
I'll give you three minutes to consider. The timer has started. Please select.
That's so damn straightforward! So damn domineering! So damn tempting! A small spaceship—no, it should be called a small space battleship! It can easily conquer many planes of existence; how could it be without weapons?
Can this low-level plane compare to a space battleship? There's no need to even choose!
However... it is precisely in times like these that one must remain calm; those who are deceived are blinded by immediate gains.
Is it because there are billions of living beings in this plane, and the God of the System is testing my compassion?
They don't care if billions of lives are destroyed along with the plane; they can simply abandon or reuse it afterward.
Judging from the behavior of the God of Systems, it seems that he doesn't care much about this plane, but that may not be true.
Most importantly, the God of the System kindly reminded me that there was something wrong with my choice of spaceship, that something fishy was going on. The God of the System is so cunning!
Upon closer analysis, the first type of compensation is quite straightforward: the benefit one can gain is a spaceship, and the ability to use this spaceship to seize many other planes in the future.
However, the second option is highly uncertain and troublesome, and there are no apparent benefits. What benefit would it be to save this plane?
The fact that these two methods can coexist suggests there must be some hidden advantage, but since the God of Systems hasn't explicitly stated it, then...
"I protest!" Hao Jiu said indignantly.
"What are you protesting?" The God of Systems asked in a somewhat unfriendly tone.
"Unreasonable! Unfair! The second method of compensation is too little or not at all! After completing everything you said, I only completed the novice mission and saved this plane, but what kind of compensation is this? I have to fight for it myself, and there is no compensation for lost wages, mental distress, etc." Hao Jiu said angrily.
Xiang Yu listened from the side and nodded to himself. It seemed that the God of Wine was going to choose the second option in order to gain more benefits. He was truly a benevolent and wise man who cared about the common people and was unwilling to suffer losses. Excellent!
"I told you there's no room for negotiation. Both options are perfectly fair. If you're not satisfied with the second, then choose the first. There are two minutes left," the God of Systems said calmly.
"If you choose the first option, are you even human? Billions of living beings in this plane would die!" Hao Jiu declared righteously. "Xiang Yu! Tell me, which one should you choose?"
"The God of Wine is right. For the sake of millions of innocent lives, we cannot choose the first option. But neither the God of Wine nor I have received true compensation for the second option. My weapons are all broken, the divine medicine given by the God of Wine is all used up, and my spirit and property have also suffered great losses," Xiang Yu said, cupping his hands in respect.
This time, Hao Jiu was shocked. Overlord, you've changed...
But it's gotten better! Clever! A promising student indeed!
In fact, Xiang Yu was not a rigid person. If Hao Jiu had really chosen the first option, he would probably have agreed, but he would definitely have been unhappy. Ten people was too few, and the death of others would be too great a sin.
However, Hao Jiu chose the second option, which suited Xiang Yu's wishes perfectly. Therefore, Xiang Yu didn't mind helping Hao Jiu out, hoping to squeeze out as much benefit as possible.
The God of the System fell silent again, but soon spoke again, "Hao Jiu, you chose a good host. I can make an exception and add some compensation to both options. Since the weapon is broken, I'll give him a new one. As for the used divine medicine, I can return it to you in the form of energy. Don't think about anything else. Being too greedy will have dire consequences."
"Haha, my God, am I such a greedy person? Besides, as a great and generous god as you, the weapons you give away can't be too bad, otherwise they wouldn't be presentable."
Besides, energy is just a number to you. Just give me and Xiang Yu some money for medicine, and it will probably last us a lifetime. So let's do as you say!
For the sake of the billions of living beings in this world, and to save my god a spaceship and time to help me complete the mission, I choose the second option! Hao Jiu quickly knew when to stop, otherwise he would probably be wiped out without a trace.
"As you wish..." the system god said quietly.
With a flash of white light, many props and items appeared floating in the air in front of Hao Jiu. The most eye-catching were seven shiny discs, one large and six small, with a floating energy of three thousand points. However, the weapon surprised Hao Jiu. It was just a black, broken iron rod!
The mighty God of the System can't be this shameless, can he?
This weapon is way too damn casual!
Chapter 98 New Mission
After hearing Hao Jiu's praise of the system god, Xiang Yu was naturally looking forward to his new weapon. With his current strength, even if the broken weapon were repaired, it wouldn't be suitable for him anymore.
The result was this thing. But you can't judge a book by its cover, let alone a weapon.
Hao Jiu also thought of this at this moment. Wasn't the protagonist's weapon in a certain super popular modern novel just a fire poker?
But if the Overlord's weapon were really replaced with a fire poker, wouldn't it be a complete disaster?
In short, Hao Jiu's expression was very strange. He was dissatisfied but couldn't express it. At worst, he would use it as a trump card and kill everyone who had seen him.
At this moment, the God of the System continued, "This is the Ruyi Divine Iron. It can consume energy and change into different shapes and colors according to one's will. Its weight can also be changed at will according to the user's strength. Of course, the greater the difference from the initial form of the divine iron, the more energy is consumed. The main body is in the shape of a rod because this shape has the strongest plasticity."