Volume 1 Chapter 17: Mafa’s Investment

“Have you felt the rejection from Shattered Starry Sky?” Mafa did not hide the surprise on his face at all, staring intently at Qin Lun. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, it matches the rejection phenomenon mentioned by the academy,” Qin Lun said with a smile. “Originally, I thought about leaving quietly, but you have taken good care of me over the past half month. Before leaving Moonlight Forest, I felt I should inform you.”

Probationary Apostles like Qin Lun were considered to have settled in Moonlight Forest, but the Floating City did not restrict their freedom. This was to ease the concerns of Apostles about safely entering other worlds. In any case, the flow of time in other worlds and Shattered Starry Sky differed. Generally, after an Apostle completed one Otherworld Mission, only a few hours passed in Shattered Starry Sky, which did not affect their schedule in the Floating City.

“Your choice is correct,” Mafa said, his eyes flickering with hesitation. But he quickly gritted his teeth as if making a major decision. “Qin Lun, please wait for a moment. I will be back soon!”

Mafa hurriedly left the hall, leaving Qin Lun alone in the headquarters of the Internal Affairs Hall.

Qin Lun smiled knowingly and turned to look around the Internal Affairs Hall located in the eastern part of the forest. The hall was simply decorated, with walls covered in lush green vines. Most of the items were made of wood, with few shiny metal utensils. However, these items were intricately carved, full of artistic flair, and reflected the elegant taste typical of the Elven Race.

Mafa returned quickly, carrying a package in his hand. He handed it to Qin Lun with a solemn expression.

“Moonlight Forest’s assistance to Apostles generally follows the principle of equivalent exchange. This is an iron rule for all Sapient Races in Shattered Starry Sky. As the Internal Affairs Officer of Moonlight Forest, I cannot violate the Floating City’s regulations to provide you with additional help. However, as a friend, I can give you something of my own!”

Qin Lun’s eyes gleamed. He took the package readily and grinned. “I also need a vehicle!”

“It’s already parked at the forest exit!” Mafa replied with an understanding smile.

“Elder Mafa, are you really so confident in this Probationary Apostle’s potential? Even if he already has a Soul Mark, his chances of passing his first Otherworld Mission are no more than one in three,” an Elf guard whispered to Mafa Moliya after Qin Lun left.

“Do you know what it means that he received an Otherworld Mission just half a month after entering Shattered Starry Sky?” Mafa asked calmly, answering his own question. “It means that if he develops smoothly, he could reach heights we cannot imagine in just a few years. His growth speed is more than ten times faster than those Apostles who only receive one Otherworld Mission every six months…”

When Qin Lun reached the forest exit, he indeed saw a brand-new four-wheeled vehicle parked in front of the plant corridor. The vehicle was entirely black, making it easy to hide. Although Elves were not fond of using high technology in the Floating City, this vehicle had quite advanced features, even equipped with a terrain navigation system for Crimson Gobi.

Perhaps considering that some Probationary Apostles might not know how to drive, the vehicle also had an autonomous driving system. Qin Lun tossed the package Mafa had given him into the vehicle and happily got in. He activated the auto-navigation and drove out of the Floating City’s bottom exit, speeding into Crimson Gobi.

After switching to autonomous driving mode, Qin Lun opened the package. His eyes immediately lit up. Inside was a small, gleaming green crossbow. This crossbow resembled Mafa’s family heirloom, but while Mafa’s heirloom used bolts, this one did not come with any arrows.

Upon closer inspection, Qin Lun realized that this crossbow used wind arrows. Below the crossbow was a finger trigger, but there was no bowstring. The bow arms, shaped like bird wings, were fan-like, with a curved crack at the front. A small Magic Crystal was placed at the back of the crossbow. When the trigger was pulled, the curved crack would release a crescent-shaped Wind Blade.

The crossbow was very light. Qin Lun test-fired a few Wind Blades at a large rock by the roadside. The power was decent, with each Wind Blade leaving deep marks on the rock. A green glow occasionally flickered across the crossbow’s surface, as if it had its own Soul.

Qin Lun sighed softly. When he had touched Mafa’s family heirloom, he had sensed it was a piece of Spiritual Equipment. Seeing the crossbow Mafa had given him now confirmed his earlier guess.

Besides the crossbow, the package contained a handwritten letter from Mafa, three walnut-sized Vine Seeds, and a thumb-sized crystal vial. The vial contained a thick, emerald-green liquid. When he uncorked it, a rich, woody fragrance filled the air, refreshing his mind and filling his body with vitality.

In the letter, Mafa called the crossbow “Wind Spirit Crossbow,” and the emerald-green liquid “World Tree Dew.” This was an extremely rare water of life that could provide abundant vitality to living organisms, greatly enhancing immunity and recovery, and offering excellent effects against any illness or injury.

The three Vine Seeds were a type of vine seed. As long as Qin Lun smeared his blood on them, he could command them.

When facing an unavoidable danger, he could throw the seeds to the ground and activate them with his will. A three-meter-tall vine golem would appear, capable of blocking pursuers for its master. However, the vine golem would sprout and take root, unable to move. The energy within the seeds would only last for about an hour, making them low-level cannon fodder.

Among these three items, the “Wind Spirit Crossbow” was a piece of Spiritual Equipment, while the “World Tree Dew” and Vine Seeds were special treasures with World Law. All of them could be taken by Apostles into other worlds through the Space-Time Portal. However, not every other world could accommodate these items; the other world had to have a World Law that supported their use.

Even so, for Qin Lun, who was merely a Probationary Apostle, Mafa’s favor was significant, and repaying it would be challenging.

After driving for about half an hour away from Moonlight Forest, Qin Lun headed towards a rocky cliff in the Gobi. Reaching the base of the cliff, he hid the vehicle in the shadows and then walked towards a steep rock face opposite.

This type of vehicle was too conspicuous. Although he had hidden it, there was no guarantee it wouldn’t be discovered. If someone realized it belonged to an Apostle who had entered another world and not yet returned, they might set up an ambush around it. Climbing to the top of the opposite cliff would prevent him from being caught off guard and allow him to oversee the area around the vehicle from above.

Upon reaching the cliff top, Qin Lun sat cross-legged. He stored the crossbow and the three Vine Seeds in his Storage Space, cleared his mind of all thoughts, and quietly awaited the next rejection from Shattered Starry Sky.

Under the scorching sun of Crimson Gobi, on a steep rock cliff, a fair-faced young man sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, meditating. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, yet his expression remained serene, as if unaffected by the intense heat, still wearing a contented smile.

Suddenly, a flash of electricity appeared before the young man. A Space-Time Portal, as tall as a person, materialized out of thin air. Like an oval-shaped blue vertical eye, it swallowed the young man whole. Then, as if zipped shut, the Space-Time Portal vanished from the cliff top. A small whirlwind swept up the spot, erasing all traces of the young man’s presence.

“The Apostle’s first transmission into another world has commenced. The Shattered Laws are activating…”

“…Shattered Law Article 831: The Apostle is assigned the vacant number 70053…”

“Shattered Starry Sky has established the following bilateral contract with Apostle 70053:

1. Upon completion of the contract mission, Shattered Starry Sky will provide the Apostle with adequate rewards and maintain and repair the Apostle’s Soul Lifespan.

2. During the mission, any World Origin obtained by the Apostle must be submitted according to the mission quota. Excess World Origin can be exchanged with Shattered Starry Sky for equipment, items, skills, or bloodlines. The exchange list is based on the existing laws of Shattered Starry Sky (including all laws submitted by Apostles and the power laws possessed by native races).

3. The Apostle must not violate the confidentiality clauses related to the Shattered Contract: including all Otherworld Missions, otherworld law systems, and personal adventure experiences… They must not reveal related information in any suggestive form to any native race of any world or to unnumbered Apostles (including the native races of Shattered Starry Sky).

4. When the Apostle’s personal power reaches a certain level, Shattered Starry Sky will unlock the Apostle’s professional advancement laws.

5. For each Otherworld Mission completed, the Apostle will earn Contribution Points, which are related to the promotion of the Apostle’s virtual titles and ranks.

…

The specific terms of the above contract clauses will be explained in detail after the Apostle completes their first Otherworld Mission and corresponding tasks!”

“Space-Time Transmission has ended!”

“The Apostle Soul Mark has been integrated into the body of a deceased character and transformed into a Law Body! (This transformation is a free gift for the first Otherworld Mission).”

“Aligning the Law Body with the laws of this world… Certain incompatible laws are retained…”

“Current status of the Law Body: 93%.”

“Apostle 70053, this is your first journey to another world. Shattered Starry Sky will assign you one basic Otherworld Mission and will not arrange any additional tasks.”

“Note: Your mission execution time in this world is thirty natural days. After completing the mission, you can apply to leave this world at any time. Unless you obtain additional hidden plotlines, you will be forcibly transmitted out of this world when the mission time ends. When exiting this world, be sure to adhere to the confidentiality clauses, or bear all consequences yourself.”

“Note: Shattered Starry Sky has detected the presence of a Soul Mark and has incorporated the residual memories of the deceased character into the Death Notice. You can check your Plot Identity and remaining memory materials in the Death Notice.”

“Note: The Shattered Laws have granted you the common human language of this world. You can interact with humans in this world. After exiting the world, the Shattered Laws will delete this additional law from the Law Body.”