The Measurer’s aura surged violently. Silver Crimson Snow refused to yield—energy clashed, rippling straight toward Qin Yu, whose combat ability was nearly nonexistent.
“Thankfully for Xiao Xue’s Bloodshadow Cloak… or I’d be in real trouble.”
Shielded by the cloak, Qin Yu weathered most of the shockwave.
The void standoff wasn’t over. Silver Crimson Snow drew Bloodrose and slashed.
A crimson sword aura, forged from blood energy, swept toward the hovering Measurer. He sidestepped, then summoned a starry halo.
The five orbiting celestial bodies spun once before hurling toward her. Silver Crimson Snow charged forward at blinding speed, weaving between the falling orbs.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Each impact detonated against the floor. Qin Yu flattened himself against the wall to avoid the blast.
Thankfully, the Observation Tower remained intact—protective magic woven into its walls held firm.
With unstoppable momentum, Silver Crimson Snow slashed downward. The Measurer raised the halo to block. They locked mid-air.
“Bloodwood Coffin!”
Behind him, the coffin materialized. Its lid swung open—a violent gravitational pull yanked at the Measurer, whose strength visibly waned.
“One who hasn’t awakened their Fated Artifact… only has a next life.”
Bloodrose bloomed. A flash of bloodlight—
The Measurer was impaled, hurled into the Bone-Devouring Blood Prison formed by the coffin.
A sickening crunch echoed. The execution sealed his fate beyond redemption.
The coffin snapped shut, returning to its ordinary form.
“As ruthlessly efficient as ever.”
As Silver Crimson Snow’s Fated Artifact, the Bloodwood Coffin was terrifyingly potent—not just for daily use, but in battle. Anyone dragged into the Bone-Devouring Blood Prison would suffer endless torment beneath countless spinning blades…
Silver Crimson Snow landed near Qin Yu. Residual blood energy still clung to her, radiating an aura that chilled the air.
But to Qin Yu, it meant little.
“You worked hard~ But since you killed the Measurer like that… what about his loot?”
“Hmph. I knew you’d ask.”
She tossed him the Stellar Measurer Set.
“Xiao Xue, you’re too thoughtful.”
The purple-grade set offered mana regeneration far surpassing the Observer Set—and was the key to ascending to the Blood Moon. It wouldn’t break easily. She’d likely retrieved it out of curiosity, not care.
“What next?”
“The Observation Tower’s top floor. Xiao Xue… carry me up?”
Qin Yu opened his arms. Instead, Silver Crimson Snow levitated him effortlessly upward.
“Xiao Xue, that’s not fair!”
“Servant. Know your place.”
“Aren’t I your lover?”
“Merely an incidental perk.”
Her words were sharp—but her affection toward Qin Yu had already climbed to 68. Actions spoke louder than words.
They reached the tower’s peak. Qin Yu faced the Blood Moon and donned the Stellar Measurer Set.
“Stellar power, guide my path to the cosmos!”
Stardust drifted from the sky, weaving a translucent bridge straight to the crimson moon.
“Let’s go, Xiao Xue.”
Silver Crimson Snow stepped first; Qin Yu followed beside her.
“Servant… one day, will you tell me everything about yourself?”
Curiosity burned in her—Qin Yu was too enigmatic to ignore.
“I will. But if you beg me now, Xiao Xue… I’ll tell you sooner.”
Qin Yu smiled. He’d share everything—if she asked.
“In your dreams.”
She quickened her pace. She wouldn’t beg. She’d make him confess willingly.
Behind them, the bridge faded into nothing.
Players still exploring the Bloodsoul Domain blinked in disbelief—were those two figures walking mid-air?
The faint bridge rendered Qin Yu and Silver Crimson Snow half-visible, sparking murmurs below.
“…Wait. Don’t those silhouettes look familiar?”
Meanwhile, Tang carved her path through the Bloodsoul Domain. With Shadow Step, two purple accessories, and a purple shortsword, she even took down several Tier-3 monsters.
Treating monsters like players worked well. Full-dive VR combat differed slightly from standard VR, but she was adapting.
“Nothing left to explore… Everyone’s already rushing the main world for resources.”
Her exploration of the Pantheon Realms had stalled. Clueless and wandering aimlessly, she realized—this was the frustration of an open world without quests.
【Leave the Pantheon Realms early?】
【Warning: The relatively safe Pantheon Realms are accessible only within the first seven days after launch. Leaving early means permanent exclusion.】
“Yes!”
Tang confirmed without hesitation.
【Evaluating character template…】
【Exploration summary: Nameless Cemetery, Abandoned Town…】
【Items acquired: 5x Purple-grade…】
【Skills acquired: Shadow Step…】
【Monsters slain: 5 Tier-3…】
【Hidden challenges completed: Shadow Sprint…】
【Comprehensive evaluation in progress…】
【Generating template…】
【Evaluation rank: S】
“S? Highest tier?”
A flicker of excitement stirred as she checked.
“Well… there’s SS and SSS too. But talent rating 7? Not bad at all.”
A rating of 7 meant a strong start—no worrying about stalling between Tier 6 and Tier 7.
【Teleporting player back to the main world…】
Tang departed the Bloodsoul Domain.
Above, Qin Yu and Silver Crimson Snow drew nearer to the Blood Moon. The closer they got, the heavier the oppressive weight became.
Once the sacred dwelling of the Moon Deity—a pure, luminous moon—the Blood Moon now bled crimson, stained by the Elder God’s corruption.
The moment Qin Yu’s foot touched its surface… he felt it.
A land cursed beyond redemption…
