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Zone 01.

After 6:00 p.m., it’s the most leisurely time for players in the survival game—and also when the zone chat is at its liveliest.

Today was especially so.

Because at a little past 5:50, Jin Qian—who had been live-streaming on the zone chat all day—popped up again.

【Need A Little Money To Save Me: I’m spending the night outside tonight! It’s my first time spending the night outside the shelter—I’m so excited, everyone!】

【Liver Emperor: Is the Native World different from ours? Is there no restriction against going out at night? Otherwise, that lucky guy from last time wouldn’t have made it back.】

【Reaching for the Moon in the Heavens: That’s actually kind of a shame.】

【I Love Survival Game: It gets dark normally; there are no monsters, and the night doesn’t eat people.】

【Cockroach Taste Is So Weird: All the top players are here. Seeing the picture Money posted today really made me realize just how low-key the number one player is.】

Jin Qian checked with Qiyu several times, but he was still worried.

However, he understood Jin Qian’s concern—he’d felt just as anxious the first time he went out to explore. It’s just that he wasn’t as keen on sharing as Jin Qian was.

Because he was so nervous, Jin Qian didn’t even post any pictures in the group chat.

Until six o’clock struck exactly.

Nothing happened—he saw Gold Hole City, which was even more beautiful at night than during the day.

Streetlights shaped like flowers, passersby dressed in lavish, alluring outfits, and flowers everywhere.

He sniffed the air and snapped a photo.

【Need A Little Money To Save Me: (Photo) Let me show everyone what the Native Realm looks like at 6:00! I’m attending the God of Spring Festival with the game’s top player and Er Shen from District 88! It’s super lively!】

【Cockroach Taste Is So Weird: Wow, this scene is so lively. The God of Spring Festival—it sounds like a really grand celebration.】

【Liver Emperor: I’m jealous. I wonder when the nighttime curfew in the Forest of Stars will be lifted.】

【Reaching for the Moon in the Heavens: That’s so nice—it reminds me of some festivals I’ve attended on Earth. Thank you, Jin Qian. These photos you posted have made me look forward to exploring the world even more.】

【I’m Lily: +1 to that excitement. After that encounter I had earlier, I actually started thinking all the natives were some kind of ferocious bandits.】

In the pictures Jin Qian posted, setting aside whether they’re good or bad people, you can clearly see from the players’ expressions that this is a complete, functioning city, where the natives are living their lives earnestly, going about their daily routines.

That’s good enough.

【Irritable Brother: If you ask me, isn’t it possible that this is a special matchmaking mechanism in survival games? Kind people go explore kind places, while those with ulterior motives naturally end up where they belong.】

The Irritable Brother’s comment actually has no basis in fact; he’s just taking the opportunity to take a dig at a few scumbags in the area.

【Liver Emperor: Haha, if that’s really the case, I’ve got to give the Survival Game some credit.】

Gold Hole City.

Qiyu was asking what the “God of Spring’s Blessing” entailed.

Elder Roland said with a smile, “Actually, there aren’t any set rules. It’s just the mages association adding a little extra flair to such a lively occasion—simply offering everyone a blessing.”

“Just cast whatever blessing spell you know.”

Qiyu got the gist: just go with the flow.

Jin Qian quietly tugged at his sleeve.

He asked, “Boss, this ‘Blessing of the God of Spring’ seems pretty awesome. Can I take a screenshot of you casting the blessing spell and post it on the regional channel later?”

Dan Xingyu immediately chimed in, “Me too! Me too!”

Qiyu: “…Whatever.”

His appearance and status as a mage had already been fully exposed during the Speed Carnival event.

There wasn’t much left to hide anyway.

Jin Qian immediately perked up: “Boss, don’t worry—I’m a pro! I guarantee I’ll make you look both handsome and cool—not a single bad shot!”

Dan Xingyu: “Then can I post a screenshot of you casting the Bless spell in the region chat?”

Qiyu was confused: “If Jin Qian’s taking the shot, that’s fine—but why do you want to take one?”

Dan Xingyu replied with complete confidence: “Of course, it’s so that my godsons can admire their gamedad’s stunning gameplay.”

Jin Qian nodded vigorously from the side: “Exactly, exactly!”

Qiyu: “Then go ahead and take it.”

Dan Xingyu was completely satisfied.

This was the first time he’d opened his survival panel since arriving in Gold Hole City. He snapped a random photo of Gold Hole City and posted it in the region channel.

【God Has No Form: (Image).】

【Eternal Night: Are you outside right now? Even in the Native Realm, aren’t there any nighttime restrictions?】

【I Just Logged Out: I was wondering why I hadn’t seen you pop up all day, Er Shen.】

【Life Without a Phone Is Tough: Ahhh, what kind of place is this? It’s so beautiful and lively. Er Shen, can you live such a happy life in the survival game too?】

【God Has No Form: I stepped out of the game this afternoon to attend the God of Spring Festival.】

【The Future Is Long: Boss, with such a lively city, have you considered setting up a shopping service?】

【God Has No Form: Actually, I’ve got it covered. I met the owner of a local merchant guild in the game, so I’m using his channels to order 10,000 sets each of men’s and women’s summer pajamas. They’ll go on sale on a cloudy day.】

【God Has No Form: Nothing else to report—I’m just too busy to spare the time.】

Players in Server 88 really do need cool summer clothes.

Plus, summer pajamas can be worn both at night for sleeping and as casual loungewear during the day.

Everyone would love to buy a set.

【God Has No Form: Do you know who to thank?】

【My Retirement: May my game dad reign for ten thousand years and unify the Survival Game!】

【My Retirement: Er Shen, put in some effort and figure out a way to get us from the 88th District into the inner circle!】

The parade floats are about to begin their procession.

Qiyu had already inquired about the rules.

All the large floats will form a long procession, spaced nearly a hundred meters apart from one another. Then, following a predetermined route, they’ll circle the entire Gold Hole City several times.

The mages association float is second in line, right behind the main float of the City Lord’s Mansion.

Since each float represents a different faction, their themes vary.

For example, the mages association will have mages casting Bless spells.

Leslie mentioned that the Borg Chamber of Commerce had also arranged a float. Originally, he’d planned to invite Qiyu and his group to join their float, but now, of course, hitching a ride on the mages association’s float would be much more prestigious.

As the largest merchant guild in Gold Hole City today, the Sean Merchants’ Guild naturally had the deep pockets to pull off such a spectacle. They specifically assigned several martial artists to scatter “flower bags” from the float.

These so-called “flower bags” were gift bags embroidered with flowers, containing flower-flavored candies and snacks produced by the Sean Merchants’ Guild, along with a few copper coins, silver coins, and even a small number of gold coins.

The entire float parade began around seven o’clock and didn’t end until midnight, lasting an entire month.

One can only imagine the wealth consumed.

In short, well-established organizations can really go all out with their float parades.

For those on a tighter budget, the “God of Spring” on the float would scatter flower petals as she passed by, and the crowd below would cheer.

Qiyu suddenly asked, “Does the Martial Artists’ Association have a float? What’s the theme?”

Dan Xingyu pricked up his ears—there was a Martial Artists’ Association in Gold Hole City, and he’d actually been wondering if he should find an opportunity to get certified there as well.

Leslie laughed heartily: “I know—the Martial Artists’ Association does pretty much the same thing every year. They’ll arrange for a few of the year’s most outstanding young martial artists to perform martial arts on the float or engage in sparring matches.”

“People really enjoy watching it.”

Dan Xingyu: …As for getting certified as a martial artist or whatever—since the Martial Artists’ Association doesn’t offer benefits or a salary as the Mages Association does, there’s no rush.

Leslie’s excitement was plain to see: “Anyway, the most popular float every year is definitely the Mages Association’s.”

After all, mages are rarely seen in everyday life, and blessing spells are even rarer.

Every year, people stake out spots in the front rows along the parade route well in advance, and some even calculate the timing of the blessing spells, willing to pay a hefty price for a spot where they can experience the blessing spell firsthand.

As the group chatted idly, they suddenly heard several loud explosions in the sky.

Qiyu looked up, his eyes reflecting a vast expanse of dazzling fireworks.

He stared at them without blinking until the very last spark had faded.

Leslie explained that this was the signal marking the start of the parade.

Dan Xingyu had walked up beside him at some point and was now watching the fireworks shoulder to shoulder with him.

Seeing this, he whispered, “Do you like fireworks that much?”

“You’re watching them so intently.”

Qiyu flashed a surprised smile and nodded. “Yeah! It’s my first time seeing this.”

Dan Xingyu’s heart skipped a beat. He suddenly began to harbor doubts about the local boy’s background.

Qiyu had no idea what he was thinking. As the float began to move, he—as the host of the God of Spring Blessings ceremony organized by the mages association—stepped forward onto the small platform at the very front of the float.

This was also the most prominent spot; the residents gathered below could all see him clearly.

Almost the moment Qiyu stepped onto the platform, waves of gasps and exclamations rose from the crowd below.

Dan Xingyu leaned against the railing on one side, listening to the locals’ exclamations:

“The mages association’s God of Spring this year is even more beautiful than the one on the main float.”

“He looks so young. Is he really young enough to represent the mages association in the God of Spring Blessing?”

“Who is that? Does anyone recognize him?”

Qiyu looked down at the vast crowd and took a gentle breath.

It wasn’t because he was nervous, but because, from this angle, he realized he still looked a bit intimidating.

So many people.

He raised his right hand, and the Heart of the Great Tree Staff appeared in his grasp.

This sight sparked another wave of cheers from the crowd.

With the staff in hand and magic surging through him, that fleeting, unsettling thought vanished.

A white halo glowed from his staff, radiating outward from the float until it enveloped the bystanders on both sides of the outer perimeter.

A vigorous life force surged forth.

“Blessing of Life.”

Elder Roland, seated on the float, sensed this pure vitality and widened her eyes in astonishment.

She lowered her head and looked at her hands.

She was very, very old—the kind of age that would give Qiyu a huge start if she were to say it out loud.

So her hands were covered in wrinkles.

But nourished by this life force, several of those wrinkles had vanished.

The magic of a four-star mage could actually affect a seven-star mage? What did that even mean?

Oh no!

She darted to Qiyu’s side and looked down.

Sure enough, the crowd below stood frozen in shock.

If a life-blessing spell capable of affecting even a high-level mage could be cast on an ordinary person, the results would certainly be visible to the naked eye.

After the initial stunned silence, some people began to cheer: 

“My injured right leg seems to be better!”

“By the God of Spring, my skin feels so much firmer.”

“What kind of magic is this? I feel so much lighter—it’s as if I’ve gotten several years younger.”

“My grandfather can actually walk on his own without a cane!”

Qiyu heard a voice in his ear: “Ancestor, please rein it in a bit.”

He turned his head—it was Elder Roland’s voice, but her lips hadn’t moved, nor was she looking at him.

Qiyu: Huh! Is this the legendary telepathic transmission?

But what did she mean by that?

Just then, Roland spoke aloud: “To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the God of Spring Festival in Gold Hole City, on behalf of the mages association, we have specially invited Mage Qiyu from the Forest of Stars to cast a blessing spell for everyone this year.”

“Mage Qiyu is deeply committed to the God of Spring Festival and has given his all from the very start to cast the Life Blessings spell. The changes everyone is experiencing in their bodies are normal and positive. Please do not get too excited, to avoid causing a stampede.”

Her words, accompanied by a soothing force, echoed throughout Gold Hole City, quickly calming the excited crowd.

Quickly finding an excuse to smooth things over, she turned her head and met Qiyu’s grateful gaze.

Elder Roland, what a truly kind person!

Qiyu had been wondering whether he should introduce himself and the Star Forest. Elder Roland had already done the promoting for him. He didn’t realize that Jin Qian, standing behind him, had been left speechless. From the moment the boss cast the Bless spell and Elder Roland spoke up, he realized something and quickly opened his survival panel.

On the reputation chart, the number next to the Star Forest began to rise rapidly.