Chapter 100: System Fragment!

The pit was more than three meters in diameter! And the opening itself was only a little over one meter across! In other words, the trap was shaped like a funnel, narrow at the top and wide at the bottom. Huh? Why did that sentence sound a little indecent?

The walls of the pit were not made of earth, as he had imagined, but covered with bronze masks—snarling demons, compassionate Buddhas, serene Taoists, and breathtakingly alluring beauties.

Every mask was exquisitely lifelike, as though it might come alive at any moment. Chen Bo, however, felt no appreciation for the artistry whatsoever. A chill ran through his heart instead.

What the hell kind of place was this?

“Ding-dong! Congratulations, Host, on discovering a system fragment!”

“Ding-dong! Congratulations, Host, on entering a secret-realm instance for the first time!”

“Ding-dong! Congratulations, Host! If you fail to complete the system’s mission, you’re completely doomed!”

“Wait, what? Something seems wrong here!”

Chen Bo was speechless when he heard the system’s final announcement. What was wrong with it this time?

“System, what is this place? You know, don’t you?” Chen Bo hurriedly asked.

“Ding-dong! In view of the fact that the Host somehow stumbled upon a system fragment, the system has decided to answer this question free of charge!”

“Host, the place you are currently in is called a Spatial Secret Realm! The system prefers to call it an Instance Space!”

“It is exactly what the name implies. An Instance Space is a domain that moves continuously throughout the world. Only those blessed with extraordinary fortune can enter one by chance. Since Instance Spaces can move—and apparently do so without any discernible pattern—finding one is practically as difficult as ascending to the heavens.”

“An instance? Isn’t that exactly like the ones in games?” Chen Bo suddenly understood. Then, as another thought occurred to him, he asked, “But what exactly is a system fragment?”

“Ding-dong! The current system is incomplete. Due to certain unforeseen circumstances, it was divided into ten portions. I am one of them. This system can sense that there is definitely another portion of me somewhere inside this Instance Space!”

“Ding-dong! Main quest issued: Find the system fragment.”

“Quest requirements: Locate the system fragment within this Instance Space and hand it over to the system.”

“Quest completion rewards: One comprehensive system upgrade! Unlock the monster-slaying level-up function! One mysterious treasure chest!”

“Quest failure penalty: Failure is not permitted. Failure is not permitted. Failure is not permitted. This is important, so it must be said three times! Otherwise, you will die immediately.”

Chen Bo felt nothing toward the failure penalty. He was already numb to it. But when he saw the rewards, he nearly went mad with delight!

A comprehensive system upgrade—though he had no idea what kind of monstrosity it would become, he had a premonition that it would bring him nothing but disadvantages!

No, wait. He had said that backward. It would bring him nothing but benefits!

As for the monster-slaying level-up function, Chen Bo was practically ecstatic. Leveling up by killing monsters! Once he had that function, would he still need to toil away at cultivation? He could simply shoulder a great saber, head out every day to slaughter monsters, and grow stronger. It was utterly insane.

But he liked it.

Chen Bo had once read a novel in which the protagonist also possessed a monster-slaying level-up system. From then on, the protagonist became outrageously powerful, completely ignoring every cultivation bottleneck. All he had to do was grind monsters and clear instances, and in a matter of minutes he could become invincible beneath the heavens.

Although “invincible beneath the heavens in a matter of minutes” was somewhat exaggerated, there was no denying that, once he obtained the monster-slaying level-up function, Chen Bo would truly enter the ranks of those who could screw heaven, earth, and even the air.

When that time came, what did he care about enemies, or some ridiculous three-year appointment? They would all be nothing but trash!

As for the mysterious treasure chest, Chen Bo had no idea what it was. It was probably something similar to the prize wheel. Whatever the case, there were sure to be good things inside!

But now that he thought about it, the system’s generosity this time was extremely abnormal. There had to be some kind of catch. Yes, definitely a catch!

“System, is this Instance Space dangerous?” Chen Bo asked cautiously.

“Ding-dong! Instance Spaces are divided into four levels: Easy, Difficult, Hell, and Desperate. The system has detected that the Instance Space occupied by the Host is at the Easy level!”

“Whew! Then I’m relieved!” Chen Bo let out a long breath. According to the logic of games, even a newcomer ought to be able to clear an Easy-level instance.

“Ding-dong! Host, please do not use game concepts to judge the danger level of an Instance Space. Although this secret realm is classified as Easy, even a person at the advanced Preternatural Realm would not dare guarantee that they could leave alive!”

Chen Bo’s expression instantly froze.

Even an expert at the advanced Preternatural Realm would not dare guarantee that they could come out alive?!

Good grief! Didn’t that mean that even if he possessed Hua Mulan’s strength right now, there was still a very high chance he would die inside?

“System, can I choose not to go in?” Chen Bo asked miserably.

He knew his own level perfectly well. If even someone at the Preternatural Realm would be risking death by entering, then he was even more hopeless. With a little bad luck, he might lose his life before he had even truly entered the Instance Space.

“Ding-dong! Failure to complete the quest will result in termination. Furthermore, the quest deadline is only three days. Host, please decide whether to enter and carry out the quest.”

The system’s voice was cold and emotionless.

Chen Bo sighed helplessly. “Then can you tell me what specific dangers are inside? For example, which places contain traps, and which places have monsters I can’t defeat?”

“Ding-dong! The system is unable to determine that.”

“Pfft! Aren’t you usually so impressive? Why did you have to fall apart at this crucial moment? You’re not deliberately trying to get me killed, are you?”

Chen Bo all but had the words “Are you kidding me?” written across his face.

“Ding-dong! There is a system fragment inside the Instance Space. The energy emitted by the fragment blocks the system’s perception. If the Host wishes to know where the dangers are, the only option is to test them personally.”

“Damn! I despise you!”

Chen Bo secretly raised his middle finger at the system. Sure enough, when it mattered most, this fellow was utterly unreliable.

Still, the quest had already been issued, and failure meant death. Besides, the generous rewards were more than enough to justify taking the risk!

“But, System, how am I supposed to enter the Instance Space? I don’t see any entrance here! You didn’t make a mistake, did you?”

Chen Bo looked left and right, but there was not a single entrance in sight.

The instant he finished speaking, the ground beneath his feet suddenly vanished. Startled, he instinctively looked down.

The earth under his feet had disappeared, replaced by a dark, bottomless abyss.

And he was falling!

One hundred chapters already—definitely worth commemorating! The protagonist is finally going to start leveling up by killing monsters. Some readers have said that his cultivation is progressing too slowly, but don’t worry. He’ll be skyrocketing very soon.