Chapter 147: Vailand (Part I)

Conscripted planes are generally divided into two categories. One type is a hidden plane, where the apparent ruler of the plane is actually a facade, and a higher civilization secretly monitors everything from underground or some unknown location, or lies dormant.

Another type is the sealed plane, where the magic energy level of the plane itself is actually higher than this Gaia latitude, but the plane operates on a periodic cycle. That is to say, after a certain period, it enters a cyclical state, and the plane's own Gaia consciousness guides world events, gradually causing the continental level to regress, entering the so-called Age of Dharma Decline.

After a period of recuperation, the seal is gradually lifted, and those dormant ancient powers slowly return. The magic energy of the continent itself becomes even higher than the previous cycle. This kind of periodically growing plane belongs to the sealed type, and among conscripted planes, this type is considered the absolute best!

Because during the sealing period, the average quality of the continental population is relatively low, and the biological level of the continent is also quite mediocre. Except for a few very mysterious corners, most places are at a low-end state. If you can seize the initiative at this time and master this plane, once the seal is lifted, you will also largely seize the initiative, growing together with the world at an extremely fast speed. In layman's terms, you are very likely to conquer a plane capable of nurturing Gold-tier beings while possessing only Bronze or early Silver-tier strength!

Seeing how knowledgeable Guo Lang was, Xiao Tao finally stopped hiding things. Moreover, the way it looked at Guo Lang held a hint of complexity!

In fact, watching this master grow, it had a relatively good grasp of Guo Lang's personality. He was someone who sought stability in all matters and lacked any great ambition, yet he had chosen the Night Elves!

Most Night Elf classes are high-agility roles that demand relatively high personal attributes. Choosing the Night Elves means daring to take risks; you must have the decisiveness to conquer planes. The development speed of the Night Elves is definitely top-tier among the ten races, and their assimilation capacity can be said to be exceptionally strong. However, the nature of the Night Elves dictates that conquering a plane largely relies on personal strength; the aggressive technology and troop types the race can provide in the early stages are not very powerful, and mid-stage plane contention comes with severe restrictions.

Therefore, the Night Elves are unsuited for those who prefer steady and cautious development. Success requires taking calculated risks and possessing audacious decisiveness. Thus, when Guo Lang initially chose strategic retreat instead of taking Alice straight to overthrow Ian, Xiao Tao knew he was not suited for the Night Elves.

Just when Xiao Tao thought it had encountered another failed host, Guo Lang's subsequent development unexpectedly went quite smoothly, as if he thoroughly understood the rules of the game. First, he went back to gather a team. Xiao Tao strongly approved of this decapitation operation; if he had failed to eliminate the undead before it grew, he would have had no choice but to rely on high-level power. Furthermore, his eye for choosing teammates was exceptionally good, a fact that deeply satisfied Xiao Tao.

And then there was the class he chose! This was not the first time Xiao Tao served a host. Throughout the cosmic epochs, the people of Planet D were not the first chosen cultivation plane. Since its creation, Xiao Tao had served no less than ten masters, but no one had ever chosen the Shadowspeaker class, not even a royal class. Therefore, the reason it had maintained hope in the beginning was partly due to Alice's aptitude, and partly due to its master's class selection. It did know some inside information about Shadowspeakers: those who walked out from that class usually turned out to be anti-heroes, but historically, Shadowspeakers never achieved low accomplishments!

As for whether to follow a righteous master or the shadow, Xiao Tao held no particular preference—it would follow whichever one proved formidable. If the shadow emerged victorious, Xiao Tao would not feel a shred of pity for Guo Lang failing the trial; on the contrary, it might even feel glad, as it would mean gaining a more reliable host.

Yet... the righteous self emerged instead. This was completely unexpected for Xiao Tao, and most importantly, Guo Lang took that dagger away. It was the symbol of the Dual-Faced One. Xiao Tao's database clearly recorded that throughout the entire history of the Night Elves, there had only been one Dual-Faced One: the legendary hero, Maiev Shadowspeaker!

Moreover, the shadow's performance that day truly shocked Xiao Tao, causing it to renew its expectations for this master for the first time. Therefore, when the invasion plane was born, it uploaded Guo Lang's profile in great detail, listing his merits to make the current Night Elf high priest acknowledge his status as the number one seed candidate (after all, the Night Elves did not have many outstanding seeds right now!).

Having obtained this conscription opportunity, this goofball's old cautious personality was acting up again, and he actually didn't want to go. While this gave Xiao Tao a headache, it also left it somewhat helpless. In its view, Guo Lang possessed a massively high-potential asset like Alice, and his own strength was not weak either, definitely placing him in the top tier of the ten races. Yet he seemed utterly lacking in drive—to put it bluntly, he was somewhat afraid of death!

Consequently, Xiao Tao hadn't initially mentioned the risks of the conscription plane, planning to trick him into going first. But this guy seemed awfully shrewd, and somehow acted as if he already knew various hidden details, which felt a bit eerie!

Xiao Tao had originally given up all hope, but the sudden incident just now reignited its thoughts. As an aged artificial intelligence, how could it possibly get so excited over a mere ten thousand energy points of business? What it cared about more was the role this event played. Truly, the gods were blessing them! Xiao Tao prayed inwardly: could it be the Lord of the Silver Moon bestowing secret protection?

Looking at Guo Lang's cold expression, Xiao Tao grew even more fond of him and smiled, "Why is Master asking so many details? First of all, I can see you understand quite a bit. And secondly... no matter what, aren't you going to go anyway? Could it be that once you clear up the details, if there are problems, you won't go save Xiaoting?"

Guo Lang froze at those words and gave Xiao Tao a deep look. When did this fellow figure him out so thoroughly? But upon reflection, it observed him every single day—how could it not understand his personality?

"You're so enthusiastic about this; aren't you afraid your master might die a violent death in there?" Guo Lang asked with an amused look.

"Everything comes with risks. High risk brings high reward, and Xiao Tao believes Master will definitely succeed!" Xiao Tao put on an adorable act of loyalty.

"Hah!" Guo Lang rolled his eyes, too lazy to bother with it. True enough, he was the one taking the risk, not the AI; if he kicked the bucket, it would simply find the next host and make a carefree fresh start... Damn it, he suddenly felt that the profession of an AI was pretty great: risk-free with lifetime employment. Tsk tsk, a golden civil servant who even earned commissions!

"Xiaolang, is it... very dangerous?" Lin Meirong asked with a worried expression.

Seeing his mother's anxiety, Guo Lang hurriedly forced a smile, "This game has always been dangerous, but your son is exceptionally outstanding and will definitely be fine. Look at how well I'm thriving right now? Therefore..." Guo Lang said with a solemn expression, "I will definitely bring Xiaoting back safely. When the time comes, we'll hand that dead fatty over to you to give her a fierce beating so she remembers the lesson!"

Hearing this, Lin Meirong burst into laughter through her tears, "What kind of way is that to talk about your sister—calling her a dead fatty? Where is she fat?"

Fat as a ball, how else could she be fat? Guo Lang rolled his eyes inwardly, and then communicated with the AI in his mind: "Pull up the coordinates of my plane. I need to go back and prepare some things first. Since it's a conscripted plane, I'll be facing the current top seeds—at least for now, they are the most outstanding existences of each race. I have to bring Alice!"

Xiao Tao said excitedly, "You got it!"

As for Xiaoting, although Guo Lang was anxious, he wasn't too impulsive. Even if he were to teleport over right now, finding her immediately in such a vast plane with a technologically backward civilization would be extremely difficult! It would be better to return and make thorough preparations first.

Besides, since the Void had designated her as the primary seed, she shouldn't be in danger that quickly! Although he had no idea how the Void made its evaluations... Guo Lang still found it somewhat incredible, but he might as well try trusting the judgment of the Lord of Destruction and Terror!

"Oh, right, Xiaolang!" Guo Guohua hesitated, but finally said, "Mr. Liang wants to see you!"

Guo Lang froze, then wore a troubled expression: "Dad, let's make it to another time." To be honest, what mood did he have to see any Mr. Liang right now?

Even Lin Meirong on the side complained, "What Mr. Liang are you worried about at a time like this? Have you become obsessed with being an official?" She then turned to Guo Lang, "Xiaolang, don't mind your dad. Go quickly and come back quickly!"

Guo Lang: "Okay!"

"What kind of talk is that?" Guo Guohua put on a stern face. "Mr. Liang has serious business with Xiaolang. It's a national matter!"

Guo Lang rolled his eyes and thought to himself, "Whatever business he has has nothing to do with me!" However, he still had to give his old man some face, so he evasively pushed back with a troubled look: "Dad, another time. Next time I come back, I'll talk with him slowly. I won't delay any longer, I'm heading out first!"

Guo Guohua was also in a difficult spot. He first made a phone call to explain the situation, and after the other side spoke for two minutes, he walked back and said to Guo Lang, "At least take the phone call, alright?"

Looking at his stern father, Guo Lang finally sighed and took the phone.

"Hello, is this Mr. Liang?"