Chapter 20: Reversal of Topic

Jiang Xianwu's deeds were fermenting a storm.

Besides some novices who didn't understand the rescue details, there were quite a few experienced pioneers who knew some rules.

The intermediary was more than willing to tell the pioneers about the rules in exchange for pioneer points.

So, quite soon, a statement appeared on the forum of the pioneers' voice.

The message was posted by someone from the Divine Consort Association, with the pioneer ID Molly Xueya:

"I have asked several of our observers to share what they can for free. Everyone should just give up on Jiang Xianwu. There's no need to worry about Sky Eye either, these two are undoubtedly doomed."

This message quickly stilled the forum for a while.

Soon, many people sent a string of question marks, and many others began to explain. One of the moderators from Future Gate named "A Great Wind Arises" also spoke up, starting to handle the public relations:

"Newcomers may not understand, do you think we'd give up a Sky Eye so easily?"

"A second-tier occupation is already rare, let alone a Sky Eye. But the conditions for a rescue are extremely stringent, stringent to the point that nobody could possibly fulfill them."

Molly Xueya from the Divine Consort Association also said:

"That's right, everyone should stop having any hopes on them. According to the information provided by multiple observers, Jiang Xianwu survived by relying on his wits, without triggering any battle."

"We can't reveal the specifics, but this also proves one point, Jiang Xianwu did not survive by 'combat strength,' which you all need to know is the real guarantee of survival."

"According to the rules, after Jiang Xianwu survives, as the one who rescued Sky Eye, he will proceed to the version where Sky Eye failed her challenge."

It seemed there was an unspoken agreement between the Divine Consort Association and Future Gate at this moment. After Molly Xueya finished talking, A Great Wind Arises posted:

"The area Sky Eye challenged is version 1.44, a region with a B-level of corruption, named 'Haunted Night in the Gu Tower.'"

"That region remains one of the highest in mortality rates to this day, its monsters are purely bred for slaughter."

"That area, as you might have heard of its dreaded reputation, ask yourselves, would you dare go rescue Sky Eye? Moreover, it is said that if the first challenge fails, the difficulty of the region will increase when they retry with a redeemer..."

"The outcome of rescuing Sky Eye can almost certainly be concluded as not only will Sky Eye not be saved, but our rescuers will likely die as well... Jiang Xianwu just got lucky, as a blind cat finding a dead rat. He possesses exceptional reactivity and adaptability, but what if he encounters those creatures that won't listen to his babbling?"

"Jiang Xianwu's clearance had a great deal of chance involved! Such chance proves nothing. The area he is about to go to far exceeds his capabilities, and even with Sky Eye's help, it is completely impossible to survive."

"We from 'Future Gate,' do not take anyone's life lightly; life and death are predetermined, Sky Eye failed her challenge, but we won't send others who are almost certain to die on a rescue mission just because she is a rare Sky Eye!"

"All occupations are treated equally in 'Future Gate!' None is more noble than the others!"

This speech nearly made it clear that "Future Gate" still did not value Sky Eye.

At the same time, it also provided Future Gate a sense of righteous justification for not rescuing Sky Eye.

Many were aware that among the nine major occupations, apart from those who were the progeny of the Time and Space God, those from the lineage of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom were the most valuable.

And the pioneers from Future Gate were the most numerous of all forces.

This phrase "All occupations are equally respected," coming from them, sounded as if someone was saying, "I hate money the most."

However, one could not deny that the reason given was indeed good, and both the people from Future Gate and some outsiders who did not understand the inner workings of Future Gate found it acceptable.

Consequently, the forum began discussing the Haunted Night in the Gu Tower.

But everyone avoided discussing the details because the details required someone to pay—both the viewers and the posters had to incur fees.

However, from what everyone discussed—

Until now, there has not been a detailed guide on "Night of the Bewitched Tower."

"That place... is just weird. It's clearly for experts, but they never let experts in. Instead, they either let in support roles or complete newbies."

"Yes, so until now, the only strategy available comes from the peepers. But even peepers haven't been able to see a complete guide."

"After all... the prerequisite for a complete guide is that someone can fully clear the level."

As the focus of the conversation shifted, more and more people realized something—

Jiang Xianwu and Molly Xueya could not possibly clear "Night of the Bewitched Tower."

So, many who were interested in Jiang Xianwu's clever moves had no choice but to shake their heads and sigh.

Many even simply started mocking. They didn't know that Jiang Xianwu was forced to "rescue"; in their view, Jiang Xianwu was just trying to show off and ended up dooming himself.

More and more ridicule appeared.

"Maybe he wanted to steal away Molly, so he took a dangerous path."

"Is there a possibility that he actually had a terminal illness? Thinking of going out with a bang in the end? Stirring up some media hype?"

"I think that's possible."

On the forum of the Pioneers, those who originally thought Jiang Xianwu performed brilliantly gradually fell silent.

But suddenly, this message popped up:

"Overall, isn't it good? Isn't it good that there's someone willing to challenge the rules, to attempt the impossible, to rescue others? Maybe some barriers aren't as insurmountable as we think, and maybe the rescue is right. Jiang Xianwu at least made the first step, didn't he?"

The speaker was an ordinary member of a relatively low-ranking force known as the "Hundred Rivers Refuge."

This remark actually lacked emotional intelligence.

Everyone had defaulted to the perspective that not rescuing was correct, a politically correct approach, a noble "don't waste life on others."

But suddenly someone said that attempting it was a good thing... this was not mainstream.

So someone said:

"Since you think it's right, why don't you go rescue?"

"Jiang Xianwu is doomed, you virtue-signaling hypocrite? Suggest you try doing it yourself before you preach."

"Ah, from Hundred Rivers, no wonder. Your chairman always proposes strange suggestions, and your subordinates also follow with quirky ideas, makes sense."

Don't think that because the forum of the Pioneers is a forum for pioneers, it's any different from domestic forums.

Essentially, the ways humans debate are the same.

I won't use my logic and views to convince the other party; I'll rant, degrade, slander, smear, and mock… to persuade the other party.

That's why so many forums are toxic environments.

Jiang Xianwu and Molly Xueya still dominated the hot topics.

However, both of them seemed to have already been written off as dead by the pioneers.

The shift was caused by the biggest force "Future Gate" and the female-dominated force "Divine Consort Association."

But these two major forces, what they say and what they do, are actually not the same.