Building a sect from scratch.

Chapter 11 Foreign Aid
Han Tiaotiao and the Jade Emperor aren't fools. After Zhu Tu Mengjin proved with his own experience just how valuable things labeled "hidden" really are, how could they possibly give up on Wang Ergou's hidden quest, which clearly states that it will reward hidden items!

The group gathered together to summarize the firsthand information Wang Ergou had obtained from the middle-aged woman, and they all felt extremely frustrated.

After going around in circles, it looks like we still have to go back and fight the boss!

The dilapidated village was originally named Shixia Village. The Huang Gong Temple has been worshipped there for over a hundred years. Huang Gong not only blessed them with abundant food and clothing, but also helped them ward off many demons and monsters. Even Guangchengzong, who nominally governs this area, turns a blind eye to the villagers' spontaneous act of building a temple for it.

After all, in theory, temples built privately by ignorant men and women in the mountains are considered illicit worship and are not officially recognized. Wang Ergou also explained to Han Tiaotiao and the Jade Emperor the relevant information he had collected from the official website: there are no countries in this world.

The major sects acted as substitutes for the functions of the state, and the institutions that managed the local areas, besides the "yamen" (government offices) that were spontaneously organized by local elders under the supervision of the sects, were some special institutions of the sects stationed in the localities. The former was used to handle disputes between ordinary mortals, while the latter mainly handled matters concerning cultivators and various extraordinary events. In other words, the former governed mortals, and the latter governed cultivators, each with its own rules.

For example, the various towns under the Guangcheng Sect have an organization called "Guangcheng Immortal Abode" to manage cultivators. I heard that the two Guangcheng Sect disciples surnamed Du are stationed in Taiping Town...

Returning to Shixia Village in the mission, the strange events began to occur six months ago.

At first, the villagers could no longer approach Huang Gong Temple, and even sacrificial rites could no longer be performed successfully. Later, the entire area around Huang Gong Temple began to experience a ghostly maze-like phenomenon, incredibly eerie, and no one dared to approach anymore. Until about two months ago, all the villagers near Huang Gong Temple were blown away by a strange wind, some even injured as a result. Only then did everyone begin to feel afraid and gradually fled Shixia Village.

Even now, no one dares to go there. I heard that someone even fell to their death there!
So, the matter has been basically clarified. There was a local deity (presumably) who was doing well, but for some unknown reason, he suddenly turned evil and wreaked havoc on the entire village. He is still going crazy there.

The solution is straightforward: simply capture the monster known as Huang Gong.

But here's the problem—no one can get close to Huang Gong Temple, let alone catch Huang Gong!
They couldn't even last three seconds in the black tornado created by Huang Gong!

"Brothers, what should we do?"

The Jade Emperor hesitated and said, "How about... we ask our eldest sister for help?"

Wang Ergou rolled his eyes: "Your senior sister's original words were that we should handle this matter properly!"

After a long silence, Han Tiaotiao finally spoke, "I think we should start cultivating first."

"What do you mean?"

"We can't let the fact that this game is so realistic make us forget that it's a game," Han Tiaotiao analyzed. "In other MMORPGs, what should you do when you can't beat the monsters in a quest? This game should be pretty much the same."

Wang Ergou suddenly realized: "Leveling up?"

Han Tiaotiao sighed sadly, "I'm only level 3 right now, while my second senior sister is already level 11."

The Jade Emperor quickly added, "And I heard that she has already tested her spiritual root, which is an extremely rare mutated lightning spiritual root. She has also learned [Wind Control] from the eldest senior sister and can fly at low altitudes! Even if we don't mention the second senior sister, most of the first batch of players who logged in are already level 6 or 7. Only we... uh, one is level 3 and two are level 1?"

Wang Ergou shrugged speechlessly: "Well, all that work for nothing!"

The Jade Emperor hurriedly said, "You can't say that. Just now, another person successfully guided Qi into their body in the world chat. They said that besides cultivating on your own, you can also ask the senior sister to help you 'guide the spirit' when you reach level 10. Although we don't know what the process is, at least it can directly lead to Qi Refining. Once we reach Qi Refining, will we still be afraid of not being able to beat the BOSS? You can't give up, Er Gou! This is a hidden quest! Hidden!" Han Tiaotiao asked, "Then let's go back and move bricks first?"

"No, I'm still not satisfied!"

Wang Ergou thought for a moment and said, "How about this, let's try to find some outside help, like that first player who 'attracted Qi into the body,' what was her name again?"

"Rushing forward like a pig," the Jade Emperor scratched his head, "but isn't this task only supposed to be shared between two people to receive the reward?"

"It's okay. At worst, we can split any unbound rewards with her, or I can give her some RMB offline later. I definitely can't let her suffer a loss. The main thing is that I'm really unwilling to give up on this task like this. We've been running back and forth for so long!"

Han Tiaotiao and the Jade Emperor were naturally unwilling to give up. Previously, they had handled the situation according to the usual practice in traditional games—if they couldn't beat someone, they would level up first, and once their "level" was high enough, they would be able to beat them. But now, Wang Ergou's suggestion sounded somewhat promising, and they didn't have to put in any effort themselves, so the two of them were naturally more than happy to accept it.

The Jade Emperor readily agreed: "Alright, at worst we can use all the unbound items we have to bribe our second senior sister!"

Han Tiaotiao also said, "I have no objection."

Wang Ergou's request for help was quickly answered.

Zhu Tu Meng Jin's real name is Zhao Qing. She is an 18th-rate illustrator whose biggest hobby is playing games. In real life, Zhao Qing is an extremely socially awkward person, but in the game, she is a well-known social butterfly who is incredibly enthusiastic.

So when Wang Ergou suggested it, Zhao Qing readily agreed, showing great loyalty.

The four people quickly gathered a mile away from the mission point. The dense vegetation completely covered the stone temple, making it impossible to see anything.

But no one was willing to go any closer. The recent fatal accident was still fresh in their minds, and waiting to be resurrected in a dark room was not a pleasant experience!

After listening to the situation briefly, Zhao Qing's eyes lit up and she said, "Since the wind blew you away, why didn't you tie a safety rope or something? Or drag something heavy? If all else fails, just cut down a tree. After completing the task, you can submit the tree to Senior Sister to exchange for experience points!"

The Jade Emperor's eyes lit up: "Oh! That's right! How come I didn't think of that?"

Wang Ergou asked in confusion, "But where can we find a rope?"

Zhao Qing said matter-of-factly, "Just rub them yourself, or buy them. I learned two kinds of herbs from my senior sister, um, they should be called spiritual plants, and how to identify them. Just pick a few and sell them, then buy a rope, and that's it!"

Wang Ergou stared wide-eyed, his expression a mixture of confusion and shock: "Wait, isn't this an MMORPG? You make your own rope? Are you talking about Minecraft or 'Ten Continents Chronicle'?"

"Don't treat this game as just a game; just think of it as if you've traveled through time."

Zhao Qing laughed, seemingly struck by a sudden thought, and said, "Anything you can do in real life, you can do here!"

(End of this chapter)