Chapter 043: Inside Information

“Do you remember the intermediate mission I mentioned to you earlier? To be honest, the reason I need that money is because once ‘that incident’ starts, I plan to issue a follow-up mission to others,” the alchemist said.

“I still want to know what this incident is.”
Having made her decision, Yun Xi didn’t hesitate.

“Alright. I can tell you the basic information required to trigger the mission for free. However, I also have some insider intel related to it—are you interested in buying it?”

“My inside info is 100% accurate and will be extremely helpful for completing the mission. If you’re doubtful, we can sign a purchasing contract first.”

“If I’m participating in the mission, won’t we be competitors? Why are you still willing to sell me the insider info?” Yun Xi asked in confusion.

“No. My goal isn’t to complete the mission myself. I just need someone to complete it. As long as someone succeeds, I’ll regain my freedom.”

Yun Xi understood now—the alchemist wasn’t after rewards anymore. What he wanted most was freedom.

“This info won’t cost much—just 500 green crystals. I guarantee it’ll be worth more than that. So? Want to buy it?”

“Make it 200 green crystals. I just advanced a loan payment—I really don’t have more cash on hand,” Yun Xi bargained.

Whether the intel would really be worth it or not, the purchasing contract would let her know for sure.

“Alright, 200 it is.”

“To show my sincerity, I’ll give you the most important piece of information first: The Goddess of Liberty has already fallen and become a Wraith.”

Yun Xi didn’t even know how to react to that.

A god turning into a Wraith—the implications were self-evident.

A Wraith above level 40?

As the auction officially began, the alchemist remained beside Yun Xi, and without concern for others, began laying out secret after secret.

“It’s known that the Goddess of Liberty lived on the Shuyu Plains for 1,500 years. Considering the time she spent cultivating before becoming a god, her actual age is at least 3,000 years.”

“Wraiths at Lv. 41–50, or demi-gods, only live for 2,000 years. That rules her out of that level bracket.”

“Lv. 51–60, or low-tier gods, have a lifespan of 5,000 years. The Goddess of Liberty could fall into that range.”

“Worst-case scenario—she’s Lv. 61–70, a mid-tier god, or possibly something even higher.”

Yun Xi was stunned.

This money was definitely well spent. Besides learning the goddess’s approximate level, the alchemist also explained how levels above 40 are classified:

Demi-gods, lesser gods, mid-tier gods…
That meant there must also be high-tier gods, or even stronger classifications.

“But even if the Goddess of Liberty is extremely high-level, surely we won’t have to face her directly for this mission?”

“Correct. She won’t be directly involved in the mission.
This region was once protected by a sealing array created by the ancestor gods of the three duchies—Wraiths above Lv. 40 are instantly expelled. Her true form isn’t here.”

“But that doesn’t make the mission any less dangerous.
At most, it just means you won’t die instantly.”

“That said, the rewards are extraordinary.
They’re part of a special inheritance the Goddess of Liberty set aside when she still had a sliver of clarity before her corruption.”

“Normally, once a god falls into Wraithdom, they forget their past lives.
But in her case—there’s something she left behind here.”

The alchemist paused, then—

A system prompt echoed in Yun Xi’s ears:

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[Special Mission: The Wraith-Goddess of Liberty’s Wish]

Mission Objective: Travel to the Goddess of Liberty’s inheritance site. Coordinates: (***542, ***649)
Retrieve the Heart of Liberty and deliver it to the Wraith-Goddess.

Time Limit: None.

Mission Tip: Next inheritance point activation in 63 days.

Completion Reward: Inheritance of the Goddess of Liberty (as a god) or inheritance of the Goddess of Liberty (as a Wraith).

Failure Penalty: Dependent on real-time conditions.

---

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What shocked Yun Xi the most was:
This mission was issued by the Wraith-Goddess herself.

Based on what the alchemist had said about “her former self,” could it be that when gods fall, they transform into Wraiths?

“Your mission should be active now, right?”

“There’s not much more I need to say. I accepted this mission once before.
I failed, and lost my freedom as punishment—given to me by the Wraith-Goddess of Liberty.”

“And this punishment is permanent.
Unless I surpass her in strength, I’ll never be free again—unless someone else completes her wish.”

“Wait—if you failed the first time, can you still take the mission again?”

“Yes. The mission has no time limit.
Although I’ve lost my freedom, the inheritance site is close enough that I can still just barely move within range.”

“Any more insider info?”

“Well… aside from us, many prodigies will probably be coming. You should start preparing early.”

“Also, one more thing—the Goddess’s inheritance is restricted to professional adventurers under 100 years old.
You’re not over 100, are you?”

Yun Xi shook her head.

“Good. You’ve still got two months before the inheritance site reopens.
Make sure you gather enough detection tools—need me to craft a detection item for you?”

“Is it expensive?”

“Not at all. Special offer, friendship price—about 100 green crystals for a high-grade item.”

That was indeed cheap. Normally, high-grade gear sells for several hundred green crystals.

She really wanted it—but she had already spent so much, it wouldn’t seem realistic to buy more.

“Can I pre-order one? My living expenses come in next month,”
Yun Xi said deliberately—to make it seem like she had a powerful family backing her.

“Of course. Crafting it will take time anyway.
May I ask which city you’re from? Did you just happen to pass through Qinglan Town?”

Was she really a noble lady out on a journey of experience, unaware of the Wraith-Goddess’s mission?

The alchemist’s gaze was probing.

He hadn’t learned appraisal skills nor used any detection tools to scan people’s details.
So the last time he saw Yun Xi—even before she wore the Black Mist Stone earrings—he had no idea she was actually an adventurer.

“I’m not from the Shuyu Plains. Even if I told you, you wouldn’t know it.
Going on long journeys for training is a family tradition of ours.”

Yun Xi wasn’t lying.
She did come from afar, and now, the members of the Yun family logged in every day, traveling across the Continent of Fallen Gods to train.
Who’s to say that wasn’t a tradition?