Chapter 34: Instance: The Yin-Yang Marriage Pact

In the days Ye Luo spent at home, the government was busy implementing new measures one after another.

Even though she stayed inside her villa, Ye Luo could still hear people riding motorcycles outside, loudly broadcasting announcements over speakers as they drove by.

These broadcasts were AI-generated, which cleverly sidestepped the rules and managed to spread plenty of information.

The main focus of the propaganda was a vigorous recruitment of superhumans.

"Jiang City has formed a local law enforcement squad of superhumans, led by Lin An, an A-rank superhuman! Lin An has completed an A-rank instance and has abundant experience! Those who join the squad may receive personal guidance from Captain Lin An!"

From the broadcast, Ye Luo realized that the captain of Jiang City's law enforcement squad was Lin An.

The government wished they could promote Lin An as some unprecedented prodigy in strategy. Lin An himself was extremely embarrassed, but there was nothing he could do. The official policy was: if they could trick one more superhuman into joining, that was one more asset! Whether the truth would come out later was a problem for another day.

There was another important development as well.

A base had been established in Jiang City. The government was urging all ordinary people who lacked resistance to the cold to gather at the base, where superhumans would patrol, heating facilities would be provided, and it would be a safe haven for civilians.

Alongside these measures, the broadcasts continually shared tips on how to cleverly circumvent certain rules. By now, the number of deaths from the first and third rules had sharply decreased. The pressures of survival had forced humanity to adapt to this high-stress existence.

But the second rule had truly become a man-eating beast.

Even with the base's protection, its capacity was limited and the outside world was simply too cold.

According to the reports, the mortality rate among ordinary people had skyrocketed over the past few days.

Some people, seeing the glory of the superhumans who had survived the instance, were filled with regret. If only they had known, they would have tried to enter the instance themselves. Surely, this couldn't have been the only opportunity for such an event? There must be more chances in the future.

The extreme cold had reached a point where people even began to long for the arrival of a second round of instances.

April 16th.

It had been five days since Ye Luo left the instance.

As always, at exactly twelve noon, the mechanical voice sounded again.

All of humanity felt a jolt of anticipation.

"Sixteen days have passed since the rules descended. Global death toll has reached 1.73 billion. Next, the upgrade instances will be fully opened for all superhumans."

This update was aimed at the superhumans.

The ordinary people were instantly crestfallen.

Had they really missed their only chance to gain superpowers? The thought was unbearable.

The mechanical voice continued: "Assessment requirements: All superhumans must enter an instance every seven days. Instances are divided into solo and team types. After a solo instance, the next must be a team instance; after a team instance, you may choose either solo or team. Clearing instances will raise your level. Leveling up increases physical fitness and the strength of your powers. Currently, all superhumans start at level 1. The better your score in an instance, the more experience you gain, and the faster you level up."

"Superhumans may choose to enter an instance early, but not late. On the seventh day, you will be forcibly transported into one."

"The instance system is now fully open. Please check your personal panels."

"The next rules update will be on May 1st. A brand-new set of rules awaits you. Thereafter, rules will update on the first day of each month. On May 10th, the May Initial Instance will open, targeting ordinary people; participation will grant a random superpower. After May, there will be no more initial instances. All humanity is encouraged to participate in instances to give civilization a chance to survive."

Ye Luo narrowed her eyes. This update contained a huge amount of information.

She first checked her status panel.

A new data point had been added: player level.

At this moment, everyone started at level 1, with 0% experience.

From now on, simply clearing instances and gaining experience would allow players to level up.

Leveling up would not only improve physical attributes but also enhance the potency of their powers.

For most players, gaining experience and leveling up would become the highest priority.

Additionally, the panel now featured a button to enter instances.

If a player wished, they could enter instances endlessly without restriction; the system wouldn't stop them.

However, if a player chose not to enter, they would be forcibly transported every seven days.

In other words, every superhuman would have to clear an instance every seven days.

If each instance was as deadly as Dark Forest, then after only a few rounds, the human race might be nearly wiped out.

Ye Luo speculated that the death rate in upcoming instances should decrease.

Furthermore, since solo instances were always followed by mandatory team instances, but after a team instance there was no such requirement, it suggested that team instances might be more difficult, hence the enforced participation.

Beyond the instance system, the update also established a monthly schedule for rule updates, which would help people feel a bit more settled.

As long as they could survive the April rules for a dozen more days, it would be over! Though nobody knew whether May's rules would be harsher or more lenient, at least the weather probably wouldn't just keep getting colder.

Ye Luo analyzed the update and pondered a question.

Should she enter an instance immediately?

Her superpower would be ready for another draw in two days. Her current ability might not be entirely useless. If instances lasted long enough, she might even get the chance to draw a new power while inside one.

In that case, she could use two or even more powers in a single instance.

Most importantly—

This assessment was clearly designed to encourage rapid instance exploration. If she always waited to be forcibly pulled in every seven days, her leveling would be far too slow.

Ye Luo quickly made her decision.

Go!

Time to tackle an instance!

Over the past few days, she had already experimented and found that only items originating from instances could be stored in her player inventory. Still, she tried bundling some things to her body to see if she could take them in.

Once she was done preparing, Ye Luo pressed the instance button.

The next moment, the mechanical voice sounded.

"Player Ye Luo, please choose: solo instance or team instance."

She considered it. This was her first instance after the initial round. Based on her guess, solo instances would likely be slightly easier.

To be cautious, she decided to begin with a solo instance.

She selected "solo instance."

Once chosen, a massive die spun in the air.

When it landed, the name of the instance appeared:

"Yin-Yang Marriage Bond."

Ye Luo narrowed her eyes. The name alone already revealed so much.

As always, before the instance started, there were three options.

"Players may choose one item to bring into the instance.

1. Marriage Contract. (Grants a blank contract. Using it, you can bind two people in marriage, certified by heaven; it endures even if separated by death. You must know both parties’ names and birth dates. Mistakes will invalidate the contract.)

2. Peachwood Sword. (Can deal a certain amount of damage to spirits.)

3. Substitute Talisman. (Summons a duplicate of the player to take their place for half an hour. After that, the talisman loses effect.)"

All three items were quite practical.

However, for Ye Luo, the choice was obvious.

"I choose the first item."

A marriage contract appeared in her inventory.

The next instant, Ye Luo vanished from where she stood.