Chen Tian was on the vast expanse of the Azure Sea, his head aching. Was the edge of the world really this far? Fortunately, Chen Tian had plenty of time to press on. Who in their right mind would wander through the Azure Sea map for no reason? It was sheer boredom, a case of having too much time on their hands.
This map had no monsters, a fact that deterred most players, making it an unpopular zone. Chen Tian found it baffling that the edge of the world was designed to be so difficult to locate. He couldn't take it anymore.
After several days of continuous travel, Chen Tian finally, finally emerged from the Azure Sea. He looked at the barrier before him and communicated with the system: "System, this is the edge region, right?"
"Yes, please present the quest item and pass through the barrier."
Chen Tian did as the system instructed, presenting the quest item. It appeared in his palm. Chen Tian stepped forward, and the barrier parted. Beyond the barrier lay a colossal structure – a palace, cloaked in four distinct colors. Chen Tian could sense that these colors represented the four elements, corresponding to the four seasons: summer for fire, winter for ice, spring for wind, and autumn for water. These four elements formed the Four Seasons Palace. The massive gate was shut. Standing before the four-colored gate, Chen Tian pushed with his palm, unleashing his full strength. To his astonishment, his hands couldn't budge the gate.
What kind of joke was this? What was wrong with this gate? He couldn't open it? This was absurd.
Chen Tian increased his strength, pouring all his might into the push, yet the gate remained unmoved.
Panting, he leaned against the gate and exclaimed, "What is the deal with this gate!"
Chen Tian's current strength in the game was comparable to a level 98 player of White Blaze rank. Yet, he couldn't move a simple gate. Was this gate, then, one of those that couldn't be opened by force?
"I, Chen Tian, refuse to believe this. I can't open you?"
Chen Tian pushed the gate with both hands, a stalemate lasting for an eternity. Frustrated, his expression turned grim. If he couldn't even get through this gate, how was he supposed to complete the quest?
Chen Tian said, feeling utterly defeated, "System, System, come out and help me figure out how to open this gate."
This gate was the most challenging problem Chen Tian had encountered. The system spoke: "One sentence, host is a bit silly. The way this gate opens is not by pushing. Didn't the host notice?"
"Huh!"
Chen Tian froze. He was actually being insulted by the system, called "silly"? Ugh!
Wait, the system said the gate wasn't opened by pushing. Then how?
Chen Tian stepped back a few paces, his eyes suddenly gleaming. He slapped his forehead and said, "So that's how it is. I was being foolish."
Chen Tian approached the gate again. He placed his palm beneath the gate and gently lifted. The entire gate rose upwards. Chen Tian raised it to its apex, revealing an empty path before him. The gate, it turned out, was lifted from the bottom up, not pushed. He huffed; he hadn't noticed the groove at the bottom designed for a player's palm.
Chen Tian entered the gate as if nothing had happened. The system remained silent. Chen Tian was too proud to admit his mistake, preferring to pretend it never happened.
Chen Tian walked along the path. The palace interior was empty. At the far end, four beams of colored light illuminated the surrounding darkness. Chen Tian moved quickly towards the light, where a throne dominated the end of the palace. The throne was composed of four colors, appearing as though it had been occupied by an emperor. It exuded a majestic aura.
Chen Tian felt certain he was in the right place. In the center of the throne was an indentation. Chen Tian took out the quest item. The indentation was a perfect match for the item. He inserted it.
"Wait, host, that's too soon."
Just as the system spoke, Chen Tian had already pressed it. The entire palace shook, and the ground beneath Chen Tian's feet suddenly split open. Chen Tian plummeted into the chasm.
"Ahhh! System, what is going on?"
Red and blue wings unfurled behind Chen Tian, and he slowly descended. The system spoke: "Ding! Host did not receive the blessing of the King of Four Seasons. You will now face the Four Seasons Demon King at his full power. Host, fend for yourself!"
"System, explain it more clearly! What do you mean!"
While Chen Tian was communicating with the system, there was ground beneath him. Chen Tian landed on the ground and continued to exchange words with the system. After a brief exchange, Chen Tian's expression changed dramatically.
"So, you're saying I didn't receive the King of Four Seasons' blessing, and it will be very difficult for me to defeat the Four Seasons Demon King."
"Yes. If the host had not inserted the item into the indentation but had instead chosen to sit on the throne, they would have received the blessing of the King of Four Seasons. During the battle with the Four Seasons Demon King, you would not be at such a disadvantage. At least a small portion of the opponent's abilities would be ineffective against you."
"Now, without the blessing, it will be very difficult for the host to defeat the Four Seasons Demon King."
"I don't believe it. I really don't believe it."
Chen Tian said with a defiant tone. Chen Tian had never lost a game before. How powerful could this Four Seasons Demon King be? A Rank South City Blue Ripple level? Impossible. Absolutely impossible?
Chen Tian, unwilling to accept defeat, headed towards his destination. At the end of Chen Tian's path lay the Four Seasons Demon King's abode. Defeating him would complete the quest, with substantial rewards.
Since the system update, all previous quest rewards had changed, becoming much more abundant. Correspondingly, the difficulty had also increased. But Chen Tian refused to believe that he couldn't win without the King of Four Seasons' blessing.
Chen Tian arrived at the Four Seasons Demon King's residence. He unleashed his divine sense, sensing nothing. Was the opponent not here?
"Human, why have you come here?"
A voice echoed in Chen Tian's mind. Chen Tian replied, "To complete the quest and merge the Four Seasons Kingdom."
"Human, leave this place. Without my blessing, you are no match for the Four Seasons Demon King. I can't hold him back much longer. Hurry, go, go!"
A pained voice resounded. Chen Tian felt a sense of imminent danger. With a leap, the ground exploded where he had stood.
The figure appeared before Chen Tian's eyes. The Four Seasons Demon King spoke, "Die. The Four Seasons Kingdom must never be merged and restored. For my master's mission, kill!"
The figure was a man clad in four-colored robes, with the aura of four elements swirling around him.
Chen Tian opened his divine eyes. Information about the Four Seasons Demon King appeared in his mind.
Chen Tian blurted out, "How am I supposed to fight this! I regret it, System! System, send me back!"
"The quest has reached this point, and there is no way to end it. Either the host dies, or the host kills the opponent. Otherwise, you cannot leave this place."
"Warning host, this quest has only one chance. If the host fails, the quest will be completed by someone else. This task is for the capable."
Chen Tian's face darkened. There were such rules? Why didn't you tell me sooner? If you had told me all this earlier, would I be in this situation?
Chen Tian offered a wry smile. The system update was good, but why did it feel so like a trap?