Chapter 356 – Cat Dad's Critical Choice
The meeting was quick and decisive. In preparation for the potential separation because of Solomon's influence, Meowmeow assigned roles and teams for the immortals and Xiaomao.
Meowmeow and Madoka were the only deities here, so they grouped together as the Omega Team. They would freely act according to the situation, and they would try to break free from the new rules if necessary.
As Meowmeow was unsure if they could remain on this planet, he appointed Party Queen, Titania, and Cernun to be the primary guardians of the dungeon. As for Alice, Meowmeow left her as a wild card for Xiaomao in case he could bring his retainers to another planet. But if Alice couldn't join Xiaomao's team, she would stay behind to protect the dungeon. Every half-step deity in this group was now the Alpha Team.
The Beta Team consisted of Qidia, Ifrit, Mimir, and Taotie, aka the senior group. Although this team might get separated, each had been living for several thousand years, and they were capable enough to survive on their own. Their primary task was to secure the world they got teleported into and establish their operation bases. Everybody was free to recruit subordinates from other nations or factions. However, they were required to build a teleportation device in their headquarters and wait for contact from Meowmeow or Madoka.
The Charlie Team was different. Joan, Gata, Undine, and Nymph's levels and strength were similar. Everybody was certain that they would be sent together in the same group. Thus, Meowmeow gave them a task to work together and search for allies from the friendly factions, such as the Desert Frontier, Beast Forest, and Frozen Union. Their primary objective was the same as the Beta Team – Establishing their foothold on the new planet and waiting for reinforcements from other teams.
In addition, Ma Moxi, the master of Mount Tian Yuan, was known to have multiple wives like Mao Miaomiao. The secondary objective of the Charlie Team was to locate Ma Moxi's spouses and children if possible.
Next was the lower-tier immortal team. Yuan Hua, Fu De, Cookie, and Magdalene were assigned to the Delta Team. As their levels were under 2,000, they had a high chance to be sent to the same planet. Unlike the other teams, they didn't need to build a nation or a stronghold. Instead, they had to search for one man, who might show up on their planet.
Mao Miaomiao
From Meowmeow's info, Mao Miaomiao's current level was in the same bracket as the Delta Team. However, his true combat strength surpassed that as he was once a powerful quasi-sage in his previous life. Thus, finding this Chaos Seraphim was put on priority, and the team was given the most resources for this job.
Meowmeow reluctantly finalized the delta team's roster. He was aware that this ragtag troublemaker group was unreliable, and they might not get along. Although Magdalene and Yuan Hua seemed to share a husband, Magdalene had violent tendencies while Yuan Hua seemed to be in trauma or PTSD from something.
Worrying about the Delta Team, Meowmeow warned them.
"Listen carefully, you dumbasses, munya. Your team has ONE JOB, and you get the most support from the dungeon. If you fail, YOU'RE FIRED REGARDLESS OF WHATEVER RELATIONSHIP YOU HAVE WITH ANYBODY, MUNYA! And if you, by chance, provoke Mao Miaomiao or get him on the wrong foot, I'll be sure to skin you, grind you, debone you, and crush your bean brains into fish food myself, munya!"
At first, Cookie, Fu De, Magdalene, and Yuan Hua weren't paying attention to the meeting as they felt like it was none of their business. But once Meowmeow threatened to disown them, they sweated profusely.
Yuan Hua started sobbing and crying. Shepherd hugged and patted her back before she stopped making noises.
Assigning the immortal teams was not easy. These people were old enough to know what to do in a dire situation. However, what troubled Meowmeow and others the most was the mortal groups.
First, they were in serious danger as Solomon might simply trap them in an immortal world somewhere that they couldn't reach. Everybody didn't believe that Solomon would honestly transfer Xiaomao and others to regular player planets as they were special.
Secondly, these groups were inexperienced youngsters. They were prone to make silly mistakes, and they might end up offending people unintentionally.
So far, Wei Zhi, Torrent, and Shepherd were the only level-999 members here. It was likely that they would be grouped together unless the dungeon monsters would be sent as well. If that were the case, their group might be safer than the rest.
On the other hand, John was at risk. As a lone level-899 member, he was likely to be isolated. Therefore, the burden rested on Xiaomao, whose level was 799. If he could get another breakthrough and reach the same bracket, they could be paired and work together.
As for Andrew, Peter, James, and Mary, they might be overlooked as they were never the center of attention. The only concern was James, who was still cultivating and adapting to his new physique and power.
"Xiaomao, within a week, advance to the Soul Formation Realm, munya."
Meowmeow immediately gave Xiaomao an impossible task. Xiaomao just obtained his first nascent soul. To reach the 8th stage, he had to form an array of nascent souls, which required him to complete as many element foundations as possible.
"That's impossible, munya. I just have my first nascent soul. Making a dozen more is a bit..."
Meowmeow snorted and tossed a crystal at Xiaomao. The latter caught it and looked at its item description.
.
Heavenly Fate Crystal
In this universe, anyone with this crystal can be considered the main character of this universe's stories as most events in their generation revolves around them. They can be anything in those stories – A protagonist, a deuteragonist, an antagonist, a confidante, a love interest, or even a tertiary character.
Although it brings luck to the fate bearer, it is also a form of curse. Misfortune always follows the Heavenly Fate Crystal's owner wherever they go until the crisis in their generation is solved.
Item Type: Class Evolution Material
Rarity: Mythic
Requirement: Righteous mortal with negative karma.
Effects: If you use this material to upgrade your class and you meet the requirements, the item permanently grants you the following perks;
- Unlock Fate Attribute and Feature
- Increase LUCK and Fate by 1,000,000.
- Decrease required leveling EXP by 90%.
- Increase your handsomeness by 5,000% if the owner is a man.
- Increase your charm and beauty by 5,000 if the owner is a woman.
- Dishonest strangers always have a negative first impression of you.
- Righteous strangers always have a positive first impression of you.
- If you fight an opponent with more than 5-star hatred, you can negate all damage and remove all abnormal status effects, debuffs, negative domain abilities, and negative mandate once per fight regardless of conditions and restrictions. Recover your stamina and Qi to the max after that, and your next attack will never miss the target and do 5,000% damage.
- Killing a rival or an opponent with at least 1-star hatred increases your negative karma by 10,000. Their friends, family, and loved ones are likely to discover your identity and your deeds.
- Automatically summon a strong helper when you are on the verge of death.
- Every time you survive a life-threatening ordeal, you will always find a random legendary-grade treasure or have a life-changing encounter with someone.
Effects (2): If you don't meet the requirements but you merge the crystal with your heart anyway, this item grants you no effect.
[Cathulhu Instinct]: Well, shit. This is a double-edged sword. You can use this to upgrade the Regressor Class, but you will end up becoming one of the main characters of this generation. All deities will notice you.
[Foresight]: This is a major turning point. If you use it, you will gain a strong power, but your future will be full of thorns. You will never find peace until you become the sole winner of this battle royale. If you ignore the crystal, you will live a mediocre but peaceful life, but you will never reach Mao Miaomiao's realm or see Mu-Nyang again. Your choice.
.
"Huh? What the hell, munya?!"
Xiaomao was stunned. He had never seen this item before in his previous life.
"This is what you lack at the moment, munya. Upgrade your class with it, and your breakthrough should be a lot easier, munya."
"…"
Xiaomao furrowed his brows and fixated on the advice of his Senpais. Both pieces of advice warned him of the potential danger that came with it.
He hesitated.
"Is this safe, munya?"
Meowmeow shook his head, "Of course not. It's up to you if you want to double-up the wager or play it safe, munya. To be honest, I feel like you will use it anyway. But I won't blame you if you wish to avoid danger and rely on us forever, munya."
Meowmeow's words stabbed Xiaomao's black heart. As Xiaomao yearned to be as strong as every senior here, the cat's consolation was an insult.
"Fine. I'll use it, munya."
"Gods will be able to see you, munya. Are you sure?"
"You gave me the choice, and I've made my pick, munya. I'll double down."
Meowmeow firmly nodded. He deeply sighed and quietly muttered, "I don't understand why you weren't born with this crystal when you're fated to become one of those, munya. What is Mu-Nyang thinking?"
Xiaomao and others didn't hear Meowmeow as they had their own concerns and tasks to worry about.