Chapter 174 Time Reversal

The surrounding temperature gradually rose, causing people to break out in a sweat.

With a contraction of his pupils, Fatty Luo seemed to wake from a dream, suddenly startled. He hurriedly tried to release his grip.

But it was too late.

Boom!!

The axe suddenly erupted with dense, intricate patterns, and with a deafening boom, exploded in Fatty Luo's direction, transforming into a shower of molten iron.

Fatty Luo had only just let go and retreated when the iron splashed all over him.

"Aaaaaah!!"

Fatty Luo screamed miserably, rolling on the ground.

A dozen fiery red holes appeared on his body, as the scalding molten iron scorched him, emitting the smell of roasted meat.

"Help! Help!!"

Seeing this, the host was so frightened that he rushed to the rescue, and with the help of others from the merchant团, they carried him away.

The noisy auction fell silent once more.

But the mood of the crowd was far from calm, as they frequently and cautiously glanced in Fire Captain's direction.

"Is that okay?"

Fang Yue asked curiously.

Fang Yue had seen Fatty Luo's skills. This fatty had practiced martial arts, but wasn't even a martial artist. He was no match for Fang Yue and couldn't hurt him.

But with Fire Captain nearby, he naturally didn't need to take action.

He had expected Fire Captain to intervene, but he hadn't expected him to be so ruthless.

"Don't worry, the rules of Ink Village are much stricter than those of your small village. Besides, I didn't take his life."

Fire Captain said indifferently, not caring at all.

Didn't take his life...

Fang Yue was slightly embarrassed.

So, the folk customs of Ink Village were even simpler than those of his Gu Yue Village.

Looking at the others, he saw that although they were initially frightened by Fire Captain's violence, they quickly recovered.

After the Black Crow Auction House took Fatty Luo away to deal with him, the scene was eerily quiet.

Although some people still looked over here from time to time, no one dared to voice an opinion.

After all... that was Fire Captain!

Not only was he short-tempered, but he also attacked without warning. Most importantly, no one could control him except for the Commander.

In any village, the so-called captain received the treatment of a local emperor. Going against such an existence was something only a fool like Fatty Luo would do.

But Fatty Luo had indeed been scammed quite badly. Ten whole black stones for a piece of junk. That price was enough to bid for the final item.

Now, it was all for nothing.

He'd been scammed badly...

The crowd looked in Fang Yue's direction with some trepidation.

By now, they all understood that the Heavy Water Shoes were fake, and the price had been artificially inflated.

Killing with kindness!

Looking at the rather harmonious relationship between Fang Yue and Fire Captain, many people had another thought.

Could it be that this unfamiliar guy named Niu Niu was a target that Fire Captain had brought in to deal with them?

Thinking of this, many people's apprehension towards Fang Yue increased by several notches.

"Host, are we not continuing the auction?"

Fang Yue naturally bent down, picked up the Heavy Water Shoes from the ground, put them away, and then asked.

Everyone saw this action, but no one said anything.

The host then came back to his senses.

By this time, the auction had returned to its previous order, as if Fatty Luo's actions were just a small interlude that didn't cause any waves.

Clearing his throat, the host returned to the stage and glanced at the worn-out Clock of Returning Time. He asked loudly,

"Clock of Returning Time, Upper-Grade Human Rank, 46g of black embers, is there a higher bid?"

Below the stage, there was silence.

If they had previously wanted to compete with Fang Yue and gamble on their luck, now, no one wanted to raise the price with Fang Yue anymore.

Fatty Luo was the clearest example.

They all thought that Fatty Luo had found a loophole and obtained boundless benefits, taking off in one fell swoop.

But in the end, he was actually misled, spending a lot of money only to buy a piece of junk.

With this example before them, who would dare to believe in Fang Yue's vision?

Moreover, the things Fang Yue had bid on before were indeed inconspicuous little things with nothing special about them.

So they all became smarter and understood that Fang Yue's bids were not credible, and there was no need to follow his price. They should just bid normally according to their needs.

As for being frightened by Fire Captain's lesson to Fatty Luo and not daring to bid, that was impossible.

If they encountered good things but didn't dare to bid or buy them because of their status, then what were they doing here? Were they just here to watch?

Auctions were inherently about offending people, and Ink Village hadn't reached a lawless state yet.

Fire Captain had intervened because Fatty Luo had first attacked Fang Yue. If Fatty Luo hadn't been blinded by anger and had just said a few harsh words from afar, then Fire Captain would have had no excuse to intervene, and the previous events wouldn't have happened.

There was a tacit unspoken rule between the captains and the village's merchants and celebrities: don't cross the line, and their power couldn't reach that area. The two sides would be fine on their own, and there was no need for conflict.

The position of captain had great power, but the village also needed Ink Village's support in various aspects if it wanted to develop.

Therefore, the captains and these dignitaries actually had a mutually beneficial relationship rather than intense conflict. Even exceptional cases like Fire Captain, who didn't like the dignitaries, wouldn't easily cross the line and do anything to them.

It was just that Fang Yue's actions today made many people suspect that Fire Captain wanted to use Fang Yue to do something to the village's dignitaries, so they couldn't help but have some thoughts.

"46g of black embers once, is there anyone bidding higher?"

The host patiently asked again, but he also vaguely felt it.

Everyone didn't want to be taken advantage of, and because of Fatty Luo's incident, the enthusiasm for the auction wasn't high.

After calling out a few more times, Fang Yue successfully bought the [Clock of Returning Time] for the price of 46g of black embers.

As the Black Crow Merchant团 members, like waiters, delivered the [Clock of Returning Time] to Fang Yue, Fang Yue also handed over the black embers to the Black Crow Merchant团, completing the transaction.

Many people glanced at him a few more times, but as the next item appeared, they stopped paying attention.

Meanwhile, Fang Yue was carefully observing the [Clock of Returning Time].

He wanted to use the Analytical Eyes to analyze the [Clock of Returning Time].

Unfortunately, the Analytical Eyes didn't activate.

Sighing dejectedly, Fang Yue began to observe its structure.

The [Clock of Returning Time] looked very old and worn on the outside, as if it had just been salvaged from the bottom of the sea.

It was only the size of a palm, and every part of it was covered in moss and grease.

The entire body was carved from an unknown old wood, and the internal structure was as precise as an advanced modern machine.

But every structural component was made of old wood, and some parts were severely damaged. The gears had long stopped turning, like a broken clock, motionless.

Looking at it from the front, you could even see the internal structure directly through several openings.

Let alone in its current dilapidated state, even when it was intact, Fang Yue would never have been able to see anything special about it.

It was just a small toy carved by an old woodcarver, and judging by the structure, it didn't seem to have any power source. It was impossible to imagine it turning.

Fortunately, Fang Yue didn't waste any time and directly asked the parchment in his heart,

"What is this thing?"

[Never mind what it is, give it to me, give it to me, give it to me!]

"... If you don't tell me, I won't give it to you."

[... Stingy!!!]

[Angry, angry, angry!!]

Fang Yue rolled his eyes.

He was already immune to the parchment's trick.

"... Stop talking nonsense, quickly tell me what this is. I wasted 46g of black embers. Don't tell me it's just a toy."

Toy?!

The parchment seemed a little sulky. Although no words appeared in his mind, Fang Yue immediately sensed this emotion.

It was a special feeling, like two souls, where each other's emotions could be easily known by the other party.

However, this feeling was fleeting. As long as the parchment didn't display words, Fang Yue could no longer know what the parchment was thinking or feeling.

Fang Yue frowned, realizing that things were not simple.

Was it because of the contract that his connection with the parchment was deeper? Or was it that the parchment could unilaterally conceal its emotions while being able to sense his every situation at any time?

This was not good news. The most depressing thing was that even his current thoughts could be known by the parchment at any time.

This guy was like a parasite in his mind, impossible to get rid of.

Just as Fang Yue was thinking this, words began to appear in his mind.

[I am Fang Yue, and at the Black Crow Auction, I obtained an incredible item, an extremely special strange object.]

[It is called the Clock of Returning Time, a terrifying strange object that is said to be able to reverse time. But as time passes, even the most powerful strange objects cannot withstand its erosion.]

[Over the long years, the Clock of Returning Time has lost almost all of its abilities. Its level has dropped layer by layer, and it has been reduced to the point where ordinary people can touch it with their hands.]

[I am excited to restore the power of the Clock of Returning Time and unleash its terrifying ability to shake the heavens and earth in ancient times. However, with my strength, I simply do not have enough to unleash even a fraction of its power.]

[Therefore, I gave this item to the great and noble parchment master, who will surely handle it properly.]

Fang Yue: !!!

Damn it!

Time reversal?

Ancient object? Powerful strange object?

Fang Yue immediately looked at the little toy in his palm, his eyes staring straight.

Damn, what kind of monster is this, actually falling into my hands!

Finding a loophole?

Is this still finding a loophole?

This loophole is so big that it covers the sky!

Fang Yue's breathing became slightly rapid, but he quickly controlled himself, fearing that the Fire Captain and others next to him would notice something.

He pretended to casually put away the Clock of Returning Time, and then frantically asked a series of questions in his heart.

"Parchment, tell me quickly, how can this Clock of Returning Time be repaired? What level is it? To what extent can the so-called time reversal be done? Can I bring it to reality and use it? Just like you, I want to bring it to reality!"

After signing a contract with the parchment, the so-called descent skill simply projected the game character's data into reality.

But the character's own equipment and items were not there at all.

So far, Fang Yue had only seen the parchment that could appear in both reality and the game at the same time.

Whether the Clock of Returning Time, also a high-level strange object, could be brought into reality was a question that Fang Yue had always wanted to know.

There was also the Human Skin Mask, which was also a good thing. If it could be used in reality, there would be many benefits, and it would be much more convenient to act.

Fang Yue's series of questions left the parchment a little overwhelmed. After a while, its not-so-clever brain finally digested Fang Yue's questions.

[I am Fang Yue, and I fantasize that any strange object can easily leave the game and appear in reality like the parchment.]

[But I do not know that this operation requires a great price.]

[The current me cannot afford the terrifying price of bringing an existence like the Clock of Returning Time out of the game. It would be a terrible disaster and catastrophe that would sweep the world.]

[As for the Human Skin Mask, it only needs to pay a moderate amount of lifespan. Through the great and noble parchment master, it can be brought out of the game with the contract as a medium, but the lifespan paid is still expensive.]

[I feel very depressed. It turns out that bringing strange objects out of the game requires paying lifespan. My poor lifespan cannot withstand such consumption... But the good news is that the great and noble parchment master is willing to reveal information: As the loopholes expand, the cost of bringing strange objects out of the game will gradually decrease, even approaching no cost. I look forward to that day.]

[The terrifying Clock of Returning Time is not something I can control. After careful consideration, I decided to give the Clock of Returning Time to the great and noble parchment master to handle.]

The parchment avoided many questions, but it also gave some information.

Loopholes? What are loopholes?

If the cost of lifespan means that bringing the Clock of Returning Time out of the game requires paying a large amount of lifespan that he cannot afford, then he won't do it.

But as loopholes expand, it can be free? Is there such a good thing?

Fang Yue was skeptical, but the parchment was unwilling to say more.

Even so, Fang Yue still regarded the Clock of Returning Time as a treasure. After thinking about it, he asked,

"What are you going to do with the Clock of Returning Time?"

Fang Yue didn't believe the claim of keeping the Clock of Returning Time safe.

Giving it to the parchment to keep was worse than keeping it himself.

The parchment seemed hesitant. It seemed to feel that if it didn't explain, Fang Yue would never give it this thing.

After hesitating for a long time, the parchment finally spoke.

[I am the great and noble parchment master, and I have learned one thing in my long paper life.]

[That is, I will not be paper anymore!!]

[The great and noble parchment master wants to eat the Clock of Returning Time. At that time, the characteristics of the Clock of Returning Time will be inherited and absorbed by the great and noble parchment master, and the essence of the parchment master will be further sublimated.]

[The great and noble parchment master will no longer be the parchment master, but... a particularly great and particularly noble parchment master!]

... Isn't that still paper?

[Shut up!! The parchment master with the characteristics of the Clock of Returning Time should be honored as the Time Parchment Master!!]