Chapter 80: The Official Forum

Hearing that familiar voice, Gu Sha was momentarily stunned. He hadn’t expected that after the great calamity a month ago, Nie Qingqing would still be alive. Gu Sha responded with a simple “Mm.”

Although Gu Sha’s demeanor was calm, Nie Qingqing was visibly excited, speaking incoherently, “Mr. Gu… you’re still alive… no, I’m still alive. I’ve already arrived… Everything is fine… Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” Gu Sha replied indifferently.

On the other end, Nie Qingqing’s heavy breathing could be heard, taking a moment to calm her agitation before continuing, “Mr. Gu, it’s so good that you’re well. Thank you—without you, I doubt I would have survived… Now, Chairman Han is the honorary president of the Extraordinary Association and also serves as the director of the Information Department. I’m still working under him. We arrived ten days ago, and in these ten days, Chairman Han’s sole task for me was to contact you. But I couldn’t get through. Now, finally, I’ve reached you—it’s wonderful!”

Gu Sha asked quietly, “Is there something you need from me?”

Nie Qingqing replied, “The extraordinary cooperation model Chairman Han proposed has been approved by the cabinet half a month ago and is now being implemented across the continent. Do you… still wish to cooperate with the authorities?”

Gu Sha considered it. That cooperation model had no drawbacks for him, so he said, “If the model hasn’t changed, I’m naturally willing to continue.”

“That’s great!” Nie Qingqing said, barely containing her excitement. “Is your situation stable over there? Any danger? Would you like the authorities to send someone to pick you up?”

“No need,” Gu Sha said. “I’m very safe.”

Nie Qingqing breathed a sigh of relief. “Is your signal stable?”

Gu Sha checked his phone screen. “Seems stable.”

“Please wait a moment, I’ll notify Chairman Han right away,” Nie Qingqing said.

Gu Sha gave a brief acknowledgment.

Soon after, Han Ze’s voice came through the phone. “Mr. Gu.”

“Mm.”

“It’s truly wonderful to hear your voice again,” Han Ze said. “I know you’re straightforward, so I won’t waste time with pleasantries. The authorities have now established an internal forum that provides real-time updates from all over the world. This forum has invited every recorded extraordinary warrior of the fourth rank and above. I’ll send you a link next.”

Gu Sha narrowed his eyes slightly.

So the legendary global forum had already appeared at this moment.

In his previous life, he’d only encountered the global forum three years later, after arriving at the Barrier. Later, it became humanity’s sole worldwide information exchange platform, gathering everything from official news, black markets, mercenary guilds, and more. Whether seeking work, trading goods, buying information, or forming teams, all could be done there.

However, in his previous life, Gu Sha had only a standard account, with very limited access. He’d heard many rumors about a so-called Human Light Sequence—the first ninety-nine personal accounts to enter the forum. Apparently, only these ninety-nine accounts held the highest privileges, able to access intercontinental official records and uncover the truth of the catastrophe.

Back then, Gu Sha couldn’t help but fantasize about owning one of those legendary sequence accounts. Even without considering their significance, just selling insider information would make him a prominent figure among the elite.

Of course, those notions were born of his lower status at the time.

Yet now, curiosity remained. He looked forward to seeing this initial forum and wondered about his own sequence ranking.

As soon as Gu Sha hung up, his phone vibrated—Han Ze had sent him a link.

Gu Sha immediately clicked the link. After completing facial and fingerprint recognition, the screen went blank for a moment before a line of text appeared:

“Welcome, esteemed First Sequence member. Please remember your code is the number ‘1’. Set your initial password and personal information.”

Gu Sha casually entered a password, and a personal information page appeared.

The form was simple—name, date of birth, and other basic identification info. One additional field asked: “Would you like to set a codename?”

Gu Sha chose ‘No’ and entered the forum.

The forum’s layout was still quite rough. There was a personal info page, a posts page, and an official news page. The black market and marketplaces that became so popular in later years had yet to be developed.

The news page, however, was filled with official updates.

The forum itself was empty. A few personal accounts had posted topics, but they were trivial, with scattered replies.

Glancing through, Gu Sha suddenly noticed a post from an ID called Gun God:

“Brothers, have you seen the contents of Document One? Rumor has it that some fierce character captured Bai Ziyu, that bastard, and extracted intel from him. The document suggests the existence of an alternate dimension.

A couple days ago, while piloting a plane on patrol, I passed over a mountain and suddenly saw a city—can you believe it? Damn, it was like seeing a ghost: a huge modern city in the middle of a primeval forest!

But when I went back to check, it was gone—as if I’d imagined it.

But I’m ex-military, a renowned sharpshooter, and my eyes are my greatest asset. I’m certain I didn’t mistake it. I’m planning to gather some experts to investigate—anyone interested? Team up online, join the group chat.”

A link followed the post.

Gu Sha clicked the link and entered a chat group.

It was lively, with many people talking.

“I’d love to join, but the situation at the Barrier is dire—I can’t leave.”

“Honestly, we should check it out. In times like these, anything bizarre can happen, and often, opportunity comes with it!”

An ID called Ten Thousand Swords Return spoke up: “Exactly, the Extraordinary Association submitted a report—Bai Ziyu saw something terrifying. The key is, he acquired a formula that can mass-produce extraordinary beings, plus a scepter that unleashes mysterious powers, strong enough to deflect missiles without any damage!”

Someone below questioned: “If it’s that powerful, why was he captured?”

“Yeah, is the Extraordinary Association really that formidable?”

“…”

Ten Thousand Swords Return replied, “It wasn’t the Association—it was a rogue extraordinary, unbelievably strong. Rumor has it that the forum’s First Sequence account hasn’t appeared yet because they’re waiting for him. He’s insanely powerful.”

Mad Blade: “So he’s the world’s number one?”

Gun God: “The authorities seem to think so?”

Lightning King: “That’s a stretch…”

Chrysanthemum Hero: “How many of us have sequence accounts, anyway?”

Ten Thousand Swords Return: “Ten, exactly ten. Our continent has a huge population, so the likelihood of strong individuals is high. But the First Sequence account is special—it wasn’t officially vetted, just handed directly to that person. He must be incredibly powerful!”

Mad Blade: “I don’t buy it. If I run into him, I’ll challenge him and claim that account for myself!”

“Support!” “Mad Blade 666!”

“Support!” “Mad Blade is awesome!”

“…”

At that moment, Gu Sha, who had been silently watching, sent a message.

First Sequence Gu Sha @Mad Blade: Good!

The group fell silent.

(End of chapter)