Retrospecting the Mystic Realm: The Incense God Without a Physical Form Under Public Scrutiny

【Welcome to Exorcism Dungeon No. 19—Retrospective Realm.】

【Here, time is the most useless thing. Do not trust your perception of it. Twelve sundials hover above the dome—watch the shadows cast by their needles closely, for each moves at a different pace.】

【Dungeon Guardian: Chrono-Wraith】

【Traits:

1. Fatal injuries will cause it to split into two entities. Seek a one-hit kill opportunity, or you’ll face two—or more—Chrono-Wraiths.

2. When attacking or being attacked, it automatically swaps positions with its target. Plan your strikes carefully, or your blade will find only air.

3. As long as even one Chrono-Wraith fragment remains alive, all defeated fragments will resurrect, inheriting memories of past deaths and evolving their combat tactics.

4. The Chrono-Wraith’s base stats are pitifully low, starting at just 100 combat power. But it grows stronger as the sundials turn. The early phase might be your best chance to strike—but remember, time here is the most useless thing.】

【Friendly Reminder: For your safety, purchase the Mandate of Fate passive buff.】

【Current Mandate of Fate uses remaining: 1,000,000,000】

This was yet another unique exorcism dungeon.

If the Nightmare Spirit of the Wedding Dream Realm was a stats monstrosity, then the Chrono-Wraith of the Retrospective Realm was a downright broken mechanics nightmare!

The only reason this dungeon wasn’t universally despised like Dungeon No. 7 (Wedding Dream) was the Chrono-Wraith’s laughably weak starting power—and the fact that killing it dropped precious fragments of spacetime law.

But let’s be honest—the more hated a dungeon, the more brutally effective its trials.

Too bad most players couldn’t afford it. Without enough points to buy Mandate of Fate stacks, anyone matched here would usually quit and reroll.

"Wedding Dream and Retrospective? Even dogs wouldn’t play these!"

That was the consensus among all exorcism dungeon veterans.

Including the two old-timers from Group 2 whom Ye Wuchen had strong-armed into his party.

Lin Buran wasn’t too bothered—he’d ridden the carry train once before and knew how sweet it was.

But the other two were sweating. Spending two billion points just to babysit the group leader? Ouch.

Then the leader of Group 108 barged in with an entourage, ignoring the "dungeon in use" barrier.

Their expressions shifted instantly.

"Wait… we’re doing this?"

"A billion uses?!"

"What’s the deal with this Group 108 leader? How’s he got our proud boss acting so humble?"

"Damn!"

Lin Buran grinned. "So, boys… how’s the carry train treating you?"

Ye Wuchen wouldn’t pick cowards like Meng Chao for this. These two were built different.

"Honestly? Feels amazing. But if we don’t use up all these Mandate stacks… can we get a refund?" Xiong Batian (aka "Lord of Heavenly Slaughter") licked his lips.

"Old Xiong, you’re missing the point," Wei Feng (ironically named "Contentment") cut in. "Points are worthless anyway. Since we’re here, crank the drop rates up 100x! Those spacetime law fragments are the real prize!"

Lin Buran stiffened. He thought he was bold for not fearing his first run, but these two were on another level.

"Easy, brothers. Let’s not say anything… divisive."

"Got it. Get rich quietly!"

"Let’s go!"

———

Meanwhile, Chen Yi’s crew circled a translucent, ghostly figure, scrutinizing her.

Lin Yuyu shrank under their gazes, too terrified to speak.

"Tsk. Abandoning the flesh for eternal divinity through faith… the Path of Sacred Flame, huh?" Gu Yuan muttered. "But this ‘flame’ is toxic. Once you’re hooked, you’re stuck—lose the faith, and your soul scatters."

Ye Wuchen nodded. "Gu Yuan’s right. The drawbacks are too severe. A shackled eternity isn’t worth giving up true freedom."

"Poor kid’s living a nightmare," Qin Sheng sighed. "Our Purple Star Continent has similar faith-based ascendants, but they keep their bodies. They use believers to cultivate, then harvest them to forge egocentric divine kingdoms. But her?"

"She’s enslaved to her followers. No freedom, no rest—even slacking triggers backlash. What’s the point of immortality if it tastes like ash?"

An Lan, the designated next God of Light in his Western fantasy realm, agreed. "Believers should serve gods, not the other way around. Divine miracles are gifts. You? You’re more like a… public servant."

"Not just to believers," Fang Zheng interjected, eyes darkening. "She’s a servant of the people. Anyone who offers incense becomes her responsibility. ‘Eat their offerings, solve their problems.’"

Gu Yuan’s eyes flashed with realization. He shot a wary glance at Chen Yi, who’d been silently brooding.

"Boss, this faith system could revolutionize grassroots governance and fortune accumulation. It’d massively accelerate world evolution. Are you planning to transplant it to our homeworld? I’ve got… minor suggestions."

Chen Yi smirked. "Let’s hear them."

Copying the system to Purple Star Continent was trivial—just rip the template from Lin Yuyu’s world. The hard part was purging its flaws and adapting it without side effects.

Gu Yuan hesitated. "My thoughts are crude, but you oversee the big picture. You might’ve missed minor details that, while insignificant, could use pruning—"

"Enough flattery," Chen Yi cut in. "Just speak."

As Gu Yuan complied, Fang Zheng clenched his fist, watching intently.

The clumsy mimic observes, analyzing whether the boss truly doesn’t care… or just pretends not to.