1.27 Four Hundred and Eighty Temples of the Southern Dynasties

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At the Spiral Edge, Changsha Bay Road, Terminal 1001A-0413.
Decoding the contact key sent in advance by the female client, a mysterious email address was successfully decrypted: “Master, the contact is also a sci-fi player.”
Overlooking the Spiral Edge, the seemingly static yet ever-moving intertwining of the four systems, Wu Chen softly said, “Perhaps an intermediary. Attempt to establish contact.”
“Yes.” The AI promptly sent an encrypted email using the contact key. Only the contact’s email could open it, preventing interception or decryption by others.
“Ay, is the edge of the four-system spiral zone moving?” Wu Chen asked the AI for confirmation.
“It is moving.” The AI zoomed in on the image. A small patch of mosaic flickered rapidly, as sci-fi architecture was replaced by fantasy structures. Almost simultaneously, adjacent magical buildings were replaced by sci-fi ones. From this, it could be inferred that the four-system spiral likely exists in a state of dynamic equilibrium—constantly devouring one another yet maintaining balance. This could be called the “dynamic edge.”
No wonder players dared not approach. In the blink of an eye, sci-fi turns to fantasy, and the affinity of sci-fi players shifts from amplification to suppression. Offense and defense invert, and the situation changes abruptly. Pursuit and counterattack happen in an instant. It is intensely thrilling, beyond the grasp of ordinary players.
For example, the Motorcycle Terminator’s transforming armor requires the support of the sci-fi system. Suddenly falling into the fantasy world, all scientific principles fail, like a tech tree vanishing; the armor becomes scrap iron, a useless clump of metal unable to function, let alone fight.
Even flying, it might suddenly shatter into shards of glass—an all-too-common occurrence. This is because, under the fantasy system, “unrecognizable” technological creations exist, similar to an Apple system unable to run Android apps.
Of course, such extreme events are rare. At the spiral zone’s dynamic edge, even a sudden system change mostly results in “failure” rather than “disappearance.”
This is understandable. After all, every player entering the Broken City is a memory unit. If memories exist, how could their trace be lost?
“Master, the contact requests a meeting.” The AI received a reply: “The location has been revealed.”
For convenience, the AI projected the address onto the AE86’s windshield. The destination was a skyscraper near the dynamic edge on Tianjie Street, only a few miles from Wu Chen’s current airport location. The address given by the female client was basically accurate, with minor deviations likely for security reasons—understandable.
“Agree to meet,” Wu Chen said.
“Understood, Master.” The AI immediately sent the email.
Notifying departure, uploading flight path, the flying motorcycle escorted the AE86 toward the destination—a hotel midway up a skyscraper on Tianjie Street: the Southern Dynasty Interstellar Hotel. Downloading the hotel key, gaining firewall access, the AE86 entered the hotel’s spacetime. Pavilions and towers appeared, full of ancient charm. Were it not for the constant comings and goings of various flying vehicles and the futuristic attire of the crowd, Wu Chen would have thought he had traveled back in time. Especially the floating terraces built atop flat platforms, resembling stars encircling the skyscraper.
The hotel’s owner used omnipotent high technology to create a dreamlike, fairy-tale paradise on earth.
The destination was precisely one of those towers.
“Four Hundred and Eighty Temples of the Southern Dynasty, how many pavilions shrouded in mist and rain,” Wu Chen smiled knowingly. “No wonder the hotel is named Southern Dynasty.”
“So there really are four hundred and eighty temples,” Lin Baiyu joked.
“There truly are.” Wu Chen pointed to the neon sign beside the pavilion: “Four Hundred and Eighty Temples.”
Even the cold and aloof Lin Baiyu couldn’t help but smile slightly.
Wu Chen felt this was a good beginning.

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The Motorcycle Terminator came to a stop beside the AE86. Cotail Vitreous opened the door for Wu Chen.
Her tight-fitting nano battle suit rapidly adapted to the environment, shifting appearance. After a ripple, Cotail Vitreous transformed into an evening gown, Jiuki Kiku donned a kimono, and Lin Baiyu changed into a cheongsam. The three beauties accompanied Wu Chen into the Four Hundred and Eighty Temples tavern, where they met the contact as hoped.
“0326, Wu Chen.”
“0606, Lolita.”
The AI whispered to Wu Chen that this female player was the most famous middleman of the Southern Dynasty Interstellar Hotel and rumored to be its owner. She held great prestige within the sci-fi spiral, and any transaction she guaranteed met no objection. The lack of popularity in the Traveler’s Camp trade market was partly due to players conducting private trades through intermediaries.
The Southern Dynasty’s Four Hundred and Eighty Temples was naturally her 0606 tablet base.
“Have we met before?” Lolita smiled and asked.
“In the Broken City, this is our first meeting,” Wu Chen replied with a smile.
“Very well, 0326.” The middleman got straight to the point: “An experienced navigator will guide you through the edge zone into the fantasy spiral. Don’t worry, this trip won’t go deep. You only need to safely deliver the entrusted item, retrieve the target object, and the mission will be complete.”
“Who is the recipient?”
“0721, Tian Wuya.”
“And the navigator?”
“Already emailed.”
“Any precautions?”
“No original items allowed.”
“A friendly reminder?”
“We’ll discuss if there’s any affection.”
“Understood.” Wu Chen stood and took his leave without further ado.
“Farewell.” The middleman bowed slightly in escort.
Returning to the AE86, Wu Chen immediately contacted the navigator.
“Hello, I’m 0326, the courier.”
“Oh, hello, I’m 0819, the navigator.”

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“How is the target area?” Wu Chen needed to clarify the details.
“As you know, the target lies in the transition zone between two spirals, always in dynamic equilibrium. Most of the day, the area is in the ‘balanced spiral’ state. It features skyscrapers, artillery, and aircraft. Original items or sanctuary-made creations not exceeding a ‘near-future’ storyline attribute can be brought in. If it’s a storyline character from a shelter card, as long as the plotline doesn’t conflict, it is allowed.”
“So ‘balanced spiral’ means it’s a memory zone where both sci-fi and fantasy narrative lines can continue.” Wu Chen understood. Simply put, it’s a dual system where both sci-fi and fantasy exert influence.
“Wow…” The navigator, having researched Wu Chen’s newcomer status, was surprised to hear such a profound understanding from a player new to the Broken City who hadn’t yet experienced the first Purge Day.
“What are the dangers?” Wu Chen asked again.
“Danger is everywhere. Don’t dismount lightly.” The navigator cautioned.
“Understood.” Compared to the vague middleman, the navigator’s information was more detailed. At least Wu Chen knew that people and objects from the near-future storyline could be brought normally.
Early departure and return, Wu Chen led the Motorcycle Terminator squad toward the rendezvous.
The closer to the dynamic edge, the fewer players appeared. The bustling city gradually calmed. Even the ubiquitous light and shadow vanished, revealing the cold contours of seldom-seen skyscrapers—like a modern woman removing her makeup, losing her glamorous facade.
Soon, immense pipelines resembling those in a harbor district appeared.
Landing on an unknown repair platform at the rendezvous point, the navigator had already arrived.
“AE86.” The two vehicles parked side by side. The male player rolled down his window and immediately recognized Wu Chen’s ride.
“DMC-12.” The AI also displayed the navigator’s vehicle info on the central control screen.
“Follow me.” Glancing at Lin Baiyu in the driver’s seat, the male player drove the DMC-12 into the pipelines ahead.
“Master, what does ‘no conflicting plotlines’ mean?” The AI was confused.
“Refer to the four spiral zones. Only the border edge is in dynamic equilibrium, meaning the sci-fi branch storyline we carry can only operate within this dynamic edge and cannot penetrate deeper. Otherwise, it will shatter.” Wu Chen explained.
“I see.” The AI understood. “In other words, we must not leave the dynamic edge and enter the fantasy spiral.”
“Exactly.” Wu Chen nodded gently.