Free Web NovelChapter 148: Chapter 148: Crownless Settlement
The settlement screen appeared in the open eastern gate of Mist Crown City.
Behind them, the palace dissolved into fog. The broken true crown rose into the sky as pale light, no longer a symbol of rule but of release.
[Floor 28: Mist Crown City]
[Main Mission: Uncover false ruler and open eastern gate — Completed.]
[Sub-Mission: Gain access to royal district — Completed.]
[Sub-Mission: Identify 3 false decrees — Completed.]
[Sub-Mission: Protect civilians from mist punishment — Completed.]
[Sub-Mission: Avoid accepting crown authority — Completed.]
[Sub-Mission: Discover true crown’s fate — Completed.]
[Floor Boss: Crown Mist Parasite defeated.]
[City authority released.]
[Calculating final evaluation...]
The result appeared.
[Final Evaluation: SSS]
Qin Mo nodded deeply.
"Crown avoided. Excellent floor."
The rewards appeared.
[SSS Evaluation Rewards]
EXP +14,000
Tower Coins x190,000
S Grade Mist Crown City Chest x1
S Grade Broken True Crown Fragment x1
S Grade False Decree Cleansing Seal x1
A Grade Mist Authority Crystal x1
A Grade Civilian Protection Merit Stone x1
Special Mark: Crownless Liberator
Additional hidden reward:
[Authority Released Without Acceptance]
SS Grade Crown Burden Rejection Crystal x1
Qin Yuheng’s eyes sharpened.
Crown Burden Rejection Crystal.
Another tool against forced authority.
After returning to the academy, Yu Qingmei seemed relieved by the report.
"You refused crown authority."
"Yes."
"Good. Some commander-class climbers fail there."
Qin Mo looked horrified.
"They accept?"
"Authority is tempting," Yu Qingmei said. "Especially temporary authority with obvious benefits."
Qin Yuheng said, "It inherited enemies."
"Even if it did not, ruling a Tower remnant city can create path consequences."
At the Qin Estate, the reward discussion focused on authority.
Qin Wanshan examined the Broken True Crown Fragment.
"This is useful, but dangerous."
After enhancement, it became:
[S Grade Broken True Crown Fragment]
↓
[SSS Grade Crownless Authority Heart Fragment]
[Effect:
Can stabilize leadership authority without accepting rulership chains. Useful in formations that distinguish command, stewardship, and domination.]
Gu Tianhe valued it greatly.
"Command network needs this."
Qin Zhengyuan agreed.
"Especially to prevent command from becoming control."
The Crown Burden Rejection Crystal was enhanced.
[SS Grade Crown Burden Rejection Crystal]
↓
[SSS Grade Sovereign Authority Refusal Crystal]
[Effect:
Resists forced rulership, inherited authority traps, crown curses, throne bindings, and hostile transfer of leadership burden.] ƒгeewebnovёl.com
Qin Mo looked at it and said, "This is the anti-crown rock."
Qin Wanshan approved.
The False Decree Cleansing Seal joined the estate legal-defense system. With each floor, the Qin Estate became harder to manipulate through words, vows, contracts, authority, memory, or blood.
But this also meant Blood Sun Hall would eventually stop using subtle hooks and prepare something heavier.
Qin Yuheng knew that.
The next floor file confirmed another shift.
[Floor 29: Sunken Star Library]
Type:
Knowledge ruin / record retrieval / star-water pressure / forbidden archives.
Known features:
Living books, memory shelves, star ink guardians.
Warning:
Some records read the reader.]
Qin Mo’s eyes lit despite himself.
"A library."
Qin Lian looked at him.
"You sound interested."
"I like books more than beasts."
Qin Yuheng was cautious.
A library floor could contain knowledge about Crimson Eclipse, Blood Sun, Qin seals, or Tower laws. It could also contain traps designed for curiosity.
Yu Qingmei warned them before entry.
"Do not read everything. Choose records carefully. Some knowledge floors punish greed harder than treasure floors."
Qin Yuheng nodded.
At the Qin Estate, Qin Zhengyuan gave him a list of safe search themes:
Blood Sun general history.
Crimson Eclipse ritual references.
Ancient seal injuries.
Black Sun bone corruption.
Moonbone cleansing.
Qin family old records only if non-bloodline recognition.
Mu Qinglan added one more:
"Do not open moon-void records if they appear."
Qin Yuheng looked at her.
She did not explain.
He accepted.
Floor 29 opened beneath dark water.
The team appeared inside a vast library submerged under a starry sea. Books floated in bubbles. Shelves rose like coral towers. Above them, instead of a ceiling, starlight rippled through black water.
The mission panel appeared.
[Floor 29: Sunken Star Library]
[Main Mission]
Retrieve one valid star record and reach the surface archive exit. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
[Sub-Missions]
1. Avoid forbidden record backlash.
2. Defeat 10 Star Ink Guardians.
3. Preserve team memory clarity.
4. Discover one hidden archive chamber.
[Warning]
Some records read the reader.]
Qin Mo looked around.
"I still like it."
Then one book opened by itself and whispered his name.
He immediately stepped back.
"I like it less."
The search for records began.
