Damn it! Let’s smash the darkness together!
Chapter 522 - 137 Huh? How did you know I lost a 30-pound fish? (Asking for monthly votes)

Chapter 522: Chapter 137 Huh? How did you know I lost a 30-pound fish? (Asking for monthly votes)

The care that the Ascension Network gave to each "ascendant" was reflected in many aspects, meticulous and subtle.

Among the details was the switch between "nickname" and "real name."

It was almost like having two different accounts, but not entirely unrelated; to the user, once they switched to the "nickname" and donned their disguise, others would have no idea of their connection to the original "real name."

For instance, Xu Shu and Gu Yue Ming were friends, using her real name "Gu Pan" to add each other.

When Xu Shu switched his nickname to "Tai Chu," he could still see his original friends list; however, on Gu Yue Ming’s side, her friend list still only showed "Gu Pan" and did not reveal "Tai Chu."

And if Xu Shu interacted with her using "Tai Chu," Gu Yue Ming would see that she had an additional friend; both "Gu Pan" and "Tai Chu" would simultaneously exist in her friends list.

In other words, unless Xu Shu brought it up himself, Gu Yue Ming could never dream that "Tai Chu" was "Gu Pan."

Due to this, the wanted criminal of the Astronomy Association, "Lu Bingwei," could brazenly use the nickname "Overlord Spear" to continue living freely, without fear of discovery.

Under Lie Zhenzi’s protection, unless he exposed himself, guessing the relationship between Overlord Spear and Lu Bingwei was harder than reaching the heavens.

Thankfully, perhaps due to such an outrageous "secrecy" process, each account could only activate one nickname.

This prevented horror stories like "this forum is actually all my alternate accounts, don’t believe me? Let me switch accounts and tell you the same thing again" from occurring.

At that moment, just like before.

When Xu Shu completed the switch between his real name and nickname, he had essentially become a brand-new account.

"Create new topic"

—Xu Shu opened a "+" sign, ready to type, but fell into contemplation.

What would be good to say, exactly?

The current "Tai Chu" had some reputation online, an account being watched by many experts, supposedly a Fifth-order, or at least someone with the strength to instantly kill a Fourth-order, somewhat quirky.

So, the popularity of the post wasn’t a worry; there would definitely be some newbies coming in with "great lord hi, great lord bless, great lord let’s get acquainted" and such.

And the words "post by Tai Chu" would attract some powerful Transcendent humans to come and check the content of the post.

There was no worry about spreading the information.

But the argument was worth considering.

Xu Shu did not want his carefully cultivated expert persona to be exposed due to a slip of the tongue.

Why else would so many Fourth-order experts add him, but never get approved?

It’s the old saying: more talk, more mistakes; less talk, less mistakes; no talk, no mistakes.

Silence is golden, isn’t it?

Directly saying he injured a Fifth-order monster, but it got away and happened to hide in a twin cave canyon more than ten miles north of the D8B3 region?

This move, using the credibility accumulated from his last "accidental drop of a Fourth-order Plastic Surgery Monster," should be believable enough to fool many.

But it also came with great risks.

Unlike with that "Fourth-order Plastic Surgery Monster," which was free-ranging and crazily attacking several Third Rank Transcendents of the Pioneering Team; before that, no one knew it existed.

Its appearance was a pure chance, so Xu Shu could fake it without any risk of falling from his horse.

But this time, the Frightening Corruptor Efeilus was injured and hiding here to heal.

Who knew whether its injuries came from clashing with other monsters or from being wounded by a powerful human?

If it was the former, it would be fine.

But if it was the latter and Xu Shu jumped out to claim the credit, it could greatly damage the persona of "Tai Chu."

Even if the other party didn’t speak up, just spreading it within small circles, the real high ranks of the Human Clan could realize that he was merely a paper tiger.

And if it was further exposed, it would destroy his credibility completely, reducing him to a clown role, a laughable character everyone could step on.

After much consideration, Xu Shu felt that for this matter, ruining his carefully established persona as an expert was not worth it; thus, this plan to claim the credit could be directly discarded.

What should he say?

He needed to reveal the location to prevent others from being unable to find it;

yet maintain his persona to prevent others from seeing through his facade of strength;

he even had to consider basic logical issues, like if someone questioned why Tai Chu himself did not kill it, how should he respond?

This was a Fifth-order monster, possessing at least several Epic-level golden Curse Seals, not something to be taken lightly.

The last incident with the Fourth-order Plastic Surgery Monster could be explained as the old monster not caring about such a trifle, just doing a favor by giving it to someone.

What about this time?

Oh, to let go of a Fifth-order monster corpse that could be easily obtained? Is your Tai Chu really so selflessly magnanimous, without desires or wants?

This would obviously put him in a difficult position, unable to justify himself.