Chapter 52:
The erosion area is still spreading

The unexpected news left everyone staring at each other in shock.

Even Old Xiao, who had been weak and dry heaving from motion sickness, raised his pale, bloodless face with a look of shock in his eyes.

Jing Qizhen suddenly understood why the Earth had been talking about ‘humanity as a whole’ in his head earlier, even suggesting that someone should hold a mobilization conference at the United Nations.

Clearly, beyond the recently resolved erosion area in Shennongjia, the Earth was already aware of another erosion area abroad being dealt with.

Although Tang Song considered the development absurd, from the Earth’s perspective, the person who put an item from an erosion area up for auction on the dark web’s black market was also one of the Earth’s ‘warriors.’

As for that individual’s role in human society, honestly, to the Earth, it was no more significant than natural phenomena like volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, or global warming, El Niño, or species extinction. The Earth didn’t care.

To the Earth, ecological and environmental changes originating from the Earth itself were just like changing the color or pattern of its clothes. The formation of massive mountain ranges from tectonic shifts was nothing more than the Earth pinning a brooch to its chest. It was hardly a big deal.

The Earth simply didn’t care.

Manman, who had been holding Si Jiayang’s arm, now straightened up with a more serious expression and asked, “What’s the special item being auctioned on the black market?”

Tang Song didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he pulled out his phone and forwarded the images he had just received to the group chat everyone had been using. Then he exhaled lightly and explained, “I sent the pictures to the group.”

Everyone instinctively reached for their phones.

Jing Qizhen saw the image Tang Song had sent. It was multiple shots of a red ribbon hanging on a jewelry rack.

Next to the rack was a small card with clearly printed details about the special item from the erosion area.

[Name: Ribbon of the Red Dancing Shoes]

[Type: Weapon]

[Quality: Blue]

[Use: Tie anything together with it.]

[Limitation: It’s only this long and there’s only one. You’ll have to make it work.]

[Remark: This is a delicate red ribbon from the fairy tale ‘The Red Dancing Shoes.’ Once tied, the ribbon cannot be untied unless someone cuts off their foot. Perhaps brute force might work? The ribbon can serve as shoelaces, a rope, a gift wrap, a hair accessory, or even a decorative bow. Looking at this fragile red string, which even mortals can snap, the Matchmaker God Yue Lao admits defeat…]

While it wasn’t certain that the information about the ‘Ribbon of the Red Dancing Shoes’ was entirely accurate without seeing the item firsthand, the familiar descriptive format, combined with the Earth’s earlier reaction, made Jing Qizhen believe it was highly credible.

Still looking frail, Old Xiao stood hunched over, holding his phone in one hand. After reading the information, he shook his head and muttered, “I remember ‘The Red Dancing Shoes’ is a story from Hans Christian Andersen. I used to skip that one when reading fairy tales to my daughter. It’s such a creepy tale.”

Tang Song, now composed, said, “Let’s head inside and talk. You just returned from Shennongjia, so you must be exhausted.”

Lu Lingxi chuckled. “Not too bad. How about we eat first?”

Tang Song nodded. “Good idea. Let’s eat, discuss this, and then you can rest while I deal with the matter.”

As they walked toward the hotel, Manman asked, “What’s the reaction on the dark web’s black market?”

Tang Song replied, “The seller allows bidders to send representatives to inspect the item after freezing their funds. Many buyers are now very excited and frantic.”

Meanwhile, Jing Qizhen was conversing with the Earth. “Babyball, which erosion area is the ‘Ribbon of the Red Dancing Shoes’ from?”

The Earth: “Europe!”

Jing Qizhen thought for a moment and then said confidently, “You didn’t mark this location on the electronic globe earlier.”

The Earth: “That’s ‘cause that erosion area has already been resolved!”

Jing Qizhen continued pondering.

The Earth suddenly coughed lightly and, after clearing its throat, timidly asked, “Hey, remember when ye’ said ye’ would get me de’ 2019 updated version of de’ ‘Complete Guide for Standard Mandarin Proficiency Test’?”

Jing Qizhen: “…”

Expressionless, Jing Qizhen turned to Tang Song and said, “I need a favor.”

Tang Song chuckled and gestured, “Hmm? Go on.”

Jing Qizhen quickly spilled a surprising piece of information, “The Earth picked up a heavy Northeastern Chinese accent from that Russian expert who speaks Chinese. Now it wants the latest ‘Complete Guide for Standard Mandarin Proficiency Test’ to correct itself.”

Tang Song: “…??? Wait, the Earth speaks with an accent when talking to you?”

The others, equally stunned: “=口=!!!”

It was as if they had just uncovered an astonishing secret.

Only Si Jiayang, who had been pestered by those Russian experts earlier, could empathize with the Earth. He immediately exclaimed, “Yes! That expert’s accent is intense! Even Northeastern locals back home don’t sound that strong. How on earth did he learn Chinese like that?”

The Earth, momentarily stunned, erupted into fury like a betrayed lover, shouting incredulously, “Jin’ Qizhen, ye’ jerk! How could ye’ do dis’ to me? How could ye’ embarrass me like dis’, lettin’ everyone laughs at my accent?”

As the Earth’s rant echoed in his mind like thunder, Jing Qizhen quickly countered, “Who’s laughing at you? No one is laughing! They’re just amazed that the Earth can speak dialects! Everyone thinks you’re amazing. So down-to-earth and approachable.”

“The world just keeps getting more incredible,” Jin Guijuan sighed,

Old Xiao, still weak, nodded in agreement. “I feel the same.”

Meanwhile, Si Jiayang was whispering to his girlfriend, mimicking the classic Northeastern accent of that Russian expert. Manman imagined the scene, then thought about the Earth, and sincerely commented, “That actually sounds kind of fun!”

The Earth paused for a moment, then realized. “Huh? Maybe it is!”

Discovering that no one except Jing Qizhen had been mocking it, the Earth’s almost-exploding mood quickly calmed down. It even felt a touch of pride.

The Earth said enthusiastically, “Hey, Little Jin’!”

Jing Qizhen, wary, asked, “What do you want?” =.=

The Earth, excited, responded, “Tell ‘em! I can speak so many languages. I know all de’ official and local dialects. I even understand what de’ ‘aww-aww-aww,’ ‘yo-yo-yo,’ and ‘woo-woo-woo’ sounds mean in African tribal languages, alon’ with their gestures. If ye’ ever struggle communicatin’ with de’ locals, I can totally help.”

Realizing that the Earth was essentially a multi-functional, culturally adaptive smart translator, Jing Qizhen couldn’t help but praise it, “Babyball, you’re amazing…”

The Earth replied modestly, “Oh, it’s nothin’, really. I’ve just been around for a few billion years more than ye’.” =v=

Jing Qizhen: “…”

He was speechless at the Earth’s casual use of ‘a few billion years’ as a unit of measurement.

While sitting at the breakfast table, the Earth’s newfound recognition by the volunteer team, especially from Jing Qizhen, who usually had a snarky comment for everyone and everything, made it incredibly cheerful and friendly toward him.

Jing Qizhen, in front of a hearty breakfast and an open laptop, added information about the already-resolved erosion area in Europe to the electronic globe and shared the updated dynamic page in their group chat.

Jing Qizhen explained, “The Earth says the ‘Ribbon of the Red Dancing Shoes’ currently being auctioned on the dark web’s black market came from this area.”

Tang Song, seated next to Jing Qizhen, glanced at the laptop and frowned slightly. “This erosion area is directly in the city center of Copenhagen, on eastern Zealand Island in Denmark.”

Manman suddenly looked up. “Copenhagen? The birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘Fairy Tales,’ also known as the home of the ‘Little Mermaid.’”

Tang Song nodded. “Exactly. So it’s not surprising that the story of ‘The Red Dancing Shoes’ would emerge from there.”

Grandma Fang looked puzzled and gently asked, “I wonder why ‘Ribbon of the Red Dancing Shoes’ mentioned the Matchmaker God?”

Jing Qizhen pushed his laptop aside with one hand, picked up his chopsticks again, and pondered for a moment. “Actually, it’s not that surprising. In the remarks for ‘Journey to Hell,’ it also mention both atheists and theists. This is really just an intersection of Eastern and Western cultures. And then there was the background music in that mountain village. It was the Christmas song ‘Jingle Bells!’”

Hearing this, Tang Song suddenly froze. “Actually, I’ve always thought that every change in each erosion area is closely tied to the people in the real world from that area.”

Jin Guijuan blinked. “Isn’t that the case?”

“No.” Tang Song seemed to have realized something and shook his head. “That idea is a bit one-sided.”

In a flash of inspiration, a new idea emerged in Jing Qizhen’s mind.

He instinctively tightened his grip on his chopsticks and carefully said, “So you’re saying, for example, in the erosion area in Shennongjia, if Xu Siya hadn’t read ‘Journey of Hell‘ back then but instead a copy of ‘Andersen’s Fairy Tales,’ then the characteristics of the erosion area might have been entirely different? We might even see a jarringly incongruous Western fairytale setting in a 1990s rural village!”

Tang Song: “Not just incongruous but possibly absurd and eerie.”

Jing Qizhen: “I see! ‘Jingle Bells’ may originate from Western Christmas traditions but at its core, it’s a globally familiar nursery rhyme. Its presence here isn’t that strange. However, if an erosion area is themed around an exceptionally rare cultural element, it could significantly disorient those trapped within it!”

Si Jiayang and Manman exchanged glances as a look of sudden realization dawned on their faces.

Tang Song held his water cup and sighed, “Yeah, I think I finally understand why those Ivy League graduates in Massachusetts are still stuck in that erosion area and haven’t managed to get out.”

Hearing this, everyone at the table, except Si Jiayang, who hadn’t entered the erosion area with them, was momentarily surprised.

Even Grandma Fang widened her eyes slightly. “I remember they were hosting a party in a villa in Boston, right? The ones who accidentally entered included Ivy League students, a young professor, and a housemaid. Are you saying that group still hasn’t made it out?”

Tang Song nodded, his tone carrying both sympathy and subtle amusement. “Yeah, not a single one of them.”

The Earth’s voice suddenly popped into Jing Qizhen’s mind. “Little Jin’, tell Tan’ Son’ that erosion area is still expandin’ slowly! De’ rate of expansion is slow for now, but if no one deals with it, de’ range will grow larger and larger!”