A warm smile-was this [Destiny]?

While Cheng Shi was comforting An Mingyu, another conversation was taking place around the gambling table.

Hong Lin looked at her best friend walking towards her with a complicated expression. Her lips moved for a moment, and all her emotions turned into one sentence. "I'm sorry."

Tao Yi tilted her head and chuckled, "Why are you apologizing to me?"

Hong Lin clenched her fist and whispered:

"I didn't know Cheng Shi was going to drag the Fated into doing such a dangerous thing. I always thought he wasn't lying to me. The Fated is the one who will be protected by [Destiny] until the end."

Everything I've witnessed about him tells me that as long as you get close to him, you will indeed be protected by Destiny, and even if the world collapses, you will have a chance to start over.

That's why I wanted to bring you in.

I think that since [Destiny] has protected so many the Fated, it certainly doesn't need you. As long as you can merge with [Destiny], it means that it is willing to protect you.

At the time, I even thought that it wouldn't matter if you failed, because as long as I asked Cheng Shi for help, he would definitely help you integrate.

I never expected that you would complete the fusion on your own, and I never expected that the Fated... would no longer be the destined person I understood.

His protection is actually our Poison, it's me...

Upon hearing this, Tao Yi gently reached out and covered the Big Cat's mouth.

She smiled brightly with her eyes narrowed, but Hong Lin still caught a glimpse of her slightly reddened eyes in that instant when she closed them tightly.

Tao Yi shook her head and said softly:

"I should be the one saying sorry."

The arrival of [Faith Game] has given you a new life. I know you have many ideas and a lot of drive, but I've held you back from taking action.

"It's because I'm such a burden that I've limited your potential."

"I didn't..."

Hong Lin hurriedly retorted, but Tao Yi hugged her tightly. Tao Yi's height only reached Big Cat's shoulder, so she rested her forehead on Big Cat's shoulder and covered his mouth again, saying:

You've already compromised too much to protect me.

What I'm trying to say is, everyone dies eventually...

These words completely enraged Big Cat. She yanked her hand away from Tao Yi's and glared at her, growling:

"Don't mention death!"

Tao Yi was taken aback, then smiled and said softly, "Okay, I won't say. Of course I don't want to die, I will try my best to live."

But A'tu, you don't need to live for me. You have your own Destiny. Just like the little liar said, your Destiny should be more exciting, allowing you to paint whatever you want. Besides, you and he are currently searching for a way out for all of humanity.

"I don't care about humanity, I just want you to live, to live well."

"I know, I know everything." Tao Yi gently patted Hong Lin's long hair as if stroking a cat. "But what I said isn't wrong either. Think about it, when the world is saved and all the mysteries are solved, I can proudly tell the lucky survivors, 'Look, that's my best friend, my family. She led us out of the gods' prison!'"

Even if not for yourself, you have to stand up for me back then, right?

Besides, even if I'm a burden, I'm not some fragile porcelain bottle. I'm a 2000-point Wood Elf and screenwriter; I can protect myself."

The Big Cat was very moved, its eyes even turning a little red, but after hearing those words, it still said with a strange expression:

"I gave you a large portion of those 200 points..."

Tao Yi was stunned. She puffed out her cheeks and angrily punched the Big Cat.

"You're ruining the mood!"

Never mind, I won't say anymore. Anyway, don't always look back at me. Trust me, I will catch up.

You're the trailblazer, the strongest Druid in this game who can't break through any defenses. Only when you pave the way can we little guys have an easier time, right?

"... Just now you were saying you were Wood Elf with 2000 points, and now you're a nobody. Don't you know that a little shrimp can be eaten by a big fish at any time?"

Compared to you, I'm definitely a nobody, but compared to others, I'm still very strong!

So let's put down this burden and let it run its course for a while.

Hong Lin understood what Tao Yi meant, but she still shook her head.

She pulled Tao Yi away, looked into Tao Yi's eyes, and said earnestly, "Before the game started, I was also a burden, but you never abandoned me."

Tao Yi kept smiling. She didn't say anything, but in her heart she said, word by word: You have never been a burden to me. You are my best friend and my closest family.

"Okay, I know what you mean. The way the Investigator over there are looking at us has changed. Hmm, I still have something I want to say to that little liar. I'm going before he comes back."

Hong Lin silently let go, seemingly guessing what the other was going to do. She watched Tao Yi walk towards Cheng Shi, her eyes slowly changing from being touched to being firm.

She became increasingly convinced that her own thoughts were correct, Cheng Shi was even more so: only by holding enough Chip in her own hands could she protect her friends.

Because this way, even if her friend doesn't have Chip, don't worry, I do!

On the other side, Li Wufang was a little faster than Tao Yi, and was tricked again before her.

When Li Wufang saw the Wood Elf approaching, he glanced at Wood Elf strangely, nodded in greeting, and returned to the gambling table.

Seeing Tao Yi smiling and looking at him from nearby, Cheng Shi chuckled:

"I feel like I'm an HR manager at a company on the verge of bankruptcy, doing everything I can to retain every employee who wants to leave."

"What, Miss Wood Elf, are you also thinking about changing jobs?"

Tao Yi blinked and smiled happily, "Wood can only be used as a feeding trough, but you can't jump on it."

Cheng Shi raised an eyebrow and smiled, quite surprised.

He had just noticed the two women making noises at the gambling table and assumed the Wood Elf had come to "resign." After all, the target of the Fated was too terrifying; even for the Chosen of God, it was a significant shock, let alone for an ordinary player who hadn't even reached 2400 points.

Unexpectedly, this Wood Elf has a firm will. Well, without a firm will, there would never have been that touching act of saving lives in the Experiment 0221.

"So what do you want to ask?"

Tao Yi shook her head again and took out a small twig from her personal space. The twig was emerald green and about the length of a finger, and looked similar to a brooch.

"This is?"

Cheng Shi was almost startled. When he first saw the tender shoot, he thought Tao Yi had obtained some kind of [Prosperity] Divine Authority, but upon closer inspection, he realized that it was just an ordinary branch.

"The branches of the Lucky Tree."

People in the Rainforest Tribe often use this tree to seek guidance from the gods and believe that the Lucky Tree will bring good fortune.

This is a tree species I acquired by chance. I planted it in the garden and nurtured it for a long time until the third one finally survived. However, a Lucky Tree can only protect one person. I gave away the branches of the third tree, so the one I'm giving you is the fourth one.

I know you are favored by Destiny, blessed with all the good fortune in the Cosmos, but now you say Destiny is our enemy, so let this Lucky Tree, which doesn't belong to Destiny, bring you a bit of good fortune."

As she spoke, Tao Yi handed over the tender shoot.

Cheng Shi took it and examined it carefully for a moment. He didn't find any trace of [Destiny] energy flowing through it, but there was a very faint hint of [Prosperity]. Finding it interesting, he casually asked:

"How did you raise it so well?"

"Raised with Divinity."

"?" Cheng Shi was stunned.

No, even if your best friend is Proxy [Prosperity], you can't treat Divinity like this.

You're using something so many people crave to grow trees?

Tsk, then this thing is a luxury item in this world, we should keep it.

Cheng Shi into his personal space, thanked him solemnly, and then asked curiously:

"Speaking of which, I don't recall ever hearing about this talent in the Character in the Play before. Judging from the results, it's an S-level talent?"

Tao Yi had nothing to hide from Cheng Shi, and she nodded, saying:

"Yes, it was a gift He personally bestowed upon me when He summoned me, and I quite like it..."

"Wait!" Cheng Shi raised an eyebrow, surprised. "You were summoned by Him during your fusion?"

Tao Yi, not understanding, continued to nod, "Yes, I still can't forget that scene."

It turns out that the True God's appearance in the Mortal World is a pair of Starry Eyes.

Their smiles were just as warm as human smiles.

"..."

A smile... warm...

Are you sure you mean [Destiny]?

For a moment, Cheng Shi's expression turned serious.

"Tell us about your audience with the Wood Elf; it is very important to us."

Not a single word should be omitted.