The True and False [Destiny]

The Fated have gathered at the gambling table once again, but this time the focus has shifted to the Wood Elf.

Judging from Cheng Shi's expression, there might be something fishy about the audience. Tao Yi carefully recalled everything that happened during the audience, trying her best to recount the scene in her Memory word for word.

"I... want to get closer to [Destiny] for some selfish reasons."

She kept her head down, looking at no one, and didn't mention that she had initially wanted to get close to [Deception], but [Deception] didn't respond at all, so she settled for [Destiny].

She knew that Destiny was somewhat Indifference, so she didn't have any expectations at first.

Unexpectedly, that casual, wish-like prayer actually attracted the attention of [Destiny], pulling her into a dazzling Starry Sky.

Hearing this, Cheng Shi frowned and asked doubtfully, "You mean, He summoned you under a Starry Sky? Are you sure it was the Starry Sky and not the Void?"

Tao Yi nodded emphatically:

I'm sure.

Because His eyes were as beautiful as the starry sky.

He was indeed very Indifference; in fact, for the first half of the conversation, I was the one nervously greeting Him, until He asked me a question: why did I want to get close to [Destiny]?

Before the True God, I dared not deceive anyone, so I told the truth.

At this point, Tao Yi paused, skipped over the truth, and continued:

Then I saw Him smile, and His eyes suddenly became dreamy and enchanting.

The stars twinkled endlessly, spiraling into a circle. I was drawn in by that smile and couldn't help but glance at it a few more times. Then I became dizzy and disoriented from the spiraling motion and fell straight into the Void.

When I awoke again, I had merged with [Destiny].

I always thought it was His approval of me, but now it seems...

Tao Yi's expression changed, suddenly even more uneasy than when she was paying homage to the gods. "Could this be a scam, Xiao... Cheng Shi?"

"?"

Cheng Shi ignored some of the strange titles, frowned, and fell into deep thought, while Hong Lin beside him kept shaking her head and saying:

"The location of the audience is decided by the gods, and I don't see anything wrong with that. It's just... [Destiny] is really Indifference. Whether it's an audience or the Gods' Covenant Assembly, I've never seen Him smile."

Li Wufang immediately chimed in, "Indeed, His coldness almost froze the Void. I had always thought [Destiny] was cold."

The denials from the two the Fated made Tao Yi quite nervous. She was unsure if she had become a part of [Destiny's ] scheme, nor whether this the Fated Gathering, in which she had participated, could remain a secret under His nose. Helplessly, she looked at Cheng Shi, only to hear the Blind Man beside her speak:

I've seen it before...

The Blind Man's face didn't look good. She smiled bitterly and said, "But that gentle smile wasn't for me."

"I think the only one among us who can make [Destiny] smile is you, Cheng Shi."

Cheng Shi's expression grew increasingly tense, clearly indicating that he was also pondering this issue.

Although thinking this way might seem arrogant, he couldn't fathom why Destiny smiled upon Tao Yi.

Just because he recruited Hong Lin, did he extend his affection to everything related to her?

No, if that were the case, why didn't He just smile at Hong Lin directly?

Given Hong Lin's conviction about her the Fated and her devotion to Destiny at the time, that smile might have made Big Cat fight desperately for Destiny.

But He didn't. Instead, He chose an "insignificant" Wood Elf. Could it be that the Wood Elf is bound by some kind of Destiny?

Cheng Shi looked at Tao Yi with a puzzled expression, only to see that the other woman's eyelashes were blinking rapidly, and her mood was clearly not calm.

He first comforted Tao Yi for a moment, and then, looking at her like this, a sudden thought flashed through his mind and he realized another possibility.

Was it truly Destiny that summoned Tao Yi?

Could it be the God of Merriment!?

After all, He is exactly the same as His Twin Gods, and with the added disguise of [Deception] Divine Authority, how could a player visiting the gods for the first time possibly distinguish between them!

The question is, if it really is [Deception], then what is He doing?

Seeing that [Destiny] wasn't going crazy fast enough, so you wanted to help them out?

Tsk, you know what, he does resemble Him.

But there's a problem. While this is entertaining, let's not forget that the divisions within [Nothingness] are widening. They're all racing against time to write their preferred endings before the other. Won't this kind of behavior from the God of Merriment lead the Cosmos to a Predestination fate?

Or has He hidden another trick within the Predestination Destiny?

Are the bestowed Faith and talents merely a Deception disguise?

Cheng Shi couldn't figure it out. He felt that this matter was definitely not simple and that it would be best to ask the deity directly to avoid deeper misunderstandings in the subsequent planning and execution.

So he addressed the crowd:

"There's definitely something fishy about this, but don't panic, I'll investigate. Until then, just consider it a whim of Destiny."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"As you have seen, both this era and this game are rapidly approaching their end, and the closer we get to the end, the more chaotic the situation will become."

To secure enough Chip before the final outcome, we need to accelerate our efforts.

Wufang, after the gathering, come with me to a place where we can settle some things with [the Order].

Hong Lin, keep up the good work lately. I might need you to come with me on a trip to the True Universe.

"!!!"

Even a powerful Big Cat like him had its pupils shrink at this moment, and asked in shock, "What are you going there for?"

"Our own gods can't just die out there, so this trip is to bring [War] home."

"!!??"

The Big Cat was startled, its scalp tingling.

"You're going to collect the remains of [War]? But He has clearly already turned to ashes."

"It's not the remains, it's Divine Authority, which is what I call Chip!"

With these Chip, our situation will be somewhat better.

These words gradually calmed Big Cat down. Her eyes held a mixture of fighting spirit and fear. She glanced at Tao Yi several times with a complex expression, then replied emphatically:

"Okay, I'll wait for your message."

Cheng Shi nodded. "I haven't found a way to go to the True Universe yet, and it may take a long time, but this trip is unavoidable. You should prepare as soon as possible."

As for the rest of you, remain vigilant and feel [Destiny].

When the weight of the shackles remains intangible, it means that the constraints of Destiny are far more terrifying than we imagine.

Since we have chosen to go against Destiny, we should be prepared to accept the trials and tribulations. I am not exaggerating, because I do not know where the path chosen by the Fated will lead.

But wherever it ends, it is an ending we wrote ourselves, a vivid and real ending, not a puppet-like curtain call.

So embrace fear, everyone. Fear is not scary; it is the driving force that propels us forward, the firm footprints we leave behind when we look back on the path we have traveled.

The impassioned words seemed to possess a bewitching magic, making the previously confused and fearful group even more passionate.

Seeing that the Cheng Shi wanted to end it and take Li Wufang to pry open the "legacy" of [Order]. But at that moment, Li Wufang stopped and said to Cheng Shi:

I'd like to stay a little longer.

"?" Cheng Shi was taken aback, then thoughtfully glanced at the others present, wondering who this Investigator wanted to have a post-meeting discussion with?

He did not refuse, but smiled and said:

"Alright, after you leave, pray to [Chaos]. I'll be waiting for you there."

With that, Cheng Shi left, leaving Li Wufang completely bewildered, his mouth agape, unable to process what had happened for a long time.

Weren't you going to see [Order]? Why are you praying to [Chaos]?

Is this what they mean by "extreme piety becomes blasphemy"?

So, blasphemy to the point of death is the ultimate form of piety!?

Li Wufang seemed to have understood.

After exchanging words with Hong Lin for a while, the Blind Man also left the Gathering Place. Just as Hong Lin was about to leave with Tao Yi, Li Wufang suddenly called out to them.

He looked at Tao Yi —yes, Tao Yi, not Hong Lin —and said with a complicated expression:

"Can I speak with you, Wood Elf?"

Hong Lin was taken aback and looked at Tao Yi in surprise, only to see Tao Yi nod as if she had expected it, and say softly, "Okay."

Under Hong Lin's suspicious gaze, the two walked into the depths of darkness. Tao Yi remained silent until Li Wufang stopped, at which point she asked softly:

What should we talk about?

Li Wufang laughed and said, "We are both the Fated, so there's no need to be so wary of each other. You should know why I'm here. Don't forget, I'm an Investigator. My senses are very sharp. I noticed you staring at it for a long time."

As he spoke, he tugged at his leather jacket.

"If I'm not mistaken, you should have met the owner of these clothes before, right?"

Tao Yi pursed her lips, remained silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yes, that's right, I have seen him before."