Recognizing Each Other

Silence is everywhere.

Cheng Shi never imagined that this statement could actually be proven in a physical, real-world context.

But why does the [Silence] exist in the True Universe, and what is its purpose in drifting here?

When the unknown becomes known, at least the fear won't be so intense.

The moment Hong Lin heard Cheng Shi shout "[Silence]", she didn't dare to think of the deity "[Silence]". She thought the fake Cheng Shi saying something like a riddle.

But upon glancing back... her eyes widened immediately.

"Puppet? How can there be such a huge Puppet here?"

It was silenced?

Who has fallen silent?

[Origin]!?"

"..."

If we're not friends, who's the outsider and who's the native?

You dare to try and fool me when you know absolutely nothing about me?

Hong Lin's surprise and suspicion made Cheng Shi even more suspicious of her identity. The familiar feeling came again, just like that Druid who never used his brain.

He couldn't help but wonder whether she was trying to gain his trust through this elaborate performance, or whether his judgment of her identity was distorted.

He hadn't forgotten the period of separation before he reunited with the fake Hong Lin. Had something else happened during that time they didn't see each other?

Cheng Shi was about to discover something amiss, but he didn't have much time to think. The body of the Leaky World Silent Puppet was becoming more and more visible. It was as if it had been printed out of thin air by an invisible force, and slowly floated above the two of them.

Hong Lin was extremely panicked. She gritted her teeth and ran frantically, repeatedly asking, "What's your plan!?"

I have no choice.

Cheng Shi's face stiffened. His boastful words a few minutes ago were merely an excuse to catch his breath. What could he possibly do in the face of this enormous, Leaky World Silent Puppet?

Not being assimilated is already the best outcome...

Etc!

Assimilation!?

Yes, why haven't I been assimilated yet, even though the Leaky World Silent Puppet are so close?

Back then, I almost fell into eternal silence and merged with that Silent Puppets with it after just one glance. But now, this enormous Puppet almost covers the entire area, how can I still move?

Divine Power exists in the True Universe, and the ability to use innate talents is the best proof. So if this Leaky World Silent Puppet is truly [Silence], why has its divine Divine Power disappeared?

Could it be...?

A bold idea popped into Cheng Shi's mind. He patted the Big Cat's tail and shouted:

"Stop, don't run."

The Big Cat didn't react in time. "Quick, try your method to escape!"

"... I have no other way, I told you not to run away!"

You didn't!?

Big Cat's voice was distorted; she turned around furiously to glare at Cheng Shi, only to see Cheng Shi looking serious and saying:

"There's no need to run anymore. If [Silence] has lost the power to silence life, I can only guess that it is very likely..."

Dead.

A glint of light flashed in Cheng Shi's eyes. "This isn't true [Silence], this is a corpse, the corpse of a god!"

"!!!"

A wave of immense fear washed over Hong Lin, and she stopped abruptly in her tracks.

The Leaky World Silent Puppet was still moving. Its enormous, terrifying arm had already swept over the heads of the two people, and its even larger body stretched across half of the universe, almost filling their field of vision. Under this immense pressure, the two Mortals beings looked up as if they were mayflies gazing at the sky.

"You mean..." The Big Cat involuntarily swallowed, "This is [Silence]'s corpse!?"

Cheng Shi nodded, but he wasn't entirely sure. He couldn't understand why the corpse of a god would be floating in the True Universe, and how He died.

Who can kill a god?

So far, all the gods Cheng Shi had witnessed perished were self-destructed; he had never seen a complete divine remains, so upon first glance, he didn't even consider that possibility.

The Puppet looked perfectly intact, without any wounds, and didn't seem to have died after a war.

So the question arises: who could allow a deity to die so "dignifiedly"?

If Cheng Shi were in his own world at this moment, he would still have to think about the relationship with the gods, but now, in the True Universe, there is an existence that can be the answer to almost all questions.

[Origin]!

It's highly likely that the Creator killed [Silence]!

The reason remains unknown; perhaps it's because he was also an "Escapee"?

Or perhaps He knows some secret concerning the [Origin]?

After all, He is [Silence], the god who most loves to pry into Cosmos.

Of course, this raises another question: which world did this [Silence], who was killed in the True Universe, belong to?

If a god died beyond the Cosmos, has that world already...?

With too many thoughts running through his mind, Cheng Shi frowned and exchanged a glance with Hong Lin. Seeing the fleeting fear in her eyes, they realized they were thinking the same thing.

This inexplicable understanding stirred something within him. He quietly hid the Scalpel in his palm and asked:

Who exactly are you?

Hong Lin was taken aback, then angrily retorted, "Shouldn't I be asking you that? Tell me, who are you, and why are you impersonating Cheng Shi!"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Shi was startled, and his expression shifted slightly.

It wasn't the same one as before!

At that moment, Cheng Shi instantly understood why the vanished Hong Lin would reunite with him while fleeing for her life—because these two Hong Lin were not the same person at all!

The imposter has already escaped; the one you bumped into is very likely the real Hong Lin.

Cheng Shi was overjoyed, but considering that anything could happen in the True Universe, he feared this was another scheme orchestrated by Hong Lin, using a god's corpse. Therefore, to be cautious, he asked one more question:

"Is the Divine Authority you shared with me 'Growth' or 'Immaculate'?"

Hong Lin was stunned again, but then her eyes widened once more.

"Neither!" she said, suppressing her excitement, enunciating each word clearly, "It's 'Abundance'."

"..."

Upon hearing the word "Abundance," Cheng Shi smiled with satisfaction.

The Big Cat has grown up; it even knows how to test the waters in the opposite direction.

He shook his head and chuckled, letting out a long sigh of relief.

"Fine, fine, whatever you say, 'Abundance' it is. Anyway, [Truth] is dead, and He can't take 'Abundance' back from you."

"!!!"

It was this sentence that completely lowered the Big Cat's guard. She slapped Cheng Shi's chest with her paw, a mixture of surprise, joy, anger, and fear in her voice:

"You bastard, do you know I've been looking for you for ten days, a full ten days!"

Just when I was about to Despair, someone else appeared in front of me impersonating you!

Do you even know how dangerous the True Universe is? Where have you been?!

If I hadn't been quick-witted enough to see through him, I would have... you would have...

Hong Lin was so excited she didn't know what to say; in short, what she meant was:

You are fully responsible.

Cheng Shi was hit hard, and he coughed uncontrollably, frantically slapping the Big Cat's paws to comfort it:

"I know, of course I know, because I've been through everything you've been through."

I also searched for you for ten days, and I also met another Hong Lin.

Upon hearing its name, the Big Cat's fur stood on end, and it spoke with an imposing air, without being angry:

Where is she?

"Just like that fake Cheng Shi next to you, he ran away."

At that moment, I figured he was probably hiding somewhere, watching the show.

We've been fooled; we've learned a harsh lesson from the con artists in the True Universe.

"Good, very good. Scammers really are everywhere! I find the True Universe quite interesting."