Don't Rush, Let Me Show You a Shortcut

(He's so arrogant on the weekend!)

The one who responded to Cheng Shi was not any of the three bewildered Fire Keeper, nor the prisoner who had remained silent except for introducing himself, but rather...

Ji Yue.

Ji Yue made no attempt to hide her admiration, staring directly at Cheng Shi as she repeated:

"I'm in."

Cheng Shi was stunned.

Ah?

No, sis, I didn't even invite you. Why don't you join Mahua FunAge?

Yes, I admit it. I made up all this just to make you believe it, not to make you believe in the law.

How come you've come to appreciate it?

Where is your mind, which has been illuminated by the "Truth"?

Can such an organization that rebels against the gods have a good ending?

I don't even believe it myself, how could I convince you?

Seeing Cheng Shi frowning as he looked at her, Ji Yue once again revealed a breathtakingly beautiful smile.

"Do not doubt my sincerity; I can make another vow to them."

I think you're right. I find the Fire Keeper very interesting.

The desire for the Divine Throne is itself a path to the Truth, which aligns with my quest and my understanding.

And as you said, your criteria for accepting others are not based on good or bad. I don't consider myself a good person, but I'm not a bad person either.

Moreover, I have firm beliefs and sufficient sincerity.

I have been walking alone on the path of seeking, just like this prisoner friend, and have never found anyone to walk with me.

Fang Jue could be considered half a [someone], but he was too honest, too boringly honest.

Your beliefs, no, your beliefs, those of the Fire Keeper, are exactly in line with my research.

I have never been as happy as I am today. So this is what it means to share the same ideals and find common ground.

Okay, that's great.

I can share all my research with you, and of course, if you have found anything about them, you can share it with me as well.

Believe me, a Scholar is tirelessly researching "deities" will not let down all the data you have collected.

I will use the means of Truth to unravel the secrets of the gods, and through seeking, I will build for you a bridge to their Divine Throne!

"..."

"..."

"..."

Regardless of whether Cheng Shi accepted it or not, Fang Shiqing was already moved by what he said.

She looked at Cheng Shi with an extremely complicated expression, then at Ji Yue, her heart filled with turmoil.

She wondered whether she should accept Ji Yue on behalf of the City Builder, and whether she should reveal her identity and bring this seemingly "honest" Erudite Scholar into the true camp of the Fire Keeper.

But she tried to open her mouth several times, only to swallow it back each time.

She was afraid.

She feared that the situation Cheng Shi had managed to create would spiral into uncertainty if the "lies" were exposed again.

She feared that the people who should have been working towards the same path would be divided again because of the emergence of the true Passing the Flame.

She was also afraid that the City Builder's will was not as radical as Cheng Shi had described, which might cause this equally radical Scholar to lose interest.

In short, she has no room for maneuver at the moment, except to respond to Cheng Shi's questions.

Just as Cheng Shi said, when he took over this Trials, the Fire Keeper could only hide themselves and become his assistants.

No, it might not even be a support role.

They could only be the audience members, the Clown, the main characters in this drama.

As he shone on the Stage, I silently applauded in my heart.

Cheng Shi's smile remained on his face, but his muscles were stiff.

He looked at Ji Yue and uttered three words in a very serious tone.

"You'll die."

Ji Yue replied to him in a very serious manner.

"I have never been afraid of death; I am only afraid of not being close enough to Him."

If one day we replace the Divine Throne of "Truth," then at that moment, even in death, I will have no regrets.

Us...

So "we" went up?

I haven't agreed yet, sis...

Damn, that's unbelievable. He managed to fool himself into this mess.

Okay, add them if you want. They're all fake anyway, so it doesn't matter.

Cheng Shi quickly changed his expression, revealing an extremely respectful smile, and extended his hand to Ji Yue, saying:

"Welcome, new Fire Keeper."

Welcome, new partner.

Ji Yue smiled gently and took Cheng Shi's hand.

"Now can you tell me who that player who attempted to challenge them, the leader of the Fire Keeper, is?"

"Yes..."

Cheng Shi frantically racked his brains, trying to find a high-level player he knew to use as an emergency measure.

But before he could even open his mouth, Ji Yue interrupted him meaningfully.

"I already know, and I will keep this a secret."

Ah?

No, sis, what do you know?

How did you know?

What's with that look in your eyes?

Is it me?

Yes, I admit that I incorporated some of my own experiences into the story, but that doesn't mean that this person is me!

However, denying it now would lower the prestige he had just built up, so Cheng Shi had no choice but to reluctantly admit it, like he had eaten shit.

Unsurprisingly, given Ji Yue's performance, the others had no room to refuse. Even the silent prisoner spoke up again, saying he could give it a try.

But he worried that with his abilities, he would only be a hindrance to the Fire Keeper.

Cheng Shi comforted him tenderly and accepted everything with a smile.

Great, the second Fire Keeper organization was established today.

They also poached three people from the old Passing the Flame.

"..."

"Aren't you curious why we dare to do such a thing right under their noses?"

This was a question emanating from the depths of Cheng Shi's soul. Ji Yue chuckled and pointed at the mask in Cheng Shi's hand, saying:

"The moment I saw it, I knew that [Deception] had prepared a feast for them."

This is indeed in accordance with His Will, but we need to be careful, for His betrayal will also please Himself.

Therefore, while He still has the patience to cover us, we must quickly increase our strength to the point where we can fight against one of them.

Alternatively, in addition to Deception, we could find a deity who can tolerate us, using their protection as a double insurance.

[Truth] or [War] are both good choices.

And coincidentally, I'm researching both of these things.

"..."

At this moment, Cheng Shi really felt that it was a pity that the City Builder didn't absorb Ji Yue.

But then I thought, it would be a pity if Ji Yue went to City Builder.

Because the City Builder were not as radical as they had just fabricated; they "borrowed the greatness of the gods," but their focus remained on finding a new home, and they had no intention of recklessly defying the gods.

"And also, that Thunderbolt above the ruins..."

Cheng Shi raised an eyebrow, thinking, "Finally, they've arrived."

Since Ji Yue Fang Jue, it's no secret that she possesses the [Moment of Execution].

"It's this one."

Intelligent people don't need many words; sometimes just two simple words are enough for others to understand the whole story.

Clearly, Cheng Shi has modified the [Moment of Execution], because it was originally a staff, but now there is no trace of the staff on his body.

What does this tell us?

This indicates that the Fire Keeper has found the method and power to modify the [Discarded Divine Artifact].

They are very good.

Ji Yue smiled. She was very happy because she truly felt that she had found someone who shared her ideals.

"Well, the vision of Passing the Flame is too far-fetched. We still need to focus on the present. Since you've spent so much time inviting us, you must already know how to approach Experiment Field 69 in the Void, right?"

Ji Yue smiled as she looked at everyone, then turned to Fang Shiqing and said:

"Actually, I am also a member of the neighborhood Mutual Aid Society. I have a good impression of people who are willing to lend a helping hand to others. However, I am still a little curious. What is the purpose of your visit, you three?"

Before Cheng Shi appeared, you were not among the Fire Keeper, so why would you need something like the Conjugate Whisper Petals?

This petal is far too dangerous for you right now.

Now that things have come to this, Fang Shiqing has no choice but to continue acting in accordance with Cheng Shi's line of thought.

She smiled slightly and said:

"We had already decided to join the Fire Keeper."

However, as you can see, we in this segment do not contribute to the Passing the Flame.

Therefore, we want to prepare a small 'welcome gift' to express our respect and reverence for the Fire Keeper.

Ji Yue raised an eyebrow. "This initiation gift is far too extravagant; you might all die."

Fang Shiqing smiled even more happily.

"We are not afraid of death, but we are afraid that the light that shines in the darkness will not be passed on."

Ji Yue could tell that Fang Shiqing's words were absolutely sincere, and she couldn't help but Fire Keeper.

This is the belief in Passing the Flame!

This is the power of Passing the Flame!

Seeing Ji Yue's increasingly determined gaze, Cheng Shi's heart began to pound.

Hopefully, I'll never encounter this... "Fire Keeper" again.

"Alright, Cheng Shi, tell me, how do we get closer to that Conjugate Whisper in the Void?"

"Are you so sure I have a way?"

"Well, it's because you're too relaxed and not at all in a hurry. This attitude isn't because you think their initiation ceremony is optional, but because you have a way to get them into the Experiment Field."

I'm also very curious. Let me see what methods we have that allow us to overcome the Wall of True Knowledge and enter the Experiment Field.

Hearing these words, Cheng Shi finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Well, anyway, at least the situation is finally back on track, even though it went off track for quite a while before it got back on track, but in the end, it didn't go astray.

"Smart!" Cheng Shi smiled confidently. "I do have a method, but I might need your help with it."

"You tell me, I'll do it."

Very good, very pragmatic.

Cheng Shi looked around, pondered for a moment, and then stamped his foot.

"In that case, let me take you through a shortcut."

"Come, right beneath my feet, use your understanding of the Void Energetics to break through the surface of this place and let us delve into Nothingness!"

Ji Yue's gaze sharpened, and she said solemnly:

"If you delve too deeply into Nothingness, you'll lose your way. Cheng Shi, are you sure?"

"Yes, Nothingness can make people lose their way, but reality can not."

Relax, be bold. Beneath the Void beneath my feet lies not a deeper Nothingness, but a reality that defies comprehension.

Don't be surprised; this involves some of His secrets, and our relationship with Him, as the Passing the Flame, is quite good.

After saying Cheng Shi silently thought to himself:

I put on this grand show not just to fool Scholar and prisoners.

My Lord of Grace, are you watching?

My impersonation of the Fire Keeper will surely be a source of amusement for you.

So, is there Scrying Mirror installed next to me?

Since you enjoyed the show, it's only right that you pay for the ticket, isn't it?

This is a fair trade.

I provide the fun, you provide the access.

I think it's reasonable.

What do you think?

Upon hearing Cheng Shi's words, Ji Yue did not hesitate at all. She gathered all her strength into the tip of her spear and pointed it at Cheng Shi's feet.

This is the power to tear open the depths of the Void, a power that Scholar of the Void Energetics rarely use and will use with caution.

Just because He can tolerate these Believer of "Truth" running amok in His toys doesn't mean He can tolerate them barging into His home.

But things are different today!

The moment the Void beneath Cheng Shi's feet was torn apart, a multicolored, crystal-clear staircase, as clear as water glass, stretched layer by layer from the depths of Nothingness to the feet of the group.

The Void did not close hastily, nor did the Storm of Nothingness erupt.

The staircase trembled and twisted, like a lazy little snake after a full meal, and gently laid out before the "Fire Keeper".

Everyone who witnessed this scene had their pupils shrink and was utterly shocked!

They simply couldn't understand why such a thing could exist in the Void!

But Ji Yue is different. As Scholar of the Void Energetics, she knows everything about the Void.

When Cheng Shi uttered the phrase "reality beneath the Void," she already had a guess in her heart.

But while she understands and speculates, at this stage, she has not heard of anyone discovering this "River" that only exists in historical Experiment records.

Therefore, when she saw the divine creations described in history books appear before her eyes, the inexplicable shock made Ji Yue crack.

"This is... [Giggle and Mock]!?"

For the first time, disbelief appeared in the eyes of this composed Scholar!

Cheng Shi looked at her expression and smiled happily.

Finally, they managed to impress this Scholar scored 2600 points.

Thanks, bro, for showing me how to be cool.

"As expected of Scholar, you know a lot."

Come on, let's speed things up for the journey ahead.

With that, Cheng Shi strode in, head held high and chest puffed out.