Desire Also Holds Something Back

Cheng Shi began the operation.

He knew that even if the Big Cat had many doubts, she wouldn't expose him openly here. At least she would suppress her doubts and wait for his explanation later. So the most urgent thing was to deal with Afros as soon as possible.

So he first gave the Big Cat a look that said "keep calm," and then quickly turned to Afros, giving him a meaningful smile.

He did not deny it, or rather, under the halo of the "Fool's Game," he didn't need to deny it.

"Lies are one of the ways I get closer to Filth and Decay."

As I've said before, Afros, I can't guarantee that there aren't any lies in what I say to you; you'll have to judge for yourself.

The era of "Nothingness" is full of opportunities, but not everyone can find opportunities in this wave.

I am walking for my Lord, both discovering and sharing opportunities. As for whether one can seize them, it is not a matter of luck, but of whether one is in harmony with Nothingness!

Therefore, I cannot tell you the answer, because Nothingness itself has no answer.

These words sounded meaningless; at least Ear Hong Lin, Cheng Shi seemed to be spouting a bunch of nonsense.

But Afros interpreted it differently; he understood Cheng Shi's meaning and knew that the other party's lie was a two-way selection process.

Those who wish to approach the "Nothingness" need to find the truth within its lies; while those who cannot approach the "Nothingness" will naturally become lost in the lies, drifting further and further away from the truth.

Afros did not want to lose himself, nor did he want to lose the truth, so after a moment he reverted to his Filth and Decay nature, completely yielding to his own desires, and chose...

Take a step back.

This scene is as if He stood at the door of "Nothingness" and knocked on it. After hearing no one behind the door and only endless echoes, He decisively chose to take a step back to prevent himself from making a mistake and falling into the Abyss of "Nothingness".

Clearly, compared to Afros's own obsession, the idea of boarding the train of the "Nothingness" era held less appeal for Him.

He firmly believes that after the era of "Nothingness" ends, there will be another era, an endless series of eras, so there is no need for Him to gamble again in the present.

Having learned from the lessons of the Age of Existence, He knew that going all in would only lead to becoming a prisoner, so He wisely abandoned the gamble that this Fool's Game had set up for Him.

However, giving up on getting close to [Nothingness] does not mean that He cannot continue to cooperate with Cheng Shi. The "deal" between the two can obviously continue. He can still understand the "truth" of this era through Cheng Shi's mouth, and Cheng Shi can also learn about the past buried by history through Him.

However, in terms of the depth of the content, they may no longer touch upon each other's core interests.

So Afros sat up gracefully, first nodding to Hong Lin in respect:

"I'm sorry, but I prefer to address you as Lady Flazhol rather than as an heir with an uncertain status."

Please forgive my offense; after all, I am also a member of [Life], and I cannot blaspheme Him before news of [Prosperity] is confirmed.

Then, with a bright smile, she looked at Cheng Shi and said:

"When I wasn't the riddle-maker, I hated all riddle-makers."

"Tell me, my brother, what brings you and this esteemed Lady Flazhol here today?"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Shi knew that Afros had backed down. He only wanted to keep the cooperation at the level of "trust between brothers" and no longer delve into taking sides in Faith. But that was fine too, at least he could make the deal with peace of mind.

So he replied with the same bright smile:

"You respect them more than I thought, but there's no need to be so cautious; the prosperity is a thing of the past."

As you can see, Flazhol, who was saved by [Death], successfully reclaimed some things that should have belonged to Him. However, He had been gone for too long, so long that the assimilation of [Prosperity] caused Him to lose many Memory and forget many things about the past.

So, you understand, it's still about exchanging intelligence—no, it should be an exchange of the past and the present. This is something we both want to see, isn't it?

Afros frowned slightly as he looked at Hong Lin. After meeting Hong Lin's scrutinizing gaze, he frowned and asked in confusion:

"I'm curious, is the 'prosperity' you're talking about now a thing of the past, as I understand it?"

He has fallen?

A True God has fallen?

It even allowed... this Lady Flazhol to inherit His Divine Name?

No, I don't think this is inheritance, but I can't quite put my finger on what it is.

Can you elaborate on this, my brother?

I'm thinking, if this is true, something this big probably can't be kept secret from the Cosmos for very long, right?

Cheng Shi shook his head and chuckled:

"It's true, and I can elaborate on that, but there's one thing you're wrong about."

I remember telling you about the players. In the era of "Nothingness," the "Covenant" restricted all players with a game, making it difficult for them to break the shackles of the rules and obtain information about Him, unless someone is willing to tell them personally.

Therefore, the fall of [prosperity] can theoretically be kept secret for a long time.

Yes, prosperity has come to an end.

You no longer need to test him, Afros.

Even if I keep bringing you players who are living in the present, it will be difficult for you to learn about the fall of [Prosperity] from them.

Because they are neither qualified nor have the means to know these things.

However, I can tell you all of this, and it's not part of an intelligence exchange.

This is the greatest sincerity I, a [Nothingness] liar, can offer to friends stuck in the past.

As soon as Cheng Shi finished speaking, Afros couldn't help but turn around with the chair, and then, under Hong Lin's watchful gaze, he transformed from a handsome nobleman into a beautiful and charming noblewoman.

His gaze toward Cheng Shi grew increasingly ardent, though under Hong Lin's watchful eye, this ardent intensity was somewhat restrained. However, the admiration he expressed was simply impossible to conceal.

"..."

Seeing this, Hong Lin raised an eyebrow and looked at Cheng Shi with a hint of mockery.

Cheng Shi awkwardly shrank his neck, not daring to look into the Big Cat's eyes at all.

He coughed lightly and solemnly recounted the self-destruction of [Prosperity]. Of course, the reason was unknown and the outcome was still unknown. He simply spent a great deal of time and used flowery language to describe the magnificent scene at the moment [Prosperity] died.

Even so, Afros felt the shock of a True God's fall from this detailed and vivid description.

"He found his own will."

Afros's tone became somewhat wistful, after all, He was, in any case, a member of "life".

He sighed and continued:

"So, the esteemed Lady Flazhol rose to power because of... the support of [the Nothingness]?"

Indeed, your Lord of Grace has the ability to distort the truth, so it's not surprising that he would forge an identity.

The question is, will the other two members of [Life] agree?

Faced with the hostility of the three [Sinking], would they agree to truly place a not-so-powerful Emissary on that Divine Throne?

However, none of this matters. After all, this is an era of Nothingness, and I have already witnessed the era's Dominion arbitrarily altering the past once.

More than these things, I'm curious about that "Covenant" you just mentioned, my brother...

What is it now?