Zhu Ming: I got greedy this time, or we would have left

Although Lin Yu and "Tengshe" reached a simple consensus and agreement: after leaving the illusion, when they contacted each other as members of the "Freedom Alliance" and "Night Watcher", they would still maintain an opposing stance.

However, even if this consensus exists, it is impossible for "Tengshe" to act as if it had never reached an agreement with "Zhu Ming".

Perhaps in Tengshe's ideal situation, as long as it doesn't involve "Ruan Min" or is not a private "transaction and exchange" between the two, he should completely pretend the agreement doesn't exist and continue to fulfill his duties as the "Night Watcher".

But how could that be?

Lin Yu knew clearly that people are easily influenced by what they "know" – even if they don't let certain "known factors" influence them when making decisions and exclude them from value judgments, these factors cannot truly be excluded from decision-making in the subconscious that forms the foundation of rationality, outside of the part of rationality that is manifest.

Perhaps Tengshe's thought process involved weighing the pros and cons of "fighting two 'Tier 4' opponents here isn't worthwhile" before concluding he should retreat. But did he truly have no regard for Zhu Ming, or for the presence of someone potentially connected to Ruan Min and whose life might be intertwined with his deceased girlfriend's?

Lin Yu thought it was impossible.

Most humans are unable to completely detach themselves from their "experiences" when making "decision-making" and to completely separate themselves from their "self" when judging things.

Although "Tengshe" is a "Tier 4" expert, who can be called a "Demigod" in the Ten Realms, has his own "Heart Domain", and may have even come into contact with or used some power of Authority... his "humanity" still exists, and the weaknesses of human nature still exist.

"Perhaps with proper management, 'Tengshe' could be more than just a beneficiary of the 'Zhu Ming' identity; it could even become a 'Tier 4' ally that can be mobilized... who knows?"

Lin Yu pondered to himself.

Of course, that's a story for another time.

Now, regardless of the reason why "Tengshe" retreated, regardless of whether it was his own inner thoughts, Lin Yu's guidance, or the "Comedian's" "Heart Domain" that drove "Tengshe" to make the decision, and regardless of the extent to which each of these three factors accounted for...

The most important thing right now is the fact that "Tengshe" has already left.

"The Night Watcher has retreated... Although we were fully prepared for a fierce battle, the result is for the best," Old Wu said, stretching his neck. "But now that Brother Zhuo and I are here... there's no rush to leave."

"After all, Chen Le paid a considerable price to bring us here—what's the current state of your [Super Fishing Rod]?"

Chen Le looked at Old Wu and sighed, "Don't even mention it. The next time I use it for any form of cross-server fishing will be after three [Instance] returns. Before that, the time required for a successful normal fishing will double, and the probability of missing or catching the Error unit will increase to 80%."

Old Wu pondered, "That's really bad. I'll invent a temporary sidekick [Item] for you to get through these [Instance]."

Chen Le initially wanted to refuse, but after thinking about it, he nodded.

"Alright."

The Comedian chimed in, "So what's your plan now? I've been wanting to ask that for a while. Weren't you supposed to be collecting the Nine Treasures in the Middle Sea? Why did you end up in this Ruins City?"

Hearing the Comedian's question, Chen Le explained, "We've already obtained the 'Nether Void Realm's Nine Treasures' we were looking for in the Middle Sea. We're here now to locate the last two of the Nine Treasures that are still in the Nether Void Realm... However, before we could leave after locating them, the 'Night Watcher' blocked the door."

At this point, Lin Yu Chen Le, "It's not like we didn't have time to retreat at all. Actually, we were already planning to leave... but while we were using the facilities of the Previous Civilization to locate the Nine Treasures inside the Ruins City, a small incident occurred that gave me the opportunity to take [Azure Sea Sky Dome] with me..."

"So, being cornered at the door by the 'Night Watcher' this time is my fault—I got a little greedy."

As Lin Yu spoke, Old Wu shook his head, subconsciously trying to comfort him.

"No, there's still a chance to get the [Item]... uh, wait a minute," Old Wu paused mid-sentence, turning his head to look at Lin Yu, "What do you think you can take?"

"[Azure Sea Sky Dome]."

Lin Yu repeated it again.

"What the hell?! You three!" Old Wu, usually so composed, widened his eyes. "Letting you take [Azure Sea Sky Dome] away... this is no small matter."

"It was definitely no small incident. According to Sister Zhu Ming, she met the Former Governor of the Lost Kingdom of the Nether Void Realm, and later even the God of Desire," Li Nian said with a grin. "And Sister Zhu Ming even gained the God of Desire's approval... She even pulled the God of Desire out to help her just now!"

Lin Yu nodded. "That's right, thanks to these fortuitous encounters... otherwise I might not have been able to hold out until you arrived."

The Comedian looked at Lin Yu and sighed, "Seriously, do you really need to 'drag' things out? You've brought out a Deity; even if we weren't there... you might still win, right?"

Lin Yu shook his head. "It's not that exaggerated. The God of Desire is... well, a fallen Deity. What I saw was just a remnant of Him."

At this point, the Comedian raised his hand. "That's exaggerated enough... Now I understand why Fang Qing values you so much; it seems her standards are indeed higher than mine."

Old Wu looked at the Comedian and said with a smile, "Tell us something we don't know."

The Comedian was momentarily speechless, then said, "You're mocking me again... Well, it seems we need to make sure we get our hands on this [Azure Sea Sky Dome] before we continue our search for the other Nine Treasures, right?"

"Don't worry about that," Lin Yu looked up at the water sphere that was still shrinking—the sphere, along with its internal components, had become only half a meter square. "I'll be able to get it in a little while..."

After Lin Yu finished speaking, he paused for a moment, then continued, "We have also located the last two of the Nine Treasures of this Nether Void Realm. One is in the 'Vault' of the Sea People, and the other is inside the belly of a certain large Sea Race."

Chen Le smiled and said, "It wouldn't have been too much trouble for us to go find it ourselves, but now with the two of you 'Tier 4' experts helping us, we should be able to take it down easily."

As Chen Le spoke, the Comedian stroked his chin. "Sea People, Sea Race... they do seem to have it easy. The only thing to worry about is that I've already activated my 'Heart Domain.' If I'm not quick enough, I might be targeted by the World Will of the Nether Void Realm... after all, my foundation in this realm isn't very strong to begin with."

"Then let's act quickly... With these two items, plus the one you got from the Middle Sea," Old Wu counted on his fingers, "That'll be three items in one trip. If you can really confirm that there are no others in the Nether Void Realm, the remaining four should..."

As Old Wu counted, he suddenly noticed that the atmosphere was a bit strange.

Chen Le and Li Nian both wore enigmatic smiles and looked at themselves.

"What's wrong? Is there something wrong with what I said?"

Old Wu asked, somewhat puzzled.

Lin Yu held up one finger. "We've already got three items—we've gotten three items in the Middle Sea."

Upon hearing Lin Yu's words, Old Wu was stunned for a moment, then opened his mouth...

"Are you fucking kidding me?!"

The Comedian next to him was the first to yell out his anger.

Chen Le laughed out loud, and proudly pulled out Jewelry Box, Dagger, Necklace as if flipping through a flower.

"Look—aren't they genuine?"

"Bang!"

Old Wu's broad palm slapped Chen Le on the back, making Chen Le stagger.

"Amazing, Chen Le! Does that mean you only need that item from the 'Gambler' and [Echoes of Mu Continent] to unlock the 'Heart Domain'?!"

"You're already at 'Tier 4' —that's outrageous!"

The Comedian gave a thumbs up. "Amazing... Your efficiency is absolutely incredible -- could this be thanks to A Nian?"

Li Nian laughed and said, "No way, it's all because Sister Zhu Ming is amazing—you guys don't know, Sister Zhu Ming's Little Octopus Summoned Creature is quite something."

Chen Le nodded. "That's right. I didn't know before I came that Zhu Ming's Summoned Creature was actually the niece of the Chosen of God of the Nether Void Realm —the 'King of the Deep Sea,' did you know that?"

Old Wu was even more surprised. "There's this connection? No wonder you're from the Zhu Ming... If I remember correctly, the King of the Deep Sea was called 'Ka'?"

"Yes, Qianhuan even went into one of those 'Chosen of God's' [Instance's before, and it seems she suffered a lot," the Comedian said. "If we had known that 'Zhu Ming' had this connection earlier... we could have pulled some strings and opened a back door for Qianhuan, and she wouldn't have had to risk her life that time."

The Comedian remarked with emotion.

Chen Le said helplessly, "Back then, 'Zhu Ming' hadn't even joined yet... no, she didn't even know any of us except for A Nian."

Listening to their conversation, Lin Yu thought to himself, "Even if we knew each other back then, there's nothing I can do."

After all, the time he got Hannah as Retainer, got involved with the card, and suffered the same misfortune as Qianhuan was in the same [Instance]...

Of course, Lin Yu still outwardly showed a look of regret and pity.

"Yes, it's a pity. If I had met you sooner, I could have helped you sooner."

"But it's not too late to help Brother Le now."

As Lin Yu spoke, Li Nian spoke up leisurely.

"It's alright, Huan-ge is just unlucky, his luck has never been great, or rather—he's always been a jinx."

Upon hearing Li Nian's words, the group of people invariably recalled some of the experiences of "Magician" Qianhuan —perhaps the specific images that came to mind were different for each person, but they all showed the same knowing smile.

"Qianhuan's luck... is truly something else!"