A'yu, codename Mount Emei

[The Surface's Strongest Magician: What the heck, "Penglai"? "Cold Cicada"? Never heard of them!]

[Prisoner: I've never heard of you replying like that!]

[Prisoner: I've seen "Penglai" before. I encountered her twice when I was at "Tier 2". She wasn't very strong, but she was quite good at solving puzzles. However, I didn't add her as a friend.]

[AAA Building Materials Old Wu: Someone I've never heard of gets the highest support rate in the first round? That's a bit strange.]

[God of Cookery: I'll go ask around.]

Although several messages popped up instantly, they weren't very informative.

Clearly, Qianhuan, Old Zhou, Old Wu, and the God of Cookery had no idea what "Penglai" and "Cold Cicada" were.

[Braised Carp King: I'd like to inquire about that too]

[God of Cookery:?]

[Comedian:?]

[The Surface's Strongest Magician: Wait, Boss, can you reply to messages?]

[Beast Master: This isn't Fang Qing, this is A Nian]

[Beast Master: She changed her name and profile picture]

[The Surface's Strongest Magician: A Nian, Are You Crazy?!]

[Prisoner: [Helplessly] Don't joke like that!]

[Braised Carp King: [Laughing]]

[Braised Carp King: You scared me to death, didn't you? I'll change it back now!]

[Divine Thief A Nian: Okay, it's changed back]

[Mountaineer: I was startled when I saw the message notification]

[Mountaineer: Why are you guys talking so much again?]

[Embalmer - Xiao Yun: "I know 'Cold Cicada,' it's the 'Unique Profession']

[Embalmer - Xiao Yun: I've fought him before. We were both "Tier 2" back then, and he was very strong.]

[The Embalmer - Xiao Yun: That "Penglai" is probably nothing special; it's most likely all the work of that "Cold Cicada"]

Lin Yu, who had initially thought he wouldn't gain anything from the lively Group Chat, perked up when he saw Xiao Yun's message.

Xiao Yun actually knew "Cold Cicada"!

[Beast Master: You actually know him? That's great! Can you tell me what kind of person he is?]

[Embalmer Xiao Yun: Are you also interested in him?]

[Embalmer Xiao Yun: That's true. I'm also very interested in his corpse. It's only natural that you would be interested in him when he was still alive.]

Seeing Xiao Yun's words, Lin Yu felt that Xiao Yun seemed to have misunderstood something, but after thinking about it for a while, he decided not to correct Xiao Yun.

The others also became curious.

[Designer: If you think it's very strong, then it must really have something special.]

[Designer: And this person is incredibly audacious to tamper with the "election"!]

[Embalmer - Xiao Yun: He is indeed powerful. His "Profession" should be similar to that of a "Doctor," but different from a "Doctor"—I don't know exactly what it is, I only know that when he starts fighting, he constantly buffs himself and has a very strong instant healing ability.]

[Embalmer - Xiao Yun: At the same time, he is very intelligent and Leng Jing when he fights, as precise as if performing surgery. The confusion effect I applied to him had almost no effect.]

[Beast Master: Does he possess any psychological manipulation abilities? From what I understand, he seems to have methods for interfering with other people's subconscious, which is why he was able to push his chosen candidate to the top of the approval ratings.]

[Embalmer - Xiao Yun: I don't think there is one, or rather, I don't know.]

[Embalmer - Xiao Yun: Oh right, he's quite handsome when he fights.]

[The Surface's Strongest Magician: Beautiful? What the heck?]

[The Embalmer - Xiao Yun: Literally, it means his abilities... are all very beautiful, whether it's attack or defense, they're all quite pretty]

[Embalmer - Xiao Yun: He's a bit like "Fluoxetine" or "Celestial King," but unlike them, "Cold Cicada" doesn't seem to be deliberately pursuing these things; he's quite indifferent in nature.]

[Embalmer - Xiao Yun: You'll know once you fight him.]

[The Surface's Strongest Magician: Why should I fight him? You already said he's very strong.]

[Prisoner: How can you be so unambitious? You should challenge the strong!]

[Prisoner: I'd love to fight him]

[Embalmer - Xiao Yun: Melee attacks or physical contact with him seem to cause poisoning, be careful]

[Prisoner: That's so underhanded? That's no fun, I'm not playing anymore]

[Divine Thief A Nian: How can you be so unambitious? You should challenge the strong!]

[The Surface's Strongest Magician: Hahahahahaha]

[Comedian: How can you be so unambitious? You should challenge those who are strong!]

[Embalmer - Xiao Yun: @Dog Beast Master That's all I wanted to say, nothing more.]

Lin Yu looked at Xiao Yun's reply and also noted down what Xiao Yun said.

It is suspected to be a "Unique Profession," the nature of Profession is similar to that of a "Doctor," and it also possesses relatively strong recovery abilities.

His fighting skills are "impressive".

Aloof personality.

While this information didn't immediately help me pinpoint who "Cold Cicada" was or what his purpose was, and it didn't offer any groundbreaking progress, it did allow me to go from having no knowledge of the person to having some understanding of him.

[Beast Master: Thank you, you've been a great help]

[Embalmer Xiao Yun: It's nothing, but that happened a long time ago, almost three months ago, so it might not be accurate.]

[Embalmer - Xiao Yun: Also, may I ask a question?]

[Embalmer Xiao Yun: What are you planning to do by inquiring about this person?]

Looking at Xiao Yun's question, Lin Yu could already imagine Xiao Yun's curious face behind the screen.

He could even imagine the curiosity of the other members of the "Freedom Alliance" from the sudden silence in the Group Chat.

After considering the matter, Lin Yu gave his reply.

[Beast Master: Her arrival disrupted some of my plans]

[Beast Master: Actually, I have someone I support among the candidates for the "Player Mutual Aid Society"]

Lin Yu offered a brief explanation.

As for the rest... he naturally planned to let the guys in the "Freedom Alliance" fill in the blanks themselves.

After all, Lin Yu knew that they had always had rich imaginations.

Then...

Lin Yu switched to the "Yayu" account.

However, Lin Yu didn't expect "A'yu" to provide any particularly useful information or intelligence.

His main goal was to gather information through the "Freedom Alliance".

After all, the "Freedom Alliance" members have a relatively wide social circle and knowledge base.

Lin Yu's main purpose in sending the message to "A'yu" was to further enhance the "Yayu" identity.

But what Lin Yu didn't expect was...

[A'yu: Hehehe, you're really well-informed, "Yayu"!]

[A'yu: The results of the first round of elections just came out not long ago, and you already know about them?]

[A'yu: Looks like your informant level is pretty high!]

[A'yu: And you're really perceptive; you immediately realized something was wrong with "Penglai."]

[A'yu: Hehe, you absolutely mustn't tell anyone about this... You have to keep this a secret!]

[A'yu: This "Penglai" is actually one of our cards!]

[A'yu: To be precise, it's Brother Zhan's hand, isn't it amazing!]

[A'yu: This is top secret. Even though it will soon become common knowledge again, you should still keep it a secret for now!]

Lin Yu looked at the message sent by A'yu and fell into deep thought.

A'yu actually knew what "Penglai" was all about?

Was this arranged by the "Diviner"?

Lin Yu never expected that the mystery he thought would trouble him for a while would have its answer so easily.

It's true that asking the right question is worse than asking a good one.

Although the mystery isn't fully solved yet, Lin Yu now understands...

The reason why "Penglai" topped the popularity charts was because of "Diviner".

After thinking it over, Lin Yu sent another message to A'yu.

[Yayu: So that "Cold Cicada" is one of our "Marauders"? We need to warn him to be careful; the "Order" people are already watching him.]

[A'yu: Ah, he's not one of us, at least not a member of the "Marauders"... Hmm, that guy seems more like a temporary strategic Partner that Brother Zhan found?]

[A'yu: But there's probably no need to worry too much about him. Brother Zhan said this guy is very capable and smart, so he should know what he's doing and what he should be doing.]

Looking at A'yu's words, Lin Yu fell into deep thought once again.

Although Xiao Yun praised it as very strong, it already indirectly reflects that "Cold Cicada's" strength should not be underestimated. Even the fact that the opponent's identity and information could not be investigated by "Order" is itself a manifestation of strength.

However, these two points are less important than being directly praised by the "Diviner" as being smart and capable...

Their natures are still different.

Lin Yu mentally raised his evaluation of "Cold Cicada" even higher.

[Yayu: Okay, then do we need to do anything to match his movements?]

[Yayu: After all, it seems he's been exposed now.]

[A'yu: That's not necessary. After all, according to Brother Zhan's prediction, as long as we don't act recklessly, "Order" won't be able to trace him for a while—"Cold Cicada's " whereabouts are very mysterious!]

[A'yu: I reckon by the time "Order" finds out about our relationship with him, it'll be too late, haha!]

[A'yu: [Smug]]

Seeing the emoji sent by A'yu, Lin Yu replied with an "OK" gesture, then switched his account back to the "Director" account and opened Li Hua's chat window.

[Director: I've gathered some intelligence through informants; this "Cold Cicada" seems to be collaborating with the "Marauders."]

[Director: To be precise, it wasn't a collaboration with the "Marauders" organization, but rather a direct collaboration with the "Diviner."]

[Sea City - Li Hua: What? Are you sure? [Shocked]]

Li Hua unusually sent an emoji to express her surprise.

[Director: Is there a problem? Does it conflict with the information you already have?]

[Sea City - Li Hua: No, no, I'm just surprised—not surprised by the fact itself.]

[Sea City - Li Hua: Your speed in gathering information surprised me a bit. After all, the "Diviner" is a very cautious guy.]

[Sea City - Li Hua: If you're not comfortable revealing it, that's fine... but I wanted to ask you something.]

[Sea City - Li Hua: What level is your informant, exactly?]