The Diviner's terms were like an Indian's final payment and a boss's empty promises
High in the wind and rain, the swaying silk threads looked incredibly fragile, as if they might break at any moment due to the fierce winds and torrential rain.
But Lin Yu knew very well...
These threads are definitely not as fragile as they look.
After he eliminated the effects of "Oblivion" and became aware of the existence of these "threads" around him, Lin Yu was able to sense that... his "Mental Power" was even interfered with when passing through these threads, resulting in some unstable phenomena.
Now, no matter what means he uses to "escape," these "threads" will stop him.
Clearly, this was something the "Diviner" had already anticipated.
Lin Yu was not surprised to be caught in such a trap set by the "Diviner".
After all, he used the power of "Oblivion" to conceal himself and deliberately approached me silently, so he certainly couldn't have been unaware of my escape.
I can't always get away from him so easily, time and time again.
Therefore, after thinking for a moment, Lin Yu frankly raised his hands.
"It seems I... have no choice but to accept my fate."
As Lin Yu spoke, the Diviner seemed somewhat surprised.
"Oh, that really surprises me. You're not going to try anything?"
Lin Yu looked at the Diviner and calmly said, "You, a 'Tier 4', have disregarded so many other 'Tier 4' and 'Tier 3' beings in this situation, coming all the way to find me, and even using power at the Authority level. What reason do I have to try anything?"
The Diviner laughed, "In that case, many of the other methods I devised will be useless... What a pity, it's somewhat of a waste."
Lin Yu said in a low voice, "So, how long have you been watching me?"
"I've been watching you ever since you were out in Shenzhen this morning. I've been keeping an eye on you the whole time."
The Diviner said with a smile.
Lin Yu said in a low voice, "This is a bit of a bluff..."
After all, he had just switched to the role of "Director" a few minutes ago.
If the Diviner had been watching him closely, he would have known about his changed identity... but now he wouldn't have this attitude.
However, the Diviner didn't immediately admit he was bluffing. "Don't you believe me? Is it possible that you're actually more important to me than the 'Benevolent King's' [Item Set]?"
Lin Yu said, "I never doubted that. The reason I judged that you were bluffing was because I was with the 'Grandmaster' and the 'Hacker' was watching me."
The Diviner twirled the oil-paper umbrella in his hand, changed his sitting posture, and put his feet down on the edge of the bow of the boat instead of sitting cross-legged.
"I know," Director, "But is it possible... that my disguise skills are so sophisticated that even a 'Grandmaster' or a 'Hacker' wouldn't be able to detect it?"
"Possibly, but I was just kidding," Lin Yu grinned. "You're really trusting, aren't you, 'Diviner'... I wasn't actually with them."
The Diviner paused, then pondered, "That's strange indeed. I really did see you acting with those two together... Who did I see?"
Upon hearing the Diviner's words, Lin Yu had a moment of doubt. Could it be that "Paper Kite" was impersonating him again, or that "Xiao Yuan" had impersonated the "Director" and orchestrated the operation?
But in the next instant, Lin Yu realized what was happening.
The Diviner is fooling himself!
His overly casual tone almost misled Lin Yu.
Fortunately, Lin Yu eventually realized what was happening.
"Stop being stubborn. The main reason I think you're bluffing is because you said you've been following me in 'Shenzhen,' but if you really were, you'd know... actually, I haven't been in Shenzhen for a while since today."
Lin Yu looked at the Diviner and said.
Hearing Lin Yu say this, the Diviner finally stopped lying and frankly admitted it.
"Oh, no wonder I couldn't find you before..."
"However, I was indeed busy with other things before... Although you are important, there are more than one important thing."
Lin Yu looked at the Diviner, nodded, and said, "But your presence here means... I am the most important person, don't I?"
Is it because your new business Partner, the "Emperor,"... values me highly?
The Diviner smiled and said, "He does value you highly, but do you really still think that's the reason? You should know perfectly well why I'm here."
He stood up gently, Wooden Boat moved forward lightly, arriving in front of Lin Yu in mid-air.
"My friend, you are the most important link on my path to Becoming a God."
Lin Yu said in a low voice, "Because of 'Destiny'?"
"Of course, [the Fragment of Fate]," the Diviner whispered, "Because of the constraints of Destiny, I cannot take it from you, nor can I kill you to make it disappear again..."
Lin Yu said, "Interesting. Are you planning to keep me with you until the time comes to 'reforge' it?"
"Of course not, the risk of doing that is too high," the Diviner shook his head. "What I want to say is... although the [Fragment of Fate] cannot be forcibly taken, if you are genuinely willing to give it to me and for us to make a 'transaction,' it actually won't affect the final outcome."
At this point, the Diviner paused for a moment. "Furthermore, I know that your friend, the 'Beast Master' of the 'Freedom Alliance,' also possesses a fragment. I believe you are confident you can persuade her—for your sake, she should be able to easily give up the [Fragment of Fate]."
"People in the 'Freedom Alliance' are all sentimental. As her close friend, you are definitely more valuable to her than [Fragment of Fate]."
As the Diviner spoke, Lin Yu calmly replied, "Is that so? But I could never willingly give you the [Fragment of Fate] from the bottom of my heart, much less help you persuade the 'Beast Master'... I would rather die than agree."
The Diviner sighed, "Now that we have no audience, are you really still going to seriously play the role of an outstanding member of this 'Order,' a champion of justice, and a die-hard law-abiding member? Mr. 'Best Film Emperor,' your acting is excellent, but I know that your true nature is definitely not that of a guy who would 'die for morality.'"
Lin Yu nodded. "Yes, I'm not exactly Partner of justice... but even putting morality aside, I simply hate you."
The Diviner was somewhat shocked to hear Lin Yu's words. "Lin Yu... why would you say that?"
Lin Yu quietly watched the Diviner's somewhat bewildered and heartbroken expression, as if he had been hurt, without saying anything, simply looking at him.
The Diviner noticed Lin Yu's gaze and composed himself, laughing, "Just kidding... Alright, I think I know what's going on. I've been speculating about this for a long time."
"The previous divination indicated that I had caused the death of your 'relative'... Such things can indeed happen in high-level Struggle, but that was not my intention—I am trying to find a way to make amends."
"The shattering of your 'Destiny' is related to your loved ones... but precisely because of this, perhaps you should believe me—that the reshaping of 'Destiny' might also help you carry out your plans."
The Diviner spoke earnestly, his tone full of allure.
I know what you care about most... but what you have to do is difficult.
"Don't you think it would be wonderful if a future 'God of Destiny' could assist your plans?"
Lin Yu asked, "Is this your 'conditions of the deal'? A 'Diviner'?"
The Diviner nodded and extended his hand to Lin Yu: "I think I've been quite sincere... How about we try boarding my ship?"
"I didn't mean for you to join the 'Marauders,' it's just that in this matter... we're temporarily cooperating."
"Destiny is in your own hands; you're powerless to change it, aren't you?"
Lin Yu looked at the Diviner standing on the boat in front of him, pondered for a moment, and then gently extended his hand.
Then...
"Snap."
Lin Yu reached out and slapped the Diviner's wrist, pushing his hand away.
"If you really want to discuss cooperation, your past behavior should demonstrate more honesty and trustworthiness."
"The conditions you just offered, like 'you'll help me in the future,' are completely empty promises... Do you really think your reputation is that good?"
"To be honest, even if Sima Yi Resurrection and swear an oath by the Luoshui, it would be more believable than you, Diviner."
"Besides, the only reason you haven't killed me is because of the [Fragment of Fate]... If I hand it over, is there really any 'future' left?"
Lin Yu said coldly.
The Diviner rubbed his wrist, not annoyed at all, but instead laughed.
"What a pity, maybe I really wanted to keep my promise this time?"
"Wow, 'This time you really want to keep your promise'... You would never hear someone who keeps their promises say something like that."
Lin Yu said sarcastically.
The Diviner nodded. "That's true... Indeed, one's reputation still needs to be maintained... Hmm, if I had known, I would have killed Brother Jian back then no matter what. He's the one who ruined most of my reputation."
"Recounting what you've done doesn't make you 'corrupt'."
Lin Yu reminded him.
The Diviner nodded. "It seems so... However, my desire for a 'peaceful deal' is genuine."
"In addition to those future 'promises,' I've also prepared tangible benefits for the present."
The Diviner said, holding up one finger.
"The 'Benevolent King' Item set is now in my hands... those five Item can instantly transform any ordinary 'Player' into an impenetrable fortress and a defensive expert."
"How about I trade these five [Item] for one [Fragment of Fate]?"
"And since it was us 'Marauders' who took it... you don't have to bear the stigma of 'stealing [the Item]' or break any Discipline."
Lin Yu raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you have that [Item]?"
The Diviner nodded. "Of course, they're in my hands now... She's a very interesting girl. I'll let you meet her sometime; it'll probably be very helpful for 'gathering material for your performance'—I've noticed you seem to have this habit."