The dust settled, the aftermath to handle

In fact, Lin Yu also knew that rescuing Li Hua and Qianhuan was almost impossible.

The disappearance of the "Magic Space" has confirmed that "Qianhuan" is likely in grave danger.

Fang Qing's appearance and intervention also illustrate this point.

Fang Qing would not give up trying as long as there was even the slightest possibility that Qianhuan could be saved.

Meanwhile, Li Hua's side...

He left a mark on Lin Yu, and Lin Yu naturally left a Soul Fragment on him in return.

And now, the Soul Fragment of Li Hua's soul have also dissipated.

At the same time, Lin Yu also understood more clearly...

I am no match for the "Emperor" now.

In the past, I was able to Escape from other "Tier 4" beings or even Deity because they weren't targeting me.

Or perhaps, fundamentally... it's because they underestimate themselves.

Like a hunter whose prey escapes—ultimately, it's because of the hunter's carelessness, or because he considers himself superior to his prey and therefore doesn't intend to pay too heavy a price in the hunting process.

Under these circumstances, and because his methods were indeed somewhat unusual.

Therefore, by using the [Guest Appearance Invitation], the abilities of the "Fraudster," and existing Authority, one can create an opportunity to escape or even confront them.

But...

The emperor was different.

This guy... never saw their relationship as one of "hunter" and "prey" from the very beginning.

He considered himself an "opponent".

Despite his arrogant demeanor and forceful words, Lin Yu knew very well that the emperor's attitude towards him was actually quite "equal".

Lin Yu even had a feeling that... when the emperor was facing him, he was prepared to make some kind of "sacrifice".

It seems he's willing to "go to any lengths" to deal with me.

However, once a genuine Deity or even a "Tier 5" Player gains control of the "Heart Domain" and even "Authority," they will target you without reservation...

Lin Yu knew perfectly well that Fang Qing was right.

This is a match with "no chance of winning".

Even so, Lin Yu still wanted to return to that Sealed Space.

Why is that?

He himself was a little confused.

Perhaps if we go now... we might still be able to collect the remaining fragments of Li Hua and Qianhuan's Soul Fragment and incorporate them into the space of the [Ancient Notebook]?

But is it necessary to take this risk?

Perhaps it's because, from a self-interest perspective, it would be advantageous for them to survive?

But... Lin Yu is absolutely not thinking or making decisions based on "rationality" right now, and he is clear about that.

Perhaps it's because Li Hua is important to the "Director," and Qianhuan is important to "Zhu Ming," and these two roles happen to be the ones I was most deeply immersed in while playing them?

After all, he had already learned a lot about Xia Yue, and he could indeed become quite immersed in playing the role of "Zhu Ming" at times.

The role of "Director"... is actually not very clearly defined in relation to Lin Yu.

Is that so?

Perhaps it was because he was touched by something after Fu Luo's death and his Senior Sister falling into a deep sleep?

Perhaps it was because after receiving the "Death game's " judgment of being an "Empty Shell" made using the name of a "Exclusive item," that I underwent some kind of change?

Perhaps it's because during this trip to Shenzhen, so many deaths happened right before my eyes...

Maybe, perhaps, maybe...

Lin Yu didn't know.

He felt a tightness in his chest, a sensation that seemed to be churning.

"Call--"

He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

"Indeed, indeed, Fang Qing, you're right, I can't go... You're right."

Lin Yu looked at Fang Qing, then at Old Zhou, his gaze gradually returning to calm.

That's right, going back to that Sealed Space now, going to find the "Emperor" now... it's all in vain.

It might make me feel a little better, but... that doesn't solve anything.

Instead of foolishly making futile attempts to alleviate your guilt and inner turmoil...

Now that Lin Yu Leng Jing down and is thinking things through, he feels that he should... remember this emotion and let it reside in his heart.

It's a burden, but it's also... necessary.

"The matter between Qianhuan and Li Hua is beyond repair; it's entirely my fault... I've let them down," Lin Yu said quietly. "But... I will make the 'Emperor' pay the price."

"I will make the 'Emperor' pay the price."

Fang Qing also fell silent.

"Of course, he can't just kill my friend and then pretend nothing happened," Fang Qing finally spoke after a long silence, speaking slowly and deliberately as if explaining, "I won't allow that to happen."

"I will tear his kingdom apart, break his power, I will drag him down from his Deity Divine Rank, I will shred his soul, make him regret being born into this world, make him regret living to this day, I will turn his powerful Life Force and strength into a curse he hates."

"Old Zhou, Brother Zhou, please go back and tell the others... From today onwards, we are sworn enemies with 'Copper Furnace,' and we will fight to the death."

Old Zhou nodded.

"I understand... I also bear responsibility for this."

"No, you bear no responsibility," Fang Qing said softly. "Qianhuan sent you out... He doesn't want to see you blame yourself."

"The responsibility lies not with you or the 'Director,' but solely with the 'Copper Furnace' and the 'emperor.'"

After speaking, Fang Qing looked at Lin Yu.

"Of course, you're welcome to be involved in this," the Director.

Without waiting for Lin Yu's response, Fang Qing said in a low voice.

"You still retain the aura Authority 'Domination' —but 'Order' should help you remove it."

"I'll take Old Zhou and go ahead."

Fang Qing spoke, he then used the power of "Rule" to cover Old Zhou's body.

Then Old Zhou disappeared.

Lin Yu knew that Fang Qing had probably teleported Old Zhou Quick Teleport to the vicinity of his "coordinates" in the Prison Mountain Realm, so that he could use Old Zhou's [Map] permissions to return to the Real World.

And the very next second after Fang Qing disappeared...

Thump!

The figure descended from the sky and landed in front of Lin Yu, smashing a large crater in the sand-covered ground like a meteorite.

The flying sand fell like rain, and Lin Yu saw the appearance of the newcomer.

White practice clothes, a swaying ponytail.

"Grandmaster" Gu Mo.

Lin Yu looked at Gu Mo, then spoke again.

"Comrade 'Gambler,' has sacrificed his life."

Gu Mo paused for a moment, then said, "Okay, I understand."

"It was my fault, I'm sorry—I failed to stop the 'Emperor'."

"The organization failed to foresee that the 'Emperor' possessed the means to drag you into the Divine Kingdom..."

Lin Yu shook his head. "No, it's not your dereliction of duty, nor is it a miscalculation by the organization; it's my recklessness."

"Comrade Li Hua and I discovered that the 'Secretary' might be an undercover agent for 'Copper Furnace' —during our confrontation with him, the 'Secretary' admitted it, and we had no choice but to kill him."

"But the Secretary's death triggered an item he possessed called [Do Not Kill the Envoy Item, which granted the Emperor the ability to drag Li Hua and me into his [Heart Domain] and the Divine Kingdom Projection."

"At the time, because there were also 'Magician' and 'Prisoner' from the 'Freedom Alliance' beside me, Comrade Li Hua forcibly activated his 'Heart Domain' and, with the help of the 'Magician,' sent me and the 'Prisoner' from the 'Freedom Alliance' out."

"But because of this, Comrade Li Hua and the 'Magician'... also sacrificed their lives."

Lin Yu explained what had happened to Gu Mo in a rather concise and official manner.

Gu Mo listened patiently to Lin Yu's words and said again, "Okay, after you go out and feel better, write these down as a report and I'll submit it to the organization for you."

Then, Gu Mo paused for a moment.

"However, I have two questions. The Magician, like Li Hua, has already sacrificed himself, but what about the Prisoner?"

"They were taken away by 'Player' from the 'Freedom Alliance'."

Lin Yu answered calmly as always.

Gu Mo looked at Lin Yu, pursed her lips, and said, "I understand. So, my second question... about the 'Secretary' part, what exactly happened?"

"Why was he an undercover agent, and why was he directly... killed by you and Li Hua?"

Lin Yu explained, "The 'Secretary' was the 'Chancellor' of the 'Copper Furnace.' He was able to be killed by Li Hua and me because, while he was acting as the 'Chancellor,' he was first severely injured by the Second Generation 'Freud' of the 'Psychology Society.'"

Gu Mo thought for a moment and then said, "This is actually a bit unbelievable to me... Both the 'Secretary' and you are very trustworthy people to me."

"But you have Miao Miao and Li Hua on your side, so I can trust you more."

"However, if this report is submitted, and Comrade Li Hua has now also been sacrificed at the hands of the 'Emperor,' you will inevitably suffer a lot of... procedural interrogations."

Lin Yu whispered, "It's alright, Grandmaster. Li Hua thought of that... He had already submitted the physical evidence to 'Dionysus' Yin Lan beforehand, and he found 'Night Watcher's' Carrier Pigeon and 'Robin' as witnesses Robin."

Gu Mo smiled bitterly upon hearing Lin Yu's words.

"That's terrible, because the Night Watcher's Carrier Pigeon... has also been sacrificed."

"When that [Instance] space collapsed," "Carrier Pigeon" was using its "ability" to build a "real-time shared Map" to guide most of the members of "Order" and "Night Watcher" to the best Escape route, but in doing so... it missed its own chance to Escape and was swallowed up by the collapsing spatial structure.

"It seems that only Yin Lan can testify for you—but considering your personal relationship with 'Robin,' her testimony will likely be given less weight."

"Honestly, I believe most people would emotionally trust you... However, for most of us, the 'Secretary' is also a trustworthy comrade."

"And we... are, after all, 'Order'."

"I'm sorry, Director," I know you're probably feeling very unwell right now, and I really want you to get some rest.

"But once you get back... you'll most likely be investigated."