Setting off for the Wasteland
For Lin Yu, breaking free from the influence of "Oblivion" or other "Authority" is not impossible.
All that's needed is to leverage the power of other "Authority" in higher positions.
But Lin Yu couldn't quite imagine how to break free from the influence of "Authority" on him without relying on other forces.
But...
When this was applied to "Fluoxetine," Lin Yu didn't find it outrageous at all.
"What a troublesome fellow... Although he's only 'Tier 3,' in terms of how troublesome he is, he feels just as troublesome as the 'Diviner' and the Second Generation 'Freud'..."
To borrow Old Zheng's analogy...
If "The Diviner" is a sophisticated machine, and the Second Generation "Freud" is an out-of-control truck, then "Fluoxetine" is like a ball lightning bolt.
A completely random disaster; whoever gets afflicted will suffer greatly—and it appears without any reason or warning, with an air of mystery.
But at the same time, it gives people a feeling that is very close to a "natural disaster"... After all, most of her actions do not involve any interests or subjective malice.
Sometimes, Lin Yu felt that "Fluoxetine" really seemed to have been integrated into the "Death game," as if it were a part of the Game itself.
Lin Yu's feeling intensified, especially now that he had vaguely confirmed a connection between Fluoxetine and the First Generation God of Game.
"It seems that after the Barren Realm and the Mist Island Realm... 'Heavenly Amusement Park' will probably be quite troublesome as well."
"However, it's too early to think about these things now."
Lin Yu closed the [Ancient Notebook] and stood up from the recliner that was practically Stiller's personal residence.
The sky had completely darkened, and it was already evening.
Stiller and Hannah have almost finished their rehearsals.
The phone rang at that moment—it was a message from "Good Night" to "Director".
However, the message was not sent privately, but rather sent to a newly created Group Chat.
The new Group Chat is called "Great Wilderness Travel Group", and it already has seven members.
"Ren Gu", "Loquat Candy", "Paper Kite", "Good Night", "Xiao Nian", "Dionysus"...
There's also "Director".
They have all been added to the Group Chat.
[Central China - Good Night: @All members, we'll be entering the Instance in fifteen minutes. Everyone get ready, adjust your Item, and remember to use the Instance Card later.]
[South China - Ren Gu: Received]
[South China - Loquat Candy: Received]
[South China - Loquat Candy: But what's with this name? It's so unserious!]
[North China - Xiao Nian: Captain Good Night is as humorous as ever]
[Central China - Good Night: [Laughing]]
[Southwest - Dionysus: What the hell?]
[Central China - Good Night: Xi Ba, why are you swearing?]
Looking at the messages in the group, Lin Yu quietly joined in and sent a message.
[Central China - Director: I'm ready, I can leave anytime]
[South China - Ren Gu: Thank you for your hard work, Director]
[Southwest - Dionysus: I'm talking about you Good Night]
[East China - Paper Kite: This time it's Cooperative Instance spanning four major regions! Nice to meet you!]
[North China - Xiao Nian: It's not just spanning four major regions, I heard there are even Mystery Guest!]
[North China - Xiao Nian: This time in the Barren Realm, we all have to cooperate with members of the "Psychology Society"]
[East China - Paper Kite: What does this mean?]
[Central China - Good Night: Xi Ba, you don't even read the content I forwarded to you?]
[East China - Paper Kite: You sent 168 messages in two days, and when I opened them, they were all videos. I can see something's up.]
[South China Loquat Candy: Strictly speaking, it is not a member of the "Psychology Society"]
[South China - Ren Gu: Director, this is an unofficial staff member invited by the Director; they are definitely not members of the "Psychology Society"]
[North China - Xiao Nian: Isn't "Schreiber" practically a member of the "Psychology Society"?]
[East China - Paper Kite: "Schreiber"? Director]
[Central China - Director: Yes, it has already been reported to the organization]
[Central China - Director: I'll go in and explain in more detail.]
After Lin Yu finished speaking, there were no further replies in the group chat.
"As expected," Schreiber's joining had been announced beforehand... However, although no one should object due to the orders of the "Professor" and "Order"... there are probably still some complaints.
Lin Yu looked at the chat in the group and wasn't surprised that everyone couldn't help but bring up this matter.
"Good Night" probably doesn't have much of an objection here. Captain Good Night is someone he's very close to, and compared to most "Order" members, he's actually quite "pragmatic."
Although Captain Good Night's personality seems very casual, even to the point of being "abstract," he is actually quite clear-headed when it comes to serious matters.
This clear-headedness means that Captain Good Night will not let inexplicable "beliefs" and "principles" influence his judgment on any specific event.
Just like how "Schreiber" would "cooperate" with them in their operations in the "Barren Realm"...
Captain Good Night clearly thought about it and didn't see anything wrong with it.
Since "Schreiber" has connections in the Barren Realm and "Director" believes they can cooperate with him, they should trust "Director's" judgment and make good use of "Schreiber".
Similarly, the South China duo "Ren Gu" and "Loquat Candy" would probably make a similar judgment.
However, the two of them don't have the same level of trust in "Good Night" or "the Director" as they do in person, so there's still a sense of "waiting to see" and "relative neutrality."
However, for Lin Yu, these three people were undoubtedly not a concern.
Aside from these three people, Yin Lan will likely maintain a "neutral as much as possible" stance.
After all, Yin Lan "Dionysus," had just become a little closer to him and had even expressed gratitude for his help.
Although she may have strong opinions about "Schreiber" and be more wary, she will likely tolerate this operation because of the "Director's" name.
Especially since Yin Lan was present when she persuaded the "professor"—once the "professor's" attitude was conveyed, Yin Lan naturally had no objections.
The only things to worry about... are the "Xiao Nian" and the "Paper Kite".
The person in charge of the North China Region, "Xiao Nian," was relatively unfamiliar with the "Director," and obviously wouldn't show any extra trust or tolerance for this plan, which sounded somewhat "against organizational Discipline," just because of the "Director's" identity.
Even if you've heard some stories about the "Director," things you "hear" about always lack power.
Moreover, judging from our brief previous interactions, Xiao Nian isn't exactly easy to talk to.
Lin Yu understood that Xiao Nian must have had an iron fist to become the head of the North China Region at such a young age and to suppress the "Marauders" and the "Psychology Society".
Her fighting style and Supernatural Power system also demonstrate this.
A guy who can undergo so many Alchemical Modification Surgery and still shows almost no signs of losing control... in the Barren Realm's City That Never Sleeps, he'd be a legendary mercenary or security chief.
The comments in the group just now also showed that... "Xiao Nian" does seem to be somewhat concerned about the possibility of "Schreiber" involving them.
As for "Paper Kite"... needless to say.
Although he and "Paper Kite" were undoubtedly familiar with each other and had collaborated many times, Lin Yu knew this guy's temperament all too well.
Most of the other people's opinions about "Schreiber" stemmed from the fact that, in principle, it violated organizational Discipline.
But the problem with the Paper Kite is precisely that it doesn't adhere to the Discipline of "Order".
The others involved in this operation would consider that this was the "Professor's" and the organization's judgment, and thus choose to reluctantly cooperate with "Schreiber."
But "Paper Kite"... Lin Yu really couldn't predict what he would do.
Lin Yu especially understood that Paper Kite's mental state was definitely more unstable than before.
The events in "Shenzhen," while considered a "victory" for "Order"—thus thwarting the "Marauders '" conspiracy, preventing the "Diviner" from opening Reality Passage, averting the "Emperor's" arrival, causing the "Copper Furnace's " first public operation to fail, and even uncovering a hidden mole...
However, the numerous sacrifices made by the organization this time were also very real.
Everyone is affected to some extent.
Lin Yu even noticed... that, besides being selected by the "professor" from among many capable individuals, there was another reason for the list of participants this time...
These people all seem to have had close partners or comrades who perished in Shenzhen.
The mission to the Barren Realm was itself a kind of distraction.
"However, no matter what, 'Paper Kite' still has his Mental Power Seed... If absolutely necessary, we might be able to restrict his behavior in this way."
"But with so many experts following us this time... unless absolutely necessary, it's best to avoid using 'Mental Power' as much as possible—if something is discovered, it will most likely be blamed on 'Schreiber'... which would be counterproductive."
"If possible, we should minimize the chances of direct contact between 'Schreiber' and 'Order'... It might be a bit troublesome, but it doesn't seem entirely impossible."
As Lin Yu continued to consider his next strategy, the agreed-upon time drew near.
He used the [Team-up Card].
Then, the code names and IDs of the other six people appeared in the team list.
Then...
A familiar feeling of weightlessness washed over me.
When Lin Yu opened his eyes again, he found himself in the living room of a detached house.
The residences are a common style in the City That Never Sleeps, with a distinctly Universal Trade Association style—the decoration is neat and square, the furniture is all interactive and intelligent, and there is a somewhat minimalist and cold feel to it.
The living room is also very spacious and well-ventilated, with a large floor-to-ceiling window on one side.
The only special thing is...
The view outside the floor-to-ceiling windows is neither the crowded Outer City nor the bustling Inner City.
Instead...
A desolate, sandy wilderness.
This building... is in the Great Wilderness.
A surprised exclamation rang out from the Ren Gu.
"That's right, this is... my private residence in the Barren Realm."
Xiao Nian replied.
Welcome to my home.