Entertained to death

"The 'Conception'... it was you."

Lin Yu looked at the man with waist-length hair on the Stage and spoke.

"You have no history of serious misconduct, you have never been hostile to 'Order'... Why are you interfering with 'Order's' operations and kidnapping members of 'Order' today?"

After learning that the other party was a "Tier 4" being, Lin Yu chose to organize his thoughts and negotiate with them.

After all, the strength of the eleventh- Rankings is undeniable; they are certainly not an opponent one can directly challenge.

Each "Tier 4" level, and those unpredictable "Heart Domain" alone, are enormous problems.

Before understanding the mechanism of a "Tier 4" "Heart Domain," even Deity might suffer losses.

Not to mention...

For the "Tier 4," while the "Heart Domain" is the most important trump card, it is usually not the only one.

Their usual methods outside of their "Heart Domain" are often outrageous.

Even many "Tier 4" beings have their own preferred "Authority" power.

Lin Yu knew very little about the ability to "Conception" ideas, so he naturally dared not confront the other party directly.

And...

Lin Yu did indeed want to understand the motivation behind the "Conception".

After all, the appearance of this "Conception" here is really too abrupt...

The worst-case scenario is that this "Tier 4" member is also a member of "Copper Furnace" or accepted a commission from "Copper Furnace." This time, he anticipated that "Order" would come to the Barren Realm to investigate the "Supreme Evolution" related to "Secretary," so he deliberately ambushed his group here.

However... Lin Yu felt that, based on the current Conception actions, this possibility was not high.

This person did indeed display a certain degree of malice: he infiltrated the stronghold, attacked himself and Ren Gu, and attempted to kidnap him. After failing, he kidnapped Ren Gu, tied him up, hung him upside down on the Stage, and threatened him to go to the bar alone...

However, Lin Yu could sense that the Ren Gu had not suffered any substantial damage.

Meanwhile, since I've appeared in this bar, I don't Conception this "Tier 4" guy has shown any hostility; he's just playing some Rock and Roll music for me.

In response to Lin Yu's inquiry, Conception did indeed show a willingness to communicate.

"Director... that's a good question! Why would I choose to stand on the opposite side of 'Order' —that's obviously a very obvious question!"

He spoke of his Conception, then pointed to the sky. "Because... Rock and Roll!"

"Bang bang bang bang bang!"

The Drum Kit cymbals behind him were being struck with a loud thud.

"Rock and Roll and roll and Order are inherently opposed!"

"The mission of Rock and Roll is to liberate people from the boring Order...!"

As he spoke, the Stage lights slid to Conception from the side.

As the lights shifted, the Conception turned to one side and spoke, "Only by rebelling against Order, by Oblivion Order, can we forget the constraints of reality and face our true selves... And only by facing our true selves can we create truly immortal music."

This is also my motto in life.

My musical philosophy.

Lin Yu looked at the Conception of the steps on one side of the Stage, somewhat puzzled.

"Who are you talking to?"

Lin Yu's years of experience in Stage performances allowed him to clearly feel this.

What I just Conception was less of a dialogue with myself and more of a "performance," a "recitation"—a monologue expressing the inner thoughts of a character called "Conception."

His lighting angle and his overall posture... seemed to be serving a Camera positioned on the side of the Stage.

However, the place was empty; there was no recording equipment or crew.

Conception hearing Lin Yu's question, Gu Xiang looked at Lin Yu again.

"Nothing, 'Director,' it was just some idle chatter of mine..."

"In short, I and 'Order' are inherently on different sides... As I've said, I know why you're here."

Lin Yu looked at the Conception: "Then tell me, what are we here for?"

The Conception raised a finger. "Of course, it's more power, more oppression."

Lin Yu sighed, "That's not how it is at all, okay? You have absolutely no idea why we're here..."

The Conception shook its finger, then uttered four words: "Supreme Evolution."

Lin Yu's expression turned serious. "So you actually knew."

"Of course, would I still lie?" Conception said, placing his hands back on the Bass Guitar, gently stroking Bass Guitar strings to produce a deep sound. "This time... you've come for the most core technology of 'Supreme Evolution' —that technology that 'touched the Deity Domain,' and could be considered 'Blasphemy against Deities.'"

"Then you should know that we want this technology not for the sake of power or oppression. You're already at 'Tier 4,' you should understand that," Lin Yu said earnestly, looking at the Conception. "'Order' acquiring these technologies... will benefit all 'Player.'"

"We are doing this to give all 'Player' a 'chance' to survive a future catastrophe."

"Or... if possible, what 'Order' is trying to do is prevent all of this from happening."

Conception hearing Lin Yu's words, Gu Xiang said in surprise, "You're only a 'Tier 2' cultivator, yet you know quite a lot... Indeed, you are special."

Upon hearing Conception's words, Lin Yu's vigilance rose again. He shook his head calmly, "No... I only learned about some secrets by chance..."

"Buzz!"

The Electric Guitar emitted a sharp Sonic Boom, interrupting Lin Yu's words.

Conception raised his finger again—but instead of pointing at Lin Yu, he pointed to something higher up.

"No need to be modest, 'Director'... I know you're special."

As he spoke, Conception paused, took out his Communicator, glanced at it, and seemed to confirm some information.

Then...

He suddenly jumped off the Stage and glided over to Lin Yu's side.

Lin Yu immediately took out the [White Bone Flowing Light] from his [Item Space] and placed his hand on the hilt.

"What are you up to?"

With Bass Guitar Conception still around her neck, she pressed Lin Yu's hand down and spoke in a low voice.

Did the "Pen Name" tell you that she thought you were the main character?

Upon hearing the Pen Name, Lin Yu instantly became extremely alert, his hair standing on end.

"You know the Pen Name? She asked you to come?!"

Conception shook his head, and for some reason, his expression was much more awkward than when he was on Stage earlier. "I don't know that dejected bestselling Writer... uh, I know her, but I don't have much contact with her... I just have some means of gathering information."

Conception pressed down on Lin Yu's hand holding the knife and said in a low voice.

"Listen... there's a new 'incident' in the Inner City. We don't have much time, Lin Yu..."

Lin Yu became even more uneasy. "You even know my True Name?"

"This isn't exactly secret information... Ah, anyway, it's not important... I judge that 'Order' is destined to fail in this 'Supreme Evolution' operation," the Conception said earnestly. "You have to believe me... It's precisely because, as you said, 'Order's' goal is to find a 'solution' for the 'Final Trial' that this operation is doomed to failure."

Lin Yu was even more confused by this Conception operation. "What do you mean?"

The Conception began, "This is complicated to explain... but since you're called a 'Director' and your 'Profession' is 'Film Emperor'... I think you should be able to understand it quickly... In fact, you're the only character who might understand me!"

"Listen carefully, Lin Yu... what do you think is the essence of the 'Death game'?"

Lin Yu was somewhat bewildered, but still managed to say, "I don't know, but this is probably a Game created by a high-level being that transcends the World Will... or some kind of 'natural phenomenon' that surpasses the level of the 'world'..."

"No, no, no... You're wrong, or rather, you've realized part of it, but you haven't achieved enlightenment," the Conception said very seriously. "Excuse my bluntness, but if I remember correctly, you were sent into this Game by 'Fluoxetine,' right?"

Upon hearing yet another familiar yet dangerous name, Lin Yu immediately became even more alert. "It's like this..."

"Fluoxetine must be very popular; she's a very three-dimensional and charismatic character," the Conception said earnestly. "So have you noticed some of Fluoxetine's opinions and words? Many of her statements are suggestive..."

You've probably heard the phrase, "May you be seen by the Deity," right?

"Her behavior is probably implying... that everything we do, everything in this Death game, is for show, you understand? If you follow this line of thought, you won't have trouble realizing... that this Game might indeed be being watched!"

Lin Yu stared at the Conception: "What exactly are you trying to express?"

Conception a deep breath, he said, "What I mean is... Director, we might be living in an anime or a TV series!"

"It could be a movie or a comic book, but the probability is relatively small... In short, it will probably be a highly entertaining work."

Lin Yu looked at the Conception, then paused, stunned. "So you're breaking the Fourth Wall? You mean... we're all virtual?"

The Conception shook its head. "No... we're not virtual either. At least I'm sure I'm real—but just because we live in 'entertainment' doesn't mean we're virtual characters or that this world is virtual."

"What I mean is... although I said 'anime' or 'TV series'—that's just a hypothetical, analogical 'form of expression' that I've come up with."

"At its Inner Core, we should be a 'Reality Show'."

"However... the world we live in is a program created by beings higher than Deity!"

"It is an entity capable of transforming one or more worlds into its 'entertainment projects'."

In other words... our world may be under the control of some real 'God of Fun'!