Hidden messages

Under the skeptical gazes of the "Order" members, Nightless Sky Fire Apricot quickly Projection the message left by Lin Yu using the "recording paper".

"Fellow comrades of 'Order,' I apologize... Last night, your coma was a necessary 'step' to stabilize the 'Creator' and establish a cooperative relationship with him."

"It was rash of me not to consult with everyone beforehand—I am willing to accept Discipline action."

"However, I have indeed gained enough. Through my conversation with the 'Creator,' I have determined that the 'Secretary' and 'Supreme Evolution' are not in a direct cooperative relationship. Those 'Authority' technological achievements must have been obtained by him through other 'Player' from the Previous Version as Intermediary."

"After negotiations between Schreiber and me, the Creator has agreed to give us those 'technologies,' but we need to retrieve them ourselves—the research results regarding 'Authority' are stored in a desolate place in the Great Wilderness. He will only give us some hints, and it is said that the place is somewhat dangerous."

"Finding it isn't difficult. As for exactly where that place is, although I'm not 100% sure, I have some ideas... After inheriting what Comrade 'Sherlock' left me here, I have a relatively good understanding of the Barren Realm."

"Anyway... although I don't think there will be any major problems with Schreiber's help, if you wake up and I still haven't heard from you, please try to find me."

This concludes the information left behind by Lin Yu.

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot also put away the record sheet.

"That's all for now... everyone, I'm off!"

"Wait a minute, stay here," Ren Gu called out to Nightless Sky Fire Apricot, his expression very strange. "Is this all the information? Did you miss anything or leave anything out?"

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot shook her head. "No, that's all -- Arthur and his friends left you a message, I certainly wouldn't keep any of it."

"Otherwise, that 'Director' wouldn't have chosen me to deliver the message, right?"

With that, Nightless Sky Fire Apricot didn't linger any longer and turned to leave the archives.

Ren Gu watched the departing Nightless Sky Fire Apricot, but did not try to stop her, though a conflicted expression remained on his face.

"This is really strange, isn't it?" Ren Gu looked at the others. "Don't you guys think... why was the 'Director' so vague? He said he already knew roughly where it was and had a plan, but he didn't tell us."

"He didn't even give us a hint from the 'Creator'."

Hearing Ren Gu's analysis, Xiao Nian also seemed thoughtful. "I also find it strange... or rather, the 'Director's' tone sounded odd."

Yin Lan interjected, "I actually think it's alright... This guy is often rambling and vague, isn't he? Back when Comrade Li Hua was still around, he often planned secret operations with Comrade Li Hua, didn't he?"

As she spoke, Yin Lan looked at Paper Kite and Good Night.

"Xi Ba, don't look at me... Even though I've worked with him for a long time, I've never really known what he's thinking, you don't think I can see through the 'Director,' do Xi Ba?"

Paper Kite nodded, "I'm not entirely sure what the Director is thinking, but I also think he's definitely wrong..."

At this moment, Loquat Candy spoke thoughtfully, "Perhaps... it's because he was, after all, acting with 'Schreiber'."

"The Director's deliberately vague statement might be a subtle way of sending us a message—although he said we didn't have to come, since he left the message, he definitely wants us to find him as soon as possible, right?"

Good Night's expression changed. "What? You mean, that Xi Ba said those things because he was threatened by that Xi Ba 'Schreiber'?"

"Was this originally one of those hidden acrostic SOS messages from Xi Ba?!"

Loquat Candy smiled wryly, "Don't get agitated. I don't think it's a 'threat'... The Director must have a way of making sure Schreiber won't harm him."

Paper Kite sighed, "Captain Good Night, in reality, there's very likely no such thing as a hidden message for help... those are just jokes, performances."

Loquat Candy nodded, then added, "However, I think the Director is genuinely trying to convey some implicit messages to us that 'Schreiber' won't perceive, and he probably really hopes we can find him."

"Perhaps... he didn't want to share all the 'Authority' technology with Schreiber, so he resorted to this tactic?"

As Loquat Candy spoke, Xiao Nian tapped the table.

"So the most urgent task now... is still to find the 'Director'."

"It seems we need to split up again—after all, instead of trying to solve the puzzle here, we might as well search all the suspicious areas."

"Although the only current condition is that it's an 'abandoned place'... but considering that the 'Creator' can hide the 'research results,' and also taking into account the range of activity he and 'Schreiber' could cover in one night, there aren't actually many places to search."

"Why don't we search them one by one? If the 'Director' really wants us to find them, he should have left some marks or something along the way."

As Xiao Nian spoke, Ren Gu echoed his sentiments.

"I agree with this plan... So, how will we be divided into groups this time?"

Loquat Candy said, "Since the 'Creator' has confirmed a temporary cooperative relationship with us, why don't we each take a group... Everyone's injuries have healed quite well, and we're all at the 'Tier 3'. Although the environment of this Great Wilderness is a bit dangerous, we should be able to handle it."

Yin Lan nodded. "I have no objection..."

"Indeed, although Comrade Loquat Candy analyzed that the message left by the 'Director' was probably not because he was threatened or foresaw some kind of danger, I still feel a little uneasy... After all, the 'Director' is only 'Tier 2'," Xiao Nian said in a low voice, "We 'Tier 3' can take some risks and find him as soon as possible."

"Xi Ba, since you've said that, let's get going... Oh right, is it alright for this guy to go on his own too?"

Good Night pointed at the Paper Kite and said.

Paper Kite sighed, "I can distinguish between what's important and what's urgent. I'm not so foolish as to kill someone before the 'Director' might encounter some kind of risk or accident... Besides, this is the Great Wilderness. It would be very difficult for me to return to the City That Never Sleeps on my own, okay?"