Friendship Is Magic

Lin Yu paused for a moment when he saw the ticket in "Xiao Nian's " hand.

Then he said, "If I could participate in this... that would be wonderful, but how could I do that?"

"Do you have both tickets now?"

Xiao Nian shook his head. "Of course not... I only got one. Although I solved the other riddle, when I went to find that one, I don't know who had taken it."

"But..." Director, comrade—you're not the only one who can get people to help by offering [Guest Appearance Invitation]."

Lin Yu said, "Of course I know that..."

After all, putting everything else aside... he had at least witnessed the "Fishing Man's " ability to lure people from all over the world.

In some situations, Chen Le's tactic might be more effective than a [Guest Appearance Invitation].

"So, do you have similar methods?"

Xiao Nian nodded. "Yes, every time I enter a [Instance] or return to reality, I get a chance to call for 'Reinforcements' —but it's not as powerful as your [Guest Appearance Invitation], which can directly Projection the person over to use their abilities and [Item] normally."

"I can simply ask you to assist me, like an 'off-field connection'—you can share my vision, my five senses, even my soul perception, and you can even directly manipulate my body and abilities."

"Most of the time, I'll leave this 'spot' for the 'Professor,' after all, his knowledge of the Ten Realms is extremely extensive, and he can always provide me with the most accurate advice... But in that extra [Instance] that 'Fluoxetine' invited us to participate in, I think, perhaps I can leave this spot for you."

Listening to Xiao Nian's words and seeing her serious expression, Lin Yu realized...

She was genuinely trying to show kindness to herself.

However, Lin Yu politely declined.

"Um... I think you should leave it to 'Professor' -- after all, that 'Heavenly Amusement Park' is no joke, it could be a very dangerous [Instance]."

"Fluoxetine's strength is probably not much weaker than Dionysus's, and this [Instance] is her home turf, which she actively invited you to participate in. I think it's more important to ensure your own smooth progress than to consider my feelings, right?"

Lin Yu said earnestly.

Even assuming Lin Yu really does need to share his five senses with "Xiao Nian" in the future... why would he need Xiao Nian to waste a spot to invite him?

Not to mention...

He didn't need to witness the death of "Fluoxetine" in this way.

Lin Yu truly believed that there was a high probability that "Fluoxetine" would die in that "Heaven Amusement Park" [Instance].

But that's because Lin Yu planned to kill her with his own hands.

He was also a participant in that Game, and a holder of the ticket.

But...

This reason for declining did not seem to convince Xiao Nian.

Xiao Nian looked at Lin Yu and invited him again, "No... Director, you don't need to refuse so quickly. My invitation isn't just for your sake; I also have my own plans."

"During this operation, I've noticed... that your on-the-spot strategic abilities might not be much worse than the 'Professor's'."

"Although the 'Professor' may have a deeper understanding and more knowledge of the 'Ten Realms,' the location of this [Instance] chosen by 'Fluoxetine,' if I'm not mistaken... should be the 'Divine Realm,' and specifically an ancient Divine Kingdom that has long been sealed off— the Divine Kingdom of the First Generation 'God of Game.'"

"At this point, the help and advice I could receive from the 'professor' might not be as much as what you could offer."

Xiao Nian spoke earnestly, inviting Lin Yu once again.

"This is a win-win situation for us."

And after the invitation for the Xiao Nian was given...

Before Lin Yu could think of another reason to refuse, Yin Lan's voice rang out.

"Alright... Year God, didn't you realize that the 'Director' is just being polite—he probably really doesn't need your help."

As Yin Lan spoke, Xiao Nian paused for a moment.

"Why?"

Lin Yu sighed, "I'm sorry... Comrade Xiao Nian, I have a 'friend' who also received an invitation; she will also be participating in this [Instance]."

Xiao Nian asked instinctively, "Is it 'Schreiber' again?"

Upon hearing "Xiao Nian," Lin Yu was somewhat surprised, not even guessing it was "Zhu Ming" or considering it in that direction at all.

However, Yin Lan on the other side clearly understood.

"It should be someone from the 'Freedom Alliance'... I've heard that your connection with her started because you both suffered from 'Fluoxetine' attacks, right?" Yin Lan said, shaking the soda can in her hand. "And... if I remember correctly, that person also has a way to directly call you into the [Instance] to help, right?"

Xiao Nian looked utterly astonished. "Oh my god, such a thing actually happened?"

Yin Lan said, "So you know... you might even get beaten up by the 'Director' in the end."

Lin Yu sighed helplessly, "Even if I go to help, I certainly won't become enemies with Comrade 'Xiao Nian'."

Yin Lan shrugged. "Look, the Director has already said so... so don't call him anymore, and try your best to avoid conflicts with the members of the 'Freedom Alliance.' Don't put the 'Director' in a dilemma, okay?"

Lin Yu couldn't help but rub his forehead. "The wording is inappropriate, where's the 'filial piety'...?"

"You get the gist of it, that's enough. I'm just speaking up for you," Yin Lan said helplessly. "Anyway... you should understand now, right, Xiao Nian?"

Xiao Nian nodded. "I completely understand... Don't worry, 'Director,' I'll avoid any conflicts with the 'Beast Master.' If you're there... you can also help me get her to work with me."

"After all, I've never had much of a problem with the people in the 'Freedom Alliance,' but I've always felt that their expulsion was a bit excessive..."

Xiao Nian clenched his fist as he spoke, "We just need to prioritize dealing with 'Fluoxetine' —I can completely forgo the rewards from that [Instance]; that can be used as a bargaining chip to cooperate with the 'Beast Master' —you can convey this to them."

Lin Yu paused for a moment, then nodded.

"I understand, Comrade Xiao Nian... I will pass it on."

"Alright, that's all," Xiao Nian said, walking to the door. "Anyway... let's all go about our own business," Director.

After leaving Xiao Nian 'Xiao Nian Apartment and saying goodbye, Lin Yu did not go directly to the Nightless Sky Family.

He went straight there...

Gray Street Three in the Outer City.

At this moment, Nightless Sky Fire Apricot, who is about to take over the position of "Chosen of Wisdom" and is about to undergo a complicated succession ceremony, is not at the Nightless Sky Family.

She was sitting alone in the "Demon Pig Bar" on Gray Street Three, in a private room that the owner had reserved for her, with a mountain of documents and files piled up in front of her.

Lin Yu did not disturb the bar's security or the gang members arranged by Nightless Sky Fire Apricot. He used a little basic "mental interference" in combination with Hannah's optical invisibility, which was enough to deceive all the surveillance equipment and the security personnel.

Although the Captain standing guard at the gate wasn't fooled by Lin Yu's basic abilities, Captain only twitched his nose twice and recognized the familiar scent as belonging to a "friend." Naturally, he simply stood up from the shadows, gave a slight salute, and let Lin Yu pass.

Even... the Captain seemed somewhat welcoming of Lin Yu's arrival.

Lin Yu nodded slightly in return, then pushed open the door to the private room and entered.

In the dim light of the bar, Nightless Sky Fire Apricot heard the door open, looked up, and smiled.

"Yo... Arthur, long time no see."

Upon hearing Huo Xing's words from Nightless Sky Fire Apricot, Lin Yu couldn't help but retort, "What do you mean 'long time no see'? It hasn't even been a day since we last met, has it?"

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot tapped her head. "Yeah... it's probably because I miss you so much—that when I can't see you, it feels like every day is an eternity."

"Nightless Sky Fire Apricot said, her tone somewhat playful."

"So... what brings you here, Arthur?"

Lin Yu said, "Never mind what I'm doing... what are you doing here?"

"Now is not the time for you to leisurely handle 'Outer City Syndicate affairs'."

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot sighed, "How could it not be? I said I would hand over the identity of 'Fairy Queen' to Nightless Sky Huo Ming, so of course I need to organize the necessary information for this identity -- you don't think playing the 'Fairy Queen' is a simple matter, do you, Arthur?"

Lin Yu listened to Nightless Sky Fire Apricot, stared into her eyes, and said softly, "But that's no excuse for what you're doing now... This matter is 'important' but not 'urgent.' You should have more important things to do right now, right?"

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot pursed her lips. "Why are you suddenly acting like an elder in the family, trying to advise me..."

She met Lin Yu's gaze for a moment, then gently lowered her eyes. "Okay, Arthur... I admit it, I know I should go back and take over the position of 'Chosen of God,' but I just want to... delay a little longer."

"However, this reason is different from the reason I didn't want to Chosen of God before... Well, how should I put it? Before, it was simply because I didn't want to be restricted or take on too much responsibility."

"But right now... I'm really thinking more about... if I go back and start 'taking over as Chosen of God,' it feels like I'm starting to admit that my mother is gone."

"Arthur... I know that even if I run away, it won't change anything, but I still want to... postpone it just a little bit, even if it's just half a day."

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot whispered.

Lin Yu looked at the Nightless Sky Fire Apricot and gently shook his head.

"You've misunderstood me. I'm not here on behalf of the Nightless Sky Family to ask you to go back and take over the position—I'm here to ask you to do something else."

"The Truth Company once had an employee named 'Pankto Valetti,' who supposedly had a wife and daughter whose whereabouts are currently unknown... I hope to find them both."

Upon hearing Lin Yu's words, Nightless Sky Fire Apricot blinked. "Really... Is there anything special about that mother and daughter?"

Lin Yu shook his head.

"Nothing special... but for me, I promised Pankto Valetti to help him find this mother and daughter—and now that the City That Never Sleeps is about to Cataclysm, I think I should find them as soon as possible."

"And to you... is my request important enough?"

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot looked at Lin Yu for a long time, and then her brows relaxed and her smile became radiant.

"Of course, Arthur... helping friends is always the most important and top priority for me at Nightless Sky Fire Apricot."