Sister Xin's Death

What factors determine the generation of a save point for the "Doom-Bringing Raven"?

Yang Qizhou had been pondering this question constantly.

The literal meaning in the talent description was clear: when a player encounters a moment requiring a choice, a save point is generated, overwriting the previous one.

But this explanation was far too vague.

As long as a person is alive, they face choices at every moment—what to have for dinner, whether to go out, or even whether to step with the left or right foot first while walking—all of which could be classified as "choices."

Those mundane, ubiquitous choices were clearly not the key factors that triggered a "Doom-Bringing Raven" save point.

"In a game, every time an option appears, it signifies that the plot line is about to diverge into two completely different directions, much like a game character standing at a crossroads of fate, choosing the path forward."

"The only time I used the 'Doom-Bringing Raven' in reality was because I had just come into contact with the [World of Weirdness] game and wanted to find more information online, only to end up attracting the Bureau of Occult Investigation."

"The result of that action was... I would inevitably be exposed to the Bureau of Occult Investigation's radar, and I would certainly have dealings with this 'relevant department' in the future."

"By using the ability of the 'Doom-Bringing Raven,' I returned to the moment before I searched for information on the [World of Weirdness] and abandoned the actions I had taken in the previous timeline. This choice allowed me to avoid exposure to the Bureau of Occult Investigation; unless I initiate contact, I won't have any entanglement with this 'relevant department' for a long time to come."

"From this, I can analyze..."

"The generation of a 'Doom-Bringing Raven' save point must occur at a critical moment where a choice must be made that influences the trajectory of future fate."

The subway station arrived, and the foot traffic was quite heavy today.

The noisy environment made it impossible for Yang Qizhou to calm down and analyze, so he simply stopped thinking about it. In any case, he had grasped the gist: every time a "Doom-Bringing Raven" save point was generated, it was likely related to the trajectory of his future fate.

"But even deciding whether or not to accompany Little Bean to the animation exhibition at Diamond Plaza generated a 'save point.' Could it be that this also concerns the trajectory of future fate?"

"How absurd."

"Forget it, I won't think about it. Work is more important. I'm not exactly starving yet, but if I don't pay the rent soon, even with Sister Xin's good temper, she'll probably kick me out."

"Work, work..."

At that moment, the subway arrived at the station.

He, the Enemy of Gods, an A+ grade Lamp Bearer, holder of two "quasi-legendary" items and two "epic" items, the [World of Weirdness] player who made the Secret Cultivator hold deep vigilance, the great Yang Qizhou, had to hustle for next month's rent once again.

QAQ.

Sorting at the logistics transfer station actually paid quite well—three hundred big ones a day, enough for a decent treat—but it was truly exhausting. Working from nine in the morning to eight in the evening, with only half an hour for lunch, there wasn't a moment of rest. It was truly a "blessing."

Why wasn't the workspace outdoors? If he could bathe in the moonlight, he could use Kanrui's Wizard Ring to strengthen his body, which would at least make things easier.

On the way home, Yang Qizhou grumbled to himself.

Although he possessed many powerful treasures and a certain degree of strange, occult means, he was still a mortal in essence. After a full day of sorting, he was utterly drained.

Now, he just wanted to buy a bottle of '82 cola, find a comfortable position, and lie on his sofa at home to wreak havoc in the "Ancient Earth."

"300 yuan transfer received from Boss, please check."

His phone chimed, and Yang Qizhou's eyes lit up. "Salary's in, the boss is generous... I'm definitely having crayfish today to reward myself."

After leaving the subway station and walking for another ten minutes, he finally returned to his rental apartment.

But as he reached the entrance of the residential complex, Yang Qizhou stopped, his eyes narrowing with a hint of vigilance...

"Are they here for me?"

"Exposed? That shouldn't be possible. With the Garment of the Hidden World, no one should be able to track my identity unless I allow it."

He saw cars with red and blue police sirens parked by the roadside near the complex, and uniformed personnel were constantly questioning people.

If it were just that, it would be one thing.

Yang Qizhou also spotted an old acquaintance: a man with a faint scar on his face, sharp eyes, and a sturdy build—it was Zhou Xu from the Bureau of Occult Investigation.

Don't panic, stay calm, and analyze carefully.

The probability of exposure should be low. When he took action at the Purple Flower Residential District, although he hadn't obtained the Garment of the Hidden World yet, he shouldn't have been on the Bureau of Occult Investigation's radar; otherwise, given the efficiency of that department, they would have come to "deliver warmth" to his community long ago.

As for being exposed after obtaining the Garment of the Hidden World, that possibility was even more non-existent.

This was a quasi-legendary Old Day Item formed by the combination of the "Rag Stained with the Great Lord's Blood" and the remains of the "Lord of the Dreamy Hidden World." It possessed the power of concealment; as long as he didn't want to be found, no one could uncover his true identity.

Although he didn't know the current progress of other players in the game, Yang Qizhou was very certain that an item capable of breaking the effects of the Garment of the Hidden World did not yet exist in this world.

"If the members of the Bureau of Occult Investigation aren't here for me, then why are they here?"

Perhaps he could pretend to be an innocent passerby and go up to investigate. Thinking this, Yang Qizhou steadied his emotions, let his expression show curiosity, and walked up to an auxiliary law enforcement officer, skillfully offering a cigarette.

He didn't choose to approach Zhou Xu from the Bureau of Occult Investigation because he felt the man was too shrewd and his observational skills were too sharp; his acting might not fool him.

"Officer, I'm a resident here. What happened? Such a big scene."

"You're a resident here? That's perfect, I need to ask you something."

The auxiliary officer didn't refuse the cigarette, casually took out a notebook, and began to ask: "Do you know Ms. Zhao Xin, the resident of 702 in Building 7?"

It really wasn't aimed at him.

But how could it involve Sister Xin?

A bad premonition rose in Yang Qizhou's heart for no reason. He steadied his nerves and replied in as natural a tone as he could manage.

"Of course I know her. Sister Xin is my landlady, and she has a very cute daughter named Ding Xiaolan."

"Did you see her today?"

"Yes, I ran into her when I left for work this morning. Sister Xin said she was taking Little Bean to the animation exhibition at Diamond Plaza."

"Did she say when she would be back?"

"No."

Twenty minutes or so passed in a back-and-forth of questions and answers, and the auxiliary law enforcement officer finally stopped the interrogation.

Yang Qizhou, however, couldn't hold back any longer and asked, "Officer, what happened to Sister Xin? Why was such a massive operation necessary?"

A hint of pity flickered in the auxiliary law enforcement officer's eyes, and his voice carried a note of melancholy.

"She's dead, along with the little girl who was with her."