A Game Within a Game, a Man Beyond Men

Yang She's room was not hard to find. As a Lecturer Scholar, he was chiefly responsible for managing this library.

Creak.

The door was pushed open. Without knocking, Qiu Yan walked straight in.

Thud, thud, thud!

There was a peculiar cadence to his footsteps.

Inside, Yang She had been reading with his head lowered. Hearing the sound, he lifted his head, a trace of surprise appearing on his face.

"Qiu Yan?"

Upon seeing Qiu Yan's face, he spoke the name, then frowned. "I suppose I should call you Scholar Qiu now." There was neither much respect nor much malice in his words.

After the initial surprise had passed, the Lecturer Scholar narrowed his eyes, rose to his feet, and smiled. "This subordinate greets..."

But before he could finish, Qiu Yan cut him off. "Lecturer Yang, there is no need for further pleasantries. You may know why Qiu has come this time, but you surely do not understand my true purpose. I have actually come to save you from this sea of suffering."

"Save me? What do you mean by that?" Yang She still wore a faint smile, but his features were naturally imposing. That smile inevitably gave the impression of skin-deep laughter without any warmth in the eyes.

Qiu Yan did not answer. Instead, he stepped forward and entered the room. At once, an oppressive force gathered from all directions, seeking to stamp itself onto him. Then Qiu Yan's body gave a slight shudder.

Crack!

A crisp sound came from an empty spot in the room, as though something had shattered. In an instant, the oppressive feeling within the room vanished completely.

The moment that sound rang out, Yang She's smile froze on his face. His expression darkened, a glint flashing in his eyes as he stared fixedly at Qiu