Taking the Stage · Amid the Remnant Network

Everyone in Arrowhead Squad simultaneously felt the despairing assimilative pressure that had been weighing on the depths of their souls abruptly lessen by more than half! It had not vanished, but it had changed from "unable to breathe" to "bearable."

The central light source in the distant Blueprint projection zone flickered dimly, and the power of "definition" radiating outward weakened drastically. The dazzling, terrifying network of rules seemed to have been put on pause, turning sluggish and dim as it was isolated behind a more solid layer of pale-gold logical barrier.

"Did... did it work?" Harmonic Leaptone could hardly believe it. Not only had they triggered a conflict, they had indirectly caused an entire Blueprint projection zone to enter "shutdown maintenance"?

"This is only the first step." Rather than relaxing, Lin Ye's gaze became sharper. "The system has initiated the Self-Purification Program. That means the 'Absolute Order' in this area has briefly entered a state of 'blankness' and 'downgrade.' And this is our best window for the next step, perhaps even for attempting contact with the Key of Contradiction Unification!"

His gaze turned toward the isolated, dim network of rules.

"The real stage has been set. Now it is our turn to perform."

"Shadow of Paradox, I have given you the first half of the 'controlled rule conflict' you wanted."

"So where are the 'escape route' and 'key opportunity' you promised?"

As though answering his thoughts, a familiar, elusive ripple of will spread ghostlike through the shadows of the conceptual sediment where they were hiding.

Splendid. The outline of the Shadow of Paradox was nearly impossible to make out beneath the dim ambient light. Only its self-negating whispers were clear. *Using the system's spear against its shield, luring it into self-inspection and forcing it to downgrade itself... Exquisite microscopic manipulation.