As soon as these words were spoken the conference room fell into complete silence.
Everyone’s expression was serious, and the atmosphere was solemn.
The fact that the parallel world was already trading with the black market abroad made them very wary, but who would have thought that Tong Yang would take the initiative to propose a trade with the parallel world?
Ye Huai asked, “Miss Tong, what is the reason for this?”
Tong Yang scanned the crowd and recounted her conversation with Meng Xiao from earlier that day.
After listening, everyone fell silent for a long time, not immediately making a decision.
“Tong Yang, while I understand your intention to prevent the parallel world from trading with the Meng family to avoid bigger problems later, do you really think that Meng Xiao from the parallel world is trustworthy?”
“Having her sister live in the real world is also a threat to us, isn’t it? Moreover, we don’t know if she is deliberately saying this to trick you into the parallel world or to sow discord, making the Meng family and the people in the industry chain resent you and our country.”
Chu Shiyu nodded and said, “Even if Meng Xiao is telling the truth, if the Meng family knows that you are the one who disrupted the trade, your situation will become very dangerous.”
Tong Yang replied, “I thought of this too, but if we let them reach a cooperation, the connection between the foreign world and the parallel world will be completely out of control. By then, even if our country can remain unaffected by the parallel world, the world order will have changed, and how long can we withstand it?”
Unlike the parallel world, their world order was still in a state of balance, without being monopolized by the upper class, forming a strange phenomenon of “great unification.” Once their world order was unbalanced, the scales would definitely tip towards the side cooperating with the parallel world. If they didn’t want to be completely devoured, they could only passively accept the conditions proposed by the parallel world and cooperate with them.
At that time, the parallel world would hold the lifeblood of the real world, and everything would be ruined in an instant.
Resources would continue to dwindle, and one day the real world would become just like the parallel world, then look for the next target to invade, continuing this cycle.
After hearing Tong Yang’s words, the others also connected the dots.
“If the parallel world and the Meng family complete the trade, the outcome will definitely not be what you want.”
After a moment of silence, Ye Huai asked, “Do you have a solution?”
Tong Yang shook her head, “I don’t have a foolproof plan for now, which is why I gathered you all here.”
Ye Huai nodded in understanding and said, “Cooperating with Meng Xiao from the parallel world carries certain risks, but the outcome is more beneficial than harmful for you.”
“To stop the parallel world from trading with the Meng family without being resented by them and to let them deepen their relationship with the parallel world, there is actually a foolproof way.”
Tong Yang looked at him deeply and took over the conversation: “We take the initiative to cooperate with the Meng family and find suitable bone marrow for them.”
Ye Huai said, “Even if we find suitable bone marrow for transplantation, there is still a certain chance of rejection. The Meng family wants to cooperate with the parallel world, and having both Meng Xiao from the real world and the parallel world undergo the transplant surgery is probably to completely avoid rejection.”
“So, if you want to cooperate with the Meng family, you either need to obtain the gene drug to cure her illness or, like the parallel world, transplant Meng Xiao’s bone marrow from the parallel world.”
Tong Yang pondered for a moment and said, “The parallel world wants to use inferior gene drugs to cure Meng Ting’s illness and then send healthy bone marrow to the Meng family, but the side effects of inferior gene drugs are very severe, and Meng Ting’s lifespan will be shortened to just a month.”
Ye Huai asked, “Miss Tong, in your judgment, is it necessary to cooperate with Meng Xiao?”
Tong Yang shook her head, “No.”
“Then find a way to obtain high-quality gene drugs and give them to the Meng family unconditionally.”
Tong Yang said, “Although cooperating with Meng Xiao is not necessary, we know too little about the parallel world. If we can win her over to collect intelligence about the parallel world for us, it will be very useful in the future.”
Tong Yang looked up at everyone and said, “Actually, I have a very risky plan that can both win over Meng Xiao and cooperate with the Meng family.”
“What?”
“Go ahead and say it.”
Tong Yang said, “The parallel world plans to use inferior gene drugs on Meng Ting, sacrificing her for the trade with the Meng family. Meng Xiao wants me to act with her to save Meng Ting and stop their trade.”
“The side effects of the inferior gene drugs will take Meng Ting’s life. If I can find a way to obtain high-quality gene drugs to cure Meng Ting’s illness, then cooperate with Meng Xiao to act, bringing Meng Ting to the real world, and then have her donate bone marrow to the Meng family. This way, Meng Ting won’t die, and we will have reached a cooperation with the Meng family. While Meng Ting stays in the real world to monitor, Meng Xiao will work for us in the parallel world, using her family as leverage. It’s a win-win situation.”
Upon hearing this, everyone was dumbfounded.
“Tong Yang, are you crazy?”
“Didn’t Meng Xiao say that high-quality gene drugs are also very rare in the parallel world?”
“Although your plan is perfect, it’s too difficult. I don’t recommend doing this.”
“Your idea is too bold, and the risks are high. If Meng Xiao deliberately tricks you into the parallel world, or if the plan is exposed, you will definitely die!”
Xu Junyue clapped her hands and shouted, “Awesome, Tong Yang! I like this idea!”
She immediately received a bunch of eye rolls.
Tong Yang said solemnly, “I know the risks are huge, but the final outcome is worth the risk.”
“Our cooperation with the Meng family is certainly not unconditional. They have a significant influence internationally, and we need to work with them to thoroughly investigate the signs of the parallel world in the black market, and we can also connect with foreign forces through them to jointly create a plan to resist the parallel world, so we won’t be left isolated and helpless later.”
Tong Yang’s line of thought was like solving a problem, needing a nearly perfect solution.
Dr. Luo and the others exchanged glances and asked, “Tong Yang, how confident are you of success?”
“Not more than thirty percent.”
Tong Yang had no certainty about the specific situation of the parallel world or how to obtain the gene drugs.
“But I am ninety percent sure I can survive,” Tong Yang added.
Everyone’s gaze focused on her, and each person’s expression was very serious.
“Since you have a ninety percent chance of surviving, it’s worth a try,” Ye Huai said.
Chu Shiyu also said, “As long as we can survive, trying is better than doing nothing.”
“I wholeheartedly agree!” Xu Junyue’s eyes sparkled with excitement, clearly eager to try.
She and Chu Shiyu knew Tong Yang’s secret about the time loop and firmly believed in her claim of a ninety percent chance of survival.
“I agree too,” Tang Shuyan chimed in.
Officer Lin expressed concern, “It’s too dangerous.”
Director Zhao, who had been silent, suddenly said, “Tong Yang, aren’t you afraid?”
Tong Yang replied, “What do you mean?”
“You have repeatedly come into contact with the parallel world, and you should know better than us that the parallel world is very terrifying. Even if you have a chance of survival, can you guarantee that you can accept the dangerous situations you might face?”
Then he looked at Chu Shiyu and the others, “You too, the oldest among you is only nineteen. Can you handle it?”
Tong Yang said, “I can accept it. Even without your help, I would choose to do this myself.”
“Then why did you gather them here?”
Tong Yang said, “Because I want to cut off any worries.”
“What do you mean?”
“I hope that during and after I complete this task, you, meaning the country, will promise to ensure the safety of my brother and the members of his host family.”
Chu Shiyu nodded, “I am like Tong Yang. As long as my family’s safety is ensured, I can work hard to complete this task without worries.”
Xu Junyue said, “Me too, but my family, Old Xu, is a police officer, so he can take care of himself.”
Ye Huai lowered his eyes, “I feel the same.”
Tang Shuyan looked around at them and said, “I don’t care. Respect others’ fates; if they are meant to die, so be it.”
Director Zhao squinted and asked, “Are you willing to accompany Tong Yang into the parallel world?”
“Yes.”
“Of course I am willing! I have fought alongside Tong Yang!”
“Yeah, I will cooperate with her.”
“I don’t mind, and I’m quite curious about the parallel world.”
Officer Lin frowned tightly, clearly disapproving of their thoughts, “Isn’t there any other way?”
Ye Huai said, “Miss Tong’s proposal is the only way to perfectly solve the dilemma and also benefit you.”
Dr. Luo sighed, “I admit that Tong Yang’s plan is very useful for us, but you are all just kids. If anything happens to you…”
Director Zhao interrupted her, “Meng Xiao from the parallel world specifically wants Tong Yang to do this, and there must be a reason for it. Tong Yang, you should know in your heart, right?”
Tong Yang did not tell them that she was a time anchor, a limitation for the parallel world invading the real world.
Director Zhao’s words probably hinted that he had guessed Tong Yang was keeping a secret from them.
“Yes, I can confirm that Meng Xiao will not betray us.”
Director Zhao did not seem to have any intention of prying into secrets, nodded, and said, “Do you need any help? Feel free to ask.”
Officer Lin said, “Then I will go in with you.”
Tong Yang glanced at her and shook her head, “No need. Officer Lin, I want you to take people to negotiate with the Meng family, to stabilize them first, in case the parallel world directly completes the trade with the Meng family using high-quality gene drugs before we finish our plan.”
“But…”
Director Zhao said, “Just listen to her.”
Tong Yang continued, “We will enter the parallel world voluntarily, and they won’t recognize us, so before we find the high-quality gene drugs, we must not attract widespread attention. The number of people going with me cannot be too many; it’s best to have those who understand the parallel world.”
Moreover, this trip would most likely involve the time loop, so the fewer people who entered the parallel world, the better.
“I can go,” Chu Shiyu said.
“I definitely have to go.”
Tang Shuyan said, “I will go too.”
Ye Huai naturally didn’t need to say much; as the one guiding them in and out of the parallel world, he had to participate.
Tong Yang looked at them, and it was fine for Chu Shiyu and the others to go with her, but as for Tang Shuyan…
Although she didn’t know him well, at least in a critical situation, someone would be able to look after Ye Huai.
Tong Yang said, “The number is enough. I want some micro firearms for emergencies.”
“Can you use firearms?”
“Just practice a bit, right?”
Director Zhao said, “When do you plan to enter the parallel world?”
Tong Yang said, “The trade between the parallel world and the Meng family is on September 5th, which is three days away. Today, everyone should prepare in advance, and we will go in tomorrow night.”
“But, Officer Lin, you need to persuade the Meng family as soon as possible and find a way to get them to agree to cooperate.”
Officer Lin’s expression was solemn, “I understand. You all… be sure to pay attention to safety.”
“Although I have a ninety percent chance of coming back alive, the chance of completing the task is very small, so during this time, you all better think of another solution.”
Dr. Luo nodded, “I understand.”
At this point, Tong Yang looked at Chu Shiyu and the others again and said, “You need to think clearly; your chances of surviving are definitely lower than mine, especially Ye Huai. Your chance of survival might not even be fifty percent.”
Ye Huai’s expression was calm, “I know.”
Chu Shiyu and Xu Junyue had no objections and were already prepared for death.
Tang Shuyan didn’t seem to care much about life and death, shrugging, “I don’t mind.”
Officer Lin looked at the young people and said, “Tong Yang, you are too young. Do you really not need the help of professionals?”
Tong Yang said, “No need. Our goal is to obtain high-quality gene drugs and avoid direct conflict with them as much as possible. It would be better to have some understanding of the parallel world.”
After all, the parallel world was unusual, and those who didn’t understand it might cause trouble in unexpected situations. If they really didn’t have enough manpower, they could leave midway to seek help.
“Then let’s leave it at that. We’ll contact each other tomorrow.”
As for Meng Xiao, she surely wouldn’t refuse Tong Yang’s proposal.
After leaving the police station, Xu Junyue used the excuse that she couldn’t go out after returning home to have them all stay in a hotel together.
The next morning, Tong Yang arrived at the café before nine o’clock.
Meng Xiao was sitting in a corner of the café, occasionally looking up. She only relaxed when she saw Tong Yang walk in.
“Have you thought it through?” Meng Xiao asked with a hint of urgency.
“Yes, I’ve thought it through.”
Tong Yang told her the plan discussed last night in detail, including using high-quality gene drugs to cure Meng Ting’s illness and then having her donate bone marrow to Meng Ting in the real world.
Meng Xiao nodded in agreement without hesitation.
“Before entering the parallel world to act with you, I will first ask Meng Ting if she has the same idea. If she is unwilling to donate bone marrow, I will bring back the high-quality gene drugs and give them directly to the Meng family. If she changes her mind after using the gene drugs, I will force her to donate.”
Meng Xiao said, “I won’t go back on my word.”
“I know you won’t.”
“Why?”
“Because if you regret it and come to find me, the plan to disrupt the cooperation between the parallel world and the Meng family will be exposed, and then both worlds will have no place for you. Why would you do that?”
Meng Xiao smiled slightly, “So, once any of us regrets, this boat will capsize, and everyone will drown.”
Tong Yang remained noncommittal, “As long as you know.”
“Pleasure to cooperate?”
“Pleasure to cooperate.”
“By the way, I’m a bit curious. How do you guys travel through space?” Tong Yang asked.
Meng Xiao shook her head, “Can’t say. It’s dangerous.”
Tong Yang raised an eyebrow in surprise, “Oh really?”
“Yes.”
Tong Yang didn’t press further, knowing it wouldn’t be easy to uncover their method of traversing space. She said, “Tonight we will enter the parallel world. You are responsible for ensuring that we don’t encounter danger after we get in and help us hide our identities. If there is any important information, you can tell me now.”
“I understand,” Meng Xiao nodded. “As for important information, if you mean information about the gene drugs, I don’t know much more than you.”
Upon hearing this, Tong Yang didn’t ask further; the specifics would only be clear after entering the parallel world.
She just hoped Officer Lin could quickly reach an agreement with the Meng family to buy them more time. With only two days left, they might not successfully complete the plan.
After discussing the location for traversing space with Meng Xiao, the two parted ways.
Tong Yang and Chu Shiyu returned to the Shuangbai District police station to familiarize themselves with the use of small firearms, and Tang Shuyan joined them.
Ye Huai stayed at home to conserve his energy and prepare some useful medications, but Tong Yang planned to place him in a safe location as much as possible.
As evening approached, Tong Le called her as usual.
“Sister, I just got out of school. Where are you?” Tong Le’s childish voice came through the receiver.
“I’m outside,” Tong Yang replied.
Once they entered the parallel world, she didn’t know when they would be able to come out. Tong Le called her almost every day to confirm her safety, so she had to find a way to keep him occupied.
“Tong Le, tomorrow I and Sister Shiyu are going to a place that might not have good signal, so you don’t need to call us. I will contact you as soon as I get back.”
Tong Le asked curiously, “Sister, where are you going? Why won’t there be any signal?”
“Isn’t there no signal at Dongyang Community at night? It’s just a relatively remote place.”
“Will it be dangerous?” Tong Le’s tone was a bit tense.
“It won’t.”
“Don’t call me, okay?”
Tong Le said stubbornly, “No way! I have to call you. What if there is a signal? If the call doesn’t go through, it means there is no signal. If the call goes through and you don’t answer, I will know you are definitely in danger, and I will find the police uncle to help you.”
Tong Yang felt helpless and said, “Then let’s do it this way. If I can get through, I will answer.”
Signal coverage is a mysterious thing; previously, in the old town and the world between Xili Mall, the phone signal was not completely cut off.
After hanging up, time drew closer to midnight. Ye Huai arrived at the police station wearing comfortable clothes and carrying a black shoulder bag.
After a day of rest, his complexion had improved quite a bit compared to yesterday. The shoulder bag probably contained the emergency medications he prepared for himself, as he had to hold on until the end and guide Tong Yang and the others back to the real world.
“Sorry, I’m not sure when I can come back. Are you okay?” Tong Yang asked.
Ye Huai replied, “I’m feeling pretty good right now and can hold on.”
“That’s good.”
“What is that?”
Ye Huai looked at the pendant swaying on her phone and asked.
Tong Yang picked up her phone and shook it, “It’s a pendant my brother gave me. What’s wrong?”
Ye Huai pursed his lips and shook his head, “Nothing.”
“Is everyone here? Then let’s set off,” Officer Wan called out.
The safe location discussed with Meng Xiao was in a mall near Half Moon Manor, where the police had already deployed, shutting down the mall’s surveillance in advance and ensuring that there were no idle people around to avoid being caught up in the parallel world.
After sending them into the mall, Officer Wan reminded, “You all must be careful. If you need help, at least let one person come back to tell me, and I will immediately go in to help you.”
Xu Junyue pouted, “Got it. Don’t be so naggy. We are all people who have been through storms.”
Tong Yang asked, “Has there been any result from Officer Lin’s side?”
Officer Wan replied, “I heard that they have already met with the chairman of the Meng family. The specifics are still being discussed, but you can rest assured; it should be fine.”
“That’s good. Try to delay for more time.”
“Okay, you all pay attention to safety, and definitely do not engage in direct conflict with them. Be sure to protect yourselves.”
Tang Shuyan lazily said, “Don’t worry. As the only older brother here, I will definitely protect them well.”
“The time is almost up. Officer Wan, you all can go now.”
“Alright, be sure to protect yourselves, understand?”
“We understand.”
After Officer Wan and the others left the mall, only the five of them remained in the large mall.
The lights in the mall were turned off, and only the emergency exit signs emitted a faint green glow. They carried their backpacks, filled with things they might need, standing in the center of the hall like students going on a trip.
“Tong Yang, what if we can’t complete the task?”
Tong Yang said, “Then we will bring Meng Ting back and disrupt their plans.”
Chu Shiyu said, “Maybe during this time, Dr. Luo and Officer Lin can think of other solutions.”
“Wow… this is my first time coming to a place like this in the middle of the night. It’s eerie and quite thrilling.”
Tong Yang hesitated for a moment and asked, “Tang Shuyan, why did you become an external member of Bureau 749?”
Tang Shuyan chuckled, “All thanks to my dad throwing money at it.”
“Oh? I didn’t expect you to be quite wealthy. I thought you were just an ordinary con artist.”
Ye Huai listened to their banter and didn’t say much.
At times like this, who could still be in the mood to joke around? How many normal people are there?
“Alright,” Tong Yang interrupted their chatter, “In any case, be careful. I don’t know what we will encounter next.”
“Entering the parallel world voluntarily, they won’t be restricted by the rules. According to the situation in the parallel world, even if we don’t expose our identities, there is still a chance of being killed.”
Tong Yang paused for a few seconds, feeling it necessary to tell them something.
“If we encounter a dangerous situation that cannot be avoided, try to collect clues as much as possible, and then die at the hands of the people in the parallel world,” Tong Yang said in a low voice.
Chu Shiyu and Xu Junyue understood the meaning of her words and silently nodded.
Tang Shuyan curiously asked, “Since we are going to die anyway, why do we need to collect clues and die at the hands of the people in the parallel world?”
Tong Yang said, “Because as long as you die at the hands of the people in the parallel world, I can save you.”
“What? You can bring us back to life? Is that for real?”
“I understand,” Ye Huai replied.
Tong Yang didn’t explain further and added, “Ye Huai, if you have a heart attack, I can’t save you.”
Xu Junyue said, “Then as long as we kill him before the heart attack, it will be fine, right?”
“Yes, exactly.”
“Then let’s get started.”
Having had previous experiences, Ye Huai was already very familiar with the steps of the “elevator game.”
They closed their eyes, and their bodies were engulfed by darkness, with Ye Huai’s voice being the only clear thing.
When they entered the world layer, a strange voice appeared beside them.
At the same time, Tong Yang heard a faint sound not far away.
“If anyone else appears beside you, please do not trust them.”
Ye Huai guided them out of the family layer and into the parallel world.
“Please choose whether to open your eyes.”
A cool breeze blew over them, and the sound of ropes swaying could be heard in the air.
Tong Yang slowly opened her eyes and smelled the damp and rusty scent in the air.
“Ah!!!”
Suddenly, a scream came from not far away.
The familiar voice made Tong Yang turn around immediately. The abandoned mall was dimly lit, and a girl in a white school uniform looked pale, her eyes wide with fear as she sat on the ground.
“Wh-where is this?”
Everyone turned to look at the sound, momentarily stunned.
“Ahhh! Sister Tong Yang!!”
The girl seemed to see a savior and rushed towards Tong Yang without stopping.
Tong Yang was taken aback, “Yan Qing?”
“What is this place? Is there really a parallel world? Who was that person talking just now? You scared me to death!”
Yan Qing clung to Tong Yang’s arm, constantly lowering her head.
Everyone was stunned, not knowing where this person suddenly came from.
“What are you doing here?”
Yan Qing shrank her shoulders, not daring to look around, and said, “I came to the mall to buy something after school. The police uncle notified the person in charge to close early, and I heard them mention your name, so I quietly hid in the bathroom… but you all didn’t come until the middle of the night, and the door was locked, so I couldn’t get out, and my phone ran out of battery!”
“I was planning to stay here for the night, but who knew you all really came, so I took the chance to come out when you closed your eyes…”
“Are you out of your mind? You don’t know anything, and you just followed us in?” Tong Yang scolded through gritted teeth.
“I-I was curious! Who knew there was really a parallel world?”
Tong Yang laughed in anger, “Get back! This is not a place for you to be. Ye Huai, you take her back…”
“No! I’m not going back!” Yan Qing shook her head vigorously like a rattle drum. “I already told my mom I wouldn’t be home tonight, and if I go out, I would have to stay in the mall for the night anyway. Just let me follow you! I will be obedient!”
“If you are obedient, then go back. Don’t make me say it a third time.” Tong Yang’s face darkened, and Yan Qing shrank back in fear, accidentally bumping into something that floated lightly in the air.
She instinctively reached out to push it away and suddenly touched a pair of icy feet, turning her head to see her pupils dilate in shock, screaming as she lunged towards Tong Yang.
“Ah!!!”
“Shut up!” Tong Yang covered her mouth, “If you attract those things over here, you’re dead!”
Tears welled up in Yan Qing’s eyes as she nodded, pushing Tong Yang’s hand away, “Why are there so many dead people here?”
Unlike the real world, this was just an abandoned building.
The corridor was dimly lit with a few flickering lights, and the ground was a mix of blood and sewage, with garbage and human remains scattered everywhere. Some corpses were hanging in the air by hooks, their blood long drained, almost turned into mummies.
Tong Yang glared at her, “Otherwise, do you think the parallel world is a fun place?”
The others were already checking the situation in the building, while only Tong Yang and Yan Qing remained in place.
“Get back quickly.”
“I’m not going back! You all are in danger here. Maybe I can help you!”
“You help us? As long as you don’t cause us trouble, that’s good enough.”
Yan Qing stubbornly pointed at Ye Huai and said, “He has a heart condition! I’m at least healthier than him! I can run and jump; I can definitely help!”
Ye Huai was checking the condition of a corpse on the ground and glanced at the two upon hearing this, but his expression showed no change.
“Just don’t try to drive me away!”
Chu Shiyu looked around and returned to the two, saying, “This place has probably gone through several self-destruction games, with different times of death.”
Xu Junyue pulled out a watermelon knife from her backpack, resting it on her shoulder, and glanced at Yan Qing, “If the little girl wants to stay, let her stay.”
Yan Qing nodded eagerly, agreeing, “What this sister said is right! Just let me stay!”
Xu Junyue continued, “If we encounter danger, we can throw her out to attract attention and buy us time to escape.”
Yan Qing stared in disbelief, “Y-You…”
“Sister Tong Yang!” Yan Qing was so scared that she hid behind her.
Chu Shiyu said helplessly, “Junyue, don’t scare her.”
Then she softly said, “Little sister, Tong Yang doesn’t want you to stay here for your own good. Do you see these things? They are very dangerous.”
Yan Qing shook her head, “I’m not afraid! I know you all have a mission. I can help you, really!”
“You aren’t afraid?” Tong Yang scoffed, pushing away the person clinging to her, “You really won’t go back?”
Yan Qing, though a bit scared, shook her head vigorously, “I’m not going back.”
Tong Yang looked at her with a half-smile, “Then take care of yourself.”
Yan Qing immediately breathed a sigh of relief, looking around with a mix of fear and curiosity, sighing, “So this is the parallel world? It looks like a horror movie set.”
She cautiously walked up to the body hanging in the air and poked it, “Are these things real?”
Tang Shuyan strolled back, “It’s quite interesting, but it’s a pity I haven’t participated in a self-destruction game.”
“The deaths of these people are all different; it must have been quite lively.”
Xu Junyue rolled her eyes at him, “Lively enough to die.”
Ye Huai said, “There is no one nearby; let’s go outside and take a look.”
“Let’s go.”
“Do you think there will be people in the parallel world who look just like me… Oh crap! Sister Tong Yang! Wait for me! Don’t leave me here alone!”
“Keep your voice down.” Tong Yang shot her a glare.
The parallel world was also in the dead of night. Stepping out of the abandoned building, everything around them was shrouded in thick fog, making the night seem even more mysterious and terrifying.
“It’s so dark here; I can’t see anything,” Yan Qing said, clutching Chu Shiyu’s arm, trembling as she hid behind her.
Among these people, it seemed that only Chu Shiyu resembled a normal person.
“Tong Yang.”
Suddenly, a voice came from the right.
Everyone turned around, and a vague figure appeared in the fog.
Xu Junyue took out her phone, turned on the flashlight, and the beam illuminated the dust floating in the air. At the same time, a girl walked towards them.
“Turn off the light,” the girl commanded.
“Who are you? Why should we listen to you?”
Tong Yang shook her head at her, signaling her to turn off the light.
“Oh.” Xu Junyue turned off the phone flashlight.
“Follow me,” Meng Xiao waved them over.
Tong Yang signaled everyone to follow, walking at the front.
As they entered the thick fog, a pungent smell of decay wafted over, causing everyone to instinctively cover their mouths and noses, feeling as if they had been thrown into a pile of dead rats.
“It stinks so much…” Yan Qing pinched her nose and said in a muffled voice.
“Don’t make any noise.”
The warning voice came again, and Yan Qing immediately closed her mouth and stopped talking.
Meng Xiao led them down an empty road, the cold wind howling, occasionally rustling the leaves as they brushed against the ground.
After passing a section of the road, Tong Yang observed the surroundings. Aside from being dilapidated and desolate, it was basically no different from the real world.
“Wow…”
In the quiet night, a child’s cry suddenly rang out not far from them.
Moonlight shone through the fog, revealing a baby lying in the shade of a tree by the roadside, with an indistinct small animal on top of the baby, its teeth tearing into flesh, the sound of chewing echoing.
Gradually, the crying stopped, returning to a dead silence.
They couldn’t help but lighten their footsteps, fearing to attract the attention of whatever lurked in the fog, closely following Tong Yang’s lead.
Before long, they stopped in front of a building.
Meng Xiao pushed open the door, and dim yellow light spilled onto the damp floor.
“Come in.”
Upon entering the building, they found it to be a simple room.
After everyone was inside, Meng Xiao closed the door.
“Alright, now you can relax a bit,” Meng Xiao said.
“Wow! Was that baby just eaten?” Yan Qing said in disbelief.
Meng Xiao looked at the few people in the room, finally resting her gaze on Tong Yang, and asked, “You only brought a few weaklings?”
Tong Yang nodded, surveying the room, “Yeah, bringing too many would attract attention.”
“Where is this?”
Meng Xiao replied, “This is where my sister lives.”
“Where is she?”
Meng Xiao walked over to a place covered with layers of bed curtains and pulled the curtain aside. A gaunt woman was leaning against the head of the bed, her face pale, her pupils unfocused, her posture almost eerie, remaining completely still.
“Is she… dead?” Yan Qing exclaimed in surprise.
Meng Xiao shot her a sideways glance, “You’re the one who’s dead.”
“Sister, sister!” Meng Xiao leaned down and pushed her a couple of times. The woman frowned, her pupils gradually focusing.
“Ah Xiao? You’re back,” the woman’s voice sounded as creaky as an old wind-up toy.
“Yeah, you should rest well.”
“Okay…”
Meng Xiao lowered the bed curtain again and led them back to the living room.
Tong Yang asked, “You don’t usually live here?”
The room had a musty, damp smell, not resembling a place where living people frequently moved about.
Meng Xiao said, “No, I live with my parents in District Nine.”
“District Nine?”
“You can think of it as a safe zone. My sister is sick and hasn’t contributed, so she can’t live in District Nine. However, she should be taken to District One tomorrow night for the gene drug injection.”
Xu Junyue asked in surprise, “She is already prepared to be sent to the Meng family as a sacrifice. Why not enter District One earlier?”
Meng Xiao replied, “They won’t waste a bit of resources on unimportant people.”
“Where is this?” Tong Yang asked.
Meng Xiao said, “This is the Nameless Zone.”
“The Nameless Zone?”
“Your world’s capital is divided into twelve safe zones, distributed in different places. Any area outside the safe zones is the Nameless Zone, where ordinary people live.”
“How can your sister survive here alone?”
Meng Xiao said, “Because of my relationship with my parents, there is a ban on entry from District Nine at the entrance, and others don’t dare to come in.”
After a moment of hesitation, she looked at Tong Yang, “You better not expose your identity here. People who roam here want your life even more than those in the safe zones.”
Tong Yang nodded, “Is the self-destruction game also held in the Nameless Zone?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know where to find high-quality gene drugs?”
Meng Xiao paused and said, “Although I agree with your idea, obtaining high-quality gene drugs is as difficult as climbing to the sky.”
“In the entire District Nine, as far as I know, there is only one dose of high-quality gene drugs.”
“Whose hands is it in?”
“It’s in the hands of the instructor in District Nine. Even though I live in District Nine with my parents, the opportunities to interact with him are very few, let alone you outsiders.”
Tong Yang pondered for a moment and said, “How can we enter District Nine?”
“Very difficult.”
“Aside from those who already live there, others can only experience their value through the self-destruction game to gain recognition for entering the safe zones and enjoying resources. Even so, they are just the lowest tier in the safe zones.”
“Is there no other way?”
Chu Shiyu said, “Even if we know where the gene drugs are, it’s meaningless if we can’t enter the safe zones.”
Tong Yang lowered her head, “Do we have to go through a round of the self-destruction game to enter District Nine?”
“Yes.”
After a moment, Meng Xiao added, “You can also choose to become order maintainers.”
“Impossible.”
“I think so too.”
Meng Xiao said, “So, if you give up on obtaining the high-quality gene drugs, you can take my sister away now, and you won’t encounter any danger.”
The others fell silent, their gazes focused on Tong Yang.
Obtaining high-quality gene drugs was no easy task, but backing down before even starting didn’t align with Tong Yang’s character.
Moreover, Officer Lin might have already reached an agreement with the Meng family.
“Let’s give it a try,” Tong Yang said.
The others had no objections to her decision.
Meng Xiao looked at them deeply and said, “The game area is monitored everywhere, and the footage will be live-streamed for people to watch. I can’t take you there; you will be discovered.”
Xu Junyue scoffed, “Live-streamed? Do you think this is a movie?”
“This is one of our ways to entertain ourselves.”
Tong Yang frowned, “We have participated once.”
Meng Xiao was taken aback, “District Nine hasn’t received any news.”
Tong Yang lowered her gaze; not many people knew about the time Dr. Wu took her in.
Tong Yang thought for a moment and asked, “Do they know what I look like?”
“We don’t care about your appearance; finding you has nothing to do with looks.”
Then it must be about identity.
The time anchor, like a spring that refreshes the game character after death.
Not many people here knew what she looked like, which made things easier.
However, bringing Ye Huai and Yan Qing to participate in the self-destruction game was definitely not a wise choice, but leaving them alone here also seemed inappropriate.
“Knock knock—”
At that moment, a knock on the door suddenly sounded.
Meng Xiao frowned, and the others tensed up.
“Who is it?”
“District One.”
Everyone’s expression changed, and the atmosphere immediately became tense.
“What’s the matter?”
“We received news that the time anchor has entered the main world.”
Tong Yang’s breath hitched; the news spread so quickly?
How could this be possible?
