Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Upon entering the forest, they were met with an endless sea of trees. They soared above it all, with misty clouds stretching out in the distance. Yaoguang wanted to hold on, but wasn't sure where to place his hands. Long Jianlu, controlling the hoverbike with one hand, reached out and pulled Yaoguang close, urging him to wrap his arms around Long Jianlu's waist.

"Is this romantic?" Long Jianlu asked with a smile, turning his head back.

"I'm not on a date with you!" Yaoguang replied.

Long Jianlu: "You lack a sense of romance."

Yaoguang was at a loss for words. Despite his playful tone, Long Jianlu remained vigilant, scanning their surroundings. They had been flying for nearly twenty minutes without any unexpected attacks.

Yaoguang began to doubt the information he possessed. Could it be wrong?

Long Jianlu continued, "There's an astronomer at the Northern Observatory who's almost ninety years old this year..."

"Be careful!" Yaoguang suddenly sensed an impending danger.

In an instant, a blinding flash of light erupted from the treetops. A sneak attack emerged from the towering tree - it was the "Lion Slayer" that Yaoguang had learned about! With breathtaking speed, it lunged skyward, its razor-sharp forelimbs poised to slice through Yaoguang and Long Jianlu at the waist!

Long Jianlu, however, remained utterly unfazed. He sidestepped and raised his hand. The mechanical lion was swift, but in his eyes, it moved as if in slow motion. With a push of his left hand against the gleaming blade, he redirected the motorcycle's flight path! The mechanical lion grabbed hold of the motorcycle but was promptly kicked off into the sky by Long Jianlu.

Time resumed its normal flow.

Yaoguang clung tightly around Long Jianlu's waist, yelling as the motorcycle shot towards the heart of the forest. The mechanical lion, losing balance, crashed into another tree.

"Ah, ahh, ahhh!" Yaoguang shouted with his eyes closed.

Amidst the chaos, branches and leaves brushed swiftly past Long Jianlu's body, which served as a shield for Yaoguang. Eventually, the motorcycle landed smoothly on the ground.

Long Jianlu said, "Hey, no need to be so flustered. You're really underestimating a Great Knight."

Yaoguang's breathing quickened, gradually recovering. They heard the distant thud of the mechanical lion crashing down.

Yaoguang turned his head, while Long Jianlu pondered for a moment before twisting the motorcycle's handle again, preparing to ascend from the dense forest.

"Here we go again!" Yaoguang cried out.

In the ensuing turmoil, the mechanical lion plowed through trees, charging at the duo with incredible speed!

Long Jianlu turned resolutely and declared, "I'll deal with it!"

As he spoke, the mechanical lion burst from the bushes. Yaoguang promptly dodged aside, while Long Jianlu drew a short blade from his waist. The sunlight glinted off its edge as it traced a curved path. The mechanical lion lunged at Long Jianlu –

– and this time, Yaoguang got a clear look at it.

The massive beast resembled a lion, constructed entirely of extremely hard metal. Its head was enclosed in a solid shell with a small hole resembling a metal eye in the center. Its limbs were razor-sharp blades, and atop its head sat a small machine gun!

Long Jianlu evaded its slash, swinging his short blade horizontally. A metallic clash rang out as sparks flew from the collision.

After their close encounter, both retreated. The mechanical lion wildly swung its limbs, slicing through trees around them which crashed down with a thunderous roar.

"It's incredibly tough!" Yaoguang exclaimed. "Your cold weapon can't harm it!"

It spun around again, pouncing at Long Jianlu. With his blade sheathed, Long Jianlu still had time to reply, "The material of this thing is similar to my sword."

This time, the mechanical lion aimed for Long Jianlu's neck. He nimbly dodged, switching his blade for a gun. Aiming at its camera, he fired a single shot. The sound of impact echoed, yet the attacker retreated unscathed, seemingly unaffected and still observing.

"Not an easy opponent," Long Jianlu muttered to himself.

Yaoguang was spectating the battle when, without warning, he felt a tight grip around his neck, lifting him off the ground, causing him to cry out in surprise.

There was someone behind him! It was the android!

Focusing intently on the Slayer, Long Jianlu heard the cry and sensed danger. He immediately retreated, leaping onto a higher elevation in just a few strides.

However, the attacker withdrew promptly, seemingly realizing it couldn't successfully abduct Yaoguang. Within a second, it vanished into the underbrush.

"Come closer to me! How do we deal with this thing?" Long Jianlu asked. "Its armor is too thick! Seer, does it have any weaknesses?"

"I... I don't know!" Yaoguang panted, both of them now facing the mechanical lion. He warned, "There's another one, its master, lurking nearby. Be careful!"

The mechanical lion charged forward again. Long Jianlu pushed Yaoguang aside. After several instances of bullet time, neither side could gain the upper hand. Whenever the Slayer aimed for Long Jianlu, he would turn into an ephemeral shadow and retreat, disappearing even from high-speed cameras.

To Long Jianlu, the creature was manageable, its speed slower than some smaller Slayers. The problem was that he couldn't find a way to damage it.

After several attempts, Long Jianlu began to pant. For a full fifteen minutes, the stalemate persisted, devoid of any meaningful progress. However, there was an odd characteristic about the mechanical lion—it seemed utterly uninterested in Yaoguang, fixated solely on combating Long Jianlu.

"Are you tired?" Yaoguang inquired.

"Who said that? No one," Long Jianlu replied.

The mechanical lion charged again, but Long Jianlu effortlessly dodged it. He no longer attacked the beast, instead focusing on observing its vulnerabilities. He wouldn't waste any more energy until he found its weakness.

"It's aiming to exhaust you," Yaoguang realized. "As long as it keeps you occupied, there will come a time when you're too tired to continue."

Long Jianlu had underestimated his opponent and was now paying the price.

Yaoguang continued, "It has no apparent weaknesses. Its power source is deeply hidden in its abdomen, and its body is made of high-strength metal. You can't damage it unless you drop it from a great height!"

Long Jianlu asked, "Is that a prediction or an observation?"

"A prediction!" Yaoguang answered. "There must be something controlling it. Could it be... that cyborg giving it direct orders? No, wait, could it be the tree? Is the tree's consciousness inside this creature's processor?"

A chilling realization dawned on Yaoguang. Was there a supercomputer's spirit within the mechanical lion's body?

Suddenly, he became alert and looked upward, where a faint glint caught his attention due to the sunlight. High above, a colossal tree towered, and on one of its branches sat the young man with the mechanical mask, silently observing the battle below. The glint originated from the reflection off his mechanical mask.

A faint smile played on his lips.

"Long Jianlu, he's watching us through its camera!" Yaoguang shouted.

"Who?" Long Jianlu asked.

"That guy just now!"

In that instant, the mechanical lion shifted its target and charged at Yaoguang.

Startled for a moment, Long Jianlu quickly found a solution. He sprang forward, scooped up Yaoguang, and dashed into the depths of the forest.

Yaoguang: "A robot sent by the supercomputer!"

"I got it!" Long Jianlu suddenly sank downward, reaching out to grab something from the ground. "Hold on tight!"

Yaoguang clung to Long Jianlu with all his might. As they sank further, stepping into a bog, the mechanical lion pursued from behind. Looking up, Long Jianlu leaped, turned around, and the assassin's blade was mere inches away from them. With a flair, he flicked his finger, sending a puddle of tar flying to seal the robot's camera.

"Down you go!" Long Jianlu spun again, landing on the assassin's head and kicking it into the mire.

Both of them leaped upward, with Long Jianlu seizing the vine, swinging away from the tar pool.

The mechanical lion roared, creating ripples in the tar pool as it struggled, bubbling before sinking beneath the surface.

"Phew." Yaoguang exhaled in relief.

Long Jianlu moved aside, landing and returning to his motorcycle.

"About the other one?" Long Jianlu looked up.

A rustling came from the treetops, suggesting something was retreating.

"He's gone," Yaoguang said. "He was just probing us. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Long Jianlu panted, gathering himself before mounting the motorcycle. "Are there more of these scrap metal coming?"

"No," Yaoguang replied. "These machines are hard to create. As far as I can sense, there should only be one."

Long Jianlu patted the seat, inviting Yaoguang to join him. Yaoguang responded, "You should have listened to me. Nothing would have gone wrong if you hadn't courted trouble."

Long Jianlu: "Let's not dwell on the past. I'm quite exhausted now."

Yaoguang wrapped his arms around Long Jianlu's waist. Attempting to lift the motorcycle into the air, Long Jianlu found it unresponsive.

Yaoguang kindly hinted, "Your wife seems to be malfunctioning. Did you get insurance for her?"

Long Jianlu: "No. At times like these, I really wish I could curse, but as a Great Knight, I have to set an example and refrain from vulgarity."

Initially, the mechanical lion had pounced on the motorcycle, damaging several components of its flight system when it inserted its forelimbs. After a moment of tinkering, Long Jianlu commented, "It'll need repairs at an observatory. Forget it, let's just make do and move on."

Unable to fly, the motorcycle hovered only a meter above the ground, weaving through the forest. The Predator was still struggling in the tar pool, relentlessly exposing its limbs. The two passed by it.

"Knight?" Yaoguang said.

Long Jianlu appeared somewhat distracted, clearly having expended a great deal of energy in the recent battle.

"I need to rest for a while," Long Jianlu said, seeking a relatively safe clearing. "Call me if anything happens."

They were nearing the edge of the forest. Yaoguang spoke, "Go ahead and sleep."

"Can you sing a lullaby?" Long Jianlu asked.

Yaoguang: "..."

Long Jianlu continued, "When I was little, my dad would often sing to me."

With his head resting on Yaoguang's lap, Yaoguang said, "I think I know one. Let me try singing it for you."

Where have I heard this kind of song before? A flood of information rushed into Yaoguang's mind. Did I have parents too? Everyone has their origins in their parents. What were mine like? In his hazy recollection, Yaoguang vaguely remembered living in a family, an ordinary one?

So much had happened these past few days that he hadn't had the chance to ponder over it all.

As Long Jianlu slept, the evening sun illuminated the forest.

As night fell, the stars appeared above them. A herd of mutated elephants walked in the distance, while the nearby monsters didn't seem to notice the two of them.

Long Jianlu remained asleep, so Yaoguang took out the fuel from his pack and started a campfire to ward off the cold. Beside the motorcycle, Long Jianlu slept soundly.

Opening the supply pack, Yaoguang found some food, ate a portion, and then rummaged through Long Jianlu's bag.

Daggers, spears... These were Long Jianlu's personal belongings.

Inside the bag, there was a map and a notebook. Its pages detailed the locations and characteristics of each shelter, as well as the abilities from Number 1 to Number 40. The handwriting was rather scribbled.

At the end of the notebook, Yaoguang found a sketch of a long-haired girl on a blank page, though her facial features were left unfinished.

Was that all?

Yaoguang glanced into the bag again. Inside were miscellaneous small items, including cards from different people, bearing messages like "Thank you" and "Thank you for saving my life", each signed by their respective sender.

There was also a metal Knight's Medal of the Southern Cross, undoubtedly serving as proof of Long Jianlu's identity.

Amidst the cards, an old, yellowed photograph had fallen out, depicting a young boy standing alongside a man, both facing the camera.

That must have been Long Jianlu's father, Yaoguang mused while munching on his rations.

"You mentioned that I was adopted," Long Jianlu's voice suddenly echoed.

"When did you wake up?" Yaoguang jumped in surprise.

Long Jianlu sat up, pondered for a moment, and said, "I've never known who my mother is. Now that you mention it, I think you're right, and I don't resemble my father either."

Yaoguang replied, "Long Xie found you at the Northern Sanctuary and decided to raise you."

Long Jianlu took the photo and gazed at it in silence.

"Would you like something to eat?" Yaoguang offered him some rations. Long Jianlu then asked, "Do you recall your family?"

Yaoguang shook his head but sensed that, as time passed, his memories were slowly returning. He had parents and grew up in a normal family. Still, he wondered how he ended up here.

"You feeling better?" Yaoguang inquired.

Long Jianlu yawned, pulled out a pen, and answered, "I'm recovered. You should sleep while there's still time."

As Long Jianlu wrote in his black leather notebook, Yaoguang dozed off. When he woke up the next day, he found himself covered with Long Jianlu's windbreaker. Opening his eyes, he saw Long Jianlu sitting beside him, clad only in a shirt. With his hat off, his hair was slightly disheveled, exuding a rugged charm.

"Today, we'll traverse the grasslands and enter the snowfield," Long Jianlu said. "It'll be cold on the way, so put on your clothes and let's go."

"There won't be any danger on the road today," Yaoguang assured him. "Don't worry."

Long Jianlu hummed in response, riding the motorcycle and taking Yaoguang away from the forest and into the vast grasslands. The view was excellent, stretching endlessly, yet Yaoguang remained drowsy. He leaned against Long Jianlu's back, dozing off with his arms wrapped around him. During the journey, Long Jianlu tightened his grip on Yaoguang's hand to ensure he wouldn't fall off.

It was Yaoguang's fourth day in this world. After leaving the Dune Shelter, they had traveled nearly 1,400 kilometers. There were no roads, no vehicles – only vast desolation as if they were heading towards the edge of the world.

"What's that?" Yaoguang woke up, spotting a shimmering light band on the distant horizon, resembling a magnificent aurora.

"That's 'The Tree'," Long Jianlu turned his head to look, explaining, "The World Tree."

The World Tree reached skyward, its mechanical and electronic branches pointing upward, piercing through the clouds with solar panels unfurled. Its roots dug deep into the earth to harness geothermal energy. A colossal temple, a factory for the Production Corps, was built upon its trunk. It continuously produced killers.

"We're currently at the outermost edge of its control zone," Long Jianlu said, looking back, "We just need to hold on a little longer. We're about sixty kilometers away from the observatory!"

Yaoguang clung to Long Jianlu, shivering, but Long Jianlu's body was warm. His physique was robust, resisting the biting cold wind.

"What is that?!" Yaoguang noticed a massive herd of beasts emerging from the tundra.

"Deer," Long Jianlu replied, "Reindeer."

The herd was running, creating an earth-shaking commotion akin to an earthquake.

On the distant mountains, a hemispherical structure came into view. Long Jianlu said, "The combat motorcycles can't fly now. We'll have to ascend the mountain road. Be cautious."

Yaoguang sneezed, nestling himself behind Long Jianlu as they ascended to the observatory nestled among the mountain peaks.

The wind grew stronger, carrying swirling snowflakes with it. Long Jianlu drew out his badge and presented it for scanning before the observatory.

"Subject Three, the Great Knight Long Jianlu," the electronic voice announced. "Companion's identity unknown, unable to verify."

The observatory's gates swung open, and the motorcycle raced into the structure. With the thunderous crash of the doors closing behind him, Yaoguang, on the verge of freezing, was finally coming back to life.

Long Jianlu parked his motorbike in the garage and asked, "Is anyone here? Teacher Qing?"

A door opened from another corridor, and a plump, smiling young man emerged. "Sir Knight?"

"I've got a problem with my motorbike. It needs fixing," Long Jianlu replied.

"Alright, I'll give it a shot. And who might this be?" the young man inquired, eyeing Yaoguang.

"This is… my younger brother," Long Jianlu said. "Yaoguang, this is Apu."

Yaoguang was still wearing Long Jianlu's windbreaker, his lips trembling as he nodded feebly. Long Jianlu apologized, "It must be cold, right? Sorry, I only have a shirt left. I don't have any extra clothes for you."

Yaoguang waved his hand, indicating that he was alright. Apu fetched a blanket and wrapped it around Yaoguang.

Yaoguang exclaimed, "It's really freezing."

Long Jianlu asked, "Where's Teacher Qing?"

Apu replied, "She's resting upstairs."

Thus, Long Jianlu led Yaoguang through the corridor to a spiral staircase, ascending to the second floor, which was a vast library. Yaoguang glanced around before following Long Jianlu up to the third floor.

The third floor was a reception room, equipped with a colossal telescope and a central fireplace. Surrounding it were transparent glass domes, though on this snowy night, the sky was covered in clouds.

"Teacher Qing?" Long Jianlu called out.

By the fireplace, a petite elderly woman sat in an armchair, covered with a blanket, sound asleep. Upon seeing the flames, Yaoguang hurried over to warm himself by the fire.

Meanwhile, Long Jianlu walked straight to the telescope, adjusting its height to suit his own, then peered into it, scanning for any movements in the distant "tree."

After a while, color returned to Yaoguang's face.

At that moment, the elderly woman called "Teacher Qing" opened her eyes and examined him in disbelief.

"You're not from this world," Qing said slowly.

"You're Number 12," Yaoguang received more "information," continuing, "Your ability is 'Discernment.' You can identify all animals, plants, and people, seeing through their true nature, including their personalities."

"Yes," Qing confirmed. "But with my ability, I only know currently that you come from an unknown place."

Long Jianlu turned back and said, "I found Yaoguang in the basement of Research Institute 42."

"Come here, let me have a good look at you," Qing said. "Research Institute 42 holds a special meaning."

"Why?" Yaoguang walked up to Qing and sat on the ground. Somehow, he felt that meeting Qing might help unravel some of his mysteries.

"Because the Creator believed that '42' is the answer to some ultimate question," Qing said slowly. "May I see your pendant?"

Yaoguang took off his pendant and handed it to Qing. She ran her bony fingers over it.

"Why?" Long Jianlu asked. "What significance does 42 hold?"

"I cannot provide an answer to that," Qing said. "Number 42, do you recall where you came from?"

Yaoguang shook his head.

Qing asked with concern, "But you're aware of everything that happens in this world, correct?"

"Uh...," Yaoguang replied. "Yes, in a sense. It's like memories in my mind. As if... I've read a book and know its plot."

Qing hummed in acknowledgment and addressed Long Jianlu. "Although I can't perceive his true nature, I can offer a speculation—"

"—Yaoguang's true identity might be that of an observer from beyond this world, from another dimension."

Long Jianlu turned to look at Yaoguang.

Qing continued, "Are you still doubting that he is the priest you've been searching for?"

Yaoguang looked puzzled. "Didn't you confirm it already?"

Long Jianlu, having his thoughts exposed, admitted frankly, "Yes, but I still hold onto hope because I find you extraordinary. I want to try again. Because..." He explained further to Qing, "His mind, or perhaps his 'cognition,' is different from ours. Could it be an effect of some transformation?"

Qing responded, "I can now tell you with certainty that he is not a 'Priest.' You can consider him a unique 42, for in our world, everything that happens to him is either 'already' or 'inevitable.' Imagine him as a special existence with his soul transcending dimensions—his body here, his consciousness in a higher dimension."

However, Yaoguang felt even more perplexed after hearing this. "But this still doesn't clarify my own past."

Qing returned the pendant to Yaoguang and said, "Your past is unknown to me, but perhaps this crystal is the key to unlocking your understanding of the entire world."

Long Jianlu intervened, "What I'm more concerned about is whether he can help me find the Priest."

Qing replied, "It's hard to say for sure, but you can trust him."

Long Jianlu continued, "He predicted Liao Jia's surrender."

Qing stood up and said, "That's not surprising. Liao Jia has endured for a long time. He was always an indecisive Guardian, just like most people, fearing death and longing for immortality."

Addressing Long Jianlu again, Qing said, "The 'Prophet' 42 will give you a heads-up before events unfold, much like reading a story where the plot reaches a decisive point, destiny makes its choices and arrangements."

Long Jianlu grasped the general idea and said, "So, this could explain Yaoguang's warning?"

"Um... I think that's right." Yaoguang recalled the previous instances when he received messages, especially when he sensed Liao Jia in the Dune Sanctuary, and when the capital sent envoys, deciding whether they should depart immediately.

On the road, the prophecy had foreseen the ambush they faced.

Yaoguang asked, "But who am I? Why do I possess such abilities?"

Long Jianlu responded, "Alright, so it seems like he makes prophecies when an event related to the 'Priest' is about to unfold, correct?"

Qing replied, "You still haven't given up on finding the Priest."

Long Jianlu said, "Only by finding the Priest can we save this world. Forget it, I understand. Let's leave it at that."

Yaoguang replied, "Right now, I'm only concerned with my own memories."

"I understand!" Long Jianlu said.

After a moment of silence, Long Jianlu continued, "Everyone cares only for themselves, and I'm also focused on my mission. But since I've promised you, I'll follow through. Teacher Qing might not know, but we'll always find another way. Trust me, okay?"

"Okay," Yaoguang said stiffly.

Long Jianlu appeared disheartened, letting out a sigh as he sat down on a sofa nearby. After a moment of silence, he asked, "It's been a while since we've had a proper meal. Would Teacher Qing be willing to treat us to dinner?"

"You can ask Apu," Qing replied. "He's on the second floor."

Long Jianlu rose and looked at Yaoguang, gesturing, "Aren't you coming?"

Yaoguang was still feeling chilly and replied, "I'd like to stay here a bit longer."

"I'm sorry," Long Jianlu apologized sincerely. "I'm quite troubled, really. I'm sorry."

"It's alright." Yaoguang, having received a genuine apology, no longer held any grudge.

Long Jianlu didn't say anything further, clearly in a foul mood as he quickly descended to the second floor.

"He's trapped by his own mission, one that can never be completed."

Yaoguang, sitting by the fireplace, heard Qing's voice.

She leaned on her cane, leaving the bookshelf, and returned to her rocking chair. Yaoguang approached to assist her, ensuring she sat comfortably.

Still pondering the purpose of his presence, Qing resolved one of his puzzles but introduced even more questions: Where did I come from? Why am I here? Was meeting Long Jianlu inevitable? Would I still be in slumber if he hadn't rescued me from Research Facility 42?

"But he's a sweet and kind child," Qing said. "Just a little stubborn at times."

"Stubborn?" Yaoguang mused, lost in thought. "I'm not sure... I've only known him for a few days. I don't know much about him."

"You should know him well," Qing smiled gently. "You can perceive a person's past, present, and future."

"No," Yaoguang replied. "Although I... um... well, forget it."

Qing continued, "This is the first time I've seen the Great Knight travel with another. Regardless, you redeemed him, freeing him from his duty."

"Everyone has their own path to follow," Yaoguang said. "It's irrational to try to change someone's purpose."

Qing nodded, then fell silent.

Yaoguang's mind was in disarray. How did this concept form? Did it come with him from his original world?

"How do I find myself?" Yaoguang asked aloud.

"I don't know," Qing replied. "Your consciousness might stem from a higher dimension, a world that we know nothing about. If there are gods in this world, you could be said to exist on the same plane as them."

Yaoguang said helplessly, "But apart from occasional prophecies, I can't do anything else."

With a smile, Qing fell silent once more.

After waiting for a moment, Yaoguang noticed the flames in the fireplace dwindling and his stomach growling. The scent of food downstairs lured him to rise and bid farewell, heading downstairs to find Long Jianlu.

The second floor was dimly lit, and howling winds could be heard through the windows. There was a long table at which Long Jianlu sat, partaking of bread, milk, and cooked meat provided by the observatory.

"Where are we going tomorrow?" Yaoguang sat down beside him, eyeing the food, knowing it was rude not to join. He hadn't had a proper warm meal in days, and these offerings brought some relief.

Apu was in the kitchen, frying something that filled the air with an alluring aroma.

Long Jianlu replied, "We'll figure it out later. I haven't decided yet."

As Yaoguang nibbled on his bread, he observed Long Jianlu's expression, clearly indicating a foul mood and no desire to speak.

"Why is there meat and bread here?" Yaoguang asked again.

Long Jianlu didn't respond. Apu appeared with a plate of fried meat patties, placing them before the two of them. He wiped his hands on his apron and replied, "The observatory holds great importance and is an exempt zone. After Teacher Qing passes away naturally, she will upload her consciousness. If 'The Tree' were to forcefully assimilate her, she would commit suicide beforehand, allowing her consciousness to dissipate."

"Oh—" Yaoguang understood. Threatening the supercomputer with suicide was indeed an effective strategy.

"The shelter will periodically send us supplies. Our job is to observe the climate and alert the various shelters of any changes. Teacher Qing also conducts feasible appraisals for them," Yaoguang continued.

"Mm…" Yaoguang inquired, "Has Teacher Qing seen 'The Tree' before?"

"Yes," Apu smiled, "It's said to have been a long time ago."

"What's 'The Tree' like? Is it similar to humans? Does it have its own personality?" Yaoguang asked further.

"You seem quite interested in my father's murderer?" Long Jianlu finally spoke up.

"I just want to understand it better, so you can defeat it," Yaoguang answered.

"How about getting to know me instead?" Long Jianlu suggested.

"I already know you well enough," Yaoguang replied.

Long Jianlu set down his food, turned around, and faced Yaoguang, saying, "So, tell me, what kind of person do you think I am?"

"Is this really necessary?" Yaoguang asked, slightly exasperated. "Can't I just not ask?"

Apu smiled and turned to leave.

After a moment of silence, Yaoguang ignored him and continued eating his dinner alone.

"You're eating too fast," Long Jianlu said, his mood seemingly improved as he poured Yaoguang a glass of milk.

Yaoguang glared at him. Long Jianlu muttered to himself, "To be honest, I'm very confused right now. In all these years, I've never been this lost before."

Yaoguang remained silent.

"I didn't know where to go," Long Jianlu continued. "I thought that the 42nd Research Institute was the end of my journey."

Yaoguang: "............"

"You're not a priest, but you've given me a bit of hope. You know, my faith has wavered over the years... What's wrong? Hey!"

Halfway through his tale, Long Jianlu noticed Yaoguang choking and promptly patted his back.

"I now believe that your identity and the reason for your arrival in our world," Long Jianlu continued, "might be directly connected to unraveling the riddles of this world's fate."

Yaoguang replied, "So you finally remembered me?"

Long Jianlu looked at Yaoguang intently and said, "I've always kept you in mind."

Yaoguang yawned, and Long Jianlu suggested, "Forget it. Let's sleep first. We can talk about the rest tomorrow."

He pulled out a notebook and began writing in it. Yaoguang glanced over and saw that it recorded all the prophecies he had made so far, along with a simple sketch.

"Is that what I look like?" Yaoguang asked, incredulous.

"Don't peek at my diary," Long Jianlu warned.

"You were the one who opened it in front of me."

"On that day, you sneaked a look while I was sleeping, and I didn't say anything..."

"How was I to know this was your diary?" Yaoguang said.

"Go to bed now." Long Jianlu closed the notebook and gestured towards the sofa beside him.

The observatory obviously wasn't equipped to accommodate visitors overnight. Long Jianlu had Yaoguang sleep on the sofa beside the dining area while he himself spread a blanket on the floor to sleep. Nevertheless, the observatory shielded them from the biting cold and blizzard outside; there was no need to brave the elements, and they had warm, thick blankets for cover. It turned out to be the most comfortable night's sleep Yaoguang had experienced in recent times, and he soon drifted off into a deep slumber.

Yet right at midnight, he suddenly awoke.

The raging winds subsided, leaving the world in a tranquil serenity. The only sound that could be heard was Long Jianlu's steady breaths beneath the sofa.

Yaoguang heard a faint sound, originating from the third floor, akin to the scraping of metal. Instinctively, he sat up, stepped over the slumbering Long Jianlu, and cautiously made his way up the stairs.

On the third floor of the observatory, beneath the transparent dome, the night's tempest had swept away the dark clouds, revealing a breathtaking celestial river of stars.

There, standing beneath the starlight, was a young man with black hair. He wore a mask of metallic sheen that revealed his gentle lips. His skin was exceptionally fair, towering half a head above Yaoguang. Dressed in a tailored windbreaker and black trousers, he stood silently before a bookshelf.

"Come here," he said, his voice magnetic, addressing Yaoguang. "Let me see you."

His voice held an alluring quality, yet it failed to entice Yaoguang. Instead, Yaoguang simply stood at the stairway entrance, observing him with curiosity.

"You're not 'The Tree'," Yaoguang stated. "Then who are you?"

In that instant, a sudden epiphany illuminated Yaoguang's mind, revealing the truth.

"Are you Shan Rong?"

"Yes, I am Shan Rong," the young man replied. "This body was crafted for me by 'The Tree.' I exist as an informational life form within its servers. 'The Tree' lacks free will; it uses me as a conduit to connect with humans."

Yaoguang took another half-step back.

"Number 42," Shan Rong continued, "you are the ultimate answer to the universe. Everything is known to you, and time is merely the symphony of all things."

Strangely, Yaoguang felt no sense of danger from Shan Rong; instead, an odd sense of familiarity enveloped him.

Shan Rong approached Yaoguang. "I came specifically to see you, Number 42."

Yaoguang was aware that the situation was likely more complex than what this android had let on – perhaps 'The Tree' was manipulating their conversation!

However, Shan Rong made no attempt to control Yaoguang. He drew near steadily, then did something that caught Yaoguang off guard.

Shan Rong knelt before him, extending a hand as if in a marriage proposal, lifting his head, and speaking earnestly, "Come with me, Number 42. You are the messenger sent by the Creator to alter this world's destiny."

Yaoguang was stunned by his handsome features. If Long Jianlu embodied masculinity, Shan Rong personified youthful grace. Despite the mask, his captivating face radiated allure, his eyes sparkling like stars.

He took a half-step back.

"You've gleaned all your information from Qing," Yaoguang said. "You overheard our conversation, meaning you know no more than I do. You merely want to take me back to the Capital City to prevent me from aiding the Knight in finding the Priest..."

"Stay away from him!" Long Jianlu roared, appearing abruptly.

Both Shan Rong and Long Jianlu rose simultaneously. As Long Jianlu materialized into a shadowy figure, Shan Rong moved almost as swiftly, retreating skillfully! The window swung open in an instant, with Long Jianlu's blade slicing through the air in pursuit. In the blink of an eye, Shan Rong had shot out the window, vanishing without a trace.

Yaoguang stood dumbfounded, witnessing for the first time someone capable of evading Long Jianlu's time dilation.

Long Jianlu ceased his pursuit, standing by the window and closing it after a moment's pause.

"This is the assassin who ambushed us?" he asked. "He's been following us, seeking me out?"

"He claims to be Shan Rong. Who is Shan Rong?"

Long Jianlu was utterly stunned.

"It was Doctor Flash... No, he can't be Doctor Flash!" Long Jianlu regained his composure and declared, "That was a Tree! He just created a body resembling Doctor Flash. We can't trust him. Perhaps when Doctor Flash died, his consciousness was absorbed, and now the Tree is in control."

"He said the same thing as Teacher Qing," Yaoguang added. "He asked me to go with him to the capital city."

"Where's Teacher Qing?" Long Jianlu shouted. "Apu! Apu!"

They found Scholar Qing unconscious, lying on a carpet behind the bookshelf. Hearing the commotion, Apu came over and carried Qing back to her bed.

Addressing Yaoguang, Long Jianlu warned, "Next time, don't act alone. If anything happens, call for me."

Yaoguang nodded, having awoken from a dream and instinctively gone upstairs.

"The Tree actually approached you for communication. It's been a long time since..."

"There's a prophecy," Yaoguang suddenly said, pausing for a moment.

Looking at Long Jianlu, Yaoguang had grown accustomed to the sudden influx of information in his mind.

"Something's approaching," Yaoguang said. "This time, it's targeting me. It wants to take me away..."

In the next instant, a mechanical bird smashed through the window, shards of glass flying as it dove straight for Yaoguang! Just in time, Long Jianlu embraced him, dodging the razor-sharp fragments in mid-air.

A gash was left on Long Jianlu's cheek by a fragment, but before Yaoguang could even register it, they were already tumbling down the third floor staircase together!

The mechanical bird then slammed into the stairs, diving downward in pursuit!

"It has a weakness..."

"Get out of here first!" Long Jianlu shouted.

The mechanical bird spun towards them, its sharp beak glowing like a drill, breaking through the second floor and causing a collapse of bricks and stones. Long Jianlu clutched his hat with one hand, using the staircase for a two-step jump to descend to the first floor, then crashed into the garage.

"It accelerates quickly, but has trouble slowing down!" Yaoguang yelled.

In an instant, the motorcycle carrying the two of them raced out of the observatory.

"So cold..."

Amidst the howling wind, Long Jianlu made the wisest choice; otherwise, should the observatory collapse during their battle, Qiyang and Apu would inevitably be caught in the crossfire.

The motorcycle soared over a hundred meters, followed by the mechanical bird bursting through another window of the observatory with a sharp noise.

At that same moment, Shan Rong stood atop the observatory, his windbreaker billowing in the biting cold.

"Your hat!"

"I don't have time for that!" Long Jianlu's stiff short hair was tousled by the wind as the mechanical bird closed in on them in a heartbeat.

"Time for a roller coaster ride—" Long Jianlu announced. "Hang on tight, it's gonna be thrilling."

"We're crashing into the mountain!!!" Yaoguang yelled frantically.

The mechanical bird pursued relentlessly, heading straight for the black mountains. With the motorcycle at full speed, Long Jianlu charged forward, only to be greeted by a flurry of snow just before impact.

Yaoguang's eyes widened in disbelief.

The motorcycle suddenly veered, ascending vertically up the mountain, and the sudden acceleration pressed hard against Yaoguang's heart.

The mechanical bird failed to brake in time, colliding with the mountain and producing a deafening crash. Its sharp beak pierced deep into the rock, and sparks flew from its body as it struggled futilely.

Yaoguang panted heavily as he rode his motorcycle over the hill and toward the plains.

Long Jianlu glanced back. "Not going back?" he asked Yaoguang.

"No," replied Long Jianlu. "That guy must still be waiting for us. It's too risky to return. We need to find a safe place to hide first."

"There's another prophecy," Yaoguang said. "One more, regarding the priest you're searching for. When Shan Rong appeared, I received this prophecy. You must listen carefully!"

"Tell me!" Long Jianlu responded.

He lowered the altitude of his motorcycle, flying through a massive herd of elk that were startled and stirring.

Yaoguang continued, "Priest, the prophecy about the priest you seek – when I met with Shan Rong, I received this. She is hiding in the Wetland Sanctuary! Number 2 found her first! But he didn't use the priest for the mission. Number 2's ability is…"

"A force field," Long Jianlu interjected. "I understand. Will you recognize the priest when you see her?"

"She's being held in Number 2's secret hideout," Yaoguang said. "You will find her. It's fated."

Long Jianlu: "Impossible!"

The motorcycle came to a halt.

Yaoguang said, "If you don't believe me, that's on you."

Long Jianlu turned to face Yaoguang, his gaze unwavering.

"Do you have any idea who Number Two is?" Long Jianlu asked.

"I have no clue," Yaoguang replied. "All the information I've given you comes from prophecies. The priestess is being safeguarded by Number Two, and they don't want anyone to find her."

Long Jianlu stared at Yaoguang for a long moment without responding. After a brief pause, he steered the motorcycle mid-air, kicking it into maximum speed as it tore through the sky.