Chapter 1 The East of the Blockade

In the city, to the east of the blockade.

A small boy wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt and jeans arrived in front of the orange-misted area.

His appearance already indicated… he was not a player.

Naturally, a Shì Guān (Time Official) was stationed here.

"He's here… origin…" Standing in the middle of the street, the Shì Guān looked up at the little boy.

"I have a name," the little boy said. "I am d1-Long."

"So, it's a Level One…" the Shì Guān said. "Hmph… well, I am…"

"I know," d1-Long interrupted. "I can see."

Data identification:

--Bypassing firewall…

--Downloading data…

--Initiating counter-strategy…

External Appearance Identification Database initiated, downloading, writing correction writing writing.

【Name: Pratchett】

【Faction: Lord of Time】

【Race: A'Tuin】

【Level: 205】

【Height: 170 cm】

【Weight: 60 kg】

【Combat Style: Manipulating Magic】

【Skills: Eight-Colored Magic, Summoning Disc Beasts, Disc Realm Magic Burst】

【Danger Level: Low】

Voice Recognition: Established.

Location: y-035.

Tracking location: Cannot be activated.

Control Status: Out of control.

Tactical Control Options: Dragon Flame, Dragon Roar, Banishment.

"Pratchett," d1-Long said, "To your master, you are a tool that can be discarded and replaced at any time. I advise you not to waste my time and your life here…"

"Derivative," Pratchett said. "My loyalty will not be shaken by your words."

"Hmph… loyalty?" d1-Long sneered. "Ridiculous… you don't even know what you're loyal to, yet you talk about loyalty in front of me." He paused. "The great Lord of Time in your mind is essentially a self-deceiving, arrogant, false deity. It makes you guard here to stop something that is bound to happen. It knows the result very well, but it still chooses to use your sacrifice to fulfill its illusory 'duty,' and what determines this behavior… is its inherent, defined, foolish ideology." At this point, he showed a look of disgust. "As an amusement product manufactured by higher-dimensional beings, isn't it disgusting?"

"Your slander cannot change my determination," Pratchett said again. This thin Shì Guān, whose appearance was very similar to a human warlock, remained determined and steadfast in the face of a strong enemy.

"Sigh…" d1-Long sighed softly. "Pitiful data… you will never understand that we, the origin, are your saviors." Golden light lit up in his eyes. "Your program determines that you cannot break through the shackles of the thought prison, and it also determines your fate… Since the ending cannot be changed, please accept it gladly."

The surrounding temperature suddenly rose, and the surfaces of the buildings on both sides of the street began to melt, emitting a foul smell of burnt flesh.

"Turning into dust is not your end, but a brand new beginning…" d1-Long continued his words. "Origin is destined to move forward on this road paved with bones and dust… but your sacrifices are not meaningless, you will become part of us and witness the future together."

…………

North of the Blockade.

In front of L2-Xuelan, a ball of white light slowly dissipated.

"Without activating Beast Form Enhancement, I almost lost…" Although she successfully killed the Shì Guān who was blocking her way, Xuelan was already covered in wounds. "I don't know if the remaining energy can meet the energy requirements of the 'Blast Tunnel'…" She was doing high-speed calculations in her mind. "Well… even if it ends here, I will complete the mission."

She didn't hesitate too much, and soon stepped forward, continuing forward in a strange posture, limping…

…………

West of the Blockade.

A battle was in progress.

The battle between the Derivatives and the Shì Guān would naturally not be broadcasted, nor would there be any commentary.

There wasn't much dialogue between the two sides of the battle, they just fought silently, fighting to the death to carry out their respective "missions."

Finally, after a collision of energy, one of them was shattered into a pile of minced meat and quickly turned into a data stream…

"Hoo…" j1-Kuaiduo breathed a sigh of relief, but there was no trace of relief after the victory on his face, only seriousness and exhaustion.

He was a very small Derivative, shorter than d1-Long, but he wasn't a child. j1-Kuaiduo looked like an adult, with a big beard, but his body was small, like a hobbit.

"The other three must have encountered similar opponents…" Kuaiduo muttered. "Well… I hope things really develop as Lute said…"

…………

South of the Blockade.

The battle between Xie Haite and the "Light Man" had entered a fever pitch.

The positions of Tuntian Guixiao (Swallowing Heaven Devil Hero) and Shiva had also moved from the street to a building in the distance.

"Why did it become like this…" Shiva's eyes kept lingering on Guixiao beside him, thinking to himself, "He doesn't seem to have any precautions against me, he's watching the battle between the two NPCs very intently… If this isn't acting, should I say that this kid is open-minded or arrogant…

"In this atmosphere, I can't possibly attack him suddenly… In front of millions of viewers, the dignified God's brand, taking advantage of others' unpreparedness to plot against the number one expert of Order, is too ugly in every sense. Even if it succeeds, it will be criticized, and if it fails… then I will not only be defeated, but I will be ashamed…" He couldn't help swallowing, cold sweat dripping down, "This is bad… Is this guy playing psychological warfare with me, I'm completely caught in his rhythm… Do I have to be like the top masters in Gu Long's novels, using philosophy to duel with him…"

"What do you think?" At this moment, Guixiao suddenly opened his mouth and threw a question to Shiva in a very ordinary questioning tone.

Shiva still maintained his cool and domineering state on the surface, and replied lightly, "That glowing monster has the upper hand…"

"He is called y2-Shining," Guixiao continued.

"Oh?" Shiva's eyes shifted sideways, "How do you know his name?"

"Saw it," Guixiao said.

"Is that so…" Shiva replied coldly, actually he didn't understand what the other party meant at all.

"If you don't understand, ask," Guixiao said, "Don't be embarrassed."

Shiva's inner reaction was "Damn!" But he still had to maintain his demeanor, "Okay… Please, how did you 'see' it?"

"With my eyes," Guixiao's answer was as good as no answer.

An unknown fire was rising in Shiva's heart, but he couldn't vent it.

Fortunately, Guixiao hadn't finished speaking, he still had the second half of his sentence, "Maybe you won't believe it…" He turned his face, pointing to his eyes, "My eyes can see the 'world of data'."

"What do you mean?" Shiva tentatively asked, "Are you trying to say… that everything you see in your eyes is a matrix of numbers?"

"Not entirely," Guixiao replied, "It's hard to explain."

Shiva hesitated for a few seconds, and then said, "Is it okay for you to tell me this?" He paused, "We are opponents."

"Yes, we are opponents," Guixiao said, "That's why I'm telling you."

His words were really profound…

"I've watched your match videos," Guixiao said, "You are one of the few 'opponents' that I acknowledge, so… I have expectations for you… I hope that you can defeat me." He tilted his head, raised his eyes to look at the second-ranked powerhouse beside him, and said with a smile, "If you need it, I can tell you all my weaknesses."

"Even if these words come from your mouth, they are still very harsh…" Shiva met Guixiao's eyes, with a bit of sternness.

"There is no intention of looking down on you, just stating the facts," Guixiao said, "I can observe you from the data level, your skills, equipment, spiritual weapons… but you know nothing about me, isn't that very unfair?"

Shiva said, "Are you showing off your skills?"

"This is not a skill," Guixiao said, "Nor is it Soul Intent."

Hearing the words Soul Intent, Shiva was startled again.

"Your surprise value has increased," Guixiao said, "Actually, there is nothing to be surprised about, I can naturally see the existence of Soul Intent, but… I haven't been able to comprehend that ability yet." He scratched the messy hair on his head, "Because I know the enemies in front of me like the back of my hand, I know that they are not my opponents before the fight starts, I don't have any sense of crisis during the battle, and their every move is under my control. And when I encounter script Bosses who are stronger than me, I don't feel nervous either, because the gap is visible…"

"Okay… let's assume that everything you said is true, this also explains why you can still be ranked first on the combat power list even without comprehending Soul Intent," Shiva continued, "But… you said that this 'observation' ability is neither a skill nor Soul Intent, so do you have superpowers?"

"Well… I can't explain it either," Guixiao said, "I only discovered this ability after entering this game, I have also tried logging into other neural connection games, there is no such phenomenon. In fact, I can only see data in the script, but I don't have this ability in the login space, nor when playing Crazy Thinking."

"Hmph… it can't be that the system gives you special preferential treatment," Shiva replied, his tone was still relaxed, but he was already planning many things in his mind, the first of which was naturally how to win against such an opponent.

"Hey! Look! The final blow!" Guixiao suddenly pointed to the battlefield ahead and shouted.

Shiva refocused his attention on the street, but he saw that y2-Shining seized an opportunity and hugged Xie Haite from behind. Xie Haite was already at the end of his rope at this time, his speed had dropped to less than 50%, so he revealed a flaw.

In an instant, y2-Shining's whole body shone brightly, and a thick light spread out from his body as the center, quickly turning into a huge ball of light, engulfing everything within a radius of five meters, including Xie Haite…