hotmtlnovel Chapter 28 Zhang Jie's Background
Chapter 28 Zhang Jie's Background
Under the pure white light of the Main God Space, five days of targeted joint training had just ended. Team members returned to their personal spaces to rest, or gathered in small groups to discuss the gains and losses of the training. The continuous high-intensity simulated combat (conducted in the training ground by consuming reward points) had left everyone feeling mentally exhausted, but their tacit understanding and the smoothness of their cooperation were indeed improving at a visible rate.
Wang Lin did not leave immediately. He stood beside the light sphere base, watching the team members disperse one after another, his gaze finally landing on Zhang Jie, who was preparing to return to his personal space, and Chu Xuan, who was organizing data.
"Chu Xuan, Zhang Jie, stay behind for a moment." Wang Lin's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable air of authority. "There are some things we need to discuss privately."
Chu Xuan adjusted his glasses, his gaze sweeping over Wang Lin from behind the lenses, then glancing at Zhang Jie, who had paused slightly. He didn't speak, but simply turned off the projector on his laptop and stood still.
Zhang Jie turned around, his face still bearing that slightly lazy expression, but a barely perceptible hint of seriousness and…a trace of understanding flashed deep in his eyes. He walked back to Wang Lin, a cigarette dangling from his lips, and leaned against the base of the light sphere: “What? Going to give me ‘psychological counseling’ again?”
"Find a quiet place." Wang Lin didn't reply, and walked straight to the God's sphere. "God, request the opening of a private meeting room that is absolutely soundproof and isolated from all external detection. The usage time is two hours, and reward points will be deducted from my account."
[Application confirmed. 50 reward points deducted. Private meeting room is now open, number 7341-1, access is limited to the applicant and two designated persons (Chu Xuan, Zhang Jie).]
A side door slid silently open against the pure white wall, revealing a small, simple yet fully equipped conference room behind it.
The three entered, and the door quietly closed behind them. Soft lights automatically illuminated the interior of the conference room. There was a round table, three chairs, and nothing else. The walls emitted faint energy fluctuations, isolating the inside from the outside.
Wang Lin sat down first, gesturing for the other two to sit as well. Chu Xuan sat opposite him expressionlessly, his hands crossed on the table, as if awaiting an analysis report. Zhang Jie pulled out a chair and sat down casually, but his eyes were no longer lazy; instead, they were sharply scrutinizing Wang Lin.
"It's absolutely safe here, the God of War guarantees it." Wang Lin cut to the chase. "Zhang Jie, it's just the three of us here. Chu Xuan's brain, my... some special information channels, and yourself. We need to have an open and honest talk about your 'identity,' about the 'shackles' you're in, and about... certain 'rules' of the God of War space."
Zhang Jie remained silent, his fingers unconsciously stroking the cigarette, offering no immediate response. The meeting room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Chu Xuan broke the silence first: "Based on the existing information, we can build a model: Zhang Jie, you are not an ordinary reincarnator. The unconventional combat power you exposed in the Ju-on world, the abnormal energy conflicting within your body, your 'familiarity' or 'authority' with some rules of the Main God Space, and the fragmented words you occasionally mention such as 'breeding' and 'boxes,' combined, suggest that your identity is most likely—a 'guide,' or more precisely, a 'special existence with some guide authority and responsibilities, but who also acts as a reincarnator.' As for 'breeding,' it suggests that you may have belonged to, or been forced to participate in, a team model that primarily used the exploitation of newcomers to obtain resources."
His analysis was cold and direct, like a scalpel cutting through the surface.
Zhang Jie glanced at Chu Xuan, a cryptic smile playing on his lips: "As expected of Chu Xuan... he guessed pretty accurately. I am indeed a 'Guide,' damn it, the worst kind—a 'Semi-Guide.'"
He took a deep breath, as if making a firm decision, no longer concealing his feelings. His voice was low and carried a hint of suppressed weariness and mockery: "To put it simply, in the God's Space, besides us struggling reincarnators, there's another type of 'staff' called 'guides.' The guides' main task is to guide, select, and even... test new reincarnation teams in certain specific horror movie worlds, ensuring that promising teams can take shape while eliminating those who are unqualified. Guides themselves possess higher authority than reincarnators, allowing them to interfere with some of the God's judgments to a certain extent, obtain more information, and even... in some cases, have the power of 'life and death' over reincarnators."
Wang Lin and Chu Xuan listened quietly without interrupting.
"However," Zhang Jie's tone shifted, becoming bitter, "guides usually lack self-awareness, or their consciousness is severely limited; they are merely tools for executing the rules of the main god. But I... was an exception. When I entered the main god's space, my team faced a near-total annihilation crisis, and the guide at the time was also severely injured in that disaster, causing the rules to become disordered. Somehow, some of the guide's authority and responsibilities, as well as that power... merged with me when I was only half alive and my consciousness was blurred."
He pointed to his head: "So, this is how I ended up. I'm both a reincarnator, struggling to complete tasks and survive; and a 'semi-guide,' with some damn rules and tasks crammed into my head, and I have to face the God's 'physical examination' and 'correction' from time to time. There are two conflicting forces within me. One is the result of the constant strengthening from being a reincarnator, and the other... is that damn, incomplete guide's authority and power. It's like a parasite, giving me some conveniences (like the early foresight of the plot, the vague perception of some rules), but it's also like shackles, binding me, monitoring me, and even backfiring on me when I'm 'incompetent' or 'try to break free'."
"What's going on with the breeding team?" Wang Lin asked.
Zhang Jie's face showed disgust and a hint of... barely perceptible guilt: "That was a 'efficient' mode that the previous guide... or rather, a 'normal' guide would usually use. The guide has an advantage in initial information and authority. If the guide is not righteous, it is easy to control a group of newcomers, raising them like pigs, forcing them to complete basic tasks to obtain rewards, and then taking away their reward points and side quests, providing only the bare minimum for survival to strengthen themselves or a few core members. This can create powerful 'individuals' in a short time, but for the entire team and the newcomers, it is hell. I... during the time when my consciousness was still confused and I was influenced by the lingering instincts of the guide, I did... tacitly agree to and even assist that mode. It wasn't until I slowly came to my senses that I felt disgusted and terrified. So I have always hidden my identity, avoiding using the guide's power as much as possible, and even... subconsciously resisting fulfilling the guide's 'duties'."
"What are your responsibilities? Tests? Screening?" Chu Xuan pressed.
"That's right." Zhang Jie nodded. "The main god will periodically issue 'guidance missions,' usually after the team has gone through a certain number of rounds and a potential member has emerged (such as someone whose genetic lock has been unlocked), they will be placed into a specific high-difficulty horror movie. The guide's task is to set up obstacles, observe and test, and judge whether the team is qualified to continue to grow. If the judgment is passed, the guide may 'retire successfully' (usually meaning death or disappearance), and the team will receive some kind of reward or promotion. If the judgment is failed... the guide has the right, and even the obligation, to clean up unqualified 'seeds' to avoid wasting resources."
He looked in the direction Zheng Zha and the others had left, his eyes filled with complex emotions: "According to the normal procedure, I should have received the guidance mission after Alien 1, or at the latest in Ju-on, to test Zheng Zha and the others. But I kept delaying and resisting. On one hand, I didn't want to personally kill these... not bad guys, and on the other hand, I was also afraid. Once the guidance mission was initiated, my 'abnormal' state would be completely exposed to the stricter monitoring of the main god, the test process would be uncontrollable, and I myself might suffer a more severe backlash due to 'dereliction of duty' or 'resistance'. Last time in the Bleach world, my state was unstable because the main god may have noticed my 'passive resistance,' and coupled with the stimulation of the Bleach rules, it almost caused the shackles and backlash within me to completely erupt."
Silence fell over the meeting room once again. Zhang Jie's confession revealed a more cruel and helpless side beneath the cold rules of the Main God Space. He was not simply a teammate or an enemy, but a tragic figure twisted by the rules and powerless to control his own destiny.
"So, your current situation is," Chu Xuan summarized, "that you bear the authority and responsibilities of a guide (but it's incomplete and may have been marked as abnormal by the main god), while also being a reincarnator. The power conflict brought about by these two identities constitutes the 'shackles' and source of instability within you. Your resistance to fulfilling your responsibilities exacerbates the main god's potential 'dissatisfaction' and backlash. Wang Lin's previous contract overlay forcibly 'wrapped' and 'shielded' your guide fluctuations with the power of rules, making you temporarily appear as an ordinary reincarnator, thus avoiding the main god's key monitoring and the Grim Reaper's attacks based on 'abnormal priority.' But the overlay is temporary, and the contract paper has been destroyed."
"Yes." Zhang Jie smiled wryly. "That 'membrane' feels thinner and thinner. I can feel the things inside are restless. The Supreme God won't ignore me forever. In the next horror movie, or the one after that, it will definitely find a way to 'correct' this 'mistake,' either forcing me to fulfill my duties, or... directly erasing this 'faulty unit.'"
Wang Lin pondered for a moment, then looked at Chu Xuan: "Chu Xuan, with your current computing power and understanding of rules and energy, combined with the information Zhang Jie provided, is it possible... to find a way to completely solve Zhang Jie's problem? Not just temporarily covering it up, but... to peel it away, transform it, or at least establish a sustainable and stable balance, so that he can both escape the threat of the Main God's 'correction' and retain the parts that are beneficial to him (such as the strengthening of the Reincarnator and some informational advantages of the Guides), or even... to transform this 'abnormal' state into some kind of advantage or trump card for our team?"
Chu Xuan closed his eyes, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the table—a habit he had when performing deep calculations. Only the soft, rhythmic tapping sound filled the conference room.
Zhang Jie looked at Chu Xuan nervously, then at Wang Lin. He knew Chu Xuan's wisdom was formidable, but this problem involved the core rules of the main god; was there really a way to solve it?
About five minutes later, Chu Xuan opened his eyes, his gaze behind his glasses sharp as a knife.
"I have an idea, but the risk is extremely high, the success rate cannot be accurately estimated, and it requires many stringent conditions." Chu Xuan's voice was flat, as if he were stating an experimental plan. "The core of the plan: take advantage of Zhang Jie's contradictory state of being a 'half-guide, half-reincarnator' and the possible 'loopholes' or 'gray areas' in the rules of the main god, and actively design a 'guide mission,' but the goal is not to test the team, but rather... to 'deceive' or 'hijack' the main god's judgment mechanism, and complete the 'rule-based redefinition' of Zhang Jie's identity."
"Explain in detail." Wang Lin leaned forward slightly.
"Step 1: Information Gathering and Model Refinement," Chu Xuan said. "I need Zhang Jie to provide all the specific details you can recall regarding the Guide's authority, including triggering conditions, task processes, judgment criteria, and the specific feelings and energy characteristics you experienced when the Main God 'monitored' or 'backfired' on you. The more detailed, the better. At the same time, I need Wang Lin to recall all the vague information or guesses you have about the 'essence of the Main God's space,' the 'box theory,' and the 'ultimate fate of the Guide,' no matter how absurd they may be."
Zhang Jie frowned, recalling the fragmented and sometimes contradictory rules and feelings with difficulty. Wang Lin, on the other hand, tried his best to sift through the remaining fragments of memory from reading the novel ten years ago, combining them with his own experiences to offer some conjectures: "...In my memory, the guides seem to be 'tools' used by the main god to manage the reincarnators, ultimately sacrificing themselves to fulfill the protagonist or the team... The 'box theory' seems to suggest that our world might be a 'box' observed or controlled by a higher being... The main god itself might also be subject to some deeper set of rules..."
Chu Xuan recorded the data rapidly, the data stream in his eyes flashing even more frequently.
"The second step: Based on the collected information, establish a reverse model of the Main God's 'Guide-Reincarnator' management rules. Identify points of rule conflict, areas of logical paradox, and 'rule ambiguities' that may arise due to Zhang Jie's 'abnormal fusion'," Chu Xuan continued. "For example, how does the Main God arbitrate when the Guide's responsibilities conflict with the Reincarnator's survival instinct? What are the specific triggering conditions and intensity of the punishment mechanism when a Guide 'neglects duty' but does not 'betray'? Are there fundamental incompatibilities at the energy or rule level between the Guide's authority and the Reincarnator's enhancement system? These conflicts and ambiguities may be our operational space."
"Step three: design a 'deceptive guidance mission'." Chu Xuan's tone carried a hint of cold excitement. "We need to actively create or guide certain conditions in the next horror movie or the one after that, making the main god 'believe' that Zhang Jie is carrying out a 'standard guidance mission.' But the mission's objective, process, and judgment criteria will be secretly altered or manipulated by us."
"How exactly does it work?" Zhang Jie asked.
"For example," Chu Xuan adjusted his glasses, "let's say that guided missions typically test elements such as 'teamwork,' 'sacrifice,' and 'individual potential.' We can anticipate a key moment in the mission world (through Wang Lin's vague information or analysis) and then meticulously design a 'performance.' For instance, we could arrange for Zhang Jie to 'step forward' at a crucial moment, seemingly 'sacrificing' for the team (but in reality, we have a backup plan to protect him), or 'set up' a seemingly unsolvable predicament that requires Zheng Zha to unleash his potential (but in reality, we have a backup plan). Throughout the process, Zhang Jie needs to mobilize the power of the guide within him (after the coverage fails or we actively weaken the coverage) to create a 'mission execution signal' that meets the monitoring standards of the main god. At the same time, our other team members must perfectly cooperate with this 'performance,' demonstrating the 'excellent team qualities' that the main god hopes to see."
"What is the purpose?" Wang Lin asked.
"There are two objectives." Chu Xuan held up two fingers. "First, by perfectly completing a 'guidance mission,' we can send a signal to the Main God that 'Zhang Jie is functioning normally and fulfilling his duties,' which may temporarily appease the Main God's 'correction' mechanism and even repair some of the negative impact caused by Zhang Jie's 'dereliction of duty.' Second, and more crucially—at the moment the mission is deemed complete, the Main God's rule power will briefly descend to 'settle' and 'distribute rewards.' We must use this moment to attempt to 'hijack' or 'mislead' this rule power using pre-prepared 'backdoors' or 'interference' targeting the ambiguous areas of the rules."
"Hijacking the power of the rules?" Zhang Jie gasped. "How is that possible?"
"It's not a complete hijacking, that's beyond our capabilities," Chu Xuan explained. "It's guidance. We'll use the guide authority that already exists within Zhang Jie's body as an 'interface,' our carefully designed task flow as a 'legitimate request,' and potential rule conflicts as 'loopholes.' At the moment of settlement, we'll submit a 'special request' to the God's rules—for example, requesting that Zhang Jie's 'unstable guide state' caused by 'abnormal fusion' be 'rule-based solidification' or 'authority stripping and transformation.'"
"Would the Supreme God agree?" Wang Lin frowned.
"Normally, no. But if our 'application' is cleverly packaged under the guise of a 'task completion reward,' and conforms to certain clauses in the God's rules that are not clearly defined or have room for interpretation, there is a certain probability that it will be 'approved' or 'partially approved.'" Chu Xuan's eyes gleamed with calculation. "For example, we can describe the application as: 'Guide Zhang Jie performed excellently in this guidance mission, and his own state is special (half guide, half reincarnator). In order to better fulfill his future responsibilities/avoid rule conflicts that affect mission execution, he requests 'state stabilization processing'/'redundant permissions stripping and conversion into team resources'...etc. The specific wording needs to be carefully designed based on the results of the reverse model."
"This is too risky!" Zhang Jie shook his head. "What if the main god determines that we are 'deceiving' or 'attacking the rules,' and directly unleashes annihilation?"
"Therefore, we need meticulous calculations and multiple safeguards," Chu Xuan said calmly. "We need to design a 'failure redundancy plan.' If the 'fraudulent guidance mission' or 'rule application' fails, triggering a severe reaction from the main god, we must have a way to instantly 'isolate' or 'fake' Zhang Jie to deceive the main god's immediate judgment. This may require the use of one-time, high-cost life-saving items, or... utilizing certain characteristics of the horror movie world itself. At the same time, the team also needs to be prepared to withstand the main god's wrath (such as increasing the difficulty of subsequent missions, deducting rewards, etc.)."
Wang Lin listened silently, his mind racing. Chu Xuan's plan was audacious to the point of madness, but upon closer examination, it possessed a tight logical chain. This was indeed the fundamental solution to Zhang Jie's problem—not to escape, but to take the initiative and use the rules to counter the rules.
"There are several key issues," Wang Lin began. "First, how do we ensure Zhang Jie can safely and controllably mobilize the Guide's power without triggering a backlash or exposure? Second, how do we accurately predict or create the triggering conditions for the 'Guidance Mission'? Third, designing the 'Fraud Mission' requires an extremely thorough understanding of the details of the target horror film and the Main God's judgment mechanism, information we lack. Fourth, how do we implement the specific technical details of the 'Rule Application'? We have no readily available tools or knowledge. Fifth, and most importantly, how do we guarantee the survival of the team and Zhang Jie if the plan fails?"
Chu Xuan answered one by one: "First, the issue of mobilizing power. We need Wang Lin's assistance. Your 'Mental Resonance' can try to establish a deep connection with Zhang Jie, guiding, stabilizing, and 'packaging' his power mobilization, disguising the guide's fluctuations as normal enhancement fluctuations or special skill effects. At the same time, we need to create some temporary energy stabilization and shielding devices to assist when needed. This requires Zhang Jie and me to jointly study the energy characteristics within his body."
"Second, the triggering conditions. According to Zhang Jie's description and known cases, the guided mission is usually triggered after a member of the team has unlocked a first-tier gene lock and has experienced a certain number of events (around three?). Zheng Zha has already unlocked his gene lock, and we've experienced enough horror movies. The probability of triggering the next horror movie is very high. We can make predictions by analyzing the subtle differences in the Main God's prompts and the abnormal situations after entering the world. We can even... try to slightly stimulate the Main God through some special exchanges or actions to increase the triggering probability, but we need to be careful."
"Third, the information issue. This is precisely where we need your vague memories, Wang Lin. Even with incomplete information, we can quickly build a local model sufficient for 'deception' in a short time through rapid reconnaissance and information gathering after entering the horror movie, as well as my analysis of environmental data and task logic. Of course, this increases uncertainty, but it is not entirely impossible."
"Fourth, rule application technology. This requires me to delve into basic rune knowledge, contract principles (although the contract paper is destroyed, the knowledge remains), and the details of the guide's permissions provided by Zhang Jie. I need to try to design a 'rule interaction protocol' based on mental power and a specific energy structure, or a 'formatted application template.' This is probably the most difficult and time-consuming part of the entire plan, and I need a lot of time and resources to deduce and simulate it."
"Fifth, redundancy in case of failure. This requires the collective wisdom and resources of the team. We can exchange for some high-cost, one-time survival items in advance, such as 'substitute dolls,' 'rule deception scrolls' (if they exist and we can afford them), or 'dimensional shift devices' (conceptual). At the same time, we need to develop detailed emergency evacuation and dispersal and concealment plans. The most crucial point is that before the plan is executed, we need to significantly improve the overall strength of the team to ensure that even if the plan fails, we are capable of surviving the possible punishment from the main god and continuing the mission."
Chu Xuan's answer was clear and logical. Although every step was fraught with risk, it at least pointed out a feasible direction.
After listening, Zhang Jie remained silent for a long time. He looked at Wang Lin, then at Chu Xuan, and finally gave a bitter laugh: "You two... are really crazy. But... I guess I have no other choice. Rather than being eliminated by the main god as a bug someday, or being driven insane by the things inside me, I might as well go crazy with you two."
He raised his head, and a long-lost fighting spirit, his own, finally ignited in his eyes: "Let's do it! Just tell me what you need me to do."
Wang Lin looked at Chu Xuan: "Chu Xuan, how much time and resources do you need to prepare?"
"The initial simulation and prototype design of the 'rule interaction protocol' will take at least ten days in the God's Space. This will consume a large amount of computing resources and my personal mental energy. I will need to exchange for more advanced calculation aids and some special materials for rule simulation. The estimated reward points consumption is around 3000 points." Chu Xuan calculated quickly. "At the same time, I need Zhang Jie's full cooperation to conduct internal energy analysis and guidance experiments, which may be painful and risky. Wang Lin, you need to quickly master the deep application of 'mental resonance' to the point where you can stably guide and shield specific mental/energy fluctuations. In addition, the overall strengthening of the team cannot be neglected, especially survival and emergency response capabilities."
Wang Lin nodded: "Okay. I'll cover the reward points. My 1400 points, plus the previous surplus, should be enough for your initial research. If it's not enough later, we'll figure something out. As for team enhancement, I'll communicate with Zheng Zha and the others to develop an emergency enhancement plan."
He looked at Zhang Jie: "Zhang Jie, for the next period of time, you need to stay with Chu Xuan as much as possible and cooperate with his research. At the same time, you also need to try to perceive and control the two forces within your body more precisely, especially the guide part. Don't resist it, try to understand it, just like understanding a disobedient but powerful tool."
Zhang Jie grinned, a hint of ruthlessness in his smile: "Understood. Just think of it as taming a wild beast hidden inside you."
"Then, the project codename..." Wang Lin thought for a moment, "Let's call it 'Breaking the Shackles.' Break the shackles on you, and also break the invisible constraints of the main god's rules for our team."
Chu Xuan didn't comment on the code name, but simply nodded and began planning the research steps in his mind.
The three discussed some more details until their two-hour meeting room time was about to expire.
Before leaving the meeting room, Zhang Jie suddenly called out to Wang Lin and whispered, "Wang Lin, thank you. It's not because you might save me, but because... you're willing to trust me and treat me as a true teammate to find a solution, instead of treating me as a potential threat to be dealt with."
Wang Lin patted him on the shoulder: "Those who have signed a contract are teammates. The paper contract may be gone, but the spirit of the contract remains."
Chu Xuan had already walked towards the main god's light sphere and began to search for and exchange the computing equipment and materials he needed, entering working mode.
Wang Lin watched the two figures disappear into the distance and took a deep breath.
The "Breaking the Shackles" plan has officially begun. This may be the boldest and most dangerous gamble they've undertaken since entering the Main God Space. Success might bring a new future for Zhang Jie and the team. Failure... the consequences would be unimaginable.
But as Zhang Jie said, it seems they have no better options left.
The cruelty of the Main God Space forces them to challenge their limits time and time again, to fight against fate, and to contend with the rules.
Wang Lin clenched his fist, feeling the purer spiritual power surging within him.
Losing the contract is both an end and a new beginning. The "Breaking the Shackles" plan will be his first, and perhaps most important, gamble, in a completely new light.
He turned and walked towards the sphere of light, preparing to communicate with Zheng Zha and the others to make the most thorough preparations for the upcoming, unknown, and risky next horror movie, and the even more dangerous "Battle of Rules" hidden beneath it. The next ten days passed in a tense yet orderly rhythm within the God Realm. On the surface, the Central Continent Team seemed no different from usual, still training, refining their teamwork, and preparing for the next unknown world. But the three core members—Wang Lin, Chu Xuan, and Zhang Jie—were engaged in a silent, secret war.
Chu Xuan's personal space was completely transformed. Using the reward points provided by Wang Lin and some of the team's public funds, he exchanged for a high-level "Quantum State Thinking Acceleration Calculation Matrix" (worth 2500 reward points, plus one C-level side quest), as well as various sophisticated equipment for energy analysis, rule field simulation, and rune inscription (total cost nearly 2000 points). His personal space became a sci-fi laboratory filled with flickering screens, complex instruments, and the flow of energy. He spent most of his time there, his eyes fixed on the waterfall-like refresh of data and 3D models on the screen, his fingers flying across the virtual keyboard. Occasionally, he would stop and, in his unique, cold, emotionless voice, ask Zhang Jie to cooperate in conducting a certain energy guidance or perception test.
Zhang Jie became Chu Xuan's "chief experimental subject." This process was anything but easy; in fact, it was painful. He had to follow Chu Xuan's instructions, under the monitoring of sophisticated instruments, carefully and meticulously activating the Guide Authority power within his body, which was enveloped in a pale golden "membrane." Each activation was like walking on a knife's edge, requiring him to release enough "signals" for Chu Xuan's analysis while controlling the power to prevent it from spiraling out of control and causing a backlash or breaking through the membrane. Wang Lin, meanwhile, maintained a deep connection with Zhang Jie throughout the process using "mental resonance," acting as a precise "conduit" and "stabilizer," guiding Zhang Jie's mental energy to soothe, envelop, and disguise the released Guide Authority fluctuations, while simultaneously providing real-time feedback to Chu Xuan on Zhang Jie's feelings and energy changes.
"Third energy node on the left, output power increased by 0.5%, frequency shifted to Alpha 7 band." Chu Xuan's voice came through the communicator, devoid of emotion.
Zhang Jie gritted his teeth, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, and adjusted according to the instructions. Wang Lin, on the other hand, felt a cold, obscure energy, imbued with a sense of constraint, being transmitted through the mental connection. He immediately mobilized his mental power, "wrapping" it in a gentle layer of mental power belonging to the Reincarnator Enhancement System, and then carefully guided it through an energy sensing array filled with runes that Chu Xuan had set up beforehand.
The runes on the array lit up in turn, while the screen next to them displayed complex curves and data.
"Record. The fluctuation characteristics are 87.2% similar to the underlying protocol of the 'Authorization Verification Request'. There are 17 abnormal distortion points in the energy structure, which do not match the standard guide energy template in the record, confirming it as a product of 'abnormal fusion'. Begin analyzing the distortion point structure..." Chu Xuan's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible focus.
Such experiments were conducted several times a day, each lasting several hours. Zhang Jie would often collapse from exhaustion after the experiments, requiring a long period of rest to recover. Wang Lin's mental energy was also greatly depleted, but he persevered. In the process, his ability to precisely control his mental energy, as well as his ability to perceive and "package" different types of energy (especially rule-based energy), improved by leaps and bounds.
Aside from experiments, Chu Xuan devoted most of his time to designing the "rule interaction protocol." This was not simple program code, but a complex "ritual" or "request format" that integrated mental guidance, specific energy frequency resonance, rune array triggering, and reverse deduction of some of the underlying rules of the main god. He referenced the contract theory knowledge provided by Wang Lin (although the contract paper was destroyed, the knowledge itself was valuable), basic rune principles, and the fragments of guide authority information he deciphered from Zhang Jie.
On the screen, countless mysterious runes, like living beings, combined, disassembled, and evolved on their own, forming constantly changing three-dimensional models. Chu Xuan attempted to simulate how, in different horror movie environments, he could use Zhang Jie's guide authority as a "key," combined with specific event triggers (simulated "guide mission" scenarios), to construct a "legitimate request channel" that could deceive the monitoring of the main god, and through this channel, send that carefully worded "special request" to the rules of the main god.
"Draft wording of the application V7.3: The facilitator unit (abnormal number -7341-ZJ) was detected to have demonstrated excellent collaborative control capabilities and rule adaptability during the execution of the standard team potential assessment task (scenario simulation). However, its 'semi-fusion' state leads to unstable energy levels, which may affect the efficiency of subsequent facilitation responsibilities and the stability of the basic rules of this space in the long term. To optimize resource allocation and ensure the long-term stable operation of the facilitation system, it is recommended that: 1. Selectively strip and harmlessly seal the 'redundant and conflicting rule permission modules' of this unit; 2. Inject the stripped rule permission entropy value into the public resource pool of the currently associated team (number 7341) through a secure conversion protocol as a reward for its excellent cooperation; 3. Deeply reconcile and stabilize the remaining 'basic facilitation interface' and 'reincarnator subject' of this unit, authorizing it to continue to remain in the current team as an 'observer/assistant' and provide minimum rule consultation support..."
Chu Xuan typed the last line of simulation code and watched the ball of light representing "application" on the screen travel through the simulated rule field, interacting with various preset "rule barriers" and "judgment nodes". Sometimes it passed smoothly, and sometimes it triggered an alarm and was intercepted and analyzed.
「成功率波动区间：12.7%至 35.4%。主要失败点：申请逻辑合理性被主证伪（概率41%）、规则权限剥离技术不可行触发反制（概率33%）、转化协议被识别为资源窃取（概率18%）……」楚轩面无表情地报出数据，「需要更多真实规则交互数据优化模型，并寻找更『合法』的申请切入点。」
Meanwhile, Wang Lin was also strengthening and preparing himself. He used the breaks between training sessions to practice the advanced applications of "mental resonance" like crazy. He was no longer satisfied with simple information transmission and emotion sharing, but began to try deeper operations: mental suggestion (weak), sensory shielding (temporary), emotional amplification or soothing, and most importantly—the precise perception and imitation of the mental fluctuations of others.
He practiced with Zhan Lan, trying to simulate Zhan Lan's mental energy fluctuations in a mental connection. Although it was still very rough, it already had a rough beginnings. He envisioned that in future "fraud missions," he might need to use this method to help Zhang Jie better disguise the Guide's fluctuations or interfere with the God's judgment.
He also used the remaining reward points (and some more added later after team discussions) to redeem several key survival and support items:
[One-Time Rule Confusion Symbol (Rank C Item)]: Briefly distorts low-intensity rule judgments or information flow within a small area, creating approximately 3-5 seconds of "cognitive confusion" or "judgment delay". Exchange: 800 reward points.
[Mental Barrier Generator (Rank D Item)]: Generates a mental barrier that lasts for ten minutes, effectively resisting low-intensity mental erosion and probing. Uses: 3/3. Exchange: 600 Reward Points.
[High-Energy Crystal *2]: A pure energy storage medium that can provide emergency charging for energy shields or certain devices. Exchange: 400 Reward Points.
He carefully stored these props away as an emergency reserve for the "Breaking the Shackles" plan.
The other team members, though unaware of the specifics of the "Breaking the Shackles" plan (Wang Lin had only vaguely mentioned to Zheng Zha and Zhan Lan that Zhang Jie had a special problem that needed to be addressed, potentially requiring close teamwork in the next mission), sensed the tense atmosphere. Following Chu Xuan and Wang Lin's advice, the team's resources were shifted towards survival, quick response, and stealth capabilities.
Zheng Zha enhanced his "Instant Acceleration" and "Energy Burst Control" abilities, allowing him to intervene or retreat more quickly when needed. Zhan Lan redeemed "Mental Barrier Sharing," which allows him to temporarily extend his mental shield to cover teammates. Ling Dian enhanced his "Environmental Integration" and "Long-Range Sniping" skills, striving to provide crucial support in any environment. Ba Wang and Li Shuaixi focused on improving their frontal defense and breakthrough capabilities. Zhao Yingkong and Ming Yanwei enhanced their stealth reconnaissance and precision kills.
Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.
Just as the "Breaking the Shackles" plan was in its initial stages of preparation, Chu Xuan completed the third version of the "Rule Interaction Protocol" simulation, Zhang Jie's initial guidance and control of the guide's power had barely reached an operational level, and Wang Lin's mental power manipulation had reached a new level, the prompt from the main god arrived as scheduled.
[Enter the beam of light within thirty seconds, target locked, teleportation initiation...]
This time, the prompt seemed no different from usual.
But Wang Lin, Chu Xuan, and Zhang Jie exchanged an extremely solemn look before stepping into the pillar of light.
They knew the real test had begun. The next horror movie would likely be set in the world triggered by the "guiding mission," a crucial battlefield for the "Breaking the Shackles" plan to succeed.
White light flooded the field of vision.
When Wang Lin regained consciousness, the first thing he felt was the hard, slightly vibrating metal deck beneath his feet. The air was thick with the smells of engine oil, sweat, and disinfectant, as well as an indescribable chill and loneliness that seemed to emanate from the boundless depths of space.
He opened his eyes to find himself in a cramped compartment. The metal walls were covered with various instruments and indicator lights. Beyond the few available portholes stretched the eternal, dark depths of space, dotted with sparse starlight. Beside him, his teammates lay sprawled out, gradually waking up. Besides them, there were several other people in worn-out Starfleet uniforms, their expressions filled with panic.
"Where is this..." Zhan Lan looked around, her expression changing slightly.
Chu Xuan had already stood up, quickly scanning his surroundings while looking at the God Watch.
Zhang Jie silently sensed his body, his face somewhat pale. He gave Wang Lin a barely perceptible nod—the membrane covering his body had thinned slightly the moment he entered this world, and the Guide Authority sent a subtle tremor through him.
Wang Lin glanced at the main god's watch, which displayed mission information:
[Entering the World: Aliens 2 (Modified and Fusion Background)]
Main Mission: Assist the crew of the interstellar freighter "Surako" in eliminating the threat of unknown creatures on board and ensure the survival of at least three main story characters until rescue arrives. Rewards: 4000 reward points per survivor, one Rank B side quest. Penalty: 5000 reward points deducted; those without enough points are eliminated.
[Warning: Several high-threat biological entities exist in this world, some of which may possess special abilities. The spaceship's internal environment is complex, and some areas are damaged. Rescue is expected to arrive in 96 hours.]
[Special Notice: An abnormal fluctuation in the rules has been detected. The activation conditions for the 'Guide Protocol' exist in this world. Relevant units are advised to take note.]
The last line of the message can only be seen by Wang Lin, Chu Xuan, and Zhang Jie.
"Alien 2... Modified fusion... Guide Protocol activated..." Wang Lin thought with a chill.
Chu Xuan adjusted his glasses, his gaze behind the lenses sharp as a knife: "As expected. Earlier and more complex than anticipated. 'Modified Fusion' means the plot and enemies may exceed the original story. 'Guide Protocol Activated'... Zhang Jie, prepare. Wang Lin, be ready to connect at any time."
Zhang Jie took a deep breath, forced himself to calm down, and nodded.
Zheng Zha and the others also finished reading the mission, their expressions grave. 4000 points plus a B-level side quest—the reward was generous, but the punishment was extremely severe. Moreover, the prompt clearly stated "multiple high-threat creatures" and "special abilities," and there was a 96-hour countdown.
"First, we need to figure out our location on the ship, find the characters in the story, and get the situation in order." Zheng Zha quickly got to work. "Chu Xuan, can we connect to the spaceship system?"
Chu Xuan had already walked to a control panel, his fingers rapidly tapping on the buttons: "System access is limited, but I can read some public area maps and basic status reports. We are located in the mid-level living quarters of the cargo ship, section D-7. The ship appears to have experienced some kind of attack or accident; some areas are isolated, the power system output is unstable, and the life support system is weakening in some areas. The crew is scattered, mainly concentrated in the bridge, medical room, and a few relatively safe cargo holds. Signs of unknown biological activity...are found throughout the ship."
His voice remained calm, but the content of his words sent a chill down everyone's spine.
Just then, a panicked voice, crackling with static, came through the intercom: "Attention everyone who can still hear! This is the bridge! We've been attacked by unidentified creatures! They're numerous! Incredibly fast! They have acidic blood! Repeat, do not act alone! Assemble in the main passageway on Level B if possible! We are attempting to activate..."
Before the words were finished, a piercing scream and a chilling tearing sound came from the communicator, followed by a shrill busy tone.
"It's starting," Zero said coldly, having already checked his sniper rifle.
Wang Lin looked at Chu Xuan and Zhang Jie, and the three of them exchanged glances again.