The tower stands right in front, towering into the clouds, both white and black, like a blade stabbed into the heart, making one tremble from the depths of their soul.
Back to the topic.
Su Changxing found it quite simple to locate the central node of the Energy Station; all he needed was to sense the changes in influence from the station in the space around them.
However, having a specific route also made things more intuitive, and this method could serve as a reference for corrections.
Su Changxing turned to Big-headed Ghost and asked,
"You should still remember the specific route, right? To District Twelve."
Big-headed Ghost nodded and said,
"I remember, itâs crystal clear, after all, I escaped from here back then, though itâs been such a long time."
Su Changxing turned and led the two of them back, saying,
"Alright then, draw the route. If itâs correct, weâll let you go. If itâs wrong... you know, this is a fair trade."
Big-headed Ghostâs face suddenly tensed, and he laughed strangely,
"Sir, even if you plan to kill me, I wonât lie to you or deceive you."
Even though Big-headed Ghost seemed so apprehensive, he was just a fence-sitter; as long as no mishaps occurred, everything was fine.
Once something unforeseen happened and they ended up on the losing side, he would immediately betray them.
Su Changxing showed a slight smile and said,
"Hmm, I actually believe you."
Big-headed Ghost was dumbfounded upon seeing Su Changxingâs expression, "...."
Back at the factory, the place was still bustling and chaotic.
Zhu Wenwu and others had not taken a break but gathered together, discussing something.
"Zhu Wenwu, you go with him to draw the route map."
Su Changxing approached and instructed, "Be careful, donât let him pull any tricks."
Zhu Wenwu appeared serious, glanced at Big-headed Ghost, and nodded,
"Sure, leave it to me. I wonât make a mistake."
It was already the early hours of the morning, light shined through, illuminating the faces of the bodies scattered on the ruins, each with different expressions, none alike.
Su Changxing leaned against the side, resting, feeling utterly exhausted yet even before falling asleep, his spirit was already floating in mid-air.
Sleep.
Sleep.
...
Staring at the sky, a blanket of white turns gray, apart from the falling white ash, the world is completely still, like itâs slowly twisting within a millionth of a second.
...
"Ah~"
Su Changxing gasped heavily, suddenly waking up, sitting up with a feeling of constant trembling in his forehead, his eyes bloodshot.
Light streamed in from outside, it was very quiet around, many were sleeping, Zhu Wenwu and Big-headed Ghost were at the side, drafting the route map, discussing continually.
Lin Xiuyu sat cross-legged opposite him, silently staring at him.
"..."
Su Changxing picked up a water bottle and took a big gulp, grumbling, "Weâre all men here, staring so intently at me is not quite right."
Lin Xiuyuâs face was full of dark lines, some reaching deep into his pupils, slowly saying,
"I survived."
Su Changxing smiled, recalling Lin Xiuyu stretching out a single finger, and said,
"What, a ten percent chance of survival and you think you wouldnât make it? Is your luck really that bad?"
Lin Xiuyu also smiled, reflecting,
"No, I was supposed to die, but I survived, which means something beyond this world is affecting things, and I think you are that factor."
Su Changxing hesitated, not expecting Lin Xiuyu to be so sharp, to even think of this layer, beyond-the-world factors, is he referring to the discount store, or his position as the Deceiver?
He countered,
"Are you that confident in your ability? Even the most precise computers have errors."
Lin Xiuyu thought for a moment and said, "Youâre right, maybe thereâs an issue with my ability, but I am indeed very confident in it... I can go in with you."
Su Changxing smiled, "What, calculated that your death probability is low, so you got confident?"
Lin Xiuyu held up an "eight" and said, "Thatâs right, if Iâm not going to die, the chances of success are high."
"Thatâs a paradox."
Su Changxing thought for a moment and said,
"Could it be you arenât going in so high... you lack combat power, canât keep up, thereâs no need to go in... to put it simply, youâre not much use."
Lin Xiuyu seemed to have a look of realization, saying,
"I heard from the boss, you have a way in... but according to what youâre saying, weâre all burdens, so youâre planning to go alone."
Su Changxing nodded seriously, "The Extraordinary doesnât count; the others canât get in at all. However, though the method is not completely resolved yet."
Zhu Wenwu came over carrying a map and said,
"Brother Su, itâs done. This is the route he provided. We also sketched a rough structure of the Energy Station, there shouldnât be much deviation."
It was a finely detailed and complex overhead map, including the part from the bridge to the other side of the Energy Station.
Remarkable drawing skills, perhaps becoming Extraordinary had also enhanced his drawing abilities.
"Not bad, exceeded my expectations."
Su Changxing smiled and praised, looking at the map for quick memorization before putting it into his backpack.
Zhu Wenwu still looked full of spirit, the fight and pursuit last night seemingly had little effect on him, and he said in a deep voice,
"Brother Su, when do we plan to go in?"
He didnât even ask how they would go in or what means would be used.
He had absolute trust in Su Changxing.
Many gazes from around were cast toward them.
Su Changxingâs decision was crucial.
It determined many things, at least.
Su Changxing didnât answer immediately, seemingly in deep thought, looking down at the half-empty water bottle in his hand before softly saying,
"No, youâre not going in."
Zhu Wenwu frowned, urgently saying,
"Why? Do you need me for other tasks? But this is the most important thing right now."
Su Changxing took a deep breath, shook his head and said,
"No, everyone waits outside, I go in alone, and my method canât take many, so I might as well go alone."
The Golden Seed could only support two or three people.
And those like Zhu Wenwu, Tier Nine Extraordinary, might not make it halfway through.
Seeing Zhu Wenwuâs shocked expression, he said with undeniable resolve,
"If you go in with me, itâs a death sentence. I promised to take you out alive, so wait outside. If Iâm not back in half a day, you leave immediately, return to the gathering place and wait for the game to end."
"...I have no right to decide your lives and deaths either."
Peopleâs mindsets shift with environments, time, and experiences, rendering them changeable.
Good-tempered people might become irritable, stingy and tight-fisted ones might become generous and calm.
But maybe none of that changes, theyâve always been that way.