Chapter 413: Crystal fragments
Crystal Fragments
"If this future is our future, and the future me activates the World of Ashes over there, it means I didn't die here. So, no matter what I do, I'll get out. Therefore, there's no need to consider that scenario.
As for the trust issue, what I need to do is connect the present to that future. As long as I can achieve that, the future me will naturally understand what to do."
Lin Ye still had his eyes closed. This was the first time he was attempting something like this, and he hadn't found the right feeling yet.
"You can even do something like that?"
Sera looked at Lin Ye in surprise.
"I'm not sure either, but failure just means waiting for one more cycle, which is no different from the current situation."
Previously, when dealing with the Active Mannequins, Lin Ye had briefly triggered the power of the Fate Rule Fragment. Unlike the Flesh and Blood Rule Fragment, the Fate Rule Fragment couldn't be used directly at all;
it was elusive, just like real fate.
This time, Lin Ye planned to try using the power of the Fate Rule Fragment to connect to the future. If the future where this plan fails is his fate, then he would use the power of fate to change that future, starting with dealing with this Pit Product.
Lin Ye stopped paying attention to those meaningless noises. In other places, he might not be able to use the power of the Fate Rule Fragment, but here it was different. The future and the present overlapped;
his fate was right here. This was the best place to sense fate. But it wasn't time yet. Only when the third cycle began would the future Lin Ye appear in the abandoned clubhouse. That would be the critical moment to connect to the future.
In a daze, Lin Ye felt as if he was sitting in another intact abandoned clubhouse. He was sitting at a table, and those young people were still making preparations for the World of Ashes Shelter plan.
Sera watched anxiously as Lin Ye sat there with his eyes closed, motionless. She didn't dare disturb him, but the surrounding buildings were already beginning to restore themselves. The third cycle had begun.
At that moment, Lin Ye suddenly opened his eyes, quickly observed his surroundings, and fixed a sharp gaze on Sera.
"Lin Ye, are you alright?"
Maggie suddenly spoke up and asked.
"I'm fine. You know what to do, right?"
Lin Ye spoke to the version of himself on the other side.
"Right. But I might not be able to find that Pit Product in one cycle. In a moment, I'll directly activate the World of Ashes. After I hand it over to you to take control, I'll go out to search for the Pit Product."
The Lin Ye on the other side replied.
"Good. I'll stay in the clubhouse waiting for the cycle to end. Do your best."
Lin Ye didn't waste words. They both knew what they needed to do.
"You know this woman is lying to you, right? I hate being lied to. Do you want me to help you deal with her?"
The other Lin Ye asked.
"No need. Because right now, I still don't know she's lying to me. That's a problem with my own ability."
Lin Ye refused the other's help.
"It's a shame you're unwilling to exchange information with me. I know many things you don't."
The other Lin Ye said regretfully.
"What you obtained is future information simulated by the Pit Product. Information whose accuracy cannot be judged will only affect my judgment."
Their perspectives were different, so their conclusions naturally differed.
"Suit yourself. Leave the next part to me."
The other Lin Ye said.
"Thanks for the trouble."
Lin Ye controlled the Fate Rule Fragment to sever the connection with the future.
"Are you alright? The third cycle has already started!"
Sera said urgently.
"I'm fine. Now we just need to wait for the cycle to end. Guess how many cycles the future me will need to solve that Pit Product?"
Lin Ye was very relaxed now because what he was best at was handling simulation tasks. This task was to find the Pit Product before being destroyed. If every simulation task could be this simple, that would be great.
"Uh... three?"
Sera said, not very sure.
"I guess one."
Just as Lin Ye was about to pull Sera into the World of Ashes, they appeared outside the jungle.
"This is really..."
Lin Ye hadn't expected his efficiency to be this high.
"...This isn't a new future, is it?"
Sera couldn't believe they had gotten out so easily.
"Hard to say. Let's go take a look near the Bottomless Pit first. Although that Pit Product died in the future, that future was created by it. After it died, that future would disappear. Its corpse might appear in the outside world."
Lin Ye was very interested in the Pit Product's remains.
The two quickly ran to the vicinity of the Bottomless Pit. The area was littered with the wreckage of combat squads and adventurers. Lin Ye soon discovered something clearly different from those remains.
They were some transparent crystal fragments emitting a bright white light. Traces of Lin Ye's mental energy still lingered on those crystal fragments.
This was probably a mark intentionally left by the Lin Ye from the other side.
Lin Ye collected all the crystal fragments into his spatial ring, then turned to look at Sera.
"I didn't see anything! The Pit Product's corpse is missing! It might have been lost in another time period!"
Sera hurriedly said.
"I hope you can always be this smart."
Lin Ye didn't touch the wreckage on the ground. Those factions had lost so many combat squads;
they definitely wouldn't let it go just like that. So it was best not to touch these things.
"Don't worry, you saved my life this time. I won't repay kindness with ingratitude."
Sera said, patting her chest.
"Then I'm completely reassured... Let's go. Time to head back."
Thinking about that future and the things he had to deal with after returning, even Lin Ye felt a headache coming on.
The World of Ashes Shelter plan had failed before it even began. He needed a new plan, a plan that could survive in a future of that magnitude.
"I'm out. These are your combat squads. Help me contact the other factions. I'm willing to sell important intelligence regarding this incident."
Lin Ye sent Raymond a message and a picture. The destruction of Free City was everyone's problem;
he couldn't handle it alone.
"Received. You solved the Pit Product alone? Any other survivors? Can you send me the important intelligence first?"
Raymond replied instantly. The Contaminated Zone that caused all combat squads to lose contact was right near Free City. Until the problem was solved, he didn't dare do anything else.
"We'll talk after I get back."
Lin Ye put the Communication Device back into his spatial ring.
On the way back, the two encountered a large number of convoys heading towards the Bottomless Pit. To avoid trouble, they didn't get close to the main road.
Not long after, they saw Free City in the distance. When passing by a small grove, Lin Ye suddenly stopped.
"...You're not going to make a move here, are you?"
Sera showed a panicked expression.
"No. I plan to bid you farewell here. Your disguise was excellent, and I didn't find Sera's remains either. I'll let you go this time. I hope you can maintain this level next time."
[Time Mark Obtained]
Looking at the prompt before him, Lin Ye walked alone towards Free City.