Embers Ad Infinitum

Flora answered Shang Jianyao's question:

“Of course it’s the executives.

"The specific punishment depends on what they were thinking at the time."

Shang Jianyao looked like he was suddenly enlightened:

"Then if the secret is passed on without being punished, what are the reasons?"

Liu Chuan glanced at him:

"There is only one possibility, and that is the acquiescence of the executives."

"Is it possible that the information sent out is encrypted and the executives can't understand it at all?" Shang Jianyao asked.

Flora smiled and shook her head:

“There is no such possibility.

"The 'Zhuang Sheng' field has thought reading, and the 'Mo Ren' field has reading memory. When you transmit information to the outside world, some people will know what your purpose is by checking what you are thinking. "

"What if I haven't prayed to Zhi Sui yet and haven't been marked since I came here?" Shang Jian Yao persisted.

Flora and Barnard looked at each other and shook their heads again:

"Although there is a certain truth to this, the entire 'new world' was built by the executives. If the information you convey must penetrate the barrier, there will definitely be a filtering process. The executives can track it in reverse and locate it. you."

Bang bang bang, Shang Jianyao clapped his hands:

"As expected of a former director of Orange Company, the metaphor is very technological."

"Orange" company is a well-known high-tech force, just like "Future Intelligence".

Compared with them, "Pangu Creatures", which are only good at biology, medicine, and bionic smart armor, are slightly lame.

Shang Jianyao continued:

"Perhaps the zodiacs take turns holding the sun, no, the moon. When conveying the message, it happens that the 'last man' and 'Zhuang Sheng' are not in charge."

"'Johnson' represents the whole year." Flora reminded, "He is always there."

As a Honghe person, she has no concept of leap months.

Shang Jianyao was about to reply, "'Zhuang Sheng' is a good friend of mine, no wonder I passed on the secret without being punished," when his right hand suddenly raised and covered his mouth.

"Okay." Shang Jianyao put down his palm and replied slightly disappointed.

At this time, Flora asked kindly:

"You just said that there are some things you want to deal with before the turmoil starts. What are they? Maybe we can help you clear up your confusion."

Shang Jianyao looked around and said:

"Do you know that dusty courtyard? The one where slight movements are often heard."

"I know." Flora and Barnard replied at the same time.

"It seems very dangerous there." Barnard, whose left half of the body was trembling, emphasized.

A "New World" strongman who was listening to the discussion of several people laughed and said:

"This is a rumor. I have been there and have not been affected at all.

"There are some weird spots there, but just like this building now, there's no danger."

The current building is also very special in the "New World". It seems that it is the only one that has a basement.

The person speaking was a gray native, but he spoke Honghe language quite fluently, and his accent was similar to Flora's.

He is of medium height, with short black hair with some natural curls. The corners of his eyes are slightly droopy, the bridge of his nose is not straight enough, and the nasolabial folds around his mouth are more obvious. He looks to be in his forties.

"Have you ever entered that courtyard?" Shang Jianyao asked in surprise.

In the previous round of greetings, he already knew this person's name, Chen Wen.

Chen Wen saw all the eyes turned towards him and replied calmly:

"What's so surprising about this?

“At that time, I had just entered the ‘new world’ and met a few friends. I didn’t understand the dangers of those slightly weird places.

"When I was passing by there, I heard a slight movement in the courtyard, so I went in to take a look. In the end, there was no negative impact at all?"

"Yes, yes!" Shang Jianyao agreed deeply.

He asked:

"Did you hear a woman crying quietly?"

"I heard it." Chen Wen didn't think it was of any value and replied without any concealment, "I also heard her say that eternal life is equal to eternal pain."

"Is there anything else?" Shang Jianyao looked expectant.

Chen Wen thought about it and said:

"When I was about to leave, I heard her whisper that she hoped this nightmare would wake up soon and the source of pain would be buried by death."

"No more?" Shang Jianyao confirmed.

"No more." Chen Wen shook his head firmly.

"Hey..." Shang Jianyao sighed in disappointment.

After listening to the conversation between the two, Flora kindly reminded:

"Most of those weird buildings are dangerous. This is what many awakened people have learned through blood and tears. Among them, there are indeed a few that are not problematic. For example, the building with the basement and the courtyard, but After all, these are only a minority, and if they enter rashly without knowing the situation clearly, they will most likely suffer serious harm."

"I understand." Chen Wen nodded and laughed at himself, "The main reason was that I was too ignorant at the time."

"The weirdest thing is the tower." Shang Jianyao's thinking always takes an unusual path.

After chatting about this matter for a while, everyone became idle.

The waiting process is always difficult.

Shang Jianyao pulled up a chair and sat down, talking about household matters:

"How did you all enter the 'New World'? Didn't you have any doubts about this place before entering?"

Flora smiled slightly and pointed at her body:

“As you can see, I am worse than a paraplegic.

"The further I explored the 'Soul Corridor', the worse my physical condition became. Later, my mental state was also affected. Although I had some doubts about the 'New World', I still hoped to get in as soon as possible and escape from it. As bad as that is, who knows, it’s even worse here.”

Barnard took over:

“I was half-voluntary and half-forced.

"As the former president of the 'Linhai Alliance', I have lived a pretty good life. Although I have severe hemiplegia, I can still maintain a certain quality of life with the help of various technological devices. Unfortunately, my plan to enjoy my old age has been blocked. The conflict between the Alliance and the 'United Industries' was broken, and at the critical moment, I had no choice but to push open the door of the 'New World', enter here, and contribute to the Alliance."

Shang Jianyao expressed his understanding by applauding.

He immediately turned to Liu Chuan:

"And you?"

"Me?" Liu Chuan pointed to himself, "I responded to the call of 'truth' and came to the 'new world'."

Shang Jianyao asked Chen Wen again:

"What's your reason?"

"Because I yearn for this place." Chen Wen said with an expression of "there are so many reasons." "Aren't most people entering here because they yearn for the 'new world', want to gain eternal life, and want to see the absolute reality? "

"I'm not." Shang Jianyao said sternly, "I opened the door to solve the problems of the 'new world'!"

The scene suddenly became a little cold.

Shang Jianyao didn't notice it at all, and turned to ask Flora and others:

"Aren't you worried that if you fail this time, you will suffer divine punishment from the officials?

"Moreover, even if you escape, the problem will still remain while the Zhi Sui still exists, and the future may be even more cruel."

Flora was silent for a while and said slowly:

"I only know that if I don't leave here, I will go crazy. I will consider what the future will be like in the future."

She glanced at Shang Jianyao and said nothing further.

After a few seconds, Barnard explained to her:

“There are only so many people here, there are no natural landscapes, no weather changes, and no entertainment. We can only chat with each other or borrow some books from the library, and many times we have to endure hunger.

“This is worse than going to jail!

"In such an environment, after staying for year after year, everyone's spirit is close to collapse, and it is very normal to do any irrational behavior."

"If I hadn't found a reason to return to Ashes once or twice a year, I would have gone crazy." Liu Chuan also sighed.

Shang Jianyao said "Oh":

"I understand. I don't have to worry about this."

"Why?" Chen Wen asked doubtfully.

Shang Jianyao replied proudly:

"I've gone crazy."

The scene turned cold again.

Shang Jianyao remembered something and said to Barnard:

"Did you just mention the library?"

"Yes." Barnard nodded, "The only form of entertainment here is reading books. There are many books in that library."

"Is there a crazy guy there who wants to attack everyone he sees?" Shang Jianyao asked.

Liu Chuan said "hmm":

"He was hungry. Some time ago, he finally couldn't hold on any longer and became food for the executives."

Shang Jianyao's thinking is always jumping:

"No, the 'New World' can't only have books and no games..."

"Is it because he hasn't returned yet?"

He was referring to Xiao Chong.

Before Flora and the others responded to him, the whole house suddenly shook.

Signs of unrest appeared.

All the "New World" powerhouses present showed fanatical expressions on their faces.

Seeing this, Shang Jianyao rubbed his chin and said to himself:

"People here, including me, are actually hypnotized by the 'truth'?"

"Maybe." Chen Wen heard his whisper.

This person's fanaticism is not serious, but there is a certain amount of expectation in his eyes.

Shang Jianyao looked up and down at this "New World" strongman who had also entered the courtyard, and asked curiously:

"What field are you in?"

Chen Wen smiled and replied:

"'Broken Mirror'."