In the grand, resplendent hall, the long wooden table was carved with intricate vintage patterns, every inch exuding sophistication and weight.

Mizushima Kawa Sora returned to her seat, still looking bewildered.

... Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?

She was in the Holy City, and who would have thought that in the next moment, she would suddenly be here.

... Is this the Third Tower? She thought this phase had disappeared, so why did it suddenly pull her back?

The candle flames on the table flickered slightly, and she came to her senses, gazing at the long table before her. Number 1 Su Ming'an, Number 3 Lv Shu, Number 4 Noel, Number 11 Boris, Number 12 Lu Meng.

"Su Ming'an, you're not dead?" Mizushima Kawa Sora exclaimed in surprise.

The previously lifeless Lv Shu's eyes suddenly seemed vibrant. Noel wore an expected expression, while Boris was muttering something about how "deities indeed don't die..."

Su Ming'an's gaze was solemn as he spoke to the ceiling:

"Shadow, I was just wondering, with those farmers wielding hoes, how did you intend to rob me? I see, you wanted to drag my consciousness back to the night phase."

"But, does it help? I now understand everything; the Tower is just like a dream patrol game setup. It does have word spirits, a system, and can issue mandatory commands, but as long as you find a button like 'exit game,' leaving isn't difficult. Even though you pulled my awareness in, my body is still in the Peach Blossom Forest. Besides, if the deity finds out, He will quickly summon me back."

Su Ming'an's few words seemed to enlighten the group.

"Oh... so the Tower is like SAO in Sword Art Online!"

Lu Meng, realizing Su Ming'an wasn't dead, smiled: "The Tower, with the addition of word spirits, can replicate the damages within to reality! This is the high-dimensional being's clever trick to bypass The Republic."

"Not entirely accurate, but you can see it that way," Noel corrected helpfully, in a good mood.

"I see... No wonder Agnes and Eli are out, yet I saw them in the Holy City," Lv Shu seemed to finally understand a bit.

The long table almost turned into a tea party as Mizushima Kawa Sora frowned and scanned the surroundings. Only then did she realize that Number 6 Xue Qixia and Number 9 Zhang Daoxuan were already gone, probably killed by a vengeful Su Ming'an. Now everyone at the table belonged to Su Ming'an.

What then was Shadow's purpose in dragging everyone here?

That's when they finally noticed a person sitting in the shadows at the corner of the hall. The man with long golden and black hair sat quietly in the chair, his gaze downcast. If he hadn't blocked some light, they might not have noticed him.

"Shadow, you didn't just summon us here for a chat, did you?" Su Ming'an asked, "Too lonely up in the starry sky?"

"I used to be quite afraid of him, thought he was a very oppressive boss." Lu Meng glanced at Shadow, who looked a bit like an old man, and whispered, "Now he seems more like a comedic character."

Unknowing Lu Meng felt fearless, unaware that Shadow was still incredibly threatening, thinking Su Ming'an had completely gained the upper hand. However, Noel didn't refute but instead chuckled and said:

"Shh... at least He's a handsome comedic character."

What followed were some difficult-to-understand phrases like "having some of Noel's divine grace is your blessing," and references to something "stacking like Noel," which made everyone burst into laughter, filling the hall with a joyous atmosphere.

Shadow slowly stood up, a huge shadow rising behind him.

Lu Meng's voice instantly dropped, as she felt an overwhelming sense of threat, a suppression from the essence of life itself. Only then did she realize how bold her earlier words had been.

"I have no ulterior motives, just want you all to finish the game." Shadow walked to the long table and pressed his palms lightly down: "The Third Tower I meticulously prepared, if you do not finish it, that would be... a great shame."

Su Ming'an clasped his hands together and said lightly, "The Tower should be the result of cooperation between you and the organizers, just like the Silver Star Replica of Qiongdi, with inputs from the world game itself."

"So, we can observe others' lives because it's information provided by the world game. Completing this Tower will also reward us players with points—because the world game has recognized the Tower you created, treating it as a reasonable mini instance. Even just for points, we will complete your game, don't worry."

Noel nearby said, "The victory condition is the witch's elimination, let's resolve it quickly."

"Yes, indeed." Su Ming'an said, "Mizushima Kawa Sora is the Judgment Angel, Noel and Lv Shu are not witches. So that leaves... you, Boris."

Boris kept smiling, gazing at Su Ming'an with constant reverence. After witnessing Su Ming'an's deity form, Boris's faith could be described as "deeply rooted," and no one could refuse the white-haired one.

"I'll need to check the forum afterward, to understand what your occupation is, it's almost like brainwashing." Su Ming'an avoided this affectionate gaze: "First witch Agnes is already out, the second witch can only be you, there's no one else."

"Of course, I'm willing to offer everything for your victory." Boris placed a hand on his chest: "Though, when I'm out, there will still be the last third witch; I hope you proceed with utmost caution."

The banishment result came out, and Boris left the table with a satisfied smile.

"Who is the third witch?" Su Ming'an asked.

After a brief silence, Lv Shu slowly raised his hand: "It's me. I will find a way to be out in the corridor, not dragging it to the next phase, ending this Tower completely."

Su Ming'an nodded slightly.

In the word spirit phase, Noel drew the angel card, and at Su Ming'an's request, he chose Su Ming'an and himself.

Su Ming'an now had just over a hundred points; since the rules of the tower were acknowledged by the world game, the props were also effective, and he needed an item.

...

[Resurrection Right: During the daytime phase, if you encounter a death not caused by the nighttime phase, you may revive once. (Exchange price: 150 points)]

...

He now understood that these seemingly magical items in the shop were actually the result of word spirits. "Favorability Tip" was akin to the favorability system given to Bailian by the deity, "Clue Tip" was merely random information, and "Resurrection Right" was a disposable version of the undying word spirit.

The Tower, which he previously found incredibly mysterious, seemed particularly simple after everything was unmasked; its logic was clear and evident. Indeed, human fear only stems from the unknown.

...

[Question: Number 1, please verbally acknowledge your authority.]

[Question: Number 4, please describe in detail the human experiments you underwent as a child and your feelings at the time.]

[Action: Number 4 cuts off Number 1's arm.]

...

"Noel. Right arm." Su Ming'an directly extended his hand, speaking calmly.

Even if the injuries are recreated in reality, it's just a bionic body; he doesn't mind whether the arm is there or not. Considering the content of the Destiny Shadow Hall, he let Noel cut off his right arm, so it wouldn't be completely identical.

The five scenes of the Destiny Shadow Hall, already three have come true. But even if they did come true, it can only show the power of the Deity's Observation Authority.

Noel extended the puppet threads, briefly taking over Su Ming'an's body. As the blade fell, Su Ming'an didn't feel a trace of pain, yet Noel winced in pain until the sensation faded, and he returned the body to Su Ming'an.

Shadow remained silent, watching, making no move, and saying nothing.

"Please take care of Chang Ge. I know he's cold. Just a couple more days, and he won't be cold anymore." Su Ming'an said faintly, "Your story is also coming to an end."

Shadow smiled slightly, "Perhaps we will meet again."

Su Ming'an said, "Do you mean in the next Western Fantasy world? I'd rather not; I hope never to see you again."

Taking the "Resurrection Right," Su Ming'an didn't even glance at Shadow and walked directly into the passage. Others didn't dare look at Shadow either and bypassed Him. Only He was left alone, sitting in the empty grand hall, looking at the desolate twelve seats.

This game of The Third Tower did not unfold into the tumultuous betrayal drama He had hoped for, nor was Su Ming'an driven to a desperate situation by this identity battle. What's left in the end... is merely a happily-ever-after victory ending, and His shadow elongated by the candlelight.

No one anticipated the game He meticulously prepared.

Noel quietly caught up, whispering, "Why does Shadow have such a deep obsession with you?"

Su Ming'an glanced at Noel and softly said, "Can't you guess?"

... Can't you guess? The gold-black hair, the blue eyes, the ideology of the New World, the ideal of embracing High Dimensions.

You're so smart... Can't you guess who He is?

Noel blinked and smiled lightly, "Is it some Original from another world of mine? Anyway, it's not my future."

Su Ming'an said, "If it's The Original, it wouldn't have such a deep obsession with me. Unless... I resemble His true friend so much, He takes me as a true friend. Or maybe, at the very beginning... we were the same, who is the Original of whom? Or rather, does this concept of 'Original' genuinely exist? Maybe it has another term... 'Separation'?"

Noel paused, his blue eyes gazing at Su Ming'an.

"Even now, I still trust you. But Shadow's methods are highly effective; if He's pretending, then it's truly caused me unavoidable thoughts." Su Ming'an said.

"Your doubts are justified. If you've seen so many similarities and haven't had the slightest doubt, then you've been bewitched by me. I'm relieved you're very clear-minded." Noel said, "Including me, I've begun to doubt myself... what I might do in the future. Is there a massive Ouroboros we've yet to detect, propelling events to this stage? If I truly am the product of 'Separation'..."

He pressed his lips together.

"...It seems quite reasonable. I'm adopted, so I can't say I know myself completely, either."

Su Ming'an didn't speak.

"While maintaining trust, also keep your skepticism of me. Because even I have started doubting myself..." Noel bowed his head, "But I can assure you, at least until that unforeseeable moment arrives... I will always assist you. As long as I'm clear-headed, I can't possibly do what Shadow did."

A slight smile appeared on his lips.

The pure, clean blue rippled in his eyes:

"...Because we... are allies, after all."

It was as if they returned to the conversation in the amusement park Ferris wheel, where the blond youth assembled blocks, revealing a bright smile. Fireworks exploded outside the window, light and shadows ethereal, and the photo was frozen into eternity.

Su Ming'an clasped his hand briefly and then let go.

He always had a premonition of parting. For Noel, it was even more intense compared to Lv Shu and Yuanyuan. It was a feeling of... destined separation.

However, before that moment arrived, they were indeed... the most synchronized allies.

... just as long as that moment does not come.

...

Heavenly Era, year 75, Martial Heroes Age.

A black-haired young man, around eighteen or nineteen, clad in dark martial attire, sat with a horizontal blade upon the roof, like a shadow under the setting sun, resting with closed eyes.

On the street, a red-clad enchantress draped in scarlet glow and a white-clad heroine wielding a silver-white long sword. The two women met on the street, and in an instant, their aura was like the overturning of mountains and rivers.

"Zou Yuqing, the enchantress of the Demon Sect! Your death is at hand! Today, I shall avenge my third junior brother who died within our sect!" Jing He, the senior sister and head of the Sword Qi Sect, shouted.

"I'd like to see how you intend to take my head, with just your Third Rank pinnacle cultivation? You'd better bring your backing from the Royal Family; that might be slightly intimidating." A gentle laugh sounded like silver bells, as the enchantress's sword beam blazed like flames.

One's body technique was agile, red clothes fluttering, and sword moves were fierce and ruthless; the other's moves were light and graceful, white as snow, with sword techniques emerging endlessly. The spectators on the street held their breath as they witnessed the two's duel.

This era of Jianghu was filled with endless bullying and cruelty; every martial artist pursued the ultimate strength. While the strong dueled, passing heroes observed closely.

However, the black-clothed youth upon the roof was unaffected by the atmosphere, leaping down from the roof, away from the battlefield. If those on the street saw his light movements, they would certainly recognize... the cultivation of this youth might be no less than Fifth Rank.

In the current age, there's no shortage of talented extraordinary figures. But only a handful reach the Fifth Rank, and they're mostly great powers at eighty or ninety years old.

Given the youth's age, he's astonishingly extraordinary.

This youth... was terrifying indeed!

Just then, a youth ran from the end of the street. He sported a ponytail, and his lips were red and teeth white, clearly from a wealthy household.

"Father!" The youth shouted, running towards the black-clothed young man.

Su Ming'an watched Xiao Ying approach, recalling fourteen years ago.

In the Peach Blossom Forest, Xiao Ying had pleaded desperately, asking what he must do to atone. And Su Ming'an casually replied:

"Xiao Ying, you're not driven by a desire for atonement but by your obsession with goodness. Without me, all your life ideals would collapse. The root cause is that your life is too impoverished, your faith too noble, bringing you to this extreme despair."

Xiao Ying stared at him blankly.

"You're merely in desperate need of someone to speak words of redemption to you. Yet, the tens of thousands of lives you've saved, the decades you labored for Yuanyuan and me, might, in the eyes of the world, be enough to offset your past sins." Su Ming'an said, "If I were to tell you now that I don't care, what would you think?"

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