The warm yellow lights lit up one by one, as the boundless blue sea in the distance submerged into the sky.

Students with backpacks rode bicycles past the boulevard, young couples kissed under the lights; everything was no different from a normal school... except for the occasional horns and tails they sprouted.

Su Ming'an and his companions walked in the fragrance of gardenias, with clusters of white flowers adorning the branches.

"No new memory clips appeared, could it be that the daily plot is not appealing anymore? Perhaps the World Tree prefers melodramatic plots, like that rich young master just now." Hui Bei mused, stroking his chin, "The World Tree's preferences can change. Sometimes when it's tired, it likes mindless stories. Other times when it's bored, it prefers something with depth. Recently, it seems to be in a mood for mindless melodrama plots."

"...The World Tree certainly has its own ideas," Su Ming'an said. He wasn't clear about the essence of the World Tree, but the generally accepted view in Luowasha was that—the World Tree was the incarnation of Supreme Lord Toso Lius.

He suddenly realized that the rich young master from earlier likely wasn't inherently like that, but had chosen the 'villainous brainless rich young master' persona. It was to play this role that the rich young man came to cause trouble for Su Ming'an, putting on such an annoying face.

In this world, everyone has their own logic of action. Even melodramatic villains have their own reasons, there is no hatred without reason, nor love without cause.

If something only had black and white aspects, with no wavering gray area, it must be that people cannot see it, rather than it not existing.

"I have a question, Hui Bei," Su Ming'an thought for a moment, "These past few hours, we've been emphasizing my stereotypical image as a 'student.' You also stressed earlier that only by forming our own stereotypical image can we become stronger."

"But a real person cannot only have a stereotypical image. His or her 'persona' also cannot be uniform. This does not align with reality. Like the kind of person you described earlier, someone who is both gentle and cold, mature and childish, it sounds logically self-contradictory and messy, but I really know someone like that, they do exist."

Hui Bei listened, his smile slightly fading, his tone becoming solemn: "This is not important."

"What?" Su Ming'an looked up.

Hui Bei walked in front, his golden hair slightly swayed, filled with a radiant golden glow, and he just repeated:

"...This is not important."

Su Ming'an seemed to understand something.

"In reality, this kind of person might exist, but in the eyes of the World Tree, such a person is ooc (out of character)," Hui Bei said:

"The World Tree doesn't care if a person changes, it will only identify and continuously deepen this single stereotypical image. If someone is cold-hearted, then their core must be cold-hearted, if deviated, it's a deduction, it's 'illogical,' it's self-contradictory."

"To you, saving Luowasha is your responsibility, but if one day you suddenly don't want to save it anymore, it seems like it's ooc. But is there truly a possibility... that you genuinely don't want to save it?"

Su Ming'an opened his mouth; he wanted to say that such a possibility doesn't exist, but hesitated when he remembered the card he drew [SSR·Mirror Su Ming'an].

"The World Tree believes that everyone has their logical foundation, and once violated, it becomes illogical. As creators, we can only conform to this mindset. And the safest and simplest method is to continuously deepen each character's stereotypical image: mention someone, and think 'mature,' cannot think 'childish.' Mention someone, and think 'cold-hearted,' cannot think 'gentle.' Only by continuously deepening this single stereotypical image can we ensure that the stories we create won't generate controversy."

"If a character is both childish and mature, both gentle and cold, it can easily make people feel that the writing is off-track, even if such people truly exist in reality."

"So while stereotypes may indeed be bad, they are not important."

"No one cares about stories without stereotypes, do you understand?"

Hui Bei's words were filled with wisdom that would benefit every student hearing them. He was breaking it down to teach Su Ming'an how to write a high-scoring story.

Su Ming'an was silent, neither confirming nor denying.

"If we can't make it, we might have to leave the campus and try to obtain the memory clips from more dangerous places," Pudding said worriedly, "But if we leave here, I'm not sure I can cover up the scent of Olivius on you..."

Just then.

Exclamations arose around, and the students looked up, gazing at the sky.

"—What is that?"

"—Oh my god, it's... it's a dragon!"

"—Is it the legendary Dragon Knight? Even in the Eastern Mysterious Country, such a high-class race is extremely rare..."

Su Ming'an looked up.

In the deep night, a glimmer of golden light appeared.

A dragon with crystal-like scales, bearing two claws, wings sharp like golden bat wings, with eyes burning like flames, appeared in the high heavens. The dragon's body was long and sleek like a drawn sword, its claw tips gleaming with a mirror-like cold light.

—A dragon?

No, it should be a high-bloodline Dragon Descendant.

Su Ming'an thought it was coming to eat him, but the dragon's eyes flickered for a moment, then its body suddenly shrank, turning into a streak of golden light and falling into the campus.

Soon after, a hand caught the dragon. It belonged to a black-haired youth with golden eyes that held a cutting edge like the Dragon Descendants themselves. He descended from the sky, surrounded by swirling golden light.

There was no need to look at the facial features, just from the brightness, Su Ming'an roughly knew who it was.

"The Dragon Knight visiting Samantri University, is it for..." A white-haired, white-bearded elder came to greet, indicating the youth to come to the reception room.

The youth waved his hand, pointing from afar, and said lightly, "I'm looking for him."

In an instant, Su Ming'an by the roadside became the center for all students.

"Shush!" Hui Bei drew his sword vigilantly.

Seeing that a fight was about to start, people instantly retreated far away. This was a Dragon Knight; the collateral damage would be significant if a fight broke out.

The elder slightly furrowed his brow, courteously saying, "You're looking for our student, is it for..."

Su Rin moved, transforming into a streak of golden light, striking toward Su Ming'an.

"—To fight."

Cross Light soared, and a transparent barrier arose out of thin air. However, Su Rin's momentum did not diminish, and with a snapping sound, a golden palm seal landed on the spatial barrier, shattering it like glass the next second.

A buzzing explosion resounded, scattering countless transparent fragments into the air, vanishing quickly.

The air seemed to have invisible large hands reaching from the shadows, which suddenly clenched—

"Boom—!!"

The air wailed, the ground cracked, and Hui Bei was pulled several steps away by the shockwave.

He looked in shock at Su Ming'an standing in front, Su Ming'an's white hair was flowing, golden eyes sharp, his palm extended forward, with invisible wave-like ripples gathered at his palm, producing such a terrifying spatial shockwave.

"This child... is terrifying as this!" People couldn't help but shout.

"For a Dragon Knight to enter our school like this, freely attacking students, does he truly think Samantri University has no Great Emperor!"

After one exchange, Su Ming'an fought while retreating. Su Rin, like a sharp golden light, closely pursued him.

Thirty seconds later, the crowd could no longer see the two figures.

Hui Bei wanted to chase after, but felt powerless; his chest still resonated with the shockwave, leaving him on the verge of coughing up blood.

"I can't do anything..." He half-knelt, gazing at the backs disappearing in the distance, clenching his fists:

"I can't do anything..."

...

At the same time, in the dense forest of the school.

Seeing no one was following, Su Ming'an stopped the spatial displacement.

The next second, Su Rin appeared in front of him, all the might had dissipated.

"...Completed the mission?" Su Rin asked.

"Completed." Su Ming'an nodded. Whether it's the "2000-word story" or "engage in a battle", both were completed with Su Rin's action.

"Yes, you becoming a D-level creator will also assist me in the [Game Day]." Su Rin said indifferently.

"..." Su Ming'an flipped open the book.

The newly acquired two clips — "Liujin's first encounter with the heroine, and Samantri enjoying life" and "Don't bully the jellyfish" were placed into the fifth and sixth pages of the book.

"Su Rin, do you read novels normally? Do you write?" Su Ming'an suddenly asked. Now that Yuanyuan wasn't around, he might as well ask Su Rin for advice. Having someone experienced nearby is like having a treasure; Su Rin had lived for so long, he should know a bit, right?

"I know a little; I've watched ten thousand scenes of Pulaya plays." Su Rin answered humbly.

"Then help me see how to artistically enhance it…" Su Ming'an lowered his head.

After a round of discussions, the story enhanced with Su Rin's assistance was completed.

...

[The sunset was like blood, the afterglow spilled.]

[The cafeteria was brightly lit, students were chatting and having dinner together.]

[Suddenly, a young man with a shoehorn face strode into the cafeteria, looking at Liujin with disdain, sneering: "What a motley crew, entertaining themselves with such vulgar food." As soon as he spoke, the atmosphere around solidified.]

[Liujin, upon hearing this, simply smiled slightly and replied calmly: "Though I have fallen to this, I was once the Old God Asasto, wielding the power of dawn, leading the fire of wasteland, both the lord of Pulaya Cloud City and the envoy of fate and judgment. Today, though I eat humble food, I can still find the ambition in the storm."]

[These words, akin to thunder in the ear, instantly made the young man's face turn pale, as if in mourning, embarrassed, and he quickly retreated.]

[However, as Liujin stepped out of the cafeteria, just feeling slightly relaxed, suddenly saw a Dragon Knight, imposing with extraordinary beauty, descended from the sky, pointing his sword at Liujin aggressively without even speaking.]

[The two clashed swords, Liujin knew this person was exceptional, fighting stubbornly, knowing deep down it would be difficult to win. Thus, battling while retreating, seeking an opportunity to break through...]

...

Although this story had numerous critiques, with even Su Rin adding personal touches, Su Ming'an had nothing to change.

He found that not only Hui Bai, but even Hui Bei did not appear in the story. It was as if the World Tree deliberately ignored Hui Bei, not acknowledging Hui Bei's existence. Even though Hui Bei put in efforts, still no name in the story.

"By the way, on your way here, do you know Noel's whereabouts?" Su Ming'an asked.

"Not sure. I don't deliberately inquire about others' matters." Su Rin said:

"He's not an unreliable person, possibly on the way."

...

Central Laboratory.

"Gurgle gurgle..."

A spiritual body, half of its figure grown, soaking in a nourishment tank. Beautiful golden hair floats in the water, like wet bird feathers. Noel had his eyes closed, seemingly still asleep.

The blue Mechanical Man finished today's records, staring longingly at Noel in the nourishment tank.

"...You are so beautiful, the legendary ancient creature." The blue Mechanical Man murmured:

"Once you are fully grown, the leader will surely eat you."

"How I wish you could survive, you would be perfect, this is a researcher's expectation for life... But I'm ultimately just a little Mechanical Man, unable to save you."

Noel in the nourishment tank remained motionless.

With one last longing glance, the blue Mechanical Man left.

Suddenly, Noel opened his eyes, bright red color slightly swaying in his ocean-like eyes, like flames.

...

"Ding dong!"

[[Game Day] will begin in half an hour, countdown starts—]

[Players, please prepare in the healthiest state.]

[The final winner will gain supreme power and the Supreme Lord's attention.]

[Welcome everyone to — the bloody slaughter world.]

...

Noel looked at his transparent body, where there was already a black card — the invitation to [Game Day]. This invitation appeared out of thin air beside him.

The invitation was square and sharp-edged, like a Black Card.

...

Meanwhile.

According to Pudding's arrangement, Su Ming'an walked into tonight's last role-play venue to perfect his [student] persona.

A room filled with steam and fragrance—

A coffee shop.

Su Ming'an didn't understand why Pudding chose a coffee shop for the last venue; during university, he rarely entered a coffee shop, usually just occasionally drinking some milk tea. Does this have any meaning for his student role-play? Could he trigger some plot in the coffee shop?

"Ding dang, ding dang."

The curtain lifts, the bell rings softly, the night wind sways, Su Ming'an, filled with doubts, slowly steps into the coffee shop.

The table blooms with flowers. Large swaths of golden light fall on the table, feeling warm and soft.

Jar after jar of dark brown coffee beans sits on the coffee counter, the edges glimmering golden, an ancient wall clock ticks, a rich aroma of hand-ground coffee wafting from the bar. Since it's late, the coffee shop has few people, only one guest.

A red-haired woman, smiling, sat at the coffee table, her long hair like curled rose petals, her gaze gentle, looking at Su Ming'an, as if she had been waiting for a long time.

Her fingers,

— spinning a black card.

"Mr. Su." As Su Ming'an sat down, the red-haired woman smiled and extended a hand, saying kindly:

...

"Mr. Su."

"—We would like to invite you to participate in a true-person game."

...

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