The wisteria hung low, and by the intricately carved small round table in purple and gold, a white and a purple figure sat opposite each other, separated by the aroma of tea wafting up.

"Sique, did you change his possession target?" said the white figure on the left.

"Yeah, was it fun?" said the purple figure on the right, with laughter in their voice.

"This isn't fun. Originally, I had already written a script meant to unfold in Luowasha, where Su Ming'an was set as the male protagonist, giving him the savior identity of the Rin Clan, making the whole world admire and follow him... It was a very good starting point. I even prepared six companions for a potential HE: Xi Li, Wu Yi, Hui Bei, Qianqin, Qi Zhou, Xiao Bai. Each of them has experienced moving stories, such touching character plots waiting for him to explore." The white figure said:

"I can almost see the future twenty-five days from now... Su Ming'an defeats the outer realm civilizations all the way, seals the god of doom, he will witness touching epics, unavoidable sorrows, indestructible ideals, and the night before dawn, finally succeeding in saving Luowasha. In their words, how to say it - yes, [let the white bird see the spring, let the dead nightingale rest in the sea of flowers, sweep away the harsh winter, let spring come]... That is the correct storyline of Luowasha!"

"...Hah." The purple figure chuckled at this.

The white figure said, "Yet you turned him into a jellyfish that only knows 'bo-bo-bo-gee-gee-gee', from the start till now, I don't know what he's doing, chased by the Celestial Clan, pursued by the Dragon Emperor, hunted by the Elf King, followed by the Blood Prince, pursued by the Master of Abyss... and finally chased by Xiao Bai. Do you really think such a game route fits the needs of the World Game, are you sure such a boring and barren story can achieve a perfect pass?"

"I like watching it."

"Since when did your taste become so low, Sique? Compared to his epic story as a Rin Clan savior, you actually like watching this jellyfish tale of eating here and there?"

"I like watching it."

"...I almost forgot, you always did like being eaten."

"Forgive my impertinence, may I ask a question, apologizing in advance for my words."

"Speak."

"Since you've set Su Ming'an as the male protagonist, can you tell me who the female protagonist is? So I can judge your taste."

"...Mizushima Kawa Sora."

"Pfft... Ha, hahaha, hahahaha—" The purple figure laughed, trembling, nearly spilling the red tea from their cup, leaning their body on the tea table, back arched into a curve: "Forgive my impertinence, before questioning others' tastes, reflect on your own. Admittedly, this is the worst taste I've heard in the past decade."

"...What's wrong with her? She's quite good in terms of strength and wisdom, though lacking a bit in character. But that's no big deal, as long as the hatred between them is dispelled, it largely complies with the balancing principle."

"That's why I said, this balancing principle should have been discarded long ago, look at what you've paired up, it's not even as likable as pairing Edward with a dog, I'd have a bit more respect for you."

"...Presumptuous. I have yet to hold you accountable for changing Su Ming'an's initial identity."

"I like watching the jellyfish story of eating, not the Rin Clan's savior epic, I'm tired of those epics. Look, just for this simple reason, what other answer do you want? Or, would you like to arrest me and use harsh interrogation? Unfortunately, you won't find me anywhere but in dreams."

"..."

"If you have nothing to say, then I'll kindly ask you to leave my dream. My tea is reserved for entertaining guests of interest to me, not to entertain the leaves of large trees."

"...Wait a moment." The white figure stood up: "How's [that thing] coming along?"

"Don't rush, rushing won't change the progress." The purple figure yawned, beckoning with a finger: "Either give me some inspiration or some top-grade tea leaves, or don't rush me. Understand?"

"As soon as possible, for now, Luowasha can only rely on [Twelve Stories] for maintaining basic operations."

"Talking with you is truly tiresome, we're not in a superior-subordinate relationship." The purple figure said: "Speaking of which... since it's already set that Su Ming'an can't be a Rin Clan, what are you planning to do?"

"Kill him, let him reincarnate as a Rin Clan, everything will be back on track. You can treat it like the little episode of him possessing a jellyfish never happened." The white figure said calmly.

"What if, you fail to kill him?" The purple figure's tone rose at the end.

"That would be the most suitable future for Luowasha, since he cannot be the protagonist, then we change. There always has to be a protagonist."

"Ah... that would be no fun." The purple figure held their chin: "To watch Su Ming'an's savior epic or Mizushima Kawa Sora's savior epic, I'd certainly prefer to watch the former."

"She's not the only one, she's just one of the backup candidates for the protagonist."

"Oh, that's very interesting." The purple figure seemed intrigued, drawing circles on the cup wall with a finger: "Witch Beiwang facing the Church's flames, saving the world as a witch. Ancient Divine Beast Noel breaking free from the Mechanical Master's bondage, transforming into an immortal being, saving the world as a Divine Beast. A Swordsman traveling the world, Yuanyuan, with just one sword, saving the world as an Easterner... they could also make excellent protagonists, I'm starting to look forward to the next twenty-plus days."

Silence lasted for a while until the white figure spoke:

"You judge everything by whether it's exciting, but I only seek the maximization of success rates. If Su Ming'an can reincarnate as a Rin Clan, I would still favor him as Luowasha's protagonist."

"...Hmph. Unfortunately, I will not let you succeed. Su Ming'an is now just a jellyfish and won't participate in your main storyline anymore, you'd better worry about how he will disrupt your script, plunging Luowasha into chaos."

"In that case, he would stand in opposition to me and the new protagonist — then he would be the [villain]."

"From savior to demon king... what a fascinating subject."

"This goes against his true nature. He should be saving the world, not becoming a demon king."

"Really? If your plan is considered saving the world, then perhaps this world is better left unsaved. I will have Su Ming'an write his own story, you keep focusing on your grand and righteous main storyline, letting your newly chosen protagonist shine, while Su Ming'an and I, the two of us as these[abolished protagonist title villains], will just be a jellyfish going 'bo-bo-bo-gee-gee-gee'."

"Foolish."

"You are wise."

"You will regret this, Sique."

"I plucked Su Ming'an off your ship and tied him to mine. Now both Su Ming'an and I are [villains], consider for yourself how to ensure the smooth progress of your main storyline. The new protagonist must at least possess half of Su Ming'an's comprehensive capabilities to sufficiently[as a Rin Clan, lead Luowasha to resist outer realm civilizations, seal the god of doom, stop the demonization crisis, and lead Luowasha to prosperity]... such a future, becoming a beloved savior."

"If the new protagonist cannot bear this savior's pressure, fails to resist the alien civilizations, and stop the demonization crisis... and the world is destroyed that day, the blame will be yours."

"Such a heavy accusation, I dare not bear it. If Su Ming'an must be the protagonist to save the world, it proves there is a problem with your planned future. Now I've only extracted him alone, and let me see your brilliance."

"Foolish."

"No new words? In that case, I must ask you to leave my tea party in the dream. Three, two, one—"

A radiance emerged, and the white figure gradually faded away.

The fragrance of tea lingered, Sique propped on the table, smiling at the departing white figure:

"Farewell, I hope the next time we meet, such as I[the villain] won't have been killed by[the new protagonist]in the name of justice. I'm quite eager to know who your chosen[new protagonist]is. Though I believe, it's hard for anyone to compare to Su Ming'an."

"Goodbye, our conversation was very unpleasant."

"Mu Team."

...

"Swish!"

A crystal-like blade grazed past his face, piercing into the wall, and in an instant, the entire hall began to collapse.

Amidst the dancing tongues of fire, two figures flew out from the smoke.

They tore through the mist like an arrow, their figures trailing a long streak of gray-black smoke.

Su Ming'an pressed the cross-hilt of the sword with one hand, gripping the pommel tightly with the other. A mere five inches away was the pink-haired girl's hand, akin to molten lava. He had no support beneath him, relying solely on the force of the girl's upward thrust.

"Don't become the [villain]. Please let me kill you, reincarnate as the Rin Clan, and become the [protagonist]." Her voice was icy, as if just reciting lines by routine.

"I was thinking, if at the beginning among the six, I had chosen you. Would you now show me some mercy?" Su Ming'an gasped for breath.

He really wanted to say, "Even if I die, I won't become the Rin Clan!" But Xiao Bai was destined not to understand.

"Mercy?" Upon hearing this word, she tilted her head, a kind of inorganic confusion on her face: "Unfortunately, I'm sorry to tell you, I have no 'favorability'."

"No favorability doesn't mean no feelings. The evaluation of the World Game does not represent a person's free will. I've seen people without favorability, yet they still showed mercy." Su Ming'an was surrounded by a surge of Cross Light.

With a flash of space light, he landed on the treetop.

At the same time, on Xiao Bai's forehead, a hexagonal star mark flickered.

...

[BOSS battle has been initiated.]

[NPC (Xiao Bai) comprehensive combat power: 7999+]

[Win probability: 0.68%]

...

...Ah.

This is troubling. This should be the combat power of a second-level god.

He has the Noah's Chain, but it can only deflect an attack once. He has Su Wensheng's Black Earrings, but transforming in this situation is useless. He has the Otherworldly Notes of the Knight of Light, but ten seconds of invincibility is not enough for a counterattack. He has Pioneer Immortality, but even playing dead would leave him crushed to dust...

If he summons the Fun Demon, it would be the third time, and if the price is something he cannot afford...

The blazing light of fire rushed towards him like a ferocious beast, determined to devour all his flesh and bones. Su Ming'an began to contemplate whether, if completely consumed by fire, his consciousness would transfer to the clone, or if he would reincarnate as the Rin Clan—there was a judgment issue at hand: does the World Game take precedence, or does the World Tree?

But before he could think it through, he felt a gust of cold wind.

"Ding—"

Hair white as snow.

A soft touch brushed against his cheek, it was the girl's white hair drifting, like snow about to melt.

In the blink of an eye, he first saw the snow-white fox ears on her head, then her arms sprouting white fur—she raised her hands high, forming an ice surface which blocked the fire.

Crack, crack, crack...

The ice surface she formed could not withstand the scorching fire and was about to shatter. Nine large white tails wrapped around Su Ming'an like rolling up a biscuit, and she darted out quickly on all fours.

Clack, clack, clack.

The once white and slender hands gradually turned into beastly paws, her white long skirt had become a hindrance, shattering into flying snow as she ran, revealing a snow-white and pure beautiful white fox.

Nine fluffy large tails wrapped around him, letting him lean against her back.

The scenery on both sides retreated rapidly, one tail rising and wrapping from behind Su Ming'an in front of him, indicating for him to hold on against the wind.

"...Xi Li. You're actually a white fox?" Su Ming'an said in astonishment. It turns out the Rin Clan was just an identity, not a race.

"Yes. I'll take you away."

A non-human voice came from her throat, maybe running consumed too much energy, her voice was very light.

Her big tail curled, bringing the tip closer to Su Ming'an's face, as if instinctively wanting to nuzzle.

With a fluffy big tail enveloping him, Su Ming'an immediately turned his head, his face itching.

He glanced back, seeing a scorching sea of fire—the flames had set the forest ablaze, but Xiao Bai did not follow, instead observing from the air.

"The white fox has a concealed ability, it's my talent, as long as we're in the forest, she won't find us quickly." Xi Li's voice was stuttering, this seemed to be a downside of beastification.

"This forest, I remember it's not large." Su Ming'an frowned. This was just a green forest, unable to seek help from any race.

"It's okay." Xi Li's broken voice floated over: "I will...protect...you."

"Why?" It seemed like they hadn't accrued much favorability between them.

"Because...in the beginning, you came to me." Xi Li said.

That's all it was.

At the beginning, in the waiting area for the disciple game, Su Ming'an came to her.

"Besides, you'll become the [villain], and I'm the previous generation Rin Clan meant to be exterminated...seems to fit the balancing principle." Xi Li said.

...Again with this principle.

Su Ming'an almost wanted to laugh, but when he realized that everyone in Luowasha held this belief firmly, he couldn't laugh.

"Also." She seemed to want to add something, a flash of confusion in her eyes:

"You feel familiar to me...did we know each other before?"

Thinking of her white hair, Su Ming'an's heartbeat nearly stopped for half a beat, after careful consideration, he cautiously answered: "I hope we didn't know each other before."

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