The Diary of a Renter

116. Devourer of Rules

Deep within the slumbering corridor, a colossal net composed of malicious code and chains of rules, carrying a terrifying aura that eroded existence itself, descended upon Jiang Yu. Wherever it passed, it caused not simple energy shocks, but rather the spatial structure groaning under its strain, the causal lines slightly distorted, as if even the fact that "Jiang Yu exists here" was being questioned.

This is an attack at the rule level. It far surpasses any previous physical combat.

Jiang Yu's pupils contracted sharply as she pushed the power of the Source Key and the "Dust of Time" to their limits. The silver spear did not thrust straight at her, but instead traced a mysterious trajectory in the air, imbued with the rhythm of time. The spear tip trembled, each tremor striking the most vulnerable node in the giant network structure.

Sizzle—sizzle—sizzle—!

It wasn't the clang of metal on metal, but rather countless subtle, sharp hissing sounds, like data streams being forcibly altered or deleted. Where the silver spear collided with the giant net of rules, eerie sparks erupted, constantly shifting in color, like a shattered screen.

Jiang Yu felt the energy spear in his hand tremble violently, and the Source Key felt like it was being repeatedly gnawed by countless tiny serrations! This "narrative termite" was frantically analyzing, copying, and trying to distort the essence of his power.

"It's no use, your 'narrative' has been marked and will eventually be 'overwritten'!" That sharp mental thought struck Jiang Yu's mind once again.

"My narrative, I will write myself!" Jiang Yu roared, forcibly calming his mind and sinking his consciousness into the deepest resonance with the Source Key. He recalled the lights of the endless corridor, the smiles of his companions, the steadfast figure of the rock, Annie's innocent eyes... These real emotions and memories transformed into the most unwavering torrent of will, flowing into the silver spear.

Buzz!

The spear shone brightly, and the faint images of the Tree of Hope, the patterns of the giant shield, and the starlight of Shirin appeared on its body... These images, originating from "home," formed the strongest barrier against nothingness and alteration.

Click!

The vast net of rules was torn open by this strike containing "real" power. Jiang Yu moved like lightning, passing through the crack, his spear piercing straight into the core of the dark purple light—the writhing phantom of a key.

117. Resonance of Life

Meanwhile, the battle was equally fierce under the Tree of Hope.

Dozens of shadowy tentacles bombarded the energy barrier that the rock had constructed with its will with a frenzied frenzy. With each impact, the barrier shook violently, and its light dimmed a little. Blood seeped from the seven orifices of the young rock, and the wound on his left arm turned an ominous pitch black, frantically devouring his life force, but his feet seemed rooted to the spot, firmly planted in place, and the giant shield did not retreat an inch.

"Rock, hold on!" The doctor pushed the healing aura to its limit, barely managing to keep Rock alive.

"The node energy is weakening, Jiang Yu has succeeded!" Fox shouted, his eyes fixed on the data stream.

The purifying aura of the administrator grandfather and the light of the Tree of Hope intertwined, struggling to resist the aftershocks of the information storm and protecting the comatose Annie.

Just then, the abnormal energy within Annie's body seemed to become extremely unstable due to the injury to her body, and began to backfire on her life essence. Annie's face instantly lost its color, and her breath rapidly weakened.

"Oh no!" The doctor's expression changed drastically.

At this critical moment—

Buzz...

The Tree of Hope seemed to sense this most fundamental life crisis. The core on its trunk, evolved from the "Seed of the World," suddenly emitted an unprecedentedly warm light. This light was not an attack, but rather a primal resonance of life.

The light enveloped Annie, but instead of forcibly expelling the abnormal energy within her, it gently guided and integrated it into its own vast life force in a way that was inclusive, soothing, and even... "assimilated".

Faced with the overwhelming vitality of the Tree of Hope, the abnormal energy was like ink dripping into the ocean; though it struggled, it was quickly diluted and transformed. Annie's complexion visibly regained its rosy hue, and her breathing became steady and long.

"It's a success! The Tree of Hope is purifying her!" the doctor exclaimed in delight.

With Annie, the "living node," being purified, the intensity of the entire information storm suddenly weakened. The shadowy tentacles that had been attacking the rock also became noticeably sluggish and illusory.

The rock, whose pressure had suddenly eased, could no longer hold on. It knelt on one knee, using its giant shield to support its body, panting heavily, but its eyes were filled with hope.

118. Causal Reversal

Within the slumbering corridor, Jiang Yu's silver spear, carrying the "existence imprint" of all the residents of the endless corridor and the vitality resonance of the Tree of Hope, precisely pierced the core of the constantly writhing phantom key.

Clang—!

A sharp, soul-shaking explosion resounded, as if billions of rules had shattered simultaneously.

The dark purple orb of light twisted, contracted, and expanded violently, emitting a silent shriek filled with resentment and madness.

"No!!! The narrative... will eventually... come to an abrupt halt."

Smash!

The phantom of the key shattered completely, turning into countless scattered, lifeless fragments of dark purple data streams.

Immediately afterwards, the entire ball of light seemed to have its core removed, instantly collapsing and annihilating, eventually disappearing without a trace, leaving only a space that had been violently disturbed and then slowly calmed down.

It worked?!

Jiang Yu knelt on one knee, the light of his Source Key dimmed to its lowest point, and he felt completely exhausted. But he dared not be careless and focused all his energy on sensing his surroundings.

Just when he thought it was all over—

Buzz!

A vast, cold, and absolutely rational thought descended without warning, like an invisible tide! This thought did not come from the "narrative parasites," but from a higher, more distant, and incomprehensible level of existence!

Is it Xuan Tongjun?! Or... the "observer" behind him?

This thought swept over Jiang Yu, over the fragmented data remnants, as if recording and evaluating the results of this "test." There was no anger, no praise, only a suffocating, absolute indifference.

Immediately, the thought receded like a tide and vanished without a trace.

But just before it disappeared, a subtle yet incredibly clear stream of information, seemingly imprinted directly on the rules themselves, forcibly entered Jiang Yu's perception:

[Narrative Unit: No. 734 (The Endless Corridor and its Related Time and Space)]

[Test Item: Resistance to High-Dimensional Information Pollution and Narrative Self-Healing Ability]

Test result: Pass (deviation value below threshold)

[Note: A high-potential "narrative variable" (individual: Jiang Yu) was detected. It has been included in the long-term observation sequence.]

[The prototype of the "narrative parasite"... has been recovered. This observation period has ended.]

Jiang Yu was struck dumb, standing there stunned.

So... all of this, from beginning to end, was really just a... test? A ruthless "stress test" from those in higher positions? And all their pain, struggles, and sacrifices were, in their eyes, just a set of... data?

An indescribable chill and anger swept over his entire body.

119. Scars and New Life

When Jiang Yu dragged her exhausted body back to the Tree of Hope, the crisis had already passed.

The information storm had completely subsided, and the eerie shadows had vanished. The corridor returned to its former tranquility, though a lingering sense of relief remained in the air.

Annie has awakened under the light of the Tree of Hope. Though weak, she is fine and is being gently held by Shirin. The fox and the doctor are supporting the nearly exhausted Grandpa the administrator. Uncle Bloodaxe and Zero are comforting the frightened residents and repairing the damaged facilities.

The young Rock rested against his massive shield. The dark scar on his left arm had faded considerably, but it remained clearly visible, like an eternal mark of honor. His face bore the marks of weariness, yet also a resolute calm that came from having survived the baptism of life and death.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Jiang Yu return, their eyes filled with gratitude and joy.

Jiang Yu watched all this, his heart filled with mixed emotions. They had won, they had protected their homeland. But the last message left by Xuan Tongjun, and the "observation" from that higher being, weighed heavily on his heart like a block of ice.

The enemy may have retreated temporarily, but a greater shadow has already fallen. The world they live in seems to be nothing more than an "experiment" in the eyes of some enormous being.

“Administrator,” the young Rock seemed to sense something, slowly waking up. Seeing Jiang Yu, he gave a tired but sincere smile, “We… held on.”

Looking at the rock and at her companions who had survived the ordeal, Jiang Yu felt a surge of warmth dispel the coldness in her heart.

Regardless of what challenges lie ahead, and regardless of whether they are being "observed," at this moment, they are truly alive, protecting each other.

That's enough.

"Yes, we held on." Jiang Yu stepped forward, patted Pan Shi on the shoulder, glanced at everyone, and finally looked at the warm and peaceful Tree of Hope. She said softly, "Rest well. The road ahead... may still be long."

But as long as we're together, nothing is impossible.

120. Whispers of the Stars

The endless corridor returned to its former order. The light of the Tree of Hope was as warm as ever, and children's laughter echoed again along the fairytale path. Uncle Bloodaxe's oven once again emitted a reassuring aroma, and Zero's spatial jumps still occasionally caused some harmless little jokes.

On the surface, everything seems to be back on track.

But Jiang Yu knew that some things had changed forever.

The faded yet indelible gray-white scar on the young Pan Shi's left arm was like an eternal medal, a silent warning, constantly reminding him of the calamity stemming from a temporal distortion. As for Jiang Yu himself, the crack in the Source Key on his chest was slowly healing, but deeper still, the wisp of "Dust of Time" originating from Xuan Tongjun was like a silent brand, deeply embedded in the depths of his soul, subtly resonating with the pulsation of the Source Key.

It is not only a remnant of power, but also a one-way, faint line, the other end of which connects to the transcendent and experimental Wan Jie Li Ran Xuan Tong Jun.

Late at night, Jiang Yu sat alone on the edge of the Starry Terrace, gazing at the endless void. The starlight woven by Xilin flowed gently, yet it could not dispel the chill in his heart. The forbidden files of his grandfather, the administrator; the tragic state of the future's collapse; the pain of Annie being transformed into a node; the barrier built by the burning will of the rock; and finally, that chilling [observation result]... scene after scene replayed in his mind.

"Stress test... Observation sequence... Narrative variables..."

These words, like cold needles, pierced his understanding of "home" and "protection." Was everything he cherished truly just a set of data to be manipulated at will in the eyes of some higher being? Were their joys and sorrows, their struggles for life and death, merely a meticulously orchestrated drama?

I'm not reconciled.

This emotion burned like a smoldering fire in his heart. He couldn't accept that his and his companions' existence was defined in this way. He needed answers, at the very least, he needed a conversation.

He closed his eyes, his consciousness slowly sinking into the Source Key. This time, he wasn't mobilizing power, but carefully sensing that wisp of "Dust of Time." It was like a tiny, multifaceted crystal, containing an extremely complex and ever-changing rhythm of time within. Xuan Tongjun had once said that this was both a "token of faith" and "travel expenses."

Perhaps, it is also... a doorbell?

Jiang Yu gathered all his spiritual power, not to command or drive, but with a sense of exploration, like gently knocking on a door, lightly touching that wisp of "dust of time". He transformed his confusion, resentment, and a trace of barely perceptible anger into the purest wave of thought, transmitting it along that invisible line.

There is no specific direction, no demand for a response; it is merely an attempt, a questioning that exists when a tiny individual faces the vast unknown.

Time passed slowly, the void was silent, only the starlight flowed. Just when Jiang Yu thought this attempt was destined to fail and was about to give up—

Buzz...

A faint, clear, trembling sound, seemingly coming from the ends of the universe, resounded directly in the depths of his consciousness.

It wasn't a sound, but more like a ripple of regularity.

Then, he "saw"—not with his eyes, but on a conscious level—the starry sky before him seemed to have been wiped away by an invisible hand, replaced by a boundless ocean composed of countless flowing clock runes and the light of stars coming and going. At the center of this "ocean," a hazy figure, dressed in a moon-white robe and adorned with dark cloud patterns, stood with his back to him, "gazing" at a distant, ceaselessly flowing, multi-branched river of light—which seemed to be a personification of countless timelines.

It was Xuan Tongjun; he actually responded.

"The dust that disturbs the order of time... why knock on the door of silence?" Xuan Tongjun's voice rang out directly, still gentle and peaceful, yet carrying a sense of alienation that transcended billions of light-years. He did not turn around, as if Jiang Yu's consciousness was merely a speck of dust that had accidentally drifted into his field of vision.

Jiang Yu steadied herself and conveyed her thoughts: "I just want to ask, is everything we've experienced, our existence, really... meaningless to you? Just... data?"

Xuan Tongjun's figure seemed to move slightly. He still didn't turn around, but in the distant river of time, several tiny tributaries seemed to be moved by his gaze, undergoing a barely perceptible deflection.

“Meaning?” Xuan Tongjun’s tone seemed to carry a very faint fluctuation, similar to “curiosity”. “What is the meaning of the ebb and flow of the tide on the beach? What is the meaning of the explosion and extinguishing of stars in the night sky? Meaning is a subjective mapping that is limited to a specific dimension and time scale.

"For me, observation is existence. The flow of data, the evolution of narrative, and the expansion of the boundaries of possibility are the 'meaning' itself. Your joys and sorrows, your struggles and defenses are the most... vivid variables that constitute this grand narrative. I have never denied its 'existence,' but rather, from a higher dimension, I 'appreciate' its evolution."

His words were cold and detached, but Jiang Yu keenly caught the word "vivid." This seemed...not entirely indifferent?

"So, our pain, our sacrifice, are just a... performance worth 'appreciating' to you?" Jiang Yu's thoughts were filled with suppressed anger.

"A performance?" Xuan Tongjun finally turned around slowly, his glassy eyes piercing through countless dimensions, seemingly looking directly into the depths of Jiang Yu's consciousness. There was no joy or anger in his gaze, only a profound insight that seemed to see through everything.

“If it were merely a performance, why would I have given you ‘Dust of Time’? Why would I have left behind a ‘contract’? Why care about the trajectory of a single speck of dust?” He paused slightly, and in the distant river of time, a small wave representing a certain “possibility” quietly vanished.

“You see me as the manipulator behind the scenes, but you don’t know that I am also a node in this endless web of cause and effect. My observations are also subject to a higher ‘narrative logic.’ Releasing ‘parasites’ is observation, and giving you ‘dust’ is also observation. And your choices, your ‘variables,’ are also affecting… the results I observe.”

Jiang Yu's heart skipped a beat. Did Xuan Tongjun mean... he wasn't an omniscient and omnipotent ruler, but also subject to some larger set of rules or framework? Could their resistance, their choices, also affect an being like Xuan Tongjun?

"Then what about the 'contract'? You said you'd wait patiently at the end of cause and effect, but what are you waiting for?"

"Waiting... for the ending." Xuan Tongjun's figure began to blur, and the surrounding ocean of time began to fade. "Perhaps it is a new chapter you will write, or perhaps... a predetermined finale. The key is in your hands, and you will open the door. As for whether what lies behind the door is treasure or an abyss..."

His voice faded into the distance, eventually turning into a wisp of almost vanished thought:

"...That is the ultimate pleasure of observation."

The starry sky returned to normal, as if everything that had just happened was merely an illusion. But a faint resonance, still carrying a trace of warmth, emanated from the "Dust of Time" on Jiang Yu's chest.

Jiang Yu sat alone on the terrace, remaining silent for a long time.

Xuan Tongjun didn't provide a definitive answer, but he offered a completely new and thought-provoking perspective: they are not merely puppets; their choices carry weight and can even influence "observers" in higher dimensions. Perhaps the so-called "test" is more like a selection process or "interaction"? And the final "contract" is more like an agreement yet to be fulfilled, with an unknown outcome.

The enemy may be high above, but they are not untouchable. Hope may lie hidden in every unyielding choice and every struggle against fate.

He raised his head, looking at the warm light of the Tree of Hope, and his eyes rekindled with determination.

No matter how many unknown challenges lie ahead, no matter how many eyes are watching from the shadows, as long as they stay true to themselves and dare to make their choices, their stories will be written by themselves.