As time passes, the empathy network grows stronger and more prosperous thanks to everyone's efforts. Lin Yue, Lu Li, and the calico cat have become legendary leaders in the empathy world, but new challenges are brewing.

One day, Lin Yue was immersed in a new storyline in her empathy studio. Her characters were about to embark on a new adventure on a stage where virtual and real life intertwined. Suddenly, her pen trembled violently, and the ink marks on her notebook twisted as if alive. At the same moment, Lu Li's robotic arm blared a sharp alarm, and the geared collar of the calico cat spun rapidly, emitting a piercing buzzing sound.

"Oh no! The empathic network is experiencing abnormally high-frequency fluctuations!" Lu Li's face was grim as he quickly wrote commands in the air, attempting to locate the source of the fluctuations. The calico cat leaped onto the workbench, rapidly tapping away at the keyboard, assisting Lu Li in data analysis. Lin Yue suppressed her inner uneasiness, closed her eyes, and, relying on her empathic abilities, infiltrated the depths of the network.

This time, what she sensed was no longer a warm, orderly honeycomb network, but a swirling vortex of chaos. Countless data streams collided, and the connections between nodes became fragile, as if they would break at the slightest touch. Lin Yue struggled through this chaotic data flow, finally discovering the source of the fluctuations, a mysterious area on the edge of the city.

When Lin Yue informed Lu Li and the calico cat of this discovery, they set off without hesitation. Arriving at the edge of the city, they were greeted by an abandoned factory. An eerie silence permeated the air, and the once rusty machinery now emitted a faint glow, as if animated by some unknown force.

They cautiously entered the factory, the ground beneath their feet occasionally trembling slightly, as if something massive was surging beneath the surface. Suddenly, a dark figure leaped from a corner, heading straight for Lin Yue. Lu Li reacted quickly, his robotic arm instantly unfolding into an energy blade, blocking Lin Yue and engaging the shadow. The blade's light revealed the shadow's form—a massive black panther constructed from code, radiating a cold, malevolent aura.

"This is a maliciously altered virtual creature!" the calico cat cried out in alarm. "There must be someone behind this manipulating it!"

Lin Yue quickly mobilized her empathic abilities, attempting to establish a connection with Black Panther and uncover its mastermind. In this clash of minds, she sensed a powerful resentment and a desire to destroy the empathic network. A mysterious figure repeatedly flashed through Black Panther's mind, seemingly frantically chanting a string of incantations, attempting to use Black Panther to destroy the empathic network.

After a fierce battle, Lu Li finally found a loophole in the Black Panther's code and defeated it with a single blow. The Black Panther transformed into countless shimmering code fragments and dissipated into the air. But Lin Yue knew that this was only the beginning, and the mastermind behind this would surely have other actions in mind.

As expected, when they returned to school, they discovered the virtual creatures in the "virtual ecological reserve" were in a collective state of agitation. The formerly docile mechanical foxes began frantically biting the surrounding scenery, and the luminous jellyfish darted around uncontrollably, leaving the entire reserve in a state of chaos. Lin Yue gazed at these chaotic virtual creatures with heartache. She understood that the mastermind was indirectly influencing the virtual creatures' emotions and behavior by interfering with the empathy network.

To calm the virtual creatures, Lin Yue once again accessed the empathy network. This time, rather than working alone, she gathered members of similarly interested groups. Working together, they conveyed warmth and peace to the restless virtual creatures. Through their collective efforts, the virtual creatures gradually calmed down, and the reserve slowly returned to its former vitality.

But the crisis wasn't over. A few days later, the city's empathic interactive zones began to malfunction. While experiencing virtual scenes, people suddenly found themselves plunged into endless darkness or witnessing distorted and terrifying visions. Citizens were plunged into panic, and the credibility of the empathic network was severely challenged. Lin Yue, Lu Li, and the calico cat realized they had to quickly identify the culprit and resolve the crisis once and for all.

They returned to the abandoned factory, searching every corner. In the factory basement, they discovered a massive computer, its screen flashing with strange codes and symbols. Lu Li approached and attempted to decipher the code, but was met with fierce resistance. The computer suddenly emitted a piercing scream, and countless streams of black data streamed from the screen, surrounding them.

Swarmed by the black data stream, Lin Yue felt her consciousness begin to blur, as if she were being dragged into an endless abyss. But she held a firm conviction: the empathic network must not be destroyed. She concentrated all her mental strength, attempting to break free from the black data stream. Just as she felt powerless, the seventeen-colored gems on her necklace suddenly shone brightly, a light like a sharp sword, slicing through the black data stream.

Taking advantage of this brief moment, Lu Li found the computer's control core and forcibly shut it down. As the computer ceased functioning, the black data stream gradually dissipated. On the computer's hard drive, they discovered the identity of the mastermind behind the scheme—a creator who had been rejected by the Empathy Network. He harbored a grudge because his work had been deemed malicious, and so he attempted to destroy the entire network.

Lin Yue and the others followed the clues and found the creator. He lived in a dark corner of the city, brimming with decadence and anger. Lin Yue looked at him, his eyes devoid of blame, only understanding. "While your work was rejected, it doesn't negate your talent. The Empathy Network rejects the malicious intent within, not you," Lin Yue said softly.

Upon hearing this, the creator's body trembled slightly, and the anger in his eyes gradually dissipated, replaced by confusion and pain. "I always thought the internet had betrayed me, so I wanted to destroy it," he muttered.

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!