Chapter 38 dungeon completed, returned to the original world.

Qiu Zangxue and his mirror image collided violently in this chaotic void, like two black lightning bolts.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

The two swords clashed wildly, unleashing a series of ear-piercing metallic clangs, and the pale sparks that flew up rained down like a sudden downpour.

The two were completely identical in terms of strength, speed, combat skills, and even their frenzied fighting spirit and chilling aura.

Every slash, every block, every dodge was synchronized as if looking in a mirror.

Xing Tian's fighting spirit was boiling, and the pale flames burned and eroded each other, but because they were of the same origin, they could not cause fatal damage.

This was nothing short of a brutal struggle against oneself, an ultimate contest of willpower, endurance, and fighting instinct.

The viewers in Qiu Zangxue's live stream felt their scalps tingle as they watched this scene.

"Playing against yourself? How can you play like that?"

"A complete copy? Wouldn't that mean neither side could do anything to the other?"

"Go, Boss Qiu!"

Gu Yunqing controlled Qiu Zangxue without the slightest impatience.

Perfectly replicate current abilities and status?

Interesting... but a 'copy' is still a copy.

It lacked his consciousness, his combat instincts honed through life and death that transcended data calculation, and even more so... his resolute determination to risk everything!

The battle continued, and both sides began to accumulate wounds.

The blade sliced ​​through flesh, drawing forth copious amounts of blood, but both seemed oblivious, their eyes fixed only on each other and on the act of killing.

Mirror Image Chou Zangxue's swordsmanship is equally ruthless and cunning, and even more cold and merciless due to the pure killing intent.

After a fierce exchange, Mirror Image Qiu Zangxue seized a tiny opening, her twin blades emerging like venomous dragons from their lair. One blade parried Qiu Zangxue's right-hand blade, while the other, at an extremely bizarre angle, slashed straight at Qiu Zangxue's neck.

This strike was swift, ruthless, and precise, containing all the power and killing intent of the mirror image.

There's no way to avoid it!

Gu Yunqing's pupils contracted sharply, and in that split second, he made a decision.

No avoidance! No blocking!

He controlled Qiu Zangxue, completely abandoning his defenses, and even willingly offered his neck to the deadly blade.

At the same time, he poured all the power in his body into the only remaining scimitar in his left hand without reservation!

"Pfft—!"

The cold blade sliced ​​into Qiu Zangxue's neck without any resistance, and blood gushed out like a fountain.

His head was completely severed and flew into the air.

Some new viewers in Qiu Zangxue's live stream were extremely heartbroken:

"!!! Head ripped off?!"

"It's over! The streamer I just started following is dead."

"Boss Qiu!"

However, at the very moment the head flew off, the headless body did not stop moving at all.

It was as if the severed head was utterly unimportant.

The left-hand scimitar, imbued with all its power, carried an indomitable and suicidal aura.

In that fleeting moment when the mirror image relaxed its guard due to the "successful" killing of its target, it was like a venomous snake that had been lurking for a long time, suddenly piercing its heart!

"puff--!"

The tip of the knife pierced through his back.

Mirror Image Qiu Zangxue's movements suddenly froze, and for the first time, a look of astonishment appeared in her scarlet eyes.

It looked down at the scimitar that had pierced its heart, then at the headless body still standing, holding the hilt of the sword, and at the pair of cold, bloodthirsty eyes in the air...

"Heh..." It seemed to want to say something, but in the end it only let out a meaningless hiss. Its body, like shattered porcelain, cracked inch by inch, turning into specks of chaotic light and dissipating into nothingness.

The scimitar that pierced its heart fell to the chaotic ground with a clang.

The new viewers who joined Qiu Zangxue's live stream were shocked:

"Holy crap!! A headless counterattack?"

"What kind of monster is this?! It can still fight even after its head is cut off?!"

"I was completely dumbfounded... If I ever run into this red-eyed lunatic, I might as well just stab myself in the neck."

The head that flew into the air had no smile on its face, and even its lips opened and closed, emitting a hoarse laugh.

The headless body strode over, bent down to pick up its own head, and casually pressed it back onto its neck.

The flesh at the wound writhed wildly, and within a few breaths it was completely healed, leaving only a faint red mark.

The majestic, cold voice rang out once more:

[Trial passed. Rating: Excellent.]

[Selectable Reward: Xuanyuan Sword (Replica)]

A phantom image of an ancient-looking longsword floated in front of Qiu Zangxue.

Although it is just a replica, it still exudes a majestic and awe-inspiring aura.

Qiu Zangxue didn't even look at the other options, and directly reached out and grasped the hilt of the Xuanyuan Sword.

It felt heavy in his hand, and a warm and vast power flowed into his body through his arm, subtly forming a peculiar balance with his own Xing Tian battle intent and Shura evil aura.

[Imperial Artifact Recognition: Xuanyuan Sword (Replica)]

With a flash of light, the replica of the Xuanyuan Sword merged into his body.

Almost simultaneously, this chaotic space rippled slightly, repelling Qiu Zangxue.

The scene before him shifted, and he found himself back in the ruined divine square.

The altar had dimmed, and there were very few people alive in the square; including him, there were fewer than twenty.

Each person bore horrific injuries and was weak, but their eyes were exceptionally sharp, clearly indicating that they had all survived the brutal trials.

Jun Xiangbei stood not far away, still with that aloof demeanor, but now holding a crystal fragment that emitted a soft white light.

[Sage's Heart Fragment (Special Item): Contains the benevolence, compassion, and wisdom of ancient sages towards all beings. Though not a deity, it nourishes the soul, clarifies one's true nature, and greatly assists in emotional cognition.]

This was clearly a reward he received through the trial. Although it wasn't a direct emotional deity, it was undoubtedly the most helpful thing for his current predicament.

Su Meichuan, Bai Muling, and Xin Yuan'er also survived, each gaining something, and their auras became stronger and more refined than before.

Su Meichuan was playing with a seemingly ancient bronze mirror fragment in her hand. The mirror surface was blurry, but it faintly reflected the subtle distortions in the surrounding space—it was the [Kunlun Mirror Fragment].

Bai Muling received a pair of throwing knives with the added effects of "armor penetration" and "speed".

Xin Yuan'er... He was holding a bunch of odds and ends of materials and props in his arms, grinning from ear to ear, clearly having "picked them up" in the trial space.

Viewers in Qiu Zangxue's live stream exclaimed in amazement at this scene:

"There are so few survivors... less than twenty left."

"Those who remain are all ruthless individuals; lucky ones don't count, of course."

"The Divine Ruler obtained a fragment of a Saint's heart? This is perfect for him."

"Did Su Meiren obtain a fragment of the Kunlun Mirror? Is her spatial ability about to be enhanced?"

"The lucky one has so many bags and packages..."

Just then, the system's final message resounded in everyone's minds:

[Ragnarok Online instance complete.]

[Rewards are being processed...]

A giant light screen unfolded in the air, displaying the final rankings.

[First Place: Qiu Zangxue, Points: 19850]

Second place: Jun Xiangbei, points: 15220

Third place: ...

Qiu Zangxue's name was at the top of the list, the scarlet font glaringly obvious.

Many more comments flooded Qiu Zangxue's live stream:

"Holy crap! Nearly 20,000 points."

"Chou Zangxue is number one, and he truly deserves the title."

"Those points, I wonder how many good things I can exchange for."

A few similar exclamations floated through Qiu Zangxue's live stream at the end, and then the scene changed, with all the survivors being teleported back to the preparation space of the Ragnarok dungeon—that vast chaotic void.

Compared to when they entered, the number of people here has drastically decreased. Originally there were a thousand players, but now only a handful of twenty are standing, creating a solemn and somber atmosphere.

The air was filled with a faint smell of blood and the weariness of surviving a catastrophe, but even more so with the sharpness and resilience of survivors who had survived a brutal elimination process.

Almost the instant the group regained their footing, streaks of white light appeared in the void.

The figures of the players who were killed in the dungeon gradually solidified and reappeared in the preparation space.

Their faces showed confusion, fear, or deep resentment; clearly, the experience of dying was not pleasant.

Moreover, the points displayed above their heads had all shrunk by nearly half without exception; this was the price of having their points stolen after being killed.

The existence of the resurrection mechanism ensures that players will not easily perish, but the loss of points and the experience of death are still a heavy blow.

Some of the resurrected players looked at the top survivors on the leaderboard, such as Qiu Zangxue and Jun Xiangbei, with mixed emotions, including jealousy, fear, and deep apprehension.

No one dared to step forward and provoke them. Those who survive to the end are not weak.

The majestic system notification sound rang out at the opportune moment, breaking the silence:

The Ragnarok Online instance has officially ended.

[Final number of survivors: 20.]

[Rewards will now be calculated...]

A massive light screen unfolded in the center of the void, clearly displaying the final rankings and corresponding rewards.

[First Place: Qiu Zangxue, Points: 19850. Rewards: SS-Rank Evaluation Chest 1, 100000 Achievement Points, Random S-Rank Skill Scroll 1, Divine Crystal *10.]

[Second Place: Jun Xiangbei, Points: 15220. Rewards: 1 S-Rank Evaluation Chest, 80000 Achievement Points, 1 Random A-Rank Skill Scroll, 8 Divine Crystals.]

[Third Place: Blazing Sun - Burning Heaven, Points: 13890...]

[Fourth Place: Su Meichuan, Points: 12560...]

[Fifth Place: Frost Queen, Points: 11800...]

[Sixth Place: Bai Muling, Points: 11230...]

...

[15th Place: Xin Yuan'er, Points: 9860...]

Qiu Zangxue topped the list with nearly 20,000 points and an SS-level rating, and the rewards were incredibly generous.

Jun Xiangbei followed closely behind, while Su Meichuan and Bai Muling also ranked highly, reaping considerable rewards.

Although Xin Yuan'er was ranked low, he still had nearly 10,000 points, which was an astronomical figure for him.

The corresponding reward orbs fell precisely into the hands of each survivor, like a meteor shower.

Floating in front of Qiu Zangxue were a treasure chest (SS-level) surrounded by colorful light, a crystal card containing 100,000 achievement points, an ancient scroll (S-level skill) radiating mysterious energy, and ten crystals containing pure divine energy.

Jun Xiangbei, Su Meichuan, Bai Muling, Xin Yuan'er, and others also received their respective rewards, their faces beaming with joy.

More importantly, the divine power they obtained in the dungeon has already begun to integrate with themselves, becoming part of their power system and cannot be taken away.

This is the greatest, long-term gain.

Gu Yunqing calmly scanned the light screen and the reward in her hands through Qiu Zangxue's perspective, her heart unmoved.

While the points and rewards are certainly welcome, the real gains for him go far beyond that.

Zhuge Jin's alternate identity successfully merged with Fuxi's divine essence, fundamentally enhancing his prophetic and deductive abilities, and completing his foundation.

Qiu Zangxue, now disguised as a human, has obtained the Xingtian Battle Intent Imprint and the Xuanyuan Sword, further enhancing his combat power and potential.

Xin Yuan'er obtained a fragment of the Lucky God, which significantly improved the team's survival and treasure-hunting capabilities.

With a slight thought, Gu Yunqing issued a simple command to Zhuge Jin, who was being managed by the system, through the consciousness link.

Zhuge Jin tilted his head slightly and looked at Xin Yuan'er, who was excitedly counting her harvest. His ethereal voice rang out: "Yuan'er."

Xin Yuan'er was startled and immediately looked up, respectfully saying, "Master Zhuge, what are your orders?"

"Add Bai Muling as a friend," Zhuge Jin said succinctly.

Xin Yuan'er was taken aback at first, then suddenly realized and nodded quickly: "I understand, I understand!"

He immediately brought up the system interface and sent a friend request to Bai Muling, who was standing not far away.

Bai Muling received the notification and glanced at Zhuge Jin and Xin Yuan'er with some surprise. After a moment's thought, she chose to agree.

She knew very well that maintaining contact with this mysterious and powerful team was more beneficial than harmful to her.

Whether for survival, or for... certain enemies we may face in the future.

Seeing this, Gu Yunqing nodded slightly in approval.

very good.

Bringing Bai Muling into the contact list expands the potential circle of allies. Her own strength and her hatred for 'Saintess of Light' Elena make her a worthwhile investment.

Xin Yuan'er successfully added Bai Muling as a friend, beaming with joy, feeling that he was one step closer to the "core of the organization".

He looked at Zhuge Jin, whose aura was unfathomable, and Qiu Zangxue, whose murderous aura was terrifying yet whose strength was terrifying. Then he thought of the mysterious "Mr. Gu," as well as Bai Muling, who had just established contact and whose strength was not bad, and the two big shots of the Polaris Squad...

A tremendous sense of security and pride welled up within me.

This is such a great opportunity to latch onto a powerful figure! Following a big shot really does bring rewards!

He could almost see himself walking sideways across infinite worlds in the future.

Jun Xiangbei carefully put away the fragments of the Sage's Heart, his cold gaze sweeping over Zhuge Jin and Qiu Zangxue, and said, "This cooperation has been very beneficial. Thank you."

His gratitude remained concise, but compared to before, it contained less pure inquiry and more recognition.

Su Meichuan smiled and chimed in, "Yes, let's have the chance to work together again in the future, Mr. Zhuge, Mr. Qiu."

His gaze swept over the two of them, carrying sincerity and a hint of barely perceptible inquiry.

Zhuge Jin nodded slightly in response.

Qiu Zangxue remained indifferent, as if she hadn't heard anything.

Gu Yunqing knew that this temporary alliance had come to an end, but the impressions left between them and the initial friendship established were real.

This laid a good foundation for his future plans.

After the settlement was completed and the rewards were received, the survivors began to leave the preparation space through the portals and return to their personal spaces or player lobbies.

The number of figures in the chaotic void gradually decreased.

Gu Yunqing, controlling Qiu Zangxue, exchanged a glance with Zhuge Jin, who was being managed by the system.

Without exchanging words, the two people in vests turned around at the same time and walked towards their respective portals.

Xin Yuan'er quickly followed.

Jun Xiangbei and Su Meichuan also chose to leave.

Bai Muling watched their departing figures, gripped the new throwing knife in her hand, and stepped into the portal.

The light shimmered, and the view was clear.

Gu Yunqing had already returned to his absolutely safe personal space.

My nerves, which had been taut for so long, finally got a moment to relax.

But he didn't relax completely and immediately began to examine the biggest takeaway from the trip.

As consciousness sank into the sea of ​​awareness, the states of the two identities clearly emerged.

Just as he was carefully sensing the subtle changes brought about by the increased power of the dual-vest system, the [Vest Role-Playing System] bound to his soul issued a clear notification in his mind:

[Detected that the core settings of the pseudonym 'Chou Zangxue' have been deeply activated, undergone high-intensity practical testing, and the role-playing behavior is consistent throughout, with a 100% fit with the character, meeting the conditions for 'pseudonym solidification'.]

Should 'Chou Zang Xue' be made a permanent card?

"I agree to solidify this." Gu Yunqing had no reason to refuse.

As he confirmed his intention, a rich crimson light emerged from the void within his personal space, rapidly condensing and compressing until it transformed into a palm-sized card with a peculiar texture, which floated lightly into his outstretched palm.

The card's background is a deep dark red, like congealed blood.

In the center of the card is the headless body of "Chou Zangxue". He stands steadily with his two swords hanging down naturally. The blades are surrounded by a condensed and persistent scarlet aura. His fighting spirit is boiling, and his frenzied aura is almost breaking through the card's restraints.

The edges of the card are adorned with mysterious silver patterns, subtly resonating with the fighting spirit of Xing Tian and the majestic aura of the Xuanyuan Sword.

The alternate account 'Chou Zang Xue' has been permanently converted into the card 'Shura·Chou Zang Xue'.

Gu Yunqing ran her fingertips along the cool surface of the card, a satisfied smile curving her lips.

He put away the cards, his consciousness returned to his body, and he felt the consumption and recovery of his own spiritual power.

Simultaneously controlling two vests, especially in the final stage of dealing with high-intensity battles and trials, placed an enormous strain on his mental capacity. If it weren't for the system's assistance and the feedback from the power he had just gained, he would probably have been exhausted long ago.

Just as he was preparing to further study the specific applications of the solidified cards and the new abilities of Zhuge Jin's disguise, the cold system notification from Pure White World suddenly rang out in his personal space, not for all players, but specifically for him:

[Player 'Gu Yunqing' has been detected. Their accumulated points have reached the required threshold, and their participation and overall evaluation in the 'Ragnarok' dungeon meet the requirements.]

[The 'Return to Original World' permission is now available. Do you wish to immediately return to the 'Original World' for rest and recuperation?]

[Note: During the return period, some functions related to the Pure White Game will be partially restricted, and the time flow ratio between the Pure White Game and the original world will be 1:1.]

The original world has returned?

Gu Yunqing's pupils contracted slightly, and alarm bells rang in her mind instantly. A great curiosity and an indescribable sense of vigilance rose up between them.

Which world is the so-called "original world"?

Was it the ordinary, peaceful, and supernatural modern Earth before he traveled through time?

Or... the "original world" that serves as the background of the story, where the cannon fodder named "Gu Yunqing" lived at the beginning of this horror infinite flow novel?

Gu Yunqing quickly weighed the pros and cons. He was cautious by nature, but he also understood that opportunities often come with risks.

In infinite worlds, information is a vital resource, sometimes even more crucial than power.

Relying solely on pseudonyms and readers' imaginations ultimately feels like drifting on a rootless duckweed.

If he could figure out the truth about the "original world," he might have a clearer understanding of his own position and future path.

Moreover, he had just gone through a high-intensity dungeon run and was mentally exhausted, so he definitely needed to rest.

While personal space offers safety, it can be too monotonous and not conducive to psychological adjustment.

A changing environment may bring new inspiration.

More importantly, he possesses the [Identity Role-Playing System] and the newly solidified "Chou Zangxue" card.

Even if the infinite game functionality is partially limited, as long as the disguise system remains, he still has a certain degree of self-protection and adaptability.

Zhuge Jin's Fuxi divine status also possesses the ability to deduce, which may provide some guidance upon his return.

“The risks are manageable, and the potential returns are enormous.” Gu Yunqing’s eyes gradually hardened.

"I choose to return." He made his choice clearly as he faced the empty, pure white space.

Almost the instant he made his decision, a familiar sense of system teleportation enveloped him.

Slightly different from the feeling of being forcibly torn apart in space when entering the instance, this time the feeling was gentler, as if he was being enveloped by a warm stream of water, leading him to a coordinate that was both familiar and unfamiliar.

He did not resist, allowing this force to carry his consciousness, or rather his soul, through the invisible barrier.

Just before his consciousness completely left his personal space, he separated a wisp of his mind and communicated with the [Identity Role-Playing System], adjusting the management permissions of the "Zhuge Jin" identity to the lowest energy consumption "standby and dormant" state to ensure that it could be activated or retracted immediately in case of an accident.

At the same time, he tightly enveloped the newly acquired "Shura: Chou Zang Xue" card with his mind, as if he had grasped his last trump card.

The teleportation process seemed both very long and as if it were only a moment.

Gu Yunqing felt her senses being stretched and distorted, with countless blurry lights and intermittent noises sweeping past the edge of her consciousness, unable to capture their specific form.

The light gradually stabilized, and the distorted perception began to return to normal.

Gu Yunqing slowly opened her eyes.

The first thing that hits the senses is a familiar yet pungent smell of disinfectant, so strong it's almost overwhelming.

Then came the regular, monotonous "beep-beep" sound, like the notification tone of some kind of instrument.

The field of vision gradually focused from blurry.

What comes into view is a pristine white ceiling.

Gu Yunqing slightly turned her stiff neck and saw the transparent IV bag hanging by the bed, with the medicine dripping down the tube.

Beside it, curves and numbers danced on the screen of a life monitor, and the regular "beep beep" sound came from it.

He was lying on a hospital bed covered with white sheets, and covered with a thin, equally white blanket.

Is this... a hospital?

Gu Yunqing tried to sit up, but felt an indescribable weakness in her body.

This feeling... was terrible, worse than the state he had after any brutal dungeon run; it was a sense of depletion that stemmed from the very essence of life.

He struggled to lift his hand and saw the IV needle embedded in his arm, as well as the clear bluish-purple needle marks on the back of his hand from long-term IV infusions.

His arms were also shockingly thin, with pale, bloodless skin, almost skin and bones.

What's going on? This body...

Just as he was filled with doubt and uncertainty, a chaotic and rapid stream of fragmented memories surged into his mind like a tidal wave, accompanied by a severe headache—

"Mr. Gu, I'm so sorry... the cancer cells have metastasized extensively... I'm afraid you don't have much time left..." The doctor's face was heavy with sorrow and pity.

A violent cough brought up blood that stained the handkerchief.

Lying in the hospital bed, watching the trees outside the window gradually wither and die, I felt a sense of helplessness and despair as my life force slowly drained from my body.

[The final cardiac monitor emitted a piercing siren, and my vision was swallowed by darkness...]

Late-stage cancer...treatment failed...he was given a death sentence...

This is... this is his last memory of the identity "Gu Yunqing" before he transmigrated.

He suddenly looked at the medical record card hanging at the foot of the bed; the date on it was clearly visible and glaring.

It was the day he died of cancer.

Based on the time displayed by the instruments and the residual sensations in his body, it seems that the "moment of death" he remembers is now only... less than two minutes away?

The immense shock and sense of being in another world were like ice water poured over his head, instantly bringing him to his senses, only to plunge him into even deeper confusion.

Didn't he transmigrate into a book? Didn't he enter that terrifying infinite flow "Pure White Game" and become a player struggling to survive by relying on a disguise system and acting skills?

How could... how could I be back here? Back to the moment before his death?

Was it an illusion? Was it a special reward scene after the dungeon ended? Or... was everything he experienced—the so-called transmigration, infinite flow, and alternate identity system—just a grand and realistic dream he had before his death?

No! Impossible!

Gu Yunqing immediately rejected the idea.

Everything was so real and unforgettable; it could never have been a dream!

Just as his mind was in turmoil, trying to make sense of this incomprehensible situation, the [Identity Role-Playing System] interface, which was closely connected to his soul, lit up on its own, emitting a steady faint light.

At the same time, a clear stream of information directly entered his consciousness:

[Host consciousness has been safely anchored to 'Original World - Earth'.]

[Initiating synchronization of critical information...]

[Synchronized and completed. Regarding the host's questions, this system has compiled 5 explanations.]

[One: The novel "Pure White World" that the host previously read was the host's own destiny. To avoid making the host too excited, it was romanticized as transmigrating into a book and becoming cannon fodder.]

[Gu Yunqing, the cannon fodder character who dies at the beginning of the script, is the predetermined fate of the host if they were not bound to this system.]

[Second: The host has successfully bound themselves to this system and, through their own efforts (playing an alias, guiding readers' understanding, etc.), has significantly altered their original fate. This 'return' is a legitimate rest privilege obtained by the host based on their accumulated (points, ratings) experience.]

[Three: The current time flow ratio between the world and 'Pure White Game' is 1:1. During the host's rest in this world, the main functions of 'Pure White Game' will enter a low-power maintenance state, with some functions restricted. However, the alternate identity acting as the system's core functions will continue to operate.]

[Four: Based on the host's existing 'identity solidification' permissions and the adaptive adjustments to the rules of this world, the host can materialize solidified or highly compatible identities to a limited extent in the current world.]

[Five: The original host died of cancer and was reborn in the Pure White Game as a creation of this system using energy.]

[Upon returning to the original world, this system completed a fundamental repair of the host's body and brought the host to two minutes before death. The host's body is currently in a state of severe weakness, caused by depletion of life essence and prolonged bed rest; it can gradually recover with regular care.]

A series of messages shocked Gu Yunqing's understanding.

Is the novel "Pure White Game" a "fate script" generated by the system? His original fate was to be cannon fodder, but the system binding changed everything, and his cancer... has been cured?

So, his fate was predetermined from the very beginning, and he was nothing more than a two-dimensional character?!

The sheer volume of information left Gu Yunqing speechless for a moment, but the mental fortitude honed in the infinite world allowed him to quickly grasp the key points.

First of all, he didn't simply transmigrate into a book; rather, he was chosen by this [Identity Role-Playing System] and saw his own life script in advance. He himself was just a two-dimensional character.

But so what if he's a two-dimensional character? For him, all his past experiences are real—his struggles, his acting skills, the power he gained are all real.

Secondly, he really did come back, back to his original world, and in a way that was "reborn".

His terminal illness was cured without him even realizing it; it was simply a miracle.

A surge of relief and lingering fear coursed through Gu Yunqing's spine like an electric current.

If he hadn't been bound to the system, or if he had failed in a certain instance, he would now be facing his predetermined fate and becoming a cold corpse.

All ambitions and all possibilities will be annihilated.

Then Gu Yunqing thought of the system prompt that mentioned "the disguise can be materialized to a limited extent", which was undoubtedly his greatest reliance in this "ordinary" world.

He needs to confirm a few things immediately.

Gu Yunqing took a deep breath, suppressing her turbulent emotions, and glanced around the ward.

This is a private hospital room; there is no one else there but him.

Despite her weakness and discomfort, Gu Yunqing struggled to turn her body and look at the bedside table.

His phone was lying there quietly, charging.

He reached out his slightly trembling hand, took the phone, and unlocked the screen.

The date and time were confirmed to be correct; it was two minutes before his "death."

Without hesitation, he opened his usual reading software and entered "pure white game", "horror infinite flow", "Gu Yunqing", "Zhuge Jin", "Chou Zangxue"... all the keywords related to his experiences into the search bar.

No search results found.

No related books or content found.

Undeterred, he switched browsers and searched on different search engines, novel websites, and even some hidden forums.

The result remained the same.

The novel that seemed to foreshadow his fate vanished without a trace, as if it had never existed in this world, leaving no trace whatsoever.

Gu Yunqing put down her phone, leaned against the pillow, and slowly closed her eyes.

The last shred of doubt was dispelled.

The system is telling the truth.

That novel was really just a script tailor-made for him, revealing his own destiny in advance.

After his fate changed, he was erased from this world as if he had completed his mission.

So, what's next...?

Gu Yunqing opened her eyes again, her gaze now calm and sharp.

Although his body was still weak, the aura he had honed in the infinite world had returned.

The first thing he needed to confirm was his own health condition. Although the system spoke with certainty, he had to verify it himself.

He focused his mind, attempting to introspect. In the infinite world, especially after fusing with divine power, his perception of himself far surpassed that of ordinary people.

Soon, he "saw" the areas in his body that had been ravaged by cancer cells, and those organs were weakened due to long-term illness and treatment.

However, at this moment, he was radiating a vibrant vitality, and although his body was still weak, he would eventually recover with time to recuperate.

The cancer that caused his death has indeed been cured.

The immense sense of relief almost made Gu Yunqing faint again, but he forced himself to stay upright.

Once the most important point was confirmed, the rest became clear.

Gu Yunqing needs to deal with the trivial matters of the real world.

He definitely won't stay in the real world for long; he'll spend most of his time in the Pure White game.

He needs money, he needs to recover his strength as soon as possible, and he needs a safe place to stay.

And... he looked at his palm, a thought flickering within him.

The solidified card containing the full power of "Chou Zangxue" was clearly visible in his perception, radiating a reassuring aura of bloodlust.

Although the system indicates that materialization will be limited, the very existence of this card is his greatest source of confidence.

In this seemingly ordinary world, he is no longer a powerless patient, but a returnee with supernatural powers.

It's time for the world to rediscover "Gu Yunqing".

He pressed the call button by the bedside.

A few minutes later, a nurse pushed open the door and entered.

When she saw the patient, who had been diagnosed with only one breath left, now leaning against the headboard with his eyes open, weak but conscious, her face was instantly filled with astonishment and disbelief.

"Mr. Gu? You...you're awake?" The nurse's voice trembled noticeably as she rushed to the life monitor.

The nurse confirmed that although the data showed the patient was extremely weak, his vital signs were strangely stabilizing, a stark contrast to his previous rapidly deteriorating condition.

"I feel... much better," Gu Yunqing said, her voice hoarse and dry, but her tone was unusually calm.

"The hospital can't treat me, I need to be discharged."

Although the hospital disagreed, they still discharged him at Gu Yunqing's insistence.

When the hospital offered Gu Yunqing a free comprehensive check-up, Gu Yunqing refused.

Gu Yunqing knew without a doubt that her cancer would be cured in an instant, and she knew what kind of sensation it would cause.

Rather than that, I'd rather be an unreasonable patient who simply wants to go home and wait to die.

Leaving the hospital and standing on the bustling street, breathing in the air mixed with car exhaust and city dust, Gu Yunqing felt a strange yet familiar sense of disorientation.

The sunlight was a bit dazzling, and he squinted slightly, savoring the long-lost hustle and bustle of the "normal" world.

He was an orphan in this world, with no ties to him.

With his extraordinary intellect and abilities, he built a promising technology company from scratch before he knew he was going to die.

But after being diagnosed with the disease and learning that he didn't have much time left, he calmly began to handle his affairs, selling all his company shares and cashing out to leave.

At this moment, his personal account quietly holds the proceeds from the sale of the company, and after deducting the exorbitant medical expenses, nearly 20 million yuan in savings.

And a detached villa located in a quiet suburb of the city.

That was the place he had chosen for himself to spend his final days. It was fully furnished, but he hardly ever lived there.

Gu Yunqing hailed a taxi and gave the address of the villa.

Back in the long-missed villa, the fingerprint lock was successfully recognized, and the heavy solid wood door slid open silently.

The interior is spacious and bright, decorated in a modern minimalist style. Because it has been uninhabited for a long time, the furniture is covered with a thin layer of dust, and there is a cold and empty feeling in the air.

Gu Yunqing closed the door behind her, leaned against the cold door panel, and slowly exhaled a long breath.

Finally, he was all alone.

Instead of cleaning immediately, he went straight to the spacious French windows in the living room and drew back the heavy curtains.

Sunlight streamed in, illuminating the dust particles floating in the air.

Outside the window is a meticulously maintained courtyard, though somewhat overgrown, its layout remains intact.

This will be Gu Yunqing's temporary base.

Gu Yunqing needs to recover her strength as soon as possible and adapt to this "renewed" but weak body. At the same time, she also needs to verify some important things.

The first priority is the application of the disguise system in this world.

He walked to the center of the living room, where the space was quite spacious. He closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into his sea of ​​consciousness, and connected with the [Identity Role-Playing System].

The first card we tried was the "Chou Zang Xue" card, which had only recently been solidified.

With a slight thought, the card shrouded in bloodthirsty energy flashed in his mind.

The next moment, a faint but clearly present connection was established.

He sensed that as long as he was willing and paid the corresponding mental and physical resources, he could channel the power from the cards, and even... summon "Chou Zangxue".

He did not rush into a full summoning.

Gu Yunqing could sense that there seemed to be some invisible constraint suppressing this extraordinary power.

Is this what the system refers to as "suppression of world rules" and "limited manifestation"?

Gu Yunqing had a better understanding of the situation.

Next, he tried to communicate with the "Zhuge Jin" alias.

Unlike the feeling of being able to directly draw upon power with the Qiu Zangxue card, the feedback he received from the Zhuge Jin disguise was more inclined towards "information" and "deduction".

He focused his mind, and vague, fragmented images of things that might happen in the next few hours that were relevant to him naturally surfaced in his mind.

For example, a deliveryman ringing the doorbell, or a flock of birds flying past the window.

At the same time, he has a clearer understanding of his own physical condition and can even "predict" how long it will take and what kind of conditioning he will need to recover to a healthy level.

The deductive abilities of Fuxi's divine nature seem to manifest in this world in the form of "intuition" or "precognition," which are greatly weakened but still exist.

very good.

Both identities' core abilities can be used to a limited extent in this world.

After initially verifying that the alias system was usable, Gu Yunqing did not relax.

The habits he developed in the infinite world made him instinctively scrutinize any environment.

Gu Yunqing went to the study and turned on the computer.

Connecting to the internet, he began purposefully searching for keywords such as "paranormal events," "unexplained phenomena," "urban legends," and "unusual locations."

Initially, the search results were mostly obvious rumors, novels, films and television shows, or analyses of psychological phenomena.

But when he used the "information filtering" intuition brought by Zhuge Jin's pseudonym to delve into some fringe forums and encrypted chat groups of "strange tales" that were scorned by the mainstream, some unusual clues began to emerge.

Frequent, weak vibrations and magnetic field anomalies deep in a mountainous area that cannot be explained by geological activity, along with blurry photos taken by hikers of weathered remains resembling a giant, Western dragon skeleton.

Multiple people in a coastal city reported seeing strangely structured "ghost ships" emitting a ghostly blue light on the sea surface on foggy nights, but radar detected nothing.

At night, the site of a long-abandoned mental hospital occasionally emits sound waves of unknown origin, resembling the murmurs of countless people, causing temporary mental disturbances in any creature that gets close.

There is even an anonymous document of unknown origin that is vague and mentions a mysterious organization called the “Foundation” that seems to be secretly containing or investigating these “anomalies”.

This information is fragmented, vague, and mostly lacks empirical evidence. It will soon be overwhelmed by new online trends or covered by "scientific" explanations.

Ordinary people wouldn't care at all.

But Gu Yunqing is different.

He had witnessed the battlefields of the gods and personally slain divine beings; he possessed power that transcended the mortal realm.

He could sense a familiar aura of "abnormality" and "higher dimensions" from these fragmented pieces of information.

This world... doesn't seem to be as "normal" as it appears on the surface.

A purely peaceful period of rest may not exist.

This "original world" may also hide its secrets, and may even have some unknown connection with the "pure white game" he experienced.

Gu Yunqing leaned back in her chair, staring intently at the bizarre and fragmented information on the screen.

It seems that this "return" is far more than just recuperating and dealing with trivial matters.

He needs to regain his strength as soon as possible, not only to deal with the possible summons of the "Pure White Game" that may come at any time, but also to prepare for exploring this seemingly ordinary but potentially turbulent "Original World".

Gu Yunqing turned off the computer, stood up, and walked towards the kitchen, intending to find some nutritional supplements to replenish her energy.

The road ahead is still long.

But having mastered the art of disguise, he is confident in facing any challenge.

Whether it's the chaotic dance of gods and demons in a pure white world, or the undercurrents in the real world.

After making herself a simple meal, Gu Yunqing realized that relying solely on fragmented information from the internet was far from enough.

He sat back down in the chair in the study, calmed his mind, and actively communicated with the [Identity Role-Playing System] in his mind.

Unlike previous times when the system proactively prompted him, this time he initiated the inquiry.

"System, what exactly is going on with this 'original world'? Are those strange rumors related to the 'Pure White Game'?"

The system interface features a subtle, flowing light effect, and its responses remain as clear and direct as ever.

[Beginning to answer the host's questions.]

[Core Rule: The multiverse contains countless worlds, each with its own unique form and rules. 'Pure White Game,' as a collection of higher-dimensional concepts, actively 'links' to worlds possessing potentially adaptable individuals.]

[Linking Mechanism: When the first individual is selected to enter the 'Pure White Game' in a certain world, that world is officially marked and linked.]

[Afterward, the number of players selected for this world will gradually increase, and the power acquired by the players may also feed back into and influence their original world in various forms.]

[Current World Status: Detection indicates that the host's "Earth" saw its first pure white game player appear 3 years ago on the standard timeline.]

[As of now, including the host, the number of Pure White Game players in this world is approximately 5,000. This number is showing a slow but continuous upward trend.]

Five thousand players!

And this number is still growing!

Author's Note:

I fixed a bug.

Bonus chapter for 1000 nutrient solutions, and the promised long chapter! [heart emoji]