Memory Corridor
Floating on the lifeless meteorite, gazing at the silent "Eternal Exile" like a tombstone, the relief of surviving the disaster was quickly replaced by a sense of urgency.
In Jiang Yu's hands, the two fused key fragments radiated a warm yet powerful aura, resonating with each other as if calling to their kind from afar. At the same time, the list in his possession underwent a significant change: the parchment became thicker, and the golden patterns along its edges flowed slowly as if alive. On the map, in addition to the previously shimmering dots, several extremely faint but clearly marked "key" golden stars appeared, scattered throughout the infinitely vast dungeon universe.
However, the most jarring element was a constantly flashing scarlet skull icon at the top of the list, with the following label:
"High-priority threat: 'Hound' has breached the secondary decoy and is recalibrating its tracking coordinates. Estimated arrival time: (Data is in disarray and rapidly decreasing)"
"The hounds are coming!" Zero was the first to sense the unusual disturbance in the space, his expression grave. "They're faster than I expected! The fluctuations from the fusion of the key fragments are like a lighthouse in the darkness, guiding it back in the right direction!"
Jiang Yu also felt that familiar, chilling sense of being locked on rapidly approaching. Although the power of the key fragment suppressed the mark, it could not completely conceal its existence.
"We must make a space jump immediately; we can't stay here and become targets!" Rock exclaimed urgently.
"No!" Zero immediately objected. "If we perform a large-scale space jump now, the ripples will be like throwing stones into a calm lake. The 'hounds' can lock onto our landing point instantly! We need a more sophisticated method!"
All eyes were fixed on the key fragment in Jiang Yu's hand. It contained the laws of "spatial stability" and "energy conversion"—could it be used to shake off the pursuers?
Jiang Yu closed his eyes and focused intently on communicating with the fragments. A vast stream of information churned within his consciousness as he rapidly searched for a feasible solution. Suddenly, a bold idea flashed through his mind—not to hide, nor to flee, but to deceive.
“I have an idea.” Jiang Yu opened his eyes, his gaze sharp. “The key fragments can perform precise energy conversion and simulation. We can create a powerful ‘energy mirror’ that is exactly the same as my current state, and then use the power of the fragments to instantly ‘project’ this mirror to a very distant and extremely complex instance area to attract the ‘hound’s’ attention.”
"Our main body, on the other hand, uses the spatial folds created by the instantaneous mirror projection to perform an ultra-short-distance, waveless 'stealth' and hide in the nearest... well, a copy marked on the list that has special rules and can shield itself from detection!"
The key to this plan lies in the precise manipulation of the power of the key fragments, and the fact that the instance used for "stealth" must be special enough.
"A dungeon with unique rules that can block detection?" The fox quickly searched the list map. "Got it! There's a dungeon nearby marked 'gray' (processed/harmless), called 'Memory Corridor.' It's said that there are no physical monsters there, but rather it creates an illusion by reflecting fragments of the intruder's own memories. The rules are extremely unique, and it strongly interferes with external detection!"
“The Memory Corridor…sounds like a troublesome place.” Zero pursed his lips, but his eyes lit up. “However, it’s actually quite good for playing hide-and-seek! That kind of purely mental mapping is most effective at interfering with things like ‘hounds’ that track based on matter and energy.”
"It's settled then!" Jiang Yu decided immediately. He concentrated his mind, guiding the power of the key fragments to begin shaping the incredibly realistic "energy mirror image." This required drawing upon a large amount of his mental energy and the energy stored in the fragments, making the process extremely difficult.
Meanwhile, Zero and the "Dawn" team also began preparing the temporary magic array and stabilization device needed for that ultra-short-distance space infiltration.
Just as the icy, bone-chilling feeling of being locked on was about to touch the asteroid belt, Jiang Yu's preparations were complete.
An energy mirror image, perfectly aligned with his own energy fluctuations and soul imprint, instantly took shape. Then, empowered by the key fragments, it transformed into a streak of light, shooting towards another direction on the list map—a high-risk area called "Chaos Beast Nest"—at a speed almost equivalent to a spatial jump.
Almost simultaneously, Zero activated the miniature stealth array he and the "Dawn" team had set up! The power of the key fragment was precisely guided, creating a tiny, almost imperceptible spatial fold around everyone, like a drop of water merging into the ocean, silently sliding into the nearby "Memory Corridor" instance entrance.
The very next second after they vanished, an indescribable shadow, composed of pure malice and a relentless pursuit, swept past the meteorite where they had just been. It paused briefly, its crimson gaze sweeping across the empty void, a hint of doubt flashing across its eyes, before being immediately drawn to the rapidly receding energy mirror image emanating a strong "Jiang Yu" aura.
"Roar—!" A silent roar exploded on the soul level. Without the slightest hesitation, the "Hound" transformed into a black lightning bolt and chased after the "Chaotic Beast Nest".
...
At the entrance to the "Memory Corridor," the space rippled slightly, and the figures of Jiang Yu and the others appeared. Had they succeeded?
Before they could even catch their breath, the scene before them suddenly changed.
They were not in a specific scene, but rather standing in an endless corridor made up of countless enormous mirrors. Each mirror reflected not their current appearance, but rather the most vivid or the most unpleasant fragments of their respective memories.
The rock saw the brutal battlefield where his entire army was wiped out, and he alone survived; the doctor saw the desperate moment when he was powerless to save his loved ones; the fox saw the terrifying hallucinations that nearly drove him to a mental breakdown while deciphering some forbidden knowledge...
Even Zero showed a rare solemn expression. The mirror in front of him was a mess, but one could vaguely see the terrifying scene of countless data streams collapsing and the world being annihilated.
The mirror in front of Jiang Yu reflected the seemingly carefree yet profoundly meaningful figure of the main god as he departed, as well as the terrifying shadow of the outer god in the "Abyss Sacrifice Field" and the cold mark of the "Devourer" on the "Eternal Exile".
Whispers began to rise in the corridor, their own voices amplifying the fears, regrets, and doubts in their memories, attempting to erode their minds.
"Stay calm!" Jiang Yu shouted in a low voice. The key fragments emitted a clear light, helping him resist the erosion of the illusion. "These are all illusions, don't let them hold you back!"
But the terrifying thing about the "memory corridor" is that these illusions are not entirely false; they originate from reality and point directly to the most vulnerable parts of the heart. Every step forward may trigger a deeper memory trap.
They must traverse the corridor as quickly as possible to find a relatively safe spot in this instance (if one exists), otherwise they may be trapped and die in their own memory maze even if the "hounds" are lured away.
Just as Jiang Yu was trying to figure out the direction and find a way out, a mirror in front of him suddenly rippled, but what it reflected was not his memory, but a blurry figure wearing a star robe.
The figure seemed to be in a similar corridor, looking at him from afar through endless mirrors.
Enemy? Friend?
The sudden appearance of the star-robed figure in the mirror startled everyone! This clearly exceeded the normal scope of the "Memory Corridor" reflecting one's own memories.
The figure was blurry, as if shrouded in a veil of starlight. The face was obscured, but one could sense a deep, ancient, and slightly scrutinizing gaze piercing through layers of mirrors and landing on Jiang Yu.
In an instant, he stepped in front of Jiang Yu, his eyes wary: "Be careful, it's a 'Stargazer'! Or some other high-ranking being from the 'Starry Sky Side'! They are experts in this kind of cross-dimensional spying and telepathic communication!"
Jiang Yu gripped the machete tightly, but did not attack immediately. He did not sense any direct malice in the other person's eyes, but rather a kind of... curiosity and inquiry.
“A stranger, a messenger…” A calm, gentle voice, yet seemingly resounding directly into the depths of the soul, came through the mirror, “The aura of the ‘Source Key’ on you… and that ‘Order’ contract… are very interesting.”
Source Key? Does it refer to the fragment of the key? Orderly Covenant? Does it refer to the identity of a messenger of the Supreme God?
The other party was indeed extraordinary, and saw through much of his background at a glance.
"Who are you?" Jiang Yu asked in a deep voice, while secretly activating the key fragments to guard against a possible surprise attack.
"Me? Just an observer passing through this place." The figure in the star robes spoke with a faint smile. "You can call me 'Stardust.' I have no intention of being your enemy, but I am attracted by the 'causal threads' intertwined on your body—there are marks of 'law,' the pursuit of 'annihilation,' and even a trace of... the fluctuations of the 'Void Weaver's' legacy. Such a complex trajectory of fate is rare."
Stardust…Observer…Jiang Yu quickly assessed in her mind. The other party seemed to belong to the neutral camp, at least for now, they had not shown any hostility.
"Are you also trapped in this 'memory corridor'?" Jiang Yu asked tentatively.
"Tired? No." Stardust shook his head gently. "This 'corridor' is just a convenient path for me. I just happened to sense a powerful fluctuation with an aura of 'order' performing a subtle 'spatial folding' here, and out of curiosity, I came here to take a look."
He paused, his gaze seemingly sweeping over the key fragment in Jiang Yu's hand and Zero beside her: "It seems you're avoiding some trouble. Need a little...guidance?"
Ling squinted and transmitted her voice to Jiang Yu: "Be careful, these 'stargazers' always speak in a cryptic way, and their 'help' often comes with an unseen price."
Jiang Yu naturally understood this principle. But he also knew that, being trapped in the corridor of memories, he really needed to find a way out as soon as possible.
"What price?" Jiang Yu asked directly.
Stardust seemed to smile: "The price? I only hope that in the future, if you discover any information related to the 'Return of the Stars' or the 'Ancient Covenant' on your path to finding the 'Source Key', you can share it with me. Of course, this is not mandatory, just a kind request."
This condition sounded broad, even somewhat vague. But Jiang Yu sensed that the other party was serious.
After a moment's consideration, Jiang Yu nodded: "Okay. If you can guide us out of here safely."
“Very good.” Stardust extended his finger and gently tapped the mirror he was in. Instantly, the scene of the corridor in front of Jiang Yu and the others began to distort and recombine. A clearly visible path paved with starlight appeared among the countless chaotic memory mirrors, pointing to the depths of the corridor.
“Follow this path, and you’ll reach the ‘Heart of Silence,’ the intersection of the corridor rules. It can shield you from external detection and also provide an exit,” Stardust said. “Also, here’s a free piece of information: the ‘hound’ you lured away doesn’t seem to be alone. The tentacles of ‘Annihilation’ reach far beyond what you think. Beware of collaborators lurking in the shadows.”
After speaking, Stardust's figure slowly faded in the mirror and eventually disappeared, leaving only the starlight path quietly guiding the way.
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