Bai Qiuyan instantly forgot all the vows he had just made. He quickly located his gaming helmet, logged in, and rushed to the location. As soon as he entered, he saw everyone was already there.

He was the last to arrive, and all the players turned to look at him, including Xie Shuangxue.

Ashue had gotten thinner.

Seeing him, Bai Qiuyan’s heart ached, but before he could say a word, Xie Shuangxue gave him a gentle smile and spoke in a soft voice, “I’ve been waiting for you. I was wondering why you hadn’t come yet, but thankfully, you’re here now.”

Ashue was waiting for me!

Bai Qiuyan felt a rush of happiness fill his heart.

He could even hear Shi Jiu Jianghu give a small “hmph.” That was jealousy, blatant jealousy!

Considering Bai Qiuyan’s high bond value, it made sense that Xie Shuangxue remembered him. After all, who else was given such special treatment?

Now this was the VIP treatment he deserved!

“Oh, so President Bai is here. Looks like Jiu Shen didn’t show up. He used to be quick to join,” Qiao Zhihui remarked nearby. “I don’t think he’s logged in yet. Should we wait?”

At that moment, Yu Haiqing was still in a meeting. But Xie Shuangxue didn’t know this. His brows furrowed slightly.

Just hearing that name made Xie Shuangxue feel a bit wary. If Yu Haiqing somehow learned about his changes to the storyline, he might interfere and turn everything upside down.

“No worries. If he doesn’t come, so be it,” Xie Shuangxue said. “This matter is rather urgent. I’ll tell you all now.”

The next part of Yun Ruowei’s storyline required only the three guilds, and it was precisely what they needed. Players, having gone through the process of the City of Sinking, would naturally understand the cause and effect. Then, when the time came, Lu Yun Tower could reopen in their version of time.

When he said this, it meant they had finally reached the core secret of Lu Yun Tower. The three guilds were visibly excited.

But Bai Qiuyan’s joy wasn’t just about the storyline; it was because of Xie Shuangxue’s words.

Ashue had specifically waited for him and remembered him, while Yu Haiqing wasn’t here and was dismissed with a casual “so be it.”

Haha.

It was obvious who mattered more to Ashue. And what did that selfish Yu Haiqing get from monopolizing the merch? Absolutely nothing!

Feeling like he’d gained the upper hand, Bai Qiuyan didn’t care how Yu Haiqing would look at him when he eventually logged in.

Who cares about face? Nothing matters more than Snowy!

Yun Ruowei arrived shortly after, and Xie Shuangxue began explaining the important details to the players. At the same time, each of them received a hidden task notification, which sent their spirits soaring.

Xie Shuangxue’s speech mirrored his earlier conversation with Yun Ruowei, with Yun Ruowei occasionally adding details, laying out the tasks he needed players to do.

“…The Feather Clan has not yet focused on the Divine Vein. To be precise, they searched the Divine Vein already but found nothing and gave up,” Xie Shuangxue said. “The Divine Vein in Lu Yun Tower is located in the city center. If it were truly disturbed, it would attract the Feather Clan’s attention. We must act quickly and set up in advance—I don’t want Ruowei getting hurt.”

At this point, Xie Shuangxue paused, his expression clouded with worry. “I know that helping each other is why we crossed paths here. I just feel like Lu Yun Tower’s troubles aren’t over yet. If there’s anything you need from me in return, just say it.”

The players exchanged glances. They understood that the “troubles of Lu Yun Tower” referred to the inevitable sinking of the city.

But this wasn’t entirely a tragedy. Xie Shuangxue pulling the players in at this point meant he was also giving Lu Yun Tower a chance at future hope.

Players who received the task could set up in the Divine Vein and plant locator items. Previously, when exploring the sunken Penglai City, they’d been repeatedly killed because they couldn’t pinpoint its center. If they had known its exact location from the start, they wouldn’t have had to struggle so much.

Following along would likely reward them with a key item for reopening Lu Yun Tower, and with Xie Shuangxue’s help, they had more freedom to move within the City Lord’s Mansion.

The whole Feather Clan had heard about Xie Shuangxue’s bid for the Golden Plume Envoy title. Although he was the least favored candidate, no one could object to him inviting a few Continental Wanderers for assistance.

The players roamed freely around the City Lord’s Mansion, claiming to be “helping out” and couldn’t be stopped.

Meanwhile, Yun Ruowei used the hidden Demon Clan members to stir up minor incidents outside the city, drawing Feather Clan forces away and reducing their numbers in the mansion, making it easier for Xie Shuangxue and the players to operate.

While the players prepared their ambush, they kept up appearances to ensure the Feather Clan’s attention remained diverted.

On the surface, things seemed to be going smoothly, but Yun Ruowei suddenly sensed something was wrong.

She began losing control.

Xie Shuangxue hadn’t expected things to escalate so quickly. He’d thought they still had some time, but the system seemed unwilling to give him a break.

From the outside, the center of the Divine Vein looked like a simple pool in front of the Yun family ancestral hall. Without Yun Ruowei’s sensitivity, even the Yun family wouldn’t know it was the center. The Feather Clan’s search had only traced the branches of the Divine Vein throughout the city, so it was natural they found nothing.

While Xie Shuangxue had been unconscious, Yun Ruowei had hurriedly assumed the role of city lord. His promise to help her gave her ample reason to bring people around the ancestral hall frequently.

Xie Shuangxue had instructed the players to set up an ambush, with every point carefully placed in line with his guiding lights, and Yun Ruowei had cooperated well.

But during the tense preparations, her actions suddenly froze, and the demonic aura within her surged.

Her eyes flashed red, resembling Yun Panlong’s, and she mindlessly started walking toward the center of the Divine Vein.

The players nearby sensed something was wrong and tried to stop her, only to be sent flying by her attacks. Those who tried again were instantly killed and sent back to the respawn point outside the City Lord’s Mansion. With the players cleared out, there was now a gap around Yun Ruowei.

At the same time, the water in the center of the Divine Vein began churning. Beneath the once-clear surface, a black substance started to rise. Xie Shuangxue thought he heard an eerie cackle from within. Alarmed, he quickly grabbed hold of Yun Ruowei.

The situation had escalated suddenly, and he was the only one left.

The ambush setup with the players had started to unravel. With no choice, he poured all his energy into maintaining control, continuously draining his guiding light.

If Yun Ruowei entered that pool, she might not die immediately, but there was no telling what she would become.

Yun Ruowei raised her blade toward him, but unlike with the players, she couldn’t bring herself to strike him. Her hand trembled, unable to follow through with the blow.

She seemed to muster strength from somewhere, fighting back internally.

They struggled in this tug-of-war for some time, with Xie Shuangxue barely managing to pull her back a step. But he could feel his strength waning.

At that moment, someone appeared behind him, pulling both him and Yun Ruowei back forcefully, instantly easing the tension.

Yun Ruowei stumbled to the ground, seemingly coming to her senses as her red eyes returned to normal, while Xie Shuangxue fell against the newcomer.

No one other than Yu Haiqing would show up at a moment like this.

Xie Shuangxue felt entirely at ease leaning against him.

Yu Haiqing asked, “What’s going on?”

“I’m out of strength,” Xie Shuangxue replied. “And my hand hurts.”

He’d used all his energy, and his arms were numb. Yu Haiqing, now his makeshift cushion, carefully helped him up.

Xie Shuangxue leaned against him, thinking, This person will still help me.

Reflecting on the sudden silence of the SEA alarm, Xie Shuangxue felt slightly unsettled; he’d grown used to it, and now its absence made him wonder if Yu Haiqing had tampered with something.

“You didn’t even take the mission,” Xie Shuangxue muttered as he was helped up. “Why are you here?”

This mission had been issued to fifty people. Yu Haiqing usually took it, but he hadn’t logged in in time this time.

“I didn’t log in because I was working for you.”

Xie Shuangxue heard Yu Haiqing sigh. “I couldn’t stop worrying.”

So even he knew how to say nice things.

But Yu Haiqing was sincere. This whole time, he’d been busy with matters outside but kept an eye on Xie Shuangxue, rushing over at the first sign of trouble.

SEA’s interventions often came unexpectedly.

Yu Haiqing straightened Xie Shuangxue’s disheveled collar and said, “I’m telling you, you don’t have to worry about any of this. Just leave it all to me. Do you trust me?”

Xie Shuangxue said nothing, merely looking up at him, slowly blinking.

Guess not.

Yu Haiqing understood his reaction but wasn’t disappointed. He changed the topic, gently grasping Xie Shuangxue’s arm. “Does it still hurt?”

Just then, Bai Qiuyan and his team, who had respawned and rushed back, walked in, witnessing the scene.

“Let go of him!” Bai Qiuyan, acting like a protective hen, shouted as he rushed over, swatting Yu Haiqing’s hand away from Xie Shuangxue. “You called me a beast, but look at yourself!”

Yu Haiqing, caught off guard, replied, “…Didn’t you quit the game?”

“Quit? If I quit, that would be falling for your schemes!” Bai Qiuyan quickly positioned himself between Xie Shuangxue and Yu Haiqing. “Are you okay, Snowy?”

It was Yun Ruowei, still sitting on the ground, who broke the awkward silence.

“Hey, shouldn’t you be worried about me right now?” she remarked. “Always fussing over Xie Shuangxue.”

These Continental Wanderers are hopeless.

But Yun Ruowei knew who had just saved her life. After sitting on the ground for a while, like waking from a long dream, she recalled everything that had just happened.

She stood up, her expression solemn.

“Ashue, just like you said, he really doesn’t plan to let me go,” Yun Ruowei said. “Yun Panlong was my puppet, but I’m his puppet. He wants to use me to take the power of the Divine Vein and drain Lu Yun Tower dry as his foundation.”

This was exactly what Xie Shuangxue had anticipated.

The Divine Vein of Lu Yun Tower required direct bloodline descendants of the Yun family as a conduit, and Yun Ruowei was merely a pawn. But she was also unwilling to submit, and her stubbornness had led her to choose the path of sinking the city, sealing off the Divine Vein to prevent anyone from touching it.

If her fate was sealed, she might as well take a parting shot.

And Yun Ruowei had reached a similar conclusion now.

“Even with our precautions, I’m afraid it won’t be enough,” she confessed, understanding the difficulty and beginning to speak to Xie Shuangxue as if leaving her last words. “I won’t let him succeed. Ashue, I’ll have to leave the Demon Clan members in your hands…”

“Stop talking like that,” Xie Shuangxue interrupted. “I’ll find a way.”

While struggling to restrain her, he had discerned the source of the control. The force controlling her came from a fragment of the Book of Floating Dreams, which had merged into her body. Attempts to separate it had failed, but when she was under its control just now, the stone had shown signs of activity.

But Yun Ruowei wasn’t Xie Shuangxue; as someone deeply enmeshed in the storyline, she knew full well how strong her opponent was and didn’t believe it was possible to break free.

She needed a backup plan.

“Ashue, thank you for everything, but I can’t drag you down with me,” Yun Ruowei said. “I just managed to clear my mother’s name. If I fall under his control, there will be no explaining it away. You won’t be able to explain it either.”

Xie Shuangxue didn’t try to stop her as she turned and disappeared. He knew there were few places she could go. He could find her, but Yun Ruowei didn’t plan on seeing him again.

Even the players felt a bit uncertain.

“Lu Yun Tower is doomed to sink, but will we really be unable to save Yun Ruowei?”

“No! My poor Ashue will be heartbroken!”

“Endless Sea, say something! This might be just a game, but even we can’t take constant tragedy. Our hearts can’t handle it.”

But Xie Shuangxue did receive a response from Endless Sea.

“It’ll be okay,” Yu Haiqing said. “As long as it’s what you want, it will happen. Ashue, go back and check on things.”

He wasn’t sure he could believe it, seeing how dire things were.

As Xie Shuangxue walked back, he felt a gust of wind, carrying fine sand that stung his face.

The sinking of Lu Yun Tower wasn’t an abrupt collapse; it was a slow, natural descent, gradually swallowed by wind and sand over the years.

Lu Yun Tower had never experienced such a harsh wind before.

Was this what Yu Haiqing wanted him to see?

Could he trust this man’s promise?

Frowning, Xie Shuangxue continued onward. Just before reaching his room, he saw a figure.

It was Yun Panshan. He was alive, but barely, his face pale, as if he had been waiting there for some time.

“Is Ruowei in trouble?” he asked Xie Shuangxue directly, coughing. “Others may not understand the disturbance in the Divine Vein, but I do.”

Xie Shuangxue: …

He remained silent, but his mind was racing.

Why was Yun Panshan here all of a sudden?

In the original storyline, everything had pointed to one conclusion: Yun Ruowei was meant to die. Changing this trajectory had been challenging for Xie Shuangxue, as the plot had already been set.

But if there was someone who could take her place, it would change everything.

In the original story, Yun Ruowei took over as city lord because she was the last of her family. This meant that Yun Panshan was dead by that time. But now, he was still alive.

“I know my body; I don’t have long left,” Yun Panshan sighed and continued, “I should have followed her and her mother when they died. These past years have been nothing but survival. If she’s in trouble, let me go. At least I can do one last thing for her. It’ll give me peace when I finally close my eyes—a final act of redemption.”

With those words, his intention became unmistakable.

If the Divine Vein was destined to sink, Yun Panshan, a Yun bloodline descendant, could assume control. The control exerted over Yun Ruowei could be transferred to him. He was the perfect choice.

“Uncle Yun, we’re indeed facing some difficulties,” Xie Shuangxue replied quickly. “I’ll explain everything to you.”

While speaking, he had another thought.

Officially altering the storyline—definitely a different level of power.

After a short talk with Yun Panshan, he had a clear plan in mind.

Later that night, as Xie Shuangxue sat on his bed contemplating the events, he heard a noise by the window. One look told him Yu Haiqing was sitting there.

Xie Shuangxue rested his face on his hands, looking at him. “So this is your solution?”

“Can you rest easy now that you know?” Yu Haiqing asked. “Be good. Trust me. The game department won’t let Yun Ruowei die.”

“Ashue, I have no reason to harm you.”

Xie Shuangxue swung his legs off the bed, blinking up at him. “Alright, I’ll trust you then.”

He added, “If this gets resolved, I’ll behave. Really.”

Yu Haiqing: …

Despite the two “really”s, he sensed something wasn’t quite right.

Regardless of what Xie Shuangxue said, events continued as planned.

For several days, the wind and sand around Lu Yun Tower grew increasingly fierce.

Then one day, the gusts intensified, thick with grit, forming a near-blinding sandstorm.

Aware of the situation, players held their positions. Protected by Xie Shuangxue’s array, they were safe enough, but they could only watch as Yun Ruowei and Yun Panshan’s forms faded from sight.

With Yu Haiqing’s guidance, the impossible—transferring control from Yun Ruowei to Yun Panshan—had become feasible.

However, Yun Ruowei would likely suffer significant harm from the evil spell’s backlash, though she’d survive.

Since SEA controlled this world, the game department’s changes needed balance. Even with Yu Haiqing’s authority, ensuring Yun Ruowei’s survival required adjustments that allowed her to remain a long-term NPC, unclouded by madness from the spell.

Even with the shift in control, Lu Yun Tower was still destined to sink. This was still a critical moment.

Yu Haiqing felt that monitoring from backstage provided better oversight than being present as a GM, allowing him to respond instantly.

From the operating data, Yun Ruowei would survive. He had already discussed this plan with Xie Shuangxue, explaining the necessary steps.

But as everything seemed normal, Xie Shuangxue suddenly turned to Yun Ruowei, and the two exchanged words, like a prearranged signal.

Then, Yu Haiqing watched as Yun Ruowei made her move. She fixed her gaze on Xie Shuangxue, then unexpectedly drew her Crescent Moon Blade and plunged it hard into her shoulder!

What is she doing?

Did Xie Shuangxue tell her to do that…?

Standing before the monitor, Yu Haiqing rubbed his temples.

Of course, expecting him to follow the rules obediently was just unrealistic.

Watching the storyline, Lin Tong immediately recognized what was happening. She was well-versed in all the minor mechanics of the plot.

Every spell had a weakness, and Yun Ruowei, having used it herself, knew the “harm yourself to harm the enemy” method—a last resort that would force her hidden enemy to reveal themselves.

This was the perfect opportunity.

Sure enough, the water in the pool shrieked, and Xie Shuangxue saw a humanoid figure emerge as a phantom. Drawing his sword, he directed all his guiding light into the blade.

He wasn’t disobeying Yu Haiqing. He had followed all his instructions.

He just wanted to kill the Boss a bit early.

Meanwhile, outside Feather Clan members sensed the shift, feeling the Divine Vein’s energy radiate through every corner of the city. What once seemed calm now pulsed erratically, blocking their paths.

The energy was eerie, draining their divine power as it ensnared them. Ling Luo, experienced in such matters, quickly broke free, feeling the disturbance extending toward the center.

“Hurry!”

“To the city center!”

Feather Clan members throughout the city raced to the turbulent heart of the disturbance, finding the energy growing stronger as they approached. It wasn’t purely demonic but a mix of chaotic forces.

Upon arrival, they saw an astonishing scene.

At the eye of the storm stood Xie Shuangxue.

Above the pool at the Yun family’s ancestral shrine, drenched in water, he raised an invisible sword that looked like countless water blades. With a single swing, even through the sandstorm, the force of his attack was palpable.

This time, everyone witnessed it—no one could dispute it.

The water blades swept the area clean, and when the storm’s center finally calmed, Xie Shuangxue still stood there, one hand steadying Yun Ruowei. Though pale, he remained upright.

“He got away,” he muttered, sounding slightly dissatisfied. “But…I know now.”

He looked up at his senior brothers who had arrived, along with Elder Ling and Chun Yao, his wet eyes soft as he greeted them.

“Oh, you’re all here. Oh, and also…” He held out his other hand, revealing the long-sought Penglai City array eye. “I happened to find it.”