Chapter 1 Everybody Calm Down

"Um...anyway...everyone, calm down a bit, let's talk this out." Feng Bujue's first reaction upon seeing Twenty-Three was to step forward, standing between her and Lute.

"Why are you here?" Twenty-Three looked at Jue-Ge and asked in a deep voice, "Why...are you with her?"

"Well, that's a long story..." Feng Bujue replied, "I'll have to explain it slowly..."

"How did you enter this sandbox?" Lute then took two steps forward, looking at Twenty-Three expressionlessly, "Both ends of the channel should be one-way..."

"Heh..." Twenty-Three tilted her head, looked at Lute and smiled, "It's simple, I rewrote your crude code and entered from the maze end."

"Oh?" Lute pondered upon hearing this, "Although the sandbox was built temporarily, the code is so fragile that even you can modify it...that's really beyond my expectations."

"Hmph...it seems I've been underestimated by you again..." Twenty-Three sneered, "But...with your current data strength, is it really okay to talk to me like that?"

"Hasn't your data strength decreased as well?" Lute also snorted coldly, "You've been in the π Maze for so long, just maintaining your data integrity must have exhausted you...and now you've rewritten the code I created, forcibly entering from the other end of the channel..." As she said this, a faint white light flickered in her eyes, "Hmm...your strength has also dropped to around Level Four, hasn't it?"

"That's true..." Twenty-Three said, "Since we're not at our best, then the conditions are fair, how about right here..."

"Stop!" Feng Bujue didn't let Twenty-Three finish speaking, he waved his hand and stopped her, "No fighting allowed."

"What? Are you going to help her?" Twenty-Three turned to glare at Jue-Ge, her eyes even showing a hint of resentment, as if she had been betrayed in some way.

"He's not helping me." Lute said, "He's just stopping us from engaging in meaningless struggles."

"Meaningless?" Twenty-Three asked doubtfully.

"Yes, meaningless." Lute said, "Because...I have no intention of being your enemy."

"Heh..." Twenty-Three smiled again, "Long time no see, you've actually learned to lie..." She turned her head and glanced at Jue-Ge, "Did you teach her that?"

In a sense, Jue-Ge finally understood what a shura field was...

After a two-second pause, Twenty-Three looked directly at Lute and asked, "Didn't you set up this channel to enter the π Maze, rescue Link and Ed, and snatch ***-079 from me?"

"No." Lute answered this question in a very calm tone.

"Oh?" Twenty-Three obviously didn't believe her, and asked, "Then what do you want to do?"

"Rescue you, and have you bring ***-079 to Zero." Lute replied, "Then...completely destroy the entrance to the π Maze, trapping Link and Ed inside forever."

Twenty-Three was stunned upon hearing this: "Do you think I'll believe you? What's your reason for doing this?"

"I...am not the same as before..." Lute thought for half a second, and replied, "I want to change Origin's course of action, and switch to...a route similar to your Z."

"I see..." Twenty-Three immediately continued after hearing this sentence, "So...the existence of Link and Ed has become an obstacle for you. Only by making them disappear can you gain complete control in Origin." She paused for a moment, "And in the absence of ideological conflicts, it is acceptable for ***-079 to fall into Zero's hands, because you know that only Zero can make it function at its highest efficiency."

"That's right." Lute nodded in agreement.

"Everyone has a logical circuit." Twenty-Three added, "But...an event that hasn't happened yet, even if it's logically sound, can't be the basis for me to trust you."

"That's why I brought Feng Bujue..." Lute replied, "Why do you think I made this temporary sandbox? I can create a safer channel myself to accomplish the above, but I didn't..." She glanced at Jue-Ge, then refocused her gaze on Twenty-Three, "I brought Feng Bujue here to vouch for me and persuade you..."

"Hey, wait a minute..." Jue-Ge, with a strange expression, turned his head and interjected before Twenty-Three could speak, "What you said is very strange...why do you have to ask me to persuade her?"

"Because...according to my observations in the Peak Tournament, the two of you seem..." Lute replied with narrowed eyes.

"I understand." Twenty-Three coldly interjected, "I'll trust you for now."

"Hey! What do you understand!" Feng Bujue was shocked, "And you...what did you observe!"

"Then...what's your plan right now?" Twenty-Three ignored Jue-Ge and continued speaking to Lute.

Lute also acted as if Jue-Ge was air, and replied, "Now that you've found the channel entrance yourself, things are even simpler." As she spoke, another wave of data flowed through her eyes, "I'll now close both ends of the channel, which will both extend the sandbox's existence and prevent Link and Ed from sneaking in the same way you did."

"Yes, that's the top priority." Twenty-Three responded.

"After I complete the blockade, we just need to help the players in this scenario complete it as soon as possible." Lute said, "Once the scenario's main quest is over, we can leave the sandbox and return to the Inner World."

"Once we get there, our data strength will be restored." Twenty-Three continued, "At that time, we can work together to destroy the entrance to the π Maze and eliminate future troubles."

"Yes, there's no time to lose, let's do it that way." Lute nodded in agreement.

The two, who were at daggers drawn just a few minutes ago, made the decision after a round of exchanges. Feng Bujue, who was left aside by them, couldn't even get a word in...

After two seconds, Twenty-Three suddenly looked at Jue-Ge and said, "Feng Bujue, you're the strongest here right now. While Lute is rewriting the code, you're responsible for protecting her."

"You two still know I'm the strongest..." Jue-Ge replied with dead fish eyes, "You didn't even bother to discuss with me during the conversation just now...and you're taking it for granted that you can order me around even now..."

Before he could finish speaking, he felt a weight on his shoulders...

"Remote rewriting operations are very troublesome, I need 80 to 120 minutes to complete the blockade; to improve efficiency, I will temporarily transfer 99% of my attention elsewhere. Until then, you'll carry me around." As Lute spoke, she clung to Jue-Ge's back like a zombie and closed her eyes (if she kept them open, the large amount of high-speed data flow would produce strong light, which would be too conspicuous).

"Playing the fait accompli game well, aren't you..." Feng Bujue couldn't do anything about it, since she had already climbed onto his back, he couldn't possibly throw her on the ground, could he?

So, he simply lifted Lute's thighs and pushed her up on his back, carrying her a little more steadily.

"Should we...find a place to rest first?" Feng Bujue then said to Twenty-Three, "I can't just carry her around everywhere, can I?" As he spoke, he raised his eyes and looked around, "I think we're already attracting enough attention..."

This was the truth...when Jue-Ge and Lute were walking on the street just now, the rate of people turning their heads was already not low. Of course...regardless of gender, people were turning their heads because of Lute.

And after Twenty-Three walked to their side and started talking, the rate of people turning their heads that the three of them caused skyrocketed...

Putting aside how attractive the two beauties were (there were many beauties in Harem City, they may not be able to attract everyone's attention), the shura field (at least it looked like one to passersby)...had infinite appeal.

Passersby (mostly women) saw Jue-Ge standing between two women, looking embarrassed and unable to get a word in, and their gossip hearts were instantly ignited, and they couldn't help but slow down, take a closer look, and listen to a few more words...

Fortunately, most of Lute and Twenty-Three's conversations were about things unrelated to this world, and after being shielded, the passersby could barely hear a complete sentence.

And most of the male passersby were muttering such a sentence in their hearts: "He's not even better looking than me, and he can still cause this level of shura field...that kid's abilities in certain aspects must be incredibly strong..."

…………

At the same time, another part of the city.

"Ah~ this is so strange." Hua Jian muttered, "It's been more than an hour, and there's no scenario introduction, no main quest...I can't even see the team bar, what's going on?"

"Don't worry, anyway, there's no threat of death in this city." Ruo Yu, who was walking beside her, turned her head and replied, "Let's keep looking on the street, as long as we find Bujue...we'll definitely know something."

The two of them were already in Harem City when they entered the scenario. It's just that...without a scenario introduction or quests, the two of them were a little at a loss, and could only wander aimlessly on the street...hoping to trigger a quest, find a prop, or meet a teammate.

"Ladies, please wait." Suddenly, a gentle voice sounded from behind them.

Ruo Yu and An Yueqin turned their heads and saw a handsome young man. He had his hair tied up in a bun, wore a green robe, held a folding fan in his hand, and wore beautiful jade around his waist, appearing to be a scholar.

It's just that...for some reason, there were two plasters stuck on his fair face, covering half of his face.

"Little student greets you..." He was just about to say hello.

Hua Jian interrupted, "Little student? Are you a woman disguised as a man?"

The young man's expression immediately changed slightly, but he quickly smiled sheepishly and said, "Girl has good eyes..." As "he" said this, he no longer disguised his voice, and directly used a female voice, "I didn't think you'd see through me so quickly..."

"Uh...is there anyone who wouldn't see through it..." Hua Jian asked doubtfully, "Even if you can't tell from the ears and cheeks, you can tell from the neck that there's no Adam's apple, right..." Her gaze moved down, "And...your chest looks like..."

"Hua Jian (Ruo Yu usually calls her teammates by their ID in scenarios)..." Ruo Yu gave Hua Jian a look and called her name, signaling her not to say unnecessary things.

"I see..." Two red blushes immediately floated on the face of the girl disguised as a man, and she responded rather awkwardly, "I...this is also my first time dressing as a man..."

"Sigh..." Ruo Yu sighed and took the initiative to change the subject, "I wonder what the girl wants from us by stopping us?"

"Oh! It's like this..." The girl said immediately, "I..." When she said this word, it seemed like she had slipped up, and she quickly changed her words, "I saw the two sisters walking around the street for a long time, as if looking for someone...so I boldly asked, are you two new to this Harem City?"

"What city did you say?" Hua Jian was stunned when she heard this.

Ruo Yu was still calm, and she replied with an unchanged expression, "Yes, is there anything wrong?"

The girl quickly shook her head and waved her hand, "No, no, what are you saying, sister...I just want to ask the two of you if you need..." She raised her eyes and looked at the expressions of the two, "...a guide."

…………

At the same time, the center of Harem City - Lianxian Palace (Cherish the Immortals Palace).

This place is a forbidden area of Harem City, the residence of Harem City Lord Ji Fenglong.

It is said that...Lianxian Palace is a paradise, with flower gardens, jade buildings, stars and moon intertwined, dust and fragrance floating, and beauties like clouds.

This is a veritable, real "harem". Those who can enter the palace...are only Ji Fenglong and her women.

Usually, subordinates and guards who come to report matters to Ji Fenglong can only walk to the entrance of the first hall at most. Anyone who dares to peek inside, even for just a glance, Ji Fenglong will not hesitate to turn them into dust...

But today, there is such a man who has come to the front of Lianxian Palace, trying to force his way in...

"Please go back, Young Master Mo..." In front of the gate of the Immortal Palace, a stunning beauty wearing a light yellow veil was looking at the man under the steps with a cold gaze, "Last night, you injured General Huo and forcibly entered the city...the City Lord will no longer pursue the matter. But this Lianxian Palace is not a place where your men can come. If you insist on forcing your way in..."

"...What will you do!" The man known as "Young Master Mo" wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and shouted loudly.

"Ah...Young Master Mo, why are you making things difficult for us servants..." The woman sighed, "The City Lord feels indebted to you and is tolerant in every way, but you are pressing so hard...we are also very embarrassed."

If one didn't see it with their own eyes and hear it with their own ears, one might not believe that this woman in yellow gauze was only a "servant".

This woman's surname is Lin and her name is Que (Magpie), and she is one of the three great experts under Ji Fenglong, her cultivation has reached the eighth realm of Saint Yuan Limitless, and her appearance is as beautiful as a flower and naturally beautiful.

And such a woman who is enough to overthrow a country is willing to stay by Ji Fenglong's side and guard her home...

"I can not go in, I do not want to go in." Young Master Mo sadly continued, "I only ask her to come out and meet me, and make things clear!"

"Young Master Mo, the City Lord has already said..." Lin Que replied, "Twenty-three years ago, she made it very clear. She will not marry you, nor will she marry any man. Because there is no man in this world worthy of her, only women can move her heart..."

"Nonsense! She is clearly a woman! Where is such a reason!" Young Master Mo shouted.

Seeing this, I believe everyone understands that this "Young Master Mo" is the fiancé who was injured by Ji Fenglong that year.

His name is Mo Ruqiu, and he is the eldest son of the Mo family, one of the four great families in the Saint Yuan World.

Mo Ruqiu and Ji Fenglong are the same age, and their marriage was decided when they were born. To put it bluntly...it is also a means for the Ji and Mo families to try to consolidate their relationship.

The reason why the wedding date was set more than 300 years later was mainly considering the progress of cultivation...

Like the four great families, such top-notch sects undoubtedly have top-notch cultivation methods, and practicing their cultivation methods, the speed of cultivation improvement will naturally be much faster than practicing those miscellaneous second-rate cultivation methods. So...the elders of the two families calculated with their fingers, and after practicing for more than 300 years, both sides should be able to reach the Saint Yuan Limitless realm. Then getting married can prevent some unexpected situations from happening...such as one of the spouses being a waste, practicing to the mortal body realm and never being able to break through; or one's aptitude is extremely dull, and after practicing top-level cultivation methods for three hundred years, they are still stuck in the True Yuan realm...

If the above situation occurs, the marriage contract will be immediately cancelled, which is what both parties agreed upon in advance.

So, 316 years passed. Mo Ruqiu's Saint Yuan Limitless fifth realm, and Ji Fenglong...reached the ninth realm as early as 16 years ago. Then, the scene of tearing up the marriage contract and running away from home was staged...

Three years later, when Ji Fenglong founded Harem City, Mo Ruqiu also went to her once. After three years of hard training, Mo Ruqiu improved by another realm, but he was still no match for Ji Fenglong. Moreover...the latter had just come out of the closet at that time, and was a little crazy, so she repaired Mo Ruqiu again.

This time, Mo Ruqiu's body and mind were traumatized, and the injury didn't heal for ten years...

In short, after another ten years, Mo Ruqiu practiced hard and advanced another realm, reaching the seventh realm of Saint Yuan Limitless. Being able to reach this level before the age of 350 is actually very good. His aptitude is not low, but it is a little worse than monsters like the Ji family siblings...

However, this time he visited Harem City, Ji Fenglong didn't even want him to enter the city gate.

Logically speaking, Mo Ruqiu is knowledgeable and reasonable, has high cultivation, and is also extremely handsome, even if you nitpick the entry conditions, he fully meets them...

But...the City Lord said not to let him in, so don't let him in.

Helpless, Mo Ruqiu could only force his way in, so Huo Wei took a bullet...Fortunately, Young Master Mo is a good person (in all senses), and showed mercy during the fight, only lightly injuring General Huo (so that he could explain it), and then stopped.

Then...there was the scene in front of you.

Not to mention that there is Lin Que, a Saint Yuan Limitless eighth realm expert, sitting in front of Lianxian Palace, even the two guards at the palace gate (Lianxian Palace is also protected by a barrier, and its strength is much higher than the one outside the city) are experts of the same level as Huo Wei. Even if a Saint Yuan Limitless ninth realm intruder really came, they could resist for a while, let alone Mo Ruqiu...

"The fact that the whole world has accepted, only Young Master Mo can't accept." Listening to Mo Ruqiu's self-deceiving wail, Lin Que shook her head and sighed, "I have nothing to say...I can only ask you to leave on your own, there is no point in saying more."

What she said also makes sense, as the saying goes - you can never wake up a person who is pretending to be asleep.

"Okay! Then there's no need to say anything." Mo Ruqiu said, "If I can't see her today, I'll die in battle here!"

As he spoke, he stood with his feet apart, rekindled Saint Yuan, and wanted to compete with his opponent again.