The method to enter the First World is slightly different from that of the Parallel World.
Dr. Wu took Tong Yang and the Parallel World's Yan Qing alone into a room.
The Parallel World's Yan Qing hadn't left the glass room for a long time and looked around excitedly.
"Sister Tong Yang."
"What is it?" Tong Yang glanced at her.
The Parallel World's Yan Qing said, "I wasn't lying to you. The First World is really dangerous."
"I know."
"Then why are you going alone?"
"Is it any of your business?"
The Parallel World's Yan Qing pouted and muttered, "I was just kindly reminding you."
Tong Yang said with a half-smile, "Thank you."
"You don't look thankful at all."
Wu Pingxue walked in, having changed into a white lab coat, and said to the Parallel World's Yan Qing, "What are you standing there for? Lie down."
The Parallel World's Yan Qing nodded obediently and lay down on the chair. Wu Pingxue walked behind her and connected an instrument to her brain.
The Parallel World's Yan Qing muttered, "I don't like this experiment."
Wu Pingxue said, "It'll be over soon."
"You said that last time too..."
Whatever Wu Pingxue did, the Parallel World's Yan Qing's voice grew weaker and weaker until she gradually closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Tong Yang asked, "Is she asleep?"
Wu Pingxue said, "Her consciousness has been deprived."
"Deprived of consciousness?" Tong Yang gave Wu Pingxue a deep look.
Wu Pingxue explained, "Her consciousness can control the Parallel World's magnetic field energy, but it's buried very deep. She can't do it on her own; she needs my help."
Tong Yang said, "Can you control other people's consciousness too?"
Wu Pingxue looked at her and smiled, "Yes."
Tong Yang frowned, her gaze turning wary.
Wu Pingxue chuckled, "You can think of me as a hypnotist. I can control consciousness, but not necessarily behavior. Moreover, the prerequisite is that the subject must have complete trust in me."
"Then you can't control me."
"Don't worry, I don't like controlling others unless it's necessary."
"You said those things in front of the Parallel World's Yan Qing and Liang Xi earlier. What was your purpose?"
Wu Pingxue said meaningfully, "I told you, I'm just an ordinary, warm-hearted old man."
Tong Yang pressed her lips together, "You really have no shame."
Wu Pingxue laughed instead of getting angry, "You'll find out later."
Then, Wu Pingxue said, "The currency used in the First World is different from the real world. This card has ten thousand units. Figure out how to live on your own once you get there."
Tong Yang took the bank card from his hand, "That's enough."
Wu Pingxue raised an eyebrow, "I hope so."
"I'll have Yan Qing shield your coordinates on a large scale. No matter what happens, adapt to the situation. Find a way to understand the structure of the upper society in the First World. Tell me immediately if you discover anything."
"How do I contact you?"
"The First World and the Parallel World share a signal. Your phone will automatically connect."
Tong Yang nodded, "I understand."
"Then get ready. I'm not sure exactly where you'll be sent."
"Wait, how do I get back?"
Wu Pingxue said, "Naturally, also through the time anchor point."
Wu Pingxue thought for a moment and said, "The First World also has people like you, who come from the real world. If you can meet up with them and cooperate, that would be best. But be careful to screen them; they might be assimilated, just like Xu Siyuan."
Tong Yang asked, "Who are they?"
Wu Pingxue said, "Unfortunately, I don't know the specifics either."
Tong Yang was speechless, "Then let's begin."
"Don't you need to say goodbye to them?"
"Unnecessary."
"Alright."
"Time anchor point, open your eyes."
"Next, you will follow my instructions..."
The Parallel World's Yan Qing was like a marionette, obeying Wu Pingxue's commands.
Similar to traveling to the Parallel World, the Parallel World's Yan Qing mechanically repeated Wu Pingxue's words. Tong Yang moved in a patterned way. It was somewhat different from the "Elevator Game," more like tracing a regular square pattern.
Tong Yang's movement trajectory resembled a square shape, and it kept shrinking the square's area until finally, the square was only the size of her footsteps.
"Please take one step forward. After ten seconds, open your eyes."
The numb voice of the Parallel World's Yan Qing sounded in her ears, sometimes near, sometimes far.
Tong Yang closed her eyes, took a step forward, and then counted to ten in her mind.
Simultaneously, she realized that unlike the method of entering the Parallel World by breaking balance to create chaos, guided by the Parallel World's Yan Qing, she seemed to be creating a balance—an infinitely shrinking, looping square until it formed the smallest square she could construct.
The surroundings became extremely quiet. As the number in Tong Yang's mind decreased, the sound of dripping water gradually echoed in her ears.
Cold water droplets continuously fell on her body, the pitter-patter of rain hitting rocks, the air filled with a damp, rotting smell.
After ten seconds ended, Tong Yang slowly opened her eyes.
She was in a dark alley. Rain fell through the narrow gaps between walls, soaking her.
Tong Yang looked around. On either side were two dilapidated buildings. The ground was wet with mud, withered yellow grass grew in the cracks of the walls, pitifully beaten down by the heavy rain, lying flat on the ground.
Is this the First World?
Tong Yang walked out of the alley. The street was shrouded in rain and mist. Dazzling neon lights reflected on the ground. Shops on both sides had their doors and windows tightly shut. Occasionally, a passerby in a black raincoat hurried by, head down.
It didn't seem much different from the real world?
I wonder what location in the real world this corresponds to.
Tong Yang observed the scenery on the street and walked along the left sidewalk. As she reached the end, something suddenly whooshed past overhead.
"Keep up!"
"Wait for me!"
That thing was flying in mid-air. As it swept past Tong Yang, it stirred up a gust of wind.
What the hell?
Tong Yang looked back and saw two flying vehicles speeding side by side between the buildings.
Different from the flying vehicles Tong Yang had seen before, these passenger-carrying things were similar to the flying crafts in futuristic movies.
"Aim!"
"Got it!"
"Boom—"
Tong Yang saw the flying vehicle swiftly pass by a building, then drop something. Immediately after, a loud explosion, flames shot into the sky, thick smoke billowed, tiles shattered, and glass broke.
Was that actually a bomb?
"Beautiful!"
"Whoo! Getting better at this!"
"Be careful, there are still quite a few poor people in this area."
"What does it matter? We'll just pay compensation to their families."
"Look! There's a woman watching us over there."
"I see her."
Tong Yang didn't have time to look away. She saw the two flying vehicles turn around and fly straight towards her.
"A poor person?"
"This target is relatively small this time. Wanna bet who can hit her?"
"Then let's use small arms. Otherwise, she'll die in one shot."
"No problem!"
They discussed it wantonly, their voices light and cheerful.
Tong Yang knew they meant harm. She cursed under her breath, turned around, and ran.
People in the First World and the Parallel World are all crazy!
"She's running!"
"A fleeing prey is much more interesting."
"Right you are!"
"Whoosh!"
At the same moment, a bullet shot towards Tong Yang at incredible speed.
Tong Yang was extremely agile. Bullets struck the buildings around her one after another. A huge graffiti sign fell from mid-air, blocking her path.
Without a moment's hesitation, Tong Yang gathered her strength, sprinted forward, used the falling signboard as a stepping stone to leap up, grabbed the windowsill of a residential building's second floor, and immediately flipped inside.
"The little mouse has gone into hiding."
"What now? I wasn't finished playing!"
As soon as Tong Yang landed, several bullets hit the windowsill. She cursed under her breath, calling them lunatics. Before she could even catch her breath, the sound of aircraft engines grew closer. A bad feeling struck her, and she took off running. A "whoosh" sounded behind her as a bomb was thrown at the building.
Tong Yang's breath hitched. She saw a little girl, about seven or eight years old, standing in a room with an open door down the right corridor. "Watch out..."
"Boom!"
The deafening explosion made Tong Yang's scalp tingle. Instinctively, she threw herself towards the little girl. They both fell to the ground as a wave of heat surged from behind. The room shook from the blast, objects raining down. Tong Yang was squarely hit by a falling wardrobe.
The dull pain in her back made her frown, but there was no time to linger. The sound of the aircraft was getting closer. She looked down to check on the little girl, and seeing she was unharmed, Tong Yang immediately got up and jumped out the window.
"The little mouse is finally out. I was just about to throw a second bomb."
Bullets continued to strafe towards her. They seemed to be enjoying her frantic escape, pressing closer step by step, yet maintaining a distance that was neither too near nor too far, as if toying with a trapped mouse, completely in control.
The firepower from the two aircraft was too intense. On the ground, Tong Yang had no choice but to run. Whenever she tried to duck into a narrow alley where the aircraft couldn't follow, they would drop bombs, forcing her back into open areas.
Tong Yang clenched her jaw tightly. She hadn't been this cornered since Hake Island.
"Whoosh—"
"Whoosh—"
Bullets landed almost at her feet; she could feel the air vortices from their spin.
"Fun!"
"Those other guys before turned into mincemeat before they could even run a few steps. So boring."
"Hahaha... Fun! So much fun!"
Tong Yang was fuming. A bunch of deranged idiots. All she did was look at them a second too long. Was this relentless pursuit really necessary?
Passing by a building, she spotted a rusty iron frame leaning against the wall. Tong Yang grabbed a piece, swiftly hurled it into the air.
"Clang—"
The metal rod struck the glass of one aircraft with perfect accuracy, the sound of metal on metal ringing out.
"Damn it..."
The pilot of the hit aircraft didn't seem very skilled, immediately flustered. The high-speed aircraft wobbled violently left and right before its right side slammed hard into a third-floor balcony. Bricks and debris showered down.
"Are you okay?" The other pilot stopped the chase, hovering before the damaged aircraft with concern.
"What the hell? She actually fought back?"
The other pilot asked, "Can you still take off?"
The boy shook his head. "Engine's busted."
Tong Yang noticed the commotion behind her had stopped. Looking back, she saw one aircraft smoking, red lights flashing—likely out of commission. The other aircraft hung motionless in the air.
Now, through the cockpit's transparent glass, Tong Yang got a clear look at the pilots: two teenagers, about sixteen or seventeen years old.
"What are you looking at? Scram! Once I fix this aircraft, I won't let you off!" The boy in the cockpit yelled, glaring viciously at Tong Yang.
The girl in the other aircraft simply fired a few shots at her, which Tong Yang dodged.
Tong Yang smiled slightly. "You've got bombs on that aircraft, right?"
"What do you think?"
"I suggest you leave now, or I swear I won't let you go!"
Tong Yang reached back, unzipped her backpack, and pulled out a grenade—given to her by Wu Pingxue before she left.
Tong Yang looked at the two with a sinister glint, preparing to pull the grenade's safety pin.
Seeing her move, the two teens were stunned.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?"
"I'm warning you, don't do anything stupid! If anything happens to me, my father will make you pay!"
The girl in the other aircraft pressed her lips into a tight line, her hands moving as if to act.
Tong Yang said, "Go ahead and try. Bet on whether I die faster, or you two die even faster."
The girl froze. She could probably escape herself, but the boy's aircraft was stuck on the balcony; the hatch wouldn't open easily. The aircraft was loaded with ammunition. If it triggered an explosion, the boy would definitely not survive.
The boy panicked. "Are you insane? Do you know who I am?"
Tong Yang scoffed. "Do I have to know who you are? Did you ask who I was when you started chasing me for no reason?"
The boy's face paled. "That's because, because..."
"Because what."
"Because killing people from the slums isn't a crime! And besides, if it weren't for my father, you wouldn't even have a place to live."
"Killing people from the slums isn't a crime?" Tong Yang's lips curled into a cold smile. "That's your reason?"
Tong Yang's calm, composed demeanor made the two suspicious. After exchanging glances, the girl asked, "You're not from the slums, are you?"
The person before them, though dressed plainly, was different from the grimy people of the slums. She was clean from head to toe.
Had they targeted the wrong person?
Tong Yang needed a plausible identity, so she nodded. "I am from the slums."
Hearing this, the boy regained his bravado. "Then what's wrong with me killing you?"
"What's wrong?" Tong Yang's smile was mocking. "Is my life not a life?"
The boy said, "Your existence has no meaning. You just waste resources. Shouldn't you be grateful that the United Government is willing to feed you freeloaders?"
So, treat humans like livestock?
The First World and the Parallel World are truly birds of a feather.
Tong Yang asked, "What if I were to kill you two?"
"The death penalty! That's a death sentence!"
The girl watched Tong Yang warily. "Just go. We won't hurt you anymore."
Tong Yang remained expressionless, thinking these two kids were somewhat gullible. No matter what, the girl could likely kill her before she fully pulled the pin. After all, how could a human be faster than a hot weapon?
"You frightened me, attacked me for no reason, and now you think you can just walk away?"
The girl frowned. "Then what else do you want?"
Tong Yang smiled pleasantly. "Simple."
"First, you apologize to me."
Before the girl could speak, the boy stared in disbelief. "Me? Apologize to you?"
Tong Yang said, "What? Didn't your father teach you basic manners and decency?"
The boy pointed at himself. "You... you're insulting me?"
"I'm teaching you."
"That's nonsense! No one has ever dared to speak to me like this!"
Tong Yang sneered, "Probably, everyone around you treats you like an idiot."
"Are you crazy?" The boy looked shocked. "Me? Treat me like an idiot?"
The girl glanced at him and said to Tong Yang with feigned sincerity, "Don't talk nonsense. We definitely don't think that. Really, no one thinks you're an idiot."
The latter part of her sentence was clearly directed at the boy.
The boy breathed a sigh of relief. "I knew you were talking nonsense..."
"Double negatives make a positive," Tong Yang stated.
The girl: "..."
"Ahem! I didn't mean that. I only speak for myself, absolutely not," the girl said unnaturally, turning her head away.
The boy's pupils dilated, his eyes darting between Tong Yang and the girl. "You... you people..."
Tong Yang said impatiently, "I don't care if you're an idiot. Since your father didn't teach you, I'll mercifully tell you: when you do something wrong, you should apologize. Now, you can apologize to me."
The boy had a fair, clean appearance, clearly a young master raised with a silver spoon. In the strictly hierarchical First World, no one had ever dared to demand an apology from him. No matter what he did, it was always others who apologized.
This woman actually dared to make him apologize?
She actually dared to make him apologize?
The boy's face flushed red, then paled with anger as he glared at Tong Yang.
Tong Yang shook the grenade. "My hand is getting unsteady."
The boy glared furiously, took a deep breath, and spat out, "S-o-r-r-y! Sorry, okay?"
The girl stifled a laugh, turned her head away, and after a moment, turned back as if nothing had happened, saying to Tong Yang, "We're sorry. We shouldn't have attacked you for no reason. Please leave now."
That sounded more agreeable, though Tong Yang's back still hurt.
"An apology is just basic courtesy," Tong Yang said.
The girl frowned. "You have more demands?"
"Because of your actions, I was not only frightened but also injured. Shouldn't you compensate me for medical expenses and emotional distress?"
A perfectly legitimate reason to make money—Tong Yang certainly wouldn't ignore it.
She only had the ten thousand dollars Wu Pingxue gave her on her. Surviving long-term in the First World with that would be extremely difficult.
Hearing her words, the boy scoffed disdainfully. "You just want money. You could have said so directly."
Tong Yang nodded. "Right. How much can you give?"
The boy said, "I only have a few thousand on me."
"A few thousand?" Tong Yang's face showed disdain. Was he all show and no substance?
The boy inexplicably felt looked down upon and angrily retorted, "That's all I brought! My monthly allowance is more than you could spend in a lifetime!"
Tong Yang said, "That's too far in the future. I only believe what's in front of me. Why don't you borrow some from your partner here?"
The girl immediately shook her head. "No, I don't have any; I won't lend it, I won't."
Tong Yang pursed her lips and reluctantly said, "Fine, a few thousand will do."
The boy, with a cold face, gathered all the money from his person. "How do I give it to you?"
Tong Yang said with a smile, "Just toss it over. I don't mind."
The boy snorted coldly, took off his jacket, stuffed the money into a pocket, and threw it to her. "I am not an idiot!"
Tong Yang caught the jacket and asked, "This jacket of yours could sell for a good amount, right?"
"You dare sell my clothes?"
"You gave it to me, so it's mine. Whether I sell it or not is none of your business," Tong Yang stated righteously.
The boy's face turned red with anger, his neck bulging. "You... you have no shame!"
"What use is shame to me? I only want money." Tong Yang didn't want to bother with these two brats any longer.
She also didn't want to cause trouble for herself so soon after entering the First World.
However, the haul seemed pretty good?
"I'm leaving now."
"Get lost!"
Tong Yang paid no mind. If everyone in the First World was as foolish as him, things would become much simpler.
After Tong Yang's figure disappeared from sight, the boy clutched his chest, unable to catch his breath.
"She actually said everyone around me treats me like an idiot?"
The girl said awkwardly, "She was talking nonsense. I've never thought that, really never."
The boy was about to say something but suddenly remembered Tong Yang's words: double affirmatives make a negative.
Instantly, his mouth twitched with anger.
The girl quickly changed the subject, saying, "The United Government has sent a message to all combat aircraft."
The boy asked, "What did it say?"
The girl said, "The time anchor from the Third World has entered the First World."
The boy's eyes lit up. "Really? Where?"
"Not sure," the girl shook her head. "We don't even know what she looks like. I heard there's completely no information about her in the Third World."
After a pause, the girl said, "More important than the Third World's time anchor is how we're going to explain ourselves for sneaking out the combat aircraft..."
At this, the boy became furious again. "It's all that woman's fault!"
"Forget about her for now. Let's think about how to explain this first."
"I will absolutely not let her off!"
The girl fell silent for a moment, then said, "I advise you not to act impulsively. She seemed very dangerous."
Tong Yang slung the jacket over her shoulder and leisurely made her way back to the residential building that had been bombed by the aircraft.
Although those two were indiscriminately attacking anyway, the bombing of that building was somewhat related to Tong Yang.
Tong Yang stood below the building and looked up. The second floor had a large gaping hole blown open.
She entered the stairwell, passed through the narrow stairs, and entered the room from earlier.
Most items in the room had been destroyed in the explosion. The interior was a chaotic mess. Tong Yang kicked aside a stone on the floor, sending a cloud of dust into the air.
Entering the room, she looked around. The little girl was nowhere to be seen.
"Ran away?" Tong Yang muttered.
A pity. She had planned to give her some money.
Just as Tong Yang was about to turn and leave, she suddenly heard a faint rustling sound from the inner room.
She paused, then turned and walked towards the room.
The closer she got, the clearer the sound became.
It sounded like someone chewing on food.
Tong Yang reached the doorway and looked inside. A thin, small figure was curled up in the corner, covered in dust, her face smeared with grime and blood. She squatted on the floor with a numb expression, mechanically chewing on a moldy piece of bread in her hand.
Seeing Tong Yang, she instinctively hid the bread behind her.
Tong Yang's attention wasn't on her. She smelled a strange odor in the room and looked towards the only relatively tidy bed, where a corpse lay, completely desiccated, having been dead for who knows how long.
Tong Yang frowned slightly. Judging by the build, it was likely a woman. She took two steps forward to examine the body. There were no wounds, and the mouth was slightly open. She had probably starved to death.
"For you..."
Seeing her approach the bed, the little girl tore her piece of bread in half and offered one part to Tong Yang.
Tong Yang glanced at her but didn't respond, continuing to walk towards the bed.
The little girl suddenly darted over, blocking the bedside, her voice hoarse, "Don't touch my mom!"
Tong Yang halted his steps, narrowing his eyes.
The little girl quickly scrambled onto the bed, embracing the corpse, clinging tightly to its arms, her eyes hollow and numb.
She repeated in a low voice, "Don't touch Mom..."
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