"The match between the two contestants is incredibly intense!"
"Contestant 101 is moving so fast! She actually managed to inflict injuries amounting to 40% on Contestant 1's damage assessment in just a few short minutes!"
"Attention, friends in the live audience! The difference in the contestants' damage assessments has now reached forty percent, making the elimination right available for auction!"
"Of course, our audience friends are very patient and won't easily interrupt the battle between the contestants. Can Contestant 1 stage a comeback in the remaining time? Let's wait and see..."
"Beep—"
A long siren sounded across the arena after Wen Qin's damage assessment reached forty percent.
"Mr. Armand Brad has purchased the elimination right for Contestant 1!!!"
Tong Yang stood up, finding the name familiar. She looked up at the large screen; the man had a pair of blue eyes.
She remembered. This was Tang Li's fleeting romantic encounter on Hake Island.
At the same time, Tong Yang spotted a familiar face to his right.
A woman wearing an elegant green cheongsam, her long hair cascading over her shoulders.
"Wow! The lady next to Mr. Armand is so beautiful," the host exclaimed.
The woman looked at the camera and smiled slightly.
Armand put his arm around the woman's shoulders and said with a laugh, "She is my beloved."
Tong Yang: "..."
Hold on, others might not know who she is, but doesn't Armand know?
The woman sitting to his right was none other than Tang Li, who had entered the First World on a special mission.
However, Armand was someone from the First World Tong Yang's side, and Tang Li knew the boundaries.
"What a pity," Tang Li sighed.
"Hmm? What is it that makes you, this beautiful lady, feel regret? Can't Mr. Armand fulfill your wishes?" the host teased.
Tang Li said, "I was very interested in Contestant 101. I feel rather unwilling that I didn't get the chance to buy her elimination right."
Armand said, "Contestant 101 didn't give us the opportunity."
"No matter, Contestant 101 would surely be very willing to get to know both of you."
Tong Yang couldn't be bothered to listen to their duet. Tang Li's appearance by Armand's side proved this person was not a threat. She bent down to look at Wen Qin on the ground, realigned the dislocated bones in her body, and then helped her up.
"Thanks," Wen Qin said.
"Don't mention it."
Unlike the fierce battle before, the two were now as calm as if they had just shared a meal. Without needing staff reminders, they each walked back to their own seats.
Wen Qin was also the only person so far who retained free mobility after being eliminated by an audience member.
"Boring."
The killer wearing a white cat-face mask said lazily.
She crossed her arms in front of her chest, lost interest in the following matches, and closed her eyes for a nap.
The fourth round of selection involved over seven hundred participants and more than three hundred arena matches. One day was definitely not enough; the arena matches continued for nearly half a month.
The audience never tired of it, constantly seeking entertainment while watching the matches.
The First World's Tong Yang did not appear after the first day's matches.
During this period, the winners and those eliminated by the audience remained in the affluent area. Apart from not being allowed to go to other areas, they could move freely within the venue.
Tong Yang wasn't interested in the subsequent matches. With the information Wen Qin had provided, she was almost certain she could pass the fourth round of selection.
These days, Tong Yang spent her time wandering around the venue when she had nothing to do, trying to find a chance to meet Tang Li. However, as the audience seating and internal passages were not connected, she hadn't been able to meet her.
August 17, 2026, the final day of the arena matches.
Tong Yang watched a few matches from her seat. Contestants voluntarily eliminating themselves were becoming more and more common, with the live audience occasionally taking pity and auctioning for a contestant's elimination right.
Seeing Tang Li and Armand leave their seats together in the audience section, heading in the direction of the restrooms.
After waiting a moment, Tong Yang followed.
"Ali, I'll wait for you outside."
Tong Yang walked near the restroom area and saw Tang Li and Armand standing at the end of the corridor.
Armand leaned down and kissed Tang Li's forehead, reluctantly letting go. He nodded towards Tong Yang before leaving, giving them space.
"Looks like you're doing alright," Tang Li said with a smile.
Tong Yang walked up, momentarily speechless. "Don't be sarcastic. While you were enjoying fine food and drink in the affluent district, I was still eating instant noodles that cost one-fifty a pack in the slums."
Tang Li was shocked. "That's something people eat?"
Tong Yang's face darkened. "Don't push your luck."
Tang Li chuckled, sighing, "Long time no see. You've become much more mature."
Tong Yang said, "I'm in a very bad mood right now, I don't want to chat."
Tang Li laughed helplessly. "It's not my fault. Wu Pingxue said some of his men were in the wealthy district, so he sent me over. Who knew? Before I could even begin to act, I ran into Armand."
Speaking of Armand, Tong Yang couldn't help but ask, "You and him..."
Tang Li feigned a helpless sigh and said, "He knows both our identities and what we look like. He threatened that if I didn't cooperate, he would expose us to the United Government. For the sake of our safety, I had no choice but to pretend to go along."
Tong Yang said, "Pretend? You looked like you were enjoying it."
"I didn't expect... he's such a gentle man. A pity..." Tang Li shook her head. "But, having a taste isn't bad either."
Tong Yang wasn't entirely sure what adults meant by "having a taste," but it definitely wasn't just about eating.
"Alright, let's talk business," Tong Yang said.
Tang Li's expression turned more serious. "We can't wait until 2028."
Tong Yang's agreement with the First World's Tong Yang was set for 2028.
"Why?" Tong Yang asked.
The relationship between the First World and the parallel world has become extremely tense. With the help of the parallel world, Mi Qi and the people in the slums have built underground shelters. Fewer and fewer people are dying from the bombings. The First World's plan to reduce the population and develop magnetic field energy has failed.
Tang Li's expression was grave as she continued, "They have discovered the secret of the time dislocation. Since the magnetic field energy in the real world hasn't been developed, and you, as the temporal anchor point, are within the time dislocation, it's possible to use the parallel world's magnetic field energy as an anchor point for a cycle."
It was only a matter of time before they discovered this, so Tong Yang wasn't surprised.
Tang Li went on, "The First World and the Parallel World have discovered another spacetime where a time dislocation exists, and have calculated that the time dislocation will completely disappear on May 28, 2027."
May 28, 2027, the same date as Tong Yang's death on the original timeline in 2024.
"The First World and the Parallel World have no intention of going to war with each other; it would only result in mutual destruction. So, they have set their sights on the Real World after May 28, 2027. Whoever obtains the Real World's magnetic field energy first will become the undisputed overlord. Both the Real World and you will be sacrificed."
The corridor fell silent. Tong Yang's heart sank to the depths.
"Tong Yang, there are many ways they could kill you. We cannot resist."
Tong Yang understood her meaning. The technological level of the First World and the Parallel World had left them far behind. When the time came, even if Tong Yang had defenses of iron, she would be hard-pressed to escape death. The real world, devoid of magnetic field energy, would surely be the first to fall.
Tong Yang said solemnly, "Therefore, we absolutely must achieve our goal before May 28th, to make the magnetic field energy disappear."
Tang Li nodded. "That's right."
Tong Yang said, "That's almost impossible to achieve."
Tang Li lowered her eyes. "Perhaps it can be done."
"Really?"
"Mhm. The prerequisite is that your 'game' with the Tong Yang from the First World cannot proceed simultaneously."
As she said this, Tang Li's expression grew complicated.
Tong Yang seemed to understand her meaning. "So, the real world needs to abandon me."
Destroying the magnetic field energy likely required the use of a Time Anchor, which was why Wu Pingxue had sent her to the First World. However, her 'game' with the First World's Tong Yang would prevent the plan from proceeding smoothly before May 28th.
Tang Li had been undercover in the First World for so long; she should know that the First World could transfer the Time Anchor to another person. As long as Tong Yang cooperated with the First World to transfer the Time Anchor to anyone who shared a blood relation with her after genetic modification, she would become useless. Her game with the First World's Tong Yang would then no longer affect the real world's plan.
They only needed to exclude Tong Yang from the plan before May 28th arrived, leaving her alone to continue her game with the First World's Tong Yang.
Tong Yang pondered for a moment. "If the plan is feasible, I have no objections."
Tong Yang's tone was too calm, as if the person who might be squeezed dry of her last use and then discarded wasn't herself.
This was Tong Yang's consistent way of operating.
She needed to choose the closest-to-perfect answer. Regardless of who benefited from that answer, as long as it was correct, she could do it.
Tong Yang's rationality was terrifying, yet it also inspired awe.
Before uttering these words, Tang Li had imagined many of Tong Yang's possible reactions: disappointment, anger, sorrow, or even choosing to cooperate with the First World for self-preservation. She hadn't expected Tong Yang to answer her so calmly.
Tong Yang was a person worthy of respect.
Tang Li raised her hand, pressing it against Tong Yang's cheek. "This is only a choice when there are no other choices left. We won't let things reach that point."
Tong Yang moved her face away from Tang Li's hand, giving her a look of disgust up and down. "Let's hope so."
Unwilling to relent, Tang Li pounced and hugged Tong Yang. "Little sister, you're too captivating. Can't you seriously consider me?"
"Let go! Are you insane?" Tong Yang pushed her but couldn't break free; the soft body clung tightly to her.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the corridor.
"Brother..." Wen Qin called out in a daze.
Armand Brad said impatiently, "Don't you dare cry."
"Wuwu..." Wen Qin tugged at the corner of his clothes. "I don't want to either, but she's just too amazing!"
"I noticed her a long time ago. I never expected her to be the Time Anchor! Anyway, sister-in-law is on the same boat as her. Shouldn't we stop listening to the United Government?" Wen Qin asked, her eyes brimming with tears.
"I heard you put on quite the act at the training base. How are you still so emotional?"
"I couldn't embarrass you all."
Armand Brad paused, then said, "I have never worked for the United Government."
Wen Qin was taken aback, wiping her tears away. "The Slaughterers?"
"Mhm."
Tong Yang and Tang Li gathered some information. With the help of the First World's Tong Yang, they had learned which families corresponded to the Twelve Gates. As for how to proceed afterward and how to destroy the magnetic field energy, Tang Li didn't know either. Wu Pingxue had only told them what they should do for now.
Aside from her, other members of the "Spiders" were partly in the First World and partly in the Parallel World, carrying out different tasks.
Xu Junyue and the others were also involved in the missions, but Tang Li didn't know their specific locations.
Before parting, Tong Yang said, "If you have time, help me inquire about someone."
"Who?" Tang Li asked.
"He Jingjing (Sister). She used to be an undercover agent in the real world. After failing, she was taken back to the First World."
Tang Li nodded. "What does she look like?"
Tong Yang opened her phone, pulled up a photo of He Jingjing, and said, "She looks just like her."
Tang Li glanced at it. "He Jingjing? Isn't she the one by Wu Pingxue's side?"
"Her younger sister."
Tang Li nodded. "Alright, I understand."
Tong Yang said, "We'll be in touch."
"Okay. The plan remains unchanged for now. But you need to mentally prepare yourself in advance. Even if we need to transfer it to someone else, we won't abandon you."
Tong Yang said, "That's not the main point. Just maximize the benefits."
Tang Li sighed helplessly. "Alright."
That day, the arena matches concluded. 154 contestants were eliminated by audience vote, 81 self-eliminated, 125 were eliminated by death, and 360 were victorious.
Xue Wei did not give them any time to relax, announcing that in three days, the 154 audience-eliminated contestants would face off again against the victors in PK matches, with different rules from the arena matches.
When the 154 audience-eliminated contestants participated in PK, a single loss would result in direct elimination from the fourth round of selection. Winning the first PK match would allow them to proceed against the next victor; a loss there would still mean elimination, while a victory would mean passing the fourth round of selection.
In other words, audience-eliminated contestants could not lose at all and had to win two consecutive matches to pass the selection.
The rules for the arena victors were slightly different. If they won against an audience-eliminated contestant, they passed directly. If they lost, they entered a pending zone. After the second round of PK matches concluded, those in the pending zone would have one final PK match. Victory meant passing, defeat meant elimination.
The second PK match held no pressure for Tong Yang. After winning, she successfully passed the fourth round of selection.
Wen Qin had been audience-eliminated and needed to win two consecutive matches against victors to pass. Tong Yang went to watch her matches. Wen Qin overwhelmingly won both matches.
Within a week, the fourth round of selection ended. Out of over seven hundred participants, one hundred and twenty-eight passed.
Those who passed obtained identity credentials for the affluent district, even if they were eliminated in the fifth round.
The fifth round of selection took place in a holographic simulation scenario. Tong Yang passed smoothly. 59 people were eliminated, leaving only 69.
The sixth round of selection was the final round of the "Pathfinder" selection. Those eliminated became training soldiers, entering various families. Those who passed became "Pathfinders," entering the United Government.
On September 23, 2026, the sixth round of selection began.
They needed to fight against—androids.
Androids were different from robots. In appearance, they were indistinguishable from ordinary people, but their physical capabilities were far superior.
The battle, lasting half a month, was extremely brutal.
Out of the sixty-nine participants in the sixth round of selection, sixty-seven were eliminated, and only two passed.
Without a doubt, those who passed the selection were Tong Yang and Wen Qin.
Everyone else, including Meng Xiao, was eliminated, suffering damage to various body organs, later restored using android technology.
The elimination rule for the sixth round dictated that during duels with androids, candidates could not sustain any loss of limbs or fatal injuries. Such injuries would require bionic repair, yet "Pathfinders" were strictly forbidden from using any bionic technology. Consequently, the only two to pass were her and Wen Qin.
On October 7, 2026, Tong Yang obtained permanent residency and brought Yang Miao to the Wealthy Zone.
At the same time, she transferred all the assets the United Government had gifted her to Yang Miao.
"Sister!"
Yang Miao jumped off the aircraft, rushing toward her with glee.
"Sister, you're amazing! You defeated the androids! You're so incredible!"
Tong Yang caught her and said, "Those were just experimental androids."
Even so, defeating them had been incredibly difficult; both Tong Yang and Wen Qin had sustained varying degrees of injury.
"I don't care! You're just amazing!"
Tong Yang looked into her sparkling eyes, lightly patted the back of her head, and said, "Keep it down."
Xue Wei closed the cabin door, walked up behind them, and smiled. "Congratulations. You achieved your heart's desire."
Tong Yang glanced at him. "This isn't my wish."
Xue Wei sighed helplessly. "Isn't it good to have reached a milestone?"
Tong Yang let out a cold laugh. "It's just a milestone. It’s not worth celebrating."
"You're too greedy," Xue Wei remarked.
Yang Miao asked curiously, "Sister, do you have a wish? I can help you grant it."
"You?" Xue Wei scoffed, poking her forehead. "What can a little brat like you do?"
"None of your business!" Yang Miao glared at him, then continued asking Tong Yang, "Sister, tell me. I'll work hard to make it happen for you!"
Tong Yang said, "You don't need to know."
Yang Miao froze slightly, understanding Tong Yang's meaning.
She didn't need to know because Tong Yang's affairs had nothing to do with her.
Sister had said that she would leave one day.
Yang Miao lowered her head dejectedly and mumbled, "I just wanted to help you."
"Not needed," Tong Yang replied.
Yang Miao’s mouth turned down, her eyes reddening.
"Let's go. I'll take you to buy a couple of outfits."
Yang Miao’s eyes lit up instantly. "Thank you, Sister!"
Xue Wei watched them, shaking his head in resignation.
After the selection ended, she and Wen Qin did not go directly to the United Government. Over the past year and the final few months of selection, they had only rested for two days, so the United Government granted them permission to report one week later.
The Wealthy Zone was filled with towering skyscrapers and immense luxury.
Here, most humans didn't need to work; the labor force had been replaced by androids.
That evening, the two of them ate at a restaurant.
Aside from the owner, everyone in the restaurant was an android.
Sitting by the window, the city lights were a blur of dappled colors.
"Sister, it's so beautiful here," Yang Miao marveled.
The restaurant was on the forty-seventh floor; looking down, one could see the entire surrounding environment.
"Is it?" Tong Yang said, lacking interest.
Yang Miao said, "As long as we live here, we won't lack for anything."
Tong Yang's expression was indifferent. "That's good, then."
Yang Miao lay on the table, observing Tong Yang's expression. "Sister, now that you've become a 'Pathfinder' and work for the United Government, does that mean you can stay here?"
Tong Yang raised her eyes to look at her. "No."
Regardless of whether her plan succeeded, Tong Yang would certainly not remain in the First World.
"Why?" Yang Miao sat up straight abruptly, staring at her with wide eyes.
Tong Yang frowned slightly. "Yang Miao, I told you from the very beginning. I will leave sooner or later."
Yang Miao pursed her lips and hung her head. "Why? Do you not like it here?"
"No."
"But it's beautiful. It's the most beautiful place in the world."
Tong Yang was noncommittal. "Maybe I just don't like beautiful things."
"You're lying!" Yang Miao shouted angrily.
Tong Yang had no patience for comforting a child. "Enough. I don't want to discuss this topic. I will do everything I promised you. The assets in the Wealthy Zone have already been transferred to you."
Yang Miao’s eyes gradually turned red with anger. "So annoying! I don't want any of that!"
She let out a low growl, and at the same moment, a loud bang rang out. An android carrying food had suddenly smashed its tray violently against the wall.
The metallic crash against the wall drew everyone's displeased gazes.
The owner, who had been dozing behind the counter, woke with a start and hurriedly told the crowd, "I'm so sorry, the server isn't functioning well. Your meals are on the house today, please don't mind this."
The android stood where it was, its expression ferocious, staring straight at Tong Yang.
Tong Yang narrowed her eyes, murmuring, "Do androids lose control, too?"
The owner took the android to the back kitchen and had someone clean up the food scraps. The restaurant returned to silence.
Tong Yang withdrew her probing gaze and looked back at Yang Miao.
A streak of bright red caught her eye. Yang Miao pulled out a few tissues to wipe the blood flowing from her nose, looking up at her with a guilty expression.
Tong Yang froze. The last time Yang Miao had a nosebleed for no reason was at the training base, after a conflict with a boy in her class.
If she remembered correctly, the boy had been holding a bionic doll.
At that time, the doll also seemed to have made an unusual movement.
"Sister..." Yang Miao called out cautiously, looking uneasy.
Tong Yang remained composed. "Stop the bleeding first, go wash your face. After we eat, I'll take you to the hospital."
The medical standards in the Wealthy Zone were quite advanced; combined with bionic technology, they could almost bring the dead back to life.
Yang Miao shook her head immediately. "No! I'm fine! I'm not going to the hospital!"
Her eyes were filled with panic, terrified that Tong Yang would take her there.
Tong Yang watched her in silence, then asked, "I don't think I've ever asked you—where are your biological parents?"
When she met Yang Miao, the girl had been living with a woman who had been dead for a long time, treating her as her mother.
Later, she learned that Yang Miao simply recognized anyone willing to give her food as "Mom," and that woman wasn't her real mother.
Yang Miao shook her head, her gaze unfocused, daring not to meet Tong Yang's eyes. "I-I don't know. I've never seen them. They must be dead."
Tong Yang looked at her with a complex expression. "If you want to hide something, try to hide it a bit better. Don't make it so full of holes."
Yang Miao looked up in fear. "I-I..."
Tong Yang lowered her eyes and said nothing.
After a few seconds of silence, Tong Yang asked, "Are you full?"
Yang Miao nodded timidly. "I'm full."
"Let's go, then."
They left the dining area and walked down the street, one after the other.
The place wasn't far from where they lived, so Tong Yang decided to walk home.
On the way, neither spoke a word.
Tong Yang always walked fast. In the past, Yang Miao loved to hold her hand and walk alongside her, but today, for some reason, Yang Miao lagged a few steps behind, wanting to catch up but not daring to.
Passing a supermarket, Tong Yang stopped. "There are no toiletries for you at home."
Yang Miao paused, then said in a muffled voice, "I brought some."
"Okay."
Tong Yang didn't say anything else and continued walking.
"Sister!"
After a moment of internal struggle, she suddenly grabbed Tong Yang from behind.
Tong Yang turned sideways and asked, "What's wrong?"
Yang Miao mumbled, "Don't be angry."
"I'm not angry," Tong Yang replied.
Yang Miao looked up, studying her expression. "Do you think I'm really stupid?"
Tong Yang didn't deny it. "A little bit. So?"
"I can tell you who my biological parents are."
