Li Ming woke to pain.
Not skin pain—pain seeping from his bones. Like someone had dismantled his meridians, pulled them out one by one, restitched them roughly, each stitch tugging nerves.
He opened his eyes, finding himself on his room's floor. The floor was cold, hard, making his back numb. When had he fallen from the bed? He couldn't remember. Only remembered modifying the breakthrough threshold last night, then...
That tearing pain, like being ripped apart.
"Damn."
He cursed, voice even hoarser than yesterday, like sandpaper scraping his throat. His mouth tasted of blood, like he'd coughed blood but had no memory—maybe during unconsciousness? He didn't know.
Li Ming pushed himself up from the floor, hands pressing down, fingertips numb like electrocuted. He drew a deep breath, calling up the system interface, pale green text appearing before his eyes, glaring in the darkness:
[Cultivation] Qi Refinement Layer Two 1/400
[Status] Foundation damaged (collapse risk 70%)
[Time remaining] 19 days 23 hours 47 minutes
[Unlocked] Advanced Scan, Code Copy
"Nineteen days..."
Li Ming laughed bitterly, the sound echoing hollowly in the empty room, somewhat hoarse.
Twenty days to break through three layers—he'd done two in one day. Layer One to Layer Two, normal cultivation needed at least a month, he'd done it in a day. But the price was... foundation damage, possible collapse in twenty days.
"What does collapse mean?"
He remembered that voice before losing consciousness last night—"You will pay the price."
What price? Cultivation destroyed? Or... death? Or something worse?
"Forget this for now."
Li Ming stood, legs still trembling like stepping on cotton. He walked to the table, poured water, hands shaking so badly half spilled onto the table, flowing to the floor. He ignored it, drinking the remaining mouthful, the fire in his throat slightly suppressed.
"Must find Old Zhou."
Old Zhou said he could clear dream intrusion markers, so he should be able to repair foundations too. But the price was... a memory.
"Which memory?"
Li Ming remembered scenes from his original world. Parents sitting at the dining table waiting for him, mother smiling and serving him food, father asking if work was going well. Colleagues joking in the office, saying they could leave on time this week. And that night of overtime fixing bugs—only him in the office, code flashing line by line on screen, seventh cup of coffee, stomach acid churning...
"Can't lose those."
He gripped the cup, knuckles white, veins bulging.
"At least not now."
A knock suddenly sounded.
Tap, tap, tap.
Three times, soft, but jarringly loud in the silent room, like knocking on his heart.
Li Ming set down the cup, the slight sound echoing on the table. He walked to the door, hand on the knob, palm sweating.
"Who?"
"Law Enforcement Hall."
An unfamiliar voice, ice-cold, like pulled from a freezer, no emotion.
Li Ming's heart tightened, skipping a beat.
"Something you need?"
"Someone reported you broke through privately without reporting." The voice said. "Come with us."
"Private breakthrough... is also regulated?" Li Ming frowned.
"Outer disciple breakthroughs must be reported to the hall master, recorded." The voice said. "You didn't. So... come with us."
Li Ming was silent several seconds, mind racing.
Law Enforcement Hall... Chen Feng said Law Enforcement Hall had his informants. Then these two... real Law Enforcement Hall? Or Cleaners in disguise?
"Can I wait a moment? I need to pack." He tested.
"No." The voice said. "Come now. No more talk."
Li Ming gripped the door knob, palm sweating.
If he went to Law Enforcement Hall, what would happen? Confinement? Torture? Or... direct execution? He'd modified the breakthrough threshold, the system would definitely have records, when Law Enforcement Hall saw...
"What if I don't go?"
"Then don't blame us for being impolite."
The moment the words fell, the door was struck open by force.
Bang!
The door panel nearly hit Li Ming. He stepped back two paces, hitting the table, the water cup falling and shattering.
Two disciples in Law Enforcement Hall attire stood at the door, both Qi Refinement Layer Three, holding chains, faint light glinting on the chains—that was a spirit-locking magical tool, golden light glaring.
"Don't resist." One said, tone harsh. "The more you resist, the tighter it locks."
Li Ming said nothing, but mind racing.
Fighting head-on wouldn't work—Layer Two against Layer Three, still injured. Legs trembling, meridians aching, no match at all. Run? Only one window in the room, third floor down—not fatal but crippling.
"Then..."
Li Ming suddenly smiled, corner of his mouth twitching.
"I'll go with you."
The two Law Enforcement Hall disciples exchanged glances, apparently not expecting such cooperation.
"Smart." One approached, wrapping chains around Li Ming's wrists, moving fast, chains clattering.
The moment chains nearly touched, Li Ming suddenly moved.
Not attacking—retreating.
He kicked over the table before him, wood splinters flying toward the two disciples. Then he turned and charged for the window, fast as a rabbit.
"Grab him!"
Shouts came from behind, mixed with anger.
Li Ming crashed through the window, wooden frame cracking. Body falling, wind whistling past his face, bone-chilling cold.
Third floor—not too high, but not low. He adjusted posture in mid-air, feet first, then...
Roll.
He'd climbed mountains in his past life, learned how to land from heights. He rolled twice with the terrain, dissipating most impact, but still grimaced in pain, several scratches from branches, clothes torn.
"Run!"
Li Ming scrambled up, running desperately. Legs trembling, meridians aching, but he dared not stop. Behind came whistling sounds—chains flying through air, whoosh whoosh whoosh.
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He sidestepped, chains grazing his shoulder, hitting a tree, bark instantly charred black, green smoke rising.
"That's... Thunder-Struck Wood chains?"
Li Ming's heart sank.
Thunder-Struck Wood—wood struck by heavenly lightning, carrying thunder attributes. Hit by it, no joke. Serious injury at best, instant death at worst.
He passed through the outer sect district, running toward the dense forest. Law Enforcement Hall didn't dare enter the dense forest too deeply—demon beasts there, and... earth-bound spirits.
"Go to the back mountain cliff."
Li Ming decided, gritting teeth against pain as he ran.
Old Zhou said it was safe there, Law Enforcement Hall didn't dare go.
After roughly one incense stick's time, lungs burning, throat full of blood taste. No sounds behind—probably shaken off.
"Shook them?"
Li Ming stopped, leaning against a tree panting, breathing heavily. Lungs felt ready to explode, chest heaving violently. Sweat slid down his cheeks, dripping to the ground, quickly absorbed by dirt.
He looked down at his clothes—several tears from branches, sleeves torn, arm scratches bleeding. Pant legs torn, knee flesh exposed, still bleeding.
"Can't stop."
He clenched his jaw, continuing forward.
When he reached the back mountain cliff, it was already noon. Sun overhead, light filtering through canopy, casting mottled shadows on the cliff.
Old Zhou wasn't there.
The cliff edge was empty, only that large rock remained, covered in strange runes—like... code? Li Ming approached, indeed like code, but he didn't recognize this writing.
He walked over, crouching, examining carefully. The runes were deep, carved forcefully, like someone used all their strength.
```
[Array_Node_2.py]
def activation():
# Node 2: Back Mountain Cliff
status = "INACTIVE"
trigger = "20 days"
```
"Node 2..."
Li Ming remembered the map in that booklet. Seven nodes, activating simultaneously in twenty days.
"What are these seven nodes... exactly?"
He reached out, fingertip touching the rune. The system interface popped a notification, red and flashing:
[Warning] Array node detected
[Insufficient permissions] Unable to parse
[Recommendation] Retry at Qi Refinement Layer Five
"Qi Refinement Layer Five..."
Li Ming laughed bitterly.
He was only Layer Two now, far from Five. At normal speed, at least two or three years. But he had only nineteen days.
"But..."
He paused, staring at those runes.
"If I can repair this node, can I... activate it early?"
The thought made Li Ming jump.
Activate a node early? Would that work? Side effects? Trigger defense mechanisms?
But then again, nodes were code. Code could be modified, why couldn't nodes? If he could change activation time from 20 days to now, he could activate early, get some benefit?
"Try it."
He concentrated, beginning to parse the node's code. Pale green text appeared before his eyes, reading line by line, trying to understand the logic.
But after only a moment, he felt—
Someone watching him.
Not Law Enforcement Hall, not Chen Feng, not Wang Hu. This gaze... more familiar, more like...
"Old Zhou?"
Li Ming turned.
Old Zhou emerged from the trees, face even worse than last night—like... aged ten years? Whiter hair, deeper wrinkles, walking somewhat unsteadily.
"You..."
"You shouldn't have come here." Old Zhou interrupted, tone urgent. "The node isn't activated yet, touching it will..."
"What will happen?"
"Cause backlash." Old Zhou said, eyes turning gloomy. "At best cultivation destroyed, at worst... death. Instant death, no chance for rescue."
Li Ming's heart tightened, back running cold.
"Then why are you..."
"Because I was looking for you." Old Zhou said, catching his breath. "Those Law Enforcement Hall people... weren't ordinary Law Enforcement Hall."
"What do you mean?"
"They were... Cleaners in disguise." Old Zhou said. "Real Law Enforcement Hall wouldn't care whether you reported your breakthrough. They'd at most make you complete paperwork, wouldn't hunt you."
Ice ran down Li Ming's back.
"Then they..."
"They came to kill you." Old Zhou said. "Because you modified the breakthrough threshold, triggered the system's... defense mechanism."
"Defense mechanism?"
"Yes." Old Zhou said. "The game doesn't allow players... to cheat. Cheating gets marked, then... cleared."
"Then what now..."
"You're already marked." Old Zhou said. "From now on, more people will come for you. Law Enforcement Hall, inner sect disciples, even... other players."
"Why?"
"Because killing you has rewards." Old Zhou said, eyes turning complex. "The system rewards... cultivation, techniques, and... chances to survive. More players killed, more rewards."
Li Ming fell silent, mind a tangled mess.
"So..."
"So you have no choice." Old Zhou said. "Either come with me, to a safe place. Or... stay here, wait for them to kill you."
"Where's the safe place?"
"Node 1." Old Zhou said. "The library."
"The library?"
"Yes." Old Zhou said. "The library is the most... special of the seven nodes. There... is protection."
"What protection?"
"An array." Old Zhou said. "An... array even Cleaners dare not touch. Very ancient, older than Qingyun Sect's history, no one knows who laid it."
"Then why..."
"Why could Chen Feng wait for you there last night?" Old Zhou finished, like guessing the question. "Because he's an Executor, the array doesn't stop him. Executors are part of the game, the array doesn't attack parts of the game."
Li Ming clenched his fist, palm bleeding.
"Then what now..."
"Come with me." Old Zhou said. "But remember, at the library you can only stay seven days. After seven days... the array fails."
"After seven days?"
"After seven days..." Old Zhou paused, eyes drifting elsewhere. "You must find other players who can see code."
"Wang Hu?"
"Wang Hu is one." Old Zhou said. "But there are... five more."
"Five?"
"Yes." Old Zhou said. "In this batch of players, those who can see code... seven total. You're the last."
Li Ming froze, mouth opening and closing.
"Then the other six..."
"Two dead, three missing, and one..." Old Zhou paused. "Became an Executor."
"Chen Feng?"
"Chen Feng." Old Zhou said. "He was the first player who could see code, and... the first to defect. He chose surrender, became an Executor, exchanged for power."
Li Ming fell silent, helplessness rising in his chest.
"Then..."
"Don't ask." Old Zhou interrupted. "Let's go. Any longer and it's too late."
Then he turned to leave, steps quick.
"Wait." Li Ming called out. "One last question—you said the array fails after seven days, then what can I do in seven days?"
"Cultivate." Old Zhou said. "Stabilize your foundation, raise your cultivation. And..."
He paused, eyes turning serious.
"Find the other five players." Old Zhou said. "Only seven people... together, can clear."
"Clear together?"
"Yes." Old Zhou said. "This game... isn't battle royale. It's team-based. Only by teaming up can you find the administrator, can... kill him."
"Then why..."
"Why do players kill each other?" Old Zhou finished. "Because the system... incites. The system issues missions—kill one player, reward this much cultivation. Kill two... more rewards. Some players can't resist temptation, so... they kill each other."
"Then you..."
"I never killed." Old Zhou said, something like pain flashing in his eyes. "So I... still retain my humanity. I refused to kill other players, so was stripped of administrator privileges, can only... survive humbly."
Li Ming looked at the old man for a long time. Noon sunlight fell on the old man's face, deep wrinkles, eyes carrying exhaustion, and something... resignation?
"Fine." He said, drawing a deep breath. "I'll go with you."
Old Zhou nodded, then...
Suddenly stopped.
"What?" Li Ming asked.
"Someone's coming." Old Zhou said, eyes sharpening. "Three... no, five."
"Who?"
"Law Enforcement Hall... and Chen Feng." Old Zhou said. "They... joined forces."
Li Ming's heart sank, like a stone dropping into his stomach.
"Then what?"
"Run." Old Zhou said, pointing below the cliff. "Run below the cliff."
"Below?"
"Yes." Old Zhou said. "There... is a cave. I discovered it ten years ago. Very hidden, no one knows."
"Then you..."
"I'll cover your retreat." Old Zhou said, tone firm. "Go! Don't worry about me!"
Li Ming hesitated a moment, then...
Jumped.
The cliff was high, dense forest below. He adjusted posture in mid-air, grabbing a branch, then...
Roll.
More pain, but he couldn't care. Scrambling up, running deep into the dense forest.
Behind came sounds of fighting—Old Zhou and the pursuers. Sword qi colliding, spiritual power exploding, shaking the air.
"Sorry..."
Li Ming said softly, voice light.
But he didn't look back.
After roughly half an incense stick's time, no sounds behind. Fighting stopped—don't know who won, or if both sides retreated.
"Shook them?"
He stopped, leaning against a tree panting, lungs burning.
Then he felt—
In his pocket, an extra slip of paper.
When did it appear? He couldn't remember. When jumping off the cliff? During the fight? Someone slipped it in?
Li Ming pulled it out, opening it—white paper, ordinary, but the handwriting...
"Seven days later, library. Trust no one."
"Including me."
Li Ming held the note, palm sweating so much the paper grew damp.
"Including me..."
He laughed bitterly.
This game really was...
"Damn."
He cursed again.
Then he continued forward, dragging his injured body, step by step into the dense forest depths.
What he didn't know was that shortly after he left, on the cliff above, Old Zhou stood at the edge, looking down, eyes complex. His gray robes stained with blood—don't know whose, his own or others'.
Chen Feng stood behind him, sword in hand, tip dripping blood, blood seeping into dirt.
"Why... did you help him?" Chen Feng asked, voice cold.
"Because..." Old Zhou paused. "Because I owe him a favor."
"Favor?"
"Yes." Old Zhou said. "Ten years ago, someone... was also like him. Could see code, could fix bugs, could... rewrite rules."
"Then?"
"Then..." Old Zhou was silent, a long time. "He died."
"Who killed him?"
"Me." Old Zhou said, voice soft. "The system forced me to kill. If I didn't kill him, I'd be cleared."
Chen Feng froze, mouth opening.
"So you..."
"So I can't let... the same thing happen again." Old Zhou paused. "I can't... personally kill someone like him again."
Then he vanished into the trees, walking fast, quickly out of sight.
Chen Feng stood there, watching the old man's back disappear, the sword in his palm... trembling.
"Old Zhou..."
He said softly.
"What exactly... are you?"
No one answered. Wind passed the cliff, blowing his hair, strands floating.
And in the dense forest depths, Li Ming leaned against a tree, closing his eyes, beginning to check his status.
The system interface appeared before him, pale green text flickering in darkness:
[Cultivation] Qi Refinement Layer Two 15/400
[Status] Foundation damaged (collapse risk 70%)
[Time remaining] 19 days 22 hours 31 minutes
[Mission] Reach library within seven days
[Warning] Pursuers still searching
"Nineteen days..."
Li Ming clenched his fist, palm bleeding.
"Then... survive."
He opened his eyes, continuing forward. Legs still aching, arm scratches still bleeding, but he dared not stop. Stop, and die.
Behind him, a black bug crawled from leaves, watching his back, something strange flashing in those pupil-less eyes.
Then...
It became a slip of paper.
The paper fell to the ground, bearing only one line, golden characters glittering in darkness:
"Player 1025, you have been added to the hunt list."
"Current bounty: 500 cultivation points, one technique, 100 spirit stones."
"Good luck."
Wind blew, the paper lifting, dancing in air, then... falling where Li Ming couldn't see.
