Chapter 140
Over ninety days... 100 predetermined points...
I must make the most of this time by having my simulated self take action...
Xia'er wasn't planning to let her simulated self come up with solutions.
Because in the simulation, especially after she realized that she possessed a subsystem, her sense of crisis and urgency wasn't as strong as the real Xia'er’s.
If she had digested some kind of potion in the simulation, her personality might have changed even more, making it a pure gamble to have her simulated self make plans.
Previously, she was willing to take that gamble because it only cost 10 points, and her actions in the simulation weren't crucial; the key moments were always handled by her real self.
But this time, her simulated self had over ninety days, which meant it was entirely possible to resolve the issues and then reap even greater benefits.
To achieve this, she needed to establish a detailed plan before the simulation began.
Xia'er raised her hand, pen in hand, and wrote a line in Chinese.
【Investigate the cause of the predetermined death, paying attention to any abnormal occurrences.】
In considering the entry points for her investigation, Xia'er identified several aspects, the most likely being the Shenglin Sect.
Not just Amy, but also the notes left by that spiritual being known as the Divine Servant.
The letter on the sheepskin wasn’t addressed to Xia'er but to Amy.
It not only mentioned its duty to protect Amy under the "Great Will," but also that it had "advised" a most loyal follower to assist her.
It was highly likely that it considered the "Great Will" to be itself, and the problem probably lay with that "follower."
This was one direction for the investigation.
After writing down "Investigate the follower," Xia'er continued to ponder other possibilities.
Her existence was unknown to anyone.
The only forces that might have come into contact with or even known about her could only be linked through the events that occurred today at the Deyton Manor in Bolun City.
The Shenglin Sect, the Deyton Group, the Goddess of Salvation Church, the Redemption Society... these were all stakeholders in this matter, and these factions needed to be investigated thoroughly.
Since the events had just occurred, Xia'er couldn't yet see the subsequent reactions and developments; she could only rely on her simulated self to convey the information about future developments back to her.
After writing all this in her notebook, Xia'er paused, then added another name.
Niya.
Aside from Amy being an unstable factor, Niya was also a ticking time bomb that could explode at any moment.
She was still able to maintain her sanity, thanks to Aivina's extraordinary abilities. If Amy lost control, she would become a terrifying Tier 3 Iron Man, which was something to be wary of.
Moreover, at 120 years old, while it was unclear whether this was long or short for a Tier 3 extraordinary being, for an ordinary person, that age was typically when one would pass away.
The possibility of Niya going berserk couldn't be ruled out.
Xia'er propped her forehead with her left hand, twirled her pencil with her right, then wrote again.
【If you feel the investigation is making no progress, or if you sense danger might come early, you can attempt to complete the Reproduction Ritual and try to digest the potion...】
If the predetermined death was advancing day by day, inching closer... then now that she was starting the simulation, the time her simulated self could act was at most 48 days.
She had to assume the worst-case scenario.
【If you haven't uncovered anything within 47 days...】
【Take your sister, leave Ansu, and cut off all ties in Bolun City.】
【If you can survive the remaining days after severing all ties, it means the predetermined death has been lifted.】
This was a last resort; if the investigation yielded no results, she would have to flip the table.
If Ansu was not an option, she would go abroad; if that failed, she would leave the continent. Xia'er truly didn't believe any force could cross the ocean to search for her.
Moreover, Xia'er felt she really wasn't that important. She had always acted very low-key; what organization would expend such vast resources to search for her?
If there was any possibility, it could only be the Shenglin Sect.
If it turned out that the Shenglin Sect was responsible for her predetermined death, she wouldn't mind conducting a grand summoning ritual in Ansu during the simulation to see just how many "mice" were hiding in the dark corners of Ansu.
Of course, this was a method designed under the premise of a failed investigation.
If she uncovered the cause and resolved the predetermined death, her simulated self couldn't afford to rest either.
【If you discover the cause and survive to the 48th or even 49th day, find a way to gather all Tier 1 potions and Reproduction Rituals within the remaining time.】
【Even if you can't collect all the potions and rituals, at least make sure to fill in the information on the pathways.】
【If you have already consumed the potion, try to digest it as soon as possible and complete the next stage of the Reproduction Ritual, leaving behind your methods.】
【You must utilize all the time available; do not waste it.】
Xia'er set down her pen and placed it aside.
Her various speculations and directives filled two whole pages of her notebook.
This was the first time Xia'er had experienced such a long simulation, so she had a lot of tasks to complete, almost to the point of writing down what she needed to do each day.
Xia'er took out her pocket watch and checked the time.
17:45.
After reviewing her notes to ensure nothing was overlooked, Xia'er set the notebook down, bent over, and rested her head on the desk, slowly closing her eyes.
The system interface unfolded in the darkness before her.
100 predetermined points... I must uncover something.
Xia'er opened the simulation interface, selected the next simulation, and the save option popped up before her.
This time, it was highly likely she would encounter some dangers, so Xia'er didn't greedily use No.0 to simulate and attempt to drink the potion; instead, she chose the No.2 "Judicator" save file.
This was currently her strongest save file, sufficient to handle most special situations.
"Next day..."
"No.2."
Xia'er silently recited, and a silver flash enveloped her.
Her consciousness gradually faded away...
...
【Next Day】
【Year 741 of the Holy Era, August 9, 20:15】
【Countdown - 23:59:59】
August 9?
47 days later?
As the silver light gradually dissipated, a phantom countdown interface lingered before Xia'er for a few seconds before fading away, leaving behind a scene of flames under the night sky.
"Little Xia'er... Little Xia'er..."
"Little Xia'er!"
A call instantly activated Xia'er’s control over her body, making her acutely aware of the familiar pain brought on by the surrounding flames.
In an instant, a shadow behind her pushed her up, and Xia'er fought against the chaotic wails and murmurs in her mind, rushing toward the source of that familiar voice.
Whoosh—
The flames behind her were still raging. As she burst through the wall of fire, Xia'er collided with a figure trying to rush into the inferno, sending it sprawling.
"Sister..."
Xia'er recognized the figure she had knocked down, her eyes narrowing slightly.
She turned abruptly to look back; behind her was a slope of rubble, with several shattered train cars scattered across it. The cargo they carried, or perhaps coal, had ignited everything, and the entire freight train along with the weeds on the slope had been consumed by flames.
The fire illuminated the entire night, and within it echoed countless cries and wails, the pain resonating in Xia'er’s mind, making her head throb as if it would explode.
A steam train... derailed?
The notebook!
Xia'er quickly felt around her body but found no canvas bag.
She pointed toward the sea of flames, and four shadows burst from her back, diving straight into the fire.
Soon, a half-burned canvas bag was hoisted by one of the shadows as it sprinted out of the flames.
Xia'er quickly took the bag and opened it.
Inside were bundles of £20 Scottish banknotes, many of which had been burned halfway or turned to ash, leaving only three complete rolls of banknotes.
Beneath that pile of banknotes was a notebook with a charred cover.
Xia'er pulled out the notebook and flipped it open quickly. Fortunately, only the cover was scorched; the pages inside were slightly yellowed but still legible.
The notes were nearly filled with writing, with the last date recorded at 16:00 on August 9, four hours before the fire broke out.
What exactly happened?
Xia'er looked at the last page of recorded content.
【Year 741 of the Holy Era, August 9, 16:30】
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