Chapter 294 The Prelude to the Cataclysm

Xia Xinyan had actually thought about this for a long time.

Tianji had mentioned this matter to her several times, always hesitating as if she wanted to say more but couldn’t. It was clear that this result wasn’t what she wanted. But even so, she had been fooling herself, thinking that perhaps Tianji was telling the truth. After all, a system… something composed of programs couldn’t possibly lie… probably.

It wasn’t until she finished her conversation with Monica that her fantasy came crashing down.

She would forever be Xia Xinyan.

And she could never go back to being Ling Mo.

However… after truly knowing the result, she wasn’t as angry or disappointed as she had imagined.

Perhaps it was because she had gradually gotten used to this body and even this identity over the past half year. Or maybe, considering her current life situation, being a girl didn’t change much. All in all, aside from making her not-so-great mood even worse, she had no other thoughts.

As for whether Monica would have any comments when she learned that in her past life she was Ling Mo… that was no longer her concern.

As long as that guy didn’t tell Ling Mo, she’d be fine.

Seemingly noticing Xia Xinyan’s expression, Monica rubbed her chin and suddenly said, “Actually, I think you make a pretty perfect girl now, really.”

“…”

“Honestly, when I first met you, I was really taken with you. You fit my criteria for a partner completely.”

“…”

“And even now I’m still interested. If you’re really struggling to get over that hurdle, you could always try and find me. I’m definitely 100% genuine girl, absolutely meeting your past standards.”

“…”

Seeing Xia Xinyan still with a look of indifference, Monica bit her lip and returned to the main topic: “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. From the perspective of soul theory, you’ve always been the individual known as Xia Xinyan, at most only extremely similar to Ling Mo’s soul. Those memories of being Ling Mo in your mind are just obsolete redundant data.”

She paused for a moment before continuing, “So whether it’s from the perspective of soul theory or material theory, you’re a 100% pure girl—at most with a bit of psychological issues… But you could try seeing a psychologist, or I could moonlight as one for you.”

Xia Xinyan: “…Thanks, but I’m good, I don’t need it.”

She felt that compared to her own issues, Monica clearly had bigger problems.

Sighing, she softly said, “Actually, I’ve already come to terms with it… I guess I haven’t really thought about turning back for a while now. The most important thing is how to live in the future. If it all ends in death anyway, discussing anything else is meaningless.”

“That’s true,” Monica nodded, “But if this world really falls apart, given your two experiences and unique situation, I could make an exception and take you out of here to work temporarily. If you do well, you could even be hired permanently.”

“It’s too early to say that now,” Xia Xinyan tilted her head to look outside the balcony, “I’m not that pessimistic yet. Humanity always has infinite limits. Maybe this crisis that’s come early will actually inspire superior fighting spirit. And no matter the outcome, I plan to stay here and hold the fort until the very last moment.”

“Ah, a fondness for your hometown, I get it.”

“Not just that… there are many existences here that I want to protect.”

Whether she was Xia Xinyan from beginning to end or had once lived as Ling Mo, since those memories were in her head, she would treat them as real. The beauty left by those memories was something she wanted to strive to protect.

Alongside Ling Mo.

Monica observed her for a while and smiled, “Good, I support you guys, so go for it. Also, your brother is coming back, so I won’t disturb you anymore.”

With that, she left.

Not long after she closed the door, Summer Jincang opened the door and entered the room, seemingly letting out a sigh of relief with a hint of fatigue, and then suddenly noticed Xia Xinyan sitting in the living room. He quickly regained his usual composure: “Sister?! What are you doing here?”

“I have something important to tell you,” Xia Xinyan looked at him and hesitated for two seconds before saying, “If you’re tired, you can come rest.”

Saying that, she even poured him a cup of tea—left by Monica. As for how she managed to come into Summer Jincang’s home and whip up these things instantly, Xia Xinyan wasn’t interested in asking.

Her actions made Summer Jincang a bit surprised: “Sister… did something happen?”

Although Xia Xinyan had been somewhat nicer to him lately, it just meant she wouldn’t give him the cold shoulder anymore. But now she was personally pouring him tea… even showing concern for him?

He suddenly felt a bit like crying.

Could this mean his hardships were finally paying off?

“Did you hear about the big update in the game?” Xia Xinyan asked softly, interrupting his thoughts.

Summer Jincang sat down in front of her, nodding: “Yeah, I was just dealing with that matter.”

“How’s it being handled?” Xia Xinyan asked curiously, “Can you tell me what information you have regarding the game?”

“…About the game?” Summer Jincang paused.

Even though he found it somewhat strange, he still shared with Xia Xinyan what he knew.

As for information regarding “Realm of Divine Presence,” probably not even all the people in the world combined had as much knowledge as Xia Xinyan and Ling Mo. Compared to the two, who had been clear about the game situation and even its essence from the beginning, now all the major powers were still feeling their way through, including national powers, all digging into the secrets behind the game through various means, trying to grasp something more.

Thus, it was clearly impossible for them to know anything about the Dark Zone. What Summer Jincang called “preparations” was just the most conservative and basic approach—like sending people to the Dark Zone to investigate after the server opens and trying to grasp the update content as quickly as possible to respond, and so on.

“Not enough.” After listening, Xia Xinyan just shook her head lightly, “Brother, do you believe me?”

Summer Jincang immediately nodded: “Of course I believe! If I can’t trust my sister, who else can I trust?”

Moreover, even though Xinyan had been a bit rebellious lately, she was still fundamentally a member of the Summer Family, and she was smart enough that Summer Jincang believed she wouldn’t do anything to harm the family.

Since Xinyan was taking this action, it must be for something significant.

He wouldn’t underestimate her just because she was the youngest sister, especially since she was now half of the decision-maker in the Summer Family, such behavior would be foolish.

“Good,” Xia Xinyan nodded in satisfaction, “Then I’ll tell you what’s in this update—the game will completely invade reality, and the monsters in the Dark Zone will appear in reality. This update is the prelude to the Cataclysm, and we don’t have much time left.”

“Got it,” Summer Jincang immediately nodded earnestly, “Sister is really…”

Then he suddenly reacted, “What did you just say?!”