Void Jigsaw Puzzle

Guo Ling told Tan Ping everything about the switching between physical form and virtual form, as well as his previous plan, which was to use his unique advantage of being able to switch to virtual form, wait for the opportunity for them to come and deliver water and food, slip out from the open door, and then instantly switch to physical form, knock down the newcomer, and then pull her away to escape.

At first, he didn't know the layout of this underground prison, nor did he expect the other party to react so quickly. He thought he could escape by taking advantage of surprise and Tan Ping's familiarity with the entire underground, but he didn't expect to be locked in and beaten.

Therefore, he had to resort to his last resort: let Tan Ping immediately master the skills of both reality and illusion, and let her switch into a virtual form.

To do this, he had to hold Tan Ping tightly, there was no other way. This trick was told to him by Zhong Chenmu when he was in Wuming City and asked him to master the ability of both reality and illusion.

At the time, Zhong Chenmu didn't hug him, but simply "conducted" a little power, and the transformation was accomplished. Afterwards, Zhong Chenmu told him, "If you want to teach others this ability in the future, there's another way. That's to hold your target very tightly, so you're both part of me and me. But this trick doesn't always work; it requires both of your heartbeats to be high, so don't try to be a jerk."

Guo Ling never had the chance to use this trick until today. Fortunately, Tan Ping didn't seem to blame him for being a hooligan.

Earlier, in that dark room, he had received a fleeting wave of vibration in his mind. Before that wave, he had secretly tried several times to switch to a virtual form, but failed.

But that slight fluctuation changed everything.

Because that was the message Zhong Chenmu passed on to him.

"We've arrived in Houkun City and learned your whereabouts from Hou Chang. If you're still in Houkun City, we can contact you anytime and we'll definitely meet! But after I send this message, I must remain silent, because the Turtle Clan and the Hydrogen and Helium Clan members they possess are also here!"

The fact that he could receive this message, which could only be received in his virtual form, meant that his switching ability had been restored. For whatever reason, the restraining force that had previously restricted him from using this ability in the Yuanbao main building above him had just disappeared or left.

Yet, these few words revealed so much information. Zhong Chenmu and his companions had already been to Kunlun City and met Hou Chang, for one thing. He had previously wondered who from the Hydrogen and Helium Clan had caused the swarm of planes in Houkun City and the illusion in the hall. Now it was clear: whoever it was, they had been possessed by the Turtle Clan.

Then no matter who they are, they are all enemies.

Aside from the last part, Guo Ling told Tan Ping all of his previous plans, and finally said, "Now you know why I didn't tell you just now? If I had told you then, you probably wouldn't have believed me, and it would have been a waste of my words and our time. Now, it seems like I don't need to say any more; you believe it naturally."

Tan Ping was sincerely convinced: "You are really patient. If I had insisted that you explain clearly and refused to cooperate, what would you have done?"

"After all, you've been a mayor. You know you need to take a gamble at critical moments, right?"

After saying this, Guo Ling reminded Tan Ping, "Although we're out of danger for the time being, there's still no way out. This underground prison is a sealed structure, and the door is completely locked. Do you know of any gaps we can use to escape? Because you mentioned they have a night vision system. What if this night vision system can also detect heat? We might still be exposed to their surveillance, because I'm not sure if our body temperature will still be there when we're in virtual form."

"Don't worry about that. The night vision system here can indeed detect heat. And the fact that we haven't been pointed out to these headless flies yet means we've completely hidden ourselves, even our body temperature has ceased to exist. So, your 'virtual and real duality' ability is truly amazing. I can't wait to get to know you!"

Guo Ling smiled bitterly to himself: "If you had known me earlier, I'm afraid you would have been quite unlucky. Look at what I've been going through..."

However, he still replied, "That's good. Then we can think more calmly about how to get out. As for this ability, although it is powerful, it can also make you more vulnerable."

"Well, I understand this. There is no such thing as neither good nor bad in this universe. When you gain anything, you also lose something. It's just that some losses are not immediately visible." Tan Ping's thinking was very clear.

"Do you know if there is any gap in the ceiling that can allow us to get out?" Guo Ling did not continue to discuss philosophy with Tan Ping, but continued to look for a way out.

Tan Ping was unable to comprehend the situation for a moment: "Can we fly up?"

"Theoretically, we can fill the entire interior space, and as long as there's a gap, we can get out. However, the reason I want to go up is because I want to get out to the surface, rather than continue groping in this dark underground. As for the central water supply system, even if your leaders are already waiting there eagerly, there's no need for us to join in the fun, right?"

Tan Ping suddenly realized, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "Then let's go to the vent!"

There is no doubt that no matter how closed the underground space is, there will be ventilation holes, and the other side of the ventilation holes will generally lead to the open space outdoors. Even if this open space is not on the surface, it is at least closer to the surface.

"Okay!" Tan Ping agreed.

With Tan Ping's familiarity with Houkun City's underground buildings and structures, they did find the ventilation hole and got in effortlessly.

They went up along with the air, towards the light, towards freedom.

Guo Ling admired Tan Ping very much: "How did you develop such a meticulous and photographic memory? You even know the structure of the underground prison like the back of your hand!"

"This is a traditional skill of the mayor of Houkun City. Ever since the central water supply system began, every mayor of Houkun City has needed to have a thorough understanding of the underground world."

As they communicated, they felt the changes around them.

The darkness gradually gave way to light, and they were getting closer and closer to the ground.

Guo Ling asked, "Where are you going after we get to the surface?"

Tan Ping was stunned, as if she had never thought about this question.

Guo Ling seemed to realize something and said, "If you don't have a plan, you can come with me."

Tan Ping answered without hesitation: "Okay."

The speed was so fast that even she was a little surprised.

With Tan Ping joining, Guo Ling felt that he had a helper. During his brief contact underground, he had already gained a preliminary understanding of Tan Ping and believed that she was a reliable partner.

He now has to face the Turtle Clan, as well as a bunch of senior leaders from the Carbon Clan. Naturally, the more partners he has, the better.

Once on the ground, the most urgent task is not only to avoid pursuit, but also to find Zhong Chenmu and the others, as well as Zhang Chuyu immediately.

"That poor old fellow wouldn't have been waiting behind the flower bed for me to come back..."