I heard you had a white moonlight who died young.

Bing Nandong's eyelashes brushed against his palm. Fan Zhiyi said, "Bing Nandong, I have never abandoned you all these times, so don't be afraid, don't be lost in the ghostly aura. Remember, I will definitely come back to find you."

If it's not absolutely necessary, Fan Zhiyi doesn't want them to fight the system; they won't gain anything from it.

Bing Nandong's lips pressed tightly together into a line: "An incense stick's time." Bing Nandong suddenly spoke, "I'll wait for you for an incense stick's time. If you don't come back, I..."

"You've really stirred up this fire?" Fan Zhiyi chuckled. "Do you really think I'm all-powerful? A mere incense stick's time isn't enough for negotiations."

"Two sticks of incense."

"Three sticks," Fan Zhiyi bargained. "Alright, three sticks it is."

He then suppressed his smile and looked at Jinwu: "If I don't return within three incense sticks' time, and the heavenly lightning hasn't dissipated, then..." Then the ending will still be unchangeable, and everyone will still face destruction.

According to Bai Bai, this is the last time. After this, no matter how much loss is incurred, the main system has decided to abandon this world and erase all traces of it. After all, keeping a world that is difficult to control will only cause trouble and has no meaning.

"Then you should give up on dealing with the Ghost Gate and instead fight against the Heavenly Dao. Maybe a miracle will happen and you can fight your way out."

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Yujing frowned: "What exactly are you talking about? What negotiation? What do you want to do?"

"I'm counting on you now," Fan Zhiyi said. "As long as I see the heavenly lightning dissipate, it means I've succeeded."

"Very well, this humble monk will certainly do his best."

Fan Zhiyi took several deep breaths, gripping the dagger. He thought his expression must be terrible, thankfully Bing Nandong didn't see it.

He had asked the system before what would happen if he died in this world while he was out of contact with the system. The system's answer was that as long as there was a need, it would do everything it could to bring him back to life.

If he were to leave the Ghost Gate and Bai Bai were to reconnect with him, he would absolutely not allow Fan Zhiyi to commit suicide. Therefore, he can only remain here. The system cannot intervene, and since his soul does not belong to this world, it will be collected after death and will first meet with the system.

Even after dying so many times, he was still afraid. He prayed that he could die quickly with the next blow, without too much pain.

The dagger pierced Fan Zhiyi's heart swiftly and decisively, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

"Yi Zhifan!" Zhuang Yujing's eyes widened, and she was about to rush over, but Jin Wu stopped her.

Fan Zhiyi closed his eyes, loosened his grip, and rested his head heavily on Bing Nandong's shoulder. Bing Nandong kept his eyes closed, and two lines of tears fell down his cheeks.

***

Fan Zhiyi's gamble paid off. He indeed saw the system's form, a small square display screen with a black background and green code scrolling rapidly.

Before Bai Bai's electronic voice could announce anything, Fan Zhiyi preemptively said, "I need to see the main system, Bai Bai. Is there still a way to preserve this world?"

"..." This time, Bai Bai was silent for only a moment before saying, "Connecting the host to the main system."

Not long after, the white electronic voice changed: "Fan Zhiyi, system Baibai, mission failed."

"It hasn't failed yet." Fan Zhiyi stared directly at the system before him. The main system was indeed different, communicating with him through a white electronic screen. Just by looking at it like this, Fan Zhiyi felt an invisible pressure. "The heavenly thunder hasn't descended, the gates of hell haven't fully opened, and Bing Nandong hasn't gone mad. How could it have failed? Since I died, I've only ever traveled through one world, completing one mission, back and forth, over and over again. Both the system and I have expended a lot of energy, which means this world is still quite important. Things have developed to this point, and as long as the system is willing to lend a hand, there's still a possibility of survival."

The electronic screen opposite him made a hissing sound. Fan Zhiyi stared at it. He remembered that Bai Bai had said there was another control room. Now, there might be something else locking onto him through this electronic screen.

Fan Zhiyi continued, "What you're thinking is to let Bing Nandong and the Ghost Gate fight and wear each other down, so that the system can ultimately reap the benefits and eliminate two out-of-control threats. But can you guarantee that both Bing Nandong and the Ghost Gate will perish in the great battle? Assuming Bing Nandong is alive but the Ghost Gate is gone, then Bing Nandong's power after absorbing all the ghost energy will be stronger than the Ghost Gate's. Can you guess what such a Bing Nandong would do? Assuming the Ghost Gate survives and Bing Nandong is devoured by the Ghost Gate, then the Ghost Gate is a place that even the system's detection cannot reach. Would you feel at ease letting it continue to grow stronger? Therefore, under these conditions, both Bing Nandong and the Ghost Gate must be kept alive, to restrain each other."

Countless lines of code flashed rapidly across the electronic screen, and Fan Zhiyi heard the other party reply, "Please explain mutual constraints."

"First, most of the ghosts in the Ghost Gate are currently under Bing Nandong's control. As long as there is a valve to control the opening and closing of the Ghost Gate, it will not burst open due to saturation, causing all the ghosts inside to rush out and create chaos. Second, Bing Nandong will not absorb countless ghost energies to destroy the Ghost Gate, thus avoiding excessive and uncontrollable power. Furthermore, to keep the Ghost Gate in normal flow, an observer is needed, and Bing Nandong is the only suitable person for this role. Due to his physical condition and the current cultivation method for dispelling ghost energy, he can frequently enter the Ghost Gate to manage and clean up the ghosts."

Fan Zhiyi continued, "So, now we only need one valve. I think if the system is willing to help, it won't be difficult to find one."

Why should the system act as a valve?

"As a system that is like the Heavenly Dao, its power must be extremely strong. If there was no physical entity to accept the system before because we could not interfere too much with the development of the world, then now there is a suitable candidate, namely the tree spirit that Zhuang Yujing brought back 90,000 miles away. You can try it if you don't believe me."

This tree spirit was something Fan Zhiyi suddenly thought of. The tree spirit followed Zhuang Yujing out of the illusion, and logically speaking, its existence itself is mysterious, transcendent, and powerful.

Fan Zhiyi advised, "Even the system shouldn't be able to arbitrarily decide whether to abandon a world. Now that we have a win-win solution, what are you hesitating for? If you think no system would be willing to take on this important task, I recommend Bai Bai." Fan Zhiyi raised an eyebrow. This damn system has tricked him so many times; it's time for him to do it. "Bai Bai has been my partner for so long; he must know this world very well. Besides, this mission was originally meant for Bai Bai and me to complete together."

"Please allow the system to discuss this."

Before the system finished speaking, Fan Zhiyi immediately added, "Then please hurry. Bing Nandong and I have agreed that if the heavenly thunder hasn't dissipated in an hour and a half, then everyone in this world, including Bing Nandong, will start a rebellion!"

Immediately, the electronic screen in front of Fan Zhiyi went black.

Fan Zhiyi sighed. He was extremely nervous, fearing that the rules he had drawn up would not be convincing to the system.

Now we just have to wait for an answer. Given the benefits, the main system will probably agree. But that means Bai Bai will have to stay in this world for a very long time, and he might never be able to get away. Their system should also have performance targets, and no system is willing to waste time like this. It will take a lot of effort to persuade Bai Bai.