I will be stronger after the remake

Chapter 136 The Passionate Lover

"Speaking of which, I'm very curious about something. Since the truth has been altered and the memories of the people involved have been distorted, how did you connect me and Feiyan with this fire?" Ma Yiming asked curiously.

Without hesitation, Tang Ping replied, "It's simple. In the police records, you're being treated as an arson suspect."

"what?"

"What's so surprising? The day after the fire, an adult male was asking survivors, 'Was my sister at the scene?' This man had clearly spent the night at home with his sister, and she usually went to her tutoring class on time, but she didn't go on the day of the fire. Under these circumstances, unless the entire police force is completely stupid, it would be strange if they didn't suspect you. If there wasn't a lot of evidence proving that you really had nothing to do with the fire, they would have arrested you and tortured you long ago."

Ma Yiming covered his face and said, "This is really... well, I was younger back then, and I inevitably didn't consider things thoroughly enough."

"Don't talk like you're so mature now," Tang Ping retorted, then pointed out the suspicious point, "Since your sister didn't die, why are you still feeling guilty and blaming yourself, turning into a selfless person?"

Ma Yiming smiled bitterly: "Because I don't know what Feiyan's current situation is. Is she resurrected after she died, or has she never died, as if her memories have been altered, or has she simply been replaced by some unknown entity that has acquired Feiyan's appearance and memories?"

"I couldn't think of an answer, and I was afraid to know the answer, so I simply chose to escape and bury that memory, leaving only guilt—now that I think about it, it's quite unusual that I could do something like that!"

Tang Ping recalled the appraisal report given by "Three-Eyed Spirit" and said in a firm tone, "I can't say for sure about other things, but I can guarantee one thing: your sister has not been replaced."

Ma Yiming, recalling Tang Ping's incredible observational skills, said with a sigh of relief, "Really? That's good, that's good... By the way, don't tell Fei Yan about today's conversation. I don't know if she's alive or a zombie now, but since she hasn't shown any abnormalities or harmed anyone, let's keep the truth to ourselves. Anyway, letting her know would only cause her more trouble."

Tang Ping waved his hand and said, "Don't worry, I know what's important. Many myths have similar settings like Bi Gan digging out his heart. As long as the truth is not revealed, the illusion can be maintained. On the contrary, if you say some big truths like 'a person dies without a heart,' the illusion will be exposed."

“I hadn’t thought about that, but what you said makes a lot of sense. If the truth is painful, then the illusion of happiness might be a good option.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Ma Yiming said self-deprecatingly, "I am indeed not destined to be a protagonist. Those protagonists know that the truth is full of painful thorns and will prick themselves with a thousand holes, but they still resolutely choose to pierce the illusion. When I encounter the same choice, I can only choose to run away."

Tang Ping pointed to the computer screen and said, "I don't know what kind of person can be the protagonist, but I do know that the one who turns the tide in a crisis is the hero. Would you like to be a hero?"

Ma Yiming turned his head to look and couldn't help but laugh.

However, the two players' game characters had been slacking off at the fountain for too long, allowing the enemy to develop their strength and push all the way back, almost reaching the high ground. The teammates couldn't help but type insults, calling the two players AFK dogs.

"If you can't be the main character, being a hero is pretty good too."

Ignoring the fact that they had created their own predicament, the two focused entirely on the game, using their extraordinary reaction speed and thinking ability to start their journey to turn the tide.

……

The next day.

Tang Ping had just started work when she heard some bad news from Director Hu.

"He Fengsheng committed suicide?"

"Well, he had been very cooperative before, revealing a lot of information about the New Territories Alliance headquarters. The supervisory authorities couldn't help but lower their guard, thinking that he really wanted to switch to the organization for protection. When he offered to help lead the way to a New Territories Alliance stronghold in the Illusionary Realm, the higher-ups approved it."

"Of course, the Psionic Management Department did not completely trust him and still left some precautions, but these measures were only to prevent him from harming others and never thought that he would harm himself."

"He possessed a psionic ability that allowed him to fly at high speeds by consuming blood. He took advantage of the guards' inattention and used this psionic ability repeatedly, draining himself dry and dying on the spot. The guards couldn't save him even if they wanted to."

Upon hearing this, Tang Ping, comparing the information he had previously obtained through the Three-Eyed Spiritual Radiance, immediately guessed that the spiritual energy He Fengsheng was using was "Blood Feather Wings." Even he hadn't expected that this spiritual energy could also be used for suicide.

"Are you sure it was suicide?"

Hu Ze said, "I know what you suspect, but He Fengsheng's situation is different from Han Lin's. He left a suicide note saying that he had betrayed the organization and lost the person he loved most, and that there was no meaning to living anymore. So he chose to end his life and hoped that the Spirit Energy Department would bury his body in the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum so that he could be with the woman he loved forever."

"His suicide note was examined by a psychic with the ability to read information from objects. It was confirmed that he wrote it himself and that he was not coerced or mind-controlled when he wrote it. It was written from the bottom of his heart."

Tang Ping thought that Han Lin's suicide was not due to coercion or mental control, but also from the bottom of his heart.

But he didn't say it aloud, because he knew that the two people's situations were different and couldn't be generalized.

He Fengsheng was willing to surrender and reveal Zhou Canglan's weakness because he wanted to be with Liu Lingling. For this woman, he was willing to betray the sect. He was a love-struck fool certified by the Three-Eyed Spirit Radiance.

So it's not surprising that he chose to follow his true love into the afterlife.

After all, Liu Lingling died at Gu Linglong's hands, and the Spirit Energy Department would not avenge him. They might not even tell him the truth. They would most likely say that Liu Lingling, Zhou Canglan, and Gu Linglong joined forces to fight against Qin Shi Huang, but were defeated and died.

This aligns with common sense, because when He Fengsheng left, Gu Linglong and Xiang Liu were locked in a fierce battle. No matter how you look at it, it's impossible for Gu Linglong to have the initiative to eliminate Xiang Liu when facing a formidable enemy like Qin Shi Huang.

Tang Ping sighed and asked, "Did the organization fulfill his last wish?"

Hu Ze nodded and said, "After all, he provided a lot of useful information, so this little thing should be done... I didn't expect there to be such a devoted lover these days. I thought such people only existed in storybooks."

Tang Ping speculated that He Fengsheng must have revealed the information to make the Psionic Department owe him a favor in order to fulfill his last wish.

If he could, he really wanted to protect Liu Lingling in order to lure He Fengsheng to switch jobs, but he didn't expect that Gu Linglong had hidden so much strength. She eliminated Xiang Liu in one move, and he didn't even have time to shout "Spare her life!"

"By the way, is there any news about Gu Linglong?"

"No, we've been told to keep our inquiries to a minimum," Hu Ze said in a low voice. "All information related to her has become extremely sensitive, and the organization has imposed a strict blockade. If you don't want to cause trouble, you'd better keep quiet."

It seems they really intend to advance to the fifth rank.

Tang Ping pondered to himself.

Chapter 137 New Game

The Realm of Illusion, the Qiantang River.

The waves crashed against the shore, the turbid waves surged into the sky, and the dark clouds pressed down on the river, turning its surface a dark blue-green. The man and the dragon engaged in their second battle.

Unlike the evenly matched battle last time, this time the fight was one-sided. The dragon was still the same dragon, but the man was no longer at the same level.

Yuan Ji lightly touched the crest of the wave with her toes, relying on the wings of energy on her back to move and shift across the water. The Azure Dragon Halberd spun in her palm, creating indigo blade flowers. Now that she had transformed from a demon into a god, she was no longer suppressed by the dragon's might and was able to unleash her full potential.

Blood burst from the body of the Dragon King of Qiantang. He was struck in the face by a halberd, which not only severed his dragon whiskers but also left a deep, bone-revealing wound that nearly injured his eye. He was momentarily frightened and hastily retreated, ordering his men to entangle his opponent.

Countless shrimp soldiers and crab generals were lined up densely, brandishing weapons, baring their fangs and claws, and emitting low roars as they charged head-on towards Yuan Ji.

The patrolling yakshas roamed around, their bodies nimble, their steel forks gleaming coldly, like ghosts searching for their opponents' weaknesses.

Yuan Ji chuckled and said, "A clay chicken and a tile dog."

In an instant, the girl's body transformed into a bluish-gray tornado, and the Azure Dragon Halberd, carrying a gale, slashed into the enemy formation. Wherever it went, the shrimp soldiers and crab generals were cut into pieces, powerless to resist.

The patrolling yakshas attempted to ambush them from the side, but Yuan Ji merely glared at them, and an invisible aura of mental shock spread out, stunning them so that they could not move on the spot.

At the same time, the broken shells suddenly glowed with eerie green phosphorescent light, and the slain shrimp soldiers and crab generals transformed into vengeful spirits that pounced on the patrolling yaksha, killing their subordinates for their insubordination.

While looking around from the shore, Tang Ping commented, "For Yuan Ji, who can kill enemies and turn them into ghouls, group attack tactics are useless. Moreover, having the Wind Spirit Body is equivalent to having group attack methods. Now she can play a stronger role in group battles."

The Dragon King of Qiantang also realized this and had no choice but to bite the bullet and fight back. Nine thick water columns rushed towards Yuan Ji. The dragon's roar and the tiger's howl collided on the river surface, and the huge shock wave spread outwards, lifting the surrounding river water dozens of feet high.

Yuan Ji emerged unscathed, with the phantom of the Tiger God appearing behind him, adding to his imposing presence. His Azure Dragon Halberd traced swift trajectories in the air, relentlessly attacking the Qiantang Dragon King with powerful wind blades.

Although the Qiantang Dragon King had a strong physical body, it was somewhat overwhelmed by the agile and sharp-attacking Yuan Ji. It roared, and its scales stood up, shooting out sharp rays to form a strike that had no blind spots.

Without the slightest hesitation, Yuan Ji instantly transformed into a wind elemental form, easily dodging the attack while manipulating the airflow to envelop his opponent, concealing himself within it.

Suddenly, a fierce wind arose around the Dragon King of Qiantang, but he could not find any trace of his opponent and could not find a target to attack.

Suddenly, Yuan Ji appeared behind the Dragon King of Qiantang, his Azure Dragon Halberd falling like a meteor.

"Foolish! You can turn into the wind, but you can't change your weapon!"

As if he had foreseen it, the Dragon King of Qiantang suddenly turned his head and spewed out a fierce dragon breath, engulfing Yuan Ji, who was holding the Azure Dragon Halberd.

Under the onslaught of the dragon's breath, Yuan Ji's body turned to dust and vanished, while the Azure Dragon Halberd was blasted into the sky.

But before the Dragon King of Qiantang could feel joy, a sharp pain shot through his abdomen.

"Roar--"

The mournful roar of the dragon echoed across the river. The Qiantang Dragon King flew out like a surfboard in a tsunami, revealing a deep wound on its abdomen, its blood staining a large area of ​​the river red.

Yuan Ji, who had reappeared, manipulated the airflow to pull the Azure Dragon Halberd back into his hand. He had just tested the psionic "Tiger-shaped Substitute," and the effect was good; his opponent couldn't distinguish between the real and fake forms at all.

She was preparing for her next move to fight her opponent to the death when she discovered that the Dragon King of Qiantang had plunged into the river and fled without looking back.

"..."

Yuan Ji's eyes transformed into vertical pupils, entering a state of spiritual resonance. A howling wind surrounded her, pressing down on the river surface. Her right hand was raised high above her head like a hand blade, and a large amount of gale condensed into a qi blade tens of feet long. With a downward swing, the river surface was suddenly split open.

The Qiantang Dragon King, hiding at the bottom of the river, let out a muffled groan as it was struck on the back. But it didn't care about that; its body shrank rapidly as it continued to flee.

Yuan Ji raised the Azure Dragon Halberd in the posture of a javelin thrower, infusing spiritual power into the halberd, causing it to shine with a chilling light, and a whirlwind wrapped around it, spinning at high speed and emitting a sharp whistle.

"The Eternal Spear, Gungnir!"

With a loud shout, the Azure Dragon Halberd shot towards its target like a bolt of lightning that ripped through the sky, carrying the momentum to pierce through mountains.

At this time, the Qiantang Dragon King had shrunk to about the size of a loach and was swimming around in the water. Sensing danger, it suddenly changed direction and made a ninety-degree turn.

However, the gale swirling around the Azure Dragon Halberd was also under Yuan Ji's control; with a thought, its direction would change accordingly.

With a deafening boom, the Azure Dragon Halberd struck the Qiantang Dragon King precisely, pinning it firmly to the bottom of the river.

Almost instantly upon impact, the Qiantang Dragon King lost control of his transformation ability and reverted to his original size, gushing out blood that stained the surrounding river water crimson.

It struggled frantically, trying to shake off the Azure Dragon Halberd on its back, but Yuan Ji manipulated the airflow to press down on the halberd, further widening the wound.

Knowing there was no hope of survival, the Qiantang Dragon King let out a mournful roar, and the surrounding river water churned violently, coalescing into the shape of a water dragon, baring its fangs and claws, majestic and awe-inspiring, as if it wanted to make a desperate last stand before dying.

However, Yuan Ji had lost the desire to fight his opponent. He once again condensed a blade of energy with his hand, and with a gentle wave, the blade of energy pierced into the water dragon's body. It then exploded, shredding the water dragon into a shower of water droplets.

At the bottom of the river, the Dragon King of Qiantang closed his eyes in despair and remained motionless.

Yuan Ji enveloped his body in a stream of air, then plunged into the water. A moment later, he returned with a large handful of Dao Seeds, landing on the shore. With a hint of smugness, he said to Tang Ping, "Easy victory!"

"Although you had the whole process under control, it wasn't exactly easy. The other party had at least two chances to escape, but they made the wrong judgments both times."

“Because I haven’t fully mastered the power yet, even after Xu Fu’s elixir helped me break through my realm, I still have a lot of surplus spiritual energy. I need to train for a while longer to get used to it,” Yuan Ji said, patting his well-built chest. “But in any case, I now have enough power to protect your safety, and you can continue to perform on the show and demonstrate your spiritual power.”

Tang Ping had no doubt about this. In a sense, Yuan Ji was stronger in the real world than in the Illusionary Realm because "Wind Spirit Body" was a passive skill. She could still transform into an elemental form in the real world. Combined with her almost precognitive martial arts intuition, it could be said that physical impact weapons were basically ineffective against her.

Only weapons that generate widespread light and heat upon explosion could possibly harm her.

Moreover, as she gradually adapted to the third stage of the realm, Yuan Ji's sensory abilities also improved significantly. In an unconscious state, she could sense all the movements within a 20-meter radius. When she was focused, she could expand her sensing range to 200 meters. If she were to transform into an elemental form, her ability would increase tenfold.

However, the premise of sensing is that the target is not in an absolutely enclosed space, because she senses through the air. The less smooth the airflow, the more blurred her senses will be.

Such a range of sensors may not be enough for weapons of war, but it is more than enough to guard against assassination. After all, in modern society, with buildings everywhere, how can you see a person two hundred meters away?

"Don't rush into the public eye. Wait until you're fully comfortable with the situation before you do."

Tang Ping remained cautious and did not become arrogant despite the increased strength he gained from the fortuitous encounter.

Yuan Ji nodded and said, "As long as you're not in a hurry, I'd naturally prefer to play it safe."

"You don't necessarily have to appear on TV shows to stay popular. Besides, I didn't become famous because of TV or movies. You can't forget your original intentions."

"Original intention?" Yuan Ji thought for a moment, then suddenly realized, "You want to make games again?"

"In fact, it's almost done, and it will be released in another half month."

Yuan Ji asked in confusion, "When did you find someone to film this movie? How come I never noticed?"

"It's not about filming a movie. 'Invisible Guardian' is an extremely niche game genre. What I'm releasing this time is a game that truly resonates with the general public."

"I don't know much about the game industry, but developing a game must require a lot of manpower and effort."

"You're talking about games developed by game companies. If it were an indie game, one person could make it. What I'm going to release is a high-quality indie game. I provide the concept, my sister does the programming, and of course, we also spend money to hire some outsourced art assets."

Are you confident in this game?

Although Yuan Ji has always trusted Tang Ping, he still lacks confidence in this matter, since the success of "Invisible Guardian" is not based on its gameplay.

Even if the game becomes a huge hit, what does that have to do with the screen?

Most players only care about whether a game is fun or not, and don't care at all who makes it.

Game developers who can achieve widespread fame are extremely rare, even globally, their numbers are fewer than China's top celebrities.

"The demo is already done, so it's perfect for you, an outsider, to give it your opinion. If even someone like you who doesn't usually play games finds it fun, it's sure to be a huge success."

After saying that, Tang Ping pulled Yuan Ji away from the Illusionary Realm and returned to the dormitory. She then turned on her computer and contacted Yu Shujiang, asking her to send over the game demo.

“Invisible Survivor,” Yuan Ji read the game’s name, looking puzzled. “You really didn’t get anyone to make a movie about it? It sounds like a sequel to Invisible Guardian?”

"Start the game now, you'll find out once you're in."

Yuan Ji clicked "Start Game," and the opening animation playing on the screen puzzled her. She almost couldn't help but ask Tang Ping again.

Because the video being played was a live video, and the content was exactly the same as the beginning of "The Invisible Guardian," in which the protagonist gets off a train to see his teacher, only to be wrongly accused by the teacher.

In The Invisible Guardian, at this point, a choice will appear, allowing the player to choose between remaining silent or trying to defend themselves. Choosing the former will allow the game to continue, while choosing the latter will lead to the first ending.

The teacher believed that the protagonist's personality was not suitable for becoming an underground party member, so he recommended that the protagonist go to Yan'an to shine in other positions, contribute his strength, and live his life as an ordinary worker.

But no options appeared on the screen at this time. The protagonist, played by Tang Ping, took the initiative to defend himself, and then, just like the plot of "The Invisible Guardian", he was sent to Yan'an by his teacher.

Just as Yuan Ji was guessing that the game was about the protagonist's life after arriving in Yan'an, the train exploded!

The protagonist gets blown up and transported to another world!