Chapter 261 — The Ones Who Could See the Wrong Path
It didn't slow down. It didn't hesitate. It kept learning. And that—Was the problem.
In the eastern city—Movement continued. Not stable. Not safe. But necessary. People moved—But not freely. Not naturally. Every step—Calculated. Every motion—Forced. Not living. Surviving. And it showed.
A man stopped moving. Not because he chose to. Because he couldn't. "…I can't—" His voice shook. "I can't think that fast." No one answered. Because they couldn't either.
Another collapsed. Not from a mark. From exhaustion. A third—Hesitated. A mark appeared. He dropped. Silence spread. Heavy. Not from fear. From limit.
Back in the valley—Long Hao watched. Not the system. The people. "…They're breaking." Longyu's form flickered beside him. Faint. Barely holding shape. "…Yes." "…This isn't sustainable." A pause. "…Then something will change."
