Lin Yi had used spatial manipulation for a long time.
Because of that, he had become extremely sensitive to even the smallest fluctuations in space.
At the very least—
He had never sensed any spatial disturbance earlier.
"I think I have a guess," Lin Yi said.
"But I still need to verify it."
"Memory Keeper, Dekara isn't like the Dreamers of Penacony."
"He won't simply follow your will into a dream."
"And he definitely won't obediently allow you to construct one."
"A simple dream won't fool him."
"The best approach is a blend of truth and illusion."
"Reality mixed with fabrication."
"In a moment, I'll enter the dream voluntarily and challenge Dekara."
"You take the opportunity to construct the dream."
"Remember—our goal is to stall."
"Use the newly created dream to cooperate with the battlefield… and with me."
"In his current chaotic and unstable state, dreams woven from memoria should have excellent effects."
Lin Yi finished explaining the plan to Zhili.
Zhili frowned slightly.
"I understand, but… couldn't we just keep kiting him from afar like before?"
"Entering battle personally always carries risk."
In her mind, Lin Yi seemed like someone very cautious.
Not the kind of person who enjoyed showing off or rushing into fights.
Lin Yi gave a noncommittal smile.
"I'd love to."
"But unfortunately…"
"I don't think that's possible anymore."
Another lightning spear shot toward them.
Lin Yi grabbed Zhili and jumped aside again.
"Tell me honestly," Lin Yi said.
"With us constantly moving like this…"
"Can you still construct a stable dream?"
Zhili hesitated briefly.
"…I think I can."
"…."
Now it was Lin Yi's turn to fall silent.
"Oh right."
"I almost forgot."
"You're an old monster who's lived who-knows-how-long."
"Experienced and seasoned."
"My respect."
He gave her a thumbs-up.
Zhili exploded.
Completely forgetting her fear of Lin Yi, she clenched her fist and swung it toward his head.
She thought about it—
And then actually did it.
"Who are you calling an old monster?!"
"Where exactly am I old?!"
"Don't you know a girl's age is a forbidden topic?!"
Lin Yi caught her fist.
He sighed in relief.
Normally he was the one knocking people on the head.
Aside from Herta's puppets, this was the first time someone had tried it on him.
Come to think of it…
When Zhili first appeared, she had been so elegant and composed.
How had she ended up like this?
Wait…
Could it be that he was the one ruining the atmosphere?
No!
Impossible!
He was clearly such a serious and respectable person!
Knowing he was partly at fault, Lin Yi decided not to argue.
"Back to the serious topic."
"If you can still—"
Game of Life Perspective
Consumable Used:
Shrink the Earth to an Inch ×1
"…If you can still build a dream under these conditions, then that's impressive."
"But—"
Dekara had gone completely berserk.
Like activating Warrior Mode.
Lightning spears flew endlessly without cooldown.
"Look."
"The speed of his throws is getting faster."
"And what I was about to say earlier is…"
"That spear ability probably doesn't involve space."
"It's most likely causality."
"He erased the cause of throwing the spear."
"If the act of throwing never occurred…"
"Then the result of the spear leaving his hand also disappears."
"And the spear simply returns to him."
"And right now, neither of us can guarantee he doesn't have deeper causal abilities."
Lin Yi spoke extremely quickly this time.
Thanks to earlier experience.
But he still didn't finish.
"What if he can use things like guaranteed-hit or instant-death causal abilities?"
"In that case, the best option is still close combat."
"If he tries something strange, I can interrupt it immediately."
Dekara raised another spear.
Preparing to throw again.
"Can you at least let me finish talking?!"
A sudden surge of irritation rose in Lin Yi's chest.
Then he froze.
"…Interesting."
"It can even influence my emotions."
"Interfering with my judgment."
"Is that the Stellaron amplifying its effects?"
Zhili tried to say something, but Lin Yi cut her off.
"That's enough."
"He won't give us time to discuss things peacefully anyway."
"Focus on building the dream."
"I'll deal with him."
"…Alright."
Zhili responded decisively.
Game of Life Perspective
Consumable Used:
Shrink the Earth to an Inch ×1
"Take these," Lin Yi said.
He handed Zhili several hundred Shrink the Earth to an Inch talismans.
"You may have a memetic body, but that doesn't make you invincible."
"I might not have time to protect you."
"If he breaks away and throws something at you…"
"Use these to dodge."
Zhili's eyes brightened.
These things were extremely useful.
She had already experienced their effect firsthand.
Now that she had them…
Perhaps she could finally explore certain places she previously wouldn't dare approach.
Lin Yi continued:
"I know building a dream alone puts a lot of pressure on you."
"But you only need to target Dekara."
"Can you do it?"
"I can."
"I'll interfere with him as much as possible."
Zhili's expression became serious.
"I didn't live all these years for nothing."
Lin Yi smirked.
"See?"
"You admitted it."
"You really are an old monster."
"GET LOST!!!"
Zhili grabbed a rock from the ground and threw it at Lin Yi.
Of course—
It missed completely.
Dekara prepared to throw another lightning spear.
But this time—
Lin Yi had no intention of letting him do it comfortably.
Lin Yi flew into the sky.
"Genius Gravity Walk."
He had "picked this up" when he visited Dr. Primitive.
This time he really did pick it up.
While "picking up" Ranpo and Zhuxing, he coincidentally found a broken shoe belonging to Dr. Primitive.
Lin Yi studied it.
Then produced a high-quality imitation.
Probably inferior to the original.
But it had one advantage:
It could be mass-produced.
Every body Lin Yi used as a host wore a pair.
Dekara threw another lightning spear.
Lightning surged toward Lin Yi.
The spear unstoppable.
Lin Yi showed no fear.
Instead, he smiled coldly.
"Enemies without brains are the easiest to deal with."
"If you were still conscious, I'd run immediately."
"But now…"
"Sorry about this."
His robes fluttered without wind.
Lin Yi raised his right hand and grasped empty air.
A sharp sword cry echoed across the sky.
From the distant horizon—
A streak of golden light shot straight toward him.
If one observed carefully—
The trajectory looked remarkably similar to a decay engine flight path.
The sword light stretched from Shenxiao Space City directly to Kasbelinyat.
A straight luminous line like glass across space.
The magnificent sword existed simultaneously at every point along that light path.
Its name:
"Star Curtain That Tears the Sky."
It was a gift from the Xianzhou Zhu Ming.
A ceremonial sword.
Not originally meant for battle.
The blade's core was forged from the ashes of a Hunt Aeon's light arrow.
Mixed with many extremely rare materials.
It had been personally forged by General Huaiyan of the Candled Abyss.
Within the Flamewheel Forging Palace.
Using the Ancient Fire of the Sui Emperor.
The sword was named:
"Heavenly Wisdom."
Its meaning:
A Xianzhou general must wield the Sword of Wisdom to sever emotional ties.
One must not be bound by personal attachments.
Apparently the name referenced an ancient Xianzhou legend—
Connected to a certain general from long ago.