Ren Yi clung to the base of the statue, peeking over with great interest.
As for Zhang Qiuqiu, she looked exceptionally depressed.
Ren Yi hadn't bothered to sync the illusion for her. What she saw was the original sacrificial platform, the fanatical believers, and a completely empty stage.
It was like watching a stunt performance without any special effects—awkward and foolish.
"Hey, Ren Yi, can you sync that illusion for me too?" Zhang Qiuqiu finally couldn't help herself, poking Ren Yi's back with a claw.
Ren Yi turned back to look at her with a faint, knowing smile. Without a word, he gently snapped his fingers.
Immediately, the scene before Zhang Qiuqiu's eyes blurred for a moment.
When she opened her eyes again, she saw a tall, majestic, and holy white figure slowly manifesting from within the statue. Soft white light swirled around it; it was the Azure God, whom the Holy City folk worshipped day and night.
"Whoa, these special effects are actually pretty good!" Zhang Qiuqiu couldn't help but exclaim.
However, before she could get her fill of this "sacred" sight, something suddenly changed.
The Azure figure emerging from the statue began to twist and deform.
The originally compassionate and gentle face gradually became hideous and terrifying. The white robe shattered inch by inch, replaced by sharp claws resembling those of a mutant beast.
Then, she saw the illusion of the "Son of God" in front of the statue suddenly step forward. A long sword appeared out of thin air in his hand, which abruptly grew in size before ruthlessly pinning that twisted figure down.
The Azure illusion let out a piercing shriek. A moment later, it shattered along with the Son of God's illusion, turning into countless specks of light that dissipated into the air.
The cheers came to a grinding halt, replaced by terrified whispers and a growing commotion.
Zhang Qiuqiu remained silent for two seconds before turning to Ren Yi, her tone full of suspicion.
"Setting aside the cliché plot for a moment, why does this 'god' look so much like my current form after it falls?"
"The cliché plot doesn't matter as long as it works," Ren Yi explained quickly, his eyes darting away slightly.
"As for the appearance, class monitor, please be fair!" He put on a look of utter sincerity. "I got the inspiration from the Pope's words about that 'son of a bitch Azure.'"
"Why do I feel like you're insulting me?" Zhang Qiuqiu's gaze locked onto Ren Yi.
In the brief time they spent bickering, the scene below had completely spiraled out of control.
Some stood frozen in place, eyes wide with shock. Some broke down in tears, kneeling on the ground and kowtowing incessantly to the statue.
Others clutched their heads, letting out painful wails as their expressions shifted between confusion and agony.
Ren Yi dropped his flippant expression and silently watched the chaos below.
Reasonably speaking, when a twisted soul encounters something that completely contradicts its distorted cognition, mental conflict is inevitable.
So, did they feel any doubt about their previous piety?
Had they experienced even a single moment of clarity?
Just then, Ren Yi felt the light around him dim. It was as if a heavy black cloth had been draped over the sky above his head.
He looked up hurriedly and saw a familiar black dot hanging directly overhead, slowly expanding.
The Calamity was arriving faster than expected.
A second later, the originally bright sky suddenly tore open a fissure. The edges dripped like melting wax, as if an invisible hand had ripped the firmament apart, transforming it into a massive black maw.
Fine droplets of rain began to drift down from the void, floating toward the ground.
Everything began to warp like an abstract painting.
Ren Yi hid beneath the statue. If things went as expected, he would be forced to repatriate in a few minutes once the rain touched his body.
Calculating it this way, he had managed to stay in the Three Cities World until the final day.
Although the Alliance's final idle time hadn't been reached yet, he had done everything he needed to do. He had made the most of his time.
Ren Yi stretched slowly and began to relax.
Right, he should let Lu Zihan know before he left.
With that thought, he opened the Anomaly Web.
【Old Lu, the Calamity has descended on the Holy City. I might be returning a bit early.】
A message came back almost immediately.
【Oh, same here.】
【That black hole floated to the outskirts of Xin City. A few hours ago, the city started gathering everyone toward the center.】
【Man, this Calamity came so suddenly. It's not even the final moment yet!】
Xin City was starting to gather the entire city's population at this time?
Isn't that a bit too late?
Ren Yi frowned and advised him.
【Don't let your curiosity get the better of you. Don't go diving into the crowd. Just find a place within the Calamity's range and return already.】
【It's the final moment. Don't get yourself discovered and end up being hunted for half a day again!】
Lu Zihan's reply seemed quite indignant.
【What do you mean 'hunted for half a day' again? You're slandering me! Last time I was only hunted for two hours!】
【Stop being a smart-aleck.】 Ren Yi replied, somewhat speechless as he exposed his little trick.
【You didn't reply to my messages for at least half a day. Do you think I don't know your talkative nature? You could hold back from chatting with me for that long?】
【Don't slander me!】 Lu Zihan's reaction was exceptionally intense.
【When did I ignore you for half a day? It was two or three hours at most, okay!】
Wait?
Ren Yi's thoughts paused for a moment as he began to recall.
The last time he had contacted Lu Zihan was before he set out to clear the first mutant beast nest.
How many things had happened since then? Clearing the first nest, hunting down "Extinction," clearing the second nest, and then watching the video of Royal City's destruction on the forums.
Back then, he had felt something was wrong and messaged Lu Zihan, but the message had vanished without a trace.
After that, Lu Zihan hadn't replied until he had finished clearing the third nest...
How could that series of events have only taken two or three hours?
A strange sense of dissonance crawled up his spine to the back of his neck, bringing a chilling sensation.
Ren Yi felt his body stiffen, and his simulated heartbeat quickened by a few beats.
Suppressing the unease in his heart, he asked quickly:
【Old Lu, what day is it for us in the Three Cities World?】
The reply came instantly, the tone completely normal.
【The sixth day. Why?】
Rate on N.U.
