That’s true.

Jiang Ye suddenly remembered that any freebie items could be traded directly in the trading zone, just like the Soul Locking Nail.

But it didn’t matter. He raised an eyebrow and casually replied:

“Actually, there’s nothing special. I just wanted to take a stroll around this Return Soul Abyss…”

The implied meaning: Meeting up was just a side thing ╮(╯▽╰)╭

“……”

Administrator 0000 gave him another complicated look: “Then shall I accompany you?”

Jiang Ye grinned: “That’d be great! With a big shot like you escorting me, I feel completely safe!”

Administrator 0000 gave a forced smile before jumping straight from their landing spot into the abyss.

His figure was quickly swallowed by darkness.

But his voice still carried: “Then come down. Let’s ‘stroll’ through this Return Soul Abyss together.”

Since Jiang Ye was using a disposable clone that could die anytime, he didn’t mind.

So he jumped straight into the abyss too.

He felt the distinct sensation of falling, but everything was pitch black. He randomly called out: “Big Bro 0? You still there?”

“Always here.” Administrator 0000’s voice came from behind.

With poor visibility, Jiang Ye didn’t bother locating him and just spoke to the air:

“You can give me the item to deal with Qu Xing first. I’m using a clone here, so it won’t affect dealing with Qu Xing on the other end.”

However, the big shot who just said he was “always here” suddenly went silent.

After waiting a moment, Jiang Ye tentatively called again: “Big shot?”

After a pause, Administrator 0000 finally spoke, but didn’t mention giving any items at all.

Instead, he inexplicably asked: “Why were you present during 4444’s transaction with the Nomadic Merchant?”

Why was I present?

Jiang Ye thought: Don’t you already know?

When he summoned the Nomadic Merchant, Administrator 0000’s corpse puppets were wreaking havoc at 4444’s place.

Jiang Ye didn’t believe Administrator 0000 hadn’t seen him summon the Nomadic Merchant through those puppets.

So he didn’t hide it and said directly:

“4444 was sealed by talismans, so I helped summon the Nomadic Merchant to break the seal, and ended up joining the transaction.”

He made it sound simple.

But the implications were terrifying!

Administrator 0000 did know about it through the corpse puppets, which made it even more shocking.

Though he’d already been shocked once seeing it from the puppet’s perspective.

Now hearing Jiang Ye say it himself, Administrator 0000 felt more complicated.

After a moment of silence in the darkness, his voice reached Jiang Ye again:

“You might be the first to summon the Nomadic Merchant and come out unscathed.”

His tone was equally complicated.

Jiang Ye laughed carefreely like an idiot: “Haha, really?”

“Maybe it’s because I’m handsome, and the great Nomadic Merchant took pity on me…”

He almost said the Nomadic Merchant was “treating him gently as a fair lady,” but that didn’t sound right.

So he changed it to something even more inappropriate…

The temperature in the Return Soul Abyss was chilly.

But at this moment, even the cold air seemed awkward.

Suddenly, Jiang Ye felt his feet touch solid ground.

They’d reached the bottom of the abyss.

However, the spatial structure of the Return Soul Abyss was special.

Jumping from the entrance didn’t always lead to the same bottom.

There were random outcomes:

50% chance of landing in the Soul Resting Mound;

20% chance of entering the Rebirth Dream;

10% chance of entering other strange secret realms;

10% chance of landing on random floors of Apartment 0000;

5% chance of appearing in the red-lit elevator;

5% chance of unknown death…

The probability for the Soul Resting Mound was high.

But not everyone would appear in the same space within it.

Instead, they’d randomly appear in different areas.

According to veteran players, the current exploration rate of the entire Soul Resting Mound likely hadn’t exceeded 50%.

If landing in an area explored by others, most good items would already be looted.

So exploring the Soul Resting Mound via the Return Soul Abyss depended on luck.

A 50% chance to reach the Soul Resting Mound, then another 50% chance to find an unexplored area.

For regular players, exploring the Return Soul Abyss wasn’t cost-effective.

But since Jiang Ye was using a disposable clone, efficiency didn’t matter.

And his luck seemed decent.

Although still dim after landing, he could vaguely make out the Soul Resting Mound environment.

The question was whether this ancient tomb had been explored before.

Just as Jiang Ye was about to suggest searching for the tomb,

a face abruptly appeared right in front of him.

The suddenness made him stumble back half a step, his heart skipping a beat.

He knew Administrator 0000 would likely land in the same place.

But he never expected…

Administrator 0000 would appear before him wearing his own face!!!

That’s right!

Jiang Ye was looking at his own face!

Meaning Administrator 0000 had suddenly taken on his appearance!!

Well, not entirely sudden.

The guy stood right before Jiang Ye, wearing his face while scrutinizing it carefully.

Then he seemed puzzled:

“This face? What’s so special about it to earn the Nomadic Merchant’s pity?”

Jiang Ye’s heart pounded.

He thought: Should I tell you what’s special about it?

With that thought, his attention turned to the Time-Limited Instant Kill (Damaged) in his Clone Shared Space.

He should’ve used it during the life-or-death battle with the Mask Master.

But the Mask Master had to go and get himself killed…

Leaving Jiang Ye with this unused card!

But now…

Maybe he could try using it on Administrator 0000?!

If it worked…

Hiss—

Jiang Ye’s acting had improved, successfully suppressing his urge to gasp.

He showed no emotional change, just continued staring curiously at his own face on Administrator 0000 like an airhead.

Using the Time-Limited Instant Kill directly…

Shouldn’t cause any issues, right?

Surely he wouldn’t be subdued by Administrator 0000 the moment he took out the card, unable to use it?

Surely the Card Grandmaster wasn’t messing with him, making the card useless or having some joke effect?

Outwardly carefree, Jiang Ye was actually nervous.

After careful consideration, he decided…

Since he’d saved one use against the Mask Master…

Perhaps he could “waste” one attempt on an experiment.

At least that would be safer!

Coincidentally, at that moment, the Eternal Witch Gui clone had lured Wu Wang to a secluded spot.

Since when the Witch Gui possessed Guan He’s body before, Jiang Ye only killed the Witch Gui while Guan He remained unharmed.

This time, the Witch Gui clone deliberately didn’t possess Wu Wang’s body.

Instead, it commanded from within the Nesting Inner Demons:

“Now, I need you to impersonate someone for a task.”

“I’ve prepared a mimic mask. Put it on first.”

Just wearing a mask was no issue for Wu Wang.

After he put it on and transformed into Jiang Ye’s face,

Jiang Ye swapped in the Qu Xing clone.

Then Qu Xing used Time-Limited Instant Kill (Damaged) on Wu Wang wearing “Jiang Ye’s face.”

Instantly, Wu Wang turned into light particles.

The death effect was like being erased by the rules!

The Witch Gui clone immediately sensed—

The Nesting Inner Demons built within Wu Wang suddenly vanished!

Proving Wu Wang had truly died at that moment!

But strangely…

Jiang Ye didn’t hear the [clone kills clone] notification!

Three seconds later, Wu Wang revived.

He looked terrified, clearly unaware of what happened.

Survival instincts made him immediately attack Qu Xing.

But before the attack landed, the Witch Gui possessed his body.

With a thought, the Qu Xing clone swapped away to continue his administrator-killing mission.

The Witch Gui possessing Wu Wang now held the Time-Limited Instant Kill card in contemplation.

The card’s original [Usage Limit: (3/3)] had changed to [Usage Limit: (2/3)].

He’d used one charge.

But it didn’t trigger the [clone kills clone] effect!

Meaning…

This card was indeed problematic!

Kills caused by it wouldn’t count as Jiang Ye’s doing!

So using this card to kill was utterly useless!

Wait…

Damaged items always have flaws.

So…

Jiang Ye’s heart sank as the Witch Gui clone retreated back into the Nesting Inner Demons, no longer possessing Wu Wang.

According to the Card Grandmaster, the flaw of the damaged Time-Limited Instant Kill would affect the killed target.

Namely, Wu Wang.

Jiang Ye had originally planned to convert Wu Wang into a clone.

Now knowing the guy carried a flaw, he wasn’t in a hurry anymore.

He even felt reluctant to stay in the Nesting Inner Demons within him.

So he directly commanded: “You’ve been exposed. Return the mimic mask. I’ll find someone else for this.”

Completely confused, Wu Wang still obeyed.

After returning the mask, Jiang Ye immediately left his body.

Wu Wang, baffled, confirmed the Witch Gui was gone before quietly messaging another Reincarnation Ghost while catching up to his team:

[That thing must’ve noticed the cremains are missing. It came for me just now, probably heading for you next.]

The other Reincarnation Ghost, Yu Mo, quickly replied:

[All preparations complete. Your act can begin too.]

Wu Wang didn’t reply further, habitually deleting the chat history.

Since his body could be possessed anytime,

he dared leave no evidence of betrayal,

lest the Witch Gui discover it during possession.

But he suspected…

The Witch Gui had already noticed something.

Both sides were maintaining superficial peace.

Was that inexplicable brief death earlier a warning?

Or a test?

Wu Wang’s mind swirled with thoughts.

Jiang Ye indeed did as expected—after leaving Wu Wang’s body, he immediately went to the other Reincarnation Ghost, Yu Mo, who also hosted Nesting Inner Demons.

With a thought, he didn’t directly possess Yu Mo’s body,

but remained in the Nesting Inner Demons within him.

From there, he could share Yu Mo’s perspective.

But Jiang Ye discovered…

Yu Mo’s vision was completely dark.

This guy… seemed unconscious?

What happened?

Just as he considered possessing the body to investigate,

he heard a sinister voice through Yu Mo’s ears:

“Finally waiting for you… a certain Reincarnation Ghost existing in soul form?”

Huh?

Jiang Ye was stunned.

But quickly realized—

This voice seemed directed at him!

Apparently, Yu Mo had been captured alive?

Even the Nesting Inner Demons within him had been discovered?

Originally just planning to convert Yu Mo into a clone without complications,

Jiang Ye instinctively wanted to leave.

But the voice seemed to predict this, coldly adding:

“What? Still won’t open your eyes? Don’t you want to see your cremains?”

Huh?!

Damn!

So the Witch Gui’s cremains were stolen by Yu Mo’s captor?

Had Yu Mo undergone soul-searching?

Having recently witnessed Lin Ling using soul-searching on Ouyang,

Jiang Ye naturally assumed Yu Mo’s exposure came from that,

and that his captor stole the cremains.

However…

Already suspicious of Wu Wang and Yu Mo,

he remained doubtful…

Perhaps it wasn’t soul-searching.

Maybe Yu Mo had conspired with a powerful veteran player to escape the Witch Gui’s control…

Regardless, this voice likely belonged to a formidable veteran!

With plenty of troubles already,

Jiang Ye wanted no additional complications.

But the Witch Gui’s cremains were crucial.

After brief consideration, he fully possessed Yu Mo’s body.

“Yu Mo” slowly opened his eyes.

Thus Jiang Ye saw Yu Mo’s current situation:

His entire body was stuffed into a large vat.

The black liquid inside seemed toxic, paralyzing his submerged body.

Only his head protruded from the narrow opening,

barely able to move.

The tight opening restricted neck movement,

so he could only shift his eyes toward a flamboyant young man seated on an ornate chair to the vat’s right.

Seeing him, Jiang Ye was surprised.

The young man’s face was covered in bizarre crimson patterns.

This wasn’t Jiang Ye’s first time seeing this!

Among Zhou Yuling’s 9,999 captured followers,

that flamboyant youth who taunted Zhou Yuling before being slapped to death and reviving,

had the same crimson facial patterns!

This seemed characteristic of members from the first-class secret realm organization “Heavenly Net”!

So this cremain-stealing flamboyant youth…

Was likely a Heavenly Net member?

As Jiang Ye pondered, he noticed the youth shared the same arrogant demeanor as Zhou Yuling’s previous challenger.

Cross-legged in the ornate chair,

he casually juggled the cremains urn in his right palm.

His movements were deliberately taunting,

even tossing it higher at times.

His mocking gaze matched his playful tone:

“Finally crawled out of your turtle shell, huh?”

“Seems these ashes really matter to you…”

Tossing the urn even higher, he teased:

“What if I… accidentally dropped it?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep