“Alright then! In games, I always charge headfirst into opportunities like this with my eyes closed.”

“This time, I’ll charge in recklessly too!”

He Yuliang gazed at the pitch-black special space, his eyes filled with determination.

The group had reached a consensus.

Yet what they didn’t know was…

Right above this dark domain,

A chubby young man with an honest and simple appearance stood mid-air, looking down at this peculiar space.

From his perspective, the special space below was completely covered by a gigantic virtual chessboard.

Reflected on the chessboard were natural landscapes of mountains, rivers, lakes and seas, like a mirage.

Some chess squares already had wooden pieces placed on them, alternating between black and white.

The chubby guy shifted his gaze from the chessboard to the south, where 21 newbie players were preparing to explore this space, and shook his head with a sigh.

Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly made a surprised sound “Huh?” and looked toward the north where the Reincarnation Ghost team was stationed.

On the Reincarnation Ghost team’s side, Wu Wang ultimately made the decision for the entire group—

Split into two teams, with some ghosts going in to explore while others kept watch outside.

He held absolute authority within the team, so naturally no one dared oppose this reasonable decision.

However…

Just as the team split into two groups and Wu Wang was about to lead one group into this black ice domain space—

A giant hand suddenly appeared as if shattering through the void.

It descended directly from above the Reincarnation Ghost team!

At that moment, it moved too fast—almost none of the Reincarnation Ghosts present could react in time!

Not that their reaction speed was lacking.

But along with this giant hand came an overwhelming pressure that made their bodies stiffen uncontrollably.

Forget reacting—just barely standing was an achievement.

Just when these Reincarnation Ghosts despairingly thought they had offended some terrifying entity and were surely doomed…

The void giant hand only grabbed Wu Wang.

The enormous palm completely enveloped Wu Wang’s head, lifting his entire body up.

Then, the giant hand carried Wu Wang away as if tearing through the void, quickly disappearing without a trace.

The remaining Reincarnation Ghosts were left in shock, feeling like survivors of a disaster.

Having no idea what just happened, they instinctively assumed their exploration of this icy land had angered some powerful figure behind it, leading to their leader’s capture…

Thinking this, the gathered Reincarnation Ghosts quickly fled the area as if running for their lives.

Above the domain chessboard, the chubby guy observed this scene with thoughtful eyes.

After a moment, he shook his head with another sigh before disappearing from the spot.

Meanwhile, on the southern side of the black ice domain, He Yuliang’s group soon discovered—

Living beings approaching the domain barrier wouldn’t be instantly incinerated like the talisman paper.

Instead, they could actually pass directly through that strange barrier.

After some discussion, the group cautiously yet boldly ventured into this black ice domain.

What they saw inside was similar to what Zhang Minghan and other Defenders had witnessed when gathering here earlier.

The entire ground of the domain remained like pure black ice.

The difference was that when they looked up, they didn’t see the twilight desert’s yellowish sky.

Instead, they saw a night sky filled with countless stars—truly a star-studded spectacle.

Elsewhere, in Apartment 9999,

After some back-and-forth with Yang Wenchao, Jiang Ye Clone #2 learned about the hidden information Yang had been keeping.

Yang spoke with extra sincerity, worried Jiang Ye might not believe him.

But truth be told, Jiang Ye not only believed him—he had already guessed some of it.

In summary—

Yang Wenchao had experienced a “strange encounter” while playing Doomsday Apartment.

According to him, during gameplay he suddenly felt heart palpitations.

Thinking it was from gaming all night, he lay down to regulate his breathing, almost calling 120.

But soon after lying down, the near-death feeling vanished.

This inexplicable “near-death experience” left fragmented memories in his mind.

Yang initially thought he was some novel protagonist awakening past-life memories.

But upon closer inspection, he realized—

These new memories didn’t seem to belong to him, nor were they likely from a past life.

Rather…

They resembled memories from an in-game NPC?

The memories were vague, just scattered fragments.

Yang could grasp very little information.

But this bizarre experience made him particularly invested in Doomsday Apartment.

He thought this might be his “protagonist opportunity.”

Perhaps his chance to awaken a “system” cheat lay within this game.

Thus his dedication far exceeded other players’, driving him to uncover 4444 Apartment’s secrets until finding the bug to access the hidden graveyard…

His focus on 4444 Apartment had reasons:

First, the player who killed Administrator 4444 died suddenly in reality—others saw coincidence, but Yang took note;

Second—

While exploring the tombstone area in 4444’s underground graveyard, he heard a voice.

This voice told him many tempting things.

The usual spiel—”young man you have exceptional bones and fate with me” etc.

Most would assume this triggered some hidden NPC quest.

But Yang thought differently.

He suspected the NPC might be controlled by a real person.

Or that this NPC related to his special experience.

His extensive time searching for [Reincarnation Graveyard],

Including burying multiple accounts after finding it via bug, was all guided by that NPC.

While describing his experiences, some parts even Yang hadn’t figured out.

But Jiang Ye understood—

He likely underwent the same “body seizure” as Zhou Qiming.

Except Zhou was unluckier—the seizure failed and he died.

The entity trying to seize Yang might’ve been weaker or made mistakes.

Regardless, Yang’s seizure also failed.

The difference? Yang survived.

And this guy didn’t even realize he’d been seized—just that he inexplicably gained memory fragments…

Those fragments probably came from the seizing entity.

This bizarre experience made him unusually invested in Doomsday Apartment.

Of course, Jiang Ye considered—

Could Yang be lying?

Maybe the seizure succeeded, and he’s no longer Yang Wenchao but some powerful entity controlling his body?

Jiang Ye pondered this but found it unlikely.

If some ultra-powerful entity had truly seized Yang, he wouldn’t be in his current state.

At minimum, he should fare better than Lin Jing.

Moreover, if he weren’t really Yang, he wouldn’t have spared Jiang Ye in the stairwell under “repayment” pretense.

So this Yang Wenchao was undoubtedly the genuine article.

At least when he spared Jiang Ye, he was real.

Additionally, Yang’s contact with a special entity in 4444’s tombstone area resembled Lin Jing’s experience.

Lin Jing was also released from a revival coffin by a special entity.

Lin clearly hid some secrets about his relationship with that entity.

Escaping Lin Ling’s grasp likely involved that entity’s methods.

As for Yang…

Frankly, Jiang Ye couldn’t tell if he was lucky or unlucky.

Like Lin Jing, Yang buried accounts in the graveyard and experienced post-death revivals there.

Normally, he should’ve heard the tombstone entity’s call while in the revival coffin,

Been released by that entity,

Given benefits, assigned tasks.

But unfortunately…

When Yang revived in the graveyard, Jiang Ye’s light clone was causing chaos.

Yang’s coffin was dug up by Jiang Ye…

This was the first time Yang missed meeting the special entity.

Later, entering a coffin from Reincarnation Graveyard and reviving in the underground graveyard,

He was dug up by Lin Ling’s people…

Even collected by Lin Ling due to dual-soul fusion.

Thus Yang missed another chance to connect with the special entity.

Jiang Ye speculated:

The tombstone entity intentionally guided Yang to bury accounts, facilitating their connection during revival.

Perhaps even offering coffin release in exchange for services.

But plans changed.

Yang’s two revival attempts both had special circumstances preventing the meeting…

Understanding this, Jiang Ye asked:

“Besides this, when you said ‘I was once light too’—were you hiding other reasons?”

Yang was surprised Jiang Ye actually believed his memory fragment story.

After thought, he confessed:

“You probably thought my ‘I was once light too’ delivery was cool, right?”

“Actually, I said that because my extra memories included a scene—”

“A figure once said those words with great authority: ‘I was once light too…'”

“That memory left a deep impression, so when Huang Bo questioned my fearlessness, I used it to act tough…”

This shocked Jiang Ye, who immediately deduced:

“So the entity trying to seize you was likely a Light player, or former Light player?”

“Seizure?” Only now did Yang realize—

His near-death experience was actually a seizure attempt?

By a game NPC?!

He was astonished—how did Jiang Ye know all this?

This guy wasn’t even a game player, yet knew far more than him!

Suppressing his shock, Yang corrected Jiang Ye’s speculation:

“I’m not sure if the blurry figure in those memories was their owner or someone the owner saw…”

“But I lean toward it being someone the memory owner witnessed.”

Meaning, the failed seizure entity once saw a domineering figure say “I was once light”?

Thus, the seizure entity might not be a Light player.

Could it be Administrator 4444?

Perhaps a previous cycle’s 4444 Administrator saw someone say “I was once light” at the Reincarnation Graveyard’s cross-shaped tombstone?

Jiang Ye already suspected the cross-shaped tombstone related to the Light faction.

He had many more questions.

But Yang only had special experiences—actually knowing less than Jiang Ye.

So Jiang Ye stopped questioning, only advising:

“If I’m right, Lin Jing’s rapid growth surpasses normal players because he gained help from that tombstone entity.”

“That entity probably wanted to invest in you too.”

“But your previous graveyard appearances always had others around.”

“Now, try visiting 4444’s tombstone area alone.”

Yang was surprised: “Alone? No clone accompaniment?”

Jiang Ye shook his head: “My clone explored there—that entity seems to dislike me.”

“So if I go with you, it might not appear.”

“Same if you go—you can tell me afterward.”

He considered using Nesting Inner Demons on Yang.

But his Witch Ghost clone was occupied with Yu Mo.

Plus, he worried the tombstone entity might detect it.

If it saw Yang had Nesting Inner Demons, it might reject him too.

So that could wait.

Yang had no objections.

Before leaving Apartment 9999, he had Jiang Ye order Wan Xin in his body to behave.

Wan Xin resented Yang but obeyed Jiang Ye.

With Jiang Ye’s command, Yang fully regained bodily control.

Wan Xin could only parasite quietly within him.

After Yang left, Jiang Ye Clone #2 entered the red-lit elevator alone to study the horizontal and vertical button panels.

He also wanted to reconsider that set of seven numbers.

Meanwhile, the Witch Ghost clone was arrogantly interrogating the young man when—

His eyes flickered, sensing oppressive energy in the air.

Then a gigantic phantom slowly materialized—

A five-meter-tall giant figure holding a cremains urn in its left hand and… Wu Wang in its right?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep