Chapter 346: 4 Targets

How can we win this war?

Han Su’s question left everyone at a loss for words. Rong Qiyue couldn’t help but scratch his head. “To be honest, just think about the people you named. Is there a single one among them we can actually handle?”

The Abyssal Studio, the World Council, the Noble Bloodline…

“In theory, yes.”

In the rather tense atmosphere, it was Wei Lan who suddenly spoke with a smile. “During the last war that almost annihilated Qinggang, I participated in the Qinggang Council’s vote. I’ve basically been able to lock down the identities of the three individuals Mr. Han mentioned—the ones who cooperated with the Abyssal Studio.”

“Of all our enemies, those three are at the very bottom of the ladder. If we’re going to make a list, we should start with them.”

“As for the others, it certainly seems daunting to talk about them now, but I don’t believe we’re without a chance.”

…

As she spoke, she looked at Han Su and smiled. “Actually, I’m more curious about what’s happening right now.”

She gestured lightly at their surroundings as she spoke, her smile putting everyone at ease and lifting their spirits. “…For instance, we were clearly beaten down to our lowest point, and yet here we are, with the opportunity to chat and drink together.”

Han Su looked at the gentle expression in her eyes and understood.

‘She’s trying to tell me I shouldn’t jump straight into the most hopeless topics. We should talk about our group’s strengths first to build up our confidence.’

He smiled. “To be honest, I can only say that I’ve just started experimenting.”

“I return to the Ancient Castle time and again, rescue people, and then emerge. You already know about that part.”

“However, I’m starting to notice a subtle change.”

“My past rescues affect me in the present. This time, because I left the Ancient Castle in a different way, it’s also caused our present reality to be different from before.”

“It seems you were all brought into this new timeline collectively, with me as the anchor.”

…

As he spoke, he looked over at them. “Actually, I’m also curious. What sort of changes have occurred in Qinggang?”

“It’s a very strange experience.”

Wei Lan said, “We lost two days. We just felt a moment of disorientation, and suddenly we were two days in the past. And many things and even people’s actions around us had changed.”

“The Drunkard Investigator who died in front of our eyes is alive. That fellow Bai Shi is also alive, still living on the top floor of the tallest building in Qinggang City Center.”

“Everything that had changed because of you has vanished.”

“For a moment, even we thought that everything we experienced in the previous timeline was just a nightmare.”

“It’s as if you weren’t a real person, just a projection in our dreams!”

…

She paused before adding, “That’s also why we were so desperate to find you, to see you, even to touch you!”

‘Has everything changed?’

Han Su mulled this over. At first glance, it seemed logical.

‘Since I didn’t even appear in Qinggang in this timeline, all the causality related to me has vanished.’

‘It feels… a little strange…’

After a pause, he asked, “So everything changed? Are there no traces left behind at all?”

“Not on the surface.”

Wei Lan’s expression grew serious as she addressed the question. In a low voice, she said, “But if you think back carefully, you can find a slight difference. In the previous timeline, when I first returned to Qinggang, my Spiritual Model was flawed.”

“Back then, I wasn’t very confident about my chances of becoming Qinggang’s Empress. It was only after I met you and understood the shadow that loomed over my life that I was able to resolve the issue.”

“Theoretically, if you were completely removed from this timeline, my Spiritual Model should have remained flawed and unresolved. But in reality, in this timeline, I never experienced any problems with my Spiritual Model at all.”

“I successfully returned to Qinggang, attended the ball, entered the pageant, and won the title of Empress.”

“Then there’s Mr. Chen Ji of D7.”

Wei Lan paused briefly before continuing, “I already spoke with him before I came to Giant Horn City to find you.”

“His life experiences have also been different, but his Spiritual Model seems to have undergone an enormous change, giving him the confidence to face the upcoming surgeries. The reason he isn’t here this time is that he needs to complete those surgeries as soon as possible.”

“So it’s the Spiritual Models?”

Han Su also frowned slightly.

‘So, based on what Wei Lan’s saying, even though their life circumstances have changed, there are still subtle changes taking place deep within their spirits?’

‘It reminded him of himself. By repeatedly traveling between the Ancient Castle and reality, he had also folded his Spiritual Level countless times.’

‘Theoretically, this kind of change should be happening to his companions as well.’

‘Is it just that they haven’t been through as many shifts, so the changes are less significant?’

“Regarding this meeting…”

Here, Wei Lan paused and looked up at Han Su. “He knows we’re bound to review the war from the previous timeline, but he’s not interested. He believes we will fail for one, and only one, reason:”

“We can’t beat them!”

“So, the most important thing for us to do is to get stronger!”

…

“He has a point…”

Hearing those words, Han Su was surprised to find a complex feeling welling up inside him.