The source of the bizarre disturbance is actually 'Philis'?

Yang Qizhou's expression grew heavy,

It's no wonder he didn't recognize her at first. Though the game character had crossed paths with this 'Blasphemous Wizard' multiple times, the 'Deceit World' is a text-based adventure game. Without visuals, Yang Qizhou was aware of her existence but, in a certain sense, had never truly met her.

At this moment,

The church created by the power of the 'King of Truth' was disintegrating, collapsing as it lost its energy. The surrounding scenery was fading, yet the gemstone left behind upon 'Philis' death floated mid-air, unaffected by the turmoil.

Yang Qizhou found the whole situation bizarre and didn't immediately step forward to retrieve 'Philis' relic,

Instead, he fell into deep contemplation.

"'Philis' recognized me, but her attitude was unusual. She said, in a certain sense, the two of us had never truly met. Yet, in the game, she had already died under the power of the 'Master of Millions' due to the game character's manipulation."

"Wait a moment,"

"I think I've fallen into a cognitive trap."

"All along, I've assumed that the timelines of the 'Old Earth' and the 'Real World' are synchronized, and I believe most players think the same way. But is that really the case?"

This speculation emerged in his mind, and Yang Qizhou recalled the scenes from when he first experienced the 'Deceit World' game. Back then, when players paused the game, the timeline of the characters would stop—it wouldn't advance. This was unlike now, where, even if the players ceased playing, the text would automatically refresh at a certain pace.

Then,

An even bolder guess took shape in Yang Qizhou's heart.

"The timeline of the 'Deceit World' game exists in the future, and during the 'Destiny Revelation,' the two worlds might overlap, potentially causing their timelines to gradually synchronize."

"When the timelines become fully aligned, the two worlds will completely converge. Players and game characters will completely merge, inheriting each other's fates, and manifesting on the 'Old Earth' in the reality of the game character's existence."

"And by then,"

"It very likely coincides with the 'shining of the stars' mentioned in the 'Dota Clan' prophecy."

Yang Qizhou couldn't prove his theory to be correct, but an intense premonition told him the truth might indeed unfold as he envisioned.

He fell silent,

Having realized the true nature of the 'Deceit World,' as well as the connection between 'players' and 'game characters,' he had anticipated this day would eventually come. Still, he hadn't expected it to happen so soon nor so abruptly.

Forcing himself to quell his inner turmoil, Yang Qizhou shifted his attention to another matter,

That being 'Philis' herself.

"This 'Blasphemous Wizard,' considering her current timeline, shouldn't have yet encountered the power of the 'Master of Millions,' nor the game character. Yet, she was able to recognize me and even know the events that would occur in the future."

"Was it because she witnessed the 'future'?"

"No, not quite. If she could foresee the future and understand what was to come, she definitely wouldn't have remained in 'Black Stone Town,' ultimately meeting her demise under the power of the 'Master of Millions.'"

"'Fate' intervened with her?"

"She glimpsed the future and understood the ultimate ending. She crossed the boundary between two worlds, attempting to kill me and prevent it all. But this is also part of the script—it didn't elude the arrangement."

"In the end, it was evident she wanted to say something, but she triggered a taboo, leading to her explosion. As a result, her portion of the 'Old Earth's' destiny—left vacant—will be filled accordingly."

"However..."

Yang Qizhou knitted his brows tighter, as though something crossed his mind. His expression turned extremely grave, "It's too crude—the traces are too glaring, as if a third-rate writer was crafting the story. The plot consistently encounters bugs, and in patching the holes forcefully, it becomes stiff and blatantly unnatural."

Various conflicting thoughts swirled in his mind, yet none led to clear answers. Yang Qizhou opted to shift his focus away from the matter, fixing his gaze on the floating 'gemstone' before him.

At this moment,

The power of the 'King of Truth' had already dissipated, and the church had fully collapsed and vanished. The surrounding area reverted to the scenery of a dim alleyway.

Yang Qizhou's countenance remained heavy as he contemplated for a long while. Ultimately, he stepped forward and took down the gemstone.

He was extremely cautious, prepared to deal with any anomalies that might arise upon touching the gemstone.

Yet what surprised Yang Qizhou was... the gemstone didn't exhibit any changes, nor did it emanate any ominous power. It seemed like just an ordinary stone one could pick up from the roadside.

As an item left behind by the 'Blasphemous Wizard' Philis, it obviously couldn't be a mundane object.

Yang Qizhou tried various methods—infusing it with the powers of the 'Spiritual Dragon' and the 'Power of Royal Authority,' utilizing the pillar-like characteristic of the 'King of Nature,' even experimenting with the 'Destiny Revelation,' a wizard mark from the domain of fate. Yet the stone remained unchanged.

Without probing further, Yang Qizhou pondered briefly and decided not to discard it but instead kept it with him.

"'Lamp Holder,' Your Excellency, so... so, what exactly happened in that church..." Seeing Yang Qizhou emerge from the depths of the alley, unscathed and with a smile on his lips, the two women let out a sigh of relief. 'Rabbit' even ran over eagerly to inquire.

Before the 'little lass' could finish, the 'Arcane Practitioner' quickly cut her off, "Apologies. 'Lamp Holder,' Your Excellency, Rabbit is lively and carefree by nature. If she's caused any offense, please don't take it to heart."

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