What’s the Situation?

The most outstanding technical personnel have been urgently called to the control hall, including the best technicians from several other teams.

The Angel Corps has commenced emergency operations, swiftly relaying commands one after another.

In the control hall, Bluesea, unlike War Angel who stands commanding, sat quietly on a nearby chair, his expression solemn, leaving others unaware of what this titan amidst the chaos might be contemplating.

At that moment, a member of the Angel Corps rushed in from outside, saluting War Angel swiftly before speaking, “Sir, the other elders have arrived, except…”

“Alright, let’s start the meeting immediately,” War Angel waved his hand, already aware of the situation. One elder was trapped in the resource small world, and another was outside the Zero City. The Elders Council cannot be fully convened at the moment, but such matters cannot be dwelled upon in such times.

War Angel glances at Bluesea, who nodded and rose, “Let’s go. Some matters and decisions require collective resolution.”

Leading the way, War Angel strode out, with Bluesea following behind, seemingly lagging a few steps intentionally.

Guan Shan sensed Bluesea’s gaze upon him and promptly caught up, closing the distance.

Soon, Guan Shan received a message from Bluesea through the team channel.

“Go check on Chen Xiaolian! I need to know if he’s in his room and what he’s doing!”

“Do you suspect…?”

“I suspect nothing. I just want to confirm something. Hurry!”

Guan Shan immediately nodded.

Behind the two titans trailed their respective teams’ subordinates. Guan Shan discreetly left halfway, without arousing anyone’s suspicion. Even if someone noticed, they would likely assume that Bluesea had dispatched him to oversee their own team affairs, without much further thought.

Once outside the control center, Guan Shan arrived on the desolate streets of Zero City, now shrouded in darkness as if night had fallen early. Streetlights were extinguished, and the streets were empty, occasionally spotted by a few soldiers of the Angel Corps, not in sentinel mechs but carrying energy rifles and patrol lights.

Guan Shan was stopped twice on his way, but with Bluesea’s medal granting him high-level clearance, he easily proceeded to the hotel where Chen Xiaolian was staying.

Gazing at the hotel, now devoid of all power and engulfed in darkness, Guan Shan couldn’t help but furrow his brow.

The hotel lobby was pitch black, devoid of the usual intelligent holographic service personnel. With no expectation of elevators, Guan Shan decisively sprinted up the stairs. Fortunately, the fire escape wasn’t blocked. Arriving outside Chen Xiaolian’s room, he hesitated briefly as he gazed at the tightly locked door.

He didn’t opt to force his way in but instead gave the door a few firm knocks.

“Xiaolian! Are you in there? I’ve been sent to check on you…”

Thud.

Thud, thud!

After waiting for a few seconds with no response from inside, Guan Shan’s thoughts turned peculiar.

He… wasn’t in the room?

Could it be true, as they had suspected… Was Chen Xiaolian up to something fishy?

Guan Shan hesitated. Amid the choice between breaking in and abandoning the task to report back, suddenly, a voice emanated from inside the room.

“I… I’m fine.”

Guan Shan froze.

This… was Chen Xiaolian’s voice!

Though it sounded somewhat feeble, based on their interactions earlier in the day, Guan Shan immediately recognized it as unquestionably Chen Xiaolian’s voice!

He… was actually staying put in his room?!

…

Let’s rewind time back ten minutes.

By discerning! Acquire authorization!

Just like the founders such as Mr. San, one can issue commands to the Zero City program!

With such an opportunity presented before him, how could Chen Xiaolian not be excited?

“So, what’s the method of discernment?” Chen Xiaolian asked immediately.

“Confirm entry into the discernment program?” Zero City’s voice remained devoid of emotion, as usual, displaying no hint of sentiment.

“…Confirmed,” Chen Xiaolian pondered for a moment before gritting his teeth.

“Very well. According to your request, entering the discernment program.”

Swish!

Chen Xiaolian felt his vision blur, the disorienting sensation of instantaneous spatial displacement hitting him again! This feeling instantly brought back that sensation of weightlessness, making him feel light-headed.

When the sensation of weightlessness dissipated, Chen Xiaolian gradually regained control of his body, feeling everything become more natural again. He glanced around, subconsciously furrowing his brow.

This place… was an underground palace.

And judging from the design, layout, and the style of the bricks on the walls, there was no doubt, this was an Eastern-style underground palace.

The light was dim, and as Chen Xiaolian looked up, he noticed some night pearls embedded in the arched ceiling of the palace. These pearls emitted a faint radiance, causing him to furrow his brow.

He confirmed once again that this was likely a place akin to an ancient tomb.

Soon, he received some messages in his personal system:

“?????: Copy Number [Unknown].

Enterer, Initial Template Holder.

Copy Mission: Obtain the highest authority in this copy. The highest authority includes but is not limited to: completing tasks for both factions, or disrupting tasks for both factions, or killing all participants of a certain faction, or killing all participants of both factions. At least one of the above conditions must be met to consider the mission completed.

Copy Time Limit: Unknown.

Copy Condition Restriction: Advanced era technological attack weapons are weakened.”

Upon reading this, Chen Xiaolian couldn’t help but let out a wry smile.

Sure enough…

A copy!

Another copy!!

As he looked around the gloomy palace, feeling the damp and chilly air seeping through the walls, Chen Xiaolian furrowed his brow. He took five seconds to gather his emotions before swiftly springing into action.

First, he checked his equipment. Fortunately, his storage wristwatch contained an abundance of standard copy equipment and provisions.

Chen Xiaolian took out a spicy strip, broke off a small piece, and put it in his mouth, preparing for a snack at any moment. Then, he put on a helmet with a flashlight attached, drew out the Stone Sword, and also took out a pistol that could fire spiritual bullets—this type of ancient tomb-like copy typically featured apparitions or ghosts, making spiritual weapons the most suitable choice.

Observing the palace, Chen Xiaolian noticed only one door, with everything else sealed shut.

With no other option, he could only proceed through that door.

As he walked down the long corridor, Chen Xiaolian felt an increasingly strange sensation.

Though he had never walked this tunnel before, he had an inexplicable sense of familiarity!

When Chen Xiaolian passed through a chamber and saw some vessels resembling burial items, he was stunned.

The dark-green terracotta warriors, the war horses with raised hooves, the chariots with a distinct Warring States flavor, and the soldiers gripping long spears on the chariots…

Chen Xiaolian widened his eyes.

“This… this…”

These were unmistakably… the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang!!

Chen Xiaolian nearly choked on the spicy strip he was shouting.

He stared at the terracotta warriors for a long time, subconsciously taking a few steps back.

In his memory, he had been to the Qin Emperor’s Tomb copy before! In the copy, these terracotta warriors would come to life and turn into guardians of the tomb!

Chen Xiaolian quickly put some distance between himself and the statues.

Fortunately, these terracotta warriors didn’t seem to have come to life.

Frowning, Chen Xiaolian felt increasingly odd.

The burial chambers were interconnected like a maze, each connected by a passage.

Chen Xiaolian quickly passed through three burial chambers, seeing only piles of accompanying terracotta warriors.

His heartbeat quickened.

Finally, as he reached the fourth chamber, a sound from ahead startled Chen Xiaolian!

He immediately crouched down, darting under the wheel of a bronze chariot, holding his breath and hiding.

Soon, three figures hurried past from another direction.

Peeking out from under the chariot wheel, Chen Xiaolian’s entire body froze in shock!

Completely frozen!!

On the left stood a sturdy man with a square face, rugged features, and a resolute demeanor.

On the right was a slightly slender figure, yet exuding a tough and vigorous aura.

These two individuals were unmistakably familiar to Chen Xiaolian!

They were none other than the Lun Tai and Bei Tai brothers!!

But what terrified Chen Xiaolian the most was the person standing among the Lun Tai and Bei Tai brothers!

It was…

“Guild Leader. I heard strange noises just now,” Lun Tai furrowed his brow, speaking in a low voice. “It sounded like someone’s presence.”

“Let’s not rush,” the “Guild Leader” spoke with a deep voice. “First, we need to find our things. Contacting anyone now is meaningless. It’s hard to distinguish friend from foe. In this copy, what we seek is different from others. We just need to keep an eye on Qiuyuan…”

Sitting under the chariot, Chen Xiaolian felt increasingly parched.

This person referred to as the “Guild Leader” was none other than the former master of the Lun Tai and Bei Tai brothers!

The one who died in the Qin Emperor’s Tomb copy!

Qiuyuan? Guild Leader of the South Palace?

Could it be that this place was…

The Qin Emperor’s Tomb?

The Qin Emperor’s Tomb copy that he had experienced before?!

Temporal… reincarnation?!

Chen Xiaolian was completely dumbfounded!

The three individuals didn’t notice Chen Xiaolian’s presence. They seemed to be searching for something else and swiftly departed from the underground palace, disappearing into the tunnel.

It took Chen Xiaolian a full minute to regain his senses. He crawled out from under the chariot wheel, his gaze complex as he watched the three individuals disappear down the tunnel.

“What… the fuck is going on…”

Chen Xiaolian bit his lip hard, the painful sensation jolting him awake.

After hesitating for a moment, he didn’t follow the tunnel in the direction the three individuals had gone. Instead, he entered the tunnel they had come from.

Carefully, Chen Xiaolian walked about fifty meters and arrived at an open area.

Here, astonishingly… was an underground river.

In Chen Xiaolian’s memory, he had not encountered such a terrain when he had previously experienced the Qin Emperor’s Tomb copy—perhaps he hadn’t explored the entire palace back then.

The water flow in the underground river was calm, at least on the surface. Stone stakes lined the banks on both sides, forming a row.

On the riverbank stood a towering stone stele, twice the height of Chen Xiaolian.

Curious, he walked over and looked up, seeing dense inscriptions covering its surface…

As Chen Xiaolian attempted to read the inscription, a strange sound suddenly emanated from behind him. Sensing something, he swiftly turned and leaped onto the top of the stele.

The stele was quite wide, and after jumping up, Chen Xiaolian found himself about the height of a floor from the ground. The top was spacious enough for him to lie down.

After about ten seconds, a graceful figure emerged from the darkness, moving swiftly and agilely.

Upon closer inspection, Chen Xiaolian froze once again!

Clad in a tight black leather outfit! Wearing knee-high leather boots!

Black hair.

Exquisite and alluring facial features.

And a pair of seductive smiling eyes!

This woman was none other than…

Miao Yan!

Moreover, she was dressed exactly as she was when Chen Xiaolian first encountered her in the Qin Emperor’s Tomb copy!

Identical!

“Have I really… fucking time traveled?!” Chen Xiaolian couldn’t help but silently curse in his heart.