“Chu Tianqiu… Although I don’t really know the principle of ‘Clever Object,’ I roughly know the principle of ‘Echo.'”

Yan Zhichun said, “If that person called Tiantian can ‘repair the display screen,’ theoretically she could create ‘characters’ out of thin air, right?”

After hearing this, Chu Tianqiu nodded, “That’s right.”

“Then wouldn’t it be a matter of minutes for the opposing side to gather twenty-eight ‘characters’?” Yan Zhichun felt there was some logical flaw in this matter. “The structure of ‘characters’ is obviously simpler than a ‘display screen.’ If she can repair a ‘display screen,’ why not create ‘characters’?”

After hearing this, Chu Tianqiu furrowed his brows, feeling that Yan Zhichun was similar to Wen Qiaoyun—their way of thinking could make up for the flaws in his own logic.

“There’s a rare possibility.” Chu Tianqiu said, “That is, Tiantian understands the structure of ‘display screens’ better.”

“Assuming what you say is true, and Tiantian understands ‘display screens’ better than ‘characters,’ the difficulty of this repair would still be very high.” Yan Zhichun said, “First, we need to confirm that the girl called Tiantian can actually obtain an ‘Echo.’ Second, Qi Xia has to guess that you would actually smash the ‘display screen,’ then have Tiantian perform a restoration that doesn’t allow for any failure. Moreover, what you smashed wasn’t an ordinary display screen, but a touchscreen that can be written on. Would Qi Xia stake the entire outcome of victory or defeat on this minuscule possibility?”

After hearing this, Chu Tianqiu kept contemplating the feasibility of this matter. Since he was engaging in a strategic battle with Qi Xia, he had to believe as much as possible in those things that originally seemed quite unlikely.

Perhaps Qi Xia really had anticipated this step and had already had Tiantian start training her “Echo” in advance. After all, during this long period, no one had ever heard of anyone entering a game venue with Tiantian, which meant she had been active all along, yet she wasn’t in the “Preparation Zone.”

So where would she be?

“If we really assume that Tiantian can repair the display screen… I have no choice but to make this trip.” Chu Tianqiu said.

Yan Zhichun didn’t know how to advise Chu Tianqiu either. The current situation was very difficult for both sides. Before Earth-Dragon announced the game results, no one could predict who would win.

Tiantian, who hadn’t shown up for so long, had become a blade held at Chu Tianqiu’s neck. As long as her ability wasn’t displayed, Chu Tianqiu could never let his guard down.

Chu Tianqiu sighed, “Yan Zhichun, have you noticed that this person Qi Xia… is truly too terrifying?”

Yan Zhichun was startled, “How so?”

“He doesn’t cultivate his team members’ individual strength, but rather makes them all believe they possess that strength.” Chu Tianqiu said, “Although I don’t fully understand his methods yet, even in a situation where everyone has ‘Echoes,’ the opposing side can still maintain such unity. This person is either beloved by everyone or feared by everyone. But no matter which it is, my team could never achieve it.”

“Including that child…?” Yan Zhichun asked again.

“Yes, including Zheng Yingxiong.” Chu Tianqiu said, “Just now I discovered that Chen Junnan, Han Yimo, and Qiao Jiajin all obtained ‘Echoes.’ I never understood how the opposing side could obtain such stable ‘self-suggestion’ in such a short time. But when I thought of Zheng Yingxiong’s ability, I suddenly realized—the opposing side doesn’t need everyone to perform ‘self-suggestion.’ Zheng Yingxiong can completely provide ‘explicit suggestion.'”

“‘Explicit suggestion’…?”

“Originally, everyone would need to lie to deceive themselves, but now only Zheng Yingxiong needs to lie.” Chu Tianqiu answered, “He greatly simplified a difficult task—truly making the best use of everyone’s talents.”

At this moment, Yan Zhichun realized her understanding of this game was still somewhat one-sided. Since she had been fighting on the front lines all along, constantly seizing “characters” from the opponent’s hands, she had no idea how the commanders of both sides were strategizing.

“Additionally, there’s Zhang Chenze, who could single-handedly enter the enemy’s ‘Preparation Zone’ and deduct points without trembling hands or panicking heart.” Chu Tianqiu continued, “Now there’s also a hidden ultimate weapon—Tiantian, who can use ‘Clever Object’ to ensure the team remains undefeated.”

The more Chu Tianqiu spoke, the more helpless he became. He smiled bitterly and shook his head, saying, “Even the spy we sent over to their side, Han Yimo—his existence is also to lead us toward failure… How can there be such a comprehensive team? Now look at the teammates on our side… each operating independently, all with their own agendas. When we discover that everyone on the opposing side is utilizing their own abilities, just how sharp must a blade be to cut through this team’s defenses and let us see the light of victory?”

After hearing this, Yan Zhichun shook her head. She knew that just as Chu Tianqiu said, the seven people on the opposing side were like a seamless wall. Although on the surface they didn’t appear to be cooperating with each other, everyone was working hard for “victory.” Seven people launched attacks from seven different points, creating the current situation.

“I’m also not skilled in the way of employing people. I’ve just always had someone helping me.” Yan Zhichun said.

“Having ‘someone always helping you’ doesn’t count as the way of employing people?” Chu Tianqiu smiled, “Many times I also hope someone could help me, but unfortunately, at every stage, no one understands what I’m doing at the moment. ‘Extreme Path’ has been able to reach today—perhaps someone really has been helping you, but you still deserve great credit.”

“Ha.” Yan Zhichun rarely revealed a hint of a smile, “I should have visited ‘Heaven’s Mouth’ earlier to have a long night’s discussion with you about the way of employing people.”

“It’s too late now.” Chu Tianqiu said, “When you stepped into ‘Heaven’s Mouth,’ it was already at the end of its strength.”

“Alright.” Yan Zhichun nodded, “Then as the bowstring of this ‘spent arrow,’ what do you plan to do now?”

“Qi Xia has already blocked all the paths.” Chu Tianqiu said, “If I don’t go to the ‘River Road’ to determine the final outcome with him, the result won’t be in my hands or his hands, but rather in Qinglong’s hands. This is no different from losing.”

“If you go… won’t you lose?”

“At least there’s a probability of winning.” Chu Tianqiu said, “Don’t forget… the ‘spy’ from Qi Xia’s team hiding on our side hasn’t shown up yet. I suspect this is also a killing move.”

After hearing this, Yan Zhichun sighed. She knew Chu Tianqiu didn’t trust her, so explanations would be useless. She could only softly say, “Alright.”

“Moreover, even if I really lose…” Chu Tianqiu continued, “I still have a ‘backup plan.'”

……

As soon as they returned to the “Preparation Zone,” Chen Junnan and Qiao Jiajin began telling Qi Xia about what had just happened, dragging their heavily injured bodies.

Qi Xia only nodded faintly, as if he had already roughly guessed the current situation. He comforted Qiao Jiajin and Chen Junnan, informing them that the game was about to end.

Now they only needed to have one final gamble alone with Chu Tianqiu at the crucial moment.

“No way, Old Qi…” Chen Junnan said, “Our screen has already been smashed… Can we really still win?”

“Yes.” Qi Xia nodded, “Just like how Chu Tianqiu came to our side to smash the screen, there are many ways to win. We don’t necessarily have to use ‘characters’ to score points.”

“Hey!” Chen Junnan leaned forward and said to Qi Xia in a low voice, “I just thought of this—don’t we still have Zhang Lijuan here…? Can’t she help us repair the screen?”

After hearing this, Qi Xia helplessly shook his head, “Unfortunately… Tiantian’s ‘Echo’ isn’t strong enough right now, and there’s no more time to let her become strong again. Moreover, if there’s a mistake in repairing the screen, we won’t even have a ‘broken display screen.'”

“Can’t repair the screen… then what is she doing now?” Chen Junnan asked.

“She has another task to handle.”

After hearing this, Chen Junnan couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

In this game, Zhang Lijuan neither needed to create “characters” nor “display screens”… so what other task did she have?

He only remembered that Qi Xia had already sent Zhang Lijuan out very early in the game. Could the “task” have already begun from that time?