Chapter 560: Name?

"Name?"

Name?

In the instant Huai Shi opened his eyes, he saw a giant goose-like creature standing before him, along with a interface resembling a holographic projection:

"Gender, age, occupation..."

Su Lin: "Gender, age, occupation..."

"Huai Shi."

"Male."

"Seventeen."

"Cowboy... no, Astronomical Society."

Huai Shi, male, 17, cowboy... no, Astronomical Society.

The subtitles, which had left him utterly bewildered, synchronized perfectly with the giant penguin's speech, causing Huai Shi to instinctively follow the procedure.

"Wait... what?"

The surroundings were like a bedroom but filled with medical equipment; he lay on a bed, and beside him, the giant goose wore glasses on its beak, holding a clipboard and a pen, as if just recording his answers.

He quietly flipped through the Book of Fate within his soul, trying to understand his current situation—only to nearly spit out a mouthful of blood.

Dude, I just passed out a few chapters ago—did we just restart a whole new volume?

Observing Huai Shi's expression, the goose-like creature studied him briefly, then said: "Mr. Huai Shi, you've finally woken up. The gender reassignment surgery was a success."

The lingering pain in his forehead simultaneously displayed a question mark.

"Tomorrow's news said this would help you relax—it clearly worked," the giant goose nodded, seemingly pleased with the information.

Huai Shi: I think your penguin brain has a serious problem, Mr. Su Lin.

"Oh my god."

This thing can read my inner thoughts?!

"Ahem, my apologies, Mr. Su Lin," Huai Shi quickly corrected himself, attempting to make up for his blunt honesty: "Incredible tech—your chat system even syncs real-time subtitles by thought! Hahaha."

"But I wasn't turned into some kind of experiment subject, right?"

"Su Lin? I'm not Su Lin. Did you mistake me for someone else?" The goose-like creature lifted its tiny wing to scratch its head:

"I am a representative of the Great Goose Corporation's Business Department, and also one of the committee members for this year's Asian New Talent Competition. I've come here on behalf of the committee to present you with your award."

After introducing himself, the goose-like creature noticed Huai Shi's gaze was unfocused, his expression flickering between shock and confusion.

"Are you still feeling unwell? This is the VIP ward of the Jin Ling Astronomical Society for Ascended beings, equipped with a professional medical team," the goose-like creature asked with concern.

Given Huai Shi's soul damage from the competition, his current erratic behavior was understandable.

"Do you guys at Great Goose Corporation have any newly beta-tested chat software?" Huai Shi suddenly asked a strange question.

"Our classic chat tools have already amassed a massive user base across the Present Realm, the Borderlands, and even Hell. Our current focus is on creating joy through thoughtful design," the goose-like creature replied ambiguously.

A thoroughly corporate answer—avoiding any mention of potential new products—but Huai Shi no longer needed to parse it.

Because as he scrolled to the very top of the subtitles—or rather, the chat logs—he saw, clearly displayed before him, the classic introduction of a Present Realm literary chat group, and beside it, a list of group members whose names were eerily familiar.

"Your trophy, Mr. Huai Shi."

The goose-like creature pulled from its pocket a statue carved from massive chunks of Source Crystal. Huai Shi, who should have been overjoyed, now had no such feelings.

The Book of Fate contained no record of this event.

And there was no record of this in the Book of Fate.

"Thank you."

"There are additional rewards. Please take inventory."

It was hard to imagine how so many items fit in its pocket. Huai Shi accepted his competition winnings, while directing his attention to the literary chat group.

"You're definitely not Su Lin, right? I mean, I knew someone who looked exactly like you."

"My family name is Ma, Mr. Huai Shi," said the goose-like creature.

The goose-like creature said.

"Have Taiching Heavy Industry or Yaochi Entertainment developed any special chat software?"

"I can ask for you when I return."

The goose-like creature bowed slightly, appearing deeply respectful.

"I didn't expect you'd be so fond of our group's chat software. I can give you a department card—as a Xin Yue member, you may directly submit feedback or suggestions."

"Alright..."

Huai Shi held a Wan Shi card. Though delighted to finally enter the gacha pool, he still had other matters to resolve.

For instance, the Present Realm literary cheat in his head—this was rather awkward.

Su Lin: "Huai Shi, I didn't insult you, did I?"

Meng Qi: "You're dead, Tian Fo Zun has a tiny eye!"

Ye Fan: "Weren't you muted?"

Muted?

"Who did I argue with? How could he really mute me?" Su Lin frowned, glancing at the man beside him: "Right?"

Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan glanced at the azure longsword around his neck, enduring the chill from its blade, and forced a smile: "Yeah, yeah, sure."

You mute me, so you mute Yan too?!

Who the hell mutes a group member by directly boxing the admin?

This cheat!

Huaxia Region, Tianshen Sect, Immortal Cultivation Academy.

Inside the world created by Teacher Yan Sen.

Since being sealed by a group of White Zunzhe from the Heavenly Realm using the Zhennian Tower and cast into this world called Earth, nearly four years have passed.

Here, there is no concept of cultivation; instead, technology dominates, alongside magicians, psychics, magical girls, Masked Riders, Rainbow Teams, and a motley assortment of bizarre superheroes, all overseen by the Superman Alliance that manages them.

Previously, due to my seclusion, the sect's ultimate treasure drew the attention of several other top-tier forces from the Heavenly Realm, who joined forces to destroy the Tianshen Sect.

After emerging from seclusion, in a rage, I raised my hand and destroyed more than half of the Heavenly Realm; the remaining old fools there feared me, so they hid the Heavenly Realm among countless small worlds, making it impossible for me to find the way back.

Out of concern to revive the sect and to honor my teacher's final wish, I resolved to ensure the continuation of the Tianshen Sect.

Teacher Yan Sen decided to reopen the sect in this world without cultivation, to pass on the Dao and teach his newly recruited students.

For an immortal emperor like him, there was more than enough time and power to let cultivation flourish in this strange world—whether it was hero evaluations or "villain monsters," they were trivial matters unworthy of notice.

Moreover, this world had no shortage of promising talents, so Teacher Yan Sen was quite satisfied and prepared to spend several thousand years instructing his disciples.

Today's lesson was Formation Art.

Zhongli: "Dear Daoists, this chat group can be controlled by thought—if you don't wish to send a message, simply maintain the thought of 'watching' in your mind."

"When joining the group, there should have been an introduction to the 'chat group'; if you missed it, just scroll back to the first message."

"This object connects all myriad worlds and can also be used with Cross-World Talismans to travel to other worlds."

Daoist?

This term belongs to cultivation—since arriving in this world, this was the first time I'd heard it.

"Chat group"

Floating midair, wearing a black robe and a black crown, Teacher Yan Sen sat cross-legged, propping his chin with his hand, his eyes gleaming with interest as he spoke to his disciples learning formations: "Today, you study on your own."

Amidst joyful cries of relief, he casually set up a small-world labyrinth to prevent the students from falling behind in their studies.

He idly slapped awake the two guardian beasts sleeping lazily at the sect's entrance, then traveled into the deep cosmos and unleashed a terrifying divine awareness spanning countless Myriad Worlds.

"Appearing suddenly, leaving no trace—could such a thing truly exist?" Teacher Yan Sen gripped the Zhennian Tower, his temples streaked with gray, and suddenly smiled: "Now this is interesting."

In an instant, he returned to Earth; after studying it for a while, he discovered that this "chat group" could not be extracted from his soul.

"Ignores all external interference, absolute soul defense—it has become part of my soul, or rather, it is a change originating from within my soul. So that's how it is. A fine treasure."

At his realm, few things could still be called a treasure.

Other worlds, then.

I wonder if anyone else in the group knows the way back to the Heavenly Realm.

Lu Mingfei: "Holy shit, Round God?!"

Lu Mingfei: "Please meet me! Fumi Madoka"

Even Lu Mingfei, who had chosen to lurk and pretend to be dead, could no longer sit still—he sent a message like a pilgrim martyr.

Following the words of that strange older brother upstairs who tried to organize a team-building event, Lu Mingfei issued an invitation.

Lu Lu Mu Yuan: "But I still have class! Am I really not dreaming?"

Lu Lu Mu Yuan, heading toward Seiran Middle School, nervously stared at the empty air before her, waving her hand in confusion—yet the text remained fixed before her eyes.

"Good morning, Lu Lu Mu Yuan."

A familiar voice sounded behind her.

Lu Lu Mu Yuan turned around—besides those seemingly illusory words stood a girl with long black hair.

"Good morning, Xiao Mei Yan," Lu Lu Mu Yuan greeted.

"Standing at the school gate without entering—did you forget something?" Xiao Mei Yan asked, her tone calm yet warm: "Need help?"

Lu Lu Mu Yuan glanced at the empty air beside her, paused slightly, then smiled apologetically: "I—I just transferred back, and I haven't adjusted to the sleep schedule yet."

"Moving back from America, not adjusting to the time difference is understandable," Xiao Mei Yan nodded, taking her wrist and leading her into the school:

"Come on, we're going to be late."

Lu Lu Mu Yuan nodded; as she took her first step, she thought she saw a white cat-like creature leap away from her vision in an instant.

"What's wrong?" Xiao Mei Yan asked.

Lu Lu Mu Yuan shook her head: "Nothing."

Better not tell Xiao Mei Yan—it's too strange, these things.

The morning campus buzzed with laughter and greetings, harmoniously intertwined with falling cherry blossoms.

Lu Lu Mu Yuan walked lost in thought, unaware that Xiao Mei Yan had been watching her with the corner of her eye all along.

Moments later, Xiao Mei Yan's lips curled slightly; as both entered the classroom, the shrill, urgent bell rang.

"Stand up!"

Zhou Mingrui: "2D is terrifying, but honestly, bro, you nailed that deadbeat Lu Shuaizai."

Funny thing is, a few new people actually showed up.

Newbie nude photos! Admin in drag!"

Su Lin: "Anyone willing to take a job to kill Azathoth in the Chaotic Wang Ting? I'll pay—name your price."

Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan: "1"

Ye Fan: "1"

Meng Qi: "1"

Zhou Mingrui: "There's Cthulhu stuff in this group? I'll take this job! I'm amazing at tabletop RPGs."

Song Shuhang: "What's Cthulu doing now?"

Zhou Mingrui: "Cthulu is handing out candy."

Song Shuhang: "..."

Lu Mingfei: "..."

Su Lin: "Zhou Mingrui, you'd better really be blindly foolish."

Zhou Mingrui: "?"

Feng Xiaoxiao: "It must be because I lost too much blood that I'm seeing these hallucinations. Some lunatic claimed he was Tai Bai Taibai Jinxing and slashed me, and now I'm seeing more hallucinations—am I going to die?"

Li Changshou: "?"

Su Lin: "High price for Tai Bai Taibai Jinxing. Feng Xiaoxiao, name your price."

Feng Xiaoxiao: "Who the hell are you?!"

Su Lin: "Lord Haotian."

Huai Shi: "?"

Feng Xiaoxiao: "That lunatic also said I'm Nüwa! No more talking—we're at the hospital now. I hope I'm not too late for the rescue, sob sob."

Li Changshou: "?!"

"Zhou Mingrui didn't pay this month's broadband fee before he left."

Su Lin gritted his teeth and recharged the account with 200 yuan, watched the Wi-Fi signal return, then continued searching online.

"Piggy, Nüwa, magical girl, and the Black Cloak Superman—those must be the ones. My god, Azaoth's mouth."

How many years had it been since he last felt that chilling dread? Today, he felt it again through Zhou Mingrui.

"Maybe all admins should take turns banning Kleine."

Su Lin muttered to himself.

"When he becomes an admin, he'll be the only one talking."

Xing sat on the sofa playing her phone, wearing a loose T-shirt, her damp gray hair still not dry, droplets of mist clinging to her eyelashes.

"The world is beyond saving."

Xing looked up and said seriously to Su Lin: "Qiong, I won't let you have Liu Ying."

Your brain is beyond saving too.

Yan Sen: "I am Yan Sen, Master of Tianshen Sect. Fellow cultivators, may we meet in person?"

While Zhongli and Han Li were answering everyone's questions, Yan Sen sent a message.

This was the first time they'd met such an eager new group member.

Ye Fan: "Su Zongzhu of Tianyi Sect, Master, please handle the diplomatic affairs."

Meng Qi: "Su Zongzhu of Tianyi Sect, Master, please handle the diplomatic affairs."

Yan Sen used Cross-World Lines. Do you approve?

Su Lin: "."

Looking at the pop-up request, Su Lin's eyelid twitched—only now, when it mattered, did these "elders" respectfully call him Master.

"Where did those two rebellious disciples go?" Su Lin's spiritual sense swept across Shuijing Peak and found Congniang soaking in a 1:1000 Green Bottle Essence hot spring.

"Master! I haven't put on clothes yet!"

Soaking in a hot spring means you're completely naked, but

That giant emerald green scallion stood upright in the spring—Su Lin simply couldn't understand why she needed to be shy.

"Put on this robe."

Su Lin left behind a Daoist robe, then dragged out Yu Feng, who was playing games in the room, and said: "Put this on. Sit on that rock and cultivate."

Su Lin pointed to the Hengyu Tianqing Stone.

After arranging everything, he snapped his fingers, and all of heaven and earth shifted.

Approve