Chapter 264: Judgment of the Ethical Paradox

The lingering‑consciousness illusion of Lin Yuan, seething with violent malice, surged like a black tide, lunging at Lín Jìn and the others. Yet before they could fully counterattack, the sky suddenly darkened, and a vast, icy force descended from the void.

Blood‑red thunderbolts flickered within the rolling black clouds, accompanied by a heart‑pounding rumble. The force did not come from the illusion but from the Observer's decreed Parental Killing Tribulation Heavenly Punishment. A cold voice echoed in everyone's mind: "Lín Jìn, make a choice in this ethical dilemma—sacrifice either Ling Yue or Ao Li, or you will all be ground to powder by the Heavenly Punishment."

Lín Jìn's eyes widened, his face full of shock and anger. "You despicable Observers, using such vicious methods!" Yet he knew the Observer would not heed his fury; the cruel choice had to be faced.

Ao Li looked at Lín Jìn, her gaze resolute and steadfast. "Lín Jìn, don't hesitate—choose me. I'm already prepared to sacrifice everything to break the conspiracy."

Ling Yue hurriedly replied, "No, Lín Jìn, choose me. Ao Li knows Lin Yuan's past and will be more useful in the upcoming battle. Besides, I…" She glanced at the Mechanical Zigong in her hand, as if reaching a certain resolve.

Lín Jìn's heart ached as he struggled; these two women—one who had fought side by side with him through countless life‑and‑death trials, the other who had become kindred in spirit over the long journey. Losing either would be an unbearable pain for him.

But the Heavenly Punishment waited for no one; the blood‑red thunder began to strike the group. At that critical moment, Ling Yue suddenly raised the Mechanical Zigong. The device instantly emitted a gentle yet powerful blue light, frantically absorbing the punitive force descending upon them.

"Ling Yue, what are you doing!" Lín Jìn shouted hoarsely, trying to rush forward to stop her, but an invisible force held him back.

The punitive force surged like a raging torrent, continuously pouring into the Mechanical Zigong. Ling Yue's body began to tremble violently; her lower half gradually turned transparent, taking on a quantized form. Yet she still clenched her teeth, her gaze unyielding.

Ao Li also tried to help, but likewise could not get close. She could only watch helplessly as Ling Yue bore the terrifying Heavenly Punishment alone.

Finally, after absorbing the vast majority of the punitive force, the thunder gradually faded and the dark clouds in the sky slowly receded. Ling Yue's lower half was now fully quantized, like twinkling starlight, ready to disperse at any moment.

Lín Jìn threw caution to the wind, lunging forward to embrace Ling Yue's increasingly ethereal form, tears blurring his vision. "Ling Yue, why are you so foolish…"

Ling Yue gave a weak smile. "Lín Jìn, don't be sad. At least we both survived, and the Mechanical Zigong might be able to harness this punitive force to find a way to counter the Observer…"

Ao Li stepped forward, tears filling her eyes. "Ling Yue, you're our hero. We'll definitely find a way to restore you."

Lín Jìn clenched his fists tightly, the fire of his anger burning even hotter. "Observer, I will settle this debt!"

At that moment, the surrounding space trembled again; the lingering‑consciousness illusion of Lin Yuan, seizing on the group's grief, launched another assault, its massive form bearing a mountain‑crushing force as it bore down upon them…