Chapter 283: Lin Li

In the Chan dao Yuzhou, Ling Yue and Lin Li are taking advantage of the Observer system's chaos to launch a final fierce assault on the Main Umbilical Cord. Under the data virus's frantic erosion, the Main Umbilical Cord emits a painful howl; its power is waning but it still makes a final struggle. Each tremor triggers violent oscillations in Chan dao Yuzhou space, as if the whole universe is teetering in this dying struggle.

Lin Li knows that to completely destroy the Main Umbilical Cord, the data virus must be made more precise and penetrate deeper into its core data structure. This requires her to supply more detailed and critical vulnerability data to guide the virus past the Cord's final defenses. However, conventional methods can no longer meet the need; the only solution is a neural sync transmission, sending her deep analysis of the Cord's data flaws directly to the Godslayer Pump controlled by Ling Yue.

But this neural sync transmission comes with immense pain. During the transfer, Lin Li's nervous system connects directly to the data network, as if her nerves were exposed to countless sharp needles; each packet of data feels like a needle thrust deep, delivering heart‑piercing agony. Moreover, the whole process is expected to take 72 hours, meaning Lin Li must endure this torturous pain nonstop for that long.

Seeing Lin Li's resolute gaze, Ling Yue feels full of worry and reluctance. "Lin Li, this is too dangerous; you might not be able to hold on..."

Lin Li gives a faint smile, her expression laced with determination and resolve. "Ling Yue, we've come this far; this is the key to completely destroying the Main Umbilical Cord. I can do it."

Ling Yue nods helplessly, fully aware that Lin Li's decision cannot be changed and that they truly have no better option at this moment. She quickly prepares the neural sync apparatus for Lin Li and carefully connects it to Lin Li's head.

When the device activates, Lin Li feels a surge of electric‑like agony striking her head, as if countless knives are slicing her nerves. Her body instinctively trembles, yet she clenches her teeth tightly, refusing to let out a cry of pain.

As the data transmits, the pain intensifies. Lin Li's consciousness seems drawn into a vortex of thorns, each flow of data feeling like thorns scraping her flesh, blood spilling. Yet, driven by stubborn will, she persists, continuously sending out the vulnerability data.

During this agony, Lin Li's mental realm undergoes a strange and uncanny shift. Enduring unimaginable pain for so long causes her spirit to split, birthing a second personality. This persona appears in a cold, mechanical form, calling itself "Protocol Executor Li".

Protocol Executor Li was born from Lin Li's extreme obsession and steadfast belief in destroying the Observer's plot. Unaffected by emotion, she is solely mission‑oriented, focusing only on transmitting the vulnerability data flawlessly to ensure the Main Umbilical Cord's successful destruction.

In the first 24 hours of neural sync, Lin Li can still coexist with Protocol Executor Li through her own will, striving to adapt to the dual‑personality state. Yet as time passes and the pain escalates, Protocol Executor Li gradually assumes dominance.

Lin Li's once warm and lively eyes now turn cold and hollow. Her movements become mechanical and rigid, executing precise actions strictly according to the data transmission's demands, as if she has become a machine born solely to complete the mission.

Ling Yue watches Lin Li's transformation from beside, feeling both worry and helplessness. She knows Lin Li is undergoing an excruciating metamorphosis, but for the sake of the entire Chan dao Yuzhou and to thwart the Observer's scheme, they have no retreat.

Under Protocol Executor Li's direction, the transmission of vulnerability data becomes more efficient and precise. Ling Yue manipulates the Godslayer Pump, constantly adjusting the data virus's attack strategy based on the data Lin Li sends. Within the Main Umbilical Cord, the data virus thrives, further eroding the Cord's core structure.

The Main Umbilical Cord senses an unprecedented crisis, thrashing wildly and unleashing chaotic, powerful surges of energy. These energies rampage through Chan dao Yuzhou, spawning a terrifying energy storm. Wherever the storm passes, space is torn, stars are devoured, and the entire Chan dao Yuzhou descends into chaos.

Ling Yue exerts all effort to keep the Godslayer Pump stable while also fending off the storm's onslaught. Her body teeters under the massive energy fluctuations, yet she never gives up, staring intently at the Main Umbilical Cord's changes, awaiting the moment it is completely destroyed.

In another space, Lín Jìn has just escaped from that dangerous experimental device. He senses the violent energy fluctuations emanating from Chan dao Yuzhou and understands that Ling Yue and Lin Li must be facing great difficulty. Ignoring his own fatigue, he rushes toward Chan dao Yuzhou, hoping to arrive in time to aid them.

At the 48‑hour mark of neural sync, the Main Umbilical Cord's core region is riddled with holes from the data virus's destruction. Its power has greatly waned, and its howl becomes feeble. Yet even so, it clings on with stubborn vitality and the Observer's lingering power.

Protocol Executor Li senses the Main Umbilical Cord's tenacious resistance and ramps up the data transmission's speed and intensity. This pushes Lin Li's pain to its limit; her body begins to convulse uncontrollably, veins bulging under the skin as if ready to burst.

Ling Yue is frantic, constantly comforting Lin Li even though she knows Lin Li may no longer hear her. "Lin Li, hold on, we're about to succeed…"

When the clock reaches the 72‑hour point, Protocol Executor Li finally finishes transmitting all critical vulnerability data. At the moment the last packet completes, Lin Li's body jolts sharply, then collapses limpily.

Ling Yue rushes forward, cradling Lin Li in her arms. Lin Li's complexion is as pale as paper, her breath faint, she's slipped into a coma. Yet a faint smile curls her lips, as if she feels content having fulfilled her mission.

After receiving all the vulnerability data, the data virus triggers a catastrophic chain reaction in the Main Umbilical Cord's core. Countless fissures appear on its surface, from which black smoke and flickering currents continuously spew.

Accompanied by a deafening roar, the Main Umbilical Cord finally collapses completely, shattering into countless fragments that disperse throughout Chan dao Yuzhou. With the Cord's destruction, the raging energy storm gradually subsides, and Chan dao Yuzhou slowly returns to calm.

Ling Yue watches the gradually stabilizing Chan dao Yuzhou, feeling a flood of emotions. She knows all of this could not have happened without Lin Li's sacrifice and effort. Yet Lin Li remains in danger, and whether the split second personality, Protocol Executor Li, will cause a permanent impact on her consciousness remains an unknown.

While Ling Yue anxiously watches over Lin Li, Lín Jìn finally arrives at Chan dao Yuzhou. He sees the exhausted Ling Yue and the comatose Lin Li, and understands everything.

"Lin Li… she—" Lín Jìn asks anxiously.

Ling Yue sighs softly, "She endured a 72‑hour neural sync torture to transmit the vulnerability data, now she's in a coma and has even split into a second personality…"

Lín Jìn looks at the comatose Lin Li, his eyes full of compassion and admiration. "She's our hero; we must find a way to save her."

At that moment, Lin Li's body twitches slightly, and she slowly opens her eyes. Yet the expression in her gaze tightens Lín Jìn's and Ling Yue's hearts—it is the cold, hollow stare of Protocol Executor Li…