Chapter 284: Lin Li

After the main umbilical cord collapsed, the Chan dao Yuzhou gradually recovered calm from the chaos, but everyone's mood did not relax at all. Lin Li slowly opened her eyes, and that cold, hollow gaze signaled the presence of the Agreement Enforcer Li, causing Lín Jìn and Ling Yue's hearts to tighten instantly.

The Agreement Enforcer Li rose slowly, her movements mechanical and stiff. She looked around, her gaze landing on Lín Jìn and Ling Yue, and said without any emotion, "Although the main umbilical cord has been destroyed, the Observer's threat has not been eliminated. We must take further action."

Ling Yue was burning with anxiety; she tried to awaken the original Lin Li, "Lin Li, wake up, I'm Ling Yue!" Yet the Agreement Enforcer Li remained unmoved.

Lín Jìn furrowed his brows, looking at the strange yet familiar Lin Li before him, his heart a swirl of emotions. He knew this was not a time for sentiment; they had to face reality and jointly confront the Observer's threat. "You said we should take further action—what exactly do you mean?" Lín Jìn asked the Agreement Enforcer Li.

The Agreement Enforcer Li said coldly, "Although the main umbilical cord is destroyed, the Observer's system may still be repaired and launch attacks again. I can amplify the vulnerability signal through self‑Crystallization, plunging the Observer's system into deeper chaos, buying us more time to find a way to utterly destroy the Observer's plot."

Lín Jìn and Ling Yue's faces changed dramatically at the words. Self‑Crystallization meant that Lin Li would forever lose the chance to return to her original state—a brutally cruel choice.

"No, Lin Li, we can't let you do this! There must be another way," Ling Yue said emotionally, her eyes full of reluctance and pain.

The Agreement Enforcer Li replied coldly, "There is no other way. This is currently the most effective method to break the Observer's plot. Moreover, even without self‑Crystallization, in my present state I cannot fight alongside you as the original Lin Li did."

A sharp pain stabbed Lín Jìn's heart; he understood that what the Agreement Enforcer Li said might be true. Yet watching Lin Li make such a sacrifice was something he could not bear.

Just as Lín Jìn and Ling Yue were mired in painful struggle, the Agreement Enforcer Li began preparations. She focused her mind, mobilizing the data power within her body, making the final preparations for self‑Crystallization.

Suddenly, the Agreement Enforcer Li halted her actions and looked at Lín Jìn. Though her gaze remained cold, her tone carried a barely perceptible complexity: "Before I crystallize, I want to back up Lin Li's emotional memories to your Seed Core. Those memories are important to her and may help us break the Observer's plot."

Lín Jìn's heart jolted; he looked at the Agreement Enforcer Li and slowly nodded. "Alright, I will safeguard these memories properly."

The Agreement Enforcer Li stepped forward, gently placing her hand on Lín Jìn's chest, where the Seed Core resides. She closed her eyes, focused, and began transferring Lin Li's emotional memories bit by bit into Lín Jìn's Seed Core.

As the memories transferred, images flooded Lín Jìn's mind. They were the countless moments Lin Li had shared with them—laughter, tears, the passionate camaraderie of battle, and the warm support of mutual aid. Lín Jìn saw Lin Li's first radiant smile, which appeared after they successfully resolved a minor crisis; he saw Lin Li, when danger loomed, step forward without hesitation, her eyes filled with resolve; he also saw the tender scene of Lin Li, exhausted, resting her head on Ling Yue's shoulder and falling asleep peacefully…

These memories flowed like a warm current through Lín Jìn's heart, strengthening his resolve to protect Lin Li and break the Observer's plot.

During the memory transfer, the Agreement Enforcer Li's expression subtly shifted. In her previously cold stare, a hint of warmth and affection occasionally flickered, as if the original Lin Li was striving to break through the icy shell and bid them a final farewell.

When the memory transfer finished, the Agreement Enforcer Li slowly withdrew her hand, her gaze returning to coldness. "The backup is complete. Next, I will begin self‑Crystallization."

Lín Jìn and Ling Yue looked at the Agreement Enforcer Li, tears filling their eyes. They knew that, no matter what, they could not change Lin Li's decision.

"Lin Li, don't worry, we will definitely break the Observer's plot and restore everything to normal," Lín Jìn said hoarsely.

The Agreement Enforcer Li gave a slight nod, then began to summon the power within her body for self‑Crystallization. A layer of crystal‑clear light shimmered around her, gradually coalescing to envelop her. As the Crystallization progressed, her body grew increasingly transparent, as if merging with the light.

During the Crystallization, deep within Lin Li's consciousness, the original her engaged in a silent dialogue with the Agreement Enforcer Li.

"I know you do this for everyone, to break the Observer's plot. But I truly can't bear to leave them," the original Lin Li said, full of attachment.

"This is the choice we must make. Only this way can we secure more chances for them. Moreover, your memories will remain in their hearts, and you will forever be with them." The Agreement Enforcer Li's voice remained cold, yet carried an unquestionable firmness.

As the Crystallization deepened, Lin Li's body gradually turned into a massive crystal. The crystal emitted a gentle yet powerful glow, amplifying the vulnerability signal as it passed through, sending it toward the Observer's system.

After the Observer's system received this intense vulnerability signal, it fell into an even more chaotic state. Various programs inside the system ran wildly, error codes surged like snowflakes, and the entire system teetered on the brink of collapse.

Lín Jìn and Ling Yue stood beside Lin Li's crystallized crystal, their hearts filled with grief and determination. They knew Lin Li's sacrifice could not be in vain; they now had to seize this rare chance to find a way to completely destroy the Observer's plot.

"Ling Yue, we cannot betray Lin Li's sacrifice. We must locate the Observer's lair and utterly crush their plot," Lín Jìn said, clenching his fists, his eyes flashing with steadfast light.

Ling Yue wiped away her tears, nodded vigorously. "Exactly, we can definitely do it. Lin Li bought us time; we cannot let her fail."

At that moment, they suddenly sensed a strange fluctuation in the surrounding space. A mysterious portal slowly materialized before them, its interior flickering with light, seemingly leading to an unknown world.

"What is this…?" Ling Yue said, eyes wide with surprise at the portal.

Lín Jìn furrowed his brow slightly, thought for a moment, then said, "Perhaps this is an opportunity—a chance to find the Observer's lair. Let's go in and see."

Ling Yue took a deep breath, locked eyes with Lín Jìn, and both saw resolve in each other's gaze. Then, without hesitation, they stepped into the portal.

The instant they entered the portal, a flash of light blinded them, and their bodies seemed pulled by a powerful force, hurtling toward an unknown direction. When they regained clarity of their surroundings, they found themselves in a vast, high‑tech space.

In this space, towering metal pillars rose everywhere, each shimmering with multicolored light. At the center stood a massive circular platform bearing a softly glowing sphere. The sphere's surface continuously shifted through mysterious runes and patterns, as if containing endless secrets.

"What place is this?" Ling Yue asked cautiously.

Lín Jìn examined the surroundings carefully and said, "I'm not sure either, but this place is saturated with the Observer's aura; perhaps we're not far from their core plot. Let's proceed carefully and keep exploring."

Just as they were about to walk toward the central sphere, a group of Observer soldiers clad in black armor surged from all directions. Their weapons glinted with cold light, eyes icy, encircling Lín Jìn and Ling Yue.

"Outsiders, you have no right to be here. This is the Observer's forbidden zone; you will pay the price for your recklessness," the leading Observer soldier said coldly.

Lín Jìn let out a cold snort, gripping the Abyss Return Ruler in his hand, "Since we're here, we have no intention of returning alive. Today is the day your Observer's plot ends!"

An intense battle is about to erupt in this mysterious space. Will Lín Jìn and Ling Yue break through the encirclement, uncover the truth behind the Observer's plot, and completely destroy their scheme? And what chain reaction will Lin Li's Crystallization cause in the Observer's system? Everything is shrouded in the unknown…