Chapter 108: There

Xing's condition is even more worrisome.

Walther took over the conversation, his tone heavy, "She was taken by the Black Tower Lady to undergo a high‑intensity 'Simulated Universe' test, which in itself is understandable. But her condition each time she returns is truly beyond praise. She often sits alone in a corner, letting out a strange giggle, and repeatedly mutters things like 'It's fake, all of it's fake,' 'I never actually went out,' and the like. I'm worried... maybe she experienced something in the simulated universe that caused her Cognition to become a bit confused?"

As an elder who has weathered countless storms and watched these youngsters grow, Walther feels a great responsibility.

"They're still young, perhaps they'll encounter troubles we can't detect right away. Jizi and I are, after all, older; some topics may be easier to discuss among peers of the same age."

He looked at Dan Heng with sincere eyes: "Dan Heng, you are close in age to them and usually act together. Could you... find a chance to talk to each of them separately? Find out exactly what they've been encountering lately, and see if we can help. I'm worried that over time this could affect their physical and mental health, and even... pose risks in future Tasks."

Dan Heng saw the genuine worry in Walther's eyes, and recalling San Yue Qi's recent oddities and Xing Na's unsettling madness, he nodded seriously.

Though his delicate face still showed little expression, his gaze had become resolute.

"I understand, Mr. Walther. I will find a chance to talk with them."

So, as a rest period approached, he went to San Yue Qi's door and lightly knocked.

Immediately from inside came a rustle of hurried packing, followed by San Yue Qi's slightly nervous questioning.

"Who—who is it?"

"It's me, Dan Heng."

The door opened a crack, and San Yue Qi stuck out half her body; her powder‑blue hair was slightly disheveled, her eyes flickered, and a clear panic showed on her face.

"Dan—Dan Heng, is there… anything?"

Dan Heng's expression was as calm as water, his tone gentle yet direct: "Nothing special. I just noticed you've seemed a bit absent lately; as a companion I'm a bit concerned. Have you run into any trouble?"

"No! Nothing at all!"

San Yue Qi immediately shook her head, her voice involuntarily rising as if to force a denial, "I'm fine! Especially fine! Eating well, sleeping soundly!"

She even tried to change the subject, "The one who should have something is Xing, right? She's the one who's been acting quite abnormal lately..."

Dan Heng, of course, knew Xing's condition was worrisome, but he keenly sensed that San Yue Qi's concealment was overly deliberate, and that frantic look could not mean nothing had happened.

He didn't immediately expose her, merely gave a faint nod: "We're also monitoring Xing's condition. If you're okay, that's good; make sure to rest."

"I‑I get it!"

San Yue Qi quickly responded, slamming the door shut.

Dan Heng returned to his own room, but didn't rest right away.

He leaned against the door, waiting patiently.

Sure enough, when the train's usual deep‑night rest time arrived, the door of San Yue Qi's room next door was gently opened again.

A small head peeked out furtively, glanced left and right, then San Yue Qi tiptoed out, heading straight toward the Party Carriage.

(Sure enough, there's something.)

Dan Heng silently opened the door, watched San Yue Qi vanish around the corridor corner, and followed.

His steps were light, like a night hunter, making no sound at all.

Reaching the outside of the Party Carriage, he didn't rush in; instead he pushed the door open a sliver and peered inside.

He saw, beside the bar, San Yue Qi sitting with someone.

When he caught sight of the person's profile, even the usually composed Dan Heng's eyes flashed a hint of unmistakable surprise.

That person... was astonishingly similar to San Yue Qi!

Aside from hair, eye color and a slightly darker clothing style, the facial features were almost molded from the same cast!

The two sat close, their posture rather intimate; San Yue Qi tilted her head, listening intently, her face showing an excitement she had never displayed by day.

Dan Heng focused, trying to catch the content of their conversation.

However, whether due to distance, the carriage's soundproofing, or the other's deliberate whisper, all that reached his ears was a vague hum, with no discernible words.

He furrowed his brows, clouds of doubt gathering in his mind.

(Who is this person? Why do they look so like San Yue Qi? What are they discussing? Could San Yue Qi's recent oddities be related to them?)

Countless questions swirled in his mind.

He instinctively wanted to push the door open and ask directly.

But when his fingers touched the cold door panel, he hesitated.

(On what grounds do I enter? Admit I'm stalking? Or claim I just passed by coincidentally?)

(Looking at San Yue Qi, she seems not to want anyone to know about this meeting. Rushing in could make her more resistant to communication, perhaps even alert the situation.)

Dan Heng pondered briefly, then slowly released his hand.

(Perhaps... I should observe first, find a more suitable moment, and intervene more naturally.)

He cast a deep glance at the pair inside the carriage, slipped silently back into the shadows, deciding to hold his position for now, though his vigilance had risen to the maximum.

Meanwhile, within Heimu's System Space, she stood before the vast and tranquil Past World Paradise facility.

Her violet‑black eyes gazed calmly at the entrance, as if they could pierce the data Barrier and see the interior.

"System, what's the situation inside? How are the Ying Jie responding?" she asked lightly.

The system automaton responded immediately, raising a hand to unfurl a Light Screen in the air.

The display showed the real‑time view of Past World Paradise's central hall.

Unlike the usual dispersion, the hall now gathered several Ying Jie, giving the atmosphere a certain heaviness.

The cat‑ear girl Pa Duo Fei Li Si looked around anxiously, her amber eyes full of bewilderment: "Sister Yidian, what happened? Why suddenly call everyone over? Our canned goods are still on display..."

Mei Bi Wu Si, clad in a spotless white lab coat, her green wavy hair loose, wore a face of impatience and snorted, "If this is another boring tea‑party or someone's whim to hold a concert, I'm leaving now; the data in the lab is far more interesting than this."

At that moment, Yidian, who had been silent, seated like a golden monument, slowly spoke.

Her splendid golden eyes bore a rare heaviness, her voice as elegant as always, yet tinged with an inescapable worry:

"Everyone, I've gathered you here because of an urgent matter—"

She paused, then clearly said, "Ailixiya... has disappeared."

"!"

Standing in the corner with arms crossed all along, like ten-thousand-year cold ice Kaiwen, the aura around his body suddenly condensed, a sharp light flashed in his ice-blue eyes.

Eh——?! AiLi sis disappeared?!

Pa Duo was so frightened she almost jumped up, her cat Tail fur standing on end.

Mei Bi Wu Si first let out a scornful laugh, then looked at her own nails with amusement: "That pink woman? Hah, she's probably hiding somewhere again, ready to jump out and scare people, playing her tiresome boring tricks over and over."

However, seated to the side with hands folded on her knees, as if praying, A Bo Ni Ya slowly opened her eyes, which seemed able to perceive fate.

Her voice was ethereal and Calm, yet carried an undeniable power:

"No, Mei Bi Wu Si…… this time, it's different."

"I…… can no longer see the 'threads' connected to her."

She slightly raised her hand, as if touching the invisible web of fate: "Not only her, but also that part of 'Letu' where she resides…… the trajectory of its fate has also disappeared together."

As soon as she said that, even Mei Bi Wu Si's usually nonchalant expression tightened, her green snake-like pupils narrowing slightly, becoming more serious.

(A Bo Ni Ya's 'seeing' has never been wrong……)

"Can't see the threads?"

Su Weiwei frowned, her gentle tone also gaining gravity: "This means…… is it complete isolation, or…… a worse situation?"