Chapter 17

【Viewpoint shift: a certain inconspicuous small warship, a certain room piled with snack packaging and high-end terminal equipment】

A sharp explosion that could almost pierce the eardrums suddenly blasted, accompanied by the noise of tables and chairs being violently kicked over.

「My——ac——count——!!! 」

Silver Wolf stared at the bright red 【Permanent Ban】 prompt on the screen, and the ruthless Black Tower avatar logo on the login interface, his whole body sprang up from the chair like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

She grabbed the cushion beside her and smashed it hard onto the screen, so angry she was incoherent:

「Black Tower! You **, I ***, 」

Clutching her head, she spun around the room in helpless rage, feeling her heart bleed.

What a nerve! Looking for trouble when there's none!

Fine!!!!!

Gritting her teeth, she opened another terminal, her fingers flying, swearing to let the Firewall of the Black Tower Space Station also taste what true 'chaos' is!

This grudge has become huge!

At the same time.

Bai Hang sat cross-legged on the icy ground, head raised, enthusiastically telling the chained-suspended Xi Lian amusing anecdotes of the Xianzhou Alliance.

From the magnificence of the Luofu Star Raft Sea, to the aroma of night snacks in Jinren Alley, and then to the various embarrassments she encountered while adventuring with Jing Liu, Dan Feng, and the others……

Her lively tone and vivid description seemed to bring a bit of sunshine to this gloomy space.

Xi Lian listened quietly, a wondrous light flickering in her azure eyes.

She had been imprisoned too long in the tragic cycle of Weng Fa Luo Si, knowing little of the vast universe beyond.

Bai Hang's tales of Star Sea travel, the local customs of different planets, the warmth and bickering among comrades—each was like a window opening before her, letting her temporarily forget her bonds and pain.

So, the universe is really huge!

Bai Hang waved her arms, her snowy fox ears twitching slightly with excitement, 'Someday… when we can leave this place, I'll take you on a trip, okay? I know lots of fun spots!'

Xi Lian looked at her hopeful face, the corners of her mouth barely turning up, a genuine smile blossoming in the depths of her eyes.

She didn't speak, just gave a slight nod.

【Upper Platform】

Black Curtain Lady appeared silently at the edge of the upper platform, behind her followed the modified Black Tower Doll—System.

They silently overlooked the two people below who were chatting happily.

Heimu crossed her hands before her, the shadow under her brim obscuring most of her expression.

(Inner thought: The atmosphere isn't bad…… Looks like Bai Hang this guy is pretty good at cheering people up?)

She tilted her head slightly, whispering at a volume only the System could hear: 'System, you say…… if my upcoming Villain Performance doesn't follow the usual path, but does something abstract, how would that be?'

She really was a bit tired of that traditional intimidation routine.

The System doll's purplish-red inverted-cross eyes flickered once, answering in an inorganic yet respectful voice: 'Hui, overly deviant behavior patterns may deviate from the database's standard definition of 'villain', posing a risk to mission evaluation.'

Heimu let out a soft hum, retorting: 'Rules are dead, fun is alive. Being too rule-bound itself doesn't conform to the true essence of 'joy'. Especially……'

She paused, her tone tinged with teasing, 'Isn't they who likes seeing this kind of off‑script 'fun' the most? For example, that meme they mentioned earlier——'

The System doll fell silent for about half a second, then smoothly continued in a toneless voice: 'Lady, your insight is unique, you've grasped the essence of joy. Breaking norms can create unexpected dramatic effects. This plan is excellent, fully showing your unconventional wisdom and deep understanding of the path of joy.'

Heimu: ……

She said no more, adjusted her hat brim, and stepped down the stairs to the lower platform.

The sound of the high‑heeled boots striking the stone steps instantly shattered the warm atmosphere below.

Bai Hang, who was speaking enthusiastically, heard the footsteps, startled, jerked her head around like a frightened rabbit.

When she saw Heimu's familiar figure, the color drained from her face, and she stammered, trying to explain: '! That is, we were just…… I just……'

Heimu didn't give her a chance to finish, expressionlessly raised her hand and snapped her fingers sharply.

——Hum——

Bai Hang didn't even have time to let out a cry before an invisible force enveloped her, instantly vanishing from the spot and being teleported back to the upper platform.

——!

Xi Lian witnessed this, her pupils contracting; the gaze that had softened due to Bai Hang's words instantly filled again with vigilance and worry for Bai Hang, and her look toward Heimu regained its former aloofness.

Bai Hang only felt a flash before her eyes, and she was already back in the Pure White Space.

She staggered a step before steadying, heart pounding: 'Oh no! Miss Black Curtain must be angry! Will she take it out on Xi Lian……'

Thinking that Xi Lian might be punished more severely because of her, Bai Hang forgot her fear and turned, rushing back toward that black door.

However, her path was blocked by a petite figure that carried an inexplicable dignity.

It was a 'person' she had never seen before.

She was petite like a girl, wearing a uniquely designed outfit with a dark style, her cheeks marked with purple patterns; most striking were her purplish‑red eyes with inverted‑cross pupils, gazing at her calmly.

"Stop here, Baiheng Miss."

The System doll spoke, its voice still electronically synthesized, yet compared to when facing Heimu, it carried an unquestionable authority.

It merely stood there, raising a hand to signal stop, and like an invisible wall it blocked all of Bai Hang's paths.

Bai Hang was startled by the sudden obstruction and the other's strange appearance, instinctively stepping back half a foot, wary, asking: 'Who… who are you? Why are you blocking me? She…… that girl down there……'

The System doll nodded slightly, its motion mechanical yet precise and graceful: 'My name is 'System'. Hello, Baiheng Miss.'

After a brief self‑introduction, it calmly but firmly reiterated, 'The lady is handling important matters; please wait here patiently.'

"But……" Bai Hang still wanted to argue, she worried about Xi Lian's safety.

But before she could finish speaking, she stared in shock as the black door leading to the prison behind the doll vanished instantly!

All that remained in place was a blank white wall.

Bai Hang stared dumbfounded at the empty wall, then at the petite figure before her that called itself 'System', her mind filled with bewilderment and a hint of fear.

What on earth happened down there?

Xi Lian……How is she now?

She is trapped in this expanse of pure white, only able to wait anxiously.