Pretending To Be A Boss

These machines are naturally unharmed; as the home of the mechanical factory, this place has always been a combined center for production and maintenance. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Various mechanical beasts and judgment knights emerged endlessly from the high tower.

In Junlin’s memory, more than a month ago, it was these creatures he had been fighting.

Their eyes gleamed with red light, like ravenous beasts.

Though, in Junlin and Tang Xian’s eyes, they were no different from a pile of scrap metal.

Junlin asked:

[What are you going to do?]

Tang Xian felt the same thrill as when he first ventured into the unsafe zone near the mining area, hunting a three-headed hellhound alongside Dong Ran.

He didn’t believe Junlin’s mind could fully grasp this layer of thought, but he still explained earnestly:

"If you were Qi Yuan, would you recklessly expand territory without absolute confidence in victory?"

[What do I need territory for? To create these wastes? Strengthening oneself is the only truth. These scraps left behind by the order-keepers have all been reduced to the claws of Eden’s master.]

"Not everyone can forge themselves to the point where they can transform the world without relying on anything."

Tang Xian pointed toward the ever-approaching steel legion and continued:

"Qi Yuan once devised a backup plan with me. Since that’s the case, it means she wasn’t absolutely certain of her success. Then why would she bother to construct so many mechanical towers? Could she be dumber than you?"

Junlin felt slightly offended by the remark but let it slide, considering Tang Xian’s respected status.

However, soon Junlin noticed the distant rumbling beginning to subside.

When countless mechanical creatures surrounded Tang Xian and him, these mechanical forces suddenly seemed to be under some form of interference. The red glow in their eyes varied between glaringly bright and dim.

Tang Xian took a graceful step forward, moving as if he were the master of this Block World.

As he approached the mechanical army, the fluctuating red light in their eyes gradually stabilized.

They bent in submission, like soldiers greeting their king.

Junlin finally understood the meaning behind Tang Xian’s words.

[So Qi Yuan left this place not for herself?]

"Of course, judgment knights are useful for dealing with beasts, but their original purpose was to conquer this world. Between Eden’s master, Qi Yuan, and myself, Qi Yuan is the one most skilled in strategic calculations. A so-called backup plan, naturally, must be carried out to the extreme."

The mechanical army opened a path for Tang Xian and Junlin.

The previously isolated pair suddenly found themselves commanding thousands of troops.

[But what use are these creatures anyway?]

"What use? They’re far more useful than you. At least in these Block Worlds, they have no emotions, no feelings, no memories. Their every action is driven solely to serve my will. So, they don’t get confused by this world."

If the entire mining world were divided into tens of thousands of small worlds, it might take until the end of time for Tang Xian to explore them all.

The arrangement of worlds themselves might be a labyrinth.

Tang Xian didn’t believe he and Junlin alone could find the right path forward.

But with millions of explorers? Perhaps they could find the route to the sanctuary at a speed even Eden’s master couldn’t imagine.

As order-keepers, Tang Xian and Eden’s master compete to see who has stronger control over the judgment legion.

Since Eden’s master’s consciousness spread across the entire world at the creation of this realm, in terms of controlling the mechanical army within a single Block World, Tang Xian evidently held the upper hand.

The surrounding mechanical army all performed gestures of submission—actions Tang Xian had intentionally orchestrated.

To make his behavior align as much as possible with his former self, Tang Xian, after becoming an order-keeper, sealed off most of his calculating power.

He wasn’t yet accustomed to this overwhelming ability to see through everything with supreme computational skills.

He even thought that excessive intelligence would make one rational to the point of emotional detachment—turning into someone like Qi Yuan, distant or peculiar.

Thus, Tang Xian hadn’t fully displayed the level of strategic scheming expected of an order-keeper.

It wasn’t until now, with the need to engage in multi-dimensional confrontations with Eden’s master—

He gradually began to unlock his limitations.

[What do we do now?] Junlin asked.

Tang Xian observed the surrounding world. For the second time, he viewed this world from the perspective of a fully realized order-keeper, seeing far more than before.

Through calculations, he could even temporarily sketch a blueprint of this Block World in his mind.

Tang Xian said:

"Within the mechanical towers, there might still be some clues Qi Yuan left behind."

[It feels like you’re coordinating quite well with Qi Yuan.] Junlin did indeed think this.

The two who were believed to be adversaries, were unexpectedly seamless in their collaboration.

Tang Xian shook his head and replied:

"Qi Yuan and I are mortal enemies. But Qi Yuan saw a future she despised, and by teaming up with me, at least a part of her true self can continue to exist."

Junlin didn’t yet know about the red-cloaked little girl in Baichuan City, so he couldn’t fully grasp Tang Xian’s words.

Tang Xian didn’t elaborate further. He surveyed the area and simultaneously said to Junlin:

"This is my first battle against Eden’s master."

[Where is it?]

"It is everywhere."

...

...

The Eden Sanctuary.

Zhong Yao waited for years without any news of Tang Xian. She could roughly estimate the passage of time in the real world, but the hope ignited by thoughts of her daughter gradually dimmed once more.