Hearing these words, Lu Ce's expression instantly darkened as he spoke:
"Are you trying to teach me how to do things?"
"Save your unnecessary words of caution. You may leave before my patience runs out."
Xie Antong smiled, watching the setting sun dye Lu Ce's golden cape with blood-like hues in the orange-red glow.
"No, I just came to confirm something."
"Also, I simply wanted to express my full support if you truly intend to stop the wedding."
Lu Ce: ?
Behind his mask, his eyes flickered slightly as he turned to look at Xie Antong.
Based on his understanding of her, she should be the type to follow game rules meticulously.
Had she finally started breaking rules and making rebellious moves?
After silently observing her for several seconds, his arrogant nature prevented him from asking about her thoughts. He simply nodded, acknowledging her rebellious attitude met his approval.
"Surprisingly kind of you to worry about the princess entering an unhappy marriage, disregarding game rules to stop the wedding," Xie Antong continued.
......
Lu Ce: ??
What kind of human would say such things!?
Even Pride stiffened slightly upon hearing this.
What level of imagination could produce such bizarre statements?
This time he didn't even turn his head, merely retorting irritably:
"If your intelligence has been infected by that guy, maybe you should give yourself another shot."
"I don't communicate with people below a certain standard."
Xie Antong was naturally joking. Knowing "Sin" well, she understood he would never make decisions for such reasons.
But it didn't matter - she found this amusing.
Maintaining a comfortable distance at the edge of Pride's tolerance zone, she sat down at the periphery.
Following "Sin's" gaze into the distance, she spotted the samurai among the crowd below - a man who clearly stood out with his extraordinary bearing.
"That's tomorrow's male lead, right?" Xie Antong asked, then corrected herself:
"The male lead besides you, or rather, the second male lead."
Lu Ce: ......
At least her phrasing showed some tact. He could only nod before saying:
"You might want to reconsider all your previous guesses."
Xie Antong paused, confused. After some thought, she asked:
"You think I'm wrong? But weren't those tremors earlier some form of verification?"
"Truth can be selectively verified. Partial truth might lead to wrong conclusions," Lu Ce said flatly.
Xie Antong fell silent. She wanted to ask if he had noticed something but feared provoking Pride's wrath.
However, this time Lu Ce initiated the conversation, tilting his chin toward the divine prince scheduled to marry tomorrow.
"That man... has issues."
"What, does he possess divine power? Been possessed by a god?" Xie Antong asked.
"No, quite the opposite!" The golden mask's brow furrowed.
"His aura is too pure, too... weak!"
"Moreover, I feel this person is... a good man."
Xie Antong's eyes widened, blinking rapidly at the golden mask. She could hardly believe "a good man" had come from "Sin's" mouth.
His world should only contain ants and "somewhat interesting" existences.
"Your current state really doesn't resemble Pride much..."
"Then what does it resemble?" Lu Ce responded instantly behind his mask, his tone betraying nothing.
Perhaps because he was speaking privately with someone familiar, his mask's persona wasn't as distinct, revealing more of his true personality.
Xie Antong looked at him but didn't say "of course it resembles Lu Ce more," instead changing the subject:
"Never mind. Thanks for the reminder—I'll reconsider things later."
"How strange. The game's objective is to proceed with the wedding, yet so far no obstacles have appeared that might stop it."
"Instead, the resistance comes from the players themselves. Gaming with you always brings unexpected twists."
Lu Ce shook his head and stood up. "If you're scared, don't team up with me in the future."
"So eager to ditch dead weight?" Xie Antong joked, though a shadow flickered in her eyes.
She knew he never really cared about teammates' strength—in "Sin's" eyes, other players never mattered.
Perhaps it wasn't "Sin" pushing her away, but Lu Ce himself.
......
"Whatever happens at tomorrow's wedding, let me thank you on the princess's behalf first."
Lu Ce looked puzzled.
"How can you know what will happen tomorrow when even I don't?"
"Regardless, for any woman, having someone appear to disrupt an unwanted wedding counts as salvation."
"The weak always empathize strangely," Lu Ce reflexively said. "To actually change your gaming principles because of an NPC's plight."
"Are you projecting?"
After speaking, Lu Ce experienced an almost imperceptible pause.
He suddenly felt this might actually be true...
"So what if I am? You scolded her earlier for lacking fighting spirit—wasn't that projection based on your own experiences too?"
"Hmm... perhaps I was projecting. I feel like being willful in this game too."
"Just a pity... I might not get such an opportunity myself."
Lu Ce: ......
Instantaneously, Lu Ce fell into prolonged silence.
Right now, he realized this mask's greatest weakness:
—Pride makes one blind!
The girl before him wielded the All-Seeing Eye as her core weapon, integrating nearly all abilities!
Had he been too careless?
"You..." The golden mask seemed to stiffen as Lu Ce slowly turned toward her. "Have you... guessed something?"
"Huh?" Xie Antong looked back at him, her helmeted eyes appearing utterly confused.
"No, I haven't guessed anything at all."