"Great-granddaughter?" The elder was momentarily surprised before falling into silence, seemingly moved by the passage of time that had made him so old.
"Good, very good. Having successors is excellent, and she seems quite outstanding too."
"How is their family doing now?"
"Well..." Another elder's voice hesitated slightly.
"Actually, when Old Xie sacrificed himself back then, he explicitly said he didn't want his descendants to face these dangers again."
"He wished for them to live comfortably with wealth and privilege - the life-risking matters should be handled by him alone."
"So their family has long withdrawn from gaming affairs, even cutting off all contact."
"It was only after the global descent that this girl took initiative, developing great interest in the game on her own."
"Her rankings are surprisingly decent too."
The elder had merely intended a casual inquiry, but hearing there was more to the story, he paused.
"Oh?"
......
Organizations like the Council of Elders, remnants from the gaming era, weren't unique to China.
Across the world, major organizations and hidden families were mobilizing in response to the recent "Transcendence" incident.
There was no choice - they'd originally planned to remain composed observers, maintaining neutrality amidst global turbulence.
But now neutrality became impossible!
Damn it all, someone actually achieved Transcendence? That guy called "Sin" really won't let anyone rest easy, will he?
He's dragged all aristocratic families into chaos without exception.
First shocking the deities, then raising the difficulty for every major family.
Such was the legendary troublemaker - Lu Ce.
And what was Lu Ce doing during this global upheaval?
Sleeping...
Japan.
The Chiyo family, as a classic "supernatural" bloodline surviving through countless eras, naturally knew about these developments.
Their ancestor had just been forced out during the Tokyo Bloodbath, barely rested a few days before Lu Ce stirred up trouble again!
The Chiyo ancestor was getting headaches - he'd never encountered someone like this in his entire existence. Was this the so-called "each generation produces its own talents"?
Transcendence? He thought he'd slept decades only to find mere weeks had passed?
What!?
"Big sis! Ancestor summons you! Says the game announcement this time is extremely serious!"
Chiyo Ji rushed over frantically, barging into Chiyo Eine's space like his life depended on it.
But he found his childhood idol sister staring blankly at her computer screen.
"Sis...big sis?"
Chiyo Ji ventured cautiously, glancing at the screen.
Displayed was an oddly coincidental photo - the exact wedding scene portrait hung in the Council of Elders' hall.
Though currently, Chiyo Eine couldn't care less about Sun. Her gaze seemed glued to Xie Antong and Lu Ce.
"Sis?!"
"Quiet. I heard you..." Chiyo Eine said coldly.
Chiyo Ji: "......"
After a long silence, Chiyo Eine looked at her brother:
"Tell me - is there possibly..."
"A mask that forcibly draws attention? Where simply being near it makes you unable to look away?"
"Regardless of personal will, your eyes become physically incapable of turning elsewhere?"
Chiyo Ji replied:
"Sis, are you overstressed? Though given current game mechanics, such mask effects seem plausible..."
"Right?!" Chiyo Eine teleported instantly before him, eyes pitch black.
"It must be this! She couldn't control herself, heh..."
"Do you think...she might have been kidnapped?"
Chiyo Ji: "......"
"Sis."
"Hmm?"
"I saw your ID card in the poker deck yesterday."
Chiyo Eine froze momentarily before comprehension dawned, her expression darkening as she waved a hand. Black tentacles erupted from the ground, smacking Chiyo Ji away.
Dark energy swirled violently around her, black waters surging with explosive potential.
"Bastard..."
"I'LL KILL ALL MEN!!!"
"Wait! Sis I'm sorry!..." Chiyo Ji wailed helplessly from the distance.
......
This wasn't unique to her situation. Beyond China's borders, nearly all hidden organizations regarded the eastern nation and that "Sin" individual with hostility.
"He's definitely from Dragon Nation, right?"
"Achieving Transcendence this quickly...heh, practically begging for death!"
"Can't let him live!"
"Let's give Dragon Nation some 'entertainment' too."
"If it's just him alone, maybe his death could still bring reversal..."
Soon, peculiar sentiments began fermenting across the internet.
Hours after the Transcendence announcement, one name dominated global trends again - "Sin".
This time, through overwhelming condemnation, he was branded a criminal.
Every past game clip, footage, and playstyle was unearthed.
With remarkable uniformity, he was framed as the sole instigator behind the game's Transcendence state.
While this might hold partial truth, the coordinated effort was undeniable.
Media outlets and influencers unanimously portrayed Transcendence as apocalyptic - all caused by "Sin", the so-called strongest player.
Conspiracy theories proliferated:
Why was he so powerful?
How did he consistently maximize game rewards?
What explained his overwhelming dominance? Where did his inexplicable strength originate?
Why could he violate game rules unpunished, even behaving casually before "Gods"?
All evidence suggested "Sin" might be humanity's betrayer - perhaps making deals with the game itself to break limits deliberately!
Something was definitely wrong!
Almost overnight, "Sin"'s name became shrouded in darkness and suspicion.
......
Ring ring.
Lu Ce swatted off his second-hand Redmi phone's alarm, slowly opening his eyes.
Post-game repair sleep was truly the best recuperation - awakening completely refreshed.
Out of habit, he unlocked his phone to check news.
--------------------------------