Quadruple split.

Chapter 2841 What I Really Want to Do
"..."

This time, Li Lei remained silent for longer than before. After nearly two minutes, he sighed silently and shook his head, saying, "I don't understand, Ms. Bai."

If you don't understand, I can help explain it.

Bai Fujin smiled and said in a light tone, then added, "However, I can't go into too much detail until Mr. Li agrees to join or has a clear intention. After all... even though I'm currently in a persuasive position, I know very well that the possibility of you ultimately agreeing is not very high."

Li Lei didn't speak, but just stared at the other person until Bai Fujin slowly picked up his teacup and took a sip, then frowned and asked, "So?"

"So you've already become curious."

Bai Fujin put down his cup and said leisurely, "I'm sorry, I thought you were thinking about whether to listen, Mr. Li. I never expected that you were actually waiting for me to start explaining. Hmm, that's a good sign. I like it."

Realizing that the other person was actually teasing him, Li Lei's expression stiffened, and he said dryly, "It's okay if I don't listen."

"Of course you still have to listen."

Bai Fujin shook his head, and then casually dropped a bombshell before Li Lei could continue to be stubborn: "The person who occupies the top spot on both the [Overall Strength Ranking] and [Individual Strength Ranking] in the Realm of Innocence, and is known as 'Question Mark Bro' by everyone, is my boss."

【?!?!?!?!?!?!?!】

It's no exaggeration to say that Li Lei was stunned into place as if struck by lightning, completely losing his ability to think and remaining dazed in his chair.

However, this cannot be blamed on him. After all, that "Question Mark Guy" has firmly occupied the top spot since the two lists of the "Innocent Realm" were opened, and his stability is insane. Although the other two in the top three of the individual list are not much different, the third place has been surpassed at times. Although Cordova is stable, it only makes the first place, whose position has never been threatened by him, seem stronger.

It's important to understand that even if people didn't have much of a concept of it before, after the "Debate on Guilt," almost everyone on Earth knew that there was a guy named Cordova who was incredibly strong in the game "Innocent Realm." As "Innocent Realm" gradually became a darling of the internet and a global hit of the new era, Cordova's popularity also soared. In addition, since the Debate on Guilt allows you to watch replays (but only from official camera angles and you can't see the data), the more people watched, the more terrifying Cordova seemed.

In fact, setting aside Córdoba's defeat, which was clearly a result of being sabotaged by his own teammates, he almost never used more than 50% of his full strength in either individual or team competitions. The reason everyone is so certain of this conclusion is precisely because—

"Mr. Lee."

Bai Fujin looked at Li Lei with a smile and said softly, "I remember it was you who showed everyone the full strength of the Cordoba players in the individual competition."

"...Full strength?"

Li Lei, finally coming to his senses, chuckled and shook his head, saying, "You're overthinking it. Although Cordova did only use a maximum of 50% of his strength to fight me, which proves that he can continue to grow stronger by a full 200%, if we really consider his full strength, I only forced out 30% of his level at most."

Bai Fujin: "Oh? In consideration of my shocking revelation just now, Mr. Li, would you mind explaining this to a gaming newbie like me? That woman who's ranked third on the [Personal Strength Ranking] has been ignoring me and making sarcastic remarks lately. If I were to go and ask her, I'd definitely run into a brick wall."

"Uh-huh?"

Li Lei nodded first, then his neck stiffened abruptly as if he had suddenly gotten a stiff neck, and he looked at Bai Fujin with a look that could be described as seeing a ghost, completely losing his expert demeanor: "That third one is also with you?!"

"Correct."

Bai Fujin nodded slightly and said casually, "Let's just call us colleagues for now, although we're responsible for different things... To put it simply, that cool and aloof young lady lives a peaceful life, while I've been working like a slave for the boss, but in principle we are indeed 'partners' in some sense."

Li Lei took a deep breath, barely calming his turbulent emotions, and asked, "How can I trust you?"

"Huh?"

Bai Fujin blinked and smiled, "You've really hit the nail on the head. After all, those two are anonymous, and I can't reveal their real names before you decide to join. It's a difficult situation."

"..."

Having already grasped a glimpse of Bai Fujin's wicked nature, Li Lei didn't respond, but simply watched him silently.

After all, he knew very well that since this woman, whose appearance and behavior were completely inconsistent, dared to say it, unless she was indeed lying, she must have a way to prove herself right.

And the facts proved him right—

"How about this?"

Bai Fujin raised his chin slightly and chuckled, "I won't talk about my boss who almost never appears in public. As for the third one, if you have a clue, I can help you corroborate it a little, but if you have no clue at all, I can't say anything."

"Have."

Without hesitation, Li Lei answered, saying seriously, "Go ahead."

"Okay, I believe you."

Bai Fujin, who could tell at a glance that the other party was definitely not lying, raised the corners of his mouth slightly and said leisurely, "If you guessed that the person who was impossible to lose in the [individual battle], but lost the match in a very, very, very clever way, thus helping the opponent to their advantage, then congratulations, you guessed right."

It really was her.

Li Lei narrowed his eyes, recalling the 'death battle' between the [Anonymous] and the individual runner-up Ye Ge, which felt strangely incongruous, and said softly, "I believe you."

"Then it's your turn."

While tossing candy balls into the teapot, Bai Fujin asked, "So let's continue our conversation. Why did you say that Cordova only used about 30% of his strength at the time? If the first set of runes on his body represents 100%, then the second set would mean 200%, wouldn't it?"

That's not true strength.

Li Lei didn't hide anything and calmly explained, "Those are 'attributes'. If I'm not mistaken, those runes should correspond to his strength, speed, stamina, and mystical resistance, which can be replaced by strength, dexterity, constitution, and intelligence in the game."

"so what?"

"So you can understand it as his base attributes doubling."

"Isn't that just going from 100% to 200%?"

"No." Faced with Bai Fujin's confusion, Li Lei shook his head with a not-so-pleasant expression: "Those simple and unadorned attributes can indeed double his 'character panel,' but in addition to that, he also has 'skills.'"

"Skill?"

Bai Fujin pondered for a moment, then confirmed, "Are you talking about... combat techniques or something like that?"

"You can understand it that way too."

Li Lei gave a noncommittal reply, saying calmly, "Actually, everyone can see that Cordova's battles are almost all about brute force over skill. The reason for this is simple: when a crushing advantage can be easily established with just a little 'force,' under absolute strength, speed, and physique, all techniques become a joke."

Bai Fujin shrugged: "But you gave this 'joke' an extra 20% absolute power?"

“That’s right. As…excuse me, as the only opponent of Cordova who used even a little bit of skill in the competition, I can say with certainty that he is not without skill. On the contrary, even if he doesn’t use any skills or talents, his understanding of ‘combat skills’ is no less than that of any participant in the ‘Debate on Inquiry’.”

Li Lei sighed silently, a bitter smile appearing on his lips: "And when he encounters a strong enough opponent, so that his power is no longer 'absolute,' those 'techniques' will reveal their ferocious fangs. It's just a pity... I was never able to get him to unleash his full power until the very end."

Bai Fujin recalled for a moment and asked curiously, "I remember when you finally admitted defeat and withdrew, you seemed a little unwilling."

"It's only a little bit."

Li Lei didn't deny it, but just shrugged and said, "There was nothing I could do. After all, even though I was sure of losing back then, I did want to fight to the end. It's just that my equipment was a bit special. In the worst case, I might be beaten into a human stick without arms or legs. Although I didn't care, but... uh."

At this point, he suddenly shut his mouth, but the other party didn't give him a chance to make amends, immediately giving a very strong and forceful response that Li Lei didn't want to see—

"But you're the ace of the [Red Constellation] club, so even if you can lose, you absolutely can't lose so badly, right?"

Bai Fujin chuckled and said cheerfully, "It's not shameful to lose to a legendary figure like Cordova, but it would be too embarrassing to become a human stick like you just said. Even so, the [Red Constellation] won't punish you for 'damaging the company's image,' but your sense of responsibility prevents you from being willful when there's absolutely no hope of victory, right?"

"..."

Realizing he had been a bit too talkative, Li Lei shook his head and didn't answer.

"It's time to get back to the main topic."

Bai Fujin looked at Li Lei with a half-smile and said slowly, "Although I had prepared many reasons, it seems that the boss and that 'third person' are enough to tempt you, aren't they? You are so eager to see that anonymous person who even Cordoba couldn't mess with. You want to see the heavens beyond heavens and the people beyond people. You want to know how far you can go and how strong you can become."

Li Lei took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "You don't understand me."

"But the longing in your eyes can't be faked, Mr. Li. It's also a fact that the [Red Constellation] can't give you what you want."

While fiddling with his pinky ring, Bai Fujin said seemingly casually, "If you're willing to join us, you can still be the ace of the [Red Constellation]. No one will impose any restrictions on you outside of the [Innocent Realm] game, and even within the game... you can be yourself to your heart's content."

Li Lei chuckled and repeated softly, "Be myself? Ms. Bai, do you really think I can still 'be myself' after joining you?"

Bai Fujin smiled sweetly and asked in return, "Can't I?"

“You are all people who are ‘qualified’ to choose to remain anonymous in leaderboards and competitions.”

Li Lei raised his teacup, looking down at the seemingly clear, spring-like but actually extremely bitter tea: "I have always found the faction division mechanism of the game [The Realm of Innocence] to be very interesting. And that is why, although saying this may be a bit offensive, I really don't want to associate with anyone who is considered [Chaotic Evil] by the system."

"I see."

Noticing that the other person's eyes were gradually becoming clearer, Bai Fujin nodded slightly and asked Li Lei seriously, "Is this your reason for disdaining to associate with the [Chaotic Evil] faction?"

"In the past six months of playing [The Realm of Innocence], I've actually encountered quite a few people defined as [Chaotic Evil]. Their actions have all left a very deep impression on me. Admittedly, there are also pure, not-so-repulsive madmen like 'Soul Douluo' from [Burning Flame], but..."

At this point, Li Lei suddenly smiled with relief and shook his head, saying, "No, there's no point in continuing."

Nothing is meaningless.

Bai Fujin stood up and extended his right hand to Li Lei: "I have given up on pursuing you, Mr. Li, so you can speak frankly if you have anything to say."

"it is good."

No longer shy in front of this beauty, the poised and confident Li Lei stood up, firmly yet gently grasped her slender hand, and said with burning eyes, "Because those are just excuses."

"Oh?"

Bai Fujin blinked and asked curiously, "Then what's the real reason?"

"I am Xinglong from the [Red Constellation] Club."

Xinglong gazed into the other's eyes and said solemnly, "I will carry the [Crimson Constellation] forward. I want to carry the [Crimson Constellation] forward. I yearn to carry the [Crimson Constellation] forward. My previous hesitation was only because of my subconscious fear, the fear that Senior Divine Melody might be more suitable to play this role than me. But... people are selfish after all. My selfishness tells me again and again that I should do what I truly want to do."

"Although it's a little embarrassing to say this, well... I am Gavin, the mouthpiece of the [King of Sin], burdened with the [Sin of Betrayal]."

With her chaotic, icy, and chillingly smiling eyes, Gavin gazed at Xinglong and said softly, "As your destined enemy to fight to the death, please allow me, for the first and last time, to wish you all the best and a smooth road ahead, Xinglong of the Crimson Constellation."

"Well then, farewell. Thank you for the tea, it was really bitter and hard to drink."

"I apologize for not seeing you off further, but I hope this bitterness will stay with you throughout your time in the [Innocent Realm]."

"So……"

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Chapter 2832: The End