Tonight, Alice joins the hunt.

Flames spread across the boiling sea. Approximately one hectare of the ocean was covered by this sword energy mixed with blood flames. The temperature exceeding six thousand degrees Celsius, combined with the blood flames capable of piercing most known magical defenses, instantly turned all the marine life in the area into lifeless creatures. However, the target he sought was not among them.

"Trying to escape?" Reinhardt licked his lips, noticing a second wave of powerful ranged spells descending from the sky. Undoubtedly, those spells wouldn't break through Julian's flimsy defenses, or even warrant the use of any items. But they were still somewhat of a hindrance.

Yes, it's just a nuisance. If Yurian were to put in a little more effort, that level of magic wouldn't even qualify as a nuisance.

"He disrespects you; he wants to see you make a fool of yourself"—this thought surfaced in his mind, yet he didn't perceive anything wrong with it. Instinctively, he prepared to slash the blade, and a surge of anger welled up within him.

"You lazy bum, I'll get you sooner or later." The words he should have kept in mind slipped out unconsciously. And what followed was a sudden surge of anger.

[Why does he look down on me? Does he want to replace me?] — His initial anger escalated into fury, and then into rage. In the next moment, he felt everything in his vision turn blood red. Many small details from the past were retrieved from his memory, and he seemed to be able to clearly observe the mockery in every glance and the disdain in every smile of Yurian in his memory.

The third-stage gene lock unconsciously opened, and the logic in his mind, which should have been able to be reconstructed, collapsed again under the excessively enhanced boiling blood energy. He casually dismissed the traces of the unknown female sorceress, and suddenly felt the need to establish his authority as captain.

And then...

"Wake up, you idiot!"—An invisible shockwave struck his forehead precisely, and a moment of clarity returned to his mind. Reinhardt then realized that he had already pointed his sword at Julian, and had broken through several layers of protection around Julian, almost forcing this psychic to reveal his trump card!

"That sorceress!" Anger and shame filled his heart again. He was too embarrassed to apologize, so he turned his back to Julian and suddenly rushed towards the sea. He didn't notice that Julian's mental state seemed to be a little abnormal, but in the end he restrained himself from backstabbing him.

In the void, it seemed as if a young girl's sigh echoed.

Reinhardt's gaze suddenly shifted, and he saw a cabin wrecked with only planks and a bed remaining, along with a beautiful young woman who looked delicate and frail.

—This must be an accomplice of that sorceress! She must be the one who caused all this trouble!

Section 50. I, on My Own Path

The fight lasted for about two seconds.

Yes, that's right, only two seconds—after all, it's a level 4 Limit Breaker with home-field advantage and at their peak. Dealing with two weak level 3 Limit Breakers built up through enhancement exchanges, two seconds is already incredibly slow. The general battle can be summarized as follows—

Alice attacked Reinhardt—Reinhardt did not retaliate—Reinhardt fell.

Alice attacked Julian—Julian did not react—Julian's automatic defenses delayed for a moment—Alice launched a second attack—Julian could not defend against it—Julian fell.

That's roughly how it went: no surprises, no twists and turns, no sudden power spikes—just a simple case of a higher-level being crushing a lower-level one. A pure case of the strong bullying the weak. Reinhardt, who relied mainly on physical prowess and magical abilities, couldn't even detect a trace of Alice's attack. While Julian, whose hidden strength surpassed Reinhardt's, immediately activated his Virgo Gold Cloth and the supposedly transcendental sword sheath, these precious items only bought him a fleeting moment.

A fleeting moment that allowed him to observe Alice's attack and fill his face with 'horrified' expression.

And then everything came to an end.

..........................................

"As a reincarnation team selected to participate in this Saint Hunting Ceremony, these guys are far too weak. Are there hidden members who haven't shown up, or is there some other reason?" Alice stood quietly on the water, playing with two marbles formed by the collapse of space—both reincarnators from the West Sea team had been captured and restrained by her, and the spacetime inside the marbles could be considered static relative to the outside.

Killing the reincarnators from the West Sea team was pointless. First, they were too weak; second, the main god didn't encourage reincarnators to fight each other in this world. Third, two reincarnators who could do free labor would still be of some use. These three reasons combined to ultimately allow these two poor souls to survive.

It's truly pathetic. But at least they're still alive. At least until their last bit of value is extracted, they can cling to life in ignorance for a little while longer.

The next moment, the two prison-like spheres vanished from Alice's fingertips. Then she turned her gaze to a blurry shadow that was trying to quietly leave the surface of the sea.

“A prophet of the Eldar,” Alice said softly.

Before she could finish speaking, the blurry figure revealed its full form in shock, casting an incredulous gaze at her.

"You, you are—!?" The sorceress in Zhan Lan's guise stared wide-eyed, her face filled with disbelief.

“I am a puppeteer skilled in information magic, your teammate,” Alice replied calmly. “This is not the place to talk. We’ll discuss the details later. Now, let’s get on with the necessary work.”

She appeared beside Zhan Lan in the next instant, placed her hand on the sorceress's shoulder, and initiated the teleportation. The current world's script progress was fully revealed through Alice's touch. Following this, the witch assisted the sorceress in completing the next phase of the script's operation.

..............................

What happened next was rather unremarkable, as the world of The Witcher 3 doesn't feature many truly formidable figures. Alice, disguised, only needed to release a wisp of her aura to deter most of the troublemakers—the Witcher once again found his daughter, and the Wild Hunt once again crashed into the Witcher's stronghold of Kaer Morhen. To save time and process, this Wild Hunt King, along with his army, was instantly killed by Alice at the gates of Kaer Morhen the moment he arrived. And so, the main storyline of The Witcher 3 came to an end.

The world hasn't ended, but the story has. As a new cycle was about to begin, Alice took Zhan Lan away, heading to a random new fragment world in the void. There, she entrusted Zhan Lan with some information that needed to be made public.

The girl is narrating...

About two hours later...

"So that's how it is. I've been lingering in this world for tens of thousands of years, witnessing countless cycles of the world... No wonder I have a sense of déjà vu with everything. Dealing with those two from the West Sea team felt like a piece of cake. Although I ultimately failed to win, if it were a one-on-one fight... I should be fine, right?"

Zhan Lan pursed her lips, controlling her thoughts to prevent herself from being overwhelmed by this sudden surge of information. She reviewed many trivial matters from the past. Numerous things that she had previously overlooked, but now could clearly perceive as strange and awkward, became vividly clear in her memory. She even vaguely sensed her own life force surging wildly, as if by simply flipping a switch, she could overcome obstacles that seemed insurmountable to mortals and reach a transcendent state.

“That’s not an illusion; you have indeed reached that level now,” Alice replied. “It’s not just you; the rest of the team are pretty much the same. Apart from Cheng Xiao and Luo Gandao, who are still quite far behind, all members of our Central Continent team should be able to enter the fourth stage of life after this world ends. As for how many people will be able to reach the middle of the fourth stage and gather the light of the mind… that’s a question that may need further discussion.”

"But why am I still..."

“Because you haven’t returned to your original form yet. You’re still using the avatar provided by the Hunting Saint Ritual. And the upper limit of an avatar is fixed.” Alice explained earnestly, “Unlocking the genetic lock requires two prerequisites. First, sufficient accumulation of spirit and energy to activate the trillions of individual cells within your body. Second, a sufficiently firm belief, or method of control, to allow you to maintain control over the collective will of the cells after activation. And you already possess both of these.”

The accumulation of energy and spirit stemmed from countless cycles of the script, and while Zhan Lan didn't possess a sufficiently firm and powerful belief to subdue the will of all cells, she deduced a method of control within the Resident Evil universe through sociological experiments that applied only to her. In other words, if she wanted, she could unlock the fourth-order genetic lock right now.

The causes of the past have led to the effects of the present; that's probably how it is.

Alice probably had a guess in her mind as to why she so swiftly ended the Wizarding World's plot and prevented her from interfering further.

"When we succeed, all of this wizarding worldview will disappear, right?"

“Yes,” Alice nodded, giving an affirmative answer. “The fruit is being ripened and will soon be harvested. When all the forks in a worldline merge into one, the fruit representing that worldview will undergo its final plot operation. You will pass through it, just like you complete a regular computer game. Then this fruit will become your power, allowing you to advance and go to the final battlefield of the Sacred Hunting Ritual.”

"The reason I blocked your memories of each reincarnation is for this very reason. If you remembered every single one of your reincarnations, your mind would probably have started to become distorted by the fifth time you unlocked the Wizarding World's storyline, and you would have been completely lost by the thirtieth time. You would believe that you were originally a part of this world, and even if you had the Reincarnator's wristwatch and the Supreme God's declaration right in front of you and right in front of your ears, you would have regarded them as nonsense. Or..."

Alice paused for a moment.

"You will declare war on us, and on your teammates from countless previous reincarnations, for the sake of 'the world you inhabit'."

"So I suggest you act decisively, even if it's just a tiny sign, don't let yourself get entangled with anyone or anything in this doomed world that could shake your resolve—I've seen your experiences in this life. You get along well with Geralt-Garonne, the protagonist of this world, and you've become close friends with sorceresses like Yennefertes. But I believe you've always stayed true to yourself and shouldn't do anything disappointing. Or... has my judgment been wrong?"

"No, I didn't think so," Zhan Lan denied immediately. Then, looking at the sky of this randomly chosen fragment of a world, she sighed softly. "I just think... it's a bit despicable. Although I've never truly cared for the characters in this world's storyline, they... have been very kind to me. To just devour the whole world like that..."—she shook her head with a wry smile.

"Sincerity is the sharpest blade for the kind, and tears are the most dangerous weapons for the weak—it's perfectly normal for you to think this way. This is because it's influenced by your upbringing and the inherent goodness in your personality. These things are the biggest obstacles that mortals must face to transcend the ordinary. It's only natural that you'll get stuck at this step, but no matter what, the outcome cannot be changed."

Alice's gaze was indifferent, and it was difficult to discern whether she harbored even a trace of indifference or pity in her tone. She simply spoke quietly, stating a fact.

"Whether you swallow the fruit or not, the Sacred Hunting Ritual will come to an end in the near future. All the fragmented worlds will disappear, and then we will all rise to the top of the box to face the final battle—your main body has now reached the fourth tier. If you choose to give up, the final result will be that your transcendental rank will fall, and then this fruit will become the spoils of other reincarnation teams or even be recycled and reused by Chang'e of the Primordial Era. And when that happens, we will be the ones who suffer."

"You wouldn't tolerate that kind of thing happening... right?"

“That’s right.” Alice nodded. “I won’t tolerate it, Patchi won’t tolerate it, and Chu Xuan won’t tolerate it either. The Hunting Saint Ceremony has already involved too much investment at this stage. If our Central Continent team fails here, then we probably won’t need to participate in the final battle anyway—it’s a dead end anyway, so it might be better to save up and go back to where we started and go home, and maybe we’ll have a chance to live out our old age in peace.”

Zhan Lan's eyebrows trembled slightly. She knew her heart was cold, and she knew her blood was cold. In this Central State team, teeming with powerful individuals, she was merely a nobody, barely able to function even on a chat platform. One more or one less wouldn't make a difference. And the bravest thing she had ever done was push Zheng Zha onto the bed in the Final Destination world—but she hadn't succeeded that time, and she would never succeed again.

The difference is stark. Once Zheng Zha became a transcendent being, it was merely a pipe dream for him, a mortal at heart, to even try to get close. Perhaps before the revisit to Resident Evil, there was a chance for him to give his all, but after that, when Zheng Zha reaffirmed his path, he saw him as just another ordinary member of the group, no different from his teammates.

So, should we take this step?

Fragments of past memories surfaced in her mind. She recalled the awkwardness and anxiety she felt when she first entered the God's Space. It was that man who eased her inner turmoil. She remembered the two of them hiding in a secret room in the Alien world, desperately smearing food scraps on each other to block out their smells; she remembered the hand in the Ju-on world that rescued her from the brink of death like a divine intervention—how distant and brilliant those memories were. Was it those things that had sustained her until now?

So, should we take this step?

The memories that surfaced settled, leaving behind a bitter aftertaste—ah, she had known all along. She had always known this relationship could never have a happy ending. Because what she had initially wanted wasn't love; her true purpose was simply security. And by the time she reached the end of the Final Destination world, she already possessed the ability to protect herself. And after reviving from the brink of death, her former infatuation had likely transformed into admiration and acceptance. And she, in reality, was simply living for herself.

Not for anyone else, not for a lover, not for a friend. I stand here because of my own will. The pillar supporting my existence is myself, not someone else.

So, should we take this step?

Zhan Lan did not speak, nor did she give Alice any answer.

Yet her presence expanded dramatically with her silence. She simply sat there quietly, seemingly just an ordinary literary woman, yet her stature and stature grew at a visible rate.

She didn't consume the fruit, nor did she revert to her original form. She simply... made a change.

Alice simply watched her quietly, awaiting the outcome.

[As expected, as the one I had the highest hopes for, you were already just one step away from achieving that goal? Without relying on the Hunting Saint Ritual or any external force, you naturally took that step on your own?]

[You really put in a lot of effort... Well then...]

Alice turned her gaze to the fruit on the tree that was gradually ripening due to the catalyst.

I'll try my best to achieve a result that is worthy of both Buddha and you.

Section 51: Gathering and Self-Radiance

Zhan Lan was kept behind by Alice… She had made her choice, so Alice didn't need to waste any more time on her. Ultimately, this Hunting Saint Ritual was the Central Continent Team's home turf, and until the ritual reached its final stages, or was damaged due to unforeseen circumstances, there was no need to worry about the safety of the participants.

Alice left her in that fragmented world. The fruit's ripening was accelerating, and once the final stage began, the unified wizarding worldview would begin its final cycle. At that time, as the fragment was absorbed by the fruit's main body, she would finally descend and complete her own unique path of ascension.

[Zhan Lan's problem has been resolved. Once this plot concludes, unlocking the fourth-tier gene lock will be virtually effortless for her. Ah... achieving advancement independently without relying on the wise men's arrangements means her future potential won't stop there.]

[One troublesome task is finished, but it's just the easiest of a bunch of troublesome tasks. After all... I've always had high hopes for her, so this achievement isn't surprising. Unfortunately, based on my initial estimate, I thought Kampavsky would eventually surpass her. It seems my estimate was slightly off.]

Alice closed her eyes, then opened them. Her vision shifted rapidly, returning from the desolate, silent, broken world to the bustling, vibrant metropolis characteristic of the wizarding world—she blinked, and the material structures around her became clearly visible in her mind.

This is Nigafod, a southern empire that primarily serves as background in the Witcher universe. It boasts the most authoritative monarch in the entire universe, the most grotesque circus, and the most seasoned band. It also houses the world's most skilled, intelligent, and widely recognized Gwent master.

A Gwent tournament, existing outside the original world, is unfolding here. The moment Alice arrives is precisely the moment the winner is decided. When the defending champion crushes the challenger with overwhelming dominance, the entire city hosting the Gwent tournament erupts in a tsunami of cheers.

"Defending champion! Defending champion! Defending champion!"—Gwent supporters shouted and screamed, looking at the champion as if he were their king.

This is abnormal, because it's just Gwent. Even the best card players are still just playing cards; in this unstable and chaotic world, card-playing skills offer no extra protection.

This is normal, because Alice knows the Champion and knows his true identity. She knows what kind of truth lies hidden beneath the Champion's youthful imperial appearance. She knows his real name is—

[Xiao Honglu. 】

She looked at the young man who had won the game, and then he looked back at her. With just a simple exchange of glances, the Gwent champion understood the Puppet Master's true identity. The latter nodded, turned, and disappeared into the crowd.

The celebrations continued, with a banquet following the decisive Gwent tournament. As musicians played their instruments, dancers swayed, and the air was filled with the aroma of fireworks and freshly brewed beer, the Gwent champion, having won his umpteenth consecutive title defense, leisurely withdrew amidst the congratulations to meet with his distinguished guests.

The conversation took place in the city's best pub.

The girl is explaining...

Twenty minutes later...

“…So that’s how it is. I roughly understand what happened.” Xiao Honglu rested his chin on his hand and nodded. “Although I don’t have the ability to sense traces of the past like Sister Zhan…Keli, I did notice an abnormal increase in my own ‘mass.’ Combining the strange things that happened in Toussaint and some unusual things that happened when I observed Sister Keli, I’ve come up with a few immature guesses. But it seems like I’m quite accurate.”

"You discovered them a long time ago?"

“Of course, after all, Gwent is a huge activity for everyone. Merchants, knights, monks, mercenaries... as long as they travel across the continent, they will fall in love with this rare form of entertainment. And all I have to do is wait and listen carefully, and all the information will come to me smoothly,” Xiao Honglu said with a smile.

"I only need to look at the Reincarnation Wristwatch to know what's going on with the Hunting Saint Ritual. After receiving news from Toussaint, I guessed that a reincarnator had descended into this world, and the reason I can't reveal their name is because of Love..."

“You can call me Flora here,” Alice replied, uttering the name she was given when she first came into this world.

Xiao Honglu nodded and continued, "...It's the protection that you, Sister Flora, arranged for us. We are witnesses in this world, and we can gain power simply by witnessing the world cycle. The other reincarnators have no protection, so the hidden members of the Saint Legion will subconsciously seek them out, be killed by them, and then the world merges, restarts, and begins the next cycle...Am I right?"

“You guessed right.” Alice agreed with his guess. “So you’ve decided to stay here and do nothing but play Gwent?”

"After all, it wouldn't make much of a difference if I wanted to do something, Flora," the young Gwent champion shrugged. "You've already arranged everything for me, and even if I wanted to do something interesting, I can't escape the confines of this world without leverage. And there are many, many worlds beyond this one... If it were in the past, I might have tried to prove myself. But after realizing the gap between my level and yours, I don't think it's necessary."

He blinked. He said, “Of course, I don’t think I was this negative from the beginning. I think I tried a few times before… Sister Flora, can you tell me, on which cycle did my foolish self give up on this futile effort?”

A fleeting, shimmering light flashed in the girl's eyes.

“The four thousand three hundred and thirty-third time.” Alice’s eyes regained their composure, and she answered, “That time you chose to give up, to stay in Nigaford and play cards here instead of leaving. Before that, you tried to break the deadlock and leave in every cycle.”