On my second playthrough, they were full of malice towards me.

That wasn't all; Lena quickly followed up with another stab:

"By the way, Lord Ash, even if you do nothing, due to the butterfly effect you've already created, the deviation value will continue to increase. At most, all 'observation subjects' will still be awakened within three months."

After Lena spoke, the anxious and impatient expression she had imagined on the young man's face did not appear. Liao Ji remained calm and simply nodded as if he understood.

This puzzled the succubus, who asked, "Aren't you in a hurry at all?"

"Not urgent."

"why?"

"Because you are here."

Lena: "."

Damn it!

The succubus outwardly snorted and turned her face away, but the speed of her tail swaying behind her suddenly increased, especially the pinkish little heart at the end.

Then she took out a seed from her bosom that emitted a dark green light.

"what is this?"

"patch."

"Once this patch is applied to Zero, she will be able to regain control of these observation subjects, provided that these observation subjects cannot resist during this period, that is, they cannot wake up from the dream."

Liao Ji took the patch from the succubus's hand, which looked like a "seed". Immediately afterward, the item panel appeared, and the description and introduction on it were no different from what Lena had just said.

The next steps are then clear.

"Lord Ash, all you need to do is go to the Mechanical Alliance, find Zero's true form in 'Dream Entry,' apply this patch to her, and you can easily complete the re-contract. All the 'Observers' will also be restored. How about that? Simple, right?"

It's really simple.

The prerequisite is that you can bring the dragon girl and the nun along.

"Have you forgotten how we met now?"

You mean...

Reminded by the succubus, Liao Ji's eyes lit up, and he immediately understood what Lena meant. The Dream World was a second world detached from reality, where there was no threat of deviation value.

Since Zero is also in a "dream" state, he doesn't need to look for Zero in reality. Instead, he can find a way to connect into Zero's "dream," so that the Dragon Girl and the nun can descend without any worries.

The question now is, how do we get into Zero's "dream"?

This must be no simple matter, otherwise Lena on the other side should have done it herself long ago.

Seeing Liao Ji's thoughts, the succubus nodded and said, "The Dream Terminal shut down its external network three hundred years ago. Everyone thought it was because the Mechanical Alliance was selfish, but in reality, the companies and conglomerates of the Mechanical Alliance were more heartbroken and didn't want it to be like this. After all, everyone wants the market to be as big as possible. The reason it turned out like this is because of Zero. Zero closed off her dream, or rather, she can't wake up."

"Can't wake up?"

"Yes, Lord Ash, imagine if there were two pills in front of you. One pill would cause you to suffer in the real world, while the other would allow you to enjoy the virtual world. Which would you choose?"

Liao Ji didn't know which one he would choose.

But Zero clearly chose the latter.

"Right now, Zero is like a withdrawn little girl who stays at home with all the doors and windows locked. I could break in by force, but that would only cause more serious consequences. So you have to go to the Alliance of Machines yourself, get the key to unlock the door, and then find a way to call her out."

"The only slightly troublesome thing is that Zero's 'Dream' is highly confidential within the Mechanical Alliance. The access code to the Dream is tightly controlled by major corporations and conglomerates, and only the most core personnel can enter. However, you can rest assured about this, Lord Ash; I have already arranged an identity for you."

As she spoke, Lena flicked her wrist and, as if by magic, produced another document and placed it on the table.

After Liao Ji took it and looked at it, he discovered that it was a forged identity document.

"Lord Ash, I have made all the arrangements. You will be hired by Kyle Technology as their academic advisor, as one of the top ancient studies PhDs in our city."

Liao Ji, a "top-tier PhD in ancient studies," couldn't help but twitch his lips as he looked at the string of brilliant academic achievements fabricated on his resume.

The succubus on the other side, however, seemed to lick her lips with great interest.

"Isn't that right, Dr. Ash, no, Dr. Liao Ji?"

Row.

Liao Ji wouldn't really be able to pull off a PhD in any other field, but if it's a PhD in "Ancient Studies," then Liao Ji can only say that Lena's arrangements are indeed comprehensive.

However, Liao Ji still has a problem.

"So, my movement won't produce any deviation value?"

"Yes, of course, but given Dr. Liao Ji's current strength and influence, it can be ignored compared to the total amount."

Lena continued the conversation with a light laugh, "So, by the same token, as long as they're not at 'our' level, you can bring them along, Doctor. It won't affect your deviation score. Besides, the Doctor always needs some assistants."

"Take Caroline for example. She's my personally trained secretary, and I specially sent her to you. As for assistants, she's even more adept at it and very capable, Dr. Liao Ji."

The succubus seems to have become somewhat addicted to calling him "Dr. Liao Ji," even more so than "Lord Ash," as if it gives her a unique sense of excitement.

"As for Caroline's loyalty, you don't need to worry at all. After all, you've already seen Caroline's dream, haven't you? If she dares to disobey you, you can directly use this dream to threaten her. For example, Caroline, you don't want this dream of you practicing your succubus knowledge to be posted on the internet by me, do you? Knowing Caroline as I do, no matter how shameless or despicable your request is, Dr. Liao, she will accept it."

Liao Ji: "."

"Is there anything else? If not, I need to go and make some preparations."

Seeing that Liao Ji completely ignored her fantasies and was in such a hurry to leave, and that Lena had noticed from the beginning that Liao Ji hadn't shown her any lewd or inappropriate looks at her after she had dressed up so carefully, all of this turned into Lena's resentment.

"Hmph, it seems that after last night, the Doctor, who has entered a state of sagehood, speaks with more confidence."

After her initial resentment subsided, Lena seemed to have thought of something interesting, and a smile quickly returned to her lips.

"There is indeed one more thing that needs to be done by the Doctor. My current patch is only a semi-finished product. It is missing one material to be completely complete, and this material can only be obtained by you, Doctor, from one person."

"Who?"

“Anno”.

Chapter 172 Healing Holy Armor

Having withdrawn from his fantasy with Lena, Liao Ji removed the terminal this time, and without him even having to call her, Irene was already waiting beside him, eyes closed, ready to be teased by Liao Ji.

Although Liao Ji felt embarrassed to keep troubling the girl, he could only use this clumsy but effective method to ensure that he had truly escaped the illusion until he found other insurance measures.

Dreams can predict the future, but only if there is sufficient data to support them. Anything that is absolutely unknown cannot appear in dreams, such as the product of "Touch of Turbidity".

Even Liao Ji himself didn't know what Yilin would be "objectified" into, let alone Huanmeng. Therefore, as long as he could successfully release the Turbid Touch on the girl, it meant it was reality. Otherwise, if he couldn't, there was only one possibility: he was still in Huanmeng.

Moved by the impending doom, Liao Ji reached into the girl's chest and quickly sensed the presence of Yilin's "object." That was enough. He didn't choose to take it out, nor could he. Liao Ji needed to keep himself "unaware" of what Yilin's "objectification" truly was for this safety measure to be effective.

It's a pity that it's a bit unfair to Irene. The feeling of being "abruptly ended" must be unpleasant, as can be seen from the resentful look in the girl's eyes.

In fact, of Liao Ji's current five contractors, Jiu You's Crimson Lotus Wings, 86's Dream Terminal, and besides Irene, there are only two left: Sishutia and A Xue's "Objectification". Liao Ji hasn't tried them yet.

But the reason he always took Yilin was that, unlike Xue, Yilin was his good brother, and between brothers, no one would mind such trouble.

Secondly, there's the current situation.

After confirming the reality, Liao Ji did not delay and did not deactivate the 86 terminal mode, because he needed to use it again.

Lena told herself that the "patch" to fix Zero was still missing one link, which was to get the Elf Tear from Anno. But it was impossible and unrealistic to send him to the distant and unknown Elf Forest now. The fastest way right now was to return to the "Turbid Space" through the Dream and find that dark-skinned elf again.

It's unrealistic to expect the other party to hand over the "Tears of the Elf" willingly. Moreover, judging from the method the succubus told him about extracting the "Tears of the Elf," he only has one path to take: defeat the dark-skinned elf and render him completely powerless so that he can successfully carry out the extraction.

In any case, a battle is inevitable, and Liao Ji cannot directly call for reinforcements; he has to personally confront the dark-skinned elf.

Although Liao Ji had never fought the dark-skinned elf, given that she was the mastermind behind the Old Alliance and used Anno's body, her power was unimaginable, and she probably had many hidden cards that Liao Ji could not have imagined.

This can be seen from how eager the dark-skinned elf was to fight him. The other party must have been extremely confident in his own strength to provoke him so frequently. He might even have been preparing some special move for him, such as the cross that he carried on the elf's back that seemed out of place.

With his current strength, if he recklessly went into battle, he would definitely be defeated. Therefore, Liao Ji needed to put on all his "equipment" before the battle.

Yes.

Knowing that the enemy was powerful and unpredictable, Liao Ji still planned to take the path of combat. His confidence stemmed from the fact that although he couldn't gather people to accompany him, he could have Long Niang or Sciutia follow him to the Turbid Space in another way.

It is the equipment form after being "materialized" by the Touch of Turbidity.

Liao Ji had already experienced the power of the Dragon Girl's "Crimson Lotus Wings," which allowed him to defeat Ba'er, who had become a "Disaster" level monster, without any chance to fight back.

Although Jiu You's power has decreased and the power of "Red Lotus Wings" will also plummet, it doesn't matter. Isn't there another being of the same class as Jiu You by my side?

This is also why Liao Ji didn't use Styutia as a "reality detector"—it would be too wasteful. Such powerful equipment is better used as a source of strength.

Having thought of this, Liao Ji briefly explained what had happened to everyone before coming to Sciutia's side.

The nun had been looking forward to this day for a long time, especially after learning that Jiuyou had already been used. As for Tia, she had already settled for second best. Perhaps she couldn't have Lord Ash all to herself, but she had to have what Lord Ash had for others!

The Touch of Turbidity was activated again, and a thick, brownish-red mist immediately rose and swirled around the feet of the two.

Compared to the others who stood there waiting for Liao Ji to reach out, Styutia was clearly bolder and more sophisticated. The nun directly hugged Liao Ji, and before Liao Ji even had to take the initiative, Styutia had already shoved her body into Liao Ji's arms.

As if in accordance with the nun's will, Styutia's figure instantly transformed into starlight under the "Touch of Calamity." These starlight, like the nun, nestled around Liao Ji, and with the piecing together of countless points of light, after the surrounding turbid calamity mist dissipated, the nun's figure disappeared, replaced by a set of armor bathed in holy light worn by Liao Ji.

【Healing Holy Armor】

[Type: Special Equipment]

Rarity: Unique

[Equipment Effect 1: Stamina increased to S, other attribute values ​​increased to A+ (if already higher, it will not be downgraded). In combat, it restores 8% of maximum health per second, and in out of combat, this value is increased to 15%.]

[Equipment Effect 2: Provides two additional special skills]

【Holy Light Optimization (Equipment Only) - Utilizes the power of holy light to optimize the target, causing its quality and form to evolve to a certain extent. This skill can target, but is not limited to, any item/equipment/skill, as well as yourself.】

【Shadow Degradation (Equipped Only) - Uses the power of shadow to degrade the target, causing a significant degradation in its quality and form. This skill targets...】

(Note: Shadow Degradation cannot be used on "self")

Looking at the holy armor on his chest, Liao Ji breathed a sigh of relief, regardless of anything else. He was really afraid that Styutia would conjure up some kind of "holy wings" for him.

It wouldn't really matter if everyone became my wings, but if everyone had wings, then we couldn't equip the same type of wings at the same time, which would be a huge loss.

After Liao Ji finished scanning the attributes of Styutia's Holy Armor, he nodded. It was pretty much what he expected. Compared to the Dragon Girl's "Crimson Lotus Wings" which gave him both Strength and Agility S rank, the Holy Armor only had one stat, Endurance, at S rank. It was indeed a bit lacking in terms of attribute values, but the equipment effects later on would definitely make up for it.

Its powerful regenerative abilities truly live up to its name, "Healing Holy Armor," and the two additional special skills it grants are even more remarkable.

Liao Ji's lips twitched slightly upon seeing this.

Because isn't this exactly what Spectia, who was corrupted and resembled a war god, used back in the Dream Realm?

In particular, that "deterioration" move left a deep impression on Liao Ji. It could turn 86's laser cannon into a rubber band, and directly wither and decay Ah Xue's shaman vines. Later, it could even remove the dragon girl's horns in a matter of minutes, which shows how terrifying it was.

This also proves the accuracy of the dream prediction calculations; Styutia's abilities are exactly the same as those in the dream.