048.Radagon is Marika.
The pill entered, quickly digested by the body, and after a few rapid flashes of blue light, Li Aozi's eyes finally settled.
Li Aozi breathed a sigh of relief, feeling much better in his mind.
"There's one more thing I need to remind you of."
Granny Atamash took out a smoking pipe, stuffed it with fine tobacco, and while lighting it, said slowly,
"Leozi is Li Aozi, and Li Aozi is Leozi."
"Is there any difference?"
"No, there's no difference. Although they sound different, the result is the same."
"Are you trying to say that I'm actually the reincarnation of 'Leozi, the God of Reality in the Dominion of the Universe! The legendary interstellar hero!'? Something out of a cheesy soap-opera storyline? Or maybe 'Reborn as Leozi,' or 'In My Past Life I Was the Savior of the Universe, Now I'm Just an Unemployed Bum Living Off My Looks'?"
Li Aozi couldn't help but retort,
"Haven't you already seen my fate? Then you should also know I came from—"
"Crossing over isn't anything rare." Granny Atamash took a puff, calmly replying, "What do you think descending into Star Abyss is? You know my identity but still worry and question my judgment, despite knowing I swore to Star Abyss to keep secrets forever, yet you're still anxious... or do you simply refuse to accept my advice?"
"Alright." Li Aozi shrugged and quipped, "But I still care... If I really am Leozi, can't I just march over to the Narration-Level Civilization and demand troops, saying I'll restore the glory of the Dominion of the Universe? After all, Leozi is quite a renowned main god in Star Abyss."
"I've said it." Granny Atamash gazed firmly into Li Aozi's eyes and said, "Leozi is Li Aozi, and Li Aozi is Leozi."
"What're you getting at here?" Li Aozi couldn't understand the repetition and shook his head, a thought suddenly emerging, "Maybe, just maybe, I could use this trick to swindle people?"
"Leozi is Li Aozi, and Li Aozi is Leozi."
Granny Atamash repeated again,
"You should understand that doing what you ought to do is more important than doing what you want to do. Now, go back. Come bother me again in two hundred years."
As soon as she finished speaking, Li Aozi blinked and found himself lying in bed again.
A ceiling both strange and familiar.
He turned his head to look out the window. The artificial sun was rising faintly. The communicator also signaled today's tasks.
Last night was over, just like that.
It was practically like a dream.
"Atamash Lingxu, theoretically a strong entity close to Omega level."
Li Aozi looked at the [Potion of Truth] in his hand and murmured.
The Qiqiao Network, it blocks out too much.
It was tolerable earlier, but after entering the universe, he increasingly felt the shady workings of the Qiqiao Network.
He glanced at the system and checked the forum.
The early Qiqiao Network often had minor glitches and was rumored to have urban legends, where some people who died in the game also died in reality.
Li Aozi once thought it was a conspiracy theory, but now he wasn't so sure.
If his previous theory that "reality and Star Abyss share the same physical rules" was correct,
it would mean the early Qiqiao Network wasn't fully matured, and the cognitive filter didn't filter out all information, causing players in reality to sync with the game.
His own crossing over might just be a glitch, returning to the pre-beta period with the latest Qiqiao Network template.
Sure enough, he quickly found a similar post.
"Something Big: Knowledge from Star Abyss Seems to be Real."
'The OP has a friend who chose the [Biochemist] class in the game, memorized formulas and worked with test tubes daily, then tried making a chemical agent based on in-game blueprints—and it actually worked. Could the [Biochemist] class be using real-life knowledge...?'
'Front row, the OP claims to have released magic that worked in real life (link expired).'
'That post was deleted by a super admin.'
......
"—Utterly absurd."
Li Aozi clenched his fist and let out a chuckle.
"The Qiqiao Network and Star Abyss aren't simple. Masked as a game, drawing players to probe the world themselves."
Then what's the point of digital migration? Could it be that the game is meant to facilitate colonization?
The mixed information gave Li Aozi a pounding headache.
His intelligence could see the connections, but there was too little information.
Observing the forum, Li Aozi noted that in a week, players would enter during the public beta phase. He'd keep an eye on things then.
Unable to figure it out, he kept it in mind, then dressed, composed himself, and immediately set off for Star Port.
First, he'd follow Atamash's method to increase his strength, advance to [Bishop] quickly, and gradually regain control over his own fate.
"Hey, handsome."
'Dumb Elf' Flanna greeted him from afar with a wave, and though she'd be working unpaid this time, she brightened up as soon as she saw Li Aozi's stunning, proper appearance.
"I've installed my assault pod on the private jet. It won't enter low orbit, but if you encounter any issues, call me, and I'll reach you within 160 seconds. Everything's set."
"Mm, let's go."
Li Aozi didn't waste words, boarding the expensive private jet. Orlaville spared no expense, booking the top-tier package with luxurious round-trip food and services.
Flanna sat across from Li Aozi at the dining table, eating while staring intently at his enchanting face.
Watching him casually yet seriously cut his steak,
their eyes occasionally met, and she was almost overwhelmed with a feeling of bliss.
Fantastic, how could there be such a perfect man? What? Working for free? Have you ever seen a job this worthwhile?
—Just treat it as a date.
Thinking this, Flanna suddenly felt she'd profited.
Given her status, not exactly nobility or the dirt-poor variety of the three teachings and nine branches, she still had to live with her head on her belt every day.
And Li Aozi? This beautiful man was obviously destined for wealth and elite social circles, an icon, and even as an actor, he'd make a fortune—at the very least, a socialite in high society.
Who was she to be able to go out with this beauty, and alone, no less?
"Think about it, not just a fantasy, though there's that possibility, but it's scientifically plausible."
Flanna's imagination ran wild.
"Two single people in a room together, something unexpected happens, the suspension bridge effect kicks in, and he falls for my charm, then blushes shyly, completely smitten..."
She'd already decided, a son named Divangon, a daughter named Lasarilu. With their combined looks, if they had a soccer team of children, it would be a gift to society.
By then, she wouldn't have to lift a finger, receiving respect and endless money from everyone.
'Why do I feel like I should be paying Leoz instead?'
Flanna couldn't help but ponder.