Volume Two, The Devil’s Game Chapter Seven, The Death of Lu Yi?

Lu Yi reached into the box, his fingers brushing against countless points of light that flickered and danced at his touch. Soon, an object materialized in his hand.

“Headphones that connect to an unknown world. Equip them, and you’ll hear things beyond your imagination.”

Things beyond imagination? Lu Yi’s face was filled with confusion. He hesitantly put the headphones on, but not a single sound reached his ears.

“La la la~” A lighthearted tune suddenly rang out nearby. Lu Yi turned his head sharply and saw the Watcher standing outside the convenience store, gazing at him through the window. The store had only one door; though there were windows, shelves were stacked in front of them, making escape impossible.

He watched as the Watcher took two steps from the window to the door. Lu Yi touched the talismans and items on his body—a speed talisman, a break-free talisman, a trajectory tracker. He licked his lips. It seemed he had no choice but to attempt a direct escape.

“I’m Husky: Oh no, cornered in the store.”

“Possessive Fairy: How sad. I just found my first healing talisman and thought I could regain my vitality, but it turns out this is the beginning of a dragon stranded in the shallows.”

“I’m Husky just tipped streamer Lu Yi a tombstone.” Suddenly, a notification sounded in Lu Yi’s headphones.

A tombstone? Lu Yi’s lips twitched. What did “tipped” mean—was someone watching him?

But now was not the time for contemplation. Lu Yi grabbed the Wind Pendant at his chest, and pale blue light spread outwards. Then, he revealed the Ring of the Sacred Lion’s Protection.

With a sudden burst of strength, Lu Yi activated the Lion’s Roar. Golden ripples surged from the ring, accompanied by a soul-shaking roar. The Watcher’s face showed surprise, but Lu Yi didn’t care. The golden waves crashed repeatedly into the Watcher, forcing her to retreat. Lu Yi seized the opportunity and slipped through the opening.

As soon as he burst from the store, he picked a direction and ran as fast as he could.

“Black Phosphorus Sauce: Huh? What’s the Watcher doing? Why isn’t she chasing?”

The Watcher slowly raised her right hand. Golden and green light swirled in her palm. She clenched her fist, then released. Instantly, petals scattered from her hand.

“Why use light attacks against me?” the Watcher said softly. She waved her right hand, and a violent wind, laden with countless petals, surged after Lu Yi.

The wind was impossibly swift, overtaking Lu Yi in the blink of an eye and forming a wall of flowers before him.

“Do you like flowers? I can let you slumber peacefully amidst a sea of blooms,” the Watcher said, approaching Lu Yi unhurriedly.

“Sweetheart Yiyi: Why does it look like Lu Yi is strangling himself?”

“Black Phosphorus Sauce: I agree. It’s as if his attack only made the Watcher stronger.”

“If you want to admire flowers together, I’m willing. But dying in a sea of blooms—sorry, I’m not interested.” Lu Yi turned, intent on fleeing again, only to find himself ensnared by vines he hadn’t noticed before.

“Why say that? The one before you wore a look of pure bliss at the end. Why not learn from him and enjoy eternal peace?” the Watcher coaxed gently.

“Eternal peace?” Lu Yi chuckled softly. He slowly raised his hand, still bearing the Sacred Lion’s Ring. “Perhaps you’re right—reality isn’t peaceful, it’s full of suffering. But I have things I can’t let go of, so I must survive.”

The Lion’s Roar erupted once more. The wall of flowers before him quaked under the clash of two powers, soon revealing a gap. A flash of determination appeared in Lu Yi’s eyes. He called upon the dark energy within him, broke free from the vines, and dashed out.

“Why can’t you understand? Humans, other beings, all must die in the end. They become nourishment together with the sunlight, making flowers bloom more beautifully.” The Watcher remained unmoving, but the stray elements of light converged upon her. She closed her eyes, her face showing both pity and confusion.

“Why is it that when I help you, none of you understand?” As her words fell, a wild wind swept through the area, petals raining from the sky.

With a wave of her hand, a tidal wave of petals formed behind her. She leapt lightly atop the crest and sped toward Lu Yi.

Seeing that the Watcher hadn’t immediately pursued, Lu Yi relaxed slightly. As he ran, he pondered: previously, the Watcher had chased him for ten minutes before leaving via teleportation. Now, less than ten minutes had passed and she reappeared. If she could teleport endlessly, it would be impossible to escape. The only explanation was that she “purified” someone and thus refreshed her skill cooldown.

Just as this thought crossed his mind, Lu Yi caught the scent of increasingly strong flowers. Petals began to drift down from the sky. Alarmed, he quickly slapped a speed talisman onto himself, feeling his pace increase.

Yet, the stream’s viewers saw a different scene. On screen, Lu Yi’s running grew sluggish, his expression increasingly dazed. Finally, after covering some distance, he stopped in place, head bowed.

“I’m Husky” chimed in immediately, “Tsk, he’s done for. Either he’s poisoned or trapped in an illusion.”

Black Phosphorus Sauce nodded, “Definitely an illusion.”

“Oh no, the one I was rooting for is finished. No!” Sweetheart Yueyue sent a frantic emoji.

While the chat buzzed, the vibrant wave of petals reached Lu Yi and engulfed him without pause, covering a vast area in an instant.

The Watcher landed gracefully before Lu Yi. She turned, her skirt fluttering and sweeping petals from the grass. She walked to Lu Yi and gently brushed some petals off him.

“Still resisting? No matter, I’ll grant you tranquility.” The Watcher smiled softly. She beckoned in the air, and a peach-colored blossom drifted into her palm.

She caressed the flower tenderly, then offered it to Lu Yi in both hands. The blossom burst into light before Lu Yi, and his blank, numb expression gradually softened into serene enjoyment.

The Watcher’s smile deepened. “Sleep,” she whispered, parting her hands. The peach blossom settled gently to the ground.

As it touched earth, the surroundings transformed. Petals fell from the grass, and a massive peach-colored flower emerged from the ground, rising slowly with Lu Yi standing at its center.

The Watcher, standing upon a petal, gazed around. “You must be very pleased with this place,” she said.

She approached Lu Yi and, with delicate fingers, pressed a touch to his forehead. “Good night,” she murmured. With a gentle push, Lu Yi collapsed stiffly onto the heart of the flower.

As countless beautiful blossoms bloomed across Lu Yi’s body, the Watcher watched with an expression of rapt admiration. Soon, the flowers had grown so thick that Lu Yi’s form was entirely obscured.

Suddenly, a breeze swept through, making the branches sway. Petals drifted away on the wind, and when the great flower’s center was finally revealed, Lu Yi’s body was nowhere to be seen—he had been purified.

Seeing this, the Watcher felt a deep satisfaction. Suddenly overcome by a pleasant languor, she closed her eyes to savor the moment.