"You have returned to the moment of your previous choice."
"The experiences of fate reveal to you that, compared to repaying the favor of handing over the 'remains of the Night Watcher,' Lena is more inclined to trust the Fire Stealing Priest, who holds the sacred duty of communicating with the gods and protecting the villagers. This knowledge gives you more choices."
"So once again, the explorer resorts to using 'cheat codes.'"
"Do you choose to escape Fire Stealing Village and search for Dark Mist Town mentioned by Lena?"
"Investigate the Fire Stealing Priest?"
"Wait and observe the changes unfold?"
"Or, once again, find Lena and use the secret she revealed before her death as a bargaining chip to earn her trust?"
Yang Qizhou chose the fourth option. The reason he used the ability of the 'Dark Crow of Profane Fortune' was to save the captain of the Night Watch Team and extract information about the 'Desecration Stone Plate' from her.
If not for this, he'd rather choose to unlock the new map of 'Dark Mist Town,' as his current predicament in Fire Stealing Village was one of enemies everywhere.
Of course, leaving Fire Stealing Village might not necessarily lead to a better outcome.
After all, outside lurked Alice, a vengeful woman suspected to be a follower of the 'Lord of Night.' She certainly wouldn't spare someone who dared to toy with her.
The text continued scrolling.
"The lustful explorer recalls the tragic death of Lena and, remaining uneasy in his conscience, decides to take a risk."
"You find Lena."
"You once again speak to her about the secret of the Fire Stealing Priest."
"Lena, expressionless, asks if you are done talking."
"You reply that you are not finished."
"You start your performance again, pretending seriously as you claim that you were entrusted by the future Lena to stop the Fire Stealing Priest's sinister plans. Because in the not-too-distant future, the Fire Stealing Priest will complete the ritual, and the 'Dream Hidden King' he secretly worships will descend upon Fire Stealing Village, leading to everyone's demise."
"Lena doesn't believe your nonsense at all. The fire in her eyes flickers as if preparing to burn you alive."
"In a hurry, you reveal that when Lena was young, she accidentally ventured into the wilderness and discovered the 'Desecration Stone Plate.' You emphasize that this was personally narrated by the future Lena and that she never disclosed it to anyone, not even her closest father. The future Lena said that mentioning this would earn the trust of her past self."
"Lena fell silent."
"You keenly sense a subtle shift in Lena's attitude, and you cannot help but secretly rejoice."
"Finally, Lena speaks, asking what comes next."
"You recall the 'Dream Realm Mother Goddess Flower Seed' and the 'Bloodstained Rags' you currently hold, and suddenly, a bold idea forms in your mind."
"But the unknown risks of this plan are so numerous that you hesitate."
"Then the imaginative and inventive explorer comes to life."
"Do you choose to take the risk, place the 'Dream Realm Mother Goddess Flower Seed' into the 'Bloodstained Rags,' replace the original Holy Relic on the altar, and steal the Divine Descent Ceremony, thus obtaining the blessings of the 'Dream Hidden King' while simultaneously allowing this suspected Evil God to experience what it feels like to be pregnant?"
"Or do you find this idea too fantastical and give up on such an unrealistic plan, deciding instead to discuss further with Lena?"
Another blissful two-choice dilemma.
But Yang Qizhou decides that this time, there's no need to use the 'Dark Crow of Profane Fortune.' Stealing the Divine Descent Ceremony while letting the suspected Evil God experience pregnancy—just thinking about this storyline is exhilarating.
So he chooses the first option without hesitation.
"The explorer's nature is to love the thrill of adventure; this bold plan stirs your blood, and you express your idea of stealing the Divine Descent Ceremony to Lena, while deliberately concealing the part about the 'Dream Realm Mother Goddess Flower Seed,' only stating that you have a way to eliminate the 'Dream Hidden King' after its descent."
"Lena is shocked by your audacity and explains the process of stealing the Divine Descent Ceremony."
"The essence of the Divine Descent Ceremony is establishing communication with gods by using the altar as the earthly divine kingdom, the Holy Relic as the container, the full name of the god along with the corresponding prayer to create the bridge. To steal the Divine Descent Ceremony, apart from the altar, both the Holy Relic and the god's full name and prayer must be handled personally by the Divine Bearer."
"Hearing this, you develop a rough plan and tell Lena that her future self has already informed you how to proceed."
"You ask Lena to take you to the Fire Stealing Priest's residence."
"Lena agrees."
"While on the way, Lena suddenly asks why her future self chose you to save Fire Stealing Village."
"Initially, you are stunned, but the explorer's greed and shamelessness quickly take over the moral high ground of your mind. You brazenly reply, saying that according to the future Lena, she chose you because the two of you will become husband and wife."
"You've already prepared for Lena's slap."
"But you notice she says nothing. Curious, you look over and find her lowering her head as though she believes your words."
Damn scumbag.
Yang Qizhou 'spits' in disdain. In the past, though he thought his personality was despicable—stealing snacks from kids, teasing the beautiful landlady, occasionally fighting for justice—compared to the in-game character, he could almost be considered a saint.
Wait, Lena believed that nonsense?
"Could there be a melodramatic storyline next? Please, no—I beg the cosmic horror atmosphere not to be ruined for the sake of drama. Don't ruin this masterpiece!" Yang Qizhou moans in grief, already regretting this storyline choice.
The game continues.
"You arrive at the Fire Stealing Priest's residence and see his face for the first time."
"He is a kind-looking old man, dressed in grey-brown clergy robes embroidered with flame patterns, holding a dark bronze lantern, and smiling warmly."
"You suddenly understand why Lena trusts the Fire Stealing Priest; his appearance is simply too deceiving."
"Lena introduces your identity and emphasizes your act of returning the 'remains of the Night Watcher.' The Fire Stealing Priest expresses gratitude and warmly invites you to be his guest."
"You enter the living room. The Fire Stealing Priest personally brews coffee for you."
"You chat about various things."
"The wily, purposive explorer knows that this visit isn't for small talk but to locate the full name and prayer of the 'Dream Hidden King' and replace the altar's Divine Descent Holy Relic. You must now find an excuse to leave."
"You mention having to go to the bathroom. The Fire Stealing Priest agrees and points you in the right direction."
"You leave the living room."
"Another crossroads of fate lies before you, imaginative and daring explorer."
"Do you choose to search for the full name and prayer of the 'Dream Hidden King' first?"
"Or do you decide to go to the altar directly to replace the Divine Descent Holy Relic, the 'Bloodstained Rags'?"
"Make your choice."
The two options seem indistinguishable, as both are essential steps in stealing the Divine Descent Ceremony. However, Yang Qizhou knows in his heart that choosing to obtain the 'Dream Hidden King's' full name and prayer first or replacing the 'Bloodstained Rags' first will lead to different outcomes, and he has already made his plan.
Yang Qizhou chooses the first option.
"You decide to first search for the full name and corresponding prayer of the 'Dream Hidden King.'"
"You search through many areas and find no clues. Suddenly, you remember the Fire Stealing Priest's eerie diary illustrating the 'Dream Hidden King,' and return to the study."
"You find in an ancient book the complete prayer and full name of the 'Dream Hidden King.'
"Skeptical of reality, oh fleeting Ancient High One."
"You are the traveler between dreams and reality."
"You are the Ancient Dominator hidden beyond all creation."
"I beseech your descent."
"I seek your blessing."
"I pray for your miracles to manifest before me."