In the underground palace.
"You're truly shameless. Don't you see Duan Chen's attitude towards you? I've told you countless times, in this worldline, you and he are just enemies!"
The Magician sat on his throne. Behind him, the Dwarf grinned, his tone no longer mocking, but rather expressing his anger.
"Whether we are enemies or not, it's not up to others, it's up to me."
The Magician's gaze was no longer lost. He elegantly removed the top hat that Duan Chen had cut open, his eyes filled with deep nostalgia.
"Utterly foolish!"
Beside the Dwarf, the small girl with the face of an old woman spoke softly, "There's no need to be so stubborn. Enemies are not necessarily impossible."
"But in my heart, the Godfather and I can only be companions!"
The Magician put his top hat back on, though this worn-out hat was utterly inconsistent with his image.
"Then what do you plan to do next? Don't forget, in this worldline, although you are not monitored by the Evil God, you are still one of his apostles. Aren't you supposed to meet with the other apostles?"
The Dwarf sighed helplessly.
"My existence does not need to be known by those filthy individuals, and I already have plans for the future."
The Magician smiled, put on his bronze mask, and said no more.
"Forget it, I tried to persuade you!"
The Dwarf rolled his eyes and retreated with the little girl.
...
In the temple.
"What's going on? Things shouldn't be developing like this..."
Opposite Wu Suowei, the Silhouette muttered to himself, no longer angry, but filled with deep confusion.
"That's why I said before, the reason the Magician is the Magician is because Duan Chen wants him to be."
Wu Suowei fiddled with his phone, not looking up.
"What exactly have you been up to!"
"First Chu Yue, then the Magician. It's hard not to suspect you're putting on a charade!"
"Can't you tell if I'm putting on a charade or not?"
The Silhouette sneered.
"Let me tell you, whether it's Duan Chen, Chu Yue, or Xi'er or the Magician, they will all become mine in the end!"
"Young man, confidence is good, but arrogance is not."
Wu Suowei raised his eyes and glanced at him.
The Silhouette was at ease. After a thousand worldlines, he had a pretty good grasp of Wu Suowei's moves. It was clear that this fellow stubbornly believed the center of the game was Duan Chen.
"Heh... Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. Do you really believe you can reverse the situation with just a deck of tarot cards?"
"I can't."
"You—!"
The Silhouette was so angry he could barely speak. Wu Suowei put down his phone and said indifferently, "The tarot cards are not the key, of course. The people each tarot card represents are the key. That's why I said you are bound to lose."
"Don't forget, Duan Chen and Chu Yue are naturally demons! Even with a thousand more worldlines, they will eventually return to the embrace of the Evil God!"
The Silhouette said coldly.
"I told you, confidence is good, but arrogance is not. By using all your schemes to bring the Magician to your side, you are actually admitting one thing."
"What?"
"Duan Chen is the center of the game."
"Then you've guessed wrong. That's not what I think."
Wu Suowei chuckled, not refuting.
His unnervingly composed demeanor made the Silhouette's heart skip a beat.
He realized that ever since the thousandth worldline began, he had been increasingly unable to fathom Wu Suowei's strategy.
Wu Suowei's weaknesses seemed to have all turned into strengths, dragging him step by step into the abyss.
No!
How could he think like this?
The Silhouette shook his head, clearing his chaotic thoughts.
Don't forget, he was the winner now. All he had to do was win this last worldline. There was only one left.
Wu Suowei stood up and dusted himself off.
"Is it possible that only in this worldline, you will lose?"
The Silhouette snorted.
"To quote you, 'Young man, confidence is good, but arrogance is not.'"
Wu Suowei whistled and left the temple.
"This bastard!"
The black energy around him fluctuated violently, clearly showing he was emotionally shaken.
Wu Suowei appeared in his own home. He picked up Xiao Jianjian, his dark eyes under his glasses suddenly becoming serious.
"What I see is reality."
These were words Duan Chen had spoken himself.
But saying it was easy, and doing it was hard. He couldn't guarantee Duan Chen would follow through, but... as long as that woman was present, nothing would be a problem.
In this worldline, she would play a crucial role.
Wu Suowei let out a sigh of relief and began to rub Xiao Jianjian in his arms.
"Meow..."
Xiao Jianjian licked its paw and let out a mournful meow.
Wu Suowei suddenly wondered what it would be like if it lived with Tu Feiyuan.
"Ring ring!"
"Hello?"
Seeing the caller, Wu Suowei was surprised.
"Don't worry, Duan Chen is completely fine. He's already headed to Peach Blossom Pool. If things go smoothly, the Thunder Altar in Mirror City might be directly destroyed."
"Yes, I also need to thank you for allowing Mi Buwei's daughter to become a senior agent."
"Hmph... I did a lot of psychological work regarding her mother. And that child has been vetted by me. Becoming a senior agent is entirely possible. As for experience, Duan Chen can help make up for it."
"I need your help to keep the situation with Mi Buwei confidential."
"Yes, I know. What about Qi Qing?"
"Let him be. If he really discovers anything, there's nothing we can do. But I need you to be firm and not let Duan Chen or Mi Xue'er get any information from you, as all the crucial information is sealed within your Hunter Guild."
"Yes, I understand."
Wu Suowei hung up the phone, his eyes narrowed.
He had arranged everything for Duan Chen. Now, Duan Chen only needed to walk this path according to his own will.
Whether he chose to be a god or an evil god would be his own decision.
No one could interfere, and no one could help him.
This was the meaning behind Wu Suowei's arrangements. He needed Duan Chen to make his own decision, not choose a side based on interference.
That would be bad, and Wu Suowei would not allow such a thing to happen.
The mistakes he should have made had been made, and the injuries he should have sustained could no longer be healed. He had made all the preparations. Now... it was time to counterattack.
After some thought, he sent a message to the caller.
At the critical moment, I will act.