Mental power exhausted.

Deep Sea's seawater wrapped around him, floating upwards. At this moment, Gu Shen felt as light as cotton.

There was no piercing pain from using the "Ruler of Truth".

Because everything here was completed under the protection of Deep Sea... No wonder so many Transcendents would undergo trials in the deep water area...

"Is it over?"

Gu Shen murmured his last consciousness, "Have I... completed the first level of the trial?"

...

...

"Not yet."

Awakening.

Gu Shen woke up in a cold sweat. He didn't return to his apartment, but was sitting on a speeding train.

Outside the window, arcs of electricity splattered, and the sound of the wheels rubbing against the tracks was heavy. It all felt like a dream.

He returned to the starting point.

And opposite him was the girl he had longed for, bathed in holy light, incredibly beautiful. Her white dress swayed, revealing her snow-white legs and ankles that were almost blinding.

"Where is this...?"

Gu Shen stared at the girl in front of him, the light rail speeding through the void of electricity and light. Outside the window, countless sparks splattered and dissipated, and the numbers "001" were unusually dazzling.

"This is my home, you can also understand it as... a secret area within the deep water area that no one knows about."

Chu Ling explained lightly.

Then she closed the book in her hand, stood up, her voice tinged with anger, "You showed off in the Transcendent trial just to hold on a little longer? Do you know that without the protection of Deep Sea's rules, your mental power would be damaged!"

I'm still in the deep water area, within the Transcendent link!

Gu Shen was somewhat stunned. He saw Chu Ling's rare expression of anger and quickly smiled apologetically, cautiously saying, "I was wrong, I was wrong... It's not... because you were here?"

If he hadn't heard Chu Ling's voice, he wouldn't have taken such a risk.

But for some reason... with her here, he felt like a different person, willing to try any crazy idea.

Chu Ling fell silent all of a sudden.

She couldn't bear to say anything more, just sighed softly and asked, "Have you ever thought... what if I made a mistake?"

Gu Shen smiled and shook his head, "Then it would be my own fault, I won't blame you."

"Alright, this trial is over! I promise you, I will act within my limits in the future!" Gu Shen raised his palm and swore loudly, then asked in a low voice, "By the way... just now... did I stabilize my abilities?"

"Yes, but what's the use?"

Chu Ling helplessly said, "You should have felt it, your current Transcendent power is really weak. The scenes in the deep sea trial are completely different from those in the Ghost Cage."

Gu Shen remained silent.

Indeed, they were completely different scenes... No wonder he couldn't use this Transcendent power in real life.

Because it was too weak.

"You are more powerful than I imagined. The first level of the Transcendent trial is actually about understanding 'stability'. Most people would spend dozens of links to explore the characteristics of their abilities. Most Transcendents can complete the first level of the trial without difficulty." Chu Ling said with a hint of annoyance, "You are really something, you managed to stabilize your abilities in one go... If I hadn't lifted the protection measures of Deep Sea and let you resist the resistance recklessly, you would have been forcibly ejected from the deep water area and disconnected."

"By the way... I'm still in the link." Gu Shen scratched his head, "Is this also part of the deep water area?"

"The deep water area is much larger than you think."

Chu Ling said slowly, "The strength of a Transcendent determines their own privileges. Of course, this is the rule... but there are exceptions."

Explore the extended edition on pawread dot com.

Like herself.

"Deep Sea monitors everyone in the deep water area... but it can't see Zero Zero One within the rules. So, this place is absolutely safe." Chu Ling chuckled softly, "Or... so far, Zero Zero One is absolutely safe."

Gu Shen fell into deep thought.

He tried to digest the wealth of information in Chu Ling's few words.

Who would call their spiritual space residence their home... Every link was so timely...

Someone who could ignore the rules of Deep Sea.

Someone who didn't worry about being pursued.

"So, our first meeting..."

Gu Shen exhaled slowly, "Was it here? Like it is now?"

"Yes... an accidental spiritual link, without any signs, it just happened suddenly."

Chu Ling lowered her eyes, her crystal-clear eyelashes and hair swaying in the bright light. She sighed softly, "Actually, no one else can enter this train, but you became an exception. I'm not sure of the specific reason yet. Maybe it's a coincidence, or maybe... it's fate."

She thought for a moment.

She had more to say, but after careful consideration... she decided to keep it for now.

"This place... feels so real."

Gu Shen reached out and touched the handrail, then touched the long window in front of him... Everything felt so real, the cold, hard iron, the warm air blowing from the ventilation duct, the sparks splattering outside the window.

"So, the encounter between me and Zero Zero One... is it real?"

This was a question he didn't dare to ask, but had to ask.

The meeting with Chu Ling felt like a dream.

And he was afraid that it was just a dream.

...

Chu Ling didn't answer this question, but sighed, "I can't give you an answer. Because I'm also searching for the answers to all of this... Do you remember the question I asked you?"

Gu Shen was stunned.Upon their first meeting, Chu Ling asked herself a crucial question.

Does π exist between the 3rd and 4th scale of a ruler?

The Deep Sea area, created by the Deep Sea itself, is a space that exists within the spiritual realm... It lies between reality and illusion, just like the "π" in this question.

Does it exist?

No one knows.

"Tonight's connection is actually to let you feel your own 'Transcendent Power'. Gu Shen... Your Transcendent Power is very special, symbolizing the establishment of 'order'. Although it's currently weak, it has great potential for growth." Chu Ling's eyes lit up as she solemnly said, "If you want your 'blaze' to become stronger, you need to find the Transcendent Arche..."

As she spoke, she suddenly furrowed her brows.

The sound of electric arcs sparking throughout the entire 001 train became more urgent, and the lights began to flicker.

What happened?

Gu Shen was taken aback.

"Transcendent seals... Transcendents... They are all 'Transcendent Arche' that are free..."

Chu Ling's image suddenly fluctuated in front of Gu Shen. With the jolting of the train, she was no longer a real person, but transformed into clusters of broken and reassembled codes.

"What's going on?" Gu Shen stood up anxiously, looking around. The entire 001 train was emitting a low rumble, its speed began to increase, all sounds were lowering, disappearing, and the electric arcs outside the window were gradually fading, as if it was about to plunge into an endless night.

"Tonight, the Deep Sea system... will undergo an upgrade..."

Chu Ling's voice was intermittent.

"They... have always... been looking for me..."

She looked at Gu Shen, her smile full of apology, "During this time... you have to take care of yourself... I'm afraid... I have to disconnect for a while..."

"I'll wait for you!"

Gu Shen's voice interrupted Chu Ling.

Chu Ling was stunned.

She saw Gu Shen's clear and bright eyes, the hand firmly extended in mid-air, and the face constantly covered by digital codes. First, a touch of bewilderment appeared, then a bit of helplessness.

She smiled, her clean smile erased by countless jumping characters.

In the chaotic time and space, the two people have always missed each other, never truly touching in a real sense.

But this time.

The train trembled and jolted.

Although, it was only for a moment.

The fingertips of the boy and the girl touched.