Chapter 356 Discussing the Opportunity for Solitude

Xia Xinyan felt that this person was a big problem.

Because she didn’t sense a hint of presence from this guy at all.

It was just like that branch that had rested on her shoulder and asked her questions before—strange from top to bottom.

In Xia Xinyan’s opinion, the only time one wouldn’t sense a presence was either if the person was dead or if their stealth skills had reached an extraordinary level, so much so that even standing right in front of her, she couldn’t detect their presence.

But the latter possibility would make her chance of encountering such a person nearly zero, akin to hitting the jackpot in the lottery.

…Though it’s not completely impossible.

Xia Xinyan was more inclined to think this was some kind of illusion… However, considering the possibility that he was a member of the Ability Bureau, she didn’t act immediately but instead turned to glance behind her.

Lin Nan rushed toward her as soon as he caught sight of that person’s appearance, saying, “Wait! Don’t attack! He’s Zhao Hong!”

The chubby guy was already pulling out a bunch of ghost-exorcising gadgets: “Are you sure this thing is a normal person?! Why do I feel like this guy is definitely off?!”

Ling Mo also moved back a bit while protecting Xia Xinyan: “Be careful, I feel this guy has a problem.”

Meanwhile, facing everyone’s differing attitudes, the missing police officer named Zhao Hong remained expressionless, staring at them. It wasn’t until Lin Nan stood in front of him that he finally looked at Lin Nan and spoke, “You say I look human, right?”

Lin Nan frowned slightly: “Zhao Hong?”

He could see something was off, but this guy still looked like Zhao Hong. He needed to ensure it was safe before taking action.

Just as the words left his mouth, Zhao Hong suddenly burst into laughter: “I… am human.”

In the next moment, he lunged at Lin Nan: “You should be human too! Become just like me!”

Lin Nan’s expression changed slightly, and just as Zhao Hong tackled him, a burst of golden light erupted from Lin Nan’s body, forcefully pushing Zhao Hong back and causing everyone to squint instinctively.

Xia Xinyan quickly adjusted to the light and opened her eyes, only to find that the “Zhao Hong” had turned into a wooden stick, just like the situation she had encountered before.

Lin Nan still stood in place, his back to them, completely still.

Ling Mo instinctively wanted to help: “Are you okay?”

Xia Xinyan grabbed him: “Wait, he’s not Lin Nan.”

She couldn’t sense a living presence on him.

Ling Mo stopped.

In the next moment, the “Lin Nan” slowly turned around, staring at them with an expressionless face, and asked, “Do you think I look human?”

Ling Mo immediately took several steps back to create distance, and Xia Xinyan looked back to find that those who had been standing by were now all replaced by lifeless inferior copies, all staring at them with blank faces, asking in unison, “Do you think I look human?”

Ling Mo paused for a second and exhaled: “This trope really never gets old…”

Xia Xinyan calmly opened her intercom: “Hello? Can anyone else hear me?”

“I can hear you!” The chubby guy’s voice came first through the intercom, “What the hell happened?! Where are you people?! All the people around me have been replaced by that ghostly thing, luckily I reacted quickly!”

“It’s probably what Xia Xinyan said, an illusion,” Morning Light also chimed in, “The terrain might have changed too. Everyone be cautious and figure out your positions; those fakes still have some essence, so be careful not to get caught off guard.”

Ling Mo smiled: “Zhang Dali, watch that thing around your neck, our communication depends on you.”

Fortunately, this guy had brought that signal penetrator that could cover the entire village; otherwise, it would have gotten chaotic if their communication broke off.

But things weren’t too bad right now.

At least he had another chance to be alone with Xinyan.

That’s nice.

Xia Xinyan was still curiously studying this group of fakes. They seemed stubbornly intent on obtaining the answer to that strange question. Until they got an answer or were attacked, they wouldn’t take the initiative to strike.

“What do you want to do, Xinyan?” Noticing her demeanor, Ling Mo quietly asked.

Xia Xinyan paused, shook her head: “There’s nothing worth referencing… Just kill them.”

Ling Mo nodded, then turned to face Lin Nan, smiling kindly: “So you want to know if you look human, right?”

Lin Nan mechanically nodded: “Do you think I look human?”

Ling Mo raised his hand and materialized five battle robots brimming with a murderous aura: “Then I’ll ask you, do they look human?”

No sooner had he spoken than the five battle robots scattered and charged at those fakes, their arms suddenly expanding into two light blades, akin to wolves entering a sheep pen, initiating a massacre.

The fighting ability of these fakes was clearly not strong, but they put up some resistance. By the time all the fakes were eliminated, one robot had still been smashed to a pulp.

Xia Xinyan watched, somewhat dumbfounded: “…There was really no need to manifest those robots.”

“There was no need, but I thought it was fun,” Ling Mo dismissed the robots, “Their fighting ability isn’t high, but at least they save us some time.”

He had tried summoning these fully automatic battle robots to assist before but later found them ineffective. The reason was AI-related—these robots could only use techniques he had preset, and anything unprogrammed left them clueless.

So they could at most deal with average opponents; the stamina spent would be more than the benefits gained.

But it was fun.

And besides, their goal this time wasn’t just to solve the issue here; he had plans to promote the Chicks too. He had noticed earlier that even though others had been replaced, Bai Yu’s camera ball was still present—what a great opportunity! The skill didn’t need to be too strong, just flashy enough.

Xia Xinyan didn’t say much, watching those that turned into wooden sticks, she suddenly felt a bit emotional: “Mo Mo has really grown up…”

She remembered the first time they matched with a horror dungeon when Ling Mo nearly panicked. But now, confronted with such a bizarre scene, he showed no signs of feeling afraid at all.

It’s said that overcoming psychological challenges is often the hardest, yet Ling Mo’s growth rate was significantly faster than hers in her past life.

Ling Mo seemed to understand what she was hinting at, and as they walked back together, he softly said, “Because Xinyan is by my side, there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

He also remembered the first horror dungeon situation.

That time was perhaps the start of his transformation.

To protect Xinyan, he had to correct all his weaknesses first.

Only then could he stand in front of Xinyan with confidence.

Xia Xinyan paused briefly and cleared her throat: “…Mo Mo, we’re still live.”

Ling Mo smiled: “Isn’t it good? Let everyone know that Xinyan is mine.”

Xia Xinyan: “……”

Alright then, she conceded.