Xing Hechou asked in a solemn voice, "So, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

The trio exchanged glances. Wanli Fengdao took a deep breath and said with a rueful smile, "Old Xing, you've put it all out there. How could I possibly justify deserting at the last moment? However, I must make it clear: if things truly become impossible, I'll teleport out directly."

Xing Hechou sighed with relief and gratefully nodded at him.

Liu Wu Dai spoke softly, "Besides us, there must be other Special Affairs Bureau operatives remaining in the King of Shengnan's Dream, right?"

"Yes."

Xing Hechou said, "The King of Shengnan is the first case of the collective Telekinesis of living beings creating an artificial trial ground. It's crucial to the government's future strategies and highly prioritized by the higher-ups. Apart from the Mobile Detachments from various regions, many colleagues above Lv20 have also entered the dream. Although we can't contact them yet, as long as we continue to delve deeper, we'll eventually meet them."

With that, Xing Hechou took a small, exquisite silver-plated pocket watch from his backpack and, with a SNAP, flipped open the cover.

The pitch-black hands moved silently on the pure white dial, appearing quite ordinary.

As Xing Hechou adjusted the hands of the pocket watch, he explained, "To gain the trust of the Special Affairs Bureau, that Meng Si initially revealed a significant amount of reliable information. It mentioned that artificial urban legends are formed by the integration of human collective unconsciousness. Their dreamscapes also follow the fundamental operational mechanics of human dreams. We can use theories from analytical psychology, psychoanalysis, and so on, to analyze, decode, and even find loopholes and shortcuts, much like hackers."

Wanli Fengdao subconsciously said, "Sounds a bit like the movie *Inception*?"

"It precisely is *Inception*."

Xing Hechou said with a bitter smile, "Carl Gustav Jung, the Swiss psychologist who founded the theory of analytical psychology, divided the psyche into three layers: consciousness, the personal unconscious, and the collective unconscious. The King of Shengnan's Dream is also divided into these three layers.

"The first layer is the collective unconscious. This layer formed naturally during the King of Shengnan's integration of the collective Telekinesis of all beings and is filled with materialized urban legends from all over the world.

"The second layer is the personal unconscious. In analytical psychology, the personal unconscious is defined as experiences that were once conscious but later repressed. Here, however, it represents the King of Shengnan using fragmented urban legends to gradually piece together its own 'breeding ground.'

"The third layer, consciousness, can be understood as the place where the King of Shengnan's embryonic form resides. If we enter there, we can implant concepts, or even cultivate the King of Shengnan into a servant loyal to us..."

"Damn, this really is *Inception* to the letter."

Wanli Fengdao said while rubbing his hands, "Looks like I'll have to play the role of Little Leo. By the way, should we get ourselves a spinning top or dice to make sure we aren't stuck in a dream?"

"Uh, that's not necessary. According to the think tank's analysis, the King of Shengnan is currently just an embryo without individual consciousness. It doesn't have the ability to alter memories or create worlds."

Xing Hechou weighed the pocket watch in his hand. "This device was created by the research department working overtime. I'm not sure of the principles behind it, but in short, it can quickly find a shortcut to the next layer, the personal unconscious."

Li Ang, as if he had understood something, raised an eyebrow and said, "Brother Xing, when you said earlier that we'd 'sooner or later meet up with other colleagues from the Special Affairs Bureau,' you must have been referring to this pocket watch, right? Ordinary players without this watch can only wander aimlessly on this layer. That means the personal unconscious layer would effectively be limited to members of the Special Affairs Bureau."

Previously on the forums, the Special Affairs Bureau and the Global Occult Coalition, who had some inside information, advised players against entering the King of Shengnan's Dream. They urged that even if players did enter, they should act within their capabilities and withdraw in a timely manner. It seems they had already figured out the rules of the game but chose not to inform the general player base. Lone Wolf Players, without a pocket watch for guidance or knowledge of the shortcuts, would never be able to reach the next layer. Hmm... this was actually understandable. After all, according to Xing Hechou, after entering the third layer, it would be possible to implant consciousness into the King of Shengnan, just like in *Inception*. No faction could resist the temptation of a permanent trial ground; the value of the King of Shengnan itself far exceeded that of ten, or even twenty, items of perfect quality.

In a very short time, Li Ang had figured out the Special Affairs Bureau's ulterior motives, but he didn't raise any objections. He wasn't interested in the King of Shengnan and instead asked, "Then, will ordinary people infected with the Meme be dragged into the dream?"

"They shouldn't."

Xing Hechou shook his head. "The think tank generally believes that ordinary people infected with the Meme merely act as a catalyst, triggering the King of Shengnan's transformation into an anomalous event. Once the dreamscape forms, they are no longer relevant to it."

Receiving another affirmative answer from Xing Hechou, Li Ang silently sighed in relief. For now, he wouldn't have to worry about Wang Congshan being pulled into the dream.

"Since that's the case, I might as well escort Brother Xing for this trip," Li Ang said with a smile. "I am an aspiring youth of the new era, one who upholds the four great ideals of patriotism, inspiration, truth-seeking, and diligent action.

"To safeguard national security, maintain social harmony and stability, drive national development, promote social unity, advance scientific and technological innovation, improve the people's standard of living, and contribute to the progress of human civilization—how could I possibly stand still at a time like this?

"I cannot simply ignore the fate of tomorrow's Earth!"

Wanli Fengdao couldn't help but mock, "How did you memorize such a long string of positive Energy quotes? Your will to survive is almost too strong, isn't it?"

"You don't understand."

Li Ang shook his head. "Dealing with chimeras, ghouls, monsters, and goblins every day, maintaining positive Energy from within is the most fundamental principle of survival."

"Is there such a thing..."

Seeing Li Ang's unwavering expression, Wanli Fengdao hesitated for a moment. Could there really be some metaphysical element to this?

"It would be great if Brother Li is willing to join," Xing Hechou said. "According to the pocket watch's guidance, we should head north first..."

"Wait a moment," Li Ang raised his hand. "If you're not in a hurry, may I deal with some personal matters first?"

Xing Hechou gave him a puzzled look. "What personal matters?"

Li Ang smiled, turned, and walked towards the forest, to where Miss Chai was squatting on the ground, looking gloomy while swinging an iron chain. He tousled her hair and took the chain from her hand.

The Water Nightmare at the other end of the iron chain, tormented by being swung around for so long, was now utterly disoriented, unable to even retch up bile.

Dimly, it saw Li Ang slowly approach, lean down beside its ear, and ask in a low voice, "Come now, tell me the locations of the other malevolent entities in this forest."

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