Lu Fanfei did not answer Gong Liang's question, nor was there any need to answer it.
He swept his gaze over everyone present, and Lu Fanfei said calmly and unhurriedly, "Time is limited. Before Xiao Jing can completely crack the system program, what we need to do is to protect Xiao Jing from external influences."
Tong Zheng asked suspiciously, "How do we protect him?"
The place they were in seemed very safe, with no apparent danger.
"Don't worry, they'll be here soon."
A second after Lu Fanfei finished speaking, Jing Minghe, who had been sitting on the chair, suddenly scattered. Only Jing Minghe's clothes remained on the chair.
"Idol?" Ke Wuwen's eyes widened in fright, and he grabbed Tong Zheng's arm anxiously, shouting, "Brother Tong! Idol is gone!"
"Lu Fanfei?" Gu Chenhui was also full of anxiety, staring hatefully at Lu Fanfei, "Say something! What should we do now?"
Yumi looked at Lu Fanfei nervously, hoping he would give instructions quickly. However, Lu Fanfei was just staring at the chair Jing Minghe had been sitting on, not saying a word, not even changing his expression.
Tong Zheng noticed that Chi Hao's fists were clenched tightly. He found it hard to understand that Chi Hao should have been the most powerful among them. At this moment, although he was furious enough to explode, he could only endure.
What was Chi Hao afraid of? Was this Lu Fanfei really that terrifying?
"They're here."
Lu Fanfei's voice reached everyone's ears. In the blink of an eye, they were each transported to different spaces.
"Jing Minghe?"
"Idol?"
"Xiao Jing?"
"Minghe?"
...
Everyone saw the same Jing Minghe in their own space.
"Follow me," Jing Minghe said with a smile to every teammate who saw him. "The final moment has arrived. Stay alert."
"Idol? Is it really you?" Ke Wuwen reached out to pull Jing Minghe, but his hand passed through Jing Minghe's body. Ke Wuwen stopped abruptly, startled.
Ke Wuwen's heart was filled with mixed emotions. Had Jing Minghe already died? Why did he have no physical form? Was this Jing Minghe not the real Jing Minghe, or was the system making him hallucinate?
Sensing that no one was following, Jing Minghe turned to look at Ke Wuwen, who was frozen in place. "Silly boy, what are you spacing out for? Hurry up."
Ke Wuwen swallowed and bravely asked Jing Minghe, "Idol, have you become a ghost? Why can't I catch you?"
Jing Minghe was amused by Ke Wuwen's words and walked up to him. "This place is a space created by the system. Where are there any ghosts? It's just a bunch of data. Let's go. Our task now is to find the control core of this data, and then..."
"And then what?"
"Destroy it."
Ke Wuwen was stunned for a moment, then looked around, confused. "Idol, why are there only two of us here? Where are Brother Tong, Brother Chi, and Sister Yumi?"
"Don't worry, they are all here," Jing Minghe continued to walk forward. "However, this task can only be completed by you. Hurry up. If you delay any longer, Brother Tong and the others might not be safe."
Upon hearing that Tong Zheng and the others might be in danger, Ke Wuwen dared not hesitate any longer and quickly followed Jing Minghe obediently.
As they walked, two doors would appear at intervals. Without exception, Jing Minghe would always give Ke Wuwen the choice. Except for the first time, Ke Wuwen did not hesitate. He made a decision quickly every time. His idol believed in him, and his Brother Tong also believed in him, so he had no reason not to believe in himself.
"We're here," Jing Minghe finally stopped.
Ke Wuwen looked confused and followed Jing Minghe's gaze. "What is this?"
A large round white disk with a crimson button in the center. There was a countdown above the disk: fifteen minutes.
"Idol? What is this? What should we do next?"
"Wait," Jing Minghe turned to look at Ke Wuwen. "Wait until the countdown ends, and then press the crimson button. Remember, not too early, and not too late. Understand?"
Ke Wuwen nodded blankly. "Yes, I understand."
As soon as Ke Wuwen finished speaking, Jing Minghe disappeared before his eyes.
"Idol?"
Jing Minghe's sudden disappearance left Ke Wuwen somewhat at a loss. However, looking at the crimson button and remembering the task Jing Minghe had given him before he disappeared, he had to stay calm and complete the task Jing Minghe had left for him seriously.
·
"Ah!"
Yumi's hand slipped, and she slid down a considerable distance. Fortunately, Jing Minghe caught her in time, but due to her weight, Jing Minghe's arm broke with a snap.
"Minghe?" Yumi looked at Jing Minghe worriedly. She didn't know why Jing Minghe insisted that she and he climb this iron tower hundreds of meters high. During the climb, Jing Minghe almost used himself as a cushion for her. Every time she accidentally fell, Jing Minghe would block her with his body.
Jing Minghe pushed Yumi up and smiled, saying, "Hold on, Sister Yumi, we'll be out soon."
"But Minghe, you..."
"Hurry up, there's no time."
At this point, no matter what, Yumi could only choose to believe Jing Minghe.
"Okay."
Whether it was to leave the City of Death as soon as possible or to prevent Jing Minghe from being implicated and injured by her again, Yumi nodded firmly, deciding to persevere no matter what, even though the skin on her hands had peeled off, and the piercing pain was stinging every inch of her skin.
Yumi had lost count of how long they had been climbing, but fortunately, she finally saw hope.
"Minghe," Yumi's voice was mixed with joy, "we're almost there."
"Mm, keep going, Sister Yumi."
The two finally reached the top of the iron tower. Yumi was eager to check Jing Minghe's injuries, but was pushed away by Jing Minghe.
"Don't worry about me. Look at that thing."
Yumi followed the direction Jing Minghe pointed. Facing her was a large round white disk with an orange button in the center. Above the disk was a countdown: fourteen minutes.
"Sister Yumi," Jing Minghe spoke, "when the countdown ends, please press the orange button. Not too early, and not too late. Remember."
"Okay, I know. Minghe, there's still time, let me see your injuries first... Minghe?"
Yumi looked around. At the top of the high iron tower, besides herself, there was no sign of Jing Minghe anywhere.
"Minghe?" Yumi looked around worriedly. When she saw the orange button, she knew she didn't have any extra time to think about where Jing Minghe had gone. The most important thing now was to complete Jing Minghe's instructions, not too early and not too late. She had to press the orange button at the most precise moment.