Two days had passed since that massive explosion.
{I am the Big Star Special!}
The phantom train that became the big star—Xiao Machao! Now it could freely race across the sky, even in broad daylight!
The only problem was that it now exuded an eerie, somber air.
Everyone who entered it came out with a fever or fell ill, prompting Yang Zicang himself to stock up on many remedies and healing items aboard the train.
At that moment, Deputy Town Lead Zhu Yin and others were in the train, looking at the piles of fever patches, medicines, and healing beads in the medical cabinet.
“A one-stop service for getting sick and selling medicine.”
“I always feel… this flying subway train has the potential to become an accomplice to a shady medical organization.”
……
Yang Zicang, sitting on his flying carpet, hovered between the clouds, watching the distant train glide through the cloud layers at the speed of an ordinary subway.
“Let’s go to a higher place,” said Luo Bin and Xu Xiuchuan and others.
Yang Zicang nodded, and the flying carpet continued to ascend in altitude. Beyond two hundred meters, it began to consume Amplified Chrono at a rate of up to one year per second. Higher altitudes required controlling more cells.
“The air is so thin, my head is starting to ache.”
With a pat, a bottle of painkillers fell into Fan Xiuyun’s arms as he clutched his head.
“Look over there!”
Little Liu suddenly stood up and pointed ahead.
Ahead lay a chaotic, suspended entrance, like a flowing curtain of liquid silver.
“Could that be the Lost Illusion Company?”
This was Xiao Machao’s discovery over the past two days. If not for close observation, no one would have been able to see it.
“Doesn’t seem like it, but aside from the ‘Lost Illusion Company’, I can’t think of any other bizarre secret realms in this world.”
Yang Zicang tried probing it with the “White Shadow Nian Dragon”, but the entrance was eerily silent.
“It should have been manifested by psychokinesis.”
“The one who could leave their psychokinetic power here, with it still intact after that explosion—must have been incredibly formidable.”
A few people nodded in deep agreement.
“I think this was left for whoever claimed the identity of the ‘Greater Glamour’. Why else would it be thrown in a place no one else could reach?”
Teacher Chen tempted him, saying, “Boss, want to take a look inside?”
Yang Zicang rubbed his chin; he hadn’t forgotten Xingmiao’s cryptic words.
—Don’t become the protagonist of this place. What if something inside was left for the future owner of this location?
“We’ll go in only after a thorough investigation. No rush for now.”
The flying carpet carried several people soaring through the sky, naturally cleaving the gale so those on board wouldn’t be tossed off by the speed.
Teacher Chen leaned over the edge, looking down.
Below, the land faintly revealed an irregular rectangular shape, beyond which stretched an endless chaotic grayness, as if it existed within a dark void—this was not a continent on a planet.
“So he turned his own body into this land, leaving it here…” Teacher Chen’s hair danced in the strong wind as she sighed deeply, “Still sustaining the life that thrives on it. Is this not truly a god?”
“I wonder if we could ever reach such power in the future.”
“Then go back to the city and get that daily excellence award.”
“Why?”
“Dreams have everything.”
……
Amidst a mountain forest, Wuying revealed himself.
“Hmph, Yang Zicang… sigh, if only your power weren’t so precious, I’d truly want to be your real friend.”
As he spoke, a crease from his chest shot into the void.
……
The flying carpet sped forward, when suddenly a small ball of light rose and drifted up beside the group.
“Little reporter is here!” the group called out, “Come play, little cutie!”
Yang Zicang had just turned to look when a crease shot toward him. He instantly understood—so Little Reporter was here to do “research.”
Smiling, he answered the channel:
“Wuying, what’s up?”
{Haha, nothing much. Anyway, I’ve scored some fine wine aged for years—how about a drink tonight?}
“Forget it, we just met the day before yesterday when I returned that treasure to you. Another time.”
“Alright then, but there’s a joint memorial gathering hosted by a few greenhouse bosses three days from now. You have to come. I’ll also use the chance to tell you something about the ranking battles.”
“Ranking battles?”
Wasn’t that the fight the 41st Assessment Judge had suggested he participate in? Victory would grant an extra reward given by an elected councilmember.
“You’re from City 41, right. To truly improve your ranking, you must defeat the current top team in City 23 by the end of the year.”
“I can do that. Thank you, Wuying.”
Seeing that Yang Zicang had seemingly developed some interest in the gathering, Wuying smiled with satisfaction and ended the communication link.
After the two finished their conversation, Luo Bin chuckled and said, “That guy really earned his stripes—we’re sort of like foes turned friends.”
“More or less. I still think it’s best not to get too involved with him. Keeping a proper distance is good enough.”
The floating energy beneath Lili’s teeth on the flying carpet suddenly vanished. Dropping from a two-meter height onto the rug, it bounced back a few centimeters.
“How fun.”
Luo Bin mumbled to himself, “Wouldn’t that guy —the reporter— know about that just now?”
Everyone’s eyes immediately fell on the adorable spirit. She turned her head to look back at them.
“Why is everyone staring at me?”
Yang Zicang suddenly wore an expression like a lecherous creep and said, “World’s cutest little beauty, Liliya… Do you know what’s inside that whirling vortex over there?”
Lili’s teeth rose, flew close, and sniffed Yang Zicang’s face.
“I smell the stink of a bad idea~!”
“Stop messing around. I bet you don’t know either, right?” Yang Zicang said, crossing his arms.
{Hmm… I really don’t know.}
As expected, Li Li Ya drooped her little face in disappointment, as if a weak spot had been hit.
Seeing that little expression, several reproachful glances glared at him from around. Yang Zicang instantly felt like he had made a huge blunder, and he waved his hands in panic:
“Come on, no one knows the answer, actually. It’s normal that Li Li Ya doesn’t know.”
{Yeah, that’s right!}
Li Li Ya, suddenly full of energy, dashed out of the flying carpet and ran off.
“She took the out when he gave it, but still ran off in embarrassment.”
“You sneaky devil.”
Luo Bin walked over with an unsteady gait, grumbling like a doting old father: “Don’t tease the little fairy for fun anymore—she’ll take you seriously.”
“Ahaha.”
Yang Zicang scratched his head awkwardly. From the people around, some voices chimed in:
“Here on out… Deputy Town Chief can always call Xiao Machao to ascend whenever. If we miss out on treasure, we’ll lose big time!”
Luo Bin swept a glance over the group on the flying carpet—members of the squad who were blatantly or subtly egging on the plan to push forward with the mental channel exploration: “Then are you brave enough to go in?”
The whole group shuddered in unison.
“Maybe we should head home for dinner instead. It’s about time.”
Yang Zicang suddenly sank into serious contemplation. “Perhaps someone might still know.”
“No way, boss—are you saying you’ve figured something out now?”
The several looked over, staring intently as threads spread from the chest of the meditating Yang Zicang.
[I, the Great Quadrilateral Train Commander, begin to connect with my train.]
In a brief moment, a gaze fell upon us.
[Hub Town is watching over us.]
“Ah, it’s the Mayor.”
Silver-Opal Hub Town, who had already learned the query through Xiao Machao Damingxing, replied directly:
{Inside that place are all the imagined regions of that being. Though she has died, her firm belief in life has brought her residual spirit to concretize a real image, one that burgeons alongside the earth.}
“Is it the true master of Xingmiao—the goddess who manifested this land?”
{By human standards, this is indeed a miracle. However, she is no divine being; you may call her a saint. As for the buildings within the illusion field… they are phantom images of the Holy Land, passed down through oral lore in her old world.}
“The Holy Land!” The group was taken aback—the word “Holy Land” instantly conjured a place laden with treasures!
But Hub Town added:
{Still, since she herself visited not the Holy Land of that old world, what’s inside differs from the true sanctuary, merely a sanctuary imagined from words.}
“Well…”
“For a sage this strong to have never set foot on a deeply cherished holy ground?”
A trace of sympathy for the saint who had transformed into the land arose among them.
{Time has worn away other fantasies. Left now are her most solidified “beliefs.” If you attempt this journey, take good care of yourselves—for you essentially stir a formidable being’s innermost heart.}
It is indeed so; the inside is not safe.
The fact that the Town Chief warned everyone at all is probably all for the sake of “Damingxing,” Xiao Machao.
“It’s because of that intense faith that, even after death, this obsession materialized such a place. That’s why it was hidden so high up in the sky.”
Yang Zicang looked toward the distant sky.
{Her lingering consciousness has died out. The information left here will soon dissipate.}
With that in mind, Yang Zicang decided to take a glance at the entrance.
The flying carpet once again drew near the entrance. Outside the chaotic psychic field, he could vaguely make out a stretch of vast wilderness thronging with people.

Chapter 4: The Time Pleiad
The rolling sacred palace radiated a hardness like metal and stone in the light, and the highest hall was actually slightly tilted; its spire pierced straight into the sky, piercing the clouds and stirring up clouds of scattered diamond dust.
This was, in her imagination, the holy land of that world’s humanity.
“It’s truly beautiful.” Several heads crowded close. “What a magnificent complex of buildings. It really lives up to being a figment of imagination.”
Yang Zicang could feel the solemn aura at just a single glance.
“It seems to be made entirely of brass? And there’s glass, too.”
“You might want to strengthen your imagination a bit more.”
“What, could it be… made of gold then?”
After looking for a while, Yang Zicang clasped his hands together facing it:
“Great spirit, I won’t go inside. I hope to have the chance to see that sacred land for you someday—I’ll definitely bring your scarf to pay my respects.”
This was his tribute to those willing to incarnate as saints of the earth.
The chaotic vortex churned abruptly in rapid motion.
The image within it zoomed in sharply, revealing the palace gates at the forefront.
Inside the gates lay a hall filled with a crowd; on the wall hung a massive oil painting depicting a series of palaces, with lively crowds outside them.
And the painting hung in the sacred land was the sacred land itself.
“This… is this a response to you?” Luo Bin exclaimed in surprise, watching the revolving entrance.
“Isn’t this like making a vow?”
Suddenly, the entrance to the psychokinetic field shot open wide, and the flying carpet gave a sudden swoosh, carrying them all in autonomously. A vast yet blurred world immediately unfolded before them.
“It truly is a splendid palace, as if made entirely of gold and diamonds.”
“A temple!”
“So many people, but… they’re all mere illusions.”
These shadowy figures on the plain completely lacked concrete forms, appearing as countless phantoms.
All silhouettes began to tremor rapidly, rolling wisps of energy mist framed the scene, and ethereal hymns faintly rose from across the earth.
“What’s going on?”
The group stared at this world, as if on the verge of breaking apart.
“We’ve lost control of the carpet.”
“What!”
Everyone was startled, those who had been leisurely just moments ago immediately turned panicked.
Yang Zicang struggled to maintain the giant carpet, but couldn’t control it in the slightest. It was rapidly hurtling toward the very center of the trembling world, where the hard palace clusters, rising and falling like mountains, quickly collapsed and became illusory.
Whoosh~
A white beam of light pierced through the energy mist from the hollow sky. The flying carpet approached at extreme speed and hovered beneath this light.
Several people shielded their eyes with their arms, but soon adjusted to the light and looked up.
[I have obtained 1N Virtual Zero Sequence.]
[I have obtained 3N Virtual Zero Sequence…]
Many thoughts of gaining Virtual Zero Sequence swept across everyone’s minds.
[I have accumulated 647N Virtual Zero Sequence.]
[I, the Great Quadrilateral, seem to be… feeling the freedom of wealth!]
The light blazed brightly.
Yang Zicang lowered his head, looking at his chest. In the ring, beneath the base of the 9000N additional sequence, numbers like phantom reflections kept increasing, quickly reaching 1000N.
“So this is… Virtual Zero Sequence.”
Thump, thump!
The flying carpet shook violently as a certain inexplicable thought suddenly emerged.
In a surge of impulse, Yang Zicang raised his hand, only to press it back down.
[I want to say something.]
[I…]
Riiip~!
Yang Zicang closed his eyes in pain. A strand of mental force was severed and absorbed into the flying carpet.
{From now on… your mind model… can govern positions of all that belongs to you…}
The massive carpet suddenly flared with bright light.
[Virtual Zero Sequence 1000N has been invested.]
[I have opened the carpet position, and I can name it…]
[I call it… it’s called Yarn Shawl.]
What? Yang Zicang paused for a moment after being startled, then looked down at the carpet beneath him.
[Dream Ray’s Exquisite Yarn Shawl of Haosha, position: Hundred-rank.]
[Its master wishes to head to the holy land.]
……
That night.
Divine light radiated, glowing brightly within the cave.
This was the light emitted from inside the desolate chariot.
In the half-collapsed cave, the ancient bronze chariot sat within. Inside its carriage, in the tomb space, over a dozen graves emitted ghostly flames, illuminating the area brightly.
The Lord of the Desolate, standing in the center, puzzledly grasped a small green Ability Sphere, like an unripe little fruit.
“Time Sequence Transfer? What kind of thing is that? Can’t even invest in it.”
The person across from him said, “Simple. Once used, you can transfer your own time sequence to the opponent for a period. If you encounter an enemy like Yang Zicang, who can use currency to invest in abilities and make opponents disappear, you can crush it in advance.”
“Ah, that’s unnecessary. I’m not going to bother with that guy.”
“Haha. If you don’t go find him, won’t he still come looking for you? Don’t forget what you did to him before. There’s a big grudge between you two.”
The Lord of the Desolate glanced at the other, sneering dismissively.
“Though I was the one who previously posted a bounty to give him some trouble, do you take me for a fool now? I won’t stir up discord with that guy.” The man, while toying with a fruit, said leisurely, “If I bow and pledge allegiance to a magnanimous figure like him, he will surely forgive me.”
Clap, clap, clap!
Across from him, the man, who rarely showed admiration, applauded.
“You sure admit defeat quite readily.”
“As an old saying from my hometown goes, a wise man knows his enemy’s weakness and times his own limits.”
The Abyss Lord tossed the Ability Sphere in his hand, like a small green tangerine.
Across from him, the man let out an incredulous, angry laugh.
“Anyway, I’ve told you—I’m a temporal merchant capable of storing over ten thousand units of extra time within my body. You should understand that only someone as extraordinary as you can truly appreciate the value of this ability. That’s why I came specifically to a hero like you.”
The man with chin scruff and shoulder-length hair leaned back in his chair and continued:
“Whether you want it or not, I’ll give you these two as a ‘trial pack.’ Just use them when you’re truly in danger.”
“Alright, consider it a meeting gift. Chu Jun, is it? From now on, you’ll be the new lead trailer captain of our large logistics convoy. Whenever danger strikes, send up a signal flare, and a thousand troops will rally to back you up.”
The man smirked and glanced outside, letting out a light laugh.
“Thank you for the recognition, Wasteland Lord. Heh.”
Chu Jun left the wasteland vehicle, climbing into a battered four-wheeled demonic nightmare car to return to his small base.
……
A desolate, uninhabited stretch of hills.
Inside the rebuilt hut, several figures gathered. Though dressed in different clothes, one even missing a hand, they all shared the same face without exception.
Every single one bore Li Shangxiang’s appearance.
Five such individuals sat by the table.
Including Chu Jun, who had just returned, six people surrounded the table. One of them placed a small statue on the table. A wave of energy emanated from it.
“Chu Jun, was it a success?”
“I didn’t use the ‘suggestion’ ability, so the Waste Lord didn’t employ it either. Shadowless’s invisibility has already made those who’ve seen Mingying highly suspicious. The Waste Lord’s public influence is still considerable—if the bronze carriage suddenly changed hands and startled the big fish, it would hardly be worth it.”
“Yes, we shouldn’t stir the grass and alarm the snake again now.”
“That Shadowless kid really stumbled onto it by pure luck.”
“I’m really envious of the invisibility model that guy got.”
A faint, barely perceivable energy barrier enveloped the hut. The statue possessed a rare barrier found only in extradimensional spaces, preventing weak monsters from detecting this place.
“It’s already a new week. While none of us are famous yet and there are no tabloid reporters with nothing better to do buzzing around, let’s talk about that matter.”
Chu Jun, with his shoulder-length hair, nodded.
“With the train here, Yang Zicang could leave the land of lost frequencies at any time. We must find a chance to make our move early. If we lose such an outstanding temporal model, who knows how many years it’ll be before we encounter another one.”
“Right, I heard that back in their city, those people initially didn’t think much of his track-shifting ability. Ha, what a bunch of idiots. No wonder their ranking fell below fortieth—there are only forty-five cities in total.”
The few of them broke out into jeering laughter.
“I think it’s actually thirty-five cities.”
Knock, knock. Someone tapped on the table. “Stay on track.”
“Yang Zicang alone boosted his city’s ranking by nearly twenty spots. Those guys should really thank him for winning them more rights in Hub Town. But, well, heh. Soon enough, they won’t have this great god to rely on anymore.”
“We have to succeed this time.”
The five of them turned to look at the one person whose face wasn’t Li Shangxiang’s.
“Chu Jun, are you really going for his model again? What a waste of the suggestion ability you worked so hard to get.”
“Yeah, Chu Jun. Without psychological suggestion, our chances of nabbing a good model will drop significantly.”
Chu Jun said, “If any of you want it, I’ll trade it to you for free. Just help me get my hands on Yang Zicang’s ability sphere. It’s still the same deal—I’ll do my best to help you all get whatever you want, whether it’s stuff or abilities. Until none of the Li Shangxiangs are Li Shangxiangs anymore.”
The others fell into contemplation.
“I’m really torn this time. If that car hadn’t turned into a ghost car, I would never have agreed to let you take this model,” said one person at the table.
“Yang Zicang’s ability is inherently precious, and his performance over the past two days is clear for all to see. Ah, I want it too, but what can I do?”
The third person looked at Chu Jun: “If you’re really planning to trade it for Psychological Suggestion, you can give it to me. Hehe, you know I’ve been longing after that wench from Rose Creek for a long time. If I can make her fall in love with me, not only will I have such a peerless beauty in my arms, but I’ll also get a whole town full of beautiful women.”
“In the future, we’ll build our imperial palace right there, and Rose Creek will directly become the harem.”
He stroked his chin so smugly, a dreamy smile spreading across his face.
Suddenly, a few of them looked up at the air. A small ball of light was floating there at some unknown time.
“……”
“Hello, honorable reporter, we are discussing private matters. Please do not broadcast this.”
“Please leave for now.”
A little red-dressed elf emerged from within the small ball of light, scratching its head in confusion.
“No fame born? How strange. Then why was there a ripple?”
Swish, the small ball of light was gone.
The group turned serious once more.
One man propped his elbow on the table, interlacing his fingers so gloomily they rested against the bridge of his nose as he stared at the others.
“‘Psychological Suggestion’ can be given to me as well. I’m quite interested in setting up an organization in the Lost Frequency that answers only to me.”
The few around the table looked at him as he didn’t lack the sense of putting on airs as he mocked righteously:
“I was once the CEO of a group worth billions. My habit has always been to have experts follow my orders and take action rather than do it myself. The ‘Suggestion’ ability suits me perfectly. Of course, after I obtain the ‘Suggestion’ ability, I will also help everyone else acquire the models, just as Chu Jun did before.”
“Then the two of you can discuss it among yourselves.”
Chu Jun breathed a sigh of relief; at least the two had agreed. With them willing to step in, he was already halfway to success.
After all, this Temporal Shift Ability Sphere is quite special. The model of the activator (victim) will directly enter the ‘Temporal Shift Subsidiary Model’ created by the sphere’s maker.
Having already replaced the Temporal Shift Model himself, he could only act as an intermediary passing the sphere. In the end, one of these five would need to provide him with the ability sphere for Yang Zicang’s model.
Li Shangxiang, beside Chu Jun and wearing a gray coat, said:
“Have you heard of the Black Dragon King? His mind ability seems stronger than Yang Zicang’s in terms of defense. When a crowd surrounds him, even Yang Zicang’s detached monster can’t close in. I’d like to reserve this model for now.”
Li Shangxiang, sitting across the table with a bare upper and muscular build, nodded:
“Right, so many formidable people have emerged this time. We really should thank Yang Zicang for suddenly providing us with so many candidates. I’ll pass on this round of competition—plenty of good models out there.”
Li Shangxiang, with the severed hand, also spoke up:
“If that Century Weapon of Yang Zicang’s can be detached and given to me, I’ll withdraw from this allocation.”
“That elusive gun really suits you. I have no objection.”
“I have no objection either.”
The one-armed man looked expectantly at the remaining silent members. That silver spear was of great use to him. As the best weapon for a physically disabled person, it’s no exaggeration to say it’s ten or a hundred times more valuable than any other Century Weapon.
“As for that Century Weapon… to be honest, in close range, it’s no less formidable than another Wuying. But we’re all brothers here, so of course I’m willing for you to use it.”
All five had agreed.
“Then there’s no problem.”
This group seemed to have already discussed and assigned every part of their prey.
Chu Jun stood up, his hands braced on the tabletop.
“With that settled, let me share some good news with everyone.”
The man’s black hair parted in the middle, subtly shadowing both sides of his cheeks as he revealed a sinister smile:
“Yang Zicang has already accepted Wuying’s invitation to attend the celebration gathering in three days. Brothers, I’ll set that time as the turning point of my fate.”
“In three days, huh.”
Several of them pondered. But none noticed the faintly flickering small light mass within the flame of the hanging lamp above.
“Wuying has gained Yang Zicang’s trust. Coupled with valuable psychological suggestion skills, the odds of success are high—after all, it all hinges on that single second.”
“Once we obtain Yang Zicang’s model, we can also fill in the combat capabilities we lack.”
Invisibility… suggestion… Psychic Bodies, and the train that shuttles across the earth…
They were counting the various super model abilities already in hand and those soon to be obtained.
Just the thought of it was enough to make them chuckle with satisfaction.
“All the elite models will be in our hands.”
“Heh heh heh heh, that’s right.”
“We will be the ones to accomplish the miracle—the Time-Shift Heroes who stole the earth!”
“Hahahaha!”