Chapter 1092: Failure
"It seems like 'Fragrance'..." Zheng Yingxiong said again. "I originally thought it was the smell of the 'Land of the End,' but I never noticed it was the smell of 'Fragrance'... because it was never that strong in the first place!"
"I'm a bit confused," Chen Junnan said. "'Fragrance' is 'Echo,' right? You're saying that thing has always been an 'Echo,' but it's been floating in the sky all this time, so you got used to it... and didn't think of it as an 'Echo'?"
Qiao Jiajin finally understood a bit upon hearing this and nodded. "I get it. It's like the darkest place is under the candlestick."
"Exactly! The darkest place under the candlestick!" Zheng Yingxiong said anxiously. "It's very faint! Even though it's fading now, it was faint before too."
"This is trouble," Chen Junnan said. "That scent can only be smelled by you, kid. We can't help with that."
"I wish I could get out right now! If I could just get out, I would know its name! This fading smell... from here, it's too faint to identify..."
"Old Qi probably knows what's going on," Chen Junnan said, also looking toward the 'Door' from the preparation area. "Maybe he's carrying out some plan over there?"
Zheng Yingxiong was startled. "This huge, disappearing thing... is related to Qi Xia?"
Chen Junnan nodded. "It's possible."
Zhang Chenze paused after hearing this and asked, "I have a question I'm not clear on..."
"What?"
"Based on your description..." Zhang Chenze asked tentatively, "That disappearing thing is a kind of... 'Echo,' right?"
Chen Junnan thought for a moment and replied, "It sounds that way. Like a kind of 'sustained Echo.'"
"Then..." Zhang Chenze continued, "Under what normal circumstances... would a 'sustained Echo' disappear?"
She couldn't help but think of her 'runaway' black coat, which was probably still active in some corner of the 'Land of the End.' Would it keep moving forever like that?
After hearing this, Chen Junnan found Zhang Chenze's question quite interesting.
"Making an ability disappear? Isn't that simple?" Qiao Jiajin said. "As long as I say one word..."
"Stop right there," Chen Junnan quickly interrupted. "Your 'disappear' is way too simple and violent. Lawyer Zhang is asking about normal circumstances."
"Right, I mean under normal circumstances," Zhang Chenze nodded. "Is there any way to make this kind of 'sustained Echo' become invalid?"
Everyone looked at Chen Junnan after hearing this, since in their minds, he had preserved the most memories. Chen Junnan wisely turned his gaze to Zheng Yingxiong.
Zheng Yingxiong received the look and shook his head. "I don't know. You better say it."
"Alright then, I'll spout some nonsense," Chen Junnan said. "I think it depends on the person. Different 'Echoes' have different conditions for failure. Most people in the 'Land of the End' have immediate 'Echoes'—use them and they're done, like me and Old Qiao. But there are exceptions."
Zhang Chenze nodded with interest upon hearing this. "What exceptions?"
"For example, Zhang Lijuan," Chen Junnan said. "Her 'Echo' is more like a permanent one. As long as the things she creates aren't destroyed, they'll stay forever."
"Eh?" Tiantian was stunned. "Is that so?"
"That's right. There's another kind of exception," Chen Junnan finished speaking and turned to look at Han Yimo.
"...?" Han Yimo blinked. "Why are you looking at me?"
"Some people's 'Echoes' do subtly and continuously take effect," Chen Junnan stared at Han Yimo and continued explaining. "In this case, there's also a very simple and crude way to make the 'Echo' disappear—that is, when the owner of the 'Echo' kicks the bucket."
"Hey, if you're going to talk, just talk... why are you looking at me?" Han Yimo asked again.
"Nothing, I just find you interesting." Chen Junnan smiled.
"I feel like I've heard that sentence several times today..." Han Yimo muttered quietly.
"Then it should be easy to figure out the answer," Zhang Chenze interrupted their conversation and said. "In a little while, we can ask Qi Xia who just died, and that person is the owner of this 'Echo.'"
After hearing this, Zheng Yingxiong and Chen Junnan both felt that something was slightly off.
If this 'Echo' had always been there, hadn't anyone here noticed it?
Neither the 'Display Screen' nor Qing Long noticed it?
This thing was just hanging boldly high up in the sky, and no one here noticed it... wasn't that a bit too ridiculous?
Could it really be like what Qiao Jiajin said... the darkest place under the candlestick?
Qing Long also felt something strange at this moment. He looked up and scanned around, then turned his head to survey his surroundings. It felt like a very peculiar sensation had flashed by. Although strange feelings were a daily occurrence on this land, this particular feeling was exceptionally eerie.
Qing Long furrowed his brows... Could this be some important piece of information?
He turned to look at Di Long, who was completely devoid of life, and let out a light laugh.
Qi Xia trusted these so-called 'teammates' so much, so chances were they all carried 'Echoes.'
Even if that disturbance just now was their desperate counterattack, what of it?
No one on this land had their 'Echo' become stronger after death; it only made the 'Echo' weaker or disappear.
So, most likely, some 'Echo' had just vanished.
"Qing Long," Qi Xia called out. "Accept defeat. Let them go, and now I'll face you."
After saying this, Qi Xia turned to look at Yan Zhichun, his eyes containing complex information that was impossible to fully discern.
It wasn't just a pair of cold, stern eyes; it was more like the signal for something to 'begin.'
Yan Zhichun knew she had obtained what she wanted.
Qi Xia had not only thoroughly defeated her in a one-on-one mini-game but, according to Chu Tianqiu's account, had also used tight teamwork to push Chu Tianqiu's entire team into a desperate situation.
If it were just that, it wouldn't mean much as a strong leader, but now the defeated team could retreat safely, without having to die in this dark and eerie corner, and Qi Xia was single-handedly taking on Qing Long, overturning the original terms of the 'life-or-death bet.'
Originally, it was Wen Qiaoyun and Di Long's bet, but now it had transformed into a bet between Qi Xia and Qing Long.
Although Yan Zhichun didn't understand how the current situation had come about, she knew it was definitely related to Qi Xia's strategy.
Instead of spending time trying to figure out exactly what Qi Xia had done, it was better to decisively join this torrent.
If everything was part of a plan, then everything happening now was within that plan.
With that thought, Yan Zhichun nodded at Qi Xia.
Qi Xia also nodded slightly, then turned back to look at Qing Long. "Have you thought about the new rules?"
Qing Long chuckled lightly upon hearing this. "Of course. I always have a backup plan."
"Good."
With that, Qi Xia walked to the very edge of the 'preparation area' and opened the door marked 'Rout.'
Chu Tianqiu was standing outside, his face solemn as he looked into the room.