“Ugh…” The awareness returned from the other end sounded distracted, a mere perfunctory acknowledgment.

Zheng Zha wasn't annoyed; he continued speaking on his own accord. “If I’m not mistaken, I think this Dragon Knight world is more complicated than we imagined. It must contain plot elements that go beyond the scope of a typical Dragon Knight story, and the power that frightened Imhotep is likely tied to that element exceeding the narrative framework... What do you think, Chu Xuan? I’m talking to you! Put down those documents in your hand!” Even without his eyes, Zheng Zha knew Chu Xuan, presumably hovering high above, was engrossed in studying that cultivation technique. He wondered what possessed the man to be so obsessed lately.

His recent fervor for researching cultivation techniques was almost suicidal. The rarely seen, intense look of passion he usually reserved for discovery had now settled into his default expression, making everyone around him uneasy, a fact that also troubled Zheng Zha.

Chu Xuan, on the other end, seemed to sigh in resignation as he finally set down the files. He then settled into his usual placid demeanor and asked, “What is it you wish to ask? We have encountered many things beyond the established plot in other horror movie worlds. Every single one might possess such extraneous elements, and these deviations often pose extreme threats to the Reincarnation Squad. You know this well; what is there to make such a fuss about?”

“That’s not what I mean…” Zheng Zha shook his head. “Because the final battle is drawing nearer and nearer.

Especially since you and Xiao Honglü are almost certain that the final confrontation will occur in just one or two more horror movie worlds. Under these circumstances,

don't you think the ‘Main God’ should be telling us something?” Chu Xuan let out a long sigh upon hearing this, pausing for a considerable moment before continuing, “I hadn’t intended to analyze these matters for you... You are correct.

The ‘Main God’ still harbors many secrets it hasn't disclosed. Therefore, in the remaining few horror worlds, there may well be secrets the ‘Main God’ is hiding within them... But this is not what you should be worrying about or needing to understand. Your sole mission right now is to improve your strength. Since your mental state still cannot surpass your duplicate self, you at least cannot lag too far behind in terms of power. You know what I’ve been doing, don’t you?”

“Huh? What have you been doing?” Zheng Zha asked, utterly bewildered.

Chu Xuan snapped his fingers. “Studying those cultivation techniques as fast as possible... Perhaps you haven't realized it yourself, but your current level of power—or rather, the future you have chosen—has already surpassed the path set for us by the ‘Main God.’ You are neither a possessor of a true cultivation technique nor someone whose strength stems solely from unlocking the Genetic Lock. You could say you have merged the characteristics of a Saint and a Cultivator.

While there may be no obvious special effects yet, it’s because you haven't attained a genuine cultivation art. Perhaps all the preceding groundwork... was meant for a transformation during the final battle! This is precisely why I am rushing to comprehend these cultivation methods.

So, even if this horror world does contain something left behind by the ‘Main God,’ if it proves too dangerous, we can just blast it away with the Demon Cannon. Before the final battle commences... I do not wish for a crucial piece of the strategic setup to be killed or rendered combat ineffective. Do you understand?”

(A layout for the final battle, huh. Although the description of that 'crucial piece' sounds jarring, it must be Chu Xuan's clumsy way of expressing his feelings for his comrades. This dishonest fellow, researching cultivation techniques specifically for the final battle?)

Zheng Zha took a deep breath. “I understand. As long as my strength is sufficient to handle it, I will explore this material that transcends the Dragon Knight plot... If my strength proves insufficient, I will decisively use the Demon Cannon; I won't bring danger to everyone. Everything serves the final battle—is that what you mean?”

“Precisely.”

Chu Xuan spoke while lowering his gaze back to the documents in his hand. “Even if it means abandoning the transcendence of the heart demon... I must ensure the Central Continent Team survives the final battle, that they reach the pinnacle of power among all Reincarnation Squads. Even if only one person remains, the Central Continent Team must not perish!” (Chu Xuan…)

Since the time in Jurassic Park, when he first utilized the ‘Annihilation’ state during the fight against the giant dragon and the other team members believed him dead, Zheng Zha had suspected Chu Xuan possessed emotion, or rather, that the feelings deeply buried within him were slowly surfacing from the depths of his consciousness. Every subsequent horror film only deepened this feeling. This man, who appeared so cold, was actually as pure as blank paper—or perhaps, he was still a boy, as his inner life seemed to have stalled since childhood. The affection he truly sought had been hidden deep inside him since his father first took him to look at the stars... (So, like an unwavering obsession in one's life—obsession with the unknown, obsession with the highest probability, obsession with emotion, obsession with intuition... One could say the Central Continent Team has become the greatest obsession in his life, second only to his pursuit of feeling. Since we started calling him comrade, since he became one of us, everything he does is driven by this obsession. That’s why, even if only one remains, the Central Continent Team must survive, mustn't it? Chu Xuan…)

Zheng Zha wasn't sure what to make of his own feelings. As he closed the silver metal shard, memories flooded back: every experience since entering the reincarnation world, from the first Resident Evil, through Chu Xuan’s death, Ling Dian’s death, Zhang Jie’s death... to the dramatic changes in Resident Evil 2, then the constant efforts to resurrect everyone, followed by ‘Explosion,’ ‘Annihilation,’ strategic warfare... Everything experienced in this reincarnation world felt longer and deeper than the decades he had lived before. This place... was where he fought and survived! (I get it! Even if only one is left, the Central Continent Team must stand at the peak of power among all Reincarnation Squads; the Central Continent Team must continue to exist! Absolutely... Huh?)

Zheng Zha walked on, lost in thought, so deeply preoccupied that when he rounded a corner, he slammed directly into a seven-foot-tall green-skinned Orc. This creature was part of King Gobartar’s regular army in the Dragon Knight world—a beast race whose combat power surpassed that of humans. This group of about a dozen Orc soldiers was excellently equipped, truly exuding the formidable aura of a royal guard.

Zheng Zha and the Orc both froze momentarily. Then, the Orc’s head exploded as it was flung backward. The immense force not only shattered its skull but also carried its body over ten meters, smashing it into two other Orcs behind it. Those two were instantly crushed into pulp, and the primary Orc was virtually atomized.

“Since we’ve encountered them, I won’t hold back.”

Zheng Zha cracked his knuckles, a cold smile spreading across his face as he advanced slowly toward the assembled Orcs.

In just over a minute, the corridor was littered with Orc corpses. Only two Orcs were left rolling on the ground, their arms broken by Zheng Zha, but they dared not cry out. Every Orc that had made a sound moments before had been instantly pulverized by unseen fists. Zheng Zha’s attack speed was too fast, and his tremendous power had established an overwhelming advantage. These Orcs couldn't even mount a basic defense; Zheng Zha now stood on a completely different tier of strength, like a human looking down on ants. The gap in their power levels was absolute.

“Now, tell me, where is the Elven Princess Eria imprisoned?” Zheng Zha asked the two terrified Orcs with a cold grin.

Both Orcs were stunned, clearly still reeling from the shock of their defeat. A small squad of elite Orc soldiers hadn't even managed to touch the enemy’s clothing. This human’s strength was too monstrous. Was he even a Dragon Knight?

“Thud!” A dull impact sounded as Zheng Zha punched one Orc from the top of its head down to its waist. The creature’s upper body was utterly mangled—Zheng Zha had exerted too much force. Since surviving the move ‘Primordial Chaos, World Creation’ without dying, his physical constitution had undergone a subtle transformation. Lately, Zheng Zha seemed to have weakened his control over his strength. But in truth, it wasn't control that had diminished; his power and speed had both surged once more, further enhancing his physical capabilities.

(...If this continues, will I become a monster? Or perhaps, in the eyes of others, haven't I already become an inhuman monster?) He leaped toward the remaining two.