Zheng Zha fell silent for a moment, then continued his inquiry, "I don't understand what you mean, 'Main God.' Whether she is the person from my memories or not, I only want to know one thing: Is she a real person!" "The words she speaks, her actions, her expressions, her tears... are these all real? Are they not some program you fabricated, not reliant on some command? I only want to know, is she truly a real human being!" The voice replied, "Yes, once a manufactured lifeform is created, unless the creator dies or the lifeform is killed, she is a living entity."

Zheng Zha somewhat grasped the situation. The 'Main God' had perfectly replicated the Loli from his memories. So, she was Loli, just a copied version. The real Loli had died at sixteen, which explained why this replicated Loli appeared only fifteen, nearing sixteen—the age that held the most beautiful memory for him.

"One last question, 'Main God,' when I accumulate the fifty thousand reward points needed to return, will she be able to return with me?" The voice stated, "A person who redeems the 'Return to Origin' option will retain the following five items: One, the redeemed items; two, attribute enhancement points; three, manufactured lifeforms; four, summoned lifeforms; five, various physical enhancements and mutations. Once these five points are redeemed, they belong to the redeemer forever, retaining those attributes even upon 'Returning to Origin.'"

Zheng Zha's heart slowly calmed. He had already lost her once, powerless to do anything as he watched her die. But now, he possessed the ability to change everything. As long as he could survive, survive countless horror movies, earn reward points, and then bring her back to the real world, he would never lose her again! Zhang Jie and the other two stood by his apartment door, looking at him with confusion. Zheng Zha offered them an apologetic smile, then ushered the three inside. According to Zhang Jie, merely thinking about them entering was enough; otherwise, they couldn't have accessed Zheng Zha's apartment.

Once everyone entered the main hall, Zheng Zha paused, "Everyone, please have a seat for a moment. I... will be right back."

With that, he walked directly into his bedroom, closing the door tightly behind him.

Loli's small head cautiously peeked out from under the covers, asking fearfully, "How was it? How was it? Did your mother and father say anything?" Zheng Zha approached the bedside and gently stroked her soft hair. He then stated seriously, "Li, there are some things I need to tell you. Before I do, promise me you will remain calm no matter what, okay?" Loli’s large, watery black eyes widened, gradually filling with moisture. She lowered her head and murmured, "Are you going to tell me we're breaking up? It's just like what they said—men turn heartless once they possess a girl's body. I thought you would always stay with me and love me... If you're going to say we're parting ways, then don't bother. I don't want to hear those words from your mouth."

Zheng Zha pulled Loli into a fierce embrace, shouting, "It's not what you think! I'm talking about serious matters, and I have always loved you, always... even though you've been dead for ten years! I have always loved you!" Subsequently, Zheng Zha recounted the story of her death from illness a decade ago, then slowly spoke of this bizarre experience, omitting, however, his own decade of decadent living, sharing only what the 'Main God' had revealed.

"Li, you are the real Loli! Yes, ten years ago, I could only watch helplessly as death took you away. But now, I can use my own hands to protect you! Li, believe me, I can certainly earn enough reward points to take us back to the real world!" Zheng Zha spoke ceaselessly, but he noticed the Loli in his arms remained unnervingly quiet. This planted a terrible premonition in his heart, so he quickly looked down at her. The girl was staring blankly, repetitively twisting her own arm.

Zheng Zha immediately grasped her small hand. "What are you doing? Li, just say what’s on your mind. I know it's hard for you to accept that your original self is dead and you are a manufactured copy. I understand that's hard to process, but whatever happens, please don't hurt yourself. If you are sad, tell me, okay?" Loli, however, burst into a cheerful laugh. She sat up in Zheng Zha's lap, pulling on his face with her small hands. "No wonder! I kept thinking why you looked so much more mature, and you’ve grown so much hair... Uh, a good girl shouldn't say R-rated things. Anyway, it’s just that, it's wonderful to be alive again! Why would I have trouble accepting it? You big brute, you scared me half to death just now! I thought you were going to say we were breaking up! My heart ached so much then... If you ever dare to say such ambiguous things again, I will tear that mouth of yours apart."

Zheng Zha was stunned for a long moment before finally letting out a relieved laugh. Indeed, this reaction was exactly like the strong yet slightly scatterbrained girl he remembered, the woman he had loved all along.

The rest followed easily. As Zhang Jie explained, everything in the room could be altered according to the user's will. Since Loli was Zheng Zha's creation, she too could change the size, environment, and decor of the room. Upon learning this, Loli immediately cheered and rushed towards the wardrobe, pulling out an endless array of strikingly beautiful gowns and dresses, before promptly kicking Zheng Zha out of the bedroom.

In the main hall, Zhang Jie and the other two wore serious expressions, but Zheng Zha clearly saw their lips twitching incessantly. He scratched his head and said, "If you want to laugh, just do it. Don't hold it in until you look like you’ve been punched in the face."

The trio instantly erupted into laughter, though Zhan Lan’s was comparatively restrained.

Zhang Jie said amidst his laughter, "That's so strange. You actually like a girl with that kind of personality. She seems quite spirited."

Zheng Zha sat on the sofa, wryly explaining Loli’s origins. After recounting everything, he managed a bitter smile. "I hadn't anticipated this situation either. I only intended to create a woman similar in appearance and disposition to her; who knew I would replicate the real person?"

Zhang Jie and the other two were astonished. Zhang Jie remarked, "Incredible. The 'Main God' can actually replicate people from your memories? I've survived four horror movies and still didn't know such a thing was possible. I wonder how many more secrets are hidden here. It seems we only know the surface level."

Zheng Zha nodded. "Exactly. No one has ever mentioned a place like this. You can immerse yourself in a horror movie, interact with plot characters, perhaps even alter the narrative, and face the possibility of death. Beyond that, the redeemed items are utterly baffling. Those firearms are one thing, but there are all sorts of enhancements. Do you think these things could exist in reality?" Zhang Jie and the other two fell silent. Zheng Zha took a deep breath. "I don't care if this place is a domain of gods or a game orchestrated by demons. I only want to live, earn enough reward points, and bring her back to the real world. I assume none of you wish to die in a horror movie either? Therefore, I suggest the four of us should cooperate. Because none of us knows what the next horror movie will be, and one person’s strength is ultimately limited. We should form a team from now on, helping each other through hardship. Does anyone have objections?" Hearing this, the three pondered. Zhan Lan laughed in surprise, "Wow, you’ve changed so much in just one night. Even Li Xiaoyi, who just lost his virginity, can't compare to you. That girl must be incredibly important to you, right?" Li Xiaoyi immediately flushed, shifting nervously. Zhang Jie, however, laughed heartily, "What are you shy about? Becoming a real man is something to be proud of! You kid, you’re quite the talent—you conjured up a blonde Persian cat right away! Haha, be careful not to get wrung dry later?" Li Xiaoyi’s face turned the color of liver. Zhang Jie then turned back to Zheng Zha, saying, "I agree with you. One person's power is limited. Until we enhance ourselves to superhuman levels, we lack the strength to face most horror movies alone. And having experienced three movies, I keenly understand the importance of internal unity. Besides the monsters within the movies, partners by your side pose an equal threat. From now on, we will share intelligence and provide mutual assistance during the movies. If any newcomers attempt to break team solidarity, I suggest we eliminate them."

Zhan Lan exclaimed in surprise, "Didn't you say killing a newcomer costs one thousand reward points?" Zhang Jie sneered, "Yes, it costs a thousand points. But am I the one killing him directly? No. I’ll just break his limbs, or push him towards various monsters. As long as he isn't killed by my own hand, my reward points won't be deducted. Do you have any issue with that arrangement?" Zhan Lan and Li Xiaoyi both shuddered, but Zheng Zha nodded firmly. "Correct. I won't intentionally harm newcomers, but if a newcomer endangers us all to the point of death, I won't hesitate to eliminate a pest. I must survive, survive until I return to the real world! I now have some information to share with everyone."

"I think I have a rough idea of how those horror movie side plots are triggered and completed."

Zheng Zha stated seriously, "It should refer to reversing certain plots within the horror movie—for instance, saving a supporting character destined to die, eliminating a monster still alive in the movie, or completely turning the movie's narrative on its head. I believe these are the ways side plot scenarios are completed."

Next, Zheng Zha recounted his own experience. When the trio heard that he had saved the Black mercenary captain and subsequently received a B-grade horror movie side plot along with five thousand reward points, all three gaped in stunned silence, at a loss for words.

Zhan Lan asked cautiously, "Then what about your reward points?" Zheng Zha replied, "502 points, plus one B-grade side plot opportunity."

The three looked at him with a mix of envy and jealousy. Zhang Jie said with a bitter smile, "I fought tooth and nail, nearly died several times, just to earn a little over four thousand reward points. You earned 502 points in your very first movie, plus a B-grade side plot chance... Damn it, comparing ourselves is infuriating. Looks like this brother has no choice but to follow you from now on."

Zheng Zha smiled. "Who is following whom? If you hadn't stayed behind to guard the Flame Empress mainframe with us last time, all those reward points would have been useless to me. I might have already died in the jaws of a zombie or under a Licker's claws. I should be thanking you."

Zhan Lan chimed in cheerfully, "But this is great! Now we all know how to complete the side plots. Even if the difficulty is high, it’s better than knowing nothing. And completing side plots seems to grant extra reward points! I knew it—earning fifty thousand points one movie at a time to return to reality is impossible. Now we have a target, at least!" Zhang Jie put aside his envy. He understood that Zheng Zha sharing this crucial information was a profound act of friendship. So, he smiled and said, "Alright, I will introduce everyone to the attribute enhancements and redeemed items. We still have nine days and nights to rest, so everyone can carefully select your enhancement paths and items for the next horror movie!" "No," Zheng Zha muttered inwardly, "For survival!" His gaze drifted towards the bedroom door, his expression softening immensely.

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