"Guardian, this is the [Heaven Island Key] you wanted."

At the bottom of the Endless Tower, the Guardian gazed at the key lying in Lin Yi’s palm, then slowly lifted his eyes to Lin Yi’s calm face:

"I didn’t expect you would actually obtain it."

"Congratulations!"

Just as the Guardian was about to reach out and take the key from Lin Yi’s hand, Lin Yi suddenly clenched his fist and withdrew his hand.

Seeing this, the Guardian’s extended hand halted in mid-air, looking at Lin Yi with confusion:

"Is there any problem?"

Lin Yi recalled his various experiences on the Nine Nether Continent and said to the wise yet simple-looking elder before him:

"Was it destined from the start that I would bring back this key from the Nine Nether Continent?"

From the moment he received the special mission after breaking through the 60th layer of the Endless Tower, to finally acquiring the key from the Pope, Lin Yi was surprised to realize upon reviewing the entire process.

It seemed as though from the moment the Guardian issued the task to him, the outcome had already been predetermined.

The only difference was in the process.

From the start, she knew Lin Yi wouldn’t abandon the task;

Arriving at the Nine Nether Continent, the only city Lin Yi could choose to approach and understand that world was {Feather Spirit City};

Once entering Feather Spirit City, Lin Yi would certainly learn about the upcoming Divine Son election held by the clergy, triggering the task of participating in the election;

Ultimately, Lin Yi participated in the election, won, and retrieved the [Heaven Island Key].

There were too many coincidences in this; when these coincidences aligned all at once, Lin Yi could no longer believe they were merely coincidences.

Until now, the only thing Lin Yi couldn’t understand was why he had to experience this already foretold conclusion.

What was the Guardian’s ultimate motive?

To make him the Divine Son for the clergy? Clearly, it wasn’t that simple.

And if not that, then...

Suddenly, as if hit with a revelation, Lin Yi thought of a possibility.

Under the Guardian’s gaze, Lin Yi said with a knowing expression:

"Your true purpose in sending me to the Nine Nether Continent wasn’t to acquire this [Heaven Island Key], but to unseal ’Fu Bai’ in the Demon Forest?"

"Is it or not?"

Lin Yi watched the Guardian’s eyes nervously, and indeed, a trace of unusual color flashed across the Guardian’s eyes when Lin Yi proposed this speculation.

Though the Guardian did not give a direct response, Lin Yi himself was already almost certain of his guess.

Then Lin Yi thought of another possibility.

Unsealing Fu Bai would mean the Guardian’s ultimate goal was actually to open the planar channel between the Rafam Continent and the Nine Nether Continent!!!

Realizing this, Lin Yi felt a sudden enlightenment.

Without waiting for the Guardian to speak, Lin Yi extended his hand again, offering the key to the Guardian:

"I think I know the answer now."

"This is for you."

Once more, the Guardian did not give any explanation, simply reaching out to take the key from Lin Yi.

Upon the Guardian receiving the key, Lin Yi immediately heard a system notification in his ear:

System: "You have lost the item [Heaven Island Key]."

System: "Congratulations on completing the [Heaven’s Secret Key] mission, you have been rewarded: Level +2; [Book of Godslaying Lv70/Myth]; [Glorious Frost Boots Lv71/Myth]; new title: [Plane Traveler] (Unique)."

As soon as the notification ended, Lin Yi instantly leveled up, now at Level 74.

The [Book of Godslaying] is a magic system weapon, incomparable to the [Red Sky Divine Pearl] in Lin Yi’s hand. He planned to show it to Yuna and the others.

Whoever could use it would have it.

However, the [Glorious Frost Boots Lv71/Myth] could finally replace the [Divine Wanderer’s Shoes Lv52/Myth] he wore.

It was then that the Guardian finally spoke:

"Everything you now possess is what you have strived for yourself."

"From the moment you made the decision, every step you took was for yourself."

"No one can decide how far you can go on this path."

Before Lin Yi could respond, everything went dark, and in the next moment, he was already at the entrance of the Endless Tower.

This left Lin Yi a bit stunned:

"Is it over just like that?"

He thought that submitting the key would lead to the opening of [Heaven Island].

Even if it didn’t open, at least Lin Yi expected some news about its opening from the Guardian.

Unfortunately, until now, the system hadn’t provided any hints.

Lin Yi hadn’t realized yet that in the Floating City’s Eastern Continent teleportation array list, the words [Heaven Island] had already appeared.

But for now, players couldn’t select it as a teleport point.

Even though he didn’t get the news he wanted, the next moment the world channel turned red:

[World Channel] System: "Congratulations to the Sapporo City players of the He Clan Battle Zone for repelling the Demon Race attack and defending Sapporo City. From now on, [Sapporo City] will enter a 15-day recovery period. During this period, no one (Chosen One/Demon Race) can initiate a city seizing war against it."

[World Channel] System: "Congratulations to the players of the He Clan Battle Zone for repelling the Demon Race’s city seizing plot for the first time. All players who participated in the city defense war will receive rewards: Level +1; Epic equipment for the current profession level ×1; Gold Coins ×10,000; Rare title: [Hundred Races Glory·City Conqueror Warrior]."

[World Channel] System: "Congratulations to the players of the He Clan Battle Zone for successfully reclaiming control of [Celestial River City] from the Demon Race. [Celestial River City] will enter a 15-day recovery period, during which..."

[World Channel] System: "Congratulations to the players of the He Clan Battle Zone for gaining control of a main city from the Demons for the first time. Special rewards will be given to all participating players: Level +1; Epic equipment for the current profession level ×1; Random Skill Book ×; Rare title: [Hundred Races Glory·City Conqueror Warrior]."

...

A flurry of messages instantly flooded the channels of major battle zones worldwide.

And the instigator of all this, Satan J, was already livid and gritting his teeth when he saw the message:

"It’s you again, Feng Hua!!!"

"Ah-choo~"

As Lin Yi headed towards the City Lord’s Mansion of White Tiger City, he rubbed his nose in confusion and thought mischievously:

"Is some girl thinking about me...?"

Looking at the majestic City Lord’s Mansion in the distance, Lin Yi eagerly wondered, what surprises would this Divine Beast pet bring this time...