The Heartthrob Guide: Dodder of S-Class Sentinels

Chapter 260 Breaking the Butterfly
What's fake is fake.

No matter how similar it may be, it's not the same people as before.

The man stood in the blank sky and earth, with fragments of light and shadow gradually dissipating beneath his feet, like stars being crushed.

The warm yellow lights had long since been turned off, leaving only an endless expanse of gray and white, which made his figure appear exceptionally lonely.

The emptiness around Lin Nan began to dissipate, and golden runes flowed around her feet like a river awakening, gradually peeling away the shackles of the illusion.

The two stood facing each other, a few steps apart, yet it felt as if they were separated by five hundred years of time and the chasm of life and death. On one side was the illusory obsession about to collapse, and on the other was the clear-headed soul about to return to reality.

In the realm of consciousness, the guide's abilities are invincible.

As long as she is not misled by illusions, she can control everything.

Pollutants are terrifying precisely because they understand so well what everyone desires. They exploit human desires to create one exquisite cage after another, leading people astray and making them reluctant to leave...

However—unrealistic dreams are a more cruel poison than reality.

"Lin Nian, I don't understand science, nor do I understand anything about AI life. In the course of history, it is inevitable that humans need to evolve. Just like you said, life will always adapt to the environment and make choices. But if possible, I hope that they will walk this path on their own."

"The road may be arduous, or even cruel... but it is an evolutionary path that they have paved step by step with their own will, their own choices, and their own flesh and blood."

"I respect everyone, so—please don't interfere any further—"

After Lin Nan finished speaking, she stretched out her hand, and the previously out-of-control vines seemed to regain their senses and all gathered back around Lin Nan.

The giant tree swayed behind her, a gentle breeze blew by, and the entire spiritual land began to manifest a vibrant life. The false barriers built by obsession shattered inch by inch, and were completely swallowed and purified by the roots of the giant tree.

Standing beneath the giant tree, Lin Nan looked at the gentle vines surrounding him and felt the power connecting his feet to the tree's roots. He finally truly became the master of this spiritual realm.

Those previously suppressed self-awarenesses are now sprouting like new shoots breaking through the soil, growing wildly and passionately in her spiritual world.

"You've finally grown up."

The man gazed at her and let out a long sigh.

There was no disappointment in that tone, only a relieved sense of relief, and a hint of deeply hidden pride.

“I used to be afraid that you would walk too fast and fall. I was also afraid that you were too soft-hearted and would be bullied... So I always took it upon myself to make decisions for you, but I never expected that it would make you so disgusted.”

"Actually, this time, I don't want anything. I just want to say goodbye to you properly."

The man's voice was slightly hoarse, and his transparent fingers gently brushed over the golden specks of light that drifted by, as if touching those times that could never be returned to.

Looking at the tenderness and relief in his eyes, Lin Nan felt a complex warmth welling up in her heart.

"I know, Lin Nian, thank you."

The man smiled, a smile so gentle it almost melted in the golden light: "Then let's say goodbye formally. From now on, you'll have to walk your own path..."

After speaking, the man paused, and in mid-air, he reached out his hand to her one last time: "Can I hug you one more time?"

Lin Nan took a few steps forward and gently opened her arms.

She tiptoed, clung to the man's back, and whispered something in his ear.

A look of disbelief flashed across the man's eyes, followed by a genuine smile that he hadn't shown in a very long time.

That smile dispelled all the obsession and regret, leaving only pure tenderness and satisfaction, as if a lifetime of pent-up grievances had finally received the most perfect response.

The next second, his figure transformed into countless golden specks of light, like dandelions blown by the spring breeze, drifting down slowly with a warm glow.

They did not dissipate, but gently merged into the branches and leaves of the giant tree behind them. The gilded runes on the veins of the leaves instantly brightened, and their entire spiritual world was filled with this warm power. The branches and leaves of the giant tree swayed gently, making a rustling sound, as if they were softly humming an ancient ballad, gentle and lingering.

Standing under the tree, Lin Nan felt an unprecedented sense of fulfillment and freedom in her spiritual world. The empty corner in her heart was finally completely filled.

The illusion dissipated, and the branches that had been fighting with Caesar also disappeared.

Lin Nan walked out of the void, released a vine, precisely wrapped it around Caesar's waist and pulled him steadily in front of her.

"You bastard, I'll fight you to the death!!" Caesar had not yet fully recovered from the brutality of the battle. His consciousness was disturbed by the lingering illusion. He felt someone binding him and immediately struggled. His claws instinctively lashed out at the vines, but were gently deflected just before they touched them.

"It's me," Lin Nan said softly, while simultaneously instructing Number Five to slap him hard across the face!

This slap dispelled all of Caesar's anger and hostility. He looked at Lin Nan in disbelief, wondering if what he was seeing was an illusion or reality.

"Why are you still acting stupid? You don't even recognize your master? Do you want me to spank you again?"

"okay!"

Almost without hesitation, the big cat in front of it tucked its tail between its legs, both excited and frightened.

Lin Nan: ...

This cat deserves a beating!

[Boss, let me teach him a lesson! (p≧w≦q)]

Waaaaah, I'm still a little dizzy~

What's going on? Why do I feel stronger?

Wow, what just happened?

[Hey, Number Five, why are you hiding in the corner? Aren't you the one who loves teasing the cat?]

"...Um, it's okay, you guys have fun."

【? ? 】

Number Five buried himself completely in the soil, and casually tore off a broken branch to cover his head.

Those fools don't know, but it understands perfectly well.

Although it couldn't quite remember what had just happened, it knew that the boss seemed to have thought it was ugly.

(#>д<)

I'm so sad.

Outside, a stray bullet struck the white tower.

The ground shook violently in an instant, and pebbles rained down from the rooftops.

Lin Nan threw Caesar to the ground, turned to look outside the tower, and his pupils suddenly contracted through the shaky, shattering windows. The black mist in the distance, like boiling ink, was surging and expanding at a visible speed, with countless monsters hidden in it, roaring and tearing as they charged toward the human base.

Caesar also recovered from his weakness, and his dark golden spiritual power subconsciously condensed into a thin shield around his body to block all the rubble for Lin Nan.

"It's the Centipede Land that's erupted. Those foolish insects have been manipulated; they've broken the seal on the contaminated zone."

　The plot is terrible; I'll come back and rewrite it after it's finished.

　　(End of this chapter)