Survival on the Internet: A Bizarre Start at Sea

Under the purifying light of the network, her mental invasion of Lilia quickly dissipated!

The green-haired little girl let out a sharp, painful scream!

Above the temple, the terrifying green giant eye trembled violently a few times, and the cracks in its pupils contracted slightly due to extreme pain.

Immediately afterwards, the green, tentacle-like mist that permeated all of Atlantis began to contract and condense inward, like a wounded deep-sea monster licking its wounds.

Ultimately, they firmly established themselves, completely surrounding the entire Star Dream Academy.

The rules of the Comprehensive Network are not so easily violated. Just before the light of purification descended upon the Comprehensive Network, she sensed the presence of Nautilus.

It must have been him; he left a backup plan!

"You old bastard!!! You damned scum! How dare you... scheme against me like this!!"

Her roar echoed throughout Atlantis.

Nautilus's act of burning his source and deliberately exposing himself was like a bright torch in the darkness, perfectly serving as a target to attract fire.

At this moment, all her attention was focused on the "old guy" who had ruined her plans.

Lilia felt a lightness all over her body, and the suffocating pressure receded like a tide.

She had regained control of her body, but the green-haired little girl's brutal treatment of her soul had left her with a splitting headache, blurred vision, and an inability to concentrate.

"Father... Su..." The barely audible murmur dissipated into the air.

Lilia raised her eyes and looked at the "god" who appeared young but exuded a thunderous aura.

The anger on her pretty face was more unsettling than ever before.

There was no attempt to explain, plead, or vehemently denounce... all language is as pale as paper in the face of absolute power.

She shut her mouth, suppressing all her emotions, and quietly clenched her slightly trembling fingertips in her sleeve.

His eyes reflected the gray-blue brand on the back of his hand—its light had dimmed to the extreme, like a candle in the wind.

Nautilus's last thoughts were fragmented, like incoherent murmurs, yet they were imprinted with unparalleled clarity in her and Su Zhisu's minds:

You...be careful...I've...been completely exposed...

They did not attempt to pursue Nautilus, nor did they test their "good younger brother" Su Zhisu.

Tomorrow's Haiyue Festival is the most important event, and we cannot afford to lose it.

The most important thing right now is to stabilize the injury.

A cold, forceful command entered Hydra's consciousness: "Hydra, come to Star Dream Academy immediately. While I am recovering, guard this place and do not allow anyone to approach or disturb me!"

Before her consciousness completely sank in, the green-haired little girl needed an outlet for her anger.

A highly condensed green tentacle, wreathed in overflowing starlight lightning, ignored spatial barriers and, carrying pure malice and twisted murmurs, slashed fiercely into the depths of the trench—the location that suppressed Nautilus!

"boom--!"

Moments later, there was not only a physical explosion, but also a deafening roar that reverberated throughout Atlantis!

A clear, yet malevolent and resentful voice echoed across Atlantis, reaching the minds of all living beings:

"You old bastard, just you wait! After the Sea Moon Festival... if I don't avenge this, I'll change my name!!!"

After the green-haired little girl uttered these harsh words, the giant eye above the temple, which had been trembling, stabilized and slowly closed, as if entering a period of hibernation.

The green tentacles and fog had dissipated, and the sense of surveillance that had enveloped the entire city had diminished to almost nothing.

"This is an opportunity!"

Almost the instant the green-haired little girl relaxed her vigilance over her younger brother, Su Zhisu quickly made a judgment.

Cthulhu's control over Atlantis has reached its lowest point, and tonight is the perfect opportunity for him to do whatever he wants!

Through the last remaining faint connection of the gray-blue mark, Su Zhisu made contact with Lilia.

"Lilia, how are you? Are you able to move? Let's meet at the trench entrance and go check on Nautilus!"

A moment later, Lilia replied weakly but firmly, "Okay. I'll be right there."

As night deepened and the Starry Night Threads were no longer in control, all the guards along the way lowered their heads, and Atlantis fell into an eerie silence.

With the cover of the [White Mist Navigation], Su Zhisu met up with Lilia, who had sneaked in from another route, at the entrance to the trench.

The girl's face was still pale, but her eyes were more determined than before, even carrying a cold, desperate look.

Without exchanging a word, the two simply exchanged a glance and then began to dive down together.

Deep in the trench, Su Zhisu and Lilia saw Nautilus lying flat on the seabed.

The release of the suppression did not improve its condition; the burning source and the green-haired little girl's hateful blow had severely injured it.

The once steady flame of the soul in his eyes is now as faint as a candle flickering in the wind.

The heavy armored body was covered with fine cracks, especially on the chest, where a shocking wound was surrounded by a persistent green mist that was slowly eroding inward.

Its aura was extremely unstable, fluctuating violently around a certain boundary—that was the barrier of a fourth-order great being, and it was teetering on the edge of falling.

From Su Zhisu's perspective, the rank information on the Nautilus panel was constantly flashing between rank four and rank three.

"Father! How are you?"

Lilia rushed forward, her voice choked with sobs, wanting to touch him, yet afraid of adding to Nautilus's burden.

Nautilus’s massive head twitched slightly, and the soul fire in his eye sockets struggled to focus on Lilia.

A thought, weaker than before yet exceptionally gentle, flowed out, directly soothing the daughter's emotions:

Lilia... my daughter... don't grieve for me... not being able to be there for you as you grew up... that was my responsibility... now, I'm happy to do anything for you... this is my choice...

It paused, then turned its attention to Su Zhisu, its voice weary yet tinged with approval:

[Su Zhisu...you did the right thing...using the rules...it was the only way to possibly hurt her...]

"Nautilus...your injuries..."

Su Zhisu asked in a deep voice, his heart heavy.

[Her vital essence was over-burned... coupled with her final, hate-filled blow...]

Nautilus's weak response revealed its deep exhaustion.

My position is unstable... I'm afraid... I won't be able to help you tomorrow...

Lilia's overflowing tears finally fell.

Nautilus's thoughts softened again, as if giving a final instruction:

Lilia...remember...if something happens to me...don't think about revenge...it's pointless...stay with Su Zhisu...he will lead you...to a new path...

Then, his gaze locked firmly on Su Zhisu, his expression becoming serious and solemn:

[Su Zhisu...listen...if things are beyond our control...there's no need to forcefully stop R'lyeh from descending...]