Water bear?

Jiang Ye pondered this term in his heart.

Then he remembered...

He actually had heard of this creature before!

It was probably in biology class or some extracurricular reading material where he had seen descriptions of this organism.

But when he first encountered it, it didn't really register in his mind, and he didn't commit it to memory.

It wasn't until he later came across another statement—

It was said that when Liu Cixin conceived the Trisolarans, he modeled them after the characteristics of water bears!

This particular statement was what made Jiang Ye retain some impression of water bears.

So he remembered quite clearly that water bears possess incredibly formidable environmental adaptability.

They can survive in extremely high or low temperatures, and in various harsh and extreme environments!

And the similarity with the Trisolarans lies in—

Water bears have an ability called "cryptobiosis."

Scientists placed water bears in vacuum environments, temperatures of -272°C, and even terrifying radiation environments...

The water bears appeared to have died.

But when scientists gave the water bear "corpses" a little bit of moisture...

These things actually came back to life!

This ability to return from death is called "cryptobiosis."

It's said that in completely uninhabitable environments, water bears stop their metabolism and completely expel water from their bodies.

Making the entire creature appear as if it has "died."

But given the right opportunity, when the "actively dead" water bear comes into contact with the source of life (water), it can reawaken its "dead" body!

So this feigned death through active death is called cryptobiosis.

And when Boss Q was explaining about the Luminox Larva, he suddenly mentioned water bears...

Clearly hinting at the similarity between the two.

As Jiang Ye was pondering this, he saw Boss Q observing his expression and drawing a conclusion:

"It seems you've heard of water bears? That saves me some explanation then."

"The offspring larvae of this Luminox Larva, like water bears, also possess cryptobiotic abilities."

"When the offspring larvae leave the human body, they can indeed survive and even reproduce in extreme environments."

"But the offspring larvae can only survive for up to one hour in extreme environments before entering cryptobiotic state."

"The so-called cryptobiotic state is practically no different from being dead. Those offspring larvae will turn into shriveled, pure black 'dead larvae'."

"And when more and more 'dead larvae' enter cryptobiotic state..."

"The current host parasitized by the Luminox Larva will develop an inexplicable chill within their body."

"Since it's uncertain whether this chill would harm players, that's why the Luminox Larva has been passed around among us apartment bosses like a relay baton."

This explanation both clarified Jiang Ye's doubts and revealed more information about the Luminox Larva.

Boss Q thought for a moment, then added a few more discoveries and speculations that apartment bosses had about the Luminox Larva, finally stating:

"Actually, you would naturally discover all these things yourself while holding the Luminox Larva."

"As for more information, I don't know any more :)"

As he spoke, he smiled slightly and was about to urge Jiang Ye to use the remaining two question opportunities.

But he saw Jiang Ye directly frown and say: "Wait a moment."

"I feel like you've tricked me."

"According to what you said—the information you provided about the Luminox Larva is something I could gradually discover on my own through exploration."

"So aren't you essentially deliberately wasting one of my question opportunities?"

Boss Q raised an eyebrow: "I didn't force you to ask this question."

Jiang Ye had anticipated this response, so he seized the opportunity to assert himself:

"Well then you wait too!"

"What you said earlier was that you would tell me all the information you know about the Luminox Larva!"

"But right now, there's still one piece of information related to the Luminox Larva that you haven't told me!"

Boss Q first looked puzzled, then suddenly seemed to think of something and raised an eyebrow: "What information?"

Jiang Ye asked directly: "According to your statement—"

"The Luminox Larva has been passed among you apartment bosses like a relay baton."

"Then you should have already agreed—"

"That the next one waiting to receive it should be Apartment Boss R who comes after you."

"But now, you've broken the agreement and passed the Luminox Larva to me..."

"Oh." Boss Q raised an eyebrow again, "You're saying that since I gave the Luminox Larva to you, how will I explain this to the other apartment bosses?"

"To be honest, I don't need to explain anything."

"What can they do if I just say you stole the Luminox Larva?"

His words carried considerable arrogance.

Even his originally gentle demeanor now faintly revealed a trace of wild audacity!

Jiang Ye belatedly realized—

It seemed that binding with the [Privileged One] identity had given this Apartment Boss Q considerable confidence!

To the extent that when he mentioned other apartment bosses now, he faintly displayed a sense of disdain.

Indeed...

After all, the [Nomadic Merchant] far surpasses other permission identities.

This mysterious strong player, when previously appearing as "Apartment Boss Q," might have cautiously played dumb to hide his strength.

But now...

With the incredibly powerful [Privileged One] permission identity, he already has the confidence to flip the table on other apartment bosses!

So, naturally, it makes sense that he no longer follows the agreement to pass on the Luminox Larva.

And Jiang Ye actually didn't mind him shifting the blame.

After all, he was already in an adversarial relationship with the apartment bosses.

One more accusation of "stealing the Luminox Larva" didn't make much difference.

Just as Jiang Ye was thinking this.

He saw this Apartment Boss Q mysteriously smile at him again.

Then, he said meaningfully:

"Since you say I tricked you..."

"Then I'll give you one more important piece of information about cryptobiotic offspring larvae :)"

As he spoke, he thought for a moment and suggested: "Why don't you let Zhou Yuling out?"

"If I'm not mistaken... Zhou Yuling is now also a Privileged One."

"When you traded the Permission Iron Piece with me, you were worried I might discover something, so you kept her in the prison."

"But now, I already know the special nature of that Permission Iron Piece, and I've guessed that she's also a [Privileged One], so there's no need for her to hide anymore."

Indeed.

So Jiang Ye released Zhou Yuling again.

Zhou Yuling appeared under the Formless Tree, somewhat surprised, but didn't say anything.

Boss Q glanced at her, then turned back to Jiang Ye and continued the previous topic:

"I don't know if you've seen it, but the Defenders' Alliance has a very unique black ribbon."

"Wrapping that black ribbon around a person can suppress the pain of Lightburn."

Jiang Ye nodded;

of course he knew.

In fact, he had used that thing himself.

At the time, he was repeatedly astonished that the Defenders' Alliance could even produce an item that suppressed Lightburn pain!

Even now, thinking about the effect of that black ribbon, he was still amazed.

However...

Combined with what Boss Q had said earlier.

Jiang Ye quickly realized:

"You're saying..."

"That kind of black ribbon that can suppress Lightburn is actually made from the Luminox Larva's offspring larvae, specifically, offspring larvae in cryptobiotic state?"

Boss Q smiled and nodded: "So..."

"According to the characteristics of the Luminox Larva—when it changes hosts... the offspring larvae reproduced while with the previous host will all instantly disappear!"

"So, right when I passed the Luminox Larva to you..."

"I'm afraid all the black ribbons of the Defenders' Alliance have instantly become ineffective!"

"Those players who were using cryptobiotic offspring larvae to suppress Lightburn pain are probably suffering unbearable agony again right now."

"For example... Salvation :)"

When Boss Q said this, his schadenfreude was almost completely undisguised.

Jiang Ye couldn't help but shudder.

Thank goodness he had transferred Lightburn to the Nomadic Merchant...

Otherwise, he would probably be suffering unbearable pain right now too...

Thinking about it this way, no wonder Boss Q so easily passed the Luminox Larva to him.

He probably had wanted to pass on the Luminox Larva for a long time.

But because Salvation was infected with Lightburn...

Jiang Ye realized: "So, the Luminox Larva on you should have been passed to Apartment Boss R long ago, but because Salvation was infected with Lightburn and needed ribbons made from cryptobiotic offspring larvae to suppress Lightburn pain, he didn't allow you to pass on the Luminox Larva?"

Boss Q coldly snorted, equally undisguised in his hatred toward Salvation.

Perhaps...

This guy had long wanted to pass on the Luminox Larva because the number of cryptobiotic offspring larvae had exceeded the limit, causing his body to develop chills.

He had wanted to pass on the Luminox Larva for a long time, but Salvation wouldn't allow it!

Thinking this, Jiang Ye asked another question:

"So your entry into the Court of Disorder probably wasn't a collective arrangement by the apartment bosses, but your own personal decision, right?"

Boss Q didn't answer, only gave another ambiguous cold laugh.

This time, Jiang Ye understood his cold laugh.

He probably meant to say—

Apartment bosses fundamentally cannot leave the Doomsday Apartment, so naturally they cannot personally come to the [Court of Disorder].

And Boss Q could come here probably relied on his multiple identity methods.

At this point, Jiang Ye had gained a considerable understanding of this Apartment Boss Q's situation.

The questions he originally planned to ask to learn more about Boss Q seemed worth reconsidering.

Just as he was contemplating the remaining two questions.

Boss Q urged him again.

Jiang Ye thought for a moment, then suddenly praised:

"To be honest, the integrity you've shown really surprises me."

Boss Q didn't say much, only gestured for him to continue asking questions.

But Jiang Ye took advantage of the situation: "Relying on your honesty, I'd like to modify our arrangement—"

"You first take one of my clones out, then the clone that leaves will ask you the remaining two questions."

This way, the clone leaving the Court of Disorder could synchronize information between what's inside the court and the clones outside.

With more information, perhaps he could ask more useful questions.

After hearing this, Boss Q paused, his gaze sweeping toward Zhou Yuling's direction.

"Actually..."

"With Zhou Yuling as your [Privileged One], you can also freely bring clones in and out of the Court of Disorder."

So the third condition he had proposed earlier was something Jiang Ye could accomplish himself even without Boss Q.

To some extent, Jiang Ye seemed to have suffered a hidden loss.

But actually...

Jiang Ye shrugged: "If we followed our originally agreed transaction..."

"Only you would get the Permission Iron Piece."

But the current situation is that Boss Q got the Permission Iron Piece, and Jiang Ye himself also has Permission Iron Pieces.

In fact, as long as he actively dies again, he could get even more Permission Iron Pieces.

So, comparatively speaking, Boss Q was actually the one at a greater disadvantage.

He traded the Luminox Larva for a Permission Iron Piece that could be so easily mass-produced.

Of course, he originally wanted to pass on the Luminox Larva anyway, so it wasn't really a loss for him.

In any case, although the beginning was quite unpleasant, the final outcome of the transaction...

Unexpectedly, both parties were quite satisfied.

And since Jiang Ye didn't make an issue of it, Boss Q naturally wouldn't look for trouble either.

While nodding in agreement to answer questions after taking the clone out, he suddenly spoke seriously to Jiang Ye:

"Although our interaction hasn't been very pleasant, I believe you've probably heard this saying—"

"There are no permanent enemies, no permanent friends, only permanent interests."

"So I hope..."

"If we accidentally face Jiang Wenxing together in the future..."

"We can cooperate as pleasantly as we are now."

These words seemed frank and quite friendly.

But Jiang Ye instantly understood the deeper meaning.

This cunning old fox was simply hinting—

If later, he accidentally gets pursued by Jiang Wenxing...

Then he would probably directly use [Free Movement] to come to Jiang Ye's side!

On the surface, it would be him and Jiang Ye jointly resisting Jiang Wenxing.

But actually, it should be that this Boss Q still fears the terrifying effects of the prison.

Thinking that using that thing could help him escape from Jiang Wenxing.

And Jiang Wenxing might also, due to his wariness of Jiang Ye, give up pursuing Boss Q who appears near Jiang Ye.

Of course, future events are unpredictable.

Jiang Ye neither agreed nor refused, directly generating another clone and then looking at Boss Q.

Boss Q raised an eyebrow: "Should I just use Forced Fusion to take your clone out?"

What? This guy's Forced Fusion can be used on players too?

Jiang Ye was inwardly astonished, but remained calm on the surface: "As you wish."

Boss Q nodded, then spread his arms and directly merged Jiang Ye's newly generated clone into his own body!

It really was...

SSS-level [Forced Fusion] can even merge people!

Boss Q didn't say much more, leaving behind a "see you later" before directly disappearing.

And at that moment, Zhou Yuling immediately checked her ten-thousand followers group chat.

In that member list...

She quickly found Wang Cheng's name.

And at this moment, she could even see in the group chat Wang Cheng's reassuring remarks to other anxious followers...

So...

That mysterious strong player really isn't Wang Cheng?

Jiang Ye also noticed this detail.

But instead, he became even more suspicious...

This Wang Cheng and the mysterious strong player Apartment Boss Q might very well be the same person!

Aren't they just clones?

Jiang Ye has them, Salvation has them, others might have them too!

In any case, this Wang Cheng is currently his key person of interest!

And the method to test this person is quite simple...

Jiang Ye looked at Zhou Yuling and said: "The transaction is complete, we can now focus on preparing for the Extreme Court's Court Session."

"Send a message to your followers, have them gather here."

"Including other strong players who ran away when the situation turned bad, notify those you can to come here, and for those you can't notify..."

"Just 'capture' them and bring them here!"

Zhou Yuling already knew to do these things without Jiang Ye telling her.

Only...

Zhou Yuling's gaze subtly glanced downward.