So in the end, it made a decision: to extract all events that could bring about humanity’s destruction from the long river of time and space, transforming them into independently existing legendary worlds, thereby preserving the continuation and survival of humankind. Put this way, do you understand?”

Emily Thompson spoke at length in one breath, her beautiful eyes fixed intently on Michael Bolton.

Michael Bolton hung his head, his gaze on the floor, but his mind was racing. After a long while, he finally looked up: “If we use computer terminology, the worlds you mentioned that were extracted are like a sandbox, or… a quarantine zone. All detected viruses are put into that sandbox, so they won’t interfere with the system’s operation?”

Chapter 8: The Reversed Causal Line

Emily Thompson clapped her hands lightly, her eyes shining with a strange light: “Very good, you understand perfectly. You really didn’t let me down.”

Michael Bolton’s expression suddenly changed: “Are you trying to tell me that my friend and my brother are factors that would affect the operation of the main world, so they were extracted from this world?”

“No, you’re wrong.” Emily Thompson shook her head, a trace of sadness appearing on her delicate face: “Qian did create many independent legendary worlds, collecting those factors that could cause the main world to collapse, but now, one of those worlds is already on the verge of collapse. So…”

“So what?” Michael Bolton asked anxiously.

“The extracted factors may have been placed into what you call the sandbox, but the causal line between them and the main world is only isolated, not severed. Once a legendary world enters an unstable state, it will rebound against the main world, affecting its causality. And the most terrifying thing is, if a legendary world completely collapses, then part of the main world will be destroyed along with it!” Emily Thompson sighed, “The disappearance of your brother and friend is because the legendary world collapsed, and the reversed causal line struck the main world.”

“Then, can I still save them?” Michael Bolton clenched his fists, asking the most crucial question.

Emily Thompson’s beautiful eyes flashed, and she nodded gently: “Yes, you can.”

Hearing this answer, Michael Bolton’s heart clenched, and he stood up excitedly, staring hard at Emily Thompson: “You… you mean it?”

Emily Thompson nodded: “It’s true. As long as you can save that legendary world that’s about to collapse, you can save the main world and… everyone who has already disappeared, every person entangled by the causal line.”

“Save?” Michael Bolton asked in a deep voice, “How do I save it? And… why is it me who has to save it?”

“Because the only person who can save the legendary world on the verge of collapse is someone entangled by the causal line. That person used to be your friend Steven Harris, then your brother Jason Bolton. I once sought them out, but they both refused to believe me, refused to save the world. So… they both disappeared. And now, the causal line has shifted to you. So only you have the ability to save this causal line, and thus save that legendary world, and ultimately… save the main world, as well as your brother and friend.”

“So, if I don’t believe you, or even if I do but choose to refuse, then the next to disappear will be me?” Michael Bolton smiled, “Just like them, erased by the rebounding legendary world, as if I never existed in this world?”

“Yes. So… will you refuse me?” Emily Thompson stood up, her gaze fixed on Michael Bolton, her expression tense: “If you refuse, then I can only wait until you disappear, and then look for the next person to whom the causal line transfers.”

Michael Bolton didn’t hesitate for even a moment. He stood up together with Emily Thompson, his gaze at her firm and clear: “Of course not!”

Emily Thompson patted her chest, let out a sigh of relief, and smiled with satisfaction. The smile blooming on that stunningly beautiful face made Michael Bolton momentarily dazed.

“So… how do I save that world?”

Michael Bolton had just spoken when he suddenly heard the sound of the door opening. Looking up, he was surprised to see his mother standing at the door with a bag of freshly bought groceries, her face full of astonishment.

Michael Bolton’s mother had just pushed open the door and saw Michael Bolton in the living room and Emily Thompson sitting on the sofa opposite. Her face was first surprised, then immediately switched to enthusiasm: “Little Michael, is this your friend? Hello, I’m Michael Bolton’s mother.”

“Hello.” Emily Thompson smiled politely at Michael Bolton’s mother, then stood up and said to Michael Bolton, “Since that’s the case, I’ll be going now.”

“What? Wait!” Michael Bolton was stunned. The most important thing hadn’t been discussed yet—how could she be leaving already?

Emily Thompson turned to look at Michael Bolton’s mother, then leaned her head close to Michael Bolton’s ear and whispered, “If more people know, it will disturb the causal line. Let’s meet at Riverside Park at three in the afternoon. I’ll call you.”

As she spoke in this posture, Emily Thompson’s soft hair brushed against Michael Bolton’s shoulder, and her breath, fragrant like orchids and musk, made Michael Bolton’s heart flutter uncontrollably.

“All right, I’m leaving now. Goodbye, Auntie.” Emily Thompson turned gently, waved at Michael Bolton’s mother, and walked toward the door.