Paradise Port

After hearing this, Emma's expression froze momentarily before she quickly regained her smile and sidled up against Jack Li. 

A soft, warm sensation persistently brushed against Jack Li's arm. 

"Qi-ge, you're so smart—you'll definitely get us out of here, right? Just take me along, please?" 

Candy surveyed the girl with resignation, feeling her act surpassed even the professionalism of her own colleagues. 

No… To be blunt, neither she nor her coworkers truly liked this profession. All were forced into it by circumstance, so none would ever wear such obsequious expressions. 

"We're incompatible." Jack Li remained unmoved, coldly meeting Emma's gaze. "Find another team." 

A flicker of venom passed through Emma's eyes before vanishing. Having observed Jack Li's brilliance across multiple games, she knew survival without him was impossible. 

"Qi-ge…" Emma pouted pitifully, "Do you really dislike me that much?" 

"Yes. I dislike you intensely." Jack Li nodded again, shaking Emma off and stepping away. "Anyone else joining me? If not, we part ways here." 

His gaze lingered on Tony and Officer Liu, faint hope in his eyes. Jack Li wanted them to join willingly—only then could they transform into reliable allies. 

"Jack Li." Officer Liu suddenly spoke up. 

"What is it?" 

The officer's lips twitched as if arranging words. After a pause, he asked, "Do you think… I can get out?" 

Jack Li slowly lowered his head, eyes fixing on the ground. The double-edged question defied easy answers. 

If Officer Liu returned to reality, he'd be a confirmed murderer. Even if miraculously sent back pre-crime, he'd still be a corrupt cop colluding with fraudsters. This dilemma pressed twin blades to his throat and heart, paralyzing him. No wonder Officer Liu hesitated—he had no righteous path home. 

After contemplation, Jack Li asked solemnly, "Do you have someone waiting for you?" 

"Waiting…" A chubby, smiling face materialized in Officer Liu's mind—Xuanxuan. 

"Of course… But how could I face her…" 

"I'll help you." Jack Li cut in. "Whether it's 'escaping' or your 'circumstances'—I'll help." 

Officer Liu started, disbelief flashing across his features before comprehension dawned. Unspoken understandings hung between them. Could Jack Li already have a plan against Zhang Huanan? Considering their differing capabilities, if Jack Li strategized, perhaps that scum could be outmaneuvered. Against Zhang Huanan's ilk, conventional methods failed—only evil could counter evil. 

"Alright. I trust you." Officer Liu declared. "I'm in." 

Jack Li nodded, then turned to Tony—saying nothing, just leveling a look. 

The key variable now was Tony. With Officer Liu yet to "Echo," Tony remained their sole Echoer. Could dual Echoer teams oppose the "Extremists"? 

"Can… can I refuse?" Tony ventured. 

"Sure." Jack Li acknowledged. "But why?" 

"I…" Tony wrung his hands anxiously. "Jack Li, though you saved me and I want to repay you… my nerves can't handle these games. I'll break…" 

His brutally honest answer left Jack Li speechless. Tony's crippling timidity and self-professed claustrophobia made many games lethal. Yet Jack Li recalled Luna Snow's words: extreme emotions catalyzed Echoes. Perhaps that explained Tony's early awakening. 

"What if you don't play?" Jack Li pressed. 

"Not play?" Tony frowned. "Then why join your team?" 

The request felt flimsy, but Jack Li needed Tony. "Just accompany us. Advise. If we win the 'Tao,' you'll share it." 

After consideration, Tony acquiesced. 

Watching the eager divisions, Lawyer Liu voiced confusion: "You're all so confident despite zero intel?" 

Emma clung to Jack Li's arm. "With Qi-ge here, what intel do we need?" 

"Release me." Jack Li commanded. 

Lawyer Liu had a point—Jack Li's actions seemed suspicious. With nearly everyone except Lawyer Liu and Dr. Lee aligning with Jack Li, teams stood lopsided at 7-2. 

Dr. Lee stepped forward. "Given most side with the officer, maybe we shouldn't split up. Safer together, no?" 

"Exactly!" Emma chimed. "Safety in numbers!" 

The situation veered oddly. Jack Li wanted to protest but lacked grounds. Forced division now would arouse more suspicion. 

Officer Liu nodded. "Seems no need to split. Let's proceed together." 

Jack Li alone remembered Emma's true colors. Officer Liu had minor friction with her; Tony died early last cycle. Only Jack Li knew this woman could unravel them from within. But how to expel her legitimately now? 

"Everyone… Hate to interrupt…" Taylor suddenly spoke up, finger pointing into the distance where a youth stood. "But someone's been watching us." 

The boy, noticing their attention, approached unabashed. His appearance gave Jack Li pause—a ponytailed teen who bowed slightly before declaring: 

"Apologies for waiting while you conversed. Have you finished?"

The boy's accent and grammar were peculiar, leaving the group perplexed. 

Jack Li carefully assessed the situation. This youth was clearly affiliated with "Paradise Port"—but why was he here? 

"You are…?" Officer Liu asked. 

"Bro, I'm Goldenboy." The handsome youth smiled, bowing again. Raising his head, he asked, "Which of you is Jack Li?" 

The group turned toward Jack Li. 

With resignation, Jack Li stepped forward. "That's me." 

"Perfect! Bro, I've been waiting here *forever* for you." 

"Waiting… for me?" 

"Yep." Goldenboy nodded. "I need to ask you a question." 

None except Jack Li recognized the boy, sparking confusion. 

Emma subtly retreated, wariness sharpening her tone. "Qi-ge… why do you have acquaintances here?" 

Jack Li ignored her, focused on Goldenboy's intent. 

"You waited just to ask me something?" 

He already suspected the query. 

"Exactly." Goldenboy gestured aside. "Bro, mind stepping over there?" 

Jack Li followed him a few paces away. 

"Someone told me to ask: 'What day did you arrive here?'" 

Jack Li paused, calculating. 

Can Paradise Port be trusted?

If they repeated last cycle's aimless wandering in this "Ending Land," their fate would remain bleak. Gambling on Ethan's lead seemed wiser. 

Softly, Jack Li replied, "My body's been here eleven days. My mind… only four." 

"Damn…" Goldenboy muttered. "Brother Chu really *is* a prophet…" 

"What?" Jack Li frowned. 

"Bro, truth is—we all supposedly arrived *today*. But Brother Chu had me ask others this same question, and no one answered 'Day One.' Doesn't that mean he knows something?" 

Of course Ethan knows.

He likely retained memories from prior cycles. But what unsettled Jack Li deeper: *Why had Ethan asked this question last time too? Had he already remembered then?* 

*Could they… have arrived here earlier than me?* 

Jack Li had cycled twice. What if Ethan had looped *more*—retaining memories each time to recruit allies? If so, Paradise Port's strength exceeded his assumptions. 

Emma, feigning nonchalance, sidled over. "What's the secret chat?" 

Goldenboy smiled. "Let's regroup. What comes next concerns everyone." 

Returning to the crowd, Goldenboy announced: "We're gathering elites to form a group to conquer games. Jack Li passed our leader's test. Anyone else interested?" 

"What's this group *do*?" Officer Liu probed. 

"A strike team for targeted game strategies, bro." Goldenboy's accented Mandarin carried odd cadences. "Different members tackle different challenges." 

Officer Liu studied him. "Are you Korean-Chinese?" 

"Yes, bro. From Yanbian." Goldenboy rubbed his neck. "We mostly speak Korean there. Sorry if my Han dialect's rough." 

Officer Liu nodded—his own city hosted many Mongolians. 

"Who sent you?" Barrett pressed. 

"A brother named Ethan." Goldenboy's tone hardened with reverence. "Brilliant strategist. I'm executing his orders." 

Jack Li stroked his chin. His knowledge of Ethan began and ended with *"he possesses an escape journal."* 

"Goldenboy," Jack Li pressed, "did Ethan invite *only* me?" 

"Yes… and no." The youth clarified, "He invited *you*, but you can bring your crew. Another brother, Liam, joined earlier with his people." 

"Liam…" Jack Li visualized Old Lü and Glasses. Their inclusion made sense—competent allies. 

He glanced at his eight companions. An idea crystallized: Leading this unwieldy group into games invited chaos. Better to merge with Paradise Port—shed deadweight while accessing the journal. 

To hide a drop of ink, drown it in the ocean.

"Can all nine of us join?" Jack Li asked. 

"Absolutely. Brother Chu said: 'Meet any demand if Jack Li agrees.'" 

The group wavered. They'd followed Jack Li after witnessing his prowess—but trusting an unseen "Ethan"? 

"I'm joining Ethan's group," Jack Li declared, preempting debate. "Follow or go your own way." 

Hesitation rippled through them. 

"Oh!" Goldenboy added, "Brother Chu says food and water will grow scarce. We'll ration supplies for all members." 

"Free provisions?" Barrett eyed him skeptically. "What's the catch?" 

Goldenboy scanned the crowd. "Our goal: conquer *every game*. No freeloaders. All obey Brother Chu's command—he'll lead us out." 

"Every game…?" The group exchanged glances. Wasn't collecting 3,600 "Tao" the exit condition? Why conquer all? 

"How's 'Tao' distributed?" Emma pressed. 

"Merit-based." Goldenboy shrugged. "Brother Chu doesn't care about Tao. No worries." 

Jack Li sensed Ethan pursuing an unorthodox path—likely guided by that journal. *Does escaping require conquering games, not hoarding Tao?* 

"Jack Li Bro?" Goldenboy prompted. "Final answer?" 

"No debate. We're in."