Prosperity at its peak marks the beginning of decline.

'Once in ten thousand years extreme weather!'

'Can humanity once again stand against nature?!'

'Nature's revenge?'

'Extreme temperature rise sparks global concern.'

'Two days of clear weather guaranteed every week!'

Sensational headlines flooded major news media platforms, people's social media feeds were inundated with overwhelming reports of extreme weather. For a time, panic spread, and everyone feared for their own safety.

'Experts state: The current abnormal weather is not the apocalypse; nature is still generously leaving us a chance for survival.'

'An increasing number of authoritative teams have expressed: The cause of the abnormal weather still requires further investigation, but it can be confirmed it will not be the end of human civilization.'

'A joint statement from multiple governments: We are doing our utmost to mobilize resources, fully addressing the impacts of the abnormal weather, and hope the public remains calm and rational, not misled by rumors.'

'Currently, governments have urgently coordinated with professional organizations to investigate the XX zone. A press conference is expected to be held in one week, where all media will be welcome to attend and report.'

'It is reported that the abnormal situation in the XX zone is unprecedented in all of human history. It is hoped that nations worldwide prepare their response. This is a severe test brought upon humanity by nature.'

The internet, television, radio, newspapers, media—all were frantically discussing news related to the abnormal events, and more authoritative information was being revealed one after another.

For instance, a certain country's president addressed the public via broadcast, personally visiting the disaster site, having established a special task force to help all humanity through this calamity.

Students of Flame City Private Academy were consequently forced into a break. The board of trustees held emergency meetings overnight to discuss countermeasures, but found no solution.

After all, the academy was located in the peripheral area of the extreme weather zone, making student safety difficult to guarantee.

Thus, a rare scene unfolded outside the academy: luxury cars gathered, helicopters roared.

It turned out parents had come to urgently pick up their children.

"Where are you going to take refuge?"

"Tibet. You?"

"Similar."

"My family's destination is near the equator; they think the probability of flooding is higher."

"We're planning for the North or South Pole."

"Who knows when we'll meet again after this parting!"

"Damn this weather, how did it come to this?"

"The times are changing; we're witnessing history."

Students gathered in small groups, bidding each other farewell with sorrowful expressions. They seemed to realize this sudden disaster would be a great calamity for humanity. After all, the root cause of the abnormal weather was a change in the sun itself.

Compared to the chaos outside, the atmosphere inside the Archery Club was particularly heavy.

Especially for Ji Qingyi, her gaze fixed on someone's movement trajectory on the screen, refusing to look away for a long time, her lips moving as she murmured: "What exactly is his goal?"

She voiced her doubt.

Because the investigation had already confirmed this disaster was caused by Su Cheng, but why would he do this?

When did his purpose for participating in the archery competition become twisted?

Who exactly was the sense of mission in his heart directed towards—himself, or others?

The Archery Club's training was suspended due to this matter, and the competition was forced to halt.

And currently, it seemed Su Cheng was preparing to close the net.

"Clearly, his goal was never to win the championship." Liu Qingyue stood behind, her expression also somewhat somber. Perhaps her feelings about this were even more complex than Ji Qingyi's.

"I know that, of course."

Ji Qingyi's tone was slightly subdued, "So, is his goal the system, or Li Guanqi?"

"I'm afraid only Gu Ruoxue can answer that question for you." Liu Qingyue sighed: "Because she has more experience with this matter than we do. We only know parts, but she knows the whole picture, so she should understand best what Su Cheng wants to do."

"Invite her here."

Ji Qingyi fell silent for a moment, then spoke.

"No need, I'm already here." Gu Ruoxue's calm voice came from outside the door. As footsteps approached, the door was pushed open, and Gu Ruoxue walked in carrying her schoolbag. She glanced at Ji Qingyi and Liu Qingyue and got straight to the point: "Tell me Su Cheng's exact current location."

"I want to know what he's really trying to do."

Ji Qingyi looked up at Gu Ruoxue, her expression calm: "Since his goal isn't to participate in the competition, then what is his goal?"

"I have my suspicions, but they still need verification." Gu Ruoxue shook her head, continuing: "I think once we find him, we can probably uncover the final answer."

"Let's hope so."

Ji Qingyi did not refuse, nodding her chin towards Liu Qingyue beside her. The latter immediately picked up a tablet to check the satellite signal capture images, but she was shocked to find the target signal had disappeared, as if it had never existed.

"What's wrong?" Liu Qingyue grew anxious, "He can't be found on satellite."

"Has he become capable of actively influencing the environment to this extent?"

Ji Qingyi's brow furrowed, her expression dark and unreadable: "First extreme heat, then rain, and now he can even block satellites."

"You've guessed it too, you just don't want to admit it."

Gu Ruoxue tossed out a light remark, causing both Ji Qingyi and Liu Qingyue's expressions to stiffen as they looked at Gu Ruoxue.

"Most likely, he has recovered more memories."

She said it lightly, but to the ears of the other two, it was an eye-opening revelation, a sudden realization.

If Su Cheng is the one orchestrating this, if this "stage" was created by him, then wouldn't commanding wind and rain be as easy as he wishes?

"Can't your big yellow dog find Su Cheng?" Liu Qingyue suggested: "Just have it lead the way."

"It's currently being ordered around by Cornelia." Gu Ruoxue's tone carried helplessness, "Cornelia took it to the XX zone, and the locator got damaged by the heavy rain, it's malfunctioning now."

"Then where could he be now?" Liu Qingyue pressed a finger to her chin, lost in thought.

After a moment of contemplation, they simultaneously thought of the same place: Golden Coast.

"Set off immediately!" Ji Qingyi decisively gave the order. The three immediately sprang into action.

However, the moment they stepped out of the Archery Club, a sudden change occurred!

A scorching and violent heat wave assaulted them, causing their expressions to change drastically. They all looked up in disbelief, and then, they saw Cornelia and Li Guanqi, along with the big yellow dog, walking towards them.

In that moment, they knew: Su Cheng is here!

"Senior Ji, Senior Gu, Senior Liu!"

Li Guanqi urgently called out, hope sparkling in her eyes, "Su Cheng has come to the school!"

"Left, Right, escort her back to her parents." Ji Qingyi instructed her subordinates. Bodyguards immediately stepped forward to take hold of Cornelia. Cornelia struggled desperately, shouting: "Let me go! Where is Su Cheng? Where have you hidden him?"

"Senior Ji, please let Cornelia down." Li Guanqi hurriedly ran up and said: "We've already shared information on some matters, she also knows that we have similarly recovered our memories, so there's no need to send her away. She can come with us."

"That's right, she's also part of the plan, indispensable." Gu Ruoxue nodded in agreement.

"Fine. But you must obey and not speak out of turn. Otherwise, I can make you leave at any time and ensure you never see Su Cheng again." Ji Qingyi warned Cornelia with an icy tone. They simply didn't have time to waste on Cornelia now; they had to use every second to find Su Cheng.

Seemingly intimidated by Ji Qingyi's gaze and the cold aura she exuded, Cornelia stopped struggling and quieted down. She stared at her with slightly reddened eyes for a long moment before finally lowering her head. "I... I understand."

"Has something happened?"

Seeing the grave expressions on the three women's faces, and noticing that even the usually most rational and calm Gu Ruoxue and Ji Qingyi seemed unsettled, Li Guanqi couldn't help but ask with concern.

"There's no time to explain."

Liu Qingyue went straight to the big yellow dog, patted its head, and urged, "Quick, take us to find Su Cheng!"

Upon hearing this, the big yellow dog immediately turned and bolted, with the women closely following. Since Cornelia's physical condition was too poor, she was still carried by the two attendants as they ran. This time, she offered no protest, as she too could sense the urgency of the situation.

A few minutes later

They stopped outside the club activity building. As the students were already on holiday and had gone home, the building was empty. Apart from security, there was no one else around, but they didn't hesitate for long.

After going upstairs, they stopped at the door of the Social Practice Club.

Everyone paused for a moment. Apart from the sound of Li Guanqi and Cornelia catching their breath, it was completely silent.

Because Su Cheng was very likely waiting for them inside the club.

Finally, the club's owner reached out and opened the door. But upon opening it, the club room was empty. However, a cheap red plastic bag on the table was particularly conspicuous.

They exchanged glances, a flicker of confusion in their eyes. Only Gu Ruoxue, looking at the plastic bag, was momentarily stunned, as if seeing a long-lost memory.

But Liu Qingyue didn't have such reservations. She stepped directly inside, and the others followed, their steps unusually heavy and oppressive, as if walking on cotton candy. Unconsciously, they gathered around the plastic bag. She reached out and opened it.

Instantly—

Three white disposable plastic lunch boxes came into view.

The others were puzzled and turned to look at Gu Ruoxue. They saw her close her eyes, take a few deep breaths as if suppressing some inner emotion, and then look at the three white plastic boxes, her tone low. "As expected, inside are chicken legs, eggs, vegetables, pickles, and rice."

Liu Qingyue and Li Guanqi opened the lids to verify her words. With a few soft snaps, the contents came into view—exactly as she had described.

"Does this have some special meaning?" Ji Qingyi frowned as she spoke, looking at Gu Ruoxue with a questioning gaze.

Just then, a downpour began outside. Raindrops beat against the glass windows, splattering watery marks, and the sky darkened, making everything indistinct.

It seemed Su Cheng had already left Flame City.

And his purpose was clearly just to deliver this.

And only Gu Ruoxue could understand it.

Everyone looked at Gu Ruoxue, waiting for her answer.

Gu Ruoxue tightened her serious expression and spoke: "Back then, the first meal he ever bought for me had exactly these dishes, without any difference."

"In that case..." Liu Qingyue assumed a thoughtful pose and said, "Could it be... he wants to convey to you that the current situation is similar to the past, and he's preparing to ask for your help again?"

Hearing Liu Qingyue say this, Ji Qingyi's pupils suddenly contracted as if shaken by an earthquake. "Are you sure? You're not mistaken?"

"What exactly is going on?"

Li Guanqi and Cornelia were still somewhat unclear about the situation and couldn't help but ask.

"The disaster wasn't something he actively triggered."

Gu Ruoxue's eyes suddenly swept over everyone, her gaze not easing in the slightest. She immediately stated decisively, "The system is back. It was caused by the system!"

"So his goal is..."

"To eliminate the system, to end it completely!" Liu Qingyue drew a sharp breath, suddenly understanding. "So that's it... His act even fooled the system. He wants to lure the system out and then annihilate it in one go, to cut off the root of the trouble."

"Correct."

Gu Ruoxue nodded. "Losing his memories could indeed make the system dormant, but what has awakened now is likely the 'original system.' And according to the system's punishment mechanism, it will impose the cruelest punishment, which is a disaster. Last time it was an earthquake."

"Wait, if he wants to eliminate the system, wouldn't killing himself accomplish that? Why go through all this complexity?"

Liu Qingyue raised a question.

"He probably has another objective."

Gu Ruoxue looked at Li Guanqi. "That night, didn't he say he saw you regain your smile?"

"He wants to use the system to cure Li Guanqi's facial paralysis?"

Ji Qingyi said suspiciously, "But where would he get the treatment item from?"

"He has probably already succeeded." Liu Qingyue seemed to have thought of something and sighed. "Clearly, treating the heroine is a top priority. Why is it that after obtaining rewards so many times, he never got the most effective item?"

Listening to her analysis, Ji Qingyi also realized: "He obtained the treatment item long ago?"

"But we know about every item he obtained..."

As Ji Qingyi said this, she suddenly realized something, her face turning slightly pale. "The red potion!?"

"No wonder, no wonder... He clearly didn't intend to compete, yet he still swallowed that fatal potion. So that's why..."

As Ji Qingyi's words fell, the club room fell into dead silence again. Everyone's expressions grew increasingly grave and somber.

Even though Li Guanqi didn't know the specifics, she understood that this potion was swallowed for her sake, to treat her?!

"Do you recognize this bottle of potion?" Gu Ruoxue seemingly produced the bottle of red potion out of thin air and held it out to Cornelia.

Cornelia was startled by her magic trick, blinking her eyes before regaining her composure and shaking her head. "No, I don't."

"Open it and smell it."

"Oh."

Seeing this, Cornelia carefully took the red potion, held it to her nose, and gave a light sniff. She detected a familiar scent, identical to the band-aids Su Cheng had used to treat her wounds before. Her eyes widened in surprise.

"I remember, Su Cheng used this on me."

"Treating a scratched-up beautiful girl is certainly important, but at that time, he had two even more important things in mind. One was to obtain the archery enhancement ability, and the other was to treat Li Guanqi."

Gu Ruoxue put away the Life Potion, briefly recounted the situation at the time, and then provided the answer: "The system description of this potion makes it seem like it only treats all external injuries. But judging from his actions, it appears it can also 'use one's own body as medicine' to neutralize the potion's properties and treat Li Guanqi's condition. So, most likely, this was his second objective."