1.29 This is a fallen world.

Wu Chen had many questions about the City of Fragments. It was rare to cross paths with the coffee shop owner, and while he wanted to ask for guidance, he feared overstepping boundaries and held his tongue. As he had decided before, everything would have to wait until he survived his first "Cleanup Day."

Inside the safe house, the artifact from the City of Fragments—used as a stove—was identified by the central computer as a plasma incinerator. It was an advanced waste disposal method widely adopted in the near-future world, utilizing plasma technology to incinerate both solid and liquid waste. The intense heat generated by the plasma (up to 10,000K) could decompose or oxidize pollutants, breaking down complex organic matter into simple molecules. In other words, the original storyline of the City of Fragments might also be set in the near future; whether it was a purely science-fiction world remained unknown.

However, because a large number of players had gathered there, the branching storylines they carried had influenced the main plot. This was how the Four-Spiral Zone and the dynamic edge where Wu Chen currently found himself had come into existence.

The chance encounter with the coffee shop owner had made this journey full of surprises. Throughout their late-night conversation around the plasma stove, Wu Chen had gained much insight. According to the owner, the City of Fragments was actually a "fallen divine world." The gods had long since perished, leaving the world shattered, yet the Guardian—a massive shadow in the void—refused to accept the fate of destruction. Thus, it relied on the memories of players to repeatedly fight back against annihilation, tirelessly rebuilding.

The coffee shop owner used a vivid metaphor: it was like a world undergoing irreversible brain death. The Guardian could only repair the shattered reality before them by borrowing the memories stored in the "players' brain cells." It was as Wu Chen had realized after his own journey along the 404 Road of Destruction: players were the "memory vessels" of this broken world.

When Wu Chen asked where the Guardian’s own memories had gone, the owner replied that a Guardian undergoing irreversible brain death would have no memories left to hold. Wu Chen fell silent. Of course, this was merely the owner's personal perspective. Because of their differing backgrounds, each individual’s understanding of the rules varied. What kind of world the City of Fragments truly was for Wu Chen remained something he had to experience for himself. For now, he would take these rumors at face value.

Returning to the shelter on the seventh day, Wu Chen rested soundly alongside Lin Baiyu, while the bio-robot Katelyn Vithrice and the psychic Kikuko Kugui kept watch throughout the night. By the time the central computer woke Wu Chen, the coffee shop owner had already departed, and a delivery drone from the Mocha Coffee House had arrived at the safe house right on time. How did they manage it? Seeing Wu Chen’s gaze drifting toward the window, the navigator simply shrugged, accustomed to such things. The coffee shop owner was known as a "Fragment Catcher"; slipping in and out of the dynamic edge was merely a daily routine. That seemed to explain it.

The team set off once again.

"We're here," the navigator announced at midday as they emerged from the pipeline.

As the navigator had mentioned during their chat, the fantasy and science-fiction elements converging at the dynamic edge shared a similar worldview. Beyond the pipeline lay the "Urban Cultivation" zone. It, too, had skyscrapers, airplanes, and cars, though it trailed slightly behind the near-future science-fiction timeline. It felt more like a world based on the turn of the 21st century. Flying vehicles were rare, and the skyline was far less cutting-edge than that of the science-fiction spiral, which was why it was categorized as urban fantasy.

The navigation system, which had been interrupted by the fog-tide surge, reactivated: 177 Shanghai Street, Tang Lou Seafood Hotel.

"You aren't coming with me?" Wu Chen asked with a smile as he saw the navigator pull over and kill the engine.

"I am only responsible for the transit within the pipeline; beyond it is not a place for me to go," the navigator replied, adhering to his duties. "Good luck, 0326."

"Understood." After agreeing on a return time, Wu Chen set off for the destination with his three followers. To avoid unnecessary trouble, the AE86 drove obediently along the street. Even so, the uniquely styled motorcycle-terminator drew many side-glances. Fortunately, the destination was also located at the dynamic edge, not far from the pipeline exit. Wu Chen’s team arrived quickly.

"Hello, I am 0326, Wu Chen, the courier."
"Hello, I am 0721, Tian Wuya, the recipient."

With the confirmation complete, the underground garage door slowly opened. Following the directions, Lin Baiyu drove the AE86 into the elevator heading to the top floor.

The style of the Tang Lou was very similar to the Nanchao Interstellar Hotel, but while Nanchao was high-tech futurism, Tang Lou was defined by modern mystical arts—emphasizing the Eight Trigrams, the Five Elements, and the arts of concealment. Unlike ancient immortal cultivation, urban fantasy did not pursue ascension or immortality; it was a world where strange people, demons, and ghosts ran rampant. Exorcising evil had to be balanced with worldly interests, and factional disputes were much more grounded. It was similar to the "Urban Psychic" branch of the sci-fi category. It was precisely because of this affinity that Kikuko Kugui was able to transition from an Onmyoji to a psychic—though the magical potion from New Hong Kong had certainly been the primary catalyst for her transformation.

In the Donglai Pavilion on the top floor, the elegant woman dressed in traditional Tang-style clothing sat in the center. She was the mistress of this place, Tian Wuya.

"Have you been well?" Tian Wuya asked with the ease of an old friend.
"Do we know each other?" Unfortunately, Wu Chen had no recollection of her.
"We should." Tian Wuya’s beautiful eyes shifted as she quoted: "The shelter is broken, and things have changed. 'This feeling might have become a memory, but at the time, I was already bewildered.'"
"Understood, Tian Wuya." With a heavy mission on his shoulders, Wu Chen did not share her penchant for sentimentality. "Where is the original item?"
"Returning the item to its owner." Wu Chen produced the entrusted package.
"Returning the original," Tian Wuya said, handing over a lacquered wooden box in return. "Remember, do not open it on your way."
"Understood." As he looked at the lacquer on the box, Wu Chen felt a sudden urge. "May I ask, do you recognize this?"
"What item are you referring to, Brother Wu?"
Wu Chen took out the 2B pencil he kept with him at all times. "This."

Tian Wuya felt something unusual the moment she touched it. "This is no ordinary pencil."
"To be honest... Madam, I brought this with me when I entered the City of Fragments," Wu Chen said carefully. "It was part of the 'Rescue Starter Pack.'"

"In that case, it must be related to your exclusive shelter," Tian Wuya said, her brow slightly furrowed. "But Brother Wu, you come from the sci-fi spiral; why would you carry a mystical artifact?"
"Are you certain it is a mystical artifact?" Wu Chen pressed.
"I am quite certain." Tian Wuya exerted a bit of energy, and the 2B pencil was instantly activated. It radiated brilliant light, overflowing with spiritual energy. In an instant, as if an old tree had sprouted anew, a tiny, tender bud emerged from the pencil, sending ripples of golden light through the air. The pavilion was suddenly filled with an intoxicating fragrance. It was undoubtedly an extraordinary object.

"Are you sure you belong to the sci-fi category, Brother Wu?" As the golden light rippled, Tian Wuya’s expression became increasingly vivid.
"I am sure." It was a pity that the memories of his shelter were shattered. Wu Chen had no idea how powerful his past self had been.
"There are rumors of a special kind of plot world that can encompass all things and integrate all four categories. It is called 'A Thousand Years of Chaos,'" Tian Wuya said, returning the budding pencil to Wu Chen. "Perhaps that is where you come from."

"So, is this a tree?" Wu Chen took back the pencil.
"The west wind withers the green trees last night; I climb the high tower alone, looking out over the ends of the earth. I wish to send a colorful letter and a short message, but who knows where the mountains and rivers reach?" Tian Wuya mused. As for the answer, it was a matter of perspective—or perhaps she was simply being cryptic.

With his mind on the upcoming Cleanup Day, he dared not delay. Mission accomplished, Wu Chen rose to take his leave.

"Wait a moment, Brother Wu." The mistress of Tang Lou called out to stop him. "Meeting is fate. This item is of no use to me; I hope you will accept it."
With a flick of her slender wrist, a card appeared between her fingers.
"I cannot accept a reward for work I haven't done," Wu Chen declined politely.
"If it helps you solve the mystery of your origins, we can speak of repayment another day," she insisted, offering him the card: Three-Star Umbrella Demon.

Wu Chen glanced at it, and a sudden intuition stirred in his heart. "Very well."