Foolish Game of the Chapter 1285: Oh No, Don't Tell Me Time Is Also a

anwhile, on the other side.

After Cheng Shi returned to the trial, Zhang Jizu had long since co back from the Ti Deduction.

Though his eyes were narrowed to their usual slits, a crack of shock still showed on his face.

Clearly, the other world's Cheng Shi had given him quite the scare as well.

The two exchanged glances, both falling silent—which drove Long Jing, waiting beside them, to near-madness.

"Any leads? Any progress? Stop standing there, say sothing!"

Zhang Jizu shook his head gravely: "That world's Fate Weaver wanted

to co live in their world. I refused. I won't cling to life in a world that isn't mine."

"..."

'Sure enough—Old Zhang encountered the sa thing.'

It seed the players of that world had completely given up. Unable to prevent their world's march toward doomsday, they'd abandoned the struggle and chosen to quietly enjoy this period free from divine interference.

Not only that, they were even willing to invite other worlds' unfortunate souls to join them—using fleeting tranquility to cover eternal despair.

Cheng Shi could understand the aimlessness and hopelessness that followed shattered hope. But Long Jing couldn't—he felt like Old Zhang was taking a dig at him!

Because he actually had an item that could smuggle him to another world. And wouldn't you know it—it was also a gift from the other world's Cheng Shi.

He'd even tested the waters at the Joker Society, floating his escape plan to the other mbers. Not a single one had approved.

Long Jing's expression turned odd. He couldn't shake the feeling that one comnt about "small eyes" had set Old Zhang off. He kept glancing over to see if it was deliberate, only to notice that ever since Zhang Jizu had returned from the Existence rift, his gaze hadn't left Cheng Shi for a second.

'Sothing about Old Zhang seems... off?'

Cheng Shi was too preoccupied with his own thoughts to notice. He frowned:

"It wasn't entirely fruitless. At the very least, I've confird one thing: Fate's commitnt to 'fixed destiny' may not be so rigid that it can't be changed."

The other world's Zhang Jizu had told Cheng Shi that Fate had compromised for the sake of the World Saving Plan. That ant the clown's lifeline might very well lie within Fate's choices.

He couldn't help but wonder—was this the "change" that still lingered within Fate?

Was the Fla of Hope the key to awakening Fate's capacity for change?

But the Fla had been suspiciously close to Deceit, even "helping" him beco Yu Xi... Was it Deceit's hidden pawn, or a genuine divergence from Fate?

Cheng Shi couldn't figure it out, but he sensed that verifying with the Fla of Hope was less urgent than seeking an audience with Ti.

Fate's prolonged silence could only an Deceit had locked Him outside the trial. If Fate was unreachable, the only option was Ti.

Ti had chosen to fuse with Fate, which ant He presumably wouldn't entirely reject Fate's will. Perhaps He simply wanted to preserve this world and had been exploited by Deceit as a result.

Cheng Shi was beginning to understand...

No wonder Deceit had once said the answer ca from Fate, not Ti. From the very beginning, He'd had His eye on Fate's sacrifice!

But how would one seek an audience with Ti?

Would this benefactor—who never seed to have ti—spare a mont at this most critical juncture?

Cheng Shi deliberated for a long while, gripping the dice in his hand, and whispered devoutly:

"Great God of Ti—if Your will still leans toward this starry sky, if Your rcy still watches over this world, I offer myself as the solution. I will embrace Fate's fixed destiny and bring this era to its conclusion.

In truth, my motives are far from noble. This is not about saving the world. I have simply run out of roads, and in staking myself, I ask for only one thing:

Even if I must die, I want to be buried beneath this starry sky. I refuse to wander elsewhere, with no ho to return to!

If You can feel my devotion, please grant

one chance. Grant

an audience..."

Cheng Shi's tone was profoundly humble. Even the Joker mbers present were moved. Zhang Jizu closed his eyes and heaved a long sigh. Long Jing clenched his fists, cursing his own inability to think of a better way.

The clown cast aside everything and mounted the stage—all for a chance to die upon it.

It was touching. But tragically, he could fool humans—never gods.

From the farthest edge of the universe, Ti turned His gaze back, looked down, and shook His head with a sigh:

"Even at death's door, still unwilling to die. Every word a lie.

There has never been an ounce of true devotion in your heart. Were it otherwise, He would never have chosen you."

Those eyes—like black holes—emanated a profound light that seed to pierce everything in creation. He gazed toward Deceit's location, then toward Fate's, and finally beyond the world itself. A whispered sigh:

"Soon. Whether the world finds deliverance or not... I shall be free at last..."

The seconds ticked by. The summons went unanswered.

Cheng Shi squeezed the dice until his knuckles went white, his heart plunging to its lowest depth. Had Ti... truly sided with the Outer God Deceit?

Why?

Did He believe Fate's answer was what dragged the world down?

Otherwise, why would the god who'd been faithfully calibrating ti for the world agree to let Deceit steal Fate's answer?

It was a paradox! If Fate's answer was useless, why would Deceit go to such lengths to steal him!?

'Oh no—don't tell

Ti is also a—'

Just as the thought ford, a ripple of temporal distortion appeared above his head. A Void rift leading straight into the Mockery and Jeering materialized before him.

All three Joker mbers were stunned.

Sensing the Fate energy wafting from within, Cheng Shi instantly understood: Ti had delivered the path to Fate right to his doorstep!

"!!!"

Ti hadn't betrayed the world!

He had truly given him a chance!

Cheng Shi's expression blazed with emotion. He bowed reverently toward the rift's direction.

"Praise be to Ti!

If I... if the world can be saved, You shall be the only savior!

Your contribution to the world deserves a monunt to Existence!

I'll have Old Zhang carve one for You... actually, never mind—bad luck. Don't take that to heart. And Old Zhang—don't go carving anything either."

Even as he said that, Cheng Shi placed a scalpel into Zhang Jizu's hand.

Under Zhang Jizu's questioning gaze, Cheng Shi's smile gradually faded into deadly seriousness:

"This trip may not bear fruit. If I fail... you know what to do, Old Zhang."

Zhang Jizu's face shifted. He clearly understood Cheng Shi's aning. He gripped the scalpel, averted his eyes, and murmured:

"I'm a Gravekeeper. I tend the dead. I don't kill the living."

"Cut the crap. Didn't you say you've got 100 graves ready for

in the cetery? One will suffice.

If this can't be salvaged, don't let the Outer God take

away. Just bury

under this starry sky.

Don't be tense. Relax. I'll kill myself first. If I genuinely can't manage to die... then I'll need you.

And you."

He handed Long Jing three scalpels. The brief flash of cold light on their edges illuminated Zhang Jizu's narrowed eyes, sending a faint chill through him.

Long Jing blinked: "Why do I get three?"

Cheng Shi laughed heartily: "Bring one for the Dragon King and one for the Doctor too. Let them have a chance to take a stab at

as well."

With that, he moved to step into the Void rift. Long Jing's hand shot out and grabbed his arm, expression grave: "Maybe we should all go togeth—"

"Forget it. I know Fate. If there's any chance of seeing Him, He wouldn't want to see all of you."

Cheng Shi patted Long Jing's hand and plunged into the Void rift without looking back.

The clown's figure vanished in an instant. Zhang Jizu watched the slowly closing rift through his narrowed eyes and said firmly:

"He's gone. Ti for my plan to begin.

President Gong—care to join?"

"???"

Long Jing stared at Zhang Jizu, utterly astonished: "What plan?"

"A World Saving Plan."

...