Die, Replay, Repeat

Ordinary people would consider Zhou Qingfeng to be anti-human—an absolute villain—after hearing his ideals. But once they'd seen the Other Side, logical thinking would make them start agreeing with Zhou Qingfeng, even if only partly.

They might come to understand his vision and question whether humanity could ever really defeat the Specters.

Once a seed of doubt is planted, it will eventually grow.

Perhaps Zhou Qingfeng wanted this exact effect. He aimed to have Yang Ming agree with his ideals and even become a kindred spirit.

This was Zhou Qingfeng's purpose for the gate to the Other Side!

Once Fang Xiu understood this, everything became clearer.

Zhou Qingfeng didn't want Yang Ming to enter the Other Side to die; he wanted him to go in and recognize the gap.

Fang Xiu, having died so many times, had fallen into a mental trap. It was clear that Taotie wouldn't notice anyone who stayed outside its feeding range. Fang Xiu had died each time because he approached too closely.

But if Yang Ming entered with his "God's Plan" skill, he would surely avoid Taotie and notice the main issues.

In this way, Zhou Qingfeng's plan would succeed.

'So in Zhou Qingfeng's plan, Yang Ming should have been the one to enter the Other Side. I was just an accident! But Yang Ming couldn't get to the Other Side when facing the attack of the Snakeworm. So, No Turning Back is the key! Zhou Qingfeng left it as a bodyguard to help Yang Ming enter the Other Side!'

Fang Xiu finally understood that things might have gone according to Zhou Qingfeng's plan if he weren't in the story.

Yang Ming would have led his team into the mental hospital. With God's Plan guiding him, he would have faced many dangers and eventually met No Turning Back. He would then be "protected" by it.

Without understanding the rules, others might have been killed by No Turning Back, but Fang Xiu was sure Yang Ming wouldn't be.

Fang Xiu knew this because he had witnessed the power of God's Plan. In the Graveyard of the Nightmare's Specter Zone, Fang Xiu had died countless times before figuring out how to escape. But Yang Ming had befriended his own duplicate and walked out with him hand-in-hand.

In the place where they could only step on odd-numbered steps, Yang Ming sprinted forward, not missing a step and safely crossing.

Even when facing No Turning Back, Fang Xiu was sure Yang Ming wouldn't die.

If No Turning Back's killing moves couldn't be triggered, it would follow Yang Ming like a bodyguard.

Afterward, Yang Ming would see the torn paper and understand Zhou Qingfeng's ideals. He would open the gate to the Other Side. The Snakeworm would avoid him, allowing him to safely enter.

Though the Other Side wasn't suitable for human life, Yang Ming had Corpse Beads to keep him alive long enough to see Taotie. He would then realize the gap and begin to lose faith, descending into despair.

But Yang Ming had a kind heart. Even in despair, it would be hard for him to betray his conscience and abandon saving humanity.

<ins class="adsbygoogle " data-ad-client="ca-pub-1251668167683017" data-ad-slot="9726118107" data-ad-layout="in-article" data-ad-layout-key="" data-ad-format="fluid" data-full-width-responsive="false" style="display: block; text-align: center;"></ins>

At this point, Zhou Qingfeng's vision would shine like a light into Yang Ming's heart, aligning him with Zhou Qingfeng's beliefs. Even if Yang Ming didn't agree at first, the seed would slowly grow.

Fang Xiu guessed that the true gift would only appear once the gate to the Other Side was opened.

Now, Fang Xiu finally understood why Zhou Qingfeng hadn't erased traces of him from the parchment, the torn paper, and the photos—they had to be seen before disappearing.

It was all part of a grand plan, carefully designed for Yang Ming!

This plan had started the moment the Green Mountain Mental Hospital appeared.

Why did it show up in Greenvine City? Because Yang Ming was the captain of Greenvine City Investigation Bureau.

Fang Xiu and Zhao Hao had managed to escape that terrifying hospital. Fang Xiu's death reset ability helped, but the real reason was that the hospital had a safe exit. Without that exit, even a thousand resets wouldn't have worked.

Zhou Qingfeng left the exit for three specific reasons:

First, to allow the Specters in the mental hospital to escape. With the weakening of the seals on the wards, the Specters would eventually break free. They would then leave through the exit and cause chaos, catching Yang Ming's attention.

Second, the exit was for Yang Ming after he received the gift, ensuring he had a path to leave.

Third, it provided a glimmer of hope for anyone who accidentally wandered into the mental hospital.

The third reason sounds unlikely since Zhou Qingfeng was someone who treated humans like experimental objects.

But reality often contradicts itself. Zhou Qingfeng wanted to Specterize humans to save humanity, so it was possible this was part of his intent.

Regardless, Fang Xiu was certain the first two reasons were why Zhou Qingfeng left the exit. The third, while questionable, shouldn't be dismissed entirely.

This also raised a question: Nightmare was the first Specter to leave the ward but couldn't initially use the exit.