...What just happened? I seemed to have lost consciousness. How did we get back?

Xivia stood firmly on the ground again. She still looked a bit unwell, but was in much better shape than she had been over there.

We were attacked from the ground. We had to leave that area before landing, but leaving seemed to require relying on one's own will. You lost consciousness, so I could only hold you and stay in the air.

Luckily, I found a way back to this side before you got into trouble.

Lin Ye wasn't actually sure either, but since he hadn't given up on this option, he could only try every possibility with all his might.

What was the method? 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Xivia asked.

It was inhaling the gray-white mist. As long as you absorb a certain substance in the gray-white mist to reach a certain critical point, the world switches to the other side.

Actually, this is just my guess. After all, the only thing common to both sides is this gray-white mist.

If my guess is correct, we'd better slow down our breathing rate now.

Lin Ye hoped to stay on this side a bit longer.

But whose breathing should be the benchmark? There might not be just the three of us here. Even if it's just us three, why did we go over there together? It can't be that we inhaled exactly the same total amount of mist, right?

Xivia felt there were some unexplainable problems in this.

This involves the relationship between the two worlds.

We are not in our original positions now; we've moved to a city block. There are no obvious physical injuries. These two points helped me eliminate many possibilities. Now I can think of two possibilities, but both have a slight issue.

The first possibility: the two worlds are actually different forms of the same world. When a survivor absorbs mist to a certain critical value, the entire world and all survivors undergo a transformation, converting to another form.

The second possibility: the two worlds are not the same world, but there is some connection. We can travel between the two worlds by absorbing mist. When we travel to the other world, our bodies undergo some kind of change.

The problem with the first possibility is, whose critical value is the benchmark? Or does it calculate the total amount within all survivors?

The problem with the second possibility is, since our body structures aren't completely identical, the three of us must have absorbed different amounts of mist. Why did we move over there together? Is it because individuals gathered together are counted as a single unit?

Lacking relevant knowledge, Lin Ye could only make inferences to this extent. If understanding the relationship between these two worlds wasn't necessary for survival, he wouldn't want to make such baseless speculations.

Hmm, I think that's right... What's the deal with this suitcase?

Mia couldn't understand what Lin Ye was saying at all. She was more focused on the very exquisite suitcase in Lin Ye's hand.

I don't know either. When we arrived on this side, it appeared in my hand. I'm hesitating whether to open it or not.

Lin Ye couldn't determine the suitcase's safety. This suitcase likely originated from that world. If there were dangerous things inside, it would be troublesome.

Just open it and take a look. I feel it's quite safe.

Mia said very casually.

We'll talk about the suitcase later. We can't hold our breath forever. We'll return to that side soon. Now, we'd better try to leave that area from this side.

I suggest we first drive to find the police car. Our equipment is all in the police car. This side isn't safe either; we need that equipment. I've calculated the time. If we can leave that area from this side, there should still be enough time.

When they returned to this side, Lin Ye had been thinking about the next course of action.

Agreed.

Roger that! Can we open the suitcase now?

Neither Xivia nor Mia had any objections.

Then let's open it and take a look. Actually, I'm also curious about what's inside.

Lin Ye placed the suitcase on the ground. After preparing himself, he opened it.

There were no dangerous items inside. The empty suitcase only contained a piece of white paper with some graphics drawn on it.

...This seems to be a city district map. Here is the hospital, here is the police station.

Lin Ye understood the meaning of those graphics at a glance.

Then what does this 'X' mark represent? Treasure?

Mia asked with great interest.

We'll know once we go take a look.

Lin Ye found a still-functional van by the roadside and drove straight towards the city outskirts.

Before long, they found the police car. The weapons and equipment were all intact inside the vehicle, with no issues whatsoever.

The three changed vehicles. Lin Ye pressed the accelerator to the floor, heading towards the location marked by the 'X'.

...Didn't we just pass by here once before?

Mia suddenly spoke up.

Don't say it out loud. I still want to struggle a bit longer.

Lin Ye memorized the more distinctive landmarks along the roadside. He wanted to try finding the pattern to leave that area from this side.

The connection between the two worlds was tighter than Lin Ye had imagined. Affected by the other side, they couldn't leave this area, only repeatedly passing through increasingly familiar blocks.

This time, I will try to leave that area without relying on others. You don't need to worry about me.

Xivia looked very composed, but the feeling of powerlessness, of being gradually swallowed by that gray world, still lingered in her senses.

I'll also try my best to run out from inside. But if I don't come out, you two go ahead first.

Mia bit her lollipop, her gaze lowered. She always felt she had forgotten something very important.

If it doesn't work this time, we can just try a few more times. If not today, then a few more days. Anyway, I don't have anything urgent to do. I'll stay with you until you leave this place.

Lin Ye parked the police car by the roadside and said very casually.

You know that's impossible. Never mind how long we can hold on; the monsters in the city won't give us much time. If it doesn't work this time, you should leave on your own.

Xivia said with a smile.

Then let's solve the problem this time.

As Lin Ye drew the last breath of air into his alveoli, they had returned to that gray world.

Truly astonishing. How did you take them out?

Without even a time gap, that voice sounded in Lin Ye's ear once again.

You guess.

Lin Ye and Xivia took off again. This time, they had to leave this area before landing.

Whatever. What you're doing is utterly meaningless. Even if you can keep repeating this operation, you still can't take them out of the Gray World.

That voice said very calmly.

So, you don't want us to keep performing this operation? You can't stay here forever? Is someone chasing you?

It was a pity their time was also running out. Otherwise, Lin Ye would definitely have stayed here a bit longer.