Another way to say "breaking expectations" is "playing by one’s own rules."

And to some extent, this equates to "illogical" or "unreasonable."

Lin Sizhi was not surprised by this: "We’ve discussed before, haven’t we? Walkway possesses subjective intent; it is not some objective, unchanging presence.

"Understanding Walkway’s intentions is also part of an Imitator’s capability.

"Actually, as for Cai Zhiyuan reaching this point, are there factors of ’Walkway’s involvements’ included?

"It’s hard to assert, but I lean towards there being some."

Dai Yifan hesitated for a moment but still asked, "Brother Lin, you previously said that ’some issues should be combined with what kind of person Brother Cai really is’ to explain, which might be the content to discuss later.

"Now that we have reviewed all the games Brother Cai created, what do you think, Brother Lin, about what kind of person Brother Cai is?

"’An ambitious person disguised as a Hermit’... does that encompass his entirety?"

Lin Sizhi didn’t answer directly but glanced at Zheng Jie: "I’ve mentioned before that in the New World, most players lack growth potential.

"No matter how much one reviews or learns, the improvement that can be gained is quite limited.

"There’s no need for self-blame; this is the norm.

"A small number of players have growth potential, but this growth isn’t necessarily gradual.

"It might be slow for a long time but suddenly transform at a certain point; it could also be rapid growth in the first few games and then stabilize permanently.

"This is called ’adaptive rapid evolution.’

"Cai Zhiyuan is such a player."

Lin Sizhi paused slightly and continued: "In ’Blood Poker,’ Cai Zhiyuan didn’t realize the hidden mechanisms that might exist in the game, so his gains weren’t high.

"This is also a significant reason why many people underestimated him.

"I don’t think he was deliberately concealing his skills; more likely, he genuinely didn’t realize this.

"Ultimately, it was because his mindset hadn’t fully shifted at that time.

"Cai Zhiyuan, like me, should have been selected as an Imitator at the entry to the New World, so when reviewing ’Wheel of Redemption,’ he wasn’t very convinced about achieving an S evaluation, which is somewhat reflected in his words.

"But after ’King’s Judgment’ ended, when he reviewed the game again, his remarks became much more cautious, even when evaluating some rules that weren’t actually profound and complex, he wouldn’t easily give his own evaluation.

"If he hadn’t come to the New World, he might have just been a diligent programmer, skilled at writing code.

"However, the life-and-death crisis of ’King’s Judgment’ thoroughly stimulated his potential, allowing him to rapidly absorb experience and grow in subsequent games, and quickly find his true goal and existential meaning in the New World.

"In the early stages, around ’King’s Judgment,’ it was Walkway filtering Imitators;

"Afterward, sending different invitations, updating eliminatory games for different Imitator types, was Walkway inducing and cultivating Imitators;

"Ultimately, when his layout was complete, and I needed a face-off against him, Walkway timely updated the rules, responding to the demands of Imitators.

"It can be said that it was Walkway inducing us to find our true selves;

"Or it can be said that it was Walkway attempting to drive us into a corner.

"So..."

Lin Sizhi paused again, then said: "Since Walkway embodies some kind of subjective intent, after witnessing our ’spectacular performance,’ it generously gives some seemingly generous rewards to the actors on this stage, which is not surprising at all."

The crowd fell into silence once again.

Finally, Li Renshu looked around the group and said: "In any case, we have 7 days to give it full consideration.

"Whether to leave or stay is an individual decision.

"Just hope everyone can be as considerate as possible, regardless of the choice, so as not to regret ultimately."

...

Afternoon.

Everyone gathered in the hall to bid farewell to Zhou Guifen and Shen Xing, the mother and daughter.

Zheng Jie regretfully said: "Really not staying for dinner before leaving? We are planning to have a feast tonight, and almost everything has been bought."

He, of course, had decided to leave as well but didn’t expect Zhou Guifen and her daughter to leave so quickly.

After all, they could use 7 days to consider slowly; during this time, Walkway would not start, thus avoiding life-and-death games, and the existing visa time can’t be taken away, wasting it if not used.

So it would be better to spend this time enjoying, drinking, relaxing without worries in the Community, use up the visa time, and then leave.

Zhou Guifen shook her head: "No, they say it best that no golden or silver nest can compare to one’s own doghouse.

"Though what we eat and live here is better than reality, we can’t manage one more minute here."

Li Renshu nodded: "Yes, understandable.

"By the way, Aunt Zhou, why don’t we each write down how to contact us in the real world?

"This way, we can still get in touch after leaving.

"Although it’s hard to say what our situation will be back in the real world, and uncertain whether we’re from the same reality—after all, many sci-fi movies have parallel worlds concept, but in any case, leaving contact information is a must."

Zheng Jie quickly nodded: "Yes, yes, we definitely need to leave that."

He quickly brought paper and pens, distributed them to the crowd.

Everyone wrote down their phone numbers and addresses, then exchanged and filled in until each piece of white paper had everyone’s information written on it.

Zhou Guifen and Shen Xing each took a sheet, keeping it safe and sound.

"No more words needed, Aunt Zhou, I wish you and Shen Xing peace and happiness."

Li Renshu finished speaking and hugged Zhou Guifen and Shen Xing each, the others also hugged.

The group arrived at the Community’s entrance.

This entrance had always been completely closed, only allowing entry, not exit, but now Zhou Guifen and Shen Xing each swiped their player visas on the machine, and when they pulled away, the visa wristbands naturally detached.

The Community entrance reopened.

"Goodbye!"

Zhou Guifen and Shen Xing waved their hands for the last goodbye, leaving the Community.

And the Community’s gate closed once again.

Li Renshu stepped forward to retrieve Zhou Guifen and Shen Xing’s wristbands, just like Fu Chen’s, intact and undamaged.

Wei Yinzhang seemed to notice Li Renshu’s unnecessary worry and comforted: "Don’t worry, the New World and Walkway are always true to their word; as long as the rules are clearly stated, they will certainly be upheld."