84: Chapter 84: Factual reminders don't mean choosing the path for you.

[Observer factual reminder confirmed: The straightest route is the optimal route]

The moment the silver words settled on the blackboard, the entire simulation space shuddered.

Among the four false shortcuts, [The Straightest Path] suddenly lit up.

It was as if that path had been forcibly stamped.

The white mist parted to both sides, revealing a clean, straight path with almost no obstacles.

At the end of the path, the phantom projection of the White Tower's first-floor entrance slowly opened.

Zhou Heng's Barrier Breaker Position badge suddenly grew burning hot.

His expression changed drastically.

Because that was no ordinary prompt.

It was a route traction.

It was as if someone was grabbing the lines of his class, telling him:

"The Barrier Breaker Position should take the straightest path."

"Should open the door the fastest."

"Should prioritize efficiency above all else."

Chen Ye immediately raised his shield, blocking the space between Zhou Heng and that path.

"Don't look!"

Zhou Heng gritted his teeth.

"I'm not blind!"

Shen Tingxue raised her hand, and frost quickly sealed toward the silver line.

But the silver line was not a pollution chain.

It was more like an authorization record.

After the frost pressed down on it, it could only slow it down, not freeze and break it directly.

Gu Changye's voice came through the communication talisman, sounding extremely grave.

"This isn't a normal simulation boundary crossing."

"There are traces of real authorization."

Qin Shanhe suddenly stood up.

"Has Lu Chengyuan really reached his hand in here?"

Gu Changye replied quickly.

"We are tracing the source."

"But the strength of the confirmation chain exceeds the training presets."

Lin Jin stared at the silver words on the blackboard.

He didn't smash it immediately.

Shen Tingxue had just warned him that he couldn't use the rule correction wrench at high intensity again today.

But if he didn't repair it now, this line of words would be written into the White Tower route records.

By the time they actually entered the White Tower, [The straightest route is the optimal route] might become an established fact.

That would be equivalent to binding Zhou Heng to a route in advance.

Lin Jin took a deep breath, suppressing the sharp pain coming from his brain.

The Hand of Rules unfolded.

[Target: observer position boundary-crossing record]

[Original Record: Observer factual reminder confirmed: The straightest route is the optimal route]

[Fault: Disguising external confirmation chain as Observer factual reminder]

[Error Derivation: Factual reminder -> Route recommendation -> Optimal route confirmation]

[Repair Scheme 1: Forcibly sever Lu Chengyuan's confirmation chain]

[Success Rate: 11%]

[Side Effect: Triggers the Department of Education's highest authorization countermeasure, causing Lin Jin's pollution load to skyrocket]

[Repair Scheme 2: Correct the nature of this record]

[Success Rate: 78%]

[Result: Correct "factual reminder" to "external unauthorized route recommendation"]

Lin Jin immediately said,

"Select option two."

Chen Ye hurriedly asked,

"Can it be repaired?"

"Yes."

Lin Jin stared at the silver line.

"But we are not repairing Lu Chengyuan."

"Repair the record first."

Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue sat in the observer position, half of his body frozen by dark blue runes.

His face looked extremely grim.

That silver line extended from behind his chair, indeed utilizing the observer position.

But those words just now were not spoken by him.

At least, it wasn't his intention.

He gritted his teeth and spoke:

"Record."

"The route recommendation just now was not issued by me."

"I did not choose the straightest route."

"I did not confirm Zhou Heng's path of action."

The blackboard immediately flashed.

[Observer self-verification record: Received]

The silver line trembled violently, as if attempting to erase this self-verification.

Gu Changye said sharply,

"Abyss Processing Bureau recorder, lock it down!"

A response immediately came from the other side of the communication talisman.

[Abyss Processing Bureau record locked]

[Observer's personal statement sealed]

[External confirmation chain override failed]

Lin Jin looked at Zhou Heng.

"You say it too."

Zhou Heng stared at the straightest path, lightning surging deep in his eyes.

The silver line was still trying to pull his badge.

He gripped his Thunder Spear and said word by word,

"I refuse to define the straightest route as the optimal route for the Barrier Breaker Position."

"I refuse to accept the Observer's route recommendation."

"I refuse to use Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue's old route as the current squad's route."

The Mutual Verification Contract lit up.

[Barrier Breaker Position's personal refusal record: Established]

Chen Ye immediately followed up:

"Protection Role Chen Ye verifies that Zhou Heng did not choose that path."

Shen Tingxue also said,

"Lockdown Role Shen Tingxue verifies that this route was lit up by an external silver confirmation chain and does not belong to the squad's judgment."

Lin Jin spoke last:

"Maintenance Position Lin Jin verifies that this is not a factual reminder."

"A factual reminder can only describe the existence of danger."

"It cannot confirm the optimal route on behalf of the squad."

The four badges lit up simultaneously.

The Mutual Verification Contract and the observer position isolation marker overlapped, pressing down on the silver words on the blackboard.

That line of silver words began to tremble.

[Observer factual reminder confirmed: The straightest route is the optimal route]

The words "factual reminder" among them cracked first.

The silver line fought back frantically.

[Observer possesses White Tower experience]

[Observer factual reminder is credible]

[The straightest route has been verified]

[The Barrier Breaker Position should prioritize efficiency]

Lin Jin said coldly,

"White Tower experience does not equal current route authority."

"Having been verified does not mean it is applicable now."

"Prioritizing efficiency for the Barrier Breaker Position does not mean abandoning the teammates' window of action."

He raised the rule correction wrench and tapped it lightly.

It was not a heavy smash.

Instead, he tapped on the invisible arrow between "factual reminder" and "optimal route."

*Crack.*

The arrow broke in half.

Cold sweat broke out on Lin Jin's forehead.

[Correction Progress: 38%]

Shen Tingxue immediately pressed a low temperature onto his wrist to help stabilize his trembling.

"Don't push yourself too hard."

Lin Jin said in a low voice,

"I know."

Chen Ye raised his shield to withstand the backlash of the White Tower route.

That straightest path began to spew white mist, as if trying to pull the four of them toward it.

Chen Ye gritted his teeth and held his ground.

"This damn path can even pull people!"

Zhou Heng's Thunder Spear was pinned to the ground, lightning splitting a fork along the roadside.

"It can't pull us."

Lin Jin tapped for the second time.

This time, he tapped on the words "optimal route."

"The 'optimal' is the result of the squad's judgment."

"It is not a conclusion that an external confirmation chain can unilaterally write."

*Crack.*

The silver words shattered in large patches.

[Correction Progress: 71%]

Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue suddenly let out a muffled groan.

The monitoring band on his wrist lit up with a red light.

Gu Changye immediately asked,

"Backlash from the confirmation chain?"

Sweat seeped from Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue's forehead, but his voice was still relatively steady.

"It's not backlash."

"It's trying to make me append a statement."

Lin Jin's eyes darkened.

"Append what?"

Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue gritted his teeth and said word by word,

"It wants me to say—Zhou Heng's current choice is an erroneous hesitation caused by Lin Jin's influence."

Zhou Heng's face instantly turned cold to the extreme.

Chen Ye directly cursed out.

"How shameless!"

Lin Jin looked at Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue.

"Can you refuse?"

Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue did not reply immediately.

He was frozen in the observer position, the silver line behind him like a tensed snake.

A few seconds later, he slowly raised his head.

"I can."

He looked at Zhou Heng.

"I personally will not make such an evaluation."

"Zhou Heng's current route choice will be jointly borne by Zhou Heng himself and the squad."

"It has nothing to do with any inducement by Lin Jin."

The blackboard rapidly recorded.

[Observer refused external supplementary statement]

[Boundary-crossing instruction incomplete]

The silver line finally showed obvious cracks.

Zhou Heng stared at Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue, his eyes flickering with complexity for an instant.

But soon, he averted his gaze again.

Now was not the time to talk about this.

Lin Jin seized the opportunity and tapped for the third time.

"External confirmation chain disguised as factual reminder."

"Should be recorded as an unauthorized route recommendation."

*Thud.*

This time the sound was not heavy, yet it felt like a strike to the bones of the entire classroom.

The silver words on the blackboard collapsed and dispersed.

A new grey-gold record overlaid them.

[Original Record: Observer factual reminder confirmed: The straightest route is the optimal route]

[Corrected: External confirmation chain disguised as Observer factual reminder, attempting to write that the straightest route is the optimal route]

[Nature: Unauthorized route recommendation]

[Source: Lu Chengyuan's confirmation chain]

[Handling Result: Rejected]

The silver line snapped back.

But it did not disappear completely.

It twisted into a tiny silver mark in mid-air, then was locked into a sealing box by Gu Changye's Bureau runes.

[External confirmation chain sample: Sealed]

In the simulation space, the light of [The Straightest Path] went out.

That path reverted to being one of the false shortcuts.

The badge on Zhou Heng's chest finally stopped being hot.

Lin Jin withdrew his wrench, his body swaying slightly.

Shen Tingxue immediately supported his arm.

"That's enough."

"You really cannot use it again today."

Lin Jin nodded.

This time, he didn't try to act tough.

Chen Ye also leaned in.

"Your face is as pale as a patient in The Hospital."

Lin Jin glanced at him.

"Don't mention The Hospital."

Chen Ye immediately shut his mouth.

Zhou Heng walked over to Lin Jin's side, his tone still stiff.

"That move just now, I'll count it as owing you one."

Lin Jin took a breath.

"Don't count it too early."

"In the White Tower, we still need you to blaze the path."

Zhou Heng snorted coldly.

"I will blaze my own path."

"Not his."

He was referring to Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue.

And also to Lu Chengyuan.

The dark blue runes on the observer position slowly dissipated.

Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue stood up, the monitoring band on his wrist still flashing red.

He stared at the line [Source: Lu Chengyuan's confirmation chain] on the blackboard, remaining silent for a long time.

Qin Shanhe said coldly,

"Deputy Director Zhou, you should understand now."

"When you enter the White Tower, you yourself are also a path."

"A path that others might exploit."

Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue did not refute.

He looked at Gu Changye.

"Before entering the White Tower, I will accept a higher-level confirmation chain lockdown."

Gu Changye nodded.

"The Abyss Processing Bureau will add three layers of locks for you."

Chen Ye couldn't help but say,

"Are three layers enough?"

Gu Changye glanced at him.

"Not necessarily."

Chen Ye: "..."

"Then why do you say it so calmly?"

"Because if we don't add them, it will be even more insufficient."

Chen Ye was left speechless.

On the blackboard, the training evaluation began to generate.

[Observer boundary-crossing freeze rehearsal: Partially passed]

[Squad freeze application: Successful]

[Observer self-verification: Successful]

[External confirmation chain identification: Successful]

[Unauthorized record correction: Successful]

[Risk: Higher external authorization can bypass the Observer freeze and directly pollute the route records]

[Recommendation: If an external confirmation chain is detected after entering the tower, prioritize correcting the nature of the record rather than cutting off the source]

Lin Jin noted down the last sentence.

Do not prioritize cutting off the source.

This was very important.

They still couldn't cut off Lu Chengyuan right now.

But they could repeatedly pry his hands off words like "fact," "recommendation," and "optimal."

Gu Changye said,

"The results of this training will be submitted for tripartite review."

"Lu Chengyuan's confirmation chain crossing boundaries will serve as evidence to restrict his subsequent auditing and supervision privileges."

Qin Shanhe sneered.

"He delivered it right to us."

Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue suddenly spoke:

"He might not necessarily care."

Everyone looked at him.

Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue said in a deep voice,

"Lu Chengyuan rarely makes probes that yield no profit."

"Although you caught his confirmation chain crossing boundaries just now, he also confirmed one thing."

Shen Tingxue asked,

"What?"

Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue looked at Lin Jin.

"He confirmed that you cannot use the rule correction wrench consecutively right now."

The classroom fell into a sudden silence.

Lin Jin's eyes darkened.

Was this what the other party actually wanted to see?

Lu Chengyuan used a single confirmation chain to trade for their countermeasure process and also saw Lin Jin's load limit.

Chen Ye cursed.

"This old fox is far too insidious."

Gu Changye also said solemnly,

"The Abyss Processing Bureau will classify and seal Lin Jin's status."

Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue shook his head.

"He has already seen it."

These words caused everyone's hearts to sink.

Lin Jin, however, suddenly laughed.

His laugh was a bit weary.

"It's fine that he saw it."

Zhou Heng frowned.

"You're still laughing?"

Lin Jin raised his head, looking at the training results on the blackboard.

"He saw that I cannot perform consecutive corrections."

"But he also saw another thing."

"It doesn't always have to be me repairing it alone."

After saying this, he looked at Chen Ye's shield, Shen Tingxue's Ice Key, and Zhou Heng's thunder nail, and then at Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue, who had just taken the initiative to self-verify.

"Just now, if it weren't for your verifications, it would have been useless even if I smashed it three times."

The old classroom fell silent for a moment.

Chen Ye scratched his head.

"Putting it that way, it seems true."

Shen Tingxue nodded.

"Correction requires evidence."

"The evidence can be provided by us."

Zhou Heng said coldly,

"So stop always thinking about carrying everything on your own."

Lin Jin, for once, did not argue back.

"I know."

The blackboard slowly lit up with the final training task.

[Task 3: Squad tower-entry route selection]

[Target: Select the fourth path under the interference of the external confirmation chain]

[Hint: After this training task is completed, the preparations for opening the White Tower will enter the final stage]

Just as everyone was about to prepare, Gu Changye's communication talisman suddenly flashed rapidly.

He looked down at it, and his expression instantly changed.

"There is a change at the White Tower entrance."

Qin Shanhe frowned.

"What is it now?"

Gu Changye raised his head, his voice deep.

"Lu Chengyuan just submitted a supplementary document for an old project to the tripartite review."

"The contents of the document show—"

"There is more than one supervisory observer position on the first floor of the White Tower."

Almost simultaneously, the blackboard lit up automatically.

[White Tower entrance rules updated]

[Second supervisory observer position activated]

[Candidate: Abyss Processing Bureau Special Advisor]

[Name: Shen Qingshuang]