Before a towering medical pod, five meters high, stood Goddess Schiso 007, silently observing Sky, who was still unconscious inside. Beside her were a worried Lumiya and a comparatively composed Lilianna.

They were in Goddess Schiso's biotech research laboratory. The soft lighting in the lab highlighted the faint outline of the protagonist, Sky, suspended in the nutrient solution of the medical pod.

The lab was a cornucopia of high-tech equipment and bizarre instruments, artfully scattered around the room. Amidst this technologically advanced setting, magical elements were also present.

Mysterious symbols were drawn on the walls, twinkling in the dim fluorescent light. Strange runes swirled in the air as if invisible forces were warping reality. Arcane power flowed through the lab, powering the high-tech devices.

Sky's body floated in the medical pod, surrounded by a pale green, transparent nutrient solution. The solution vibrated intensely around him, as if his body was a high-frequency oscillator, violently shaking within the pod.

On closer inspection, this vibration emanated from every muscle, every inch of skin, and even every drop of blood and bone in Sky's body.

Even more bizarrely, Sky's skin pores seemed to breathe in the green nutrient solution, then exude a black, ink-like substance. Before long, the once-green liquid turned dark brown.

"Continue replacing the nutrient solution," Goddess Schiso 007 instructed an autonomous robot.

The dark brown liquid was drained from the bottom of the pod, quickly replaced with fresh green nutrient solution from the top.

Schiso 007 huffed, muttering under her breath, "Such a big appetite. How much nutrition and energy does he need to absorb?"

She turned to Lilianna, "Looks like this kid won't wake up anytime soon. Come with me."

Then, looking at Lumiya, "Do you want to rest first?"

"No need, I'll stay here and wait for him to wake up," Lumiya replied, sitting down on the floor.

"Oh, so loyal," teased Schiso 007 as she left the room.

Moments later, Schiso 007 returned to her Goddess Throne, which was now floating higher in the air.

She ascended as if stepping on invisible stairs, rising to the height of her throne.

The Goddess turned gracefully and sat down, exuding a dignified and sacred aura, calm and elegant.

As long as Goddess 007 didn't speak, laugh foolishly, or make exaggerated expressions, she perfectly embodied the image of a deity. However, her nature seemed to prevent her from maintaining this godly demeanor for long.

Goddess Schiso crossed her legs, leaned back in her throne, and began to speak in a casual, slightly rogue tone, "Now it's just us two. If you have anything to ask or say, do it quickly. I'm very busy, and chatting with me is a rare opportunity."

Lilianna looked into Schiso 007's eyes. After a moment of eye contact, Lilianna smiled, her respectful facade fading into a relaxed, elegant demeanor.

She spoke in a voice as clear as a mountain stream, "May I ask, Goddess, are you also a player?"

Schiso 007 chuckled, "Well played with that 'also'. I appreciate it."

"Figures," said Lilianna, her expression unchanging, still maintaining her elegant smile. Excitement sparkled in her beautiful black eyes as she rapidly fired off questions, "So, the 'Eyes of the Deep Space' pantheon is a player organization, like a guild? Is the ultimate goal of players to become gods in the world of planes? What exactly is a god?"

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Schiso 007 looked at Lilianna with interest, "Looks like you're still a newbie. I thought you were an old player from the public test, seeing how composed you always are. Right, an old player wouldn't have used a targeted transport item to just randomly show up in front of me. That makes things more interesting. You must have a very special and rare talent or skill, can you tell me what it is?"

Lilianna's smile slowly faded as she looked calmly at Schiso 007, choosing not to speak.

"Don't be nervous, at least for now, there's no conflict of interest between us. Or rather, I might even become a benefactor for you," Schiso 007 said.

"You might also be a benefactor for Sky, right?" Lilianna regained her calm, smiling demeanor.

Schiso 007 joked, "Your smile is too professional. Are you a salesperson in the real world, wearing a mask every day? As for Sky... I'm not his benefactor, I'm his guide."

"Guide?" Lilianna expressed her confusion.

Schiso 007 shifted position, swapping the crossed leg on top, "I don't like beating around the bush. In this plane

I'm a goddess, so let's switch to a style of conversation I prefer. I'll be nice to you as a newbie; let's play a question-and-answer game. We'll take turns asking each other questions, one answer for one answer."

After a moment of thought, Lilianna smiled and replied, "Isn't this still taking advantage of a newbie? I might have more questions than you."

"Smart," Schiso 007 smirked. "I'll ask as many questions as I feel like, so you'll need to keep me amused. I'll start. When did you first cross over? I mean in terms of real-world time."

"Three months ago," Lilianna responded, then quickly asked her own question, "What exactly is a god?"

Schiso 007 laughed, "Such precious information can't be exchanged for answers that only satisfy my curiosity. I'll give you an important hint: the path to godhood is about gradually integrating with the Way of Heaven, or binding oneself to the fundamental rules of the world. That's all I can say for now, considering you're a player."

Hearing Schiso 007's response, Lilianna fell into thought.

Not allowing her much time, Schiso 007 asked, "When did you cross over into this plane? I need the exact time."

"Yesterday, around 1 PM," Lilianna replied, then continued, "Is 'Eyes of the Deep Space' a guild-like organization for players?"

"No, it's not. We've clearly told you, 'Eyes of the Deep Space' is an organization of gods. It includes players, but most are natives of this world. A piece of advice for you new players: your biggest misconception is treating the natives of Aethercross as NPCs, thinking this world exists just for us 'players'. In reality, in the world of Aethercross, there's no fundamental difference between players and natives. The only difference is the system provides players with certain benefits and 'cheats'. Next question: What is your system's main quest for this crossover?"

Lilianna looked at Schiso 007, then replied, "To follow the master of the castle and gain the recognition of the gods, becoming an apostle of the gods in this world. Also, thank you for sharing your experience."

"Interesting," Schiso 007 remarked. "Don't worry, I won't make things hard for you as a newcomer. I'll file your apostle status application today. Just go through the motions, and by tomorrow morning, your main quest will be complete. What's your next question?"

"What's special about Sky?" Lilianna asked.

"That I cannot tell you for now, ask another question," Schiso 007 declined.

"Then, what are your, or your organization's, expectations for Sky?" Lilianna rephrased her question.

Schiso 007 chuckled, "You're young but quite shrewd. Even a simple question from you is loaded with calculations. First, that's not one question but two. Second, if I answer, you could infer some clues about the previous question, right?"

Unfazed by being called out, Lilianna maintained her professional smile, "As a goddess, you wouldn't quibble with such a minor character like me, would you?"

"I have a feeling you'll become quite significant in the future. Oh, consider that a bonus blessing from a goddess," Schiso paused, then addressed the question, "Listen up, both personally and as part of the 'Eyes of the Deep Space' pantheon, we hope Sky can grow quickly and reach a level where he can independently lead a planar war."

A brief silence fell between them.

Breaking the silence, Lilianna spoke, "Do I know too much now? If I don't want to or can't become an apostle of 'Eyes of the Deep Space', are you planning to silence me?"

"Is that a question? It seems it's my turn to ask," said Schiso 007.

"It's not a question. I already know the answer. Now I understand, I'm already tied to your chariot," Lilianna replied.

Schiso 007 laughed, "Dealing with smart people is easy; no need for lengthy explanations. So, my next question: What's your rare talent or skill?"

Lilianna looked surprised, "How did you know I have a rare talent?"

The conversation continued to unravel the mysteries surrounding their entwined destinies, revealing the complex web of relations and powers in the world of Aethercross.