Chapter 65 – The Hand I Take
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Reclaiming What Was Lost
Luo Fan took a deep breath. His double's hand was still extended, waiting.
His fingers trembled as he reached forward.
The moment their hands touched—
A surge of memories flooded his mind.
The thrill of his first cultivation breakthrough on-stream.
The laughter of his audience as he failed spectacularly.
The shock of realizing he was never alone in this journey.
And then—
The Reset.
Silence.
The vast emptiness of a multiverse that had forgotten him.
> "You didn't just lose your viewers."
"You lost the connection that made you who you were."
His double's form glowed, beginning to dissolve.
Luo Fan's chest tightened.
> "Then I'll rebuild it."
> "No matter how long it takes."
> "No matter how impossible it seems."
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EchoStar's Dramatic Reboot
> [ALERT: EchoStar Core Synchronization in Progress]
EchoStar buzzed, flickering between screens.
> "Oh? Oh? Is this the part where I get an upgrade?"
"…Or am I about to explode? Please don't let me explode."
Luo Fan chuckled. "You won't explode."
> "I better not— WAIT."
The interface snapped into focus.
> [New Function Restored: Connection Threads]
[Access Level: Locked – Requires Reconstruction]
EchoStar froze.
> "…Hold on."
"Did I just get back a function that lets us reconnect with someone?"
Luo Fan's breath caught.
A single, faint message notification flickered at the edge of the interface.
> [Connection Attempt Detected – Signal Too Weak]
His heart pounded.
Was it…
Was someone still watching him?
---
EchoStar's Priorities Are Still… EchoStar.
> "Okay. I have two very important things to say."
"First: Holy crap. We are so getting our Audience back."
"Second: You're welcome."
Luo Fan sighed. "For what?"
> "For staying by your side this whole time."
"For being your greatest, most loyal, incredibly charming—"
"—most insufferable—"
> "—most irreplaceable System."
Luo Fan snorted.
> "…Thanks, EchoStar."
> "Aha! He admits it!"
> "Wait. WAIT."
EchoStar's screen zoomed in dramatically.
> "Did you just have character development?"
Luo Fan rolled his eyes. "Shut up."
> "No, no, I need to process this."
"Is this my influence? Am I making you a better person?"
> "Wait, am I the true main character?"
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A New Beginning
Luo Fan opened his eyes.
The trial space vanished—
And he stood once more in the real world.
His body felt different.
Lighter. Stronger.
Like he had reclaimed something fundamental to himself.
The cold wind brushed against his face. The ruins of his sect lay before him.
But this time…
He didn't feel alone.
> [Connection Threads – Rebuilding in Progress]
[First Link Restored: ???]
A single faint voice echoed in his mind.
A voice he hadn't heard since the Reset.
> "Is that… Luo Fan?"
His breath caught.
Someone remembered him.
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[To Be Continued...]