The seven-day limit of the "burial rules" might not be the real countdown
Only Xing Ge, who needed to keep watch at night, and the steward, who seemed to want to give him some private instructions, remained in the Ancestral Hall.
The other six people silently walked through the damp, cold passageway in the deepening darkness and drizzle, returning to the Hanging Flower Gate they had first gathered.
The six people stopped, but none of them immediately returned to their rooms.
Yu Hao was the first to speak, "Everyone, what do you think?"
His question seemed abrupt and unrelated, but everyone present understood what he meant.
Their Floor Count were already firmly within the top 100. Although their exact individual rankings were unclear, given the God Hunt's matchmaking system, the fact that they were both placed in this Dungeon meant their skill levels must be within the same range.
No one will be a burden, and no one should try to control anyone easily.
Therefore, they all know that in the face of increasingly difficult Dungeons, going it alone is tantamount to suicide. As they progress, reliable cooperation and information sharing are the key to their survival in the Dungeons.
Shi Weiwei continued, "Keeping watch at night, separating rooms, confining us... he's deliberately keeping us apart."
His tone remained steady, but with a hint of sharpness.
But the rules themselves also provide clues.
Hang Ze rubbed his arms, as if trying to dispel the chilling aura emanating from the Ancestral Hall: "Red, purple, and gold are taboo, yet that Seventh Concubine prepared purple Mourning Clothes. Saying the Seventh Concubine is untrustworthy, yet she can arrange our food, clothing, and lodging. The fact that we're not allowed to approach the Ancient Well precisely proves that there's something there."
He paused, then continued, "There's also the Clan Genealogy, available only to members of the Shen clan... So, do we now consider ourselves members of the Shen clan?"
Xu Xi glanced at him sideways and found that although this person seemed carefree, he was not really reckless. His observation and summarizing abilities were excellent. In just a few words, he pointed out the contradictions in the rules and raised the crucial question of identity.
Looks like I won't encounter any idiots in the later Dungeons.
... Hiss, no, that's not right.
Xu Xi suddenly realized that he had unconsciously begun to scrutinize his teammates' abilities.
He wasn't exactly a pro gamer himself.
Stroking her forehead, Xu Xi began to ponder when this mindset had changed.
The discussion is ongoing.
Yu Hao said thoughtfully, "According to our assigned identities as 'young master and young lady,' theoretically we should be surnamed Shen, but since the rules specifically emphasize..."
His tone was quite meaningful. "Perhaps it means that some of us don't have the surname Shen."
This guess caused the atmosphere to suddenly freeze.
The Clan Genealogy is clearly a key clue; if the person doesn't have the surname Shen, then they can't access it.
More importantly, they didn't know who the person who wasn't surnamed Shen was—was it just one person... or several?
Tang Shutong crossed her arms and unconsciously touched the scar on her eyebrow. "There's another question. Does this 'Shen surname' refer to a given name or blood relation?"
If it's a name, that's much easier, but if it's bloodline...
After all, adoption, adultery, and other factors are all possible.
Lin Zuo then softly uttered eight words: "The incense burner is full, the coffin is cold."
The fact that the incense burner was full indicates that people had been frequently burning incense before, and the coldness of the coffin might not be due to just the temperature.
All eyes immediately turned to the young man, who had remained silent throughout and was dressed in a dark blue robe.
Now he's the only one who hasn't expressed his opinion yet.
The other person seemed to be deep in thought.
Xu Xi, on the other hand, hadn't figured out a solution.
Without realizing it, every time he entered a new Dungeon, he would habitually analyze the rules, assess the risks, and even subconsciously use the Rollback ability to gather clues.
As for when he started having this mindset, he really didn't pay attention.
However, he always had only one goal: to reach the summit.
Suppressing his chaotic thoughts, when he refocused on what was in front of him, he suddenly realized that everyone was quietly staring at him.
Xu Xi: "?"
He thought for a moment, then asked bluntly, "Did you hear anything when we were offering incense?"
Hang Ze's eyes lit up. "You heard that too?"
Yu Hao confusion. "What was that sound?"
Shi Weiwei and the other two also had strange expressions.
"A kind of playful laughter," Hang Ze described, "Like a child's voice, very shrill."
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately thought of the paper effigies of children on either side of the coffin.
Xu Xi guessed that perhaps the man with the buzz cut had also heard it.
"I didn't hear it." Yu Hao shook his head.
Shi Weiwei and the other two also denied it.
Everyone present suddenly realized that the situation in this Dungeon was probably more complicated than they had anticipated.
Yu Hao wiped his face and said in a deep voice, "Our identities are certainly important, but what's more urgent right now is to get through the first night safely."
Shi Weiwei nodded in agreement. "That's right. We need to determine which rules are ironclad, punishable by death, and which rules have gray areas or loopholes that we can exploit."
"So, are you planning to go out and scout around after midnight tonight?" Hang Ze asked, somewhat eagerly. "I've already thought of an excuse: the chamber pot is full."
Tang Shutong glanced at him. "I don't recommend it. We'd better be careful on the first night."
"Will this rule apply if we're on night watch?" Just then, Lin Zuo suddenly asked.
Everyone was taken aback.
They hadn't considered that.
Shi Weiwei shook her head. "There might be rules for night watch as well."
Hang Ze stroked his chin and said, "So, are we really going to leave that guy there all by himself?"
Yu Hao too worried. "He seems quite confident. The first night might be dangerous, but nothing bad will necessarily happen."
"The order of the night watch will most likely be based on our titles, and it might be me tomorrow night." Shi Weiwei looked at Xu Xi and Hang Ze, "I'll pay special attention to the kind of voice you mentioned."
Xu Xi nodded indifferently.
If we're really going by the rankings, he's fifth. He might even have finished the game by then, and it might not even be his turn for night watch.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but remind himself, "A seven-day deadline isn't necessarily a true countdown."
In the last Mixed-Team Competition Dungeon, the time constraint really cost them dearly.
The others felt a chill run down their spines at the young man in the dark blue long gown's special reminder.
The other person didn't talk much, had a calm demeanor, and exuded a strong sense of detachment.
This made them instinctively take seriously what the other person might have just said casually.
Yu Hao nodded. "We definitely need to be wary of that."
After a brief exchange, the group decided not to linger and quickly departed.
The night was as dark as ink, enveloping the Shen Residence.
Xu Xi looked up at the dark sky and walked towards the Back Garden.
For him, no matter what taboos or abnormalities there are, he just needs to actively touch them to find out everything.