Corruption

Although the Observer's words were abstract, Su Luo still understood them.

Observer are often prevented from reaching the top of the tower due to Tower Desolation Plague.

In other words, the stronger the deck, the more likely it is to be punished by the Desolation Plague.

The Essence of what Iron Guard previously mentioned, "building an infinite deck will be punished by the Desolation Plague," is that even a powerful deck will be punished by the Desolation Plague.

"Using my own power will get me punished, and having an overly powerful deck will also get me punished... So what's the point of playing?"

The rules of the Tower, in Essence, exclude all "variables" that could disrupt the balance, maintaining the lifeless Cycle of this enormous Dreamscape tomb.

Su Luo glanced at the blood-red Text and thought that the Desolation Plague was an idiot, and the Tower was an idiot too.

It's still not strong enough.

If you're strong enough, you don't even need to follow the rules of the Dreamscape; you can just burn the Tower down with a single burst of heavenly fire.

Meanwhile, outside the Tower, outside the Dreamscape, Zone 76.

The crimson Blood Moon hung below the system barrier, like a rotting eyeball, coldly watching the brightly lit Safe Zone below.

The dark red mist was thicker than it had been a few hours earlier, writhing like a living thing, trying to penetrate every crack in the mental Abjuration shield.

Number One frowned as he listened to the report from the person in front of him.

"The Blood Moon has entered a new phase."

The Analysis Group, responsible for intelligence gathering, spoke in a hoarse voice, at breakneck speed, "Initially, its ability directly Corrosion creatures below its mental threshold and strengthens all monsters affected by it. We define this as the 'Corrosion Phase'."

He switched the screen, displaying a complex energy flow model diagram:

"When the number of Corrosion monsters or Survivors accumulates to a certain level, the Blood Moon will catalyze the emergence of 'Ghost Stories.' These 'Ghost Stories' follow a twisted 'rule,' rendering conventional physical and energy attacks almost ineffective; they can only be triggered through mental means or specific actions. We have currently confirmed ten derivative Ghost Stories, whose existence forms highly match the 'Weird Tale Era' information provided by Han Song. The Blood Moon is also the source and energy supplier of all Ghost Stories."

"And now, besides the ghost stories, a new phenomenon has emerged in the area—[Corruption]."

The Analysis Group paused for a moment, then brought up another set of images:

The scene depicts a large shelter within Zone 76. In the original lobby, a dozen or so people are behaving strangely.

They either crouched in corners muttering to themselves, or frantically scratched at the walls with their fingernails until the walls broke, or their bodies twisted and reversed. They all had one thing in common: empty eyes, as if their souls had been taken away.

"This is a large-scale Mental Corrosion launched by the Blood Moon. Anyone with low mental Attributes, or... whose mental state is inherently unstable, has a chance of being pulled into a blood-red illusion. Within the illusion, they will experience the deepest fear, and then become a part of the Blood Moon. This manifests as [Corruption]—losing their sanity and becoming a puppet that only knows how to destroy and spread the Blood Moon."

Number One looked up from the screen and checked the time. "What about the Mental Defense Structures? Is it running at maximum power?"

"It's already at its limit. But the Blood Moon's mental Contamination is all-encompassing. The Abjuration shield can filter out most of it, but for those with unstable mental foundations, even the slightest infiltration could be the last straw that breaks the camel's back."

"Mental Attributes aren't the problem; those with low Attributes can go back to their hometowns. The problem is: many Survivors have mental issues themselves," Number One muttered to himself.

Even though the Trial Instance in Zone 76 have a high success rate, offer targeted training, and many people have opted for strategy guides, the Doomsday scenes depicted in the Trial Instance are still not something everyone can accept.

Can you accept the fate of all living beings in a world, dying helplessly and in despair?

A person who can accept "the lives of all living beings in the world dying helplessly and desperately before their eyes" must have an extraordinary spirit; they are either resolute or utterly depraved.

Many people, after experiencing that kind of despair, either go insane on the spot, or suppress that madness deep in their hearts, pretending to be normal on the surface while their hearts are already twisted.

This is a recurring issue: madmen, and those who are psychologically twisted but outwardly normal but are actually half-madmen.

The percentage of lunatics in Zone 76 is definitely among the smallest in the world, but their numbers are probably the largest.

In other areas, these "half-madmen" would most likely die directly from the Mental Corrosion caused by the [Dangerous Terrain].

But in Zone 76, the well-developed training program, the terrifyingly low mortality rate, and the relatively safe rear environment allowed them to survive and even steadily grow stronger. Their Attributes increased, and their skills were upgraded, but their mental illness was never healed.

Now, the Blood Moon has arrived. It's like a magnifying glass, precisely revealing every crack.

"Sigh... Sometimes, doing too well is bad... So, how many people have already [Corruption]?"

"More than three hundred have been found."

Number One looked at the increasingly pervasive light and mist, and the Blood Moon hanging in mid-air. After a moment's consideration, he made a decision:

"Process all."

"At the same time, we must change our attitude towards those incorrigible lunatics. The protection of the strong and their rapid development have made us lose sight of what is most important for survival."

Number One paused, then said, word by word:

"But it's not too late to realize it now."

Gao Fu is still asleep...

No, he's been awakened.

Gao Fu opened his eyes in a daze, and standing in front of him were people from the Mutual Aid Association.

It should be said that they are people from the Mutual Aid Association's Supervision Department. Now, the entire Zone 76 is full of the Mutual Aid Association members, but people are used to referring to those in the core departments as "Mutual Aid Association members".

It's equivalent to "The government has sent people."

What are you doing?

Gao Fu stood up from his luxurious bed.

Upon seeing Gao Fu's state, the newcomer's eyes flashed with surprise. With the Blood Moon high in the sky and the entire Zone 76 on edge, it was rare to see Survivor sleeping so soundly and without reacting even when a stranger approached their bed. This was completely unlike Survivor.

But the visitor quickly composed himself and spoke in a businesslike manner, "Mr. Gao Fu, I apologize for disturbing you. Currently, the Blood Moon is invading, strange tales are rampant, and Corruption is rampant... Zone 76 needs your strength."

Gao Fu paused for a moment, then did not answer immediately.

He first habitually brought up the Survival Panel, his gaze falling on his [Constitution] Attribute, which had just broken through to 20 points. That number brought him a slight sense of relief. Then he raised his head, looked seriously at the person who had come, and pondered for a moment.

"Okay," he nodded, "But I have one request."

"Please speak," the person said sincerely.

"Where is Consultant Su's experimental zone? Could I go there? The air in the Land of Darkness is bad; it gives me a headache if I stay there too long." Gao Fu's expression was very natural.