Level Five Challenge

"Relieve... pain?" Luo Jun noticed that the other party's wording was somewhat subtle.

"How can we alleviate this?"

The waiter chuckled, "We offer a Freezing Service here. Once you undergo this service, we can pause the process of change, but correspondingly, your metabolism will also stop, rendering you unable to perform any physiological activities. However, this customer doesn't seem to be affected by the Freezing Service at all."

"I see..." Luo Jun nodded. "It's like putting someone into cryogenic hibernation... Can it last indefinitely?"

"A single Freezing Service can last for approximately three hundred hours," the waiter replied.

"About twelve days..." Luo Jun calculated for a moment. In other words, if someone was undergoing mutation, as long as a hotel was found every twelve days, it could be delayed indefinitely... Currently, although Ling Jian had used a special method to slow down the mutation, it still couldn't stop it. After these five days, Ling Jian's mutation progress had increased again, and it seemed to be accelerating. Now, his body had changed by more than 90%, and it felt like he could completely mutate into Chaos Creature at any moment!

There was no other way.

"How much does the Freezing Service cost?" Luo Jun asked.

"It's free," the waiter said with a smile. "At our Endless Inn, all services on the first floor are free; only the second floor requires an extra charge of three thousand yuan per person."

The service is on the first floor? It wasn't mentioned in the diary.

"Then freeze it for him." Luo Jun put down Ling Jian, and the waiter immediately called over several people to take Ling Jian away.

"Before you leave, you may request to take your companion with you," the waiter said with a smile.

"By the way, what's on the second floor? And it costs three thousand yuan per person?" Ma Qiao pressed.

The waiter smiled and bowed, saying, "I'm sorry, I'm only a staff member on the first floor and don't know about the second floor. But I can assure you that this three thousand dollars is absolutely worth it."

"After unlocking the second floor, you can still enjoy all the services on the first floor, and you can also extend your stay in the Endless Inn."

After listening to the waiter's description, Ma Qiao looked at Luo Jun and asked, "So, shall we go up to the second floor?"

"We definitely have to open it, but we don't have much money left..."

They had exchanged over 160,000 at the store, then spent 100,000 on Exit Indicator and another 50,000 searching for a diary. Although they exchanged some more money when collecting the diary, they only had a little over 10,000 left when they left the store. After paying for the tickets for seven people, they didn't have enough for 3,000.

However, with Luo Jun's Generous Person Badge, he could immediately offer three thousand dollars.

"How about this, I'll go up and check out the situation first. I can come down anytime, and then we'll see what happens."

"I'll go," Old Yuan, somewhat worried about his disciple.

"No need..." Luo Jun waved his hand and said, "You should stay on the first floor just in case. Don't worry, I have some tricks up my sleeve."

As he spoke, Luo Jun gave Old Yuan a look, reassuring him.

Recalling the race he had with Luo Jun in the maze, Old Yuan sighed slightly and nodded in agreement.

"Would you like me to process your paperwork for the second floor?" the waiter asked.

"Lead the way." Luo Jun nodded with a smile, then turned to Old Yuan and Ma Qiao and said, "You two enjoy yourselves first, I'll explain the situation to you when I come down."

Luo Jun followed the waiter to a counter, paid three thousand yuan in cash, and then a Secret Door opened next to the counter, leading to a spacious elevator lobby.

"Only you can go up to the second floor by yourself, so we won't accompany you." The waiter bowed respectfully and watched Luo Jun enter the elevator.

There were only two buttons in the elevator: one for the first floor and one for the second floor. Luo Jun pressed the button for the second floor, and the elevator doors slowly closed, starting to ascend.

With Luo Jun's perception, he could tell that the elevator was going up very fast, much faster than the elevators in the Main World. Even so, the elevator still took a long time to come to a slow stop.

How tall is the second floor?

Filled with doubt and wariness, Luo Jun unleashed his Gathering Origin Protective Qi, picked up the Myriad Jun Hammer, and slowly walked out of the elevator.

It was pitch black outside the elevator. Even with Luo Jun's eyesight, he couldn't see anything. Even the light reflected from inside the elevator seemed to be swallowed up by the absolute darkness.

What exactly is this...?

Just as Luo Jun was wondering what was going on, the elevator doors behind him slowly closed. At the same time, with a bang, a huge Fireworks exploded above Luo Jun's head, as if a switch had been turned on, instantly illuminating the entire space.

This is a hemispherical space, much larger than I imagined. In the very center stands a fairytale-like castle, decorated with colorful balloons and ribbons. Around the castle are lush gardens, fountains, and trees, making it look like a magnificent children's playground.

"Welcome to the second floor of the Endless Inn, this is the Endless Amusement Park!"

A somewhat shrill voice rang out. Luo Jun looked up and saw a red-nosed clown dressed in bulky clothes walking out from the balcony on the second floor of the castle. His face was painted with an exaggerated, blood-red smile, which looked rather eerie.

"Who are you?" Luo Jun cautiously picked up the hammer. Seeing this, the clown laughed and said, "Don't be nervous. I am the owner of the Endless Inn and the founder of the Endless Amusement Park. You can call me the Jile Clown!"

"The Jile Clown?" Luo Jun frowned. "You're not telling me that I spent three thousand to come up to the second floor just to see a clown performance, are you?"

"Hahaha, sir, you've got it backwards!" The clown, exasperated, spread his arms wide and laughed, "Here, I'm the audience, and you're the performer!"

"What do you mean?" Luo Jun was completely confused.

"In the Endless Amusement Park, I've set up five challenges, ranging in difficulty from level one to level five. Each successful completion of Level One Challenge will earn you a prize. After successfully completing Level One Challenge, you can choose to forfeit and take all the prizes you've won! However, if you fail a challenge, you will lose all your rewards!"

The Jile Clown raised his hands above his head and slapped them together forcefully. With a loud crack, a huge banner unfurled below the balcony.

"It's important to note that this challenge can only be completed solo, and each person only has one chance! Once you fail or choose to give up, you cannot start the challenge again."

Level Five Challenge? Is this all the content on the second floor?

Luo Jun looked at the banner, which listed the details of the Level Five Challenge and all the rewards.

Level One Challenge: Racing Challenge.

Success reward: 3,000 yuan.

Level 2 Challenge: Strength Challenge.

Success reward: Storage Backpack.

Effect: Provides one cubic meter of storage space, capable of storing any item. The interior is a complete vacuum environment, making it virtually impossible for any living organism to survive inside.

Level 3 Challenge: Endurance Challenge.

Success reward: 3 Miraculous Elixir

Effect: It can heal all injuries after use.

Level 4 Challenge: Gourmet Challenge. Success Reward: Directional Teleporter.

Effect: Once activated, it can teleport the user to a random location within 30 kilometers of the exit.

Level Five Challenge: Combat Challenge.

Success reward: Locking Talisman (Unique)

Effect: After use, it can lock the location of the maze exit, preventing it from changing for 24 hours.

Success reward: Lesser Locking Charm (candidate)

Effect: After use, it can lock the location of the maze exit, preventing it from changing for one hour.

The details of the rewards on the banner made Luo Jun's eyes widen in surprise.

The first three are fine; although they are useful, there are various alternatives available.

However, these last two items are specifically designed for export!

Could this be the answer to clearing the level: use the Locking Talisman to block the exit's location, then use the Directional Teleporter to teleport near the exit, and finally use the Exit Indicator to point to the exit?

I see. To pass the level, you not only need to earn over 100,000 to exchange for Exit Indicator, but you also need to find the hotel, go up to the second floor, and complete the fourth and fifth level challenges?

Amidst his excitement, Luo Jun couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. So, strictly speaking, the Black Shop didn't actually offer any real help in clearing the level? Even the final Void Pass seemed like a trap, a place designed entirely to hinder Cultivators' progress?

"Distinguished guest, would you like to begin the challenge now?"

Faced with the Jile Clown's question, Luo Jun stroked his chin. "Can I go down and think about it before coming back up?"

The error-free version can be read at 69 Book Bar! 6=9+shuba is the first site to publish this novel.

"Of course!" the Jile Clown laughed. "Even if the challenge hasn't started yet, you can pause at any time to rest on the first floor. But be careful, pausing while you're in the middle of a challenge might lead to failure. For example, in the first race, if you pause, your opponent won't wait for you..."

"I understand." Luo Jun nodded. "Okay, see you later!"

After saying that, he turned around, entered the elevator, and returned to the first floor.

"What did you say? There are five challenges upstairs? If you complete them all, you can find the exit?" The others exclaimed in surprise after hearing Luo Jun's description.

"That's right..." Luo Jun recounted the rewards for the five challenges upstairs, "But it seems we don't yet know what the challenges themselves are."

"Whatever it is, we have to do it!" Ma Qiao said, rubbing his hands together excitedly. "This might be the only way to pass the level!"

"But only Little Luo Jun can go up to the second floor right now..." Mao Xintong looked at Luo Jun: "We're out of money."

"It's okay, the reward for completing the first challenge is three thousand yuan, and we can repeat it indefinitely!" Sun Xiaowei said.

"But the key is, we don't know how difficult the first challenge will be..." Zhuge Zi frowned and said, "The Racing Challenge, maybe I should be the one to go."

"Don't underestimate your junior!" Sun Xiaowei said, "Don't forget, he was always at the very front in the maze!"

"Little Luo's ability to run long distances is indeed very strong because he utilizes Wind Element," Mao Xintong said. "But if the test is a short-distance sprint, Xiao Zi is definitely better!"

"I think it's fine!" Old Yuan supported Luo Jun, saying, "The first challenge shouldn't be too difficult; I trust him."

"It's no use disbelieving me," Ma Qiao shrugged. "He's the only one who can get up there now."

"Then I won't waste any more time. You all get ready and wait for my news of victory." With that, Luo Jun turned to return to the second floor.

"Wait!" Old Yuan suddenly stopped him. "Although I believe you can succeed, I think you'd better draw a suggestion first."

The so-called "drawing a suggestion" is actually one of the functions of the relics.

Over the past few days, the group has accumulated dozens of relics. Since the number of dice rolls cannot be refreshed in a short time, Luo Jun has gradually begun to use relics to obtain advice before making important decisions.

Unfortunately, the hints for relic transformation are far less specific than those for dice rolls, and can even be described as somewhat inexplicable.

For example, when they started making Enhanced Monster-Attracting Incense, they opened one and received the suggestion to use it as a "toilet".

At first, everyone was puzzled by this suggestion. Then one day, while making the Monster Attracting Incense, they accidentally mixed in some rotten flesh and maggots. They found that it worked even better than before, and they realized that the so-called toilet actually referred to the stench and maggots.

For example, when they were looking for a hotel, they opened one and received the clue. "The direction of the water flow."

At first, they thought it meant going downhill, so they went down every staircase they came across. After walking for several days, the three women encountered several Water Elemental monsters. Mao Xintong then realized that the hotel might be nearby. After searching, they found it.

In conclusion, the hints from exchanging relics aren't wrong, but they are indeed a bit abstract.

Old Yuan did remind Luo Jun that while he was happy to encounter new clues, Luo Jun felt the implications of the rewards were a bit too obvious. He was even considering using dice to verify them. Now, it seemed better to draw a hint instead.

Luo Jun took out a relic and selected the exchange prompt.

A flash of light, and the relic vanished, transforming into a small slip of paper that landed in Luo Jun's hand. On it was written a line of words:

Stay away from anything that can fly.

"What does this mean?" Ma Qiao asked curiously. "Can that Jile Clown fly?"

Luo Jun shook his head. "He's been standing on the second-floor balcony the whole time; you wouldn't guess he can fly."

"Perhaps it's related to one of the challenges?" Sun Xiaowei analyzed. "Could the opponent in the Racing Challenge be someone with wings?"

"There's no use guessing now." Luo Jun shook his head; he was used to such abstract hints. "Let's take it one step at a time. I'll go challenge them first, and everyone wait for my victory."

After saying goodbye, he returned to the second floor.

"Let's begin the challenge." Luo Jun stretched his body, looking at the Jile Clown of Ecstasy: "What is the first level of the Racing Challenge?"

"Alright, the Racing Challenge is about to begin!" The Jile Clown laughed and clapped his hands above his head. With a snap, the arena expanded several times over, and the scene around the castle changed. A running track suddenly appeared along the edge of the distant circular arena.

"The Racing Challenge, as the name suggests, is a competition of speed," explained the Jile Clown. "This lap is five kilometers long. The first person to complete three laps wins! Don't try to cheat! There's a sensor every 100 meters on the track. You must pass through all the sensors in order to complete one lap!"

"Now, let's welcome your opponent to the stage!"

The Jile Clown clapped his hands again, and at the starting point of the track appeared a monster with long limbs and a slender figure. The monster's two hands were similar to those of a human, but its legs were similar to those of a horse, with well-defined thigh muscles, long and slender calves, and only one toe forming a hoof touching the ground, clearly indicating that it was a creature skilled at running.

Luo Jun glanced at the monster, secretly relieved, shook his head, and muttered to himself, "It doesn't look like it can fly..."

(End of this chapter)