Early morning.
Xing Peng, the newly appointed Patrol Captain of Third Outpost, was vigorously doing his morning exercises in a lavishly decorated bedroom.
Creak! Creak!
Strange sounds rang out continuously, carrying a remarkably steady rhythm.
It sounded like the faint noise of a cushion being compressed.
After a while.
The creaking stopped.
But chewing sounds emerged instead, accompanied by the sounds of someone eating with great relish, interspersed with Xing Peng and his wife Fan Xiaoqian's fragmented conversation.
At first listen.
The newlywed couple seemed to be chatting while gnawing on chicken feet, pig trotters, and other breakfast foods.
"Dapeng, you've done it so many times these last two days. How are you still so strong?"
"Xiaoqian, didn't I tell you? At the Reward Banquet the night before last, there was a dish called Joyful Twin Dragons. I polished off nearly half of one all by myself!"
Smack!
"Oh my God! Bite more gently... The effects are lasting far too long, aren't they?"
"That table of dishes cost at least two hundred Gold Coins! We really benefited from Director's favor that day. It was the first time in my life I'd ever eaten such an extravagantly luxurious feast!"
Xing Peng seemed to have gotten worked up again and resumed his exercises.
Creak! Creak!
The sounds came noticeably faster than before.
He was clearly quite a diligent young man! A few minutes later.
Everything quieted down.
The exercise appeared to be over.
Fan Xiaoqian let out a startled "Ah!" and began muttering things like "It's leaking out," "You're so annoying," and "There's so much."
Xing Peng only kept chuckling.
After that.
The couple began quietly discussing the Wishing Monument.
"Dapeng, I heard that if you touch the Wishing Monument for a few seconds, you'll enter a strange illusion. Is that true?"