Secret Talk

After leaving the small room filled with bottles and jars, the three walked through the passageway.

Most of the passageways looked pretty much the same, but fortunately, with Shi Jiu's help, they knew they were heading "south".

Carlos kept glancing at the paper figures. He had contacted Lin earlier, but the place where Lin was located involved too many twists and turns, making it difficult to gather them. The paper figures had crawled through small holes in the rock wall, but people couldn't.

Carlos must guide Lin onto a safer route that aligns with their current direction so they can reunite at some point later.

"Your abilities are quite useful," Yu Xing said with genuine envy after looking at you for a while.

Carlos gave him a wary look, clutching the paper figure he had just folded. "You don't have the power to steal other people's abilities, do you?"

Yu Xing: "... What do you take me for? Do you think I can do everything?"

"Who knows? It's all because you're so secretive, and you're so damn strong." Carlos breathed a sigh of relief, though he didn't know how much of his behavior was genuine and how much was a test. "At first, my paper figures were mainly used to ward off disasters, but after I did a lot of tomb raiding, their purpose gradually changed."

"Oh, so the core offering's abilities change depending on the different experiences it undergoes?" Yu Xing murmured. "Then yours is essentially a growth-type offering, right?"

The core offerings, such as Carlos's paper doll, the gambler's dice, and Han Xinyi's mask, are extremely rare and powerful, seemingly possessed only by a select few divination practitioners.

Yu Xing also knew one other thing, which was Qu Xuanqing's sword.

However, he didn't know why there was such a difference. He hadn't thought about this before, but after figuring out the special treatment the system gave him, he wondered if the personalities of those who possessed core offerings were also subject to extra attention from the system?

His unknown sacrifice might also be a core sacrifice in another sense, since he relies most on resurrection and rapid recovery in his deductions.

"What are you talking about?" Unica asked, puzzled. She seemed to vaguely hear the two men discussing something, but then again, she seemed to hear nothing at all.

"It's nothing. By the way," Yu Xing turned to Unica, "Did you look at the things in those jars in the cubicle just now?"

Unica was taken aback. "No, is that important?"

Yu Xing shook her head. "I don't know if it's important or not, but I thought a passionate researcher like you would take a look."

Upon hearing this, Carlos, Unica, and Shi Jiu in the earpiece were all momentarily stunned. After a few seconds, Unica twirled a strand of hair and laughed, "I'm too nervous to do it alone. If someone is there to protect me, I wouldn't mind taking the risk and doing some research."

Yu Xing gave her a meaningful look and then said nothing more.

That's a satisfactory answer.

If Unica said she forgot, or showed any nervousness or remorse for not examining the contents of the jars, it would be contrary to Unica's expected reaction, Yu Xing would immediately point the finger at her.

This tomb is located inside the Heavy Yin Mountain, making its construction extremely difficult. He estimated that the actual size of the entire tomb wouldn't be too large, and that most of its secrets would be hidden within the mazes scattered throughout.

So, after entering the tomb palace gate and passing through the gatekeeper ghost's tomb chamber, there's a maze-like maze ahead. After passing through the maze, you should reach the place where the demon daoist's burial goods or ghosts are located, and then the demon daoist's own tomb chamber.

This is the layout of the tomb palace that the team calculated in advance, so it shouldn't be too far off.

As for the location of the Ghost Tree, it's probably hidden too deep; it's certainly not in front of the demon daoist's coffin. They can decide whether or not to provoke that tree later.

So what we need to do now is gather the team members, then find the exit of the maze and head to the next tomb chamber.

Not long after, the three of them encountered Uncle Zhang and the man with glasses ahead.

The two met up midway based on a clue from the Shi Jiu. They didn't know the shape of the maze, and they wandered around, some ahead and some behind.

The five of them found a path that none of them had ever taken before and continued exploring. During this time, the hair ghost came again, but the group was already on guard and it wasn't as difficult to deal with.

Yu Xing strolled out from under the hair, and seeing the ghost reminded him of something.

"System, what about the compensation you promised?"

Surely compensation can't just mean helping him suppress the curse, right?

After asking for three minutes, the system finally appeared reluctantly.

[After observation, the failure to suppress the curse was an unexpected system error and compensation should be provided.]

[From now on, the offering "Sheqing Dreamscape" is available and can be used normally.]

"That's it?" Yu Xing sensed the existence of the Sheqing Dreamscape when the system notification appeared. This sacrifice could already be taken out from the Persona Mask template.

Consequently, Yiqing should also be able to come and go freely.

That one sentence caused the system to fall silent for several seconds.

[In this simulation, the Sheqing Ghost Yi Qing unrestricted.]

Yu Xing chuckled softly to herself.

In every previous simulation Yugi, Yi Qing was subject to various restrictions because she was too powerful; this is the first time she can act without any restrictions.

But

The system still refuses to suffer even the slightest loss.

Yi Qing and the system definitely had a shady deal. Releasing Yi Qing might seem like he got a great deal, but in reality, it just created another person to monitor him.

Yu Xing believed that even if Yi Qing was powerful enough to sweep through the tomb palace, the system would have already told Yi Qing in advance that he must not do so.

Yu Xing was fully aware of the system's ulterior motives, but he just pursed his lips and didn't object.

Yiqing is still a strong teammate after all. Even if there are some things that are inconvenient to do... perhaps doing something that will interest Yiqing will make everything easier.

Moreover, Yi Qing may not necessarily be entirely aligned with the system.

In reality, Yu Xing underestimated Yi Qing's lack of respect.

Inside the Sheqing Dreamscape, the air is still filled with mist, and the bamboo houses are exquisitely crafted.

Yi Qing sat on the rooftop, holding a cup of tea, her fan folded and hanging at her waist. A white jade tassel had appeared on the fan handle, with a light blue tassel hanging loosely, appearing and disappearing in the blue mist.

"Let me go out and control him," Yi Qing said calmly, taking a sip of steaming tea. The crystal ornaments on her clothes jingled as she raised her hand. "Prevent him from having any further contact with Ghost Tree."

"You seem quite confident. What makes you think I should listen to you?"

He spoke to the void before him, as if talking to himself.

[If he comes into contact with the Ghost Tree again, you may be repelled by its resentment, and the contract will be void.]

From the void, an indistinguishable voice answered him, its tone indifferent, as if simply stating a fact.

"The contract is null and void!?" Yi Qing's composure shattered, and he straightened up. "On what grounds?"

[It has enough power to interfere with my operations.]

"... Ha, if the contract is void, I can't stay in the dagger anymore, I can't follow him... Does this mean I have to go back to opening that incredibly boring bar?" The tea in Yi Qing's hand disappeared into thin air. He stood up, a hint of displeasure appearing in his deep blue eyes.

You can do as I say.

"What exactly is the relationship between Yu Xing and Ghost Tree?" Yi Qing wasn't easily convinced. "You're so afraid of him coming into contact with Ghost Tree, yet you were so eager to separate them just because you only bumped into its phantom."

"Do you know that Yu Xing is very clever? Your purpose has probably already been exposed."

That's not important.

[Whether Ghost Tree finds him or he finds Ghost Tree, it's an irreversible disaster. It's not good for you, him, or me. Just know that.]

Others probably wouldn't even dare to imagine that the system could be so talkative and human-like.

"... Fine, you're not one to lie anyway, I'll trust you this once." Yi Qing knew the system had revealed as much as it could; any more, even if the system wanted to, it probably couldn't tell him, especially since the system's wording was more certain and serious than he'd ever heard before. "I'll advise him to stay away from the Ghost Tree."

[This isn't advice, it's a firm warning to stay away.]

"Don't worry, he'll understand once I've said that much." Yi Qing understood Yu Xing's personality quite well, and he believed that Yu Xing didn't need him to use force.

There are some requests you shouldn't grant, and you shouldn't help too much.

Yi Qing, annoyed, said, "You don't need to remind me. If I help him, what fun is there left?"

[Additionally, there were experience testers infiltrated into this simulation; one of them needs to be noted.]

The system's tone remained calm, but the content it spoke carried a hint of dislike.

[There's a system in place to protect testers, so I haven't been able to detect that tester's information yet. You can keep an eye out for it.]

Yi Qing perked up this time, toying with the ornaments on his clothes, and said meaningfully, "The experience testers have arrived too... tsk tsk tsk, the deducer and the experience tester, it's actually not bad to get along peacefully, why do your systems and the experience tester's systems have to devour each other?"

Before Yi Qing could finish speaking, the system interrupted her.

There was no other choice.

That's enough for now. I hope you cooperate well this time. See you later.

After saying the last sentence, the system disappeared, leaving Yiqing alone sitting on the roof of the bamboo house.

"Heh, interesting. After they devour each other, the system seems to be becoming more and more human-like. In the end, will it truly develop human emotions?"

The voice of the Sheqing Ghost was gentle and ethereal, like the green mist, impossible to grasp.

"When that time really comes, I don't know if it will be salvation or destruction..."

This is something that only a top-tier demon like the Sheqing Ghost would think about.

This change happened quietly, and perhaps few people would notice the difference until the dust settled.

Footsteps echoed through the passageway as more and more people gathered together.

They spent over two hours navigating the maze before finally gathering everyone together except Ash.

"Ash is missing." Master Li said, a cigarette dangling from his lips, but he didn't light it.

In the uncertain environment of a tomb, smoke is more often used as a means of starting a fire when all else fails, and rarely is it actually smoked, in case it ignites some kind of flammable gas.

Master Li just wanted to keep it in his mouth; even if he couldn't smoke it, he could pretend to enjoy it.

"Unica, did Ash say anything when he parted ways with you?" Lin rarely spoke to Unica, but every time they interacted, a crack would appear in his cold mask, revealing a strange shyness.

But this time was different. No one knew what Lin had thought of, but he maintained his persona when facing Unica, even appearing slightly stiff.

"No, we've been walking for a long time, and the wound in my abdomen started to hurt, so Ash and I went to a small burial chamber to rest."

"I had just sat down when he said he'd found something and wanted to go take a look. He also warned me it was dangerous outside and told me to wait for him where I was." Unica recalled for a moment, her brow furrowing. "I figured he was a mercenary, so he must be pretty skilled, and my spot seemed safe enough, so I let him go."

"Later, because he never came back to look for you, you went out?" Uncle Zhang asked.

"Yes, it's been too long. I even thought for a moment that he found me a burden and wanted to find an excuse to abandon me." Unica smiled. "But then I thought, I, as a historian, should still be of some use in the team. It's better to have me with him than to abandon me, so I guessed something must have happened to him. I wonder what attracted him away."

"Everyone needs to be careful," Master Li sighed. "Damn it, Ash is very expensive, which means he's extremely powerful. If even someone like that is gone..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone understood what Master Li meant.

Those people probably won't be able to leave alive.

"What's wrong? Don't be discouraged." Shi Jiu's voice came through Carlos, Uncle Zhang, and Master Li's earpieces. Shi Jiu early thirties, and apart from being occasionally off-key, her voice was actually very mature and reassuring. "Ash will survive. I know his strength very well. You don't need to worry about him. Keep moving forward."

Yes, regardless of why Ash disappeared, whether he's dead or alive, we can only leave him behind and move on.

Lin had already rejoined the team. Finding the exit of the maze was one of his strengths. He took out paper, pen, and feng shui tools such as a feng shui master's compass and started fiddling with them.

Yu Xing wasn't really good at feng shui, but he wasn't completely ignorant of it. He observed what Lin was carrying and discovered that Lin was following a path similar to Daoist feng shui in the real world.

In reality, feng shui items fall into eight categories, including Buddhist items, Daoist items, folk items, and so on, each with different functions.

Lin observed for a while, then said, "This maze isn't actually a maze; it has no exit."

"What?" Carlos raised an eyebrow, subconsciously touching his fingers. "No exit? Does that mean we need to take some other measures to get out?"

"Very clever." Lin glanced at Carlos and nodded. "This is actually a complete trap. To get out, you need to break the trap by smashing the wall in the right place."

A wall may look thin, and behind it lies a passageway, but if you break it down, it will become an exit.

"You found the location?" Master Li was a little surprised. Was this family of feng shui masters really that powerful?

Was it because the previous tombs were too rudimentary, limiting Master Lin's abilities?

Lin pointed to a person and said calmly, "Coincidentally, the correct spot is right under his feet."

Everyone's eyes followed his finger and met those of Yu Xing, Yu Xing completely innocent.