The New Persona Mask and Sacrifice

The "Exploring Nanshui Town" event was very popular, but overall, viewers were not entirely satisfied.

First of all, the most crucial boss battle part is just a completely black screen.

Secondly, two other highly popular influencers voluntarily closed their live streams on the last day, leaving viewers without any information.

Moreover, for events like these, the system will provide a plot overview after the event ends, filling in any plot points that viewers might have missed by switching between different live stream perspectives.

Surprisingly, there were no events in Nanshui Town.

After the event was declared over, all participants were teleported out, while the other spectators waited for a long time but received no further messages from the system.

The system seemed to have forgotten about those eagerly waiting, simply reading the message but not replying.

For some reason, the entire event in Nanshui Town seemed to have started strong but ended weakly.

However, the audience still gained something. At least, they learned many previously hidden secrets from this live broadcast, such as the emergence of "Hua," a celebrity predictor whose strength was almost parachuted in and ranked number one.

For example, the relationship between Medusa and the King of Hell wasn't what they initially imagined; it was completely reversed—wait, what happened between them?

While the audience was still caught up in the drama, their memories had already betrayed them. Yan Ming was quick to erase the traces, earning several eye-rolls from Yan Li, who had just returned from the deduction.

Yan Li is truly unique in making a near-deity figure roll his eyes.

Each participant received a substantial reward based on their final score ranking.

However, this survival rate is already terrifying; out of fifty people who go in, only about ten come out, meaning 80% die.

As the special case, Yu Xing was still bargaining with the system even after being teleported out of Nanshui Town.

He already knew about the matter of the evil god's time, and he would take appropriate measures later. Rather than immediately devote all his energy to thinking about time, it would be better to seize the immediate benefits.

He wanted the tickets that the system rewarded.

Although [He] had already given Zhao Yijiu a ticket, Yu Xing enter this simulation because of the system's promise—the person ranked first in points would be rewarded with a ticket.

The score for this simulation is measured by plot progression. Without a doubt, Yu Xing is the one who has driven the plot the most. He not only propelled the plot forward, but also caused it to collapse.

"Why are you keeping this ticket for me? Who are you planning to give it to?" Yu Xing said sarcastically during the teleportation pause. "Is it because you've achieved your goal and want to throw it away after you've used me? I knew it. No matter what, you have other favored strategists. Even if I put in a lot of effort, the good stuff won't be mine."

The system is getting annoyed by him.

However, this prediction was special and unfair to the other predictors from the beginning. It originally intended to give Yu Xing other rewards and give the ticket to the person with the highest score among the remaining predictors.

Moreover, the reward he gave Yu Xing would be worth no less than a ticket.

As a result, Yu Xing persisted, reading it aloud until his head was spinning... If it had a head, it would definitely be huge.

The system temporarily suppressed its headache and dutifully reported the results to Yu Xing.

[Congratulations on completing the live simulation - Exploring Nanshui Town]

[The following is an evaluation of this simulation (not available to the audience)]

[Case truth restoration accuracy: 100%]

[Increase in Personality Assimilation Degree: 15-28% (data anomalies)]

[Rating: S]

[Ranking: 1]

[Deduction points earned: 10000]

[The following is the total points awarded: 725,600]

[The reward points will be split 50/50 with the system, resulting in a total of 362,800 points.]

Because of the high level of interest in the simulation in Nanshui Town, and because Yu Xing, as the captain of the Broken Mirror Squad, acted in a high-profile manner from beginning to end.

Moreover, even Medusa, Yan Li, and others showed him great friendliness, and a mysterious Boss Hua was also by his side.

The combination of various factors resulted in his donations being astonishingly large.

The other surviving strategists will likely reap considerable rewards; with such potential gains, it's no wonder that many people would risk their lives to sign up for these events.

After the system finishes its routine announcement, it begins to provide supplementary information.

Based on your contributions, I can provide you with the maximum possible mission rewards.

[Your contribution to the dungeon deduction is the highest; you can choose one of the three rule-based offerings.]

[You have completed the first and second stages of your personal mission, achieving 100% completion. You are rewarded with two opportunities to upgrade ordinary offerings to rule-based offerings.]

[Your abilities have been enhanced; your Persona Mask has changed. Please check.]

[You are carrying two snake scales that were plucked from the Snake Woman. These scales can be taken out as items.]

[In recognition of your help, I can provide you with Group One core sacrifices, an upgraded Persona Mask sacrifice slot, and the ability to carry the seventh and eighth sacrifices.]

The core offering is the reward the system uses to replace tickets.

The gambler Zeng Lai's dice, Qu Xuanqing's Wicked Grace, and even Yu Xing's Tongue of Curses... the power of the core offerings is even rarer and much stronger than that of the regular offerings.

This would definitely elevate Yu Xing's Combat Power and survivability to a whole new level, making it far more valuable than a single ticket, especially since Yu Xing already possessed a ticket and also received Zhao Yijiu's as an extra bonus.

The system felt that doing so was clearly more advantageous to Yu Xing and fairer to the other deducers.

But Yu Xing refused, her face clearly saying, "I'm going to make a scene."

[Choosing a ticket will not help you; each person can only receive one ticket.]

The system reminded him.

If Yu Xing insists on choosing the ticket, it will certainly give it to her, but then she won't get the core offering reward, and Yu Xing can only give the ticket to someone else.

Yu Xing: "It was meant to be given to someone else in the first place, why are you making such a fuss?"

[...]

The system remains silent for two seconds.

Don't you want another sacrifice that rivals the Tongue of Curses?

The power of the Tongue of Curses is undeniable.

It inherently possesses certain rules and curse power, and it also combines with Yu Xing's own abilities, Yu Xing's ability to manipulate plants into void tentacles.

Yu Xing raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So what did you prepare for me this time?"

Seeing that there was still room for negotiation, the system immediately provided an explanation.

[The Eye of Yin replaces your original eye, amplifying your eye-related abilities horizontally or vertically, and will merge with your own essence to evolve unknown skills.]

Yu Xing doesn't lack offerings related to combat abilities right now; the best approach would be to directly amplify the power he already possesses.

This should have been exciting.

But Yu Xing wasn't tempted. He just chuckled and asked, "What about a nose, ears, or something else? Or, to go straight for the brain?"

The system remained silent for a moment.

"Having this tongue is enough. I might be a tiny bit smarter than you think, don't you think?"

Having experienced that brief period of alienation, although his mind wasn't clear during the process, his eyesight remained excellent.

He could see himself through those branches, from other directions.

At that moment, his eyes radiated a blue light, his gaze was eerily bright, extremely cold, and utterly inhuman.

He could vaguely sense that these eyes, besides possessing the ability of Spiritual Eye, also touched upon a deeper and more hidden power. He didn't know what the end of that power was, only that the power was there, waiting for his arrival.

Is it possible that that power is his potential?

Yu Xing had long questioned the power amplification generated by the Tongue of Curses, as it was compatible with his curse power, extremely compatible with plant manipulation, and also took into account the "language curse" and "branch attack" that he had been inclined to develop in the early days.

This suits him too well; it doesn't seem like something of an unknown evil god, but rather like something of his own.

Yu Xing suspected that the core offerings recommended by the system, whether it was a tongue or eyes, were actually a deceptive tactic.

It might be that it condensed the abilities he could grasp on his own and gave them to him in advance—in other words, Yu Xing felt that even without the Tongue of Curses, he would eventually evolve into what he is now by exploring on his own.

But he had no evidence.

Moreover, the system's action is harmless to him, and it is currently unclear what the system intends to do to him.

He couldn't just let it go, nor could he afford to break off relations, so he could only choose to refuse while giving it a gentle nudge.

This time, the system behaved itself and agreed to Yu Xing's request for tickets without hesitation.

In addition to the ticket, it must immediately provide the reward of the rule-based offering.

In the darkness, three orbs of light slowly began to illuminate.

[Please select your rules for offering rewards]

This is the reward for having the highest contribution to the dungeon.

Yu Xing was no longer in Nanshui Town; he had been teleported out of Nanshui Town by the system and was now in this dark void.

The three orbs of light emanated identical supernatural powers, and each one, before merging, instinctively instilled a sense of vigilance and fear in those who were not.

Yu Xing's consciousness slowly approached and touched each other.

There are no weak offerings among the rule offerings, and these three offerings did not disappoint him. The first ball of light contained an oval silk cocoon shaped like a silkworm cocoon, and its ability was related to breaking out of the cocoon.

[When cornered, you can abandon your body, sink into a cocoon, and emerge as a butterfly after a certain period of time, fully resurrected with unknown ghostly abilities (specific abilities will be derived from Persona Mask traits). After leaving the instance, you can revert to normal human form. This can only be done once per Yugi.]

The second cluster of light contained a book.

When Yu Xing saw that book, he almost thought the system wanted to give him a copy of the Nanshui Town edition.

However, upon closer inspection, he discovered that it was actually a blank sketchbook, perfectly suited to his identity as a painter.

[This is a 32-page sketchbook. Draw scenes or ghosts, and you can modify the scenes within the next hour. The changes on the pages will be reflected in the real-world scene. The specific effect can only be determined after combining the Persona Mask.]

This must have been chosen by the system; it's a ritual offering that perfectly matches Yu Xing.

After reading the description, Yu Xing was tempted to choose one. He turned to look at the third ball of light, thinking that if nothing unexpected happened, he would probably take the sketchbook.

But when he saw the offering in the third orb of light, his brow furrowed.

There were several seemingly ordinary red hemp threads there.

[The endless red rope can be woven into loop-shaped items such as bracelets and hair ties. It consists of one main body and countless sub-bodies, each of which must voluntarily wear the red rope. The main body can sense the sub-bodies' life, emotions, and other states at any time and can link the sub-bodies' states together. Specific abilities can only be determined by merging with the Persona Mask.]

Every time Yu Xing touched a ball of light, a corresponding description would automatically appear in his mind. These descriptions were only the basic abilities of the rule sacrifices; only when combined with the Persona Mask would they reveal their complete and specific power.

The sketchbook suited him well, but the red strings kept him from noticing what was inside the other two orbs of light.

The main body and its sub-body—this is a very suitable rule for a team.

Yu Xing has sufficient self-protection ability, but he is always worried that the others in the Broken Mirror might die at any time. If... the Red String could generate the ability for him, as the main body, to protect the other sub-bodies after merging with the Persona Mask, it would be the best outcome.

Without hesitation, he chose the third orb of light.

The light faded, and the red rope hung silently in the darkness, emanating an eerie and sinister aura, seemingly perfect for murder.

But once something is in someone's hands, whether it's used for murder or for protection depends on the master's will, doesn't it?

[Begin fusion of rule offerings: Puppet Life]

The offering wasn't called rope, but rather "life."

Yu Xing's Persona Mask vaguely appeared in the darkness; it seemed like he hadn't faced his own Persona Mask in a long time.

Looking at him now, his Persona Mask is completely different from the original. It is entirely black, covered with delicate patterns like tree bark, and in the empty eye sockets are two light blue, ice-ball-like objects.

The dagger pattern is cut out and placed in the center of the mask's forehead.

In addition, the mouth area of the mask is no longer flat, but is surrounded by something like a bite stopper, with thin silver metal pillars arranged like teeth.

And in the gaps between those thin pillars, one can see deeper inside, where a faint red eye can be seen.

That represents the Tongue of Curses.

Yu Xing curiously materialized the Persona Mask and held it in her hand to examine it.

He remembered the system mentioning earlier that his Persona Mask had changed because of his level increase, and he was told to take a look.

At that moment, he fiddled with the mask while bringing up the system panel.

[Persona Mask unknown]

[Owner: Yu Xing]

[Basic Information: Cannot be defined as a purebred human, height 190cm, age *#*# (Error occurred)]

[Identity: True-level Deducer of the Mutation Path]

[Mask weighting: 50% lucid, 41% confused]

[Holder's description: I have nothing to say to you. Bless you, live on.]

[Personality Sacrifice: #*|*^(Data Error), Sheqing Dreamscape, Tongue of Curses (Equipped 3/8)]

[Personality Assimilation Degree: 79% (Personality Assimilation Degree exceeding 20% will negatively impact the deducer's personality. Your Personality Assimilation Degree high; just give up.)]

[Deduction Mall: Select to enter]

[Wish List: None]

[Yugi Direction Selection Market: Select Available]

The values had changed slightly; some descriptions were missing, some had been added, and in others, the last few words had been subtly altered, but Yu Xing couldn't detect it.

And the name of the offering... changed from "luck" to "unknown".

Yu Xing glanced at the panel several times because of this.

Ultimately, he determined that it wasn't that his Persona Mask had become "Unknown," but rather that his new title was simply "Unknown."

This reminded him of a fortune teller he had met at the Sheqing Bar a long time ago; the man's name was "Nameless."

They seem to have a similar approach.

However, thinking about how others would see an "unknown" among the various titles in the future simulations... Yu Xing felt a strange urge to laugh.

Well, while the name is a description of his current state and also a somewhat ominous omen for him, the thought of other people's reactions is just hilarious.

Yu Xing had no objection to the change of title.

Many people have had their Personas changed; as their level increases, it's very likely that their Persona Mask will change once they leave a dungeon.

From now on, we don't need to worry about whether his "luck" is unfortunate or fortunate; let's just leave it as unknown.

While Yu Xing was studying his mask and template, the system notified him that his fusion with the rule offering was complete.

This time, the fusion of the rule offerings did not give Yu Xing any strange feeling, perhaps because the red rope was purely an external object. Soon, Yu Xing saw a red mark running horizontally across the eye sockets of the Persona Mask.

[Rule Offering: Puppet Life]

[Appearance: A red silk rope that has not yet been woven]

[This offering has been fused with "Persona Mask Unknown," and its fusion ability is: it can be woven into various circular items (must be woven by the holder), given to others, turning them into puppets (sub-bodies) that are connected to the holder (main body).]

[Connectivity Status: Monitoring]

[The main body can constantly sense the life state, emotional state, and mental state of all its sub-entities.]

[Connection Effect: Soothing]

[The subject can soothe the child, and to some extent heal the child's physical and psychological damage.]

[Link Effect: Offering]

[The main body can equally absorb the life force and spiritual energy of all its subsidiaries to strengthen itself. However, if it absorbs too much, the subsidiary will be unable to withstand it and will die directly.]

[Link Effect: Sacrifice]

[The main body can sacrifice its own life and spirit to efficiently heal specific sub-bodies. If the sacrifice is excessive, the main body will not die; any unbearable damage will be instantly shared by other sub-bodies. If a sub-bodies cannot withstand the damage, they will die immediately.]

[Connection Effect: Control]

[All child entities are under the control of the main entity. The main entity can control the actions of any single child entity, with an action time of one minute and a cooldown time of ninety minutes.]

[Supplement: When someone voluntarily wears a woven item given by the main body, they will automatically become a child. If the main body allows, the child can freely remove the woven item; however, if the main body does not allow it, the child will not be able to remove the woven item.]

[Description: A plain red silk rope; whether the resulting weave is beautiful depends entirely on the user's skill.]

[Note: The selfish are powerful, the loving regret. They are nothing but puppets. As their master, there's no need to grieve over the death of a puppet, is there? Use the puppets to your heart's content.]

[Rule Type: Out of Control]

This time, the abilities fused from the offerings were not divided into three parts, but rather all presented as interconnected effects, appearing separately.

At the very end, an introduction to the types of rules was added, including "out of control"...

Yu Xing thought for a moment, and wondered if the "loss of control" here referred to the situation where the offspring, as a puppet, was being manipulated at will?

Or is it the feeling of being out of control when the subject is torn between "selfishness" and "love," and the outcome is not as desired?

In short, Yu Xing was satisfied.

He may never use the word "offering," but to be able to synthesize "sacrifice" is a success.

Yu Xing's mood subtly improved.

Of course, he wouldn't tell the team members the truth when he gave them the knitted items.

As long as the other person brings it voluntarily, there's no requirement to tell the truth.

Ah, Zhao Mou must not see through this idea, or he might get ganged up on.

A new "Puppet Life" was added to the Persona Mask slot. With a thought, Yu Xing conjured a red silk cord in her palm.

The end of this rope hangs in the void, like branches, existing in another dimension, and therefore endless.

The surrounding darkness began to dissipate; this temporary space was about to disappear.

[You have two more chances to upgrade a regular offering to a special offering. If you wish to purchase offerings, you can trade them in the shop.]

[Here's a hint: in Yin Yang City, ordinary offerings will be ineffective; only rule-based offerings and core offerings can be used.]

You can upgrade other people's offerings.

It was pretty clear that the system had finally shown some kindness and told him it could help the team members upgrade their offerings.

Yu Xing tossed the silk rope back into the air, smiled, and said sincerely, "Thanks."

The next second, the colors returned.

His consciousness wavered for a moment, then he realized he was sitting, his buttocks...

He teleported into Nanshui Town while sitting on the sofa in his living room, and he's still in the same spot now that he's back.

Several gazes fell on him the moment he returned, one of them burning with an inexplicable resentment.

Yu Xing slowly turned her head and met Zhao Mou's sinister smirk.

At the same time, the shadow beside the sofa twisted almost imperceptibly for a moment. The only person present whose ability was related to shadows had a tense expression, an indescribable gloom, and his dark eyes were also staring at him.

In that instant, Yu Xing strangely realized the similarity between Zhao Mou and Zhao Yijiu.

Ah, so that's why two people can look so alike when they have the same expression.