Chen Lin showed his Invitation Letter and entered the Grand Theater without trouble.
Inside, he saw a great many participants, but most were animals or plants. Others had bizarre, utterly illogical forms. Almost none were humanoid.
That suited the Nightmare Realm's style, though. The more powerful a creature was, the more inexplicable its appearance became.
"You look unfamiliar, friend. Are you a newly promoted Fairytale Town Resident?"
As Chen Lin followed the crowd, a creature with a teacup for a head glanced at him and asked curiously.
"I'm from the Mushroom Hut, here on Lady Lilia's behalf. May I ask your name?"
Seeing that the other party had greeted him first, with no sign that this violated any rules, Chen Lin's eyes flickered, and he replied.
This was a good chance to learn something about Lilia.
"Lilia, huh? Heh heh. You'd better pray for your own good fortune, then."
At Lilia's name, the teacup-headed creature chuckled and quickened its pace, putting some distance between them.
Chen Lin's heart sank.
Judging by that reaction, Lilia was certainly no weakling among the residents of Fairytale Town, and her character apparently left much to be desired.
Just then, something occurred to him. He glanced around and approached a ducklike creature.
She wore a miserable expression and looked utterly listless.
"My name is Chen Lin. May I ask yours, friend?"
The ducklike creature glanced at Chen Lin and spoke in a young girl's voice, sounding dispirited. "I'm Bluwa. I'm in a very bad mood right now. Leave me alone."
"Oh?"
Chen Lin put on a puzzled expression. "Why are you in a bad mood? Are you not confident about the contest?"
"They've held this stupid contest so many times that all the stories have practically been worn to shreds. Where am I supposed to