Jiangyang's Past

Jiangyang:

"What you said is correct. As long as the number of humans among the passengers on the bus always exceeds the number of vengeful ghosts, and is not less than them, then every vote will result in a vengeful ghost being voted off.

"Therefore, Bus 444 can only serve as a three-time mission.

"But don't think it's that simple.

"The places Bus 444 travels through are beyond your imagination. The 'passengers' who get on the bus have all sorts of abilities and killing rules, some of which can even contend with the supernatural bus.

"It was never stated that only one ghost can board at a stop. If, after reaching 7 people, 5 vengeful ghosts suddenly board at a certain stop, then the humans' voting advantage will be gone."

Just then, Ling Feifei, who was next to Zhou Yan, timidly reached out:

"Um, this isn't very good, is it?

"If the residents from our four apartments band together to vote, won't it be unfair to the other passengers on the bus?"

The people present had their brains freeze for a moment, unable to react to her meaning.

Gao Tian felt a question mark appear above his head.

Su Jiu slowly turned his head:

"?"

Even Shata, who had been silent the whole time, couldn't keep the corners of his mouth from twitching.

Jiangyang didn't understand Ling Feifei's meaning at first and explained:

"Besides you, most of the passengers on the bus are ghosts from the Inner World.

"What you need to do is, after the number of passengers exceeds 7, concentrate all your votes on one ghost..."

Ling Feifei interrupted him:

"I understand everything you're saying, don't forget, Zhou Zhou and I both graduated from 985 Ace Majors.

"What I mean is—if the four of us band together to vote for one ghost, won't it be too unfair to that ghost?

"After all, we are passengers, and they are also passengers. Is it just because we need to ride this bus that it deserves to be voted off?

"One cannot be too selfish. I think we should consider the other passengers."

After listening to Ling Feifei's words, Gao Tian felt the wrinkles on his brain smoothing out inch by inch.

He understood every word she said, but why, when put together, did Gao Tian find himself unable to understand Chinese anymore?

Zhou Yan on the side gave a thumbs up:

"Baby is so good, baby is so loving."

Jiangyang was silent for 5 seconds, seemingly stunned by Ling Feifei's astonishing thought process.

Beside them, Shata, who had been silent until now, ignored Ling Feifei's amazing statement and spoke to Gao Tian:

"Classmate Gao Tian, besides the first two rules, the third rule is equally important. Do you understand the meaning of the third rule?"

Gao Tian recalled. The third rule seemed to be about not fooling around, damaging public property, etc., and that passengers should not get on or off except at stops.

It seemed very normal, like ordinary buses in the Normal World would have similar rules...

Suddenly, he froze.

This rule was so insidious and malicious that he hadn't noticed it at first—

No other means of boarding or alighting are allowed except at stops.

Could it be that?

If that were the case, it would be truly terrifying. Because the Supernatural Bus had nullified its biggest trump card.

Seeing his changing expression, Shata nodded:

"That's right, it's just as you imagined.

"On the bus, you cannot use the Black Card to return to the Living Person Apartment.

"Except for normal boarding and alighting, you are not allowed to leave the bus through any unconventional means, including prying open windows or using the Black Card.

"The moment you Teleport back to the Living Person Apartment, you will be directly erased by the bus, and only a mangled corpse will be teleported back.

"When Jiangyang and the others were carrying out the Fifth Mission, I was in the First Floor Hall. A weaker Resident on the bus was voted the Ticket King and used the Black Card. The final outcome was a pile of Rotten Meat being teleported back."

The restrictions of every rule on the bus were indeed tested by the lives of predecessors.

If not for Shata's reminder, Gao Tian might have actually used the Black Card if anything happened on the bus.

He confirmed:

"If I am voted the Ticket King, and I choose to get off the bus first, and then use the Black Card outside Bus 444, that would be permissible, right?"

Shata nodded:

"That is perfectly fine.

"But you might not be able to last until then.

"The moment you become the Ticket King, the Killing Rule of all other Ghosts will begin to awaken, and outside the bus are even more terrifying places. You cannot predict whether it will be safer or more dangerous after getting off the bus."

Not only that, but there's a terrifying invisible rule on the bus.

"Although the bus will firmly suppress the power of every ghost, it doesn't mean the ghosts' killing rules will become invalid... If you actively touch them, they can still kill you. Some passengers will even deliberately provoke you, luring you into touching their rules. That way, after killing you, they won't have to accept new passengers on the bus.

"For example, a while ago, a resident got on the bus and a beautiful, dignified young woman sat in front of him. Midway through the journey, there was a sudden brake, and the lipstick in her hand fell to the floor, rolling in front of the resident.

"At that moment, the resident subconsciously bent down to pick up the lipstick and prepare to return it to the young woman in front. Seeing her attire and appearance, she seemed normal and not like a vengeful ghost.

"Just as he bent down, he saw a greenish-gray head emerge from beneath the young woman's lower body, staring intently at him. That was the young woman's killing rule--

"Looking down from above, she was a normal human; but looking up from below, she was a ghost. Any living person who looked would die instantly.

"Just like that, the resident died on the spot. Because he had bent down voluntarily, the vengeful ghost was not considered to have violated the bus rules after killing him."

Su Jiu clutched his chest and said timidly:

"Um, in that case, shouldn't we try to sit separately after getting on the bus?

"Some ghosts' killing rules can easily affect a whole area of passengers at once, leading to a total wipeout."

Jiangyang nodded:

"Your idea is correct.

"When voting, vote for one ghost. And for seating on the bus, try to sit separately."

Just then, Ling Feifei grabbed Zhou Yan's arm coquettishly:

"That won't do.

"With so many scary things on the bus, I need to sit next to Darling to feel safe. Otherwise, Baby will be scared to death."

Zhou Yan, with great manliness, pulled Ling Feifei into an embrace:

"Don't worry, Baby. You'll sit right next to me then, don't go anywhere.

"If we encounter danger, your Knight will protect you with his life."

Looking at these two weirdos, Gao Tian felt a faint ominous premonition in his heart.

He suspected that these two would definitely cause some trouble after getting on the bus.

There was nothing he could do now; he didn't choose his teammates, and teammates for Green Text Missions couldn't be changed. He could only take it one step at a time.

It's worth mentioning that in the Pot Prophecy, only Gao Tian and Su Jiu were left when they got off the bus. The figures of this couple had disappeared.

Unable to bear it any longer, Shata spoke coldly:

"Zhou Yan, Ling Feifei."

"I hope you all behave a little more normally on this mission.

"As for how your teammates died on the previous two missions, while no one knows for sure, others probably have some idea.

"The captain for this mission is Gao Tian. When I'm not around, you are obligated to follow his commands.

"If you deliberately disobey orders, or even act in a way that harms the team for your own selfish desires, you might face an 'Abnormal Death' even if you complete the mission and return alive to the apartment."

This was Shata, one of the rare few who spoke to residents in a threatening tone.

Her duty was Apartment Administrator, and most of the time, she was focused on how to help more apartment residents survive.

Perhaps intimidated by Shata's cold demeanor, Ling Feifei uncharacteristically dropped her Grin:

"How could that be, Sister Ta? We never thought about causing anyone's death.

"Please don't misunderstand. The residents who were in our group and died on missions before, it was truly just bad luck on their part."

After a few people dispersed in the First Floor Hall, Jiangyang and Gao Tian walked side-by-side towards the Third Floor. Upon reaching the Third Floor and confirming they were alone, he spoke:

"Gao Tian, please stay for a moment.

"I have something I need to discuss with you privately about Pagoda Elementary School."

Gao Tian:

"Please, go ahead."

Jiangyang:

"My Fifth Mission was to reach Pagoda Elementary School via Bus 444. Of course, the real mission was inside Pagoda Elementary School; the bus was just an add-on. You know that."

Gao Tian nodded:

"You just mentioned that."

Jiangyang fumbled in his pocket for a moment and pulled out an old Engagement Ring.

The ring's surface looked somewhat dull, as if its owner had held it in their hands day and night.

"But what I didn't say in the First Floor Hall was that one of the residents on that mission was my Girlfriend.

"No, it should be Fiancée.

"I had already made up my mind to propose to her after completing the mission.

"She... was very smart, incredibly smart. She had helped me greatly in previous missions. In fact, in Pagoda Elementary School, I should have been the one who died then, but... she stayed there in my place.

"She gave me the hope of survival, and I will be indebted to her my entire life. People come and go in this apartment, but she will never return. I have no chance to repay what I owe her in this lifetime."

Jiangyang actually had a fiancée before, and she even made it to the Fifth Mission with him?

If that girl were still alive, then there should be four Administrators in the Living Person Apartment now.

Gao Tian:

"What do you want me to do?"

With his current Level, there was no way he could Enter such a dangerous place; at most, he could Clock In at the entrance of Pagoda Elementary School.

Jiangyang handed the Ring in his hand to Gao Tian:

"When you get to the entrance of Pagoda Elementary School, place this Ring there.

"If she's still there, she'll know this Ring was from me.

"This Ring, a year late, was originally meant for her."

Gao Tian said nothing, merely accepting the Ring silently.

Although he knew very well in his heart that anyone who stayed in a Supernatural Place for so long would have died a thousand percent already.

In fact, Jiangyang was also well aware of this.

Giving away this Ring was just to keep a memory.