Li Yao claimed to be a supernatural novelist, and her role in this Instance was clear: to provide the Players with paranormal knowledge.
But what if she was lying?
She naturally held an information advantage, which was unfair to the other Players; that was why the phones existed, as another source of knowledge.
But that made her presence seem rather redundant...
Qi Si's expression remained unchanged. "By the way, Li Yao, when was your last Instance? I saw that a lot of people waited until the seven-day countdown ended and were forced to match into another Instance."
Li Yao blinked in confusion and was about to answer when an enthusiastic greeting interrupted her.
"Oh my! Why are you all up so early? You've traveled such a long way—why not rest a little more on your first day?" Sister Xu emerged in quick little steps from the right side of the residence gate.
Qi Si looked at her waist and saw no bell.
She seemed to wear that Soul-Summoning Bell, which could connect the worlds of the living and the dead, only after dusk. He did not know what taboo she was avoiding.
Qi Si asked, "Sister Xu, where's the bell at your waist? Did you leave it somewhere, or is there some reason you don't want to wear it?"
Sister Xu slapped her thigh and cried, "Oh dear! This old woman's memory is failing. Good thing you reminded me, or I wouldn't even have known I'd lost it."
It was obviously a lie. Qi Si feigned concern and said, "That's a family heirloom with great significance. Don't worry about us. Whatever it is, finding the bell should come first."
Sister Xu's smile did not change. "A family heirloom is important, but not as important as distinguished guests like you. This