"But it doesn’t matter, let’s first complete the side quests that can improve the score."
Wu Xiangjiao, Venerable Wen, and the others all nodded in agreement.
Wen Xishu reminded:
"Ah Miao... you will eventually have to return, don’t be influenced by this place, don’t think that death is something insignificant, everyone cares about you a lot."
"So, don’t let joy make you forget your mission here."
Ah Miao nodded, still smiling. She sensed that something was off with her emotions. She liked this optimism, but Venerable Wen’s words also reminded her of the few kindnesses she received during the lowest points of her life.
She said, "I will do my best. I am very happy, but not yet overwhelmed by joy."
Wu Xiangjiao added:
"What about jealousy and greed... what do you plan to do about those?"
Wen Xishu didn’t hold back:
"I have already found a way to resolve jealousy, but greed will take more time. Maybe after eliminating these seven households, we will also achieve salvation."
"But let’s deal with them one by one first."
In the final moments of the meeting, Wen Xishu reminded everyone about some safety precautions regarding the elevator. Everyone kept his every word in their minds, and then the meeting ended.
...
...
In the foggy building, under Wen Xishu’s arrangement, everyone finally had some clues.
Wen Xishu had already used fifty action points, so he only had fifty points left for today. If his interactions with the neighbors showed no progress next, he wouldn’t be able to achieve anything else today.
But Wen Xishu decisively chose to interact with the neighbors.
He uncontrollably knocked on the neighbor’s door, and Yin Junchi opened the door immediately, eyes widened:
"Friend, what are you doing? Do you know, I am bursting with inspiration right now!"
It was noticeably different from yesterday.
Yesterday, Yin Junchi was very hospitable. Upon learning that Wen Xishu could assess feng shui, he immediately invited him in and patiently explained many things.
But today, Yin Junchi was very irritable.
Anyone would be irritable after several days without sleep.
Wen Xishu asked:
"How long have you not slept?"
Yin Junchi shook his head:
"That doesn’t matter. I am about to write a great work. I am about to achieve a self-breakthrough!"
Wen Xishu suddenly wanted to knock Yin Junchi out with violence. Someone this extremely exhausted could fall asleep instantly with just a physical jolt.
But the biggest problem was—
Wen Xishu couldn’t take him out of here. He didn’t have enough action points to leave the building.
So Wen Xishu said:
"I can provide you with better inspiration."
Yin Junchi looked at Wen Xishu with suspicion:
"You?"
Wen Xishu said:
"If my ideas aren’t good enough, feel free to kick me out. But for now, you should invite me in."
Yin Junchi nodded:
"Come in then. I don’t care about feng shui anymore. I just want to work madly and complete my greatest work."
Wen Xishu entered the room and asked Yin Junchi a question:
"Before I tell you this story, I need to ask you a question: Do you still fear death?"
If this person no longer feared death, Wen Xishu would indeed have to put in some effort.
Fortunately, Yin Junchi said:
"Of course, the meaning of working is to enjoy rest more comfortably. I write books for a better life. How could I not fear death?"
Alright, living up to the pen name "Three Days Two Lives Banana Armor". Even being invaded by such a bizarre situation, he still hasn’t forgotten his initial purpose to take things easy.
Wen Xishu said:
"Alright, then I’ll start telling my story."
Yin Junchi opened his mouth wide once more, with a horrified expression, making a sound of awe towards Wen Xishu.
After this long yawn was over, Wen Xishu slowly said:
"Have you noticed that the tycoons of Jicheng are somewhat strange, and they seem to be starting to do charity?"
"At the same time, have you noticed that the popularity of horror novels is unprecedentedly high?"
Yin Junchi nodded:
"Will this story interact with me?"
Wen Xishu smiled and said:
"No, this is just a prelude. You have discovered many strange things. You notice that the government of Jicheng has begun to generously promise the public things they can’t possibly achieve."
"You also noticed that a small number of rich people are starting to get nervous, fade out of sight, and some are starting to indulge as if they only have a short time left."
Yin Junchi nodded:
"Indeed."
Wen Xishu said:
"Alright, my story begins now. It starts with a novelist. One day, the novelist wanted to find some material. Related to horror novels."
"Actually, this is a very niche genre, but it’s strange. Recently, he heard more and more similar discussions."
"Some people seem to have mutated and achieved some incredible things."
"This novelist was actually very lazy, but he still habitually opened the mainstream website’s app to check the best-selling rankings of classified novels."
"To his great shock, the traditional genres like urban, supernatural powers, ancient martial arts, and immortal cultivation were all overshadowed by horror novels one after another."
"His suspense and supernatural classification suddenly rose. Finally, he learned of an absurd reason, it seemed like horror stories had really come."
Yin Junchi said:
"That’s not new. The subject of horror manifesting in reality has been overdone."
Wen Xishu said:
"Yes, he also thought it was mostly a gimmick. However, novelists naturally chase trends. Some authors even deliberately leave no drafts to catch the hottest topics."