Chapter 25: Misery Competition (Please follow!!!)

Upon hearing Zhou Yuan's words, the investigators looked at each other and then all shook their heads.

"Not one of you is eligible?" Zhou Yuan was surprised.

"Really none."

Chen Guangxi spoke in a melancholy tone, "We are more miserable than the next, with more negative energy apiece."

The investigators nodded and, one by one, shared the heavy tragedies they each bore:

"My parents died in an artificially induced anomaly, and I joined the Mobile Task Force to avenge them."

"My brother was killed right in front of me; I must avenge him."

"My daughter was kidnapped by a church to be used as a sacrifice, I swear I won't stop until I've avenged her!"

"My whole family died in an anomaly caused by the Land of Truth."

"..."

Zhou Yuan opened his mouth, then looked despairingly at Chen Guangxi, "How about you?"

"My brother killed our parents, then my sister killed that brother, I was forced to kill that sister, and finally had to destroy the storybook... In short, all my family is gone, the house is gone, leaving just me all alone."

Zhou Yuan was numb, when had it turned into a misery contest?

"And you?" Chen Guangxi asked in return.

"My parents abused me ever since I was little, almost beat me to death once."

"Hm... it seems you're not as miserable as us, maybe you should go?"

"..."

Zhou Yuan was about to speak, thinking to himself that he always thought he lived a very miserable life, but compared to these people it was nothing; at least those gambling-addict parents had left him a house in Xinhu...

"I could go, but you'd have to give me some help," Zhou Yuan said.

"Just say the word."

"Bring as many unused talismans, crosses, whatever you have... uh, you're a dragon, could you provide some dragon scales or mane or something?" Zhou Yuan felt items related to dragons must be very valuable.

"Sure." Chen Guangxi quickly took out two shimmering golden dragon scales.

[Name: Golden Dragon Precious Scales]

[Quality: Rare]

[Special Effects: Scales of the mythical Golden Dragon, extremely hard, can be used in forging, alchemy, pharmacology, mysticism rituals, etc.]

[Note: Long is indeed a dragon, watch out!]

[Selling Price: 800 Star Coins]

How much?! Zhou Yuan was shocked.

800 each?! He suppressed the shock and ecstasy within him, "Could you perhaps provide a bit more?"

"I only have these two."

Chen Guangxi spread his hands, "These two alone are already worth six million, don't be too greedy, bro."

"Shouldn't these be similar to your hair and nails?"

"Not the same, these are precious scales, more valuable than ordinary scales, and can be termed... premium nails."

"I can only refine one a month, you have no idea how many magicians and forging masters beg me daily for these." Zhou Yuan could only compromise.

"Then some ordinary scales would suffice."

"Alright then." Chen Guangxi took out another ten shimmering golden scales.

[Name: Golden Dragon Scales]

[Quality: Fine]

[Special Effects: Scales of the mythical Golden Dragon, extremely hard, can be used in forging, alchemy, pharmacology, mysticism rituals, etc., but the effects are far inferior to the precious scales.]

[Selling Price: 300 Star Coins]

Indeed, a dragon's body is a treasure trove! This saying hit the nail on the head!

Zhou Yuan licked his lips, Chen Guangxi was an ally worth having!

Gathering scales, dragon blood, and mane, worried about not having enough Star Coins?

Then, he took the talisman and cross bestowed by the investigators.

These were enchanted items, tainted with the supernatural and could be sold.

There were a total of ten talismans and only two crosses, both items priced at 100 Star Coins each.

Zhou Yuan stored the items in his backpack, then opened the game store, searched key words, and quickly found the items he needed.

[Name: Mind-Calming Potion]

[Quality: Common]

[Special effects: Upon consuming, lose the ability to feel emotions, and enter a calm state for 1 hour.]

[Remark: When you think your teammates are trash, drink it. It helps to keep your screen, mouse, and keyboard safe from accidents.]

[Price: 300 Star Coins.]

Zhou Yan sold 3 talismans and purchased the potion.

But he felt it still wasn't safe enough, so he looked for another item.

[Name: Illusion-Awakening Charm]

[Quality: Fine]

[Special effects: Wearing this charm allows you to remain conscious in illusions and dreams.]

[Remark: Remember to remove it when you sleep.]

[Price: 2000 Star Coins]

This time, Zhou Yuan sold 6 dragon scales and 2 talismans to gather 2000 Star Coins.

Everything was ready.

Zhou Yuan exhaled and walked towards the Ferris wheel.

The high school student who had come down from the Ferris wheel had been standing still until Zhou Yuan approached. The student then turned, opened the cabin door of the Ferris wheel, sat inside, and waved at Zhou Yuan to join.

Benevolent spirits came to help us; with him, the chances of passing were even higher... Zhou Yuan quickly took a seat.

The cabin door closed, the windows slowly fogged up, growing opaque.

Zhou Yuan immediately equipped the "Illusion-Awakening Charm", then pulled out the Mind-Calming Potion and drank it all.

The next second, he felt an unprecedented sense of calm. All his emotions were gone, his heart like an ancient well, deep and serene with not a ripple to disturb the utter tranquility.

At that moment, the handsome high school student opposite him gave a gentle smile, warm like the sunshine, seemingly able to melt snow.

"No wonder he acts like a chameleon, but unfortunately, he can't beat my looks," Zhou Yuan thought.

Then, he cast aside his distractions and settled his mind, waiting for the mental trial to come.

The Ferris wheel slowly turned. When Zhou Yuan's cabin reached the top, the air in front of him suddenly distorted, and the surrounding scene rapidly changed.

By the time Zhou Yuan regained his senses, he found himself at home.

The view was lower... Zhou Yuan hurriedly ran to the bathroom to look in the mirror and discovered he had shrunk, returning to the size of his eight- or nine-year-old self.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Suddenly, the door was pounded urgently, as if someone were smashing it.

Zhou Yuan shuddered, remembering!

This day was when he was closest to death!

That day, his parents had lost a lot of money playing cards and had come home to beat him viciously, sending him brutally into the ICU, nearly killing him.

"The Ferris wheel replays the most feared events in one's heart. If I let fear and helplessness consume me, I'll end up dead on the spot like Jiang Wuming..."

Zhou Yuan admitted this was his deepest fear, still experiencing nightmares about it; dreaming of that man or that woman, faces contorted in fury, hands tightly squeezing his neck, spewing venomous words, trying to choke him to death.

Without drinking the potion and wearing the amulet, he would have already been lost in an illusion, overwhelmed by fear.

"Damn it, Zhou Yuan, open the goddamn door, are you dead?!"

The harsh yelling came from outside, the knocking growing louder.

Zhou Yuan, expressionless, walked to the kitchen and picked up a kitchen knife.