Chapter 12: Detailed Information on She Ling Tunnel

After his cousin finished his porridge and went to work, Zhang Yuanqing returned to his room to catch up on some sleep.

When he woke up, dynamic sound effects filled his ears, and the glow of the television screen flickered in the dim room, with the ceiling light still off.

He sat up and looked toward the window. His aunt was sitting cross-legged in front of the TV, playing on his PS5. Her sleeves were rolled up, revealing her fair and delicate arms, and her slender figure swayed slightly in rhythm with the controller.

Zhang Yuanqing yawned, got up to turn on the light, and walked behind his aunt to watch her play.

She was playing a horror game with eerie visuals and unsettling music. The protagonist was an ugly little character wielding a blood-stained axe, slashing his way through obstacles with gory precision.

The television screen's glow reflected in her autumn-water-like eyes, her round, delicate face bright with excitement.

"This game is great, perfect for nighttime. It's quite therapeutic," his aunt said without looking back.

His aunt had three main hobbies: shopping, watching horror movies, and playing horror games.

More like distressing than therapeutic… you crazy woman. Zhang Yuanqing, despite his thoughts, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it seems fun."

His aunt turned to glance at him and rolled her eyes. "Why are you still pretending with me?"

Turning back to the screen, she continued playing and explained:

"Actually, this is a healing game. The ghosts and monsters in the game are all figments of the little boy's imagination. He is a mentally ill patient fighting against his inner demons to avoid being devoured by them. In the end, he carves a path of bloodshed and finally sees the light. The ending is very touching."

While she spoke, Zhang Yuanqing had already poured himself a glass of water. He sipped it and replied, "That's a nice concept."

His aunt hummed in agreement and added:

"Every boss has a specific pattern. If you observe carefully, even a little boy can defeat terrifying demons. However, the horrifying visuals and music often make players panic and lose their ability to think rationally.

"You should give it a try."

Zhang Yuanqing had no interest in playing games with his aunt. He had been out of the spirit realm for nearly twenty hours, and in another dozen hours, he would be going back in. What awaited him might be death.

Instead of gaming, he should be thinking about what to do with the last few hours of his life to avoid regrets.

Call his mom to curse at her one last time? Cry in his aunt's arms? Sing and dance with his uncle one last time?

To his surprise, he realized he had no major regrets, nor any dreams he desperately wanted to fulfill. As a university student from a fairly well-off family, his life had been relatively trouble-free.

It was only those who had experienced hardships that carried heavy regrets.

"Come on, just play one round with me!" His aunt twisted her waist and playfully begged.

Looking at her beautiful back, Zhang Yuanqing's eyes softened. He sat down beside her and took the controller from her hands.

If he only had a few hours left, playing one last game with her wouldn't be a bad way to spend them.

Under his aunt's lively guidance, he managed to beat the game. When he checked the time, it was already 11 p.m.

"Not bad, not bad. You have talent."

His aunt licked her fair fingers, patted his shoulder in praise, and then wiped her saliva on him.

"Gross! That's disgusting," Zhang Yuanqing said in disdain.

"Pfft, my saliva is like nectar and jade dew. You should be grateful," Jiang Yuer shamelessly declared.

"Nectar and jade dew? How much does it sell for per pound?" Zhang Yuanqing scoffed.

"It's priceless, but Auntie can give you a few drops for free," Jiang Yuer puckered her lips, pretending she was about to smear her saliva on him.

Zhang Yuanqing leaned back to dodge.

Click!

The doorknob turned, and his grandmother stood at the doorway, frowning at the two of them.

Zhang Yuanqing and Jiang Yuer immediately sat up straight, looking proper.

"Aren't you going to eat dinner?" Grandma scolded. "Sleeping during the day, staying up all night, just playing games—do you think you're some kind of immortal? You were born on earth, stay grounded!"

"I know, I know. I'll eat now," Zhang Yuanqing put down the controller.

His grandmother shot Jiang Yuer a cold glance, making her scurry back to her room.

…

Dinner had been kept warm, and his grandmother reheated the cooled dishes. Zhang Yuanqing quickly ate, then returned to his room and checked his inventory, ensuring the corpse-suppressing talisman was still there.

Next, he reviewed his attribute panel.

While waiting and hoping for good news from Li Dongze, he reflected on his experiences in the Mountain God Temple.

During his game session with his aunt, he had a realization.

Since the spirit realm was like a game, could it have rules? If he could decipher them, even as a powerless young man, he might be able to survive.

As his thoughts wandered, his phone suddenly rang, the sharp sound making his heart skip a beat.

He grabbed his phone from the bedside table. The caller ID displayed an unknown number, but he chose to answer.

"Hello, is this Zhang Yuanqing?"

A sultry voice came through the speaker. Zhang Yuanqing's face lit up with surprise, and he quickly asked, "Did you get the information on She Ling Tunnel?"

Guan Ya hummed in confirmation.

"The division leader managed to obtain more detailed records. He had me send them to your email. I know young people never check their emails, so I'm calling to let you know."

As expected from the official team—joining them had been the right decision. Zhang Yuanqing's mood instantly brightened. Holding back the urge to rush to his laptop, he sincerely said:

"Please thank Division Leader Li for me, and thank you too, Sister Guan Ya. If I make it through this trial, I'll treat you both to a meal."

If I make it through… Guan Ya sighed silently. She hesitated before softening her tone.

"Alright, I'll wait for that."

She had already read the documents from Tai Yi Sect. After seeing them, all she felt was despair. No wonder Division Leader Li had been in a gloomy mood all day.

To him, this newly recruited Night Wanderer was likely doomed in his trial mission.

After ending the call, Zhang Yuanqing pulled out his ergonomic chair, turned on his laptop, and logged into his email.

Among the cluttered unread messages, he found the email from Guan Ya and downloaded the attached document.

…

She Ling Tunnel – Spirit Realm No. 0079

Difficulty Level: S

Type: Solo (Death-Type)

Main Mission 1: Survive for three hours.

Main Mission 2: Explore Spirit Realm No. 0079.

It's exactly the same as my trial mission… Zhang Yuanqing's focus sharpened. This was a good sign—the more similar the details, the more useful the information would be.

Spirit Realm 0079's actual setting isn't She Ling Tunnel but an ancient Ming Dynasty temple called Sandao Mountain Empress Temple.

From my analysis, this Empress was likely a high-ranking Night Wanderer. No, perhaps she shouldn't even be called a Night Wanderer anymore. It's unclear whether such a stunning Empress truly existed in the Ming Dynasty or if she was fabricated by the spirit realm.

The document continued with a lengthy description of the Empress's history, matching what Zhang Yuanqing had seen in the temple.

He read on.

Surviving three hours is relatively simple. Initially, after reading the notebook's contents, I was haunted by a vengeful spirit…

(Continued in the document…)