Chapter 66: Talk Therapy Meets Its Match! Terrifyingly So!

“Big boss, take it easy! Come visit Ancheng sometime—I’ll treat you! You can even go to Mingyang City, but Old Xie probably won’t invite you to any adult games—he’s way too serious.” The Ancheng Minister chuckled.

Wu Wang chatted with them a bit longer.

They confirmed the reward for completing the [Chronicles of the Abandoned Village] and answered a few trivial little questions of his.

These concerned how the Fuben affected reality, and the existence of disaster holes.

The truth was even more shocking than Wu Wang had imagined.

Though the saying goes that history is a little girl anyone can dress up, Wu Wang never expected her to wear so many strange outfits.

From Xiezhi’s mouth he learned—

The Fuben ’s influence on reality wasn’t just a modern phenomenon; even humanity’s distant past had been altered by players from the present or future.

Because at least one player had experienced and completed a Fuben set in ancient history.

In it, he played the role of a deputy general.

The sole objective of that solo mission was to win a minor battle.

The Strange Affairs Bureau later investigated that historical event.

They shockingly discovered that the method recorded in historical texts for the deputy general’s victory matched almost exactly what the player had done.

The only difference was that any items or equipment tied to the Lingzai game were all logically rationalized in the records—no anachronistic artifacts appeared.

“Fortunately, this type of Fuben appears extremely rarely—99% of players will never encounter one in their lifetime,” Xiezhi added, relieved.

Indeed, if large numbers of players could alter reality through Fuben , everything would’ve fallen apart long ago.

Wu Wang obtained the information he wanted.

They agreed to contact the Ancheng Minister or Xiezhi three days later, to hand over the completion process to one of them, and for the other to bring the corresponding reward.

In reality, saying that was just a cover.

After all, Wu Wang would only go to Xiezhi.

He couldn’t stay in Ancheng forever.

He’d eventually have to return to Mingyang City—otherwise, if he was gone three or four days, his second sister, the kitchen destroyer, would probably eat instant noodles every meal and his nutrition would suffer!

Of course, the payment portion of the deal could be delayed a bit.

Nightmare-level Fuben aren’t easy to find, and Wu Wang wasn’t the type to press his advantage.

After confirming the time, the Ancheng Minister disbanded the barrier—the device could be deactivated by the caster, otherwise it lasted 24 hours.

Leaving Yin Yuan Mountain, he returned to the city.

Wu Wang booked a high-speed train ticket back to Mingyang City for tomorrow—of course, still using Zhang Wei’s fake ID.

He’d just find a cheap inn for the night.

He’d barely been walking the streets for a while.

When a heavily made-up woman in revealing clothing stopped him.

The overpowering, nauseating perfume on her nearly made him pass out.

“Handsome guy, need a room? We offer ethnic dance services too.”

The woman blinked at him several times.

Her intent was obvious.

It was late at night, the streets nearly empty.

Some illicit gray-market businesses were now coming out to work.

Wu Wang suddenly understood. He glanced around, then lowered his voice and asked cautiously: “What kind of ethnic dance? What costume?”

The woman’s eyes lit up.

She hadn’t expected her casual remark to actually interest this seemingly respectable young guy—looks like she’d land her first customer tonight!

She giggled, hooked her arm around his, leaned close to his ear, and whispered: “Of course… the kind with no clothes. How about it? I’ll give you a discount, little brother.”

But Wu Wang’s face instantly darkened.

He slapped her hand away.

“You’re nuts! How am I supposed to know which ethnic group you’re from if you’re not wearing clothes? You think I’m dumb enough to fall for some fake ethnic show scam? I’m not that gullible!”

With that, Wu Wang walked away, his figure growing smaller.

Only the streetwalker remained, stunned in the wind.

After a moment, she snapped back and cursed furiously: “F**k you! You’re the one who’s nuts! You think I’m offering you an ethnic dance? Look at you @&!%”

The curses behind him faded as he quickened his pace.

Wu Wang, in good spirits, found a decent-looking hotel.

He used Zhang Wei’s ID to check in, then happily lay down.

He opened the Daily Shop and started browsing.

He’d seen an item earlier that caught his eye.

But with the Yin Yuan Village matter, he hadn’t had time to examine it or figure out how to buy it—now he finally had a chance.

【Avalon Sheath Low-Grade Replica (Premium)】

【When the wielder inserts their sword into the sheath, the sword’s aura is completely concealed. While the sword remains sheathed, the sheath slightly increases the wielder’s resistance, reducing incoming damage.】

【Note: Saber! Without its sheath, King Arthur will lose Britain!】

【But what does it matter? This is just a low-grade replica. Do you expect a bicycle? —From the crafter player (Gan Jiang & Mo Xie)】

After reading the note, Wu Wang realized this item was actually crafted by a player?

He was surprised.

So there must be some skill in the Lingzai game for crafting equipment—probably items too, like potions in RPGs.

Then again—

This sheath was only 【Common】 rank.

But its effect suited his current needs perfectly.

【Xiao Chuan】’s ability only works when the sword is carried—but it’s a broken sword, and hanging it on your person looks bizarre, and anyone with eyes would instantly recognize it as extraordinary.

Otherwise, why would anyone carry a broken sword unless it had special effects?

And that broken blade glowed with eerie purple-red light.

With the sheath hiding its aura, it wouldn’t draw attention.

The only problem now—

Was the price.

Wu Wang glanced at his curse coin balance.

【3000】

He only had 2000 curse coins from completing [Chronicles of the Abandoned Village]—where would he get the other 1000?

The deal with the Strange Affairs Bureau included some curse coins too, but that wouldn’t happen until three days from now.

The Daily Shop wouldn’t wait.

It refreshed daily, on the dot—tomorrow, this sheath would be gone.

“Come to think of it… has anyone ever successfully haggled with this shop? The Lingzai game’s full of weird mechanics.”

Wu Wang’s expression turned uneasy.

He remembered Ba Li Dao explaining the Daily Shop—he’d actually added a strange little tidbit afterward: this shop had a haggling system.

It seemed like the Lingzai game’s sense of humor.

Attempting to haggle would summon a virtual shopkeeper to argue with you.

But his mouth was vicious and sharp.

Every player who tried haggling got screamed at, then found the item’s price had increased by about 10%—a total loss.

Worse, the ID of any failed haggler would be posted on everyone else’s Daily Shop the next day.

Mocked. Ridiculed.

Publicly humiliated!

To date, no one had ever succeeded.

“F**k haggling! Risk it all—bicycle to motorcycle! No shots, no pills, just sit here and chat—I call this talk therapy!” Wu Wang braced himself.

Then he firmly selected the tiny, nearly invisible option below: 【Haggle】.

The next second, a bald man with furious eyes appeared before him, his brows scrunched together in a glare.

Before Wu Wang could speak—

The virtual shopkeeper struck first: “You want to haggle? Why don’t you piss on a mirror and see what you really are? You’re the kind of broke ass who splits the bill even with friends—you AAB, then lick your lips and eat for free!”

“?”

Dude, that’s some serious aggression!

Wu Wang hadn’t faced an opponent like this in a long time.

He immediately snapped back: “You’re not exactly a saint either! A merchant so crooked your bald head reflects light brighter than your future!”

“You think being a virtual entity gives you the right to act tough? You’re old enough—still single? If so, you’ve saved a ton. If not, is your wife virtual too? You bald, two-dimensional creep, your private life is disgusting!”

Virtual shopkeeper: “?”

Dude, weren’t you here to haggle?

Why are you launching a personal attack?

Where’s the haggling?

Are you just here to insult me?

But since things had come to this, the store’s virtual boss couldn’t back down—he could only scowl and hurl curses back.

The entire room began echoing with passionate exchanges, their vulgar language gradually shifting from personal insults to familial taunts.

Extending across eighteen generations of the opponent’s female lineage, centered on genitalia, they inflicted mutual harm across the entire scope.

A hotel attendant happened to pass by.

He heard the foul language coming from inside.

His expression grew even more peculiar.

Didn’t he remember this room was occupied by a single male?

Could this guy be insane?

Why was he cursing himself?

So he hurried away, feeling unlucky.

The battle inside the room continued.

The elegant greetings still echoed.

Strings and zithers harmonized; high mountains and flowing water—meeting a true soulmate.