Chapter 70: When the Story Reflects Reality

Wen Xishu and Xiao Wu both revealed expressions of terror on the screen.

They certainly understood.

On the first night, when the meeting was held, things were actually fine. But by the second day...

At the very moment of midnight, the intensity escalated.

Wen Xishu felt even more disgusted by his own behavior from yesterday. Xiao Wu, meanwhile, felt his skin was filthy; how could such a dirty version of himself be worthy of communicating with others?

"Don't be afraid. Since I've told you, I have a way to solve it! Don't be afraid!"

Wen Xishu had actually struggled with whether or not to voice his deductions.

Because if he didn't, his teammates, unaware of the cause, might fall into even greater fear.

Yet if he did, they would still fall into fear. Especially for those already trapped in terror, Wen Xishu had no confidence in whether they could regain their resolve and overcome the mental intrusion brought by the supernatural.

Xiao Wu clutched his head:

"What do I do... what should I do... It's only the second day, there are still six days to get through."

Wen Xishu ignored Xiao Wu for the moment, because at this time, Wen Xishu said:

"A-Shu, you are truly excellent. If I... if I die in here, I hope you can lead everyone out of here. I've thought about it, according to what you said, what I correspond to is gluttony?"

Wen Xishu nodded.

"Yes. Gluttony. Besides, you won't die. Everyone, don't worry. Seven days is enough for us to find the secret of this place."

Wu Xiangjiao also recalled that Wen Xishu had mentioned his neighbor was very fat and tall.

"Only a glutton could have that physique. But upon arriving here, he began to loathe food."

"The Venerable's behavior yesterday made me think he was a bit like Xiao Wu; the Venerable was rejecting his own food, rejecting his own cooking skills."

"It looked like low self-esteem, but in reality, it wasn't low self-esteem; it was that you began to loathe food from the root, so naturally, you wouldn't think food is delicious."

Sloth, pride, envy, gluttony.

Wu Xiangjiao drew an inference:

"That leaves lust, wrath, and greed. Looking at it this way, is the college student next to me lust?"

"Damn it, no wonder I felt a sense of irritation when I had morning wood today!"

"To hell with it!"

Hearing Wu Xiangjiao say this, Venerable Wen felt a bit relieved.

Because Wu Xiangjiao used to be a habitual thief, but later, with his help, he was reformed and stopped stealing.

But while the petty thievery habit was gone, other flaws were exposed; he liked women.

Sometimes Wu Xiangjiao would make dirty jokes in public, saying to women things like, "My banana is huge, do you want to taste it?"

This also led to him becoming increasingly lecherous.

Now, Wu Xiangjiao was clearly no longer lustful.

Wen Xishu said:

"I suspect—this is just a suspicion—that your disgust for women will gradually deepen, deepening to an inconceivable degree."

If Jicheng was the Seoul of his past life, then Jicheng could be called the city with the most absurd gender antagonism; if a boy asked a girl out and was rejected more than three times, the girl could sue for sexual harassment if he asked again.

And Wen Xishu speculated that Wu Xiangjiao, currently affected by the "reverse-lust," would likely have a level of disgust for the opposite sex that far exceeded the level of gender antagonism.

"But Wu Xiangjiao, you aren't afraid because of this, so everything is still in time. You might be the one among us who is least affected..."

"Even I am affected more than you, though I am merely trapped in a state of being unable to sleep. We must find a breakthrough point now."

Wu Xiangjiao nodded. He really wasn't that afraid. Looking at his morning erection, although it was a bit annoying, he still sighed: Laozi is just too healthy.

Relatively speaking, on this second day, because he wasn't affected by fear at all, although he developed a slight aversion to that kind of thing, it was harmless.

At this moment, A-Miao suddenly spoke:

"Hahaha, don't be nervous, everyone. What's the big deal? Look at you all, smile a little, it's fine."

"My Lord Xishu will surely protect us through this ordeal."

A-Miao was very optimistic and happy.

Wu Xiangjiao exchanged a glance with Wen Xishu through the screen.

Wen Xishu said:

"A-Miao, you correspond to wrath. Are you still able to feel anger now?"

"The inversion of wrath, as it seems in this game, is defined as joy. You are the one most deeply affected, but as for joy, it is actually a positive buff in the short term."

"Listen, everyone, I need you to do one thing today."

A-Miao laughed:

"Joy is pretty good. No wonder, I was wondering why it felt so healing, hahahahaha..."

"When I was pretty before, I suffered all kinds of humiliation to get a spot in the Desire Tower, then I got a terminal illness and joined the Xishu Cult. Although I found a moment of peace, I have always lived bitterly. Joy is something too rare for me."

Wu Xiangjiao was slightly surprised, and he sighed softly.

Although he wasn't as good at analysis as Wen Xishu, he could feel that the true emotion behind A-Miao's words was actually bitterness.

But as the one with the deepest fear, she was also the most deeply invaded by the supernatural; now, even when speaking of past pain, she did so with laughter.

This was already pathological.

Wen Xishu nodded, following A-Miao's lead:

"Yes, joy is also quite good. You can feel happiness, and we are also very happy."

"So A-Miao, and Xiao Wu, Venerable, don't be too afraid. Since I am here, I can lead you back alive."

"But you must do one thing: today, everyone choose to interact with your neighbors. Try to persuade these neighbors to leave this building."

"I originally planned to do this alone, which would take a bit more time. But you might not fall into danger."

"However, I underestimated the influence of time. It's only the second day; I can hardly imagine to what extent some traits will be inversely amplified by the third or fourth day."

"So everyone, we must find a way to act collectively today."

"Venerable, you are the true leader of the team, no problem, right?"

Wen Xishu looked at Wen Zhaohua.

Wen Zhaohua felt a bit grateful; he suddenly felt that the young man before him might truly have been sent by Wen Xishu to save everyone.

In fact, up until now, they hadn't had a chance to meet face-to-face, so Wen Zhaohua hadn't checked Wen Xishu's ID.

Plus, Wen Xishu hadn't initiated a meeting himself, because everyone currently defaulted to one point—Wen Xishu's personal ability was the strongest, and his mobility was the most precious and could not be wasted.

So as of now, Wen Zhaohua hadn't seen Wen Xishu's ID.

He thought, perhaps A-Shu had added some symbol, or used a homophone like Wen Xishu or Wen Xishu, or simply added a number or letter at the end, or specifically requested the guide to add a space in the ID name, like "Wen Xishu."

In fact, many people in teams hadn't thought about checking each other's IDs; for one, it required being close enough, and for another, it was unnecessary.

Thirdly, there were too many people named Wen Xishu, so there was no need to check.

Fourthly, the Three Towers game had no friend system. Whether you could meet again depended entirely on fate.

But this time, Wen Zhaohua was suddenly interested in seeing what the ID of this Wen Xishu, arranged by the True Lord Xishu, was.

If there was a chance to meet up later, he decided to check Wen Xishu's ID.

Wen Zhaohua said:

"Good, good, everyone cheer up! Think about how we met!"

"Think about our fate; we cannot die here! The birth of the Xishu Cult was to help countless miserable people escape their confusion!"

"We met in the sea of people and can still explore this most dangerous place together! This is a test arranged for us by my Lord Wen Xishu, and we are destined to pass this test! After this exploration, our friendship will be tempered!"

"Xiao Wu, people will no longer mind your past; you are a great tower-climber who has conquered a supernatural tower!"

"A-Miao, you will find the money for your treatment! You will become beautiful again!"

"And Xiangjiao, in the future, there will be a lovely, beautiful girl who will sincerely fall in love with the courageous you!"

"We cannot be defeated by this building! We must cheer up!"

Strange to say, Wen Xishu had emphasized so many times, "I can help you leave..." but the effect was minimal. Yet after this big bald guy finished speaking, everyone was invigorated.

Xiao Wu, who had been affected by low self-esteem, also recalled the Venerable's past teachings at this moment.

He had originally thought that after getting out of prison, if he really couldn't make it, he would go back to his old trade...

But he had been sternly stopped by Wen Zhaohua.

His eyes regained their light:

"Don't worry... Venerable, I will! A-Shu, I will find a way to persuade that lawyer to leave."

Wen Xishu suddenly thought, this "Xishu Cult," it couldn't really be a... normal, purely good-hearted church, could it? Was this big bald guy actually just a good person?

Wu Xiangjiao said:

"By the way, what about greed? What about greed? How is the final greed among the seven sins explained?"

Wen Xishu said:

"Greed corresponds to generosity. Don't you think the fact that you were able to move in here is a form of generosity itself? Have you ever seen a capitalist who built such a nice building but only charged such low rent?"

"The twisted things in Jicheng are no match for the supernatural towers."

In his past life, people always loved to say that Korean films were becoming more daring and more profound.

They satirized the chaebols, criticized the chaebols, and told stories of various social symptoms.

But these films were all funded by the chaebols. From another perspective, the chaebols were high above, and the mockery from the bottom masses had reached a point where it was insignificant to them, even something they could use for self-amusement.

Because they knew very well that no matter how much they criticized or mocked, it was of no use.

Wu Xiangjiao nodded:

"I have one last question. Our mission is actually to survive here... the extra mission is to ensure the seven families are no longer broken."

"Does this mean they can leave, but we cannot?"

"If we cannot leave... then after they leave, will the supernatural entity turn to affect us instead?"

Wen Xishu was slightly surprised; once Banana entered his state, he thought about things more comprehensively:

"Yes, actually, I was thinking yesterday that if the extra reward is to let the mission target survive, then perhaps we can choose to let the other party leave directly."

"But in this place, many people moved in with great difficulty, so the reason for leaving must be very sufficient. Fortunately, after spending a day, we found this reason."

"Their symptoms are clearly deeper than ours... so I hope everyone can try to persuade them to leave."

"As for us, I'm afraid we cannot leave... I think you have all discovered that once our action points are insufficient, if we approach the door, we will be unable to do anything and will be forced to return to the sofa to sit."

"Therefore, for us, while the Journey of Survival is our main quest, there are additional puzzles to solve."

"But it wouldn't hurt to first complete the side quests that can improve our rating."

Wu Banana, Venerable Wen, and the others all nodded in agreement.

Wen Xishu exhorted:

"A-Miao... you are destined to go back eventually. Don't be affected by this place, don't think that death is something not worth caring about; everyone cares about you very much."

"So, do not forget your mission for coming here because of the pleasure."

A-Miao nodded. She still wore a smile and felt that the mood was not quite right. She liked this optimism, but Venerable Wen's words also reminded her of the few kindnesses she had received during the low points of her life.

She said: "I will do my best. I am very happy, but I have not been blinded by happiness."

Wu Banana added:

"Then what about jealousy and greed... what do you plan to do?"

Wen Xishu did not hold back:

"I have already found a solution for jealousy, but I'm afraid greed will have to wait. Perhaps if we remove these seven households, we can also obtain salvation."

"But let's take it one household at a time."

In the final moments of the meeting, Wen Xishu gave some instructions regarding the elevator. Everyone kept every word he said in their minds, and then the meeting ended.

In the fog-shrouded building, under Wen Xishu's arrangements, everyone finally had a clue.

Wen Xishu had already spent fifty action points, so he only had fifty action points left for today. If he made no progress in his interaction with the neighbor next, he would be unable to do anything today.

However, Wen Xishu decisively chose to interact with the neighbor.

His body uncontrollably knocked on the neighbor's door. Yin Junchi opened the door immediately, eyes wide:

"Friend, what are you doing? Do you know that my inspiration is overflowing right now!"

It was already significantly different from yesterday.

Yesterday, Yin Junchi was still very hospitable. Upon learning that Wen Xishu could read Feng Shui, he immediately invited Wen Xishu in and patiently explained many things.

But today, Yin Junchi was very irritable.

Anyone who hasn't slept for several days would be very irritable.

Wen Xishu said:

"How long has it been since you slept?"

Yin Junchi shook his head:

"That's not important. I am about to write a great work; I am about to complete a self-transcendence!"

Wen Xishu suddenly wanted to use violence to knock Yin Junchi unconscious. For someone this extremely exhausted, a physical stun would actually be enough to make them fall into a deep sleep.

However, the biggest problem is—

Wen Xishu could not take him away from here; he had no extra action points to leave the building.

So Wen Xishu said:

"I can provide you with better inspiration."

Yin Junchi looked at Wen Xishu in confusion:

"You?"

Wen Xishu said:

"If my idea isn't good enough, you can kick me out. But right now, you should invite me in."

Yin Junchi nodded:

"Then come in. I don't care about Feng Shui anymore; I just want to work crazily now and finish my greatest work."

Wen Xishu entered the room and asked Yin Junchi this question:

"Before I tell you this story, I need to ask you a question: are you still afraid of death?"

If this person was no longer afraid of death, Wen Xishu would really have to put in some effort.

Fortunately, Yin Junchi said:

"Nonsense, the meaning of work is, of course, to be more comfortable when resting. I write books for a better life; how could I not be afraid of death?"

Not bad, he lived up to the pen name "Three Days Two Living Banana Pei Jia." Even after being invaded by the supernatural to this extent, he still didn't forget his original intention of lying flat.

Wen Xishu said:

"Good, then I will start telling my story."

Yin Junchi opened his mouth wide again, widened his eyes, faced Wen Xishu with a ferocious expression, and let out an "ah" sound.

After waiting for this long yawn to finish, Wen Xishu slowly said:

"Have you noticed that the tycoons of Qicheng are a bit strange? They seem to have started doing good deeds?"

"At the same time, have you noticed that the popularity of horror novels has risen to an unprecedented level?"

Yin Junchi nodded:

"Will this story of yours interact with me?"

Wen Xishu smiled:

"No, just warming up. You have discovered many strange things; you have discovered that the Qicheng government has started to generously promise the public things they cannot possibly achieve."

"You have also noticed that a small number of wealthy people have started to become nervous and fade from view, while another small number have started to indulge themselves, as if their lives only have a final period of time left."

Yin Junchi nodded:

"That is indeed the case."

Wen Xishu said:

"Good, then my story begins. This has to start with a novelist. There was a novelist who wanted to find some material. About horror novels."

"Come to think of it, this is actually a very niche genre, but recently it's been strange; he has heard more and more similar discussions."

"Some people seem to have mutated and done some incredible things."

"This novelist is actually very lazy, but he is still in the habit of opening the apps of mainstream websites to check the bestseller rankings by category."

"To his great shock, the traditional urban, superpower, ancient martial arts, and cultivation genres... these big hits were actually suppressed by horror novels one after another."

"The suspense and supernatural category he was in suddenly rose up. Finally, he learned an absurd reason: the horror stories seem to have really arrived."

Yin Junchi said:

"That's not fresh. The genre of horror stories descending into reality has already been written to death."

Wen Xishu said:

"Yes, he also felt that this was mostly a gimmick. However, novelists naturally chase trends; some authors even deliberately don't keep drafts just to follow the trends."

"He knew that this time, he might be able to write such a story; after all, he is in this business himself."

"Let us briefly switch perspectives."

"The boss of the Three Balls Group, the biggest tycoon in Qicheng, also realized that the world would undergo a major change. As one of the richest people in this world, he of course knew more secrets than ordinary people."

"For some reason, the boss of the Three Balls Group actually gave the financial power to someone named An Zhenqi. That should have been the An family descendant he looked down upon the most. By the way, An Zhenqi's original name wasn't An Zhenqi; it was a name changed temporarily before the Miracle Building project started."

Suddenly hearing the name of a person from reality made Yin Junchi suddenly perk up, although he was already very excited.

Wen Xishu had actually put in some effort; he had learned about this a short while ago when he spent twenty-five action points searching the room.

"An Zhenqi was a prodigal son of the An family, extravagant and greedy. But the boss of the Three Balls Group, that top-tier tycoon more terrifying than the president, still gave An Zhenqi a large sum of money to start the Miracle Building project."

"With terrifying financial support, the Miracle Building was built at an unimaginable speed in a short time, and with overwhelming marketing, the Three Balls Group's mobile phones were very popular, and many people in Qicheng were using them. Plus, Qicheng and even the whole country were full of Three Balls Group industries..."

"So everything went very smoothly. Soon, countless people knew about this project of An Zhenqi's. An Zhenqi was also the first to move in. He lived in Miracle Building 42-7."

"His status was different from all the residents of the Miracle Building, so the 42nd floor was the most special; this floor required a key card to enter."

"I think, after the writer moved in, he also wanted to go to the 42nd floor to take a look, right?"

Wen Xishu's eyes stared at Yin Junchi. Yin Junchi had already realized that this story was taken from reality.

This setting was not rare, but if all the characters and place names were real, then the sense of immersion came immediately.

That writer... could it be me?

He couldn't help but think so.

Wen Xishu's story continued:

"Soon, everyone discovered that An Zhenqi, who moved into this building, had completely changed his past temperament. In the past, An Zhenqi was also extravagant, but the more he squandered, the more he demanded."

"But the current An Zhenqi started doing charity. The difference between squandering and charity is that one is for oneself, and the other is for others. He was the nominal owner of this building, yet he only charged extremely low rent to screen a group of people."

"A large number of residents soon moved in here, but the big tycoon behind An Zhenqi discovered that these people were not the ones he was looking for. These people were too unremarkable; they were like the most ordinary NPCs."

"He was still missing seven key people, seven people with distinct characteristics. An Zhenqi himself was one of them. So, what exactly did that tycoon behind the scenes want these seven people to do?"

"Allow me to keep you in suspense for now, because next, our writer is going to appear again."

"The writer posted a thread asking if there was a 'black room' that could stimulate inspiration. As a result, the writer was flattered to receive an invitation from the Three Balls Group official."

"Yes, he is a bestselling author, but he knows one thing: although novels are the source of stories, in the entire entertainment industry, novels can only be considered the scraps of entertainment."

"Those stars filming an episode of a TV series or a movie can earn money he couldn't earn in a lifetime. But these stars are nothing more than the toilets and toys of those high-level executives at the Three Balls Group."

"So he was flattered and came to the Miracle Building. At the very beginning, he saw seven rows of sofas."

"He pondered that these sofas had quite the air of the seven sins."

"The first row of sofas was printed with a female celebrity from Qicheng named He Lina, her eyes hazy, lying down and drinking coffee. It symbolized lust."

"The second row was printed with dishes on a dining table from a Michelin-starred restaurant in Qicheng. It symbolized gluttony."

"The third row was printed with a portrait of the owner of this building, An Zhenqi, who was also one of the most famous tycoons in Qicheng. It symbolized greed."

"The fourth row was printed with a corner of the largest amusement park in Qicheng, the amusement park's logo being a chubby smiling face. This was a place for people to rest, symbolizing sloth."

"The fifth row was printed with a photo of the president of Qicheng, high-spirited at the time of his election. It symbolized pride."

"The sixth row was printed with the map of the neighboring great nation, Longxia; this country had many things that the people of Qicheng craved but did not possess. This was envy."

"The seventh row was a photo of Qicheng's soccer star Sun Xingming scoring a goal with a furious shot during the World Cup group stage. He had always been questioned for only being able to score for his club but not for the national team, so he scored in a rage, symbolizing wrath."

Yin Junchi actually hadn't noticed these...

But now he realized that, damn it, it actually made some sense. He felt a bit afraid.

He had written stories where fiction bled into reality, but he had never experienced it himself.

Wen Xishu smiled and said:

"Let me provide a spoiler first: in the ending of this story, seven people die..."

"Do you guess that the novelist will survive?"

Yin Junchi was stunned.

(End of chapter)