Liu Yun stared at “Bai Feifei’s” outstretched hand and her rubbing fingers, stunned for several seconds.
She had seen many people in her life, but someone so audacious and roguish was truly a rare sight.
Are the people the Masked Hermit Society takes an interest in all this bizarre...?
Liu Yun opened her mouth, but in the end, all that came out was:
“What do you want?”
Her tone carried a hint of unconcealed helplessness.
Xu Mo’s eyes lit up the moment he heard this.
Holy crap? She’s actually going to give me something!
He had only spoken out of habit, hoping to fleece her for some benefits if possible, but not really caring if he didn't.
So why be polite now?
He immediately cleared his throat, crossed his arms, and struck a pose that said, “Since you asked so sincerely, I’ll show some mercy and tell you.”
“Hmm... for the hush money, anything will do.” He raised a hand and pointed at the aluminum box on the high platform.
“That B-094, Eternal Nightmare, seems pretty good.”
Liu Yun’s brow furrowed.
“Eternal Nightmare is a critical Containment Object of Dawn City. It is impossible to give it to you.”
“Fine.” Xu Mo didn't linger and quickly switched targets, pointing toward the stands nearby.
“Then how about this: make him atone with his life, and we’ll call it even.”
The person he pointed at was Li Menglong.
Li Menglong’s face instantly turned the color of pig liver, and he nearly choked on his breath.
“You...!”
“See, you’re getting worked up again.” Xu Mo spread his hands. “This won’t work, that won’t work... Fine, I’ll take another step back.”
He pretended to think for a moment, then looked up with a seemingly harmless smile on his face:
“Then just let me touch the Eternal Nightmare. That should be fine, right?”
“Don’t worry, I just want to reach in and feel it. I won't do anything else.”
Liu Yun’s gaze lingered on “Bai Feifei’s” face for two seconds.
“Why do you want to touch it?” Liu Yun’s tone took on a hint of scrutiny.
“Just curious.” Xu Mo spread his hands, looking perfectly sincere.
“Since you guys won’t give me anything else, I’ll just settle for a symbolic play with it.”
Liu Yun’s frown deepened.
Reason told her the other party was talking nonsense, but she was also a bit curious, not understanding what they were trying to achieve with all this circling around.
She would be watching right beside them; if it was just a touch, what could possibly go wrong?
“...Very well.” Liu Yun finally nodded. “But only one side of the box will be opened. You may reach in and touch it, but you cannot take it out.”
“Furthermore, it will definitely have a mental impact on you. I hope you can withstand it.”
“Sure, sure, don't worry, I’ll take full responsibility for the consequences.” Xu Mo agreed readily.
The surrounding onlookers watched this scene, completely failing to understand this line of operation.
Xu Mo didn't care what others thought. He swaggered up the high platform and came before the aluminum box.
Others didn't know, but he was well aware that when the Eternal Nightmare was opened earlier, the Gaze of the Ancient One had reacted.
It was a peculiar reaction, like a predator seeing its favorite food.
Among the anomalous properties of Containment Objects, some had suppression relationships, but as for devouring relationships, even Xu Mo wasn't entirely sure.
But since the bracer had reacted, it was worth a try.
One side of the box was opened, and light began to leak out. The recorders at the edge of the field quickly scrambled further away.
Bai Feifei’s spirit was instantly suppressed, and her Sanity began to drop. Of course, none of this had anything to do with Xu Mo.
He reached into the box without a change in expression. On his wrist, the skull bracer grew slightly warm.
Liu Yun stared at his movements without blinking.
Seconds ticked by.
Xu Mo’s hand groped the crystal skull inside the box, a smile on his face. Because it was so eerie, he made Bai Feifei’s beautiful face look somewhat villainous.
After dozens of seconds, Xu Mo withdrew his hand.
“It’s nothing special, just a bit chilly.”
At the same time, his consciousness sank into his game panel, looking at the prompt appearing there:
【Containment Object A-109 “Gaze of the Ancient One” has devoured the anomalous properties of B-094 “Eternal Nightmare”. The effect has been permanently enhanced.】
【New Effect: Strengthens mental pressure on enemies within range and can force specific targets into a nightmare, causing hallucinations.】
“Score!” Xu Mo rejoiced internally.
Regardless of whether the plot had progressed or not, this was a definite win!
“Over to you.” Xu Mo said to Bai Feifei in his mind, then nimbly handed back control of the body.
Bai Feifei’s body shuddered as she regained control.
She looked down at her hand, her mind a complete blank.
Just now, she had clearly felt her wrist burning, as if something had vanished from the skull she was touching.
“Did you... just do something?” Bai Feifei asked, her voice trembling in her mind.
“No need to explain. She didn't notice anyway. Just act natural, don't worry.” Xu Mo’s voice was full of pride.
Bai Feifei was speechless. She didn't know if Liu Yun had noticed anything abnormal, but she knew her face must be very stiff right now.
She took a deep breath, forced herself to stay calm, and stood up. She didn't dare look at Liu Yun, keeping her head down as she spoke:
“Alright... you can take it back now.”
Liu Yun’s brow furrowed.
Her intuition told her something was definitely wrong.
But looking at the skull lying quietly in the box and the now-obedient Bai Feifei beside it, she couldn't put her finger on the problem.
Why did she suddenly become so well-behaved?
Liu Yun remained silent for two seconds before finally closing the lid and reapplying the seal.
“That’s it? This is the hush money you wanted?” she asked, looking at Bai Feifei.
Bai Feifei nodded.
“Fine. In that case, let’s call an end to today’s test.”
“Okay, then... I’ll be heading back first.” Bai Feifei said hurriedly. One always felt guilty when they had done something bad.
Bai Feifei could clearly feel every gaze in the testing ground fixed on her. She didn't possess the top-tier psychological resilience of the Old-Timer.
In the end, she didn't even know how she managed to leave that place.
...
Dawn City Inner City, core area.
This place was surrounded by towering metal walls, with many guards standing watch, as if the Inner City was isolating itself from the other districts, just as it isolated itself from the Outer City.
Sunlight spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows, shining onto a dark red solid wood desk.
A middle-aged man of indeterminate age, yet exceptionally handsome, was looking down at a document in his hands.
He wore a dark gray robe, and pinned to the collar was a dark gold badge—the city emblem of Dawn City.
He was the current City Lord of Dawn City, Liang Shuguang.
Thud, thud, thud.
The knocking was so urgent it sounded like someone was pounding on the door with their fists.
Han Cheng looked up, revealing a face as gentle as jade.
“Come in.”
The door was thrust open, and a young secretary hurried in. Her face flushed slightly upon seeing Liang Shuguang, and she quickly lowered her head.
“City Lord.” She steadied her emotions. “The test results are out.”
“However, many... unexpected situations have occurred!”
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