Eldritch Horror Theatre

Out of good professional habit, these minor adjustments were done just in passing.

Since Old Man Henry planned to visit his student, Fu Qian naturally didn't mind taking a short break in Shangjing so they could meet up when the time came.

Not only was his identity special, but the man clearly knew quite a bit as well. Whatever he intended to discuss was absolutely worth looking forward to.

Not to mention the current situation—the invitation Excellency Stoss made on behalf of the Night Watchers had already been officially placed on the agenda.

And because of the groundwork laid over the past few days, it was impossible to overstate just how spectacular the resulting scene would be, no matter how much one looked forward to it.

As a retired former high-ranking member of the Night Watchers, the old man likely had a wealth of experience in internal struggles. Was there anyone more suitable to seek advice from?

In short, after wrapping up a scientific expedition, couldn't an old professor enjoy himself a little?

Drifting through the sea of commerce, casually wreaking havoc in Shangjing, experiencing the local martial conflicts, and even conducting some minor observations on the side—wasn't that a delight?

Using the Gulade Clan as an observation sample for the bloodline project inherently relied a lot on having the willing bite the hook. If the other party didn't take the bait, Fu Qian had no intention of forcing the issue.

[Name: Clockwork Xi'er, Designation: 1-330]

Facts proved that the Warehouse didn't drop the ball this time, tossing an item designated with a 1 straight at his face.

Even the name of this Containment Object sounded stylistically unique.

[Today's work content has been updated. Enter the 1-330 Containment Scenario and complete Containment once more.]

[Consume 1 SAN Value to begin?]

Amidst these methodical prompts, the illusory projection in the Warehouse sparked even more imagination.

He could vaguely make out a blurred humanoid figure that possessed the soft curves of a woman, complete with coiled long hair.

But it was practically only half a body. Its lower half was somewhat twisted, almost reminding one of a genie emerging from a magic lamp.

[Yes]

Whether the genie was male or female, as someone quite interested in genuine wish-granting, Fu Qian only felt more satisfied and accepted immediately.

[Entering the 1-330 Containment Scenario]

[Current SAN Value: 59]

...

Some projects really just burned too much money in the end.

While Fu Qian happily consented, the Warehouse didn't hold back either.

And the subsequently reported value was enough to make anyone weep.

During this trip to the Ash Sea, his SAN Value had undoubtedly lived up to a certain saying, truly being spent like prepaid game time.

Exciting shows always cost money, especially for an outsider like him.

Every second spent peering into the "truth of the world" relied on the wealth he had accumulated in his daily life.

To the point that, by a rough calculation, he had directly burned through over 150 points of SAN Value, leaving him with less than three missions' worth. Calling it spending money like water was no exaggeration at all.

But it was fine. How did the saying go? Only the money you spend truly belongs to you.

That SAN Value had already turned into knowledge, staying with him forever in another form.

[Due to load limits, you cannot carry any extra items.]

[Due to load limits, most injuries will no longer be repaired after the task is completed.]

Amidst these heavy consumerist thoughts, the Warehouse's prompts continued methodically, and the task officially began.

[...8%...13%...21%...34%...55%...89%...100%, Containment Scenario loaded successfully.]

Oh... apart from items, it didn't even let him choose his skills?

Amidst this seamless transition, Fu Qian suddenly realized something was wrong.

It was actually one of the very few tasks that completely restricted his capabilities since he advanced to the Mechanical King of the Abandoned Prison.

...

[Hell is other people, but sometimes, people also need hell.

Today is Monday, yet it is also a day of rest.

Within this coziness, before you even open your eyes, you sense your body being passively shaken.

This sensation disturbs you, but it also makes you feel your own existence.

Good morning, Mr. Fu.]

This task introduction... wasn't it overemphasizing twists a bit too much, almost as if it had suffered qi deviation?

Peculiarities continued to emerge, and soon the task introduction rang out.

It was just that its content seemed to have a rather low amount of information on one hand, while on the other, it felt like every single sentence was striving for a reversal of what came before it. It felt overly contrived.

Of course, what left the deepest impression was an exceptionally rare greeting—Hello, Mr. Fu.

Logically speaking, this seemed to mean his identity in this task had been fixed, such as operating under his real name.

But in terms of direct impressions, it made one feel as if it were a conversation spanning across dimensions.

The last time he had received this kind of courteous treatment was when he was sent to the Furnace by the Blazing Rainbow, wasn't it?

"Good morning, Mr. Fu."

Just as he was reminiscing about the past, his five senses recovered as the introduction concluded.

And indeed, just as it had stated, his eyes were closed at the moment.

Moreover, the very first thing that rang in his ears was actually the exact same greeting that ended the task introduction.

Oh?

This rare politeness appearing back-to-back almost gave him the sensation of rapid flip-flopping between different dimensions for a moment.

Especially since, unlike the mechanical and rigid task introduction, this voice not only came from a living person, but also sounded quite familiar.

Fu Qian opened his eyes and looked in the direction the voice came from, discovering a figure sitting against the wall.

Black hair, snow-white skin, petal-like lips... Could he actually run into her even here, Eldest Miss Wen?

...

That's right. It was none other than Wen Li, who was supposed to be cultivating bitterly at the Academy.

Fu Qian was absolutely certain that the speaker was the rising genius recently co-trained by Apocalypse and Linghui, even though her aura was slightly different from usual.

Uncharacteristically, she wasn't wearing one of her exquisitely tailored dresses. Instead, she had changed into a short top and long trousers suited for action, faintly looking like she had been on a long, arduous journey.

And although her beautiful figure hadn't suffered the slightest color loss because of it, the sharpness in her eyes, paired with her tone just now, clearly showed a side of her that was rarely revealed in front of him.

Although she still seemed to know who he was.

"Good morning."

The strangeness continued. Although deeply intrigued, Fu Qian didn't forget to politely return the greeting.

At the same time, he calmly checked his own condition as well as his surroundings.

There was no mistake; his skills and items were indeed all locked.

And the place he was currently in was obviously a bedroom. He was also indeed, just as mentioned in the introduction, lying in bed looking like he had just woken up.

The bed was a decent size. Wen Li was sitting not far away at the side of the foot of the bed.

"I am indeed doing well, though that might not be good news for you."

Facing Fu Qian's response, Wen Li maintained a state like an ancient well without ripples. She didn't even change her sitting posture, her gaze resting to the side.

Hm?

Those words sounded even more bizarre. Fu Qian grew thoughtful and turned his head to follow her gaze.

Was he... arrested?

Fu Qian easily reached this conclusion; the setup was simply too classic.

He saw a shiny silver bracelet clasped around his right wrist, and the other end of the thin chain was locked to the headboard.

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