Anchor Hall
Chapter 536: He sensed something was out of control
Attending the celebration banquet allowed choosing two people to accompany.
Wen Jianyan thought for a moment and chose Chen Mo and Chang Feiyu to go with him.
Chen Mo was an elder and the actual manager of the guild. Although Chang Feiyu was a newcomer, he had a deep understanding of cruise ships. They were obviously the best choices for attending this banquet.
After making all preparations, the three walked towards the deck where the banquet was held.
“Wow,” Chang Feiyu said cheerfully with a smile, “This is my first time attending such a heavyweight banquet. Wonder how many Top Ten will attend?”
“Don’t get your hopes up.”
Chen Mo’s tone was consistently cool and restrained:
“Usually, there won’t be many.”
Soon, the group arrived at their destination.
One had to say, Nightmare was never stingy with material things.
To celebrate the end of the Top Ten Challenge and the birth of the Nightmare Tenth, an entire deck was booked. At least in terms of grandeur, it was done very adequately.
However, Wen Jianyan was a bit late after all.
When he arrived, the celebration ceremony had long ended, and even the banquet had started for a while.
On the brightly lit exclusive deck, waiters in suits walked through, silver trays in hand holding luxurious and expensive drinks and various fancy snacks.
Waves rippled in the central swimming pool; shimmering water light reflected all around.
Not far away, anchors stood or sat, chatting in low voices.
Wen Jianyan stood at the edge of the venue, looking around.
There were quite a few familiar faces here.
Although not many people were present, most were pillars of major guilds, and quite a few were high-level anchors active in various free organizations—of course, basically Wen Jianyan knew them unilaterally.
After all, Wen Jianyan was used to acting with appearances in the Anchor Hall and rarely socialized with high-level figures with his true face.
Wen Jianyan saw Qi Qian, the vice president of Dark Fire, standing at the other end of the deck, talking about something with another anchor beside him. At the other end of the deck was the core figure of this banquet, the new Top Ten Chen Cheng. His face was full of impatience, while Wen Ya, as his female companion tonight, stood beside him with a decent smile, slender fingers pinching Chen Cheng’s arm, seemingly controlling him not to say anything too outrageous.
Wen Jianyan looked around but didn’t find Su Cheng or any member of Oracle.
Did they not board the ship?
Moreover…
Not sure if it was an illusion, Wen Jianyan felt the atmosphere in the venue seemed a bit tense.
Was there any special reason?
Thoughts spun in his mind. Before he could think deeply, he heard a splash of water from the direction of the pool.
Wen Jianyan was startled, subconsciously looking in the direction of the sound.
A graceful figure broke through the blue pool water, gently floating to the surface. Slender arms propped on the pool edge, revealing a plump upper body. Red ribbons were tied at the snow-white back of the neck and shoulder blades, the color contrast sharp and intense.
She elegantly raised her hand to tuck her black hair to her round shoulder, slightly turning her head.
Eyes slender and upward-slanting, as if permeated with perennial fog at the bottom, accurately looking over here.
“!”
At the moment of seeing the other’s face, Wen Jianyan’s breathing couldn’t help but stifle.
—The person in the pool was Dan Zhu.
The other party’s gaze fell on Wen Jianyan, seeming to smile silently, slowly walking up from the pool. Someone immediately handed her a dry bath towel.
Dan Zhu took it casually and indifferently, not even casting a glance at the fawner.
Snow-white feet stepped on the floor, walking unhurriedly towards Wen Jianyan.
She neither covered her figure nor showed off at all, but every inch of her lines revealed dazzling charm. That was a suppressing, aggressive beauty, making it hard to breathe, dare not look directly, yet unable to really look away.
A small gasp came from Chang Feiyu behind.
Wen Jianyan: “…Sister Dan Zhu.”
“Good evening,” Dan Zhu glanced at the two behind Wen Jianyan with a faint smile, “Taking the kids out to play?”
“Yes.” Wen Jianyan blinked. “And you?”
As Nightmare Top Three and president of Eternal Day Guild, the number of times Dan Zhu appeared in public could be said to be very few. Therefore, Wen Jianyan really didn’t expect to see her at this celebration banquet.
“About the same.” Dan Zhu curled her damp long hair boredly. “…After all, he is the first person in the guild besides me to enter the Top Ten. For his celebration party, as the president, I have to show my face, right?”
She curved her red lips: “After all, I happen to be on the ship.”
Wen Jianyan: “…”
Actually, the latter was the main reason, right?
“Alright, I’ve stayed long enough, time to go.” Dan Zhu crossed her arms, red-nailed fingers tapping her cheek, leaning forward smiling, “During my time on the ship, I live downstairs. If you want to find me, you can tell the elevator waiter my name; he will take you to my room.”
Hearing this, Wen Jianyan’s gaze paused.
Live downstairs?
Just as Carl Bell said before, floors negative eight to negative eighteen downstairs were accommodation areas. Obviously, Dan Zhu lived here… No wonder he hadn’t seen her in the exclusive first-class area during this time.
Seeing Wen Jianyan’s thoughtful look, the smile on Dan Zhu’s lips deepened. She leaned forward slightly, uncovered snow-white skin damp and shining:
“Next time we meet, sister can take you to play something more interesting.”
Wen Jianyan’s back felt cold. He suppressed the subconscious urge to lean back, bracing himself to agree:
“…O-Okay.”
Based on previous experience, Wen Jianyan had keenly realized that the trick to getting along with Dan Zhu lay in obedience and agreement. Rather than refusing the other’s invitation, it was better to agree verbally, which could avoid more trouble.
Looking at Dan Zhu, Wen Jianyan’s eyes suddenly flashed.
His main purpose for coming this time was to figure out the true purpose of the Lucky Cruise Ship. In that case, Dan Zhu might become his aid in finding the truth.
“By the way, Sister Dan Zhu, there are some things you might want to know.”
Next, Wen Jianyan briefly summarized the various strange things happening on the ship now in the simplest language and told Dan Zhu.
Dan Zhu narrowed her eyes, listening wordlessly, true emotions unseen deep in her narrow eyes.
Wen Jianyan: “What do you think?”
“Don’t think anything.”
Unexpectedly, Dan Zhu giggled.
She seemed completely indifferent to the abnormalities on the ship.
“You came this time to participate in the auction, right?” Dan Zhu asked.
Wen Jianyan: “Mm.”
“Then just participate in the auction.”
Dan Zhu’s eyes were slender and captivating, red lips curved, spitting out the cruelest words in the gentlest voice: “Even if everyone on the ship dies, what does it have to do with you?”
“…”
Wen Jianyan was startled.
As if pleased by the other’s reaction, Dan Zhu giggled happily again:
“Goodbye, little cutie.”
After speaking, she turned around and walked away swayingly.
Two waiters immediately gave way respectfully, bowing deeply.
After Dan Zhu’s figure disappeared, the air on the deck finally eased a little—others might not have noticed themselves, but when Dan Zhu was present, almost no one dared to approach the poolside. Although they seemed to be doing their own things, a part of their attention was always taken away by Dan Zhu. As long as she existed, even doing nothing, she could easily become the focus.
Precisely because of this, as soon as Dan Zhu left, the atmosphere on the field obviously relaxed.
Once Dan Zhu left, Chen Cheng immediately strode over.
Wen Ya sighed helplessly and followed him.
Chen Cheng crossed his arms, glanced at Wen Jianyan in formal wear, raising an eyebrow: “You came after all.”
“Yes,” Wen Jianyan soon put on a smile too. “After all, starting today you are the new Top Ten. How can I not congratulate you?”
Chen Cheng sneered, obviously not taking Wen Jianyan’s polite words to heart.
“And I’m not the only one from the Top Ten who came,” Wen Jianyan looked in the direction Dan Zhu disappeared. “Have to say, your president seems to value you very much.”
As the president of Eternal Day, although Dan Zhu’s appearance this time was likely just a coincidence of being on the ship, the fact that she could attend was already quite remarkable.
Chen Cheng: “…Oh.”
For the first time, his eyes revealed undisguised vigilance and solemnity.
“What?” Wen Jianyan realized the weirdness of Chen Cheng’s attitude. He narrowed his eyes, using a half-joking tone, “You have an opinion about your president?”
“Can’t I?”
Unexpectedly, Chen Cheng admitted without hesitation.
He was expressionless, expression deep in eyes mixed with disgust and vigilance. “Although Dan Zhu is the president of my guild, I don’t like her.”
“The smell of undead on her is too heavy.”
Chen Cheng was expressionless, words spoken overly straightforward:
“—Very terrifying.”
Wen Ya closed her eyes with a look of hopelessness, propping her forehead with her hand, sighing deeply.
Her only task tonight was to control Chen Cheng’s rude and unguarded mouth.
But obviously, the task progress wasn’t smooth.
Fortunately, at least when Chen Cheng said these words, Dan Zhu herself wasn’t present.
Wen Jianyan: “…”
No wonder Chen Cheng didn’t look over just now, wishing to be eight hundred meters away from him. It seemed he was wary of Dan Zhu talking to him.
Wen Jianyan knew long ago that Nightmare Top Three had transcendent status. Being able to possess such status and establish Eternal Day Guild, Dan Zhu was definitely an unfathomably ruthless character.
Even though he knew this well, hearing those words from Chen Cheng’s mouth just now, Wen Jianyan couldn’t help being secretly startled.
Smell of undead?
What did this mean?
Before Wen Jianyan could think deeply, hearing an abnormal commotion not far away, he was pulled out of his thoughts, subconsciously turning his head to look in the direction of the sound.
At the entrance of the deck, several figures appeared.
The leader was an old acquaintance.
Wearing a fedora and a sharp suit, even in a banquet where everyone attended in formal wear, his attire could be considered exquisite.
Under the hat brim was a proper handsome face, wearing an impeccably elegant smile.
Gentleman.
One of Oracle’s vice presidents, current Nightmare Ninth.
Gentleman’s gaze searched around the venue, quickly falling here.
A smile appeared on his face, walking quickly towards here.
“That guy…”
Watching the few people walking towards them, Chen Cheng looked somewhat gloomy.
Wen Ya was somewhat surprised, “What, you have a grudge with him?”
Gentleman was the most active member in Oracle. He appeared in the vast majority of social places requiring Oracle’s attendance. as a seed player Eternal Day strived to cultivate, it wasn’t strange for Chen Cheng and Gentleman to have met—but according to Chen Cheng’s tone just now, their past experience seemed unpleasant.
“Not him.”
But Chen Cheng’s answer exceeded everyone’s expectations.
“It’s the person behind him.”
As distance closed, an Oracle member following behind Gentleman walked into everyone’s view.
Even with mental preparation, seeing that familiar figure, Wen Jianyan couldn’t help tightening his heart.
The comer was very young, a pale handsome, gentle face, but with a pair of bottomless, pitch-black creepy eyes. He also wore formal attire, semi-long hair tied behind his head, following calmly behind Gentleman.
It was Su Cheng.
He indeed boarded the ship.
“Good evening.” Gentleman smiled, reaching out to touch the hat brim. His gaze fell on Chen Cheng. “Congratulations on becoming the new Tenth. I offer congratulations on behalf of the entire Oracle.”
Chen Cheng gave a cold “Oh” as a response.
“Really sorry, we are late tonight.”
Gentleman wore a smile appearing genuinely apologetic. “Mainly to celebrate the ranking climb of new members, we also held a small celebration banquet on the ship… time arrangement wasn’t quite coincidental, so we came late.”
Chen Cheng lacked interest: “It’s fine, better not com—”
Wen Ya pinched him hard.
Chen Cheng: “…Oh.”
“By the way, this is our Oracle’s new vice president,” Gentleman turned sideways, revealing Su Cheng following behind him, face still wearing a genial smile. “I believe you should have met in the Top Ten Challenge, right?”
Su Cheng nodded.
Chen Cheng’s face darkened, squeezing out a few words: “Of course.”
Gentleman seemed completely unaware of the undercurrents surging in the air. He smiled looking at Wen Jianyan: “Ah, Mr. Pinocchio, didn’t expect to see you here tonight.”
“You haven’t replied to the congratulatory text I sent last time. Are you busy recently?” Gentleman looked concerned.
Wen Jianyan: “Not busy.”
He sipped the champagne in the cup, saying smilingly, “Just saw it and didn’t want to reply.”
Gentleman: “…”
Wen Ya: “…”
One foul mouth could barely be controlled; two were really unmanageable.
She moved her gaze away expressionlessly and despairingly. Instead, Chen Cheng showed appreciation, seeming very satisfied with Wen Jianyan’s answer just now.
“Hahaha, you really know how to joke,” Gentleman spoke to break the awkward atmosphere, as if the one hitting the wall just now wasn’t himself. “Anyway, since the challenge is over, everyone relax well.”
After brief pleasantries, Gentleman and his group turned to leave. Su Cheng nodded to everyone, gaze staying on Wen Jianyan for a second, then also turned to follow.
As soon as people left, Wen Ya turned abruptly to look at Chen Cheng, asking, “What happened between you and that Oracle member in the last instance?”
Chen Cheng looked baffled: “Why ask this?”
“Answer me first.” Wen Ya’s expression was rarely serious.
“Wait,” Chang Feiyu, who had been following Wen Jianyan, watched the direction the Oracle group disappeared, seemingly realizing something. He showed a somewhat surprised expression: “So, he is—?”
Wen Jianyan nodded: “Yes.”
“Is what?” Chen Cheng frowned tighter. He looked at Chang Feiyu then at Wen Jianyan. Unanswered questions made his tone anxious. “What’s going on?”
Although both Chen Cheng and Su Cheng entered the [Yuying Comprehensive University] instance, their activity trajectories didn’t intersect in that instance. The “Graduation Ceremony” was the only occasion they appeared together. At that time, firstly Wen Jianyan wasn’t present most of the time, and secondly, the situation developed rapidly with crises hitting one after another; it was excusable for Chen Cheng not to notice Su Cheng.
Wen Jianyan explained lightly:
“That Oracle member who intersected with you in the last instance used to be a vice president on my side. Due to some conflicts, he left the guild.”
Receiving the answer, Chen Cheng couldn’t help being stunned.
Although he had no EQ in this aspect, he could still keenly perceive the weird atmosphere within.
Seemed… a bit complicated.
Aside, Wen Ya urged: “So, what exactly happened in the Top Ten Challenge?”
Chen Cheng came back to his senses.
He glanced at the few people in front of him. Although impatient, he still spoke:
“The challenge ended early, you know that, right?”
Wen Jianyan nodded: “Mm.”
With a few hours left before the scheduled time, the Top Ten Challenge had already ended.
Generally speaking, instance delays were normal, but ending early was rare.
So, seeing the instance end early, Wen Jianyan was that surprised.
“Nightmare prohibits spoilers, so I’ll skip parts related to instance content,” Chen Cheng said. “Anyway, by the late stage of the instance, regarding who the final winner would be, the situation was basically clear.”
He reached out, taking a glass of champagne from a waiter’s silver tray, expressionless:
“Although more than ten people were still alive, only the last five were qualified to compete for the tenth position. Me, that Tarot player, and three others.”
Chen Cheng looked in the direction the Oracle group left, narrowing eyes, expression somewhat gloomy:
“However, after killing a challenger, he voluntarily forfeited while having the advantage.”
“…What?”
After hearing Chen Cheng’s words, everyone was stunned.
“Forfeited?” Wen Ya was also stunned.
“Yes.” Chen Cheng rolled his eyes impatiently. “Can’t understand human language?”
Chen Mo: “No… we just find it somewhat unbelievable.”
Actually forfeiting while occupying a dominant position, this point was really puzzling.
After all, all participating anchors signed up voluntarily. If they didn’t want to become Top Ten, why participate in this instance?
Everyone present fell into contemplation.
Wen Jianyan suddenly spoke: “You said… he killed someone?”
“Yes.” Chen Cheng recalled. “Seems to be a seedling Dark Fire focused on cultivating recently, name was—”
“How did he kill?” Wen Jianyan interrupted him. “Used props or…?”
He seemed unconcerned about the deceased’s identity but very concerned about Su Cheng’s killing method.
Chen Cheng: “Why do you care about this?”
Wen Jianyan: “Just curious.”
“Not props.” Chen Cheng glanced at Wen Jianyan, raised his hand to drink the champagne in one gulp, then revealed a bloody smile: “Bare hands.”
Everyone present couldn’t help sinking their hearts.
“Seeing his look I thought he was a coward,” Chen Cheng played with the empty glass carelessly. “Didn’t expect to have some guts, attacked quite ruthlessly.”
“Anyway, that’s about it,” Chen Cheng continued. “After he forfeited, I killed the other two competitors and became the winner.”
Although becoming the sole winner of the instance, but… just inexplicably felt like being let win.
Really unpleasant.
“…”
Receiving the answer, Wen Jianyan lowered his eyes, falling into contemplation.
Killing, huh.
In the entire venue, killers were countless.
Needless to say Chen Cheng as Top Ten and Chang Feiyu who was originally a mercenary, even Chen Mo and Wen Ya had a few lives on their hands.
Wen Jianyan wasn’t a kind person. He would lie, deceive, play tricks, but… he had never killed anyone with his own hands.
The only similar situation, the opposite side wasn’t human either.
Moreover, before stabbing the knife into Wu Zhu’s chest, Wen Jianyan had already prepared to spare his life. Rather than really preparing to kill, it was more like a play to deceive Nightmare.
Wen Jianyan had seen too many deaths. Unrelated to him, died because of him, strangers or acquaintances, good people or bad people, inside or outside instances… He wasn’t unfamiliar with death.
Indirect and direct had essential differences.
Counterattack for survival and murder planned for profit also had essential differences.
Taking a life with one’s own hands had a price—in Nightmare, legal constraints no longer existed, but this didn’t mean the spiritual price would disappear—watching a person’s breathing vanish, pupils dilate, meant one’s hands were stained with invisible blood that could never be washed off.
That was the mark exclusive to killers.
This meant he had thoroughly accepted Nightmare’s alienation rules, stepping into the alienated world, or even becoming an alienated self.
Wen Jianyan lowered his eyes, covering the solemn expression in his eyes.
…He smelled an uncontrollable scent.
After greeting Chen Cheng, Wen Jianyan began to arrange tasks.
Knowing that he came this time not for socializing, but to figure out what trouble Nightmare planned on the Lucky Cruise Ship.
As the actual manager of the guild, Chen Mo quickly entered the high-level circle of other guilds, while Chang Feiyu also went to find his mercenary partners, trying to search for information from different angles.
After sending the two away, Wen Jianyan came to the ship’s railing alone.
Night was deep; cold salty sea breeze blew, passing through his hair. Snow-white waves stirred up rolled against the ship’s hull.
However, the ocean beyond the waves was deep black like ink, merging with the sky. As if the whole world had no light, only pitch-black chaos remaining. That weird feeling made one’s heart panic.
Wen Jianyan recalled what Dan Zhu said before leaving.
Obviously, Dan Zhu seemed to know something… After all, she was Nightmare Top Three. The higher the ranking on the points list, the longer the anchor survived in Nightmare, the deeper the interest entanglement with Nightmare—precisely because knowing this, Wen Jianyan chose to tell Dan Zhu his guess.
On one hand naturally out of good intentions.
On the other hand also trying to find some clues from Dan Zhu’s reaction after hearing this.
And the other party’s answer indeed confirmed his speculation in this aspect.
Wen Jianyan leaned against the railing, falling into contemplation.
Dan Zhu knew very well what would happen on the ship.
She just didn’t care.
Based on this, two conclusions could be drawn.
First, this matter wouldn’t affect Dan Zhu’s interests… or rather, wouldn’t affect the interests of all auction participants.
Second, whatever this matter was and whatever it would cause, it was closely related to all passengers on the ship.
Wen Jianyan lowered his eyes, gaze falling into the pitch-black waves beside the ship.
Suddenly, his pupils contracted sharply, hairs on his back standing up instantly.
Seawater close to the ship was illuminated by deck lights. Under a thin layer of seawater, seemed faintly visible…
A face?!
Yes, correct, a face.
A lifeless face, gray-white, closed eyes.
And the pale limbs connected below that face.
It floated flat on the sea like that, rising and falling with waves.
Suddenly, footsteps came from behind.
“?!”
Wen Jianyan shuddered, turning abruptly to look back.
Saw Gentleman holding two glasses of wine, walking in this direction.
Seeing Wen Jianyan turn abruptly, he seemed startled too:
“What’s wrong?”
Wen Jianyan didn’t answer. He steadied himself, turning to look at the sea again.
Sea surface pitch-black, nothing there.
The dead face seen just now seemed just his illusion, swallowed by waves in a blink.
“You don’t look well,” Gentleman approached, also leaning against the railing. He considerately handed a glass of champagne to Wen Jianyan. “Is something wrong?”
“No.” Wen Jianyan shook his head. “Nothing.”
Seeing Wen Jianyan not taking the drink, Gentleman didn’t mind. He smiled slightly: “Need me to help relieve your worries?”
Wen Jianyan glanced at him, raising an eyebrow: “…Oh?”
“After all, we are old acquaintances,” Gentleman wore an amiable smile. If Wen Jianyan didn’t know he just hired a killer to assassinate him in the last instance, who knows, might really be deceived. “If you need a prophecy you can find me. As Oracle’s vice president, of course, I’ll do my best for you.”
Saying so, he turned around, waving to not far away: “Ah, Mr. Su, over here.”
Accompanied by another sound of footsteps, another person walked up from not far on the deck.
Gentle pale face, pitch-black dark eyes.
It was Su Cheng himself.
“Mr. Pinocchio seems to need a prophecy.”
Gentleman smiled handing over the wine Wen Jianyan didn’t take. Su Cheng paused, taking the glass.
“I remember you are friends? How about it, want to try?”
Wen Jianyan frowned: “N—”
Before he finished, he heard Su Cheng agree at once:
“Of course.”
“Great,” Gentleman clapped and smiled. “I knew Mr. Su is truly a sentimental and righteous person.”
“…”
Wen Jianyan’s eyes darkened.
Saw Su Cheng open his hand, a deck of Tarot cards materializing in his palm—although still in Anchor Hall where anchors couldn’t use talents, since Wen Jianyan already knew Oracle’s cheating methods, they obviously were too lazy to pretend.
However…
Wen Jianyan’s gaze paused.
Before, after the Xingwang Hotel instance ended, although Su Cheng also borrowed Oracle’s power to use talents, but…
Directly materializing talent?
This was somewhat beyond expectations.
Su Cheng lowered his eyes, shuffling and drawing cards smoothly. Taking only half a minute, everything ended.
He raised his head—this was the first time tonight he truly looked at Wen Jianyan:
“Danger is very close.” Su Cheng put down his hand; materialized Tarot cards disappeared. Strange light flickered deep in his pitch-black eyes, saying slowly, “You can no longer stop it.”
“…”
Wen Jianyan frowned slightly.
“However, if you really need to know the answer…” Su Cheng seemed to hesitate, asking, “Have paper?”
Gentleman: “Wait, I’ll help get it.”
Soon, he rushed back with a napkin and pen.
Su Cheng thanked him, placed the paper on the railing, and began to write and draw. Soon, everything ended. He handed the pen back to Gentleman, then gave the paper to Wen Jianyan: “Go here.”
Wen Jianyan took the napkin, scanning the content.
No route was drawn on the paper, only a few vague instruction words—but enough.
“Thanks.”
“…No need.”
Su Cheng looked away, expression somewhat awkward.
In this moment, he seemed no longer that Oracle vice president, but reverted to that little prophet who once entered instances with Wen Jianyan.
Chen Mo and Chang Feiyu continued socializing, collecting clues. Chen Cheng listened to others’ flattery with a bored face, while Wen Ya stood by his side guarding against him saying anything inappropriate again.
After saying goodbye to them, Wen Jianyan hurriedly left the banquet.
He came to the deck, examining the note Su Cheng wrote.
Although instruction words were simple, at a glance it seemed hard to understand the meaning. For example, the first line only wrote two words:
“Red, Right”.
Wen Jianyan looked up, seeing a red lifebuoy hanging on the deck not far away at a glance—in the blurry night, its bright red surface appeared particularly glaring, like some guidance from destiny.
He paused, turning right.
Just like this, Wen Jianyan traversed through the cabins.
As time passed, hints given by Su Cheng were consumed bit by bit.
Wen Jianyan stopped, looking up.
Coming into view was an iron map nailed to the wall.
Third line, a line of words came into view.
【Pass right five hundred meters: Cockpit】
Could it be…
Wen Jianyan’s eyes flashed, letting himself follow intuition, walking in the direction indicated by the map.
Soon, the door nailed with three words 【Cockpit】 appeared before his eyes.
Door closed tight.
Wen Jianyan squatted down trying the lock—quite ordinary lock core; he fiddled it open in a few moves.
Seeing the process so easy, Wen Jianyan’s heart sank instead.
Experience of ups and downs in multiple instances told him this likely wasn’t a key location, hence handled by the simplest method.
Door opened.
Cockpit pitch-black, quiet enough to make heart panic.
Wen Jianyan paused, turned on phone flashlight, walked in slowly under weak light guidance.
Cockpit area wide and empty.
Wen Jianyan stood in the center of the pitch-black cabin looking around—style here somewhat weird. Clearly modernized electronic equipment everywhere, yet center of cockpit stood a somewhat old wooden wheel, varnish on surface mottled, seeming ancient.
He walked forward to the electronic screen.
Wen Jianyan squatted, examining instruments in front with flashlight light. Soon, he reached out, pressing lightly.
Hearing a light “beep”, a small screen lit up in darkness.
Screen densely covered with snow noise.
Wen Jianyan leaned close, examining content on screen carefully through dense snow noise.
This seemed to be a… route map?
What’s at the end of the route?
Unknown.
Wen Jianyan’s gaze fell on a corner of the screen, suddenly stunned.
That was… numbers.
Fast scrolling, irregular numbers.
Making Wen Jianyan think of content displayed on screen in casino instantly.
Suddenly, a deep-to-marrow shudder attacked him. Wen Jianyan stood in darkness, suddenly feeling cold all over.
Generally speaking, what would be beside a route map?
Mileage.
If this really represented mileage, then facts were probably more terrifying than his previous guess.
Gambling funds invested by gamblers became fuel driving cruise ship forward, making mileage increase fast. Thus, cruise ship also began approaching end of route fast.
But what was the end?
Thinking of pale human face seen in sea, Wen Jianyan shivered, cold sweat seeping from palm.
In that instant, all clues seemed to become reasonable.
When on deck before, he didn’t see wrong.
Blond didn’t see wrong either.
Lucky Cruise Ship probably gradually sailing away from Anchor Hall controlled by Nightmare, sailing to endless unknown sea area—as mileage increased, anchors’ talents on ship also gradually reviving.
This was why Blond could still see so far with suppressed talent, Su Cheng could materialize Tarot directly on deck.
This was also why Nightmare wanted anchors “addicted”.
Because it needed people to continue playing, playing more better.
More anchors lost, further ship sailed.
Unknowingly, phone screen turned black again. Wen Jianyan stood in center of cockpit, face pale, breathing rapid.
After connecting all clues, he finally realized where he was. Moment of realization, strong sense of crisis covered head immediately, making Wen Jianyan’s blood nearly freeze.
Anchor space?
Lucky Cruise Ship?
No.
—This was clearly a forming instance.
While Wen Jianyan’s mind was in turmoil, suddenly, heavy footsteps came from outside cockpit. Sound regular, very close, approaching here unwaveringly, undoubtedly.
“?!”
Wen Jianyan startled, awakened from contemplation by footsteps.
Bad!
He looked around panicked, but no place to hide in cockpit.
Worse, technically still in Nightmare’s anchor space… all props usable in instance useless now.
Footsteps closer.
Could it be, narrow road meeting, blades clashing so soon?
Wen Jianyan’s palm sweating.
But now defenseless, simply like sheep entering tiger—
Just then, a cold hand with distinct joints reached from behind, pulling Wen Jianyan backward.
“?!!!”
Wen Jianyan shuddered, reflexively starting to struggle.
But next second, endless darkness surged from all directions, swallowing him completely.
This feeling… somewhat familiar?
Wen Jianyan stunned, subconsciously stopped moving, turning to look behind.
In darkness, pair of golden eyes shining.
Wu Zhu: “Shh.”
