Xingwang Hotel
Chapter 317: Let me reintroduce myself again
“!”
Upon noticing that Wen Jianyan and his group were walking in their direction, the members of Zhong Shan’s team were startled and instinctively turned to flee.
However, to their surprise, just as they turned around and took a few steps, they were suddenly pulled back by a powerful force.
“??”
The person turned around in shock.
Is this… an item?
And it’s at least an A-grade item from the system store, one specifically used on anchors!
Does this team’s anchor spend points so extravagantly?
He gritted his teeth and stopped in his tracks, putting on a faint smile, and turned to look in Wen Jianyan’s direction: “Hey… what a coincidence.”
“Yes,” Wen Jianyan smiled and nodded, walking toward him step by step. “It really is a coincidence.”
Zhong Shan’s team member stood in place, watching the young man’s inscrutable expression from a distance, his heart racing with anxiety.
He then heard the other person casually continue:
“…If the tracking that started as soon as we entered the fourth floor can also be considered a coincidence.”
“?!”
Hearing this, the person’s heart skipped a beat, and a look of horror appeared on his face.
How is that possible?!
His movements had been well hidden, and the other side had never shown any sign of noticing him… Could it be that everything was just an act?
“Ah, so it’s like this.”
Wen Jianyan observed the subtle changes in the other person’s expression, and his smile deepened slightly. “Looks like I guessed right.”
Zhong Shan’s team member’s face immediately turned pale with shock.
Yes, Wen Jianyan was indeed bluffing him.
During their journey, Blond’s field of vision was limited, and the only spiritual being, Bai Xue, had an unclear stance. Even if they had noticed someone tailing them, they probably wouldn’t have alerted him unless the person made a lethal move. Therefore, they hadn’t noticed the tailing figure at first.
Until they came out of room 408.
Perhaps because they had stayed in one place for too long, the tail had become a little anxious and accidentally revealed themselves.
Wen Jianyan was particularly sensitive to the gaze of others, which is how he had spotted the unwelcome guest nearby. However, he wasn’t sure whether the person had coincidentally crossed paths with them or had been following them from the beginning.
“Let me guess again…”
Wen Jianyan narrowed his eyes, a smile on his lips, as he slowly approached.
“It was an order from Zhong Shan, wasn’t it? Maybe he didn’t want to know where I was going, but wanted you to figure out my abilities, right? To achieve that, a little bit of danger could be conveniently created, wouldn’t it—”
As he spoke slowly, the color drained from the other person’s face.
Before Wen Jianyan could finish, the other person suddenly activated the item, broke free from the restraints, and turned to run!
But after only a few steps, they were caught by Blond, Yun Bilan and Chen Mo, who had been prepared. Both of them were attack-type talents, and their abilities had enhanced their physical strength and agility. With their sharp reflexes and strong bodies, almost no one could escape their vigilance.
The person cried out in pain, “Ow, ow!”
Chen Mo, still expressionless, maintained his grip, applying no less force.
Meanwhile, Yun Bilan grinned and tightened his grip, happily watching the other person’s face contort in pain, as if enjoying it.
The person, pale-faced, gritted his teeth and glared at Wen Jianyan: “W-We are all from the red team! You… you can’t do this to me—”
“To you?”
Wen Jianyan tilted his head, showing a surprised expression: “You think I would do something to you?”
“…” The person froze, tongue-tied.
Wen Jianyan raised his chin, signaling Yun Bilan and Chen Mo to release him.
They exchanged a glance and let the person go.
Zhong Shan’s team member stood there, looking bewildered, like a chicken with its neck pinched, unsure of what to do next.
At this point, Wen Jianyan had already walked up to him.
The young man’s face was calm and smiling, “I don’t have any intentions toward you or your team. I just need you to do me a small favor.”
The person’s body stiffened as he stared at the young face in front of him.
The amber-colored eyes were filled with an inscrutable, gentle smile, but for some reason, it sent a chill down his spine.
Wen Jianyan lowered his head, gently adjusting the other person’s disheveled collar, and smiled.
“Now, take me to your team leader, okay?”
“You’re back.”
When Zhong Shan saw his familiar team member, his eyes lit up, and he instinctively asked, “Then where are the others—”
Before he could finish his sentence, it was caught in his throat.
Several familiar figures emerged behind the team member.
And at the front, was none other than the leader of the team that had unexpectedly entered the same painting during the first blackout!
Zhong Shan’s pupils contracted.
It was still the same gentle and handsome face, but now in his eyes, it no longer seemed harmless. Instead, it looked terrifying.
What’s going on?!
He had ordered his team member to follow them, not to bring them back!!
Zhong Shan was starting to crack.
The other person stepped forward, coming closer.
In these few seconds, Zhong Shan had already made up his mind—no matter what the other person said, he would never admit to anything.
But before he could do anything, Wen Jianyan spoke directly:
“I need you to do something for me.”
Zhong Shan’s prepared excuse got stuck in his throat, unable to go up or down.
He finally managed to squeeze out, “…What is it?”
As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them.
His response was so weak, like a subordinate obeying orders, completely losing face.
Wen Jianyan smiled, “Find all the red team anchors you can contact.”
He gave a pointed look and added:
“Especially the one who is currently recognized as the team leader.”
At this, Zhong Shan finally found a way to save face.
He spoke in a polite, insincere tone, “The team leader… but someone of that level of anchor is very busy. Isn’t it a bit inappropriate to disturb them now?”
“Hmm? You’re not going to help?”
Wen Jianyan focused intently on him.
His light-colored eyes sparkled under the dim red light, with a faint, almost imperceptible smile on his lips: “Alright then.”
“……”
In that moment, Zhong Shan couldn’t help but feel a chill down his back, a strong sense of unease washing over him. The scalp that had been forcefully pulled earlier seemed to throb with pain once again.
He turned his head, glancing subtly at the team member he had sent to monitor the situation.
That person had their head lowered, their face pale, appearing frightened and listless—definitely not someone who had obtained any crucial information.
Thinking of the few strands of hair he had lost earlier, the mysterious and yet to be fully understood talent of the other party, and the strange qualities they had exhibited in the town…
Zhong Shan gritted his teeth, forcing a smile: “But I think you must have important clues to share, right?”
Wen Jianyan smiled and nodded: “Yes.”
Zhong Shan’s smile twisted slightly: “Since that’s the case, it seems I have no choice but to help.”
After a brief conversation with Zhong Shan, Wen Jianyan led his team to the lobby on the fourth floor, where it all began.
Other anchors were still exploring the instance, and the lobby was empty.
Wen Jianyan walked straight to the center of the lobby and lazily sat down on the prominent red sofa.
He raised his eyes: “Sit.”
The members of the team exchanged glances and took seats on the nearby chairs.
“So, Captain,” Blond seemed a bit restless, “what exactly are you planning to do?”
Wen Jianyan leaned back on the sofa, resting his chin on one hand, his posture relaxed. He lazily lifted his eyelids and, as usual, hid his true emotions behind a smile:
“Huh? Can’t you tell?”
Blond: “No…”
Chen Mo spoke up: “Because the rules of this instance are different from the usual ones.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Blond turned his head in confusion.
Chen Mo turned to look at him, his usually upright and handsome face now more serious:
“What it means is, the outcome of this instance can’t be decided by a single team fighting alone.”
Whether it’s the ownership of hotel rooms or the so-called “satisfying the guests’ requests” tasks afterward, they all pointed to the same thing—the final outcome of this instance would be difficult to affect by the decision of just one team.
And their enemies were not only the Black faction but also the guests.
Even if they only brought in single-player paintings into the Xingwang hotel and didn’t share information with other anchors from the same faction, the number of ghosts brought in would increase. If they couldn’t complete it, the uncontrolled, unmanageable situation could cause more fatigue, and their faction’s numbers would be greatly reduced.
Especially since they still hadn’t figured out what the basis of “fighting cancer” was, even though their team had always made the right decisions, they might still lose in this instance.
“However… Captain,”
Yun Bilan looked at Wen Jianyan with some curiosity and asked, “I’m curious about one thing. I understand why you wanted Zhong Shan to help you gather people.”
Wen Jianyan: “Because this is the most appropriate time, and he is the most suitable person.”
He leaned back on the sofa, slightly raising his eyes and looking toward the distant hallways:
“Whether we participate or not, the Red faction will definitely gather at this time to exchange information.”
It had just been two rounds of the lights going out.
The first one was a bit brief, and it was hard to get any concrete information.
But after multiple rounds, things would be different.
In such a long time, the anchors would have had enough time to confirm their suspicions, and even gradually figured out some of the rules and gotten a clearer picture of the instance.
So, no matter what, this information exchange meeting was inevitable. It might not be now, but it could happen when the lights come back on next time.
At that time, even if Wen Jianyan didn’t organize it, the current “Red faction leader” would find a way to gather everyone here.
He just wanted to make sure it happened earlier.
“As for why it’s Zhong Shan…”
Wen Jianyan curled his fingers and lightly tapped the armrest of the sofa, saying: “Did you forget? It was him who came to trouble us at the beginning.”
Previously, to establish authority, the current “Red faction leader” had used Zhong Shan’s team to intimidate others—but now, having Zhong Shan contact the Red faction leader was also a way of showing their position.
Or rather…
It was a provocation.
Even if the other party planned to wait until after the third light-out to call for the Red faction anchors to exchange information, what he was doing now was enough to make them plan ahead.
He didn’t make Zhong Shan “help” because Zhong Shan had the ability to gather all the anchors.
But because the “Red faction leader” had that ability.
Wen Jianyan smiled and lifted his chin toward the hallway, where footsteps were gradually approaching:
“Look, they’re coming.”
As soon as Wen Jianyan finished speaking, one team after another walked into the lobby. Compared to the first gathering, the number of people wasn’t that many.
One team after another entered the lobby.
They remained cautiously silent, their gazes subtly scanning over Wen Jianyan’s team sitting in the center of the lobby, showing thoughtful expressions.
Wen Jianyan glanced around.
Most of the people who had previously agreed with the first meeting were no longer here. The majority of those entering the lobby now were the cold-eyed and silent ones.
Clearly, those who couldn’t survive in this instance had been filtered out. The remaining ones were anchors who had figured out some of the rules and managed to survive.
In other words, the fence-sitters had mostly died, and the remaining ones were the thorns.
Of course, they weren’t here because they agreed with the leadership of the “Red faction leader” or because they were persuaded by Zhong Shan. They were here to gather more information and speculate on the direction of the events.
Under the gaze of many people, Blond’s back stiffened, and he was particularly restless.
Even Yun Bilan and Chen Mo seemed a bit uncomfortable.
But Wen Jianyan, on the other hand, seemed to have long since gotten used to the feeling of being the center of attention.
He relaxed against the soft cushions, enduring the scrutiny of everyone’s gazes. His long legs were crossed, and his amber eyes slightly narrowed. His expression was natural and at ease, as if the countless ambiguous gazes were not daggers but applause and enjoyment.
Soon, no one else entered the lobby.
Compared to the two rounds of the lights going out, the number of Red faction members had been reduced by nearly half.
What was once a crowded lobby now looked a little empty and desolate.
The air held a subtle atmosphere, and the lobby was silent.
The silence was soon broken.
Footsteps echoed from one of the hallways.
Zhong Shan’s familiar face appeared in the lobby, and behind him—
Wen Jianyan’s gaze fell on the last person.
Locket.
Ranked 32nd, one of the higher-ups of Eternal Day, and the temporary “Red faction leader” in this “Xingwang Hotel” Insstance.
His eyes glinted with sharpness as he quickly scanned the entire lobby, eventually landing on Wen Jianyan’s team.
A dim light flickered in Locket’s eyes, as if he recognized him.
The “inexperienced newbie” they had found in the hallway earlier.
The anchor who was the first to leave the lobby and disobey orders.
The one who bypassed the captain and had Zhong Shan gather the Red faction members, blatantly challenging the captain’s authority…
The reckless thorn in their side.
Locket’s lips curled into something that wasn’t quite a smile, then he took a step forward, walking toward them.
Soon, he stood in front of Wen Jianyan.
He was tall and strong, casting a shadow that just happened to fall over Wen Jianyan, who was sitting without standing up, creating a sense of condescending pressure.
He looked down at Wen Jianyan:
“Zhong Shan said you have important clues?”
“Yes.”
Wen Jianyan tilted his head back, revealing a shy smile that carried no threat.
“First, the Red faction leader is changing.”
“……”
Locket’s expression was unreadable.
“Oh? Who’s taking over?”
Wen Jianyan smiled and said, “Me.”
“?!”
Although he had a faint premonition, hearing such a direct challenge still caused a stir in the lobby.
They had seen teams fight for leadership in the instance…
But they had never seen such a blatant one!
Locket’s face darkened completely: “……What did you say?”
Wen Jianyan still maintained his lazy posture on the sofa.
He didn’t answer the question directly. Instead, he narrowed his deep, light-colored eyes, casually extending a long, white hand:
“Let me reintroduce myself again.”
“Number 08, Pinocchio.”
