The King of Black Fog

At last, Li Qianxia decided to bring in all the food, and to skip the singing.

So, the three of them returned to Bird Nest Plain, divided the Identity Cards into three equal parts, and sorted them out like counting money under the light of the "Invisibility Lantern."

They divided the Identity Cards into three categories based on the standards of "useless," "useful," and "useful right now."

Useless referred to Identity Cards whose instincts and skills were of no use;

Useful meant either the instinct or skill was useful;

Useful right now referred to Identity Cards with skills that could immediately enhance the "Honey Pot World" such as construction, farming, and the like.

"Brother," Li Qianxia stealthily tugged at Li Changzhou's sleeve, "is this 'useless' or 'useful'?"

Li Changzhou looked over.

"Pouched Mouse Style·Mating": Can go without eating or drinking for three weeks, concentrate on mating, with each mating lasting up to 14 hours.

"What's the point of this? Size and duration are not the more the better. It's best to be just right, and I am confident in myself, able to double satisfy her needs."

"Not only does a 10-point Perception see farther," Yang Qinglan was skimming through the Identity Cards in her hand, her tone light and breezy, "but it hears very clearly too."

"Mhm-hmm."

"Ahem."

No incident occurred, and they continued.

After checking all the cards, the three people rechecked each others' lists to discuss the controversially categorized Identity Cards, as everyone had their own thoughts and perspectives.

Like the Pouched Mouse card, for example.

The sister thought it useful for her brother, the brother was confident in himself, and Miss Yang... whether she found the sister's idea absurd, was indifferent, or had confidence in the brother, she supported the brother's decision.

"These useless Identity Cards could be used for experimentation, or later, when the side effects of the Black Fog lessen, to recruit followers," Yang Qinglan suggested.

"Exactly! This card could sell for a fortune to a rich man!" Li Qianxia insisted on the usefulness of the "Pouched Mouse Style·Mating."

Yang Qinglan turned to Li Changzhou, "Next time, let's allocate all the value from the instance to White Cards. After you level up, your control over the Black Fog will increase too."

"Sure," Li Changzhou nodded, "but don't forget, these Identity Cards have another crucial function—controlling those players."

"But how do we find them?" Li Qianxia asked.

"We can leave that to Yafeiluna," Yang Qinglan proposed, "We are not convenient here in the country, nor do we have as many people as she does. We'll give her the photos and let her keep an eye out."

Each Identity Card had a real-time photo of the player.

Whether one had cosmetic (or disfiguring) surgery, changed genders, or even opt for eight legs, four pairs of eyes—no longer looking human—the photos would update in real time.

"Let's start with this one," Yang Qinglan said, passing over a black Identity Card.

"Gardener Bird Style·Gardening", for construction of pavilions and other buildings.

Li Changzhou removed the "understanding" of "Flame Wave" and replaced it with this skill.

"How is it?" The two college girls watched him intently.

Dawn was breaking, with stars fading away as a refreshing morning breeze swept across Bird Nest Plain, and the vines on the trees danced in the wind.

In this quiet and beautiful moment, they were like two pure white Epiphyllum flowers, blooming at night, seen by someone at the break of day.

"I don't feel anything." Li Changzhou looked around, then it came to him.

Over there was a good spot for building houses;

That area was suitable for a small garden;

Here could be used for pig farming, and the pigsty could be arranged this way;

There was suitable for chicken farming, with dozens of ways to build henhouses—sturdy, good-looking, warm in winter and cool in summer, and so on.

He also had ideas about which type of wood was most appropriate. It was not that he knew the names of the woods, but he knew what the wood must be like.

Strength, whether it was wear-resistant, how good the thermal insulation was, its tendency to swell, warp, deform or rot, and the knots—all these things he knew.

Even those thick green vines could be cunningly crafted into bridges or constructed into bird nests and hanging galleries.

He voiced what he was feeling inside.

"The construction industry is doomed," Li Qianxia sympathetically remarked.

"No," Yang Qinglan disagreed, "it's getting better."

"Whether it's doomed or getting better, it has nothing to do with us." Li Changzhou stood up, "Let's go back."

The two stood up, stretching their bodies, twisting their slender necks or stretching their tight waists.

"After we get back, let's move the bed in. I'm going to sleep for a whole day," Li Qianxia declared.

"Try the Photo Transmission," Yang Qinglan said, looking at Li Changzhou.

"That's what I was thinking," Li Changzhou smiled.

A vortex surged, swallowing the three of them and the snacks they had brought from KTV, their colors sucked into the whirlwind. The breeze blew across Bird Nest Plain, and everything returned to its original state.

◇

At Ming City, Yanhe Road.

Li Changzhou pushed open the door of Li Qianxia's bedroom and saw Zheng Qing sitting under the apricot tree, with her black police dog named 'Storm' by her side.

Zheng Qing was tall with a nice figure, standing next to the energetic police dog as if she was part of a painting.

"You guys are quite punctual," Li Changzhou walked into the courtyard.

"Being punctual is always better than others being on time, right? It's also to protect you," Zheng Qing said with a smile.

"Oh? You've become more talkative than before!"

Zheng Qing pointed to the discreet earpiece on her ear.

"Every player out on a mission is now paired with a support team," she explained, "Not just for operations, but for daily training, skill selection, and everyday chores. They can offer advice and even directly help solve problems."

Li Changzhou's interest was piqued.

"Did the support team tell you to say that too?" he asked.

"Yes," Zheng Qing nodded candidly, "Because I am not good at hiding things and the support team rates your Intelligence highly."

"I might be intelligent, but I lack experience," Li Changzhou chuckled.

He sat down on the stone bench, patted the police dog's head, and asked, "What brings you here to find me?"

The police dog stayed motionless, like a stray drenched in rain, whining weakly under his hand.

Zheng Qing glanced at the storm with a slightly surprised expression but quickly became serious and said, "The white card player who won the championship is the 'King of Black Fog.'"

"Officer Zheng, I've been wronged terribly this time!" The King of Black Fog was on the brink of sobbing.

He took out his black Identity Card, held it in his hand, covering the Attribute and Skill, and showed it to Zheng Qing and the person "behind" her.

[Nickname: King of Black Fog]

[Name: Li Changzhou]

The photo was 100% Li Changzhou himself.

And the card was indeed 100% a black Identity Card.

"So, you're saying the broadcast can hide one's appearance and even change their nickname?" Zheng Qing pondered.

"Unless white and black cards can have the same name." Li Changzhou clenched his fist, and the Identity Card disappeared.

"Then do you have any suspects? Among the 499 players who survived, who knows your 'nickname'?"

"There are many, we all used this codename during the event."

Li Changzhou pretended to reflect seriously, and after a while, shook his head and said, "Not sure."

Zheng Qing nodded, then suddenly asked, "Where were you last night?"

"I can't tell you that." Li Changzhou smiled, "It's related to my Instinct, I can't share it with you."

"All right, I won't ask." Zheng Qing's expression relaxed, "But I came here for another reason..."

"Hold on." Li Changzhou interrupted her, "Officer Zheng, we've just finished an event, and we didn't sleep last night. Whatever it is, let's call it off for today."

As he spoke, he yawned deeply, tears welling up in the corners of his eyes.

Zheng Qing thought for a moment (perhaps listening to advice from the logistics team) and said, "Then you get some rest, I'll come to find you tonight."

"Okay, come tonight." Li Changzhou stood up to see her out.

Zheng Qing left the yard, carefully listening to the logistics team's analysis of the questioning.

They unanimously believed: Li Changzhou was hiding something, but the white card champion simply couldn't be him.

The Special Warfare Bureau had been studying the Value game and so far, all evidence indicated that it was impossible to have a player who was both a white card and black card holder.

So why did the champion use the nickname 'King of Black Fog'?

Was it chosen randomly? Or was it to cause trouble for Li Changzhou?

If it was to cause him trouble, why? Had Li Changzhou caused trouble for them first? Does this indicate that Li Changzhou is a big problem for the champion?

Li Changzhou is a big problem... Strong ability? Weird powers? Or perhaps conflicts in Intelligence, character, or values?

Getting into her jeep, just as she was about to step on the accelerator, Zheng Qing suddenly remembered something.

She asked Storm, who was sitting in the passenger seat, "Storm, what do you think about Li Changzhou?"

"I think he wants to eat me." Storm lay on the passenger seat, his voice suggesting he was a male dog.

Police dogs have no gender requirement, as long as they are qualified and pass stringent selection processes, both males and females can serve.

"Eat you... does he like eating dog meat?" A lightbulb went off in Zheng Qing's head.

Immediately from the earpiece, someone said, "Captain Zheng, bring some dog meat with you tonight."

"Woof!" Storm had very sharp ears.

◇

Li Changzhou returned to Li Qianxia's bedroom, where she had almost finished tidying up the bed.

"Is she gone?" he asked Yang Qinglan, who was focusing intensely.

"She's gone." Yang Qinglan opened her eyes.

Compared to Li Changzhou's Perception at four o'clock, her extreme Perception was more trustworthy.

"You shouldn't use the alias 'King of Black Fog', next time if the champion broadcasts, someone will know you're lying," she said.

"Do you think I'm afraid of them?" Li Changzhou laughed, "A bunch of chickens and dogs, whoever comes is just bringing me new Skills."

Yang Qinglan turned to look at Li Qianxia, who was still unsure about which blanket to take: "Qian Xia, hurry up, your brother's Intelligence at six o'clock will just cause trouble outside."

She wasn't really worried deep down.

Li Changzhou was boasting; on his own, he would never have been able to win the Full Moon event championship. He would have been shot dead by Wang Donghua's random gunfire or turned into a paper figure by that 'Jiang who reads dirty magazines'.

But he wasn't alone.

Now there was the world of the honey pot.

Another thing was that the next event's champion might collaborate with the lie, saying the broadcast ID was temporary.

No one wanted to expose themselves, let alone the champion who had won a significant amount of rewards.

Li Qianxia had no opinion on the matter; whatever her brother did to the outside world, she supported unconditionally.

Returning to the world of the honey pot, Li Qianxia was pulled by the bed as if by magnetism and crashed into it.

The sky was clear, the leaves lush, the air fresh and gentle, and she fell asleep.

In Prague, she had flown all night, facing the players directly with constant high concentration. After coming back, she stayed excited for half the night and was completely exhausted.

Yang Qinglan didn't sleep; she chose a thick branch, took out her Dagger, dug small pits, and began planting seeds.

Li Changzhou was on another tree branch.

The Emerald Bee Sword swung, and Flames sprayed from a card lighter attached to the blade.

Sweat dripped from his temples, drop by drop.

His clothes were wet with sweat, as if he had just climbed out of a large lake at his feet; the sweat was quickly evaporated by the Flames.

His body was wet, then dry, and moreover hot, but his gaze always focused on the Emerald Bee Sword and the Flames wrapped around it.

When his spirit was exhausted and he couldn't control the Flames anymore, he would stand upside down practicing the Bull Horn Spiral Force while recovering his spirit, waiting for the next training session.