NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1272: Lighthouse
He lifted the front curtain of the carriage and asked the driver ahead, "Sir, where are we heading?"
The bearded driver flicked the whip, his voice deep, "You just said it, to Luo Lisan! Sir! That's the territory of the Wraiths, look at you with your Human Race appearance, there's still time to turn back! It's not exactly a scenic spot! Especially with someone as handsome as you!"
…Going to the Undead Territory? What is Sique planning to do?
Su Ming'an glanced at the driver beside him, noticing a heavy bag of gold coins. It seems Sique has already paid. He wondered how this guy managed to get so many Demon Race gold coins in such a short time, hired a coachman, and even perfumed the clothes. The actions were too swift.
However, considering the grudged friends Sique has… It's quite normal for Sique to be a Time Management Master.
Su Ming'an's hand moved slightly, and feeling something hard under his leg, he pulled out a letter and a piece of Colored Cube Sugar wrapped in plastic paper.
The handwriting on the letter was flamboyant, with distinct edges like a wandering dragon, carrying a hint of purple fragrance.
…
[To the Traveler:
I regret that with your wisdom, without my guidance, you only wore Wang Han's Human Skin Mask on the fourth day, triggering the Perspective Shift mechanism. This slightly delayed the time I could possess and liver up for you. You have suffered these past days.
Therefore, I present you with my meticulously crafted delicious cube sugar, suitable for coffee, tea, or juice; the flavor is best with two pieces, aiding your quick thinking.
I have hired a driver for you, soon heading to the home of a wraith friend of mine, who will properly host you and guide you on how to seek an audience with the Goddess of Life.
It's worth reminding you that the tenth day's "Midterm Selection," also known as "Doom's Arrival," means that only a billion people with high story ratings will be kept by the World Tree, while the remaining ten billion will disappear. I hope you haven't forgotten about this imminent crisis, as your leisurely actions have taken me by surprise.
Please swiftly get in touch with your fourteen teammates; at least grasp ten forces from various sides, which will aid you in combating the World Tree on the tenth day. If victorious, your small world will see development, assisting in protecting your Zhai Xing civilization.
Additionally, refrain from frequent perspective shifts. My constant in-and-out could make me dizzy.
Furthermore, refrain from staying in the second perspective for too long. While I can liver up for a period, it's unsuitable for extended durations.
Moreover, I guess you ponder if the time comes, you would let me enjoy it during Divide and Conquer moments. Unfortunately, I must inform you, due to my current state, I cannot endure too much pleasure and thrill, so despite my appreciation, I can't enjoy it for you. Please savor the fun by yourself.
Lastly, next time you switch perspectives, please prepare a 40-degree Earl Grey tea with a petal of Red Rose for me. Much appreciated.
Hot tea and today's freshly made mango mousse are prepared and awaiting your presence. If you have any questions, let's meet in dreams, and the new turtle soup awaits anxiously for your presence.
—Awaiting the legendary story you will compose, Que]
…
[The letter has been stored in your backpack, available for viewing at any time.]
…
Su Ming'an's eyelids twitched.
He touched his face and looked into the carriage mirror, instantly dazzled by a handsome flash—
The mirror reflected a face of stunning beauty, with flame-like red long hair draping over the shoulders, eyes glowing amber yellow like yellow amber, a slightly prominent forehead, thick eyebrows, and a tall nose bridge, resembling a sunny, cheerful big boy, completely different from Sique's magnificent original appearance.
It seems Sique knew his face attracted hatred, so he consciously disguised himself. Yet, he disguised into a strikingly handsome one…
Su Ming'an picked up the Colored Cube Sugar, adding to the previous ones, now totaling four. He wondered what effect it would have when consumed, seeming to be hand-made by Sique, looking enticing in color.
Su Ming'an pondered, "Noel seems to like sugar quite a bit…"
Just as he intended to put away the sugar, unexpectedly, the carp resting on his shoulder suddenly moved, startled him, and with a twist, it sucked the cube sugar from Su Ming'an's fingertips!
Under Su Ming'an's astonished gaze, the carp's tail flipped, its eyes rolled, and after swallowing the cube sugar, its belly quickly turned over, dropping vertically, and lay on the soft cushion, motionless.
Su Ming'an patted the carp on the soft cushion; the carp had already fainted. The black cat perched on his left shoulder, staring at the belly-up carp, licked its lips.
Sique probably wouldn't poison it, but the carp fell unconscious upon eating it. Presumably, the cube sugar has a significant dosage of something. The carp's sacrifice in testing for poison was indeed commendable.
Su Ming'an casually named his auspicious carp "Da Ji," meaning "Big Carp," for simplicity and good sound. Then, he returned it to the Pet Bar for recovery.
The carriage continued moving forward, and Su Ming'an finally had time to sort the gains from the second level.
…
[Star Necklace (Purple Grade): "Look, my stars, they have lit up… Sique."]
Spirit +5
Effect: The area surrounding you in a 3*3m space turns into a golden wheat field. The wheat in the field is edible and not affected by outside pollutants.]
…
[You have obtained Memory Clip·"Little Que's Golden Wheat Ear."]
[Excitement Level: B]
[Thrill Level: D+]
[Depth: S]
[Elements: Growth, Healing, Playing the Pig to Eat the Tiger, Return of the Strong]
[Overall Score: 25]
…
Unknowingly, Su Ming'an's story had grown to 11 pages. He continued to insert Memory Clips.
…
[After the Disciple Game started, the Jellyfish Emperor punched bandits and kicked Qin Ze, like a Divine Dragon emerging, slashing demons along the way, saving the pitiful outer-city girl Siyi.]
[In night as dark as ink, a green-eyed, white-haired youth with dead fish eyes slashed down, causing the Jellyfish Emperor to fall, the jellyfish dematerialized.]
[When Su Liujin awoke, Xi Li had returned to normal. She gently informed him that in her yandere state, Xi Li might have been possessed by a Demon Race sister. To protect Little Su and Little Nuo, Su Liujin resolutely went to the Colosseum, but once again encountered the white-haired youth. A slash, the jellyfish dematerialized again.]
[In the dream, a stunningly beautiful purple-haired youth appeared, offering him three choices. Unexpectedly, the Jellyfish Emperor smirked, directly pointing at the youth, mischievously saying, "Give me a pen!"]
[After passing the level, Su Liujin opened his eyes to find Xi Li had reverted to the demonized persona, opening his mouth as if to eat. This frightened the Jellyfish Emperor. With a gesture, space trembled, heavens changed color, and everyone knelt in submission.]
[Su Liujin took a carriage, seeking a way to meet the Goddess of Life. With six days until Doom's Arrival, can the Jellyfish Emperor stop the evil World Tree? To know what happens next, tune in for the next banquet opening...]
…
[Your story's word count: 3430 words]
[Story Overall Rating: 26 points]
...
"Sir! Sir! Someone has fainted ahead!" The coachman's voice came from the front: "Please take a look, should we help them?"
Su Ming'an lifted his head, pulled aside the front curtain, and saw a girl with long red hair lying in front of the carriage. Her eyes were closed, her face was flushed, and she appeared to be poisoned.
In this desolate wilderness, with weeds everywhere, who knows what trouble this girl encountered.
Su Ming'an's gaze flickered slightly, then he lowered the curtain: "Go around her, let's move on."
The coachman's eyes showed reluctance: "Sir, this girl seems quite pitiful."
The girl's eyebrows were jet black, her skin a deep hue, her nose high and straight, her lips gracefully thin, lying on the ground barely breathing—if they left her to die, the coachman felt a touch of sorrow.
Su Ming'an said: "No need to help, go around her."
The coachman sighed, raised the whip, went around the girl, and kept glancing back, feeling sorry for the pitiful girl. Alas, his employer had a hard heart.
Su Ming'an closed his eyes to rest, but soon he heard a gentle knocking on the carriage door.
He lifted the curtain to see the girl, surprisingly, had woken up and was chasing after the carriage. Her red hair was a mess in the wind, and her feet were bloody.
"Sir, sir... please, let me onto your carriage. I was harmed by my younger half-sister and just managed to wake up. Please let me accompany you to the city so I can contact my family... I'm begging you, I'll reward you greatly..." The girl panted, her feet torn by sharp stones, leaving long streaks of blood. Anyone would find her pitiable.
The coachman turned back and asked, "Sir, should I stop the carriage?"
The girl's eyes showed gratitude as she looked at Su Ming'an.
Su Ming'an uttered two words:
"Speed up."
The girl was dumbfounded.
The coachman cracked the whip, and the carriage sped away, raising a cloud of dust and quickly disappearing into the distance, leaving the girl coughing by the roadside.
She maintained her pitiful posture, covered in wounds, watching the carriage until it vanished completely, never stopping.
"...Damn it." The girl stamped her foot, and the wounds on her body instantly healed. The glistening light in her eyes vanished as she muttered angrily to herself, "[Glistening Gaze] cost me 200 Points, and it was utterly useless against him! Damn Favorability System, are you malfunctioning?"
A cold system voice echoed in her ears: "Host, everything in this system's store is effective. The problem must be with your strategy; he simply doesn't fall for your tricks."
The girl spat, "When you bonded with me, you said as long as I strategize and become a True Friend of important Luowasha characters, I'll receive Points based on their fortune. Points can be exchanged for items in your store... I thought you were so powerful, but you seem just mediocre. How am I supposed to win among the eight candidates?"
She opened the Favorability System interface, which had options for [Strategizable Characters] and [Store].
The system categorized strategizable characters by difficulty. Three-star ones included [General from the Demon Clan City], [Elder of the Merfolk Clan by the seaside], and [Gnome merchant by the roadside]. These were relatively easy to strategize and yielded fewer Points. Four-star ones included [Duke of Blood Clan Lv Bote], [Insect General Magi], [Yamada Machiichi of the Mechanical Race]. Five-star ones were [Elf King Huan Jiala], [Dragon Emperor Ian], [Minstrel Hui Bai], with extreme difficulty but offering enormous Points if successful.
In this period, relying on her charm and store items, she had successfully strategized three people: a half-elf traveler, a demon race viscount, and a celestial clan member named Boris. Through this, she gained a large sum of Points, elevating her from an ordinary Wraith to a Banshee, with a significant rise in strength.
Compared to the other seven main character candidates, her Golden Finger was of the growth type. With enough time, she could become incredibly powerful.
She harbored no cold or heartless intentions, and gaining such a Golden Finger was not her wish, but she wanted to survive. Otherwise, the other candidates could kill her with just a breath. After completing a strategy, she'd compensate the target generously and part ways peacefully.
Thankfully, the system only required an affection score of 90 or above, counting both friendship and familial ties, not forcing romantic feelings.
Today, the Favorability System suddenly seemed to go crazy, urging her to hurry to outside the City of the Undead! There's a highly important figure; if she strategizes them, she'd earn enough Points to clear out the store! Outshine other targets a thousandfold!
As she rushed, she asked the system, "Who is this person? So important! It's the first time I've seen you so excited."
The system simply replied with a few words: "Child of the Plane!"
She widened her eyes, her heart pounding: "Could it be the World Tree's own child? System, how does he look?"
The system carefully chose its words: "...breathtaking beyond belief."
She hurriedly said, "System, quickly tell me what kind of person he likes, how can I make the best first impression!"
The system said, "I don't provide advice."
She coaxed and pleaded, "Please, system. If I win in the end, you'll benefit too, right? Just a hint, what kind of person does he like?"
The system was silent for a moment, then coldly said: "...He doesn't like people."
She widened her eyes: "Does he like furries?"
The system hesitated for a while before spitting out: "...He likes Lighthouses."
And then went completely silent.
The girl was both dumbfounded and anxious. Lighthouses? Object-philia? What kind of oddball is this?
She immediately opened the store to see if there was any lighthouse costume or similar, but there wasn't any—how could there be!
Left with no choice, she used her remaining 800 Points to buy some general items: [Glistening Gaze (Note: Your gaze becomes extremely captivating)] for 200 Points, [Moving Voice (Note: It's hard for anyone to refuse your request)] for 200 Points, and [Teleport to the target of strategy] for 300 Points.
Then, she lay down, pretending to faint.
This trick almost always worked.
But in this case, it didn't work. The other party was unmoved, saw her as if seeing a stick, even telling the coachman to speed up and flee, as if avoiding a plague...
"System." The girl gazed at the rapidly disappearing carriage, dumbfounded: "What's his strategy difficulty level?"
The system was silent for a while.
"In terms of friendship..." the system said, "Seven stars..."
...
Su Ming'an spread his hands, revealing colored cube sugar.
Earlier, he indeed felt a moment of disorientation, especially when he saw the girl's eyes and heard her voice.
But then the sugar in his pocket flashed, and the disorientation instantly vanished.
It was as if he was the true protagonist, looking down on the protagonist candidates.
"This is the first protagonist candidate I've encountered targeting me," Su Ming'an muttered to himself. "This could count as the most bizarre Golden Finger. Hopefully, there won't be an even more bizarre one..."
The World Tree constantly watches, creating more and more overpowered Golden Fingers. Hopefully, nothing more outrageous will come seeking him.
"Sir, we've arrived!" The coachman's voice sounded: "There's a white-haired, green-eyed gentleman ahead, seems he's waiting for you."