The remaining days of the dimensional travel passed by in a flash. Mu Anqi visited all the places she most wanted to see and sampled the local specialties. She had originally considered trying cliff bungee jumping to challenge herself. However, after watching a few videos of other people bungee jumping, Mu Anqi decided that even though she was a player and had already died once… her essence was still human. And being human meant having weaknesses; a fear of heights was a perfectly suitable weakness for her, one she didn't need to force herself to overcome.
After trying morning tea in Guangdong, they even went boating for a while, which was quite delightful.
By the time the travel period ended, Mu Anqi was still somewhat reluctant to leave. After all, who wouldn't want to be a happy, carefree slacker who didn't have to work, had no worries, lacked neither a partner nor money? It was just a pity that happy times were always so short.
As for General Ji…
Mu Anqi could only sigh with emotion about how the internet harms ghosts. Ever since General Ji discovered she could learn all sorts of things online, she spent all her leisure time on her phone. It was fine that she was learning, and Mu Anqi would join her, but her energy simply couldn't match General Ji's boundless stamina. This resulted in Mu Anqi falling a little bit behind Ji Huaichu's progress each day.
'Stop. Can't think too deeply about this. If I keep thinking, it might trigger the Nirvana Space system's censorship.'
When they teleported back to the Shattered Mirror Continent, only a single second had passed since their departure. Having already experienced the time flow ratio of the Black Mirror Vortex, Ji Huaichu wasn't surprised by this. She reached out and touched Mu Anqi's hair, noticing that the faint red bite mark on the back of Mu Anqi's neck had already disappeared. "This travel… was it consciousness that entered?"
"Ah? I'm not too sure either. But it probably was, right?" Otherwise, it wouldn't make sense for only a second to have passed.
But Ji Huaichu's abilities had been retained in the parallel world, and Mu Anqi's compatible skills could also be used—after all, one evening, to set the mood, Mu Anqi had even created a shower of peach blossom petals that covered the entire bed.
Ji Huaichu nodded, gaining a new understanding of the Nirvana Space.
"Well, shall we go check on how the two new ghosts are doing with their work at the game? After seven days apart, I've already forgotten what that Strange tale ghost looks like. Little Xia Fenghua is probably still busy, so let's go visit Mu Xiaobai later!" Mu Anqi stretched lazily; this vacation had left her feeling very relaxed. But since they were back in the Shattered Mirror Continent, it was time to return to their player identities. She needed to check in on the ghost employees, and see how the preparations for the group trip mentioned in the chat were going…
I wonder which Black Mirror Vortex would be so unlucky as to coincide with the date they picked.
"If you're worried about Mu Xiaobai, you could have her open a special shop within the game," Ji Huaichu said calmly. "After all, players need to eat too. If some of Mu Xiaobai's food could also suppress curses or provide other beneficial effects, it would increase the game's fun factor as well."
"Ah, that's right!" Mu Anqi's eyes lit up. She looked at Ji Huaichu with some surprise. "General, how did you suddenly think of that?" After asking, Mu Anqi immediately understood. She thought somewhat guiltily: 'And I thought the General was just a big lecher, spending all her time in the dimensional world studying that kind of 'knowledge'… Turns out the knowledge really was just knowledge!'
"Because a blank paper can feel lonely too," Ji Huaichu said plainly. Of course, she would also show appropriate concern for the people Mu Anqi cared about. Naturally, if Mu Xiaobai became busy, Mu Anqi wouldn't go to her place for meals quite so often.
This answer made Mu Anqi freeze for a moment; she almost suspected General Ji had been swapped out for someone else. But after thinking about it carefully, it made perfect sense. After all, Mu Xiaobai seemed to only be close to herself and Xia Fenghua here, and Xia Fenghua was busy now… Bringing Mu Xiaobai into the game, letting her meet more friends and interact with all sorts of players, was a good thing. Besides, they had full control over the game. With the right settings, Mu Xiaobai wouldn't come to any harm inside it.
Thinking of this, Mu Anqi pulled Ji Huaichu along to Mu Xiaobai's home. She earnestly explained the game currently under development to Mu Xiaobai and asked if she would be interested in opening a shop inside the game.
"A game where you encounter players?" It was impossible to tell what expression Mu Xiaobai had under that blank paper. Her tone held a hint of confusion, as if she was recalling her days in the Seven-Day Reincarnation City.
"It's that kind of game, but it's not like the Seven-Day Reincarnation City. You'll be very safe inside. You'd just run a shop, cooking some meals. You can make various requests of the players, and if they fulfill them, you give them food. This food will provide them with some help." Mu Anqi tried to explain the matter in as much detail as possible. She briefly introduced the game background currently being written by the Dramatist and mentioned the recently joined Strange tale ghost and the several bizzare tales she had created.
"Then I'll go," Mu Xiaobai contemplated for a moment before nodding. "The game… is it to make players generate emotional value?"
"Uh, yes. But you don't need to do anything specific, just do what you want to do."
"Okay," Mu Xiaobai said.
And so, when the next round of game testing began, during the midnight hour, a small, brightly lit restaurant would appear in a corner of the village. Players could eat here. The food was not only delicious but also came with various minor beneficial buffs. If you were lucky, you might even get a dish that directly removed a curse from you! However, the currency for the meal wasn't money… but rather, telling a story from your past life that you regretted most / found most regrettable / caused you the most pain…
Of course, Mu Anqi didn't know at this point that Mu Xiaobai had already formed her own plan. She didn't intend for Mu Xiaobai to generate income either; she simply wanted Mu Xiaobai to integrate and not feel lonely.
After taking Mu Xiaobai to the game planning area and seeing both the Dramatist and the Strange tale ghost diligently discussing the game's plot, Mu Anqi was quite satisfied. She solemnly entrusted Mu Xiaobai to these two ghosts. Under Ji Huaichu's expressionless gaze, the two ghosts pounded their chests and vowed to take good care of Mu Xiaobai and build the best restaurant for her.
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When they left the game planning area, the previously missing Fang siblings finally surfaced again in the group chat.
[Fang Yunjiu]: We're good on our end. We still have four days left in our rest period. How much does everyone else have left?
[Wu Sansheng]: Three days.
[Xia Yun]: Three days.
[Mu Anqi]: In that case, I'll ask Zhao Guogu and Si Suying if they're free the day after tomorrow. If they are, let's all go together!
As for a suitable Black Mirror Vortex… Mu Anqi looked at General Ji beside her and asked with a smile, "The matter of the Black Mirror Vortex… shall we trouble you, General?"
"Don't worry about it," Ji Huaichu agreed. "Do you want a larger Black Mirror Vortex, or one with a lower danger level?"
"Either is fine? No need to go through too much trouble selecting one. Maybe pick one that won't cause pollution to the towns, or one in a relatively remote location?" Mu Anqi said. "After all, with our lineup, there probably isn't a Black Mirror Vortex we can't handle. If we happen to come across an extremely difficult or dangerous vortex, there would be no need for the Ghost Kings and Demon Kings of the continent to gather forces; we can just go directly."
"Okay, I'll keep that in mind."
After taking care of the travel matters, Mu Anqi decided to go practice her sword techniques. It had been too long since she held a blade; she felt rusty. Although… she might not even get a chance to use her blade techniques in the upcoming Black Mirror Vortex.
By the next day, Zhao Guogu and Si Suying finally appeared in the game. After receiving the group invite for the Black Mirror Vortex trip, they agreed without much hesitation. However, they were curious about the roster and received the long list Mu Anqi provided. While they hadn't met the Fang siblings in person, they had chatted before. But…
Bai Yulai? Ji Huaichu? What's with the female sword cultivator ghost and the green vine demon sisters?!
[Mu Anqi]: Because I don't know their names… Should I go ask later?
[Zhao Guogu]: That's not the point! Why are ghosts and demons mixed in?!
[Mu Anqi]: Ah, didn't I mention it just now? This group trip includes both players and the Demon Kings and Ghost Kings who recruited the players!
[Zhao Guogu]: …
[Zhao Guogu]: Do… I need to bring my little four-leaf clover demon? We can be the mascots of the group trip.
[Mu Anqi]: Of course! There's no participant limit. Si Suying can bring someone too if she wants.
[Mu Anqi]: But the timing might be a bit tight for you; it's set for the day after tomorrow.
[Zhao Guogu]: Isn't it a group fun trip? I don't need to use my brain or fight, just happily play along! And we get a seven-day vacation after playing!
Being carried through a Black Mirror Vortex by a rich player and various major Demon Kings and Ghost Kings was completely different from painstakingly relying on luck to clear games in the Shattered Mirror Continent. Zhao Guogu thought, it seems just a few game worlds apart, the rich player is thriving even more now. She glanced pitifully at her own savings, still far from her goal of traveling with Si mao mao… Sigh.
And so, the Black Mirror travel plan was finalized. The players agreed on the time in the group chat, and the Ghost Kings and Demon Kings had their own communication channels. For example, Bai Yulai brought Wu Sansheng to stay at the General's residence the very next day, planning to set out together on the agreed day.
"Was that world interesting?" Unlike ghosts, the demons of the Shattered Mirror Continent were native; they had no memories of a past life and had never experienced life in "another world." Upon learning that Mu Anqi had actually saved up enough points so quickly to take Ji Huaichu traveling, she had secretly been quite jealous… Ah, her beauty held no attraction for Wu Sansheng. Not to mention Wu Sansheng had no intention of traveling, only wanting to exchange points for books. Even if she had the intention and saved enough points, she probably wouldn't think to bring a fox demon along.
"It's a very large world, and quite interesting," Ji Huaichu thought for a moment and said. "There are indeed many novel things worth learning."
Bai Yulai grew even more sour. She stared intently at Ji Huaichu. "I really envy you."
"You have so many scholars; why envy me?" Ji Huaichu stared back expressionlessly. "I need to go check on the recently appeared Black Mirror Vortexes. If you have nothing to do, go help with the game construction on the back mountain."
Bai Yulai: "I am a guest here, after all… Very well, no problem! I'll be right over!"