“Got it.”
“Eh?” Shui Yue immediately jumped off the stool, clutching a bamboo tube and a game console. “Since you drew the lucky prize, come with me. Family can accompany.”
…
Lin Ya was drawing talismans in the courtyard, surrounded by a multitude of talismans from the tome of spells, each with thousands of effects. The further he went, the harder they became to draw, leading to the waste of at least several thousand sheets before he could complete a single, intact one.
Over the years, besides dedicating himself to drawing talismans, he had also assisted the authorities in solving various difficult cases. Due to the cacophony of the city, he purchased this mountain, where he built a Taoist temple and planted many peach blossoms.
While idling on the mountain, he enjoyed the blossoms, sipped tea, and assessed his fortunes daily. Life was quite pleasant.
The young acolyte at the entrance was Shui Xi’s son, while Shui Ling’s daughter would often come to play when she had the time. Both of them eventually married husbands who took their surnames, so the children bore their mother’s name.
Now, both had their own companies: one founded a clothing brand, while the other took over Lin Yumei’s restaurant business, and both were doing well.
Lin Yumei had passed away two years prior due to health issues but left this world peacefully.
It was uncertain if the change in her personality was a result of the original owner’s several years in prison, or if she had always been a bit dull, never sensing anything off about him and calmly accepting his changes.
…
Upon entering the courtyard, Zhou Ying found him just stopping his pen.
“What talisman is this?”
“Guess.” Lin Ya washed his hands by the nearby pool, not bothering to raise his head.
“I won’t guess.” Zhou Ying rolled her eyes and sat on the couch under the grape trellis, muttering that this guy was still so hard to understand.
Lin Ya chuckled and came over to sit down. “What brings you here today?”
“I’m retired now, so I have all the time in the world. It’s just that you live too far away. Every time I have to take a taxi over; it’s a hassle.”
Zhou Ying shot him a glance.
Lin Ya secretly laughed; this person had become more childish with age.
“If it’s too much trouble, either don’t come, or stay over. There’s no lack of beds here. I just thought you might find it too quiet compared to the bustling city.”
Zhou Ying pretended to have not heard the last two sentences and reluctantly replied, “Alright… then I’ll stay.”
Lin Ya looked at her in disbelief.
“Grandpa! Someone’s here for fortune-telling!” Shui Yue bounced in, rushing into the adjacent room.
“Master!” A voice arrived before the person did.
Lin Ya smiled slightly at the familiar face.
“It’s you…”
Chapter 45: Survival in the Infinite Flow Instance (1)
“The infinite world: The instance ‘Lies’ is about to begin!”
“The instance clearance requirement: Survive for seven days.” A cold mechanical voice suddenly echoed.
Lin Ya glanced around, realizing he was in the lobby of a luxurious hotel, holding his ID to check in, with a suitcase labeled with his name beside him. Several others were in line behind him, presumably the “players” of this instance.
He looked down at his attire, unable to help but remain silent for a moment.
Dressed in a gentlemanly black tuxedo with a tail, wearing golden-rimmed glasses, and having short hair slicked back with wax… he resembled a butler from a wealthy family in an anime.
Lin Ya adjusted his glasses and glanced at the girl beside him, who was awkwardly dressed in a Western gown, handing his documents to the front desk attendant.
“Sir, your room is on the fourth floor. Just take the elevator up to the fourth floor. Please read the hotel’s check-in manual carefully,” the front desk attendant’s smile seemed mechanically applied, and her tone was flat, without any fluctuation.
Lin Ya took the room key and the complimentary manual, politely saying thank you.
His cool, deep voice did not attract the attention of the person across the counter but caught the attention of the other player next to him.
“What a coincidence! Are you on the fourth floor too? We’re staying next door to you!” The elegantly dressed girl quickly noticed the room number on Lin Ya’s key and smiled as she struck up a conversation.
The man beside her also turned his attention, scrutinizing Lin Ya.
“Hmm.” Lin Ya barely acknowledged her, and she awkwardly stopped talking, instead turning to excitedly discuss the instance with the man beside her.
Lin Ya flipped through the manual; this instance was called ‘Lies,’ and the temporary rules listed were only a few.
1. Do not violate hotel regulations.
– a) No going out after 10 PM.
– b) No going out before 8 AM.
– c) Every evening’s ball requires an invitation for a female partner to attend.
– d) There are ghosts among the staff; do not let them catch you during the ball.
2. Maintain your identity; do not let the locals discover your true identity.
– a) You are a noble; please maintain your elegance.
– b) There are ghosts among your companions; do not let them capture you.
3. All the above is true information.
However, the third rule did not specify which rules were applicable, so… it seemed they would have to figure that out themselves.
“Um… can I ask what this place is? Is it really an infinite flow instance?!” The girl standing beside Lin Ya was on the verge of tears. She had woken up here and heard a mechanical voice stating she had to survive for seven days to return home.
As an online literature enthusiast, she had read numerous infinite flow novels, and now, experiencing it firsthand made her recall the high mortality rate of instances in those stories. It instantly filled her with disbelief and despair.
Lin Ya glanced at her, helped her check in, and succinctly replied, “It’s just as you think; try to clear the instance and survive to leave.”
“I want to go home…” She stood there in a daze, clutching the room card, suddenly bursting into tears.
Lin Ya remained silently still, having no desire to comfort her.
“You’re all newbies, right?” A middle-aged man in a black suit dragged a suitcase over; he too had completed his check-in.