Survival in an apartment, starting with a stroke of luck on a plane

These items were outdated for most of the people present, but the young mage with the ID "Apprentice" became interested in "Summon Sludge Monster" and eventually bought it for 50 game coins.

Another level 6 warrior player managed to snag a camouflage pants and running shoes for a friendly price of 40 game coins, a small bargain.

It's worth mentioning that, in order to increase the number of transactions to meet the requirements for upgrading chat channel permissions, they all tacitly went through the process in the transaction channel before completing the final transaction.

After the transaction is completed, Lin Yu is only one last transaction away from upgrading to the Silver-level channel.

Lin Yu didn't leave immediately afterward. He found a corner to sit down, ordered a glass of water, and quietly listened to the old members' casual conversation.

Their conversations covered a wide range of topics, from the boss of a certain dungeon to which potion was most effective against mental pollution, to speculations about the background story of a specific game world, and even various guesses about the strength of the guild leader and vice-leader... though most of their discussions were brief and vague.

However, the fragmented information revealed still deepened Lin Yu's understanding of games and gave him a preliminary understanding and vigilance regarding certain high-risk, high-reward game types.

About an hour later, Lin Yu felt he had gained a lot, so he got up to say goodbye.

Phantom personally escorted him to the door of the private room.

"How did it go? This gathering of heroes didn't disappoint you, did it?" Phantom asked with a smile, leaning against the doorframe.

"Not bad," Lin Yu nodded, speaking frankly.

"That's good." A hint of satisfaction flashed in Phantom's eyes: "Come often in the future. This place is not only a trading point, but also a hub for information."

Most importantly, the president and two vice presidents would occasionally come over, and the little things they would reveal were the real treasures that could cause a sensation.

Whether you run into him or not depends on your luck and... ability.

Her words carried a clear implication.

"Understood, thank you." Lin Yu made a mental note of it, nodded again, and turned to leave the private room, which was filled with an elite atmosphere but also had undercurrents.

This trip yielded far more results than expected.

Back at his apartment, Lin Yu immediately began familiarizing himself with his new skill, [Spatial Leap].

He repeatedly tried short-range blinking in the living room to familiarize himself with the mana consumption, teleportation distance, and landing accuracy.

Although you can learn the skill once you equip it, you still need to get used to this kind of movement skill. After all, it's really not something you'll get used to the first time you perform a spatial jump.

Fortunately, Lin Yu possessed the [Heavenly Eye], which granted him a keen sense of space and a strong foundation of mental power, allowing him to quickly master the skill.

During the remaining two days of rest, Lin Yu continued to immerse himself in training and familiarizing himself with new skills and equipment.

Our strength is steadily and solidly improving.

As the seven-day break was about to end and the system notified Lin Yu that the next round of the game was about to begin, Lin Yu was already ready.

He stood by the window, taking one last look at the lurking black mist, his eyes sharp yet calm.

[Notice: A new round of the game is about to begin. All players, please prepare.]

【倒计时：10、9、8……3、2、1！】

[Game loading...]

[Loading complete!]

Welcome to the game: "Seeking Immortality"!

The cold system notification sounded precisely in Lin Yu's and all the players' minds.

After a brief period of weightlessness and a sense of time distortion, Lin Yu found himself still standing in the center of the apartment's living room, but the view outside the window had completely changed.

Instead of other apartment buildings, there was a cluster of low-rise, ancient house silhouettes shrouded in the hazy night.

A few sporadic barks drifted from afar, and the air was filled with the scents of earth, firewood, and a faint, almost imperceptible animal odor.

He quickly walked to the window and looked outside.

His apartment room seemed to be a lonely mud-brick house on the edge of this strange ancient town, with mottled exterior walls and a rather simple appearance, barely blending in with the style of the surrounding mud-brick and wooden houses.

The interior remains a modern one-bedroom, one-living room, one-bathroom layout with a study, complete with all the necessary facilities. However, the door leading to the outside has been replaced by an old wooden door.

You have entered the game: Seeking Immortality

[Note that this round of the game is a super-large-scale game, with 50000 players from 5 communities participating. This round of the game allows players to compete against each other.]

[The maximum duration of this game run is one year. Players can leave the game at any time after completing the main storyline. (Note: You must exit the game in a safe zone; you cannot exit while in combat or in dangerous areas.)]

There are no limited side quests in this round of the game, but hidden quests can be triggered by NPCs.

[Main quest has been released!]

Main Quest: Seeking the Dao

[Mission Requirements: Learn one extraordinary martial arts technique from this world by any means necessary, and cultivate it to the Bronze level.]

"Allowing players to fight each other... 50,000 people... for one year..." Lin Yu pondered this information, sensing the unusual nature of this game.

"Learn the cultivation technique and reach the Bronze level? Is it that simple?"

The task sounded simple, and with the 500% efficiency boost from the Daoist Study, Lin Yu felt he could complete it in no time.

But considering the game world's name, "Seeking Immortality," and the system's usual behavior, Lin Yu instinctively felt that it would be anything but easy.

Instead of rushing out, he first sat down cross-legged and tried to circulate the [Thunder Technique] cultivation method he had mastered, attempting to sense the "spiritual energy" of this world.

He felt it very quickly.

The world was filled with a rich and active energy, far more abundant than in any previous world; this must be what is known as "spiritual energy".

However, almost the instant he drew in the Qi, Lin Yu suddenly opened his eyes, his expression changing slightly.

Something is wrong!

Deep within this seemingly pure and boundless spiritual energy, he keenly sensed an extremely subtle yet insidious power, like a persistent, lingering infection.

To be honest, if he didn't have the Heavenly Eye and extremely high mental attributes, he probably wouldn't have been able to detect this strange power.

This power was cold, viscous, and filled with an indescribable sense of distortion and insane ramblings. It tried to seep into his meridians along with the spiritual energy, eroding his magical power and even interfering with his mind.

Even with just the first attempt, he felt a sense of unease, as if countless fragmented and crazy thoughts were sprouting in his mind.

"There's something wrong with this spiritual energy!" Lin Yu immediately stopped cultivating and forcibly expelled the trace amount of spiritual energy he had inhaled, along with that strange power.

Cold sweat trickled down his forehead.

He now understood why the mission only required him to cultivate to the Bronze level to leave—because the spiritual energy of this world was itself a huge trap.

Cultivation means constantly absorbing this polluted energy. The deeper you cultivate, the more severe the erosion becomes. Lin Yu simply couldn't imagine what kind of monster he would end up in.

"This isn't seeking immortality, it's seeking madness, seeking demonic possession!" Lin Yu said, still shaken.

However, just as Lin Yu was having a headache, a warm and majestic light suddenly emanated from the direction of the study.

Lin Yu's heart stirred, and he immediately went into the study.

The statue of the "True Lord of the Pure Source and Wondrous Way" on the desk was emitting a soft light that rippled outwards like water, instantly enveloping the entire apartment.

The strange energy that tried to penetrate the air was quickly purified and dispelled as if it had encountered its nemesis, emitting a faint "hissing" sound like a venomous shriek.

In just a short while, the spiritual energy in the apartment became incredibly pure and gentle, without a trace of eeriness.

It seems that the effect of the statue of Qingyuan Miaodao Zhenjun was triggered, eliminating all the strange power present in the spiritual energy within the apartment.

Lin Yu breathed a long sigh of relief, a feeling of relief welling up inside him.

"Fortunately, the statue of the True Lord is here to protect us."

The statue saved him once again.

This means that as long as he stays in the apartment, he can cultivate safely without worrying about being contaminated by that strange spiritual energy.

But this is not enough.

He needs the cultivation method, he needs to understand this world.

With that in mind, Lin Yu decided to use his talent first.

"Use the talent, [Otherworldly Gift]!"

[The gift from another world has been triggered, granting the apartment facility [Pure Spiritual Spring].]

In the corner of the living room, a soft light flashed, and a small, exquisite spring made of bluestone quietly appeared.

The spring is no bigger than a washbasin, from which crystal-clear water gushes out, emitting a refreshing coolness and pure energy fluctuations.

【Pure Spiritual Spring】

Category: Apartment Facilities

Grade: Black#

durable:?

effect:

Pure Spring Water: Produces 500 ml of pure spring water daily. Drinking 50 ml will directly eliminate all abnormal effects below Diamond level and grant a one-hour [Cleansing] buff. (Cleansing: The body is protected by the spring water, and all abnormal effects entering the body will be isolated during this time.)

Abundant spiritual energy: The spiritual spring continuously generates spiritual energy, which can enhance the concentration of spiritual energy in the apartment.

Pure Protection: The spiritual energy generated by the spring has a purifying effect, protecting the apartment from abnormal energy below the diamond level.

Description: A clear spring washes away impurities and nourishes body and mind.

(This item is a special item, already bound to player Lin Yu, and cannot be dropped, stolen, or robbed in any way... Players other than Lin Yu cannot use this item.)

(This facility can only be placed inside player Lin Yu's apartment and cannot be placed elsewhere.)

"Great!" Lin Yu's eyes lit up.

This spiritual spring is a godsend. It not only provides a powerful means of self-purification once a day (which may be useful when going out), but also further enhances the concentration of spiritual energy in the apartment, accelerating cultivation. Its built-in [Pure Protection] effect forms a double insurance with the True Lord statue.

He remembered that he seemed to have absorbed a trace of that strange energy, so he immediately took out a cup, carefully filled it with about 50 milliliters of spring water, and then drank it all in one gulp.

The spring water was sweet and refreshing, and a cool energy instantly flowed through my limbs and bones, as if giving my soul a bath. The slight irritability and distracting thoughts caused by the contact with the strange spiritual energy were completely cleared away, and my body became clear and light, with a faint layer of pure light forming on my skin.

You have drunk the pure spring water; all abnormal conditions have been cleared.

You have received the "Purification" effect, which lasts for 60 minutes.

"Okay." Lin Yu nodded in satisfaction.

With the double protection of the statue and the sacred spring, he felt much safer and more confident.

Just then, his friend list started flashing; it was a message from [Phantom].

Phantom: "Witcher, you've entered the 'Seeking Immortality' world too, haven't you? The spiritual energy in this world seems to be problematic. Be careful not to absorb it on your own."

Upon seeing the reply, Lin Yu's eyes flickered slightly. Sure enough, heroes were as numerous as fish crossing a river, and he wasn't the only one who immediately noticed the problem with the spiritual energy.

After thinking for a moment, he replied, "Yes, I am here. There is indeed a problem with the spiritual energy; it contains a strange power."

Phantom quickly replied: "It's good that you didn't absorb it. The guild leader just gave me an urgent notice, warning everyone not to try to cultivate any of the techniques in this world for the time being, unless they find a way to purify the spiritual energy or resist the erosion."

By the way, are you safe now? Do you know where you are? Everyone in our neighborhood is in this game, so we definitely need to cooperate closely, since there are players from other neighborhoods as well.

Since we're part of an organization, let's cooperate as much as possible, just in case.

Lin Yu: "I seem to be in a small town. I'm safe for now. As for my exact location, I'll have to go out and investigate later. I'll let you know then."

Lin Yu did not reject Mei Ying's statement. After all, she was right. There were quite a few people in this game, and they even came from five different neighborhoods. In addition, it was a competitive game, so no matter what she said, people from her own neighborhood and organization were definitely more credible.

Furthermore, the fact that Phantom contacted the chairman immediately after receiving his message at least indicates that the organization is relatively reliable.

Phantom: "That's good. The chairman asked us to try to meet up as much as possible, share intelligence, and act together for greater safety."

When you're gathering intelligence, it's best to determine the name and approximate location of your town. Getting a map would be ideal, as it will help us plan our rendezvous route.

Also, be careful. The president said the world is definitely not as simple as it seems.

Lin Yu thought for a moment and replied, "Okay, I was just about to go out and take a look."

Phantom: "Alright! Stay in touch. Contact us immediately in case of emergency. Also, be careful when you encounter other players. 'Allow combat' isn't just for show."

After ending the communication, Lin Yu took a deep breath and checked his equipment.

After confirming that nothing was missing, he put on his backpack again, and the [Heavenly Cloak] transformed into an inconspicuous dark red inner robe, which he wore underneath.

He filled another bottle with the spiritual spring water and put it away.

After he was ready, he pushed open the old wooden door and went out.

Outside the door was a narrow dirt road. It was just getting light, with the morning sun barely breaking through the clouds, and the air was filled with the coolness of early morning and damp mist.

The town seemed to be just waking up, with wisps of smoke occasionally rising from the chimneys of early risers. Most of the surrounding houses were made of adobe or wood, low and simple, and traces of livestock manure could be seen on the streets. There was a strong sense of life, but it also revealed a kind of poverty and backwardness unique to ancient villages.

He was on the edge of what appeared to be a small town, beyond which lay cultivated farmland and distant mountains and forests.

Lin Yu toned down his overly modern demeanor and walked along the dirt road toward the town center.

Along the way, he encountered several early-rising farmers dressed in coarse linen clothes with dark complexions. They cast curious and wary glances at him, this strangely dressed stranger, but no one approached him to speak; they simply kept their distance.

The town wasn't big, and we soon arrived at the relatively bustling "center" area—a slightly wider street with some shops on both sides. A blacksmith was working the bellows, making a whooshing sound, a general store had just taken down its door panels, and a breakfast stall had several people gathered around buying steamed buns.

Everything seemed perfectly normal; it was just an ordinary, even peaceful and tranquil, ancient town.

It is completely impossible to associate it with the "cultivation" world that contains crazy and bizarre energy.

But this seemingly normal appearance only made Lin Yu more vigilant.

There must be a demon in the abnormal situation.

He observed discreetly, trying to glean information from the villagers' conversations.

"...Old Zhang's cow seemed to have been startled last night and kicked over the shed..."

"...I heard that Peddler Li has returned from the county, bringing some new styles of hair ties..."

"...This afternoon, Wang Mazi's daughter is getting married. I'm going to ask for a cup of celebratory wine..."

The conversation was trivial and mundane, with nothing unusual to be found.

Just as Lin Yu was pondering how to investigate further, a burst of gongs and drums and a commotion suddenly came from the other end of the street, mixed with children's laughter and exclamations.

"They're here! The monkey trainers are here!"

"Come quick! Master Sun has brought the monkeys!"

The crowd was drawn and surged toward that direction.

Lin Yu's heart stirred, and he followed the flow of people.

On a small open space at the street corner, a crowd had already gathered. In the center of the circle stood a thin man, about forty years old, wearing a dirty brown short jacket, with a shrewd and weathered face. He held a gong in one hand and an iron chain in the other.

At the other end of the chain, a monkey was chained.

This monkey was unusually large, almost as tall as an adult. Its fur was grayish-brown, sparse and dirty, and its eyes were cloudy, revealing an indescribable numbness and sorrow.

But it is exceptionally "intelligent" and "obedient".

With Master Sun's gong and commands, it skillfully performed various actions: somersaults, stilt walking, riding a unicycle, and even holding a small broken bowl, imitating a human to bow to the onlookers and beg for money.

Its movements are surprisingly fluid, as if they have been refined through countless trials, and every command is executed perfectly.

The onlookers, especially the children, burst into laughter and exclamations, and coins were occasionally tossed into the arena.

Master Sun's face lit up with a smile. He banged his gong and shouted, "Hey! Thank you all for your generosity! My monkey is very intelligent and understands human nature! It'll show you another amazing skill!"

As he spoke, he took out a red cloth ball and tossed it to the monkey: "Monkey, catch it, and balance it!"

The tall monkey numbly took the cloth ball, skillfully balanced it on its head, and then began to sway back and forth to maintain its balance, drawing another round of cheers from the crowd.

Lin Yu frowned slightly.

His "third eye" quietly opened, and he carefully observed the monkey.

Not right.

Something is very wrong.

The monkey's form... is less like an ape and more like... a human in some details!

Its skeletal structure, especially the shape of its pelvis and scapula, the subtle proportions of its fingers... and deep within its eyes, besides the numbness, the occasional glimmer of extreme pain and despair... a glimmer of humanity.

This is not a monkey!

This is... a human who transformed!

Lin Yu's heart sank.

He instantly connected the strange spiritual energy of this world with "cultivation of immortality".

Master Sun appeared to be an ordinary itinerant performer, but Lin Yu sensed a faint energy fluctuation emanating from him—a fluctuation that was both purified by the spiritual spring and the statue of the True Lord, yet keenly detected by his perception. This energy was of the same origin as the strange spiritual energy in the outside world, but was more condensed and sinister.

These strange energies transformed into several different animals, including monkeys, pigs, cows, sheep, and other common animals, all stored in the dantian (lower abdomen) of his abdomen.

This guy is clearly a cultivator, a cultivator who has practiced evil techniques.

Master Sun seemed to notice Lin Yu's scrutinizing gaze. He paused slightly while striking the gong, glanced at Lin Yu with his cloudy eyes, and a hint of barely perceptible wariness and sinister intent flashed across his face, but he quickly concealed it and continued to perform with great effort.

Lin Yu remained calm and continued to observe, but his heart was in turmoil.

[Live Creation Technique]? [Live Transformation Technique]? Or some other evil method?

Lin Yu had only ever seen such eerie stories in some folk tales.

The performance continued, and the monkeys became more and more skilled, even beginning to imitate some complex human behaviors, such as smoking a pipe and writing the character "福" (fortune) crookedly with a brush, which drew laughter and applause from the crowd.

But Lin Yu felt a chill run down his spine. Although he was not a good person and could be described as ruthless, he would not do such a torturous and disgusting thing.

He looked at the numbness in the monkey's eyes, and the occasional despair that flickered in its eyes after being whipped by its "master" behind it.

Looking at the cruelty hidden beneath Master Sun's smile, and at the townspeople around him who were completely oblivious, even enjoying it...

The cruel truth of this "seeking immortality" world is slowly being revealed to him in a chilling way.

Lin Yuqiang suppressed his disgust, maintained a calm demeanor, and continued to watch the performance while mingling in the crowd.

He needed more information, to confirm his suspicions, and even more so, to find out the background and methods of this Master Sun.

This "monkey" and this cultivator were his first breakthrough in understanding the bizarre cultivation system of this world.

The performance ended and the crowd dispersed.

Lin Yu did not leave; he stood there, calmly looking at Master Sun.

After picking up the money, Master Sun straightened up, met Lin Yu's gaze, and asked with a hint of wariness, "Young master, you look unfamiliar? Are you also interested in our monkey show?"

Lin Yu didn't answer his question. Instead, he pointed to the "monkey" that was chained up and squatting numbly, and said in a calm tone, "Master Sun, right? This monkey... are you selling it?"

......