Excessive ferocity due to caution

Upon hearing Xu Qing's words, everyone present turned pale.

Anyone who can get into these places is no fool.

They were teammates in the capital city, and even though they came from different factions and had conflicts of interest, they were still quite familiar with each other and knew each other's strengths and weaknesses.

"Moreover, since this world was cursed because of Thomson's obsession, we must fulfill Thomson's wish if we want to break his obsession."

Xu Qing began to calmly analyze the current situation, and everyone listened attentively without getting distracted.

"And his wish is to write a suspense story that is terrifying and horrifying enough!"

"From the current perspective, we are both storytellers and active participants in the story!"

"If the characters in our stories die, it means... we'll die too!"

"Therefore, the next person to participate in the story relay will decide the fate of others, including themselves!"

Edward raised an eyebrow and said:

"Therefore, we must craft a story that is thrilling enough, and with a perfect ending!"

A barely perceptible, sinister smile appeared on Xu Qing's pretty face.

"The ending is too perfect, which makes it seem unrealistic."

"If it's not realistic, you lose the sense of immersion."

"Since one person has already died... we might as well let another one die."

One of the trial participants next to her had a sudden flash of interest.

"you mean……"

Xu Qing nodded.

Edward's face also wore a cold, forced smile.

"Although capturing Zhao Yi was not originally part of our plan."

"But now the fish are jumping ashore on their own. If we don't take them, we'd be letting down God's bounty!"

The group exchanged glances and smiled knowingly.

...

On the other side, Zhao Yi used Zi Buyu's ability to guide Qin Bai to relax his mental consciousness and communicate with Qin Bai using telekinesis.

After roughly confirming their current situation, Qin Bai suddenly exclaimed in shock:

"Oh no!"

"If they use this against us, wouldn't we be...in great danger?!"

Zhao Yi subtly stirred the firewood in the brazier and spoke to Qin Bai through his telepathic world:

"Unless... their story doesn't work."

Qin Bai's expression stiffened slightly.

Not working?

What does that mean?

After a moment's thought, and looking at Thomson, who was immersed in his own world with an expression that alternated between excitement and distress, he suddenly understood what Zhao Yi meant!

The horrors that occur in this cursed world are the stories they tell.

But what made all of this possible was Thomson's unwavering determination.

There's currently only one way to prevent other people's stories from taking effect—

That is to let Thomson know that there is a better story.

In fact, Zhao Yi has already done so.

He kept Thomson in suspense while he was in high spirits.

It whetted his appetite.

As time went on, Thomson, who was getting excited, was not satisfied and only became more and more interested in the stories Zhao Yi was telling him!

Therefore, when he decided to use Zhao Yi's "inspiration story" as his source of inspiration, other people's "inspiration stories" naturally became ineffective!

Thinking of this, Qin Bai couldn't help but secretly give Zhao Yi a thumbs up.

That's incredible, damn it.

When did I become this strong?

Although the two hadn't spent much time together, Zhao Yi had already left a very deep impression on young Qin Bai.

He was even starting to lose his composure about whether it was his brother Qin Zheng who manipulated Zhao Yi, or Zhao Yi who manipulated Qin Zheng, in the matter of killing Li Chenglong…

Strictly speaking, both of them were beneficiaries.

"So, what kind of story are you going to make up for him, Brother Ichiko?"

Qin Bai asked curiously.

Zhao Yidao:

"Simply telling a story isn't very interesting."

"He was so eager for horror stories, even to the point of wanting to experience them firsthand as a character, but when we told him stories, he was ultimately an outsider... In that case, why didn't I actually take him on a terrifying yet thrilling adventure?"

At this point, Zhao Yi said meaningfully:

"I don't just want him to hear the story... I want him to see it."

Qin Bai was stunned.

Zhao Yi continued:

"If you want to survive, you have to do exactly what I say in a moment."

A sense of extreme foreboding welled up in Qin Bai's heart.

"Brother Yizi, what do you mean?"

Zhao Yi calmly said:

"In my story... only three people survived in the end."

"Do you understand?"

Qin Bai's expression immediately became much more serious, and he nodded earnestly.

Next, Zhao Yi told Qin Bai what was about to happen...

A few minutes later, the people who had left came back in.

Some of them looked at Zhao Yi with ill intent, their gazes as cold and sinister as venomous snakes lurking in the cracks of rocks.

"I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting, esteemed writer."

Xu Qing said apologetically.

Thomson waved his hand and smiled:

"Nothing much. By the way, who wants to play the idiom chain game next?"

"I'll do it."

One of the trial participants raised his hand and methodically recounted to Thomson what had happened next as they searched for the man who had gone missing while using the restroom.

At the end of the story, the youngest person was attacked by an unknown creature.

Those who were with him died on the spot while trying to protect him, leaving only their heads behind, their bodies completely devoured.

This guy didn't directly name who died.

But once they form a team, they will obviously try their best to get Zhao Yi and Qin Bai on the same team in the end.

It is not difficult.

Some of the trial participants secretly glanced at Zhao Yi after the story was finished.

But they noticed that Zhao Yi's expression did not change at all.

As always, it was peaceful.

Qin Bai was the same.

It's truly pathetic... They're about to die, and they still don't realize it.

They felt extremely comfortable.

Previously, outside the cursed world, these two dared to interfere with the cursed items they had seen!

They have absolutely no sense of rules! They're courting death!

Amidst their snickers, Thomson turned his gaze to Zhao Yi.

"Mr. Zhao, you've been thinking for so long without speaking. Do you have any good stories to share with everyone?"

Those trial participants, engrossed in their own worlds, failed to notice that this time, Thomson offered no praise for their stories.

Just as Thomson asked Zhao Yi, Edward and Xu Qing exchanged a glance and hurriedly said:

"Um... I'm so sorry!"

He feigned concern.

"Although I am indeed very interested in the story, it has been too long since Yunxia went to the toilet. There are many poisonous insects and wild animals in the deep mountains and forests. I am worried that something might happen to him."

"Let's go look for him..."

"We can continue the storytelling after he gets back."

After a moment's hesitation, Thomson agreed.

Just as Edward and his group of five were gloating, something unexpected happened—

Thomson actually offered to team up with Zhao Yi!

The trainees were stunned.

P.S.: The National Day holiday entertainment is over.

I'm already home.

There's one more tonight, I'll post it later. Everyone, go to sleep early and look at it tomorrow morning.

Goodnight, my darlings.