It seemed that in that silent Juezhen, there were many native inhabitants, and they all looked... how to describe it, to Wu Hen, they didn't seem like normal living people, more like NPCs!
Single-minded actions, wooden expressions, chaotic thoughts.
They were originally living people walking in the otherworldly realm, but as they walked, they got lost, and lost their souls!
Obviously, their consciousness hadn't returned here!
"Consider it our test for you. If you can successfully find the Nuwa God End on your second entry into the otherworldly realm, we will promote you as an official member. Then, your family will receive the protection rights as family, and if you reach a higher level, they can live in peace without facing the harshness of the otherworld," said Purple Headscarf Woman.
"All three of them won't have to face that world?" Wu Hen's eyes changed when he heard this.
"All of humanity is trying to save the Nuwa God End. As long as it's there, this place is safe. A part of the population can continue to sleep peacefully. Besides, our spirits need rest, and we can't stay in the otherworldly realm for too long. We need to come back here periodically to cleanse ourselves, otherwise..." said Purple Headscarf Woman.
"Otherwise, we'll become Lost Ones and our souls will be completely destroyed?" Wu Hen said.
"Yes, you understand it well."
"Thank you, Bodhisattva, for telling me so much," Wu Hen nodded.
He was lucky, at least more prepared than those who weren't ready at all, to adapt to everything that would follow.
No doubt many families were still questioning, yelling, and feeling immense pain and confusion about the future!
"What Bodhisattva? Just call me Mingyi!" Mingyi's smile was bright. She must be a lively and cheerful person outside of formal settings.
"Alright, Mingyi beauty." Wu Hen didn't hesitate to praise her.
At that moment, Mingyi's eyes curved into clean crescent moons, truly living up to the title of beauty.
"May we meet again in the Desert Dust."
"Sure!" Wu Hen nodded.
...
By the courtyard wall of the old building, the man who had arrived with Mingyi was patiently waiting there.
The man in the leather jacket was playing with a high-end lighter, but hadn't lit the cigarette in his mouth.
"Captain Qin," Mingyi called.
"How's that kid? Are you sure he has synesthesia?" the cigarette-holding man asked.
"Yes, he has auditory synesthesia. During our conversation, I always used a mosquito-like voice, and he heard every word clearly," Mingyi said.
"What about other aspects?" Captain Qin asked.
"Most likely none. He complimented my looks, which means he couldn't see my Cthulhu-style makeup. I had fragrant powder on me, but he showed no signs of intoxication. The other two aspects are harder to check, so he should be a single-sensory," said Mingyi.
"That's still alright. Auditory synesthesia can greatly increase survival rates. Hopefully, he can find the Nuwa God End."
"This guy is quite interesting. Our team lacks a listening sense expert. If he finds the Nuwa God End, let's recruit him," Mingyi suggested.
"Is he very handsome?" Captain Qin raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, yes, yes! He even called me a beauty!" Mingyi nodded vigorously, her demeanor completely different from the serious, dignified one earlier.
"Did he show any physiological rejection after knowing the truth?" Captain Qin continued.
"None. He seemed normal, clear-minded, just as calm as I was back then!"
"Maybe he's just slow to react," Captain Qin said.
"Hmph, not everyone can be as perfectly aware as I am. Besides, I still feel the me here is the most genuine—cute, charming, youthful, heroic, and beautiful enough to make planets explode!"
"Go find a boyfriend. You sound like a cat yowling in the middle of the night."
"Old Qin, you must have realized the benefits of having a man, that's why you're always pushing me?" Mingyi retorted defiantly.
Knowing he couldn't outdo Mingyi in a verbal battle, Captain Qin gave her a thumbs-up and kept his mouth shut.
...
Inside the house.
The family remained silent for a moment.
Finally, Wu Hen broke the silence.
"Dad, you don't have to worry about me. Since the officials found me, it means I have talent and capability in this area," Wu Hen said.
"I've been to that world more than once, I..." Wu Yingting spoke, but then choked up.
He was getting old.
Like an old soldier, having to watch his newly adult son step onto an uncertain battlefield.
At this moment, he was both joyful that his son had exceptional survival and coping skills, and worried that he might be tortured in the otherworldly Desert Dust, knowing that the torment wasn't just physical.
"Remember the morning you announced bankruptcy? Many men in suits came to our house to inventory our assets. I walked down from upstairs and saw you two sitting at the small dining table, surrounded by a bunch of lawyers... I was really scared," Wu Hen said.
His sister Yu Yu, his mother Yu Yi, and his father Wu Yingting all looked up at Wu Hen.
Then, Wu Hen suddenly broke into a grin, "I thought after you got rich and famous, you were finally going to get a divorce, and my sister and I would have to choose one of you to live with."
"It turned out we just went bankrupt, only lost the money."
"Honestly, today's news isn't as scary as when I thought you were getting a divorce."
"So no matter what happens, as long as our family is together, it's fine."
"Dad, a family is a whole. In the past, you were suitable for business and you did it well. Mom was suitable for taking care of the home, she took good care of my sister, you, and me. Now it seems I'm quite suitable to venture into that so-called real world. Let me take on this task, just believe in me and support me..."
Yu Yi and Yu Yu's tears couldn't stop flowing, but they still nodded seriously.
The most reluctant and hardest decision maker was Wu Yingting.
But after a moment's hesitation, Wu Yingting also nodded, "I'll organize all the information I've collected, can't let you go in unprepared."
"Alright! And, please ensure the safety here." Wu Hen nodded and glanced out the window.
Wu Yingting understood.
Things outside would certainly be chaotic soon. Even with official efforts to maintain stability, they couldn't cover everything.
He needed to ensure the family's safety and prevent some people from taking advantage of the apocalypse to seek revenge crazily!
"Don't worry, I've prepared for that," Wu Yingting nodded, implying he had stashed weapons, assuring his son to venture into the otherworldly Desert Dust!
Seeing his father's eyes, Wu Hen suddenly realized something.
When the apocalypse struck, the more luxurious your place, the more likely it would become a target for some people's fury.
This broken house, broken building, and broken neighborhood were safer than the previous grand mansions and estates!
"I won't waste time, and will quickly adapt to the new world." Wu Hen didn't need to go to the basement again, instead, he went into his own room.
His father Wu Yingting had been preparing. Even the half-room full of crates appeared to be commodities, but in fact, there were many living supplies. Their family could live well even if they didn't leave the house for a month.
It's definitely very chaotic outside, better not go out.
"By the way, son, I've seen some special people," Wu Yingting said.
"In the Desert Dust?" Wu Hen asked.
"No, these are special people in our world. After gaining special abilities in the otherworldly Desert Dust, especially in perception, they can synesthete to our world. Some people seem to evolve and become stronger," Wu Yingting said.
After saying that, Wu Hen suddenly felt a burning pain in his right arm.
Wu Hen remembered the black miracle material piercing the Sky Dome and instinctively looked down at his right hand. Just a glance, and Wu Hen was horrified to find a trace of black virtual image emerging from his right skin!
Within this black virtual image, a radial lightning pattern, like a Death Sword, suddenly appeared, projecting from his blood vessels to his skin and emitting a holy divine glow!
Wu Hen was shocked!!
The black miracle material had attached itself to him!
Could it cross through his host, penetrate the Nuwa God End, and reach his current independent soul??
Initially, Wu Hen found it hard to believe what his father had just said, but after seeing this black miracle material on his right arm and sensing the mysterious and vast energy contained within the Holy Mark, Wu Hen realized everything his father said was true!
"What's wrong?" Wu Yingting, seeing Wu Hen's astonished expression, asked with concern.
"N-nothing," Wu Hen realized that his father seemed unable to see the miracle material on his arm, and he didn't want to add to his father's worries.
"This place is in my hands." Wu Yingting said.
"Okay!"
Wu Hen nodded and returned to the small room.
Checking his right hand again.
Wu Hen found that the exaggerated black Death Sword mark had subsided again, which puzzled him.
"Forget it, better explore the otherworldly realm quickly; outside will only get messier!"
He put on the mottled Pupil Mirror, blinked, and adjusted to it.
"Hello, Wu Hen, confirm entry into the Desert Dust?" The AI's voice quickly sounded in his mind.
He had to carve out a way forward for himself and his family!
"Confirm!" Wu Hen replied firmly.
A warmth enveloped his head, followed by a comfortable drowsiness, as if leading him into a colorful deep dream.
And dreams always start without warning, and those in them don't question how they begin...
...
Noisy.
It was very noisy around.
Wu Hen opened his eyes and found himself lying on his back, with a hint of twilight shining on him. Looking sideways, he could see the sun slowly setting into the water.
Obviously, this wasn't the previous Rainforest Jueyin Town.
Instead, it was a coastal city.
The skyscraper cityscape blended with the rippling, colorful sea, creating a uniquely romantic scene.
"Alright, just leave it at this intersection," a man nearby spoke.
That's when Wu Hen noticed he was lying on a cart, being pushed to the "T" intersection leading to the coast by two people.
The main road was wide, lined with tall buildings, but strangely, there were no cars, and the few pedestrians made the prosperous city seem eerily quiet.
Wu Hen tried to get up, but a "clang-clang" sound came from his body.
Looking down, Wu Hen was shocked to find himself bound by rusty iron chains, fixed to the broken cart!
What was going on?
Who signed up for the wrong adventure??
Was he a witch to be sacrificed?
"What are you... doing?" Wu Hen tried to ask.
These people spoke, so there shouldn't be any ghosts here.
"You'll know when night falls. Let's go." The man in the black shirt told his companion.
Hey, don't leave!
Are there zombies at night!
Does every entry have to be this thrilling??
The good news was, he seemed to still be male.
The bad news was, his life might be at risk!