Chapter 13 Is There a Mistake?
In the dimly lit small shop, chaos reigned. Shattered glass littered the floor, and metal shelves had collapsed and melted in the high heat, resembling a pool of mud. A pungent odor lingered in the air.
In the corner, Luxianbei slumped against the wall, her clothes looking as if they had been scorched by flames or corroded by acid, riddled with holes, revealing glimpses of her pale skin underneath.
Her right hand rested on a cooking oil barrel of unknown origin, filled with a little less than half a bucket of thick, pitch-black liquid.
Bathed in the faint moonlight, she stared blankly at the disorder before her.
It had been a long time since she felt such a high level of danger during her transformation into an urban legend.
So much so that she almost forgot how dangerous the powers within her were; just six months ago, every transformation had nearly cost her half her life.
But during her last transformation, there was clearly no danger; how could it have suddenly changed like this?
Luxianbei thought to herself, mentally listing the possibilities she could think of.
The first possibility: residual authority.
Whether it was reshaping her body using Wang Ying’s flesh and bl**d or integrating the core of the mythological species’ urban legend into the God Realm Prototype, both could lead to this.
The principle behind this situation was similar to the side effects of excessively consuming the core of the urban legend, belonging to the pathway of urban legend advancement described by the Proxy Player Sister, which was known to be life-threatening.
Perhaps repairing the Ling Tai Purification would alleviate the situation after placing the God Realm Prototype upon it.
The second possibility: uncontrolled spirit patterns.
Where there is oppression, there is rebellion; this is an unchanging truth.
Had the little guy become twisted after being oppressed for so long?
This could only be solved by obtaining a suitable visualization diagram and practicing the spirit seals.
Although Stinky Sister and Meng Meng were both high-level urban legends and could serve as visualization objects, their powers didn’t complement or suppress Ifrit.
Moreover…
Isn’t visualizing Stinky Sister a bit risky?
The third possibility: could it be related to Huasang?
After all, the two odd occurrences both happened after she came into contact with her.
No, no, it’s still too early to draw such conclusions; more contact and experimentation were needed to confirm.
After thinking for a moment, Luxianbei sighed, “Sigh, I really need to come up with a way to sneak into Dachunyang Palace!”
After contemplating, Luxianbei felt that aside from the aftereffects of reshaping her body, whether it was to complete the Ling Tai Purification, find a suitable visualization diagram, or have more contact with Huasang, all required sneaking into Dachunyang Palace.
“But…” Luxianbei’s gaze drifted to the cooking oil barrel beside her right hand, “Difficulties are temporary, but benefits are eternal!”
“Half a barrel of disaster, hehehe, I’m so great!”
Talking to herself, Luxianbei steadied her mind, willed it, and summoned her coat from within the God Realm Prototype.
“Buzz!”
Spirit energy fluctuations shook, and a swirling halo of light, about half a person high, opened up. The surrounding light and shadow distorted, accompanied by a soft sound like flapping wings, and a “barrage” flashed in Luxianbei’s mind.
Lady Witch, your little cutie has appeared! *\(^O^)/*
Following that, a red and white windbreaker flew out of the vortex, joyfully spiraling around in the air like a bird, gently landing on Luxianbei’s shoulders, then raising its collar and affectionately rubbing against her cheek.
“Stop tickling!” Luxianbei gently swatted the coat, “My clothes are damaged, hurry and transform into something wearable.”
Upon hearing this, the coat immediately began to rustle and change shape.
“Be obedient, don’t pull any tricks.” Luxianbei shot a sideways glance at the coat, and its movements stilled for a moment before promptly transforming into a similar dress to Bai Xiaohua’s fifth anniversary limited version.
Lady Witch, is this okay? ✧(＾＿－✿)
A “barrage” flashed in her mind, and Luxianbei glanced down, slightly furrowing her brows.
A pink, tight-fitting crop top with Jigglypuff’s face printed on it, paired with patchwork denim shorts…
Although the “Jigglypuff” seemed like it had suffered from malnutrition as a child and had no curves to speak of, it was passable; however, those shorts seemed a bit too short, didn’t they?
Looking at her long legs that were nearly fully exposed, prompting thoughts of “such beautiful legs should be riding a tricycle,” Luxianbei pondered for a few seconds and expressionlessly said to the coat, “The mosquitoes are increasing recently.”
Upon hearing this, the coat moved its little head, after thinking for a moment, understood what its owner meant, and began to wriggle and change, adding a thin layer of tulle skirt over the shorts.
It thought simply, if there were mosquitoes, just add a layer of mosquito netting!
“…”
Luxianbei remained silent for a few seconds, silently sighed, “Let’s go back to how it was before? I can’t pull off this style…”
————
Ten minutes later, by the roadside not far from Huacheng Airport.
Luxianbei stood by the road, reflecting on the convenience of the God Realm Prototype while also feeling helpless about its flaws.
Although she could easily summon items like Zhipianxian, Ling Tai Purification, Alchemical Dirty Bombs, or even living beings like her coat and Wang Ying within the scope of Huacheng with just a thought, she couldn’t freely use the God Realm Prototype to teleport herself within Huacheng—a major shortcoming.
As the controller of the God Realm Prototype, she acted as a teleportation marker; only by being in Huacheng could she accurately summon things from the God Realm Prototype to her side.
And if she were within the God Realm Prototype…
Anyway, she had tried it before, once teleporting to over nineteen thousand meters in the stratosphere, and once appearing deep inside Mudan Street, nearly directly outside the gates of the Huacheng Siye Society, where she almost surrendered on the spot.
“Maybe once I place the God Realm Prototype on the Ling Tai Purification, it will stabilize the teleportation?” Luxianbei murmured to herself.
However, if I can meet Black Peony again, I can counter her statement of “how can there be so much space to store items in this world.” Luxianbei thought secretly.
What she didn’t know was that if she used the God Realm Prototype to rebut Black Peony, she would likely be bound into an unmanageable shape by her red string due to such a Versailles action.
After all, the God Realm is considered a rare commodity even for Cataclysm Grade urban legends; even Black Peony, who once contributed to the destruction of the world, had never owned one.
After waiting a moment, Luxianbei saw a taxi with a “vacant” sign approaching from the end of the road. She stretched out her small hand and waved gently.
The next moment, the taxi stopped beside her.
As she opened the door, two familiar faces met her gaze, and they exchanged knowing nods.
What is a bond? This is a bond!
So what if I can’t teleport at will?
As long as I am within Huacheng, I can “summon” Uncle Zhang Shan!
Luxianbei thought, closing the door of the car, hugging her little barrel tightly, and obediently settled into the back seat of the taxi.
How could she let the small money be placed in the God Realm Prototype? Of course, she had to hold it herself to feel secure!
“Old Zhang, please head to Happy Neighborhood!”
Uncle Zhang Shan started the car while glancing at Luxianbei through the rearview mirror, frowning, “What do you have there, anyway?”
Luxianbei looked down at the small barrel in her arms and replied solemnly, “It’s crystal clear, cooking oil—Golden Phoenix Fish 1:1:1 blended oil.”
“That’s not right, is it?” Uncle Zhang Shan said suspiciously, “What kind of cooking oil looks like asphalt? Can you let me smell it?”
Luxianbei, “…”
Goodness, you dare to smell this?
Are you becoming bolder lately, sir?
But I still advise you to obey the law and not try to drive under the influence!
For the sake of Uncle Zhang Shan’s health, Luxianbei helplessly said, “It’s not that I don’t want to tell you what this is; I’m just worried you might be scared.”
“Ha ha!” Uncle Zhang Shan chuckled lightly, “Since hearing your stories, my courage has increased a lot; I’m not afraid.”
“Tsk, the key is that this liquid is very special; do you understand?”
“How special?”
Thinking about your liquid (NOT)… Luxianbei pondered and said very seriously, “Generally speaking, it’s oil; you can understand it as nitroglycerin.”
“Ah, an enhanced version.”
Uncle Zhang, “??? ”
Nitroglycerin is a powerful explosive, right? An enhanced version? She actually brought something like that into my car?
Luxianbei glanced at Uncle Zhang Shan, who found him staring at the small barrel in her arms, tilting his head, “Since you like it so much…”
“Why don’t I share a bit with you? Consider it the fare for this ride.”
As she spoke, her little hand quickly unscrewed the barrel lid.
Uncle Zhang, “!!!”
In an instant, he seemed to have returned to the past, finding a familiar feeling.
The sensation of a heart attack…
Thus, the screeching sound of brakes echoed down the empty airport road at night.
————
Fear had awakened the potential of Huacheng’s second car god; the journey from the road near the airport to the gates of Happy Neighborhood, approximately thirty kilometers, took Uncle Zhang Shan only a few minutes.
In broad daylight, this would be a severe speeding violation, endangering both himself and others, resulting in multiple fines; but at night…
It would merely be treated as an urban legend of a ghost taxi.
After paying the fare, Luxianbei got out of the car, walked a distance, then returned to lean on the car window, puzzled, “Uncle, why haven’t you left yet?”
Are you planning to pick up passengers at the Happy Neighborhood entrance?
At this time, he might only pick up urban legends preparing to go out and scare people, right?
If this goes on, he might really become the exclusive driver for urban legends, Luxianbei thought.
Uncle Zhang Shan, still shaken, was about to light a cigarette to calm himself down with trembling hands when he suddenly heard a voice from outside and jolted, causing his lighter to fall under the seat.
“I’m tired, wanted to smoke a little, take a break.” He tried to suppress his fear, speaking calmly while his gaze inadvertently drifted toward the “Golden Phoenix Fish” Luxianbei was holding.
“Well, take your time; I’ll be on my way!”
“Mm, drive safely…”
Luxianbei walked away, while Uncle Zhang Shan fumbled under his seat for the lighter and reignited his cigarette.
As he exhaled smoke, watching the girl’s receding figure, he narrowed his eyes, and a story about the “midnight bomb arson girl” urban legend began to gradually weave and take shape in his mind.
————
In the underground of Happy Neighborhood, Huacheng Calamity Irresponsible Scare Company.
The green glow of the safety exit sign and the dim light emitted by the urban legends illuminated the vast space.
The once cozy coffee shop-like office area, influenced by the spirit energy fluctuations emitted by the urban legends, had begun to show an eerie aura, with decayed sofas and humanoid water stains appearing on the walls, dust swirling in the air.
Strange, grotesque, bloodied, and gloomy “employees” hurried about.
At the end of the corridor, in a meeting room devoid of a conference table.
Dú Sixian, dressed in a sharp professional outfit, stood at the front of the meeting room, one hand on her hip, her beautiful eyes scanning the eight urban legends squatting, lying, or huddling in front of her, fiercely saying, “What have you all been doing lately?”
“Out of eight areas, only two barely meet the KPI. Can we focus and do this right? I really…”
She was interrupted when the meeting room’s door suddenly swung open.
A girl with pale pink hair leaned in, glancing around before spotting Dú Sixian, her eyes brightening as she waved.
“High Person!” Dú Sixian exclaimed joyfully yet somewhat plaintively, rushing forward to bring Luxianbei into the meeting room, “You’re finally back; this time you need to have a serious talk with them!”
As Dú Sixian reached the front of the meeting room, Luxianbei glanced around at the urban legends inside, all familiar faces.
Noticing Luxianbei’s arrival and sensing the strong spirit energy fluctuations emanating from her, which seemed to have increased significantly since not long ago, the urban legends felt a shiver run down their spines and instinctively straightened up.
Grotesque, sinister, or bl**d-soaked figures suddenly became as obedient as students awaiting their teacher’s reprimand.
Luxianbei withdrew her gaze from the urban legends, turned her head to Dú Sixian, and asked, “What’s wrong with them?”
“They’ve been slacking off too much lately,” Dú Sixian rubbed her throbbing temples.
“What? With our benefits being so good, they’re still slacking off?” Luxianbei exclaimed in surprise.
If possible, they should be sent to Siye Society to experience the 997 plus twenty-four-hour on-call life. Luxianbei thought.
Finally, a bird-headed urban legend couldn’t take the pressure from Luxianbei’s icy expression and stepped forward to defend themselves, “Lady Calamity, this is unfair! We haven’t been slacking, we are just…”
“Just what?”
“Just scaring, without actual hunting. A large portion of humans have started to grow bold, making it hard to scare them.”
Hard to scare? Luxianbei supported her chin with one hand and pondered for a couple of seconds, “Tell me, how do you scare people?”
So the urban legend began explaining according to the several shock procedures summarized by the planning department, while the others chimed in with their own additions.
“Wait!”
When she heard an urban legend say that they always suddenly appeared from dark corners to scare humans, Luxianbei couldn’t help but interrupt, “You’re saying you almost always reveal yourselves at the end of every scare?”
“Yeah, the planning department thinks having humans see our appearances aids in spreading the urban legend and ensures a continuous supply of spirit energy.”
“Continuous? Nonsense! This approach is completely wrong!” Luxianbei said seriously, “A person’s fear has never been caused by the urban legend itself; it’s true horror when they connect the dots and scare themselves!”
“For example, if the target of the scare is a single male living alone, you could alter various details in his life.”
“Like leaving a few strands of foul-smelling hair in his sink every morning, a little more each day. Then, while he sleeps, eat his food, use his things, delete his work files on the computer—he could move away and it would continue.”
“You want to create a sense that there’s something malicious, lurking in his home, sneaking around and peering at him while he can never escape—that way, even without revealing yourselves, he’ll eventually scare himself to d*ath.”
“Additionally…” Luxianbei’s gaze swept over the urban legends, sneering slightly, “I think you all are being too rigid; even if those humans avoided triggering conditions according to the urban legend’s procedures, you could still scare them!”
“But…” the urban legends showed difficult expressions.
The occurrence of urban legend events followed specific rules. For mid and low-level urban legends, and even some high-level ones, the triggering of urban legend events had certain regulations. Not following these could severely affect their power stability.
Just like in the legend of Mu Se, she always appeared on empty streets at dusk, never in broad daylight for hunting.
Of course, that was before Mu Se reached A-grade; a significant number of urban legends, once they acquired a certain strength, changed their diet from humans and their fears to other urban legends.
Sensing their thoughts from the frightening expressions on the urban legends’ faces, Luxianbei waved her hand, explaining, “I’m not suggesting you violate urban legend event rules to achieve scares.”
“What I mean is, we can cheat! For example, you all should know the game of Pen Spirit; if somebody lets go of the pen in the middle or fails to send off the Pen Spirit at the end, an urban legend event occurs, right?”
The urban legends nodded, two of them had powers related to the Pen Spirit game.
“Great! Now, during the game, can you use some tricks to force one person to let go, or when they’re about to send off the Pen Spirit, can you crush the pen with spirit energy?”
“Or cut the power, making the lights go out in their home? They hide under the blanket, and you send a gust of wind to blow it away.”
“Wouldn’t that be a bit…” one urban legend hesitated.
“A bit what?” Luxianbei glared at that urban legend, “Little brother, we are all urban legends, after all. It’s not like we’re virtuous; what’s wrong with being despicable, shameless, and not trustworthy, as long as it works?”
Then, after a brief silence, the meeting room was filled with applause accompanied by the sounds of bone collisions and splattering bl**d.
They had always relied on instinct, following urban legend folklore to complete scares, never realizing it could be done this way.
So despicable!
Lady Calamity, the most terrifying urban legend in Huacheng!
Luxianbei listened with satisfaction to the applause of the urban legends, turning to Dú Sixian and raising an eyebrow, “Honey, is my Zhipianxian finished?”
“Mmhm.” Dú Sixian nodded, “High Person, please follow me…”
