Japanese ghost stories...

At the mention of this, everyone's hearts sank.

Players of the killing games generally believed that when it came to ghost stories, or horror literature, the terror level of East Asian ghost stories far exceeded that of other regions. In European and American horror literature, whether the protagonist was a Vampire, Werewolf, Witch, piranha, deformed doll, or a Chainsaw Maniac, at least they had tangible forms, allowing for physical contact. This meant players could fight back even if they hadn't figured out a pattern.

In East Asian ghost stories, however, the protagonists were often Spiritual Bodies filled with intense grudges and hatred due to unjust treatment. They were often invisible, intangible, and uncontactable, leaving players vulnerable to being killed in an instant, regardless of whether they were clad in heavy Bulletproof Vests, wielding Gatling guns, or armed to the teeth.

There were subtle differences between Chinese and Japanese horror literature, though both featured Spiritual Bodies as protagonists. In Chinese horror, the world of Spiritual Bodies was orderly, emphasizing the cycle of cause and effect where retribution was certain, complete with an underworld and its ox-headed and horse-faced enforcers. The targets of these malicious spirits were mostly those who had committed evil acts or had unknowingly intruded into the spiritual realm; spirits that went too far could even be apprehended and brought to justice by the underworld. The existence of Spiritual Bodies served as a warning and reminder to the living, emphasizing that whatever one does, the heavens are watching.

Japanese horror, on the other hand, was often irrational. Its spirits typically acted without self-awareness, indiscriminately striking and taking revenge on all living beings, beyond the resolution of "love" or "forgiveness." Their methods were more bizarre and varied, completely unreasonable. It was less about being driven by Spiritual Bodies and more by "irrational anomalies." The subtle differences in horror culture between the two regions might stem from different folk cultures, with Japan Islands' culture focusing more on individual pain and despair, a focus further amplified by the high pressures of modern society. The vast majority of players would rather fight Xenomorphs for hundreds of rounds than spend a moment in Kayako's cabin.

"...It seems like we drew the worst lot," Wanli Fengdao said somberly after a moment of silence.

Xing Hechou silently nodded. "If we encounter any abnormal situations later," he added, "please don't hesitate. Just teleport away immediately."

"What about you?" Wanli Fengdao asked.

"If I can keep my mind clear, I can still use my last resort to save myself," Xing Hechou replied. "Of course, if things truly become impossible, I'll have no choice but to retreat as well."

"Ha, that's good to hear." Wanli Fengdao nodded. Just as he was about to ask for more details, there was a loud CLANG as a wheel rolled over a stone pavement. On closer inspection, they found that the surrounding trees and vegetation had, at some unnoticed point, become sparse and significantly shorter. The sky had also gradually lightened from pitch blackness, transforming into an evening scene with a sky full of crimson twilight.

Li Ang frowned and looked out the window. "This is..."

He saw stone paths paved with smooth cobblestones, grassy areas glistening with crystal dewdrops, roadside benches for pedestrians, flower beds, fountains, statues, cherry blossoms, azaleas, peonies, Shrine structures, and roadside signs with Japanese writing. Outside the window, the dense, lush primeval forest was gone. In its place was a Japanese-style municipal park.

"So, this is us crossing into a new area," Xing Hechou murmured, looking back. He could still see the deep, dense forest under a torrential thunderstorm, the sense of division between the two areas extremely stark. He turned his head and took a deep breath. "Let's drive a little further ahead."

"Mm," Wanli Fengdao nodded and drove the vehicle silently through the deserted park. The wheels, carrying bits of crushed yellow leaves, rolled onward, leaving two straight muddy tracks on the ground.

"Why can't we see anyone?" Li Ang crouched in the back of the van, hands pressed against the window as he peered out. "Don't tell me the residents of this Japan Islands city knew we were coming and hurriedly made a banner saying, 'A Warm Welcome to Players Visiting the Japan Islands'?"

"Why do I get the feeling you paused rather... suggestively in that sentence?" Wanli Fengdao glanced at the rearview mirror, retorting, "This city might only contain ghost stories and no living people, you know. Be careful. Something might record what you say and chase you down to make you honor your words."

"Hah, that would be just great!" Li Ang spread his hands and laughed. "I've seen in many literary works from the Japan Islands that when you encounter a non-human entity, you can just pick up a camera, point it at 'them,' and conduct an interview. Ask their age, where they're from, their current occupation, and their future prospects in this line of work. Then you can pass by unharmed."

"What kind of interview is that? That's clearly just asking for a self-introduction, okay?!" Wanli Fengdao retorted listlessly, turning a corner.

Liu Wu Dai, indifferent to their banter, glanced out the window and murmured softly, "I don't hear any birds, insects, car engines, honking, or any other type of urban noise. This is a ghost town."

"The drone is still unusable," Xing Hechou, sitting in the passenger seat, said as he put away the drone's case. He turned to Li Ang. "Brother Li, can your Bees still be used?"

"They can."

Li Ang took out another Beehive and pushed the van's rear door open just a crack. Hundreds of Soldier Bees, adapted to urban environments, flew out through the opening in a dark swarm. They quickly surpassed the vehicle, climbed high above the city, and then spread out in different directions.

Soon, the Soldier Bees, now hovering and observing the city from above, relayed a significant amount of information by vibrating their wings and releasing pheromones. This raw data was then re-translated by the Queen Bee and finally passed on to Li Ang, enabling him to quickly sketch a rough overhead map of the city using paper and a pencil.

"The city covers approximately 200 square kilometers and has high forest coverage. There are low hills to the south and north of the downtown area, with a plain transected by a river in the middle. To the east, there's a large area with Ancient Mountain Castles, Ancient Shrines, and temples. We're currently at the city's southernmost tip. The outskirts of the urban area are pitch black, and for now, I can't see any roads leading elsewhere."

Li Ang handed the freshly drawn sketch to his companions to pass around, while he discreetly massaged his temples.

The intelligence of the Soldier Bees was still rather low. They could only collect fragmented information through their rudimentary sensory organs, which the Queen Bee then had to integrate, summarize, and translate for Li Ang. Understanding the swarm's information was like trying to eavesdrop on the faint sound of a piano drifting from a distant residential building while standing in the middle of a bustling construction site, and then transcribing it into musical notation. It was extremely difficult, truly torturous, and each use consumed a significant amount of his Sanity Value.ŸŸŸ

Xing Hechou took the overhead map and examined it carefully, praising Li Ang's excellent drawing skills. Then, staring at his pocket watch, he had Wanli Fengdao drive along the park's internal roads, making circuits and passes in various directions rather than rushing into the city center. Using triangulation combined with the readings from his pocket watch's hands, he located the passage to the next layer of the King of Shengnan's dream.

It was in a residential area slightly to the east of the city center.

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