Becoming a life winner from infancy

After enduring two bus transfers, the group arrived at the bus stop next to the reservoir.

Once they got off the bus, several people were immediately overwhelmed by the eerie atmosphere at the scene.

"It feels so creepy around here, not to mention there aren't even any streetlights..."

Wang Zihan, shivering, suddenly thought of something and immediately said to Xu Lingyi, who was adjusting his flashlight:

"But don't be scared, Lingyi. I'm here, and I will definitely protect you—Eek!"

Wang Zihan was startled by an unidentified creature that suddenly jumped out from the neighboring woods and immediately dived into Zhang Jiahao's arms. Looking up, he saw Zhang Jiahao's face become even more sinister under the flashlight, which frightened him and made him bolt toward Fang You, who then pressed down on his forehead to stop him.

"It's just a rat, no worries."

Emperor Youyou's talent chest included a talent called "Night Vision Enhancement," which provided him with excellent visibility even in pitch darkness, essentially functioning as built-in night vision gear. This was useful for seeing nearby creatures clearly, supplementing the "Breath Perception" that could only detect human outlines.

At that moment, Fang You saw Xia Nuo holding a flashlight and shivering as she surveyed the surroundings.

He also took the initiative to walk a bit closer to Xia Nuo and then tried to put an arm around her shoulders. Xia Nuo shivered instantly, but upon seeing that the person next to her was Fang You, she blushed deeply.

"..."

"No, I'm not scared of the dark anymore."

Xia Nuo pursed her lips, shaking her head frantically in denial, "It's just a bit cold!"

"Then get closer to me."

Fang You said, "I'm a little cold too."

"You really are prone to getting cold..."

Xia Nuo muttered to herself and then snuggled into Fang You's arms, letting him embrace her shoulders as they moved.

Based on the map data provided by Song Hang, Xu Lingyi quickly found the path leading to the mysterious coordinates—

What appeared before everyone was a pitch-black tunnel where they could not see their hands in front of their faces.

"Hmm, looks like we can enter the coordinates directly from here."

"It really is a tunnel, but why is there no light inside?"

Xia Nuo swallowed nervously, "But if this is the only way, then there's no choice."

She clung tightly to Fang You's arm and then told the others, "To be on the safe side, let's all hold hands and move forward together!"

"We can only do this now."

Xu Lingyi said and reached out to grab Fang You's arm, also extending his hand to a bewildered Wang Zihan.

"Come on, Zi Han, hold my hand."

Hold hands?

Looking at the hand Xu Lingyi had extended.

Wang Zihan's resolve was being tested!

He had to consider whether this was his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hold hands with Lingyi.

So, the issue of whether or not to ever wash his hand after this became the most troubling concern for Wang Zihan!

Seeing Wang Zihan, Xu Lingyi immediately said with dissatisfaction, "What are you two dawdling about for? Hurry up and hold onto me!"

"Ah, here I come—"

Just as Wang Zihan was about to reach out, a strange rustling noise suddenly came from the tunnel, followed by a huge echo of sound waves from the other end of the tunnel.

Everyone's flashlights started to flicker and then went out altogether, making all visible light disappear.

Everyone failed to activate any light-emitting electronic devices they had on them.

At the same time, a very strong gust of wind came from the other end of the tunnel, making it difficult for everyone to open their eyes.

This made even using backup sources of fire impossible.

In the chaos, Wang Zihan also faced a crisis.

But at that moment, Wang Zihan was not too shaken. He had only one thought in his mind!

I must protect Lingyi!

Wang Zihan risked his life, and in the pitch darkness of the tunnel, he felt a hand.

His instinct told him that it was Lingyi!

He got it!

"Is everyone okay?"

"We're, we're all okay, everyone's holding on to someone, right?"

Xia Nuo, tightly embraced in Fang You's arm, called out loudly:

"Holding on."

A voice came from nearby, from Xu Lingyi, close enough to be Lingyi for sure!

Wang Zihan thought.

Ah, it really is Lingyi.

Wang Zihan tightly held onto the other's hand.

This time, once he grabbed hold, he would not let go again.

It felt unexpectedly firm, and the fingertips were a bit hard, like calloused areas.

Though it felt strange, it was normal since Lingyi often typed code and could have callouses on his fingers.

Although an actor, Wang Zihan rarely had to hold hands in scenes because he mostly played comical roles suited to an elementary school character who couldn't really engage in romance, so this experience was very rare for him.

Lingyi's hand, so smooth!

I'm so nervous that I'm sweating and might soon lose my grip!

Wang Zihan dared not randomly move his hand because he worried that sliding it unintentionally might make Xu Lingyi feel disgusted or put him off.

No, I'm definitely not that kind of impolite guy!

Now is not the time for daydreaming. Safety is most important.

Wang Zihan just tried to tighten his grip on the other's hand.

"Everyone hold on tight, don't let go, and try to follow my pace forward,"

Fang You was calmly directing everyone forward; in his arms, Xia Nuo was as nervous as a trembling little animal, visibly sweating from her forehead as she rested on his arm.

[At this moment, Xia Nuo's dependence on you has peaked, Emotional Energy +100]

"…"

You're still afraid of the dark, aren't you?

Xia Nuo had always been particularly afraid of the dark since she was a child. When they went to kindergarten together and stayed overnight in the village, Xia Nuo was so scared she had to sleep with Fang You.@@novelbin@@

The first time she slept at Fang You's house, Xia Nuo was even terrified by the shadow cast by the light from a window.

Although she was scared to this extent, Xia Nuo still wanted to explore this place's secrets with Fang You.

It was clearly not just a child's curious adventurous nature.

It was because she really cared about someone.

Someone she wanted to protect well.

Damn, isn't that person me?

[You realize you're quite a damnable boy burdened with deep sins, Knowledge Energy +10]

So, Fang You hugged Xia Nuo in his arms even tighter.

Although Xia Nuo struggled a bit, trying to show Fang You that she was not afraid of the dark, Fang You obviously didn't plan to give her that chance.

The group continued walking and walking, not knowing how long they had walked together.

"Listen carefully, there's the sound of flowing water,"

Fang You said, "It should be close to the exit."

Finally, at the end of the tunnel, there was some light at last.

"It's the exit!"

"Don't rush, follow my steps, one step at a time,"

"Okay!"

Everyone continued following Fang You's steps until they reached the tunnel's exit.

They were momentarily dazzled by the sudden clear view.

When their eyes finally adjusted to the light, they saw babbling brooks, mountains and clear waters, and bright sunshine.

This seemed like a beautiful scene from another world.

It gave a feeling of both familiarity and strangeness.

No...

No, it's not unfamiliar at all.

"Holy shit, this place... Isn't this the starting plateau? Our B class' starting campsite!"

"That old temple over there, it looks like the Temple of Wind."

"Isn't this just the world scene from 'Paluru Ultra' that we were playing today!"

To everyone's surprise, the scene before them wasn't some high-tech secret research base or any evil legion's headquarters.

It was a world that originally existed in the game.

The time here seemed different from the outside, even the sun had come out.

But that sun might just be designed.

With current human technology, it's totally possible to simulate.

Fang You looked up at the dome, even seeing clearly the layers of artificial cloud.

"This must be an artificial ecological park," Discover hidden tales at My Virtual Library Empire

Xu Lingyi was somewhat puzzled, "But still, there were absolutely no precautions on the tunnel side. It's really strange. If it was discovered, couldn't anyone just come in?"

"Is this really the open world scene setting for 'Paluru Ultra'?"

"Uncle told me that the programming software in this bracelet is related to the Homeland Project, which means—"

Fang You was about to clarify his theory when he suddenly noticed, at this moment, Wang Zihan was staring at Zhang Jiahao standing next to him with an extremely distorted, exaggerated, shocked gaze.

"Wha, what's going on with you!"

"…"

"What's wrong with me, Zi Han?"

Zhang Jiahao was puzzled, "Were you scared in the tunnel?"

Wang Zihan made a very signature shocked expression, his mouth forming a perfect 'O' shape.

"Are you using this kind of performance to encourage everyone to pull themselves together at this time? You're really thoughtful..."

Watching Zhang Jiahao still holding Xu Lingyi's hand at this moment, Wang Zihan visibly blushed:

It's one thing for Fang You to hold Lingyi's hand, since after all, compared to me, Lingyi likes him more.

But, but what about you? What are you!

"I-I'm going to get you!"

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