Pu Yunfeng didn’t offer much explanation and immediately returned to the guild to report the situation to the guild leader.
The Qilin Guild was located in the western district of the main city—in this infinite-world game, all players were concentrated in a city called Infinite Kunlun. Each major guild had its own territory, though most players were free agents scattered throughout the city.
When not in dungeons, players spent their time in the main city. While there were plenty of entertainment facilities, they couldn’t return to the real world—they were trapped in the game. Every seven days, they had to enter a dungeon, facing the constant risk of death. Many players felt they were going insane; every dream they had was about leaving this cursed place.
“You’re saying that when the Wax Museum NPCs were chasing you, you entered an incense shop and bought incense paper and talismans from there, and these items could restrain the wax figures and even make them protect you, allowing you and your teammates to survive safely?” asked Jiang Tianhai, the guild leader—a tall, burly middle-aged man with a military background. Three years ago, he was inexplicably pulled into this infinite-world game, founded the Qilin Guild, and became known for his loyalty and courage.
In the real world, Pu Yunfeng was a police officer, so he had no hesitation in joining the Qilin Guild.
“Yes,” he replied, placing the remaining cleansing talismans on the table to prove he wasn’t lying. Their luck came from encountering an incense shop that seemed almost divine.
Jiang Tianhai examined the talisman. “This is the item?”
Pu Yunfeng nodded. “Yes. My leg was nearly melted at the time, and the cleansing talisman healed it. Qian Ming’s half-body was also healed by this talisman—everyone saw it with their own eyes.”
His teammates all testified.
“If it’s really that miraculous, this thing is priceless—comparable to the Fountain of Life,” Jiang Tianhai said seriously.
Pu Yunfeng hesitated briefly, then said, “It’s not clear yet whether these talismans can truly bring someone back from the brink of death like the Fountain of Life. But what’s certain is that with them, you can survive the Wax Museum dungeon.”
The cleansing talisman, as the name suggests, was meant to clean. He guessed that the reason it healed wounds caused by wax figures was that the wax itself acted like a contamination, and the talisman removed it, restoring the player’s body to normal.
Jiang Tianhai said, “Next time, try it in another dungeon to see if it still works.”
Pu Yunfeng agreed. “Too bad the incense paper was all taken by the wax figures—that stuff is even more powerful.”
Jiang Tianhai glanced at him but said nothing.
“Guild leader, I want to post about the incense shop on the player forum, so no one misses this opportunity,” Pu Yunfeng said seriously. “I want everyone to survive and escape this terrifying place together.”
The player forum was a place for discussion, where players shared strategies for clearing dungeons.
“That’s a good idea,” Jiang Tianhai said, patting him on the shoulder. “Actually, I received a message from Ye Yanzhou today. Their guild also had members visit the incense shop and purchase incense paper.”
Pu Yunfeng widened his eyes. “They also traded with the incense shop?”
“Yes, probably a bit earlier than you,” Jiang Tianhai said. “After obtaining the incense paper, they entered a high-risk dungeon, which proved that the incense paper indeed had enough attraction to NPCs.”
Pu Yunfeng thought to himself: no wonder the top guild was so meticulous.
Jiang Tianhai frowned slightly. “But there’s one thing—the incense paper can be freely given to teammates.”
Now Pu Yunfeng frowned too.
In dungeons, items and skills usually couldn’t be freely traded—they could only be exchanged for points on the interface to prevent players from killing each other for loot. But incense paper could be freely given to teammates, which could cause trouble. Players were human and could be greedy—what if someone killed a teammate to seize the incense paper?
Something meant to give hope could instead cause players to turn on each other. That was hardly ideal.
“So, President Ye suggested hiding the incense shop’s existence to prevent disputes between players?” Pu Yunfeng asked.
Jiang Tianhai shook his head. “Not quite. He proposed a rule issued by the three major guilds: if a player kills teammates for incense paper, they will be hunted down by all three guilds. That would act as a deterrent.”
This was also why Ye Yanzhou contacted him. Jiang Tianhai had agreed, and the second-largest guild leader also approved the proposal.
Hearing this, Pu Yunfeng relaxed. “I always thought Ye Yanzhou was unpredictable, but when it comes to big matters, he’s reliable.”
Jiang Tianhai nodded.
The next day, the three major guilds issued a joint announcement on the player forum:
[Trade When You Encounter the Incense Shop!]
The announcement detailed the two instances of players trading at the incense shop and reminded everyone to buy as much as possible when they see it, especially the incense paper, which seemed to irresistibly attract all NPCs.
It also sternly stated that killing other players for loot was forbidden; violators would be hunted by the three major guilds.
The forum exploded with reactions:
[Whoa, such a miraculous shop exists?!][According to the description, everything in the shop can save your life.][No wonder Vice President Pu Yunfeng managed to lead his team out of the Wax Museum dungeon alive—they bribed the NPCs with incense paper, and the cleansing talisman healed wax-related wounds. With these two items, we don’t need to worry about dying in there!][Yes! So many have died in the Wax Museum dungeon. Now there’s finally hope!]
Previously, players speculated that Pu Yunfeng’s strength might surpass the president of the top guild. Now, knowing the truth, everyone realized it was all thanks to that incense shop.
[Is the incense shop so miraculous that maybe the gods knew of our plight and came to save us?][We might actually have a chance!][I miss home; I want to return to the real world…]
Knowing the incense shop existed and increased survival chances gave many players hope and courage. They secretly prayed to encounter the shop and felt even more desperate to return to the real world.
Pu Yunfeng clenched his fists while reading the posts: We can do it!
Xi Mufu, unaware of the events in the other world, was still waiting for the third batch of visitors. Unfortunately, none had arrived even as the New Year approached.
It was now the late twelfth lunar month. In about ten days, it would be New Year’s Eve. The town’s festive atmosphere grew stronger, with every household decorating brightly, and the main street featuring dragon and lion dances for tourists.
“New Year’s is almost here. Are the three professors really staying at the farm?” Xi Mufu asked Ji Jiu.
She knew the professors and their students had signed confidentiality agreements, forbidding them from leaving Jingning Town easily, but New Year was the most important holiday for Chinese people. Surely they wanted to go home.
“Yes,” Ji Jiu said. “Their research has progressed.”
The three professors were deeply absorbed in rice cultivation. Even if allowed to go home, they might not agree, as it was a critical stage.
Xi Mufu brightened. “Progress?”
Ji Jiu nodded. “Animals ate the rice you cultivated and were unharmed; their bodies became stronger. The professors think it could be used to improve human physical fitness.”
This was a remarkable discovery—perhaps human lifespan could be extended, which would be a global sensation.