The Only Player in 'Child of Stardust'

The investigators exchanged glances at Zhou Yuan's words and then all shook their heads.

"Not a single one that meets the criteria?" Zhou Yuan was surprised.

"Really none."

Chen Guangxi spoke in a melancholic tone, "We're all more tragic than the next, with each of us carrying more negative energy."

The investigators nodded, taking turns to recount the heavy tragedies they bore:

"My parents died in an abnormal event caused by humans, and I joined the Mobile Task Force to avenge them."

"My brother was killed right in front of me. I must avenge him."

"My daughter was abducted by a church and used as a sacrifice. I swear to avenge her or die trying!"

"My entire family died in the abnormal event caused by the Land of Truth."

"..."

Zhou Yuan opened his mouth, then looked at Chen Guangxi with hopelessness, "What about you?"

"My brother killed our parents, another sister killed that brother, I was forced to kill that sister, and in the end had to destroy the storybook... In short, my whole family is dead, my old home is gone, and I'm left alone and destitute."

Zhou Yuan was numb. How did this suddenly turn into a competition of tragedies?

"What about you?" Chen Guangxi asked back.

"My parents used to abuse me since I was a kid. Once, they almost beat me to death."

"Hmm... Then you don't seem as miserable as us. How about you go?"

"..."

Zhou Yuan hesitated to speak, thinking to himself that he always thought his life was extremely miserable, but compared to theirs, it was fundamentally different. At least those gambling addict parents left him a house in Xinhu...

"I can go, but you have to provide some help," Zhou Yuan said.

"Just say the word."

"Any unused talismans, crosses, or anything like that, give me as many as you can... Uh, you're a dragon, can you provide some dragon scales or mane or something?" Zhou Yuan thought that anything related to dragons must be worth a lot.

"Sure." Chen Guangxi readily took out two pieces of shiny golden dragon scales.

[Name: Golden Dragon Precious Scale]

[Quality: Rare]

[Special Effect: These scales of the mythical creature Golden Dragon are extremely hard, useful for forging, alchemy, pharmacology, mysticism rituals, etc.]

[Remark: Long is the dragon, beware!]

[Price: 800 Star Coins]

How much?!

Zhou Yuan was shocked.

One piece is 800?!

He suppressed his inner shock and joy, "Can you provide a bit more?"

"I only have these two pieces." Chen Guangxi spread her hands, "These two pieces are already worth six million, don't be too greedy, pal."

"Aren't these supposed to be like your hair or nails?"

"No, these are precious scales, more valuable than ordinary scales, you can call them... superior nail clippings.

I can only forge one piece a month, do you know how many magicians and forging masters beg me for them every day?"

"Then give me some ordinary scales." Zhou Yuan could only retreat and make concessions.

"Alright." Chen Guangxi took out ten more ordinary shiny golden scales.

[Name: Golden Dragon Scale]

[Quality: Fine]

[Special Effect: The scales of the mythical creature Golden Dragon are extremely hard, useful for forging, alchemy, pharmacology, mysticism rituals, etc., but not as effective as Precious Scales.]

[Price: 300 Star Coins]

The dragon is indeed full of treasures!

Zhou Yuan licked his lips. Making friends with Chen Guangxi was definitely a smart move!

No worries about running out of Star Coins with some scales, dragon blood, or mane to collect!

Then, he accepted the talismans and crosses handed over by the investigators.

These were consecrated items, imbued with the supernatural, and could be sold.

There were ten talismans and only two crosses. Each type of item was priced at 100 Star Coins.

Zhou Yuan put everything into his backpack and then opened the game shop, filtered keywords, and quickly found a suitable item.

[Name: Mind-Calming Potion]

[Quality: Common]

[Special Effect: Consuming it will strip you of emotional capability, entering a calm state for 1 hour.]

[Remark: When you think your teammates are dragging you down, drink this. It effectively protects your screen, mouse, and keyboard from undeserved damage.]

[Price: 300 Star Coins]

Zhou Yuan sold 3 talismans and bought the potion.

But he still felt it was not enough, so he searched for another item.

[Name: Illusion-Awakening Charm]

[Quality: Fine]

[Special Effect: Wearing this charm allows you to stay awake in illusions and dreams.]

[Remark: Remember to take it off when sleeping.]

[Price: 2000 Star Coins]

This time, Zhou Yuan sold 6 dragon scales and 2 talismans to scrape together 2000 Star Coins.

Everything was ready.

Zhou Yuan exhaled and walked toward the ferris wheel.

The high school student who had come out of the ferris wheel earlier was still standing in place. When Zhou Yuan approached, he finally moved, turning to open the ferris wheel cabin door, sat inside, and waved to Zhou Yuan.

The good ghosts are here to help us, with him, the chances of passing increase... Zhou Yuan followed and sat inside.

The cabin door closed, the glass gradually fogged up, becoming blurry.

Zhou Yuan immediately equipped the "Illusion-Awakening Charm," then pulled out the Mind-Calming Potion and drank it in one gulp.

The next second, he felt an unprecedented calm, all emotions vanished, his heart resembled an ancient well, deep and tranquil, without a ripple, serene to the extreme.

At this moment, the handsome high school student opposite him gave a faint smile, his smile warm as sunshine, as if it could melt snow.

"No wonder he's so charismatic, but unfortunately, when it comes to looks, you can never beat me," Zhou Yuan thought.

Then, he cast aside distractions, calming his mind, waiting for the mental trial to come.

The ferris wheel slowly rotated. When Zhou Yuan's cabin reached the highest point, the air before his eyes suddenly twisted, and the surrounding scene rapidly changed.

When Zhou Yuan came to his senses, he was already at home.

His vision had lowered... Zhou Yuan hurried to the bathroom to look in the mirror, finding that he had shrunk, reverting to about eight or nine years old.

Thud thud thud!

Suddenly, the door was pounded heavily, as if someone was violently smashing it.

Zhou Yuan's body trembled. He remembered!

This day was the closest he had come to death!

That day, his parents lost a lot of money playing cards outside, came home, and beat him brutally, sending him into the ICU, almost dying.

"The ferris wheel will replay the rider's most fearful events. If I get swallowed by fear and helplessness, I will end up like Jiang Wuming, dying on the spot..."

Zhou Yuan acknowledged this was his deepest fear. Even now, he had nightmares about that man or that woman's ferocious face strangling him, cursing with venomous words, trying to choke him to death.

If he hadn't drunk the potion and worn the charm, he would be deeply immersed in the illusion, overwhelmed by fear.

"Damn it, Zhou Yuan, open the door, are you dead?!"

A rough shout came from outside, the door pounding grew louder.

Zhou Yuan, expressionless, walked to the kitchen and picked up a kitchen knife.