Seeing the small paper figurines the two of them took out, Qi Yuheng immediately realized they planned to use the figurines to dive into the sea and retrieve the fish eyes. Curious, he asked, “Won’t they disintegrate in the water?”
To him, these two small paper figurines looked like they were made of ordinary paper, clearly not waterproof.
Lu Ji replied, “No, they won’t.”
As for why they wouldn’t, he saw no need to explain to someone uninvolved.
Qi Yuheng glanced at her. Seeing her indifferent expression, he sensibly chose not to press further.
Ever since awakening his talent skill “Question the Heart,” Qi Yuheng could sense the emotions of players around him, even without actively probing their thoughts. In his perception, this unremarkable “girl” silently following Gu Jiu seemed entirely detached from the world. Apart from occasional emotional fluctuations directed at Gu Jiu, nothing else seemed capable of drawing her attention or evoking any reaction.
Yet Qi Yuheng did not underestimate Lu Ji.
Back in the “Caged Bird” instance, Lu Ji’s paper constructs had played a crucial role in the final moments, leaving a deep impression on him. Unexpectedly, after advancing to the C-class stage, the power of Lu Ji’s paper constructs had grown even more formidable.
Not only did Lu Ji send the paper figurines into the sea, but she also placed a paper turtle into the water.
“You can fold turtles too?” Gu Jiu asked with a smile.
Lu Ji said, “I folded them yesterday while you were bathing. I even folded a few for you.” As she spoke, she took out several pink paper turtles and handed them to her.
The paper turtles were exquisite, lifelike, and immediately recognizable as turtles.
One could say that as long as Lu Ji could see something, she could fold it into paper form. She was truly a master of origami.
Gu Jiu smiled and teased, “Did you get the idea to fold sea turtles because we’re on an island?”
Lu Ji nodded lightly. “I can fold some fish too.”
Seeing the marine-themed paper constructs Lu Ji pulled out, even Qi Yuheng couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration. It turned out that people truly couldn’t be judged by appearances. This seemingly sickly and brooding girl was unexpectedly talented and skillful.
More importantly, these paper constructs weren’t just decorative—they were fully functional tools, which was the most delightful part for any player.
Under the trio’s watchful gazes, two paper turtles carried the small paper figurines into the sea.
Although the paper constructs looked light as feathers, the buoyancy of the seawater seemed to have no effect on them as they vanished into the rolling waves.
Qi Yuheng also took out a puppet and sent it into the sea.
“This is a companion puppet I acquired in one of the game worlds,” he explained to the two. “It’s incredibly handy for tasks like retrieving items.”
Gu Jiu listened with a tinge of envy.
The cheaper, more specialized, and practical tools players could acquire were typically rewards obtained after clearing game instances. These tools depended on the rules of the game world in which they were earned. Since she had only experienced a few game worlds so far, Gu Jiu felt the need to explore more instances in the future. Not just for points, but also for tools.
After Ruan Yuan and the others entered the sea, most of the day passed without them surfacing. The three of them, each capable in their own right and working as a team, had little to worry about.
An hour later, one of the paper turtles climbed ashore, carrying a small paper figurine on its back.
When the two paper constructs emerged from the sea, they were as clean and dry as before, untouched by even a drop of water.
Qi Yuheng marveled at the waterproof capabilities of the paper constructs, clicking his tongue in amazement. “Lu Ji, what kind of paper are you using to make these? The waterproofing is incredible!”
“Just regular paper,” Lu Ji replied indifferently. The key lay in the power imbued into them, not the paper itself.
Although shaped like a turtle, the paper turtle was surprisingly swift and quickly reached the three of them. The small paper figurine handed over a fish eye the size of a lychee. Up close, its sheen and lifelike appearance were so realistic that it almost seemed alive. Staring at it, one could feel a chilling sensation, as if the fish eye was still alive and coldly gazing back.
Lu Ji, clearly repulsed, placed the fish eye in a plastic bag and handed it to Gu Jiu. “Ah Jiu, this is for you.”
While he still found this game world highly unpleasant, he didn’t mind the part where they had to act as “a couple.”
Gu Jiu accepted it with a smile. Squeezing the fish eye through the plastic bag, she noted that even its texture felt like a real, living fish eye. It was definitely not coral or stone.
Shortly after, the second paper turtle and figurine returned, bringing back another fish eye. Gu Jiu bagged it and handed it to Lu Ji, completing their tasks for the day.
Having fulfilled their mission, the two small paper figurines climbed onto the rocky outcrop where the group sat. Mimicking their owners, they relaxed there, enjoying the sea breeze.
The wind was strong, and the figurines were occasionally blown away, only to crawl back each time.
Qi Yuheng found the scene amusing and couldn’t help but ask, “Lu Ji, do you sell these paper constructs?”
Lu Ji was idly pinching the fish eye in his hand, his thoughts wandering. Though he was happy to act as a couple with Gu Jiu, he couldn’t help but wish they were exchanging something less revolting.
Hearing Qi Yuheng’s question, Lu Ji paused briefly before answering, “Yes, what are you looking to buy?”
“Since we’re on a sea island, I’d like some marine-themed paper constructs.”
“Marine creatures are 150 points each. That’s with a discount for being a ‘friend,’” Lu Ji replied, smoothly using the guise of friendship for business.
Qi Yuheng, affluent and unbothered by the cost, saw the value in the constructs. Being resistant to both water and fire made them incredibly practical. He bought ten in one go, transferring 1,500 points to Lu Ji’s account.
Despite casually earning 1,500 points, Lu Ji remained composed. However, when he turned to look at Gu Jiu, his deep, inky-black eyes softened, revealing a flicker of emotion.
“Ah Ji is amazing!” Gu Jiu praised, clapping her hands enthusiastically like a seal.
Lu Ji had indeed impressed her. Not every player could manage to turn their skills into a profitable business within the game worlds. Even with her rare bloodline awakening, Gu Jiu had yet to find a way to monetize it for points.
Lu Ji smiled shyly, as if embarrassed by her compliment. It was as though countless stars had suddenly fallen into her eyes, lighting up what had been an abyss of darkness. In that moment, her entire being seemed to glow.
Qi Yuheng, observing this, was mildly surprised. He suddenly realized how deeply Gu Jiu influenced Lu Ji. Her presence seemed to dictate her every emotion, even her will.
The third to return was the companion puppet.
The puppet, made of wood, was crudely crafted, with a featureless round head and stick-like limbs. It looked rather slapdash, but its functionality was impressive.
The puppet, dripping wet, carried a fish eye in its arms.
Qi Yuheng glanced at the clean and refreshing paper figurines sitting beside Gu Jiu and Lu Ji, then at the soaked puppet. Despite its appearance, he didn’t find it objectionable. Wearing thick white gloves, he disdainfully placed the fish eye into a sealed container.
The sea breeze carried a faint, fishy stench with it.
Qi Yuheng pinched his nose and remarked, “This smell is very similar to that fish-faced monster from last night.”
It was hard to believe the two weren’t connected. At least, Qi Yuheng didn’t think so—his intuition told him that the fish eyes were probably a part of the fish-faced monster’s body.
By noon, Ruan Yuan and the other two finally returned.
Exhausted, the trio dragged themselves ashore and collapsed in a heap, looking like survivors of a harrowing ordeal.
Gu Jiu and the others walked over to check on them and noticed that all three had varying degrees of injuries. The marks on their skin looked like something had lashed or scraped them, leaving deep bruises. In some places, the wounds even oozed blood.
“What did you encounter in the sea?” Qi Yuheng asked, frowning.
Ruan Yuan leaned against her boyfriend, too out of breath to speak.
After catching his breath, Ge Guang finally replied, “There’s something in the water… like some kind of sea snake. It chased us down and attacked…”
So much for the so-called Sea God’s trial being “simple.” Players entering the sea not only had to search for those fish eyes at the bottom but also contend with hidden attacks from predators.
“It turns out the fish eyes aren’t even hard to find,” Ge Guang continued. “There are tons of them down there—so many it triggers trypophobia. You can just reach into any hole in the reef and pull one out. But as soon as we tried to take them, those sea snakes came out of nowhere and attacked us.”
“Are you sure they’re sea snakes?” Gu Jiu asked.
“I think so,” Ruan Yuan said after catching her breath. “They’re really fast, but from the glimpses we got, they definitely look like some sort of sea snake. Thankfully, they aren’t venomous. But their tails hurt like hell when they whip you…”
Thinking about how they’d been chased around in the sea, she felt a pang of frustration.
“I think there are as many sea snakes in the water as there are fish eyes,” Lu Haidi added. “And I still can’t figure out what kind of fish these eyes came from. There are so many of them just scattered all over the sea.”
Qi Yuheng asked, “Did you manage to get the fish eyes?”
The three of them nodded. After enduring so much, failing to retrieve the eyes would have been unthinkable.
In truth, Ruan Yuan and her companions were considered relatively strong in the C-class arenas. They just couldn’t compare to monsters like Gu Jiu or Qi Yuheng.
Now that they had the fish eyes, the group of six didn’t linger by the sea. For Ruan Yuan, Ge Guang, and Lu Haidi, their experience had left them with a psychological scar.
“If I’d known, I’d have done what you did and used tools instead of going in myself,” Ruan Yuan grumbled. But despite her words, she didn’t truly regret her decision.
There were two reasons they’d chosen to dive in. First, they didn’t have any suitable tools for searching underwater. Second, they were curious about what was lurking in the sea. She knew Gu Jiu’s vision issues made it unwise for her to dive, and with Lu Ji being so devoted to Gu Jiu, it wasn’t an option for her either. That left her and Brother Lu as the only suitable candidates.
Qi Yuheng’s group faced a similar situation—Qi himself refused to dive, leaving Ge Guang no choice but to go.
Using tools to retrieve the fish eyes was certainly easier, but it wouldn’t reveal the sea’s secrets.
Gu Jiu said, “You’ve worked hard. Rest well tonight, and I’ll have the paper figurines guard your door.”
Ruan Yuan broke into a grin at her words. She had long coveted Lu Ji’s paper constructs. It wasn’t that she couldn’t afford to buy them—Lu Ji simply hadn’t started selling them yet. Plus, these constructs were rare and precious, so she couldn’t bring herself to ask for one without a closer relationship.
But if the “young miss” was offering them for free, who could say no?
On the way back, Ge Guang handed the fish eye he had retrieved to Qi Yuheng. “Boss Qi, this is yours. Where’s mine?”
Qi Yuheng casually tossed him a box, his face still bearing an expression of forced composure.
Worried that Qi Yuheng might feel nauseous again, Ge Guang quickly added, “Boss Qi, this is just part of the game task—don’t take it personally. We’re really not that kind of pair.”
Qi Yuheng nodded reluctantly, but judging by his pale expression, it was clear the psychological scars from this game world weren’t going to fade anytime soon.
When they arrived back at the villa, several players had already returned, though their numbers were few.
The players who had come back first noticed Gu Jiu and the others entering. Their eyes swept over Ge Guang and his companions, pausing on the marks on their bodies. Understanding dawned in their expressions, and one of them asked, “Were there a lot of sea snakes in the water?”
Ge Guang and Ruan Yuan nodded and asked in return, “Did you run into them too?”
The player who had spoken confirmed it with a nod. However, they had returned earlier and used medicine, so the marks on their bodies had already faded.
Other players weren’t oblivious either. They understood that any trial task assigned by the butler was bound to have some hidden intricacies. Perhaps the sea held some kind of clue. Even if their tools could fetch the fish eyes without incident, someone still needed to dive in and see for themselves.
Thus, each pair of partners made sure at least one person ventured into the sea to investigate.
After a grueling morning, Ge Guang and his companions were thoroughly drained. They ate a quick meal, washed up, and went to their rooms to rest.
Although Gu Jiu and her group weren’t physically tired, they also chose to return to their rooms since there was little else to do.
As soon as they entered the room, Gu Jiu noticed the air felt stuffy. She walked over to the balcony and slid open the glass door, but then froze in place.
The balcony, which had been perfectly fine yesterday, was now in shambles. The wooden lounge table and chairs had been reduced to splinters, and even several of the railings were broken.
Was there a typhoon last night?