Chapter 59: The Holy Infant Orphanage 26

Chapter 59: The Holy Infant Orphanage 26

In the E-Class Live Broadcast Hall, thousands of pairs of eyes were fixated on the screen.

What did the anchor figure out? Why did he suddenly look as if he had an epiphany?

The spirits exchanged glances, unable to come up with an answer, their brows knitted in anxiety.

Then, they felt an unprecedented dissatisfaction with the quality of the live broadcast.

What a terrible picture!

Sure, the maze was a bit dark, but why were all the details lost??

"System! Where's the system?"

"Don't you have any sense of service? I want to use my gold coins to upgrade the picture quality to Blu-ray!!"

It was true that the live broadcast from the Rule World could offer Blu-ray quality and surround sound.

However, in most normal circumstances, no viewer would be willing to spend gold coins to activate this feature.

This was because the original live stream quality was already quite good.

Moreover, once viewers were watching a C-Rank or higher live stream, Blu-ray and surround sound would become inherent basic features of the broadcast, requiring no additional expenditure.

As for the remaining D, E, and F Rank streams?

People might as well just take a casual glance!

After all, they were merely a group of novice hosts playing trashy dungeons; what was there to seriously watch?

Spirits who had always held such beliefs were slapped in the face today by this low-ranking host dressed as a priest.

It was the first time since its establishment that the E-Rank Live Stream Hall had earned so much within a single day.

If the hall could express emotions, its mouth would surely be crooked from smiling now.

Amidst the chaos in the hall, only the youth in the center of the screen remained serene.

At this very moment, he was kneeling half-sideways beside the labyrinth's wall.

He retrieved a small knife from his personal space, using one hand to support himself while meticulously scraping something at the base of the wall without actually touching it.

Instead of using his hands directly, he cut a large piece of fabric from his priest's robe and placed it over the object.

What could this be?

The spectators all craned their necks in curiosity.

Undoubtedly, the host must have discovered some crucial clue related to clearing the level, which explained their grave expression.

The spirits were not wrong; Qin Fei had indeed found a clue pointing towards the exit.

Just moments ago, as he continuously navigated through the maze, his mind was ceaselessly pondering.

If there was something that had been assisting "It" in monitoring everything within the labyrinth, what could it possibly be?

Not cockroaches, nor rats.

These creatures were capable of movement, and Qin Fei had already dispatched quite a number along the way.

It was evident that these irritating creatures bore no distinction from their counterparts outside the labyrinth; they were merely ordinary crawling insects.

At one fork in the path, Qin Fei had kicked a rat that was heading left towards the right. The rat tumbled on the ground, bounced off the wall, and then staggered off to the right, showing no intention of returning.

Their paths were indeed random, lacking any specific direction.

What Qin Fei was searching for must be something else entirely.

Something he had yet to uncover.

Amidst the urgency of every passing moment, every neuron in Qin Fei's brain was working at full capacity.

Fixing his gaze on the wall, the third rule he had seen before entering the maze suddenly resurfaced in his mind.

"Do not approach the ■■."

Like the viewers in the live stream, Qin Fei also believed that the two deliberately blurred words were "wall."

However, the labyrinth was so dark that bumps and scrapes were inevitable.

Furthermore, since spirit candles couldn't be lit here, unless one was as clever as Qin Fei, who had pried off the lantern at the entrance of the labyrinth, ordinary players might choose to walk by feeling the wall after entering.

This meant they could easily discover the anomaly with the walls and fill in the third rule.

Stay away from the walls.

With this warning, those entering the labyrinth would undoubtedly be more cautious, keeping themselves firmly in the center of the path.

Simple contact with the walls wouldn't injure the labyrinth's inhabitants; instead, it would heighten their alertness, ensuring they avoided any harm from this rule.

The rule seemed like a riddle, but its solution was too simple and effortless, almost to the point of suspicion.

Could it be a trap set by the labyrinth itself?

Qin Fei felt that he was getting a grip on a certain line of thought, one that was very close to the correct answer.

Suppose there was indeed something on the walls.

Due to the misleading nature of the third rule, those who entered the maze might never discover the secret they sought until their death.

So...

What could possibly be on those walls?

Qin Fei came to a halt.

Staring at the walls for a long while, he switched between several corridors but failed to notice any abnormalities.

Until one particular moment.

His gaze fell upon a spot illuminated by flickering candlelight beneath his feet, and a sudden realization dawned upon him.

A patch of moss grew there.

An unremarkable cluster of dark green moss.

A faint stirring arose in Qin Fei's heart.

Could it be the very thing that had long puzzled him?

If there were any substance within this labyrinth that could function as a "surveillance system," apart from insects, snakes, rats, and the bricks and stones that made up the maze, it would have to be the moss.

It grew out of the crevices between the wall bricks, spreading across corners in a lush layer.

Perhaps due to the excessive dampness within the labyrinth, the moss bore an exceedingly deep green-black hue, resembling the remnants of something decaying.

Moss.

Ever since Qin Fei first set foot in the dungeon, it seemed to have become an omnipresent entity, like a shadow that followed him wherever he went.

On the steps, on the ground, on the walls.

The moss was everywhere.

It was precisely because it was omnipresent that it was more easily overlooked.

The entrance to the Labyrinth of the Mind was within the dungeon, and these two settings seamlessly connected. Thus, the presence of moss in the labyrinth was entirely logical and hardly noticeable.

—If Qin Fei hadn't happened to focus on the wall and spotted this unique patch of moss.

Even with his keen powers of observation, he could have easily missed it.

Qin Fei fixated intently on the unusual clump of moss not far in front of him.

This patch of moss was concealed among others, its top a grayish-white. If one didn't look closely, they might mistake it for mold growing above the moss.

But the shape of the mold was too symmetrical—two distinct, circular outlines as if drawn with a compass.

The middle of the mold was hollow, revealing the dark moss beneath, which, from a distance, resembled... a pair of eyes.

Eyes.

This highly suggestive pattern stirred a subtle heat within Qin Fei's veins.

Could it be this?

Is the moss His surveillance system within this labyrinth?

If we follow this logic, could it be that by finding a path without moss, we would successfully reach the end of the maze?

Qin Fei bent down and used his knife to scrape off the clump of moss, bringing it close to his eyes for a careful examination.

Only now did the audience in the live stream finally see clearly what Qin Fei was doing.

"What is it? What on earth is that?"

They hurriedly leaned closer to the screen, a tidal wave of pressure surging forward from behind.

If spirits had physical bodies, there might have been a tragic stampede today.

"Is it ashes on the wall? Or grass on the ground?"

The spirits chattered away, not daring to blink their eyes even once.

The System finally showed some humanity and zoomed in at the perfect moment, amplifying the moss several times, presenting it vividly to the audience's eyes.

In the next second, the spirits in front of the screen seemed to have been struck by a devastating blow.

There was no blood or violence in the scene, but the entire live-stream hall erupted in startled cries all at once.

"Shietttttttttttt!!"

"Aaaahhhhh, f*ck, mom, I'm blind! Aaaaahhhhhh!!"

"Seeking a pair of eyes that haven't seen this scene, willing to pay a high price..."

"What the hell... Can't you give a warning for such graphic content next time?!"

These viewers, who had never flinched at scenes of flesh flying or intestines spilling out, were now pale as sheets from this tiny patch of moss.

On the light screen, a nauseating sight was unfolding.

In Qin Fei's palm, those grayish-white substances on the moss weren't mold or dust.

Instead, they were minuscule plants that resembled insignificant weeds.

Each plant had a thin stem, a flesh-colored one that resembled exposed veins in the air, with an indistinct fluid seemingly surging within.

At the tip of each stem grew round seeds, resembling fish roe or insect eggs at first glance. But upon closer inspection, one would realize they were, in fact—

Human eyes.

Yes, eyes.

Eyes with a grayish-white sclera tainted with blood vessels, deep gray irises, and even two eyelids, complete with sparse, scattered eyelashes on them.

As Qin Fei moved, countless grotesquely small eyes blinked in unison.

Those eyelids, resembling tattered fishskin, lifted slowly, and the pupils turned gradually towards Qin Fei's direction.

Their utterly unrealistic structure sent shivers down one's spine with just a single glance.

What on earth were these things?!

Some spectators, overwhelmed with trypophobia, frantically scratched at their non-existent arms. As they did so, they heard a dry retch from another spirit not far away.

"Yue-"

The spirit's throat convulsed in response.

...Damn, it seemed to want to vomit too!

The only comforting thought was that this thing was indeed highly distinctive, immediately revealing that the streamer had found the correct approach to solving the maze.

The moss was its eyes.

It was the clue pointing to the exit.

Beyond a doubt.

But a new problem arose promptly.

"If It observes the people in the maze through the moss, does 'a place It can't see' imply that the exit lies where there is no moss? So, would following the path without moss lead us out of the maze?"

A spirit entity grumbled.

This was a very common line of thinking, and all the viewers held this opinion.

However, it was easier said than done.

The host had already taken many detours on their journey, but the maze seemed endless.

How vast was this maze? No one could say for sure.

Although the entrance to the maze was situated in the church's dungeon, everyone suspected that it might be an independent space detached from the church itself.

Its size might be unimaginably enormous.

Moreover, even if it was truly beneath the church, its corresponding location would likely be the maze gallery on the church's ground floor.

The gallery was also incredibly spacious.

Its corridors varied in length.

If Qin Fei were to search every path he had taken, relying on the dim light in the maze, there was no way he could find the exit within the remaining twenty minutes.

When this realization dawned on everyone, a wave of despair swept through the entire live-streaming hall!

In the VIP area on the second floor, the golden spirit that had been intently watching the live-stream seemed to dim slightly, a look of disappointment etched on its face.

"It's over, it's over."

"Indeed, this time we're really doomed. There's no way the streamer can find the exit."

"Oh God, I'm about to explode with frustration. It took so much effort to get this far. If only the streamer had discovered the secret of the moss earlier."

In truth, they all knew that, from any perspective, the streamer was already incredibly skilled.

He was just a newcomer who was doing his second live-stream!

And yet, some viewers still couldn't help but grumble about his abilities.

If only he were stronger.

If only he were stronger, if only he could unravel the secrets of the moss earlier.

Perhaps he would have truly found the main personality, the source of corruption, and the most thrilling climax of this entire scenario.

The agony of knowing death was imminent yet being powerless to stop its approach was far more distressing than the tension of being unable to unlock answers.

"Indeed, we shouldn't have had any expectations for a newcomer!"

The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. How did they forget this timeless truth?

In the live broadcast hall, even spirits were shaking their heads in sighs as they left.

It seemed Qin Fei's demise and destruction were an inevitable, irreversible fact.

There was no need to watch further.

Watching more would merely be a waste of time and energy.

Compared to the suddenly panicked viewers, Qin Fei, who was at the heart of the crisis, appeared much calmer.

He was never one to grumble or regret when faced with adversity, blaming himself for not discovering the clues earlier – such sentiments would be of no aid in escaping the labyrinth.

Moreover, Qin Fei didn't believe that searching blindly along the corridors for eyeless passages was the correct approach to solving the puzzle.

As someone navigating the maze, he had a clearer understanding of its vastness than any spectator behind the screen.

Even if he had come up with the right answer the moment he entered the labyrinth.

If he stubbornly persisted in his search,

then an hour and twenty minutes would make no difference to him; both would prove insufficient.

In fact, within this fleeting moment, Qin Fei had formulated another hypothesis.

These eyeballs growing on the moss were more akin to creatures than plants; they exhibited distinct responses to external stimuli.

When Qin Fei dug them up, they blinked,

and as he held them in his hands and moved forward, their eyelashes trembled continuously.

Since realizing this, a notion emerged in Qin Fei's mind.

Perhaps, the one who should exert effort in searching for an exit was not himself.

But rather, these eyeballs.

Qin Fei's strides remained steady, his slender back straightened upright.

He held the tattered piece of cloth in both hands, with the myriad of eyeballs nestled within the moss, calmly resting in the palm of his hand.

He walked forward steadily, his eyes fixed straight ahead.

He didn't approach the wall nor did he bend down to continue searching through the moss.

Gradually,

the viewers in the live stream seemed to be influenced by him.

The complaining and dissatisfied viewers fell silent, and no more spirits continued to depart.

The live broadcast hall fell silent.

There was something enchanting about that young man in the center of the screen.

Even as he walked expressionlessly and aimlessly forward, he still managed to captivate everyone's attention.

Without saying a word, he could evoke a subtle sense of trust in those who watched him, making them feel that he could accomplish anything, always finding a way out of dire situations, never disappointing anyone.

But...

This was a dead end that could be seen straight through.

How was one supposed to break this deadlock?

Confusion shone in the viewers' eyes.

...

Qin Fei's steps quickened.

He moved through the dimly lit corridors, his bloodstained cloak billowing in the wind.

None of the spirits could fathom what he was doing.

Had he given up all hope of clearing the levels and started to act recklessly?

But how could that be possible??

They had witnessed countless live streams and seen numerous hosts drowning in despair.

Some wailed, some wept, and some collapsed on the ground.

There were even those who went mad without restraint, attempting to harm others or themselves.

Yet, they had never seen anyone, in the depths of despair, charge forward blindly with such determination!

That was utterly absurd!

"What on earth is the streamer doing??"

"Help me, I'm dying of curiosity!"

"There are only a few minutes left before the hour! Didn't the doctor say they could only stay in the maze for an hour? What will happen if they exceed that time?"

No one could answer this question, as no one had ever even discovered this underground labyrinth before Qin Fei.

"Sigh, forget about the hour. Switch to the view on the surface, those people in the arcade are about to die!"

The audience perked up and started thumping their thighs again.

The once-quiet live streaming hall erupted into noise once more, even louder than before.

The waves of commotion threatened to shake the ceiling.

The system didn't provide a close-up of the clump of moss-covered eyes in Qin Fei's hands.

The eyes were too small, and Qin Fei's downward gaze was concealed by the darkness. The viewers had no way of knowing that the eyes in his grasp were actually wriggling continuously.

Slender tendrils shifted direction, akin to beasts scenting blood, poking tentatively in a certain direction whenever Qin Fei arrived at a fork in the path.

The more they indicated a preferred route, the more Qin Fei defied them.

If the eyes wanted to go left, Qin Fei went right;

If they wanted right, he chose left.

Qin Fei had no watch, nor a mobile phone, but his perception of each passing second was abnormally acute.

Ten minutes passed.

Five minutes.

Three minutes.

As the one-hour deadline drew closer, his pace accelerated.

Eventually, he was practically sprinting down the corridor.

He frequently lowered his head to inspect the eyeball in his hand.

As he ventured deeper into the labyrinth, the reactions of the eyeballs grew more intense.

Initially, they only showed interest in certain directions, but this gradually evolved into an obvious aversion to specific corridors.

This made Qin Fei's path selection even easier; all he needed to do was head in the direction the eyeballs seemed to avoid.

Exit!

So close!

Qin Fei gritted his teeth, summoning all his strength, just as he had when he ran through the chaotic graveyard in Yin Village or when being chased by Prisoner Zero.

"Exit!"

"The exit has appeared!!"

After an unremarkable turn, a glimmer of light appeared at the end of everyone's line of sight.

The previously frowning or gloomy spectators all leaped to their feet in an instant!

He did it!

The streamer truly did it!

That was the exit of the maze, the gateway to uncovering the truth!

Qin Fei's eyes suddenly gleamed with intense brightness.

Unabated, he moved like an arrow in this enclosed labyrinth, piercing through the air, piercing through the darkness, hurtling straight towards that shimmering light ahead.

...

The glow behind the door was like a warm tide, enveloping Qin Fei's entire being like water.

After dashing through that door, it felt as if he had collided into a soft cushion of cotton or a bouncy gelatinous mass.

He found himself submerged in some invisible substance, his limbs restrained and unable to move freely.

Excessive brightness, much like profound darkness, can alike veil one's sight.

Qin Fei was immobile and voiceless, his vision filled with an unvarying dazzling white.

Yet, this place didn't instill unease.

Despite losing his freedom, he could still sense from every subtle nuance and every wisp of air around him an amiable and harmless aura.

Qin Fei attempted to summon the bullet screen interface.

Although it was challenging to glean any substantial information from it, even scraps or hidden clues were better than nothing.

Unfortunately, he failed.

The bullet screen interface seemed to have lost connection with him.

Not only that, Qin Fei couldn't even access his personal dashboard anymore.

In summary, he was trapped here.

After attempting various positions to free himself without success, Qin Fei pondered for a moment and decided to simply close his eyes, tranquilly resting his mind.

The air was filled with stillness and serenity, allowing Qin Fei's thoughts to drift away.

In the split second before he entered a meditative state, a single wish crossed his mind:

He hoped that time would pass slowly in this inexplicable special scenario, so as not to make it too difficult for Xiao Xiao and the others who were buying him time back at the church.

Qin Fei had no idea if time was stretching or compressing.

After two days and nights of intense mental and physical exertion, he instantly fell into a deep sleep the moment he closed his eyes.

When he awoke again, the constraining force had vanished, and the blinding white light before his eyes had receded entirely.

Qin Fei found himself lying on a hard wooden bed with disheveled sheets and a thin blanket.

He sat up and began to survey his surroundings.

This was an extremely cramped room, cluttered with miscellaneous items. Judging from the overall structure of the space, it seemed to be an attic belonging to a household.

The room was abnormally narrow, with a ceiling that stood no more than one and a half meters above the floor. If Qin Fei were to enter under normal circumstances, he wouldn't even be able to straighten his back.

Yet, he could now stand upright without any issue.

Qin Fei raised an eyebrow in surprise.

He lifted his hands, holding them up before his eyes for inspection.

The skin on both hands was unusually pale, with faint veins and tendons barely visible beneath the nearly translucent skin, giving off an unhealthy appearance.

His fingers were slender and short, while his palms were small.

These were definitely not the hands of an adult.

The clothes he wore had also transformed. No longer was it the intricately crafted and blood-stained priest's robe; judging from the length of the pants, the current owner of this body appeared to be an eleven or twelve-year-old child.

Qin Fei reached up to touch his head. The short hair on top was soft and slightly curly, evoking a vague sense of familiarity with its texture.

That was the sensation he had once experienced in the Confessional of the Inner World.

So...

Had he become Lamb?