Chapter 77: Stage A Completed

If there really was a bomb, whoever planted it definitely did so with a specific purpose in mind.

Either they wanted to incite a riot, or they wanted to assassinate someone of high status.

They couldn't possibly have gone through all the trouble of planting a bomb in the Tower just to blow up four country bumpkins from Rotten Vegetable Village.

Therefore, as long as they stayed away from crowded areas and high-status individuals, they could minimize their chances of getting caught in the blast.

As for searching for the bomb.

If the Tower's own people weren't dealing with it, it was pure fantasy for four outsiders to try.

"Hear that? Stop dreaming about clinging to someone's coattails, old man."

Driven by embarrassment and frustration, Chen Nian found Old Master Liu particularly grating at the moment, delivering his words in a flat tone.

"What do you mean, clinging to coattails?"

Old Master Liu was highly dissatisfied with Chen Nian's phrasing. "Madam Gu recognized my strength and specifically invited me to be her bodyguard!"

As he spoke, he tapped the employee badge on his chest with a smug smile.

"See this? Special Hire E1. Once I get promoted to Grade D, even I'll be a minor supervisor."

Even now, the old man was still obsessed with the position of 'supervisor.'

"Did this Madam Gu mention who received the Advance Notice?"

Yan Jing chimed in, interrupting their daily bickering.

"It was Dandelion Manor."

Turning to serious matters, Old Master Liu spoke earnestly.

"Just tonight, the people from Dandelion Manor and Sleepland officially moved into the Tower. VIPs like them are all staying in the VIP area on the eighth floor."

"And less than three hours after they settled in, word came from Dandelion Manor that they'd received a bomb Advance Notice."

Yan Jing nodded and looked back at Chen Nian.

"Old Chen, is it possible for someone in this Domain to create a bomb triggered by a remote signal? Or an electronic time bomb?"

Chen Nian shook his head.

"The possibility is extremely low. In this Domain, the more precise and compact a device is, the more unstable it becomes. If it were either of the two types you mentioned, there would be no way to accurately control the detonation time."

A dark gleam flickered in Yan Jing's eyes, half-hidden in the shadows.

"So, it can only be controlled by Weird Energy."

"And if it's controlled by Weird Energy..."

"Then the culprit must be inside the Tower!"

Old Master Liu muttered excitedly.

However, two pairs of eyes simultaneously turned to stare at him.

"Safety first!!"

"I was just saying..." Old Master Liu shrank back and mumbled softly.

"It's not like I don't know it's dangerous..."

"Alright, let's leave it at that for now. We'll gather information tomorrow and regroup at lunch."

Yan Jing made the final call and dismissed the group.

The lights went out, and the group went their separate ways.

Yan Jing returned to his room. After sweeping the area with Anomalous Energy Detection, he chose not to switch identities. He lay down and quickly fell asleep.

He slept straight through until the next morning.

Seeing that it was about time, he switched back to his original body.

A short while later, an Inner World System prompt appeared before his eyes.

[Dungeon Sun-Swallowing Tower Stage A Completed]

[Dungeon Evaluation in Progress]

[Task 'Perfect Waiter' evaluation: The player has served a total of 21 guests and received a total of 21 five-star reviews. Based on a comprehensive assessment, the task rating is: S (Highest rating is S-grade)]

[Task 'Feasting is All About Hand Speed' evaluation: The player has consumed a total of 18 types of dishes. Based on the quantity of dishes, the task rating is: S (Highest rating is S-grade)]

[Overall Dungeon Rating: S]

[Reward Calculation in Progress]

[Basic Rewards: 3% Experience, 10,000 Eerie Coins]

[S-Grade Bonus Rewards: 20% Experience, 10,000 Eerie Coins, Mental Immunity Potion (Bound Item) x1, Item Quality Appraisal Ticket x1, Inner World Box Key x1 (Bound Item)]

[Now Issuing Stage B Tasks]

[Task 1: Building That Could Explode at Any Time]

[Task Description:

A minor 'situation' seems to have arisen within the Sun-Swallowing Tower, making this already unsafe Domain even more dangerous.

Please identify the source of the danger on your own and survive inside the Sun-Swallowing Tower for over 48 hours.

Note: There is no additional penalty if this task is failed.]

[Task 2: Become a Qualified Bodyguard, Waiter!]

[Task Description:

As the saying goes, a waiter who doesn't want to be a bodyguard is not a good waiter.

The Tower has become dangerous. Therefore, the Tower has decided to promote you waiters to bodyguards to protect the guests who have traveled from afar.

And the reason you were chosen is, of course, because you outsiders are the least likely to have orchestrated this danger.

Each of you will be assigned a corresponding VIP to protect. If your VIP dies, you will also receive severe punishment.

Note: Due to the high difficulty of the task, there has been some interference in the assignment of your VIPs to ensure as much compatibility as possible between you and your charge, guaranteeing a good interactive experience.]

[Note: Stage B tasks are subject to change. The actual tasks will be based on the situation when Stage B begins.]

[Stage B will officially begin in one day.]

[Countdown to exiting the dungeon: 00:05:00]

Looking at the task prompts before him, Yan Jing nodded.

At least the task wasn't to defuse the bomb.

Switching to the Cameraman's identity, he went to the bar and left a note on the counter, informing Rose and One-Eye that he would be two hours late.

Then, he exited the Inner World.

Upon returning to the Surface World, he dialed Shen Youran's number, telling her that he had passed Stage A. He also explained the basic situation and mentioned a few important players.

He hung up. Three minutes later, hurried knocking sounded at the door.

Yan Jing opened the door to see Shen Youran standing there with a laptop in her arms. The thong of her right flip-flop had completely snapped.

The moment she saw Yan Jing, she grabbed him and started inspecting him from head to toe. "Are you sure you're not hurt? Do you feel off anywhere?"

After confirming Yan Jing was uninjured, she immediately opened her laptop.

"I'll send the player information to you right now, Xiao Yanzi. Take a look. Tell me the Stage B tasks, and let me know whatever else you want me to look up."

Without any dilly-dallying, Yan Jing said, "The Stage B tasks are..."

"Also, help me look up information related to the Dandelion Manor and Sleepland dungeons."

"Got it."

Their brief exchange ended there.

One person began reviewing the player information, while the other started searching for data.

For a moment, the only sound in the living room was Shen Youran typing on her keyboard.

Yan Jing looked over the player information.

He had already learned about Mu Rao and Mo Nagu prior to Stage A.

The document currently in his hands pertained to two other individuals.

One was Chen Dalang.

This leading figure of the Chen Family's new generation had originally been in a situation quite similar to Yan Jing's; he was also the only son of a declining branch family.

The reason he had attained his current status was because his Novice Dungeon had been assigned to a New Domain outside of Old Sin City.

In that New Domain, a stroke of luck had led him to take a highly skilled Inner World Resident as his master. From then on, his rise had been meteoric, and he had effortlessly crushed all opposition within his family.

And the reason he had entered this dungeon this time was because the Chen Family had established a superficial connection with the Sun-Swallowing Tower. There was supposed to be an exceptional 'Vessel' here.

Because of this, Chen Dalang had even specifically asked someone to use a Dungeon Selection Voucher to inform his master in that Domain that his return would be delayed by two months.

Only after that did he come here.

"I don't have any informants over at the Chen Family, which is why I didn't get this news right away,"

Shen Youran said. "Also, there's the Inner World Network. It was created by a mighty figure from the Inner World Pathway, and you must belong to the Inner World Pathway to log in."

Her tone was heavy with self-reproach.

She felt her intelligence gathering hadn't been comprehensive enough.

"It's fine. It's not too late even now."

Yan Jing continued to the second player's profile.

Compared to Chen Dalang, this one clearly intrigued him much more.

"Based on the clues you provided—like the squinting eyes and the Public Security Association—the big data search found the person you're looking for. It should be him."

Shen Youran continued, "Actually, we didn't even need big data. Those two traits you mentioned are very distinct. This person is quite famous in Ling'an."

Yan Jing looked at the document. The man in the photograph was squinting with a smile on his face, just like the man in the Inner World, but his physical appearance was completely different.

His nose bridge was higher, and his features were sharp as if chiseled by a knife, radiating an aggressive edge. Even his constantly smiling eyes carried a faint hint of murderous intent.

'Fan Jue'

That was his name.