Volume 1, Chapter 28: Copy of the Record of Gods and Demons

"They’re probably just carried away by the gossip; I swear they aren't usually like this."

Zong Qiaoqiao muted her microphone, pinched Yu Yansui’s waist, and whispered, "Are you trying to kill me? I’m right next to you, and you didn't even say you were bringing people along! We’ve completely embarrassed ourselves."

Yu Yansui shivered from the pinch. *It’s your own fault for being so absorbed in the drama that you didn't even notice when they joined the party.*

Zhao Wanyun gave an awkward laugh. "Hello, gentlemen."

Li Suzhi: "Hello."

Yan Huaifeng: "Hello. Just to clarify, I am not a rotten cabbage, nor am I a sour pickle."

Yu Yansui quickly chimed in, "Brother Xiaofeng and Brother Suzhi are neither!"

There was no need to wonder how Zong Qiaoqiao and Zhao Wanyun felt; they were wishing the ground would swallow them whole. Yan Huaifeng’s clarification was like a series of sharp slaps to their faces. The situation spiraled into a long silence.

Yu Yansui chuckled to comfort them. "It’s fine, sisters. You just got a little too caught up in the gossip. It’s no big deal."

Zong Qiaoqiao: *Heh.*
Zhao Wanyun: *Heh.*

"Shall we run a dungeon, girls? There’s a new one in Jiuxi Village; let’s group up!"

At the mention of a dungeon, the two finally perked up and agreed instantly.

Zong Qiaoqiao: "We're short a person."

Zhao Wanyun: "Let's teleport to Jiuxi Village first. I’ve got someone here—a real powerhouse."

"Got it!" Yu Yansui replied.

As soon as they entered Jiuxi Village, the atmosphere turned eerie. Even the background music was unsettling. The architecture consisted of ancient, dilapidated thatched cottages and wooden shacks that looked as if they might collapse at any moment.

Yu Yansui asked, "Why is the environment in this dungeon even scarier than the Nether Ghost Valley?"

Zong Qiaoqiao: "It’s been updated. Jiuxi Village is a Chinese horror-themed dungeon. There aren't even any guides on the forums yet."

"Wow, does that mean there will be horror elements like ghosts and spirits?" Yu Yansui’s tone rose with a hint of excitement.

"Player 'Starry River Gazing North' has joined the party."

Zhao Wanyun: "My guy is here. Come on, Little Star, say hello."

"Good evening, Sister Qiaoqiao, Sister Suisui."

Yu Yansui: "Good evening, Little Star!"

Zong Qiaoqiao: "Damn, with Little Star here, we’re definitely going to get the hidden first clear."

Zhao Wanyun seemed to recall something and asked, "By the way, no one in this group is afraid of ghosts, right? The official description says this dungeon is exceptionally terrifying. They say there’s a Ghost Bride lurking around."

"What! A Ghost Bride?!" Yan Huaifeng’s voice spiked in alarm.

A Chinese horror dungeon was bad enough, but a Ghost Bride on top of that? *Are you trying to kill us, Gods and Demons Record?* He would take Western horror over Chinese horror any day—it was just too terrifying.

Yu Yansui: "Wow, that’s so exciting! Let’s go!"

Li Suzhi laughed softly through the screen. "Is the little puppy scared?"

"Who... who’s scared? Just hide behind me later."

Li Suzhi: "I’m actually quite terrified, so this round will depend on our expert, Huafeng."

Yu Yansui: "Alright, I’m starting it! Dungeon squad, let’s go!"

Once inside, the environment shifted further, becoming even more ominous. White funeral banners hung from the village entrance and every hut, paired with blood-red lanterns. The ground was stained with fresh, crimson blood. The lanterns and banners rattled in a chilling wind, and the music grew even more macabre.

"Wuwuwu, it hurts! It hurts so much!"

Then, the sound of a *suona* horn pierced the air.

"Hang the lanterns, show the red makeup, sit in the bridal sedan, marry to the other side; two families join in union for joy..."

"The red sedan is lifted high, marrying to the other side of the road to the Yellow Springs. At the third watch, no one sees them off; the coffin has become the bridal chamber..."

Yan Huaifeng’s hands began to tremble uncontrollably on his keyboard. The sounds from the screen grew increasingly ghoulish, and the woman’s wailing grew louder.

Yan Huaifeng’s voice shook. "What is this thing?"

Yu Yansui: "My god, this is so interesting! It’s even better than watching a horror movie."

Zhao Wanyun: "This is enough to scare a minor to death, hahaha."

Starry River Gazing North: "Sister..."

Zhao Wanyun: "Sorry, I forgot you’re not an adult yet, Little Star."

Suddenly, the scene shifted. A face with pitch-black eyes and a blood-stained countenance, wearing a bright red wedding dress, filled the entire screen.

"Holy shit! Damn it! F***! @#￥%……@!" Yan Huaifeng screamed, spouting a stream of colorful, creative profanities.

Announcement: Attention! Attention! The dungeon NPC "Ghost Bride" has been killed by player "Yishun Huafeng"!

Announcement: Attention! Attention! Dungeon quests in Jiuxi Village are suspended for five minutes. After five minutes, the "Ghost Bride" will respawn, and the main quest can be accepted! Players, please prepare!

???

Everyone was stunned. That damage output was insane. Killing an NPC so thoroughly that the dungeon had to pause—that was true power. They all gave a thumbs up.

Yu Yansui: "Brother Xiaofeng!!"

Zhao Wanyun: "Brother, that was a hell of a kill!"

Zong Qiaoqiao: "Explosive."

Starry River Gazing North: "Six."

Li Suzhi: "An expert really is different."

Yan Huaifeng’s voice trembled. "She... she scared me first. Sorry, baby..."

He cursed, "Damn it, that idiot Gods and Demons Record, trying to scare me!"

Yu Yansui said helplessly, "So, what do we do now?"

Zhao Wanyun: "Wait for the respawn, just wait."

Five minutes later.

Announcement: Because "Yishun Huafeng" killed the dungeon quest initiator "Ghost Bride" without cause, the "Ghost Bride" is now very angry. The difficulty of the Jiuxi Village dungeon has been upgraded to SSS+.

The next second, the dungeon interface shifted violently. Piles of skulls emerged from everywhere, merging to form a massive skeletal giant. Flames erupted into the sky, accompanied by blood-curdling wails!

"Sisters, get ready to start!"

Zhao Wanyun surged forward, unleashing a crowd-control ultimate, "Azure Sea and Blue Sky." The skeletal giant was restrained, its health bar ticking down as the damage-over-time effects stacked. Once the boss was pinned, Li Suzhi activated his ultimate, "Blue Cloud Asking the Flute," to pile on the damage.

The group followed their pre-set strategy, their skill rotations flowing perfectly.

Zhao Wanyun: "Suisui, use 'Cloud Fan Spirit Rhinoceros' to refresh the cooldown!"

"Received!"

With their flawless coordination, they cleared the skeletal boss in about ten minutes.

Announcement: Congratulations to the "You Yan Suisui" party for obtaining the Jiuxi Village high-level orange weapon, "Spirit Rhyme Dagger"! The hidden dungeon "Underworld Wedding" has been unlocked. It will start in 30 seconds; players, please prepare.

The screen switched to an animated PV. In a vibrant red wedding hall, two elders sat in high seats. Two burly men were forcing the bride to bow. Her veil was blown aside by a ghostly wind, revealing her face covered in bloody tears, filled with absolute despair.

The groom was a long-dead corpse dressed in wedding attire. After the forced ceremony, the bride was shoved into a coffin, and the lid was nailed shut.

Piercing wails echoed, followed by the sound of fingernails frantically scratching at the inside of the coffin lid.

"Wuwuwu, I did not curse my husband to death! Let me out!!"

The PV ended.

Announcement: Players, please pair up and escape the wedding hall before the bride emerges. If you do not leave before she breaks out, the dungeon difficulty will increase again. Time limit: 5 minutes.

Upon hearing the instruction to pair up, Yan Huaifeng and Li Suzhi spoke in unison: "Sweetheart/Baby, who are you going with?"

*Oh boy, here comes the love triangle.*