Chapter 23 Welfare Dungeon

The pure white walls rippled like water, revealing the bustling lights and shadows of the player lobby outside.

Gu Yunqing took the lead, and Zhuge Jin walked beside him with a calm and composed pace.

One person, one alias, stepped into this bizarre and fantastical world belonging to countless players.

Gu Yunqing had changed into an ordinary dark casual outfit. She had black hair and black eyes, and her face was delicate but not eye-catching.

Especially in this pure white game, there are all kinds of items, and items that can improve appearance are incredibly cheap.

Gu Yunqing deliberately concealed all her aura, like a drop of water flowing into the ocean.

Zhuge Jin, who walked alongside him, remained as striking as ever.

Her silver hair was like snow, her eyes were covered by a white veil, and her pure white robe fluttered gently in the breeze brought by the flow of energy, making her stand out from the players around her who were mostly dressed in combat suits or functional clothing that allowed for easy movement.

Wherever he went, he almost inevitably attracted curious, inquisitive, or awe-inspiring gazes, as well as uncontrollable whispers.

"Look, it's that new prophet!"

"Zhuge Jin? Is that the guy who led the team to clear 'Happy Campus' and got an S rating?"

"This look...it's sure to make you the center of attention wherever you go."

Just then, the excited chatter of several players nearby caught Gu Yunqing's attention.

"Have you heard? That 'welfare book' is about to be launched!"

"Really? Is the news reliable? Aren't they saying it's hard to get a spot?"

"It's absolutely true! It seems like there are more slots available this year than in previous years, and I heard the rewards are particularly generous, plus the difficulty is supposedly much lower than other dungeons!"

"We have to find a way to get one! Maybe we can make a fortune in one fell swoop!"

A welfare book?

Gu Yunqing's heart stirred.

In the original novel he read, "Pure White World," there were indeed mentions of certain special instances that were labeled as "welfare."

They typically use generous rewards and relatively low difficulty as bait to attract a large number of players.

But Gu Yunqing, who was well aware of the dark side of the plot, knew very well that there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

So-called "welfare books" often conceal deeper traps.

It could be a selection process akin to raising a venomous insect, or it could be providing "nourishment" for a powerful being, or the rules themselves might have extremely strange hidden costs.

"Low risk?" Gu Yunqing sneered inwardly. "It's just a beautifully packaged poison."

As he was pondering, a system notification sounded in his mind:

[Your friend 'Xin Yuan'er' has sent you a message.]

Gu Yunqing brought up the system panel, which only she could see, and saw the message sent by Xin Yuan'er:

"Master Zhuge! Where are you? Would it be convenient for us to meet? I have something I want to talk to you about, about that 'welfare book' that's been all over the news lately! How about we meet in the 'quiet corner' of the public rest area?"

The information also included a coordinate location.

Just in time.

Gu Yunqing's eyes flickered slightly.

As a "lucky guy," Xin Yuan'er often has better access to information than ordinary players, and he admires and trusts Zhuge Jin, making him a source of information that can be initially utilized.

It's a good opportunity to hear what he knows about this "welfare book".

Through the mind link, he issued an order to the system-managed Zhuge Jin alias: proceed to the coordinates.

Immediately afterwards, Gu Yunqing and Zhuge Jin headed towards the public rest area.

The public rest area, "Quiet Corner," is slightly different from its name. Although it is quieter than the trading area and the live streaming area, there are still quite a few players resting and chatting here.

When Gu Yunqing and Zhuge Jin arrived, Xin Yuan'er was already waiting there, looking around restlessly.

When he saw Zhuge Jin with silver hair and a white veil, his eyes lit up and he immediately stood up.

"Master Zhuge! You've arrived!" Xin Yuan'er greeted him warmly, then his gaze fell on Gu Yunqing, who stood beside Zhuge Jin with an ordinary aura, and a clear look of doubt and restraint appeared on his face.

"Who is this...?"

He clearly didn't associate the seemingly unremarkable black-haired youth in front of him with "Master Zhuge," but simply thought he was a stranger who happened to be going the same way.

Just then, Gu Yunqing switched the control mode.

He released Zhuge Jin from the system's control and personally took control of the split soul.

Zhuge Jin turned slightly to the side, the white veil seemingly glancing at Gu Yunqing, before calmly introducing her to Xin Yuan'er in a clear, ethereal voice:

"Gu Yunqing. A member of our organization."

Concise yet packed with information.

Xin Yuan'er's eyes widened suddenly, his mouth slightly open, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the ordinary Gu Yunqing and the mysterious Zhuge Jin, his face instantly filled with "sudden realization".

"The...the association?!" Xin Yuan'er's voice stammered with excitement, and his gaze toward Gu Yunqing instantly changed from indifference to awe and intense curiosity.

"Oh, so it's Mr. Gu! My apologies for not recognizing you!"

He had already automatically conjured up a mysterious and powerful hidden organization in his mind, whose members might each have their own specific roles.

Some, like Zhuge Jin, flaunt their talents on stage, while others, like Gu Yunqing, remain low-key and hidden behind the scenes.

The more I think about it, the more unfathomable this organization seems!

Gu Yunqing took in Xin Yuan'er's reaction and was satisfied.

This is exactly the effect he wanted.

He nodded slightly to Xin Yuan'er as a greeting, his expression indifferent, saying nothing more, maintaining the air of a "member of a mysterious organization."

Zhuge Jin naturally walked to an empty table and chair and sat down. His pure white robe was spread out, which was out of place with the slightly noisy environment, but it also had an aura that made people dare not disturb him.

"Sit down," Zhuge Jin said to Xin Yuan'er.

Xin Yuan'er then seemed to wake up from a dream, and hurriedly and carefully pulled out a chair and sat down, sitting up straight like a primary school student facing the headmaster.

He even secretly glanced at Gu Yunqing, who was sitting silently behind Zhuge Jin, and felt more and more that although this "Mr. Gu" seemed ordinary, his calm demeanor was far beyond that of ordinary players.

"What exactly is this 'welfare book' you mentioned?" Zhuge Jin cut straight to the point without any pleasantries, his voice calm and even.

Xin Yuan'er immediately perked up, lowered his voice, and poured out all the information he had gathered: "Boss, it's like this! Recently, players have been saying that this year's bonus dungeon is about to open."

"I heard that the welfare dungeon is rich in resources, and the achievement points and item rewards for completing the tasks are very generous. Most importantly, I heard that the monsters inside are not very strong, the rules are relatively simple and clear, and the survival rate is very high!"

At this point, a hint of excitement flashed across Xin Yuan'er's face as he continued, "Many guilds and solo players are trying to get entry tickets. I think this is a great opportunity, boss, what do you think... should we also..."

While listening through Zhuge Jin's ear, Gu Yunqing observed Xin Yuan'er's expression and the surrounding environment with her own eyes.

He could sense the fervor in Xin Yuan'er's words, but this did not affect his own judgment.

Through Zhuge Jin, he spoke calmly, pouring cold water on the situation: "The more alluring the appearance, the more deadly the hidden dangers may be."

Xin Yuan'er's excitement faltered: "Big Boss, do you mean... there's something wrong with this instance?"

Zhuge Jin's white veil fluttered slightly, as if he were "looking" towards the live stream area, where another player's ID had just dimmed.

"In an infinite world, what 'benefits' are there? They are nothing more than selection disguised in sugar, or... sacrifice."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a cold, penetrating quality that sent a chill down Xin Yuan'er's spine.

Sacrifice? Selection?

Xin Yuan'er's face paled slightly as he recalled the strange rumors he had heard about the "welfare book" and Zhuge Jin's unpredictable prophetic abilities. The fervor in his heart was instantly extinguished.

"Then...then we won't participate?" Xin Yuan'er was somewhat disappointed, but dared not question it.

Gu Yunqing, controlling Zhuge Jin, did not answer directly.

Instead, Gu Yunqing suddenly asked, "How do we obtain admission tickets?"

Although Gu Yunqing knew the information in the original work, she was unaware of these details.

He needs more information to determine the nature of this copy, and... whether it is possible to profit from it or mitigate the risks.

Even without personally participating, understanding its operating mechanism is essential.

Xin Yuan'er didn't seem to mind Gu Yunqing's sudden interruption and quickly replied:

"I heard that invitations are mainly sent to a group of qualified players randomly selected by the system, and some large guilds may have a fixed number of slots."

"Or it could be a reward for clearing dungeons. It seems to circulate on the black market, but the price is extremely high, and it's hard to tell if it's genuine or fake."

Random selection, guild quotas, black market... Gu Yunqing silently noted down these keywords.

"I am aware of this matter." Zhuge Jin nodded slightly, ending the topic of "welfare book" as if it were just a trivial matter.

Have you heard any other noteworthy news recently?

Seeing that the big shots didn't seem very interested in the "welfare book," Xin Yuan'er was a little disappointed but didn't dare to ask too many questions. He quickly racked his brains and began to report other hearsay information.

From gossip among high-ranking members of a guild to newly discovered coordinates of resource-rich dungeons, the information is fragmented and varied.

Xin Yuan'er's mouth was dry from talking, and his eyes shone brightly as he looked at the two big shots in front of him, with a hint of barely perceptible anticipation.

Gu Yunqing smiled, a smile that held a profound meaning on his otherwise ordinary face. His tone was calm, yet carried an air of all-knowing detachment:

"Your information gathering is quite good, but it seems you're not yet qualified to become..."

He deliberately dragged out the last syllable, his gaze sweeping over Xin Yuan'er with a scrutinizing air.

“Yunqing,” Zhuge Jin abruptly interrupted Gu Yunqing, his white veil slightly turning towards Xin Yuan'er, his clear, cold voice carrying an undeniable certainty.

"He has excellent character and good superpowers, and is worth training."

Xin Yuan'er listened from the side with a bewildered expression, but his heart was instantly filled with turbulent waves, and countless guesses emerged like boiling water.

Excellent character? Good special abilities? Worth nurturing?

Could it be... that Master Zhuge is affirming me? Mr. Gu's questioning of him just now, and even that unfinished "I'm not qualified," were all tests of him?

And is Zhuge Liang speaking up for him at this moment?

Overwhelmed with joy and flattery, Xin Yuan'er looked at Zhuge Jin with even more fervent eyes, his gaze practically sparkling with admiration.

Gu Yunqing took in Xin Yuan'er's reaction and chuckled inwardly.

Great, the fish has taken the bait.

Gu Yunqing appropriately revealed a hint of displeasure at being interrupted, but she forced herself to suppress it out of consideration for "Zhuge Jin". She frowned slightly but said nothing more.

This silent "confrontation," in Xin Yuan'er's eyes, further confirmed his suspicion that the two big shots were playing good cop and bad cop, and were "testing" him.

He was so excited that his palms were sweating, and he quickly pledged his loyalty: "Master Zhuge, Mr. Gu! I... I will definitely work hard and live up to your expectations!"

Zhuge Jin nodded slightly, accepting his statement. Then, the "gaze" covered by white gauze seemed to pierce through space and landed on a certain place in the void.

He steered the conversation back to the original "welfare book":

"A welfare dungeon with abundant resources? Easy tasks?"

Zhuge Jin's tone carried a faint hint of mockery, as if he had heard something ridiculous.

"Beneath the surface often lies a deeper despair."

Gu Yunqing spoke up at the opportune moment, her tone as calm as if stating a perfectly ordinary fact, but the content was chilling:

"Welfare book? If I remember correctly, the last one to be called that was 'Zombie Siege'."

He paused, making sure Xin Yuan'er heard every word.

"There's no clear main quest, only endless killing and survival. You score points based on the number of zombies you kill. And the most crucial thing is..."

Gu Yunqing lowered her voice: "In that instance, the system's restriction on players attacking each other... was lifted."

This is the information Gu Yunqing learned from the original novel.

"What?!" Xin Yuan'er exclaimed in shock, the color draining from his face instantly.

Players can attack each other?!

In normal dungeons, the system rules strictly prohibit players from killing each other directly; this is the default bottom line for all players to survive.

Once this rule disappears... that so-called "welfare book" instantly transforms from a potential source of opportunity into a naked hell on earth!

No matter how abundant the resources are, you still need to be alive to take them.

In that environment, the evil in people's hearts will be amplified to the extreme. For points, for resources, or even just to reduce competitors, backstabbing and killing between players will become commonplace!

The so-called "welfare" is nothing but poison disguised as honey, a trap to lure moths to a flame.

Thinking of that scene, Xin Yuan'er couldn't help but shudder, his back instantly soaked with cold sweat.

All his previous excitement and anticipation now turned into lingering fear and relief.

Fortunately... fortunately he came to find Master Zhuge, otherwise, if he had rashly gotten involved, he wouldn't even know how he died!

"This...this is simply..." Xin Yuan'er's voice was dry, and he couldn't utter a complete sentence for a long time.

In the pure white space, most players' impression of the welfare dungeon is just the first two words, completely unaware of the deadly rules hidden within.

After the initial shock, an even stronger thought surged into Xin Yuan'er's mind.

If even Boss Zhuge and Mr. Gu know about these things, how terrifying must their "organization" be in terms of power and intelligence network? If I could join them...

This idea grew wildly, like weeds.

Xin Yuan'er took a deep breath, suppressing her fear, and with a mixture of hesitation and immense courage, looked at Zhuge Jin, her voice trembling slightly with nervousness:

"Zhuge, Zhuge, I know I may not be qualified yet, but... but I really admire you, and I want to... I want to become as amazing as you and Mr. Gu!"

"I wonder if I have any chance of joining your guild?"

Finally, she said it!

Xin Yuan'er's heart pounded like a drum as he stared expectantly at Zhuge Jin, awaiting his fate.

They took the bait, just as expected.

Gu Yunqing, controlling Zhuge Jin, shook her head slightly without any hesitation.

The white veil swayed gently, carrying an undeniable sense of aloofness.

"You do not yet meet the membership requirements."

The cold rejection was like a bucket of ice water poured over his head, instantly dimming the light in Xin Yuan'er's eyes and filling his face with disappointment.

However, Zhuge Jin's next words rekindled his hope.

"You can start from the perimeter and train on your own." Zhuge Jin's voice remained calm, yet it left a sliver of understanding.

"If an opportunity arises in the future, we may consider it."

Peripheral members!

Although he wasn't a formal member, it meant that he had at least made contact with this mysterious organization and gained a formal status.

Moreover, the big shot said there will be other opportunities in the future.

Xin Yuan'er immediately climbed out of her despair, nodding repeatedly: "I understand, I understand, thank you, esteemed Zhuge, for giving me this opportunity. I will definitely perform well and live up to your expectations!"

Zhuge Jin nodded slightly and said no more.

He turned his head, and the woman in white seemed to glance at the silent Gu Yunqing beside him, before speaking to Xin Yuan'er in an introductory tone:

"For any routine matters in the future, please contact Mr. Gu. He is one of the guild's...inspectors."

Inspector!

Xin Yuan'er suddenly realized that Mr. Gu was in charge of recruiting and evaluating new members!

His previous questions were indeed a test of himself.

Xin Yuan'er immediately turned to Gu Yunqing, his attitude becoming even more respectful: "Mr. Gu, I hope to receive your guidance in the future."

Gu Yunqing then raised her eyelids slightly and gave a faint "hmm" in response, perfectly maintaining the air of a "senior member of a mysterious organization."

Seeing Xin Yuan'er's grateful expression, as if he couldn't wait to sacrifice his life for the organization, Gu Yunqing secretly curled her lips.

The so-called guild was a complete fabrication, merely a facade he made up to win people over and create an air of mystery.

However, classifying Xin Yuan'er's "lucky buff" as a "potential resource" is undoubtedly extremely valuable.

With him around, it will be a great convenience whether we're teaming up for dungeons or gathering intelligence.

After the conversation about the "welfare book" just now, a plan has gradually become clear in Gu Yunqing's mind.

This isn't a trap at all; it's clearly a perfect hunting ground tailor-made for him, a place to quickly accumulate achievement points and... "train" his new persona.

Zhuge Jin, this alternate identity, excels at prophecy, insight, and planning, but unfortunately lacks combat skills.

In an environment where the sole pursuit is killing efficiency, this is not the optimal choice.

Therefore, Gu Yunqing needs a very powerful ally, or rather, a new guise.

The meeting ended with Xin Yuan'er expressing his deepest gratitude.

Watching Xin Yuan'er leave with a look back every few steps, full of anticipation, Gu Yunqing and Zhuge Jin also left the "Quiet Corner," rejoined the crowd, and finally returned to their 30-square-meter personal space.

The pure white walls closed again, isolating the outside world from the noise.

Gu Yunqing released her control over Zhuge Jin's split soul, and the disguise returned to the card as a stream of light.

He was left all alone in the space.

He walked to the center of the room, and with a thought, brought up the interface of the [Identity Role-Playing System].

A pale blue screen unfolded before him, displaying his solidified identity: [Prophet Zhuge Jin (Rank B)]. Beside him was a prominent "+" sign, indicating the option to create a new identity.

Without the slightest hesitation, Gu Yunqing clicked the "+".

A new interface pops up, prompting you to enter the basic settings for your new account.

Gu Yunqing's eyes turned sharp and cold as images of the "welfare book" and the role he was required to play in that inferno flashed through his mind.

He needs a knife.

A knife that exists purely for killing.

Author's Note:

I updated 2000 extra words today [doge emoji]. The next chapter will be a VIP chapter, and I've prepared a 10,000-word long chapter [please][please][please]