Chapter 55: Time Limit


    Having crossed the midpoint of the plot, it was time for the boss known as "The Tiger" to make an appearance.


    However, Liu Xing and Tian Dao''s immediate goal was still to visit the peach orchard behind the temple, to pluck some peaches as offerings.


    "Let''s go pick some peaches first, then we''ll head back to the temple to meet up with Tina and the others and discuss our next move," Liu Xing suggested, patting Tian Dao''s shoulder to signal him to follow.


    Tian Dao nodded but couldn''t hide his confusion. "But if that shadow really was Nan Xiaoniao''s mother, her speed was unbelievable. She covered more than ten meters in the blink of an eye. So, I suspect that Nan Xiaoniao''s mother might have already..."


    Though Tian Dao did not finish his sentence, Liu Xing understood his implications and shook his head. "Ipletely share your thoughts; it''s very likely that Nan Xiaoniao''s mother isn''t human anymore. We''ll have to be even more cautious from now on. Given your description, Tian Dao, we definitely won''t be able to outrun her. If she catches us, there''s no escape."


    Acknowledging Liu Xing''s point with a nod and a sigh, Tian Dao took the lead towards the peach trees.


    Since there were only seven trees in the orchard, it didn''t take long for Liu Xing and Tian Dao to spot the peaches. However, as Liu Xing had predicted, they found only two peaches in total.


    "As expected, the offerings in this mirrored world are far too scarce. We need to be careful not to drop and damage them," Liu Xing said, gingerly cradling a peach in his hand. Knowing their game master was someone who liked to stir up trouble, he couldn''t help but suspect that if he carelessly carried the peach back to the temple, the GM, KP Cao, might force a Luck Check halfway through. Failing the check could result in identally dropping and ruining the peach.


    Tian Dao agreed wholeheartedly. As "Veteran Drivers" of the Cthulhu RPG Game, they were well aware that with a game master like KP Cao, who belonged to the chaotic evil alignment, it was better to be cautious than sorry. They couldn''t afford to give him any opportunity for mischief.


    Thus, Liu Xing and Tian Dao moved with bated breath, carefully escorting the two peaches back to the temple. Under Tina and Akira Akashi''s resigned gazes, they sessfully ced the peaches on the altar.


    The moment the peaches touched the altar, KP Cao''s voice suddenly emerged, "Hehehe, since the yers have ced the first offering on the altar, they have triggered its mechanism. The altar has begun guiding the sacrifice process. Now, yers, you have forty minutes to ce the other two offerings on the altar. If you can assemble all three offerings within the allotted time, you canplete the sacrifice and leave the mirrored world for the real world. Fail to do so within forty minutes, and you shall remain in this mirrored world forever."


    KP Cao paused, a sly smile in his voice as he added, "Of course, you could also try to defeat the mythical creature of the mirrored world to clear the game, but having seen your inventory, I doubt that defeating that mythical creature is a task you can aplish."


    The group exchanged bewildered nces, momentarily unsure of what to do next.


    It was then that Liu Xing stepped forward. "KP, it''s time to initiate ''Private Room'' time."


    KP Cao chuckled, "Ah, the ''Private Room'' time is indeed upon us. However, I must remind you all—your time is limited."


    "Now, everyone, we only have forty minutes left, so we must act quickly. If no one objects, allow me to give a brief overview of our current situation and propose a n. Afterward, we can put it to a vote. How does that sound?" Liu Xing said, his face etched with seriousness.


    Akira Akashi and the other two remained silent, merely nodding in agreement with Liu Xing''s suggestion.


    "Good," Liu Xing continued, "First of all, the reason Tian Dao went off alone to pick peaches was due to a plot-driven necessity. He saw a figure dashing at high speed toward themercial district on the left, presumably heading to the Grape Promenade. Tian Dao and I believe that this figure is likely Nan Xiaoniao''s mother. However, there''s an eight out of ten chance that she''s no longer human and has possibly be a mythical creature."


    "Therefore, I suggest we split up. Although we can''t predict what might happen when Nan Xiaoniao and her mother reunite, it''s unlikely to be anything good. Hence, one person must remain in the temple to watch over Nan Xiaoniao and Li Ming."


    "Next are the remaining two offerings. Clearly, the grapes are in the Grape Promenade, and the bamboo shoots are in the bamboo forest halfway up the mountain. I rmend sending one person to the bamboo forest in search of bamboo shoots. Given the hints from the plot, the danger surely lies at the Grape Promenade, so the bamboo forest should be rtively safe, and exploring alone should pose no problem."


    "As for the remaining two, naturally, they will head to the Grape Promenade in search of grapes and to confront Nan Xiaoniao''s mother, though it''s more likely they''ll face a mythical creature. The chances of collecting both grapes and bamboo shoots in one go are slim, so we mustn''t linger in battle. Should anything seem amiss, we must retreat here immediately to discuss further." Liu Xingid out his hastily devised n.


    Tian Dao nodded, adding, "I agree with Liu Xing''s n, and I think I should stay and guard the temple. There are no ropes here to restrain Li Ming, and should he awaken, I can subdue him immediately. Plus, if something unexpected happens here, I can take Li Ming and Nan Xiaoniao out with me."


    "Well then, I''ll go to the bamboo forest to look for bamboo shoots. Given that my investigative skills are probably the highest among us, and an environment like the bamboo forest will certainly require Investigation Skill," Akira Akashi volunteered for his task.


    As for Tina, she smiled at Liu Xing and said, "It looks like it''s you and me working together this time. Please take good care of me, Liu Xing."


    Liu Xing responded with augh, "Not at all, let''s not dy any further. Let''s get moving."


    No sooner had Liu Xing finished speaking than KP Cao interjected, "Now that you''ve all settled on a n, it''s time for everyone to make a Constitution check."