If there weren’t skulls sticking out from it. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Josh’s mouth twitched slightly as he glanced at the skulls sticking out from those windows. These things didn’t seem like they wanted to get along well with them.

In fact, two of the skulls were even drooling at them.

Josh: "..."

The mermaid looked at them respectfully, "You are all esteemed guests, please follow me."

Josh and the others followed the mermaid, led in the direction of the yacht.

Hearing their footsteps, quite a few deep-sea creatures poked their heads out from the piles of garbage, their gazes far from friendly.

Their looks seemed more like they were eyeing a plate of succulent snacks.

Everyone was taken into a separate room.

Josh exchanged a glance with Yuze, a strange look passing in their eyes.

After they were settled, Josh realized there were actually lights outside.

And a "sun" slowly rising upwards.

It must have been an artificially selected illumination.

When the clock under the sea struck, all creatures retracted back into their rooms.

It’s astounding how such a small place can simulate the rising and setting of the sun.

Logically, these species living in the deep sea don’t really need sunlight.

Unless...

They originally lived in shallow waters and have a greater dependency on sunlight.

Josh was carefully observing everything around him, and his gaze suddenly caught a glimpse of a small glass house not far away.

That house looked somewhat strange, somewhat resembling a nest in shape, containing some giant spheres inside, akin to enormous preserved eggs, coated with a glistening nucleus in the center.

"Time to sleep, esteemed guest." the mermaid suddenly appeared, looking at her with a bad expression, signaling her to close the window.

Josh smiled politely, "It’s still early, I’m not sleepy, I just wanted to enjoy the view."

The mermaid blocked her way, "Hasn’t the underwater scenery all been polluted by humans? What’s so nice to look at anymore? Don’t make a fuss, guest, better return to your room."

Josh’s mouth twitched, "Whichever human did that, go find them, why are you being angry with me? I’m not taking the blame, I haven’t done anything!"

Even aware of human experiments and the discharge of nuclear polluted water turning this sea into hell, she felt no guilt at all.

She didn’t do it, so why should she feel guilty for others’ actions, torturing herself with morality over evils committed by others.

Ridiculous.

The mermaid, angered by her attitude, had a face darkening even more, "Go back!"

Josh suddenly grabbed her by the neck, "How dare you be aggressive with me?"

With a few "smack" sounds, Josh withdrew her hand, looking at the bruised and swollen mermaid, "Hope you’ll bear with it, the esteemed guest here doesn’t have a good temper."

Mermaid: "??"

The player nearby who had just been chastised and obediently closed the window: "??"

Is this even allowed?

Is she not afraid of angering the NPC and triggering some danger?

The mermaid glared at her fiercely, "How dare you?"

Josh laughed as she looked at the increasingly hideously bruised mermaid, "What wouldn’t I dare? Since I’m your esteemed guest, be a little more polite. The guest now wants the window open to let in some air and enjoy the view, please don’t interfere, give the guest some free personal space, thank you."

The mermaid was about to say something, but Josh added, "If you keep maintaining this attitude, I wouldn’t mind changing a mermaid to serve us. I assume, in this sea, there’s not just one of you?"

At these words, the mermaid’s face changed, even a trace of panic crossing her eyes, "No! You can’t do that!"

This involves her performance!

If she gets replaced, what about her performance? It’s not every day that humans visit this sea!

Josh looked at her politely, smiling, "If you don’t want that, then don’t boss me around here, understood?"

The expression on the mermaid’s face changed several times, but eventually, she yielded, "Okay, guest, I’m actually just kindly reminding you because when the sea goes to sleep, outside is very dangerous. With your window open like this, we find it difficult to ensure your safety."

"Got it, move along now." Josh nodded slightly, signaling her to move away and not block her view.

The mermaid noticed her gaze constantly darting toward the ovarian house, a trace of panic in her eyes, but in the end, she said nothing, quietly retreating.

Josh didn’t actually keep the window open for long.

This sea area isn’t large; once the artificial sun rises, you can basically see everything clearly at one glance.

The sea was very quiet.

Josh closed the window and returned to the room.

The room she was in was like a cabin on a yacht, not big, and the ceiling wasn’t high, making it feel a bit oppressive.

Especially since the whole room was dusty, as if it hadn’t been inhabited for a long time.

Not only was the room dusty, but even the beddings and furniture were dirty and dusty.

Josh didn’t plan on sleeping in the room anyway, since she guessed that tonight wouldn’t be peaceful.

She found a relatively clean corner, sat cross-legged, and began meditating.

Fortunately, the warehouse had enough gemstones stored, so she wouldn’t waste time.

She realized that her cultivation speed had indeed increased significantly, and even though she wasn’t on Layena Planet, she could still absorb the essence released by the gemstones well.

Moreover, ever since the unlocking of her inner core, her spiritual power cultivation wouldn’t diminish with use.

Even when using some in the instance, she could slowly restore her Essence, no longer particularly relying on external spiritual breathing.

At midnight, a scream shattered the silence.

Josh’s eyes snapped open, hearing the sound coming from next door.

She stood up to open the door, only to find it locked shut.

Footsteps echoed in the hallway, sounding like something was slithering on the ground, the sound thick and sticky.

Not only was the door locked, but even the window couldn’t be opened.

The scent of blood rushed in from outside, mixed with a nauseating stench.

Josh opened the group chat and sent messages to Yuze and the others: [Did you hear the strange noise?]

Yuze: [Heard it, should be a player who died.]

Rob: [I heard it too, sounded awful, the person probably didn’t make it.]

Yushi: [Door, won’t open, can’t, get out.]

Rob: [Why so many breaks in your typing here?]

Yushi: [Mind your own business!]

Rob: [@Dingding Yuze, captain look at him! He just snapped at me!]

Josh: [@Lala Jiang Can.]

Jiang Can: [What’s up?]

Josh: [Nothing, just noticed you were quiet, wanted to check if you were safe.]

Rob: [Relax! He’s the tankiest in our team, anyone could be in trouble but not him. What monster would go after the tank first with all-out attacks?]

Jiang Can: [Tanks need care too.]

Seeing that all four teammates were fine, Josh didn’t bother further and closed her eyes, resuming cultivation.

Given that the door was locked shut, saying more wouldn’t help anyway.