Reality Programming Association

Chapter 33: Chapter 14: Target Dreamscape Incubation Project

’An invitation code?’

’How come a top-tier research project like this is run like some kind of beta test for a game, needing an invitation code to get in?’

’By all rights, shouldn’t recruiting test subjects for something like this involve filling out a long questionnaire on an official website, followed by a screening process via email?’

Either way, this project could cure his insomnia. As long as it could get him a good night’s sleep, he wouldn’t just deal with an invitation code; he’d fill out a hundred questionnaires if he had to.

’But still, where am I supposed to find an invitation code?’

He switched back to the forum for the radio app. Just as he’d expected, plenty of users were in the threads asking for a code, but the older users all said their ”points” had already been redeemed.

They needed to complete more tasks and help the lab accumulate more experimental data before they could redeem more. No one had any to spare at the moment.

’Points... redemption? A referral system?’

’It’s so down-to-earth it almost... smells like a pyramid scheme.’

’Could it be a way to broaden the randomness and diversity of the sample pool?’

He browsed the forums for half a day, but sure enough, not a single user mentioned having a spare code. He figured he’d try his luck on some overseas forums tomorrow.

Just as he was about to give up, an idea suddenly struck him.

There was one place, known as the country’s largest ”cyber Black Market”—would they be selling one there?

Rumor had it that on that app, as long as you typed in the right keywords, there was nothing you couldn’t buy.

He opened the app with the yellow icon that had a fish on it.

He tried a few different keywords and, sure enough, under a product listing titled ”IYKYK, Phase Three Incubation Spot, Last One, Act Fast,” he managed to connect with a seller.

The price was 1,500 yuan. He didn’t hesitate and immediately clicked ”I want this.”

The seller replied quickly, but their message poured cold water on his hopes.

”Bro, you’re a step too late. The last one just sold. I was just about to take the listing down.”

So it really was in high demand.

Still unwilling to give up, he asked if he could get one by paying more.

About two minutes passed before the other person replied:

”I’ve almost saved up enough points. If all goes well, I should be able to redeem a new invitation code next week.”

He was just about to reply with ”Okay” when the seller sent another message.

Just as he’d expected, the price had shot up, jumping from 1,500 yuan to 5,500. A total profiteer.

This was no small sum. If it were just to treat his insomnia, Yu Xian would have definitely given up.

But now, he had a burgeoning suspicion.

’Could this technology be related to my parents’ research in some way?’

Looking at the research direction, there seemed to be a slight overlap, albeit a very small one.

’And another thing... before Xia Li disappeared, I think she also mentioned having some weird dreams. I didn’t think much of it at the time.’

’Now that I think about it, could that also be related to this project?’

It was just a vague premonition, but the thought had its hooks in him.

Yu Xian lived a simple life without many expenses; he went years without buying new electronics.

He haggled with the seller for a while, even using the time-honored trick Xia Li had taught him.

”I’m a student.”

”5,100 is the lowest I’ll go. I don’t care if you’re a student; it wouldn’t matter if you were a dog.”

He gritted his teeth and agreed to the seller’s terms.

Staring at the chat window, he couldn’t help but ask another question:

”This project... is it really as effective as they say?”

”Effective? Bro, once you use it, you’ll know. It’s on a whole other level.”

According to the seller, he used to be a night owl, too, staying up until the wee hours of the morning every day.

Ever since he started using TDI, he wanted to go straight to bed the moment he got off work.

All the real-world forms of entertainment—games, short videos, fishing, card games—were completely tasteless compared to the experience in his dreams.

”My biggest hobby now is just sleeping. I go to bed early, wake up early, and I’m fit as a fiddle! If it weren’t for an urgent project at work that I had to work overtime on, I’d have been asleep long ago. You wouldn’t have been able to reach me at this hour.”

You could hear the excitement in the seller’s voice message.

Yu Xian frowned. Something about this sounded off. A person completely losing interest in the real world, obsessed only with ”sleeping”?

’This doesn’t sound like he’s developed a good habit. It sounds more like an ”addiction” from a different angle...’

”What... is in the dreams?”

”Can’t remember clearly,” the seller replied. ”That’s part of what’s so amazing about this thing. After you wake up, it’s just like a normal dream—you can’t remember much at all.”

As Yu Xian pondered this, the seller sent another message.

”But the feeling from the dream is still there. Even just that little lingering aftertaste is way more satisfying than messing around on your phone or computer.”