Bizarre Voyage: Summoning The Fourth Crisis

’I’ll try searching first.’

After understanding the function of the Traction Fire, Luo Ge took a breath and decided to give it a try.

He once again touched the Traction Fire, letting the Spirit Candle pour its stored Wax Oil into it...

[Searching area...]

[Search complete. Three areas have been marked!]

[Area 1: Unknown Underwater Cave (Requires 128 Wax Oil to initiate traction)]

[Area 2: Unknown Island (Requires 511 Wax Oil)]

[Area 3...]

After using the Traction Fire to search, three major fluctuations quickly appeared in Luo Ge’s perception.

The closest one was located in the seabed near Candle Island.

Probably because it was so close, the Wax Oil required for traction wasn’t much, practically in a different league compared to the other areas.

This made Luo Ge’s eyes light up.

’I can’t believe there’s a chaotic area suitable for traction right near Candle Island.’

’But I’m still short on Wax Oil...’

Luo Ge shook his head.

He chose to set this area aside for now.

For now, Candle Island and the nearby coastal waters were enough for the players’ early-game development.

Seven players were still too few. He needed to summon more to increase the rate at which Wax Oil was gathered.

After returning to the Spirit Candle, Luo Ge started to focus on another issue: how new players obtained information.

Although the group chat and guides created by the two veteran players, Li Miao and Faraway, had alleviated the problem to some extent, Luo Ge felt it would be best if he set up an official website or something similar.

New players could choose to view these things when they entered the game, which would help them adapt more quickly.

At this thought, Luo Ge began to consider the feasibility of the idea.

’Making an official website would be a bit difficult, but a forum shouldn’t be a problem...’

...

”This season doesn’t feel fun.”

After playing two rounds of auto-battler, Li Miao returned to his dorm and grumbled.

However, as he was quitting the game, he suddenly noticed that Faraway seemed to have sent him a message.

Faraway: ”The Spirit Candle officials created a game forum.”

He was always a man of few words.

Li Miao couldn’t help but be a little surprised after reading it.

Compared to other virtual reality games, *Spirit Candle* was a complete heretic. The waiting area upon logging in was as bare as an unfurnished house—no official website, no forum, no help desk, nothing.

’Looks like they’ve finally gotten a clue!’

”Gotta check it out!”

Li Miao immediately grew excited, tossing his phone aside and putting on his helmet.

A moment later, he arrived in the game’s waiting area.

Unlike the pitch-black void from before, this time the interface had an additional window.

[Spirit Candle Forum]

[The official forum is now open! All you Candle Spirits, come on in and discuss the game!]

’This is so shoddily made.’

’It’s hard to imagine the game’s current financial situation... I hope it doesn’t go under before the beta test is even over...’

Looking at the crude forum window, Li Miao couldn’t help the twitch at the corner of his mouth as he complained to himself.

It was truly hard to believe that he, a gamer, would one day find himself worrying about whether a game might shut down due to a lack of funding...

He clicked open the forum and found that it was, as expected, just as crude as its window. There were only a few discussion threads inside.

Spirit Candle Official: ”Due to technical issues, the number of available beta testing slots is limited but will be gradually increased in the future. In-game features such as screenshots are also not yet available. We appreciate your understanding!”

”Future game update announcements will also be posted on the forum.”

Li Miao smacked his lips.

He was well aware of how impressive *Spirit Candle*’s technology was, so he wasn’t surprised by the content of this post.

Then there were a few posts from players already in the game and some from passersby.

Poems and the Faraway Place: [Newbie Guide: Essential Information for Understanding the Game]

I do Bull’s Push-ups: ”Is this official website any good?”

Battle Bliss: ”I desperately need a weapon that can hit the Near-Sea Ghosts!”

Bees don’t like flying: ”Lewd pics, thanks!”

My Son Failed, But I’m On Shore: ”Heard from my dear son this game is good. Begging for a beta slot!”

This One Suppresses All Enemies: ”What a trash game. The description is well-written, though. They even hired shills to make it look legit.”

”...”

Li Miao took one look and lost interest. There were too few people on the forum right now, and nothing useful.

Time to get back online and start the grind!

...

Time passed slowly.

Day had once again dawned on Candle Island, and a sea breeze was blowing.

By now, Faraway had basically mastered the use of the Short Bow in his hands.

Meanwhile, Li Miao had collected two items modified from the Long-winged Poison Feather from the Candlekeeper.

[Poison Feather Bracelet (Fine)]

[Type: Accessory]

[Explanation: Imbues your attacks with a small amount of poison.]

[Poison Feather Arrow x10]

[Type: Consumable]

[Explanation: Made from a Long-winged Poison Feather. Hitting an enemy will cause them to become Poisoned.]

A Fine-Level accessory and ten arrows with a Poisoned Effect. Not bad.

”I wonder if this Poisoned Effect works on the Near-Sea Ghosts.”

Li Miao stroked his chin.

Faraway shook his head. ”Probably not. These arrows have to actually hit to have any effect.”

Near-Sea Ghosts.

They were currently the only type of monster on Candle Island that players had yet to kill.

It wasn’t hard to guess why.

As Ghosts, they possessed the ridiculously overpowered ability to ignore physical attacks, so the current players were basically helpless against them.

Brother Mangzi had been utterly defeated by the Near-Sea Ghosts more than once, and he was still bent on getting revenge.

”Let’s go.”

Putting his Short Bow away for the time being, Faraway spoke to Li Miao.

Next, they would take the Spirit Fire Raft to explore the nearby sea.

”Guagua said there don’t seem to be many monsters in the nearby sea, and even if there are, they’re probably pretty spread out.”

Li Miao said.

After Guagua came back from fishing last time, he had naturally told them about his experience.

Of course, he didn’t really believe the nearby sea was completely safe, but the part about the monsters being spread out was probably true.

WHOOSH—

Just as Li Miao finished speaking, a Wandering Soul suddenly streaked past their line of sight and shot into the cave with a SWISH.

Li Miao was dumbfounded. ”The hell was that? What just flew by?”

Faraway recalled for a moment before saying, ”That was Brother Yu.”

No sooner had he said that than Brother Yu walked out of the cave with a dark expression, looking like he was on the verge of exploding.

”Uh... Brother Yu, what’s... what’s wrong?”

Li Miao asked cautiously.

Hearing this, Brother Yu seemed to recall something. He suddenly stopped and said in a muffled voice, ”My fish are gone.”

”My rod is gone, too...”

”...And the raft.”

’He was gone, too.’

Hearing his words, Li Miao and Faraway both had the same thought. After all, when Brother Yu had just returned, he was nothing but a soul...

”What happened? Did you run into a tough monster?”

Li Miao asked curiously.

”Yeah.” Brother Yu nodded, sighed, and said dejectedly, ”To be precise, I fished up...”