Paintings of Terror

"Xiao Shao's analysis is very detailed," Qin Ci nodded, "I also think it should be more detailed. Perhaps each of the fourteen paintings we have entered has provided us with different hints. Don't overlook more clues just to find the common ground of each painting."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Perhaps "Animal World" implies prey to the weak and the species replacement mentioned by Brother Shao just now?" Luo Wei said and looked at Ke Xun, "Brother, do you remember that you mentioned it in "The Picture of Burning Rhinos at Sea" Ever seen the movie "Pacific Rim"?

"Monsters invaded the human world from the bottom of the sea and started killing humans. If they succeed in the end, do you think they look like the cows in "Animal World"? In this painting, cows replace humans as the masters. Their number There will definitely be more and more, until it completely replaces humans and completes the replacement of top species.

"I remember you saying at the time that you felt like 'humans' from another world were slowly invading and displacing us, at first they only used some of the lowest level members to test us, and then they would send the higher level ones Continue to test, and then send a higher level of invasion...

"Brothers and sisters, tell me, are the [-] paintings we have entered from 'another world' sent to test the world's top species—human beings? Once the thirteen of us who accept the temptation If they all fail, will they launch a large-scale invasion because of this?"

Luo Kuo shuddered at what he said, and moved his butt to Ke Xun's side.

"The carrot's idea is very possible!" Ke Xun slapped his leg suddenly, scaring Luo Xun into a tizzy.

"But according to our investigation a few days ago, didn't the last batch of painters have been completely annihilated?" Zhu Haowen said, "According to what Luo Xi said, the so-called large-scale invasion should have started long ago."

"Then could it be that that group of people was not completely annihilated, but...all succeeded?" Ke Xun's eyes flickered, and everyone was attracted by this statement, and they all looked at him, "They all succeeded Well, among the last thirteen people, one of them passed the level without dying, and then prevented the invasion of another world. It was not until nearly a hundred years later that the power of that world could make a comeback, so those of us who were chosen were once again like these Like the seniors, you need one person to clear the level without any damage before you can suppress that force again?"

This statement suddenly made everyone very excited - if the previous batch of entrants did not die - that would be really gratifying and encouraging!

"In any case, at least the clues implied by the painting "Animal World" should be what the radish said," Qin Ci said, "implying the invasion of another species, or another absolute force, and the attempt to replace us. in this world."

Everyone looked at each other, this statement made people a little at a loss.

I thought that the incident of entering the painting was just a small-scale weird and terrifying incident among thirteen people, but I didn't expect... I didn't expect that it might affect the survival of the real world.

However, everyone was limited by the power behind the painting, so they couldn't tell the story to anyone other than the 13 people. Only a few of them could handle a world-class crisis.

Can you really stand it?

There are no superheroes in this world.

Some are just ordinary people like them who have been forced to put ducks on the shelves.

Everyone was in a slightly excited mood just now, but now they are depressed again.

"About the hint of "Pure Land", I have an idea." Ke Xun was always the first to recover, "In that painting, each of us chose a prop, and these props are similar to ours. Fate or the way of death is closely related, do you feel that these props are a bit similar to the existence of our bones?"

One word awakened the dreamer, and everyone was startled.

"For example, me, Yiran, and Mr. Shao have hemp rope-like patterns on their bones, just like the headgear of rabbit ears, cat ears, and dragon horns, while your bodies are all patterned in "The Classic of Mountains and Seas" , and the patterns on the bodies of several of you are also different, which is like swords, pens, clothes, cornucopias, etc.—does it seem like we were forced to pick a prop to pass the level?"

"—Props!" Wei Dong clapped his hands together, "That's right! Our bones are the customs clearance props arranged for us by the forces behind the scenes forcibly. His bone phase will definitely play a vital role at a certain moment!"

Ke Xun's conjecture made everyone both excited and frightened. They adjusted their emotions for a moment before continuing.

"If the painting "The Scarlet Beast" does not imply two worlds, perhaps the settings inside and outside the city will have something to do with clues." Qin Ci said, this painting is probably an impression for him. The most profound one.

He almost stayed in the painting and didn't want to come out again, but when he was in the world in the painting, the weird calm state of mind and sense of belonging made him not only have lingering fears, but also a little yearning and dissatisfaction afterwards. Abandon.

This painting had a profound impact on him.

"Remember the news we heard on the radio when we walked into the cave where the signature was before we were about to leave the painting?" Qin Ci still remembered every detail of the painting. Several old members shook their heads and continued, "It is mentioned in the news that the group of beasts that Su Benxin took away were intercepted by the local police. Among them, the hexagram beast was said to be a nutritional beast urgently needed by the secret beasts outside the city. It is mentioned that if the criminals succeed in smuggling those beasts, the consequences will be unimaginable, and Xincheng is very likely to fall again..."

"-Hexagram image!" Ke Xun opened his eyes wide, "Do you think this has something to do with our bones?"

"I think it has something to do with it," Zhu Haowen licked his lips, as if his emotions were also fluctuating, "the red mark on some of us in that painting has the same meaning as the bone phase, and it just so happens that our bone phase is familiar Those who practice Yin-Yang can see that it is a kind of prop, but it has become one with us like "Pure Land", turning us into "Hexagram Beasts"..."

"Then, 'Nutrition Beast Urgently Needed by the Secret Beasts Outside the City' means..." Wei Dong said dryly, "We people are probably behind the scenes... food?"

"Or it can be said to be a sacrifice." Mu Yiran said suddenly, "The "Shan Hai Jing Tu" is a witch map used by wizards in ancient times when they worshiped ancestors, summoned souls, sent souls, and performed sacrifices to reach heaven and earth. Then Those of us are probably living sacrifices."

As soon as this remark came out, everyone was so shocked that they couldn't speak for a while.

Weidong thought of the tragic death of those who became the sacrifices of the Heishitian in "Faith", he couldn't help but trembled all over, and his voice became hoarse: "Then, does the so-called fall of the heart city imply that our The world will fall, that is to say, after we become sacrifices, that 'secret beast', that is, behind the scenes of the painting, will have enough power to make this world fall after absorbing nutrition?"

"...It kind of flatters us," Ke Xun twitched his lips, "We are just randomly selected experimental subjects. After passing the screening, can we have such a great ability to help Huatui subvert the world?"

"This problem may be related to the clues implied by the painting "Schrödinger's Cat"," Mu Yiran said, "Human will and spiritual power are immeasurable forces, and perhaps Huatui ultimately wants to use our , not or not just our physical sacrifices, after many tests and screenings, we are at least no longer weak in willpower, and this may be what Huatui really wants to use."

Everyone was silent for a while, and the atmosphere was a little gloomy.

Seeing this, Mu Yiran said in a calm but imperceptible comforting tone, "Then if the remaining painting "Reverse Journey" does not imply two worlds, perhaps the clue it points to is It can be used to answer the above questions that make us feel worried-all of us are united to take this step. Although this step may be a step backward, this step back is to move forward in the long run. Although this step is a step backward, it may It’s an abyss, but in exchange for eternal light.”

Mu Yiran looked at Ke Xun's face, and there was light floating in Ke Xun's eyes, and he understood what he meant in an instant.

Ke Xun laughed and looked at everyone: "Look, there will be eternal light, so there is no need to worry too much. All the clues that seem to be unfavorable to us now may be just a temporary 'step back' for us to finally overcome The power behind the scenes, in exchange for "eternal light" - completely end all of this. Since we can come back alive from "Reversed Journey", we will definitely be able to come back alive from this whole incident, cheer up!"

"—Yes, Team Ke!" Wei Dong regained his energy and shouted.

"Brother, I think you are very suitable for pyramid schemes." Luo Kuo rubbed Wei Dong's shocked ears.

"Get out." Ke Xun said, "Come on, let's continue, only the hint of "The Picture of Burning Rhinoceros at Sea" is still a little vague."

Everyone cheered up and stared at Shao Ling's laptop screen.

"I have an idea..." Gu Qingqing suddenly said, "Among the [-] paintings that have been entered, only "The Picture of the Burning Rhinoceros at Sea" seems to be an ancient painting. Could this be a deliberate effort by Huatui? ?”

"I think this doubt is a bit reluctant," Shao Ling said. "It is known that the last batch of painters appeared nearly a hundred years ago. At that time, most of the paintings that were handed down in our country should be ancient paintings. If you say that because they are ancient paintings, it implies that What clues are there, and what clues can the last batch of painters get from the dozen or so ancient paintings?"

"Different eras may have different hinting methods," Ke Xun said, "I agree with Miss Qing's suspicion, otherwise there are many art museums that display authentic works by famous artists, why would you rather let us enter a rubbing painting instead of Why don’t you let us in without getting an authentic painting? It can be seen that the painting itself has an important suggestive effect.”

Shao Ling looked at him for a while, nodded, and said, "Your analytical ability has grown amazingly."

Ke Xun: "I'm really flattered to be praised by Mr. Shao, come and kiss me."

Shao Ling: "..." Why can't I think about praising him.

"Since the painting itself is very important," Zhu Haowen said, "then the clues it implies are likely to be related to its own attributes, such as illusions? Such as monsters? For example, immortality? Or, for example, the age?"

"Era." Mu Yiran and Shao Ling took the end of the sentence at the same time.

"There is only one ancient painting among all the paintings, and the biggest difference between them is the age." Mu Yiran said.

"This is a painting of the Qin Dynasty, and it is very likely to hint to us that it is the time of the Qin Dynasty." Shao Ling said.

"Does this hint mean that the origin of the whole incident of entering the painting is Qin Shi?" Wu You asked hurriedly.

"Is it really related to Qin Shihuang sending people out to sea to find immortals?" Luo Kuo also asked hurriedly.

Shao Ling thought for a while, and said: "There were many alchemists in the Qin Dynasty, and more than 460 people were killed by Qin Shihuang alone. Yin and Yang secret arts and mysterious and strange things must have flourished in the early stage. I'm afraid we need to consult a lot of information. For the time being, let's assume that the clues pointed to by this painting are related to Qin Shi, now that the clues of the fourteen paintings are almost listed, I will summarize them."

When Shao Ling sorted out the clues, everyone got up and moved around, some went to the toilet, some drank water, and some stood in front of the French windows to watch the hazy sky with snow falling.

Seeing that it was getting late, Ke Xun ordered takeaways for everyone—it was the critical stage of tracking down clues, and he didn't have much time to cook for everyone for the time being.

I just brewed a pot of Tieguanyin for everyone and brought it over. Shaoling’s place has been sorted out. Everyone gathered together again and saw that there were only simple and clear fourteen lines on the screen:

"Free Heart Evidence" - the method to decipher the painting requires careful judgment of good and evil, right and wrong.

"Spiritual Pivot" - Every painting will point to a clue, and every clue will point to the truth behind the scenes.

"Worship" - the truth behind the scenes has something to do with witches.

"Faith" - In the painting, two forces, good and evil, coexist and compete with each other.

"Break Ground" - the power of evil is about to break through the ground and come out to the real world.

"Animal World" - the weak prey on the strong, if the evil force comes, we will be reduced to the lower level of the biological chain, replaced by the evil force, and the species replacement will be completed.

"Shadow" - The power of evil comes from the opposites of the world we live in, just like the relationship between white and black, yang and yin.

"Humanity" - The power of good or evil in the painting screens those who enter the painting, and the strong are left behind.

"Pure Land" - the bones of the people left behind have become "props" for customs clearance.

"The Scarlet Beast" - the role of "props" may be the sacrifice of evil forces, or the energy source of good forces.

"Sea Burning Rhinoceros" - the whole incident originated in the Qin Dynasty.

"Reverse Journey" - the method of defeating evil forces: take a step back first, in order to win.

"Schrödinger's Cat" - the weapon for victory is our will and spiritual power.

"Restart" - If we fail, the whole world will be replaced by a new world, the universe will be remade, and the world will be turned upside down.

Shao Ling's summary is not only concise and clear, but also interlocking, a complete chain of clues clearly emerged in this way.

"That's very clear!" Wei Dong said, "The next thing we have to do is to investigate whether any bizarre incidents happened during the Qin Dynasty, which can be related to the incident of entering the painting."

The author has something to say:

Ke Xun: I'm really flattered to be praised by Mr. Shao, so come and kiss me.

Shao Ling: ...

Yiran: Will you still praise him in the future?

Shao Ling: ... (Should I answer "boasting" or "not boasting"? Find out, wait online, urgent.)