Samsara Paradise: Dream Weaver of Connections.

After walking for about twenty minutes, the gray fog ahead gradually thinned, revealing the outline of a cluster of low-rise buildings.

Those were dozens of stone houses.

The stone houses are built of rough black stones, with a simple and rustic style. The roofs are sloping stone slabs, some of which have collapsed.

They were scattered haphazardly in a relatively flat area, connected by paths, but the paths were already covered with grayish-white dust.

The entire area was eerily silent; even the sound of the flowing gray fog seemed to have been absorbed.

Baha lowered his voice: "This house... feels a bit off. It's too quiet, not even a bug chirping."

Bubuwang also let out a "woof" and pressed its ears back, clearly feeling uneasy as well.

Lin Yi stopped and sensed the movement spreading forward.

There were no obvious energy fluctuations or signs of life in the stone house area; it was like a ruin forgotten by time.

But the deathly silence itself seems unusual in a place like the House of Death.

The dragon-hunting spider stopped at the edge of the stone house area, making a low growling sound in its throat, but showed no intention of moving forward.

It lowered its body, gently touched Lin Yi's calf with its forelegs, and then pointed to the depths of the stone house—the meaning seemed to be: it wouldn't go any further ahead, but the path was there.

Lin Yi understood that this had probably gone beyond the usual "guiding" scope of the Dragon Hunter Spider.

"You stay here," Lin Yi said to the Dragon Hunter Spider, then looked at Baha and Bubuwang, "Come inside with me and stay alert. Don't touch anything."

Baha flapped its wings and flew up a short distance, while Bubuwang shook its fur and snuggled close to Lin Yi's leg.

A man, an eagle, and a dog stepped into the stone house area.

The dust underfoot was thick, soft and silent as you stepped on it.

Lin Yi slowed his pace and walked along the nearest path.

He passed the first stone house and looked inside through the square window without glass.

The interior of the stone house was very simply furnished: a rough wooden table, two equally simple wooden chairs, a stone fireplace, and a wooden bed covered with moldy straw in the corner.

All the furniture was covered in a thick layer of dust, and there were cobwebs hanging in the corners—real cobwebs, but no spiders, only the remains of dead flying insects.

Everything looked like the stone house of an ordinary medieval poor man, only it had been abandoned for too long.

Lin Yi didn't go inside. He continued walking forward, looking at one house after another.

The second building had a similar layout, but with the addition of a broken pottery jar.

In the third building, the table had fallen over and the chair legs had broken.

The fourth building had its roof half collapsed, and the signs of rainwater erosion were very obvious.

……

Almost every stone house was much the same: simple, dilapidated, deserted for a long time, and exuding an air of decay.

They are like replicas of an ancient village, relocated entirely to this gray fog, and then completely forgotten.

Baha hovered in the air, occasionally landing on a rooftop, but quickly flew back to Lin Yi's side: "I didn't find anything alive, not even a mouse. But these houses are arranged in a certain pattern, not completely randomly."

Lin Yi also noticed that although these stone houses seemed disordered, if viewed from above, one could vaguely see that they spread out in a ring around a central point.

The houses on the outer edges are more dilapidated, while those closer to the center are relatively better preserved.

He continued walking deeper along the narrow path.

The fog thinned out here, and visibility improved to about twenty meters, but the feeling of being "watched" was even more pronounced.

Those gazes no longer came from the gray fog, but rather seemed to be cast from the dark windows of the stone house.

Bubuwang suddenly stopped and barked softly at a stone house on its right, but then tilted its head in confusion—there was nothing behind the window of that stone house.

Lin Yi did not linger. These stone houses themselves may not be dangerous, but the area they formed was clearly an "environment".

In the House of Death, the environment itself is often part of the challenge.

After walking for about an hour, Lin Yi finally reached the end of this area of ​​stone houses.

Or rather, we've reached the center of this ring-shaped area.

There is only one building on the open space in the center.

But it can no longer be called a "stone house".

It was a small stone palace.

Standing about five meters tall, the entire structure is made of polished dark gray stone, with intricate vine and floral patterns carved on its surface. Although covered in dust, the exquisite craftsmanship is still evident.

The palace has an arched portico, with two stone pillars on either side, the capitals of which are carved with unidentified animal heads.

The windows are made of colorful stained glass, and even through the dust, you can vaguely see the warm light inside, which is different from the gray fog.

Compared to the surrounding simple and dilapidated stone houses, this palace seemed out of place, its magnificence bordering on the eerie.

It stands quietly in the center of the stone houses, like a nobleman who has stumbled into a slum.

There is no doubt that there is something wrong with this palace.

"Since we're here, we should at least take a look," Lin Yi said calmly, stepping towards the main gate of the palace.

The palace doors are made of heavy, dark wood, covered with copper ornaments that have oxidized and turned black.

The door wasn't locked, it was just ajar.

Lin Yi reached out and pushed open the door.

"Squeak-"

The sound of the door hinges turning was particularly jarring in the silence.

The scene inside the door came into view.

The first thing you see is a fireplace with flames burning.

The flames were real; orange-red flames danced in the stone fireplace, crackling softly and dispelling the chill and gloom outside the door.

A thick animal skin rug was laid in front of the fireplace, its edges worn.

Beside the fireplace was a large, high-backed chair.

A person is sitting in the chair.

A man.

He looked to be around thirty years old, with a handsome face, even dashing, with short, slightly curly dark brown hair and light gray eyes.

He wore a well-tailored dark blue velvet coat over a white shirt, dressed like a scholar or nobleman from a classical era.

If it weren't for the chains on his body.

Countless chains hung from the towering ceiling inside the palace, wrapping around his limbs, torso, and even neck.

The other end of the chain is deeply embedded in the stone structure of the ceiling, with no discernible origin.

With the man's subtle movements, the chains made a soft but clear "clattering" sound.

A thick, leather-covered book lay open on the man's lap, and he had been reading it with his head down.

When Lin Yi pushed the door open and entered, he looked up.

His light gray eyes looked at Lin Yi, showing no surprise or wariness, but rather an almost friendly smile.

"Welcome." The man's voice was pleasant, with a natural warmth. "Please come in. It must be cold outside, with all this fog."

He closed the book, placed it on the small round table beside him, and then stood up with some difficulty.

The chains rattled with his movements, clearly restricting his range of motion, but he seemed to have gotten used to it.

On the small round table sat a white porcelain teapot and two matching teacups.

The man picked up the teapot and poured an amber-colored liquid into one of the empty cups.

Steam rose up, carrying the aroma of black tea.

“Please sit down.” He gestured to an empty chair on the other side of the fireplace, the same style as the one he was sitting in, except that it was not bound by chains.

The interior of the palace was not luxurious, but very comfortable: fireplaces, carpets, tables and chairs, several shelves with books and decorations, and a few landscape paintings on the walls.

Apart from the chains, this place is like an ordinary nobleman's study.

But Lin Yi did not move.

His gaze fell on the man, and the power of the abyss within him began to stir slightly, a sense of instinctive danger rising in his heart.

This man... is dangerous.

It's not the kind of danger that's aggressive, but rather a kind of essential threat hidden beneath a gentle exterior.

This intuition was honed by Lin Yi through countless life-or-death battles. For a high-level contractor, it is almost equivalent to a life-saving instinct.

Although the other person had a gentle expression and a friendly smile, Lin Yi sensed a very subtle malice emanating from them.

The man didn't mind that Lin Yi didn't move.

He put down the teapot and took two steps forward—the chain was only long enough for him to reach the edge of the carpet.

He bent down slightly and reached out his hand towards Bubuwang, who was standing at Lin Yi's feet, as if he wanted to pat its head.

Bubuwang let out a very low whimper and subconsciously took half a step back to avoid the man's hand.

This movement is very subtle.

But just as Bubuwang retreated, Lin Yi clearly saw a cold glint flash in the depths of the man's light gray eyes.

That wasn't anger, but a pure killing intent.

It's like the indifference of someone who sees an annoying insect and just wants to crush it.

Although it was only for a moment, and although the man quickly put on a gentle smile again, Lin Yi caught that instantaneous change in his demeanor.

Almost at the same time, the chains binding the man began to vibrate violently without warning!

Splash!
The man's body stiffened abruptly, and a twist appeared in the smile on his face.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and after a few seconds, the vibration of the chains gradually subsided, and the runes gradually disappeared.

He reopened his eyes, his gaze returning to its previous gentleness, even carrying a hint of apology: "Sorry, these chains... are sometimes a bit unstable. Did they frighten your dog?"

But Lin Yi's vigilance was already at its highest level.

That murderous intent just now was real.

The unusual movement of the chains was clearly a suppression of some "transgressive" emotion or behavior of the man.

There's a reason this man is locked up here.

The fact that the other person could quickly return to "normal" under the suppression of chains shows that he has a very strong ability to control his emotions, or that he has become accustomed to maintaining a facade under such suppression.

Lin Yi glanced at Bubuwang, who was squatting at his feet and still watching the man warily, and then at Baha, whose shoulder feathers were slightly ruffled.

"Baha, take Bubu out first and wait for me at the door," Lin Yi said calmly.

"Boss?" Baha asked with some concern.

"It's alright." Lin Yi's tone left no room for doubt.

Baha hesitated for a moment, then flapped its wings and flew up, landing next to Bubuwang and gently nudging it with its beak.

Bubuwang glanced at Lin Yi, then at the man, let out a low growl, and followed Baha to the palace gate, but didn't go far, squatting under the porch.

Now, only Lin Yi and the man bound by chains remained in the palace. Lin Yi walked to the empty chair in front of the fireplace and sat down.

He didn't touch the cup of tea.

The man didn't seem surprised. He returned to his high-backed chair and sat down, the chains rattling.

He picked up his cup of tea, took a small sip, then looked at Lin Yi and smiled, "It's been a long time since we've had any guests. The last time someone came here... let me think, was it about a hundred years ago? Or even longer? The exact timeframe is a bit unclear here."

"Who are you?" Lin Yi asked directly.

“I am a prisoner here.” The man shrugged, the chains swaying with his hands. “As you can see, I’m chained up by these cute little things and can’t go anywhere. You can call me ‘Edwin,’ of course, that’s not my real name, but here, names don’t really matter.”

Why are you locked here?

Edwin smiled, a hint of helplessness in his smile: "Because of some... past mistakes, I have been sentenced to eternal imprisonment, locked in this palace I built myself, until the end of time."

"You built this palace yourself?" Lin Yi looked around.

“Yes.” Edwin’s tone carried a hint of nostalgia. “This used to be my study, in my hometown. Isn’t it ridiculous? A prisoner trying to make himself as comfortable as possible.”

"What about those stone houses outside?"

“Those things…” Edwin looked out the window, though the glass windows were covered in dust and he couldn’t see outside. “Those are the ‘price’. Everyone who comes here, if they fail the test or choose to give up, will leave behind a ‘preservation’ that becomes a stone house. They are the witness to my years of imprisonment and the ‘foundation’ of this area.”

He spoke casually, but Lin Yi immediately understood—those stone houses likely represented some kind of remnant of the "contestants" who had come here and failed.

Their memories, or a part of their souls, were solidified into stone houses, forming the basis of the rules of this area.

This made him raise his danger rating of the man in front of him even higher.

Edwin withdrew his gaze and looked at Lin Yi again, his light gray eyes filled with curiosity: "So, what about you? You managed to get this far, and you even have Her Majesty's protection... What is your relationship with her?"

“That’s not important.” Lin Yi didn’t answer, but instead asked, “You said this is a test. What is the test?”

“It’s simple.” Edwin put down his teacup, leaning forward slightly—the chains limiting his movement—“Play a game with me. If you win, you can take what you want—'Oblivion Dominoes.' If you lose…”

He smiled, but didn't continue, though the meaning was clear.

What game?

“A question-and-answer game,” Edwin said. “I’ll ask you three questions, and you’ll ask me three. The questions can be anything, but you must answer honestly. If one of you can’t answer or lies, you lose. Of course, the ‘judge’ who decides whether someone is lying is these chains.”

He raised his hand, gesturing to the chains binding him: "They are connected to the core rules of the House of Death, and have an absolute awareness of lies and evasion. If you want to try deceiving them... I don't recommend it."

Lin Yi remained silent for a few seconds.

Question-and-answer games sound simple, but in these kinds of situations, the questions themselves can be traps.

Moreover, the other party has been locked here for who knows how many years, and their understanding of the House of Death far surpasses that of myself. If they ask some questions that involve deeper rules or secrets, I may not be able to answer them.

Although the other party was chained up, the murderous intent and the unusual movement of the chains just now indicated that he was not without threat.

Moreover, now that we've come this far, according to the rules of the House of Death, we'll probably need to engage in some kind of "interaction" to move forward.

"Okay." Lin Yi nodded.

“Very good.” Edwin’s smile deepened. “Then, as the host, I’ll ask the first question.”

He paused, his light gray eyes fixed on Lin Yi, his voice still gentle, but his question went straight to the heart of the matter:
Are you... afraid of death?

The problem is simple, even somewhat philosophical.

But in the House of Death, in the presence of a prisoner eternally imprisoned, the issue is clearly more complex than it appears on the surface.

Lin Yi did not answer immediately.

He did indeed contemplate death.

In the Paradise of Reincarnation, death is an everyday occurrence that every contractor must face.

But "fear" is an emotion, and Lin Yi learned early on to separate emotions from survival instincts.

"I'm not afraid," Lin Yi said calmly. "Death is an inevitable end, sooner or later. I respect it, but I won't let it influence my choices."

This answer is clever; it neither denies the fear of death nor fails to express one's own attitude.

Edwin listened quietly, his chains remaining unresponsive—meaning Lin Yi was telling the truth, or at least, that it reflected his true feelings.

“Good answer.” Edwin nodded. “Now, it’s your turn to ask.”

Lin Yi thought for a few seconds and asked his first question:
"What purpose do these chains serve besides imprisoning you?"

He went straight to the chains themselves.

This thing is clearly the core of Edwin's state and the embodiment of the House of Death rules in him.

Edwin looked down at the chains binding him: "They serve many purposes. Imprisoning me is the most basic, to prevent me from doing anything out of line."

The fact that the chains did not move indicates that these statements are true.

“My turn.” Edwin held up his second finger. “Second question: If I gave you a chance to gain power enough to change the landscape of the Void, but the price was that you had to stay in one place forever, just like me…would you accept it?”

This is yet another question involving fundamental choices.

Lin Yi barely needed to think: "No."

"why?"

"That's the third question," Lin Yi reminded him.

Edwin laughed. "Alright, it was my fault. So, your second question?"

Lin Yi looked at the other person and asked a more in-depth question:
"What exactly was the 'mistake' you made?"

This question is direct, and perhaps even offensive.

But Lin Yi wanted to test the other party's reaction and also wanted to obtain more information.

Edwin's smile froze for a moment.

He remained silent for a few seconds, the chains rattling slightly, as if suppressing some kind of emotional fluctuation.

He spoke slowly, his voice lower than before: "I tried... to seize partial control of the House of Death. I wanted to become the true 'master' here, instead of being a prisoner bound by the rules forever. I planned for a long time and almost succeeded. But at the last moment, Anna discovered it."

He looked up, a complex light flashing in his light gray eyes: "She didn't kill me, but chained me here. She said, since I like the House of Death so much, then I'll stay here forever."

The fact that the chains didn't react means this is true.

Lin Yi understood immediately; it turned out to be a traitor who had failed in his attempt to rebel.

No wonder he was locked up here. Anna spared his life, perhaps to make use of him—for example, as a test for those who come after him.

"Now for the third question." Edwin's voice returned to its previous gentleness, but Lin Yi could sense a subtle chill beneath that gentleness. "Please answer the last question carefully."

He leaned slightly forward, the chains taut:

What is it that you most desire deep down?

This issue is more private and more dangerous than the previous two.

The deepest desires in one's heart are often things one is unwilling to confront, let alone express in front of such a strange prisoner.

Lin Yi remained silent for an even longer time.

What does he desire most? To become stronger? To survive? To uncover the truth about the cycle of reincarnation? Or... something else entirely?
Lin Yi suddenly realized that the question itself might be a trap—the content of the answer might not be important, but the mindset, hesitation, or even lies when answering could be captured by the chain and become a breakthrough for the other party to attack or influence.

He needs to give an answer that is truthful but does not expose his weaknesses.

“I yearn for ‘understanding’,” Lin Yi finally said. “Understanding the essence of power, understanding the rules of the void, understanding the world I inhabit and my own destiny. Not passive acceptance, but true understanding.”

This answer is broad, but it is indeed driven by some real force within him.

His study of swordsmanship and exploration of the abyss were, in a sense, attempts to "understand" the essence of life, death, and power.

Edwin listened quietly, and the chains did not budge.

A few seconds later, he clapped softly—and the chains rattled.

“A very good answer,” Edwin said. “Now it’s your turn to ask the last question.”

Lin Yi looked at the other person, quickly weighing his options in his mind.

He had already obtained crucial information from the first two questions, inquiring about the purpose of the chains and the reason for the other person's imprisonment. For the third question, he needed to ask something that would help him pass the current test or understand the path forward.

“Tell me,” Lin Yi asked slowly, “where should I look for the 'Forgotten Dominoes'?”

Edwin raised an eyebrow slightly.

He gave Lin Yi a deep look, then smiled: "The thing is on me."

The fact that the chains did not move indicates that this is true.

"Third questions." Edwin leaned back in his chair, seemingly tired. "The game is over. You've won. As agreed, you can take what's rightfully yours. Now, please leave."

He dismissed them, picked up the book from his lap again, and seemed unwilling to talk any further.

But Lin Yi didn't move. He looked at Edwin and suddenly asked, "Do you need help?"

The moment the words left his mouth, alarm bells rang in Lin Yi's mind!

A strong sense of unease welled up inside me.

Why did I suddenly want to help this obviously dangerous man?

The other party had just shown murderous intent towards Bubuwang, and the chains suppressed obvious malice. How could I so easily have the idea of ​​"helping" them?

This isn't right.

Without saying a word, Lin Yi immediately cast a Purification spell on himself.

Almost the instant the light appeared, Lin Yi felt a cool sensation in his brain, as if an invisible veil had been lifted.

At the same time, the notification sound of the Reincarnation Paradise rang in my ears:

[Warning: You have been affected by a mental health condition.]

The following negative effects were detected:

[Psychological manipulation]

[Perception Misleading]

[Emotional Resonance]

[You have been detected to have the "House of Death" status.]

[Status in effect...]

[99% of negative effects have been resisted, weakened, or prevented.]

[Residual impact: Minor emotional resonance (harmless).]

[Purification spell in effect.]

All remaining abnormal states have been cleared.

The moment the notification tone ended, Edwin's demeanor underwent a complete transformation in Lin Yi's eyes.

The gentle, scholarly demeanor he had just displayed vanished like the tide.

Instead, a malice that has almost solidified into reality has taken its place.

Edwin's light gray eyes were no longer gentle, but cold and empty, with a kind of inhuman dark light flickering in their depths.

"It seems you don't need help. What you need is a 'fool' to free you from your shackles." (End of Chapter)