hotmtlnovel Chapter 143 Strange Tales Strategy Team, it's up to you!
Chapter 143 Strange Tales Strategy Team, it's up to you!
After a moment's hesitation, Lin Feng quickly lowered his voice and said to Wasim beside him:
"The fourth rule of the cafeteria has been triggered—I am currently being stared at by a strange gaze."
This statement was both a warning to his companions and an announcement to the Dragon Kingdom Ghost Stories Strategy Team about his current situation.
After all, his understanding of the cultural and artistic field was limited, and he couldn't immediately fathom the mystery behind the ocean painting that was used as a "confession corner."
However, the strategy team, which brings together many top experts in various fields, might be able to see the clues that he failed to notice.
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Dragon Kingdom Ghost Stories Strategy Guide Command Center.
On the huge screen, Lin Feng's live feed was being transmitted steadily.
His words to Wasim, spoken in a low voice, were transmitted synchronously through the audio system, echoing clearly throughout the analysis room.
"Team leader! Lin Feng has triggered rule number four of the cafeteria rules!" a young analyst immediately reported loudly.
Sitting upright at the command post, Qin Weiguo understood the deeper meaning of this information almost the instant Lin Feng finished speaking—
This was not a simple notification to teammates; it was a precise intelligence transmission, a distress signal from the heart of the vortex.
"Immediately analyze all information regarding the 'Confession Corner' and that ocean painting!"
Qin Weiguo's voice was calm and steady, carrying an unquestionable decisiveness.
"Image analysis team, extract every single pixel of detail from that painting!"
"Cultural, religious, and art semiotics consultants, all now online!"
"Hurry up! We're racing against the rules!"
The orders were like a mountain, and the entire strategy team instantly sprang into action, operating at high speed like a precision machine.
The main screen was divided into several images, with the slightly old and faded ocean oil painting in the corner of the cafeteria, which was Lin Feng's real-time view.
The image is continuously enlarged, enhanced, and sharpened.
"Report: The painting style is similar to the late Romanticism of the 19th century, with a dark tone, mainly in deep blue, dark green and gray-white, depicting surging waves in a storm."
"The composition of the image is chaotic and lacks a clear visual focus. The brushstrokes for the waves are repetitive and dense, giving people a sense of... dizziness."
Qin Weiguo frowned: "Give me some useful information!"
"Try color analysis!" the image analysis team leader ordered. "Focus on investigating the distribution of abnormal color blocks, looking for hidden symbols or text!"
The spectrometer's simulated data scrolled rapidly on the side screen, and the technicians kept a close eye on the data stream:
"No abnormal color clusters or unnatural spectral responses were found... The color distribution is consistent with the model of natural pigment decay and the influence of light."
"What about composition analysis?" Qin Weiguo asked in a deep voice. "Is it possible to guide the eye to a specific area using perspective? Or are there shadows in the image that defy the laws of physics?"
"Modeling in progress... The perspective is chaotic, almost flat, and lacks a clear vanishing point. Shadow distribution... Due to the unclear light source settings, it's difficult to determine if there are any anomalies."
One path after another was proposed, only to be quickly refuted by data and logic.
The analysis appears to have reached a stalemate.
"Could it be... that the problem isn't with the content of the image itself?" a behavioral analysis expert suggested.
"The rules mention 'line of sight,' perhaps we need to consider how the behavioral pattern of 'peeping' is reflected in paintings?"
"For example, is it possible that there's something fishy about the frame itself, or the back of the canvas?"
"We have retrieved multi-angle images of the area," the technician responded. "The frame is a standard wooden structure, with no hidden holes or mirrors. The back of the canvas is obscured by a wall, making direct observation impossible."
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At this moment, inside the staff canteen of Abyss Prison.
That sticky, cold gaze was like tangible spider silk, constantly wrapping around and tightening, making the skin on the back of Lin Feng's neck tingle.
What was even more unsettling was that an invisible pressure began to emanate from that gaze, like a cold hand pushing against his back, urging him to immediately head towards that so-called "confession corner."
If it weren't for the support of his "Mental Fortress" talent, he probably would have already uncontrollably headed there.
"Brother Lin Feng, your face is very pale!" Vassim, who was standing next to him, keenly noticed his unusual appearance.
"It...it's not just spying, it...it's urging me to go!" Lin Feng squeezed out the answer through gritted teeth, his eyes fixed on the front, resisting the invisible force with all his might.
"This is clearly a trap!" Vassim whispered.
Lin Feng nodded.
The more eagerly you are to do something, the more likely it is to be a trap—this is almost an unwritten law in the world of ghost stories.
"For now, we can only pretend to comply and slowly move over, hoping the strategy team can find a solution as soon as possible."
Wasim straightened his back and said, "I'll go with you."
Lin Feng immediately shook his head: "The risks are unknown, you can't..."
"Precisely because the risks are unclear," Vassim interrupted him, his tone resolute, "that's why we can't let you go alone."
Lin Feng felt a surge of warmth in his heart and said no more.
The two walked side by side, at a pace much slower than normal walking, but not too conspicuous, and began to move toward the ocean painting.
Just then, Evelyn and Anna walked into the cafeteria, ready to have their meal.
They spotted Lin Feng and Wasim acting strangely at a glance and quickly walked over.
"Lin Feng, Vassim, what's going on?" Evelyn keenly sensed that something was wrong and asked in a low voice.
While maintaining a slow pace, Wasim explained succinctly:
"Brother Lin Feng has been infected; it's the fourth rule of the cafeteria."
"We are following the rules to 'walk' to that 'confession corner,' but we feel it might be a trap, so we are trying to delay as much as possible."
Evelyn's eyes narrowed, and without the slightest hesitation, she said, "I'll go with you."
Anna nodded immediately and stood on Lin Feng's other side.
Just as Lin Feng was about to speak, Anna gently interrupted him, "We're a team!"
Lin Feng's Adam's apple bobbed slightly; he seemed to want to say something but ultimately remained silent.
He took a deep breath, suppressing all his emotions, and finally just nodded slightly.
Taking advantage of the moment when he was walking slowly alongside Anna, Lin Feng subtly turned his head and said quickly in a very low voice:
"Remember, you should eat the 'Today's Special,' but don't finish it all; be sure to leave some—this is crucial."
Anna's gaze suddenly sharpened. Without asking any further questions, she simply nodded slightly, firmly engraving those words into her heart.
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Dragon Kingdom Ghost Stories Strategy Guide Command Center.
Just when everyone was at a loss, a slightly hesitant voice rang out from the corner of the analysis room.
A young researcher wearing thick glasses, who usually focuses on visual cognition and illusion research, stood up from his seat:
"Team leader, consultants... I've noticed that you've repeatedly mentioned the 'repetition' and 'density' of the wave brushstrokes, as well as the 'dizziness' they create."
"This reminds me of visual codes that use repeating patterns to hide information, or... stereoscopic images that require a special way of viewing to reveal them."
"Get to the point!" Qin Weiguo interrupted in a deep voice.
The young researcher was startled, and raised his voice slightly:
"I suggest trying to view the wave section of this painting using a 'parallel eye' or 'cross-eyed' approach."
"If these repeating textures are carefully designed, perhaps they can allow us to see something beyond the two-dimensional surface of the image... something else."