Chapter 379: The Maze of Controversy

Sunrise and sunset, and amidst a flurry of heated chatter, two days slipped by. In the blink of an eye, it was 8:00 AM on August 20th.

Unlike No.3 Entertainment City.

While the Mingsha City ticket office was packed to the brim, most netizens and the public switched on their TVs or checked Yan City TV on their phones.

This was because Yan City TV had announced yesterday afternoon that a special feature would air today—live streaming Mingsha City’s No.4 Entertainment City challenge from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Netizens weren’t about to miss the chance to see it live, unlike last time when they had to scour forums or watch short videos.

Even Li Jue and Cole were glued to their computers.

While Mingsha City’s event drew huge crowds, the joint project with Dino Park and Fengdu Scenic Area barely generated any buzz.

Although a few tourists showed up on site, their numbers were at most one-twentieth of those at Mingsha City.

It was clear that Mingsha City had completely pummeled Dino Park this time.

Between 8:00 and 8:30, as time passed and the video stream from Mingsha City began, more detailed information about No.4 Entertainment City emerged.

8:45.

By now, most netizens and viewers knew exactly where No.4 Entertainment City was located.

It sat on the south side of Qing Brick Avenue leading to Xianxia Zone, even closer to the Xianxia area! The straight-line distance from Lanruo Temple was only two kilometers—practically on the outskirts of Xianxia Zone.

8:50.

Netizens caught sight of the small square in front of No.4 Entertainment City, flanked by a majestic hall and a grove of trees, with over a hundred security guards clad in ancient armor standing guard around a small copse.

Meanwhile, tourists entering the city took the southern Qing Brick pathway to the square. Already, many contestants readied themselves for the challenge, stretching and gearing up to storm through and claim the grand prize! 9:00 AM.

Yan City TV’s live broadcast officially kicked off! The rules, challenge details, and entrance for No.4 Entertainment City were publicly unveiled.

However, after listening to the staff’s explanation and seeing the overall layout of the challenge zone on Yan City TV, the once noisy scene plunged into complete silence—even the viewers at home grew quiet.

“Damn, isn’t this going way too far!”

Shaken out of his daze, a tourist couldn’t help but vent his frustration.

It turned out that Mingsha City’s No.4 Entertainment City had nothing to do with the previous attractions—not the usual roller coaster or similar ride, but a maze challenge.

Moreover, the Mingsha City staff detailed the specific battle formations.

They were the Pestilence Array, Tai Chi Array, Duality Array, Four Symbols Array, Heavenly Destruction Array, Earthly Fury Array, Frost Array, Golden Light Array, Blood Alchemy Array, Blazing Flame Array, Red Water Array, Red Sand Array, Wind Beast Array, Soul Falling Array, Red Sand Array, Yellow River Array, Demon Extermination Array, and Ten Thousand Immortals Array!

The staff added that anyone successfully clearing all the arrays would win the grand prize set by Mingsha City, with extra rewards granted for each array completed. “You call that a challenge? If I’m not mistaken, these arrays are straight out of Investiture of the Gods! Don’t think I’m clueless.”

With that, the murmurs of discontent grew louder, and soon no one paid any attention to the reward details.

To them, this was no longer a challenge—it was a death sentence.

Demon Extermination Array, Ten Thousand Immortals Array—would any parkour ace dare face arrays that could even humble immortals? They’d be dead before scoring a lousy apartment.

“Rest assured, everyone! Although Mingsha City borrowed names from Investiture of the Gods, the reality isn’t as you might imagine, and with our comprehensive security measures, your safety is guaranteed.

Besides, as long as you keep a clear head, you’ll pass the challenge.”

With that said,

a Mingsha City staff member armed with a megaphone hurried onto a high platform at the entrance to explain.

“Safe?”

The scene fell eerily silent.

“Absolutely safe!”

The staff member quickly nodded.

“This…”

Yet despite the staff’s assurances, no one was willing to approach the challenge entrance.

Most began whispering among themselves,

“Do you believe it?”

“I’d like to, but there’s no guarantee! I heard Mingsha City even set up a ‘Godly Ascension Altar’ in Xianxia Zone for their Investiture of the Gods shoot! Those immortals might even make the list after death; we’re doomed. If we die, we end up at No.2 Entertainment City.”

A tattooed guy instinctively glanced toward the direction of No.2 Entertainment City.

“Huh? They really have a Godly Ascension Altar?”

“Of course they do! Mingsha City’s whole theme is all about authenticity.”

“And don’t forget Taiyi Hospital’s Zhu You Technique, Mingsha Fudi’s Spirit Mist, and Wuzhuang Temple’s White Egret. Oh, and Lanruo Temple too.”

“But Mingsha City guarantees safety—it should be fine, right?”

“Heh, which attraction doesn’t promise safety these days? But when disaster strikes, not a single person is spared.”

“Then…”

By this point,

many tourists shivered, their faces stripped of any desire to take on the challenge.

“Everyone, please quiet down! Trust in science! Mingsha City isn’t what you think, and we don’t have the ability to replicate mythical arrays. We merely drew inspiration from them. How about trying the first level? It’s simple enough—anyone willing to give it a shot?”

On the high platform, as the tourists’ increasingly outrageous chatter grew louder, the staff member hurried to add more.

However, as soon as he mentioned ‘trust science’, many potential contestants turned and walked away.

“Trust science? I trust your damn lies! I’m out.”

“Count me out too!”

“Drawing inspiration? Who can say it’s genuine?”

“The more they explain, the more it looks sketchy.”

“Let’s go! Life comes first.”

And all of this was broadcast live by Yan City TV.

In reality,

viewers at home and those following figures like Li Jue in Mingsha City were utterly dumbfounded.

Firstly, no one expected Mingsha City’s No.4 Entertainment City to pull such a stunt. Secondly, they were shocked that the very tourists who boasted about winning the grand prize were now reacting so meekly.

“Mingsha City’s reputation is in ruins now…”

Snap back to reality,

and various bullet comments exploded across the screen online.

“Who knew! That staffer was one thing until he said ‘trust science’—then it got downright scary.”

“If it were me, I wouldn’t dare either!”

“Better safe than sorry! That guy’s analysis about dying and ending up at No.2 Entertainment City actually makes sense.”

“Isn’t there anyone brave enough? I really want to see what Mingsha City’s arrays look like, especially the Meandering Yellow River Array and the Demon Extermination Array!”

“Brave? This isn’t about being brave anymore! Besides, you can just watch those arrays in TV dramas.”

“Exactly! Anyone sitting behind a computer would say ‘why don’t you go instead?'”

“Me? I’ll pass! Just talk, no action!”

Meanwhile,

as Mingsha City’s No.4 Entertainment City project stirred up controversy, at Yan City in a certain department,

a man in his fifties frowned while reviewing the data, his face dark and grim.

After a moment,

he slammed the data sheet onto his desk.

“Two hundred million in subsidies—is that it? Not only are the ratings dismal, but most contributions come from Long Kingdom expatriates. And they’re calling this cultural export? It’s just self-amusement!”

He declared.

“Leader, luckily a recent auction along with Mingsha City’s No.4 Entertainment City has distracted the public for now. Otherwise, if this gets out, netizens will tear us apart.”

Across the desk,

another middle-aged man spoke in a deep tone.

“Auction? What auction?”

At that, the fifties man furrowed his brows. He knew about Mingsha City’s No.4 Entertainment City project, but had no clue about any auction.