Trapped in a Maze

In the original work "Phasmophobia" from Lu Ze's previous life, ghosts had behaviors beyond hunting—actions that didn't involve direct attacks, collectively referred to as "interactions."

For example, knocking things over, causing lights to flicker, suddenly manifesting in a flash, or breathing cold air into someone's ear...

In the illusionary realm, Lu Ze expanded the ghost interaction system, making it richer and far more terrifying.

Actions like forcing someone to wear embroidered shoes, trapping them in a "ghost wall," or making them hallucinate...

All were methods of ghostly interaction.

These methods wouldn’t kill the player.

But if mishandled, they could drastically drain sanity, eventually triggering the ghost's hunt.

Of course, these interactions weren’t unsolvable puzzles.

Take the "ghost wall" as an example.

The true exit could actually be identified using certain tools.

For instance, using glowstones to trace ghostly footprints and follow them to find a way out;

Or pulling out a cold-detecting needle to locate the source of piercing chill;

Or even using a Yin-Yang compass to pinpoint areas with Level 5 ghostly energy...

All these methods aligned with the ghost's traits.

Still, considering not all players carried the right tools, Lu Ze thoughtfully added alternative solutions in interaction scenarios like the "ghost wall"—ways to escape without relying on items.

For example, the bronze mirror Zhong Yi now saw.

The moment he picked it up, a vision appeared before him.

"Still the west gate?"

Zhong Yi opened his eyes, deep in thought.

"So... the exit changes every time?"

His mind suddenly cleared.

Unless someone had Zhou Qiaoling’s absurd luck, escaping this place through sheer chance was nearly impossible.

At that moment, the ghostly hands above him were mere inches from his scalp.

A chill ran down Zhong Yi’s spine as he dashed to the west gate and stepped through.

Yet the next second, he was back where he started.

The ghostly hands from all four directions...

Had now descended to chest height, clawing wildly to grab him.

Zhong Yi’s face turned deathly pale—his sanity dropped another 10 points!

Now...

His sanity stood at a mere 51!

Since he was livestreaming the entire ordeal, the chat erupted at the sight.

[What tier is this ghost wall? It’s trapping a Nascent Soul cultivator?!]

[Bro, you must not play many illusions—Old Demon Lu’s realms seal off cultivation!]

[Is this illusion scary? Why does Senior Brother Zhong look so shaken...]

[Doesn’t seem scary. Is he just hamming it up for the stream?]

[Doesn’t... look like acting.]

[Pfft, just an illusion trying to scare people? Don’t underestimate a Nascent Soul cultivator!]

...

Right now, Zhong Yi had no mind to spare for the chat.

The ghostly hands on the ceiling were practically itching to tear him apart!

"Was I misled? No, illusions always have a solution..."

"Then maybe... huh?"

"I get it! The mirror world is inverted!"

Zhong Yi’s eyes lit up with realization.

Without hesitation, he steeled himself and looked into the bronze mirror again.

Another vision appeared, guiding him with eerie hints to the correct door.

"This time... the north gate!"

The moment he spoke, a shiver ran through him.

The mirror wasn’t free to use.

Every vision cost him 10% of his sanity.

Now, his sanity had fallen below 50, leaving only 46 points!

His vision twisted—everything took on a grotesque hue.

At times, he even heard faint, indistinct whispers.

His lips turned an unnatural purple, trembling uncontrollably.

"This sanity drain... it’s not normal!"

Gritting his teeth, Zhong Yi fought to suppress his rising terror.

"No..."

"I have to get out..."

"Back to the light..."

Dropping to his knees, he began crawling under the sea of ghostly hands, inching toward the north gate...

...

What should’ve been a mere dozen meters felt longer than any journey.

Every step risked a brush with the hands.

Each touch cost him 1 sanity point.

By the time Zhong Yi—enduring relentless psychological torment—finally pushed open the north gate,

The nightmarish room vanished.

He found himself back on the dilapidated staircase leading to the basement, right where he’d first gotten separated.

Exhausted from crawling, he collapsed onto the steps, too drained to speak.

Below, three familiar figures approached...