The little bird perched on the white horse's head seemed much more approachable than an owl, so Qi Xu mustered his energy again, attempting to "strategize"...
But before he could even speak, the bird opened its beak first.
"Distinguished guest, greetings! I am Little Oriole, and I’ll be guiding you through the upcoming itinerary. You are about to enter the High-Class Animal Zone, where you may freely select and purchase animals.
You will then have five days to rehearse a performance with the animal(s) you’ve chosen. When the gala begins, thirty esteemed judges will evaluate the carefully prepared performances!
The highest-scoring act will claim first place in this dungeon challenge. The animals in the High-Class Zone are far more intelligent and powerful—giving you a head start! Little Oriole sincerely wishes you smooth rehearsals and a successful show!"
Qi Xu wanted to fish for more information, showering the bird with flattery and even attempting to bribe it. But despite Little Oriole’s outwardly enthusiastic demeanor... its favorability toward him kept dropping.
Finally, Qi Xu cut to the chase. "Are there many animals in the High-Class Zone? I waited in line for so long—won’t the players ahead of me have taken all the best ones?"
Little Oriole "cheerfully" fluttered around him in a circle. "Not at all, dear! Our zoo is massive. Every VIP player gets to choose from twenty animals to find the one that best suits their fancy.
If none of the twenty catch your eye, you can refresh for a new batch—just for a small fee in Survival Coins, of course."
"How much do you have to spend to be a VIP player? And are there any scoring criteria for the judges?"
"Ten thousand coins minimum for VIP status! As for the scoring... no fixed standards, just the more dazzling the performance, the better!"
Qi Xu had a feeling it couldn’t be that simple. Animal performances? Animals organizing humans for rehearsals?
Baffled, he glanced at the roadside as they passed through the Low-Class Animal Zone first. Rusty fences lined the path, enclosing lethargic, sun-drenched creatures that looked as lifeless as those in pre-Survival Game zoos.
Not the high-end safari parks or luxury wildlife reserves—just your standard 25-yuan-entry city zoo.
Next came the Mid-Class Animal Zone, where conditions seemed slightly better. At least the animals had some space to move, though their expressions were just as vacant.
Some players had already started selecting animals, tossing carrots and greens into the enclosures, occasionally cracking a whip to make the creatures stir—inspecting their physique and vitality.
They critiqued and nitpicked, selecting with great enthusiasm...
Qi Xu’s thoughts drifted until they arrived at an open area adorned with artificial rock formations and water features. The air here felt noticeably fresher.
"Please wait a moment—the animals will arrive shortly."
Qi Xu moved from the carriage to a sofa, nibbling on a fruit platter. Before long, a uniformed owl led in twenty animals.
To his surprise, he spotted a "familiar face" among them. Their eyes met, and both froze in shock.
"Little Black?"
The black three-tailed fox stared skyward in despair, refusing to answer. How could the odds be this bad...
Qi Xu held back, not pressing further, though inwardly puzzled. Little Black was once the shopkeeper of a monster store—even if he lost out to Taotao, how did he end up like this?
The owl, sensing an opportunity, eagerly pitched in. "Guest, have you taken a liking to this black three-tailed fox? It’s highly intelligent—more than just an animal, really. A mutated monster! For just 5,000 Survival Coins, you can take it home!"
"Truly, this fox is exceptional." The owl flew over and gave it a pat. "Go on, say something! Show your worth!"
The black three-tailed fox let out a despondent "Ah."
Nearby, a gorilla was far more enthusiastic, flipping around and flexing its muscles in a "STRONG" pose, flashing its teeth at Qi Xu with desperate eagerness to be chosen.
The rest of the group included a tiger silently licking its bloodied wounds in the back, a black bear trapped in a cage roaring with each breath—its sinewy muscles rippling beneath a glossy coat, a striking sight.
To the right, several rabbits held paws and performed a clumsy ballet...
A flock of vibrantly plumed birds flew in synchronized formation, while an oversized aquarium held two seals standing upright, passing a ball between them like fourth-graders in gym class.
And inside... a half-dead dolphin floated listlessly.
Each animal had its quirks, far more spirited than those in the lower-tier zones. If the theme really was performances, most of these creatures already had "show skills" built in.
The owl rattled off prices and descriptions with practiced ease.
"Guest, don’t worry about controlling these animals. We’ll have specialized tools for sale later—just pick whichever suits your taste!"
Qi Xu kept turning the dungeon’s theme over in his mind. Animal performances? It can’t be that straightforward.
Perhaps from spending so much time interacting with monster NPCs, Qi Xu instantly recognized the resentment and ambition simmering in their eyes—even the gorilla, for all its clowning, was carefully masking its true emotions.
As for the only one he knew, the black three-tailed fox, its expression was unreadably complex.
"Guest, satisfied with this batch? If not, you can refresh for another 100 Survival Coins."
Suddenly, the black three-tailed fox blurted out, "Pick me! Pick me! I can talk!"
The owl shot it a meaningful glance, chuckled, and waited for Qi Xu’s decision.
"How many can I buy?" Qi Xu asked.
Smelling a sale, the owl turned even more obsequious. "As many as you’d like! It’s entirely up to your preference."
Qi Xu crossed his legs with an air of extravagance. "Give me the total—I’ll take them all."
The black three-tailed fox gaped at him, then let out a disbelieving laugh, tilting its head skyward. Do you even know where you are? This isn’t your monster shop—it’s where you get drained of coins! I was trying to save you, but you’re just hopeless!
The owl’s head jerked sideways in shock, its already round eyes bulging wider. It stammered as it counted on its wing feathers before finally answering, "Th-that’s... 38,000 Survival Coins. But if you’re serious, I can give you a discount! A steep one, I swear!"
...........
