Qi Xu immediately sent a message to Money Flows from All Directions: "For now, focus on collecting energy stones. Survival coins can wait a bit."
Money Flows from All Directions replied, "Got it, boss! If you're short on energy stones, we can start a conversion service between energy stones and survival coins. I’ll draft a detailed plan for you."
Invincible Black Tornado responded, "Good, I’ll leave it to you. I’ve set you as an admin in the golden group chat. You can initiate real-time transfers 24/7. If you run into danger, come find me, Watch Me Cut You Down, or 009. If we’re all in a dungeon, go to Master Chef or Bian—they’ll hold out until we return."
Money Flows from All Directions said, "Understood! Thanks, boss. I value my life—I’ll dodge danger fast."
Qi Xu returned to the driver’s seat and checked the remaining materials needed to hatch the colored egg: only three left—"Five-Element Spirit Source," "Blood Soul Grass," and "Heart of the Ganoderma."
Nearly every player in the region was eyeing these three items. Even if they didn’t need them personally, Invincible Black Tornado had promised to double the resources in exchange—no one would lose out.
The world of the top players felt distant, and ordinary players just wanted upgrade cards to improve their survival conditions.
But despite this, there was still no news about the materials. Frustrated, Qi Xu could only hope to find clues in dungeons or treasure map secret realms.
On a whim, Qi Xu decided to ask about the three materials in the "One Big Happy Family" group chat—after all, it wasn’t related to the core mechanics of Survival Highway.
Little Bird Dingding chimed in, "Oh my, the Five-Element Spirit Source is the monster merchant’s prized treasure. You can only unlock the purchase option if you spend 10,000 survival coins in a single transaction with him."
Little Bird Jiujiu added, "Yep, but it’s all about luck."
Hearing the word "luck," Qi Xu was about to ask Bian to help him encounter the monster merchant and buy the Five-Element Spirit Source.
But Ah Snake interjected, "You absolutely can’t ask someone else to buy it for you! This thing can’t be traded or resold!"
Black Frost Python, Head of the Assassin Hall, suddenly said, "Huh? How do I even know such mind-bending info?"
Spider Amei replied, "Poor thing, don’t you get it? Our memories are constantly being sealed and unsealed..."
Peerless Weapons Master snapped, "When did such a reckless monster join this group? Are you trying to get yourself killed? Shut up!"
The other monsters fell silent, refusing to engage further.
After a pause, the little goblin hesitantly deleted its earlier message.
Sure enough, the next second, Spider Amei’s message vanished completely—not just deleted, but erased without a trace. If it had been a deletion, there would’ve been a notification.
A moment later, Taotao sent an item to the group.
[Monster-Exclusive Healing Card]
Taotao, Head of the Monster Shop Chain: "Sweetie, you okay? Don’t be shy, use this!"
Spider Amei replied, "Thanks, Taotao! But I only lost four legs this time, hehe. Can I save it for later? I’ve already stitched two back on—using it now would be a waste!"
Qi Xu couldn’t help but rub his temples. Spider Amei was as bold as ever—talking so casually about losing legs like it was routine.
But the idea of "sealed and unsealed" memories was intriguing.
Qi Xu’s smile froze as he pondered—if what Spider Amei said was true, was there a way to unlock those sealed memories?
Unlocking the sealed memories...
That was the most crucial task right now.
Unlock the memories—the monsters’ memories, his own memories!
Qi Xu seemed almost possessed, his mind consumed by thoughts of "how to unlock the memories" and "must hurry to unlock them."
At the critical moment, the colored egg suddenly shot out from the bedroom and smacked Qi Xu in the back of the head. Caught in a dazed, trance-like state, he didn’t even try to block it.
His forehead slammed into the vehicle’s control panel—right onto the "Instant Shield" button.
A golden protective barrier instantly enveloped the vehicle, flinging away countless tiny black specks—insects so small they were barely visible, less than a millimeter in size.
Qi Xu rubbed his forehead, bewildered, and turned to glare at the colored egg. The egg, like a guilty child, immediately bolted and buried itself under the blankets.
Qi Xu laughed helplessly, but the next second, his entire body stiffened.
Wait—why had he been so fixated on "unlocking memories"? A cold sweat broke out on his back.
It was a terrifying mindset—subconsciously believing that his past self was stronger and that his former resources were the key to fighting the game.
Qi Xu was certain this wasn’t his usual line of thinking. So why had he immediately latched onto the idea of unsealing memories?
"Qiuqiu, what just happened to me?"
"Huh? What? What’s wrong?"
"Never mind. Go play."
Qi Xu could tell Qiuqiu wasn’t lying. So what was going on?
Just then, there was movement outside the highway. Qi Xu drew [Cherry Blossom Fall] and loaded [Cherry Blossom Illusion] with energy stones before jumping out of the vehicle.
The moment his feet hit the ground, a wave of nausea hit him—an indescribable feeling, as if someone were gripping his heart and dragging it downward.
But...
The black mist tossed out a black obsidian supply crate.
Qi Xu instantly connected the dots—his forehead had accidentally triggered the "Instant Shield" earlier.
The black mist writhed violently before forming words:
"Delicious! Thanks for the meal! Here’s a gift!"
Qi Xu didn’t even bother opening the crate. He climbed back into the vehicle and cradled the colored egg. "Little one, were you saving me just now?"
The egg nodded but then "looked" at Qi Xu’s forehead before burying itself in his arms again.
Only then did Qi Xu check the mirror—his forehead had a huge, swollen bump, red and purple with broken blood vessels clearly visible beneath the skin.
Earlier, distracted by the bizarre events, he hadn’t felt the pain. Now it hit him.
But that didn’t matter. If the egg hadn’t intervened... who knew what might’ve happened? The horror of losing control of his own thoughts was unbearable.
Qi Xu wouldn’t rest until he figured it out.
..........
