Chapter 416 Extra - Goblin Waterlog Ride
"WOOOOW! IT'S A THEME PARK!!! HAHAHAHA!" Yue Han cried out loud as the group of eight entered the instance along with the massive crowd who waited for the opening of the Christmas Instance.
"To think we were so worked up for nothing. Guess you were right." Yue Wen playfully punched Jia Ying on her shoulder for guessing correctly and she returned a smile.
"I am willing to bet that Boss Jin has something else in store for this theme park. If it's like the Raid events, there will be something that will entice people to come for this." Bu Dong was sure, and the Wunder Pandit welcoming the Pandawans acknowledged that Jin had prepared three Cosmetic Inscriptions that could be earned in this WunderPanda theme park instance and they were all stated in the brochure.
"In order to earn one of them we will need to complete all the rides. The other cosmetic inscription can be earnt by defeating the gold standard of the following game stations as stated below…" Jing Ru read the thing and noticed that there were a number of game stations like the Zither Mistress String Obstacle Course and the Sakura Treant Climbing Challenge.
"The last cosmetic inscription can be earnt by participating in Niu Lang's Supa Robot Wars and win a total of five matches." Se Lang read out and they agreed that it sounded like the most exciting ride of all time.
"Hmmm, they don't state what those cosmetic inscriptions will look like. Guess, it's a mystery until someone manages to get one." Deng Long added and Shi Hui noticed that there's an achievement for gathering all three cosmetic inscriptions.
"Look! Title: WunderPandarian. Win at least three cosmetic inscriptions in the WunderPanda. Reward: 1 Gold Panda Medal! This is amazing, Boss Jin finally added in achievements that give out freebies too!" Shi Hui said excitedly but Jing Ru shook her head.
"I doubt so. The 1 Gold Panda Medals seems more like a nice gesture. Who knows how much you'll be spending unless you excel at every game station from the start." Jing Ru pointed out, and it appeared that multiple similar discussions were happening to everyone around them as well. All of them seemed like they were experienced enough to know what to expect from Jin's store.
Some rushed in blind to try stuff out immediately, but a number of them were slowly studying the map that was given by the Wunder Pandits. There was a minority that thought there's more than meets the eye, especially after the lesson Boss Jin had given everyone through the Escape City Dungeon Instance. (Although the Wunder Pandits assured them that there's nothing too sinister involved in this instance.)
"How about we try out all the rides and games first? I doubt anyone will get everything on the first day and it should be best if we experience them all before we start making plans on how to beat the gold standard." Yue Wen suggested and everyone nodded their heads in unison since they had already paid for the entry ticket, they should just try everything and at least get the first cosmetic inscription reward.
"But that's like 1…2…4…there are more than 10 rides here!" Se Lang counted yet no one seemed to care too much. It was after all similar to a dungeon instance where time was slowed down. They could probably finish all the rides and be back home before midnight even though it's already 12.30pm in the afternoon. Besides, it was a good bonding session among the Pandawans and a nice change of pace compared to the times they have to constantly fight for their lives.
"Shall we go to the nearest ride? Or go chronologically by the type of instances Boss Jin had created?" Yue Han asked, and they all preferred the latter. Thus, the first stop became the Goblin Waterlog ride. All of them raced to the higher cliffside to reach the ride's location. To their surprise, it was still relatively empty and they believed it was because of the shortcut they took.
Instead of running up the path of the hill, Bu Dong tried to be creative as he jumped and climbed the cliff so they could be the first few to reach the ride location. Subsequently, a few other cultivators tried following them but realised it seemed harder than it looked and many ended up being stuck hanging at the side of the rock wall. Hence, the Wunder Pandits came to rescue and placed them back to the ground instead of the location they intended to reach.
The Pandits told them that it takes more than just strength and stamina to reach the top, and the Pandawans were able to adapt to the situation quickly to reach the top. Unless one decided to study the patterns of the rock formation, it would be difficult to do it on the fly with a low grade cultivation. The cultivators saw that some of the Pandawans utilised their cultivation techniques to reach the top of the cliff and quietly decided to aim to be as competent as them.
However, those who had walked the longer path were rewarded with a street full of merchandise stores up the hill that the cultivators could purchase. The stores were selling monster related products and even mini bites such as Goblin Cookies. It was none other than Chef Lynn's trusty penguins that exclusively made all of those snacks.
That being said, there were not just the stores at the hill, but at every ride, all of them selling products related to the particular ride. For example, "Ghastly" Grilled Boneless Fish on a stick near the Deep One's Pirate Ship ride as well as the Deep One Taiyaki. Originally, a Japanese fish shaped cake with fillings such as red bean, cheese or chocolate but now moulded with the shape of a Deep One.
Jin adopted the exact same model from theme parks since he knew that queues might be irritatingly slow, and these overly priced food merchandises fulfilled the cultivator's craving while waiting for their turns. He could have utilised the electronic queuing system he used before, but that would defeat the feeling of anticipation for a ride. Besides, this allowed him to create a fast track queue to burn more of his customers' wallets.
The eight Pandawans finally got their turn to ride the Goblin Waterlog in less than five minutes, but before the start of the Goblin Waterlog ride, the Wunder Pandits pasted a temporary waterproof inscription on their body. This was to allow them to get wet and enjoy the ride while not worrying about their clothes becoming damp after that. The log ride carried four people maximum, and they all could see that unlike a regular water log ride, the water trail that they were in, was flowing rapidly.
If not for the iron chains holding the log coaster, the coaster would have disappeared into the depths of the forest right in front of them. This was also the first time that they had to wear safety harnesses for a waterlog ride, and it could indicate one thing that was waiting for the Pandawans.
Fun.
"You guys ready?!!" The Wunder Pandits asked and the first group consisting of Shi Hui, Se Lang, Deng Long and Jia Ying shouted in excitement. The Wunder Pandits magically released those strained iron chains binding the coaster and in an instant, the ravaging river trail shoved the Pandawans into deep depths of the forest ahead of them.
Bu Dong and others could hear the constant screaming from Shi Hui and Jia Ying and occasionally a high pitched tone either from Se Lang or Deng Long. They made it sound so thrilling that Bu Dong and his group could not wait for the Wunder Pandits to release the chains on their log coaster.
"Your wish shall be granted." One of the Wunder Pandits said proudly. With a click, off the log coaster went, violently carried by the water trail. The waterlog ride had multiple turns and twists as well as various paths which eventually allowed Bu Dong's Log Coaster to see Se Lang's Log coaster for a moment before the two water trails split apart once again.
None of them could do anything but enjoy the ride fully with water splashing non stop on their faces and hands. Now they realised why those Wunder Pandits had to insert those temporary waterproof inscription charms or else they would not just get slightly drenched but soaking wet!
There was even one point where there was a 360 degree spin for Bu Dong's gang and water drifting for Se Lang's group. During the ride, there were some glimpses of the goblins fighting against boar knights. They were just additional extras that enhanced the experience especially for the slightly 'slower' parts of the ride.
However, the finale was indeed kept for the best where the log coaster slowed down when they got out of the forest to reveal the broad view of the entire WundaPanda Theme Park Instance for a few moments before the great waterfall.
Shi Hui and Jia Ying could not resist and screamed at the top of their voice which even the guys took part shouting as well when the log was at the edge of the waterfall. All of them then held their breath and waited for the vertical fall — that slight creak of the wood structure of the log coaster.
"KYAAAAAAAAA!"
The fall was both scary and thrilling at the same time, but the Pandawans knew that this was merely considered a normal ride in Jin's dungeon instance. There should be nothing to worry about with regards to safety and thus they let go of their fears and screamed until their lungs shrivelled from the lack of air.
The log coaster dived deeply into the lake before merging out of it and the cultivators felt refreshed. The nearby cultivators who saw the drop from the waterfall had mixed feelings until they saw how delighted the Pandawans were.
It was indeed one hell of a ride.