The whistling sound of the wind swept past the ears of Zhou Feng and his companions.
The huge carpet, loaded with machines and several boxes of video tapes, swept across the vast, boundless ocean.
Yang Zicang, clad in the black military uniform of the Advisory-Client, sat on the edge of the flying carpet, his gaze fixed upon the vast expanse of the ocean below. The Distributor Overseer, Tata Mingqi, stood by his side.
-｛Loki. Tata Mingqi indicates his observation.｝
Yang Zicang turned his head to glance at the boy beside him, whose ill-fitting coat fluttered and rustled loudly in the wind.
“Is this what you wanted me to see, that it has appeared? “
“Mm, the difference between semi-auto, auto, and impulsive. “
With a light laugh, Yang Zicang propped his elbow on his knee, which rested fully on one side as he sat cross-legged. The thousands of boats that had set sail from Mutao Continent scattered across this sea, no more prominent than bits of crushed leaves blown into a river, barely causing a ripple.
“Don’t bother thinking about it. Those two people you’re looking for? There’s no way you’ll spot them just by flying around here. “
Tata Mingqi let out a spirited “**Hey! “, turned around, and walked toward a large stone slab placed horizontally across the middle of the immense carpet. He plopped himself down on it, pulled out a small metal object from his bosom, and took out a small tool, beginning to tinker with it as if crafting a decorative ornament.
Yang Zicang, his eyelids slightly drooping, cast a quick, careful glance toward a small patch of ancient rock gradually emerging from the sea surface on his right. It seemed to be a mountain-like formation rising from the profound depths.
Like a particle in the sky, the flying carpet swept across this small rock formation—one that many voyagers at sea yearned to reach—and vanished at an incredible pace on the other side.
“President, now that we have no sailboat, where are we going to place all this equipment?” Zhou Feng asked as he walked over from the stone slab partially obscured by the large array of gear.
Yang Zicang pondered for a moment, then turned his head to look at the two people on the boat who were also watching him, as well as the “boy” huddled over their side busy making jewelry on the stone slab that was meant to be converted into guest rooms for Building 202.
His left thumb rubbed the small single-crystal gemstone ring that Tata Mingqi had just given him. Now he had two rings on his finger.
“Hey, Tata.” Yang Zicang’s gaze passed over Zhou Feng and landed on the distributor overseer behind him.
“What do you want?” Tata Mingqi lifted his head.
Yang Zicang shifted from sitting cross-legged to a crouching position and turned back to say: “Do you get a chance to return to the Lunar Realm often?“
The question made everyone else there look over with curiosity.
Tata Mingqi thought for a moment. “It’s not that bad. It’s not like I have no opportunity at all. Hmm…” He looked at Yang Zicang with a skeptical expression.
The young man stood up and walked over. “I was thinking… of temporarily transferring control of this Holy Carpet to you.“
“What?!“
Tata Mingqi was only slightly startled, but the expressions of the other three completely changed.
As Loki. Tata Mingqi stared back with an increasingly dazed look, Yang Zicang demonstrated by manipulating the edge of the massive carpet, wrapping it around, and said with a light chuckle to the others who were watching the flexible movements of this sacred item:
“If something happens to me, I’ll have to trouble you to hand this blanket over to my godson. “
“Huh?! “
“I’m just saying ‘if,’ that’s all. ” Yang Zicang said with a light tone. “Besides, look how convenient it is. “
……
The Prime Minister’s Office.
With Karl gaping in utter astonishment, Lucius was explaining the method of manifesting a force field that allowed evil nightmares to train their psychic bodies.
Meanwhile, Yu Qingqu silently listened with her beautiful eyes open wide.
……
Ten cars, three fine horses, and two marching squads of troops escorted members of the Hellfire Sect, including Kim Christopher, who carried the treasure. Also with them, at the request of a prince’s special envoy who had paid a heavy sum, were those who had been invited to travel together. They all stopped near the headquarters of the World Ark’s Borderless Relief Committee.
“We’ve arrived, gentlemen. “
Elder Da Jayer pulled his head back inside from the car window.
“I still find it hard to believe the President of the World Ark would give us his pledge to see us through the terminal crisis confronting the end of the world. “
“Yes, ” said the slightly plump, fair-skinned man in the passenger seat as he turned around. “That pledge will hold even if the entire world perishes. “
The two men in the back seat heaved a long, stunned sigh.
The pitch-black car doors were pulled open by the entourage standing outside.
The occupants of the vehicle stepped out one after another.
Although many of the escorts carried suitcases, as if fully prepared to accompany them to some destination together, the officers of the Special Defense Command, who were already stationed here, did not grant them any possibility of easy passage.
On the contrary, their inspections grew even more meticulous and thorough.
In the end, Jean Ussy’s two escorts, along with a farmer who had been the last to be invited and was still dazed, completely unaware of what had happened, were escorted en masse, like specially appointed agents, by officers from the tainted Necrotic Blood Army. They headed towards a distant section of ruins.
Among them followed a young guard who had originally accompanied the General.
Behind them, some of the prince and his retainers’ men who had been blocked were filled with resentment, but there was nothing they could do about it.
The newly formed Defense Command now wielded authority beyond compare with any ordinary department—whether in domestic or international influence.
……
A few of those waiting outside saw the scene and entered the building to head towards the inn, only to find the earlier arrivals still waiting downstairs. Chairman Yang Buchen had not yet returned.
A man quickly ran out of room 303.
Under the pale sunlight, Colonel Brownlion, hearing the explanation from the approaching man, lifted his head to look at the crowd now nearing the area that Sword Thirteen and the others had scouted—still clamoring loudly.
“I’ll go invite Mr. Sword Thirteen for you. ” Paspar Bindo, who had been observing the colonel’s expression from the side, stood up and walked over. “Hey, sir, ” he whispered a few words in the ear of the unshaven, bearded man.
Within a few seconds, Sword Thirteen wore a slightly astonished expression.
“Ahem. ” Seeing the group approaching, Semis, who was sitting upright on the bench, coughed lightly and touched his mouth with his hand.
“Let’s have someone check room 202, ” Sword Thirteen said to the two men approaching him beside the colonel.
“Although there’s a request starting today that we can’t casually go over there anymore. But Chairman Yang doesn’t even know yet that room 408 is going to be his soon. So this matter shouldn’t be a problem. Are you two willing to go? “
“If you guarantee that we won’t face unfair distribution because of this, then I’m very willing. “
The colonel listened to their conversation with not the slightest change in his expression.
“If you can guarantee that no trouble will arise here in the short time I’m gone, then I can go myself. ” Sword Thirteen shifted his stance slightly.
“Haha, then we’ll go. ” The thin man ran into the room without looking back; barely slower was another man who dashed out behind him. “I’ll go too. Old Lin, you just stay here and wait. “
Under the guidance of the key holder, two figures quickly disappeared into the room.
Feilü Inn.
A figure rushing out from room 303, with rapid, crisp footsteps, ran to room 202 on the floor below. The three, slightly out of breath, stepped onto the soft carpet. The man holding the key quickened his pace, took two small steps forward to reach 202, and unlocked the door.
“A major change in the Divine Hotel might follow our entry this time, ” he sighed softly.
The two behind him nodded in agreement, deeply moved. “The good news is, we all get to be part of this glorious radiance experience. “
“Hehe, true. Let’s go. “
The three entered the room one after another, and the last one closed the door behind them.
Inside the quiet bedroom, the two behind stared ahead as the man in front pinched the key.
A few seconds later, the man, who had been staring blankly at his own palm, froze in place.
“What’s wrong? “
He turned his head back. “The… the key seems to have failed? “
“What do you mean! ” The two behind were startled.
“We can’t get out! “
The two were stunned for a moment, then immediately rushed to the door like madmen, panicking their way into the main hall. They shouted to the other three who were discussing the display device there:
“What just happened here? “
Zheng Xintian, who was happily chatting, heard the panicked voice approaching, and turned his head to see the two men rushing over with arms outstretched.
“Did something happen? “
“A huge incident! ” One of the men ran closer, took a deep, sharp breath, and lowered his voice gravely. “We can’t get out of room 202! Did something happen over there again? “
The two waiting by the counter looked over, alarmed.
Zheng Xintian pondered for a moment, furrowed his brow as he scanned the few people in front of him, then subtly shifted a step to the side, leaving no visible trace.
“Ah, let me guess, ” Zheng Xintian said with a smile.
“It could be that Chairman Buchen is worried about someone launching a sneak attack like last night. So he’s off somewhere on his own handling something like a site transfer. “
“Really? ” several people nearby turned to look at him.
Zheng Xintian beamed, revealing a knowing expression, and shrugged his shoulders, mimicking one of the common gestures of these foreign-skinned locals.
……
Inside the spacious wooden council hall.
Dust stirred up by the excavation spread everywhere, but the dust on the first few rows of wooden chairs near the front had already been wiped clean by some workers using old coats and rags, revealing mottled traces that could accommodate sitting postures.
“Wow, did you see that? This thing is really huge! “
A crowd of people bustled and clamored around the small stage where the underground space had already been dug out.
Among the crowd on one side, Xu Aiyuan’s figure moved forward to the edge of the earthen pit, looking down at the wide stone slab about thirty centimeters below ground level, covered and obscured by a layer of soil.
They, colored a pale gray, were covered with cracked patterns, but on one of them, there was a hole large enough for a person to jump into.
“Hey, someone give me a hand! “
A man, covered in mud, was dragged out of the stone chamber by both hands grabbing onto him.
“There’s no danger inside, but I still suggest we dig around a bit more to see if there’s anything else. ” The man said, panting and wiping the sweat from his forehead.
“You’ve worked hard. As for continuing the excavation, let’s wait until the afternoon when it’s cooler. “
“Sister Yuanyuan is right. It’s the hottest time of day right now. ” A girl nearby said while fanning herself with a small round bamboo fan.
“Then let’s rest for a while. “
The few of them crouched down, reaching out to touch the stone that looked like it could collapse at any moment, yet was extremely hard.
“Who could have placed it here? “
“To silently put such a large stone house underground without alerting anyone is impossible. “
“But someone actually did it. ” One person murmured as he pulled his hand back.
Amidst the murmuring crowd, Li Sumei pushed a cart loaded with a basin of vegetables. The people who were setting up tables and chairs at the entrance placed the contents on the tables. Sighing, Li Sumei untied her apron and walked over from the main entrance, approaching Xu Aiyuan.
She leaned over, looking past the others’ shoulders for a moment, then turned to ask Lin Site, who was also peering curiously:
“Hey! You there. “
“Hmm? ” Lin Site looked back.
“Didn’t you come back from that place? If it were you, would you have the skill to put this underground without attracting anyone’s attention? “
Xu Aiyuan smiled and turned her head to look. Lin Site, looking slightly embarrassed, straightened his posture.
“Well, of course I can’t do that. But if someone with a bloodline ability were here, they could manage it. “
“Bloodline ability? ” Li Sumei turned her head curiously to ask.
Two small glowing orbs drifted slowly down.
Glancing at them, Xu Aiyuan continued silently, brushing the hem of her skirt at her waist with her fair arm, then lightly stepped along the stone slab, watching the huge object quietly lying in the ground while listening to the chatter around her.
“Who could it be? “
“Who knows what their purpose is. “
Listening quietly, Xu Aiyuan pondered inwardly. But she found no clue.
Seeing the two little sprites approach, Lin Site shut his mouth tightly. Seeing him like this, Li Sumei stopped pursuing her questions. She let out an “uh, ” stepped back from the crowd, lightly clapped her hands, and said:
“It’s getting late. Let’s go eat lunch quickly! Thanks to everyone’s hard work today, there’s a meal supplement from Hub Town! “
“Wow, that’s great! “
“Been busy for ages; waiting for this meal, Sumei, haha. “
People started moving outside.
“Miss Aiyuan, come along now. It’s already pretty late today. “
“You all go ahead and eat. ” Xu Aiyuan turned back with a gentle reply.
“Alright then. “
The entrance buzzed with activity.
Except for a few people resting on chairs, Xu Aiyuan crouched down with a puzzled look by the mud pit filling the large stone chamber.
Lin Site walked over and crouched beside her as well.
“I’ll go down and take a look. “
The young man, whose voice had grown firmer and warmer, asked gently.
“Sure. You’re the most knowledgeable one here anyway. ” Xu Aiyuan smiled.
“Mm… ” He stood up, stepped forward, planted a foot on the rock below, walked a few paces to the cave entrance, and with a leap, swept his cloak and descended into it.
Watching him disappear below, Xu Aiyuan stood up with her arms crossed, relaxed her brow, lifted her skirt slightly, stepped down onto the stone slab, walked forward, and, under the gaze of a few people resting in chairs in the meeting hall, gave a light leap and landed inside the dim stone chamber.
Sensing her enter, Lin Site inside looked back with an expression of wanting to say something but stopping himself, yet besides the word “careful, ” he said nothing more.
The man with the headscarf reached out and touched the strange, textured surface of the stone.
Xu Aiyuan watched him circle the stone chamber once, followed closely by two small orbs of light murmuring and swirling around him, as he carefully examined nearly every line and pattern.
“Hey, are you two really not eating? “
Before they knew it, a voice came from above—Li Sumei, holding bowls and chopsticks.
“Just save some for us. ” Xu Aiyuan looked up. “What’s going on here is more important. “
“Alright, then. We’ll keep some for you. Hurry up, though, or it’ll get cold. ” Li Su stirred the rice and walked away.
After another moment, Lin Site, who was recalling various bits of knowledge learned from the Lost Illusion Company and trying to identify this thing, finally shook his head in resignation.
“Sigh. ” He looked regretfully at Xu Aiyuan’s beautiful face.
Two small orbs of light drifted lazily nearby, illuminating some of the markings on the surface.
“How about we just call it quits, ” Xu Aiyuan said in the stone chamber. “That’s just how this world is—weird, inexplicable things can pop up anytime. “
“I… ” Lin Site seemed as if something was stuck in his throat. He bowed his head in thought for a moment, then looked up.
“I still want to try one more method. “
Xu Aiyuan tilted her head, a faint smile on her face as she watched this little man who was trying so hard to prove himself.
Frowning, Lin Site pulled out his Nightmare flame lighter.
“If there’s a hidden truth, maybe I can clear away some traces. “
A faint flame flickered on him, as ethereal as silk and brocade, and with a click, he pressed the lighter.
Within a couple of seconds, the light from the lighter shone with a determined resolution on his face, casting a brilliant yet colorful glow.
Then, in the next second, his expression shifted slightly as he watched in shock as the stone slab illuminated by the lighter’s glow began to bloom with a circle of ethereal fire that grew ever denser and spread outward, like something had been ignited.
A faint, indistinct wall of Costella Hotel manifested behind the stone wall touched by the flame.
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