Chapter 174: The Disappeared Someone

As they walked through the depths of the Open Heaven Gate ruins, which could no longer be called a street but rather a desolate wasteland, Miss Vilyric began to probe the unexpected acquaintances after a simple round of self-introduction.

Ming Lan, clearly picking up on a lot of information, was doing the same.

“By the way, Mr. Shui, what’s your age this year?”

“Hmm? Why does Miss Vilyric ask that? My age is around thirty, I just look younger, haha.”

Pfft, did you really just cut off three years, huh? You weren’t saying that before.

The black-haired girl rolled her eyes secretly, but on the surface, she feigned a casual demeanor.

“Oh, it’s nothing. I just think Mr. Shui seems very strong, much deeper than appearances suggest, so I was a bit curious. Your hair color is rather rare around here; are you from Qiguo?”

In response to yet another round of attacks from Vilyric, Ming Lan didn’t continue to honestly answer; instead, he smiled skillfully, turning the tables.

“No, no, Miss Vilyric is truly the one who is deep and unfathomable.”

“Speaking of hair color, we actually have a surprising similarity. Black-haired people have become quite rare in the Ancient Spirit Realm, and Vilyric is a name that seems quite different from the local naming conventions, doesn’t it?”

“Ah, that’s right! I’m from another world.”

The priestess’s sudden confession likely surprised Ming Lan and the others; they visibly froze for a moment, exchanged glances with a few companions, then quickly resumed smiling.

“I see, no wonder you’re so unique. Then, who are these two companions of Miss Vilyric?”

Casting a strange glance at the youth who tried to change the subject, Vilyric shook her head with a hint of amusement.

“I mean, did you not learn anything about the outside world before going out? Look at her iconic silver hair, how could you not know who she is?”

It was one thing for ordinary people not to recognize Princess Ling, but Ming Lan was a direct bloodline from Lingyin Fairy Island, and his status was clearly not low, so this was indeed a bit unbelievable.

“Uh…?”

Seeing the Lingyin Ethnic people glancing at each other in confusion, the black-haired girl let out a helpless sigh and waved her hand.

“Forget it, they are all locals from the Ancient Spirit Realm, just that their situation is a bit special. We hit it off while traveling and decided to journey together. Does Mr. Shui have anything else to ask?”

“Oh, nothing more. Thank you for your patience, Miss Vilyric. As for your previous question… indeed, we are not from Qiguo. We have been living in a secluded place, away from worldly matters. This time, we just happened to go out for something.”

“I see…”

Seeing Ming Lan seemed to want to end the topic, Vilyric nodded and didn’t push it further, simply continuing to walk.

It’s surprising that they didn’t bring up the matter of the “Spirit Fox Pendant,” which is the thing they’re most concerned about… Very cautious indeed.

When I interacted with Ming Lan as “Xi,” I thought this guy was a bit goofy, but considering it now, that thirty thousand years of life wasn’t for nothing.

But… why are people from Lingyin Fairy Island here?

Everyone, with their own thoughts, continued along the ruins, and finally, after some time that wasn’t too long, they arrived at the wasteland, which was the true core area of the ancient town.

Although there was still some distance ahead to the final destination, they could no longer proceed normally.

As if a clear dividing line had been drawn, the rampant space rifts began to surge significantly from here, almost transforming into a dense warning net, flickering and moving like dark stars in the void.

This was no longer something that could be avoided by luck or agility; without means to withstand the tearing power of subspace, entering would probably result in not surviving even half a minute.

If this were a “Battle Royale” game, this area could be called the final circle.

“This is getting a bit chaotic…”

Standing not far from the “boundary line,” Mr. Shui Men Shu, halfway through speaking, looked at the densely flashing area of space rifts ahead and suddenly forced a wry smile.

“It seems all the survivors in the wasteland have gathered nearby. Vilyric, we…”

As she surveyed the scattered small groups around, nearly a hundred people, Miss Xiao Kong was about to say something, but the priestess signaled her with her eyes, halting her words.

Then, she turned her attention to a group that was actively approaching them, nodding in acknowledgement.

“You all have indeed made it here. Should I say congratulations?”

“Just lucky, it’s been a while, everyone~”

The newcomers were, of course, the members of the Jing Shen Sect.

Although they weren’t unscathed like Ming Lan and his group, the previous battle seemed not to have caused any casualties for them; the leader, Teacher Mu, waved cheerily at the black-haired girl, scanning those present but paused in surprise.

“Hmm? Why isn’t Mr. Murong with you? And who are these three?”

Realizing the implications in the other party’s question, the priestess raised an eyebrow.

“Mr. Murong Yun isn’t with you?”

Seemingly catching on to something, the girl with the braided hair beside Mu Ze stepped forward, proactively explaining to Vilyric.

“No, Mr. Murong said he would wait outside, so we temporarily separated.”

Watching the three girls who were supposed to be traveling with someone exchange glances, Miss Xiao Kong promptly questioned,

“But we didn’t see anyone outside the wasteland; we thought he had come with you.”

“Could this really be a thing?”

Mu Ze frowned slightly, and the chief disciple Shangguan Hong also speculated.

“Could it be that he ran into some trouble? Like a certain group suddenly attacking a lone traveler outside the wasteland to reduce competition, and Mr. Murong had to escape temporarily… Such things during the treasure hunt are not uncommon. Should I ask around with others?”

“You don’t really need to do that…”

Vilyric turned to the few people in white who were the most unusual.

“When you came here, did you see that guy? He’s a middle-aged man, from the Spirit Nation, about this tall, wearing white clothes and black pants, with bare hands, should be quite recognizable.”

Seeing Ming Lan and others shake their heads in denial, the expressions of those present gradually became solemn.

Only Miss Vilyric herself, seeming to understand something, did not continue to pursue the inquiry.

After all, no matter how one looked at it, Murong Yun could be considered a powerful figure who had reached the Immortal Seeking Realm, not someone just anyone could handle. A person as big as him, familiar with the Endless Ruins Sea, would surely have the ability to survive and leave information if something really did happen.

His sudden disappearance without reason could only be due to deeper underlying reasons.

Let’s not forget, this is the ruin of the Open Heaven Gate, and he is one of the last remaining disciples of the Open Heaven Gate.

The sudden appearance of the Open Heaven Gate ruins is definitely not by chance, and people from Lingyin Fairy Island wouldn’t casually wander into such a place.

The key to this matter must involve a big secret hidden here; as long as it can be unraveled, many things will fall into place naturally.

As her gaze fell on the mysterious area surrounded by countless “dark stars,” the priestess felt a kind of curiosity, as if she were about to face the final boss of a dungeon, something she called expectation.

It seems the answer lies within.

   

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