Chapter 23: Traces of the Qilin

Although the other party’s interrogation-like tone initially left Miss Vilyric feeling a tad unsatisfied, the Priestess wasn’t one to hold grudges. Since it wasn’t deliberately meant to show off, she decided to let it slide.

The girl took the initiative to lighten the mood.

“Alright, no need to be so tense. It’s Qin Xuan, right? The person you’re looking for is probably me. You can just call me Vilyric. As for my sect… I’m afraid I’m sectless.”

“I see, pleased to meet you, senior Vilyric.”

“I told you, my last name isn’t Vilyric… Whatever, call me what you like.”

What a mess.

After successfully breaking the ice, the group chatted a bit to get through the awkwardness of their first meeting. Soon, a maid brought in new refreshments and lit brighter candles in the room.

The culture of this Ancient Spirit Realm was quite similar to what Vilyric knew of ancient Blue Star. Although it was a bit more “fantastical,” after spending a few days here, the Priestess had managed to grasp proper social interactions and the basics of the local language thanks to her excellent memory and adaptability.

Therefore, when Murong Yun handed over a scroll filled with characters and illustrations, even without the aid of props, Miss Vilyric quickly understood the content.

“A topographical map of the Tidal Deep Valley… You actually have something like this?”

The White-clad Middle-aged Man nodded, clasping his hands as he explained.

“Senior Vilyric, and ladies, we all gather here for the holy beast Qilin, so I won’t beat around the bush.”

“This map took me half a year to make, based on my observations and experiences in the valley.”

“Tidal Deep Valley is one of the ten most dangerous places in the Ancient Spirit Realm, filled with dark energy and evil demons, with a complex terrain made up of countless holes and pits, making it extremely perilous.”

“The depths of this place connect directly to the underground river. Due to tidal fluctuations, there are only three days each month during low tide when one can enter. Frankly, I initially intended to explore the mysterious area and pave the way for future generations, never expecting to stumble upon the traces of the holy beast.”

“Unless absolutely necessary, I usually don’t recommend anyone go to such locations; even ordinary strong individuals face near certain death there.”

“Sounds quite interesting…”

Vilyric opened the scroll and casually hung it on a stand in the center of the room, revealing a densely packed array of drawings and annotations, with a specific spot clearly marked in bright red ink toward the southeast.

That spot was likely where Murong Yun spotted the Qilin.

Ling Feng, seated next to the Priestess, asked a crucial question.

“Mr. Murong, may I ask what the scene was like at that time? Could you describe it in detail?”

“Um.”

Murong Yun’s expression grew serious, as if recalling past events.

“Five days ago, during the monthly low tide at Tidal Deep Valley, it was my sixth time entering this perilous place. The map was nearly complete, and I had a rough idea of which areas were dangerous and which were safe, having made full preparations.”

“I thought this would probably be my last visit to Tidal Deep Valley, so I specifically checked the places I hadn’t surveyed yet and recorded everything.”

“Logically speaking, all the places I had stepped foot in should have been marked on the map…”

At this point, Murong Yun’s expression changed slightly.

“But strangely, after I finished that final survey and was preparing to head back, I discovered a peculiar hole that I had never seen before on the route I came in.”

He stood up and pointed at the scroll, indicating a long, narrow terrain that corresponded to the bright red mark, looking like a thin line connecting two irregular large spheres.

“Please take a look, there is only one passage leading into the inner valley of Tidal Deep, and when I found that hole, the entrance was several feet wide. If it had existed before, there’s no way I could have missed it.”

“There’s a peculiar product in Tidal Deep Valley called Tidal Stone. This stone can only be found within the inner valley and is very unusual. Despite being a stone, it defies logic by shrinking and expanding with tidal fluctuations and changes in the weather.”

“When it reaches its limit, it can change from the size of a fist to several feet in diameter, and it’s exceptionally hard and heavy. Ordinary warriors can hardly budge it; it is indeed out of the ordinary.”

“Therefore, I suspect that the entrance to this hole might have been blocked by a giant Tidal Stone, and since I entered the Tidal Deep Valley during low tide, it coincidentally happened to be when the stone expanded, so I was never able to see the entrance.”

Upon hearing this, Bai’er showed curiosity.

“Hey? So why did the stone shrink a few days ago and expose the entrance?”

Murong Yun turned back, his expression solemn.

“Because that day happened to be the last day of the year in the 999th year of the Four Holy Era, during the end of the thousand-year night. Perhaps it was the conjunction of the seven stars and the powers of the Holy Moon that altered the expansion and contraction pattern of the Tidal Stone, revealing the secret that should have been submerged forever.”

“…”

The only reasonable speculation left everyone momentarily silent.

Soon, Ling Feng took the initiative to steer the conversation forward.

“So, Mr. Murong, you chose to investigate further.”

“Um.”

The White-clad Middle-aged Man nodded again.

“There are three days each month when Tidal Deep Valley is navigable during low tide. I typically explore for two days while leaving time for unexpected events. So once I discovered that mysterious hole on my way back, I still had ample time to explore.”

“The thousand-year night is a rare occurrence, and for someone like me who loves exploring the mysteries of the world, it’s hard to suppress my curiosity. After much contemplation, I decided to return to the surface, inform my companions, and then set off alone to explore once more.”

“Ah, I get it! This is what they call the spirit of adventure, right? I’m the same way!”

“Oh, senior Vilyric, please don’t mock me…”

With a sigh and a wry smile, Murong Yun continued to explain.

“When I returned to that hole, it was nearing midnight. Uncertain about the tidal fluctuations in the Tidal Deep Valley under celestial influence and whether the Tidal Stone would change again, I didn’t dare waste any time and immediately entered.”

“Initially, I was fully prepared for possible attacks from demons and various strange creatures, but to my surprise, the demons and monsters that are typically everywhere in Tidal Deep Valley seemed to be absent in this hidden hole.”

“Moreover, despite being located at the bottom of Tidal Valley, the soil and rocks inside were very dry, quite unlike the ever-saturated landscape found outside. It was truly remarkable.”

“However, the space connected by that hole was vast, almost unreasonably so. I walked for a long time without encountering any visible life forms, leading to growing impatience.”

“After searching fruitlessly and calculating the time, the high tide period was about to arrive… though I was reluctant, I had no choice but to turn back.”

“Yet even more surprising events unfolded. After running for a long while, I still could not find any earlier markers or the entrance, as if I were trapped in a maze, endlessly circling without escape!”

“Just then, a certain authoritative roar… accompanied by a pressure that nearly halted my breath, suddenly came rushing from the depths of the passage.”

“Before I could react, a tall, bizarre beast suddenly appeared not far in front of me, its long tail sweeping through, and I felt the surrounding world spin fantastically… When I regained my senses, I found myself standing outside the Tidal Deep Valley entrance.”

“Quickly, the tide returned, and my exploration had to come to an end.”

   

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