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墨書 Inktalez
"I won't."
The resolute voice held no hesitation. I shook my head, watching the figure leaving outside the window, leaving only a sense of coldness behind.
Sigh, this is something they must resolve between themselves.
"Alright, Xiaopu, let's gather our emotions. We still need to go to the last place to find our next companion." I wasn't planning to continue that topic; it was better to find the last companion and end this.
"But I don't want to see that person again."
"Xiaopu, isn't that unfair to the Sun? He hasn't done anything to you; it's just your inexplicable hatred towards him."
"I know I'm really strange, but I can't change this feeling of disgust towards him... No matter what, I absolutely won't travel with him."
"Xiaopu—"
"I'm sorry, Xi Meng, but I really can't."
Given the current state of Xiaopu and the Sun, it was indeed not suitable for them to be in close proximity to avoid escalating other issues. I sighed and said, "Chiba, let's head out first. The Sun has things he needs to handle in his tribe. We'll regroup once we find the last companion, okay?"
Xiaopu was still somewhat unwilling, but she reluctantly nodded in agreement. Thankfully, she could distinguish between major and minor matters and didn't throw a tantrum.
"I'll go find Chiba; we'll leave shortly."
...
I knocked on Chiba's door, and surprisingly, the Sun was inside as well. I didn't know what they had discussed, but their expressions didn't seem too bad.
“Xi Meng,” Chiba called out.
The Sun beside them nodded in acknowledgment, but the atmosphere was still somewhat tense.
“Since the Sun is here, let’s discuss this among the three of us. I think it would be best for Xiaopu, Chiba, and me to set off first. We can return here to meet the Sun once we find the last person.”
“I don’t mind,” Chiba agreed.
The Sun's expression suddenly stiffened; he should understand why I made this decision, yet he remained silent for a long time.
“...I’m not at ease,” the Sun finally sighed quietly.
“I understand, but this is currently the most suitable choice. You should realize that Xiaopu is becoming increasingly resistant towards you. Once you get close, I don’t know what might happen.”
“I’ll follow behind you; I absolutely won’t let Xiaopu sense my presence, okay?”
I was taken aback; I didn’t expect the Sun to choose such a humble approach.
“I disagree,” Chiba interrupted my hesitation with a cold laugh. “You’re underestimating Xiaopu’s sensitivity. How could she not feel your presence, especially given your complicated relationship?”
Chiba knows everything?!
The Sun actually told Chiba everything. Did he do this to ensure that Chiba completely rejects Xiaopu, or was there another reason?
“Chiba is right; Xiaopu has become very sensitive now, so we shouldn’t take this lightly. Our issues are minor, but if they affect the bigger picture, it might be too late to regret it.”
The Sun’s face was tense as he clenched his fists and stared out the window.
I stared at him along with Chiba, waiting for his response.
"Alright, it's up to you then," the Sun finally relented, saying weakly, "I will never hurt her again."
At that moment, I no longer felt that everything was his fault; instead, I began to feel some sympathy for the Sun.
After several lifetimes of obsession, I didn't believe he was only trying to lift the blood curse; he still couldn't let go of that relationship and the deep guilt he felt.
"Chiba, where are we going next?" Finding the Sun this time proved that Chiba's previous analysis was indeed reasonable.
Chiba seemed momentarily taken aback, a subtle change flickering across his face that I still noticed.
"What's wrong? No ideas?" I asked.
Chiba shook his head and said, "No—"
The Sun also looked at Chiba with curiosity, eager to know the next destination, and urged, "Then hurry up and say it!"
"If I'm not mistaken, the place we need to go this time is—Northwest of the Underworld, in the Lost City of Lothar, the Demon Realm."
The Sun clearly gasped in shock, standing there dazed.
"What kind of place is that? I've never heard of it," I asked cautiously. From their attitudes, I sensed that this place was very different.
Before Chiba could answer me, the Sun shouted, "You must have some idea of what kind of place it is!"
Chiba did not refute him but looked grim as he said, "I have no confidence."
"Then don't go!" Taiyang urged urgently.
"But I can't think of anywhere else."
"Nonsense, just stay here and think it over!"
"Taiyang, you must know why I chose that place," Chiba said coldly.
Taiyang immediately fell silent, like a deflated balloon, sitting listlessly beside me without speaking.
"Xi Meng, why don't you let me finish before deciding whether to take this risk?" Chiba looked at me and said.
"The Lost City of Lothar is a desolate realm akin to a dead city; if you've been to hell, you can imagine that it is not much better than hell itself."
"Moreover, in some respects, it might even be worse than hell... There are no established rulers there; whoever can defeat the current ruler becomes the new ruler. It is a constant cycle of slaughter and death."
"The beings living in the Lost City of Lothar have no distinction of races; they are all aberrant creatures existing as individuals. They are either oppressed or rejected by the outside world or have nowhere else to survive, and they escape there seeking the protection of the guardian of the Lost City of Lothar."
"Guardian?" I asked in confusion.
"It is said that the guardian of the Lost City of Lothar does not involve itself in any external conflicts but merely protects that land. Many races have attempted to seize that territory, but none have returned alive. Furthermore, no one has ever seen the true face of that guardian."
"Also, there is only one rule in the Lost City of Lothar: entry is one-way. The guardian can help you escape from all the evils of the outside world, but in return, those who enter will never find a way out."
"This is simply escaping from one hell only to enter another; no one would willingly go there!"
"They would, because some still believe they can find treasures in the Demon Realm and gain favor from the guardian of the Lost City of Lothar. Not only could they leave the Demon Realm at will, but they would also inherit all its power and become unparalleled strong beings."
"Did that monster say it himself? I mean, is that what the Guardian said?"
"That's right. He once said that whoever finds that treasure will be the true master of the Demon Realm."
"I think he has ulterior motives. What kind of place would attract so many people if not for something sinister... What is that treasure?" I asked.
It seemed that things were definitely not as simple as Chiba had said; the Demon Realm must be hiding some secrets.
"I'm not sure, but it must be true. There are legends that a rainbow light once shone over the Demon Realm, and that's when rumors started saying that the Guardian of the Lost City of Lothar was protecting the Demon Realm with that power."
"Those are just rumors, aren't they?" I asked, half-convinced.
"Regardless, it is indeed a dangerous place, and anyone who enters really does not come out," Chiba said.
"Chiba, how confident are you?"
"I only have half confidence."
"Sun, what do you think?" I looked at Sun, who was speechless beside me.
"There... there might indeed be the person you are looking for, but I can't be sure. The risk is just too great; I still don't agree."
"Waiting around isn't a solution. Without Chiba, it would probably take me a long time to find you. This time—I trust Chiba."
"Xi Meng—" Chiba stared at me in shock.
"Yes, I trust you."
"Alright, alright, sigh, I really can't deal with you, Xi Meng. You'll regret it once you go," said Taiyang, scratching his head.
"Don't worry, Taiyang, I will definitely protect Xiaopu."
"Okay, it seems there's no way to stop you. I trust you to take care of my person. I'll be waiting for you to come back... Rest assured, if I sense any danger coming your way, I will charge in with the Wind Steed Clan at all costs to rescue you!"
I nodded with a smile. The Life Stone allows us to sense each other; if there is any real danger, I believe Taiyang will definitely come.
...
Xiaopu, Chiba, and I set off on a new journey again. Before we left, Taiyang did not wait for us as I had worried; instead, he chose not to show himself. I don't know if he was watching us leave from somewhere, perhaps he himself wasn't sure how to face Xiaopu.
Riding on the three Wind Steeds that Taiyang gifted us, we flew through the air. The ever-quiet Chiba and the somewhat lost and emotionally unstable Xiaopu were deep in their own thoughts.
I wanted to see what kind of magic the Lost City of Lothar's Demon Realm had that attracted so many people.
...
In the resplendent hall, the Ground reflected a clear figure.
"Your Majesty—"
The figure called softly, respectfully kneeling halfway and lowering its head slightly, emanating an aura of immense reverence.
"Lanzhi, you are becoming increasingly disobedient," a melodious female voice sounded like a spring breeze but made the kneeling figure tremble involuntarily.
Lanzhi raised his head, revealing a face partially covered by a mask. The exposed half of his face appeared somewhat flustered, with sorrow in his eyes.
"I just want to—"
"How many times do I have to tell you? You are just a slave; know your place." The woman interrupted Lanzhi with a smile, her allure undiminished.
"Yes, the slave wishes to eliminate the emperor's greatest threat."
"Hah, do you think you can?"
"I know I was wrong, but that Xi Meng is not as powerful as I thought. I—"
"You think killing her would be as easy as crushing an Ant Beast?" The woman seemed quite pleased to continue the conversation, her smile growing wider.
"Yes."
"Fool!" The woman suddenly shouted, even her frown was deeply enchanting.
Lanzhi stared blankly at her face for a while before finally reacting and lowering his head.
"I told you that Xi Meng's fate is tied to mine. If you truly kill her, do you think I would remain unscathed?!"
"It was my carelessness; I should not have acted on my own!"
"Do not forget who gave you life, and do not foolishly think you have any real power over yourself." The woman bent down and lifted Lanzhi's chin with her finger.
"Everything must proceed according to my plan. If you dare act on your own again, you know what will happen."
"Yes, yes, the slave will never dare again."
"Is that person ready?" The woman raised her body and wiped her hands.
"They are already prepared."
"Hehe, they should be on their way to the Demon Realm now..."
"Your Majesty, I don't understand why—"
"You talk too much, Lanzhi... But I'm in a good mood right now, so I can tell you that I want to obtain all the power, and none of them can escape."
"Your Majesty, you are the ruler of the Three Realms." Lanzhi's eyes brightened as she smiled.
"Leave now." The woman replied impatiently without elaborating.
"Yes—" Lanzhi reluctantly looked at that face as she slowly withdrew.
"Hmph, Lanzhi? Just a useless branch." The woman said disdainfully.
"What I, Siyimo, want, I will obtain. Xi Meng, do you really think I would allow you to search for the owner of the Life Stone so openly?"
"Hahahahaha, fool—"
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