Chapter 184

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

Since the matter had already been laid out this clearly, the most Xi Chen could do to help was fetch a detailed map of Huaguo.

Seeing Xi Chen so cooperative, Shen Yao gave him a simple hug, but the man ended up stammering even more when he spoke, as if Shen Yao had taken some kind of advantage of him.

Shen Yao: …… Heaven and Earth bear witness, her appearance after cultivating was who knows how many times more beautiful and delicate than his; how could there be someone like this?

Xi Chen twitched the corner of his mouth, his hand pressing against his wildly pounding chest, feeling short of breath.

"You, why did you choose me?" He was neither outstanding nor remarkable.

Shen Yao: ……?

Shen Yao looked Xi Chen up and down, especially noting that his cultivation had already reached the fourth layer of Qi Refining — could this be a problem of self-perception?

One must know that ever since the Strange Instances appeared, unlike Shen Yao who could rely on external means to advance, this man had been busy running around without even time to rest, yet he managed to reach the middle stage of Qi Refining relying on the meager Spiritual Energy — how could one not call that a heaven-gifted talent?

"Because it's suitable. Believe me, we'll get along even more pleasantly in the future."

After Shen Yao finished speaking, her hand continued tapping and circling on the map spread across the table.

Places where mountain ranges and waterways flowed through — she had to look over every single one.

"The Spiritual Qi Revival is slow; being close to mountain forests might be a bit better. These seeds need Spiritual Energy to grow."

Originally, the Strange Instance would have been the most suitable place, but the Demonic Qi there is too abundant.

Shen Yao worried that what grew would mutate, so she could only choose the present world.

She had a Spirit Gathering Array in hand, had Spirit Stones, and could even make them on the spot. After she finished stating her requirements, Xi Chen also returned to normal.

After pondering for a moment, he pointed at a long, narrow area on the map. "This place might meet your requirements."

Somewhat similar to the Shennongjia region in modern society — continuous mountain ranges, rarely visited by humans.

"We can go take a look. If it's suitable, buy the land at the foot of the mountain."

After Shen Yao finished speaking, Xi Chen naturally took over the rest of the matters.

Set the time, prepare to go out, not forgetting to tell Shen Yao the latest situation regarding the Demonic Qi Invasion.

Strange Instances are formed based on the Demonic Qi Invasion. For all these years, the Investigation Bureau and the Patrollers have been in a passive stage; even when occasionally proactive, it was merely because they could endure no longer, venting their anger once.

But now it's different. With these Buddha Light Petals that Shen Yao handed over to them, not only were their own problems alleviated, the speed of the Demonic Qi Invasion also slowed down, and even the situation of Strange Instances abducting people improved considerably.

Ordinarily, Patrollers like Xi Chen basically had to enter instances to work every three or five days.

Right now Xi Chen can take it a bit easier, and the time he can spend by Shen Yao's side is more ample.

Of course, one cannot deny Xi Chen also has selfish motives — he doesn't want to leave Shen Yao and give others a chance to take advantage.

Who wouldn't have a few petty thoughts? Besides, Xi Chen mixes in the Entertainment Industry.

"Chang Feng Shan has arrived. Please disembark in an orderly fashion and do not crowd."

After sitting on the coach for several hours, Shen Yao and Xi Chen exited along with the flow of people.

Originally they had other plans, but passing through Chang Feng Shan they would go by some places.

Shen Yao thought riding a Magic Artifact would be too high-profile; better to walk slowly and perceive things more directly.

Unexpectedly, the situation here was not good; all along the way she hadn't sensed overly abundant Spiritual Energy.

Barren and scarce — rather than calling this Spiritual Qi Revival, it would be more accurate to call it a Spiritual Qi End of Days.

Could the Investigation Bureau and Patrollers have gotten it mixed up? Hoping for Spiritual Qi Revival to reach the point where everyone can cultivate — there's still a very long way to go.

"Host, this is related to the Demonic Qi Invasion. The speed will accelerate later on."

Right now is merely the appetizer; the main course hasn't been served yet, so naturally it appears calm and peaceful.

"So we must seize the time and become powerful before the storm hits — at least able to hold on in the storm, rather than collapsing at the first gust."

"We continue forward?" This is the last stop of their trip.

With the Investigation Bureau and Patrollers helping, Shen Yao can't possibly run all over the country.

Eliminating the obviously unsuitable ones, then confirming some places are unsuitable — only the remaining ones that need her personal verification would she show up at the scene.

"Let's go. If things go smoothly, we can be back in a day."

Shen Yao and Xi Chen walked forward side by side. Once the two of them distanced themselves from the crowd, they hurried on their way relying on their cultivation.

Circling around the beautiful Red Maple forest before them, Shen Yao momentarily felt as if she had returned to the Cultivation World.

There was a place like that there too — even Red Maple Elixir was a rare treasure.

As the sky gradually darkened, the two no longer rushed forward.

On the pretext of taking out the Spirit Mushroom House used for resting from her Storage Bag.

Shen Yao and Xi Chen ate some Spirit Meals, then each returned to their rooms to close their eyes and nurture their spirits.

But the sudden situation came fast. By the time the two reacted, invitation letters resembling flyers had already appeared before them.

Eh?

"It's a Strange Instance. Didn't expect there to be one here too."

Shen Yao picked up the invitation letter belonging to her and examined both sides.

Not much difference from the Wangsheng Village one. If forced to say something, it's just that the Demonic Qi on this invitation letter is heavier.

Xi Chen's expression changed repeatedly. "It's a Difficulty Instance. There's a possibility of a total party wipe."

Judging the instance situation based on the type of invitation letter — this is a skill Patrollers have mastered since the beginning.

Shen Yao leaned over. Xi Chen subconsciously pulled her into his embrace, not moving. "Look at the patterns on it. The deeper the lines and designs, the greater the problems inside the instance."

Xi Chen has experienced quite a few Strange Instances — there hasn't been a difficulty that wasn't high.

On one hand, she was limited by her own strength; on the other, there simply weren't many High-Difficulty Instances.

Even selecting people to enter an Instance by normal logic wouldn't necessarily land on Xi Chen.

"This time I can personally see just how difficult a Strange Instance really is."

Shen Yao was a bit eager to try, because her cultivation had already reached Foundation Establishment.

Pills and Spirit Stones are just too useful; along with that, Xi Chen also gained quite a few benefits.

"Not afraid of danger?" Xi Chen had heard rumors about the Patrollers' internal affairs; in a Strange Instance like this, it was practically nine deaths out of ten every single time.

Shen Yao rested her head on Xi Chen's shoulder. "Being afraid can't change anything."

Besides, being timid before battle isn't a good omen.

Xi Chen simply loved Shen Yao's attitude toward things to death; he laughed and pulled her tight, lowering his head to bury it against her neck.

Breathing sounds were clearly audible in the quiet room; as the countdown on the Invitation Letter ended, the two of them directly arrived at an unfamiliar Mansion.

The clothes on their bodies hadn't changed, and at the same time they clashed completely with the antique courtyard.

Fragrant peach blossom petals drifted down in the air, while messy footsteps rang out from both sides.

They looked up at each other, then decisively flashed into the interior of a nearby rockery.

Through the unclosed gap, Shen Yao tilted her head to glance outside.

People dressed similarly to them were already slowly gathering together.

Unlike the panic in Wangsheng Village, because most of these people were very calm, even immediately looking for the elderly in the team as well as the Investigation Bureau and Patrollers.

Feeling there was no danger, Shen Yao and Xi Chen slowly walked over to join them.

Xi Chen's identity was a Patroller, but this Patroller of his was utterly mismatched with this Difficult Instance.

With tacit understanding they didn't expose their identities; Shen Yao and Xi Chen perfectly blended into the crowd, and because of their own outstanding looks, their acceptance was unexpectedly good.

Never expecting to still get a "looks bonus," Shen Yao acted even more low-key.

Until a sound came from the front, and the tightly shut Gate was opened by someone.

A middle-aged man wearing a jacket, looking very wealthy, greeted them with a hearty laugh, "Everyone has come to Tao Hua Town to sightsee; I suppose you're all here for the Peach Blossom Festival seven days from now."

Tao Hua Town, Peach Blossom Festival?

Someone in the crowd stepped forward to echo his words; the two sides conversed, and in the end got to the point.

Travelers who came from thousands of miles outside, and the relatively archaic, closed-off small town.

The Peach Blossom Festival is famous for its ethereal beauty; legend says it even carries the symbolic meaning of perfect love.

Rather than saying these people are attending the Peach Blossom Festival, it's more like each of them carries their own petty thoughts.

Seven men, seven women — isn't that exactly couples pairings?

Shen Yao and Xi Chen automatically formed a pair, and chose to follow behind the crowd to secretly observe.

The courtyard they appeared in is the place where they'll rest for the next seven days.

The Mansion Tao Hua Town uses to host outside guests; male-female couples share lodging.

If someone came alone, they can stay in the Mansion directly opposite.

"Put that way, it's not just us?"

The temporary leader was from the Investigation Bureau; he looked stern and upright, inspiring trust.

"Let's go take a look; if there are acquaintances, acting together will be a bit safer."

A High-Difficulty Instance isn't playing house; if a person dies in an Instance, there's no second chance.

The leader gave an "mmph," and the group of fourteen went next door in a vast mighty procession, and they actually ran into nine people — five men and four women.

An odd number!

Shen Yao sighed inwardly; judging from the information she knew to infer this Instance, the probability was high they were done for.

But whether they're done for or not — isn't she still here? On the premise of not harming her own interests, she'll save them if she can.

The first thing both sides did upon meeting was exchange what information each knew.

The result: besides the Peach Blossom Festival seven days later, they temporarily had no more clues.

"Not afraid. By normal Instance logic, the further back in time, the greater the danger.

Right now it's only the first day inside the Instance; everyone pair up to search for clues, and we'll talk again when we return in the evening."

The temporary leader spoke with finality; the others each found their partners, then left toward different directions.

Shen Yao and Xi Chen weren't in a hurry; they first confirmed there were no Patrollers among these people.

"Generally speaking, a Patroller in an Instance will have a reasonable identity."

Back in Wangsheng Village, Xi Chen was a person of Wangsheng Village, but because Shen Yao chose to directly slaughter everything after entering, there was simply no need for Xi Chen to follow the plot, saving several segments.

Right now the plot is clearly still ongoing; if they want to find the Patroller, they'll need to spend some time.

"Then let's search," Shen Yao wasn't surprised; she had the highest cultivation here, and could also see through Tao Hua Town's true face.

They call it falling peach blossom rain, but it's merely things stained with Magic Qi and a thread of wicked desire.

The entire Tao Hua Town is shrouded in an inverted bowl-shaped Transparent Shield.

Shen Yao can see those dense black mists writhing and rolling in the sky.

The final connection point is precisely that peach tree in the center of Tao Hua Town, said to have a thousand years of age.