Chapter 346: Pursuing the Clues

Ao Li and Lín Jìn know well that to completely thwart the Dark Abyss Society's plot, figuring out how the mysterious person obtained the First‑generation Gene Sample is crucial. After leaving the ancient temple on the mysterious continent, they threw themselves wholeheartedly into the hunt for related clues, overlooking no detail, hoping to uncover more key evidence about the First‑generation Gene Sample and the whole conspiracy.

The two first returned to the ruin where they had previously fought the black‑robed mysterious person. Though a fierce battle had already taken place there, they believed some overlooked important clues might still remain. Ao Li carefully examined the surroundings, not letting even a broken stone or a strange leaf escape her notice. Lín Jìn focused on studying the dark magical traces left by the mysterious person, trying to find any hint linking the evil energy fluctuations to the First‑generation Gene Sample.

In a corner of the ruin, Ao Li found some odd footprints. The prints were neither human nor of the Dragon Clan; each had five sharp toes, and the ground around them seemed corroded by some powerful force, taking on a bizarre black hue.

"Lín Jìn, come quick and look at these prints. They must be left by the mysterious person; judging by their size and shape, they're likely not from any race we know. Moreover, the corrosion of the ground is probably related to how they obtained the First‑generation Gene Sample," Ao Li shouted.

Lín Jìn hurried over, crouched, and examined the prints and the corroded earth carefully. He lightly touched the ground, and a cold, evil aura flowed up his fingers. "This aura is very similar to the dark magic wielded by the Dark Abyss Society, but there are subtle differences. Perhaps they used some special dark ritual when acquiring the First‑generation Gene Sample."

The two followed the direction of the footprints and kept searching; at a hidden passage entrance in the ruin, the footprints vanished. Inside the passage a pungent smell lingered, like that of some dark magical potion. Ao Li and Lín Jìn exchanged a glance and entered the passage without hesitation.

The passage was dim and damp, and eerie phosphorescence flickered on the walls. They proceeded cautiously, when suddenly Lín Jìn discovered some carvings on the wall. The markings seemed chaotic, but Lín Jìn, relying on his keen observation and extensive knowledge, recognized them as an ancient cipher script.

After a hard deciphering, the text on the carvings read: "On the night of a lunar eclipse, using blood as a guide, open the Forbidden Gate and receive the gift of the gods."

"A night of lunar eclipse? Blood as a guide? Could it be that they open the place where the First‑generation Gene Sample is kept at a specific time with some bloody ritual?" Ao Li speculated.

Lín Jìn nodded in agreement: "Very likely. And this 'gift of the gods' is probably the First‑generation Gene Sample. We need to find out where the Forbidden Gate is."

After leaving the ruin, Ao Li and Lín Jìn arrived at an ancient tribe on the mysterious continent. The tribe's elder is said to know much of the continent's hidden history, and they hope to obtain some clues from the elder.

The elder lives in a simple stone house at the tribe's center. When Ao Li and Lín Jìn saw the elder, he was sitting with his eyes closed, cultivating his spirit. The elder's hair was white as snow, his face lined with the wrinkles of time, yet his eyes revealed a profound wisdom.

"Respected elder, we wish to ask you about the Forbidden Gate. Do you know where on this continent a place called the Forbidden Gate exists?" Ao Li asked respectfully.

The elder slowly opened his eyes, sized up Ao Li and Lín Jìn, and after a moment of contemplation said: "The Forbidden Gate is a cursed place. Legend says that in the far western lands of the continent there is a Dark Valley. Within the valley stands a massive stone door—that is the Forbidden Gate. It is said that behind the door a powerful and evil force is sealed, and anyone who approaches will be devoured by that force. As for the specifics, I only know them from the tales of my predecessors."

After thanking the elder, Ao Li and Lín Jìn immediately decided to head to the far western lands of the continent to explore the Dark Valley. They knew the journey would be fraught with danger, but they would not retreat in order to uncover the truth.

However, the Dark Abyss Society seemed to have sensed Ao Li and Lín Jìn's movements. The Ink Scourge dispatched a squad of elite black‑robed mysterious persons to secretly trail them, preparing to launch a sudden ambush at the right moment to stop them from reaching the Forbidden Gate and to thwart their plan to obtain evidence.

Will Ao Li and Lín Jìn manage to reach the Dark Valley and find the key clues about the First‑generation Gene Sample? Facing the Dark Abyss Society's pursuit and attacks, how will they respond? Everything is shrouded in unknowns and suspense…