079. Message
[Task completed]
[Follower party detected, return?]
[whether]
"Um?"
Lu Ban found it strange because he returned immediately after completing the last mission in another realm, without any choice. Now it seemed that he could delay his return, which was rather odd.
However, he also noticed a line of small print indicating the time.
Even if I don't make any choice, I'll return in an hour. The time left now is probably just for cleaning up the battlefield and collecting the spoils.
However, that's how it is on site.
After being cleansed by the [Simulated Sunflare], the only things left of the Hai Family Mansion are probably the Stone in the foundation that can be picked up and thrown into the water.
Can I add friends in the Silent Land?
Lu Ban suddenly asked.
"Add me as a friend?"
Trist was puzzled.
"Can we continue our contact after we return through the Silent Land?"
Lu Ban asked another question.
"Direct contact is not possible, but you can leave a message."
Trist understood Lu Ban's meaning and then spoke.
"You can leave a mark on the ground like this."
He bent down, and suddenly, knife marks, like those carved in stone, appeared on the smooth ground before him.
Upon closer inspection, Lu Ban realized that it was an illusion created by the system, just like those words.
It says "Caution" on it.
"Leave a message here and specify the recipient, and they will see the message the next time they enter the Silent Land for a mission."
Trist patiently taught Lu Ban how to use the message.
He then continued.
"In addition, if you can obtain some special items with historical or mythological heritage, you can use them to send messages to your former companions and invite them to join you on missions."
"I see."
Lu Ban nodded slightly.
"Although this mission cost me a lot of sanity, I think the completion rate of the exploration will definitely be very high. We have basically figured out the ins and outs of Drywater Town, so it deserves at least an amazing rating. To be honest, I have never achieved such a high rating in all my time in the Silent Land."
Trist remarked with a sigh.
"?"
Lu Ban was puzzled.
He originally wanted to say that he had actually made several amazing evaluations, but after thinking about it carefully, wouldn't that be the same as telling a student who works hard but still can't get good grades that he can get full marks by eating, drinking and having fun every day and not studying at all?
Although it was the truth, it was still hurtful.
As a gentle, considerate, and emotionally intelligent human being, Lu Ban had no intention of doing something so hurtful.
"To be honest, when you rushed in, I thought of the senior who helped me before. In the Silent Land, some people will do anything to survive, even plotting to use their fellow travelers as scapegoats. Others, however, still maintain their humanity and fight against madness. If I hadn't met him at the beginning, I might have become a sophisticated egoist myself."
Trist was quite moved.
"That's settled then. If there's any chance in the future, let's meet again in the Silent Land. You may not follow the rules, but you're quite interesting."
"By the way, is that senior you've been talking about still in the Silent Land?"
Lu Ban couldn't help but ask.
"No, I don't know either. I haven't been in touch with him for a long time. I tried to contact him, but he didn't reply."
Trist's expression turned serious.
"What's his name? Maybe I can pass on a message for you if I run into him in the future."
Lu Ban asked casually.
"His name is Du Danping. The last time I saw him was before two missions."
Trist's answer stunned Lu Ban.
The Night Country, Drywater Town.
One hour later.
Outside the now-ruined Drywater Town, the Hai family's Walking Corpses had already been shattered as the silt evaporated under the sun, turning into a pool of white bones and decaying flesh.
The villagers who revered the sun all prostrated themselves on the ground, not daring to stand up, not daring to look directly at it, and not daring to desecrate it.
Until, footsteps sounded.
That was the sound of shoes stepping on fallen leaves. On the road where the villagers dared not look up, two people wearing gray cloaks were walking one after the other toward the silent, Drywater Town.
"A very obvious magical fluctuation has been detected in this area. According to the records of the Gray Tower Observation Hub, this magical fluctuation is consistent with the one detected three years ago in the Black Forest of the Mountain. Clearly, it is the same person."
Walking behind was a woman with light blonde, slightly wavy hair, emerald green eyes like lake water, and delicate skin; she was clearly not a laborer doing heavy physical work.
"Wait, there's a town ahead. That's strange, there shouldn't be any towns here."
She held a roll of parchment in her hand, her beautiful brows furrowed, seemingly quite troubled by her inability to find an answer.
"On the outskirts of the Black Forest, there are some towns that even the Grey Tower doesn't record."
The brown-haired man walking in front spoke in a deep voice. He looked simple and robust, like a reliable knight. Time had left its mark on his face, but the frost and snow had not washed away his sharpness.
"And if I remember correctly, there might be something not so good sealed here."
When the two arrived at the center of Drywater Town, at the Hai Family Mansion that had been reduced to ashes by Trist's [Simulated Sunflare], the man's expression finally changed.
"That's right, a wisp of the will of an evil god was once sealed here. I'm very familiar with the sealing method; it's the standard procedure from textbooks 250 years ago. However, it was later discovered that this sealing method had flaws, and it was revised 30 years later."
The two searched around but couldn't find any more clues. Everything seemed to have been wiped away by some supreme being, leaving not even a trace.
"Even a wisp of the evil god's will has been completely erased. This person is very dangerous."
"He defeated the will of the evil god, which at least means he's a good person?"
The woman murmured to herself.
"No, you must understand that even evil gods are inherently hostile to each other. He was able to destroy the will of the evil god here, but who knows if he relied on the power of another deity?"
The man sighed and gazed at the Pale sun.
[Mission complete, now returning to base]
[321]
Countless rays of light enveloped Lu Ban, causing the rainbow to lose its color. In the dizzying, lightheaded state, Lu Ban felt a sense of disorientation, but soon, the soft bed brought him a sense of security.
He first checked the time on his phone. More than eight hours had passed since he entered the alien land. It was around five in the morning, the sun was rising and shining on the earth, and everything was full of hope.
The golden sunlight fell on the balcony, distorting and deforming to form the system of text.
Congratulations on completing the task!
Settlement will now commence.
[Mission Exploration Progress: 95%]
[Task Completion Status: Perfect]
On this the Great Wedding Day and destiny, you ventured deep into the ancient and conservative Drywater Town, where you witnessed the tragic fate of a tribe and even came into contact with a wisp of will from a supreme being who did not belong to this land. Beneath the joyous songs and dances, undercurrents surged. At least, some beings will remember that light that far surpassed the brightness of daylight.
[Silence Points Gained: 12900]
[Reward Obtained: Skill: Underwater Breathing]
[Reward obtained: Item: The Great Wedding Day]
Settlement complete
How long has it been since your last update? Are you content with the status quo? It's time to satisfy your viewers who are eagerly awaiting your return!
[Choose to complete Career Development Task and receive career rewards]
Welcome back to the Silent Land!
Thanks to "The Dumb Who Wants to Move On" for the 1,500-coin reward, thanks to "Changyouming" for the 500-coin reward, and thanks to "Celibacy" for the 100-coin reward!