Naglfar (Third Update)
Using the Abyss Party Invitation triggers the second main quest. The only downside is that:
If Bai Xiaowen encounters imminent danger while completing the second main quest, he will have to use a return item to leave the Black Tide Plane. As a result, the remaining 7 days of Free Exploration Time from the first main quest will be wasted.
However, Bai Xiaowen was still quite confident. Although he was only level 5, with the support of his Dark Gold Equipment and exclusive equipment, his strength was no less than that of Level 7 Hero Class Awakener. Even if the second main quest was very difficult and did not match his level, he would not be forced to leave the Black Tide Plane prematurely.
With Bai Xiaowen's choice, the Mars on the invitation stopped burning, leaving only a corner ablaze.
Soon, the text on the invitation Transformation:
"When light and darkness intertwine, and the child of the sea caresses the earth, board the ferry that traverses the realms of Yin and Yang, and the messenger of the gods will carry you to the other shore."
Li Shuyi shook her head and smiled wryly as she read the words on the invitation, "Why is it another riddle? I've noticed that the Black Tide Plane always has some deliberately mysterious and inexplicable things. How am I supposed to solve this?"
Bai Xiaowen thought for a moment and said, "These four sentences aren't difficult to understand. The first two sentences refer to timing. The so-called 'interweaving of light and darkness' generally refers to two periods: dusk and dawn. 'The son of the sea caresses the earth' actually refers to the rising tide. Considering the later 'ferry crossing the realms of Yin and Yang,' I think it should be during the rising tide at dawn. We need to board a special ship at a specific location to participate in the Abyss Party."
Li Shuyi seemed to realize something, then asked, "Where does the specific location refer to?"
Bai Xiaowen picked up the invitation and examined it carefully. On the back of the invitation, he found a floating black arrow. A strange thing happened: no matter how Bai Xiaowen flipped or folded the invitation, the black arrow always pointed in one direction—the direction of Night Owl Wharf.
"This black arrow must be the location clue. I didn't expect it to really be Night Owl Wharf ..." Bai Xiaowen said with a smile. "That's good. Let's just wait near the wharf. It's the middle of the night now, and dawn is almost here."
A notification message regarding the Spirit Realm Rules sounded:
"You have deciphered the instructions in the Abyss Party Invitation. You have received further hints."
"Please proceed to Night Owl Wharf before dawn and board the Naglfar."
Li Shuyi glanced at the distant Night Owl Wharf. The victims' families had already rescued the kidnapped residents and were beginning to return. Meanwhile, the mayor of Halerum was finally bound hand and foot and escorted onto a carriage by two patrol militiamen.
Ahan looked around, seemingly searching for something. After a long while, he seemed to sigh, helped his sobbing wife Ginny onto her horse, and, holding the reins, slowly followed behind the crowd.
"Do we not need to go back to Hodge Town? I have a feeling... we should say goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Ahan."
Bai Xiaowen shook her head. "Forget it, from any perspective, it's best not to see him."
Li Shuyi nodded gently. "Ahan is actually a good person. I hope he won't be implicated by Halerum. Only if he continues to serve as sheriff will the days of stability and peace truly arrive in Hodge Town."
Bai Xiaowen remained silent. He could roughly guess that Ahan might not be able to continue serving as sheriff. With Halerum's downfall, Hodge Town would face a power reshuffle. As the son-in-law of the former mayor and commander of the important armed force of the patrol militia, how could Ahan possibly remain unscathed? He was bound to be drawn into the power struggle.
Given Ahan's current sense of guilt, it's virtually impossible for him to be proactive in this power struggle. And power struggles are like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you fall behind. Once others take over as mayor of Hodge Town, Ahan, as the sheriff, will sooner or later be forced to resign in disgrace amidst public opinion.
However, Bai Xiaowen was not worried about the safety of Ahan and Ginny. As an 8th-level Boss Tier and the strongest person in Hodge Town, even if Ahan lost his position as sheriff, few people would dare to provoke him.
After the residents and patrols of Hodge Town had all left, Kitz returned, followed by Gide and some Elite Tier members of the Crow Organization.
Gide and the others exchanged forced smiles. Bai Xiaowen had previously instructed them to secretly notify the families of the missing persons and gather them together. After Kitz went to inform them, the Crow Organization immediately notified the families of the missing persons and went to Night Owl Wharf, thus catching Halerum in the act of trading with the Snakefolk and leaving Halerum with no way out.
Bai Xiaowen nodded. "You did a good job. I will be leaving Hodge Town soon, and as agreed, you will be free."
Gide and the others breathed a sigh of relief. Joshua's bizarre death had greatly shocked them, and Bai Xiaowen's miraculous methods had terrified them. Now that this mysterious figure was finally leaving Hodge Town, they all felt as if a sword hanging over their heads had been removed.
Bai Xiaowen smiled slightly, "Gide, don't be too happy yet... What I mean is, I will no longer concern myself with the Crow Organization. No matter who kills whom or who becomes the leader, it has nothing to do with me."
Gide's expression changed slightly. He suddenly remembered that his position as the leader was established by Bai Xiaowen, for which he had even beheaded the former leader Benny. Although it was just desecrating a corpse, it would certainly instill contempt in the lower-ranking members. Now that Bai Xiaowen was no longer involved with the Crow Organization, his freedom also meant that Gide would no longer be under Bai Xiaowen's protection; his backer was gone.
Gide glanced back at the other Crow Organization Elite Tier. In the moonlight, their faces were obscured, revealing no particular expression. But the more obscured their features, the more uneasy Gide felt.
"Um... sir, our Crow Organization is still willing to pledge our loyalty to you. Please do not abandon us!" Gide reacted quickly.
Bai Xiaowen originally looked down on the Crow Organization, deeming such a weak underground organization not worth the effort. However, since he was idle anyway, and thinking that something was better than nothing, Bai Xiaowen nodded and smiled, saying:
Are you sure? Can you speak for other people's opinions?
Gide nodded vigorously; the other Elite Tier members couldn't discern his expression, but none dared to object.
"Alright, you can go back now. I'll come back sometime; there might be a time when I need your help," Bai Xiaowen said.
Gide and the others left, each with their own thoughts, while Bai Xiaowen and his companion went to the abandoned wooden boat at Night Owl Wharf to continue waiting.
As the moon set in the west and a hazy light gradually appeared in the east, the tide rose, and a thick fog blanketed the sea.
A horn-like sound, seemingly emanating from the seabed, rang out, and through the thick fog, a dilapidated ship, laden with seashells and oysters, slowly sailed in.
The ferry that travels between the realms of Yin and Yang— the Naglfar— has appeared.