Time flowed like water past Wenlong. Absorbed in unraveling the mysteries of the Great Black Stone, he scarcely noticed it.
That day, he opened his eyes slightly. They were like two savage blades of light, seemingly ready to shatter everything before him.
Only after a long while did he rein in his aura and regain his calm. With an air as serene as a gentle breeze beneath light clouds, he rose unhurriedly and walked slowly home.
Over the past year and more, he had unraveled countless mysteries, reaped considerable benefits, and greatly increased his strength.
He wondered what the two expedition teams had gained over that year. Neither had come to him for help when facing difficulties.
Shortly after he entered his home, the ancestor, Long Zhang, arrived with Old Seven. Their anxious expressions told him something had happened.
As soon as Long Zhang entered, he said, "Long'er, something terrible has happened! The expedition teams are in trouble."
Wenlong frowned slightly and said calmly, "Ancestor, don't panic. Take your time and tell me what happened."
"Let Old Seven explain. He knows more about what happened." Long Zhang turned toward Old Seven.
Wenlong also looked at Old Seven and nodded lightly, signaling for him to speak.
Old Seven cleared his throat before saying, "Both expedition teams entered a forbidden ground, and we lost contact with them."
Even Wenlong was quite startled by this news. He had visited several forbidden grounds himself, but had never heard of one that could cut off contact with the outside world.
Still, he kept his composure and let Old Seven explain the entire sequence of events.
The expedition teams had been working with Old Seven's Intelligence Department. After the teams entered a forbidden ground, intelligence personnel would stand by nearby to provide support and ensure their