Shen Heng didn't believe that the Profound Crystal Griffin, with this kind of intelligence, could bypass him and hear the sounds coming from this side.
Moreover, as everyone just discussed, the Profound Crystal Griffin also failed to locate it, which directly negates the possibility that it found it by sound.
If not a sound, then a trace or a smell?
Shen Heng's eyes showed a thoughtful expression, and after a moment, he slowly ruled that out as well.
It's still possible that the Profound Crystal Griffin will come chasing them from the valley where they killed the Swooping Wing Bat.
However, they managed to escape by hiding underground and avoiding the Profound Crystal Griffin.
Then, the Profound Crystal Griffin chased after them again from a distance.
In other words, the Profound Crystal Griffin located them directly and chased after them without obtaining any trace or scent.
What... is this ability?
Shen Heng's eyes revealed deep doubt.
Prediction or divination?
Shen Heng glanced at Qin Yu.
No, Qin Yu's ability is simply to Environmental Assimilation them into their surroundings and reduce their presence; it's not any other kind of ability.
If it's something like prediction or divination, then even when they're hiding, their location should still be known.
If it's not this type of ability, then what is it?
Shen Heng withdrew his gaze and continued to ponder.
When they are not moving, Qin Yu's ability can conceal them, preventing the Profound Crystal Griffin from detecting them.
Once they were moved, even if Qin Yu was using his abilities, he couldn't conceal them.
Qin Yu's ability is less effective when she is moving, which goes without saying.
The problem is that you can be detected when you move, but not when you're stationary.
In other words, the main reason for being discovered was the difference in the effectiveness of Qin Yu's abilities.
Qin Yu's ability is Environmental Assimilation, which integrates them into the surrounding environment and minimizes their presence.
So, the Profound Crystal Griffin determine their location by sensing their presence?
But how did it sense it from that far away?
A thoughtful look appeared in Shen Heng's eyes.
Suddenly, he seemed to remember something, and his gaze turned in one direction.
There, a huge, ice-blue crystal stood silently.
In my mind, I seemed to see the image of the Fourth Tier Calamity Beast overseeing the project taking the crystal to the Profound Crystal Griffin.
Shen Heng gave a wry smile.
Is it dark under the lamp?
No, that's not entirely it. It's more likely because I never intended to give up on this crystal, so I never thought about it before.
After all, if that really is the problem.
Shen Heng gazed at the icy blue crystal, pondering whether it was necessary to forcibly take it away, and whether it was even possible to do so.
Just then, Qin Yu, who had been sitting on the side, suddenly made a sound.
"You tell me," she began, drawing everyone's attention, before pointing to the icy blue crystal, "Could it be that the Profound Crystal Griffin left some kind of mark on this crystal so it could find us?"
Upon hearing this, everyone was slightly taken aback and turned their gazes in that direction.
Shen Heng looked at Qin Yu with slight surprise.
I never expected that a girl would think of this aspect when she was standing in front of me.
"Huh? This... is it real?" Zhou Xuan's eyes widened slightly, then he raised his hand and covered the crystal.
A moment later, he turned to look at Qin Yu.
"I don't feel anything!"
"Hmm... I'm not really sure either, this is just my guess!" Qin Yu said uncertainly, her words carrying a hint of hesitation and unease.
"It's probably true!" Shen Heng said in a low voice.
"Huh? Really?" Zhou Xuan looked at Shen Heng.
"We'll find out if it's true or not after we try it," Shen Heng said calmly, looking at the crystal. "We'll leave it here and see."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Xuan's eyes widened slightly.
"You mean we should throw this crystal away?"
"Hmm." Shen Heng nodded slightly.
Upon hearing this, everyone's brows furrowed instinctively.
Although obtaining this crystal didn't seem particularly difficult, it still took some effort.
"No, it's just gone like that?" Zhou Xuan looked at the enormous crystal, trying to persuade him further, "This thing might be related to some of the Calamity Beast's plans."
"Even if there are any plans related to the Calamity Beast, they won't be too important," Shen Heng said.
"How did you know?" Wang Hu asked, arms crossed, looking at Shen Heng.
"If it's really that important, then the Profound Crystal Griffin will deliver it itself, instead of having the Calamity Beast below deliver it," Shen Heng said.
"But the Profound Crystal Griffin has come looking for us now, hasn't it?" Wang Hu countered.
That only means it's somewhat important.
"Isn't this enough?" Wang Hu looked at Shen Heng with a serious expression.
This time, Shen Heng did not reply immediately.
He pondered for a moment, then looked at Wang Hu and said:
"In the worst-case scenario, this crystal could cause the Erosion Zone to completely engulf Blue Star, right?"
Wang Hu nodded slightly in agreement.
Shen Heng continued, "So, in this situation, even if we have the ability to carry this crystal, what do you think its purpose would be?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Hu paused slightly, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Delay the time a little longer."
"Yes, that's right," Shen Heng nodded.
All we can do is buy some more time.
"Based on what we've gathered over there, it's clear that this won't be long."
"Maybe three days, maybe five days, or even longer, a month or two."
"This isn't just something I made up. After all, if it takes half a year or even a year to condense such a crystal, do you think it would be escorted by a Fourth Tier being?"
Before Wang Hu could reply, Shen Heng continued:
"Given our situation, do you think a few days, or even a month or two, would be of any use?"
This time, Wang Hu did not reply.
Given the situation on Blue Star, let alone a month or two, even giving them another year or two wouldn't be enough!
After all, it takes a normal person more than two years to cultivate from the Third Tier to the Fourth Tier, let alone to deal with the entire Ruins Realm.
To truly contend with the entire Ruins Realm, it might take at least twenty or thirty years!
"So even if we can take this crystal directly, it will only be of some significance at most!" Shen Heng continued.
Hmm... Lü Wenrui's absence also contributed to this... Shen Heng thought to himself.
He looked up at the crystal in front of him and continued:
"Besides, I don't think we're that lucky to have encountered such a crucial matter so soon after we left!"
"Compared to that, I think this crystal is more likely to be a cultivation resource or supplies for some Calamity Beast, or as you just mentioned, it might just be related to a certain link in the Ruins Realm Plan."
"Of course, the most important thing is that we don't have the ability to take it away after it's been marked!"
"So, you really don't want it anymore?" Zhou Xuan looked at the crystal with some reluctance.
Shen Heng looked at the crystal in front of him, paused for a moment, and said:
"Try taking a small piece, leave the main body. If you can't even take a small piece, then..."