Su Youzhu glanced around and said in a low voice, "I didn't find any traces left by the teacher."
Gu Jianlin circled the area as well but saw nothing, and his heart instantly sank to rock bottom.
At that moment, the Butcher pulled a mud tablet out of the backpack carried by the corpse.
"Hey, look at this. What is it?"
It was an ancient-looking mud tablet, likely thousands of years old.
The surface was covered with densely packed writing, yet the markings were not blurred but rather remarkably clear.
No more than six months old!
Gu Jianlin snatched it over, his pupils contracting sharply.
He couldn't recognize the characters on it, but they bore a resemblance to something he'd seen before.
This was the cipher text of the Night Watchers!
"Youzhu, can you read it?"
Su Youzhu froze for a moment, noticing that even his voice was trembling. She chuckled silently and said, "I can read it. Back then, the teacher trained me according to the standards of the Night Watchers. Everything they know, I know too."
The dense cipher text carved into the mud tablet was softly read aloud by her.
"Child, if you have made it here, it is... extremely unfortunate. I left this mud tablet as a precaution, in case something happened to me, and I could not deliver the message to you in time—lest you stumble into this place because of me. Every line from here on is critically important."
"The space you are in is actually inside the body of an Ancient God, one belonging to the Qilin Clan. The world calls it the Red Qilin Ancestor. Its true form is a Fire Qilin. During the great battle over two thousand years ago, it attempted to seize the Qilin's Wedge while the Qilin Venerable was sealed but was slain by the Candle Dragon Venerable."
"The Candle Dragon Venerable used its corpse as a burial ground to seal a fragment of the Qilin's Wedge. I've already surveyed the brain area and found no trace of the fragment. That means the fragment should be in the heart."
"Most crucially, the authority of the Red Qilin Ancestor has transformed into a domain, enveloping this place. This domain has dual attributes: on one side, it enhances all Mythical Weapons and the power of mythological creatures. If you use the Mirror Image Clone of the Yin Yang Twin Jade here, you will become extraordinarily powerful."
"But the other side of this domain neutralizes all Mythical Weapons and mythological creatures' abilities. When using the Yin Yang Twin Jade, your body and the clone will become indistinguishable concepts."
"The duality of this Spiritual Domain shifts over time. I don't know what state it will be in when you arrive, but I'd rather you didn't come here at all. I've warned you many times: If something happens to the teacher, do not investigate, because it really doesn't matter."
"What you must focus on is protecting yourself and striving to survive. I know what you and your sister have been through, as well as the truth about your mother. Even though you never mentioned it, the teacher knows everything."
"But if you're reading this mud tablet, it means you haven't been an obedient child. So many years of my teachings, wasted. Tch... Let me guess—what prompted you to come down here?"
"I don't think it's entirely because of me. Hmm, have you perhaps fallen for my son?"
"I really can't deal with you. All I can do is pray that when you entered, the domain's effect was on its positive side. But if fate is unkind and the domain is in its negative state, then you'll have only one chance."
"The probability of your death is high, but if you can survive, it will be an unparalleled opportunity."
"Child, you must find the Qilin's Wedge, even a fragment of it. Only the Black Supreme's Wedge can manipulate the authority of the Qilin Clan, reversing this Spiritual Domain and restoring your lifeline."
"This is your sole chance to live. Furthermore, it's likely the Qilin's Wedge contains a Dragon Bone from the Candle Dragon Venerable's shedding. You've already completed your independent evolution, and that Dragon Bone is incredibly significant to you. If you can comprehend some Forbidden Spell from it, your talent might allow you to ascend the throne and become a Catastrophe!"
"Good luck, young lady!"
The cave fell into haunting silence.
Su Youzhu calmly read the cipher text on the mud tablet word for word.
Gu Jianlin held her tightly in silence, his voice low: "Why didn't you lie this time?"
"Because you would've seen through it."
A serene and flawless smile emerged on Su Youzhu's pale face, like melting snow: "I don't want to make you angry anymore."
Gu Jianlin fell silent, his voice hoarse as he spoke: "My father was right. All those years of teachings really were wasted."
Su Youzhu quietly lowered her head, saying nothing.
Indeed, this place was too perilous, and she shouldn't have come.
But reality was pitiless; there's no such thing as "if only."
At that moment, the Butcher nervously pulled out a bronze plate, injecting his spirituality into it.
Su Youzhu also fumbled through her belongings, finally retrieving her ancient token.
At the same time, they both thought of seeking help from the Black Supreme.
In the silence, Gu Jianlin once again heard the voice calling out to him.
Distant as the heavens, yet near as his ear.
Clearly, they were all asking for the assistance of the Qilin Venerable.
But the Qilin Venerable was no longer here.
Now, there was only the Second Generation Kirin Venerable, Gu Jianlin.
And despairingly, he didn't have the Qilin's Wedge in his possession.
Even if he answered their calls, it would make no difference.