Yan Xiaobao nodded. At the moment, he didn’t need to understand the laws any further; what he needed to figure out was the nature of the people who had kidnapped the sun.
"They must be from one of the nearby villages, so we’ll set out for there after resting for a few days. Make sure you train properly in the coming days, because we can’t afford to waste too much time here. It’s crucial to bring her back here before the four of them move to the next dungeon," he said.
Looking at the surroundings, Xu Yue couldn’t help but wonder why these were called dungeons. It was evidently an entire world spanning the continent, yet it didn’t seem lifeless; it was filled with creatures, trees, and plants. Even the sun and moon existed within the underworld kingdom they were currently traversing.
After tucking all the children into bed, Yan Xiaobao and his friends gathered around the campfire for warmth. In the underground cavern, the stone walls surrounding them absorbed all the warmth generated by the sun during the day.
As the sun disappeared and warmth was gradually absorbed into the cave walls, the previously comfortable temperature began to shift, and a chilling air filled the space—akin to the autumn nights felt in seasonal change.
"We need to rescue her, or if she truly hasn’t been captured, at the very least, she should be brought back here," Yan Xiaobao said as he finished relaying Lan Feng’s earlier words.
Yan Xiaobao sat back and contemplated the laws previously mentioned. In truth, Yan Xiaobao understood these were things he wouldn’t fully encounter until he reached the Upper Dantian. He felt it was impossible to grasp them completely while the Upper Dantian remained unopened, yet at the same time, the thoughts felt distant, making Yan Xiaobao believe he could at least understand a portion of them if only he dwelled a little longer.
No matter how much time Yan Xiaobao spent pondering, the feeling persisted, and he could never quite grasp what the laws truly were. He sighed, stood up, and decided he’d think about it again when he had more time.
"Let’s go," Yan Xiaobao said softly. Then, turning around, he gestured for his friends to follow him. The four young cultivators moved silently, like shadows, slipping through the forest toward the village where the sun had been taken.
Following the path laid out by Lan Feng, Yan Xiaobao quickly passed along the information he had gathered along the way.
The village wasn’t very large, with only around a hundred residents. They lived off agriculture, and Lan Feng believed the sun had been captured to enhance their harvests.
Armed with various pieces of information, Yan Xiaobao and the others nodded to each other, feeling more prepared than they had before. They charged toward the village, hoping to reach the sun unnoticed, and convinced her to return to the cabin to once again tend to the seasons.
The forest was dense, allowing visibility only a few meters ahead. But suddenly, all the trees disappeared, cleared away for agriculture.
As Yan Xiaobao noticed this, he raised his hand, signaling the others to stop. Slowly, as expected, they approached closer bit by bit, until a small village emerged from the forest beyond.
However, as the four crossed into the clearing, they saw the village—but what they saw made them all freeze in place. They stood there, staring at the fields in the distance, and beyond, they saw a city with towering structures stretching upward toward the dungeon’s ceiling.
"Well," Yan Xiaobao said, looking at the distant city, letting out a heavy sigh, "it seems the things within this enclosed domain have developed quite significantly over the past four thousand years."
The three companions solemnly nodded, their gazes blank, realizing that all the plans they had carefully prepared now seemed utterly futile.
"Standing here won’t achieve anything," Yan Xiaobao said after a moment, and he began walking toward the city. "Let’s adjust the plan slightly. Our first goal is to locate the sun’s position." With that, Yan Xiaobao stepped toward the distant city, his friends quickly catching up to him as they silently followed.
Leaving the forest behind, Yan Xiaobao walked in silence. His blue eyes narrowed slightly as he observed everything occurring around them, remaining vigilant amid the dim light as the moonlight fell upon them.
The fields were deserted. Tools lay piled in the corners of each plot, abandoned by the farmers who had retreated into the city at dusk.
From afar, the city glimmered with light. There were no walls protecting the area; instead, numerous farmhouses encircled the city’s outskirts, and animals sheltered within small barns.
Occasional eerie silence was broken by faint cries and roars from domesticated demon beasts, responding to the scent and sounds of the young travelers passing through the dusty streets.
The homes appeared to be built from high-quality wood and were well-maintained. None showed signs of damage or destruction caused by demon beasts. Judging by the appearance of the houses, one could tell that the citizens in the city lived relatively secure lives even amidst magical threats.
Yan Xiaobao walked the streets, observing that despite light streaming through the windows, no one roamed outside, leaving the streets completely barren. Cheerful sounds came from within the houses, causing Yan Xiaobao’s brow to furrow. Everyone seemed lively, but none ventured out of their homes. His silver hair glistened as he grew increasingly wary.
The atmosphere among the four friends grew tense as they slowly passed by the farmhouses, heading toward the city’s downtown area, all hoping to find an inn.