Chapter 1969 Preparation in Advance <TOC> Chapter 1971 "Story"
Translator: SumTLMan
On the second day of the Star Observing Day, the exchange meeting has already begun.
Thus, shortly after Angel returned from the Wilderness of Dreams to reality, Sanders and Rhine visited the ruins.
From past experiences, the content of the first day’s exchange during the Star Observing Day is extremely significant, so Rhine’s primary focus was on the first day. As for the exchanges in the following days, there was no rush. They could slowly discuss them after Maya’s return.
However, this Star Observing Day was somewhat different. The Observers participating this year were the most numerous in recent years, yet there were hardly any prophecies made on the first day. Everyone speculated that perhaps on the Second Day Exchange Meeting, these Observers would begin to speak. Therefore, for the first time, Rhine paid significant attention to the second day’s exchange meeting.
Although Sanders and Rhine had arrived at the ruins, they did not immediately proceed into the interior but stopped at the corridor of the first level.
When Angel arrived at the corridor, he saw them standing at the entrance, observing the three-dimensional map projected from the magic formation on the door. Tree Spirit was beside them, quietly explaining some details about the three-dimensional map.
After Angel approached, neither Sanders nor Rhine spoke. They simply nodded at him and continued to focus on the map. They extended their mental tendrils, scouting throughout the ruins.
Sanders was the first to withdraw his gaze.
Angel looked at him expectantly, but Sanders responded with a helpless shake of his head. Clearly, it was difficult to find any clues just from this map.
After a while, Rhine also retracted his mental outreach. However, Rhine’s expression was different from Sanders’; his brows were furrowed as if he had thought of something.
Everyone, including Tree Spirit, eagerly anticipated that Rhine might provide an unexpected answer.
When Rhine looked up at everyone, Tree Spirit was the first to ask, “Well? Did you find the entrance to the hidden room?”
Gazing into Tree Spirit’s expectant, shining eyes, Rhine moved his lips and, after a long pause, finally spoke: “No. What I found is likely the same as you all.”
Hearing this familiar response, Tree Spirit’s gaze dimmed slightly. Turning back to look at Rhine’s calm face, Tree Spirit said irritably, “I thought you’d discovered something significant, given how seriously you were thinking and how deeply furrowed your brows were. Turns out, you were just acting… The Peach Heart Theater will descend upon the Southern Region soon; are you preparing for your performance onstage?”
Rhine wasn’t offended; he knew well Tree Spirit’s nature, which seemed carefree but indeed was just that.
This very trait made Tree Spirit the one among the three ancestral spirits of the Savage Grottoes who got along best with everyone.
So, when he spoke nonsense, it was best just to listen and not ponder deeply.
“I did think of some things, but they aren’t related to this ruin,” Rhine said after a slight hesitation, as if considering whether to share his thoughts.
Eventually, Rhine spoke up: “I was actually thinking about the matter of that ruin.”
Although Rhine didn’t specify, everyone present understood that he was referring to the ruin he suppressed, which is currently a gathering point for creatures from the Nightmare Domain.
“You mean, this ruin is related to that one?” Tree Spirit asked, his voice rising sharply at the end.
If it’s really relevant, this is no small matter.
Rhine shook his head: “It probably doesn’t matter, I was just looking at the patterns on the door, reminded of the similar broken runes on the ancient door of that ruin. It would be great if that ruin had a three-dimensional map as well.”
Everyone: “…” So you were silently pondering these trivial matters?
Tree Spirit: “…Almost all ancient doors of ruins have defensive runes, but it doesn’t mean they all have the same creator.”
“Indeed, so I said there probably isn’t any connection, I’m just reflecting on it a bit.” Rhine smiled awkwardly, aware of this, which is why he hesitated to speak out.
Tree Spirit took a deep breath, wanting to criticize and express frustration over wasting everyone’s time on pointless thoughts. But in the end, he restrained himself from saying anything.
Seeing the atmosphere turn slightly awkward, Angel attempted to salvage some dignity: “Although I haven’t visited that ruin yet, I think there are some commonalities between these two ruins. Neither was built by the predecessors of the Savage Grottoes; perhaps both drifted from the void and landed here.”
After Angel spoke, everyone quietly looked at him, not speaking but conveying with their eyes: What’s next?
Angel had no follow-up. He simply wanted to lighten the mood, but it seemed to have become more awkward instead.
“Cough, when I go to see that ruin later, I’ll also try to repair the broken runes on the door; maybe there really is a map?” Angel: “After all, Lord Rhine’s sudden mention might be some kind of subconscious inspiration.”
Angel spoke, and indeed, the atmosphere eased slightly. If one were to use a stroke of inspiration as a pretext, it seems plausible. Thus, everyone pondered this possibility.
Angel, in his heart, sighed deeply… In the future, he should refrain from playing the peacemaker. If the atmosphere is awkward, let it be, since the discomfort isn’t his to bear. If he spoke up and failed to ease the tension, he would only draw attention to himself. In the end, if things remained unresolved, the awkwardness would fall on him.
Tree Spirit, after a moment of thought, said, “We can try it.”
Sanders nodded too. Although, in his view, it probably wouldn’t be very useful. But trying it out didn’t have any downside.
Rhine also looked at Angel with admiration: “Regardless of the end result, trying is always an opportunity. When the time comes, whatever materials you need, just apply to Tree Spirit, and he will arrange them for you from the material storage.”
Angel always felt that Rhine’s look of admiration was perhaps only because it eased his embarrassment.
…
There were simply no clues to be found on the three-dimensional map, and ultimately, they had to give up regretfully.
The map only told them about the room, but how to enter it was still for them to decipher. Currently, they had explored the entire ruins back and forth countless times with their mental powers and found nothing amiss, so they were at a loss.
The only unsolved clue was the knight armor.
And obviously, only Angel, who was proficient in runes, could solve the mystery of the knight armor. They were helpless.
After giving up on the search for the hidden room, they regrouped in the study on the second basement level.
Although the mini signal tower was already neatly arranged, there was still some time left before the end of the exchange meeting.
They weren’t idle; Rhine contacted the two city masters of Sky Mechanical City through the mini signal tower, and Angel, beside him, inquired about the content of Rhine’s meeting today.
Chapter 1969 Preparation in Advance <TOC> Chapter 1971 "Story"