Pillar of Yita

But if it was the Serpent People, that would make sense.

However, the problem is why would the Night Lizard People clash with the Serpent People, and, theoretically, shouldn’t that dark deity sealed beneath the ground be the sworn enemy of Xinsas?

He couldn’t help but look towards Tainaric, who clearly recognized the design of these crowns as well. Taking the object from Parker’s hands, Tainaric’s brow ridge rose, displaying a somewhat confused expression. Meanwhile, Fang Hong relayed Miss Tata’s hints to Sophie, who finally came to a realization:

”This knowledge is quite obscure,” she said somewhat surprisingly, ”Dianmo, Ran Qingzhu, and I didn’t recognize it, but you actually know it.”

Fang Hong was embarrassed to admit that it wasn’t his own merit. When it came to the ancient language of Xinsas, Lady Tata might not have delved deep, but in other areas, this Miss Dragon Soul was definitely a top-level walking library.

Can you understand the meanings represented by the voices of millions of insects?

Miss Fairy could.

She could even imitate the figure-eight dance of bees—

But don’t ask Fang Hong how he knew that.

”So, these undead are Xinsas Serpentfolk?” Sophie asked, ”Why would they attack everyone indiscriminately? Were the incidents in the Andrett Ratmen village also the work of these undead? But I can’t understand why there would be a dagger from the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team on the Dwarf Uncle’s back.”

She paused, then continued, ”They couldn’t possibly be thinking of framing the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team, could they? Aside from whether there’s a need, the method is far too crude.”

Fang Hong also felt it was odd.

He continued examining the bodies, then noticed a detail he had previously overlooked: ”Wait, look at these bodies,” Fang Hong suddenly said to the others, turning over the body of a member of the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team. The fatal injuries consisted of a gunshot and a sword wound.

Having experienced his fair share of combats both big and small, Fang Hong observed the two injuries and, in combination with the man’s condition at death, could infer the last moments of his life.

His enemy must have been just one person, with a gun in the left hand and a sword in the right, so the gunshot wound was left by a handgun. One could imagine in the midst of swordplay, this man was suddenly struck in the abdomen by the firearm his opponent drew, and his sword flew from his hands.

Looking up, he indeed saw that sword in the direction he anticipated.

Then the opponent delivered a final sword thrust to his chest, kicking him to the ground. That must have been the whole process of the final battle.

It seemed there was nothing unusual about it, except that the enemy’s sword lay there isolated, and there was no sign the body was about to disappear. He lifted the man’s eyelids; beneath was just darkness, somewhat congested.

No Starlight—

He was thoroughly dead.

”Very strange,” Fang Hong muttered, ”This is just a very ordinary gunshot and sword wound, nothing like those outside who died beyond recognition, but why has it also lost its Starlight?”

”Look over there,” Sophie suddenly spoke up.

Fang Hong was startled and looked up, just in time to see the corpse of a Night Lizard Person on the ground turning into black smoke, gradually dissipating into nothingness.

”Is that... resurrection by Starlight?” he said, paused for a moment.

”It’s more like the resurrection method of those who worship the Dark Deities,” Sophie answered softly, ”I’ve seen some high-ranking Cultists. When they die, this is what happens. You know our resurrection is not only closely related to Starlight; it also involves the divine—”

”Without the temples of various deities, we cannot be resurrected. It’s the same for those who worship the names among the darkness.”

”What does this imply?”

”Isn’t it already quite obvious?” Sophie replied.

She stopped, then mouthed three words to him.

After hearing these three words, Fang Hong was completely stunned. He turned his head back to look once more at the body of the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team member beside him, finally realizing something.

Dead Silence Zone—

Behind this stone bridge lies the Dead Silence Zone of Starlight.

He didn’t know what to say for a moment, whether his luck was too good or too bad. Ordinary people hardly had the chance to encounter the Dead Silence Zone before heading to the second world, yet here he was, not even level ten, and he had already come across it twice.

But unlike the first time when his mind was in complete disarray, this time at least he had some mental preparation. Not to mention that Lonely White Field had given him a heads-up that there might be Dead Silence Zones beneath the ruins.

What’s more important is that, from Dolifen to here, he had seen the deathly passage of Starlight waning again and again. Over time, he seemed to have become less fearful of such death than he had imagined.

As for the people from Silver Weslan—

He couldn’t help but glance at Sophie and the knights in front of him and asked, ”So, you plan to evacuate them from here?”

Sophie was stunned for a moment upon hearing Fang Hong’s words, then couldn’t help but laugh a little, ”Ade, do you think the Guild invests in us just to cultivate a bunch of pretty, fragile vases?”

Fang Hong was taken aback. He had indeed thought that way, believing that Silver Weslan would not want to see their investments wasted if these people died senselessly in the Dead Silence Zone.

But Sophie shook her head, ”That may be true for the star Chosen ones, but it definitely doesn’t apply to the newcomers. The so-called potential is based on the ability to solve problems. If that can’t be achieved, what’s the talk of talent about?”

”But there will always be some troubles that can’t be solved.”

”Then it’s my duty as a Commander, my task is to distinguish between what can and cannot be done—not regretting afterward—thinking I should have seen clearer or been more decisive at that time.”

”The saying that one incompetent general causes the death of many soldiers is exactly to this point.”

After finishing, Sophie gave a light laugh and casually stroked her hair, ”The current situation is nothing for Silver Weslan, and it’s not time to turn back yet. If this is the Dead Silence Zone, then we just need to survive.”

Fang Hong looked at the princess of Silver Weslan with some surprise, feeling a slight touch in his heart.

Free Adventurers might have their own worries, but the affairs within the Grand Guild were also not as smooth as people imagined. Clearly, it took more than confidence to utter those words.

It was also an effort and sense of duty beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t be her standing here, saying those words today.

While moving forward, they checked the bodies that appeared from time to time. Behind the stone bridge was a lonely city suspended in the darkness, and after entering the city, the scale of combat gradually decreased. Even Parker and Xiangzi could see that the battle had subsided here.

But just as they had settled in, two figures appeared ghost-like in front of them.

The other party also looked at them with some astonishment.

A somewhat gentle voice asked in amazement, ”Mr. Ade?”

The person who spoke was just stepping out from behind those two figures, showing a face as beautiful as the bloody one they had seen before, only slightly more delicate. The star-like sparkle in her eyes revealed a glow of surprise and delight.

Fang Hong looked at her, feeling slightly guilty inside.

He stepped back and then asked, ”Alice?”

The girl chuckled, ”I’m Elisa, Mr. Ade, you’ve mistaken again.”

Fang Hong was startled.

”You are Miss Elisa?”

The girl nodded.

”Then where is Alice?”

The girl’s brow furrowed slightly, and she sighed, ”I failed to protect Alice...”

Fang Hong stood there, slightly stunned.

...