Chapter 55 Searching for the Missing Fairy

The five people exchanged glances, their eyes filled with hesitation and unease.

Luo Qing clenched her fists, as if searching for some kind of determination.

Fang Tai stared intently at the tree hole that shimmered with a ghostly green light, as if trying to see through its secrets.

Suddenly, the system's voice rang in their ears.

[Beep—Third mission issued: Explore the Entangling Silk Cave and find the missing fairy. Please note, the fairy does not lie.]

Everyone's hearts tightened. The missing fairy? What new mystery is this?

The five people stood at the entrance of the Entangling Silk Cave, exchanging glances with each other.

The eerie green light emanating from the cave entrance resembled will-o'-the-wisps in the night, both mysterious and unsettling. The swirling mist added to the sense of the unknown and fear.

Mu Qimeng swallowed hard and asked in a low voice, "Do we really have to go in?"

Fang Tai glared at him and retorted, "Do you have a better option?"

Everyone fell silent. Indeed, they had no other choice.

Luo Qing took a deep breath and stepped into the Entangling Silk Cave first. Although her steps were firm, her slightly trembling hands revealed her inner tension.

The cave was dark, with only the eerie green light guiding them forward.

Just like its name suggests, the walls are covered with spider webs, damp and seemingly telling the ancient stories of this cave.

The air was filled with an indescribable stench of decay, making it feel somewhat suffocating.

The five of them walked cautiously through the tree hollow, each step feeling like they were treading on the edge of the unknown.

Luo Qing gripped the dagger tightly in her hand.

Qi Ru's sword trembled slightly, as if warning of impending danger.

Fang Tai followed closely behind Luo Qing, his eyes sharp as an eagle's, ready to deal with any unexpected situation.

The five of them walked deeper and deeper, and the air around them seemed to grow heavier and heavier.

The eerie green light appeared particularly strange in the darkness, flickering on and off, as if guiding them, or perhaps toying with them.

The five of them passed through a narrow opening, and suddenly the view opened up before them, revealing a scene of breathtaking beauty, like a fairyland.

Sunlight streamed down from the cave ceiling, illuminating this place that resembled a paradise on earth.

Colorful flowers swayed gently in the breeze, releasing a fragrant aroma that soothed the soul. In the distance, a clear stream flowed babblingly, its murmuring waters like the music of nature.

Standing at the cave entrance, they felt as if they had traveled through time and space to a secluded fairyland.

Luo Qing couldn't help but open her arms, close her eyes, and feel the tranquility and peace brought by this beautiful scenery.

Suddenly, a burst of clear laughter broke the silence.

The five of them immediately looked around alertly, and saw a woman dressed in white emerge from the flower bushes. She had a bright smile and a mischievous look in her eyes.

The woman in white walked gracefully to the five people, her smile as warm and bright as the spring sunshine.

She playfully extended her slender hand to Luo Qing and the others, saying, "Hello, guests who have come from afar."

"Welcome to Peach Blossom Village. I am Tao Ruonan, the village chief of Peach Blossom Village."

The five people looked at each other, somewhat caught off guard by this sudden change.

Tao Ruonan's smile was like a spring breeze, dispelling the tension and doubt in their hearts.

Luo Qing spoke first, her voice revealing caution and curiosity: "Village Chief, do you know why we came here?"

Tao Ruonan blinked, her smile unwavering: "Of course I know. You've come here to find the missing fairy, haven't you?"

Fang Tai frowned slightly; he didn't like feeling exposed like this. "Yes, we are indeed looking for a missing fairy. Can you tell us where she is?"

Tao Ruonan gently shook her head, her face still bearing that gentle, spring-like smile: "I don't know either. Actually, I'm the one who issued this task."

The five were stunned. This task was actually issued by the beautiful village chief in front of them? What was going on?

Tao Ruonan saw the confusion in their hearts: "Actually, the missing fairy is the guardian deity that our Peach Blossom Village has always worshipped. She protects the peace and beauty of Peach Blossom Village."

Tao Ruonan paused slightly, a hint of nostalgia and worry in her eyes: "She always lived in the temple at the entrance of the village. But just a month ago, our guardian deity suddenly disappeared. Her disappearance plunged Peach Blossom Village into an unprecedented crisis."

Her words revealed deep concern, and the five people could clearly feel her sincerity and urgency.

Luo Qing couldn't help but ask, "Village Chief, can you tell us more about this fairy? Why did she disappear? And what impact will she have on Peach Blossom Village?"

Tao Ruonan nodded, her gaze becoming distant and profound: "This fairy is named Yaochi. She is the guardian deity of our Peach Blossom Village and possesses powerful divine strength."

"Her presence made Peach Blossom Village a spring-like place all year round, with flowers blooming everywhere. However, one night a month ago, Yaochi suddenly disappeared, and her divine power vanished with her."

Mu Qimeng suddenly interjected, asking, "Has the fairy's disappearance had any impact on your village?"

Tao Ruonan sighed, a hint of worry in her expression: "The impact is enormous. Since the Fairy of Yaochi disappeared, the seasons in Peach Blossom Village have become disordered, the flowers no longer bloom, and the streams are no longer clear."

As she spoke, she pointed to the surrounding environment: "The beautiful scenery you see is actually gradually disappearing. The colors of the flowers are becoming dull, and the flow of the stream is slowing down."

The five looked around and realized that the once vibrant flowers now appeared somewhat withered, and the clear stream had lost its former vitality, as if telling the story of Peach Blossom Village's misfortune.

Mu Qimeng opened his mouth, wanting to ask something, but the village chief interrupted him, "It's getting late, and you must be tired from your journey. Let me take you to rest."

Luo Qing frowned and secretly tugged at Mu Qimeng's sleeve to shut him up. "Okay, then I'll trouble the village chief."

As soon as she finished speaking, Tao Ruonan smiled and nodded, then turned and led the five people deeper into Peach Blossom Village.

The five followed Tao Ruonan's footsteps, passing through flower bushes, crossing streams, and following a winding path deep into the village.

Sunlight streamed through the sparse clouds, bathing Peach Blossom Village in a golden glow.

Luo Qing and his group of five followed behind Tao Ruonan, enjoying the tranquility and peace of the village, a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle and danger of the outside world.

Along the path, colorful flowers swayed in the breeze, releasing a fragrant aroma that was refreshing and delightful.

In the distance, several quaint wooden houses are scattered among the green trees, with wisps of smoke rising from their rooftops, as if telling the story of the village's ordinariness and warmth.

Tao Ruonan led them to a charming wooden house on the edge of the village. She turned around with a smile and said, "This is your temporary accommodation. I hope you will like it."

The group thanked Tao Ruonan, expressing their gratitude for her warm hospitality.

Luo Qing stepped forward and carefully examined the wooden house. The house had a simple yet elegant exterior, with its wooden doors and windows tightly closed, exuding a tranquil atmosphere.

She turned to Tao Ruonan and smiled, "Village Chief, this wooden house is really unique, we like it very much. Thank you for arranging such a nice place for us to stay."

Tao Ruonan shook her head and said with a smile, "You're welcome. I hope you feel comfortable and at ease here. Please let me know if you need anything."

After confirming that the village chief had really left, Mu Qimeng lowered her voice and said to Luo Qing with a furrowed brow, "You've noticed something's wrong too, haven't you?"