Only when they entered the middle fork in the road did they realize what a world of difference truly meant.
After walking for less than a quarter of an hour, the scene before them completely changed.
Emerging from the cave, they felt as if they had entered a palace.
Looking around, one sees a vast plaza, its surface carved with beautiful patterns. Nine enormous stone pillars, each a hundred meters long, support the dome, and are carved with flower shapes they have never seen before.
In the center of the square, a stone statue, shattered to pieces, stands there with only a pair of feet remaining.
But judging from the shape, it is definitely Miss Xun's.
Opposite and on both sides of the square are man-made palaces and pavilions, the layout of which is exactly the same as on the map.
The two-story building hangs high on the cliff face, dozens of meters above the ground. The gemstones embedded in the dome emit a dazzling light, making the entire palace shine.
Meng Wanwan was stunned by the sight before her. Had they hollowed out the entire mountain?
There are two curved staircases on both sides of the square leading to the building opposite. They are high and steep, and the group chose to go up from the right side.
Helian Xiao found a mark left by Captain Helian on a pillar and said, "They went in, and didn't find anything unusual along the way."
He spoke softly, but his voice echoed throughout the entire space.
Helian Xiao was a little embarrassed and quickly shut his mouth.
Then he muttered, "Why is this place so quiet? Anyone who didn't know better would think there was no one here!"
Where did all those people go?
After walking up the curved stairs, you first arrive at a platform, which is equal in length and width, no more than ten feet in each. Facing the platform is a huge rectangular platform, connected to a smaller platform by stairs.
They stepped onto the large platform and arrived at the building's entrance.
Just then, they heard footsteps.
It was too late to hide. The group watched the direction from which the footsteps came warily, and all of them had drawn their weapons.
Including Shangguan Liuyue.
After all, that stench was really too pungent; even Shangguan Liuyue, an ancestor who had lived for hundreds of years, was traumatized by it.
However, to their surprise, a head popped out from where the footsteps came from.
Meng Xiuyi loosened her grip on the sword and exclaimed in surprise, "Young Master Shangguan?"
The one who poked her head out was none other than Shangguan Jinghong.
Shangguan Jinghong was quite pleasantly surprised to see them. In truth, the Shangguan family had no enmity with these people. In fact, it was thanks to the Meng family father and daughter that the Shangguan family was able to shed centuries of responsibility and free their ancestor.
However, the Shangguan family is one of the four great families, and for them, two rogue cultivators are not worth offending other families and sects.
However, this does not affect their friendship in private.
The Meng family was aware of this, so they didn't care.
Shangguan Jinghong turned around and said something to the people behind her, then quickly walked over and asked in surprise, "What are you all doing here?"
Meng Xiuyi: "We came in from the fork in the road in the middle, and this is where we are."
At this moment, Shangguan Linglong also came over and said, "We came in from the left fork in the road. There was nothing along the way. We walked all the way here."
Oh ho!
It seems that only the mirage was unlucky, as it actually encountered those monsters.
Shangguan Linglong continued, "We have already looked through the entire building. This should be the main hall of Linggu Sect, but it has been severely damaged. Even the walls are blackened, and there is nothing else inside."
When Meng Wanwan heard them say that they had already looked at the whole place, she bent over and started climbing the steps. She wanted to go up and take a look!
She wanted to take a closer look to see if there were any traces of Zhu Ting's presence here.
Zhu Ting, that gentle girl, Meng Wanwan could never truly accept.
Helian Xiao quickly followed suit and climbed up, saying, "Girl, I'll go with you."
Meng Wanwan huffed and puffed as she climbed the stairs and began opening the doors to each room.
Just as Shangguan Linglong said, the contents inside were severely corroded.
It's as if this place has been soaked in something, leaving no trace of its former state.
There's nothing of value... absolutely nothing.
Meng Wanwan was a little disappointed. She said, "Uncle, this place is clearly called the Poisonous Fog Forest... Where's the poison? Where's the fog? Uncle, although you're not very old, you must have experienced many secret realms. Can you tell me what they were like?"
Helian Xiao looked at her, thought for a moment, and said, "Hmm... it's all about opportunities and dangers. But the secret realms I've been to are all confirmed to open periodically. The opportunities and resources inside are cyclical, and no one who goes there will leave empty-handed."
“This place…” Helian Xiao was silent for a while before saying, “It’s more like a sealed-off ruin. Its current appearance is probably just like it was when it was destroyed.”
And that seal at the entrance to the Poison Mist Forest... that seal probably doesn't seal any danger, but rather this place itself.
This reminded them of the original meaning of the painting.
What's the difference between this place and the painting?
Suddenly, the two of them understood, and their eyes shone brightly as they looked at each other.
Meng Wanwan confirmed, "Sister Ting has been here!"
Helian Xiao found it unbelievable: "Has everything that happened here been forgotten?"
Meng Wanwan scoffed, "Of course, look at Shangguan Liuyue, his memory is fading."
What exactly has happened in this world?
Why erase these memories?
Even those who survived that era were not immune.
Shangguan Liuyue clearly has memories, but they are constantly being lost.
Meng Xiuyi had followed along at some point. He picked up Meng Wanwan and looked up at the two curved staircases that continued upwards on both sides, extending towards the dome.
Let's keep going up.
Shangguan Liuyue: "Let's go. Hmm... the people from Mirage will be here soon. It seems we're almost at our destination."
Shangguan Linglong pointed to the curved staircase on one side: "Let's go this way."
Meng Xiuyi nodded and carried Meng Wanwan to the other side.
As soon as they stepped onto the curved staircase, the people from the mirage rushed in, their faces covered in dust and their angry voices echoing throughout the space.
"What a load of rubbish! That damned Han family, they've just conscripted us! We have nothing but those disgusting monsters!"
Shangguan Linglong's voice also came over: "Chiyun Hall Master, why don't we come up together? I think we're almost at the finish line. Why don't we go and see what the Han family is up to?"
Chi Yun sighed in annoyance and led his men up the curved ladder.
He looked up at the higher, curved staircase and bumped right into Meng Wanwan's face, which was sticking out its tongue.
Red Clouds...
"Damn it! We've run into each other again!"
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