The house exuded a damp and rotten smell, and even the curtains seemed wet. Lu Ban looked out the window. He didn't know when the sky was covered with haze, as if a rainstorm might fall at any time. The forest in the distance was blown by the wind, and waves spread out from the treetops, making people uneasy.

Yes, this is Stormy Villa, which should be covered by endless storms. Sunlight is a precious thing, while darkness and storms are the main themes here.

Boom——

A bolt of lightning fell from the dark clouds and exploded in the swaying sea of ​​trees. The lightning seemed to have started a fire, causing a dazzling red light to appear among the lush forests, but soon, raindrops fell.

At first there were just a few drops of rain, and then heavy rain poured down as if to wash away all the pollution in the world. Soon, the fire caused by the thunder was extinguished, and a little gray-black smoke rose up, but not long after, even the smoke could not be seen. The whole world was isolated by the rain, and the Stormy Villa stood alone on the cliff, like an old man who had been abandoned by the world.

The cold rain hit the glass windows, making a noisy sound.

In the restaurant separated by a wall, the bright yellow light illuminated the profiles of the three chosen ones, but there was no warmth at all.

"Legend has it that Heming Taoist was just an unknown wanderer at first. Later, he obtained the secret technique taught by the immortals, practiced in secret, and then appeared in front of people, completing several miracles. He became famous, and even the owner of the Wasted City knew his name. Heming Taoist recruited many disciples and continued to expand his sect, eventually becoming a powerful organization above the Wasted City."

Stone explained that it seemed as if one could see the Taoist gradually entering into wealth and glory, and gradually becoming the pinnacle of power.

"This includes the art of resurrection from the dead."

"A wealthy businessman in the abandoned city died of illness. His family spent a lot of money to invite Heming Taoist to perform a ritual in an attempt to have Heming Taoist revive their master. Heming Taoist finally went. He spent nine days setting up the ceremony. Finally, on the night of the ninth day, Heming Taoist succeeded in summoning the soul and brought the businessman back to life. The businessman rewarded Heming Taoist with a large sum of money and gave him this Stormy Mountain Villa. Although the businessman died of illness again several years later and could not escape his fate, Heming Taoist's reputation was completely established after that time."

Listening to Stone's story, Lu Ban quickly thought of the content mentioned in the "Xuanjun Seven Chapter Secret Scripture" that he had read.

The mud monster has the power to resurrect the dead. Of course, it does not resurrect the real deceased, but just reads the other party's memory and disguises itself as a human monster.

Stone must be well aware of this.

"That's right. Taoist Heming must have summoned the monster and used it to replace the dead businessman, creating the illusion of resurrection from the dead."

Stone nodded.

Much of the content in "Xuanjun Seven Chapters Secret Scripture" or "Heming Nine Chapters Secret Scripture" describes how to summon these monsters, how to control these monsters, and how to use these monsters to achieve longevity, healing and the like.

But Lu Ban knew very well that it was just an illusion.

"So, Taoist Heming picked up a book about summoning foreign monsters, learned how to summon them, and then used it to make a profit?"

Shia asked.

"No, it may be more than that."

Lu Ban briefly told the two what he had seen and heard in the previous mission.

After hearing what Lu Ban said, Stone frowned.

"Is it Xuan Jun who created Heming Taoist, or Heming Taoist who created Xuan Jun... Mr. Trist has indeed been collecting information related to Heming Taoist. He has also investigated the descendants of Heming Sect and has mastered a lot of information on Heming Taoist's writings. It is very likely that he has compiled a complete set of summoning rituals through this information..."

The not-so-young detective took a deep breath of the smoke from his pipe. The rain outside the window was getting heavier, with lightning and thunder, as if it was going to completely engulf the mansion.

"In addition to the knowledge of how to summon and control mud monsters, Drizzt also has information about how to seal these monsters, as well as some information about the Old Ones. If he hadn't collected these, my world might have been destroyed long ago."

Lu Ban said that he was inclined to believe that the source of this knowledge came from the dark-skinned man, but as to whether it was given first to Trist or to Taoist Heming, that was unknown.

The two have formed a closed loop of fate, entangled together like an Ouroboros.

“…No, that’s not it.”

At this time, Xia Ya suddenly spoke up and denied Lu Ban's words.

"You exist here and meet Drizzt and me. This means that your world will continue to exist after that. Even if Drizzt did not choose to sacrifice himself, the Silent Land would definitely send other chosen ones to complete this task, because your existence is an established fact."

She analyzed it using simple cause and effect logic.

"In other words, in the foreign lands we have observed, your world has survived to this day. Therefore, the existence of Xuanjun and the rise of Heming Taoist are inevitable. Just like, if you had not stopped Han Shuang at that time, the Kingdom of Night would definitely be able to resist the demon tide in another way, and my ancestors would have survived because I have met you."

When she said this, Xia's eyes flickered.

"It's a little complicated, my friend."

Stone rubbed his temple. He had never met any fellow travelers before, so he had no clear understanding of the time turbulence in foreign lands. At most, he could only feel the speed of time flow in different foreign lands.

"The closed loop of fate, this is something that can only happen in a foreign land."

Xia seemed to have thought of something. Her eyes widened slightly. She found a napkin in the restaurant and drew on it with magic.

"This is the mission where Lu Ban and I first met. At this point, in my past, the Country of Darkness was once attacked by Frost, but humans eventually resisted the demonic tide. Meanwhile, in Lu Ban's future, he will go to the moment when the Country of Darkness was attacked by Frost and defeat it. It seems that he has changed the past, but in fact, since Lu Ban met me first, Frost's defeat is a foregone conclusion. Even if he doesn't succeed, other Chosen Ones will. This is the fundamental meaning of the existence of the Land of Silence."

"Similarly, based on the time point when we last saw Drizzt, in the future, Drizzt will go to Lu Ban's world, sacrifice himself, and seal the evil god. At the same time, in Lu Ban's past, the world was saved by Xuan Jun and the evil god was sealed. Since Drizzt had already seen Lu Ban before, it is a foregone conclusion that Lu Ban's world will be saved. Even if Drizzt does not succeed, there will be other chosen ones who will sit in this position and become Xuan Jun."

She raised her head and looked at Lu Ban and Stone.

"So, do you understand?"

"Understand what?"

Lu Ban asked straightforwardly.

"As long as you haven't personally observed Drizzt's death, then for you, the event that led to his death is uncertain. In other words, Drizzt is still alive in a certain period of time and space in a foreign land. We just need to find this period of time and space and make him give up going to your world, and we can save him."