"It's fine, I know this isn't easy to inquire about. Have your Evils group keep an eye out..." Bai Ye's words suddenly stopped as he looked at Gao Ming in surprise. "Wait, you said you knew?"
"Yeah, I know," Gao Ming replied. "This matter is actually related to you."
Bai Ye was stunned. "Me?"
"Didn't you ask me to investigate Liu Shiyue?" Gao Ming said.
Bai Ye nodded. "Any new information?"
"Not yet," Gao Ming replied. "Liu Shiyue is still in the area I mentioned last time. She's currently building ships and heading out to sea with captured sea beasts. To be precise, she's been at sea for a week."
Bai Ye said, "So, what does this have to do with what I'm talking about?"
"It has nothing to do with Liu Shiyue, that's true," Gao Ming said. "However, when I sent people to keep an eye on Liu Shiyue, they discovered a place while following her out to sea. That place is called Fang Hu."
Bai Ye raised an eyebrow. "Not a cultivation zone?"
"Absolutely not," Gao Ming stated. "The reason that place is inaccessible is that there's a turtle rider patrolling the outer perimeter. This guy is incredibly strong, and you can't enter Fang Hu without defeating him."
Bai Ye asked, "Your people didn't go in, how did you determine it's not a cultivation zone?"
Gao Ming explained, "First, there's something wrong with the turtle the rider is on. It's no ordinary turtle; it's a giant mechanical turtle. When it fights, missiles and energy beams are flying everywhere. I feel like this thing is a small mecha. So, is the area guarded by this thing a cultivation zone?"
"Second, the place is inaccessible and shrouded in mist. However, when the weather is clear, you can vaguely see some scenes inside. How should I put it? The architecture there is ancient in style, but..."
Gao Ming scratched his head, unsure how to describe it. After a moment of thought, he continued.
"But, there's a very strong cyberpunk vibe."
"Huh?" Bai Ye exclaimed. "Ancient style? Cyberpunk? Those two terms are quite far apart."
Gao Ming clarified, "The style of the buildings is ancient, but in reality, it's in a futuristic technological style."
Bai Ye became even more confused. Aren't these two terms antonyms?
Ancient style is definitely retro, and future technology naturally symbolizes the future.
If you view them on a timeline, they are moving in completely opposite directions. How can they be combined?
Gao Ming said helplessly, "I don't know how to explain it either. It's definitely not the traditional immortal island Fang Hu."
Bai Ye thought for a moment. "Have your people draw a picture for me later."
Gao Ming nodded. "Okay."
Jin Sha, Liu Shiyue, the Summit War, the overseas Fang Hu...
It seems I really need to set sail once.
Just then, celebratory cheers echoed from the front. Liang Jie had successfully dealt with General Dong and his men.
Liang Jie walked towards Bai Ye and Gao Ming with a smile. "We got lucky. Two red-quality items, and they're both of decent quality."
Bai Ye nodded. "Let's go, next."
The group moved on to find the next boss. The fight was equally smooth, and the Cang Long Association didn't show up to cause trouble.
Gao Ming mused, "The two game instances on the third floor are for five and seven players respectively. Based on the refresh rate of the instances, they probably haven't been in there for too long and haven't cleared them yet. So, after deducting those people, the ones Wang Ling brought are likely all the remaining manpower."
Bai Ye nodded, understanding Gao Ming's point.
The other members of the Cang Long group were tied up in the game instances, and if Wang Ling brought everyone, they would naturally not dare to seek trouble again after being beaten by Bai Ye just now.
They smoothly took down the second boss, Chi She. Bai Ye checked the time. "Let's go, we're looking for Tuo Gu Mo."
Gao Ming asked, "Going now?"
"I'm very busy, I don't have this much time to waste," Bai Ye replied. "My plan is to resolve your issues within two days."
That was a bit of a bold statement, considering they had to clear bosses and confront the Cang Long Association.
But for some reason, Gao Ming found Bai Ye's words quite convincing.
In a way, efficiency was indeed a crucial factor.
If others took a week to clear a restricted area, and you could do it in three days, then you would naturally have more time to clear more restricted areas, acquire more items, and obtain God Stone fragments.
That was efficiency.
Of course, having strength leads to efficiency, and efficiency leads to strength.
Therefore, Gao Ming felt that Bai Ye's confidence was justified. Moreover, it was indeed a good time since the Cang Long Association was occupied elsewhere.
Tuo Gu Mo was a hidden boss, and if the Cang Long Association knew about it, they would definitely intervene.
Gao Ming said, "Then let's hurry."
Tuo Gu Mo's location was also on the outskirts of the town.
It was an independent wilderness area with a temple, but the temple was already dilapidated, showing signs of severe damage everywhere.
The torii gate and stone statues had collapsed, the temple roof was in tatters, and the doors and windows were drafty.
The reason it was a hidden boss was that to kill Tuo Gu Mo, one had to complete a hidden quest and obtain an Yin-Yang Talisman to make Tuo Gu Mo appear.
However, if there was no hidden quest, you could try to forcibly confront it. This was also a concern about the Cang Long Association disrupting the plan.
But...
Bai Ye actually wanted to tell Gao Ming that even without the Cang Long Association, a bunch of weaklings like them wouldn't be able to defeat Tuo Gu Mo, as it was a hidden boss after all.
Upon arriving in front of the temple, Bai Ye said to Gao Ming, "Have them use the Yin-Yang Talisman, and then retreat to the very edge."
Gao Ming asked, "You're going in alone again?"
Bai Ye replied, "If your people want to join, they can come play too."
Gao Ming nodded, then instructed someone to use the Yin-Yang Talisman.
A member of the Evils group quickly produced the Yin-Yang Talisman. The method of use was similar to that of a Taoist charm. Holding the talisman in their fingers, they drew a five-pointed star in the air, and then the Yin-Yang Talisman ignited, followed by...
"Who dares disturb my slumber?"
Suddenly, the surrounding space began to vibrate.
The tremor of the earth made everyone lose their footing. Dust rained down from the surrounding buildings, and the torii gate on the path leading here began to collapse again.
Suddenly, the ground let out a deafening roar and a large hole burst open.
A massive spider leg emerged from the ground and slashed towards their direction.
With a thunderous boom!
The ground shattered, creating a massive fissure.
The enormous impact generated a shockwave that instantly sent the members of the Evils group flying in all directions.
Bai Ye looked at Gao Ming. "How was it? Still want to play?"
Gao Ming sheepishly scratched his head. He got up from the ground and decisively led his people back to the entrance. "Please, you go ahead. We'll just watch and definitely won't go in."
...