"Your little pink elf really hasn't changed at all," Meng Qinghuan said, hooking an arm around Bai Cha's shoulder, a sly grin on his face.
Having witnessed Freya's cold and protective nature, Meng Qinghuan had teased Bai Cha about it more than once. Bai Cha was used to it and didn't even spare him a glance.
"Hey, hey, Xiao Bai, say something," Meng Qinghuan pressed, unwilling to let it go. "Do you like this type? Freya and Mo Ziye are both this type. Who do you lean towards?"
At this, the air suddenly fell silent, everyone's breathing grew lighter, and they perked up their ears to listen to Bai Cha and Meng Qinghuan's whispers.
Indeed, gossip was human nature.
"They are different," Bai Cha replied seriously, knowing Meng Qinghuan was being deliberate. She wasn't annoyed but answered his question earnestly: "It's impossible for me."
"Different?" Meng Qinghuan stroked his chin, not understanding Bai Cha's meaning. He actually found Mo Ziye and Freya quite similar—pure and sincere. Even with different stances, they released their passion so ardently.
Cang Liu turned his head and shot Meng Qinghuan a look, saying nothing as he quietly stepped back and handed Bai Cha the information he had just retrieved from his tablet.
The information was actually quite simple, just basic information about Fenglin and when it appeared. After all, phantom maze phenomena were mostly illusions created by the brain, a type of motion illusion.
When people are blindfolded, they lose their reference points. The brain can only rely on past experiences to simulate a straight line. Under the influence of this brain illusion, people might think they are walking in a straight line, but they will involuntarily walk in a circle, returning to their starting point.
Although Fenglin wasn't pitch black at night, the vibrant red maple trees made it difficult for normal people to distinguish differences. There were no main paths, and the light was abnormal. Walking with open eyes would actually lead to receiving more incorrect information, causing people to continuously circle. Furthermore, people find it difficult to overcome their inner fear and calm down to think, naturally falling into a vicious cycle, even believing there are "ghosts."
Of course, the above applies to general situations. Under normal circumstances, it is normal for people to encounter such phenomena. However, it was strange that even dragon knights and professionals dispatched to the location returned to the starting point. Therefore, it couldn't be a coincidence or a natural phenomenon.
The group soon arrived at the maple forest. Because it was known that professionals were investigating, the area had been cleared early. It was quiet all around, with only a group of people standing not far away, waiting silently. Upon seeing Bai Cha and her group arrive, they quickly went to greet them.
"Miss Bai, you're here." The leader had an official-looking face, appearing to be in his thirties or forties. He was tall and slightly portly. Bai Cha had a vague impression that he was the secretary transferred from this area, surnamed Li.
"No need to guard here. Go about your own business," Bai Cha said in a very calm voice, neither friendly nor distant, maintaining a professional demeanor. "No need for hotels, meals, or reception."
Secretary Li was stunned. Many people who had come to solve problems before had, apart from hotels and meals, been provided with the most basic welcoming reception ceremonies. He never expected this highly positioned Miss Bai to be so unconventional, and it didn't seem like an act.
Seeing Secretary Li hesitating, Lucifer understood that the secretary probably didn't dare to leave Bai Cha unattended. It wasn't surprising that the secretary was timid; he probably hadn't expected his presence to be so insignificant.
"Mr. Li, there's no need to be nervous. Solving problems is our duty. You just need to lead everyone to do your jobs well," Lucifer stepped forward and bowed slightly, his etiquette impeccable, neither arrogant nor servile, with a fitting smile. "My lady prefers peace when on missions. Mr. Li, you just need to ensure no one disturbs us. We will notify you once the mission is complete."
"Ah, yes, no problem." Secretary Li finally came to his senses and quickly organized the welcoming team to retreat, secretly breathing a sigh of relief.
He was a newly appointed secretary, and reaching this point was not easy. He was most afraid of superiors who were temperamental and nitpicky. He himself had no intention of embezzling funds; he simply wanted to do his job honestly. Seeing Bai Cha like this made things much easier.
"Xiao Bai, there doesn't seem to be anything strange here," Mo Ziye scratched his head, puzzled.
This maple forest was truly beautiful. It was early spring, and according to reason, it should have been covered in lush greenery. However, what met their eyes was a stretch of fiery red. It became more vibrant from the outside in. While the outer edges still had some green, the maple trees in the center seemed like blazing crimson flames, blindingly red under the sunlight.
"Master, there's a trace of an evil dragon's aura," Lucifer whispered in Bai Cha's ear. "However, it seems particularly weak."
Bai Cha nodded. Mo Ziye, unable to contain his curiosity, rushed in first. Bai Cha didn't stop him, instead starting to write the beginning of her report.
"Miss Bai, will Mo Ziye successfully enter the inner area?" Lucifer speculated.
This speculation was not unfounded. The strength of dragon knights in most regions was generally B or C. A-class, being rare dragon knights, usually stayed at the academy and were directly managed and assigned by the state. Mo Ziye, however, was S-class. Paired with an S-class holy dragon like Michael, it wasn't impossible for them to break through the barrier.
"Him?" Bai Cha denied the possibility without any hesitation. "Impossible."
It wasn't that Mo Ziye and Michael weren't strong. If they were to fight, they could level this maple forest. However, it was a pity that two clueless individuals together would hardly achieve anything significant.
As expected, less than two minutes after Bai Cha spoke, Mo Ziye and Michael came rushing out together.
"Hahahaha! I'm out..." Mo Ziye had just burst out of the maple forest. He had deliberately left markers inside, taking a winding path and changing directions multiple times, thinking he had finally broken through the barrier. However, as soon as he rushed out, he realized something was wrong.
Bai Cha and the others were still standing in the same spot, not having moved an inch, simply watching Mo Ziye, who had fallen headfirst into maple leaves and looked like a fool.
"Slow down, slow down." Michael ambled out behind him. He was also surprised to see Bai Cha, looking at her, then turning to glance at the maple forest behind him, completely bewildered.
Bai Cha raised an eyebrow. This was exactly as she had expected. If nothing else went wrong, they should not have discovered anything unusual.
She should have brought Yunhe. She shouldn't have been soft-hearted and let Yunhe go with Meng Qinghuan for reflection. Yunhe and Cang Liu's coordination was actually quite tacit. If they were both here, things would be much easier to handle.
However, it wouldn't be particularly tricky.
"Cang Liu, Lucifer, walk separately. Maintain the same speed and move uniformly," Bai Cha instructed.
"Yes!" Both replied in unison, standing three meters apart in front of the maple forest and walking in simultaneously.
Lucifer and Cang Liu had also been trained many times. Although they lacked perfect coordination, both were intelligent people who could cooperate. Now, they first tested each other's stride length and frequency before walking forward side by side.
"Xiao Bai, why are you doing this?" Mo Ziye asked, not understanding. "If they do this, won't they still return to the starting point?"
"To calculate the distance," Bai Cha glanced at Mo Ziye. Seeing his blank expression, she knew the little fellow's brain was probably not keeping up again, so she gave up explaining. "Just watch."
"Oh." Mo Ziye obediently nodded and stood by.
Before long, Lucifer and Cang Liu both reappeared at the starting point. Not just Mo Ziye, but even Bai Cha was taken aback.
"Did you feel anything strange?" Bai Cha asked.
"No," Cang Liu shook his head honestly. "I didn't encounter Lucifer. I'm quite sensitive to temperature, but I didn't detect anything unusual."
Lucifer, on the other hand, frowned in thought. "The feel of the maple leaves, it's strange."
Strange touch?
Mo Ziye was quite confused. He didn't feel anything strange, nor did he sense any mental interference like illusions. After thinking for a long time, he couldn't figure it out and could only ask Michael, "Hey, Brother, did you feel any mental interference like illusions?"
"How is that possible? Are you questioning the strength of me, an S-class holy dragon?" Michael slung an arm around Mo Ziye's shoulder, saying confidently, "Those trees and leaves are definitely not fake. Besides, we dragons have bloodline suppression. If it were a low-level evil dragon, how could I not discover it?"
But if both of them walked in circles, why didn't they meet?
Based on Cang Liu and Lucifer's speed, it took them nearly twenty minutes to return to the starting point, meaning they must have walked very large circles. With the same speed and the same start and end times, they should have met twice.
There was indeed something strange.
According to Lucifer's perception, this maple forest should contain an evil dragon, but theoretically, it shouldn't be able to deceive both of them.
"Lucifer, let's go in together again," Bai Cha said to Lucifer.
"Yes, my Master," Lucifer obediently followed. He stayed close behind Bai Cha, and the moment they entered the maple forest, he took Bai Cha's hand.
"This is to prevent us from getting separated, my Master," Lucifer's reason made it impossible for Bai Cha to refuse. His peach blossom eyes, filled with a smile, easily made people feel close. At this moment, the joy in his eyes could no longer be suppressed, and Bai Cha could clearly feel the eagerness emanating from Lucifer's large palm.
"You seem to be in good spirits sometimes and not others," Bai Cha had wanted to say this for a long time.
Lucifer's emotions were always flawlessly hidden from outsiders, and even Bai Cha couldn't sense his emotional fluctuations. However, when they were alone, Bai Cha found that Lucifer had quite a few small emotional quirks.
Especially when it was just the two of them, sometimes she hadn't provoked Lucifer, yet he would be unhappy. Other times, she hadn't done anything, yet Lucifer would be extremely delighted.
Just like now, the happiness overflowing in Lucifer's eyes left Bai Cha baffled, feeling that Lucifer was somewhat capricious.
"You seem a bit slow," Lucifer said with a smile, walking shoulder to shoulder with Bai Cha towards the depths of the forest.
"You're talking about me?" Bai Cha asked, confused.
Let alone her being ranked among the top three in strength in this world, her many years of combat experience meant no one dared to call her slow.
Lucifer smiled and said nothing, merely squeezing Bai Cha's hand. Bai Cha was inexplicable. Lucifer's actions felt a bit too intimate, making her slightly uncomfortable.
In the depths of the maple forest, the maple leaves grew increasingly crimson, like fire and blood. Lucifer smiled, like an immortal painting, momentarily stunning Bai Cha. His deep features held eyes that seemed to have crushed a myriad of stars, and with a smile, they formed her reflection.
A gentle breeze caressed their faces, accompanied by a subtle emotion echoing in their hearts. The leaves fell, the wind calmed, but their emotions did not. Lucifer, holding Bai Cha's hand, strolled through the fiery red maple forest. Their breaths naturally softened, as if they were walking to the end of time.
She seemed a bit slow, Lucifer knew, but Bai Cha did not. Before Lucifer met her, the world was divided into his subordinates and other things.
But now, the world was divided into only two categories: her, and other things.
Time was also divided into two categories: when she was present, and when she was not.
At some point, her soul became unimportant. At some point, he suddenly awoke. The most beautiful thing in this world was not the world itself, but her who loved this world.
The world thought she was indifferent, but he succumbed to her gentleness.