034 The Adventurer's Eloquence

In the end, Duan Qing’s story remained untold.

Christine, who had been sitting motionless in the darkness, appeared before the group, interrupting their pleasant exchange.

"It is a pity you did not follow my advice, but that is fine; I will respect your decision." The soft, melodious voice of the mature woman was always a pleasure to hear, though everyone’s attention was quickly captured by the content of her words. "Therefore, I also hope that before you make your final choice, you will first understand the current situation."

With a soft rustle, her magnificent blue mage’s robes unfolded, and accompanied by the unique, fragrant scent of a mature woman, she slowly descended. Amidst the flickering light of the campfire, the woman in blue sat down opposite them.

"Because of... someone, you have decided to press onward. Hmm... that is very good, very characteristic of adventurers, and also very... troublesome." The unique cadence at the end of Christine’s sentences, paired with a soft, elegant sigh during her pauses, always made listening to her feel like a treat.

"Of course, if you were to follow my suggestion and accept my protection, I could make these troubles somewhat less... troublesome."

Her words were like a tongue twister, yet Duan Qing and Xue Linghuanbing could grasp the meaning. After a moment, Duan Qing asked cautiously, "Do you mean that you wish for us to follow your arrangements..."

Her gaze shifted, her blue eyes sweeping over Duan Qing’s face before squinting in a smile. "...Although I do not get along with that little girl Freya, I do agree with one thing she says."

"Talking to a clever little brother is a much more pleasant experience."

Another silence followed, until A-Niu suddenly jumped up. "So you want us to tag along with you? On what grounds—mmmph!"

Meng Zhu quickly covered his mouth and pulled him back.

"If we could be under the patronage of a Great Mage, it would be our supreme honor..." Duan Qing placed his right hand over his chest and bowed. "However, since we have chosen this path, we must take responsibility for it. In other words, whatever difficulties lie ahead, they are ours to face. Wouldn't you agree, beautiful lady?"

This time, the term "beautiful lady" did not seem to delight the other party. As if something had been touched upon, Christine fell into deep thought.

Her slightly curly hair swayed in the night breeze. The woman in blue hung her head in silence, creating a serene, water-like stillness that left the others feeling somewhat at a loss. Duan Qing hugged himself—he was still wearing his novice gear, which provided little protection against the night air. Meng Zhu noticed his movement, her eyes rolling as she looked at the restless A-Niu and the exchange of glances between Xue Linghuanbing and the others. The latter wanted to say something but was stopped by Duan Qing, who gestured with his chin toward the woman in blue, signaling them not to disturb her.

"I understand." Finally, Christine nodded and looked up. "Since you have such resolve..."

She clapped her hands, and the mysterious patterns on her fair skin glimmered faintly. "Then let me briefly introduce what you are about to face."

She extended a hand, pointing into the distance. "The woman in your group likely seeks a certain ruin deep within the Emerald Forest. That place..." She lowered her hand and faced them again. "To be precise, it is a relic site."

"A relic site on the border of the Ancient Magic Empire."

"As you know, this is the southern part of the Free Continent. But you might not know that once you cross this region..." She gestured with her hand. "This area, the Emerald Forest, and further south, there is a mountain range, and beyond that lies the Endless Ocean."

She blinked. "Do you understand the implications?"

Amidst the crackling of the campfire, Duan Qing was the first to answer. "This place... is near the edge of the continent."

"Yes. You are in the south of the continent, almost at the very southern tip." Christine smiled. "Although the Emerald Forest is vast, it was not like this thousands of years ago. In the center of the current Emerald Forest, there should have been a place similar to a border station. Oh, I mean during the era of the Ancient Magic Empire."

She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "Of course, it is sparsely populated now, and that location has likely turned into a forest just like the rest... We also obtained some, hmm... clues from recent surveys of the Falan ruins, and by cross-referencing them with known history, we arrived at this hypothesis."

"A thousand years ago, a border station may have existed there. And the clues suggest that it was no ordinary station; its existence... served another purpose."

The group was already captivated by the history Christine was unfolding. Even A-Niu, who had been displeased, was now struck by the scene she painted. If the "Young Master of Jie City" were here, he would surely be thrilled, as these insights from a Great Mage would be bragging rights for the future. However, by comparison, those present were more focused on practical matters. Christine paused for a moment, as if giving them time to digest the information, but before long, the woman in the black cloak continued the topic—she clearly knew more than the others.

"The purpose you mentioned—could it be that there was something like a research facility there..."

Christine looked at the woman again and said, "We do not know that either; that is precisely... the reason we have come here."

The others did not notice the profound significance of this statement, but Xue Linghuanbing clearly did, and she could not hide her shock. "You... the Mage Council, are you planning to get involved in this?"

Duan Qing finally realized: if a major game power like the Mage Council was determined to participate in the excavation of the ruins, the benefits available to players would be significantly reduced.

Christine’s expression turned serious, as if she had no intention of conceding on this point. "Even if Mr. Virdi were standing here, our position would not change. Collecting and managing the relics of the Magic Empire is the duty of our Mage Council! You..."

Her voice softened again. "These relics contain many variables. We cannot allow these items to fall into the hands of others. If people like you were to take them, it would only invite more danger."

"This is my suggestion... and my warning."

Even if Christine hadn't said it, everyone understood the principle that "an innocent man is guilty of the crime of possessing a jade ring." But as this was a game, they were all players who didn't fear death. If they lacked even that much ambition, they might as well quit the virtual gaming scene and label themselves as cowards.

However, they still needed to redirect their bravado.

"We understand what you mean." Duan Qing straightened his expression. "We, including her..." He pointed to Xue Linghuanbing. "...have no intention of laying a finger on those things. We are just adventurers."

"Venturing deep into ruins, uncovering secrets, and gaining rewards—these are the duties an adventurer should fulfill. An adventurer's nature is to discover, to explore every corner of this world. We brave wild mountains, steep peaks, treacherous swamps, and endless deserts for this. We anticipate countless obstacles, yet we never stop, even if countless predecessors have fallen on this path filled with thorns."

This speech was impassioned and stirring; even Xue Linghuanbing turned her head in surprise, thinking that this guy actually had some substance in him, making up such a compelling tale for adventurers. Duan Qing ignored the surrounding gazes and continued to pat his chest. "Since the situation is as it is, we have no intention of infringing upon the interests of the Mage Council, but we do hope to witness the birth of new discoveries. This is the... ultimate reason that drives us forward."

"I hope you can understand our feelings."

The young girl cheered and applauded, and Liu Qingniu joined in with a shout of approval. Duan Qing maintained a serious expression, though his mouth moved slightly. Beside him, Xue Linghuanbing was whispering.

"Your eloquence is quite good, you can really talk..."

"Nonsense... in this day and age, if you can't talk, how are you supposed to play the game..."

Christine, sitting opposite them, nodded. "Since that is the case, I will take you there for a visit. Given your resolve, whatever situation you encounter, I suppose..."

"However..." Duan Qing continued.

"Risk and reward go hand in hand. If we make any discoveries of our own, we hope you can respect our small wishes as adventurers, considering that we are gambling with our lives..."

"Oh..." Christine smiled with a sense of realization. "Is that so..."

"I understand." She looked at Duan Qing with interest. "Discovering secrets and gaining rewards—neither can be missing, right?"

Duan Qing scratched his head, acting foolish. Meng Zhu covered her face with both hands, feeling ashamed for her momentary excitement earlier.

"We are not stingy people." Christine rested her chin on the back of her hand, tilting her head from side to side. "We don't care for the things you adventurers want. And you likely wouldn't be interested in what we need..."

"I would like to hear the details." Duan Qing understood her meaning—the conversation had reached the final stage.

"Any records related to the Ancient Magic Empire, in any form, will be taken by us. Also, key equipment, threatening weapons, scrolls, magic artifacts, or gemstones..."

Christine began counting on her slender fingers, interspersed with Duan Qing’s "righteous" interjections. The scene was essentially a negotiation, but Meng Zhu, listening to all this, felt more and more that they hadn't even seen a single hair of the treasure yet, and they were already holding a distribution meeting.

She snuck a glance at the woman in the black cloak and found that she was also secretly smiling. The young girl suddenly felt that this uncle, who was negotiating with an NPC so seriously, was truly... terrifyingly cunning.

This was, in the true sense of the word, a "white wolf with empty gloves."

Christine was actually aware of this as well. But given her status and strength, she truly didn't care about those minor items—as for the things she did care about, she certainly wouldn't be making any concessions.

After some back-and-forth, the basic division of the spoils from the yet-to-be-seen ruins was settled. Duan Qing nodded with satisfaction. "...That is basically it. We are very grateful for the Great Mage's understanding... and generosity."

"Ah, I said it before," Christine replied. "I like dealing with smart people. At least they won't hold me back."

"Then, one last request..." Seeing that the final negotiations were coming to an end, Duan Qing raised one last question. "We do not mind handing over all the materials related to the Ancient Magic Empire discovered this time to the Mage Council for processing, but can you satisfy our curiosity as adventurers and let us take a look at those contents?"

The forest at night was windless. Although glowing fireflies of various colors appeared, the sudden return of silence was somewhat unsettling. It wasn't until Duan Qing felt that something was off that the woman in blue robes spoke slowly. "We... do not wish for these things... to be circulated."

"We can guarantee that. We just want to... know a little more."

Duan Qing chuckled. "You know, adventurers are like... cats killed by curiosity."

"...Very well. As long as you can find them, what harm is there in letting you take a look?" The woman in blue smiled, then her smile faded. "However, I must warn you: if any strange rumors appear on the continent later, we will cast our suspicious gaze upon you first."

Duan Qing nodded solemnly.

The scene fell silent once more. Each person was calculating their own thoughts, feeling both some fear and some anticipation for the future that was about to descend. After a while, it was the blue-robed figure who clapped her hands first.

"Alright, it is getting late. Everyone, get some rest. Ample energy is quite important for an adventure, you know." Christine’s unique, soft voice echoed in their ears once again. "If you have any other questions, you may ask now. Anything I can answer, I certainly will..."

Before she finished speaking, A-Niu, who had been sitting to the side as if just waking from a daydream, raised his hand. "Me! I have a question."

Christine looked at him, her beautiful blue eyes making him feel somewhat embarrassed, so he spoke in a rush: "Just now, just now, everything you said... was... was it all true?"

*Pfft...* Duan Qing felt like vomiting blood—if he could.

Meng Zhu clearly felt that this hotheaded youth was making them, the adventurers, look bad, so she rushed to interject: "Th-that, I have a question too!"

Christine, who was looking at them with a mix of amusement and annoyance, heard Meng Zhu's voice and followed up. "Oh, little sister, what good—question do you have?"

"Mm..." Meng Zhu had shouted out in a panic, and now she had to rely on her own wit. "I... I..."

The young girl looked quite lovely as she frowned in thought, but because she had asked so hastily, she was currently immersed in her own dilemma. "Uh... um... that, that, right!"

She finally remembered something. "Earlier you seemed to say... seemed to say... Oh, I forgot what you said, anyway..."

The young girl propped her hands on the ground, swaying back and forth like a roly-poly toy, her golden ponytail bobbing along. "Is your Mage Council only sending you this time?"

"Oh, of course not." Christine was stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting such a question. "My dear sister has come too, although she is a little girl who never listens to anyone..."

"Is that person... wearing red clothes..." The young girl grew more excited. Duan Qing watched her and her ponytail, marveling at her quick thinking.

"Hmm, it is her... have you seen her?" Christine was truly surprised this time.

Xue Linghuanbing also recalled something. "Could it be that person..."

"What do you know?" Duan Qing asked quietly from the side.

Amidst Xue Linghuanbing’s whispers, Meng Zhu explained to Christine, "Earlier, we heard Little Benny mention..."

"...So that’s how it is." Christine sighed. "We did indeed see him together before. He was such a pitiful little child..."

As the two conversed, Duan Qing finished listening to Xue Linghuanbing’s whisper, and his expression finally grew grave.

"Miss Great Mage." He thought for a moment and finally interrupted the conversation. "I have a question too."

"You mentioned dangerous things earlier. I would like to hear... specifically, which aspects are you referring to?"

This time, the blue-robed woman finally put away her relaxed demeanor, her face turning heavy.