Even though he was just a counterfeit with a Taboo Rank, he was, in the end, one of the Taboo.
Lu Yu suspected that if his Strength wasn't insufficient, he might have been able to plunge straight into the depths of the Mother River and swim with the Taboo Existences.
However, that situation would likely be far more serious than a Husky mixed in with a pack of wolves…
Lu Yu gave it a try. Just by getting a little closer, all the Mirror Fragnts began to tremble and show cracks, though it wasn't obvious under the rampage of Little Spider's Gundam.
If he really walked over, failing to produce a Mirror Image would be a minor issue; the real problem would be blowing up the entire Temple Ruins.
Not only would the treasures be gone, but he would also attract trouble.
After all, it could even replicate a Ruin Gundam at the Spirituality Transformation level. If the ruins self-destructed just from trying to replicate a Mirror Image of him, a human, even a fool would realize sothing was wrong with Lu Yu.
While they wouldn't connect it to a Taboo Existence, they might easily assu he was a pawn or a Servitor of so Deity.
Moreover, because Lu Yu possessed the Eye of Truth, he would definitely be unwilling to undergo an inspection to prove his innocence.
Such a reaction would confirm their suspicions. Although the Human Race wouldn't necessarily move against him, he would lose the opportunity to enter the Core Circle.
The best thod was still to find the pattern of the Mirror Mountain and pass through. Besides, he had a feeling that the next level might be very dangerous.
So, Lu Yu took a step back and said to the crowd:
"Next, let's all go through together!"
His words made everyone's eyes widen. After all, watching Lu Yu clear the stages one after another while they just tagged along had been an awkward ordeal.
They could only keep shouting "666."
They hadn't expected that with such an advantage, Lu Yu wouldn't hog all the rewards for himself but would let everyone have a taste.
Although it might be that he needed enough people to share the risks of the Temple's Inner Ring, both the Alliance and the various Adventure Groups had indirectly incurred a favor.
The more Zhang Li looked at Lu Yu, the more satisfied she was.
Not only was he a Genius, but his emotional intelligence was also very high.
If he joined the Alliance, coupled with his upstanding and of a good background, he could absolutely be cultivated as a future high-level prospect.
If he could beco a Magnate-level existence Above Luminous Moon, it wouldn't be impossible for him to preside over a major Domain.
After all, in this world, Strength determined one's status.
It wasn't that decadent human dynasties hadn't appeared before, but they had long since perished in History. Only by continuously absorbing the strong could the Alliance flourish.
Even the Supre Council that governed the Alliance was ford by The Kings. One only needed to beco a True King to gain a seat and jointly rule the Alliance.
Therefore, after so discussion, the group decided on the first person to go—Yu Xiyan.
"Long ti no see."
Lu Yu had actually noticed this old friend long ago and greeted her with a smile.
"That was a very dashing performance!"
Yu Xiyan ca before Lu Yu, offered a complint, and then suddenly reached out to smooth a wrinkle on his collar. Then, before he could take a step back, she naturally withdrew her hand.
It inexplicably felt like an old married couple.
"This is too improper!"
Chiyue Honglian frowned, sowhat displeased with Yu Xiyan.
How could she do this in public? If they were sowhere private, wouldn't they be all over each other!
Besides, how was this human, Lu Yu, better at attracting won than a Succubus?
Chiyue ng's gaze faltered because she saw the corner of Yu Xiyan's mouth curve up slightly on her delicate profile.
Is this… a provocation?
While many people envied Lu Yu for having so many beautiful female companions, they were inwardly screaming for a fight to break out.
They wanted to see so drama and a catfight!
Unfortunately… Yu Xiyan didn't give them that chance. She walked straight up to the countless Mirror Fragnts.
A brilliant light flashed, and an identical Mirror Image coalesced.
Just as everyone was curious about how Yu Xiyan would fight, ready to learn from her experience, the woman didn't summon a pet beast at all.
Without a pet beast battle, was she planning to pull hair and tear clothes?
That seed… pretty good to watch too!
In the ruins, Yu Xiyan looked at the Mirror Image, identical to herself with an indifferent expression, and said with a smile:
" with this expression is indeed quite beautiful, but I need to pass through here, so I'll have to ask you to make way…"
As Yu Xiyan spoke, she made a pistol gesture with her hand and pressed it against her own temple, the action looking like child's play.
Many people were puzzled.
What was this woman doing? A psychological attack?
But the replica doesn't have complete intelligence. How could it possibly pay attention to you?
As expected, the replica remained unmoved.
It then materialized a bow and arrow, aid it at Yu Xiyan, and slowly drew the bowstring. The Cold Fog gathered, forming an arrow ready to be fired.
Once it hit, it would steal all Vitality.
"Bang!"
Just as it was about to shoot, Yu Xiyan's gentle voice sounded, and the replica's head suddenly exploded.
It collapsed as a headless corpse and gradually faded into nothingness.
Seeing this, the entire scene fell deathly silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop, before erupting into an uproar.
"How did she do that?"
"I didn't even feel any Spiritual Energy Fluctuation. Did you guys see when she made her move?"
"Could this be her pet beast's ability?"
"Space-type? Or Illusion-type? It's too bizarre.
Why are all the young people these days such monsters!"
"…"
The crowd was astonished, feeling like their intelligence wasn't enough to comprehend what kind of technique this was.
Could it be so kind of invisible pet beast?
Qi Wei shivered, feeling that his cousin's thods were becoming more terrifying by the day.
It was getting harder and harder to escape her clutches in this lifeti.
"Amazing!"
Yue i watched the composed Yu Xiyan, her eyes shining.
Her legs couldn't help but press together, her face flushing. Possessing both strength and wisdom, she was not only a perfect strategist but also an excellent com·panion.
Although she looked very badass, she actually preferred to be controlled by others—a so-called contrast.
Even Zhang Li and the three archaeologists couldn't see where the bullet ca from.
In the end, they could only attribute it to so mysterious pet beast ability, lanting that this generation in Great Abyss City was truly full of talent.
"This human is very strong!"
Chiyue Honglian narrowed her eyes, sensing the profound power of the Human Race.
Geniuses were innurable, and her intuition told her that beneath this woman's mortal shell lay an unimaginable madness.
Just as her Mother had said, human Beast Tars were all a bunch of lunatics!
Chiyue ng's expression was calm, her crimson eyes betraying nothing of her thoughts.
Among everyone present, only Lu Yu, who had kept his Eye of Truth active, caught a faint trace. He could confirm it wasn't Space-type; it seed more related to ti or causality.
It seed Yu Xiyan was far more mysterious than he had imagined.
Lu Yu wasn't surprised by this.
After all, he wasn't the only Genius or Lucky One in this world, and he felt no jealousy because of it.
After all, no matter how big Yu Xiyan's secret was, could it be bigger than his?
To be jealous of others would be like a wealthy magnate being jealous of a beggar, and this person was his friend, no less.
"Sorry, it's over~"
Yu Xiyan walked over and picked up the bullet that had been fired earlier, a gentle smile playing on her lips.
This was also one of the abilities of the Fate ssenger.
Letting a past bullet hit the future.
It was precisely because of this ability that she had the confidence to follow in Lu Yu's footsteps and travel beyond the Myriad Stars.
Because of Yu Xiyan's successful start, the others got the illusion that the Mirror Images weren't too difficult, and they eagerly began their own challenges.
The result was, naturally… a complete disaster!
Although these Mirror Images had average intelligence, they perfectly replicated their strength and were fearless of death, constantly using tactics that traded injury for injury.
It didn't matter if the Mirror Images died, but the challengers were made of flesh and blood. Even a serious injury was a huge loss, so they naturally held back.
Not to ntion the buff from the Cold Fog, they were beaten until they beca withdrawn.
Of course, not everyone lost.
There were victors, like Yue i, who used the Mad Botanical Garden tactic, stacking the abilities of three pet beasts and deliberately revealing an opening to trap her opponent, ultimately securing a narrow victory.
Chiyue Honglian had her Abyssal Red Sparrow possess her.
Like a Valkyrie, she chose to fight her Mirror Image Avatar fist to fist. With punch after punch, hellfire swept through as she forcefully crushed the Mirror Image.
As for Chiyue ng, she chose to battle with her Abyssal Demon Eye. With calm command, she used abyssal rays to lock down the front line, turning the battle into an art form and easily crushing her opponent.
Chiyue ng and Yu Xiyan exchanged a look. The forr's eyes were calm, the latter's appreciative.
Only such a strong opponent was interesting.
Next, among the Alliance and the several Adventure Groups, many people also passed, with a success rate of about one in five.
Zhang Li, worried about collapsing the Cavern, did not make a move.
"I'm so jealous that these guys get to challenge their Mirror Images…"
Lu Yu felt a pang of envy.
Others could at least get beaten up; he could only passively flip the table. His Rank was too high for the Mirror Mountain to even replicate, and he might even blow up the ruins in the process.
Just as he was pondering, a voice as lodious as a lark's sounded in his ear:
"As an Assistant, when you encounter difficulties, you can choose to apply for a Hired Expert!"
The speaker was naturally Luo Qingyue. Although it seed like Lu Yu had proactively done them a favor, letting more people share the risk of the next round of Sacrificial Offerings, she understood him.
He was cautious, but not like this.
Lu Yu turned his head and saw Luo Qingyue with a "Quick, beg " expression on her face and couldn't help but smile:
"Does the great Scholar Luo have a solution?"
"Of course…"
Luo Qingyue raised her head, drawing out her tone, causing her impressive chest to quake along with it.
After building up enough anticipation, she said with righteous confidence:
"I don't!"
"…"
Lu Yu was speechless. This woman was really asking for it.
Maybe he should just have Little Spider tie her up, hang her, and whip her for a day and a night.
Little Spider sensed its Master's emotions and prepared to pilot the giant Ruin Gundam back to chop soone up.
Luo Qingyue wanted to take the opportunity to reduce the paynt she owed, not get a beating, so she quickly explained:
"Scholar Luo can't do it, but that doesn't an the future Investigator Luo Qianqiu doesn't have a way!"
"…"
Lu Yu was about to say, isn't that just your excuse to get two salaries?
But before the words ca out, he swallowed them back. Thinking carefully about Luo Qianqiu, Luo Qingyue's second form, she was indeed completely different from the goofy senior sister in front of him.
The forr was like a goofy rabbit, while the latter was more like a noble fox.
If it was her, it might actually be possible.
So he took the initiative to say: "I almost forgot about our future Legendary Investigator. It is indeed a dereliction of duty on my part as an Assistant.
A re small stage like this can be shattered with a casual move…"
For Lu Yu, if Luo Qingyue wanted to show off, he'd indulge her, sucking up until she was satisfied. But cutting his pay was absolutely out of the question, so he directly switched to "coaxing a woman" mode.
Luo Qingyue had originally wanted to show off a bit more, but Lu Yu's flattery made her ecstatic. Every word was perfectly tid, causing her emotions to build up, just a little bit away from breaking the threshold.
"You have such a sweet tongue. As expected of my Assistant."
Luo Qingyue thought happily, patting her unique E-cup chest, indicating she'd take care of everything, and then prepared to bask in Lu Yu's adoring gaze.
But when Lu Yu heard this, a slight smile appeared on his face. He stopped flattering her and said directly:
"Oh, then you go ahead."
"You…"
The sudden shift in tone made Luo Qingyue feel like she was being scamd.
She wanted to say more, but that jerk Lu Yu just spread his hands and said:
"No way, there's no way the future Legendary Investigator can't solve this tiny little stage, right?"
Even though she knew it was a goading tactic, Luo Qingyue fell for it completely. Only then did she realize that she had been so coaxed that she'd forgotten to bargain with Lu Yu.
Other n trick won for their bodies, but this damn man tricks them for their money every day. It's extrely insulting!
"Hmph!"
Luo Qingyue snorted, holding a hair tie in her mouth as she gathered her hair into a high ponytail; her expression cald, her lips curving into a faint, indifferent smile, her entire aura visibly changing.
If Lu Yu's Eye of Truth hadn't shown that Luo Qingyue's tag was unchanged, he would have almost thought she had a dual soul.
Unfortunately, because the Beast Taming Space was linked to the Mother River, investigating humans consud far more Spiritual Power than pet beasts.
Thus, most of the ti, Lu Yu only saw tags like 【Human XXX】, their rank, and so on, to conserve spirituality.
After all, he hadn't completely shed the title of "Skinny Weakling" yet.
He still had to take Interdiate Spirit Potions every night to support his two pet beasts as they grinded their Proficiency.
Especially since Luo Qingyue also had so kind of power shielding her.
Although it was far from the restriction on Chiyue ng, the amount of spirituality required was still massive. He estimated that only soone at the peak of spirituality or the Morning Star Rank could handle it.
For example, it would be quicker to just knock Luo Qingyue out, imprison her, and torture her…
Luo Qingyue nodded at Lu Yu, then looked towards the Mirror Mountain Hell, at those fragnted mirrors. She'd had an idea for a while, but she waited a mont.
When she saw the next challenger enter, the mirror shards flashed, and a replica coalesced, completely verifying her theory.
She already knew the answer.
However, she didn't rush to conquer the Mystic Realm. Instead, she went to all the challengers who hadn't passed the Temple's Outer Ring and offered to get them through Mirror Mountain Hell for one hundred thousand per person.
The price was set low because most of them hadn't even passed the Outer Ring and held no hope for conquering the rest of the ruins. If the price were higher, they'd rather just watch from the sidelines.
But if they could spend a hundred thousand for a ticket to the Inner Ring, it wouldn't be a loss even if they failed later.
It was only about the price of two Silver Missions.
Furthermore, Luo Qingyue said they could pay after they passed, which won everyone's trust. They were willing to give it a try.
A bigger reason was that they saw Luo Qingyue was close with Lu Yu and figured she might have gotten so information from him and was planning to make a quick buck.
Thus, Luo Qingyue easily collected a portion of the paynt she was supposed to give Lu Yu and then went to Zhang Li's side.
Because of Luo Zisong, she and Zhang Li not only knew each other but were on good terms. So she leaned in and whispered sothing in her ear.
The latter's expression changed from nonchalant to astonished, as if in disbelief.
And then…
Luo Qingyue walked into the ruins.
The shattered Mirror Mountain Hell flickered with light, preparing to coalesce a replica, when the Sun-Wheel Golden Goat suddenly retracted its glow. Its wool dimd, like a silent sun.
anwhile, the Floating Balloons in the sky hadn't recovered from their fear, their Soul Fires dim, so they didn't emit any light. This caused the entire Cavern to plunge into darkness.
"So that's how it is."
Although Lu Yu didn't have night vision, he could see clearly in the dark with his Eye of Truth.
He saw Luo Qingyue walk forward, and the Mirror Mountain Hell didn't react at all.
As if sensing his gaze, Luo Qingyue turned back, looked in Lu Yu's direction, waved, and then continued walking forward.
Even without needing to be told, he already knew its weakness was…
Light!
Only with light can it reflect and form a Mirror Image. Conversely, without light, no Mirror Image can be born.
If the Mirror Mountain's chanism couldn't operate, Lu Yu could also enter the Mystic Realm smoothly without worrying about making it explode.
This weakness seed simple, but the Cavern was dark.
One had to rely on light to see, which would make people subconsciously overlook this point. It was a case of darkness under the lamp.
Moreover, without enough confidence, most people wouldn't dare approach a Mirror Mountain Hell that could instantly kill them in pitch-black darkness.
Even if they guessed it, they wouldn't necessarily dare to verify it.
Courage, wisdom, and observation—none could be lacking.
"Excellent!"
Lu Yu's face lit up with pleasant surprise.
This way, he could also pass the second stage without worrying about blowing up the ruins.
As expected of a woman who was once an Official Investigator.
He just didn't know why she'd beco an intern.
Was her internship period not long enough?
Or did she skip work too many tis?
"You can actually pass like this…"
The others also gathered spiritual energy in their eyes.
Although the view wasn't clear, they could vaguely see Luo Qingyue walking past the Mirror Mountain Hell. They were utterly shocked, feeling intellectually crushed.
As expected, none of the won around Lu Yu were simple.
In the future, when these favored daughters of heaven beco top-tier powerhouses, will they fight over a man and shatter an entire Domain?
A Disaster caused by dostic disputes?
However, soon after, although everyone passed the Outer Ring and had no intention of welshing on their paynt, they faced another problem: in such a dark environnt, how were they supposed to fight upon entering the Inner Ring?
If soone created light, wouldn't it spawn a large number of replicas to block their retreat?
This worry quickly disappeared.
Because the Ruin Gundam controlled by Little Spider directly turned its Greatsword into a broom, swept all the mirror shards together like trash, and then used Spider Silk to form a large, opaque cover over them.
Solving the problem through physical ans.
The Sun-Wheel Golden Goat illuminated the Cavern once more, restoring the light.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, watching as Little Spider piloted the Gundam to the Cold Fog and split it with a single slash.
The final obstacle before the Temple, the ruins' Inner Ring, was revealed. However, the scene that t their eyes made everyone's pupils tremble slightly.
"This is…"
Lu Yu also narrowed his eyes, feeling an Oppressive Aura.
Zhang Li couldn't help but murmur:
"Are you sure this is a Sacrificial Offering? And not a fragnt of the Netherworld?"
What lay ahead wasn't ruins, but a mountain range of skeletons and a forest of bones.
The flesh of unknown creatures had rotted into mud and dust, covering the ground like a plain of bones, exuding a suffocating, deathly silence.
Looking at it, it was as if one had arrived at a corner of the ancient Netherworld that symbolized Death.
What was the Sacrificial Offering this ti?
"This doesn't count as the Netherworld…"
A voice suddenly spoke. It was the diterranean-Haired Old Man among the three archaeologists, who was quite knowledgeable about Bone Script.
He said in a deep voice:
"This is a Yellow Springs ecology!"
"Yellow Springs?"
Everyone was stunned. Even if they didn't understand, they knew that the defining feature of a Yellow Springs Ecological Mystic Realm was the water of the Yellow Springs, which corrodes all life.
If there's no water, it should be so other Netherworld ecology, right?
"Look at that fog!"
Soone suddenly shouted. Everyone looked up and saw that the parted Cold Fog was lingering, not dissipating.
Instead, it was gradually sinking and liquefying, turning into a river the color of Dusk.
It was clearly translucent, yet it gave off a feeling of extre filth, exuding an aura that could cause all things to decay.
It flowed slowly, as if traversing ancient ages. The spiritual energy of the Yellow Springs spread out, coiling around the Temple like the ring of an Ouroboros, cutting off the world and isolating all things.
Any life that stepped into it would have its Vitality instantly devoured, turning into Withered Bones.
The Cold Fog was actually another form of the Yellow Springs!
The power of the Yellow Springs spread, beginning to corrode everything.
The original Bones began to lt rapidly, turning into the water of the undead, gradually revealing an ecology that transcended the mortal world and was unlike any other.
Watching this scene, everyone was filled with admiration.
As expected of a veteran Archaeologist, his experience was indeed rich, to be able to identify the Yellow Springs ecology from the many ecologies of the Netherworld at a single glance.
If it were an ordinary person, they might have already gotten closer and would most likely have faced a drenching from the Yellow Springs.
However, the diterranean-Haired Old Man showed no trace of pride. Instead, his expression grew more and more shocked as he murmured:
"Impossible… It couldn't be that, could it…"
Such an abnormal reaction left everyone a bit confused, but they didn't dare to ask, afraid of being rebuked by the old man.
So, Lu Yu asked:
"Is there a problem with this?"
"Wait a mont, I need to confirm sothing…"
The diterranean-Haired Old Man was about to lose his temper, but upon seeing Lu Yu, he gave a wry smile. His gaze searched the pile of Bones by the Yellow Springs, soon settling on a bone tablet.
It was inscribed with a large amount of Bone Script, but it had almost completely weathered away over the long years, leaving only a few words.
"Imprisoned… in the Ossuary Cage… Siming… Wheel…"
The diterranean-Haired Old Man could only barely recognize a few of the characters.
He then took a deep breath and, with a grave expression, said to everyone:
"I understand now. The Doll Hell represents the Hundred Faces of Death of all living beings, the Mirror Mountain Hell represents the reflection of life and death, and light is the boundary between The Deceased and The Living.
Light is the symbol of The Living, nurturing all things. When light is extinguished, there is darkness, the ti when The Deceased slumber, corresponding to the Mirror Mountain's dormant state in the dark.
As for the final Yellow Springs, although its complete ecology has not yet manifested, it can already be confird as the ossuary where all things are buried. In summary, this corresponds to the legendary Ritual known as the 【Triple-Rebirth Bone Angel】.
It also requires Sacrificial Offerings to be activated, but its purpose is not for a Ritual Offering at all, but to suppress and annihilate sothing…"
Lu Yu: Key elents detected!!
A six-thousand-word chapter, asking for Monthly Tickets. Wrote this in my spare ti, got a lot going on at ho.
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