Strange Voyage: Summoning the Fourth Disaster.

Chapter 657 Nightmare-like Fate
"This……"

Ryan could naturally see the value of this item and hesitated.

But once they got ashore, they didn't care about his odds and just handed it to him.

He was hoping Ryan would bring back more animated story-themed souvenirs for him to resell. If Ryan died unexpectedly halfway through, who would he complain to?

Li Miao also tried to persuade them from the side.

Seeing this, Ryan accepted it, remembering their kindness once again, as he did indeed need it.

The next question is whether Ryan will stay or leave.

Although he was determined to return to the campfire, his current condition was far from good. After all, it was his body that was beaten by Li Miao and the others... If he encountered any unexpected events, he would probably have a hard time coping.

At that moment, Li Miao received a unique message in his notification bar.

You have received a message from the Candlekeeper.

"Just let him go home in peace."

Upon seeing this message, Li Miao felt relieved and immediately informed the other party.

Since the Candlekeeper has spoken, there must be no problem.

It seems he's been keeping an eye on this matter ever since I asked him for help. That's really kind of him...

Li Miao couldn't help but feel a little touched.

It was worth it for him to be careful and not speak ill of the other party.

After hearing Li Miao's response, Ryan had no doubts. He said goodbye to the three of them and returned to the campfire.

After Ryan left.

The three people in the same instance finally had some free time to chat and ask each other about the situation in the instance.

"Phew... Luckily we arrived in time."

"Yes, thankfully it didn't turn into the tragedy seen in some of the dungeons."

"It's a bit of a pity. I thought I'd get some kind of artifact if I saved Ryan."

"The Candlekeeper has already helped everyone, and you're still expecting a reward from them... Besides, isn't it enough that Ryan brought you a special product with a dynamic storyline?"

"Yeah... Haha, who cares, as long as they're saved, I feel great."

After a few words of reflection, the three focused their attention on the "Long Journey in the Night".

Li Miao's situation after entering the instance goes without saying. He had already left the instance after going ashore, and Yuanfang had also left, so he saw his message.

Once ashore, they begin to pour out their grievances.

"Damn it, you guys have no idea, that lousy ruin over there is a monster every two steps and a trap every three steps, plus the visibility is so poor at night, it's really disgusting..."

"Fortunately, there was a talking skeletal soul outside the ruins. He pointed me to a path, which led to the Soul Cleansing Night Pool over here."

"It's quite a coincidence. When I stumbled upon this place, I happened to overhear that old bastard trying to threaten you. So I went up and unleashed a soul shockwave, haha!"

He couldn't help but smile as he went ashore, then, as if he had thought of something, he quickly looked at Li Miao and added a sentence.

"Oh, by the way, that skeletal spirit also mentioned the 'Hero Aluga' you mentioned. Judging from his tone, he was probably helped by Hero Aluga, but he still died in the end."

"Oh? Which direction are the ruins you came from?" Li Miao asked with some surprise.

"Over there." He pointed to where he had come from after getting ashore.

Li Miao pondered for a moment: "That should be a link in Aluga's Hero Path, but I don't know which side is the starting point..."

"I also have information about the hero Aluga."

At this moment, Yuanfang also spoke.

Compared to Li Miao and Shang An, his arrival was neither safe nor dangerous.

After thoroughly studying nighttime visibility and related information, he encountered several NPCs during his exploration.

Unfortunately, the other party wasn't having a casual chat; they were engaged in a chaotic fight, seemingly vying for something...

At this point, Yuanfang didn't waste any words and directly took out an item.

【Fruit of Aluka】 【Type: Consumable】

[Effect: After consuming it, Aluka will grant you the courage and strength to face long nights and difficulties.]

[Note: This fruit grows from the tree of Alluka, from which Alluka planted his own fire and courage, hoping to help those who come after him.]

"Is this what those NPCs are fighting over? A single fruit?" Li Miao asked, somewhat surprised.

He craned his neck to take a look after getting ashore: "This doesn't seem like anything special, does it? Why are so many people fighting over it?"

“No.” Yuanfang shook his head: “To be specific, what they want to fight over is the tree that bears this fruit.”

No wonder the fight was so intense...

Hearing this, Li Miao paused for a moment: "...What about the tree? It's too big to take with me?"

"The tree was smashed," came the reply from afar.

"..."

Li Miao was at a loss for words.

"Tsk... People planted trees to help those who come after them, but these NPCs dug them up instead..." Shang An couldn't help but scoff.

“Human nature cannot withstand the test, especially in this Long Night Divine Realm.” Li Miao shook his head.

Yuanfang did not continue to discuss this topic. Instead, he pointed out the direction he came from to Li Miao and led the two to the shore, where he drew a simple topographical map with mud.

Now, the route the three had taken and the terrain they had already explored in the Long Night Divine Realm were displayed in a very three-dimensional way before their eyes.

"Holy crap... even simple diagrams are drawn so neatly..." Shang An's lips twitched, unable to resist making a complaint.

Li Miao, however, was already used to this. After recalling for a moment, he pondered and said, "If that's the case, then the place where we landed is on the outskirts of the forest where the Soul Cleansing Night Pool is located, and Hero Aluga explored around the Soul Cleansing Night Pool before leaving from this forest..."

As he spoke, he scanned the Soul Cleansing Night Pool.

A moment later, his gaze settled on a spot in the Soul Cleansing Night Pool...

……

Ryan's campfire camp.

As the orange-red flames coalesced, Ryan reappeared by the campfire, but unlike his usual relaxed demeanor, his expression now held only wariness and alertness.

However, the witch's voice broke the silence in the air.

"Ryan, it seems you're back."

"...Don't worry, your clan's tomb has been removed from this place, and you have completely broken free from the clan's control."

"Of course, if you wish, you can give up becoming a firewood gatherer and go to the Fire God Temple to find the temple master."

At this point, Ryan's witch paused for a moment before speaking gently.

"Congratulations, Ryan... You have escaped that nightmarish fate and grown into a powerful Fire Saint."

"I have nothing more to guide you with."

"I have to go."

As he spoke, flames began to rise from the campfire, swirling towards the dagger on the ground.

"Go and burn brightly..."

"No matter where you are..."

In the flames, the witch smiled and nodded slightly at him.

As she uttered her last words, the dagger carrying her soul vanished, leaving only the ever-present campfire.

Ryan didn't even have a chance to say goodbye to the witch who had been with him for so long.

He escaped his nightmarish fate.

But her destiny continues...

(End of this chapter)