Hello, is this a letter addressed to Demon Fortress?

Lin Gui held the small flower that emitted a dim, faint light, examining it from all angles, but couldn't figure out what it was.

He asked himself the question instinctively.

"System, identify this thing. What's it for?"

[Ding! This system does not provide item appraisal services. Please explore on your own.]

"cut."

Lin Gui curled his lip and handed the little flower to Xia beside him.

"Look, do you recognize this? Why would that royal family need this?"

Xia took the little flower and carefully examined it.

He shook his head, his crimson eyes filled with confusion.

"All I know is that this is something the royal family specifically requested, and it's said to be related to some kind of top-tier alchemical potion, but I don't know exactly what it is..."

"The energy fluctuations above are peculiar; they are neither pure life energy, nor death energy, nor shadow energy..."

Upon hearing this, Lin Gui had no choice but to carefully wrap the little flower that had caused so much trouble in a soft cloth.

It was stuffed into the innermost layer of the backpack.

"Never mind, I'll keep it for now and have it appraised by a reliable alchemist or scholar later."

After collecting his spoils, Lin Gui looked up.

But then he found Shia standing to the side, her expression strange and her eyes flickering.

His hands were unconsciously twisting the hem of his clothes, as if he was extremely hesitant about something.

Lin Gui knew exactly what was going on.

He knew what Xia was hesitating about.

She can no longer stay in Karan.

She was hesitant about her future path.

Judging from the way she kept glancing at me, she was probably waiting for me to suggest that we go together.

The same question was also weighing in Lin Gui's mind.

Even though Xia is now the target of a mission assigned by the system, Lin Gui is still hesitant about whether to take the initiative to recruit her.

Bind this messenger system.

This destined him to continue his journey towards more distant and unknown city-states.

Like a rootless duckweed, without a fixed abode.

The danger level was visibly rising, reminding me of the various perilous situations I encountered on the way to the magical city.

Even now, the memory still gives Lin Gui goosebumps.

He never considered himself the protagonist; all his survivals in dire situations were the inevitable result of his thorough preparation and rational thinking.

The only time he was truly unlucky was when he almost died in that man-eating cave.

Even after being bound to the messenger system, Lin Gui couldn't guarantee his survival.

But he still had to go, even if it meant facing mountains of knives and seas of fire.

Only by going to the very end can he deliver the letter in his heart to the person he has longed for countless times.

Furthermore, compared to the perilous journey, the benefits it brings are...

Lin Gui gets system rewards, which is fine, but Xia...

To maximize the number of times you can receive the reward for "Sending Thoughts".

His target customer group must be ordinary people with limited purchasing power.

How much money do ordinary people have?

He wrote more than 600 letters on this trip.

The total income is probably less than that of a low-level escort mission casually issued by a nobleman.

If he were to let Shia join him, it would be like making her work for free, or even pay her to do it...

All things considered, having Rashia join the group was practically tantamount to pushing her into a fire pit.

The two remained silent, the atmosphere subtly awkward.

Xia would occasionally steal glances at Lin Gui.

His eyes were a mixture of expectation and unease, like a small animal afraid of being abandoned.

After hesitating for a while, Lin Gui finally took a deep breath and broke the silence.

He avoided a direct invitation and instead used a different approach:

"Shia, the city-state you mentioned before... where all races live in equality, Avalon, right?"

Shia suddenly raised her head, her crimson eyes wide open in disbelief.

"You...you know?"

Lin Gui certainly didn't know, but since the system had given him the mission, this city that only existed in legends must really exist.

"Yes, I've heard some rumors. It's said that such a city does exist deep within the continent."

He spoke with certainty, as if it were true.

"If you don't have any other plans for the time being, perhaps... you could go there and take a look. Maybe it will become your true home."

Instead of extending a direct invitation, he gave her a direction.

Upon hearing this, Xia lowered her head slightly, her slender fingers nervously twirling a strand of silver hair.

Those unique blood-red eyes couldn't help but glance upwards, looking at Lin Gui with cautious anticipation.

Looking at her like this, Lin Gui sighed inwardly and added.

"After I finish this trip..."

He weighed the heavy backpack on his back, which was full of replies.

"After delivering these letters, I should also go and take a look at that 'City of Equality.' If you'd like... we can... travel together for a while."

"I do!"

Almost the instant Lin Gui finished speaking, Xia shouted excitedly.

She pounced on him and gave Lin Gui a tight hug.

Her eyes instantly welled up with tears, and her voice choked with emotion.

"I do! Lin Gui! Thank you!"

She repeated it, as if afraid that Lin Gui would change his mind.

"Okay, okay."

Lin Gui was a little breathless from being choked, and awkwardly patted her back.

"Let me make this clear beforehand, I'm very poor and have no money to pay you a salary."

"At most... we'll provide meals and find a place to sleep where we can shelter from the wind and rain."

"It's okay! I have money!"

Shea jumped off the ghost, a bright smile on her face.

But this happiness only lasted a few seconds before it froze.

She suddenly remembered that she was now wanted by the city of Karan.

The little bit of savings I'd painstakingly accumulated at home would probably have been confiscated by the city lord's mansion long ago.

Now, apart from this set of equipment that has been with me for so long, I am practically penniless.

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and her voice softened as she spoke hesitantly.

"Um... well... at least... accommodation and meals... would be fine..."

In the end, it was almost as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

Her gaze unconsciously drifted to the ground where Commander Leon's suit was, though it was badly damaged.

But the armor and sword, made of clearly extraordinary materials, still shimmered with a magical luster.

If we could take these and sell them, it would definitely be a huge sum of money!

Before she could even finish her little scheme...

Lin Gui seemed to see right through her thoughts and immediately poured cold water on her.

"No, we can't touch these things."

Xia was taken aback, thinking that Lin Gui was acting out of chivalry or some kind of moral fastidiousness.

Not wanting to sell the deceased's belongings for money, they quickly tried to dissuade him.

"Lin Gui, this isn't the time to talk about these things! We desperately need money!"

"Besides, they all want to kill us, so taking some spoils is only right! Only by letting go of personal moral burdens can we enjoy a prosperous life!"

Lin Gui rolled her eyes at her, annoyed.

"You're overthinking it. I'm not kind-hearted, I'm just afraid of dying."

He pointed to Leon's body, his expression turning serious.

"We need to go through the capital to reach Avalon."

"This guy is the commander of the knights in the capital, and behind him stands the royal family of the Kingdom of Carter."

"An entire elite knightly order was wiped out in the Black Forest. Such a huge loss will not be tolerated by the royal family. They will definitely investigate thoroughly."

"If we were to take these iconic pieces of equipment and sell them now, it would be like walking into a trap, telling the royal family, 'The killer is here, come and catch him.'"

"Therefore, these things should not be touched. It's best to let them rot here or be eaten by demons."

After listening to Lin Gui's analysis, Xia suddenly realized what was going on, shrank back in fear, and nodded sadly.

"Oh...you're right...so...where do we go next?"

She now completely regards Lin Gui as her pillar of support.

Lin Gui glanced into the depths of the Black Demon Forest, where the terrifying roars and tremors seemed to be getting closer.

Moragus clearly hadn't given up the hunt.

"Let's go back to Karan City first."

Lin Gui made a quick decision.

"Let's hide in the city for a while until the demon riot in the Black Demon Forest subsides, then we'll head to New Testament City and deliver the reply."

"Okay! Whatever you say!"

Shea nodded without hesitation.

Lin Gui pulled out the seemingly ordinary oak staff.

He looked at Shia and gave her a slightly tired but sincere smile.

"Would you like to take a walking stick? It might not be as fast as you run, but it will save you energy."

Shia's eyes lit up as she looked at the magical staff that could make people fly.

He nodded excitedly.

"Of course I want it! I want it!"

Lin Gui smiled, stepped onto his staff first, and then reached out his hand to Xia.

Shea took his hand, used the leverage to sit lightly behind him, and naturally reached out to wrap her arms around his waist.

"Hold on tight, it might wobble a little."

Lin Gui gave a reminder and then activated his magic.

The [Levitation] spell took effect, carrying the two of them as they wobbled and rose into the air.

Adjusting its direction, it flew shakily towards the towering walls of Karan City.

About an hour later, they arrived at the meadow where they had been.

Countless thorny, black tentacles spread out like a tide.

They easily swept up the cold corpse of Commander Leon.

One of the thickest tentacles skillfully twisted off the head that had once been full of ambition and arrogance.

It was stuffed into that huge, tree-hole-like mouth that slowly crawled in.

"Gurgle..."

Moragus devoured this last "sacrifice".

On the tree trunk, Lyon's face, filled with resentment and terror, slowly emerged.

Its enormous, green eyes, filled with endless resentment, stared fixedly in the direction of Karan City.

A deep-seated hatred and destructive desire are brewing wildly.

"Hehehe... City-state... Humans... Wait..."

The low, malicious murmur slowly dissipated in the wind.