He changed Tiwat

The road was quiet, and the torches burned quietly as well. Apart from the footsteps of Han Fulai and his two companions, there was no other sound.

The atmosphere was reminiscent of a ghost town from a movie—no one in sight, no birdsong or insect chirps, only the sound of one's own footsteps and breathing, and torches lit by some unknown person in front of one's eyes… The sheer pressure of this eeriness and silence was enough to drive anyone mad. An ordinary adventurer would probably have already screamed and run away.

Even though the three people present were all highly skilled and daring, they still had to be extra careful when walking in such a place, and be wary of possible sudden attacks.

Jiang Xue, the only one of the three who had visited this ruin before, was quite tense. He hadn't ventured deep into the ruins the last time he was here, but he remembered the paths being difficult to navigate, unlike the smooth paths they were on now, and the lack of torchlight.

If we consider this upside-down city as a real city with "residents," then this road must have been repaired, and the torches on both sides of the road are undoubtedly "streetlights."

The fact that they're considering building urban infrastructure clearly indicates they intend to live here long-term.

Who would live here? And even have the leisure to build city lighting for the ruins?

"The Abyss Order"? Do you think those guys would be so idle as to be doing city construction here?

"Black Serpent Rider" and "Dark Shell"? They don't need any light source at all.

Or... those missing Hilichurls?

Thinking back to the change in her senior brother that she saw today... Jiang Xue felt a headache coming on.

Jiang Xue subconsciously glanced at Han Fulai, wanting to ask for his opinion, but then hesitated. This kid was currently truly "powerless," and logically, he should be the most nervous of the three. Jiang Xue didn't want to add to his pressure.

But he soon discovered that Han Fulai was in a very relaxed mood and felt great. He would turn his head to look at the scenery around him from time to time, as if he were on vacation.

In fact, Han Fulai was thinking of his hometown in another world, that small, third-tier county town. His hometown had a small population; most of the young people went to work in big cities outside the town, and the word "nightlife" was almost foreign to his hometown. The paths in his hometown were also quiet, with only the streetlights silently accompanying the late-night pedestrians.

However, this is not a safe and peaceful small town. This is the Lava Pit of Liyue, an ancient civilization with a history of at least several hundred years, a little-known and dangerous place.

When Jiang Xue first saw Han Fulai stop to look at the scenery, she assumed he was observing his surroundings.

The second time Jiang Xue saw Han Fulai stop to look at the scenery, she assumed that Han Fulai was unwell and tired from walking.

But things don't happen more than three times. When Jiang Xue noticed Han Fulai pausing to look at the dilapidated murals on both sides of the road for the third time, he finally couldn't help but ask, "Brother Fulai, what are you doing?"

“I’m studying the architectural style here. Mr. Dain just mentioned that it’s related to Kanria, so I’d like to see what the Kanria style looks like,” Han Fulai replied calmly. “I promised Mr. Haidif that I would share my discoveries with him when I explore ancient ruins. For example, the murals on both sides of the road may reveal the origin of this ancient ruin. Remember the details of these murals so that I can provide them to Mr. Haidif for analysis when I get back.”

In fact, some of those murals were fragmented text symbols, some were very abstract animal pictures with no discernible shape, or simply fossils of some kind of ancient creature, and some were even just scribbles with no meaning. Jiang Xue had no idea what use Han Fu could possibly have for studying these things—was this kid so incapable of fighting after being injured that he simply treated himself as a young master who came to enjoy the scenery and treated her and that Dain as his bodyguards?

Although Jiang Xue's thoughts were basically a complaint about Han Fulai's inexplicable behavior, Han Fulai did think half of it—the captain of the Kanria Palace Guard and the commander of the Thousand Rock Army, two great generals, are serving me. How fortunate am I?

Dain suddenly spoke up: "These ruins probably have no necessary connection to Kanria. The closer I get, the more certain I am that these ruins originated from an even more ancient civilization, which was simply discovered by the 'Abyss Order' first. However, the architectural structure here does resemble Kanria in the past, hmm... it would look even more like it if you turned it upside down."

In other words, Kanria imitated the architectural style of ancient civilizations, but Kanria's buildings are generally not upside down. The "Abyss Order," however, modified this ruin. Han Fulai silently noted this information.

After walking for a while, this time it was Dain who stopped.

Before them lay a rudimentary camp, with huge water basins, ashes from a campfire, tattered tents, broken wooden crates, and even some old weapons, mostly crudely made wooden sticks or wooden poles with iron plates inlaid on them.

“This is a Hilichurl camp,” Han Fulai said, stating his observations.

These traces of life were left behind by the missing Hilichurls. Some Hilichurl footprints can still be seen on the ground, indicating that a group of Hilichurls lived here a few days ago.

Now these Hilichurls have abandoned their weapons and disappeared into the depths of the ruins.

Dain stared at the ruins for a long time before finally speaking, "Do you know about... the 'Curse of Immortality'?"

“I’ve heard a little about it. I’ve heard that every citizen of Kanria is cursed with an ‘immortality curse’.” Han Fulai nodded expressionlessly.

As a time traveler, he was aware of relevant information in this regard.

Dainesreb was the last captain of the court guard of Kanria, which fell five hundred years ago. In terms of age, he was over five hundred years old, yet he still retained the appearance of his youth.

This is the "curse of immortality".

However, the Kanria survivors like Dainesreb, who are afflicted with the "curse of immortality" yet still largely retain their original appearance and consciousness, are exceptional cases among exceptional cases.

The remaining inhabitants of Kanriar were almost all transformed into Hilichurls under the influence of the curse. Although not all Hilichurls are Kanriar citizens, the Hilichurls they usually see, and even those he, Shenhe, and Keqing killed in Guili Plain and Dihua Island, may have been Kanriar citizens.

However, Han Fulai didn't feel guilty about it at all—not to mention Hilichurls, who are already considered monsters, even if a human wanted to kill him, his counterattack would be considered self-defense.

The ancient Chinese school of martial arts states, "The method of the mind is the law of punishment."

Dain glanced at Han Fulai, then turned his gaze back to the ruins of the camp, or more precisely, to the center of the huge basin in the camp.

"...The environment here is weakening the effects of the 'curse'."

“So that’s why those Hilichurls come here…” Han Fulai said this not while looking at Dai Yin, but at Jiang Xue.

Several days earlier, on the day he was attacked by Hilichurls and "Relic Hunters" in Dihua Isle, Jiang Xue had said—

"I am very familiar with monsters and their logic, so I can guess what they are."

On the day the "Seven Star Formation" was dispelled, Jiang Xue asked him a thought-provoking question—

"Brother Fulai, if one day you find that your hands are stained with blood, will you regret it?"

This is how Han Fulai answered at the time—

“If it’s something I should do, I’ll do it even if it gets my hands stained with blood.”

Perhaps soon, it will be time for him to put this answer into practice.

“For hundreds of years, the pain of the curse has haunted me every day. But here, my body has been able to catch its breath for a moment. At this moment, my body is expressing a strong desire to me, which is to stay.”

Dain touched the half of the mask on her face, seemingly trying to calm her emotions.

Do you know why Hilichurls wear masks?

Neither Han Fulai nor Jiang Xue answered, and Dai Yin hadn't expected to hear their response anyway.

Beneath the mask, a blue eye stared at the water basin left behind by the Hilichurl.

"Because they are all avoiding their current appearance, afraid of their reflection in the water... After all, compared to themselves in their memories, it is too ugly and too hopeless."

Dain lowered her hand.

"'The Curse of Immortality' is not truly permanent 'immortality.' Under the effect of 'wear and tear,' the soul and body will still be worn away, even if not in the form of 'death.' When those Hilichurls realize that their end is near, they seem to instinctively seek a quiet and dark corner to bid farewell to centuries of suffering. And this place, which can weaken the effect of the curse, must be the best coffin for them."

Han Fulai then remembered something—

When the Abyss Singers asked them why they were tolling the death knell, Jiang Xue replied, "We want to pay homage to the holy site."

"Mr. Dain, you just said that the 'Abyss Order' got there first. Is the weakening effect of the 'curse' that you are feeling now due to the power of the ruins themselves, or is it due to the modifications made by the 'Abyss Order'?" Han Fulai asked.

“That’s what I’m trying to find out as well. But as far as I know, the ‘Abyss Order’ doesn’t yet possess the technology to achieve a similar effect.” Dain looked at Han Fulai seriously, his meaning clear—I’m cooperating with you to find out this technology.

This technology, which weakens the "curse of immortality," is extremely important, both for Dainesreb himself and for the Kanria citizens who have become Hilichurls. For Dainesreb, the last captain of the Kanria court guard, finding this technology to help his former people may be a responsibility and an obligation.

Five hundred years ago, he failed to prevent the destruction of his country, so at least five hundred years later, he wanted to liberate his people from the torment of the curse.

Jiang Xue's face was gloomy. Dai Yin's words reminded him of many things from the past.

Han Fulai then confirmed one thing.

—Dain's arrival here was all preordained.

As Dain said, the Abyss Order controlled the "teleportation network," allowing them to set up teleportation nodes at will and manipulate the exits of portals according to their wishes.

So it is no coincidence that Dain was teleported to the Abyss of Rocks, a place he had never set foot in before, and to the entrance of this ruin!

If a certain Abyss Apostle acted as bait, revealing his presence to Dain, pretending to be driven to the brink of despair by him and then escaping into the portal, thus luring Dain to follow—all of this makes sense.

Even if Han Fulai didn't try to persuade Dain, when Dain was teleported to the entrance of this ruin, he was destined to step into it.

Because at the entrance of this ruin, Dain saw a "Black Serpent Knight" who retained a complete self-awareness and was able to communicate with him! At the same time, Dain could also sense that this ruin possessed the power to weaken the "Curse of Immortality"!

"...Is this your plan? 'The Abyss Order,' and Ye Mingxiang..." Han Fulai murmured to himself.

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Ye Mingxiang revealed too much information in that battle just now.

Han Fulai now understands very well that he has grasped a key point.

Han Fulai put his hand on Jiang Xue's shoulder.

Jiang Xue was taken aback.

"Senior Jiang Xue, you are not a failure."

Han Fulai said softly, tapping his temple with his other hand, "And I am not stupid either."

Chapter 200 A Futile Sacrifice (Bonus Chapter 2/20)

Jiang Xue looked slightly surprised upon hearing this.

He knew what Han Fulai was referring to, but he was surprised that Han Fulai would suddenly bring up the battle with his senior brother Ye Mingxiang at this moment.

However, Han Fulai clearly did not intend to explain, because Daines Reb was also listening to their conversation.

Daines Reeb frowned; he could tell that Han Fulai was hiding something from him—but he wasn't completely open either.

The cooperation between the two parties is based on a common goal. Giving each other some privacy is good for everyone.

Noticing Dain's gaze, Han Fulai smiled and changed the subject: "Mr. Dain, let's head straight for that 'clock tower'."

The "bell tower" that Han Fulai mentioned is the most central and prominent building in this inverted group of ruins.

When he jumped down from the passage opened by the "Wishing Stone," he could vaguely glimpse the upside-down "clock tower" through the black mist barrier.

The black mist barrier could isolate sounds from both inside and outside; they couldn't hear Yelan ringing the bell from the outside at all. However, even through two layers of black mist barriers, he could see the "bell tower" with the naked eye from the outside—clearly, if this ruin had any special power, then the "bell tower" was the most unique architectural feature.

"...You can sense the source of the power?" Dain raised an eyebrow.

In his eyes, Han Fulai, this "descendant," had more and more special characteristics.

"It's not based on feeling, it's based on... tiny gray brain cells." Han Fulai tapped his temples again with his fingers.

“But that ‘clock tower’ is probably protected by some kind of special power. And…” Dain hesitated.

Han Fulai smiled and waved his hand, "I believe that with your and Senior Jiang Xue's strength, we will definitely be able to overcome this small obstacle. I can guarantee that we will be able to find the power that weakens the 'curse'."

"Oh?" Din raised an eyebrow again. "Is this also thanks to 'tiny gray brain cells'?"

“Yes.” Han Fulai’s expression was very relaxed, as if he were stating an axiom like “one plus one equals two.”

"I see..." After thinking for a moment, Dain decided to follow Han Fulai's advice.

Although Dains Reeb didn't know the basis for Han Fulai's statement, sometimes confidence can be contagious. And the confidence Han Fulai displayed told Dains that, at least, Han Fulai himself believed every word he said.

The deeper you go into the ruins, the fewer torches there are. By the time you reach the vicinity of the "clock tower," which is equivalent to the "city center," the torchlight has completely disappeared.

The entire central area was shrouded in darkness, and the "Lumen Stone" catalyst in Jiang Xue's hand once again became their only source of light.

Apart from that, only the top of the "clock tower" emitted a faint light—not the orange-red glow of a torch, nor the white light of "lumen," but a cool, deep blue glow, like the ocean.

Along the way, they saw scattered traces of Hilichurls' lives, such as wooden boxes containing uneaten meat and ashes from campfires, but they never saw a single Hilichurl.

However, Dain could clearly sense through the "Curse of Immortality" on his body that this "Clock Tower" was indeed a special place, and the power to weaken the curse was coming from the blue light at the top of the "Clock Tower".

The three of them walked for a while through a passage in an inverted building that connected to the "clock tower" and finally entered the ground floor of the "clock tower".

Under normal circumstances, their location should be the spire of the "clock tower," but now it has become the inverted "first floor."

Fortunately, stairs can be climbed whether you go forwards or backwards.

They climbed another level up the spiral staircase—the "small obstacle" that Han Fulai had mentioned also appeared on this level.

A combat squad of three "Dark Shells"—one bow, one gun, one flag—is guarding the entrance.

The moment Daines Reeb stepped onto this level, he was subjected to a barrage of attacks.

Frost arrows, flame banners, and wave spears—three elemental attacks came one after another, their coordination seamless.

If Han Fulai didn't have the Jade Shield, he certainly wouldn't be able to withstand such an attack. Even Jiang Xue would have to avoid such a coordinated attack.

But Daines Reb did not dodge at all.

He raised his right hand, palm outstretched, and the blue flames he had used to dissolve the black mist barrier reappeared.

Moreover, this time, the flames in his palm rose higher than a person, covering his body and blocking all of the opponent's attacks.

Upon seeing the blue flames, the three "Dark Shells" all retreated, seemingly in fear of the blue fire in his hand. But soon, the "Dark Shell" holding the flame banner waved the banner in his hand and suddenly roared to the sky.

Jiang Xue and Han Fulai, who followed them up, witnessed the scene of the three "Dark Shells" roaring to the sky in unison.

Their roars were low and hoarse, like muffled sounds coming from the depths of the earth. Han Fulai couldn't understand what they were roaring, but the roars conveyed a sense of tragedy and desolation.

Then, as if they had reached some kind of consensus, the three "dark shells" rushed towards Daines Reeb and the blue flame in his hand like moths to a flame.

Daines Reb said nothing, but simply made the blue flame in his hand burn even more intensely.

The moth that flies into the flame will die.

Three “dark shells” lunged at Daines Reeb, only to meet the same fate: death.

No one knows how hot the blue flame is.

Han Fulai saw the "Dark Shell" holding a bow transform his longbow into an ice shield and be the first to rush into the range of blue flames.