"No problem, I know this isn't easy to inquire about. Have the members of the Ghoul Squad keep an eye out..." Bai Ye's words suddenly stopped as he looked at Gao Ming in surprise. "Wait, you said you know?"
"Yeah, I know," Gao Ming replied. "This matter actually concerns you."
Bai Ye looked stunned. "Me?"
"Didn't you ask me to investigate Liu Shiyue?" Gao Ming asked.
Bai Ye nodded. "Is there any new information?"
"Not really," Gao Ming said. "Liu Shiyue is still in the area I mentioned last time. She's currently building a ship and heading out to sea with the captured sea beasts. To be precise, she's been at sea for a week."
Bai Ye asked, "So, what does this have to do with what I'm talking about?"
"It doesn't have anything to do with Liu Shiyue," Gao Ming said. "However, when I sent people to keep an eye on Liu Shiyue, they followed her out to sea and discovered a place called Fang Hu."
Bai Ye raised an eyebrow. "Not a cultivation area?"
"Definitely not," Gao Ming stated. "The reason that place is inaccessible is because there's a rider on a turtle roaming the perimeter. This guy is incredibly strong, and you can't enter Fang Hu without defeating him."
Bai Ye questioned, "Your people didn't go in, so how did you determine it's not a cultivation area?"
Gao Ming explained, "Firstly, there's something wrong with the turtle the rider is on. It's not an ordinary turtle, but a giant mechanical turtle. When we fought, missiles and energy beams were flying everywhere. I feel like this thing is a small mech, so why would the area it guards be a cultivation area?"
"Secondly, that place is inaccessible and shrouded in mist. But when the weather is clear, you can vaguely see some of the scenery inside. How should I put it? The architecture there is ancient-style, but..."
Gao Ming scratched his head, unsure how to describe it, and after a moment of thought, continued.
"But, it has a very strong cyberpunk vibe."
"Huh?" Bai Ye exclaimed. "Ancient style? Cyberpunk? Those two terms are quite far apart."
Gao Ming clarified, "The architectural style is ancient, but it's actually in a futuristic technological style."
Bai Ye became even more confused. Aren't those two terms antonyms?
Ancient style is definitely retro, while future technology naturally symbolizes the future.
If viewed on a timeline, they are in completely opposite directions. How can they be combined?
Gao Ming said helplessly, "I don't know how to explain it, but it definitely doesn't look like the traditional immortal island Fang Hu."
Bai Ye mused, "Have your people draw a picture for me later."
Gao Ming nodded. "Sure."
Jin Sha, Liu Shiyue, the Summit War, the overseas Fang Hu...
It seems I really need to go out to sea.
Just then, celebratory cheers erupted from the front. It was Liang Jie leading his team to defeat General Dong.
Liang Jie walked towards Bai Ye and Gao Ming with a smile. "We got lucky. Two red-quality items, and both are quite good."
Bai Ye nodded. "Let's go, next one."
The group moved to find the next boss. The battle went smoothly, and the Cang Long Guild didn't show up to cause trouble.
Gao Ming pondered, "The two game instances on the third floor are for five and seven players respectively. Based on the instance refresh times, the other party probably hasn't been in for too long and hasn't cleared them yet. So, after accounting for those people, Wang Ling's team is likely all their remaining manpower."
Bai Ye nodded, understanding Gao Ming's point.
The other members of the Cang Long Guild were tied up in the game instances. If Wang Ling was leading everyone, they would naturally not dare to cause trouble again after being beaten by Bai Ye.
After successfully taking down the second boss, Crimson Tongue, Bai Ye checked the time. "Let's go, we'll go find the Earth Spider."
Gao Ming asked, "Going now?"
"I'm busy. I don't have that much time to waste," Bai Ye replied. "My plan is to resolve your issues within two days."
That was a rather bold statement, considering they had to tackle a boss and confront the Cang Long Guild.
But for some reason, Gao Ming found Bai Ye's words quite convincing.
In fact, in a way, efficiency is indeed a very crucial word.
If others take a week to clear a forbidden zone, and you clear it in just three days, you naturally have more time to clear more forbidden zones and obtain more items and God Stone fragments.
That's efficiency.
Of course, having strength leads to efficiency, and efficiency leads to strength.
Therefore, Gao Ming felt that Bai Ye's confidence was justified, and it was indeed a good opportunity since the Cang Long Guild was preoccupied.
The Earth Spider was a hidden boss. If the Cang Long Guild knew about it, they would definitely intervene.
Gao Ming urged, "Then let's hurry."
The Earth Spider's location was also on the outskirts of the town.
It was an independent wild area with a temple, but the temple was long abandoned, showing signs of decay everywhere.
The torii gates and stone statues had collapsed, the temple roof was tattered, and the doors and windows were drafty.
As for why it was a hidden boss, the reason was that to kill the Earth Spider, one had to complete a hidden quest and obtain an Yin-Yang Talisman to make the Earth Spider appear.
However, if there was no hidden quest, one could force their way in, which was also a concern for the Cang Long Guild's interference.
But...
Bai Ye actually wanted to tell Gao Ming that even without the Cang Long Guild, his group of weaklings wouldn't be able to defeat the Earth Spider, as it was a hidden boss after all.
Upon arriving in front of the temple, Bai Ye instructed Gao Ming, "Have them use the Yin-Yang Talisman and then retreat to the very edge."
Gao Ming asked, "Are you going in alone again?"
Bai Ye replied, "If your people want to join, they can come play too."
Gao Ming nodded, then had someone use the Yin-Yang Talisman.
A member of the Ghoul Squad quickly produced the Yin-Yang Talisman. The method of use was similar to a Taoist charm. After drawing a pentagram in the air with the talisman, it ignited, and then...
"Who dares disturb my slumber?"
Suddenly, the surrounding space began to vibrate.
The ground trembled, making it difficult for everyone to stand. Dust fell from the surrounding buildings, and the torii gate on the road leading there began to collapse again.
Suddenly, the ground let out a loud roar and a large hole burst open.
A giant spider leg emerged from underground and slashed towards everyone.
With a boom!
The ground shattered, creating a massive裂缝.
The immense impact generated a shockwave that sent the members of the Ghoul Squad flying in all directions, crashing down.
Bai Ye looked at Gao Ming and asked, "How was it? Still want to play?"
Gao Ming awkwardly scratched his head, got up from the ground, and decisively led his people back to the entrance. "You go ahead, you go ahead. We'll just watch, we definitely won't go in."