"Xiao Xiang."
Tianyang waved to him and the little boy ran over. Because of running, Xiaoxiang's face turned red and his forehead was covered with sweat.
"What's the matter, Brother Tianyang?"
Tianyang pointed at the winged snake wood carving in his hand: "Where did this come from?"
"My father just gave it to me, saying it's my birthday present, even though my birthday hasn't come yet." Xiao Xiang shook the winged snake in his hand, "How is it, Brother Tianyang? Does it look good?"
Tianyang didn't say anything, rubbed the little boy's head, stood up, and immediately went to find Zhang Rui.
At this time, Zhang Rui just came back, and he was full of worries.
"Boss Zhang."
Tianyang called him.
Zhang Rui stopped and looked up to see that it was Tianyang. He forced a smile on his face and said, "Tianyang, are you still worried about Miss Yueguang?"
Tianyang nodded, then pointed at the winged snake statue in Xiaoxiang's hand and said, "Where did you get this?"
Zhang Rui nodded towards the woods and said, "When I came back, I saw this thing hanging on a door. I thought it was interesting, so I bought it for Xiaoxiang. What's wrong?"
Tian Yang's eyes lit up, and he grabbed Zhang Rui's hand: "Take me to find this family. Perhaps, that is the key to solving Yue Guang and other people's 'loss of essence'!"
Zhang Rui didn't dare to delay after hearing this. However, he still cautiously informed Tu Moshan. When Tu Moshan heard the news, he ignored the news and took Ma Liangji and Tianyang back to the settlement.
In the settlement, upon hearing that Tu Moshan and his companions had arrived again, Aliwang, wearing his clothes, came to the square surrounded by several lean men.
Seeing Tu Moshan, the man in his 50s looked puzzled: "Mr. Tu, what are you doing?"
Tu Moshan took out the winged snake statue Zhang Rui gave him and said, "Aliwang, this is yours, right?"
Aliwang took it and looked at it, then nodded and said, "Yes, what's wrong?"
Tianyang came out and said, "Why did you carve this kind of image? Have you ever seen a winged snake like this, or something similar?"
Aliwang and the others all had smiles on their faces.
Aliwang said: "This is a winged snake. Legend has it that it is the guardian of the ancient city."
"Ancient city?"
Tianyang frowned: "Are you referring to the city that has sunk into the ground that you often explore?"
"Yes, that's it. A long time ago, it was said that a winged snake was worshipped in that city, and the people in the city called it the 'Winged Serpent God'. We found many similar images there, which were shaped into handicrafts or decorated on pillars and doors."
"We speculate that it might be a kind of evil god, but somehow it can coexist with the residents of the city. In some records we found, there was information about the 'Winged Serpent God' fighting other evil gods in order to protect the city."
Tianyang didn't care at all whether this thing was a divine evil or whether it had protected the city. He only knew that when he used dark particles to devour the snake scales on Yueguang's body, he saw some illusions.
In there, he saw the ruins of a hall-like thing, winged snakes carved on the pillars, and half-human, half-snake creatures pouncing towards him.
And now, Aliwang actually said that there are records of winged snakes in that ancient city. Does this mean that the culprit of the "loss of essence syndrome" is hidden in the ancient city
That thing is the same as the god believed by the Lord of Harvest Castle
What is the connection? Why would the "loss of essence syndrome" spread to the fortress
And now it seems that the "loss of essence syndrome" has begun to radiate and spread to the surrounding areas. If it is not suppressed, it is likely to spread to other areas and other fortresses.
"Is there a collapsed hall in the ancient city you often explore?"
Tianyang tried his best to recall the details he saw in the illusion: "It has many collapsed and remaining pillars. On top of those pillars, there are carvings of winged snakes."
"That place seems to be quite humid, and there is some fluorescent grass growing there. That's about it. I can't provide any more clues."
Aliwang and his companions looked at Tianyang in surprise. After they exchanged glances, Aliwang asked, "My dear little brother, have you ever been into the underground ancient city? Otherwise, how do you know about the Snake Temple?"
"That was the place where the Winged Serpent God was worshipped in the city in the past. However, they did not use living people as sacrifices. Instead, they sacrificed some pigs, sheep and the like. We have found many livestock skeletons there, but no human remains. That's why we dare to make such a judgment."
When Tian Yang heard this, he blurted out: "Take me there."
Aliwang was startled, and the men behind him also showed fear. After a while, Aliwang smiled bitterly.
"Little brother, that place is very dangerous, and it is deep in the ancient underground city. We were able to explore the Serpent Temple that time because of some accidental reasons."
"Like you said, it's very humid there, and some low-lying areas are flooded. Also, there are snakes there, lots of snakes, even a mountain python as thick as an oil barrel."
"We had a hard fight before we managed to escape. I don't think anyone would dare to take you to that place."
Tian Yang said in a deep voice: "Even if there is a possibility to cure the 'loss of essence syndrome' there, you are not willing to take the risk?"
Aliwang was stunned for a moment, then he exclaimed: "If we go to that city, will it be possible to solve the 'loss of essence syndrome'?"
"Yes, that's right. And I don't need you to enter the Serpent Temple. Just take me there. I will handle the rest myself. You can go back first and don't have to wait for me."
Tianyang can use the 'Gate of the Crack' to return to the ground when necessary. If he lets someone follow him, it would be a burden.
Aliwang and his companions hesitated.
Tu Moshan also chimed in, "Aliwang, dad is still lying down, and more than a dozen of you have contracted 'Anastasis Syndrome', don't you want to save them?"
Aliwang said loudly: "Of course I want to save them, but it is not easy to get to the Snake Temple. There are several dangerous places on the way, and those who can reach the Snake Temple must be the best explorers here. Each of them is very valuable to our settlement."
"They are even more valuable than some of the patients. I would rather lose some people than put such talents at risk."
He did this out of consideration for the continuation of the settlement.
Tu Moshan stepped forward and said, "Aliwang, I understand your judgment. However, the number of patients with 'loss of essence' will increase. If the problem is not solved at the source, sooner or later, your outstanding explorers will also lie in bed unconscious."
"Think about it, it's better to take risks now than to try to fight later but be powerless."
After hearing what he said, Aliwang looked a little hesitant.
"I'll take you there!"
A crisp voice rang out from the wooden building behind the small square.
Huang Li, she came out, her eyes determined: "I know how to get to the Snake Temple. I have been to the underground ancient city several times. I am sure I can take you in."
"no!"
Aliwang shouted, "What will happen to you? How am I going to explain this to my father?"
The little girl insisted, "But if I don't go, grandpa will probably never wake up!"
"Ah..." Aliwang sighed and said, "Don't go, I'll go!"
This time it was Huangli's turn to be scared: "No, Uncle Aliwang, we still need you here. If something happens to you and grandpa can't wake up, then our settlement will be finished."
"I go!"
Behind Aliwang, a young man wearing a red headscarf who looked only about 23 or 24 years old walked out. His thin face showed a resolute expression. “Let me go. I know how to get to the Snake Temple. Besides, Uncle Aliwang doesn’t have to take any risks.”
"Mr. Tu and the others are right. Instead of praying that the 'loss of essence syndrome' doesn't come, it's better to solve it at the source. Also, we should do it while we are still able to move around. Don't wait until everyone lies down. It will be too late to regret then."
Aliwang seemed convinced by him. He looked at him seriously, and finally nodded and said, "Shihuo, take a few brothers with you. Remember, no matter what, you must come back in good shape, without missing a single one."
The young man named Shi Huo smiled simply: "I understand, uncle."
Aliwang then said, "Then let Shihuo bring a few smart guys to take you in. But it's already dark now, it's too dangerous to go down at night, and there's no rush anyway, so wait until daybreak, then you can go down."
"You will stay here tonight and set out early tomorrow morning."
Tianyang and the others exchanged glances and expressed their agreement.
When they were arranged to stay in a small building, Fatty and Liu Ya from the White Moonlight Hunting Team also arrived.
The fat man's name is 'Fusheng', a very auspicious name. He said to Tianyang as soon as he opened his mouth: "We all heard that you are going to the underground ancient city to find the Snake Temple. We two want to go with you and contribute a little."
The two of them, one is a level 4 fortress, the other is a level 4 hunter, they are mid-level ascenders. Tianyang knew that even if he sent them back, they would secretly follow him, so it would be better to bring them with him openly.
"Okay, but there's one thing. Once you get in, you have to follow my instructions. If you can't do that, go back immediately."
The two exchanged glances, and Liu Ya said "hmm" and made a sign language to show his approval.
"That's it, it's late now, let's rest first and set off tomorrow morning." Tianyang patted the fat man Fusheng on the shoulder, arranged a room for them in the wooden building, and went back to his room.
After closing the door, Tianyang opened the door through the crack and went to the collection room in the drifting town to get some relics.
This time he was not travelling alone, so he did not plan to bring any relics like 'Ice Sorrow' which made too much noise.
Tianyang brought the 'Hand of Pain', 'Howling Copper Whistle', 'Confusion Dominoes', 'Time Hourglass', and the 'Revenge Magic Crystal' that he already had with him.
The abilities of these relics are relatively hidden and tend to be auxiliary. Even if they are displayed in front of everyone, they will be regarded as items with special abilities.
After choosing his 'equipment', Tianyang returned to the house, lay down on the straw mat, and fell into a deep sleep...
PS: I wish you all a happy Chinese Valentine's Day. In addition, a friendly reminder, remember to check your health code before kissing~