Chapter 92 – Clue, the Boy in the Town

The interior of the Spider Cave was not only extremely damp but also filled with foul air. Along the way, large amounts of filth had accumulated in the corners, and the stalactites on the cave ceiling lacked the crystalline transparency typically associated with such formations. Instead, the interior of these stalactites seemed to be filled with dirty mist!

Punk was in no hurry to venture deeper into the cave. He carefully summoned a faint, tiny light sphere, barely as bright as a lighter’s flame, and let it float at his fingertip. Then, he crouched down to carefully observe the damp ground.

Such moist ground couldn’t retain clear traces, as most remnants would be eroded beyond recognition by the moisture in the air.

However, as long as this passage was frequently traversed by living creatures, Punk still had a way to find some clues.

Formal-Level Conjuration Spell—Microscopic Vision: Grants the target’s eyes a magnification equivalent to that of a low-power microscope.

To ensure safety, Punk cast this spell on only one eye.

A gray film appeared in front of his right eye. Through this layer of energy film, Punk could clearly see objects as small as cells. The floating particles of dust in the air and the microorganisms wriggling in the filth were all laid bare in minute detail!

Kneeling on the ground to observe, Punk discovered a layer of fine scratches that were only visible under microscopic vision. Judging by the density of these scratches, it seemed that large groups of small arthropod-like creatures frequently passed through here. Only such activity could leave such dense yet remarkably similar marks.

Punk carefully used his crystalline fingernail to pick up a bit of filth from the ground, searching meticulously.

Soon, Punk found what he was looking for—fragments of Duowei Flower!

Duowei Flower was an ingredient used in perfume-making. In this technologically backward world, the common “plant purification extraction technique” simply involved steeping petals in boiled water. Because the petal structure of Duowei Flower was loose, it could easily yield strongly fragrant “plant extraction purification” through this method.

Therefore, Punk speculated that if the entity responsible for making Duowei Flower disappear from the Lush Forest within just a few weeks had indeed transported the flowers somewhere, it would almost inevitably leave behind dropped “fragments” of Duowei Flower along the way!

These tiny “remnants” were completely invisible to the naked eye, but under Punk’s spell, they had nowhere to hide.

Casually flicking the filth from his fingernail, Punk stood up expressionlessly.

Now, it appeared the mystery of “Duowei Flower’s sudden disappearance” had been solved. It seemed a large group of small arthropods had moved all these flowers into the Spider Cave. This also explained why so many Duowei Flowers in the outskirts of the Lush Forest had been “harvested” so thoroughly in such a short time. After all, numerous hardworking insects were undoubtedly far more efficient than lazy harvesting workers who constantly sought to slack off!Punk was currently puzzled about why the other party was harvesting such large quantities of Duowei Flowers. After all, Duowei Flowers were merely ordinary plants with a strong fragrance, completely devoid of any magical components. Theoretically, they couldn’t be used to brew magic potions. Yet the other side was investing significant time and effort into collecting these common blossoms. If anyone claimed there was no scheme behind this, Punk would be the first to disbelieve it.

However, based solely on some “remnants” and scratches, their purpose remained unclear. Considering how blatantly the enemy was operating… Punk secretly felt their plot must be substantial indeed!

Waving away the Microscopic Vision covering his right eye, Punk proceeded deeper into the cave with his golem. Whatever the enemy’s objective might be, their actions were undoubtedly driven by profit. Since it was all about gains, why shouldn’t he turn the tables and claim a share for himself?

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Leaning against a cylindrical marble statue in Nielan Town’s plaza, Dichiduo melodiously chanted exquisite poetry. His fluid voice perfectly conveyed the rhythmic cadence and tonal variations – the cheerful passages fluttered with lark-like agility while the solemn segments carried waterflow-like sorrow and profound weight!

Complemented by harp playing that alternated between subtle elegance and soaring intensity, Dichiduo’s psalmody truly expressed the poetic essence and emotions with impeccable mastery.

Though Dichiduo’s psalmody grew increasingly skilled and beautiful with experience, the townsfolk attending his performances dwindled day by day.

The spread of Tisha Xia’er Church was becoming increasingly rampant, with many young townsfolk unwilling to accept mediocrity “voluntarily” joining this “promising” church.

While the church’s missionaries hadn’t committed any violent acts, their obsessive way of blocking roads with relentless persistence chilled people to the bone. Yet neither Doleiz’s security forces nor priests from other Benevolent God Churches could interfere with this suddenly emerged “Tisha Xia’er Church” – theoretically any deity had the right to spread religion anywhere. Without concrete evidence proving the church belonged to an evil alignment, they couldn’t obstruct its development!

Many townsfolk chose to stay safely indoors to avoid the missionaries who aggressively proselytized by intercepting passersby. Consequently, fewer people came to hear Dichiduo’s psalmody, and correspondingly, his income sharply declined.

Though privately concerned, as a qualified bard Dichiduo couldn’t let personal emotions affect his poetry. Thus his psalmody remained as magnificent and cheerful as ever – now becoming one of the extremely rare “joyful” elements in the increasingly eerie town.

Just as Dichiduo finished a lengthy heroic epic and prepared to bow and retreat, he suddenly spotted a graceful figure emerging from the crowd…

Though he hadn’t seen this figure for so long, Dichiduo knew her intimately. How many times? Countless times since they parted under that tree, he had walked the cobblestone paths with this very figure in his dreams!

“Bilan…”Dichiduo’s lips trembled, silently calling out the name that had occupied his thoughts day and night…

Overjoyed, Dichiduo forgot the numbness in his lips and ignored the dryness in his mouth. Once again, he picked up his harp and leaned against the makeshift stage formed by a marble statue in what he considered his most graceful and charming posture. A lyrical poem he had never sung to anyone since learning it began to resonate beautifully across the Plaza…

Bright star! would I were steadfast as thou art—

Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night,

And watching, with eternal lids apart,

Like nature’s patient, sleepless Eremite,

The moving waters at their priestlike task

Of pure ablution round earth’s human shores,

Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask

Of snow upon the mountains and the moors—

No—yet still steadfast, still unchangeable,

Pillow’d upon my fair love’s ripening breast,

To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,

Awake for ever in a sweet unrest…

(Homage to the great poet John Keats (1795–1821))

For the first time, Dichiduo felt truly merged with poetry. Even life’s hardships and the harassment from fanatical preachers were cast aside, leaving only Bilan’s jade-green beautiful eyes in his heart… deep and bright, like stars in the night sky!

(End of Chapter)