That meant that, just like Bai Ze and Luo Jin, whoever was sent to get in their way would get the clue for the next checkpoint as long as they found that gnarled oak tree.
"Let''s speed up."
After he spoke, Dusk elerated even more.
Given that it was clearly a game rule, the only way to ensure that team Mozu wouldn''t interfere was to stay miles ahead of them. To achieve this, they needed to solve the clues as quickly as possible. So they could arrive at the checkpoint faster.
[Descend into the realm where the sun''s warmth fades and twilight reigns eternal. Beneath the shimmering veil of the azure depths, where the stars have fallen and made their home, lies a city forgotten by time. And seek the towering sentinel that stands amidst the ruins.]
They realized the clue was likely pointing to an underwater location. The way it was worded suggested not just any body of water, but probably the vast sea. The problem was, therge continent of Arcadia was surrounded by water. So how on earth were they supposed to figure out where to dive?
The answer seemed to lie in the words that followed. However, Luo Yan wasn''t familiar with any locations in Arcadia beneath the sea''s surface. How could he possibly decipher what the clue was referring to? Shen Ji Yun was in the same predicament.
Fortunately, Su Yuqi quickly solved the clue for the second checkpoint. So, they didn''t have to waste time solving it.
Su Yuqi deduced that the clue was likely pointing to a specific dungeon beneath the sea, situated north of Arcadia. She remembered a dungeon that she and Luo Jin had previously cleared, which aligned perfectly with the clue''s description. The dungeon contained the remnants of an ancient, forgotten city submerged in the depths, where twilight reigned eternal.
At its center stood a towering statue, serving as the dungeon''s boss—just as the clue described a "towering sentinel amidst the ruins."
Convinced by that, they immediately flew north of Arcadia.
Now that they knew their next location, it''s time to help Bai Ze and Luo Jin solved the clue for the next checkpoint of team Mozu.
[In the depths where sunlight barely whispers through the emerald canopy, lies a forgotten shrine of ancient lore. Bound by the grip of time, stone guardians stand vigil amidst the creeping vines. To find your path, follow the serpent''s trail to the ce where shadows dance and echoes of forgotten rituals linger.]
It was clear the clue pointed to a forest. However, unlike their team''s first clue that led them to the Forest of Darkness, team Mozu''s clue was frustratingly vague—much like their own second clue. They were fortunate that Su Yuqi recognized the location referenced in their clue; otherwise, they might still be struggling to figure out where to go.
But given these details, the clue was likely pointing to a hidden, ancient shrine or temple located deep within a jungle or forest. The mention of the serpent''s trail suggested that the path to this shrine might be winding and tricky to navigate.
He shared his guess with Shen Ji Yun and Su Yuqi, knowing there was no point in keeping it to himself. It was better for the three of them to brainstorm together.
"An ancient shrine or temple in a forest..." Shen Ji Yun murmured, clearly deep in thought as he tried to pinpoint the exact location it could be referring to.
"I''ll send it to our team channel. Maybe Ah Jin or that idiot Bai Ze could figure it out," Su Yuqi said and quickly sent it to the team channel.
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Bai Ze, Luo Jin, and Rowan were soaring over the desert, closely tracking any signs of team Mozu. Just then, Su Yuqi''s message came through on the team channel. Bai Ze read it and frowned. Because it sounded familiar.
"Have you thought of something, Brother Ze?" Luo Jin asked when he noticed his cousin deep in thought.
"Yeah. I think I know where the next checkpoint of team Mozu is," Bai Ze said. "I''m just not sure if I''m correct."
"That''s okay. Just tell me," Luo Jin said.
"There''s a ce called Eldergreen Forest, just a few miles from Alryne City," Bai Ze began. "I did a quest there once, and I remember an NPC warning me before I entered the forest: stick to the main path and don''t wander off. If youe across a winding trail, avoid it, because it leads to a cursed temple."
Luo Jin nodded in agreement. "That sounds like it matches the clue''s description. Since we don''t have any other leads, let''s head there."
"But I might be wrong," Bai Ze said, unsure.
"It''s better than nothing," Luo Jin said with a shrug. "Let''s tell the others."
----------
Luo Yan and the others agreed to Bai Ze and Luo Jin''s decision. They also thought that there''s a high chance that team Mozu''s checkpoint.
While the two headed toward Eldergreen Forest, the others were now nearing the sea area north of Arcadia. Upon arrival, Su Yuqi instructed them to jump from the dragon''s back and for Dusk to shift back into his humanoid form. This would allow her to use a skill to encase them in a bubble, enabling them to breathe underwater.
Luo Yan, Shen Ji Yun, and Eclipse followed Su Yuqi''s instructions, while Dusk shifted into his humanoid form. Without hesitation, Su Yuqi activated her skill, encasing them all in a protective bubble. Once secured, the group of five plunged into the water.
"Follow me," Su Yuqi said as she swam down.
The others quickly followed suit, and Su Yuqi activated a skill to enhance their speed as they moved through the water. So, after 10 minutes, they finally saw it—a massive, swirling portal of dark energy hovering just above the seabed.