Chapter 414
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Chapter 414: Investigation
In Chord City, there were numerous shops specializing in magical items. Virtually anything found within the Air Alliance could be found in Chord City as well.
Even in recent years, Night Union’s specialty, the “magic chip,” had become available for purchase. However, most magicians from the Air Alliance were unfamiliar with it, and those with unmodified bodies were unable to have the chip installed.
Just two blocks away from the “Triumph” hotel stood a very famous magical item shop, renowned throughout Chord City. Due to the high prices of the magical items here, the shop wasn’t frequented often on regular days.
The shop owner was an exceptionally handsome man, his features more beautiful than many women’s. However, he disliked being mistaken for one.
“Hello.”
Mu Ling slowly entered the shop, observing the array of magical items displayed on the shelves. She noticed there were no cheap items and understood that the shop owner had impeccable taste. Some of the cursed magic items here were as powerful as high-level relics, though their prices remained unknown.
“Oh, what a beautiful girl!” the shop owner exclaimed, walking over with a smile. His delicate and gentle aura made him appear even more like a woman at first glance.
“Are you looking to buy something, or would you prefer to browse?”
Mu Ling paused for a moment, then got straight to the point. “I’m not here to buy anything. I heard you’ve been having strange dreams recently… Dreams about a white flame.”
The shop owner’s expression shifted instantly.
“Is that true?” Mu Ling asked.
“That never happened!” The shop owner shook his head, his voice tinged with caution. “Who told you that?”
In the realm of dreams, which is a mysterious and essential dimension, the dreams of extraordinary individuals often carried deep meanings. As a result, it was generally considered unwise to share one’s dreams with strangers.
“It doesn’t matter who said it. What matters is that the information I received is accurate,” Mu Ling calmly responded.
In truth, she hadn’t just “heard” it—she had obtained the information directly from Maryse.
The shopkeeper’s face grew darker. “If you’re here to buy something, I can gladly explain. These magical items can make you invisible, help you kill, or save lives. They are rare treasures. But if you’re here to spread nonsense, please leave!”
Suddenly, a clever and playful voice sounded behind him.
“Hehe, you have no say in this.”
A small hand appeared from nowhere and gently touched the shopkeeper’s shoulder, leaving him utterly bewildered.
The shopkeeper, a powerful figure at the Crown level in Chord City, was one of the renowned strong individuals. Otherwise, Mu Ling wouldn’t have been working with Maryse for this particular performance.
As she appeared behind the shopkeeper, Maryse let out a mischievous laugh, rummaging through the thoughts and memories in the shopkeeper’s soul.
“Hehehe… This guy definitely dreamed of that flame. It seems like there are already hundreds, if not thousands, who’ve dreamed of the Blank Fire. Is time running out?” Maryse murmured, her smile fading as she furrowed her brow.
“We still have time,” Mu Ling replied, shaking her head gently. “The Savior has already foreseen the consequences beyond the timeline. Sending us here means we can prevent what’s coming.”
Maryse, in disbelief, pondered for a moment. “The Savior having perfect strategies to save the World… It sounds illogical.”
After a brief silence, Mu Ling sarcastically commented, “Mu Ling, you’re really good at flattery. But what if the Respected Savior doesn’t hear it? Isn’t it a waste of effort?”
“I’m just telling the truth,” Mu Ling said seriously. “After all the missions, haven’t you realized? The Respected Savior has the ability to see the future.”
Maryse froze for a moment, then, after a long pause, responded in astonishment, “It… actually seems that way. There’s a possibility!”
“So, I’m speaking the truth, not flattering,” Mu Ling said confidently.
To her surprise, Maryse shook her head. “No, no, no, Mu Ling. In our eyes, you’re already a loyal follower of the Respected Savior. It’s too late to say anything now!”
Mu Ling hesitated, but eventually spoke up, “I admire the Respected Savior. Their power, magnanimity, and everything they’ve given me are worthy of admiration. The Respected Savior has changed my life and countless others.”
“Don’t you also owe your salvation to the Savior?” Maryse asked quietly, reflecting on her past life of confinement. She nodded, not denying it.
“Yes,” Maryse said softly. “His kindness is beyond measure, and the benefits He gives are vast. Serving Him as loyal followers is an honor.”
“What kind of dog is that?” Mu Ling shook her head and frowned. “We were chosen by the Savior, destined to be heroes who will save the World. This is glory.”
Maryse narrowed her eyes and nodded. “Hmm, hold off on calling yourself Doggie #1. Good news! I’ve found something about Doggie #2.”
In the spacious lounge on the second floor of the Triumph Hotel, Profligate Bai Yan sat on the sofa, joyfully smiling.
“Indeed, very important information. Well done.”
He gently touched Maryse’s head, nodding approvingly.
“Once they discovered the identity of the person who spread the infection from the shopkeeper’s memories, things became easier. By cutting off the source, we might solve everything.”
Maryse had uncovered a crucial clue in the shopkeeper’s memories. The shopkeeper didn’t initially dream of the Blank Fire, but after meeting someone—a man in white who had come to purchase magical items—the situation changed. The shopkeeper couldn’t recall much, but Maryse had recreated the scene in his memory. The man had selected a few defensive items before locking eyes with the shopkeeper. The “gaze” lasted for over two minutes. Afterward, the shopkeeper began having constant dreams about the Blank Fire.
Mu Ling analyzed, “It seems this is part of the ritual for the descent. In the shopkeeper’s memory, the gaze was the moment the meme began to spread.”
Bai Yan nodded. “Next, we need to quickly find the person who planted this ‘seed.’ They will assist us.”
He got up and left the resting room, heading to Mr. World’s room. As soon as they reached the door, it opened automatically. Bai Yan walked in without hesitation and saw Mr. “World” standing confidently on the balcony, hands behind his back.
“Clue,” Bai Yan said, stretching out his hand. A blue thread appeared in his palm, sending the “memory” directly into Mr. “World’s” mind.
“I understand now,” Mr. “World” whispered, nodding, and summoned the Picture of Time.
“The Picture of Time, show me the truth. Reveal the place of the people in my memory.”
Mr. “World’s” face aged once more as the Picture quickly provided new answers.
Location found!
Bai Yan smiled. “A delightful cooperation.”
Mu Ling, Maryse, “Justice,” and “Power” formed a team and traveled to the location indicated by the Picture of Time.
“This is it.”
They arrived outside a house and immediately surrounded the target’s location.
Maryse exclaimed, “North! Let’s go! It’s decided, it’s going to be you!”
North, also known as Miss Justice, was a rare high elf with similar abilities to Maryse. Though Maryse’s lineage wasn’t pure, North didn’t discriminate.
However, Maryse’s mind was not that of a typical young girl, while North, in both appearance and inner thoughts, was still very much a genuine young girl.
“Don’t boss me around!” North said aloud, but before she could finish, the white-clothed man appeared out of nowhere, his face full of fear, as if just awakened.
“Who are you? What is happening? What do you want with me?”
Mu Ling and the others exchanged glances in confusion.
“What’s going on with this person?” wondered Blank Fire’s spreader.
The White Lion “Power” shook its head. “This guy doesn’t seem like the mastermind behind everything. Could your boss have given the wrong information?”
Maryse quickly retorted, “Did you finish farting?! It’s your boss who got the wrong spot!”
“Enough!” Miss Justice, North, shouted angrily.
Maryse stretched her thin little
legs, intending to give North a
kick, but Mu Ling held her
back.
“Let’s not make a fuss. Let’s
investigate his memory first,”
Mu Ling said calmly.
Maryse reluctantly agreed,
opening her eyes after
investigating the target’s
memories. “This person’s
memories are nearly identical
to that shopkeeper’s. After a
stranger locked eyes with
them for two minutes, they
started having dreams of that
white flame. What a puzzle!”
“I understand now,” Mu Ling
muttered to herself.
The White Lion nodded. “It’s
the process of meme
propagation. Those who
spread it are victims
themselves, unaware of the
true situation.”
Maryse looked at the confused
man. “Should we put him
back?”
Mu Ling nodded. “Yes, he and
the shopkeeper are both
unaware of the situation.”
“North, go, put him back,”
Maryse instructed, sticking out
her tongue at Miss Justice.
North grumbled but obediently
sent the man back.
As the group resumed their
investigation, the White Lion
asked, “What’s next? Shall we
continue our search?”
Mu Ling shook her head. “We
will eventually uncover the first
cause behind the Blank Fire
phenomenon.”
“But do we have time for that?”
the White Lion questioned,
frustrated by the slow pace.
Mu Ling smiled, already
planning the next move. “We’ll
make our investigation more
efficient.”
In the Triumph Hotel, Bai Yan
nodded. “Mu Ling’s idea is
good… Searching for the ‘First
Cause’ from the dream world
would be much faster.”
The Babel Tower and Imperial
Guards gathered in a room to
discuss the Blank Fire.
Mr. World remained silent, but
the White Lion voiced
concerns. “The dream realm
might be dangerous. The
‘Blank Fire’ meme was created
by the gods, and they could
attack us directly.”
Bai Yan remained calm. “It’s
dangerous, yes. But this may
be the only way to eliminate
the meme from the dream
dimension.”
The Babel Tower members
appeared unconcerned, ready
for the dream journey.
“Agreed, let’s go as soon as
possible,” Mr. World said, his
tone natural.
The group nodded, prepared
for what lay ahead.
“Once again, let’s work
together happily,” Bai Yan said,
his smile unwavering. “Let’s
meet in our dreams.”
