Chapter 726 - Real And Fake (1/2)

”You mean that there's something strange about this city ruin?” Long Yuehong could decipher what the calm and rational Shang Jianyao was trying to express in a relatively easy manner.

Shang Jianyao smiled. ”I'm just giving a simple analysis of the city ruin's current situation and its geographical location.”

”Yes.” Jiang Baimian nodded slightly. ”It's been almost 70 years since the Old World was destroyed. Such unexplored ruins definitely have their own uniqueness. Swamp Ruin 1 is located in the Great Swamp, so it's very difficult to find it. Wasteland Ruin 13 is being watched by First City's troops, preventing anyone from entering.

”Relative to them is Ruin 9 of the Blood Wilderness. Although it's filled with danger and many places are forbidden to humans to this day, a large number of Ruin Hunters still swarm over because it's easier to find and because it's not surrounded by any large faction. This resulted in a portion of the city district being 'developed.'”

What she meant was that Tai City was located in an area that was open to every direction in Icefield. The Old Task Force had arrived at their destination without deviating from the roads left behind by the Old World along the way. The Salvation Army had also not sent an army here to watch over the area. The current situation was indeed worth pondering over; there had to be something strange.

It was still understandable if Tai City was located in an area with semi-permafrost deep in Icefield. Ruin Hunters couldn't pass through the layers of obstacles and arrive there using the short summer, causing the city ruin to be well-preserved. However, the current situation violated common sense in any way.

Bai Chen deliberated and said, ”Maybe it's because Icefield is relatively short in season for human operations. After so many years, Ruin Hunters haven't excavated much of the city ruins further south. They lack the motivation to continue north.”

”That's one reason.” Genava analyzed the situation and said, ”However, the probability is very low. This is because the further north we go, the fewer Heartless there are left in the city ruins. That lowers the danger level, allowing more time for people to spend exploring the north. The benefits are higher, and the risks are within better control.”

Winter was unbearable for humans and Heartless hordes alike. The further north one went in Icefield, the worse the situation became.

Jiang Baimian nodded and looked at Shang Jianyao. ”What do you have in mind?”

She had always believed that there was a huge gap between her and Shang Jianyao when it came to imaginative ideas.

She was still considered a normal human.

Shang Jianyao smiled. ”With such a large city ruin here and with the surrounding environment not considered nasty, why would so many Ruin Hunters who hunt and explore north pay it no heed?”

Pay it no heed… Jiang Baimian's heart palpitated as she suddenly made a connection.

Shang Jianyao revealed a gratified expression. ”You do remember.

”Namo Annutara-Samyak-Subhuti. Patron, do you still remember the anomaly in Building 4, Room 302 in the steelworks factory ruins' Residential Zone 2?”

Not only Jiang Baimian, but even Long Yuehong and Bai Chen reacted instantly.

As Genava had never experienced it himself, he spent some time pulling up the relevant information.

Back then, Shang Jianyao and Jiang Baimian saw an ordinary ruin in Room 302.; they didn't discover anything valuable. However, Long Yuehong—who was peeping in from the outside—saw two corpses lying on the bed. They were covered by a red blanket with the dragon and phoenix embroidering.

Finally, Shang Jianyao touched the small jade Buddha at the intersection of reality and illusion under Long Yuehong's instructions and lifted it. This shattered the fake scene he and Jiang Baimian had previously seen and revealed the real situation inside Room 302.

When this matter was connected to Tai City's contradictory phenomena, it naturally gave people a corresponding guess.

Long Yuehong—who was more enthusiastic than before—deliberated and said, ”We entered the real Tai City, and Ruin Hunters saw the fake Tai City. There are no valuable items there, or it's in a difficult-to-develop state, one that makes exploration pointless?”

Bai Chen made a guess as well. ”We were able to enter the true Tai City because we brought special items that originated from a Buddhist Holy Land?”

As Jiang Baimian nodded slightly, Shang Jianyao smiled and took off his tactical backpack. ”I think so too.”

Whoosh!

He found the Six Senses Beads and casually threw them by the roadside. He then picked up the small, lake-green jade Buddha and threw it to the ground.

Jiang Baimian also threw Chaotic Right Hand.

The scene around them didn't change.

”That's a little awkward…” The honest Shang Jianyao mocked himself.

Jiang Baimian looked around and thoughtfully said, ”Maybe it's because we've already entered the true Tai City. Even if we throw away the corresponding items, we won't be under the effect of the illusion.”

She wasn't so sure about the word 'illusion' because she still couldn't figure out the situation.

”Then, what should we do?” Long Yuehong frowned slightly.