Finally, the group arrived at the Dunhuang ruins.
When Qing Lianzi, He Lanxin, and Zhang Hanshan alighted from their vehicle, many people were already waiting at the entrance for the ruins to open.
Perhaps it was because the Longjing University vehicle had attracted all the sand scorpions away, but none of the other convoys that entered at the same time as Longjing University suffered any casualties. At most, some people were dizzy from the wailing of the sandstorm spirits or bitten by small insects and beasts, requiring them to apply medicinal powder and bandaging.
A female student in the group looked around and tugged on Qing Lianzi's sleeve, asking, "Teacher, why are there also some Daoist ability users here? Aren't these Buddhist ruins?"
"There are many formations and talismans within the ruins, requiring Daoist masters proficient in this field to study and decipher them," Qing Lianzi replied as she searched for a place to rest. "After all, Buddhists are not skilled in such matters, so they always invite some renowned Daoist masters to assist."
Just then, a resonant voice called out, "Daoist Master Qing Lianzi, it has been a long time. Why have you only arrived now? Did something happen in the desert?"
Everyone looked over and saw a kind-faced old monk approaching with several monks. If not for the diamond-studded Rolex on the old monk's wrist... one would surely think he was an enlightened master.
However, Master Wu Hai was never bound by worldly possessions.
"Master Wu Hai," Qing Lianzi, leading the three teachers with their students, bowed. She then introduced to everyone, "This is Abbot Wu Hai of the Shaolin Temple on Mount Song."
"Hahaha—" Wu Hai scanned the crowd and asked with a frown, "Where is Mo Chuan? What's that boy up to again? Why isn't he here?"
"Mo Chuan..." Qing Lianzi's voice was a little hoarse. She walked closer to Wu Hai and said in a low voice, "We accidentally entered the Loulan ruins on the way here... Mo Chuan got separated from us inside..."
"What?!" Wu Hai frowned, chanted a Buddhist phrase, and said, "That boy Mo Chuan is blessed with good fortune and will surely turn misfortune into fortune. If there's anything this poor monk can do to help with your search, I will surely lend a hand."
"Thank you, Master..." Qing Lianzi said with a nod. "We contacted the military when we exited the Loulan ruins. They should already be conducting a search at the incident site..."
Faced with such ancient and strange ruins, even those with heaven-defying abilities were helpless. They could only notify the military to commence a search and pray that Mo Chuan could escape on his own.
After the group settled down, Tang Jingjing found He Lanxin and Zhang Hanshan and rushed into He Lanxin's arms, exclaiming happily, "Lanxin Jie! I haven't seen you in so long! Where have you been!" As she spoke, she nuzzled He Lanxin's chest with her small head, causing the latter's cheeks to blush.
"Let go first..." He Lanxin pushed Tang Jingjing out of her embrace and said, "I've been following a senior to learn cultivation and abilities. I only recently finished my training upon hearing about the ruins opening."
"Oh..." Tang Jingjing nodded, then looked around and asked, "Huh? Where's Mo Chuan? Isn't he coming?"
"Mo Chuan..." He Lanxin hesitated. She didn't know how to tell Tang Jingjing about Mo Chuan's situation, as she was aware of Tang Jingjing's feelings for Mo Chuan. She was afraid that her words would cause Tang Jingjing to be utterly heartbroken.
"We accidentally entered the Loulan ruins in the desert... Chuan Ge got separated from us inside... We got out, but Chuan Ge didn't come out with us." While He Lanxin hesitated, Zhang Hanshan chose to directly state the relatively tactful yet truthful situation.
Upon hearing this, Tang Jingjing's face stiffened. Her vitality seemed to drain away significantly, and she became like a walking corpse. Finally, her eyes became unfocused, her face turned pale, and her lips parted slightly.
There were no tears.
No wailing.
She didn't even try to deceive herself into believing Mo Chuan was alright.
Master Wu Hai, noticing Tang Jingjing's reaction, shook his head and said, "Great laughter is silent, great sorrow is tearless, great enlightenment is wordless... This girl seems to have lost a soul..."
He Lanxin pulled the stiff Tang Jingjing into her arms, trying to coax her into crying, while looking at Zhang Hanshan with a questioning gaze.
"She has to know eventually," Zhang Hanshan said expressionlessly. "Maintaining a well-intentioned lie from the start will only lead to greater hurt in the end."
Everyone fell silent, watching as the poor girl was gradually consumed by sorrow... submerged... and then suffocated...
...
Meanwhile, at the Qingzhou University resting area.
"How is it? Have you found that Mo Chuan I mentioned?" Tang Xing asked, his expression serious but tinged with a hint of fear.
The skinny, monkey-like person in front of him rubbed his hands obsequiously and said, "Young Master Tang! Rest assured! This is absolutely good news!"
"Speak quickly if you have something to say," Tang Xing said, waving his hand impatiently. A胖子 beside him handed him a drink.
"I just overheard them talking. They said the Mo Chuan you were looking for got separated from the group in the Loulan ruins! And they didn't see Mo Chuan when they came out!"
"Now that Tang Jingjing is like a dead person, it's estimated that Mo Chuan is also facing certain death!"
"Hmph, serves him right! Such scum of society should have died long ago." Tang Xing suppressed the surge of ecstasy within him, maintaining an outward expression of disdain and composure.
...
Meanwhile, at the Suzhou University resting area.
A group of people sat in a circle, their backs straight, giving the impression that these teachers and students were not resting.
A paper-folded butterfly slowly flew to the side of a boy in white. The boy opened his eyes slightly, and the butterfly transformed into a letter lying flat before him.
After reading for a moment, the boy let out a cold smile and said to the three leading teachers, "Mo Chuan did indeed enter the Loulan ruins and got separated from the group. He should be trapped and dead in the ruins now."
A male teacher opened his eyes and said, "A young fellow, is it necessary for you to seek help from all three of us?"
Another male teacher also said with closed eyes, "We truly cannot see why this boy is worth twenty living souls. We hope Lord Taishan can explain."
The last female teacher, though silent, also looked towards King Taishan.
"A special class student from Longjing University, nothing significant; a watchdog from the Ability Administration Bureau, nothing significant; a ghost cultivator with at least SS-class talent, nothing significant."
At this point, the other three already felt it was worth twenty living souls—especially for someone like King Taishan, who desperately needed a new body for possession.
However, they still did not interrupt King Taishan, as they wanted to know what kind of condition had made King Taishan so infatuated that he looked down even on these three.
"Most importantly," King Taishan chuckled and said, "He is the newly appointed King of a Hundred Ghosts."