Chi Hao spoke, and took out a luminous stone from his storage bead. The surroundings were instantly illuminated.
Although he still couldn't recall why he possessed the system's highest-level item, it should be fine to use its contents occasionally.
Seeing the luminous stone in Chi Hao's hand, a flicker of surprise flashed in Qiao Qiao's eyes. She had seen it on the item shopping machine in the rest area. This kind of golden luminous stone could not only be used for lighting but, more importantly, it could instantly heal severe injuries. Although it was a one-time use, it was definitely a high-level item.
How many points did this Chi Hao have to afford such a high-level item?
Under the light, You Mi could clearly see Diao Tian lying on the ground and watched as Diao Tian's body was gradually enveloped by a black cocoon, then shrunk bit by bit, completely merging into the ground.
You Mi and Qiao Qiao both took several steps back, stunned by what had just happened.
Chi Hao watched with a cold gaze from beginning to end, not seeming to be in a hurry to find Jing Minghe anymore.
You Mi guessed something and walked up to Chi Hao, asking softly, "Is it... what kind?"
Chi Hao only answered with one word: "Black."
"Then Minghe..." You Mi continued to press, even though she already had an idea in her mind, she still wanted to be more certain.
"The opposite."
Hearing Chi Hao's answer, You Mi also breathed a sigh of relief.
Although they couldn't be entirely sure of the specific correlation between the butterfly marks on their wrists, the giant mantis level they encountered, and what Diao Tian had said about time, as long as it was different from the deceased Diao Tian, there was still hope.
"Let's go find Minghe," You Mi glanced at the blue butterfly mark on her wrist. Previously, there were three small golden stars on the butterfly's wings, but now one was missing. Sudancn.com
Chi Hao also glanced at his own wrist without saying anything, just nodding slightly.
"Thank you for saving me," Qiao Qiao said. "I also need to find my companion, so... I won't be going with you."
"Wait," You Mi called out to Qiao Qiao, who was about to leave. "Let's go together. This is a dungeon in the City of Death, so it's best to avoid being alone. We can look for people together, don't act alone."
"This..."
Qiao Qiao was hesitating when Du Heng, whom she was looking for, ran over in a panic.
Seeing Qiao Qiao and the others, Du Heng ran even faster, as if suddenly bursting with some kind of strength. He rushed over, grabbed Qiao Qiao, and said breathlessly, "You're alright, that's great. That giant mantis was too difficult to deal with. Let's quickly go somewhere else. We must not run into that person named Ding Chang, he..."
Before he finished speaking, he suddenly stopped and pulled Qiao Qiao, intending to leave.
Chi Hao realized something and asked coldly, "You've seen Jing Minghe."
This was not a question but a confident statement.
Upon hearing Chi Hao's voice, Du Heng instinctively took two steps back. After retreating, he belatedly realized, and was inwardly surprised. Why did Chi Hao's simple words make him instinctively feel scared?
You Mi understood Chi Hao's implication and quickly stepped forward to ask, "Mr. Du Heng, you have seen Minghe, haven't you? Where is he?"
"He..." Du Heng glanced in the direction he had come from, pulling Qiao Qiao as he retreated, and stammered, "That Jing Minghe was killed by Ding Chang. Ding Chang killed him, but was not punished by the system. Ding Chang, Ding Chang is definitely problematic, you must stay away from him."
After speaking, he didn't give anyone else a chance to speak and pulled Qiao Qiao in another direction.
Chi Hao and You Mi, who remained standing, one had a dangerous glint in his eyes, the other looked incredulous.
"How... how is it possible?" You Mi's voice trembled slightly. "How could Minghe have been killed by Ding..., no, this is absolutely impossible."
Saying that, You Mi turned to look at Chi Hao and was startled by his terrifying gaze. She swallowed and tried to speak, "Mr. Chi, let's... let's go find Minghe. He, he must be fine, right? He'll be fine."
You Mi knew in her heart that if Jing Minghe were truly gone, the person most heartbroken and despairing would not be her, but this seemingly powerful man before her.
"Mr. Chi?"
"Let's go."
They both spoke at the same time. Chi Hao was already walking in the direction Du Heng had come from.
Chi Hao walked, and You Mi ran. Their speeds were surprisingly similar, each more anxious than the other.
In the endless darkness, a golden light emanated from Chi Hao's hand, a silent provocation and confrontation was quietly unfolding.
They walked forward, encountering neither Ding Chang nor Jing Minghe.
Neither of them showed any intention of stopping. After an unknown amount of time, You Mi suddenly grabbed Chi Hao.
"Mr. Chi!" You Mi grabbed one of Chi Hao's arms with both hands. "Something's wrong, we... seem to be going in circles."
Chi Hao stopped, his brow furrowing slightly. Following You Mi's gaze, he saw that on the branch of a large flower not far away, illuminated by the golden light, the crease was faintly visible.
That was the mark left when he had knocked down a giant mantis earlier, and it had crashed into the flower.
You Mi was right, they were indeed going in circles.
"What do we do?" You Mi panted, suppressing the rapidly growing anxiety. "Can't we get out? But how did Du Heng get to us?"
"He's here."
Chi Hao turned and scanned their surroundings. "The dungeon separated us, but in reality, it didn't."
"What?" You Mi looked at Chi Hao, confused.
Chi Hao suddenly let out a cold laugh, his voice colder than the laugh. "It wasn't Du Heng who came here, but the dungeon released him, from where he was all along."
Chi Hao explained, but You Mi only became more confused. With Jing Minghe's life and death unknown, and her already less-than-sharp mind, she couldn't comprehend what Chi Hao was saying.
"We have always been together," Chi Hao took a small step forward. "The levels only allow us to see teammates or enemies in the same battle, until... our own level ends and closes."
"Levels?" You Mi suddenly realized, "You mean..."
Before You Mi could finish speaking, a voice came from behind them, "Finally, I see you."
"Minghe!"
Hearing Jing Minghe's voice, You Mi turned her head abruptly. Jing Minghe was standing behind them, but he looked extremely weak, weaker than she had ever seen him. He stood there, swaying, so weak that she had the illusion that if he fell, he would never get up again.