Am I really hallucinating?

Chapter 687 The First Lantern

"What on earth are they doing?!" Stratus's voice rose involuntarily, revealing a clear loss of composure. Hong Yijia had never seen this patriarch of the Great Capital so emotionally volatile since they first met, and was unaware of what was happening outside.

With its numerous corridors and a central area, this is already the core area of ​​the Thousands of Corridors.

Although with Stratus's help, Red Ja could move freely here, and even Eliadodic would hardly notice her unless he passed by frequently, she had only obtained a pass to the Thousand Corridors.

And it's not even a proper pass.

There is another layer of soft lock mechanism inside, and they cannot easily bypass the unpredictable maze. They can only explore step by step.

Hong Yijia has already spent a day here. It can't be said that there has been no progress, but the current situation is still somewhat difficult to find what they are looking for.

"What happened?" Hong Yijia asked.

“The white world is fragmented and has begun to internally clash and split. The gray districts are genuinely breaking away from the white world… It’s not just a split; if things continue as they are, the only outcome will be one side completely crushing the other and taking control of the war zone.” Stratus quickly explained the current situation, disregarding the potential psychological pressure this might put on Hong Yijia.

"This……"

Before Hong Yijia could speak, a somewhat jarring melody drifted over, and her eyes lit up: "This is a piece by Doris's band. They've really put their all into it."

Stratus breathed a sigh of relief: "Well done. Doris has completed the final step of the mental imagery coverage, which, in addition to the core, can even spread directly to the entire capital through the music. Her unique music can balance the two opposing symbols while providing a certain degree of soothing."

Doris has already fully evolved from the Seed of Light to the Lamplighter under Stratus's guidance.

The heteromorphic seed, which had long been contaminated by Zheng Fan, was stuck halfway through, but was restored to a perfect balance with the intervention of Stratus.

Thus, the black and white "Chaotic Music Angel" was born.

Even though she hasn't mastered the power in a short time, as long as she follows her innate supernatural inspiration to play, she can achieve all sorts of incredible effects.

Emotions are an extremely powerful force, and one of the factors contributing to Gray's recent outburst was undoubtedly the long-suppressed emotions being manipulated and spiraling out of control.

This situation is normally beyond the reach of harmonious means, but music can offer some room for intervention.

Strattus was moved once again, clearly touched by the longing in his heart by the not-so-pleasant melody.

The children, wounded by the monastery, did not choose to stand idly by. Of course, this melody also contained the pain felt for Dadu, and could not be considered a complete act of intervention, but considering their experiences, Stratus felt heartbroken that he had done so much.

Hong Yijia sensed the emotion emanating from Staratus beside her and felt a tightness in her chest.

She took out her phone and saw a message from Lin Yilin.

[The situation is urgent; we need to intervene directly with the white-hat method! Jiajia!]

How to intervene in the white-market approach?
This was part of their original plan.

All the lighthouses were under control, and most were located in the Black Parish. Stratus couldn't help Hong Yijia, who was a rough gem, directly awaken as a lamplighter; she hadn't even done the most basic pre-awakening coordination, even though the risks of having a lighthouse were considerable.

The opportunity lies in the code that Niu Qianliu left for Hong Yijia.

There is one more chance in the many corridors: the lantern of an ancient, nameless lamplighter.

It is said to be the lantern left by the very first lamplighter. Normally, a lamplighter's lantern would perish with their life. Especially after the advent of lighthouses, the lantern would eventually disappear into the light source along with the lamplighter.

When Hong Yijia and the others were still in university, Niu Qianliu had briefly mentioned it to Hong Yijia, seemingly unintentionally. At that time, it was because Hong Yijia mentioned her pure white factor that Niu Qianliu started telling stories on the spot.

She hadn't paid much attention to it for a long time, but when the password was handed to Hong Yijia along with the letter left by Niu Qianliu, it was the first thing she thought of.

According to Niu Qianliu, he had performed a ritual, and the almost forgotten lantern, seemingly just an empty shell, held an opportunity related to the White World. This opportunity could fall into anyone's hands, but it would inevitably lead to the White World. Aside from this vague, prophetic remnant, there was nothing more. Perhaps the lantern had been preserved to await a destined person, but because it was vague, the risks behind it were equally unclear.

If the undying lighthouse did not use the lantern for any purpose, it would still exist.

Waiting for the time to shine again.

Clearly, Niu Qianliu hopes that Hong Yijia will become the one who controls this lamp.

Even if this lamp were preserved in the Thousand Corridors, it would be better to try finding a lighthouse in the Black Suburbs. But considering Niu Qianliu's joking words, and with Stratus's escort, Hong Yijia resolutely came here.

Urgent situation.

The Bureau of Investigation and Handling is caught in the middle. It is clear that regardless of whether the Gray or White side wins, or whether both sides suffer heavy losses, the Bureau of Investigation and Handling will be severely damaged.

Hong Yijia has no doubt that if there is a severe shortage of manpower, her parents, who have retired from the front line, will not hesitate to go back to the front line.

She must get that lamp.

Just then, footsteps suddenly rang out in the corridor.

Someone's here!?
Hong Yijia was startled and quickly looked at Stratus.

However, Stratus said, "Don't worry, after calling him for so long, he has finally made up his mind. It seems that not all of his descendants are cowards and rebels."

In Hong Yijia's view, appearing from the corner of the corridor was none other than Pharos, the lantern bearer and wanderer.

Pharos's gaze shifted calmly to Hong Yijia, then turned to the white figure beside him: "Are you the one who has been calling my name since yesterday?"

“Indeed, time is of the essence, and I have no intention of explaining further. Now that you have come here, you must have already made up your mind. We need the lantern of the first lamplighter to lead us to it,” Stratus said solemnly.

Pharos paused briefly before speaking: "We received orders to completely purge the gray district. Given the absolute nature of the order and that person's absolute nature, they probably don't intend to leave any survivors."

“Oh, I know all that,” Staratus said casually.

It knew, but Hong Yijia wasn't quite so clear yet.

"Why?! Why make such a casual decision?"

Pharos looked away from Hong Yijia's gaze and said, "I... don't understand either, so I came to find you."

“There’s no time for you to hesitate. If you’re still unwilling, then give me your body and I’ll make the decision for you,” Stratus said, extending his hand.

It's clear that since the resurgence, the series of events that have unfolded have pushed Stratus's patience to its lowest point.

At the crucial moment, it no longer wanted to argue with its stubborn descendants.

Pharos took out his lantern, and a point of light landed in front of Hong Yijia: "It will guide you through the maze here to find what you are looking for."

Then he looked at Stratus: "As for this senior, we have other things to do."

No explanation needed.

The white flashes that occasionally appeared on the surrounding walls suddenly began to flow, as if they had gained substance. The real challenge was about to arrive.

(End of this chapter)