Starting as a prodigy wanting milk? A world-destroying deception in the opposite direction.

Shen Zhen's heart tightened slightly, but her expression remained unchanged.

Ye Zhi Qiu's gaze was clear, carrying a hint of pure curiosity and inquiry, not malicious, yet more difficult to deal with than malice.

He knew all too well how sharp-eyed this seemingly cynical genius of the Qitian Palace was.

After a moment's hesitation, Shen Zhen raised his hand and finished the remaining wine in his cup, using the action to buy himself a moment to think. He then looked at Ye Zhi Qiu and spoke in a calm tone:

Brother Ye is joking.

You, a genius of Qitian Palace, have mastered what can truly be called the exquisite and unparalleled Divine Soothing Incantation.

"I'm just a self-taught practitioner; I'm hardly qualified to offer guidance."

He first flattered the other person, then changed the subject, explaining in a half-joking tone:

"As for that Shadow Strike, Brother Ye feels it's different, perhaps because I incorporated some of my understanding of 'momentum' into it."

"Power?" Ye Zhi Qiu raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the idea.

"Not bad." Shen Zhen's gaze drifted to the deep night outside the window, his tone becoming somewhat somber.

"Since leaving the capital, the Ge Ming case, Ruanjia Lane, Qingwu Town..."

Every bizarre case we encountered, with its twisted nature, despair, and that... obsession that seemed to drag one into an endless cycle of reincarnation, felt like heavy boulders pressing down on our hearts.

He paused, then continued:

"My father once said that the power of the God-Toucher comes from the steadfast belief in the ancestral gods and from the empathy for the suffering in the world."

I incorporated my observations and feelings from these past few days, that resolute determination to break through the fog and sever the cycle, into the incantation.

The move might still be the same move.

But the driving force behind it has changed, becoming somewhat impatient; I apologize for the embarrassment, Brother Ye.

This explanation cleverly attributes the unusual nature of the moves to a change in mindset and an increase in willpower resulting from a series of bizarre incidents recently encountered, which is quite reasonable.

It also perfectly avoided the core secrets of spatial power and the power of despair.

Upon hearing this, Ye Zhi Qiu's eyes flashed with deep thought, then he clapped his hands and sighed softly:

"Brilliant! Using emotion to influence the momentum, and using momentum to urge the move!"

Brother Shen is indeed extraordinary. It seems that the trials in this western frontier are both a perilous hurdle and an opportunity for us to break through our current level.

He then bowed to Shen Zhen:

"Been taught a lesson!"

His tone was sincere, and his gaze toward Shen Zhen held a newfound genuine admiration.

Just then, Prefect Han Zhong and Garrison Commander Wei Qingxu walked over with wine cups in hand, their faces bearing perfectly timed smiles, clearly indicating that they had important matters to discuss.

"His Highness the Third Prince is a little tired, and Commander Yan has escorted him back to the inn to rest."

Han Zhong first offered an explanation, then his expression turned slightly serious as he addressed Shen Zhen, Gu Chengye, and the others:

"Special Envoy Shen, Deputy Envoy Gu, Your Excellencies"

I have some matters to report to Commander Wei regarding the defense of this city, as well as the situation of those sorcerers mentioned by Young Master Qian.

May I speak to you in private?

Shen Zhen exchanged glances with Gu Chengye and Qiu Zhengnan, knowing that the main topic was about to be discussed, and immediately agreed.

Han Zhong and Wei Qingxu walked together toward the inner quiet room of the elegant pavilion. Ye Zhi Qiu also stopped joking and followed the others into the inner quiet room.

Entering the quiet room and dismissing those around him, Wei Qingxu lowered his voice and spoke:

Special Envoy Shen,

Based on Qian Duoduo's description and our initial investigation, those people were indeed not former members of the Red Mountain Society; they were likely newcomers who had infiltrated the city within the last month or two.

Han Zhong interjected:

"This is precisely what I am worried about."

The Burial Sands in the west have been quite turbulent lately, with caravans frequently disappearing and leaving behind traces that do not appear to be man-made.

There are even rumors that some people have heard eerie whispers and seen blurry, distorted black shadows in the sandstorm.

We suspect that new variants may be emerging in the desert, or that heretics may be using it as cover for clandestine activities.

"Buried in the desert?" Shen Zhen had just arrived in the western frontier and was unfamiliar with the geography.

Wei Qingxu quickly stepped forward and said in a deep voice:

"The Burial Sand Sea is a vast desert on the border between the western frontier and the barbarian tribes, also known as the Death Sand Sea."

There, yellow sand filled the sky, miasma permeated the air, and shifting sands were everywhere; it was a lawless land and a breeding ground for heresy.

Gu Chengye said in a deep voice:

"What Prefect Han means is that the daytime robbery is not an isolated incident, but may be related to the strange activity in the Sea of ​​Death?"

Are those who incite others trying to muddy the waters, or are they intentionally leading us in a particular direction?

"Vice Envoy Gu is wise." Han Zhong knew he was the son of the Chief Celestial Official of the Grand Temple, and nodded even more cautiously.

"I do have this concern. Dayue City is the western gateway to the empire. If the Burial Sand Sea truly becomes a den of deformed beings or heretics, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Therefore, I would like to earnestly request that the mission, in addition to its pacification and investigation efforts, consider paying attention to this matter as appropriate.

Shen Zhen was silent for a moment, then spoke:

"It is our duty to investigate the movements of aberrant and heretical individuals."

Prefect Han and Garrison Commander Wei, please rest assured that we will not stand idly by in this matter.

We will begin our investigation first thing tomorrow morning, and we will need your two full assistance.

Upon hearing this, Han Zhong and Wei Qingxu felt somewhat relieved. They exchanged a glance, hesitant to speak.

Shen Zhen noticed their hesitation and smiled slightly:

"Prefect Han and Garrison Commander Wei, please speak freely. Since we have decided to work together to deal with this matter, there is no need for further concerns."

Han Zhong took a deep breath, cupped his hands, and said:

"Special Envoy Shen, to be honest, there is something else that I and Commander Wei are worried about."

"What is it?" Shen Zhen asked.

Han Zhong lowered his voice even further.

"Regarding the Burial in the Sands... the situation may be more complicated than the official statement just mentioned. I dare not speak frankly for fear of frightening you."

"Speak!" Shen Zhen's gaze was firm, and her tone was crisp and decisive.

"No matter how difficult the situation, we should be honest with each other so that we can come up with a solution."

Wei Qingxu nodded slightly, taking over the conversation, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the rim of his teacup:

"For the past half month, in the depths of the Burial Sand Sea, especially in the Black Wind Pass area, strange lights often shoot into the sky at night, but they are not lightning or ordinary aurora; the light is blue."

Some daring people approached to investigate, but upon returning, they were in a daze and died suddenly within two days.

The autopsy revealed that some of the internal organs had turned to sand.

"Sandification?" Qiu Zhengnan frowned. She had seen many strange case files at the ceremonial office, but this was the first time she had heard of such a bizarre symptom.

"Exactly." A hint of fear flashed across Han Zhong's face.

"What's even stranger is that a few days ago, a small reconnaissance team we sent out, along with their mounts, a total of twelve people, disappeared on the outskirts of Black Wind Pass."

Gu Chengye asked in a deep voice:

"Why wasn't this reported to the main temple sooner?"

Wei Qingxu smiled bitterly:

"The report was submitted, but the documents were ignored."

The border is thousands of miles away from the capital. When ordinary mutants cause trouble, the local temples and branch temples have the right to deal with them on their own.

The main temple might think we're making a mountain out of a molehill, or perhaps they have other considerations. Besides, he paused, his voice lowering further.

"Rumors have been circulating in the city recently."

It is said that the ruins of an ancient temple have appeared deep in the desert, suspected to contain great treasures, attracting many desperados and unknown forces to covet them.

We worry that making a big show of seeking help might alert the enemy and attract more greedy individuals, making the situation even harder to control.

Shen Zhen listened silently.

When he heard them mention the blue light, he couldn't help but think of Green Mist Town.

In addition, this team whose bodies have turned to sand and who has gone missing...

And what about the rumors surrounding those ancient ruins? Are they related to heresies such as "messengers of God" or "guides"?