Is the closed beta test of King of Loque over? The official release is here!

This was the place they had spent the most time in these past few days. It was bustling with activity during the day and brightly lit by torches at night. Even though it was already evening, many indigenous residents were still chatting in small groups among the stalls. After the barbecue competition, the atmosphere of the entire market was much more lively than before.

"Hey, look over there!" Murong Jiao pointed to a corner.

Several indigenous children sat around on the ground, holding small painted eggs made from leftover materials, comparing whose was prettier. One child's egg wasn't completely dry, and his hand was smeared with green paint, but he was oblivious.

"So cute." Murong Jiao's voice unconsciously softened.

The four walked through the market, nodding and greeting familiar locals. Many locals recognized them—after all, they were the champion team of the barbecue competition, and quite a few even gave Mo Fan a thumbs up.

Mo Fan nodded in acknowledgment, without saying anything more.

Leaving the market, the four continued walking along the stone-paved road to the southwest.

"Shall we go look at the wishing wall?" Fang Xu suggested.

“That works too.” Murong Jiao nodded.

Before long, the huge rock wall came into view.

The wishing wall under the night sky presents a different scene than at dusk. Without the golden glow of the setting sun, the rock face takes on a deep, dark blue-green hue. And the colorful eggs embedded in the holes gleam faintly in the moonlight and the light of distant torches.

"So beautiful..." Murong Jiao exclaimed softly.

It is indeed beautiful.

Hundreds of colorful eggs of all sizes are scattered across the rock face, like stars embedded in the night sky. The ancient, interwoven patterns, faintly visible in the darkness, connect all the eggs, creating a mysterious and serene scene.

Murong Sha took a few steps forward, looked up at the rock wall, and her blue eyes reflected the dappled light.

"Tomorrow, these Easter eggs will turn into energy," she said softly.

“Yes.” Mo Fan stood beside her, also looking up at the wishing wall.

My own grass-green Easter egg was embedded somewhere in the middle, and at this moment it appeared a calm dark green under the moonlight, with the outline of the leaf decorations still faintly discernible.

Fang Xu stood on tiptoe, trying to find the location of his "watermelon egg".

"Ah! Found it! It's over there!" He pointed to a hole at the bottom, his tone tinged with pride. "Green with black stripes, it's instantly recognizable!"

Murong Jiao rolled her eyes at him: "Only recognizability gets full marks."

"you!"

The four paused for a moment in front of the wishing wall before turning around and continuing on their way.

......

After passing through a patch of low bushes, a building came into view in front of the four.

The building wasn't tall, but it stood out conspicuously under the moonlight.

Because of its construction—it is made up of three very different materials.

The base is made of heavy gray stone, with sharp edges, exuding the unique fortitude and stability of stone. The middle section is made of warm yellow wood with delicate and smooth grain, gleaming softly in the moonlight. The top and eaves are decorated with gray-white bone components of various shapes, some resembling teeth and others ribs, arranged in a staggered and orderly manner.

Stone, wood, bone.

The three materials blend seamlessly into the building, creating a peculiar harmony rather than an jarring effect. It's as if they are silently proclaiming that these three races are one.

The building is surrounded by low shrubs and flowers, and even at night, a faint fragrance can be smelled. The stone steps in front of the door are polished smooth and rounded, clearly showing that countless feet have walked on them.

Overall, it doesn't look like a majestic palace; it's more like a... home.

A warm and well-cared-for home.

“This is…” Murong Jiao tilted her head, looking at the building in front of her.

"The origin of Pandonog".

An aged yet peaceful voice came from inside the door.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw the Grand Elder appear at the door. The old man leaned on a wooden cane, his white hair fluttering slightly in the night breeze, and his face, etched with the marks of time, wore the same gentle smile as always.

"Elder." Mo Fan bowed slightly.

The elder waved his hand, slowly walked down the stone steps, and stood in front of the four people.

“This is my residence.” His gaze swept over the building, which combined three materials, and his voice carried a hint of emotion. “It is also—the original origin of Pandonog.”

"The place of origin?" Fang Xu asked curiously.

The Grand Elder nodded.

“Long, long ago, before the Stone Clan, Wood Clan, and Bone Clan had differentiated, our earliest ancestors built their first house right here.” He tapped the ground lightly with his wooden staff. “Later, the tribe grew stronger, and the three clans separated, each with its own residential area. But this place—has always remained.”

He looked at the building, the moonlight reflecting in his cloudy eyes.

"Stone, wood, and bone coexist. This serves as a reminder to every generation that we were once one, and we will always be one."

Chapter 237 Group Photo?

Everyone stared at the building standing quietly under the moonlight, and for a moment, no one spoke.

Murong Sha spoke softly: "So the fact that the Grand Elder lives here is also a symbol."

The Grand Elder smiled upon hearing this.

"That's one way to put it."

......

After bidding farewell to the elder, the four continued along the stone path deeper into the tribe.

After walking a short distance, a wide-open space appeared ahead.

That was a platform.

The platform was surrounded by neatly laid stone slabs, with its edges meticulously repaired. It was quite large, enough to accommodate all the residents of Pandonog.

And at the very center of the platform—

A towering tree rises from the ground.

The tree trunk was incredibly thick, requiring at least a dozen people to encircle it. Its canopy spread out into the night sky, blocking out the sun and enveloping the entire platform in its branches and leaves.

Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the branches and leaves, casting dappled shadows on the stone pavement.

The wind rustled through the leaves, sounding like a thousand hands gently clapping.

"This is... the Divine Tree?" Murong Jiao looked up, her almond-shaped eyes filled with shock.

She had seen big trees before, but never one like this.

The surface of the tree trunk was not ordinary bark, but a deep emerald green with a lustrous sheen, as if the tree itself was glowing. And the branches and leaves, even at night, shimmered with a faint green fluorescence, casting a light green hue over the entire platform.

“Pandonog Square,” Mo Fan said, referring to the place.

He remembered the elder saying that the sacred tree sacrifice took place here.

“We will come here tomorrow.” Murong Sha looked at the giant tree, her blue eyes reflecting the dappled light filtering through the leaves.

Fang Xu subconsciously swallowed.

"Making a wish... I wonder what kind of wish I can make."

Mo Fan looked at the divine tree without saying a word.

But he already had some ideas in mind.

The four paused for a moment at the edge of the square, imprinting the image of the towering tree into their minds. Then, they turned and continued along the stone path.

......

At the end of the road was a cave.

The entrance wasn't very large, but it was big enough for two or three people to pass through side by side. Around the entrance was an arched structure made of stones, with intricate totem patterns carved on it—somewhat similar to the patterns on the wishing wall, but even more ancient and obscure.

On either side of the cave entrance stood a burly native guard. They held long spears, their faces solemn, their eyes sharp as they watched the newcomer.

Stop.

The guard on the left took a step forward, his spear held horizontally in front of him.

"The area ahead is the forbidden zone of Pandonog; entry is prohibited."

Murong Jiao subconsciously took a half step back and blinked.

"Forbidden place?"

The guard remained expressionless and offered no further explanation.

Mo Fan stared at the deep cave entrance. It was pitch black inside, and nothing could be seen, but faintly, a very weak aura seemed to be emanating from the depths.

I can't quite describe the feeling.

It's as if something is sleeping inside.

"Where is this place?" Fang Xu asked in a low voice.

"Children."

A familiar voice came from behind me.

Everyone turned around, and the Grand Elder appeared behind them at some point. The old man leaned on his wooden cane, his steps slow and deliberate, as if he were taking a stroll by, or perhaps he had intentionally followed them.

"Elder." Mo Fan bowed slightly.

The elder glanced at the deep cave entrance, a vague expression flashing in his murky eyes.

"This is the forbidden area of ​​Pandonog." His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable weight. "It's not time to open it yet."

He paused, his gaze falling on Mo Fan.

At that moment, Mo Fan felt that there was some profound meaning in the old man's eyes.

Then, the Grand Elder smiled.

“Perhaps one day,” his voice softened, as if he were speaking to someone, or perhaps to himself, “when we meet again, the forbidden area might be open.”

We met again.

These words were spoken casually, yet they stirred something within Mo Fan.

However, he did not ask any further questions.

The elder made no further explanation. The old man turned around, leaning on his wooden cane, and walked back the way he came, his back casting a long shadow in the moonlight.