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

Mo Fan did not linger and led the two of them around.

After walking for a few more minutes, at the end of the passage ahead, another open space surrounded by a plant barrier appeared.

In the center of the open space, a gray stone platform, almost identical to the one seen before, stood silently. It had a circular base, its surface engraved with patterns, and its shallow, saucer-shaped groove at the top was empty.

—No eggshell fragments.

There were no traces of light left after activation.

There is no doubt that this altar has never been opened by anyone.

Mo Fan scanned the surroundings, confirming that there were no other players in or around the open space.

However, before he could say anything—

"Have it!"

An urgent voice came from behind.

Yan Liang's figure darted past Mo Fan like an arrow released from a bow. His steps were quick and urgent, almost as if he were running towards the stone platform.

Mo Fan narrowed his eyes slightly.

Zhuang Xiao was also taken aback.

Before the two could react, Yan Liang had already run to the altar. He swiftly pulled the palm-sized, pale gold eggshell fragment from his backpack and, without a word, placed it directly into the groove.

"Om-"

The familiar deep hum sounded again.

The patterns on the stone surface instantly lit up, and a pale golden light rippled outward from the center. The eggshell fragments quickly melted in the light, turning into tiny golden particles that sank deep into the grooves.

Immediately afterwards—a beam of light shot up.

Golden rock bisques cascaded down from the light like raindrops.

Ding-ding-dong

A series of crisp clanging sounds rang out. Eight rock beetles landed on the ground around the stone platform, rolling several times in a gleaming display.

Then three plump, round cocoa fruits fell from the light and tumbled to the ground.

And finally—

An egg the size of a fist, enveloped in a soft, pale golden halo, floated lightly down beside the stone platform.

Pet eggs.

Yan Liang's breathing became noticeably rapid.

He looked around abruptly—no one was there.

There are no other players.

This time, no one will try to take it from him.

Upon confirming this, Yan Liang's face instantly lit up with ecstasy. He moved with lightning speed, almost scrambling to pick up everything scattered on the ground—eight Rock Coins, three cocoa fruits, and a pet egg—and put them all into his backpack.

The entire process, from activation to receipt, takes only a dozen seconds.

Chapter 247 Little Thoughts

When Mo Fan and Zhuang Xiao got closer, the ground was already empty.

The stone platform's luster completely faded, and the patterns returned to their dull state.

Yan Liang was already standing next to the stone platform, his face beaming with barely suppressed laughter.

"Haha!" He patted imaginary dust off his hands, his voice full of pride and excitement. "Wow, I'm so lucky, no one's competing with me!"

He clapped his hands, his words full of smugness, and his tone sounded quite leisurely.

"This place is quite large, and there are many altars. If you keep looking, you're sure to find one!"

This statement sounds like it's meant to comfort you.

But something just doesn't feel right.

Because the subconscious implication of this statement is that since he used bullet casing fragments to place the items on the altar, they belong to him and have nothing to do with Mo Fan and the other person.

Zhuang Xiao paused for a moment.

He frowned as he looked at Yan Liang's matter-of-fact expression.

The three of them walked together, searching for their way, and risking getting caught up in conflict as they navigated the maze. When they finally found the altar, the other party rushed up without a word and took everything.

They didn't even bother to ask a token question like "How will it be divided?"

Zhuang Xiao opened her mouth, as if to say something.

But in the end, he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

After all—the eggshell fragment did indeed belong to Yan Liang. According to the rules, there was nothing wrong with him using his own fragment to open the altar and take the reward.

As for principles of conduct... never mind.

Zhuang Xiao stopped looking at Yan Liang and turned to look at Mo Fan.

Mo Fan's expression remained unchanged.

He didn't even glance at the stone platform. His gaze merely swept over Yan Liang before returning to his own.

"Keep going."

His tone was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger.

The three of them set off again.

Yan Liang followed behind, clearly in a good mood. He would occasionally glance down at the new additions to his backpack, unable to suppress the smile on his face.

Occasionally, she would glance up at Mo Fan's back, a subtle hint of disdain flashing in her eyes.

—This person doesn't seem like anything special.

Having been here for so long, it hasn't displayed any significant strength or special abilities. It avoids conflict and doesn't fight over the altar.

Yan Liang became even more certain of his previous judgment: the "very strong captain" that Zhuang Xiao mentioned was probably exaggerated.

Yan Liang watched the two figures as they walked away, and the corners of his mouth instinctively curled up, seemingly with a hint of disdain.

It's unclear whether he felt he had discovered that the two were "mediocre" or was mocking them for being incompetent and receiving the altar reward a step later than him.

But going forward, he still intends to act together with both of them.

After all, it's still somewhat dangerous to be alone.

The three continued their journey through the maze.

Along the way, they encountered activated altars and altars where battles were taking place, as well as several other groups of players. Some hurried past at the forks in the road, while others, upon seeing Mo Fan and his companions from afar, cautiously took detours to avoid them.

The player density within the entire maze was higher than expected.

The three could only continue searching for the altars that had not yet been opened, while avoiding the conflict zones.

We walked for several more minutes.

The passageway then turned another corner.

Mo Fan's steps suddenly slowed down as he reached the corner.

His gaze fell on an inconspicuous spot on the green wall at the corner.

There was a branch extending out from the vines on the wall.

It's called an extension, but it only extends a few inches beyond the surrounding branches and leaves. There's nothing special about its shape—it has the same emerald green leaves, the same texture, and is no different from the plants that are everywhere in the maze.

This scene is quite common in a maze made of greenery.

Along the way, I've seen countless similar branches and leaves.

but--

Mo Fan stopped.

Zhuang Xiao noticed it immediately.

"team leader?"

Mo Fan did not answer.

His gaze was fixed on that branch, a thoughtful look appearing in his eyes.

Since learning medicine-making from Elder Muyuan in Pandonog, Mo Fan's control over his own magic has become increasingly refined. Moreover, his perception of magical objects in the outside world has been repeatedly honed during that time, becoming ever more acute.

Pharmacology requires discerning subtle differences in the magical properties of medicinal herbs. These differences are often extremely subtle, requiring exceptionally refined perception to detect. It was precisely that practice and training that allowed Mo Fan to develop a magical perception far surpassing that of players at the same level.

now--

He sensed a very subtle magical fluctuation from that branch.

very weak.

It was so weak that it almost blended into the magical background of its surroundings, as if it were deliberately hiding itself.

If it weren't for Mo Fan—if any ordinary player had passed by here—they would never have noticed this anomaly.

Zhuang Xiao didn't urge him, but waited quietly. He knew Mo Fan—this man wouldn't stop for no reason.

Yan Liang looked completely bewildered.

"What's wrong? Is there something here?" He followed Mo Fan's gaze and saw only an ordinary vine branch.

"It's just a single branch."

Mo Fan ignored him.

He reached out and his fingertips gently touched the branch.

The instant the fingertip touches the leaf surface—

The faint, almost imperceptible fluctuation of magical power suddenly became clear.

It was like a breath that had been in a deep sleep, but was slightly aggravated by an external force.

Mo Fan closed his eyes.