I'm in Mota, and they all want me to confess my feelings!

In particular, the Faisal family.

Although Cantrella never met Coleta, she often learned about her story from others.

—Her background, her mission, and everything she shouldered.

This made Cantrera somewhat expectant, wondering how she would appear before him in the future.

The moment Cantrella uttered that name, everyone's brows furrowed in unison.

As long-term adversaries of the Faisal family, they naturally have little affection for the Mortari family—and vice versa.

Duanmu Yan vaguely heard hushed whispers around him, but he still maintained basic courtesy.

In any case, Cantrella came to his rescue.

Even though he had conflicts with the Fesalie family in the past, he was unwilling to take out his old grudges on her or any other unrelated person.

“Don’t worry about it.” Cantrell raised his hand, signaling everyone to calm down. “The conflicts between families have a long history, and even as the head of the family, I can’t completely control everyone’s mind. That weapon in your hand, it must have been forged for you by Koleta using her resonance ability, right? I’m really curious…”

She looked at Duanmu Yan with great interest and asked softly, "What exactly is the relationship between you two?"

“I’m sorry, Miss Cantrella,” Duanmu Yan politely declined. “Although you have been kind to me, this is a private matter and I cannot disclose it to you.”

“I understand.” Cantrera’s lips curled slightly, his face still bearing that enigmatic smile. “I was presumptuous. As the head of the Fesalie family, I naturally wouldn’t make things difficult for a Mortar. Why you’re here, and what your purpose is—I don’t care, just as you… probably don’t care why I’m here either.”

Duanmu Yan understood the deeper meaning in her words—she was telling him to treat everything that happened today as if it had never happened.

“I will not mention what happened today to anyone,” he said solemnly.

“A wise guest,” Cantrera smiled slightly. “This area is near the Island of Lamentation, and remnants of the past often linger here. If you wish, you may stay in a safe place for now and then leave on your own.”

"No need, thank you for your kindness." Duanmu Yan shook his head. "I boarded the ship only to thank you in person."

Before Cantrell could respond, someone said, "Master, the guests have arrived."

All eyes turned to the distance. On the misty sea, the outline of a ship gradually emerged—it flew no family flag, just a small boat bobbing on the surging currents.

What caused Duanmu Yan's expression to change slightly was the style of the boat. His pupils contracted slightly as he stared at the approaching boat and muttered to himself.

"...Is that Huanglong's boat?"

Huanglong?

Why did Huanglong's ship appear in Lina Xita?

The two countries are separated by vast oceans and should have no contact whatsoever.

“In that case, please make yourself at home, guest.” Cantrell turned around and looked at the approaching boat. “I should also discuss some important matters with my guest who has come from afar.”

Before he finished speaking, Duanmu Yan saw a figure leap up from the small boat and land on the deck as lightly as a falling leaf.

A guest from afar emerged from the mist, her white dress billowing in the sea breeze, the crimson embellishments on her sleeves as vibrant as blood.

Her long, dark pink hair was tied into a ponytail, with gold ornaments shimmering slightly in the morning light. The blush at the corner of her eyes made her gaze even more profound. She glanced at everyone with a half-smile, finally settling on Duanmu Yan's stunned face.

Under everyone's gaze, she slowly walked up to him, her eyes slightly shifting, her tone carrying a hint of probing: "You look somewhat...familiar."

Have we met before?

Duanmu Yan was slightly taken aback, then shook his head.

If they had truly met, how could he have forgotten such a person?

Unlike Cantrell's elegance and nobility, the woman before me possessed a beauty like a secluded orchid in a deep valley—subtle yet unforgettable.

"Really? Then perhaps I'm mistaken."

"Oh? I didn't expect that the Chief Secretary of Huanglong Mingting would have such an unknown past?" Cantrella walked closer slowly, a light laugh in his voice. "It's been a long time, Changli."

Chang Li turned to face her and nodded slightly: "It has indeed been a long time. If I hadn't gone to the Black Coast because of the affairs of Jinzhou, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to keep my promise to come."

"Is the situation in Jinzhou not optimistic either?"

"Who can say for sure?" Chang Li smiled faintly, but her gaze turned to the distant archipelago. "As for Lina Xita..."

Her voice trailed off, as if she were listening to the echoes in the wind.

"Since I stepped into this sea, I have been hearing low murmurs lingering in my ears."

"It seems that thing doesn't welcome outsiders."

Cantrell chuckled noncommittally: "Or perhaps... it simply wants to invite you to sink into the deep sea with it?"

Chang Li raised the corner of her eye slightly and replied with a smile, "That's really unfortunate. We're like oil and water, so please forgive me for not being able to keep you company."

“You must be tired after your long voyage. Why don’t you rest in my room for a while, so we can have a proper chat?” Cantrell said. “I’ve prepared some invigorating spices—and of course, they can also help you drift off to sleep if you wish.”

Chang Li nodded with a smile: "I am indeed a little tired. Let's talk inside then."

The two then walked side by side toward the inner room. But just as they were about to step through the cabin door, Changli suddenly turned back, his gaze once again sweeping across Duanmu Yan's face.

But her expression suggested she was thinking.

Duanmu Yan stood there, not understanding the deeper meaning of their conversation, but vaguely feeling that he had glimpsed an unusual meeting.

Did Cantrell just say that the woman named Changli is the chief secretary of Huanglong Mingting?

By the way, what kind of official position is this Chief Secretary?

However, being related to Huanglong Mingting, his official position must have been quite high.

But why didn't the guild send anyone to visit such a prominent figure as Lina Xita?

Or……

Is this merely a private invitation from the Faisal family?

Duanmu Yan didn't know.

But clearly, this kind of thing is not something that a nobody like him could know.

Of course, he didn't intend to tell anyone else what happened today.

Having promised Cantrell to keep quiet, he would never break his promise.

—Even the second young lady cannot say this.

Duanmu Yan left the ship of the Feisali family.

He summoned the gondola again from the terminal, and looking back, the large ship had gradually sailed away, turning into a hazy shadow in the mist.

He didn't linger, turned around and steered the gondola toward the Isle of Lamentations.

Volume One: Chapter Thirty: Lament for the Grave Island

This island...

An unsettling atmosphere permeated the air.

From the moment Duanmu Yan stepped onto the island, the gradually dissipating fog surged back in, enveloping him completely.

He glanced down at the terminal—it should have been sunrise, but the sky was still dark.

Dark clouds loomed, lightning flashed between the clouds, and thunder rumbled as if rolling down from the sky, making the place seem like a land abandoned by the gods.

"This should be the island the Second Miss mentioned. However..."

He muttered to himself, his gaze sweeping over his surroundings.

"The pilgrimage route?"

Ship wreckage and debris are scattered along the coast, some half-buried in the black sand, others floating and sinking with the waves.

Whether they were attacked by some terrible creature or torn apart by the raging wind and rain, no one knows.

"Oh right, wasn't it said that someone would come to pick me up?"

"Why haven't I seen him?"

Duanmu Yan muttered to himself in confusion, then dialed a number to contact Koleta.

Fortunately, there is still a faint signal in this wretched place.

After a few beeps, the communication was connected.

"Duanmu? You've arrived already?"

On the other end of the terminal, Koleta's voice came through, slightly hoarse, her weariness as subtle as a veil.

"Yes, we're here. But this place... something feels off." Duanmu Yan replied while cautiously scanning his surroundings. "It's gloomy and chilly; it doesn't seem like a safe place."

“That island is definitely a bit eerie. But with your skills, you should be able to handle it.” Koleta said, yawning slightly, her voice growing increasingly weary. “You should be at the Fools’ Troupe by now, right?”

"A theater troupe? What theater troupe?" Duanmu Yan asked with a puzzled look, his brows furrowing slightly. "I took a gondola directly ashore to the island, and I didn't see a single person along the way."

"What did you say?!" Koleta's voice tightened instantly, all sleepiness gone. "You went straight to the island?!"

Duanmu Yan was taken aback by her sudden tension: "Yes, is something wrong?"

"Tsk, this is troublesome." Koleta's rapid breathing came from the other end of the communication. "Stay where you are and don't move. Send me your coordinates immediately, and I'll arrange for someone to meet you right away."

"it is good."

After hanging up the call, Duanmu Yan found a slightly drier place to sit down, took out some bread from his backpack, and mechanically chewed a few bites to replenish his energy.

He lowered his head and stared at his right hand—the sound marks had returned to calm, as if nothing had happened.

Just now... how exactly did he cut through the giant wave?

Even he himself couldn't explain it.

I only vaguely remember that I swallowed a certain frequency that constituted the wave.

In Solaris, everything is built from frequencies, and once a frequency is lost, everything will completely collapse.

"So... I can devour the 'sound' of everything?"

But if that's the case, what happens after it's devoured?

Can it be used by me?

In addition, how can I actively trigger my ability to resonate?

He reached out and waved his hand tentatively a few times—but all was silent, and nothing happened.

"..."

Never mind, I'll study it slowly when I get back.

In any case, I finally have the ability to resonate.

While Duanmu Yan was focused on his abilities, he was completely unaware that the fog on the coastline was gradually thickening, almost swallowing up all visible light and outlines.

crunch--

The silence was abruptly shattered by the crisp sound of a rotten wooden plank being crushed underfoot.

Duanmu Yan suddenly looked up, his heart clenching.

Only at this moment did he realize that he was silently surrounded by countless afterimages.

When did they get close?

"No, that's not right..."

"These afterimages—seemingly formed out of thin air from within this white mist."

"No wonder I didn't notice..."

"This place is indeed very eerie."

Duanmu Yan gripped the crystal swift blade tightly and slowly stood up.

Before this, he had never really fought against the Remnant Elephant—although the Sound Remains and the Remnant Elephant were difficult to distinguish in appearance, their aggressiveness and danger were completely different.

If it were an ordinary person, they might have already been consumed by fear by now.

But for some reason, Duanmu Yan felt no fear at this moment. Instead, he felt an overwhelming excitement, and even... he was eager to try.

"Perfect, let me test just how sharp this sword the Second Miss gave me really is."

"Perhaps, my resonance ability will be triggered again during the battle."

The moment the words fell, the surrounding afterimages seemed to be drawn by an invisible force and suddenly rushed towards Duanmu Yan!

He took a step back, and with a flash of cold light, his crystal swift blade precisely struck the foremost remnant elephant.