Chapter 1024: Lost Town Reality Edition (2 in 1)

Before, it was so well-behaved, I almost forgot it was actually a wild Pet… Qiao Sang sighed inwardly and quickly followed.

Xiao Xunbao led the way, winding around, and after more than ten minutes of travel, finally stopped in front of a magnificent shop.

“Xiao Xunbao!”

The purple light in Xiao Xunbao’s eyes dissipated. It stretched out its paw and pointed to the shop, calling out with ill-concealed excitement, indicating that there were many treasures inside.

Qiao Sang and Mi Jiala looked up at the sign embedded at the top of the main door, which read “Supernatural Pet Prop Shop,” and both fell silent.

“Xiao Xunbao.”

“Xiao Xunbao.” Xiao Xunbao floated next to Xiao Xunbao, explaining earnestly that everything inside had to be bought with money.

“Xiao Xunbao…”

Xiao Xunbao seemed to understand, yet not quite.

Mi Jiala glanced at Xiao Xunbao, then turned and said, “I heard there’s a place in Xi Han City that’s perpetually shrouded in ghost mist, and it seems to be near this street. Do you want to go take a look?”

ghost mist, unlike dense fog, is darker in color and gathers various negative energies. It is said that this kind of mist can only form in places with abundant Ghost-type energy.

Qiao Sang said without hesitation, “Okay.”

Now that she was a B-level Beast Tamer, and had an S-Class Beast Master accompanying her, let alone going to a place shrouded in ghost mist, even entering a secret realm full of Ghost-type Pets, she had nothing to fear.

Opening the navigation, and confirming the next route, Qiao Sang immediately called Xiao Xunbao over and began to pinpoint their location.

“Xiao Xunbao?”

Xiao Xunbao floated over, showing a puzzled expression, and called out, indicating, “Are we not looking for treasures anymore?”

“Steel Sword.”

Steel Treasure’s voice translated synchronously in her mind.

If you keep looking, I’m afraid you’ll find your way into someone else’s house… Qiao Sang complained inwardly, then smiled and said:

“We’ll look in a different place.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Xiao Xunbao completed the positioning.

The two people and their Pets disappeared from their original spot.

Qiao Sang’s vision went dark, and when it returned, she found herself on a winding path. Ahead was a spacious open area, filled with various small stalls, where many people and Pets gathered.

If it weren’t for the slightly darker ghost mist swirling in the distance, she would have almost thought Xiao Xunbao had pinpointed the wrong location and arrived at some large trading market.

“Xiao Xunbao…”

Xiao Xunbao looked at the ghost mist in the distance, showing a dazed expression, as if attracted by something.

The aura of the ghost mist has a fatal attraction for Ghost-type Pets. Xiao Xunbao, being a General-level Pet, could sense its presence from such a distance. Xiao Xunbao, being of a lower level, was not affected.

“Xiao Xunbao!”

Xiao Xunbao looked at the scene ahead, its eyes glowing purple, then brightening, brightening again, and again, pointing forward and calling out, indicating that there were also many good things here.

Qiao Sang’s heart stirred. Items in shops are generally confirmed in terms of level and function, with clear prices. But items at stalls like these can often be bargained for, and sometimes one can even find a good deal.

Mi Jiala saw Qiao Sang’s excitement and said:

“Let’s go take a look.”

With that, she stepped forward.

Qiao Sang looked at Xiao Xunbao and said seriously:

“This time, it’s up to you.”

“Xiao Xunbao!” Xiao Xunbao nodded solemnly.

Qiao Sang stepped forward.

“Xun!”

Xiao Xunbao finally came to its senses and quickly followed.

Upon reaching the open area, Qiao Sang walked through the bustling crowd of people and Ghost-type Pets, glancing at the surrounding stalls.

Mi Jiala casually scanned each stall, seemingly uninterested.

“Xiao Xunbao!”

Suddenly, Xiao Xunbao’s eyes glowed purple, and it stopped in front of a stall, pointing at a stone emitting black mist and calling out.

Qiao Sang walked over. Before she could even ask, the stall owner said:

“Your Xiao Xunbao is truly skilled at treasure appraisal! This Negative Accumulation Stone has reached A-level. When you go inside, it will ensure that your negative emotions won’t erupt, and it will definitely allow you to come out with a clear mind.”

ghost mist, when inhaled, will trigger negative emotions. Besides Ghost-type Pets, humans and Pets of other attributes will all be affected. However, by wearing a Negative Accumulation Stone, it can absorb the surrounding black mist, minimizing the impact.

Instead of spending money on this, it would be better to just let Lu Bao use Therapeutic Sound Wave… Qiao Sang casually asked:

“How much is this?”

The stall owner’s eyes lit up and he said, “A-level Negative Accumulation Stones are hard to come by. Just give me 1.99 million.”

1.99 million? Why don’t you just rob me? An A-level Negative Accumulation Stone is pure black, this one is blue-black, at most B-level. Are you taking me for a fool…? Qiao Sang didn’t say anything more and turned to leave.

The stall owner called out from behind:

“Don’t go! This is an A-level Negative Accumulation Stone! Even if you don’t believe me, don’t you believe Xiao Xunbao’s appraisal ability?!”

Bystanders and stall owners frequently looked sideways, their gazes falling on Xiao Xunbao.

In a place like this, a Pet like Xiao Xunbao, which can sense the location of treasures, is highly sought after.

Soon, many passersby gathered around the stall with the Negative Accumulation Stone, asking for the price.

Goodness, so this is why he dared to quote such an exorbitant price, seeing that Xiao Xunbao had taken a liking to the Negative Accumulation Stone… Qiao Sang lowered her voice and said to Xiao Xunbao:

“Later, when you see something good, don’t get excited. Shake your head and sigh, indicating that the item isn’t good.”

“Xiao Xunbao.”

Xiao Xunbao, though not understanding why, still nodded.

At this moment, Mi Jiala walked over and said:

“Everything here was brought out from this ghost mist. There’s news that someone saw a Du Ling Meow inside a week ago, which is why so many people have gathered here. After about a week, most of the things inside this ghost mist have probably already been found.”

This meant that even if they went in, they probably wouldn’t find anything good.

Qiao Sang was stunned for a moment:

“Teacher, how do you know so much?”

Mi Jiala said calmly:

“I just heard it.”

Most of the people who came here were planning to enter this ghost mist, so naturally, they were discussing related matters.

I thought we were just coming to buy things, but I didn’t expect the real purpose was to gather information… Qiao Sang felt that she still had a lot to learn. She looked at Teacher Mi Jiala with admiration and asked:

“Did you hear anything else?”

Mi Jiala was silent for a moment, then said:

“This ghost mist is said to have existed for tens of thousands of years. Inside, it was originally a place called Ghost Prosperity Town. Then, one day, hundreds of secret realm fissures suddenly appeared, and wild Ghost-type Pets gathered. Because the outbreak was so sudden, everyone in the town was trapped inside, losing contact with the outside world.”

“Just when everyone thought the people of Ghost Prosperity Town had perished inside, they all walked out unharmed. The legend passed down is that the legendary Pet, Mihei Ramu, saved them.”

“The people were rescued, but the ghost mist remained, and this place could no longer be inhabited, becoming a rather taboo area, almost a forbidden zone.”

“The current situation is likely due to everyone gathering here for the Du Ling Meow.”

A place called a forbidden zone is certainly terrifying, but the allure of the Du Ling Meow is enough for people to overcome their fear, especially those Yu Beast Masters whose lifespans are nearing their end.

Qiao Sang was stunned for a moment and blurted out:

“Lost Town?”

Mi Jiala nodded slightly:

“This place is indeed known as Lost Town. I heard that many Yu Beast Masters went in to explore later and quite a few of them were left behind inside.”

Qiao Sang: “…”

I was talking about the escape room I chose back then…

It seems that the script for that escape room was based on a real event…

Qiao Sang immediately thought of something, reined in her thoughts, and asked with an incredulous expression:

“You heard this just now too?”

“No.” Mi Jiala shook her head and said, “This location in Dragon Country is quite famous. I had heard about it when I was in Eagle Country.”

So that’s how it is. I almost thought that in such a short time just browsing the stalls, she had even heard about something like this… Qiao Sang thought to herself.

Mi Jiala asked:

“Do you still want to go in?”

Qiao Sang pondered for a few seconds and asked:

“Can we get out in time? I’m worried about missing the time for Xiao Xunbao’s secret realm fissure.”

Originally, she didn’t know that this ghost mist corresponded to Lost Town. Now that she knew many people had gone missing inside, she wasn’t worried about not being able to get out, just afraid of not being able to get out in time.

“Xiao Xunbao…”

Xiao Xunbao was stunned for a moment upon hearing this.

Mi Jiala said:

“With me here, yes.”

Her calm demeanor and confident tone instantly filled Qiao Sang with a sense of security. She puffed out her chest and said fearlessly:

“Since we can get out in time, of course we should go in. There’s a saying in Dragon Country, ‘Since we’re already here.’”

With an S-Class Beast Master and Xiao Xunbao accompanying her, if she didn’t go in, what would be the difference from having a hundred-dollar bill in front of her and not picking it up?

With Xiao Xunbao around, the treasures they could encounter would be much more valuable than a hundred-dollar bill.

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Mi Jiala nodded and said:

“Then let’s go.”

Huh? Qiao Sang was stunned for a moment:

“Not going to browse anymore?”

Mi Jiala looked around and said:

“Everyone is preparing to go in. Do you think there’s anything good left for you?”

Qiao Sang looked at the people around her, who were seriously examining the items on the stalls with their Pets, then fell silent for a moment. She said nothing more and walked towards the ghost mist with Teacher Mi Jiala.

“Xiao Xunbao…”

Xiao Xunbao showed a disappointed expression. It hadn’t even really started looking yet.

“Xun!”

Just as it was feeling disappointed, Xiao Xunbao turned its head and called out excitedly, indicating, “Hurry up! There must be many good things inside this black mist!”

“Xiao Xunbao!”

Xiao Xunbao’s spirits lifted, and it quickly followed.

About three hundred meters from the black mist, several people in formal attire and Ghost-type Pets stood, loudly proclaiming:

“Fated Insurance, Fated Insurance! As long as you buy our insurance, even if you go in and can’t come out, besides compensation, we can also let your family know whether you’re dead or alive immediately.”

If they go in and can’t come out, does knowing whether they’re dead or alive still matter? If they stay inside for a long time, even if they’re alive, they’ll eventually be gone… Qiao Sang wasn’t very interested in this kind of insurance.

However, people walking in the same direction swarmed forward, asking about the insurance details.

Mi Jiala glanced at them and said:

“People who come here are already determined not to come out, seeking the Du Ling Meow. So, when they see this type of insurance at the point of entry, they are highly likely to purchase it.”

She paused, then scanned the surroundings and added:

“Don’t let their youthful appearance fool you; their vitality is very weak, and most of them don’t look like they have long to live. If you encounter people asking for help inside, don’t bother with them. Since you have Xiao Xunbao with you, they might easily target you.”

I’ve used Indifference Powder. If others want to make a move, their first target would be you, Teacher… Qiao Sang said earnestly:

“I understand.”

Steel Treasure silently glanced at its Yu Beast Master, its eyes full of amusement.

Walking two more steps forward, various food stalls came into view.

The aroma was enticing.

Qiao Sang couldn’t help but look twice. Only then did she remember that she hadn’t eaten since arriving in Xi Han City.

Mi Jiala followed Qiao Sang’s gaze.

A stall owner noticed their gaze and enthusiastically said:

“Come eat something! Once you go inside, you might not get to eat again.”

What a morbid thing to say… Qiao Sang turned to Teacher Mi Jiala: “Let’s eat something.”

Mi Jiala nodded, indicating no objection.

Qiao Sang walked towards the adjacent stall.

Mi Jiala followed behind.

The original stall owner: “…”

After a simple bowl of wontons, Qiao Sang led Ya Bao and the others, along with Teacher Mi Jiala, into the black ghost mist.

The black ghost mist surged, hiding and making the figures of the two people and their Pets disappear.

Everything returned to calm, as if no one had ever entered.

…

Inside the ghost mist.

The view suddenly opened up.

There was no scene of being shrouded in ghost mist and unable to see the surroundings as imagined.

There was only a faint misty feeling. Looking around, the buildings on both sides were dilapidated, showing signs of having been attacked. There were also some people and Ghost-type Pets walking around in the buildings.

Qiao Sang looked back.

She found that it was also a dilapidated street and buildings, and the path they came from was gone.

“It feels quite similar to a secret realm,” Qiao Sang sighed.

Both are like entering another world as soon as you step inside.

“It’s still not quite the same.” Mi Jiala scanned the surroundings and said, “There should only be wild Ghost-type Pets here, and it’s much smaller than a secret realm. Most importantly, the resources here are not as abundant as in a secret realm. Even if there are, they were likely brought out by those wild Ghost-type Pets from secret realm fissures.”

Listening to this, it sounds like the danger level is very low… Qiao Sang pondered:

“Won’t wild Pets of other attributes come out from the secret realm fissures?”

Mi Jiala said faintly:

“The environment here is not suitable for Pets other than Ghost-type Pets to live. Even if there are any, they probably won’t live long.”

“Is it because of the ghost mist?” Qiao Sang frowned.

Mi Jiala nodded and said:

“That’s right. The ghost mist contains various negative energies. If Pets of other attributes stay in it for too long, not only will their temper become irritable, but their bodies will also experience discomfort.”

Qiao Sang’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly looked at Ya Bao and the others.

Except for Qing Bao, who appeared, frowning and covering its nose, and the surrounding wind was a bit strong, Ya Bao and the others seemed to be in their original state and unaffected.

Mi Jiala noticed Qiao Sang’s actions and said calmly:

“You are now a B-level Beast Tamer, and Yan Jiaoou and the others are King-level Pets. Unless you stay inside for more than ten years, it’s unlikely to be affected.”

Saying that, she looked at Qing Bao and said:

“The most affected here is Qingyin Fairy. I suggest you recall her to the yu beast codex first.”

I don’t know if Qing Bao is willing to go in. It loves freedom so much, transforming into wind and flying east and west. This place is a rare sight after all. How can seeing it in the yu beast codex compare to seeing it with your own eyes? If Qing Bao isn’t willing to enter the yu beast codex, it’s only a day or two anyway before we leave, and then Lu Bao can heal it… Qiao Sang thought of this and was about to speak.

“Qing Qing!”

At this moment, Qing Bao showed an irritable expression, as if saying, “Hurry and let me in.”

Even its voice was a bit rougher than usual.

Qiao Sang: “…”

The power of this ghost mist is too terrifying. Qing Bao, with such a good temper, was actually provoked to irritability so quickly… Qiao Sang thought, and with a wave of her hand, recalled Qing Bao to the yu beast codex. (End of chapter)