On the way to Mt. Tianheng, Yun Jin explained to everyone the questions she wanted to ask Ningguang, as well as her new opera in rehearsal — the divine damsel of devastation.
This play title had a profound impact on Shenhe. She recalled that Yuto had once taken her to listen to a storytelling version of the divine damsel of devastation. The storyteller at the time seemed to have mentioned that the Yun-Han Opera Troupe was rehearsing a new opera based on this story, and she hadn't expected it to premiere so soon.
After Yun Jin's brief description, the others all showed indescribable expressions and involuntarily turned their gaze towards Shenhe. The protagonist of this story... could it be?
"Huh? What's wrong with you all?"
Just as the others were about to explain, Shenhe answered first, "Nothing, I really like this story. It's just that, in my opinion, perhaps the little girl in the opera... isn't as brave as everyone says. She probably doesn't deserve such praise."
Yun Jin found Shenhe's words a bit strange. Although she wanted to refute, she thought about it and decided against it. Not every audience member should have only one opinion.
"Hmm, I hadn't thought of that. Opera creation involves interpretation and performance, and it's inevitable to adapt real events. When my father wrote this play, he probably wanted to use the divine damsel in the opera to inspire more people."
"Hmm, I think it's a very good story, a story I idealize."
Stardust Iron Ore grows on the steep rock walls of Mt. Tianheng, making it indeed difficult to discover, but for Lumine, who is proficient in various Adventurer techniques, it was not a difficult task.
However, when she saw herself still having to painstakingly and carefully climb little by little, she turned her head and found that Yuto had effortlessly walked up the steep rock wall. His leisurely stroll gave her the illusion that she was a clown.
The Stardust Iron Ore was quickly gathered, but there was no clue about the secret china stone. According to Master Zhang, it was said that someone in the villages around Mt. Tianheng knew a secret method to locate the secret china stone, but that village had been abandoned more than ten years ago, and the villagers had moved elsewhere, making them difficult to trace.
Helpless, everyone could only first go to the abandoned village to look for clues about the secret china stone.
However, when they arrived at the abandoned village, everyone was stunned by the sight before them, while Yuto and Shenhe's expressions were a bit unnatural.
This abandoned village no longer resembled its former self; or rather, it would be more accurate to call it ruins, as not a single complete house could be found.
"Did some upheaval happen here? Why is it so damaged? How are we supposed to find clues like this?"
"Oh? Look, there's an old man over there? Is he from the old village? Let's go ask him."
Everyone followed Paimon's gaze and saw a white-haired old man standing on a high point nearby, gazing at the houses before him, as if deep in thought.
Upon seeing the old man, Shenhe's body trembled, and her eyes filled with memories.
Yun Jin stepped forward and politely asked: "Hello, old man, we are passing by and would like to ask you for clues about the secret china stone."
But the old man, either not hearing or lost in his own memories, did not respond. Just as Yun Jin was about to ask again, Shenhe, who was standing at the back of the group, suddenly spoke.
"Long time no see, Uncle Mingjun."
Upon seeing Shenhe's figure, the old man's face instantly changed, his eyes filled with disbelief. This familiar yet very strange feeling made the old man tremblingly ask: "You... are you... A-He?"
"Yes."
"A-He... you're still alive? Those rumors were true? These past years..."
"I'm fine."
Mingjun still wanted to say something, but seeing so many other people around, he said: "Excuse me, everyone, I don't know the method for finding the secret china stone, but there should be some records in the village. However, this place was destroyed like this by someone not long ago, and I'm not sure if anything can still be found. You are welcome to search freely."
Yun Jin realized that the old man and Shenhe had something to discuss, so she suggested that everyone go search first, giving them space to talk. Everyone agreed.
However, when Yuto also tried to leave, Shenhe secretly tugged on his sleeve from the side, seemingly wanting him to stay.
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