Chapter 1104 - 797: Totem (2)

Chapter 1104: Chapter 797: Totem (2)

That tree had long disappeared.

The dune was still that dune, the moonlight was still that moonlight, but that bone-like tree seemed never to have existed.

That dreamy and peculiar bone tree, as if it only existed in the legendary murals, seemed to be an illusion conjured by their imagination.

Everyone’s back felt a chilly sensation.

Suddenly, someone gasped and their voice trembled, "Wait, Captain... That tree, shaped like bones... Could it be the ’Moonlit White Bones’ that the Big Boss is seeking?"

The line from the ballad, "The branches of Moonlit White Bones point in all directions," precisely matched what they encountered tonight.

Upon realizing this, everyone drew in a sharp breath.

"Quick! Return to the city immediately! Report to the Big Boss!"

A group of feathered beasts couldn’t care less about their fatigue; their wings flapped noisily as they hurriedly dashed towards Sky City under the cover of night.

Back to Shen Tang and the Beast Husbands, for nearly a month, they crossed four or five deserts but found nothing, not even a trace.

Just as Shen Tang began to doubt whether they took the wrong path, word suddenly came from Sang Tian that there was progress at Sky City, and someone discovered traces of "Moonlit White Bones."

They swiftly turned back, heading straight for Sky City, and upon reaching the city, went immediately to the palace to see the Big Boss.

Upon seeing Shen Tang, Mo Yan didn’t fuss over past matters anymore. His daughter staying with Shen Tang was safe, sparing him the worry.

He knew the purpose of Shen Tang’s visit and got straight to the point by calling over the dispatched team,

"Tell this esteemed female everything you encountered in the desert, leaving nothing out."

"Yes, Big Boss." The captain, a dusty eagle clan beastman in his forties, respectfully greeted Shen Tang and the Beast Husbands, recounting their desert encounter in detail.

They went to the Sallos Desert, but couldn’t remember the exact route.

The entire team lost direction at the time, their instruments malfunctioned, and they stumbled upon the bone-like tree, which disappeared when they looked back... so he could only provide an approximate account, without certainty over the location.

Shen Tang listened and understood the situation.

Having clues was better than having none, at least they now had a target, unlike before when she was clueless; it boosted her confidence.

To verify the truth, they’d need to go there personally.

Thus, without bothering to rest, Shen Tang and the Beast Husbands bid goodbye to the City Lord and headed straight for the rumored Sallos Desert.

After several days of travel, they reached the desert’s edge, where a wall of heat hit them head-on, and the scorching white sands filled the air with no trace of moisture, making it feel like their throats were smoking.

"It’s so hot." Shen Tang felt overwhelmed by the heat, fanning herself with her hand.

The temperature there seemed hotter than the previous desert they visited.

If it weren’t for her replication of Yue Lin’s ice ability that allowed her to create an ice shield for herself and the Beast Husbands, the harsh weather would’ve been unbearable.

Shen Tang increasingly missed Jia Lan.

She remembered the summers when she always complained about the heat, and Jia Lan would joyfully prepare iced fruit juices for her.

When he was around, no matter how hot it was, it felt refreshing.

Wondering how he’s doing now, and where that dog Liu Ye might be.

And Xue Yinzhou, during summer nights Shen Tang loved to hug him to sleep, cool and soothing, naturally reducing the heat.

Wondering when he will awaken.

A trace of melancholy flashed in Shen Tang’s eyes. She shook her head, trying her best not to dwell on these thoughts.

Dwelling on seasons won’t help; to save Jia Lan, she must destroy the Divine Hall.

The connection between Liu Ye and the Divine Hall is tangled, and destroying the Divine Hall seems necessary to solve the Liu Ye issue once and for all.

"Xiao Tang’er, it’s too hot on the ground, you’d be better off sitting on me. I’ll carry you, making it easier for you." Shen Li transformed into a Fire Fox and walked over, speaking thoughtfully.

Xiao Jin immediately felt discontent, "Last time you carried Tangtang, now it should be my turn."

Shen Li dismissed him, "Your fur is hard and prickly, and you run recklessly; Xiao Tang’er wouldn’t be comfortable sitting on you, let me do it."

Xiao Jin almost exploded, "A Fire Fox carrying Xiao Tang’er in this heat will only be hotter! Let me do it!"

Lu Xiao lightly coughed and quietly said, "Female Master, it’s cooler up there. Why not let me carry you?"

Shen Li and Xiao Jin immediately stopped their overt and subtle fighting, both glaring at the eagle!

No one expected the usually honest eagle to pull off such a surprise move!

Shen Tang thought Lu Xiao made sense; flying in the air was certainly cooler and stable, she wanted Lu Xiao to carry her... but considering Xiao Jin, she hadn’t been close to him in a while and wanted to comfort him.

She said, "Let’s focus on travel now; Ah Jin’s superpower comes in handy for faster travel, helping me with better position search... I’ll go with him first, and then with Ah Xiao on the return."

That’s quite the masterful balancing act!

Lu Xiao naturally had no objections.

Xiao Jin was thrilled and instantly transformed into his Black Panther form, his glossy black fur shining like satin under the sunlight, with golden markings gleaming radiantly.

"Tangtang, climb up."

He crouched down for Shen Tang to sit, his tail already wagging with excitement.

As soon as Shen Tang settled, he tilted his head and licked her cheek with a wet, warm tongue, showing a little flattery.

"Ha ha ha—stop that." Shen Tang laughed while pushing his face away.

The Black Panther licked her again before contently moving forward, his long tail high up, swinging left and right, proudly as if carrying Shen Tang was a great honor.

Lu Xiao circled low for vigilance, Shen Li walked nearby, maintaining a respectful distance.

Both of them looked at Xiao Jin’s smugness, twitching their mouths speechlessly.

Although this time they acquired important clues, the specific location needed to be found on their own.

Fortunately, Shen Tang had spiritual power; she spread it like a web over a vast area, sensing within a hundred-mile radius.

The system map was open too, doubling the efforts; surely they could find it.

They searched in the morning, afternoon, and at dusk.

During the most scorching midday, they hid within the space to avoid the blistering heat that could dry someone out.

The place was deserted; temple pursuers couldn’t reach them soon, so there wasn’t much worry.

Three days passed.

Just as Shen Tang’s spiritual power was about to sweep over another dune, she suddenly paused.

"Wait... There seems to be something over there."

She sensed a faint fluctuation in energy, distinct from the surrounding dead desert sea.