Chapter 397 - 393: A Good Place for Camping

Chapter 397: Chapter 393: A Good Place for Camping

Happy times are always fleeting. Still in a dangerous situation, the group couldn’t afford to linger any longer. So, Gu Nuan Nuan and Jiang Wenhao, who was supporting Qi Guoqing, got up to leave. Luo Hongyi, Zhang Huai, and Liang Changsheng remained behind to interrogate the two men still pinned to the ground.

Before leaving, Gu Nuan Nuan had Cao Cao sprinkle another round of powder on the two men to wake them. This time, however, she didn’t focus her spiritual power in their direction, nor did she allow Cao Cao to remain overly curious. ’Some things are worth being curious about, and some aren’t,’ she thought. ’I need to be able to tell the difference.’

The spot she had cordoned off had pleasant surroundings and, just as she’d said, wasn’t far. To accommodate Qi Guoqing’s injuries, the three of them didn’t walk quickly. Gu Nuan Nuan felt like she was moving at a snail’s pace, but in the end, the journey only took fifteen minutes.

"This place?"

Qi Guoqing and Jiang Wenhao had followed Gu Nuan Nuan into the Array she had set up, encountering no resistance on their way in. As soon as they entered, they saw a cave with a small stream flowing in front of its entrance. And just as Gu Nuan Nuan had said before, the stream wasn’t shallow; they could even see quite a few fish swimming in it.

It seemed like a good place to camp, but—

Looking at the "campsite," from which the outside scenery was clearly visible, the two men were dumbfounded. They couldn’t fathom how anyone passing by such an exposed place could possibly miss them.

"Why don’t you try walking out, Fifth Brother?" Gu Nuan Nuan suggested, inwardly amused by their expressions. ’It’s no wonder they don’t believe it. I’d be skeptical of something so incredible myself. No amount of explaining will be as convincing as letting them experience it firsthand.’ With that thought, she put forth her mischievous proposal.

"...W-well, I’ll give it a try?" In his heart, Jiang Wenhao wanted to convince himself to place his complete trust in his Sister-in-law. It felt absurd to doubt someone whose Combat Power could crush them in an instant and who could produce such miraculous life-saving medicine. ’She wouldn’t just be spouting nonsense.’

’It’s just so hard to believe. And logically, I know my Sister-in-law has no reason to deceive us, but... but reality is staring me in the face...’

He looked outside, even spotting a rabbit that vanished in a flash through the grass and birds that periodically zipped past. ’In a situation like this, how could I convince myself that those little animals can’t see us?’

’If it couldn’t see us, why did that rabbit run?’

Gu Nuan Nuan smiled. "First, follow me out." With that, she led the way.

"Alright," Jiang Wenhao agreed, though he couldn’t help but wonder, ’It’s a straight shot. Why do I even need to follow her?’

But thoughts were one thing; action was another. He was willing to show his "Sister-in-law" respect, both on the surface and in his heart. He already felt guilty for doubting her, for questioning her. ’I’d better just be obedient,’ he thought. So he cooperated fully, meekly following Gu Nuan Nuan as she twisted and turned along what was clearly a straight path, just as she had on their way in. He laughed at himself inwardly, but couldn’t help thinking, ’I guess she’s still young, so she can’t help being a little playful...’

Whatever thoughts Jiang Wenhao had vanished the moment he stepped outside. The reason was simple: looking back, things felt different. He could still see the scenery within the "campsite," but for some reason, there was no sign of Qi Guoqing.

He froze.

’But just a moment ago, I clearly saw him sitting by the stream. In such a short time, and with his severe injuries, there’s no way he could have moved into the cave on his own. For one thing, getting into that cave requires climbing over a large boulder... Plus, I’d bet my life that right now, Qi Guoqing is sitting in that exact spot, watching us intently without so much as blinking.’

"Try walking in by yourself."

Gu Nuan Nuan urged him on. Of course, she knew why Jiang Wenhao was stunned. The magic of this Array was that while it seemed you could see inside from the outside, what anyone actually saw was just an unchanging Illusion Realm. They might see chirping insects, calling birds, fish leaping from the water, or even animals drinking... Why else would it be called an Illusion Realm? In reality, any activity of the people inside could not be seen or heard from the outside. Conversely, however, nothing on the outside could escape the eyes of those within.

Gu Nuan Nuan was very pleased with this Array. She even imagined that the stream might ’lure’ in some animals looking for water... or maybe even the people who were relentlessly pursuing them. ’Heh, the thought of trapping them like fish in a barrel is just too satisfying for words.’

Seeing Gu Nuan Nuan’s confident look, Jiang Wenhao’s earlier skepticism began to waver. But after he took just two steps forward, he was utterly stunned.

No, "stunned" wasn’t a strong enough word to describe the complex mix of emotions he felt. With that one simple step, the scene before him had completely changed. Without his Sister-in-law leading the way, he walked straight forward but could no longer see the stream. Looking back, he couldn’t even see her shadow. All that remained before him were winding little paths. ’But a moment ago, she was less than three steps away from me!’

Refusing to give up, he kept walking, but soon discovered that no matter which direction he chose, he simply couldn’t find a way out.

What Jiang Wenhao didn’t know was that inside the Array, Qi Guoqing was just as stunned. From his vantage point, he could see the situation outside perfectly. He watched as Jiang Wenhao walked endlessly in circles within a small, confined area, while just a few paces away, Gu Nuan Nuan looked on with a broad smile.

Qi Guoqing’s mouth hung wide open. If he didn’t know some of the truth, he would never have believed that the famously rational Fifth Brother would be foolishly walking in circles, all while wearing such a silly, excited, and amused expression. It was as if he thought walking in circles was a fun game.

"Oh my god, can such an unbelievable Array really exist?" After wandering in the Array for over ten minutes with no success, Jiang Wenhao was finally led back in by Gu Nuan Nuan. He laughed heartily, his eyes shining as he stared at Gu Nuan Nuan and asked with anticipation, "Sister-in-law, if we make noise in here, or if we cook and smoke rises from the fire, can people outside hear or see it?"

"No. In fact, until the Spirit Stone’s energy is depleted, this place is temporarily cut off from the rest of the world. Unless a master skilled in breaking Arrays can get in," Gu Nuan Nuan said patiently.

"Spirit Stone? This Array consumes the energy of a Spirit Stone?" Jiang Wenhao was curious. How could he not be? Even Qi Guoqing couldn’t help but widen his eyes as he listened to him ask excitedly, "Does that mean that as long as you have a Spirit Stone, you can set up an Array like this anytime, anywhere?"