Every street, every building, and even those easily overlooked alleys and hidden corners had been sketched out by Xia Duo, thanks to her incredible memory and meticulous observation.
“This... this is simply incredible!” Po Kong couldn't help but exclaim. “Little Shadow, how did you do it? In such a short time, you actually managed to draw a map of such a large area from memory!”
“Hmph, don't be too surprised. This is just basic stuff,” Xia Duo said with a proud smile, her eyes shining with confidence. She pointed to a small blank section in the center of the map and continued, “I’ve ruled out most of the suspicious locations over the last few days. Now, only this central part remains.”
Starlight’s gaze lingered on the spot she was pointing at for a moment as memory fragments related to that area quickly replayed in his mind.
He clearly remembered that it was an area surrounded by heavy guards. Whenever they had unintentionally approached it while wandering, they were resolutely stopped by those highly vigilant sentries.
“So it’s that place...” Starlight muttered thoughtfully.
“It is indeed unusual. Such tight security suggests that something important is likely hidden there, or there’s some secret they don't want anyone to know.”
Xia Duo nodded slightly and looked at Moen expectantly.
“Exactly. I’ve always felt there was something wrong with that place. Now that we have a map, we can plan more carefully on how to get in and take a look. And this is where my dear sister comes in handy, right?”
“Hmm? What about Little Crescent? Aren't you the ranger? Isn't this kind of work your specialty?” Po Kong asked, looking confused.
Moen gave Xia Duo a quick glance, her bright eyes hiding a hint of worry.
She understood that her sister was filled with curiosity and a desire to explore that heavily guarded area, but she also knew the danger and difficulty involved.
Ultimately, she sighed softly in her heart and spoke in a gentle yet firm voice, “It looks like we’ll have to use our old trick. I just don't know if such a ruse will still work here. And this time, Starlight, I’ll need your help too.”
Facing the puzzled looks of Starlight and Po Kong, Moen began to explain.
As everyone knows, every person possesses their own unique frequency and signature. This is formed by the interplay of internal life energy, physical condition, and the surrounding environment.
If trackers cannot see their target, they usually choose to lock onto the target's unique signature to maintain surveillance.
As a Nature Priest, Moen had mastered a secret art that could use the power of nature to transform a person's signature into a different form, or even simulate the unique signature of a living being onto certain objects for a short time.
“Sister had me test this method with her during ranger training once. She managed to slip out right under the instructor's nose, and no one noticed her trail at all,” Moen said with a light chuckle, sounding a bit nostalgic.
Back then, the two of them had used this method to bypass the inspections of the Violet City-State and enter the city directly.
Now, they only needed Moen to erase their signatures, have Noah simulate their unique frequencies in the room, and then use Starlight’s Instant Movement to leave the guesthouse undetected, effectively shaking off their watchers.
The detailed map Xia Duo had drawn would undoubtedly be a huge help for Starlight’s upcoming exploration, especially when performing high-risk actions like Instant Movement.
While space magic could cross distances quickly, it was easy for deviations to occur without accurate references and target points.
“Oh! You guys have already thought that far ahead? What about me!? Little Shadow, what should I do?”
Po Kong’s face lit up with realization after hearing the explanation. He looked at Xia Duo excitedly, eager to start the operation.
“You? You’re going to stay in this room and behave! Your boisterous personality is completely unsuitable for an infiltration mission, okay? Besides, if Starlight takes an extra person, the distance of his Instant Movement will be significantly shortened, which would make us more vulnerable.”
Xia Duo rolled her eyes at him and spoke with a hint of helplessness.
“Huh?”
Po Kong’s excitement instantly froze upon hearing he had to stay behind. His face fell, and he looked thoroughly dissatisfied.
Seeing Po Kong’s emotional rollercoaster, Starlight couldn't help but want to laugh. He reached out and patted him on the back, offering some comfort.
“What are you thinking? Since it’s an infiltration, the fewer people, the better. Besides, we need you and Noah to hold down the fort here. This is a very important task!”
“Fine... so when do you plan to leave?” Po Kong sighed and slumped back into his chair, though his tone still carried a trace of reluctance.
“Looking at the time, it’s about right. Sister, get ready,” Xia Duo said, walking carefully to the window and peering through a gap in the curtains at the darkening sky outside.
Hearing this, Moen nodded gently. Under Po Kong’s curious gaze, she gathered the three who were going out together.
“Relax, and don't resist.”
Under Starlight’s watchful eye, Moen reached out both hands and gently touched his and Xia Duo’s foreheads.
He could feel a strange power quickly circulate through his body before being subtly pulled out through his back.
When he turned his head, a pale blue blurred shadow was floating quietly behind him, like a thin mist swaying in the dawn light. The edges of the shadow were soft, and it didn't seem to have a physical form, yet it gave off a sense of real existence.
It possessed almost the exact same stature and signature as Starlight. Unless someone observed it closely from a very short distance, they wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
“Is this the art you were talking about? It really is amazing...” Starlight marveled as he looked at the two sisters.
Unlike the color of the figure behind him, the shadow behind Xia Duo was an orange-red like a warm hearth fire, while Moen’s shadow was a delicate emerald green.
These three shadows of different colors and forms were not only external manifestations of their respective internal powers but also seemed like miniatures of their personalities and destinies.
Although these three shadows looked like they could dissipate at any moment, they could be maintained for a long time as long as Noah wrapped them in soul power.
Once the signatures of these three shadows appeared in the room, Starlight and the others’ own signatures were suppressed to the extreme. To any outside perception, the three of them were now as insignificant as tiny insects.
“This way, our concealment is greatly enhanced. As long as the other party doesn't barge directly into the room, it’s almost impossible for them to notice anything unusual here.”
Xia Duo closed her eyes, carefully probing every inch of space around the guesthouse. After a moment, she opened her eyes and confirmed with a firm tone.
“In that case, let’s go! Po Kong, I’m counting on you here! If anything happens, have Noah warn me immediately through the soul link.”
After handing Noah, who was at his waist, over to Po Kong, Starlight quickly gave the two sisters a look.
Without any hesitation, Moen and Xia Duo moved in sync to Starlight’s side, each placing a fair, slender hand gently on his shoulders.
In a faint ripple of spatial energy, the three figures vanished from the guesthouse room.
“Well, it’s just the two of us watching the house again. What should we do, Senior?” Po Kong muttered as he tucked Noah away, watching their figures disappear.
Rate on N.U.
