A 'seal' was a magic circle with the same theoretical basis as a 'barrier' but with the opposite effect.
One was meant to protect the outside by imprisoning what was inside.
The other was meant to protect what was inside without imprisoning it from the outside.
This resulted in the danger level of a seal being far higher than that of a barrier.
After hearing Lan Qingyou’s explanation, everyone suddenly understood why she had been so tense just now.
“So, what do we do next? Do we go in, or not?”
Someone asked nervously.
Since Spoon had found it, it was undoubtedly something good.
But based on Lan Qingyou’s description, the danger was clearly rising exponentially.
The Undead General from before was only A-grade.
Behind this door... there might be an S-grade or even higher existence.
Thus, everyone looked at Lan Qingyou, waiting for her judgment.
However, Lan Qingyou did not give an answer immediately.
“First, clear all the gold coins out of here. I need to see the full layout of the sealing circle before I make a decision.”
Looking at the gold inside the cabin, Lan Qingyou couldn't help but frown.
Were these gold artifacts, coins, and magic items piled here on purpose just to hide the sealing circle?
It was even possible that the Undead General existed solely to guard this place.
“Alright.”
Lan Qingyou’s suggestion met with unanimous approval.
After all, one has no right to speak without investigation. Now that Lan Qingyou had provided a plan, they only needed to get to work.
A bit of gold might be a hassle to carry away, but simply moving it out was incredibly easy.
They just had to clear a single slot in their cards to collect the gold coins, and then leave the remaining handicrafts and such to Li Huai, the great wind mage, to handle.
As everyone worked, the magic circle became clearer and clearer. Lan Qingyou, holding her magic lantern, was practically crawling on the floor, studying it section by section and recording her findings in a brand-new notebook she had taken out.
No one complained about Lan Qingyou’s slow progress.
Except for a few, almost everyone here was a researcher. They knew exactly how researchers acted once they entered their 'study mode.'
So, no one disturbed her.
In fact, several others who had some knowledge of magic circles even proactively pulled out their own notebooks to help.
This was a learning opportunity they weren't about to miss.
Admittedly, Lan Qingyou knew the most about magic circles among them, but everyone’s understanding and research focus differed.
As such, they couldn't let Lan Qingyou carry the burden alone or 'monopolize the spotlight.'
Outside of the Research Group, the others spontaneously formed a Logistics Group to provide support.
They not only set up tents on the splicing platform, but Gu Xiaobei even built a campfire and took out a full set of kitchen supplies, preparing to cook a feast.
They spent the next five days in this environment.
However, no one felt bored.
“I think we can go in, but there will likely be a super-standard or world-class monster inside.”
“I’m not sure what it is, but based on the symbols and arrangement of the sealing circle, it’s certain that whatever is sealed inside is related to the ocean.”
At a bit past one o'clock five days later, Lan Qingyou reached her conclusion while eating.
“The ocean? You mean it’s a sea fish?”
Hearing this, the Hierophant suddenly perked up.
Among this group, no one understood sea fish better than a veteran angler like him.
Even Gu Xiaobei, who could cook gourmet food, couldn't compare.
“You could put it that way, but the category of sea fish is far too broad. It’s impossible to predict exactly what it is.”
Holding her bowl, Lan Qingyou shook her head with a wry smile.
“Tower.”
“Hmm?”
Lan Qingyou looked up and saw the Hierophant’s old face right in front of her.
The Hierophant reached out and tapped Lan Qingyou on the head.
“Caution is a good thing, but being too cautious will only make you lose the drive and spirit to charge forward. As you people from Dragon Country say, the first drum inspires courage, the second flags it, and the third exhausts it.”
“At a time like this, you only need to think about going for it, not dwell on how to deduce what the opponent is to gain more intel.”
The Hierophant might be an old angler who spent his days fishing, but he was the oldest among them after all.
To put it bluntly, if he hadn't been born a few years too late, he wouldn't even have been dragged into this world.
Thus, he felt obligated to offer a bit of 'elder's wisdom' to the youngsters of Tarot Villa at a critical moment.
The Hierophant stood up, scanned the group, and finally fixed his gaze on Lan Qingyou with a solemn expression.
“They say the bigger the wind and waves, the more expensive the fish. Everyone here came of their own free will and for the sake of profit, not for the sake of you, the Witch of the Tower. So, even if someone dies here, there will be no complaints.”
The Hierophant’s words struck Lan Qingyou’s heart like a heavy hammer.
Perhaps she hadn't even realized that, deep down, she was still worried about the safety of others.
Yes, the Hierophant was right.
She did have those concerns.
Out of everyone present, she was the only one with experience fighting 'super-standard' monsters.
Therefore, she was the one who understood the terrifying power of such creatures best.
Especially since they were currently in a dungeon they had never entered before.
Card communication was down, they had encountered an unprecedented sealing circle—there were plenty of unexpected situations.
What lay inside was even more uncertain.
It was precisely because she knew the risks that she had become indecisive, overthinking the potential for success or failure in her research.
But was that really necessary?
It wasn't.
From the moment they were forcibly transmigrated here, whether it was her, the witch, or the other ten billion people, no one had a choice.
Either get stronger, or die.
No one wanted to die, and she was no exception, so she had to get stronger.
“Then we’re going in!”
After thinking for a moment, Lan Qingyou looked up and spoke with determination.
Seeing that Lan Qingyou had made up her mind, the others all grinned.
Just as the Hierophant said, they naturally didn't want to die, but that didn't mean they were afraid of death, and it certainly didn't mean they would resent or blame anyone for their own demise.
Why did they study, find resources, and run dungeons?
To get stronger.
To make themselves stronger.
There were no other requirements, because they all knew that both the rules of the world and the laws of operation had already changed.
“Humans die for wealth, as birds die for food.”
“Exactly. I came into this dungeon to get stuff anyway.”
“You aren't some guild leader or captain; just tell us from a researcher’s perspective if there’s good stuff inside.”
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