159: "Treasure Hunt Under the Moon" event

Han Ruoxue's maze core fragment suddenly emitted a soft glow. She immediately sensed it and detected a special Instance fluctuation again: "This feeling... is very similar to the previous maze, but it's more complex."

"Didn't the system only announce one Instance? Why did another one pop up?" Xu Bai's face was full of despair.

"Let's go, let's see what this unannounced Instance is all about," Chu Yixing said, standing up.

Following Han Ruoxue's guidance, the the five people arrived at a valley in the city's outskirts. There was a hidden maze entrance here, even older and more complex than the previous one.

"This is... the ancient Moon Shadow Maze Instance?" Ji Linghan judged from the energy fluctuations at the Instance entrance.

Stepping into the maze, the the five people immediately felt the difference in this place. The Moonlight Essence Energy here was purer, even carrying a hint of ancient aura, and the maze's structure was more complex and intricate.

"The puzzles here might require more profound Moon Phase knowledge," Han Ruoxue frowned, "Some even require simulating Moon Phases from specific historical moments."

Fortunately, with Ji Linghan, the calculating genius, and Han Ruoxue, the Moon God inheritor, working together, complex puzzles were solved one by one.

Deep within the maze, they discovered an ancient Moon Radiance altar. The altar was covered with ancient Moon Phase runes, and there was a groove in the center, perfectly matching the shape of the fragment they had previously obtained.

"It seems this is the purpose of the fragment," Chu Yixing said, placing the fragment into the groove.

The fragment perfectly embedded, and the altar immediately lit up with a soft glow. A ray of Moonlight rose from the altar, projecting a complex star map into the air.

"This is... a Moon Phase star map?" Han Ruoxue exclaimed, "It seems to record some lost Moon Phase secret art."

Just as the the five people were studying the star map, a mechanical whirring sound suddenly came from the altar, and the ground slowly opened up a secret passage.

"There's a hidden area?" Xu Bai was both surprised and delighted.

The secret passage led to an even older secret chamber, where well-preserved ancient Moon Radiance devices and documents were stored.

The most striking item was an ancient book in the center of the chamber, formed by condensed Moonlight—the "Moon Phase Secret Tome."

Han Ruoxue gently touched the ancient book, and it immediately transformed into a stream of light, merging into her body.

[System: Obtained "Moon Phase Secret Tome," Moon God profession compatibility 100%, comprehended new skill: Moon Phase Conversion.]

Han Ruoxue closed her eyes, sensing the newly acquired knowledge and abilities. When she opened her eyes again, the mysteries of Moon Phase changes swirled within them.

"I can temporarily change the surrounding Moon Phase environment," she said excitedly, "for example, changing a full moon environment to a new moon, or vice versa."

Chu Yixing's eyes lit up: "This ability will be very useful in night battles!"

When they left the ancient maze, the sky was already beginning to lighten; it was almost five in the morning. The the five people had reaped considerable rewards; not only did they obtain precious items, but Han Ruoxue also gained a professional skill.

"Although it was tiring, it was worth it," Yu Yue said, looking at his newly acquired Moon Shadow Cloak with satisfaction.

Xu Bai, however, had a bitter expression: "But I never want to solve another puzzle... now everything looks like a Moon Phase symbol to me... this is completely different from the mazes I know."

Ji Linghan, however, smiled: "A very interesting challenge."

Chu Yixing gazed at the dawn breaking in the sky: "Today is the fourth day of the event, and there are still three days left. I wonder what kind of challenges await us next."

Han Ruoxue, studying her newly acquired skill, softly said: "No matter what the challenge, we can handle it."

The the five people did not continue to farm monsters but returned to the imperial city for breakfast and went to their respective bedrooms to rest. The Instance was both mentally and physically exhausting.

August 17th, 6:00 PM sharp.

As the last rays of the setting sun completely disappeared below the horizon, a bright, clear Moon quietly rose, casting its silvery glow. Unlike the previous days, today's Moonlight seemed to carry a strange allure, making people involuntarily want to go out and explore.

[System Announcement: Mid-Autumn Cassia Moon Essence Ceremony enters its fifth day, "Treasure Hunt Under the Moon" event begins! Today, the drop rate of all Instance treasures is increased, and the chance of hidden treasures appearing is greatly increased!]

[Special Reminder: Today's treasure hunt event is limited from 18:00 to 6:00 the next day. Please seize the opportunity to hunt for treasures.]

The system's prompt interrupted the the five people, including Chu Yixing, who were busy making immortal cakes in the kitchen.

After finishing their immortal cake making, the the five people gathered to check today's daily quests.

[Daily Quest One: Collect 80 pieces of any event material.]

[Daily Quest Two: Find 3 hidden Moon Palace treasure chests.]

[Daily Quest Three: Collect 5 Moon Radiance Diamonds.]

[Daily Quest Four: Participate in the "Treasure Hunt Under the Moon" event, explore treasure Instances (optional).]

Xu Bai almost jumped up: "Treasure! I've finally waited for this day; I'm going to turn every Instance upside down!"

Yu Yue smiled and shook his head: "Don't forget there's also combat; treasures usually have powerful guardians."

Ji Linghan also added: "And don't forget the Dark Moon Cult; that Shadow eclipse Squad definitely won't give up this once-a-year opportunity easily."

"These annoying guys, can't they just let people enjoy a good festival?!" Xu Bai rolled his eyes dramatically.

Ji Linghan continued: "According to posts on the forum, the Dark Moon Cult is active not only in our first-tier zone but also in other zones. I wonder what their actual goal is."

Chu Yixing concluded: "Whatever it is, it will eventually be exposed. Ruo Xue, sense the Moonlight Essence Energy; let's begin our evening's activities."

Han Ruoxue closed her eyes to sense, and an astonished expression appeared on her face: "Today's Moonlight Essence Energy... seems to be guiding a direction. I can feel the energy fluctuations of countless treasures, like stars in the night sky, but some fluctuations feel... not quite right."

Chu Yixing sensed the active Moonlight Essence Energy in the air: "It seems today is a day for harvesting. We will try to explore as many Instances as possible, but we must be careful; where there are treasures, there will be strong enemies guarding them. Ruo Xue, pay special attention to those abnormal fluctuations; they might be related to the Dark Moon Cult."

Under Han Ruoxue's guidance, the the five people arrived at an abandoned factory in the east of the city. It looked unremarkable, but Han Ruoxue said with certainty: "There's a hidden Instance underground; the energy reaction is very strong."

After searching for a long time, Xu Bai finally discovered a buried Moon Radiance rune stone: "It's here; it needs Moonlight Essence Energy to activate."

Han Ruoxue placed her hand on the rune stone and injected Moonlight Essence Energy. The ground slowly opened a downward passage. The the five people cautiously entered, discovering that it was actually the ruins of an ancient Moon God temple.

The temple was filled with mechanisms and guardian puppets, but the most attractive item was a long sword radiating Moon Radiance light, suspended above the central altar.