89: Chapter 89 World Dungeon!

"A World-level Dungeon?" Lu Yin's gaze sharpened, the term piquing his interest.

"That's right." Milian nodded, her expression turning a bit more serious.

"Although this Dungeon is located within the Western Alliance's territory, as an exchange student from St. Pirlo Academy, I am qualified to lead a team to participate.

"How about it? Interested in joining? The rewards from a World-level Dungeon are exceptionally rich."

Lu Yin fell silent for a moment, not answering immediately.

A World-level Dungeon was indeed tempting; the opportunities it contained were far beyond compare to ordinary Dungeons.

There was even the possibility of finding a stone of god to upgrade the dream god earring.

However, the corresponding risks were equally immense, with many Professionals perishing within them every year.

"How many people are in your team right now?" Lu Yin asked.

"Currently, including myself, there are three members."

Milian stated frankly.

"One is a Paladin skilled in defense and protection, the other is a Druid proficient in natural magic."

"With you, we would form a perfect four-person team."

"Alright, I can join, but I have some matters to resolve first. Let's discuss the details tonight."

After thinking for a moment, Lu Yin agreed.

"Good, see you tonight then." Milian smiled slightly and nodded gracefully.

Afterwards, Lu Yin followed Ji Xingchen away from the dormitory.

The two walked along a path shaded by tall trees.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled light and shadow on the ground.

"Why are you so determined to find Teacher Chen Yuan?"

On the way, Ji Xingchen suddenly spoke, his voice calm.

"The Hidden Dragon Academy hasn't admitted any new students for many years."

"And..."

He paused, his tone somewhat complicated: "Teacher... he has never personally instructed anyone before."

Lu Yin's steps didn't stop, his gaze fixed ahead: "I heard that Senior Chen Yuan is the only person to have returned from the 'Wailing Land'."

Ji Xingchen's footsteps faltered almost imperceptibly before resuming normally: "You know about the Wailing Land?"

"Yes. My divine mission is in the Wailing Land."

Lu Yin didn't hide it, speaking truthfully.

"A divine mission?! You received a divine mission at your level?!"

Ji Xingchen stopped abruptly, looking at Lu Yin with an incredulous expression.

"Yes."

Lu Yin met his gaze and nodded.

Ji Xingchen took a deep breath, as if needing to re-evaluate this freshman before him.

He remained silent for a moment before speaking slowly, his voice much lower.

"No wonder you're looking for Teacher..."

Ji Xingchen continued forward, but his steps were noticeably heavier.

He had always considered himself quite exceptional, but compared to Lu Yin, he felt like an ordinary person.

A moment later, the two passed through a bamboo grove, and a simple, ancient courtyard came into view.

Unlike the modern architecture elsewhere in the academy, this courtyard bore the marks of time: blue bricks, grey tiles, and a wooden door slightly ajar.

Ji Xingchen stopped before the door and turned to look at Lu Yin.

"This is the place."

"However, I must warn you. Teacher's mood seems to have been poor lately. He has already refused several visitors who wanted to see him."

"Including the principal of our academy."

After Ji Xingchen left, Lu Yin stood alone before the simple courtyard.

A small path paved with bluestone led to the slightly ajar wooden door. A somewhat worn plaque hung above the lintel.

On it, the characters 'Hidden Dragon' were written in a bold, flowing script.

The courtyard wall was covered in green vines; a few withered leaves spiraled down in the gentle breeze.

Lu Yin could sense a faint, almost imperceptible energy field surrounding the courtyard, and a subtle pressure lingered in the air.

He took a deep breath and stepped forward to lightly knock on the door ring.

He waited a moment, but there was no response from within the courtyard.

Lu Yin didn't give up. He knocked on the door ring again, this time with slightly more force.

"Go away."

A hoarse voice came from within the courtyard, brief and icy, carrying an undeniable tone of refusal.

Lu Yin's expression remained unchanged as he said clearly, "Senior Chen Yuan, this junior Lu Yin has a request."

Silence fell within the courtyard. After a long while, the voice sounded again, tinged with a hint of mockery.

"Another brat who doesn't know his own limits. Didn't that kid Ji Xingchen tell you? I don't receive guests."

"I know I'm being presumptuous," Lu Yin said calmly. "But I must see you."

"Everyone says they must."

The voice from within carried a note of weariness: "Give me a reason not to chase you away."

Lu Yin narrowed his eyes: "Regarding the Wailing Land."

In that instant, the surrounding air seemed to freeze solid.

Creak.

The wooden door swung open on its own without any wind, slowly revealing a crack.

The scene within the courtyard entered Lu Yin's view.

A simple courtyard, a stone table scattered with several empty wine jars, and a middle-aged man in a grey robe sitting on a stone stool with his back to him.

The man's hair was disheveled, the hem of his robe stained with dust, his whole person exuding an air of despondency.

"Come in."

Chen Yuan didn't turn around, merely raising a hand in gesture.

Lu Yin stepped into the courtyard. The wooden door behind him closed silently.

"Who told you about the Wailing Land?"

Chen Yuan finally turned around, revealing a weather-beaten face.

His eyes were deeply unsettling, and a faint scar ran from his left cheekbone down to his chin.

"It was Major General Xiao Wanguo."

"I knew it..."

Chen Yuan picked up a wine jar from the table and took a swig. Wine trickled down his chin, soaking his collar.

"The Wailing Land is not something someone of your level should covet. Go back."

"Senior, my divine mission is there."

Chen Yuan's hand suddenly froze mid-air, the wine jar suspended at his lips.

He slowly lowered the wine jar, his eyes sharp as blades.

"You received a divine mission at your level?"

"Is the god behind you trying to send you to your death?"

Lu Yin shrugged noncommittally.

"Senior, I'm also unclear why the god behind me gave me this task at this time."

"But... I don't think it's impossible for me to complete it."

Chen Yuan stared at the confident Lu Yin and suddenly let out a short, cold laugh.

He stood up, the hem of his robe swaying slightly in the wind.

The shadow of the old tree in the courtyard stretched obliquely, enveloping both their figures in a patch of shade.

"It's good for young people to have confidence, but excessive confidence is foolishness."

Lu Yin didn't argue, just waited quietly for what came next.

"Since you're so determined to go to your death, I'll let you see for yourself what the Wailing Land is."

Chen Yuan slowly raised his right hand. A faint, ghostly light shimmered at his withered fingertip.

The surrounding air began to distort, as if countless tiny electric arcs were crackling.

Before the words faded, a crimson light shot forth from Chen Yuan's fingertip, aimed directly at the space between Lu Yin's eyebrows.

Boom!

The next second, Lu Yin's vision was flooded with a sea of crimson.

He saw the shattered sky, with a sun hanging within it.

A dark purple glow dyed the entire land a bizarre color.

In the distance, countless twisted shadows writhed, emitting a grating, teeth-chilling wail.

In the air, what permeated was not just the smell of blood, but also a despair that seeped into the very marrow of one's bones.