27: We got the clues, but there are still many doubts.

Bang—

The black muzzle of the firearm instantly spewed out a large shower of sparks, and the bullet struck.

-534!

Terrifying damage floated above Chen Beixuan’s head, his health bar nearly empty.

This was after damage reduction from his dual resistances; otherwise, this shot would have dealt around 750 points of damage.

Enough to instantly kill most backline professions.

If six people were fighting a BOSS and suddenly lost a damage dealer or a healer, the outcome would undoubtedly be fatal.

But for him, as long as he couldn't be instantly killed, he wouldn't die!

“Lightning Spell!”

Boom—

True Damage -1597, -798.

Lucky Strike +1!

True Damage -1597, -798.

+958!

When the BOSS’s health dropped below 30%, it instantly entered a berserk state!

“Old geezer, you’ve angered me! Go die!”

Wort’s eyes were bloodshot, veins bulging on his neck, as he swung his blade!

“Ground Fissure Strike!”

Boom—

-592!

With a 50% increase in berserk attack, the BOSS’s attack reached a terrifying 450 points.

Ground Fissure Strike had a damage multiplier of 180%; this single strike almost cleared his health bar!

As the damage floated above his head, Chen Beixuan remained calm.

The BOSS’s highest damage skill, the firearm shot, had a 15-second cooldown, and now it had used Ground Fissure Strike.

The upcoming vacuum period was sufficient.

He had already won!

“Lightning Spell!”

Boom—

True Damage -1597, -798.

Lucky Strike +1!

True Damage -1597, -798.

+958!

Before the BOSS’s normal attack landed, Chen Beixuan’s health instantly refilled.

-429.

There was no surprise.

As the last Lightning Spell landed, the BOSS collapsed with a thud!

“This is impossible…”

Wort fell unwillingly, a pile of light bursting forth from his original spot!

[Ding! You have over-leveled and killed a Black Iron-grade BOSS [Bandit Leader Wort lv15], gaining 4800 (800+500%) experience points! Silver Coin +3!]

[You have obtained Blue equipment [Bandit Dagger] [tenacity boots]!]

[You have obtained Green equipment [Steel Gauntlets]!]

[You have obtained White equipment x3!]

[You have obtained skill book [Ground Fissure Strike]!]

[You have obtained quest item [Correspondence]!]

A flood of notification messages scrolled across the screen, and Chen Beixuan picked out the important ones to check.

[tenacity boots]: 15th level Blue Excellent

Effect 1: Health +350

Effect 2: Agility +20

Effect 3: Crowd Control Resistance +20% (Example: 1 second stun, 0.8 seconds clear.)

Description: Made from special beast hide, it strengthens one’s will.

— — — — — —

[Bandit Dagger]: 15th level Blue Excellent

Effect 1: Physical Attack +160

Effect 2: Agility +25

Effect 3: Physical Attack +15%.

Description: Bandit Wort’s personal dagger, sturdy, durable, and exceptionally sharp.

— — — — — —

“The dagger’s attributes are pretty good; it should sell for a decent price…”

Chen Beixuan threw all equipment except the tenacity boots into the auction house, setting them to auction mode and ignoring them.

Ground Fissure Strike was a warrior skill; he planned to sell it to I Want to Defy the Heavens, so he kept it in his inventory for now.

Finally, he took out the quest letter and opened it to view.

[Correspondence]: Quest Item

Description: Contains the communication between Bandit Wort and a high-ranking official of the City of Radiance, seemingly not yet destroyed…

— — — — — —

“City of Radiance… high-ranking official…”

Chen Beixuan’s brows furrowed, sensing a hint of conspiracy…

Letter-type items could be viewed for their content.

He didn’t hesitate and immediately checked it.

The general content was that the high-ranking official ordered him to transport all the children and Spirit Stones to Fengshi Village; nothing else was written.

After reading it, Chen Beixuan identified several suspicious points.

First, the identity of the high-ranking official was not revealed, so his specific identity was unknown.

Second, what were the mentioned Spirit Stones, and why were they to be transported to Fengshi Village?

Third, Dean’s original destination for transport was also Fengshi Village; was it a coincidence or premeditated?

“The key to everything lies in Fengshi Village…”

Chen Beixuan’s heart stirred, and he turned to look at Dean.

“Do you know who hired you back then?”

Dean was startled, then frowned in thought.

After a moment, he shook his head and said, “I only know he was a merchant; I don’t even know his name.”

Chen Beixuan nodded thoughtfully at his words.

“Let’s go. Keia was sent to Fengshi Village; we need to hurry.”

[Ding! You have completed the B-rank hidden quest [Find Keia’s Whereabouts]! You have received a reward of Experience Points +1200, Gold Coins +20!]

[Ding! The next stage of the quest [Save Keia] has been activated!]

Chen Beixuan opened the quest and glanced at it; the reward had increased from 20 Gold Coins to 50 Gold Coins!

Completing it meant 500,000 in hand!

“So satisfying…”

Though pleased, he did not let down his guard.

A B-rank continuous quest certainly wouldn’t be that simple!

The two left the gathering place and headed towards Fengshi Village.

Along the way, Chen Beixuan casually cast Lightning Spell on wild monsters by the roadside to increase his proficiency.

Just as they were about to reach Fengshi Village, he finally received the skill upgrade notification.

[Ding! Proficiency full, Lightning Spell level upgraded to 5th level! Next level (4/3200)]

[Ding! Proficiency full, Spell Range Amplification level upgraded to 2nd level! Next level (3/400)]

— — — — — —

[Lightning Spell]: ★★★★★

Description: Summons a bolt of lightning from the sky, dealing 520% magic damage to a single target. Cooldown 4 seconds, mana cost 10.

[Spell Range Amplification]: ★★

Description: Increases casting distance by 20%. Casting on targets beyond 15 meters can increase proficiency. Passive effect automatically takes effect.

— — — — — —

“Lightning Spell cooldown reduced by 1 second, not bad, not bad…”

The corners of Chen Beixuan’s mouth curved slightly upward as he closed the panel.

At this moment, Dean pointed to a village ahead and reminded him.

“Old man, that’s Fengshi Village.”

Chen Beixuan looked up and gazed.

A village as ordinary as could be appeared in his sight.

Scattered residents could vaguely be seen moving through it, and faint hawking sounds drifted into their ears.

A passing stray dog left a steaming, pagoda-shaped pile on the ground right in front of them.

His mouth twitched, and at the same time, he was a bit puzzled.

This place didn’t look like where Keia would be held at all.

It was completely a normal village…

“Let’s go, let’s go in and gather some information.”

Calling out to Dean, Chen Beixuan walked towards the village with his doubts.

After entering the village, the two split up to collect information.

After much inquiry and casual conversation, they found no abnormal situations.

The residents here had lived for decades and knew nothing about Spirit Stones or children.

After going around in circles, the two had gained nothing.

Tables and chairs were set up at a roadside snack stall, where an old man and a young man sat.

“Not in Fengshi Village… then where could it be…”

Chen Beixuan couldn’t help but scratch his head, his brain cells dying in droves…

At this moment, Dean mumbled dejectedly.

“Everyone says they don’t know. Could there be a second Fengshi Village…”

Chen Beixuan heard his words and suddenly had a flash of inspiration!

“Perhaps… there really is…”

......