Chapter Forty-Two: A New Instance

After returning home, the group began to discuss their strategy.

Zhao Bai and Mo Xiaoxiao had both received the same message: "Congratulations on being selected for the 8c3 e10 12x instance. Please arrive at the designated location within 48 hours. The background and task details for the instance will be provided by the system. Please pay attention to any updates. If you fail to enter before the instance opens, you will be forcibly erased by the system."

Both Zhao Bai and Mo Xiaoxiao received this system notification, which meant only Xiao Zhang had not! "Brother, you didn't get the system prompt!" Tu Shan Bai said, chewing on her bun.

After a few hours, they had worked out their plan. Zhao Bai would fly ahead to N City and secure a place to stay, while Xiao Zhang and Mo Xiaoxiao would drive there. Tu Shan Bai’s identity was too peculiar, even though Zhao Bai had managed to arrange something more legitimate for the little girl, it would take time. As for Li Shiwan, Zhao Bai originally intended to leave her behind, but after being frightened the previous day, she insisted on coming along.

Initially, Zhao Bai had used the excuse that he and Xiao Zhang needed a few days for some business, and Mo Xiaoxiao claimed she had to return home to help her sister pack, but now they could only say they were going on a trip. So Zhao Bai took Li Shiwan ahead to find a place to stay.

When they sent Zhao Bai off in a taxi, he was visibly excited—it was his first real instance, and he couldn't keep calm.

After Zhao Bai left, Mo Xiaoxiao brought out her car, taking over the driving duties. "Have you chosen the route?"

"I have," Xiao Zhang replied, glancing at Mo Xiaoxiao and smiling wryly. "Sorry to trouble you—it's at least an eight-hour drive."

"Have you been there before?" Xiao Zhang looked at his phone and shook his head. "I went to G City for training, but not this place."

He sighed, thinking aloud, "We should check the route now. If we get stuck in traffic, we’re done for."

"Why don’t you check out the instance location," Mo Xiaoxiao said, sending him the coordinates.

Xiao Zhang searched the coordinates; the exact location was marked: Yuhuang Pavilion Scenic Area, in the northern suburbs of N City.

He pulled up all the information about Yuhuang Pavilion.

...

It was the largest Taoist temple in N Province, spanning several thousand square meters.

Xiao Zhang and Mo Xiaoxiao were both anxious; who knew if there really were gods there? Tu Shan Bai, carefree as ever, watched horror movies all the way.

After their journey, they finally arrived at the hotel Zhao Bai had booked in advance, and he was waiting for them at the entrance.

In the hotel room, Xiao Zhang and Zhao Bai discussed their strategy, while Mo Xiaoxiao took Li Shiwan and Tu Shan Bai out for a stroll. If Tu Shan Bai hadn’t transformed into a real little girl, Xiao Zhang wouldn’t have dared let her out—her appearance drew too much attention, even in a city where cosplay was common.

"This time, there should be many participants in the instance—not just us, but real Descendants as well. So we need to hide our identities," Zhao Bai said, thinking it over. "Wanwan and I don’t need to—since this is a tourist spot, we can just play the couple. But you’ve brought a little girl!"

Tu Shan Bai had to stay with Zhao Bai; if anything happened to her, Xiao Zhang would be erased as well.

After some thought, Zhao Bai suggested, "Why don’t you and Mo Mo pretend to be a couple?"

"Get lost!" Xiao Zhang retorted, though he realized the plan was feasible.

"The instance is at Yuhuang Pavilion, but we don’t know the exact spot, and we’re not familiar with the terrain. We should head there early tomorrow."

"Alright," Zhao Bai agreed, but he felt something was forgotten.

Xiao Zhang felt it too. Suddenly, he slapped his thigh, "Damn, I forgot your brother Da Tang!"

Zhao Bai quickly called Zhao Tai, but Xiao Zhang told him not to reveal his identity as an Awakened yet—they didn’t know Zhao Tai’s situation.

After a brief conversation, Xiao Zhang took the phone. "Zhao Tai, how are you?"

"Alright, alright. But you, Dog Bro—last night in S City I heard several Awakened died. I tried calling my brother, but he didn’t answer, so I couldn’t reach you either."

"Where are you now?"

"Yuhuang Pavilion."

Apparently, Zhao Tai was assigned to this instance too, which meant he could help lure out others hiding in the shadows.

Xiao Zhang listened to Zhao Tai’s complaints for a few minutes, learning that Shadow Island would send at least three captains into this instance.

"Alright, then I have a favor to ask you..."

...

That evening, Zhao Bai told Mo Xiaoxiao about the afternoon’s plan. Unexpectedly, Mo Xiaoxiao nodded in agreement.

Early the next morning, they entered the scenic area together. Zhao Bai and Li Shiwan formed one group, while Xiao Zhang went with Mo Xiaoxiao and Tu Shan Bai.

"Be careful. I feel like someone is watching us," Zhao Bai said with a wry smile, bending down to whisper to the little girl, "See how many Awakened are around."

"Brother, right behind us," Tu Shan Bai whispered. "Those two buying things, and even the vendor—they seem to have noticed us."

Mo Xiaoxiao murmured, "Don’t turn around. They’re watching you."

Tu Shan Bai grabbed Xiao Zhang’s left hand and Mo Xiaoxiao’s right, dragging them to a sugar figurine stall. "Brother, I want this!"

"Alright, alright," Xiao Zhang said, smiling as he paid on his phone. "Mo Mo, I think they’re watching you?"

Mo Xiaoxiao stayed calm. "There are a few people nearby staring at you."

After scanning the area, Tu Shan Bai tugged them to another vendor. "Sister, those Awakened are watching you, but the ones watching Brother are just ordinary people."

Their trio did look odd—a breathtaking beauty, a cute little girl, and the ordinary-looking Xiao Zhang—it was bound to attract attention.

But Xiao Zhang pulled out his phone and took a selfie with the three of them, making it look like he was traveling with his girlfriend and little sister.

He held Tu Shan Bai in one arm, wrapped the other around Mo Xiaoxiao, and managed to snap a photo.

"They’re not looking at us anymore," Mo Xiaoxiao whispered in Xiao Zhang’s ear.

...

"Brother, there are more and more strange ordinary people around."