The boy who looks very much like Miya.
Fang Hong felt a bit embarrassed for a moment. Although they had fought side by side a few times and the other person still remembered him, he had long since forgotten about it.
Recalling what happened with Fenris, he also thought of the Lonely White Field and Tainaric, not knowing if these two were doing well now. And Hudi from Dolifen had sent him a letter not long ago, mentioning that he saw him in Fanric, just as he was in Dolifen.
He and Hes seemed to be planning to head to Giant Tree Hill.
Fang Hong had been longing for that fantasy land for a long time too.
However, thinking more carefully, the Miya siblings should still be on their way to the Second World, probably either on the First Continental Bridge or waiting for the right time to enter. Baihua, being bored, might bring up some past events, which was quite normal.
And over the past few months, the things he had encountered were enough to make his head spin.
"That girl, she's quite concerned about you."
In the darkness, Atira suddenly spoke.
She also mentioned something about Miya—she was very aware of the past between Fang Hong and Miya, things that happened involving Elf Ruins, the Hailin Crown, and the subsequent issues with the Zero-Type Crystal.
However, unlike Tianlan and others who harbored some hostility towards Miya due to their intent to protect Fang Hong and Hilveld, Atira had her own perspective on the matter. She mentioned it casually, as if talking to her brother.
But she shifted the topic: "However, in Hilveld's heart, your position is special."
Fang Hong understood the meaning of his 'sister's' words and nodded seriously.
"I will live up to Hilveld's expectations."
Atira then dropped the subject.
She switched topics and said, "Speaking of which, it was thanks to Lady Daisy's help that we found you so quickly."
"Lady Daisy?"
"It seemed to have caught a whiff of your scent, wandering around in that hall, unable to find the door. It made me realize there might be something hidden nearby, and upon closer inspection, I discovered the secret door outside."
Only then did Fang Hong remember the place he had entered underground.
But weren't there those insects and the dragon-shaped flame monster outside? He asked about this, and Atira replied after hearing him: "At that time, everyone decided to split up, Hilveld was very worried about you, and I persuaded them to return to Mr. Greyrock's platform first, leaving me to check the situation here."
"By the time I returned to the hall, the flame monster had long since disappeared. As for the insects you mentioned, perhaps this is it."
Atira spoke as she opened her hand. In the dim underground world, illuminated by the faint glow of the Ring of Golden Flame, Fang Hong saw what was in her hand—a small piece of black crystal, quietly lying in the elf's white palm.
The crystal was about the size of a pinky nail, and at first glance, it seemed familiar to him. But upon closer inspection, wasn't this the black crystal he had seen before? Or to use a more formal name: Dragon's Initial Scale.
He forcefully extracted a temporary magic crystal from his Magic Guided Reactor and compared it with the black crystal. Except for the size, the color and texture were exactly the same. But where was the insect in this?
They had clearly seen these black things erupting from underground, flying all over the sky, incapacitating his Energy Angel in a single encounter.
How could those things possibly be these inert crystals?
"The crystal was covering the entire hall outside," Atira explained. "I just took a small piece from it."
"Miss Atira, this thing might be related to Nikopolas," Fang Hong finally replied.
Atira looked at him.
Fang Hong quickly recounted his experiences with Eve and then said, "The place we're heading to now should be where the Dragon's Heart is located."
Atira just glanced at the crystal in her hand and nodded.
However, Fang Hong, due to a large movement, grimaced again. Atira then turned to look at him, frowned slightly, and softly said, "Be careful, you're still injured. The lady's Holy Art will make you feel a bit better, but to fully heal, you will need Milaila's Holy Power."
Fang Hong responded with an "Oh".
But Miss Atira treated him like a brother, and didn't mind holding him, though Fang Hong felt a bit awkward considering their close proximity.
To avoid embarrassment, he had to turn his head around. But as he turned, he remembered to thank Lady Daisy, so he glanced at Lady Cat walking behind and winked at her, saying, "Thank you, Miss Daisy."
Lady Cat glanced at him, eyes indifferent, and let out a soft "meow," as if responding.
Fang Hong was left clicking his tongue in wonder.
At this moment, Atira asked, "Is that place just up ahead—?"
Fang Hong looked down at the Ring of Golden Flame in his hand, the faint golden flame swaying uncertainly in the darkness but always pointing in a stable direction. He nodded and replied, "It should be this way, if I'm right, there should be a dead end up ahead."
"But if the Ring of Golden Flame points in this direction, there should be some hidden mystery."
"Ade, a dead end?" Atira's tone carried a hint of doubt.