Chapter 380: Water Stains
Chapter 380: Water Stains
Footprints on the ground and scents lingering in the air guided Lindsey and Kaghi, each utilizing their strengths to navigate the Arboretum with precision, making it nearly impossible to lose their way.
Before long, the duo departed the banquet hall, heading into the third tunnel on the left.
This path, like the previous tunnels, led deep into the Arboretum, with numerous branching paths, frequent spiral staircases, and sloping ramps along the way.
Lindsey and Kaghi ventured forth, ascending frequently, but after over an hour of trekking, they still hadn't reached the end of the road.
"Where have we reached now?" Lindsey wondered silently, opening his map.
Analyzing the geographical factors, they had ventured far from Echo Valley Town and were approaching the true core of the Arboretum.
Mullernahun and the other intruder hadn't taken any detours either, had they? As Lindsey pondered this, a possibility emerged.
The Arborium Management Seed granted him control over the Arboretum.
Undoubtedly, this power could easily eliminate enemies below the eighth stage.
And Lindsey was now within the Arboretum's range.
Could he use this seed directly?
Could he instantly eliminate Mullernahun under the premise of absolute safety?
Lindsey decided to take action.
Kaghi, following behind, didn't notice anything, but Lindsey's hand now held a seed.
As Lindsey attempted to activate the seed, he smiled and shook his head.
"As expected, this isn't as easy as it seems."
The seed left by the Forest Will was functioning normally.
Lindsey could use it to make large-scale environmental adjustments to the forest.
However, for precise operations like targeting and killing a specific individual, he would need to access the Arboretum's core control panel and identify the enemy's characteristics.
"..."
"We only have one chance, so it's better to be cautious."
Lindsey silently retrieved the Arborium Management Seed.
As they continued forward, another special area appeared ahead.
In reality, the entire Arboretum was an unimaginably massive plant, and the tunnels and caverns within were used as living spaces and architecture.
Before Lindsey and his companion stood an enormous hollow space.
On the tunnel side, there were railings and guard posts to protect this vast, empty space.
"This place must have been important in the past," Lindsey remarked.
Kaghi, following behind, continued tracking the scents in the air as he prepared to circle the huge space along the surrounding corridor, his steps unwavering.
But Lindsey paused.
His Puzzle Module marked a message on this vast space:
"Reservoir - The Arboretum collects abundant water resources during the rainy season, storing them here for use during the dry season."
An ordinary reservoir couldn't possibly be marked by the Puzzle Module! There must be something wrong here!
"..."
"Kaghi, be careful! Something's not right here!" Lindsey warned.
The Perceiver ahead was startled by the warning, his face turning pale:
"Lord Diablo, what...what have you discovered?"
Lindsey pointed to the massive space beside them:
"This is a reservoir, but it's dry now."
Kaghi looked puzzled:
"Isn't it normal for a reservoir to dry up if it hasn't been used for a long time?"
Lindsey shook his head:
"The Forest Courtyard World has only been in the rainy season for over a month, and there was a heavy downpour yesterday. If the Arboretum's systems are functioning normally, this reservoir shouldn't be this dry."
Lindsey handed Kaghi a steel spear and, with a push on the railing, flipped over and jumped down:
"Kaghi, be careful up there. I'll go and take a look."
Boom—
Lindsey slid down the wall of the reservoir, trying to control the sound of his descent. But even the slightest noise echoed in the empty chamber.
The reservoir felt hollow, as if resonating with the low growl of a ghost.
Lin Sai took a few steps forward, frowning. Without needing to venture far, he spotted something the size of a pebble on the ground ahead, its color and shadow shifting slightly with his changing perspective.
"This is..." Lin Sai crouched down to examine it.
As he suspected, the reservoir bottom held a faint dampness, and this small patch of shifting light and shadow was clear water left in the reservoir's depression.
"A day..."
"No, it should be just a few hours ago, there was still water flowing here!"
Lin Sai stood up and continued his investigation.
The suspicious phenomenon triggered the 【Puzzle Module】, and a faint white light appeared on the ground.
As Lin Sai was about to inspect it, Kaghi above him shifted uncomfortably and called out, "Lord Diablo, what's down there?"
Lin Sai didn't say a word. Instead, he raised a finger to his lips and shook his head at Kaghi.
"Lord Diablo, what's down there—"
"Ah!"
Kaghi's echo reached Lin Sai's ears, and he quickly covered his mouth.
They were still tracking their enemy, and in this empty garden, such a loud noise could easily attract attention.
That shout might have just caused trouble!
Meanwhile, Lin Sai quickened his pace, following the white light. He soon reached the edge of the reservoir bottom.
Here was a passage leading to a distant water channel.
As it supplied water to the entire garden, the channel was vast, akin to an underground city sewer.
Even an adult like Lin Sai could easily walk through it.
But Lin Sai paused, not proceeding further this time.
He opened the map and saw that the channel connected to the garden's interior. Exploring it would be a massive undertaking!
"..."
"Now is not the time to be distracted by this."
Lin Sai shook his head slightly, always prioritizing tasks.
Losing track of Mullernahun's trail and his location was something Lin Sai couldn't accept.
So, even if there were dangers within the garden, he couldn't let that hinder his progress.
Before leaving, Lin Sai crouched down.
He focused on the white light symbolizing the water's disappearance.
【Water Trace - Water rapidly flowed through this tunnel, swiftly extracted.】
"Something is absorbing the water here!"
"Mullernahun - it can't be him; is it another Awakener?"
Lin Sai felt a sense of unease as he climbed back up to the reservoir's edge.
Kaghi, uneasy from his earlier shout, didn't dare speak when he saw Lin Sai emerge.
Lin Sai patted his shoulder reassuringly.
"The reservoir should have had water an hour ago."
"Something inside the garden is rapidly absorbing water. We should be more cautious from now on."
Kaghi cautiously asked, "What should we do now?"
Lin Sai pointed ahead, "Follow their scent, continue the pursuit."
"That's the most important thing now."
(End of Chapter)
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