Unlike the vast Red Sand Sea beneath their feet, where sandstorms raged, the scene in the distance was enough to brighten their eyes.
Gone were the barren stone walls and gravel; instead, vast expanses of oases, shielding themselves from the dust storms, lay before them.
Unlike the occasional small resting spots found in the sand sea, the oases ahead stretched endlessly, as far as the eye could see.
Besides the greenery, numerous flowers bloomed in vibrant colors, attracting fluttering butterflies.
The only similarity was that, much like the sand sea, the ancient ruins exposed on the surface were heavily buried by sand.
Even after thousands of years of change, Luo Chen could recognize those familiar areas.
He had traversed almost the entire Central Land, simulating a thousand years of time.
Not to mention the Eternal Oasis, his old stomping grounds.
"Time truly is a weapon that can destroy everything."
Luo Chen sighed softly, memories of the majestic buildings and cities now reduced to a handful of yellow earth.
Finally escaping the land of wind and sand, the no-longer-confined Paimon flew excitedly to a higher point, surveying the new area. She then saw something astonishing.
"Huh, why is there such a huge gap in the middle of the oasis?!"
In her field of vision, a massive black void appeared in the center of the interconnected oases, stretching for dozens of miles.
Hearing the little creature's surprised question, Luo Chen's heart stirred.
"Tell me everything you see in detail."
"Oh."
Paimon responded, then carefully recounted everything she saw.
"I see a city suspended in the air and buried in sand to the right of the giant void, it must be a city, it looks a bit like a circular theater, and then there's..."
Following her description, Luo Chen quickly formed a concrete picture in his mind, confirming the identity of the city.
The city built for the Spirit Guardians, the Circular Theater City – Moon Maiden City!
Once upon a time, the Spirit Guardians danced and sang here, entertaining the two revered deities.
Now only the city's ruins remained, a poignant reminder of the past.
As for the black void in the center...
"Was it an accident, or did it choose to fall into slumber?"
He couldn't be sure.
After all, the legends about the Flower Goddess gradually faded after the end of the Divine Era, leaving no one with knowledge of her. Only a few tribes who claimed to be "daughters of the Flower Goddess" still passed down stories on the sands.
The only other one who knew the whole story was still cleaning up the aftermath of the Abyss's intrusion five hundred years ago inside the World Tree.
But none of that mattered. Now that they had arrived here, the secrets locked away for a thousand years would eventually be revealed by him.
Thinking she had completed her task, Paimon flew back down, eagerly asking,
"So, what do we do next?"
After all, this guy just brought them here, saying he needed their help. But they were almost there, and still didn't know what the task was.
At this point, Luo Chen no longer kept them in the dark. Pointing to the half-buried ruins of the city near the black void in the center, he said,
"Help me explore Moon Maiden City for clues about the Flower Goddess."
So it's called Moon Maiden City.
Lumine thought to herself. Although she felt Luo Chen had a lot of secrets, considering they had known each other for a while, she couldn't imagine him suddenly turning into an Abyss Herald and betraying them.
So she agreed readily.
"What about you?" Paimon asked curiously.
Luo Chen raised an eyebrow, "Me? I'll be exploring the black void, of course."
This way, even if something unexpected happened, he wouldn't have to worry about Lumine and the little one's safety.
As for Moon Maiden City, if they could find clues, that would be great. If not, the dangers there should be within his expectations.
After assigning their tasks, Luo Chen didn't hesitate, heading straight towards the vanishing center of the oasis, leaving the duo staring at each other in disbelief.
It wasn't until his figure completely disappeared in the distance that Lumine and Paimon prepared to set off.
"What do you think he's looking for clues about the Flower Goddess for?"
Without the main guy around, Paimon suddenly became nosy.
Lumine shook her head, "I don't know, but as a friend, I also want to figure out the secrets behind it."
Despite her usually stoic expression, Lumine's curiosity was not much smaller than Paimon's in secret.
"Hmm, then let's go."
Loudly shouting as she flew towards the fallen city she had seen from the air, Paimon eagerly anticipated the potential spoils.
Looking at this place, it seemed like the Treasure Hoarders and the Fatui had not been here.
In other words, there might be treasures left behind from a thousand years ago under the city!
The thought made the little creature's eyes turn into the shape of Mora.
Eating and money, the two main pursuits of Paimon's life.
Without them, the little creature probably wouldn't have much fun living.
Without needing to ask, seeing her companion's enthusiastic look, Lumine probably knew what was going on in that little head.
"Slow down, we don't know if there are any dangers in the city. Stay alert."
This was a conclusion they had drawn during their travels. No matter what country they went to, there would always be accidents or dangers once they entered a ruin.
It was almost becoming a law.
"Ah, don't worry, I'm an old adventurer. I wouldn't make those newbie mistakes."
Not sure where she got that confidence, Lumine sighed, worried that Paimon would run too fast and be out of sight, so she quickly followed.
As the breeze blew, the footprints they left on the gravel were immediately buried by new sand, leaving no trace of their visit.
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