If the report said 3 weeks ago, and only 3 days have passed for the villagers, the only plausible explanation could be Time Dilation.
1 week in the real world = 1 day here.
Knowing the information, Fu Yang didn't know how to process it. It's not like solving a Time problem will help them get out of here anyway.
"During your three days stay here, have you scouted ahead? Checked the other places?"
Facing the question of Fu Yang, some of the villagers looked at each other with solemn look.
"Some stronger men at the Foundation Realm went ahead to find the exit, however, they haven't returned yet."
At the words of the Village head, a woman holding a baby reach up to Fu Yang.
"Elder, forgive my impudence but please... Save my husband... He is the only one supporting our family... If he is gone..."
Her voice trailed off, consumed by tears. Another woman approached and attempted to console her.
Looking at the miserable status of the villagers here, Fu Yang wasn't sure if he could help them. Even he, at the Early stage of Nascent Realm was powerless in front of the hole's suction power. What's more when facing the real danger?
"I will try my best getting you out of here. However, I cannot make any promises regarding the fate of those who have gone missing."
The village head understood all too well that those who had ventured forth as scouts might have perished.
This was an unknown place with an unknown dangers. Even if they prepared themselves for this situation, there still might be some unexpected happenings that they may face.
"I will try and scout ahead. Remain here and wait for my return."
With a nod of acknowledgment from the village head, Fu Yang disappeared into yet another corridor leading to unknown circumstances.
The hallway stretched ahead, shrouded in impenetrable darkness, a stark contrast to the well-lit passage where he first came from.
Regrettably, he had carelessly threw away his Energy Phone, depriving himself of its flashlight function and forcing him to seek another source of light to guide his way.
The only technique he had that could illuminate the place was the Cosmic Starlight.
Unlike other techniques, it allowed him to control the output for as long as he want.
With a focused exertion of his energy, a small orb of light materialized in his palm, casting its gentle radiance on the surroundings.
Having obtained the light that could accompany him, he started walking away.
He couldn't find anything wrong or unusual in the hallway. Except for the graffiti in the wall.
Yet, his primary concern did not lay on deciphering their meaning but in finding the exit of this Mystic Realm.
Eventually, he reached the end of the corridor, face to face with a towering door. Sensing potential danger awaiting him beyond this door, Fu Yang took a moment to gather himself.
Maintaining his Cosmic Starlight technique depleted his energy a little bit.
Fearing that he might face a strong opponent beyond the gate, it was better to replenish his energy now.
Consuming an Energy Replenishing Pill, he sat into a meditative stance, drawing upon the pill's revitalizing properties. Once he felt his Energy restored, Fu Yang rose, ready to face any danger that may happen, and pushed the door open.
Hearing the doors creaking, signaling the door's gradual opening, Fu Yang heaved a sigh. At least he didn't need to destroy the door to get inside.
However, the door must be really heavy. It took him a while to open it even if his cultivation realm was at Nascent Realm.
Fu Yang began thinking that maybe this Mystic Realm was created by an extremely powerful cultivator, rendering even a Nascent Realm cultivator like himself feeble in comparison.
However, recalling that there were other people who came here to scout before him, where did they go?
If the strongest among them was only at the Foundation Realm, they wouldn't be able to open the door regardless of their efforts.
When the door opened enough for him to enter, he stopped pushing and entered.
To ensure a steady source of light, he channeled his energy into his fingertips, using his Cosmic Starlight technique again.
Surveying the room, he detected nothing out of the ordinary, until his gaze fell upon a small treasure chest near the entrance.
Knowing that there were no dangers inside, Fu Yang went towards the treasure box hoping that he could find something valuable that could aid him in his cultivation.
As he lifted the lid of the treasure box, he only found a strange mirror laying inside.
Perplexed, he leaned closer, scrutinizing the mirror for any hint of its purpose. Alas, he was bound to be disappointed as nothing happened.
Then he recall that this Mystic Realm must be Ancient, if this mirror was an ancient artifact the only way to get a reaction from it is to drop a single blood.
Hopefully, if he did this the mirror will show some reaction.
Determined, Fu Yang bit his finger piercing his skin to allow a single droplet of blood to fall upon the mirror's surface.
As he anticipated, a few seconds later the mirror's light started enveloping him and words started appearing in the mirror.
Name: Fu Yang
Age: 31
Aptitude: 50
"What's this data all about?"
Confused at the words that appeared in the mirror, he examined them closely alongside the treasure box. Upon careful scrutiny, he discovered a set of inscriptions engraved discreetly at the bottom of the box.
"To seek for the truth one must behold the Aptitude Seeking Mirror? What does this sentence mean? Is the name of this mirror Aptitude Seeking Mirror?"
Fu Yang put the mirror back in the treasure box, clasping it securely between his arms.
The room was big, he estimate it to be as big as his courtyard.
"What is the use for a big room like this?"
In order to see the whole room, he increased the energy he used for his Cosmic Starlight technique. Now, it was a luminescence sphere as big as Fu Yang's head.
With this amount of light he could see the entirety of the room. At its end, there was another door.
This time Fu Yang didn't rest and directly pushed the door open.
Unlike the dark room earlier, as he stepped inside, he was momentarily blinded by a brilliant radiance emanating from its center.
There stood a book.
Captivated by the book, Fu Yang reached up and seized it without hesitation.
"Is... Is this a legendary Heavenly-grade cultivation book?"
Thrilled at the prospect of finally possessing a Heavenly-grade cultivation book, Fu Yang immediately started cultivating according to the book.
Fortunately, the minimum threshold was a Nascent Realm cultivator. With this he could stabilize his core and reach the peak of Nascent Realm. If he was lucky, he could reach the 2nd Nascent Realm.
When he couldn't get pass the peak of the 1st Nascent Realm, Fu Yang decided to stop.
As he closed the book, the light from the book started to disappear.
Without the book's light, the whole room become pitch dark. As he did earlier, Fu Yang channeled his energy towards his palm and used his Cosmic Starlight technique.
Officially cultivating according to the book, Fu Yang definitely need to know its name. Fu Yang looked at the cover in order to read the title of the book.
"Be a Good master and cultivate? Such a weird name. I wonder why."
Curious, Fu Yang read the other pages of the book. At the last page of the book, there was some of letter written by the previous owner.
"To become a good master one must be righteous and care for his disciples as if they were his children.
However, how will you become a good master if your disciples are talentless?
As a Master you must only choose suitable disciples of above 70 aptitude value. Together with the Aptitude Seeking Mirror, you shall become the best master the world ever had.
My future inheritor, once you finish reading this you will become the inheritor of my Mystic Realm. Further secrets lie concealed, awaiting your discovery. Bestowing this task to you, bear the responsibility of becoming a good master."
What was this letter all about?
As soon as Fu Yang finished reading, the whole room started to shake.
In face of such danger, Fu Yang hurriedly went back to the villagers.
However, as soon as he came back there was no one left.
"Where did they go? Didn't I instruct them to just stay here?"
With no visible path of escape in sight, Fu Yang's determination soared. He summoned every ounce of his inner strength, directing it towards his clenched fist. This time, he was prepared to unleash his most formidable technique: Cosmic's Fist.
No matter how much effort he did, the wall remained intact refusing to crumble. Yet, the very ground beneath his feet continued to shake, intensifying with each passing moment.
Fu Yang's relentless puch towards the wall was abruptly interrupted by a thunderous roar that pierced the air. A surge of fear coursed through his veins, making him swiftly seek a hide out in between the big stone situated at the corner of the room.
He didn't know if he should be happy that there were no villagers around him, but right know he was thankful they weren't present at all.
If they were here, he wouldn't be able to protect them.
Fu Yang waited for the roars to subside before going to look what was that.
He let his head out to see outside of his hide out and there he saw a 7- Star Black Panther, a Monster Beast comparable to a early King's realm strength.