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It was night, and the sky was filled with stars. The wind carried the scent of the mountains and forests, rustling the leaves, mixing with the sound of insects. Lying in bed, Noah Drake tossed and turned, unable to sleep… His body itched uncomfortably.
"I can't sleep… I remember there's a waterfall behind the mountain..."
He sat up and stepped outside. The lanterns along the corridor were already lit—he wasn't sure if it was the system's doing or Zhao Yu's. He took a walk around the garden in front of his room, enjoying the refreshing, clean air. "I need a bath…"
Following the path lit by lanterns, he gazed at the starry sky, the light fragrance in the air making him relax, lost in the peaceful atmosphere.
…
The surroundings were silent, with only the gentle sound of a stream flowing. After walking along the stream for a while, Noah Drake finally found a spot where the water wasn't too deep, and the area around him was quiet and secluded.
Floating on the surface of the water, he felt the cool, gentle flow wash over his body.
"The sky here is really beautiful... I've walked along this stream and found nothing unusual…"
A wave of embarrassment came over him. "No... I just needed to bathe… it's a legitimate reason…"
"Calm down! I don't need to feel ashamed… Out of ten transmigrators, nine would do this… So what I'm doing is normal… Right…"
While Noah Drake was enjoying his bath, elsewhere, a group of 20 people chosen by the Divine Order
had gathered in a room.
"I find this manor mysterious. Everywhere is shrouded, and our cultivation has been suppressed to a mere fraction. Even so, I don't sense any malice here…"
"What do you all think?"
One of the two great scholars, Wu Ding xi, spoke, his voice steady and reassuring, making the listeners calm and trusting.
From another corner, someone responded.
"I feel the same. There's no danger at all. Even when I faced that figure, I only felt a slight chill. It's part of their cultivation level's uniqueness. I can vaguely sense danger and malice, but none is directed at us."
General Bui Xuan added.
At that moment, the other scholar, Elliot Royce, spoke.
"No matter what the situation, it's too early to make any rash assumptions. Inside this manor, we are restricted to a mortal level, and all spells are useless. Furthermore, the items within this place are extraordinary. I think this may be a fateful opportunity for the princes and princesses, as long as everyone follows the rules here."
The room fell silent.
"Esteemed seniors, I have a question. This token... does anyone have any insights into it?"
It was Prince Mac Dung who spoke, holding a golden token with intricate patterns, its material unknown.
The air grew still again.
"Everyone, I will try it first."
With that, Elliot Royce raised the token and sincerely recited the incantation.
…
Nothing happened. Elliot looked confused.
"Elliot, let me try…" Wu Ding xi raised his token, shouting out loudly.
… Still nothing.
"Perhaps we're doing it wrong... Maybe the posture…"
Wu Ding xi looked a bit embarrassed and tried again, loudly calling out… but the token remained unchanged.
Seeing that even their scholar couldn't activate the token, Aurelius Cassian spoke up.
"Manager Zhao said we need to calm our minds. Wu, perhaps you need to find inner peace."
Wu Ding xi, a bit frustrated, thought, "As a scholar, my mind is always calm like water. Even if there's a ripple, it quickly smooths out…"
"Thank you, Prince, for the reminder. Earlier, the manor's owner said if there's anything we don't understand, we can ask Manager Zhao. I'll go seek his guidance now."
"Indeed, I shall go as well." Elliot Royce said with determination. "A chance to be taught by a sage? Who would miss that?"
"Does anyone know which room Manager Zhao is in?"
Thus, the group of 20 people set off to find Manager Zhao.
"Brother, there's someone over there… It's the manor's owner."
…
Noah Drake was by the stream, washing clothes…