Xu Que chose to open the diary and began reading it.
"Year 7741 of the Old Gods, scorching summer. Duranthor has returned to the survivors' camp today, bringing with him the Seed of Destruction. I intended to stop him from committing this foolish act, but I gave up when I saw the camp's inevitable demise."
"He seeks to use the power of Hakaman to plant this seed. I agreed, and I had four totemic warriors give their lives to guide this force."
"At first, we succeeded. We believed we could use this seed to destroy Nasridon, but it failed before it even began. The creatures were too clever, and before the seed could destroy, they used this power to obliterate the temple."
"The Old Gods were enraged and cursed our people with a disease. I know this is the future I foresaw."
"Year 7741 of the Old Gods, bleak autumn. Our camp now consists of only eight people. Duranthor begged me to unlock the forbidden magic, but I stopped him. I know he is suffering from the disease. I wanted to tell him that the Necromancer will never allow us to use such powers."
"I thought Duranthor would understand, but that very afternoon, he secretly entered the Necromancer's ruins."
"He died, devoured by the Necromancers. I built him a vacant tomb. I know he resents me, but I couldn't do otherwise."
"Year 7741 of the Old Gods, bitter winter. I am the only one left in the camp. I've written down the forbidden magic formulas on parchment. I know I have betrayed the Old Gods, but I cannot continue living like this. I hope a race will overthrow these abhorrent deities."
"The snow outside is heavy. I've decided to leave this cursed place. Even if I must die, I want to see that cursed valley!"
"Year 7742 of the Old Gods, dormant spring. I have not died. I can feel my body slowly changing. Though I do not know when this disease will claim me, I know this may simply be my fantasy."
"Today, I encountered those detestable goblins. They stole my bag. Though it contained little of value, my diary was in there. I hope they won't burn it."
"I've reached the Tidal Riverbed, and I am closer to the cursed valley. Tomorrow, I plan to cross the Dim Cavern and reach the territory."
"Year 7742 of the Old Gods, dormant spring, second day. Damn fishmen! They wounded my leg. Thankfully, I used the forbidden magic to hide in a barrier space. It is cold here, and the sensation is most uncomfortable."
"My life is slipping away. I don't want to die here, but I have no choice. I know the Old Gods will not allow their followers to perish in such places. But for once, I intend to defy the Old Gods. I do not wish to remain a prophet. I want to preserve my relics as forbidden artifacts. I want the world of the Old Gods to be destroyed!"
"Since their emergence, our race has continually descended into the abyss. I shall seek revenge!"
"With my remaining strength, I have created the Forbidden Pillars. If anyone finds these pillars simple, then congratulations, you have witnessed my greatest failure."
"Goodbye, my old friend Hagens. Goodbye, foolish Duranthor."
After reading the diary, Xu Que felt his eyelid twitch twice. Damn, this really is a diary...
And I've read the whole damn thing...
But what intrigued Xu Que was that this man was capable of constructing forbidden relics, which meant that if he could somehow locate more of these diaries and combine them with the things of Xius Kland...
Xu Que shuddered to imagine the result. If he succeeded, all these forbidden relics would be his!
What a find—a magical, otherworldly tomb raider and a legendary builder of forbidden constructs...
The diary mentioned goblins, and the location of the Dim Cavern rests at the intersection of Yinchuan, Hezhou, and Linan. This suggests that Linan and Hezhou are the most likely locations for the dimensional rift inhabited by the goblins.
Xu Que closed his eyes, quickly recalling the rifts where goblins appeared in his past life.
Though he knew the odds of finding them were slim, if he succeeded, he would strike it rich!
After all, the "Primordial Sword" could traverse dimensional rifts, and even without the Anchor Key, he could enter those realms—provided, of course, that he secured those diaries!
Just as he was half immersed in his thoughts, his phone rang.
Seeing that the message was from Shen Mengchu, Xu Que clicked to open it.
"They've appeared again."
A smile crept across Xu Que's lips as he replied with a simple "Alright" and left the office.
Though he longed for all of Gamalan's diaries, revenge was his foremost priority!
Deliberately walking past Huang Mao, Xu Que swaggered out of the company.
Upon reaching a nearby alley, he took out his phone and sent a message to Kun Shao, clearing the names of the targets, before releasing his senses.
"These people really have guts, blatantly watching the company," Xu Que sneered, a cold murderous intent spreading around him.
On the opposite street, two small-time thugs stood smoking and chatting casually.
"Fish Bro, when is Boss Ji going to make a move? We've been lurking here all day and haven't learned anything."
Fish Bro replied, "You don't get it. Boss Ji is just counting how many people have been coming and going. Based on the info Huang Mao sent, those recently returned abilities users left not long ago, and over thirty others seem about to leave."
"So, tonight's the night we strike?"
"Not sure, we'll wait for Boss Ji to make the final call. For now, just sit tight. If those thirty leave, we'll head back."
As the two thugs continued their wait, Xu Que shrank his senses.
Half an hour later, Yue Xiaoqin led her small team out quickly.
Once the car left the company grounds, Fish Bro immediately pulled out his phone and sent messages to Huang Mao and Ji Boda.
"Let's go, to the villa. Boss Ji and the others are already there," Fish Bro said.
As the two thugs departed, Xu Que swiftly exited the alley and followed them through the air.
The night grew darker, and Longjing Villa grew eerily quiet.
But one villa had lights on.
Outside the villa, two or three small-time thugs whispered in the shadows.
Inside, the villa was brightly lit.
"Donkey Bro, don't you think Boss Ji will wear himself out with all this?" one thug asked with a grin.
"Back in the day, sure, but not now. I can handle twice a day without a problem," Donkey Bro replied, proud.
"Well then, how about letting me have a go? Lately, the women in the cage just don't excite me," the thug asked, trying to flatter him.
"Alright, the woman in Villa No. 7's got a nice scent. I'll let you have her tomorrow," Donkey Bro chuckled, patting his subordinate's shoulder.
As they joked, the door to the basement opened.
Tian Qing, with white hair, emerged and asked, "Is Boss Ji and his wife still...busy?"
"Not yet. Probably another half an hour," Donkey Bro replied.
Tian Qing clicked his tongue and glanced at the stairs before saying, "Let's go, Lao Fang brought two guys. Let's watch the beast fight."
"Alright, it's been a while since we fed those monsters. Let's go take a look."
Soon, two men, shackled with metal restraints, were shoved toward a metal cage.
The Star-Cracking Dog inside the cage growled, slamming against the bars.
"I say, Old Four, these guys are all tied up like this. How are they supposed to fight?" Tian Qing called out.
"Just for convenience during transport. I'll untie them now," Old Four replied with a smirk.