Fang Xin looked at Ye Qingcang expectantly.
Ye Qingcang was silent for a few seconds before he spoke, "Current history textbooks have all been revised, and they only tell you what happened in recent times. Events from a few hundred years ago are mostly glossed over.
A few hundred years ago, the Land of Eternal Night was indeed a desolate place where people could go. But suddenly, one day, Eternal Night Descends, darkness enveloped the land, and catastrophe accompanied the spiritual energy's resurgence. The entire world was in chaos.
You should know that human nature is the least resistant to temptation. Many times, a person's power and desires grow in direct correlation. If everyone's power increases by different magnitudes, the existing order will be broken and reorganized.
No one knows where the darkness came from, but wherever there is chaos, darkness will quickly erode that place. Once that place is shrouded in darkness, the people living in that area will become slaves to negative emotions.
Once they become slaves to their emotions, these people begin to erode less chaotic places.
Later, the Church appeared. The first Pope led many Church followers to literally carve out a bloody path, piercing through the darkness and repelling it bit by bit. But in the end, they couldn't repel all of the darkness, because human evil thoughts can never be eliminated.
Of course, some people were curious about the origin of the Land of Eternal Night you just mentioned. Naturally, some bold and skilled individuals ventured in, wanting to see what exactly existed inside. However, many went in, but very few came out. Finally, from the fragmented words of those who did emerge, it was speculated that there seemed to be a certain ancient strain of virus rampant inside. This virus could alter human body structure and also affect a person's emotions.
According to previous speculations, this strange virus is the key to Eternal Night Descends."
After hearing Old Master Ye's explanation, Fang Xin couldn't help but frown, "Just a virus?"
Recalling the video Fang Qingdi sent earlier, and the words Fang Qingdi said, it seemed like it wasn't as simple as just a virus.
Ye Qingcang smiled and glanced at Fang Xin, "The virus I'm talking about might be different from what you understand. This virus isn't an invisible thing like you imagine; it's a highly intelligent entity with independent thought, even higher intelligence than humans."
Fang Xin was stunned. This was the first time he had heard such a statement.
"Then... if that's the case, is the Land of Eternal Night full of this virus?"
Ye Qingcang smiled, "I just said, the Land of Eternal Night is very large. It's hard to determine exactly where those entities are, but through many years of reconnaissance, the density of those entities is very small in the peripheral areas of the Land of Eternal Night, and it gets larger the further inside you go!"
Fang Xin thought of the Elf King also being in there, and he couldn't help but wonder if the Elf King had any connection to these troublesome viruses Old Master Ye mentioned.
When the Elf King comes out in the future and they meet, he can certainly ask.
The large Turtle who opened the door earlier poked his head out from the kitchen, one paw tossing the wok and the other adding seasonings. "Old Master, Xiao Xin, Xiao Cha, the last dish is almost ready. Tidy up; it's time to eat!"
Old Master Ye gently patted Fang Xin and Jiang Xiaocha's backs, "Serve the dishes! Time to eat!"
Fang Xin and Jiang Xiaocha went to the kitchen to get rice and dishes.
"I haven't asked what to call you?" Fang Xin asked the large Turtle.
"My name is Wang Lao Ji. That Bai Mao Zai gave me the name. Lao Wangba doesn't sound good. As the old saying goes, 'say Ji, don't say ba,' so that Bai Mao Zai gave me the name Wang Lao Ji. You can just call me Master Wang."
Fang Xin chuckled good-naturedly. He had to admit that Bai Mao Zai was also a genius at naming.
The food was delicious, and the most noteworthy dish was a braised soft-shelled Turtle.
Fang Xin ate for a long time before he couldn't resist looking at Wang Lao Ji. Wang Lao Ji was also holding his rice bowl and seemed to have read Fang Xin's thoughts. "Different species, eat whatever you like."
While they were eating, they saw a layer of light shimmering on the courtyard gate. Immediately after, one of the Door Gods pasted on the door stepped out of the painting and walked towards the dining room.
"Old Master Ye, news from the front outpost: Ling Hanmo, the head of the Red Tassel Gate, is bringing his granddaughter to visit you! They should arrive in about half an hour!"
Fang Xin was stunned for a long time after seeing this scene. He hadn't expected the Door God painting on the door to be a treasure, with two strong individuals standing at the entrance.
It truly opened his eyes.
However, after hearing the Door God's words, Fang Xin always felt that the Red Tassel Gate sounded familiar. After thinking carefully, wasn't it the woman named Ling Xiaoxiao he encountered during a previous mission? Fang Xin still vividly remembered Ling Xiaoxiao's words, "I'm an idiot," from that time.
Ye Qingcang looked up and said, "Alright, let them in!"
The Door God then re-entered the door frame in the painting.
After dinner, Old Master Ye said to Fang Xin and Jiang Xiaocha, "Your rooms are ready. If you two want to go out and play, I'll have a guard take you. Tonight there's a New Year's Eve bonfire party and fireworks, all places you young people love to go! I've already said, when you're here, it's like being at home!"
He glanced at the time. The guests would arrive soon, so Old Master Ye walked towards his study.
Master Wang raised his paw, and a wave of water swept through, washing all the tableware.
Fang Xin went to the room prepared for him and found that the decor completely met his aesthetic requirements. Moreover, the layout was roughly similar to his room in Lan City. It seemed Old Master Ye had put some thought into it.
He put his belongings in order.
Fang Xin was ready to go out and play with Jiang Xiaocha.
When he came out to the living room.
A surprised voice came, "Handsome little brother? Is that you?"
Fang Xin looked over and saw that it was none other than Ling Xiaoxiao.
At this moment, Ling Xiaoxiao's grandfather was discussing matters with Old Master Ye in the study, and Ling Xiaoxiao was waiting properly in the living room.
Fang Xin nodded and smiled at Ling Xiaoxiao as a greeting.
Ling Xiaoxiao was a friendly person. "Wow, handsome little brother, I heard today that the number one on the Dragon-Tiger Rankings is named Fang Xin. I confirmed it several times. There's only one person named Fang Xin in the Ninth Division, and that's you! You're really amazing!"
"Just lucky, just lucky!"
Ling Xiaoxiao sighed, "It's great to have excellent grades. Old Master Ye even let you come to his house! Others who want to visit Old Master Ye have to go through seven or eight outposts just to get in."
At this point, Ling Xiaoxiao continued, "Do you remember what I promised you last time? Last time, big sister guaranteed you that you saved big sister's life. And big sister, by seniority, should call Old Master Ye 'Great-Grandpa.' Later, I'll go in and say some good words for you in front of Old Master Ye, so you can advance further! You'll become a big shot in the Ninth Division!"
Ling Xiaoxiao patted her chest and promised.
While they were talking, Old Master Ye's voice came from the study, "Xiao Xin, go to the storage cabinet, second column from the left, and get me the tea leaves!"
Fang Xin responded and went to get the tea leaves.
When he entered the study, Ling Xiaoxiao also brazenly followed him in. This one was like a fearless firecracker, and as soon as she entered, she said to Old Master Ye.
"Great-Grandpa, when I was on a mission before, I was almost killed by bad guys. The situation was very critical then, and it was someone from your Ninth Division who saved me. Otherwise, I really wouldn't have seen you again. Isn't it a coincidence? The person who saved me is this student, Fang Xin!"
Ling Hanmo turned his head to size up Fang Xin, then said to Old Master Ye, "Old Master Ye, this must be Fang Xin from your Ninth Division. Indeed, heroes emerge from the young! I must properly thank you for saving my granddaughter before!"
Fang Xin smiled humbly, "It was nothing!"
Ling Hanmo then smiled, "You were also first place on the Dragon-Tiger Rankings in the final exam, right? You surpassed hundreds of thousands of test-takers in the grand unified exam, truly impressive. Old Master Ye, are you inviting outstanding students to personally guide them?"
Old Master Ye smiled upon hearing this.
"No, this is my grandson. I called him to spend the New Year with me."