novelaction Chapter 277 Finding a needle in a haystack
Chapter 277 Finding a needle in a haystack
In the Eternal Forest, it was just getting dark.
"Very good, no flaws."
Looking at the beautiful and dazzling "Qinghan" in front of him, Yun Feng carefully checked the illusion he had set up again to ensure that it was foolproof.
"Ao Shuang, remember, your movements are unrestricted, but you cannot speak," Yun Feng instructed solemnly. "Because you don't know illusion magic, speaking will break the illusion I set up."
"Qinghan" nodded, her movements carrying a hint of unnatural stiffness that didn't belong to this woman's body.
Yun Feng added, "At most five words."
It must be said that the illusion was very successful. At least visually, it was Qinghan herself.
Long hair, slender figure, familiar eyebrows and eyes, even the tiny scar at the corner of the eye is exactly the same.
But the flame deep within those eyes betrayed the soul beneath that skin.
“I’ll say it again,” Yun Feng pressed down on “Qing Han’s” shoulder and lowered his voice, “Find Fu Gui’er, confirm Qing Han’s whereabouts, and then try to find out her exact location. Don’t be impulsive, and don’t reveal your identity. You are Qing Han, not Ao Shuang.”
Qinghan remained silent, simply staring intently at Yunfeng with her eyes.
Yun Feng sighed and released his grip: "I know you're anxious, but it's precisely at times like these that we need to stay calm. Qinghan has been imprisoned for so long; if she's still suffering, then every step we take faster will lessen her suffering. The key is that we must find the right spot and strike decisively."
"Qinghan" took a deep breath. The movement seemed somewhat stiff on this body. She slowly exhaled and nodded.
"Alright, go ahead." Yun Feng stepped aside and pointed to the barrier leading to the outside of Mutian City. "Be careful on the way."
Qinghan glanced at Yunfeng one last time before turning and leaving.
The wind was strong in the night in Shacheng.
The wind blew from the depths of the desert, carrying fine sand that stung my face.
"Qinghan" stood on a sand dune outside the city, looking at the city shrouded in night in the distance.
This place was not very familiar to him.
Although Ao Shuang had visited Shacheng several times, she had only come and gone in a hurry and had never explored it carefully.
Moreover, he cannot be too flamboyant now, lest he attract unnecessary trouble.
He chose to wait until it was completely dark before searching for it himself.
As dusk settled, the lights of Shacheng gradually came on.
Most of the buildings here are earthen yellow, built of sand and stones, low and sturdy, able to withstand the violent sandstorms of the desert.
The streets are not wide, but they are well-connected.
On both sides were various shops and residences, most of which were closed at the moment, with only a few taverns still lit up, from which faint noise could be heard.
"Qinghan" descended from the sand dunes and silently infiltrated the city.
Her footsteps were light, and her movements were as nimble as a cat at night, yet they possessed a uniquely feminine lightness.
The streets were deserted, with only occasional patrolling guards passing by, all of whom were easily evaded by "Qinghan".
The urban area of Shacheng is not large, with only a few main streets crisscrossing the city, and the rest being narrow alleys.
Following her memory, Aoshuang began her search from the east side of the city, going street by street.
He didn't dare to make a big fuss about it; he could only rely on his own eyes and ears.
Where is Fugui'er?
A tavern? An inn? Or some hidden corner?
"Qinghan" walked past one shop after another, observing the situation inside through the cracks in the doors or windows.
In some places, there were still figures moving about, while in others it was pitch black.
She walked slowly and carefully, not missing any possible hiding place.
The night is getting darker.
The temperature in the desert drops sharply at night, and the wind blows even more fiercely, carrying a biting chill.
"Qinghan" wrapped her thin clothes tighter around herself and continued walking through the streets.
Her shadow stretched long in the moonlight, lonely and persistent.
An hour passed, then two hours passed.
"Qinghan" has traveled to almost every place in Shacheng that is accessible.
The trading market in Dongcheng District, the residential area in Xicheng District, the warehouse area in Nancheng District, and the vicinity of the guard camp in Beicheng District.
No.
There was no trace of the rich kid anywhere.
They couldn't even detect a trace of familiarity.
As dawn approached, "Qinghan" stood beneath a watchtower in the center of Sand City, looking up at the top of the tower.
Someone was on duty at the top of the tower, and the lights flickered in the wind.
The rich kid isn't here.
This conclusion was within Ao Shuang's expectations, but he still couldn't help feeling a sense of anxiety.
The urban area of Shacheng is indeed not very large; Aoshuang searched the entire city in just one night.
But apart from the city, the rest is just endless desert, a true "no man's land".
Finding someone there is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
The darkness before dawn is the deepest.
"Qinghan" stood on the edge of the sand city, looking at the sea of sand in front of her that was faintly glowing in the night.
The wind blew across the sand dunes, making a "whooshing" sound, like some kind of mournful cry.
She took a deep breath and took the first step.
The sand is very soft, and you sink in when you step on it, making it difficult to walk.
But this is only the beginning.
The area outside the city of Shacheng is not flat sand, but rather a series of undulating sand dunes.
Some sand dunes are not high and can be easily crossed; others are like small mountains and require a lot of effort to climb.
"Qinghan" cannot transform into animal form.
The illusion can only maintain the human form; once the shape reverts to that of a snow eagle, the spell will fail, revealing the true form.
So he could only use his human form, his not-so-strong female body, to walk step by step, with great difficulty, across the sand.
The sandstorm was very strong.
The strong wind whipped up fine sand particles that stung my face.
"Qinghan" had to squint and cover her face with her sleeve, but the sand was everywhere and still managed to get into her eyes, nose, and mouth.
A bitter taste.
She gritted her teeth and continued walking forward.
The sun rises in the east, dispelling the chill of the night, but bringing with it an even harsher test.
The daytime temperature in the desert is frighteningly high.
The sunlight shone directly on the sand, reflecting a blinding light, and even the air seemed to distort due to the high temperature.
Qinghan's clothes were quickly soaked with sweat and then dried by the hot wind, leaving a layer of white salt stains.
My lips were chapped, my throat was dry, and every breath felt like inhaling flames.
But she can't stop.
Fugui must be somewhere in this desert.
Qinghan might also be there.
He must find them.
On the first day, Aoshuang walked a long way.
He walked in one direction, climbing over sand dunes and traversing sand valleys.
Their eyes were constantly scanning their surroundings, hoping to spot any trace of human activity.
Footprints, campfire ashes, discarded items—anything is fine.
But there was nothing.