Find a Troubled Girl after leaving the Guild-Chapter 435 - 237: Legendary Breakthrough (Part 3)

"So, they didn’t find the entrance because the barrier was lifted."

Li Ang initially thought it was impressive enough that the Yijie Association managed to locate the rooftop entrance to Huanwo Village amidst Mengze Island’s swamps and jungles, even if they came prepared.

It turned out their entry into the village was accidental.

"Those thieves had Magic Items that allowed teleportation escapes. Upon suddenly barging in, they seized the Sea Dragon Egg worshipped in the shrine and fled."

Otto shook his head, "The Secret Techniques in the village are somewhat effective, but during prolonged isolation, aside from oddities like me, people don’t study them beyond what’s necessary for living. So we couldn’t stop those thieves. After seizing the items, they were pursued by the Sea Thorn Dragons summoned by the villagers, and then they used Magic Items to escape the village."

"As long as they don’t return, that’s good," Li Ang said.

"If the problems in the village aren’t resolved, this kind of thing will happen again. What if next time it’s some Demons who break in?"

Otto exhaled, "I’ve already urged the villagers to study Secret Techniques to prevent unforeseen incidents, but short-term results are not evident."

"Speaking of this matter, could it also be related to Meluna?"

Otto slowly nodded, telling Li Ang that a few years ago, the village’s Magic concealment barrier suddenly broke, coinciding with Meluna’s appearance in public view.

And the time when the Yijie Association entered the village was when Meluna disappeared without saying goodbye.

"Are you suggesting she shattered the village’s Magic concealment?" Li Ang asked.

"If she were from Huanwo Village, she wouldn’t do such a thing. I only think she might have caused intense Magic Power fluctuations near the village, affecting the stability of the Magic barrier.

"To so effectively influence the village’s Magic barrier, it must be power of the same origin. I believe she was attempting a breakthrough to the Legendary Realm."

Otto suggested that Meluna lived near the village, tried to breakthrough initially, then left the island to seek new ideas, had a romance with Li Ang in between, and then returned to the island to attempt another breakthrough.

"If you mean to say that after leaving me, she’s been around the village all along, could she still be nearby?" 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Yes."

Li Ang cracked a smile; he didn’t know what to feel about this. In the past, he thought about what words he’d say if he saw Meluna again, but now he just felt confusion.

"Do you want me to help you find her?"

"If we can find her and ask directly, we can uncover her relationship with Meimei."

Otto’s logic seemed to be a closed loop.

This matter... Honestly, you’re asking me to find her, but at this point, I also feel somewhat..."

"I want to understand her relationship with the village and compare Swordsmanship of the same origin, please." The Elder Sword Hero tightened the grip on his sword hilt.

"Alright, Martial Fool, that’s your true motive."

Saying this made Li Ang feel like some of the incongruity in his heart faded away, yet he still sensed something amiss.

"You could see this as a task delegation. I will prepare a reward that satisfies you. For instance, you came to the island to build a ship, and I happen to have a Level 9 Guardian divine Artifact in my collection."

"Sigh."

Li Ang sighed, "Let me think."

He gathered information in his mind, pondering what kind of scenery that woman likes and what traces she would leave if she were secluded in the Wilderness.

While thinking, he suddenly felt a vibration underfoot.

The tremor also affected the girls dining; they all stood up, and Meimei clutched the Moon Concealing Rabbit, wanting to rush out of the courtyard.

"Meimei!" Otto stopped the girl.

"I’m going to ask Sister Shu what happened?"

"Stop. I know what this is."

Otto furrowed his brow, "It’s that Imperial Influence trying to trigger a Demon disturbance."

"Weren’t they captured by you?" Li Ang asked.

"They were. Follow me."

Li Ang and his team had just arrived in the village, and Otto initially planned to mention the Empire later; now, he wasn’t sure if an accident had occurred.

With presence like a deep abyss, Otto led Li Ang to a sandy area outside the village.

In the sand was a small hut where fishing gear was kept. Otto opened the door, and Li Ang saw three people securely bound, gagged, and positioned back-to-back together.

"The prisoners are still here," Otto said.

The Elder Sword Hero finished speaking, and inside the hut, a person with the Eye of God symbol on his robe laughed.

Even gagged, the pride in his voice was unmistakable.

Otto used the tip of his sword hilt to lift away the cloth gagging him, and the man hung his head with a cold grin, "The Annihilator has gathered enough power and is about to destroy this island, along with your humble village!"