We’re still spending today in the stone house, so Professor Wu decided to gather everyone for a small meeting. He took out some materials and maps and shared some information about our recent passage by the Divine Altar. The desert expedition itself has had its fair share of unbelievable occurrences, so the group began drafting and composing a prelude for this scientific exploration.

Many valuable videos and photos have been backed up separately. Everyone held Que Qiu in high regard and realized how naive they had been; thinking a simple two-day trek and a stroll through the desert would bring them to their scientific destination. They never thought that without this guide, they might have given up or perished long ago.

This man, who looks only about twenty-five or six, has such abundant experience. People might even believe him if he said he’s visited the Che King’s Tomb. He has an exceptional understanding of the Irel Desert, familiar with many things like an old hand, yet his demeanor and attire don’t resemble those of a local. Cheng Luo looked at Que Qiu, feeling a bit curious about him.

"Guide Que Qiu, you’re so incredible, when did you begin to understand the desert? You don’t really look like a local," Cheng Luo casually asked, resting his head in his hand.

Que Qiu glanced at Cheng Luo and replied indifferently, "Private matters."

Cheng Luo waved him off, "Sorry, sorry, I was too abrupt."

Que Qiu glanced at Tianmiao, meeting her bright gaze before quickly looking away. This sense of being seen through was very uncomfortable.

"Oh, by the way, Miss Tianmiao, what you mentioned earlier—our literature doesn’t have it. Did you hear these tales from locals?" Professor Wu asked politely yet curiously.

"Yes, they are simply oral traditions passed down through generations, not to be taken as truth," Tianmiao smiled, "We can enjoy them as stories. However, everything must still be approached with scientific inquiry."

I think your appearance is the least scientific thing here, and your words and actions, even less so, Que Qiu thought to himself.

"So, Miss Tianmiao, what other legends have you heard? Could you share some with us?" Professor Wu asked humbly, "Maybe we can find some useful information within these tales."

"Yes, Tianmiao, please tell us. Even if they’re just stories, they’re surely exciting, mysterious, and enchanting," Cheng Luo pleaded, shaking Tianmiao’s arm playfully.

"Alright, let me tell you some," Tianmiao smiled slightly, glanced at Zhou Qiang, who was sitting by the wall, and continued softly, "The State Preceptor was extremely grieved by his daughter’s malicious actions. So, he resolved to strip her of her mana. However, he never anticipated that her mana had surpassed his."

Zhou Qiang, who had been leaning against the wall, straightened up and also looked at Tianmiao with a serious expression, listening to her storytelling.

"Then, the State Preceptor was severely injured by his own daughter and imprisoned. She declared herself the new State Preceptor and, furthermore, proposed to the country’s most handsome man at the time. No, I should say, she unilaterally declared that this man must marry her. It was said to be a decree from heaven."

Everyone wore faces of confusion. This new State Preceptor’s actions? So inexplicable?

"Her actions were never heaven’s decree but her own shameless desires," Zhou Qiang suddenly spoke, his voice low with a hint of barely detectable resentment.

"Indeed... how could heaven issue such a shameless decree?" Tianmiao also laughed.