Chapter 118: The Familiar Purple Figure

"Indeed, finding them is difficult if you go about it blindly, but we have our own methods of detection," Mu Ning said.

"Beyond the plane fractures lies the three-dimensional void, which is filled with vast amounts of 'Time Sand.' Although one cannot intentionally touch the Time Sand while traversing the void, one will always carry a faint trace of its aura upon arrival. We simply need to track that scent."

Mu Ning explained it so articulately that the others were left wide-eyed and stunned.

"Does that mean if we just returned from training in a fantasy world, we would also carry the aura of Time Sand?" Si Kongxu asked.

"That is true, but when we traverse, we use the specialized space-time passages constructed by the school. That aura dissipates within an hour or two. However, if one does not use the school's dedicated passages, the aura of Time Sand persists for at least one to two months, so there is no fear of confusion during a mission," Mu Ning smiled. "Does anyone else have questions?"

Since Mu Ning had explained it so clearly, no one had any further doubts.

Seeing that everyone was silent, Mu Ning continued, "Now, let’s discuss the methods of investigation."

As she finished speaking, she withdrew a small, golden-yellow vial from the independent space engraved on the back of her hand.

"This is a specially formulated potion from the school used to sense the aura of Time Sand. If you apply it to your mark, it will glow whenever the aura of Time Sand appears within a fifty-meter radius. However, the effect only lasts for three hours."

"Are we really using this to look for beings who have crossed over?" Mu Qing stared closely at the vial in Mu Ning’s hand, her large eyes blinking curiously. She looked quite adorable.

"Alright, everything that needs to be said has been said. It’s time to prepare," Mu Ning stated. "The area to be investigated radiates from the Xinjin Road section to the entire southern district of Jinling. Our team is responsible for the area around First High School."

"First High School?" Si Kongxu exclaimed. He had forgotten that the school Ye Xi attended was also in the southern district of Jinling, only a kilometer or two away from Xinjin Road.

If any emergency were to happen near First High School, he must ensure Xiao Xi's safety!

"What's wrong? Why such a fuss?" Cao Dongcheng asked, confused by Si Kongxu’s sudden outburst.

"Oh, it's nothing," Si Kongxu shook his head.

"In any case, it is not yet certain whether beings from other planes have actually crossed over, so everyone should go around the vicinity of First High School and investigate if any strange incidents have occurred recently," Mu Ning arranged logically.

"Given the size of our team, we will split into two groups. Mu Qing, Si Kongxu, and I will be one group, and the other four of you will be the second. Remember to take good care of our junior."

"Understood!"

No one had any objections to Mu Ning's arrangements, though Si Kongxu felt that Mu Ning placing him with the two sisters seemed like she was targeting him.

...

Since he had been roped into this chore, Si Kongxu wouldn't be able to return for a while, so he called Mikasa to let her know.

The technology in this world was quite advanced—at least thirty years ahead of the world Si Kongxu lived in before he crossed over.

While this thirty-year lead hadn't necessarily pushed this world far beyond his original one in every aspect, the changes in certain areas were significant.

Take mobile phones, for example. The current iPhone 15 possessed computing power comparable to the supercomputers of his previous world, and it featured video projection capabilities, allowing the phone system to be projected and operated in mid-air, giving it a high-tech feel.

The military technology of this world was even more powerful. Thirty years ago, before the people of this world possessed mysterious powers like battle qi or magic, they relied solely on technology to fight against other worlds. Although they were once at a disadvantage, it showed just how formidable their military strength was.

Well, having said all that, he really just wanted to show off his newly purchased phone...

"I say... we've been here for half an hour now... and you've just been sitting here playing on your phone?"

Mu Qing looked helplessly at Si Kongxu, who was sitting in the cold drink shop, playing on his phone without a hint of fatigue. She felt she had truly hit rock bottom to be stuck with such a lazy teammate.

"What are you panicking for?" Si Kongxu took a sip of the drink in his cup. It was delightfully refreshing.

"Your sister hasn't even started worrying yet, so why are you so anxious?" Si Kongxu pouted. Mu Ning was sitting right there, unbothered, so why should he be?

"Sister, are we out here to perform a mission or to relax!" Seeing that Mu Ning had no intention of moving, Mu Qing immediately went over and acted spoiled. "I'm tired of waiting here!"

Mu Ning took a sip of her own drink and said calmly, "It's rush hour now, and the shopkeepers are busy with business. It's better to wait a while before asking for information."

"Hmph." Since her sister had spoken, there was nothing the impatient Mu Qing could do.

...

Half an hour passed. Seeing the crowds gradually thinning out, Si Kongxu put away his phone and stood up to stretch.

"Any news from the other team?" Si Kongxu asked Mu Ning.

"Wang Zhen and the others went to the nearby police station to investigate, and they did find some strange things," Mu Ning said.

"What things? What things!" Mu Qing asked from the side. This girl was truly bored and always wanted to find something to do.

Si Kongxu was the exact opposite; he always felt that there were too many troubles and hassles in his surroundings.

"The information from the police station isn't particularly useful, but there is one thing worth noting: there has been a high number of missing persons in the southern district recently," Mu Ning said softly.

"A high number of missing persons? Do you think this is related to the plane fractures?" Si Kongxu asked.

"The reason for these disappearances isn't necessarily the work of creatures that have crossed over; after all, we don't even know their species or living habits yet."

Si Kongxu didn't deny Mu Ning's analysis. In his experience, there were plenty of characters in anime who enjoyed eating people or killing.

However, those characters were usually quite iconic; if he saw one, he should be able to recognize it.

"So, what's next?" Si Kongxu asked.

"What else can we do? Continue investigating the strange incidents that have occurred recently!" Before Mu Ning could speak, Mu Qing glared at Si Kongxu.

Si Kongxu ignored her. This girl, Mu Qing, was just in need of some discipline. When he got the chance one day, hehe...

As Si Kongxu was lost in his daydreams, his gaze flickered. He noticed a familiar purple figure passing by outside the cold drink shop.

He felt a sense of familiarity with the fleeting purple figure, but unfortunately, he hadn't seen the person's face clearly. After a moment of thought, Si Kongxu decided to chase after them to take a look.