My System Is Three Thousand Years Early

So, when they saw the eerie Red Robe Daoist again, all of them were reminded of the scene to come, fear creeping over their hearts like spiders.

Just as they braced themselves for fate's judgment, they suddenly saw the Red Robe Daoist gesturing invitingly towards the door, with hands on hips and pride, as if boasting to an elder about their achievements.

"Brother, come look."

Could this Red Robe Daoist speak?

Many were seeing this for the first time, their eyes widening further.

The Red Robe Daoist was terrifyingly powerful, but to also possess spiritual wisdom?

Inside the hall, the faint sounds of crying that had been audible suddenly vanished, and silence fell.

Cheng Guang followed the Red Robe Daoist into the room, surveying the surroundings.

This side room wasn't large, perhaps previously used for storing miscellaneous items, with numerous locked storage chests placed around. But now, it was completely empty.

Tall jade pillars carved with various mythical creatures and Exotic Beasts supported the ceiling, from which numerous figures dangled, like inverted calabashes, hanging in mid-air.

Complex ropes wrapped them densely, leaving only their heads exposed.

Cheng Guang quickly glanced over and realized there were quite a number of people here, at least over a hundred.

There were members of the Human Race, the Devil Clan, and some creatures of strange appearance, belonging to races unknown.

All of them watched him with eyes filled with fear and shock.

Their expressions were complicated and filled with despair.

Cheng Guang had no idea what they were thinking and didn't care, his gaze scanning the hall again to see if Qin Yanqiu was among them.

At that moment, the hanging figures began to feel like crying upon laying eyes on Cheng Guang.

They noticed the Daoist Robe he wore, identical to the Red Robe Daoist's.

And Cheng Guang... had been respectfully addressed as 'Brother' by the Red Robe Daoist.

Many began to think that Cheng Guang might be an existence even more fearsome and strange than the Red Robe Daoist.

Among the dangling crowd, a pair of eyes as radiant as stars gazed at Cheng Guang with indifferent coolness.

When she caught sight of Cheng Guang, her gaze flickered with recognition.

She was momentarily stunned.

Because she found Cheng Guang's appearance oddly familiar.

But then again, it seemed unlikely.

The Town-Nation Duke's Heir she was familiar with had indeed been coming to North City during this period to marry her, but there was no reason for him to appear in this Secret Realm.

And it certainly didn't seem likely for him to be called 'Brother' respectfully by the Red Robe Daoist.

She reasoned it was not the same person.

They merely bore some resemblance.

As she comforted herself with this thought, she saw another aged figure emerge from behind Cheng Guang. At the same time, his solemn and authoritative gaze swept over her.

Qin Yanqiu only needed to glance at the elder to freeze in place.

Was this...?

This was the Duke...?

Qin Yanqiu, having recognized Duke Zhen Guo, Cheng Shiyuan's features, felt as if she were dreaming.

Previously, she had envisioned that someone might come to rescue her after she had unintentionally been dragged into the Secret Realm.

But she had not expected the Duke himself to come.

If the Duke had arrived, did that not prove that the person resembling the Town-Nation Duke's Heir, called 'Brother' by the Red Robe Daoist, was indeed the Town-Nation Duke's Heir?

Confused and feeling as though she were caught in a storm, Qin Yanqiu struggled to comprehend the situation unfolding before her.

While Qin Yanqiu observed Duke Zhen Guo, Cheng Shiyuan, and Cheng Guang, Duke Zhen Guo, upon entering the hall, also immediately directed his gaze toward Qin Yanqiu.

Seeing Qin Yanqiu unharmed, he sighed with relief.

Qin Yanqiu was a woman of startling talent and beauty, destined to be his future granddaughter-in-law. If something had gone wrong with her in this Secret Realm, Cheng Shiyuan felt he would regret it for the rest of his life if he couldn't save her.

Meanwhile, Cheng Guang also spotted Qin Yanqiu. Seeing her tied up from head to toe with ropes, looking disheveled and embarrassed, he couldn't help but find it amusing.

It was unexpected that their first encounter would be under such awkward circumstances.

After a brief look at Qin Yanqiu, Cheng Guang's attention returned to the Red Robe Daoist beside him.

The Red Robe Daoist's stiff mouth twitched as if trying to smile, "Brother, we have so many people here, we can keep the fire going for a long time, so there's no need to worry about the furnace dying out."

Cheng Guang nodded slightly.

He had already witnessed the Red Robe Daoist's obsession with the furnace fire.

Cheng Guang looked at the Red Robe Daoist and tentatively asked, "Can I take a few people away from here?"

In Cheng Guang's view, it was best to avoid conflict with the Red Robe Daoist if possible, so he began by tentatively asking, which should not lead to error.

The Red Robe Daoist was taken aback by Cheng Guang's words, hesitating for a moment before nodding slightly.

"There's no problem if Brother wants to take away these mortals, though aside from serving as firewood, they have no other use. Brother, what do you need these people for?"

Cheng Guang laughed then, unsure of how to explain.

Seeing Cheng Guang remain silent, the Red Robe Daoist seemed to have an epiphany and tugged at his sleeve, whispering, "Brother, I got it, you probably want to cultivate some Human Pills. Such things are better left untouched. It's still okay to use Devils for alchemy since it has merit to offset the sin, but using humans for alchemy, if Master finds out, I'm afraid it's unavoidable punishment..."

With a worried expression, the Red Robe Daoist paused and then sighed.