Bexia and his companions continued to move towards the depths of the temporal fissure, encountering more and more temporal creatures along the way. Initially, they mostly encountered scattered worms, but later they encountered groups of mature beings resembling butterflies. However, they were quickly defeated in battle under Christine's soul attacks, surprisingly finding these creatures' souls to be somewhat fragile.
Similarly, Bexia also acquired a number of Time and Space Crystals and worm leather. Surprisingly, these leathers possessed extremely unique powers, capable of resisting the forces of time and space. With a sufficient quantity, one could even make clothing that would allow survival within the fabric of time and space.
"Should we continue going deeper? Do you think that with the power of the person you're looking for, you can make it to the deeper parts?" Shi Tian asked in a calm tone.
"Well..." Bexia wasn't sure, but based on strength alone, Ophelia and Long Momo would indeed struggle to venture further. The journey they had made so far had already witnessed the prowess of temporal creatures. If it weren't for the weakness of their soul power, restrained by Christine, they wouldn't have made it this far.
"A-Ling, it seems like there's something up ahead!" Luo Ningxian pointed at a pile of shattered crystals. In the spot she indicated, there was a slight abnormality – a small piece of white fabric lay torn on it, as if it had been snagged and ripped.
"This seems to be a piece of clothing from a woman, and it looks like..." Bexia picked up the scrap of fabric with a hint of bloodstain, furrowed his brows as he examined the patterns on it, before comparing it to Christine's clothing. This fabric seemed somewhat similar to a maid's uniform, or rather, a corner of one.
"Let me take a look, shall I?" Shi Tian offered.
"Please." Bexia promptly placed the fabric back in its original spot, and Shi Tian immediately spat out a flame that struck the fabric. A picture slowly emerged from the rising flames, leaving Bexia stunned. The individuals depicted were actually Ophelia and Long Momo, the very people he was searching for, and even a girl he was almost starting to forget – Sakuya, who once saved his life!
The image had no sound. The three young girls were being hunted by a group of mature temporal creatures. Ophelia and Long Momo seemed to possess powerful artifacts, especially the power Long Momo wielded made Bexia's eyelids twitch – if he wasn't mistaken, that was the power of the Judgment Divinity.
As they fought and fled, the increasing number of temporal creatures eventually dispersed the three individuals. Due to her weaker strength, Sakuya was hidden by Ophelia amidst the surrounding crystals, while she herself lured the pursuing creatures away. However, to everyone's surprise, Sakuya was quickly captured and even ensnared alive by the temporal creatures. As she struggled, the fabric of her clothes was torn by the crystal's edges, leaving behind this small scrap of fabric.
"Shi Tian, can you find them?" Bexia hurriedly inquired.
"It's difficult to locate them, but I can trace the trail she left behind through this strand of aura. As for whether we can find them, that remains to be seen," Shi Tian said leisurely. While it was possible to deduce the scene, who knew if any temporal distortions could occur here? Once the trace was affected by the force of time and space, it would undoubtedly lead to finding the trail!
"Well then, I'll leave it to you, Shi Tian!" Regardless of the outcome, Bexia had to hold onto the faint hope.
"Alright! Follow me!" Shi Tian replied, then swallowed the burning fabric and spat out a shrunken miniature flame Shi Tian.
"Let's go!" Shi Tian gestured, and the flame Shi Tian had produced took a step forward, quickly sprinting ahead, with everyone immediately following suit.
After advancing a considerable distance, Bexia and the others finally arrived at a particularly unique cluster of crystals. These structures resembled cocoons, some broken, others faintly revealing what seemed to be creatures inside.
"The trail ends here!" Shi Tian, looking at the dissipated flame, furrowed his brow.
"Could this be the lair of these spatial creatures?" Luo Cailing observed the scene ahead.
"Possibly." Bexia responded indifferently, his gaze fixed on the front, especially on the inner parts of the crystal, which he found suspicious.
"I'll take a closer look. Wait here for me!" Bexia glanced back at Christine. She intuitively merged into his body, following which he took out a dreamy flower, crushed it, and transformed his body into nothingness.
Prepared as such, Bexia cautiously approached the nest of the spatial creatures. He first tested if the patrolling creatures could see through the dreamy flower's disguise, and once confirmed there was no issue, he began to probe further.
"What exactly are in these crystals?" Curious, Bexia approached one of the crystals. When he neared it and the isolating effect of time and space dissipated, he could clearly see what was inside – it was actually a person.
Of course, it wasn't only humans; apart from humans, he also saw individuals of other races and even beasts. Especially, when he saw two worms devouring the beings inside, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow for Sakuya. Perhaps Sakuya was also sealed within a crystal, becoming an incubation chamber for the larvae of these creatures!
Witnessing this scene, Bexia prayed in his heart that Ophelia and Long Momo hadn't become part of this unfortunate group!
Nonetheless, Bexia didn't immediately leave. Regardless of the circumstances, he had come this far and had to at least investigate. Even if all he found was Sakuya's corpse, it would still provide some closure.
