Arc 3.17 Xiao Yao

".............." Xu Xin looked at the two of them curiously.

Knowing the intention of the man on his right, Xiao Yao took a big step toward Xu Xin.

As if the other knew his intentions, just if, Xu Xin moved to Xiao Yao's right at the same time Xiao Yao moved to his left.

"....hm."

Xu Xin nodded with a stiff face while looking at the gate as if he had not done anything at all.

"Hmmmm....."

Xiao Yao also did the same and looked at the gate as if he was studying it carefully.

Chen Qiao looked at Xu Xin between him and Xiao Yao, he felt a little frustrated but did not say anything.

He just thinks that he was just studying the engravings on the gate seriously knowing how he is always in his own world.

When he was about to take another step toward Xiao Yao at the back, Xu Xin suddenly walk backward blocking his way.

"............." -Chen Qiao

"............." -Xu Xin

"~whistles~" -Xiao Yao

Chen Qiao furrowed his brow but did not say anything. Xu Xin was so immersed in studying the engravings that he did not think the other was messing with him.

Taking a big stride again, he decided to cross on the front to walk towards Xiao Yao.

Yet again, Xu Xin walked towards the engravings and put both of his hands on the dragon's face blocking Chen Qiao's way again.

"This...hm... interesting."

Seeing how Chen Qiao wanted to get close to him, Xiao Yao quickly put his hand on Xu Xin's shoulders while leaning close to the wall Xu Xin was scrutinizing.

Xiao Yao acted as if he was immersed in the engravings.

"Hm."

Xu Xin subtly looked at Xiao Yao and noticed the laughter in his eyes, he also...smiled?

"Thank you." Xiao Yao suddenly looked at him and said with a smile.

Seeing that the two of them were seriously studying the engravings, Chen Qiao was distraught and stopped his advances.

"Kid, did you say that you found the way to open the gates?" Old bandit asked.

"Yes, old man. To make the explanation short, the dragon's eyes are the key to opening the gates." Xiao Yao said.

"Then, open it!" Old Bai said excitedly.

"Xin."

Xiao Yao looked at Xu Xin. He nodded understanding his intentions and proceeded to walk towards the left gate while Xiao Yao was on the right.

"What are they going to do?" Leng MianMian looked at the two with bated breath.

Reaching both of their hands on the sculpted dragon in front of them, their hands on both of the dragon's eyes, they looked at each other.

"On the count of three!"

Watching both of them, it was breathtaking.

Everyone around them watch with bated breath, no one dared to breathe as if doing so could erase this moment.

Like an illusion that could disappear with one blow of air.

"1...."

If that gate would open, what would they see?

If the gate opens, will they finally see their final destination?

The gate is the only barrier that keeps them from reaching their goal.

"After all these years..."

Old Bai looked at the gate with bloodshot eyes.

He did not dare to blink not wanting to miss the moment when the gates open in front of his very eyes.

"Finally..."

The Old Bandit also looked at the gates with the same intensity as Old Bai. His eyes were full of longing.

"2...."

Xiao Yao and Xu Xin looked at each other, sparks flew everywhere.

"3!!!!!"

CREEEAAAAAKKKK!!!!

"It's open...." The crowd said with agape mouths.

"It's finally open!"

"After so many years! The Lost City, I finally found you!"

Standing side by side, Xiao Yao and Xu Xin looked at the far horizon.

The setting sun that had been their guide all along this journey was shedding its light everywhere on the Lost City as if hoping that it could set this long-standing City aflame.

"Can I finally find it here?"

Xu Xin was trembling. Not from fear but from deep excitement but the hint of not hoping too much was still painted on his body.

Xiao Yao looked at Xu Xin.

He looked forward, he watched the seemingly flaming city engulfed by the light of the setting sun, his eyes filled with unknown emotions.

Xiao Yao sighed as if finally coming to a hard decision.

He stood closer to Xu Xin and held his hand, Xu Xin looked at him in surprise.

"Xin, stop slouching your back. Look forward! Never back down! Remember, I will be on your side no matter what. From now on, I will watch your back for you. You don't need to be alone anymore." Xiao Yao said in confidence filled with an arrogant attitude without looking at Xu Xin, only holding his hand as if he was saying, I'm here.

Xu Xin's eyes widened shaking a little. Never before did he hear those words from another person before.

Hearing it now, he felt his heart move.

He tried to say something but no words came from his mouth.

"Hm."

Than speaking with words, Xu Xin made an action.

He held Xiao Yao's hand back, tightly, and looked forward at the setting sun.

Feeling the warm hand tightening in his cold ones, Xiao Yao smiled.

There was no need for words between them, just a little action is enough.

'Is this the power of brotherhood?'

[Host, stop grinning. Are you really sure that you will be going inside the Lost City? You know that the mission this time is special. If you die, you will fail.]

'I will only fail once anyway. Don't worry.' Xiao Yao said nonchalantly.

[Host, you don't understand. This world is special. This is the first time I encountered something like this. But, I heard from a senior.] Xiao Xiao acted mysteriously.

'Do tell me more.' Xiao Yao asked a little interested.

[Host, the thing is... in a world like this, if you fail, not only will you lose what you have gained so far but could also cost Host's life!]

Hearing so, Xiao Yao only smiled instead of being afraid.

'Oh? Is that so?'

[Host, are you not the least bit afraid? Think about it, you will die if you fail!! Than dying a worthless death, let us turn back and leave here. Anyway, we already achieved our mission. We can leave anytime if Host can walk out of here alive! Let's just choose the other Main Mission, please!] Xiao Xiao screamed for its Host to understand the dangers ahead.

[Turn Back For Survival Mission Reward: Black Card System Points!!!]

[Black Card! Usage 5x! With this, you can buy anything in the System Store all for free!!! What are you waiting for? Get it now!!!]

'But, I won't be going back just yet.'

[Host, why are you being stubborn?!]

'I'm not being stubborn. I'm just curious why this world is special. Why does it want me to go back or go in deeper? What secret is it keeping away from me even going as far as to giving me abundant rewards just to keep me away from going deeper in, hmm? Why do I have to choose between two Main Missions, this is the first time I encountered a rarity like this.'

[Host!!]

'I'm curious. Just what will be the result of my choice.' Xiao Yao grinned.

[Curiosity killed the cat!!]

Xiao Xiao almost cried seeing that Xiao Yao is not budging an inch.

'I'm no cat so my curiosity won't kill me. Even if it does, I want to see how it would kill me. Xiao Xiao don't forget, I'm a cursed being. Never will such a thing like me die that easily.'

[*gulp*]

Xiao Xiao knew what its Host was talking about.

To have the ability to stay in the System Space for so many years without being ejected for already accomplishing his missions, Shu Yin paid the price.

Remembering the curse of the God of Death to Shu Yin, Xiao Xiao could still feel the fear up to this day.

"As the ********, your curse is your destiny and your destiny is your curse! Be that as it may, remember, as the cursed blood travels in your body now, Shu Yin, you will never die no matter what!!!"

"Hahahahahah!!!"

"Shu Yin, as I said before, Live! Live a long long life!"