C129 The Moonlight Bewildering Array!

Chen Guo and his companions weren't particularly moved by the news. They didn't have a close relationship with Lin Suzhen, nor did they hold him in high esteem.

However, for locals like Chu Xiaohong, the revelation was earth-shattering. The Lin Suzhen they had revered as a hero had fallen from grace, becoming a monstrous figure. This deeply wounded their delicate sensibilities, leaving them feeling adrift, disillusioned, and fearful as their faith crumbled.

Chu Xiaohong, Geh Pao, and the rest exchanged bewildered glances, their faces etched with confusion. Zhao Jinrong spoke up, "I understand how you feel. When I first learned this secret from my father, my worldview was shattered too. It took a long time to come to terms with it. He said that's just the way the world is—everything decays eventually."

"Loftiness leads to degeneration, greatness to decay, purity to corruption, and sincerity to hypocrisy. We must learn to accept reality," he continued. Zhao Jinrong's sigh was heavy with empathy, knowing all too well the weight of a shattered belief system.

"But he was Lin Suzhen, the peerless hero!" Chu Xiaohong's voice quivered with emotion.

"I wish I'd never learned this secret," Geh Pao lamented.

Zhao Jinrong responded, "No secret stays buried forever. We need to move on from the Dusk Forest and become part of Flame Dragon Village. It's time to shed the historical baggage."

Turning to Chen Guo, Zhao Jinrong inquired, "You were seeking information about Aerilon because of the Gate of Myriad Realms there, correct?"

Chen Guo nodded. "Our world's resources are depleted. To rejuvenate human civilization, accessing the resources from the Gate of Myriad Realms is our best option."

"Lin Suzhen had the same thought, but he lost his mind and succumbed to corruption," Zhao Jinrong noted.

"I won't repeat his mistakes," Chen Guo asserted confidently.

"Even if you're immune to its effects, you'll still need to overcome Lin Suzhen to access the Gate. His strength was unmatched in life, and now in his fallen state, he's like a demon. So formidable that even my father wouldn't dare get close when he investigated," Zhao Jinrong warned.

Chen Guo asked, "How does Lin Suzhen's strength measure up against that of the timber wolf?"

Zhao Jinrong replied, "Lin Suzhen's strength is nearly tenfold that of the timber wolf. You may have managed the timber wolf, but Lin Suzhen is a different story. While I support your use of the Gate of Myriad Realms to restore human civilization, I don't want you to throw your life away needlessly."

Chen Guo responded confidently, "He's still within my capabilities. As for my strength... you can ask Chu Xiaohong how many moves it took me to dispatch the timber wolf."

With a backward tilt of his head, Chen Guo mused to himself, 'What defines a peerless master? I am that master!'

Zhao Jinrong turned to Chu Xiaohong and inquired, "How many moves did it take our benefactor to slay the timber wolf?"

"Just one," Chu Xiaohong replied, snapping out of her reverie.

"One move?" Zhao Jinrong exclaimed, astounded. "Are you saying it was really just one move?"

"Not only did our benefactor take down the timber wolf with a single move, but he also eliminated Fenrir and the Lilac Sorceress simultaneously. His formidable power makes me believe he's transcended mere mortality," Chu Xiaohong explained. "His sword energy was unstoppable, clearing the demons and spirits from Phoenix Nest Mountain as effortlessly as the autumn breeze scatters fallen leaves."

As Chu Xiaohong recalled Chen Guo's battle, she still felt a thrill of awe.

"Is he truly that formidable?"

"With a single move, our benefactor annihilated the Timber Wolf and his brothers. Such incredible strength!"

"Incredible, beyond imagination, utterly astounding—this power..."

The crowd drew in a collective gasp upon hearing Chu Xiaohong's account, profoundly shaken by the display of Chen Guo's might. They were aware of Chen Guo's prowess but had not fully grasped the extent of his power.

There was no suspicion of falsehood in Chu Xiaohong's words; she had no motive to lie about such matters.

Zhao Jinrong, having considered Chen Guo's power and containing his own amazement, stated, "Brother, with your exceptional abilities, facing the corrupted hero Lin Suzhen should pose no issue. He must be under the influence of some malevolent force, as today's actions are surely not his own volition. Defeating the corrupted Lin Suzhen would not only be a victory but also a liberation for him."

Chen Guo remarked, "You present a logical argument, yet I'm at a loss as to how one might gain entry into Aerilon."

Zhao Jinrong replied, "Gaining entry to Aerilon is actually quite straightforward—you merely need to activate the Moonlight Formation. Aerilon is a forsaken village of ancient immortals, not of this world. In our realm, we possess merely the gateway and the key to unlock Aerilon."

"At three locations within the Dusk Forest—Solitary Falcon Ridge, Dao Comprehension Pavilion, and Line of Heaven—there are caves, each housing a turntable. When the turntable faces west, it seals the cave's skylight; when directed eastward, it opens the skylight. If you manage to open all three skylights within an hour, allowing the moonlight to pour through, the Moonlight Formation will be activated. As the mist from the immortal ruins clears, Aerilon will manifest once more in our world, only to vanish again by the following dawn."

He continued, "Here is a map of the Dusk Forest, handed down through generations, with all the pertinent locations marked. If you follow my guidance, opening Aerilon Village should pose no difficulty." With that, Zhao Jinrong produced an ancient wolf-skin map, clearly annotating landmarks such as Solitary Falcon Ridge, Dao Comprehension Pavilion, Line of Heaven, and the immortal ruins.

"Much appreciated," Chen Guo acknowledged. "But the Dusk Forest is devoid of sunlight; is moonlight truly present at night?"

Zhao Jinrong gave a wry smile. "Without the moonlight, we couldn't even cultivate mushrooms, much less sustain ourselves. For reasons unknown, the Dusk Forest, this cursed place, is bereft of sunlight yet blessed with moonlight. Under its glow, werewolves' combat prowess is enhanced, making nighttime excursions perilous for us. But for you, benefactor, such challenges are trivial."

"In that case," Chen Guo decided, "let's take some time to rest and set out when night falls—it won't be long now."

And soon enough, night descended.

By day, the Dusk Forest was shrouded in darkness, black as ink.

Come nightfall, however, a full moon rose above the Dusk Forest. Its light spilled into the forest's nooks and crannies, casting a serene and harmonious glow over the entire woodland.

Yet, lurking within the shadows untouched by moonbeams, danger was omnipresent. Indeed, the Dusk Forest bathed in moonlight proved to be even more perilous than in the daylight hours.