Chapter 379: Invitation from Xidao Guzang

"What impressive tactics."

The senior disciple stood in the corridor, gazing into the distance, unable to suppress a sigh of admiration. "One person manipulated three others with such ease, and only used a single move to dispatch them all... The junior disciple is truly remarkable."

"But what method did he use to control the signals? I've never heard of a divine power with such an ability," the third disciple asked, his brow furrowed with confusion.

"The junior disciple holds too many secrets for us to fathom," the youngest disciple said, shaking his head.

After a brief silence, all three simultaneously turned to look at the beautiful young man who lay awake on the bed.

"Why are you looking at me?" the beautiful young man said leisurely, glancing at them while clasping his hands behind his head. "I am not omniscient. That Sixth Disciple is not simple... Even I cannot fully see through him."

"It's rare for even Master to be unable to see through something."

"However, the people from Fleeting Painting have seen through the junior disciple's disguise. If nothing unexpected happens, they'll soon send people to deal with him... Master, what should we do?"

The three looked at the beautiful young man, awaiting his answer, as it was ultimately up to their Master whether they could intervene.

The beautiful young man did not reply. Instead, he unhurriedly got out of bed, put on his shoes, and walked towards the corridor. The three disciples simultaneously moved aside to clear a path for him.

The beautiful young man stopped at the edge of the corridor, looking up at the ominous storm clouds gathering in the sky. His dark hair fluttered around his temples in the wind.

"These artists from the Mortal Realm are like leeks; cut one batch down, and another sprouts up... The youngsters are one thing, but some old geezers dare to act brazenly. Do they really think there's no one left in the Way of Theatre?"

Hearing this, the three disciples' eyes lit up.

The senior disciple cautiously asked, "Does Master mean...?"

"This worldly tour still has one final act to be performed," the beautiful young man said faintly. "...Then we shall put on a show for them in Willow Town."

"So, I still can't leave..."

Chen Ling, dressed in red, stood at the edge of Willow Town, looking at the arc before him, a flash of helplessness in his eyes.

Since Lin Xi's death, Fleeting Painting had drawn a second, larger circle, likely fearing Chen Ling might have a means of rapid movement and escape Willow Town quickly. This new circle also encompassed the surrounding wilderness and mountains.

Chen Ling had tried every possible method to break through the circle, but ultimately, it was futile...

"It seems impossible to get out with my own strength. Do I ultimately have to rely on the audience?" Chen Ling murmured to himself.

He looked down at the ground.

Audience Expectation +3Current Expectation: 49

Seeing the sudden increase of three expectation points, Chen Ling's heart instinctively sank. After all, an unprovoked increase in expectation usually meant trouble—that had been his experience so far... But on second thought, he was already in a desperate situation; how much worse could things get?

Chen Ling looked at the remaining 49 expectation points, his brows furrowing deeper.

Currently, the audience was his only hope for turning the tide in his desperate situation. However, with his current expectation points, even if he released the audience, he would surely die... And if nothing unexpected happened, high-ranking members of Fleeting Painting would likely arrive soon. In such a short time, where could he earn enough expectation points?

As Chen Ling walked towards the center of Willow Town, his mind raced, continuously devising a strategy to break the deadlock.

Just as he stepped back onto the alleyway, a figure suddenly darted out from the side, colliding directly into his arms.

Whoosh—!

The figure was so fast that Chen Ling didn't even have time to react. Just as he thought of responding, he was struck full force!

Chen Ling stumbled back a few steps, instinctively gripping the gun in his pocket. Just as he was about to draw it and retaliate, a somewhat familiar voice rang out:

"Ow..."

A beautiful young man, having been knocked over by Chen Ling, sat on the ground, wincing in pain.

Silver half-rimmed glasses rested on the young man's nose bridge, their chain gently swaying behind his ear. He rubbed his backside while glaring at Chen Ling:

"What do you think you're doing? Can't you watch where you're going?"

Chen Ling's hand, gripping the gun, paused slightly.

It was him...

Wait...!

Chen Ling saw the beautiful young man wearing glasses identical to his own, and suddenly froze.

After muttering his complaint, the beautiful young man patted the dust off himself and turned to run away into the distance.

"Wait!"

Chen Ling snapped out of his daze, about to call out to the young man, but the latter vanished in a flash at the end of the alley, without a trace.

A gentle breeze swept across the deserted street. Chen Ling, clad in red, stood alone, staring blankly in the direction the young man had disappeared, as if the events of the past few seconds had been nothing but a dream.

"How is this possible..." Chen Ling murmured to himself.

Chen Ling clearly remembered that the young man had inquired about his glasses at the inn. However, those glasses were merely a disguise he conjured with his Anamorphic power to conceal his identity, and their design was inspired by pre-cataclysmic styles... Although he had told the young man he bought them from a merchant, he knew it was just a flimsy excuse.

Yet just now, he had seen that same young man wearing a pair of glasses identical to his own?

No, that's not right...

Suddenly, Chen Ling recalled the conversation between the young man and the woman in green at the inn, as well as the young man's extraordinary speed from moments ago... A series of doubts swirled in Chen Ling's mind, as if hinting at something.

Just then, Chen Ling's hand, resting in his pocket, seemed to touch something soft and papery. After a slight pause, he pulled it out of his pocket.

It was a performance invitation.

Chen Ling clearly remembered that this item hadn't been in his pocket when he reached for his gun. Had the young man just now slipped it in?

Chen Ling opened the invitation. Inside was a handwritten letter, the script delicate and neat. In the top right corner, the five facial masks of Sheng, Dan, Jing, Mo, and Chou were printed, lifelike and vibrant.

"Dear Mr. Chen Ling, Six of Hearts:

The Ancient Trove of Theatre cordially invites you to witness the Grand Performance of the Realm in the New Era 380.

This invitation is the sole ticket to the performance. Upon receiving this invitation, please proceed immediately to the performance venue. During this time, refrain from communicating with others and do not disclose any information related to this performance to anyone; if you have not entered the venue before the performance start time, this invitation will become void.

Performance Time: 15:00 on February 3rd, New Era 380Location: Wasteland East of Willow Town

Signed—"Nameless Performer"