novelraw Chapter 72: Ancient Spots
Chapter 72: Ancient Spots
After all, this special event wouldn’t expose his core secret of having the System.
When the time came for him to obtain the Galaxy Sword in front of others, Leon could always make up some other excuse. As long as his unique abilities remained hidden, he didn’t care if people learned that a Prismatic Shard could be transformed into a Galaxy Sword at the stone pillar altar.
After deciding to go see the stone pillar altar together, the four of them prepared to set out.
Having lived in the Oasis for many years, Sandy naturally knew the preparations needed for traveling in the desert. Before leaving the store, she specially handed each of them a 500ml bottle of purified water.
“Sandy, you’re coming out with us—aren’t you going to lock the door?”
Once they had stepped out of the Oasis Store, Abigail, noticing Sandy’s casual departure without locking up, asked curiously.
“No need. I’m not the only one in the store. When I’m out, there’s always someone else to look after it. Besides, this time of year, there are hardly any customers in the desert,” Sandy explained.
Hearing this, Abigail stopped worrying.
Leon, however, instinctively glanced up at the second floor of the building, thinking of the casino run by Mr. Qi above Sandy’s shop. Perhaps Mr. Qi’s employees were the ones helping to watch the place.
As for Mr. Qi himself—the very man Leon was thinking of—he was currently standing behind the second-floor window, observing the four of them below, his gaze fixed entirely on Leon.“A new generation of farmer, hmm? I’m looking forward to the day we meet.”
Leon had no idea Mr. Qi had already taken notice of him.
Guided by Sandy, the group started heading toward the three stone pillars.
Since there was no proper road leading to that area, they chose to travel on foot. Along the way, Abigail was brimming with excitement, constantly looking around, sometimes crouching to examine the sand beneath her feet.
“What are you doing?”
Emily and Sandy walked ahead, hand in hand, so Leon naturally ended up trailing behind them with Abigail. Watching her hopping about, he asked in mild exasperation.
“Hunting for treasure,” Abigail replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“Treasure isn’t so easy to find,” Leon sighed. “And it wouldn’t be lying out on the surface. If it were, someone would’ve taken it long ago.”
Unconvinced, Abigail argued back, “What if I get lucky and find some treasure just lying on the ground?”
“Then I wish you good luck.”
Leon shrugged. In the past, he might have been clueless about treasure hunting, but yesterday he had gained the special ability Ancient Mystery from the library. Now, finding treasure really wasn’t a problem for him.
That ability allowed him to see Ancient Spots marking the locations of relics—and along the way, he hadn’t spotted a single one. Which meant there was little chance any relics were nearby.
Abigail pouted at his dismissive tone. Whether out of stubbornness or genuine belief in her luck, she kept searching.
“Are they a couple?”
Sandy and Emily, walking ahead, had noticed the casual way Leon and Abigail interacted, and how Abigail sometimes showed little bursts of emotion in front of Leon. Curious, Sandy turned to Emily.
“Probably not,” Emily replied, shaking her head. “They seem more like good friends.”
“And you? What’s your relationship with Leon?” Sandy’s eyes glinted with mischief. “We’ve known each other long enough that I see you as a sister. You think I can’t tell that the way you look at him is… different?”
“What are you talking about? I just think Leon and I get along really well. We’re like-minded friends, that’s all.” Emily stopped in her tracks, flustered. A faint blush spread across her cheeks.
Sandy chuckled quietly and let it drop, but she felt her guess was right.
Then she glanced back at Abigail, still lively and bouncing around, though occasionally stealing glances at Leon. Sandy sighed to herself.
“If Emily really wants to win that handsome guy’s heart, she might have her hands full.”
But she kept that thought to herself. After all, it was Emily’s business.
Though the Oasis covered a large area, Sandy’s shop was at its center, so the journey to the stone pillars wasn’t far.
And Leon’s trip wasn’t without gain. His Forest Magic foraging radar still worked in the Calico Desert Oasis, guiding him to items worth collecting.
Under one palm tree, he spotted a coconut lying in the sand, untouched by desert animals, the shell perfectly intact—likely freshly fallen.
“Coconut (fruit): Seed of the coconut tree, with many uses.”
The System’s note was as brief as always.
Leon hefted the heavy coconut, then quietly slipped it into his System Backpack. Carrying something the size of a football while walking was just inconvenient.
As he finished stowing it away, Abigail noticed him crouched under the palm and quickly pulled him aside. “Hey, Leon! Don’t you know you shouldn’t stand under a coconut tree? If one drops and hits you on the head, you’ll be in big trouble.”
“Can’t you wish me something good?” Leon said, exasperated.
“I’m just worried about you,” Abigail replied, glaring at him.
“Relax, I’m not that careless.” Leon smiled. “So, did you find any relics?”
“No. Feels like there’s nothing here but sand, coconuts, and cacti. Not exactly a place for relics,” Abigail complained, clearly disappointed.
“Maybe if you keep looking, you’ll find one,” Leon encouraged.
“Heh, I doubt it. I bet those greedy prospectors and adventurers have already scoured this place clean,” she said, puffing her cheeks and dragging Leon along.
Just as Leon was about to comfort her, something caught his eye. Ahead, on a patch of sand, three twisted, half-transparent figures appeared out of nowhere—Ancient Spots.
“There might still be something left. Try digging here.”