Chapter 1436: Chapter 1437: Arrival in Tiraya

“Treasure hunt? In the Data Domain? Why does it seem like that’s not in any of the advertisements?”

Getting off the car, Qi Chen scratched his head in confusion as he spoke, noting that such a thing should surely have been advertised. Agunas pointed with its paw to a poster of Shadow City in one of the images and said,

“That’s the one. It just hasn’t been officially announced yet.”

“This may not necessarily count, right?”

Qi Chen looked uncertainly at Dou Yanlan, pondering that although it sounded interesting, there was a possibility it might never actually happen if it wasn’t officially announced. As for Agunas making a mistake? That was out of the question; being the Divine Beast of time, how could it not be aware of such a minor detail?

“Did you see an official document from Tiraya City?”

Dou Yanlan seemed to remember something and asked Agunas, who nodded and said,

“If it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t have mentioned it.”

“Then unless a major mishap occurs, this event won’t be canceled.”

Dou Yanlan smiled at Qi Chen, who was standing next to her, and entwined her arm with his, saying,

“Ah Chen, how about we participate together?”

“Mind if an extra bulb joins?”

Beside them, Feng Yuan chuckled as he scratched his head and spoke. Qi Chen glanced speechlessly at Feng Yuan and said,

“What do you think?”

“Of course, it’s no problem. Treasure hunting with everyone might be more fun.”

Dou Yanlan squinted her eyes and smiled as she spoke. Qi Chen was momentarily stunned before realizing from Dou Yanlan’s hint that the so-called treasure hunt was likely just some clues deliberately laid in the Data City. Moreover, this activity wasn’t designed for group actions from the start, so it’s possible everyone would have different clues.

Whether just the two of them or with Feng Yuan, it didn’t seem to make much difference. As for interactions between couples? Qi Chen knew he didn’t possess the ability to create such an atmosphere, certainly not even when they were together.

“Hehe~ then it’s settled. But, Xiao Ji, have you planned the itinerary yet?”

While searching for the public bus, Feng Yuan spoke to Xiao Ji in his arms. Busy searching for information and engaging in intensive and anxious exchanges with Big Cat, Xiao Ji seemed rushed, prompting Feng Yuan to smile and say,

“Then let me arrange it for today~”

“For tonight, we should split up. I’m not going to that area with insufficient snacks, but you guys can go there.”

With a wave of his hand, a light screen map appeared before everyone. Feng Yuan pointed to a noticeably more scenic spot and said, while Yang Hongzhi looked at Feng Yuan in confusion,

“Is there something you hate over there?”

As for vendettas or such, he didn’t think Feng Yuan would have any in a place unfamiliar to him. Even if there were, how would he even know? Hearing Yang Hongzhi’s words, Dou Yanlan chuckled softly and said,

“What he means is that the place is a hotspot for couples. Just look at the name, Lermont Avenue, and you’ll understand.”

“Lermont?”

Yang Hongzhi scratched his head and looked at Najia, who shook her head helplessly, saying,

“That’s one of Dantia Region’s concept gods, symbolizing love, appearing as a seductive female figure draped in a flowing veil. But I recall that the statue of this god isn’t allowed to have a face depicted, or rather, the veil mustn’t suggest exposure of the face.”

“Concept gods?”

Not only Yang Hongzhi, but Qi Chen, too, felt intrigued. What was this other Divine Beast? Seeing their expressions, Feng Yuan laughed and said,

“They’re non-existent gods conjured up by human imagination, collectively accepted within a region, like Lermont. It started from a casual fabrication by an artist and, through various coincidences, became widely accepted in Dantia.”

“That’s also why Lermont looks the way she does.”

Feng Yuan revealed a slightly eerie smile and said, while Dou Yanlan glanced at Feng Yuan and said,

“Although the creators and spreaders are predominantly male, it isn’t entirely so. The desire to see the real face beneath the robe signifies infidelity in love, something they wouldn’t normally come up with.”

“Um… this…”

Seeing Feng Yuan look at him, Agunas flicked his tail and opened a book, saying,

“It seems this idea was first proposed by a male Noble from Tiraya and spread to other cities in Dantia with Tiraya City at its center. Initially, it was because a craftsman suggested sculpting the statue in the likeness of his beloved wife.”

“Um, it’s best not to delve too deeply into the matters of concept gods. No matter how beautiful, who knows what reality might reveal if you go too far down that path.”

Feng Yuan quickly wrapped up the topic, suspecting that continuing would completely ruin the image of Lermont, the concept god. He stealthily glanced around and, upon finding nobody noticed them, sighed in relief. Lermont still had a considerable number of followers in Tiraya, not because they believed she really existed, but as a lovely notion.

If any of those people heard them speaking about Lermont like that, they’d probably get beaten up.

“That’s true. Concept gods are just vessels for the unattainable beliefs we assign them, aren’t they?”

Dou Yanlan laughed and let go of the topic, while Yang Hongzhi scratched his head and said,

“So, if that’s the case, this area is actually specifically designed for couples?”

“Not quite. Unless they’re not trying to do business, there’s unlikely any overly high proportion of couples among the tourists. However, going to such places in the evening, tsk! Anyway, I wouldn’t go.”

Pouting, Feng Yuan expressed his dissatisfaction. If he didn’t mean to accomplish anything, he wouldn’t deliberately head to such places to suffer. Gently patting Xiao Ji’s head, Feng Yuan spoke,

“For dinner, do you plan on eating there? We still have some time before mealtime, should be plenty.”

“This…”

Upon hearing Feng Yuan’s words, Qi Chen looked at Dou Yanlan. He understood Feng Yuan’s meaning that the place, being a dedicated couple’s area, would naturally have romantic restaurants. However, he wasn’t sure whether to go separate ways.

“Where do you plan to go?”

Dou Yanlan asked Feng Yuan instead of answering. He shrugged and said,

“I plan to check out snacks on Holet Street. That place should have quite a few tasty snacks.”

“Then… let’s split up and go our separate ways.”

Glancing at Long Boduo and the others next to Feng Yuan, Dou Yanlan said. Including Long Boduo and the others, they had quite a group. Veronia extended her elegant hand towards Belusir and asked,

“What do you think of those snacks?”

“Holet is the concept god of cuisine, and a street named after Holet shouldn’t have subpar food.”

“Concept god, are all these streets named after concept gods?”

“Not exactly. Tiraya only has six concept gods, which lent their names to four main streets and two special districts. The others, I believe, aren’t named after concept gods.”

Upon hearing Veronia’s statement, Feng Yuan explained. Long Boduo curiously asked,

“Are concept gods only present in Tiraya now?”

“It seems there are a few other cities where they exist. As for elsewhere, it’s not that they’ve been discarded, but they’re not put on display anymore. After all, they are just vessels, without much real significance, and Tiraya keeps those six concept gods only because they originated there.”

Shrugging, Feng Yuan said. Since concept gods had no real power, they couldn’t compare to actual Divine Beasts, so it wasn’t surprising other places gradually forgot about them.

“A sort of cultural emblem? That is intriguing.”

Veronia smiled slightly, watching as the bus arrived, and Feng Yuan held Xiao Ji and said,

“Let’s go, the bus is here. Let’s go to the hotel and drop off our bags first.”

“Is this place really a hotel?”

Though knowing Feng Yuan would surely find a unique place, this place resembling an ancient Noble’s estate really was a hotel? Glancing at Qi Chen, Feng Yuan helplessly said,

“Why wouldn’t it be? Don’t forget that before, we stayed in Verlun Castle, which was even more luxurious than this.”

“But Verlun Castle at least had a sign. Here…”

Dou Yanlan surveyed the private estate-like place, suspecting if Feng Yuan had led them the wrong way. However, upon closer inspection, they found it was indeed a hotel, just lacking large signage, only displaying a small plaque at the gatehouse.

“See, I wasn’t wrong, was I?”

Feng Yuan beamed proudly, knowing the place’s quirks. After all, reviews were available online, though he’d only chosen not to mention them on purpose.