Chapter 167: Exposing One's Identity

Chapter 167: Revealing Identity

"What happened to them?"

Faced with Evelyn's question, Li Wei could not answer.

He understood what she meant, but he did not know the truth.

So he spoke honestly: "These two crystal flowers were sent to me by someone."

Evelyn pressed urgently, "Who sent them?"

Li Wei shook his head. "I don't know.

The sender didn’t write a name or an address."

Evelyn said, "May I see the letters?"

After a moment’s thought, Li Wei retrieved two envelopes from his spatial ring and handed them over.

There was nothing important in them anyway.

Since acquiring two spatial rings, his storage space had grown vast.

He now preferred keeping everything inside—carrying it all on his person, ready to flee at a moment’s notice.

After studying the letters, Evelyn’s brows tightened. With a flick of her wrist,

a shower of pollen drifted down from the air, settling upon the paper.

Words emerged, faintly glowing.

"Toxic Dragon Hollow."

Li Wei read aloud, surprised that hidden messages lay concealed within the letters.

A gust of wind swept through. The pollen scattered, the words vanishing like breath on glass.

Magic, subtle and fleeting.

Both letters bore the same cryptic clue.

Evelyn returned them to Li Wei.

He tucked them away and asked, "What is Toxic Dragon Hollow?"

"A very dangerous place," she replied.

"I’m also puzzled—why would a letter point us there?

Even great mages risk death in such a place."

"Still, I must go. It’s the only lead we have to finding the city lord."

"When will you leave?" Li Wei asked.

Evelyn glanced at him, then calmed herself. "Not yet. Going there requires careful preparation.

Otherwise, one might never return."

"For now, I’ll take you to meet Troeska first."

Li Wei smiled. "Then that’s good."

She turned to Ying. "You stay here."

"Yes," Ying nodded obediently.

Evelyn looked at Li Wei. "Can you fly?"

Without hesitation, he answered, "No."

She raised a hand. A vine sprouted from her back, winding gently around his waist.

In the next moment, they soared into the sky.

Li Wei stared at her, astonished. "What kind of spell is this?"

"It’s not a spell," she said. "It’s a power granted after becoming a kin of the Hundred Blossoms."

Li Wei recalled the legend Rotah once told him.

"Are you saying you truly possess the power of the Goddess of Flowers?"

Evelyn gave him a curious look. "Not exactly. And yet… yes, in a way."

"Some things are hard to explain.

The so-called Goddess of Flowers isn’t a deity as people imagine."

"She is... different."

Li Wei nodded, pretending to understand—though he didn’t, not really.

But he knew one thing for certain: the Goddess of Flowers was no true god.

Real gods weren’t so fragile, so easily forgotten.

They had legions of followers building temples, chanting prayers, lighting incense.

Not like in Flowerfall City, where the goddess changed with every new city lord.

Kira had sought the goddess’s power too.

But he failed to wrest the secret from the previous ruler.

Soon, Evelyn brought Li Wei to the Adventurers’ Guild.

"Master Troeska is here?"

Li Wei sounded disappointed.

He’d imagined Troeska hiding somewhere deep and mysterious.

But if he was simply inside the guild, why did he need Evelyn’s help to find him?

They landed at the entrance.

Onlookers scattered instinctively, clearing a path.

Those who flew were never ordinary.

Even among adventurers, such power commanded awe.

Evelyn strode toward the inner courtyard.

"Stop," a guard blocked their way. "This area is off-limits."

Evelyn drew a card and handed it to the guard.

The guard glanced at it, then quickly stepped aside, opening the gate for them.

"Please, come in."

Only then did Li Wei understand why Torasta had sent him to find Evelyn.

He curiously eyed the card in her hand.

Seeing his gaze, she showed it to him briefly and explained, "It's a Gold Membership Card issued by the Adventurers' Guild."

"Only a few individuals who've made exceptional contributions to the guild possess one."

"Oh, right, I've heard of those,"

Li Wei murmured, memory returning.

There was indeed such a thing—special cards awarded by the Adventurers' Guild to extraordinary professionals.

Holders enjoyed various privileges within the guild.

From lowest to highest: Iron, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Stellar-tier membership cards.

The higher the rank, the greater the benefits granted.

Bred had spent seven or eight years striving in Maple City, completing hundreds of commissioned tasks,

yet earned only an Iron-tier card.

Even Silver-tier members were exceedingly rare there.

Li Wei had never taken many guild missions, so naturally, he'd never received a card.

They entered the courtyard.

This was Li Wei’s first time here.

At the sight before him, astonishment crossed his face.

It was like a small town unto itself.

Entry required one thing: a membership card.

At minimum, an Iron-tier.

With her Gold-tier card, Evelyn could bring Li Wei inside—

but only one guest per cardholder.

Evelyn seemed familiar with the place.

She led Li Wei to the blacksmith’s forge, where Willie was enchanting his magitech armor.

Sensing their approach, he didn’t look up.

"Sorry, not open today."

Evelyn spoke coolly, "I’m here to see Troska."

Willie immediately lifted his head.

"Aunt, what brings you here?"

Li Wei stared in shock.

"What? You call her aunt?"

Willie looked at Li Wei, dazed for a moment—then recognition flickered.

He pointed, stunned. "Y-you—you’re not—"

"Cough! Cough!"

Li Wei cleared his throat, cutting him off.

"We’ll talk later. Today, I’ve come to see your father."

Evelyn glanced between the two, sensing their hidden history,

but asked nothing.

It was Li Wei who now gaped in disbelief.

"You're Troska’s sister?" he blurted.

Troska stepped out, spotting Evelyn. "Sis! What are you doing here?"

Li Wei nearly dropped his jaw.

He stared back and forth between them, mind reeling.

"Wait—so you’re her brother?"

Utterly dumbfounded.

Troska looked far older than Evelyn—yet was her younger sibling.

Evelyn said simply, "He needs your help forging equipment."

Troska studied Li Wei, eyes shifting slightly as memories stirred.

He smiled. "Of course. But the forging fee won’t be cheap."

"Now then—what do you wish to craft?"

Li Wei pulled out the blueprint for the Origin Heart Necklace. "Can you make this?"

Troska took the diagram, examined it silently.

Then he looked up. "Yes."

"How about using this?"

Li Wei produced the Fire Spirit Pearl.

Troska and Evelyn both flinched, eyes widening in shock.

"You’re…"

Willie’s gaze sharpened—confirmation flashing across his face.

(End of Chapter)