Chapter 159: A Spark of Suspicion and A Glint of Gold

Given the situation, not looting them felt like a waste, both for Pei Guang and Stelle.

Pei Guang's luck was particularly good this time—he managed to loot a firework effect. Looking at it, he shook his head in disappointment. "Figures, just a basic effect from a small fry. Trash!"

After knocking out the Mara-struck soldiers, Pei Guang casually stuffed them into trash cans on the mining carts.

March 7th, who hadn't found anything during her loot, grumbled as she stuffed more coffee into the mouths of the unconscious soldiers. "Ugh, no loot again!"

Pei Guang comforted her, "Don't be upset. I bet there are plenty of these human-shaped monsters. We'll loot them all. Hey, Old Yang, do you want to loot yours? If not, can we do it for you?"

Welt shook his head but responded with a curious smile, "I'll loot it myself."

Welt was intrigued by the "treasures" Pei Guang and the others kept finding. Out of curiosity, he reached into the pocket of the immobilized Mara-struck soldier he was dealing with.

When Welt pulled out a fist-sized firework, he fell into contemplation.

Pei Guang, noticing the firework, scoffed, "Another basic effect. If anyone likes it, I can equip it for you. Otherwise, just toss it into the shared storage. We can probably sell it or trade it for something useful later."

Pei Guang wasn't very interested in the firework effect anymore. Stelle, on the other hand, handed him her bat, asking him to equip the effect on it. She had a plan—once her bat was outfitted with the firework effect, she could ignite it with her flaming spear, triggering double effects and double the fun.

Welt commented, "My weapon doesn't need an effect, but I'd like to take this one back to study."

Pei Guang waved his hand, "Go ahead. Firework effects are common, but keep in mind that while they can be added and removed, if the weapon they're equipped on breaks, the effect disappears too."

Welt nodded, "I'll keep that in mind."

While Welt examined the firework effect, Pei Guang busied himself handling the Mara-struck soldiers.

He stuffed the three soldiers into the trash cans on the mining carts. Then, he attached IV drips to them, ensuring the pacifiers were securely placed in their mouths. He carefully regulated the coffee flow to keep them in a state of peaceful sleep.

Knowing that these creatures weren't entirely human anymore and that the coffee's effect might wear off quickly, Pei Guang prepared some bottled coffee for emergencies. If any of the soldiers started waking up, he'd immediately dose them again.

After securing the soldiers, Pei Guang dusted off his hands and smiled. "At this rate, if we manage to complete our mission, it'll be perfect."

The mention of perfection made Stelle and March 7th's eyes light up with excitement.

Stelle asked eagerly, "Does that mean we'll get some legendary equipment or new skills?"

March 7th chimed in, "Or maybe new effects?"

Welt, meanwhile, remained silent. After experiencing Pei Guang's bizarre stealth method and pulling non-existent items out of empty pockets, he had given up trying to understand Pei Guang's odd remarks.

This kind of research couldn't be completed overnight. Welt figured he'd have to take it slow and just accept that some things were unique to Pei Guang's own strange rules.

While a new effect was exciting, Pei Guang scanned the area one more time and realized there were no treasure chests or barrels nearby. Disappointed, he muttered, "There's definitely going to be a new effect, but it's a shame there are no trash cans or treasure chests around. I wonder how we're supposed to loot anything here…"

Throughout their exploration, Pei Guang had been searching for hidden loot—trash cans, treasure chests, anything—but to no avail.

He was thrilled to witness the mix of cyberpunk and cultivation aesthetics in Xianzhou, but the lack of loot was a real downer.

Just as Pei Guang was lamenting his bad luck, Stelle pointed toward something. "Pei Guang, do you think that vase over there might drop something?"

Following her gaze, Pei Guang spotted a porcelain vase.

After a moment of thought, Pei Guang said, "I'm not sure, but based on my experience, breakable objects in new areas often contain loot. Let's try it—there's no harm in smashing it!"

Excited, Pei Guang readied his wooden sword, preparing to strike. However, Stelle was even more enthusiastic—she'd already drawn her spear.

"War-Flaming lance, charge! New map, new treasure—it's mine now!"

With her spear blazing, Stelle charged forward with the power of the Preservation.

Watching her, Pei Guang yelled, "You cheater! Using a movement skill to snatch the treasure! You're just taking advantage because I don't have a movement skill!"

Stelle, her flaming spear held high, shouted gleefully, "Treasure belongs to those who can grab it! This loot is mine, Pei Guang!"

But just as Stelle finished her proclamation, an arrow of six-phased ice shot past her, shattering the porcelain vase into pieces. As the vase shattered, golden light surged skyward.

Behind Pei Guang, March 7th stood holding her bow, a smug smile on her face. "You said it yourself—loot belongs to whoever can claim it!"

Pei Guang gave a thumbs-up to March 7th, clearly pleased that he didn't have to race Stelle for the treasure. As long as Stelle didn't get the chest, he was happy. None of them were really concerned about the golden light—they didn't care who opened the treasure. What mattered more was the fun they had during the journey, not competing with each other.

As the golden light burst forth, Welt pushed his glasses up, observing closely. At the moment the light appeared, he detected no Imaginary Energy, even though the vase itself was just a decorative object. Yet, as soon as it was destroyed, something that shouldn't exist manifested. In that fleeting moment, whatever it was seemed to vanish again, almost tricking Welt into thinking he'd imagined it. However, the powerful trace of Imaginary Energy clinging to it confirmed he wasn't wrong.

What intrigued Welt more was that the energy seemed to be absorbed into the strange object that had appeared. By the time Pei Guang and the others laid eyes on it, all the Imaginary Energy had already been drained.

Welt came to a realization—someone, or something, was watching them. More precisely, Pei Guang was being watched. These items, defying the laws and materializing from nowhere, would undoubtedly attract beings capable of independent action.

If it were those entities, taking such treasures the moment they appeared, playing with them for a while, and then returning them wouldn't be a difficult task.

Welt chose not to inform Pei Guang about this discovery. It seemed harmless for now, as the mysterious beings were merely toying with the objects. However, mentioning it could stir panic—especially since, if something similar to the train bombing years ago happened again, even with the combined strength of the group, they wouldn't stand a chance.

Meanwhile, Pei Guang, Stelle, and March 7th were blissfully unaware of the strangeness surrounding the golden light. March 7th was simply stunned.

She had just been playing around, trying to grab the treasure before Stelle or Pei Guang. Who would have thought it would actually produce something valuable? And it wasn't just any loot—it was golden! Her first-ever golden item! Excited, she jumped up and down, beaming. "I did it! I got it, Pei Guang! What did I get?"