The Captain hesitated. Xu Qing frowned.3

Their experiments had confirmed that the phoenix-like palace complex with its nine buildings would crumble when they moved away from them, and then be restored as they got closer. The transformation occurred based on the behavior of whoever came to explore the place. And if they got close enough, even stranger things would happen. They would enter a bizarre, distorted state of reality in which time passed without them realizing it.1

“Little Ah Qing,” the Captain said, “remember how you said the place seemed familiar? Was that a really strong feeling?”0

Xu Qing nodded. “Very strong.”0

“In that case, do you think it’s possible that, during the three days that passed, we actually went in and explored the place? Maybe more than once? I have a similar feeling, but it’s not very strong. So maybe I stayed on the perimeter while you went further inside. That would explain why you have such a strong feeling.”0

Xu Qing’s eyes narrowed. “If you’re right, then had we not received that notification from the command sword, we wouldn’t have realized time was passing. In which case, the next thing that would have happened would be me thinking to use the...8