The Cycle of Fate

Chapter 161: The Mummy

Franca and Jenna were overwhelmed by the sights around them: herds of cattle, sheep, and horses being driven, dark-skinned men wearing felt hats and thick robes in shades of blue or red, and local women in multi-layered, brightly colored dresses. Corn-based foods of all kinds and countless white buildings, alongside shops selling leather and woven goods, made everything look both fresh and intriguing.

As a bitter cold wind blew, Franca stepped aside to avoid a four-wheeled wooden cart pulled by a yak. She turned her head toward Lumianc and Jenna, saying, "Why aren't you two talking? Share some thoughts about the local customs."

What's the fun in walking around in silence?

After a second of silence, Lumianc said, "I don't know much."

Jenna, feeling a surge of embarrassment, added, "I don't either."

She had only heard love stories of pharaoh queens and adventurers discovering treasures in the jungle.

"Uh..." Franca waved her right hand. "I don't know much either."

Lumianc didn't press further and led his companions into a shop named "Highland Mystical Remedies."

The shopkeeper, Salient Empire, wearing a blue coat with golden trim, immediately recognized Lumianc. His striking hair color and appearance left a lasting impression, and it hadn't been long since their last meeting.

Salient glanced at Franca and Jenna before greeting Lumianc with a warm smile, "What do you need this time?"

Still suffering from a spiritual energy overload that left him with a headache, Lumianc straightforwardly said, "Real mummy ashes. I want to see the mummy."

Salient's eyes flickered, but he didn't ask why. "Sure, I'll take you to see it."

As someone who regularly sold mummy ashes, Salient knew that the ashes didn't enhance one's abilities in the way some believed. He usually mixed the ashes with genuinely effective mystical remedies for sale. But since Lumianc hadn't asked whether real mummy ashes were useful, Salient didn't mention it either.

Besides, he suspected the trio might want to buy an entire mummy to resell at a profit—a big business opportunity.

Salient temporarily closed the shop's door and led Lumianc, Franca, and Jenna to a storage room at the back filled with ordinary herbs. They followed him down a narrow staircase to the basement door.

Turning to face them, Salient asked, as if confirming, "Are you sure you want to see this?"

It wasn't a guilty question, more like a reminder.

"Of course," Lumianc responded without hesitation.

As he spoke, his gaze fell on the dark wooden basement door, which was painted with twisted, mysterious symbols in a mixture of ghostly green and deathly white.

Some symbols resembled simplified skulls, while others looked like intertwined arms and vines, and still others were made up of inverted triangles.

Surrounding these symbols were thin lines of the same colors, stretching in all directions and disappearing into the walls, floor, and ceiling.

When Salient pulled out a golden key and stepped forward to unlock the door, Franca lowered her voice to Lumianc and Jenna. "Those symbols seem related to the domain of death."

"What do they mean?" Jenna asked, not understanding.

Franca shook her head. "I'm not sure. Normally, this should be part of a ritual magic setup, but ritual magic without a power source can't function continuously."