Chapter 656

Chapter 656: Now All Alone Again

As Wang Chen regained his senses, he suddenly felt that something was amiss.

The anomaly lay in the passage of time.

He had spent a considerable amount of time in the wormhole space battling white skeletons, depleting a significant portion of the spiritual energy stored in the Heavenly Net for Exorcising Evil. He estimated that at least an hour had passed.

Yet, upon returning to the corridor of the Evil Abyss, Wang Chen felt as though only a few moments had elapsed.

This sensation was exceedingly subtle, not entirely clear or distinct.

But Wang Chen was certain it wasn’t a mere figment of his imagination!

Cultivators typically possess an acute sense of time; even in the perpetual darkness underground, they seldom err.

This perception stems from their own heartbeat, and the higher their cultivation level, the more precise it becomes.

Wang Chen suspected that the flow of time in the wormhole space was markedly different from that in the Evil Abyss.

However, this was not the moment to delve into such mysteries; he wished to keep his venture into the wormhole a secret to avoid unnecessary complications.

Thus, Wang Chen carried on with his duties, masking any hint of his inner thoughts.

After completing his routine patrol without a hitch, Wang Chen made his way to the dining hall.

“Senior Lu!”

To Wang Chen’s astonishment and delight, he spotted Lu Yanyi in the dining hall!

Lu Yanyi was the old guard who had once mentored him.

In the Evil Abyss, Lu Yanyi was revered as a true veteran among the guards.

Many new guards, including Wang Chen, had been under his tutelage, benefiting from his wisdom and experience.

Some had even survived long enough to escape the clutches of the Evil Abyss!

Owing to his esteemed reputation, the guards respectfully addressed him as “Master Lu.”

Although there is a fundamental distinction between "master" and "teacher," the former is also a term of reverence, earnestly acknowledged by all.

Wang Chen observed Lu Yanyi seated at a dining table, encircled by a throng of people, all eagerly inquiring and expressing their concern.

Earlier, rumors had circulated that Lu Yanyi had vanished, with some speculating he had inadvertently entered a wormhole, suggesting grave danger.

Now that Master Lu had returned safely, many were genuinely overjoyed for him.

Including Wang Chen.

Hearing Wang Chen’s voice, Lu Yanyi turned his head and offered a faint smile.

At that moment, Wang Chen noticed that Master Lu’s hair had turned completely white, and deep wrinkles had etched themselves onto his face, making him appear decades older than before.

It is noteworthy that Purple Palace cultivators can live for over a century and, provided their foundation remains intact, can sustain their vitality. Unless severely injured, they should not undergo sudden aging.

Yet, Wang Chen observed that Lu Yanyi did not seem to be gravely injured.

Nevertheless, it was a relief that he was alive.

With so many people gathered around Lu Yanyi, Wang Chen chose not to intrude. Instead, he collected his meal and found an empty seat nearby, eating while listening to the old guard converse with others.

Regarding his “disappearance” over the past few days, Lu Yanyi did not deny it.

But he did not explain where he had actually been or whether he had accidentally entered the Wormhole, as others had speculated.

This old guard simply thanked everyone for their concern and deftly avoided discussing the topic of interest.

As a result, the crowd surrounding him quickly dispersed.

Lu Yanyi didn’t seem to mind; he suddenly stood up and took a seat across from Wang Chen.

“Little Wang, do you still have any wine?”

Wang Chen nodded and retrieved a jar of spiritual wine from his Xumi Ring. “Senior Lu, good fortune favors the virtuous; it’s a relief that you’re unharmed.”

Lu Yanyi gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

He took the jar, broke the mud seal with a single slap, and downed the wine in one swift motion, emptying it in an instant.

“Exhilarating!”

The old guard set the empty jar heavily on the table, wiped the wine droplets from his white beard, and exhaled deeply. “Little Wang, I’m leaving. This time, I’m truly leaving.”

Wang Chen was momentarily stunned. “You’re leaving the Evil Abyss?”

“Yes.”

Yet, Lu Yanyi showed no trace of excitement or enthusiasm, as though this departure was not the fulfillment of a long-cherished dream. “Yes, I’m finally leaving this cursed Evil Abyss.”

Wang Chen smiled. “Then I must congratulate you.”

Lu Yanyi chuckled, his laughter laced with self-deprecation and irony.

He offered no further explanation but said, “Among all the new recruits, I have the highest hopes for you to escape this sea of suffering. But it’s unlikely we’ll meet again. Keep striving.”

With that, Lu Yanyi pulled a wooden token from his sleeve and placed it before Wang Chen. “I can’t drink your wine without giving something in return, and I don’t have many spirit stones left. Take this Protection charm as a memento.”

Wang Chen accepted it without hesitation, holding it respectfully in both hands.

It was a peach wood charm, exquisitely crafted. Even with Wang Chen’s knowledge from practicing the True Explanation of the Upper Clear Spiritual Symbols Atlas, he could find no flaws.

The charm’s material was of the highest quality, appearing to be an ancient artifact over a thousand years old, its surface polished to a rich patina that marked it as something extraordinary.

“Thank you, Senior.”

Lu Yanyi waved his hand, sighed, and said, “Remember to carry it with you always; it could save your life in critical moments.”

He then asked Wang Chen for another jar of spiritual wine.

This time, he didn’t drink it immediately but stored it in his storage bag.

In return, Lu Yanyi shared his years of experience as a guard with Wang Chen in meticulous detail. He explained which cells housed the most troublesome monsters and demons, which ones could be reasoned with, which were mute, which were viciously dangerous, and which only appeared formidable but were weak at their core.

And he conveyed all of this through messages!

“To rest, to rest!”

After their lengthy conversation, Lu Yanyi seemed content. He wiped the wine from his beard, gathered his belongings in his left hand, and lifted the empty jar with his right, swaying slightly as he walked out of the dining hall.

Wang Chen watched the old senior’s figure disappear into the corridor outside, feeling a pang of emptiness, as though something significant had been lost.

Once again, he was alone.

The next morning, Wang Chen’s first act was to fasten the peach wood charm to his waist.

Even if it didn’t grant him great courage, it offered some measure of comfort.

After Lu Yanyi’s departure, Wang Chen’s life continued much as before.

Each morning, he followed his usual route to patrol the prison area, inspected the formations, and delivered meals to the monsters and demons, gradually settling into the routine shared by most guards.

The Wormhole did not reappear, as if it had been nothing more than a shared dream among Wang Chen and the other guards.

However, the arrival of a new group of guards made it clear that the recent frequent appearances of the Wormhole had quietly caused significant ripples, and its influence would persist.

One day, Wang Chen returned to the spot where he had first encountered the Wormhole.

His heart suddenly raced, as though something important was about to occur.

In the next moment, Wang Chen vanished from his spot.

Here it comes again?

With prior experience, Wang Chen felt no panic. He remained calm and clear-headed until the teleportation was complete.