Chapter 455 - Palace of Darkness
As the Abyss of Tharlen had no day and night, the sky above was a constant dull gray. While the black flames could be seen everywhere, they did not provide any warmth in the world filled with haze and cold. Staying here for a long period of time made one feel as though their body was rotting away.
Lin Li could barely remember how long he had been flying along the Water of Death; the only thing he knew was that the sky above him was always a dull gray and the water beneath his feet was a dark red. As the world seemed to only consist of two colors, the whole journey was dry and boring.
If he had to think of anything that added a little something to their journey, it would be the fact that Hutton’s mana would be depleted every once in a while, and the two of them would have no choice but to take a rest by the Water of Death. The low-ranking demons that would appear then were the only excitement in their boring journey.
Hutton had to take a rest 14 times throughout the whole journey….
The 14th time he took a rest, Lin Li finally noticed that the river started flowing faster.
“I finally made it to the end…” Lin Li could hardly wait to fly into the sky after Hutton regained his mana.
Indeed, Lin Li noticed that the Water of Death ceased to flow after they flew another 2000 or so meters. A massive waterfall appeared before Lin Li’s eyes as water fell with a deafening noise from the top of the waterfall. There was no end to the waterfall that they could see, just as if it was a never-ending abyss.
“Something that can drive the lord of the Abyss crazy…” Connoris suddenly stopped here. “Alright, stop asking so many questions I won’t answer anyway. You’re a person of questionable credibility, so before you help me create a new body, I will not tell you this secret. Of course, if you can make me a new body as soon as possible, I may reconsider and tell you a part of it…”
“What secret could be so powerful?”
“I’m not blowing my own horn, but if you know this secret, you’ll be able to do whatever you want in the endless Abyss, and not one Demon Lord will dare disrespect you. Why else do you think Geresco tried so hard to capture me then…?”
“Wait a second, what did you say just now? Geresco tried so hard to capture you?” Even though Connoris spoke quickly, Lin Li still picked up on the tiny detail. “Say, noble Soul Trader, didn’t you tell me that you were once the lord of one of the levels of the Abyss and that Geresco sealed your soul in this hammer after attacking your palace?”
“Did I say that…?” Connoris sheepishly said before he realized that he might as well continue with his bluff. “Alright, alright, take it that I did say that. This happened so many years ago, so how could I remember everything clearly? You must know that this happened over 1,300 years ago! Would you remember what you had for breakfast today 1,300 years later?”
“…”
“Alright, alright, stop wasting time asking questions like that. If you don’t hurry into the Palace of Darkness, I won’t help you if Mephistos catches up with you.”
“That’s true…” After hearing what Connoris said, Lin Li realized that now was not the time to ask questions. Mephistos was after the Palace of Darkness as well, and wouldn’t he be inconveniencing himself if he met him here?
“Alright, Hutton, let’s go.”
Lin Li intended to head into the Palace of Darkness after calling upon Hutton, but he suddenly heard the sound of wind coming from the surface of the lake. Lin Li looked up in shock, and saw a black figure flying over from afar. It was a thin figure in a black long robe—who else could it be but Stephen?
“You finally caught up, Stephen.” Hutton was pleasantly surprised to see that Stephen had caught up with them. There was no telling what was hidden in the Palace of Darkness, after all, and it was better to have Stephen’s help if they met with any danger.
“Yes, I was delayed on the way.” Stephen nodded at Hutton in a greeting, but did not even spare a glance at Lin Li.
However, Lin Li did not mind it this time. Oh, no… more than that, Lin Li even warmly welcomed him despite his apparent nonchalance. “Could it be that you met demons along the way? Mage Stephen, I nearly forgot to ask you: how did you manage to find your way here?”
After finishing his question, Lin Li stared closely at Stephen.
“Only a few Minion Demons.” A trace of panic flashed across his face, and if not for Lin Li staring closely, nobody would have noticed that. “Don’t forget that I, too, am an Archmage. It is a basic skill for an Archmage to track others using magical waves.”
“Hehe, I see…” Lin Li smiled and nodded as though he never noticed that trace of panic.
The door to the Palace of Darkness was still wide open, and after the trio finished their short chat, they flew into the open doors of the Palace of Darkness with the Power of Flight.
As they passed through the door, Connoris moved on Lin Li’s back. “He’s lying, I sense Mephistos’s aura on him!”