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After a brief bout of spatial turbulence, Dainsleif arrived inside the inverted, mysterious ruin deep within The Chasm.
He panted heavily, relieved that he had managed to shake off Shao Yun—at least for the moment.
But then, a troubling thought hit him.
"Why would Shao Yun choose to side with the Abyss Order? Unless Lumine joined them!"
The question gnawed at him, leaving him utterly perplexed.
Just then, an Abyssal portal materialized right before him.
Shao Yun strode out of it, clutching his distinct Cowboy Revolver (Goat's Blessing), the dark muzzle pointed straight at Dainsleif.
"I didn't join the Abyss Order. I'm just doing my brother-in-law a small favor!"
No sooner had Shao Yun finished speaking that Aether's Abyss Order forces emerged from other portals to assist him.
Among them, the most eye-catching was the Abyss Herald: Wicked Torrents. At that moment, the Herald was inwardly delighted—finally, a chance to show merit.
"Dainsleif, hand over the [Eye of the First Field Tiller] right now if you know what's good for you! Otherwise don't blame us for what happens next!"
Faced with this sudden turn of events, Dainsleif's expression grew increasingly grim.
"This is troublesome…"
With just a few words, he made up his mind—he had to find Lumine first and learn the truth behind all this.
He swept a hand through the air, his figure dissolving into a streak of shadow as he dove into another Abyssal portal of his own making.
Seeing Dainsleif escape, the Abyss Order members immediately opened their own portals and chased after him, unwilling to give up.
Just as Shao Yun was about to move in pursuit, a gentle, composed male voice suddenly sounded beside his ear.
"You don't need to chase."
Shao Yun stiffened. Alert, he looked around sharply.
"Who's there?"
The voice replied apologetically, "My apologies. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Caribert. His Highness instructed me to assist you in your mission."
Recognizing him as Aether's ally, Shao Yun responded politely, "Hello, Mr. Caribert. How do you intend to assist me?"
Caribert's calm, resonant voice answered.
"Simple. I will provide you with an exact coordinate. Travel there through an Abyssal portal."
"Our Order's members will exhaust Dainsleif's strength and drive him toward that location."
"When he arrives, you only need to wait for him to walk into the trap, subdue him swiftly, and retrieve the [Eye of the First Field Tiller]."
The moment Caribert finished speaking, a clear coordinate appeared vividly in Shao Yun's mind.
Without hesitation, Shao Yun opened a new portal.
…
After a burst of blinding light and spatial distortion, he arrived inside the ruin Caribert had specified—now dilapidated and crumbling.
The scene was one of devastation and desolation, broken stone and ancient debris scattered everywhere.
Suddenly, a faint phantom appeared before him.
It was the figure of a young man.
He wore the ancient garments of Khaenri'ah, and his pupils bore the distinctive cross-shape—unmistakably a Khaenri'ahn.
Smiling gently, Caribert bowed slightly and addressed him in a soft tone. "Hello. A pleasure to meet you. I am Caribert, the one who spoke to you earlier."
He lifted his head, his gaze warm as it fell on Shao Yun.
Shao Yun extended his right hand out of courtesy—but his hand passed straight through Caribert's form like air.
"So you really are Caribert?"
The phantom nodded and replied, "Indeed. It is an honor to meet the beloved of His Highness's blood relative."
He paused, then continued, "'His Highness' requests that you remain here and wait for Dainsleif to take the bait…"
Realizing this was all part of his brother-in-law's plan, Shao Yun nodded.
"Alright. If my brother-in-law says so, then that's that. After all, good steel should be used on the blade."
He scanned the area, spotted a stone step nearby, and sat down casually.
He pulled out a cigar, struck a match, and lit it with practiced ease.
After a slow inhale and an unhurried exhale, he looked completely at ease.
Caribert simply stood quietly beside him, keeping him company.
…
Shao Yun and Caribert chatted inside the ruin, passing time by sharing their dreams.
Caribert's dream was small yet extravagant—to live an ordinary life. For one doomed to die, such a wish was indeed extravagant.
Shao Yun, as always, dreamed of escaping all the trouble that never should have belonged to him or Lumine, running far away, and opening a ranch.
No one knew how long they talked.
Suddenly Caribert's phantom form stiffened, and he pointed to a spot nearby.
"Dainsleif is about to appear from there. Prepare yourself!"
Shao Yun flicked away his half-finished fourth cigar and crushed it under his boot.
He stood up and drew the Cowboy revolver (Goat's Blessing).
He cocked the hammer, steadying his aim toward the point Caribert indicated.
"Alright. Time to give Dainsleif a little present."
Almost the instant he spoke, a portal burst open in front of him.
With a violent surge of energy, Dainsleif sprang out of it.
He looked battered—clothes torn, hair disheveled. Clearly he had endured a fierce battle.
As the saying goes, two fists cannot beat four hands. Even a hero falls when overwhelmed.
For this operation, Aether had mobilized almost the entire combat force of the Abyss Order.
From the elite Abyss Lectors to the low-level Hilichurls, everyone had been dispatched to chase down Dainsleif.
Even Aether's usual ride, the Ruin Guard, had been sent in as well—going all-in.
Yet even with such overwhelming force, all they managed was to cause Dainsleif minor injuries while greatly draining his stamina.
Just as Dainsleif paused to catch his breath, he found the dark muzzle of Shao Yun's revolver pointed at him.
A terrible premonition surged through him.
He instinctively tried to activate another portal to escape.
But because of Caribert's precise prediction, Shao Yun had already locked onto him the moment he appeared.
Shao Yun pulled the trigger without hesitation.
A deafening gunshot.
Thankfully, perhaps out of respect for their past camaraderie in Dragonspine, Shao Yun still held back.
Two shots, both hitting Dainsleif's legs.
Blood sprayed as Dainsleif collapsed with a muffled groan.
"Argh!"
Lying helpless on the cold ground, Dainsleif stared at Shao Yun in confusion and pain.
"You… why? You care so much about Lumine, so why join the Abyss Order?"
Expressionless, Shao Yun approached him and crouched down.
He pressed the muzzle against Dainsleif's head while using his other hand to search Dainsleif's body.
"I never joined the Abyss Order."
His voice was cold—so calm it was frightening.
"I'm only helping my brother-in-law. Enough talk. Hand over the [Eye of the First Field Tiller]."
Dainsleif's heart lurched. He instinctively grabbed Shao Yun's arm.
"You're insane! That thing must never fall into the Abyss Order's hands!"
But Shao Yun shook him off and continued searching.
At last, he found it—the carefully hidden [Eye of the First Field Tiller] in the world.
Dainsleif's eyes bulged, veins standing out as he grabbed Shao Yun's hand with all his strength.
"No! I won't let the [Eye of the First Field Tiller] fall into their hands!"
Shao Yun easily shrugged him off.
"Dainsleif, I had no choice! I tried resisting, but I realized… those bastards want to use Lumine."
"I need to eliminate every threat. At any cost."
Dainsleif stared at him, horrified. "Opposing the Seven Archons leads only to ruin!"
Shao Yun shook his head.
"No, Dainsleif. This isn't about opposing the Seven."
"It's about sending those who deserve damnation straight to hell."
At that moment, Aether appeared with several Abyss Heralds and Lectors following behind him.
Seeing them, Shao Yun tossed the [Eye of the First Field Tiller] to Aether.
"Here! Catch!"
Dainsleif's heart sank with despair.
He knew he could no longer stop Aether. With the last of his strength, he shouted:
"Aether, when you gaze into the Abyss, the Abyss also gazes into you!"
Aether looked down at him and replied helplessly,
"Dainsleif, a heaven-sent opportunity is right in front of me. I can't just let it slip away."
Shao Yun had no patience for their emotional exchange.
"Enough! We don't have time to waste!"
He pulled out a bottle of ordinary Special Miracle Tonic from his pack and tossed it to Dainsleif.
"Take it, Dainsleif. Drink it and rest—you'll recover. But right now, we have more important things to do."
He grabbed Aether's arm and headed toward the portal.
Their figures vanished into its radiant glow.
Dainsleif was left alone on the cold ground, staring after them.
Shaking with anger, he slammed a fist into the floor.
"Damn it… I'm going to find Lumine. I know she can deal with you!"
Enduring the pain, he forced himself upright, grabbed the tonic, and downed it in one gulp…
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