Chapter 772: Lumine: How Could My Brother Possibly Be the Crown Prince of Khaenri'ah

"Hmm, not bad. It's been a while since I've seen you like this."

At this moment, the two had arrived at Mount Aocang, the very place where Zhong Li had met the Traveler and their companion not long ago.

"Tsk, so I should thank my lord, the Archon, for finding me some work, is that it?"

"Ahem, my lord, the Archon, is all-encompassing. This is a trivial matter, not worth mentioning."

While the few were bantering, the Traveler and their companion, using their gliders, were approaching from a distance.

"Alright, alright, act a bit more convincing later; don't let them see through the ruse."

Since the Wood Spirit Immortal Lord did not yet know someone wished to see him, they first needed to hide.

"Good."

Zhong Li nodded, then walked away toward the distance himself.

"Eh? Where is my lord, the Archon? Is he not here?"

"Hmm... let's wait a bit longer; perhaps he will arrive here in a moment."

The two, having descended one after another, looked around at the emptiness; there was not a single soul in sight.

"Traveler, look over there!"

Following Paimon's gesture, they saw Zhong Li with his head bowed, looking intently at a stone in his hand.

"My lord, the Archon! My lord, the Archon!"

"Hmm?"

Zhong Li slowly raised his head and saw the two not far away.

"Oh, it is you two. I wonder what brings you here today."

Zhong Li spoke with a question, acting as though he knew nothing.

Jiang Yan, hidden in the shadows, let out a sigh of exasperation.

"My lord, the Archon, I wonder if the Wood Spirit Immortal Lord has returned."

"The Wood Spirit Immortal Lord... oh yes, you still need to ask him about that matter of the Traveler."

"That's right, that's right."

Hearing that Zhong Li still remembered this matter, Paimon hurriedly responded.

"Hmm..."

Zhong Li was seen closing his eyes, doing who knows what.

Paimon and the Traveler exchanged a glance, unsure what Zhong Li's action meant.

After a long while, Zhong Li opened his eyes.

"Hmm, the Wood Spirit Immortal Lord has already returned and is on his way. Little friend, do not worry; he will arrive very soon."

Hearing this news, the two were filled with joy.

Jiang Yan, in the shadows, watched this scene and silently shook his head. Closing his eyes and sending a message a thousand li away? Impressive, truly!

"Come, have some tea; the taste is not bad."

Now that they knew the Wood Spirit Immortal Lord would arrive soon, there was no need for such urgency.

The three sat around the table, quietly drinking tea and waiting for Jiang Yan's arrival.

Silence... silence... and still silence.

Even Paimon, watching Zhong Li constantly drink tea and play with the stone, did not know what to say.

Fortunately, Jiang Yan estimated the time was about right, vanished from his hidden state, flew away, then reappeared by breaking his invisibility and flying over.

"Hmm... he has come."

Hearing these words, the two were filled with joy again and looked up, seeing Jiang Yan land just then.

White hair, the pointed ears marking the elf race, and a kind smile on his face.

"This... is the Wood Spirit Immortal Lord? He is a bit different from what I imagined."

Paimon, looking at the kind Jiang Yan, was somewhat unsure if this was truly the Immortal Lord.

"Oh? Different? Then what do you think I look like?"

His voice was as comfortable as a spring breeze.

"Ahehe, you heard that. I thought the Wood Spirit Immortal Lord, like other immortals, was very aloof, and that meeting him would require some sort of trial."

"Haha, people differ, immortals differ, and gods are naturally not all the same."

"By the way, what do you seek from me?"

Jiang Yan spoke first to ask, after all, in this situation, he was the last to arrive.

Zhong Li said nothing, leaving the opportunity to Paimon and the Traveler, and silently poured a cup of tea for Jiang Yan.

"Zhong Li, Mr. Jiang."

Seeing the familiar actions between the two, Paimon thought of Zhong Li and Jiang Xiaobai she had seen yesterday, feeling they seemed somewhat similar.

"!!"

"!!"

Upon hearing these words, Jiang Yan stared directly at Zhong Li. You rascal, causing trouble again?

Zhong Li was also bewildered; how did this suddenly involve Zhong Li and Jiang Xiaobai, these two mortals?

"Hmm? Zhong Li, a nice name. I wonder who he is."

"Ah, haha, sorry. I felt you and they were very similar, and couldn't help but..."

Zhong Li turned his gaze back, as if to say, See? It has nothing to do with me.

"My lord, the Wood Spirit Immortal Lord, it is said that you have seen my brother."

Seeing the question finally return to the point, Jiang Yan did not hesitate.

"Your brother is named Aether, isn't he? Your attire and hair color are also similar."

"That's right, Immortal Lord. Do you happen to know where he is now?"

Hearing the more detailed description, Lumine became even more certain that the Immortal had seen her brother.

"Him? To be honest, I only saw him when Khaenri'ah was destroyed. He seemed to have deep ties with Khaenri'ah. Even in the final moments before its fall, he still tried to save Khaenri'ah."

Jiang Yan described the situation at that time; as for what happened afterward, he truly did not know.

Seeing Lumine's gaze dim, Jiang Yan let out a sigh.

"Sigh, the Abyss."

"What?"

"If your brother is still alive, he might be with the Abyss. After all, since Khaenri'ah allied with the Abyss, as a prince of Khaenri'ah, he was destined to be an enemy of the Heavenly Principles and the Seven Archons."

"A prince of Khaenri'ah? The Abyss?"

"But how could my brother become a prince of Khaenri'ah?"

This question seemed directed at Jiang Yan, yet also at herself.

Watching Lumine like this, Jiang Yan pondered inwardly, wondering if he had said too much. Yet the plot differed greatly from before, and he was unsure where the line lay.

But it didn't matter; sooner or later she would learn the truth. Whether it was sooner or later made no difference.

"You... do not know where he is now either?"

As if making a final struggle, Lumine did not wish to lose this last hope.

"..."

Seeing Lumine's expression, Jiang Yan pressed his lips together.

"I apologize. I do not know where he is now. 583... Continue your journey."

"What?"

Hearing such a statement suddenly, Lumine felt at a loss.

"I said, continue your journey. Follow your own idea, walk the path you wish to walk, and in the process, seek news of the Abyss. I believe that one day, you will surely find him."

Lumine's gaze gradually grew resolute. Indeed, was she not already on a journey? Then she would continue traveling, seeking traces of the Abyss, seeking her brother's figure.

With her purpose set, Lumine looked at Jiang Yan with determined eyes.

"Thank you, Immortal Lord."

This was not the first time she had heard words like these, but she knew she needed to continue her journey, seeking traces bit by bit. Still, knowing that her brother had not been captured by the gods and might still be alive was enough.

Watching the two depart, Jiang Yan breathed a sigh of relief.