Chapter 229: Hafdan's Gift

"His will is very strong."

While Hafdan went to other rooms to destroy other devices, Xiao rarely took the initiative to speak.

Because he himself is constantly entangled with karmic obstacles.

Under normal circumstances, Xiao does not come into contact with mortals.

Even when he has no choice but to come into contact with mortals, he tries to stay as far away as possible.

Karmic obstacle.

That is, the resentment left behind when an Archon dies.

This thing's torment on the spirit is no less than the corruption of Abyssal power.

Without elemental energy protection, rashly coming into contact with Xiao's resentment, even losing one's sanity would be considered mild.

He kept this habit for a long time.

Even though he knows Luo De's elemental energy is extraordinarily abundant, he still habitually stands several steps away from Luo De, keeping at a distance where his voice can just reach Luo De's ears.

Hafdan's will is very strong.

Xiao doesn't need to say this; Luo De is also very clear about it.

Hafdan is not a god.

He is merely a mortal.

Yet he stubbornly bore the five-hundred-year curse, allowing himself to retain enough clarity of mind to think.

The mission that these Black Snake Knights have not forgotten for five hundred years can already be called a miracle.

And Hafdan can be called a miracle among miracles.

Yes——

His will truly is incomparably strong.

Luo De let out a sigh, then said: "Let's go, let's go together to the Heavenly Nail."

Xiao didn't reply, just nodded, and then walked ahead of Luo De toward the outside of the ruins.

The two had just left this room.

And they ran headfirst into the returning Hafdan.

"I'm leaving; may we meet again if fate allows."

Out of respect, Luo De greeted this knight.

However, what he did not expect was that.

Logically, Hafdan should have had nothing needing help, yet he stopped him again and pointed toward the depths of the ruins.

"Do you still need my help?"

Luo De asked curiously.

Hafdan shook his head.

At the same time.

Xiao said from the side: "He has something to give you as a thank‑you for your help just now."

"Huh?"

"Can you understand what Hafdan is saying?"

Luo De blinked, and the curiosity on his face grew stronger.

No, that's not right.

Hafdan just now didn't seem to have spoken, right?

How does Xiao know what he wants to express?

"Your spiritual power is not enough."

Xiao only explained this much.

But that was enough.

Compared to Luo De's sturdy physique, his spiritual power is indeed much weaker.

This point has been pointed out not only by Xiao.

Nadixa and the Great Merciful Tree King have also pointed this out before.

Therefore.

They also specially gave Luo De a leaf from the World Tree to protect his spirit, so that he would not fall under instant control when encountering enemies skilled in spiritual attack.

There's nothing to be done.

After Sumeru suffered a great change, not only is the current situation worrisome, but its foundation has also been almost squandered by those good-for-nothings from the Academy.

Just saying it out loud is pitiable.

As the gods of Sumeru, Nadixa and the Great Merciful Tree King could actually produce nothing but this single leaf from the World Tree.

This leaf is only what they managed to pluck together.

Otherwise, relying on Nadixa's control over the World Tree, Luo De wouldn't even be able to have a single leaf.

The problem caused by insufficient spiritual power.

Namely, Luo De cannot interpret the information Hafdan transmits via consciousness.

Fortunately.

There is Xiao providing translation.

Luo De, suddenly understanding, did not refuse Hafdan's kindness and gladly followed behind him.

He had helped Hafdan with a favor.

It's also reasonable to accept a thank-you gift from him.

What gift could it be?

Following behind Hafdan, Luo De secretly thought.

Back then, being able to escort so many civilians all the way from Sumeru to Liyue, there's no doubt the Black Snake Knights must have carried sufficient supplies.

This made Luo De inevitably become interested in the gift Hafdan was about to give him.

However, he didn't have particularly high expectations.

After all, it's been five hundred years.

Any object capable of lasting that long, if it exists, would probably have been mostly corroded by those five hundred years.

But Luo De had already made preparations.

No matter what Hafdan gives him, even if it's a seed long turned to ash, he would accept it without changing his expression.

After all, given Hafdan's current mental state.

He probably couldn't tell whether the gift he sent out was good or bad; at most he'd rely on instinct and send him the most precious thing from his memory.

The further they went in.

Inside the ruins, it actually became brighter the deeper they went.

It wasn't because the Black Snake Knights deliberately maintained the lighting inside the ruins.

But because the Hilichurls gathered here needed light.

The Hilichurls still in these ruins are mostly old and frail, awaiting death.

Although old Hilichurls grow more fearful of light with age, their longing for brightness still drives those nearing death to spontaneously gather by the bonfire, quietly awaiting death's arrival.

They are so quiet.

Even when Hafdan led two strangers past them, they didn't lift their heads to glance, maintaining their previous posture; even though their eyes beneath the masks had become red and swollen from the light here, they wouldn't dare tilt their heads, as if afraid of losing the light before them again.

Those Black Snake Knights, who had previously been full of killing intent toward Luo De, now guarded these Hilichurls like a solid wall, firmly protecting the people they had sworn to safeguard; even if the protected had become corpses, they never left their side, stubbornly fulfilling their duty with their broken bodies.

This scene caused Luo De's just‑arisen pleased expression to instantly fall silent.

He still said that.

The people of Kanriya are innocent.

They don't know what the higher-ups did, and even if they did, they couldn't change anything; yet now they are implicated and must endure a torment that can be called the most cruel with their whole lives.

In such a silent atmosphere.

Luo De followed Hafdan to the deepest part of the ruins.

Here.

He finally saw the thank‑you gift Hafdan was going to give him.

This is a pile of dull‑colored engravings.

Exactly.

Just a pile!

From brown‑patterned, to gold‑patterned, to blood‑patterned.

What Hafdan handed to Luo De, scattered pieces added up to no less than twenty.

Without exception.

All these engravings exude a rich, undiminishing abyssal power; bringing them slightly closer, one can faintly hear whispers from within: "Behold, my child, all things beneath the heavens shall perish in turmoil, and the eternally tranquil black void will embrace all."

This voice is full of bewitching power.

Fortunately.

Such bewitchery is useless against Luo De.

He cared more about these peculiar engravings capable of storing abyssal power.

Such a safe and reliable abyssal‑power storage device— for Luo De now, the more the better!

"What a fine gift, thank you for presenting it."

After expressing his thanks, Luo De nodded satisfactorily, bade farewell to Hafdan, and, per his arrangement with Yelan, set off with Xiao toward the cavern where the Frostsky Nail lies.

(End of chapter)