Chapter 485: Lao Lun Si's Commission

The radiance flowing in Lei Kedun's eyes suddenly thickened, suppressing the emotions and desires stirred within his heart; his deep, solemn gaze turned toward the illusory fine thread extending from that deep, dark pool, and followed it outward.

It was not a tangible thread but a metaphysical link; through the Eye of Secrets, Lei Kedun followed the occult connection left on that wondrous artifact and beheld the materialization of all filth and corruption—the Abyss!

The place reeked of filth, corrosion, decay and curses; everywhere swirled illusory, dense black mists formed from myriad emotions and desires, and near the ground those mists thickened into a viscous black liquid.

Via the occult link on the skeletal mask, Lei Kedun saw a boundless, crimson lake.

Even that fleeting, unreal glimpse instantly bred fear in Lei Kedun's heart, and he even forgot to withdraw his gaze.

A hoarse, mournful voice suddenly erupted in Lei Kedun's mind, carrying an indescribable sensation that briefly plunged his spirit into a hallucinatory state.

In the next instant, the emotions and desires deep within surged uncontrollably, expanding rapidly and detonating at once.

"Cough! Cough!"

Lei Kedun's vision dimmed as he coughed twice uncontrollably, his nasal passages filled with the taste of rust and a pungent smell of sulfur.

His body instantly exploded, shattering into countless dim stars that floated silently for a while before beginning to glitter brightly, eventually coalescing again into Lei Kedun's form.

Revealed once more, Lei Kedun now wore a black robe emblazoned with a cold, indifferent eye and numerous sigils—the "Sage's Robe".

He had always kept this wondrous item from the Hidden Sage with him; ordinarily, the "Sage's Robe" functions as a magical scroll, and he had layered a concealed effect that acts upon the robe itself.

"Cough!"

Lei Kedun raised a hand to his lips and gave a low cough, but this time no rust or winged sulfur scent filled his nostrils.

Bei Er Nadi held the skeletal mask, calmly scanned Lei Kedun with a glance, then spoke in an even tone:

"Restraining one's curiosity is the first rule for a Seeker of Secrets to survive in the occult world."

"You, Jia De Li Ya, and your friend share the same flaw: at times you are overly confident, or rather, you place too much trust and reliance on certain things."

"Sometimes, that confidence may deal a fatal blow to you."

Lei Kedun nodded solemnly, taking Bei Er Nadi's warning to heart.

Then his gaze fell on the skeletal mask in Bei Er Nadi's hand, and in a husky voice he said:

"I just now seemed to see the Abyss, and a bizarre crimson lake formed from countless streams of blood, after which incoherent mutterings echoed in my mind."

Bei Er Nadi gazed deeply at the skeletal mask in his hand, fell silent for a moment, then spoke:

"The second sequence of the Abyss Path is called 'Blood Grand Duke'; the lake you saw may be the manifestation of an Abyss Grand Duke."

"The Death-Announcing Vessel is likely its tentacle reaching into the mortal realm; A Jiali Tu often goes to those Divine War ruins, where perhaps hidden secrets that Abyss Grand Dukes seek lie concealed."

Lei Kedun rubbed his chin with his right hand and murmured softly:

"Its condition must be poor; the madness there gives me an almost uncontrollable feeling."

Bei Er Nadi fell silent; the surrounding layers of thick teal pea vines began to retract, soon revealing a restored clear night sky, with scarlet moonlight spilling onto the sea, unusually tranquil.

Bei Er Nadi's figure instantly transformed into a blaze of light composed of tangled knowledge, surging as it merged into the spirit realm.

Seeing Bei Er Nadi depart so abruptly, Lei Kedun took two steps in midair; his body became transparent, turning into a spray of twinkling starlight that surged toward the nearby Future Vessel.

In front of the captain's cabin of the Future Vessel, the starlight reconvened, solidifying Lei Kedun's form again; he looked calmly at Jia De Li Ya, who seemed to have been waiting here, and said:

"There will no longer be any Death-Announcing Vessel on the seas thereafter."

Jia De Li Ya nodded lightly, her tone carrying a hint of hopeful inquiry:

"She is on the Future Vessel?"

Seeing Jia De Li Ya's expectant gaze, Lei Kedun pondered and nodded:

"Yes, she said she previously foresaw you would go to those Divine War ruins and believed you would not handle certain dangers well."

"It's not my first time venturing into that sea region," Jia De Li Ya said calmly, her eyes lowered, as if speaking to herself yet also arguing with someone.

After bidding Jia De Li Ya farewell, Lei Kedun entered the cabin and headed to his quarters for a proper rest; if the Future Vessel's speed is sufficient, they might reach that sea region by the next day or the day after.

The next morning, in a rental room in Beikelande West District, Fo Er Si sat listlessly before the fireplace, a blank manuscript spread out before him.

Fo Er Si clicked his fountain pen and muttered:

"I have no idea how Xiu manages to be out busy all year round; in this still-chilly early spring, only sitting by the fireplace gives me any warmth."

Dong! Dong! Dong!

A series of short, forceful knocks on the door suddenly rang out; Fo Er Si turned his head in surprise toward the entrance. Who would knock at this hour? Xiu carries his own key, and our external communications are usually through letters; we have no friends who visit in person.

Though puzzled, Fo Er Si rose and walked toward the door; she did not open it outright, but gently placed her hand on the knob, using the spiritual intuition granted by the Astrologer to gauge whether the knocker harbored malice.

"It's me, Lao Lun Si," a slightly aged yet robust voice called from outside.

"Mr. Lao Lun Si!"

Fo Er Si was surprised, but quickly recalled that after the last tarot gathering she had sent him a letter, both to inform him of her digestion progress and to inquire whether he had spare alchemical material.

She opened the door with a creak; Lao Lun Si, clad in a heavy overcoat and a semi-high black hat, carried a dark brown suitcase and stood quietly in the doorway.

Lao Lun Si's azure eyes calmly surveyed Fo Er Si, then he chuckled lightly and said:

"It seems you have indeed processed the Astrologer's elixir; although there is a role‑play bonus, it still attests to your excellence."

"Please, come in, Mr. Lao Lun Si."

Fo Er Si blushed at the praise, lowered her head slightly, and shifted aside to make a passage.

After Lao Lun Si entered the room, she casually glanced outward, ensured no suspicious figures were present, then closed the door and brewed a cup of hot coffee, placing it on the living‑room coffee table.

Once seated, she looked at Lao Lun Si with curiosity and asked:

"Mr. Lao Lun Si, how did you know I live here?"

"Travelers who can freely roam the spirit realm, in conjunction with Astrologers who possess strong divination abilities, can easily reach most places they wish to go, even if they lack detailed knowledge of them."

Lao Lun Si smiled and gave a brief explanation, then placed his suitcase on the coffee table, opened it, and retrieved a metal box sealed by a Spiritual Wall.

In front of Fo Er Si, he lifted the Spiritual seal, opened the metal box, revealing a fist‑sized object resembling a human brain.

A complex emotion flashed across Lao Lun Si's azure eyes before quickly receding; he spoke calmly:

"This is a complete Asman Brain; due to certain events, the Abraham family's remaining extraordinary materials are scarce, and this is the last Asman Brain. As for the ancient vengeful spirit's cursed item, you must find that yourself."

Fo Er Si nodded solemnly, then, looking a bit troubled, asked:

"I understand, Mr. Lawrence, how many gold pounds does this Asman's Brain need?"

"She hadn't expected Lawrence to bring the magic potion ingredients directly, and she hadn't had time to prepare the funds; the main ingredient for a Sequence Six item is about 1500 pounds, and to come up with that sum of cash in a short time, I can only try to borrow money from Miss Audrey or Viscount Stafford."

"Lawrence looked at Forsyth with a deep gaze, seemingly having already seen her predicament of lacking money, and spoke with a smile:"

"1500 pounds."

"Or you could accept a commission, but this commission is relatively dangerous; I don't advise you to do that."

"\"What commission? \" Forsyth asked, a bit curious."

"Lawrence let out a long sigh, his aura suddenly turning ancient and sorrowful; after a moment of silence, he slowly spoke:"

"\"Help me hunt the divine envoy of the Aurora Society, Mr. X; he is currently in Beckland. \""

"\"The Aurora Society's divine envoy? \" Forsyth replied in disbelief."

"She recalled the two extraordinary-person gatherings she had attended; the organizers of those gatherings seemed to be the Aurora Society, and from her limited contact with the organizer at those gatherings, she could sense their terror."

"Lawrence lightly nodded, then, as if opening his heart, began to narrate to Forsyth:"

"\"The Abraham Family once suffered a betrayal; in that disaster, the upper echelons of the Abraham Family were nearly wiped out, and over half of the powerful sealed items were lost, including all of my descendants. \""

"\"After that rebellion, most of the traitors joined the Aurora Society, including the current Mr. X, Louis Vane. \""

"\"He was already a Recorder back then; after all these years, he may have advanced to Traveler, but he likely hasn't yet become a Secret Law Master. \""

"\"How despicable! \" Forsyth thought of the kind Mrs. Anlisa and the amiable Mr. Lawrence before her, and she felt a heartfelt hatred toward the unseen Mr. X."

"Without a second thought, she said: \"I accept this commission. \""

"\"Um, can I invite some trustworthy companions to join? In the form of posting a commission, the Traveler's teleportation ability makes it hard for them to be ambushed; if the enemy flees, we would likely face the Aurora Society's pursuit. \""

"Lawrence leaned back on the sofa; specks of starlight flowed in his blue eyes, like a reflection of a brilliant starry sky."

"After a moment, the starlight in his eyes faded, and he gave a slight nod:"

"\"Okay, but you must not reveal any information about the Abraham Family; it's best to find a mid-sequence extraordinary person, as this matter is very dangerous. \""

"Forsyth nodded solemnly: \"I understand, Mr. Lawrence; I will give you a reply by next Tuesday. How should I contact you in the meantime? \""

"Lawrence, while closing the suitcase placed on the coffee table, said:"

"\"Just send me a letter via my messenger; the summoning incantation for my messenger is: 'Spirit that roams the Upper Realm, friendly creature that can be commanded, the messenger unique to Lawrence Nord.'\""

"\"My messenger likes music; placing an instrument during the summoning ritual will make it happy, and it will be more willing to communicate with you. \""

"\"I'll count this Asman's Brain as an advance payment; don't rush to refuse—your character deserves my trust. \""

"\"He likes music? And you have to place an instrument in the summoning ritual? Lawrence's follower has quite a personality, \" Forsyth thought, then nodded:"

"\"I will quickly confirm who is interested in joining this task, then contact you. \""

"After a slight nod, Lawrence rose from the sofa; his left hand made a grasping motion in the air before him, then he gently turned his wrist, and a hazy, intangible door of deep blue suddenly appeared."

"After bidding Forsyth farewell, Lawrence stepped forward; as the azure light swept past, his figure instantly vanished from the living room of the rented house."

"(End of chapter)"