After slicing through the strange piece of steel rebar, Hoshimi Miyabi did not relax her guard. She kept her eyes fixed on the ruins ahead, carefully searching for any trace of the Ethereal.

But to no avail. No matter how focused she was, she could detect no sign of an Ethereal.

Even the surrounding ether concentration and activity remained unchanged—there was no indication that a high-tier Ethereal was present.

Suddenly, Sam Li's voice came from the side:

"It's not an Ethereal. Just some kind of strange little creature."

As he spoke, Sam Li stepped forward into the ruins. Moon Carver, Vigilant Yaksha Xiao, Keqing, and the others followed close behind.

When they approached, they saw the other half of the steel rebar severed by Hoshimi Miyabi, still twisting in the rubble.

Sensing Sam Li and the others, the rebar moved like a snake, wriggling its way into the cracks of the ruins.

Seeing this, everyone was shocked.

They had thought it was an Ethereal, but in the end—it was just a piece of steel that could move?

Soukaku stared at the ruins curiously.

"It moved… Why would steel move?"

Yae Miko's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

"It should be a lifeless object, and yet it seems to have gained life. How extraordinary this place is."

Nearby, Moon Carver picked up the severed piece of rebar. Aside from the strong ether energy within, it was no different from ordinary steel.

Unlike the writhing piece they had just seen, this one was as rigid as normal.

At this, Keqing immediately turned to Hoshimi Miyabi.

"Do you know what's going on?"

After a brief silence, Hoshimi Miyabi shook her head.

"I don't know. This is the first time I've seen anything like this. Something lifeless suddenly gaining [life]..."

She looked at the piece of steel in her hand. It seemed ordinary, yet she couldn't deny that moments ago she had seen it move—the very reason she had struck it down.

The group couldn't make sense of it, so they decided to leave the matter for later, to be studied once they had left the Hollow.

...

After this strange interlude, the group continued forward.

Deeper in the Ether Mist, they encountered a similar scene: a rusted steel bar slithering through the ruins like a snake, even lunging to attack them.

Hoshimi Miyabi did not hesitate. She swung her blade and cut it into over a dozen pieces.

It wasn't only steel. They even came across a streetlamp, twisting and writhing. Though long without power, it still shone with a brilliant light...

Faced with these bizarre sights, the group's understanding of Hollow Zero deepened, but their questions only grew.

Beside them, Hoshimi Miyabi muttered under her breath,

"No wonder... the records about the Exaltist Order were true after all..."

Keqing quickly asked,

"Section Chief Ya, did you recall something else?"

Hoshimi Miyabi explained,

"Several years ago, I stumbled upon a document on the Exaltist Order. According to it, the followers believed that deep within Hollow Zero lay a paradise-like world. There, one could gain eternal life, fulfill every desire, and achieve ultimate evolution..."

Seeing the strange phenomena in the mist brought that memory back.

She still didn't believe in the paradise described by the Exaltist Order's followers. But now, it was clear that Hollow Zero truly had the power to alter—or even create—life.

It could give once-dead objects the traits of living beings.

After hearing her explanation, Keqing drew in a deep breath.

"It seems we underestimated Hollow Zero. It's far more mysterious... and far more terrifying than we thought."

She had a bad feeling.

Where they stood now was likely just the outskirts of Hollow Zero. The erosion and influence weren't nearly as severe here.

If they reached its core... who knew what horrors awaited them.

...

The group pressed forward once more.

The phenomena became stranger and more frequent, the ether concentration and activity higher, the corrosion and pressure heavier.

Then suddenly—

A roar echoed from the distance.

From deep within the suffocating mist, a colossal figure emerged, towering at least a hundred meters tall.

It looked like a massive giant.

And clearly—it was an Ethereal.

The enormous creature advanced toward them, its footsteps shaking the ground. It was unmistakably coming for Sam Li and the others.

Sam Li glanced at Tsukishiro Yanagi and the others. They were already struggling under the weight of the ether's pressure and erosion, in dire need of protection.

So, Sam Li turned to the Adepti at his side—Cloud Retainer, Mountain Shaper, Moon Carver, Guardian Yaksha.

"Xianyun, Jiehu, Houzhang, Xiao—protect them. I'll be back shortly."

With that, he summoned the Vortex Vanquisher and strode toward the towering silhouette hidden in the mist.

Seeing this, Cloud Retainer said gravely,

"This place is far from ordinary. Be cautious."

Moon Carver, brimming with eagerness, declared,

"At last, this immortal feels it again. The next foe must be mine to strike down."

Xiao added solemnly,

"This place is dangerous. Be careful—"

Soon, Sam Li's figure disappeared into the mist.

Not long after, a series of deafening explosions rang out from deep within. The colossal figure swung its fist downward, the impact shaking the land as a thunderous blast echoed.

Watching this, Hoshimi Miyabi's brows furrowed.

This Ethereal was clearly stronger than the three Destruction-tier ones they had faced before—a much tougher enemy.

Yet—

The giant thrashed wildly in the fog. The next moment, its arm was torn off, crashing heavily into the mist.

The very next second, its head was severed as well.

Soukaku's eyes lit up with excitement.

"Sister Yanagi, look! It seems Sam Li already killed the Ethereal!"

Tsukishiro Yanagi smiled in relief.

"As expected of Mr. Sam Li..."

Hoshimi Miyabi, however, muttered thoughtfully,

"So fast..."

During their battle with the three Destruction-tier Ethereal earlier, Sam Li's instant-kill techniques had already stunned her.

She thought this stronger opponent would take longer.

Yet once again, it ended in moments.

But the Ethereal was not truly dead. Instead, it had been forced into a second form. Its already massive body grew even larger. Even through the fog, its shadow alone pressed down with overwhelming force.

But soon enough—the massive Ethereal collapsed again.

Moments later, Soukaku suddenly pointed toward the mist.

"Sister Yanagi, look ahead! Another Ethereal—it's flying!"

At her words, Tsukishiro Yanagi and the others quickly turned their gaze in that direction.

There, soaring through the ether mist, drifted a massive figure that looked oddly familiar.

Then suddenly, Tsukishiro Yanagi remembered.

It resembled a dragon—from the myths of the ancient era.