As the group ventured deeper into the Ether Mist, Sam Li could clearly sense the ether concentration and activity rising, with etheric corrosion and pressure increasing exponentially.

For him, this environment posed no real problem.

However, for mortals like Tsukishiro Yanagi and Keqing, the effects were severe. Prolonged exposure would inevitably lead to varying degrees of ether corrosion.

Therefore, Sam Li decided to have Cloud Retainer, Moon Carver, and the other Adepti escort Keqing, Tsukishiro Yanagi, Hoshimi Miyabi, and the rest back, while he pressed forward alone.

After hearing Sam Li's words, Keqing, Tsukishiro Yanagi, and Hoshimi Miyabi understood his intent and voiced no objections.

They had already witnessed his overwhelming strength firsthand, and so had no fear that he would come to harm.

Still, Tsukishiro Yanagi spoke earnestly:

"Mr. Sam Li, the depths of the Ether must harbor enemies beyond imagination. Please, be careful."

Sam Li gave a small nod.

"Thank you for the reminder."

Moon Carver sighed.

"I thought there would be a great battle, but it ended so quickly. Very well. Once we've escorted these young ones out of the Hollow, we'll return to aid you."

Xiao spoke with resolve.

"Let me come with you..."

But Sam Li shook his head.

"I can handle it alone."

With that, he watched the others turn back.

Before parting, he reminded them:

"Miss Proxy, I'm counting on you to guide them."

Belle frowned in worry and immediately countered:

"But what about you? If we all leave, who will guide you?"

Hoshimi Miyabi added, "The spatial distortions here are even more chaotic. Without guidance, you'll never make it out of the mist..."

Indeed, most who vanished into the mist likely perished, trapped within its shifting space.

But Sam Li only smiled faintly.

"Don't worry. I have my own way of finding direction."

With his current strength, if he wished, he could pierce through the chaotic space itself—soaring straight upward and breaking out of the Hollow from above.

Seeing his confidence, Tsukishiro Yanagi, Hoshimi Miyabi, and Belle held their tongues and followed his instructions, retreating from Hollow Zero with the Adepti.

Once the group disappeared into the mist, Sam Li slowly turned and walked alone toward the deepest reaches of Hollow Zero.

Ahead, countless terrifying Ethereal awaited.

And that was exactly what he sought. The more Destruction-tier or even higher Ethereal he hunted, the more role-playing progress he would gain.

That was the true purpose of his journey.

Once he reached one hundred percent, he would be able to level Hollow Zero itself.

...

While Sam Li advanced alone, facing the Ethereal single-handedly—

At that same moment, Keqing, Hoshimi Miyabi, and Tsukishiro Yanagi were making their way back.

After parting with Sam Li, they hurried through the Ether Mist toward New Eridu.

With Belle guiding the way, their journey was smooth. No matter how the space shifted, Belle detected it immediately.

Earlier, Tsukishiro Yanagi's attention had been fixed on Sam Li and the Adepti.

Only now did she notice something else.

They were deep within the Ether Mist. Even New Eridu's official communication and detection devices couldn't accurately track spatial distortions here.

So how could Belle navigate so precisely?

Clearly, there were hidden secrets behind her.

Just as Tsukishiro Yanagi was pondering this, Soukaku suddenly cried out:

"Sis Yanagi! Enemies—!"

Tsukishiro Yanagi reacted instantly.

"Where?"

Soukaku pointed.

"They've already been defeated by Adeptus."

Tsukishiro Yanagi: "..."

This happened several more times along the way.

Each time an Ethereal appeared, it was immediately struck down—by Cloud Retainer, Moon Carver, or the spear-wielding "youth" Adeptus, Xiao.

After witnessing it enough times, Tsukishiro Yanagi grew accustomed to it.

No one knew how long they traveled through the mist. But eventually, as the fog ahead grew thinner, the group finally emerged from the Ether Mist.

Escorted by the Adepti, they reached the edge of Hollow Zero and stepped out together.

The moment they left, the world around them brightened. The endless ruins gave way to a sprawling cityscape.

The etheric corrosion and pressure vanished as well, and everyone felt relief wash over them.

Just then, a familiar voice called out:

"Ya, Tsukishiro Yanagi, Miss Keqing—you've finally returned..."

Two familiar figures hurried toward them: Zhu Yuan and Qingyi, the sentinels stationed here.

Ever since Sam Li, Hoshimi Miyabi, and Keqing had entered Hollow Zero, the two had remained on watch.

Zhu Yuan quickly approached, handing out absorption suits prepared in advance.

These suits absorbed the residual ether energy clinging to their bodies, preventing further corrosion. It was standard equipment.

Tsukishiro Yanagi, Hoshimi Miyabi, Keqing, and the others each donned one.

The Adepti declined; ether of this level posed no threat to them.

Tsukishiro Yanagi, clad in the suit, turned to glance at the setting sun.

A sigh escaped her lips.

They had entered Hollow Zero in the morning, and now, leaving at night, it felt as if they had spent a little over ten hours inside.

She drew in a breath and murmured,

"Ten hours... it's been a long time since I stayed in Hollow Zero this long."

But Qingyi corrected her immediately.

"Not ten hours. A day and ten hours."

Tsukishiro Yanagi froze.

"What do you mean?"

Seeing her confusion, Qingyi's expression grew thoughtful.

"It seems Hollow Zero disrupts more than just space... time itself has fallen into chaos."

At those words, the group understood instantly.

Hoshimi Miyabi hurriedly pulled out her phone. The moment it connected to the network, she refreshed the time.

Just as Qingyi had said—it was already the following evening.

They had truly been inside Hollow Zero for more than a full day.

Tsukishiro Yanagi's brows furrowed deeply.

"How could this be? This has never happened before..."

In the past, with the Hollow Special Operations Unit 6, they had spent entire days in Hollow Zero—even longer. Yet they could always sense the passage of time clearly.

This time was different.

It had felt like only a few hours—yet more than a day had slipped by.