When the Traveler returned to New Eridu, Sam Li stood alone before Hollow Zero, the Vortex Vanquisher in his hand.

The enemy loomed ahead.

He had to get serious — this was the time to push his role-playing progress to one hundred percent, elevate his power to its absolute peak, and unlock his ultimate technique — Planet Befall.

Before Hollow Zero, Mountain Shaper spoke solemnly, "Let us accompany you. With Azhdaha's strength restored, we should be able to defeat and seal it together..."

Sam Li shook his head. "Now isn't the time for a decisive battle. Wait until I've reached my peak state before proceeding with the next phase of the operation."

This "state adjustment" meant entering Hollow Zero to grind — building role-playing progress and accumulating system points.

At the same time, he could eliminate as many Destruction-tier and World-Ending-tier Ethereal as possible to prepare for the final battle ahead.

Moreover, to truly conquer Hollow Zero, human participation from New Eridu would be crucial.

On one hand, it would allow humanity to share in the victory. On the other, Hollow Zero differed from ordinary companion hollows — with human aid, it would be far easier to suppress the hollow and prevent its resurgence.

...

During this period, Keqing and the senior officials of New Eridu mobilized the city's full resources to prepare for the decisive battle.

With these thoughts in mind, Sam Li left the Adepti to guard New Eridu and entered the hollow alone.

His figure had barely vanished into Hollow Zero when—

Suddenly, Cloud Retainer's phone rang. It was a call from Nicole at the Hare's House.

As soon as she answered, Nicole's voice came through: "Miss Adeptus, is Sam Li with you? I can't reach him. Could you please ask him to take this call?"

Cloud Retainer immediately replied, "Sam Li has already entered Hollow Zero. If there's something urgent, speak to me instead."

Nicole's voice came again, quick and tense: "The Traveler and Paimon are here again. You'd better come back right away…"

Hearing this, Cloud Retainer froze for a moment before replying, "Understood. I'll be there immediately."

After hanging up, Moon Carver, who was standing nearby, chuckled. "Those two again? Looks like fate keeps drawing them in. That should increase our chances of success by at least ten percent."

Cloud Retainer said calmly, "Enough chatter. I'm heading back."

With that, she turned and began walking toward the exit of Scott Outpost. The other two Adepti exchanged a glance, then followed her without hesitation.

...

Meanwhile, within Hollow Zero, Sam Li stood atop a decaying rooftop, gazing out into the distance.

He had entered Hollow Zero several times before, but each time he had followed the same path. This time, he decided to try something different.

He turned his gaze toward a new direction, intending to dive deeper into the mist — to once again face that Sun-Colored Starlight giant.

A few minutes later, the moment Sam Li stepped into the Ether Mist, he sensed a faint ripple of danger.

A World-Ending—or stronger— Ethereal had locked onto him.

Instead of concealing his aura, Sam Li deliberately released even more Geo power, drawing the creature toward him.

His role-playing progress had already reached ninety-five percent. At this stage, defeating ordinary Ethereal or relying on daily training no longer contributed much. Only by slaying Destruction-tier or, ideally, World-Ending-tier Ethereal could he progress further.

"The more, the better…"

Gripping the Vortex Vanquisher, Sam Li watched calmly, waiting for his foe to emerge.

Moments later, a massive, distorted silhouette began to take shape within the mist. Judging by the oppressive aura it emitted, it was undoubtedly a Destruction-tier Ethereal.

Sam Li didn't wait for it to strike.

He lunged first, hurling the Vortex Vanquisher with immense force.

In an instant, a golden beam burst forth — moving faster than the speed of sound. It tore through the Ether Mist with a thunderous roar, piercing the Ethereal and shattering its Destruction-tier form.

That single blow had already gravely injured it.

The creature plummeted from midair, slamming into the ground and shaking the surroundings violently.

Sensing Sam Li's terrifying power, the Ethereal tried to flee.

But Sam Li had no intention of letting his prey escape. He flashed forward, appearing before it in an instant.

As his spear descended, golden Geo lances rained down from the sky like a storm, riddling the Destruction-tier Ethereal with countless holes.

BOOM!

Before it could even hit the ground, the Ethereal detonated midair — unable to withstand the Geo energy searing through its core.

Black fragments of ethereal matter scattered across the landscape.

Watching the result, Sam Li nodded in satisfaction.

Compared to his previous incursions into Hollow Zero, his mastery of Geo had grown considerably — his attacks now carried far greater destructive power.

But still, it wasn't enough.

Moments later, as the Destruction-tier Ethereal vanished, a familiar system prompt echoed in his mind:

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, on defeating the Destruction-tier Ethereal. You have earned 100,000 System Points.]

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, on gaining Role-Playing Progress +0.1%.]

...

Hearing the notification, Sam Li frowned.

"Even slaying a Destruction-tier barely improves my progress."

He had noticed this before — the higher his Role-Playing Progress climbed, the more demanding the requirements became.

At this point, only by defeating World-Ending-tier Ethereal could he advance efficiently.

With that realization, Sam Li decided not to waste any more time.

He abandoned his cautious approach and headed straight for the center of Hollow Zero.

Along the way, he encountered several more Destruction-tier Ethereal — all of which he dispatched without hesitation.

Half an hour later, guided by the resonance of Geo energy, Sam Li broke through the dense Ether Mist and reached the deepest core of Hollow Zero once more.

Before him stretched a vast, distorted landscape — a world of ever-shifting color and chaos.

And at its center stood a colossal figure, radiating blinding sunlight: the Sun-Colored Starlight Giant, surrounded by swarms of Annihilation-tier and World-Ending-tier Ethereal.

As if sensing Sam Li's arrival, the giant opened its eyes. Two hollow-like pupils gleamed — deep and unfathomable, brimming with a soul-devouring power.

A low, guttural sound rumbled from its chest as two blazing Starlight gems embedded within it flared violently to life, releasing an overwhelming surge of energy.