The closer they got to the colossal abyss ahead, the more stunned Billy, Yanagi, and the others became. As they were about to plunge into the abyss, Billy warned again:
"Boss Nicole, hit the brakes! We're going to crash into it!"
Nicole snapped impatiently:
"Stop yelling! Unless the brakes are broken, there's no way my driving skills would let us crash into it."
No sooner had she spoken, Nicole slammed on the brakes, executed a drift, and brought the car to a halt right before the abyss.
Everyone scrambled out of the vehicle. Standing at the edge of the colossal chasm, they stared at its immense scale, completely dumbfounded. Judging by the surroundings, this chasm had indeed just been created. It seemed that Sam Li had really smashed it open with that golden meteorite.
After regaining their senses, Nekomata looked around in confusion:
"Meow, where's that huge giant? Did Sam Li defeat him already?"
Billy, however, looked toward the other side, his voice brimming with excitement:
"Boss, Anby, Nekomata, look over there! It's Mr. Sam Li and several Adepti! Let's hurry over..."
No sooner had he spoken, before Nicole could respond, Billy was already twisting his nimble little waist, sprinting toward Sam Li and the group of Adepti. As she ran, she called out Sam Li's name:
"Sam Li, you're so amazing! Truly my idol..."
Seeing this, Nicole, Nekomata, Keqing, Yanagi, Hu Tao, and the others hurried after her.
Soon they arrived before Sam Li.
Billy exclaimed excitedly:
"What about the giant? Have you defeated it already?"
Cloud Retainer replied solemnly:
"Naturally..."
Then Cloud Retainer, adopting her usual storyteller tone, embellished the tale as she briefly recounted Sam Li and the Adepti's fierce battle with the giant. She described how they shattered it with a meteorite and sealed it using the Statue of The Seven.
Upon hearing that Sam Li had slain the giant and sealed the two gems, everyone's eyes widened, filled with joyful astonishment. Though they had long awaited this day, fully aware of Sam Li's prowess and his certain ability to lead New Eridu to victory, still, the moment actually arriving felt almost unbelievable.
The Ether calamity ravaging this world had truly been resolved by Sam Li...
In that instant, a surreal, dreamlike sensation washed over them.
At that moment, Hoshimi Miyabi recalled the divine statues she had just seen:
"So that's it. Those statues were the focal points of the suppression array."
Speaking, Hoshimi Miyabi looked up again, surveying the surroundings. Nine radiant divine statues could be seen scattered across the bottom of the Abyss, spanning several kilometers.
Beside her, Yanagi's lips curved into a smile:
"At this moment, New Eridu has turned a new page."
Billy chimed in excitedly:
"Exactly, a new chapter... But maybe we should change it? Now that New Eridu has joined Liyue, shouldn't it be renamed Liyue too?"
Keqing shook her head:
"Don't worry, we won't do that."
Nekomata seemed to think of something, leaning close to Nicole's ear and whispering:
"Boss Nicole, what will we do after the Hollow Calamity disappears?"
For an all-purpose agency like theirs, Hollow-related business was their specialty. Now that they'd finally defeated Hollow Zero, it wouldn't be long before every companion hollow across the world was suppressed one by one. When that time comes, the business of Cunning Hares will inevitably suffer a severe blow.
After hearing Nekomata's words, Nicole showed no sign of panic. Instead, she wore a confident smile and said:
"Do you think I haven't thought ahead? Don't forget, Cunning Hares has invested heavily in Calydon Town. When that time comes, I'll be serving as Deputy Mayor..."
Hearing this, Nekomata suddenly realized:
"Nicole, you're something else."
Billy exclaimed excitedly:
"If Boss Nicole becomes Deputy Mayor, then I'll be her Deputy Mayor's Assistant!"
Anby sighed in relief:
"Under the wise leadership of Boss Nicole and Mr. Sam Li, Cunning Hares is moving in the right direction."
Speaking of Calydon Town, Nicole immediately scanned her surroundings:
"Where are those guys from the Sons of Calydon? Didn't they come with us?"
Billy explained:
"Their proxy's cart had a bit of trouble and broke down halfway. We should catch up with them on the road back."
Nekomata purred excitedly:
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's hurry back and prepare the grandest, most magnificent victory feast... Meow, just thinking about it makes me drool."
But just as the group was chattering away, Sam Li turned his gaze toward the distance, staring at the distant horizon with a puzzled look, as if waiting for something.
Billy questioned:
"Sam Li, what are you looking at? More enemies?"
Sam Li explained:
"They're here."
The moment the words left his mouth, Billy, Nicole, Keqing, Hu Tao, and the others followed Sam Li's gaze and spotted three cars racing toward them on the distant horizon.
Billy recognized them instantly. Among the three vehicles, one belonged to the Sons of Calydon, another was rented by Proxy and Traveler...
But who could be in that last car?
The Bureau of New Eridu Public Security?
The Defense Force?
As Billy pondered, the three vehicles sped closer, finally arriving before the group.
Immediately after, the Traveler, Paimon, the Proxy, Caesar, Piper, and Lighter all stepped out of the vehicles.
Just like Billy, Nicole, and the others before them, upon seeing the immense chasm, every face wore an expression of utter shock.
Paimon gasped in astonishment:
"What a colossal chasm... Wait, there aren't even any rocks here—just sand and soil. I should say, what a huge sandy abyss! Sam Li, we really couldn't have done this without you."
The Proxy hurriedly asked:
"What about the giant? Was it defeated?"
Hearing this, Cloud Retainer once again utilized her talent, recounting the battle and the sealing process in a story-like manner.
Learning that Sam Li had already sealed the two gems, the group was overjoyed.
Paimon exclaimed excitedly:
"Traveler, we've accomplished something incredible again!"
While Belle was happy, a hint of sadness flickered in her eyes:
"But... we still couldn't save our teacher."
However, Sam Li said calmly:
"They might not be dead."
Belle's eyes widened instantly.
"What did you say?"
Sam Li spoke slowly:
"At the core of Hollow Zero lies a hidden chamber. Those who were abducted are imprisoned there."
He had only just discovered this information when his consciousness touched the Starlight Gem during the sealing process, coincidentally gaining knowledge of that space.
Hearing this, Belle urgently pleaded:
"Mr. Sam Li, please tell me its exact location."
Sam Li spoke slowly:
"Do not panic. I will personally go there next..."
Then Sam Li turned to face the members of the train crew who had been observing from behind the others—March 7th, Himeko, the Trailblazer, and Dan Heng.
"You are not of this realm. Where do you come from?"