After leaving the grand hall, Frostfall departed on its own, completely ignoring Jiang Yan, who remained standing in place.
Perhaps this was simply how Abyss creatures interacted with one another.
Jiang Yan shrugged indifferently and began exploring the palace on his own.
"This place is really huge…"
He continued moving through the palace, and even though he was certain he hadn't been walking in circles, after a long time he still hadn't found his way out. That alone was astonishing.
"These runes… what exactly are they?"
Jiang Yan slowly walked up to a wall and gently ran his fingers over the strange, eerie patterns carved into it.
What he didn't notice was that, on the back of his right hand hidden beneath the armor, the Soul Stone suddenly began to glow faintly.
"What are you doing?!"
A hoarse, unfamiliar voice suddenly rang out behind him, causing Jiang Yan's hand to pause mid-motion.
He turned around and saw a red-and-black armored Abyss Lector standing behind him, staring at him suspiciously.
"Heh, Abyssfire—when did you get here?"
Jiang Yan said with a casual laugh.
But beneath the armor, a thin layer of cold sweat had already formed on his forehead.
If he blew his cover because of this, things would get very troublesome.
There were still too many unanswered questions he needed to sort out.
The Abyss Lector, Abyssfire, stared fixedly at Jiang Yan and questioned him sharply:
"Violet Thunder—what were you doing just now?"
"Heh. Can't you tell what I was doing?"
As Jiang Yan spoke, the Space Stone in his hand quietly lit up.
If he really was exposed here, he would have to kill Abyssfire instantly—before any other Abyss beings noticed.
"Lord Baptizer has ordered that none of us are to study the runes on these walls. Have you forgotten?!"
Abyssfire's voice carried clear anger.
Jiang Yan's hand, which was just about to activate the Space Stone, paused slightly.
Ah—thank you very much, Brother Abyssfire!
What a perfect excuse you've just handed me!
"Hmph. Which eye of yours saw me studying the runes?"
"I was just curious and came over to take a look."
Jiang Yan snorted coldly, turning his head away as if he'd been wrongly accused.
"Heh. It'd better be that way, Violet Thunder."
"I'll pretend I didn't see anything this time. But next time—do not go poking around those runes again!"
Abyssfire let out a cold snort.
If not for the fact that he could clearly sense the same Abyss aura from Violet Thunder, he might have truly suspected that someone else was impersonating him.
After all, Abyssal aura wasn't something just anyone could withstand.
"Heh. Acting like you care so much about me."
Jiang Yan sneered and walked off on his own.
He was this close to losing his act.
If this continued, he was genuinely afraid he'd slip up.
This Abyssfire clearly seemed quite familiar with the Violet Thunder he was impersonating.
And Jiang Yan couldn't guarantee he wouldn't expose a flaw sooner or later.
"Violet Thunder!"
Abyssfire was furious. This guy really didn't appreciate good intentions!
If someone else discovered this, Violet Thunder's life would probably be forfeit.
Jiang Yan didn't stop walking. Instead, he moved faster and faster, disappearing down the corridors.
Watching Jiang Yan leave without even turning his head, the last trace of doubt in Abyssfire's heart finally vanished.
That arrogant, punchable personality—
Yep. That was definitely Violet Thunder.
Every time, just as infuriating as ever.
Jiang Yan himself hadn't expected that his attempt to quickly escape and avoid exposure would, by sheer coincidence, completely dispel Abyssfire's suspicions.
After turning through several corridors, he finally looked back. Seeing that Abyssfire hadn't followed, he let out a long breath.
Damn… that scared the hell out of me.
I almost blew my cover back there.
But since Abyssfire didn't pursue me, it probably means he didn't notice anything suspicious.
Looks like I need to be extra careful from now on.
Jiang Yan muttered to himself as he surveyed his surroundings.
Where was he now?
Because he'd been moving too fast, he had no idea where he'd ended up.
He looked around—then suddenly narrowed his eyes.
That is…
Jiang Yan stepped forward and stared at the wall in front of him.
"This is… me?"
He muttered in disbelief.
That's right—carved into the stone wall was Jiang Yan himself.
His gaze followed the wall all the way down its length.
From his first transformation into the Great Buddha during the Archon War, when he fought the Chi Dragon in Dihua Marsh—
To every moment he stood alongside Morax and the others—
All of it had been meticulously recorded on this stone wall.
But why was there a wall depicting him within the Abyss?
Were these Abyss creatures studying him?
Had he already drawn the Abyss's attention the very first time he revealed the Great Buddha?
Jiang Yan also noticed a cluster of finely carved, small text beneath the mural.
He crouched down and examined it carefully.
"Unknown spirit. Wood Spirit Immortal Lord of Liyue. Jiang Yan."
Jiang Yan read softly.
"Time of appearance unknown. Possesses extremely bizarre power. Strongest subordinate of the Geo God. Shows an unusual obsession with treasure chests."
As he continued reading, a strange expression appeared in his eyes.
Looks like they still hadn't gathered information about him knocking Morax unconscious with a single punch.
"Currently confirmed to be capable of manipulating all forms of energy. Able to summon peculiar wooden constructs for combat."
Jiang Yan read calmly.
Fortunately, he usually didn't reveal too much of his true power.
These guys clearly hadn't reached the level where they could thoroughly analyze him under his own perception.
So the Abyss trash had even set their sights on him now.
Jiang Yan continued walking along the mural until he reached the end—
Where a scene was carved of him catching Morax's stone spear with just a single finger.
"Do not provoke lightly. If an opportunity arises, attempt to control him and have him serve the Abyss!"
"…What the hell?"
They were planning to control me?!
Jiang Yan scratched his head awkwardly.
Leaving aside whether the Abyss even had a method to control him—
Mental control?
Have you asked the Horse Talisman and the Mind Stone in my hand yet?
Physical restraint?
Please—look at the Power Stone in my Binary Star State and speak again.
Using people or things around him as leverage?
No problem. Even if you kill them, I'll torture you to death first—then rewind time with the Time Stone and bring them back.
Controlling Jiang Yan was not going to be that easy.
Honestly speaking, unless Ganyu showed up wearing nothing but black silk and a maid outfit, Jiang Yan genuinely couldn't think of anything that would make him obedient to someone else.
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