Walnut used me to boost her sales performance.

It's important to understand that this landscape wasn't formed naturally; it was created by miners over thousands of years, using their pickaxes and shovels to continuously extract and break through the soil.

"Is the Abyss of Laminaria open yet? Do we need any procedures to get in?"

Jiang Bai didn't know much about the Layered Rock Abyss, and Zhong Li didn't give him much time to inquire about it.

Besides, the Abyss has been closed off for a long time, and the information we get may not be useful.

Xiao gave him a look that said he was an idiot.

As an immortal, why would he need to go through procedures to enter the Abyss of Layered Rocks?

The demon fell into the mouth of the giant abyss.

There is a huge seal here, which isolates the inside from the outside world.

"How do we get in?" Jiang Bai stepped on the transparent, barrier-like magic circle, but it didn't budge and didn't react to his steps.

He looked down, and all below was pitch black, without any light, like a terrifying abyss with no bottom.

Chapter 597 The Life of Retired Seniors

Xiao grabbed Jiang Bai, made a hand seal, and a beam of light enveloped the two of them, directly piercing through the seal and falling downwards.

A violent feeling of weightlessness washed over me, a sensation like falling into an abyss, which instilled a deep sense of fear in me.

"Ah—I'm going to die—"

Jiang Bai let out a pig-like scream as he was grabbed by the back of his collar.

Xiao let go of his hand, speechless, and let him fall.

Wings of Wind unfurled behind Jiang Bai, and he tugged at his collar, finally feeling a sense of relief.

The descent continued for more than ten minutes until Jiang Bai finally felt his feet touch solid ground.

He looked around; it was pitch black except for a few glowing crystals in some corners that emitted a soft, shimmering light.

However, the light from these crystals was limited, only illuminating a small area where they were located; the entire cave remained pitch black.

"Xiao, can you see?"

Xiao's voice came from the side, "I can see a little."

Although he was an immortal, he did not have the ability to see through the darkness.

However, it can sense the surrounding objects, so it won't have a problem not being able to see the road.

"Go and take a look at that glowing crystal."

Xiao could sense that the glowing crystal was unusual; it seemed to contain some pure energy.

Jiang Bai took out a stone that was usually used as a lamp, and as soon as a light source appeared, the surroundings became much brighter.

He walked to the spot in the cave where the glowing stone was and picked up the crystal that was placed on the shelf.

This crystal is a deep blue color, feels warm to the touch, and has a mysterious energy.

The material reminded him somewhat of fragments of the Frostfire Nail.

"What kind of stone is this?" Jiang Bai asked Xiao.

"do not know."

"You didn't know?"

“I haven’t been to the bottom of the Abyss many times, and I don’t know as much as you do.”

"Okay... I'll take it with me then, its lighting effect is quite good."

Compared to the glowing stone in his hand, this crystal was much brighter, and its light traveled much farther.

"Which way do we go now? Where are we going?" Jiang Bai looked at Xiao again.

He knew nothing about what lay beneath the abyss, in this dark underground world where even sight was obstructed.

Before he set off, he made a special inquiry, but no one had a map of the Layered Rock Abyss.

Even the General Affairs Department's maps only show a small portion of the mining and transportation routes taken by the miners.

It is said that the area beneath the strata abyss is vast, and the mining sites currently being exploited are only a very small part of it.

This small portion of the map is useful, but not very useful.

Xiao came underground to search for the traces of the nameless yaksha. If that yaksha was active in the mine tunnels, he would have been discovered long ago. Since only a few rumors have been circulating, it means that the yaksha appeared deep underground.

"Follow me." Xiao walked straight in one direction, where there was a path leading into the depths.

Xiao once came to this underground place. At that time, the giant abyss of layered rocks had not yet been sealed, and workers were working hard underground mining.

Back then, countless lighting tools illuminated this underground world. But with its closure, the miners were laid off, and the lights that once provided illumination lost their luster.

If it weren't for some bioluminescent plants and naturally glowing crystals, this place would have been completely dark.

Jiang Bai followed Xiao while looking around.

Judging from the traces left here, these miners left in a rather hasty manner.

Some mined ore was piled up in the minecart, while the manuscript was carelessly tossed aside, clearly not having been processed in time.

The entire underground area was extremely quiet, with no other sounds except for the sound of the two people walking.

Jiang Bai quickened his pace and caught up with Xiao, chatting with him casually.

It's too quiet here; it's more lively with some noise.

"I heard that the Abyss of the Rocks was closed because strange black mud appeared inside."

"These black, lumpy substances are gushing out in large quantities, blocking the mine shafts and passages. Moreover, this black mud is very difficult to remove, harmful to human health, and even endangers the lives of miners. That's why Qixing has temporarily sealed off this place..."

"Harmful to people?" Xiao stopped in his tracks.

"what happened?"

“I’ll take you back. I’m an immortal, and that black mud can’t affect me, but you’re different.”

Xiao had always been unwilling to let Jiang Bai come underground to take risks with him, and now he had a good reason to send him back.

Seeing that Xiao looked ready to send him away, Jiang Bai smiled mysteriously.

"You've got it backwards. I won't be affected; it's you who's more susceptible. Master gave me quite a bit of Lianli Qingxin Powder, ready for you to take at any time."

Xiao glanced at him for a long time, then continued walking forward.

Jiang Bai followed him closely, saying, "Let me tell you, don't even think about shaking me off. My master's mission for me is to protect you..."

"I don't need protection."

"Don't be too sure of yourself. I'm quite strong now. You know Inazuma Raiden, right? I fought her to a draw..."

He survived Wuxiang's attack, so it's practically a draw.

That's reasonable, no problem.

Xiao glanced at him expressionlessly.

That kind of talk can only fool Paimon.

"You don't believe me? I really fought to a draw with General Raiden! Go ask anyone in Inazuma and you'll see!"

Xiao scoffed, not wanting to say anything more to him.

"Xiao, don't you believe me? Sora defeated General Raiden and completely changed General Raiden's beliefs..."

Jiang Bai was like a noisy parrot, chattering on and on.

Xiao feels very tired.

It's like having a fly buzzing around your ear, impossible to get rid of, constantly buzzing around you.

"You're too noisy."

"Oh, I just wanted you to talk more. It's so boring down here, you'll get suffocated if you don't talk."

“For me, words are not necessary.”

"I say, Immortal Xiao, why are words unnecessary? You're just too dull. Life needs some fun, otherwise, how boring would it be?"

"Boredness is an emotion unique to humans."

"Really? So what are you feeling when you have nothing to do? Isn't it just boredom?"

Xiao was stumped for a moment.

He suddenly found himself with free time, but he didn't know what to do with it.

Is that what boredom is?

"Your Majesty... what does Mr. Zhongli usually do?"

Perhaps we could take inspiration from the Emperor's approach to make our leisure time less boring.

Jiang Bai counted on his fingers, "Walking birds, admiring flowers, listening to storytelling, appreciating antiques, tasting gourmet food, watching operas, fishing, playing chess, painting..."

Hearing this, Xiao blinked blankly.

This is not quite the emperor he imagined.

"The Emperor must have some deeper meaning behind doing this..."

Jiang Bai corrected his thinking, "You're wrong to think that way. The Emperor has finally been relieved of the burden he's carried for thousands of years, shouldn't he relax and rest a bit?"

"Walking birds, admiring flowers, and drinking tea...this is the life that retired seniors should have..."

Chapter 598 Should we sneak in?

While Jiang Bai and Xiao were exploring the underground of the Layered Rock Abyss, Sora, who had returned to Liyue, received a request from the Adventurers' Guild.

Hearing this request, Paimon tilted his head. "A request for us to investigate the area beneath the Layered Rock Abyss?"

Lan, who was in charge of the Liyue Adventurers' Guild, nodded. "Yes. This request can only be made by the two of you."

"Why?" Paimon asked, puzzled.

"Well... I'd like to speak with you two in private."

Under Paimon's puzzled gaze, Sister Lan led the two to a secluded corner.

Sister Lan lowered her voice and beckoned them to come closer.

Paimon swallowed hard, sensing he was about to hear a big secret.

"To be honest, the Abyss of Laminaria has been sealed off for some time now. There have been constant calls to reopen the entrance, but due to the special circumstances below and the looming threat of danger, a large-scale investigation cannot be conducted openly, as it would cause public panic. Therefore, our Adventurers' Guild has issued a commission, requesting our two heroes to go down and investigate..."

"Why do we have to talk about this so secretly? We should just say it directly." Paimon was disappointed, thinking he was going to hear some big secret.

Lan Jie was a little embarrassed, "People from Liyue are usually reserved, and the person who gave us the commission was quite tactful in their wording. Besides, the General Affairs Department officially forbids anyone from entering the area beneath the Great Abyss..."

"Therefore, even if one wants to ask for help, there are many things that are inconvenient to disclose in public..."

"So, you're telling us to sneak in quietly, right?" Paimon felt he had grasped the meaning.

"Yes and no. The entrance to the Abyss is sealed, and you can't get in without breaking the formation."

"How are we supposed to sneak in?" Paimon was confused.

Kong understood.

The matter of the Abyss of Layered Rocks is of great importance. The person who issued the commission wanted to resolve the troubles beneath the abyss and reopen it, but did not want to take responsibility. So, they took a roundabout approach and issued the commission to the Adventurers' Guild, allowing them to enter the abyss as adventurers in their private capacities.

In this way, if it causes even bigger trouble, the responsibility will lie with the Adventurers' Guild and the adventurers who accepted the mission.

Thinking of this, Kong helplessly rubbed his forehead.

There are so many twists and turns!

"Someone from above specifically assigned the task to the two heroes. Even if they don't find anything, it's fine. The General Affairs Department has also arranged for someone to assist them."

To be honest, I just got back from Inazuma and want to see my friends. I don't really want to take on any more adventures so soon, but if the commission is good, I might as well take it now.

Seeing that Kong still didn't speak, Sister Lan raised her stakes.

"Rest assured, the commission for this investigation will definitely satisfy you. If you can resolve the troubles beneath the Abyss, there will be an even greater reward. Moreover, Seven Stars has granted you two special permission: if any measures can be taken to alleviate the security risks of the Abyss, all wealth and treasures found underground will belong entirely to the discoverer!"

"A huge reward! Treasure!" Paimon's eyes transformed into Mora's shape, and he eagerly exclaimed, "No problem, we'll take it! Tell us the details of the Abyss!"