She had to declare that she wasn't targeting Captain Hagrid specifically; she equally disliked every couple.

But no matter what, such conversations made Rowena relax a lot.

"In any case, Senzi, you should understand what I mean."

Rowena's emotions rarely fluctuated so visibly, "If I hadn't met you in Ximu Town, I would probably still be working for the Dream Eater, running around, occasionally killing a few targets for money, and maybe suddenly one day I would die at the hands of other high-tier Transcendents."

As for being re-granted a legal identity by the empire, inheriting the knowledge of the God of Trickery, and becoming the president of the Astrology Guild, it was a life she couldn't even imagine in her dreams before.

"Stop."

Ethan gestured for "a moment's pause," "Don't make it seem like a tragic parting; I have no intention of going to my death."

He had to stay alive and successfully reach the Holy City; it was the only way to stop the maddened True God. Otherwise, the world's only outcome would be to become one of the numerous marginal worlds mentioned by Lindong, ruled and enslaved by the Holy City, where everyone here would burn themselves, serving the Holy City like an unceasing tool, in a delusion of happiness until they are discarded when worn out.

"That's unlike you, when did you become so sentimental?"

The Rowena he knew was always full of energy, ready to fight her way through heresy (couples), and market vendors, Ethan had almost never seen Rowena in sadness, more often he'd see her rolling up her sleeves, in heated negotiation with market stall owners, haggling over a few silver lambs.

Rowena frowned, her brain racing, she didn't like this atmosphere either.

Back when working for Dream Eater, it was bearable, after all, for her then, even if she died at the hands of other Transcendents the next day, it was nothing surprising. However, now she felt she might be becoming weak, increasingly unable to bear the feeling of loss.

So, what would her usual self say?

After ten or more seconds, Rowena took a deep breath and said, "I mean recently the noble cemetery in the Imperial Capital has a discount event, those who book can enjoy a buy one get one free deal, and even have the chance to be neighbors with grand nobles like Margaret after death, want me to help you..."

"Right direction, but I have no plans to enter the grave for now."

The commotion on the other side of the isolated island interrupted their conversation, thirty Teleportation Masters had gloriously completed the mission given to them by the empire and guild, although they didn't know where Ethan's journey would lead, they knew they were thrice blessed to witness a True God embark on His journey up close.

Officials sent by the cabinet explained the arrangement of the ritual nodes to Ethan; in fact, if safety concerns were completely disregarded, arranging a one-way teleportation node was much simpler than the most common nodes in major imperial cities. The Teleportation Masters didn't need to check the node more than three times, because they didn't care where the door would send those who passed through.

"Looks like time is short, there's one last chance for questions before using the node."

Ethan didn't plan to waste this opportunity, after all, besides being a friend, Rowena was also the empire's most authoritative Teleportation Master, the knowledge from the God of Trickery, Kadela, gave her a deeper understanding of Teleportation Magic.

"On the other side of the node, what's it connected to?"

He was curious if Kadela himself had ever entered a one-way teleportation node. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Don't know, there is no corresponding record in Kadela's memory."

Rowena walked side by side with Ethan, she thought, since he was the God of Trickery, Kadela should be smarter than others, and smart people wouldn't ever throw themselves through a door to an unknown location on a whim, without a plan.

"But some former Teleportation Masters once described the scene inside the node—I'm talking about those fools who wedged themselves into walls and were eventually rescued—they mentioned experiencing many terrifying scenes before being thrown out of the teleportation node, such as being in darkness and hearing unintelligible murmurs, and the longer they stayed inside the node, the more they could gradually understand the murmurs."

Rowena said, "Then they would encounter illusions, especially those memories that had a significant impact on them, deceased relatives, friends, every regretful action they had ever done, and those unforgivable mistakes hidden deep within them... All the illusions served one purpose, to persuade or compel them to stay there."

Being able to be thrown out and wedged into the wall or floor, those were already people of exceptional luck and composure.

Rowena guessed that most of the missing Teleportation Masters were lost to the allure of the illusions.

The one-way teleportation node was getting closer and closer to them. She suddenly stopped, solemnly said, "So I guess you might also encounter similar situations next. The advice I can give you is, no matter what you see on the other side, do not choose to stay, Senzi, walk out bravely, even if you get wedged into the floor, I promise, I won't laugh at you."

"Understood."

While they were talking, Lindong had been waiting at the site where the teleportation node was arranged. Seeing the two approaching, she expressionlessly came forward to meet them.

"Rowena just offered me a lot of advice about the teleportation node, need a last-minute strategic meeting before heading in?"

"No need."

Lindong said, "Zone 2, Pioneer Technology Building 173, we'll meet there."

In reality, the beginning of this "great adventure" wasn't that spectacular; Lindong was the first to step into the center of the node. As she chanted a spell, she vanished in the blink of an eye under everyone's watchful gaze. Ethan followed closely behind, mentally prepared to welcome darkness and illusions.

He was confident, having dealt with so many Old Gods, he doubted any illusion could drive him insane.

His vision delved into darkness.

Ethan stood in place for a moment, when he opened his eyes again, Rowena and the others had disappeared, and the whispering voices from the thirty Teleportation Masters were gone, replaced by the chilling roar of a man, "Why? Why can't you just let me go! What more do you want from me!"

He quickly realized he was in an opulent manor, the source of the roar was only a few steps away, it sounded like a middle-aged man.

Unexpectedly, the illusion had appeared so quickly.

Without fear or unease, Ethan curiously moved towards the source of the roar.

He was curious about what kind of illusion could make him forsake reality to remain forever in this depth of darkness. When reflecting on his brief "life," he couldn't initially think of any regrets strong enough to shake his mind.

He stood before the door, through the ajar door, a flickering candlelight shone.

He recalled some lost friends.

Mr. Luoxang, and his daughter, sacrificed as an offering by the Evil God's Followers.

At that time, his "powers" had not fully recovered, unable to change the tragedy that had already occurred.

This was one of his few regrets after the "transmission."

So, was it Mr. Luoxang behind this door?

Or was it the soul of that polite little girl he encountered in the polluted area?

With such curiosity, Ethan pushed open the partially ajar door.

Inside the room, the bald middle-aged man seemed to hear the movement from behind as well, he stopped his roaring, and turned his head to look at Ethan in bewilderment.

For a moment their eyes met.

"...Who are you?"

Ethan took the lead in asking, the man's face showed increasing bewilderment, seemingly unable to believe Ethan would steal the question meant for him.

The unfamiliar bald man, like a madman, tightly held a painting of a beautiful woman, her eyes streaming blood.

Regrettably, such an illusion couldn't move Ethan, he certainly wouldn't stay in this ghostly place for an unknown bald man.

However, just as he wanted to leave this apartment, everything about the bald man and the woman in the painting flooded into his mind.

Together with that, a voice as if from deep within his mind, omnipresent, rang out.

"My lord, you have returned."

That ethereal voice truthfully said, "I hope this pitiful soul brings you some semblance of joy."