Strangely enough, after Angel parted ways with the others, the direction of the hanging stair began to gradually return to normal, no longer exhibiting bizarre inversions or looping steps, transforming instead into a stairway inclined upward at a 45-degree angle. However, the visible scope of the stairs remained limited to the illumination from the red light mark.
Angel could only see the next two levels of stairs ahead and the first level behind him. Therefore, whether it would keep inclining upwards until reaching an end point was still uncertain.
Everything ahead was unknown; the surroundings, on the other hand, were shrouded in darkness and void, with unseen dangers lurking in the void, while he could only move forward alone under the shelter and guidance of the red light.
This scene was quite interesting.
If Mr. Qiao’en were to witness this moment, perhaps he could create a painting depicting a solitary traveler walking alone on the stairs bathed in red light amidst clawing dark magic monsters.
If such a painting existed, it would likely be very epic, wouldn’t it?
Angel conjured various images in his mind, either by reminiscing or daydreaming, which was probably one of his few pleasures in the darkness.
Yet, this was not the first time Angel wandered alone on the hanging stair of the Void.
Back when he wasn’t yet a Wizard Apprentice, he had strayed into the Hanging Jail Stairway of the Nightmare Realm.
In the eyes of others, anywhere in the Nightmare Realm would be more terrifying and dangerous than reality; but for Angel, during his journey in Nightmare Abyss City, he hardly encountered any danger and even received considerable help, such as the assistance from the Flower King of the Maneater Flower; whereas, in the underground aqueducts of reality, Angel felt he faced more dangers instead.
Of course, this was just Angel’s personal experience. If he shared these thoughts with Sanders, he would likely only get an indifferent expression in return. But in the subsequent days to months, he would probably encounter various challenging tasks or trials given by Sanders, demonstrating the simple and unremarkable nature of a man envious.
As Angel continued to daydream, he moved forward with the red mark guiding him.
Though he traveled alone, it wasn’t as lonely as imagined; firstly because Angel’s mind raced, and secondly... the clamoring in the Mind Ribbon indeed made it difficult for one to feel lonely.
The Mind Ribbon did not sever as they parted, and it was almost never quiet in the Mind Ribbon.
Once again, Dox proved how noisy he could be; Vay, too, unexpectedly excited, catching every bit of conversation; even Kaier, who rarely spoke in the Mind Ribbon, occasionally chimed in to prove he was still alive.
Only the Black Earl remained as silent as ever, yet this was merely outward silence. Though the Black Earl didn’t speak in the Mind Ribbon, he secretly contacted Angel.
Black Earl: "How are things on your side?"
Though it appeared to be a concerned query, it was actually an idle question devoid of substance; Angel believed Black Earl reached out to him for other reasons.
"I haven’t encountered any danger yet; I’m still climbing the stairway. Oh, by the way, after parting ways with you, the stairway did change a bit, those strange routes disappeared, and it became a normal stairway extending onward." Angel, understanding the Black Earl had other intentions, still seriously answered his question as a junior, and politely reciprocated: "Is everything alright on your side, Black Earl?"
After a moment, the Black Earl slowly replied: "I’ve already seen the statue of the urinating boy you mentioned."
To see the statue of the urinating boy? Angel initially didn’t react. When he regained his senses, he suddenly recalled that the statue of the urinating boy was right at the entrance to the Hanging Jail Stairway, wasn’t it?
Could it be that the Black Earl had already left the Other-dimensional Space?
Angel: "??? " How so quickly! Already out?
Before Angel could speak, the Black Earl, sensing Angel’s astonished emotions, responded: "To be precise, after I parted ways with you, I took a few steps forward and saw the exit. But I’m still in the Other-dimensional Space; I just split an avatar outside to confirm the statue of the urinating boy you mentioned is indeed outside."
The reason the Black Earl sent an avatar outside was not due to caution but concern that severing the connection with the Mind Ribbon might occur once leaving the Other-dimensional Space.
"What about the others?"
Black Earl: "I’m the only one who found the exit; everyone else is still on the stairs."
Angel: "In that case, not only are the paths divided, but their lengths vary as well?"
"It seems so. Perhaps it’s the unique mechanism here?" The Black Earl paused: "However, this is not the primary matter for which I contacted you; I recently let my avatar enter the Hanging Jail Stairway. The situation inside somewhat exceeds my expectations."
"Did you discover something, my lord?" Angel inquired, having explored the interior of the Hanging Jail Stairway in the Nightmare Realm, the initial levels shouldn’t have anything odd.
"Shattered."
"Shattered?" Angel hesitated: "You mean the interior of the Hanging Jail Stairway is shattered, my lord?"
Black Earl: "Yes, the entire internal space is shattered, and there are some floating areas in the dark void."
Angel recalled that Cicia had previously mentioned only the upper levels were severed, how come the lower levels showed signs of shattering? Angel quickly asked: "What about the stairway?"
Black Earl: "Though the stairway has damaged sections, it still exists overall; one should still be able to ascend."
Upon hearing this, Angel let out a slight sigh of relief. If the stairway itself were shattered, they wouldn’t need to search for the Wood Spirit anymore, as a shattered stairway meant the lower levels weren’t safe. With the Wood Spirit’s shy nature, he definitely wouldn’t stay in the Hanging Jail Stairway.
However, even if the stairway remained intact, the lower levels being shattered meant that with the Wood Spirit’s timid nature, would he still be within the Hanging Jail Stairway?
Angel now regretted it somewhat; previously, he relied on his own exploration of the Hanging Jail Stairway in the Nightmare Realm, thus he didn’t inquire in detail about its specific condition from Cicia.
Moreover, he completely overlooked one thing.
— Cicia’s information was delayed!
All of her messages were conveyed to her after The Sage arrived. As for the last visit from The Sage, it might have been years or decades ago. During this time, changes in the Hanging Jail Stairway or relocations by the Wood Spirit were possible.
"Is the shattering situation on the lower levels severe?" Angel pondered and asked.
Black Earl: "Quite severe at the edges; near the stairway, there seems to be a Magical Energy Array, fewer damaged spots, but... it’s not absolutely safe."
Angel understood the implication behind the Black Earl’s final words.
The Black Earl was in agreement with him; the Wood Spirit might have already moved.
"I understand... We’ll discuss further upon our meeting."
"Hmm." After a pause, the Black Earl added: "Pleasing The Sage through the Wood Spirit was Sunshine’s idea. It might not be effective, if it doesn’t work, we just change paths."
The Black Earl’s tone was very calm, yet Angel could feel the Black Earl’s concern.
Angel indeed felt somewhat crestfallen. If the Wood Spirit truly wasn’t in the Hanging Jail Stairway, he was undoubtedly the most responsible, as all the arrangements were his doing.
Being overly confident often made him overlook many details, and Angel also wished to keep the presence of the Nightmare Realm undisclosed; hence, he didn’t dare speak too bluntly, which resulted in others failing to spot flaws right away, leaving them to follow Angel’s arrangement.