Under the Stars: The Hermit's Path

Chapter 113 A Difficult Decision

The spatial passage, like a mysterious and dazzling portal of light, slowly unfolded before his eyes. The passage, shimmering with strange light, seemed like a bridge connecting two worlds, emitting a heart-pounding energy wave. Lin Yi stood before the passage, his heartbeat accelerating involuntarily. He was filled with anticipation for the unknown journey, yet also gripped by the anxiety of impending departure.

However, when he raised his foot and prepared to resolutely step into the passage leading to his hometown, an inexplicable hesitation suddenly surged in his heart. His footsteps seemed to be dragged by an invisible force, and he was unable to take a single step forward.

Leah, who had been watching him closely, was quick to notice something was wrong with Lin Yi. She quickly walked over to him and asked softly, "Lin Yi, what's wrong? Are there any concerns that are making you hesitate?"

Lin Yi slowly turned his head, his eyes meeting Leah's. A deep sense of conflict was evident in his eyes, and his voice trembled slightly as he spoke, "Liya, deep down, I really long to return to my hometown, where my family and friends are, and everything I'm familiar with. But... the thought of leaving here, leaving all of you who have accompanied me through countless difficult times, especially you, makes my heart ache like it's being torn apart."

Leah listened quietly to Lin Yi's words, sensing the sincerity in them. Then, she gently stepped forward, gently took Lin Yi's hand, and offered him comfort and encouragement: "Lin Yi, I completely understand how you feel. Returning home has always been a deep-seated wish of yours. Now that this opportunity is before you, you shouldn't miss it. We are all here to silently bless you and await your return."

Lin Yi gazed into Leah's beautiful, resolute eyes, his heart swollen with emotion and reluctance. He knew this separation might be long, but he also understood that returning home was a mission he had to fulfill. Finally, he took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Liya, thank you for your support and understanding. If I leave, I hope you will take good care of yourself. No matter what difficulties you face, you must face them with strength." With that, he gave Leah another affectionate look, then turned and, with a firm, though slightly heavy, stride, headed towards the space tunnel.

Leah bit her lip, desperately trying to suppress the tears that were about to burst out. She nodded with a slight tremor, and said in a slightly choked voice, "Don't worry, I will definitely do it."

At this moment, Lin Yi was in a difficult dilemma, his heart in agony. Suddenly, without warning, the originally peaceful space passage began to violently tremble, and a creepy and strange light flashed around.

"Oh no, this passage is probably going to be closed soon!" Leah screamed in horror.

Lin Yi stared wide-eyed at the increasingly unstable space tunnel, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Then, he slowly shifted his gaze to Leah beside him. His heart felt like it was being mercilessly slashed by thousands of sharp blades, excruciating pain. He knew full well that if he missed this opportunity, he might never return to Earth. However, the thought of abandoning Leah and the continent of Aesera, filled with memories, was like a hammer pounding at his heart, leaving him devastated.

"Lin Yi, stop hesitating and go!" Leah urged anxiously while pushing Lin Yi hard.

Lin Yi clenched his teeth tightly, his cheeks puffing out from the exertion, as if he had exhausted all his strength to make this decision. Finally, he took heavy steps and resolutely walked towards the spatial tunnel. The moment one of his feet stepped into the tunnel, it was as if an invisible force pulled him back, forcing him to turn around and take one last, deep look at Leah behind him. In that moment, his eyes revealed an endless attachment and reluctance, as if he wanted to imprint Leah's image forever in his heart.

In that deep and endlessly mysterious spatial passage, a surging force raged like a raging storm, wreaking havoc in every corner. Lin Yi felt insignificant, a drop in the ocean, as the violent force relentlessly assaulted his body, seemingly ripping it into countless pieces.

Yet, despite the waves of pain that washed over him, Lin Yi gritted his teeth, clenching his fists. His nails dug deep into his palms, oozing blood. He held only one unwavering conviction: move forward! Even if the path ahead was a sea of fire, a mountain of swords, or a bottomless abyss, he would forge ahead bravely, never retreating.

Meanwhile, within the ancient and mysterious ruins, Leah stared blankly at the spot where Lin Yi had just disappeared, tears streaming down her face like a flood. Her heart was instantly overwhelmed by endless sorrow and worry. That brave and resolute figure had vanished from her sight, and she didn't know when they would meet again.

Lin Yi struggled to move through the suffocating tunnel. The flickering lights around him danced like ghosts, making him dizzy. The terrifyingly intense pressure was like a mountain pressing down on his chest, squeezing it so hard it made it nearly impossible to breathe. Each step required immense effort and perseverance. He had no idea how much longer he could hold out, let alone whether this desperate push would ultimately lead to his successful arrival on Earth. The future, for him, was like a thick fog, filled with unknowns and uncertainties.

At that moment, without warning, a devastating turbulence suddenly erupted within the passage. This current, with its overwhelming force, swept Lin Yi into it with the force of a tidal wave. Lin Yi felt his world spinning, his entire world topple over. He struggled with all his might, trying to break free from the current, but it was all in vain. The current, like a ferocious beast, held him fast, its grip firmly fixed on him.

Just as Lin Yi felt despair, thinking he was about to be completely swallowed by this terrifying turbulence, suddenly, a mysterious force emerged from nowhere. This force was like warm sunlight penetrating thick dark clouds, or like a spring breeze blowing across the frozen earth. Bringing endless vitality and hope, it forcibly pulled Lin Yi out of the clutches of the turbulence.

Lin Yi only felt that his eyes went dark, and his consciousness fell into endless darkness...

When Lin Yi woke up again, he found himself in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by a desolate landscape with no signs of life.

"Where is this? Have I returned to Earth?" Lin Yi's heart was full of doubts and fear.

Chapter 55: A New World

Lin Yi stood up and began to explore this strange place. He walked for a long time but still didn't find anything familiar.

Just when he felt desperate, a figure appeared in the distance. Lin Yi was delighted and ran over quickly.

When I got closer, I saw that it was a person wearing strange clothes.

"Excuse me, where is this?" Lin Yi asked.

The man glanced at Lin Yi, his eyes full of vigilance: "Where are you from? This is not the place for you."

Lin Yi said helplessly: "I don't know how I ended up here, I just want to go home."

The man was silent for a moment, then said, "This is the Lost Land, a forgotten world. Leaving is not easy."

Lin Yi's heart sank again. He didn't know what his future would be like, but he knew that no matter how difficult it was, he had to find his way home.