32: Chapter 32 The Second Time Travel

Mo Yufei looked up at the Secret Realm panel and understood that the time for the crossing had arrived.

Without a moment's hesitation, he turned and walked into the makeshift bedroom to change into his pre-prepared travel gear.

On his feet were a pair of durable, non-slip hiking boots. The boots were sturdy, with deep treads embedded in the soles, allowing him to easily navigate both rugged dirt paths and complex terrain.

He wore loose, sturdy cargo pants with cinched cuffs, and the large pockets on both sides allowed for easy storage of small items, making them both convenient and practical.

Over this, he wore a dark technical jacket that was windproof and dirt-resistant, capable of shielding him from unknown external low temperatures and impacts, wrapping him up snugly and neatly.

Once dressed, he carefully organized the gear at his waist. On the left, he attached a high-intensity flashlight to ensure visibility in dark environments, and on the right, he securely fastened a sharp tactical dagger. The blade glinted with a cold light, ready to handle sudden dangers or be used for cutting supplies and managing miscellaneous tasks at a moment's notice. His entire outfit was simple and efficient, perfectly adapted to the unknown survival environment outside.

Having secured his own gear, Mo Yufei immediately set about organizing the supplies within the Secret Realm to ensure everything remained stable during his crossing.

He first entered the kitchen, categorizing and arranging the pots, pans, bowls, and remaining ingredients. Seasonings, drinking water, and cooking tools were sorted and neatly stacked, with all frequently used items placed within easy reach.

He even specifically adjusted the connection between the space and the kitchen so that even if he wasn't in the Secret Realm later, he could still directly access kitchen supplies through the space without needing to run back and forth.

Next was the tool room, where the remaining tent supports, construction netting, wooden boards, hammers, nails, and other tools from building the fences and walls were all neatly stacked on the shelves, while fuel, repair parts, and spare ropes were also returned to their proper places.

Everything was clearly labeled and linked to the space to ensure that tools could be accessed and used whenever needed, so that his crossing wouldn't hinder the ongoing maintenance of the Secret Realm.

After finishing all this, Mo Yufei walked toward the parking area outside the courtyard.

He had already topped off the fuel in the off-road vehicle he used for daily travel, ensuring the tank was full. He had inspected the vehicle body, and the tires, engine, and lights were all in perfect condition, ready to start and depart at a moment's notice.

The two other idle vehicles parked nearby had never been used since being brought into the Secret Realm, so their fuel tanks remained full. He simply wiped the dust off their bodies and, after confirming there was no damage, left them alone to wait quietly in place.

Finally, it was time to settle the little ones around him.

He took the cat and dog food he had scavenged from pet stores out of the space and poured it into clean bowls, though he didn't have a large reserve of pet food.

Normally, he would prepare fresh food for them by hand every day, but this time, once the Space Channel was opened, he wouldn't be able to return to the Secret Realm midway, and he had no idea how long he would be in the outside world, so he couldn't continue to care for them.

Mo Yufei squatted down and reached out to gently stroke the White Ferret, Xiaobai, and the Parrot, Benboba, who had come over, as well as the two aloof kittens, Dabai and Xue Rong. Xiao Hei, meanwhile, remained as attentive as ever.

These little ones had all lived through the catastrophe of The Apocalypse and possessed considerable intelligence. Their survival instincts in the wild were extremely strong; even without him feeding them, they could forage for themselves in the Secret Realm—the fish and shrimp in the river and the grass seeds in the meadow were enough for them to live securely.

"I'm going away for a while. Be good in the Secret Realm, find your own food, don't wander off, don't cause trouble, and stay away from all the electrical appliances," Mo Yufei whispered, giving his instructions.

The little ones seemed to understand; Xiaobai rubbed its little head against his palm, Benboba landed quietly on his shoulder, Xiao Hei gently tugged at the hem of his clothes, and Dabai and Xue Rong looked at him with eyes full of attachment.

Mo Yufei felt a slight warmth in his heart. After checking the doors and windows of the small courtyard and the fences around the fields one last time to ensure everything was secure, he stood up and walked to the open space in the center of the courtyard.

The space-time fluctuations around him grew increasingly intense, faint ripples appeared in the air, and the familiar sensation of the crossing washed over his entire body.

Mo Yufei took a deep breath, cleared his mind of all distracting thoughts, and focused his energy. He channeled the spatial power within him that connected to the Secret Realm and silently recited the incantation to open it.

In an instant, the air in front of him twisted violently, and a Space Channel glowing with a faint light slowly took shape. The inner walls of the channel shimmered with flowing colors, exuding an unknown mystery, while the other end connected to the vast, uncharted space-time of the outside world.

Before leaving, he took one last look at the Secret Realm courtyard he had built with his own hands—the stone walls, the simple wooden gate, the fields enclosed by protective netting, the vehicles parked to the side, and the little ones waiting by his side. A flash of determination crossed his eyes.

This was his retreat, his harbor of safety. Once he completed his journey in the outside world, he would definitely return.

Mo Yufei hesitated no longer; he stepped forward and resolutely walked into the shimmering Space Channel.

The halo of the opening channel gradually faded, and the Secret Realm returned to calm, leaving behind only the empty courtyard and the few little animals that stood guard, quietly waiting for his return, waiting for the moment of their next reunion.

The space around him rippled with violent distortions, and the pale silver Space Channel fully unfolded, enveloping Mo Yufei with an irresistible force of attraction that instantly held him fast.

He felt the light and shadows before his eyes change abruptly; the quiet night of his Secret Realm and the familiar outline of the courtyard shattered instantly, replaced by a chaotic expanse of flowing colors.

Countless fine particles of light streaked past him, with halos of warm gold, deep blue, and pale cyan intertwining. A buzzing sound rang in his ears—not a harsh, noisy din, but a low vibration like the creation of the world, mixed with the subtle sounds of space tearing and healing.

His hiking boots instantly left the solid ground of the Secret Realm, and his entire body seemed to fall into an invisible torrent, uncontrollably hurtling forward. The hem of his technical jacket snapped and fluttered in the spatial turbulence.

He subconsciously tensed his body and raised his hands to protect his front. The dagger and flashlight at his waist collided with a faint clink; fortunately, he had dressed carefully and secured his gear, so not a single item came loose during the transit.

This sensation of transit did not last long; after only a few breaths, the pulling force around him suddenly dissipated, the buzzing sound ceased abruptly, and he felt the sensation of solid ground beneath his feet once more.

Mo Yufei staggered a step to steady himself, then slowly opened his tightly closed eyes, instantly falling into a state of complete bewilderment and shock.

This was not a place he had ever experienced. There were no ruins of broken walls from The Apocalypse, no barren, cracked earth; as far as the eye could see, everything was a strange, unfamiliar sight.

Looking up, he saw a sky filled with pale cyan mist slowly swirling between heaven and earth. When he reached out to touch it, the mist felt cool and gentle, seeping into his fingertips in fine wisps.

It inexplicably made Mo Yufei's body feel more relaxed; the soreness from days of running and working faded significantly, and even his breathing became exceptionally easy.

Yet he had no idea what this aura that made him feel so relaxed actually was. Assuming it was just the unique air of this strange space, he instead became more vigilant. In The Apocalypse, the more abnormal an environment, the more hidden dangers it harbored.

Beneath his feet was a thick, soft meadow. The grass was an unnaturally vibrant emerald green, topped with tiny, five-colored flowers; stepping on it felt soft and silent.

Not far away, a stream meandered by. The water was crystal clear, revealing the colorful pebbles covering the stream bed, while unknown white petals floated on the surface. The floral scent was light and delicate, smelling very pleasant.

In the distance, towering mountains were covered with thick, lush ancient trees. The branches and leaves were layered densely, and even the textures of the tree trunks were completely different from any plants he had ever known.

The occasional roar of strange beasts and the crisp chirping of birds in the forest, lacking the howling wind and sand of The Apocalypse, felt somewhat eerie.

Mo Yufei stood where he was, his brows tightly furrowed, his heart filled with questions.