182: Chapter 182 The Abyss Passage!

The middle-aged man had a resolute face and eyes like lightning, his every gesture carrying the authority of one who had long held a high position.

He was none other than the Supreme Commander of the Human Alliance, Qin Zhan.

"I didn't expect the person who could single-handedly clear the Wailing Land to be so young."

Qin Zhan motioned for Lu Yin to sit opposite him, his gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny.

"Luo Yingxiong has already reported your situation in detail."

"To be honest, I'm very surprised."

Lu Yin sat down neither humbly nor arrogantly. "The Alliance Leader overpraises me; I only did what needed to be done."

Qin Zhan shook his head slightly. "There's no need for modesty."

"Resolving the hidden threat of the Wailing Land is of great significance to us humans."

"This not only represents the lifting of the crisis on Neptune, but also signifies that we are one step closer to returning to our home planet."

"Furthermore, I invited you here today not just to express my gratitude, but because there is something even more important."

Qin Zhan crossed his hands on the table and leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming serious.

Hearing this, Lu Yin spoke up and asked, "Alliance Leader Qin, please feel free to speak your mind."

"Since you've signed a contract with Aiolia, you should know that that Demon Emperor once invaded our Habitable Planet No. 35."

"I know."

"Back then, Aiolia constructed an Abyssal Passage connecting the home planet and Habitable Planet No. 35."

"Originally, this Abyssal Passage had remained dormant since it was sealed, but it has suddenly become active recently."

"We dispatched several reconnaissance teams, and all of them have lost contact."

"So, I thought that since Aiolia's consciousness resides within you, you might be able to help us."

Lu Yin's gaze narrowed slightly. "I understand. Does the Alliance Leader wish for me to assist in investigating the anomalies of that Abyssal Passage?"

"Precisely."

Qin Zhan stood up, walked to the giant floor-to-ceiling window, and looked down at the brightly lit city below.

"According to our monitoring, the passage's energy fluctuations began to be abnormally active a month ago, with an intensity that even exceeds records from Aiolia's peak period."

"This is very likely a signal that the Abyssal Demons intend to invade Habitable Planet No. 35 once again."

"If that is indeed the case, we must gather more useful information."

"Only then can we prevent a tragedy like the one three thousand years ago from happening again."

Qin Zhan turned around and looked at Lu Yin with a solemn gaze.

"This mission is extremely dangerous; we don't know what exactly exists on the other end of the passage."

"But your power might be our only breakthrough."

"I accept this mission."

Lu Yin said calmly, "However, I need some time to prepare."

A flash of approval showed in Qin Zhan's eyes. "Very well! The Alliance will provide you with all necessary support."

"Whatever you need, just ask."

Lu Yin thought for a moment. "I need all the monitoring data regarding the Abyssal Passage, as well as the final video recordings from the reconnaissance teams before they lost contact."

"In addition... I want to know everything about the expedition to the home planet twelve years ago."

A hint of surprise flashed in Qin Zhan's eyes upon hearing Lu Yin's final request, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Your parents were part of that; I know. I will organize the information and hand it over to you."

"Thank you, Alliance Leader."

Lu Yin offered his thanks, and after some brief pleasantries, he took his leave.

Three days later, Lu Yin got what he wanted as he had wished.

First was the monitoring report regarding the Abyssal Passage.

The data showed that for this passage connecting the home planet and Habitable Planet No. 35...

...the energy readings suddenly surged a month ago, reaching a historical peak.

At the passage entrance, distorted spatial ripples were constantly spreading, and powerful abyssal auras were occasionally detected leaking out.

The final video recordings from several reconnaissance teams before they lost contact were shocking.

In the footage, the interior of the Abyssal Passage was covered in dark red veins, appearing like some sort of living thing.

Data sent back by the last team before entry showed that the space-time structure inside the passage was extremely unstable and filled with violent abyssal energy.

Furthermore, in the final stages, the footage captured sounds of terrified screams and the roars of monsters.

Clearly, unknown monsters existed inside the passage.

"These veins... they seem to be absorbing something."

Lu Yin stared at the squirming dark red patterns in the video, his brow furrowing slightly.

As he was lost in thought, Aiolia's voice suddenly came from within him.

"Those are signs of abyssal assimilation. The passage is being remodeled by an even more powerful existence."

"Even more powerful than you were at your peak?" Lu Yin asked in his mind.

"More or less. It should be the new Demon Emperor planning to make a move on you."

"Hehe, after all, you are currently his only competitor."

Aiolia's voice was full of mockery, clearly looking forward to the scene of Lu Yin clashing with that new Demon Emperor.

"A new Demon Emperor, huh..."

Lu Yin narrowed his eyes, not paying much mind to Aiolia's words.

He then took a deep breath and opened the files regarding his parents' unit.

The records showed that the unit his parents were in wasn't large, consisting of over three hundred elite soldiers and researchers.

Their primary mission was to conduct preliminary reconnaissance and attempt to establish the first outpost on Earth's surface.

Initially, everything went quite smoothly, and the subsequent fleet successfully landed on Earth.

However, disaster struck at that very moment.

It turned out their smooth progress at the time was merely a ruse by the Abyssal Demons.

The demons launched an attack without warning, and almost all the soldiers were swallowed by the demon army.

Lu Yin slowly set the files down, his gaze falling on the list of missing persons on the final page.

His parents' names were prominently listed, their status marked as "Missing."

But everyone knew in their hearts that under those circumstances, the possibility of survival was minuscule.

Closing the file, Lu Yin shut his eyes, those thrilling scenes replaying constantly in his mind.

He could almost hear the roars of demons and the screams of soldiers, and see the despair his parents might have faced in their final moments.

"Master, you seem a bit restless."

Yarberna suddenly appeared, looking at Lu Yin and offering comfort.

"I was just remembering some past events."

Lu Yin shook his head gently and put the files away.

The tragedy of three thousand years ago, the failed expedition twelve years ago, and now the anomaly of the Abyssal Passage.

All of this seemed to have some kind of connection.

"Aiolia, how much do you know about the new Demon Emperor?" Lu Yin suddenly asked in his mind.

"Hehe, now that's an interesting fellow."

Aiolia's voice carried a hint of amusement.

"While I was still in power, he had already risen to fame, possessing violent strength and a volatile personality."

"After I was sealed, he rose rapidly and unified the various Abyssal races with thunderous methods."

"Roughly estimated, he should have at least the strength of a Seventh Awakening or above by now."

"Seventh Awakening or above..."

Listening to Aiolia's speculation, Lu Yin made some calculations in his heart.