Hades followed closely behind Elder Thalnor, his dark robes gliding silently over the ground as they made their way deeper into the forest. The dense trees around them seemed to bend inward, and the air itself grew heavier, thick with the weight of hidden intentions. Each step felt like moving through a veil of deceit, but Hades remained calm, his expression unreadable.
[Don't tell me you actually believe that old fool,] the system's voice cut in, dripping with its usual arrogance. [Because if you do, Host, then maybe you've finally lost it.]
Hades' lips curled into a sly smirk. "Believe him? Don't be ridiculous. The Abyss Hole might be real, and yes, the idea of a holy land for dark cultivators holds some truth. But that nonsense about him wanting to train me? Pure garbage." His tone was cold, yet amused.