Chapter 42: The Shift in Time

The atmosphere felt different as Li Yang stepped out of the confines of Demon City. Behind him, the formidable fortress, which had stood the test of time and had housed the darkest secrets of the demon clan, began to tremble. With a thunderous roar, the once mighty structure crumbled into dust, disappearing as though it had never existed.

Chuckling, Li Yang remarked, "I swear, I had no intention of destroying your home! Please don't haunt me for this."

The journey back to Infinity City seemed considerably shorter, a stark contrast to the challenges and detours of his initial journey. Within what felt like a mere blink, the towering walls and bustling streets of Infinity City greeted him.

However, Li Yang quickly noticed something amiss. The banners adorning the city walls were different, the marketplace buzzed with unfamiliar chatter, and even the air seemed laden with a different season. The city, though still familiar, felt as if it had aged.

Spotting a town crier, Li Yang approached him, "What's today's date?"

The response left him stunned. Three whole months had passed outside while he was in the Demon City.

"Did we... did we travel through time inside that city?" Li Yang asked Lysar, the confusion evident in his voice.

Lysar sighed, "The Demon City is a unique realm. Time doesn't flow the same way there as it does in the outside world. It seems we've been gone far longer than we realized."

Fatigue took over Li Yang. All he desired was a warm bed and a moment of respite. As he made his way to a nearby inn, he chuckled to himself, grateful for the few antiques he had managed to "borrow" from the Demon City. Selling them would definitely fetch a good price in the Infinity City markets. He joked, "It's a good thing I have these. Relying on Lysar for funds would have been a disaster."

Lysar, feigning indignation, retorted, "Well, if someone hadn't collapsed an entire city, maybe we wouldn't be in this situation!"

They shared a hearty laugh, their camaraderie evident. As the night took over, the bustling Infinity City settled into a serene lull. Li Yang, nestled comfortably in the inn, closed his eyes, the adventures of the day playing in his mind, wondering what the next dawn would bring.