Chapter 1869: Reunion After a Long Separation

Lu Xun and Yang Xiao stepped out at the edge of the cliff.

Ripples of the Ancient Theatrical Collection spread through the void, and their figures seemed to enter a curtain, disappearing without a trace in an instant.

They only felt a blur before their eyes, and a pre-set light disc unfolded rapidly.

A dense forest once again enveloped them, and a breeze blew, making a rustling sound. They looked down and found themselves standing on a muddy land.

In the deep night sky, stars twinkled, and among the forests not far away, a familiar tent area came into view.

Both of them were stunned at the same time.

"This is..."

"Shennongjia?"

"Did Director Chen move the entire Shennongjia here?"

The surrounding forest and the tents in front were just too familiar... Whether it was the Red Star exploration or later when Chen Ling gathered them here to discuss how to deal with the Gray Realm, it all happened here.

Now, after hundreds of years, with the world having changed, Chen Ling had actually created an identical Shennongjia camp in the Ancient Theatrical Collection...

And gathered them here once again.

Chen Ling’s meticulous recreation of the scene from back then perhaps represented a signal in itself... Whether back then or now, no matter how much time had passed, they were still the same people.

Lu Xun looked at everything before him and couldn't help but say:

"Director Chen... really put in the effort."

As they approached the camp, under the orange light in front of the tents, two figures already sitting on stools drinking tea came into their view.

One of them was wearing a research coat and a black tie, looking exceptionally trendy and stylish; the other woman was wearing a simple white practice uniform, exuding a faint, ethereal aura.

"Old Qi, Dr. Su." Seeing them, the corners of Lu Xun’s mouth couldn't help but curl into a smile.

"Old Lu!!"

"Yang Xiao!!"

Qi Muyun stood up immediately upon seeing them approach, opened his arms enthusiastically, and gave them a big hug.

"I thought I would never see you guys again in this lifetime." Qi Muyun patted their shoulders hard.

"Logically... even if we woke up, we would have to guard our respective Domains, so there really wouldn't be a chance to meet again," Lu Xun paused. "I can only say, Director Chen helped us too much."

"Old Qi, why is your tie tied so loosely?" Yang Xiao looked at Qi Muyun carefully and couldn't help but ask.

"You mean this... the tie shrank after being soaked in the hibernation pod for too long, and it almost strangled me; I’m really a bit scared... Now I only dare to tie it loosely." Qi Muyun shrugged.

Yang Xiao: ...

"Dr. Su, long time no see."

"By the way, where is Yao Qing? Didn't he come with you?"

Su Zhiwei stood up and replied with a smile, "He was injured quite badly, and the Twilight Society’s doctor is currently treating him... so I came first."

"I see..."

"Regardless, it’s best that you are all safe."

The four of them had been separated for so long, and reuniting again, they all seemed a bit excited. After chatting simply for a few sentences, they sat down on the chairs one after another.

"I thought I arrived early enough... I didn't expect you guys to arrive faster," Yang Xiao said.

"Actually, it’s fine; mainly there was nothing to do in the Domain."

"By the way, hasn't Director Chen arrived yet?"

"He seems to have gone to the South Sea Domain... should be to see Chu Changqing?"

"But he should be here soon."

“……”

Just as the four were talking, the tent flap was slowly opened.

A cold wind rolled into the tent from the open flap, causing the kerosene lamp on the table to flicker...

The four turned to look.

In the dim night, a figure in monk’s robes with messy hair stood silently outside the door.

The camp light shone on him, casting his shadow into the tent. The four stared blankly at the person outside the door, and for a moment, the entire tent fell into deathly silence.

Sovereign Ling-Xu... Wu Tongyuan.

After a brief silence,

a figure sprang from his seat and gave Wu Tongyuan a big hug.

"Old Wu!!"

"You finally arrived; we thought you got lost!"

Qi Muyun laughed loudly.

"You kid, it’s one thing to be sloppy after sleeping for so many years, but why didn't you trim your hair a bit before coming over today?" Lu Xun also stood up with a smile, fiddling with Wu Tongyuan’s messy curly hair, and teased.

Wu Tongyuan felt the enthusiasm coming his way and seemed a bit embarrassed. He scratched his head:

"Uh... I forgot..."

"I know a little bit about haircutting; I can trim it for you in a while," Yang Xiao stood up and said.

"Ah... okay."

"Your clothes are tattered and old; besides, we are scientists, why wear monk’s robes? I’ll get you a new one in a while," Lu Xun continued.

"Okay."

Wu Tongyuan at this moment had lost all the domineering aura he had when confronting Ying Fu not long ago, and a smile remained on his lips.

He let himself be fussed over by Yang Xiao and Lu Xun, found an apron to wrap around his neck, and just watched as Yang Xiao took a pair of scissors and began to trim his hair earnestly...

Locks of hair fell to the ground, and the originally sloppy and messy Wu Tongyuan actually became visibly clean and handsome.

Just then, a hand lifted the tent flap.

"Hmm?"

Ji Xuan tilted his head in confusion. "You guys... what are you doing?"

Everyone turned to look, and saw Ji Xuan and Chu Changqing walk through the flap one after another, looking at the tent that had become a temporary barbershop, feeling a bit bewildered for a moment.

Before stepping in here, they had imagined many scenes of everyone reuniting after a long time, but they never expected this scene, which revealed a hint of harmony amidst the weirdness...

Just as Yang Xiao was about to answer, a figure in red followed behind the two and stepped slowly into the tent.

The familiar theatrical robes with black patterns on a red background fluttered silently.

The moment they saw that person’s face, Yang Xiao, Lu Xun, Qi Muyun, and Wu Tongyuan stood up from their seats almost simultaneously and shouted in unison:

"Director Chen!!"

*Snap—*

The tilted scissors slid across Wu Tongyuan’s temple, and a large chunk of hair fell lightly from the air...

Chen Ling saw the "young version" of Wu Tongyuan, who had an apron wrapped around his neck and clean, neat hair, and was slightly stunned... At this moment, it was hard for him to connect the Wu Tongyuan before him with the Sovereign Ling-Xu who had covered the sky with one hand in the previous world.

Especially the slightly funny "ghost-shaved" patch on his temple.

The Wu Tongyuan before him was no longer the last tyrant who bore the pressure of all humanity alone in the previous world... but the peak Sovereign Ling-Xu who had many companions and had not yet entered a state of paranoia.

Chen Ling’s gaze swept slowly over everyone in the tent...

Having experienced the reunions and departures of two eras, having experienced the life-and-death separations of two worlds, after going around in circles, these people had gathered together once again, gathered before Chen Ling.

An indescribable complexity and melancholy surged into Chen Ling’s heart. He looked at everyone before him and remained silent for a long time...

He spoke softly:

"Everyone..."

"Long time no see."