Chapter 41 The Abyss (Part 3)

Less than 100 meters from the second platform, a honeycomb-like cave appeared. Thousands of small reptiles swarmed out like bees, then squeezed back into their original spot and crawled in one by one. They all had two antennae like electric wires, and the pus sprayed from their antennae could plaster the transported rocks onto the walls.

As if to peek out of the hole, the insect quickly sealed the entrance tightly.

"Could it be those bugs that caused the traffic jam?" the dwarf cleaner asked.

One of the winged cleaners replied, "The possibility is extremely small. The insect's size and mass are far too small. If it were to crash head-on into the train, it would be smashed to pieces."

The remaining winged man was busy setting up the funnel cable, a relatively safe emergency escape device. The cable, like a coiled snake, filled the entire funnel space, allowing him to descend to any position the funnel could withstand.

The five pipe cleaners had already discussed their plan; their task for today was to find a way to reach the third platform.

Although the funnel-shaped steel cable was ready, the location of the third platform was still unclear, so the winged people still needed to fly down to scout it out.

Only Billy sat still, seemingly lost in thought, but this wasn't laziness; he was observing the four cleaners' every move.

Simply put, they were quite confident about their tasks at the beginning of the day, but as time went on, subtle changes occurred in both their patience and character.

First up was the orc cleaner, wearing the same suction cup work clothes as yesterday, with elastic bands tied at the elbows of his thick arms to secure the sleeves, making his work clean and efficient. However, he seemed to have forgotten where he put the net cover, and a complex expression of annoyance and curiosity arose on his face.

The other dwarf cleaner had a rather ruddy complexion, thick, upright eyebrows, broad shoulders, and a beard trimmed into a trapezoidal shape. If he were as tall as an orc, he would definitely have the air of a leader.

The tool in the dwarf's hand was of unknown origin; it was a laser-type weapon. He held the weapon so tightly that half of his wrist was exposed, making it look ridiculous and laughable.

As for the two winged people, they flew to the third platform and never returned.

Billis also noticed other strange things: the dead tree branches on the cliff seemed to automatically assemble into two straight lines, and whenever there was wind, they would stretch out invisible arms and manipulate the three-story-high stalagmites.

Are these things alive? Or are they also affected by the abyss to some extent?

Many insects were summoned and gathered again, slowly converging from different caves. Some insects not only had to cross spatial distances, but also had to cross a safety net that was fifty meters long.

The insects desperately tried to burrow inside, but because the safety net was quite precise, no insect could successfully penetrate it. As a result, they released sausage-like saliva into the air, which condensed and lingered for a long time.

Under normal circumstances, it is not difficult to see at a glance that the insects do not pose a threat to the cleaning work, because they are all small, thin, and streamlined flying insects.

It is also worth noting that a train warning is being issued as we approach the bottom level of the third platform.

Strangely enough, besides the train warning, there seemed to be other sounds.

"Please give me the pipe," the dwarf suddenly said to the orc.

The orc was twirling a small steel rod and didn't hear.

The dwarf repeated, “Give me the pipe quickly, a very expensive pipe, one that hasn’t been blackened yet. I know it’s in your pocket.”

The orc touched his cigarette with his fingertips, biting his lower lip in thought. His eyes weren't actually looking at anything, but rather darting around.

Suddenly, the dwarf seemed to become very arrogant. He was not even as tall as the orc when he stood up, yet he dared to point at the other's nose and curse: "I just saw you hide my pipe! How about you give me three gold coins and I'll sell you the pipe?"

The orc grinned and said, "Three gold coins is my wages for this month. Do you really need me to teach you a lesson before you realize the pain?"

For a brief moment, the dwarves had given in, but the sound that only Beris could hear kept going on and on, like a bowling ball going through several empty bottles.

At the same time, the sounds of fighting among the winged beings could be heard from the third platform, and it was certain that one of the winged beings had been defeated.

The laser beam projected onto the cliff face became very thin and gradually disappeared. Suddenly, something that caused the laser beam to weaken appeared. It was not like fog, not like dust, and not like a cloud of air; it was more like a nebula.

It is the energy of the Demonic Path. The Demonic Path is like a river; if one section breaks its banks, it will cause another section to rise.

The colors of the environment changed, and the movements of the orcs and dwarves slowed down. Places washed by the magic path turned into frost and snow. Tiny magical shadows in the shape of eyeballs flowed in the magic path, probably washed downstream by the magic path.

Among the many floating objects, Beris spotted two winged people. Their bodies were wet and shiny, with a high bulge on their chests, as if they had been soaking in the sea and drinking a lot of water.

With a 'snap', the steel bars holding the safety net snapped, and the ropes spun high up, while a rock that was normally immovable now floated up like a flag.

It's not just the colors of the environment and the quality of objects that change; even time and thoughts are transformed within the Magic Path.

Billis had never seen such a massive burst of magic, and it was no exaggeration to compare it to the most dangerous atomic weapons on Earth.

The dwarves and orcs were still scratching each other's faces, their voices deep and slow.

"Don't run! My pipe! I see you!"

"Work! Work! I have inexhaustible energy! Children, wait for me to come back!"

"Ah, the pipe has grown two green eyes!"

"Hey, are you trying to steal my wages?"

The two guys were hugging each other, talking nonsense. If they hadn't bumped into the substitute, they might have been swept away by the demonic path like the two winged people.

Before the winged man was swept away, Beris heard a few words.

"It's just too big!"

In just a short while, only three cleaners remained on the crowded platform.

Those two winged beings have probably already found the source of the blockage in the Demon Path on the third platform, but unfortunately they were unable to bring back the complete message.

After the calamity subsided, everything in the air was damp: mottled tree roots, broken stones, insects with broken wings, and a burnt, rusty smell lingered on the jagged cliffs.

This is the pungent smell produced when the pipeline train rubs against and collides with objects while traveling at high speed.

Billis seemed to realize something immediately and used the only laser he had to shine it on the area below the platform.

Just as he had expected, the laser attenuated between the second and third platforms, proving that a new magic path had been born there.

Ancient magic flows, transforming the abyss into a paradise where energy gathers.

At this moment, the orc cleaner was gritting his teeth like a madman. In comparison, the dwarf was slightly better able to endure it, but for some reason, they both liked to talk the same nonsense.

"It's just too big!"

Billis asked, "What exactly did you two see in the Demon Path?"

The orcs and dwarves did not answer, but their astonished expressions were enough to prove that they had indeed discovered a colossal creature in the Demon Path just now.

But why is it that only Billys didn't see it?

Bilis wanted to sneak into the Demon Path to investigate, but he couldn't just leave the two cleaners on the platform, so he had to return to the ground and figure out a solution later.

When he returned to the tent, Irenshere was skillfully blowing his nose with his index finger and thumb. When he saw Billys come in, he immediately took out a clean handkerchief and repeatedly wiped his fingers.

As dusk fell, a kerosene lamp was set at a moderate flame, illuminating a two-wheeled carriage. A net with lotus-leaf trim covered two people who were being carried onto the carriage by two other bald, half-reincarnated individuals.

As the carriage left, the manager of a cleaning company also dismantled the tent, leaving two open iron frames standing alone in the grass.

Irenshere seemed to understand something, opened the glasses case under the table, took out and put on the glasses.

"Something happened?" Irenshere asked.

Billis's expression was serious, but his stand-in made him look less serious: "We need to talk about the energy of the magic path."

"Oh, I'll tell you what I know."

"I don't need you to tell me."

"Didn't you want to ask a question?"

"I want your help. Let's go to the abyss together."

Irenshere suddenly raised his shrill voice: "Why should I go with you?"

"Two people died. Ordinary people can't deal with that thing. It's hiding inside the Demon Path, invisible and intangible. At least that's what I think."

"Have you found the source of the blockage?"

"I've made some progress, that's why I need your help."

"Okay, let me prepare."

"It's best to bring several handkerchiefs before you go, as it gets very dirty down there."