"Long time no see."
......
Those four concise, incisive words reached Sean Nan’s ears.
The universal language of the cosmos truly is vast and profound. So brief, yet so sharp—so succinct, yet able to evoke a visceral ache, as if a cruel, heavy hammer had descended from the heavens and smashed hard onto Sean Nan’s forehead, leaving him utterly dazed.
Does he even know how to use words?
What kind of greeting is ‘long time no see’!
At the entrance to the Famous Masters Pavilion, a few Primevals passed by in small groups. Occasionally, a glance would fall their way, and the Shallow-Red Void enveloped everything in an unspeakably strange, silent atmosphere. Sean Nan’s face turned completely dark.
"Andrew Han."
Sean Nan gritted his teeth.
He took several deep breaths, doing his best to restore his calm, princely composure. Yet his whole body seemed restless and overheated as he tugged impatiently at the collar of his gold-and-silver robes, letting out a cold snort. "Andrew Han, I know exactly what you’re thinking. There’s no need to hide or pretend!"
Hearing this,
Andrew Han simply shook his head and said nothing more, heading toward the main entrance of the Primeval-Gate Famous Masters Pavilion.
Who arrived first or last—none of it mattered.
Thud, thud—Andrew Han took two steps, green starlight swirling beneath his feet like a jade disc, brushing past Sean Nan.
His first Primeval Duty: travel to the Chaos Star System and remain there for half a star-year. Serena Huang had already set out; Andrew Han didn’t want to waste any more time, nor did he know how to advise Sean Nan.
But—
This scene, reflected in Sean Nan’s eyes, made his gaze blaze with pride.
According to behavioral analysis, Andrew Han’s silent departure was precisely one sign of a guilty, timid heart. So Sean Nan turned his head, falling in beside Andrew Han. "Hahaha, you never imagined I’d ascend to the Primeval Gate so quickly, did you? That’s why you’re shocked, that’s why you didn’t answer my question."
"What question?" Andrew Han paused, glancing at Sean Nan.
"I asked: What do you think about all this?"
"Oh, just—long time no see."
One question, one answer—quick and to the point. Andrew Han truly had no other feelings about it.
At first, seeing Sean Nan did bring a bit of joy; after all, the three from the Primordial Gate had nearly ascended to Primeval together—it was something worth remembering, worth celebrating. But Sean Nan’s incessant boasting left Andrew Han speechless, and even the faint joy gradually faded.
"Heh." Sean Nan gave a laugh with an unreadable meaning.
He sighed and followed beside Andrew Han, sometimes straightening his gold-and-silver collar, sometimes running a hand through his upright, not-quite-long hair, his face flashing with an indescribable, mysterious expression. He looked every bit the triumphant victor.
In truth,
Sean Nan’s temperament couldn’t possibly be so fragile after ascending to Primeval.
But there was no helping it—Andrew Han’s impact on Sean Nan was simply too great. Deep down, Sean Nan had come to see Andrew Han as a lifelong rival, a competitor worthy of battling for an entire lifetime.
"Sigh."
Sean Nan clasped his hands behind his back, walking beside Andrew Han.
"To be a person, you must see reality clearly, and see your own heart clearly."
Sean Nan sighed happily, not hiding the smile at the corner of his mouth. Squinting, his sense of dignity was greatly satisfied.
"You're right," Andrew Han nodded, continuing toward the entrance of the Famous Masters Pavilion.
Closer.
Getting closer.
The two finally arrived at the front entrance of the Primeval Famous Masters Pavilion.
The short ten-thousand-meter distance, because of Sean Nan's many thoughts, actually took half a minute to walk. Although Sean Nan's emotions were overly complicated, he was still one of the friends Andrew Han made at the Primordial Gate.
When facing the few friends he had, Andrew Han always gave at least the minimum respect—this was his principle.
"I'm here," Andrew Han said, long blade on his back, standing by the entrance. He glanced at Sean Nan, whose face was full of pride: "I'll go in first."
"Alright."