"The agents who were left behind here?"
All eyes turned to Zuo An.
Zuo An touched his nose.
He wasn't quite used to so many eager gazes fixed upon him.
Duan Chen's gaze fell on the space between Zuo An's thumb and forefinger.
"Do you have agent identification?"
Zuo An shook his head.
"No, I can't even count how many years have passed here. My agent identification was lost long ago in countless battles."
He wore a distinctly bitter smile.
However, no one around possessed excessive sympathy.
This included Yuan Qingqing and Yuan Yuan, whom he had just rescued.
Upon seeing their teammates, they quickly distanced themselves from Zuo An and clustered with their own.
They now presented a one-against-five stance.
Seeing their obvious wariness, Zuo An couldn't help but smile wryly and shake his head.
He knew that everything he had said so far was merely his word, a mere flapping of lips, a simple touching of upper and lower lips. It wasn't that easy to make people believe you.
Therefore, Zuo An didn't hold much hope that they would believe him.
He racked his brains, exhausting every effort to think of something that could prove his identity, something strong, something not easily doubted or exposed.
*Spit, spit, spit!* What do you mean 'exposed'?
At this thought, Zuo An couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.
So much time had passed. If he hadn't encountered these people again, he himself would have had difficulty remembering his true identity.
He opened his mouth, his voice growing dry.
"I can't produce agent identification, nor can I prove my identity to you, but I am not lying."
"I know, this sounds incredibly weak and powerless..."
Just then, Duan Chen spoke up, interrupting Zuo An's next words.
His pupils reflected a serious and calm light.
"Putting your identity aside for now, how long have you been here?"
Duan Chen could cut to the chase with his observations.
When Zuo An heard the question, his body trembled involuntarily, as if struck by a severe blow. He wiped his face, revealing his unshaven chin.
Then, a bitter smile appeared on his face, as if talking to himself, or perhaps to someone else.
"I don't know how many years I've been here."
"But it must have been a very, very long time."
"I've always wanted to go home, to leave this place, but I've never found a way. Once you entered, you'll probably find it hard to leave as well."
As Zuo An said this, the people surrounding him, whether they were guarded or vigilant, all froze. Following that came deep frowns.
"We can't get out either."
"What do you mean by that?"
Zuo An gave a wry smile.
He offered an explanation.
"That's exactly what I mean."
"When you arrived, didn't the people outside mention anything about it? Once you enter this secret realm, it's very difficult to return to the place where you first appeared."
"The continental plates of this secret realm are constantly shifting. Perhaps you appeared at point A, but when you leave point A to explore other locations, point A could very well transform into point Z."
"To return to point A again requires a great deal of luck."
"And the opening and closing times of the secret realm are uncertain. This means that unless you stay at point A without moving, it's very difficult to return to your original position."
Upon hearing Zuo An's words, everyone's expression changed.
"How can this be?"
Jun Ci's eyes revealed intense hatred and sudden realization.
He clenched his fists tightly.
"I knew it! How could Jun Wuchen be so kind? So that's why."
Jun Wuchen never intended for him to return alive.
No matter how powerful he became in this place, if he couldn't find the entrance to the secret realm alive, he would be trapped within it forever.
And when the next round of agents entered the secret realm, he would be like Zuo An, waiting for an unknown amount of time.
Furthermore, the location of the secret realm was constantly shifting. Who knew where this vast secret realm would randomly drift to.
His intentions were utterly wicked.
"If that's the case, will it be very difficult for us to find Miss Qin?" Yuan Qingqing asked another question at this moment.
Very difficult?
Not at all difficult.
It was practically an impossible task.
"To be frank, I can hardly believe that the four of you managed to gather together..."
As Zuo An said this, he glanced at Xier, hesitating as he pointed.
"Speaking of which... what is this thing?"
Had the 'Anomalies' developed to such an absurd extent while he was away?
Xier pouted slightly, displeased.
Duan Chen coughed awkwardly.
"This is... a friend of mine. Not part of our team."
Xier suddenly interjected, "I have a way to return to the initial point."
At these words, everyone was astonished.
"You have a way?!"
Zuo An was startled, but this was quickly followed by desperation.
He rushed forward like a frantic madman.
He muttered,
"Generally, newcomers are the easiest to return to the place where they entered the secret realm, because the secret realm's transformations aren't that rapid."
"How could you possibly have a way? Could it be that you've been to the secret realm before?"
After saying this, Zuo An chuckled at himself. How could Xier have been to the secret realm?
If she had, she would certainly never have entered a second time. This place was simply a man-devouring abyss.
However, to Zuo An's surprise, and everyone else's, Xier nodded matter-of-factly upon hearing this.
She casually adopted a puzzled expression.
"Of course I've been here. Is there a problem?"
"How is that possible?"
"You must be joking, right?"
Zuo An shook his head frantically, retreating step by step, his feet stumbling. It was then that everyone noticed one of his legs was slightly bent.
His entire body was contorted in a strange manner.
Seeing this, Duan Chen's pupils suddenly contracted. He immediately grabbed the person beside him and flung them into the distance, one after another.
"Careful!"