The Underworld Daoist's eyes were dark and deep, and a flowing beard graced his chin. He had something of an immortal's bearing, without the immense mental pressure that high-ranking figures in the Beyonder world usually exerted.
This seemed to be a characteristic of the Western Continent's sect leaders. With his eyes closed, the Master of the Shadow Cottage also looked rather like an immortal, but once he opened them, the sinister strangeness of his gaze became apparent. This was probably a change brought about by the shadow world.
Even with that uncanny gaze, however, the Master of the Shadow Cottage did not normally radiate an oppressive aura.
It might have been a matter of habit. The Western Continent's culture was relatively reserved, and those in power did not seem particularly fond of using absolute strength to subjugate their followers.
As these stray thoughts passed through his mind, Raphael bowed to the Underworld Daoist.
The Underworld Daoist said nothing, merely waving Wen Tuo away. Only after Wen Tuo had left did he say, "I can sense what is special about you."
The moment he spoke, Raphael froze. "You-you're Wu Zheng?"
The Underworld Daoist's voice and manner of speaking were very similar to Wu Zheng's. On closer inspection, there were also some similarities in their appearances.
But his bearing was completely different now. That was why Raphael had merely found him familiar earlier, without making any connection to Wu Zheng in his white lab coat at the research institute.
"Wu Zheng?" the Underworld Daoist said wistfully. "It's been a very long time since anyone called me that."
Raphael immediately understood. "The Wu Zheng who became a digital life-form in the base is only a backup of your consciousness. You're the real Wu Zheng!"
"You could put it that way," the Underworld Daoist