Atop the central tower of Dark Lord City, Lana Mokos sat with her eyes shut, letting the gentle breeze brush against her face.
The cacophony of the city buzzed in her ears - a noise that she didn't find disruptive but rather intriguing, much like how humans observe the bustling movement of ants.
"Mr. Bain, I'm beginning to understand you," Lana Mokos whispered, subsequently opening her eyes.
Should anyone be observing at that moment, they would notice something eerily captivating about her gaze.
Her eyes bore no pupils, only an abyss of darkness.
Yet, within this void sparkled the light of celestial bodies - the very stars of the heavens reflected in her eyes.
But what would be most chilling to witness was the strange pattern traced by the stars shining within her eyes.
This pattern felt vast, ancient, and profound, as if it had existed since the inception of the universe, exuding an infinite aura.
If Ethan were to see this, perhaps he could recognize it. This was the Stellar Language of Nature.
And beyond this, three other Languages of Nature played hide and seek within the depths of Lana Mokos's eyes:
The Holy Light Language of Nature, symbolizing purification and salvation.
The Space Language of Nature, representing sharpness and infinity.
The Angel Language of Nature, embodying sanctity and blessings.
And that ever-encompassing Stellar Language of Nature, signifying the vastness of the cosmos.
"Ethan, I must thank you this time. Without you, I wouldn't have achieved such growth. Yet, while I continue to advance, you halt your progress over such trivialities. Ah... friendship, love - such tiresome concepts," Lana Mokos murmured with a hint of disdain.
Her gaze settled on the inn, piercing through the space barrier Ethan had established, observing the intimate scene between Ethan and Hilna.
She faintly shook her head and remarked with evident scorn, "Such fragile forms, indulging in meaningless acts."
With that, Lana Mokos withdrew her gaze.
"In return for your aid, I will nurture and expand Dark Lord City until you're worthy of entering the Relic Battlefield. However, I hope by then, you'll be a worthy adversary. If not, I'll personally see to the end of your existence. Being the only one to have ever defeated me, Ethan, I hope you rise to the occasion," Lana Mokos stated with a serene tone.
The brilliant constellations that once filled her eyes faded, returning them to their usual state.
Lana Mokos then took the documents left behind by her handmaid, meticulously reviewing and annotating each one.
Upon completion, she opened several space gates, dispatching the files back to their origins.
Meanwhile, within the inn, Hilna greedily inhaled Ethan's scent, lying atop him, surrendering to the fervent heat that consumed her.
Suddenly, Ethan paused.
"What's wrong?" Hilna asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice.
Ethan furrowed his brows, responding, "I felt as though we were being watched."
"Being watched? You must be mistaken," Hilna countered, shaking her head, then added with a hint of admiration, "The space barrier you've crafted is incredibly potent. In all my memories, I've encountered numerous space magi, some even capable of severing the space of an entire city, yet none could erect such an exquisite barrier."
"Of course, there's one exception: Aisya, known as the Child of Space."
"Just relax," she continued, her body beginning to move sensually, "Only a deity could pierce through such a barrier. You surely don't think a deity would stoop so low as to spy on us?"
As Hilna's movements enthralled him, Ethan's caution slowly faded.
With the barrier undisturbed, it seemed unlikely they were under scrutiny.
Still, he couldn't shake off that familiar sensation.
Hours later, their passionate rendezvous concluded.
Despite Ethan's repeated entreaties, Hilna steadfastly declined his invitation to return with him to the Dungeon Zone.
"I came to see you this time only to confirm you were still alive," Hilna stated coldly, her face stern. "Moreover, the next time we meet, we will be enemies. After all, you belong to the Devil Guild, and I am the guild leader of the Flame Witch Church. I presume you're well aware of the strife between our factions."
Ethan simply smiled, replying, "Very well, until our next encounter."
A surge of longing, which Hilna had barely managed to suppress, welled up within her.
Recollections of the pleasure Ethan brought her made it challenging to maintain her composure.
Her body involuntarily responded with excitement.
"Hmph, I'm leaving," she announced.
With that, Hilna departed swiftly.
In the wake of her departure, Ethan became contemplative.
Exiting the inn, he looked up to the melding hues of the setting sun and twilight sky, with the central tower in the distance.
As if answering someone, Ethan whispered, "The essence of life isn't about reaching the destination; it's the journey and the beauty encountered along the way. Even if one becomes mighty, enduring the solitude that comes with it, gazing alone from the pinnacle of progress, such a life seems dreadfully dull."
Having voiced his thoughts, Ethan's silhouette melded with the bustling crowd, disappearing from sight.
When he next appeared, it was in the seventh level of the Dungeon Zone.
The first three levels of the Dungeon Zone were factories transported from the original Dark Lord City.
The fourth, fifth, and sixth levels served as storage for supplies.
The seventh floor was designated as the workspace for many, with several rooms still unoccupied.
Within this seventh level, Ethan had specifically set up a training room.
As his understanding of various powers deepened, and with fresh insights from past battles, Ethan had grown considerably.
The Gravity Field within the training room was a testament to this evolution.
Even though the adversary who had demonstrated this technique had been easily dispatched by Ethan at the time, the skills displayed had greatly enlightened him.
Upon entering the training room, Ethan immediately activated the most intense setting: a hundredfold gravity.
Under such oppressive weight, even the simplest movements became incredibly challenging for Ethan, with merely raising his arm demanding every ounce of his strength.
Yet, through it all, Ethan persevered, gritting his teeth against the strain.
Soon after, he drew the Blasphemous Spear.
After his confrontation with the Original Elf King Sovok, this spear seemed to have undergone significant enhancements.
With considerable effort, Ethan held the spear, analyzing the intricacies of his battle with Sovok.
"With Windsor's assistance, my strength once transcended its limits, allowing me a fleeting insight into the Power of Rules," he mused.
"But when Windsor's Rainbow Blessing faded, so did the Power of Rules."
However...
A sly smile played at the corners of Ethan's mouth, and his eyes sparkled with unmistakable excitement.
He whispered to himself, "This implies that there's no such thing as a true 'limit.' The perceived barrier is merely a threshold so challenging to breach that perhaps no one has ever managed to do so."
"There are no real shackles. It's just that I've never reached that far."
Ethan's expression carried a hint of madness.
He attentively perceived the transformations on the Blasphemous Spear.
The Power of Rules had once been infused onto it, leaving traces behind.
Yet, sensing them was incredibly challenging.
Ethan didn't choose to abandon his efforts; he knew this was a process requiring utmost patience.
Meanwhile, both the Eastern Shore and the Westwood Continent were undergoing momentous shifts.
Eastern Shore, Northern Snow Plains.
In the midst of the perennial snowy mountains, a seemingly frail young girl ascended the towering peak, leaving behind a trail of footprints quickly concealed by the falling snow.
Only when she reached the mountain's summit, greeted by the radiant golden sun, did a joyous smile grace her face.
"At last, I've made it."
Sherry exclaimed, her laughter echoing amidst the cold winds.
She then found a safe spot and settled down, letting the sun's warmth envelop her.
After a brief respite, a rejuvenated Sherry stood up and moved in the direction she sensed, all the while harboring a quiet concern, "I wonder how Ethan is doing?"
After traversing dozens of snowy peaks, Sherry felt a strong ripple emanating from her Bloodline. The other half of the Shadow Bloodline was nearby.
"Could it be my elder sister, or perhaps my younger sister?" She pondered, quickening her pace toward the source.
Fortunately, no creatures of the Snowy Plains stood in her path, allowing Sherry to arrive smoothly at the site of her sensing.
Before her eyes stood an intricately sculpted ice palace.
"What is this place?" Sherry murmured, almost to herself.
"This palace was built by the Lord of Shadow to enshroud the dearly beloved Goddess of Snow. And you, Sherry, bearing the Bloodline of the Lord of Shadow, are his chosen heir," a voice intoned.
From behind the palace, the head of a snow ape peeked out.
It was only then that Sherry recognized the surrounding snowy peaks were not mountains at all, but colossal snow apes slumbering deeply.
Their sheer size rivaled mountains, especially the speaking ape, whose head was as vast as the peak beneath Sherry's feet.
Awe surged within her.
Yet, she felt no fear. Instead, a profound kinship emanated from the massive snow ape.
"And who are you?" Sherry inquired, gazing up at the creature.
"I am Tuka," the ape responded, "a devoted companion of the Goddess of Snow and a cherished pet to the Lord of Shadow."
"And you are the last descendant of the Lord of Shadow," it continued, eyes deep and ancient. "Thus, you are our sovereign."
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