The purple-robed man turned his head, only to see a black-robed figure standing behind him. His heart raced as his eyes locked with the cold, piercing gaze of the black-robed figure. The intensity behind those yellow eyes sent a chill down his spine and made his blood run cold. Desperate to see who was hiding beneath the ominous black robe, he strained his eyes, but the dark fabric remained impenetrable, concealing the man’s true identity.
But what happened next shocked everyone to their core. The purple-robed man’s body started withering away at a terrifying pace as if being drained of life itself. Gasps filled the air as the crowd watched in horror, unable to tear their eyes away from the agonizing sight of his transformation. In mere moments, he was reduced to nothing more than a pile of ashes.
As the black-robed man’s wicked deed was done, an ominous aura emanated from his very being. Waves of malevolent energy surged around him, suffusing the air with an almost tangible sense of dread. With an air of superiority, he slowly turned his attention to the five guards who had witnessed the gruesome scene, causing their bodies to tremble involuntarily. A spine-chilling silence enveloped them as they took a cautious step back, their instincts warning them of the imminent danger lurking before them.
A sly smile curled on the black-robed man’s lips as he subtly flicked his fingers. Softly, almost inaudibly, he uttered the words, "Forbidden skill - Temptation’s Whisper." His voice carried a sinister undertone that sent shivers down the spines of those within earshot.
Suddenly, the guards’ eyes turned completely dark, devoid of any semblance of humanity or reason. Their hands instinctively reached for their weapons, but instead of defending themselves, they mindlessly turned on each other with ruthless abandon. Chaos erupted within the crowd as the sound of their screams and the clash of weapons reverberated through the air, creating an unsettling symphony of violence and despair.
Fully satisfied, the black-robed man effortlessly walked towards the gate that separated him from the remaining cultivators. The power exuded from him was undeniable, and an air of dominance accompanied every step he took. It was as if he were an apex predator, ready to claim his dominion over the Middle Ring.
Upon witnessing this, the remaining cultivators huddled together in a mixture of fear and curiosity, their voices hushed and trembling. Eyes wide with awe and terror, they struggled to comprehend the unfathomable power and malevolence they had just witnessed.
"Did you see that?" came the incredulous and quivering voice of a bewildered cultivator. "He killed them without any effort!"
Another cultivator, his voice quivering with uncertainty, dared to ask the question that was on everyone’s mind. "Who is he? And why is he crossing the gate? What does this mean for the Middle Ring?"
"Surely, he must be a Divine Integration Realm expert," a third cultivator suggested, his voice haunted by fear.
As whispers and murmurs grew increasingly frantic among the cultivators, their faces distorted with a mix of anxiety, fear, and intrigue, the enigmatic figure’s motives remained an enigma that threatened to consume them all.
Their hearts fluttered with unease as a courageous cultivator ventured a theory, his voice laced with both apprehension and awe. "The skill he used... It should be a forbidden skill, but he executed it with such ease. It’s... It’s unimaginable."
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Suddenly, the black-robed man shifted his gaze towards the crowd, his unreadable expression casting a dark shadow over them. The cultivators fell silent, their bodies frozen in anticipation and trepidation, knowing that this mysterious entity could strike at any moment.
But instead of an attack, the black-robed man simply shook his head and, with an air of finality, stepped through the gate. The tension that had gripped the crowd remained, lingering in the atmosphere as an unspoken question filled their minds.
"He’s gone," a cultivator whispered, breaking the silence that had enveloped them.
*****
Death Domain, Spiritdrift World.
For three long months, Liang dedicated himself to the cultivation practice beside the mysterious stone tablet. Finally, rising from his cross-legged position, he stood with a sense of accomplishment.
With a calm demeanor, Liang retrieved the precious nexus stones from his space ring.
Revenant Xuan, observing from a nearby vantage point, noted with a flicker of intrigue in his eyes, "Cunning brat. So that’s why he insisted on using the stone tablet."
"The Arcane Rune Infusion Array of Runestone Civilization," Revenant Xuan mused, his voice tinged with admiration. "Indeed, such an intricate array demands extensive comprehension and study."
A chuckle escaped him as he added, "Let’s see what level he will attain."
Liang carefully placed the nexus stones on the ground, ensuring their alignment formed a perfect circle. Each stone, with its unique patterns and textures, seemed to hold ancient wisdom within its very essence. With great focus, Liang studied them intently, noting the subtle differences that made each stone special.
Having studied the intricate instructions of the Harmonic Matrix Tome, Liang meticulously arranged the stones, paying attention to every detail. He understood that even the slightest misplacement could disrupt the flow of energy within the array, rendering his efforts futile. With unwavering determination, his hands moved with grace and precision, ensuring each stone found its rightful place within the complex web of power he was about to unleash.
Once the nexus stones were harmoniously arranged, Liang closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He grounded himself in the present moment, preparing to immerse himself fully in the task at hand. As he entered a deep state of concentration, Liang became attuned to the subtle vibrations emanating from the stones. He could feel the energy coursing through him, like whispers from ancient realms.
Liang’s sweat-drenched brow glistened under the soft glow of the nexus stones, the beads of perspiration emphasizing the intensity of his focus. Every muscle in his body was taut, his hands trembling ever so slightly as he maintained his unwavering grip on his spiritual energy.
Within the Arcane Rune Infusion Array, the patterns and symbols seemed to come alive, pulsating with their own ethereal energy. They danced and shifted, intertwining with one another in a mesmerizing choreography. Liang’s mind expanded, absorbing the intricacies of the array and deciphering the hidden messages woven within its tapestry.
As his spiritual energy flowed seamlessly from his palms, Liang could almost feel the ancient whispers of the runestones reverberating through his body. The vibrations harmonized with his inner chi, resonating within him like a symphony of power. Each touch of his energy upon the nexus stones was met with a warm, welcoming embrace as if they were long-lost companions reuniting after years apart.
The surge of energy coursing through Liang’s veins intensified, its intensity matching the brilliance of the nexus stones. His heart pounded in his chest, its rhythm synchronized with the ebb and flow of the array’s enchantment. He could sense the convergence of his own essence with that of the stones.
With a final surge of determination, Liang unleashed the full force of his spiritual energy into the nexus stones. A wave of raw power surged through the array, illuminating the surroundings with its radiant glow. The ground beneath Liang’s feet trembled ever so slightly as if the earth itself acknowledged the birth of something extraordinary.
Now that the array was fully activated, Liang raised his hands, and an aura of iridescent energy enveloped him, shimmering with a kaleidoscope of colors. His palms glowed with soft, ethereal light, illuminating the intricate patterns etched onto the surface of his skin. Each line and symbol seemed to come alive, pulsating with a vibrant luminosity that mirrored the intensity of Liang’s spiritual energy.
In his mind’s eye, the image of the dormant seed expanded, its form unfolding like a delicate flower blooming under the first rays of sunlight. Multiple runes began to take shape within Liang’s visualization. Their contours coalesced, merging seamlessly with the luminescent energy that surrounded him.
As Liang focused his energy, a harmonious resonance reverberated through his being. The rhythmic pulsations of the runes grew stronger, their vibrations aligning perfectly with Liang’s own life force.
With a determined breath, Liang directed a surge of spiritual energy into the emerging runes. Like a floodgate unleashed, the energy surged forth, infusing the runes with life. Colors erupted from its core, cascading outward in a display of mesmerizing brilliance. The vibrant hues danced and swirled, intertwining in intricate patterns and symbols that seemed to hold the secrets of a thousand worlds.
As Liang’s energy flowed into the runes, it imprinted itself onto his entire body, tracing a mesmerizing tapestry of interconnected lines and symbols. The patterns glowed with an otherworldly radiance. Each stroke of the runes elicited a surge of energy, invigorating Liang’s body and mind with a profound sense of purpose.
A radiant aura enveloped Liang, its colors intertwining with the surrounding energies to create a dazzling display. Threads of shimmering light arched and weaved around him, forming a protective sheen like an ethereal cocoon.
Observing the mesmerizing display of vibrant colors that enveloped Liang, Revenant Xuan’s usually impassive eyes narrowed slightly.