"The Dong Clan??" Kai’s eyes widened in surprise, his eyebrows furrowing in deep thought. "That will indeed be a difficult task."
Liang nodded gravely, his expression turning somber. "The Dong Clan is a force to be reckoned with. They possess considerable strength and influence, standing on equal footing with the major factions. "
Kai’s eyes flickered with a mix of amusement and concern, realizing the risks involved in infiltrating or negotiating with the Dong Clan at their current level of power.
Shaking his head, Kai’s voice was resolute. "Our only viable option is to bolster our own strength."
A moment of silence hung in the air as both men contemplated their predicament. Then, Kai’s voice broke through the quietude. "I have a plan."
A smile danced on Liang’s lips, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he gestured for Kai to continue.
Undeterred by Liang’s feigned smile, Kai pressed on. "The pills I obtained from Yuan should possess enough potency to catalyze my breakthrough into the Soul Alter Transformation Realm. I believe it won’t require an extensive effort."
Unswayed by Liang’s strange expression, Kai spoke calmly. "While I stay in the Heavenly Fortune Domain to cultivate, you should go to the Runestone Solar System. Explore and gather as much information about the Dong Clan as possible. Let us reconvene at the All Things Chamber before the final stage of the auction."
Liang’s chuckle resonated through the air, his hand gracefully waving in agreement.
"See you in twelve years."
Without hesitation, Liang stepped into the air, vanishing into the vast expanse of the unknown.
Kai’s gaze lingered at the spot where Liang had disappeared, his eyes narrowing with contemplation.
Suppressing a wry smile, he, too, dissolved into shadows.
***
Emerging from a rift, not far from the celestial embrace of the Runestone Solar System, Liang found himself in awe of the breathtaking scene that unfolded before him. The majestic solar system stretched across the inky canvas of space, an intricate tapestry of planets, nebulas, and cosmic phenomena.
As Liang’s eyes swept across the expansive canvas of the Runestone Solar System, he discovered a breathtaking sight that left him in awe. Rather than a single sun, there were four vibrant suns at the center of the system, each radiating its own distinct color and energy.
The first sun, Solara, radiated a majestic and awe-inspiring golden light. Its brilliance mirrored the warmth and abundance found throughout the system, providing nourishment and sustenance to the planets that revolved around it. Solara exuded an aura of life and vitality that permeated the very essence of the solar system.
Beside Solara, the second sun, known as Luminis, glowed with a luminescent silver hue. Its gentle radiance bestowed an ethereal beauty upon the planets it presided over. Luminis bathed the celestial bodies in a soft, shimmering light, infusing them with a sense of tranquility and harmony.
Opposite Solara and Luminis, the third sun, Pyroxis, blazed with an intense and ferocious crimson fire. Its fiery glow breathed passion and intensity into the system, inspiring ambition and determination within the planets it touched. Pyroxis commanded a fierce and untamed energy, igniting the pursuit of greatness among its cosmic subjects.
Completing the quartet of suns, the fourth and final star, Umbrae, emanated a mysterious and intriguing midnight purple light.
Between the four suns, nestled harmoniously at the heart of the solar system, Liang’s gaze fell upon the central planet known as Nexus. This planet served as a celestial meeting ground, drawing together the diverse energies from Solara, Luminis, Pyroxis, and Umbrae. Nexus emanated a resplendent and ever-shifting array of colors, representing the fusion and convergence of the four suns’ power. It was an energetic crossroads, where the destiny of the entire solar system seemed to converge.
It’s also where the Dong Clan situated.
Reflecting the influence of the suns, eight remarkable planets revolved around this cosmic center, each possessing its own distinctive shape and character.
The first planet, named Solstis, basked in the golden halo of Solara. Solstis boasted rolling plains of golden wheat and vibrant fields of blooming flowers, embodying the essence of abundance and fertility.
Closer to Luminis, the planet Aetheria displayed an ethereal beauty, with swirling clouds of iridescent colors suspended in its atmosphere. Aetheria’s landscapes were ethereal and ever-changing, transforming with the shifting tides of cosmic energy.
Across from Aetheria, the fiery planet called Ignita blazed with raging volcanic activity and towering mountains of molten rock. Ignita’s surface appeared as a fiery inferno, with its inhabitants drawing strength from the pulsating energy of Pyroxis.
On the outskirts of the solar system, nestled within the captivating twilight between Umbrae and Luminis, stood Nocturna. Nocturna was a world touched by eternal dusk, its landscapes stretching into the infinite horizon of twilight.
Nearest to Umbrae, the planet Lunastra shone with an unparalleled radiance of celestial beauty. Its surface was adorned with shimmering crystalline formations, reflecting the iridescent glow of Umbrae’s enigmatic light.
Opposite Lunastra, the verdant planet known as Floria bloomed with lush forests, vibrant meadows, and cascading waterfalls.
Bathing in the twilight between Pyroxis and Solara, the planet Pyrosis presented a striking contrast of extremes. Its surface was marred by blazing desert dunes and tumultuous storms, an embodiment of the intense energies flowing through the system.
Finally, closest to Pyroxis, the icy planet Crystalis stood as a testament to its frigid and majestic environment. Crystalis was a world adorned with towering ice formations, shimmering glaciers, and snow-capped peaks.
Enveloping the Runestone Solar System was an awe-inspiring spirit formation, a result of Dong Jue’s masterful craftsmanship. This formation stood as the centerpiece and turning point for all living beings within the system, harnessing the cosmic energies of the suns and celestial bodies.
Known as the Celestial Integration Matrix, this extraordinary formation possessed remarkable abilities that shaped the destiny of those within the solar system. This matrix ensured that the runic system remained the exclusive path of cultivation for all living beings within the solar system. Even if an outsider were to enter the system, their cultivation would be immediately sealed, leaving them with no choice but to embrace the runic system. Even the most formidable experts or powerful individuals were subject to its influence, their previous cultivation paths rendered inert.
To navigate this solar system, Liang know that he needed to delve deeper into runic cultivation.
The first realm, Rune Channeling, was where cultivators awakene their True Runes.
Liang had already surpassed this level, but he knew there were still untapped depths to explore. The second realm, Rune Vaporization, was a realm of refinement, where cultivators merged their essence with the runes in a profound manner. He had glimpsed the power of this realm, but it was a path he had just begun to tread.
The third realm, Runic Transmutation, was where cultivators fused their very essence with runic power. It was a realm of transformation, where the lines between cultivator and runic energy blurred.
The fourth realm, Elemental Resonance Nexus, focused on refining attunement to specific elemental forces. It was a realm of specialization, where cultivators honed their control over fire, water, earth, air, and more.
The fifth realm, Harmonic Nexus Mastery, delved into the intricate balance of runic energies. It was a realm where cultivators weaved delicate patterns of harmony, manipulating the interplay of different runes and cosmic forces.
The sixth realm, Runeforged Embodiment, allowed cultivators to forge their very form with runic power. It was a realm where the physical and the spiritual merged, granting enhanced physical attributes and the ability to manifest runic constructs.
And finally, the seventh and most elusive realm, Ascended Runic Mastery, represented the pinnacle of runic cultivation. It was a realm few had reached, where cultivators transcended their physical limitations and became beings of pure runic energy.
As Liang crossed through the Celestial Integration Matrix, he felt a surge of energy enveloping him, as if the very essence of the solar system was welcoming his presence. In a flash of light, he emerged on the dazzling planet of Nocturna.
As Liang landed on the planet, he found himself near a small village nestled amidst the shimmering crystal formations. The tranquility was shattered, however, by panicked screams and the sound of chaos echoing through the air.
He concealed himself within the shadows, his gaze fixated on the unfolding tragedy that unfolded before him.
Stone creatures, monstrous and relentless, wreaked havoc upon the unsuspecting villagers. Buildings crumbled under their unyielding assault, and the terrified villagers ran for their lives, their screams piercing the air.
Liang’s eyes coldly scanned the chaotic scene, A young woman, her face etched with despair, darted through the chaos, her every movement betraying fear and desperation. She stumbled over the rubble, tears. streaming down her face, as a stone creature closed in on her. Liang watched as her pleas for help fell upon deaf ears.
"Please, someone!" she cried out, her voice filled with anguish. "Help me!"
Liang’s heart remained impervious to her pleas as he coldly studied the unfolding events. He continued to watch as other villagers fought valiantly, their desperate attempts to fend off the stone creatures proving futile in the face of overwhelming odds.
A battle-hardened warrior, his muscles rippling with exertion, swung a mighty sword at his attackers. His blows were swift and powerful, yet they barely made a dent in the stone creatures’ impenetrable skin. The warrior’s expressions of determination dissolved into exhaustion and despair.
Looking on from the shadows, Liang heard snippets of conversations, snippets of desperation amidst the chaos. Villagers cried out for help, shared ideas for defense, and screamed in pain as they were struck by the beasts.
"We need a plan, a way to weaken them!" a resolute voice shouted above the chaos. But no plan could be fashioned quickly enough as the villagers faced imminent peril.
As Liang silently surveyed the scene, the sheer terror etched into the faces of the villagers. Their eyes widened with fear, their voices hoarse from screaming, as they fought desperately for survival.
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He observed a mother, clutching her child tightly, navigate the crumbling streets, searching for an escape route. Fatigue and desperation marred her features as she whispered words of solace to her child, masking her own terror.
Parents shielded their children with trembling arms, their eyes darting frantically as they sought an avenue of escape. But their efforts were in vain as the stone creatures closed in on them, their relentless pursuit unyielding.
Liang’s gaze shifted from one scene to another, distant and dispassionate. He witnessed a young man valiantly attempt to rally his fellow villagers, the strain and determination etched across his face. His pleas for unity were met with scattered, terrified looks, each villager focused solely on their own survival.
Minutes felt like hours as the chaos continued to unfold. The villagers fought and cried out in a desperate bid for their lives.