Dong Rui’s gaze turned contemplative as she absorbed Liang’s words. It was as if time itself had paused, inviting her to immerse herself in the enigmatic aura surrounding Liang. "I see," she murmured, her voice filled with curiosity. "I can feel that Mr. Liang is a runic cultivator, isn’t he?"
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A wry smile touched Liang’s lips, hidden from Rui’s sight. She had fallen completely into his carefully crafted facade, believing every word he spoke. "A Runic Cultivator? Indeed, I could be considered one. But please, call me Liang. I am not comfortable with being addressed as ’mister’."
Rui’s chuckle danced in the air, a sound filled with both warmth and familiarity. "So, how long has Brother Liang been cultivating?"
Liang’s voice carried a hint of casual nonchalance. "Around two months or so."
Surprise flickered through Rui’s eyes like a fleeting spark. To witness someone breakthrough three realms in such a desolate place within a mere two months was a rarity beyond comprehension.
Her curiosity piqued, Rui ventured further. "If I may be so bold, can I ask Brother Liang to show me your cultivation technique?"
Liang’s eyes narrowed imperceptibly, a subtle sign of hesitation. However, he quickly dismissed his doubts and shook his head. "Though I am not fully aware of the intricacies of the Runic world if Sister Rui wishes to see my cultivation method, I cannot decline."
From within the folds of his robes, Liang retrieved a worn-out book, its pages slightly yellowed with age. He handed it to Rui, a mixture of anticipation and apprehension swirling within him.
Surprised by Liang’s swift actions, Rui accepted the book with delicate reverence. Slowly, she opened its pages, each turn carrying an air of reverence. The words and formations within seemed to come alive, their intricate beauty captivating her senses.
With swift and practiced motions, Rui flipped through the book, completing her examination.
Thoughtfulness danced within her eyes as she absorbed the knowledge contained within the Harmonic Matrix Tome. While the techniques and arrays were undoubtedly intriguing, Rui knew that, for someone of her caliber, they were merely ordinary. It dawned on her that the person before her was not simply talented, but possessed exceptional abilities.
"To tell you the truth, Brother Liang, although this Harmonic Matrix Tome is quite interesting and inclusive of various arrays and formations when it comes to cultivation, it falls a bit short," she shared, her voice tinged with a hint of disappointment.
Indeed, Rui’s assessment was accurate. Liang himself had been on a constant search for a superior cultivation technique that surpassed what he already possessed. Yet, most of his findings were disappointingly ordinary, providing little advancement on his current path.
Liang’s eyes sparkled with genuine surprise. "So, sister Rui is an expert!"
Rui’s mouth twitched into a wry smile. "Yeah, I could be considered one."
"How about this, to repay Brother Liang for his kindness and for saving my life, I will give you a cultivation technique worthy of your potential," Rui offered, her voice filled with determination.
Liang inwardly nodded, appreciating the generosity of her offer. Outwardly, he changed his expression, waving his hand dismissively. "Sister Rui, do you take me for an opportunistic person?! I merely saved you because that’s what any honorable person should do, nothing more."
Guilt gnawed at Rui’s conscience, unbeknownst to Liang. She hurriedly replied, "No, Brother Liang, I didn’t mean to imply that. Please accept this gesture as an expression of gratitude."
After a moment of consideration, she took out a small jade slip, its surface etched with intricate patterns, and presented it to Liang. "How about this? I hope Brother Liang can accept this gift."
"Gift?" Liang’s eyes held a tinge of skepticism as they studied the jade slip. Yet, he eventually relented and accepted it with a nod. "Since it is offered as a gift, I shall accept it with gratitude."
Liang’s ethereal senses delved into the intricate patterns etched onto the surface of the jade slip, his brows furrowing in concentration.
Liang looked up at Rui, his eyes now filled with sincerity. "Sister Rui, I cannot express my gratitude enough for this precious gift. It is far beyond what I could have ever imagined. I am truly humbled by your generosity."
Rui’s smile widened, her gaze filled with kindness. " Brother Liang, it is a pleasure to be able to assist someone as deserving as you. I have no doubt that this cultivation technique will bring out the full extent of your potential and allow you to soar to new heights."
The technique bestowed upon Liang by Rui was known as the "Ethereal Serenity Technique." This name captured the essence of the cultivation method, which revolved around achieving a state of serene harmony by tapping into the ethereal energies of that trespass throughout the Celestial Integration Matrix Formation.
The Ethereal Serenity Technique emphasized the cultivation of serenity and tranquility within the practitioner.
This technique involved intricate hand movements and breath control, allowing the practitioner to synchronize their own qi with the ethereal energies that permeated the whole solar system. Through these movements, one could attune themselves to the flow of cosmic forces of all of the four suns, gaining access to deeper levels of insight and understanding.
After Liang had fully absorbed the Ethereal Serenity Technique, the two bid each other farewell.
"Remember, Brother Liang, cultivating this technique requires both dedication and patience. Do not rush, for true mastery comes with time and experience. I have faith that you will flourish."
Liang nodded. "Thank you, Sister Rui. I will treasure this gift and strive to reach new heights in my cultivation."
With a final exchange of smiles, Rui turned and walked away, disappearing into the misty surroundings. Liang watched her retreating figure, His eyes gleamed with amusement.
"Ah, as expected from a member of the Dong Clan," Liang muttered under his breath, his voice filled with a mix of admiration and contempt. " This cultivation technique is indeed not simple."."
With Rui gone, Liang allowed himself to revel in his true nature, no longer restrained by the façade he had meticulously crafted.
He carefully tucked the jade slip into a hidden pocket within his robe, ensuring its safety.
Little did Rui know that her act of kindness had inadvertently set in motion a chain of events that would rock the Runic World. The consequences of her gift to Liang would soon be felt far and wide, leaving a trail of chaos and destruction in its wake.
***
Five years later, on the snow-capped peaks of Mount Frostpeak.
Located on the planet Crystalis, a dramatic battle unfolded between two formidable figures.
The mountain, a towering behemoth, rose majestically, its frosted peaks reaching towards the heavens. The air was thin and biting, carrying with it the hushed whispers of ancient tales and the echoes of forgotten battles.
Amidst the serene beauty of the icy landscape, a man surrounded by twirling ice dragons unleashed a furious assault. Each dragon emanated an aura of an ascended runic mastery realm expert, their icy breath freezing the very atmosphere around them. Hatred blazed in his eyes like fiery embers, fueled by the five gleaming runes that encircled him.
Facing him stood another figure, his ethereal black hair billowing in the frigid wind. His countenance exuded a calm confidence, a stark contrast to the raging tempest that surrounded him.
A cloak, as dark as the depths of the night, billowed around him, adorned with intricate patterns that seemed to writhe and twist like living creatures.
The black rune emblazoned on his forehead pulsed with an otherworldly luminescence, casting an eerie glow upon his features. Its intricate design seemed to shift and change as if containing the depth and complexity of the universe within its confines.
The five runes that encircled him, each engraved with delicate precision upon his flesh, emanated a pulsating aura that resonated with the very essence of the elements. They shimmered with an ethereal light, their energy intertwining and harmonizing, forming a protective barrier of mystical power around him.
As their powers collided, the mountain trembled beneath the weight of their unleashed might. Snow-laden slopes crumbled, creating miniature avalanches that cascaded down into the abyss below. Crystal shards shattered like shards of glass, reflecting the pale light of the moons with dazzling brilliance.
Bathed in the chilling aura of his ice dragons, the man exuded an air of formidable power and unyielding determination. His eyes blazed with an icy fire, reflecting the heart of a man consumed by hatred. Amidst the swirling blizzard he had conjured, he locked eyes with his opponent and spoke, his voice laced with venomous intent.
"Prepare to regret ever being born," he snarled, his words laden with icy contempt. "I will shatter your existence, rend your spirit, and leave you as merely a forgotten whisper in the cold winds of this mountain."
With a sly smirk gracing his lips, the man’s ethereal black hair seemed to flicker with a mischievous energy. His voice resonated with a serene confidence, cutting through the cacophony of the raging tempest.
"Your icy fury is indeed impressive," he remarked, his tone laced with subtle amusement. "But alas, that is all it is."