"Sister Rui, it is a pleasure to see you once more," Liang greeted with a warm smile, his eyes lingering on the elegant figure of the woman in black robes before him.
Dong Rui’s keen gaze swept across the surroundings, taking in the familiar sights of the haven of Harmony where she had last set foot five years ago.
Her eyes eventually settled on Liang’s face, a hint of suspicion clouding her features. "And who might you be?" she asked, her voice laced with ice.
Liang let out a soft chuckle, a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "You truly don’t remember?"
Dong Rui sneered, her eyes narrowing. "You must think me a fool. Are you suggesting that anyone can progress from the Rune Transmutation Realm to the Runeforged Embodiment Realm in a mere five years? Do you expect me to be shocked and in awe?"
Liang’s chuckle grew, his eyes twinkling with light. "I assure you, Sister Rui, it is no fabrication. At the time we last crossed paths, I indeed was at the Rune Transmutation Realm. And furthermore, I never disclosed anything about my cultivation to you before."
Dong Rui’s brows furrowed in contemplation. He was right. In all sincerity, he had not revealed this aspect of his cultivation. It had been her own assessment of his abilities.
She inhaled a deep breath, her hand raising to remove the austere black robe, revealing a resplendent white garment underneath that accentuated her delicate features. Her tresses cascaded freely, enhancing her graceful presence.
"I am curious, then," Dong Rui spoke calmly, "how do you explain the rapid advancement you have experienced?"
Liang, his countenance turning solemn, shifted to face the other side, granting her a momentary view of his back.
"I was gravely injured," he confessed, his voice carrying a hint of melancholy.
"Injured?" Dong Rui echoed, her surprise evident.
"Yes, it is true," Liang confirmed. "A century ago, I suffered a severe wound that triggered an unfortunate regression in my cultivation, from the Runic Mastery Realm to the Runic Transmutation Realm."
Dong Rui’s eyes widened, her astonishment twinned with a touch of respect.
She had never fathomed that Liang was once a master of Runic Mastery.
"It was not until I got the Ethereal Serenity Technique that I managed to achieve significant breakthroughs and mend the remnants of my injuries," Liang continued, his voice tinged with a solemnity that befitted his tale.
Dong Rui folded her arms, skepticism etched on her face. "So, you saved me before as part of your scheme, didn’t you? You knew my true identity all along," she accused, her voice composed yet filled with doubt.
Liang shook his head, amusement etched onto his face. "There was no hidden agenda, no grand scheme. I saved you out of genuine curiosity. It is a rarity to encounter another soul wandering amidst my sanctuary."
Dong Rui’s thoughts raced, contemplating his words. It’s indeed true that he couldn’t have known her true identity just from her appearance.
"But now you do know, don’t you?" she probed, her tone colder this time.
Liang turned to face her, mischief dancing in his eyes. "Though I had some guesses but it was only confirmed after seeing the Ethereal Serinty Technique."
A mix of uncertainty and intrigue flickered in Dong Rui’s gaze. "And why, then, did you choose to rescue me once more?" she inquired, her voice touched with confusion. "Please spare me the cliché tale of being a righteous and honourable man."
A sly smile curled Liang’s lips, his eyes narrowing. "Sister Rui, there is much about me that you have yet to comprehend," he replied mischievously. "The act of saving you was never about righteousness or honour, though those virtues possess some sway over my decisions."
Pausing for a moment, Liang locked his gaze onto Dong Rui’s face, his expression unwavering. "I saved you simply because I desired to do so."
A tempest of emotions flashed across Dong Rui’s eyes - uncertainty, curiosity, and a hint of vulnerability. "Is that all?" she ventured, her voice betraying her eagerness for more answers.
"There are, indeed, other reasons," Liang confessed, his tone growing serious.
Dong Rui’s curiosity intensified, her gaze now fixed upon him. "And what might those reasons be?"
Liang’s mischievous smile remained. "That woman, Evana, was interesting. Her mastery of runes, her unique power..."
Dong Rui’s eyes narrowed, her voice seething with anger. "So, you saved me just to observe the abilities of another woman?"
Liang nodded, his smile now bordering on smugness. "Let’s say it was one of many motives that led to my actions."
Dong Rui scoffed, her anger palpable. "You truly know how to make things interesting, Liang."
"And you, Sister Rui, your mastery of runes is equally enthralling," Liang remarked, his eyes sparkling with mirth.
Dong Rui’s defenses wavered, a fraction of her resistance crumbling.
"Hmph, as if I care," she huffed, swiveling around to retreat into the wooden abode, tending to her injuries.
Liang’s eyes turned cold, a mocking smile playing on his lips. This old fox possessed a cunning talent for manipulating others. Though Dong Rui harbored lingering doubts, she had largely accepted his version of events.
Saved her? Perhaps the first time, but if she were to unveil the truth about the second rescue, it would evoke a torrent of anger. For it had been Liang who had informed Makrin of her whereabouts and actions, cleverly employing the young man as his pawn.
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While his expectation had only been for Makrin’s presence, the unexpected aid had complicated matters. Despite the ensuing troubles and the near-fatal threat he had faced, Liang’s plan had ultimately proven successful.
As for why he had gone to such lengths to deceive Dong Rui, it was because she, in addition to her remarkable talents, possessed a special identity as the granddaughter of the current Dong Clan patriarch.
Why would he go through the trouble of taking risks and trying to infiltrate the clan when he could easily access it by simply walking through the front door?
As Dong Rui retreated into the safety of the wooden house, her mind swirled with a mix of emotions and thoughts. The encounter with Liang had left her with more questions than answers, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. It was clear that Liang harbored ulterior motives, but what exactly were they?
She sat cross-legged on the floor, her hands resting on her lap as she closed her eyes, attempting to clear her thoughts.
Suddenly, a soft humming filled the air, catching Dong Rui’s attention. Her eyes snapped open, and she looked around, trying to locate the source of the sound. To her surprise, her gaze fell upon her hands, where a jade cube now rested, its surface shimmering with a gentle glow.
Her heart skipped a beat as recognition dawned upon her. The cube suddenly flickered with a soft glow, three times in succession, before settling into a steady radiance.
Dong Rui extended her Ethereal Will to the cube, and suddenly, a soft hum reverberated through the room. The jade cube illuminated, projecting a holographic image in front of her. It was a message from her clan.
The holographic image showed a grand chessboard adorned with intricate patterns and symbols. She could almost feel the power emanating from it.
A voice deep and majestic suddenly filled the room. "Dong Rui, You have been chosen to represent our branch in the Duality Chessboard Gathering" the voice proclaimed. "This competition will be intense. The stakes are high, and the challenges will be formidable. But if you succeed, you will earn the respect and admiration of the entire clan."
Dong Rui’s eyes widened in both excitement and trepidation.
The Duality Chessboard was no ordinary event; it was a massive chessboard created by the Chess True Paragon, one of the most powerful and ancient beings in the whole system and probably the domain.
The Chess True Paragon had created this chessboard as a test of skill, strategy, and mental fortitude. Only the most elite and talented runic cultivators from various clans and sects were invited to participate.
Dong Rui knew that this opportunity was both a blessing and a challenge. It was a chance for her to prove herself, to showcase her abilities, and to gain recognition within her clan. But she also understood the dangers and risks involved.
The Chess True Paragon was known to be uncompromising and ruthless, angering such a person could result in severe consequences.
The holographic image continued to play, revealing the details of the gathering.
The event will take place on Solitude at the Xuanling Palace, located in the outskirts of the Yin-Yang Abyss Mountain Range, one of the most mysterious in the whole solar system, it’s a treacherous mountain range located at the planet opposite to Lunastra, planet Floria.
Floria, chosen to host the Duality Chessboard Gathering, held a unique allure that set it apart from any other celestial body in the Runestone Solar System.