"Nexus," Liang spoke through clenched teeth, bitterness tainting his tone. "The renowned haven for runic cultivation. Even those in the Runic Mastery Realm cannot breach its defenses without a passage rune."
Dong Rui exhaled inwardly, relieved that Liang had some semblance of knowledge about Nexus. It meant she could bypass the basics and delve straight into her proposal.
With a serious tone, Dong Rui addressed Liang, "If you desire to enter Nexus, I have a means to grant you the qualifications."
As Dong Rui’s words sank in, Liang’s narrowed eyes reflected his frustration. Why couldn’t she simply provide him with the passage rune or guarantee his entrance?
He knows exactly what on her mind, But the idea of accompanying her to a gathering held little appeal to him. Even with his limited understanding, he could surmise the heavy burden Dong Rui carried as a member of a powerful clan and the added responsibility of being a saintess. But what any of this have to do with him ? His sole purpose revolved around acquiring the compass.
His original plan had been to accumulate his strength, leveling the playing field with those who possessed the compise. Yet, time was slipping through his fingers. The imminent opening of the Heavenly Will Palace demanded a rapid growth in his power. Acquiring the compass and locating the vein opportunity he couldn’t afford to miss.
Liang’s casual response, a simple "So?" left Dong Rui seething inwardly. Was that all he had to say? Her hopes for a more enthusiastic reaction dimmed momentarily as she composed herself and offered Liang a sincere smile.
"Brother Liang, if you were to participate in this gathering and showcase a remarkable performance that captures the attention of the influential figures present, acquiring the passage rune would become much easier," Dong Rui explained, her voice infused with conviction.
A chuckle escaped Liang’s lips, his head shaking in disbelief. "But gaining entry to such a gathering surely won’t come easily."
Dong Rui’s patience wavered, her annoyance edging closer to the surface. She waved her hand dismissively, hoping to alleviate her building frustration. "How about it, Brother Liang? I can help facilitate your participation in the gathering."
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The restrained ire in her voice did not evade Liang’s notice, fueling his growing irritation towards her impatience. He was well aware that she possessed the means to grant him access. "Oh?" he retorted, an undercurrent of sarcasm threading his words. "I know you can help. Let’s cut to the chase, shall we?"
For a fleeting moment, doubt flickered in Dong Rui’s smile, but she swiftly regained her composure. She redirected her gaze towards the overbearing presence of the Divine Dusk Formation that enveloped their surrounding, serving as a reminder of their current predicament. "But to achieve that, we need to find a way off this wretched planet."
Liang’s head shook slowly, his doubts resurfacing. "It presents quite the challenge. I have pondered the issue at length, yet I fear I cannot find a solution in such a short span of time."
Knowing his response all too well, Dong Rui’s eyes flickered with understanding, reaffirming her belief that Liang lacked the means to break the formation. She also acknowledged that even if he did possess that ability, it wouldn’t necessarily align with her own intentions.
A self-assured smirk played on Liang’s lips as he chuckled. "Sister Rui, as a member of the esteemed Dong Clan, surely you must possess a few tricks up your sleeve."
Dong Rui’s mischievous glint returned, her smile widening. "Indeed, I do have a method to break the formation. But there is one small problem," she revealed solemnly.
Liang’s heart skipped a beat, a sense of foreboding crawling up his spine. He steeled himself for what she was about to disclose.
"It involves a secret art known as the Celestial Teleportation Charm," Dong Rui explained, caution mingling with assurance in her voice. "Once activated, it will transport us far from this place. However, it draws power from the four suns, which in turn exposes our location."
His suspicions confirmed, Liang cursed inwardly. There were no free lunch in this world, and the obstacles seemed to multiply with every step. Another dilemma weighed on his mind: could he truly trust this woman? What if she were to abandon him at the last moment? While he could escape independently,doing so would jeopardize the carefully crafted plan he laid.
Dong Rui’s voice resonated with both urgency and determination as she made her request to Liang. "For this, I need Brother Liang to stand guard while I cast the secret art!"
After a few moments of contemplation, he responded with a deceptive nonchalance, "For how long?"
Liang couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, his skepticism evident. "A few minutes?" he repeated, a hint of disbelief coloring his words.
The corner of Dong Rui’s mouth twitched, a mixture of amusement and determination. "Indeed, only five minutes is all I require," she stated firmly, extending her palm as if to emphasize her point.
Liang’s expression turned solemn, his voice weighted with concern. "Five minutes may be longer than you realize. I’m uncertain if I can hold off this woman for such a duration."
Dong Rui’s eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing as she locked eyes with Liang. "But if my memory serves me correctly, you faced off against her admirably during our previous encounter."
Liang shook his head, a flicker of uncertainty clouding his features. "True, we managed to hold our ground briefly, but when she unleashed her full power, we were forced to retreat. Do you not recall?"
Dong Rui’s voice grew softer, tinged with a touch of pleading. "Brother Liang, we are running out of options. I need you to trust me."
Liang’s gaze met hers, his eyes betraying a mix of skepticism and concealed intent. He knew that feigning cooperation could be his best strategy at the moment, luring Dong Rui into a false sense of security.
Liang finally relented with a barely perceptible nod. "Very well, I will do all that I can to protect you for those five minutes. But be prepared for any eventuality."
Dong Rui’s smile wavered for a moment, her eyes betraying a hint of uncertainty, aware that Liang’s trust was tenuous at best. "Thank you, Brother Liang. I understand your reservations."