Observing Evana’s expression, Liang couldn’t help but feel a surge of triumph as he saw the flicker of greed in her eyes. It was this very greed that had led to her downfall. But just as he was about to revel in his victory and say something more to buy himself extra time, a voice suddenly echoed in his mind, interrupting his thoughts.
"Brother Liang, everything is ready!" The voice, filled with a sense of urgency and anticipation, brought his attention back to the present moment.
Liang’s eyes widened with excitement as he took in the sight before him. With a flick of his nimble fingers, the Primal Void Sword dissipated into thin air. Only the Primal Sword, still entangled with the skeletal hand, remained visible. On the other hand, the voidwing sword known for its ability to traversing the void, reappeared in front of Evana in a mere instant, almost too quick for the eye to catch.
Caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the sword, Evana reacted swiftly, her instincts kicking in. Without hesitation, she summoned a defensive barrier around her delicate body, an intricate web of black and white rays forming a protective cocoon. The cocoon seemed impervious, for even the power of the voidwing sword, renowned for its ability to cut through anything, failed to leave a single blemish on its surface.
Inside the cocoon, hidden from the outside world, Evana’s gaze shifted with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion towards the spot where Liang had just materialized. The radiant orb of light that engulfed them seemed to ignite a surge of energy, propelling them towards the sky. In an instant, they pierced through the formidable Divine Dusk Formation, an intricate array of mystical symbols and energy barriers that previously held them captive, and disappeared into the vastness of the dark void.
As Evana witnessed their escape, anger blazed in her eyes. These two bastards had slipped through her fingers once again.
Doubt mingled with her fury, casting a shadow of uncertainty over her mind. She questioned the veracity of Liang’s claims, wondering if she had been manipulated and deceived. But deep down, a nagging sense of awe lingered, born from the spectacle of their escape technique. It was unlike anything she had ever witnessed before – a technique that harnessed the very energy of the four suns through the intricacies of the Celestial Integration Matrix.
Her attention then turned to the Voidwing sword, still hovering defiantly in the air, seemingly taunting her. Amusement flickered briefly in Evana’s eyes as she observed the enigmatic weapon. The disappearance of the other sword intrigued her, while the presence of this one piqued her curiosity.
New novel chapters are published on freewёbn૦νeɭ.com.
Suddenly, the sword withdrew, retreating with precision and grace. It moved swiftly through the air, leaving behind a blur of shimmering arcs as it executed a series of calculated slashes. And then, just as abruptly as it had appeared, the sword vanished into thin air, leaving no trace of its existence.
Evana’s eyes widened with a mix of curiosity and realization as she directed her gaze downwards, where a single word was etched into the ground - "Chessboard."
"Chessboard," she muttered, her face darkened with contemplation. The word, seemingly ordinary, yet resonant with hidden meaning, sparked a surge of curiosity within her. What could this cryptic message signify? Could it be a clue, a metaphor, or a reference to a hidden truth?
Suddenly, a wave of realization washed over her, and her eyes sparkled with a newfound understanding. "That’s right," she whispered, her voice filled with a sense of urgency. "The gathering is already about to take place!" Realizing the significance of the imminent event, she swiftly retrieved a communication talisman from her space ring and activated it.
***
As the dazzling light gradually faded, Liang found himself standing in a vast field, surrounded by a breathtaking sight that filled him with awe. The previous darkness had dissipated, giving way to a mosaic of stone gates, each adorned with intricate carvings and embellishments. The edges of every gate exuded a halo of energy, an ethereal radiance that bathed the surroundings and cast a surreal glow on the entire scene. Liang could feel the condensed presence of void Qi in the air, almost tangible and ready to be harnessed.
"This is incredible, isn’t it?" Dong Rui’s soft voice pierced the silence, her words echoing in Liang’s ears and bringing him back from his momentary trance.
Liang turned his gaze towards Dong Rui, his expression composed and filled with appreciation. "Indeed, this place holds an undeniable aura of mystique."
A proud smile curved Dong Rui’s lips as she puffed her chest with pride. "That’s our Dong Clan’s Void Integration Matrix, crafted by none other than the greatest formation master and the strongest runic cultivator from the beginning of time – Dong Jue himself."
Liang couldn’t help but be impressed. The Void Integration Matrix surpassed any expectations he had harbored.
Returning his focus to their immediate task, Liang inquired, "So, which gate will lead us to Flora?"
His eyes wandered over the rows of stone gates, each gate seemingly concealing its own secrets and possibilities. The sheer number of gates indicated that the scope of this Void Integration Matrix expanded far beyond the confines of the Runestone Solar System.
If he isn’t wrong the Dong Clan must have many branches in many other solar systems or even other realms, well that’s
Dong Rui’s smile widened as she reached into her space ring, retrieving a small object that dazzled with its elegance. It was a compass, unlike any Liang had ever seen before. Crafted from a lustrous golden metal, its beauty was mesmerizing. The hand of the compass, also made of the same exquisite material, pointed towards a central multicolored rune. Surrounding it were four glowing red runes, and encircling those were eight more runes, each radiating its unique and distinct hue.
With graceful fluidity, Dong Rui infused her ethereal will into the compass. Like a conductor guiding an orchestra, she directed the compass, and the hand began to move. It spun gently until it settled at a specific direction.
With measured steps, Dong Rui proceeded confidently in the indicated direction, leading Liang towards a particular stone gate. As they approached, the gate emanated a tranquil yet ethereal aura.
The stone gate stood tall and majestic, its surface adorned with intricate engravings that seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy. Liang’s eyes traced the patterns etched into the stone, recognizing the symbolism and hidden meaning behind them.
In the center of the gate, a mesmerizing vortex swirled, drawing the eye deep into its infinite depths. Its colors shifted, from deep blues to vibrant purples, from fiery reds to the serenity of emerald greens.
"That should be the gate to the planet Flora," she said, her voice filled with unwavering certainty. A hint of smugness danced in her eyes, highlighting her confidence in their discovery.
Liang nodded, his gaze still fixed on the compass in Dong Rui’s hands. He pondered the device, its intricate design and the way it connected both the Void and Celestial Integration Matrices. It was a marvel of craftsmanship and ingenuity.
Just as Dong Rui was about to step toward the gate, her movement abruptly halted. She turned around to face Liang, her expression serious, and a spark of curiosity ignited within him. He wondered what she was about to ask.
"Brother Liang, you do know about Flora, don’t you?" she questioned, her tone searching for something, as if probing his knowledge.
Liang cursed inwardly. How could he possibly know about Flora? He had only recently arrived in this solar system, his information is still limited.
"I’m aware of some general details," he replied calmly, his face betraying no emotion. It was true, to a certain extent.
Dong Rui’s mischievous smile widened upon hearing his response. Inside, she sneered, convinced that Liang may possess power, but his knowledge was lacking, akin to that of a ten-year-old child.
However, Liang couldn’t be blamed entirely, The only memories he had managed to explore belonged to the young man from the village when he first arrived on Nocturna.
The Chaos Rune had assimilating all his runes. Now, even though some abilities remained at his disposal, he found himself unable to tap into the full extent of his powers. It was a frustrating setback.
As with all things, there were benefits and drawbacks. The Chaos Rune had granted him extraordinary potential, but it had also stripped away his previous mastery.
The loss of his runes, including the Soul Projection Rune that allowed him to delve in people’s memories, had hindered his progress. Yet, he held onto hope that by assimilating more soul-related runes, he could manifest the Rune once more, and perhaps even a stronger version.
"So, Brother Liang, what are you willing to trade for the knowledge I possess?" Dong Rui’s eyes gleamed with anticipation as she propositioned him.
Liang simply smiled in response, offering nothing. He had no interest in participating in such a fruitless game.
"I’m not interested in making a trade," he calmly replied. "Once we reach Floria, I am confident that obtaining any necessary information will be easily accomplished."