Dong Rui furrowed her brows, her expression taking on a pensive and questioning demeanor. "So boring," she muttered, shaking her head with a touch of disappointment.
Liang’s excessive caution puzzled her, and she couldn’t quite comprehend his reasoning behind it.
Liang, however, wasn’t being overly cautious—he simply preferred to avoid unnecessary complications. The need to maintain his composed facade had begun to grate on his nerves, making him slightly irritable.
But the thoughts that occupied Dong Rui’s mind shifted, and she seemed to delve into a deeper contemplation. Her previously furrowed brows relaxed, and a look of realization flickered in her eyes. "Brother Liang," she began, her voice taking on a serious tone, "Floria is unlike any other planet in the solar system. And it’s not just because it doesn’t rotate like the rest."
Intrigued by her change in demeanor, Liang’s curiosity was piqued, urging him to probe further. "How is it different?" he inquired, his gaze fixed on Dong Rui.
Dong Rui turned her gaze towards the gate, her eyes thoughtful. "Floria is the least affected by the Celestial Integration Matrix. Do you know why?" she asked, an air of mystery clinging to her words.
Liang shook his head, a faint glimmer of curiosity dancing in his eyes. This was the first time he had come across such information, and he yearned to understand it better.
Gradually, a realization dawned on him, and he ventured a guess. "When you say ’least affected,’ do you mean that cultivators from outside the system can still utilize their spirit power there?" His disbelief seeped into his words, skeptical of such a possibility.
The Celestial Integration Matrix was renowned for its ability to seal off any form of cultivation, except for the runic arts. If Floria was exempted from its influence, it could potentially mean that non-runic cultivators held power within its boundaries.
Dong Rui’s eyes sparkled mischievously as she let out a chuckle, relishing in the suspense. "Not exactly," she responded, her voice dripping with teasing playfulness. "At most, they can exert about fifty percent of their power."
Liang nodded, finding the compromise reasonable. "But why? Why is it so different? It can’t simply be because Floria doesn’t orbit any of the four suns, right?" His bewilderment showed on his face, his brow furrowing in deep thought.
Dong Rui’s laughter echoed through the air, a playful smile playing upon her lips. "Why should I tell you?"
Liang’s expression darkened slightly, a realization dawning upon him. Dong Rui had cunningly tricked him into seeking the answer, without him even realizing it. Suppressing his irritation, he forced a cold smile and followed her towards the gate.
Without delay, they stepped through the gate, soon they were transported to a vast hall, The moment they entered, the atmosphere transformed, engulfing them in an ethereal and awe-inspiring setting.
The hall stretched endlessly, its vastness punctuated by towering pillars that seemed to reach towards an unknown ceiling. The vibrant hues of deep blues, purples, and golds painted a celestial panorama that seemed to come alive as the light bounced off the delicate threads.
As Liang gaze lifted towards the ceiling, he discovered the centerpiece of the hall. There, suspended high above them, was an enormous and majestic diagram. It showcased the magnificence of four suns and eight planets, etched in intricate detail.
The diagram appeared as a celestial masterpiece, each celestial body rendered with utmost precision. The four suns radiated an otherworldly brilliance, casting a soft, diffused light that bathed the entire hall. The planets orbited around them in perfect harmony, their size and position meticulously calculated. In the center of this celestial arrangement floated a mesmerizing seven-colored planet, its ethereal glow captivating the eye.
From each sun, a pillar of radiant light descended gracefully towards the floor of the hall, casting a vibrant glow along its path. The pillars seemed to carry the very essence of the suns’ energy, transferring their power to the ground below. This celestial display created an enchanting dance of light and shadow, further magnifying the grandiosity of the hall.
"Amazing, right?" whispered Dong Rui, her voice filled with reverence. "You could call this place the Dong Clan Reception Hall. You can enter it only through..."
Just as Dong Rui was speaking, the stone gate behind them began to shine again, capturing their attention. They turned around to witness an ethereal radiance enveloping the entrance, pulsating with an otherworldly energy.
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As the glow subsided, two figures emerged, stepping gracefully into the hall. The first was a woman, her presence luminous and captivating. She possessed golden flowing hair that cascaded down her back, radiating a mesmerizing glow. Her eyes and her expression held a sense of serenity and grace.
The woman was dressed in a gown that seemed to shimmer with an ethereal glow. The fabric clung delicately to her lithe figure, accentuating her graceful curves. Adorned with intricate golden embroidery.
To her side stood a man equally captivating, adorned with dark blue hair that complemented his piercing blue eyes. His features were chiseled and defined, exuding an air of confidence and strength and his presence held an aura of authority.
The man was dressed in regal attire, befitting his noble presence. His robes cascaded around him in a symphony of deep blues and rich indigos.
As the woman with flowing golden hair took a step forward, her eyes swept across the surroundings with a regal air. In that moment, her gaze landed on Dong Rui, and a mixture of surprise and disdain flickered in her eyes, transforming into a smug smile that curved her lips. "Well, well, if it isn’t our young and talented saintess," she mocked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Dong Rui’s face darkened, her annoyance evident as her eyes narrowed. "Dong Xian’er, mind your manners. Regardless of your personal feelings, you are expected to show respect to the saintess," she retorted sharply, her voice carrying authority.
Dong Xian’er’s eyes flashed with envy and resentment, her smile fading as she locked her gaze with Dong Rui’s. "What kind of saintess are you? Even after all this time, your cultivation still hasn’t broken through to the Runic Mastery realm..." she trailed off, her tone laced with disdain.
Interrupting the escalating tension, a voice filled with calm and authority cut through the air. "Xian’er, there is no need for this," the man standing beside Dong Xian’er interjected, his voice commanding yet soothing.
Dong Xian’er nodded reluctantly, her anger temporarily subsiding as she cast a tender look at the man. "Thank you, my love. It’s just that this girl always manages to get under my skin," she admitted, her voice softening.
The man shook his head slightly, his eyes reflecting understanding and amusement before he resumed walking. Dong Xian’er shot one final scornful glance at Dong Rui before following the man, her posture radiating a mix of arrogance and curiosity.
Just as the duo was about to pass Dong Rui and Liang, they abruptly halted their steps. The man’s gaze shifted toward Liang, his eyes analyzing him intently. After a brief moment, he shook his head imperceptibly and continued on his path. Dong Xian’er also cast a perplexed glance at Liang before exiting the hall, trailing behind the man she held affection for.
Liang’s mind buzzed with curiosity as he observed the man’s powerful aura. Even though he had not displayed his full strength, Liang could sense the immense power emanating from him. He instinctively knew that the man was not an ordinary Runic Mastery Realm expert; he was an Omnicolor Paragon, a True Paragon. Whether it was before Liang lost his cultivation or now, he was certain that if he were to face this man in battle, he would be utterly defeated.
Unable to contain his inquisitiveness, Liang turned to Dong Rui with a question lingering in his eyes. "Who is that man?" he inquired, his gaze shifting towards the direction where the enigmatic man and Dong Xian’er had disappeared.
"Lin Xue, the Surging Ocean Paragon," Dong Rui replied with a hint of desolation in her voice.
Suddenly, her eyes narrowed, curiosity flaring within her. "Why are you more interested in the man than the woman?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
Liang couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle, piecing together the puzzle based on his observations. "Most likely, the woman is a member of the Dong Clan who bears some resentment towards you for reasons yet unknown. It’s not difficult to deduce."
A bittersweet smile appeared on Dong Rui’s lips as she acknowledged his understanding with mixture of frustration and weariness seeping into her voice. "You’re right, it isn’t difficult to figure out. This woman has been jealous and resentful of me since I was appointed as the saintess of this generation."
Despite being well aware of the truth, Liang chose to maintain the charade, lending a sympathetic ear to Dong Rui’s words. "Saintess?" he inquired, pretending to be genuinely interested in order to sustain the conversation.
Dong Rui nodded, her expression a blend of duty and longing. "With my grandfather serving as the current patriarch of the Dong Clan, and my father as the clan overseer, the role of the saintess was practically predetermined for me. Sometimes, it feels more like a burden than a privilege."