Liang’s expression hardened, his eyes narrowing as he regarded her with suspicion. "What game are you playing?"
The woman’s smile widened, a glint of mischief shining in her eyes. "A game? Do I look like someone who enjoys idle pastimes?
Liang scoffed inwardly. "Don’t tell me there’s a portal to the Nether Planes on this battlefield."
He shrugged. "Surprise me."
Her expression turned serious. "I was running from enemies. I found a void distortion, stumbled through, and ended up here. Some idiots followed me, but they’re all dead now."
"What’s this got to do with me?"
She scowled. "Of course it involves you. You’re the key to getting me back to the Nether Planes."
Liang was silent. "And what do I get out of it?"
"You get to live," she said earnestly.
The woman’s smile returned, this time genuine and earnest.
"You would walk out of here unharmed," she offered earnestly, her voice filled with sincerity. "Isn’t that enough?"
Liang raised an eyebrow, expecting more. "And?"
The woman’s brow furrowed, a mixture of frustration and confusion crossing her face.
She blinked. "What else do you want?"
Liang’s chuckle held no real humor as he watched the woman before him with amusement "Ah, you seem to assume I’m at your mercy, correct?"
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"That’s the impression, yes," she said, eyebrow arched.
He shrugged. "Let’s test that, shall we?"
"Fine," she said, impatience creeping into her voice. "What do you want?"
"A favor."
Her expression hardened. "What kind?"
"Nothing dangerous," Liang said.
"Very well," she said, after a tense pause. "Deal."
"We’ll meet back here in a year," Liang said. "Farewell."
"Until then," she said.
And with that, she disappeared, leaving Liang alone with his thoughts..
Behind him, the woman’s laughter echoed, but she, too, vanished shortly afterwards.
Unnoticed by anyone other than the dancing shadows, Liang resurfaced from his hidden corner, grappling with a dilemma. How could he bear to part with the true runes of the three Runic Mastery Realm experts?
Yet, he couldn’t risk exposing his true intentions to the woman. The chaos rune, his ultimate secret and trump card, must remain concealed. That was precisely why he had reluctantly feigned departure, cunningly deceiving her.
The chaos rune etched into Liang’s forehead pulsed with an ominously gleaming light, as if waking from a slumber deep within the fabric of his being. The fallen runic experts lay still, their fates already sealed. In the hushed air around them, five runes emerged, winking into existence like stars called forth by an unseen astral hand.
These runes danced a slow, haunting ballet around the static bodies, glowing with primordial energy. Drawn to the chaos rune’s sinister magnetism, they glided toward it with a sense of purpose as old as magic itself. As they approached, the aura of the chaos rune intensified, a sign of its voracious appetite for power.
Then, each rune, resonating in perfect harmony with the cosmic symphony, began to unravel into ethereal strands. With an elegance that belied the malevolence of the act, they entwined with the chaos rune, the light around the rune devouring them whole.
Their essences, now bound and assimilated, were transmuted, igniting the chaos rune with a surge of chaotic might.
Liang’s aura, now a turbulent torrent, crested at the pinnacle of the Runeforged Embodiment Realm.
But as his power threatened to burgeon into the Runic Mastery Realm, he intervened, pressing his teeth firmly into his lip. Ceasing the swell of his cultivation was a conscious exertion of will, a dam against the onrush of burgeoning power.
"If I continue my breakthrough now," he murmured under his breath, "the transition to the Runic Mastery Realm could span over a year..."
His brow furrowed at the thought, "By then, Eldris might have already consumed the Yin Essence. The likelihood is he could be channeling its power at this very moment."
Two paths unfurled before him, each fraught with consequence. On one trail, he could continue the breakthrough, surrendering himself to the ascent to Runic Mastery. The alternate route would lead him on a perilous hunt for Eldris to claim the Yin Essence.
Without a shred of hesitation, Liang opted for the second option. While his own cultivation paled in comparison to that of Eldris, Liang knew all too well that raw power did not guarantee victory in a battle. Eldris may possess formidable strength, but his combat skills were unremarkable at best.
As for the question of how Liang intended to locate his target amidst the vast expanse, a sly smile curled upon his lips. He had foreseen such a predicament with uncanny foresight. Without drawing a single gaze, he deftly left a concealed void mark on the Yin Essence.
Despite his calculated nature, not all of his actions were immediately evident in their purpose. However, in the end, he often achieved his desired outcomes.
His arrival in this solar system was not solely driven by the compass but primarily to delve into Runic Cultivation. Having witnessed its potency, he had long yearned to embark on this path.
This decision proved wise as his progress as a Runic Cultivator surged dramatically in a short time.
Dong Rue’s willingness to share her cultivation technique with him played a crucial role in his advancement. Additionally, her connections would soon grant him access to the true echelons of the Runic Civilization, be it through gatherings or the Dong Clan itself.
Alliances were on the horizon, and the Heavenly Will Palace’s opening seemed like an opportune moment to forge one with the Dong Clan. He doubted that he and Revenant Xuan alone possessed sufficient strength.
The Martial Rising Realm remained a wildcard. Engaging with a realm lord was an arduous task.
The need for more allies was pressing. Once a minor character in the cosmic scheme, he had now amassed some power, but it was still insufficient. To secure an alliance with a formidable faction, he must first elevate his own standing. Only as equals could they forge a genuine partnership, lest he risk being exploited.