Dong Rui mulled over her thoughts, her eyes narrowing with uncertainty. If Liang wasn’t interested in her technique, what could he possibly want? The answer seemed embedded in her identity as the Saintess of the Dong Clan. Maybe that’s why Liang saved her repeatedly; it wasn’t her skills but her status that intrigued him.
Though she wasn’t impulsive, Dong Rui strategically interacted with people to serve her purposes. Evana, for instance, witnessed her feigned weakness. A calculated move. When opponents see vulnerability, they push harder. Dong Rui wanted to gauge just how far Evana would push.
Frustration furrowed her brow; no matter how she analyzed the situation, Liang’s motives remained obscured. This confusing mystery left her unsure of which façade to present to him.
Then, a spark of clarity ignited her mind. She wasn’t a virtuous person; her past actions were laden with sins that many would deem unforgivable. If Liang mingled with her so indifferently, he, too, must carry his own share of shadows.
A drawn-out sigh escaped her lips, and something within her shifted. Her entire demeanor transformed, manifesting a completely different persona. There was resolve in her eyes as she steadied her gaze on Liang.
"While I may not be virtuous, I can distinguish between gratitude and grudges," Dong Rui said earnestly, her voice carrying a newfound gravity. "Brother Liang, I hope you will stop beating around the bush and tell me directly what you really want from me. If it’s within my capabilities, I won’t shy away."
Liang’s eyes flashed with a momentary surprise, studying the true essence of Dong Rui that emerged before him. Her aura radiated authenticity, starkly different from her earlier demeanor.
"Do you think you have anything that can compensate for saving your life?" Liang grinned, locking his gaze onto hers. "You just need to keep your promise and take me to Nexus."
A cold edge entered Dong Rui’s voice, tinged with skepticism. "That can’t be everything, right?"
Liang shook his head, his eyes narrowing with disapproval. "Of course not. What I desire is beyond your capability."
Dong Rui remained composed, her eyes glinting with sudden comprehension. "I see; you seek the Dong Clan higher-ups," she said coolly. "I wouldn’t even be surprised if you’re looking for the patriarch."
Liang’s gaze turned icy at her words, and he scrutinized Dong Rui once more, evaluating her with renewed focus.
"You’re not entirely wrong," he admitted. Since the situation had progressed this far, there was no point in hiding his intentions. He was growing weary of this charade.
Dong Rui relaxed visibly, relieved that she didn’t need to remain so guarded since Liang needed her cooperation. She casually retrieved a cushion from her space ring and settled down comfortably.
Liang couldn’t help but shake his head in mild exasperation. Women are so temperamental.
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"Brother Liang, now that everything is out in the open, what do you think of that girl Yue Xin?" Dong Rui queried suddenly, reclining on her cushion.
Liang chuckled, finding the question intriguing. "Honestly, I have no clear idea about her. But for her to clinch the first place so effortlessly and to have Evana follow her lead, you can deduce much about her capabilities."
"It won’t be long before we know everything about her. Most likely, everyone is already searching for information about her."
Just then, Dong Rui’s demeanor shifted. Her voice turned cold as she commanded, "Who’s there? Show yourself!" She waved her hand, sending a ray of dark energy towards the intruder.
Liang’s mouth twitched as a black hole manifested, absorbing the energy. He rose from his seat and approached the cave entrance, turning to Dong Rui. "I’ll be back."
Dong Rui’s eyes flickered with curiosity as she focused on the cave entrance. Surprise flashed across her face as she saw who was standing there.
It was none other than Luo Li. She stood at the cave’s mouth. Luo Li cast a brief glance at Dong Rui and acknowledged her with a nod before walking away with Liang.
What could bring Luo Li here? Dong Rui wondered, her mind racing with possibilities.
****
"Are you ready?" Liang asked casually, his voice a low hum breaking the tranquil night air as his piercing eyes fixated on Luo Li.
Luo Li took a deep breath and nodded. She carefully pulled out a rectangular obsidian stone from her pouch. The stone shimmered darkly under the moonlight, its sleek surface appearing almost liquid. Her fingers trembled slightly as she held it up, her gaze lingering on its polished facets. Slowly, she lifted her eyes to meet Liang’s.
"I will choose this stone."
Liang’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. He leaned forward to scrutinize the stone. To him, it looked like a mundane piece of rock that could easily be overlooked in any rubble. But he sensed a deeper significance as Luo Li held it. After a moment’s contemplation, he nodded solemnly and made a sweeping gesture with his hand.
Almost instantaneously, four glowing runes materialized around him, each pulsing with an ethereal light. The Chaos Rune, in particular, shimmered brilliantly on his forehead, casting an otherworldly glow that played across his features.
Luo Li’s eyes widened as she marveled at the runes. There was an inexplicable allure to them, a sense of profound mystery that tugged at her curiosity. The intricate designs and the way they radiated energy were unlike anything she had ever seen. She felt an intense urge to keep staring at them, captivated by their presence.
The runes began to spin slowly, gaining momentum with each rotation. Smaller, intricate runes started to form around them, like stars being born in a cosmic dance. These new runes extended in an intricate choreography, forming a luminous chain that connected the four primary runes.
In the blink of an eye, a grand formation took shape, intricate patterns humming with life and energy. At the heart of this formation, two runic chains emerged, their ethereal links shimmering as they reached outwards. One chain wrapped itself gently but firmly around Luo Li’s body, the other coiled around the obsidian stone in her hand.