For the past week, Liang has enjoyed a leisurely retreat. Abandoning both cultivation and planning, he has spent his days indulging in fine food and drink while basking in the tranquility of the surrounding scenery.
Only one person has been a regular visitor to this serene haven — none other than Elder Hue.
"Elder Hue, how is everything progressing?" Liang inquired nonchalantly, as he casually plucked and savored a bunch of spiritual grapes.
Elder Hue’s eyes twinkled with satisfaction and responded warmly. "Brother Liang, things are going better than you can imagine."
Liang nodded, his expression one of mild expectation. "How many remain?"
Elder Hue’s eyes flickered with thoughtful consideration. "Only the most critical ones."
A moment of contemplative silence passed between them. Liang finally reached into the depths of his robes, retrieving a space ring, which he handed to Elder Hue.
With a nod of acknowledgment, Elder Hue accepted the space ring, scanning its contents with his Ethereal Will. A look of astonishment spread across his face as he comprehended the magnitude of what he was seeing. Taking a deep breath, he met Liang’s gaze. "Are you absolutely certain about this?"
Liang chuckled softly while cradling a cup of five-thousand-year-old spiritual wine. "Sometimes, achieving greatness requires sacrifices of equal measure."
Elder Hue regarded Liang with deep admiration before sighing earnestly. "Brother Liang, your determination is indeed a rare and admirable quality."
The following day, Elder Hue visited once more, his face beaming with joy. "Brother Liang, everything has gone surprisingly well. Many expressed their gratitude, and some even promised to repay you in the future."
Liang showed no reaction, prompting Elder Hue to voice a long-standing question. "Honestly, Brother Liang, what are your chances in numerical terms?"
Liang’s eyes glimmered thoughtfully. "Why worry about it? Everything will be clear by tomorrow." With that, he drew out another space ring and handed it to Elder Hue before closing his eyes in apparent tranquility.
Elder Hue examined the space ring suspiciously before scanning it with his Ethereal Will. His expression shifted from curiosity to shock, then to hesitation.
A determined resolve suddenly sparked in his eyes. He glanced at Liang, who feigned sleep, with newfound determination.
Without another word, Elder Hue bowed and left quietly.
The following day, another visitor arrived at Liang’s residence.
It was none other than Dong Rui.
"I heard that Elder Hue has been visiting you almost every day this past week," Dong Rui remarked, her tone laced with curiosity and suspicion.
Liang merely smiled. "You are overthinking. We just get along well."
"As if," Dong Rui snorted, eyeing Liang suspiciously. "What are you plotting?"
Liang chuckled, his eyes dancing with amusement. "I heard you secured a free slot to enter the Primordial Rune Secret Realm."
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Dong Rui’s mouth twitched. "A ’free’ slot? It seems rumors travel quickly."
"Isn’t it true?" Liang teased, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
"Of course not," Dong Rui replied icily, her gaze unwavering. "I did receive the slot directly; however, anyone in the same realm as I am can challenge me. If they win, they will acquire the slot. The challenge continues in this manner."
Liang responded with a mocking smile but chose to remain silent.
"Are you ready?" Dong Rui’s voice was laced with deliberate provocation as she pierced Liang with her stare.
Nodding with resolve, Liang rose to his feet. "Let’s go."
Dong Rui gave a curt nod and led the way. It wasn’t long before they stood before a shimmering space portal, its surface rippling like liquid glass.
Both passed through smoothly, only to emerge into a land of grandeur and spectacle. Liang’s eyes widened as he took in the new surroundings. They now stood in front of a colossal structure akin to an ancient Roman amphitheater, but its majesty dwarfed anything he’d ever imagined. Towering marble pillars loomed, their surfaces adorned with intricate carvings that whispered tales from a bygone era.
Gigantic screens framed the arena, each one as vast as a small lake, displaying dynamic, shifting scenes of distant battles and arcane rituals. Yet what pulled Liang’s gaze was at the heart of this magnificent coliseum.
Suspended high in the air was a massive circular platform, levitating with an almost ethereal grace. Its surface was a mystery: a pitch-black, obsidian-like material devoid of any discernible texture, shimmering in the ambient light. Etched into this otherworldly floor were countless runes, their intricate patterns swirling and shifting as if carrying the very secrets of the primordial beginning.
Liang could feel the immense power radiating from the platform. This was no ordinary battleground; it was as if it resonated with the very essence of the void. He inhaled deeply, sensing the void law aura emitting from it.
"Impressive," he muttered under his breath, a rare acknowledgment from someone like him.
Indeed, this platform bore the unmistakable hallmark of the Dong Clan. From his vast experience, Liang could discern that this was no mere arena. It was a void treasure, likely transcending the transcendent grade—perhaps it was even of the sacred grade.
Seated near the platform was an elderly man, draped in a flowing black robe. His gray eyes, devoid of light and life, immediately revealed his blindness to any observer.
Dong Rui approached the old man, a gesture that Liang mirrored.
"Show the utmost respect," Dong Rui advised in a hushed tone. "This venerable elder hails from my grandfather’s generation. He once contended for the patriarch’s position alongside my grandfather."
Liang nodded, his lips sealed in silent acknowledgment. Though he couldn’t gauge the old man’s cultivation level, an ominous aura hung about him, invoking an instinctive sense of dread.
As they reached the elder, Dong Rui bowed deeply, with Liang following suit.
"Greetings, Supreme Elder Tian Mu," Dong Rui said, her voice imbued with reverence. "We are here to receive our participation plates." She handed over her token, and Liang followed her lead.
The old man nodded indifferently and handed her a silver plate emblazoned with the number 12.
When it came time to address Liang, the elder’s gray eyes scrutinized him, his brow furrowing slightly.
"What business does a foreigner like you have here?"