Duality of Shadows

The whale opened its eyes in alarm, finding itself in a world covered by destructive spatial blades. Everything was collapsing, and they were at the center, with various blades pointed at them but moving slowly.

Looking ahead, they sighed in relief to see Ruri unconscious among several rocks, still safe. From a distance, they spotted Langrum and Almin. The earth runes they used to protect them before inspecting Ruri were already completely destroyed, and they were just a few meters away from a spatial blade that threatened to destroy them.

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’DAMN IT!’ The whale tried to run, but all its Qi was drained in the battle. They would never make it in time with their own legs.

’We don’t have time. The rune!’ Bruno shouted and took control of the whale’s body, rushing towards the nearby Ruri.

Alm then focused on space and used all the divine Qi to create that imitation of the Queen. Bruno had already transformed half of it into a white light; now, the Qi shaped itself at Alm’s will and mixed, alternating between white and black. It didn’t fuse into gray; it would just light up in white, soon devour all the light, and turn black, then in a few seconds go back to white in a strange and endless cycle.

Without hesitation, Alm poured everything into the small rune. The whale quickly reached Ruri, who was unconscious. In a matter of seconds, they replanted the rune inside her mental sea and checked her physical condition.

’She’s perfectly fine!’ Bruno shouted.

"WAKE UP, BRAT, IT’S TRAINING TIME!" The whale exclaimed, using Alm’s words. Instantly, Ruri opened her eyes, bewildered, murmuring sleepily.

"What..."

"There’s no free time! Focus on your soul, feel our will inside you, and activate it. You have one minute, or we’ll all die," the whale spoke quickly.

Ruri trembled instantly, her mind working fast as she closed her eyes. Feeling her master’s will inside her soul... that was something ambiguous and hard to even understand, let alone execute.

Bruno then intervened. "Remember all the moments... I mean, from the moment we accepted you as a disciple. The good and bad things we went through together, and try to feel our presence."

Ruri let her memories pass through her mind slowly, noting that the bad moments were only in the past. Currently, every day was difficult, but they were happy. Her heart beat frantically, and she managed to feel something subtle. It was a comforting presence.

Bruno and Alm noticed her awareness touching the rune. "Great. Now, try using your soul to trigger the power of this rune!"

When they said that, Ruri’s eyes opened. The world around her seemed to lose color, and in her eyes, only white and black light were present. The whale touched her forehead, and the mark of a rune appeared there, like a tattoo, while her eyes returned to normal.

"Can you feel the laws of the earth?" They asked hastily, and Ruri nodded in astonishment.

"Try to draw them to you. Use them to bring Almin and Langrum. RUN!" They said, lifting her and throwing her in the right direction.

"What?! Ahhhh!"

Ruri gave a slightly frightened scream but saw Almin and Langrum, who had fallen far away, with a dozen blades approaching dangerously. Urgency quickly took over her, which stimulated her potential, allowing her to attract the few earth runes to her body.

When she landed after the throw, the earth bowed, and with quick steps, she ran at a frightening speed for her cultivation. The rune on her forehead resonated with the laws, and the earth runes obeyed her call like obedient children.

In a second, she reached Almin and Langrum’s side. She grabbed their arms and used all the power of her legs to run back. Alm and Bruno watched in admiration; they were sure... this rune... this power... it was all very similar to the power of a hero!

A true and experienced hero had power far beyond that elf they faced in the main quest. When they activate everything, the energy of Heaven and Earth comes at their beck and call by their own will.

As long as there is energy in the surrounding area, celestial runes will provide everything. As a result, heroes have an almost inexhaustible supply of energy whenever they fight. But, of course, the hero should have an understanding of this rune and law to use it correctly.

Ruri approached them slowly, but now there was no hatred in Alm and Bruno’s eyes seeing that power. This ability was on Ruri’s side. And an exhilaration welled up in their minds.

When Ruri reached their side, she released the duo on the ground and jumped towards the whale, instantly disappearing. They caught her and sighed, analyzing her condition; controlling this rune required an extraordinary spiritual power. Ruri could only use it for a few breaths, but the advantages were terrifying and extreme.

However, after Ruri used the rune, they also noticed something different. The power of that rune had fallen considerably. A few minutes ago, the clash of Alm and Bruno against that rune caused the destruction of the fifth level. That was a power that surpassed even the power of the patriarchs of the evil sects.

Yet, seeing the rune’s power now, Bruno and Alm immediately understood. Because the Queen’s will disappeared, the rune also lost most of its power. It didn’t have even 1% of its capability anymore. Of course, it was still a huge boost for Ruri. From their initial estimation after seeing Ruri’s movements while saving Almin and Langrum, she should be able to fight those three to four stages higher in cultivation than herself. It’s just that she could only sustain such a boost for a short time, so they will have to train her well later so she knows when to use it.

Alm and Bruno quickly put that matter aside and turned towards the pieces of the fallen crystal on the ground. There, before, was the core of the formation that sealed the fourth and fifth levels. It was almost completely destroyed, but there was still a bit of power. It was just enough to get everyone out of there quickly.

The space around them twisted, and in the next second, they were on the fourth level. The whale didn’t even look back, grabbed the three of them, and ran away using only its worn-out and heavily injured physical body. A few minutes later, the entire fifth level collapsed along with the spatial laws that formed it.

The fourth level shook, and several cracks appeared in the sky. But soon, they stopped growing and stabilized. Alm and Bruno smiled; all the treasure of that prison was stolen by them. And even if a capable cultivator arises in the future, there will be nothing left for them. No one will ever emerge at the same level as the three founders of the sects.

On the other hand, now they discovered many new things, and Bruno was the most excited about it all.

When they found a cave they deemed safe, they entered and sealed the entrance with rocks.

Inside, they sat down and focused entirely on the rune inside Ruri. The mark on her forehead had disappeared, but with a thought, it would reappear. They could feel the connection of the rune to them and could soulfully analyze its properties after seeing it in action.

’Good, very good.’ Bruno was ecstatic. ’We’ve discovered a method to steal a bit of the Queen’s divine QI and still create a hero under our control. Hahahahahhaha.’

Alm then spoke dryly. ’We can’t do it again without having the divine QI available. If we face a hero, we’ll have to kill them. We won’t have another opportunity. Also, you also saw that the rune lost most of its power.’

Bruno retorted. ’The queen will automatically give up her QI as soon as someone talented enough to catch her attention emerges.’

’Yes, but how are we going to find someone talented enough for that? We still have to wait for the Queen to make her move; it’s not worth the effort.’ Alm said curtly.

’Are you stupid? We have the array, we have the system techniques, and there probably aren’t many people in this universe as experienced as us in cultivation. We just need to train people and make them shockingly powerful, to the point where the Queen moves.’ Bruno spoke calmly. ’We can get our hands in more of the Queen’s Divine Qi.’

At that moment, Alm understood and became thoughtful. This really wasn’t a bad idea at all, but it would imply them being forced to take care of and reveal many secrets to many people. Alm didn’t trust anyone completely... or maybe he trusted one person...

Bruno seemed to understand Alm’s thoughts and added. ’Of course, we shouldn’t gather too many people. Resources and our time are not infinite, but trustworthy people will be very welcome.’

Alm still didn’t seem happy with that. But looking around, they had already formed a group without even trying. And everyone had received many benefits while being trained directly by them.

In this moment of reflection, Ruri seemed to tremble in her unconscious state, then her arms moved, reaching for something. She was right in front of them, and at that moment, she touched their crossed fat legs; then she quickly crawled up on their lap and nestled there like a cat.

Alm saw her expression change to something relaxed and peaceful, sleeping soundly. His mind then seemed to clear slightly, and Bruno, feeling that, smiled, thanking this little girl.

’It will be good for her to have friends and socialize with others. She’s too attached to us; in the future, that will be very problematic.’

Alm then sighed, speaking. ’Few people, and only those approved by both of us. Once we reach a limit, we’ll simply steal the power from the already activated runes of others.’

Bruno nodded in agreement before Alm added. ’Yes, and no women. Especially very young ones. The last thing I need is others thinking I have a fucking Harem. Others thinking I’m we are a lolicon because of you is already enough.’