Going back in time a bit...
The whale surged toward the Pristine planet as Alm and Bruno carefully pondered. Then, they cast their gazes to a distant point, on the opposite side of the planet: the moon, where the four families resided in a hidden formation. On the surface of this satellite existed a separate and enigmatic world.
With the revelation of their identity as missionaries, also known as Heaven-Defiers, spreading rapidly, it was likely that an intense search had already taken place. By investigating the memories of those who emerged from the abyss in the city, they would certainly have obtained this certainty.
They assumed that an intensive search had taken place, but upon not finding them, it became evident that they were no longer on the planet. It would be foolish to presume they would return so promptly. But for safety, constant surveillance was likely waiting for them. A Heaven-Defier was something coveted by all the queen’s worshippers.
’We can’t reveal our return so soon; it could quickly spiral out of control,’ Bruno commented reflexively.
Alm activated all available Yin, enveloping the whale as they moved cautiously and concealed themselves. Sighing, Alm analyzed the situation coolly.
’The eastern region, in the desert, is undoubtedly the most dangerous point at the moment. In the south of the continent, the dwarves were probably implicated by our presence; therefore, it is equally dangerous. The North, although we’ve never been there, seems an obvious choice, which means it will be under constant surveillance. We should head west and establish ourselves deep in the forest first. It’s a dangerous place for everyone, but it will provide us safety while we quietly investigate everything around us.’
Bruno inwardly sighed. Alm’s words were logical and safe, but he didn’t want to wait at all. Sometimes, being cold and logical wasn’t the most assertive choice.
Alm noticed Bruno’s internal conflict and added, ’You can’t feel our followers, right? We have no reason to believe they are alive, unfortunately.’
’I don’t know. The twelve families are linked to the divine world. The spatial laws of an ascending planet are much more subtle and easier to manipulate. It’s possible that there’s a method to prevent the power of faith and the connection I have from working,’ Bruno said, trying to hold onto hope.
Alm understood the logic, but the enemy was something they couldn’t face. They couldn’t take such a huge risk based on just an assumption. However, internally, he also felt an irrational urge to act as soon as possible. Alm couldn’t comprehend why, but their instincts were the most precious thing they had.
The whale entered the planet’s atmosphere and surveyed the continent from a very high point. Its eyes were drawn towards the desert. The dense clouds covered almost everything there, but the visible points seemed enveloped by the usual intense sandstorm. However, something seemed off to them; something subtle and almost imperceptible. And it surprisingly came from the array.
’THEY DIDN’T DIE!’ Bruno immediately concluded.
The array directly connected their lives, souls, and meridians, with them as the epicenter of that connection. Although they couldn’t pinpoint their exact location, they realized that the array remained perfectly intact, suggesting they were still alive somewhere in the world below.
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’If I were the enemy, I wouldn’t kill them either; I’d capture and use them either for information or to lure a bigger enemy. A pretty obvious trap,’ Alm said quickly, but he felt his soul pulsate, and a tremor hit him, leaving him stunned.
Bruno experienced the same phenomenon. Something strange and illogical was happening, challenging even their instincts, which had saved them countless times in the past. However, this sensation was related to something beyond themselves.
At this moment, they were safe and completely hidden. Were their instincts warning them about something beyond themselves? Had a bloodthirsty villain managed to connect so deeply with others, and now their instinct could extend to them? The two couldn’t believe this new possibility.
Bruno was the first to speak up, his eyes shining with determination. ’We have to act fast. No matter what awaits us, if she’s alive, we have to solve it.’
Alm didn’t respond; he didn’t want to admit it. The whale moved quickly towards the desert, and the Yin that concealed them almost dissipated.
With limited speed due to their low cultivation, it took a few minutes for them to approach the dense clouds over the desert and pass through them. It was at that moment that the whale stopped in mid-air, its eyes widening.
’FUCK! This is a divine-level formation!’ Bruno exclaimed, clearly feeling the power emanating from it.
Alm took a deep breath, analyzing the energy emanating from the formation. They approached slowly, and the whale’s eyes shone brightly. Soon, both of them were stunned. This was not just a divine-level formation; it completely prevented the penetration of anything from the outside. This went far beyond the physical; even their divine souls couldn’t penetrate it.
’An expert in formations in the Heavenly Saint Realm created this... This formation subtly defies celestial laws,’ Alm concluded with a cold expression.
The Heavenly Saint Realm was the ninth realm of cultivation, something at a divine level. In this realm, cultivators could perceive the karma of the world and people, and they also had the possibility to break the rules of the world on a small scale, creating a new level of abilities and techniques.
Creating something like this would certainly trigger a heavenly tribulation. However, when the creation surpassed it and survived, it was accepted by the heavens. It was more common for pills or weapons forged by these cultivators to undergo these tribulations. The weapons could contain life and intelligence, while the pills were made from the purest and most natural ingredients, giving them resistance to the natural power of the heavens. Both of them had a real chance of surviving, but a formation at this level surviving and existing was rare. The value of this formation must be staggering.
Bruno quickly thought, feeling the tightening in his soul increase. ’It doesn’t matter. This is composed of Qi and laws still. If it’s not physical, the Duality of Shadows law can destroy it.’ Bruno spoke and wanted to destroy everything immediately on impulse, but Alm reflected and stopped him quickly.
’Wait, maintaining this formation must come at a huge cost. If they still hold it, by some miracle, the city has resisted until today; many of the enemies must be inside. If we simply invade like this, we’ll be surrounded. If, by some miracle, we survive, all twelve families and even the four Empyrean families will come, and we won’t have a way to escape. How are we going to save anyone in this condition?’
Bruno stopped, clenching his fists tightly, but their instinctive desperation only grew. It was at this moment that Alm quickly said, ’This formation... despite lightly challenging the laws, its core and energy are not the laws of space. It isolates the inner world from everything through the five basic natural elements. Being something natural, the formation can do what it does by blending with the environment.’
’The basic elements are variations of Yin and Yang! The third level of the tattoos!’ Bruno understood and exclaimed immediately.
Alm nodded. They hadn’t been able to advance to the third level until now. Their concept was simple: ’Control.’ Anything that had life or death could be controlled. For the two of them, who could merge Yin and Yang, controlling was neither pleasant nor suited them. They always preferred to destroy, not to control. Rooting out evil was more efficient; controlling implied maintaining their control, it was laborious and pointless. But, at this moment, all their will was triggered to the limit.
In the same second, the two breathed in synchrony. The image of the girl they had seen grow up and had been away from for almost a century permeated their minds. Unknowingly, they were once again a single soul and mind.
The tattoos in the whale’s world pulsed with abnormal power. Then, they waved their arms open. Soon, all forms of life on the planet felt the air freeze in their lungs.
It seemed that all celestial laws and all the Qi of the world pressed directly upon them. Those with a weaker cultivation fell to their knees on the ground immediately. It wasn’t suppression; it was complete domination.
The whale then looked down at the formation below. With a thought, all the runes of the five elements that composed its core ceased to circulate. They then waved their gaze as cracks appeared.
Crack! Crack!!
The whale snorted, and everything below trembled violently.
BOOOOM!!!