Void Cultivation

Chapter 358: Chapter 357- Paranoia (6)

"I have to prepare myself... and grow stronger."

Grey spoke after a long silence, his expression resolute and unwavering. He was not someone who wasted words. In fact, he rarely spoke unless it was necessary. Yet he understood better than anyone what was at stake.

The arrival of the major sects was no small matter. Powerful cultivators from across the continent would soon descend upon Sky Mist City. Whether they came with good intentions or hidden motives remained unknown. In a world where strength determined one’s fate, Grey knew there was only one thing he could rely on.

Power.

Without hesitation, he returned to the Detective Department and locked himself inside his office. He had already made up his mind.

Closed-door cultivation.

He would not emerge until his strength had increased significantly.

Inside the room, Grey sat cross-legged on the floor and slowly closed his eyes. His breathing gradually became calm and steady. The noise of the outside world faded away as his consciousness descended into a state of deep meditation.

Soon, his thoughts quieted and his awareness drifted inward.

However, Grey did not leave himself completely defenseless.

Before entering meditation, he summoned the shadow.

The dark figure emerged silently from beneath him, standing nearby like a loyal servant.

"Continue gathering corrosive substances during the night," Grey instructed. "Absorb whatever you can and grow stronger. During the day, remain here and guard me."

The shadow lowered its head obediently.

Although it possessed intelligence and its own will, it did not object. Ever since being suppressed and bound by the purple crystal, its resistance had diminished considerably. It merely accepted Grey’s command without complaint.

Even so, Grey did not feel entirely reassured.

A moment later, the purple phantom appeared from the darkness.

Its body flickered with a faint violet glow before becoming nearly transparent once again.

"You will stand watch as well," Grey said calmly. "If danger appears, wake me immediately before engaging the enemy."

The phantom silently nodded.

Only after arranging these precautions did Grey finally relax and allow his consciousness to sink completely inward.

The world around him vanished.

When his vision returned, he found himself standing within his Sea of Consciousness.

The enormous purple moon hung high above, casting a dim and mysterious glow across the endless waters below. Purple light reflected upon every wave, causing the entire sea to resemble a vast ocean of liquid amethyst.

The sight was beautiful.

Yet beneath that beauty lurked countless mysteries.

Grey’s gaze swept across his spiritual world.

Not far away stood the totem of the Soul Devouring Everlasting Bird. The enormous figure remained motionless, radiating an ancient and oppressive aura.

Below the surface of the water, Grey spotted another familiar presence.

The Mosasaur.

The giant sea beast drifted beneath the waves while staring directly at him.

Its enormous eyes contained an emotion that surprised Grey.

Confusion.

"It’s time I figure out what to do with you."

Grey’s voice echoed across the Sea of Consciousness as he slowly approached.

The moment the Mosasaur noticed him moving closer, it became visibly nervous. Its massive body shifted beneath the water as it swam in circles.

Grey stopped directly above it.

The beast immediately raised its head and locked eyes with him.

A thoughtful expression appeared on Grey’s face.

Although the creature could not speak, he could sense a faint intelligence within its gaze. It was enough to make him suspect that the Mosasaur understood more than it appeared to.

"Why are you still alive?"

Grey’s voice became colder.

"I devoured your life force. I consumed your soul essence. By all logic, you should no longer exist. Yet somehow, you continue to reside within my Sea of Consciousness."

The Mosasaur trembled.

Its enormous maw opened and closed repeatedly.

It seemed to be attempting to answer him.

Unfortunately, no words emerged.

Only silence.

Grey frowned slightly.

Without another word, his body dissolved into countless particles of light before instantly reappearing beneath the water directly before the Mosasaur.

The moment he drew closer, a strange connection formed between them.

Grey could vaguely perceive the beast’s intentions.

He could feel its emotions.

Its thoughts.

Its desires.

"You wish to survive..."

Grey narrowed his eyes.

The Mosasaur lowered its head.

Grey stared at the giant creature in silence.

If they had met within the Dead Sea, this same beast would have fought him to the death without hesitation.

Everyone knew the nature of a Mosasaur.

They were ferocious creatures that possessed terrifying vitality and unwavering courage. As long as a single spark of life remained within them, they would continue fighting. They would never retreat.

For such a creature, there were only two outcomes.

Its death.

Or the death of its enemy.

Yet now, that same monstrous sea beast was looking at him with an entirely different gaze.

There was no hostility.

No bloodlust.

No murderous intent.

Instead, there was only submission.

The expression in its eyes resembled that of a subordinate standing before its master.

"I don’t know why you’re here," Grey finally said.

"I don’t know how you survived after being devoured. Nor do I understand why you exist within my Sea of Consciousness."

His voice paused briefly.

"But since fate has already brought you here, then I will accept it."

The Mosasaur’s eyes brightened. Grey continued.

"From this day forward, I will be your master."

"You will answer my call."

"You will obey my commands."

The giant beast immediately nodded.

Its massive body surged through the water before stopping in front of Grey.

Then, in a gesture that appeared surprisingly human, it lowered its enormous head toward him.

Grey looked at it quietly.

A moment later, he raised his hand and gently placed it upon the creature’s forehead.

The Mosasaur closed its eyes.

The surrounding waters became calm.

For a brief moment, neither moved.

An invisible bond seemed to strengthen between them.

Soon afterward, Grey’s consciousness withdrew from the Sea of Consciousness and returned to his physical body.

His eyes slowly opened.

A faint sigh escaped his lips.

The connection between himself and the Mosasaur had become noticeably stronger.

It felt strangely similar to the bond he shared with the shadow.

The sensation was unusual.

Yet it was not unpleasant.

Grey lowered his gaze toward his chest.

’I suppose this is another effect of the purple crystal.’

The mysterious crystal had already bound the shadow to him.

Now it appeared to have done the same thing with the Mosasaur.

Whether that was fortunate or dangerous remained uncertain.

The crystal itself was still one of the greatest mysteries in Grey’s life.

After merging with his heart, it had fundamentally changed him.

Not only had it suppressed and sealed powerful existences within his body, but it had also influenced many aspects of his cultivation.

The first existence it restrained was the shadow.

The second was the Mosasaur.

And who knew what else it might affect in the future?

Grey’s eyes narrowed slightly.

’I have to uncover the truth behind the purple crystal.’

His thoughts drifted toward the purple moon hanging within his Sea of Consciousness.

Then to his sword art.

Both had been transformed by the crystal’s influence.

Both had become inseparable parts of him.

The crystal possessed an incomprehensible suppressive power capable of affecting nearly everything it touched.

Whether that power would ultimately become his greatest fortune or his greatest calamity remained unknown.

Yet one thing was certain.

The answers he sought were hidden somewhere within the mysterious purple crystal.

And one day, he would uncover them all.