Absolute ResonanceAbsolute Resonance
World's End River Region, Heavenly Dragon City
The gigantic Golden Dragonscale Cloud Formation was activated, and vast energy fluctuations spread like a storm. The void was constantly shattered by the energy waves, creating a huge crack with a width of a hundred thousand feet.
A humongous, golden shield of light covered the entire city, and right outside that shield was the torrential black rain.
The monsoon-like downpour fell from the highest heavens, exuding a gloomy energy. Every single droplet felt ominous and seemed like it was foreshadowing something far more grim.
It also formed a curtain that obscured everyone's vision. Even one's resonant power sense was curtailed by the corruption.
One would definitely get lost if they tried to travel out there.
As the rain pooled on the ground, Others very slowly emerged from the dense corruption. They would then wander in all directions.
It was indeed a scene of ghosts walking amidst the rain.
Within Heavenly Dragon City, the experts all had solemn and fearful expressions as they watched the rain fall. This was the terrifying Stygian Rain of Calamity, and even high-grade Dukes were endangered by it.
In this situation, they had to rely on cities with mighty defensive wards to protect them. Countless respectful gazes were directed towards the center of Heavenly Dragon City, where the lofty Heavenly Dragon Pavilion sat. They could see an elderly figure standing with his hands behind his back as he watched the inky rain fall outside the shield. It was none other than Li Jingzhe.
His presence gave the people in the city a sense of calm and relief. Looking at the entire World's End River Region, there might’ve been no location safer than the Heavenly Dragon City. After all, he was the sole Quasi-Triple Crown King Stage expert here. Although the Stygian Rain of Calamity's early descent was out of everyone's expectations, Li Jingzhe's presence eased their worries.
Li Jingzhe himself didn't seem to care about the numerous respectful gazes directed at him. His wizened eyes were focused on the pitch-black curtain of rain that now shrouded the world around him like a well. The rain could obstruct a Duke's senses, but it was impossible to block his sight.
He could see many strange and twisted Others appearing in the vicinity outside Heavenly Dragon City. However, these creatures could also sense the immense might of the defensive ward and thus did not dare to approach.
Amongst them were quite a few True Devils that were comparable to high-grade Dukes. Li Jingzhe wasn't concerned with them either as they weren't a threat to the city. All of these Others were also starting to gather, awaiting the arrival of a King.
Only Other Kings were capable of spurring them into an attack on Heavenly Dragon City.
Li Jingzhe's expression remained placid as his gaze turned towards the depth of the World's End River Region, specifically the Treasure Domain. A trace of worry appeared in his eyes.
He had thought that by coming to the World's End River Region, he could ensure Li Luo's safety. No one could have imagined that all of this would happen.
Since even he was unable to enter, who knew how Li Luo was doing now?
His old bones wouldn't be able to face his third son if anything ever happened to Li Luo. He sighed in his heart, and his gaze suddenly shifted, focusing in a distant area.
He could see that the rain was gathering in a specific spot.
Boundless amounts of corruption were being devoured there.
These energy undulations...
They indicated that an Other King had descended!
"Has it finally arrived?" Li Jingzhe calmly said to himself. His gaze pierced through the veil and rested on the countless Others that were crawling on the ground there, making unsettling noises.
They were heading towards a figure that was striding through the rain.
The figure looked strange; its body was short and small, but its limbs were massive. At the same time, atop its neck was a giant, golden head. It was wrapped in a raggedy robe with the bloody character for "death" written on it. Li Jingzhe’s expression remained calm when he saw the golden, large-headed figure. This was merely a Single Crowned King Stage Other; it was nothing to worry about. However, the Origin Reversion Institute's schemes ran deep, so there was definitely more to it.
In that case, just what were they hiding?
……
World's End River Region, Abyssal City
Qin Jiujie was standing atop the city walls as he observed the falling rain. He glanced at an armored guard beside him and coolly said to him, "A single Single Crowned King. I'm afraid that's not a threat to Li Jingzhe."
The guard seemed a little confused when he noticed Qin Jiujie was talking to him.
Qin Jiujie impatiently continued, "Why are you still messing around at a time like this?"
"Qin Jiujie, I've still remained calm despite being struck by Li Jingzhe, so why are you so antsy?" The corners of the guard's lips twisted up into a weird smirk. It was then that the features on his face vanished, turning into a faceless individual. It was the Faceless Other King. He glanced towards Heavenly Dragon City and grinned. "There is no rush at all. The show has just started."
Qin Jiujie fell silent. "The Origin Reversion Institute has long schemed over the World's End River Region. It seems you would have made your move even if I had not requested your help. So, what is your goal?"
The Faceless Other King's blank face squirmed and a peal of laughter rang out. "Isn't it to help you get rid of that thorn on your side called Li Jingzhe?"
"When you were still plotting in the dark, Li Jingzhe had yet to reach the Quasi-Triple Crown Stage," Qin Jiujie coldly replied.
The Faceless Other King grinned. "Qin Jiujie, your ambitions are a little too small. So what if we get rid of a single individual like Li Jingzhe? How about I uproot the entire Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li instead?"
Qin Jiujie's gaze narrowed. "Stop spouting nonsense. Heavenly Emperor Li hasn't died yet."
The Faceless Other King didn't deny or confirm; he merely continued smirking. "Relax, relax. Even Li Jingzhe will be unable to avoid this catastrophe."
His gaze then turned towards the depths of the World's End River Region. "So long as the ninth-grade luring platform in the Treasure Domain successfully gestates, Li Jingzhe will not be far from death."
"Just what sort of existence are you trying to attract?" Qin Jiujie asked heavily.
The Faceless Other King gave a mysterious cackle. "You'll know when the time comes."
When Qin Jiujie saw the Faceless Other King pretending to act devious, he felt extremely frustrated. He truly felt as though inviting the Faceless Other King was like leading a wolf into his house. That said, even if he had not taken action, the Faceless Other King would have come anyway...
Thus, it could be said that Li Jingzhe was simply unlucky.
"Huh?" The Faceless Other King suddenly gave a surprised shout. An eyeball tunneled out of its face, flowing with scintillating light. It seemed to be trying to observe something.
"A chess piece has been ruined." It helplessly shook its head. This was an unexpected development.
The bright side was that this was not the most important piece. It reached up, ripped out a piece of its own face, and carved some runes on it. It then spat out a mouthful of black flame, igniting it.
The piece of skin transformed into black smoke which then vanished into thin air.
……
Deep in the Treasure Domain
There was a humongous Other Dominion there, but things were eerily silent. Everything within it seemed to be frozen, including time itself.
There were a few people floating around the Other Dominion, all of whom had their eyes tightly shut as though they had fallen into some sort of trance.
If one were to look carefully, they would be able to notice that these people were the likes of Li Jiluo, Li Qingpeng, and the rest of the high-grade Dukes from the numerous powers.
They were all of the peak experts that had rushed into the depths much earlier on.
Looking at their current situation, it seemed as though they were in a deep sleep.
Clearly, some terrifying means were hidden within this Other Dominion, considering how many high-grade Dukes had been affected.
However, the silence was broken by the sounds of subtle footsteps.
Someone was slowly walking out of the Other Dominion.
It was a woman with disheveled hair and dark eyes, emanating a merciless aura.
It was Qin Lian!