84: Rumors in the Dan Domain: Spaceship

Approximately the time it takes for an incense stick to burn after Li Ao left, several auras of varying strengths cautiously approached the area that had just experienced a fierce battle from different directions.

When they saw the mountain Peak pierced by the "Nether Finger" and completely devoid of life, felt the Nirvana Concept and the cold, residual Soul aura unique to the Hall of Souls still lingering in the air, especially the desolate land utterly flattened by "Return to Ruins" where not a blade of grass grew, their faces all turned deathly pale, and they gasped sharply.

"Such... such terrifying destructive power! The lingering Concept here is actually making my Soul tremble!" A middle-aged man at the Peak Dou Wang level said, his voice hoarse and his eyes filled with terror.

"Looking at the techniques, one side is sinister and deathly silent, carrying the intent of seizing souls—it must be those scoundrels from the Hall of Souls! The other side... is a purer, more fundamental form of destruction! It was actually able to suppress and even annihilate the Hall of Souls' Nether power!" An experienced Dou Huang Elder stroked his beard, his brows tightly furrowed as he analyzed the residual battle traces, becoming increasingly alarmed the more he analyzed.

"The spatial fluctuation from the escape just now carried the unique stench of the Hall of Souls; it must have been someone from the Hall of Souls! And judging by the outcome of this battlefield, that Hall of Souls expert who fled probably suffered a huge loss!" Someone pointed to the area swept by the Return to Stillness Fist Intent and the Nirvana Slash, where the residual power of the laws still instilled dread.

"Just who is this divine being who could force a Soul Hall Protector to such an extent? Perhaps even... severing a part of his body?" Someone speculated, their gaze sweeping over the area, trying to find more evidence.

The news spread quickly throughout the nearby regions as if it had grown wings.

"A mysterious expert appears, suspected of heavily injuring a Soul Hall Protector!"

"Mysterious young man, Fist Intent of Nirvana, restraining the Hall of Souls' Nether power!"

"Black Emperor Sect Elder Ge Ye and dozens of his elite subordinates were wiped out by the mysterious expert with a wave of his hand, suspected to be related to the conflict with the Hall of Souls!"

All sorts of vivid rumors rapidly caused a considerable sensation. The Hall of Souls was notorious in the Northern Region of Central State; ordinary forces avoided them like the plague, yet now someone dared to provoke them and even seemed to have gained the upper hand. This undoubtedly ignited the curiosity and anticipation of many forces oppressed by the Hall of Souls.

Meanwhile, Li Ao, the center of the incident, was already hundreds of miles away.

He did not deliberately hide his tracks, but his speed was extremely fast, making him difficult for ordinary people to catch. His blue robe remained, his aura restrained; unless one saw it firsthand, no one could connect this person with the fiend who annihilated a Dou Huang and severed an arm of a Soul Hall Protector with a single wave of his hand.

He traveled south, heading toward the core region of Central State. Along the way, he made brief stops in some larger cities, firstly to understand the current detailed situation in Central State, and secondly to inquire about spiritual treasures or Grandmaster Alchemists capable of healing Medusa.

In a tavern in a medium-sized city named "Desolate City," Li Ao ordered a pot of clear wine and sat down casually, yet his Soul perception acted like an invisible spider web, quietly capturing all the conversations around him.

"...Did you hear? The Pill Tower's triennial Pill Gathering is starting in half a year! This is the grand event of the entire Central State Alchemy world!"

"The Pill Gathering? That's where Geniuses gather! I heard that this time, even those few young Prodigies from the Pill Tower who haven't appeared for a long time might show up!"

"The Pill Domain, where the Pill Tower is located, is the Alchemist Holy Land, gathering the continent's most Peak Alchemists and flames. Perhaps there will be a sacred medicine or a Great Master capable of restoring a Soul's Origin there."

"Heh, going to the Pill Domain isn't easy; you need to take a specific spacecraft and travel through spatial storms. The cost isn't low..."

"It is said that the reward for the champion of this Pill Gathering includes a seven-colored soul nurturing lotus seed, which is an unparalleled treasure for nourishing and repairing the Soul..."

The information was varied, but the terms "Pill Tower," "Pill Domain," and "seven-colored soul nurturing lotus seed" instantly captured all of Li Ao's attention, like lighthouses lighting up in the darkness.

The Pill Domain, the Alchemist Holy Land, gathering the world's Peak Alchemists and resources, undoubtedly greatly increased the hope of saving Medusa. And that seven-colored soul nurturing lotus seed perfectly matched his needs!

"Pill Domain... seven-colored spirit nurturing lotus..." Li Ao murmured to himself, his eyes becoming determined. No matter what, he had to go to the Pill Domain! He also had to compete in this Pill Gathering!

He put down the money for the wine, got up, left the tavern, and headed straight for the spatial wormhole plaza in the city.

The spatial wormhole in Desolate City was not very large, but the flow of people coming and going remained continuous. Large, distinct spacecraft were moored in designated areas, their hulls flashing with runic light, emitting strong spatial fluctuations.

These spacecraft varied in size and decoration. Some were as simple as shuttles, offering only the most basic spatial transit; others were as luxurious as palaces, clearly exclusive to major powers or wealthy families.

Li Ao arrived at the ticket office, where a considerable queue had formed.

"What is the price of a spacecraft ticket to 'Pill City,' the nearest entrance to the Pill Domain?" When it was Li Ao's turn, he asked directly.

The ticket seller, an old man, looked up at him, sensed his restrained yet unfathomable aura, and made his tone slightly more polite: "Your Excellency, the spacecraft ticket to Pill City is 100,000 gold coins for the ordinary cabin, and 300,000 gold coins for the VIP cabin. The next departure is in one hour."

The price was steep, but for Li Ao now, gold coins were just numbers. He casually tossed over a storage ring containing extra gold coins and low-grade demonic cores: "One VIP cabin ticket."

The old man took the storage ring, scanned it with his Divine Sense, smiled, and respectfully handed over a jade token engraved with complex spatial runes: "Your Excellency, please keep this; this is your ticket. Please board through Channel Three, and I wish you a pleasant journey."

Li Ao took the jade token and walked toward Channel Three.

At the end of the channel, a spacecraft was moored, about fifty zhang long, cast entirely from a certain dark silver metal, with smooth hull lines and countless runes for reinforcement and aerial defense inscribed on it. The hull was divided into three layers, with the VIP cabins located on the top layer, offering private rooms, better views, and enhanced protection.

After boarding, Li Ao found his room. It was not large, but the furnishings were simple and elegant, and it had basic soundproofing and defensive Formations.

He carefully took out the soul-warming jade, where Medusa resided, placed it on the bed, and, feeling the Soul fluctuations within it—still faint but relatively stable—he whispered: "Your Majesty, hold on a little longer. We will soon find a way to save you."

One hour later, the spacecraft trembled slightly, the runes on its hull lit up one by one, emitting strong spatial fluctuations. With a low hum, the spacecraft slowly sailed into the massive, rotating spatial wormhole ahead that emitted a deep silver light.

The familiar sights outside the window were instantly replaced by distorted, elongated silver streams of light, and the spacecraft officially began its voyage through the spatial tunnel.

Li Ao sat cross-legged in the room, not letting down his guard. Central State was a place where Dragons and snakes mixed; this spacecraft might not be safe. He dedicated a thread of his mind to monitoring his surroundings while the majority of his focus sank into his body, continuing to consolidate his cultivation, comprehending that strand of the Return to Stillness law, and simultaneously recalling the known information about the Pill Tower and the Pill Gathering.

Just when the spacecraft had been traveling for most of the day and everything seemed calm, Li Ao's tightly closed eyes suddenly opened, and a cold glint flashed within them.

He sensed that several hidden and malicious auras, like venomous snakes, had quietly locked onto the spacecraft and were rapidly approaching!

"Trouble truly is everywhere."

He slowly stood up, walked to the window, and his gaze pierced through the distorted silver spatial light, looking toward the depths of the profound, dark Void Realm.

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(End of Chapter 50)

Preview: Spatial travel is not a smooth road, and the sudden attackers have a clear target! How will Li Ao respond? Will his trip to the Pill Domain be obstructed because of this? Please look forward to the next chapter: Void Realm Interception!