Chapter 84: The Sovereign’s Decree

Chapter 84: The Sovereign’s Decree

Lothe could feel his consciousness slipping away from the dark palace, the spatial coordinates snapping back as his mind returned to his physical body.

Yet he did not open his eyes immediately. A brilliant cascade of system notifications was still flashing across his field of vision.

"System, show my status," he commanded mentally.

A sleek, translucent blue interface materialized before his mental eye.

[VOID SPEAR SOVEREIGN SYSTEM]

• NAME: Lothe [Surname Unknown]

• RACE: Human

• BLOODLINE: Unknown [Locked]

• CLASS: Spearman

• SUBCLASS: Array/Talisman Master

• RANK: Level 5, Tier 1 [Foundation Establishment Realm, Early Stage]

• EXP : 1,200 / 1,500

• HP: 300/300

• QI Pool: 400/400

[ATTRIBUTES]

• Strength: 200 • Agility: 150

• Constitution: 200 • Qi Control: 200

• Unallocated Attribute Points: 200

[CORE SUPERPOWER]

• Spatial Perception

[SUBCLASS & PROFESSION]

[Array/Talisman Master]

• Rank : High-Tier Earth Array Master

• Talent Grade : SSS+

• Soul Energy : 1,500 / 3,000

[FEATURES]

• [Advanced Array Analysis (Passive)]: Deciphers array nodes, energy vectors, and systemic failure points 400% faster.

• [Talisman Inscription]: Capable of drawing multi-layered Earth-Grade Talismans.

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[RUNIC GRIMOIRE]

• Status: Bound to Soul Manor (Two Pages Unlocked)

• Catalogued Runes: 30 Primordial Ancient Runes

[Key Runes Mastered]

• #001: [Convergence Rune] (Merges divergent Qi/Soul pathways)

• #002: [Compression Rune] (Densifies energy, multiplies kinetic impact)

• #003: [Refinement Rune] (Purifies internal Qi in continuous loops)

• #004: [Stabilization Rune] (Balances array circuits & prevents collapse)

• #005: [Soul-Binding Devouring Curse Rune] (Binds & consumes soul targets)

[Recorded Schematics]

• [Soul-Binding Devouring Formation] (Fully Deconstructed and Catalogued)

• [Ancient Qi Lock Mechanism] (Fully Deconstructed and Catalogued)

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[ACTIVE SKILLS & ARTS]

[ORIGINAL MARTIAL TECHNIQUES]

• [Void Spear Art — First Form: Rift Thrust (Flowing Rift)]

Wields the spear like fluid water. Frictionless spatial penetration that slides past kinetic defenses before detonating internally.

• [Void Spear Art — Second Form: Spatial Drill]

Throws or anchors the spear, twists the hilt with high-torque rotational Void Qi, releasing microscopic spatial blades that grind through heavy armor.

[SPATIAL ARTS]

• [Void Step — First Form: Spatial Anchor] (Original Technique)

Plants invisible spatial anchors within a 30-meter radius. Allows instantaneous, silent, frictionless teleportation. Cost: 15 Qi (80% reduction).

• [Spatial Blades]: Condenses ultra-thin crescent blades of folded space.

[INTERNAL CULTIVATION ARTS]

• [Void Devour (Stage 2)] (Upgraded)

Uses an internal 3-node Spatial Array Matrix around the Qi Core. Refinement Speed: +300%. Energy Conversion: 95%. Backlash: Reduced by 90%.

[PASSIVE SKILLS]

• Battlefield Veteran Lv.5

• Inspect Lv.5

• Qi Sight Lv.5

[EQUIPMENT]

• Soul Weapon: [Void Spear]

• Void Silk Robe

• Gale Boots.

—————————————

Lothe stared at his significantly improved stats, a broad, satisfied grin spreading across his face.

What excited him the most were the runes catalogued inside his [Runic Grimoire]. Having already mastered thirty primordial runes through structural deconstruction, he knew that deciphering future arrays and crafting advanced talismans would be infinitely easier.

He had truly learned a transformative amount from surviving that harrowing trial.

Looking at his Soul Energy pool—standing proudly at 1,500 / 3,000—he realized the massive jump was a direct reward from his breakthrough in array mastery and the [Ancient Formation Breaker] achievement.

Deep within his core, a warm, soothing current of Void Qi circulated through his meridians, nourishing his physical frame.

Lothe fluttered his eyelids open. His head instantly whipped to the side to check on Seana. Seeing her sleeping peacefully, curled comfortably against the massive tree branch, a soft sigh of relief escaped his lips.

He quietly shifted closer, lying down right beside her. As he gazed at her calm, beautiful face in the pale crimson moonlight, total exhaustion caught up to him. Yielding to the comforting warmth of her presence, Lothe surrendered to the call of sleep and drifted off.

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Somewhere Beyond the Human Realm...

Far, far away from Earth—

Beyond countless stars, folded dimensional barriers, and vast stretches of silent, dead space, existed a realm that had never once appeared on any mortal map.

Here, the sky was perpetually dark.

Crimson clouds drifted sluggishly across an endless black firmament, illuminated only by occasional streaks of jagged, blood-red lightning.

Ancient, jagged mountains pierced the heavens like broken spears. Rivers of dark, toxic mist flowed silently between them. And scattered throughout the desolate realm were enormous, menacing black palaces built from materials that seemed to devour the surrounding light.

At the absolute center of this terrifying domain stood a colossal palace.

Its gates loomed several hundred meters tall, guarded by two gigantic demonic statues whose stone faces were twisted into expressions of eternal torment.

Deep within the innermost chamber of the central palace, complete silence reigned.

Extending toward the cavernous ceiling was a grand, elevated staircase crafted from glittering star-stone. At the top of the stairs stood a massive, ancient throne veiled entirely in heavy, swirling black mist.

An entity sat upon the throne.

Its physical form was completely obscured, but its presence was absolute, weighing down upon the fabric of space itself.

Only one thing could be discerned clearly through the pitch-black fog.

A pair of glowing crimson eyes.

They were cold. Ancient. Terrifyingly calm.

Faint strands of crimson energy continuously leaked from those eyes, dispersing into the surrounding air like thin, drifting streams of blood.

Every time the entity drew a slow, rhythmic breath, the surrounding space rippled like disturbed water, emitting an ancient pressure that felt older than time itself.

Standing attentively beneath the elevated throne were four figures.

They were four breathtakingly beautiful women, each standing upon a glowing lotus platform.

Their ethereal, flawless countenances were beyond mortal standards, yet the aura radiating from their bodies was cold, sharp, and terrifyingly vast.

Each wore flowing, exquisite silk robes of a distinct color:

To the left stood a woman clad in Crimson Silk, her long hair fanning out like a halo of liquid fire, her eyes burning with a deep, blood-red light.

Beside her was a woman in Emerald-Jade Silk, her demeanor gentle yet laced with a subtle, deadly toxicity, green leaves hovering gracefully around her fingertips.

To the right stood a woman adorned in Azure Silk, her aura cool, deep, and unpredictable like an infinite ocean, spatial distortions constantly rippling along her wide sleeves.

And at the front stood the head attendant—a woman clad in Radiant Gold Silk, her posture dignified, her eyes glowing with pure, unyielding majesty.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The sound of soft, measured footsteps echoed through the silent, cavernous hall.

Out of the dark shadows at the entrance, a young man in dark grey robes walked forward. He bore a pale complexion, a strange black brand carved into his throat, and a sharp, sinister aura.

He stopped thirty steps below the throne, knelt gracefully on one knee, and bowed his head low.

"Situ Li greets the Sovereign," the young man spoke, his raspy voice echoing off the high stone pillars.

Silence hung in the air for several agonizing seconds before a voice drifted from the mist-clouded throne.

The voice was neither loud nor harsh, yet it reverberated directly within the soul, carrying the cold weight of absolute authority:

"Speak."

Situ Li did not dare look up. "Replying to Master... I have returned from my secret excursion to the lower human realm. The task assigned to this disciple has been completed without flaw."

The figure clad in Radiant Gold Silk took a step forward, her voice crisp and melodious, yet carrying an underlying coldness:

"Report the state of the lower realm, Situ Li. Has the ancient array decayed as predicted?"

"Yes, Lady Gold-Lantern," Situ Li answered respectfully. "The divine seal that ancient alliance placed upon the Origin Battlefield millions of years ago has fractured beyond repair. The primordial Qi of our realm has successfully bled into their atmosphere."

A subtle, arrogant smile touched his pale lips.

"As expected, the fragile human mortals could not handle the raw energy. Over sixty percent of their population collapsed, turning into mindless corpses, while their wild beasts mutated into savage monsters. Their primitive society has completely crumbled."

The woman in Crimson Silk let out a soft, melodious laugh, though her eyes remained ice-cold.

"Fragile ants," she murmured softly, her crimson sleeves fluttering. "They spent millions of years enjoying the peace bought by the ancient alliance’s sacrifice, ignorant of the truth... and now they fall apart at a single drop of true Qi."

Situ Li continued, his voice lowering with gravity:

"Furthermore, as the seal weakened, the spatial nodes we embedded in the lower realm have activated. Two days ago, the Ancient Palace—the primary staging ground of the Southern Realm—successfully broke through the spatial layer and descended into the center of their continent."

The woman in Azure Silk raised her refined brows slightly. "The Ancient Palace has manifested? Did the human cultivators notice?"

Situ Li sneered faintly. "Notice? They were terrified, yet blinded by greed. The primitive human factions have already gathered around the perimeter. They believe the Ancient Palace is a ’divine ruin’ sent by heaven to grant them strength."

He looked up slightly, his dark eyes flashing with mockery.

"They are currently assembling their strongest younger generation to enter the palace and claim its ’treasures’."

The woman in Emerald-Jade Silk covered her lips with her wide sleeve, a soft, mocking chuckle escaping her. "How foolish. They have no idea that the Ancient Palace is not a treasure vault... but an ancient blood-offering altar designed to harvest their souls and break the final layer of the seal."

The entire hall fell into a brief, heavy quiet.

Above them, the black mist surrounding the throne surged gently. The ancient entity seated upon it did not show anger or joy, only an indifferent, god-like stillness.

"Everything is set..." the voice from the throne echoed once more, sounding like the shifting of tectonic plates. "...The Ancient Palace has descended. The mortal sacrifices have gathered. The stage for our return is prepared."​