Zac nodded , focused on the pieces of broken shell . It was just like with the previous kernel . The moment the broach was extracted , he’d lost any connection to either egg or broach . Was it the formation he felt connected to rather than the kernels? Or was it something else? In either case , Zac believed it was related to why Lord Engo sent him here .
Zac and Ogras continued toward the riverbeds , spending the better part of the day trying to understand Zac’s ability . After ten hours and over fifty kernels , they’d unearthed some rules to Zac’s uncanny ability . By the looks of it , he could sense any broach within twenty meters . However , the faster they moved , the smaller that sphere would get . If they ran at top speed , he would almost have to step on the kernel to notice it .
The range wasn’t too impressive , but it was still an amazing ability . Most cultivators would be lucky if they found one or two kernels a day in the starting region when turning over every stone and inspecting every tree . One thing they hadn’t managed to confirm was whether he could tell the kernels’ grades before they were extracted from their formations . Every single one they’d found was Low-quality . Part of it was because they were so close to the teleportation array , but it hinted at how rare the higher-quality kernels were .
No wonder most people wouldn’t spend too much time in the Quarry . The odds of finding a suitable kernel were quite low , and it would most likely only provide a 5% boost . At some point , it became more efficient to just farm Mana and improve your Core Formation process .
A sudden energy surge made Zac and Ogras stop and look over . It wasn’t some beast or another kernel , but three cultivators who appeared between the forests . They’d moved fast using movement skills but had stopped upon noticing Zac and Ogras . The three were of the same race , an alien-looking four-armed biped that could only narrowly be considered humanoid .
There was no hint of aggression or killing intent on them , so Zac and Ogras walked over to chat . There were usually a few dozen people in the Quarry , though the numbers would most likely thin out as the mission release approached .
Any luck? - Ogras grinned .
Got one , - one of the three nodded . - You heading to the riverbeds? -
Why , something wrong? - Ogras asked .
A few really loud people there right now , - the alien shrugged . - Might want to check out another hotspot if you’re planning to form resonance . -
Loud? - Zac asked .
Some Gravity cultivator is creating earthquakes , makes it hard to sense anything , - one of the others explained . - Another one is using sound waves to pulverize the rocks on the riverbeds . It’s quite loud . -
If calmly meditating and sending out your Dao into the area in hopes of resonance was one method , then destruction was the other . By blowing up everything nearby , you had a chance to unearth kernels . It wasn’t a surefire method , though . Most pointed toward the kernels being able to flee when attacked , which could empty a whole region . Neither option had proven better than the other in finding suitable kernels . One was simply a targeted search , while the other cast a wider net in hopes of striking it rich . It ultimately depended on where your talents lay .
We’re already halfway there . It would be a shame not to check it out . Besides , those kinds of people can’t go on forever , - Zac said .
You three look a bit annoyed . Are you here to exchange pointers to release some stress? - Ogras grinned .
No , thank you , - the alien laughed , confirming he’d already maxed out his duels for the month . - Rather , we’d want to exchange some information . -
Oh? - Zac asked curiously .
An eighth hotspot has been discovered . It’ll probably be general knowledge in a few weeks , but who knows? Going before the others might improve your odds of finding something good . -
What do you want in return? - Ogras asked .
Nothing important . We just want some details on what happened with the global mission . We were camped out here when the mission appeared . -
Oh , sure , - Ogras said , his smile widening . - You met the right people . We didn’t enter ourselves , but we were outside the teleporter that day . That crazy Draugr got his hands on it . -
The one from the message? - the first alien exclaimed .
That’s right , - Ogras nodded . - Real lunatic , that one . Came stumbling out of the teleportation gate covered in blood . Heard he created a mess inside . Broke a Calamity Mountain and then killed his way back . Stay clear ; that guy is nothing but trouble . -
Zac inwardly rolled his eyes but kept his face impassive .
Did he announce if he’s planning on selling the item? - the third humanoid asked , speaking up for the first time .
The third was clearly stronger than his companions and most likely the leader . Zac had already realized it cultivated a mixed-meaning Dao where one half was Life . Zac guessed it hoped the Calamity Core] was a Life-attuned item and thus useless for a Draugr .
No idea , - Ogras shrugged after seeing Zac wasn’t about to speak up .
Thank you , - the leader said , handing over an Information Crystal . - Best of luck on your hunt . -
Have a good one , - Ogras waved , and both groups went their own way .
They didn’t meet any more cultivators and didn’t bother looking for more kernels . Between Ogras using his teleportations and Zac using Earthstrider] , they reached the riverbeds in half a day . They stopped at a crest , looking down at a vast expanse of dry soil . The riverbeds lived up to its name . There had to be thousands of them , stretching as far as the eye could see . A few were only a dozen meters across , while others were so wide , they might as well have been great lakes .
There was almost no water running . The smaller rivers were completely dried out , while the larger ones had a few trickles that any F-grade cultivator could jump across . The land between the rivers had some trees and shrubbery , but the plants were withered and on their last legs .
It’s time for us to work , - Ogras said as he jumped into the dried out river . - And by us , I mean you . -
Zac snorted and jumped down from the ledge . He was just about to respond , but the moment his feet touched the riverbed , he felt his consciousness being wrenched away . Zac thought some Mentalist had ambushed him , but furiously struggling was to no avail . The world darkened , and Ogras’ voice grew distant .
Then , there was only a constellation .
35
A MARK ON THE TAPESTRY
Innumerable broken fragments floated in the air , locked in orbit by the immense energy fluctuations and inherent gravity of the vast ancestral platform . Below , the fractures of broken space swirled , forming a vortex as vast as reality itself . The two were locked in an ancient dance akin to a predator and its faltering prey . After a drawn-out struggle , the platform was like a dying man with one foot through the door to the beyond , desperately resisting fate .
The remnants of a whole civilization sat atop the ancient stones . Hundreds of millions of bodies , the smallest reaching thousands of meters into the air . Yet there was no movement , no sound . They had all given everything in hopes some would see the sun on the other side . They were failing .
The Aether no longer answered their calls , their continents had been reclaimed to be reforged . The testaments to their spirit and ingenuity were gone , their creations swallowed and consumed . All that remained was the platform .
The poison spread .
The innermost circle of the marooned was made up of six giants , each one the size of a continent . The grand ancestors who had held up the vault of the Heavens were broken and bent , shrunken from having their Aether siphoned to nurture the platform . And to protect their heritage .
The six ancestors held up a sphere shimmering with still-pristine Aether . Inside , a solitary building floated . In front of the ancestors , it was no more than a mustard seed . Yet it held their everything . Their history , their hopes , and their conviction .