Void Cultivation

"It’s not possible!"

"Are you sure about this? If you’re lying..."

"That’s... how can that be?"

Numerous voices rang out at once. To them, this news was not merely shocking, it was something that could plunge the entirety of Sky Mist City into turmoil.

The Sects Alliance would undoubtedly want to know who was behind this matter and whether the rumors were true. Therefore, immediately after the information was reported, one of the Detective Agency members silently made his way toward the underground prison.

A few moments later, he returned.

However, his expression was somewhat dazed and confused, as though he had yet to recover from what he had just witnessed. He did not even react when several criminals shouted vulgar and improper remarks at him during his brief visit to the prison.

Realizing that he had just come from the underground cells, everyone’s attention instantly shifted toward him.

"What did you see?"

"Is it true?"

"Are the rumors real?"

"Is one of the Heaven’s Chosen from the Sects Alliance really down there?"

The questions came one after another, and all of them looked at him with expectant and anxious gazes.

The confused member slowly swept his eyes across the crowd before heavily nodding his head.

The moment he did, the entire Detective Agency erupted into an uproar.

Gasps rang out everywhere.

"Impossible!"

"How could a Heaven’s Chosen end up in our prison?"

"This matter is huge!"

Without wasting another second, many people rushed down the stone steps and headed straight toward the underground prison.

Soon, hurried footsteps echoed throughout the building like a violent storm.

When the prisoners heard the prison doors opening once more, their expressions instantly twisted into greed and delight. Some even stood up, thinking that another unfortunate soul had been thrown into the cells.

However, their expressions quickly froze.

The first few Detective Agency members ignored them completely and rushed toward a particular prison cell. Then, even more members poured into the underground prison, their faces filled with shock and disbelief.

The sinister and unruly prisoners immediately sensed that something was wrong.

Their previous arrogance disappeared without a trace.

One after another, they all fell silent.

They did not even dare to speak loudly or utter another insult. Even the madmen who usually laughed and cursed all day remained quiet.

The atmosphere had suddenly become so heavy that even they could feel it.

Within a few short minutes, a rumor began spreading from the Detective Agency like wildfire.

The rumor claimed that one of the Heaven’s Chosen of the Sects Alliance had been caught committing a grievous crime and had subsequently been captured by the Detective Agency.

This shocking piece of news instantly sent the entirety of Sky Mist City into an uproar.

The bustling streets fell into chaos.

Countless cultivators discussed the matter with expressions of disbelief, while ordinary citizens gathered in groups to exchange rumors and speculation.

Even the disciples of the seventeen sects paused in whatever they were doing when they heard the news.

Some were stunned.

Some did not believe it.

And some immediately rushed toward the Detective Agency, hoping to verify the truth with their own eyes.

The calm and peaceful atmosphere that had existed in Sky Mist City was shattered in an instant.

Meanwhile, while the entire city was in chaos, Violet sat in her usual spot behind the table in her office.

Her expression was calm and relaxed, completely different from the commotion outside.

She leisurely chewed on an apple, occasionally taking another bite as though the matter had nothing to do with her.

After a long while, she slowly raised her head and looked in the direction of the Sects Alliance headquarters.

A strange smile appeared on her face.

In a soft and low voice, she muttered,

"You made your first move..."

She took another bite of her apple before her smile widened.

"Now, it’s Sky Mist’s turn to play."

---

Somewhere in the distance, upon the Dead Sea, a small and fragile-looking magic ship swayed gently with the dark waves.

Its masts were spread out in a wide and intimidating manner, resembling the wings of some ancient creature. Yet, despite its appearance, it exuded neither an overwhelming nor a terrifying aura. Instead, it seemed like a massive but gentle giant silently drifting upon the pitch-black sea.

Seated beside a small wooden table was a young woman with flowing white hair that cascaded down her shoulders like a silver waterfall. Her legs were crossed elegantly, and a faint smile rested on her beautiful face.

Her expression was calm yet cold, and she gave off the feeling of a delicate flower blooming amidst winter snow, beautiful, distant, and untouchable. However, when she looked at the person standing before her, the coldness in her eyes softened ever so slightly.

Standing beside the table was a young man whose back was slightly bent as he carefully poured tea into her cup. His expression was solemn and serious, as though pouring a simple cup of tea was an incredibly difficult and important task.

However, if anyone underestimated him because of this scene, they would be gravely mistaken.

This young man was a Spirit Core Formation expert with monstrous talent and unbelievable potential. Even though he was leaning forward respectfully, his entire body emanated the presence of a sharp sword. It was as if every inch of him had been forged from steel and tempered countless times.

A few strands of hair had fallen beside his face. Yet, unlike the rest of his black hair, those strands were completely pale white.

If Grey had been present, he would have frozen in utter shock.

Because this young man was none other than Caster Han Dawson, the number one genius of the Second Continent. He had cultivated from the Qi Accumulation Realm all the way to the Spirit Core Formation Realm in less than two years, a feat so heaven-defying that countless cultivators considered it impossible.

Moreover, the subtle fluctuations coming from his body revealed that his cultivation in the Spirit Core Formation Realm had already reached an incredibly profound stage.

Perhaps in only a few more months, he would break through yet again and advance to an even higher level.

The young woman watched him pour the tea with a gentle and caring expression. Her eyes were calm, almost motherly.

When the cup was nearly full, Caster straightened his back. The sharp aura around him intensified for a brief moment before he turned to leave.

However, her voice suddenly entered his ears.

"Go and fetch Tyler for me, Caster. I have something for her to do."

Her voice was calm, and not a trace of coldness could be felt within it.

Caster’s body trembled almost imperceptibly. A few seconds later, he straightened himself like an unsheathed sword, nodded silently, and left.

Throughout the entire process, he did not utter a single word.

After Caster departed, the young woman slowly turned her gaze toward the empty chair beside her table.

As her eyes settled upon it, a figure gradually materialized from thin air.

It was another young woman with graceful and attractive features. However, her eyes were lifeless and devoid of emotion, and she gave off an indescribable aura of death.

Although she appeared to be sitting on the chair, her body was actually hovering slightly above it.

Seeing her appear, the white-haired woman smiled gently.

"I suppose the uproar has already begun. Everyone must be stunned by this turn of events."

The specter-like woman turned to face her.

"Yes... your plan worked quite well. Your disciples managed to pull it off in a single night..." She paused briefly before continuing, "...at least one of your disciples did."

Hearing this, the young woman laughed softly.

"Grey can already be considered my disciple. Besides, he has already met Caster, Tyler, and Violet. Once he meets the first... I’ll finally take him in as my student."

As she spoke, she picked up the cup and took a sip of the still-hot tea.

The specter-like lady remained silent for several moments before speaking again.

"Now that we’ve provoked the Sects Alliance, what do you think will happen next? We can’t expect them to remain silent."

Hearing her words, the young woman let out a deep sigh.

"I know. At any other time, our Sect would probably have been wiped out by now for pulling something like this."

She paused for a moment.

"However... things are different this time."

The specter-like lady raised an eyebrow.

"A new Divine Zone has appeared. Moreover, all signs indicate that it is an exceptionally powerful one."

A thoughtful expression appeared on her face.

"If the Sects Alliance wishes to prevent another incident like the one that occurred all those years ago, then they’ll have no choice but to cooperate with all the major Sects."

Silence descended between them.

The specter-like woman appeared hesitant, as though debating whether or not she should ask something.

Eventually, she spoke.

"Why aren’t you in the Sect right now? The elders and I could really use your... manipulative guidance."

Although her voice remained calm and emotionless, the sarcasm hidden within it was impossible to miss.

The white-haired woman blinked before laughing softly.

"Ah... that."

She looked toward the dark sea in the distance.

"There are some people from the Sects Alliance whom I simply do not wish to see... although that was a very long time ago."

A faint smile appeared on her face, yet there was an indescribable loneliness hidden within it.

The specter-like woman stared at her for several moments before saying nothing more.

Her body gradually became transparent before finally vanishing like a puff of smoke.

At almost the same moment, footsteps echoed across the deck.

Caster had returned.

And behind him, another figure quietly followed.