Hello, dear readers! Here's chapter 160!
Do check Episode 17 of my simplified A Knight Journey's YouTube Series(Audiobook/Visual novel) here: https://youtu.be/H3F7raeyzao
(Visual Storytelling)Episode 17 - Yakovich: Getting rid of bodies and fixing bullet holes
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Flowing Stars Archipelago, Earth
Omniscient P.O.V.
As soon as those words left his lips, a human figure appeared in the sky, both ahead and above the boat, before an indistinct voice reached their ears along with the pressure of Peak Mid Core Formation fluctuations.
"All of you inside the boat, you're already trapped in our Array, so come out and line up if you don't wish to die a gruesome death."
Feeling his lips twitch, Demian sent to the girls.
["Using a Mid Core Formation cultivator... Either we're the target, and they clearly underestimate us, or we're not the target at all, and we lucked out."]
With a quick sweep of his Soul Sense, the young man noted dozens of Foundation Building cultivators present around the convoy, along with two other Low Core Formation cultivators, with each of them holding an Array Key that was used to activate and power the Formation trapping the convoy.
Although his knowledge and skill in formation were still at the beginning of Tier 2, from the fluctuations the Array emitted and his own rudimentary mastery, Demian could tell that the Trap Formation should be around the Late Core Formation Tier, making it difficult for anyone at that level to extricate themselves, unless their Formation Mastery was higher than the one controlling the Array.
After sharing his discovery with the three women, Seraphine remarked with a cold glint appearing in her gaze.
["That level of preparation is clearly meant for us, but the question is if it's 'us' as Enforcers, or 'us', as Mikhailovs. If it's the latter, then what we see may not be everything they've got..."]
Well, the only way to find out was to step into the 'trap' and see what was in store for them.
However, as Demian was about to intervene, Gregorov sent them a Voice Transmission, instructing them to stay put, stating that it was better for him to act as the 'scout'.
After all, the four's identities were too sensitive, and if discovered by the wrong people, it might invite even more insane retaliation, akin to quenching one's thirst with poison.
Although the Mikhailovs agreed with the man's reasoning, they still stayed alert, preparing to jump in as soon as things went south to save the man's life.
With their agreements, Stanislav flew in front of the bandit leader, releasing his own Peak Mid Core Formation Aura, as hiding his cultivation had become useless at that point.
Gazing inside the man's hood, Gregorov could not discern the other man's features as the cloth seemed to have a powerful cloaking function.
Of course, for cultivators of their level, physical appearance was extremely easy to change, with the only reliable way of identifying an individual being their Essence.
Unfortunately, Essence could only reliably be extracted through flesh and blood, and thus, the Elite Enforcer only had the man's Aura to work with.
Still, as long as he could capture the opponent, there were many ways to find out who it was, along with who was the mastermind behind the ambush.
Thus, Gregorov shouted, using his Elemental Energy to make his voice boom into every bandit's ears.
"Senior Protector Lieutenant Greywood, here to investigate the multiple cases of disappearance on the Flowing Wind Island and Mist Island trading route. State your identity immediately, line up, let me put the Cultivation Inhibitor shackles on you, and follow me to Mist Island for further interrogation."
The seemingly straightforward announcement was actually a sound attack, shaking the minds of the Core Formation ambushers, while those with Foundation Building cultivation had blood leaking from every orifice, with the strongest fainting from the pain, while the weakest had their lives snuffed out instantly.
As for the Array Formation stopping him?
Well, it was meant to trap people, not sounds, and although it did have a slight dampening effect, a difference of one Rank was enormous, akin to a strong adult against tiny insects, with serious injuries and even deaths an inevitability, even if the main targets were someone else.
Unfortunately, the three Core Formation cultivators had no real injuries, at most taking a fraction of a second to calm their minds.
Seeing the result of his probe, Gregorov analyzed.
'Those Tier 2 cultivators aren't a threat, and even with the Formation weakening my strength slightly, I should be able to hold those three at bay for a while. As for slaying them, that depends on their hidden means...'
As his mind was busy strategizing, the Mid Core Formation cultivator had a frown appear on his face as he cursed inwardly.
'Damn it! Wasn't he supposed to be only as strong as a Peak Mid Core Formation?! Why do I feel like I'm facing an Eight Level Core Formation cultivator? If it wasn't for the Formation helping us shield a part of the damage, those two would have been killed with the sound attack, and I'd definitely be seriously injured!'
Out loud, he ordered.
"You two, channel the Formation and join me to kill that damn Enforcer!"
Clearly, Gregorov's identity had been discovered, though the latter was not really surprised about it.
After all, if they had not known about his strength, then why would they prepare so extensively?
Pretending to be a Protector was simply a cheap attempt at confusing the enemy without any expectation of it working.
Back to the situation, the three immediately unleashed numerous Spells upon the Enforcer's figure, with each of them being either defused, blocked, or redirected as smoothly as if the assailants were actually working in tandem with him.
For anyone present observing the scene with only a Foundation Building cultivation, it seemed as if a massive amount of Elemental phenomena, from weapons like swords and spears, to natural events like waves and flames, materialized in a tsunami of attacks, drowning Gregorov's small figure under the endless onslaught.
However, the Mikhailovs' senses were as strong as those of an average Peak Core Formation cultivator, giving rise to a completely different scene in their minds.
Indeed, unlike what it looked like at first glance, the one struggling was not the Enforcer, but instead those three Core Formation ambushers, the latter trying to overwhelm the opponent under a torrent of Spells, though the former was smoothly countering them as if he could predict the opponents' tactics in advance.
Thus, Gregorov was simply waiting for the three to empty their Mana reserve before he would use a lightning-fast strike to take them down instantly, not only saving Mana in the process, but also keeping himself and the others behind him safe.
However, the three ambushers could also see the deadly outcome—for them—of such a protracted fight, and since none of them desired to perish, the two weaker Core Formation ambushers started to earnestly persuade the strongest among them to call in reinforcements.
The latter, however, was slightly reluctant, not because he had suicidal tendencies, but for another, more personal reason.
'If I ask for the Lord's help, the rewards I was supposed to get from getting rid of these five will have nothing to do with me. Not only that, but I'll definitely be punished as well. If I'm unlucky enough, I might even be sent to become Blood Food...'
A shiver of terror traversed his body as some horrifying images crossed his mind, making him hesitate further.
However, stalling was not the solution, and his dwindling Mana Reserve was the best proof of that.
The last straw was a vicious, hidden needle swarm Spell that almost took his life after he fell into a brief daze due to another sound Spell.
Gritting his teeth, the hooded man suddenly made up his mind as he knew that continuing would only end up in him dying, while the alternative at least had some hope of him surviving.
Immediately, the man exclaimed with a hint of panic in his voice.
"My Lord, I ask for your help to deal with this mongrel Enforcer."
As soon as those words left his lips, everything suddenly became still, whether it was the people themselves or the Spells, as if someone had pressed the pause button on the reality remote.
Of course, the culprit behind the strange happening only trapped their bodies and not their minds, so everyone with Core Formation power could still think and sense the surroundings.
As for the rest, those weaker, even their minds went still, making them unaware of time passing, though with no further damage.
While they became motionless, a light snort shook their minds and bodies, with the two weaker Core Formation among the ambushers having bloody cracks appearing on their bodies.
"Useless trash! Three of you with a Late Tier 3 Array, and you can't even deal with a Mid Core Formation weakling."
Each word seemed to press on their bodies and minds, as if the man speaking was trying to crush them with merely his voice.
However, although the words filled with Elemental and Void Energy affected everyone else, for the Mikhailovs, the effects were minimal and even quickly shaken off thanks to their Perks.
Mind attack?
Blocked by their Soul Shield!
Physical and Energy attacks?
If not crushed in one shot, the Equalized Adaptation Perk would heal them up instantly.
Thus, a strange scene appeared where the only ones seemingly unaffected were those four with Foundation Building cultivation, while those at the Core Formation level were barely holding on to their lives.
However, it was not such good news as it made them very conspicuous, evidenced by the invisible man's reaction.
"Huh? You four insects are unaffected... Wait! You can actually heal instantly... Strange... Well, I was supposed to kill the five of you right away, but I changed my mind. I'll take the four of you back for some experimentation instead and kill you once I've found what I wanted. Now that I think about it, I can also use those three women as playthings when I'm bored, so not killing you right away is actually worth it."
The man's words brought a frown to the four Mikhailovs' faces, more because of the disrespect rather than their being truly scared of him.
After all, the man's power was relatively limited.
["From what I can sense, he should be an Entry-Level Void Seed cultivator. I can't beat him, but he also can't trap me with his Void Energy Mastery, so I can activate our Teleportation Talisman anytime."]
Seraphine stated in a cold tone, prompting Demian to instruct.
["Be ready to activate it when I tell you. I'll try to get more intel out of him before we leave."]
As for those people in the convoy?
Since those people's cultivations were relatively low, the Mikhailovs should be able to bring most of them with them, though Gregorov's location was too far from them and too close to the enemy, making it difficult to include him in the Teleportation.
Taking a deep breath, Demian suddenly used his Soul Power to say.
"Who are you, and why are you trying to stop us? I'm sure you're aware that killing Enforcers will result in a Federation-wide manhunt. Even with Void Seed cultivation, you'll still end up dead in the end."
As those words resounded in the air, a vague human silhouette appeared above the four Core Formation cultivators previously fighting before a cold gaze filled with Killing Intent fell on the young man, and a disdainful voice reached the ears of everyone around.
"I can't feel any fear from you... Mmhh... Peak Foundation Building cultivation, but strong enough to withstand some of my Aura. A man and three women... Did I just strike gold and find the new Federation's so-called Immortal prodigies?"
The words brought a surge of uneasiness to the four of them as, with their identities uncovered, their time had begun to run out.
As he was about to order Seraphine to use the Talisman, they suddenly felt the restraint on their bodies disappear, and a familiar voice resounded in the air.
"A King-Grade Demon Beast in Federation territory... Truly daring!"
Immediately, the Void Energy covering the Tier 4 being vanished, unveiling the figure of a fierce-looking male with abnormally long and sharp canines growing beyond the man's lips, along with cold-fish eyes and a burly body filled with dark blue scales.
However, unlike his previous arrogance, the human-shaped Beast's face was now filled with terror as his gaze fell on the new arrival, a handsome and elegant man with a thin mustache standing in the Void with his hands clasped behind his back and an Aura that felt oppressive even though the two possessed similar cultivation.
Although his face was a mask of calmness, Demian still caught a slight hint of disgust in the older man's gaze as the latter looked at the fish Demon.
The beast shouted, his voice shaking from the fear he was experiencing.
"You! Who are you?! If you don't let me go, the Frost Beast's Palace will hunt everyone associated with you. So, y-you better release me!"
Shaking his head slightly, Sergei spat out the following words, the loathing in his eyes even more apparent.
"It's always the same with you disgusting things. Bullying the weak, fearing the strong, and always using underhanded means to reach your goal. Pah! This time, I'll take the lives of the rest, and before killing you, I'll Soul Search you, turning you into an idiot. Although you deserve worse, I don't want to waste my time on you."
Actions were followed with words as the Mikhailovs saw every Foundation Building enemy still alive, along with the three Core Formation, explode in a shower of blood before every drop was gathered before the powerful man materialized a Water-Fire Mill Elemental construct and ground the blood bead down into nothingness.
As for the King-Grade Beast, he was quickly brought toward Sergei before the latter started his Soul Search after instructing the Four Mikhailovs and Gregorov to wait on the boat.
Unfortunately, as Sergei started probing with his Soul Sense, it seemed to trigger a restriction, disintegrating the Beast's consciousness too quickly for the powerful man to do anything to stop it.
With a slight furrow of his brows, a curse escaped Sergei's lips.
"Damn it! That fish had a mind restriction in his consciousness."
Taking a breath to soothe his irritation, he thought.
"Actually, I shouldn't be surprised. Being stationed so far inside the Federation, the operation needs to be both secretive and extensive."
Turning his head toward the four younger cultivators from his 'family', he added inwardly.
'At least these four are safe. Though with the Talisman Aunt Eldoria gifted them, they could have left at any time. Still, it was a good opportunity to catch some big fish, so there's nothing to regret.'
Letting out a sigh, he was about to instruct the group below, but the words instantly died on his lips as he suddenly sensed a formidable Aura speeding towards them, one that even he did not feel confident in facing head-on with his current strength.
With such a dangerous foe, he had to act quickly.
Thus, in a solemn tone, he ordered the Mikhailovs below.
"The mission's danger rating is much higher than expected, so you're to give up on it and go back to Bright Star Island. Use your Talisman to teleport everyone else. Remember, do not use your real identity, or even your current fake identity, before getting back, or you'll most likely be intercepted before you arrive at your destination. Now, go!"
Feeling both confused and alarmed at his teacher's urgency, Demian guessed.
"Is there someone coming?"
Nodding his head, Sergei answered coldly.
"A Mid Tier 4 cultivator. I also need to flee, so stop wasting time and activate the talisman."
Knowing that time was running short, Seraphine, who was already ready to trigger the talisman in her hand, followed suit, the item immediately creating a whirlpool of Void energy that encased every cultivator around except Sergei, whose cultivation was too high for the talisman, before everyone present disappeared, leaving only a slight breeze stirring the high waves below.
Letting out a sigh of relief, Sergei swiftly erased the traces that the Talisman left in the Void, making it impossible for even a Peak Void Seed cultivator to follow the Teleportation channel toward the group's location.
Then, the man used a talisman of his own to hide his presence and flew at high speed toward somewhere unknown, his figure being completely invisible to any external observer.
On Demian's side.
As the group was teleporting toward a random location, and unlike everyone else, Seraphine had been able to vaguely sense the path they were taking through the Void, using the opportunity to deepen her comprehension of Void Intent.
Of course, comprehension with her cultivation was bound to be limited, even with her high Void Affinity.
Only once she reached Core Formation could she start making real progress.
After all, even perceiving Void Energy was almost impossible for those below the Mid to Late Core Formation Stage, let alone comprehending its intricacy.
However, her bloodline granted her an uncanny level of affinity with anything Space-related, greatly facilitating any attempt at studying Void Energy.
Although she had some gains before, compared to someone with an Entry-Level First Void Layer comprehension/strength, her little harvest was nothing, previously bringing her some annoyance and fueling her eagerness for a Rank breakthrough.
However, the current, unexpected situation made her realize that even a few drops of water could make one wet.
Indeed, at one point along their teleportation journey, her senses suddenly picked up an enormous Void bubble right in front of their path, making a collision unavoidable.
Fortunately, the massive Void Bubble 'bubble' was moving in the same direction as they were, though at a much slower pace, making it possible for them to collide with it without being squashed into meat paste instantly.
Still, she could tell that their own Void 'bubble' was much weaker than the one in front, and thus might end up disintegrating from the impact.
For Void Seed cultivators, navigating the First Void Layer was akin to sailing on a calm sea.
Although occasional Void Storms could potentially capsize them, the former were sufficiently rare, especially at such a shallow Layer, so even if the Tier 4 beings were placed in their group's situation, there would be no danger.
However, for even a Peak Core Formation being, it was akin to an instant death sentence.
Although separated by only one small level, the difference between the Peak Core Formation level and the Entry-Level Void Seed Stage was beyond enormous, as if the two beings were different species.
In a way, they were, as one was a Physical being, while the other had transcended to become a Void being.
As for their group, Seraphine knew that most would die instantly, with only the four of them having a slight chance of surviving for a brief instant through both their immortal-grade foundation and the use of Demian's Powers.
Obviously unsatisfied with that sort of result, she tried to come up with a plan as quickly as possible so they could avoid dying miserably.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly as she sensed their own bubble growing closer to the other, giving rise to mounting anxiety in her mind.
However, as they were about to collide with the enormous 'obstacle' on their path, something unexpected caught her attention.
Close to the collision point, a massive opening started materializing, linked to a Void Channel that most likely led somewhere in the Surface Layer, A.K.A. the 'real world'.
Although the channel had 'walls', they were actually extremely porous, and if her senses and tiny bit of understanding about the Void were correct, she may be able to break through it and get inside that massive 'Void Bubble', whatever it was.
Was it reckless, possibly leading them into another death trap, if her plan could even work in the first place?
Yes!
Did she have any other choice?
No!
'Reckless it is!'
Seraphine told herself before she exclaimed through the Soul Bond.
["You guys prepare yourself, because the ride is gonna get a bit rough."]
Although the other three felt slightly confused, they trusted her enough to heed her words and thus became extremely alert.
A brief instant later, all confusion vanished as they felt themselves collide with something, shaking all but the four into unconsciousness before the Void Energy pushed everyone toward a humongous maelstrom, leaving them completely disoriented with no idea where up, down, left, or right was.
Thus, although the three were able to bear the shock of the previous collision, this time it was too much, and their mind instantly shut down, leaving their bodies completely subject to the external 'current'.
As for Seraphine, she was also approaching her limit, with the only thing helping her to hold onto the last shred of consciousness being a deep conviction of seeing her loved ones safe and sound.
Fortunately, everything went relatively well, as she was able to guide the entire group to enter the Void Bubble, though each was thrown randomly inside with no way to control the point of landing.
Seeing the result of her all-out effort, a last thought traversed her mind before she fainted.
'The landing might hurt, but they should be fine once they wake up. I think.'
In the now silent Void, the previously stable channel broke down before the opening in the so-called Void Bubble's wall swiftly recovered, leaving its surface pristine a few moments later.
Inside the Void Bubble, better known as the Wolven Pleasure Secret Realm.
Whether it was the indigenous beasts or the numerous outsiders present inside the massive Realm, every living being suddenly looked toward the sky with a hint of fear and confusion.
Indeed, up there, where normally a small Void entrance appeared from time to time, letting in those from outside and letting out some from inside, a massive hole appeared, with growing cracks extending from it, as if a giant had punched through Heaven's vault.
Then, vague human shapes briefly appeared before being flung everywhere inside the Realm, their speed too quick for anyone below the Core Formation Rank to catch.
However, most beings were more focused on the cracks in the sky, as many were aware that too much damage to a Secret Realm would result in the latter crumbling apart before being re-assimilated by the Void Sea, along with any object or living being inside below Tier 4.
Since the upper limit of the Realm they were in was Peak Tier 3, the result of it breaking down would be everyone located inside dying instantly.
Fortunately, the damage looked worse than they were as the cracks stopped spreading relatively quickly before being slowly mended until the sky regained its spotless appearance, as if the previous situation was only a figment of the observers' imagination.
Letting out a sigh of relief, Quil Greyson, the one in charge of the Crimson Pleasure Realm, narrowed his eyes as he recalled the image of those human silhouettes.
Turning toward one of the human Core Formation under him, he ordered.
"Take some people to check on those uninvited guests. If they're dead, bring back the bodies. If they're still breathing, make sure to keep them that way. I want to know why the Entrance channel broke down."
Nodding his head, the female Core Formation then left to gather a team while Quil was pondering on the unexplainable circumstances he found himself in.
There were indeed a few strange things.
First, damages of that level would need Peak Tier 4 strength, but since the Crimson Pleasure Realm was only a Peak Tier 3, meaning someone with that level of cultivation would not be able to enter it and would find nothing useful for them inside.
Second, why attack once, and who were those people appearing in the sky?
Third, not only was the Realm hidden through the use of some powerful Cloaking Void Arrays, but there were also some external protectors tasked to protect the Channel.
While tapping his index finger rhythmically on his mahogany desk, he muttered.
"So strange... Those King-Grade fish from the Frost Beast Palace should be smart enough to stop any Void Seed cultivators from coming near the Space Channel. Even if someone stronger than them appeared, they should have fled..."
Well, in his line of business, things were bound to turn south at one point or another, with authorities unavoidably ending up cracking down on their operation.
Lives, money, and influence were lost instantly.
However, criminals like him were like wild grass; cut one and ten would grow back, especially when many influential people were keen on fostering dark forces like his, wanting to share in the profits and 'benefits' that could not be seen in the light of day.
Still, the longer Quil could hold on, the more benefits he would receive, so despite the strange happenings that would make a more cautious man pack his bags and leave with the money, Quil opted to investigate instead.
To be fair, with the Space Channel destroyed, he did not have much of a choice.
After all, to repair the channel, one would either need Tier 4 or above cultivation or let the Secret Realm take care of it naturally.
The latter option would most likely take months, while the former depended on one's level of Void Mastery.
Still, it would also take time, so he might as well use it to understand more about the ins and outs of the previous accidents.
Plus, with his Peak Core Formation coupled with the Formation around the Consortium headquarters, even a half-step Void Seed could be slain, and since no Void Seed could enter the Realm, those unknown people from earlier, even if some had the same level of cultivation as him, would not be able to make any significant waves.
Shaking his head, he mumbled while a cold grin appeared on his face.
"Making me lose money and tarnishing my reputation... Even if you're not directly responsible, once I get my answers from you, I'll either send you to the brothels or directly to the Blood Pool. As the chairman always says, the Wolven Pleasure Consortium never makes a loss..."
As those words left his lips, a light breeze brought with it echoes of despair from far away, lifting his long, unruly, grey hair, which unveiled his long, wolfish ears, while his cruel grin displayed two sets of terrifyingly sharp teeth that seemed poised to devour any hapless prey.