Within the empty training grounds of the Lumina Secret Realm on Blue Star, a solitary figure, clad only in shorts and shirtless, sat cross-legged. His physique was not exaggerated, yet his eight-pack abs were clearly defined. Red mist, the manifestation of his surging blood and vital energy, emanated from his lean body, humming like crashing waves and seeming to stir the very fabric of space.
This handsome young man was Fang You. In the enclosed training space, there was no need to don the white robe befitting his mentor persona, especially since training, particularly body tempering, was a sweaty affair.
The young man’s eyes snapped open abruptly, a dazzling golden light flashing within his pupils before gradually subsiding.
“Gluttony Body Tempering (Novice: 99%)”
“Finally, novice. This body tempering skill indeed has something special about it.”
“Apart from the straightforward improvement in physique, it’s similar to basic sword techniques; as one cultivates to higher levels, their control over their own body increases.”
Once the basic sword technique reached the expert level, one’s control over their body would become extraordinarily precise, allowing them to quickly adapt even with a sudden surge of strength. He defined this as ‘Body Control Tier One’.
Cultivating to…
“Your Excellency the Archmage has also broken through to the Four Awakenings, Non-Human stage. With his support, our Sunset Country will surely gain more leverage in this Western European base city.”
“Now, as per Lumina’s requirements, we must quickly issue commands and arrange for the evacuation of the populace to the shelters. This time, we cannot afford any more mistakes.”
…
Water Marsh Base City, a hub for envoys from various oases. When the broadcast sounded, those who had been living in seclusion in different oases couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
“It seems my sense of unease was not a delusion. Disaster is truly upon us.”
“But where? And why is Blue Star so certain?”
“The rain has begun.”
“The sky is growing dark.”
The citizens within the base city were moving to various shelters in an orderly and rapid fashion. Envoys from the different oases naturally did not join them. They stood in the gradually emptying buildings, or simply ran to the rooftops, facing the wind and rain, to observe the celestial changes.
Behind the dark, overcast clouds, a crimson hue seemed to be gradually emerging.
…
…
Blue Star, various regions shrouded in gray mist. Deep mountains, deserts, abandoned buildings, polluted lakesides – in different locations, identical sacrificial rituals were being held. Cultists, clad in gray or black robes, chanted unknown incantations with fervent expressions. Their bizarre chants echoed in the deep mountains, yet went unheard by anyone. When the world descended into chaos, when order ceased to exist, they would hide in the uninhabited wilderness, like drops of ink dissolving into a foul, turbid river, making them difficult to find even with a magnifying glass. Even Fang You couldn't pick out a few distinct grains from a pile of dung.
Blue Star is small. Yet Blue Star is also vast.
At this moment, across the vast land of Blue Star, in dangerous forbidden zones where even awakened individuals dared not tread, the sacrificial ceremonies approached their climax. Fanatical cultists leaped into the seething blood pools, causing the strange, unknown chants to resound fully.
Crimson appeared. Streaks of crimson light pierced the sky, dyeing the heavens, constructed of overcast clouds and gray mist, a bloody red. After the faint crimson glow, the overcast clouds slowly parted.
A scarlet moon, alluring, eerie, indescribable, and seemingly containing infinite, terrifying power, appeared, hanging high in the dark sky of Blue Star.
The Scarlet Moon Reappears!
This time, it did not appear only above one or a few cities. Instead, no matter where one was on Blue Star, whether it was day or night, this seductive scarlet moon could be seen. It reminded many survivors of the terror they had experienced when dominated by the scarlet moon.