Wings of Light

Lu Yuan noticed the gazes settling on him and felt a flicker of awkwardness.

Just then, Si Qi smiled and spoke up:

"Tianming Sage, My Lord, I'm afraid this trip may have been made in vain. The Aberration Feral Beast earlier had indeed reached Saint Grade, but it was slain by an unknown Saint who happened to be passing through... Had it not been for him, I fear none of us would have survived long enough for your arrival."

"Oh? A Saint-grade Aberration Feral Beast, killed by a passing Battle Saint?"

The Tianming Sage was taken aback. He looked at Si Qi and Li Xinghai with clear surprise — he had only just arrived and hadn't yet been briefed on what had transpired.

He had assumed the Aberration Feral Beast was still in its dormant phase. To find it already dead was entirely unexpected.

Upon hearing Si Qi's words, Li Qinghe and Si Tingyu stole a quick glance at Lu Yuan. They knew perfectly well that the mysterious powerful figure was none other than him.

But since Lu Yuan had clearly chosen not to reveal it, neither of them said a word.

Seeing the Tianming Sage's puzzlement, Li Xinghai and Si Qi took turns recounting what had happened. The Sage listened as his expression shifted continuously, his brow creasing at intervals.

When they finished, the Tianming Sage fell into pensive silence and murmured to himself:

"...Saint-grade dark-type Transcendent Genes, combined with Spatial Type and light-type Transcendent Genes? I can't think of anyone in White Cloud City who fits that profile... No — even among the Saints I've encountered in Sky-Mending City, I've never met such a person. Strange... Could this be someone who only recently broke through?"

The Tianming Sage was thoroughly puzzled.

Seeing that even he couldn't identify the mysterious figure, Si Qi let a trace of regret cross his face:

"So My Lord doesn't know either. I had hoped to extend our gratitude to that mysterious Saint — a pity we have no way of knowing his identity."

The Tianming Sage shook his head with a smile. "If he chose not to show himself, I doubt he's particularly interested in thanks. The thought is what matters."

Both Li Xinghai and Si Qi gave a small nod.

Si Qi continued:

"Though the Aberration Feral Beast has been dealt with, we remain deeply grateful that you made the journey to Great Qi Star. I'll have preparations made for a proper meal this evening to welcome you — please, feel free to stay a while and enjoy yourself. Would that suit you?"

The Tianming Sage considered for a moment, then smiled. "That works for me. I'll stay two days, rest up, and head back the day after tomorrow."

At that, Si Qi and Li Xinghai both smiled warmly.

The Tianming Sage turned his gaze to Lu Yuan. "A-Yuan, come keep me company for a stroll?"

Lu Yuan blinked — he hadn't expected the invitation. Still, he understood the Sage had always shown genuine care for him, so he smiled and nodded. "Sure."

"Then A-Yuan, do take good care of the Tianming Sage," Si Qi said pleasantly. "If you need anything, just say the word."

Lu Yuan nodded, then left the courtyard alongside the Tianming Sage.

They walked at an unhurried pace through the palace grounds. The Sage seemed entirely at ease, taking in the garden scenery with a relaxed smile. His demeanor was that of a man on a leisurely afternoon walk.

Lu Yuan followed at his side, his inner state far from calm.

Even after leaving the courtyard, the Evolution Cube within him was still trembling.

That could only mean something was wrong inside the Tianming Sage's body.

*Was it from the Valley of Night incident?*

He suspected as much, but he couldn't be certain. Aberration phenomena were pervasive throughout the Upper Layer of the Land of Origin, and at the Sage's level of strength, he had obviously spent considerable time up there — it was equally possible the problem had originated there.

For now, the trembling was faint, indicating the Corruption wasn't yet severe. But left untreated, it could worsen.

The Tianming Sage was Yeye's ancestor and a pillar of the Tianming Empire. If something happened to him, the chaos it would unleash on the empire would be immeasurable — and he didn't want to imagine how devastated Yeye would be.

A heaviness settled over Lu Yuan as he quietly turned over the question of whether there was any way to deal with what was festering inside the Sage.

"A-Yuan, what are you thinking about? You look a little troubled."

The Tianming Sage had noticed his expression and asked with a gentle smile.

Lu Yuan snapped back to attention. "Just working through something that's been bothering me," he said easily.

"What is it? I've lived considerably longer than you — perhaps my experience can help."

The Sage still wore that warm expression, like a kindly elder — which seemed at odds with his remarkably youthful, handsome face.

Lu Yuan shook his head with a quiet laugh. "I've already figured it out."

"Good, then."

The Tianming Sage nodded and didn't press further.

A moment later, a mischievous grin spread across his face:

"By the way — what's going on between you and Yeye lately? Any progress?"

Lu Yuan cleared his throat. He hadn't expected the topic and felt a touch of embarrassment. "Still about the same, really. We've both been caught up in cultivation, so we meet up whenever we have time — I take her around to try different things to eat."

"Tsk..." The Tianming Sage clicked his tongue. "You need to take more initiative. Understand?"

"Understood, understood."

"Now that you've reached Battle Sovereign, have you been to the Upper Layer of the Land of Origin?"

"I'm in the Upper Layer right now, actually — went a few days ago. I was over near the Dark Night Forest when I ran into an Aberration Source, of all things."

The Tianming Sage raised an eyebrow. "An Aberration Source? That's quite dangerous. So — what are your impressions of the Upper Layer? How does it compare to the Lower Layer?"

"Very different. The Upper Layer is far more desolate. Aberration Feral Beasts everywhere. Spatial Rifts tear open in the sky from time to time — space itself feels unstable."

Lu Yuan couldn't help but shake his head.

The Tianming Sage's smile dimmed slightly. He let out a long, quiet breath. "Indeed. Time grows short. If your generation could grow stronger, faster... that would be for the best. It won't be long before large-scale Aberration disasters begin sweeping through the Upper Layer."

Lu Yuan thought of the Heavenly Calamity Cult, and something uneasy shifted in his expression. *It might come even sooner than he realizes.*

The two continued talking as they left the palace and wandered through the Imperial Capital, not returning until evening, when the banquet held in the Tianming Sage's honor was set to begin.

It was a small, intimate gathering — only the direct descendants of the Battle Emperor families attended: Si Tingyu, Si Tingxue, Rebecca, Li Qinghe, Si Tingfeng, Si Tinglei, and a few others.

The Tianming Sage and the Battle Emperors occupied the head tables at the front, while the younger generation was seated together at their own tables.

Lu Yuan found himself with Si Tingxue on one side and Rebecca on the other.

Rebecca glanced up at the Tianming Sage seated at the front, her eyes bright with barely concealed excitement. She tugged lightly at Lu Yuan's sleeve and sent a transmission:

*A-Yuan, A-Yuan — I can't believe we're this close to a Battle Saint! An actual Battle Saint!*

Lu Yuan rolled his eyes and gave her a look of mild exasperation.

*I've personally killed several Battle Saints. You don't see me losing my mind about it.*

Of course, he'd never told her that. If he did, the resulting shock would probably leave her speechless for a week.

Beside him, Si Tingxue ate with her usual composed, unhurried manner. She glanced at Lu Yuan, a quiet flicker of curiosity passing through her sapphire eyes:

"A-Yuan, you went to the Upper Layer of the Land of Origin? What was it like?"

At her words, Si Tingfeng, Si Tinglei, and several other younger members of the Si and Li families who Lu Yuan didn't know well all looked over, interest evident on their faces.

Si Tingfeng grinned. "Yeah, A-Yuan — I heard from my imperial sister that it's incredibly dangerous up there. That one wrong move and you could die. Is that true?"

Si Tingfeng seemed to be in good spirits. His punishment from Tong Menghan had recently ended, so he was back to enjoying himself — and with Maige having moved over to his side, he now had a companion to spend time with. He was visibly pleased about it.

Compared to Si Tingyu and Li Qinghe — both at Battle Sovereign rank — none of the others at the table had ever set foot in the Upper Layer.

Seeing their curiosity, Lu Yuan smiled. "It's genuinely dangerous, yes. You all know about Aberration Feral Beasts — there are plenty of them in the Upper Layer. Run into one without the strength to deal with it, and you might not come back."

Several of the younger ones, still at Battle General or Battle Venerable rank, drew sharp breaths. It sounded terrifying — though they also felt, in a vague way, that it was all very far removed from where they currently stood.

Si Tingxue was quiet for a moment. She looked at Lu Yuan and asked:

"When I break through to Battle King... should I go to the Upper Layer?"

Lu Yuan glanced at her with mild surprise. *This ice queen is actually asking for my opinion?*

He wasn't the only one who caught it. Si Tingfeng and the others who knew Si Tingxue best all looked as though they'd seen a ghost. They knew exactly how cold and headstrong she could be — which made seeing her consult Lu Yuan all the more remarkable.

Lu Yuan thought it over, then smiled. "If you want to go, I'll introduce you to some friends when the time comes. With Rebecca along as well, and if you all stick close to the area around Sky-Mending City, it should be fine. I'll also make sure you're properly equipped beforehand."

He had in mind introducing Yeye, Amy, and Wang Lingling to Si Tingxue and Rebecca. With their natural talent, they should manage well enough in the Upper Layer.

And naturally, he'd prepare high-quality Gene Armaments ahead of time — Emperor Grade, or even Saint Grade single-use Talismans. Armed with those, the danger would be minimal.

*Though none of them have particularly strong Guardian Type genes... but they can summon Elemental Warriors and the like. That should cover it.*

At his words, Si Tingxue's eyes brightened almost imperceptibly. She gave a small nod, and a faint smile touched the corners of her lips.

Nearby, Li Qinghe — who had been resting her cheek on her hand and listening to the exchange — laughed softly. "When the time comes, let Tingxue and the others join us first. We can take them along on Feral Beast hunts."

Si Tingyu gave a quiet nod of agreement.

Si Tingfeng, overhearing this, looked up at Si Tingyu with barely concealed hope. "Imperial Sister — if I break through to Battle King, can I come along too?"

Si Tingyu regarded him with measured calm. "By the time you break through to Battle King, we'll already be Battle Emperors."

Si Tingfeng went quiet.

His mouth twitched. He looked utterly defeated.

From the other side, Si Tinglei burst out laughing. "Ha. Know your place."

The banquet stretched well into the night before everyone finally dispersed.

Because it was so late, Lu Yuan followed Li Qinghe back to the villa in White Willow District. Si Tingyu, Si Tingxue, and Rebecca came along as well.

After washing up, Lu Yuan lay back on the bed and stared out at the ink-black night beyond the window.

Some time passed.

A cold glint surfaced in his eyes. He rose.

One step forward — and he was gone.

The next instant, Lu Yuan materialized in the vacuum of space, a distance removed from Great Qi Star.

Silver-white rings bloomed in his eyes, overlapping layer upon layer, like countless spatial gates condensed within his gaze.

This was the embodiment of Spatial Walker. Lu Yuan activated his Combat Technique at full power — and in that same instant, inside a lavishly appointed guest room within the Red Maple Imperial Palace on Great Qi Star, the Tianming Sage — who had just returned to his chambers — vanished.

He reappeared in the vacuum of space.

The moment the Tianming Sage emerged from the transfer, dense black mist surged and coiled around him, and his expression hardened instantly.

As a Battle Saint, he had detected the anomaly the moment the spatial transfer began.

What stunned him, however, was that detecting it hadn't mattered. He had been powerless to resist. The transfer had taken him regardless.

That meant his opponent possessed a Spatial Type gene of extraordinary caliber.

Though he couldn't resist the transfer itself, nothing stopped him from keeping his guard up and protecting himself the instant he arrived.

He swept his gaze across his surroundings — and saw it. Dark mist was seeping out of the void, closing around him from all sides.

The Tianming Sage's brow furrowed. His expression was stone-cold:

"A domain? Saint-grade dark-type power..."

He extended his senses outward. As a Saint who himself wielded dark-type power, the Shadow Sacred Domain couldn't obstruct his perception — and yet he could detect no one inside it.

A longsword formed in his grip. He spoke in a measured, icy tone:

"Spatial power and dark-type power combined... You're the one who killed that Saint-grade Aberration Feral Beast, aren't you? Why not come out and face me?"

At that moment, a disembodied voice resonated through the Shadow Sacred Domain:

"Tianming Sage — your body has been infiltrated by Corruption. Are you aware of this?"

Something shifted violently across the Tianming Sage's face. Deep in his black eyes, dim and writhing shadows stirred, as though something dark were clawing at the edges from within.

Then, through gritted teeth: "How do you know that?"

The voice offered no answer to the question. Instead it said:

"I want to try removing the Corruption from your body. Will you cooperate with me?"

The Tianming Sage narrowed his eyes. His expression moved through several rapid changes.

"How am I supposed to trust that you actually want to help me? And you're a Saint yourself — you should know how difficult it is to purge Aberration Corruption... But you have light-type power..."

Something clicked. He recalled Si Qi's earlier description of the mysterious figure, and a faint glimmer of possibility rose in his eyes.

*Perhaps there's a chance.*

He clenched his jaw, made a decision, and spoke:

"What do I need to do?"

Hidden within the Shadow Sacred Domain, Lu Yuan let out a quiet breath of relief.

Truthfully, the last thing he wanted was a fight with the Tianming Sage. Not out of fear — at his current strength, even accounting for the Sage's dark-type power substantially diminishing the Shadow Sacred Domain's effectiveness, he estimated his odds at no worse than fifty-fifty.

His Gene Armaments were stronger now. He had more tools at his disposal. And with his Stellar Body perfected, his foundational combat strength had taken another meaningful leap.

But the Tianming Sage had always treated him with genuine kindness — and he was Yeye's elder. Fighting could be avoided, so it was better avoided.

Lu Yuan didn't speak again.

In the next instant, his Spirit Power surged. He poured everything into Wings of Light.

Six pairs of enormous luminous wings erupted from behind him. His hair shifted from black to gleaming white-gold. A slender cross-shaped mark traced itself across his forehead. And in his dark eyes, golden flames blazed to life.