East, Chintamani Empire ~ Evening
There was still some time left before sunset.
Master Jins was standing inside the grand court of King Omas. In his hand was the letter written by Lily, and every person present in the court had their eyes fixed upon it.
King Omas and Humbha Yakshini both appeared extremely courteous on the surface. However, their expressions still seemed artificial, as though a deep scheme was hidden behind that politeness.
A few moments later, without saying a single word, Master Jins tossed the letter into the air.
The letter flew straight into King Omas's hands.
King Omas caught it calmly, broke the seal, and began reading it in silence. The entire court watched him intently.
Especially Humbha Yakshini and the King's Shadow Messenger, who had now become his chief advisor and minister. Humbha's host also remained silent, yet his eyes seemed to hint that he was contemplating some scheme.
After reading the letter, a faint smile appeared on King Omas's lips.
In a calm voice, he said, "Fair enough... if you all feel unsafe in my palace, then the southern part of Mehan Mountain is also a suitable location. It is an open field... and sufficiently rocky as well."
Saying this, he tossed the letter through the air toward Humbha. Humbha merely made a slight gesture with her hand. It was as though an invisible force pulled the letter toward her.
The letter came to rest in the palm of her hand. She immediately opened it and began reading it with a calm expression.
Outwardly, she appeared completely composed, yet the speed at which she read was so astonishing that it seemed to be a hundred times faster than that of an ordinary human.
Humbha smiled, but there was something cunning hidden behind her smile.
"I've heard that Kankal City has been busy recruiting a massive army."
Hearing this, Master Jins remained calm. Though countless words rose within his mind, he swallowed them back. For a brief moment, he wanted to break the limits of restraint. His clenched fist slowly loosened as he replied,
"No, no... we've merely recruited a few soldiers for the city's security."
Humbha smiled again.
"Oh? So that's how it is. I had assumed something else."
Master Jins remained silent.
A moment later, he took two steps backward. A blue crystal suddenly began to glow in his hand.
A wave of surprise spread throughout the court, especially across King Omas's face.
Because Master Jins was already gone. His body had completely vanished. It was all the power of that Teleport Crystal.
Humbha rose from her seat and disappeared from the court without saying a single word. The anger on her face was unmistakable.
Because for the first time, it seemed that not only her throne... but everything she possessed was now in danger.
King Omas remained seated in silence.
Meanwhile, over Kankal City, the dark silence of the night had spread across the entire city like a cold black blanket of comfort. The city rested quietly, turning in its sleep, yet for the high-level cultivators, the nights ahead were extremely difficult. The thoughts rising within their minds would not allow them to come anywhere near sleep.
Inside a quiet chamber, Snehwal and Lily were resting.
In another chamber nearby, Lith Yakshini sat in complete silence.
And some distance away, in her own room, Liora stood beside the window, gazing at the night sky. Her eyes were fixed upon the dark clouds that were slowly gathering, while flashes of lightning tore across the distant horizon.
It seemed...
As though the rain was no longer far away.
The weather was steadily building toward its peak.
Everyone knew that the next morning, a journey would begin... one after which perhaps nothing would ever remain the same again... or perhaps its ending would never resemble the way it had begun.
Meanwhile, Luna was also sleeping peacefully on the bed in her own room.
Perhaps, until now, the greatest responsibilities had rested upon her shoulders, and she alone had resolved the greatest number of difficulties.
Master Jins was sitting in meditation inside his chamber. As he cultivated, his mind gradually sank into the memories of the past.
He recalled the long journey of his life~countless wars, the company of people filled with deception and treachery, and the life he had lived wandering across the entire Land of Consciousness like a traveler. With the passage of time, even his age had begun to decline.
He let out a long, gentle sigh. After remaining silent for a few moments, he murmured to himself,
"The final war... is now close. Perhaps this will be the last challenge of my life."
He paused for a moment.
"And yet... my entire life has never been short of challenges. Now it feels... as though somewhere ahead, a moment of rest is waiting for me."
With those words, he slowly closed his eyes.
Perhaps... he, too, had spent his entire life far away from peace.
Meanwhile... Far away, inside a dark chamber, a sharp scream suddenly echoed. It belonged to Humbha's host.
His entire body was radiating with brilliant light. At that very moment, dark clouds rapidly gathered across the sky.
It seemed to be the sign of breaking through into a new stage.
A satisfied smile appeared on Humbha's lips. Her laughter echoed throughout the chamber.
"Now... you're ready." She stepped closer to him and said, "The Divine Water has successfully brought you into the Fifth Stage."