CHAPTER 116 — THE FRACTURE REMEMBERS
The chamber did not change.
The fractured core remained embedded in black stone.
The air was still thick.
The faint red pulse continued, slower now—measured.
Long Hao's hand was still raised.
The light-thread between him and the core had snapped.
Zehell stood half a step behind him, spear angled defensively, silver lines glowing faintly.
Longyu's voice broke the silence first.
"…That is strange."
Long Hao didn't lower his hand yet.
"What is?"
"There was no counter-response."
He blinked once.
"No rejection protocol. No suppression wave. No seal reinforcement."
The core pulsed once.
Calm.
Long Hao's lips curved slightly.
"So it accepted me."
Longyu did not respond immediately.
"That is what concerns me."
He let out a quiet breath.
"Relax. I'm still standing."
The words were barely out when—
Something tore through his chest.
Not from outside.
From within.
His breath hitched.
