NOVEL NEXT Chapter 52: Breakthrough in sight
The sky brightened as the three suns of Tianxue Jingjie rose, spreading their brilliance across the lands. Phoenix-like birds chirped, spreading their wings as they soared through the sky. The lively aura the day brought was palpable — but one place remained dim, as though in defiance of the sun's brilliance…
The Hybrid Village retained its gloomy and ashen atmosphere. Vultures and crows perched along its wooden fence, their eyes brimming with expectation.
Today was the day — the day the Hybrid Valley opened. Visitors who had come to brave the lands from different parts of the Mortal Realm rose early.
Eager but wary, they quickly gathered at the southwest edge of the village, their vital auras and rowdy presence bringing a flicker of warmth and life to the otherwise dead atmosphere.
Spark stood at the outer edge of the crowd. He was one of the first to arrive, his cloak donned and his expression stoic.
He had accomplished his goal two days prior — evolving his output to be able to manifest matter. But to his greatest astonishment and disappointment, he hadn't reached Zenith.
Back on Earth, he had read countless accounts from past mutants who had reached this legendary realm, and they all had something in common.
The moment they reached Zenith, they went through a phase called metamorphosis — a state akin to a caterpillar entering the pupa to evolve into a butterfly.
This mysterious evolution mutated the body further, but not in a harmful way like the mutant drug Compound X.
The changes that took place after metamorphosis were hard to explain. Some even outright admitted they didn't know what changes they had undergone.
But one account stood out to Spark. The writer said that after going through metamorphosis, it felt as though his existence within the universe was more defined — as though he could exert influence on the universe to a certain extent.
Now that Spark thought about it, didn't that sound just like awakening a Will?
Previously, he had doubted whether he could awaken a Will, considering the fact that he was an Earthling and had never heard of such a force before. But now it all made sense.
It wasn't that there was no Will on Earth — it was that humans had given it a different name entirely.
Now all his previous worries about being unable to awaken a Will were cleared. His only concern now was reaching Zenith.
Anyway, let's see what this Hybrid Valley has in store, he thought — just as a young man approached him.
Silky flowing dark hair, regal purple eyes, and a dignified presence — this was the same guy who had interrupted his meal the previous day.
"Good day, brother. I go by the name Fang Lei Yu. I came over to ask if you would like to team up with us. The Hybrid Valley is about to open, and I'm sure you've sensed the stifling atmosphere. That place will undoubtedly be dangerous," the young man offered.
Raising a brow, Spark asked, "Why pick me?" After all, there were other experts around…
The young man chuckled. "You jest, brother. You must undoubtedly be a martial arts prodigy. If I don't pick you, who else?"
"Huh? What makes you think I'm a martial artist?" Spark inquired with a smile.
"Hehehehe! The metal ball you caught effortlessly yesterday, brother — that was an essence artifact made from a neutron star shard. Even I, the owner, don't dare wield it without using weaves. But you, brother, caught it effortlessly… You must be a prodigy of the Meridian Opening or even Bone Forging realm."
I see, so that's why… Spark finally understood why the young man had approached him first. Thinking it through, he reasoned that joining a team wouldn't hurt.
He could also use the opportunity to learn more from them. All this while, his sources of information had been regular folks. A cultivator would definitely have a better understanding of this world.
And besides, this young man was an Essence Weaver — what better time to learn more about essence weaving and how it worked than now? This was an opportunity.
"Spark…" he said simply.
Lei Yu's eyes brightened in understanding. "Ah, Brother Spark! Welcome to our team. Come, let me introduce you to my fellow disciples."
Lei Yu led Spark to where the others were. "Sisters, Brother — I brought a martial artist to team up with. This is Spark!"
There were two ladies and one guy, all dressed in similar attire, hinting that they were from the same sect — meaning they were all Essence Weavers.
"This is Junior Sister Zhang Bao'er. She might be a little hot-tempered — you'll just have to bear with her," Lei Yu began, pointing at a young maiden. Adorably cute, pink hair tied into twin tails, flawless pale skin, and fiery red eyes.
So cute… Spark couldn't help but mutter silently. Her beauty had an adorable allure — one that even Spark was drawn to.
Sensing Spark's gaze, Bao'er harrumphed and swayed her head sideways. The action, meant to be rude, could only be described as adorable when done by her. Behind her, an axe two times her size rested.
"This is Junior Sister Zhao Mei. She won't be following us into the Hybrid Valley, though — she's only here to see us off." In contrast to cute Bao'er, Zhao Mei felt more reserved. She wasn't as beautiful, but the way she carried herself was dignified, giving her an air of distance.
She nodded slightly to Spark in greeting, which he returned in kind.
"And finally, we have Junior Brother Zhao Mu. As you must have guessed, he and Mei are twins — but he will be joining us."
A young man with matching blue hair and eyes — same as Zhao Mei — stood beside them. But contrary to his twin sister, his aura felt bold and lively.
"Welcome, brother!" Mu greeted Spark.
But just before Spark could reply, a deafening rumble rang out.
The ground rattled furiously as a tremor reverberated and growled. An astonishing sight unfolded right before them as everyone panicked, taking rapid steps back.
The ground parted like an earthquake — but unlike an earthquake, this showed no signs of stopping.
The earth opened its ever-growing maws. The poor visitors tried escaping, but it happened so suddenly they didn't react fast enough, and they all fell into the newly formed massive trench of a canyon.
They had been curious why it was called Hybrid Valley…
Well, now they knew.