It was so abrupt that it took her by surprise.
A blinding light affected her eyes, but there was no threatening feeling contained. She waited for about five seconds before she opened her eyes only for her to see two individuals who were exiting from a translucent portal while holding each other's hand tightly.
Kate quickly took a fighting stance as she gripped her whip and the environment became frozen.
The two figures who exited the portal noticed the abrupt change in temperature and one of them said, "Oh no, I told you your measurement was too far-fetched and will get us killed."
Kate, who had already slashed her whip toward the uninvited guests froze in her spot, because she recognized the intruders. She took a closer look to confirm, and it was just as suspected.
She refused to believe in coincidences…
___
It had been four days since Blood and his servant left home without coming back which had placed the entire Marble manor in another round of worry, and both parents painstakingly looked everywhere for their son, including hiring mercenaries and seeking the Hunter union for help in finding their son.
His servant on the other hand couldn't be found also, and they both knew he would never leave his master's side which made them panicked even more.
This was totally different from the previous ones. They didn't even know if he was still alive.
After asking around, they heard that he entered the forest, but they never saw him come out. While some rumors entailed; he was jubilantly killing one beast after the other. Maybe someone got jealous of his loot and attacked him, taking his life in the process.
There were many rumors about him and Salza picked one in particular; his son had a debate with some Carmos from the Shai alchemy clan which was very close to the Marble family's territory, and the kid even told his son to cross the outer boundary of the forest.
Without waiting to put two-to-two together, he stormed the Shai clan demanding the release of his son after battling the clan head and grand elders, destroying buildings in the process.
Balin and his entourage remained silent since they knew they were the ones who had sent the kid into the Dark zone. As for the servant who was said to be accompanying him, he knew nothing about him. He most likely had run away when he realized his master was dead, knowing if he returned to deliver the message, he would be giving his head out.
They didn't even know he was from the Marble family since he was in a hoody, or they would have restrained themselves. They only came to know when the lady, Shiva, said she saw his face.
They hadn't resolved the problem with the Whip princess yet and simply couldn't afford to offend the Marble family.
He had heard that a single man toppled the Shai clan over rumors of his missing son. He wondered what would happen if he knew this secret. His clan would fare better if a war was to happen, but he knew they have their cups full at the moment.
Hence, he remained completely silent and ordered his fellow apprentices and servants to remain within the vicinity of the inn. He would be dead before his clan knew what happened and he wasn't sure they would retaliate if the Marble family killed him.
There was no one in the city who hadn't heard of the Marble family's current head, he wasn't just a Silver realm cultivator, but also a complete battle maniac. His deeds inspired fear in the hearts of many.
And just like that, the search continued and a huge reward was placed on the Hunter union's mission board.
___
Oblivious to the events following his disappearance, the duo stayed in the same area.
Blood suddenly appeared behind a glowing prism which started revolving counterclockwise the moment he arrived. It was like it was announcing his return.
The static energy within the eight balls became lively as they stirred violently within the circles. The colorful energy by this time had turned completely red and restless as if refined by time.
All of a sudden, Blood entered a state of dizziness as his eyes became hazy and his body turned weak. He fell on the shadowy ground, crimson mist raising from his body.
The eight circles which contained the restless energy shook vehemently, they overpowered the circles which constrained them and burst forth unimpeded.
Time passed...
Blood soon regained consciousness and the crimson mist leaking from his body stopped. He locked his eyes on the octagonal prism.
With the knowledge he possessed, he knew that one had to refine the heaven and earth energy through cultivation techniques to grow stronger, but it looked like this energy was doing all the work by itself.
Anyways, he circulated his cultivation technique, Blood Formation Manual—Blood Balancing Art and the prism revolution became much faster than before.
The energy from each circle chimed and simultaneously darted toward the dim silhouette, through the net linking them. They converged and all the energy circles contracted as their energy started to condense at the center of the silhouette into a single giant ball of red energy which was then transferred to its summit. Although the ring on the silhouette's summit looked small, it encompassed the whole energy.
The concentrated energy gathered were continuously being stimulated and after some time passed, the energy was refined and dispensed to the entire structure.
When this happened, Blood's veins started to bulge. His entire face contorted and was suddenly covered with thick red veins which started beating really hard like they had a heart. He could fell this sensation happening all over his body.
But amidst the pain, he could feel it. The subtle but evident soothing glow. His strength was constantly being increased in an outrageous manner. He had an impression that no one would be his equal after this breakthrough.
The feeling of breakthrough was yet to behold.
Blood's still figure quaked and the red mists started to clear the surrounding dark fog. His entirely body was enveloped in a crystalline red glow.
It was breathtaking!
After all the energy completely gushed down the silhouette, the barrier separating the Iron realm and the Bronze realm was as fragile as a balloon. Without any hardened efforts, Blood broke through the realm barrier, officially entering the second realm of cultivation, the Bronze realm.
The moment he entered the Bronze realm, he could see that the dimly lit silhouette became more identifiable, although it was still vague.
The octagonal prism continued to revolve but all the imbued energy was nowhere to be seen. It was completely depleted.
It seemed he had to accumulate the energy from start again.
Blood's body suddenly vibrated and was sent out of his Spiritual space.
________
Meanwhile…
"Dear, someone just delivered this note and said it was urgent." Maria said, coming through the main door toward her husband who was sitting on a couch with a livid complexion.
A forceful smile replaced the former when he heard his wife's voice, "What does it say?"
He didn't want to read it himself as he was afraid it carried the chief's annoying words. The matter concerning the dual porter he had inquired about was sent the day before he arrived, so it never reached him.