Beyond The System
Chapter 155: Call in the Night

“Grand Library?” Griffith repeated, his eyes lighting up with renewed interest after hearing the details from the vision. “I wonder if it still exists… What treasures could lie at the end of these Dragon Veins?”

“I’m concerned,” Miss Star said, her voice steady. “If there’s something useful there, the State would surely take an interest, wouldn’t they?”

“It’s possible,” Drake admitted. “But considering how dangerous this place is, I doubt any Starborn have ever been sent here. More importantly, I doubt the higher-ups would risk them for something likely to be destroyed.”

Marcus rubbed his forehead, his brow furrowing. “Starborn guards have been lost, that much I know for certain. But like Drake said, I don’t think anyone stronger would be risked.”

“I still think we should move there eventually. The rate of progress we could make at the Dragon Vein would be much faster.” I felt Drake glance at me as I spoke, prompting me to add, “After we’re sure it’s safe, of course.”

“So we wait a day or so, then head over?” Thea asked.

Griffith folded his hands. “First, we should decide who’s going and who’s staying.”

“I’m staying,” Trevor said with a self-deprecating grin. “No way I can keep up with you guys yet.”

“I’m staying too,” Lyra added quickly, pulling Velea close before she could try to protest or slip away. “I’ll stay with Vel.”

“Well, I think it makes the most sense for only those who’ve completed their foundations to go,” Marcus suggested. “In other words… we wait.”

The thought had been weighing on my mind during the entire trip back. The uncertainty about what knowledge might still remain. “What do you think the odds are that any books from the Grand Library survived?”

“Well, aside from the Dragon Vein, it was the only other thing mentioned in the projection,” Drake considered. “So maybe something’s left, but...”

“But it’s impossible to say for sure,” Elric added. “Especially considering how much has likely changed since whenever that place originally fell.”

“We could keep waiting, but I don’t want to drag this out much longer,” I admitted.

Everyone tensed at my words, sensing where I was headed. Still, I pressed on. “Even if the odds are low, others might seek this place for the same reason I would, progress and privacy. Especially if they learn others are already here.”

A brief silence followed until Miss Star broke it. “I think he’s right. If the vision you saw was accurate, and if there is even some knowledge still here—”

“Then we could maybe find the next steps of this system,” Marcus finished for her. “And there will be others who’d seek to grow their own power.”

I nodded. This was a big part of my motivation to go out there. Even if the odds were slim, this could be the key to breakthroughs on elemental mastery.

The knowledge might fill in gaps in ideas I'd only seen mentioned like that Core Shattering, and the steps after that.

And what about the rest of purification and Body Refinement. What would the other elements do?

My current advancements had nearly reached their limits. The only thing to progress was Spiritual Refinement, and Water Force Body Refinement was nearing completion.

And my guess? As with natural refinement, there would be no grand transformation at the end.

“I’m all for exploring ruins if there are any,” Griffith grunted, “but we can’t ignore the dangers. We need to prepare properly and secure our footing here first. Only then do we move out.”

I nodded in agreement. “Alright. I understand.”

Griffith stood and brushed dirt from his pants. “It’s still light out, and I’ve got more work to do here. The rest of you can focus on training for now.”

I wasn’t entirely sure what other work Griffith could possibly do more for this monstrosity of an earth fortress, but I didn’t question it. Neither did the others. We simply broke off into smaller groups to resume training.

“How much longer until you guys finish up the Channel Opening?” I asked, turning toward Lyra.

She gave a casual shrug while tightening her grip on her usual prisoner. “Not sure yet, but I’m definitely getting better at my skill. The more I use it, the more I understand it.”

“Which means,” Elric added with a small chuckle, “she’s getting slightly better at explaining it too.”

“I think she’s doing a great job,” Sia said, scooting closer to Lyra with an encouraging smile.

“Suck up.”

“You—”

Before the usual back-and-forth could escalate, I cut in. “Alright, please. Answers?”

“I think Sia and I are probably the closest to finishing,” Thea explained. “But we’ve been taking things more cautiously lately. We’re puncturing only as needed to save time. Oh, and I've been counting the amount of punctures needed.”

“Oh... nice,” I replied.

“For later,” she added matter-of-factly.

Did she think those two words explained? I wasn’t entirely sure, but I smiled anyway, trying to sound supportive. “Yeah? Nice.”

Lyra let out a sigh of mild exasperation. “Griffith put the idea of writing a manual in her head, so now she’s very fixated on details.”

“And we’re also trying to figure out alternatives to Channel Opening,” Thea expanded. “Or at least, other ways to approach it. If we ever take in anyone who already has a foundation different from the Grand Channel, we’ll need to know how to repair or adapt it.”

She glanced briefly at Lyra. “Plus, it would be nice if she joins us soon.”

“That sounds interesting. Let me know when you find something, alright?” I said.

Thea nodded in agreement.

“I think I’ll be finished with Body Refinement soon, so I’m going to start now.” Without waiting for a response, I closed my eyes and shifted my focus inward.

The automatic refinement process had still been feeding World Force into my Nexus, but as I examined it more closely, I noticed the energy was being pulled into the Voidseed. I immediately redirected the flow and let my thoughts wander.

It’s eating faster than usual. The last time I remember using it was at night, but we’re probably still a few hours away.

I didn’t think it was wise to use the Voidseeds ability in such a foreign environment, which meant I would have to halt progress in my Nexus for now.

Luna, have you noticed any changes yet with your Spirit Sense?

No, she answered, her tone laced with mild frustration. This is taking forever. And I’ve already finished purification for the next elemental force too.

I had noticed she had stopped shedding recently.

But the worm—

Dragon, Wyrem corrected firmly.

The worm insisted I continue refining. At first, I thought it would be fine, that purification alone would continue, but no. It seems actual refinement is necessary before advancing to the next force. At least for me.

I suggest you continue as well, Peter, Wyrem suggested. Of course, only when it’s safe. But trust me, finding creatures with strong spirits is extremely rare. If you discover a way to nurture it...

It struck me how odd the situation was. Sure, most cultivators wouldn’t willingly explode their Nexus as part of advancement. But combining that with Spiritual Sense, and the necessity of a root to progress beyond the initial explosion.

It all seemed to tie together perfectly.

Even back in that illusion during my trial, the information didn't appear widespread. The foundation methods were even scattered across separate manuals.

Some discoveries came by accident, others through intention. But it wasn’t as if I had invented anything revolutionary. It was all there, hidden, just waiting to be created.

Could you let me know if you feel any changes? I asked.

No problem. Same to you.

Of course.

I was already finished. The World Force had fully integrated into my body, so I opened my eyes.

“What the—?”

Griffith had clearly been busy. Though not building anything resembling a castle, at least not from the outside. The once-vertical walls now curved inward, supported by tall pillars of earth placed, I assumed, at key structural points.

“A dome?” Or maybe more like a hill. Shafts of the setting sunlight filtered gently through a wide hole at the top.

“Crazy, right?” Thea said. “I just got up a moment ago, but he did all this in such a short time.”

“Yeah, no kidding,” I agreed, scanning the area. I spotted the architect himself, sitting with his eyes closed. Judging by the occasional sounds though, I figured he was napping, not cultivating.

Unless, of course, you could snore during cultivation.

Marcus was nearby, working with Trevor, watching as he struggled to dodge attacks from several hounds.

The rest of the group sat quietly, eyes closed in their own training.

“Want to get started?” Thea offered, already rising to her feet.

I stood with her, and together we moved away from the others, giving ourselves enough space to spar comfortably. The session began.

Our movements were sharp but relaxed. A familiar rhythm we’d developed over time. I knew her habits and she knew mine.

It was cheesy, sure, but I was beginning to understand why people called this kind of thing a dance.

At the same time, though, I noticed something frustrating. My power had barely increased. In a way, it was a relief. I wasn’t so strong that I would easily overpower my partners, so I wouldn't have to change the way I did conversion.

But still... It was yet another reminder of my stalled progress.

“The more I think of the book,” Thea said, breaking my train of thought as she threw a quick jab, “the more I start to think.”

I caught her wrist mid-strike, pulling her forward with a smirk. “Make sure you don’t hurt yourself.”

She rolled her eyes, slipping free. “Do you think it’s possible this is all old knowledge?”

Of course I’d already wondered the same. “It’s possible. That’s why I want to look for information in that library.”

She charged forward again, revealing something new. Purple lightning crackled at her feet, and in a flash, she appeared directly in front of me.

“Ha—AH!”

It seemed new for her too. She collided with me, sending both of us tumbling back together.

“Whoa,” I gasped, letting out a small laugh. “When’d you learn to do that?”

Brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear, she rested her head on my chest. “Just now.”

I lay there with her, both of us lightly laughing. She opened her mouth to speak again. “Do you ever—”

But something cut her off. A distant sound carried through the trees. A call, not a roar, from some unknown beast.

“WOOOAAHM.”