Chapter 107: The Cosmic Path Establishment Technique
Unlike Shirley Quinn's arm-thick, menacing black centipede, Ruru Rosa's Crimson Thread Goldwing Centipede was a delicate, finger-sized creature, its sleek body traced with a vivid scarlet thread and adorned with four shimmering golden wings. The centipede emerged from her storage pouch and fluttered to her, nuzzling her fingertips with gentle affection, its golden wings humming like plucked harp strings.
Ruru whispered soft commands, pointing toward the pearl-bead curtain veiling the shrine's altar. The centipede's wings hummed, and it darted forward, golden streaks slicing the air. The squad watched, breath held, as it neared the curtain. But at three meters from the altar, the centipede faltered, circling aimlessly, its movements growing sluggish, as if the curtain had vanished from its perception entirely, unable to approach the altar.
"How come? This shrine defies logic," Ruru Rosa muttered, frowning. "The altar's hiding something... Unnatural." She glanced at Garrick Blackthorn, who nodded, his eyes glinting with suspicion. She recalled the centipede, its wings buzzing as it returned to her hand, and asked. "Captain, what's next?"
Garrick's eyes narrowed, his mind weighing the risks. After a brief pause, he said, "I'll check it myself."
As a peak Ninth Layer Qi Refinement cultivator, half a step from Foundation Establishment, Garrick trusted his strength. Even if the altar concealed a trap, he was confident he could face it and retreat swiftly if needed. He signalled Thorn Squad to stay vigilant and hold position, then he stepped forward alone.
The squad watched, tension coiling, as he approached the spot where the centipede had stalled. To their relief, Garrick Blackthorn crossed the invisible barrier unharmed, reaching the pearl curtain without incident. Up close, he saw the curtain was woven from dozen strands of pearls, spaced two fingers apart. Beyond it, the altar appeared as a blurred, ink-washed haze, like a painting dissolved by tides. Even the deity statue's outline was indistinct, as if reality itself shimmered and warped, concealing its secrets.
Garrick Blackthorn paused, his eyes narrowing as he studied the pearl-bead curtain. Hesitated for only a breath, he raised his black spear cautiously, using the weapon's tip to gently nudge the pearl curtain aside, hoping to glimpse what lay beyond the altar's murky haze.
To Lordi Payne's shock, the moment the curtain parted, a clear chime rang in his ears from the AllFullOS system.
~ Ding! *System Notification Chime*
[AllFullOS: Version 1.0.0]
> Detected external data.