CHAPTER 332: CONDITION

The portal snapped shut abruptly, leaving only echoes of their desperate cries lingering in the air.

Meanwhile, Orion’s consciousness spiraled violently through the turbulent, unstable spatial currents. Pain wracked every fiber of his being, his mind on the verge of shattering from the strain. The world blurred around him, images and sensations chaotic and indistinct.

Then, with one final, violent burst of spatial energy, Orion was hurled brutally onto the dark ground. He rolled several times across a rough, barren landscape, pain jolting sharply through his body with each impact, before coming to an abrupt, merciful halt.

He groaned painfully, every nerve in his battered body screaming in agony as he attempted to sit up.

His vision swam violently, the world around him an indistinct blur of shadows and distorted colors.

The taste of copper filled his mouth as he spat out a mouthful of blood onto the cracked, barren ground beneath him.

His trembling arms gave out abruptly, sending him crashing painfully back down onto the cold, hard earth.

"Ugh..." he hissed, feeling another jolt of pain shoot sharply through him.

His once majestic crimson-golden scales were now scratched and charred, marred by scorch marks and deep gashes.

Even his draconic body couldn’t withstand the devastating spatial storms without consequence.

Lumi’s anxious voice reverberated urgently in his mind, shaking slightly in panic. [Master! Are you okay? Say something!]

Orion’s lips twitched despite the severity of his condition, his tone sarcastic and bitter, "What... does it... look like to... you?"

Lumi let out a relieved yet anxious sigh, ignoring his sarcasm.

[You need to take your healing elixir right now! Your internal injuries are serious!]

Orion tried once more to move, his muscles screaming with unbearable agony at the slightest twitch.

Spatial storms had nearly shattered him completely, their ruthless currents leaving deep, unseen wounds. Gritting his teeth fiercely, he forced himself to remain calm, focusing his scattered consciousness inward.

Slowly, painstakingly, Orion summoned his willpower and managed to withdraw a small, intricately carved cube from his storage.

It shimmered faintly with enigmatic runes—his Silent Hall Cube, a precious artifact designed precisely for moments like these.

With extreme effort, Orion activated the cube through sheer force of will and soul power. Instantly, the artifact thrummed softly, creating a translucent, square barrier around him.

All traces of his aura and presence vanished completely, hidden beneath layers of profound concealment runes as the world turned back to normal.

Sighing heavily with relief, Orion collapsed again onto the cool ground, the barrier isolating him entirely from the outside world.

He lay still, eyes fluttering closed, forcing himself to regulate his labored breathing and calm the chaotic storm within.

For what felt like an eternity, he lay quietly, drifting slowly into unconsciousness.

When Orion finally stirred awake some time later, his thoughts felt clearer, though his body still throbbed dully.

He painstakingly reached for the rare-grade healing elixir stored safely in his spatial ring, fingers trembling slightly as he uncorked it.

Drinking deeply, he felt warmth immediately flood his battered body, the gentle yet powerful medicine stitching his torn muscles and cracked bones back together.

With a deep breath, Orion sat cross-legged, focusing solely on absorbing the elixir’s healing essence. Hours slowly ticked by as he meticulously guided the healing energy through his ravaged body, repairing the extensive damage inflicted by the spatial storms.

Finally, after a long healing session, Orion exhaled deeply, opening his eyes to examine himself carefully.

Physically, he had completely recovered, the pain nothing more than a distant memory. But inwardly, anxiety tightened around his heart. He quickly shifted his consciousness toward his Sea of Consciousness.

The fissures within had expanded rapidly, branching chaotically across his Sea of Consciousness. Mana leaked alarmingly fast, slipping irretrievably into the void.

If this continued unchecked, his cultivation foundation would soon be critically damaged, perhaps beyond repair.

Taking a deep, steadying breath, Orion forcibly withdrew his consciousness from his deteriorating Sea of Consciousness, focusing instead on the unfamiliar surroundings.

The barren landscape stretched desolately around him, dark jagged stones jutting from the lifeless soil beneath a bleak, ashen sky.

He murmured softly, confusion evident in his voice, "Where am I? Is this still the same place?"

Lumi’s gentle voice answered him carefully, tinged with quiet frustration and lingering concern.

[Yes, Master. Unfortunately, you’re still in the same Lower World. That damn vampire disrupted the portal at the last moment, causing you to be dragged violently back here.]

Orion nodded slowly, absorbing the harsh reality. Yet, despite understanding logically, an uncontrollable surge of frustration and indignation erupted suddenly from deep within him.

"HOW THE HELL WAS THAT BASTARD SO STRONG!?" Orion screamed furiously, his voice echoing violently, shattering the oppressive silence. "IT DOESN’T FUCKING MAKE SENSE!"

His furious outburst startled even himself. Breathing heavily, Orion remained silent for several tense moments, allowing the anger and resentment to subside gradually.

Lumi hesitated, her usually cheerful voice uncharacteristically cautious. [Uh, Master? Are you... alright?]

Orion exhaled shakily, clenching and unclenching his fists to calm himself further. Eventually, he spoke again, his voice softer, more controlled.

"Yes... I feel much better now. But seriously, Lumi, why was that fucking bastard so much stronger than his generals?"

Lumi paused, clearly considering deeply. [Hmm, perhaps... could it be due to his bloodline or his racial characteristics?]

Orion shook his head firmly, his pride and instincts rejecting the idea instantly. "Impossible. A mere vampire is nothing before a True Dragon’s bloodline. Even if I can’t fully utilize my True Dragon form yet, a vampire shouldn’t have been capable of toying with an apex Draconian like me. He was only a single level above my cultivation."

Lumi fell silent again, evidently unable to provide an adequate explanation either. The quiet stretched heavily between them, Orion’s mind racing with unanswered questions.

Nothing about this battle made sense. The disparity in their strengths was simply too absurd.

"He even called himself the Leader of the Sanguis Noctem Clan," Orion muttered thoughtfully, brow furrowing deeply. "Is that supposed to mean something significant?"

Lumi’s voice was hesitant, tinged with uncertainty.

[Perhaps, Master. Maybe he’s from another Prime Realm or possesses something exceptional we haven’t encountered yet. There’s also a chance his combat techniques or artifacts surpassed anything we’ve seen here.]

Orion took a deep, steadying breath, closing his eyes for a brief moment to gather his chaotic thoughts.

Opening them slowly, a deep sense of resolve glimmered within his dual-colored gaze, piercing through the darkness of uncertainty and frustration.

"It doesn’t matter where he is from," Orion spoke quietly yet firmly, his deep voice echoing with unshakeable conviction. "I can’t leave without defeating him. And moreover, I absolutely can’t allow him to claim that legacy."

Lumi’s system panel materialized beside him, her expression grave and solemn, glowing softly with gentle radiance. She nodded her head seriously, her voice calm but imbued with urgency.

[Exactly, Master. Valerian is already frighteningly strong. If he obtains the legacy of that staff, who knows how powerful he’ll become in the future. We absolutely cannot allow him any more opportunities.]

Orion nodded slowly in acknowledgment of her words, his brow knitting with deep contemplation.

He glanced around, examining the desolate and barren landscape surrounding him once more. It stretched endlessly, bleak and oppressive beneath an ashen, featureless sky, a land devoid of life, a fitting backdrop to his heavy choice.