CHAPTER 46: [47] TROUBLE WITH THE ENVOYS

As Theon stepped across the threshold, the world transformed around him. The hall expanded impossibly, defying all physical laws as the interior revealed itself to be vastly larger than the exterior suggested. He found himself standing in the center of what appeared to be an entire pocket dimension, a circular valley surrounded by seven towering mountains that stretched toward an artificial sky swirling with primal energy.

Each mountain was a manifestation of elemental power made physical.

The first mountain blazed with eternal fire, rivers of lava cascading down its slopes in defiance of gravity, the air above it shimmering with intense heat that would have incinerated any ordinary person who dared approach.

The second mountain was a marvel of water, a crystalline structure where torrents of liquid spiraled upward in impossible waterfalls, the entire peak shrouded in mist that sparkled with rainbow light.

The third mountain gleamed with metallic luster, its surface composed of countless interlocking plates of steel, bronze, and silver that shifted and reorganized themselves in mesmerizing patterns, producing a resonant hum that vibrated through the air.

The fourth mountain appeared nearly invisible at first glance, but as Theon focused his enhanced God’s Eye upon it, he could see it was actually a mountain of pure air and wind, with visible currents of atmosphere spiraling around its peak in perpetual cyclones, the very essence of movement and freedom made manifest.

The fifth mountain was darkness incarnate, an abyss given form, where shadows pooled and writhed like living things, occasionally revealing glimpses of what might be infinite depth or might be nothing at all.

The sixth mountain radiated pure light, its surface composed of diamond and crystal that refracted brilliance in every direction, so bright that ordinary eyes would be blinded by merely glancing at it.

The seventh mountain was the most peculiar of all. It appeared to be constructed from living wood and stone that constantly grew, died, and regenerated in an eternal cycle. Flowers bloomed and withered in seconds, vines crawled across its surface before crumbling to dust, only to sprout anew. It was the mountain of life and nature itself, representing the endless cycle of birth, growth, decay, and rebirth that governed all living things.

Atop each mountain stood a figure, and even from this distance, Theon could feel the overwhelming pressure emanating from them. These were the Seven Envoys, beings whose power transcended normal understanding.

Without warning, seven figures materialized before Theon in a flash of light and displaced air. They were astral projections, but even these manifestations carried enough power to make Theon’s instincts scream danger.

The group consisted of two elderly men, two younger men who appeared to be in their thirties, and three women. One of the women appeared surprisingly young, almost child-like in stature, standing barely over a meter tall with the appearance of a thirteen-year-old girl, though her eyes held the weight of centuries.

Theon immediately bowed his head in respect, keeping his posture formal and his eyes lowered. He understood instinctively that any sign of disrespect here could have catastrophic consequences.

"Humility doesn’t mean good behavior," the seventh Envoy spoke suddenly, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. He was one of the older men, with a weathered face and eyes that seemed to see through all deceptions. "If you lied about anything, about what truly happened in that dimension, we will know. The video you submitted is not true evidence on its own. Such recordings can be fabricated, manipulated, edited to show whatever story the creator wishes to tell."

Theon frowned, lifting his head to meet the seventh Envoy’s skeptical gaze. "I don’t have the capability to forge and hack a video of that complexity," he said firmly. "And apart from the video, I have no other evidence to offer. What happened in the dimensional zone happened exactly as shown."

"Is that so?" The fifth Envoy sneered, stepping forward. She was one of the younger women, with sharp features and eyes that glowed with an inner darkness. "Then explain this."

Without warning, massive shockwaves erupted from her body. The pressure was immense, a physical force that pressed down on Theon from all directions. The air itself seemed to solidify around him, trying to force him to his knees.

"According to our analysis of the video," the fifth Envoy continued, her voice dripping with suspicion, "judging by the energy waves and the power displayed, you shouldn’t have had the strength to survive what was shown, much less to defeat a Super Soldier like Alice. A mere Genetic Soldier at level three or four, as your official records indicate, could never accomplish such a feat. So either the video is a fabrication, or you’re hiding something far more significant than you’ve revealed."

Theon’s face changed, anger flashing across his features. The accusation struck at his core, at the truth of what he’d endured and survived. His two teammates were dead, killed by betrayal, and now he was being accused of lying about their deaths.

Something inside him snapped.

Without conscious thought, Theon activated his Symbiote technique. His body erupted with transformation, muscles expanding explosively as he grew from his normal height to over two meters tall. His skin flushed crimson as countless dark veins bulged across his frame, writhing like serpents beneath the surface. His two hearts thundered in perfect synchronization, pumping blood with such force that the sound was audible throughout the hall.

But more than the physical transformation, it was what happened next that shocked the assembled Envoys.

Despite the fifth Envoy’s continued energy suppression, despite the overwhelming pressure that should have crushed him flat, Theon rose. His transformed body struggled against the invisible weight, muscles straining and veins bulging, but inch by inch, he straightened his posture. His enhanced strength, combined with the doubled attributes from the Soul-Body Condensation Pill, allowed him to resist what should have been irresistible.

The hall fell into stunned silence.

All seven Envoys recognized the technique immediately. Their eyes widened in various degrees of surprise and recognition.

"The Symbiote Fusion Technique," the first Envoy murmured, the elderly man atop the fire mountain. "I haven’t seen that combat art in decades."

"That’s a Tier Four sacred technique," the second Envoy added, her voice carrying a note of respect. "And he’s executing it at a level that suggests mastery far beyond his apparent cultivation stage."

The seventh Envoy, who had been most skeptical, studied Theon with new eyes. His expression remained guarded, but some of the hostility had faded. "This technique is indeed powerful enough to allow combat across realms," he admitted slowly. "With sufficient mastery, a Genetic Soldier could potentially defeat a Super Soldier, especially if other factors were in play."

The fifth Envoy released her pressure, and Theon’s transformed body relaxed slightly, though he maintained the Symbiote state, unwilling to show weakness by releasing it prematurely.

"Very well," the seventh Envoy said after a long moment of consideration. "I am still skeptical of certain details, but I acknowledge that you possess strength beyond your apparent realm. The technique you’ve demonstrated is sufficient explanation for the combat prowess shown in the video."

He paused, and his next words carried the weight of judgment. "However, this incident has caused significant complications. Two students are dead, and the circumstances surrounding their deaths involve accusations of betrayal and conspiracy. Until a full investigation can be conducted and all parties satisfied, you are hereby confined to the academy grounds. You will not leave, you will not take external missions, and you will focus solely on your cultivation and studies within these walls. Any violation of this restriction will result in immediate expulsion and potential criminal charges."

Theon’s frown deepened, and he felt a surge of frustration and annoyance. He had survived betrayal, fought for his life, and now he was being punished for it? The restriction essentially made him a prisoner, albeit in a gilded cage. With the strength he now possessed, with his enhanced abilities and the power he’d gained, being confined felt like being shackled.

But he also understood the reality of his situation. The Seven Envoys were not beings he could defy, not yet. Their casual display of power, even through mere projections, had made that abundantly clear. He had no choice but to comply.

"I understand," Theon said, his transformed voice coming out as a deep rumble. "I will abide by the restriction."

"Then you are dismissed," the seventh Envoy said with a wave of his hand.

The world spun, and Theon found himself suddenly standing outside the massive hall, the doors sealed shut behind him. He released the Symbiote technique, his body shrinking back to its normal size as the crimson flush faded from his skin. The transformation left him slightly winded but not exhausted as it once would have. His increased stamina and doubled attributes made maintaining the technique far less taxing than before.

He stood there for a moment, processing what had just occurred, when a figure approached from the side.

It was a young woman, perhaps in her mid-twenties, wearing the distinctive robes that marked her as an academy instructor. She had elegant features and moved with the grace of someone who had mastered body cultivation to a high degree.