Poison God's Heritage

Chapter 866 : Recruits

The ship moved through the void with breathtaking speed, the engines humming with an almost soothing consistency as we drifted deeper into the vast, starless expanse. The Beyond had long disappeared behind us, and the usual landmarks—stars, planets, anything recognizable—were nowhere to be seen. Here, in the deepest reaches of space, it was as though time and space held no sway.

There was nothing to anchor our position, nothing to give the mind any sense of direction. It was a place of pure emptiness, where even light seemed reluctant to dwell.

Yet, despite the disorienting nature of our surroundings, Tao Yang sat confidently at the helm, her hands moving expertly across the controls. She appeared unfazed, her directional awareness steady and assured. It was as if she had an innate connection to the vastness of the void itself, guiding us through the dark unknown with ease.

Hours passed like moments as we flew deeper, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at her mastery.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of drifting through nothingness, we saw something—movement ahead. At first, it was just a speck, but as we drew closer, the scene unfolded into something far grander. Thousands of cultivators hovered in the empty space before us, their presence marked by the shimmering glow of their energy.

They formed a vast perimeter around what could only be described as a gargantuan vortex, swirling ominously in the fabric of space.

The vortex was immense, far larger than anything I had ever seen. Its swirling energy twisted and churned, warping the very space around it, casting ripples of power that seemed to defy the laws of reality. The sight of it stirred something deep within me—a mixture of awe and dread. This was no ordinary gateway.

It was a portal to another realm, and it radiated danger from every swirling tendril of energy.

As we approached, the cultivators took notice of us. Their formation shifted like a well-oiled machine, with thousands of them parting to allow us a clear path to dock. It was a display of discipline and coordination that spoke volumes about the power that stood guard over this place.

Even in the far reaches of space, there was order, and it was clear that these warriors had been stationed here with purpose.

We came to a halt, suspended in the emptiness, our ship resting in the void as the cultivators hovered around us. There was a tense quiet, broken only by the soft hum of our ship's engines. Then, from the corner of my vision, I noticed Liang Yu stepping forward.

"I see Meng Hao," she said, her voice carrying a note of recognition. She pointed toward a group of cultivators stationed near the vortex. Among them, one figure stood out—a tall, well-built young man, his presence commanding attention.

Meng Hao turned toward us, his ember-like eyes catching the light of the vortex. It had been a long time since I'd last seen him, and in that time, he had changed. He was no longer the brash youth I remembered. His once boyish features had sharpened into those of a young warrior, his light bronze skin gleaming with health and vitality.

The power he exuded was palpable, and there was an unmistakable confidence in the way he carried himself. Meng Hao had grown—not just in stature, but in spirit.

Without hesitation, I exited the ship, hovering toward him alongside the Blue Sun. As we approached, I noticed another figure standing beside Meng Hao. The man's presence was hard to ignore. He was tall and imposing, his robes adorned with a jade dragon pattern that shimmered faintly in the void. A jade spear was strapped to his back, its presence alone speaking of countless battles fought and won.

This was a man who commanded respect.

"Lord Blue Sun," the man said, bowing slightly in acknowledgment as we approached.

I had heard plenty of rumors about this man, and now, seeing him in person, I knew exactly who he was. The Jade Dragon General—a hero of the last great battle, the warrior who had faced more Rakshasa than any other and emerged victorious. His name was spoken with reverence among those who fought in the Beyond.

The Blue Sun returned his greeting with a nod, while I cupped my hands in respect. "Humble Dragon Shen Bao," I said, introducing myself formally.

The Jade Dragon General smiled, returning the gesture. "A pleasure, Shen Bao. Your name precedes you."

"Wait," Meng Hao said, his tone shifting slightly. I could tell he had something on his mind, something he was hesitant to bring up. "There's something I need to know."

I paused, turning to face him. "What is it?"

Meng Hao took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing. "The Fire King—he's coming with us, isn't he?"

I exchanged a glance with Blue Sun. She had expected this question. "Yes," she said calmly. "He's already on the ship."

Meng Hao's expression darkened immediately, but to my surprise, he didn't explode with anger like I had expected. Instead, he closed his eyes and took another deep breath, steadying himself.

"I should have known," he muttered. "No wonder the Jade Dragon General is here. You're here to keep the peace between us."

The general didn't deny it, but Meng Hao's restraint surprised me. His growth wasn't just physical—there was a newfound maturity in him, a self-control that hadn't been there before.

I raised an eyebrow. "You've changed, Meng Hao."

He nodded, his face solemn. "I won't break military protocol, not with the Jade Dragon General here, and not with you or her watching," he said, casting a glance at the Blue Sun. "But that doesn't mean I've forgotten what the Fire King did."

"I wouldn't expect you to," I said, relieved that at least for now, Meng Hao was holding his anger in check. "We'll keep him out of your way."

"Fine," Meng Hao said, his tone clipped. "But this doesn't mean I forgive him."

"Fair enough," I replied, turning back toward the ship. "Now that everything is in order, let's move out."

As we reboarded the ship, I noticed the main hall was emptier than before. The usual hustle and bustle had died down, replaced by an eerie quiet.

"Where is everyone?" I asked, glancing around.

Tao Yang, seated at the helm, didn't look up as she answered. "They've all gone to their rooms to meditate. The upcoming trial will be difficult. Everyone's preparing."

Only she and Master Rain remained in the main room, both of them calm and composed, though the tension in the air was palpable.

"Right," I said, settling into my seat. "Take us to your home, Tao Yang."

"With pleasure," she replied, her voice steady as she gripped the controls.

With a low hum, the ship began to move once more, heading straight toward the swirling vortex that loomed ahead. The energy around us crackled with intensity as we approached, the ship's Soulsteel armor shimmering in response. There was no turning back now. We were headed into the unknown, and what lay beyond the vortex was anyone's guess.

But one thing was certain—we wouldn't face it unprepared.