With Lucia leading the way, the three of them moved deeper into the southern camp, weaving through the scattered formations of tents, temporary structures, and anchored Star Shuttles.
The deeper they went, the more crowded the surroundings beca. What initially appeared to be a quiet landing zone gradually revealed itself to be a bustling hub filled with cultivators from all kinds of forces. Max observed everything silently as they walked.
Even though this camp could not compare to the grandeur of major forces, it was far from small in terms of activity. The sheer number of people present made one thing very clear. The allure of Orion was simply too great.
No matter how dangerous the planet was, no matter how high the mortality rate had beco over the years, it still drew countless cultivators like moths to a fla. For many, this place was not just a battlefield but an opportunity to rise beyond their limits.
The tension in the air was subtle but ever present.
Soon, Lucia slowed down and turned toward a modest structure standing among the many establishnts in the camp. Compared to the other buildings, it did not appear particularly grand or eye catching. It was a simple shop with a wooden exterior, yet there was sothing about it that set it apart from everything else around it.
Above the entrance hung a sign.
Ascension Hall.
Max's eyes lingered on the na for a mont as they approached.
At first glance, the place seed ordinary. There were not many people inside, and it lacked the overwhelming noise one might expect from a central hub. However, as Max stood there for a mont longer, he began to notice sothing different.
People constantly entered and exited the shop.
Not in large groups, but steadily.
One after another.
There was a rhythm to it, almost as if this place was part of their routine.
"This place…" Max muttered quietly.
Lucia noticed his expression and gave a faint smile. "This is Ascension Hall," she said. "It might not look like much, but this is the central hub of information in Orion."
Max's eyes sharpened slightly.
Lucia continued, her tone carrying familiarity as she stepped toward the entrance. "No matter what you are looking for, whether it is information about dangerous zones, hidden treasures, movents of powerful beasts, or even the activities of other forces, this is where you co."
She glanced back at him briefly. "If you want to survive on Orion, information is more valuable than strength in many situations. And Ascension Hall controls the flow of that information."
Max nodded slowly as he began to understand.
That explained the constant flow of people.
They were not here for goods or resources.
They were here for knowledge.
Lucia stepped inside without hesitation, clearly familiar with the place. Max and Isabella followed closely behind.
The interior of the shop was simple but organized. Rows of counters lined the walls, each attended by individuals who appeared calm and composed, as if nothing in Orion could surprise them anymore. Behind them were shelves filled not with physical items, but with jade slips, scrolls, and information records.
A few cultivators stood at different counters, speaking in low voices, exchanging resources for information or submitting requests.
Lucia walked straight toward one of the counters without wasting any ti.
The person behind the counter, a middle aged man with sharp eyes, looked up the mont she approached. There was a brief flicker of recognition in his gaze, though he did not show it openly.
"You are back," he said calmly.
Lucia nodded slightly. "I need information," she replied.
"What kind of information?" the man asked.
Lucia did not hesitate.
"Dragon Death Valley," she said.
For a brief mont, the atmosphere around the counter shifted.
Even Max could feel it.
The man's expression did not change much, but there was a subtle pause before he spoke again. "That is not cheap information," he said.
Lucia placed a small storage ring on the counter without a word.
The man glanced at it, then nodded slightly as he accepted it.
Without another question, he turned and retrieved a jade slip from behind him before placing it in front of Lucia.
"This contains the known routes, danger zones, and recent activity reports around Dragon Death Valley," he said. "But rember, information on Orion is never absolute."
Lucia picked up the jade slip and scanned it briefly, her eyes moving quickly as she absorbed its contents.
After a few seconds, she nodded.
"This is enough," she said.
Then she turned to Max and Isabella.
"We have our direction," Lucia said calmly.
Max looked at her, his eyes steady.
"Dragon Death Valley," he repeated softly.
Before leaving the Ascension Hall, Lucia suddenly paused, as if she had just rembered sothing important. She turned back toward the counter, her expression shifting from serious to slightly casual, almost playful in a way that suggested familiarity with the place.
"By the way," she said, resting her hand lightly on the counter, "do you have anything interesting lately? Sothing… spicy?"
The middle aged man behind the counter looked at her for a mont before a faint smile appeared on his face. There was a hint of amusent in his eyes, as if he had seen this exact behavior from her many tis before. "You really have not changed, have you?" he said calmly. "Always looking for sothing extra beyond what you ca for."
Lucia simply smiled, not denying it.
The man shook his head lightly before leaning forward just a little, his voice lowering slightly as if the information he was about to share carried so weight. "Since you are a friend of Rose and one of my regular custors, I will tell you this," he said. "Recently, sothing unusual has happened in Orion."
Max's attention sharpened imdiately.
"A part of the ascension tunnel has been damaged," the man continued. "There is a crack in space now, a tear that appeared directly within Orion."
Lucia's expression turned slightly serious as she listened.
"That tear," the man added, his eyes narrowing slightly, "leads directly to the mortal realms."
For a brief mont, silence filled the space around them.
User Comments
0 comments from readers