Escaping the Abyssal Void, Lin Fan raced like the wind. He didn't stop until he felt he was at a safe distance, beyond the heavily affected zone of Chaotic Force. Though exhausted, his spirit was unusually exhilarated. He had just survived an encounter with another Trial Participant, and more importantly, had unlocked deeper secrets of the Devouring Jade.
Upon returning to Cloud Peak City, Lin Fan didn't head straight for his inn. He went to a large alchemist shop, buying up all the highest-grade MP and HP recovery elixirs he could afford. He knew the path ahead would demand immense energy.
After stocking up on elixirs, he returned to his inn room. Locking the door tightly, he sat down and took out the Devouring Jade. The lingering headache was still there, but now, he felt a cold yet incredibly vibrant energy flowing through his meridians. This was the Chaotic Force essence that the Devouring Jade had absorbed and "purified" into his body.
Lin Fan began to meditate, attempting to sense and control this new energy flow. He discovered that it was completely different from ordinary spiritual energy. Spiritual energy was warm and stable; Chaotic Force essence was cold and volatile, yet extraordinarily powerful. When he tried to fuse it with his spiritual energy, the two energies seemed to repel each other, yet held a strange attraction.
After a few hours of meditation, Lin Fan opened his eyes. He hadn't been able to fully integrate the Chaotic Force essence into his spiritual energy, but he felt a subtle change in his body. His physical strength seemed to have increased, and he had a sensation that he could "see" more subtle energy fluctuations in the air.
This was the power of the Devouring Eye! It wasn't just an offensive or absorptive tool; it could also enhance his senses, allowing him to perceive energy better.
While exploring this change, a message arrived from Blood Splendor.
[Private Message] From: [Blood Splendor (Blood Shadow Pavilion)]
[Content]: Sir Nameless One. We detected strong signals from the Abyssal Void. It seems you had an "interesting" encounter with Dark Shadow? He activated [Void Transformation], escaping the combat zone. We confirm he is also a Lost One, and his item is called the 'Void Bell'—capable of manipulating space and transforming into mist.
Lin Fan read the message, his eyes sharp. "Void Bell"? "Manipulating space and transforming into mist"? That's why Dark Shadow could disperse into hundreds of shadows and quickly escape the Abyssal Void.
"Sir Nameless One, did you collect anything from Dark Shadow?" Blood Splendor asked further. "He left behind some very strange energy residues, different from normal Chaotic Force."
Lin Fan recalled the moment he repelled Dark Shadow, and how the Devouring Jade had absorbed a small amount of "essence" from him. He checked his inventory. There was a new item:
[Void Remnant (Rare)]: A small fragment of energy from the Void Bell. Contains a small amount of void energy and a will to transform. Can be used for research or as a special material.
Lin Fan pondered. Blood Splendor wanted information, or perhaps even this item. He had to be careful.
"I made some discoveries," Lin Fan replied. "But I need further confirmation. Can the Blood Shadow Pavilion provide more information about Dark Shadow and the Void Bell?"
"Of course," Blood Splendor responded immediately. "We will compile the most detailed information we have on Dark Shadow and the Void Bell, including his operational history and known abilities. In return, would you be willing to let us examine that Void Remnant? Or part of the information about how you repelled him?"
This was the time for information exchange. Lin Fan understood that he needed the Blood Shadow Pavilion's assistance to better understand other Lost Ones and their variables.
"Agreed," Lin Fan replied. "I can let you examine the Void Remnant. In return, I want the most detailed information about Dark Shadow and the Void Bell, as well as any information about other Lost Ones you may have."
"Deal," Blood Splendor said. "Please come to the Blood Shadow Pavilion's secret location in Cloud Peak City. We will send the coordinates to your interface. Someone will be there to receive you."
Immediately, a small red dot appeared on Lin Fan's Cloud Peak City map, marking a secluded, unnoticed alleyway.
Lin Fan took a deep breath. He knew this was a risky move, but also a necessary one. He needed to understand more about the other Lost Ones, individuals who carried "variables" that could be keys to the Nine Realms' survival, or perhaps its greatest threats.
When he arrived at the indicated location, it was an old wooden door, seemingly unremarkable. He knocked lightly according to the signal Blood Splendor had sent. The door opened, revealing a dark corridor. A man in black, his face covered, appeared.
"Sir Nameless One. Please come in." His voice was dry, emotionless.
Lin Fan stepped inside. The room was small but filled with strange symbols and maps. Blood Splendor was waiting for him, along with two other men also dressed in black, their faces stern.
"Welcome, Sir Nameless One," Blood Splendor said, her expression still professional. "Please have a seat."
Lin Fan sat in the chair opposite her. Blood Splendor placed a thick stack of documents on the table.
"This is all the information we've gathered on Dark Shadow and the Void Bell," Blood Splendor said. "He is one of the first Lost Ones discovered, and also one of the most difficult to deal with. The Void Bell allows him to move through space, become an intangible entity, and even absorb spatial energy to enhance his power. That's why he's interested in covertly 'claiming' the Abyssal Void, where there are chaotic spatial currents."
"Spatial energy?" Lin Fan frowned. The Void Bell absorbed spatial energy, while the Devouring Jade absorbed Chaotic Force. The "variables" all seemed to be related to primordial energy types, not ordinary spiritual energy.
"And here's what's interesting," Blood Splendor continued. "After your encounter, we discovered that Dark Shadow's Void Bell seems to have been slightly damaged, and a new type of energy has appeared in his spiritual core—a form of energy very similar to... 'purified' Chaotic Force."
Lin Fan flinched. Dark Shadow was repelled by his Devouring Jade, and the energy from the Devouring Jade had left a mark on him?
"So, his Void Bell can also 'decompose' or 'transform' Chaotic Force?" Lin Fan asked, his mind full of speculation.
Blood Splendor shook her head. "Not exactly. His Void Bell is only adept at absorbing and manipulating spatial energy. The fact that it suddenly contains a form of 'purified Chaotic Force' is unprecedented. We suspect it's due to the interaction between your Devouring Jade and his Void Bell. Perhaps these two 'variables' have some kind of connection, and can influence each other."
Blood Splendor's words struck Lin Fan like lightning. A connection between "variables"? This meant that the conflict between Lost Ones wasn't just about strength; it was also about the interaction of the anomalous items they possessed.
"Now, Sir Nameless One, please allow us to examine your Void Remnant," Blood Splendor said, extending her hand.
Lin Fan took out the Void Remnant from his storage bag. The small black stone immediately drew the attention of Blood Splendor and the two other men. They examined it carefully, taking continuous notes.
After a moment, Blood Splendor returned the Void Remnant to Lin Fan. "Thank you very much. This item has provided us with a great deal of valuable information. We will continue to monitor Dark Shadow and his activities. Also, if you have any new discoveries about Chaotic Force essence or your Devouring Eye ability, please do not hesitate to share them with us."
Lin Fan nodded. He knew this transaction wasn't over. The Blood Shadow Pavilion had recognized his potential and that of the Devouring Jade.
Leaving the Blood Shadow Pavilion's secret headquarters, Lin Fan returned to his inn, his mind swirling with thoughts. He had learned more about Dark Shadow, the Void Bell, and most importantly, the potential for interaction between variables.