213 Movements in the Dark

In the vast expanse of space, there lay a certain star that was distinctly unique from the many stars in the galaxy. 

It held a slight golden sheen as it stood stably in space, but this wasn't what would draw the most attention. What would draw the most attention were the many maddeningly powerful auras that were moving all over the star. It signified a type of power that many Worlds would not dare to cross in their lifetimes.

Deep in this star was a simple styled monastery where an aged figure was looking at the young man bowing in front of him. The monastery had a simple house surrounded by an abundant amount of exotic plants that would make many powerful figures stare in shock. 

The plants bore a variety of fruits and vegetables that shone with various colors of light, an extremely thick amount of essence condensed within that would make many fight for a taste of even one. The aged figure held a watering can that released a rainbow colored liquid as he moved across and watered the many plants. 

The figure held an air of authority and wisdom as the very air around him trembled in fear and anticipation. 

"You are ready for your first mission."

A voice reverberated throughout the monastery as the aged figure continued to look forward without even opening his mouth to speak. 

"Yes, Grandmaster."

The disciple replied curtly as his bow became even deeper, seemingly holding too much reverence for the figure in front of him. The disciple was a man in his late twenties at most, exhibiting a powerful stature with the only unique thing being the streaks of blue hair mixed with the abundant black on his head. 

"Good. There is a particular Cursed Item in the World of Cultivation that was lost in history over the dredges of time."

The Grandmaster continued to move across the monastery and chanced upon a particular fruit that was shining a brilliant red. He raised an eyebrow as an invisible force moved and plucked the fruit, bringing it towards him. 

"The Cursed Item is about to make its appearance once more, as the Treasure Abode of a long-gone Void Fimmerment Cultivator that was hiding it is about to come to light."

The fruit floated towards his face as he took a powerful bite, a light shining out as a burst of essence erupted out. A calm nod was released from the Grandmaster as he nodded his head while tasting the fruit before he continued.

"This will hold a level of danger to you as the Realm the Abode is in will be filled with dangers that can kill even the most powerful Rank 3 Celestial. With your level being just halfway in the 3rd rank, you need to be extremely cautious."

The Grandmaster continued to water the rare plants around the monastery as the disciple that was still bowing nodded. The disciple did not let out any air of dissatisfaction with the task he was given as this was actually the norm for those of his level.

"Yes, Grandmaster."

The Disciple gave his affirmation as the Grandmaster looked back fondly, snapping his fingers as a portal formed a golden armored humanoid creature stepped out of it. Besides the golden armored creature, a blue-colored stone also appeared in the air and floated towards the respectful disciple.

"As it is your first mission, one Punisher at the peak of Rank 3 will be provided. It will only come to your aid if your life is in immediate danger. This Information Stone also holds the information we collected for this Cursed Item, and the Void Fimmerment Cultivator that had the item in possession before."

"Thank you for everything, Grandmaster."

The wizened grandmaster nodded as he got back to water his plants as spoke once more. 

"For Order and Balance."

The Disciple shot up and stood straight as he placed his right hand in the form of a fist onto the left side of his chest as he bellowed out in a fervent voice,

"For Order and Balance!"

---

In another location across the vast space lay an extremely large star that was famous for the strength and ruthlessness of its inhabitants. 

Beings called it many names, but it was known officially as the world which bore the most ruthless magic, it was the Magus World.

In a distant corner of this world, there was a hidden underground lab that very few had access to. In a certain large area of this underground lab, brilliantly shining apparatus lay neatly together as the area was filled with powerful items and Magi. 

More than five differently-colored portals were present in multiple areas of the wide room as a few Magi letting out wild levels of power were discussing in low voices. 

"Are we sure we want to go ahead with this plan?"

The voice of an enchanting woman who held golden eyes rang out as the discussions came to a pause.

"We have been allies with the World of Cultivation for centuries, why jeopardize that for something that might not succeed?"

"We have run the tests, the chances of success are more than 80%."

The gruff voice of a robust man replied as differently colored runes swirled all around him.

"The only reason that number is so high is because our targets are the Cultivators themselves, no other beings were as susceptible to our tests. It has to be them!"

Another voice replied as the discussions resumed, with a final voice resounding out and shutting up any that were talking. 

"We have remained a Prime World for too long. We cannot advance if our world does not, so we will move forward."

It was another voluptuous woman, but this one with even more astounding looks as every single proportion of her body oozed power and regality. She had a head full of dark hair that draped over her shoulders with red eyes that drew the gazes of everything that turned in her direction.

"We will start slowly and covertly, only ramping up the production as we are nearing our goal. By the end of all this, we shall be the victors once more."

Her body swayed as she moved and looked towards a particular direction in the room where a humanoid figure was elevated on a wide metal bed. The figure was constantly twitching as something wriggled beneath its skin, but its face remained unconscious and impassive.

What was surprising was that this unconscious figure was letting out a maddening aura of power at the TRANSCENDENT level. 

The metal bed the figure was on was just one of the many that were propped up in this underground room. There were hundreds of such beds spread out all over the area, with tens of them already occupied with similar unconscious humanoid figures.

A shining light blazed out of the red eyes of the voluptuous Magi as she looked forward at this sight, observing a future that very few could imagine!