While Grey was making his way toward the White Spring, far away in the second layer of space, things were changing.

The second layer of space was greyish in color, with chaotic spatial currents continuously flowing within it.

Several lights blinked in the distance of the second layer of space, each one a sub dimension of Blue Star's second layer.

They were directly connected to it.

Beyond the second layer was a thin barrier. This barrier separated the planet from the vast expanse outside.

Chaotic runes flashed across the barrier, and multicolored pure light rippled through the silent void. If one observed it closely, it resembled an immense wall of ice.

Directly beneath that thin barrier floated a massive being shaped like a whale. Its body carried a bluish hue, while dense black energy coursed through it as it swam within a pool of abyssal energy.

Not far from it, a light shimmered. It resembled a matrix cube collapsing inward before rapidly reconstructing itself, as if it had transcended the limits of the third dimension.

The moment the whale stirred, the light responded.

The True Abyssal whale coldly regarded the light as it began murmuring in an unknown language. Despite this, it did not appear to possess true intelligence.

Even so, it did not engage the light. It was still recovering from a battle that had taken place not long ago.

Suddenly, its expression changed as it looked toward the far end of the vast second layer of space.

Moments later, its gaze settled, as if nothing had occurred.

Far away, the second layer of space cracked as a hole in reality appeared.

Spatial currents churned violently as they were temporarily disrupted by an unfamiliar force.

This force that appeared transcended the scope of space itself.

It was World Breaking Source Power!

However, everything soon returned to calm as a man stepped out from the tear in reality.

"Strange." The man in a plain white robe frowned. "Why did the portal open here?"

"The artifact the palace left behind should be in the first layer."

Then, the man glanced into the distance.

Instantly, he noticed the whale and the luminous entity.

"Eterna?" The man tilted his head, seemingly amused upon seeing the cube of light.

As for the whale, he did not appear to care about it at all.

"What a strange planet." The man grew thoughtful.

By now, he had already sensed it.

A powerful suppression from a barrier bound everything in place!

"This barrier... Did a fifth rank sacrifice themselves to form it?" The man analyzed calmly.

"The power of world will combined with an evolver's origin source."

He quickly identified how the barrier was formed and where it was anchored.

Then the man frowned again.

"I shouldn't remain in the second layer of space for too long."

Oppressive spatial currents attempted to crush his fragile third rank body, but a thin veil of heavenly light surrounded him, allowing him to endure.

"There are many sub dimensions here. Should I enter one first and gather information?" The man glanced at the distant flickering lights.

"There is also a chance the seal fell into the second layer." With that thought, he decided to enter the nearest sub dimension to investigate.

However, just before he moved, he sensed something.

It was coming from the first layer.

...

East of the southern region stood the White Spring.

The White Spring rested atop a massive plateau.

Only second rankers or those using aerial vehicles could even consider reaching it, as the plateau was colossal in both height and width.

Even stacking two mountains atop one another would still leave the plateau taller.

Three cities surrounded the plateau.

These cities had once been sparsely populated, but after the White Spring appeared, they transformed into a major tourist hub within the southern region.

More importantly, these were the only cities remotely close to the plateau. Beyond them lay barren land filled with corruption fields and no connecting roads.

The only method of travel was by aerial vehicle. Thus, despite the bustling activity, the area remained steeped in danger.

Grey stood in the air, overlooking the plateau and the surrounding cities.

The plateau housing the White Spring was naturally enveloped in a thin layer of cosmic energy.

This was not artificial. It was generated by the White Spring itself to filter ambient cosmic energy from the atmosphere and its own source.

When Grey asked Eterna about it, she explained that this phenomenon was caused by a cosmic ore embryo beneath the plateau.

Cosmic ore embryos were the origin points of cosmic ores.

As long as ambient cosmic energy existed, the embryo would continue producing cosmic ore.

Here, due to the unique terrain of the plateau, the energy did not solidify into rock. Instead, it flowed like water throughout the White Spring.

This created a nourishing hot spring that relaxed the body, cleared blockages, assisted with bottlenecks, and even aided breakthroughs.

That said, Grey descended. He was not here to relax, but to utilize the energy present.

Breaking through the barrier was effortless.

However, the moment he did, two powerful auras surged forth.

Both were at the middle stage of the second rank.

"Halt!" Two aged voices rang out, attempting to stop Grey.

"Trespasser, state your intention!" An elderly man in a black robe bearing a sword crest shouted.

"We are elders of the Three City Council that governs the White Spring." Another old man appeared. "You cannot enter without a pass."

"If you do not possess one, prepare to be expelled." Both released their evolver pressure in an attempt to intimidate him.

Grey stared at the council elders blankly.

A pass? Right, this place was not his property.

The White Spring was jointly managed by the three plateau cities. A pass alone cost a fortune, and the highest tier required approval from nearly a hundred individuals.

This highest tier granted access closest to the embryo itself.

Grey stared at the elders, deep in thought. Should he take over the three cities before starting his transformation?

If he did, no one would complain.

Then again, wouldn't it be more entertaining to conquer them after transforming into a dragon and launching a full assault?

"Just to confirm." Grey tilted his head. "You two are the only ones who know I'm here, right?"

"Yes?" One of the elders answered in confusion.

Hearing this, Grey smiled.

"Perfect."

"???" Confusion filled the elders' faces, but it did not last long.

...

A few minutes later.

"MMMPH!" "MMMPH!"

Two elderly men lay bound, their mouths stuffed with the combat robes they once wore.

Grey looked at them kindly.

"Don't worry. I'll leave once my matters here are settled."

Then, Grey kicked one of the elders into the air.

Boom!

The man was launched into the sky like a cannonball, his figure vanishing into the sea of clouds.

The remaining elder trembled in terror, unable to speak.

Soon, it was his turn. He too shot into the sky screaming.

"The energy ropes that I used to bind them should hold for a full day." Grey nodded calmly.

With this, they would not return too soon to cause trouble.

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.