Mystic Eyes: My Eyes Steal the Laws of Cultivation Chapter 334: White Tower

The tomb gates had been breached, the ancestral ring's treasures were now within his grasp, and the guardian vanquished. The young man had made his escape.

The expedition towards the Blood Court would now proceed without hindrance.

Kyrian pushed onward through the night, Arcon soaring over formidable mountain ranges and plunging into deep ravines beneath the vast, star-dusted expanse. The beast's wings beat in a consistent, almost mesmerizing cadence. Despite the fierce wind buffeting his face, Kyrian remained resolute, his gaze unwavering.

As dawn broke, casting a warm, gradient of orange and rose across the eastern sky, Kyrian guided Arcon to land within a secluded valley. The majestic creature required rest, and so did its rider.

After nourishing Arcon with a portion of low-grade spirit stones, Kyrian settled onto a flat boulder, immersing himself in meditation for several hours.

With their rest complete, the journey resumed.

The second day of travel offered little variety. Yet, in the distance, dark clouds began to gather on the horizon. These were no ordinary clouds, but foreboding formations that signaled the imminent approach to the Blood Court's domain. The heavens grew progressively dimmer, and the atmosphere felt palpably heavier.

Kyrian recognized this somber landscape.

A desolate plain stretched out before him, a stark expanse of cracked earth sparsely dotted with stunted, gnarled vegetation. The wind moaned through the ground's fissures, producing sounds eerily reminiscent of sorrowful cries. Overhead, the ominous black clouds churned sluggishly, appearing almost sentient.

And at the very heart of this desolate expanse, concealed from ordinary sight, stood the formidable fortress.

Kyrian guided Arcon directly towards the ethereal barrier. His piercing crimson eyes pierced the illusion effortlessly, revealing the colossal black wall, its surface etched with pulsing red veins like living arteries, and the menacing, spiked towers that clawed towards the overcast heavens.

He passed through the barrier without encountering any resistance.

The very air transformed instantaneously. Outside, the Qi was untamed and chaotic; within the barrier, the Qi was dense, orderly, as if the fortress itself possessed a life force, breathing in a controlled rhythm.

Kyrian instructed Arcon to land in the outer stables. A servant of the Court, a youth clad in a simple gray robe, hurried forward to attend to the magnificent beast.

"Ensure he is well cared for," Kyrian instructed as he dismounted.

The servant executed a deep bow.

"Yes, Young Master Kyrian."

Kyrian made his way towards the fortress's main entrance. The imposing black doors swung open unbidden as he approached, groaning on their ancient hinges.

An unnerving silence permeated the interior of the Blood Court.

This was not a silence of abandonment; servants bustled through the corridors, engaged in their daily routines.

Kyrian did not encounter Bai Zhu or the others in the hallways. They were likely occupied with missions or training within their private quarters. He made no inquiry.

His intended destination was the Blood Core Hall.

Ascending the grand staircase constructed from dark stone, he passed sentries who recognized him and granted him unobstructed passage. Finally, he stood before the imposing doors of the hall.

They stood open.

Within the hall, only a single figure was present.

Dong Zhen occupied the center of the room, his hands clasped behind his back. He wore his customary robe, the color of dark, congealed blood, adorned with intricate black embroidery. His dark hair was gathered into a simple knot, and his short beard was impeccably trimmed.

His gaze was not directed towards the entrance. Yet, Kyrian was certain that Dong Zhen had perceived his arrival moments before he stepped inside.

The leader of the Blood Court turned slowly. His eyes scanned Kyrian from head to toe, a silent appraisal, a precise measurement.

A nod followed.

"You have grown stronger," Dong Zhen stated, his voice firm. It was an observation, not a query.

Kyrian inclined his head in a gesture of deference.

"Leader Dong Zhen."

"Did you resolve your affairs with the Verdant Sword Sect?" Dong Zhen inquired directly, bypassing any pleasantries.

Kyrian nodded.

"Indeed. All matters concerning the sect have been concluded."

Dong Zhen gestured with his hand, inviting Kyrian to approach.

"Narrate the events for me."

Kyrian provided a concise account of the Meeting of the Domains, detailing the battles, the adversaries, and the ultimate triumph. He refrained from excessive detail; Dong Zhen required only a comprehensive understanding of the outcome, not the minutiae of each sword stroke or technique employed.

Dong Zhen listened intently, his silence unbroken. Upon Kyrian's conclusion, he nodded once more.

"Excellent. You have upheld the honor of the Court, even whilst operating under the guise of another sect."

Kyrian offered no verbal response. There was a further, crucial matter that required his attention.

"On my return journey," Kyrian began, his tone deliberately neutral,

"I encountered two individuals. They identified themselves as being associated with the White Tower."

The utterance of the name seemed to cast a pall over the room, heavy with unspoken significance.

Dong Zhen's brow immediately furrowed. His countenance, relaxed moments before, grew rigid, like carved stone.

"Where?" he inquired, his voice dropping to a lower, more controlled register.

"Did they engage you?"

"Yes. They attempted to assassinate me," Kyrian replied, maintaining his characteristic composure.

"They were outmatched. I dispatched one. The other escaped using a teleportation artifact."

Dong Zhen's frown deepened. His hand, which had been resting loosely at his side, clenched momentarily into a fist before relaxing again.

"Those accursed fools," he murmured, the words directed more towards himself than to Kyrian.

Kyrian observed Dong Zhen’s strained expression. The furrowed brow, the clenched fist, and the way his eyes narrowed upon hearing the name ‘White Tower’ indicated more than mere irritation. It suggested something deeper.

Frustration. Perhaps even a sense of helplessness.

Kyrian’s curiosity intensified.

"Let’s go to my room," Dong Zhen announced, turning towards a side door in the hall.

"I will explain everything I know about them."

Kyrian followed him.

Dong Zhen’s chambers were located on the upper level of the Blood Core, a tower distinct from the main fortress. Dark wood paneled the walls, and a large stone table dominated the center. Scrolls, jade slips, and maps were strewn across its surface, revealing that Dong Zhen had been engrossed in study prior to Kyrian’s arrival.

Dong Zhen took his seat behind the table, settling into a tall chair with a straight back. Kyrian remained standing before the table, a posture befitting a disciple addressing their leader.

Dong Zhen remained silent for a moment, seemingly gathering his thoughts.

Then, he began.

"The White Tower is a force of the 4th rank, precisely like the Blood Court. Moreover, they are one of our most ancient and persistent adversaries," he stated.

Kyrian inclined his head.

"It appears this matter is more complex than I initially surmised. Please, elaborate."

Dong Zhen let out a sigh, a weary sound, reminiscent of someone recounting a familiar tale many times over.

"Very well. I shall begin from the very start."