The black ship sailed along the Star River Path, its keel scraping against floating ice on the water's surface with "creak, creak" sounds.
The sound was like teeth gnawing bones, making one's teeth ache at the roots.
Chu Qing stood at the bow, barefoot.
The Dark Gold patterns beneath his soles gave off a faint heat.
That was the instinctive rejection of ominous Aura by the [Progenitor] status.
"Master, it's still there."
Nangong Xue approached soundlessly, clutching the Karma Disk in her hand.
Its needle spun wildly in place before finally pointing rigidly at a spot a hundred li directly behind them.
There was nothing there but surging Gray Fog.
Yet the feeling of being "watched" crawled up Chu Qing's spine like a slick venomous snake.
The shadow had been following them ever since they entered the Shattered Star Sea.
Without turning around, Chu Qing ran his fingers along the shaft of the Overlord Spear.
His nails scraped across the Black Iron with a faint screech.
"That is the path of 'Nothingness.'"
Chu Qing spoke, his voice dry, as though it had been dragged over a whetstone.
He had attempted a cross-dimensional interception three times in a row.
Yet when his spear thrust in, all that came back was emptiness.
It felt like throwing a full-force punch into cotton—other than making his blood surge, it served no purpose at all.
The corner of Chu Qing's mouth twitched, drawing into a cold, sharp curve.
"Since it wants to watch, let it watch its fill."
(Motive): Chu Qing wanted to confirm the shadow's true identity.
(Action): He lightly slapped the void.
(Result): The Energy Furnace of the black ship let out a muffled boom, and the flames of the Great Sun War Chariot went out in an instant.
(New Motive): Create the