Post-Mortem Relic

That curtain was like an inverted dome of heaven.

As it enveloped the forest, it also suppressed the pitch-black Post-Mortem Nen that shot skyward from the Temple.

No matter how wildly that Post-Mortem Nen rampaged, it could never cross the curtain reflecting a brilliant river of stars.

After several attempts, it retreated in the silent confrontation and instead descended toward the ground.

Within the forest.

Ken and Sivir no longer looked as calm and confident as they had before.

They were certain that the terrifying Post-Mortem Nen descending from the sky was power attached to the "King's Balance."

But that level of strength—

Was far beyond what the operation intelligence had described.

Had it grown stronger?

And what was that curtain reflecting the brilliant stars?

They had no time to think about any of it. Ken and Sivir swiftly exchanged a glance.

"Get out of here!"

They reached a consensus in an instant.

Forget seizing the "King's Balance," and forget killing the troublesome "Zodiacs."

At this moment, nothing mattered more than getting away from here.

Ken and Sivir decisively abandoned the mission and sprinted toward the foot of the mountain.

However—

The Starry Sky Curtain inverted from the sky, as well as the Post-Mortem Nen descending into the forest, were both much faster than them.

"A futile struggle."

Watching Ken and Sivir flee in panic, Hawk curled his lips and returned Ken's earlier words to him.

Then,

He laboriously raised his head and looked at the beautiful, moving Starry Sky Curtain.

"Elena... the Nen you left behind has grown stronger too..."

There was no wind in the forest, and even the insects had fallen silent. His barely audible murmur carried far through the stillness.

Under Hawk's gaze, the Starry Sky Curtain descended directly.

From this moment on, that indestructible boundary not only isolated the entire scenic area, but also cut off Ken and Sivir's desire to survive.

The Qinglin Squad was a legendary Hunter group that believed in the supremacy of the strong.

After breaking away from the Hunter Association, they had kept a low profile for the past several decades while secretly gathering strength.

The Ten Heavenly Stems were the core members of this group, and could be said to correspond to the Hunter Association's Zodiacs.

Thirteen years ago, in order to obtain the "King's Balance," the Qinglin Squad had even dispatched two Heavenly Stem members, only to...

The operation had ended in disastrous failure, and the two Heavenly Stem members had died.

Now,

As the Starry Sky Curtain enveloped the entire scenic area, the outcome from thirteen years ago had been recreated.

The Qinglin Squad had suffered grievous losses once again.

The bowl-shaped giant black curtain stood silently, the brilliant stars flowing across it suddenly frozen in place as if time had stopped.

At the foot of the mountain.

Moyu and Cheadle, who had tumbled out of the straight passageway, stared blankly at the black curtain covering the entire scenic area.

The frozen stars upon it made it resemble a night sky dotted with countless lights.

"Hawk..."

Moyu gritted his teeth, his thoughts tangled like a ball of thread, then suddenly reached out and shoved against the curtain.

Crackle—

Black currents suddenly burst from where his palm touched the curtain, accompanied by an enormous rebounding force that sent Moyu flying.

Having already used up his chance at Exorcism, he no longer possessed absolute suppression over Post-Mortem Nen.

And in terms of strength, the Post-Mortem Nen standing before him was no weaker than the "King's Balance" trapped inside.

Seeing Moyu sent flying, Cheadle flashed forward and caught him in time, helping him absorb the impact.

"It's useless, Moyu..."

Cheadle held Moyu tightly and said softly:

"That is Elena's Nen Space, and it's the type that can only be entered or exited freely after meeting certain conditions. It has become stronger because of death, and its original rules no longer apply. I'm afraid... only a Nen Exorcist can open it."

After saying that, Cheadle silently looked at the motionless stars frozen upon the curtain.

Seeing her dear friend's Nen again after more than a decade filled her with complicated emotions, and she could not help thinking of Hawk's final act of valor.

Given the circumstances at the time, it truly had been the only choice that could protect Moyu.

I was wrong.

Cheadle spoke to herself inwardly.

She reflected on the harsh judgment she had once made about Hawk based on her preconceived notions.

At the same time, she reflected on whether selfishly squandering Nen Capacity and talent merely to achieve results in one's field of work was truly a good thing.

"..."

After hearing Cheadle's explanation, Moyu remained silent. Then he broke free from her embrace and once again approached the Nen Space formed by the Starry Sky Curtain.

"Paji..."

Rat Treasure's weak, feeble cry suddenly sounded behind them.

Moyu and Cheadle both stiffened and abruptly turned around.

They saw the plump Rat Treasure lying on the ground, the Nen around its body in an extremely unstable state that seemed ready to collapse at any moment.

"Rat Treasure!"

Light appeared in Moyu's eyes. He quickly rushed over and gently picked Rat Treasure up.

Cheadle also came over and stood beside him, looking at the still-existing Rat Treasure with considerable surprise.

This meant—

Hawk's aura was still there!

"Paji, paji..."

Rat Treasure looked up at the Starry Sky Curtain. Its large eyes seemed to contain some indescribable emotion, but its tail was already too weak to form gaseous expressions.

Its cries were clearly growing weaker.

Moyu deliberately ignored that fact. He merely held Rat Treasure slightly tighter and murmured, "If you're still here, it means Hawk is still alive..."

"Paji..."

Rat Treasure withdrew its gaze and looked into Moyu's eyes, as though it were looking at something familiar.

It slowly raised its little paw and gently pressed it against Moyu's chest.

Then—

Like bursting bubbles, Rat Treasure's plump body scattered into drifting points of light.

Moyu's embracing arms suddenly closed around empty air.

Watching the scattered lights, Cheadle opened her mouth, but could not say anything. She could only silently look at Moyu.

Ding, ding-ding—

A translucent azure bead fell to the ground, producing a pleasant sound.

Moyu stared blankly at the azure bead and unconsciously clenched his fist.

He knew very well what a relic left behind meant.

Cheadle also looked at the azure bead. Realizing it was what Rat Treasure had left behind after its body scattered, she naturally thought of the conditions for a Post-Mortem Relic to form and could not help looking at Moyu with concern.

Moyu silently picked up the azure bead. The moment he touched it, he seemed to notice something.

He lowered his head and stared at the bead, which was more beautiful to him than any gemstone.

"Cheadle."

Slowly enclosing the bead in his palm, Moyu suddenly looked at Cheadle and said in a tone so calm that not the slightest ripple could be heard, "Tell me more about Elena and the Qinglin Squad."

"Moyu, you..."

Cheadle frowned slightly, somewhat hesitant.

Then,

She noticed Moyu's gaze and froze.

It was a look—

A look that brooked no interference from others, a look of unquestionable determination to destroy something.

"..."

For a moment, Cheadle could not speak.

If she could read minds, she would have heard Moyu's voice in his heart at that moment—

The bead Rat Treasure left behind was not a Post-Mortem Relic!

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