Given Xia Boyang and Incense Slave's current level, discussing a figure like that was rather out of tune. They were only talking, after all. Once the Void Rift over there stabilized, the two passed through one after the other—only to crash into a pitch-black space.
This was a void interlayer.
Before entering Guixu, both had undergone similar experiences. Yet upon slipping in this time, they could not help marveling at the sheer size of this "interlayer." Far ahead, their target's emanating aura remained striking, like firelight in the night, pointing out the way for them.
There was nothing more to say. The two continued their pursuit. In the blink of an eye, more than ten miles had passed, yet all around remained utter darkness. They could only confirm each other's positions through aura-sense.
"...Senior Sister?"
Xia Boyang spoke softly. Incense Slave was not particularly fond of the form of address, but there was no frivolity in it. "Do you feel it?"
Incense Slave did not answer at once. Their communication seemed to have been severed. The two continued onward, darting several miles through the darkness. Without any warning, their bodies abruptly veered apart in a swift figure-eight split, instantly opening the distance between them.
A hum sounded in the darkness, followed by a crisp clash. Sparks burst and flickered, briefly illuminating darting silhouettes before they vanished again in an instant.
The void interlayer returned to silence, yet the atmosphere was like a string ready to snap at any moment. Invisible auras drifted through the void like spider silk dancing in midair. Every touch was like being shocked by lightning, making their nerves leap. A profound sense of danger scraped across their skin like a blade, chilling them to the bone.
Incense Slave had become "separated" from Xia Boyang the instant