It was a magnificent city shrouded in a purple aura. Towering spires pierced the clouds, while strange creatures of all shapes moved through its streets. Some were vaguely humanoid but possessed extra limbs or organs; others surpassed human imagination entirely, like flowing masses of energy.
"This is what I saw in the Void," Lin Ye explained. "The Five Elders have already reached some kind of agreement with the Void Creatures in exchange for abilities beyond those of humans."
Everyone silently watched the projection, stunned by the existence of this otherworldly realm.
"Did you see what specific agreement they made?" Sabo asked, his eyes carrying the sharpness unique to an intelligence operative.
"Not the exact details. But based on my observations and the information I gathered, the Five Elders promised to make our world a new territory for the Void Creatures. In return, they would gain the power of the Void Dimension and become the rulers of the New World."
The projection shifted, showing the Five Elders standing before an enormous purple altar. Their bodies had partially undergone Voidification. Alfred, in particular, had already completely abandoned his human appearance.
"They are no longer human," Lin Ye said gravely. "At least, not entirely. They are gradually transforming into Void Creatures. The process grants them immense power, but it also twists their minds."
Ace lowered his head and looked at the Runes on his chest. "Then the wound on my chest... why did it become like this?"
Lin Ye turned to Ace and carefully examined the flashing Purple Patterns on his chest. "That was a 'Dimension Anchor' left behind by one of the Five Elders' Void Weapons. It should have dragged your soul into the Void, but your powerful vitality and willpower turned that injury into an opportunity for your Runes to awaken."