They moved deeper into the hub.
The main commercial district was a chaotic sprawl of shops, stalls, and private dealing rooms. Merchants called out their wares in a dozen languages. Displays of weapons, pills, and artifacts glowed under protective barriers. Lian’s eyes moved constantly, cataloging useful items and potential threats. He noticed several high-grade storage rings for sale, advanced scanning devices, and a few rare cultivation manuals sealed behind heavy security.
Lirien spoke softly as they walked.
“Master, the local information networks are accessible. I can pull public data on recent movements of high-level cultivators, including any known associates of the white-eyed man. Private data will require more care.”
“Do it,” Lian replied. “Quietly.”
They found a relatively quiet corner near a mid-level information broker’s stall. While Lirien interfaced with the local systems through a discreet holographic interface, Lian and Elara kept watch. The broker, a thin Vorani with elongated features, glanced at them once and then looked away, clearly used to customers who preferred privacy.
After several minutes, Lirien closed the interface.
“There are no confirmed sightings of the white-eyed man in this sector within the last six months,” she reported. “However, there are rumors of a high-level figure matching his description operating near the outer rim of the neighboring system. The information is incomplete. We will need better sources.”
Lian’s expression remained cold. Incomplete information was better than nothing.
They continued through the hub, purchasing a few necessary supplies — high-grade healing pills, refined Qi crystals, and updated star maps of the surrounding systems. Lian avoided drawing attention by using mid-level storage rings for transactions and keeping his stronger artifacts hidden. Elara stayed close, her senses sharp, her hand never far from her blade.
As they moved deeper into the commercial district, Lian noticed something unusual.
A small crowd had gathered around a public holographic board displaying recent bounty notices. Most of the faces on the board were low-level criminals and deserters. But near the top, one notice stood out. The image was grainy and incomplete, but the description was clear enough.
A young man with void-like blue eyes. Known associate of a half-aug female. Wanted for involvement in the destruction of a major auction and the death of multiple high-level enforcers. Reward: substantial.
Lian’s jaw tightened slightly.
They were still being hunted.
He turned away from the board without drawing attention and signaled for the others to follow. They needed to finish their business and leave before someone recognized them.
The trading hub had more layers than its bright upper levels suggested.
Lian followed Lirien through a series of narrow maintenance corridors and sealed service tunnels, deeper and deeper beneath the main commercial districts. The air grew heavier, thicker with the scent of sweat, blood, and ozone. The clean, regulated lighting of the upper levels gave way to dim red emergency strips and flickering holographic signs. The noise changed too — distant shouts, the dull impact of bodies hitting reinforced floors, and the low roar of a crowd that never fully quieted.
They had come here for information.
After seeing the bounty notice, Lian knew they could not afford to remain visible for long. Public channels were too exposed. The underground networks, however, dealt in secrets, forbidden goods, and unrecorded fights. If anyone in this sector had recent knowledge of the white-eyed man or high-level movements connected to the Kharvax Rift, it would be found here.
Lirien stopped before a heavy blast door marked only with a faded symbol — two crossed blades over a broken star. She placed her small hand against a hidden scanner. The door hissed open.
Power Scale / Cultivation Realms (Quick Reminder)
Foundation Realm (Layers 1–9): Body forging, no external Qi.
Circuit Awakening Realm (Early–Peak): First Qi loop, internal bursts.
Core Condensation Realm (Early–Peak): External Qi release, short flight.
Stellar Circuit Realm (1–9 Stars): True flight, Qi armor, energy projection.
Nebula Dominion Realm and higher: Domain control, galaxy-level power, etc
Power Scale Reminder
Lian Yu: Stellar Circuit Star 1.
Elara Voss: Core Condensation Middle
Keep it as reminders
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