They flew.
It was rough and inefficient, but it was flight. Lian’s control over the downward push of Qi was still unstable, causing him to dip and correct repeatedly as the dense atmosphere of Veythara’s Grave resisted every meter of altitude. Elara managed it more cleanly — her recent breakthrough to Peak Core Condensation gave her a denser energy reserve — yet even she struggled against the planet’s crushing pressure. Still, the difference was massive. What had been a desperate ground-level retreat moments earlier was now a rapid escape through the upper layers of the rock spires.
Ryzek Vorn led them without looking back.
The Veyrani cultivator moved through the air with practiced ease, his four amber eyes scanning the terrain below while his crystalline-ridged tail adjusted his balance in the turbulent winds. He did not slow for them, but neither did he attempt to leave them behind. After several minutes of hard flight, he angled downward toward a narrow canyon half-hidden by overlapping ridges of black stone.
They landed on a relatively sheltered ledge. The moment Lian’s feet touched the ground, the full weight of the planet’s gravity and atmosphere settled back onto him. His legs trembled once before he locked them in place. Elara landed beside him, breathing hard, lightning still faintly sparking along the edge of her blade.
Ryzek turned to face them fully for the first time since the rescue.
“You are both injured,” he said. His voice was deep and even. “And under-equipped for this world. Training, you claimed. Who sends Star 1 and Peak Core Condensation cultivators to Veythara’s Grave without proper preparation?”
Lian met the four amber eyes without flinching.
“Someone who believes we need it.”
Ryzek studied him for a long moment. The implication of a higher-level supervisor hung in the air between them. Finally the Veyrani gave a slight nod, accepting the answer for now.
“I have a temporary shelter deeper in the canyon,” he said. “There is water that has been filtered of the worst toxins, and a place to stabilize your injuries. You may rest there for a short time. In exchange, you will tell me more about why you are truly here. This planet does not attract casual visitors.”
Elara glanced at Lian. He gave a small nod.
They followed Ryzek deeper into the canyon. The path was narrow and deliberately chosen — natural choke points, overlapping sight lines, and multiple exit routes. Whoever this cultivator was, he had survived on Veythara’s Grave long enough to understand its rules.
The shelter itself was a reinforced cave system partially carved and partially natural. Crude but effective barrier formations flickered at the entrance, strong enough to deter lower-level predators. Inside, the pressure felt marginally less oppressive. A small filtration unit hummed in one corner, producing limited amounts of drinkable water. Ryzek gestured toward a flat section of stone.
“Sit. Tend your wounds. Then we talk.”
Lian and Elara did as instructed. The black liquid inside Lian worked slowly to seal the worst of his external injuries, while Elara used what little medical supplies they had left to stabilize the gash on her shoulder. Neither of them fully relaxed. Trust was a luxury neither could afford yet.
Outside, the winds of Veythara’s Grave continued to howl across the canyon rim. Somewhere in the distance, the hunting cries of the monsters they had escaped still echoed faintly.
They had gained a temporary reprieve.
But on this planet, every alliance, every moment of rest, and every piece of information came with a price.
And Ryzek Vorn did not seem like a man who offered help without reason.
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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