With a slight twitch of his fingertips, the two-handed greatsword named "Shadow Howl" floated in front of him as if drawn by invisible threads.
In his deep purple eyes, golden data flowed silently as the [Deconstruction Aura] was fully activated, like the most precise scanner, dissecting every inch of the demonic sword's composition.
"Interesting creations."
After a moment, Linde commented softly, his tone carrying the excitement of a researcher discovering a novel sample, "It is neither pure Shadow Abyss energy crystallization nor ordinary iron from the Prime Material Plane. Its matrix... is more like 'slag' or 'sedimentary rock' produced after the Reality Dimension and the Shadow Abyss Dimension violently rubbed and permeated each other under certain extreme conditions."
In his perception, the sword's material structure was extremely unique, possessing both the ductility and hardness of metal, as well as a certain fluidity of energy and an extreme affinity for shadows.
It's like a scar left when two worlds were forcibly welded together, cold and tough.
"The amount of Shadow Abyss power contained within it is not small, but its quality..."
Linde shook his head slightly, comparing the more refined and powerful negative energy source within his body, transformed by the system, with the active Shadow Abyss source essence he had stolen from the Shadow Abyss Church. "It seems mixed and inert, like residue that has been diluted countless times, or... a 'precipitate' of some kind of power."
However, it was the word "rift" in Narosh's words that truly caught Lind's attention.
Previously, his contact with the Shadow Abyss was either through obtaining materials by killing Shadow Abyss creatures or by directly entering that deep dark dimension using the effect of the [Shadow Abyss Aura].
However, he has never personally explored this stable "intersection" or "rift" that exists between the primary material world and the Shadow Abyss.
A stable observation window is far more valuable than ten "Shadow Howls".
That place is the forefront of the collision of rules, the singularity of energy interaction, and may reveal more mysteries about the nature of the Shadow Abyss, or even the relationship between the two dimensions.
Seeing the subtle interest in Lind's eyes, Narosh knew with certainty that the information and gift he had offered had worked.
He took a deep breath and continued to fulfill his duty as the "information repository," his voice lowered and filled with utmost reverence:
"Your Excellency's insight is astute. As for the 'legend' you asked about... such beings have long transcended the mundane world; their very names carry power, and their whereabouts are elusive and difficult to trace."
My knowledge is also incomplete; I can only report a few things to you based on scattered records in the Alliance's ancient archives and secrets passed down orally through generations.
"Three are known, or at least have been confirmed to exist—"
"First, 'Deep-rooted Old Man' Valak."
Narosh's tone was filled with an ancient charm, "Legend has it that he was not human, or even a being in the conventional sense. He was a being completely fused with the oldest and largest wise tree in the northern 'Eternal Silent Forest'."
His consciousness is the pulse of the forest, his roots run deep into the earth, capable of mobilizing unimaginable natural forces. There has been no definite record of his activity for nearly a thousand years, but the Eternal Silence Forest remains his forbidden zone; those who intrude are all silently transformed into nourishment for the forest.
If he exists, he is the embodiment of a certain aspect of the rules of nature and life.
"Secondly, 'Soul Forger' Camlan."
When this name was mentioned, Narosh's voice carried a metallic clang, "A legendary dwarven runemaster, said to have long surpassed the limits of the Radiant Gold level. He did not pursue physical immortality, but instead completely fused his soul and will into the core rune array of the 'Inner Forge,' the deepest part of Ironforge, which is said to never be extinguished."
He is the furnace, and the furnace is him. His will drives the flames of the Red Mountain ley lines, protecting the last foundation of the dwarves.
His Majesty Muradin Bronzebeard may know more, but this is a top secret of the dwarves.
His form of existence is closer to... some kind of powerful earthbound spirit or artifact spirit?
Thirdly, Esmeralda, the "Silent Saintess".
Narosh's voice became ethereal and cautious. "The legends surrounding her are the most vague and unsettling. It is said that she was once the last sacrifice of an ancient kingdom that had long since vanished, and that she underwent a transformation during a forbidden ritual in an attempt to communicate with an indescribable being."
She did not die, nor did she become a slave to that being; instead, she transformed into a… peculiar 'void of rules'. Wherever she was, magic would cease to function, energy would subside, and even concepts like 'sound' and 'light' would become diluted.
She herself has no power and cannot be harmed by conventional power; she simply exists, like a walking 'magic-free zone'.
The last recorded account is of her wandering aimlessly in the 'Forgotten Sands' of the southern continent for centuries.
She is a living symbol of 'silence' and 'annihilation'.
Narosh paused, his eyes behind the pure white mask flashing with awe for the unknown:
"And the unknown... perhaps there is more. The Alliance's records have vaguely mentioned that in the depths of the Endless Sea, there may be an ancient will that controls storms and abysses; beneath the towering ice caps of the far north ice plains, there may be a slumbering Lord of Frost whose eyes can freeze time and space; even... even in the astral plane, there may exist star spirits or void behemoths that are not gods but are equally ancient."
But these are all just unverified speculations and wild guesses; they may exist, they may have long since vanished, or they may simply exist in a form incomprehensible to mortals.
He laid bare everything he knew, then bowed his head again, awaiting Lind's judgment.
Any one of these pieces of information, if it were to get out, would be enough to cause a huge uproar on the continent, but in front of this unfathomable lord who controls the power of stars and shadows, he felt that his knowledge was still shallow.
Linde listened quietly, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the armrest of the throne.
“The Old Man of Deep Roots,” “The Soul Forger,” “The Silent Saintess”… These beings, with their diverse forms and power domains, have indeed touched upon the level of rules, far surpassing ordinary Gold-level beings.
The world's "ceiling" was higher and more interesting than he had imagined.
And the unknown speculations that Nelosh mentioned at the end further broadened his thinking. The world is vast, far beyond the continent before him and the known races.
“Very good, Nelosh.”
Linde finally spoke again, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable weight, "You and your Shadowbinders have proven that your value extends far beyond the daggers in the shadows."
His gaze fell again on the "Shadow Howl" weapon, then turned to Nelosh:
“I’ll accept this sword. In return, and as a token of my appreciation for the information you provided… take me to see that rift. That ‘boundary’ that gave birth to this sword.”
Narosh's body trembled slightly, but he immediately suppressed his excitement and a trace of instinctive fear, and bowed deeply:
"As you wish, Your Excellency! It is our honor to guide you! That rift is located at the end of the 'Howling Abyss' in the western part of the continent. The environment is treacherous and it is protected by powerful native Shadow Abyss creatures."
I will immediately arrange for my most capable subordinates to clear the path in advance to ensure a smooth journey for Your Excellency!
“No need for a big fuss,” Lin De said calmly. “The two of us are enough. Now, tell me the exact location.”
What he wanted to see with his own eyes was the most original and authentic state of that area, not a battlefield that his men had "cleaned up" in advance.
The real secrets are often hidden in danger and chaos.
Narosh was startled, once again shocked by Lind's confidence. He dared not say anything more and immediately gave a string of precise coordinates containing special Shadow Beacon information.
Linde noted down the coordinates, a hint of anticipation flashing in his purple eyes.
The rift between the Prime Material Plane and the Shadow Abyss... the traces of legendary beings... the veil of this world is being lifted layer by layer before him. And his power will extend into even deeper realms as his exploration deepens.
Stars belong to stars, and shadows belong to shadows. And he, Lind Truk, will control it all.
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