Volume One: City Under the Storm Chapter 49: The Phantom Stone

"Zhang Heng, Zhang Heng."
The girl's voice echoed in his ear.
Only then did Zhang Heng gradually regain his composure, shaking his head vigorously to clear his mind. Upon awakening, he found Yan Xueqing regarding him with a look of utter disdain.

"Zhang Heng, what on earth did you see that frightened you so much?" Yan Xueqing asked, perplexed.

Wasn't Zhang Heng supposed to be courageous? He had dared to enter the spatial turbulence without a second thought—how could he be scared like this?

Even now, Zhang Heng was drenched in cold sweat. The sense of immersion had been overwhelming; the soul-shaking power felt as if he had personally experienced it.

After a long while, Zhang Heng rose and inquired, "Miss Yan, did you gain anything?"

What mattered most now was whether this lady had benefited. If she hadn't, he feared he might suffer some bodily harm.

Yan Xueqing responded cheerfully, "Of course I did! Thank you, Zhang Heng. I owe you a favor now. If anyone bullies you in the future, I'll stand up for you."

Clearly, Yan Xueqing had gained considerable advantage. That was enough. As for Zhang Heng, he had little talent to begin with; relying on someone powerful was his best bet. Whether he gained anything himself hardly mattered.

"Miss Yan, what good fortune did you receive?"

He had sat here for several hours, his legs numb, yet gained no insight—only a fright. The disappointment was almost unbearable.

"Zhang Heng, wasn't it you who brought me here? Didn't you specifically prepare this place for me? How could you not know?" Yan Xueqing asked, puzzled.

"Nonsense, of course I know. But I wanted to see how much you had comprehended," Zhang Heng replied, thick-skinned.

Feigning profundity, Yan Xueqing said, "You really want to know? Fine, I'll satisfy your curiosity." With that, she suddenly fixed her gaze on Zhang Heng, a blue light flickering between her eyes.

Then the girl gave an evil grin and said, "Black."

"Black? What does that mean?" Zhang Heng asked, confused.

Suddenly, Zhang Heng noticed Yan Xueqing's gaze drifting toward his lower body. He realized something, startled, and exclaimed, "You—you can see?"

Yan Xueqing nodded triumphantly.

Indeed, "black" referred to the color of the pants Zhang Heng wore underneath. He donned a white shirt with black trousers beneath—a peculiar combination unique to Zhang Heng.

But that wasn't the point. The real issue was that this girl could see through things—she possessed the power of clairvoyance?

Was this the ability she had awakened in the spatial turbulence?

This was outrageous. Clairvoyance—the dream power of all men everywhere!

Without hesitation, Zhang Heng sat cross-legged at once. If Yan Xueqing could awaken such an ability, perhaps he had a slim chance as well.

Just then, the system's voice chimed in.

Beep. Host, don't waste your efforts. Yan Xueqing's clairvoyance arises from her innate heterochromatic eyes, combined with her newfound spatial insight. The effect is a result of both factors. No matter how much you meditate, you can't acquire this ability.

Damn it, Zhang Heng deflated.

Adopting a flirtatious tone, Zhang Heng asked, "System, you finally show up! Didn't you say there was something here I needed? Where is it?"

I risked my life to come here—gained nothing but a fright that nearly paralyzed me. This is outrageous! You owe me some compensation.

It was only because the system promised something essential here that Zhang Heng had dared to enter. Otherwise, he would never have come.

Beep. Host, walk five kilometers east and you'll find what you seek.

System, are you messing with me? Zhang Heng was furious. This place was shrouded in gray mist—how was he supposed to tell east from west?

The system explained again.

Beep. Host may not know, but Yan Xueqing does.

Adjusting his demeanor, Zhang Heng turned to Yan Xueqing. "Miss Yan, do you know which way is east?"

Yan Xueqing smiled mysteriously. "Of course. Is there really something you don't know? Aren't you supposed to be omnipotent?"

Zhang Heng didn't want to waste any more time. The spatial turbulence in the Dragon Burial Abyss was fading fast; soon, outsiders would flood in. He couldn't afford further delay.

"Miss Yan, please lead the way. There's something I need to the east," Zhang Heng said.

"It's that way," Yan Xueqing casually pointed.

Zhang Heng hurried in the indicated direction, but after a few steps, he noticed Yan Xueqing hadn't moved. He urged, "Miss Yan, hurry up! This place is dangerous—you need to stick with me."

Yan Xueqing laughed, unmoving, and asked, "Zhang Heng, how far are you going?"

Suddenly, Zhang Heng recalled that this girl was a third-stage Void Returning expert! If she carried him, they'd reach their destination much faster. The more anxious he became, the more he overlooked such details.

Obediently, Zhang Heng returned to Yan Xueqing's side and said eagerly, "Miss Yan, it's five kilometers east. Please take me there."

Yan Xueqing wasted no words, sensing Zhang Heng's urgency.

She summoned spiritual energy with a wave of her jade-like hand, lightly tapping Zhang Heng.

Before he could react, they were sucked into the void. When they emerged again, their location had changed.

"Void traversal?" Zhang Heng asked in disbelief.

Yan Xueqing nodded, proud. She had indeed performed a void traversal; she now possessed the ability.

This was outrageous. Void traversal was a technique reserved for practitioners of the Celestial Origin Realm! Yan Xueqing was only at the third stage of Void Returning—how could she manage it?

The system jumped in to explain.

Beep. Yan Xueqing has grasped some spatial power here, and her exceptional talent allows her to perform short-range void traversal.

Damn it, this was too much. Zhang Heng was speechless.

Same age, yet he was only at the first stage of Body Refining, while others were already traversing the void. The blow was immense.

Sigh. Never mind; the important matter beckoned.

"System, where's the thing I need?"

Zhang Heng wanted to ask, but held back.

Because he saw, amidst the endless chaos, a solitary stone standing before them—utterly out of place.

Zhang Heng pointed at the stone, bewildered, and asked the system, "Is this... the thing prepared for me?"

Beep. Yes.

The system's reply did not disappoint him.

Though Zhang Heng knew the world's setup was ridiculous, he couldn't help but complain.

Are you toying with me? Bullying me for being from another world?

After calming himself, Zhang Heng asked,

What use is this thing? Why did you say it's what I need?

He was numb now, uninterested in these bizarre setups.

The system spoke.

Beep. This stone is the Illusion Void Stone.