As Liang continued to observe through his void sense, he felt a distinct shift in energy as the dagger passed through the rift. The surrounding emptiness of the Void vanished, replaced by a vivid and unfamiliar world filled with life.
"It changed…" he murmured to himself, his focus sharpening as the scene unfolded before him.
The dagger emerged within a dense forest, where twilight cast warm hues across the land. Towering trees stretched skyward, their branches adorned with faintly glowing flora that illuminated the surroundings with a soft, otherworldly light.
"So this is where it leads," Liang muttered, his gaze steady as he examined every detail.
Through his perception, he could sense life everywhere. Countless presences filled the forest, from the faint flicker of insects to the powerful auras of larger beasts moving in the distance.
"Even the smallest creatures carry energy…" he noted quietly, taking in the richness of the environment.
As his awareness extended further, his senses sharpened naturally. He could feel the steady flow of a nearby river, the movement of wind brushing through leaves, and distant sounds that carried an unfamiliar yet harmonious rhythm.
"A complete world…" he whispered, his curiosity deepening.
Drawn by that curiosity, he guided his void sense deeper into the forest.
Soon, his perception reached a secluded clearing where a waterfall cascaded into a clear pool below. The scene was tranquil, almost unreal, and he instinctively focused more intently.
But in the next moment—
His expression changed.
The connection was severed without warning.
"…What?" Liang's eyes narrowed slightly as the link disappeared completely.
He reached out again, trying to reconnect, but nothing responded. No trace, no feedback—only silence.
"…Gone?" he muttered, a faint unease rising within him.
Before he could process it further, a sharp pain erupted within his mind.
"Mmph—!"
It spread instantly, as though countless needles were piercing through his thoughts. His body reacted instinctively, his hands clutching his head as the pain intensified.
"What is this—!"
At the same time, exhaustion surged through him, draining his strength completely. His limbs grew heavy, and even standing became difficult.
"I overdid it…" he forced out, his breathing turning uneven.
His vision blurred as he staggered backward, unable to maintain his balance. The pain deepened, and his consciousness began to slip.
"…damn it…"
The next moment, his body collapsed onto the ground.
---
After some time, Liang slowly regained consciousness, his body still weak and his mind clouded. As he opened his eyes, the damp, stale air of the cave greeted him, grounding him back in reality.
"…I'm back," he muttered, his voice low as he stared at the uneven stone above him.
He remained still for a moment before pushing himself up, one hand pressing against his temple. A dull ache lingered in his mind, refusing to fade completely.
"…That backlash wasn't light," he said, frowning slightly.
His gaze swept across the cave as his thoughts gradually aligned. The severed connection, the sudden pain, the overwhelming exhaustion—everything pointed to a single cause.
"I pushed my void sense too far."
A trace of regret surfaced as he exhaled slowly. He had been too focused on exploring that unknown world, ignoring the strain until it reached its limit.
"…Reckless," he muttered.
Rubbing his temples lightly, his expression shifted as realization settled in. "The Soul Form… it cut the connection on its own."
He fell silent for a moment, considering that.
"If it hadn't intervened…" he trailed off, his brows furrowing slightly.
The outcome would not have been as simple as losing consciousness.
Letting out a quiet breath, he steadied himself. "At least I know my limit now."
His thoughts soon turned forward, weighing his next step carefully.
"Continuing like this won't help," he said, his tone firm. "And the second refinement phase… not yet."
After a brief pause, his eyes sharpened slightly.
"…Then I'll focus on the techniques."
The Void Starfall Technique surfaced in his mind, and he began organizing its structure.
"Celestial Projection… Starfall Barrage… Astral Bombardment," he listed quietly.
He nodded faintly. "Step by step."
Sitting cross-legged, Liang began circulating his Void Qi, guiding it steadily toward his eyes.
After a moment, he raised his hand and opened a gap in the cave ceiling. The night sky came into view, filled with countless stars shining faintly in the darkness.
"…This should help."
He looked up at them for a moment before closing his eyes.
"Feel it… don't force it."
As his breathing slowed, he activated his Void Piercing Eyes.
A subtle surge of energy spread through him, and as his Qi flowed outward, small points of light began to form around him. One by one, faint orbs appeared, hovering in the air.
"…There it is," he said softly.
The orbs remained suspended, glowing faintly as they stabilized.
"Not enough," he added, focusing further. "Stabilize first."
Time passed as he refined the connection, gradually strengthening the link between himself and the orbs.
Only after they became steady did he move.
He extended his hand toward the cave entrance.
"…Go."
In an instant, the orbs reacted.
They condensed and shot forward, transforming into star-like projectiles that surged toward the entrance with immense speed, leaving faint trails of light behind them.
Liang watched closely, his gaze steady.
"…Good."