Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 464

Chapter 464: War XXXVII
The news spread like wildfire. Aiden’s swift and decisive victory earned him both fear and respect among the Outer Court disciples.

He resumed his training and study without further interruptions, steadily accumulating merit points by completing missions and contributing rare herbs and ores from his spatial ring. It wasn’t long before he gained access to the restricted section of the library, where ancient scrolls on seals and formations were kept.

As he pored over the texts, piecing together the mystery of the fragments, a growing sense of urgency gnawed at him.

“These fragments… they’re not just part of a seal. They’re part of something far bigger.”

The symbols hinted at an ancient power that predated even the oldest records in the sect. If Ivan had obtained similar fragments, it meant he was playing with forces beyond comprehension.

And if Aiden didn’t stop him, the entire Immortal Realm could be at risk.

Just as Aiden closed the last scroll, a jade slip on his desk lit up. It was a summons from the sect’s mission hall.

“Outer Court disciple Aiden, report immediately. You’ve been assigned to a special mission.”

Aiden clenched his fists, a spark of anticipation flashing in his eyes. “Perfect timing.”

Without hesitation, he grabbed the jade slip and headed for the mission hall, ready for whatever awaited him next.

The mission hall was packed with disciples, each crowding around large mission boards. Jade slips floated in the air, listing tasks ranging from herb collection to escorting caravans through dangerous territories.

Aiden’s eyes swept across the room until he spotted a robed elder standing near the front, a stern expression on his face. The elder’s golden eyes gleamed with authority as he scanned the crowd.

“Aiden,” the elder called, his voice cutting through the noise. “Step forward.”

The hall grew silent as the disciples turned to watch. It was rare for an Outer Court disciple to receive a direct summons, and curiosity hung thick in the air.

Aiden walked to the front, his Spirit Sense on high alert.

“You’ve been selected for a special investigation,” the elder said, handing him a glowing jade slip. “Strange occurrences have been reported near the ruins of the Black Sun Sect. Disciples sent to investigate have disappeared without a trace.”

A murmur spread through the crowd. The Black Sun Sect was an infamous fallen sect destroyed centuries ago, its ruins considered cursed by many.

The elder continued, his tone grave. “Your mission is to discover the source of these disappearances. Be warned—this is no ordinary mission. Even experienced disciples have failed. If you succeed, the sect will reward you handsomely. If you fail…”

He didn’t need to finish the sentence.

Aiden studied the jade slip. The mission was marked as high-priority and dangerous. Perfect for someone looking to gain merit quickly—and even better for someone with his abilities.

“Understood,” Aiden said. “When do I leave?”

“Immediately. A transport array will take you to the outskirts of the Black Sun Sect’s territory. Be cautious. Trust no one.”

Moments later, Aiden stepped through the shimmering transport array, emerging in a desolate landscape. The sky was a dull gray, and the air reeked of decay. The ruins of the Black Sun Sect loomed in the distance—twisted spires and crumbling stone structures that seemed to pulse with dark energy.

His Spirit Sense extended in all directions, searching for any signs of life.

“Nothing… yet.”

He moved cautiously, his footsteps silent on the cracked earth. The ground beneath him felt wrong, as if the very land was soaked in malice. Strange symbols were etched into the stone, glowing faintly with an eerie light.

Suddenly, a low growl echoed from the shadows.

Aiden spun around, his Golden Sword Martial Spirit manifesting in an instant. Dark, shadowy figures emerged from the ruins, their eyes glowing red. They moved unnaturally fast, their bodies flickering like phantoms.

“Wraiths,” Aiden muttered. “Not ordinary ones, either.”

The wraiths lunged at him, their claws crackling with dark energy. Aiden sidestepped the first attack, his sword slicing through the nearest wraith. It disintegrated in a burst of black smoke, but more took its place.

He summoned his Reaper Scythe, the air around him growing colder as the weapon’s dark energy surged. With a single swing, he unleashed a wave of death energy, obliterating several wraiths at once.

But they kept coming.

“So, this is how the others disappeared,” he realized. “These wraiths must have drained their life force.”

Aiden’s eyes narrowed. He activated Space Rend, tearing open a rift and stepping through it, reappearing on a higher platform overlooking the ruins. From there, he saw it—a massive black vortex swirling at the center of the ruins, emanating pure darkness.

“That’s the source.”

He could feel its pull, a chaotic blend of energy that resonated with the fragments he had studied. It wasn’t just a vortex—it was part of a massive sealing formation, ancient and far beyond what most cultivators could comprehend.

“If Ivan’s involved with this…” Aiden’s thoughts darkened. “I need to shut this down before it spreads.”

As Aiden approached the vortex, the symbols on the ground lit up, forming a barrier that blocked his path.

A distorted voice echoed from the vortex, cold and mocking. “Another one, seeking death… How amusing.”

A figure stepped out of the vortex—a man with blood-red eyes and a crazed grin. Ivan.

Aiden’s grip tightened on his sword. “You.”

Ivan’s laughter filled the air. “Surprised to see me? I told you we’d meet again. But you’re too late—this power is already mine.”

Dark energy surged around Ivan, his aura far more oppressive than before. The vortex pulsed in response, feeding him even more power.

“This time,” Ivan said, raising his hand, “I’ll make sure you don’t walk away.”

Aiden smirked, his Reaper Scythe glowing with deadly energy. “You’ve made a lot of mistakes, Ivan. The biggest one was thinking I wouldn’t catch up to you.”

The ground trembled as their auras clashed, the sky darkening above them.

The battle for the Black Sun ruins had begun.