Chapter 175: The Ancient Signal

Chapter 175: Chapter 175: The Ancient Signal

The Shattered Expanse was unusually quiet.

Ronan stood on a rocky platform overlooking the northern cliffs, examining the black crystal he had recovered from the Ironmaw Sovereign.

The broken-circle symbol remained visible on its surface.

He had encountered the same symbol in the Eastern Sanctuary, the Western Anchor, and several ancient structures scattered throughout the Ashen Reach.

Yet this crystal was different.

It wasn’t a regulator, nor did it appear to be an ordinary fragment from the ancient network.

Its internal structure was considerably more complicated.

Ronan activated Formation Sense.

Several energy channels appeared within the crystal, connecting to a central point.

He then activated Energy Tracking.

A faint trail emerged from the object.

It extended towards the northern mountains.

He followed its direction with his perception.

The energy signature gradually weakened, but it didn’t disappear.

Something was transmitting energy from that region.

Ronan placed the crystal away.

Before investigating another ancient structure, he needed to understand his newly acquired traits.

He had already learned that combining different abilities and traits could produce unexpected results.

Metallic Manipulation was particularly interesting.

Unlike his previous traits, it allowed him to directly interact with certain materials in his surroundings.

And when combined with Gravity Affinity, it could potentially become a dangerous offensive technique.

He decided to test it.

---

Ronan raised his right hand.

Several metallic fragments scattered across the ground began vibrating.

He concentrated.

The fragments slowly lifted into the air.

At first, their movements were unstable, but he gradually adjusted his control.

The fragments gathered around him.

He moved his fingers.

They spread apart, forming a circular arrangement.

Then he compressed them.

The fragments collided, forming a dense metallic sphere.

Ronan examined it.

The process wasn’t particularly difficult.

However, maintaining control over multiple objects required concentration.

He increased the gravitational force around the sphere.

Its density increased.

Then he suddenly released it.

Whoosh!

The metallic sphere shot towards a distant cliff.

Boom!

A section of the rock shattered.

Ronan looked at the damage.

"Not bad."

He retrieved the remaining fragments using Metallic Manipulation.

This time, he didn’t compress them into a single sphere.

Instead, he formed several narrow spikes.

He directed them towards another rock formation.

The spikes accelerated.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Several holes appeared across the stone.

Ronan nodded.

The combination was promising.

Gravity Affinity could control the trajectory and acceleration, while Metallic Manipulation provided the projectiles.

Against opponents with weaker defensive capabilities, the combination could become extremely dangerous.

However, there were limitations.

He couldn’t manipulate every material, and the larger the amount of metal he controlled, the more energy and concentration it required.

He needed practice.

But that could come later.

---

Ronan returned his attention to his body.

He activated Ironhide.

A faint layer of energy spread beneath his skin.

He picked up a nearby metallic fragment and pressed it against his forearm.

The sharp edge struggled to penetrate his skin.

He increased the pressure.

A small scratch finally appeared.

Ronan examined it.

The improvement was noticeable.

Ironhide didn’t make him invulnerable, but it provided another defensive layer.

Combined with White Bone Skin and Extreme Density, his physical durability had increased considerably.

He was becoming more difficult to injure.

That was useful.

Especially considering the opponents he was likely to encounter in the future.

Ronan withdrew the fragment.

He then checked his overall condition.

Current Realm: Seventh-Star King Realm.

There was no breakthrough.

But his physical attributes and available combat options had improved.

That was sufficient for now.

---

Several hours later, Ronan began following the energy trail from the black crystal.

The route led through a narrow valley surrounded by steep cliffs.

The metallic minerals scattered across the ground gradually became less common.

Instead, dark vegetation covered the rocks.

Ronan activated Subterranean Perception.

Several creatures were moving beneath the ground.

Most were weak.

However, he detected something unusual.

A large number of creatures were gathered around a particular section of the valley.

They weren’t moving.

They appeared to be sleeping.

Ronan frowned.

He approached cautiously.

As he got closer, he noticed that their bodies were covered in faint gray markings.

Some were ordinary beasts, while others were considerably stronger.

A few possessed energy signatures approaching the King Realm.

Yet they were all motionless.

He crouched beside the nearest creature.

Its breathing was extremely weak.

Thin strands of gray energy extended from its body, disappearing beneath the ground.

Ronan’s expression changed.

The same energy.

He activated Energy Tracking.

The trails converged towards a large stone formation at the end of the valley.

It was partially buried beneath the earth.

Several black pillars surrounded it.

The broken-circle symbol was engraved across its central surface.

Another ancient structure.

Ronan stood up.

He examined the sleeping creatures.

They weren’t dead.

Something was draining their energy while keeping them alive.

The Hollow?

Possibly.

But he hadn’t detected any of their warriors nearby.

He needed to investigate before drawing conclusions.

---

The stone formation was larger than it appeared from a distance.

Its upper section resembled a broken tower, while several underground chambers extended beneath it.

Ronan approached the entrance.

The mark on his palm reacted immediately.

A faint pulse spread through his hand.

Then the central structure illuminated.

[Ancient Structure Detected.]

[Compatible Mark Confirmed.]

[Access Permission: Partial.]

Ronan examined the entrance.

Unlike the Western Anchor, this structure wasn’t completely sealed.

A narrow opening remained beneath its central platform.

He entered.

The passage descended gradually.

The walls were covered in inscriptions, and faint gray energy flowed through several channels.

Ronan activated Formation Sense.

The structure became clearer.

This wasn’t another anchor.

At least, not in the same sense as the previous ones.

Its energy channels were connected to several surrounding areas, including the valley where the sleeping creatures were gathered.

It appeared to be collecting energy from living organisms.

Ronan narrowed his eyes.

He followed the channels deeper underground.

Eventually, he reached a circular chamber.

At its centre stood a black pillar.

Several transparent crystals were embedded around its surface.

Each contained a small amount of energy.

Ronan examined them.

The energy signatures were different.

Some belonged to beasts.

Others belonged to creatures with more complicated bloodlines.

The structure was collecting their energy and storing it.

But why?

He approached the central pillar.

The mark on his palm began glowing.

The inscriptions reacted.

A projection appeared above the pillar.

It showed a map of the surrounding region.

Several locations were marked with small symbols.

Ronan recognized one of them.

The Western Anchor.

Another represented the Eastern Sanctuary.

But there was something else.

A larger symbol appeared at the centre of the projection.

It was surrounded by several smaller structures.

Ronan examined it.

The symbol resembled the one he had seen in the regulators.

The Central Anchor.

His eyes narrowed.

Before he could examine it further, the projection changed.

A new image appeared.

A large number of creatures were gathered around an enormous structure.

Several humanoid figures stood above them, wearing dark armor.

One of them carried a symbol resembling the Hollow’s crest.

Then the image disappeared.

Ronan stared at the pillar.

So the Hollow weren’t only collecting energy from ancient anchors.

They were also draining living creatures.

And the energy was being directed towards the Central Anchor.

He finally understood part of their operation.

They were gathering power from multiple sources.

But for what purpose?

---

A faint vibration passed through the chamber.

Ronan immediately turned.

Something had entered the underground passage.

He activated Predator’s Perception.

Several energy signatures appeared.

There were five creatures.

Their energy levels were relatively weak, but one of them was considerably stronger.

Six-Star King Realm.

Ronan stepped away from the pillar.

The first creature emerged.

It was a humanoid beast covered in dark fur, with long arms and sharp claws.

Behind it were four smaller creatures.

They looked similar, although their bodies were considerably weaker.

The leader released a low growl.

Its eyes focused on Ronan.

Then it glanced towards the central pillar.

It immediately attacked.

Ronan moved sideways.

The creature’s claws struck the ground.

Several cracks appeared.

Ronan activated Metallic Manipulation.

The metal fragments embedded in the surrounding walls detached.

They shot towards the creature.

The beast raised its arms.

The fragments struck its body.

Crack!

Several pieces of armor-like skin shattered.

Ronan accelerated.

He appeared beside the creature and struck its head.

Boom!

The beast staggered.

Before it could recover, Ronan gathered Annihilation Force around his fist.

The second attack crushed its skull.

The creature collapsed.

The remaining four immediately rushed towards him.

Ronan raised his hand.

Several metallic spikes emerged from the surrounding walls.

He manipulated their trajectories.

The spikes shot forward.

Two creatures were impaled.

The remaining pair attempted to retreat.

Ronan increased the gravitational force around them.

Their bodies slammed against the ground.

He approached.

Two quick strikes ended their lives.

Silence returned to the chamber.

Ronan examined the corpses.

[Target Analysis Complete.]

[Species: Ashen Blood Stalker.]

[Realm: Six-Star King Realm.]

[Available Trait Detected: Bloodline Tracking.]

Ronan’s eyes brightened.

Bloodline Tracking?

That sounded useful.

The trait allowed its owner to recognize and follow the unique energy signatures associated with different bloodlines.

It might help him identify creatures with rare or powerful bloodlines without relying entirely on Predator’s Perception.

He acquired it.

[Trait Acquisition Successful.]

[Trait Acquired: Bloodline Tracking.]

A strange sensation spread through his body.

His perception changed.

He could now distinguish different bloodline signatures within his surroundings.

The sleeping creatures in the valley became easier to identify.

Some possessed ordinary beast bloodlines.

Others contained traces of ancient blood.

Ronan smiled.

This trait could save him considerable time during future hunts.

He examined the remaining corpses, but none offered anything else worth acquiring.

He turned towards the central pillar.

The structure was still operating.

And the energy stored within it was considerable.

---

Ronan approached the central pillar.

He extended his hand.

The mark reacted.

The inscriptions illuminated.

A notification appeared.

[Ancient Structure Detected.]

[Partial Access Granted.]

[Stored Energy Available.]

Ronan examined the information.

The structure had accumulated energy from the surrounding creatures.

It wasn’t the same as the gray energy, although the two were connected.

He activated Energy Devouring.

A small amount of energy emerged from the pillar.

This time, the sensation was different.

The energy entered his body smoothly.

No violent resistance.

No immediate pain.

Ronan’s eyes narrowed.

He increased the absorption slightly.

His body accepted it.

[Energy Devouring Activated.]

[Compatible Energy Absorbed.]

A faint warmth spread through his body.

The energy wasn’t particularly concentrated, but it was compatible with his traits.

Ronan continued for several seconds before stopping.

He didn’t want to absorb too much from an unfamiliar structure.

Still, this discovery was important.

Energy Devouring wasn’t limited to the gray energy.

It could absorb other compatible energy sources.

And the central pillar contained a considerable amount.

He examined the stored energy again.

There was enough to provide several useful absorption sessions.

However, removing everything might damage the structure and potentially kill the creatures connected to it.

Ronan wasn’t particularly concerned about the creatures.

But destroying the structure before understanding its purpose would be foolish.

He withdrew his hand.

Then he noticed another inscription.

It was located beneath the central symbol.

Unlike the other markings, it contained a short message.

Ronan activated Formation Sense.

The inscription became clearer.

"The blood of the marked shall open the path."

Ronan stared at it.

His expression gradually changed.

The ancient structure wasn’t merely responding to his mark.

It had been designed with the marked individual in mind.

He looked towards the projection’s previous location.

The Central Anchor.

The first marked individual.

The Keeper.

And the Hollow’s interest in capturing him alive.

Everything was beginning to point towards the same place.

Ronan smiled faintly.

"Looks like I’m getting closer."

But before he could examine the inscription further, the entire chamber trembled.

The central pillar released a violent pulse.

Every crystal embedded in its surface illuminated.

Then the stored energy began moving.

Not towards Ronan.

Towards the north.

His expression changed.

He activated Energy Tracking.

A powerful energy signal was moving through the underground channels.

Something had activated the network.

And the energy was being redirected towards a distant location.

Ronan followed the trail with his perception.

Then he detected another signature.

It was powerful.

Much stronger than the Six-Star beasts he had just killed.

Nine-Star King Realm.

His eyes narrowed.

The presence was moving towards the ancient structure.

And it wasn’t alone.

Several other powerful signatures followed behind it.

Ronan withdrew his perception immediately.

He wasn’t interested in fighting a group of unknown opponents while standing inside an unfamiliar structure.

He looked towards the entrance.

Then back at the central pillar.

He had discovered something valuable, but remaining here would be dangerous.

Ronan stored the information and began leaving.

As he reached the passage, a deep voice echoed through the underground chamber.

"Someone has accessed the collection pillar."

Ronan stopped.

The voice was distant.

Then another voice answered.

"Was it the marked one?"

A brief silence followed.

Then the first voice spoke again.

"Yes."

Ronan’s expression turned cold.

They had detected him.

He immediately increased his movement speed.

He had no intention of remaining around to greet whoever was approaching.

But as he emerged from the underground passage, a powerful pressure descended upon the valley.

The surrounding creatures trembled.

The dark vegetation bent towards the ground.

A massive figure appeared on the distant ridge.

Its body was covered in black armor, and a long crimson cloak moved behind it.

Several warriors followed.

Ronan examined the figure from a distance.

Nine-Star King Realm.

The figure looked directly towards him.

Then it raised one hand.

A faint smile appeared beneath its helmet.

"Found you."