Under Rieze's astonished gaze, the orb shattered, unleashing an astronomical wave of ether.
The intensity was so overwhelming that the few non-cultivators who had survived lost consciousness.
It was as described in the book Tony had read at the base: on planets where the ether was so prevalent, even non-cultivators could feel its presence.
But one detail caught the attention of the three cultivators: the ether seemed too dense, compressing upon itself with such force that people felt its effects and fainted, unable to withstand the pressure.
Dono, watching the scene with wonder, saw something he never thought he'd witness before reaching higher realms: the ether seemed to fracture reality across a small width but a great height. As he observed, the ether became fluid, displaying a deep black speckled with luminous points.
Rieze, who thought it took a lot to shock him, was stunned. The ether took the shape of a door, though it wasn't truly one.
The fact that this phenomenon occurred only in a specific part of space left Rieze almost skeptical.
As if to signal the end of the process, a portion of the ether detached from the immense door and dispersed across the entire planet.
Rising to his feet, Rieze took his time and declared,
"I told you that if you followed me, I'd help you leave this planet. This thing before you, this portal, leads to unknown worlds."
"What?" Ulturion exclaimed.
"Oh, shoot, I might've forgotten to mention it's a random portal," Rieze replied. "But then again, I'm only human. Perhaps in higher realms, you could do this with your own strength," he continued.
Dono sighed, then stepped closer and said,
"It's fine, the result is here. And honestly, it would've driven me mad to keep sticking around with you, Rieze."
Pointing at Ulturion, he declared,
"Don't forget this was a temporary alliance. I hope the vastness of space ensures our paths never cross again."
With a calm smile, Ulturion added,
"The next time, it might end with one of us dead. But that won't happen today. So, I wish you luck wherever you're going."
With a farewell gesture, Rieze stepped through the portal and vanished, swallowed by the darkness.
Dono turned to Ulturion and murmured,
"If you really plan to take on everyone, I can say with certainty: you and I will face each other again."
With those words, Dono dispersed into the portal's darkness, followed by Ulturion.
No one had managed to stop them in their plans. These three had their own projects and ambitions. Now free from the Earth that had held them back, they each followed their own paths.
The city no longer resembled a city. It was almost entirely destroyed, with a massive lion sprawled on the ground, its body trapped in ice, surrounded by corpses impaled on spears.
The air reeked of blood and smoke.
The few survivors bore expressions of trauma and despair.
Only one man appeared relaxed, almost joyful. He walked through the rubble, his face uncovered.
Before the portal that stretched toward the sky, he cast one last glance back and said,
"Goodbye. I don't think I'll return, but I'm sure we'll meet again… I just hope it won't be as enemies."
Turning toward the portal, Lucien vanished into the darkness, beginning his journey across the worlds.