Marvel: The other side of the double-passing door is Devouring the Stars

Chapter 413 The magic array is malfunctioning!

Luo Wen nodded in agreement. The ability to condense building materials using the power of laws was indeed a technique only a King-level Immortal could master.

"Everyone assemble!" Kurak called out to the alliance members. "We need to decide on the route we'll take now."

The group gathered in the center of the platform, facing the main entrance to the complex. It was a massive archway, over ten meters high, carved with intricate runic patterns. The interior of the archway was completely dark, making it impossible to see anything clearly.

"Can anyone decipher these runes?" Kurak asked everyone present.

Several martial artists who were knowledgeable in ancient writing stepped forward to examine them closely, but all shook their heads, indicating that they could not understand them. These runes were too ancient, and they used some kind of lost writing system.

“Since we can’t decipher it, we can only explore cautiously,” Kugike decided. “I suggest we split into three groups, each entering from a different entrance. This will reduce the risk and allow us to explore the building’s interior more quickly.”

"Divide into groups?" Brad asked, somewhat worried. "Wouldn't that be too spread out? If we encounter danger, it will be difficult to support each other."

“But concentrating together would make us too big a target,” Morris objected, “and if we encounter a trap, everyone will be trapped.”

After a brief discussion, the Alliance decided to split into three groups. The first group, led by Kurak, included the Iron Fortress Exploration Team and two smaller teams. The second group, jointly led by Brad and Morris, recombined the Flame Chapter and the Tide Exploration Team. The third group, led by Rex, included the Wings of Liberty Exploration Team and several other teams.

“Remember to maintain communication,” Kukak concluded, “and notify the other teams immediately if anything important is discovered.”

Just as the alliance was preparing to act, a massive explosion erupted from behind. Imperial Legion warships had reached the perimeter of the complex and were conducting attack tests on the protective shield.

“They’re testing the strength of the protective shield,” Rex analyzed. “It seems they also want to get into the complex.”

“Then we must hurry,” Kurak urged. “The teams must move out immediately.”

The three groups each chose a different entrance. Rowan followed the third group, led by Rex, towards an entrance located on the east side of the complex. This entrance was relatively small, but the surrounding runes were more complex, giving it an air of mystery.

“This entrance looks a bit different,” Amy observed the decorations around it. “It feels more like some kind of special passage.”

“It’s probably a path leading to the core area of ​​the complex,” Rex analyzed. “The Storm King wouldn’t put the most important things in such a conspicuous place.”

As they approached the entrance, the runes suddenly began to glow, emitting a soft blue light. The darkness within the entrance gradually dissipated, revealing a passageway extending inward.

“It seems our arrival has triggered some kind of mechanism,” Thomas said cautiously. “Everyone be careful; there might be a trap.”

Rex nodded in agreement, then gave instructions to all team members: "Everyone maintain formation. I'll lead the way, Amy will bring up the rear. If anything unusual is detected, stop immediately."

The group members entered the passage one by one. Rowan walked in the middle of the group, secretly observing the surroundings. The walls of the passage were also made of that special crystal material, shimmering under the illumination of the runes.

“This feeling…” Rowan suddenly realized something, “This complex is not just a residence, but more like some kind of massive research institution for laws.”

The third group had barely entered the passage fifty meters when a vast hall appeared before them. The hall was incredibly grand in design; its circular shape had a diameter of at least one hundred meters and a staggering height of fifty meters. The dome of the hall was adorned with intricate star charts, countless stars twinkling within, resembling a real night sky.

“It’s magnificent,” Amy exclaimed, gazing up at the dome.

"This construction technology is beyond our comprehension," Thomas said, equally astonished. "The Storm King's power is truly unfathomable."

Rex carefully observed every detail of the hall. "Everyone stay alert; this kind of place is very likely to have security measures in place."

Just then, footsteps suddenly came from the other side of the hall. Everyone immediately went on alert, and various laws of power began to fluctuate in the air. Soon, they saw another group emerge from the opposite passage.

"The Treasure Hunters' Alliance?" Rowan was startled and immediately searched for Silver Moon's figure in the group. Sure enough, he saw Silver Moon at the back of that group. She seemed to have noticed Rowan as well, and their eyes met for a moment in the air.

“Captain Lydia,” Rex greeted the captain of the Treasure Hunters’ Alliance, “I didn’t expect you to choose this path as well.”

“Captain Rex,” Lydia Stardust replied, “it seems we’re on the same page. This hall is indeed quite special; it must be the central hub of some important area.”

The two teams met in the center of the hall, bringing the total number of people to over thirty. Taking advantage of the opportunity for the teams to regroup, Rowan quietly approached Silvermoon.

"How did you get here?" Rowan asked with his weak mental power.

"I used the pretext of reconnaissance to request permission to explore different routes," Silvermoon responded mentally as well. "Captain Leah agreed to let me lead a few people to scout ahead, and that's how we ended up here."

“Good, at least we’re in the same space now,” Rowan felt a little relieved.

Just as the two team captains were discussing their next move, a huge halo suddenly appeared in the center of the hall. This halo was deep blue and contained powerful fluctuations of spatial laws.

"What is this?" someone exclaimed.

"It looks like some kind of teleportation array," analyzed a martial artist who studied ancient arrays, "but it's larger than any teleportation array I've ever seen."

The appearance of the aperture made everyone tense. This unknown magic array device could be some kind of trap, or it could be a passage to a deeper area.

"Should we activate it?" Leah asked Rex for his opinion.

“Let’s investigate first,” Rex said cautiously. “Activating an unknown magic circle rashly is too dangerous.”

Several martial artists who were knowledgeable about magic arrays began to carefully observe the structure of the light circle and the arrangement of the runes. However, the complexity of this magic array far exceeded their comprehension; the runes used some extremely ancient writing system.

“I can’t understand the meaning of these runes,” a magic array expert shook his head. “This magic array technology is at least thousands of years ahead of us.” “Then what do we do?” Amy asked worriedly. “We can’t just stay here forever.”

Just as everyone was discussing, an ancient and majestic voice suddenly echoed from the walls of the hall. The voice used an ancient common language, but remarkably, everyone present could understand its meaning.

"Welcome to the Temple of Storms," ​​the voice said. "I am a projection of the consciousness left behind by the Storm King, Severus. Those warriors who have reached this place have proven themselves to possess sufficient strength and wisdom."

Upon hearing the Storm King's voice, everyone was shocked. This legendary immortal king had left a projection of his consciousness within the structure, meaning they might receive invaluable guidance and inheritance.

“Now, you face a choice,” Severus’s voice continued. “This teleportation array will send you to different areas of the temple. Each area contains different opportunities and challenges. But be aware that once you enter the teleportation array, you will be randomly assigned to different trial spaces.”

“Random assignment?” Rex frowned. “Does that mean our teams will be scattered?”

“Indeed,” Severus’s voice replied, “True strength requires the ability to face challenges independently. However, if the bond between you is deep enough, the magic circle may arrange for you to enter the same trial space.”

Hearing this explanation, Rowan's heart skipped a beat. A bond? If this were true, then he and Silver Moon might be assigned to the same space. But the problem was, they didn't know each other nominally, so how could a bond be established?
"Do we have the right to choose not to enter?" Leah asked.

“Of course,” Severus replied, “but you must know that the enemy outside is breaking through the temple's protective barrier. If you don't act quickly, you will soon be surrounded.”

Just then, the entire hall suddenly trembled slightly. Clearly, the Imperial Legion's attack had already caused some damage to the building.

“It seems we don’t have many options,” Rex decided. “Entering the teleportation array is at least better than being surrounded by the Imperial Legion.”

“I agree,” Leah said, expressing her support as well.

The members of both teams began to approach the teleportation circle. Rowan and Silvermoon, though on different teams, both tried to move closer to each other. If Severus was telling the truth, their coordinated teamwork might be recognized by the circle as some kind of bond.

"Everyone, go in together," Rex ordered. "Remember, wherever you're assigned, stay calm and find a way to rejoin the others."

More than thirty martial artists simultaneously stepped into the teleportation array. Instantly, intense spatial fluctuations enveloped everyone, and the entire world began to spin and distort. Rowan felt an immense spatial pulling force, a force that seemed to tear them apart.

But just as the teleportation began, an anomaly suddenly appeared in the center of the magic circle. A blinding red light shot out from the ground, and the entire teleportation process became extremely chaotic. Clearly, the magic circle had malfunctioned during its long period of sealing.

"Oh no! The magic array is malfunctioning!" someone shouted in alarm.

Chaotic spatial forces began to pull everyone haphazardly, turning what should have been an orderly teleportation process into a disaster. Rowan felt a powerful suction pulling him in an unknown direction, while Silver Moon was being pulled in the opposite direction by another force.

"Silver Moon!" Without hesitation, Rowan unleashed a portion of his true strength to forcefully resist the spatial turbulence. He reached out and accurately grasped Silver Moon's wrist.

“Rowan,” Yin Yue also reached out her hand, and the two hands clasped tightly together.

But this action was witnessed by other martial artists nearby. In such a chaotic situation, it was no coincidence that two people from different teams could find each other so accurately.

“They know each other,” Thomas said in shock.

“The fact that they can still rescue each other under these circumstances means their relationship must be more than just friendship,” Amy noted this detail as well.

But there was no time to explain now. The chaotic teleportation power swept everyone into the spatial vortex. Rowan gripped Silver Moon's hand tightly, while secretly manipulating his spatial laws to try and stabilize the spatial fluctuations around them.

Thanks to his efforts, the two of them were enveloped by a relatively stable spatial current. Although they were still moving at high speed, at least they were not separated. The others were not so lucky; under the influence of chaotic spatial forces, everyone was dragged in different directions.

“Hold on tight,” Rowan said to Silvermoon. “This teleportation process will take some time.”

“Understood,” Silver Moon said, gripping Rowan’s hand tightly while trying to steady herself.

After about a minute of chaotic teleportation, the two finally felt the spatial forces weaken. The distorted scenery around them began to stabilize, and they were about to reach their destination.

With a flash of bright light, Rowan and Silver Moon were slammed heavily onto a stone surface. When their vision cleared, they found themselves in a completely unfamiliar environment.

This was a vast underground space, surrounded by ancient stone walls carved with countless intricate runes. The entire space was illuminated by a pale blue light, the source seemingly being some kind of luminous crystal embedded in the walls.

"Where is the others?" Silver Moon looked around and found that there were only the two of them.

“They should have been teleported elsewhere,” Rowan stood up, surveying his surroundings. “It seems the malfunction of that magic circle scattered everyone.”

"That's good," Silvermoon breathed a sigh of relief, "At least we don't have to hide our identities anymore."

Indeed, now that it's just the two of them, they can temporarily put aside their pretenses and communicate using their true identities.

"What do you think this place is?" Silver Moon asked Rowan for his opinion.

Rowan carefully observed his surroundings. "Judging from the architectural style, this should be a deep area within the Storm Temple. The complexity of these runes far exceeds anything we've seen before; it's likely an important research lab or treasure vault."

“Then our luck might be good,” Silvermoon said excitedly. “If this really is an important area, we might find something valuable.”

“Don’t get too excited,” Rowan cautioned. “The more important the location, the more dangerous the protective measures usually are. We need to proceed with caution.”

The two began to carefully explore the underground space. They soon discovered it was actually a complex maze structure with countless passages leading in different directions. Each passage's entrance was marked with different runes, but they couldn't decipher their meaning.

(End of this chapter)