The Witch Hunter System

Chapter 1232: Offering Empyrean Oceanheart an Opportunity

Ironstar Refuge, roughly 4 light-years away from the Ashstar Outpost, was home to merely five thousand survivors. It was a much smaller survivor shelter than Ashstar Outpost and the Proud Ember Tribe.

Unfortunately, the Azure Wanderer arrived slightly too late.

The entire Ironstar Refuge was wiped out.

Vaan’s group only arrived in time to witness the Undying Fiends collecting the corpses from the Ironstar Refuge.

Within two minutes, the small group of Undying Fiends was wiped, with the exception of a few, who died slightly later after their memories were extracted. Unfortunately, nothing new was discovered.

"Let’s move on," Empyrean Oceanheart urged after a short sigh at the ruined shelter.

Although they had failed to save the Ironstar Refuge Survivors, they had prevented the Dead Lands from turning this batch of corpses into another army of Undying Fiends.

Vaan reduced all the biomatter to nothingness.

While it was unfortunate, their primary objective was still achieved.

Even so, no one felt good about the Ironstar Refuge’s complete destruction. It weighed on their hearts, strengthening their resolve to thwart the Sentinels’ plans and destroy the Undying Fiends.

"The Ironstar Refuge might be the first survivor shelter we have failed to save, but they definitely won’t be the last. If we hurry, we can still save more."

Vaan comforted Seraphina with a pat on the shoulder.

Indeed, the Ironstar Refuge’s annihilation had weighed on Seraphina’s mind the most. While she was a Divine Emperor, much more powerful than the survivors from the Ashstar Outpost and the Proud Ember Tribe, she was ultimately an inexperienced young girl.

Seraphina’s heart and mind have not been tempered by the tribulations of life.

Occasionally, Empyrean Oceanheart cast a sneaky glance in their direction, wearing a thoughtful look, which Vaan noticed but pretended not to see.

’Perhaps this situation isn’t necessarily a bad thing,’ Empyrean Oceanheart silently thought.

Whether it was Seraphina’s personal growth or the improvement of her relationship with Vaan, the trials in the Umbral Edge provided a suitable environment.

If they somehow made it out in the end, everything would be considered a valuable experience.

...

After the Ironstar Refuge’s situation concluded, Empyrean Oceanheart guided the Azure Wanderer to the next point on the starchart. In her heart, she still felt incredulous, not knowing how Vaan knew about the Ironstar Refuge’s location.

Her gaze gradually fixed on the wide starchart with several dozen marks, which stretched over a couple of hundred light-years.

Given the Umbral Edge’s environmental suppression, Empyrean Oceanheart could not see so far away, even with her sensory spells. Too much darkness and dark nebulae obscured her vision.

If Vaan had accurately marked every survivor shelter on the starchart, that would be way too incredible.

Empyrean Oceanheart failed to comprehend how Vaan achieved this.

How did he learn of these locations?

While Empyrean Oceanheart was lost in thought, Vaan suddenly approached her on the bridge, seeking a private discussion.

The space around them was quickly isolated, preventing any word from reaching the others nearby.

"What’s the matter, Sir Vaan?" Empyrean Oceanheart asked curiously, unsure of Vaan’s purpose for having a private word with her.

After all, any important discussion could be openly shared with the group. It didn’t require such privacy unless it concerned only her and wasn’t related to the other matters. ʀàŊỔ₿ËꞨ

Could it be that Vaan wasn’t too interested in Seraphina because he had set his eyes on her?

Did he mistake her previous glance for a signal to something?

Empyrean Oceanheart suddenly felt strange for having these weird thoughts. What on earth was she thinking? Was she expecting something? Was she crazy?

Being a member of the Mermaid Race, Empyrean Oceanheart was aware that she, herself, possessed unparalleled beauty. It wouldn’t be strange for her to have countless suitors if not for her great status and authority.

However, given Vaan’s qualifications, he could indeed ignore her status and authority and not be deterred like the others.

’Damn! You’re not interested in young grass because you want to eat old grass, huh?!’ Empyrean Oceanheart thought wildly, her chest heaving up and down, heart and mind in turmoil.

Amid these chaotic thoughts, some doubts emerged.

Why did she have these thoughts in the first place?

Given Empyrean Oceanheart’s age and status, it was not like her usual self to be having these wild thoughts. After all, she was not a young maiden anymore.

After some thought, Empyrean Oceanheart realized she might just be distracting herself because her nerves were tensed due to recent events.

"Have you ever considered comprehending the Nihility Law, Empyrean Oceanheart?"

Vaan’s question sounded, prompting Empyrean Oceanheart to cough awkwardly with shame and embarrassment, scattering her wild thoughts and imagination.

"Ahem, why did you bring up the Nihility Law, Sir Vaan?"

Although Empyrean Oceanheart was quick to ask, she realized the reason immediately.

The destructive nothingness of the Nihility Law was crucial for eliminating the Undying Fiends, and Vaan was the sole wielder of this power in their group.

However, his cultivation was limited, while the Undying Fiends were endless.

Even if Vaan could destroy the Undying Fiends, it would take a long time to inflict significant damage to the Dead Lands’ military strength.

If they could have another wielder of the nothingness, one with True Divinity-level cultivation, no less, more choices would be readily available for them, allowing them to take more active measures.

"Comprehending the Nihility Law is the dream of all Empyreans." Empyrean Oceanheart smiled wryly, shaking her head. "Unfortunately, comprehending the Nihility Law requires talent, fate, or opportunity."

"It’s not something I can achieve just by wishing for it," Empyrean Oceanheart said without any expectation.

Although Empyrean Oceanheart was impressed that Vaan could wield the power of nothingness through his Soul Master Ability, it wasn’t something he could pass on to her.

After all, there was a fundamental difference between being able to use the power of nothingness and understanding it.

Soul Masters could wield this heaven-defying power, but they don’t necessarily understand it. Since they didn’t understand it, how could they even consider sharing its knowledge?

"What if I said I could give you this opportunity?"

"This..."

Vaan’s unbelievable claim instantly stunned Empyrean Oceanheart. Her mind went blank, seemingly unable to process what she had just heard.