Marvel: A Portal to the World of Swallowed Star

Chapter 308 308: Becoming Something Entirely New

Rowan stared at him in astonishment. "That sounds very similar to what I experienced. In that magma fissure, I also gained a deeper understanding of the Law of Fire."

Shadow and Victor stepped forward as well, both of them wearing expressions filled with excitement and awe.

"And you?" Rowan asked. "What about the so-called 'Place Where Knowledge Settles'?"

Victor's eyes gleamed with intellectual fervor. "It was a treasure trove. We discovered the ruins of an ancient civilization. Inside, there were tens of thousands of crystalline records containing vast knowledge about the laws of the universe, energy transformation, even spatial folding."

"An ancient civilization?" Rowan repeated in surprise. "There used to be an advanced society on this planet?"

Shadow nodded. "Based on our findings, around five hundred thousand years ago, this planet was home to a highly developed civilization. They mastered techniques to manipulate planetary energy and created countless wonders. But for reasons unknown, the civilization vanished almost overnight, leaving behind only those crystal records and fragments of their structures."

"The most fascinating part," Victor added, "is that this civilization seemed to have been aware of the planetary consciousness. They formed some kind of symbiotic relationship with it. Much of their technology and energy usage was built on understanding and respecting that consciousness."

Rowan fell into thought. "So the planetary consciousness might be even older than we imagined. It may have witnessed the rise and fall of that civilization."

"Very likely," Shadow agreed. "And according to the crystal records, after that civilization disappeared, the planetary consciousness continued evolving, eventually reaching a level where it can directly communicate with outsiders like us."

The four of them sat together at the center of the camp, sharing everything they had discovered and learned over the past three days. Each of them had made astonishing gains, not just in strength, but in their understanding of the universe itself.

"We really got lucky," Thor said with a sigh. "If Astor hadn't forced us into that emergency warp, we would never have found this planet."

At the mention of Astor, their expressions grew serious. The excitement of discovery faded slightly under the weight of reality. Somewhere out there, Astor, now partially transformed into a king-level entity, was searching for them.

"How long until we can establish contact with the Empire?" Rowan asked.

"Six hours," Shadow replied after checking the time, her expression focused. "I've already started setting up the encrypted channel and quantum communication array. If everything goes smoothly, we should be able to connect with Imperial Intelligence tonight."

Rowan nodded and looked out across the alien wilderness surrounding their camp. Blue-violet lightning still danced through the clouds, illuminating the distant terrain. After three days of exploration and direct communication with the planetary consciousness, he felt an unexplainable connection to this world.

"I'm a little worried," Rowan said quietly. "If the Empire learns how special this planet is, will they send more people to study or exploit it? That might break the promise we made."

Shadow fell silent for a moment. "That is a concern. The Empire has always been eager to explore rare phenomena, especially places that can help powerful individuals break through their limits. But we can emphasize the planet's fragile ecological balance and potential dangers in our report. Recommend minimal intervention."

"And," Victor added, "the planetary consciousness itself has considerable defensive capability. If it feels threatened, it might retaliate. The ancient records mention that when the previous civilization overexploited resources, the planetary consciousness responded violently, triggering massive geological disasters."

Thor stood up, stretching his body. "Either way, we need to make sure we can leave here safely. Astor could find us at any moment. We need Imperial support."

With that, the four of them split up to prepare.

Shadow focused on the communication system, adjusting parameters to ensure the signal could penetrate spatial interference. Victor organized their collected data and samples into a detailed report. Thor reinforced the camp's defensive systems. Rowan deployed a network of energy sensors around the perimeter to detect any approaching lifeforms or spacecraft.

By afternoon, the sky suddenly darkened.

Massive thunderclouds gathered overhead, and the frequency and intensity of lightning surged dramatically. At first, it seemed like a natural weather shift, but Rowan quickly sensed something was wrong.

"This isn't a normal storm," Rowan said, frowning as he stared at the deepening purple sky. "The planetary consciousness is trying to warn us."

Sure enough, less than a minute later, that ancient voice echoed in his mind again.

"Danger… approaching… powerful entity… searching for you…"

Rowan's eyes widened. "Shadow! Victor! Thor! The planetary consciousness is warning us. Something dangerous is coming. It's probably Astor!"

Shadow immediately dropped what she was doing, her expression turning grim. "Damn it. Faster than I expected. The communication array still needs at least three hours. We need to buy time."

"How long for a basic distress signal?" Rowan asked urgently.

Shadow thought for a moment. "If we skip encryption and precise coordinates, just send a raw distress signal with approximate location, maybe thirty minutes. But that means anyone who receives it will know where we are, including Astor."

"We don't have a choice," Thor said firmly. "Send it. If Astor is already close, getting the Empire's attention is more important."

Before they could finalize their plan, the energy sensors Rowan had set up shrieked to life.

Multiple displays flashed red warnings. The data showed an incredibly powerful energy signature approaching from beyond the atmosphere.

"No time," Shadow said calmly as she grabbed her weapon. "Astor is already here. Prepare for battle. Stall him. I'll send the signal."

Rowan, Thor, and Victor readied themselves immediately.

Their strength had improved greatly over the past few days, especially Rowan and Thor. But they all knew the truth. Against someone who had absorbed part of the Celestial King's power, their chances were slim.

"We draw the battlefield away from the camp," Rowan said. "Buy Shadow time and protect the core."

Thor nodded, electricity already crackling across his body. "I'll act as bait. I can lure him toward the southern plains. There's plenty of lightning there to support me."

"Too risky," Victor said, shaking his head. "Astor won't fall for something that simple. We need something more complex."

Before they could refine the plan, the sky twisted.

A massive vortex appeared overhead. The clouds were torn apart by an overwhelming force, forming a void hundreds of meters wide. Through it, a familiar and terrifying figure descended slowly.

Astor.

His form had become even less human. His body was now completely translucent, filled with flowing starlight like a galaxy contained within him. Distorted spatial ripples circled his head, and his eyes had become twin swirling blue vortices. The sheer pressure of his presence disrupted every instrument in the camp, filling the air with a low, vibrating hum.

"I found you," Astor said. His voice was no longer human. It sounded like multiple voices speaking at once. "Hand over the core, and I might grant you a swift death."

Thor attacked without hesitation.

He raised both hands, summoning a colossal bolt of lightning from the sky. It struck downward like a pillar of divine wrath, powerful enough to level a mountain.

Astor merely lifted a hand.

The lightning shattered before reaching him, dissolving into harmless currents.

"A trivial trick," Astor sneered. "You think a few days of training can challenge someone approaching king-level?"

With a casual wave, an invisible force slammed into Thor, sending him flying dozens of meters before crashing into a rock. Blood spilled from his mouth.

Rowan reacted instantly.

Drawing on his newly awakened understanding of the Law of Fire, he formed dozens of condensed energy fire spheres. These were not ordinary flames, but compressed energy constructs capable of devastating explosions.

They shot forward like meteors and detonated in a blinding flash.

The blast carved a crater into the ground.

But when the dust cleared, Astor was still hovering in place, completely unharmed.

"Interesting," Astor said, staring at Rowan. "You've gained some insight into the Law of Fire. But it's still too weak. Too immature. Let me show you what true fire looks like."

A black flame appeared in his palm.

It flowed like liquid, radiating a terrifying heat that made the air tremble. With a flick of his finger, it transformed into a serpent of fire that shot toward Rowan with impossible speed.

Rowan tried to evade, but the flame tracked him as if alive.

At the last moment, Victor appeared in front of him, raising a specialized energy shield he had recovered from the ancient ruins.

The black flame struck.

A deafening explosion followed.

The shield held, barely, but cracks spread across its surface. The impact sent both Rowan and Victor crashing to the ground.

"That was your last defense," Astor said as he descended slowly. Each step made the earth tremble. "Your resistance is meaningless. My power is already close to that of a king-level immortal. If you hadn't taken the core, I would already be complete. Hand it over."

Rowan forced himself to stand, glancing at Thor, who was struggling to rise despite his injuries.

"Astor," Rowan said, his voice steady, "you've already been influenced by the Celestial King's residual consciousness. You're not yourself anymore. Look at what you've become. You're losing your humanity. If this continues, you'll lose yourself completely and become nothing more than a puppet."

Astor paused.

His head tilted slightly, as if considering the words.

"A puppet?" he said slowly. "No. You're wrong. I am merging with the Celestial King. We will become something entirely new. A being with unprecedented power. When the fusion is complete, I will surpass all existing immortals and become the ruler of the universe."

"Listen to yourself," Rowan pressed. "That's not how a true powerhouse thinks. Those delusions aren't yours. They were planted by the Celestial King. Do you know why he fell? Because of that same arrogance."

Astor's expression twisted violently.

"Silence!" he roared. "The Celestial King was betrayed by higher civilizations! He was destined to rule everything!"

Rowan turned to Victor and Thor. "See? That's not Astor anymore. That's the Celestial King speaking through him. His personality is being devoured."

Astor erupted.

A surge of energy exploded outward, forming waves of destructive force. The surrounding rocks and equipment were pulverized instantly. Most of the camp was wiped out in seconds.

Rowan, Thor, and Victor were thrown back, struggling to resist the overwhelming pressure. Their blood surged violently, their bodies on the verge of collapse.

"Enough!" Astor roared. "I don't need your pity or your understanding. Last chance. Hand over the core or die."

Just as the situation reached its breaking point, a streak of silver light shot from the camp and struck Astor.

It was Shadow.

She had hastily assembled an energy weapon from the communication equipment. It wasn't powerful, but it was enough to distract him.

"The signal is out!" she shouted, continuing to fire the silver beam. "Hold on! Imperial reinforcements will arrive soon!"

Astor turned toward her, fury blazing in his swirling eyes.

"Foolish agent," he said coldly. "What kind of force do you think the Black Dragon Mountain Empire can send to stop me?"