Chapter 2186: The Role of the Anchor
The moment the words left his mouth, the entire space seemed to freeze.
The man in the black robe slowly raised his head, his gaze beneath the hood fixed on Xu Huo. "You're quite perceptive," he said, his voice low and hoarse, carrying a faint, eerie echo. "But do you really think you can stop me?"
Xu Huo didn't answer. He simply looked at the man, his eyes calm and unwavering. "You're using this Non-Game Area Simulator to create a false reality, trying to anchor something here. What is it? A person? Or a power?"
The man in the black robe chuckled softly, a sound like the scraping of metal. "Smart. But knowing too much isn't always a good thing." He raised his hand, and a black blade of light condensed in his palm. "Since you've figured it out, then stay here forever."
As his voice fell, the black blade of light shot toward Xu Huo like lightning.
Xu Huo's figure flickered, instantly appearing several meters away. The black blade of light struck the ground, leaving a deep, bottomless crack. The surrounding space began to warp, as if the entire simulator was collapsing.
"Your Space Power is indeed impressive," the man in the black robe said, a hint of surprise in his tone. "But in this space, I am the master."
He raised both hands, and the surrounding space instantly twisted, countless black cracks spreading out like spider webs, sealing off all of Xu Huo's escape routes.
Xu Huo's brow furrowed slightly. He could feel the space around him being forcibly compressed, as if an invisible giant hand was trying to crush him. He took a deep breath, and a faint silver light flickered in his eyes.
"Space Ray Blade!"
A silver blade of light shot out from his hand, instantly tearing through the surrounding black cracks. The man in the black robe grunted, taking a step back.
"Impossible! How can you break my space lock?" the man in the black robe said in disbelief.
"Because your power isn't truly your own," Xu Huo said calmly. "You're just borrowing the power of this simulator. And I... am a genuine Spatial Super Evolver."
The man in the black robe's expression changed drastically. He suddenly turned and tried to flee into the depths of the space.
But Xu Huo was faster. He raised his hand, and a silver light shot out, instantly binding the man in the black robe.
"Tell me, what exactly are you trying to anchor here?" Xu Huo asked coldly.
The man in the black robe let out a low laugh. "You think you've won? No... it's just beginning." His body suddenly began to blur, as if it was about to dissipate.
Xu Huo's expression shifted. He immediately increased the output of his Space Power, trying to lock the man in place. But the man's figure still grew fainter, until he completely vanished.
At the same time, the entire Non-Game Area Simulator began to shake violently, as if it was about to collapse at any moment.
Xu Huo's brow furrowed deeply. He could feel an even more terrifying power surging from the depths of the simulator, as if something was awakening.
"Damn it..." he muttered, quickly turning and rushing toward the exit of the simulator.
But before he could take a few steps, a massive black vortex suddenly appeared in front of him, blocking his path. From within the vortex came a low, deep roar, as if some ancient beast was awakening.
Xu Huo stopped in his tracks, staring warily at the black vortex. He could feel an extremely dangerous aura emanating from it, one that made even him feel threatened.
"What exactly is inside?" he murmured.
Just then, a familiar voice suddenly sounded behind him.
"Brother Xu, be careful!"
Xu Huo turned his head and saw Yan Jiayu rushing over, her face full of anxiety.
"Why are you here?" Xu Huo asked, surprised.
"I sensed something was wrong, so I came to check," Yan Jiayu said, panting. "This simulator is about to collapse. We need to get out of here fast."
Xu Huo nodded. "But there's a black vortex blocking the way ahead. We need to find another way out."
Yan Jiayu looked at the black vortex, her expression turning serious. "That thing... it feels like a Space Gate, but it's unstable. If we rush in, we might get torn apart by the space turbulence."
"Then we'll break it," Xu Huo said, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
He raised his hand, and a silver blade of light condensed in his palm, then he slashed fiercely at the black vortex.
The blade of light struck the vortex, instantly creating a dazzling explosion of light. The black vortex trembled violently, cracks spreading across its surface.
"Now!" Xu Huo shouted, grabbing Yan Jiayu and rushing toward the vortex.
The two of them dashed through the cracks in the vortex, and the next second, the entire simulator collapsed with a loud boom.
When Xu Huo and Yan Jiayu reappeared, they found themselves in a vast wilderness. The sky was a deep gray, and the ground was covered with withered grass and broken stones.
"We're out?" Yan Jiayu asked, looking around in confusion.
Xu Huo shook his head. "Not quite. This should be another layer of the simulator. That man in the black robe isn't dead yet; he's still hiding somewhere."
Yan Jiayu's expression turned serious. "Then what do we do now?"
"Find him," Xu Huo said calmly. "He's the key to this simulator. Only by catching him can we truly leave this place."
As his voice fell, a strange laugh suddenly echoed from the distance.
"Looking for me? I'm right here."
Xu Huo and Yan Jiayu turned their heads simultaneously and saw the man in the black robe standing not far away, his figure flickering as if it was about to vanish at any moment.
"You're quite persistent," the man in the black robe said with a light laugh. "But this time, I won't give you another chance."
He raised his hand, and the surrounding space instantly twisted, countless black chains shooting out from the void, binding Xu Huo and Yan Jiayu tightly.
"Space Lock? It's useless against me," Xu Huo said coldly, silver light flickering in his eyes.
But the next second, his expression changed. He found that his Space Power was being suppressed, unable to break free from the chains.
"What's going on?" Yan Jiayu asked in surprise.
"This isn't an ordinary Space Lock," the man in the black robe said smugly. "This is a power specifically designed to counter Space Evolvers. I've been preparing for a long time."
Xu Huo's brow furrowed deeply. He could feel the chains constantly draining his power, as if they were trying to turn him into a puppet.
"What exactly do you want?" he asked coldly.
"Simple," the man in the black robe said, slowly walking closer. "I want you to become my anchor, helping me stabilize this space."
Xu Huo's pupils contracted. "Anchor? You want to use me as a sacrifice?"
"Smart," the man in the black robe said with a grin. "A Spatial Super Evolver like you is the best anchor. As long as I refine you into this space, I can control this entire simulator and even extend my power to the real world."
"Dream on," Xu Huo said coldly, silver light flickering in his eyes.
But the man in the black robe just laughed disdainfully. "You're already trapped. No matter how strong you are, you can't escape my control."
Just then, Yan Jiayu suddenly spoke up. "Brother Xu, I have an idea."
Xu Huo turned his head and saw a determined glint flash in Yan Jiayu's eyes.
"Use my power," Yan Jiayu said. "I can temporarily boost your Space Power, enough to break these chains."
"No, that would consume your life force," Xu Huo said, shaking his head.
"It's okay," Yan Jiayu said with a faint smile. "As long as I can help you, it's worth it."
Before Xu Huo could refuse, Yan Jiayu had already closed her eyes, and a faint golden light began to emanate from her body.
"Stop!" the man in the black robe shouted, reaching out to grab Yan Jiayu.
But it was too late. The golden light had already merged into Xu Huo's body, and his Space Power instantly surged several times over.
"Break!" Xu Huo roared, and the silver light on his body exploded, instantly shattering the black chains.
The man in the black robe's expression changed drastically. He turned to flee, but Xu Huo was faster. A silver blade of light shot out, piercing through his chest.
"You..." the man in the black robe looked down at the wound on his chest in disbelief, his body beginning to blur.
"This time, you won't escape," Xu Huo said coldly, increasing the output of his Space Power, completely sealing the man in the black robe within a space cage.
The man in the black robe let out a desperate roar, his body gradually dissipating until he completely vanished.
At the same time, the entire simulator began to collapse, and the surrounding scenery rapidly shattered.
Xu Huo quickly caught the weakened Yan Jiayu, and the two of them were enveloped in a white light, disappearing from the spot.
When they opened their eyes again, they had returned to the real world, standing in the middle of the Non-Game Area Simulator.
"It's over..." Yan Jiayu said weakly, leaning against Xu Huo.
Xu Huo nodded, looking at the simulator that had completely lost its function, a flicker of contemplation in his eyes.
"That man in the black robe... who exactly is he? And what is he trying to anchor?"
He had a feeling that all of this was just the beginning, and even greater dangers were yet to come.