"Rose Valley" Town.
Ashu didn't head directly to confront the forces of the Imperial Capital. Instead, after rounding a corner, he entered the Netherrealm.
He carried with him the blood-red Demon Core and found Anna and the others.
Before he could ask anything, Anna—at the Twelfth Stage of Spiritual Perception—immediately stepped forward. Her long silver-white hair fell over her shoulders, and curiosity mixed with vigilance sparkled in her eyes.
"Ashu, what are you carrying?" she asked softly, though her gaze was already locked on the Demon Core in Ashu's arms.
Ashu took out the Demon Core. In the Netherrealm's eerie light, it looked even redder—like a pulsating ball of living blood.
Anna extended fine threads of Magical Essence, gently probing the core. The moment she made contact, it began to tremble violently. Anna's expression changed slightly. "This is... the Authority of Fear."
"What do you mean?" Ashu asked.
