Mystic Overlord: Reading Gives Strength-Chapter 1243 - 1237: Subspace Framework

Lulu wasn't sure what she was seeing in front of her.

In the mermaid's perception and vocabulary, the process of transporting someone to a special space or a specific world is mostly referred to as entering a secret realm.

But the environment appearing around her now—

In the vast expanse of the black space, metal skeleton-like cooled igneous rocks formed a structure resembling market shelves, with the gaps in the grid-like structure allowing glimpses of the starlight shining from afar.

Analyzing purely from the view in her sights.

Lulu believed that she was in a space environment outside the planet's atmosphere.

Yet the normal breathing and physical response refuted the judgment her mind had made.

So...what is the situation exactly?

Did she and Ronald successfully arrive at the secret realm through transmission, or was she tricked into some sort of illusion?

Just when Lulu was uncertain, Ronald's confident voice came from beside her:

"Lulu, I think we've come to the right place."

"Oh?"

Lulu turned her head to look.

She saw Ronald just squatting on the ground, now standing up with a strand of fiery red hair in his hand. Lulu remembered the story she heard from Ronald earlier:

"This is... the hair of that Catherine you mentioned before?"

"That's right." Ronald nodded and then carefully put the strand of hair away.

Just like the strands found atop the Astronomy Tower, after crossing the magma lake to get here, there were also marks left by Catherine on the ground. The magic power lingering there pointed the route forward.

Following the guidance of the magic power, Ronald and Lulu ventured forth.

After just a few steps, their angle of view changed, and they saw on the left side the scene outside the igneous rock framework—a word, magnificent as the starry river.

The scene described as radiant unfolded before their eyes.

Countless stars gathered in great length, forming a radiant stream of light like a long river. Without the interference of city light pollution or atmospheric layer, this brilliance was even more overwhelming than on the ground, rendering one momentarily speechless.

Especially for Ronald and Lulu who were not without astronomical knowledge.

Facing such a scene unexpectedly, they even forgot momentarily how to move forward.

......

—A nudge.

After standing there for who knows how long, Lulu nudged Ronald:

"Ronald, where exactly are we?"

Immersed in the distant starry sky, Ronald was even slower to react than Lulu, merely muttering in response:

"If I could, I would also like to know the answer to this question."

Noticing Ronald's state, Lulu this time more forcefully patted him:

"Then shall we keep moving forward?"

Only then did Ronald fully snap out of it:

"Let's go, let's keep going. We can't waste any more time here!"

"..."

The two continued along the igneous rock framework, with the distant resplendent starry sky intermittently appearing. However, before they went too far, something noticeable appeared again ahead of them.

This time it wasn't just the starry sky.

On the igneous rock framework beneath their feet, a few slug-like creatures with fiery red bodies emitting high heat were carrying rock-like objects forward.

Judging by their stable and obvious trajectory, it was clear they were not adjusting to a new environment, but were species native to this place.

Lulu looked curious, even somewhat eager, wanting to catch a sample to examine it:

"Ronald, what do you think they're carrying on their backs?"

"Don't disturb them." Ronald spoke to stop Lulu's actions and then himself manipulated magic power. "I'll first use a spell to investigate, trying not to expose our presence."

[Greed's Original Sin] quickly presented Ronald with the information.

"They are creatures called fire slugs, mainly working to lay frameworks in subspace, forming grid-like passages."

"Subspace?" The mermaid couldn't grasp it this time.

Though Lulu's species had extensive knowledge, they hadn't studied subspace, a completely unfamiliar field for them.

Seeing Lulu's expression, Ronald immediately realized he couldn't obtain information in this respect.

He had a second thought.

The investigation under [Greed's Original Sin] quickly shifted from the fire slugs to the igneous rock framework under their feet.

With the feedback received, Ronald immediately understood everything.

"Is that how it is..."

Hearing his sigh, Lulu quickly grabbed Ronald by the sleeve, with her eyes showing undisguised curiosity:

"Ronald, have you figured out the situation here?"

"Tell me about it!"

Nodding to Lulu, Ronald continued forward, circumventing the fire slugs as he explained:

"Under normal circumstances, worlds can hardly connect with each other."

"Therefore, creations related to subspace have been researched and manufactured by certain life forms. They designed a framework that can be manually laid out, piercing through space to connect different worlds. Some nodes can even project energy nodes, which, once fully developed, will naturally link up with the framework."

By now, Lulu fully understood, pointed at the igneous rock framework underfoot to confirm:

"So what we're standing on is the corresponding product?"

"Exactly." Ronald nodded.

"..."

"You've got to be kidding, this is way too exaggerated!"

Lulu couldn't help but mutter, evidently finding the notion too outrageous.

In the understanding of a mermaid, such things shouldn't exist, whether from a technological or magical perspective.

Faced with Lulu's reaction, Ronald could only offer words of comfort.

Throughout the process, he observed around them and gained more awareness—like the brilliant starry sky, which was not an illusion.

It was actually the subspace reflecting the external environment's imagery.

Giving them a glimpse through their own eyes.

Ahead appeared a hexagonal framework, filled with a vortex formed by fiery red magic power and liquid substances.

Unquestionably—this was a fully developed node.

Moreover, the token left by Catherine was now pointing precisely to this location.

Ronald was about to leap into the vortex, but this time, Mermaid Lulu, contrary to usual, reached out to hold onto Ronald:

"Ronald, think this through!"

"We've reached the Infinite Negative Number Domain from the real world, then from the Infinite Negative Number Domain to this subspace node. A couple of times is fine, but repeatedly crossing worlds has distanced us far from our original world, easily causing us to get lost."

Lulu hurriedly stated the danger of such actions, took a breath, and finally asked seriously:

"So are you sure you want to go in?"

"If something goes wrong, you might never be able to return!"