Mesmerized

Dyon choked. 'What level of array alchemy must you reach to make something like this? Can I even pass through this? My spatial array is a joke in front a defensive array like this, if it even is a defensive array… My only chance is if I use a spatial array blessed by heaven's chimes. Hopefully, after so many years, the formation has weakened enough for it to work.'

Just as Dyon was about to try his 5th Common level spatial array, he touched the massive defensive array and seemed to slip right through. In one instant, he was floating in water, but in the next he was falling through the air, his eyes widened with shock.

Without a choice, he could only use a few defensive arrays to quickly break his fall.

'It must be an array that blocks threats…? I guess I'm not powerful enough to be a threat,' Dyon chuckled bitterly landing on the ground with a thud. This was the only conclusion Dyon could come to with the information he had.

Just then, a flash of black light zipped by Dyon, surprising him.

'What was that?' Dyon got up cautiously.

BANG!

Something knocked into Dyon's chest making him fall on the ground. He had expected a sharp pain. But, surprisingly, there was hardly any pain at all.

'What the hell is going on?'

Just as Dyon was getting up again, another black light hit him on his back, causing him to fall face first.

'What the hell…'

Dyon's eyes flashed with golden lights as he prepared to instantly cast a defensive-spatial array combination to trap the black light in with him.

The black light came again, but this time Dyon was ready. A sphere appeared around him just as the black light rammed into him, knocking him to the other side of the array. But, as the black light tried to escape, what sounded like a whimper sounded off as it realized it was trapped. Not willing to give up, it bounced around the array, causing cracks to form.

"Oh no you don't!" Dyon grasped towards the black light, but to no avail.

'I'll have to shrink the array.'

This was a manipulation technique he had learned before even the banquet, it was what allowed Dyon to change the shape of his arrays into a more convenient form. It had also allowed him to form the phoenix to fly Madeleine to the banquet. But, the flames themselves were from his aurora.

Soon, Dyon was crouching down looking at an adorably pouting puppy like creature. He was stunned that such a creature could even survive down here all alone.

It looked like a deer, but it had paws instead of hooves. Its black fur actually had patches of jet-black scales on it. Its tiny head had what looked like bumps where horns would eventually grow in. However, this was heavily contrasted by majestic swirls of white fur and a single white pearl like scale on its forehead.

It looked like a beautiful breed of puppy, a sort of gorgeous exotic creature. Though, it had speed that threw Dyon for a loop.

"You're adorable," Dyon said with a chuckle, "Did you want to play?"

Dyon reached out to pat on the little guy's head. It didn't seem to protest as it looked on in interest, seemingly still surprised that it had been caught.

Dyon picked him up and held him in his arms, dispersing the array, "What are you doing here alone, little guy?"

Dyon continued to look around, content with the fact his new little friend didn't seem to want to leave his arms.

Although Dyon seemed nonchalant about this encounter, his mind was actually racing. All he saw around him were ruined and aged buildings, the area seemed completely desolate. Yet, there was clearly a living creature in his arms. Were there others? Has someone been raising him this whole time?

Dyon decided to walk to the absolute center where he saw a massive building. Although it wasn't as tall as the center pillar, it looked about as wide as the pillar was tall, so there might be clues there.

After a few hours, the building was finally right in front of Dyon, but the sinister aura was the thickest he'd felt yet. He was absolutely certain that the danger he had felt from this place before was coming from here.

As he was about to go in, the little guy in his arms started to squirm, causing Dyon's heart to seize.

"You have a lot of nerve, treating my child like a pet," A voice boomed, but it seemed to be transmitted directly into Dyon's head.

Dyon looked around, shivering as he saw the massive silhouette of a pure white majestic dear with swirls of gold on its fur appear in the skies. Its eyes were an endless void of white and its aura was suffocating.

Dyon looked down to see innocent black eyes looking back up at him.

"You really got me into some trouble, huh?" Dyon said chuckling bitterly, he really didn't know what to say to such a thing. He only thought the little guy was adorable. Now its mother was angry…

"Hmm?" The illusory deer seemed surprised by Dyon's calmness. Her cultivation far surpassed this boy, but he seemed at peace. At that moment, her oppressive aura retracted and she even seemed to smile.

"I'm sorry, senior. I was only playing around with Little Black, I'd never disrespect the deity-like celestial deers," Dyon said politely.

The illusion remained silent for a while before nodding. Then… she shrunk into a woman so beautiful, even Madeleine couldn't compare. Dyon had never seen a woman so beautiful to the point where she was almost suffocatingly so. It could only be said that her husband was a very lucky man.

'It seems like the martial world really does increase beauty. But, it's best I don't offend such a powerhouse.' For the first time, Dyon kept his flirtatious comments to himself. This wasn't because he was scared for him, but if he died… Then who would help Madeleine?

But, this didn't stop Dyon from being mesmerized.