The Dawn of the New World Chapter 1533

Now that Hao Xuan had gotten a general understanding of the principles of this place his attention was pulled towards the next point of contention which was even more vital.

"Once I leave...how will I get back here?"

Leaving was rather easy but coming back was another story entirely- unless he was willing to put himself through the same degree of torture every time and hope for the best. Not to mention that each subsequent time would have to be even worse so he won't be able to get accustomed to the pain.

Hao Xuan shook his head without giving it much thought, "Nah, even I'm not crazy enough to do that. But then...what?"

Unknowingly, he had begun to brush the meditation scar whenever he was lost in deep thought since it had become somewhat of a bad habit. It was quite sensitive so doing so kept him fairly alert and attentive.

And when he accidentally applied too much pressure a sharp pain brought him out of the stupor.

"Ah- fuck!" he shook his hand, "This stupid anch- ANCHOR! That's it!"

In a brief moment of enlightenment, Hao Xuan realized that he simply needed to do the same thing for the Umbral Planes as Alexander had done for the Material Planes.

"I need to leave an anchor behind, something I can follow back!" he exclaimed happily before swiftly realizing that might be harder than expected.

"The anchor needs to be connected to me on a spiritual level, even better if it's connected to my soul directly. But there needs to be SOME connection that I can follow back no matter how faint. The only problem is-" Hao Xuan patted his spirit form, "There is nothing I can bring over from the physical world. If only there was-"

Like a bolt of lightning a second epiphany occurred.

"That's it! I forgot it was even there!"

Hao Xuan closed his eyes while extending both hands forward. The ground began to flatten and expand as far as the eye could see-

"Come out!"

***

Some unknown time later Hao Xuan opened his eyes back in his physical form. He was resting in the shade of a boulder.

When he tried to move a dull aching pain ran throughout his body, obviously originating from the sore back. But apart from that there wasn't anything wrong with him.

"You're up," Ketillaug jumped down from the top of the boulder upon hearing movement to get a better look at him, "That was quick," he commented while leaning down, "Hmm, doesn't look like anything's wrong, good."

It was still just as bright as before so Hao Xuan asked, "How long as I out for?"

Ketillaug pulled out a timepiece from his armor to check. It had three floating ice crystals locked in a silver frame.

"Hmm, not that long. Not even one crystal has melted yet."

'???'

"What? How long is that?"

"Oh, my apologies. I forget humans have their own measurements. It should be a little over 10 one-minute intervals."

Hao Xuan heaved a sigh while getting up, "Just say over ten minutes then. Who talks like that?" he grumbled to himself.

A barely audible snicker emanated from the top of the same boulder Ketillaug was on but before Hao Xuan could say anything Ketillaug cleared his throat.

*Cough*

"Right, so, since you are up I will return to my post. You don't need to do any more work if you don't want to," Ketillaug said while pointing at the tunnel Hao Xuan had dug, "I checked it out and you are several days ahead of the other slaves. Once we go back I will inform Master Rufgar of what transpired here today, he will not let that slaver go without a word or two."

He even patted Hao Xuan on the shoulder, "You should rest, the fatigue can crawl up on you fast in this heat. Come and get me if the slaver comes back, I-I will teach that bastard a lesson!"

But despite the good news Hao Xuan's brow began to furrow upon seeing the droplets of nervous sweat running down the side of Ketillaug's snout. His dark iron-like skin was impervious to all but most of the hottest regions and it's not like he was sweating before.

But now his heartbeat was so fast and loud that Hao Xuan could hear it like the beat of a drum and above all- he was stealing glances at the top of the boulder.

"G-Good luck then!" he threw out the last few words and almost sprinted away at full speed.

Hao Xuan let out a deep breath before stretching to loosen up. There was definitely another person up there and it was not Sumeet.

Even from a distance of less than 10 meters Hao Xuan could not pick up any signs of life from him. His presence was hidden so perfectly that if he hadn't laughed earlier Hao Xuan might not have ever found out.

Hao Xuan quickly checked on Che Yun once to make sure he was fine before speaking to the individual hiding above the boulder.

"Why don't you come down now? There is no need to hide like a rat."