Modern sound rings operate using a system called Soul Imprints. A person can collect Soul Imprints from friends and those they wish to communicate with through something known as Soul Imprint Cardsāanother invention of Robinās. This allows for effortless mental communication at any time and from any place, as long as both individuals remain on the same planet. However, if the other party leaves the planet, messages can still be sent but will remain undelivered until both are once again on the same celestial body.
Severing a communication channel or being unable to select a Soul Imprint for contact is theoretically possible in only one scenarioāif the imprint is no longer viable, if it has ceased to exist. And when someoneās Soul Imprint disappearsā¦ it signifies only one thing: death.
("Hey, why are you underestimating your disciple? He is still a Truthās Chosen and has achieved remarkable feats. Perhaps he found a way to manipulate the ring or even alter his own soul. The sound ring is merely an old invention of yours, something you created ages agoāeven before reaching Nihari. Didnāt you only have a First Stage Green Truth Eye back then, just like him? Why assume something this minor is beyond his ability?") Evergreenās voice carried skepticism.
"...You have a point. While his expertise lies in blood research, he is intelligent enough to tamper with something like the sound ring," Robin admitted with some difficulty, nodding slightly.
("Good, then can you relax now? He clearly stood on your sideāhe obliterated your enemies at the most critical moment. He couldnāt have known you had a spacetime technique capable of killing Pythor like that. This means he genuinely intended to save you and wasnāt simply choosing your side because you appeared to be winning in the end!")
Evergreen continued, pressing her advantage. ("Besides, you have found the place where the attack was initiated. The fact that his corpse isnāt here means he is alive, isnāt that enough for you? What more could possibly concern you?")
Taking the opportunity, she urged him further. ("Now, sit down, please. Start gathering natural energy and restoring your soul force, even if only for initial recovery before returning to your empire. Once you are there, you can search for him alongside your peopleāwith a clearer mind and on a much larger scale!")
At this moment, Robinās appearance was horrifying in Evergreenās eyes. He looked like a mummified corpse that had just crawled out from the depths of the earth.
"...Fineā¦ KhaāKhaahā¦ Youāre rightā¦" Robin coughed violently before forcing out a weak chuckle. "For onceā¦ you actually sound like a wise Planetary Spiritā¦ Heh-hehā¦ Most likelyā¦ heās fineā¦"
With great difficulty, he forced himself to sit down. Then, struggling even more, he retrieved two energy pearls from his ring and grasped them tightly in both hands. Slowly, he closed his eyes and shut off all his sensesā¦
After a long battle, after a series of emotional shocks, after an exhausting searchā¦ Robin finally accepted that he deserved to rest.
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Seven Days Laterā
Robinās eyes finally fluttered open, this time shining with a crystalline clarity. Though his soul domain remained unrepaired, he had carefully replenished it with soul force once moreāthis time through natural means, without the reckless destruction of any initial souls.
With deliberate grace befitting a king, he rose to his feet. Every fracture in his bones, every tear in his muscles, had vanished without a trace. The Body Reinforcement Tattoo and the Phoenix Vitality Tattoo had worked in perfect harmony over the past seven days, healing him from the inside out. With the steady supply of energy from the pearls, the two tattoos had outperformed even the most advanced battlefield medical arrays.
Even his Energy Gathering Center, the focal point of his cultivation, had stabilized at Level 23. Robin had taken the time to repair the few remaining flaws within it using the Foundation Modification Technique, ensuring that he could now absorb energy from the surrounding environment and from pearls with easeā without needing to burn his own life force again.
"Hoooh~" Robin exhaled deeply, his breath steady and calm. The exhaustion had faded, his complexion had regained its radiance, and vitality now coursed through his veins. Evergreen had successfully replenished the lifeblood energy within him before any permanent damage could take hold.
Satisfied that he was now in a proper state to face others once more, Robin began dressing himself with practiced ease. He draped a pristine white robe, embroidered with elegant golden patterns, over his shoulders. With swift, practiced movements, he tidied his hair, ensuring an appearance befitting of his station. Today, he would return to his peopleāto his children, to his army. He would witness what had transpired in his absence and, more importantly, formally declare the establishment of the True Beginning Empire with the dignity it deserved.
Evergreen had been right all along.
As long as Jabba was still alive after uttering the word "Goodbye," that was enough.
As long as he hadnāt died within this hollowed-out chamber, then there were countless ways to interpret that farewell. Perhaps he had modified his ring and chosen seclusion, or perhaps he had departed for another planet using some unknown method. Who could say for sure?
That was something Robin would investigate in due timeācalmly, methodically, and with the full resources of his empire.
Sooner or later...
He would find him.
Robin cast one final glance around the chamber, this time taking in every minute detail he had previously overlooked.
"Heh~ Jabba, I donāt know where you are, nor do I fully understand what happened to you, But I willā hmm?" He raised his head slightly as he muttered those words, his gaze shifting upwardā
And then he saw it.
Something unusual.
Though the lighting was dim, Robinās enhanced vision immediately picked up the shape of a human figureā but it wasnāt a statue.
It resembled one, but it wasnāt.
The figure was locked in place, its body rigid as stone, pointing downward toward the formation carved into the ground. Its eyes were wide open, frozen in a look of shock and urgency. Its mouth was agape, as if caught mid-scream. Its expression was a twisted mix of determination and regret.
Robinās breath hitched. His pulse quickened.
His gaze locked onto the face of the petrified figure for a few long, silent moments before he finally whisperedā
"...Jabba?!"