Aurora was completely drained of energy, just two meters away from the portal. She wasn't even able to lift her head to look at it. Her entire body was bloody, every bone fractured, scratches covered her skin—she was surely on the brink of death at this rate.
At that moment, she felt something awaken within her. Sensing this was her last hope, she focused on the feeling. Soon, a faint glow of lightning began to surround her. With newfound strength, she struggled to sit up and turned her gaze toward the portal, her eyes filled with determination. In this state, she felt like she could do anything.
Ignoring the intense pain, Aurora tried to jump into the portal and barely succeeded. The moment she entered, dizziness washed over her, her vision blurred, and she lost consciousness. The lightning surrounding her receded into her body as if it had never been there.
The place she arrived in was an endless desert with towering mountains in the distance. Asty sat nearby, watching Aurora in relief. If Aurora had failed this test, Asty would have had to increase the training difficulty later. But it seemed Aurora would be able to handle the standard regimen.
Asty jumped down from the rock she'd been sitting on and approached the bloodied Aurora. She took out a high-tier healing pill and placed it in Aurora's mouth. Aurora's body began to heal at a visible rate, bones mending, scratches vanishing, although blood still stained her skin—a stark reminder of the ordeal she'd just endured.
In reality, Asty had balanced the pond's pressure; otherwise, with Aurora's current body, she would have been crushed instantly.
After some time, Aurora woke up, glancing around in confusion. When she spotted Asty, memories flooded back, filling her with dread. She truly thought she was going to die, yet here she was, somehow having survived.
"Oh, you're awake. How are you feeling?" Asty asked as she stepped in front of her.
"I... I don't know," Aurora replied, looking down.
"Well, this test was for two things: first, to check your determination, and second, to temper your body so it can handle your bloodline once it awakens." Asty explained, heading back to the rock she'd been sitting on.
Aurora followed and sat on a nearby rock, deep in thought.
"You don't need to dwell on it. Since you possess this bloodline, you'll have to endure experiences like that often," Asty said, then added in a serious tone, "That aside, tell me, Aurora—what is your goal?"
Aurora snapped out of her thoughts, taken aback by the question. She contemplated her goal but found herself at a loss. Wanting to be stronger didn't seem like a purpose, and she had no family or revenge to seek.
"I... I have none," Aurora replied honestly, as she truly couldn't think of anything beyond trying to live peacefully.
"It's good that you're honest. If you'd said something like saving the world or bringing peace, I would've kicked you out immediately." Asty nodded, pleased with her answer. She truly despised those with self-righteous goals.
Aurora wiped sweat from her forehead, relieved. Honesty was indeed the best policy. Even without a clear goal, she wanted to grow stronger, and having Asty's guidance was essential.
"But, Master Asty, what is your goal?" Aurora asked, curious if listening to Asty might inspire her own purpose.
"You don't need to call me 'master' or anything. Just 'Asty' is fine. As for my goal, I've already achieved it, so it doesn't matter much anymore. But if you want to know, it was simple: I just wanted to stand by Aadi's side wherever he went and whatever he achieved. You see, Aadi's talent far exceeded mine, so if I wanted to stay by his side, I had to set that goal," Asty replied with a soft smile, her eyes glimmering as she recalled the struggles she'd endured to reach Aadi's level.
Aurora's eyes widened; she hadn't expected such an answer. To reach such heights just to be with Aadi was astonishing. She hesitated, then asked, "If Master's talent surpassed yours, what was his goal? Has he achieved it?"
"His goal was also simple: he wanted to reach a level where, even if the entire world opposed him, he would still prevail. He aspired to a power so vast that he could stand against millions. And yes, he's achieved it. That's why he's here, in this place, just passing the time—and, as always, I tagged along," Asty said with a smirk.
"Enough about that. Do you have anything you want to do?" Asty asked, hoping that, after hearing their goals, Aurora might develop one of her own.
Aurora's expression turned determined. "I may not have anything yet, but my master took me in at my lowest. I want to become strong so I don't bring shame to my master's name."
Asty smiled. "Good. Although it's a simple goal, it's something that can drive you forward. Now, let me tell you a bit about your destiny to prepare you. After that, I'll help awaken your bloodline and heal your profound veins so you can cultivate again."
"My... destiny?" Aurora asked, bewildered.
"Well, I'll start with your bloodline, then go on to other things," Asty said as she began explaining the nature of the Ruler's Bloodline.
If anyone who knew Asty had witnessed this scene, they would have been shocked beyond belief. Asty rarely held long conversations with anyone other than Aadi. To her, almost everyone was a nuisance, and she seldom bothered to engage with them.