Chapter 220 - Chapter 220 Time-lapse.

In the quiet moments between battles, Elysia found herself wandering through the memories of her journey. The landscape of her mind was a canvas painted with the vivid hues of triumph and sacrifice.

As she had reached the 9th Stage of cultivation, a sense of accomplishment intertwined with a quiet acknowledgment of the personal ambition that fueled her ascent.

The Dao Fusion Realm, with its ethereal energies and formidable challenges, had shaped Elysia into a warrior of unparalleled skill. At 23, she stood at the pinnacle of cultivation, her every movement echoing the mastery of a Level 70 Warrior in the realms she traversed. Yet, the numbers and achievements, impressive as they were, only told a fraction of her story.

Elysia's fame had transcended the realms of mere cultivation prowess. She was no longer just a genius warrior; she was a symbol, a beacon of hope in a world plagued by nightmares.

The towns and villages spoke of her in whispers, weaving tales of her courage and selflessness. For mothers, she became the heroine of bedtime stories, a guardian angel protecting their children from the terrors that lurked in the dark.

In marketplaces, the mention of Elysia sparked hushed conversations among merchants. Her name carried with it the weight of reassurance, a promise that the guardian of realms stood vigilant against the encroaching darkness.

The mundane discussions about trade and commerce often transformed into fervent expressions of gratitude for the young warrior who had become a living legend.

Elysia, while basking in the warmth of admiration, grappled with the dichotomy of her existence. The world saw her as a selfless savior, unaware of the intricate motivations that fueled her relentless pursuit. Her actions, though benefiting the masses, were threaded with a personal agenda – a quest for strength that surpassed the boundaries of altruism.

In the stillness of her thoughts, Elysia reflected on the paradox of her journey. The lives she saved, the nightmares she quelled – these were not just heroic acts but calculated maneuvers to bolster her own strength. Her legacy, unwittingly shaped by her dual nature, became a tapestry of contradictions and complexities.

As posters adorned the city squares, proclaiming Elysia as the epitome of selflessness, she couldn't help but marvel at the irony of her own story.

Citizens rallied behind the symbol she had become, their gratitude genuine, their hearts undeterred by the intricacies of her true motivations. Elysia had unintentionally become the embodiment of hope, and in that role, she found a strange sense of purpose.

Scholars and philosophers, drawn by the enigma of her tale, engaged in heated debates. The nature of heroism, the thin line between selfishness and selflessness – Elysia's story sparked discussions that reverberated through lecture halls and philosophical forums. Her existence became a cultural phenomenon, a saga etched into the collective consciousness of the world.

Yet, in the midst of accolades and praise, Elysia couldn't escape the echoes of her own secrets. The realms of cultivation remained oblivious to the true purpose behind her endeavors.

The sacrifices she made, the monsters she vanquished – each act carried the weight of her personal ambitions. In the sanctum of her soul, Elysia danced with the shadows, a hero with a heart of gold, yet a soul entwined with the complexities of ambition.

As she continued her relentless journey through Nightmare Gates, the world marveled at the young warrior who rushed her life for them.

The stories of her exploits were genuine, an acknowledgment of the lives she had touched and the darkness she had dispelled. The paradox of Elysia's existence remained hidden, an enigma veiled by the hero's cloak she wore.

In the quietude of her moments of reflection, Elysia found solace in the lives she touched, in the resilience of the villages that once cowered in fear. The irony of her dual nature, a dance between altruism and self-interest, didn't escape her.

The legacy she unwittingly crafted became a testament to the complexity of the human spirit, a reminder that even heroes harbored shadows in the corners of their hearts.

In the corridors of power, where decisions shaped the fate of nations, Elysia's name reverberated with more than just acclaim. The military, recognizing the magnitude of her contributions, bestowed upon her the distinguished rank of Lieutenant General. The insignia adorned her uniform, a symbol not only of her elevated status but also of the immense responsibilities that now rested on her shoulders.

Elysia, now adorned with the regalia of her new rank, found herself navigating the intricate web of military hierarchy. Her rise to Lieutenant General wasn't just a recognition; it was an acknowledgment that her exploits had transcended the ordinary boundaries of valor. The gratitude of nations, a tangible testament to her deeds, flowed into rewards that extended beyond the realms of mere recognition.

Lands, properties, and privileges became tangible expressions of gratitude. Elysia, once a solitary cultivator facing the nightmares alone, now stood amidst the offerings of a world moved by her heroism. The comfort that these rewards promised was a stark contrast to the trials she had faced in the shadowed realms of Nightmare Gates.

With the newfound rank came a retinue of followers, drawn to the magnetic aura of the Lieutenant General. Admirers and supporters surrounded Elysia, their gazes filled with awe and respect. However, she astutely positioned these followers at a safe distance from the ominous gates that she alone dared to enter. Her journey, a solitary quest at its core, held secrets that even the most ardent admirers remained oblivious to.

Within the bastions of military command, discussions stirred about the unprecedented role Elysia played. Admirals and generals, adorned with medals and seated amidst somber rooms, spoke of her with a mixture of reverence and curiosity.

A Lieutenant General, their peer in rank, undertaking the perilous task of confronting Nightmare Gates, guided only by an otherworldly skeletal army, became a subject of intrigue and speculation.

Elysia's absence from military events or meetings became a notable characteristic. Her presence, often felt in the form of reports and commendations, spoke volumes about her dedication to the field.

While she stood among the military elite, her true alliances were forged within the spectral confines of her skeletal army and the ethereal whispers of her ever-responsive system.

On the streets, Elysia became more than a military figure; she became a living legend. Parades and ceremonies celebrated her feats, and her face adorned posters that fluttered with the pride of a nation.

The Lieutenant General, with her unwavering determination and resolute gaze, had become a symbol of resilience – a beacon against the encroaching shadows.

Yet, amid the grandeur of parades and the echoes of cheers, Elysia's thoughts ventured into the silent corridors of her own purpose. The titles and rewards, though symbols of her valor, were external markers of an internal journey. In the quiet moments, when the applause faded, she grappled with the silent pact she had made with the system that fueled her extraordinary endeavors.

The followers who trailed her, captivated by the hero in their midst, remained blissfully unaware of the intricacies of her internal struggle. Elysia, the Lieutenant General with a heart of steel and a soul shrouded in shadows, orchestrated her enigmatic dance on the precipice of realms known and unknown.

As Elysia continued to navigate the delicate balance between military duty and the clandestine pursuit of cultivation, the world marveled at the enigma wrapped in the Lieutenant General's uniform.

The legend of Elysia, ever-growing and ever-shifting, became an indelible mark on the tapestry of a world that clung to the threads of hope she wove.

Her journey, now intricately entwined with the responsibilities of her new rank, held the promise of both glory and secrets veiled in the shadows she cast upon the path ahead.

Elysia gazed into the mirror, and her reflection revealed a fairy-like visage, an ethereal presence that possessed the enchanting allure to captivate both man and woman alike. The reflection staring back at her held an air of otherworldly beauty that seemed almost second nature to Elysia.

Her black hair cascaded gracefully, framing a face with black eyes that held a depth of experiences. The fair skin accentuated the delicate features that bore the marks of tribulations. A distinctive blood-red tribulation lightning tattoo adorned the space between her eyebrows, a testament to the challenges she had faced and conquered.

As Elysia scrutinized her own reflection, her eyes drifted to a revelation concealed within the intricacies of her appearance. Upon closer inspection, subtle yet shocking details emerged – blood-red scales, gently shimmering as if concealing secrets beneath their surface. These scales, hidden amidst the veneer of her enchanting exterior, hinted at a complexity that transcended the ordinary.

The fairy-like beauty that could mesmerize beholders belied the profound journey that had etched itself upon Elysia's very being.

The tribulations and challenges, mirrored in the tattoo and scales, formed an integral part of her existence. The reflection in the mirror encapsulated not just a captivating exterior but also the amalgamation of experiences, strengths, and mysteries that defined the enigmatic Lieutenant General.