One month had passed since the murde, and nightfall descended upon the land.
The moon hung like a silver disc amidst the clouds, with sparse stars adorning the sky. Tristan stood in the courtyard, gazing up at the moon, his eyes gleaming with determination.
"Little brother, I heard you got injured today," came Elara's voice from behind.
"Are you worried I got beaten to a pulp today, and it's going to haunt me?" Tristan turned around, a smirk playing on his lips.
Elara looked at her brother, smiling, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. Though she harbored genuine concerns, she replied, "Of course not, little brother. I know you better than anyone. You have an indomitable spirit, and you are destined to lead our family. How could such minor injuries possibly deter you?"
"Hehe, I always knew you loved me the most, sis," Tristan scratched his head, chuckling.
"Do you know, sis," under the bright moonlight, the fifteen-year-old boy's eyes sparkled, "even though I failed again this time, I heard Aidan panting during our fight. Before, it would only take a couple of moves for him to knock me down, while he remained calm and composed. But his panting betrayed his weakness. He's not as formidable as most people imagine. One day, I will defeat him fair and square!"
"Well said, you're truly the pride of our family!" Elara laughed, ruffling her brother's hair, her face displaying a caring expression. "But you've sustained internal injuries, so refrain from practicing boxing for the next few days."
"Sis, stop patting my head like this, I'm already grown up," Tristan shook his head slightly, a hint of annoyance in his tone. "I know what you're saying. I already have a plan. I'll take advantage of these days to absorb energy and strengthen my Ascension Sigils, advancing from the novice stage to the intermediate stage. I'll secure the position of class leader first, overshadowing Aidan. Let him understand that true cultivation of a transcendent practitioner lies in talent!"
"You thinking like this puts my mind at ease, brother. You know, I used to be just a vice-class leader. If you become the class leader, little brother, it would be like making up for my regrets," Elara said.
"Sis, don't worry. I will definitely seize the position of class leader!"
At nearly the same time, in the Archbishop's residence.
In the chamber, there was only one torch, fixed upon a notch in the mossy stone wall.
The fire burned fiercely, illuminating the small chamber.
The Archbishop faced his grandson, Emeric. Both sat cross-legged on cushions, their shadows dancing on the floor with the flickering flames.
The Archbishop extended a large hand, pressing his palm firmly against Emeric's forehead. Strands of golden energy flowed into Emeric's body, guided by the old man's intent.
Emeric's face was tense, his mind focused entirely on his Ascension Sigils, striving to control the fluctuations of the Archbishop's golden energy within them.
In this world, no two leaves are alike. For different ascendants, there are never identical energies.
When disparate essences enter the body, they provoke a natural resistance from the existing essence within.
If Emeric didn't suppress this resistance, allowing the essences to clash, it would cause severe disruptions. These disruptions could damage the Ascension Sigils.
The Ascension Sigils were the foundation of an ascendant's cultivation and combat, paramount above all.
If the Ascension Sigils were damaged, the consequences ranged from a decrease in level to a decline in talent. If the Ascension Sigils were completely shattered, the energy within the ascendant would detonate.
After a while, the Archbishop slowly ceased the infusion of energy and withdrew his hand.
Emeric let out a long sigh of relief, his tense body relaxing. "Thank you, Grandfather, for infusing me with energy every three days to enhance my Ascension Sigils. You must be tired."
The Archbishop, sweating profusely, sighed. "It's unavoidable. Your aptitude is only Radiant. Relying solely on your own strength to advance to the next level would take a long time, and you'd be exposed. So, despite its dangers, this method must be used."
"I understand your intentions, Grandfather."
"That's good to hear." The old man sighed again. "However, there's a significant consequence to this method. Your meridians are nurtured by my golden essence. While it's exceptionally effective, it's a different essence for you. In the future, it will limit your development."
Emeric clenched his jaw tightly. "Grandfather, for the future of our Archbishopric, I am willing to sacrifice my personal prospects."
The Archbishop's heart warmed at his grandson's dedication. He nodded, stroking his beard. "You have a noble mindset, which is excellent. But fate always leaves a thread. You're not entirely without hope. If in the future, you can find an Essence Conduit with the ability to 'purify,' it can cleanse your Ascension Sigils, removing the foreign energies and eliminating these consequences."
The night breeze gently blew into the room through the window.
Ewan sat cross-legged on the bed, his eyes closed tightly.
The 90 Ascension Sigils on his body simultaneously glowed, absorbing external energy. The efficiency was nearly three times that of Aidan's!
This inherent advantage had brought him close to the mid-level.
Exhaling deeply, Ewan slowly opened his eyes after a while.
Outside the window, the moonlight was sparse, casting a serene glow over the verdant bamboo pavilion.
It was quiet and peaceful.
"Time always flies when practicing cultivation. In the blink of an eye, it's already late at night," Ewan murmured softly.
Frowning, Ewan rummaged through his pockets.
He pulled out a money pouch from his robe, which was already empty.
Opening the pouch, he found only three Essence Gems inside.
Ewan received an allowance of three Essence Gems from the academy every seven days, but one was often snatched by Aidan, leaving him with only two.
With just these Essence Gems, how could he manage?
Ewan was determined to surpass his brother, Aidan. So, he had approached his uncle and aunt several times, asking for more Essence Gems.
After numerous requests, his aunt had a heart-to-heart talk with him, explaining their financial difficulties and inability to spare any extra money. Ewan felt embarrassed to ask again.
"My uncle and aunt have done their best to support my cultivation. I can't burden them anymore by asking for more Essence Gems. With only three Essence Gems left, I must use them sparingly, just in case."
"I have a feeling that in three or four days, I will surely advance to the mid-level! I wonder how far ahead my brother is." With this thought, Ewan instinctively looked towards the direction of the academy dormitories.
"I have so many more Ascension Sigils than my brother; his progress must be slower than mine. He won't be my match this time! Brother, I'll make you realize the importance of talent!" With this determination, Ewan clenched his fists tightly.
In the tranquility of the king's abode, Isolde was immersed in her practice, her focus unwavering as she prepared for her ascension to the intermediate level. The air around her vibrated with the energy of her concentration, the flora responding to her presence, leaves rustling and blooms subtly turning towards her as if in encouragement. She was aware of the challenge ahead, acknowledging that among her peers, only Ewan, Tristan, and Emeric posed a true competition to her ambitions. Each held their own unique strengths, honed through rigorous training and a deep connection to the elemental forces that governed their world.
Yet, Isolde couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation for the wildcard among them—Aidan. Aidan, who was known for his unpredictable nature, often brought surprises that could turn the tide of any competition. His abilities, though not as refined or predictable as the others, had a way of manifesting in moments of great need, catching everyone off guard and adding an element of unpredictability to their challenges.
Isolde's confidence in her own talent was unwavering, yet she relished the competition. She believed that it was through these trials that they would all grow stronger, pushing each other to exceed their limits. In her heart, she held a deep respect for her rivals, understanding that each of them brought something unique to the table, contributing to the rich tapestry of their collective journey.
As she continued her practice, the energy around her swirling with greater intensity, Isolde felt a deep connection to everything around her. The competition ahead was more than just a test of skill—it was a celebration of their shared heritage and a testament to the strength that lay in their unity and diversity.
...
In the academy dormitory.
The door was tightly shut.
In the darkness, Aidan wasn't sleeping but rather sitting cross-legged on his bed.
With his eyes closed, he held two Essence Gems in his hands, absorbing the energy from them and from the surroundings.
Soon, the energy in one of the Essence Gems was depleted, turning into powder. He immediately took out the second gem.
Bronze-colored energy flowed like water through his 33 Ascension Sigils.
The glow of the Ascension Sigils became brighter, and the patterns on them continued to twist and change.
Finally, the accumulation of energy led to a qualitative change.
The energies from the 33 Ascension Sigils converged, rapidly undergoing transformation.
Aidan felt great joy in his heart, knowing it was a crucial moment. He increased the absorption of energy, continuously impacting his Ascension Sigils.
Suddenly, all 33 Ascension Sigils twisted simultaneously, forming more intricate patterns and emitting a light of Honey Bronze.
"I've advanced to the mid-level!" Aidan laughed heartily, opening his eyes.
Bright sunlight seeped through the cracks in the window.
Unbeknownst to him, the night had passed, and it was already morning.