Raphael's consciousness lingered in his Cosmic Mind Sea. He was watching those celestial bodies dance.
His gaze focused on the 'Shadow Blood Soul Planet', now encircled by a radiant Soul Moon, golden-white with flecks of emerald swirling serenely within. This wasn't simply a condensed ball of energy. This moon radiated an aura that empowered his very being.
"This power…" It amplified the blue sun's glow.
His mind returned to the arduous steps from the Sagewood Script; every detail was flawlessly executed. He had crafted a Soul Moon, defying the ancient rules and limitations. Such a feat, even Shao Jin's arrogance paled.
"And now…"
Within his massive sun, new pathways were appearing. A network of interconnected energies pulsed. He felt it, his Soul Moon's song was turning into a melody he could grasp. That strength flowed outwards.
'This is… evolution!'
Suddenly, he was pulled back to reality.
His blood-red eyes snapped open.
BOOM!
A massive wave of power erupted outward, radiating golden flames, dark shadows and a chilling cold that tasted of frost. It slammed into his unsuspecting commander, sending Bat General Kong flying backward off the balcony with a startled shriek.
"Oof! Master! What…"
The loyal Shadow Bat tumbled gracefully through the air. Luckily, his black wings reacted instinctively to break his fall. He flapped back upwards to a respectful kneeling posture.
This show of respect, it had a begrudging note, as if he was scolding his emperor for the sudden outburst that had him scared senseless, however, his sentiments faded into awe.
His Commander realized: "Master has evolved. Truly magnificent!" He bowed.
Raphael could feel the changes in his very core, although his cultivation level had not advanced beyond 9th Layer Calamity Stage. This power hummed with amplified frequencies.
His left Shadow Wing twitched.
WHOOSH!
And from the depths of that black appendage, a figure slithered forth. It wasn't another bat. This creature resembled a serpent, but one that possessed a familiar, yet unsettling aura of a human.
"Is that a…?" Raphael watched as this being took shape.
It was an imposing naga. Massive and elegant, possessing curves that had even the Jade flowers outside wilting with envy. Her scales were midnight black, radiating with a potent violet glow. A long, sinuous tail with a sharp pink tip that could easily slice through granite coiled gracefully beneath, as two arms extended with grace.
Each fingertip glowed with potent crimson energy. She had a monocle covering her right pink orb. Her face was deviously beautiful. A mischievous smile danced on her luscious lips, and long dark hair cascaded down, framing a delicate, yet dangerous face, and a pink Sun Cycle, spinning slowly was strapped to her back.
Upon her waist, she sported a violet whip, laced with glittering jade. This whip pulsed ominously as it coiled itself and rest comfortably, inches from her ample bosoms that were partially covered in dark scales.
As she slithered towards him, a shiver of delight had him questioning his sanity.
'Shao Jin! What have you done to me?'
Stopping a respectable distance from his trembling hooves, this shadow being dipped her head in a graceful curtsey, while offering him a glimpse of her pink tongue that flicked gently against her razor-sharp fangs before introducing herself with a voice that sounded even more dangerous.
"How may I be of service, Master? I am Bat General Melissa, at your command. Those whispers in the darkness, those desires you keep hidden. They are mine to fulfill. Fuhuhu." She blew a visible pink heart his way, accompanied by a smile so potent it could melt even diamond.
"Huh… I… Ah… " Raphael had never encounter this level of charisma nor that seductive tone coming from a creature that emanated his Shadow essence. He was truly speechless.
Her words and actions, they had another member of his retinue shifting awkwardly.
A scoff pierced the romantic vibes.
"You? A Bat General? Hahahaha! You have no wings, more like a snake. I've never seen something like this in all my millennia existing."
His trusted Commander's words were sharp indeed, even Melissa paused her advance to glare at the black bat that dared to question her lineage! How dare he?!
"General Kong…" she growled softly while taking in his pathetic form with disgust. "You speak with much arrogance. Your essence, its quality. Let me educate you."
She shook her head, "What good are wings when I possess a formidable Sun Cycle? Or do you require a demonstration? My methods are quite painful, Fuhuhu."
Then with a mocking lilt she concluded, "Please don't compare my glorious potential with that of your lowly self. I mean, if it weren't for that Rai Shen Long you got as a blessing… You would be… Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Pitiful. Pitiful. Pitiful!"
"YOU!" Bat General Kong tightened his grip around his spear as his killing intent amplified. This new bitch was about to taste his evolved essence!
Raphael however couldn't let this confrontation escalate into a blood bath. Not in his new palace. He intervened with a roar that echoed the most terrifying pronouncements of the ancient bull lineage he'd inherited.
"THAT'S ENOUGH, BOTH OF YOU!"
Silence.
They were chastised. Their egos were instantly deflated as both shadow beings bowed low before their master.
"Lord, forgive us." Melissa spoke softly, but her gaze was fixed intently on Kong's shivering form.
"Master, I… have erred. You've granted me this life, this power, and yet, I dare…" His apologies were cut short.
"It's alright. RISE." Raphael was still a little frightened by his sudden burst of dominance, his ability to control such potent beings with a mere shout. The power was exhilarating and truly scary!
He then observed his two shadow generals keenly, trying to understand the root cause of their conflict. It would appear as though they were both competing for his favor, but jealousy and possessiveness wasn't uncommon in Yama Yaguai.
He'd witnessed something similar with the Bronze Serpent Emperor's children, he'd have to be careful in the future, he concluded.
"Hmm. Bat General Melissa. Your form and your abilities. You are a truly wondrous creation, aren't you?"
"Thank you, master! This beauty, it's all for you."
Raphael decided to take a closer look before passing judgement, and upon closer observation with his amplified senses… "She's a Saint Ruler! Early stage but powerful indeed. Her energy quality exceeds Kong's." Then another revelation came. "He's still at the Great Ordeal stage."
"This discrepancy…"
He decided a test was in order before he began brainstorming how to utilize Melissa in the future.
As soon as he thought about new powers, a green light shot out from his forehead into Zhu Jian. The emerald runes within the Sagewood Script came alive and began shifting. A list then appeared:
…
Dark Blood Domain: He created a vast domain, fifty meters in radius, founded on dark essence. Its floor, a pool of potent blood imbued with his essence, amplified the power of his Shadow Bat Legion and even Bat General Melissa, while sapping the essence of any enemy trapped within. The domain blinded those unfamiliar with blood magic and granted him unrestricted access to his Blood Pool reserves.
Blood Sight Torture: His piercing blood-red eyes, now amplified, instilled fear and confusion in weaker enemies. A mere gaze caused their defenses to falter, leaving them vulnerable to his minions' attacks.
Wing Slashnado: This ability, terrifyingly upgraded, unleashed countless slashes imbued with his might, slicing and dicing those who challenged his dominion. It was no longer limited to weak physical attacks.
Black Pool: Focusing his intent, he created a vortex of pure darkness, its suction powerful enough to drag foes from a hundred meters away into the void, where they vanished from reality, becoming snacks in another dimension.
Nightcrawler: Raphael merged with shadows – a form of shadow-guided teleportation that transported him along existing shadows in his environment.
Shadow Blood Resolve: An armor of solidified blood essence and shadow energy manifested, shimmering with crimson veins and crackling with black lightning. It absorbed any attack, regardless of power.
Blood Condensation Increase: His Blood Pool replenished at an accelerated rate.
Shadow Wings Capacity Increase: His enlarged Shadow Wings now carried up to one hundred and fifty bats.
Shadow Bat's Durability Increase: His shadow minions became more resilient.
Shadow Teleportation Increase: The range of this technique doubled.
…
"Truly a feast of power." He was eager to test his new toys.
And as if responding to his intent, a golden spatial mirror manifested before him which depicted a training ground within the Golden Prism Citadel.