The serpent slithered gracefully into the chamber, its presence commanding and primal. It approached Aerum, who remained seated cross-legged, eyes closed in deep meditation, oblivious to the monumental events unfolding around her. Her steady breaths were the only indication of her calm amidst the swirling chaos.
As the serpent drew near, the four guardian beasts—Azura Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise—roared in unison. Their voices resonated through the hall like ancient echoes, their cries not of warning, but of recognition and acknowledgment. The serpent responded with a low, reverent hiss, its glowing eyes betraying a flicker of understanding.
One by one, the majestic beasts began to dissolve into pure energy. The Azura Dragon became a surge of azure power, the Vermilion Bird transformed into fiery crimson flames, the White Tiger disintegrated into a dazzling silver aura, and the Black Tortoise released a deep, emerald-green glow.
These four distinct energies spiraled and converged, their union creating a crackling tension in the air. Sparks erupted where they collided, refining the surrounding spiritual energy into something extraordinary—an orb of unparalleled purity and power, no larger than an apple. This sphere radiated an imperial aura that seemed almost alive.
The serpent hesitated, its body coiling slightly. Its tongue flicked out, tasting the potent energy in the air, but it did not immediately act.
From the shadows, Xenos observed silently, then spoke, his voice calm yet firm. "Take it. They have sacrificed everything for you. Consume the energy, enter nirvana, and evolve."
The serpent's hesitation melted away. With a final glance at the fading remnants of the four beasts, it lunged forward, swallowing the orb of spiritual energy in a single motion. The energy surged through its body, traveling along every vein and scale, igniting a transformation that was both wondrous and terrifying.
The serpent's dull, scaled exterior began to shimmer, turning a radiant gold. Its body pulsated with divine energy, each pulse stronger than the last. Cracks began to appear along its golden form, glowing with intense heat. Flames erupted from these fractures, licking the air as the transformation reached its peak. Then, with a deafening roar, the serpent exploded in a brilliant burst of light and fire.
From the explosion emerged a new creature, majestic and regal—a golden dragon with five sharp claws. It hovered in the air, its small, newly-formed body glinting under the light, its eyes fierce yet curious. The dragon let out a triumphant roar, its voice resonating through the heavens like the birth of a legend.
The young dragon flapped its wings, flying effortlessly around the chamber, testing its newfound strength. After a few moments, it paused above Aerum, who still sat in serene meditation. The dragon opened its tiny mouth and released a concentrated beam of golden energy. The energy swirled downward, enveloping Aerum in a cocoon of shimmering light.
As Aerum was enveloped in the golden energy emitted by the newborn dragon, two remarkable transformations began to unfold.
First, her imperial bloodline, fractured and incomplete since the renhuang's fall, began to repair itself. The fragmented essence of her lineage coalesced, becoming a fully-fledged and pristine imperial bloodline. Simultaneously, deep within Aerum's soul sea, the cocoon containing the remnant of the renhuang's bloodline responded to this surge of energy. The restoration of its essence accelerated drastically, reducing its recovery timeline from five years to just three.
Xenos observed the process with quiet approval, nodding slightly.
The second transformation involved Aerum's cultivation, which had remained dormant despite her enhanced physical, spiritual, and essence-based talents. The dormant energy now ignited like a wildfire, surging through her with relentless force.
First the skin underwent profound refinement. It surpassed the Impervious Stage, reaching the Rebirth Skin Realm, and continued to advance to the Cell Refinement Stage and finally Touch Refinement.
As her cultivation reached the peak of Tier 9, it shattered the barrier to Tier 8: Tendon and Muscle Refinement. The transformation was swift and fierce, akin to a storm reshaping the landscape.
Her tendons and muscles advanced rapidly through the sub-stages: Basic Reinforcement fortified her inner framework; Core Fortification solidified her strength; Spiritual Reinforcement imbued her muscles with essence; and Flawless Refinement perfected every fiber of her being. Her power surged, breaking past the limits of mortal endurance.
When she reached the peak of Tier 8, the cultivation energy roared forward, catapulting her to Tier 7: Bone Refinement.
Her bones, already extraordinary due to previous refinements, underwent minimal resistance. They had surpassed the standard stages of Bronze Bones, Silver Bones, Gold Bones, and Jade Bones, reaching the exalted state of Golden-Jade Bones, often revered as Imperial Bones. This step was completed with ease, pushing her to the peak of Tier 7, where she advanced effortlessly to Tier 6: Marrow Refinement.
Marrow refinement was a crucial phase, marking the essence of vitality. Aerum's marrow surged through the stages of Red Blood Refinement, Spiritual Blood, Spiritual Immune Blood, and Dark Red Blood Refinement. Her blood, now infused with imperial qualities, began to shimmer with a golden hue, signifying the emergence of Imperial Bloodline. This transformation elevated her resilience, stamina, and regenerative capabilities to divine levels.
Finally, her cultivation journey reached the Organ Transformation Realm, encompassing the refinement of her five primary organs (heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and spleen) and six visceral organs. Her organs became vessels of immense spiritual energy, glowing faintly with power.
Her cultivation ascended further, pushing through stages of Sense Refinement, Nerve and Meridian Refinement, and culminating in Brain Refinement. At the peak of this realm, Aerum's perception sharpened, and her spiritual awareness expanded to encompass realms far beyond mortal comprehension.
As the process neared its conclusion, Aerum's aura stabilized, radiating power and serenity in equal measure. Xenos observed her with a faint smile, the light of approval gleaming in his eyes.
As Aerum's cultivation reached the peak of Tier 1: Brain Refinement, the golden energy surrounding her dissipated like morning mist under the sun. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open. Her pupils were an inky black, but her irises gleamed faintly with threads of golden light, as if the heavens had left their mark on her.
She sat still for a moment, taking in her surroundings. When her gaze settled on Xenos standing nearby, a soft smile graced her lips. Rising to her feet, she marveled at the newfound strength coursing through her body. Every muscle, every fiber, felt imbued with a divine power. She could also sense the cocoon deep within her soul sea—her sister's presence, faint but growing stronger with each passing moment.
Turning to Xenos, Aerum said with a mix of relief and gratitude, "It seems like you didn't lie."
Xenos responded with his usual calm demeanor. "I never lie."
Her smile widened. "What's next?"
"You know what to do," he replied simply, his gaze steady.
Aerum nodded, her expression firm. Closing her eyes, she called out to the golden dragon. It approached her with an air of innocence and curiosity, its shimmering scales catching the faint light like molten gold. Despite its majestic appearance, it was still a child of fate, new to this world. Aerum knelt and embraced it, the dragon responding by nuzzling its head against her in a show of affection.
"Little one," Aerum said softly, "you're just born, but you deserve a name. From now on, you'll be called Tianlun. Feng Tianlun."
Hearing its name, the dragon let out a joyful trill, its laughter light and pure. Aerum chuckled. "Alright, enough smiling. Time to get to work."
Even though Tianlun was born from the threads of humanity's fate, it had yet to fully bond with it. As the dragon began the process of assimilation, golden energy radiated from its small frame, weaving into the invisible strands of human destiny. However, as this bond deepened, black spots began to form across its scales, spreading like a creeping plague. The dragon let out a pained cry, its body writhing under the strain.
Aerum's heart clenched. She turned to Xenos, worry etched across her face. "What's happening to him?"
Xenos remained unshaken. "Human fate is corrupted by the influence of the Negative Realm. As the dragon assimilates into the human race's destiny, the corruption manifests on its body, causing harm. But there's no need to worry. Once the process is complete, the heavens will grant it a merit award. The merit energy will purify the corruption and elevate Tianlun to a Merit Fate Dragon."
Hearing his explanation, Aerum's nerves settled, though her concern lingered. She stepped closer to Tianlun, gently placing her hand on its head. "Hold on, little one. I'm here with you. Endure this, and it'll all be worth it."
The dragon's glowing eyes locked onto hers. Understanding her emotions, it steadied itself, letting out a low, determined growl. It fought back against the corruption, refusing to let it take over its mind or body. The struggle was evident in its trembling frame, but it endured, driven by Aerum's unwavering support.
After what felt like an eternity, the assimilation was complete. Tianlun stood tall, its golden scales dulled but intact, its body heaving from exhaustion. Suddenly, the void surrounding the sect began to shift. A crack appeared in the fabric of space, and from it, a golden stream of energy poured forth like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.
This was the merit energy, a heavenly reward bestowed upon the dragon for its sacrifice and determination. The golden stream engulfed Tianlun, bathing it in divine light. The black spots that marred its scales began to fade, dissolving into nothingness. The dragon let out a triumphant roar as its golden scales gleamed brighter, taking on a purer, more radiant hue. The energy seeped into its very being, reshaping its flesh and spirit.
Under the influence of the merit energy, Tianlun's transformation completed. Its aura surged, no longer a simple Fate Dragon but a Merit Fate Dragon. It hovered in the air, exuding an air of majesty that made even Aerum step back in awe.
After transforming into the Merit Fate Dragon, Tianlun zipped through the air like a streak of golden light before merging seamlessly with Aerum. As the dragon's essence fused with hers, a majestic transformation occurred. The combined energies of imperial might and merit suffused her being, enveloping her in a radiant, regal aura that commanded respect and reverence—an aura befitting an empress.
Xenos observed her transformation with a faint smile. "Congratulations on becoming the Empress of the Human Race."
Aerum, however, sighed softly. "You know that's not what I wanted from the start."
Xenos's smile widened with a trace of humor. "Destiny rarely aligns with our initial plans. This was always in your fate—or your sister's. Besides, you can pass the responsibility onto her. She's been an empress before; she'll know how to handle it."
Aerum thought for a moment, then gave a small nod. "So, what now?"
Xenos crossed his arms thoughtfully. "For now, there's no need to rush into building your empire. Let's wait until your sister emerges from the cocoon. In the meantime, I've heard about a tournament being held soon. I want you to accompany my disciples there as their elder."
Aerum raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A tournament?"
Xenos gave a casual shrug. "Just a little scheme by the Negative Realm—nothing too serious."
Aerum's curiosity deepened. "Who's participating?"
"The Twelve Hidden Families," Xenos replied. "They'll send their most talented heirs to compete for glory."
At the mention of the Twelve Hidden Families, Aerum's expression darkened, her mood shifting to one of unease. "The Twelve Hidden Families... I see."
Xenos caught her reaction and spoke gently but firmly. "You know you can't avoid them forever. What happened back then wasn't your grandfather's fault."
Aerum frowned but didn't argue. "I know... Wait, how do you even know about that?"
Xenos gave her a knowing look, his voice calm and unwavering. "I know everything worth knowing. But don't blame the families; they were as clueless as anyone else about what happened. This tournament is an opportunity—a chance for you to reconcile with them."
Aerum's gaze shifted, her expression conflicted. After a moment, she sighed. "I'll think about it."
Xenos nodded, his tone encouraging. "Good. Sometimes, fate isn't about waiting—it's about stepping forward, even when the path is uncertain."
From the Author
A big thank you once again to MyBook2023 and dada4 for the power stones! Your support means so much to me. I'm happy to share that I managed to complete the chapter in time, and I truly hope you enjoy it. If you do, please leave a comment—I'd love to hear your thoughts!
By the time the chapter is released, I'll already be on a train heading off for vacation. Since I'm not taking my laptop with me, I won't be able to write, even if inspiration strikes for the next chapter.
Regarding the tournament arc, it will take me some time to develop the characters, settings, and events to ensure it's as exciting as I envision. Because of that, the next chapter will likely be released on December 15th or 16th. Thank you for your patience!
Lastly, I'd like to express my gratitude to everyone who has bookmarked my novel. At present, there are five of you, but I believe my persistence and effort will attract many more readers in the future. Thank you all for your support—it means the world to me!