As Sumanth and Xenos were deep in conversation, a sudden commotion from the direction of the inheritance chamber caught their attention. They both turned sharply, their expressions shifting as they observed what was unfolding.
The auras of Aerum, Valdir, Misaki, Maximo, and Kori had transformed entirely. Their bodies emanated a powerful, ancient energy, resonating with the air around them. It was as though their very existence was being rewritten by the awakening of their ancestral genes. The energy pulsed outward, making the ground beneath them tremble slightly. Along with the release of this ancient aura, their natural talents seemed to evolve—refined and strengthened by the unlocking of the gene within them.
Sumanth's eyes widened in shock, and he exclaimed, "Whoa! I didn't expect all of them to unlock the gene. This... this is unbelievable."
He turned to Xenos, his voice filled with excitement. "Do you see it, Xenos? They really did it!"
Xenos's expression remained calm, though his tone carried a hint of dry amusement. "Why are you so shocked about something like this?"
Sumanth spun to face him, incredulous. "'Something like this'? Something like this! You should know better. Since the first ancestor left us, awakening the 'Will' has become increasingly rare. Over time, it's only gotten harder. Ever since the establishment of the First Emperor, only one descendant from the imperial family in each generation has managed to awaken the 'Will,' and it's become a prerequisite for becoming an Emperor."
He gestured toward the glowing chamber. "Now, suddenly, five people have awakened their 'Will' at once!"
Xenos shrugged, unimpressed. "What are you shouting about? Didn't you and the other old fogies all awaken the 'Will' yourselves?"
Sumanth sighed, his excitement tempered with exasperation. "You know what I mean."
Xenos's gaze drifted upward as if recalling something distant. "If everything goes as planned," he murmured, "I have a feeling there will be seventeen people who awaken the 'Will.'"
Sumanth blinked. "Seventeen? You mean the thirteen Constellations and the four Pavilion Chosen you mentioned before?"
Xenos nodded slowly.
Sumanth turned to him, his expression somber yet resolute. "It's a good death, my friend. It's been nice knowing you."
Xenos's composure cracked, and he snapped angrily, "I'm not going to die, you idiot!"
Sumanth coughed awkwardly. "I mean a noble sacrifice... for humanity."
"Humph!" Xenos huffed, crossing his arms.
Sumanth couldn't help but laugh, his amusement bubbling over.
Xenos rolled his eyes and changed the subject. "Never mind that. What are the old fogies up to these days?"
Sumanth smirked, his voice teasing. "The old fogies? Oh, they're enjoying themselves in the sauna you introduced. They've really gotten addicted to it, man."
Xenos's lips twitched slightly in response. "Hmm... Once all of this is over, I'll need them to take up positions as elders in the sect and start finding disciples."
Sumanth raised an eyebrow. "You're already planning for the future?"
Xenos nodded, his tone serious. "I don't know what the final outcome will be, but I need to ensure the sect's future. That's why I need you to take care of it on my behalf. Let the old fogies serve as the sect's elders."
Sumanth crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing. "Didn't you just say you're not going to die?"
Xenos glanced at him, his expression unreadable. "It's just a precaution."
For a moment, they stood in silence, the gravity of their words lingering in the air. Then Sumanth, unable to resist, smirked again. "You'd better not die, or I'll make sure those old fogies hear about how you were all talk."
Xenos merely shook his head.
Xenos observed the glowing chamber intently, his voice calm yet firm. "It seems they're about to awaken. Go tell them they've passed the first stage and guide them to the Wall of Tempering."
Sumanth raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm. "Doesn't the AI usually announce that sort of thing?"
Xenos smirked faintly. "Yeah, but I'd rather have you do it. After all, you're so devoted to humanity's future, aren't you?"
Sumanth groaned. "Man... you're still holding a grudge about what I said earlier."
"Just get it done," Xenos said, waving his hand dismissively. His gaze didn't waver from the chamber. "By the way, are there any of your descendants who've awakened the 'Will'?"
Sumanth hesitated before answering. "Yeah... a few."
Xenos turned to him, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "And you're jealous that five of them awakened at once, aren't you?"
"Hey!" Sumanth exclaimed, then sighed. "You know about the ancient covenant, right? Ancestor Eve—before she left—specifically sought Creator Nuwa's help to hide one planet where we could remain concealed."
Before Sumanth could continue, Xenos interrupted. "Yeah, I know. Because of the covenant, you all stayed hidden. Even when the First Emperor and the Last Emperor needed help, they didn't call on you."
Sumanth's face darkened with a mix of frustration and resignation. "They should have asked for our help." He paused, then sighed heavily. "But now, I understand why Ancestor Eve made that decision. The human race was on the verge of extermination in the outside world. If the Last Emperor hadn't taken precautions, humanity would've been wiped out entirely."
Xenos nodded solemnly. "Now that I think about it, are there any records about the 13 Constellations or the 4 Pavilion Chosen?"
Sumanth shook his head. "No. I've checked thoroughly. I have no idea what arrangements the Last Emperor made. I just hope it was enough to preserve humanity."
"Me too," Xenos murmured, his voice heavy with thought. "But we've gotten sidetracked. Let these kids fight with your descendants, okay? Before I send them to the Negative Realm."
Sumanth looked concerned. "Are you sure about sending them there? They have a lot of potential. If anything happens, it'll be a major loss, especially with an imperial bloodline among them."
Xenos's gaze sharpened. "Don't worry. I'll send a clone to keep watch, but I won't interfere unless they're on the brink of death."
Sumanth sighed, a deep worry lingering in his tone. "Take care of them... they're the future of humanity. And take care of yourself too."
"I will," Xenos replied curtly before vanishing into thin air.
As the silence returned, Sumanth stood alone, staring at the now-empty space where Xenos had been. He muttered softly, his words meant for no one's ears but his own. "Xenos... even though the covenant commanded us to hide and never reveal ourselves, there was also a hidden message within it."
He recited the words of Ancestor Eve, his voice filled with reverence:
"When chaos threatens humanity's survival, those in the shadows will come forward to join forces with the light. Together, they will combat the chaos and restore order. After their task is complete and balance is reestablished, the shadows will retreat, leaving the light to lead humanity."
Sumanth's expression hardened, a mix of regret and determination flashing in his eyes. "Ancestor Eve predicted this all along, but we took her words at face value and failed to look deeper. If we had understood the full meaning, we could have fought alongside the Last Emperor."
He clenched his fists, a steely resolve taking hold of him. "But not this time. This time, I won't let anything happen to humanity. The shadows will step into the light."
As Sumanth stood silently, his resolve firmly set, Aerum and the others stirred awake. Their appearance had changed subtly but profoundly. Their auras carried an ancient resonance, exuding a depth of power that was unmistakable.
When they opened their eyes, the world before them seemed utterly transformed. It was no longer the same familiar realm they had known. Instead, they could sense the presence of countless "Wills" all around them, weaving through the fabric of existence.
As they marveled at their new perception, the sound of approaching footsteps drew their attention. They turned in unison toward the figure walking toward them—Sumanth.
The moment they looked at him, an overwhelming sense of dread washed over them. For the first time, they could perceive the pure, radiant "Will" emanating from him. His golden "Will" shone like an unyielding sun, so intense and vibrant that it seemed to dominate the very air around him.
The sheer magnitude of it was too much for their nascent Wills to bear. Their vision blurred, their knees trembled, and a wave of dizziness threatened to overpower them. They felt their bodies weakening, as if they might collapse at any moment.
Sumanth's voice rang out, steady and commanding. "Control your energy. Retract your 'Will.' You've just awakened it, and if you allow it to spill out carelessly while looking at a higher being, your 'Will' could collapse entirely."
The sharp clarity in his tone brought them back to their senses. Gritting their teeth, the five began to focus inward, drawing their Wills back into themselves. It was a struggle, like trying to reel in a wild, untamed force, but one by one, they succeeded.
Only after they had fully retracted their Wills did the suffocating weight of Sumanth's aura lighten, allowing them to take a breath of relief.
But Sumanth wasn't finished. His voice carried a grave warning. "Remember this well—using your 'Will' recklessly, especially in the presence of someone stronger, can lead to severe mental strain. If you overreach, you'll find yourself mentally exhausted, or worse, permanently scarred. Until you've trained thoroughly, do not use your 'Will' without caution."
Aerum, Valdir, Misaki, Maximo, and Kori nodded solemnly, the weight of his words sinking in.
Sumanth's expression softened slightly as he gestured for them to follow him. "Now, let's move to the next stage—'The Wall of Tempering.'"