What the hell is this?!"
Jowalin stared at the new page, written with the essence of his crimson blood and inscribed in magical runes. He was stunned the moment he read the name of the new technique—it felt far more terrifying than anything he had ever encountered.
"The Art of Absolute Dominion?!"
"Judging by the name alone, it's obvious this is a physical cultivation technique… Damn, this sounds as dreadful as the Abyssal Ruin Technique…"
Though initially frustrated, Jowalin soon calmed down. After all, the way the ring and the Book of Life and Death interacted with the essence of his blood was clearly no ordinary matter.
"…Absorb all types of energy present in the world and convert it into Primordial Energy, which then transforms every cell in the body into a small dimension."
"Each kidney is dissolved and rebuilt countless times until it becomes a miniature world filled with primordial energy."
"The body becomes harder than any metal, yet able to liquefy to resist injuries."
"What the hell is this madness?!..."
Jowalin was shocked. "How can a body contain countless dimensions?!"
"This must be part of the later stages... but isn't this absolutely terrifying?!"
He frowned again. "Wait, won't this turn my body into a giant? My lineage must be… something different this time. Am I still a descendant of giants?"
He remained dazed for a while, watching the book transform into light and merge into the black ring.
"Now, I need to decide… Hmm, should I go with the technique I created and mastered in the past two eras, or gamble on this new one?"
After some contemplation, he looked skyward and laughed maniacally.
"Hahahahaha! Of course, I'll take the risk! What's the fun in using the same old technique again?!"
"Let's begin."
Jowalin sat cross-legged, took a deep breath, and began chanting strange incantations, aligning himself with the world. Multicolored energies gathered around him.
As soon as these energies entered his body, they rushed to his heart and filled the runes of his exhausted bloodline.
Immediately, a new rune appeared beside the old one, merging with it. When the two runes fused, the energy transformed into a radiant golden force.
"Hmm… So, this is Primordial Energy? They say it existed at the beginning of creation—at the origin of heaven and earth—yet it's so limited that no one can see it, let alone control it."
"Which part of my body should I start with for the Body Refinement Realm?"
In the cultivation system, the fundamental realms begin once you awaken your bloodline.
Upon awakening, ancestral memories reveal techniques passed down through generations. Thus, your bloodline plays a crucial role in determining your future.
After awakening your inherited technique, you must proceed through the Four Fundamental Realms, which are as follows:
1. Muscle Tempering Realm – Absorb heavenly energy suited to your bloodline and technique, strengthening every muscle fiber in your body. The bloodline runes are imprinted within the muscles. This realm has nine levels.
2. Bone Tempering Realm – Transform your bones using heavenly energy, imprinting them with runes. This realm also has nine levels.
3. Organ Strengthening Realm – Fortify your internal organs by embedding bloodline runes within them. Another nine-level realm.
4. Meridian Purification Realm – Expand and cleanse the meridians, eliminating impurities while imprinting runes to enhance them. This realm also comprises nine levels.
Completing these fundamental realms is crucial as they lay the foundation for future cultivation, allowing your body to channel energy properly.
"Alright, I've made my decision. I'll refine my entire body at once… Hehehe."
A mad grin spread across Jowalin's face. He began circulating the energy from his heart through his bloodstream slowly, ensuring it wouldn't destroy his body right away.
But as soon as he began...
"ARGHHHH!!!"
A sharp look of agony twisted his face, and he let out a piercing scream.
"Damn it! I have to endure this... It's nothing compared to the pain I endured during the first ages. This is just the beginning—I can't give in now!"
Determined, Jowalin glanced at his arm in disbelief.
"What the… It's melting away?! It wasn't exaggerating when it said my cells would dissolve... This is insane!"
He stared at his hand, now reduced to bone.
"Endure… Endure…"
His face flushed red from the excruciating pain, almost unbearable.
Yet the dissolved cells transformed into golden energy and were rapidly regenerated. First, blood vessels formed, followed by muscles, tendons, and nerves.
His arm was reborn, smooth and radiant, like that of a newborn child—though the sheer power coursing through it made him smile despite the torment.
After his arm was restored, the same process repeated for his other arm, then his legs one by one.
When the energy reached his chest, Jowalin nearly blacked out from the pain but persevered. However, the moment it entered his head, he lost consciousness entirely.
"..."
A majestic voice echoed in the chamber.
"This boy endured far longer than expected, didn't he?"
A light emanated from the ancient inscriptions within the pyramid, taking the form of one of Kemet's ancient kings.
"Hmph… He is the grandson of the king, after all."
Another voice, filled with pride, responded. Golden figures began materializing, surrounding Jowalin with admiration.
"You still call him a boy? The primordial ring brought him back to the First Age. He witnessed not only us but also all creatures throughout time."
A woman's soft, motherly voice spoke. Though her face was indistinguishable, being a glowing mass of energy, the warmth in her tone hinted at a loving gaze toward him.
"Indeed. He even recorded every creature throughout the ages in the Book of Life and Death, created by the Founder himself."
"And he trained using the techniques of countless bloodlines, sealing their power within the book."
"He's surpassed all our expectations. But will that be enough to stand against those from that place?"
Another figure, exuding authority, added grimly, "The Twelve Kings are fools to allow those beings to infiltrate the seven realms so deeply…"
As they continued discussing, Jowalin's body remained in the process of refinement, even while unconscious. The woman gently lifted him, resting his head on her lap.
"He's my grandson... I trust him, just as I trusted my husband—no, even more than I trusted him."
Her words silenced the others. The mention of her husband—the revered Founder of the bloodline—commanded their respect.
One by one, the figures returned to the walls, leaving only the woman, who finally revealed her true form.
Her beauty eclipsed the grandeur of the pyramid itself. She wore an ancient royal crown adorned with radiant golden hieroglyphs.
Her eyes—identical to Jowalin's, wide and deep black—gazed at him with a mixture of love and sorrow.
Watching his face contort from the pain of his transformation, she tenderly caressed his cheek.
"My poor child… You've endured so much, protecting the seven lands across the ages. And now, you must face the enemy you once banished from this world."
"But this is the final era… Will you wait for the end to come, or fulfill the duty passed down by your ancestors?"
Tears welled in her eyes, but she smiled as she thought of her husband.
"I trust you as I trusted him. I'll always be waiting for your return."
"May the heavens guide you."
---
"Open…"
Jowalin's bloodshot eyes cracked open.
"Ughhh… Damn this cursed technique…"