Chapter 37: The Attraction of Power
The Heavens had truly taken notice.
As Kayode stood at the center of the vast plain, his nascent soul pulsing with newfound power, the Heaven Dao's True Eye in the sky shone brighter with each passing moment. Its radiance bathed the land in a divine light, a phenomenon so rare and overwhelming that it could not go unnoticed. The very atmosphere around Kayode seemed to hum with energy, resonating with the Dao itself. But what he didn't know was that this extraordinary event had drawn the attention of countless powerful beings—cultivators from all sects, rogue practitioners, ancient beasts, and even those at the Divine Ascension realm.
As the Heaven Dao's True Eye continued to hover ominously in the sky, ripples of energy spread across the surrounding lands. The very air seemed to vibrate with divine pressure, pulling on the consciousness of every being within range. Every cultivator who felt the shift in the fabric of reality instinctively turned toward the source, their minds awash with curiosity, greed, and awe. To many, it was a sign—something of unparalleled value was now in reach, and they would fight to claim it.
In the distance, a group of rogue cultivators—those who lived by no rules and took what they wanted—noticed the sky's change. Their eyes gleamed with greed as they whispered among themselves.
"Did you see that? It's the Heaven Dao's True Eye... A sign from the Heavens themselves. Whatever that is, it's a divine treasure. We can't let this slip away."
One of them, a middle-aged man with a scar across his face, smirked as he surveyed the horizon. "No matter what, we'll take it. That power… it's calling to us. And I'll be the one to claim it."
Elsewhere, deep within the forests, a group of cultivators from a distant sect felt the surge of energy, the pull of fate. Their leader, a tall, stern-looking woman dressed in dark robes, nodded slowly.
"This is no ordinary occurrence. The Heaven Dao's True Eye doesn't appear for just anyone. Whoever is causing this… is holding something of immense value. We must go and investigate."
With a wave of her hand, she signaled to her disciples. "Prepare for battle. If this is a treasure of the divine, we cannot let others claim it first."
The ripples of power didn't just attract human cultivators. Far in the mountains, the ancient beasts that roamed in the dark corners of the world felt the call as well. Among them was an ancient dragon, its scales shimmering with the colors of the storm. It raised its head and let out a long, guttural roar that shook the earth beneath it. The dragon's golden eyes narrowed as it sensed the overwhelming power that had manifested in the sky.
"A human...?" The dragon's voice was deep and rumbling, as ancient as the mountains themselves. "What manner of being could draw the attention of the Heavens in this way? I must investigate. If there is indeed a treasure involved, it will be mine."
The dragon unfurled its wings and soared toward the plain, its massive form cutting through the air with terrifying speed.
But it wasn't just the beasts and rogue cultivators who were drawn to Kayode's power. Even those at the peak of cultivation, the cultivators at the Divine Ascension realm, sensed the anomaly. In a secluded, ancient temple, a man of ageless beauty opened his eyes at the exact moment the Heaven Dao's True Eye appeared. He was a being of immense power, his aura practically suffocating in its might.
"An omen... The Heavens are speaking. A rare divine treasure is about to be unearthed, and the world will tremble," he murmured to himself. His eyes gleamed with a thirst for power. "This is my chance. I will not allow any mere mortal to claim this treasure without a fight."
The man rose, his long robes flowing like shadows as he disappeared into the wind, leaving behind only the faintest trace of his presence.
Kayode, standing in the middle of the plain, had no idea that he had unwittingly become the focal point of so much attention. The Heaven Dao's True Eye above him continued to shine, its divine light filling the air, and yet, Kayode remained unaware of the impending storm brewing around him.
Oba, still perched nearby, turned his golden eyes toward the horizon, sensing the gathering forces. "Kayode... you've done it now. The world has noticed. They'll all be coming for you, thinking you possess a divine treasure."
Kayode frowned, still catching his breath from his breakthrough. "A treasure? I didn't do anything… It's just my power."
But Oba only shook his head. "Power like yours doesn't appear without reason. That phenomenon—the Heaven Dao's True Eye—is a sign that the Heavens have recognized your ascent. To those who don't understand, it can only mean one thing: a divine treasure."
Before Kayode could respond, a powerful energy flared in the distance, followed by the rapid approach of multiple figures—cultivators, beasts, and rogue elements—all racing toward him, their auras growing closer with every second.
"This is going to be interesting," Oba muttered, watching the gathering forces. "Brace yourself, Kayode. You're about to face the consequences of your existence."
Kayode's grip tightened around the hilt of his spear, but his confusion remained. "What's going on, Oba? Why are they all coming?"
Oba's voice was filled with grim amusement. "You've attracted their attention. They think you're sitting on a divine treasure, one that could elevate them to the next level of power. They'll fight for it, and some will even kill for it."
As Kayode turned to face the incoming forces, the wind howled around him, swirling with the energy of the Heaven Dao's True Eye. The battlefield was set, and he was the unwilling center of it all. It didn't matter that Kayode had no intention of holding any treasure—what mattered now was that he was about to face the full force of the cultivation world, each faction vying for what they believed was rightfully theirs.
The winds began to pick up as the cultivators drew nearer. Kayode took a deep breath, and for the first time, he realized that his journey had only just begun.
To Be Continued...