"Hmm, they are coming," Kael thought, calmly analyzing his next course of action.
"Jack," Kael called out, but there was no response. He turned back to find Jack frozen in shock, staring at him.
Kael studied Jack's trembling body. It wasn't the gruesome scene in front of him that had rattled the seasoned soldier—trained by Darius, Jack was no stranger to gore. No, it was Kael's aura that had left him paralyzed.
Kael smiled wryly. Unlike the novels he had read where breakthrough auras were conveniently concealed, his was anything but subtle. When he advanced to the Martial Disciple and Martial Warrior realms, nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. However, this time, his breakthrough had caused alarm throughout the castle. Even Kael himself couldn't fully control the terrifying aura emanating from his body.
He couldn't yet fathom the extent of his newfound strength, but he felt both light and overwhelmingly powerful. His five senses were enhanced far beyond his expectations. His skin was as soft as a newborn's yet harder than diamond. His body had reached the peak physical condition of a modern biological being, brimming with a mysterious energy Kael couldn't comprehend.
"Sigh, what lie can I come up with this time?" Kael wondered, sensing similar but stronger auras approaching rapidly.
"Crown Prince!"
"Kael!"
"Son!"
Multiple voices echoed as several figures appeared in Kael's room.
The sight that greeted them was shocking: the twisted neck of a female corpse lay in the corner, while Jack, Kael's bodyguard, stood frozen in terror. But most alarming was the overwhelming grandmaster-level aura radiating from Kael, causing the building to tremble slightly.
"Kael, are you okay?" While the others were still stunned, Valthera stepped forward and hugged him tightly. Everyone ignoring the body on the ground.
Kael's head met her soft embrace, though he was taller, and she could only reach his chest.
"I'm fine, Sister. And to my uncles and Father, I apologize for disturbing you," Kael said with a faint smile, his calm demeanor unnerving the onlookers.
"Are you still Kael?" one of his uncles asked, his expression filled with disbelief. This uncle, who had been in seclusion for years, barely recognized the young man before him. The last time he saw Kael, he was a mere child. Now, Kael exuded a maturity and talent that surpassed even his elder sister.
"What are you saying? This is my son," the King of Eryndor stepped forward, his voice firm. He approached Kael and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Son, how is this possible? You were said to have a body incapable of cultivation," the King asked, his doubt evident. Kael took a deep breath, preparing to respond.
"I mean, he might have acquired some special equipment or resources," another uncle interjected.
"But Kael never leaves the castle," the King replied, his confusion deepening as everyone fell into contemplation.
"Is this truly Kael or... an illusionist?" one uncle speculated, his aura flaring as if ready to attack.
"Relax, uncles and Father. Kael might have awakened a special physique," Valthera said, her voice calm and confident. The room fell silent as her words sank in.
"How is that possible? Just awakening, and he's already at the second stage of the Grandmaster Realm?" the second uncle asked incredulously.
"Uncle, with all due respect, your vision is limited. Do you know how many types of special physiques exist? On the continent where I resided, I've encountered countless," Valthera said sharply. The second uncle's face reddened in embarrassment as he lowered his head.
"Cough... My daughter is right," the King said, smirking as the second uncle gritted his teeth in silence.
"Kael, do you know what kind of physique you've awakened?" the King asked calmly.
"Well, this explanation is better than anything I could come up with, so I'll go along with it," Kael thought to himself.
"No, Father," Kael replied, keeping his expression neutral.
The King nodded. A rare and unheard-of physique? That made his son even more extraordinary.
"Hahaha, this is incredible!" the King exclaimed, and his brothers joined him in laughter.
In one royal family, there were now two Grandmasters, both exceptionally young.
After some discussion and celebration, Kael was left alone with Valthera. She insisted on explaining the Grandmaster Realm to him, and the others agreed.
Once alone in his room, Kael noticed Jack had left. Only Valthera remained.
"Kael, I know you have your secrets," Valthera said, her voice soft but firm. Silence filled the room.
"I won't ask you to reveal them, but my advice is to be cautious. You never know who might betray you," she warned, her tone carrying genuine concern.
"Thanks for the advice," Kael replied sincerely.
"You're welcome," Valthera said with a small smile.
"So, Sister, can you explain the realms to me?" Kael asked. Even now, he wasn't entirely clear on their strengths.
"As you know, Kael, martial cultivation begins with the Martial Disciple Realm," Valthera began.
Martial Disciple Realm: Cultivators at this stage are as strong as five ordinary men combined, almost like superhumans. At the peak, they can handle ten or more opponents with ease.
Martial Warrior Realm: Warriors at this level can annihilate a hundred-man army and shatter boulders effortlessly. Their lifespan extends to 200 years.
Martial Master Realm: Masters can destroy hills and strong mountains with a punch, decimate armies of tens of thousands, and live up to 350 years.
Grandmaster Realm: At this stage, cultivators can destroy mountains, towns, and even cause natural disasters with a mere wave of their hand. They can fly for short durations and live up to 500 years.
Ancient Warrior Realm: These terrifying beings can destroy entire kingdoms and live up to 1,000 years. They can fly and levitate for extended periods.
Valthera finished her explanation, leaving Kael deep in thought as he pondered his newfound power.
What Valthera had told him was significant, but for Kael, it would soon lose its relevance. Once the war concluded, the trial would be over, leaving the rest to unfold naturally. Afterward, he would move on to the next trial, possibly the Trial of Nothingness or Void.
Kael couldn't deny his excitement, especially at the thought of the rewards for completing the Chaos Orb trial.
"Thank you, sister," Kael said as Valthera smiled. They chatted for a while before she finally left.
"Now, the final arc—the War Arc—and then I'm done. I think this is where the so-called Son of Destiny must die. I'm a Grandmaster Realm expert, stronger than Garrick. But his master... is he just a soul in a ring or someone with a physical body? No matter. To ensure success, the war must begin," Kael thought as he rose and headed to his father's chamber.
***********
Terrifying news quickly swept through the kingdoms, carrying an aura of tension. The Fin Land Kingdom had declared war on the Jimi Kingdom, claiming that Kang Lea, one of Jimi's advisors, had killed Crown Prince Lucian.
The surrounding kingdoms were stunned but chose to remain neutral, watching from the sidelines as events unfolded.
In the Fin Land Kingdom, the atmosphere was grim. The king, seated on his throne, was consumed with rage as his officials mirrored his fury.
"How dare the Jimi Kingdom!" the king roared, his voice echoing through the hall.
The officials below murmured in agreement, their anger simmering.
"My lord," the king's advisor interjected cautiously, "I think we should approach this with calm. Much remains unclear. Crown Prince Lucian was in the Eryndor Kingdom when he was killed. How could Kang Lea have done this without the consent of Eryndor?"
The king closed his eyes, trying to suppress his anger. "I know... but I'm in a bind. If we don't act, we'll lose face. Our citizens will lose faith in the throne."
The situation was precarious. The Fin Land Kingdom could not directly accuse Eryndor of complicity without evidence, but everyone knew Eryndor's involvement was likely. Yet, they couldn't afford to make a move against Eryndor outright, as it would risk their credibility and alliances.
"Eryndor Kingdom..." the king muttered, his voice laced with frustration.
One of the officials voiced a concern. "Your Majesty, we can fight the Jimi Kingdom, but what is our contingency plan if Eryndor attacks us from behind?"
The king stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I doubt Eryndor will make a move. They want to maintain the illusion of peace. If they attack, the other kingdoms won't stand idle. For now, our focus should be on eliminating the Jimi Kingdom. Afterward, we can shift our attention to Eryndor."
The officials nodded in agreement but remained tense.
"The Eryndor Kingdom won't make this easy," the advisor warned. "They might lend their support to Jimi Kingdom's forces."
"I'm aware," the king replied firmly. "That's why we must go all out. We'll use this war to weaken Eryndor's army indirectly."
Another official hesitated before asking, "But what about Valthera, Kael's elder sister? She has strong connections in the central continent."
The hall fell silent, the weight of the question heavy in the air.
"Don't worry about her," the king said with confidence. "She isn't the only one with influence in the central continent. If she intervenes, we'll find a way to deal with her."
Reassured, the officials returned their focus to devising strategies. They discussed plans for the war, their approach, and the mobilization of their army. The king's resolve was clear—victory at any cost.
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