ã€ŠSolar Blood Mastersã€‹


 Chapter 1 - Raphael Bloodthorne

    Long ago, planet Gaia experienced a wonderful golden age. Prosperity and equality reigned in abundance. People of all nations were united under the banner of Mocouen. Her inhabitants had reached a state of conscious balance which awakened the latent potential of their Souls and Bloodlines. This heralded the paradigm of Solar Blood Masters.

    Solar Blood Masters of this prehistoric era were said to have dominance of all forces of nature. They comprehended the law of the quantum field and of self. Their technologies were advanced beyond modern description, and their conscious awareness was so expansive that they earned the respect and recognition of all beings in Cosmic Sector 7 of the sub-universe.

    Gaia¡¯s Solar Blood Masters maintained their distinguished title for eons, up until misfortune struck. More accurately, karma had taken effect.

    During the Solar Blood Master¡¯s sovereignty, they had become quite arrogant and dismissive of lesser or unevolved lifeforms. Their greed led them to seek resources from neighboring star systems. These resources would drastically help boost their cultivation and planetary influence, however, these resources were finite, which led to the gradual deterioration of several planets.

    Bearing witness to this drastic violation of cosmic law, and of the decline of their home planet, these beings petition the Cosmic Council for help. And their request was granted. As a result, Gaia¡¯s Solar Blood Masters were banished back to their home world and were plunged into 50 million years of darkness ¨C never to receive sunlight until the allotted punishment had elapsed.

    Due to this lack of nutrients from the celestial star, Gaia gradually decayed. Her body was frozen over ¨C her vast oceans turned to ice, bearing the most arduous temperatures; to the degree where many of its inhabitants couldn¡¯t cope. Hence, during that unfortunately cold time period, many lives were lost.

    Forced to sustain Gaia¡¯s core, the most evolved of the Solar Blood Masters sacrificed their accumulated power to ensure the extended survival of their civilization. Over time, their once-renowned galactic influence gradually dwindled into a fallen state.

    ¡­

    Bloodthorne Empire ¨C Tajmani Estate

    "Slave, are you a snail reincarnated? Hurry up with those bags, my patience is thinner than a mosquito''s wing!" A young lady with a mean demeanor snapped her lips at her assistant.

    ¡®This little runt¡­¡¯ The young man, aptly named Slave, gritted his teeth behind a forced smile. His back screamed in protest under the mountain of luggage strapped to it ¨C trunks overflowing with silks, jewelry, and enough beauty products to stock a small shop. ''Snail reincarnated? I wish I were,'' he thought bitterly. ''At least then I could leave a glowing trail of defiance in my wake instead of just sweat and aching muscles.''

    The petite purple-haired girl who was barely in her teens, strutted ahead with the effortless grace of someone born into privilege. Her two giggling companions, Lin and Mei, flanked her like loyal handmaidens.

    "Did you hear they found a Crimson Fang Hound near the outer edges of the Blood Forest last week?" Lin shared.

    Mei gasped dramatically while clutching at her chest. "No! Truly? I heard those beasts can drain a man''s blood in a single bite! Even Solar Blood Masters have to be careful"

    TaJmani flicked a stray hair from her shoulder with a perfectly manicured nail and scoffed. "Please, you two are so melodramatic. It was probably just a pup. Father would never allow us to go anywhere truly dangerous."

    "But imagine if we did encounter one!" Lin persisted, undeterred. "We could be the first young cultivators to slay a Crimson Fang Hound in decades! Think of the glory!"

    Mei¡¯s initial fear was momentarily forgotten in the allure of potential fame. "And the pelts! Imagine how luxurious a Crimson Fang Hound rug would be in my meditation chamber!"

    Tajmani giggled with a hint of condescension. "You two are obsessed with material possessions. True cultivators seek enlightenment, not trinkets."

    "But a little luxury never hurt anyone," Lin argued playfully, nudging Tajmani with her elbow. "Besides, wouldn''t you love to adorn your hair with a Crimson Fang Hound''s tooth? It would make all the other girls at the academy green with envy."

    Tajmani considered this for a moment. "Perhaps you have a point," she conceded with a smirk. "But let''s not get ahead of ourselves. First, we need to find this mythical beast of yours."

    ¡°Sure, sure¡­¡±

    Reaching the towering gates of the Estate, TaJmani halted abruptly. A frown creased her perfectly powdered forehead. She whirled around, fixing the young man with a withering glare. "You imbecile! I forgot my extra undergarments! Run back and pack a separate bag. And don''t even think of folding them improperly, you hear?"

    ¡°What?¡±

    Slave''s eye twitched. He opened his mouth to protest, to remind her that he was a human being, not a mindless pack mule, but the icy glint in Tajmani''s eyes silenced him. He bowed his head, muttering a resigned "Yes, Princess," before scurrying back towards the mansion. The weight of his burden was now both physical and emotional.

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    Tajmani watched him go with a smirk. "Hmph! Honestly, that dog is useless," she confided in her friends and tossed her head with a delicate sniff.

    "Why do you even keep him around, TaJmani?" Lin inquired with genuine curiosity.

    Mei nodded in agreement. "He seems to be more trouble than he''s worth."

    ¡°Hahaha!¡±

    Like the tinkling of jade wind chimes, Tajmani''s laughter held a sharp, brittle edge. "He''s my dog, girls. And every princess needs a dog to fetch and carry, don''t they?"

    ¡°I supposed you¡¯re right. Fuhuhu¡­¡±

    The girls¡¯ giggles echoed through the courtyard and entered the resentful heart of the boy struggling under their burdens.  They cared not about him who was, in their eyes, nothing more than a loyal, if somewhat incompetent, pet. He might be their ¡°dog,¡± but even dogs could dream of a day when they would finally bite back.

    ¡­

    Thud!

    The young man stumbled up the final step at the entrance of the vast Tajmani mansion. His legs trembled, his lungs burned, and his spirit felt as battered as his bruised shoulders. With a groan that escaped his lips like a dying animal¡¯s cry, he dropped the mountain of luggage onto the polished marble floor with a resounding thud.

    The loud bang echoed through the cavernous entryway and startled an old man who was tending to a bonsai tree in a nearby alcove. The mansion¡¯s front door creaked open ajar, revealing a wizened face framed by a neatly trimmed silver beard.

    ¡°Raphael?¡± The old man¡¯s voice was gentle.

    Slave, or rather Raphael as he was truly known, snapped his head up. ¡°Butler Long!¡± He exclaimed in exhaustion. He swayed on his feet, and Butler Long, with surprising speed for his age, rushed forward and caught him before he could collapse.

    ¡°My boy, what is wrong? Why are you back already? Did you forget something?¡± Butler Long inquired.

    Flushed with shame and exertion, Raphael mumbled, ¡°The princess¡­ she forgot her¡­ undergarments.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    Butler Long¡¯s expression momentarily froze, then softened with a sigh of resignation. He was well aware of Tajmani¡¯s spoiled nature and her penchant for bullying those she deemed beneath her. Raphael who was taken in by the estate and given the unfortunate moniker of ¡®Slave,¡¯ was a frequent target of her cruel whims. To her, he was a dog among dogs, only good for wallowing in the metaphorical mud of servitude.

    ¡°Come, come, Raphael. Let us not keep the princess waiting.¡± Butler Long began guiding the exhausted boy inside. ¡°Rest here for a moment. I shall retrieve the garments myself.¡± He gestured towards a plush armchair in the opulent foyer.

    Raphael gratefully collapsed onto the chair. He watched as Butler Long practically flew up the grand staircase towards Tajmani¡¯s room.

    ¡°I will be but a moment.¡± Butler Long told him from the top of the stairs.

    Raphael was grateful that he didn¡¯t have to sort through Tajmani¡¯s underwear. As he sat there, catching his breath, his thoughts drifted back to the countless times Butler Long had shown him kindness in this cold, uncaring mansion. He was the only one who treated him like a human being, the only one who called him by his true name.

    Butler Long was a beacon of warmth in a sea of icy indifference, a reminder that even in the darkest of places, a flicker of compassion could still exist. And for Raphael, that flicker was often the only thing that kept him from succumbing to despair.

    ¡°Butler Long¡­¡± Raphael mumbled the name as his mind drifted to a past event that Butler Long had informed him of.

    Sixteen years ago¡­

    A secluded chamber, hidden deep within the sprawling Bloodthorne Estate was bathed in the soft glow of oil lamps. A beautiful woman with green hair and tear-streaked cheeks lay on a bed. She was wracked with the throes of childbirth. Beside her, Butler Long offered words of encouragement and support.

    With a final, agonizing push, a tiny cry pierced the silence. A baby boy who dazzled with an unusual intensity had entered the world.

    With gentle hands, Butler Long cleaned the newborn and wrapped him in a soft blanket. He then slowly handed the child to the exhausted but joyful mother.

    ¡°Haleema,¡± Butler Long said softly, ¡°Your son¡­ he is beautiful.¡±

    Haleema¡¯s pale face lit up with a radiant smile as she cradled her newborn close. ¡°Raphael¡­ His name is Raphael,¡± she whispered.

    But beneath the joy, a current of sorrow flowed through her. Her love for the child¡¯s father, Razel Louche Bloodthorne, the King himself, was a dangerous secret, one that could cost them both their lives.

    Suddenly, a thunderous crash shattered the peaceful scene. The chamber door burst open into pieces as a squad of armored soldiers stormed in. They parted, revealing a tall, imposing woman with long raven hair and eyes that blazed with fury.

    It was Ewa Nier Bloodthorne, the Queen.

    ¡°You ungrateful wretch!¡± Ewa Nier shrieked. ¡°You dare to seduce my husband and bear his bastard child in secret?!¡±

    Haleema¡¯s eyes widened in terror, but she clutched Raphael protectively to her chest. ¡°My Queen. I never meant to¡­ I love him.¡±

    ¡°Silence, you lying slut!¡± Ewa Nier spat. ¡°You plotted this, didn¡¯t you? Razel and I have yet to have a son. So you thought you could steal my place, bear the true heir, and become Queen?!¡±

    ¡°No, I swear!¡± Haleema cried. ¡°I only wanted¡­¡±

    ¡°Silence!¡± Ewa Nier yelled. ¡°You will not live to see another day, nor will this bastard spawn of yours!¡± She gestured towards her soldiers. ¡°Kill them both!¡±

    Haleema¡¯s heart pounded in her chest. ¡°Please,¡± she begged, ¡°spare my child! He is innocent! Take my life, but let him live!¡±

    Ewa Nier¡¯s lips curled into a cruel smile. ¡°Mercy is not a word in my vocabulary, traitor. You will both die!¡±

    It was then that Butler Long stepped forward. ¡°My Queen¡­¡± His voice was steady and calm despite the chaos swirling around them. ¡°The King¡­ he knew of Haleema¡¯s pregnancy. He instructed me to ensure the child¡¯s safe delivery.¡±

    Ewa Nier¡¯s face contorted with rage. ¡°You dare defy me, old man?!¡±

    ¡°I only speak the truth, My Queen.¡± As he replied, his hand tightened around Raphael.

    ¡°KKYAAAH!¡±

    Consumed by fury, Ewa Nier snatched a sword from one of her soldiers. With a guttural cry, she plunged the blade deep into Haleema¡¯s chest.

    Haleema gasped. She looked down at her blood-soaked chest, then up at her son as a single tear rolled down her cheek.

    ¡°Raphael¡­¡± she could barely speak.

    And then, she was gone.

    ¡°Hmph! Serves you right.¡±

    Smiling with cold satisfaction, Ewa Nier turned towards the baby. But Butler Long stood firm, refusing to hand over the child.

    ¡°You will not touch him.¡±

    ¡°Oh really¡­? We¡¯ll see about that.¡±

    Ewa Nier¡¯s soldiers moved to intervene, but a wave of potent dark energy erupted from Butler Long which sent them sprawling backwards. His cultivation was far beyond theirs, and even Ewa Nier hesitated upon recognizing the power he possessed.

    ¡°Tsk! Damn you!¡±

    With a snarl of frustration, Ewa Nier spat on Haleema¡¯s lifeless body. ¡°You think you can protect this bastard, old fool? You will regret this! Both of you will!¡±

    She stormed out of the chamber with her soldiers scrambling to follow. Her departure left a heavy silence in its wake.

    Butler Long looked down at the infant in his arms. He had saved Raphael¡¯s life, but at a terrible cost. He knew that Ewa Nier would not forget this betrayal and that both he and Raphael would be living under a constant shadow of danger from now on.

 Chapter 2 - Riding Like A Dog

    ¡°Raphael?¡±

    A gentle voice broke through the veil of Raphael¡¯s reflection and pulled him back to the present. He blinked and refocused his eyes on the figure standing before him. Butler Long held a neatly packed bag. He was a bit flustered.

    ¡°The princess¡¯s¡­ undergarments.¡± Butler Long spoke softly as he extended the bag towards Raphael.

    It took Raphael a moment to shake off the lingering sorrow of his past. He stood up and looked up at Butler Long¡¯s kind face. He was shorter in comparison.

    ¡°Thank you, Butler Long.¡± Raphael expressed his gratitude. It wasn''t just for fetching the undergarments. It was for everything ¨C for saving his life, for protecting him, for being the only source of warmth in this cold, unforgiving place.

    Butler Long seemed to sense the depth of his emotions. His gaze softened, and a faint smile touched his lips. He had been close to Haleema, and he felt a deep sense of responsibility towards her son. Raphael was a constant reminder of the tragedy that had befallen the woman he had cared for like a daughter.

    ¡°Ok, I¡¯ll be going now before the princess gets upset.¡±

    Raphael turned to leave, however, Butler Long stopped him. ¡°Raphael, wait.¡± He reached into his robe and pulled out a small, intricately carved spherical device attached to an amulet. Deep within it had a red crystal.

    Butler Long explained, ¡°This is a Gyro Chi Sphere. It is imbued with protective enchantments and potent fermented blood. It will shield you from harm.¡± He carefully fastened the amulet around Raphael¡¯s neck. ¡°Wear it always, my boy. It may save your life one day.¡±

    ¡°Wow, such a thing¡­ Thank you, Butler Long.¡±

    Raphael¡¯s heart swelled with gratitude. This gift was more than just a protective charm. It was a symbol of Butler Long¡¯s unwavering care and concern for him.

    While clutching the Gyro Chi Sphere close to his chest, Raphael left the mansion in high spirits and met up with Tajmani¡¯s group at the estate¡¯s exit. His prior lifted feelings faltered as soon as he returned in her presence.

    ¡°You¡¯re finally back, you lazy dog! Do you have any idea how long we¡¯ve been waiting? Were you slacking off again?¡±

    Raphael suppressed a sigh. ¡®Of course, I was, Princess. I was busy dreaming of a world where you weren¡¯t a spoiled, entitled brat.¡¯ He kept his thoughts to himself, knowing that voicing them would only lead to more trouble.

    Tajmani noticed the flicker of annoyance that crossed his face and narrowed her eyes to slit till they resembled a fox. ¡°What was that look, Slave? You dare to glare at your superior?¡±

    ¡°No, Princess,¡± Raphael mumbled while bowing his head.

    ¡°Hmph! You better.¡±

    At the edge of the estate¡¯s grounds, a sleek, futuristic vehicle awaited them. It was a Psiphon Car. Resembling a carriage from a bygone era, it possessed no steeds but instead glided effortlessly on two large, red spherical tires ¨C one at the front and one at the back. It had white modern-looking chassis and was powered by an energy core. This was a vehicle fit for royalty.

    Standing at attention beside the Psiphon Car were two figures donned in silver armor. Streaks of blood-red patterns coursed through the intricate design of their armor, and each bore the Bloodthorne emblem on their chest plates.

    As the princess and her entourage approached, the two armored figures stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

    ¡°Princess Tajmani. We are Gerald D. Bloodthorne and Tien Ha Bloodthorne, Silver Blood Knights assigned to ensure your safety on this journey.¡±

    Pleased by their subservient demeanor, Tajmani nodded haughtily. ¡°Very well. Let us depart. I¡¯m eager to see what challenges lies ahead.¡± She clenched her fist with a snark.

    She and her friends glided towards the Psiphon Car. When she reached the entrance, Tajmani glanced back at Raphael. ¡°You! Hurry up and load the luggage in the back!¡±

    Already struggling under the weight of the numerous bags, Raphael gritted his teeth and began the arduous task of loading them into the car¡¯s rear compartment.

    Tien Ha observed the young man¡¯s struggles with concern. He inquired politely, ¡°Princess, why is your servant manually loading the luggage? Wouldn¡¯t it be more efficient to utilize a Nexus Plate?¡±

    Tajmani scoffed. ¡°He can carry them. Besides, it¡¯s good for him to learn some discipline.¡±

    Her true motive, however, was far more sinister. She enjoyed watching Raphael suffer, relishing in her power over him.

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    Sensing the princess¡¯s unwillingness to elaborate, Tien Ha wisely chose not to press the matter further. He patiently waited as Raphael, sweat dripping down his brow, finally managed to load all the luggage into the car.

    Exhausted but relieved, Raphael attempted to enter the main passenger compartment where Tajmani and her friends had settled. But before he could even reach for the handle, Tajmani¡¯s sharp voice cut him off.

    ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing, dog? You think you can sit with us? You belong in the back with the luggage!¡±

    ¡°Yeah, in the back you go, dog.¡± Her two friends shared her sentiments with giggles.

    Raphael¡¯s heart sank. ¡®Of course. I¡¯m just a dog to them, after all. Not even worthy of sharing the same space as these pampered princesses.¡¯ He thought bitterly.

    With a heavy sigh, he resigned himself to his fate. He squeezed himself into the cramped rear compartment alongside the mountain of luggage, secretly cursing Tajmani¡¯s cruelty and the injustice of his situation.

    His body ached, his spirit felt crushed, and a burning resentment simmered within him. He longed for the day he could escape this suffocating existence, but for now, he had no choice but to endure. He would carry their burdens, both literally and metaphorically, until the day he could finally break free.

    The Psiphon Car started gliding smoothly through the orderly streets of the Bloodthorne Empire. The city was quite imposing, with towering buildings and imposing castles reaching towards the sky.

    Occasionally, individuals soared overhead on fantastical flying mounts or personal aerial devices, adding a touch of whimsy to the urban landscape. It was an energetic scenery.

    In the back of the Psiphon Car, Raphael felt the subtle jolts and vibrations as they navigated the roads. He gazed out of the small window, taking in the sights of his homeland.

    Dominating the cityscape was the Grey Sun, a celestial orb that hung suspended in the center of the sky. It was an artificial construct, created by the empire¡¯s most powerful Solar Blood Masters to provide a gentle, diffused light across the vast expanse of the Bloodthorne Empire, which stretched for millions of square miles.

    The Grey Sun was positioned at the apex of the massive Dark Dome that enveloped the entire empire. It was this dome that shielded the Bloodthorne people from the full force of the sun¡¯s rays.

    Millennia ago, when Gaia was plunged into darkness after the Solar Blood Masters¡¯ banishment, civilizations had crumbled and fallen into ruin. However, from the ashes of that dark age, the Bloodthorne Empire had risen. They had adapted to the darkness, thrived in it, and conquered other nations, establishing themselves as a formidable power. Their bloodline had evolved, granting them unique abilities that allowed them to flourish in the absence of sunlight.

    But after 50 million years, the sun had returned. Gaia was emerging from its long slumber. Unfortunately, after countless generations had adapted to the darkness, the sudden influx of solar energy posed a significant threat to the Bloodthorne people. Their bodies were not accustomed to the intense light and heat, and prolonged exposure could prove fatal.

    To protect their citizens, the elders of the Bloodthorne Empire had devised a daring plan. They created the Dark Dome, a colossal barrier that filtered out the harmful solar radiation, and the Grey Sun, a gentler, artificial substitute for the sun. It was a temporary measure, a way to gradually acclimate their people to the returning sunlight, generation by generation.

    Despite the return of the sun and the emergence of other powerful empires, such as the Allucar Empire and the Earthling Empire, the Bloodthorne Empire remained a dominant force, holding its place among the top three empires of Gaia.

    ¡­

    Raphael¡¯s gaze drifted from the Grey Sun to the street below. A regiment of Bronze Blood Knights marched in perfect formation. They were escorting a Psiphon Car, presumably carrying a person of high status, whose identity remained hidden behind tinted windows.

    As the two Psiphon Cars passed each other, Raphael heard Tajmani¡¯s voice from the passenger compartment.

    ¡°Hmph. Bronze Blood Knights. They must be escorting some low-level official from a branch family heading to court. Probably a distant relative trying to curry favor with the main family.¡± Tajmani concluded.

    Lin tilted her head, intrigued. ¡°Bronze Blood Knights? What are they, exactly? Are they any different from regular constabulary force?¡±

    Tajmani explained with a hint of disdain, ¡°They¡¯re the lowest tier of the Bloodthorne military forces. Then there are the Silver Blood Knights, like our escorts, followed by the Golden Blood Knights, and finally, the elite Platinum Blood Saints. Each tier represents a significant increase in power and status.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Mei¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted to see a Platinum Blood Saint in action. They say they can move mountains with a single strike!¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re practically legends,¡± Tajmani agreed. ¡°But even Silver Blood Knights are nothing to sneeze at. They¡¯re all highly skilled cultivators who have dedicated their lives to protecting the empire.¡±

    Her eyes sparkled with a hint of longing. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t mind becoming a Blood Knight myself one day. It would be so exciting to wield unimaginable power and defend our people. The praises that they would give¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure you would make a fine Blood Knight, Princess,¡± Gerald said encouragingly. ¡°Perhaps you could apply once you¡¯ve awakened your second Soul Orbital.¡±

    Tien Ha added with a slight hesitation, ¡°Though, even with your royal status, Princess, the selection process is rigorous. Only the most talented and dedicated individuals are chosen.¡±

    Tajmani flicked her purple hair with a confident smirk. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be more than qualified. I¡¯ve already awakened my first Soul Orbital.¡±

    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s amazing, Tajmani! When I was your age. My Soul Orbital was still dormant. It was only after I hit fourteen that it awakened.¡± Lin exclaimed.

    ¡°Both of you are so talented!¡± Mei echoed.

    Tajmani¡¯s smile widened. ¡°Indeed. And once I¡¯ve stacked it with enough Solar Consciousness, my cultivation will skyrocket. That¡¯s why I requested Mother to allow me to enter the Blood Forest. It¡¯s the perfect place to find a suitable host for my Soul Orbital.¡±

    Hidden in the back with the luggage, Raphael couldn¡¯t help but feel envious. ¡®With the Queen¡¯s backing and access to the best resources, of course, she awakened her Soul Orbital at such a young age. I¡¯m older than her, and I still haven¡¯t even awakened mine.¡¯ He clenched his fists in frustration. ¡°I suppose it¡¯s only natural for the gap between us to be so vast, like the distance between the sky and the earth. Life is so unfair. We¡¯re siblings, yet our lives couldn''t be more different.¡± He muttered under his breath.

    Then a flicker of gratitude unexpectedly surfaced in his heart. ¡°I guess¡­ I should be somewhat thankful to the little princess for what she did back then.¡±

    Raphael¡¯s thoughts drifted to a distant memory; a flashback of a pivotal moment in his life¡­

 Chapter 3 - Tajmaniâ€™s Brother

    Ten-year-old Raphael sat on the floor of his modest home within the Bloodthorne Empire. He had placed a bread crumb on the ground, and a long trail of ants was diligently marching towards it in perfect unison.

    Raphael was captivated by their industry and cooperation. It was a miniature army with a singular purpose, and he couldn''t help but admire their unwavering dedication.

    Butler Long was seated at a nearby table and enjoying his meal. He watched the young boy with a warm smile. It brought him joy to see Raphael finding amusement in such simple things.

    Rumble!

    Suddenly, the surface of Butler Long¡¯s cup of water rippled. A voice, carried by unseen waves of energy, resounded through the room.

    ¡°Butler Long, appear at the King¡¯s quarters immediately.¡±

    Butler Long¡¯s smile vanished and was replaced by a look of concern. He knew who this voice belonged to. ¡°Raphael, I must attend to urgent matters. I shall return shortly.¡±

    He rose from his chair and, with a flick of his wrist, erected a bright Blood Field around the small house. This was a protective barrier against any potential threats. Then, with a final reassuring glance at Raphael, he vanished.

    Whoosh!

    Seconds later, Raphael was still engrossed in his ant army when a shiver ran down his spine. A sense of malice, cold and sharp, pierced through his innocent playfulness.

    ¡°Huh..¡±

    Before he could react, the Blood Field shattered like a fragile glass. A menacing foot slammed onto the ground, crushing the ants and scattering the bread crumbs.

    Raphael gasped in shock and horror. His eyes followed the foot upwards until he met the gaze of his most feared enemy ¨C Ewa Nier Bloodthorne.

    ¡°You little bastard. Today, you die.¡±

    It turned out that Ewa Nier had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. Her scouts had informed her of Butler Long¡¯s absence, and she had seized the chance to exact her revenge on the boy she despised as a living reminder of her husband''s betrayal.

    She held a squirming infant in her arms ¨C a four-year-old Tajmani, whose constant crying had been grating on her nerves.

    Raphael scrambled backwards on his bottom, trying to escape, but Ewa Nier¡¯s glare froze him in place.

    ¡°Where do you think you are going?¡± A powerful aura emanated from her that pinned him to the spot like a helpless insect.

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    ¡°I will finally wipe away this stain from my eyes.¡±

    Trickle, Trickle¡­

    Blood seeped from her fingertip and solidified into a crimson sword that pointed menacingly at Raphael¡¯s head. Terror flooded his young mind.

    Just as the sword was about to descend, four-year-old Tajmani, in a moment of playful curiosity, leaped from her mother¡¯s arms and landed on Raphael¡¯s head. She giggled and began crawling all over him while playfully smacking his face with her tiny hands.

    ¡°Hmm, this child¡­¡±

    The unexpected interruption momentarily diverted Ewa Nier¡¯s wrath. Seeing her daughter¡¯s amusement, a flicker of something akin to tenderness softened her harsh features.

    ¡°Tsk! Fine, I¡¯ll spare your life for now, you lucky brat. But from this day forward, you will serve my daughter¡¯s every whim. You will be her loyal dog. You understand?¡±

    She didn¡¯t wait for Raphael¡¯s answer. She scooped up both children and vanished in a swirl of dark energy before Butler Long could return.

    Raphael¡¯s life had been irrevocably altered. He was now a slave, a plaything, a dog to the very person who had murdered his mother. The injustice of it all burned deep within his young heart. It bore a seed of resentment that would grow with each passing year.

    ¡­

    The flashback faded, and Raphael was once again jolted back to the present by the muffled voices of the Silver Blood Knights in the front of the Psiphon Car.

    ¡°¡­ It¡¯s undeniable, the emergence of sunlight has shifted the balance of power. Our influence abroad has been waning for the past two decades.¡± Tien Ha remarked.

    Gerald D. nodded in agreement. ¡°The Fire Pools¡­ they¡¯re appearing with increasing frequency in other nations. Those empires are growing stronger while we remain stagnant beneath the Dark Dome.¡±

    ¡°And the younger generation is getting weaker. Look at the princess¡¯s companion over there,¡± Tien Ha gestured discreetly towards the back of the car, where Lin was engrossed in a game with her friends. ¡°She¡¯s already fourteen and has only just awakened her first Soul Orbital. In the past, nobles her age would have at least three or four.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a consequence of our adaptation to darkness,¡± Gerald explained. ¡°Our bloodlines have evolved to thrive in the absence of sunlight, but that has come at a cost. We are less receptive to the Solar Consciousness that fuels our cultivation.¡±

    ¡°The elders believe that continued exposure to the Grey Sun will eventually reverse this trend, but it¡¯s a slow process. In the meantime, other empires are taking advantage of our weakened state.¡± Tien Ha was frustrated

    ¡°The Allucar Empire, with their affinity for fire, has been expanding rapidly. The Earthling Empire, though technologically advanced, is still a relatively young civilization. But their adaptability is remarkable. They are learning to harness the sun¡¯s energy in ways we never imagined.¡± Gerald D. paused for a bit while staring on the road ahead. ¡°The future of the Bloodthorne Empire is uncertain. We must find a way to adapt to this new era, or we risk being left behind.¡±

    Raphael listened intently to their conversation. He felt hope at the news of the Bloodthorne Empire¡¯s decline. Perhaps, he thought, this shift in power would lead to a more just and equitable world, one where people like him weren¡¯t treated like expendable slaves.

    In contrast, Tajmani remained oblivious to the knights¡¯ concerns. She cared little for political affairs. Her focus was solely on her own advancement.

    ¡°Are we there yet?¡± She whined impatiently. ¡°I¡¯m eager to reach the Blood Forest and start cultivating. I want to become stronger, stronger than anyone!¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re almost there, Princess. Just a little further.¡± Gerald D. replied in a soothing tone.

    Raphael couldn¡¯t suppress a bitter smile. He thought the princess was like a child playing with fire, unaware of the larger forces at play. She sought only personal power, oblivious to the potential consequences of her actions.

    He leaned back against the luggage with thoughts of the future. What would become of him? What would become of the Bloodthorne Empire? And what role would he play in this changing world?

    Only time would tell.

 Chapter 4 - The Blood Forest

    The Psiphon Car finally rolled to a halt at the outskirts of the Blood Forest, situated seventy mile close to the edge of the Bloodthorne Dark Dome. As the passengers disembarked, a breathtaking yet eerie landscape unfolded before them.

    Amidst the vast expanse of the icy plains, stood a vibrant forest. The trees were adorned with crimson leaves that seemed to defy the frigid environment. Ruby ice formations glistened like scattered jewels, and streams of crimson liquid, the source of the forest¡¯s ominous name, snaked through the terrain. Occasionally, crimson-eyed black crows would flap their wings overhead in chorus, which made the ambiance unsettling.

    The Blood Forest was so named due to the unique properties of its ecosystem. The trees and other vegetation absorbed the faint solar radiation from its innate Fire Pool, converting it into a blood-like energy that flowed through the forest¡¯s veins. This energy was highly potent and could be harnessed by cultivators to enhance their abilities, but it was also volatile and dangerous.

    The air was bitingly cold, and a perpetual red glow illuminated the forest, even though it was currently nighttime outside the Dark Dome. The source of this eerie luminescence added to the Blood Forest¡¯s mystique.

    Raphael stepped out of the Psiphon Car, no soon after, a shiver ran down his spine. The icy air pierced through his thin clothing, and the sight of the blood-red forest gave him primal fear.

    Tajmani, ever observant, noticed his unease. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Slave? Afraid of a little cold?¡± She mocked.

    Raphael glared back at her. ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of the cold, Princess. I¡¯m afraid of what lurks within this forest. Things far more dangerous than a spoiled little girl.¡±

    Tajmani laughed, despite Raphael¡¯s cold attitude. ¡°What good is a dog if it can¡¯t even protect its master? Make yourself useful as my carrier.¡±

    ¡°Tsk!¡± Raphael bit his lower lip. He moved to the back of the car and began unloading the cargo.

    At the same time, Tien Ha stepped ahead of the group and stared at the entrance of the Blood Forest. ¡°This place has changed since I last came here.¡± Despite this fact, he wasn¡¯t worried, not for himself at least. The princess however, was another matter.

    Tien Ha¡¯s gaze swept over the group. It lingered for a moment on Tajmani before he addressed them in a stern yet calm manner. ¡°Listen closely. The Blood Forest is not a place for frivolous adventures. It is teeming with dangers, both seen and unseen. Stick close to Gerald and me at all times. Do not stray from the path. And if we encounter any obstacles, do not be rash. Rely on our experience and judgment.¡±

    The playful atmosphere that had surrounded Tajmani and her friends evaporated; replaced by a sense of nervous anticipation.

    After finishing his instructions, Tien Ha turned his attention to the back of the group. He nodded subtly at Gerald, who then barked at Raphael, ¡°Hurry up, boy! We don¡¯t have all day.¡±

    ¡°Sorry.¡±

    Raphael, having finally unloaded the last piece of luggage, stood up with a groan. He watched in awe as Gerald extended his hand, which had a Nexus Plate strapped to his wrist. With a small gesture and a muttered incantation, the entire Psiphon Car vanished into the small device. They couldn¡¯t risk leaving their transport outside the Blood Forest, vulnerable to whatever creatures or dangers might lurk within.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    With Tien Ha and Gerald leading the way, the group cautiously entered the Blood Forest.

    Raphael struggled under the weight of Tajmani¡¯s belongings. He cast nervous glances at the strange trees and the crimson streams that snaked through the path.

    He looked ahead and saw Tajmani and her friends giggling and chatting amongst themselves, seemingly unafraid of their surroundings. ¡®How can they be so fearless?¡¯ he wondered.

    Then he noticed something peculiar. Snow was falling from the sky, but as soon as it entered the boundary of the Blood Forest, it transformed from pristine white to a deep crimson.

    ¡°Huh, this snow¡­¡±

    Raphael extended his left hand, and allowed a snowflake to land on his palm. He observed it closely. The snowflake was no longer cold or icy, but rather warm. It was as if the very essence of the Blood Forest was permeating the air, transforming even the snow into a manifestation of its power.

    The sight of the crimson snow, strangely enough, had a calming effect on Raphael. The fear that had gripped him lessened slightly, and was replaced by a sense of wonder and curiosity.

    He took a deep breath and straightened his posture. His footsteps became bolder, more determined. He might be a slave, he might be carrying a ridiculous amount of baggage for a spoiled princess, but he was also a survivor. He had endured hardship and faced danger before, and he would do so again.

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    With newfound resolve, Raphael followed the group deeper into the Blood Forest.

    ¡­

    ¡°This is ridiculous! We¡¯ve been walking for ages, and we haven¡¯t encountered a single creature worthy of my Soul Orbital!¡± Tajmani hollered in frustration.

    She pointed an accusing finger at the Silver Blood Knights. ¡°It¡¯s your fault! Your imposing auras are scaring away all the strong creatures!¡±

    Tien Ha and Gerald exchanged a weary glance. They had tried to explain that patience was key when navigating the Blood Forest, but the princess was not known for her patience.

    ¡°I can¡¯t stand this any longer! I¡¯m going to find something good myself!¡±

    With that, she dashed off, ignoring the knights¡¯ calls for her to return.

    ¡°Wait for us!¡± Lin and Mei, ever eager to please their princess, quickly followed suit.

    Tien Ha and Gerald had no choice but to give chase, leaving Raphael behind.

    ¡°Wait for me!¡± Raphael cried out, but his voice was lost in the rustling of leaves and the crunch of snow underfoot.

    He was burdened by the heavy luggage, and struggled to keep up with the others. His breath grew ragged, and his legs ached, but he couldn¡¯t give up. He had to catch up with the princess, or face her wrath later.

    ¡°Dammit!¡±

    Raphael pushed himself harder, ignoring the pain in his muscles and the fear that gnawed at his heart. He was alone in the Blood Forest and was surrounded by unknown dangers.

    ¡°AWOOOO!¡±

    A sudden, loud howl pierced the air and sent a jolt of terror through Raphael¡¯s body. ¡®Could that be the Crimson Fang Hound that Lin and Mei were talking about?¡¯ He thought with a fearful shudder.

    His legs trembled. He braced himself for an attack, but it never came. Instead, he heard a loud explosion in the distance, followed by Tajmani¡¯s boisterous voice.

    ¡°They are over there. I must hurry.¡±

    Mustering his remaining courage, Raphael pushed through a thicket of spiky red ferns. They inflicted small cuts and scratches on his exposed skin, but he paid them no mind. He emerged into a small clearing.

    Ahead of him, Tajmani and her friends were engaged in a battle with a bizarre creature. It was a grape tree that had somehow uprooted itself and was now ambling around like a giant, enraged vine monster. The tree had a grotesque, humanoid face carved into its trunk, and its branches were laden with plump, bulging grapes that had explosive power.

    Raphael noticed that Tien Ha and Gerald were standing on opposite sides of the clearing, observing the fight but not intervening.

    ¡°So they¡¯re not going to help?¡± Raphael muttered under his breath.

    He saw this as an opportunity to take a much-needed break. He walked over to where Gerald was standing and carefully lowered the heavy bag onto the snow-covered ground. Then, he carefully watched the battle unfold.

    Boom! Boom!

    Boom! Boom! Boom!

    Exploding grapes rained down on Tajmani and her friends. They were forced to leap back to avoid the barrage.

    ¡°Don¡¯t get cocky, you overgrown vine!¡± Tajmani yelled at the creature.

    She exchanged a knowing glance with Lin and Mei. The three ladies then positioned themselves to form triangular formation around their opponent.

    Whoosh!

    Above each of them, a large blood sphere began to materialize. These were their condensed Solar Consciousness. Each sphere had a diameter of about two feet and was surrounded by a single orbiting ring. The rings were currently empty, indicating that they had yet to capture a suitable host for their Soul Orbitals. Nevertheless, even in their incomplete state, the Soul Orbitals significantly amplified their bloodline powers.

    Raphael watched in awe as the three Soul Orbitals started releasing pulsations that were resonating with each other in a mesmerizing display of power.

    ¡°Let¡¯s see you withstand this.¡±

    Tajmani, Lin, and Mei then each bit their fingers to draw blood. With focused expressions, they dripped their blood onto the ground. The blood flowed across the snow, forming a series of interconnected patterns that pointed towards the grape creature.

    ¡°Blood Subduing Triangular Array ¨C Activate!¡± The three ladies shouted in unison.

    The blood on the ground glowed brightly, and a three-dimensional triangular Blood Field erupted around the grape creature, trapping it within its confines.

    Boom!

    A massive explosion rocked the clearing. The force of the blast knocked Raphael off his feet.

    ¡°Whoa! That explosion was intense! I can¡¯t believe the three of them have so much power.¡±

    Gerald glanced at Raphael and said dismissively, ¡°That¡¯s nothing, boy. Get up.¡±

    As the dust and snow settled, the Blood Subduing Triangular Array dissipated, revealing a charred and smoking patch of ground where the grape creature had stood.

    ¡°We did it!¡± Tajmani was prematurely celebrating their victory.

    ¡°That was amazing!¡± Lin and Mei were equally elated.

    They eagerly ran towards the center of the clearing to examine the remains of their defeated foe.

    ¡°Be careful!¡± Tien Ha¡¯s warning came a moment too late.

    Rumble! Rumble!

    The ground beneath the girls began to tremble violently. A massive upheaval of earth and roots erupted, and a colossal grape creature emerged from the depths. It was far larger and more menacing than the one they had just fought, with a twisted face and vines as thick as a man¡¯s torso.

    ¡°So that¡¯s its true form¡­¡± Gerald¡¯s eyes narrowed in assessment. ¡°This Demonic Grape Sprout is more cunning than I anticipated.¡±

    ¡°Demonic Grape Sprout?¡± Raphael looked to Gerald for an explanation.

    Gerald explained, ¡°The creature you saw earlier wasn¡¯t the main body. It was merely an offshoot, a decoy. The true Demonic Grape Sprout was hiding underground, biding its time. It only revealed itself when it sensed that its opponents were worthy of its full strength.¡±

    ¡°These creatures are known for their resilience and adaptability. They can absorb and manipulate the blood-like energy of the Blood Forest to enhance their power. And they are incredibly territorial.¡± Gerald added.

    ¡°So, the princess and her friends are in trouble?¡± Raphael asked with concern.

    Gerald replied grimly, ¡°Indeed. They¡¯ve awakened a beast far more powerful than they can handle.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­?¡±  Raphael directed his attention at Tajmani with his eyes pulped wide open. Gerald mistook his expression for concern, however, Raphael was secretly wishing for the creature to devour Tajmani.

    This thought of his was soon backtracked. ¡®Wait, if she dies then what will happen to me? Her mother will surely skin me alive if anything happen to her daughter. Should I¡­ should I join the fight and help her out?¡¯ He remained pensive for a bit. ¡®No, what am I thinking about. These two Silver Blood Knights haven¡¯t acted yet. Which means the situation is still under their control. I¡¯ll just wait and see.¡¯

 Chapter 5 - Demonic Grape Sprout

    Enraged by the impudence of these tiny humans, the Demonic Grape Sprout let out a deafening roar that shook the very ground they stood on. Its thick vines whipped with the force of a hurricane, tearing through the snow and ice like razor-sharp claws.

    WHOOSH! CRACK!

    One vine narrowly missed Lin''s face, leaving a stinging gust of wind in its wake as it pulverized a nearby ice sculpture into a million icy shards.

    Mei, with a startled yelp, barely managed to duck under another vine that would have cracked her skull.

    Simultaneously, a volley of plump, blood-red grapes launched themselves from the creature''s branches.

    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

    The exploding grapes detonated with the force of small grenades through the clearing and momentarily obscured the battlefield in a cloud of crimson mist.

    Through the chaos, Tajmani called upon her bloodline power to empower her with superhuman speed and agility.

    ¡°Taste my wrath, you overgrown weed!¡± Saying this, she released more blood from her veins which she condensed into two Blood Swords.

    Lin and Mei also materialized their respective weapons, a Blood Bow and a Blood Spear.

    They fought with a synchronized movements that was complementing each other seamlessly. Tajmani was chopping through vines at close-quarters alongside Mei. As for Lin, she was staying a safe distancing rapidly firing arrows.

    ¡°Grah!¡±

    The Demonic Grape Sprout roared in defiance. It extended a thick vine towards Tajmani, who parried the blow with her swords. At the same time, it targeted the pesky long distance shooter.

    Boom!

    An exploding grape detonated near Lin that sent her sprawling backwards. Mei quickly moved to cover her friend while deflecting a bunch of grapes with her spear. However, the accumulated explosions were pushing her closer to the brink of despair.

    ¡°We need to find its weakness!¡± Mei yelled to Tajmani.

    ¡°Leave it to me!¡±

    Tajmani flipped backwards to a safe distance then activated her unique eye power, which allowed her to perceive the flow of energy within living beings. Her vision was showing her the Demonic Grape Sprout¡¯s internal structure.

    ¡°I see it! Its weak point is behind its ugly face area! There¡¯s a faint heartbeat!¡±

    Tajmani relayed her discovery to her friends, who adjusted their strategy accordingly. After regrouping, they began to focus their attacks on the creature¡¯s face, hoping to exploit its vulnerability.

    ¡°GRAHH!¡±

    The Demonic Grape Sprout sensed their intentions and intensified its assault. It unleashed a barrage of exploding grapes that forced the girls to scatter.

    ¡°We need to restrict its movements!¡± Thinking of a way to accomplish this, Lin nocked her bow with a special blood arrow and fired it at the creature. On impact, the arrow scattered into multiple tendrils which spread out like webs and entangled its prey, effectively restricting its movements.

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    ¡°Now!¡± Tajmani yelled.

    In a coordinated maneuver, the three girls leaped into the air then plunged their weapons into the ground. The blood began flowing outwards and merging into a single, swirling torrent. The blood then rapidly solidified into a massive, razor-sharp thorn that spun with incredible speed.

    ¡°Blood Thorn ¨C Pierce!¡±

    With combined effort, the Blood Thorn shot upwards towards the Demonic Grape Sprout¡¯s face with the force of a cannonball. Although it tried protecting itself by coupling its vines, the Blood Thorn pierced through the creature¡¯s tough exterior, shattered its wooden mask and penetrated deep into its core.

    ¡°GRAAAAH!¡±

    The Demonic Grape Sprout let out a deafening shriek of pain and fury. Its vines thrashed wildly, and its body convulsed. Then, with a final shudder, it collapsed to the ground.

    Tajmani, Lin, and Mei landed gracefully on the soft snow. They were panting and bruised, but victorious.

    ¡°We did it!¡± Mei exclaimed with a triumphant grin spreading across her face.

    ¡°We defeated the Demonic Grape Sprout!¡± Lin cheered.

    ¡°Of course we did. That rubbish never had a chance at winning against me.¡± Tajmani added arrogantly.

    ¡°They actually subdue such a monster¡­?¡± Raphael, who had been watching the battle with bated breath, felt a grudging admiration for the girls¡¯ strength and skill. Albeit so young, they had faced a formidable foe and emerged victorious. He also felt a bit sorry for the creature.

    Perhaps, he thought, there was more to these princesses than met the eye.

    Pah! Pah! Pah!

    ¡°Excellent work, Princess.¡± Tien Ha clapped his hands together in admiration as he approached Tajmani. He placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled warmly at her and her friends. ¡°You displayed remarkable teamwork and strategic thinking.¡±

    Gerald came over and said, ¡°He¡¯s right. You have shown great potential as Bloodthorne cultivators.¡±

    Raphael didn¡¯t need to voice his amazement. His wide-eyed expression betrayed his awe at the princess¡¯s display of power.

    Tajmani noticed his reaction and couldn''t resist a smug smirk. ¡°See that, Slave? That¡¯s what true power looks like. You¡¯d be wise not to cross me again, or you¡¯ll be next.¡±

    Raphael gulped. He had no doubt that Tajmani could make good on her threat.

    VWOOSH!

    Just then, a brilliant purple beam of light shot upwards from the Demonic Grape Sprout¡¯s lifeless body. It revealed a purple orb of pure energy ¨C the creature¡¯s Solar Consciousness. Golden runes danced around it which added to its allure.

    Tien Ha moved closer to inspect it. ¡°Hmm, this is quite a find. A Demonic Grape Sprout¡¯s Solar Consciousness is known for its resilience and defensive properties. It would significantly enhance your vitality and ability to withstand attacks.¡±

    Gerald joined him. ¡°Indeed. This particular specimen has a maturity of approximately 20,000 years. And with its primordial foundation as a plant-based lifeform, it must have absorbed a significant amount of Solar Essence from the Blood Forest¡¯s Fire Pools. This would explain its considerable power¡­

    However, the Demonic Grape Sprout is not known for a variety of offensive capabilities. It would make you incredibly tough, but it wouldn¡¯t necessarily enhance your ability to deal damage that much.¡±

    Tajmani listened intently to their explanations. She fell deep in thought. After a moment, she turned to her friends. ¡°Either of you can have it.¡±

    Lin and Mei gasped in surprise. ¡°What? Are you sure, Tajmani?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Tajmani said with a dismissive wave of her hand. ¡°This creature¡¯s Solar Consciousness is beneath me. I¡¯m seeking something far more powerful, something with killer abilities. Maybe a Solar Consciousness of at least half a million years old. Something like a Crimson Fang Hound Calamity.¡±

    Raphael was stunned by her arrogance. ¡®How can she be so picky? If it were me, I¡¯d take anything to enhance my power.¡¯

    ¡°Are you certain about your decision, Princess?¡± Tien Ha asked, raising an eyebrow.

    ¡°Yes, I am,¡± Tajmani replied firmly. ¡°Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I need to replenish my Blood Pool.¡± She turned to Raphael. ¡°Slave! Fetch me a towel and a Blood Replenishing Potion from my bag.¡±

    Raphael hesitated for a moment, then scurried to obey. He rummaged through the massive bag and retrieved the requested items. He presented them to the princess with a bow.

    Meanwhile, Lin and Mei were engaged in a heated debate over who would claim the Demonic Grape Sprout¡¯s Solar Consciousness. In the end, they decided to settle it with a classic game of rock-paper-scissors.

    ¡°Rock, paper, scissors!¡±

    Lin threw scissors, while Mei threw paper.

    ¡°Yes! I won!¡± Lin started jumping up and down with excitement.

    ¡°Darn it.¡± Mei pouted, but she accepted her defeat gracefully.

    Lin droopingly approached the Demonic Grape Sprout¡¯s Solar Consciousness and, with a deep breath, began the process of absorbing it into her Soul Orbital.

 Chapter 6 - Crimson Fang Hound

    Tajmani, Lin, and Mei were seated on luxurious red towels that had been spread across the snowy ground. They were in meditative postures; eyes closed; breaths slow and steady. They had each consumed a Blood Replenishing Potion, and the potent energy from the potion was circulating through their bodies, revitalizing their depleted Blood Pools.

    For a Bloodthorne cultivator, the Blood Pool was the foundation of their power. It was a reservoir of vital energy that fueled their bloodline abilities and enhanced their physical and mental capabilities. A strong Blood Pool was essential for both combat and cultivation.

    The Silver Blood Knights, Tien Ha and Gerald, stood guard; on alert for any signs of danger. Raphael stood behind Tajmani, silently observing her. He was impressed by her progress. She had awakened her Soul Orbital at a young age and possessed formidable bloodline abilities, unlike him.

    The peaceful silence was shattered by a sudden, resonating boom that emanated from Lin¡¯s dantian.

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±

    Tajmani and Mei opened their eyes, startled by the sound.

    Lin let out a sigh of relief. ¡°Finally! I¡¯ve successfully integrated the Demonic Grape Sprout¡¯s Solar Consciousness into my Soul Orbital!¡±

    She stood up with a wide grin spreading across her face. ¡°I feel¡­ different. Heavier, somehow. Like there¡¯s a powerful energy waiting to be unleashed.¡±

    Fixing her elbows to her side and clenching her fists, she released the pent up energy by summoning her Soul Orbital. The large red sphere with its single orbiting ring materialized above her head. Within the ring, a small purple orb was now orbiting the main Solar Consciousness. This purple orb was Lin¡¯s first Soul Planet.

    Lin extended her left hand and focused her attention on a nearby tree. Unleashing her intent, a single drop of blood shot out from her fingertip and struck the tree¡¯s trunk.

    BOOM!

    The tree exploded into a million splinters. The force of the blast was so great that it created a radial wave that rippled through the air, leveling several nearby trees and blasting away the falling snow, leaving a visible arc-shaped crater on the ground.

    Everyone in the clearing gasped in astonishment.

    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s incredible!¡± Tajmani couldn¡¯t help but express her amazement.

    Lin smirked. ¡°It is, isn¡¯t it? Too late to regret giving up that Solar Consciousness now, Tajmani.¡±

    Tajmani pretended to be unfazed. ¡°Hmph. I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll find something far more powerful.¡±

    Tien Ha stepped forward. ¡°Now that you¡¯ve all recovered, we should continue our exploration. Princess Tajmani still needs to find a suitable host for her Soul Orbital.¡±

    On que, Raphael quickly packed up Tajmani¡¯s towels and the other belongings before slinging the heavy bag over his shoulder. He was eager to leave this strange and unsettling place.

    ¡­

    The group ventured deeper into the Blood Forest while keeping an eye out for any signs of a creature worthy of the princess¡¯s power.

    Raphael carefully navigated the treacherous path. He stepped over fallen branches and icy patches.

    The group was following a frozen stream; a route suggested by Tien Ha, who believed that more creatures would frequent a water source. He had been proven right. They had encountered several strange and fascinating creatures along the way, but none that had piqued Tajmani¡¯s interest. Fortunately, the creatures had not been aggressive, and the group had managed to avoid any confrontations.

    Despite the relative peace, Raphael felt that following the stream was risky. The Blood Forest was unpredictable, and danger could lurk around any crimson corner.

    ¡°GRRR!¡±

    A sudden, loud growl made Raphael jump. His heart pounded in his chest as he instinctively reached for a weapon that he didn¡¯t have.

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    He quickly realized that the growl had not come from a monstrous beast, but from Tajmani¡¯s stomach.

    Gerald chuckled. ¡°Seems like someone is hungry.¡±

    Tien Ha agreed. ¡°It¡¯s been a while since our last meal. We should take a short break.¡±

    Silver Blood Knights of their caliber could go for days without food, but the younger cultivators needed sustenance.

    Without a shred of politeness, Tajmani snapped her fingers at Raphael. ¡°Slave! Unload the food!¡±

    Raphael hurried to obey. He started unpacking the various delicacies that Tajmani had brought along for the journey.

    Tajmani and her friends settled down to enjoy their meal, but Tajmani forbade Raphael from partaking. He could only watch as they feasted on exotic fruits and savory meats.

    Gerald observed the princess¡¯s harsh treatment of Raphael with a frown. He wondered why she was so cruel to the young man, but he kept his thoughts to himself.

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±

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    While the others ate, Raphael wandered off to explore the nearby shrubs and ice formations. He did this to snack on a parchment of food he had stolen without Tajmani¡¯s notice.

    ¡®She¡¯s crazy if she thinks I¡¯m going to starve to death.¡¯

    While snacking and exploring, his eyes were drawn to a colorful butterfly that had landed on a broad, red leaf.

    ¡®Looks so pretty.¡¯

    He reached out to touch it, but Gerald stopped him. ¡°Don¡¯t touch that, boy. It¡¯s poisonous.¡±

    ¡°Huh, poison?¡±

    Raphael quickly withdrew his hand. A wave of relief washed over him. He thanked Gerald for the warning and then excused himself behind a large ice formation to relieve himself.

    As he was doing his business, a low whimper caught his attention. He zipped up his pants and cautiously peeked around the ice.

    There, trapped in a thicket of thorny vines, was a small, injured wolf cub. It had a patch of white fur and dazzling blue eyes. Its fur was matted with blood, and its whimpers were heart-wrenching.

    ¡°Oh, you poor thing.¡±

    Despite his fear, Raphael couldn¡¯t bear to leave the creature to suffer. He carefully approached the thicket and, with gentle hands, began to untangle the vines.

    The wolf cub whined in pain as Raphael freed it from its thorny prison. Once it was free, it gratefully licked Raphael¡¯s fingers.

    ¡°Woah, its tongue is really cold.¡± He remarked.

    ¡°AWOOOOOOOOOO!¡±

    A spine-chilling howl suddenly cut through the peaceful atmosphere.

    ¡°What was that?¡± Raphael cried out in alarm. He quickly returned to the group to be safe.

    ¡°It seems our mealtime is over. We have company.¡± Tien Ha turned his gaze to the forest.

    ¡°Judging by that howl, it¡¯s a powerful presence,¡± Gerald added.

    Tajmani¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement. ¡°Powerful, you say? Come out and show yourself, you cowardly beast!¡±

    ¡°Tajmani, are you for real?¡±

    Her friends tried to shush her, but she ignored them.

    A series of howls answered her challenge, each one more menacing than the last. It was clear that whatever was out there, it wasn¡¯t alone.

    ¡°Could it be¡­?¡± Tien Ha¡¯s expression turned grave.

    The answer to his unspoken question came a moment later as the frozen trees in front of them exploded outwards.

    A gigantic beast, over twenty-five meters tall, emerged from the forest¡¯s depths. It was a Crimson Fang Hound ¨C a creature of nightmares. Its fur was as white as the snow, except for the blood-red streaks that adorned its flanks. Its eyes glowed with an icy, predatory intensity. It possessed razor-sharp claws and teeth, two large protruding fangs and a long, fluffy tail with a tip made of pure ice.

    ¡°It looks familiar¡­¡± Raphael thought, but before he could recall where he had seen it before, several smaller Crimson Fang Hounds emerged from the surrounding trees, flanking their massive leader.

    ¡°We¡¯re surrounded,¡± Gerald noted grimly.

    Tien Ha explained to Tajmani, ¡°Crimson Fang Hounds¡­ they are pack hunters, known for their ferocity and cunning. They can drain the blood of their prey in a matter of seconds.¡±

    ¡°And the leader¡­ she¡¯s pregnant,¡± Gerald observed. ¡°That¡¯s unusual. Crimson Fang Hound mothers usually don¡¯t hunt with the pack. I wonder why she¡¯s here¡­¡±

    Tien Ha added, "Perhaps she''s seeking something specific... or protecting something."

    The answer remained elusive as the Crimson Fang Hounds circled them. It seems a battle was inevitable.

    Tien Ha began, instructing the group on how to proceed. ¡°In a situation like this, with multiple opponents, it¡¯s crucial to prioritize targets and coordinate our attacks. Gerald and I will focus on the mother Crimson Fang Hound, while you three handle the smaller ones. Remember to¡ª¡±

    ¡°HYAAAAH!¡±

    Tien Ha¡¯s words were cut short by a sudden cry as he watched in disbelief as Tajmani leaped over his head, charging straight towards the colossal mother Crimson Fang Hound.

    ¡°Princess, get back!¡±

    His warning went unheeded. Tajmani had already materialized her twin Blood Swords and launched a fierce attack on the beast.

    CLANG!

    The Crimson Fang Hound effortlessly blocked the princess¡¯s attack with its massive fang. With a casual flick of its paw, it sent Tajmani flying through the air like a rag doll.

    CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

    The sickening sound of bones breaking echoed through the clearing as Tajmani hurtled through the air.

    Tien Ha cursed under his breath as he moved with lightning speed to intercept the princess¡¯s trajectory. He caught her just before she crashed into a tree, but the impact still sent a jolt through his body.

    ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Tajmani coughed up a mouthful of blood. She was injured, but thankfully still alive.

    ¡®Dammit, princess! Why do you always have to act so recklessly!¡¯ Tien Ha thought with frustration.

    A smaller Crimson Fang Hound saw an opening and pounced towards the injured princess and her protector.

    WHAM!

    Suddenly, Gerald materialized beside them. With a powerful punch, he sent the smaller hound flying backwards into a tree with a sickening thud.

    ¡°Are you alright, Princess?¡± Gerald asked with concern.

    Tajmani, despite her injuries, still managed to boast, ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m not that easy to kill.¡±

    ¡®She¡¯s delusional¡­¡¯ Tien Ha thought.

    Knowing that Tajmani was in no condition to fight, Tien Ha decided to relocate her to a safer location. He leaped back towards Lin and Mei with the injured princess.

    ¡°Take care of her,¡± he instructed, handing Tajmani over to her friends. He then encased them within a protective Blood Sphere. ¡°Stay inside. Gerald and I will handle the rest.¡±

    ¡°What about me?!¡± Raphael cried out in panic. He rushed towards the Blood Sphere and began banging on its crimson surface. ¡°Let me in!¡±

    But Tien Ha and Gerald were already engaged in a fierce battle with the Crimson Fang Hounds. They didn¡¯t hear Raphael¡¯s pleas.

    ¡°Please, let me in!¡± Raphael begged Lin and Mei.

    The two girls looked at him with cold indifference. ¡°Your time has come, dog,¡± Lin sneered.

    ¡°Just accept your fate,¡± Mei added.

    ¡°Dammit!¡±

    Raphael knew that he couldn¡¯t rely on them for protection. He had to find a way to survive on his own. He turned and fled in the opposite direction.

    Unfortunately, his escape was short-lived. A large Crimson Fang Hound landed in front of him, blocking his path. Its fangs were bared, and saliva dripped from its jaws, anticipating the taste of his blood.

    Raphael knew he couldn¡¯t outrun the beast, yet he had to try. He turned and began fleeing.

    The Crimson Fang Hound lunged at him with its claws extended. In his haste, Raphael glanced over his shoulder and became mortified. He tripped and fell in the snow. He closed his eyes and waited for the killing blow. His life flashed before his eyes. He had always been treated like a dog, and now he was going to die like one.

    In his final moments, he thought of Butler Long, the only person who had ever shown him kindness. A wave of sadness washed over him. He waited for the searing pain of the hound''s claws, but it never came.

    ¡°Huh? What¡¯s going on?¡±

    Confused, Raphael opened his eyes. The Crimson Fang Hound was no longer attacking him.

    ¡°Woof! Woof!¡±

    He heard a familiar whimper, followed by a series of barks. He turned around and saw the little white wolf cub that he had rescued earlier, standing defiantly between him and the Crimson Fang Hound.

    ¡°Did it¡­ save me?¡±

    Raphael realized that the little wolf cub was communicating with the larger hound, probably explaining how Raphael had freed it from the thorny vines.

    ¡°Please, don¡¯t kill me! I saved your cub!¡± Raphael pleaded while making exaggerated gestures with his hands.

    The Crimson Fang Hound seemed to understand. It hesitated for a moment, then turned and ran towards the main battle, where Tien Ha and Gerald were fighting the mother Crimson Fang Hound and the rest of the pack.

    Raphael let out a sigh of relief. He was alive.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± he whispered to the little wolf cub. ¡°You saved my life.¡±

    The little wolf cub wagged its tail and nuzzled against Raphael¡¯s leg, as if to say, ¡®You¡¯re welcome.¡¯

    ¡°I should keep this little guy close just in case I¡¯m attacked again.¡± He picked up the cub and hid behind a concealing block of ice, out of sight of the ferocious beasts.

 Chapter 7 - Silver Blood Knightsâ€™ Strike

    ¡°AWOOOO!¡±

    ¡°Die, you dogs!!¡±

    BOOM! BOOM!

    Tien Ha and Gerald were a whirlwind of destruction amidst the charging horde of Crimson Fang Hounds.

    Gerald fought with a ferocious, animalistic intensity. His fists were a dazzling solstice of horror as he punched through the hounds. Blood splattered all around, drenching everything crimson. He was a fighting machine, unyielding and unstoppable.

    Tien Ha, on the other hand, employed a more elegant and deadly fighting style. He controlled seven blood-red daggers with his spirit energy. Each dagger was moving with a life of its own as it sliced and diced through the hounds. The clearing was quickly becoming a gruesome scene of carnage, with severed limbs and disemboweled bodies littering the snow.

    The mother Crimson Fang Hound became enraged by the slaughter of her offspring. She let out a earsplitting howl and slammed her massive paw onto the ground.

    WHOOSH!

    A wave of crimson ice erupted from the point of impact and rushed towards the Silver Blood Knights.

    Tien Ha and Gerald were forced to dance through the treacherous icy onslaught with incredible agility. They deflected incoming shards and leaped over others.

    But the mother Crimson Fang Hound was relentless. She whipped her tail and sent forth a barrage of razor-sharp ice shards towards them.

    The Silver Blood Knights didn¡¯t panic. A quick glance at each other was all the communication they needed.

    Gerald charged downwards to meet the incoming ice shards head-on. He slammed his fists together, and a colossal arm, made entirely of condensed blood, materialized above him.

    The giant hand extended and swept downwards in a massive arc. The ice shards shattered against its crimson surface like fragile glass.

    ¡°Fowl beast! Get ready to be pulverized!¡±

    As Gerald pushed forward, the giant blood hand clenched into a fist and slammed into the mother Crimson Fang Hound¡¯s face with thunderous force.

    Crack!

    One of her massive fangs shattered, and her head snapped back as she crashed into a nearby tree.

    The Crimson Fang Hound roared in agony. She swung her tail in retaliation at Gerald, causing him to hurtle backwards with a bone-jarring impact.

    At the same time, Tien Ha seized his opportunity.

    ¡°Sky Falling Daggers!¡±

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    His seven daggers expanded to over ten meters in length. They plunged downwards from the sky and impaled the mother Crimson Fang Hound¡¯s massive body, effectively pinning her to the ground.

    ¡°GRAAAAAHHHHH!¡±

    The hound let out a howl of agony that shook the very foundations of the Blood Forest.

    ¡°Excellent work, Tien Ha!¡± Gerald shouted as he regained his footing.

    Inside the Blood Sphere, Lin and Mei were awestruck by the Silver Blood Knights¡¯ display of power.

    ¡°They haven¡¯t even released their Soul Orbitals yet,¡± Lin whispered. ¡°It¡¯s simply breathtaking.¡±

    Tajmani, who was still recovering from her injuries, was circulating her inner energy to accelerate her healing process. Her bloodline legacy granted her a remarkable regenerative ability, and her wounds were already closing rapidly. She was eager to join the fight and finish off the Crimson Fang Hound herself.

    ¡°My turn now.¡±

    Tajmani¡¯s wounds had completely healed. She rose from her meditative posture and boldly stepped out of the Blood Sphere.

    The battle was far from over, but she was no longer content to watch from the sidelines. She cracked her knuckles and charged forward with a fierce cry.

    ¡°HYAAAAH!¡±

    Her eyes fell upon the mother Crimson Fang Hound¡¯s massive fang, which had been broken off during the earlier clash with Gerald. It was sticking out of the ice like a grotesque trophy.

    She reached the fang and yanked it free. She then dashed towards the still-pinned mother hound.

    ¡°Take this, you overgrown mutt!¡±

    Tajmani leaped into the air and plunged the fang deep into the hound¡¯s right eye.

    SPLAT!

    Blood sprayed everywhere, coating Tajmani¡¯s face in a crimson mask.

    ¡°Die! Die! Die!¡±

    She twisted the fang deeper, relishing the beast¡¯s agony.

    Tien Ha and Gerald, who had been momentarily stunned by her reckless actions, quickly flew to her side.

    ¡°Princess, are you alright?¡±

    Tajmani licked the blood from her lips and grinned. ¡°Never better.¡±

    She then let out a hysterical laugh and flipped backward, landing gracefully on the tip of a protruding ice shard.

    Witnessing their leader¡¯s brutal injury and the princess¡¯s terrifying display of savagery, the surrounding Crimson Fang Hounds whimpered and fled into the depths of the forest.

    ¡°Cowards!¡± Tajmani taunted.

    She didn¡¯t bother pursuing them. Her target was the mother Crimson Fang Hound, and she had no intention of letting it escape.

    Lin and Mei flew up to Tajmani¡¯s side. ¡°Wow, that was incredible! You delivered the finishing blow!¡±

    Tajmani accepted their praises with a smug smile. She then sniffed the air and frowned. ¡°So, he¡¯s still alive?¡±

    She shouted, ¡°Slave! Come out here! The party¡¯s over!¡±

    Raphael, who had been hiding behind the ice formation with the little wolf cub, heard Tajmani¡¯s call.

    ¡®Her sense of smell is incredible,¡¯ he thought in surprise.

    Before revealing himself, he gently placed the wolf cub on the ground. ¡°Go on, little one. Run and hide. I don¡¯t want her to hurt you.¡±

    The cub whimpered and nudged Raphael¡¯s hand with its nose as if to thank him before disappearing into the forest.

    Raphael then emerged from his hiding place. He started pretending to be amazed by the sight of the defeated Crimson Fang Hound.

    ¡°Wow, Princess! You¡¯re so strong! You single-handedly defeated that monster!¡±

    Tajmani puffed out her chest with pride. ¡°Of course I did. I¡¯m the strongest princess in the entire Bloodthorne Empire!¡±

    Tien Ha and Gerald exchanged an exasperated look. They had done most of the work, but Tajmani was taking all the credit.

    ¡°Now then, it¡¯s time to claim my prize.¡±

    Tajmani began approaching the mother Crimson Fang Hound. But just as she was about to extract its Solar Consciousness, the beast let out a powerful snort. A gust of icy wind blasted from its nostrils that shattered the ice shard that Tajmani was standing on.

    ¡°She¡¯s still alive!¡±

    Everyone scattered to avoid being hit by the falling ice.

    Despite its injuries, the Crimson Fang Hound was not ready to give up. It let out a defiant howl, struggled to its feet, and began to flee deeper into the Blood Forest.

    ¡°Trying to escape? Not on my watch!¡±

    Tajmani was determined to claim her prize. ¡°After it! Don¡¯t let it get away!¡±

    The group dashed off in pursuit of the fleeing beast.

    ¡°Hey, wait up!¡± Raphael hurriedly shouldered the heavy bag and ran after them, not wanting to be left behind in this dangerous place.

    The chase was on.

 Chapter 8 - The Chase

    ¡°AWOOOOOOOOOOO!¡±

    The wounded Crimson Fang Hound mother unleashed a powerful roar that resonated through the frozen land. It was a howl of defiance, a perfect exemplification of her indomitable spirit. The sheer force of her vocalization shattered trees and pulverized ice formations, clearing a path through the dense Blood Forest.

    Close behind the fleeing beast, Tien Ha and Gerald were running side by side. Tajmani and her friends were a few meters behind them.

    At the very back of the chasing mob was Raphael, struggling to keep up with the others. Despite the biting cold, sweat poured down his face, soaking his thin clothing. His breath came in ragged gasps, and his legs burned with exhaustion.

    He leaped over fallen branches and dodged the scattered remains of unfortunate creatures that had been caught in the path of the Crimson Fang Hound''s destructive howl. He stumbled and his foot landed in a pile of glistening entrails. The stench of death hit his nostrils and caused him to gag.

    ¡°This is¡­?¡±

    Raphael grimaced as he realized the extent of the hound¡¯s destructive power. Her howl had not only cleared a path but had also injured and killed many of the forest''s inhabitants. He felt sympathy for the fallen creatures, but he couldn¡¯t afford to dwell on it. He had to catch up with the others.

    ¡°This beast is fast for being so wounded,¡± Tien Ha observed.

    Gerald agreed. ¡°She¡¯s fueled by adrenaline and maternal instincts. She¡¯s desperate to protect her unborn pups.¡±

    The two Silver Blood Knights exchanged a knowing glance. They increased their speed, preparing to close the distance between themselves and the fleeing hound.

    However, just then, the mother Crimson Fang Hound sensed the pursuit closing in. she glanced back with her one remaining eye. Flicking her tail, she started launching multiple rapidly growing ice shards towards her pursuers.

    ¡°Incoming!¡± Tien Ha shouted a warning.

    He and Gerald reacted instantly. They slammed their hands together, and a massive wall of condensed blood materialized in front of the group and intercepted the deadly ice projectiles.

    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

    As the shards shattered against the crimson barrier, a shower of icy fragments began raining down on them.

    The brief delay allowed the Crimson Fang Hound to gain some distance.

    ¡°Dammit, she¡¯s persistent!¡± Tajmani cursed. ¡°I won¡¯t let her escape! Silver Blood Knights, do your job! If you fail to capture this beast, I¡¯ll complain to my mother about your incompetence!¡±

    ¡°Tsk!¡±

    Tien Ha bit back a retort. He loathed being threatened by a spoiled princess, but he knew better than to antagonize her. He simply nodded and resumed the pursuit with renewed vigor.

    "Hey! Hey! Wait up!" Raphael had finally caught up with the group just as they rushed forward again, leaving him behind once more. He groaned in frustration.

    Why was he always the one getting left behind?

    It was becoming increasingly annoying.

    ¡­

    ¡°Halt!¡± Tien Ha raised his clenched fist and signaled the group to stop.

    Before them stood a massive entrance to an ice cave. The jagged maw of the cave gaped open like the entrance to a frozen abyss. Twisted ice formations, resembling monstrous claws, framed the entrance, and an unnatural chill seeped out from within. The air that escaped was heavy with the metallic scent of blood.

    Gerald knelt down and examined the large trail of blood that stained the pristine snow. He traced its path with his finger, following it to the cave¡¯s entrance. ¡°The beast has gone inside.¡±

    Tajmani stepped ahead of the Silver Blood Knights and surveyed the blood trail herself. ¡°It¡¯s heavily wounded. It couldn¡¯t have gone far. Let¡¯s pursue it. We can finish it off inside the cave.¡±

    Tien Ha raised a hand to caution her against such a rash decision. ¡°Princess, we must exercise caution. We don¡¯t know what dangers lurk within that cave. It could be a trap.¡±

    Lin and Mei stepped forward, voicing their concerns. ¡°Princess, it¡¯s too risky. We could be ambushed. We don¡¯t know what¡¯s in there.¡±

    Tajmani scoffed at their apprehension. ¡°Are you afraid of a little darkness? I¡¯m a Bloodthorne princess! I fear nothing!¡±

    Tien Ha and Gerald exchanged a worried glance. ¡°We¡¯ve never encountered this ice cave structure before during our numerous visits to the Blood Forest. Could it have recently been erected? Or maybe we just missed it by chance?¡±

    Gerald shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s a mystery. But we can¡¯t afford to be careless.¡±

    While they stood outside, debating whether or not to enter the cave, Raphael finally caught up with the group. He was panting heavily. He dropped the heavy bag onto the ground with a thud, eager to get a moment¡¯s rest.

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    ¡°You useless dog! You¡¯re always lagging behind! Pick that up and let¡¯s go!¡± Tajmani¡¯s sharp voice cut his eardrums.

    ¡°Tsk.¡±

    Raphael gritted his teeth and muttered an apology. He knew that protesting would only lead to more punishment. He quickly picked up the bag and followed the others as they started walking towards the cave¡¯s entrance.

    The group moved cautiously. The Silver Blood Knights led the way, alert for any sign of danger.

    The cave was pitch black, and the air grew colder with each step they took. The only sound was the dripping of water, echoing eerily through the cavernous space. The oppressive silence and darkness were unnerving, which created an atmosphere of suspense and dread.

    ¡°Ouch!¡± Raphael cried out as his toe struck a sharp stone. ¡°Dammit! It¡¯s too dark in here!¡±

    He rummaged through the bag and pulled out a flashlight. He flicked it on, and a beam of light pierced the darkness and lit the path ahead.

    ¡°Yes, this is much better.¡±

    Tajmani and her friends turned around and saw the flashing light. They burst into mocking laughter.

    ¡°Look at the pathetic dog! He can¡¯t even see in the dark!¡± Lin jeered.

    ¡°He¡¯s so incompetent!¡± Mei added, clutching her stomach as she doubled over in laughter.

    Raphael¡¯s face flushed with embarrassment. It was true that he couldn¡¯t see in the dark like them. His bloodline powers hadn¡¯t awakened yet, leaving him at a disadvantage in this environment.

    ¡°Maybe if I had awakened my powers, I wouldn¡¯t need this stupid flashlight,¡± he muttered to himself.

    ¡°My little doggy truly knows how to make me laugh.¡±

    As they continued to follow the blood trail, Tajmani continued to mock Raphael¡¯s incompetence. Her taunts grew louder and more vicious with each step they took.

    ¡°Be silent, Princess,¡± Tien Ha finally spoke up. He was unable to bear her incessant mockery any longer. ¡°Your noise could alert any creatures that might be lurking within this cave.¡±

    ¡°Hmph!¡± Tajmani rolled her eyes but reluctantly complied.

    The group continued their cautious trek deeper into the frozen abyss.

    Rumble¡­

    Raphael was walking with them when a sudden tremor rippled through the cave. It was a subtle but unmistakable jolt that lasted for five seconds, causing everyone to pause and exchange wary glances.

    ¡°What was that?¡± Lin asked nervously.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but it felt¡­ unnatural.¡± Mei replied while scanning the surroundings.

    The tremor subsided, but a new sound replaced the silence. Low growls were growing steadily louder.

    ¡°Multiple presences. And they¡¯re not friendly.¡± Tien Ha confirmed.

    He pointed his finger towards a bend in the cave ahead. Glowing red eyes, like burning embers, materialized in the darkness. A dozen regular-sized Crimson Fang Hounds emerged from the shadows. Ice rose from beneath them that was forming a chilling platform as they advanced towards the group.

    ¡°Stay put. I¡¯ll take care of them.¡±

    Tien Ha confidently stepped forward. Seven blood-red daggers materialized above his right palm, spinning rapidly. Tien Ha aimed his deadly projectiles at the approaching hounds.

    ¡°GRAAAH!¡±

    The hounds lunged at their prey in synced coordination.

    Tien Ha smirked and took a battle stance. He then unleashed his blood daggers.

    ¡°Go!¡±

    WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

    The daggers moved with incredible speed like crimson streaks of lightning. One hound tried to shield itself with a hastily erected ice wall, but the dagger shattered the barrier and pierced its heart. Another hound attempted to dodge, but the dagger changed trajectory mid-flight, impaling it through the neck. Blood splattered against the icy walls, painting the cave in a macabre mural of violence.

    In a matter of seconds, Tien Ha had single-handedly slaughtered all of the hounds. Their lifeless bodies lay scattered across the cave floor.

    ¡°Impressive,¡± Gerald commented.

    Tajmani, ever eager to boast, scoffed. ¡°I could have killed them much faster.¡±

    ¡°Right, right.¡± Lin and Mei, knowing full well that Tajmani was exaggerating, nodded in feigned agreement.

    Gerald clapped Tien Ha on the shoulder. ¡°Good work. You made quick work of them.¡±

    Tien Ha surveyed the carnage. ¡°They were meant to delay us. Which means we¡¯re on the right track. The Crimson Fang Hound mother did come this way.¡±

    They continued their pursuit. A short while later, the blood trail vanished abruptly.

    ¡°She¡¯s being clever,¡± Gerald noted.

    Tien Ha nodded. ¡°But we¡¯re not easily fooled.¡±

    These individuals weren''t regular hunters, they were all Bloodthorne descendants. They could sense blood very keenly so it wasn¡¯t easy to fool their senses.

    As if to test their resolve, the group stumbled upon a dazzling display of treasures scattered across the cave floor. Glittering gems, dazzling crystals, rare herbs, and sparkling bones lay in abundance with an almost hypnotic allure.

    ¡°Wow, so much treasure!¡± Mei¡¯s eyes widened in amazement.

    ¡°This is¡­ strange.¡± Gerald frown. ¡°There¡¯s something suspicious about this.¡±

    Tien Ha agreed. ¡°It¡¯s as if these treasures were deliberately placed here. Could the mother hound have done this in the hope that we would be distracted and abandon our pursuit?¡±

    Gerald nodded. ¡°It¡¯s a possibility.¡±

    Tajmani, however, remained unfazed. ¡°Ignore the treasures. We can come back for them later. The only prize I want is the Crimson Fang Hound¡¯s Solar Consciousness!¡±

    Her determination was infectious, and the group followed her lead and continued their pursuit.

    ¡°We¡¯re just going to leave all of this behind?¡± Raphael lamented. He eyed the treasures longingly, but his bag was already overflowing with Tajmani¡¯s items.

    They pressed onward until they reached a crossroads. Three icy tunnels branched off in different directions. To their surprise, all three tunnels carried the faint scent of the mother hound¡¯s blood.

    Tien Ha examined the tunnels closely. ¡°She¡¯s trying to confuse us.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s remarkably intelligent for a beast,¡± Gerald commented.

    ¡°Enough of these games!¡± Tajmani¡¯s patience was wearing thin. ¡°I¡¯m tired of chasing shadows! Let¡¯s split up and find her!¡±

    Lin approached Tajmani. ¡°What should we do? Should we really split up?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely not!¡± Raphael interjected. ¡°It¡¯s a classic divide-and-conquer tactic! We can¡¯t fall for it!¡±

    While Tien Ha and Gerald debated the merits of splitting up, Lin and Mei sidled up to Tien Ha.

    ¡°We¡¯ll go with you, Sir Tien Ha,¡± Lin wrapped her hand around his arm in a flirtatious manner.

    Mei also mimicked her actions. ¡°We trust you to keep us safe, sir.¡±

    Tajmani rolled her eyes and, without a word, strode towards the tunnel on the far right.

    ¡°Princess¡­¡± Gerald followed close behind her.

    It seemed they had decided to split up after all.

    Raphael started to follow Tajmani, but she stopped him. ¡°There¡¯s a third tunnel that needs exploring.¡± She pointed towards the tunnel on the left.

    ¡°But Princess, I¡­¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t argue with me, dog! The hound could be hiding in any of these tunnels. I won¡¯t forgive you if you mess this up for me! Now go!¡±

    Raphael opened his mouth to protest, but Gerald intervened. He pulled a silver sword from his Nexus Plate and tossed it to Raphael.

    ¡°Is this supposed to make me feel any better?¡± Raphael grumbled.

    He reluctantly turned and headed towards the left tunnel with the sword and flashlight clutched tightly in his trembling hands.

    Tien Ha, Lin, and Mei ventured into the middle tunnel. Gerald and Tajmani disappeared into the right tunnel.

    And Raphael, alone and afraid, was left to face the unknown in the left tunnel.

 Chapter 9 - Alone In The Dark

    Raphael cautiously navigated the icy tunnel with his flashlight beam dancing frantically from left to right, illuminating the glistening walls and the ominous shadows that lurked within. His right hand gripped the silver sword tightly.

    ¡°Damn that Tajmani! Why did she have to suggest splitting up? What if a beast jumps out and attacks me?¡± He complained to himself.

    As if summoned by his anxious thoughts, his flashlight flickered, and a shadow seemed to rush past him. He didn¡¯t see what it was, but he felt the wind as it swept by.

    Panic seized him.

    ¡°I¡­ I need to turn back. If I turn back now, I might be able to catch up with the others. How foolish of me! I should have never ventured into this hell pit alone!¡±

    Raphael spun around and started running towards the tunnel entrance. But as he did, he bumped into something solid and fell to the ground with a yelp.

    ¡°Ouch!¡±

    He scrambled to his feet, frantically searching for his fallen flashlight. His fingers brushed against the cold, metallic surface, and he quickly grabbed it and aimed the beam ahead to identify what he had collided with.

    ¡°There wasn¡¯t a wall here a second ago, so how¡­?¡±

    As it traveled upwards, the light revealed a grotesque creature. It was a slug, but unlike any he had ever seen before. It was the size of a large bear, with a gaping maw filled with razor-sharp teeth. Slimy trails of a viscous, iridescent substance dripped from its body, pooling on the ground in a puddle. A hard, chitinous shell covered its back which gave it a monstrous appearance.

    Raphael¡¯s blood ran cold. The creature was staring directly at him with its beady, black eyes, as if sizing him up for a meal.

    ¡°Oh no¡­ Oh no, no, no¡­¡±

    He spun around, desperate to flee further into the tunnel, but he bumped into another slug monster.

    ¡°There are two of them?!¡±

    Terror gripped him like a vise. He had never been so scared in his life. His heart pounded in his chest so loudly that he could feel a subtle tremor in the cave.

    Raphael began desperately searching for a way out of this predicament.

    Suddenly, one of the slugs lunged at him and its gaping maw snapped shut just inches from his face. He dodged the attack, but the creature¡¯s slime splattered against his large bag.

    ¡°HISS!¡±

    To his horror, he realized the slime was acidic. The bag began to melt where it had been hit.

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    ¡°Tajmani¡¯s stuff!¡±

    The worry lasted only briefly as he took in his dire situation. He tore the heavy bag from his shoulders and tossed it aside. The sudden absence of weight was a welcome relief. He felt lighter, more agile.

    ¡°SCREEECH!¡±

    Both Vampire Slugs attacked simultaneously. They curled up into balls and rolled towards him with surprising speed.

    Raphael reacted instinctively. He jumped.

    ¡°Woah!¡±

    He was surprised by the height of his jump. The absence of the heavy bag had significantly increased his agility. He had always been nimble, but the constant burden had weighed him down.

    Mid-air, he watched as the two Vampire Slugs collided with each other. Sparks flew as their hard shells clashed.

    He landed roughly on his feet and observed the dazed creatures. He forced himself to calm down and took deep breaths to steady his nerves.

    ¡°I need to remember what Butler Long taught me about swordsmanship.¡±

    His mind drifted back to a time when he was thirteen years old¡­

    A vast expanse of icy grass stretched out before him. The wind howled through the frozen landscape.

    Raphael stood opposite Butler Long. Both of them were holding wooden swords.

    ¡°Remember, Raphael. Swordsmanship is not just about brute strength. It¡¯s about balance, and control. It¡¯s about understanding your opponent¡¯s temperament and anticipating their moves.¡±

    ¡°I understand, Butler Long,¡± Raphael replied.

    ¡°Good. Now, show me what you¡¯ve learned.¡±

    With one hand behind his back, Butler Long lunged forward¡­

    ¡°Huh!¡±

    Raphael¡¯s eyes snapped open to the present. His breathing was now calm and measured. A fierce willpower hardened his gaze which mirrored the sharp edge of the silver sword he held. For a fleeting moment, an imposing aura emanated from him, as if his gaze alone could cut the Vampire Slugs to pieces.

    But the facade was short-lived. As soon as the slugs began rolling towards him again, his badass demeanor shattered like a dropped vase.

    ¡°AHHH!¡±

    He yelled and rolled out of the way just in time. The slugs crashed into the icy wall and tore off a large chunk of ice.

    Despite his fear, Raphael took note of the slugs¡¯ rough, chitinous shells.

    ¡°My sword skills won¡¯t be able to penetrate that,¡± he realized. ¡°Their only weak point is their underbelly.¡±

    But that posed another problem. He remembered the acidic slime that coated their undersides.

    Could he risk getting close enough to stab them?

    Even a small splash of that slime could cause severe burns, and without awakened bloodline powers, healing from such injuries would be difficult, if not impossible.

    ¡°It¡¯s too risky. I need to play it safe.¡±

    But for how long could he dodge their attacks before his stamina ran out? And what if another Vampire Slug appeared? Dealing with three would be exponentially harder.

    He dodged another attack while thinking.

    His options were limited:

    Continue dodging and hope for a miracle: This was the safest option, but also the most passive. He couldn¡¯t dodge forever.

    Try to lure them into another trap: Perhaps he could collapse a section of the tunnel on them or lead them into a crevice. But finding such a trap in the darkness and maneuvering the slugs into it would be incredibly difficult.

    Risk a close-range attack: This was the most dangerous option, but also the most likely to succeed. If he could time his attack perfectly and avoid the acidic slime, he might be able to kill them.

    He glanced down at the sword in his hand, analyzing its length and features.

    ¡°It¡¯s a double-edged blade, forged from Alucrum steel, so it is durable enough. The reach is¡­ fifty-seven inches. Not bad. However, the weight¡­¡±

    The length and weight of the sword was both an advantage and a disadvantage. It gave him a greater reach, explosive power, but it also made it harder to maneuver in the confined space of the tunnel, especially while holding the flashlight.

    ¡°If I¡¯m quick enough, I might be able to execute a strike without getting any slime on me. But can my body react fast enough?¡±

    What he needed most was courage. He had to take a risk.

    ¡°Alright, screw it! Fortune favors the bold!¡±

 Chapter 10 - Vampire Slugs

    Raphael cautiously circled the dazed Vampire Slugs as he shined his flashlight on them while sidestepping slowly. He noticed something peculiar. When the light hit their eyes, they seemed to shrivel inward, as if recoiling from the sudden brightness.

    ¡°I get it now! So that¡¯s why their aim has been so inaccurate. They¡¯re sensitive to light!¡±

    He realized that the slugs were relying on other senses to navigate the dark tunnel and that their vision was impaired by the sudden bursts of light. This was a weakness he could exploit.

    Raphael leaped back, lowered his flashlight slightly, and waited for the opportune moment to strike.

    One of the slugs began to fold itself into a ball as it prepared to launch another attack.

    ¡°Now!¡± Raphael timed it perfectly. He shone the flashlight directly into the creature¡¯s eyes.

    The slug flinched and squinted.

    Raphael seized the opportunity. He dashed forward with all his might. He slid across the icy ground and slashed his sword upwards at the creature¡¯s exposed underbelly just before it could fully curl into a defensive ball.

    ¡°SCREEEECH!¡±

    The slug screamed in agony as the blade sliced through its soft flesh. It rolled past Raphael, leaving a trail of slime in its wake, and crashed into the wall with a thud.

    Raphael quickly jumped to his feet and inspected his sword for any traces of slime.

    ¡°Did I get any on me?¡±

    He checked his clothes and skin. He was clean. He then examined the sword itself. The Alucrum steel was unscathed. His gamble had paid off.

    ¡°Yes!¡±

    He didn¡¯t have time to celebrate. The other slug was already rolling towards him.

    RUMBLE!

    Raphael dodged the attack with newfound confidence. He was no longer the terrified slave boy who had entered this tunnel. He was a survivor and a warrior of sorts.

    ¡°I can actually do this. Death hasn¡¯t conquered me yet!¡±

    The wounded slug that got its stomach slashed open, unfurled itself and glared at Raphael with hatred.

    ¡°What are you looking at, you slimy bastard? You attacked me first!¡±

    Raphael didn¡¯t hesitate. He shone the flashlight into the creature¡¯s eyes, causing it to stumble backward. He dashed forward again and this time plunged his sword beneath its chin, directly into its brain.

    ¡°SCREEEECH!¡±

    The slug convulsed and choked violently before collapsing to the ground in its own slime.

    Raphael quickly withdrew his sword, careful not to get splattered by the acidic goo.

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    Enraged by the death of its companion, the remaining slug spit a stream of acid at Raphael¡¯s back. He adroitly dodged to the side, but in doing so, he stepped into a puddle of slime.

    ¡°HISS!¡±

    The acid began to melt his boots.

    Raphael¡¯s eyes widened in alarm.

    ¡°No, no, no!¡±

    This was bad. The slime was not only acidic, but it was also slowing him down. His movements were becoming sluggish, and his boots were starting to disintegrate.

    He had to finish this fight quickly, or he would be the next victim of the Vampire Slugs.

    ¡°Ok, this should be easier now that I know how to defeat them.¡±

    Raphael attempted to replicate his successful tactic on the remaining Vampire Slug, but this time, it was prepared. The creature kept its eyes tightly shut and relied on its other senses to locate its prey.

    RUMBLE!

    The slug began to roll wildly in an erratic arc around the cave. Raphael struggled to keep track of it with his flashlight while dodging the creature¡¯s unpredictable movements. The slug moved with surprising agility, traversing the floor and ceiling with ease, leaving a trail of acidic slime in its wake.

    Raphael realized his boots were almost completely melted. He scanned his surroundings and quickly climbed onto a large rock that hadn¡¯t been exposed to the corrosive slime.

    Holding the flashlight and the sword, he waited in anticipation.

    The slug rolled towards him again at an incredible speed.

    ¡°This is my chance.¡±

    As it approached, Raphael dashed to the side and, with a swift, decisive move, plunged his sword into the creature¡¯s side while it was still folded up.

    The sword lodged deep into the slug¡¯s flesh, and Raphael lost his grip on the weapon. He also dropped his flashlight in the process.

    He tried to retrieve the light, but it was covered in slime that was rapidly eating through its casing. The light flickered in and out, but its faint glow still bounced off the cave walls, providing minimal illumination.

    The slug unfolded and revealed the sword protruding from its side.

    ¡°That wasn¡¯t a fatal strike,¡± Raphael observed. ¡°But if it folds up again, it¡¯ll only lodge the sword deeper.¡±

    His observation proved correct. The slug screeched at him but didn¡¯t attempt to roll up. Instead, it began slithering towards him as it charged up a powerful acidic slime attack that was causing its neck to glow ominously

    Raphael¡¯s eyes widened in terror. He scrambled backward while desperately trying to formulate a plan.

    The Vampire Slug finished charging its attack. Its body was bloated and glowing.

    ¡°SCREEEECH!¡±

    The slug unleashed a torrent of acidic slime.

    ¡°Oh no! here it comes!¡±

    Raphael panicked. He dove behind the fallen slug and used its hard shell as a shield.

    ¡°HISS! HISS!¡±

    The slime splattered against the shell, some splashed onto Raphael¡¯s clothes and exposed skin. It burned through his shirt, pants, and even his hair.

    ¡°ARGH! IT BURNS!¡±

    He screamed in agony then realized that his makeshift shield wouldn¡¯t hold for much longer. He had to act fast.

    Adrenaline burning, Raphael made a desperate gamble. He rushed out from behind the slug, grabbed the slime-covered sword, ignored the searing pain in his hands, and thrust it upwards with all his might, splitting the creature¡¯s face in half.

    The slug let out a final, gurgling screech before collapsing to the ground. Oozing slime poured out from its injuries.

    ¡°It¡¯s dead.¡±

    Raphael didn¡¯t have time to celebrate his victory. His entire body was on fire. The flesh on his arms and legs was melting away, and he felt like he was being consumed by acid.

    At this desperate moment, he remembered the Blood Replenishing Potion.

    ¡°If there¡¯s any left¡­¡±

    Thinking this, he sprinted towards his discarded bag. He fumbled through the bag in search of the potion. The darkness made it nearly impossible to see, but he eventually found it.

    He uncorked the vial and chugged down the potion like a wild animal.

    ¡°Please work¡­ Please¡­¡±

    He wasn¡¯t sure if it would work since he hadn¡¯t awakened his bloodline powers yet, but he was a Bloodthorne. It had to work, right?

    He collapsed onto the ground, writhing in agony. The potion wasn¡¯t taking effect immediately.

    ¡°ARGH! IT HURTS! IT HURTS SO MUCH!¡±

    His vision began to fade, and he felt like he was slipping away. Then, after what felt like an eternity, he felt a strange burning sensation in his chest. His heart pounded against his ribs as a wave of warmth spread through his body.

    The potion was working.

    His wounds began to close and the burned flesh was regenerating at an astonishing rate. The pain gradually subsided; replaced by a strange tingling sensation.

    Raphael lay there, gasping for breath.

    He had survived.

 Chapter 11 - Ominous Fire Pool

    A loud thud erupted through the icy tunnel, followed by the sound of a heavy body hitting the ground. Footsteps approached the fallen creature, and a trail of crimson blood began to seep from its wounds, flowing towards an outstretched hand.

    The blood entered the palm, revealing the owner to be Gerald, his armor and face splattered with gore. Tajmani emerged from the shadows behind him, her clothes were similarly stained with the evidence of a recent battle.

    ¡°That Blood Howler was quite a nuisance,¡± Gerald commented as he wiped his blood-soaked hand on his armor.

    ¡°Indeed. It took far too long to subdue,¡± Tajmani added with a hint of annoyance.

    They glanced around, taking in their surroundings. They had arrived in a large, cavernous chamber where multiple tunnels converged to this location.

    Pah! Pah! Pah!

    Footsteps echoed from one of the tunnels, and moments later, Tien Ha emerged, followed by Lin and Mei. Unlike Gerald and Tajmani, they were remarkably clean.

    ¡°You look like you had a¡­ rough time,¡± Tien Ha remarked, raising an eyebrow at the blood-soaked duo.

    ¡°Those Ice Burrowers were surprisingly agile,¡± Gerald explained with a grimace. ¡°They kept phasing in and out of the ice, making them difficult to hit. We had to resort to a messy solution.¡±

    ¡°A messy solution that got us covered in blood.¡± Tajmani was still frustrated by the ordeal.

    The group regrouped and shared their experiences from the past few minutes. They had encountered various creatures within the tunnels, each with unique abilities and challenges. But so far, they had not located the mother Crimson Fang Hound.

    ¡°Has the boy emerged yet?¡± Gerald inquired while glancing back towards the tunnel Raphael had entered.

    Tien Ha replied. ¡°No sign of him. Do you think he¡¯s fallen prey to some beast?¡±

    ¡°Most likely,¡± Lin said with a shrug. ¡°He wasn¡¯t exactly the strongest among us.¡±

    ¡°He was nothing but a useless dog,¡± Mei echoed Lin¡¯s sentiment.

    Tajmani, however, was more concerned about her belongings than Raphael¡¯s well-being. ¡°I hope he didn¡¯t damage my luggage.¡±

    ¡°Should we wait for him?¡± Gerald sense of responsibility was conflicting with their mission.

    Tien Ha shook his head. ¡°We can¡¯t afford to delay any longer. The mother hound is likely wounded and vulnerable. We must press our advantage.¡±

    He pointed towards a long, narrow passage that opened up at the far end of the chamber. A faint glow emanated from within, hinting at something beyond.

    ¡°That¡¯s our only path forward,¡± Tien Ha stated.

    Tajmani sniffed the air. Her keen sense of smell picked up a familiar scent. ¡°The mother hound is definitely up ahead.¡±

    Without hesitation, she started running down the passage.

    ¡°Princess, don¡¯t be so rash.¡± Tien Ha and her companions following close behind.

    As they moved deeper, they noticed that the icy ground beneath their feet was gradually thawing. The temperature was also rising. The glow at the end of the tunnel grew brighter with each step they took.

    What awaited them at the end of this strange, warming tunnel?

    Tajmani and the others reached the end of the passage where a vast chamber that stole their breath away. Before them lay a large pond of liquid fire of immense size and power. The atmosphere shimmered with heat, and tendrils of steam rose towards the ceiling, where they condensed and formed into sharp, ice-like stalactites that hung like a menacing chandelier.

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    Strange, crimson-barked trees with fiery leaves grew along the edges of the pool with their roots submerged in the molten liquid. Fish with scales that like molten gold swam within the fiery depths, seemingly impervious to the intense heat.

    ¡°There¡¯s a Fire Pool here? And it¡¯s so expansive?¡± Gerald was stunned. He had never encountered anything like it before during his Blood Forest exploration.

    Fire Pools were a relatively recent phenomenon on Gaia. Ever since the sun had returned and the ice had begun to melt, these pools of molten energy had started appearing all over the planet, slowly thawing the frozen landscape. They were considered breeding grounds for various creatures that had been frozen for eons, rare treasures were often found within their fiery depths, and they also possessed potent healing energy and Solar Essence, which was highly beneficial for cultivation.

    The reason empires like the Allucar and Earthling Empire were growing in power and influence was due to the abundance of Fire Pools within their territories. The Bloodthorne Empire, however, was shielded by the Dark Dome, which had limited the emergence of Fire Pools within their borders. This was why Gerald and Tien Ha were surprised to discover such a large and active Fire Pool deep within the Blood Forest.

    ¡°This is¡­ unexpected,¡± Tien Ha expressed his shock. ¡°I must report this to the elders when we return.¡±

    ¡°Look!¡± Tajmani¡¯s excited outburst interrupted him. She pointed towards the center of the Fire Pool.

    There, partially submerged in the molten liquid, lay the wounded Crimson Fang Hound mother. Her white fur was singed with blood. She whimpered softly, and was trembling from exhaustion and pain.

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Lin pointed at a swirling vortex of fire that surrounded the hound.

    Tien Ha¡¯s eyes widened in recognition. ¡°She¡¯s absorbing the Fire Pool¡¯s essence to heal herself.¡±

    And indeed, as they watched, the hound¡¯s wounds began to slowly close. The gash on her face, where Tajmani had stabbed her with the broken fang, was gradually knitting itself back together into a functioning eye ball.

    ¡°No! I won¡¯t let her heal!¡± Tajmani yelled in frustration.

    The hound¡¯s Solar Consciousness was within her grasp, and she was not about to let it slip away. She materialized her twin Blood Swords and charged towards the Fire Pool.

    ¡°Princess, stop!¡±

    Gerald reacted swiftly. He grabbed Tajmani by the arm and tossed her back with surprising force.

    ¡°Oof!¡±

    She landed on her backside with a thud.

    Lin and Mei gasped. Even they were taken aback by Gerald¡¯s rough treatment of the princess.

    Tajmani scrambled to her feet. She was flipping enraged. ¡°How dare you¡ª¡±

    ¡°Silence!¡± Tien Ha¡¯s sharp command cut her off.

    The ladies were puzzled. Why were the usually stoic Silver Blood Knights suddenly so serious?

    The answer came a moment later.

    ¡°AWOOOOOOOOOOO!¡±

    The Crimson Fang Hound mother let out a powerful howl that caused ripples to spread across the surface of the Fire Pool. Then, slowly, two golden horns emerged from the fiery depths followed by a deep, booming voice that resonated through the chamber.

    ¡°Oi, little minx, why have you awakened me from my slumber¡­?¡±

    The horns were followed by a massive, muscular body, covered in golden-bronze furs. Two glowing red eyes opened that burnt with an ancient fury. Liquid fire dripped from its form, and sizzled as it hit the pool. The creature was enormous. It dwarfed even the Crimson Fang Hound mother. It possessed a terrifying presence that made the very air crackle with energy.

    ¡°What¡­ What is that thing?¡± Tajmani whispered to her friends, who were equally stunned.

    ¡°A¡­ Golden Bull Thork?¡± Tien Ha and Gerald spoke in unison. Dread was evident in their voices.

    ¡­

    ¡°Huff¡­ huff¡­¡±

    Raphael emerged from the tunnel bruised and battered, but his spirit unbroken. He leaned heavily against the icy wall, using his left hand, which left a faint trail of blood as he dragged it along the rough surface for support.

    His clothes bore the gruesome evidence of his recent battle with the Vampire Slugs. Patches of red marked his skin where the acidic slime had burned him, but thankfully, the Blood Replenishing Potion had done its job, and the pain had subsided to a dull ache. Despite his injuries, he still carried Tajmani¡¯s heavy bag slung over his shoulder.

    Wasn¡¯t he so dutiful or perhaps he feared her wrath.

    ¡°Finally, I can see again.¡±

    He blinked until his eyes adjusted to the relative brightness of the cavernous chamber. The darkness of the tunnel had been oppressive, and the sudden influx of light, though faint, was almost blinding.

    His gaze drifted to the right where a mangled corpse lay sprawled on the ground. It was a creature unlike any he had ever seen before, with elongated body and a gaping maw filled with rows of needle-like teeth.

    ¡°That beast was brutally slain¡­¡± Raphael deduced that the others must have passed through here already.

    ¡°But where did they go?¡±

    As if in answer to his question, a loud, mournful howl came from a passage ahead. It was the unmistakable cry of the Crimson Fang Hound mother.

    ¡°They must have gone that way,¡± Raphael surmised, then started walking down the path. The silver sword in his right hand was dragging along the ground, leaving a faint metallic screech in its wake.

    He moved slowly and cautiously.

 Chapter 12 - Calamity

    ¡°A Golden Bull Thork?¡± Tien Ha and Gerald repeated this as they stared continually at the colossal beast that had emerged from the Fire Pool.

    ¡°What¡¯s a Golden Bull Thork? Have you encountered a beast like this before?¡± Tajmani directed her question at her assigned knights.

    With trembling lips, Tien Ha explained, ¡°I¡¯ve never personally encountered one, Princess, but I¡¯ve seen recordings detailing their existence. However, the ones I¡¯ve seen were far smaller, nothing compared to this behemoth.¡±

    Gerald added, ¡°The pressure it¡¯s emitting is immense. If Tien Ha and I weren¡¯t shielding you, you would have been crushed the moment it surfaced.¡±

    As if to punctuate his point, a trickle of blood escaped the corner of Gerald¡¯s mouth. He wiped it away with the back of his hand and glared at the Golden Bull Thork. His eyes glowed with an intense crimson light as he activated his bloodline ability, Blood Sight, to analyze the creature''s energy signature.

    Suddenly, his eyes pulped immensely. He exchanged a worried glance with Tien Ha, and then both Silver Blood Knights turned towards Tajmani and her companions.

    ¡°Its Solar Consciousness¡­ it¡¯s over a million years old. This Golden Bull Thork¡­ It¡¯s a Calamity.¡±

    The term ¡°Calamity¡± was a classification used to identify beasts whose Solar Consciousness had exceeded a million years. These creatures were incredibly rare and immensely powerful, existing at a level far beyond most cultivators, especially at the current state of Gaia. Above Calamity, there were even more terrifying classifications: Nightmare Calamity, Emperor Calamity, Void Emperor Calamity and Novas.

    A Calamity-level beast possessed abilities that defied comprehension. They could manipulate the very fabric of reality and unleash devastating attacks that could level mountains and obliterate entire cities. They were forces of nature, not to be trifled with.

    ¡°Calamity?¡± Tajmani and her friends were stunned. The implications of facing such a powerful entity were beginning to dawn on them.

    ¡°Our Silver Blood Knight strength pales in comparison to a Calamity like this,¡± Gerald explained gravely. ¡°Our only option is to withdraw. We cannot hope to defeat it.¡±

    ¡°You want us to flee? With our tails between our legs?¡± Tajmani was indignant. The Crimson Fang Hound¡¯s Solar Consciousness was so close, and she refused to give up without a fight.

    She reached for her Blood Swords, ready to launch a reckless attack, but Gerald reacted quickly. He delivered a sharp chop to the back of her neck and rendered her unconscious.

    ¡°Princess!¡± Lin and Mei cried out in alarm.

    ¡°Don¡¯t make any sudden moves,¡± Tien Ha urgently instructed. ¡°We need to retreat slowly and carefully. Do not provoke the Golden Bull Thork. Now follow me.¡±

    Though concern for their friend, Lin and Mei obeyed and started to slowly retreat the way they came.

    Meanwhile, the Crimson Fang Hound mother whimpered softly as she snuggled her head against the Golden Bull Thork¡¯s imposing, meaty, muscle-bound foreleg, seeking solace in his mighty presence.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ Little minx, what happened to you? You¡¯re bleeding all over.¡± The Golden Bull Thork assessed her wounded state. ¡°Is this your excuse for stealing my Fire Pool¡¯s essence?¡± His tone held a hint of both amusement and anger that would make even the bravest tremble.

    In response, the mother hound whined again as she shook her head vehemently in denial. Her gaze then hardened as she pointed her paw towards the retreating figures of the human hunters.

    ¡°Hmm?¡±

    The Golden Bull Thork slowly shifted his massive head in the direction of the hound''s paw. The moment his gaze fell upon the human group, an invisible force, immense and crushing, slammed down upon them.

    BOOM!

    ¡°What the hell is this?!¡± Gerald cried out as the oppressive weight threatened to flatten him against the cold ground.

    Tien Ha, Lin, and Mei cried out in terror and shock. It was as if an invisible mountain had been placed upon them, attempting to crush them into paste.

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    THUD!

    Tien Ha and Gerald were forced to their knees. They crashed against the ground as if bowing before an Emperor. They were struggling to breathe under the colossal pressure.

    Lin and Mei who were weaker than the knights, were pressed flat against the ground alongside the unconscious Tajmani; unable to even twitch under the immensity of the Golden Bull Thork''s presence.

    ¡°This is unreal! Just by gazing at us, it¡¯s crushing our bodies?!¡± Gerald gritted his teeth as blood trickled from his nose. He had never felt such power, such overwhelming might.

    Realizing the hopelessness of their situation and needing to protect the princesses even while retreating, both Silver Blood Knights, in a desperate last stand, decided to gamble everything. They began unleashing their full power for the first time since embarking on this journey.

    With mighty roars that shook the very foundations of the cavern, they activated their Soul Orbitals.

    ¡°HRAAAAAAH!¡±

    ¡°YAAAAAH!¡±

    A massive flow of crimson energy erupted outwards which was surrounding the two knights in an aura of destructive potential. Above each of them, a Solar Consciousness materialized with vibrant energy. Gerald¡¯s Solar Consciousness was larger than Tien Ha¡¯s, but both were undeniably powerful.

    Two Soul Orbitals started to oscillate around the spheres of pure Solar Energy. The first being an Astro Soul Orbital and the seconds being a Star Soul Orbital. Their presence amplified the knights¡¯ Solar Blood Power.

    Gerald''s first Soul Orbital had two Soul Planets and his second had seven Soul Planets orbiting its sun-like core.

    Tien Ha''s first Soul Orbital also had two Soul Planets and his second had six Soul Planets in tow.

    In total, Gerald had Nine Soul Planets while Tien Ha had Eighth Soul Planets, both beings powerhouses in their own right.

    As soon as their Soul Orbitals appeared, the crushing pressure vanished, allowing the knights to stand and the ladies to scramble up.

    ¡°Hmm?¡± The Golden Bull Thork let out a warm snort as he observed the knights'' Soul Orbitals, unimpressed.

    ¡°???¡±

    At first, the Crimson Fang Hound mother mistook the bull¡¯s reaction for fear. However, a cold sweat began rolling down her chin as she understood that the Golden Bull Thork wasn¡¯t intimidated. Instead, he was irritated that even more intruders had dared to set foot within his territory and disturbed his millennia-long slumber.

    ¡°You reckless pup! You bring these irritating parasites into my sanctuary, my Fire Pool?¡± The Golden Bull Thork angrily reprimanded the hound.

    The hound whimpered in apology, gesturing with her paws to indicate that the humans had caused her injuries. ¡°Protect me¡­ avenge me¡­¡± her gestures pleaded.

    ¡°I will do neither,¡± the Bull Thork declared, crushing her hopes. But then, he added, ¡°However, now that my lair has been disturbed, I can¡¯t allow these¡­ pests to escape.¡±

    The Crimson Fang Hound mother''s fear-stricken whimpers turned into growls of delight as she realized her revenge would be brutal.

    But for the human hunters, the bull''s pronouncement was a sentence of impending doom.

    ¡­

    ¡°Mhm.¡±

    ¡°Mhm.¡±

    Tien Ha and Gerald exchanged worried glances after hearing the Golden Bull Thork¡¯s declaration. They knew they were outmatched.

    ¡°The Calamity won¡¯t let us off easy. We need to retreat now!¡± Tien Ha yelled, then grabbed the unconscious Tajmani with one arm and then he swoop down to lift Lin up into his other arm.

    Gerald reacted by quickly lifting Mei who was dizzy from the pressure.

    Using their bloodline powers, they turned and shot through the tunnel like rockets propelled by an unseen force. The speed at which they hurtled backwards was astonishing. They resembled a blur of crimson and silver against the icy walls.

    ¡°Hmph! Trying to escape? How audacious!¡±

    SPLASH!

    The Golden Bull Thork slammed a massive hoof against the surface of the Fire Pool, which sent out strange and dangerous ripples.

    ¡°No prey has escaped me in thousands of years.¡± The bull¡¯s arrogance was not unwarranted.

    ¡­

    At the same time, in another section of the tunnel, Raphael was cautiously making his way forward. Suddenly, he glanced up and saw the Silver Blood Knights flash past overhead with the princesses in tow.

    ¡°What the¡­?¡± He barely had time to react before the force of their passage knocked him off his feet. He rolled backward several meters.

    ¡°Huh, that boy¡­¡± Gerald paused mid-flight upon recognizing Raphael. He made a move to turn back, but Tien Ha urgently grabbed his shoulder.

    ¡°Leave him, Gerald! We can¡¯t delay! Every second counts!¡±

    ¡°Oh, right!¡± Gerald reluctantly obeyed and resumed their escape.

    ¡°Wait! Don¡¯t leave me!¡± Raphael cried out desperately with outstretched arms.

    Then he heard a sound behind him. He turned and saw multiple streams of liquid fire erupting from the tunnel floor, chasing after the fleeing knights and rapidly gaining on his location.

    RUMBLE!

    The tunnel began to collapse as the fire ravaged its structure.

    ¡°Dammit! When will this hell show end!?¡±

    Raphael tossed aside Tajmani''s bag and ran as fast as he could, but it was no use. A stream of molten fire shot up beside him and the ground collapsed beneath his feet.

    ¡°ARGH!¡±

    He screamed as he descended into a hell of molten rock and searing heat.

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Looking back, Gerald saw Raphael''s descent and then noticed the fire stream rapidly catching up to them.

    ¡°Tien Ha, we need to go faster! That attack is almost upon us!¡±

    Tien Ha pushed their speed to the limit.

    ¡°Fly faster, please! We¡¯re going to die!¡± Lin and Mei were screaming for their survival.

    Their escape was now a desperate race against a wall of fire. The knights dodged and weaved through the crumbling tunnel.

    The Golden Bull Thork had no intention of letting them live to tell the story.

    ¡­

    Back at the Fire Pool, the Crimson Fang Hound mother watched the escaping humans and the following wall of flames with hopeful trepidation. She whimpered in anticipation as if to ask the bull if the humans were dead yet.

    ¡°Hmph!¡±

    The Golden Bull Thork hated to be questioned, especially by those whom he deemed lesser than him. In response to the hound''s query, he let out a haughty snort and then submerged himself entirely into the Fire Pool, leaving the hound to wait anxiously.

 Chapter 13 - Retribution or Obliteration?

    WHOOSH!

    Tien Ha and Gerald were like a shooting stars flying through the tunnels back to the exit with the fires of a vengeful Calamity on their heels.

    ¡°We¡¯re almost there!¡± Gerald shouted.

    Suddenly, a massive pillar of liquid fire exploded up before them. They screeched to a halt just inches from the molten inferno.

    Thud! Thud!

    Emerging from the flames, one massive, hoof at a time, came the imposing form of the Golden Bull Thork.

    The heat and the sheer size of the beast washed over the trapped hunters like a tangible entity, leaving no doubt that the escape attempt had failed spectacularly.

    ¡°Running away so soon? The fun has just begun.¡± The Golden Bull Thork''s thunderous voice reverberated through the tunnel and caused even more terror for the trapped humans.

    What would happen to them now? Retribution or¡­ obliteration?

    SNORTS!

    The Golden Bull Thork, a titan of muscle and rage, stood before them. Its golden body possessed an infernal glow that emanated from the Fire Pool¡¯s essence. Its eyes held an ancient wisdom mixed with unbridled fury. Each breath it took sent waves of searing heat through the tunnel that cooked the air with the pungent scent of sulfur.

    Tien Ha and Gerald stared at the imposing creature before them with terror trickling down their spines and settling in their sweaty nether regions. Their escape plan had backfired, and they were trapped like mice before a hungry cat.

    ¡°What now, Tien Ha?¡± Gerald''s anxious thoughts sounded in Tien Ha¡¯s mind via telepathic communication.

    ¡°We have no choice. We use ''Crimson Storm'', our most powerful combined attack. We¡¯ll have to blast our way through the tunnel behind the Calamity,¡± Tien Ha mentally responded. The hardened resolved in his mental voice reflected the gravity of their situation.

    Suddenly, their conversation was cut short by a spine-chilling energy spike emanating from the Golden Bull Thork. They glanced upward and saw its two magnificent golden horns crackling with power.

    Between the horns, a ball of incandescent energy was forming and growing with alarming speed. It pulsed ominously as energy spiraled up the length of the horns towards the growing ball. Multiple segments along the horns spun rapidly that caused streaks of lighting to illuminate their fear-stricken expressions. The sight of this attack charging caused goosebumps to break out across their skin.

    ¡°Oh shit!¡± Tien Ha was taken aback by the attack''s power.

    ¡°This¡­ This doesn¡¯t look good.¡± Gerald nervously commented.

    And then they heard it: ¡°Helios Stream - DIE!¡±

    BOOM!

    With a thunderous roar, the Golden Bull Thork unleashed the devastating attack that shoot out from between its horn, resembling a giant golden stream that screamed with annihilative intent as it barreled toward the helpless Silver Blood Knights.

    Tien Ha and Gerald didn''t hesitate as their fight or flight instinct was amplified by the sight of their demise. With gritted teeth, they screamed and called upon every ounce of their bloodline power and Solar Essence reserves. They unleashed multiple overlapping barriers.

    Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    "Condensed Blood Barrier! Condensed Blood Barrier! Condensed Blood Barrier! Condensed Blood Barrier! Condensed Blood Barrier!"

    BOOM!

    Several translucent, crimson walls of solidified blood formed one after the other to stop the beast''s attack. Their combined attack would have to break through seven Condensed Blood Barriers before it reached the trapped hunters. Unfortunately, even as they were stacking barriers, they were simultaneously being consumed by the potent heat.

    Crack! Crack! Boom!

    ¡°Four layers remain! It¡¯s not enough!¡± Gerald was strained to its limits as sweat streamed down his forehead and beard. The barriers were shattering, each impact a bone-jarring blast.

    Crack! Crack! Boom!

    ¡°Two layers remain! Gerald! Brace yourself!¡± Tien Ha yelled as another two layers crumbled away like cheap glass. The tunnel behind them continued to rumble, warning them to find another escape route as soon as possible.

    When the Golden Bull Thork¡¯s attack reached the final barrier, Tien Ha knew their defense wouldn¡¯t hold.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to use ¡°that¡±. Cover me!¡± Tien Ha instructed.

    ¡°Mhm. I understand.¡± Despite being terrified, Gerald knew what had to be done.

    The moment the last barrier began to fracture, Tien Ha leaped backward to put a safe distance between them and the inevitable clash that was going to rock the very foundation of the Blood Forest.

    Gerald stepped forward with unyielding conviction and a stoic gaze. As he pushed forth his hands in a defensive posture, he screamed,

    ¡°HYAAAAA! MAD LION BOUNTY!¡±

    Gerald¡¯s Soul Orbital flared brilliantly, and his fifth Soul Planet in the second orbital, flashed vibrantly for a mere instant as his inner bloodline energy and reserves were drained at an exponential rate, empowering the final act of a desperate gamble. This was his ace. His life.

    Out of thin air, a gargantuan spectral lion with ruby fur materialized and unleashed a mighty roar.

    BOOM! CRACKLE!

    The Golden Helios Stream slammed into the phantom lion, and both attacks exploded with the intensity of multiple exploding stars as a stalemate battle was being waged in such confined space.

    Tien Ha took advantage of Gerald''s bravery. Using lightning-fast hand gestures as blood-red energy swirled and coalesced between his palms accompanied by an unusual glow and shifting arrays of geometric patterns. Finally, a blood-red needle materialized. Intricate purple streaks and arcane runes danced across its surface with unimaginable power.

    ¡°Huh¡­ what¡¯s that?¡± Lin gasped while gawking at Tien Ha with wide, sweat filled eyes. She had never seen him cast such a technique before.

    ¡°Our ticket to freedom, I hope.¡± Tien Ha glanced at the crimson needle, then smirked.

    He then heard Gerald''s exhausted mental scream echoing within his mind.

    *Is ¡°that¡± ready? I can¡¯t hold this bastard back any longer. *

    "Coming, I won''t be long." Tien Ha whispered.

    His gaze fixed on the struggling Gerald and the dying phantom lion that was trying its best to keep the Golden Helios Stream from crushing their bones. He leapt forward into the fray. As he did, the needle in his hand grew exponentially in size.

    ¡°Life Devouring Needle - Go!¡± Tien Ha cried out and flung the gigantic crimson needle with every ounce of his might.

    The massive needle sailed toward the distracted bull.

    ¡°Hmm¡­?¡±

    The Golden Bull Thork sensed an anomaly and looked around.

    A bored and arrogant smile spread across its face upon recognizing a massive red stick in its face, but before it could even react¡­

    POOF!

    The needle shrank. It shrank so fast that the bull¡¯s eye couldn¡¯t keep track of it before its form completely vanish from the world of sight. And before its gargantuan brain could register what just happen, the needle slammed into its forehead, seemingly defying reality and shattering expectations.

    ¡°It''s a success!¡± Tien Ha yelled excitedly as he observed the needles vanishing into the bull''s forehead.

    Instantly, the Golden Helios Stream dissipated.

    ¡°Huh¡­¡±

    The Golden Bull Thork was staggered. A look of confusion momentarily flickered across its ancient eyes as it raised its hoof to rub its aching head.

    ¡°Come on! This is our chance!¡± Tien Ha hollered. They had to escape now while the Calamity was disoriented.

    In a coordinated flash of crimson energy, Tien Ha and Gerald scooped up the ladies again. They shot past the stunned bull, leaving its raging inferno behind and escaping into the relative safety of the tunnel before dashing toward the exit with unimaginable speed. They didn¡¯t dare to look back as they rocketed out of the cave¡¯s exit.

    ¡°We made it out!¡±

    The fresh air of the Blood Forest bounced upon them like a gentle welcome after their harrowing journey within the earth''s bosom.

    ¡°Tsk! I guess the boy was meant to die¡­¡± Gerald shook away these unpleasant thoughts. They didn''t have a milliseconds to waste on sentiments or a dying slave.

    At a safe distance, they looked back at the cave, seeing a hazy glow reflecting against the Grey Sun¡¯s beams that illuminated the vast expanse and falling crimson snowflakes before dashing through the sky and eventually, towards home.

 Chapter 14 - A Calamitous Clash

    Raphael, the unfortunate "dog" of Princess Tajmani, began his journey burdened by mountains of luggage and stinging insults. Despite his resentment, he showed compassion for a wounded wolf cub by risking his own safety to free it from thorny vines. While the princess and her entourage battled formidable beasts, Raphael struggled to keep up, his lack of awakened bloodline abilities was a constant reminder of his inferior status. Left behind in the chaos of the Crimson Fang Hound attack, he found himself facing a gruesome death, only to be unexpectedly saved by the very wolf cub he had helped.

    Following the group deeper into the treacherous Blood Forest, Raphael found himself trapped in a claustrophobic ice cave, abandoned by those he served, forced to fight for his life against monstrous Vampire Slugs. With newfound courage and a bit of luck, he managed to survive the encounter, but at a terrible cost. As the others made their escape from the terrifying Golden Bull Thork, he fell victim to the Calamity¡¯s rage, and got swallowed up by a chasm of molten fire.

    But is this truly the end for the resilient, if often unlucky, Raphael?

    ¡­

    BANG! BANG!

    The world shuddered and groaned and awaken a young man from his groggy state.

    ¡°Huh¡­ ah¡­¡±

    A wave of nausea swept over him as blurry visions assaulted his sight. Groaning in discomfort, he forced his heavy eyelids open, only to be greeted by a scene straight out of his worst nightmares.

    WHOOSH!

    Three large bat creatures, teeming with bloodlust, were diving straight towards him. Each monstrous beast was bigger than an ox, possessing leathery wings, sharp claws, and fangs that could rival a shark.

    ¡°Ah!¡±

    Raphael¡¯s body screamed with the premonition of agonizing pain. His mind prepared for a swift, messy death by bat chomping, then suddenly¡­

    BOOM!

    A translucent crimson barrier with spiraling crimson streams rotating rapidly within, flared into existence and encompassed him entirely, effectively stopping the bloodthirsty beasts from shredding him into bloody strips of flesh.

    Raphael initially yelped in terror, convinced that this attack meant his imminent doom but the fangs, claws and deathly aura never reached him. Instead, they slammed headfirst against an unyielding crimson barrier. The constant slamming attacks made a disconcerting rhythm that mirrored the thumps in his heart.

    He took in a deep breath, and calmed his erratic pulse then looked at his savior which pulsed around him like a breathing heart. He glanced downwards to discover that his amulet was pulsating a deep crimson, however, the locket it was housing was missing, leaving a faint chill around his chest and nape area.

    "Huh, could this be¡­?"

    And then it hit him.

    ¡°Butler Long¡­¡±

    He recalled the Gyro Chi Sphere, a precious gift given to him just before embarking on this chaotic journey. ¡°It¡¯s meant to protect me in times of danger,¡± he mumbled to himself as gratitude blossomed in his heart.

    For a moment, he sighed in relief, but the persistent smashing of monstrous bats against his shield was a sobering reminder that his respite may be short-lived. ¡°How much longer can it hold¡­?¡± His concern was valid.

    Then a earth-shattering explosion shook the surrounding walls. His crimson haven was now buzzing, warning him of greater chaos around him. Angry shouts rang in the air, carrying with it a mixture of pain and malice.

    "Shao Jin! Just accept your death! You¡¯ve been far too greedy all these years. Occupying the Fire Pool for yourself and not sharing its essence with me was your grave misfortune. Now the tables have turned! You''re about to be put out of your misery! Hahahaha!¡±

    Raphael noticed the arrogance in that voice, its echo of strength and confidence scared him. He felt it wasn¡¯t empty braggadocio, but truth rooted in its user¡¯s abilities.

    Another deep and guttural voice roared back: ¡°Keep dreaming Balphazar! You lousy Shadow Bat Emperor! If I wasn''t injured, you wouldn''t have the gall to be so haughty before me!"

    This reply came coupled with pained agony and an iron will, which further caught Raphael''s curiosity.

    ¡°Who are those?¡±

    Raphael''s sight had adjusted now, and with cautious squints, he saw two monstrous beings in heated verbal and bloodthirsty battle a safe distance from his bubble of crimson protection.

    It was Shao Jin, the wounded Golden Bull Thork that chased his companions earlier. Its hide bore multiple gaping slashes, and one of its majestic golden horns was broken. This entity glared upwards, emanating power even with its heavy injury. But despite the terrible wound and visible tiredness, there was unyielding rage in his deep red glowing eyes.

    Looming above the wounded Golden Bull Thork, was the terrifying Shadow Bat Emperor, Balphazar.

    The emperor¡¯s physique rivaled Shao Jin¡¯s size, possessing enormous dark wings that looked capable of blotting out the artificial Grey Sun¡¯s radiance. The creature¡¯s visage was grotesque, covered in matted black fur. Deep-set eyes throbbed a horrifying orange color which was as eerie as Shao Jin¡¯s aura of rage, with wicked fangs glinting threateningly in the reflective light that illuminated their showdown.

    Balphazar was wearing thick dark metal armor with multiple cracks, and dripping viscous dark blood which evaporated as it splattered on the ground below, adding to the horrifying beauty of this place.

    ¡°So, those two are actually enemies¡­? Could they be a key to escaping this fiery hell hole?¡± As Raphael entertained such optimistic notions, he glanced around.

    His recollection of falling through the fissure of fire was now pieced together by his surroundings.

    To the side, streams of molten liquid flowed upwards from the base of this underground cave towards the opening above. They created blazing red waterfalls.

    Gazing up, Raphael could faintly see a large body of fiery water suspended above which acted as the ceiling. "This is... is this a flipped landscape?"

    His astonishment was real. Somehow, Raphael had fallen to the very bottom of the expansive Fire Pool they encountered, and even weirder, he hadn''t melted alive and drowned in molten essence. Was this fate? luck? or some mystical shit he couldn¡¯t comprehend?

    Pushing those musings aside, he continued analyzing the clashing titans who controlled his future, if indeed he had one. It appeared that they were so absorbed in their battle of rage, ego, and superiority, that they had completely overlooked the pathetic human who huddled fearfully beneath his protective crimson orb.

    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Ignoring the smaller bat creatures that were trying their best to nibble their way into his shield, he settled in for an epic show. He wasn''t dead yet, but for how long was another story all together.

    WHOOSH!

    Balphazar circled Shao Jin with the haughty grace of a predator toying with its wounded prey.

    "You look pathetic, Shao Jin. Such a disgrace to those of your kind." The Shadow Bat Emperor mocked the Golden Bull Thork. "Every millennia we clash. I seek your territory, and each time, I walk away empty handed after you hand me a humiliating beating! This time however..." he trailed off while gesturing toward Shao Jin¡¯s injury, "You are not getting off so easily. You might not make it out alive."

    "Hm. And it is precisely this predictability and repetitive failure that makes you, my little shadow pet so entertaining.¡± Despite the terrible bleeding from the countless open gashes all over its body, Shao Jin sounded amused. It inhaled a mouthful of essence and snorted out fiery smoke toward Balphazar before saying.

    "Each millennium, you try the same shit: Steal my essence, fail, fight, get whooped then lick your wounds! Why do you even try to steal when you know it will backfire, again?"

    Hearing this taunt and seeing its proud words confirmed each time by Shao Jin''s actions enraged Balphazar.

    ¡°Damn you Shao Jin! You will pay for those humiliations.¡± Balphazar screeched in a rage as a particularly painful memory came to mind.

    The audience, specifically, Raphael felt chills at the tone.

    "KILL the stinking bull!¡± Balphazar commanded his Shadow Bat Army, and instantly a choir of subservient screech and monstrous flapping of wings reply to their leader with their infamous call.

    "Yes, master!¡±

    Hundreds of bats that darkened the roof of the chamber swarm down upon Shao Jin, eager to tear into its flesh and bathe in its essence.

    Shao Jin stood its ground and let out a mighty snort before slamming one massive hoof against the ground and sending tremors that rocked even Raphael¡¯s crimson barrier haven.

    "Hmph! Using your minions to challenge me? Audacious!¡±

    "Gold Press!¡±

    BOOOM!

    As if summoned from the bowels of hell, multiple massive, spectral golden hooves, each as large as Shao Jin, materialized overhead. They glowed a threatening crimson before descending upon the charging shadow bat swarm, crushing dozens instantly in a burst of gore, viscera, bone and dark smoke.

    Those lucky enough to evade this descending horror, experienced another of the Golden Bull Thork''s capabilities, intense and concentrated gravitational pressure from each golden phantom limb. Their bodies were pinned against the earth like helpless insects trapped in hardened tree sap.

    SPLAT! SPLAT!

    The earth quivered as those that couldn''t escape was reduced to smears of blood and ground meat against the jagged floor. It painted a gruesome mural.

    Raphael saw this splattering on his crimson shield. It caused him to shut his eyes tightly while covering his mouth in utter shock and disgust. Never had he imagined death could be this sudden and cruel. But more importantly, never had he witnessed such a fierce and efficient counter-attack. Shao Jin¡¯s strength and sheer rage left a lasting impression.

    His fright soon turned to anticipation when the swarming shadow bats came to an abrupt standstill before the Bull Thork. It seems they too had learned a valuable lesson about approaching such a potent power with disregard.

    Balphazar however, wasn''t fazed, not for long at least, before he sent an angry stare toward his loyal minions which ignited something dark and sinister inside them. Their monstrous shrieks echoed as the bats once again descended toward Shao Jin with the desire to kill their tormentor and appease their emperor.

    But just like before¡­

    "Gold Press!¡±

    The giant, glowing golden phantom hooves materialized once more, sending dozens of bats to meet their end via brute strength and the law of gravity. Their cries turned silent as death embraced them like a shroud.

    But something had change, Shao Jin let out an ominous grunt. It then coughs violently before spitting out a large mass of golden blood that steams on the cold ground below.

    It was still strong, that much was obvious, but what if...?

    ¡°Hm? Looks like my strategy of patience is working¡­¡± Balphazar chuckled as it observed its ancient enemy weakening, which renewed its arrogance and hope.

    ¡°Hah! Looks like your injury is more serious than you pretended. Well then¡­ how about I make you cough out even more blood with a little something special!" Balphazar said.

    Then it flapped its massive wings and, in an instant, the dark shadow energy converged on each wing, morphing into thousands of razor-sharp crimson slashes that pierced through the air with a terrifying screech before blasting straight at Shao Jin with the velocity of a speeding arrow. The Shadow Emperor¡¯s power was evident.

    BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!

    ¡°Gah! You pathetic cur! I will end you!¡± Despite Shao Jin''s arrogance, each hit visibly drained the Thork''s remaining energy as evident by his stumbling foot work.

    Enraged, Shao Jin desperately gathered energy to charge up another attack and blasted his mighty ¡°Helios Stream¡± but¡­ due to its damaged horn, the stream of golden energy came out distorted, twisted, weaker. Its energy wasn¡¯t pure, leaving behind openings.

    This allowed Balphazar to easily dodge, laugh hysterically before beginning another bout of mockery with renewed vigor and ferocity.

    ¡°Hahahaha! You miss again? Your aim is worse than your smell you old sack of meat! I suppose I don''t need to get involved. I can just let this play out. Sit back, relax¡­ until the last bit of life is sap from your wretched corpse. Eventually, all you''ve tried to horde¡­ it will become mine! Hahahaha!"

    ¡°Master is correct!¡±

    ¡°Master is mighty!¡±

    Balphazar''s minions mimicked their leader with deafening shrieks, eager for their lord to vanquish their nemesis.

    "Damn you! Damn you to the infinite abyss!"

    Shao Jin slammed its other golden hoof onto the ground as rage pulsated from every crack in its massive golden hide and injured visage.

    Its golden blood spurted from between its gritted teeth as its heavy breath fogged out a fiery orange cloud in the chilled cave. It looked exhausted. In that moment of respite from attacks, it touched its forehead as if trying to locate the source of its unending exhaustion.

    "That damned Life Devouring Needle¡­ Its¡­ moving deeper! I''ll need room and time to get it out!"

    Hidden behind the wall of blood and buzzing chaos, a confused young man was slowly piecing together these titans'' struggle as their vicious roars washed over him. It was clear they were fighting, for territory or bragging right, that much Raphael understood, but the mention of a needle had his curiosity sparked.

    A needle? Was that caused by the knights¡­?

    Raphael remember reading about something similar. His understanding of Tien Ha¡¯s unique attack began to unravel: "Life Devouring Needle¡­ an advanced blood technique designed to kill beings with potent life essence by continuously draining its victims¡¯ life force as it tries to lodge deeper and deeper into the brain! The only way to avoid a sure death is by extracting the needle¡­ but to even touch it means a part of your energy is lost¡­ If left untreated, its victim will eventually die. And that explains why¡­" he realized why the Bull Thork was acting erratic despite its large body of work and immense cultivation base.

    ¡°This will be my grave if these monsters set their eyes on me,¡± Raphael whispered with fearful respect while gazing on as Shao Jin staggered once more under Balphazar''s intensifying attacks.

    ¡°Hahaha¡­" Balphazar sneered with cruel anticipation of Shao Jin¡¯s approaching demise. He gracefully flew downwards, and created a throne of solidified darkness in a prominent area where he had an expansive view of the ongoing massacre he was directing.

    Then, in the shadows beside his throne, his loyal generals and personal assassins, eight grotesque Greater Shadow Bats stood beside him as an intimidation tactic and also as body guards, just in case.

    With a sadistic smirk stretching across his demonic features, Balphazar directed his swarm with another loud command to overwhelm the staggering bull.

    "Kill him, you bunch of fools! And don''t give that brute time to recover, or you lot will become fertilizer!"

    "Dammit!"

    Realizing the danger of staying in the Shadow Bats¡¯ proximity, Shao Jin released another heavy snort which was fueled with Fire Essence and residual Solar Essence which blasted the minions away.

    CRASH!

    Several unfortunate, unlucky and extremely battered Shadow Bats slammed into Raphael¡¯s crimson shield. A bit too close to death''s curtain call. It seems they weren¡¯t strong enough to combat such primal force.

    Raphael shuttered with concern as Balphazar looked on then scoffed.

    "Don''t do anything reckless you exhausted lump of cow shit, you might accidently crush the human. And I want to savor that food whole after I put an end to you, hahahaha!¡± Balphazar sounded so arrogantly dismissive and certain about this outcome.

    But Shao Jin refused to relent even when defeat''s cloak was drawing closer with every strike and needle advancement.

    Shao Jin retorted with rage and pain ringing in its voice, "This creature belongs to me, not you Shadow-shit!¡± And without further ado, he unleashed a desperate torrent of gold energy towards those pesky shadows and then continued with another growl that was equally loud. ¡°I haven''t eaten human flesh in almost 7000 years!¡±

    ¡°Hm¡­ Dream on you weak, disgusting and pompous sack of shit. you won''t make it past tonight!¡± Balphazar retorted before descending towards his exhausted opponent once more. ¡°Now be a good beast and DIE! And end my humiliation so I can savor victory after millennia of failures!¡±

    Cowering safely under the protection of his red sphere, a frightened and exhausted boy struggled to grasp his predicament. He analyzed every insult and word thrown between those mighty beings.

    Then he understood.

    ¡°Not only do they want territory, they¡­ want me?!¡± And with those revelations, an idea that he hoped wasn''t fueled by desperation started to surface, which was, he would escape this precarious and unpredictable situation, alive, unharmed¡­ using them as weapons, but how?

 Chapter 15 - The Fart That Inspires

    ¡°You¡¯re nothing but a pathetic shadow of your ancestors, Balphazar! This millennia will be no different from the last. You¡¯ll fail and grovel before me!¡± Shao Jin taunted the Shadow Bat Emperor, even as blood trickled from his wounds.

    Balphazar bared his fangs. ¡°You¡¯ve grown complacent, old bull! This time, your essence, your territory, all of it will be mine!¡±

    Balphazar and Shao Jin¡¯s furious back and forth escalated. Each retort resembled a barb fueled by millennia of hatred and bruised ego. It was an epic shouting match of mythical proportions that seem as if it would stretch towards eternity. However, it was interrupted by a weak, wavering voice that came from below.

    "Umm... I- I w-won''t be¡­ anyone''s food.¡±

    This trembling declaration of defiance abruptly halted the titanic verbal brawl.

    Raphael was trapped between two warring gods, and neither seemed particularly interested in sparing his life.

    ¡°I have to do something. If I just sit here, I¡¯ll be devoured.¡± Gathering what little courage he had, Raphael yelled again, ¡°Hey! I won¡¯t be anyone¡¯s food!¡±

    Both Balphazar and Shao Jin glanced downward. Finally, their eyes landed on the pathetic form of a shivering young man, trapped within his rapidly decaying protective orb.

    All the remaining Shadow Bats, from the weakest foot soldier to the emperor himself, along with the towering injured Golden Bull Thork, they all stared at him.

    A young human caught within a deadly battle between entities of terrifying powers, now in control of his survival. But due to extreme pressure and a rumbling stomach fueled by nervousness, the young man did what nature commanded.

    PFFFT!

    His cheeks reddened with shame as his ass song reverberated through the tiny prison. Unfortunately for him, the odor didn¡¯t disperse, and instead clung to his clothes, swirling in his crimson haven.

    He wanted the earth to swallow him up, or for the bats to charge into his shield and end this misery swiftly and painfully.

    "Ugh... that¡¯s disgusting.¡± He cringed internally while praying the two Calamities hadn¡¯t noticed his embarrassing outburst. No such luck.

    Balphazar let out a deep, rumbling laugh that shook the very foundations of the cave. ¡°A talking human? And a gassy one at that! Perhaps you¡¯re hoping to make yourself unappetizing, little morsel?¡±

    Raphael¡¯s despair was abruptly interrupted as he noticed an irritated glare from the Shadow Bat Emperor which was mixed with slight amusement. Then, another pair of bloodthirsty eyes was also gazing upon him with annoyance. They weren¡¯t fazed, which amplified his sense of terror even more. He had to act and think fast if he wanted to live another hour.

    With an optimistic glint burning through his fear-laden brain, he spoke.

    ¡°Hey you over grown winged menace! And you wanna be cow king. listen here! You have to respect my decision of not wanting to be devoured!¡±

    His cheeks were red as beetroot, he hoped those scary bastards bought it. But luck wasn''t on his side today, which was very, very normal.

    The response, if it could even be labeled as a response, came in the form of dead silence from both mighty entities, that lasted far longer than expected which crushed his budding, but incredibly stupid hopes of appealing to these monster¡¯s sentiment, whatever they had.

    After a short, deafening pause, they replied:

    "Hmph! And just what grounds do you have to speak to us, insignificant human?¡± Shao Jin scoffed, as if irritated that he, a Golden Bull Thork of immense power, even acknowledged this mere speck of life with words.

    "Maybe he wants to choose which one of us will devour him first! Hahaha!" Balphazar¡¯s menacing chuckles were echoed by his countless shadow bats above.

    Raphael cringed. ¡®It seems both entities aren''t impressed with my defiant little charade¡­ Well if they want a show then a show I will give.¡¯

    With a defiant smile, despite his crippling anxiety, Raphael cracked his knuckles then rubbed both his cold hands, ignoring their slight tremble as they slapped each other before speaking.

    ¡°Oi, Cow-King! Bat Emperor! Listen up!" His shaky finger bounced from Shao Jin to Balphazar as he tried his hardest to calm down so his plan could go as planned, which wasn''t actually planned at all.

    His brain was pulling all this bullshit from stories, and hopeful sentiments that may just lead to his bloody death.

    ¡°Listen carefully so I won¡¯t have to explain twice."

    Then after a long gulp to clear the nervousness blocking his thoughts and the ever-looming disgusting fart that was stuck inside his shield, he said something audacious.

    ¡°First and foremost. Let it be known that my name is Raphael Louche Bloodthorne! Yes, you guessed right. I am the Bloodthorne monarch''s son. My younger half-sister requested an escort to go deep in the Blood Forest to search for potent beast whose blood we would drain so she could stack it to boost her powers.¡±

    He ignored how messed up and vicious their actions actually was then puffed out his flat chest before continuing with:

    ¡°And well, because of my exceptional eyesight I discovered rare plants that are good for cultivation and wondered here by mistake¡­ But then! Oh¡­ Oh the misfortune. That bat with the large wings came crashing and tried to devour me. Thank the heavens I escaped.¡±

    Even he couldn¡¯t believe those bold face lies rolling off his lips but there was nothing to be done now but go full blown asshole on these power hungry monster to appease his self-respect. It might just give him a fighting chance, just maybe.

    "You said what?!" Balphazar growled menacingly at the audacity of such weak and lowly being to not only boldly state a threat against his life, but his arrogance to speak in such a disrespectful and commanding tone. ¡°Little shit! I can crush you like an ant even while taking a piss. How dare you try to¡­"

    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    His outrage, once again was interrupted by the human he was about to eat, this time for a different reason.

    "Hold on you wannabe poultry eater. Are you even listening?¡± The sweat trickling down his forehead had started freezing. As his hands tightened into balled fists, he glared at the intimidating forms ahead.

    Even though both his heart was going berserk and body trembling, he had decided that he would survive this situation and that his determination would out-shine his apprehension. His new gamble of fate was cast and he only hope the results are better this time.

    ¡°Let it be known. If any single injury is inflicted on me. You and Cow-shit¡­ You¡¯ll become dog feed, hahaha!¡± Raphael said confidently with a prideful chuckle before elaborating further on his threat which was far too audacious even to himself, ¡°You guys see... my father is strong! Extremely powerful¡­ You both are like chickens compare to his abilities, even when combined! If you lay a claw on me, my father will raze this entire forest to the ground and turn both of you into dust!¡±

    After saying these insane words and getting a face full of monstrous scowls as a result, he realized that even he wouldn''t swallow that nonsensical bullshit if someone were saying those things to him. The sheer desperation was screaming even from his own internal reflection, which was bad news to himself, very, very, bad news¡­

    There was silence as Balphazar stared at Raphael¡¯s tiny frame and seemingly nonsensical, illogical and outright stupid assertions that dripped of desperation before erupting in a laugh that shook that hidden world.

    "H-hahahahahahaha... Is this creature trying to bargain its life with lies? The sheer boldness." Balphazar then turned to Shao Jin. "Did you hear that? The Bloodthorne Emperor... hahahaha! Such power."

    He mocked then continued. ¡°Why would such a powerful man has such a spoilt and weak brat! The stories I''ve heard paint him as quite ruthless and a monster, therefore, his offspring should be equally monstrous... This doesn''t add up. You are simply too weak.¡± Balphazar retorted while pointing his giant bony claw toward Raphael, causing droplets of black blood to burn as it splatter on the ground.

    Shao Jin¡¯s massive hoof slammed against the surface of the earth then the bull snorted its anger for having such low IQ insects speaking gibberish in his domain. ¡°Boasting about monarch¡¯s power; talking shit about killing us? What rubbish!¡± Its terrifying attention was then focused upon Raphael, "Well¡­ It seems you''ve failed your audition to live another hour.¡±

    It would appear as though all hope had been drained, for Raphael wasn''t even worthy of more insults, at least from Shao Jin¡¯s viewpoint, the same, however couldn''t be said for Balphazar, ¡°Yes indeed¡­ So, which organ would you like to be savored first little¡­ morsel! Hahahahaha!¡±

    With renewed fright rushing from every cell in his being, he searched for escape, another route or another audacious claim that might appease their hungry intentions, however, nothing surfaced.

    Then he noticed something very important...

    While Balphazar reveled in cruel satisfaction, Shao Jin¡¯s brow was knitted. There was visible irritation mixed with resignation evident in its burning gaze and tight clenched hoof, which fueled an idea.

    A mad gamble but worth taking if he wanted a chance, any chance.

    ¡°Clang, clang¡­¡±

    The sound echoed from Raphael''s tiny arm movement which brought more unwarranted attention to him from those grotesque creatures above and around him.

    He placed a hand on the vials strapped to his waist ¨C Blood Replenishing Potion, powerful medicine capable of rapid healing.

    ¡°Wait! I can help you!¡± Raphael pointed to Shao Jin. "That horn¡­ the needle... Perhaps¡­ I could¡­ help you?¡±"

    Shao Jin''s eyes narrowed, ¡°How could you possibly help me?¡±

    Raphael gambled, ¡°I know about the Life Devouring Needle. I can extract it.¡±

    As soon as the final syllable was released, a flurry of monstrous activity occurred above, the intensity almost crushed Raphael¡¯s willpower with hopelessness.

    Balphazar immediately responded with unyielding wrath which targeted the crimson orb below.

    ¡°Kill this audacious speck! Do not even leave an atom! Obliterate!¡±

    ¡°YES MASTER!¡±

    A battalion of Shadow Bats swarmed towards him like thunder and lightning which meant to rip and tear with an unforgiving rage that painted even those frozen hearts with deathly terror.

    Shao Jin however, sensed something off. Something different from these desperate pronouncements by a creature on death¡¯s doorsteps.

    "Hm¡­ why? What trickery is this?"

    There was arrogance and confidence from this human, but no intention to harm as yet, or perhaps, those eyes hid their malevolent intent to slaughter once his guard was lowered.

    CRACK!

    The translucent crimson barrier was being bombarded with attacks. Raphael shut his eyes, thinking he was about to die.

    Then suddenly, the assault ended.

    He opened his eyes¡­

    "Hm...? I''m alive?"

    Balphazar roared in disbelief while looking at the massive golden hoof that was halting his army''s movement just inches away from Raphael¡¯s terrified but sweat dripping head.

    ¡°SHAO JIN!¡±

    It was then he finally understood the implications of his desperation. Shao Jin''s hoof slammed into the ground as an even larger torrent of golden phantom energy washed through those bloodthirsty bat assassins, sending them flying away in confusion before a second bellow washed their very being into a state of panic.

    ¡°GOLD PRESS!¡±

    As if to challenge the Shadow Emperor himself, an immeasurable amount of weight, fueled by anger and exhaustion descended onto those bloodthirsty minions as they struggled in panic to combat its suffocating embrace, but their power paled compared to Shao Jin''s ancient energy even at the state he was in.

    Balphazar¡¯s loyal commanders found their wings suddenly growing heavier and flight becoming an uphill struggle then those flapping appendages shattered before falling onto the cold earth where their bodies then slammed against each other in a heaping pile that resembled meat paste in size and grotesque imagery.

    Then just before their cries subsided completely, the golden glow solidified around each body which turn their forms into golden statues which immortalized their defeat, terror and helplessness in their last act as servants and deathly allies.

    A macabre monument of crushed bats  that would stand forever beneath those blood falls.

    It was a statement: ''Dare me if you can Shadow Bat scum.''

    While standing above a whimpering boy as its shield, Shao Jin questioned if he could be trusted .

    ¡°The boy is lying! He can¡¯t help you!¡± Balphazar screeched. ¡°You¡¯re just delaying the inevitable!¡±

    ¡°Silence!¡± Shao Jin shouted back at Balphazar. He then focused his attention on Raphael. ¡°Boy, what is your method? Speak clearly so even the rocks around us understand. If you lie, I will crush you myself.¡±

    The intimidation was thick enough to shatter diamond. And the threat evident even from beneath all the smoke and flames emanating from its monstrous jaws and burnt chest.

    But all that menace didn¡¯t work against Raphael¡¯s traitorous ass as it farted yet again due to the unbearable stress it was going through. ¡°I am truly..." He shook away the embarrassment then presented the Blood Replenishing Potion vials.

    ¡°Drink these. They will cleanse your body of any impurities and trigger your natural healing abilities. That needle will be expelled.¡±

    Shao Jin hesitated, suspecting a trap. ¡°Are you trying to poison me, boy?¡±

    Raphael quickly denied it while his heart hammered in his chest. He had no idea if this would actually work on a Calamity-type beast. It was a complete gamble.

    Shao Jin studied the boy¡¯s terrified expression and then decided to risk it. He was out of options.

    He extended his massive tail towards Raphael. "Give them to me."

    "NOW!" Balphazar, seizing this momentary distraction, ordered another attack.

    Instantly, his three Shadow Bat generals teleported behind Raphael in a burst of dark energy. Before he could even scream, they slashed their claws at the barrier, shattering it completely.

    This was it, he was dead, but then¡­

    The air solidified.

    "Midas Touch!"

    Before the bats could lay a claw on Raphael, Shao Jin''s power transformed them into golden statues. He caught the vials with his tail and crunched them down, glass and all.

    GULP! GULP!

    Balphazar watched in disbelief and anger. ¡°Fool! You fell for his lies!¡±

    Shao Jin ignored Balphazar and focused on his own body. A crimson aura then slowly turned golden enveloped him and began healing his wounds rapidly. It was working. A moment later, a large Life Devouring Needle started to emerge from his forehead.

    Shao Jin let out a roar of triumph. He felt his full strength returning. ¡°Human! You have proven useful, for now."

    Still shaking from his close brush with death, Raphael watched with disbelief. His plan, his insane, fart-fueled gamble, had actually worked. He had somehow manipulated two Calamities and survived.

    But the ordeal was far from over.

 Chapter 16 - Shadow Bat Emperorâ€™s Downfall

    THUD!

    The sound of the Life Devouring Needle clattering to the ground, caused great displeasure to stir within Balphazar as he watched Shao Jin¡¯s wounds, even his broken horn, mending itself.

    Shao Jin stamped the needle then returned his attention to Balphazar. "Now, Bat, prepare to face my wrath!¡± Malice oozed from every word.

    ¡°Huh.. no¡­¡±

    Balphazar¡¯s bravado evaporated like a snowflake in a volcano. Shao Jin was healing, his power returning with every heartbeat. This wasn''t part of his pathetic plan that had been repeated countless time over millennia and always resulted in humiliating beatings at the bull''s hoof!

    "This wasn''t meant to happen, this..."

    ¡°All of you useless pests! KILL that DAMN BULL!" With a frantic shriek, Balphazar commanded his remaining army then turned tail to flee, but in a far more undignified manner than the stoic demeanor and effortless grace he normally displayed when toying with his victims and inferiors.

    Desperately flapping his expansive dark wings to escape, Balphazar ascended toward the burning abyss of the Fire Pool. His heart was beating at a rate never experience before due to the imminent, horrifying truth - death. His defeat was upon him, his bravado and cocky pronouncements was nothing but a charade in Shao Jin¡¯s presence, all of this because of a dumb ass kid and his vial!

    As Balphazar was inches away from penetrating the Fire Pool above...

    "Hm! It''s like target practice!"

    WHOOSH!

    ¡°HELIOS STREAM!"

    His ears rang with the infamous sound of a bull¡¯s bellow and was soon pierced by searing golden light and intense pressure from Shao Jin¡¯s now powerful beam as it chased him back into hell, which was below. This forced him to blink desperately to cooler area while screeching and cussing.

    "WHAT?! HOW THE..."

    Instinctively teleporting away to dodge another beam was the smart thing to do even as panic gripped his being and turned his braggadocio demeanor into utter fear and survivalistic retreat.

    This is bad. Very bad¡­

    "Tsk! Those useless, smelly insects!" As his eyes glanced down he recognized how pathetic his Shadow Bats actually were in a fight without him protecting them from those deadly hooves and gravitational slams.

    They lay flattened and oozing, while others resembled statues as golden evidence of the futility of their leader''s dreams of finally conquering his ancient nemesis.

    ¡°You¡­ worthless, incompetent, and utterly pathetic lumps of bat guano! You had only one job!" This exclamation was more to vent his frustration then an actual condemnation because their failure was just as detrimental as his impending fate.

    His rage morphed into pragmatism which ignited his desperation to get as far away from this bull before a repeat of those ancient beatings start afresh, with no time limit now!

    ¡°Damn that bastard human. He truly is¡­ Wait, now isn''t the time for sentiments¡­ I better leave! Oh no¡­"

    Balphazar¡¯s heart sank upon realizing his path to escape was sealed by something massive that had appeared directly above him in mere blinks.

    This time it wasn''t a deathly radiant energy ball.

    Instead¡­

    CRUNCH!

    An earsplitting explosion of flesh hitting skull and bone reverberated as Shao Jin landed its massive hoof onto Balphazar''s stunned face.

    Blood splattered everything in radius of a hundred meters as Balphazar hurtled backward towards a wall. His wings couldn''t regain flight or balance. His senses and composure shattered in a single blow, and before he could even register pain.

    WHAM!

    Shao Jin grabbed him with his tail and slammed him against the ground, creating a huge crater. This was evidence that Shao Jin¡¯s rage had reached its zenith and retribution was here.

    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    Then just as Balphazar struggled to grasp the speed at which Shao Jin moved, which was faster than it ever moved in all their previous battles that were far too many to remember now¡­

    A golden hoof landed heavily atop both wings in a triumphant show of brute force as if declaring Balphazar''s time has run out, there would be no more millennia show down after today, at least between them.

    ¡°CRAACK!¡±

    With earsplitting snaps that ripped tendons and shattered cartilage accompanied by Balphazar¡¯s guttural screams that only increased the victor''s rage and pleasure, a message of impending defeat echoed in Balphazar¡¯s ears that sent tremors down to its batty nether-region!

    But still the emperor fought.

    Balphazar screeched and wriggled frantically beneath its ancient adversary¡¯s might. With one final defiant glare up towards those rage filled eyes that stared at him with dismissiveness, a realization dawned.

    There was no negotiating.

    ¡°Shao Jin please spare me, I¡­¡±

    SNAP!

    Shao Jin bit Balphazar¡¯s head clean off. It wasn''t about savoring the kill now, nor displaying any other emotion but that of pure retribution and perhaps just a pinch of gluttony as the ancient Bull Calamity bit into its snack then crunch, gulped, swallowed without any fanfare, ending the pathetic begging abruptly.

    Seeing that his protector was dining on bat emperor meat, the hairs at Raphael¡¯s nape rose as if preparing to retreat to safer places.

    The realization of his earlier bravado and utter disregard of how strong those Calamities were came back as cold chills of concern. Shao Jin¡¯s earlier words also came flashing through, ''human¡­ has been a long time.¡¯

    ¡°Could this creature still hold onto his bargain with me¡­? Or¡­¡± Those fearful question remained silent. He had no answers at the moment. He only hoped luck stayed on his side for longer this time.

    Meanwhile, those unfortunate witnesses of their Emperor''s defeat shivered in stunned silence, followed by another terrifying spectacle.

    WHOOSH!

    Their leader¡¯s soul soared free from the massive headless body. An imposing purple Solar Consciousness then took shape, evidence of a Calamity¡¯s strength.

    The stench of decay and their ruler¡¯s spilled entrails was nothing but a passing thought in those monstrous minds because what appeared now was their ticket to salvation.

    ¡°It¡¯s the Emperor¡¯s Solar Consciousness!¡±

    ¡°The Emperor¡¯s Solar Consciousness!¡±

    They all hissed at the same time then rush toward the newly born Emperor Solar Consciousness, intent on stealing Shao Jin¡¯s bounty, claiming it as their right and chance to replace Balphazar as their new emperor and commander.

    Their pathetic wings worked tirelessly as the words fueled by arrogance, pride, confidence and opportunity rushed forth from each hungry mouth in symphony.

    ¡°MINE!¡±

    ¡°MOVE ASIDE YOU LOWLY PEST! THE EMPEROR SOUL IS MINE!¡±

    However, their dreams, hopes and gluttony was quickly dispersed upon meeting their nightmare¡¯s gaze which wasn''t even focus on them. It simply saw the audacity and foolishness of mere shadows desiring his prize. It annoyed the bull to a great extent, hence with a blood curdling glare¡­

    ¡°Hmph!"

    In a second, they stopped and scrambled away as far as they could go, for when Shao Jin''s eyes ignited into embers that mirrored those fires from his Fire Pool, it meant death, and who wants to get stamped on today? Definitely not those bloodthirsty idiots.

    Their failed ambition didn''t go unnoticed, in fact, Shao Jin seemed as if he enjoyed the thrill of bringing terror. Perhaps even those painful memories of him constantly suffering Balphazar''s humiliations fueled his present emotions, either way.

    The Golden Bull Thork smirked. He was invincible at that moment. The entire chamber, in that frozen part of hell belonged to him!

    "What an ungrateful bunch of parasites¡­ However¡­ if that is how my meal desires to serve me¡­ so be it..." He said casually before opening his jaws and drawing that pulsating ball of energy into its core, greedily consuming the essence of his long-time foe in one giant gulp.

    "Hmm¡­ taste like shit, as expected. However, it will make me stronger."

    After savoring its victory over the dead Shadow Bat Emperor¡¯s essence which did leave a unsavory after taste, Shao Jin¡¯s alighted in a meditative posture and began assimilating with the newly acquired Solar Consciousness.

    His hooves started glowing even more so with their innate radiance and a crimson red fire energy that spiraled around him. The intensity was unreal. The air thickened to a syrup-like density due to the radiating energy. The chamber was slowly succumbing to the Golden Bull Thork¡¯s dominance.

    And still, Raphael waited with his life literally on the hooves of this beast whose only mercy seems to stem from an unconscious desire to make good on their bargaining, that might not even exists anymore!

    Or perhaps Shao Jin, a terrifying Golden Bull Thork had simply forgotten about his insignificant snack in his state of power and arrogance as he delved into a euphoric state.

    He wasn¡¯t sure if waiting was smart, but neither did his legs want to dash into a death march toward a very hungry pack of starved, vengeful and bloodthirsty Shadow Bat horde. These bats were drooling over their Emperor¡¯s corpse, yet were afraid to offend the bull.

    What choice does he have?

    For minutes or perhaps hours, Raphael just watched and listened. It was only after his exhausted body started failing, he got another answer to his dilemma when he heard the beast speak, which made all hope escape his burning heart like it never existed at all.

    ¡°FEED.¡±

    That utterance didn¡¯t ring in Raphael¡¯s ear. Instead, it entered his bone marrows.

    When Shao Jin uttered that word, that¡¯s all those starving beasts needed to begin another feasting which began innocently with licking and feasting upon their dead emperor¡¯s leftover viscera and ended gruesomely with cracking open bones and chewing armored hide; making sounds and smells that could shatter the world with utter revulsion and horror, sounds so vivid they seem impossible for any normal creatures to make without a pinch of otherworldly intent, which they were overflowing with.

    Their hunger blinded them.

    "Could there be any worse scenario?" The unfortunate slave-boy trembled, awaiting his turn at death''s plate. But what he didn¡¯t understand yet¡­ this night, it wouldn¡¯t be by the claws or fangs of any creature.

 Chapter 17 - Death By Terror

    ¡°ROAR!¡±

    An ear-splitting CRACK! resonated through the chamber as Shao Jin completed his assimilation of Balphazar¡¯s Solar Consciousness. A torrent of raw power, a swirling mix of golden flames and inky shadows erupted outwards, washing over the chamber in an awe-inspiring display.

    ¡°Ugh!¡±

    Caught in the blast, Raphael shielded his face as he was thrown backwards. Dust billowed around him as ancient power radiated through his very core with immense pressure.

    In the midst of their gory feast, the Shadow Bats were flung aside like scraps of discarded parchment. One bat, in its haste to swallow an intestine, ended up choking on the slippery morsel as it tumbled through the air. Its sputtering coughs and flailing wings caused Raphael to forget his fright momentarily and think to himself¡­

    ¡°Damn. That¡¯s funny.¡±

    As the dense energy dissipated, Shao Jin stood taller than before. The aura emanating from him now had an even more terrifying intensity than before. His golden horns had been restored to their former glory. Two large, imposing wings, woven from the darkest shadows with veins glowing bright crimson, had manifested upon his mighty back. These weren¡¯t mere appendages, but instruments of untold power, echoing the dominance he had forcefully claimed from the former emperor of those pitiful bats.

    And it was in that moment of silent astonishment and dread that the remaining Shadow Bat army, upon witnessing those monstrous black wings upon their enemy''s back, experienced a phenomenon they couldn''t defy. It was as if their will was shattering against a superior entity.

    In perfect unison, as if controlled by an unseen force¡­

    "MASTER!" They cried out as they bowed their monstrous heads with newfound subservience.

    Fear radiated from each shadow with waves of potent energy that moved across the vastness of that world hidden in molten ice and fires.

    A sight for sore eyes and aching pride.

    The result was perfect. His gamble of devouring his enemy¡¯s soul had paid off in spades.

    ¡°Hahaha! Those weak, foolish rats! Now they worship me.¡± He chuckled darkly and with prideful satisfaction at his newly acquire dominance and control. ¡°After millennia of beatings and humiliating defeats¡­ finally, their loyalty is mine. And these¡­ wings¡­¡±

    He flapped them tentatively and winced slightly as a wave of intense energy rushed from each black appendage as they effortlessly pushed the very air aside. He started flying around the chamber, slowly getting accustomed to his new powers.

    At first his movements were jerky, sending shockwaves rippling through the air and causing dust and ice shards to rain down from above. The entire chamber felt those sonic booms. The pressure was almost as if another being as strong as himself was fighting against the Golden Bull Thork.

    But with each flap, his movements grew smoother.

    WHOOSH!

    In a matter of seconds, Shao Jin had mastered the art of flight and started exploring his newly acquired power with boyish exuberance. Then just as suddenly as he started flapping, he simply¡­ disappeared.

    BOOM!

    Two massive dark claws slammed into the area where he once hover. This powerful echo of his movement sent the Shadow Bats fleeing in panic once more, causing debris to fall upon the pathetic figure hiding under the Bull¡¯s mercy, however that time had passed, and in his excitement and arrogance, the boy was now¡­ nothing more than a meal.

    POOF!

    Shao Jin reappeared above the spot where he last disappeared.

    ¡°Hm. It¡¯s like my normal burst speed technique but instant. The speed and efficiency is¡­ quite good but those claws leave a terrible after-taste." Shao Jin said, then with a mischievous look, he decided to experiment with those new appendages even further.

    He extended his wings fully and focused his intent on them.

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    "Let¡¯s see what you can really do, you magnificent shadows...¡±

    WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

    In a blink, he whipped them downwards with enough force to create two colossal tornadoes of dark, spiraling energy.

    And out of these swirling vortices, more Shadow Bats materialized as they flapped their wings in a deafening cacophony, eager to serve their new master.

    Shao Jin observed the process with a hint of pride¡­ until he realized something amiss. His wings, moments before large and imposing, had shrunk considerably. The span was visibly smaller than it was earlier.

    ¡°Hm¡­?¡±

    Before he could contemplate further, a cacophony of enthusiastic praise from his newly formed legion interrupted his thoughts.

    ¡°Master is powerful!¡±

    ¡°Master is mighty!¡±

    ¡°Master is strong!¡±

    The bats, awestruck by Shao Jin¡¯s display of power and seemingly not noticing the size difference of their lord¡¯s magnificent shadowy appendages, showered him with compliments.

    Shao Jin couldn''t help but smiled. ¡°Well, they are right. I am quite powerful, am I not?¡±

    Shao Jin''s ego grew even larger, then with a more serious tone mixed with concern, he questioned those magnificent black appendages once again, ¡°But how far can I use these wings to teleport...? Or summon these fools¡­ Hmm, maybe later.¡±

    It was then a more delectable treat, one he hadn''t tasted in millennia, came to mind. His gaze drifted towards the shivering form of the young man cowering beneath a mountain of fear and hope against that icy wall.

    And with an enormous, satisfied grin stretching across his visage that caused shadows to tremble in fear, he slowly began to descend.

    WHOOSH!

    Those powerful dark wing flapped lightly as the ground shook and shadows trembled. The bats swarming around Raphael instantly parted ways as they realized that their new emperor was coming closer to feast, but not on them.

    A few meters from his new meal, the bull landed heavily on all four, with an earthquake echo to accompany his majestic landing as those new powerful wings vanished instantly like they never existed.

    Shao Jin¡¯s strength was on another level now, it felt almost unstoppable¡­ at least in that tiny, hidden and frozen world.

    THUD! THUD!

    The fear was thick enough to melt those icy floors as the rhythmic sound of approaching hooves resounded in a sickening manner within a young man¡¯s ears. He instinctively pressed his backside against a solid wall while desperately whispering in defiance¡­

    ¡°Y-you¡­ you¡­ can¡¯t eat me! W-we¡­ We made a d-deal. Y-you promised to s-spare m-me if I helped y-you. Remember? You¡¯re a noble Golden Bull Thork, right¡­ You keep your word! You have to¡­¡±

    ¡°Hahaha. A deal? You and I made no such agreement, little morsel. This isn''t the time to be delusional about your worth. This time, the one making the demands is me, hahaha! Besides. It has been a very long time¡­ Almost seven thousand years since I¡¯ve tasted¡­ human.¡±

    And without any further deliberation, the massive entity licked its lips, ready to claim the succulent human prize.

    It would appear as though Raphael¡¯s attempt to reason with the bloodthirsty and power-hungry Calamity had backfired.

    ¡°Save the bones for us, Master!¡± a hungry bat voice screeched.

    Another one yelled out, ¡°I want the fingers! They look so juicy and succulent!

    It seems this conversation didn¡¯t go as planned, or perhaps his words of power had vanished after the wings disappeared. Whatever it was, in this hierarchy of terror, the Shadow Bats still couldn¡¯t even stand within ten meters of their target without fearing the Golden Bull Thork''s overwhelming might, even though he seemed calm.

    His patience, if any, was obviously wearing thin.

    Shao Jin turned his imposing gaze upon the annoying creatures behind.

    ¡°Silence! This meal is mine! Mine alone!¡±

    And as if by decree of an iron fist, their whispers died off instantly. Their eyes lost all hope of tasting something they never gotten before, human meat, or perhaps those meaty scraps in particular, because their newly ascended Emperor claimed the main course as his prize for them to only watch and drool over, how unfair, such bad luck.

    ¡°P-Please. I don¡¯t taste good. Really, really bland¡­ And my meat, it¡­it might be toxic, a strange family curse we inherited.¡± The desperate hope resonated within those last ditch pronouncements, but luck wasn¡¯t coming his way that day. The odds, as it always was, was stacked against the ¡°dog¡±.

    He was the dish of the day. A main course of a starving, power-hungry and monstrous Calamity. How fun, especially since they were now indoors and alone.

    ¡°Hmmmm¡­¡±

    That ominous ¡°hmmm¡± vibrated throughout the chamber before it finally settle into its final resting place which caused those blood filled eyes of Raphael''s to go wider. That sound mirrored the now heavy and labored heartbeats against his shivering chest!

    THUD! THUD!

    Those enormous hooves steps were coming closer with each step. They sounded as if the very world wanted him to die! They were closer now, slow, almost rhythmic but extremely painful and terrifying in their cadence. It was like an eternal march of suffering coming for him alone.

    And each time those mighty steps moved, they perfectly mimicked his own heart¡¯s thump as the Golden Bull Thork''s cold words vibrated in a bone-jarring rhythm that promised excruciating pain in mere moments¡­

    ¡°You will taste divine, little morsel.¡±

    Step¡­

    Thump, thump, thump¡­

    Step¡­

    Thump, thump, thump¡­

    Step¡­

    THUMP, THUMP, THUMP¡­

    Step¡­

    THUMP, THUMP, THUMP¡­

    Step¡­

    ¡°ARGH! NOOOOOO!¡±

    Raphael could almost see a golden smile that promised pain and deliciousness which was amplified by his own imagination! This night would be his last! This place would be his grave, at least he had died doing something slightly heroic, right?

    Thump, thump¡­

    But just before death came knocking¡­

    "NOOOOO! PLEASE SPARE ME! AAAHHH! "

    Raphael let out a deafening shriek fueled by dread, apprehension, panic, desperation and an unhealthy dose of disgust, then silence filled the chamber as those terrified pronouncements of deathly terror echoed towards that ceiling of fire.

    All sound ceased.

    Those rapidly pumping veins shut down; his blood-soaked heart stopped beating... and his blood ran cold.

    Silence prevailed¡­

    Dead¡­

    Or maybe...

 Chapter 18 - Dual Solar Consciousness

    Raphael lay on the cold ground with his eyes shut, and his chest unmoving. His life was reduced to a stillness that permeated his being.

    ¡°This is¡­? Huh¡­" Shao Jin¡¯s eyes narrowed. A low hum emanated from his massive frame as confusion turned to astonishment, because never had a meal, or indeed a future victim done such a thing in his long existence.

    The bats that hovered just out of reach began a flurry of whispers. ¡°Is¡­ Is the creature dead?¡±

    "He''s truly dead? My share! My share!"

    ¡°You want to steal from me? It was my ancestor that touched it first!"

    "What rubbish! It was mine! I was right beside him!"

    Their screeching, and squawking amplified Shao Jin¡¯s irritation. ¡°Silence! You lot. Shut the fuck up! I can''t hear!"

    There was instant silence. Their master was displeased. Those bat bastards wouldn''t get a bone or any other delightful meat today!

    Even without being alive, this meal was giving Shao Jin trouble, first with bargaining then passing out, what other annoyance did it have in store for him? He wouldn''t wait to find out, not today, not ever!

    ¡°This human¡­ could it have faked its death¡­?¡± His hooves tapped against the floor before leaning over the corpse which exuded a scent that amplified his previous intention.

    However¡­

    "Why isn''t there a heartbeat? This is¡­ troublesome." He muttered. It seems he was looking forward to savoring a screaming, succulent dish after millennia, but that dream of his has died with the boy!

    ¡°Oh Emperor, give the corpse to us your humble servants! Our jaws are hungry!¡± A bat cried from the horde, breaking the uncomfortable silence. It seems death was good business for some creatures, but who was Shao Jin to deny their devotion when his needs were already met, sort of¡­

    ¡°Right! Master, let us dine upon this fleshy delicacy!¡± A louder screech from those shadowy ranks fueled their intentions and desperation, causing those that stayed silent to express their bloodthirsty hunger.

    This caused the tension to ratchet higher, so much that Shao Jin¡¯s golden horns released an unnerving buzzing sound.

    The Golden Bull Thork let out a snort of irritation. ¡°Hmph! I''m starting to¡­¡±

    BOOM!

    Just as he was about to deliver a scolding that would send those insects to hide in their shadows for a decade or two, a blinding light burst from Raphael''s seemingly lifeless form, engulfing Shao Jin¡¯s immense size, blinding his blood-filled eyes and silencing his words as those echoes from the depths of chaos.

    "What in the name of¡­"

    Even the bloodthirsty bats that waited for a command to rip and tear the human''s bones into nothingness covered their eyes.

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    And it was in that momentary lapse of surprise and awe, that a strange sight materialize over that young man¡¯s corpse.

    ¡°Could it be¡­? A Solar Consciousness?¡± This time however, there wasn¡¯t any laughter or ridicule from the Golden Bull Thork. This time there was just, disbelief, and it wasn''t directed at the bats, nor the food it was about to eat earlier but at itself, his judgment and a tinge of fear for what appeared above the corpse now!

    Floating serenely, as if dancing to an unheard melody, were two radiant orbs.

    The larger one pulsed with an ethereal blue light. This one had an innate pressure that resembled those potent beast¡¯s Solar Consciousnesses he had witnessed before.

    Beside the blue orb, and seemingly circling it in a tilted orbit, was a smaller, pearly-white orb. Its intensity and raw energy left even Shao Jin speechless. He was fixated on their hypnotic dance as an unnerving chill seeped into its being. Those were indeed a treasure!

    "Two¡­ Two Solar Consciousnesses?¡±

    ¡°It''s possible¡­? Can this be?¡±

    It seemed those cowardly shadow bats couldn''t contain their surprise and was bold enough to whisper those questions while trying to appease their fear, however¡­

    "Shut it you fools!" It wasn''t the pronouncements of those insects that bothered him as much. It was that pulsating blue and white radiance and how potent they actually were.

    They couldn''t be simple Soul Planets or Soul Stars orbiting the main one as he had witnessed in the past. These were two distinct and powerful Solar Consciousnesses inhabiting the same... body without being refined. How was this possible?

    Shao Jin racked its brain trying to remember any records, history or ancient text detailing such an anomaly.

    When a Solar Consciousness is fused with a Soul Orbital, it loses its innate will and become an immutable servant to the core consciousness.  However, what he was looking at were two unmerged Solar Consciousness coexisting independently.

    Had he ever encountered a human, indeed any creature with a dual core like this before? Was such a thing even possible? He dismissed it all and settled on logic. There was none.

    Those whispers continued unabated until he decided it was time to silence them, "Could this be another trap? No¡­ even those cowardly humans wouldn''t pull such a stunt..."

    His contemplation was disrupted by the faint flap of wings followed by movement that came from a hungry bat, approaching those dazzling balls of power as if ready to devour them.

    "DON''T TOUCH IT, YOU DUMB SHIT!"

    The sheer dominance, fueled by concern in its assertions silenced them all, even the dancing fires seem to have stopped their swaying. Such was the power radiating from the Golden Bull Thork.

    Shao Jin¡¯s thoughts now turn to himself, his situation.

    "Hm¡­ I''ve absorbed Balphazar''s Soul Consciousness to mend my broken horn and gain shadow manipulation capabilities, but these¡­" His burning gaze was filled with awe as he stared with renewed focus.

    He observed the two pulsating orbs more keenly, especially that smaller white Solar Consciousness. The aura it exuded¡­ It was far more powerful than the blue one, yet smaller. The anomaly was undeniable! Such powerful souls emanating from such a fragile vessel. This defied logic!

    A smile stretched across his muzzle as Shao Jin took a deep breath and made a decision. ¡°No matter! If I consume them, I might be granted a mysterious and greater power. Hahaha! Who knew a delicious human meal could be so entertaining and provide such an unexpected treat!

    And without a shred of mercy¡­

    He leaned down, opened his massive jaws and, in a single gulp, swallowed the dual Solar Consciousnesses along with the human body, not even leaving a single speck of flesh or bone on the icy earth. It was as if the human and his pulsating blue and white Solar Consciousness never existed!

    The witnessing shadows buzzed again with whispers but much fainter than earlier, a clear sign that they were also fearful of how callous and vicious their new master truly was,

    ¡°Master is too greedy¡­¡±

    ¡°Hmmm¡­¡± Shao Jin snorted at them before turning to those fire waterfalls with a smirk of satisfaction then returned to address his meal¡¯s remnants, ¡°Silence. It is time for me to fully assimilate this power.¡±

    In a gesture mirroring the Shadow Bat Emperor¡¯s former throne of darkness, Shao Jin''s hooves radiated an intense golden light which pulsed then a comfortable throne manifested into existence.

    His monstrous form then gracefully alighted with a small echo of power upon it. He closed his eyes and focused inward. Slowly, his spirit dove deep into his vast Cosmic Mind Sea to unravel and tame this potent energies he had just devoured with his powerful jaws and even more hungry ambitions.

 Chapter 19 - Rebirth

    Shao Jin¡¯s Cosmic Mind Sea was a vast and awe-inspiring spectacle. Swirling galaxies painted across the expanse of an endless space were being fueled by radiant nebulae that glowed with indescribable beauty. Colors danced and vibrated in an ethereal ballet, defying the limitations of mortal comprehension.

    At the center of this breathtaking cosmos blazed a massive sun¡ªShao Jin¡¯s Solar Consciousness. Its incandescent radiance illuminated this mental universe.

    WHOOSH!

    The blue and white spheres, remnants of Raphael¡¯s soul, were pulled relentlessly toward the center of this majestic sunscape.

    ¡°Be one with me, foolish human souls.¡±

    The absorption process was swift but spectacular. The blue sphere was consumed first. A ripple of power then coursed through Shao Jin''s Solar Consciousness.

    The white sphere followed closely behind. It met the now-enhanced sun, and as they touched, a burst of intense brilliance ignited that shattered and recreated this Cosmic Mind Sea. It was blinding even to its owner.

    The sheer power of the white Solar Consciousness was staggering, far exceeding the bull''s expectations. But such a powerful soul, belonging to such an insignificant, weak creature¡­ what did it mean? He shrugged away the question with arrogance and ambition. There was power to be claimed so who cares about consequences right?

    The once-golden core pulsated violently before settling into a calm and peaceful state as those remnants were subdued.

    "HAHAHAH! Finally."

    Shao Jin felt an exhilaration unlike anything he¡¯d experienced before. With his newly expanded Solar Consciousness and the added benefits from devouring Balphazar¡¯s essence. It appeared as if he was on the path to ascending to godhood. This thought amplified his joy!

    "Hm¡­ Time to test this newly acquired strength!¡±

    He eagerly opened his eyes to the physical world.

    ¡°Is it done?¡± A bat from the eagerly awaiting shadows dared to whisper, even though Shao Jin hadn¡¯t awaken fully. The tension in that chamber was so thick it could have been cut with a spoon and served for dessert.

    "Shh, be silent, can''t you feel the pressure¡­?¡± Another brave one cautioned, and as if this utterance was a switch of fate¡­

    BOOM!

    The bull¡¯s hooves radiated even more golden brilliance that was fueled with dark shadows that crackled with powerful streaks of lightning.

    A sight for sore, bloodthirsty, yet envious eyes.

    ¡°The power! Its multiplied by several folds¡­ Oh, great Emperor, bestow upon me wisdom and strength! I''m worthy!¡±

    The Shadow Bat Army were basking in the reflected brilliance that seeped outwards. For even the smallest and weakest was getting stronger from just basking in this reflected power.

    Their pleas were drowned out as their mighty bull awoke with a fearsome growl.

    "Hmph! That human¡¯s consciousnesses¡­ they tasted pretty damn good. Hahaha! Who knew their flavors would so perfectly compliment my own. Delicious¡­ And such potent energy!¡± Shao Jin was impressed by the boy''s Solar Consciousnesses, even though it wasn''t his intention to compliment them.

    ¡°Now then, it is time to¡­¡±

    A sudden, searing pain exploded within his mind and shot downwards. It wracked his massive frame with such intensity that he tumbled from his throne of light, clutching at his head as it buzzed and crackled with a mixture of gold flames and black shadow energies.

    His mighty horns sparked wildly.

    ¡°Master!¡± The bats fluttered nervously.

    Their excitement replaced by concern. However, their power was nothing to even dent the furs of Shao Jin¡¯s innate might, so what could they do, besides¡­ stare on.

    ¡°Argh¡­ What¡­ what¡¯s happening?¡±

    In the blink of an eye, Shao Jin¡¯s consciousness was dragged back into his Cosmic Mind Sea by the sheer power that now ravaged it!

    It was no longer that wondrous tapestry of color, stars and swirling nebulae¡­ Instead.

    It was hell!

    CRACKLE! CRACK! BOOM!

    At the center, the once radiant and immensely beautiful sun was being devoured. Jagged, dark blue lines spread across its surface like an untamed virus spreading with unstoppable speed and purpose. And in front of that disintegrating orb, floated that insignificant little white Solar Consciousness.

    ¡°IMPOSSIBLE! How can this¡­ be!¡±

    It glowed menacingly as it span rapidly. Tendrils of pale energy reached out and tore into the golden core, and devoured with unimaginable power. The pulsating, vibrant sun was fading.

    ¡°ARGHHHHH!¡±

    Then there was silence. His last pronouncements echoed, a chilling melody to accompany the change in ownership of that chamber.

    On the outside, the bull''s mighty form crumpled to the ground, but¡­

    "Snort..."

    Even in unconsciousness, the beast''s innate resilience battled against the power of the invader.

    Those bats wondered what was to become of them.

    Would their mighty, unstoppable master return?

    Or perhaps, he¡¯s dead¡­ again?

    What if¡­

    Then, after some time, their anxieties were appeased as Shao Jin¡¯s body stirred and moaned softly. He was alive! But something was off¡­ terribly off.

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    ¡°Huh¡­ what¡­ where¡­?¡± Shao Jin slowly regained consciousness but appeared dazed. He shook his head, disoriented. The words he spoke came from a weak and confused place, no longer filled with arrogance or dominance.

    ¡°This smell¡­" His gaze drifted towards the bat horde that watched him with curious dread.

    ¡°Master, you¡¯re feeling better?¡±

    "Huh¡­? Why are they¡­ calling me ¡®master¡¯? I thought¡­ wasn¡¯t it¡­ wasn''t it the cow¡­?¡± A cold, unnerving thought came crawling to the front, ¡°Why does my head feels so heavy and where is¡­¡±

    An excruciating headache wracked its massive frame then¡­

    Thump, thump¡­

    Faint memories surfaced, pushing past that impenetrable golden haze that clouded its thoughts.

    Memories of a racing heart, cold chills across a skinny and smelly form, then everything fades to black. He remembered¡­ passing out. However¡­

    ¡°Wait, that memory¡­¡± It wasn¡¯t from Shao Jin¡¯s vast consciousness of battle, but¡­ a measly human!

    More images, fragmented and bizarre, flooded his thoughts.

    A young, skinny human corpse emitting a brilliant blue and blinding white light¡­

    Two majestic Solar Consciousness rising over him as if commanded¡­

    An enormous golden hoof descending, then¡­ oblivion.

    All of it, flashes of stolen moments¡­ from the bull¡¯s perspective!

    His eyes widened, and he staggered back, finally grasping a terrifying truth.

    ¡°It¡¯s me! I¡­ I''m in control of the bull¡¯s¡­ body? How? What?!¡±

    ¡°This is¡­ Am I dreaming? I¡­¡±

    Raphael¡¯s internal monologue was a jumbled mess of confusion and disbelief. One moment he was staring death in the face, ready to become a Calamity''s chew toy, the next... he was inhabiting the very body of that monstrous bull!

    How did this happen?

    Was it his dual Solar Consciousnesses? But he remembered Shao Jin absorbing them¡­ or was it himself¡­? Did those spheres, his spheres somehow merge and took over the Golden Bull Thork¡¯s powerful form?

    This entire situation was as absurd as it was terrifying.

    ¡°Ugh¡­ this makes my head spin¡­¡±

    Raphael struggled to reconcile this new reality.

    He thought to himself: ¡°Okay, calm down, calm down! Gotta get back into my body¡­ But how? Oh¡­¡±

    A dreadful realization slammed into him, hitting harder than Shao Jin''s "Gold Press" attack ever could, leaving Raphael in utter despair.

    ¡°Wait¡­ he¡­ he ate me! That damn bull swallowed my body!¡±

    His new monstrous body reacted instinctively, mirroring the chaotic turmoil raging inside him.

    "ROAR!¡±

    Raphael¡¯s roar shook the very foundation of that underground chamber, causing dust to erupt into a cloud and blowing away the Shadow Bats like leaves before a hurricane.

    Those cries from those bats, their fear. That sound¡­ was that his? He was surprised. He had never released a sound with such power, but before he could further admire this strange body''s power¡­

    ¡°MASTER! You¡¯re awake!¡±

    ¡°We are glad master!¡±

    The bat army trembled in submission. It seems the sounds coming from him had pleased them immensely.

    ¡°Okay¡­ First things first. Stay calm¡­ Gotta figure out what¡¯s going on.¡±

    Raphael tried to steady his pounding heart and take stock of his situation. He scanned his new limbs, still in disbelief. His voice, his roar, those massive hooves¡­ this overwhelming power pulsating in every single atom, they weren''t his but now they were? He couldn''t make sense of it!

    One thing was certain, however.

    He couldn¡¯t let those grotesque creatures realize he wasn''t the terrifying, arrogant, and domineering bull they now worshipped!

    ¡°What will they do if they find out¡­ I¡¯m just a pathetic human inside a Golden Bull Thork shell¡­ Surely they¡¯ll turn on me! Gotta play this cool. Keep it low¡­ Play dumb¡­ but for how long¡­" These were the internal instructions Raphael repeatedly chant in hopes of delaying the inevitable, his demise.

    Unfortunately for him, these bats, those annoying, disgusting creatures that had constantly tried to devour him earlier now possessed an innate fear, respect, and loyalty to the Golden Bull Thork''s lineage. His fears were completely unfounded. Their subservience had been bestowed by their emperor¡¯s wings, and they couldn''t rebel against it.

    Raphael wasn¡¯t privy of this important fact and as such continued to worry needlessly.

    ¡°Okay, gotta think logically¡­ First, I need to get out of here¡­ but how? Those tunnels¡­¡± As he finished this thought, his instincts, those instincts that were now his, and not his took over.

    WHOOSH!

    His large black wings expanded.

    Raphael''s jaw dropped as he was suddenly levitating off the ground.

    ¡°I''m¡­ I¡¯m flying?¡± The sheer exhilaration of soaring through the air, defying gravity, was unreal. "Oh wow. Wait, I remember now. The Bull¡­ gained these wings after¡­ he consumed the Shadow Bat Emperor. Could it be...? Are those shadows also mine now¡­?¡± His eyes settled on the shadowy figures that waited eagerly with gazes of devotion and subservience.

    ¡°Lets¡­ test that theory¡­"

    His hooves nervously tap against the ground which he instantly stopped to maintain a semblance of confidence, but in actuality, his heart was doing somersaults as another thought washed through.

    ¡°I¡­ I need proof.¡±

    Looking straight at an elder Shadow Bat whose wrinkled face and ancient, deep-set red eyes held more power and respect than a hundred other combined, he said something he hoped he wouldn''t regret.

    ¡°YOU!¡±

    His tone wasn''t exactly as deep and as scary as Shao Jin''s, but its arrogance carried enough weight to shut up the bat before him instantly as if preparing to be devoured whole, which could easily have happened now.

    ¡°Kneel!¡±

    BOOM!

    Without any defiance, without any resistance, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, the ancient beast¡­

    THUD!

    ¡­prostrated itself upon the cold ground instantly. This show of power over such an ancient entity, it frightened Raphael. He was still human, and as such, the instincts to submit were almost overwhelming even though it should be the other way around!

    The shock, it was very, very real!

    His trembling hoof gestured for it to rise because the last thing Raphael needed was a mutiny on his hands due to unneeded show of power or arrogance that could be mistaken for¡­ respect, which would certainly kill his motivation, which at this moment was rapidly diminishing.

    And the subservient bat followed his every will! It didn''t dare to question its new master.

    ¡°Haaa¡­ This is too weird¡­ I¡­ This power¡­" He stared at those subservient shadows. Could this really be real? He was in control of a literal army of monstrous, terrifying beasts. These were the things that used to terrorize and attack others for their essence!

    Raphael¡¯s mind wandered briefly to Tajmani¡¯s earlier antics about commanding him to do ridiculous tasks like carry luggage and how cruel her gaze had been. It felt strangely cathartic, knowing he was the one commanding others now, and that they wouldn¡¯t hesitate to jump off cliffs at his word.

    Shaking away his distracting thoughts, he focused.

    ¡°How much time has passed? It can¡¯t be too long, right? An hour, maybe two¡­¡± He hadn''t been in the cave that long, he thought. If so¡­ then things may become complicated, terribly complicated!

    ¡°That spoiled brat¡­ I bet she has already contacted the Bloodthorne Empire for reinforcements. And those guys¡­ they won''t play around with a Calamity. Oh, man¡­¡±

    He finally recognized how much his predicament has worsen as a result of ¡°accidentally¡± taking over Shao Jin¡¯s body.

    His previous fears about getting eaten by monsters, crushed by hooves or swallowed by acid were replaced by a more terrible fear.

    Fear of those that would stop at nothing to get what they want. And this was usually done in the name of¡­

    Justice.

    Raphael thought about Tajmani, her arrogance and influence. Surely, she wouldn''t relent, knowing he carried her belongings. He¡¯d probably be branded a traitor or a delusional idiot trying to claim the mother Crimson Fang Hound''s bounty. His life was already shit before this, what about now?

    But there was something more urgent¡­

    ¡°I¡­I need to get out of here fast! But first¡­" He looked over the shadowy legion, and saw them with new lenses¡­

    ¡°What do I do with these¡­?¡± Before he could even finish that question¡­

    WHOOSH!

    Instinctively, his wings reacted and unfurled.

    They felt like extensions of himself, drawing information from beyond the frozen cave walls. A wave of power, subtle yet vast, emanated outwards. Images appeared before his eyes. He wasn¡¯t even controlling it, it just was!

    ¡°This is¡­ unreal¡­¡±

    Raphael saw trees, shadows, falling snow and the glow from serious knights! He saw them as blurs! Their movements amplified in an echo that his brain deciphered in terrifying detail as¡­ a massive Bloodthorne Garrison.

    ¡°Crap! They¡¯re already here¡­ This is bad, very, very bad!¡±

    They were heading straight toward the ice cave!

    ¡°I¡­ I gotta get out of here. NOW!¡±

    Raphael''s new instincts screamed at him, warning of approaching danger. He had to get out, now! Turning, he flapped those massive dark wings and flew upward, aiming for the fiery heart of the Fire Pool.

    As he gained altitude, the Shadow Bat army that waited below watched with devotion and obedience. They were ready to follow.

    "Wait for us, Master!¡±

    Their screeching cries echoed through the chamber as hundreds of bats rushed after him.

    Instinctively, Raphael felt his wings grow warm. Glancing back, he was astonished to see the bats merging seamlessly into his wings. With each joining, those shadowy appendages grew larger and more imposing.

 Chapter 20 - Hunted

    WHOOSH!

    Raphael, now embodying the mighty Golden Bull Thork, burst from the heart of the Fire Pool like a fiery comet. Landing heavily upon the surface of the molten liquid, he sent out ripples of fire and steam that reflected the chaotic battle that raged inside and outside him mere moments before.

    ¡°This¡­ air¡­" Raphael was slowly adjusting to the changes occurring around him as if he had never felt the air before, or smelled something other than shit, blood, fire, or his own foul odor.

    Just then, a soft whimper broke the momentary silence. He felt something furry rubbing against his mighty hind leg, seeking comfort and warmth, much like a cat.

    ¡°Huh..?¡±

    He glance downwards to discover a familiar creature he had last seen getting chased into that damn cave he almost died in.

    It was the Crimson Fang Hound mother, covered in singed fur, scars, and a sense of maternal instinct.

    "It''s that beast¡­ the one Tajmani and the others were hunting¡­ She must¡¯ve been resting here and recovering from her injuries before I so rudely interrupted them¡­." Then as if those fragmented images in his head were aligning, he understood why she was trying to be friendly now. ¡°But why here¡­? What does it want now?¡±

    As those thoughts filtered through, Shao Jin¡¯s memories merged with his human sentiments, providing clarity and understanding. It felt strangely invasive but not at all displeasing because this body¡­ it was his now! The realization made him giddy.

    Shao Jin could effortlessly communicate with beasts within his territory. Raphael now possessed that ability! He could hear her thoughts, her worry, her desperation.

    He could sense the potent Solar Consciousness within this hound mother, that prize Tajmani had sought. The thought of killing the beast now, claiming it as his own and preventing Tajmani from her victory, it held a certain dark appeal¡­ revenge for years of abuse, torment and humiliation that had plagued his entire life as a "slave".

    This delicious plan quickly morphed into the opposite of everything he wanted to do. He just wanted to be alive.

    A snort escaped his nostrils as a powerful blast of hot steam erupted. He wasn¡¯t interested in power now, and those tempting wings and hooves¡­ he simply wanted to escape and maybe live a normal life again, perhaps not as a servant this time, or at least be treated better. It was a foolish dream, he admitted, but there was nothing to lose at this point, was there?

    Those thoughts died instantly as he remembered how messy and dangerous the humans in the outside world could be when power and ambition filled those tiny minds.

    Raphael leaned down, directing those scary blood-soaked eyes that now felt strangely familiar to the hound''s terrified gaze. He hoped those words carry as much conviction as they did fear, for that was all he had left.

    "Little minx¡­ it isn''t safe here any longer. The humans¡­ They will find you if you stay here. And believe me¡­ when they decide you¡¯re a threat¡­¡± He paused. The recent memory of his own escape from a terrifying bull Calamity came flashing through with clarity as if he were reliving that very moment!

    ¡°Things get very ugly, very quickly.¡±

    As he finished saying those words, a wave of stubborn growls erupted, shaking him a bit. She didn''t want to leave! The message was strong in its primal meaning and he got it.

    "I cannot leave! My pups are here!¡± she conveyed through snarls. ¡°They are too young and vulnerable! The world is not kind to weaklings! I cannot leave my children!¡±

    ¡°Hm. You have great determination¡­" But stupidity can be mistaken for bravery, a hard lesson that usually leads to bloodshed and destruction. And if Tajmani¡¯s underlings are leading the squad¡­ it wouldn¡¯t end well, especially for this stubborn hound and its innocent pups, especially if the rumors he had overheard in the castle of a new technique being crafted in the labs to capture a living creature''s Solar Consciousness, "but sometimes, holding onto pride could mean losing something even more important.¡±

    After a moment of silence which had more meaning than their words ever could, he shook his head in resignation and simply said, ¡°Very well, it is your decision. As for me. I can¡¯t stay.¡±

    And without further conversation, he dashed off with a speed that resembled teleportation. It was more of a forceful shove against space itself via his monstrous strength than a burst, with black and golden energy radiating from every atom of that now-transformed form.

    The earth tremored as the ground parted beneath those golden hooves and a message was written into the land as if it meant to haunt that place until it disappeared from existence:

    ¡®Death has been here, and might come knocking again!¡¯

    Raphael¡¯s guess was that the hounds children were deep in the Blood Forest because her chosen direction of escape would certainly seal their demise. It felt wrong letting her go, but in those parting words of his, he was sure the mother hound knew there was no other option. He had no time to protect weaklings, he was a runaway after all.

    ¡®That hound¡­ I have a feeling she¡¯s just signed their death warrant.¡¯ Raphael shook his head. She¡¯d be no match for the incoming Bloodthorne Garrison, but perhaps that was better¡­ a quick death to a life of pain.

    His past as a ¡°slave¡± had taught him much about unfairness and that some creatures were simply meant to¡­ die, so the strong could get even more power. He didn''t dwell too much on this fact, his own survival was paramount.

    The exit was a blaze of cold light and falling snow as those shadows receded. He exited with a powerful shove of power that sent the snow flying and cracked trees ahead, but as soon as his hooves touched the ground outside¡­ the air shifted.

    He was back, however, back wasn''t home, it was simply¡­ death''s waiting room!

    The ice-covered landscape was vast, extending before him like a frozen tapestry.

    Looking back, the majestic snow-capped peaks loomed behind him. It was there, in the bowels of those treacherous caverns, where his life had taken this unpredictable turn¡­ his destiny re-written against the flames of a mighty Golden Bull Thork that was now his.

    Raphael¡¯s dark wings unfolded with the groan of untold power. He then flapped experimentally before shooting forward with jerky movements as the ground below felt the shockwaves, shattering ice and ripping the landscape as if he were playing with power itself, because¡­ he was.

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    He had to think. Where to go? He had never been outside the Bloodthorne Empire, and it was impossible to exist in this body while still remain in their territory.

    Then it hit him.

    A specific memory came flashing from his years of devouring knowledge to appease those bullies. It was a whisper from drunken guards about a terrifying place, a dangerous place, but definitely outside the Bloodthorne reach.

    ¡®If I recall¡­ It was south¡­ a long journey south.¡¯ He quickly glanced toward the Grey Sun above those falling snowflakes.  Using that¡­

    "The South it is! A haven of beasts it is." He roared with such bravado as he hurtled across the frozen expanse with a blinding speed.

    He flew at low altitude to avoid being seen. His flight path wasn¡¯t grace nor subtle. It left a trail of torn earth, splintered ice, and golden energy that told any spectator: something powerful and dangerous was coming their way, but it won¡¯t be for long¡­

    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

    Suddenly, immense blood-red spikes, sharp as dragon fangs and thick as tree trunks erupted from the frozen ground ahead and around Raphael. They jutted out like a macabre forest, and was dripping with a menacing crimson energy.

    He instinctively pulled up, narrowly avoiding a spike that would¡¯ve skewered him through his new, beefy chest.

    ¡°They¡¯ve caught up already?!¡± He was stunned. It had barely been a minute since he exited the ice cave! His fear multiplied by a thousand fold as those crimson death traps grew ever closer!

    How was this even possible? Had they been lying in wait?

    Raphael dismissed that thought because he could hear, even feel their powerful essences as they rushed through the frozen wasteland he was flying over.

    ¡°No¡­ they were definitely chasing me. But weren¡¯t they supposed to be chasing after the mother Crimson Fang Hound¡­? Could it be they¡­ split up?¡±

    Instead of turning his head to confirm those fast approaching enemies, Raphael unconsciously utilized his newly acquired echolocation. He had mastered it, without knowing how! It was just instinct.

    In a blink, he got a detailed blueprint of the imposing forces behind.

    It was a squad, fifteen knights strong.

    ¡°Two Golden Blood Knights leading the charge¡­ That¡¯s¡­ bad. Three Silver Blood Knights and¡­ what! Are those? Bronze? They sent ten Bronze Blood Knights after me?!"

    The fear was real because during his ¡°servitude¡± to that damned princess, he couldn¡¯t even fathom talking to such high ranking knights without being threatened or beaten up for interrupting their daily rituals, and now¡­

    They were coming for his head! Or to be more specific. Shao Jin¡¯s horns, claws, flesh, bones and any other body part those researchers considered good for experiments! What fun, how chaotic!

    He had to think. Escape. Evade. Annihilate. What to do?

    But those decisions, they were hard to make when your balls were shrinking rapidly due to seeing a death squad of knights coming at you!

    BOOM! BOOM!

    Those red spikes erupted even more furiously from the earth below, intensifying their pursuit. He was their target, no doubt. They would not rest until¡­ they either captured him or put him down. The determination in those knight¡¯s was evident from how swiftly those spikes came erupting from beneath!

    A particularly bright, golden-red blur then shot forth from the formation. It wasn''t a mere blood spike like before, this¡­ This was worse!

    It was a knight, radiating power.

    "Damn it!¡±

    ¡°Beast, yield!¡± The voice of an elite came echoing with righteous, burning intent which resonated from that fast approaching golden-red streak.

    "What the¡­?!"

    Shao Jin''s speed, Raphael was using it now, but still he couldn¡¯t shake off this imposing force that stood ahead, daring him, defying his speed!

    He could easily outrun them, push himself further, faster, utilize those mighty bat claws, but those years of oppression, that voice filled with authority¡­ It was as if his master Tajmani stood before him, no, that wasn''t right.

    Tajmani was a puppy with shit stained diaper compared to this majestic figure that was stopping his movement without even laying a hand on him.

    That voice had him petrified¡­ momentarily!

    Raphael, in Shao Jin''s colossal body, reluctantly slowed down and hovered cautiously, allowing the Bloodthorne knights to catch up and encircle him.

    ¡°This doesn''t make sense. This bull¡­ it''s fast! Too damn fast, but¡­¡± The leader who was a woman in red armor adorned with gold accents commented with amazement at how quickly the beast could move, a spectacle none in their squadron has ever witness.

    But now it was no longer relevant because she had to report its location for reinforcement to arrive. Then they saw the horns, those eyes, the imposing shadow wings pulsating behind its back, but before they could properly assess this situation and figure out a strategy¡­

    Something shocking occurred!

    ¡°Hmph! Who dares stops my escape! You humans insects! Are you¡­" But those brave and defiant words ended before they even began as he, Raphael heard it clearly in a very familiar tone:

    ¡°Yield, beast, like the dog you are.¡±

    The familiarity of those words struck Raphael deeply, but not in a good way! His past, his humiliation came roaring back to reality. How many times had he been addressed with similar pronouncements by that annoying spoiled princess he was sworn to protect¡­?

    He couldn''t help it. He would show them.

    His human resentment, a bubbling pot of angst and injustice boiled over and spilled!

    ¡°ROAR!¡±

    The bull unleashed an earth-shattering roar, fueled by Shao Jin¡¯s might and amplified by Raphael¡¯s rage that blast those Blood Knight squadrons into those frozen, tree filled wastelands behind like insignificant pebbles.

    The snow billowed wildly from that blast as the surrounding landscape fractured as if it meant to crumble to dust!

    "WHAT?! HOW¡­¡±

    It was unreal. The sheer power contained in a mere roar had disintegrated most of their blood essence shielding and had thrown them hundreds of meter backward like helpless infants!

    Never had the knights, even Salim, the commanding Golden Blood Knight, ever encountered such ferocity.

    ¡°So this is the beast that Tien Ha and Gerald mentioned. A Calamity¡­" She gasped as the last word of her soldiers and comrades faded, replaced by labored groans from those that had passed out, and muffled moans of disbelief and pain. The sight shocked her because never had a bull¡¯s bellow sent such strong knights as themselves into chaos! Never!

    Realizing the power of the monster they were sent to capture, she quickly gathered her strength while scanning for injured squadmates and issuing out orders: ¡°They''re right. We must be extremely careful! This beast¡­ It''s not just a Blood Beast, it¡¯s a Calamity! Fall in! Fall in! Crimson Binding Blood Formation!¡±

    ¡°YES! COMMANDER SALIM!¡±

    Instantly those Blood Knights that could stand or use minimal blood essence energy to move with shaky limbs, scrambled towards each other, positioning themselves strategically around that dazed Bull whose eyes resembled the chaos that had enveloped that snowy battleground.

    The glow was faint now, replaced by fear.

    And for Raphael, this meant a slight sense of superiority for only moments before reality came crushing.

    The Crimson Binding Blood Formation was one that utilized the individual¡¯s Astro Soul Orbital to conjure massive pillars of solidified blood. Then, a collective power resonated between the participating members to amplify each pillar¡¯s power, before sending those solidified energies, like whips towards their target and effectively trapping them. But that¡¯s not all.

    As soon as those pillars pierce the ground and connect in an invisible net of energy¡­

    "HAAA!"

    "Crimson Blood Prison - Activate!¡±

    BOOM!

    Instantly, the pillars glowed vibrantly. And from each pillar, blood tendrils shot upwards and linked, forming a dome-shaped prison. Its interior glowed, shifting constantly. This technique had no time limit as long as its participants maintained the formation!

    Inside, Raphael was staring at his current dilemma. Those crimson spikes that came shooting upwards from the ground, were now pulsing blood tendrils that constantly attacked his very being. He could block them, but for how long? And why were the skies turning red?

    The sheer pressure was as suffocating as those golden hoofed phantoms of earlier.

    His anxieties multiplied ten-fold as an undeniable question filled his mind.

    "Where do I escape to now?"

    And as if this nightmare couldn¡¯t be worse, those knights materialized from the ground below one by one.

    They surrounded him with their weapons drawn and eyes filled with killing intent.

    This was a nightmare beyond any he had ever imagined! His human instincts to flee was now screaming for a way out. What to do? He wasn''t sure, but surely¡­ that bull has a powerful technique he can use¡­ right?

    "Die, beast." The lead Golden Blood Knight entered first with a spear of radiant crimson, and it seemed there would be no other outcome this night¡­ other than utter humiliation and the shedding of golden blood upon that crimson ground!

 Chapter 21 - Not A Single Drop Of Blood

    The Crimson Binding Blood Formation purred with power as the Bloodthorne knights moved in synchronicity to subdue the Calamity before them. The two Golden Blood Knights, Salim and Taisho, led the assault. They weaved intricate patterns with their blood essence and conjured colossal crimson arms that slammed against the Golden Bull Thork with bone-jarring force.

    WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!

    The bull staggered under the relentless barrage. The explosive impacts shook the Blood Domain and sent ripples through the crimson energy that surrounded them.

    "Its¡­ not fighting back¡­? But why¡­?¡± A Bronze Blood Knight said in confusion.

    "Focus! Do not underestimate the beast! Our duty is to subjugate, contain and deliver this monster for research!" A nearby Silver Blood Knight reprimanded the Bronze Blood knight¡¯s lack of focus.

    They had been pounding on it relentlessly and still this bastard won''t go down? Unacceptable!

    "Its aura... It''s weakening! Could it be our attacks are actually working?¡± Salim''s keen eyes spotted a slight flicker in the bull¡¯s normally imposing energy field that hinted at exhaustion.

    "Excellent work! Prepare for the finishing blow! Let us show this beast that going against the Bloodthorne''s might always leads to utter defeat! Especially, in the Crimson Blood Prison!"

    Upon hearing their Commander''s confirmation, each Knight nodded grimly, then began channeling their blood essence, their very life force, into the Crimson Binding Blood Formation.

    Red light pulsed intensely within the Blood Domain as their power converge to activate a far more deadlier attack.

    "HYAAA!"

    In unison, they slammed their hands onto the crimson floor.

    From all corners of the dome, hundreds of red swords began materializing with potent blood essence. Then with a silent understanding of the impending spectacle, each monstrous sword slowly adjusted its trajectory towards the massive bull at the center. Their intentions were as transparent as their bodies; kill the monster or die trying!

    Raphael looked up and witnessed the spectacle with abject terror. ¡°Hundreds of¡­ swords! What?!¡±

    He felt a throbbing migraine wash over his being like a wave.

    Shao Jin¡¯s potent life force and energy reserves were in constant conflict with his human core.

    Those crimson swords coming from every direction!

    He couldn''t escape!

    "Oh, God¡­¡±

    As his vision blurred and consciousness wavered, he let out a scream that mirrored the conflict raging within his very core.

    Inside his Cosmic Mind Sea, turmoil was brewing.

    Crackling streaks of golden light spider-webbed across the massive blue sun that represented Raphael¡¯s Solar Consciousness as if attempting to shatter it and merge entirely! The pulsating glow flickered. At its center, a blinding white spark was desperately trying to withstand the assault, but¡­

    "KILL!"

    "KILL!"

    "KILL!"

    Shao Jin¡¯s primal bloodlust resonated through Raphael''s mind. Was he urging him to fight back, or¡­

    Raphael desperately tried to resist Shao Jin¡¯s overwhelming influence, but those crimson swords closing in meant certain doom. The desperation and primal survival instincts started breaking through the barriers within.

    He didn''t have much time!

    In the midst of this battle for mental dominance, a dark red orb broke free from the eroding blue sun center, shattering the initial form then reformed quickly before settling into a newly formed Astro Soul Orbital.

    It glowed faintly as if breathing for the first time. The energy resonating from it was that of darkness and destructive thunder.

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    Within a few moments, its red glow condensed further into a fearsome crimson Soul Planet with swirling black bands and deep, crackling crimson lines that resemble lightning. It was a spectacle worthy of the gods!

    This Soul Planet¡¯s appearance caused the surrounding cosmos to tremble. And with its birth¡­

    ¡°KILL!¡±

    Raphael echoed Shao Jin¡¯s pronouncements in a loud bellow as if he had just been freed from prison after serving a thousand years. A brand-new Soul Power ignited inside him that had a distinct scent¡­ that of blood.

    An impossibly black energy expanded outward from his trembling and morphing figure as he held his hooves to his head to suppress the agonizing migraine. This black energy flowed like a tidal wave of pure annihilation and rapidly consumed the Crimson Blood Prison that trapped his mighty frame.

    The knights froze. Their domain, it was being devoured, consumed and was merging into something even more potent and frightening, for their entire vision was overtaken by a void of nothingness that felt as real as the spears in their hands.

    "The blood¡­? Where did it go? This is¡­¡±

    ¡°Oh God¡­ It¡¯s a Dark Domain! This beast¡­ It possesses Dark Domain powers!¡±

    Even the veteran Golden Blood Knights were stunned. They instinctively knew they were in grave danger as they could sense their energy reserves diminishing, as if being sucked away.

    But why?

    It didn''t make sense! This monstrous creature before them was obviously not a Bloodthorne descendant! Why could it use such potent Bloodthorne Soul Power? Had their lineage also fallen to this Calamity¡¯s dominance? Or could there be a link so ancient that it predated their understanding of history and creation itself¡­?

    These questions would have to wait for now, especially when there are far pressing matters!

    ¡°FEED!¡± The Golden Bull Thork¡¯s voice, amplified by untold levels of energy reverberated through the cavernous expanse.

    Salim¡¯s intuition screamed!

    Something dreadful is about to happen¡­

    Before the realization had completely sunk in¡­

    Screech! Screech!

    WHOOSH!

    Hundreds of vicious Shadow Bats with razor-sharp claws and eyes burning with unyielding ferocity erupted from the now enormous black wings of their master, forming an undulating, terrifying wave of obsidian terror.

    ¡°What¡¯s that noise?¡±

    Salim quickly activated her potent Blood Sight ability that pierced through the blinding darkness of the Dark Domain that now trapped them.

    She was greeted by images of blood and guts splattering against her armor in a violent manner that terrified even her cold heart, especially upon recognizing those weaker members of their squad being dismembered by hordes of bats. They were tearing their foes into pieces!

    Those Bonze Blood Knights didn''t last long against that relentless and efficient horde, and after them, the Silver Blood Knights suffered the same fate.

    Salim then felt an arm wrap around her that pulsed with power. She turned¡­

    One of the veteran Silver Blood Knights was already screaming from the agony of his legs being ripped off, his upper body then disintegrated as he desperately try to cast a technique.

    But even as Salim thought of a strategy to survive, another Shadow Bat wrapped its sharp claws around her armored throat and whispered:

    ¡°Sorry¡­ Emperor¡¯s orders¡­ DIE!¡±

    Crack!

    Instinctively she unleashed her trump card, a powerful defensive maneuver, which barely saved her from being decapitated by those dozens of bats, all screaming:

    ¡°FOR MASTER!¡±

    ¡°FOR MASTER!¡±

    "This Dark Domain! We need to escape its effects, or we won''t be able to activate any Soul Techniques to defend!" Taisho screamed at his struggling Commander but then a powerful voice of judgement stopped his escape maneuver just before he attempted to cleave the blackness in half with his giant axe!

    The bull''s golden horns crackled ominously.

    And within the space between, a blinding white-golden sphere materialized.

    It radiated pure energy that illuminated the heart of the Dark Domain.

    Then...

    "Helios Stream! DIE!"

    The Helios Stream exploded outward. A searing golden torrent engulfed Salim and Taisho in its blinding light as they hovered in awe of that spectacle, leaving them no time to act or react or even think. And in their final moment of awe, terror, helplessness and utter hopelessness, they only managed to mutter with wide pulped open eyes,

    ¡°How¡­?¡±

    BOOM!

    ¡°What was that¡­? It¡­ vanished? Such destructive power! Master¡¯s might has reached the pinnacle of evolution!¡±

    ¡°Right, right. All glory to master!¡±

    The echoing screams and splattering viscera was like a symphony as they dined with the fervor of a pack of rats on garbage. This went on until a powerful rumbling voice silenced those insects.

    ¡°Silence! Your emperor has no time for celebration.¡± Raphael then took in a long breath before a primal roar echoed across those peaks, announcing his ascension to power and dominance over those weak fools who dared to challenge a real ¡°Golden Bull Thork!¡±

    ¡°ROAR!¡±

    WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

    The entire Blood Domain began to shudder and convulse violently as its radiant red brilliance dimmed slowly until only the dark dome remained above which now reflected their victor''s overwhelming might!

    From the tips of each blood spike and from the walls of that now-shrinking prison, streams of crimson lifeblood rushed like a river back to its owner who was a monstrous golden figure in the dark. The Bull Thork¡¯s horn began to glow brightly.

    Then the impossible occurred.

    The blood¡­ it was being absorbed through its tips and being assimilated as his new strength which further magnified his primal aura. Even Raphael felt it, the rush, the dominance and how addictive the hunger for more blood could be.

    This was new, terrifying, yet exciting!

    Once the crimson rivers stopped and the Dark Domain pulsed its last energy before merging seamlessly with its caster, not a drop of blood, flesh, bones, nor weapons remained. All that was left were faint whispers from the Shadow Bats as they rejoined with their Emperor¡¯s wings with full bellies.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ I¡¯ve awakened a Soul Orbital and something else¡­ My bloodline powers. That Dark Domain just now¡­ This is the only explanation?¡±

    WHOOSH!

    Raphael''s dark wings flapped with an instinctive grace. The thrill of flight, the ease at which it defied gravity, that was liberating.

    The only place he was going was South.

    Escape was all he desired now, so, escape he must!

 Chapter 22 - Welcome to Yama Yaguai

    THUD! THUD!

    A powerful golden hoof crashed onto the snowy ground, leaving a deep imprint in the frost-covered earth. With each heavy step forward, the landscape began to shift. Snow gave way to mud, grass peeked through the thawing earth, and the jagged rocks felt rough underfoot.

    Raphael¡¯s hooves finally came to a halt. He took a deep breath and surveyed his surroundings with Shao Jin¡¯s senses which were amplified by the newly absorbed blood energy from the knights and Balphazar¡¯s remnants. It was truly magnificent!

    ¡°So, this is Yama Yaguai, otherwise known as Beast Land¡­?¡±

    It had taken him days of relentless flight, dodging Bloodthorne patrols, and pushing his newfound shadow teleportation to its limits, but he had finally reached his destination.

    Yama Yaguai was a realm of untamed wilderness. Towering mountain peaks pierced the storm-wracked sky, the air thick with the scent of fire and wild essence. The land was riddled with steaming Fire Pools. This was a haven for ancient and powerful beasts ¨C a dangerous and chaotic place, perfect for hiding, and even more perfect for his situation, an unexpected blessing.

    But there was something even more comforting about this wild place that reverberated through his stolen memories:

    No rules! No Bloodthorne laws to abide by, and those damned princesses¡­? Well, that wasn¡¯t his problem anymore.

    Taking a bold step across the invisible boundary that separated this place from the outside, Raphael entered Yama Yaguai, feeling a tremor course up his legs. This feeling was new and a little terrifying at first, but the apprehension quickly faded as he passed a group of creatures who growled with malice until they met his blood-red gaze.

    "Hmm, forgive this lowly one, Master."

    Those eyes radiated pure fear as their bodies hunched lower, almost pressing to the mud. They wouldn''t dare challenge his authority, his lineage, for they were aware of the Golden Bull Thork¡¯s might! It seems even as a fugitive, he was at the very top of the food chain!

    Who could complain? Especially, not those weak bastards.

    ¡°This¡­ this is the respect I deserve.¡± Raphael chuckled, feeling a thrill of arrogance course through him.

    He straightened his back and continued onward, reveling in this newfound dominance and respect. His steps were slow and hesitant at first. After a while, they grew bolder, his hooves smashing through scrub and his head held high.

    In the past, he¡¯d wet his pants in terror from the mere glimpse of one of those disgusting things, however, the fear now resided in their heart! What an accomplishment, he thought to himself with satisfaction!

    ¡°Perhaps I might come to like this place.¡± He inhaled deeply, enjoying the clean scent of raw essence and burnt leaves. It certainly beat the stench of blood, ice, and those damned perfumes Tajmani carried by the bucketload.

    He continued deeper into the heart of Yama Yaguai. The path he followed led him through valleys and across treacherous cliffs. He marveled at the sheer variety of this dangerous and mysterious landscape that was teeming with possibilities.

    At one point, Raphael was admiring a flock of butterflies that carried tiny, iridescent, fairy-like creatures on their wings toward the jagged peaks. In his trance-like fascination, he almost stepped directly into a muddy patch that smelled particularly foul. He quickly sidestepped. But his massive flank ended up bumping against the trunk of what he thought was an ordinary tree, until¡­

    "You oversized fool! Can''t you watch where you are going?! My leaves are ruined now!¡±

    The voice of a grumpy old man pierced his ears, leaving him more surprised than those Shadow Bats of earlier.

    ¡°What the hell¡­¡±

    His hooves stumbled back as his eyes adjusted to discover the face of the ¡°tree¡± staring down at him in disapproval.

    ¡°Sorry¡­ I didn¡¯t realize¡­ you were sentient.¡± Those golden hooves of his shuffled nervously.

    It grunted. ¡°Well, you should! Keep your oversized backside in your lane and be on your way!¡±

    It took a bit more time, dodging weird creatures, admiring those colorful flowers and rocks before finally reaching his destination which was much more dazzling than expected, a place where powerful entities resided in truce, or died trying.

    Ahead lay a lake of fire.

    It dwarfed the one back in the Blood Forest by several folds. Glowing tendrils of heat snaked skyward, the air was heavy with a sulfurous, intoxicating aroma. Its surface roiled and bubbled ominously.

    Raphael felt a thirst unlike anything he''d ever experienced before. The Fire Pool''s essence called to him like a beacon. He saw multiple large beasts drinking from the lake and thought:

    ¡°Those beasts¡­ they''re ingesting that fire¡­ If those freaks can do it¡­ then¡­"

    "Wait, I¡¯m Shao Jin now, a Golden Bull Thork. I should also¡­"

    Ignoring all thoughts about health concerns and logic, he strolled toward the nearest edge and leaned down cautiously, before taking a tentative sip¡­

    ¡°WHOA!¡±

    The liquid fire flowed into him, revitalizing him in ways even the Blood Replenishing Potions hadn''t. He felt a rush of power that he had never known before. It tasted divine, metallic and a little smoky but with a tinge of that sulfur which didn''t bother him, for his monstrous digestive system could swallow even diamonds, if need be!

    ¡°I need more, much more. If only¡­¡±

    And as if the very Fires of Yama Yaguai heard his hungry call¡­

    An idea came.

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    He took the plunge, diving headfirst into the molten lake.

    As he submerged beneath the surface of the Fire Pool and allowed its energies to wash over him, the beast around who were taking in this hot water in their own peaceful manner froze.

    Their peaceful morning was ruined!

    ¡°That¡­idiot. What is it doing?¡± One of them said as it backed away as if the fires would leap off that damned bull¡¯s body and devour everything in its path, which might actually happen if he provoked them.

    And provoke¡­ oh, provoke he did!

    But before this realization was complete, a truly terrifying beast came emerging from the depths of that Fire Pool which caused everyone else to retreat like helpless pups with wet fur seeking mama¡¯s comfort, which wouldn¡¯t help today.

    SPLASH!

    It was an enormous, serpentine creature of immense power. The monster rose, letting out a bone-rattling roar as the molten energy from the Fire Pool dripped like golden tears.

    Its scales radiated with dark ruby luminescence just like fires beneath. It resembled a brown dragon in form, but its face had long trunk and floppy ears like an elephant.

    "Hellphet! It''s Hellphet! And he doesn''t look happy."

    ¡°Someone¡­ someone provoked the Lord of Fire?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s that idiot who just dove in. They''re dead meat! I saw a giant ape, bigger than a mountain get turned to dust for just grazing that beast¡¯s trunk with its toe.¡±

    They couldn¡¯t even blame him now for his stupidity! Hellphet¡¯s might was that horrifying!

    Who dives into a guarded territory¡¯s pool, especially without even inquiring first? Only a fool, or perhaps someone oblivious to what it meant to disrespect another powerful creature¡¯s territory.

    Unfortunately, both were about to learn a lesson about who is king in Yama Yaguai the hard way!

    At first, Raphael, blissfully unaware of the surrounding fear that had permeated the atmosphere due to his action, simply floated in the molten liquid. His hooves waved about like a drunken child as Shao Jin¡¯s instinct took over completely and relished in this pool¡¯s rich essence! It was heavenly!

    "Man, I¡¯m strong. Even stronger now! This essence¡­ it''s far potent and¡­ Whoa¡­ the view¡­"

    But those foolish thoughts came to an abrupt halt as his enhanced sense picked up those fearful whispers of impending doom coupled with the stench of putrid ego and smoke from a pissed off creature!

    ¡°Why are they looking at me like that, am I doing something strange?¡± But before he could formulate any theory about what was going to happen next¡­

    "Which lowlife dares bathes in my Fire Pool without my permission?!"

    ¡°???¡±

    Raphael was a little confused as those eyes adjusted to gaze upon an enormous, majestic beast! It was bigger than himself. Lava was dripping off its brown scales.

    This was scary, but there was no backing out now, so he decided to stay afloat and let those fear instincts of his kick into overdrive.

    ¡°Hey! Stinking bull, I¡¯m talking to you!¡± Hellphet¡¯s menacing words shattered those optimistic bubbles in Raphael''s mind.

    ¡°Did you not hear me?¡± Its tone changed now from being slightly surprised and irritated to murderous intent fueled by injured pride.

    WHOOSH!

    Hellphet extend his massive draconic-elephant head downwards while staring at that golden idiot floating blissfully in those fiery depths below as its trunk swayed menacingly back and forth, which he, Raphael mistook for a welcoming greeting.

    But before he could say a word...

    ¡°Hm¡­ You¡¯ve violated the law of my domain. You have bathed in my Fire Pool without my permission! For that transgression you shall pay the ultimate price! Prepare to be annihilated, little bull!¡±

    ¡°Gulp! Is this really happening to me now?¡± This was indeed worse than his previous situation! How unfortunate.

    But unlike earlier, when faced with danger, Shao Jin¡¯s memories surfaced, fueling his primal desire to fight, conquer, and most importantly live, not die.

    ¡°Hey big guy. Look. I- I had no idea it was yours¡­ I¡­ It¡¯s just¡­¡±

    "DIE!¡±

    RUMBLE!

    But the words died before they even escaped his lips as Hellphet coiled upwards like serpent, sending another shock wave across that landscape, then a large ball of crimson energy infused with fiery essence began charging up above his maw.

    ¡°Damn, this feels familiar." His earlier thoughts of explaining and apologizing was dismissed entirely upon witnessing this chaotic energy brewing in that dark crimson ball above. He knew If that touches him, even with this stolen powerful body, those chances of surviving such a direct hit was low, very low.

    And in desperation, as he resurfaced with a frantic splash¡­

    BOOOM! BOOOM!

    Something ancient, terrifying, powerful, yet familiar activated deep within Raphael¡¯s core. His instincts to defend, survive and conquer kicked in with an efficiency that left even Raphael in awe of this body¡¯s power and those possibilities it held.

    ¡°Hm! How dare he challenge my authority?!¡± Raphael slammed his hooves onto that fire surface in retaliation, ¡°I won¡¯t lose to some fire-breathing lizard again!¡±

    WHOOSH!

    Vertical fire streams from the Fire Pool erupted upwards as if commanded! They were targeting the falling ball of crimson doom above. The screams from those fleeing beast faded into the sound of explosions.

    RUMBLE!

    Hellphet watched in disbelief as his attack, which would usually kill those wanna be emperors in a blink was dispersed by those flames below. Was that¡­ It couldn¡¯t be!

    "How¡­? But those fires belong to my domain. They shouldn¡¯t¡­ shouldn¡¯t be responding to another entity¡¯s command! Who¡­? Could this beast be¡­"

    A terrifying answer came to mind as he witnessed the creature below starting to release potent energies around its golden horns as Shao Jin¡¯s will manifested in Raphael¡¯s consciousness.

    ¡°Helios Sphere!¡±

    That¡¯s all he needed to scream mentally to charge those attacks, but he didn''t intend to release it just yet. He needed confirmation that his observation was accurate, his intuition proven.

    That beast¡­ that Hellphet that lorded over all those pathetic insects who worshiped his fire power. He was afraid!

    "What kind of essence and potent Solar Consciousness is this? Why is my spine shaking¡­? Wait¡­ Those crimson eyes¡­ That oppressive golden glow! Could it be¡­ A CALAMITY! Not only¡­ This damn bull is a NIGHTMARE CALAMITY?! A true¡­ Golden Bull Thork?! Oh, God!"

    As his terrifying realizations were coming to the forefront of his exhausted and defeated mind, his elongated snout slammed hard against those fires, before annihilation took place.

    ¡°Master Calamity, please, spare me! My old eyes, they were not working well today, and I¡­ I failed to recognize your majestic presence! You may bathe in my Fire Pool if you must. Just please spare me.¡±

    Hellphet¡¯s pathetic begging came in sobs mixed with fire snot as he attempted to wipe those tears away with his massive legs. It wasn''t a sight of courage or power, it was the fear of the unknown, death by another and stronger Calamity!

    The humiliation didn¡¯t bother him. At least, not as much as a quick death!

    That display of terror, it had the opposite effect! Instead of stomping those floppy ears into the ground as Shao Jin¡¯s voice screaming ¡®KILL!¡¯ deep inside wanted, a primal instinct within Raphael pushed against that desire, leaving only curiosity.

    Why was that beast so terrified, weren¡¯t they both a Calamity?

    ¡°Hm¡­¡±

    Canceling his attack to see this new form of entertainment from this Calamity who now was begging for mercy, Raphael let out a snort that echoed across that fiery landscape, shaking the ground, and splattering embers all over those fear stricken faces and muddy furs that had the misfortune of being spectators this day.

    Then the most shocking words that silenced those buzzing insects were spoken with an arrogance he felt, he knew, it wasn¡¯t his!

    ¡°It¡¯s wise of you to finally realize who is superior in this desolate world we both inhabit. And as such. You have my permission to breathe today.¡± His hooves were now flexing!

    Raphael continued his ¡°act¡± by adding an insult fueled by Shao Jin¡¯s memories and memories from those assholes he had served in his human life:

    ¡°Now then. Get out of my sight! I haven''t finished appreciating the divine properties of this delicious molten bath your disgusting lineage has failed to conquer with respect, unlike yours truly.¡±

    "Y-Yes, Master Calamity!" Hellphet hurriedly dove back into his Fire Pool depths and remained silent for the rest of Raphael¡¯s visit. It was truly humiliating! However, humiliation sometimes saved those scaly hides, and they all knew this!

    The other surrounding creatures had borne witness to this display.

    Hellphet subdued without even a fight! A Golden Bull Thork! Such a sight. They now gazed at Raphael with a mixture of fear and awe. This was the pecking order of power that they all understand.

    A powerful Calamity had arrived in their midst, and his presence would certainly alter the fragile balance of Yama Yaguai, but that didn''t concern Raphael one bit, after all, he only desired survival for as long as it last.

 Chapter 23 - The Venom Tail Vipers

    Feeling a renewed burst of energy from soaking in the Fire Pool¡¯s essence, Raphael climbed out. Steam rose from his golden hide as he stretched his massive limbs and enjoyed the sensation of his enhanced strength and the soothing heat that coursed within.

    "Hm... satisfying. I wonder how many Bloodthorne knights can be roasted in this thing."

    CRACK! BOOM!

    A sudden, loud crash followed by muffled screams came from somewhere in those nearby trees, causing him to snap his blood red eyes in that direction. His primal senses honed in on those cries with ease, and they painted images of a familiar sound he knew too well ¨C bullying.

    ¡°What''s all that noise? Fighting?¡±

    Deciding to intervene and flex his newly acquired shadow wings, Raphael glanced at his horde with the stoic demeanor of a true emperor then commanded,

    "Oi, one of you. Go see what''s happening and report back to me."

    Immediately, a loyal Shadow Bat detached itself from the horde with a bow so low that its stinky feet grazed the charred ground before shooting towards those sounds at a velocity no bird could ever hope to replicate.

    Such was the privilege of serving the "Golden Bull Thork".

    "It would be my honor Master Calamity!"

    Raphael didn''t have to wait long before his senses, amplified by his ¡°loyalist¡± gave him visuals, smells, taste, even sounds that were far more entertaining than expected.

    It appears two serpents, bronze in color with stripes of gold, both as large as buses were enjoying themselves by picking on a weaker creature, a smaller snake. The pathetic little thing resembled a vine with eyes, no legs, with scales so vivid they mimicked the most toxic green mushrooms from the far East! It looked tasty, but far too small.

    The bullies were cackling mercilessly while smashing their smaller counterpart against the trees and spitting venom at it.

    "You think you can run and hide forever, you little runt? We told you not to touch our prey, didn''t we!" The bully leader¡¯s fangs dripped venom that smoked as it burned those vibrant green vines. He didn''t bother concealing his disgust.

    ¡°Don¡¯t mess with the Venom Tail Viper gang, we rule this section of Yama Yaguai! It seems those elders were wrong about you having potential, hahaha! Look at you! All beaten up and helpless! What a disgrace!¡±

    The other, slightly smaller bronze snake, also sporting those radiant gold stripes and fangs, added his sentiment in a haughty voice which caused Raphael, who witnessed it through his subordinate¡¯s lens to shudder and reminisce of a specific Princess¡¯s insults,

    ¡°Can¡¯t stand up for yourself? What a loser!¡±

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    And with a powerful swipe, its massive body wrapped itself around a nearby boulder as the ground split apart from this exertion.

    ¡°No! please spare me!¡±

    Those screams coming from the small green snake, how familiar. Memories of those endless torment, insults and threats from the asshole nobles during his human days at Tajmani¡¯s beck and call rose up. Now however, he had a different kind of power, that of brute force!

    It pissed him off! He had to intervene!

    BOOM!

    WHOOSH!

    ¡°I will squash that pathetic worm for disobeying me, for thinking it could touch our meal! My snack! Our snack!¡±

    And with those words, fueled by jealousy and hunger, the Venom Tail Viper gang¡¯s bully leader unleashed its powerful strike with righteous anger that had no room for logic, and definitely no mercy.

    ¡°NOOO!¡±

    Those cries from the poor thing resonated as Raphael appeared between bully and prey with such speed, it seemed unreal, that the small, terrified snake, just shut its eye and hoped for a quick and painless end to its tormented life.

    THUD!

    Raphael¡¯s reaction, it was instinct now. He couldn¡¯t explain it. One moment he was in those mountains behind with those tasty fires bubbling and now, his massive golden hooves had stomped a few feet from the pathetic thing¡¯s head which sent up a shockwave that shattered those green vines around and cause dust to billow all over the clearing.

    Those shouts of glee turned to screams of pure disbelief, rage and terror as those bullies stared directly at their now shattering future, because one thing was for sure. Their lunch, it wasn¡¯t the one in trouble today!

    They had offended!

    They would pay!

    The Venom Tail Viper bullies looked up and shuddered with a realization far deadlier than death itself.

    ¡°Gulp¡­ It¡­it can¡¯t be, what a¡­¡±

    ¡°Golden¡­ Golden Bull Thork?!¡±

    They were in the presence of a legend, a monster, a force of nature.

    Raphael shouted, ¡°Scram!¡±

    "What the¡­¡±

    Those words died a swift death. Both of those snake bullies found their instinct for self-preservation trumped their bloodthirsty, greed and humiliation.

    WHOOSH!

    They slithered away, vowing to get even in the distant future with cowardly hisses that mimicked a death rattle.

    "That¡­ That little twerp is lucky today, it cheated death! But it won''t be long, not long at all¡­"

    Those empty words, how they pleased Raphael now. Those snakes reminded him of all the cruel fools he had dealt with.

    ¡°Tsk! Cowards.¡± He watched them slither into the bushes. The fear; it was delicious!

    After the bullies had completely disappeared, Raphael couldn''t help but sympathize with this smaller beast. The bruises on its scaled body, those bite marks, they were reminders of those countless torment he suffered in silence. This green snake resembled himself.

    ¡°Hey little one¡­¡± He then lowered his massive head and with the gentle precision of a surgeon wielding his favorite scalpel, scooped up the quivering, tiny serpent using his golden horns.

    The green snake whimpered but couldn''t move as Raphael carefully started walking to the Fire Pool to do a good deed.

    "I won''t harm you. Just try and relax." The tone was meant to appease the creature but the sounds were still as monstrous and loud as a tremor, he wasn''t a surgeon nor human now.

    ¡°The Fire Pool will heal you faster.¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Deep beneath the surface of his treasured fire lake, Hellphet felt a powerful presence he had feared returning.

    "Is that¡­ NOOO! That bastard bull returned?! Could it be he want to bathe again? No¡­ That energy¡­ he¡¯s not alone."

    His fiery form slowly breached the molten surface and the scent of burning scales and iron blood entered his nostrils.

    ¡°Why is this fool back again and¡­? WHO¡¯S THAT IN HIS HORNS?!¡±

    "Hm..."

    Hellphet¡¯s eyes met Raphael¡¯s. Trepidation dawned like that first day his mama spank his scaly backside with her thick scaly tail, for if he challenged this particular creature again, not only would he lose his beautiful scales and home again, but obliteration would be guaranteed!

    Hence without further delay.

    SPLASH!

    Hellphet vanished beneath those fires, deciding it was far better to lick his wounds in the very bottom of his stolen prize than to be stared at with contempt and judgement from a truly powerful Calamity that he shouldn''t have provoked in the first place.

    He knew who rules this region of Yama Yaguai now!

 Chapter 24 - Lu Jade

    After some time soaking in the Fire Pool''s essence, the little green serpent slithered onto the solid bank and looked around with trepidation. His once marred scales and bite marks, now displayed a renewed vitality.

    ¡°The heat¡­ its soothing. My bruises, gone? Sssthank you, spirit of Fire."

    But just then he noticed a shadow above which mirrored a terrible fear.

    ¡°Are you okay, little guy?¡±

    Hearing that familiar deep growl of a bull Calamity made him cringe.

    ¡°Oh god¡­¡± He quickly recoiled behind a nearby rock, hoping to become invisible, to blend with those shadows.

    Even though he had just been helped and brought to this place by that powerful bull to soak in those fiery essence, all of this good luck just didn¡¯t add up. In his eyes, it wasn''t possible for a powerful Calamity to be this kind. And now the terrible realization of the real reason his scaly back had gotten some reprieve from death was dawning. He was a late lunch for his rescuer.

    "I was meant to die. Sssthat bastard tricked me!¡± He sobbed quietly behind that rock while peeking over cautiously, hoping that the monster has simply moved on, but alas, that was not to be.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be scared, little one, I won¡¯t harm you.¡± Raphael spoke in a softer tone, attempting to put the little serpent at ease. He was still adjusting to this new reality. Helping those who looked, smelled, acted, felt just like himself earlier¡­ well, it wasn¡¯t exactly what Shao Jin would have done. The bull most likely would have crushed the serpent as soon as it saw him get tossed about.

    Slowly, the serpent slithered out from behind his shield of safety and fearfully gazed at the enormous figure that had given him reprieve from death moments before. Its dark shadow wing were folded neatly upon his back, and the intense golden glow had faded a little, leaving him almost vulnerable, yet those blood red eyes still terrified him immensely.

    ¡°Thanksss for¡­ saving me from those¡­ bulliesss,¡± He managed to stammer as he bowed his head. "My name isss Lu Jade." His emerald eyes studied the bull''s features with an unsettling chill.

    ¡°Lu Jade, cool name," Raphael replied with a casual shrug. "I dislike bullies. They ruin good meat with their poisonous antics, how uncivilized." He then gave a wide golden smile before adding:

    ¡°My name is Raphael. Nice to meet you.¡±

    Raphael extended a hoof to Lu Jade, in a human gesture of goodwill but instantly regretting this as he saw the serpent scurry back behind his safety shield with renewed terror as hisssssses fill that cold, peaceful morning.

    ¡°Could it be a trap?¡± Those were his thoughts. This was the norm after all when it came to stronger and more potent Calamities, or so he had heard from elders of the past.

    ¡°No, no, no. Sorry. It was just reflex.¡± Seeing his failed attempt to make the serpent feel less scared amplified his concerns because those blood-soaked jaws of the bull that now were his to command were just inches away, if he wanted well, death was guaranteed.

    He hastily withdrew his hoof. ¡°How are you feeling now? The bullies really messed up those pretty scales.¡± As those words tumbled out of his maw he realized that maybe this was too much affection, even for a human soul trapped inside such a powerful beast.

    What to do?

    Lu Jade had a hard time swallowing all that kindness and as such began speculating quietly.

    "Why is this creature being so nice? Why help me? I¡¯m only a Great Ordeal Stage Copper Earth serpent. This Calamity could easily swallow me whole. But maybe he is toying with me. Fatten me up before the big slaughter?¡±

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    Those scenarios had a hint of logic but lacked the urgency of what to do now that his saviors was waiting for an answer. And so he decided to respond, even though it was filled with lies, at least to him, in that moment.

    "I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m much better, sssthank you," he mumbled, hoping his lies wouldn''t offend this Bull Calamity, for it seems there was a tiny possibility he could make out of this place alive.

    ¡°Are you thinking that I¡¯m going to eat you, Lu Jade?¡±

    Lu Jade flinched and squeaked, "Huh...? W-what¡­ H-how¡­? Are you a¡­ a mind reader?!¡± His tiny head frantically scan Raphael¡¯s massive size in disbelief, wondering what he had gotten himself into this time. It would appear as though things were going from bad to much, much, worse.

    But before those thoughts could bloom into actions.

    ¡°No¡­ Don¡¯t worry. I wouldn¡¯t do something so barbaric.¡±

    ¡°Hahahaha!¡± A guttural chuckle escaped Shao Jin¡¯s monstrous throat which sounded even more monstrous from a gentle heart of a scared young man. It shook the ground which in turn made Lu Jade slither backward instinctively before calming himself as a comforting sentence washed away all of his fears:

    ¡°My belly is still full from my last meal, and that¡­¡± He didn¡¯t want to reveal that his last meal was composed of a garrison of human knights so he simply mumbled something else to confuse and appease the tiny snake in hopes of getting answers to a questions that kept ringing in his head.

    Those bats, they were so efficient. He wondered how far they had gotten with consuming the remains, such barbaric entities, even as food he understood how those knights must have been terrified, helpless as their blood soaked everything and bones snapped like twigs, truly barbaric!

    ¡°My last meal was rather¡­ heavy, hahahaha.¡±

    The sounds of this booming, scary and thunderous laugh that shook the trees and terrified nearby insects for good measure caused him to cringe slightly then think.

    He''d be better off laughing when alone.

    Hearing that honest reply and how full his savior''s belly was, Lu Jade dropped his guard even further and slithered a bit closer towards his rescuer. Then, cautiously asked a question he hoped didn¡¯t insult or annoy this beast, but he had to know.

    ¡°Say¡­ You¡¯re very friendly. How come I''ve never seen you here before? Are you good friends with Hellphet?¡± He hoped that he had worded the last part respectfully because a wrong statement might just send his rescuer back into a mood that wouldn''t end well, for him.

    ¡°Hmm? Hellphet¡­¡± Raphael pondered briefly on that monstrous creature he almost had to kill before it showed respect, or rather a survival tactic worthy of those snakes earlier. Perhaps there is a hierarchy here he must observe too. He''d have to get used to this new reality.

    ¡°You could say that.¡± His hooves stomped on the mud as a casual reply that was more akin to Shao Jin¡¯s arrogance then a meek human one, ¡°We¡­ had a¡­ disagreement earlier. But it¡¯s resolved now.¡±

    It was more than resolved because Hellphet was probably hiding, or escaping with his scaly tail tucked between his legs. That was fun to think about.

    Lu Jade¡¯s curiosity wasn''t satisfied as he began asking more questions, after all, who doesn¡¯t enjoy gossiping, especially about those of a higher social and power level, and now that he was alive, who was he to deny himself such trivial joy.

    ¡°You must be really powerful to boss around that stingy old grump. I¡¯ve never seen anyone talk back to Hellphet, let alone bathe in his precious Fire Pool. And get away unharmed too, but this is not my concern. What concerns me now, is that, for someone with so much raw essence¡­ how come I¡¯ve never heard of you? You should attract loads of attention and perhaps even a mate¡­ No? Ah¡­ I talk too much¡­¡± He stopped himself mid-sentence realizing how many insensitive questions he was spitting, which could cost him dearly. He shut up and tried to hide behind that rock again.

    ¡°Calm yourself, it¡¯s fine, no harm here.¡± But Raphael¡¯s  tone sounded a bit forced even to himself, so he quickly added something he thought might change the awkward moment into something casual.

    ¡°You''re the first ¡®creature¡¯ to ask these questions, especially, not to mention that I¡¯ve only just gotten here from the North.¡±

    Raphael decided on a gamble. He was alone here after all. He had no companions except those dumb ass bats that wouldn¡¯t say no to anything he did.

    "New arrival¡­? I see, then as such, you¡¯re a long, long way from the North, are you not?¡±

    ¡°Sure. So, tell me Lu Jade. What do you have to show a newcomer that might help me acclimate myself to this barbaric land you call home? Perhaps a tour to those wondrous places your small eyes has witness?¡± Raphael asked with a snort.

    ¡°Oh, I would be happy to help.¡± Lu Jade immediately replied with unyielding pride because nothing was as thrilling as exploring, teaching and adventuring! What a wonderful opportunity he had been given today!

    He then quickly told Raphael, "My expertise, the groovess and cragsss, the mountain topsss and watery pathsss¡­ those are¡­ well¡­" He puffed out his thin chest and continued, "My home! They are my scales and I am those thingss. Follow me!"

    With those words he then turned around and began leading Raphael deeper into Yama Yaguai''s secrets.

 Chapter 25 - Brotherhood

    Lu Jade hissed softly as he gestured towards the molten expanse where Hellphet was hidden. ¡°That Fire Pool, Big Brother Raphael. It wasn¡¯t always Hellphet¡¯s, you see. It belonged to the Skyfire Phoenix Clan. A magnificent lineage, they were, rulers of these skies for generations.¡±

    Raphael questioned, "Skyfire Phoenix Clan?" The words felt foreign on his tongue.

    Lu Jade¡¯s tiny head bobbed excitedly. ¡°Yes, Big Brother. They commanded flames unlike anything you''ve ever seen. Their feathersss blazed with celestial fire, and their criesss could shatter mountainssss. Even the most powerful beasts bowed before their might. But then¡­¡± Lu Jade¡¯s voice trailed off.

    ¡°Then¡­?¡± Raphael prompted. He found himself strangely engrossed in the serpent¡¯s history lesson. This was a far cry from the boredom he¡¯d usually felt listening to Tajmani¡¯s endless boasts about the Bloodthorne lineage.

    Lu Jade sighed. ¡°Then came the Great Calamity War, Big Brother. It engulfed all of Yama Yaguai in flames. Beast fought beast, clan against clan, a struggle for survival, for dominance.¡± He paused, as if reliving those ancient horrors in his mind.

    ¡°The Skyfire Phoenix Clan fought valiantly, but their numbers dwindled. And Hellphet saw an opportunity. He waited in the shadows until the Phoenix Clan was weakened, and then he struck, Big Brother. He ambushed them when they were most vulnerable and claimed their Fire Pool as hisss own. A treacherous victory it was.¡±

    Raphael shuddered, not entirely from the memory of that monstrous Hellphet. It was this cycle of betrayal, of seizing power through cunning rather than might.

    "And what of the Phoenixes? Are they all gone?¡±

    Lu Jade shook his head. "Rumors persist on the wind that some fled West beyond the lands of Yama Yaguai. But their numbers are few, mere shadows of their former glory."

    Silence hung heavy between them. Then Lu Jade pointed with his tail. ¡°Look, Big Brother, over there.¡±

    Raphael shifted his massive head in the direction of Lu Jade¡¯s pointed tail. He saw a grove of bamboo swaying gently, and also a fierce peacock that was sharpening his sword on the stalks.

    ¡°That wanna-be swordsman iss called Splinter Roc. Every day, he practices his swings in that bamboo grove. The lord there seems to like him because there¡¯ll always be fresh bamboo for him to chop every day.¡±

    ¡°The lord?¡± Raphael mumbled.

    ¡°Yes, that entire territory is governed by Lord Lingshi. He¡¯s a bit of a recluse, hardly reveals himself. You see those bamboo shoots over there, Big Brother? All of those are Lord Lingshi''s follicles. His main body is hidden underground.¡±

    ¡°Wow.¡±

    Raphael was taken aback. This strange world of beasts was intriguing. And Lu Jade, though smaller and far less physically powerful, possessed knowledge that awed him.

    Sensing Raphael¡¯s fascination, Lu Jade slithered alongside him. "Come, Big Brother, I¡¯ll show you a hidden gem.¡±

    Following Lu Jade¡¯s sinuous form through the forest, Raphael felt a strange peace settle over him.

    ¡­

    Sometime later, they arrived at the mouth of a cave entrance obscured by cascading vines and iridescent flowers. Inside the cave had a soft light.  As Raphael¡¯s eyes adjusted, he saw thousands of glowing crystal formations that adorned the walls.

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    Lu Jade led him deeper until they came to a clearing. In the center, resting upon a raised dais of stone, lay a massive rock, polished smooth and jade green, perfectly shaped like a giant''s bed.

    ¡°This¡­?¡± Raphael instinctively lowered his head to inspect the curious stone.

    ¡°My home, Big Brother.¡± Lu Jade explained. ¡°I discovered this cave 120,000 years ago during a terrible storm.¡±

    Raphael was stunned. This serpent was hundreds of times older than him, a creature from an ancient lineage, and yet it called him ¡®Big Brother¡¯? The irony of it all wasn¡¯t lost on him.

    Lu Jade continued. ¡°I discovered the Jade Stone by happenstance. I took shelter here when I was exhausted and injured. I slept upon this jade bed, and when I woke, my bronze scales, they¡¯d turned green, just like the stone itself.¡± He gestured toward the jade bed with pride.

    ¡°It has transformative effects, Big Brother, capable of accelerating a beast¡¯s cultivation. But¡­¡± his voice lowered, ¡°after my scales turned green, my own family mocked me, they bullied me relentlessly, and I¡­ I became Lu Jade.¡±

    His story resonated deep within Raphael, bringing back memories of those nobles in Tajmani''s circles who mocked his unawakened bloodline, branding him a ¡®dog¡¯. He wasn''t alone in his pain, even in this strange land.

    Lu Jade continued. ¡°I¡¯ve kept this place a secret, Big Brother, for millennia. You are the only one I have shared it with.¡± He nudged the Jade Stone bed with his head. ¡°Have a seat, Big Brother, try it. It¡¯s the least I can do to repay your kindness.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Raphael hesitated. He had no desire to become a jade green bull, but then curiosity won over. He carefully lowered his enormous body onto the smooth surface of the Jade Stone bed.

    Immediately, a wave of jade light washed over him and began seeping into his very core. It wasn''t the pain of a searing blast or the crush of the ''Gold Press''. This sensation felt different. It pulled at his being gently but insistently.

    Then, his vision shifted.

    He was within his Cosmic Mind Sea once more, a breathtaking panorama of colors, swirling galaxies, and radiant nebulas. But now, a jade light permeated the very fabric of this internal cosmos. It began swirling around his dual sun core.

    Shao Jin¡¯s golden light flickered. It was receding as if absorbed by that incoming radiance. But something else was happening. His own essence, his blue sun that had so recently devoured Shao Jin''s was changing; becoming more stable as that intrusive jade essence bathed and cleansed.

    Suddenly, the jade light withdrew, and his vision returned to that majestic cave with soft green glows.

    Shao Jin''s presence, that overbearing primal energy, it was gone. The conflicting wills that had battled so ferociously inside him had settled. He was in control entirely.

    And his hide remained the same golden color. This was a relief.

    "Big Brother, how are you feeling?" Lu Jade was a bit concerned that he hadn''t gotten up in a while. Could it be that this beast had also been changed by those energies?

    "Much better." Raphael¡¯s true voice, now free of Shao Jin''s influence and baritone depth came flowing out effortlessly, surprising Lu Jade with its innocence and purity. That tone had been tempered by his years of servitude but was still, unmistakably a human voice.

    "The effects of this stone, it''s stabilized my consciousness. Thank you, little Lu Jade.¡±

    Those simple words warmed the little serpent''s ancient heart. "You¡­ You sssthank me?" Lu Jade whimpered. It had been millennia since someone had acknowledged him with gratitude.

    "How is¡­ this¡­ this kindness? Such purity¡­¡±

    His whimpers shattered Raphael¡¯s heart as memories of his own unthankful days were replaced by something genuine and hopeful. This was how true connection were meant to be formed. It wasn''t power, arrogance or pride.

    "Wipe your tears." Raphael urged softly before hopping off the Jade Stone bed with his massive hooves, but those steps were lighter somehow, free of the burden he¡¯d carried for so long.

    He felt stronger, his own man now, inside a colossal golden bull''s body which made things more terrifying for other, especially, those Bloodthorne fools if he ever had to encounter them,

    ¡°Remember, you are my guide, Little Lu. Show me around this place. Show me the wonders you¡¯ve seen, those things you spoke about.¡± Raphael spoke with genuine enthusiasm.

    Lu Jade quickly wiped his tears with his tail before following alongside his ¡®Big Brother¡¯.

    Those events from moments before when he was attacked and terrorized, they vanished, for his newfound friendship with Raphael swelled his ancient, battered heart with a joy that words couldn¡¯t describe.

    ¡°Yes, yes. We¡¯ll explore all of it, together. I promise.¡± His sibilant voice had a genuine desire to impress Raphael as he lead the way further into Yama Yaguai.

    And as their hoofed-steps and slithering forms continued deeper, something wondrous occurred. A beastly brotherhood was being formed.

 Chapter 26 - Rulers

    "Watch your step, Big Brother Raphael." Lu Jade hissed as he gracefully navigated a narrow mountain pass.

    Behind him, Raphael struggled a little. His massive frame was awkwardly traversing the rocky path as tiny pebbles were thunderously crunching beneath those hooves.

    They finally reach their destination.

    A breathtaking panorama unveiled before them with an expansive sky and distant trees forming a mixture of colors, but what truly captured their attention was an army marching beneath those clouds.

    "This iss what Yama Yaguai truly iss. How exhilarating." Lu Jade commented with awed fascination while basking in this chaotic but peaceful rhythm.

    Below was a scene he had been fortunate enough to witness on countless occasion, but still enjoyed nonetheless. It had a beauty only a being like himself could truly grasp.

    Beneath them, thousands upon thousands of ant-like creatures, some small like a car and others as big as a human dwelling, marched across the verdant valleys in a terrifying rhythm, with no chaos or deviance; simply unwavering purpose.

    "They are?" Raphael found his vocabulary was lacking in eloquence at this spectacle. It was truly awe-inspiring!

    The size and scale of that monstrous ant army marching in unison had even the mighty Golden Bull Thork¡¯s stolen heart shivering. He felt if their attention were focused upon him. Nothing could save him from that wave of chitinous destruction and endless pincers of death.

    At the head of that imposing army was an enormous creature ¨C crimson with segmented limbs and razor-sharp mandibles. And unlike all those scrambling behind it, the massive red ant gracefully moved through the forest with a massive, intricately crafted crimson and gold banner in its right fore-limb that swayed rhythmically to accompany their marching music.

    Its eyes resembled fire pits as its gaze pierced everything it passed through with pure domination. This wasn¡¯t a mere soldier, but a king leading an uncountable legion. It was terrifying!

    And echoing through Yama Yaguai, coming from every soldier¡¯s limb in that monstrous march¡­

    THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD!

    They never broke formation, not once, never hesitated in their movements. And just by hearing their rhythm, those nearby beasts bowed lower in a show of respect or scampered further into the shadowy crevasses.

    Even Shao Jin''s ancient bloodline shuddered at that army''s sheer dominance. It had an instinctive reaction that surprised and pleased Raphael at the same time.

    Shao Jin may be gone, his consciousness assimilated by him. Now he was in complete control of this bull¡¯s might. He had tasted that dominance against Hellphet moments before.

    But to his shame, he had to resist a similar reaction against a lesser creature. He shivered even harder, feeling as if all that sweat in his ass had suddenly froze solid.

    Then hearing his companion hissing, ¡°It¡¯s only a routine, Big Brother.¡±

    That hissing from Lu Jade had a soothing quality he couldn''t fully comprehend, but enjoyed nevertheless.

    He saw him erected at the edge of that cliff with his head cocked slightly as if deep in contemplation and admiration while he watched the passing ant battalion before turning to him and continued,

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    ¡°They march every hundred sun cycles as a show of strength. Reminding those who live here of who maintain the balance. Every single Calamity bows before them or get their skull crushed under those crimson pincers of annihilation.¡±

    He paused to take in a lung full of cold mountain air as the echo of marching grew quieter; the crimson and gold banner¡¯s sway growing more and more distant. Then, he resumed his lesson about this terrifying but mesmerizing event:

    ¡°That, my friend is the Red Ant Emperor, Lala Zhen. He has full freedom throughout this territory. We must not stare for too long or it¡¯ll get irritated that something is delaying his schedule. You might end up flattened.¡± His tone carried genuine concern that ignited curiosity deep within Raphael.

    He¡¯d never imagined the world was this complex. In his world, there were emperors sure, but even Tajmani¡¯s asshole father, he wouldn¡¯t be considered powerful enough in a place like this to warrant such unquestionable obedience and respect, and he was curious to understand it all, because perhaps this place might just teach him how to overcome those that oppressed and mocked his weakness, or he might get eaten tomorrow.

    Such fun, how scary, he laughed to himself, even Shao Jin never thought of dying tomorrow.

    Gathering his bravado with a big gulp, he bravely voiced those question:

    ¡°Emperor¡­? You said territories? How many territories? How many Emperors are in Yama Yaguai?¡± As those questions filtered through those jaws, he looked at Lu Jade.

    The green snake slithered along the edge, carefully watching the passing procession that reminded him of a majestic sea of moving dirt before looking at Raphael with a teacher¡¯s pride, a gaze that said,

    ¡°Ask away! Knowledge, wisdom and understanding. They belong to me now.¡±

    And so he continued in his excited hissing tones, ¡°There are 9 main territories, and 9 powerful Emperor Class Calamities in all of Yama Yaguai that enforce those lawsss! Their power is unimaginable, compared to even your impressive show of strength.¡±

    Those last words had Raphael breathing with ease, for indeed there were greater beings in Yama Yaguai that demanded respect.

    "This place, thisss lush expanse before ussss¡­ it¡¯s known asss the Ho Eastern territory. My father rules these lands. He¡¯s the Bronze Serpent Emperor ¨C Lu Ignis.¡±

    ¡°Wait a minute. Your father is an Emperor?" Raphael couldn''t contain his astonishment. The realization that he¡¯d just befriended the son of an Emperor-class Calamity sent a wave of anxiety through him. In his past life, such a connection would have brought unimaginable privilege. Now, however, it only served to highlight how precarious his situation truly was.

    Lu Jade simply nodded, unfazed by Raphael¡¯s reaction. Family matters held little importance compared to the thrill of sharing his knowledge of Yama Yaguai with his new ''big brother''.

    "Come, Big Brother, follow me,¡± Lu Jade hissed.

    He led Raphael towards the peak of the mountain. As they ascended, the air grew thinner, and the temperature dropped, causing frosty wisps to dance around them. They reached the summit. The peak resembled a giant bird''s beak; a natural formation jutting out into the endless expanse.

    Reaching the edge, they looked down upon the majestic vista of Yama Yaguai spread before them like a grand landscape woven with fire, ice, and the untamed spirit of nature.

    "See that, Big Brother? That towering slob of clay? That''s the Ant Mound, home to Emperor Lala Zhen. He rules over the Desolate Huang territory ¨C a land of barren deserts and whispering winds.¡±

    Lu Jade swiveled his head and pointed his tail towards a jagged mountain peak that had white and blue with cold radiance. ¡°That over there isss the treacherous Yunyin territory. Her Majesty Emperor Silk Yune govern those icy wastesss with chilling authority. I once sssaw her turn a mountain troll into a giant icicle with just a glance, ssso be careful if we ever go there.¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡± Raphael nodded in fascination.

    As Lu Jade enthusiastically narrated the history and unique characteristics of each territory and those Emperor-class Calamities, those legends and rulers of Yama Yaguai, a malevolent hiss suddenly hit them. They both froze. Their attention was ripped from the horizon of fire and ice to a far more immediate problem behind.

    Snickers followed that sibilant whisper, and then a mocking voice shattered their peaceful evening.

    ¡°Well, well, well. Look who we have here, brother. It¡¯s traitorous little worm! Did you think you could hide forever?¡±

    Turning, both Lu Jade and Raphael found themselves face-to-face with those bronze serpents from earlier. They were coiled at the precipice and this time those bullies were not alone.

    ¡°Lu Pin! Lu Pan!¡± Lu Jade''s hiss held a note of anxiety and a slight trace of defiance, which was amplified as their massive elder sister slithered into view.

    She towered over them like skyscraper with her coils thick as ancient redwoods and scales glowing a potent golden bronze. A crown of gold adorned her head. Lightning crackled around the crown which mimicked the intensity of her glare. It was clear she wouldn¡¯t tolerate defiance.

    ¡°Lu Lingxue!¡± Lu Jade uttered these words with crystal clear trepidation. It was obvious that this newcomer was nothing but trouble.

 Chapter 27 - Hissing Humiliation!

    ¡°There he isss, big sisssster! It¡¯sss that ugly bull that humiliated ussss and called you fat, along with that little twerp, Lu Jade."

    Lu Pin pointed a venomous fang towards Raphael while smiling slyly. His twin, Lu Pan, slithered to his side, backing up the lie with an eager nod. For them, truth held no importance, only the sweet taste of vengeance.

    Lu Lingxue¡¯s entire form crackled with raw, yellow electricity upon hearing this outrageous accusation. The air around her sizzled, and her golden crown pulsed with a brilliance that had even the mightiest beasts cowering. She stared first at the imposing golden bull, then shifted her gaze towards the trembling form of Lu Jade; her gaze was cold and sharp like a winter''s frost.

    "Foolish baby brother. Get your tail over here now, and I¡¯ll make your punishment light. Perhaps I''ll just yank out a few of those unsightly green sssscalessss. "

    But Lu Jade stood firm. This wasn¡¯t like the bullies he usually encountered, these were snakes with a bite far deadlier than mere venom.

    He hissed with a defiance he¡¯d rarely shown before, ¡°I won¡¯t let you harm Big Brother Raphael! Lu Lingxue please listen, we did nothing wrong. Whatever you heard from Lu Pin and Lu Pan are liesssss.¡±

    "Silence you twerp!" Lu Pin hissed. ¡°Big sister, hurry up and punish them both! Teach that ugly cow a lessson for humiliating our honorable Venom Tail Vipersss gang!"

    To his surprise, and to Lu Pan¡¯s, their plea was met with icy wrath.

    ¡°Dare you command me, Lu Pin? I will have your tongues for breakfast.¡±

    Immediately, both twins coiled backwards as their faces paled. This wasn''t a scolding from a worried older sister. This was an elder¡¯s command, one they couldn''t ignore.

    ¡°F-forgive me, big sissster! We were simply¡­ excited by your arrival.¡± Lu Pin stammered, regretting his earlier boldness.

    They knew what disrespecting Lu Lingxue meant. She wasn''t just their older sister; she was their clan¡¯s rising star, handpicked by their father, the Bronze Serpent Emperor ¨C Lu Ignis, to become the next ruler of Ho Eastern. To challenge her authority was akin to spitting in their father''s face! There was a pecking order of power, even in Yama Yaguai, and for serpents, size definitely mattered, along with cunning.

    ¡°While those fools busy themselves, little Lu, tell me more about this¡­ Lu Lingxue.¡± Raphael¡¯s words carried a hint of fear but a growing sense of respect.

    "Ssshe¡¯s powerful, Big Brother,¡± Lu Jade hissed softly, intimidated but loyal. "Lu Lingxue has been cultivating for over 700,000 years. Her Solar Consciousness is nearly a million years old¡­ a Calamity level! She mastered countless techniques, and those lightning strikes of hers, Big Brother? Deadly! They can pierce through even the thickest armor with ease. The Emperor chose her as one of his heir because of her prowess and her merciless efficiency at squashing those who dare question our lineage. She commands thousands of soldiers and even those who hate her, well, they wouldn¡¯t dare insult her to her face! No, not at all¡­¡±

    As Lu Jade shared this knowledge, Raphael''s gaze inadvertently shifted back towards the powerful serpent before him. It was true. Her bronze scales practically roared with power, and that golden crown on her head sparked ominously with yellow lightning that could melt steel, judging by how charred those rocks were around her massive form.

    ¡°A force to be reckoned with,¡± Raphael muttered to himself, unable to help but be impressed by Lu Lingxue¡¯s achievements.

    Unfortunately for him, those words and slight nod of approval were seen by Lu Lingxue with new lens. "You damned bull, you dare to glare at me? I¡¯ll end you right here, right now!¡±

    Before Raphael had a chance to defend himself against such accusations, a blinding white-golden orb, infused with yellow electric currents shot forth from Lu Lingxue''s jaws. It was aimed directly at Raphael!

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    Without missing a beat, a counterattack flared into existence:

    ¡°Helios Stream!¡±

    WHOOSH!

    A brilliant stream of pure golden energy erupted from between Raphael¡¯s horns and slammed against the electric ball with a thunderous roar that shook the very foundations of that ancient mountain.

    BOOM!

    Energy billowed out in a chaotic shockwave that momentarily obscured their vision.

    "What?!¡±

    The twins screeched in disbelief. Their elder sister, their powerful and undefeated big sister, had been matched, countered, halted by a newcomer, a golden bull no less! They trembled with indignant rage as they watched on.

    Seeing her attack neutralized sent a jolt of annoyance through Lu Lingxue, she had been undefeated for over 500,000 years! The only one capable of withstanding her electric ball attacks had been their father and those elder serpent Calamities! But now this! How dare this bull?!

    ¡°He can actually resist Big Sister? What kind of bull is that?!¡± They turned toward each other in confusion and disbelief.

    They then started whispering more lies to Lu Lingxue while pointing at Raphael with venomous accusations as they encouraged her to slaughter him before leaving their section of the territories with his hooves behind, ¡°Big Sister! Finish him! We can¡¯t let him escape with his smelly ass!¡±

    Those taunts fueled their sister¡¯s ambition and anger to new levels. And within a blink¡­

    RUMBLE!

    Lu Lingxue¡¯s body pulsed with immense power. The ground below her crackled and split!

    But before she could unleash a deadly attack, Raphael shouted defiantly. ¡°You three worthless snakes! Don''t blame me if your precious hides end up as fertilizer beneath my mighty hooves!¡±

    Spitting these audacious words of defiance caused even more sparks and golden flames to billow forth from those horns of his. He was getting comfortable inhabiting a powerful beast.

    ¡°I will raze this entire mountain and crush every single pathetic serpent within my radius.¡± Those words and memories he''d heard countless time from Shao Jin¡¯s thoughts were now being used to express his newfound bravado. What a thrill. He laughed.

    But even as he laughed, an enormous golden sphere was materializing between his horns; growing with even more radiant power and darker sparks of lightning.

    The spectacle shocked the twins!

    ¡°What is that attack?!¡± Even Lu Lingxue was a little surprised. She was prepared to simply subdue this annoying newcomer. But this arrogance¡­ it demanded annihilation.

    ¡°Such arrogance! How dare this beast! I shall end it now and claim his Solar Consciousness.¡±

    WHOOSH!

    Before Raphael¡¯s sphere of pure energy could launch, Lu Lingxue whipped her massive tail forward.

    With incredible precision and the speed of lightning, the strike hit Raphael and sliced through the stone beneath the massive bull¡¯s feet with such efficiency. It resembled a scalpel piercing the heart of an apple.

    ¡°Crap!¡± Raphael¡¯s exclamation came out sounding more like a grunt, then with a terrifying RUMBLE! That massive bird-beak mountain peak fractured, causing them to fall backward into the bottomless valleys below.

    ¡°Hahaha! They¡¯re dead meat! No creature has ever survived a fall from Cloudpiercer Beak Peak!¡±

    ¡°Yeah! What an idiot! Challenging Big Sis!¡±

    ¡°Silence!¡± Their laughter and arrogant pronouncements were quickly squashed by Lu Lingxue¡¯s hiss of command as she peeked over that broken ridge with interest, hoping those cocky bastard met their demise.

    But alas¡­

    "WHOA!" Raphael¡¯s cry was laced with both terror and exhilaration. Then a dark flapping noise echoed across those valleys.

    WHOOSH!

    Within seconds, he was soaring skywards. Those magnificent black wings were beating effortlessly.

    Lu Jade, scooped up by the bull¡¯s powerful tail, felt his heart leap to his throat as they hovered back to the ledge. Raphael stared down at the stunned serpents below with a defiant glare.

    ¡°You really need to chill, little sister. Anger only leads to a narrow path.¡±

    Seeing him alive, seeing him escape that terrifying fall without a scratch had Lu Lingxue¡¯s temper soaring! ¡°Sstinking bull! I¡¯ll crush your sssskull! My tail¡­ it cut you in two! You''re supposed to be dead!¡±

    "Oh! Those were love taps sister. I barely felt them,¡± Raphael laughed arrogantly before boldly proclaiming, ¡°You¡¯re no match for me. You are a little snake compared to my immense power. If you kneel and kowtow before me 7 times while screaming, ''Raphael is the mighty Bull of Yama Yaguai!'', I''ll consider letting you off with a slap on the ass for this transgression."

    Lu Jade gasped! He had misjudged this Golden Bull Thork. This bravado was insane!

    His brother Lu Pin coiled behind Lu Lingxue¡¯s monstrous tail as he trembled with fear before releasing a soft and panicked whisper, ¡°You¡¯ve angered her! Thisss iss bad! Big sissster always finishes her targetsssss!"

    "She''s even stronger now that the Emperor has blessed her! Our plan has backfired!¡± Lu Pan¡¯s sobs carried fear and defeat which mirrored their impending doom now. They knew Lu Lingxue well. Her patience, her anger, and above all her methods of punishment.

    And the confirmation they dreaded so much came ringing in a furious hiss as that terrifying crown pulsed erratically and smoke escaped her nostrils that instantly blackened those precious scales.

    She had been humiliated in front of her baby brother and those annoying gnats by this cocky bull! That wasn¡¯t acceptable. Not today!

    ¡°YOU DAMNED COW!¡± She unleashed another blast of electric fury, however¡­

    Raphael was already soaring through the clouds, leaving behind only a fading echo of his laughter.

    His arrogance was real now.

 Chapter 28 - Bull vs Snake

    ¡°HISS!¡±

    A vengeful Lu Lingxue stood atop Cloudpiercer Beak Peak; electricity crackled around her form like an untamed storm.

    "Stinking bull! You can''t hide from me!"

    She unleashed a barrage of devastating lightning bolts towards Raphael who was darting through the skies like a drunken hummingbird.

    WHOOSH! CRACK!

    Still acclimating to Shao Jin''s colossal body and enhanced senses, Raphael hadn''t quite mastered the art of graceful flight. His movements were erratic, a chaotic symphony of dives, swerves, and sudden bursts of speed.

    Desperately clinging to one of Raphael''s massive horns, Lu Jade felt his scaled body getting whiplashed around. "Big Brother! Be careful! You''re going to make me puke!"

    "Puke later, little buddy, we¡¯re about to be barbecued if I stop moving," Raphael shot back as another bolt narrowly missed him and scorched the air with its potent heat.

    "Issss fleeing the only thing you are good at, sstinking bull?!¡± Lu Lingxue taunted with arrogant laughter.

    Fueled by a combination of human resentment and Shao Jin¡¯s pride, Raphael snorted back. "Just wait, you oversized worm. You¡¯re about to see what this ''stinking bull'' can really do!"

    WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

    He beat his massive wings; each flap was sending a shockwave rippling through the air, and with each flap, dozens of Shadow Bats poured forth,  swelling into a terrifying horde, which blackened the sky as they screeched their battle cry and dove toward those serpents below.

    ¡°Big sissster! Bats! So many!¡±

    Lu Pin coiled behind his sister, frantically searching for a hole in the ground to disappear into, however, there was none.

    His twin was also staring with the realization dawning like the rising sun. They had chosen the wrong side, the wrong opponent to insult and provoke this day.

    Their cries died as they watched Lu Lingxue remain unfazed by this swarm. Her eyes narrowed as she surveyed the approaching shadow army. Her scales glowed, and her fangs were bared. A sinister anticipation had those nearby clouds starting to crackle with yellow electricity.

    ¡°Foolish cow, relying on pathetic shadows to do your dirty work? You¡¯ll regret underestimating me. My strength is not mere brawn!¡±

    She waited until those monstrous bats were within striking distance, then with an earth-shattering roar, unleashed a technique so powerful and terrifying!

    "Slither Upon the Thunderous Heavensss ¨C Rai Shen Long!"

    Crack! Crack! Boom!

    She reared back and spit a bolt of golden-yellow lightning into the stormy clouds above.

    With a thunderous roar, a colossal serpentine form weaved itself from pure electricity.

    A dragon of pure lightning descended with electrifying fury.

    WHOOSH!

    Hundreds of bats were instantly incinerated as the Rai Shen Long tore through their ranks. The air sizzled with the smell of burnt flesh.

    Witnessing this scene of annihilation unfold before them, Lu Jade hissed in alarm. "Big Brother! You have to be careful! Big Sis Lingxue''s lightning attacks aren¡¯t just brute force, they carry her very essence, her spirit. If that dragon touches you¡­"

    Lu Jade didn''t have to finish that dreadful sentence. The image of countless charred bat corpses spoke volumes. He knew about the carnage firsthand.

    "Rai Shen Long drains a victim¡¯s Solar Essence, slowly breaking apart their Soul Orbitals before leaving those unfortunate soulssss nothing but empty husks to be feast on! Her Majesty, she perfected this technique after slaying Emperor Qi Hawk¡¯s third daughter. A vicious creature that was, terrorizing the Ho Eastern for months¡­ but that¡¯s irrelevant now, run!¡±

    Raphael absorbed the fear in Lu Jade¡¯s voice and watched as Lu Lingxue reveled in the carnage. That lightning dragon was dancing across those skies with terrifying might. This was trouble, indeed.

    But Raphael needed to maintain an appearance of fearlessness, of dominance to survive. If those snakes and the entire Yama Yaguai ever realized he was nothing but a terrified human soul inside a borrowed form¡­ well, they wouldn¡¯t just feast upon his essence. No.

    He''d probably get vivisected as well.

    Swallowing those dreadful thoughts of despair, and with a mask of arrogance firmly in place, he snort a fire stream at the dancing dragon. ¡°You call that a powerful attack? You oversized eel! Such weak lightning is only good to wipe my ass! Hahaha!¡±

    Lu Lingxue''s scales pulsed even brighter now as her pupils turned to vertical slits, mirroring that of a predatory cat. She hated arrogant fools who dared to mock her lineage, and the bull was just that! An idiot, a nobody!

    "You pathetic bull¡­ KILL THAT DAMNED FART! Obliterate!" She pointed one razor-sharp fang at Raphael, sending an invisible signal of annihilation to that beast above.

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    ¡°ROAR!¡±

    The lightning dragon charged towards Raphael.

    Lu Jade clung onto the bull''s horns. His body was a trembling mass of scales and eyes pulped wide with dread as those deafening roars shattered his very core. ¡°We¡¯re gonna die! We¡¯re gonna¡­¡±

    But then¡­

    POOF!

    The golden bull simply vanished when those wings flapped.  Then with a startling WHOOSH! Raphael reappeared in a blink directly behind that imposing energy form.

    The surprise was unreal. Lu Lingxue and her brothers watched in disbelief. Then those powerful wings, made of pure shadows and burning crimson veins¡­

    SNATCH!

    Two colossal, black, claw-like structures that matched the shadows on his back, materialized and snagged that terrifying lightning beast by its tail. The audacity of this act left everyone on that peak in awe.

    Had this beast truly ascended? But to what cost?

    But there was no time to ponder, only a desire to obliterate that bastard that dared mock his might.

    "Now that I have your smelly tail. SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR STINKING MOTHER!¡± And with those bold declarations worthy of any golden bull lineage, he tossed that monstrous electric creature towards Lu Lingxue like she was a fly buzzing too close to his fire.

    A bright golden yellow light blinded everyone before a thunderous explosion shook that landscape.

    BOOM! CRACK!

    "Arghhhh!"

    They all screamed as lightning coursed through that world. Then as if nothing had happened, they were left singed and coughing. Even those magnificent scales were burnt to a char as evidence of that clash.

    The arrogant bull¡¯s laughter resonated across that peak as he admired their defeated forms, but before their smoke haze could fully dissipate, he heard Lu Jade praising him.

    ¡°That¡­ That was insane! Big Brother Raphael, your strength is amazing!"

    "Don¡¯t worry, little buddy, I¡¯ve got this." Raphael exuded an aura of calm and confidence that masked his own trepidation. Deep down, he was just as surprised by his power, but those words and confidence he''d inherited from Shao Jin, he needed to use them to survive. It was all part of his facade, which was working a bit too well.

    His words, however, fueled Lu Lingxue¡¯s rage even further.

    "Oh really?"

    As that question was posed. She rose from the charred crater, and coated her entire form in sizzling lightning and charged at Raphael. Her speed matched the wind''s as her fangs tore through the very air around her. It was clear now that her intent wasn''t just to subdue this annoying pest, it was to annihilate it!

    "This bull¡­ I will have its horns as trophies to celebrate the thousandth anniversary of my ascension! His hide will adorn the Bronze Emperor''s throne, as a message that NO ONE DISRESPECTS A VENOM TAIL VIPER, not without paying a price, especially this ugly bastard!¡±

    WHOOSH!

    ¡°Bring it on then you damn worm!¡± Raphael charged forward as well.

    Those golden hooves slammed into their target, sending tremors that were mirrored by those serpentine movements of his enemy¡¯s slithering attack as they both met with equal, but different kind of power. It was like watching mountains collide.

    The ensuing battle shook that ancient peak to its core. Blinding golden lightning bolts mixed with terrifying beams of fire clashed continuously, creating explosions so intense, their echoes would reach other territories. The very air thundered with unrestrained power and rage!

    CRACK! CRACK! BOOM!

    The fight was a whirlwind of clashing fangs, deadly coils, and the terrifying force of a bull with a grudge to settle and a snake hungry for vengeance.

    However, with each passing blow, a horrifying realization was dawning upon Raphael.

    ¡°This wasn¡¯t strength! This was brute force. Raw, destructive power! She was just toying with me!¡±

    The odds of defeating Lu Lingxue were shifting against him with every dodged attack, every close call. This time his speed, that potent ability that had saved him before wasn¡¯t working.

    Then a horrifying reality came crashing.

    In a move so fast that he could only see blurs of bronze scales, Lu Lingxue struck! Coiling her immense body around his chest and golden hooves while simultaneously blasting those mighty horns before he could even scream! His strength paled in comparison to hers!

    SNAP!

    Rapahel¡¯s legs buckled; those massive hooves could no longer hold up his monstrous weight and with those wings pinned behind his trembling form, he slammed onto that charred ground.

    His eyes could no longer make out colors or forms because as he struggled against those serpentine muscles, something even more sinister started to enclose his being.

    ¡°HAHAHA!¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s going to die! You lost, you stupid cow!¡± Lu Pan and his brother could barely contain their amusement as they hissed those hateful insults.

    But in the midst of their arrogance, they noticed a Shadow Bat with an enormous, claw-like structure filled with sharp, black digits hovering ominously over their heads. This caused them to recoil backwards and scream in pure terror.

    ¡°Big sister! Save us!¡±

    Lu Lingxue chuckled softly. ¡°Foolish beast. You dare to attack my little brothers and provoke my wrath? Such arrogance. DIE¡± She spit out a bolt of lightning that obliterated that sneaky bat.

    Then as she looked back at the squirming bull who had the misfortune of choosing the wrong day, the wrong opponent to mess with, she yelled, ¡°Did you think you could escape punishment for disrespecting our lineage?! Or did your simple mind fail to recognize a being far greater in strength?¡±

    WHOOSH!

    The tendrils of lightning tightened around Raphael¡¯s body as a radiant glow intensified.

    "Lightning Jail! Stay trapped, forever!¡±

    BOOM!

    Golden lightning arced wildly as Raphael screamed. It was futile. This technique, this golden cage that vibrated with death had trapped him.

    It was over. He had lost.

    "Hahaha! Looks like our big sister truly is the strongest!¡±

    ¡°We were wrong to doubt you! That ugly bull had it coming!"

    Those words dripped with venomous laughter and cruel arrogance, and yet, just as their victory seem guaranteed, their smirks quickly vanished and were replaced with an even deeper fear than those bats of moments before. Their world had turned upside down again, it seems.

    A chilling blue light emanated from beneath those golden shackles that illuminated their victory into something more gruesome than their feeble brains could even hope to compute.

    "You¡¯re wrong again, snakes.¡± Raphael''s voice was now laced with a strength that was entirely his own. He felt his newly awaken Astro Soul Orbital pulsing! Specifically, that blood red planet with dark lightning deep within its chaotic core.

    BOOM! CRACK! CRACK!

    The Lightning Jail became strained and released bolts of doom to impale Raphael¡¯s flesh but they did no real damage, because he saw it, he knew it instinctively without even practicing a single blood art technique.

    ¡°My blood¡­ It won¡¯t shed, not a drop!¡±

    ¡°Impossible!¡± They all screamed in perfect unison. It was unreal. They couldn''t believe what they were seeing.

    However, what occurred next solidified those echoes of doubt.

    ¡°This¡­ This is¡­ what?!¡± Lu Lingxue trembled in disbelief now, for it seems those thousands of years living, killing and dominating had not prepared her for such a power, and perhaps today would be her last as well.

    RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

    CRUNCH!

    The joints on Raphael¡¯s horns began to twists while releasing loads of crimson blood. This blood solidified then took a new form as Raphael yelled.

    ¡°CONDENSED BLOOD SWORD!¡±

    It radiated with an intensity that left everyone but its user blinded. An enormous crimson sword with two wickedly sharp blades became apparent.

    Raphael gripped the sword with his extended bat wing then slashed that electric prison to pieces in one mighty blow!

    And as he stepped forward, the only sounds echoing atop that frozen peak came from his mouth; an utterance more ancient and horrifying than any dragon¡¯s roar or serpent¡¯s hiss.

    "DIE!"

 Chapter 29 - Gold Press!

    ¡°What the¡­?¡±

    A collective gasp rippled through the onlookers. Those on that precarious beak stared in shock. Lu Jade was awestruck. Even the twins craned their necks to get a better view of that crimson sword radiating ominously above their heads.

    It wasn¡¯t simply the size of the blade, or those wickedly sharp edges, no. It was the technique itself, an art so intrinsically tied to the Bloodthorne lineage that only those with a significant amount of blood ties or stolen essence from Bloodthorne descendants could conjure.

    The first thing that came to mind was, ¡°How? Why? This¡­ This bull¡­¡±

    A terrifying realization settled on the serpents, "Is this monstrous Calamity somehow affiliated with those bloodsucking humans?!"

    Lu Lingxue became distracted by the sheer audacity of that technique being used in Yama Yaguai. She  paused her murderous intentions. Those vengeful thoughts of tearing that bull¡¯s heart out and serving it raw as a message to all who dared to challenge her might was pushed aside because she had to analyze, observe, and more importantly, SURVIVE this encounter.

    "Such potent blood essence. I''ve never seen anything like it before outside those despicable Bloodthorne legacy. This bull is more dangerous than I anticipated. I might actually have to get serious."

    Lu Lingxue''s contemplation was cut short when that crimson blur came screaming down toward her like a meteor.

    ¡°You should be dead already, but for some reason fate has granted your pitiful life another few breaths.¡± Rapahel¡¯s words were laced with mockery, and that blade that seemed to sing with those spilled blood of knights was coming closer, but then with lightning fast reflexes.

    WHOOSH!

    She twisted her immense serpentine form, narrowly avoiding the descending blade by mere millimeters as it split the ground where she stood moments before. Then as Raphael struggled to regain his balance with those jerky movements¡­

    SNATCH!

    "Mine!"

    She whipped her massive tail forward and wrenched that crimson blade from the bull''s grasp with her immense strength before attempting to crush it with her powerful jaws.

    CRACKLE!

    "What the?!" But instead of shattering against those venom-coated fangs like anticipated, the sword buzzed then in a blink¡­

    WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

    It was dancing in the air with unnatural speed as if guided by an unseen force.

    Her jaw was inches from being cut in half! This shock, this humiliation of being toyed with by that "lowly bull", it fueled her rage even more.

    But she couldn¡¯t afford to get careless. Each time she struck, the sword darted away then returned at an even greater speed with an uncanny accuracy that defied logic.

    Raphael was controlling that distant blade with his spirit energy. He laughed. ¡°Dance for me, little sister. Your moves are marvelous. Such grace, such beauty! Hahahaa!¡±

    Those words, amplified by the arrogance they carried, finally shattered Lu Lingxue¡¯s restraint.

    ¡°I will flay your hide and make a belt of your innardsss, you damned beast!¡±

    BOOM! CRACK!

    She erupted with a radial burst of pure golden energy, laced with an intensity of electric fury.

    The Blood Sword, overwhelmed by the sheer force of that attack, disintegrated instantly before raining down onto that charred beak peak in crimson fragments.

    "Now that you''re defenseless... DIE!" Her anger reached a fever pitch. She couldn¡¯t allow such disrespect, such utter disregard of her strength, to continue.

    In an instant, Lu Lingxue shed hundreds of her massive scales. These scales, each thicker than an ox-cart and as hard as a Bloodthorne laboratory¡¯s door, launched themselves towards Raphael.

    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

    Those golden-bronze missiles moved with incredible speed!

    They trapped Raphael in a colossal sphere before he even had the chance to react. Those swords, that shadow teleportation he¡¯d mastered before, it was all useless now, because unlike Hellphet or Balphazar, who were dumb enough to attack recklessly, this opponent was both strong and cunning, a worthy contender.

    She continued coiling tightly around the scale sphere as Raphael struggled inside. The friction generated sent sparks flying as it groaned ominously. This beast was crushing him alive.

    ¡°HAHAHA! I have you now, bull! You dare insult me and my brothers?! Today¡­ you¡¯ll learn what disrespect truly means.¡±

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    WHOOSH!

    She was like a massive, bronze blur, spinning faster and faster as she charged her attack; those eyes were wild with a thrill of retribution, a justice befitting an ancient Calamity.

    ¡°Prepare to become one with the mountains!" And with those words echoing like the thumps of a drum from a thousand warriors. She flung that scale sphere with all her might straight into the center of Cloudpiercer Beak Peak.

    BOOM!

    A deafening blast shook the skies. The mountain peak fractured, releasing tons of boulders and ice shards that rained down onto those valleys beneath like celestial hailstorms.

    Those tremors shook the land for hundreds of miles.  Those who heard those sounds wondered,

    ¡°What has angered the heavens?¡±

    Temporarily blinded by the blinding light, Lu Pin and Lu Pan felt their bodies slamming against each other. They slithered away from the edge and looked up with hopeful grins.

    Their big sister, their champion, their beautiful and terrifying leader was victorious once again. Surely that bull was a stain on the mountains now, or perhaps a bloody mess! Those thoughts however died a very quick death.

    Before their smoke haze had settled.

    BOOM!

    Another tremor shook their forms as they saw massive shadowy wings erupting from that dust cloud. From those magnificent obsidian depths, it spoke,

    ¡°Thanks to you¡­ I¡¯m free.¡±

    A deep and guttural voice reverberated through the crater that left a chill in its wake. It didn¡¯t hold a shred of gratitude, nor the playful arrogance they¡¯d witnessed earlier. This was a declaration of intent, of a malevolent force unleashed.

    But freed from what?

    The dust settled, revealing a sight that sent shivers crawling up even the bravest souls. Inside that crater, amidst shattered scales and crackling lightning, stood the Golden Bull Thork.

    However, this wasn¡¯t the same beast they¡¯d seen moments before.

    The glow from its golden hide had intensified. Shadowy tendrils flowed from its hooves and horns, leaving streaks of darkness across its form. And those eyes... they burned with an infernal crimson light, radiating a killing intent so potent, so primal, it seemed to consume everything around it in a suffocating aura of doom. It wasn¡¯t just directed at Lu Lingxue, it was towards all things living, breathing, even existing in Yama Yaguai and beyond!

    From above, Lu Lingxue recoiled instinctively. She forgot her pride due to a primal terror that gnawed at her ancient heart. "Who¡­ Who are you?"

    Her words, spoken in fear, signed her death warrant.

    Now fully in control of his colossal form, Shao Jin stared up at the serpent with disgust. He felt insulted that such an insignificant creature dared question his very being from such a lofty height. It was a transgression punishable by obliteration.

    "Gold Press!" He roared, and an enormous golden hoof materialized above Lu Lingxue, its radiant brilliance devoured the sky as a bloodcurdling scream escaped her maw.

    CRUNCH!

    She was driven into the earth with such force, the shockwave shattered the remaining scales of her prison, sending razor-sharp fragments flying in all directions.

    But this wasn¡¯t enough for Shao Jin, not even close. With a maddened grin stretching across his muzzle, he slammed the phantom hoof downwards again, and again, and again.

    ¡°Gold Press!¡±

    "GOLD PRESS!"

    "GOLD PRESS!"

    Lu Jade watched in horrified disbelief. His scales were frozen. A tingling sensation shot through his serpentine form, and deep down he understood. His brother and sister were right. He shouldn¡¯t have befriended that bull, that monster¡­ that Calamity! This was insane!

    ¡°What have I done¡­? Why?!¡±

    His scream was lost amidst the rhythmic thunder of Shao Jin''s brutal assault as he chanted those two words that promised nothing but agonizing pain and utter humiliation to the creature beneath those glowing golden phantom limbs.

    By the time Shao Jin''s rage had subsided, there was nothing but a pulpy, blood-soaked stain where the mighty Lu Lingxue had once stood.

    ¡°Hmph. Such weak lightning.¡±

    But even this gruesome spectacle wasn''t enough.

    "HELIOS STREAM!"

    WHOOSH!

    He roared again, unleashing a torrent of pure, golden energy from between his horns. The beam engulfed Lu Lingxue¡¯s remains, incinerating any trace of her existence and filling that crater with blinding light and an aroma that mimicked burnt flesh.

    ¡°Sizzle! Roast serpent for dinner! Such a treat.¡± His monstrous form swayed with satisfaction.

    ¡°Huh¡­ Impossible! Sister¡­ she¡¯s been slain!¡±

    Terrified by this display of unimaginable power, Lu Pin and Lu Pan started to slither away.

    "We have to tell Father! He¡¯ll avenge Big Sis!" Lu Pin cried as he glanced behind him.

    ¡°Yes! That crazy bull is going to pay!¡±

    They didn''t wait for a response. They fled, hoping that their speed and those dense forest surrounding them were enough to escape the Calamity¡¯s wrath.

    Shao Jin didn¡¯t even bother sparing a glance.

    ¡°Worthless snakes¡­¡±

    He casually swaggered over to the steaming crater, salivating at the prospect of roast serpent.

    ¡°Hmph. Let them tell the Bronze Emperor. I will gladly crush him as well!¡± Such arrogance. Such disregard for life. This was Shao Jin, unleashed!

    Suddenly, a brilliant, golden-yellow sphere erupted from the charred remains of Lu Lingxue''s body. It was her Solar Consciousness, an energy prize of immense power.

    The moment Shao Jin¡¯s bloodshot eyes laid upon this prize, he opened his jaws wide. It would appear as if this night was about to get even more brutal. His reign of terror was only just beginning.

    But then, as he was about to consume Lu Lingxue¡¯s soul¡­

    ¡°NOOO! Stop! You¡­ You can''t!¡±

    BOOM!

    Shao Jin stumbled backwards, clutching at his head as an excruciating pain shot through him. That brilliant white Solar Consciousness, belonging to the pathetic, ¡°delicious¡± human he¡¯d devoured earlier was rebelling, fighting for control!

    Memories of that buzzing, claustrophobic crimson prison filled his thoughts, causing him to stagger. Those insults, that terrifying desperation.

    He was losing his grasp.

    ¡°I¡­ I need to restrain him! But how?¡±

    Raphael¡¯s internal voice screamed as Shao Jin¡¯s mighty form trembled and teetered precariously on the edge of annihilation.

    Suddenly, a comforting emerald glow came to mind.

    "The Jade Stone¡­!¡±

    He remembered the unique energies of Lu Jade¡¯s sanctuary. Those potent, transformative vibrations might just be his salvation, his only chance at regaining control, but where was it again¡­?

    Instinctively, his massive jaws closed around Lu Lingxue''s Solar Consciousness before it had a chance to escape. He then scooped up the remaining charred meat with his massive horns. His hooves stomped against the charred earth with urgency as he yelled, "Lu Jade!"

    "Y-yes, Master?¡± A tiny, quivering voice replied from below.

    Raphael looked down to see that serpent coiled beside a cracked boulder; shivering in terror. It seems he had completely forgotten about him.

    ¡°Take me back to your¡­ to your¡­ home! Now!" He didn''t have to explain.

    Lu Jade understood instantly as those burning eyes and frantic energy radiating from this Golden Bull Thork amplified their desire to be anywhere but here.

    ¡°Follow me!¡±

    With those parting words and a flick of his tail that seemed more akin to a whip against those ancient rocks, Lu Jade took off!

    And following right behind was the monstrous bull Calamity.

    "Hurry! Or he''ll devour us all!"

 Chapter 30 - Bronze Feast

    Inside Lu Jade¡¯s secret cave and sitting atop the smooth, polished Jade Stone bed was the massive form of the Golden Bull Thork. His eyes were closed, his colossal frame still, and his legs folded beneath him in a meditative posture as wisps of emerald light flowed into him. This light was helping to stabilize his troubled consciousness and rejuvenating his monstrous form.

    Beside him, a far tinier figure was hard at work.

    Lu Jade hissed softly as he channeled his fire essence from his belly to conjure a stream of emerald flames from his jaws. It licked hungrily at a pile of dry wood he¡¯d gathered, causing them to erupt into a merry blaze beneath a spit.

    And impaled on that spit, slowly turning golden brown above the dancing flames, was a familiar, yet grotesque sight.

    It was Lu Lingxue¡¯s corpse.

    Her once vibrant golden-bronze scales were charred. Smoke billowed from those punctures where Shao Jin¡¯s ¡®Gold Press¡¯ had pounded her with terrifying efficiency, leaving black scorch marks across her serpentine form. This visual assault, it both horrified and pleased Lu Jade.

    Never had he imagined he would one day be roasting his own sister, but those feelings of betrayal, those endless mocking laughter and beatings he¡¯d endured, they demanded retribution, didn''t they?

    His eyes become tearful while looking at the burning logs. ¡°Big Sister¡­ Is this truly what you wanted¡­ to end up as a late-night snack?¡±

    However, his sorrow soon died.

    The aroma of roasting flesh was starting to permeate the cave, thick and savory. As soon as a powerful scent entered the bull¡¯s nostrils. It snapped him back to reality.

    The imposing golden bull that had protected Lu Jade was awakening. His gaze drifted towards that motionless beast atop the Jade Stone.

    ¡°What awaits now¡­?¡±

    From those hooves and horns, golden tendrils of pure energy were moving outwards. Then something else happened. The air around that enormous form suddenly popped with yellow electricity. It was violent, fast, and truly, truly horrifying.

    Lu Jade recoiled when he saw a pair of magnificent wings unfurl. Their color remained black, but now they sported bronze scales and crackling streaks of lightning. It seemed the bull had fully assimilated Lu Lingxue¡¯s essence.

    His tail whipped about and elongated, leaving streaks of sizzling light in its wake; a whip capable of splitting mountains in two.

    WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

    With a simple flap of its wings, one hundred Shadow Bats erupted from his shadowy appendages, populating that cave like never before, which caused Lu Jade to quickly hide behind the Jade Stone for safety as hiss of discomfort escaped.

    Some hovered in the air while others landed with a thump upon the cave floor; those crimson eyes glowed brighter, and a newfound arrogance radiated from them as if they were just granted the most prestigious title.

    "Those armors¡­ their made of Sister''s scales!¡± Lu Jade exclaimed in shock before retreating to a safe distance as the bats continued buzzing with awed excitement.

    Their previous, tattered leathery wings had expanded. Their claws now had sharper points, and Bronze Scaled Armor enhanced their might. It was as if they''d been reborn into more powerful beings, and they all knew it.

    ¡°Master is generous!¡±

    "Master has blessed us with power!¡±

    ¡°All glory to Master!¡±

    These cries and compliments, it was truly terrifying to listen to, especially knowing how powerful those things were, but before those anxieties and those pleas for appreciation died off¡­

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    ¡°Sizzle¡­ Sizzle¡­¡±

    A familiar scent washed over them all that stopped those flapping wings and salivating mouths. They stared with predatory fascination towards the sizzling Serpent Calamity that rotated slowly above those dancing flames.

    "HMMM¡­¡±

    Their emperor''s low growl echoed through those jade walls, causing them to tremble in sudden fear.

    ¡°Silence!¡±

    This single word carried an unquestionable authority that had Lu Jade straightened his spine, waiting anxiously for the judgment that loomed before them.

    Who was this being who had awakened from that ancient stone of power?

    Was it Shao Jin or¡­

    "Lu Jade¡­" This clear and crisp voice was unmistakable. It wasn''t Shao Jin''s deep baritone. This was something different.

    ¡°Yessss, Master!¡± Lu Jade blurted out the words instinctively, for even in death, fear of those greater had been beaten into his scales and bones. Such was the way of Yama Yaguai.

    ¡°Don¡¯t call me ¡®Master¡¯. Raphael is fine.¡±

    Lu Jade was so shocked he couldn''t reply for a full minute as chills danced upon his spine and tail. Then, those words of fear escaped those tiny jaws:

    ¡°Big Brother Raphael. Is that really you? I¡­ I thought¡­" He trailed off because those echoes of the beast that had mercilessly crushed his sister into paste and forced him to cook her. Those memories wouldn''t vanish.

    "Thanks for your help, Little Lu," Raphael''s response carried genuine gratitude. He hopped off the Jade Stone and approached the roasting meat. A strange mix of emotions washed over him. The aroma was mouthwatering, yet tied to a gruesome act. He remembered Shao Jin, during their fierce mental struggle, commanding the serpent to prepare the food. Now, he was in control, and the deed was done.

    "No sense letting it go to waste," he mumbled, more to himself than Lu Jade. "Truth be told, I''m famished. That aroma..." His massive head dipped towards the roasting serpent, and a low growl rumbled from his chest. "It smells delicious."

    Ignoring his previous concerns about those bats that hung ominously from the ceiling and those standing below with expressions of envious desires for the meat that oozed with flavor, Raphael took a bite from Lu Lingxue¡¯s charred flank.

    ¡°It taste metallic. Salty. But the spice is alright." He devoured more. ¡°This truly is better than chicken, a bit tough though.¡±

    Those flapping, chattering sounds were getting louder. ¡°Is¡­ Is our Master going to¡­ share¡­?¡± One of those armored bats asked another who promptly replied with his fangs bared, ¡°Silence! We wait, and observe."

    Before those anxieties turned to chaotic bloodshed, Raphael used those claws on his wings to rip off a large, meaty chunk before casually tossing it towards those drooling, armored insects.

    ¡°It¡¯s MINE!¡±

    The scramble was ferocious but controlled. In their hierarchy, any creature above could easily decimate those beneath without much effort. Such was the privilege of power in their brutal reality.

    "CALM YOURSELVES! There¡¯s plenty to go around!" Raphael watched the bats¡¯ wings flapping wildly as he sat comfortably beside Lu Jade with his hooves crossed. This image of peace and dominance wouldn''t leave his memories.

    Lu Jade expressed fright upon seeing the bat¡¯s ravenous behavior,  but Raphael told him, "It¡¯s ok, Little Lu. Let¡¯s eat." He gestured to the remaining portion of meat that was still over the spit.

    Both parties began feasting on aromatic flesh.

    And while Lu Jade ate in horrified silence, something kept gnawing at his ancient heart.  "I¡¯m eating my sssister alongside this bull. How could I ever allow thisss to¡­ no¡­ it¡¯s for the best. For now, I survive. For now, my vengeance is being appease.¡±

    A tremor shot through his being as another realization slammed into him.

    ¡°What if Father ever finds out about thisssss? Will those punishment he meted out to those disobedient children be my reality? What if I am burned alive and turn into ash?!?¡±

    He shivered uncontrollably as those morbid thought gripped him like a vise. Even though Lu Ignis, the Bronze Serpent Emperor, had over a thousand children, he was ruthless and swift at dispensing punishment, especially on the behalf of those of his favored lineage, those he considered future rulers of their territory.

    Lu Lingxue was one such favored offspring, perhaps that''s why she was so bold, so arrogant.

    This meal was becoming less and less enjoyable for Lu Jade. His gulps were audible.

    Raphael heard those fear-laced sounds and thought back to those many nights in his tiny room, eating cold scraps and swallowing his anger, his fear at the sound of Tajmani¡¯s approaching footsteps. He understood those desperate thoughts all too well, how those meals lost their flavors when surrounded by dread.

    "I wish we had something to wash all this down.¡±

    As these words came slipping out of his massive jaws, Raphael noticed a loyal subject standing before him, bowing low.

    ¡°I will fetch some, Master! It will be my greatest honor!¡± And without speaking further, it rushed into the night towards those Fire Pool that now belonged to his emperor.

    Within moments, it returned, holding a wide bowl made from bronze scales, now overflowing with bubbling liquid fire.

    Those other bats recoiled in fear of getting splashed. This loyal subject however was ecstatic to be so close to their target. This image of dominance, respect, authority and envy wouldn''t fade, how delightful.

    "At your service, Master.¡±

    ¡°Leave it there and enjoy yourself.¡± Raphael''s response was a casual dismissal of the creature''s devotion.

    After that armored bat scampered to join its feast, Raphael grabbed the bowl and took a large gulp. He savored the searing heat and potent essence that energized his form.

    "Damn, that hit the spot!" He then offered the remaining liquid to his now-quiet guide.

    "Here, Little Lu. Have some.¡±

    ¡°Oh, ok.¡± Reluctantly, Lu Jade dipped his mouth into the molten drink and took a tentative sip out of fear of offending his big brother.

 Chapter 31 - A Caring Father

    Within the comforting glow of the jade cave, Raphael lay sprawled on his back with his belly bloated to comical proportions after the monstrous feast.

    ¡°Ah¡­ that was some good eatin¡¯!¡± He let out a contented sigh, savoring the unusual sense of contentment that wasn¡¯t entirely his own. Those fragments of Shao Jin¡¯s memories still lingered, and within them, was a deep primal satisfaction in consuming those powerful enough to stand in his path.

    Around him, the Shadow Bat horde echoed their emperor¡¯s sentiments as they licked their Bronze Scaled Armor and patted their bloated stomachs with contented grunts.

    ¡°That snake! The meat, the fat¡­ so succulent! Why didn¡¯t we devour her raw!¡±

    "You fool! Raw flesh doesn''t carry as much flavor! This roasting, it brought out her potency.¡±

    ¡°Master is a wise and generous Emperor indeed!¡±

    Only Lu Jade remained unaffected by the feast. His scales still quivered. That guilt of dining on his own kin was gnawing at him, even as Raphael patted his serpentine head with those giant golden hooves as reassurance.

    It would take some time, he admitted to himself, to get used to this kind of kinship, this strange bond forming between predator and prey that defied logic and Yama Yaguai''s pecking order of might makes right.

    Feeling gaseous, Raphael unleashed a tremendous burp that reverberated through the chamber.

    RUMBLE!

    ¡°Master¡¯s belch is powerful!" One of those bats closest to him quickly offered words of praises in an effort to get closer to their lord,

    The entire cave started shaking!

    ¡°I am strong, it seems!¡± Raphael bragged and was about to release another thundering sound, but then¡­ something felt off. The shaking continued long after the echo faded. Dust rained down from the ceiling, and small pebbles bounced on the ground in an intense rhythm.

    ¡°This is wrong. It¡¯s¡­ this isn¡¯t me¡­¡± he finally noticed as fear clouded those previous thoughts of arrogance. His hooves tapped restlessly against the polished jade as cracks appeared around his feet.

    CRASH! BOOM!

    An even louder explosion sent tremors throughout their cave hideout.

    ¡°Oh God!¡±

    The ceiling began to collapse. Dust and emerald shards rained down in a torrent that quickly overwhelmed those soft glows coming from within. Even the jade bed was trembling beneath that massive weight that descended.

    Lu Jade shrieked and coiled himself around the bull''s legs. Even the usually fearsome Shadow Bats panicked, flitting about in a confused frenzy before diving into their Emperor¡¯s wings with pitiful pleas for protection.

    They weren''t prepared for such power.

    Suddenly, those rumbles stopped briefly before a sound unlike anything they¡¯d ever experienced sent more terrors across that dimming, shattering, and jade shard-filled world. It echoed for almost a minute.

    ¡°HISSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!¡±

    It wasn''t anger, it wasn''t even fury that was evident in those whispers. No. This was far deadlier! It sounded almost like the world was hissing in judgement against those that offended its sanctity.

    In that moment of absolute terror as the ground quaked again, even those fears Raphael carried during those encounters with Calamities paled compared to what his serpentine buddy released from his jaws. It sounded hopeless.

    "F-father..." He choked those pronouncements through his tiny trembling fangs with eyes pulped wide in terror. "That''s... That''s father''s bellow. We''re doom now¡­"

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    But even before those dreaded words could end. It came roaring with explosive utterance!

    ¡°You¡­ STINKING BRAT¡­ GET OUT HERE! RIGHT NOW!!!¡±

    A louder BOOM resonated through those fissures  before Lu Jade shrieked yet again, but now with the calm tone of one speaking about reality with resignation, "I think he¡¯s calling for us. No¡­ to be more specific. Calling¡­ for ME!¡±

    They both glanced towards those opening as more large chucks of jade were raining down. Their deaths, if they stayed a minute longer, were guaranteed.

    Lu Jade didn¡¯t wait for Raphael to reply. He slithered with desperation into the shadows, hoping to find an opening or nook big enough to disappear into, but those wishes didn''t reflect reality as his new friend bellowed a command,

    ¡°Little buddy! There''s nowhere to hide in here. Follow me!¡±

    Raphael began rushing towards the cave exit with Lu Jade in tow. He crashed outside and tumbled.

    The devastation outside was more intense than he ever could have imagined.

    Chaos reigned across those scorched lands before him as far as he could see. Massive upheaval of earth tore jagged furrows in those vibrant landscapes he¡¯d admired moments ago. The sky above crackled with chaotic, unpredictable bursts of electrical and crimson energies.

    He gazed in horror at creatures far greater than himself running in panic. Mammoth apes, with bones bigger than ancient trees lumbered frantically past those fleeing demon spiders as they darted away for safe zones that no longer existed in that ruined world. He realized with a fearful realization that he couldn''t even grasp.

    Molten rocks showered the heavens like rain from a blood moon.

    Raphael had only heard about these kinds of natural destruction in ancient fairy tales when he still existed in that cage called ¡®Home¡¯, but those memories now had a taste of ash and his burnt hide.

    This place was dying, he had witnessed those collapsing caves but this. This was death from above. This was Hell come to claim his life! He''d truly seen it all, or was this truly¡­ it?

    "Is this the apocalypse!?"

    BOOM!

    A sound louder than those he''d heard before, silenced his pitiful thought before he saw it, or rather, sensed it more keenly with that dreadful question floating like debris around him.

    What or who was causing this destruction that felt even worse than Shao Jin''s bloodthirsty aura?

    Raphael¡¯s thoughts were ripped apart after Lu Jade directed his attention above. The source of the chaos was coming into view now.

    Slowly, majestically, with such powerful, horrifying yet graceful intent that the clouds themselves parted in awe of its arrival. There was large magical eye conjured into the sky.

    It peeked through those black, stormy curtains, blinking in irritation from smoke before gazing down upon the unfortunate witnesses of its immense rage. And those fears were justified.

    That eye was an abomination in its pure chaotic beauty. And just before Raphael thought it couldn¡¯t possibly get worse. He saw his words faded, they disappeared from his memories along with those rocks falling upon his hooves.

    "There... YOU ARE!" The voice resonated from the depths of Yama Yaguai and mirrored a deep chasm opening. The sky shuddered.

    "OH, GOD!!!"

    Raphael turned and saw it, the one who was hissing before with displeasure. The embodiment of those echoes earlier and those that terrified everything within sight.

    A monstrous serpentine segment with an almost blinding bronze luster burst from the ground nearby. He attempted to gallop backward, but his legs wouldn''t respond anymore. His anxieties couldn¡¯t help it.

    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

    More horrifyingly large serpentine body parts erupted from the earth with immense tremor. They pulverized everything those creatures called ¡®Home¡¯.

    Rapahel still couldn''t see the full size of this thing. It was ridiculous, illogical, insane, truly a wonder of ancient creation. He mumbled while clutching tightly onto the one thing above ground, for it seems there would be no hiding today, especially since they stood directly in the serpent¡¯s view.

    Then after more rumbles. He finally understood why even those fleeing beasts paused mid-flight. There was no other logical response.

    It happened slowly, majestic at first then the sounds were replaced by images of flames.

    BOOM!

    A massive explosion erupted on a distant mountain, causing it to shatter and crumble as if struck by the wrath of the heavens. From amidst those fiery fragments and billowing smoke, a colossal serpentine head began to emerge. It was a terrifying sight, dwarfing even the tallest towers. This serpentine massive form continue to emerge. It seemed to go on forever, until even the storm clouds above were pierced by its massiveness.

    Only then did its descent begin.

    That head stared down towards the two below from high above those treacherous clouds.

    Raphael waited and waited for more but there was nothing. Its head and neck alone could encompass the entirety of Ho Eastern!

    This was terror they never experienced. Lu Jade¡¯s eyes couldn''t take in that vast, undulating mass that seemed to consume their world. It gazed directly at him and the enormous bull.

    Those eyes were terrifying!

    Lu Jade¡¯s scaly back felt something moving, so he shifted his gaze upon the bull whose hooves trembled while sweat was falling like rain. Raphael¡¯s little buddy didn¡¯t wait. It clambered up his horns for a better view.

    ¡°F-Father! I almost forgot what he look like¡­¡± Lu Jade¡¯s  tone wasn¡¯t adoration nor love but utter terror.

    Lu Ignis, the Bronze Serpent Emperor, he¡¯d arrived.

    This truly was it for Raphael and perhaps the little Jade Serpent too. There were no other options. Those Shadow Bats trembled in their master¡¯s wings.

 Chapter 32 - Emperorsâ€™ Wrath

    Lu Ignis¡¯s appearance caused fear to grip the heart of every creature for hundreds of miles. Those unfortunate enough to be within viewing distance scrambled for cover as a collective panic set in.

    "The Bronze Emperor¡­ he''s lost it!"

    "RUN! It¡¯s the end of days! Nothing can survive his wrath when he¡¯s like this!¡±

    ¡°Why is he so angry?¡± A tiny mole-cricket hiding beneath a cracked boulder whimpered to no one in particular.

    ¡°He''s searching¡­ searching for someone, I think."

    That insightful response, or desperate speculation was drowned out as that magnificent bronze head, adorned with a crown of gold finally settled mere feet above his terrified brat and that imposter.

    Its eyes narrowed and it¡¯s long beard swayed as a dreadful hiss resounded that made even those fleeing beasts slam into each other from fear.

    ¡°What happened to Lu Lingxue, my 1022nd daughter? WHERE IS SHE?!¡± He stared expectantly at both the trembling bull and the serpent coiled atop its horn but received only silence as a response.

    ¡°Answer me you insects! SPEAK!¡± Another earth-shattering boom accompanied those words. The very ground they stood on started to liquefy and flow like an angry crimson river!

    ¡®Damn! Such power!¡¯

    Raphael swallowed hard, fear gripped his heart after Lu Ignis''s massive form emerged. He didn''t dare speak. How could he explain this situation? He thought desperately for an escape from the Bronze Emperor''s wrath.  The sheer scale of his power, the way the earth itself trembled before him, was beyond anything Raphael could have imagined.

    When he heard Lu Ignis¡¯s question about his daughter, remnants of that dreadful feast suddenly felt like a lead weight. Plus his bloated belly was a damning piece of evidence he couldn¡¯t hide.

    His gaze darted towards Lu Jade, a silent plea for help, but the serpent was just as terrified, coiled tightly, as if wishing he could disappear into the bull''s horns. What excuse could he come with? Both of them had devoured Lu Lingxue¡¯s succulent meat.

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Lu Ignis waited, yet no response was uttered. He began to suspect the unthinkable. His keen eyes which burnt with the wisdom of millennia, darted to the bull¡¯s big belly and then its wings.  Those weren¡¯t just shadowy appendages, they glistened with the telltale sheen of bronze scales, interwoven with crackling threads of golden lightning. It was a horrifying confirmation of his daughter''s gruesome fate.

    ¡°Those scales¡­ that lightning¡­ You devoured her! You DARE adorn yourself with her essence?! HATEFUL!" Lu Ignis hollered then shifted his attention to the quivering Lu Jade.

    ¡°And you¡­ You ungrateful whelp! Y-you dare to betray your own lineage for this¡­ this abomination! You are a disgrace to your mother and a shame to every serpent in Yama Yaguai!"

    Lu Jade trembled and hurriedly tried to explain, ¡°No, F-father¡­ please hear my side of the¡­¡±

    ¡°SILENCE!¡± The Bronze Serpent Emperor hated excuses.

    Lu Jade was Lu Ignis¡¯s 3078th son, not his most favored, but a son nonetheless. A prince. This disrespect, this betrayal for a golden bull, his rage reached a fever pitch. This wasn¡¯t just familial humiliation. This was a direct challenge to his authority. And he wouldn''t tolerate it.

    Lu Ignis didn¡¯t waste his breath seeking answers or truth. ¡°Hmph! I shall erase this despicable seed right now. DIE!¡±

    RUMBLE! BOOM!

    His massive tail which was larger than those mountain peaks they¡¯d fallen from mere minutes ago lashed against the stormy heavens and caused multiple burning fragments of celestial bodies to break free. They cascaded toward the pair below like a deadly meteor shower.

    It was death from above!

    The air shrieked and was burning hotter!

    "Big Brother! RUN!" Lu Jade yelled this advice while frantically pointing his tail westwards. "That way! To the Black Wind Ridge! We have to reach Emperor Qi Hawk¡¯s territory. NOW!"

    ¡°Ok.¡±

    Raphael instinctively followed his new friend¡¯s instructions, but as those burning rocks came crashing and obliterating anything they touch, he was truly baffled.

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    ¡°Why there?¡±

    "Because that old bastard hates Father''s guts," Lu Jade explained while dodging molten debris, "He challenged my Father for control of the Ho Eastern territory 800,000 years ago and lost! Father took his left eye and part of his tail as punishment. They loathe each other. No war has been waged since that clash, but Father won¡¯t enter his territory uninvited.¡±

    ¡°So that¡¯s how it is.¡± Raphael remembered a particular story, shared with him by Butler Long about ancient emperors in those human lands before Gaia¡¯s freeze and it all started to make sense.

    ¡®An Emperor¡¯s pride. It truly knows no bounds¡­¡¯

    Raphael¡¯s thought was interrupted by loud hissing sounds that didn¡¯t belong to Lu Jade or Lu Ignis. He glanced back and saw Lu Pin and Lu Pan leading a horde of serpentine assassins towards them.

    "It''s that dammed bull, right there! Capture them! If you succeed, you¡¯ll be handsomely rewarded!¡±

    ¡°HISSSS!¡±

    ¡°HISSSS!¡±

    ¡°HISSSS!¡±

    ¡°HISSSS!¡±

    Those promises of wealth fueled those serpentine hearts and their fangs. Such was the temptation and motivation that those glittering prizes could create.

    Even in a land where the strong were meant to rule, there existed those who desired treasures. And those snakes chasing after him were a clear example.

    "You pathetic foolsss from the Venom Tail Viper gang¡­ You are all treacherous!¡± Lu Jade hissed back.

    ¡°Little twerp! Riding that bull¡¯s horn has given you some courage I sssee! Wait until I get my hands on you! I¡¯ll let you remember that you used to be our beating stick!¡± Lu Pin yelled and commanded the serpents to slither faster.

    ¡°Kill them!¡±

    ¡°Damn those snakes! How are they so damn fast?¡± Raphael witnessed his pursuers slithering up to his ass and pushed onward. He started exhausting his monstrous stamina to the very brink.

    BOOM!

    Meanwhile, another wave of meteors came crashing down, but they were getting fainter and their intensity was lessening. Before he could contemplate this fortunate change in their misfortune, they entered Black Wind territory.

    Immediately, the air shifted. Gone was the oppressive heat and cloying scent of smoke. It was replaced by a refreshing coolness that carried the fragrance of pine needles and damp earth. It felt like breathing for the first time after being trapped in a stifling chamber. Even Raphael¡¯s powerful lungs, accustomed to the scorching air of Fire Pool depths, reveled in this newfound freshness.

    The landscape was no longer a chaotic mess of fire and ash, but a breathtaking display of green. Towering trees stretched towards the heavens. Between those ancient trees, massive rock formations jutted out at impossible angles, creating a maze of shadows and whispering breezes.

    The ground beneath his hooves was covered in a thick carpet of emerald green grass. It was a paradise compared to those burning lands he''d left behind in Ho Eastern.

    Instead of those roaring flames, clear, fast-flowing streams snaked through the valleys, which sparkled with life. Countless fish adorned with colors that rivaled those most delicate flowers, danced and swam lazily.

    Massive pillars of stones with patterns only the wind could carve, adorned the skies like eternal sentinels.

    The most prominent feature however, wasn¡¯t those floating rocks or mighty trees or clear waters. It was those breezes, those winds, for this territory was always in motion.

    "It truly is a land of wonder," Raphael was mesmerized by this sudden shift in scenery. However, shouts from his pursuers, brought him back to the present.

    ¡°Stinking bull! You dare to flee?¡± Lu Ignis was enraged. And rightly so. After all, this upstart had devoured his prized daughter and was probably already eager to shit her out somewhere. He wouldn¡¯t let them off so easily.

    ¡°Luminous Hell Blaze!¡±

    Lu Ignis prepared to unleashed his devastating technique down on those tiny runners. He didn¡¯t care about the hundreds of innocent life he would incinerate, just as long as the eyesore disappeared.

    However, from those skies, another threat came crashing down!

    ¡°Get back you stinking serpent! Or you¡¯ll be picking your scales from those trees till doomsday!"

    CRACKLE! BOOM!

    A massive bolt of pure black lightning came raining from the heavens. It created a shockwave that threw Lu Ignis off course.

    "How dare you trespass in my territory without even requesting an audience?!¡± A deep, thunderous voice resonated from the depths of those clouds.

    The air crackled. Winds howled and the clouds parted, revealing an imposing figure that descended with an air of unquestionable authority. It was a massive bird with feathers as black as night and wings that were brilliant white. They stretched out a hundred feet each, creating a shadow over that trembling land.

    It was Emperor Qi Hawk.

    A long tail, like that of a giant rat, trailed behind him, and upon his form he wore armor-plates of polished silver and black that seemed to absorb and deflect those bolts of lightning now flashing across those tumultuous skies as if by his command. And upon his left eye, where Lu Ignis¡¯ fang had left its mark, rested a black eye patch. A long, grey beard flowed down to his chest, evidence of millennia spent ruling these lands. His single, visible milky white orb, stared down at the Bronze Emperor with undisguised contempt.

    He was a sight that stole the very air.

    ¡°Hmm¡­?¡± Lu Ignis¡¯s head stopped at the precipice. He stared at the terrifying entity that guarded Black Wind. It radiated an icy fury. But he wasn''t fazed, not really. He wouldn¡¯t be stopped, especially with those who betrayed his lineage, within reach.

    ¡°Hmph! Damn hawk!¡±

    "You''re a bold one, Lu Ignis, invading my territories. I''ve told you in the past what would happen should your stinky snout crosses these boundaries again. This place is mine! You have no right.¡±

    Qi Hawk boldly emphasized his ownership as hundreds of lightning swords appeared around him. They adjusted their trajectory towards their new enemy.

    Lu Ignis glared at Emperor Qi Hawk. ¡°Thisss isss not your concern, Qi Hawk. Stand assside! I have a score to ssettle with those measly runts who ran into your territory.¡±

    "You cross this ridge and¡­ You DIE!" Emperor Qi Hawk said plainly.

    The scene was tense. Both emperors, two legends of Yama Yaguai glared at each other with the hate of a thousand years brewing. While they hovered there in the midst of those charred battleground and collapsing mountain that separated their territories¡­ war drums started beating and calling forth a chaos those creatures below had not witnessed in millennia.

 Chapter 33 - The Void Emperor Calamity

    Lava dripped from Lu Ignis¡¯s scales that sizzled and hissed as it struck the earth. This was a tangible manifestation of the rage that boiled within him. The moisture in the air around him evaporated in an instant, leaving a hazy trail of steam in the sky.

    ¡°Qi Hawk! I warned you! Get those pathetic feathers out of my way! I have unfinished business here!¡± His hiss was like a thunderclap that reverberated through those mountains. His burning gaze was locked onto those figures fleeing into Black Wind territory. It was as if they were taunting him with their every step.

    ¡°Those insignificant creatures slaughtered Lu Lingxue, my blood, my lineage. I must have retribution, RIGHT NOW!¡±

    Qi Hawk gave his nemesis an icy gaze and retorted, ¡°Lu Lingxue? You mean the venomous brat who slaughtered my third daughter? I remember her well. If it weren¡¯t for her, my precious Qi Wella would still be gracing these skies with her magnificent silver plumage.¡±

    ¡°Kuahahaha!¡± Lu Ignis''s laughter was a chilling sound laced with smug satisfaction and a cruel disregard for life.

    "She got what she deserved, that pathetic fledgling was strutting around my territory like she owned the skies. She was practically begging for it! And you, you should be grateful that my daughter merely crushed her instead of devouring her Solar Consciousness! A mercy I would not have extended."

    "HOW BOLD!"

    Qi Hawk couldn¡¯t contain his fury. He beat those massive wings and sent forth a blast of compressed wind that slammed into Lu Ignis''s massive head. "Damn you, snake! I''m holding back because the Void Emperor wouldn''t appreciate another war in Yama Yaguai. But keep pushing me and I''ll shred you into a thousand pieces.¡±

    Those blades of lightning throbbed with impatience.

    "This is your LAST warning, turn back, NOW!¡±

    "I REFUSE!" Lu Ignis''s gaze returned to Raphael and Lu Jade whose silhouettes were getting smaller and smaller as they raced towards the heart of Black Wind Ridge. ¡°This isss personal. I have a score to settle.¡± He slithered forward, attempting to pass Qi Hawk, who stood like an immovable mountain, radiating untold power.

    Qi Hawk acted swiftly by unleashing a blinding black lightning bolt that struck the ground before Lu Ignis, carving a deep chasm into the earth. ¡°You¡¯re settling nothing in my territory, serpent. Moreover,¡± he glanced down at the bull and snakes in pursuit. ¡°Since Lu Lingxue was killed by them, I should extend my gratitude by offering them shelter from your wrath. It¡¯s the least I can do for those who have avenged my beloved daughter.¡±

    Lu Ignis was speechless for a brief moment, the audacity!

    He then hissed in pure rage. ¡°Qi Hawk, you feathery bastard! If you want to die ssso badly, I''ll happily grant your request. But thisss time, I''ll make sure to ssswallow your Solar Consciousnesssss, no mercy!¡±

    ¡°Try it, serpent.¡± Qi Hawk stood firm. He raised a taloned hand and commanded his lightning blades to adjust their trajectory for a clash.

    Lu Ignis¡¯s rage reached a boiling point. He couldn''t hold back anymore. The scales along his spine vibrated intensely; ancient power coiled within him.

    ¡°HELL WINK!¡±

    Above him, the sky rippled. Then multiple red, glowing eyes materialized, each one larger than a mountain. Those eyes gazed upon that chaotic battlefield with malevolent curiosity that froze even those escaping creature in their tracks.

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    Lu Ignis¡¯s monstrous intent then focused upon those eyes. He directed them to glare at Qi Hawk.

    They began to narrow, concentrating his essence and anger before expanding once more, charging an intense orange-crimson energy within their depths. And from that monstrous spectacle, a thousand orbs materialized.

    ¡°DIE!"

    He roared his final command.

    The Hell Wink attack shot forwards towards his adversary with enough power to incinerate everything within a five mile radius. But Qi Hawk didn¡¯t flinch. His response was an ominous whisper:

    ¡°Reality Thwart ¨C Limbo!"

    A milky white radiance escaped his right eye. And then, the world around Qi Hawk grew silent. It was as if reality itself had come to a standstill, those chaotic movements were now frozen in time. The colors around Qi Hawk dulled. From those murky greys, a perfect replica of the Black Wind Emperor materialized as it stood beside him. It was as if a shadow had stepped from its master.

    This copy blinked, then¡­

    WHOOSH!

    In an instant, it circled Lu Ignis with a blinding speed as those deadly talons extended.

    SCRATCH! SCRATCH! SCRATCH! SCRATCH! SCRATCH! SCRATCH! SCRATCH! SCRATCH! SCRATCH! SCRATCH!

    Those attacks sliced through the serpent¡¯s bronze scaled hide with a terrifying effect, creating countless shallow, bleeding wounds as the skies echoed with its thunderous movements that no eyes nor ears could grasp.

    Then as suddenly as everything had become silent, movement returned.

    BOOM!

    The skies exploded with fire. Black smoke billowed outwards that obscured both emperors.

    ¡°Yesssss! My Hell Wink!¡± Lu Ignis thought his attack had caused Qi Hawk damage.

    However, those victorious exclamations were quickly cut short by Qi Hawk¡¯s mockery, ¡°Are you smiling at your own demise, snake?¡±

    ¡°What?" Those words confused Lu Ignis as he watched the smoke dissipated. His mind, now free of "Reality Thwart¡± finally realized those itches, those stings that came from multiple places on its body.

    ¡°Hmm?¡± He glanced down at himself and then gasped in terror and utter disbelief, for in those blinks when he¡¯d thought victory was in his grasp, a worse reality manifested.

    "Blood?!¡±

    Countless shallow, blood red gashes were marring his majestic hide. He could heal them, sure, but¡­ How?! When?! He couldn''t remember being hit!

    Those eyes pulped wide with realization. ¡°That damned curse eye of yours¡­ I should have ripped both of them out those millennia ago!" His words held regret and dread.

    Qi Hawk laughed softly, ¡°Come and try it, Lu Ignis. Next time I promise, those cuts will be far deeper and more painful! This was merely the appetizer." He swished his tail, seemingly bored by this entire confrontation, and yet, the threat was real. Those claws were sharp and lethal.

    "You¡­ Damn YOU!¡±

    Unable to withstand the humiliation any longer, the Bronze Serpent Emperor rushed forward in a blind rage!

    Qi Hawk, not a cowardly bird, met his charge head-on! He raised a hand and those lightning swords around him vibrated.

    A blood bath was inevitable. Those other fleeing beasts that watched on, shivered as those ancient powers collided in a brilliant flash of light that emanated a terrifying beauty.

    BOOM!

    Suddenly, a brilliant blue light descend upon those chaotic, stormy skies and came piercing into that blinding radiance which shattered and instantly halted those clashing titans.

    A profound silence settled across those scorched lands. The two Emperors froze mid-battle; their burning rage turned to bewildered shock and a chilling dread.

    From that beam of blue brilliance, thousands of ethereal butterflies with wings that sparkled like starlight began permeating the airspace with a breathtaking grace. The sheer majesty of this arrival had even the mightiest creatures awestruck and speechless.

    "Void Emperor... Sindoll?¡±

    They spoke in unison with a rather peculiar tone which revealed something even more terrifying than their ancient rivalry, fear and submission to one whose authority even Emperors bowed to.

    With the arrival of these butterflies came a subtle pressure that crushed both Calamities¡¯ arrogance. Qi Hawk and Lu Ignis instinctively bowed their heads as if acknowledging a silent command before they withdrew.

    But even as Lu Ignis slithered back to his territory with those bleeding wounds dripping crimson evidence of his humiliation, a cocky sentiment came slipping from those venomous jaws:

    ¡°You are lucky today, Qi Hawk, the Void Emperor intervened, I''ll give you that. This isn¡¯t over. But for now¡­¡±

    He glanced beyond the ridge. His searching gaze found those pathetic creatures fleeing deeper and deeper into Black Wind¡¯s haven.

    ¡°KILL THAT BULL! KILL HIM NOW!¡±

    Hearing their emperor''s command, Lu Pin and Lu Pan hissed with renewed purpose and redoubled their efforts to capture Raphael and his traitorous brother.

 Chapter 34 - Evolution Is Scary

    ¡°Hisss!¡±

    ¡°Damn those persistent bastards!¡±

    Raphael barreled through the dense forest of Black Wind while awkwardly dodging rocks and swerving around sentient trees who mumbled complaints about the reckless bull trampling their roots.

    "Can''t you be more careful, you lummox?! Some of us have been here for centuries, minding our own business!¡±

    Raphael didn''t bother responding. Survival, for now, was his priority. Glancing behind him, he noticed a brilliant blue beam piercing the clouds in the distance.

    "Lu Jade, what is that? Are those butterflies?" He asked. Even from this distance, he felt a strong energy radiating from those blue rays.

    "That must be Sindoll, Big Brother.¡± Lu Jade replied as he tightened his grip on the bull''s horns.

    "Sindoll?" Raphael repeated. He had never heard this name in his exploration of Yama Yaguai. But something within, those primal fragments from the bull¡¯s ancient lineage and past experiences seemed to cower and tremble.

    Shao Jin¡¯s fear?

    Lu Jade sensed his Big Brother''s confusion and continued in a hasty tone, "Ssshe¡¯sss¡­ the Void Emperor Calamity! Easily the most powerful beast in all of Yama Yaguai. No one dares defy her commands, not even the strongest emperors." He paused to catch his breath. "Fortunately, she rarely interferes, preferring to watch from the clouds.¡±

    Raphael¡¯s mind was reeling.

    ¡°A Void Emperor Calamity¡­ I can¡¯t even begin to imagine that type of power¡­¡±

    Then as if his thoughts angered the heavens¡­

    ¡°WATCH OUT!¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    Before he could even comprehend what this urgent warning from his little serpent guide entailed¡­

    BOOM!

    A large boulder came flying over their heads. The shockwave from its passing clipped a tree to the side which then collapsed upon another, causing a chain reaction that seemed to chase right behind as they raced forward, hoping for a quick death rather than an agonizing one from being crushed beneath ancient wood.

    Glancing behind him, Raphael finally understood.

    ¡°They¡¯re still following¡­¡±

    ¡°Big Brother! Run faster! I think there¡¯s at least two hundred now. Their greed is turning them into berserkers!¡±

    He then witnessed a blur of bronze serpentine bodies as those that chased him unleashed volley after volley of deadly debris. Twigs, boulders, stones, and those sharp venom covered fangs.

    The attacks whizzed past him and narrowly missing his flanks.

    ¡°Maybe now¡¯s a good time to¡­" Raphael decided to thin out the ranks of those snakes before they became too overwhelming. They had chased him far enough, and he was starting to get annoyed. It was one thing to defy his former owner and those haughty knights from the Bloodthorne Empire. Quite another to have snakes spitting boulders at his face!

    Despite all those terrible memories bubbling within his essence, Shao Jin had shown him one truth: Might makes right.

    So now that Lu Ignis was no longer a pressing matter, there was nothing left to do but teach these fools about who was emperor!

    Thinking these bold thoughts, he commanded that tail to whip a powerful arc of yellow electric fury towards the encroaching horde.

    ¡°TASTE A THOUSAND VOLTS!¡±

    Crack! Boom!

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    The impact was devastating! It staggered a few but those furthest away continued unfazed.

    "HOW?!¡±

    Those pathetic fools weren''t scared? Was he not powerful enough to intimidate them?

    But before he could contemplate any other destructive action or unleash his inner golden bull wrath. A horrifying hiss shattered their illusions of escape and dominance.

    ¡°You worthless farts, how dare you!¡±

    Lu Pin slithered to the front of his vengeful battalion after witnessing Raphael¡¯s earlier attack.

    ¡°That¡­That¡¯s Big Sister''s lightning technique! That BASTARD! He devoured her Solar Consciousness!¡±

    This observation fueled the assassins even further. ¡°He''s dead! Kill him!¡±

    They didn''t need to fear Emperor Qi Hawk''s interference, because despite the destruction they were causing in his territory, it was all contained within those rules of Yama Yaguai. Only those who directly attacked a ruler, their immediate family or those deemed ¡®Guests¡¯ would be punished.

    These serpents were considered ¡°children" compared to those ancient, Emperor-class Calamities. No different than a child breaking twigs in those wondrous forests, a harmless act that held no significance to the order. Thinking this, helped propel the snakes; attack even further.

    "Run, Big Brother, Run!¡±

    It was too late! Those bronze bodies had already caught up with their powerful strikes and relentless pursuit. They wanted blood!

    WHOOSH! CRACK!

    ¡°Die!¡±

    One large serpentine assassin, armed with fangs thicker than a car and a massive tail covered in jagged rocks, lashed forward in a blur. It aimed for his neck, the kill shot.

    BOOM!

    Raphael twisted his neck and countered that deadly strike with his dark bronze-scaled wings as the impact reverberated. Their momentum carried forward for hundreds of yards, tearing apart that beautiful and peaceful landscape. They were like a meteor slamming into those wondrous groves and those towering sentinels now reduced to dust in their mad dance.

    Then finally, they reached a clearing. It was time.

    ¡°Big Brother, what are you doing?! We have to get away! It¡¯s too many!¡±

    Raphael stopped, bracing those golden hooves against that hard earth, then turned his immense body toward those hundreds of hissing assassins. ¡°Then lets fight!¡±

    "You''re dead meat, bull! We are hundreds and you are just one! A pitiful meal! Even your bones won''t last a minute! Hahaha!"

    Being surrounded by so many venomous creatures, Lu Jade shivered in fright. ¡°We are trapped!¡± He whimpered in despair while wondering if betraying his own father and siding with this beastly upstart had been the wrong choice after all, but then he witnessed a sight so wondrous, he couldn¡¯t even blink.

    WHOOSH!

    ¡°I accept your challenge.¡±

    Raphael''s words carried the arrogance of a creature of immense strength.

    As his black wings spread and shadow energies surged forth that swallowed the sky and sent even the bravest serpents scrambling backwards, something truly terrifying happened.

    It felt like that moment inside the jade cave again when the sky crashed down but without those horrible rumbles, but with shadows taking the stage.

    "DIE!¡±

    Hundreds of grotesque and imposing bats materialized from his appendages. The sky blacked as they screech with blood thirsty intent, for unlike the last encounter, their hunger couldn¡¯t be appeased, not this time. This was justice they all craved.

    Before they descended to reap those serpents below. A lone figure took the stage.

    It hovered at the tip of Raphael¡¯s horns that vibrated a pale yellow as it scanned that vast legion with eyes blazing ruby and white. A magnificent sigh. Its appearance had all others, from serpents below to those who witnessed afar, mesmerized. They couldn''t make a sound, for such power, emanating from those obsidian shadows was mesmerizing.

    This entity¡¯s form, its essence, it rivaled even Hellphet¡¯s might. But to make things even more frightening for his enemies below, its appearance had stolen even Raphael¡¯s very heart. He¡¯d never seen this bat before. What had happened?

    That figure was majestic.

    ¡°It evolved¡­?¡± He was truly confused, but it was real, so, real. He had seen something similar to this evolution back in the cave with Balphazar, however, the level of this specific creature had him intrigued and excited, even though it was also very frightening.

    It had an air of unwavering authority that emanated outwards like a physical force, silencing even those eager to feast serpents as its armor, woven from the bronze scales of Lu Lingxue radiated a black shadow energy and crackled with a potent yellow lightning.

    "Hm¡­? That yellow spear¡­ so elegant¡­" Lu Jade was baffled.

    In its right hand, the bat held a spear forged of pure golden lightning. It crackled with power in sync with a miniature yellow dragon that was coiled around the bat''s left shoulder.

    This dragon was no mere decoration; it emanated an aura of terrifying power. As if eager to prove its dominance over those serpents below, the dragon thrashed its head and released a deafening roar that shook the surrounding trees and sent a wave of fear coursing through the snakes.

    "Is that a small dragon?"

    Lu Jade¡¯s sentence didn¡¯t have to be completed because the monster replied with his booming and powerful tone. ¡°Bat General Kong, reporting to Master. Tell us who we must slaughter today. Your wish, it is our command!" It bowed its head towards Raphael.

    ¡®Oh, Bat General Kong. It has chosen its own name?¡¯ Raphael fell deep in thought. ¡®Does this mean it now has seniority over the others? It seems that way. Hmm¡­ this is no time to be rambling, I¡¯ll just go with the flow.¡¯ He then pointed at Lu Pin.

    "Huh, that bat iss wearing¡­ Big sissster¡¯s Rai Shen Long technique!¡± The Venom Tail Viper twin¡¯s astonishment and dread felt wonderful, however, the reply that silenced those serpents didn''t come from Lu Jade nor Raphael¡¯s jaw, it was even scarier.

    "Our enemies are the serpents before us. Obliterate!¡±

    Those bats didn¡¯t need to be told twice. They dove from the heavens like a rain of teeth, claws and shadows, ready to feast on the serpent gang below!

    Chaos erupted once more!

 Chapter 35 - Who Is Little Bitch?

    Boom! BOOM! BOOM!

    The peaceful tranquility of Black Wind Ridge was shattered as hundreds of winged shadows descended upon the serpent assassins. Guts and gore splattered as fangs met claws, wings buffeted scales, and screeches of fury resounded.

    This wasn''t a one-sided massacre, the serpent assassins weren''t pushovers! They fought back with ferocity, meeting the bat horde blow-for-blow as they unleashed a torrent of venomous fangs, crushing coils, and bone-shattering tail whips.

    "Hold the line! Don''t let those blood-sucking pests push us back!¡± Lu Pin screamed from a safe distance as he watched the chaos unfold with panic gnawing at his cowardly heart. The sight of those pesky bats and that arrogant, glowing bull still alive, it filled him with indignant rage! How dare they?!

    ¡°Big sister should have crushed them into paste¡­ how are they so damn resilient?!" He hissed with frustration.

    The memory of Lu Lingxue¡¯s crushing defeat, those agonizing screams that still resonated in his dreams, he wouldn¡¯t suffer the same fate, he vowed.

    ¡°Fang Unit! ATTACK! Unleash the Spirit Serpent Golems! CRUSH THAT DAMNED BULL!¡±

    ¡°HISS!¡± A chorus of serpents slithered forward and charged up their collective essence in a ritual that pulsated with dark green energy.

    Then as Raphael observed those serpent bastards preparing something insidious, a wave of green phantom silhouettes took shape before him with massive jaws, scaly hides and hollow eyes.

    "Oh shit! Golems!¡± Lu Jade shouted as his gaze landed upon those creatures that resembled giant, mutated green cobras. Their energy was unstable, as if about to explode, which amplified their threat.

    ¡°Big Brother! We have to move. Those things¡­" He didn¡¯t have to explain any further because just as he said those words, a tremor echoed through that world and golden, spectral hooves appeared above them.

    "HOLD ON!" And without waiting for Lu Jade¡¯s anxieties to settle.

    ¡°Gold Press! Gold Press! Gold Press!¡±

    Raphael slammed those massive golden specters downwards with bone-shattering force that shattered trees in the surrounding areas and caused those snakes to scatter in fear of becoming collateral damage in a war that was no longer their own.

    Crack! Crack!

    The earth buckled beneath his golden assault, leaving a crater where those Spirit Serpent Golems had stood seconds before.

    Raphael then focused upon Lu Pin whose terrified form and stammering was a sight he hadn¡¯t enjoyed this much in his entire existence. Such satisfaction.

    ¡°Now you are next!¡±

    Terrified by the what the bull said and its display of power, Lu Pin didn¡¯t waste time formulating any clever scheme. He was just too smart to die foolishly.

    ¡°Scatter! STAY AWAY FROM THE BULL! Long range attacks only!¡± He then scurried back into the chaotic battles around him.  His wave of fear quickly morphed into commands being shrieked, ¡°Dodge!¡±

    Raphael watched those pathetic cowardly creatures run away and decide to cause more chaos.

    "HAAA! Condensed Blood Sword!¡±

    BOOM!

    An immense blood red sword materialized in a burst of crimson. Raphael swiped at a group of serpents slithering toward him. He sent them hurtling into the dense forest in a symphony of hissing screams and broken scales. He was reveling in his immense power, and his mastery of those destructive blood arts.

    It was a massacre.

    WHOOSH!

    Bat General Kong waited patiently atop the carnage as his legions pushed forward against a foe far numerous.

    This was no mere mindless horde; these snakes were veteran assassins hardened by those trials of survival, battles of territories and most importantly those ancient rites bestowed upon them to survive the worst conditions that only Yama Yaguai could throw. They wouldn¡¯t yield!

    Bat General Kong¡¯s ruby red gaze eventually settled upon a lone figure darting in and out of those chaotic skirmishes, hissing commands with venomous glee and a cruel indifference. It was the leader.

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    ¡°Time to teach that snake bastard about my evolution¡­¡±

    He launched forward at Lu Pin!

    "I will paint those cowardly serpent scale with crimson and claim your cowardly tongue as a trophy to my Master!" Bat General Kong bellowed his intentions in a thunderous voice.

    "It¡¯s HIM! Defend!"

    Several snakes with thick tails wrapped in black spikes rush toward Bat General Kong who simply yawned at their feeble efforts before slamming that potent golden spear imbued with his evolved Rai Shen Long essence onto the hard earth.

    "MOVE!" A thunderclap erupted.

    WHOOSH!

    In an instant, the spear multiplied a thousand-fold.

    CRACK! BOOM!

    Those serpents were skewered then reduced to burning ash that danced above those smoking trees in a whirlwind. Then just before those few unfortunate survivors could even scream. He appeared in front of Lu Pin with a deafening sound and pierced the leader¡¯s scaled shield with ease.

    ¡°Die, coward.¡± He whispered with a demonic voice that rivaled the former Shadow Bat Emperor - Balphazar.

    The scene was insane! Both Serpents and Shadow Bats were locked in a dance of death.

    However, as Raphael became preoccupied dodging tail whips and smashing heads¡­

    WHOOSH!

    "Oof!"

    In the chaos, Lu Jade lost his grip on Raphael''s horn and went tumbling to the ground with a shriek of pure terror. This fall, from such a height, surely it meant his demise. But before he slammed onto that ground of blood, venom, mud, and fractured roots, a black claw with dripping venom snagged him from the sky, but alas¡­ It wasn¡¯t his protector.

    It was worse. It was that bully that haunted his nightmares.

    "W-what?!¡± His tiny body was squirming for escape but that grip, was strong, powerful.

    It was the other twin.

    "Look what I found brother, it¡¯s the little rat that called Big Sis ¡®fat¡¯.¡± Lu Pan laughed as his massive coils effortlessly tightened around his trembling prisoner. This was the justice they both had been seeking for so long now, and to have the luck of catching him alone? How magnificent, how wonderful this day was.

    WHOOSH! CRACK!

    ¡°DIE!¡± He then threw Lu Jade against a nearby boulder with terrifying force!

    Lu Jade cried from the excruciating pain as he coughed blood. Then another painful strike came crashing. His scaled body slam again onto another hard object that stole his vision momentarily. Then it hit again, and again, causing his inner energies to weaken, this torment was too much.

    ¡°You ungrateful, treacherous little worm! This isss what happens when you side with that ugly, damned bull who ate our precious sister. You will pay dearly, dearly I say! HISSSS!"

    Lu Pan¡¯s venom dripped down onto Lu Jade¡¯s beaten scales while those hateful hisses amplified those agonies. He then spat a massive wave of flames towards his brother.

    ¡°Die you traitorous dog!"

    Hearing his attacker¡¯s hateful words, enraged Lu Jade more than his beating. ¡°Y-you! Y-you are a fool! All of you! It was you two! You damned bullies are the real reason she¡¯s dead! Because all you ever do iss terrorize and harm! Because of YOU¡­ she is dead. I¡­I was only trying to¡­"

    ¡°Shut UP!¡± Lu Pan¡¯s sinister grin widened with delight. "Hahaha! Your attemptsss at logic means nothing!¡± He laughed even harder upon seeing that Raphael was too busy to come over. ¡°Seems that the Bull can''t save you now, can he?¡±

    The beatings didn¡¯t cease, those strikes were filled with years of frustration. But unlike those moments back then when he had endured with no resistance, his heart wasn''t beating with submission, but rage.

    It was all too much for him. Those insults, his bruised ego, and that constant pain was triggering his core energies, the truth about his ancient heritage that had remained dormant for so long.

    It pulsed through his core, that energy, pushing back, pushing out as those painful insults, beatings, even humiliation from his siblings because of his unique emerald-green scales came flooding through his mind.

    He had enough!

    Lu Jade¡¯s scales stopped trembling. He stared at his tormentor¡¯s smug expression with an intensity that should have stopped those strikes, but arrogance blinded them both.

    "Hahaha! Done? Well I''m not! You little bitch! Take more punishment!"

    Lu Pan¡¯s sadistic laughter didn¡¯t last much longer.

    Lu Jade¡¯s scales glowed a vibrant emerald as if a miniature Fire Pool had awaken deep within, then, something else; those ancient energies he had kept imprisoned, came unravelling its secrets as he shouted:

    "Limiter... OFF!"

    ¡°What?! NOOOOOO! It¡¯s¡­ you¡¯re¡­.¡±

    Those bronze scales around Lu Pan suddenly felt too tight, he could barely breath.

    Something¡­ Something¡­ changed.

    ¡°This¡­ pressure¡­" Lu Pan suddenly found his body squirming backwards as those strikes halted. He¡¯d never felt this kind of energy from his little brother, it was an impossible sight. His gaze trailed upwards and there, standing above his feeble self like a coiled pillar that could pierce the heavens¡­

    It was no longer the ¡°Little Bitch¡±. It was a terror fueled by hate and strength.

    He looked up in astonishment because that jade body had expanded to terrifying lengths. Lu Jade now towered over him.

    "Hiss¡­ You forced me to do thissss¡­ You, you, and that snake¡­ Ssshe¡­ my sisssster¡­¡± He was starting to lose his words as anger took him over.  "I can alsooo become larger than even a mountain peak! It¡¯s time for payback!¡±

    WHOOSH!

    A thick, green tail lashed forth faster than even those electric bolts.

    BAM!

    ¡°NO! PLEASE!¡±

    It slammed into Lu Pan''s snout, sending him hurtling backward with enough force that the very earth groaned as a deep crater was made beneath that point of impact.

    He landed on the opposite end of the clearing in a mess of broken bones and blood-soaked scales. This sight pleased Lu Jade so much.

    He wasn¡¯t finished!

    He didn''t hesitate. His massive form slithered across the ground, each movement reverberating with strength that had even those veteran bats hovering overhead impressed with his newfound might. They stopped fighting. Those serpents who felt this power as well. Trembled.

    Reaching his target, who was coughing and spitting out blood now with each sputtered breath, he wrapped his massive coil around Lu Pan¡¯s bruised form, constricting tightly until those pathetic cries for help and surrender were almost inaudible, then¡­

    WHAM!

    "Don''t call me, ¡®Little Bitch¡¯ ever again¡­ YOU¡­ LITTLE BITCH!¡±

    Those words didn¡¯t simply shatter bones, they had those spectators re-evaluating their decisions and those snakes they chose to follow that day! What a magnificent turn of event.

    Even as those thoughts of awe reverberated in their souls. Lu Jade wasn¡¯t finished.

    "HAAAA!"

    He slammed that massive, helpless bronze head into the crater and didn''t stop. He smashed again and again! Their battle had created a massive cloud of dust.

 Chapter 36 - True Jade Serpent

    CRACK!

    "Yield, you serpent scum!" Bat General Kong slammed the tip of his spear into Lu Pin¡¯s flesh and pinned him against the rocky ground.

    While coughing blood, Lu Pin¡¯s fangs dripped with venomous fear as he stared up at his oppressor. It was a confrontation he had never prepared for in his dreams.

    ¡°You¡¯re just a bat! And I¡¯m¡­"

    For a fleeting moment, both adversaries seemed to forget their duel. They involuntarily turned towards the chaotic sound of carnage that raged a short distance away. The sound that caught their attention wasn''t those Shadow Bats screeching nor those serpents shrieking. No.

    It was worse. Far worse than they had even considered.

    From a crater formed of pulverized earth and broken bronze scales¡­

    WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!

    ¡­the echo of a monstrous serpentine tail bashing repeatedly into something. It sounded so powerful, so brutal, that those nearby trees simply uprooted themselves and attempted to escape.

    ¡°Is that¡­? No. It¡¯s not possible, how could¡­¡± Lu Pin couldn¡¯t finish his horrified thoughts because right there, amidst a flurry of emerald-green scales was the thing they were sent to capture.

    "Is¡­ Is that truly Lu Jade?! But HOW?!?" He gasped, as if a terrifying revelation had shattered his entire world. His body froze and trembled uncontrollably. It was inconceivable!

    ¡°HOW THE HELL?!¡±

    Lu Jade, his little, weak, and annoying green brother, was the one pounding his twin brother¡¯s head with an almost casual brutality. Lu Pan couldn¡¯t even defend.

    ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ get back at¡­ you for thissss! Wait¡­ til¡­¡±

    Each word he uttered came accompanied by pain as a mouthful of blood spilled from his shattered snout onto those crushed vines and bloodied rocks.

    He wanted to scream for help, to beg for his life. It seemed futile. This rage, fueled by untold humiliation and strength Lu Jade had unleashed, was crushing his world.

    This was payback of unimaginable ferocity, but who was there to help him? There was Bat General Kong standing before his older brother who struggled beneath that sharp, electric spear, both frozen with awe and confusion at what their eyes had captured.

    Meanwhile, on the opposite end of those carnage-ridden lands, a blinding beam of pure golden energy shot outwards from between Raphael¡¯s horns with a terrifying crack.

    "Helios Stream!¡±

    This attack sliced through a dozen serpent assassins in a heartbeat. Their bronze bodies, no match for the raw, overwhelming heat and force of his bull¡¯s wrath, disintegrated, and with them, went their ambition to live for centuries and brag about fighting Calamities and those Emperor¡¯s descendants. This day was truly horrific.

    After wiping away that sweat dripping from those brow ridges of his with his tail and snorting a breath of that fragrant mountain air, Raphael noticed a towering figure thrashing wildly near a collapsed crater.

    ¡°L-Little Lu¡­? Is that really¡­ you?¡±

    "Yessss, it''sss me, Big Brother Raphael," Lu Jade answered confidently, without hesitation as his emerald body twisted menacingly in the air, releasing gusts that caused those trees to lean backward in a bow.

    Raphael was taken aback! How?! When?!

    Another fearsome hiss cut through his train of thought.

    "It''s him! Surround that green traitor!¡±

    More venomous serpents slithered from the shadows with fangs and tails striking menacingly. They coiled in front of Lu Jade to block his movements.

    "Leave our brother alone!¡±

    ¡°Damn those tenacious snakes¡­ Their numbers are almost a hundred now!¡± Raphael witnessed those snakes slither faster and a primal urge to squash those bronze hides surged forth but he controlled it.

    ¡°Lu Jade! Get behind me now! Those numbers¡­"

    But before he could finish his warning and extend a massive hoof, his gaze landed upon that emerald-green serpentine body that was growing bigger with every hiss from those enemies surrounding his form, which he thought strange, very strange indeed.

    ¡°He has more strength¡­¡± Raphael murmured. It wasn¡¯t mere speculation; that energy was expanding with those approaching slithers of their would be attackers.

    His little buddy, that tiny emerald snake was no longer a coward that whimpered behind him or darted for safety when confronted by larger things. There was a terrifying arrogance about those green glowing scales now. This realization ignited Raphael¡¯s intrigue.

    This was a side he¡¯d been wanting to witness, the consequences of power changing hands. What would Lu Jade do? He waited anxiously and to his surprise¡­

    ¡°Hm¡­ you won¡¯t hurt my Big Brother anymore."

    The arrogance radiating from Lu Jade was unlike anything he¡¯d felt from anyone but Shao Jin before.

    His new form wasn¡¯t clumsy either. Instead of throwing, crushing and stomping like himself with all this newfound power. It was doing something more sophisticated that rivaled any magic he¡¯d read or heard about.

    While those bronze serpents came rushing closer with deathly growls, Lu Jade did the unthinkable, a spectacle that would later be chanted across all those territories, with stories and exaggeration multiplying. It would make those mothers sing and terrified children cower in fear behind their parent for generations to come.

    Lu Jade gripped Lu Pan''s limp, blood-soaked form tightly with his tail then casually tossed him towards those trees at the edge.

    WHOOSH!

    With an elegance that defied its newly enlarged form, it slithered gracefully around that open battleground while spewing streaks of bright emerald-colored flames. This blazing emerald dance created an ever-expanding circle that was burning into those vibrant green patches, forcing those bronze serpent bodies backwards. A battle line was being created as their hissing turned to panic for the first time.

    The grass around them erupted into bright emerald flames. A few observant assassins saw the transformation. A shiver raced through them because, the color of that ground and those grassy areas were changing!

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    It was too late to run or turn back.

    Those unlucky serpents trapped within those emerald flames started burning up like the weakest sticks. And that dread was palpable because in a space that had only ash before, something grew that caught everyone¡¯s eye.

    Even the terrified Bat General Kong was awestruck.

    ¡°A strange essence¡­ It¡¯s pure. Potent¡­ and dangerous!¡± His ruby white orbs dilated in amazement, however those fangs of his were still covered in serpent blood as he watched Lu Pin''s frantic and clumsy attempt to break free from his grip intensify. This was the price of underestimating someone.

    Meanwhile, as Lu Jade continued that dance with fires dancing like snakes from his snout¡­

    SHHHHH¡­ SHHHHH¡­ SHHHHH¡­ SHHHHH¡­ SHHHHH¡­ SHHHHH¡­ SHHHHH¡­

    A rustling sound grew louder and was soon accompanied by visible shoots springing forth with terrifying speed!

    It looked innocuous at first. Just green tendrils reaching toward the sky, but in Yama Yaguai, beauty was usually tied with destruction. This truth no one could deny, because those serpents who were watching the battlefield before were about to witness it firsthand.

    ¡°What¡­ are those?¡± A few courageous snakes began questioning each other with trepidation echoing in their hiss, for even their innate curiosity and ambition couldn''t fully explain the spectacle taking shape around that emerald flame.

    Then a confident voice whispered a deadly name with a hiss that seemed too light to be menacing but for those hearing, it was their dirge.

    ¡°Phantom Willow Grass¡­"

    "What kind of plant is that?" An eager snake who still held a semblance of fearlessness, couldn¡¯t help himself. He lashed his massive body forward with bronze and black stripes and screamed:

    ¡°KILL THAT BASTARD!¡±

    However, Lu Jade simply chuckled, ¡°Be my meal then¡­¡±

    ¡°DIE!¡± That snake¡¯s venomous fangs were mere inches away before something terrifying and impossible occurred.

    A hissing scream, a sound akin to a thousand cracking whips came resonating. Green tendrils rose and entwined like serpents of emerald light that could swallow mountains. It wrapped itself around that serpent¡¯s body instantly, moreover, squeezed those bones into dust and cracked that proud arrogant skull of his without much effort.

    WHOOSH! SNAP! CRACK!

    In a blink, it was gone. There wasn¡¯t a drop of blood to taint those beautiful greens now.

    "It can''t be¡­"

    All those courageous thoughts about annihilating, proving their strength. Those plans of revenge, dreams of a world where others trembled at their presence.

    GONE! They¡¯d vanished like whispers on the wind, and in its wake came another more pressing concern, SURVIVE.

    But could they escape what now stood tall, ready to devour and punish with ancient and unrelenting wrath?

    The others watched this transformation unfold with shock, especially, those bullies who initiated this entire bloodbath. Their humiliation and impending deaths, for surely Lu Ignis wouldn¡¯t let them live after they returned empty handed from a mission like this. They finally understood.

    "Hmph, It''s Phantom Willow Grass! One of Yama Yaguai''s deadliest plantsss. Legend claimsss that it drained those ancient ones back before the Calamity War¡­ That little twerp! Where did he learn such forbidden power?¡± Lu Pin hiss with horror evident and fear resonating from every atom. But could a plant, even a magic one with a gruesome past bring about their death? Such impossible thoughts!

    Even Raphael who witnessed it from afar, couldn¡¯t help but question if this little snake had hidden its power all this time, to such an extent.

    But the horrifying truth, it was right before them.

    Lu Jade didn¡¯t bother explaining any further. ¡°My anger must be sssatisfied¡­¡± Those words then manifested into a whisper they¡¯d never hear again, for if luck stayed on their side this time, it wouldn''t be anytime soon.

    ¡°Phantom Willow Grass¡­ Bind them all.¡±

    And just like that, an echoing of thousands whips whipping simultaneously, and with them, more serpents found themselves snagged by those beautiful emerald coils that were far thicker, far faster now.

    They crushed and splintered those scales and bones in a dance that resembled a melody of their very souls weeping!

    ¡°ARGH!¡± Their screeches amplified their tormentor¡¯s power! They couldn''t escape!

    ¡°Die¡­ DIE!¡±

    Even those hidden amongst those trees were not spared, they¡¯d learn those trees in Black Wind, they whisper secrets and those secrets were deadly!

    And within a heartbeat over thirty-three of their strongest soldiers were devoured, immobilized or broken, leaving their brethren with a decision no serpent has ever had to make before today.

    Panic had consumed those last bastion of cowardly pride. Those serpents who still survived.

    "Retreat!¡±

    Their brave commander, Lu Pin¡¯s hissed those words with his trembling tail trying its best to find leverage from that spear that was pushing him lower and lower towards his death. His message to the rest:

    ¡°Live to fight another day!¡±

    Those survivors didn''t hesitate for even a millisecond. They all slithered away. Their former ambition to conquer and feast vanished in the face of those terrifying glowing eyes from those emerald depths, the bloodlust, the sheer power and grace of that dancing green body. It was too much!

    It reminded them of Lu Ignis¡¯s earlier wrath! Who wants to be crushed a second time, by an equally terrifying beast?! Definitely not those bronze fools.

    And as the remaining Serpent assassins retreated towards Ho Eastern¡­

    ¡°Don''t forget thiss trash¡­¡± Lu Jade flung Lu Pan¡¯s crushed corpse at their fleeing brethren.

    "Hisssssss¡­¡±

    Lu Pin had no choice but to pick up his brother and flee. Vengeance, those tempting thoughts of tearing apart both the Jade Serpent and its powerful ally was an empty wish now. His escape from certain death under Bat General Kong¡¯s spear came at a price.

    ¡°I will have your hide. I¡¯ll feed you to the ratsss, little brother.¡± He spat those words of revenge to appease his own shame before following his defeated battalion with a dead weight upon those golden stripes.

    This time, when those who had gathered to kill had finally vanished into that treacherous jungle, leaving only the smell of blood, burnt grass, and fractured earth as proof of what Lu Jade could really do¡­

    A quiet peace settled.

    After the Phantom Willow Grass that wrapped themselves tightly around those fallen bodies like a burial shroud faded, a wondrous and bizarre camaraderie took their place.

    "How¡­?" Raphael had no words to express what he¡¯d just witnessed. It was like those stories in those old books from a time long gone where the weak suddenly gained power by making a deal with a demon but without any chanting, contracts nor burning incense.

    This was insane!

    ¡°Little Lu. Your strength. It is¡­?" He wanted to finish his thoughts but couldn¡¯t find words appropriate, or perhaps that was fear.

    He now stood above that tiny figure whose body had shrunk to its former insignificant self. Beside him were 13 bruised, but still eager to serve Shadow Bats and Bat General Kong.

    Bat General Kong approached with cautious steps before kneeling slightly in a show of respect to the serpent who just now proved that Yama Yaguai¡¯s way wasn¡¯t all about brute force, but cunning.

    ¡°Magnificent display! Worthy of praise, my equal.¡±

    Lu Jade blushed. Those compliments coming from such a powerful commander touched its core energies and it was then, as if by decree, that he realized, how his previous anxieties about dying today had vanished from reality.

    ¡°Your legion is also impressive, my friend. Truly a power to be reckon with. Your Master is wise and brave.¡± His compliment was solely about Raphael.

    Hearing them praise him for those things Shao Jin was gifted with had Raphael thinking. It was clear the other Calamities didn¡¯t appreciate displays of kindness or mercy. Could he live in this monstrous body much longer? Should he release Shao Jin and become nothing but essence in those glowing hooves again? But before he could even delve further into those dreadful scenarios and questions¡­

    "Well, actually¡­ It''s¡­ It¡¯s like this..."

    Lu Jade started shifting uncomfortably and glancing nervously around. He was ready to reveal one of his deepest secret to his newly formed brethren. He pointed towards his tail as if remembering a traumatic memory.

    ¡°You see Big Brother. It¡¯s because of that Jade Stone back at the cave¡­¡± He paused momentarily and glanced back at his previous self. That fear that consumed him back then was no more.

    ¡°So many years I''ve endured. How unfair, how painful it all was. Those endless insults, beatings, mockery about my appearance, my emerald scales which they called hideous. The shame."

    Raphael and the other bats listened patiently. This wasn''t just a recount of Lu Jade''s experiences. This was about to reveal a secret worth dying for. A technique so rare and powerful.

    "I awakened a unique cultivation Dao ¡­"

    "Dao? What''s that?¡± Raphael wondered, "Oh right those stories about cultivating and reaching enlightenment." He shook away his thoughts of how confusing that sounded before leaning back as those mighty hoof dug into that soil. He couldn''t resist asking for clarity, after all this was important to understand what had transpired here today.

    ¡°Your Dao? Could you explain, Little Lu.¡±

    Lu Jade didn¡¯t waste time explaining his technique, which he¡¯d named ¡®The Emerald Pool of Ten Thousand Flowers¡¯.

    "The Jade Stone allows me to seal and compress those innate energies granted from my lineage and nurture them for millennia¡­ until they bloom with a potent force far stronger than if I''d cultivate like a regular snake with pride and desires!¡±

    He glanced down towards the pile of serpent bones and laughed arrogantly. ¡°That''s why they call me ¡®Weak¡¯, ¡®Useless¡¯, and those that think themselves strong said I couldn¡¯t advance, that I was ¡®Stuck¡¯. They''ve all underestimated me for so long.¡±

    Lu Jade then flicked his tongue in delight. "What idiots!" He felt liberated. He puffed out his scaly chest and concluded proudly, "But no more. Tonight, I became the TRUE Jade Serpent of Ho Eastern!¡±

 Chapter 37 - A Dubious Invitation

    "For now¡­ we are safe," Raphael sighed contentedly. The adrenaline from that brutal fight with the Venom Tail Vipers slowly subsided.

    He stretched his massive legs, then looked around the clearing with satisfaction. The silence, broken only by the rustling leaves and distant screeches of fleeing serpents, it was music to his ears. He had survived another ordeal.

    "I can''t believe those fools really thought they could take me," he chuckled, then nudge Lu Jade with a hoof.

    ¡°Little Lu, those snake bastards are truly delusional aren¡¯t they?"

    ¡°They had it coming Big Brother.¡±

    But those victorious celebrations, the moment of brotherhood and that fleeting arrogance was shattered in an instant as¡­

    Crack!

    ¡­a bolt of black lightning tore through the clearing, illuminating the bruised earth. And as those shadows from the fallen trees dance to this chaotic light display. It gracefully revealed something far more terrifying than those serpent bastards.

    Hovering gracefully amidst the dissipating smoke was a slender yet powerful bird whose plumage glistened with shades of emerald and silver, and whose every movement radiated an aura of quiet authority.

    She wore a resplendent suit of amethyst armor that reflected the lightning storm with flashes of purple, this hid most of her body, except those lethal looking wings. There was also a terrifying tail that resembled a mix of feathers and metal, and those claws that could easily crush their bones.

    Her eyes, however, were concealed by an elaborate head-piece that resembled a golden bird with purple gems for pupils. And behind her slim waist, a mechanical harness secured two swords: one golden broadsword and a smaller, curved blade made of polished chrome steel.

    They were weapons meant for silent and efficient killing, that much Raphael understood instinctively, moreover, those bronze scale armors his Shadow Bat army were sporting were as fragile as eggshells compared to those swords, that much those primal instincts were confirming, over, and over and over again as she approached with the arrogance of one accustomed to deference.

    ¡°You''re lucky. That you survived." she spoke softly while hovering slowly.

    Raphael stared fixedly ahead. It was unreal, after escaping one near-death experience with Lu Ignis and battling a hundred snakes, to be in the presence of something even more majestic? This was his lucky day, if it could be labeled as luck.

    ¡°Who are you? Are you with¡­¡± He managed to speak.

    ¡°Qi Fenwei,¡± she replied, cutting him off without a hint of respect or malice in her voice.

    ¡°That name¡­¡± Lu Jade felt a shiver crawling down his tiny body, which he dismissed as tiredness, before remembering a few terrifying details.

    ¡°Emperor Qi Hawk''s¡­ fifth daughter!¡± he hissed to Raphael in a trembling voice.

    ¡°Qi Hawk''s daughter? That powerful bird from earlier that stop Lu Ignis?¡± Raphael¡¯s massive head shifted slightly back towards the burning lands beyond Black Wind Ridge. ¡°But why is she here?¡± Those hoof of his trembled uncontrollably, but now, not from fear, but uncertainty, ¡°Is she here to¡­ punish us? Did that old man send her?¡±

    They waited anxiously for their judgement as their hearts beat a frantic, but rhythmic counterpoint to their fear.

    Qi Fenwei didn''t explain. She merely extended one wing before effortlessly gliding across the battlefield towards those trembling creatures with an elegant swiftness that stole their very breath.

    "Halt! Do not come closer!¡±

    Reacting to this threat with the instinctual devotion and blind loyalty those Shadows were blessed with. Bat General Kong launched himself forward.

    He brandished his golden spear and pointed it towards Qi Fenwei¡¯s face. The energy emanating from him felt capable of obliterating mountains in two, but alas, this new threat was on another level of power, one he''d not encounter before.

    ¡°I said halt! Or your feathers will be torn apart. Do not push me!¡±

    ¡°Hmph¡­¡± That arrogance wasn¡¯t meant to intimidate Bat General Kong because as his warning rang those peaceful woodlands with tremors, she replied with an act that could shatter those Shadow Legion¡¯s respect and unity.

    Without a change in posture¡­

    "Don¡¯t you know its bad manners to point such a flimsy stick at those above your social and power class? Have you no respect, or perhaps your pathetic mind just couldn¡¯t fathom¡­¡± She couldn¡¯t finish those insulting remarks because those instincts she held dear couldn¡¯t hold back anymore.

    In a blink of an eye, she was no longer before them.

    ¡°She¡¯s gone¡­¡± The moment Bat General Kong spoke those words, he realized their predicament. A sense of impending dread, and then... he saw it.

    POOF!

    His own form began to dissipate! He could feel those bones shattering. His Bronze Scale Armor, it was as fragile as ash and with it, went his ambitions and that mini-dragon that he so adored and was blessed with moments before. It would appear as though his death had become a lesson, a rather brutal and painful one.

    "Maybe your next form will have better manners. Then again why bother?¡± Qi Fenwei was hovering before Raphael with one hand resting upon the hilt of her sword. She sighed with boredom after Bat General Kong completely vanish into thin air.

    She stared at Raphael and spoke, ¡°You should really train your shadow pets better. Obedience is paramount after all. Now then. Let¡¯s move onto more important matters."

    Lu Jade watched the encounter with a growing sense of dread as another revelation slammed him harder than those phantom hooves. ¡°She¡­ she defeated him without¡­ without a single movement, not even a technique!¡± His inner voice was trembling. ¡°B-but Bat General Kong¡¯s essence was at the peak of Great Ordeal Stage.¡±

    This was beyond his wildest comprehension. He¡¯d never seen anyone defeated someone so fast, this speed it defied reality itself.

    Raphael wasn''t easily intimidated. He pawed the ground with those massive hooves. ¡°You little bird! What do you want?! Don''t make me use these hooves on your delicate little backside.¡± He challenged with an arrogant snort.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    Her cold gaze pierced his pride like an expert butcher preparing the main dish, "Don''t flatter yourself, bull. You wouldn''t last a second against me in combat. I''m here at my father''s behest to extend an¡­ invitation.¡±

    Both serpent and bull were surprised. This unexpected proposition had Raphael almost wanting to release another fart from anxiety, he controlled it.

    "Say what?!"

    "My father wishes to speak with you both.¡± Her tone was devoid of any hostility and now even laced with a respectful lilt. "Follow me to the Imperial Wind Palace and I''ll spare you both a few scars that my swords can easily give. You won''t regret this encounter, I guarantee. And if you need time to heal, I¡¯m more than willing to¡­"

    "And what if¡­ WE REFUSE?!"

    Despite his growing uneasiness, Raphael couldn¡¯t contain his arrogance entirely. The question slipped out with such audacity and bravado, but the moment he finished saying it¡­

    Raphael saw it.

    Her hand resting upon that broadsword¡¯s hilt, and around her feet those vibrant grass withered instantly as if afraid of being trampled on by her grace, such raw and immense energy!

    This wasn''t a bluff!

    His little companion Lu Jade understood all too well. ¡°We¡¯ll go. Take us to your father.¡± Lu Jade¡¯s hiss sounded resigned.

    Seeing this act of submission had her smirking before saying, "A wise decision," as her hand retracted from those swords behind her, then with another swift blink.

    ¡°This way then.¡± She vanished once more.

    Lu Jade wasted no time. He quickly scrambled up Raphael¡¯s mighty horns once again. "Follow her, Big Brother.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­ ok.¡± Raphael watched his companion''s haste and quickly unfolded those enormous black wings.

    This was bad, but not too bad because at least, they were alive to experience those bad decisions made earlier.

    WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

    In a matter of heartbeats they were airborne, chasing after that vanishing purple in those cloud laden skies.

    ¡­

    WHOOSH!

    The wind whipped past Raphael¡¯s golden hide as he struggled to keep pace with Qi Fenwei, who was gliding effortlessly through the air. His massive wings beat powerfully, sent turbulent gusts rippling outwards, shattered trees below and kicked up small dust storms as those hooves searched desperately for something solid to land on, even for a moment, but the only thing he was granted was exhaustion.

    It was like trying to chase a shooting star.

    He was fast, no doubt.

    But she was on another level. Her amethyst armor flashed as she shifted with such elegant grace and terrifying velocity. Even from this vantage, with those enhanced sense and terrifying speeds he was mastering¡­ he was losing ground, little by little.

    "I never knew¡­ those skies¡­ could get so blurry!" Lu Jade clung tightly to Raphael¡¯s horn as the wind assaulted him.

    Up ahead, he noticed those wings of hers didn¡¯t flap.

    Qi Fenwei simply moved through that dense atmosphere like water. Was this what those stories meant when talking about powerful beast evolving to use those natural laws of the land as their very will? Could this truly be real?

    Raphael felt as if this entire encounter since his escape from that damned princess¡¯ demands was just a very, very bad dream.

    ¡°What could the Black Wind Emperor want to speak about?¡±

    This was a question that was repeating in his mind over, and over.

    Lu Jade seemed to pick up his anxieties. He slithered along those ridges before looking ahead.

    "I''m not sure, Big Brother. Perhaps we¡¯ll get those answers soon. I have a terrible feeling it won''t end well."

    BOOM!

    A large, thunderous cloud was coming into view, then, Raphael witnessed the skies parting in a mesmerizing fashion as multiple towering structures materialized upon a rocky plain. They circled a massive open-air platform suspended high above those dangerous forests below.

    "That¡­"

    "We''ve arrived.¡±

    "Is this the Imperial Wind Palace? It looks¡­ plain and desolate.¡±

    Raphael was shock at how those structures were placed without much beauty or thought about their position and that it simply was rocks atop rocks with carvings that mirrored birds'' tails and claws. No one else was even present here.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Big Brother Raphael. Thissss is just a shortcut.¡±

    Even before he could grasp what this ¡°shortcut¡± meant, Raphael felt a tingle all over those furs as energy resonated around that stone platform. Qi Fenwei stood at its center, emanating blue-white lights. Then¡­

    WHOOSH!

    They vanished.

    And a short while later, Raphael¡¯s blurry vision settled.

    They¡¯d landed within Nestoria ¨C a Marble World.

    Standing upon yet another rock platform, surrounded by breathtaking scenery, Raphael couldn¡¯t contain his awestruck gasps. This truly was magnificence of a different color, a flavor that didn¡¯t smell of smoke or charred remains.

    "Amazing.¡± He couldn¡¯t hold it. This realm, its splendor. It far exceeded what he expected. He saw floating carriages with unique designs. And below, rainbow-colored winds whisked them through an ever-changing landscape.

    The refreshing scent in that world touched Raphael''s very soul. Those energies seemed so different than his golden flames and those dark sparks. This realm felt magical.

    He glanced down and realized something even more wondrous. He was looking down upon massive gardens where ancient trees whispered secrets amongst babbling brooks. And throughout this enchanted expanse, hundreds of anthropomorphic bird creatures with colorful plumages and attire walked the pathways. They carried themselves with an elegance that was as mesmerizing as their environment.

    The structures throughout this heavenly space were colossal, made from polished jade, ivory, and ruby. Towers pierced those cloudless azure skies as colorful banners with symbols he¡¯d never witnessed before danced to that peaceful rhythm.

    His earlier fears faded with every gentle breeze that bounced on his hide and cleansed those anxieties he¡¯d carried for so long. This place was safe. Or perhaps it simply appeared safe.

    Very soon they started following their escort through the very heart of those dazzling clouds and magical energies.

    Raphael noticed a radiant shimmer that surrounded every creature, beast, tree, and stone in this place.

    ¡°Little Lu¡­ What is it that¡¯s making this place feel so alive? It''s as if my body¡¯s wants to fall into a meditative stance.¡±

    Lu Jade hissed back, ¡°Those essence Big Brother? It¡¯s those winds of Qi Hawk¡¯s Imperial Glory, it permeates this entire space, his legacy. Only the Black Wind Emperor¡¯s direct family, and those few he considers allies has access. To those of us fortunate enough to soak it in, our very cores resonate with gratitude and desires to please the Emperor, that''s how strong it is.¡±

    After this, they didn¡¯t speak until they reach a landing space made of white jade and golden carvings. It had multiple steps with those rainbow winds guarding its every inch.

    Those impossibly large black doors that were twice as tall as himself, awaited patiently with two armed guards standing before them in imposing Silver Hawk Armor. They radiated potent essences which rivaled that of the Bronze Serpent bullies from earlier. Such was the power of being close to the heart of their empire.

    Qi Fenwei approach with a casual wave, those guards bowed and allowed entry without questions. It was obvious who was in command.

    ¡°Hm. This power, to be acknowledged without speaking¡­¡± He would have to inquire later.

    The imposing black doors swung open and revealed another spectacle he wasn''t prepared for, the palace¡¯s vastness. There were countless balconies and hallways that disappeared into emerald, amber, and indigo hallways adorned with precious carvings and delicate incense that was burning peacefully.

    ¡°Wow, this place looks amazing. Feels much better than being in the Bloodthorne Empire¡¯s basement.¡±

    ¡°What did you say, Big Brother?¡± Lu Jade thought he heard utterance of the Bloodthorne Empire and wanted clarity, but before his question could be answered¡­

    Their hostess and guide, Qi Fenwei hovered a few feet from them and gracefully dipped her head with those majestic wings folding neatly, for the sight of who sat ahead was one that had many beasts shivering with devotion and fear. The title "Emperor Calamity", was whispered in reverence for a reason.

    "Father, I''ve brought them, as requested."

    ¡°Hmm.¡±

    The Emperor directed his keen gaze towards the bull.

    "Fenwei, leave us for now."

    She bowed again, however, reluctance was clear in her eyes. "Father, are you certain¡­ this creature¡­ I¡­"

    Before those concerns for her beloved father''s safety could take shape, the chamber began to rumble.

    The Emperor unleashed his true Solar Essence. And for a terrifying instant, the very air within that throne room crackled with enough potent energies that Lu Jade fell semi-unconscious with his scales turning pale.

    Raphael cowered in abject horror and utter defeat for he finally understood why those lesser Calamity submitted so easily.

    This crushing force lasted for a few more seconds before silence descended and the pressure faded.

    "I am Qi Hawk, Emperor Calamity of this domain and those beyond it. What need I fear daughter?¡±

    Even the strongest amongst them all needed reassurance from within. That vulnerability had Raphael questioning himself. Was this bird Emperor truly arrogant, or was it a facade like those he was building as well? He had no answers and would probably never know.

    Qi Fenwei recovered quickly and glanced at Raphael with a look of contempt that was quickly replaced by dread as she bowed again to her mighty father.

    "As you wish, Father.¡±

    ¡°Hmph!¡±

    She turned and stalked from the chamber.

 Chapter 38 - Qi Hawkâ€™s Bargain

    Within the grand hall of the Imperial Wind Palace, Emperor Qi Hawk¡¯s imposing form sat upon a throne crafted from pure gold and studded with glittering amethysts. The throne rested atop a raised dais of white jade.

    He braced his feathered head against his right hand while tilting his head slightly, exuding an air of calm confidence that only those who have lived and battled for millennia could truly appreciate and replicate. But beneath this placid exterior, Raphael and Lu Jade could sense a current of danger ¨C a subtle ripple of power that permeated the very air. This powerful entity, it was both fascinating and terrifying.

    They stood before the Black Wind Emperor, anxiously awaiting his judgement as their eyes nervously darted around those intricately carved pillars that surrounded his throne and those jade wind chime that hang above which gently resonated to an unheard melody.

    And as silence stretched, a thought surfaced in Qi Hawk¡¯s ancient mind as he observed his guests.

    ¡®Hm¡­ A Nightmare Calamity 7th Stage¡­ almost an Emperor Calamity. And the little serpent¡­ Great Ordeal 4th Stage¡­ I can sense he¡¯s suppressing his true strength. That aura¡­ a power that resembles my late daughter¡¯s abilities. Intriguing.¡¯

    He smirked to himself, then concluded, ¡°They might have a chance at succeeding.¡±

    The air in the throne room crackled with unspoken anticipation.

    WHOOSH!

    Then, in a blink, Qi Hawk vanished from his throne and materialized directly before them. His movement was so swift, so effortless, that Raphael could only stammer a confused, "Huh?!"

    ¡°Don''t be alarmed, newcomers. I simply dislike wasting precious time on trivial pleasantries." Qi Hawk¡¯s voice came out calmly as he raised one wing in a reassuring gesture that seem to have the opposite effect upon those trembling before him.

    ¡°First, allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Emperor Qi Hawk, Calamity of this domain and those beyond. And as such¡­ I extend my sincere welcome to my humble abode.¡± He bowed slightly with those magnificent silver wings folded neatly.

    The spectacle left Raphael speechless and Lu Jade feeling that he was about to pass out for the second time today. Such humility from such a potent being, It was baffling.

    "Now tell me, what are your names?¡±

    Raphael shook his head. It seems he wasn''t the only one struggling to reconcile these recent events. "I¡­ I am Raphael."

    Lu Jade finally recovered his senses. He quickly bowed his head in a sign of respect that he had been taught to perform countless times by elders of his lineage, but never had he considered performing such a humble act to one outside his species, he shuddered.

    ¡°Lu¡­ Lu Jade. It is an honor to be in your presence, Your Majesty.¡±

    ¡°Hmm. Excellent." Qi Hawk clapped once then turned towards the enormous black door they had entered moments before as his wings expanded and pulsed in sync with his thoughts.

    "Now for the true reason for your presence¡­¡±

    Then a dome of translucent, iridescent white energy began to materialize, encompassing them entirely. They felt isolated from the outside world as if within their own pocket universe.

    Raphael instinctively glared around suspiciously, "What are you doing?¡±

    Qi Hawk saw their reaction and smirked.

    ¡°Don''t be alarmed. I¡¯ve simply erected a sound barrier for privacy. What I''m about to share, it''s sensitive information, not meant for those tiny ears out there.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a careful Emperor. I respect that.¡±

    Raphael''s words weren''t an actual compliment, more like shock laced with those anxieties he was now very well acquainted with.

    ¡°First¡­ I extend my gratitude for the events of this night. Your battle with Lu Ignis, it had very¡­ interesting repercussions that wouldn¡¯t have happened had I stayed within those safe walls of mine and allowed the world to crumble around my peace.¡±

    ¡°Hmm? Your gratitude?¡±

    This was a twist they hadn''t anticipated. Even Lu Jade, whose knowledge of such matters rivaled the most knowledgeable elder serpent in Yama Yaguai, was confused.

    Qi Hawk¡¯s right eye glowed a milky-white color as those feathers ruffled.

    "Yes! Gratitude. Your flight across my territories with that serpent on your tail, it¡­ forced my hand, you see? I was compelled to protect my realm and its inhabitants from that imbecile¡¯s wrath. And in doing so, I discovered something wonderful. Something I thought had been lost to those cruel flames of fate long ago, but¡­¡± He chuckled with a joy that shook their very being.

    Then as if recounting a dreadful memory with excitement lacing those whispers. He explained:

    ¡°That confrontation, it reignited an ancient grudge. As we battled. I called upon a power I¡¯ve rarely used since those flames stole a part of my vision. I¡¯ve called upon my Void Eye, a gift I was bestowed with at birth. With it, I can see beyond the limits of physical reality.¡±

    Hearing those words had Raphael¡¯s brain reeling. A power that can see beyond the limits of reality?

    ¡°Nevermind¡­ just tell us. What have we done, that¡¯s so damn important? Surely you didn¡¯t drag us to this fancy palace just to tell us bedtime stories of your glorious past.¡±

    ¡°Yes, please tell us, your Majesty.¡± Lu Jade hissed softly in curiosity.

    Qi Hawk revealed, ¡°I¡¯ve utilized my Void Eye power to pierce his scaly defenses. And it was in those moments of chaos that I sense it. An echo so distinct. I would never forget it even if a thousand more years pass. It was faint. A mere whisper, yet¡­ It¡¯s unmistakable! He still has it!¡±

    ¡°Has what?¡± Raphael asked.

    ¡°Lu Ignis still has my other ¡®Void Eye¡¯, the one he ripped from my face millennia ago. He never destroyed it! I thought¡­ I believed I felt it vanish, but I was wrong. The old bastard must have kept it all these years, thinking he could unlock its secrets. Perhaps he even thought he could use it to defy Sindoll. Hahaha! Foolishness. He might be a powerful serpent. But MY ¡®Void Eyes¡¯ will only respond to my commands.¡±

    What was he getting into now?

    ¡°So¡­¡± Raphael coughed, trying to collect his thoughts. ¡°What do you want us to do about it? You don¡¯t expect us to¡­ rob that old tyrant, do you?¡±Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    ¡°That,¡± Qi Hawk said with a sly smile, ¡°is precisely what I¡¯m proposing.¡±

    ¡°WHAT?!¡±

    Both Raphael and Lu Jade were stunned. The audacity!

    ¡°You want us to sneak into Lu Ignis¡¯s territory and retrieve your stolen eye?¡± Raphael shook his head. "HAHA! You''re crazy if you think I''ll go on a suicide mission, into Lu Ignis''s den no less! Do you have any idea how brutal that old bastard is? My hooves will be ripped off as soon as I set a golden toe across that wretched territory. This mission¡­ it¡¯s a death sentence! There¡¯s no way we can do it.¡±

    ¡°Yes, yes. Big Brother Raphael is right. I''m not a strong snake, but even I know that''s impossible. Even if we could somehow get past those guards and those legions of serpent warriors, Father is always surrounded by his most trusted advisors. They¡¯re all Calamities, every single one! We¡¯ll be crushed like insects before we even reach the treasury!¡±

    Lu Jade was terrified, the very thought of stepping foot into his father¡¯s lair now filled him with a dread far more potent than those beatings he¡¯d suffered in his youth.

    Qi Hawk¡¯s calm demeanor returned. He understood their fear, he thought. He had to convince them.

    "Fear not my allies. I¡¯m not sending you to your deaths without a reward. This mission, if successful, will grant you untold power, untold riches. Trust me, you won''t regret it.¡±

    Those last words were more a plea than a statement. His tone had softened a little, which didn''t impress Lu Jade who thought, ¡®Easy for you to say, Emperor. You¡¯re not the one risking your hide.¡¯

    Raphael, however, found his curiosity piqued. ¡°Hmph! If your mission is truly so lucrative then spill it! Tell us, Emperor Qi Hawk. What is it you have that will warrant a death sentence for simply setting our eyes on Lu Ignis¡¯s treasure?¡±

    A spark of hope flickered in Qi Hawk¡¯s expression. "Excellent." He spread his majestic white wings and leaned forward conspiratorially.

    "Let me paint a picture for you¡­¡±

    As he spoke, moving images appeared on his feathers. It was truly breathtaking to witness. He could manipulate those scenes to his will in terrifying detail that was captivating and hypnotic.

    ¡°In three months¡¯ time, something momentous will occur, something that every beast dreams of witnessing. I¡¯m speaking about the Great Divine Tribulation.¡±

    ¡°The Great Divine Tribulation?¡± Raphael scratched his head with a hoof. This phrase was unfamiliar. The memories he¡¯d absorbed from Shao Jin weren¡¯t helpful. This bull never cared about events like this, for it was a lone wolf, choosing to hoard power and those treasure it gathered from slain enemies.

    ¡°A-ah! I know this event!¡± Lu Jade¡¯s tone held a boyish excitement. ¡°Once every ten thousand years, beasts from all across Yama Yaguai gather to test their might against each other. The victor earns the blessing of Void Emperor Sindoll.¡±

    ¡°Void Emperor Sindoll¡­? Hmm¡­¡± Those words and those titles echoed through Raphael¡¯s fractured memories as if coming from the depths of hell. He¡¯d heard it earlier when Lu Ignis retreated, or to be more specific, halted in his mad march to crush both himself and Lu Jade into fine paste.

    ¡°What¡¯s so special about Void Emperor Sindoll¡¯s blessing? Is it stronger than yours, Emperor Qi Hawk?¡±

    This time it was Qi Hawk who answered. ¡°Stronger? Ahahaha!¡± His laughter had those feathers ruffling once again before those moving images shifted to a scene of countless butterflies ascending to heaven.

    "Her blessing is the ultimate prize, the most coveted treasure sought by all beasts. Imagine having your Solar Consciousness evolved by five hundred thousand years! FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND!¡± He spread those wings wide to reveal a serpent and bull basking in an ocean of golden light that dripped essence and power!

    ¡°Think about it! You, Raphael, you''d ascend to a realm of power unimaginable! You¡¯d stand amongst the strongest Calamities in Yama Yaguai! And you, Lu Jade, you¡¯ll become a Calamity."

    "I¡¯d be¡­ a Calamity!" Lu Jade almost fainted from shock! This¡­ this was¡­ unreal.

    "Precisely!" Qi Hawk nodded. ¡°It is a power beyond even your wildest dreams, but gaining entry is no easy feat. The selection process is brutal. Only the strongest, the most cunning are chosen by those of us who rule these lands to represent our territories. Countless beasts perish in those trials. But," he gestured with a grand sweep of his wing, "You, my allies¡­ I will grant you safe passage."

    From beneath his wings, two gold-plated invitations came into existence with a rainbow glow surrounding them.

    ¡°Those¡­¡± Lu Jade was stunned. These were the treasures he¡¯d always longed for.

    ¡°These are Special Invitation Passes to the Great Divine Tribulation. With these passes¡­ You can skip those Selection Trials. You¡¯ll be granted direct entry into the grand event itself. Consider it a token of my trust in your abilities.¡±

    Lu Jade watched the Invitation levitate towards their faces. ¡°That¡¯ss a wonderful opportunity. A gift beyond even a thousand lifetimes. Big Brother Raphael, I think we should¡­"

    ¡°Are those Invitation passes¡­ ALL you offer?¡±

    Those words, spoken by Raphael had Qi Hawk baffled! What kind of idiotic, arrogant, and ungrateful creature dares to question his generosity?! He had just offered them ascension! Power! An opportunity no one but himself could grant!

    Qi Hawk flinched internally and then quickly recovered with a smirk. It seems he was thinking that both would beg and prostrate themselves in gratitude for this gift he was willing to bestow upon them.

    His anxieties quickly died as another speculation filled his ancient mind: ''Perhaps he''s simply considering those risks involved. The Great Divine Tribulation is a brutal proving ground where only the strongest survive. He must be thinking, even with my blessing, what if he fails¡­?''

    ¡°Fine.¡± Qi Hawk¡¯s tone softened as he explained.

    ¡°That¡¯s not all I offer. In the remaining time before the Great Divine Tribulation. I shall give you both rare cultivation materials from the imperial storehouse to aid your ascension. And to appease any concerns about being taught the arts. I will instruct the most knowledgeable elders to guide your progress personally.¡±

    ¡°Wow, wow, wow¡­ Big Brother¡­ thissss iss too good¡­ surely¡­"

    Lu Jade was stunned! This bounty. Those treasure beyond value! It was hisss!

    ¡°I think¡­ We¡­ I mean, WE accept. Yes?¡± Those words came tumbling forth as Lu Jade looked toward his friend for reassurance that they weren¡¯t being tricked again. This all seems too unreal!

    ¡°Good¡­ Good! I knew you would see the¡­¡±

    ¡°Is that ALL? Are those trinkets and treasures enough to overcome those dangers that lay within? Surely you are aware of this.¡±

    Qi Hawk coughed a bit. He¡¯d never encountered such audacity, even when those dragons from the south came asking for favors, they weren¡¯t this bold. But the question was valid, so he answered.

    "Indeed. There are dangers within the Great Divine Tribulation that are far beyond even those we have witnessed. But your power, your abilities, and that bond I witnessed during those chaotic moments with the snakes. It is a valuable asset.¡±

    He then let out a frustrated huff, "But to answer your question directly.¡± He then turned around to pace for a bit while thinking on what would finally appease them, however, no new ideas came to mind.

    "Oh! RIGHT!¡± He snapped his talons as if having a great epiphany and returned to face the imposing bull. ¡°I will also ensure your safety until the Great Divine Tribulation and those beyond its calling. If you are victorious. Your wishes¡­ I shall grant them with a snap of these feathers. Wealth, fame, power, knowledge, treasures from those distant realms, even access to the Imperial Harem and those maidens that yearn for a powerful bull such as yourself¡­ they are yours!¡±

    "Whoa! Big Brother, let''s do it! Accept now! It¡¯s an honor!¡± Lu Jade was sold. He would do anything to become a Calamity, to never have to fear bullies like before, to have those powers¡­ this opportunity might never come again.

    Raphael, however, was in deep thought. There was a saying he¡¯d heard back in Tajmani¡¯s castle, that was always whispered because it was forbidden and yet held power that even those knights trembled before.

    "Free lunch¡­ they¡¯re often laced with poison."

    He had to ask,

    ¡°Is there anything¡­ ANYTHING ELSE?¡±

    But the Emperor, now growing agitated by this ordeal replied quickly, ¡°Look! My last offer. I¡¯ll give you one of my most lavish palaces within these heavens. That should be more than enough.¡±

    Raphael pondered for bit. If he refuse, this emperor could easily kill him, so might as well he take this gamble, and if it pays off, he will be one step closer to his goal of becoming stronger.

    "Those treasures and opportunities¡­ they¡¯re¡­ tempting, Your Majesty.¡± He paused, making sure his next words would not offend. It was one thing to be arrogant and confident with lesser beasts, but an Emperor Calamity, that was another story all together. ¡°But one question remains. How will we¡­ I mean, how can I even set foot in Ho Eastern without being targeted? Those snakes¡­ if they recognize this bull¡¯s form. We¡¯re doomed. Surely you are aware of those dangers? They want my head on a platter.¡±

    ¡°Big Brother is right.¡± Lu Jade added his concern.

    "Hmm¡­¡± The Emperor snapped his claws together and exclaimed. "Leave those concerns to me, I have a solution¡­"

    "Reality Thwart ¨C Prosopagnosia!¡±

    BOOM!

    A blinding white light shot from Qi Hawk''s Void Eye.

    Before Raphael or Lu Jade could react, they were enveloped in the Emperor''s energy. The world blurred before their vision. They felt a tingling sensation across their hide and scales, followed by a disorientation that made them both stumble.

    Then as they blinked back into reality¡­

    ¡°Behold!¡± Qi Hawk said with a proud smile as he gestured towards their transformed figures.

    "Those pesky serpents won''t recognize you now. You''ll blend in perfectly.¡±

    They looked at themselves and gasped. No longer were their forms golden or emerald, rather they were those of massive black serpents!

 Chapter 39 - The Mission

    ¡°Woah¡­¡±

    ¡°Unbelievable¡­¡±

    Raphael and Lu Jade stared at their new serpentine forms in disbelief. Qi Hawk¡¯s ¡®Reality Thwart ¨C Prosopagnosia¡¯ had worked wonders. Those golden hooves and emerald scales had been replaced with an imposing black hide. It felt oddly comforting, these new, slick scales.

    Raphael slithered experimentally, marveling at how easy it was to move those muscles through this body. It reminded him of a time when he''d seen a group of black vipers hunting a deer back in those human territories. They¡¯d moved with an uncanny, almost graceful swiftness.

    ¡°Magnificent technique, Your Majesty!¡± Lu Jade bowed his head, humbled by the Emperor¡¯s prowess, and even a bit envious, because those spells of his were nothing compared to something as powerful and subtle as this.

    ¡°Ahaha! It¡¯s child¡¯s play.¡± Even Qi Hawk couldn¡¯t hold back his own sense of accomplishment at having such talent. This ability, combined with others, was something to brag about, but now was not the time.

    His head shook to rid himself of distracting thoughts as a more important issue came to mind.

    "Do not get too distracted. In these forms, some of your abilities will be restricted. My Prosopagnosia technique is based on manipulating perceptions of others. Those who gaze upon you will see snakes, but to maintain the illusions, refrain from taking unnecessary risks." He arched an eyebrow at the bull, who instantly grasped those limitations.

    Raphael nodded, "So I won''t be able to use ¡®Gold Press¡¯ or ¡®Helios Stream¡¯. It''ll break the disguise and alert them, right?¡± He glanced down at his ¡®phantom hooves¡¯. Gone. ¡°So much for my trump cards¡­ Guess I''ll have to rely on my new venom-fangs and perhaps that sword I conjure earlier¡­ IF those are still available?¡±

    He¡¯d hoped those blood arts were part of him now.

    Before his contemplation could turn into anxieties¡­

    ¡°Of course they¡¯ll still be at your disposal. I merely disguised you physically, not alter your essence,¡± Qi Hawk confirmed with a roll of his eyes, then with another gesture that sent those wings flapping majestically, two objects appeared before him.

    ¡°Those¡­" Lu Jade couldn''t hold his hissing from the sight of treasures.

    Qi Hawk explained, "These items will be crucial for your mission. Consider it added incentive, ahaa!"

    The first was a curious, eight-sided device; a octahedron with orange faces and yellow glowing edges. Qi Hawk gently pushed the octahedron toward Lu Jade with one talon.

    ¡°Thisss¡­?¡±

    "It¡¯s a human invention. We call it the ¡®Octahedron Communicator¡¯. With this¡­ You can contact me directly should you encounter unforeseen complications.¡±

    ¡°Directly?¡± Lu Jade stared in fascination. ¡°Doesss this mean you can also watch everything we¡­?"

    ¡°Yes and no. I won¡¯t see those things your eyes witness. This magnificent creation allows me to monitor the energy surrounding those who carry it.¡±You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    The other object floated a short distance from Raphael''s jaws; a small, intricately woven nest, made entirely from pure white feathers.

    A realization hit Raphael.

    Weren¡¯t these¡­ Qi Hawk¡¯s very feathers?! The audacity of even creating such a sacred thing was a power he couldn¡¯t comprehend, much like all the others events today. He wondered what use it held.

    ¡°Hmm? Feathers¡­?¡±

    ¡°That Is the ¡®Rou Lin Nest¡¯. A repository I''ve infused with my own essence.¡±

    He gestured for Raphael to open his massive black jaw which was instinctively obeyed. Then, with a wave, the nest was tucked carefully behind those terrifying fangs.

    Raphael was bewildered. ¡°Those feathers? Why would¡­ you¡­ I mean¡­ What are they even meant for?¡± It seems all logic had fled his human mind today because surely a ¡®nest of feathers¡¯ wouldn''t stop those venomous serpent bites.

    Qi Hawk replied patiently, ¡°Your eyes are truly dim, bull. Those feathers are meant to keep a very precious possession safe. More specifically, my Void Eye.¡±

    He pointed towards his black eye patch before adding: "You can store it inside. Now go, right now. Those disguises will not last forever. Time is not our ally.¡±

    ¡°W-wait a minute! What do you mean RIGHT NOW?¡± Raphael hissed back in panic.

    ¡°You''ve come to a deal already and my patience is thin today!¡± Qi Hawk hissed menacingly, frustrated. His right foot was tapping impatiently against that smooth, polished white jade. He couldn''t afford any delays.

    ¡°Those snakes are in mourning. Lu Ignis is probably still upset. Now is the best time to strike before he has the time to recover his pride and send his legions into my territory looking for you.¡±

    Both Raphael and Lu Jade stared, stunned and terrified, at the urgency. They''d hoped to have at least a day to prepare themselves, practice their arts, and refined their Solar Essences

    Qi Hawk swooped down upon them like a hunting bird going for those juicy worms in the morning. He¡¯d grab their serpentine forms and then mercilessly shove them with his talons, urging them through those imposing doors while yelling.

    ¡°Get to that snake¡¯s treasury and retrieve my eye, Now! Those details are engraved on the ¡®Octahedron¡¯, don''t lose it! And remember, if the mission goes sideways and you get caught, don¡¯t mention my name nor the true reason you are there. However, if you succeed in recovering my left eye, just make sure that you contact me as soon as you escape Lu Ignis¡¯s domain and I¡¯ll send back up. Do you too understand?¡±

    Qi Hawk didn¡¯t wait for their response and immediately kicked them out. ¡°Get going now. Make sure you succeed before daylight.¡±

    Raphael stumbled out of the imposing black doors, still feeling somewhat unfamiliar in this new form, however, he would grow accustom to it, just as he did with the Golden Bull Thork.

    Beside him, Lu Jade hissed nervously. They had been tasked with an impossible mission¡ªinfiltrate Lu Ignis''s treasury, steal a Void Eye, and all before sunset. The pressure was immense, the odds stacked against them.

    ¡°Did that just happen? It¡¯s like a fever dream¡­¡± Raphael mumbled. His disguised wouldn¡¯t last, the Emperor made sure to emphasize that fun fact.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ those two?¡± Qi Fenwei stood a short distance away and noticed their presence. She regarded those imposing black serpents with narrowed eyes.

    "Intruders? They''re bold indeed. But they won''t make it past these swords of mine.¡±

    She quickly unsheathed her broadsword completely and swung it in an arc before Raphael even had time to explain who he was. Her intent was evident: Annihilate!

    "Wait! Wait! Stop! It¡¯s me! Raphael! The Bull!¡± he hissed in a panic.

    The princess paused, but those eyes behind her mask were skeptical. The audacity of this creature. To think her a fool by proclaiming such blatant lies? Who was this serpent, and what tricks were they playing?

    ¡°You¡¯re that bull? What a preposterous lie!¡± Those blades buzzed with electric fury as she prepared to strike her mark.

    ¡°Fenwei, lower your weapon and escort our guests to the ¡®Skybridge Dais¡¯. They are leaving."

    Her father¡¯s voice came through those open archways nearby with an unquestionable command. It shattered her doubt instantly. And though reluctance clawed at her warrior spirit, Qi Fenwei bowed respectfully.

    ¡°As you command, Father."

    After sheathing her blade, she gestured towards those rainbow-colored winds that danced above. Her cold gaze then settled on the trembling forms before her.

    ¡®So they were telling the truth?¡¯

    She would let them go, for now. However, something was amiss¡­

    ¡°This stench¡­ why¡­?¡±

    She caught a whiff of her father''s feathers, emanating from their direction. There was an aura of potent power swirling around them.

    ¡°This is... What in the heavens is Father planning?" she murmured softly.

 Chapter 40 - Human Washers

    A vibrant landscape unfolded before Raphael and Lu Jade as they slithered deeper into Lu Ignis''s vibrant domain. Golden pathways weaved through fields of enormous, fragrant blossoms that released intoxicating scents. Towering structures crafted from wood and mud, designs adorned with carvings depicting ancient serpent lore, reached for the sky. Lush vegetation carpeted the rolling hills and valleys, while clear streams meandered through this serpentine paradise.

    Towering, sentient trees gracefully shifted and swayed while their leafy branches offered transportation for those noble snakes who preferred an elevated vantage point. These majestic beings carried themselves with a casual arrogance, hissing greetings to those below while basking in those fragrant breezes.

    Everywhere he looked, Raphael saw a dazzling array of snakes¡ªemerald green vipers coiled around ancient roots, ruby red pythons playing sports, golden cobras basking on warm rocks, even a few massive serpents whose defied categorization. This realm was populated with potent life force.

    ¡°So this place is snake heaven?¡± Raphael hissed. He was awestruck by this serpentine wonderland. He was a bull through and through, a creature of fire and brute force. He''d never imagined there was beauty in this cold-blooded species, yet, it was before his eyes. It was impossible to deny.

    "Indeed! This pocket realm is ''Hebikuni'', created by my father.¡± Lu Jade spoke with a hint of pride.  ¡°Those who call this place home are descendants of a powerful serpent lineage. They are fierce warriors, skilled artisans, cunning strategists, and more importantly¡­ pleasure seekers."

    ¡°Hmm?¡± For a moment, Raphael thought he''d detected a longing tone in his companion¡¯s words. As if yearning for a world he¡¯d never truly belong to again.

    But then Lu Jade flicked his tongue, and a mischievous grin spread across his scaled face. ¡°Look over there, Big Brother."

    He pointed with his tail toward a serene pond fed by a cascading waterfall. Its crystal-clear water reflected the emerald light of those leaves, creating a scene that rivaled even those wondrous imageries within Qi Hawk¡¯s palace.

    A dozen snakes of varying colors and sizes were intertwined within the pond''s embrace. Some, coupled up in intimate positions, enjoyed the soothing waters as those whispers from their scaly bodies became more urgent and less about those techniques.

    They were engrossed in those pleasures of the flesh. They were moving rhythmically in a serpentine ballet of passion and raw, unrestrained desire. Others simply frolicked, occasionally playfully splashing each other with bursts of water that created dazzling rainbows.

    It was an intimate display, a world of carnal delights that made Raphael blushed.

    Raphael found himself recoiling awkwardly and averted his gaze with a hiss. "Are those¡­ snakes mating? So openly?¡± He couldn''t help himself.

    Lu Jade simply nodded. He¡¯d lived thousands of years and bore witness to all forms of reptilian lovemaking, those kinks and weird movements that could make even those who have walked for millennia uncomfortable.

    However, as his guide and friend, he couldn¡¯t simply allow this bull Calamity to judge those enjoying life¡¯s pleasure and ruin those good vibes in those tranquil gardens, for he understood their nature.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    "There''s no shame in sssuch pleasures, Big Brother. It¡¯s how our kind continue those lineages, bond, even amplify their strengths through the art of ''coupled cultivation¡¯¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± Raphael digested the information.

    ¡°I almost forgot! We¡¯re still being hunted. We must avoid those territories near the Swanson quarters. Let¡¯s take this route instead.¡± Lu Jade led Raphael in a safer direction where Bronze Serpents or more specifically, the Venom Tail Vipers rarely frequent.

    While slithering, something ahead caught both his and Raphael¡¯s attention.

    It was a large pool of vibrant turquoise waters dotted with massive pink lotus pads. Upon those beds of delicate blossoms rested hundreds of colorful serpents; enjoying themselves as their elongated bodies stretched, and those heads swayed to some unheard melody.

    "It¡¯sss a ssspa for noble femalesss of our lineage." He then pointed to something that shocked Raphael.

    Moving amongst those serpents were tiny figures; humans in thin, see-through garments. They carried buckets filled with clear water, brushes made from various feathers, oils, and aromatic unguents.

    These humans went about their duties efficiently, scrubbing hard to reach places beneath those scales. Some even had their tongues flickering gently as they delicately massaged tense muscles and coated those scales in soothing, sweet-smelling oils.

    The sight of these enslaved creatures, stripped almost bare and so obedient had Raphael flinching backwards. He couldn¡¯t believe his eyes. In Yama Yaguai, they''d been taught to fear monsters and beast. Not human.

    "Lu Jade. What¡­ are those? Tell me, I''m not hallucinating! They can¡¯t be..."

    "Hmm¡­? Those? They¡¯re humans, Big Brother. We call them ¡®Washersss¡¯." He then slithered closer to a few that were washing a particularly large golden snake before turning to explain as if there was nothing wrong.

    ¡°They are trained since childhood. Obedient. Some even enjoy serving, you ssssee. The punishment for disobedience or causing even a scratch iss usually a severed tongue. But if they please their master, they are often restored.¡±

    He looked at Raphael, confused by his brother''s shock, then finally noticed a subtle tremor radiating from the bull, now disguised as snake. It was an undeniable aura that those of a lower essence level recognized instantly as dread.

    This realization confused him, why the reaction? There was nothing to fear, even if he hadn''t been changed by Qi Hawk¡¯s ability, those "Washers" were docile and terrified of them.

    "What¡¯ss wrong, Big Brother Raphael?¡±

    "Those¡­" He trailed off because now those images from his earlier life came flashing before his eyes, those times when even speaking the wrong word could cause those whip to slam against his back¡­ those nobles, their casual disregard for his feelings as their demands stretched his endurance.

    But these humans were different. Their expression, empty and devoid of life had him shivering even more.

    His voice came out as a whisper.

    "You would punish those¡­ humans for not doing your bidding?¡± The question came with a judgement those of a lesser species couldn¡¯t deny.

    Lu Jade, realizing the futility of denying such hypocrisy in this moment simply nodded and was about to slither ahead with a hissed complaint of how much time they¡¯d wasted, how much those treasure could have been his now¡­ if they weren''t stopping for these silly questions.

    "Ah, forget it. Now is not the time to be dwelling on this." Raphael then gently patted his little buddy¡¯s head with his snout, hoping that those cold scales and anxieties within would vanish. ¡°We have a more pressing matters. A job we have agreed to do. This must be resolved first."

    "Big Brother is right," Lu Jade sighed. "Our priority is retrieving the Void Eye. We can''t let Qi Hawk down. Especially after everything he''s offered us." The thought of those Special Invitation Pass to the Great Divine Tribulation and all those riches they promised was far more important than humans suffering. After all, survival trumped everything.

    ¡°We¡¯ve wasted too much time. Come, thissss way, Big Brother Raphael! It''ss right ahead!¡±

    While Lu Jade led his ally onwards towards that Bronze Emperor¡¯s hidden treasury. Raphael took one final glance at those toiling humans who didn¡¯t dare look up from those scales.

    ¡®I''m sorry I can''t help you right now,¡¯ He then shook those intrusive thoughts and slithered faster. ¡®Maybe another day. Maybe another time.¡¯

 Chapter 41 - Infiltration Phase 1

    ¡°Hissssss¡­.¡±

    ¡°This view is something.¡±

    From their perch atop a resplendent balcony adorned with cascading vines and beautiful flowers, Lu Jade and Raphael gazed upon a sight that captured the grandeur and power of Lu Ignis, the Bronze Serpent Emperor.

    Before them, nestled amidst emerald hills and a labyrinth of golden pathways, stood the Heavenly Imperial Palace¡ªa colossal spherical structure, spanning miles in diameter.

    Its design was a mesmerizing display of intricate carvings and scales, depicting intertwining green and gold dragons that danced across its surface. Golden steps, hundreds upon hundreds, ascended from the earth and converged upon the palace''s grand entrance. Truly an imposing stature.

    Numerous snake guards patrolled the palace grounds with a silent, serpentine vigilance, Most were stationed at the platforms that led into the Heavenly Imperial Palace. They were guarding every access point.

    They were donned in resplendent silver-gold armor, each scale polished to a mirror sheen. Behind them rested a fascinating contraption¡ªlarge, cylindrical mechanisms that were thin at the sides and bore carvings: a stylized sun design along with an ouroboros insignia. A miniature sun was in their center. These devices called ¡®Sun Cycles¡¯ added a menacing aura to their already imposing forms.

    Lu Jade pointed toward them with his tail. "Those are the Sun Imperial Guardss, Big Brother Raphael. Elite warriors handpicked by Father himself. Impenetrable!"

    Raphael squinted in order to focus his monstrous gaze. He asked, ¡°If these guards are so ¡®Impenetrable¡¯ how do you suggest we enter the palace, Little Lu?¡±

    ¡°Well¡­ It¡¯s tricky, Big Brother," Lu Jade admitted. He slithered back and forth nervously, for his recent display of power hadn''t quelled the fear bubbling deep within. That fear of his own lineage and what would happen if they failed to retrieve the Void Eye, it gnawed at him.

    ¡°There isss only one way in¡­ the main entrance, but every ssingle guard iss at least at the Sssaint Ruler Sssstage.¡± He paused, those words not needing any additional explanation, but for his ignorant companion, he had to say it. ¡°Saint Rulers are one stage below a Calamity. However, given their numbers. That means¡­ well¡­¡± He then coughed nervously, unable to finish his sentence.

    Raphael could sense Lu Jade¡¯s apprehension and continued those explanations. ¡°You mean, if we are spotted. We¡¯ll get squashed?" He trembled slightly. It was daunting, this task.

    They were up against insurmountable odds, however, there was a time limit and his freedom depended on the success of this mission. He¡¯d endure any pain, any challenge to live another day, but getting eaten or crushed because of these idiots¡­ well that wouldn¡¯t be a fate he could recover from.

    Lu Jade nodded. ¡°Precisely, Big Brother. Father¡¯s defenses are meant to weed out intruders. To challenge them head-on would be foolish. A suicide mission, I dare say.¡±

    Suddenly, a loud horn blast reverberated through the tranquil air that interrupted their planning. The resounding sounds seemed to jolt the ground beneath, even those swaying trees came to an abrupt stop as those leaves rustled nervously. This was a sound every beast and human within Hebikuni understood. The signal was evident. An important person was arriving.

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°Hmm? An arrival, it seems. Let''s have a look,¡± Lu Jade suggested while shifting to a better vantage.

    They both looked towards a landing platform close by below the Heavenly Imperial Palace. A grand procession of serpent warriors, all decked out in shining armor approached. Leading the contingent was a magnificent red chariot with an imposing, horned serpent carved into its front. It was being pulled through the air by a team of eight orange eels.

    From that opulent chariot¡¯s opened interior a figure emerged as those serpentine warriors chanted in a hypnotic chorus:

    "All hail the princess!"

    It slithered gracefully onto the jade platform, surrounded by an entourage of guards in shining silver-gold armor. They bore those Sun Cycle devices strapped to their backs.

    ¡°That¡¯sss¡­ My older sssister. The Red Chariot Princess - Lu Ruby!¡± Lu Jade¡¯s eyes widened as he recognized this familiar yet terrifying form, for power was everything to their father, Lu Ignis, and she possessed the means and intelligence to command even those elders that thought themselves superior in their long life span and ancient techniques.

    "Red Chariot¡­? And who is this Lu Ruby? I suppose you have a story that¡¯ll make this entire encounter even more complicated. No? Okay, nevermind." Raphael glanced downwards and thought to himself. ¡®That scent, so potent.¡¯If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    This feminine serpentine creature, she was definitely powerful. The red and golden scales upon her body radiated pure essence. And those chilling blood eyes peered ominously as if capable of turning one to stone with a single glare.

    She wore a magnificent pink robe adorned with pretty dragon design and gold trims.

    Her arrival had a hushed silence amongst those guards on those other platforms. Even the very air above seem to clear up instantly for better viewing, and those fragrant lotus blossom bent in her direction, as if in adoration of her arrival.

    This was a show of dominance that had Raphael wanting to pee himself, however, he controlled those natural tendencies. After all,  he had a Calamity level beast¡¯s powers to uphold, didn¡¯t he?

    Her head snapped upward and she hissed, ¡°It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve been back. I hope father¡¯s health is still ripe.¡± Her thoughts turned sinister before focusing on the guards below.

    Sensing something sinister from the tone of her voice, Lu Jade couldn''t help himself. He quickly offered those details his brother would want to hear.

    "She¡¯s our father''sss 100th daughter. Powerful! More favored than even Lu Lingxue. And those elite guards. Big Brother, we better watch out. I haven¡¯t sseen her for over 3,000 years. Last I heard, she wasss sssent away by Father to cultivate a powerful technique at some far away land. Never thought I would see her back here.¡±

    "So why the fuss? Why are you sweating?¡± Raphael asked.

    ¡°They¡¯re on their way to the Heavenly Imperial Palace.¡± Hearing that response, and recognizing those fears that only those at the bottom felt, had Raphael thinking hard, really, really hard for the first time in days.

    It was then he saw those black scaled serpents behind Lu Ruby, as they protected her with an efficiency he hadn''t encountered before. ¡°They look strong.¡± He concluded after seeing how fast those bodies weaved.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ This could work." He smirked, then he hatched a plan. "Lu Jade. Perhaps we could¡­ you know¡­ impersonate those guard.¡±

    The air between them sizzled with opportunity and the excitement of a potential plan. ¡°Sure. We need those sun armor though. They¡¯ll make us blend in, right?¡±

    ¡°I have a plan. But we need to move fast.¡± And with that, they began executing their slithering scheme.

    ¡­

    "Hmm, they are going to take the lift instead. But it can¡¯t hold all of them at once, not with those cargo. This is a golden opportunity.¡±

    From his concealed position behind a towering wall adorned with fragrant jade blossoms, Raphael peeked out cautiously.

    Ahead, he watched as the Red Chariot Princess - Lu Ruby, flanked by two wizened elders with scales as white as snow, entered a bronze lift. The lift was circular, it promised a swift ascent, bypassing those countless golden steps that spiraled towards the heavens.

    As the platform started ascending, Lu Jade hissed in awe. ¡°That lift, It¡¯sss connected to a bridge that leads directly to the Heavenly Imperial Palace¡¯sss main entrance. The elders must be in a hurry to meet with Father. But they left the guardsss behind. Thiss¡­ thiss isss our chance, Big Brother!¡±

    Their opportunity had arrived.

    While Lu Ruby and those elders in their flowing white robes ascend towards that extended pathway, Raphael¡¯s gaze fixated on the guards milling about below.

    ¡°Two near the lift. Hmm¡­ One of them is ordering those other three¡­¡± Raphael counted. ¡°Those three snakes carrying heavy cargo. They¡¯ll be our targets.¡±

    Lu Jade tilted his head. "Those crates, they indeed look heavy. But why target them specifically? Why not take those near the lift"

    ¡°You haven''t been paying attention, little buddy. Those two are too close to each other and aren¡¯t doing much. Besides, my shadow teleportation has a limited range.¡± He paused briefly as they watched one of those guards wiping sweat from his brow. ¡°However those other three are spread out and much closer in range. Easier targets.¡±

    "What do you have in mind, Big Brother?"

    "This.¡± He grinned, then quickly shared his strategy in a low hiss.

    A short time later, when the opportunity arose, Raphael coiled his new form. His chance came when one of the guards, burdened by countless trips, leaned against a stack of those crates. He wiped sweat from his brow.

    This brief lapse in vigilance was all it took. With a swiftness that defied his bulk, Raphael snagged the unsuspecting serpent with his tail and vanished into the shadow of a nearby fragrant blossom tree.

    Behind that wall, in a secluded nook obscured by leaves, he subdued the guard with a sharp strike to the back of his head. It wasn¡¯t meant to kill, just knock out.

    He then quickly stripped off those resplendent silver-gold armor, slipping into the disguise. His fit wasn''t perfect but with a slight adjustments it would do.

    "Hold on, Little Lu."

    Raphael¡¯s voice came out low, then with another whisper of shadows. He vanished again. Lu Jade waited nervously. This plan was risky, insane even, he thought.

    A short while later, Raphael reappeared. This time he dragged a second unconscious guard.

    ¡°Get dressed, Little Lu. Now!" he urged as he casually glanced upward. ¡°That lift iss coming down. We need to be on it.¡±

    Lu Jade hissed and quickly donned the armor with remarkable efficiency. ¡°It fitssss.¡±

    "Let''s go."

    Raphael and a slightly-larger Lu Jade moved out of their concealed spot towards that lift as if they''d always been there.

    ¡°Hmm, where the hell are those two lazy snakes? I sent them ages ago for the cargo." The lead Sun Imperial Guard hissed impatiently, but before his complaints could attract undue attention to their scheme.

    "We are here. Sir. Sorry for the delay." Raphael¡¯s answered. He and Lu Ignis were carrying crates.

    ¡°Hurry it up! Move those crate onto the lift! An be careful not to break them. We¡¯ve come a long way to present these to the Emperor.¡± He then glanced upward at that magnificent bridge that seemingly stretched toward the Heavens.

    ¡°Move it. Move it! Time is of the essence!¡±

    As the guards hurriedly shuffled those large heavy crates onto that lift, their anxieties amplified their nervousness, for there is no worse sin than offending their Emperor, and keeping him waiting.

    Inside that lift, Raphael took a moment to bask in the success of their gamble. He whispered, ¡°So this is how infiltrations work. We actually did it.¡±

    ¡°Right now, we celebrate nothing. Our troubles have only begun, Big Brother.¡± Lu Jade said plainly while scanning those others. It was terrifying, this tension, but he had to stay calm in order to complete this mission.

    When the platform started to ascend and that view of that dazzling bridge grew larger, Raphael thought, ¡®Little Lu is right. What if Qi Hawk''s plan fails, I''ll be stuck here with a Bronze Serpent Emperor whose rage could split this realm. How pleasantly horrifying!¡¯

 Chapter 42 - Nightmare Calamity, Lu Ruby

    "Careful, Little Lu."

    Raphael hissed as he slithered out of the lift with Lu Jade trailing close behind. Four heavy crates were balanced precariously on his back. It was an uncomfortable feeling, but nothing compared to the crushing fear gripping his core. They were now inside the enemy''s fortress, mere feet away from the heart of power itself.

    They shadowed the lead guard while keeping their heads low to avoid unwarranted attention.

    Ahead of them, the imposing golden gates to the Heavenly Imperial Palace stood slightly ajar, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of what lay within.

    Raphael noticed Lu Ruby engaged in conversation with those two wizened elders. She seemed impatient. Those scales were rippling erratically and her red eyes scanned everything with sharpness as she spoke with those impossibly tall figures. The gatekeepers.

    Their imposing forms towered above the procession - a colossal male and female with bronze scales that radiated power, each standing over 800 meters tall. These guardians seemed almost bored as their massive eyes, adorned with jade green irises, barely glanced down at the commotion.

    ¡°Killaman! Those are for my Father, hurry and bring them over, NOW!¡± Lu Ruby shouted a command, clearly not accustomed to waiting for insignificant laborers.

    Her harsh word caused those guards to hastily straightened their forms.

    ¡°Move it, you lot! Double time!"

    With a final flick of his tail, Killaman gestured impatiently and Raphael and Lu Jade slithered through those grand golden gates that stood taller than ten bulls stacked one on top of the other, following close behind.

    So far, Qi Hawk¡¯s Prosopagnosia technique was working. ¡®No one suspects a thing, so far so good. We actually made it into this fortified cage.¡¯ He smiled internally.

    However, as Raphael followed Killaman¡¯s serpentine form towards the gilded doorway, leading them deeper into those mysteries of the palace, a shuddering rumble echoed across those golden pathways, causing the very air itself to quiver and those jade walls to groan ominously.

    Then a single word shattered the tranquil ambiance, and Raphael would recognize this sound, this tone, it carried so much power and judgement. It had sent shivers down to his very soul because he felt like he was back on that mountain as a helpless golden bull facing annihilation.

    ¡°USELESS!¡±

    ¡°An¡­earthquake?!¡±

    He paused and glanced glance nervously at the sky above, wondering if those floating islands above would come crashing upon them, but then, a flicker of something more mundane came creeping in.

    Could that be the Emperor¡¯s voice? Such terrifying, explosive force emanating from mere syllables. He shook his head in utter disbelief.

    Passing through those doors, they found themselves inside a massive reception area with those smooth jade floors that had those familiar human slaves in their skimpy clothes scrubbing with a frightening dedication.

    He witnessed a sight that explained those tremors earlier, which wasn¡¯t really an earthquake, but an eruption of rage from their would-be target.

    It was Lu Pin.

    He was slithering dejectedly across the floor with bruises and burns all over him. In his trembling jaws, he held a letter that pulsated faintly with residual energies of fearsome scolding that no serpent dared defy.

    And as he passed them by with a furious glare toward his sister Lu Ruby who stared back with amusement, Raphael heard him hiss:

    ¡°Tsk! That bull, that damned, arrogant golden bull and his pathetic Jade Serpent. Because of THEM, my father was furious. He demoted me and stripped away all privileges and access to the Vault.¡± He then turned, spat venom upon a nearby shivering servant girl before snarling.

    ¡°This isn''t over, those pathetic insects. You have my word! Tenfold, it will be. Tenfold I¡¯ll repay this disgrace, those beatings, those humiliations.¡±

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s not like he was good at protecting anything." Lu Jade whispered as he watched his disgraced brother slither away. There was a strange satisfaction seeing that bully brought low, a poetic justice that warmed his cold heart.

    ¡°Perhaps, Big Brother, your beating brought some good luck to thissss wretched world!¡±

    Raphael simply nodded in agreement as their serpentine forms continued into those halls of wonders.

    A short while later, they entered a vast chamber. They were following Killaman towards a gigantic golden trident that glowed in those faint beams of light coming from those intricate amber windows. Its razor-sharp points seem to reach out towards them with menace as its details painted scenes of unimaginable cruelty against serpents and other beasts from a time long, long ago.

    A palpable wave of heat slammed upon them as those aromas of incense and sulfur touched their nostrils, for before their eyes was the lord of Hebikuni, and that trident, it wasn¡¯t a mere symbol, nor decoration, but a bed for those who ruled those scaly creatures, it was...

    The Bronze Serpent Emperor.

    "This¡­ is¡­¡± Raphael hissed, awestruck. He couldn¡¯t fathom the sheer size and unimaginable power radiating from that colossal entity.

    The chamber''s grandeur mirrored his might, for it wasn''t a mere space for entertainment, it was a treasure in itself, for the walls were crafted from those rarest jades, rubies and diamond infused granite. A lake with thousands of beautiful pink lotuses, large as a cart occupied the chamber¡¯s center, and those lotus, they radiated a light that was as gentle as the most fragile candle but carried enough potency to heal the most terrible wounds.

    Upon one of these wondrous platforms within those sacred waters, coiled the imposing form of the Bronze Serpent Emperor - Lu Ignis, but even as his gargantuan body stretched, its true massiveness was subdued.

    Lu Ignis was curled up to accommodate his vast serpentine form, which spanned kilometers, but even within those limitations, his presence dominated that chamber.

    His upper neck region to his head was wrapped gently around the golden trident. And upon that massive skull sat a crown gold adorned with jade, and upon his chin was a long grey beard.

    His golden-bronze scales glowed with residual heat as steam emanated and warmed the chamber.

    "Hm..."

    He released a soft snort as he bask within that lake''s healing and rejuvenating essence while calming those embers that sparked when his favorite daughter had been reported eaten.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

    Beside him, a thousand ¡°Washers¡± draped in sheer silks waited patiently for his scales to cool. Each carrying their respective tools¡ªbrushes, buckets, and oils in preparation for the soothing ritual. They were a thousand ants dedicated to appeasing their emperor''s tired scales.

    Seeing this sight, both serpent and bull in disguise recoiled instinctively. Raphael was aghast, he¡¯d never imagined encountering an entity this grand. And those unfortunate servants attending to its needs, it shook him to his very core.

    ¡°Lu Ignis¡­¡±

    Raphael wanted to utter those words, but fear had stolen his tongue, leaving behind only one burning question within those terrified thoughts of his.

    What had he gotten himself into this time?

    ¡­

    "Useless brat!" Lu Ignis mumbled as he shifted on his gilded trident. His enormous serpentine form stretched, causing the lotus flowers beneath him to sway in his wake. Those 1000 ''Washers'' were already attending to his needs; scrubbing and polishing his magnificent bronze scales with the gentleness of lambs.

    After shaking away those lingering annoyance caused by Lu Pin¡¯s earlier encounter. He turned towards the archway. The sound of slithering and a distinct fragrant aroma permeated those spaces as two wizened figures, flanking a beautiful red serpent, entered his presence.

    ¡°The old fogies have returned. Hmm, and my Ruby¡¯s with them¡­¡±

    He could smell those potent herbs and exotic flowers from those faraway realms upon his daughter. Such a magnificent, but deadly fragrance!

    "Blessings upon our glorious Emperor!" Elder Lu Mongue whose scales were as white as those winter moon above and with a beard longer than even Lu Ignis¡¯s own, bowed respectfully. His voice came out as a gentle purr with a lilt that was meant to appease.

    Elder Lu Noid whose scales were almost translucent and emanated a faint blue light as if those veins held a different kind of blood. A very rare but not uncommon feature in their linage.

    He also coiled with a bow. ¡°Your strength and radiance fills this palace and beyond! May your wisdom guide us till the heavens turn green and those skies rain fire!¡±

    After those pleasantries were exchanged, they both gestured towards their returning companion with proud smiles.

    ¡°Your Majesty, your humble daughter has returned, and her cultivation advancement has been successful!¡±

    ¡°Hm¡­" Lu Ignis was pleased.

    ¡°Speak, my darling child. And there is no need for these formalities."

    Seeing those elders coil and retract their head as a show of respect had Lu Ruby slithering forward. She approached her father and bowed while focusing solely on that terrifying head of his as his long beard swayed.

    ¡°This humble 100th daughter of your divine linage formally greetsss Father.¡±

    ¡°Hahaha! Such an obedient and loving daughter. Such a sight to ease my old bones and reignite these dying flames!¡± He let out a haughty snort that shook the lotus platform beneath before adding those pronouncements of appreciation that made her scales pulse in delight, ¡°You have grown so much. And your cultivation¡­ those realms above, they bless your every scale, I ssssee, ahaa!¡±

    She chuckled gracefully and then straightened her serpentine form as those elders smiled in approval at her perfect display of respect and humbleness. ¡°Yessss Father! I''ve come to offer you a report. Due to your generosity and these Elders¡¯ careful instructions during my time in ¡®Fol Ash¡¯, I¡¯ve successfully broken through to a higher tier.¡± She beamed with pride. ¡°Soon, I will surpass even brother Hobiki."

    While watching this family reunion unfold, Raphael hissed to Lu Jade. ¡°Fol Ash¡­? Is that another territory in Yama Yaguai? I haven''t heard of this place.¡±

    ¡°I have no idea Big Brother, sounds ominous, but surely those Elders knows, after all, they seem close to Father.¡±

    Even as Lu Jade replied those words with his tail tucked nervously, Raphael glanced around at the vast expanse of Lu Ignis¡¯s Palace.

    ¡®I see no guard. Is this the only area that have those lotus ponds. Maybe not, this place is massive. And those hallways¡­ Where could the treasury possibly be within this palace?

    Lu Jade notices his expression and told him, ¡°Do not worry about finding the treasury, Big Brother Raphael. We are merely guests here. Protocol dictates that servants lead us there after this.¡±

    Raphael was baffled when he heard this, but it seemed Lu Jade knew something that he did not.

    Meanwhile¡­

    Lu Ruby reported, "Those elders instructed me well, even those spirits of Fol Ash feared my lineage. My techniques have evolved. I successfully transcended my previous limitations. It was exhilarating. I¡¯ve broken through to the Nightmare Calamity stage.¡±

    ¡°Hmm. It¡¯s true.¡± The elders nodded with pride.

    ¡°Hmm, hmm.¡± Lu Ignis nodded, seemingly pleased.

    Raphael whispered in awe, ¡°A Nightmare Calamity, she¡¯s strong!¡±

    Lu Jade, whose knowledge of those tiers was far more nuanced and brutal, simply nodded in confirmation, ¡°Yesss. She was alwaysss strong¡­ much stronger than Lu Lingxue. After all , she is the 100<sup>th</sup> daughter.¡±

    ¡°Huh¡­¡± Lu Ruby thought her father would be lot more excited to hear her story. She instantly sensed that something else bothered her Father and was about to ask when a terrifyingly painful truth came crashing. It stole the very joy her words carried.

    "Oh, My dearest and most unfortunate 1022nd daughter. If she was alive to witness this moment. But she¡¯s dead.¡± Memories of Lu Ignis¡¯s ¡®loving daughter¡¯ filled him with pain. He hated those reminders of weakness in his linage. It was his greatest shame and caused much despair. He was still in morning.

    "Dead?" Lu Ruby flinched. ¡®This isn¡¯t what those scouts from earlier told me. They said she was humiliated by a bull Calamity and that Father became enraged and wreak havoc across Ho Eastern. Hmm, seems I need to hear more of the truth.¡¯

    Those details and embellishment was baffling to her, she hated rumors, so to have confirmation, to understand the truth behind such an unexpected end to her sibling. It was her right.

    She cautiously slithered closer, attempting to hide those embers of excitement with a facade of somber sorrow as she inquired, ¡°Father, what happened to sister Lu Lingxue? The whispers from those lesser snake¡¯s speak of a beast, but those details were unclear.¡±

    Those words, so perfectly woven to disguise her true motives, ignited even more dread within those ancient elders as they shifted uncomfortably beside her and her guards behind.

    They had also heard rumors of how a mere golden bull had not only slain those Venom Tail Viper warriors but also faced their lineage''s mighty tail whips and crown''s lightning without cowering.

    After a deep sigh that shook the very foundations of Hebikuni and caused more cracks to appear upon that trident, Lu Ignis replied, ¡°This pain that you sense, this humiliation and regret that you bear witness to, darling Ruby¡­ it is because of my despicable son, Lu Jade.¡±

    "Lu Jade? That little green thing?" Even Lu Ruby had to contain her shock, but within that voice of hers, she was intrigued. Her brother was the definition of weakness. He¡¯d never harmed an ant, she thought, always afraid, shy and eager to slither away from her presence when those bullies of hers picked on his unfortunate self, so this news¡­ It was unimaginable.

    How could HE?

    Even the elder serpents whispered their disbelief and amazement at such revelation.

    "You¡­ mean that puny Jade serpent? Are you certain¡­ Emperor? That weakling¡­ to even face a warrior of our lineage? Much less be able to¡­" Lu Noid trailed off as his tail tapped restlessly against that smooth jade floor.

    Lu Mongue who¡¯d been friends with the Jade serpent¡¯s mother, a gentle soul in her prime shook his head sadly at what he¡¯d heard from his Emperor. He hated gossip and rumors, especially those from within their inner circles, but to know that it was her son, that green runt. He couldn¡¯t comprehend it, not until the Emperor confirmed those suspicions, only then would he mourn.

    ¡°I find it difficult to even comprehend such a thing, that a sssnake would dare ssside with  a BULL?!¡± Lu Ruby paused to gaze upon her companions who nodded in agreement.

    "Truly a disgrace to our bloodline, Emperor."

    This conversation didn¡¯t need to be amplified any further because their leader¡¯s anger spoke louder than words. This was displeasure and betrayal at its core.

    Hearing those condemnations amplified Lu Ruby''s desire to understand what truly transpired that night. She was intrigued, fascinated and disgusted.

    ¡°My traitorous son sided with that Bull. They slaughtered her and devoured her Solar Consciousness. My BLOOD! They are on the run from those consequences of their wicked deed. I gave chase. I would have ripped their very soul from those bodies, but then¡­¡± he coughed, remembering that blue light and butterflies. "That Void Emperor Sindoll intervened."

    He hated the Void Emperor but her decrees and orders weren¡¯t meant to be questioned.

    ¡®So she is truly dead?¡¯ Lu Ruby thought. ¡®What a waste. She had such promise. That Rai Shen Long technique of hers was truly divine. If only her Solar Consciousness had remained, I could have nurture it further.¡¯

    A tense silence filled the chamber once again, before it was pierced by Lu Ignis¡¯s growling sniffles.

    The air itself was changing as something more frightening happened.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ Hmm¡­¡±

    The Bronze Serpent Emperor lifted his massive head from the golden trident. It then began swaying and those terrifying jaws started sniffing with deep, rasping breath. Then a frown appeared on his snout that wrinkled those scales.

    Sniff! Sniff!

    His gaze swept across his court then fixated upon one of those "guards" who had been following closely behind the lead snake for several minutes now. The stench of familiarity, of blood, of burnt hide, it resonated deep within those potent reptilian nostrils.

    He snarled with suspicion laced with those embers of rage that had many cowering,

    ¡°WHY¡­ DO I SMELL¡­ STINKING BULL?!¡±

    ¡°WHAT?!¡±

    That accusation had Lu Jade eyes wide opened. And Raphael, he could smell his demise.

    Qi Hawk¡¯s Prosopagnosia had failed, and now¡­

 Chapter 43 - The Grand Treasury

    SNIFF! SNIFF!

    "The scent¡­ it''s getting stronger. Stinking bull!"

    Lu Ignis hissed, those golden-bronze scales along his neck began glowing with a dull red heat that caused the very air itself to warp.

    His immense head lowered, moving inexorably closer to Raphael as the Washers scrambled to escape the sudden rise in temperature. Unfortunately, one female servant wasn¡¯t fast enough.

    "No! Hot! HOT!" Her screams encapsulated that vast hall but ended as fast as they¡¯d begun.  And was replaced with those unmistakable crackles of bones being cooked.

    Sizzle! Pop!

    The Washer, moments ago a living, breathing human being who¡¯d dutifully scrubbed those hard-to-reach areas beneath Lu Ignis''s brow was now nothing but a skeleton. That bony structure was balancing precariously atop a bronze scale before¡­

    THUD!

    It tumbled off, striking the floor below with a quiet clatter that Raphael mistook for those echoes of his impending doom. He watched that grisly descent and his jaw gaped with horrified disbelief.

    ¡®This¡­ is bad. Really bad. I think¡­ maybe¡­ RUN!¡¯

    He could flee into hallways or perhaps take on those guards and gamble on an escape through brute force, after all, wasn¡¯t he almost an Emperor Calamity as well? But could his borrowed form withstand this angry Emperor? His hopes were dim indeed.

    His inner voice was screaming contradictory commands.

    Attack! Escape! Crush them! It was madness!

    From the side, Lu Jade noticed his new brother trembling, those muscles clenching and those shadow wings were preparing to unfurl, however, just as Raphael was about to blow his disguise, a cold voice, sharp, calculated, yet soothing had him pausing, and listening for more.

    ¡°QUELL YOUR ANGER, FATHER! I have brought you a gift!¡±

    ¡°Hmm? A gift?!¡± Lu Ignis¡¯s rage instantly shifted into amusement. There were few things that eased his heart, besides respect and adoration. And knowing his most prized, intelligent daughter would think of him like that, well, that calmed him to the core.

    ¡°A gift¡­ you say?" He twisted his massive head toward Lu Ruby with a questioning look. This was his ¡°good mood¡± face, as those who survived those punishments would attest, a flicker of hope.

    "Yes, Father! While traveling back to Hebikuni, my scouts informed me of the humiliation you suffered at the hooves of that bull. Therefore, to appease your pain, to quench those embers burning for justice, I scoured the edges of Ho Eastern and pulled out the hearts of every stinking bull I encountered.¡±

    She gestured towards those crates resting on Raphael¡¯s hide.  ¡°Their essence now resides within those crates. Snack upon their Solar Consciousnesses. It is this humble daughter''s duty to provide such things, for you."

    ¡°Hm.¡±

    ¡°Hm.¡±

    The elders nodded in approval. This was how their lineage showed loyalty. And for Lu Ignis, it had the desired effect. He couldn''t resist a deep, rumbling chuckle that shook that mighty hall as he relished the generosity of this moment.

    ¡°Hm, hmm¡­ Indeed a fine gift, Daughter. Such dedication. And what of those bulls¡¯¡­hearts?¡±

    ¡°The hearts too father.¡± She smiled sweetly, pleased at how easily their plan had taken root. Those rumors she''d heard earlier about a bull Calamity were so much entertainment now.

    "I had those hearts carefully remove while those bastards still breathed. Their pain and their essence now fuel the ink I used for those treaties I¡¯ll present after you cleanse those scales of dust, Father.¡±

    Hearing those words warmed the Emperor''s ancient heart even further. Such loyalty! He almost wanted to shed tears of joy but refrained, for crying was meant for those who were about to be devoured, or cooked; he concluded as he stretched back comfortably around that trident.

    Then a realization hit him: those humans hadn¡¯t finished cleaning those scales. There was time for family discussions later, especially since that pesky Void Emperor wouldn''t let him leave his territory to chastise those trespassers openly. He had to stay put! For now.

    ¡°Oh yes, RIGHT! Lu Kimlung."

    His attention then landed upon an impossibly bluish-white serpentine coiled upon a jade pillar. This serpent wasn¡¯t exactly trembling, it radiated something far more dangerous, authority and control over others, something those ancient elders possessed after serving Lu Ignis with unquestionable obedience for decades.

    This was a position bestowed upon those capable of organizing, those meant to lead, which he, Lu Ignis recognized as a necessity, especially for things as delicate as storing and protecting rare artifacts.

    ¡°Your Majesty.¡±

    Lu Kimlung adjusted his monocle and slithered into his Emperor¡¯s vision while bowing. He also knew those weaknesses, and what angered his liege, for he¡¯d managed the Treasury Department since he became a Saint Ruler 200,000 years ago!

    He had one rule: Do not irritate the Emperor, nor those whose lineage favored their Emperor! Those were his principles!

    "Lu Kimlung!¡± Lu Ignis called to the manager. ¡°My prized daughter has graced us with those gifts to appease my mood. And as such. They must be stored safely, for their potent energies are needed for those rites I''m crafting.¡±

    ¡°Y-yes, my Emperor. Such fragrant treasures¡­ I shall ensure they are cataloged with extreme care.¡± Then in a more authoritative tone that had those others around him flinch, he gestured to carriers. ¡°Hurry, follow me to the treasury. Move it! Move it!¡±

    As he hurried down that pathway toward those inner chamber of the palace walls, Lu Kimlung motioned with a flick of his tail that only three ¡°laborers¡± would be allowed.

    Raphael and Lu Jade quickly detached themselves from those others who simply gazed at them with envy.

    As Raphael slithered down a long corridor with its glistening silver walls and delicate golden lanterns, he thought ¡®Oh, so this is why he said not to worry earlier. Because they would just escort us to the treasury. This is easier indeed.¡¯The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    He was truly in awe of his friend¡¯s intelligence.

    "Little Lu. You really know how to exploit the loopholes. Now I underdressed what you meant back there.¡±

    ¡°Well, they¡¯ve alwayssss underestimated me.¡± Lu Jade hissed back, somewhat bashfully.

    ¡­

    ¡°Hm, those lazy brats."

    Lu Kimlung hissed impatiently as the three guards carrying crates slithered into view. They moved sluggishly. Clearly not dedicated to the noble art of treasure maintenance, the sight offended his sensibilities.

    He shook his head and muttered a self-affirmation. ¡°No matter, very soon those treasures will be properly sorted. It is I after all who stands as the sole guardian against chaotic placement. Such a noble duty! ¡±

    He waited until they came closer before speaking. ¡°You three! Just leave those crate at the entrance. I¡¯ll bring those inside myself.¡± He then turned, raised his tail which was glowing gold as he carefully insert it into a thin slit beneath an imposing circular vault door before them.

    ¡°What''s that? Is he trying to unlock something?"

    Raphael observed the tail glowing even brighter then within a mere instant¡­

    CLICK!

    He heard the sound of those heavy mechanisms that controlled the ancient vault doors groaning and shifting.

    Lu Jade watched the spectacle with awe. ¡°That isss hissss key.¡±

    The enormous vault door before them was taller than a dozen busses stacked upon each other and covered in countless magical insignias along with a carved ouroboros design. It slowly began to open inward.

    A rush of golden energy, thick and fragrant like a blend of those rarest herbs mixed with burnt amber flowed outwards, bathing those unfortunate witnesses of its potent essences.

    Raphael took a deep breath and those instincts that he was still struggling to fully tame and make sense of were buzzing. That smell was divine! It triggered his inner golden flames.

    This vault contained power.

    ¡®Amazing¡­ This air, it reminds me of that Fire Pool.¡¯ He remembered Hellphet¡¯s face all of a sudden and cringed.

    "Ahem!" Lu Kimlung''s tone cut through his thought. "Didn''t you hear me? I said to place the crates at the entrance."

    Raphael took the initiative to say, "Nonsense, we''ve come this far. Besides, teamwork makes those heavy burden easier to carry."

    He grinned, ¡°Right, buddy?¡±

    Raphael glanced at Lu Jade who understood instantly, a flicker of approval and a plan of their own that was coming to fruition before the manager could even blink.

    "Yessss, he''sss right, ssssir,¡± Lu Jade chimed in.

    ¡°Oh, right.¡± The third snake guard was hesitant for a brief moment before agreeing.

    Raphael seized the opportunity and began slithering towards that ajar vault with those heavy crate still strapped to his back. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±

    "Y-You¡­! Wait! Get back here!"

    Lu Kimlung¡¯s frantic protests went unheeded. Raphael and those accompanying "carriers" didn¡¯t hesitate. They all entered that vault, all three of them and were instantly blinded by an array of shining objects, trinkets, and those unmistakable auras that radiated potent Solar Essences, from the floor to the ceiling.

    ¡°Woah¡­¡±

    It was an endless expanse of treasures that stretched beyond those limits that his previous human self could even hope to compute. There were mountains of rare gems, swords that radiant as moonlight, shields, armors, strange spherical devices. These lay in a haphazard pile at the forefront.

    But to the side. Those precious jewels and enchanted metals that most beings craved were all meticulously arranged in dazzling formations; from floor to ceiling on multiple floors that stretched endlessly upward. Truly a sight that even those greed filled bat hearts would envy.

    As Raphael marvel at the glittering spectacle, his eyes picked out those strange energy fields around some of the items. He had witnessed something similar back in Qi Hawk¡¯s domain, but those felt different. Less¡­ aggressive? More welcoming? It was subtle, yet his enhanced senses registered it with trepidation.

    Lu Kimlung cleared his throat impatiently, "Ahem! As I was saying, simply leave those crates over there by that pile. Then¡­ Get OUT!"

    He pointed his tail toward a corner where a mountain of assorted treasures that were yet to be sorted rested.

    ¡°Cluttered. The Emperor could profit from being more orderly¡± Raphael spoke before noticing a smug glare being directed at him by the treasury boy.

    ¡°You dare criticize the Emperor? Don¡¯t forget your place, lowly servant. I could easily have you chopped up and fed to the mongrels!¡±

    Hearing this, even Lu Jade and the other guard become frightened. They both feared being branded as accomplices.

    ¡°No need for that. I was just surprise by this clutter that¡¯s all.  I¡¯m sorry for disrespecting the Emperor.¡± Raphael tried appeasing those anxious vibes emanating.

    Lu Kimlung¡¯s anger dissipated slightly. He pushed up his monocle and explained, ¡°This clutter will be sorted out soon. I am the person in charge here, so you have no right to criticize the Emperor. When my assistant arrive later on, she will help me appraise and catalogue the treasures.¡± His scales ruffled with pride. It was obvious that he loved talking about himself and his "precious duty" in protecting this domain.

    He puffed out his chest and pointed at a far section at those treasures above with its numerous, yet still empty space that was waiting to be occupied by his discoveries and those ¡°generous gifts" those lords sent to their beloved emperor.

    ¡°As you can see, those rare items with potent essence are already protected by multiple layers of array formations. They deflect even those most potent blasts from Calamities .¡±

    Lu Kimlung bragged for several minutes, but Raphael barely listened as his burning red eyes swept across those seemingly endless shelves in search of his true objective - Qi Hawk''s ¡®Void Eye¡¯.

    ¡®Where could it be¡­ surely not amidst this clutter at the front¡­ surely not¡­¡¯

    His anxieties were beginning to take hold again. Then he heard Lu Kimlung''s smug conclusion shattering those faint hopes:

    ¡°This treasury is impenetrable. Even if it weren¡¯t, who would dare steal from the Emperor? Hmph, only a fool.¡±  He chuckled before gesturing for them to exit with hisssses.

    ¡°Now go! Those that don¡¯t work efficiently, should be eating those slop outside, not basking in this majestic brilliance."

    ¡°Alright, alright. We¡¯re leaving.¡±

    With Lu Jade and the third guard now anxiously looking for a way out of those dangerous realms, Raphael took the initiative. He shook the remaining crates from his serpentine back with a powerful wiggle. Those bulls¡¯ hearts inside received a little shake.

    Finished unloading, he caught Lu Jade''s gaze and nodded, a silent instruction they¡¯d agreed to moments before.

    And in a blink, Lu Jade made a move.

    WHOOSH! CRACK!

    ¡°Oh¡­ what¡­ but¡­!¡±

    Before the guard could even blink, his world turned sideways as a monstrous tail came wrapping around his serpentine body, cutting off his air and causing stars to appear, stars so pretty they resembled a final goodbye to this place and that vault he was fortunate to step foot within, if only for a fleeting moment.

    WHAM!

    He slammed onto the jade floor. And then, darkness embraced him.

    Meanwhile, in the same split-second¡­

    POOF!

    Lu Kimlung gasped with shock upon realizing how vulnerable those thousands of years sorting and guarding those ancient artifacts had left his instincts. Because just now, he¡¯d almost had his head ripped off as the sound of flapping, claws extending, and fangs dripping those sweet and metallic smells entered his sensory perception.

    Behind him, mere inches from that monocle, Raphael stood there grinning and then uttered those words with Shao Jin¡¯s baritone voice and deep demonic chuckles that reverberated through that treasury. ¡°Sorry about this, little treasure boy, but Kong is a bit hungry today!¡±

    "HRAAAAA!"

    Instantly a colossal black figure manifested from within Raphael¡¯s scales, its appearance sent ripples through those protective barriers surrounding the organized artifacts as the air itself crackled with ancient lightning and those shadowy energies that defied logic.

    Lu Kimlung quickly attempted to cast a defensive technique he''d perfected for millennia to survive, but his brain couldn''t compute. He saw a golden spear piercing those realms in front of him, those words, etched in his dying memory and those dreams he wouldn¡¯t have, came out faintly as his very core, his will, his life force were shattered into a million splintering pieces!

    ¡°This¡­ can¡¯t be¡­!¡±

    CRACK!

    And before a whimper of his pathetic hopes could even take shape. Bat General Kong unleashed the Rai Shen Long''s true potency!

    WHOOSH! SNAP!

    Those movements came as one swift, brutal and devastating motion!

    Lu Kimlung¡¯s head, now detached from his body, with those monocle now askew on those dead eyes tumbled to the ground. It landed with a fleshy, bone jarring thud by those discarded crates.

    This silence had the very walls trembling.

    Lu Jade slithered over cautiously and stared in awe. ¡°Big¡­ Big Brother¡­you killed him?¡±

    ¡°What?!¡± Raphael couldn¡¯t believe what he¡¯d just witnessed, "He¡­ he killed him!¡±

    Those anxieties were bubbling again. They both knew Lu Ignis wouldn¡¯t take this lightly.

    ¡°I only wanted Kong to knock his daylights out, not kill. Well, it¡¯s done already. We don¡¯t have much time to waste. Bat General Kong, spread out and start searching this place.¡±

    "With pleasure. But shall I tidy up this mess first, Master?" Kong gestured to the guard and Lu Kimlung¡¯s corpse.

    Raphael quickly dismissed his subordinate. "Later, Kong! First, find me the eye! Quickly!¡±

    ¡°YES!¡± A choir of Shadows resonated with a terrifying buzz.

    It was time to find the ''Void Eye¡¯.

 Chapter 44 - Treasure Seekers

    Swish! Swish!

    Close to a hundred Shadow Bats were buzzing frantically through the Heavenly Imperial Treasury while searching high and low for the elusive ¡®Void Eye¡¯.

    Claws scraped against gleaming surfaces, wings buffeted shelves, tails knocked over priceless artefacts. There was no finesse to this treasure hunt.

    Some inspected items with a predatory curiosity, turning delicate sculptures upside down and attempting to pry open sealed chests. Those less cautious received a painful jolt from those protective arrays.

    One particularly unlucky Shadow Bat went face-first into a reinforced glass case, creating a loud CRACK that resonated through that expanse of treasures. Its pained groan and the sight of a dented forehead served as a lesson to those other, less eager members of their legion: ¡®Some treasures are best admired from a distance.¡¯

    ¡°Has anyone found it yet?¡± Raphael hissed impatiently. Each passing heartbeat was an agonizing reminder of how little time they had. There was a lot riding on their success, that much he understood.

    If he failed¡­

    Those thoughts didn¡¯t need to be completed because those possibilities were far too grim for those new scales he was sporting.

    Deciding those bats couldn¡¯t be trusted entirely with a job this important, Raphael closed his eyes. ¡°Perhaps I could pinpoint that Eye using echolocation.¡±

    He concentrated. His focus expanded outwards, moving beyond those glittering distractions. And through those echoes and subtle vibrations that washed over his transformed form, a blueprint came into being, showcasing the true beauty and grandeur of Lu Kimlung¡¯s meticulous way of organizing those trinkets that could shatter realms if fallen into those wrong hands.

    There were cylindrical shelves taller than himself reaching the very ceiling of those golden halls. Every single object, big and small was now an energy signature he could perceive with frightening clarity. He saw swords, daggers, staffs. He felt jewels, bones, crystals pulsating. Even those chests filled with scrolls and coins were no longer hidden from his sight.

    And yet¡­

    ¡°Not one that resembles an eye, this doesn''t make sense!¡± He opened his eyes, even more frustrated. ¡°Failed, failed, failed!"

    Suddenly¡­

    "MASTER! I''ve found it!"

    His savior?

    One of the bats fluttered down from those shelves above that housed some of the most exquisite looking scepters and wands Raphael has ever seen. The sight was marvelous.

    His attention was drawn to that eager bat treasure-carrying beast. He watched with hopeful anxiety as it bowed then cautiously placed a wooden chest inlaid with silver.

    ¡®That box looks old.¡± Raphael cautiously slithering forward. ¡°Let¡¯s have a look then."

    Just as it opened, an intoxicating gold scent hit them. It was the same scent that had washed upon them earlier, only less potent. He felt his very scales wanting to dance, but what truly captivated his sight was an object resting on bed of velvet cloth. It looked like a jewel, perfectly crafted from purest gold, round, smooth, and within its center was a tiny black ruby.

    ¡°Such magnificence¡­"

    The drooling bat was eagerly peering into that open treasure chest with amazement. "Could that be it, Master?"

    ¡°Hmm? I don¡¯t think so?¡± Said Raphael.

    There was no change. The Rou Lin Nest was inactive. The feather weren¡¯t resonating with this trinket, whatever it was.

    "Tsk! Damn it. Wrong one."

    His heart sank as he realized they¡¯d wasted precious time and were nowhere closer to completing their mission.

    Before he could scold his helpful subordinate, he heard Lu Jade calling to him from the vault door.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    "Big Brother Raphael! Did you find it? We''ve been here for far too long. What if Killaman isssss sssuspicious and he alerts the Emperor?¡±

    His companion¡¯s fears had merit, but Raphael was also reaching his breaking point. ¡°Shut it, Little Lu, I''m doing my best."

    Then after another 15 heartbeats, more bad news came as Bat General Kong landed before his ¡°Master¡± and bowed respectfully. ¡°We¡¯ve searched every shelf, every nook. That damn eye is nowhere to be found. What do you suggest, my liege?"

    "This¡­" The frustration of seeing this mountain of treasures and not a single eye. "It seems my luck isn¡¯t as good as that damned Emperor Qi Hawk." He cursed, feeling the enormity of their predicament settling over him. ¡°Just where could that serpent emperor have hidden it?"

    Just then, Lu Jade hollered, "Big Brother! I think ssssomeone is coming! I ssmell perfumess."

    ¡°PERFUME? Really? Are you sure?¡± Raphael was about to lash out but controlled that outburst. They were on a tight rope walk and one wrong step would send them all falling straight into the Emperor¡¯s vengeful stomach.

    "Quiet! Let¡¯s see."

    He activated echolocation once more and saw a blurry form slithering towards those heavy vault doors. "Oh, crap!"

    He turned to his trusted commander with a frantic gesture. ¡°Kong, HIDE those bodies before they reach the entrance. Quickly! Time is against us!¡±

    ¡°As you command, Master!¡±

    With a swiftness born of shadow and lightning, Bat General Kong extended his wings. And like a hungry beast devouring its prey, they engulfed both Lu Kimlung¡¯s headless form and the unconscious guard. In a blink, they were absorbed into Kong''s very essence. A splatter of blood was also present on a few crates, so he absorbed those also.

    Then with a flick of his golden spear, Bat General Kong turned towards those lingering souls, two radiant orbs of Solar Consciousness ¨C a pale blue and vibrant orange ¨C that floated aimlessly near the broken scales and the discarded monocle.

    ¡°Time for dessert!¡±

    His mini yet fearsome dragon coiled around his arm, thrashed excitedly before bursting forth to devour those souls.

    Meanwhile, Raphael was absorbing the rest of his shadow army back into the darkness of his scales.

    ¡®Those Shadow Bats are useful indeed,¡¯ Raphael marveled at their efficiency. He then hissed to Lu Jade. ¡°There''s still a mess here. Those broken shards and scattered items.¡±

    They couldn¡¯t clean up any further, for that entity was already upon them. Whistling sounds rang out. Those heartbeats of Raphael and his brother were now as loud as thunder!

    Raphael whispered, ¡°That noise, she¡¯s already here.¡± He quickly looked around. Their options were limited.

    ¡°Hurry! Behind those pillarss! We''ll wait for the newcomer to passss and slip out."

    They squeezed themselves behind a massive ivory pillar inlaid with golden carvings. it was unnerving but better than death by snake fangs.

    And a short while later, Lu Kimlung''s assistant, Lu Lu, arrived at the treasury. She cheerfully slithered through the grand vault¡¯s entrance while whistling a soft tune. Her scales were of light-purple. It looked serene. This new arrival wasn''t like her master at all.

    She was the epitome of relaxed elegance. She had on a white silk kimono that had delicate, floral design. Her thin waist length slithered left and right in an hypnotic manner that reminded Raphael of Tajmani before he realized, how stupid and terrifying those thoughts really were. Especially now.

    He hoped this snake had terrible vision.

    "Senior Kimlung?" She called out, then glanced around the treasury with confusion painted upon her snout. It would appear as though the manager wasn''t present, even though they were meant to organize this place, together, what fun, what dedication.

    "How peculiar? He was supposed to be here. We are tasked with cataloging those rare items Lu Ruby brought back.¡±

    She paused before noticing the chaotic pile of trinkets lying haphazardly at the entrance.

    "Huh¡­ Well, that¡¯s certainly strange¡­¡±

    Her gaze shifted. She noticed shattered remnants of glass cases at the far end where those overly eager Shadow Bats had "helped" earlier, and those open shelve at the side where those protection arrays were still zapping randomly with frustration.

    ¡°Oh¡­ It¡¯s seems¡­ senior Kimlung started reorganizing without my assistance?"

    She then dismissed those doubts instantly before continuing those cheerful whistlings as she moved deeper, then a small glint from the polished floor had her bending low.

    ¡°Hmm, isn¡¯t this the Kunpeng Scepter stored on floor 9?"

    She stood there, pensively pondering for a minute, wondering if perhaps her master¡¯s ¡®obsession with organization¡¯ had finally reached its zenith, before finally shaking away those intruding thoughts.

    After all, weren¡¯t those rumors about his mental capacity the source of laughter throughout the Heavenly Imperial Palace and Hebikuni in general?

    She found this hypocrisy from those gossiping serpents to be hypocritical because those who laughed loudest also depended on this treasure boy¡¯s meticulous methods for safeguarding their treasures.

    ¡°Never mind, never mind. He must be in the reliquary.¡± She concluded.

    Lu Lu slithered gracefully towards the center of the treasury. She surveyed the floor for several seconds before settling on a specific area where her tail touched. She then began to hum softly.

    "She''s¡­" Lu Jade¡¯s sentence went unheard.

    "Serpentine heart, scales of jade. Open the way. Reveal the glade. Treasury¡¯s depths shall not betrayed."

    BOOM!

    A circular section on the floor split apart as she whispered those incantations before them. The words had barely been spoken, and already their hearts pounded. A stairway, shrouded in those gentle, but potent glows materialized.

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Lu Jade noticed that Raphael¡¯s jaws were almost hitting the ground.

    "That¡­ Was that always there?" Raphael was baffled! "But my echolocation picked up nothing. How?!¡± He asked.

    "Magic!"

    ¡°Oh, I see. Magic. Everything that couldn¡¯t be rationally explained could always be attributed to magic.¡±

    Their conversations were interrupted when those stairs glowed more vibrantly, almost blinding.

    "It''s closing. Hurry, Big Brother! We can''t miss this opportunity!" Lu Jade hissed urgently while rushing into the unknown.

    ¡°Coming!¡±

    They slithered into those descending stairs just before the opening closed up with a CLICK and a hazy, golden shimmer, then it was gone.

 Chapter 45 - The Reliquary

    Click!

    Lu Lu reached the bottom of the stairs and flicked a switch with the tip of her tail. It illuminated the chamber.

    This secret reliquary, hidden beneath the grand treasury, housed a select collection of treasures; unlike the chaotic, cluttered mess above, where countless trinkets awaited their master¡¯s watchful gaze and a treasury boy¡¯s gentle caress. Only those truly unique and powerful items were granted access to those mystical confines.

    "How beautiful¡­¡± Lu Lu was stunned by those arrangements. This wasn¡¯t about protection or security, no. This chamber was a museum.

    The reliquary''s smooth walls glittered as her white kimono brightened against the reflections. Potent energies permeated this place, and a sense of ancient wisdom seemed to emanate from the dozen transparent cubicles standing within. Each one housed a single object, levitating gracefully within their confines. These were prizes beyond imagination.

    Lu Lu slithered further inside, whistling cheerfully as she gazed at a magnificent ivory sword radiating with an ethereal blue aura that reminded her of Void Emperor Sindoll¡¯s presence, those beautiful, hypnotic butterflies.

    She recognized it. This was the ''Serpentbane''. An ancient blade that could slay even those mightiest dragons in Fol Ash with a single touch. But there was so much more.

    On the left, within a green jade cube with throbbing white veins rested an ancient book. Lu Lu recalled those stories she¡¯d heard from her senior.

    ¡®That''s the Tome of a Thousand Transformations, capable of granting its user unimaginable shapeshifting abilities.¡¯

    But what was her favorite was that glowing black gem, trapped within its ice-blue prism. ¡®It¡¯s the Soul Devouring Basalt, capable of draining a victim''s life force with just a touch, horrifying indeed.¡±

    And then there was that crimson fruit within a diamond case that sparkled like a thousand tiny stars that could temporarily boost one¡¯s cultivation by several layers, but at the cost of losing an entire stage of cultivation after the effects wear off, the ¡®Devil Star Fruit¡¯, a treasure even Lu Ignis wouldn¡¯t dare to touch! She concluded with a shiver.

    However, this trip down memory lane wasn¡¯t the reason she¡¯d entered this haven. She was here for another purpose. It was work after all. ¡°Senior Kimlung?¡± Lu Lu called out but received only silence.

    She continued searching but those anxieties that haunted her was creeping in now. Why wasn''t he present? Surely, he wouldn''t have left those vaults unlocked without being inside, not him! This was very, very strange.

    ¡°Perhaps I missed him back there.¡±

    As Lu Lu turned to exit, a prickling sensation at the back of her skull came suddenly.

    ¡°Ouch! What¡­?¡±

    Her hissed words died before they even formed, for in her hazy vision, she saw it, something that her brain didn''t register, but her instincts screamed.

    DEATH!

    Bat General Kong, looking fierce as ever, had moved into position to eliminate their witness. Protect Master. Kill anyone. Leave no witnesses. Those were his programming.

    WHOOSH!

    Without hesitation or a single shred of remorse, he thrust his spear forward and pierced Lu Lu¡¯s head with brutal efficiency before splitting that delicate skull. It was truly terrifying and yet elegant in its ferocity.

    Then he watch her limp form clatter onto the floors, as blood mixed with a familiar grey brain matter oozed outwards. Such a tragic end.

    ¡°Another unfortunate soul for the fires."

    Raphael and Lu Jade came rushing towards those sounds.

    "Again, Kong?¡± Raphael glared at his Commander. He really wasn¡¯t thrilled with his trigger happy bodyguard. "We had a deal. Kill only when absolutely necessary."

    Bat General Kong straightened and responded, ¡°My apologies, Master. She tried to slither away. Those movements were suspicious. I feared it would endanger the mission''s success."

    Lu Jade watched that gruesome act of shadow power before his very eye. It caused him to cringe slightly. He hated being close to death¡¯s reminder.

    "That''ssss a powerful justification."

    After he said these words, he leaned over Lu Lu¡¯s corpse with predatory curiosity. He was observing how horrified she looked, and within moments, a glowing purple orb materialized; her Solar Consciousness.

    ¡°Oh¡­ a sssoul¡­!¡± Lu Jade swiftly moved to feast upon this energy prize.

    Suddenly, a mini, yellow-scaled electric dragon rushed out of nowhere and devoured it before he even blinked.

    ¡°Huh, Rai Shen Long?¡± He turned with anger oozing from every scale. But it was gone. The dragon had rejoined with Bat General Kong¡¯s spear.

    ¡°You greedy¡­¡± Lu Jade was about to continue with his scolding, however, those protests died a swift death before they continued their objective.

    "No matter. Big Brother, we have to find the eye.¡± He then scurried forward while scanning those neatly arrange glass cube formations and shelves.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    The chamber was much smaller than the main treasury, with only a handful of items on display. There was no clutter now. It was like the sky had descended.

    Then something he hadn''t noticed before came to his attention. It was more potent down here.

    He hissed, ¡°It¡¯s in thissss room, I''m sscertain of it!¡±

    Raphael started moving quickly from one glass prism to another, scrutinizing each item until finally¡­ at the far end of the reliquary, within an iridescent crystal prism, an ancient, pale-grey eye rested on a petal.

    ¡°Could this be¡­?¡±

    This caused something within to resonate. The ¡®Rou Lin Nest¡¯ came bursting out of his maw. It flew across the reliquary with unerring accuracy and stopped a mere inch before the pulsing orb.

    ¡°Those¡­ feathers?¡±

    Those soft whispers in his soul came to life in an unexpected, yet thrilling melody. The ''Rou Lin Nest'' vibrated and resonated perfectly with the eye. This confirmation sent a jolt of excitement, unlike anything Raphael had ever experienced in his human life.

    Those feathers of Qi Hawk were practically screaming!

    "This isss it! It iss the ¡®Void Eye¡¯!" Lu Jade shouted as he rushed closer and stared with hypnotic adoration.

    It was the object they''d risk everything for. It was there before their eyes, radiating power.

    CRASH!

    Raphael smashed the iridescent crystal prism with a swift swipe of his tail. It shattered and caused shards to rain down upon the reliquary floor.

    He carefully picked up Qi Hawk¡¯s ¡®Void Eye¡¯ with his jaws. He held it gently, mindful of its power. Then, just as carefully, he lowered those pearly-white orb into the waiting embrace of the ''Rou Lin Nest.''

    As the Void Eye nestled within the soft, feather bed, a wave of satisfaction washed over Raphael, as if he had reunited long-lost lovers.

    "Hmm, cozy."

    The ''Void Eye'' emanated a gentle milky light as it snuggled deeper. The feathers of the ¡®Rou Lin Nest'' fluttered softly in response, as if a silent lullaby played between them.

    ¡°We did it Big Brother, we actually got that damned eye.¡± Said Lu Jade ecstatically.

    "We sure did. Hmm, but now¡­" Raphael gazed upon the treasures scattered around. "We can''t leave empty handed, can we?"

    He chuckled. Those eyes narrowed with avarice as he started examining the treasures in those transparent boxes. It would appear that greed had a grip on this bull¡¯s essence, but to be more accurate, it was Raphael''s human greed fueled by Shao Jin''s instincts,

    "Big Brother! Thissss isn''t the time for looting. We got what we came for. We have to go! Now!¡± Lu Jade hissed, urging him to remember their pressing objective.

    They weren¡¯t mere tourists on a sightseeing tour; they had stolen the Emperor¡¯s prized possession! What if their escape route was already sealed?

    ¡°Settle down.¡±

    Raphael ignored him and began slithering towards a far corner, drawn by an intoxicating crimson glow within a diamond cubicle. It throbbed, and seem to call out to him. He knew it, he felt it deep within. That item possessed an essence beyond anything he''d encountered, except for that Jade Stone.

    "That isss the Devil Sstar Fruit, Big Brother, let it be. Please! That fruit, it¡¯sss tempting sssure. But¡­"

    CRASH!

    Those green eyes of Lu Jade widened with annoyance and terror as he witnessed the bull casually shattered that diamond casing before swallowing the ''Devil Star Fruit'' in his shadow. It was like watching a child gobbling candy before dinner, this was madness.

    ¡°Now on to the next one.¡± He gazed upon another wondrous treasure: The ''Tome of a Thousand Transformations''.

    This relic had him captivated.

    ¡°That book¡­" He¡¯d overheard the assistant manager earlier describing its powers with so much reverence, so much care.

    ¡®It could transform its reader into anything, it grantsss ssshapeshifting abilities. Even humans perhaps, and it could also be used to become a mighty, fire breathing dragon.¡¯

    He swallowed those thought with apprehension as his instincts told him; power like this usually attracted those even more powerful entities that had destroyed those ancient ones.

    ¡°Oh thissss iss bad, very bad! We need to get out of here now, Big Brother. Why are you even considering to loot that book? Those guards will be wondering where we''ve vanished to and if Killaman come looking, oh that won¡¯t end well." Lu Jade¡¯s words, yet again went unheard.

    Raphael was focused on acquiring the book. He had already taken those risks earlier so what was there to fear anymore.

    "That book, I have to have it!" He coiled back his tail and struck!

    WHAM!

    However¡­

    ¡°Huh, What?!¡±

    The jade cube stood firm, unscathed. The impact reverberated, sent pain through his tail but not a single crack, those protections and arrays were potent indeed.

    "Perhaps a little more force." He went back further this time and with renewed vigor. He called upon his trusted general,

    "KONG! DESTROY that cube. Now!"

    Bat General Kong tightened his grip around his spear. "A worthy target master! It¡¯s my honor to destroy anything for you!" He bowed then aim that golden spear with crackling essence toward their target.

    Lu Jade hissed desperately, "BIG BROTHER! Are you mad?! If you trigger another defensive array we will be trapped! What if Father¡¯s energies are linked here?¡±

    Those possibilities were indeed very, very real. Raphael however wasn¡¯t listening to reason, nor that fear that clouded his serpentine companion¡¯s words.

    He was lost to ambition. And that¡¯s when fate had the final laugh.

    ¡°Do it! What are you waiting for?!¡± He roared that final command.

    Bat General Kong obliged with eagerness. His spear hovered mere inches from striking. And in that space between, Lu Jade witnessed the air itself sparkling with a foreboding purple-green light. Strange runes glowing with a powerful energy he recognized too well, appeared upon those walls.

    "No¡­¡± Lu Jade whimpered in utter disbelief. Then his form started slamming against an invisible barrier near the stairway.

    BOOM! BOOM!

    His escape had been cut off. Raphael¡¯s actions had triggered the dormant protective arrays. It was truly efficient in its application. Not only were they being trapped within, also, all those glorious, tempting treasures. They vanished as fast as they¡¯d appeared, leaving nothing behind.

    A truly disastrous situation indeed. And what truly made this entire ordeal more unfortunate for Raphael was this revelation:

    That book¡­ the ''Tome of a Thousand Transformations'' it vanished along with those other trinkets. It had simply disappeared. How cruel, even for this realm.

    "Told ya!¡± Lu Jade screamed with anger and frustration radiating. Hissssssss echoed with those slamming tail attacks upon those impenetrable barriers.

    ¡°Look at what you¡¯ve caused, you clumsy bull!¡± His accusations were met with silence, the only sounds Raphael could hear were those heavy breaths and frantic flapping wings as he thought:

    ''Could my greed had gotten us trapped in here?''

    Those hopes, dreams, and those Special Invitation Passes to that Great Divine Tribulation that Qi Hawk promised, it was all in jeopardy now.

    ¡°Oh, man! Thisss¡­ isss bad. Oh gods! We are doomed! Big Brother, help me with thisss!¡±

    Lu Jade launched another barrage of attacks against the barrier with renewed strength and purpose. However, nothing budged. It was an impregnable wall of pure essence! Their exit was gone!

    This was a prison!

    Raphael sighed. He was now getting used to being the target of blame and frustration. He approached the shivering and frantically tail thrashing serpent before suggesting:

    "Calm down, Little Lu. You''ll tire yourssself out.¡±

    Those anxieties radiating had those feathers from the ''Rou Lin Nest'' rustling in his maw which gave a false sense of hope that they weren¡¯t alone in their predicament.

    However, it wasn¡¯t Qi Hawk coming to their rescue, nor was it that bastard¡¯s fault this was happening. He¡¯d caused it, his thirst for more power.

    "Step aside. Kong, give it a try!" He gestured toward the imposing bat general that hovered anxiously nearby.

    ¡°As you wish, Master!¡±

    WHOOSH! CRACK!

    The sound of a golden spear slamming with enough force to split even mountains, was nothing but a light echo now.

    They¡¯d been truly trapped.

 Chapter 46 - Vault Implant

    ¡°Darling Ruby. This ambition, this hunger. It pleases your old father.¡±

    Lu Ignis smiled softly as tendrils of steam rose from his imposing form. He¡¯d just finished basking in that potent elixir created from those lotus essences mixed with human milk that those ¡®Washers¡¯ had dutifully squirted into his bath water. A truly magical concoction he couldn¡¯t live without.

    "This determination is something we all share. Your grandfather possessed those burning embers and with it, those lands far to the south were claimed. And soon, darling daughter. Even the sky itself will tremble at your wrath."

    ¡°Yes Father.¡± Lu Ruby nodded with unyielding pride. She was certain, those ancient bloodlines pumping through her essence would prove their dominance against any opponent. she would rise.

    "My training in Fol Ash has only just begun, Father. In a mere ten thousand years, I will have ascended to the Emperor Calamity stage."

    "That arrogance is truly deserving, my darling child." Lu Ignis agreed while savoring those delightful pronouncements.

    ¡°She has your potential Emperor. Soon all of Yama Yaguai will hear Lu Ruby''s name as those who opposed kneel in her shadows, that¡¯s my prediction.¡± Elder Lu Mongue said gently as his tail traced a circular path on that platform.

    Elder Lu Noid simply smiled and added: ¡°A thousand year or perhaps two¡­ she¡¯ll crush those that challenged our might. And even dominate the secular competitions."

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Lu Ignis''s thought deeply before speaking, ¡°My darling daughter, you must endeavor to participate in those events.¡±

    ¡°What do you suggest Father?"

    ¡°This Great Divine Tribulation coming up, you have to make it yours.¡± He thought of Void Emperor Sindoll and his beard began swaying nervously. ¡°Even though I hate her with my guts! She does grant blessings and amplifies one¡¯s powers greatly! It¡¯s an opportunity you cannot ignore. Daughter, that blessing will be yours! Your destiny, I will seal it with those very scales!¡±

    Hearing those words, and witnessing their beloved Emperor so determined had those in the throne room feeling that perhaps she would succeed after all, even Lu Noid didn¡¯t question or poke fun at this pronouncement. Lu Ruby was a terror waiting to bloom, for sure.

    Lu Mongue couldn¡¯t help but voiced this thought, "She has your essence, Your Majesty. Your child won¡¯t fail.¡±

    Lu Ruby nodded. "Indeed! I vow to bring you glory and claim Void Emperor Sindoll¡¯s blessing.¡± She hissed confidently, for it was her duty as a filial daughter to never fail.

    ¡°Now about this upcoming trial to select contestants for the Great Divine Tribulation. Do we hold those ¡®Selection Trials¡¯ here in Hebikuni?¡± Lu Ignis inquired.

    ¡°Holding them within these sacred spaces might send a bad signal, your Majesty. There are those who consider our Serpent kin arrogant for simply demanding the most favorable trials. The whispering fools will have a day, surely, this is obvious.¡± Said Lu Mongue.

    Those words had merit.

    "Hmm, hmm, He''s right!" Lu Noid added. "They say you hate those spiders who call the caverns their homes and want us crushed or devoured by that bastard wolf king from South. Perhaps it''s best we allow those insects a day in the open?¡±

    ¡°That iss a risky option¡­ the last time I opened the selection grounds to everyone in Ho Eastern, thousands perished! What a dreadful loss to this world. They should be more careful about those choices, but still. They all had those qualities I recognized, that of being easily fooled.¡±

    Even his loving daughter felt a tinge of contempt because those ¡®Trials¡¯, they were his doing. It was Lu Ignis''s pride that caused those deaths. They all knew this. But for those in his favor. Who was going to oppose his judgement? Surely those dead fools deserved their fates.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

    "No matter," He shifted again on his trident. ¡°The alternative then. Should we send invitations again to that wretch Hellphet? Within Ho Eastern, he is quite capable. However, maybe that bastard won¡¯t join the selection after what happened the last time."

    ¡°Oh yes. Juniper? We are the victim this time Father.¡±

    Lu Ignis almost gagged from the suddenness of his daughter recalling that bastard¡¯s spawn¡¯s pathetic death, what bad luck, for surely it wasn''t worth talking about right now, at least not when he has much more delicate issues to attend.

    "Enough of this reminiscing over deceased weaklings.¡± Lu Ignis shook those thoughts away. ¡°A compromise, maybe that is what is needed here. We''ll host the Selection Trials at ¡®Mud Alter¡¯. What say you, my esteemed advisors?"

    This alternative suggestion surprised them, but none dared oppose, at least not those whose sanity and position mattered. ¡°That sounds great my liege.¡± Lu Noid simply said.

    As for Elder Mongue, well, he also thought it was for the best. Those ¡®Mud Alters¡¯ at the edges of their territory were large, flat, and the soil in that place was potent indeed for battles.

    Those creatures without limbs wouldn¡¯t have to fear losing a limb. The sight would truly bring joy. He chuckled softly, envisioning a massive tortoise flipping on its back in those sludgy quicksands.

    ¡°I am satisfied. Darling, this will be¡­ Hmm?" Lu Ignis suddenly sensed something amiss.

    RUMBLE!

    The very ground beneath them quivered. Those jade pillars lining the throne room groaned ominously.

    ¡°Hmm¡­? What¡¯s this¡­?¡±

    Before Lu Ignis or any of his court could react, a brilliant violet ray of light, thin at first, but rapidly growing, pierced the ceiling. This strange sight drew those gazes upwards as everyone watched in astonishment and awe as the ray solidified into an intricate shape above their heads.

    It wasn''t lightning nor fire they beheld, rather it was something more beautiful and ancient; a ghostly translucent lotus flower.

    While their focus was occupied above, something even more bizarre happened. The air crackled with an intense energy that had their scales tingling.

    Lu Ignis instinctively understood. Something had breached those barriers within the treasury.

    The tranquility of the Emperor''s court vanished after those lotus petals began glowing more rapidly. It was as if that ghostly flower screamed: ¡°INTRUDER!¡±

    "Vault Implant!" Lu Ignis was alarmed, but there was another truth to behold. ¡°Someone¡¯s triggering those array inside my treasury? But... Lu Kimlung is there right now!"

    ¡°What?¡± Lu Ruby recoiled instinctively.

    Lu Ignis wasn''t about to wait for answers to simply present themselves on those scales! There was none as mighty, as brilliant, nor worthy as himself in Hebikuni and those beyond it. It was HIS domain and none other¡¯s, he repeated those very facts to his frightened courtiers.

    His long, snake tongue darted out with the precision of an expert marksman''s arrow and unleashed a small droplets of pearly, glistening liquid onto those pristine floors below before speaking with thunderous intent.

    ¡°Vault Implant ¨C Portal Open!¡±

    BOOM! CRACK! WHOOSH!

    An ear-shattering blast ripped through the chamber as purple fires converged erratically. It then settle before the terrified gathering. When the smoke began clearing, a shape appeared from the center. A purple energy dome adorned with purple runes materialized before them.

    This vision had everyone stunned, but for Lu Ignis,  the terror wasn''t about seeing his most powerful and efficient protection system triggered under his nose. It was those fools who were trapped inside that transparent prison dome.

    For within the confines, they witnessed two black serpents slamming against the dome¡¯s impenetrable barrier, desperately trying to escape. Those echoes resonated so tragically. It was truly dreadful.

    However, what had those in those chamber gagging on their very tongues was this.

    Both trapped serpent were Lu Ignis''s Sun Imperial Guards assigned to his daughter. The armor. That was obvious, but what confused even the Emperor and those elder serpent sages was,

    Why were these fools thrashing around inside such an energy barrier?

    Were they accidentally trapped?

    It didn''t add up at all. The absurdity of those scaly forms was so baffling to them all.

    Lu Ruby who stared intently, had one burning thought. ¡®W-what are my guardsss doing inside Father¡¯s vault? This¡­ impossible?¡¯ She stared hard. Could they have somehow betrayed her at the sight of greater treasures?

    It had to be!

    The evidence was piling up now as she saw her guards and their pathetic attempt at breaching their escape. This amplified her fear of having been associated with those who¡¯d break into a space that not even an Emperor Calamity dares.

    This was disaster beyond any scale, those tales would spread for sure now. Her dreams, her ambitions were in peril because¡­ what if she was branded an accomplice?

    She shuddered. Then took a deep breath before slithering close enough to their prisoner with anger, curiosity and those familiar notes of deception and self-preservation oozing from her scales.

    ¡°Father¡­ I can¡¯t¡­" Lu Ruby froze, she didn¡¯t know what to say to appease her father.

    ¡°Huh! Where are we¡­?¡± Raphael gasped and stopped pounding the barrier. He had just know realized the situation.

    They''d somehow been transported from the reliquary to before the accusing eyes of an Emperor Calamity and those sneers and judgement from the serpent¡¯s.

    They were truly trapped now.

    This time¡­ with no way out.

 Chapter 47 - Stinking Bull Calamity!

    ¡°Huh!¡±

    ¡°Huh!¡±

    Raphael and Lu Jade stared at each other with terror resonating in those shared glances as they grasped the sheer danger of their predicament.

    Trapped! Before an Emperor Calamity, they were as good as dead.

    ¡°Big Brother¡­ I.. Huff! Huff!¡±

    Lu Jade was hyperventilating. He was getting paler and he trembled uncontrollably. It was one thing to betray his family, to loot his Father¡¯s treasury and feast upon his sister, but this¡­ this confrontation¡­

    They were doomed!

    Those memories about Lu Ignis¡¯s methods for dealing with traitors were coming to the forefront, making his situation even worse.

    Raphael slithered closer to offer comfort and hissed softly, ¡°Little Lu¡­ Calm yourself¡­ Calm yourself! We¡­ we¡¯ll¡­ figure something out. Surely there has to be a way."

    He then did what Butler Long had taught him:

    Observe! Analyze! Survive!

    Raphael raised his head slowly and began moving his gaze across the chamber, registering every detail of this hopeless situation, hoping for some escape, or a lucky break, which never came.

    Above, Lu Ignis''s colossal form towered, lava dripped from his bronze scales and sizzled upon the floor below.

    At the side, Lu Ruby¡¯s eyes narrowed in suspicion as she watched those trapped snakes. There was an intensity in her gaze that rivaled even her father¡¯s, ¡®What are those fools up to?¡¯ she wondered. ¡®And why haven¡¯t they been executed yet?''

    Behind Lu Ruby, those ancient Elders - Lu Mongue and Lu Noid watched with wary anticipation. Their experience told them that their Emperor¡¯s patience was a volatile thing, a fire ready to erupt.

    Near the archway, those two guards headed by Killaman, stood frozen, unable to comprehend this breach in their Emperor¡¯s defenses. They shifted nervously.

    While observing these figures, Raphael began thinking, ¡®Hmm¡­ it¡¯s time for Plan B.¡¯ It wasn¡¯t a plan really, more like a frantic gamble, a hope against hope that his actions might buy them some time, until a true opportunity arose, or perhaps this would be his final act,

    ¡®I need a distraction. A BIG one. And Lu Jade¡­¡¯ He couldn¡¯t rely on the serpent now, not while his mind was breaking. This play, it was all up to him.

    ¡®Hmm, the situation is truly terrible. We are discovered, but our cover has yet to be blown, which is why we are still alive. I¡¯m sure they are dying to know the reason for us breaking into the treasury. Perhaps¡­ I can exploit the situation to my benefit to extend our life expectancy. Juts until I figure out a way out of this situation.¡¯

    Thinking this, Raphael uncoiled from Lu Jade and abandoned his attempt to soothe him. He slithered toward the edge of the barrier with a terrified expression.

    He bowed very low, ¡°YOUR MAJESTY! Please have mercy! Please have mercy! This lowly servant was just carrying out orders!¡±

    ¡°Orders?¡± Lu Ignis was intrigued, ¡°Orders from who?¡± He lower his head closer and waited for Raphael¡¯s explanation.

    Raphael shuddered exaggeratedly while gesturing towards Lu Ruby with his tail, ¡°I was forced, Your Majesty! I was ordered by the Red Chariot Princess! Ordered to infiltrate the treasury! To sssteal¡­ to sssteal your most prized possession!¡±

    ¡°What?!"The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

    Lu Ruby was appalled listening to this lying black snake. ¡°FATHER, I would NEVER! Those liesssss¡­" Her furious retort was cut short by a terrifying explosion!

    The Emperor bellowed: ¡°LIAR!¡±

    His roar shook the entire palace, causing tapestries to fall, jade pillars to crack, and those servants nearby, those unfortunate souls whose eardrums ruptured, to instantly bleed from their noses and ears.

    BOOM! CRACK!

    Even Lu Ruby stumbled backward as that transparent barrier that imprisoned Raphael and Lu Jade vanished instantly! It was truly spectacular, this fury. However, what she and those around witnessed next had their hearts fluttering with a sentiment she''d never encountered before.

    ¡®He¡­ trusts me?¡¯

    Lu Ignis¡¯ outburst wasn''t directed at his daughter. The wrath wasn''t aimed at those elders. It was focused on that damned serpent, that brazen liar who dared accuse his bloodline of such treachery. Those scales pulsed and smoke rose as his gaze, burning crimson, settled back on those snakes, and something within Lu Ruby whispered softly:

    ¡®He doesn¡¯t even consider me capable of such a thing¡­ My father, his¡­ judgement¡­ how powerful.¡¯ Then a sly smile graced her countenance.

    ¡®Hmm... This isssss good¡­ very good.¡¯ Raphael smiled internally as he quickly assessed this sudden change of events. They were no longer trapped inside a barrier, thanked to Lu Ignis¡¯s roar. ¡®He didn¡¯t believe those lies. Eh? Nonetheless, it bought us those few moments I needed!¡¯

    There was an opening, they had to escape now!

    WHOOSH!

    Raphael slid closer to Lu Jade.

    ¡°Little Lu, here." He subtly dropped the ''Rou Lin Nest'' with Qi Hawk''s Void Eye into Lu Jade''s waiting jaws.

    ¡°TAKE thisss and RUN on my command!¡±

    ¡°B-but! BIG BROTHER! NO! I can¡¯t¡­ I won¡¯t¡­" The prospect of abandoning Raphael here, in this hopeless situation, it terrified Lu Jade more than facing his Father¡¯s fury, even as his scales and heart screamed in defiance to this order, those memories of brotherhood they¡¯d formed were too strong.

    "DON¡¯T WASTE TIME! Remember¡­¡±

    ¡°Sssspeak! Who ssent you two to¡­! Huh? WHAT?!" Lu Ignis¡¯s burning gaze which was ready to annihilate those trespassers, noticed something being transferred.

    ¡°Issssn¡¯t thatsss¡­? My ¡®Void Eye¡¯?!¡± Lu Ignis''s jaw dropped with a terrifying realization. It was a truth he couldn''t deny. The audacity of it!

    ¡°That cunning bastard QI HAWK!¡± His utterance caused even those white-scaled elders to tremble in fear for they knew what happened next was never a good thing to witness.

    And as if to prove this prediction...

    ¡°DIE! Both of you!¡±

    Before anyone could even hiss a complaint, a massive bronze head descended, aimed to pulverize. It came crashing towards those black serpents below with earth-shattering force!

    ¡°Tsk! Leave it to me!¡±

    ¡°BIG BROTHER! NOOOO!"

    The world exploded in a blinding mix of white, yellow and black. Flames erupted that were then extinguished in an instant as an ominous black fog swept over everything.

    "GO!¡±

    Lu Jade couldn''t move, nor think clearly. He was frozen in terror until something hard struck his tail and sent him flying over those courtly serpents¡¯ head towards that golden archway with blinding speed.

    He saw it for a mere second. A silhouette rushing in the opposite direction as a bloodcurdling bellow of vengeance ripped through that chamber.

    "What! The other one¡­ GO AFTER HIM!" Lu Ignis commanded. ¡°Bring him back, ALIVE!¡±

    ¡°On it, Father!¡±

    Fueled by duty, loyalty and her father¡¯s pleas, Lu Ruby dashed towards that exit with her three Sun Imperial Guard in tow. They were like an orange blaze streaking across those jade floors with their bronze armor clattering.

    After they disappeared into those hallways, the elders who remained behind glanced ahead. That energy clash, it was beyond anything they¡¯d imagined witnessing, and Lu Ignis¡¯s attack, it would have reduced any creature smaller than Hellphet to paste, or worse.

    "Lu Ignis¡¯s power indeed hasn¡¯t waned these past thousand years.¡±

    "That treacherous snake isss most likely ash now," Lu Mongue concluded softly while observing those dancing fire and that fading blackness.

    ¡°Indeed.¡± Lu Noid nodded, but before a confirmation of their observation could be voiced.

    THUD!

    A golden hoof slammed heavily into those jade floors, sending a powerful shockwave that blew the elders back and caused those pillars to groan.

    The black haze began to clear as an even more dreadful truth revealed itself. Those shadows dissipated.

    It was no snake they saw.

    ¡°No way¡­"

    ¡°How?¡±

    They were witnessing a true legend of Yama Yaguai.

    The creature who had infiltrated those most guarded sanctuaries was now standing, or rather, was in a battle-ready posture. His massive body was radiating wild might.

    It was the Golden Bull Thork, and its golden hide bore not a scratch. Those horns, massive and powerful, were tilted forward, ready for battle.

    "Stinking bull! How audacious of you to show your true face before me!"

    Lu Ignis was enraged. Those burning eyes could pierce steel, and his jaws were agape, ready to unleash a devastation that no beast nor creature in Yama Yaguai, not even that damned Qi Hawk could withstand. This confrontation, he was already relishing the taste of victory.

    "Prepare for a thousand years of suffering, for I shall make your sssoul a ssslave to my will! Thisssss I VOW!"

    He then unleashed a bellow that made the entire Heavenly Imperial Palace tremble. Those who heard the sound from afar questioned.

    ¡°Has the Void Emperor arrived?¡±

    The answer to that burning inquiry was coming!

 Chapter 48 - Desperate Escape

    ¡°I HAVE TO ESCAPE!¡±

    Lu Jade burst through the Heavenly Imperial Palace gates. Those black scales that were Qi Hawk¡¯s blessing slithered with frantic urgency. His heart was a drum against his ribs as images of his brother Raphael¡¯s defiant stand flashed through his terrified mind.

    He vaulted over those corridors that were suspended in the open sky and continued onward, never pausing to acknowledge those mighty serpentine gatekeepers who were now lazily exchanging gossip about a tasty frog they had for dinner and those juicy flies that buzzed around their master''s beard. Those concerns they held, paled in comparison to Lu Jade¡¯s terror.

    Their ignorance of this situation would be short-lived, however, as a figure far more terrifying than any mere Saint Ruler came screeching through the gates.

    ¡°Get back here you BASTARD!¡±

    It was Lu Ruby! Her furious voice carried with it a potent aura of anger and humiliation, it resonated with a deadly power that had those very foundations of Hebikuni trembling.

    Lu Jade didn''t dare look back as he slithered.

    "Those lies! Because of YOU¡­ I was almost executed! Thank god Father didn¡¯t buy your bullshit. You will pay DEARLY!¡±

    She didn¡¯t slow down her serpentine slither.

    ¡°Get back here you¡­ you¡­ LITTLE SHIT!¡±

    With a powerful leap fueled by ancient energies. Lu Ruby vaulted over those corridors and launched herself into those open skies above that city of serpentine grandeur, chasing after that fleeing black serpent whose back had already disappeared into the horizon.

    She wasn¡¯t finished with this traitor.

    ¡°Red Chariot!¡± she commanded.

    And as if conjured from those fiery depths of her very being.

    BOOM!

    A magnificent crimson chariot appeared before her. It was crafted from purest rubies, gold, and those bones from dragons she had slain during her sojourn in Fol Ash.

    Those eight eels returned as her loyal steeds. They glowed brighter, and stronger than when they first came bearing those crates earlier. They had fed well, she thought smugly as she gracefully alighted into her opulent red seat.

    ¡°CHASE!¡±

    With a snort that had those clouds above parting. Her eels shot forward towards her prey. The intensity had the wind rushing past her robe. She laughed. The chase was truly exhilarating!

    Meanwhile¡­

    Lu Jade was flying. He could slither through the air; propelled by those secret techniques he''d learnt from his mother and mastered in seclusion, but even this wasn''t enough!

    ¡°Huff! Huff! Damn¡­ she¡¯sss¡­ ssshe¡¯ssss catching up!¡±

    Fear propelled him forward, his elongated black form swerved erratically as he zipped past a sentient tree whose leafy branches were teeming with noble bronze serpent children in their pajamas, enjoying those evening breezes before bedtime. He could hear their joyful laughter which contrast his current panic.

    Those children¡¯s shouts of ¡°What wasss that?¡±, they fueled his anxiety.

    ¡°Ssshe iss catching up!¡±

    Below him, two serpents were entwined in those depths of a small pool fed by a cascading waterfall. He glanced briefly as their bodies moved in a rhythmic dance. But before he could even contemplate their passion and judge their choice of location for such¡­ activity, his flight path collided with those lovers. He swerved, narrowly avoiding a tangled mass of tails and fangs.

    "What the¡­?! Are you blind? Can''t you see¡­ Oh no! Is that Lu Ruby?"

    Their whispers quickly turned into panicked yelps as his tail clipped a nearby  rock, sending shards scattering through the tranquil space.

    ¡°Sorry, gotta go! Bye!¡±

    "Think you can outrun me, Little bastard! Think again!¡±

    That dreaded voice of his sister shattered his hope of escape, even those eels seemed to screech ¡°Catch him!¡±, how unfortunate!Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    "Oh no. I have to get away! I need to¡­"

    Lu Jade instinctively reached for the ''Octahedron Communicator''. He had to contact Qi Hawk, that Emperor Calamity could help. He remembered his promise.

    But then¡­

    ¡°Those were his words! Wait!¡±

    ¡®Help can only be sent if I¡¯m outside Lu Ignis¡¯s territory.¡¯ He hissed desperately. ¡®Oh, God, I¡­I have to get out of Hebikuni!¡±

    His distraction had cost him precious seconds. Those eels were mere inches away! He could feel the wind from their passage! And Lu Ruby''s gleeful laughter¡­ It was haunting.

    BOOM!

    A searing hot ball of crimson energy slammed into his backside with explosive force, sending him plummeting towards a pond filled with frolicking young serpents of those less fortunate lineages. It wasn''t a kill shot. Just enough to incapacitate!

    "Ouch! My¡­ ssscaless¡­¡±

    His descent created a massive splash.

    ¡°What the¡­?!¡±

    ¡°Intruder! Attack!"

    Those mating serpents, caught mid-action, hissed in alarm. They scrambled in a frenzy of whipping tails and flashing fangs, trying to escape the chaos. Some even vanished beneath those muddy depths while others fled for those trees above. Their screams were amplifying the tension, of those about to witness a bloodbath.

    ¡°Those poor soulsss¡­ Thisss day just keeps getting worse.¡± Lu Jade coughed a mouthful of murky water and then saw those shadows around him. Three pairs of potent, bloodshot eyes peered down.

    He was surrounded!

    "Capture him! My Father wants him ALIVE!" Lu Ruby''s command came with an intensity that could shatter diamond.

    ¡°You¡¯re not escaping today.¡±

    Then they attack!

    WHOOSH!

    The three silver-gold armored Sun Imperial Guards descended. Each one possessed those powerful ¡®Sun Cycle¡¯ devices upon their back, which were now glowing threateningly. It was clear, Lu Ignis had spared no expenses when equipping his daughter''s retinue.

    ¡°Huh! They¡¯re going to attack!¡±

    Lu Jade didn¡¯t have much time to think because one guard slammed his fist against Lu Jade¡¯s chest, but instead of connecting¡­

    CLANG!

    A ''Sun Cycle'' materialized before him. It intercepted the attack, the force of their meeting sent shockwaves rippling through the water.

    Those bronze discs now resembled shields as they pulsed in unison with each guard''s essence, reflecting their shared lineage.

    This coordination, this efficiency¡­ truly remarkable, Lu Jade concluded before dodging another tail whip aimed at his skull with a hiss.

    He would survive. He was no longer the scared snake hiding in his jade cave. He was Lu Jade. A jade green serpent with the heart of a warrior!

    Those whispers within those deepest, most primal parts of his essence were screaming: ¡°SHOW them what you are truly capable of! Annihilate!¡±

    ¡®Big Brother¡­ he¡¯s fighting for our survival right now¡­ so should I!¡¯

    As their attacks intensified, the air around the guards crackled with raw power. They raised their hands, those glowing Sun Cycles resonated and coalesced into a ball of incandescent sun energy, aiming straight at Lu Jade.

    It hummed and those runes etched into those bronze discs were moving, this blast, it could shatter mountains if unleashed!

    ¡°That energy is scary. I have to do it¡­ but can I?¡± Lu Jade was seconds guessing himself, but then his resolved harden.

    "Jade Flower Domain!"

    BOOM!

    A blinding green light erupted outwards, shattering their coordinated attacks before expanding into a massive dome that encompassed the entire pond.

    Within the confines of Lu Jade¡¯s domain, those emerald flames of his roared into existence. They replaced those stagnant waters as his new form twisted and those scales glistened with a brilliance he''d never known before.

    At the very heart of this emerald expanse, a wondrous spectacle unfolded, fueled by that innate bond he¡¯d forged with that Jade Stone that had sealed those abilities he''d been hiding for thousands of years.

    A crystal-clear pond appeared. Within it floated jade-green lotuses with golden edges and a fragrance that sent waves of peaceful energy towards those serpents outside that barrier.

    Surrounding this majestic lake was a carpet of Phantom Willow Grass that gently swayed with a graceful cadence.

    And looming high above the pool, a giant Divine Phantom Willow Tree materialized. Beneath the tree, was Lu Jade. His serpentine body was enormous now. It coiled protectively around the base of the divine tree, and from the ground where he¡¯d shed a few scales moments before came a dozen glowing Phantom Willow Grass that swayed around him like a beautiful jade green skirt adorned with soft purple luminescence.

    "Thisss is¡­?" Lu Ruby watched in stunned disbelief. She recognized it now. ¡°T-that domain¡­ It¡¯s unmistakable! You¡­ Y-you are¡­ Lu Jade?"

    This wasn''t that pathetic, clumsy runt she¡¯d torment those thousands of years ago, no. This was a creature that could rival even those elite Sun Imperial Guard in both power and efficiency!

    It wasn''t possible! This was supposed to be a joke, a game¡­ right?

    Those anxieties and self-doubts would have to wait, however, for a more terrifying truth came shattering those remaining optimistic bubbles.

    Her father, he wanted to bring this ¡®traitor¡¯ back alive¡­ so there was no negotiation, no mercy for this ¡®little bitch¡¯, not today.

    Those guards surrounding her hissed in recognition.

    ¡°It is that snake that conspires with the golden bull against the Emperor, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes! This is truly him. Lu Jade¡­ but the color of his scales are deeper. And the Phantom Willow Grass?¡±

    This was their nightmare!

    "He has awakened¡­" Killaman pointed ahead as chills raced through him. "He''sss larger than even Hellphet! And his cultivation has risen from Great Ordeal Stage¡­ to Ssssaint Ruler 4th layer!¡±

    ¡°So what if he''sss a ssssaint ruler?!" Lu Ruby retorted angrily while whipping her tail about. ¡°Hisss ssstrength isss ssstill pitiful compared to mine. I¡¯m a Nightmare Calamity! Prepare yourssself for a beating baby brother. Jusssst like old timesss.¡±

    Those words, how familiar. How terrifying they had been to Lu Jade in the past, but now, with those glowing Phantom Willow stalks forming a protective halo above him¡­

    "Come! Lu Ruby! I''m not the ssssnake you usssed to know." He stared defiantly at his arrogant sister, radiating a confidence and power she¡¯d never seen in him.

    He wasn''t a pushover anymore, not by a long shot. This realization had her tail thrumming with anticipation, such a worthy opponent!

    And so¡­

    Their eyes met, and sparks flew.

    ¡°Clearly you are not! But that foolish ambition of yours, those dark allies you keep close¡­ You''ll learn this lesson again, and perhaps thissss time Father will watch as you become a forgotten soul! DIE!"

    "HAAA!" Lu Jade hissed. "We shall see!"

    The fight began!

 Chapter 49 - Jade Flower Domain

    ¡°KILL!¡±

    ¡°KILL!¡±

    ¡°KILL!¡±

    The three Sun Imperial Guards, led by Killaman, charged towards Lu Jade with synchronized fury. They slithered across the jade pond''s surface, leaving a trail of agitated ripples in their wake as they moved in for the kill.

    ¡°This little bastard, I¡¯ll rip out his tongue and wear it as a badge!¡±

    ¡°Such arrogance, challenging those loyal to the Emperor, surely, his death won''t be quick.¡±

    They launched a coordinated assault. Fangs were snapping like steel traps. They delivered bone-jarring headbutts, whip their tails with enough force to pulverize boulders, even spat streams of acidic venom that hissed as it hit those delicate blossoms and instantly wilted their beautiful pink petals.

    But Lu Jade remained unscathed. He slithered with a newfound grace and confidence. Each movement was fluid as he weaved through the attacks.

    It was as if he were anticipating those deadly strikes with a mastery, and to their increasing horror, there wasn''t even a drop of sweat on his scaled back. This sight unnerved them more so than anything else he¡¯d conjure within this Jade Flower Domain.

    WHAM! WHOOSH!

    Killaman¡¯s ¡®Sun Cycle¡¯ which was building up spinning momentum at his tail, whizzed towards Lu Jade''s neck. But his serpentine body simply flowed like water around that deadly attack before he continued those movements of grace.

    Seeing their leader¡¯s strike fail, the other guards also detached those bronze discs from their backs and hurled them towards their agile opponent with venom dripping laughter.

    ¡°Ssssuch a worthy opponent! Let¡¯sss make your demise as swift as your tongue, little bastard.¡±

    ¡°Damn! He¡¯s as slippery as baby oil!¡±

    Their curses and insults fueled Lu Jade''s growing confidence. ¡°Is that all you got?¡± He hissed with a touch of mockery as those Phantom Willow Grasses rustled a battle cry in response.

    ¡°It¡¯s my turn now."

    "Willowing Hands!¡±

    From those depths of the Jade Flower Domain where the plants radiated a brilliant glow, three enormous arms sprouted from the earth with an ear-splitting CRACK! They were composed entirely of Phantom Willow Grass that resembled jade tendrils and possessed a strength exceeding even Lu Ignis¡¯s mighty coils. It was a terrifying sight that had even Lu Ruby gasping from above.

    ¡°He¡­he could conjure such a thing?!¡± She was baffled and that amusement she''d felt before, it was slowly being replaced with something she''d never felt before. It was a primal annoyance.

    "What?! But how?"

    Those guards barely had a moment to comprehend this technique¡¯s appearance and magnitude before their world was upside down, and those frantic screams of defiance from their leader were nothing but echoes in a hurricane of green!

    WHAM!

    They were snagged from every angle by the ¡®Willowing Hands¡¯.

    Lu Jade watched with delight, "Foolishsss foolssss¡­ my Phantom Willow Grass hungerssss for sssnake blood." Then he slammed their captured forms together before him, causing those armor to clatter and groan as their Solar Essences flickered in pain.

    CRACK!

    Those once-proud warriors lost consciousness instantly!

    With a cruel twist of his monstrous tail, Lu Jade tossed their broken bodies directly below the Red Chariot with a disgusted snort.

    "Hmmm... Rubbish!"

    "What?!¡± Lu Ruby screamed!

    Those fools had failed to capture that pathetic little snake! Even worse, they''d fallen unconscious before a real attack could be launched, a humiliation beyond even her wildest nightmares.

    This wasn¡¯t a game anymore, it was a challenge.

    She didn¡¯t hesitate. She unleashed those ancient energies she¡¯d honed through years of training with those stern yet nurturing elders in Fol Ash. A potent fire was resonating between her scales.

    "Such a display! Thissss betrayal¡­ I should have had your tongue removed agesss ago. You think a few dancing grassessss can challenge me?! My powers are on a level you could never attain! I''m the true descendant of the Emperor''s legacy!"

    "You may have hisssss ssscalesss and fangsss, Lu Ruby, but unlike you. I protect those in need! You only destroy!" Lu Jade spat back as his tail slashed in the air like a whip.

    This exchange didn¡¯t last because for them both, words were nothing but useless pleas from those about to be crushed underfoot.

    ¡°Hmm, you ssseem to have grown ssstronger, little Jade Sssserpent.¡±

    Those words had an undercurrent of respect but carried none of that joy from their childhood.

    ¡°It would appear asss though all those beatings were for nothing, hahaha!" Lu Ruby¡¯s sarcastic laughter had those jade flowers above wilting.

    Lu Jade recoiled in disgust. The arrogance! How she delighted in bringing pain! He had enough.

    Then with a sly smile on her fangs and a terrifying glow in those blood-soaked eyes she said. ¡°Thisss, isss how I play, you ssssee.¡±

    Then¡­

    BAM!

    She extended a long crimson tail that slammed down onto those unconscious servants. Her attack was as swift as it was unexpected.

    The three Sun Imperial Guards who lay sprawled on the pond''s muddy bank. They exploded into crimson mists.

    ¡°Those guards¡­" Even Lu Jade was taken aback by her callousness. It had stunned him completely for a heartbeat.

    "What good are guardsss if they fail to protect?!" Lu Ruby hissed arrogantly. Her disregard for life amplified her menace, for those who serve only exist to extend their master¡¯s will. It was the order she understood.

    "That¡­ How could you!" Lu Jade couldn''t hold back.

    The memory of his suffering in her presence, of how those elders laughed and how her father, their Father never even bat an eyelid while he cried in the corner because of those injuries. It was just a game to them! His rage was potent!

    ¡°Those were your companions! And¡­ you!"Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    Those words that came tumbling from his jaws didn''t need to be completed because she interrupted with arrogant mockery.

    ¡°Are you defending trash? Their sacrifice, It pleasessss me!¡± Those chills she felt, they only made her more determined to rip his scales from his body, but this time, it wouldn''t be a quick death,

    ¡°Sssspare me your lectures, traitorousss sssibling. I¡¯ve alwaysss been better than you. You ssssee¡­ That isss why Father ssent me to Fol Ash. He saw it, that power, that determination that made him a conqueror of realms. But you¡­¡± She laughed cruelly, ¡°You only crawl. Perhaps you''d been better suited as one of thosssse human ssservants beneath usss, scrubbing Father''ssssss scalesss.¡±

    Then with a terrifying hiss, she concluded: "Now. Be ssilenced!¡±

    Her form grew faint as she chanted a technique name with chilling familiarity, "Enjoy your 15 sssseconds of glory, little brother, it will be your lassst!¡±

    ¡°Red Chariot! Annihilate!¡±

    Her command reverberated through that domain. And above that majestic crimson chariot, three large red ''Circular Spell Diagrams'' materialized, radiating with immense power.

    Within those circles, bursts of deadly energies crackled as those runes danced a hypnotic melody that warned of annihilation to anything that came too close.

    But Lu Jade wasn¡¯t afraid. His time as a scared serpent had passed.

    ¡°While my domain isss ssstill active, I¡¯m going to end you sssister! Your time has run out!¡± Lu Jade hissed with conviction, then began slithering rapidly across that battleground as those three red circles began their attack pattern!.

    BOOM! BOOM!

    Blazing red energy blasts came raining from those glowing crimson circles. Each attack exploded with devastating force. But Lu Jade was ready. Those movements were fluid as his Phantom Willow Grass deflected every hit.

    "Those movements¡­¡± Lu Ruby watched with awe as Lu Jade slithered around the Divine Phantom Willow Tree. He effortlessly dodged every attack. It was a display she hadn''t anticipated at all.

    "It¡¯s¡­ he''s gotten stronger!"

    However, for her, this only made this challenge more delicious. Her eyes glowed, a thrill resonating as a wicked smirk stretched her lips.

    "Lets see how long you can scurry around for! Red Chariot ¨C Grazing Mogul!"

    The chariot hummed with a potent energy that amplified her intent.

    BOOM! BOOM! CRACK! CRACK!

    Five more ¡®Circular Spell Diagrams¡¯ materialized beside the others. They were now eight strong, with those ancient energies roaring even louder.

    "Dammit!" Lu Jade cursed, realizing he couldn''t outrun those attacks forever. Even with the Jade Flower Domain''s amplifying his abilities, those blades of ruby red energies were relentless. And that chariot¡¯s speed¡­ ¡°She has evolved, there¡¯s no mistake about it! Her techniques are stronger!¡±

    He then chuckled softly as a realization came to mind.

    "Don''t forget. You are within MY domain now, sssister! You¡¯re fighting against the Jade Sssserpent, and hiss will iss law here!"

    ¡°Phantom Willow Entrapment!"

    WHOOSH! BOOM!

    From the very heart of his Jade Flower Domain, 6 light green ''Circular Spell Diagrams¡¯ materialized. They then surrounded Lu Ruby and her Red Chariot.

    "Wha¡­! How dare you?!" Before Lu Ruby had even time to retort.

    ¡°Bind!¡±

    Thousands upon thousands of tendrils shot forth from those emerald circles with a dreadful hiss.

    Crackle!

    Crackle!

    BOOM!

    The air itself sizzled as Phantom Willow Grass surged toward its prey, consuming those Red Chariot¡¯s spell diagrams like hungry serpents. They shattered her potent energies into fragments before coiling around those crimson rubies, trapping her and her chariot within their emerald embrace.

    ¡°I¡¯ve trapped her!¡±

    But Lu Jade¡¯s jubilant victory was short-lived. It was replaced by dread! He glanced ahead, and saw those emerald coils, powerful enough to break even mountains, were struggling against Lu Ruby¡¯s strength, her monstrous, ancient energies. The scent of crushed diamonds came from those clashing energies. His prisoner was breaking free!

    ¡°Tsk! Not enough.¡± He had to deliver a killing blow..

    But how?

    His eyes darted across that domain. Then¡­ he saw it! His chance.

    WHOOSH!

    Lu Jade''s tail quickly grabbed that ¡®Sun Cycle¡¯ lying below. He brought it to his lips and began to breathe emerald flames, infusing that golden disc with his raw potent essences. The energy signature was changing as it spun rapidly.

    Lu Ruby watched this with narrowed eyes as she desperately tried to break free from that willow grass prison. It was tightening around her, sapping her energies.

    ¡°What are you¡­¡±

    Before those pronouncements of terror and those questions of, ¡®How are you so strong now? How can you even be this much of an annoyance to those who are meant to crush you?¡¯, could even form as syllables¡­

    BOOM!

    ¡°DIE!¡±

    From Sun Cycle¡¯s core came a searing-hot blast infused with Lu Jade¡¯s essence. It resembled a miniature version of the ¡®Helios Stream'' but even more vibrant.

    ¡°WHAT THE HELL!¡±

    She couldn''t dodge, nor teleport with those roots binding her so firmly, moreover, those eels were frozen solid in fear of those Phantom Willow that had begun to burrow into their supple flesh. Such potent venom! Their predicament had no chance of escape, at least not today.

    The blast struck her Red Chariot head-on.

    A massive explosion rocked the Jade Flower Domain, causing those trees to sway and a blinding green and red light to engulf everything within its reach.

    ¡°YES! A direct hit!¡±

    It took some time, seconds, perhaps minutes? Time felt meaningless in his victory.

    But finally, as the shockwaves dissipated, Lu Jade noticed a rain of ruby and gold particles. It was her chariot. Slowly disintegrating, as it returned to whatever realms those treasures reside when summoned.

    Lu Jade slithered over to check the situation. During his inspection, he saw no signs of Lu Ruby, all he saw was the last portion of the chariot fading away.

    ¡°Oh my¡­" He stared with disbelief. It was truly a magnificent sight to behold, that ending. His sister¡¯s chariot dissolving away into spirit particles.

    "Could it be¡­? I¡­ I actually won? But¡­ did I overdo it¡­ I must have incinerated her.¡±

    Then just as those anxieties started creeping in¡­

    "Think again, little brother! Your pathetic strength could never harm me!"

    That mocking voice had Lu Jade recoiling in terror. His tail trembled, and he looked up into the sky with those pupils expanding, frantically searching for the source of those sounds that haunted his every nightmare and those childhood humiliations.

    ¡°Impossible, ssshe¡¯s¡­¡±

    And then he saw it. Her form. Undamaged, not a single burn nor scratch marred her majestic red scales.

    "You fool!¡±

    "Thisss¡­ is¡­ How¡­? She¡¯s alive?!" His disbelief came as whispers of fear. He¡¯d unleashed all that power within. That direct hit was unavoidable, and yet.

    ¡°I¡­ I can¡¯t lose¡­ not now! After everything we''ve been through.¡± His fears were replaced by a terrifying resolve that reminded him of a certain bull¡¯s arrogance moments before, but could he match those powers she was unleashing now, his sister?

    The air before him crackled. He watched as a massive ruby-red sword materialized and began solidifying. It grew from those depths of those now-darkening clouds above with a brilliance that stole those very life essence from those flowers within his domain.

    Such potent power!

    He instinctively understood.

    This sword wasn¡¯t meant to deflect, block, nor subdue, it was meant to destroy!

    Hers was a melody of death.

    And within moments, it towered before him, easily a hundred meters long with edges that pulsed with an intensity that dimmed the light radiating from his Jade scales.

    ¡°Hissss!¡±

    Lu Ruby gracefully ascended the blade in a coiling fashion, using her slim waist as leverage to glide across its smooth surface. Her movements were as effortless as they were deadly, a spectacle that even his Divine Phantom Willow Tree paused in silent adoration of those movements.

    After reaching the handle, Lu Ruby gazed down disdainfully at her brother with those cold, reptilian eyes and hissed.

    "With thisss, you pathetic, bull loving creature, you will learn the error of your wayssss. Time for payback. Any last words¡­ little brother?¡±

    Her mockery had a tinge of sadness, however, she was a snake! Her tears were poisonous and meant to consume.

    ¡°None!¡± Lu Jade hissed his answer.

    "Very well then! Prepare to be SKEWERED!"

    The Ruby sword buzzed as if eager to devour essence. It slowly adjusted its angle, aiming for Lu Jade¡¯s exposed heart.

    "Sanguine Coil Ascendancy - Fatal Redscale Impaler! KILL!¡±

    ¡°No! I have to stop this! Phantom Willow Barrier!¡± But even as those powerful tendrils of his were attempting to stop those descending death¡­

    CRASH!

    Lu Ruby''s sword cleaved a path through the grass effortlessly! It slammed onto Lu Jade¡¯s chest, piercing him with a horrifying precision and echoing that painful betrayal he¡¯d endured for thousands of years!

    ¡°It¡¯s cold. Cold¡­ cold¡­" Those were his last coherent thoughts before darkness embraced his world in crimson, metallic bliss.

    "AHHHHHHH!"

    "Ah¡­ Just the tune I like to hear." Lu Ruby savored that heart-wrenching scream. Her brother''s agonizing demise pleased her immensely. She had won again!

    After those vibrations faded from those delicate chimes adorning her crown, she gracefully uncoiled from the sword and lowered herself to the ground.

    Something wasn¡¯t right!

    "He should be struggling more? I aimed for the kill shot! Where are those screams?"

    She saw it then!

    That gaping wound upon his chest where her blade had pierced. It wasn''t spurting blood or those entrails she¡¯d envisioned. No. It was withering, slowly becoming more and more like grass before it disintegrated into a pile of ordinary grass before her.

    POOF!

    The realization hit her like a thunderclap, for even the Jade Flower Domain began dissipating, leaving a trail of sparkling emerald essences behind which revealed those who had witnessed the disturbance in that area, but they were nothing but ants compared to her.

    ¡°A duplicate¡­?¡±

    ¡°That bastard! He escaped! Those vines¡­!¡± She had fallen for a cheap trick! A ruse. But how?

    Her fury was palpable now.

    ¡°Think you can fool a true descendant of the Emperor, you pathetic worm?! You''ll regret this! I¡¯ll have your ssscalesss! YOU HEAR ME! Those dreams of freedom. That arrogant bull you ride on¡­ You¡¯ll be crushed! BOTH of you!"

    Her furious declaration reverberated across the land, shaking those very trees and those unfortunate witnesses that had their eardrums shattered from the intensity.

    But it was too late. She¡¯d lost him. Her brother Lu Jade had escaped.

 Chapter 50 - Kiss The Floor!

    BOOM!

    Another earth-shattering explosion reverberated through those jade and gold-infused walls of the Heavenly Imperial Palace, which kicked up tremors that caused even those ancient carvings to shed dust like tears.

    "Thisss... is incredible! To think that a mere BULL would withstand ssso many of Lu Ignis''sss most devastating techniquessss!¡±

    ¡°Impressive indeed!¡±

    The two elders, Lu Mongue and Lu Noid, had retreated from their positions beside the throne and watched the unfolding battle from a safer distance as the very air crackled with untamed, brutal energies that could melt diamond.

    The spectacle had them questioning, ¡°Is it still alive?¡±

    ¡°That bull is standing? After being struck by ¡®Imperial Ssscale Barrage¡¯? Incredible! Truly resilient, he iss.¡±

    But then¡­

    "Look..." Lu Noid pointed his tail toward the center of that chaotic explosion. It was a spectacle those eyes of his, even with their immense capabilities and ancient blessings could barely make out, a blur against blinding lights.

    The smoke and dust were beginning to dissipate. They saw their emperor who was still coiled around his beloved golden trident, but its magnificent shine had dulled, for upon those curves and edges, were gouges and even a cracked segment near its tip. This damage, it had been inflicted by that upstart¡¯s hooves and wings!

    A creature beyond their expectations indeed.

    And before their leader stood, or rather, slumped in a crater was¡­

    The Golden Bull Thork.

    Blood dripped from a dozen gashes that crisscrossed his majestic golden hide, forming a crimson pool beneath. His normally fierce face was marred with pain as a deep gash tore through the flesh above his right eye. His left wing was no more, but his right wing hung limply. And even that mighty tail, which had effortlessly pulverized those serpents of earlier, was now missing a chunk.

    This bull was close to defeat.

    Yet it was still alive.

    Lu Ignis peered down at his battered foe with an air of mocking amusement. From the tip of his trident, he hissed: ¡°Stinking bull, you¡¯re more sturdy than I thought. Any other prey would be dead by now. Hmm, it seems those rumors about your tenacity were not simple braggadocio¡­ I will give you that. A worthy opponent indeed. However¡­ It seems I¡¯ll have to put my back into the next attack.¡±

    Below, Raphael heard those words and his heart sank, he tried focusing those bloodshot eyes on his surroundings and a chilling realization had those legs of his trembling even harder.

    ¡®This¡­ I¡¯ve underestimated this bastard!¡¯

    He tried to glance at his Shadow Bat legion, those loyal and fearless subjects that hovered nearby, but his blurry vision made it almost impossible to see properly.

    Then he saw it.

    They were tattered! His faithful shadow army, they were as bruised as his pride now. Only fifteen remained from those hundreds he¡¯d arrived with.

    Even his trusted Commander was struggling. Bat General Kong hovered valiantly beside him. His armor was fractured and that once-powerful spear that commanded Rai Shen Long had long since evaporated into those chaotic energies. He was just a shadow of his former glory.

    ¡°There¡¯s only 15 bats remaining from the horde. I¡¯ve exhausted all of my left wing potential, and to make matters worse, I¡¯ve not managed to put a dent in that bastards scales. He is truly a terrifying serpent.¡±

    This he experienced. first hand. Those relentless strikes, those close calls when the Emperor''s bronze scales deflected his Helios Stream and crushed bones with ease. It filled Raphael with despair.

    Lu Ignis''s chilling voice sounded, ¡°Little bull, your time has run dry. Prepare to die!¡±

    A foreboding red glow began to radiate from his monstrous form, illuminating the room in a horrifying crimson light as his scales pulsed and dripped lava that sizzled upon hitting the floor.

    ¡°He¡¯s¡­ charging another attack! Oh no! That is¡­¡± He had witnessed the devastating power of that technique before. Those charred beasts, those blazing trees that dotted Ho Eastern, all reduced to nothingness from those hellish red orbs.

    ¡°HELL WINK!¡±If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Above them, those peaceful skies were pierced! Multiple monstrous red eyes, glowing with an incandescent, orange-crimson energy manifested. Hundreds upon hundreds, blinking ominously as they bore down.

    "YOUR MAJESTY!" Lu Mongue cried out in alarm as those white scales of his trembled in fear. ¡°That''s overkill! Surely even with this bull¡¯s durability¡­?¡±

    He couldn¡¯t finish this pleas because the Emperor¡¯s intention to obliterate was clear.

    Lu Noid instinctively understood what that attack meant if unleashed in those confines. They were seconds from utter annihilation, and perhaps this palace would be no more!

    "We have to leave here at ONCE!" He commanded his friend before dashing away from those gathering energies, his tail whizzed past those still-stunned Sun Imperial Guards and servants by those archways.

    ¡°HISS! Those eyes! That power!"

    Lu Mongue didn¡¯t need to be told twice. He also slithered from those deathly beams of doom, and within heartbeats, both elders vanished through those gates that now groaned in pain from those tremors above as if the heavens itself wanted to crack and consume them all.

    "Master, we¡¯ll protect you till our last breath!"

    "SURE! MASTER! WE''LL PROTECT YOU!"

    Raphael looked up in amazement at those loyal few who still hover as a pitiful legion above his trembling, blood-soaked hide. There was no fear, no doubt in their eyes. They were ready for those sweet embraces of oblivion.

    He couldn¡¯t hold back those feelings now.

    "Thanksss¡­ you guysss¡­¡± His anguished voice shook those claws. Deep down he knew, they were all done for.

    ¡°I¡­I just hope Lu Jade managed to escape¡­ That dammed Qi Hawk¡­¡± He¡¯d placed his trust in those pronouncements from a scheming Emperor, and now¡­ they would all pay the price, he concluded.

    Then as a flicker of his life came to the fore,  those events, those actions he''d taken to get them here, he remembered something from those stolen treasures.

    That crimson fruit!

    It¡¯s image appeared before his closed eyes in those final moments before oblivion. It was as if screaming those ancient whispers of forgotten power.

    "Devil Star Fruit!¡± Those words brought back a chilling description from the treasury assistant manager''s bragging. ¡®A potent fruit, capable of amplifying your essence. Your cultivation base. Your very life-force, but for a limited time.¡¯

    His time was running out!

    He was cooked!

    So, without any deliberation¡­

    Raphael called forth the fruit from the shadows of his ruined wing.

    "I¡¯ve got it. Now to eat!"

    The ''Devil Star Fruit''. It was as vibrant as the flames consuming his very essence. It glowed.

    "Perhaps it''ll give me a fighting chance to survive that attack. A Calamity¡¯s full force¡­" He didn¡¯t waste time. His last gamble was cast.

    With a flick of his monstrous tongue he grabbed it,

    Gulp!

    It was down the hatch.

    But that little act didn¡¯t go unnoticed.

    "Hmm? Did you¡­ Did you just¡­? YOU DESPICABLE BULL!¡± Lu Ignis roared with a rage that could melt those frozen peaks from his birth lands!

    He couldn''t believe his eyes. That glowing crimson light that the Bull was chewing on, it resembled¡­

    "THE DEVIL STAR FRUIT! It was my PRIZED possession! I¡¯d planned to use it as a desperate measure against the Void Emperor if need be! And now¡­ I¡¯ll thoroughly erase thisss sssstain!¡±

    Lu Ignis was done with talking.

    "DIE!"

    BOOM!

    Hundreds upon hundreds of crimson eyes glared down. Then, as if by decree of some ancient god, they blinked in unison, a blinding golden-red light engulfed everything, even those who stood miles from this clash shut their eyes in horror. The energy was that terrifying!

    And from those Hellish depths¡­

    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

    "Hell Wink!"

    Countless blasts, each the size of a human house, shot down towards that motionless bull!

    The very air around the Emperor¡¯s throne began to warp. And within heartbeats¡­

    CRAAACK! BOOM!

    The impact resonated for several miles. First It travelled through those corridors and incinerated many human slaves, not even their bones were left behind. Glass shattered, then tremors caused those mountain ranges of Hebikuni to crackle.

    It was a spectacle truly deserving of those titles ¨C Emperor Calamity.

    But even as this immense, blazing, chaotic energy dissipated, revealing a massive crater where those golden hooves were standing moments before, and leaving behind only those familiar aroma of scorched meat¡­

    Lu Mongue and Lu Noid who stood at the entrance could only utter with amazement:

    "His power... It hasn''t waned these past hundred thousand years, but rather¡­"

    "He''s gotten STRONGER, STRONGER than even those DRAGON CALAMITIES in Fol Ash!"

    They watched in awe, waiting for those smoke, those shadows, to fade before reveling in their master¡¯s victory. Then as their eyes adjusted, a new and more chilling realization took shape before them.

    Within the heart of that devastation, they saw a figure. But this¡­ this was impossible!

    An iridescent barrier was radiating. Within those shimmering blue, orange, white, black, red and golden colors that danced wildly, stood the bull, unscathed, those hooves tapping impatiently.

    "NO!"

    ¡°It¡­ It¡¯s impossible!¡±

    The creature¡¯s wounds had completely healed, his left wing restored to its former splendor, and most frightening of all, those eyes now burned with an intensity that surpassed even their master¡¯s wrath, the raw power of a Calamity amplified by untold levels!

    Raphael was brimming with power. He glanced at his rejuvenated hooves, and those wings, they vibrated with this newfound strength, and for a moment he felt as if he could fly forever.

    "Thissss iss what it feels to be extremely powerful? But compare to Lu Ignis ¡­"

    Those words of delight and power were suddenly cut short.

    "I wonder if¡­"

    Raphael brought down a golden hoof with thunderous, amplified force!

    ¡°GOLD PRESS!¡±

    BOOM!

    The ground buckled. Those jade walls that survived those earlier tremors, now crumbled into dust as an enormous, golden, spectral hoof materialized above Lu Ignis''s massive head! It pulsed with unimaginable power, an echo of a terrifying, ancient bloodline unleashed.

    And before the Emperor had time to comprehend what this meant, or unleash a counterattack. His world, HIS DOMAIN, shifted dramatically and not to his will.

    "NOOO!"

    Lu Ignis''s monstrous head was driven straight into those floors with enough force to make even Hellphet wet himself in fear!

    CRUNCH! CRAAAACK!

    A deafening, bone-jarring impact reverberated!

    Those elegant lotus flowers below him, now pulverized, sending fragrant pink essences into a chaotic whirlwind.

    And upon that sturdy trident he so adored, deep fractures now spread out from the point of contact as if it were about to shatter. Such a sight would leave any snake trembling!

    This power, this humiliation¡­

    It was unimaginable!

    But alas, very, very real.

 Chapter 51 - Scorching Veil

    ¡°Hmph! How do you like KISSING THE FLOOR, you damn snake?!¡± Raphael¡¯s arrogance had returned in BOLD CAPS! Shao Jin would be damn proud.

    Now fueled by the ''Devil Star Fruit''s'' potent energy, Raphael exuded a laugh that shook the Heavenly Imperial Palace and made the Shadow Bats above buzzed with terrified admiration for their leader''s strength.

    This was indeed a Golden Bull Thork in his prime!

    ¡°This strength¡­ How¡­?¡± Lu Ignis¡¯s monstrous head was pressed against those jade floors as a chilling realization slammed into his mind.

    ¡°The Devil Star Fruit! It¡­ has amplified this bull¡¯s strength by untold levels!¡± He recalled the potency of that crimson fruit he¡¯d stolen centuries ago from a dragon¡¯s lair.

    "This is Impossible! Even with this creature¡¯s monstrous stamina and resilience. His energies shouldn¡¯t be this potent, at least not with him being under ten million years old!"

    Then as those golden glows grew even brighter, he remembered another horrifying fact. "This bull has ascended to the Emperor Calamity 1st Layer! It appears the Devil Star Fruit IS more potent than I initially believed.¡±

    Lu Ignis''s contemplation was interrupted by another sound: A bellow of dominance, a declaration of might that promised a swift and brutal end to their confrontation.

    ¡°Hmph! Trying to make a comeback? I won¡¯t let you!¡±

    Raphael slammed a second hoof onto Lu Ignis¡¯s head, then a third.

    ¡°GOLD PRESS! GOLD PRESS! GOLD PRESS!¡±

    He grinned, relishing in this turn of events, as three enormous, golden, spectral hooves, pulsing with those energies of a hundred thousand souls, descended and trapped Lu Ignis¡¯s head to the floor.

    "HAAA!"

    Raphael channeled his essence into his horns, those familiar tingles of pure destruction that tasted of pure gold and lightning crackled. It wasn''t mere fire now, this was¡­ a furnace.

    "HELIOS SPHERE!"

    ¡°Ughhh¡­ YOU! You arrogant BULL!¡±

    The pressure was immense. Lu Ignis struggled desperately to free himself as a terrifying orange glow began to radiate from beneath those trapped scales. His beard was sizzling now as those aromas of sulfur mixed with charred beard permeated the palace with its fowl stench.

    "For this humiliation¡­ I¡¯ll pulverize your SOUL!¡±

    Despite his head being pinned to the ground, Lu Ignis was an ancient being. Those powers that had caused so much death and destruction were his to command and use with such terrible elegance. Thus, he wasn¡¯t done.

    ¡°HISSSS!¡±

    Without warning, Lu Ignis¡¯s tail whipped forth from behind like a giant, bronze steel beam, aiming to crush Raphael  into oblivion.

    "It¡¯s coming!¡± Raphael instinctively sensed that strike coming.

    WHOOSH!

    He leaped into the air with a swiftness that defied his bulk, and thanks to the ''Devil Star Fruit¡¯s potency, he narrowly avoiding the attack. Then countered.

    "CONDENSED BLOOD SWORD!"

    From his released blood, a crimson blade appeared in a blinding flash. It was twice as long as its predecessor, wider and had even more power resonating within. This blade danced with the memory of spilled blood. And then¡­

    ¡°Blood Hands!¡±

    His blood glowed with a brilliant scarlet before shooting out and solidified into two massive hands of pure coagulated blood. These ¡®Blood Hands¡¯ acted as his new limbs.  They grabbed the Blood Sword''s handle, and then swung downward with terrifying might.

    WHAM!

    Raphael¡¯s attack, amplified by those combined energies of bull, human and forbidden fruit, was truly scary.

    His blade cut through the tip of Lu Ignis¡¯s mighty tail effortlessly, and the air exploded with the sound of breaking bone, shredded flesh and spurting blood that was as thick as tar and radiated immense heat as it splattered the palace walls.

    "ARGHHHH! MY TAIL!" The roars that came were not just about pain, for that would heal. There was also a deep-seated humiliation, that rage, for never had those who crawled before him, had the audacity to even try such a feat, much less succeed.

    This wasn¡¯t about justice or power anymore, for pride had been wounded, his pride, and none challenged that and survived for long, but for how long could this bastard last?

    ¡°YOU¡­ stinking bull¡­! You¡¯re DEAD MEAT!¡±

    Lu Ignis¡¯s massive serpentine body that was slowly pulling itself away from that cursed floor, came gushing lava. The ground around him hissed as it liquefied, revealing a truly horrifying reality.

    His power had reached its boiling point.

    "LUMINOUS HELLBLAZE!"

    The molten essence from those wounds, from those very lifeblood now bubbling wildly, morphed into a dozen serpents!

    They dripped fire and burned with the intensity of a thousand suns, and they came rushing towards their Emperor¡¯s target while leaving a trail of scorched earth in their wake

    Seeing this attack take shape, Raphael snorted.

    "Hmph! Pathetic molten snakes!"

    ¡°GOLD CARNAGE!"

    Massive, solid gold bull statues began to materialize from the melted gold beneath Raphael¡¯s hooves.

    Each bull, impossibly large and monstrous, pawed the ground restlessly and glared with bloodshot eyes. They emanated ancient power against those who dared to question their dominance.

    ¡°KILL!¡±

    ¡°KILL!¡±

    ¡°KILL!¡±

    "RAAARGH!"

    ¡°HISSSSSS!¡±

    The bulls charged those molten serpentine entities in a clash of titans that shook the very heavens!If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    Flames billowed out!

    Chunks of gold flew through the air!

    It was a chaotic symphony of roars, hisses, shattering horns, and the terrible beauty of annihilation.

    A battle between fire and gold, and yet, above this carnage, while those beasts clashed below, Lu Ignis was recovering.

    He¡¯d successfully freed himself from the ¡®Gold Press¡¯ and was slithering upwards his golden trident once again with those bleeding wounds regenerating with remarkable speed.

    Upon reaching his favorite perch he glanced down at Raphael then at his severed tail.

    ¡°Hm! That accursed Devil Star Fruit. If I hadn¡¯t wasted my essence restraining that earlier attack, that bull would be food for those lesser snakes now.

    Being pinned by a bull and having a chunk of his mighty tail severed. It wouldn''t be forgotten. He, Lu Ignis Emperor Calamity would not simply execute this bull. He¡¯d make an example.

    ¡°Hmph! For this transgression¡­ I will obliterate every speck of you! YOU HEAR ME?!¡±

    Those burning words were meant for one creature, and one alone. He didn¡¯t care about Qi Hawk¡¯s involvement, nor that pathetic Jade Serpent. But that bull, it had pushed him to the brink.

    Lu Ignis began channeling his ancient power, drawing those chaotic energies into his very core. The air around him fractured as he glared menacingly towards that bull.

    RUMBLE! BOOM!

    The palace trembled violently. Cracks spider-webbed across the walls. Shockwave of unimaginable power rippled outward from his very being; it extended beyond the Heavenly Imperial Palace, throughout Hebikuni, and into the very foundations of Ho Eastern territory.

    ¡°Oh, Father¡­ Why are those mountains rumbling?¡±

    ¡°The heavens¡­ they¡¯re shaking! What could it be?¡±

    Across those lands where serpents reigned, those beneath his reign trembled before this mighty force that promised oblivion to those who dare disobey. This was the wrath of a ruler, a Calamity¡¯s true essence, and it was magnificent.

    Back inside the palace, Raphael sensed those tremors building and shivered uncontrollably.

    ¡°That bastard¡­ just what is he planning now?¡± He nervously tapped those massive golden hooves against the broken floors as smoke rose from those wounds those molten snakes had inflicted earlier.

    Even his most resilient hide could only withstand so much. Those flames of his that devoured and crushed everything.

    ¡°Whatever it is. I WON¡¯T LET HIM FINISH IT!¡± Raphael then launched himself towards those trembling skies as a golden glow surrounded him and that familiar warmth in those horns began buzzing.

    His escape was already sealed, that much he understood, but surrender, those words didn¡¯t exist in Shao Jin''s vocabulary. Hence neither would it exist in his.

    "HELIOS STREAM!"

    He unleashed those blinding energies directly at Lu Ignis who stared straight at those destructive incoming energies.

    But Lu Ignis didn''t even bother to flinch. His long beard swayed gracefully to a melody of despair.

    ¡°Bull. You may have ascended to Emperor Calamity Stage, but you¡¯re five million years too young to challenge ME! Let me show you the difference.¡±

    He paused dramatically, then with a cold, calculating smirk those jaws opened and the ancient whisper of annihilation was spoken with the fury of a thousand thunderstorms.

    ¡°SCORCHING VEIL DOMAIN!¡±

    BOOOM!

    A blinding flash of crimson energy engulfed those golden beams as a massive explosion rocked the Heavenly Imperial Palace. Those doors shattered! The very foundation cracked and crumbled as those elders outside were blown backward with cries of agony and disbelief at the waves that slammed into them.

    ¡°Such¡­ potency¡­"

    Their scaly bodies ached, bruised and bleeding!

    Even from such a distance, that heat was too intense for them to withstand, and that aroma of scorched meat, it was unmistakable, truly terrible!

    But they couldn''t simply run away, not when their Emperor was locked in such a deadly confrontation with a being they now truly feared. So after regaining their composure, they rushed back into the throne room with frantic whispers.

    "HIS MAJESTY! That attack¡­ What if¡­¡±

    ¡°The Bull¡­ is he alive? Did¡­ he survive?"

    But they found that chamber deserted, all that remained of that chaos were flickering flames, shattered jade, and those molten serpent that were slowly cooling on the ground. There wasn¡¯t a single trace of those monstrous contenders that had occupied those very spaces mere moments ago.

    But something else was missing that had those elders truly baffled.

    ¡°The trident?¡±

    Lu Mongue slithered closer to that platform that used to hold his master with devotion and awe and noticed the trident had vanished. The only clue as to its absence was those dust trails and those shattered sections beneath that pedestal where the tip had touched earlier. It was gone.

    "I¡­I ssssee¡­ I understand now." He looked towards his old friend and spoke, ¡°His Majesty has transported that beast! To his Domain!¡± A chilling silence followed this revelation.

    "What do you mean, he transported that beast?! Surely, he doesn¡¯t intend to¡­"

    "Yesss, old friend,¡± Lu Mongue explained. ¡°Lu Ignis has decided that a swift death isn''t punishment enough for thisss transgression! They are now within the Emperor¡¯sss ''Scorching Veil Domain''. An ancient and horrifying realm where he isss the sole ruler, where those he judgessss receive hisssss wrath without limitssss!"

    ¡°Hmmm. I understand. If his FULL MIGHT were activated here, within this realm¡­ Not only would Hebikuni crumble to dust, but all who exist upon its bosom will also perish! This land would be barren for thousands of years.¡±

    ¡°Hisss Majesty does have a caring heart after all, doesn''t he?¡± Lu Mongue then let out a relieved sigh that Lu Noid was eager to share. Their Emperor¡¯s noble intentions had made them smile.

    This fight was theirs to win now. After all, Lu Ignis wouldn¡¯t fail. He was the Bronze Serpent Emperor. They chuckled in their newfound confidence, for all would tremble before their mighty leader, eventually!

    ¡­

    Meanwhile¡­

    "WHOA! Where am I?!"

    Raphael gazed frantically at his new surroundings in confusion. Those amplified senses he¡¯d tasted before now had a sickening sensation. He felt as if every single cell within his monstrous form was screaming,

    RUN!

    But could one even run, much less exist in this hellhole? He¡¯d never encounter this place. It felt strangely familiar, a haunting melody playing those whispers of death.

    Before him stood a massive stone platform, crafted entirely from black volcanic rock, encircled by a deep, steaming chasm. Jagged black pillars, reaching towards a starless sky like skeletal claws adorned with ancient, crimson inscriptions, dotted this realm, leaving a dreadful image of ancient power.

    This wasn¡¯t beauty. This was brutality!

    And at the center of this desolate landscape, a colossal pyre blazed! It was an ''Eternal Pyre'', fueled by those spirits of unfortunate souls who''d perished within this domain.

    Those cries of agony and despair, so vibrant, so real. They whispered a story he couldn¡¯t ignore.

    Black ash fell from the crimson sky like snowflakes. It felt like the very air was choking him.

    ¡°Such a dreadful place. Where the hell am I?!" He glanced back, searching for that entity that brought him to this realm, but there was nothing.

    However, seconds later, he saw it. The silhouette of Lu Ignis rose with such majestic presence from that fiery depths.

    "That¡­"

    He couldn''t utter a single coherent sentence now, not when those whispers from his Shadow Bats came echoing, ¡°DEATH! DEATH! DEATH! It¡¯s Death!¡±

    Lu Ignis¡¯s form was majestic, terrifying! It coiled around the golden trident in a menacing embrace. His eyes burned with an infernal rage.

    This was a power beyond those he¡¯d tasted earlier. But what had Raphael truly speechless wasn¡¯t those flames, nor the heat.

    No¡­ It was those glowing runes across the trident.

    The air crackled.

    ¡°Bull¡­¡±

    Lu Ignis hissed. He pointed the trident¡¯s tip towards Raphael and spoke in a voice that could shatter those bones and crush any hope of escape.

    ¡°TRIDENT OF ANNIHILATION - SCORCHING JUDGMENT!¡±

    Raphael couldn''t breathe. The fear was real. It froze every single fiber of his stolen body.

    And in that moment of despair, Lu Ignis¡¯s serpentine form recoiled with enough force to shatter mountains in two. It was like a spring unleashing those tension of millennia to propel the very symbol of his dominion towards his enemy with a deafening snap.

    The trident flew with a speed no eyes could even comprehend!

    "HE''S GOING TO KILL US!"

    Raphael¡¯s vision blurred then a whisper came roaring,

    "GOLDEN BUDDHIST DONKEY!¡±

    It felt strangely familiar yet different. An ancient force that dwarfed even those potent energies Raphael had unleashed before. A memory, ancient, primal! It emanated from his very core.

    Shao Jin¡¯s ancient legacy had awaken!

    From within Raphael''s trembling, bleeding form, a blinding golden light erupted and solidified with unimaginable speed!

    ¡°HAAAA!¡±

    Pushing away those surrounding crimson fire, an entity of unimaginable, and ridiculous splendor was revealed, stretching towards those dark pillars, bathing that entire domain in a light that could shame the very sun itself, but in a beautiful golden tone!

    A majestic, golden Buddha of terrifying size and power now occupied that realm! It sprouted multiple arms, each hand bore that iconic finger sign; its face serene, a contradiction to those fiery orbs that seemed to burn everything it gazed upon with judgement and anger.

    This spectacle wasn¡¯t even the truly impressive part.

    Upon the mighty Buddha¡¯s broad shoulders, sat¡­

    A Golden Bull!

    The bull looked bored. It rested its chin on a hoof as it flicked its tail, its demeanor contradicting those monstrous, arms surrounding him and the sheer arrogance of sitting atop something as potent as this golden being.

    Moreover, it wasn''t just riding it, It was directing the Golden Buddha, Its movements, its power, they belonged to Shao Jin!

    ¡°GOLDEN BUDDHIST DONKEY! Obliterate that PUNY trident!¡±

    BOOM!

    The Trident of Annihilation clashed against the Golden Buddhist Donkey¡¯s wrath.

    Who would win?

 Chapter 52 - Lu Pinâ€™s Shattered Pride

    BOOOM!

    The golden trident hurtled downwards like a blazing meteor screaming towards its target! The Trident of Annihilation against the might of the Golden Buddhist Donkey!

    It was a spectacle that could shatter realms.

    The earth cracked and buckled. Crimson flames shot skyward as that massive weapon of a serpent emperor collided with those countless glowing palms.

    Those fingers, emanating a brilliant white-gold energy, met the trident''s points. A screeching metal-on-metal sound echoed across those desolate domain as the very air itself ignited with sparks of Solar Essence.

    And yet...

    It wasn''t a clean victory for Lu Ignis, as he''d envisioned.

    That trident, meant to annihilate, to judge, to pulverize those who defied his command, was being halted!

    It was pushed upwards by those monstrous golden palms of a borrowed buddha.

    ¡°Fool, this is MY Domain!¡±

    "SCORCHING JUDGMENT!"

    Lu Ignis slammed his tail onto the end of the trident which propelled it forward with unimaginable force. And beneath, in that chaotic heart of the clash, another horror unfolded.

    BOOM! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

    From those cracks in that desolate world, from those shadows and burnt soil, he commanded. They came!

    Skeletal warriors with their empty sockets blazing with crimson fire rose. A horrifying legion wielding axes, sword and bows advanced towards that glowing golden figure.

    "HRAAAAA!"

    "HISSSSS!"

    They attacked with a terrifying ferocity.

    "This... THIS IS CHEATING!¡± Raphael hollered in frustration.

    He attempted to direct more force into the Golden Buddhist Donkey, ¡°I need more strength! More power!¡± But his commands, they felt empty now. Those energies were fading.

    Crack!

    A terrifying sound had his focus snapping back towards those clashing energies. It was a subtle shift, but undeniable. That mighty trident¡­ its points were slowly pushing downwards, piercing through his donkey¡¯s golden palms.

    A terrible crunching sound reverberated through that world, which caused even the bony warriors to pause in their assaults as if in awe of their emperor¡¯s might.

    The Trident of Annihilation shattered the Golden Buddhist Donkey''s arms. Its momentum carried it forward toward Raphael!

    WHOOSH!

    "Oh, crap!"

    In those fleeting seconds, as those embers of oblivion raced towards his golden hide, one desperate act came.

    He slammed his hooves down, conjuring the last reserves of his powers.

    ¡°Golden Barrier!¡±

    BOOM!

    An iridescent dome, woven from those flames of his very essence exploded outwards as that trident struck.

    CRACK!

    It held¡­

    Momentarily.

    The barrier shuddered, cracks spider-webbed across its golden surface, every impact of the trident sent pain resonating through Raphael''s form, and as it grew fainter, so too did his hope.

    He could feel his Solar Essence dwindling.

    "Damn that Devil Star Fruit¡­ It¡¯s power¡­ its¡­ fading!¡±

    He desperately channeled his remaining strength.

    "I¡­ I can''t¡­"

    Blood trickled from his jaws. He gritted his teeth with an iron will that was more human than bull as his hooves scrambled desperately for a better footing, one that no longer existed in this reality.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

    Then as a deafening, bone-jarring crack resonated. He realized a terrible truth.

    "Bones¡­ they¡¯re breaking!¡±

    ¡°This is it. I''m going to die.¡±

    Above, Lu Ignis simply smirked and hissed: ¡°Hmph! You''re a pitiful creature bull. To think you could rival MY might, much less withstand my Judgment?"

    With a final push of his essence, a terrifying wave of power flowed into the trident that was meant to erase this stain upon his pride, and end their clash once and for all.

    BOOOOOM!

    The Golden Barrier shattered, and Raphael¡¯s vision was blinded. An immense explosion rocked the Scorching Veil Domain!

    The impact, annihilated those skeleton soldiers. But for Lu Ignis, he remained unmoved. This was his domain. These powers, they belonged to him, and him alone. He¡¯d simply allowed this upstart to taste a shred of its essence before the inevitable.

    ¡°It¡¯s done now¡­" He watched the dust settle, searching for any evidence that the bull still existed.

    There was nothing!

    "Hmph! You should have known better than to anger the Bronze Serpent Emperor."

    ¡­

    A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves of the trees surrounding a ¡®Skybridge Dais¡¯ that was nestled within a clearing. It was dawn! Regular sized birds were singing, those worms wriggled nervously beneath that moist soil as the sun¡¯s warm rays gently touched Ho Eastern.

    A group of snakes who were the last surviving members of the Venom Tail Viper gang, milled around the teleportation platform that was connected to their home, Hebikuni. It was their gathering spot.

    One serpent with its golden stripes dulled by recent battles, couldn''t hold back a comment, ¡°The sun risesss¡­ Such beauty. I wonder what today has in sssstore for usss, my friends.¡±

    ¡°Hmm, if I were to guess¡­ our leader, that pathetic cowardly fart will return today bearing bad news and perhaps more punishments.¡±

    ¡°That isss truly your specialty isssn¡¯t it, gloom and doom?¡±

    ¡°Silence, both of you. Let¡¯sss be patient and await his return.¡±

    Those whispers among the crew didn''t need to be louder for they all knew who they were waiting for.

    Their leader, Lu Pin, was supposed to meet with the Bronze Serpent Emperor. And upon his return, they would receive a full report detailing their punishment, if any. It was a tense moment, especially knowing the consequences their actions had attracted. They had failed miserably at avenging Lu Lingxue and had even lost their honor.

    ¡°It''s almost sunrise. It''s been over eight hours. Do you think he¡¯s dead?¡±

    "That wouldn¡¯t be ssso bad. At least then those elders wouldn¡¯t have another excuse to lash out against us. And those whips¡­"

    "Shh, quiet!"

    Just as their anxieties were being voiced and rumors starting to circulate about Lu Pin¡¯s predicament before their Emperor¡¯s throne, the ''Skybridge Dais'' nearby suddenly lit up with a bright white light.

    ¡°The Emperor¡­¡± Those whispers carried a reverence those snakes couldn¡¯t ignore, a show of respect and fear ingrained deep within their primal essences.

    Then as that white glow dissipated, Lu Pin slithered out of the teleportation platform. His once proud posture was slumped as his tail dragged along the moist earth.

    And those bruises. They marred his magnificent golden scales, as did those visible burns that he was trying to hide.

    Seeing their leader¡¯s dejected demeanor shattered their hopeful sentiments, the lies they¡¯d told each other to appease their anxieties, that everything was alright.

    "L-leader! W-what happened in there?"

    "Yes, yes. Did you get punished? Are you alright?"

    ¡°And brother Lu Pan? The elders are still upset about his condition. Maybe they want to eat him as a snack for disturbing their peace? What a troublesome bunch of geezers."

    As soon as their questions came pouring forth, one after the other. Lu Pin flinched. They fueled his humiliation, for it seems those he''d thought loyal were more eager to laugh at his misfortune than inquire about their gang¡¯s fate, it disgusted him. He couldn¡¯t stand it any longer.

    ¡°Shut up! You annoying farts! Every single one of you, get over here and bow!¡±

    His tail lashed out angrily. Then, in a moment of terrifying silence, he recounted his recent meeting with Lu Ignis, and how furious the Bronze Emperor had been upon seeing his failures and learning that his beloved daughter Lu Lingxue had been devoured by a GOLDEN BULL, of all things.

    ¡°He confiscated everything, my treasured slaves! My golden palace! My Sun Cycle and that medicinal pond that amplified my meditation!"

    He paused, took a deep breath, before unleashing the most dreaded words any crew, gang, group or gathering would shudder before:

    ¡°Father has dissolved the ¡®Venom Tail Vipers¡¯! We are no more.¡±

    He continued with a trembling voice that revealed how close to madness he was: "It¡¯s over. Father has stripped me of my privileges. I am forbidden from setting foot in Hebikuni for 100 years. And all because of those bastards!¡±

    His crew surrounded him, offering comforting words and encouragement for their leader¡¯s loss.

    "We can still operate, sssure those resources are gone, but there¡¯s still¡­"

    "Those bastards who didn¡¯t join us last time. They are the ones to blame, leader! If we had their help then¡­"

    "Shut up! All of you!" Lu Pin was so frustrated.

    But one suggestion had him pausing,  "Lu Pin. Participate in the Great Divine Tribulationssss! You''re ssstrong. Your tail strike issss deadly, there isss no ssnake that can deflect its power! You have a chance of claiming the Void Emperor¡¯s blessings!"

    "If you succeed, those elders would have no choice but to recognize your sstrength. Maybe then the Emperor will resstore your honor, and our gang.¡±

    It was a good idea, he admitted. "Hmm, hmm¡­ Perhapsss."

    And while they whispered about strategies and hopes, that teleportation device flared into life once again!

    This time, however, it wasn¡¯t a brilliant, white light but a vibrant, pulsing, emerald green.

    It was both mesmerizing and alarming. They all recoiled, and some even darted into the trees for safety as if anticipating something monstrous.

    ¡°Who could it be?¡±

    WHOOSH!

    They watched as a large, green serpent, carrying a golden bull on its hide, shooting out of the portal with enough speed to knock over those who were close by.

    "W-what¡­" Lu Pin was speechless! That snake, it couldn¡¯t be!

    "Isn¡¯t that the green bastard¡­ Lu Jade? And¡­ THE BULL?!" Someone shouted.

    Lu Pin slithered closer to get a better view. And then he saw it, those green scales, they glowed brightly, but unlike those times back then when they''d mocked his appearance and color. Now, he saw something terrifying.

    "It¡¯sss that little Twerp, Lu Jade! And that bull! H-how?! Why were they in Hebikuni? They¡¯re¡­ they¡¯re both injured! This¡­¡±

    ¡°What are they doing here?¡±

    Those questions didn''t need answers because for those whose honor and pride had been wounded. A truth was evident.

    Lu Pin grinned wickedly. This was fate! An opportunity for vengeance! A path back to favor! He wouldn¡¯t waste his words on the air, he would simply strike.

    ¡°NOW IS OUR CHANCE! They¡¯re weakened. If we take their headsss and present them before my father! H-he¡¯ll be pleassssed. Our gang¡­ it won¡¯t be disbanded!¡±

 Chapter 53 - Escaping Ho Eastern

    ¡°Huff¡­ Huff¡­ Damn!¡±

    Lu Jade slithered through the skies of Ho Eastern as fast as he could. On his back was a terrifying sight - the Golden Bull Thork, battered, broken, clinging to its fading embers of life.

    Raphael¡¯s golden hide, usually gleaming with a healthy vibrance, was marred with countless wounds. His golden horns were chipped. His limbs twisted at unnatural angles, barely attached to his ravaged body.

    ¡°Thank you, Little Lu, for coming back¡­ for me¡­¡± Raphael coughed. Every syllable he uttered was punctuated by a painful wheeze as his strength flickered.

    "Those attacks¡­ they were insane!¡±

    ¡°Of course! We are brothersss now, remember? I wouldn¡¯t leave you behind to get squashed by Father¡­ especially after that ssshow earlier.¡± Lu Jade hissed back as he carefully navigated the sky with serpentine grace. He swerved to avoid a colossal tree.

    ¡°We owe our survival to Emperor Qi Hawk and hiss preciousss Void Eye.¡±

    Then as if reliving those very moments they¡¯d both almost perished within that hellscape, the scene shifted to:

    ¡­

    FLASHBACK

    ¡­

    Within Lu Ignis''s Scorching Veil Domain.

    Raphael was desperately attempting to push back against that descending trident that threatened to obliterate his very essence. However, He was failing!

    CRACK!

    Those sounds echoed like gunshots, a morbid countdown as his defenses crumbled and the golden glow from his hooves flickered gloomily. He felt his bones, so strong earlier, shatter beneath unseen forces as that ¡®Devil Star Fruit¡¯s¡¯ effects wore off.

    "I¡­ can¡¯t hold on much longer¡­!"

    His golden barrier was fracturing, and with each crack across its magnificent surface, a piece of his sanity also chipped away!

    He¡¯d exhausted everything he had. Even Shao Jin¡¯s ancient legacy was dimming!

    And then, the unimaginable happened.

    ¡°I¡­ I SEE IT!¡±

    Just as the barrier was about to shatter completely and the Trident of Annihilation pierce into his soul, time slowed!

    It wasn¡¯t that crimson-orange glow that permeated his vision anymore, it was replaced by something chilling, yet familiar.

    The world acquired a strange, grayish hue as everything around him ¨C those massive black pillars, the ''Eternal Pyre¡¯, the sizzling chasm, even the very air itself ¨C seemed to grind to a halt, leaving him in a state of bewilderment and confusion.

    It was a world frozen in time.

    Only the echoes of despair from trapped souls seemed to reverberate still. They whispered urgently as if urging him to escape while he still had a breath.

    ¡°Leave¡­ Leave¡­ LEAVE!¡±

    What in the heavens had happened?

    "BIG BROTHER! BIG BROTHER!"

    That familiar voice pierced through those grey whispers, coming from a source that was beautiful.

    It was Lu Jade!

    ¡°Little Lu?" He was speechless! And immediately remembered when he watched his little buddy get launched into the chaotic hallway that was collapsing and melting from his Father¡¯s rage. He thought his friend had already escaped, but here he was.

    "What are you doing here?!¡± Raphael struggled to his hooves. His bleeding wounds ached so much. It was agony beyond description. His hooves trembled.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    "H-how did you¡­ How did you infiltrate this hellhole?!¡±

    Lu Jade didn¡¯t reply yet. Instead, he helped steady the larger golden form and quickly opened his mouth.

    ¡°It¡¯s thanks to this, Big Brother.¡±

    On his tongue, was that Octahedron Communicator, and the ''Rou Lin Nest'', with Qi Hawk¡¯s ¡®Void Eye¡¯ radiating a milky, white essence that felt warm and comforting.

    ¡°After I escaped Lu Ruby¡¯s pursuit, I contacted Qi Hawk using the Octahedron Communicator and told him about the situation. He was able to remotely activate the powers of his Void Eye to locate Lu Ignis¡¯s domain and transferred  me here. but this thing is still unstable and its activation won¡¯t last for long. Hurry brother, we must escape now.¡±

    Lu Jade slithered around Raphael and coiled tightly. He then hissed with urgency, ¡°Close your eyes! Now!"

    Before his vision faded, a flash of silver-blue filled his sight as those echoes of terror returned:

    ¡°LEAVE! Leave¡­ LEAVE!¡±

    And then¡­ he felt it.

    The air shifting, ripping apart, and before him, he could smell¡­ earth! And the familiar fragrances of trees, not those burning, charred, hellish ones that surrounded them earlier, rather the smell of freedom.

    It was exhilarating!

    ¡­

    A short time after they vanished through the opening Qi Hawk''s ¡®Void Eye¡¯ had created, color returned to the Scorching Veil Domain.

    The grey tones, the frozen cries, everything was back to their former chaotic grandeur.

    BOOM!

    The trident came slamming onto the spot where the Golden Bull Thork and Lu Jade were moments before, sending shards of volcanic rocks and burning dust skyward in a pyrotechnic spectacle worthy of a grand celebration, but alas, those flames were not joyful, it was filled with frustration, that of a creature denied victory.

    From the depths of that steaming chasm, Lu Ignis looked on with a frown.

    ¡°That impact¡­¡± He¡¯d poured all of his essences into that final move, he should have felt it! It was wrong!

    He quickly lowered himself, and carefully examined that spot.

    There was no blood, nor golden flesh as proof of his victory.

    ¡°Hmph!¡± He snorted in irritation, but as he was about to rage against his failure. Something strange beneath the burning rocks had his pupils contracting with a chilling realization.

    It was an emerald green scale!

    ¡°Could that be¡­?¡± He knew that scale belonged to his bastard son. And there was only one way he could have infiltrated his domain.

    "That damned Qi Hawk! He intervened! Hmph! Jusssst you wait."

    It wasn''t over. He would find that bull, and that treacherous son of his.

    ¡­

    Back to the present moment¡­

    "HISSSSS! Gotta¡­ huff! Gotta get to Black Wind."

    Lu Jade slithered with frantic urgency while carrying a barely conscious Raphael on his back.

    Raphael¡¯s injuries were horrifying. Bones jutted out at odd angles, his hide was ripped and scorched, and his horns, symbols of his power, they were broken in several places. He resembled a discarded rag doll.

    But escape, it was paramount. "The mission was a success. And we made it out of Hebikuni thanks to Qi Hawk. But now we need to flee Ho Eastern before¡­"

    Lu Jade''s victory and shared relief was cut short.

    "HISSS!"

    "They¡­ they¡¯re coming! Big Brother!¡±

    Dozens of angry hisses, fueled by a bloodthirsty hatred he¡¯d heard countless times before, came from behind them.

    Turning his head slightly, Lu Jade witnessed a serpentine horde slithering with unimaginable speed! And at their forefront, with a venomous fury burning, was Lu Pin.

    ¡°KILL THEM!¡±

    ¡°For our fallen sister!¡±

    ¡°Rip out their hearts!¡±

    ¡°Devour their souls!¡±

    Those bronze scales glistened menacingly. The snakes were blinded by rage!

    And Lu Jade understood their hunger for justice, even as their fangs were inches from ripping into his own flesh. After all, the rumors about what a bull and a jade serpent had done were everywhere.

    ¡°Dammit! It¡¯s those guys again?!¡± Raphael groaned in pain.

    This ordeal felt endless.

    Lu Jade sighed. ¡°Lu Pin and his cronies¡­" They were relentless, stubborn, and even though he now possessed the abilities to easily crush their leader into dust, his thought didn¡¯t reflect reality, not with a much bigger problem fast approaching.

    "Faster!" He burst forward, desperately trying to outrun his pursuers. However, his Solar Essence was depleting and their pursuers were gaining!

    He couldn''t escape!

    Reluctantly, Lu Jade halted and swiveled around. He glared at the closing bronze serpents.

    ¡°You bunch of ungrateful, sssstupid¡­"

    His throat began to vibrate with power while his scales glowed.

    "STOP FOLLOWING US!"

    Lu Jade was about to unleash a devastating fireball attack upon those pathetic followers, sending those who had the misfortune of standing in his path to an early grave, when a noise he recognized as a truly chaotic force came rushing from a far off peak.

    ¡°HRAAAAA!"

    That roar, he couldn¡¯t forget it even if he was burned alive!

    He glanced back¡­

    It was the Red Chariot!

    ¡°You bastards! Dare think of escaping ME?!¡±

    She was coming!

    The eight monstrous eels, her loyal steeds, were streaking through the sky like scarlet comets and a fiery cloud of vengeance trailing behind. And within the opened spaces of the chariot was Lu Ruby. Her eyes burned with potent hatred for her brother.

    ¡°You¡­¡± Lu Jade shivered.

    Seeing his sister arrive with an imposing aura of power, Lu Pin suddenly became bolder. ¡°Surround them! Block their path! There''s nowhere for them to run now, cowards!¡±

    Those snakes immediately encircled their enemies with arrogant hisses. This was a truly dreadful sight to behold, especially if you are on the opposing side of those fangs!

    ¡°This is bad.¡± Raphael concluded. ¡°You better get going, Little Lu, otherwise she¡¯s tear us to pieces if she catches us.¡±

    ¡°On it, Big Brother!¡±

    Without hesitation, Lu Jade spun back around and began rushing toward Black Wind Ridge. Those jagged peaks, they were in the distance, a sanctuary that was inches away and yet miles to reach in this terrible ordeal!

    He had to reach Qi Hawk¡¯s territory before Lu Ruby caught up. There, within the protective winds, perhaps¡­ perhaps¡­ those were mere hopes against reality,

    For Lu Ignis couldn¡¯t pursue them into Black Wind without angering Void Emperor Sindoll, or triggering another brutal confrontation. But those other serpents, they had no such limitations.

 Chapter 54 - Music To Her Ears

    WHOOSH!

    WHOOSH!

    While they weaved through the trees, the rocks, and even the floating stone pillars, their behinds weren¡¯t free of assault.

    "Take THIS! Traitorous little snake!¡±

    Lu Pin¡¯s words were more screams of anger than commands as his crew unleashed an array of projectiles and venom. Their intent was obvious, to cripple and impede!

    Large boulders, sharp stones, even dreadful fireballs were attacking, and Lu Jade couldn¡¯t evade them all.

    ¡°Big Brother, endure for a while longer, I¡­ I think help is on the way. Qi Hawk promised he would send help.¡±

    His assurances went unheard due to the sudden barrage of attacks hitting their mark.

    "ARGH!"

    Raphael roared as a sharp rock clipped his mangled leg, sending another tremor of agony through his broken form. The attacks that landed on him were mere scratches to his monstrous size and immense power, but he was exhausted.

    He¡¯d already tasted the depths of despair and survived. There was no strength left for him to endure anymore.

    ¡°Little brother! YOU WON''T ESCAPE! Thiss time! I will finish you off!" Lu Ruby¡¯s voice had a tone of triumph that resonated with Lu Jade¡¯s anxieties that he had thought forgotten until now. Her declaration was terrifying.

    "Oh, no¡­"

    ¡°Red Chariot ¨C Grazing Mogul!¡±

    BOOM!

    BOOM!

    Crackle!

    From the sky above, a barrage of attacks came raining down. Eight crimson ¡®Circular Spell Diagrams¡¯ whirled rapidly as ruby-red energy blasts followed his tail like a hurricane. Each projectile, missed by millimeters!

    "Dammit!¡±

    Lu Jade was forced to push even harder as that searing heat almost clipped his scales.

    They were gaining ground.

    "Big Brother, I can''t¡­ I¡­"

    He glanced back at the fiery beams that were just inches from engulfing them. He then looked ahead to discover that their escape route was getting narrower, and their hopes and promises from Qi Hawk were dimming.

    ¡°W-what¡¯s THAT?"

    His gaze landed upon a familiar figure hovering amidst a cluster of floating rocks. Her viridian wings sparkled in the sunbeam as she serenely awaited their arrival.

    "Fenwei?!¡±

    Lu Jade''s exhaustion, his terror and fear was washed away instantly by a glimmer of hope. He was saved!

    "She¡¯s going to stop them!" He then hissed these comforting words to Raphael whose bloodied face was now centimeters away from terrifying fangs. ¡°Don''t worry Big Brother, we''re almost there!¡±

    As Lu Jade flew past, he saw Qi Fenwei draw a massive broadsword from her back. It radiated an orange aura of potent energies.

    "Archon!" she spoke softly. It was more than just a name, a title!

    She held the blade vertically before her. In its center was a strange orange eye. The air shimmered with potent energy and an ominous crackle emanated. Then as she muttered words they couldn''t comprehend, the runes across its edges lit up.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°Thissss is¡­¡± Even Lu Jade who was speeding past felt a power resonating. He hoped the serpents would just turn back, but he was an optimist indeed, and life wasn¡¯t about to reward good intentions with happy results.

    "DIE, BIRD!"

    Lu Pin¡¯s arrogant scream could make even the softest heart turn hard and his eyes which were meant to seduce those he wanted favors from, well, they were pulsating rage that could easily make one pee oneself from fear, especially if you were a delicate bird in that emerald, azure, gold and red sky that now darken from projectiles raining down like hails.

    "REDIRECT!" Qi Fenwei simply whispered, seemingly not fazed by those coming blasts.

    WHOOSH!

    And in a blink, the eight beams of destructive, crimson energy coming towards her Archon sword from above were effortlessly absorbed and then with another twist¡­

    SLASH!

    That energy was now aimed at the red serpent behind. She unleashed a diagonal slash that cut a path through the red ¡®Circular Spell Diagrams¡¯, and then continued towards Lu Ruby¡¯s chariot.

    ¡°WHAT?!¡± Lu Ruby watched, dumbfounded. She couldn¡¯t even react in time!

    BOOOM!

    Lu Ruby and her chariot were blasted backward hundreds of meters, leaving a trail of golden, ruby dust in the air. Her screams resonated throughout that area, causing a moment of bewildering terror in its wake.

    ¡°My CHARIOT!"

    This confrontation, it had been too swift for any beast, serpent or bird to comprehend. But that¡¯s how the truly powerful beings moved.

    ¡°What the hell just happened?¡±

    The other serpents stared in shocked disbelief. And for a moment, none of them could even hiss a word, until Lu Pin recovered from his stupor.

    He felt shame. That arrogance, that pride. His plans of pleasing his father with this daring kill had vanished instantly like shadows before sunrise. This wasn''t possible. They had been stopped by a mere bird! How humiliating!

    "DAMN BIRD! How dare you attack us?! How dare you stop usss from claiming our prey?! And my sssissster¡­ You¡¯ll regret thisss. Thiss¡­ thissss insult¡­ ten-fold¡­ YOU HEAR ME?!¡±

    Fueled by humiliation and anger, Lu Pin was about to order a coordinated attack to annihilate that winged menace that now hovered above them.

    "Kill her!" He then gestured to those brave enough to strike.

    But Qi Fenwei was faster.

    She sheathed her magnificent sword ¡®Archon¡¯ and then unsheathed a slender blade with a white hilt that radiated a pale blue. It looked delicate, yet emitted a subtle vibration that was calming and yet... somehow¡­ frightening!

    "Lullaby¡­"

    And with that word fading into the wind...

    BOOM!

    She vanished within a black streak of lightning and then those gathered below began hearing slicing sounds.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ what''s that? The ground?¡±

    The whispers were abruptly halted as their bodies trembled with stings. They started swaying then falling in slow motions with confused hisses escaping their mouths. This was  because they were severed in half, their body parts were scattering like firewood across the ground.

    "Oh¡­ What a mess¡­¡±

    Raphael and Lu Jade paused mid-flight. They witnessed a spectacle unlike anything they had ever seen before.

    Heads were rolling, tails were twitching. And blood? Well, there was so much! It splattered across the sky, painting it red with horrifying streaks as the stench of blood mixed with that faint fragrance of expensive perfume Qi Fenwei had bathed in earlier lingered in the air.

    It was a macabre symphony of severed serpentine flesh!

    They¡¯d never forget this brutality, and anyone who lived to tell about it would tremble at the mere mention of ¡®Lullaby¡¯.

    Now that over a hundred serpent had been minced to shreds, Qi Fenwei reappeared above Lu Ruby who was crawling out of her destroyed chariot.

    ¡°Huh, you?¡± Lu Ruby looked up and noticed Qi Fenwei¡¯s presence; she also noticed the chopped meat of her fellow snakes ahead. This made her very bitter inside and upset, but just as she was about to say something to Qi Fenwei,

    ¡°Lullaby ¨C Whisper!¡± Qi Fenwei flashed around Lu Ruby in a terrifying buzz of slashes. She moved so fast that Lu Ruby had to squint.

    When her vision returned, a terrifying truth had her shivering with embarrassment.

    She was naked!

    Those scales that she''d prided so much were gone! Her tail felt cold! The humiliation of being stripped bare in front of her enemies, this wouldn''t be forgotten.

    ¡°I¡¯ll spare you today. If you have the guts, face me in the Great Divine Tribulation." Qi Fenwei said with disdain.

    She then vanished and reappeared beside Lu Jade and Raphael. ¡°Come. We have wasted too much time.¡± She turned and flew away with a grace that defied even the skies.

    Raphael and Lu Jade followed while silently thanking this bird who they had once thought an enemy. It would appear fate''s strings were truly impossible to decipher.

    ¡°Hiraah!¡±

    Just below, Lu Pin emerged from a pile of chopped meat, surprisingly, he was still in one piece without any scratch. This shocked him as he looked around at the meat pile he was in.

    Lu Pin, who¡¯d magically survived Qi Fenwei''s ''Lullaby'' attack, slithered over to check on Lu Ruby''s condition. He was even more shocked to see her naked hide.

    "Sister! W-what happened¡­ to¡­ your¡­ ss¡­s¡­scalesssss?¡±

    Hearing this, Lu Ruby yelled, ¡°SHUT UP!¡± She became extremely embarrassed and slashed him away with her tail.

    The slap echoed across the sky as a serpent emperor¡¯s daughter cried!

    "QI FENWEI! YOU¡¯LL PAY FOR THISSSSSS HUMILIATION!"

    And miles away, as she laughed softly, those words of vengeance, it was like music to Qi Fenwei¡¯s ears.

 Chapter 55 - The Key That Unlocks Potential

    "Excellent!"

    Said Emperor Qi Hawk from his golden throne as he admired the Void Eye nestled snugly within the ¡®Rou Lin Nest¡¯. He extended a hand and gently stroked one of the pearly-white feathers that surrounded that potent orb. It was like greeting an old friend.

    "Hm, such comforting energy¡­ Ahaa! This feeling! It¡¯s back, FINALLY back!¡± His lone white eye radiated unbridled joy. And for a moment, he reveled in the possibilities that potent relic would grant.

    Lu Jade stood respectfully before the Emperor with his tail coiled neatly. Beside him, lay a battered and bruised Raphael. His breathing was shallow and his massive form twitched occasionally, evidence of the grueling ordeal he¡¯d just endured.

    ¡°Excuse me, Emperor Qi Hawk.¡± Lu Jade spoke cautiously, ¡°Now that we have returned your¡­ your eye. Could you please help my Big Brother? His condition is bad."

    Qi Hawk was brought back to reality. With a flick of his wrist, the ''Rou Lin Nest'', and its precious cargo vanished. It was then, after those distractions of power faded, that he noticed the trembling golden hooves and that almost lifeless face that no longer radiated with arrogance but with a desperation he¡¯d witnessed in lesser creatures who crawled before him.

    He focused his senses on Raphael, assessing the damage. ¡°Hmmm. This is¡­ The repercussions of consuming a ¡®Devil Star Fruit¡¯, eh? His cultivation¡­ It has fallen from Nightmare Calamity 7th Layer to the peak of the Calamity Stage. Most troublesome.¡±

    "Could you please¡­? Big Brother¡­ he¡¯s¡­¡±

    Lu Jade''s pleas were cut short by Qi Hawk''s next action, for even as they spoke, those wounds, they were beginning to fester. This bull wouldn''t last an hour!

    He extended his right hand towards Raphael, then a milky white light flared into existence from his eye.

    ¡°Reality Thwart ¨C Ailment Rejection!¡±

    In an instant, the air around them crackled and the throne room was engulfed in a greyish hue as time itself seemed to bend to Qi Hawk¡¯s will.

    Within this pocket of altered reality, Raphael¡¯s battered form glowed! His twisted limbs snapped back into place with audible pops, bones knitted together, and his torn flesh seamlessly mended, leaving no trace of his previous gruesome state! The entire spectacle took less than a minute.

    ¡°Woah! He''s healed?¡± Lu Jade exclaimed. He was astonished.

    Raphael opened his blood-red eyes and gazed upon his regenerated hooves and horns with a reverence he hadn¡¯t shown.

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ healed?¡±

    ¡°That¡­that power! What did he do?¡±

    ¡°He might even be more powerful than Lu Ignis.¡±

    "Amazing, just amazing!¡± They looked upon the Emperor as if he were a god.

    ¡°HAHAHAHAHA! That¡¯s what I do, It¡¯s easy! Like plucking a feather from my tail. Or taking a piss!¡±

    Qi Fenwei, who was standing at the side with a disapproving frown, couldn¡¯t help herself. She sighed and shook her head. ¡°My Father truly has no restraint. Can¡¯t he be a bit more¡­noble?" she grumbled.

    However, her pleas went unheard, or perhaps, they were simply dismissed. Such was the privilege of rulers.

    ¡°Now then¡­ Ahem! Emperor. As for those rewards¡­" Raphael wasted no time. He¡¯d almost died in this Emperor¡¯s service, for the dream of becoming stronger, for a new life that didn¡¯t reek of servitude!

    "Those treasuresss¡­ those promised opportunities, surely¡­?¡± Lu Jade also couldn¡¯t hold back his expectations now. ¡°Emperor. Those treasures. They are¡­"

    Qi Hawk chuckled and rose from his throne. "I haven''t forgotten, don¡¯t worry. Patience is a virtue, a virtue that will amplify your essences, hahaha!¡±

    He then stretched out his majestic wings and preened a feather casually before continuing, ¡°Indeed, for your bravery and efficiency in fulfilling your end of the bargain. Both of you, ahaa, will be generously rewarded, as promised!¡±

    SNAP!

    He snapped his fingers with a flourish.

    And before his awed guests, a large, golden key with a head shaped like an eagle materialized. It was suspended in the air. Its radiance momentarily blinded their eyes.

    ¡°Such beauty.¡± Lu Jade was truly awestruck.

    ¡°A¡­ key? What is this for?¡± Raphael had never encountered such a large key before.

    Qi Hawk spoke up, "Ah, how easily those tiny minds forget. This, my friends, is the key to the lavish palace I promised. Within those chambers you¡¯ll find rare cultivation resources, ancient scrolls, potent medicines to accelerate your growth, and¡­"If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    He paused for a moment to savor this reveal, and then as his fingers gestured, those gold Invitation Passes they¡¯d been promised came hovering down.

    ¡°Those¡­?¡±

    ¡°Special Invitation Passess to the Great Divine Tribulation! And they¡¯re ours?!¡±

    Lu Jade wanted to shed tears, for this was a blessing that would ensure his freedom from those hateful taunts, from those elders who¡¯d constantly belittled his existence, it was too much.

    ¡°Big Brother! This¡­this is¡­¡± He glanced over, but a concern settled within, because the only words that tumbled from his massive friend''s jaw were.

    ¡°Amazing¡­¡±

    The lack of enthusiasm was evidence that something was amiss, that perhaps even with this turn of events, he wasn¡¯t truly happy. The truth hit him hard.

    "Is something wrong Big Brother?¡±

    "Don''t worry, little buddy. Everything is alright." Said Raphael with a forced smile.

    They then accepted the items offered.

    ¡°Ah¡­ RIGHT!¡± Qi Hawk exclaimed. "I almost forgot the most important piece.¡± Then his gaze shifted onto his daughter who was leaning patiently against a pillar at the side.

    ¡°As for those personal instructors¡­ MY daughter Fenwei will assist you."

    ¡°WHAT!?¡±

    This echo of disbelief and frustration came from everyone present!

    Qi Fenwei straightened.

    "FATHER! Are you jesting?! Surely those lowly creatures are more than capable. I have my own cultivation to focus on, and my technique upgrades require months of uninterrupted meditation, not dealing with a smelly bull and a sniveling serpent!¡±

    She spat those hateful sentiments that had Lu Jade and Raphael¡¯s hooves clenching with anger.

    Qi Hawk cleared his throat menacingly. ¡°Ahem. You are right, Daughter. But my words have been spoken and your duty is clear! Moreover, they have earned my gratitude, they have served me well." He shot her a pointed look. None dared to question.

    ¡°Remember who is Emperor.¡±

    ¡°Yes¡­Father." Qi Fenwei acquiesced grudgingly. This conversation was over.

    This cut deep for Raphael. His human resentment fueled his next words. ¡°We don¡¯t need your help. Not at all. Your feathers reek of a coward who only stabs when backs are turned, or from the sky above! You are¡­ pathetic!¡±

    ¡°Big Brother! Please¡­¡±

    Lu Jade tried to calm him but his insults had been uttered!

    And now, not only were they in peril of angering the Emperor Calamity. A terrifying aura was brewing from the depths beneath Qi Fenwei¡¯s wings and the two blades upon her harness glowed menacingly.

    She had a quick death in store, one she''d relish inflicting!

    "THAT''S ENOUGH!¡± Qi Hawk hissed, effectively silencing all those voices and violent intentions that clouded that throne room with a finality that could make any lowly Calamity piss themselves in fear.

    He then turned his milky white orb towards his daughter.

    ¡°You are dismissed. ESCORT our esteemed guest to their palace. Right¡­ NOW!¡±

    "Tsk! Fine, but don¡¯t come whining to me later Father when your guests run off, ungrateful cowards." Qi Fenwei snarled.

    She then whirled around, leaving behind a fading scent of resentment that even her father cringed at.

    "Come, you two! Or we stand here till those ants carry you over to your ¡®palace¡¯.¡±

    ¡°Coming¡­¡±

    They followed.

    ¡­

    ¡°Faster, Bull! I have places to be.¡±

    ¡°Huff¡­ Huff¡­¡±

    Raphael followed Qi Fenwei through the open skies of Qi Hawk¡¯s Marble World - Nestoria. On his horns, a tiny Lu Jade was tightly coiled, eagerly looking ahead and enjoying the smooth ride, unlike their previous journey in Ho Eastern, where their backsides had almost gotten turned into serpent skewers.

    ¡°Thisss palace, Big Brother¡­ it must be grand. Those treasuresss. And a personal instructor! I can finally hone my ¡®Jade Flower Domain'' without fear. I''m truly excited.¡±

    "Hm¡­ The rewards are in there¡­ Maybe a nice Fire Pool as well? And those medicines¡­¡±

    They spoke with unbridled enthusiasm as they anticipated the promised rewards. This was truly a day of good fortune. They were alive! They were about to enter a world of immense riches! What could go wrong?

    Then they noticed something that instantly crushed their joyful banter, bringing those anxious feelings to the forefront of their thoughts.

    ¡°Hm¡­ why has she stopped?¡±

    Ahead, Qi Fenwei hovered gracefully amidst the clear blue sky, but unlike earlier, she wasn¡¯t facing a bloodthirsty serpent or a vengeful horde.

    ¡°Why have we stopped?¡± Raphael demanded.

    ¡°We¡¯re here,¡± she replied. She spread her beautiful wings and portrayed a smug smile that couldn''t be seen from beneath that mask of hers. "This is the location. Prepare yourselves!¡±

    Raphael glanced ahead, then towards Lu Jade who also tilted his head in confusion.

    ¡°But¡­ there¡¯s nothing here but open sky. I thought your father promised us a PALACE?"

    "Don''t be a fool. Look closely!"

    And as if by decree from Qi Fenwei, the very air around them began to tremble. Then a blinding light appeared.

    Raphael flinched.

    "What''s happening?!"

    "Be patient and OBSERVE, bull. I''m not here to babysit. My father tasked me with delivering you to this place and nothing more.¡±

    Her agitation was palpable. Her wings were ready to whisk her away, far from these fools who¡¯d surely ruin her day with stupid question after stupid question.

    She then extended one hand towards the golden bull. ¡°Give me the KEY!¡±

    Raphael nervously presented the artifact.

    She snatched it with her talons, then gracefully flew ahead of them before sticking the key into thin air. She then turned it clockwise.

    ¡°What¡­ are you¡­ doing?¡± Lu Jade whimpered softly.

    As the golden key turned, the air pulsed with energy. A golden ''Spell Diagram'' appeared before them. Intricate runes flowed with mesmerizing patterns as energies increased.

    ¡°That is beautiful!"

    QI Fenwei seeing their puzzled expressions scoffed. ¡°This, fools, is what we consider efficiency. The key is the palace! It is encoded with special dimensional runes. When activated, the runes interact with layers of reality and manifest physical objects in our world. Elegant! Powerful! I would have taken it as my own reward for those humiliating events from earlier, but my father¡¯s orders are clear."

    "Haaa. So we are meant to watch a house appear? How entertaining."

    ¡°But couldn¡¯t we have done so back there?¡±

    "Foolish creatures¡­" she hissed with frustration, her patience was already thin.

    "You have never seen a Palace of this magnitude! Hence¡­ it was created within a compressed dimensional pocket. Should I conjure it within a densely populated area within Nestoria, that space would be crushed!¡±

    Then with a bored voice she explained. "And that''s why we are in this vast expanse, far from anything delicate or valuable. Such troublesome fools, I¡¯m dealing with today, I truly, truly pity myself."

    Her words were interrupted as that blinding golden glow began taking shape. Before them, a magnificent palace materialized, slowly at first and then with a final ¡®WHOOSH¡¯!

    It was there!

    Their new home!

    ¡°This¡­ is¡­ amazing!" Lu Jade was stunned.

    It was unlike anything he had ever witnessed. Its construction resembled a gigantic octahedron crafted from pure gold. It glimmered beneath warm rays. And at the very center, a massive, golden disk slowly spun with a resonant energy. Its design was breathtakingly simple yet imposing.

    ¡°Hmm. It¡¯s nice, I guess¡­ but a bit showy. Could have been¡­ I don¡¯t know, designed a bit differently?¡± Raphael¡¯s complaint had Qi Fenwei glaring at him but saying nothing.

    ¡°Follow me! My time is precious.¡± She wasted no time and flew toward the majestic golden palace.

 Chapter 56 - Golden Prism Citadel

    The palace had multiple balconies and a long, wide landing platform with pillars taller than even Lu Ignis. On top of each golden pillar, were a pair of golden wings and a pulsating, pale-blue crystal.

    ¡°What are those?!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t point! Those are powerful. They¡¯re beautiful. They¡¯re¡­" Lu Jade¡¯s awestruck exclamation didn¡¯t need to be completed because QI Fenwei, impatient as ever decided to explain before their annoying pronouncements ruined her day,

    "Those crystals form a defensive array. A protective shield around the palace, in the event of any intrusion you both love causing so much." Her tone had those crystals resonating even louder, as if ready to be unleashed, but now wasn''t the time for those things.

    ¡°Wow, Cool! I love those crystals! Those wings, truly something. You¡¯ve really gotta show me how to operate those, I mean¡­¡±

    ¡°Shut it you greedy bull! We''re going inside. Now. No more questions, do you hear me?¡± Her words weren¡¯t playful nor did they come with threats, but Raphael and Lu Jade understood.

    They¡¯d better hurry and catch up to her!

    ¡°It¡¯s clear who¡¯s truly in control now.¡± Lu Jade concluded as they followed.

    They passed through massive gates that parted without them even touching, as cool blue breezes from the open skies rushed forth and engulfed them, they paused to truly grasp these intricacies.

    And then they realized that they were standing in a magnificent hallway with a roof that seemed to be an illusion, for above their head floated images of grandest galaxies and nebulae.

    "Truly something." Even Raphael had to agree. This palace was breathtaking.

    "Welcome to the Golden Prism Citadel.¡± Qi Fenwei paused briefly at the center.

    It was a circular expanse with an immense, white, pulsating egg that was as large as the bull himself. Around this egg, were eight smaller, but still massive bronze spheres hovering and spinning, which created storms of pure essence.

    "Such beauty. What isssss itsss purpose?" Lu Jade inquired cautiously.

    Qi Fenwei pointed as she explained. "That egg is the Crystalline Throne of Light ¨C the heart, the soul and the power source for this Citadel." She watched the egg rotate slowly. ¡°With this, this entire space can become an impenetrable fortress and can even soar to heavens beyond this land!¡±

    "Wow¡­ Cool¡­¡± Said Raphael as he imagined flying across Yama Yaguai and the faces of those who hated him cowering beneath his shadow. What a dream!

    ¡°But¡­ can it be used to¡­¡±

    "No more questions! Follow me!"

    She led them to a control panel located at the very heart of the chaotic energies emanating from the swirling spheres, and before those controls were a single, intricately carved stone tablet with empty runes.

    "Which one of you desires the Palace¡¯s ownership?¡± QI Fenwei said plainly.

    Lu Jade and Raphael stared at each other, confused. They hadn¡¯t considered such a thing. After all, weren¡¯t they meant to share?

    Their hesitation was met with a tired sigh. Qi Fenwei then drew her blade ¡®Lullaby¡¯ before yelling.

    ¡°Pick already!¡±

    WHOOSH!

    And in a heartbeat, she¡¯d slash Raphael¡¯s leg before the bull could even react.

    ¡°YOWCH!¡±

    He recoiled with surprise as blood oozed. But before it even touched the floor¡­

    SWISH!

    She swiftly captured the blood with her blade and then just as quickly flicked it onto the surface of that stone tablet.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    As soon as it touched the cold, grey surface, a warmth emanated, and the blood moved as if pulled by an invisible force. It then settled into runic carvings and pulsated, sending a gentle vibration through the control panel.

    And within Raphael, deep in his core¡­

    ¡°Thump, thump¡­¡±

    A heart beat resounded!

    It felt strangely familiar.

    ¡°It appears the bond has been forged,¡± QI Fenwei explained nonchalantly as she sheathed her sword. ¡°You, Bull! You are now the owner of this Golden Prism Citadel. May the Gods of Chaos have mercy on our souls."

    She then added, "I wouldn''t dwell too much on it. That throne only allows access to the techniques needed to maintain the place. It won¡¯t make you invincible, not by a long shot, just slightly more arrogant, perhaps.¡±

    Raphael felt an odd sensation, as if a key had been turned inside him. He suddenly understood the Citadel¡¯s purpose.

    ¡°This is¡­ Mine? Lu Jade, I- I can¡­"

    Lu Jade smiled and shook his head. ¡°Do not apologize, Big Brother, after all, without your bravery, my existence would have been a nightmare. I¡¯m glad that we were able to retrieve that damn eye and get the rewards.¡±

    He wasn¡¯t envious nor resentful.

    He was grateful.

    ¡°Tsk! I¡¯ve got goosebumps now.¡± QI Fenwei then turned away and walked towards an elevator leading to an upper floor, their next destination, it seemed.

    ¡°Enough of this sentimental brotherly bonding. Follow me. We haven¡¯t finished this TASK. My Father demands a full report.¡± She then looked at Raphael with a grimace

    "Oh right!" Raphael followed, marveling at how efficiently their rescuer had switch emotions from one to the other. "This place is¡­ HUGE!"

    Lu Jade hissed. "What were we thinking about? We are finally safe, for now.¡±

    A short while later they arrived in a grand hall with an array of chests piled haphazardly at the center.

    Qi Fenwei pointed a finger towards the boxes. "Your rewards. Consider this a gift from our generous Emperor, my Father, who is most pleased."

    Raphael gazed upon the treasure trove with anticipation. They had truly reaped a bounty this day.

    QI Fenwei turn to leave, and seeing that she was about to leave. Raphael hastily spoke up. ¡°WAIT! Aren¡¯t you supposed to instruct us in the arts of cultivation?¡±

    Qi Fenwei laughed softly before saying. ¡°I¡¯M BUSY! Should you require assistance, or perhaps require a sparring session or two, I might find some time, perhaps. Don''t be a nuisance, do you hear me?¡±

    And with that casual dismissal, she unfolded her magnificent wings and vanished through a window that materialized for her in a brilliant flash of energy.

    It seemed their ¡®instruction¡¯ would have to wait, for now.

    ¡­

    "Now that we''re reunited¡­ my true power can be unleashed."

    Qi Hawk stood alone, a lone figure in a desolate yet eerily beautiful realm. The ground beneath his feet was not solid earth but an expanse of still, black water that stretched as far as the eye could see. It reflected the brilliance of a massive, silver-white moon, creating an ethereal glow.

    He walked slowly across the liquid surface, each step leaving a trail of ripples. As he reached the center, he summoned his ¡®Void Eye¡¯.

    It materialized before him with a pulsating, milky radiance, mirroring the hopes he¡¯d carried for centuries as he spoke:

    ¡°I can finally break through to the next layer. And then, I¡¯ll crush that Serpent Emperor! This, I VOW!"

    ...

    Meanwhile, back in the lavish halls of the Golden Prism Citadel, Raphael and Lu Jade were like children let loose in a candy store. They eagerly ripped open crates, flinging treasures aside with giddy abandon.

    ¡°Woah! Look at this, Big Brother! A million year old ¡®Sunstone¡¯!¡±

    ¡°And thissss!¡± Lu Jade''s emerald scales glistened with excitement as he pulled a magnificent necklace of amber beads from a chest. "The ¡®Amber Heart Beads¡¯. They say these amplify one¡¯s cultivation ssspeed. They''re mine, ALL MINE!"

    He then tossed the crate aside, causing it to tumble across the floor and crash into another one. Lu Jade giggled, his eyes alight with mischief as he began slithering around the heap of treasures, reveling in his newfound wealth.

    ¡°HAHAHAHA! I¡¯m RICH! Rich! RICH!¡±

    Watching his companion¡¯s antics, Raphael smiled. ¡°Easy there, Little Lu, you¡¯ll hurt yourself."

    ¡°You can''t tell me what to do anymore, Big Brother. I¡¯m ricchhhh!¡±

    His excitement was infectious, however, for Raphael, something other than those glittering distractions caught his eye. A golden chest tucked away in a corner, neglected.

    ¡°What¡¯s this¡­? It looks old¡­¡± He cautiously lifted the lid and gasped.

    The crate wasn''t filled with dazzling gems nor those ancient weapons, rather within its velvet-lined interior, lay a single, thin bamboo strip. It emanated a subtle emerald glow.

    "A Sagewood Script?"

    He picked up the script. The moment he touched its cool, smooth surface, the bamboo strip unfurled, extending outwards, encircling his massive frame like an ancient record.

    Within a heartbeat, intricate green runes appeared, they buzzed and vibrated.

    He watched with bated breath as the symbols came alive, forming moving images, sounds, even aromas from far away realms. They painted scenes, not of battle or chaos. But, of tranquil forests filled with meditating figures dressed in white, grey, and blue.

    Within their midst, an ancient turtle spoke, ¡°Cultivation is the art of harmonizing one''s essence with the universe, a journey of self-discovery. It requires patience and¡­¡±

    Raphael was mesmerized by these scenes. The knowledge being imparted, those secrets¡­ they were flooding into his very essence.

    The script whispered about meridian points, about cultivating Solar Energy, even the dangers that could impede advancement. It was more valuable than any treasure in those piles. He was beginning to understand.

    ¡®This relic can help me. It''ll teach me the basis of cultivation. I must study this thoroughly.¡¯ He folded the ''Sagewood Script'' carefully. Then turning towards his treasure-obsessed friend, he spoke.

    "Little Lu, I''m going to meditate. There¡¯s so much I need to comprehend about these techniques and powers!"

    ¡°Hmm¡­?¡± Lu Jade glanced over with annoyance but simply nodded. He was far too preoccupied with his newfound riches.

    Holding the script close to his chest, Raphael wandered off into the Citadel''s depths to begin his literary journey.

 Chapter 57 - Sagewood Script Lectures

    Raphael had finally reached a moment of peace.

    He stood within a lavish chamber situated at the very peak of his new palace. Such luxury was his now, he thought as his hooves tapped softly against the plush rugs beneath and golden light glinted off the polished jade furniture.

    He¡¯d never imagined he''d own such a space, not as a bull, and surely not as that pathetic human he¡¯d been back in the Bloodthorne Empire, a space far, far, away now.

    This made him blush!

    Moving toward a balcony, his monstrous wings folded, and a sigh escaped him.

    He gazed out at the breathtaking panorama of Qi Hawk¡¯s ¡®Marble World¡¯ ¨C Nestoria, with its floating islands, and those majestic trees that felt soothing and peaceful. This was truly a world of wonder.

    ¡°I made it out of Hebikuni alive!¡±

    After sitting down comfortably, he unfurled the Sagewood Script once more.

    The bamboo strip extended around him, emanating a gentle emerald glow that settled into his hide. It was a comforting warmth, and within that glow, he saw words of wisdom he was so desperately seeking.

    This journey, his path, it was no longer a foolish dreams of servitude. He was meant for something greater now.

    ¡­

    Lecture 1: The Essence of Solar Energy

    The script began with a fundamental truth about the universe: "Solar Energy is the lifeblood of all things. It is the essence of creation, the driving force behind evolution. To cultivate, is to understand its flow, its rhythm."

    ...

    Lecture 2: Meridians: Pathways of Power

    He was then shown images of countless rivers, canals, and streams. "Within every living being, from the tiniest insect to the mightiest Calamity, there are ¡®Meridians¡¯¡ª invisible pathways that carry Solar Energy throughout the body, connecting the physical and the spiritual."

    ...

    Lecture 3: Cultivating the Core

    "At the core of every being lies a reservoir of essence¡ªtheir Solar Consciousness. To cultivate, is to refine this essence. Amplify it! And then, unleash those hidden power within."

    ...

    Lecture 4: Techniques: External Manifestations

    Within this section, a spectacle of ancient battles unfolded as the words danced and glowed brightly to illuminate these profound truths.

    ¡°Techniques are external expressions of internal power. From the simplest strike to the most complex spell, they are all conduits for unleashing Solar Consciousness.¡±

    ...

    Lecture 5: Dangers: Internal and External

    The mood shifted from those vibrant colors into somber tones as words echoed dangers that could decimate even the strongest warriors, those most powerful entities if one is not careful.

    "The path of cultivation is fraught with perils. Internal imbalances. External threats. Greed! Arrogance! All can lead to ruin. One must be ever vigilant and humble.¡±

    The last words were repeated several times as if the very bamboo script wanted him to be very mindful of such things.

    ...

    Lecture 6: The Dao: The Path

    Within these pronouncements a grand truth that had shaped his very existence was explained.

    ¡°The Dao is the path, the way! Each species, each lineage, each individual walks their own path. There is no right or wrong. Only choices."

    ¡­

    Lecture 7: Transcendence: Breaking Through

    As these words faded from existence, an immense power resonated deep within him. His golden flames that now felt strangely different pulsed.

    "To transcend, to evolve. It¡¯s to surpass one¡¯s current limitations and reach a higher state of being, a truly liberating and arduous feat. But such is the path for those who desire change. Such is the way."

    As those lectures ended, a new section had Raphael squinting in interest because now, a truly mind shattering question that he¡¯d always wonder about but couldn''t even grasp was being explained with diagrams, figures, and historical tales.

    How come beast were considered stronger when they took longer to cultivate, and humans weaker because they didn¡¯t?

    Beast Cultivation Dao Versus Human Cultivation Dao

    ¡­

    The script explained with chilling clarity: "Beasts and Humans, though both born from the heart of creation itself, are fundamentally different."

    Raphael understood this. His hooves that trembled with golden flames, they were his now, and he''d never encounter a creature more resilient and powerful.  The  human bodies he''d been forced to gaze upon, touch, and serve for years. Those fragile things were like eggshells compare to what he now was.

    ¡®Humans¡­ we were indeed weaker, weren¡¯t we? Those assholes¡­ always claiming superiority, but when faced with real power, they cower.¡¯

    The memory of those knights he¡¯d slain back in the Bloodthorne Empire came to mind. They had tried to subdue him with pathetic blood spikes, not realizing that true strength, that ancient, burning might of a Calamity was on another level. He shook his head in disgust at those fools.

    ¡°Well, not anymore¡­¡±

    "A beast¡¯s anatomy, its instincts, the very essence of their soul. It''s intrinsically intertwined with the natural order. They instinctively absorb external souls and their potent Solar Consciousness.¡±Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    The Sagewood Script showed images that mirrored what he¡¯d witness with Balphazar, Lu Ignis, and even his friend Lu Jade. They painted a gruesome and vivid picture of how beasts used powers they acquired from consuming others.

    ¡°Even among beasts themselves, there exists a vast spectrum of differences.¡±

    Raphael nodded in agreement because he¡¯d seen, felt and even tasted those varying powers from snakes to hounds, and those pathetic little vampire slugs in that cave. Each species was unique.

    He continued reading,

    ¡°This means that a beast''s Solar Consciousness, their Solar Essences, at any stage is inherently more mature, more potent. It would appear that Beast Cultivation Dao is superior, but..."

    The script then presented a truth he¡¯d never considered, ¡°A Beast''s path is long! Arduous! Unpredictable!"

    The text displayed images of ancient beasts - Dragons, Phoenixes, Unicorns, and others he hadn''t even seen in stories. They¡¯d lived for millions upon millions of years, their strength unmatched, but those years of arduous, disciplined meditation also had unforeseen consequences.

    ¡°There''s a saying amongst those that reached the pinnacle. For them time itself is a curse and a blessing. This is why their forms are so massive. That energy  requires space to occupy. They don¡¯t simply fight, those moves shatter landscapes and rewrites stars.¡±

    ¡°Hmmm, truly enlightening, these words.¡±

    The Beast Cultivation Dao was presented to him in detail. From lowest to highest, each stage had 9 layers of ascendency:

    ¡­

    Early Nightmare Stage

    Buddhist Pill Stage

    Great Ordeal Stage

    Saint Ruler Stage

    Calamity Stage

    Nightmare Calamity

    Emperor Calamity Stage

    Void Emperor Calamity Stage

    Nova Calamity Stage

    Void Nova Calamity Stage

    ¡­

    ¡°Hmm?¡± His mind went back to the moment he''d taken control of Shao Jin.

    ¡°He was¡­ a 7th Layer Nightmare Calamity¡­ but now¡­¡±

    After consuming the Devil Star Fruit and enduring the backlash, his current cultivation level had dropped to 9th Layer of the Calamity Stage. He was now at the very beginning of the long arduous journey of reaching that realm again.

    It was humbling and humiliating.

    He now understood why that Bronze Serpent Emperor who ruled Hebikuni had not bothered to consume the ''Devil Star Fruit¡¯ at all.

    The script clarified, "It is said that for a Nightmare Calamity, every layer of transcendence, can take up to a hundred thousand years, depending on their lineage and the opportunities they grasp, however, to a Golden Bull Thork, It would be¡­¡± The text flickered as the estimate was adjusted.

    "Hmm? This long?!"

    ¡°At least 700 thousand years.¡±

    And upon that bamboo strip came moving scenes again, but this time the words were darker, ¡®The ¡®Devil Star Fruit¡¯ for those of our ilk¡­ it¡¯s a gamble of fate, a blessing, but it demands an exorbitant price. Time. And Time doesn¡¯t care for promises, pride or desires. Its pace is that of a tyrant!¡¯

    Raphael gulped!

    This was his reality now. Even if he were to claim Void Emperor Sindoll''s blessing and be granted 500,000 years, it wouldn''t be enough to get him back to that terrifying level. He¡¯d still have to meditate for 200 thousand more years! Such a ludicrous proposition, for any creature, but for one who used to think a year was long?

    No, no, no, this didn¡¯t fit his needs!

    ¡®Perhaps there''s another way.¡¯ he thought with a tinge of desperation.

    Then his gaze landed on the next segment.

    It spoke of his people, their methods and how they survived those ancient times before Gaia was shrouded in ice and darkness. Those were indeed ancient, lost arts.

    Human Cultivation Dao¡­

    It explained that ¡°Human and semi-human beings, though fragile, are capable of channeling energy in a way unique to their form, their biology, and their spirits.¡±

    "In ancient times, Humans once reigned supreme, ruling vast territories that stretched beyond those realms we occupy now. Some even became Emperors despite those Calamities who ruled the skies!¡±

    Raphael was stunned. How?

    How had humans, beings far weaker, far less potent than beasts in raw essence and lifespans, ruled over this world? It was inconceivable!

    ¡°Those ancient rulers. We call them ¡®Solar Blood Masters¡¯. They defied their limitations! And through their cultivation method¡­¡± The scroll unfurled once more, ¡°They harnessed a power capable of rivaling the mightiest beasts.¡±

    Raphael then began learning about how humans, unlike beasts who only possessed a single, massive sun at their core, created Soul Orbitals.

    Soul Orbitals are rings around their Solar Consciousness, and these rings can be stacked with compressed and refined source of Solar Essence known as Soul Planets. These Soul Planets orbit the massive sun center both giving and receiving interconnecting energies which strengthen the whole. By amassing more Soul Planets, the individual cultivator can rapidly progress on the rung of evolution.

    ¡°These ''Soul Orbitals'' are energy rings that circle a practitioner''s Solar Consciousness? And they act like vessels?" He hissed with confusion. But as the images unfolded before him, showcasing a small blue sun, surrounded by rings of varying density and color, a realization struck!

    "So human Cultivators don''t consume souls entirely. Instead¡­ They refine potent beast Solar Consciousnesses into tiny ''Soul Planets¡¯ to place into those empty rings!?¡±

    Those words echoed a realization far more profound.

    ¡°But why?¡±

    The answer was given a heartbeat later: ¡°Soul Planets provide not only concentrated energy, but also unlock unique abilities, depending on the beasts who once inhabited those souls. Clever."

    As the text illuminated varying grades of ¡®Human Cultivation Dao¡¯ and how much Solar Energy one had to amass and refine to ascend those ranks. He finally grasped the magnitude of his predicament.

    This Dao was far shorter! Much faster to ascend!

    These are the human tiers of evolution from lowest to highest, each orbital has varying  limits of Soul Planets:

    ¡­

    Astro Soul Layer ¨C Its Soul Orbital can hold up to 3 Soul Planets

    Star Soul Layer ¨C Its Soul Orbital can hold up to 8 Soul Planets

    Stellar Soul Layer ¨C Its Soul Orbital can hold up to 12 Soul Planets

    Celestial Soul Layer ¨C Its Soul Orbital can hold up to 16 Soul Planets

    Void Soul Layer - Its Soul Orbital can hold up to 18 Soul Planets

    Nebula Soul Layer ¨C Its Soul Orbital can hold up to 8 Super Soul Planets

    Cosmic Soul Layer ¨C Its Soul Orbital can hold up to 12 Super Soul Planets

    Galaxy Soul Layer ¨C Its Soul Orbital can hold up to 16 Super Soul Planets

    Universe Soul Layer ¨C Its Soul Orbital can hold up to 12 Neutron Star Planets

    ¡­

    ¡°Wow¡­ truly remarkable¡­¡±

    He saw a visual of a human with nine Soul Orbitals pulsing before it vanished. Such potent energy. Such chaotic beauty, and with the correct number of Soul Planets¡­

    ¡°Those that reach the ¡®Universe Soul Layer¡¯, are they truly that¡­ powerful? Capable of becoming Gods?¡±

    The script didn¡¯t give him an answer.

    He then continued scrolling. It was then he noticed a particular inscription that was darker and bolder in the bamboo etchings, which caught his gaze.

    "Soul Moon."

    It explained that a Soul Moon is a very powerful entity, only available to those whose Solar Essence exceeds Celestial Soul Stage. It was created by refining Solar Consciousnesses and placing them into orbit of a Soul Planet. This would boost a practitioner¡¯s ability drastically.

    But the true meaning behind this new knowledge, it hit him hard.

    For he¡¯d awaken something when he was facing off against those Golden Blood Knights back in the Blood Forest.

    Raphael remembered:

    That potent black and red orb of Solar Essences, so violent, so untamed. It blazed inside his Cosmic Mind Sea, and it felt so real.

    "Back then I¡­ I''ve awakened a Astro Soul Orbital!?¡± He was stunned! ¡°This is¡­ How is it even possible? A bull, no, A bull with human essence, and a soul orb, but it doesn¡¯t belong to the Golden Bull Thork. This is¡­ surely this is impossible?¡±

    Or was it?

    There was no mention within the Sagewood Script of a beast awakening a Soul Orbital, not one, however. What was possible was this: When an entity reaches a certain level of cultivation, their bloodlines can begin changing and adapting based on circumstances.

    "Could this be¡­ Shao Jin¡­ did he subconsciously acquire this ability? But why? Or¡­¡±

    His mind went back to the first time he encountered a Blood Knight with Soul Orbitals.

    It was back in the Bloodthorne Empire. They''d been travelling on their way to the Blood Forest. Those silver-armored guards were strong, imposing, yet when he compared those auras to Shao Jin¡­

    ¡®The knights¡­ they were pathetic! This doesn¡¯t make sense.¡±

    But something he''d never truly grasped was becoming evident, now, before this grand scroll that promised freedom and power.

    He was both beast and human!

    "Perhaps because I absorbed their essence back then, when I¡­ when Shao Jin devoured my dual Solar Consciousness and my body. Could that be it? And perhaps even earlier, when I consumed a few potions, did my body¡­ acquire something¡­ unique?¡±

    He then concluded.

    "Human Cultivation Dao¡­ It''s¡­ better? It suits my current state better.¡± He let out a laugh that was part human, part beast.

    ¡°But this means¡­¡± he muttered softly. He realized a dreadful, yet freeing truth,

    ¡°I must become¡­ human¡­ AGAIN!¡±

 Chapter 58 - Crafting Soul Moon

    Closing his eyes, Raphael directed his awareness inwards. His consciousness traversed a vast expanse of swirling galaxies and radiant nebulae, finally arriving at his destination: the Astro Soul Orbital.

    It pulsed with a gentle energy, a delicate ring orbiting a magnificent blue sun. A sight that continued to defy logic, and an exemplification of the unprecedented path he was carving.

    Upon the orbital''s axis, a single Soul Planet glowed with an ominous intensity. It was a deep crimson, shot through with swirling streaks of black shadow energy and sparks of golden lightning.

    ¡°A ''Shadow Blood Soul Planet¡¯¡­ Interesting. The Sagewood Script mentions these are rare."

    He''d devoured a vast amount of information from the ancient bamboo scroll but the formation of this particular type of Soul Planet hadn''t been covered in detail.

    Raphael pondered. ¡°This planet¡­ it must be a manifestation of my Bloodline Powers, yes, that¡¯s the only plausible explanation."

    His gaze lingered on the crimson orb, and with a jolt, he recognized those intermingled essences: The devouring shadows of Balphazar and potent Blood Essence from his Bloodthorne linage. It was a horrifying blend of energies, now unified.

    What did this fusion signify? What new possibilities had he unlocked?

    He tried to consult the Sagewood Script, hoping for answers, but the bamboo strip remained silent. It seemed this phenomenon was beyond its ancient wisdom.

    This was a new path that he¡¯d walk alone.

    Raphael dove back into his Cosmic Mind Sea and delved deeper.

    He then remembered what he¡¯d read about the ¡®Soul Moon¡¯.

    ¡°Hm, a condensed essence that orbits a Soul Planet? That amplifies its powers? A path for available for those at Celestial Soul Stage. I¡¯m still far from that. However, isn¡¯t my current beasts Solar Essence at the Calamity Stage? That counts for something, right?¡±

    An idea ignited in his mind, a reckless gamble.

    ¡°Perhaps¡­ perhaps¡­ I can craft a ¡®Soul Moon¡¯ and condense it onto my Astro Soul orbital? Surely, it is possible.¡±

    His internal questions went unanswered, but something in him, a desperate voice urged.

    "I HAVE TO TRY!¡±

    He opened his eyes. They radiated a fearsome crimson, and then, extending his massive black wings. ¡°Kong! Appear!¡±

    Bat General Kong emerged from the shadows. ¡°Master?¡± He knelt.

    ¡°Those souls that Rai Shen Long devoured earlier. Give them to me now!"

    "Of course, master. Anything for you!¡±

    He then commanded Rai Shen Long to opened its jaw wide. And from that depth, three orbs of Solar Consciousnesses materialized.

    One was pale blue, one was purple, and the other was a radiant orange. But a chilling terror still lingered.

    ¡°Hmm. It seems even in death, those serpents still command a certain level of respect.¡±

    They were remnants of Lu Kimlung, his assistant Lu Lu, and a unfortunate Sun Imperial Guard whose duty had been cut short, all thanks to Raphael.

    Their appearance had him unsettled for a moment. Then, with a flick of his tail, he addressed the Sagewood Script that was still spread around him.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    ¡°Ahm¡­ Zhu Jian? Could you tell me about Soul Moon?¡±

    The script rustled. A visual representation of a moon orbiting a red planet came into focus. Words appeared.

    ¡°To craft a Soul Moon. Follow these steps with due diligence.¡±

    Raphael studied the instructions:

    Step 1: Compression

    The text explained the delicate process of extracting the souls'' potent Solar Essence and merging those energies into a single cohesive unit.

    Step 2: Refinement

    The next step involved removing any impurities. He¡¯d have to separate the essence from those useless remnants and lingering memories, shaping it to fit his desire.

    Step 3: Absorption

    He¡¯d then draw the now-refined soul into his Cosmic Mind Sea and carefully maneuver it into a stable, preordained path that mirrored his Astro Soul Orbital¡¯s rhythm.

    Step 4: Orbit

    He¡¯d guide the soul with his spirit energies, using them as an unseen force that would mold the essence into a circular pathway around his Shadow Blood Soul Planet. It would be akin to a shepherd guiding his flock.

    Step 5: Condensation

    The next stage was truly fascinating. He¡¯d condense the soul¡¯s energies into a miniature orb ¨C the Soul Moon ¨C and then lock it in a specific orbit to amplify both those energies.

    Step 6: Stabilization

    And lastly, he¡¯d create a magnetic field, a balance between the newly condensed ¡®Soul Moon¡¯ and the existing planet, preventing it from either collapsing into the sun or floating away.

    These 6 intricate steps had him rereading several times to memorize. The instructions were daunting.

    ¡°If I mess up even a little bit¡­"

    An image of his blue sun, cracked and oozing monstrous gold energies of the Golden Bull Thork came flashing into view as if warning him about the consequences.

    A shiver went up his golden hide, it ended near his horns. He almost wanted to abandon this entire scheme, but decided to proceed.

    ¡°It¡¯s do or DIE!¡±

    ¡°Alright¡­ HERE WE GO!"

    Focusing, Raphael visualized the first step, ''Compression''.

    He reached out with unseen spirit energies and gently gathered the three orbs before him, bringing them together, while taking care not to get splashed, for who knew what was hidden in the remnants of these souls.

    ¡°This process feels strange¡­ and a bit brutal.¡±

    It took some time. The souls were slowly merging into a single, swirling entity as Raphael pressed and mold them. And within a heartbeat, a single orb formed possessing the color of blue, orange, and a tinge of purple.

    This was soul fusion, his first step towards creating something, well creating something from the soul of those he had a hand in crushing.

    He quickly moved to the next step, ''Refinement''.

    Now that a base form was created, he carefully separated the potent life essences from the remaining useless clutter, shaping them.

    It was like sifting gold dust from sand. This was a much slower, and tedious task because a mistake here could mean a Soul Moon of weaker quality. And as such those energies of his had to be carefully controlled with the precision of an ant carrying a sugar cube, that¡¯s how fine-tuned he was, so delicate, and precise.

    And with each impurities extracted, the combined essence began to pulsate more vibrant colors. Its new form and quality grew, until finally a single, radiant orb, golden-white with flecks of emerald green within came into existence. This glow was so potent, it brightened the room. This pleased him so much.

    ¡®It¡¯s¡­ beautiful! How dazzling!¡¯ He smiled.

    He then absorbed this soul into his Cosmic  Mind Sea and directed it towards his Astro Soul Orbital. It moved as if eager to embrace it. The absorption was smooth and he was feeling ecstatic, because everything was going according to Zhu Jian''s lesson. He might actually pull this off without triggering a backlash.

    Next came the truly challenging part.

    Raphael carefully positioned the orb above his ''Shadow Blood Soul Planet'' and began the delicate process of creating its new orbit. This took more effort because his very spirit energy had to wrap itself around that essence and mold it.

    And as those emerald-gold swirls that radiated from him began shaping the refined essence, he felt a resistance that mirrored an opposing entity¡¯s will!

    The combined soul didn¡¯t want to bend, but Shao Jin¡¯s power was potent. The ancient whispers were screaming, ¡°Do NOT Resist me! Your existence has end, your only duty now is to serve me! That¡¯s how this is meant to be!¡±

    His hooves flexed as if mirroring the struggle within his mind, and finally, after much persuasion from both himself and the bull¡¯s instincts within, that soul began spinning above that blood-red planet, and within those movements came a faint hum, almost melodic, that pulsed against his entire Cosmic Mind Sea.

    Now that this soul was circling comfortably, it was time for condensation.

    Raphael began condensing that soul¡¯s energies, shaping them further, until it was smaller, denser and more potent.

    The process demanded much concentration because there is a point where squeezing any tighter meant shattering its very essence. Such was the delicate dance between destruction and creation that only those who truly sought to walk the ancient path could understand. And luckily for him, there was a manual on display in his mind as guidance.

    As that final step ¨C stabilization, was commencing, Raphael was sweating. It was hard work this soul manipulation. He formed a net of golden light that encased both ¡®Soul Moon¡¯ and ¡®Soul Planet¡¯.

    The movements in the net then slowed and within milliseconds, they settled into a calm, mesmerizing dance.

 Chapter 59 - A Feast Of Power

    Raphael''s consciousness lingered in his Cosmic Mind Sea. He was watching those celestial bodies dance.

    His gaze focused on the ''Shadow Blood Soul Planet'', now encircled by a radiant Soul Moon, golden-white with flecks of emerald swirling serenely within. This wasn''t simply a condensed ball of energy. This moon radiated an aura that empowered his very being.

    ¡°This power¡­" It amplified the blue sun¡¯s glow.

    His mind returned to the arduous steps from the Sagewood Script; every detail was flawlessly executed. He had crafted a Soul Moon, defying the ancient rules and limitations. Such a feat, even Shao Jin¡¯s arrogance paled.

    "And now¡­"

    Within his massive sun, new pathways were appearing. A network of interconnected energies pulsed. He felt it, his Soul Moon¡¯s song was turning into a melody he could grasp. That strength flowed outwards.

    ¡®This is¡­ evolution!¡¯

    Suddenly, he was pulled back to reality.

    His blood-red eyes snapped open.

    BOOM!

    A massive wave of power erupted outward, radiating golden flames, dark shadows and a chilling cold that tasted of frost. It slammed into his unsuspecting commander, sending Bat General Kong flying backward off the balcony with a startled shriek.

    "Oof! Master! What¡­¡±

    The loyal Shadow Bat tumbled gracefully through the air. Luckily, his black wings reacted instinctively to break his fall. He flapped back upwards to a respectful kneeling posture.

    This show of respect, it had a begrudging note, as if he was scolding his emperor for the sudden outburst that had him scared senseless, however, his sentiments faded into awe.

    His Commander realized: "Master has evolved. Truly magnificent!" He bowed.

    Raphael could feel the changes in his very core, although his cultivation level had not advanced beyond 9th Layer Calamity Stage. This power hummed with amplified frequencies.

    His left Shadow Wing twitched.

    WHOOSH!

    And from the depths of that black appendage, a figure slithered forth. It wasn''t another bat. This creature resembled a serpent, but one that possessed a familiar, yet unsettling aura of a human.

    ¡°Is that a¡­?¡± Raphael watched as this being took shape.

    It was an imposing naga. Massive and elegant, possessing curves that had even the Jade flowers outside wilting with envy. Her scales were midnight black, radiating with a potent violet glow. A long, sinuous tail with a sharp pink tip that could easily slice through granite coiled gracefully beneath, as two arms extended with grace.

    Each fingertip glowed with potent crimson energy. She had a monocle covering her right pink orb. Her face was deviously beautiful. A mischievous smile danced on her luscious lips, and long dark hair cascaded down, framing a delicate, yet dangerous face, and a pink Sun Cycle, spinning slowly was strapped to her back.

    Upon her waist, she sported a violet whip, laced with glittering jade. This whip pulsed ominously as it coiled itself and rest comfortably, inches from her ample bosoms that were partially covered in dark scales.

    As she slithered towards him, a shiver of delight had him questioning his sanity.

    ¡®Shao Jin! What have you done to me?¡¯The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

    Stopping a respectable distance from his trembling hooves, this shadow being dipped her head in a graceful curtsey, while offering him a glimpse of her pink tongue that flicked gently against her razor-sharp fangs before introducing herself with a voice that sounded even more dangerous.

    ¡°How may I be of service, Master? I am Bat General Melissa, at your command. Those whispers in the darkness, those desires you keep hidden. They are mine to fulfill. Fuhuhu.¡± She blew a visible pink heart his way, accompanied by a smile so potent it could melt even diamond.

    ¡°Huh¡­ I¡­ Ah¡­ ¡± Raphael had never encounter this level of charisma nor that seductive tone coming from a creature that emanated his Shadow essence. He was truly speechless.

    Her words and actions, they had another member of his retinue shifting awkwardly.

    A scoff pierced the romantic vibes.

    "You? A Bat General? Hahahaha! You have no wings, more like a snake. I¡¯ve never seen something like this in all my millennia existing.¡±

    His trusted Commander¡¯s words were sharp indeed, even Melissa paused her advance to glare at the black bat that dared to question her lineage! How dare he?!

    ¡°General Kong¡­¡± she growled softly while taking in his pathetic form with disgust. ¡°You speak with much arrogance. Your essence, its quality. Let me educate you.¡±

    She shook her head, ¡°What good are wings when I possess a formidable Sun Cycle? Or do you require a demonstration? My methods are quite painful, Fuhuhu.¡±

    Then with a mocking lilt she concluded, ¡°Please don¡¯t compare my glorious potential with that of your lowly self. I mean, if it weren¡¯t for that Rai Shen Long you got as a blessing¡­ You would be¡­ Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Pitiful. Pitiful. Pitiful!¡±

    ¡°YOU!¡± Bat General Kong tightened his grip around his spear as his killing intent amplified. This new bitch was about to taste his evolved essence!

    Raphael however couldn''t let this confrontation escalate into a blood bath. Not in his new palace. He intervened with a roar that echoed the most terrifying pronouncements of the ancient bull lineage he''d inherited.

    ¡°THAT¡¯S ENOUGH, BOTH OF YOU!¡±

    Silence.

    They were chastised. Their egos were instantly deflated as both shadow beings bowed low before their master.

    ¡°Lord, forgive us.¡± Melissa spoke softly, but her gaze was fixed intently on Kong¡¯s shivering form.

    ¡°Master, I¡­ have erred. You¡¯ve granted me this life, this power, and yet, I dare¡­" His apologies were cut short.

    "It¡¯s alright. RISE." Raphael was still a little frightened by his sudden burst of dominance, his ability to control such potent beings with a mere shout. The power was exhilarating and truly scary!

    He then observed his two shadow generals keenly, trying to understand the root cause of their conflict. It would appear as though they were both competing for his favor, but jealousy and possessiveness wasn¡¯t uncommon in Yama Yaguai.

    He¡¯d witnessed something similar with the Bronze Serpent Emperor¡¯s children, he¡¯d have to be careful in the future, he concluded.

    ¡°Hmm. Bat General Melissa. Your form and your abilities. You are a truly wondrous creation, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    "Thank you, master! This beauty, it¡¯s all for you."

    Raphael decided to take a closer look before passing judgement, and upon closer observation with his amplified senses¡­ ¡°She¡¯s a Saint Ruler! Early stage but powerful indeed. Her energy quality exceeds Kong''s." Then another revelation came. ¡°He¡¯s still at the Great Ordeal stage."

    ¡°This discrepancy¡­¡±

    He decided a test was in order before he began brainstorming how to utilize Melissa in the future.

    As soon as he thought about new powers, a green light shot out from his forehead into Zhu Jian. The emerald runes within the Sagewood Script came alive and began shifting. A list then appeared:

    ¡­

    Dark Blood Domain: He created a vast domain, fifty meters in radius, founded on dark essence. Its floor, a pool of potent blood imbued with his essence, amplified the power of his Shadow Bat Legion and even Bat General Melissa, while sapping the essence of any enemy trapped within. The domain blinded those unfamiliar with blood magic and granted him unrestricted access to his Blood Pool reserves.

    Blood Sight Torture: His piercing blood-red eyes, now amplified, instilled fear and confusion in weaker enemies. A mere gaze caused their defenses to falter, leaving them vulnerable to his minions'' attacks.

    Wing Slashnado: This ability, terrifyingly upgraded, unleashed countless slashes imbued with his might, slicing and dicing those who challenged his dominion. It was no longer limited to weak physical attacks.

    Black Pool: Focusing his intent, he created a vortex of pure darkness, its suction powerful enough to drag foes from a hundred meters away into the void, where they vanished from reality, becoming snacks in another dimension.

    Nightcrawler: Raphael merged with shadows ¨C a form of shadow-guided teleportation that transported him along existing shadows in his environment.

    Shadow Blood Resolve: An armor of solidified blood essence and shadow energy manifested, shimmering with crimson veins and crackling with black lightning. It absorbed any attack, regardless of power.

    Blood Condensation Increase: His Blood Pool replenished at an accelerated rate.

    Shadow Wings Capacity Increase: His enlarged Shadow Wings now carried up to one hundred and fifty bats.

    Shadow Bat¡¯s Durability Increase: His shadow minions became more resilient.

    Shadow Teleportation Increase: The range of this technique doubled.

    ¡­

    ¡°Truly a feast of power." He was eager to test his new toys.

    And as if responding to his intent, a golden spatial mirror manifested before him which depicted a training ground within the Golden Prism Citadel.

 Chapter 60 - Training Orb

    Stepping out of the golden mirror, Raphael found himself in a vast enclosed space. A rigid grid, constructed from bronze metal, stretched across the floor as far as he could see. The space was stark, empty, except for a single golden orb floating in the center.

    He approached the orb cautiously.

    As he drew closer, something within his chest resonated, a gentle hum that pulsed with a familiar warmth.

    ¡°Hmm? What¡¯s this for?¡±

    The Sagewood Script unfurled and a new section became illuminated.

    Zhu Jian explained. ¡®This golden orb is the Controller for this training ground. You can issue it commands and shape the environment to test your skills. Focus your intent. Embrace its energy. It will respond.¡¯

    Raphael nodded, the connection was undeniable. He was linked to this Citadel now. Qi Fenwei¡¯s little blood ritual had truly been more than just claiming ownership of this palace. It had granted him control over its very essence.

    He could feel it.

    Focusing his will upon the orb, he commanded, ¡°I want an opponent!¡±

    The orb responded instantly by dropping a silver tear onto the grid below.

    POOF!

    From the tear¡¯s impact point, a being materialized which grew larger and more imposing.

    It was a tall, humanoid figure crafted from purest gold, possessing sleek wings and the fierce head of an eagle. In its grasp, it held a double-edged sword with each blade radiating a pale-blue energy. It shifted gracefully as if eager for combat.

    The orb spoke, ¡°The opponent has been generated: Gold Eagle Winged Warrior - 5th Layer of the Great Ordeal Stage. Prepare for battle."

    ¡°Great Ordeal¡­ weak! But let''s get warmed up."

    Raphael snorted and wasted no time showcasing his new powers.

    ¡°Shadow Teleportation!¡±

    BOOM!

    With a burst of dark essence, he vanished and then instantly reappeared behind the warrior.

    "Wha--?!"

    Before it could even swing that sword or unleash any attack, Raphael activated potent shadow energies once more, teleporting back and forth.

    He loved this speed. And the ease with which he maneuvered his massive form was exhilarating!

    The warrior lunged, but its strikes found only empty air. Those movements felt clumsy, those attacks weak compared to what he¡¯d faced these past few days.

    "BORING!¡±

    He would end this now.

    "Wing Slashnado!"

    Raphael unfurled his massive black wings, laced with bronze scales.

    They whipped forward with blinding speed, and from their shadowy edges, countless crimson-red slashes erupted. It was a hurricane of blades!

    WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

    "ARGHHH!¡±

    The warrior was shredded and decimated! Gold chunks rained upon that grid, leaving only a faint shimmer where his opponent stood seconds before.

    Raphael laughed.

    "That¡¯s what you get for challenging a Golden Bull Thork! Orb, I demand more challenge. That warrior was pathetic! Send more, NOW!"

    His thirst for power couldn¡¯t be appeased.

    ¡°As you command.¡± The orb obeyed instantly.

    POOF! POOF! POOF!Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

    Twelve Gold Eagle Winged Warriors materialized, each stronger, radiating essences more potent than the last. They surrounded Raphael with their golden swords poised.

    "This is getting interesting.¡±

    The air around them buzzed. Raphael prepared himself, ¡°Let¡¯s do this!¡±

    "HAAA! Wing Slashnado!"

    He attempted the same move, unleashing his shadowy blades once more.

    But¡­

    CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

    These warriors didn¡¯t panic. They countered with a unified grace. They weaved around his attack, forming a defensive dome that deflected the crimson slashes back at him with ease.

    Raphael quickly retracted his wings. He growled in frustration.

    "It would appear I''ve underestimated them¡­ No matter! This is a good chance to test that ability."

    He then commanded his potent blood essences within, ¡°Shadow Blood Resolve!¡±

    The energy around him coalesced and solidified, forming a second skin ¨C an armor of blood and shadow ¨C that radiated with crimson veins and crackling with black lightning.

    "Come and GET IT, birdbrains!¡±

    The warriors attacked in unison.

    BAM! BAM!

    But his armor was holding! He didn¡¯t flinch, not even after seventeen strikes!

    Raphael laughed, "I''M INVINCIBLE! Nothing can pierce this hide!"

    However, his arrogance was short-lived.

    With a final, coordinated attack from the warriors, the armor shattered, causing pain to shoot through his hide, ¡°Argh!¡±

    Their assault was relentless. Raphael stumbled back.

    But just as he was about to succumb to the onslaught,

    "DARK BLOOD DOMAIN!"

    BOOM!

    An overwhelming sense of dread slammed into them! Their vision blackened, and the air became thick, almost stifling.

    The warriors staggered, blinded. They coughed as the potent stench of blood hit them, and then felt a chill racing across their metallic bodies.

    Beneath their feet, a sea of crimson was spreading¡­

    Within his Dark Blood Domain, Raphael was in control!

    The blood pool beneath him had a life of its own. It radiated crimson so brilliantly, it illuminated the world in a masterpiece of terror.

    ¡°You puny fools. Now it¡¯s my turn!¡±

    His voice was amplified to deafening levels as he commanded the blood, shaping it to his will, his new reality!

    ¡°Rise! Taste despair! Embrace the sweet embrace of oblivion!"

    WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

    He bound their limbs with tendrils and molded the blood into jagged spikes, which he then used to skewer their golden hides with a horrifying accuracy. Their pleas were nothing but muffled echoes in the darkness before fading into nothing.

    One by one, they were silenced. And with each vanquished warrior, that sense of dread intensified. He felt empowered by these shadows, his Blood Pool roared with strength. This was intoxicating!

    After the final warrior vanished, Raphael felt a tingling sensation on his brow. His domain flickered, and the red hues started fading, and finally, with a final pop of black energy, it was gone.

    He¡¯d lasted less than two minutes. Such limited power.

    "It seems this Domain requires practice to improve." He sighed in frustration, then decided on another test.

    "Kong!" He yelled with renewed vigor, ¡°Melissa! I command thee!¡±

    ¡°Yes, master!¡±

    "It shall be my pleasure!"

    His two loyal, but now rival Shadow generals came hovering before him.

    Raphael then extended his shadowy wings with pride.

    "It¡¯s time to test your strengths. Show me what you¡¯ve got!"

    From those depths, his Shadow Bat army emerged in a flurry of wings! One hundred and fifty strong. Their crimson eyes radiated with their Master¡¯s ambition and a thirst for battle.

    ¡°For master!¡±

    They awaited his command.

    "Orb! 100 warriors! Make it challenging."

    "Of course."

    With a flurry of silver tears those warriors manifested into existence. It was the Golden Eagle Winged Warriors once again.

    Amongst the army, Bat General Kong watched in annoyance as the vast majority of their legion flock to his side while praising him.

    ¡°All glory to our TRUE commander!¡±

    ¡°General Kong is mighty! His spear, it¡¯s a legend!¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s far stronger than that¡­ THAT¡­ thing!¡±

    There was only one creature standing beside Raphael now.

    It was Melissa. She didn¡¯t seem bothered by their insults, nor their whispers. She was smirking. Her pink eyes had those gathering warriors trembling. Even some of those eager to serve Kong felt a sudden chill upon meeting her gaze.

    ¡°It¡¯s time for a show.¡±

    With their blades at the ready and their monstrous wings flapping, the Shadow Bat army charged.

    BOOM! BOOM!

    At first, Kong and those loyal to him unleashed shadowy blasts they¡¯d learned from their predecessors.

    "HAHAHA! That snake will be mincemeat soon!" One of the bats yelled as he blasted a hole in a warrior.

    ¡°It¡¯s so pitiful to watch it struggle alone, hahaha!¡±

    Those echoes of mockery and arrogance fueled Bat General Kong¡¯s actions. He led the charge with furious roars, decimating a few dozen warriors within seconds. His battle techniques were truly efficient. And to his delight, their victory seemed guaranteed, after all¡­ wasn¡¯t he their chosen leader, a beacon of shadow might?

    It would appear, fate had other plans.

    Before they could celebrate with screams of victory and bloodlust, a horrifying spectacle had them halting mid-flight.

    WHOOSH! CRACK! BOOM!

    From the shadows, Melissa unleashed her power!

    Her tail was striking swiftly. It could make even the mightiest serpent assassin weep. She was snapping bones and shattering the warriors¡¯ golden hides with a grace Kong could only dream of.

    Then with a twist that defied logic, she unleashed her ¡®Sun Cycle¡¯.

    "Taste the sun''s fury!"

    It became a buzz saw that was slicing through limbs and necks!

    And as a finale to this massacre, she flicked her wrist, sending forth that violet whip!

    It cracked in the air with the sound of a thousand tormented souls, shattering even the air itself!

    WHOOSH! CRAAACK!

    Each time it landed, a warrior vanished, not even dust remained.

    After the last warrior fell, a few Shadow Bats came rushing to praise and pledge their loyalty to her, ¡°Lady Melissa, you¡¯re strong! We pledge our loyalty to¡­¡±

    Melissa¡¯s whip cut them off. She scoffed, ¡°Tsk! How shameless of you¡­!¡±

    ¡°You, how dare you scold my infantry!¡± Kong was upset.

    Melissa didn¡¯t care. She glared up at him. ¡°Want to defend these weaklings? Come down and face me like a man.¡±

    Seeing this developing drama unfold, Raphael swiftly intervened once again.

    ¡°THAT¡¯S ENOUGH! Return!¡±

    His booming command silenced them all instantly. Then their shadow essences rushed back to the source of their power ¨C his massive black wings.

 Chapter 61 - Fermented Blood Tier

    ¡°Huff! Huff!¡±

    Raphael stood in the training grounds with sweat dripping from his golden hide. Over a dozen Gold Eagle Winged Warriors lay scattered around him. It was carnage!

    His horns, those magnificent conduits for his ¡®Helios Stream¡¯, they buzzed and crackled as they cooled down. His latest training session had been fruitful. He''d tested every aspect of his inherited Golden Bull Thork abilities, pushing them to their limits. But a grim realization was settling in.

    His ''Helios Stream''¡­ it wasn¡¯t as powerful as it had been prior to the ''Devil Star Fruit'' backlash.

    ¡°Hmmm, that damn fruit¡­ Its after-effects, I''m still paying the price.¡± He¡¯d regained a little of his strength and then some, thanks to Qi Hawk¡¯s healing techniques, but a part of Shao Jin''s ancient power was missing.

    ¡°How can I restore my ¡®Helios Stream¡¯ to its former glory? If I¡¯m going to survive this chaotic realm, I need that power!¡± He flexed his hooves, but that terrifying, destructive warmth that had turned those bronze serpents to ash, it felt distant.

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± He pondered, desperately seeking a solution as he glanced around the empty training ground.

    "Wait a minute. There were other essences. Potent ones!¡±

    He remembered the crates filled with bull hearts and their Solar Consciousnesses that Lu Ruby had presented to her father. He¡¯d forgotten about them, those treasure-filled crates that Kong devoured.

    "Hm¡­ my own lineage¡¯s essences? Why didn¡¯t I think of that before?!¡±

    Shaking his massive head, he gathered shadows around him, warping them. Within moments, a swirling vortex appeared before him and four crates appeared.

    "Hm¡­ Such ease!¡±

    Raphael smiled. This spatial warping technique ¡®Black Pool¡¯ was quite useful.

    He wasted no time opening the crates. Three were occupied with bull hearts, while the other housed eight orbs of Solar Consciousness trapped inside a transparent cube. He inspected the cube closely, his gaze lingered upon the orbs that seemed to be screaming and pleading for him to simply let them go.

    ¡°Hmm, Early Nightmare Stage souls. They are nothing compared to those ancient beasts I devoured back at the ice cave, but Lu Ruby¡¯s presentation was quite impressive. If I didn¡¯t know better, I would have assumed they were powerful! Ahaa! The irony.¡±

    ¡°Well¡­ These will have to do.¡±

    He addressed his shadow generals, "Kong, Melissa. You know what to do.¡±

    "MASTER! You are so generous!"

    "YES! MASTER! WE''LL FEAST UPON THOSE TASTY HEARTS!"

    The Shadow Bat horde, who¡¯d also been summoned moments before, rushed towards those juicy bull hearts with uncontrolled enthusiasm, while praising their emperor for his kindness. Their wings beat with a terrifying intensity as saliva dripped from their mouths.

    Melissa didn''t join in. She slithered gracefully toward Raphael and coiled her long tail. "Master. Perhaps after you are done, my tongue can attend to those crevices beneath your scales? Fuhuhu¡­¡±

    Raphael felt a chill on his backside. He quickly moved towards the other crate.

    He''d deal with her later.

    "Concentrate!"

    He focused his attention on the cube and using spirit energy, pulled out the orbs. His jaws opened wide, and those potent souls trembled before entering his maw. He then spent the next few hours refining them. The process was long and arduous, but worth it.

    Two hours later¡­

    Raphael¡¯s eyes snapped open, but before he could enjoy the sensation of increased power and essence flowing through him, a soft warm, moist sensation shocked him. It was a tail. It brushed against his jaw, leaving behind an aroma he couldn¡¯t ignore, that of fragrant perfume and lilies.

    ¡°Master? Master¡­? Are you well? I was just¡­¡±

    Melissa¡¯s pink eyes widened with a flicker of embarrassment. Her tail recoiled swiftly as Raphael glared. Had she been trying to kiss him while he was in deep meditation? Those possibilities¡­

    Shaking away these unsettling thoughts, he commanded his Sagewood Script to display his new techniques.

    "Zhu Jian¡­ what are they?" A glow from his forehead entered the script.

    ¡­

    Gold Press Blizzard ¨C those terrifying, golden spectral hooves had received a significant power boost! He was no longer limited to a handful. Now, a hundred golden hooves could be summoned at once, and the area they covered had increase from ten meters, to a hundred.

    ¡°WOW! This is insane!¡±

    Heliosphere Hazard ¨C he could now conjure up to five ¡®Helios Spheres¡¯ simultaneously, sending those who dared to challenge him into a panic.

    Raging Bull Roar ¨C  a sonic attack meant to temporarily stun enemies. Depending on the opponent''s cultivation, those fools would be frozen for a few seconds, giving him time to charge even stronger techniques. Such efficiency!Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

    Gold Carnage Upgrade ¨C Six monstrous golden bulls could now be conjured from his molten essence. And to amplify their brutality, he¡¯d boosted their power twofold.

    Midas Touch Upgrade ¨C turn any organic and inorganic material into gold instantly, with a mere touch. Such decadent power.

    ¡­

    The sheer magnitude of these amplified powers left him smiling broadly. Anyone who had the misfortune of witnessing it firsthand would probably run and hide forever.

    He smiled. This was his new path!

    ¡°Now¡­ Time to test these new abilities.¡±

    He moved towards the training ground¡¯s golden orb with the glee of a kid entering a toy store.

    ¡­

    BOOM! BOOM!

    "Hmph! Five at once! Truly something. But it''s still¡­ lacking.¡±

    Raphael watched with a mix of satisfaction and frustration as his ''Heliosphere Hazard'' obliterated a group of training warriors in a collage of golden explosions. The attack was devastating, it covered a much wider area than his ''Helios Stream'', capable of engulfing multiple enemies in a sea of fire.

    But deep down he knew, that raw, concentrated power he''d wielded before wasn''t there.

    The Devil Star Fruit''s power boost might have been a blessing back then, when it saved him from the Bronze Serpent Emperor''s wrath, but now¡­

    "I need to regain that edge."

    He called upon the Sagewood Script.

    ¡°Zhu Jian!¡±

    The bamboo strip flew out of his forehead as energy before it materialized and unfurled in a display of emerald-green runes.

    "Tell me about the Bloodthorns. About their blood arts. Specifically, how can I take my own abilities to the next level?¡±

    As the script rustled, searching its vast database, a memory came flashing into his mind.

    ¡­

    He was back in the Bloodthorne Empire as a mere ¡®slave¡¯ to the spoiled Princess Tajmani.

    One afternoon, she had insisted on riding his back, giggling with glee as she whipped his hindquarters with a jeweled riding crop. "Faster! Doggy, faster!"

    ¡°Alright, alright. I¡¯ll go faster.¡±

    But in his haste, he''d tripped over a stone which sent Tajmani sprawling onto the ground.

    ¡°WAAAA! MOTHER!¡±

    She lay on the grass. There was a small cut on her forehead oozing blood.

    Moments later, a cold presence engulfed him. The air crackled, those servants around them scattered. It was Queen Ewa Nier, and her rage was potent!

    ¡°You pathetic DOG! You DARE injure my daughter?!¡±

    The moisture in the air around her began to vanish as she glared at her prey.

    He watched, terrified, as the air itself warped, and then countless tiny Blood Stars, each encircled by a spiraling rune, appeared. They buzzed with destructive energy as they surrounded him.

    ¡°MOTHER! MAKE HIM PAY!¡±

    BOOM!

    One Blood Star streaked towards a nearby rock, striking it with the force of a meteor. The rock shattered. But what emerged from those shattered fragments had him shivering with fear. A bloody monstrous creature, towering over him. Its claws were crimson and its eyes burned with a malevolent glow.

    And it wasn¡¯t alone. The grasses swayed and writhed as those potent Blood Stars touched them, each stalk transformed into a grotesque monster that was eager to tear into his flesh.

    He was trapped, surrounded, and he braced himself for a painful death.

    Suddenly, he felt a powerful wave of energy.

    Butler Long appeared before him with an unwavering aura. He easily deflected the incoming blasts and the creatures exploded into dust.

    "Quell your anger, my queen," he said calmly.

    ¡­

    Raphael shook those terrifying images away. His focus wasn''t on the terror of that encounter now. Rather, it was the mechanics of that Blood Star technique. Could he replicate such potent magic?

    Zhu Jian buzzed. His inquiry was ready.

    ¡°Here is the information you seek, Master!¡±

    The script showcased secrets. It explained that the Bloodthorne¡¯s were masters of blood arts. They wielded potent essences and techniques, capable of shaping and manipulating their very life force into weapons, defenses, and even monstrous creatures. It revealed their weakness too.

    ¡°Those fools, they are fragile indeed.¡± Raphael laughed at the irony of how their mighty lineage relied on external objects to empower their souls.

    He¡¯d witnessed their arrogance and their might firsthand, yet he, a Golden Bull Thork, a Calamity was more powerful even at a lower stage of cultivation.

    And then he read about the essence of those techniques. It all boiled down to one thing¡­

    Refined blood.

    ¡®The purer the Blood Essence. The greater its potency, its applications.¡¯ He understood this fact clearly now.

    The script then showcased tiers. Each tier was a representation of an individual''s ability to manipulate their blood essence.

    ¡­

    Fermented Blood Tier 1: Crimson Blood ¨C those at this level can materialize their blood into simple weapons, or defensive barriers with limited duration, potency and reach.

    Fermented Blood Tier 2: Blood Emerald ¨C at this tier, users could shape their blood into more complex weapons and create rudimentary beasts, however they were easy to control by others of stronger essences.

    Fermented Blood Tier 3: Azure Blood ¨C they can now conjure blood constructs, imbued with their very will, capable of independent actions and thought processes. These beasts could last for days, if their creators were powerful enough.

    Fermented Blood Tier 4: Obsidian Blood ¨C at this stage, a practitioner¡¯s touch can turn anything they desire into a blood weapon, but it¡¯s usually limited to small objects that they have a connection with.

    Fermented Blood Tier 5: Diamond Blood ¨C those at this stage are said to be legends. They are capable of teleporting via blood droplets, their every thought a bloody reality! They could control any entity that has blood within, their potential is terrifying!

    ¡­

    ¡°So that¡¯s how those Blood Knights moved so swiftly and created those crimson traps back in the Blood Forest¡­" Raphael murmured. ¡°But my technique that day. When I was confronted by Lu Lingxue¡­¡± he recalled how easily his Blood Sword had manifested. He then asked for clarification.

    "Zhu Jian, what¡¯s the best method for refining my blood?"

    "Three methods are commonly employed.." The script flickered and revealed the paths he could take:

    ¡­

    Sanguine Meditation

    Blood Essence Consumption

    Blood Refining Treasures ¨C Such as Xinxue Sink or a Buddhist Pill Gourd

    ¡­

    The last method caught Raphael''s eye. He¡¯d never heard of this artifact.

    ¡°Buddhist Pill Gourd¡­¡± he whispered while picturing an ordinary gourd. But it was much more than that, he realized after further inquiry.

    Zhu Jian explained, ¡®The ''Buddhist Pill Gourd'' is a fruit that is cultivated for millennia by a sentient tree known as ¡®Almeez''. These trees are rare! Powerful! And possess great wisdom! Their fruits can accelerate the blood refinement process and awaken hidden bloodline potential. But to pluck a ¡®Buddhist Pill Gourd'' is no easy task! For Almeez despises greed, and they are easily offended.¡¯

    ¡°Hmm? Sentient tree? But where can I find such a rare, talking plant?"

    A map materialized above the script. It zoomed into a specific region, the Dark Swamp Gorge.

    "Such a dreadful place..." Raphael murmured.

    It was on the fringes of Yama Yaguai and teeming with potent dangers ¨C monstrous insects, vicious plants, a land where even the Emperor Calamities dared not venture lightly.

    He was now pacing the training grounds with hooves clicking and horns twitching nervously. He wasn¡¯t exactly a fan of unknown territories, especially swampy ones that were guaranteed to have slimy insects!

    However, as thoughts of the upcoming Great Divine Tribulation consumed his resolve, those dangers paled in comparison.

    ¡°If I refine my blood and unlock my full Bloodline powers. Maybe¡­ maybe then¡­ I can contend with those Nightmare level Calamities that will be present. Lu Ruby¡­ her father won¡¯t let her enter those Trials empty handed, right?¡±

    These possibilities and questions demanded a clear head.

    ¡°It¡¯s a risk I HAVE TO TAKE! My freedom and my very essence depend on it! It¡¯s either refine my blood or become a chew toy! A gamble indeed, hahaha!"

    He had made his choice.

    The Dark Swamp Gorge, and those treasures waiting to be plucked,

    They called to him!

 Chapter 62 - Dark Swamp Gorge

    "Hissss... Sssso much energy! I feel like bursting!¡± Lu Jade was practically vibrating with excitement as radiant sunstones circled him in a hypnotic dance.

    In his large form, he sat in a meditative posture with his tail coiled neatly beneath; a coiled spring of vivid emerald green. Above him, a massive Sun Cycle spun slowly, showering him in those warm, invigorating rays.

    He was finally putting the treasures to good use, as well as those techniques he¡¯d been forced to suppressed for so long.

    ¡°Qi Hawk was right! I might actually become a Calamity within a few thousand years! Ahahaha!¡±

    His laughter died down when he noticed a spatial distortion appeared.

    "Hmm?"

    From the heart of a golden mirror, Raphael stepped out.

    ¡°Hm, Saint Ruler 5th Layer! Amazing! Qi Hawk¡¯s treasures truly are working wonders on this little snake." He marveled at his companion¡¯s progress.

    "Those sunstones. I also noticed an inscription on that Sun Cycle. It is a ¡®Jade Sun Cycle¡¯? Hmmm. Fascinating!"

    Lu Jade cracked open an eye and glanced towards his big brother. "Big Brother! Are you heading out?"

    "Yeah! I¡¯m gonna be gone for a while. Need to locate a tree."

    ¡°Good luck!¡± Without asking for details, Lu Jade quickly returned to his meditation. His thoughts of ascending, of mastering his techniques were too alluring to be interrupted, especially after what he''d endured these past few days.

    ¡°Latersss, Big Brother!¡±

    Raphael nodded. He wasn''t bothered by Lu Jade''s abrupt dismissal. It was what he expected. "Don¡¯t exhaust yourself.¡± Then he turned and exited the room.

    He had more pressing matters.

    ¡­

    A short while later.

    ¡°Hmmm, so this is the pathway.¡±

    Stepping out of a Skybridge Dais, he found himself standing on a moss covered cliff face with the familiar scent of pine needles and fresh wind that permeated Qi Hawk¡¯s territory. He noticed golden pathways leading towards magnificent trees that he¡¯d admired on his first journey.

    Today¡¯s trip however wasn''t a sightseeing tour, and after checking Zhu Jian to confirm the location and direction¡­ he unfolded his mighty wings and launched into the sky.

    ¡°The Dark Swamp Gorge! It is South-East, three hundred miles from here.¡±

    As he flew, he saw a clash in the distant skies. A flaming peacock with a broken leg was locked in a battle with a large shrimp who¡¯d manifested a cloud that dripped acidic rain with ease. Both were Calamities, a sight he¡¯d probably become excited about during his first few days in Yama Yaguai, but today, those distractions of battles, well, they held no appeal for his essence was fixated on a goal.

    He saw a small crowd gathering, some even cheering, he then pushed onward, shaking his head in disbelief at how easily entertained those lesser creatures truly were.

    "A Calamity fight¡­? Child¡¯s play!¡±

    ¡­

    ¡°There it is¡­ but it¡­¡±

    Hovering above his destination, Raphael gazed down with a shiver, which he dismissed as chilled breeze dancing across his fur.

    It was nighttime, and the moon graced the Dark Swamp Gorge with its rays.

    It was a desolate landscape of tangled trees with branches that twisted at unnatural angles. A murky blackness occupied the gaps between those ancient woods, broken only by pockets of luminescence emanating from bizarre plants.

    A cacophony of rustling, hissing, and gurgling sounds rose from those depths; a chilling orchestra of sounds that had his instincts screaming, ¡®DANGER!¡¯Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    "Hmmm, quite the location for an intelligent tree to reside in.¡± He then took a deep breath and remembered that feeling back in that hellish domain where he almost perished.

    ¡°Well, I¡¯ve survived that bastard Lu Ignis¡¯s wrath, what¡¯s there to fear now!¡±

    With a determined snort, Raphael took the plunge, nosediving down into the darkness.

    He landed on something soft.

    "Hmmmm, is that grass? Strange texture and this warmth¡­?¡±

    He took a step forward and his hooves began to sink. A squelching sound followed his every move.

    ¡°Mud¡­? This is no grassy field. I¡¯ve landed on a swamp?!¡± He pulled a hoof free, shaking off the muck. "This mission is off to a bad start."

    Ignoring the uneasiness and that urge to take flight once more to safer realms, he pressed onward, following Zhu Jian''s path deeper into the treacherous woods.

    ¡°Those sounds¡­ so strange, yet¡­¡± Raphael stopped and listened. This was his new world, one he¡¯d have to conquer to even grasp a chance at becoming human again.

    From the depths of that shadowy jungle, a low growl vibrated, followed by the rustling of leaves. Something was approaching.

    It slunk out of the shadows; sleek and black.

    The Sagewood script manifested without command.

    ¡­

    Basalt Back Jaguar: A creature known for its stealth and ferocity. Its fur is as dark as night, its paws silent, but the true danger comes from those basalt crystals, grown directly from its very hide. One touch from those sharp crystal can turn a beast into stone. Its cultivation is currently 5th layer Great Ordeal stage. Be wary of those piercing gaze.

    ¡­

    ¡°So that¡¯s what those black glistening bits are? Truly something." Raphael watched the jaguar circling him with predatory eyes. He then waved a hoof at it. ¡°Go on then. You wouldn¡¯t want a taste of my ¡®Midas Touch¡¯, would you?¡±

    The jaguar snarled before disappearing back into the dense woods.

    He continued deeper. A chirping sound echoed through the trees.

    A flash of red zipped past, perching upon a twisted branch.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen those creatures before.¡±

    Zhu Jian flickered again:

    ¡­

    Delmine Root Finch: A small bird native to Dark Swamp Gorge. They are known for their beautiful plumage of crimson, gold, and sapphire blue. These birds feed on poisonous roots. And can launch toxic roots like needles from their mouths. It is said that a Delmine Root Finch, can grow to a colossal size exceeding those of even the largest serpents, however, their lifespans are usually short, only 70 thousand years, therefore, seeing one at the peak of its evolution, Calamity stage is very rare indeed.

    ¡­

    ¡°Hmm? So tiny¡­ so delicate¡­ and such a terrifying lineage. How strange, this realm¡¯s creatures.¡±

    He continued following the path while occasionally meeting creatures that seemed as baffled by his presence as he was by theirs.

    ¡­

    Devil Core Golem: Massive entities crafted from compacted volcanic rock, animated by potent Solar Consciousness trapped within their cores. They resemble statues and can blend into the environment like a deadly camouflage. Be wary of their explosive fists. Their cultivation is unpredictable and dependent on the soul¡¯s trapped within.

    ¡­

    Dark Valley Swamp Rat: These large rodents are known for their sharp teeth and their ability to tunnel through anything they come across. They feed on anything and love hoarding shiny objects. Be wary of their sharp teeth and their deadly claws that carry toxins that cause fever and hallucinations, but their true power comes from their tails that are capable of storing potent essence that explodes upon impact. This one¡¯s cultivation is Early Nightmare 7th Layer. It seems it is close to transcending.

    ¡­

    Fire Tail Raven: Those birds were considered omens back in those human lands. Here, however, they simply exist as pests. The feathers from their fiery tails can ignite easily and cause explosions. Most are at Early Nightmare Stage but their flock is formidable.

    ¡­

    Tianguin Gatoroid: A descendant of the ancient Tianguin crocodile lineage, they are fearsome predators who reside within murky swamps and poisonous lakes, rarely leaving those watery depths. Their cultivation varies from Buddhist Pill to Saint Ruler Stage. This one in front of you is Saint Ruler 6th Layer, be wary of his immense jaws!

    ¡­

    Love Sickle Fish: A strange fish that releases potent pheromones to attract their prey. They then latch onto their victim¡¯s legs with their razor-sharp mandibles and proceed to devour their essence, those that taste the pheromones becomes obsessed with mating until their energies are completely depleted. Be careful, they love targeting those with weak minds. And judging from your recent encounter with Bat General Melissa¡­

    ¡°Ahem!¡± Raphael almost choked. ¡°Zhu Jian, carry on.¡±

    ¡°Affirmative.¡±

    ¡­

    Bubble Fly Lumen: Tiny creatures that resemble a cluster of bubbles filled with bioluminescent algae that produce a soothing, pulsating light. Their glow illuminates the darkest corners of the Swamp Gorge but beware, their light is also a trap. Should their delicate skin be pierced, these creatures explode, unleashing a debilitating shockwave that stuns and confuses, those with weak souls could get devoured by predators in those moments of dizziness.

    ¡­

    Raphael was walking when a swarm of Bubble Fly Lumen, blocked his path. He gently lowered his massive head, snorting those fragrant gases away with his powerful breath. It was an act more of respect than fear.

    He then carefully navigated his path around them and watch with fascination as these delicate glowing beings pulsed softly to some unheard melody. Such delicate creatures, thriving in this dreadful and hostile landscape, truly awe-inspiring.

    "And now, Zhu Jian, how do I find this ¡®Almeez¡¯ tree?"

    The Sagewood Script materialized before his snout.

    ¡°Unfortunately, that information is not within my databanks. All I know is that they reside somewhere in this Gorge."

    ¡°So much use you are. Your knowledge is outdated.¡± He huffed before absorbing the script back into his forehead.

    This quest was turning out to be more troublesome than he''d anticipated, for it seemed he had to rely on those instincts Shao Jin possessed now, and one instinct was bugging him.

    He could smell the trees in this swamp, they had an energy unlike anything he¡¯d encountered. It had dark aura, and was calling him deeper, but also warning him of hidden dangers within.

    A thrilling mystery he was eager to solve!

 Chapter 63 - Angel of Death

    "This is hopeless!"

    Raphael trudged deeper into the Dark Swamp Gorge. His frustration was growing with every squelching step. He had encountered sentient trees, sure, even a few grumpy ones that mumbled insults about his clumsy hooves, but none were of the ''Almeez'' species.

    ¡°Zhu Jian! You useless piece of bamboo! Where is it?!¡±

    He cursed his rotten luck. Just when he was about to unleash his ''Gold Press Blizzard'' to vent his frustration and crush those trees around him into splinter, a distant scream pierced the murky silence.

    ¡°KYAAAH! FENRISS!¡±

    Raphael''s horns twitched. He was listening intently, ¡°Hmm, that scream¡­ it sounds¡­ Human?¡±

    His curiosity was piqued.

    ¡°Shadow Teleportation!"

    In a heartbeat, he was gone.

    POOF!

    He reappeared behind a cluster of trees with razor-sharp leaves that dripped a viscous sap with a bioluminescent glow. This added to that unsettling nature of this space as Raphael observed the clearing in front of him with a hint of dread.

    Before him, lay a scene of carnage! It reeked of death and those pungent metallic scent he was getting accustomed to these past few days.

    A squadron of Blood Knights from the Bloodthorne Empire were strewn across the swamp. Their silver-gold armors were scattered, as were their weapons, all 326 of them were motionless! Their once-proud forms slowly being consumed by the murky water, adding a tinge of red to the black ooze, as if those trees surrounding them craved more, more blood!

    ¡°So many¡­ dead¡­ they¡¯re all¡­" He shook his head. These Blood Knights, even with their potent techniques and fancy weapons were nothing compared to a Calamity!

    It was a stark reminder of Yama Yaguai¡¯s true nature, those unforgiving rules and those beasts that would stop at nothing to devour your soul. But what truly shocked him wasn¡¯t those decomposing bodies, but the three human figures standing back-to-back in the center of this gruesome scene.

    They were desperately fending off a wave of buzzing shadows. It caused Raphael to pause his contemplation on those ¡®what ifs¡¯, or ¡®what could have happened?¡¯

    "There''s no mistaking it. They are from the Bloodthorne Empire. But¡­ why are they here?¡± He shifted closer, staying concealed while he observed the group.

    Two adults - a male and female, were clad in golden knight armor, looking exhausted while wielding blood-red swords.

    The smaller figure who was a little girl with a face covered in tearful smears and blood splatters had caught his eye. She was clad in an armor crafted from glistening platinum.

    It wasn¡¯t practical armor like those warriors beside her. This armor was more elegant. It had a stylish floral design that contrasted with the blood dripping from its edges as her delicate hands held a silver shield in front of her, bravely shielding the others.

    "TWO Golden Blood Knights! And she''s¡­ a Platinum Blood Saint?! I''ve never encountered one this small before.¡±

    This situation was indeed a puzzle, and the pieces were now falling into place, when a large swarm of flying creatures descended!

    They were coming in waves, and their buzzing had a frantic, almost desperate quality to it.

    Their bodies were small, dark, with a horrifyingly bloated belly. They resembled mosquitos from the distant realms. And their thin, elongated proboscises were unnaturally long and serrated. Those blades glistened menacingly.

    ¡°Such ugly little things!¡± Raphael cringed. They had an unsettling aura.

    Zhu Jian materialized, revealing its knowledge.

    ¡­

    Blood Sucking Vampsquitoes: These creatures feed not only on blood, but also on life essence. They attack in massive swarms, their serrated proboscis can pierced through even the toughest armor to suck their prey dry. And those victims rarely survive, those that do wish for death instead. They also attack with supersonic wings and acidic vomit!

    Each Vampsquitoe¡¯s strength is measured by the colors their bellies pulsate:

    Red ¨C Early Nightmare Stage

    Orange ¨C Buddhist Pill Stage

    Yellow ¨C Great Ordeal Stage

    Green - Saint Ruler Stage

    Blue ¨C Calamity Stage

    Indigo ¨C Nightmare Calamity Stage

    Violet ¨C Emperor Calamity Stage

    ¡­

    ¡°Whoa! Those ones attacking the knights¡­ their yellow bellies are pulsating so bright¡­!¡± Raphael scanned the swarm with widened eyes. It was true, he hadn¡¯t encountered those tiers before, such high-level pests! Their hunger was overwhelming.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    "Great Ordeal Stage 8th layer¡­ at the minimum?! Their leader¡­ I can¡¯t even see it!¡±

    He could tell those knights were already struggling, even the Platinum Blood Saint was losing ground, she was about to be overwhelmed!

    It was a good thing he¡¯d arrived in time.

    ¡°This is a show I cannot miss." He rubbed his hooves together, eager to see how this played out, for perhaps it would help refine those battle strategies that he so desperately needed in this realm.

    "BZZZZZZZZZ! Fresh blood mates!"

    ¡°We''re gonna suck them dry, YES! Suck, Suck, SUCK!"

    "And their essence! We''ll devour it. Those human bastards taste like iron and salt, hahaha!"

    The Blood Sucking Vampsquitoe horde buzzed excitedly around their trapped prey. They flitted through the air with their bloated abdomens glowing yellow and green. This was a terrifying sight.

    ¡°MOVE! I want a piece of that juicy leg!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s mine! I SAW IT FIRST! YOU HEAR ME?!"

    ¡°SO WHAT! We¡¯ll eat them and shit out their black stain later!¡±

    The Vampsquitoes began pushing and shoving, eager for a taste. Only one among them remained calm.

    Its belly pulsed with an ominous indigo light and its wings emitted a soft hum as it hover effortlessly above the chaos. It regarded the panicked humans with predatory anticipation.

    "CALM YOURSELVES, you pathetic, gluttonous fools! There will be enough to sate even the hungriest among us, so WAIT! Until I am satisfied! These humans¡¯ essences belong to me!¡± Its chilling voice silenced the frantic swarm instantly.

    Discipline was key, for this was their swarm leader.

    ...

    ¡°Huff! Huff! Those bastards!"

    The adult female knight, tried to catch her breath, but the blood loss was taking a toll, making her movements clumsy and her defenses weaker. She¡¯d already activated two Blood Essence pills earlier, but the Vampsquitoes were relentless.

    The Platinum Blood Saint glanced back and gasped. ¡°Fenriss! Your leg!¡±

    A large chunk of flesh was missing from her ankle. Blood oozed, leaving a trail on the swamp floor that stained the murky waters a dreadful crimson.

    "Sanguine Regeneration!"

    Without hesitation, she conjured a pulsating, ruby orb in her hand. It floated towards Fenriss¡¯ leg with those runes on its surface dancing a healing melody. Within seconds, the wound was sealed, the flesh regenerated with remarkable speed!

    "Thank you, senior Lorial." Fenriss¡¯ voice had a hint of relief.

    "Don''t thank me just yet. We are still in very DEEP water." Lorial observed the buzzing swarm with an intensity that had even their leader retreating a few centimeters, for it seemed her gaze had a power, a quality that defied their hunger. She focused upon that arrogant indigo bellied insect.

    ¡°Nightmare Calamity, its essence is at mid Nightmare Calamity level. This¡­ This is not a good situation.¡±

    "What? Nightmare Calamity?!" The man exclaimed. ¡°How can a mere insect be so powerful?! Are you certain¡­ Senior?¡±

    "Don¡¯t question my abilities, you fool!" Lorial snapped back. Her glare was enough to silence the doubts, but she didn¡¯t bother to waste her breath explaining those differences between beast cultivation and humans¡¯.

    ¡°Now, Handerson, you and Fenriss, you¡¯ll keep the weaker ones busy while I deal with their leader.¡±

    ¡°Senior, are you certain? Perhaps a coordinated strike¡­? Three against one¡­¡± Handerson wasn¡¯t a coward but neither was he a fool, that power emanating from their enemy¡­ it gave him goosebumps.

    "Don¡¯t worry about me. Just do as I say!" Lorial¡¯s confidence had the other two knights obeying, albeit reluctantly.

    With a swiftness that mirrored a master assassin, Lorial drew a long, slender dagger with a diamond hilt. It glowed with potent blood energies, and around her, blood pulsed brightly as she began a countdown.

    "Three¡­ Two¡­ Prepare yourselves¡­¡±

    But before the countdown reached ¡®One¡¯, that indigo-bellied Vampsquitoe leader screeched,

    ¡°Capture those humans! I want to enjoy my late night snack! Now!¡±

    The swamp erupted into a orchestra of buzzing wings, clicking mandibles, and screams.

    They attacked!

    ¡°Here they come!¡±

    "Incinery Lamia!"

    Fenriss reacted instinctively. She unleashed her Bloodline Art. From the blood oozing from her leg, a blazing crimson light exploded outwards, coalescing into a terrifying blood-goat, its horns wreathed in the hottest flames that devoured anything it touched. Its eyes glowed with her will!

    ¡°Die, you pests!¡±

    ¡°HISSSS!¡±

    Those flames from Incinery Lamia swept through the Vampsquitoes, incinerating dozens in a heartbeat!

    ¡°Our wings¡­ they ignite too easily! This is unfair!¡± They screamed as they tried to back away from that searing heat.

    ¡°Get back in there fight, you cowards!¡±

    At their leader¡¯s behest, the swarm began launching fierce attack after attack.

    However, Incinery Lamia also served as a potent barrier. It danced around Fenriss, protecting her from those flanking attackers with its horns aimed at their pathetic bellies.

    Such a spectacle!

    On the other side¡­

    "Crimson Tempest! Blood Puppetry!"

    Handerson unleashed his own Bloodline Arts with a roar as a wave of fear washed over those less intelligent insects who now found their wings heavier and escape less alluring.

    The air around him warped, his Blood Essence swirled violently. A crimson whirlwind materialized with razor-sharp edges, slashing, dicing those unfortunate enough to be caught within its grasp as their essence dimmed, then their bodies turned towards each other as his command came ringing.

    ¡°KILL YOUR BRETHREN! And those fools who resist. Disappear!¡±

    The Blood Sucking Vampsquitoes who were affected by his Blood Puppetry, began attacking their comrades in a frenzy of confusion! Mandibles clashed, wings were torn, and blood splattered across the clearing.

    "This is madness! W-what is happening?" They cried.

    While the swarm was busy focusing on Fenriss and Handerson, Lorial acted.

    ¡°Hmph, it¡¯s my turn!"

    Unlike her comrades, Lorial didn''t panic, not really. Instead, she stood firm amidst the swarming horde. Her platinum armor glistened and reflected her cold gaze, and her confidence was truly a wonder to behold, or perhaps, that arrogance she exuded masked her fear of those deadly things.

    And with a flick of her wrists, she unleashed her abilities in a horrifying dance of blood!

    "Blood Mirage!¡±

    She vanish, then her form reappeared in dozens of places all at once as blood flowed from her very core and solidify into deceptive doppelgangers.

    ¡°DIE! DIE! DIE!¡±

    BOOM!

    They began attacking those unfortunate blood-sucking creatures that hovered around her, laughing as those pathetic insects found their jaws snapping at nothing, their wings being torn by phantom energies, before her true form reappear behind her blood mirages that exploded and incinerated even more.

    "Hemorrhage Burst!"

    Her blood then surged outward, radiating potent essence that slammed into the confused Vampsquitoes, throwing them back into their comrades like an invisible bulldoze.

    And then came her favorite finale.

    "Crimson Chains!¡±

    She extend both hands towards her target. And from her Blood Essence, she summoned crimson chains, thick and imposing with thorns of black metals she so loved.

    ¡°No escape!"

    Her chains then lash forth and ensnared that indigo-glowing leader, pinning it in place.

    She dragged it closer.

    And delivered a cruel justice, worthy of a queen¡¯s servant, and she didn¡¯t even flinch.

    "My, my! Such boldness, but so stupid. A mere insect! Dares to challenge a Bloodthorne?!"

    Those chains, however, weren''t meant to simply restrain. No.

    Those barbs now started piercing into its chitinous flesh. It screamed with such piercing, high-pitched agony. But there was no reprieve! No mercy from this angel of death!

 Chapter 64 - Blood Sucking Vampsquitoes

    "Die, you pathetic insect!¡±

    Lorial watched with satisfaction as her Crimson Chains tightened and the razor-sharp barbs dug deeper into the flesh of the indigo-bellied Vampsquitoe leader. Its struggle lessened. The once proud, haughty buzzing was reduced to feeble clicks as its life essence ebbed away.

    ¡°How dare it challenge ME!?¡±

    Those whispers among the swarm also quieted down as the spectacle of their leader being drained caused a chill that only those whose bellies craved blood could comprehend and respect.

    And within a few heartbeats, the leader¡¯s struggle ceased. It''s bloated body dropped limply, no longer emanating a frightening indigo glow, but rather the stench of rotten meat.

    Such a pitiful demise.

    Lorial let out a sigh of relief as her chains retreated back to her essence. ¡°Well, that takes care of that.¡±

    ¡°Did she just¡­¡± Fenriss stared with wide opened eyes at how effortlessly the Platinum Blood Saint had slain a Nightmare Calamity level creature.

    Handerson also gaped, then said what Fenriss couldn¡¯t voice, "It¡¯s¡­ It¡¯s dead?! But how?!¡±

    The realization that it was her abilities that had subdued that monstrous leader, didn¡¯t settle well with Lorial.

    It would appear as if their celebration was premature, and fate was about to throw a terrible curveball.

    "You fools, do you really think that was the true leader?!¡± Lorial shook her head and lamented at how short-minded her two subordinates actually were.

    Although the indigo-level Vampsquitoe was a Nightmare Calamity, it was very lazy. It gained its strength by only drinking blood, but never actually practice any fighting skills, thus it was easily slain by Lorial.

    BZZZZZ!

    ¡°More are coming!¡±

    Lorial¡¯s warnings were already a few milliseconds late because surrounding them, another swarm buzzed into existence!

    They were larger now, easily numbering over a thousand. And their buzzing filled the clearing with a dreadful sound that mirrored a death rattle. Hunger, amplified by blood.

    ¡°We¡­ We¡¯re doomed." Handerson¡¯s brave facade crumbled. ¡°This mission! It was supposed to be a simple loot and dash, but now we''re about to be eaten alive! Oh gods of chaos. Why me?!"

    Fenriss¡¯ composure had also shattered, but unlike Henderson whose cowardly tendencies were bubbling to the surface, she focused on a beacon of hope, "Stay strong, Handerson! We can get through this somehow, surely there must be a way."

    Her eyes darted towards their senior, searching for any comforting words that only those with authority could utter, words of escape that she so desperately needed in that horrifying moment.

    "Right Lorial?! WE¡­ will¡­ survive¡­ this¡­ right?!¡± She was trying so desperately to convince herself that her fears were nothing more than imagination, but alas, reality would soon be upon them.

    Lorial was desperately assessing the situation. ¡°There are far too many! Fighting back is pointless, it¡¯ll only result in a quicker death. Our only option is to flee. And for that¡­ I¡¯ll need to activate that technique! Yes, it¡¯s the only way!¡±

    She huddled closer to her subordinates.

    ¡°Listen carefully. We¡¯re cutting our losses and getting out of here. But first, I need you both to BUY me some time. Can you do that?¡± Her eyes were filled with despair as she presented a question she already knew the answer to, but for the sake of those who respected her lineage, who looked to her as a leader, she asked. It was a show of respect and duty.

    ¡°Alright! We¡¯ll hold them off! But for how long?¡± Henderson already knew the answer. ¡°Ten minutes, maybe twelve, not longer, right?¡±

    Those brave words came out more as questions, but Lorial nodded, a silent thanks that resonated within his heart, a sliver of appreciation for those about to sacrifice. She wouldn''t forget them.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    ¡°Fenriss, I need you to conjure that Fiery Blood¡­ thing¡­?¡± She couldn''t recall the creature''s name. Her exhaustion had muddled her potent battle memories.

    "Incinery Lamia!¡± Fenris completed the sentence for her before placing a trembling hand on her heart, "Leave it to me, senior!¡±

    ¡°Yes, yesss¡­¡±

    Lorial began drawing runes in the air with her blood while muttering an ancient incantation. Simultaneously, her protectors prepared for round two.

    They understood that her survival depended on their sacrifice. Such was the way of the Bloodthorne!

    ¡­

    ¡°ATTACK!¡±

    That screech came from a Vampsquitoe whose yellow belly pulsated brighter than all those around him, he was their new commander, he¡¯d earned those stripes the old fashion way - by shoving his mandibles onto the skull of the previously fallen leader as it lay there twitching. And now, he was ready to prove his worth!

    The swarm buzzed forward like a terrifying wave of death.

    Their buzzing amplified the chaos as hundreds of ''Circular Spell Diagrams'' appeared. Each one radiated a sickly dark-purple energy, buzzing like angry wasps as those beams of doom they shot forth came with a burning hunger for essence!

    ¡°Here they come! GET READY!"

    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

    The Blood Knight''s retaliated instantly. They wouldn''t go down without a fight!

    ¡°Incinery Lamia!¡±

    Fenriss¡¯s blood-goat manifested with a blaze of scorching light, intercepting a volley of beams, burning those pesky mosquitoes into ash with an efficiency that had them sputtering and those wings flapping uncontrollably.

    "Crimson Tempest!"

    ¡°Blood Puppetry!¡±

    Handerson wove his blood into a swirling crimson storm of razor-sharp currents as he focused intently upon the charging Vampsquitoes. His eyes bled with power.

    He didn¡¯t bother separating or targeting a particular commander, for they were all his to control, now that his energies grew brighter and faster!

    ¡°MINE!¡±

    WHOOSH! CRACK!

    They found themselves slammed against the trees as his whispers of command resonated through them:

    ¡°TURN BACK, you fools, attack your brethren, and kill yourselves in the process!¡±

    He didn¡¯t hesitate. He didn¡¯t care!

    ¡°DISAPPEAR!¡±

    Those unlucky enough to be caught within his web of blood, either turned on their companions or vanished with a horrifying pop as their wings were torn apart.

    Meanwhile, as chaos reigned around them¡­

    Lorial''s whispers intensified, her platinum armor glowed as an ancient chant flowed. She was nearing the completion of her secret blood technique.

    This was their only hope of survival!

    However, the Vampsquitoes wouldn''t be deterred!

    They were driven by an insatiable hunger and their leader''s chilling commands, "KILL!"

    ¡°The humans¡¯ essence¡­ it smellsss¡­ DIVINE! We must feast! Now!¡±

    ¡°For our queen!¡± A fanatic yelled before unleashing its most deadly attack. Acid.

    They pushed harder. They ripped through her companions'' defenses. Incinery Lamia was swatted aside as it vanished, sending those flames to dance wildly around the clearing.

    "ARGH!"

    "Senior Lorial!¡±

    Both Golden Blood Knights fell!

    Lorial¡¯s concentration wavered for a mere moment as terror gripped her, but her years of arduous, strict, and often painful training from her elders had taught her something:

    Never fear death! Embrace it! It will propel your powers!

    And in those seconds as those mandibles were inches away from piercing her flesh, she laughed and the air parted.

    ¡°It¡¯s finally done!¡±

    With trembling hands that radiated potent crimson light, she activated her technique.

    "Eclipsing Veil - Sanguinary Moon!"

    The small orb with strange runes in her palm, suddenly shot skyward and exploded, creating a shockwave that threw back the nearest attackers, and then... something truly terrifying, majestic and unbelievably beautiful encapsulated their vision.

    A crimson moon of planetary size took form above the Dark Swamp Gorge. Its radiance overshadowed the stars! It dripped blood, a gruesome, yet alluring crimson cascade.

    ¡°Punishing Bloodshine! Annihilate!¡±

    Lorial raised both hands towards this newly created crimson heaven. And from its depths, a concentrated red ray of light, brighter than the setting sun descended onto that clearing.

    WHOOSH! BOOM!

    It struck the earth!

    The Bloodshine vaporized the weaker Vampsquitoes! They were reduced to ash and their buzzing silenced forever.

    But for the strongest, a more horrifying fate awaited them, those that survived found their bodies locked in place, unable to even twitch as the crimson glow enveloped their forms.

    They were trapped by thick crimson roots!

    These ¡®Blood Roots¡¯ began draining the Vampsquitoes'' life essence. It was siphoning their energy and transferring it to the Blood Knights.

    Lorial¡¯s exhausted form glowed as she bathed in that essence being siphoned, she was a true vampire in that moment. She could feel her wounds healing, her Blood Pool replenishing as quickly as it was depleted earlier.

    A miracle!

    Handerson and Fenriss had also recovered. They looked at each other with shared silent understanding. Their loyalty was unwavering.

    They couldn¡¯t waste precious time with apologies. This wasn¡¯t their leader¡¯s victory, but rather a desperate gamble. They understood that.

    "Senior! It''s time to go! We can¡¯t delay. Our time is running out!¡±

    Lorial nodded and motioned towards the western peak. "That way! We¡¯ll lose them in the forest first!¡±

    Without a word, all three darted into the forest with incredible speed, leaving their gruesome victory behind. They had survived another close encounter.

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±

    Raphael watched the knights shot past him. They didn¡¯t see him due to the tall shrubs.

    Raphael refocused his attention on that blood moon above. He wasn¡¯t being affected by its rays because he was hidden beneath the trees. As he observed the effect of that technique, he began to crave it.

    He wanted to learn that Bloodline Art. Up till now, he didn¡¯t fully grasp the extent of how powerful the Bloodthorne skills were, but now, he was starting to understand.

    He looked at those immobile Vampsquitoes, trapped in those growing Blood Roots. It was terrifying, but it could make him truly unstoppable.

    "That blood moon technique¡­ I NEED IT!"

 Chapter 65 - Cornered

    "We have to keep moving! Every second counts!¡±

    ¡°But senior¡­ my essences! It¡¯s depleted already!¡±

    The three Blood Knights dashed through the dark forest, leaving behind a trail of crimson streaks as they flew low, twisting and turning, weaving through trees.

    A pack of Basalt Back Jaguars growled as their blurs whizzed past. A lone Tianguin Gatoroid hissed in annoyance. But they didn''t pause.

    Escape was paramount!

    ¡°Those damned Vampsquitoes¡­¡±

    "They''re relentless," Lorial muttered as she glanced behind. There were no signs of pursuit yet, but she couldn¡¯t shake the chilling premonition that their ordeal was far from over.

    "H-how far are we going? Senior Lorial!" Handerson shouted. "My Blood Pool is almost completely depleted. I can''t¡­ maintain this speed much longer!¡±

    ¡°Right, why are we still pushing ourselves so hard?!¡± Fenriss shouted her own fear, ¡°Haven''t we already lost them?¡±

    It was a valid question. They¡¯d been flying for several minutes now, her ¡®Sanguinary Moon¡¯ had masked their essence, surely¡­

    But then they heard it. A familiar, horrifying sound coming from the sky above.

    BZZZZZ!

    "NOOOO!" Lorial screamed in horror. She¡¯d hoped their escape would have taken them further from the dangers of the swamp.

    "They''re back! Those bloodsuckers are back!" Henderson cried as a wave of those grotesque insects buzzed into view.

    This third wave seemed to effortlessly materialized out of nowhere and surrounded them instantly!

    It was terrifyingly fast!

    They were trapped once again!

    "This is¡­ impossible! They weren''t this fast earlier!" Even Lorial¡¯s composure cracked as despair gripped her, those chains of crimson now felt useless against these numbers.

    She glance at her comrades who had their sword raised. She shook her head in resignation and uttered, "We''ve exhausted our options. There are no more trump cards. This time¡­"

    She glanced towards the heavens in silent prayer. It seemed this would be their final stand.

    ¡°What the hell¡­ these humans are juicy?!¡±

    The newly arrived Vampsquitoes leader hissed in amusement while observing these fools.

    ¡°They smell different. Tainted with a potent metallic essence. I¡¯ve never tasted blood like this before!¡±

    "Right! Right! Humans that drink too much blood? Such a rare and delicious meal!"

    ¡°You damn tasty vermin! Thought you could escape us?!¡± another one with a fat red belly yelled. ¡°Your blood already belongs to US!¡±

    "We will DEVOUR you!" Their commander screech with such dreadful, horrifying intention that a shiver raced through Lorial¡¯s very spine as she drew her dagger.

    ¡°They¡¯re going to attack!¡± She cried.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    WHOOSH! CRACK!

    And with a chorus of hungry hisses, the Vampsquitoes swooped down upon their prey.

    ¡°FOR OUR QUEEN!¡±

    ¡°Sanguine Shield!¡±

    The two Golden Blood Knights, despite their depletion of essence, tried to repel their attackers with a valiant fervor.

    However, these monsters were relentless!

    ¡°They¡¯re breaking through, senior!¡± Henderson yelled as he tried his best to hold the empowerment of their shield.

    ¡°GET THEM!¡±

    ¡°That human in platinum armor¡­ It smells so different¡­!¡±

    ¡°It must be stronger, I WANT ITS HEART! GET OUT OF MY WAYYYY!¡±

    ¡°No, no, no¡­! Its mine!¡±

    ¡°MINE! MINE! MINE!¡±

    They swarmed toward Lorial. They were driven mad by her scent and in a heartbeat, their leader was already upon her. Its massive body buzzed and its mandibles clicked menacingly.

    Just as its serrated blades were inches away from piercing into her flesh¡­

    ¡°ROOOOAAAAR!¡±

    The terrifying bellow ripped through and stopped everything in that area instantly!

    They all covered their ears. Even the Blood Knights felt their very core shatter beneath the sonic waves that reverberate through the very air itself.

    ¡°What was that?¡± Fenriss shrieked. ¡°That sound?!¡±

    While those who could still fly struggled to regain their bearings, a giant shadow descended.

    THUD!

    Its impact shook the ground, and when the Vampsquitoes buzzed in confusion while scanning the area for the source of that thunderous landing and that fear they now all felt¡­ they witnessed their nightmare standing before those humans who smelled so divine!

    A gigantic golden bull, radiating potent energies, and upon its massive back, he bore two wings of utter blackness that were now flapping.

    ¡°What the¡­ It¡¯s a bull! What¡¯s a bull doing here? In our territory?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s far from the meadows!¡±

    They were bewildered. Never in their collective memories had such a powerful entity dared to enter the swamp at night time, but before their questions of ¡°What the hell is that?¡± could fully form into the thoughts they used to rationalized, something else occurred.

    Those golden hooves began to move.

    ¡°KILL! KILL! KILL!¡±

    Raphael wasn¡¯t wasting his time trying to comprehend their stupidity or the Blood Knight¡¯s fear, for those buzzing, bloodthirsty insects were now swarming in his direction as if they¡¯d never tasted death.

    They were coming!

    And he was hungry!

    "Wing Slashnado!"

    He didn¡¯t even bother conjuring his mighty ¡®Golden Press Blizzard¡¯ or a fiery ¡®Heliosphere Hazard¡¯. This simple but incredibly efficient technique was more than enough, for there were just far too many for even him to crush with his hooves or incinerate in a blast.

    WHOOSH!

    ¡°ARGH!¡±

    The sky erupted in a crimson shower of blood and buzzing wings that shredded those foolhardy attackers.

    Those that were lucky enough to be at the back of the swarm witnessed something that made them re-evaluate their desire to be a Blood Sucking Vampsquitoe, for on those crimson splattered ground was evidence of true power. They had never seen such efficiency in killing their kind.

    The stench of blood permeated those murky waters!

    ¡°He¡¯s¡­¡±

    ¡°Impossible?!¡±

    They scurried back into the swamp depths, buzzing their farewells.

    ¡°Next time we¡¯ll be better prepared!¡±

    ¡°That bull¡­ IT¡­ IT devoured a hundred of our brethren with a single swipe!¡± Those words carried the terror and fear they¡¯d tasted.

    They wouldn''t forget it. Not today, nor a thousand years from now!

    ¡­

    Raphael watched them disappear into the shadowy forest before returning his attention to the stunned humans who now gazed upon him as if they¡¯d witnessed the sun rising at night time.

    "Unbelievable." Fenris could only utter.

    ¡°That power¡­¡± Handerson was flabbergasted.

    Their desperate attempt to protect their little senior had drained them entirely, but this bull had just obliterated that swarm as if it were nothing.

    Handerson shivered as the memories of his dead comrades came flashing into his mind. This beast is a Calamity. The realization hit him like a thunderclap.

    ¡°That bull is BIG trouble for us!¡± He turned towards Lorial who seemed surprisingly calm, gathering what little strength she had left to appear dignified in front of the one who would soon be their doom.

    "That¡¯s¡­ a Golden Bull Thork!"

    They had to flee, but even that thought, it was laughable in their depleted states.

    ¡°Why did that bull rescue us just now? Could it also wants to devour us?¡± Lorial¡¯s suspicions were confirmed when that imposing golden form started approaching. They attempted to run but with a stomp,

    BOOM!

    They found themselves trapped in a barrier. It was a spherical prison crafted from razor-sharp bronze scales, each one radiating electric yellow.

    They tried to break free, but it was futile.

    "H-huh?! It¡¯s¡­ A prison?!¡±

    ¡°This is hopeless. That bull trapped us!¡±

    Before their fears could turn to those pathetic screams of a cornered rabbit begging a hunting hound to simply devour its soul quickly, they saw an opening.

    ¡°What is¡­ he?!¡±

    Raphael entered the cage and looked down upon them.

    The Platinum Blood Saint and the two weak Golden Blood Knights. They now resembled those little ants he used to play with back in the Bloodthorne Empire before his new reality came knocking.

    What would become of them now?

 Chapter 66 - Bullâ€™s Bargain

    The atmosphere within the ''Electric Scale Prison'' popped with tension.

    Three Blood Knights: a Platinum Blood Saint and two Golden Blood Knights. They stood in their battle stances, facing a creature of immense power, the Golden Bull Thork.

    Each was ready to fight, to die even, defending their honor as warriors of the Bloodthorne lineage.

    ¡®Perhaps I should instill a bit of fear into these humans,¡¯ Raphael thought mischievously.

    He snorted and stamped a golden hoof. The impact reverberated through the prison, and sent the three Blood Knights sprawling onto their backsides with yelps.

    ¡°Hahahaha! You Bloodthorne knights are HILARIOUS!" He couldn''t contain his amusement.

    The absurdity of seeing those proud, arrogant warriors reduced to shivering messes in an instant. It amused him immensely!

    Lorial scrambled to her feet. ¡°What did you just say? You¡­ know of us Bloodthorne?¡±

    She¡¯d caught a chilling arrogance in his voice. This was more than just the braggadocio of a power-hungry Calamity. There was a deeper truth lurking beneath its bloodshot eyes. And in that realization, she saw a chance of hope.

    The longer she could keep this bull talking, the longer they''d stay out of its mouth.

    ¡°Hmph! Of course, I know you snobby bastards!" Raphael¡¯s nostrils flared with those memories he¡¯d inherited. It was the tale of the Golden Bull Thork¡¯s humiliation, of being trapped by pathetic blood spikes, and a spoiled brat''s commands. It fueled his disdain.

    "If it weren¡¯t for your kind, I''d still be soaking in my Fire Pool within the Blood Forest!¡±

    "The Blood Forest?" Lorial''s eyes widened as a memory surfaced. ¡°Could you be¡­ the Golden Bull Thork Calamity¡­ the one that Princess Tajmani discovered?¡±

    Raphael snorted. ¡°HMPH! Don¡¯t mention that spoiled brat¡¯s name in my presence. Her scent infuriates me. One day, I¡¯ll stamp on her corpse! I¡¯ll make her bones dust beneath these hooves!"

    His hatred was palpable.

    Lorial observed his reaction and saw a way forward. It was risky, a dangerous gamble. But the mere fact that we¡¯re still alive¡­?

    ¡®Perhaps this hatred could work to our advantage?¡¯

    ¡°We may have our differences¡­ but aren¡¯t we both¡­ from the same land, from the same origin? We¡¯re all Bloodthorne, you and I. Since we are both from the same land, why don¡¯t you consider showing us mercy? If you let us go, we promise not to report your location to the higher ups of the Bloodthorne Empire¡± She hoped he would see them as allies.

    ¡°You speak of mercy? You?!¡± Raphael¡¯s bellow shook the prison. ¡°Rubbish! I fear no Bloodthorne! Bring that witch Ewa Nier before me, and I¡¯ll show you what true justice is! I''ll squash her pathetic self like a bug! Do you hear me!?

    ¡®Ewa Nier, our Queen? He knows of our Queen!¡¯ Her curiosity grew.¡¯ I would appear this bull has a personal vendetta to settle.¡¯

    ¡°Senior, please!¡±

    ¡°Please don¡¯t anger this bull.¡±

    At that moment, Handerson and Fenriss spoke up,This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Lorial turned towards her panicked subordinates and told them, ¡°Silence!¡±

    Her unwavering command had them bowing their heads. ¡°I will handle this situation."

    ¡°You will handle it?¡± Her bold statement didn¡¯t escape Raphael¡¯s ear.

    THUD!

    He took a step towards them and they all braced for the end, however. It never came. Instead, he plopped onto the ground with a deep sigh and leaned forward conspiratorially.

    ¡°Hmm, listen here, you Bloodthorne babies. There''s only ONE reason why I rescued you from those bloodsucking bastards. I need those potent Bloodline Arts of yours, especially that blood moon technique. I¡¯ve never seen anything like it. I MUST have it!¡±

    "WHAT?!"

    ¡°Is this brute serious? He wants my technique?¡±

    "He¡¯s interested in senior Lorial¡¯s secret technique?!" Handerson and Fenris were aghast.

    ¡°Yes! I''m dead serious! Don¡¯t test my patience.¡±

    A tense silence stretched until Lorial, finally composed herself enough to respond. ¡°Even if I shared those intricacies, you wouldn¡¯t be able to use it. You¡¯re not a true Bloodthorne. It¡¯s useless to you."

    ¡°That doesn''t matter. I want it! NOW!¡±

    He watched as these three humans glanced towards each other. They then nodded before looking up at him with pleading gazes.

    ¡°Hmm. Such fear." He paused before relenting with an amused huff, for he was indeed enjoying this dominance he¡¯d never known. "Before we proceed, however, tell me why you¡¯ve dared to enter Yama Yaguai? Why would noble Bloodthorne knights risk their precious hide in such a place?¡±

    ¡°You mean why are we here in Yama Yaguai?¡±

    "Yes, that! And tell me truthfully. It couldn¡¯t possibly be that you were chasing me? NO, NO, NO¡­ surely those orders weren¡¯t that desperate."

    His question had Lorial thinking, ¡®He¡¯s curious about our mission, perhaps I could use this to distract him?¡±¡¯

    "Well¡­¡± She began carefully.

    ¡°Our regiment was given a Triple-S-tier mission to retrieve a certain fruit. It bears once every thousand years. This time is the right time for a harvest. We were given specific locations and instructed to come here. To Yama Yaguai.¡±

    She added, ¡°Initially, we had five hundred knights! Our mission was progressing smoothly, until¡­ we encountered those Vampsquitoe swarms. They slaughtered everyone. And those that were captured¡­ We heard their screams¡­ It was dreadful, horrifying.¡±

    Her voice cracked as the horror of their ordeal flooded her. Her emotions were genuine. She then took a deep breath, calming her soul as she recounted their escape.

    ¡°We managed to eliminate a few thousand of them but their numbers were endless. We used every technique, every trick we¡¯d learned. We fought until we were drained. It was the Sanguinary Moon that saved us from total annihilation. But even with those efforts, they wouldn''t give up. There were endless waves. The rest of the story. You already know."

    "Fascinating¡­¡±

    Her recount had piqued Raphael¡¯s interest, but he wasn''t at all curious about her losses, nor their pain and suffering. No, this Golden Bull Thork was fixated on that fruit these humans had been tasked with retrieving.

    ¡°What is this fruit you mention?¡± He licked his lips in anticipation.

    ¡°That fruit. We¡¯re after the Buddhist Pill Gourd.¡± She¡¯d said it.

    "WHAT!?¡± Raphael almost choke on his own tongue hearing this. ¡®So these runts are also after the Buddhist Pill Gourd? Then it must be powerful. Hmph! I mustn¡¯t let them have it. But I do need those Bloodline Arts. Maybe I can bargain with their life.¡¯

    After his pondering, Raphael snorted and addressed Lorial, ¡°Listen, forget about your mission. Your lives are far more valuable than pleasing your elders. I¡¯ll provide all three of you with safe passage out of Yama Yaguai in exchange for your blood arts. What do you say? I¡¯m a merciful Calamity.¡± He waited for their answer.

    "What...? Are you serious?¡± Lorial was taken aback by the audacity of this bull. It defied logic, he was offering them freedom! Why?

    "Fenris? Handerson?¡±

    Her subordinates were whispering to each other.

    ¡°He could¡¯ve just devour us, you know. But his proposal. Do you think he means it, Senior.?" Handerson whispered frantically.

    ¡°Maybe. We have to survive somehow.¡±

    ¡°But Senior? Surely you remember our vows before coming here?¡±

    ¡°If sharing it grants us freedom from this hell. We¡¯d be fools to refuse. This bull is powerful! A Calamity, he could easily chew us up and spit us out. And besides, this bull will never be able to use our secret techniques."

    If refusing was akin to jumping into the jaws of a hungry tiger, wouldn''t giving up what he sought be a worthy price to pay for their life?

    She¡¯d endure whatever punishment from her Elders, but death¡­ No, that wasn¡¯t an option.

    Finally, after a moment of silent debate and a chilling shudder that had the ¡®Electric Scale Prison¡¯ vibrating erratically. Lorial agreed.

    ¡°Very well. You have yourself a deal. But you¡¯ll have to release this prison first. And tell me what guarantees our safety? What happens when we¡¯re no longer useful?¡±

    ¡°Hmph! A valid question." Raphael snorted. It seemed they weren''t completely mindless after all.

 Chapter 67 - Purple Mirage

    "Hmph! It seems we''ve come to an understanding. Excellent."

    Raphael was satisfied with the bargain he''d struck with the Bloodthorne Knights. He was about to solidify their agreement, offer them his solemn word, a Golden Bull Thork''s promise, when a series of deafening explosions rocked the ''Electric Scale Prison.''

    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

    The earth trembled. The prison walls crackled. It was those bloodsuckers again. This time, their numbers were amplified to a horrifying degree.

    ¡°We haven¡¯t finished with you tasty little meats!¡±

    ¡°SHOW yourselves! We¡¯re hungry!¡±

    "Your essences belong to us! It¡¯ll make a nice snack for our queen. Imagine that! Your blood, jiggling within her divine belly! What a gift!"

    ¡°GET OUT HERE! NOW!"

    Their screams carried a primal chilling bloodlust.

    Inside the prison, Fenriss and Handerson, who had begun to see a sliver of hope in Raphael¡¯s offer, recoiled as terror gripped them anew.

    ¡°Damn it! They¡¯re endless! WE¡¯RE DOOMED!¡±

    "Senior¡­! We have to¡­¡±

    Lorial¡¯s composure snapped. She didn¡¯t have time for pleasantries, nor those comforting words those weak souls needed. She was done with this pathetic farce of a mission! They would strike a bargain, now! Before it was too late.

    Lorial screamed, "You got a deal, Bull! Get us out of here safely, and I¡¯ll give you my Blood Arts!"

    The last words of her plea reverberated throughout the prison until it shattered.

    BOOM!

    They were exposed.

    ¡°HISSSSS!¡±

    "FOOD! It¡¯s MORE food! FRESH meat!¡±

    ¡°Those humans! They smell so good! And that bull? What a glorious catch!"

    The Vampsquitoes buzzed excitedly. They were like vultures descending upon a feast. Their bellies rumbled with a terrifying hunger as they observed their prey.

    But they didn¡¯t rush in blindly.

    Their gaze settled upon the hulking figure of the Golden Bull Thork. Its hooves were ready to smash, and its wings were ready to slash!

    They were wary, they¡¯d seen those blades at work, however¡­

    ¡°Surely, he cannot defeat us ALL! There are thousands of us!¡±

    Their leader, this time a bright green, and massive Vampsquitoe with a particularly fat belly and long, razor-sharp mandibles yelled:

    "You damn bull! You¡¯re rather FAT and JUICY! You''ll make a wonderful gift for our Empress! As for those humans! They will be OURS to snack on! Step aside! Let us fulfill our bellies!"

    Raphael snorted. "PISS OFF! These humans are MINE!"

    He wasn''t about to relinquish his potential blood arts tutors. These Vampsquitoe were just insects. An annoyance. Nothing more.

    He slammed his hoof against the swamp floor.

    ¡°Black Pool!"

    A swirling vortex of pure darkness appeared. It extended outward from his golden hooves before engulfing the Blood Knights in an instant.

    Then, with a final ¡®POP¡¯!

    It shrunk and transformed into a small, black orb.

    Raphael then gestured to his two summoned Commanders.

    ¡°Kong, Melissa. Take this and deliver it outside Yama Yaguai. These humans are your responsibility. I¡¯ll hold those bloodsuckers off. Do you understand?¡±

    ¡°As you wish, Master!"

    "Consider it DONE! Fuhuhu!¡±

    His shadow generals darted into the skies with the speed of shooting stars. Melissa clutched the black orb. Her tail was swaying in delight of pleasing her master. What an exciting job!

    ¡°AFTER THEM! DO NOT LET THEM ESCAPE!¡±

    The Vampsquitoes were about to give chase when¡­This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

    "DARK BLOOD DOMAIN!¡±

    BOOM!

    Raphael roared. The world around him was consumed. A suffocating darkness enveloped those wretched bloodsuckers.

    "HISSSS!"

    "What is this? Where are we?¡±

    ¡°Why is it so dark?¡±

    ¡°Is this hell!¡±

    They panicked, confused. It was dark now. And in that moment of uncertainty, they sensed it. That metallic smell. It was so potent. Their mandibles started clicking excitedly.

    Then they saw it!

    The blood!

    It flowed like a river on the floor of this new domain, a feast for their greedy eyes and a scent that drove them into frenzy.

    "Thissssssss issssssss... It¡¯s BLOOD!"

    "FOOD!"

    "DRINK!"

    But just as they eagerly swooped down to taste,

    WHOOSH!

    The blood surged upwards, hardening into massive, crimson spikes!

    "ARGHHHHH! MY GUT!"

    "It¡¯s a TRAP! GET OUT!"

    Their horrifying cries were nothing but futile whispers in Raphael¡¯s domain as he savored his kill. His ''Dark Blood Domain'' wasn''t simply about suppressing their powers. No, it was about devouring the very essences they coveted; the blood they so desperately wanted.

    He was the predator now!

    A short time later¡­

    "Haaa! That¡¯s the last of them."

    The ''Dark Blood Domain'' dissolved, leaving behind a thick, cloying scent of iron and decay.

    Raphael¡¯s golden hide now slick with gore, surveyed the carnage. Not a single Vampsquitoe remained because their buzzing was silenced and their bloodlust quenched by his domain¡¯s devouring hunger.

    He couldn''t savor the victory, for a new wave of buzzing, more frantic and bloodthirsty than the last, was approaching. They descended upon him like a black cloud.

    BZZZZZZZ!

    ¡°Where are they? WHERE are those humans!?¡±

    This was the fourth and fifth wave, combined. Their numbers seemed endless.

    ¡°Where are those bloody humans!?¡± Hollered the leader of this swarm. It looked down and noticed the lone bull standing there, and came to the conclusion that this bull must have eaten their prey.

    "That DAMN BULL! You DARE eat our snack?! You will SUFFER today! We will DEVOUR YOU!"

    The leader''s enraged shriek resounded before it unleashed crimson energies in a blast that was meant to shatter bones and melt his golden hide.

    ¡°These buzzing bastards!¡±

    Raphael didn¡¯t stand still, not this time. He¡¯d been cornered for too long and the thrill of power was fading. His survival instinct kicked in and he retaliated instantly.

    ¡°Wing Slashnado!¡±

    He ripped through a few dozen in a swift, bloody swipe of his wings. Then unleashed those potent energies that he¡¯d inherited.

    "Electric Tail Lash!"

    His tail whipped around. It was crackling with lightning, enhanced by Lu Lingxue¡¯s essence. The impact sent many Vampsquitoes flying into the trees. They exploded in a burst of green goo and splattered blood.

    But their numbers were overwhelming.

    Those smaller ones darted through his defenses, they swarmed, and their serrated mouths pierced his golden hide. They feasted, gorging on his blood and those that grew fat on his essences were suddenly more potent, they glowed with a new brilliance that was truly terrifying.

    This wasn¡¯t about fighting for survival anymore, it was about retreat. A desperate gamble to live another day!

    ¡°I have to GET OUT of here! They¡¯re too fast. I can¡¯t hold them off for much longer!¡±

    He then focused his intent upon those bloodthirsty creatures and yelled his newly acquired technique, ¡°Raging Bull Roar!¡±

    BOOM!

    A sonic wave unlike anything he¡¯d ever experienced, blasted outwards and knocked the Vampsquitoes off course.

    They staggered!

    They were stunned!

    His way was clear. He took off. But they weren¡¯t done.

    ¡°Get up you lazy fools! That bull! CATCH HIM!¡±

    The leader¡¯s commands had them shaking away the disorientation from his earlier sound attack as a primal hunger propelled their movements. And that one from earlier with the fat yellow belly, that one now glowed green ¨C a Saint Ruler!

    ¡°After him! He¡¯s¡­ delicious! That blood, so sweet! We¡¯ve never tasted such potency! He will be a noble repast for our Queen!"

    The chase was on!

    WHOOSH!

    Raphael bulldozed through the trees.

    ¡°Those damn buzzing mosquitos! They won¡¯t stop! They¡¯re catching up!"

    He unleashed a barrage of ¡®Wing Slashnados¡¯ but to no avail. The Vampsquitoes simply regrouped and followed, as if a bloodthirsty dance was their desire now.

    Seeing those blood-red, yellow, and emerald glows behind him, he pushed himself harder!

    ¡°I¡¯ve got to get AWAY!¡±

    Golden lightning crackled around him. His speed, amplified by his instincts to survive, reached a peak. The swamp became a blur. Trees whipped past him like wisps of smoke as he dodged and weaved until finally, a path cleared and a hazy glow appeared ahead.

    "Purple¡­ fog? What is this?"

    Raphael was hesitant to slow down, but his curiosity and fatigue got the better of him.

    He plunged into the swirling mist.

    Immediately, something felt off. His speed was slowing. The air around him felt heavy.

    ¡°Why am I¡­ slowing down?¡± He questioned as he frantically searched for an exit, a path that would lead back to sanity.

    ¡°Who are you¡­? You must OBEY¡­!¡±

    The words were fragmented. They buzzed and echoed. He swatted the air, but there was nothing. It was the fog. It was messing with his head.

    "I''ve got to get out of here!" He began to panic, he could feel those bloodsuckers coming closer.

    Then ahead, a radiant, golden light glimmered through the mists. He rushed toward that opening.

    "Hmm¡­ What the¡­ Where¡­"

    As soon as he entered the light, Raphael stumbled and fell onto a grassy patch. He blinked, and confusion swept over him.

    The fog was gone.

    The swamps¡­ they¡¯d vanished.

    He looked down at himself and gasped!

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m¡­ human again?¡±

    He was in his old Bloodthorne attire.

    He touched his face. The furs were gone. He ran a hand through his short, dark purple hair and gasped, for it wasn''t Shao Jin''s golden glow anymore. These strands were softer, human!

    "What is going on?¡±

    He gazed back toward the direction he¡¯d come from, searching for those misty woods. The path was sealed, a vibrant emerald green meadow extended before him. It was so peaceful.

    "Weren''t I just in the Dark Swamp Gorge? Being chased by those Vampsquitoes. Was it all just a DREAM?¡±

    His hooves were gone, they''d been replaced with human feet that were trembling. He cautiously walked ahead, desperate for an explanation, some truth, some logic. But nothing made sense. Then a familiar sight had him stopping.

    It was Tajmani''s residence. That tower, those balconies, how familiar, how terrifying those used to be.

    ¡°Was I dreaming all alone? Yama Yaguai, those Calamities, was it all just a dream?¡± He was lost in thought.

    Before him stood an elderly figure that he¡¯d thought lost forever; his only source of comfort back then when life truly was a nightmare, a torment he¡¯d been given as a gift to appease a vengeful queen.

    "Butler Long?!¡± Raphael rushed over.

    He threw his arms around the man in a hug and cried joyously. "I¡¯m so glad to see you. I MISSED you.¡±

    "Raphael? My boy! Is something wrong?¡± The elderly man returned the hug with a puzzled expression.

    ¡°What do you mean you missed me? You only went for a walk an hour ago, remember?"

    Those words and that look of confusion had Raphael questioning his sanity once more. It felt so real.

    "But¡­¡±

    His memories were fading. Yama Yaguai, its dangers, those terrifying battles. Those events were slipping away as his new human reality was taking hold.

 Chapter 68 - Queen Kwan Yuu

    "He''s heavy! Heavier than he looks!"

    "Quit whining! We''re almost there!"

    "Right! Imagine how pleased Queen Kwan Yuu will be. This bull¡¯s blood, it¡¯s potent! We''ll all be rewarded handsomely."

    The Vampsquitoe swarm buzzed excitedly as they carried their massive, unconscious prize - the Golden Bull Thork - towards their nest.

    ¡°A bull Calamity''s blood! Such a delicacy!¡±

    "I want first dibs on his heart!"

    "No! The eyes! Those juicy, crimson eyes! They¡¯re mine!"

    "Shut up, both of you! You¡¯ll spoil the Queen''s meal with your greed!"

    Their boisterous laughter and insults echoed through the Dark Swamp Gorge, causing nocturnal creatures to scurry for cover.

    One greedy Vampsquitoe, couldn''t resist the temptation. While the others argued, it stealthily extended its proboscis and pierced Raphael¡¯s side.

    ¡°SSSuck¡­ suck, suck¡­ So¡­ sssweet! And those essences! It¡¯s like¡­ CANDY!¡±

    Its moment of illicit pleasure was cut short.

    "Hey! What do you think you¡¯re doing, you greedy guts?!" Another Vampsquitoe shrieked indignantly, "That¡¯s the Queen¡¯s meal, not yours! SPIT IT OUT!"

    "B-but I was¡­"

    WHAM!

    Before it could defend itself, it was kicked away by the others and could only watch helplessly as his meal for the night got lifted up higher and carried deeper into that shadowy forest.

    "You''ll regret thisss! I''ll¡­" Its threats faded as it nurse his now bruised behind, such bad luck indeed.

    The swarm continued deeper, carrying the unconscious bull deeper and deeper. Before them loomed a grotesque structure - their nest, known in legend as the ¡®Corpse Hive.¡¯

    It resembled a colossal, animated, black organism. A mesh of pulsating arteries spread across its outer layer. Every vein hosted purple bulges which had a terrifying rhythmic heartbeat of hunger that resonated through the ground below.

    This monstrosity covered an area a kilometer wide and several kilometers high. The very air within this space was stagnant and it smelled like dried blood.

    And from this monstrosity, smaller versions came emerging to bear witness. These ¡®Purple Blood Nests¡¯ that were hundreds in number throbbed silently as a morbid curiosity drew their occupants out of their cozy and dark inner layers.

    The Vampsquitoes continued their flight through this grotesque haven. Their buzzing elicited hisses of curiosity and envy.

    "Is that¡­ a bull Calamity? How did they capture it?"

    "Must be a gift for Queen Kwan Yuu."

    "Lucky bastards!"

    Finally, they reached the heart of the Corpse Hive which hosted their Queen''s chamber.

    The chamber was a massive cavern. At the center, a large cauldron of black metal with a potent blood-red aura bubbled menacingly, those whispers from within the hot steam a horrific melody of tormented souls. And the aromas? A mix of sulfur and ancient burnt bones.

    Around the cauldron¡¯s base was a nightmarish ossuary! A mountain of skulls, bones and dried entrails which resembled a flower arrangement at a pauper¡¯s grave. Truly magnificent.

    ¡°What in the hell?!¡±

    Raphael who was drifting in and out of consciousness shivered slightly upon sensing a potent demonic energy coming from within that giant vessel.

    High above, perched upon a stalactite of bone, was their Queen.

    Kwan Yuu - Queen of the Vampsquitoe Denizens. Her colossal body dwarfed even her mightiest children, and that massive, bloated, translucent abdomen throbbed ominously with a purple radiance.

    She appeared to be sleeping¡­

    BZZZZZ!

    Their buzzing shook her gently, but when her royal nap had been sufficiently interrupted by insistent, and ever-increasing clamor she extended a large scaly foot, that could squash an entire elephant without much effort and gave it a mighty slap downwards at the annoying insects below.

    BOOOOM!

    ¡°What¡¯s happening?! Don¡¯t wake me from a nap ever again, you useless fool¡­¡± she hissed angrily.

    Those that were hit, vanished! Such terrible bad luck, and their sacrifice had her eyes opened.

    Kwan Yuu opened her piercing purple eyes. They radiated a bloodlust and a chilling predatory hunger. She descended gracefully, then hovered above the steaming cauldron and gazed at those gathered below with irritation.

    "What brings you here? And why have you disturbed my slumber?!" Her voice bounced around the cavernous chamber, causing those smaller ''Purple Blood Nest¡¯ perched nearby to tremble nervously. It would appear their Queen was displeased.

    One Vampsquitoe, braver than its peers, flew forward. It then bowed low, and quieted its buzzing before speaking.

    "Your Majesty. We have brought you¡­a glorious offering. A delicacy we know you¡¯ll savor immensely. "

    They proudly presented their prize: the massive, unconscious form of the Golden Bull Thork.

    Kwan Yuu¡¯s gaze settled on the bull. "Hmm¡­" A predatory smile spread across her monstrous face. This creature¡¯s essence was indeed appetizing. Such potent life force.

    "Toss it into the ''Four-Faced Blood Sapping Cauldron¡¯!"

    ¡°YES, QUEEN!¡±

    They didn''t hesitate. Even though those aromas of burning essence and potent blood made them cower. After all who wasn¡¯t afraid of getting cooked in that monstrous, terrifying and very powerful vessel? Surely only a fool, he''d not want to endure such fate.

    The Vampsquitoes lifted Raphael again. They carefully lowered him into the cauldron, as the air thickened with energy and heat. Sweat dripped from their faces. Their wings beat faster. Their bodies shrunk.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    Their leader couldn¡¯t resist yelling, ¡°Hurry! Move! Or the cauldron will absorb too much of your essence!¡±

    And his admonishments were valid.

    The Four-Faced Blood Sapping Cauldron wasn''t simply a pot for cooking meat. This cauldron was a relic of immense power. It was an ancient device that could boil down even a Calamity''s body to the bone while simultaneously harnessing its blood, Solar Essence, and refining it all into a potent blood broth, one sip capable of accelerating a Vampsquitoe¡¯s cultivation by several folds, that is, if their Queen didn¡¯t feast upon it all. Such was her power, their privilege and power.

    Each face had a crystal embedded in its mouth. And when a particular stage of the refinement process was complete, one or more of these crystals glowed:

    White Crystal: Body refinement achieved.

    Red Crystal: Blood harnessed and concentrated.

    Orange Crystal: Solar Essence harvested and intertwined.

    Green Crystal: Essence stabilization achieved, ready for consumption.

    Currently elsewhere¡­

    Bat General Kong and Bat General Melissa soared through the sky like a formidable duo of shadow and might. Behind them, the Dark Swamp Gorge receded into the distance.

    "Those insects! They were persistent!" Kong grumbled.

    ¡°Indeed. But their blood and essence were very beneficial to our bellies, fuhuhu.¡± Melissa¡¯s laughter had a chilling echo to it, but her pink gaze was fixed intently on something behind them.

    ¡°What! There¡¯s more coming!¡±

    "Solar Beam!"

    Without hesitation, she spun around. The ¡®Sun Cycle¡¯ upon her back glowed with an intense, golden-red. It unleashed a devastating blast that incinerated dozens of pursuing Vampsquitoes before they even had a chance to react. Their screams didn¡¯t last long.

    ¡°Tsk! Such pathetic insects.¡± Kong sneered and swung his spear. ¡°Rai Shen Long!¡±

    The golden dragon coiled around the shaft of his spear thrashed, then it grew to a colossal size in a heartbeat, opening its jaw and unleashing a torrent of pure lightning that obliterated the remaining pursuers, sending forth a loud crackle across the sky as if a storm was brewing.

    Their way was clear. They continued onwards towards their destination with renewed haste and purpose.

    ...

    A short while later, they landed on frost-covered ground that glistened like diamonds beneath the starlit sky. This wasn''t the lush green or mud they were accustomed to back in Black Wind.

    They glanced at each other with a silent understanding of their roles. Melissa then opened her palm and extended the small, black sphere towards the frozen plains below.

    It rolled for a bit before expanding in a burst of shadow essence, and releasing its captives.

    The three Blood Knights stumbled out, blinking and confused.

    ¡°We¡¯re alive?!¡±

    ¡°Where¡­ Where are we?"

    ¡°Did we escape those pests?¡±

    They stared at their surroundings, baffled by the sudden shift in scenery, the freshness of the air was a welcome change. This wasn¡¯t the depts of Yama Yaguai¡¯s stench, or perhaps they were so accustomed to rotting smells that those potent floral fragrance weren¡¯t registered.

    And as they gathered themselves and tried to make sense of their escape, their eyes settled upon their saviors.

    "A bat, and a¡­"

    ¡°Naga?!¡± They quickly assumed defensive postures. Within seconds, blood-red swords were materializing.

    ¡°Hold!¡± Melissa¡¯s seductive voice cut through their apprehension. ¡°Lower your weapons, we were ordered by our Master, the Bull Calamity to escort you safely.¡±

    Lorial paused when she heard this. "Your¡­ ''Master'' instructed this?¡±

    She could also feel a strange peace that wasn''t theirs, nor from Yama Yaguai.

    "We are outside its border¡­? This is the east border." she realized. "He kept his word."

    "Hmph! It¡¯s in Master¡¯s nature to honor bargains." Bat General Kong puffed his armored chest, it was obvious that their lineage wasn''t fond of being questioned, but he understood that humans needed reassurance, after all weren¡¯t those ancient contracts between gods and lesser beings signed in blood and fire? He had to maintain decorum for now.

    Sheathing her swords reluctantly, Lorial cupped a fist. "Indeed. And as such. We shall honor ours." Her solemn voice resonated. She then glanced back towards her subordinates, who were still visibly wary of this new threat that had them surrounded.

    She then pulled from her Nexus Plate, a dark red item.

    "As promised. Take this."

    It was a crimson star tetrahedron. It was infused with her Blood Essence and Bloodline Arts. That power she so desperately used to save their lives earlier.

    She looked toward her companions who understood the bargain. They approached and offer their share of the bounty. It wasn''t simply to avoid breaking the deal, they weren¡¯t eager to end up as minced meat! Not now, not ever, that much those quivering hands reveal.

    Three star tetrahedron floated serenely before Melissa¡¯s now glowing eyes as her lips formed an eager, seductive smile, "My, my¡­ such a delightful treasure trove¡­ Thank you."

    She flicked her tongue as she picked it up, one after the other and observed it with a connoisseur¡¯s glee, for these were not ordinary trinkets but rather skills from an ancient bloodline and knowledge that those who weren¡¯t of that lineage wouldn¡¯t even fathom existing.

    Melissa scrutinized these trinkets. She adjusted her monocle then call on ¡°Zhu Jian¡± who materialled before her. ¡°We need assurance that they weren¡¯t attempting to trick us."

    She gestured with a flick of her long tail. "Zhu Jian, assess these."

    The Sagewood Script didn¡¯t hesitate. It eagerly absorbed the treasures. It then flickered and those runes became active before the words appeared.

    ¡®The offered techniques are genuine.¡¯

    ¡°Hmm¡­!¡±

    Both Generals were very impressed with this Sagewood Script¡¯s swiftness and proficiency.

    "Excellent," Bat General Kong smiled. It was clear to them now, why their master kept this creature so close.

    "It''s now official," said Melissa, ¡°You may go!¡± She turned around to leave as well.

    After gathering their resolve to exit Yama Yaguai¡¯s hellish gate and begin a long trip back towards civilization that could take several days, if they survived those beasts encounters on their way. They bowed before turning towards the light above, ready to traverse the skies above towards that rising moon that would hopefully guide their broken spirits to safety.

    ¡°Hmph! It is good that we¡¯re leaving with our life, not like others." Said Lorial to her subordinates.

    ¡°Truly, Senior. It was hell back there.¡± Handeson commented as they prepared to leave.

    However, their steps froze when Melissa shouted:

    "HOLD IT!"

    ¡°What?!¡± They were confused! Had something change? It would appear fate still had tricks at its scaly sleeves.

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Even Kong gave Melissa a puzzled look, ¡®What is this bitch up to?¡¯

    ¡°You humans. Tell me, is that all you have to offer?¡± Melissa flicked that tongue again before emphasizing, ¡°I mean¡­ surely you all understand Master¡¯s fondness for those blood treasures?¡±

    Then her voice softened. ¡°But Master isn¡¯t one to greedily take without reciprocating¡­ right?" She adjusted her monocle before directing her pink eyes on those shivering humans, "So? Anything else that might appease master¡¯s essence. We will guarantee safe travels. There are many dangers here even at the border of Yama Yaguai. You''ve been warned."

    ¡®Is this her means of extorting us?¡¯ Lorial was keen on the uptake.

    ¡°Senior, should we also¡­?¡± Fenriss didn¡¯t want to give over their treasures.

    Lorial sighed and told her peers, ¡°Just hand them over.¡±

    Fear propelled their hands to activate the devices on their wrist which glowed dimly. They hastily dumped their ¡®Nexus Plate¡¯ treasures upon the snow-covered ground before whispering:

    "Take them! They''re yours, just leave us be!¡±

    "Wise decision."

    Zhu Jian unfurled itself and hovered above the assorted treasures. It began identifying each treasure one after the other.

    A list then materialized:

    ¡­

    Solar Sabre: A special hilt, capable of absorbing its wielder''s Solar Essence to conjure blades of solidified energy. Its power is dependent on one¡¯s stage of cultivation, truly a magnificent find for a Bloodthorne, a perfect tool for showing one¡¯s might.

    Black Slate Nameplate: A plate of dark stone etched with intricate white runes used as official documentation by the Bloodthorne Empire Registry. It stores personal details about its owners.

    "Hmm? It¡¯s¡­ empty? It has not been activated, what a strange gift."

    This inscription is activated after an individual is acknowledged by an official from their registry! Strange¡­ why would they have this?¡± Kong looked towards Lorial with curiosity and perhaps, even respect for a bloodline so meticulous.

    Green Mamba Orchid: A rare flower said to enhance  sensory perception and spiritual acuity upon consumption, but these effects are only temporary.

    Blood Replenishing Potions: These powerful elixirs can rapidly replenish Blood Pools and regenerate wounds quickly.

    Blood Essence Pills: These concentrated pills grant short bursts of enhanced power, but it comes at a high cost.

    Spirit Enhancing Talismans: Enchanted scriptures that augment concentration, focus and spells they choose to weave. This power, like the orchids is temporal, and is easily broken.

    Blue Fang Chrysanthemum: This delicate flower blooms under moonlight. And it is a rare, expensive ingredient in creating special fragrance only reserved for noble ladies such as princesses and Queen Ewa Nier. The stench repels insects and lower-tier beasts, such an invaluable item in their land and beyond.

    Lily Blood Root: These bulbous roots, like their flowers, exudes a fragrance that dulls a user''s senses, creating a temporary state of euphoria. However, if mixed with other Bloodthorne concoctions. It could amplified and become more toxic. One touch is fatal.

    Iron Turtle Shield: A massive, enchanted metallic shield capable of deflecting even a ¡®Helios Stream¡¯. How amazing and useful.

    Black Sin Robe: This robe, crafted from the living flesh of a Shadow Serpent, can repair itself and it amplifies the wearer¡¯s presence. The hood provides extra protection from spiritual attacks. What a luxurious find.

    Vajra Mask: A platinum-laced artifact. Wearing it alters an individual¡¯s facial features. This is a tool made for deception.

 Chapter 69 - Cooking

    Raphael was soaring through the skies, not on his mighty wings of shadow and bronze, but rather perched upon a magnificent griffin with feathers that looking like a thousand rainbows. This wondrous beast wasn¡¯t his though. He was simply a passenger, enjoying a bird¡¯s eye view.

    Beside him, Butler Long held onto the reins with a smile. ¡°Those lands below, young master, every inch is filled with stories, treasures and creatures you¡¯d never encounter anywhere but our blessed homeland.¡±

    He truly appreciated this bird¡¯s eye tour, or perhaps it was Butler Long''s familiar warmth he enjoyed, his calming voice and patient explanations, as if recalling memories they¡¯d both cherished.

    This was happiness he¡¯d never truly grasped before.

    Below them, a breathtaking panorama of Bloodthorne cities and towns unfolded, bathed in the gentle radiance of the Grey Sun, an orb he''d once gazed upon with longing as his master screamed obscenities and berated him as being useless. Those unpleasant sentiments seemed like a distant, forgotten nightmare.

    "It''s breathtaking! I never truly knew what our home truly resemble before today, Butler Long!"

    "Indeed. We have much to celebrate now that you''re here.¡±

    "We sure do!"

    Their flight path was nearing a military training ground with its banners dancing in the winds and blood red flags of his lineage, where hundreds of armored knights practiced their techniques. It was a familiar sight and his dream from a lifetime ago had come knocking once more as he pointed downwards with unrestrained boyish enthusiasm.

    "Wow, look! Those Golden Blood Knights! Their movements, they are truly graceful, almost effortless." Raphael felt an old desire ignite. "I want to be just like them, even stronger! One day I want to become a Platinum Blood Saint!¡±

    Butler Long chuckled and patted his head. "I have no doubt you''ll achieve even more, my boy, even more! Such strength, you possess, and determination¡­"

    Those words and encouragement were just what he¡¯d craved, Raphael¡¯s heart swell with happiness and gratitude before he turned back to watch that landscape shift. He would learn everything he needed, and become the Bloodthorne warrior, or better!

    Such ambition.

    ¡­

    Meanwhile, back in her lair¡­

    Kwan Yuu hovered above the cauldron, observing its cooking process with keen eyes. Inside the ''Four-Faced Blood Sapping Cauldron¡¯, Raphael''s massive body simmered. He glowed faintly beneath those churning blood essences.

    She noticed her impatient brood buzzing expectantly near the chamber walls.

    "Foolish children. Do you think I''ll share this feast? This bull''s essence is mine! Mine alone!" Kwan Yuu was annoyed by their presence. "Leave! Now! Or you''ll be joining him in the cauldron!"

    Startled by their queen''s sudden outburst, the Vampsquitoes didn''t hesitate. They buzzed out of the chamber in a panicked frenzy, eager to avoid becoming the next meal.

    "Such impatience. They haven''t learned a thing." Kwan Yuu shook her head, amused by their predictable behavior. She turned her attention back to the cauldron.

    "Hmm, such a tough bull. Its taking longer to boil down than I anticipated. Perhaps¡­ a little more fire?" She descended and unleashed a torrent of purple flames from her proboscis. It struck the base of the cauldron, causing the Flame Crystals beneath it to glow brighter. The heat intensified.

    Inside, Raphael¡¯s golden hide began to dull. Patches of scorched black appeared. The white crystal on one of the cauldron''s faces became brighter. It would seem the body refining process was accelerating. His physical body breaking down on a molecular level would be pure agony if he¡¯d been awake.

    ¡­

    At the border of Yama Yaguai, two figures stood amidst the frost-covered plains.

    ¡°Those humans ran away pretty fast, didn¡¯t they?"

    ¡°Hmm, a pity." Melissa look at the pile before her, "So much to pick through, how delightful." She gathered those treasures the Blood Knights had been coaxed to relinquished before thanking the Sagewood Script that hovered diligently, dutifully listing out all their find.

    ¡°Zhu Jian, your services are truly exceptional.¡±

    She flicked her long tail around a black hilt and giggled as she pictured herself carving out new holes in the asses of those lesser Bats who dared to question her methods, how dreadful, truly a work of art.

    ¡°You were saying something Kong?¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    Beside her, Bat General Kong grumbled about unnecessary risk taking and something he mention was only heard by a specific pink monocle covered eye. "¡­Master made no mention of stealing those treasure from the Knights¡­¡±

    Melissa retort cut through that icy air which made it colder, "My, my, Kong, such a pitiful statement. Your inability to perceive nuance is baffling. I saw what master wanted from afar. Do you think we would be in this place enjoying its spoils and treasures if Master hadn¡¯t learned how to utilize, and rewarded those capable?¡± Her eyes narrowed as her fingers tapped those curves she adored the most, those sumptuous spheres that rested on her black scaled chest.

    ¡°Truly, your existence as commander might simply be as tool and stepping stone for my grand ascension!¡± Those words were not meant to intimidate, rather that was her intentions, he simply couldn¡¯t grasp her true intent, those tricks of a devious and beautiful temptress.

    In retaliation, Kong scoffed. "Respect your elders! I''ve been with Master long before you, newcomer. Seniority matters!¡±

    Melissa laughed, amused by his hollow retort, but she never had the chance to voice her contempt, because in that very moment, both felt it.

    ¡°HUH!¡±

    A burning sensation erupted in their chests. Their shadows became thin and fading, as if struggling to cling onto that frozen ground they stood upon. This was a clear warning their Master was in danger.

    ¡°This? Is it Master?¡±

    "Something is wrong with Master!"

    They glanced at each other and immediately their rivalry was forgotten, ¡°We have to get to Master!¡±

    In a burst of dark energy they were gone.

    ¡­

    Within Queen Kwan Yuu¡¯s lair.

    BZZZZZZZ!

    Several Vampsquitoes hovered nervously outside their queen¡¯s chamber, eager to get their share of the prize, but were held back by the memory of their queen''s terrifying decree.

    ¡°The bull¡­ Its essence¡­¡±

    They took deep breaths. A savory aroma began permeating the lair. The smell alone intoxicated.

    ¡°How divine, just one taste¡­¡± Their clicking mandibles and their buzzing amplified their cravings as drool dripped and form a growing, murky pool upon the floor that reflected their bloodthirsty hunger, their insatiable desires.

    Inside, Kwan Yuu observed the cauldron intently. Steam billowed forth, its aroma becoming more intense, for the meat within had begun to break down into those fundamental ingredients their kind savored. She smiled, imagining the taste of those blood-souls merging with her essence.

    "Magnificent.¡±

    ¡°Almost ready¡­¡± The white crystal embedded in one of the cauldron¡¯s faces shone brightly now. She lowered herself, about to plunge a finger into that steam to test when a jolt raced through the Hive, snapping her from the stupor.

    "That¡­ What¡¯s that energy?!"

    ¡­

    Inside the cauldron, Raphael¡¯s golden form glowed. It trembled, as if fighting unseen restraints. Those images from earlier returned.

    Raphael sat under a tangerine tree that was laden with succulent fruits. Butler Long and Tajmani stood beside him, looking happy, and before him sat his arch enemy ¨C Queen Ewa Nier, her hand rested gently upon his forehead.

    She looked down at him like a caring mother. "Ralphy? Are you alright? You¡¯re burning up."

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ home? Such strange fruit¡­"

    ¡°Is this Heaven¡­?¡±

    He¡¯d eaten a tangerine moments before when Tajmani had skipped over and hugged him, it was like a scene from his fondest, most ridiculous dreams, a wish he¡¯d never known. He could feel tears pricking at his human eyes as he remembered their laughter while his ears buzzed faintly.

    And now, after Ewa Nier caressed his forehead so tenderly, a strange realization came creeping in. This wasn¡¯t love, no, far from it!

    ¡°Something¡¯s off. Since when were Tajmani and her mother this nice to me? And Tajmani¡¯s words. Weren''t they always venomous, each syllable carefully crafted to humiliate, berate¡­?¡±

    Those thoughts felt distant, yet true, he was certain, so certain¡­

    Doubt crept in. The memories of Ewa Nier¡¯s Blood Star attack, the countless humiliations from his years as her slave were clashing with these acts of maternal care.

    His instincts scream: DANGER!

    "You aren''t REAL! None of you are real!" He stumbled back, his human hands outstretched, warding them off like ghouls.

    ¡°Ralphy? What¡¯s the matter?¡± Tajmani asked, her words came with those tones of concern, yet so terrifying that it shook his very being. ¡°Here let me pat you back to happiness.¡± She skipped closer, but the very sight of her angelic smiling was enough to have his stomach rumbling!

    Those were lies he knew all too well! And their fa?ade now started cracking!

    ¡°Big Brother? You have a fever? Do you need to lie down?"

    He watched as Tajmani¡¯s form flickered for a moment, a glimpse of a monstrous creature with teeth so terrifying, then in a heartbeat, it was gone.

    "GET AWAY FROM ME! ALL OF YOU!"

    The scene began crumbling.

    He saw cracks appearing in the perfect blue sky as reality asserted itself. Ewa Nier¡¯s caring fa?ade was replaced for a fleeting instant with a sneering, demonic visage that seemed eager to savor his fear. Those memories of hatred resurfaced once more to claim his soul!

    ¡°This¡­ is an illusion?!¡±

    He remember now!

    Those whispers in the Dark Swamp Gorge, the Vampsquitoes¡¯s buzz. They all came roaring back! The truth was upon him. And now it was his turn to feast!

    His human mind and form began shattering as Shao Jin¡¯s golden flames ignited deep within his core, those hooves were stamping. His memories returned with the echoes of battle, screams, carnage, and that unyielding desire¡­

    "I AM a Golden Bull Thork!"

    "ROAR!"

    His voice, at first human, then rapidly transformed, growing deeper, resonating with an ancient power. The illusion dissolved. His human form was no more. It shattered as he opened his eyes!

    And those eyes, now filled with wrath had a singular target¡­

    "That mosquito QUEEN!¡±

    ...

    Inside Kwan Yuu''s lair, her initial annoyance of feeling something stirring from the inside quickly transformed into a chilling awareness of power.

    "His¡­ his essences! It''s being pulled INWARD! Could he be¡­?"

    Kwan Yuu was about to investigate those strange vibrations of her dish when that very monstrous food started to glow brighter now. This sight was something new for even the mighty Queen of the Vampsquitoe, for even after centuries of bathing in those essences, this had never been seen.

    Her pupils constricted, then she screeched:

    ¡°DAMN FOOD! Trying to escape my stomach?!" She knew what that powerful glow meant. It was resistance! This bull, It wasn''t done!

    WHOOSH!

    She didn¡¯t hesitate, she grabbed a massive golden, cauldron¡¯s cover she¡¯d used in the past for far less resilient and smaller opponents.

    She quickly placed it over the bubbling blood essence and a hiss escape those jaws.

    "Not so fast, BULL! You will BE devoured!¡± Then with her proboscis emitting another intense gout of flames she melded the cover in place, sending more potent and fragrant scents into that monstrous chamber that would soon become a sauna, but alas, this wasn¡¯t about relaxation now, rather it was containment!

    She wasn''t taking any chances!

 Chapter 70 - Shadow Sacrifice

    The white crystal embedded in the ''Four-Faced Blood Sapping Cauldron'' glowed with an ever-increasing intensity. Kwan Yuu hovered above with her massive abdomen rumbling with anticipation. This bull, she thought, was a truly exquisite meal!

    ¡°His essence! The aroma, truly intoxicating, a scent befitting my royal palate!" She chuckled softly, a sound that had the lesser Vampsquitoes outside trembling, and blew another torrent of purple flames onto the ''Flame Crystals'' beneath the cauldron. She couldn''t wait!

    A short while later¡­

    The cauldron began to vibrate wildly. Steam hissed, carrying with it the intoxicating aroma of refined blood and potent Solar Essence.

    Kwan Yuu¡¯s mandibles clicked. She salivated.

    Then¡­

    BOOM!

    A deafening explosion rocked the cavern, interrupting her culinary reverie. She turned with her purple eyes narrowed dangerously.

    "WHO DARES interrupt me?!"

    The entrance to her lair was a scene of chaos. Vampsquitoes were being flung aside like rag dolls.

    Limbs scattered, wings were torn, bodies exploded!

    ¡°Such a disturbance!" She scowled with unrestrained malice. This transgression, it wouldn¡¯t be tolerated!

    A golden dragon of pure lightning tore through the swarm. Then a pink energy whip cracked, its swift movements sliced and diced those that survived the electric onslaught like meat in a butcher¡¯s shop!

    ¡°INTRUDERS!¡± a swarm leader yelled as its form, riddled with a hundred cuts tumbled onto the ground and exploded before her royal feet which seem to flinch in disgust.

    "You¡­"

    Kwan Yuu was about to unleash her wrath when it died with a pop. She casually squashed the remaining insect paste with her foot, disgusted by this show of disrespect and the stench emanating. ¡°How dare it bleed in my lair¡­¡±

    Her irritation was quickly replaced by predatory curiosity. She lifted her head and focused on the source of all this commotion, those intruders that had the misfortune of disturbing her moment of culinary and personal ascension.

    Hovering menacingly within the heart of that carnage were two imposing figures: Bat General Kong and Bat General Melissa, and with them were their dreadful weapons that glinted a crimson so deep that it darkened even her lair.

    ¡°Rai Shen Long!" Kong roared, channeling the lightning dragon''s essence with his golden spear. The dragon circled him protectively.

    Beside him, Melissa¡¯s Sun Cycle radiated colors of dawn with potency that matched her pink eyes that stared straight at the colossal queen without a shred of doubt or terror!

    "You foul beast! WHAT have you DONE with our Master!?" Kong demanded. His ruby-white gaze scanned the cavern with undisguised fury before finally settling upon that cauldron bubbling and steaming as if it was alive, how disgusting!

    "HE¡¯S¡­ He¡¯s in that POT?!¡±

    He didn''t hesitate. Blinded by rage and loyalty he charged at Kwan Yuu with a deafening roar.

    But she simply scoffed.

    With a mere blink.

    BOOM!

    An invisible force slammed into him, throwing him back like a rag doll. He crashed into the wall, his armor cracked. He coughed out blood!

    ¡°Kong?!¡±

    Melissa, saw the disparity in their power and winced at how stupid Kong was being. She knew that old bat¡¯s resilience but also understood that power beyond certain tiers became untouchable.

    She glance back at that steaming pot of stew and then at Kwan Yuu before she whispered.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

    "Emperor Calamity stage¡­ This Vampsquitoe Queen¡­ she''s FAR more powerful than I anticipated. This brute force tactic isn¡¯t going to work. We can''t defeat her in direct combat! Our only option is to¡­¡± She flew over to Kong whose ears now oozing blood. She then hiss in those jaws to explain their true objective.

    ¡°Free Master!¡±

    They then heard it, that declaration that had them shuddering as that enormous mosquito, with jaws sharp enough to pierce through steel and an abdomen capable of storing all their blood in a single suck spoke!

    ¡°You¡­ DAMN insufficient SHADOWS! How DARE you challenge ME!? I AM the Mighty Vampsquitoe Queen - KWAN YUU! Your death is certain now. For only by your complete annihilation can this grave insult be appeased!"

    ¡°KILL THEM!¡±

    The cavern shook from her monstrous bellows as an army materialized from thin air with numbers increasing by the millisecond as they converge on those who dared interrupted their queen¡¯s dinner preparations.

    BZZZZZZZZZ!

    Those walls groaned as dozens of ''Purple Blood Nests'' opened up, unleashing a torrent of bloodthirsty Vampsquitoes, eager for fresh meat!

    ¡°Yes, My Queen!¡±

    "KILL!"

    "FOR THE HIVE!¡±

    ¡°Their essences¡­ I smell shadows, FEAR! Such potent Solar Essences¡­¡±

    ¡°These bastards¡­" Kong glared with unrestrained malice and struggled to his feet. This might be the end, but he wouldn¡¯t be another corpse decorating that queen''s soup ingredients.

    Melissa adjusted her monocle as her tail coiled and her Sun Cycle fluttered with readiness, and an almost insane thrill. ¡°Time for my Sun Cycle¡¯s true awakening, it seems, and it begins with a slaughter!¡±

    They looked at each other, both radiating potent killing intent before rushing toward their adversaries. There was no fear now, just desperation. They knew they would die!

    Their odds of survival were non-existent, but their master¡¯s soul and freedom it must be secured. It was their duty!

    ¡­

    Meanwhile, Kwan Yuu ignored the ensuing battle. It was simply pest control. A nuisance, a distraction.

    She wasn¡¯t bothered. Their power paled in comparison to hers!

    She focused her attention upon the cauldron, watching with delight as that rune in its white face shimmered even brighter now.

    ¡°Ah yes¡­ Almost¡­ Almost there. And when the refinement process is complete, that tasty essence will amplify my very being¡­ I shall break those barriers¡­ The Second Layer of the Emperor Calamity Stage will be mine! My power, absolute!¡±

    ¡­

    "We have to get to Master! NOW!" Kong¡¯s voice resounded through Kwan Yuu''s lair.

    He and Melissa were a whirlwind of shadow and lightning. Crimson slashes tore through the Vampsquitoe swarm. Their bronze armor glinted as it deflected mandibles and acidic spit.

    But the swarm was relentless. They buzzed and clicked.

    ¡°Their numbers¡­ It¡¯s too many!" Melissa hissed as she dodged a proboscis.

    She was thinking frantically, for even her ''Sun Cycle'', potent and powerful, couldn''t hold them off forever. And Kong, as brave and as strong he was, his form had already taken a beating from his confrontation with the Queen! Their essence, those powerful energies from their master¡­ it was fading, which wasn¡¯t a good thing if they wanted to get out of here alive.

    ¡°We¡¯re surrounded!¡±

    It was then she realized, their attacks, powerful and deadly they were. They were meant to slow, to impeded. It was not meant to subdue their enemies, or crush them entirely. She had to formulate a plan. A fast one, and whispered it in Kong¡¯s ear.

    ¡°We need a distraction¡­¡±

    "A distraction¡­? You have something in mind?¡±

    Kong glanced towards their target ¨C that cauldron bubbling menacingly ¨C and with a chilling smile and that eagerness to protect resonating, he finally understood his new partner¡¯s intention.

    "Leave it to me, little sister. I''ll make them pay dearly for messing with my Master!¡±

    With a roar that shook even her bones, and that newly acquired Rai Shen Long swirling protectively, Bat General Kong launched himself toward that cauldron.

    He flew with an unmatched speed and ferocity. He was a missile of shadow, and bone! A battering ram!

    "Get him! Do not let him touch our queen!"

    Hundreds of Vampsquitoes were intercepting him, which diverted their gaze and attention from Melissa.

    WHOOSH!

    Melissa seized that opportunity.

    ¡°Solar Beam!¡±

    With a flash, she sped towards the cauldron. It unleashed a blinding beam of energy, aiming for that edge where her partner''s blow hadn¡¯t completely pierced when she saw him explode.

    BOOM!

    ¡°Such an idiot! A sacrifice indeed¡­" Melissa smirked at Kong''s heroic antics. He¡¯d taken hundreds of those insects down in a blazing explosion that left a gruesome collage of minced blood-suckers. It was a truly magnificent send off.

    The blast had also caused those sealants holding that cauldron¡¯s cover to melt slightly, but she wasn¡¯t done yet, for even as she got to her mark and sent forth a powerful swipe¡­

    Kwan Yuu appeared. Her attack came so swiftly that Melissa gasped.

    Before her pink eyes that once shone with delight at fulfilling her master¡¯s hidden desires. Came a flash of purple. A chilling premonition as something long, thick, pointed, and extremely powerful pierce straight through her midsection, creating a bloody geyser and had her screaming in utter agony.

    ¡°No¡­ not like¡­ thisss¡­¡±

    ¡°You insect! You tried! HAHAHAHAHA! But I am KWAN YUU, Emperor of this domain! How dare you?!¡± Her proboscis withdrew from Melissa''s body with those grotesque mouth movements leaving a horrific slurping sound behind. It was as if this queen was savoring a fine wine, a magnificent delicacy indeed.

    Then she threw Melissa¡¯s upper half into her swarm and simply turned back to that cauldron. She¡¯d finish this annoying pest control duty first then feast on that bull.

    What a thrilling future she envisioned as she wiped off the blood staining that long needle of hers with a massive, leg that could squash even that Golden Prism Citadel to shreds!

    It would appear as though she had triumphed again!. After checking to ensure that the seals had remained secure from those minor explosions, she smiled. Her treasure wasn''t harmed.

    ¡°This bull¡­ his essence and the blood within him will be mine. What a magnificent meal. Perhaps a blood bath later on. Yes.¡±

    She didn¡¯t realize those cracks radiating from that point of impact from Bat General Melissa¡¯s earlier assault had weakened the seal.

    Then without warning...

 Chapter 71 - Back To Reality

    ¡°WHOA!¡±

    BOOM!

    The cauldron erupted. Steam, flames, and potent essence blasted the heavy cover towards the ceiling. It crashed with a thunderous sound as a brilliant vertical column of energy, mixed crimson and gold that pierced even her Hive¡¯s outer layer materialized before those shocked bloodthirsty faces, causing many to shield their eyes for it was like gazing on an exploding star!

    The air pressure intensified!

    ¡°W-WHAT?¡± Kwan Yuu watched in horror as that geyser subsided and a silhouette was revealed to be rising from those depths. It¡¯s essence far, far stronger than before.

    "No way¡­" She''d never imagined¡­ not even the strongest entities¡­

    The silhouette slowly materialized into something her ancient eyes had never seen.

    ¡°Damn! That¡¯s a¡­¡±

    It was the bull.

    Raphael roared with such power, as golden waves reverberated outward with potent force! It knocked those smaller Vampsquitoes away and made their Empress stumble a bit as if he were standing on their very souls.

    ¡°RAGING BULL ROAR!¡±

    He floated momentarily, seemingly weightless within the air above. This wasn''t his doing, rather, an innate force that rejected those confinements. He¡¯d broken through something he didn''t truly comprehend yet.

    "I''M FREE!" He was truly alive. Then a thought had his golden hoof tapping impatiently against thin air, for he needed to check.

    "But¡­ what happened in there¡­? I¡­"

    As his blurry eyes adjusted. He then noticed that those deep cuts, his missing horn tip, the tattered wing that bore those scars of battle were all gone!

    His hide had a new brilliance. It radiated pure might!

    "Hmm, how peculiar! How? I¡­¡±

    He looked below and noticed the steaming cauldron, no longer an instrument of his torment, but something different.

    ¡°Is¡­ Is it¡­ EMPTY?!¡± It couldn¡¯t be!

    That intoxicating scent of blood and soul essence was almost overpowering. It swirled above its surface but with an emptiness that made Kwan Yuu stumble once again, but for an entirely different reason this time.

    Her blood was running cold!

    Her banquet, her divine soup! GONE!

    The realization that her prize meal had feasted upon her essence concoctions filled her with a rage no words could truly convey, for those dreams of becoming even more potent, of becoming almost god like in Yama Yaguai and those lands beyond, they''d been destroyed. By that BULL!

    ¡°YOU!!!¡±

    Her piercing scream had Raphael¡¯s attention. Those violet rays from her narrowed eyes targeted the bull with chilling resolve.

    She had a very, very gruesome fate in store. But today¡¯s ordeal, wouldn¡¯t simply be about satiating her blood lust or pride, she wanted that bull gone from reality. His mere presence was an eyesore. For his stupidity and gutsiness and such audacity he bore¡­ she¡¯d teach him!

    ¡°You insect! I¡¯ll rip apart every atom of your damned existence from this plane of reality! For this trespass you will pay! How dare you! HOW DARE¡­¡± Her words didn''t need any additions because what followed her insults were truly terrifying!

    With lightning-fast speed, she darted downwards, plunging her proboscis at him with the force of a meteor, the sound so sharp, so sudden. It shattered every glass and crystal surface in her chamber.

    It was a fatal attack.

    However, as fate would have it¡­

    ¡°Hm! I was JUST GETTING WARMED UP!¡±

    With a mighty kick to her proboscis, Raphael sent her reeling into her horde with a bloodthirsty smile as he then unleashes the full power of the newly acquired potent essence that she had meant for herself!

    WHOOSH! CRACK!

    ¡°Helios Stream!¡±

    A blast that was more golden now and twice the size, struck his former tormentor and sent her sprawling onto the piles of bones with a yelp of pain that seemed utterly out of place from a being so massive and arrogant only moments before. This twist in events was more amusing than that prior beating he got from Lu Ignis¡¯ tail!

    He laughed hard. It was now his turn to dish out payback, but alas, the feast of suffering wouldn''t simply have one guest today.

    "MY QUEEN!"

    Thousands upon thousands of those loyal, bloodthirsty Vampsquitoes converged! They surged towards Raphael in an angry, buzzing wave of teeth and legs, their wings beat with the sound of an eternal nightmarish thunderstorm!

    The entire ¡®Corpse Hive¡¯ was buzzing! Their wings echoed his fall, but not in gratitude, those were chants of vengeful intent.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    Raphael roared once more, this time his intent was less aggressive, more pragmatic.

    ¡°How annoying¡­ must silence them!¡± He needed to think, escape even¡­

    ¡°BE QUIET!¡±

    WHOOSH! CRACKLE!

    From his golden hide came a powerful wave of golden-yellow lightning that vibrated outwards like an electric shield!

    Thousands of Vampsquitoes were instantly paralyzed. They dropped from the sky with stunned whimpers of shock, ¡°That power¡­¡±

    But that was just the opening he was crafting, for those closest to him found the ground vanishing beneath as those hooves slammed again with a bloodthirsty chant, ¡°GOLD PRESS BLIZZARD!¡±

    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

    "SCREEECH!"

    "RUN!"

    "He¡¯s crushing ussss!¡±

    This time, it wasn¡¯t a mere three hooves like back in that hellish landscape of the Blood Forest.

    Hundreds upon hundreds of golden phantom hooves, larger and far more potent descended. They stomped those insects flat, cracking bones, crushing those fragile wings, even turning the very earth beneath into a paste of blood, guts and chitinous matter. Those lucky enough to fly high and survive this onslaught now question their Queen¡¯s invincibility as the tremors reached even her.

    Such power!

    ¡­

    Kwan Yuu watched this carnage. Her rage knew no bounds. She struggled back to her feet with her proboscis throbbing with indignation, the humiliation!

    And just when it seem as though that night was about to be hers.

    ¡°My loyal subjects! You fools. How DARE they?!"

    ¡°I shall¡­" She inhaled deeply as those words of what she would do, her punishments that were far deadlier than simply eating them faded away from those echoing calls now shaking the ¡®Corpse Hive!¡¯

    From the ground, those pulsing arteries that covered the walls and ceiling throbbed erratically as Kwan Yuu¡¯s power spread out, and on those purple bloated veins¡­

    WHOOSH!

    Thousands of ¡®Circular Spell Diagrams¡¯ began to take form. Each one radiated immense power before solidifying into new Purple Blood Nests.

    Their murmurs of new lives growing intensely loud was merely a prelude to the terror being unleashed from their inner layers that were as grotesque and sticky as the inside of a spider''s lair. And as the drums beat, she danced.

    WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

    They began to eject something more chilling and powerful.

    Millions of Blood Sucking Vampsquitoes flooded her domain! A writhing tide of chitinous hunger, they¡¯d now consume everything!

    Their buzzing drowned out all other sounds as those blue pulsating bellies reminded those unfortunate to have witnessed its like before, ¡°A Calamity!¡±

    This wasn¡¯t about individual strength now! This was the true terror!

    ¡°WHAT?!¡± Raphael quickly activated his senses and was stunned, ¡°So many! Millions¡­ if not¡­ billions?! They are¡­ Calamity Stage? EVERY single ONE?! This¡­¡±

    His legs, accustomed to stomping and crushing lesser insects found it difficult to move, what to do?

    ¡°Such a pitiful existence,¡± Kwan Yuu laughed at his horror and desperation with those piercing screams causing tremors. ¡°You can¡¯t possibly withstand those mighty mandibles! My lineage¡­ We were meant to SUCK! Chew! CRUSH and¡­" She watched Raphael¡¯s struggle against her might as that bull back away with frantic shouts.

    ¡°Wing Slashnado!¡± It decimated several hundred but they were just too many!

    "Condensed Blood Barrier!"

    His defenses had barely been erected and it was overwhelmed in an instant as cracks began appearing from those mandibles piercing through with sharp sounds, ¡°Crack, Crack¡­¡±

    Raphael retaliated by activating that whip once again, he loved how elegant but effective Lu Lingxue¡¯s strike were back in Ho Eastern, ¡°Lightning Tail Lash!¡±

    WHOOSH! CRAACK!

    Another hundred found their wings shattered, mandibles broken and hopes turned into dust!

    ¡°Heliosphere Hazzard!" It was a mighty attack of those golden balls that unleashed potent energies, even the ¡®Corpse Hive'' felt that force that mirrored the fury from their queen moments before, obliterating thousands this time.

    But still,

    They kept coming!

    He then realized something dreadful¡­

    ¡°The Fog¡­" He was starting to see that faint haze rise from those heaps of corpses. It grew, moving and swirling in an ominous pattern he recognized too well!

    He¡¯d seen those ghastly purple clouds before!

    It danced¡­ as if mimicking Kwan Yuu''s abdomen.

    He quickly distanced himself, then turned to flee once more, however his movements weren¡¯t elegant. He shook his head trying to figure things out, for even with that speed he now possessed, he¡¯d be soon engulfed.

    "Kuahahaha! You have NOWHERE left to run, BULL! Once my ''Logia Mist¡¯ touches you¡­"

    ¡°Logia? Is that what it¡¯s called?¡± His curiosity outweighed his panic in that moment, before turning into pure rage! Those were her tricks?

    ¡°¡­you¡¯ll be plunged into an ENDLESS dreamworld!¡±

    "What?¡± Raphael¡¯s glare wasn''t simply about challenging another who tried to cook him, those feelings from earlier came back full throttle, he wouldn¡¯t be trapped again by dreams, not after what he¡¯d just discovered about his desires and that hope for becoming human once more!

    It had been her! ¡°So IT WAS YOUUU! You were the cause for my dream? Those illusions? That of Tajmani?"

    His pronouncements were a splash of cold water into Kwan Yuu¡¯s blood-filled eyes, for it seems those tricks she¡¯d enjoyed using in the past wouldn''t work now.

    ¡°Kuhuhu! Yes! Those screams! That fear was¡­ divine. If I hadn¡¯t been so thirsty. Perhaps¡­ those torments would still be ongoing! You won''t escape now. No¡­ your blood is too potent. My very cells desires to drink you!¡±

    ¡°In your dreams!¡± Raphael slaughter a few more insects, however, this caused the purple fog to spread faster.

    ¡°Kuhuhu! Futile!¡± She¡¯d watched those millions of her children fall from the skies and yet, she didn''t care. For as long as his blood, those essences flowed. She¡¯d always have a way. They''d just be food, but this bull, its power was beyond what she expected!

    ¡°Prepare to BE FEASTED UPON, Bull.¡± She licked her mandibles and began descending upon her prey with slow, deliberate, menacing strides. She truly enjoyed terrorizing.

    But her meal wasn''t interested!

    "BLACK POOL!¡±

    The moment he roared these words. A chaotic blackness exploded from his form and began absorbing the Logia Mist. It even swallowed the cauldron.

    It wasn¡¯t merely that chilling red-and-black void that had crushed Lu Kimlung, or sapped the life essence from those thousand lesser Blood Sucking Vampsquitoes.

    This¡­ this was a torrent of annihilation.

    ¡°That what¡­?! How¡­¡± Kwan Yuu looked down at the growing darkness emanating with curiosity as her heart beat like an agitated wasp. She understood¡­ It wasn''t her domain he sought, but her very treasure! This wasn¡¯t allowed!

    ¡°YOU!¡±

    She was about to stomp that Black Pool¡¯s growth with a thunderous rage, but alas¡­ those black tendrils were sucking everything it came into contact with as it radiated.

    ¡°DAMN YOU, BULL! I won¡¯t¡­"

    WHOOSH! CRACK! CRACK!

    Raphael gathered himself and then unleashed that golden lightning energy once again before dashing! His hooves cracked those broken ossuary, as his horns brushed the Black Pool that now was gone as if sucked back into his existence.

    "Where do you think you are going?"

    Realizing she¡¯d been outsmarted, Kwan Yuu was enraged once more! Her size, those dreams of unlimited power! They''d all vanish the instant that bull escapes with a belly full of her broth!

    She moved instantly into his escape path.

    ¡°Kuhaha! Did you truly think you were the only one capable of utilizing those laws? Now taste despair!¡±

    As her proboscis was centimeters away from puncturing his eyes, a truly impossible thing occurred right there in front of Kwan Yuu,

    ¡°SHADOW TELEPORTATION!¡±

    With a pop of black and purple light and a sprinkle of gold and a very, very slight hint of lingering aroma of tangerine, he vanished from reality itself.

    Then he reappeared in the same blink at the exit as if fate was rewarding his dedication to freedom.

    ¡°Catch him! DO NOT let that thief escape!¡±

    Raphael wasted no time and flew out into the gorge with newfound vigor.

    BZZZZZ!

    Behind him those sounds were now closer. They wouldn¡¯t stop! Not until their queen''s essences had returned, not without a feast! Not when his very blood could ignite a evolution their Queen would kill them to attain! This was vengeance, after all, and she was ready to SUCK!

 Chapter 72 - Almeez Krishna

    Raphael zipped through the trees like a dark blur. He could feel Kwan Yuu''s rage burning behind him, that bloodlust, those potent pheromones, they were a haunting reminder of how close he was to becoming a midnight snack!

    He glanced down, noticing a swampy clearing.

    "Hmm? What''s all that noise coming from that puddle?¡±

    A gathering of Tianguin Gatoroids were seated around a makeshift table crafted from mud and roots. They were engrossed in a game of dominoes, slapping the muddy surface with their tails as they chattered about this game that only those of a higher mind than regular frogs could understand.

    He winced, ¡°Ah¡­ Sorry!" as his passage had caused their game pieces to vanish and cause those playing to scramble and hissed complaints and threats against him who couldn''t watch his clumsy wings.

    ¡°You, come back and apologize properly!¡± But their outrage faded when a much bigger threat zoomed right past the bull.

    ¡°Hissss!¡±

    ¡°Oh, god¡­¡±

    Queen Kwan Yuu and her swarm barely registered the Tianguin Gatoroids. They blitzed across the clearing, blasting those that dared interrupt their dinner plans away with casual blasts of fire, shadow and venom.

    The clearing became silent again! Such immense power!

    ¡°This, is why we don¡¯t pick fights with anything above our tiers, remember!¡± a shivering Gatoroid cautioned, and rightly so.

    Kwan Yuu¡¯s fury had a terrifying intensity!

    "Bull! Your juicy ass is MINE! I''m going to drink you DRY!" Her shout of anger and pride were a perfect combination for any predator of this ancient realm, for surely, wasn¡¯t Yama Yaguai ruled by those who dared take and consume?

    ¡°Damn, she¡¯s fast!¡± Raphael glance back and saw that dreaded proboscis descending like a meteor! Its tip glowed. It was about to skewer his hindquarters!

    ¡°No time to panic! I¡­ I almost forgot about this!¡±

    In that very moment, Raphael was reminded of a potent technique; one he had not been eager to test.

    It was a gamble, yet one he¡¯d embrace with delight now. After all, hadn''t he consumed that Devil Star Fruit in a moment of sheer recklessness? His bravery had ensured his survival.

    And so, he roared: ¡°Nightcrawler!¡±

    Just as Kwan Yuu¡¯s proboscis was centimeters from piercing his fat rump,

    POOF!

    Raphael vanished.

    The queen''s attack slammed harmlessly into the earth, sending up a shockwave that battered the trees.

    ¡°Huh, he vanished?¡± She was taken aback. "But HOW?! Where did that stinking Bull go?! Search EVERYWHERE!¡±

    Her frustration and humiliation popped the bodies of a few Vampsquitoes. It even caused her most loyal blood-sucking servants to tremble. Her disappointment, those who knew, recognized her anger, they would feel her displeasure soon, if those fools couldn¡¯t find him. Such was Kwan Yuu¡¯s terror.

    They began scanning with buzzing eagerness. But there was no trace! No scent! Even her own potent sensory perception was blinded.

    Raphael was GONE!

    Meanwhile¡­

    Just out of their blind spot, Raphael''s shadowy form darted from tree to tree, blending seamlessly with the darkness. His ¡®Nightcrawler¡¯ ability was a truly chaotic ride. Each blink he felt it; those shadows guiding him with an instinct.

    "Whoa¡­ WHOA¡­! SLOWER!¡± He cried but his new body paid him no heed.

    And a few moments later, when the momentum finally stopped, Raphael carefully materialized. "Where¡­ where am I?"

    ¡°CROAK?!¡±

    A startled frog hopped away, clearly unhappy its dinner had been interrupted.

    Raphael¡¯ eyes adjusted to what he assumed was safety, yet he still couldn''t ignore how weird this ability made him feel.

    He looked around.

    "Kwan Yuu? Where¡­ Hmm¡­ it¡¯s seems I have lost her¡­¡± He had escaped that mosquito''s clutches.

    As soon as his hooves touched the mud that reeked, he remembered his primary objective. He would use this respite and solitude to find his target.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    That treasure he so needed to refine his blood.

    ¡°Time to find that Almeez tree!¡±

    ¡°Perhaps my shadows can help¡­"

    WHOOSH!

    He stretched his massive black wings once more. And within seconds, 148 Shadow Bats materialized.

    ¡°Every shadow is my tool and they shall guide my path today.¡±

    ¡°All for you Master!¡±

    ¡°Master¡¯s Will, It will be done!¡±

    They awaited his command.

    ¡°Find Almeez!¡±

    ¡­

    Sometime later¡­

    "Solid ground! Finally!¡±

    Raphael stepped out of the murky swamp and onto a patch of verdant grass. It was a welcome change after hours of trudging through mud, dodging lurking bloodsuckers, and encountering plants that hissed insults at his clumsy hooves.

    "This is strange¡­¡±

    He glanced around. These lush, green grasses were opposite to the decaying vegetation that surrounded them. It was as if he''d stepped into a hidden oasis within the heart of this desolate swamp.

    ¡°Could this mean¡­ I¡¯m getting close?¡±

    Raphael followed the trail of vibrant green deeper and deeper into the Dark Swamp Gorge. The air grew heavy with a sweetness that reminded him of the candies he used to steal from the kitchens back in the Bloodthorne Estate.

    "This place is¡­ different.¡± He paused, taking in the sights.

    Ahead, a grove of trees materialized through the swirling mists. They had a strange aura, one that resonated deep within his essence. He instinctively understood what they were.

    "Almeez trees! So many! But¡­"

    As he drew closer, a sense of disappointment washed over him. These trees, though majestic with their silver bark and emerald leaves, were barren. Not a single fruit adorned their branches.

    "What a waste! Could it be¡­ that Zhu Jian was wrong?¡±

    He couldn¡¯t give up now, not when he''d come so far!

    He pressed onward, venturing deeper into the heart of the grove until he came across a sight that stole his breath away, and that lingering sense of despair vanished like shadows at dawn.

    Before him stood a magnificent Almeez tree, unlike any he''d seen before. It towered above the others, its trunk thicker than ten bulls combined, its silver bark radiated ethereal light. Its leaves shimmered with a thousand shades of emerald. Golden vines, thick as his own legs, hung from the branches, swaying gently in an unseen breeze, teaming with life.

    And nestled amongst those leaves¡­

    "The ''Buddhist Pill Gourds!"

    He saw them, a handful of magnificent fruits. They were larger than any he¡¯d imagined and radiated a potent green luminescence that had him salivating! They were beckoning him closer.

    ¡°Yes! I¡¯ve finally found you!¡±

    Raphael gazed up at the tree, mesmerized by its beauty and that potent, intoxicating scent of sweet berries and ancient wood.

    He flapped his wings and ascended like an angel. He was eager to claim his prize. Reaching for one of the plump, glowing gourds, he was about to pluck it when¡­

    BOOM!

    An invisible force slammed into him that threw him back to the swampy ground below! He landed with a thud that had the mud splashing as those fragrant grasses he''d admired moments before suddenly wilted.

    ¡°What the hell was THAT?!¡± Raphael roared in pain and confusion. "Such potent energy¡­"

    ¡°How DARE you attempt to pilfer my fruit without even a formal greeting?!"

    He was baffled, for the words that came from above wasn¡¯t those insects he''d come to hate, it was a soothing, yet stern feminine voice that resonated with a power far exceeding anything he''d encountered except for those Emperor Calamities and that Void Emperor he''d never seen.

    But from a tree?

    He gazed upwards. Those eyes adjusted, and he saw it.

    The tree itself hummed.

    It glowed with an ethereal golden-white light that spread outwards with a terrifying pressure.

    His entire being shuddered as his hooves found it hard to even twitch, and in those moments as his mighty golden body shrunk and his Solar Essence waned to something resembling those insects he''d grown fond of smashing.

    He realized, he was now at the Buddhist Pill Stage!

    ¡°This¡­ Is it trying to KILL ME?!"

    His instincts screamed: "FLEE!"

    He stumbled back and ran.

    His hooves splashed through the swamp, desperately seeking refuge from those unseen forces. And then, as soon as he was outside the tree''s glowing radius, a strange tingling sensation flowed across his hide. The weight lifted and his essence returned.

    ¡°Huff! Huff! I¡¯m back to¡­ 9th Layer Calamity Stage? That tree! It¡­ IT suppressed my powers!¡± He then took a deep breath and gathered his courage.

    He would not be deterred. Not after coming so far. Not when the item he sought was within reach.

    ¡°Alright, round two!¡±

    He entered the tree''s territory once more, and the moment he did, that pressure returned. He gritted his teeth as his essence dropped once more.

    ¡°Hmph. So you return, bull? A while ago, you ran with your tail between your legs. Have you finally come to beg forgiveness for your transgression?¡± The tree¡¯s voice dripped with amusement; mocking his weakness.

    Feeling humiliated, Raphael yelled, "Look here, tree! I came a long way and survived a lot of shit to get to your fruit. Now HAND IT OVER!"

    He tried again, leaping upwards towards a glowing gourd, but the result was the same as before.

    BOOM!

    He was flung back, hitting a tree trunk with a sickening crack!

    ¡°Hmph, brute force will get you nowhere, bull. I¡¯ve seen your kind before. All brawn and no brains! Tsk, tsk, tsk.¡±

    "Hey! What did you SAY?!" Raphael roared. The insult stung! His hooves pawed the earth. "HELIOS SPHERE!¡±

    He tried to charge it, but the energy dissipated before a single spark could form.

    "Damn it! It¡¯s this territory. I can''t utilize my full power here."

    ¡°I told you, bull, brute strength is useless here. Calm yourself."

    "Fine!" Raphael growled, defeated. He lowered his head. "What do I have to do? To get one of your damn fruits?¡±

    The tree, sensing a shift in the bull''s demeanor and that desperation that he exuded, paused. It observed him for a moment. Its golden leaves rustled softly as if contemplating his fate before speaking.

    "I am Almeez Krishna. I''ve reigned in these swamp lands for a thousand, thousand years. I am the tree of knowledge, the giver of wisdom, but also a stern punisher to those who offend my realm. And you bull, you have offended.

    Now tell me, what is your name, and why do you seek my ¡®Buddhist Pill Gourds¡¯ so desperately?¡±

    Raphael hesitated. He didn''t trust this tree, not entirely. But he also knew that without its fruit, his journey towards blood refinement would be in jeopardy.

    ¡°My name¡­ it¡¯s Raphael. And that fruit you guard¡­ it is the key to my¡­ my¡­¡± He couldn¡¯t reveal his true desires.

    ¡°My survival.¡± He lied.

    ¡°Hmm. Interesting. You will earn them, Raphael. But not through brute force.¡± Almeez Krishna¡¯s branches swayed as it revealed a challenge worthy of its ancient lineage.

    ¡°You will play my game. Answer my riddles, and if you succeed, I will bestow upon you ONE fruit. Fail¡­ and you shall leave this place¡­ empty handed.¡±

    ¡°A game of riddles?¡±

    The prospect of using his wits instead of his hooves was daunting. But what choice did he have?

    ¡°Fine! I¡¯ll play, but first, tell me the rules!¡±

 Chapter 73 - Riddles of Truth

    Almeez Krishna¡¯s branches swayed gently as she explained the rules. "I shall pose three riddles, Raphael. Answer even one correctly, and you win. Simple, isn¡¯t it? I¡¯ve made this game very easy for you.¡±

    ¡°Three riddles? Just one correct answer and I win? Hmmm, not bad." Raphael thought there had to be a catch, but he was a bull, after all, weren¡¯t challenges and impossible odds his specialty? He would win!

    ¡°However,¡± the tree continued with a hint of mischief in its voice, ¡°For every riddle you answer incorrectly¡­ I shall take something precious from you.¡±

    Raphael paused. He now understood those earlier pronouncements. This wasn''t simply a game of wits, but a gamble.

    "And what if I refuse to play? You can¡¯t possibly force me, can you?¡±

    Almeez Krishna giggled, ¡°You¡¯re a Calamity sure, almost a Nightmare-Class too. But even your might, cannot break my will. Besides, weren¡¯t you the one seeking my fruit?¡±

    Raphael¡¯s golden hooves shuffled nervously. He really didn¡¯t appreciate being reminded of his current lower cultivation status.

    He glanced at the glowing gourds, and his earlier determination to obtain that treasure by any means resurfaced. ¡°A gamble, huh?"

    "Alright, tree! I¡¯ll play your game. But don¡¯t complain later when my answers are so insightful that your ancient roots tremble with awe!¡± He laughed. This would be child¡¯s play. After all, weren¡¯t human minds are treasure trove of puzzles! He couldn''t lose!

    "Such arrogance¡­"

    One of Almeez Krishna¡¯s golden vines extended downwards. Its tip glowed.

    "Touch it to solidify our bargain. It¡¯s how we trees do contracts."

    Raphael hesitated for only a second, "Fine by me." He then tapped the vine and felt a strange warmth spread through his being. An unseen bond now connected him to the tree, those rules solidified in their shared essences. It was truly a magic beyond his understanding, but for now, he didn¡¯t really care how it worked, only those sweet, juicy-looking gourds hanging before him.

    The air around them crackled as anticipation hung heavy, broken only by the chirping of nocturnal insects.

    ¡°Now for the first riddle, bull¡­¡± Almeez Krishna commenced the game.

    ¡­

    Riddle 1:

    I have roots nobody sees, that stretch so high no one believes, yet, I consume all there is even that which does not exist. Those who taste my essence gain strength and for those fools that I reject are forever stuck in their previous forms.

    What am I?

    ¡­

    Raphael¡¯s mighty brow furrowed. This riddle¡­ it was more than just a simple word puzzle. It had those undertones, hinting at a deeper, more profound truth about this world, or maybe not, it might just be that, a simple riddle, after all.

    "Hmm¡­ Is she talking about a specific tree species? Or¡­" His thoughts drifted back to those libraries in the Bloodthorne Empire and the countless hours he¡¯d spent reading, hiding amongst those dusty shelves to avoid Tajmani¡¯s incessant demands:

    ¡°Fetch my comb doggy! Bring me water! Faster Slave!"

    He shook his head in disgust and his eyes widened with renewed focus. This ancient knowledge was his to control, to use freely to win his game of chance. His answer wasn''t a mere guess; this was what the great human scholars had written in those ancient texts he¡¯d poured over!

    ¡°Is it¡­ ¡®The Great Nether Root¡¯?"

    ¡°Hmm¡­ is that your true answer?¡± The tree¡¯s voice had a subtle disappointed echo that annoyed him.

    ¡°Yes it is! I know I¡¯m correct! Or I¡¯m close.¡±

    ¡°Very well, what I want is not theories but truth from the very essence of your heart, and since it is not, I will have something as a reward for our mutual bargain."

    With a golden flicker from Almeez Krishna¡¯s veins, his magnificent horns vanished from his very skull! This left him speechless, truly such magnificent power.

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe I got that wrong. I mustn¡¯t fail the others.¡± Raphael prepared himself for the next question.

    ¡­

    Riddle 2:

    We rise with dawn, but truly we have always been there. We shine like a thousand golden hearts! For those that slumber we nourish with the caress of the heavens. But those who dare challenge the firmament, are met with equal parts judgement and annihilation. What are WE?

    ¡­

    ¡°We¡­? Hmm. Surely she¡¯s not talking about¡­ insects, not after I slaughtered so many! Wait¡­¡±

    Raphael wracked his brain and even tried calling on Zhu Jian to aid him. However, an ethereal shield manifested between his thoughts and the Sagewood Script. It had a single, menacing word engraved within.

    ¡°No!¡±

    It was Almeez Krishna. She was truly a powerful entity. There was no cheating in this test.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    ¡°Tsk, dammit!¡± His hooves shifted nervously as his gaze darted upwards at the now imposing branches and leaves and the dangling Buddhist Pill Gourds which seemed to be mocking his intelligence! He hated feeling so¡­ so pathetic, and inferior to a tree! This couldn¡¯t stand! He had to win this!

    ¡®Hmmm, those with thousand golden hearts? But what could be their weaknesses? Ah, I have it, maybe?¡¯ He''d remembered a certain chapter he¡¯d read about ancient battles against the Sun Children who could amplify those who respected their essence but was weakened by creatures like himself.

    "It''s ''A Thousand Suns Children Legion''?¡±

    A deep sigh resounded that came not from his throat, for he had none at the moment. It was from those leaves that pulsated before another dreadful punishment came as a swift, potent reminder of his inadequacies.

    ¡°Wrong again! Five million years of your Solar Essence, let¡¯s start with that as my reward for being a most honest adjudicator of this magnificent competition!¡±

    And without any plea for mercy nor chance to bargain, Raphael¡¯s golden hide dulled as his massive form shrunk considerably and those muscles began turning into bones!

    The sheer power emanating from the ancient Almeez made even his current form feel smaller than that pathetic Vampsquitoe leader. His hooves were now as sharp as his horns. And within, he felt weaker than when he still existed as that ¡®Washer Boy¡¯ serving his mistress, he was truly, truly drained, with all essences oozing like his memories were of Tajmani¡¯s pampered, entitled, and yet utterly sad existence!

    ¡­

    Riddle 3:

    I am born from the hearts of fallen stars. Once forged, I cannot be broken. I hold the echoes of a thousand voices and embody the dreams of fallen gods. I twist. Turn. Bend. Break. All that which opposes fade like whispers in a thunderous hurricane. What AM I?

    ¡­

    Raphael was almost nothing now, like a skeleton wrapped in thin skin. His once-terrifying muscles he so enjoyed crushing with now resembled brittle twigs and dry grass. He felt faint and cold. This was it. His death truly had become his reality in that moment, before he remembered something.

    "Wait¡­ Is she talking about¡­ the Primordial Solar Essence¡­¡± He racked his brain and his voice now came out like that of a newborn hatchling struggling against its eggshell. His tongue had almost vanished along with his tail! He felt utterly ashamed, like his former ¡®Slave¡¯ existence.

    ¡°Is it the¡­ Chronos Solar Flare?¡± He almost coughed his very essence.

    His answer was again greeted with amusement and ridicule.

    ¡®Wrong, AGAIN!¡¯

    ¡®THIS¡­ BITCH!¡¯ And just like that, those words from his lips vanished along with that empty beating within his barren chest as his heart floated before him into the outstretched, golden branch of Almeez Krishna that he could still make out in his fading consciousness. It glowed gently.

    Then the game ended.

    ¡°Well, bull, it seems you¡¯ve failed my game spectacularly.¡± The tree¡¯s voice was smug. She was ready to deliver final judgement.

    Raphael¡¯s death was sealed, for who had survived this long with no heart, no essence and most importantly no hope but his determination.

    ¡°Not over yet! Not¡­ done¡­ living! I¡­ PLEASE! One¡­ one last chance. Just ONE.¡± He croaked those pleas.

    ¡°Those¡­riddles¡­ they were impossible!¡±

    His desperation amused Almeez Krishna. ¡°Impossible? Did you not hear my words bull. I made the game easy!¡±

    ¡°Look¡­ Let me¡­ answer one more riddle. If I get it wrong¡­ I¡¯ll¡­ I''ll¡­" His words trailed off as he looked up. She had him dangling on her branch.

    ¡°Very well, I shall grant you one final riddle, but be warned, should you fail¡­"

    Almeez Krishna¡¯s voice possessed a finality that settled upon his very core, shaking even his remaining essence with terror.

    He then looked upward and said,  ¡°Thank you.¡±

    She paused for few moments before she posed a final riddle:

    "What¡­ makes¡­ a¡­ Solar¡­ Blood Master¡­ blessed¡­ by¡­ Heaven¡­?¡±

    Raphael felt a shiver.

    The question was both simple and profound.

    He racked his mind, desperately trying to find a solution, but there were simply too many variables. Each possibility seemed to lead to a dead end.

    ¡®Is there even a RIGHT or WRONG answer?¡¯

    He wanted to consult Zhu Jian, but a terrifying sensation of thorns pricking his soul cut that desire off.

    And the tree waited and waited until her patience became a dwindling flame.

    She began to count down: "Five... four... three... two...¡±

    Raphael closed his eyes. He felt his essence leaking from every inch of his soul.

    "One¡­"

    He had to do it. This was his last.

    ¡°I DON¡¯T KNOW!¡±

    The moment those words came out and those vibrations reached even his own beating essence, a silence fell across those lands that extended beyond Yama Yaguai''s border, even the wind held its breath in the spaces between the falling stars.

    This declaration was as much a truth as it was an acceptance, for in reality, weren''t they all playing a game with destiny''s strings and gambling with that unknown force?

    For a full minute, no answers, no judgment, no sounds of condemnation or laughter emanated, only deafening silence prevailed. This was heaven.

    And then she responded!

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± She was thinking again then in that soft gentle tone once more she said.

    ¡°¡­That¡­ answer is¡­ correct¡­¡±

    ¡°Huh¡­¡± Her response struck him with such potent power, for a moment, all sounds were muddled as his mind, his senses, were confused about this reality, this change he¡¯d created without any intention. He didn¡¯t know what to say besides:

    "Wait! But¡­ HOW did I answer correctly? I had NO idea!"

    Almeez Krishna''s leaves rustled. "That, Raphael, is the very essence of my game. It is a test of truth, not knowledge. My riddles were designed to reveal the honesty within your heart."

    She paused, letting the weight of her words settle upon him.

    ¡°What does that mean?¡±

    Just then, Zhu Jian materialized. It unfurled and added, "Master, she sought the truth that resided in your being. Not conjectures or assumptions drawn from external sources, but rather those echoes of genuine uncertainty. The ''I don''t know'' you spoke resonated with truth, because in that moment, you truly DID NOT know."

    Raphael''s brow furrowed. "So, I was supposed to answer ¡®I don¡¯t know'' to all the riddles?"

    "Not necessarily, Master,¡± Zhu Jian explained patiently. ¡°Consider this: If she were to ask, ''Do your horns burn with the fires of a thousand suns?'' Would you hesitate in declaring, ¡®YES¡¯? That too would be a truth echoing from your very being, from your experience of wielding such power. This is how you won, not through intellect alone but by embracing the honesty within."

    Understanding dawned on Raphael. "I see... so if I¡¯d answered honestly, without guessing, I would have won earlier! Damn it!" He cursed, shaking his massive head. He''d been so focused on proving his intellect that he''d forgotten the simplicity of truth.

    "Indeed," Almeez Krishna confirmed. "Now, take the fruit and begone. I¡¯ve wasted enough time with this frivolous game.

    One of her golden vines that now seem to dance from an unseen joy, extended towards him. Upon it were not only his prize but also his stolen treasures. He couldn''t contain his laughter.

    Raphael¡¯s form was fully restored. His horns adored his head again, his 5 million years of stolen essence had returned, and his heart was beating back inside his chest.

    He bowed his head to thank that tree whose magnificence surpassed anything his former world had offered in splendor.

    He then asked a question befitting his current stature:

    "I am in your debt. But now tell me, great Krishna, how do I properly use this treasure I''ve been granted?¡±

    Almeez Krishna didn¡¯t bother explaining and simply flicked the gourd towards his jaws before unleashing another blinding burst of golden-white that lifted him into the starry sky as if by command.

    ¡°You¡¯ll have to discover its secrets on your own. For the truth is always there!¡±

    And with a final rush of golden light, Raphael was ejected from the grove. Almeez Krishna watched him go.

    "Such a strange, yet fascinating creature, this bull." She giggled softly. "May his path be filled with truth, even if it leads to destruction. For such is the way of Yama Yaguai."

 Chapter 74 - Red Death Throes

    "Phew! I¡¯m out."

    Raphael made it out of Almeez Krishna¡¯s territory with his prize, the Buddhist Pill Gourd. Now he was eager to get back to the Golden Prism Citadel and begin refining his blood.

    Raphael glanced around. "Which way was it again? I better get out of this gorge first."

    He spread his wings, but as he was about to launch himself into the sky¡­

    THUMP! THUMP!

    He paused.

    "What''s that?!"

    His sensitive ears picked up a sound from those murky depths. Dozens of creatures were racing through the swamp. And they weren''t the slow, clumsy crawlers he¡¯d become accustomed to, these were blurs. And they looked scared.

    ¡°This¡­ What could have these creatures so frightened?"

    Raphael¡¯s curiosity outweighing any common sense or lingering anxiety he held. He followed the sounds. As he ventured deeper, he noticed a faint red glow emanating from between the trees ahead.

    "What the..."

    The moment he stepped into the clearing, his blood ran cold. A jagged rift; a tear in the very fabric of reality, stood before him. And within that gaping wound, he saw pure, unadulterated red!

    It was a sight he couldn¡¯t look away from. The power emanating from there was hellish.

    His horns buzzed. It was warning him.

    But curiosity got the better of him.

    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯ve never seen anything like this before.¡±

    He approached cautiously. It was then he noticed he wasn''t alone.

    A couple of Calamity level beasts who were slightly trembling, watched the anomaly with fascination. They were too engrossed in their discussion about this strange events to notice him.

    Hoping for an explanation, he walked closer and spoke aloud, ¡°That tear, its red essence¡­ so strange. Where did this come from?¡±

    The beasts turned their heads towards him. Their initial surprise morphed into fear upon realizing a Golden Bull Thork had approached. Such a thing wasn''t unheard of in Dark Swamp Gorge, but his sudden appearance was an omen.

    One of them, a Basalt Back Jaguar with a single glowing eye, managed a response, "We¡­ we don''t know. It appeared suddenly, mere moments ago. A chilling phenomenon indeed!¡±

    Raphael nodded, then just as those words were fading away¡­

    The rift flared. Its potent red glow intensified a hundred-fold!

    WHOOSH!

    A powerful pulling force erupted and began pulling the creatures towards it.

    ¡°What the¡­?! ARGHH! Help! Help! MY LEG!"

    They were caught off guard!

    Those unlucky beasts who were unprepared for the rift''s sudden reaction, screamed as they tried to resist its pull.

    The Jaguar¡¯s lone eye widened in panic as it attempted to dig its claws into the muddy ground, but its strength paled in comparison. Even the trees around them were swaying and reaching out for anything to grip before being sucked into that crimson mouth!

    ¡°NOOOOOO! LET¡­ GO!¡±

    Unlike the others, Raphael instinctively reacted, "Shadow Teleportation!"

    POOF!

    He materialized several meters away and watched the terrifying spectacle unfold. He was about to congratulate himself when a dreadfully familiar, voice, infused with a chilling delight came roaring.

    ¡°I can SMELL your plump ass from a MILE away, BULL!¡±

    Raphael''s jaw dropped. He turned¡­

    ¡°NOOOOOOOO! Not HER, AGAIN!"

    "DIE!¡±

    Kwan Yuu came rushing at him at an unimaginable speed!

    Her proboscis glinted with a menacing purple glow, it was dripping toxins she''d acquired over a millennium, as a blood curdling screech resounded.

    Before he could react, or evade,

    BOOM!

    Her impact slammed him into the mud. Both of them rolled for a while before they were sucked into the tear!

    Seconds later¡­

    "What the¡­! Get OFF me!"

    Raphael landed heavily on a crimson-tinged sand. A wave of nausea swept over him as he shoved Kwan Yuu away from his massive form, who was busy biting into his rump.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    The air was dense with red gas. It reeked of sulfur, burnt flesh, and decay.

    "Ughhh¡­! This place¡­¡±

    It felt heavy!

    His vision blurred, then as he tried to stand, he stumbled. He was used to his ¡®Gold Press¡¯ powers manipulating gravity, but this, this was different! He could barely even lift his hooves, what¡¯s going on?

    ¡°Where the hell¡­ are we? What IS this place?!¡±

    Looking around, he noticed the other creatures scattered across that crimson sands with his hooves stepping on a cracked turtle shell that was already oozing its guts in a horrifically smelly manner. Those unfortunate victims from the Dark Swamp Gorge, they weren''t moving, they were¡­

    ¡°Dead?!¡±

    BOOM!

    Another sound, from high above, caught his attention.

    Looking up, he saw a gigantic, crimson creature resembling a muscular being with a torn off lower torso engaged in a fierce battle against something even more immense, a being whose hooves alone could obliterate continents with a terrifying stamp!

    Their silhouettes were monstrous!

    They battled against a backdrop of permeating crimson gas, like titans dancing upon the heavens!

    This¡­

    This sight was both terrifying and magnificent. It was like illustrations he¡¯d seen in ancient texts depicting those monstrous Gods of the Human realms before Gaia had been covered in ice and darkness!

    ¡°Is that a¡­Centaur? What in the heavens?!¡±

    And then, it hit him. His throat began to itch! He gasped for air, he wanted to breath those sweet scents of that world filled with flowers and lilies, but could only taste that wretched aroma of red gas, it entered every orifice of his.

    No, It was worse than he¡¯d imagined!

    ¡°Cough, cough¡­¡±

    He looked around in panic. He saw other creatures choking, their forms were shrinking as their entrails spilled out onto the sands in an horrifically colorful spectacle of death!

    "What''s happening?!" He desperately try to stop breathing, but that crimson gas seeped through his very being. This gas was a toxin that targeted even the strongest.

    It was then he saw the Vampsquitoe Queen coughing too. Even her massive frame shuddered as her eyes seemed to bulge from their sockets while her legs, those needle-like legs, they were shrinking and dripping green blood. It was a horrifying sight!

    But unlike the others whose Solar Essences had already dissipated, she still had some fight left, which proved her ancient lineage and those thousands of years spent sucking the essence from even the weakest creatures.

    ¡°This¡­ gas! Even an Emperor Calamity can¡¯t withstand it¡­ It¡¯s POISON! I have to¡­ GET OUT of here!¡±

    His gaze landed upon the rift. It was still open. But it was shrinking. Fast.

    He tried running. But the oppressive pressure, it was immense. The gravity was  too overwhelming.

    He staggered!

    His limbs felt heavier than ever before, and his breathing became shallow. This red gas¡­ it was taking a toll.

    He could taste it!

    ¡°I can¡¯t¡­ move¡­! What to¡­ do? Shadow¡­!¡±

    He focused, gathered every ounce of strength, and¡­

    ¡°SHADOW TELEPORTATION!¡±

    He materialized inches away from the rift!

    ¡°So close¡­ I have to push through it."

    Just as he was about to step through¡­

    ¡°YOU¡¯RE not escaping¡­ Not without me!¡±

    He felt a clawing, crushing weight around his back legs as a chilling sound shattered his hopes.

    It was Kwan Yuu! Her proboscis stabbed deep into his flesh and held him back with the grip of one who''d tasted death a thousand times, and whose greed exceeded any fear he could imagine!

    ¡°NO! Let go! I¡­ Dammit!¡±

    Her monstrous form was falling apart. Her abdomen leaking green pus as her wings fell off in a gruesome shedding that revealed an ancient hatred that words couldn¡¯t express. She wouldn¡¯t allow his escape, for if death were upon her this day¡­ then they would both embrace its end together!

    ¡°If I¡­ I am¡­ going down¡­ you¡­ You¡¯re COMING with ME!¡± She was like a desperate tick upon his leg! A parasite, and yet¡­

    Her claws were relentless. They were digging deeper as her essence morphed, as if attempting to burrow into his flesh and escape through his very veins.

    This defiance before a Queen¡¯s death. He felt it. And in that desperation, he noticed her eyes oozing purple and green as they dropped from their sockets. He understood. She would consume him in death.

    Such madness.

    ¡°Get¡­ OFF!¡± He tried desperately to shake her off. ¡°I¡¯m losing ground!¡±

    The rift before him was shrinking, as if eager to trap him in that hellish realm.

    And then he felt it. A gust of cold, heavy wind slam against his back!

    ¡°Huh¡­?¡±

    Something knocked them both forward, and while he passed through the dimming threshold, his final thought was:

    ¡°What pushed us?¡±

    ¡­

    BOOM!

    He was back!

    Back in the Dark Swamp Gorge!

    ¡°I¡­I made it¡­ back¡­¡±

    He was coughing heavily, and behind him the rift closed up and vanished like it had never existed, but not everything was normal.

    From that place where realities touched. A strange fog emanated. It spread like a virus. A crimson death that he could smell, taste and was choking him already. As the gas permeated, it was killing everything it encounters; the grass was withering, the stones were turning into dust and even the very dust was vaporizing.

    Raphael was shocked at how he was even still alive. He then drifted his gave below and gasped. It was Kwan Yuu. Or rather¡­ It was her corpse, its grip was still firm around his leg, but unlike him. She¡¯d not made it back in one piece.

    Her life had vanished before the rift could fully seal.

    A macabre and fitting reward for her earlier schemes. He''d truly won this fight, or so it seems, for something else, something even more potent and unforgiving was about to consume their reality.

    He coughed and a burning sensation gripped him as his lungs rejected every inhale. It wasn¡¯t simply that putrid scent that had those nearby Bubble Fly Lumen erupting in chaotic light bursts of demise.

    ¡°This gas¡­ it¡¯s everywhere! And it¡¯s killing¡­¡± he saw the grass withering around him; a few beasts vaporizing.

    His heart skipped more than just a beat, as a dreadful realization came. It wasn¡¯t simply the air he had to worry about. No, this time, he didn¡¯t simply smell that dreaded red aura, he tasted it in his blood!

    ¡°This is¡­ worse than poison!¡± Then his mouth began releasing something he¡¯d never spit before, his liver. He saw that vital organ falling on the grass and melting into nothingness in front of his horror-filled gaze as he stumbled, ¡°I¡¯M DYING!¡±

    He didn¡¯t have time. He had to prevent that gas from incinerating the gorge.

    "BLACK POOL!¡±

    His dark magic was now in overdrive. It grew with an unimaginable intensity. He directed the black potent energies towards that red fog and began absorbing it. He felt his life force draining. But it worked. The crimson gas began to dissipate.

    It was being devoured by a might far greater. Using his shadow power, he¡¯d saved this part of the world. However, something within his heart was still buzzing with death¡¯s melody. He coughed and spat another lung.

    This would be his final act of creation, his sacrifice for something he couldn¡¯t articulate or make sense of. But surely he¡¯d figure it out! Right?

    In his desperation, Raphael brought out the Buddhist Pill Gourd.

    ¡°This¡­ might be able to help me.¡±

    Trembling obsessively, he utilized his spirit energy to open the Gourd. It had been his reward for a truthful answer, a lesson indeed. Within that moment of despair and clarity, he remembered that he didn¡¯t know how to utilized its potential.

    However, there was no time now to panic, and without any deliberation he began channeling his tainted blood essence and Solar Energy, pushing, forcing it all into the gourd with a single whisper as darkness began claiming him.

    ¡°Purify¡­¡±

    The Gourd began to glow. It swelled as those ruby-crimson veins that housed his corrupted essences flowed. Within, an unseen battle between his blood and the potent toxins was being waged, but none were there to watch nor to adjudicate.

    His fate was a gamble once more. But this time his wager was¡­ EVERYTHING!

 Chapter 75 - Tree Savior

    The arched windows of the Golden Prism Citadel was illuminated by Lu Jade''s radiant meditative form. Tendrils of green energy swirled around him like a miniature vortex of potent Solar Essence. It coalesced, then with a resonant hum it rushed inward.

    Lu Jade''s eyes snapped open. They glowed with newfound power. "Yessss! My body has finally become accustomed to these new flow of energies !¡± He let out a triumphant hiss. Qi Hawk¡¯s treasures, combined with the Citadel''s amplified energies and his own unique cultivation techniques, were truly accelerating his growth.

    He uncoiled his serpentine form and slithered toward a nearby balcony. The crisp air of Nestoria was a welcome change. It invigorated him. His earlier anxieties seemed like a distant nightmare.

    Lu Jade gazed out at the vibrant landscape, taking in the sight of the floating islands with a serenity he hadn¡¯t felt in millennia. This was peace.

    ¡°It''s beautiful¡­" He sighed. Those rainbow winds danced between those jade towers. Below, those delicate, bird-like creatures were laughing and chatting. Their melodic voices carried across the distances. Such joy.

    He wished Raphael could have shared this moment, this feeling of serenity. ¡°Big Brother¡­¡± Lu Jade whispered.

    "I wonder what he''s doing?" Lu Jade murmured to himself. "I hope he¡¯s safe. I have something important to share."

    His gaze drifted back to that vast expanse of the sky above. And for a brief moment, he allowed himself to dream of a future, where bullies were just annoying insects to be casually swatted away, a world he would soon carve.

    ¡­

    Meanwhile, deep within a murky cave, Raphael lay suspended in the air, motionless as if dead. Countless roots, throbbing with a rhythmic thrum, snaked around his form. It was a mesh of interconnected life-force, feeding and healing. These roots weren¡¯t simply attached to his skin. They pierced deeply like a hundred tiny needles infusing him with a foreign, yet comforting essence.

    Above him, the Buddhist Pill Gourd hovered. Raphael''s tainted blood that was now refined within the gourd''s depths, trickled back down into his open jaws. And at the same time his poisoned blood oozed from his mouth into that Gourd, another set of pulsing roots began injecting fresh, clean energy into his body.

    ¡°Ba-dump!¡±

    ¡°Ba-dump!¡±

    Raphael¡¯s heart, faint only moments before, began beating stronger! His breathing deepened as a flush of pink returned to his golden hide. The gourd''s light flickered, then the flow of blood reversed. And as if satisfied, the Gourd¡¯s cap magically rose and sealed its opening.

    Raphael''s eyes shot open. They blazed with an intensity that would make even the bravest Calamity tremble!

    Instantly, the roots detached from him.

    THUD!

    He hit the ground, then blinked as the Gourd settled beside him.

    ¡°What¡­just happened? I remember that poison¡­¡± His massive head throbbed as fragments resurfaced. He¡¯d been barfing, desperately attempting to purge that poison with whatever techniques he had. Then his hope had materialized in the form of the Buddhist Pill Gourd which he used blindly before those memories ended.

    ¡®Did I¡­ I was¡­ using it?¡¯

    Then he noticed an oddity before him. A radiant purple light throbbed like a beating heart.

    "Is that a soul?¡± Raphael¡¯s hooves shuffled closer as the familiar aroma he¡¯d tasted when he first met Kwan Yuu came rushing to his nose. This was potent, he thought. ¡°She died too? I knew that gas was deadly, but an Emperor Calamity¡­?¡±

    He¡¯d thought her invincible, yet It would appear as though this world he now occupied, its dangers and wonders surpassed even the most fantastic tales he used to read. He shuddered.

    He was just a lowly Calamity, yet he survived. How? This baffled him.

    Raphael¡¯s contemplation was interrupted by a soothing, feminine voice that he recognized as being familiar, yet very foreign in its cadence. It had a warmth he¡¯d always longed for, one that he could only associate with Butler Long. But there was also an aura that terrified him deeply, it was more imposing but soothing as well.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    "So you are finally awake?" The voice came out more akin to a kindly grandmothers than those ancient, roaring Calamities he''d become accustomed to battling or fleeing.

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    Raphael glanced around frantically. He couldn''t pinpoint the source.

    ¡°Who¡¯s there?!¡±

    There was no reply for a few moments. He repeated his inquiry in an even more panicked tone as his gaze shifted from one cluster of thick vines to another.

    ¡°I worked tirelessly to bring you back to life.¡± It was the same voice!

    He watched in astonishment and a touch of fright as he witnessed the mud-laden wall before him begin to shift. Thick and pulsating roots broke free. As the wall continued to crumble, it was slowly revealing an ancient entity.

    Raphael looked up and began tracing those roots towards the roof until he recognized a massive tree torso. The light it emanated intensified and illuminated the true vastness of this hidden space he now stood within.

    ¡°Is this a tree?¡± His hooves felt something beneath that looked and moved differently than regular swamp roots he¡¯d grown used to stomping around.

    These roots, they had segments. They possessed bone-like structures. And within their pale yellow flesh, he saw throbbing veins.

    This discovery caused him to step back with apprehension that could send him turning tail to run if they grew bigger, but then his curiosity outweighing all his anxieties as he watched them unfold leaves resembling stars. They glowed with a light that rivaled the skies above on a star filled night. They illuminated the entity he was trapped with, which wasn''t exactly trapped like himself but this was a tree.

    "Woah!"

    Raphael¡¯s head spun as he tried to grasp the magnitude of what his eyes were witnessing. Following the glow from the tree''s leaves, he saw a root burst forth from the ground nearby. It was thicker than any he''d encountered. Its flesh semi-transparent. and within that glistening, pulsing yellow flesh, he saw an intricate mesh of bones, veins, even pulsating arteries.

    Another one erupted beside the first, shaking the very space he occupied and causing starlight to rain down like a beautiful but frightening show as if the heavens themselves applauded this magnificent and terrifying display. The tremors were unreal.

    These roots resembled serpents. Or perhaps¡­ dragons?  He stumbled back as he observed silver scales across the roots.

    "This place¡­ Is it a creature or a¡­ tree?"

    Raphael¡¯s gaze travelled upwards, following the intertwining roots.

    He was inside a massive cavern. No. To be more accurate, this wasn''t a natural cave.

    ¡°This is¡­ its belly?! I¡¯m inside the BELLY of a sentient tree?!¡±

    The realization hit him like a thunderbolt!

    He was surrounded by dirt, mud clumps, and roots that now seem to be veins pulsating with life! His mind couldn¡¯t process this reality. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s so big!"

    This imposing sight around him was amazing but at the same time he felt fearful of the unknown. As if sensing Raphael¡¯s fears, the soothing voice spoke again:

    ¡°Thanks to the Buddhist Pill Gourd, I was able to refine a few drops of your blood, mixed it with my own and transfer my innate healing cells within your very being. You no longer have to fear being poisoned by that toxic essence, for I¡¯ve completely rid it of your system.¡±

    Raphael took a step back. He couldn''t comprehend the magnitude of this event.

    The sheer scale of this being, its power¡­ And this¡­ kindness?

    Hearing what was said, Raphael humbly responded, "Generous benefactor, thank you for saving my life. I am in your debt. How can I repay you?"

    ¡°Hohoho, I didn''t save you for a reward, young one. I saw what you did when that red gas was spreading and obliterating everything in its path, you absorbed that poison and sacrificed yourself to end its tyranny within this gorge. In essence, I¡¯ve returned a favor in helping you. Though I¡¯ve been operating on you for several days, your body is still not at its peak. Absorb that Solar Consciousness to regain some of your depleted strength.¡± A massive root gestured toward the purple soul.

    This was indeed generosity.

    Raphael wasn''t about to reject such an offer but¡­ "Thank you again for your assistance. If you don¡¯t mind me asking¡­ who are you, great being?¡±

    The wall before him crumbled away and reveled an enormous star leaf that unfolded down like an inviting carpet. ¡°Climb on.¡±

    ¡°Huh?!¡± Raphael was confused but intrigued. So he hopped onto that leaf. It was soft and warm.

    After his hooves settled, the leaf folded upwards then suddenly,

    WHOOSH!

    He was falling!

    He landed softly on another leaf. This leaf was much larger and he opened his eyes as the swirling space filled his vision.

    ¡°Woah!¡±

    It was as if he stood upon a galaxy with thousands of planets circling, shooting past his golden face, leaving trails of glitter and fragrant, soothing energy.

    He heard the calming voice once again, "This is my innate Lumber Star Domain."

    It was in that moment, gazing upon the beauty and majesty of this realm that he saw what he was speaking to.

    The sheer scale of the entity before him stole his breath away. Its bark possessed silver scales the size of a city block, and those scales were semi-transparent, revealing veins and a network of glowing capillaries beneath. Its roots were massive and sprawling, resembled a subterranean city. Her star-shaped leaves of gorgeous pink-and-white nebulae were dancing gracefully, illuminating a being of unimaginable splendor.

    The tree''s many branches extended outward, each one adorned with countless glittering fruits that resembled a miniature solar system, planets swirling, suns burning. And at the heart of this grandeur, upon the massive trunk, a face manifested¡ªfaint yet undeniable. Its eyes, drooped and ancient, peered down at him. Wrinkles etched by time itself creased the bark, a tiny mouth opened, then closed, offering a glimpse of what might be a tongue or a vortex.

    This sight was truly mesmerizing.

    "You have seen my beauty, Bull, tell me your name?¡±

 Chapter 76 - Draconic Star Lumber

    ¡°Wow!¡±

    Raphael stared in stunned silence. His hooves trembled, not from fear, but from sheer awe at the spectacle unfolding before him. He felt like an insignificant speck in the presence of a being this ancient, and this powerful.

    The energy emanating from it was so potent yet so calming. He could feel his own Solar Essence, usually a chaotic jumble of shadow and flame, becoming still. It was as if the very tree before him was harmonizing his inner chaos.

    "Such a place¡­¡±

    He had never encountered anything like it, not even those stories of the ancient realms he¡¯d devoured in his human life could rival what those starry glows showcased. This tree resembled a miniature galaxy! It was a vision of unimaginable wonder.

    "I¡­I''m Raphael." He managed to croak a reply. His voice seemed strangely small in this grand space.

    "Raphael¡­" The tree spoke his name. And then, that imposing face at the center of her trunk grew clearer as her star leaves twirled and her roots pulsated.

    "I am Thienika. A very ancient tree of the Draconic Star Lumber lineage. Regrettably¡­ I am the last of my kind.¡± Her voice resonated. It flowed through Raphael¡¯s very being like a calming yet sorrowful melody that made his heart ache with an empathy he hadn¡¯t known.

    "A¡­ Draconic Star Lumber¡­? I''ve read about it in the ancient records, but they¡­" He wanted to say ¡®¡­They are supposed to be extinct¡¯, but held back, for this being before him was very much alive, and truly a terror to gaze upon!

    ¡°Hmm, those records¡­¡± A sad sound emanated.

    ¡°My memories are longer than those brittle parchment you speak of. I¡¯ve witnessed the rise and fall of countless civilizations. I¡¯ve seen empires turn to dust and gods weep before my very roots! I''ve been worshipped by mortals! Calamities bowed before me! But now¡­." Her voice faltered, ¡°¡­.Now, I am but a shadow of my former glory. Old age has taken its toll."

    She paused, then continued. ¡°This form you perceive, Raphael, it''s but an illusion, possible only within my ¡®Lumber Star Domain¡¯. My true form, that which exists in the physical world¡­ it¡¯s shattered. Withered. I¡¯m nothing more than roots, branches, leaves. I stretch across this entire swamp now, slowly returning to those very elements I was born from. Soon¡­ this entire gorge will become¡­ my burial ground."

    Those words hit Raphael like a blow! He was now seeing the grotesque swamp in a new light.

    He stiffened. "This¡­ entire place¡­? But¡­ why are you¡­ Why give up?¡± He was baffled.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    Wasn¡¯t she a powerful being capable of miracles, capable of bending reality itself? Surely she could find a way.

    "Can''t you simply consume a rare medicine?"

    She laughed a melancholy sound that sent those star-like leaves into a mournful spin.

    "Trust me¡­ I¡¯ve tried countless options over the ages. My injury is too grave. The wound lies deep within my core, a gift from a careless god¡¯s laughter. It¡¯s a poison that cannot be cured with mere earthly remedies, not even those celestial dews or those dragon hearts in Fol Ash are potent enough.¡±

    She continued, "The only hope of restoration might be the¡­ blessing of the Void Emperor Sindoll. But I''m too weak, far too weak! My body¡­ this vessel, it won''t withstand those trials. I''ve attempted several times before, but I always perish¡­ long before the finals even begin.¡±

    Raphael listened to her heartbreaking tale with his hooves now trembling not from pressures of gravity but something different, something¡­ familiar.

    ¡®So she¡¯s¡­dying?¡¯ The thought shook him as memories of his own desperate struggle to survive flooded back. It resonated deep within.

    ¡®The rift¡­ That poison¡­¡¯ He¡¯d cheated death! He¡¯d been given a second chance! Couldn¡¯t she also?

    An idea sparked.

    He blurted out with determination, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Grandma Thienika, I¡¯ll get you that blessing!¡±

    He realized he was shedding tears, a sensation so strange in his stolen, monstrous form.

    ¡°What do you mean¡­?¡± She¡¯d heard those words before, from others who claimed to love her beauty, others who¡¯d sought favor and power. Such promises, so easily broken, so painful.

    "Don¡¯t speak falsely. You are brave Raphael, but the Great Divine Tribulation is not child¡¯s play."

    Raphael felt that skepticism deep within his heart. ¡°I am serious! I WILL participate. I''ve been invited. I''ve made a promise, Grandma Thienika, and I intend to keep it. Don¡¯t worry. The Great Divine Tribulation is a couple of months from now. I have plenty of time to get stronger. You¡¯ll be able to dance again. We''ll turn your ¡®burial ground¡¯ back into the majestic forest it used to be, hahaha!¡±

    Raphael¡¯s monstrous laughter bounced around her domain before trailing off into soft sniffles.

    Thienika''s heart, so battered, so broken, felt a flicker of warmth that she hadn¡¯t experienced since those gods of old had feasted on her essences, but wasn¡¯t this foolish? Such recklessness in a bull¡¯s voice, surely¡­

    ¡°You misunderstand, Raphael. I saved your life, not for reward nor¡­ favors. This kindness, it comes from my heart.¡± She wanted to say more, then she realized, how hopeless it all seemed.

    ¡°Your heart, Raphael. It¡¯s good. But don¡¯t you understand. It¡¯s suicide.¡±

    ¡°No. I¡¯ve made up my mind. I¡¯ll do it.¡±

    Her attempts at swaying him were failing. This bull¡¯s determination, it rivaled hers when she¡¯d faced annihilation from those who''d challenged her very existence.

    She smiled softly. How delightful.

    "Alright, alright. Settle yourself down."

    "Ok!" Raphael quickly nodded his head.

    Then the surrounding lights dimmed. His wondrous trip through Thienika''s Lumber Star Domain ended abruptly. The star-leaves began to vanish along with those roots that pulsated like those of a dragon. They slowly faded before him, returning back to the crevices and walls.

    THUD!

    He tumbled off that leaf and was once again greeted by the damp walls and smells.

    "Get some rest, Raphael, you need to stabilize your essence."

    He could still hear her voice echoing all around.

    ¡°Thank you. I won¡¯t let you down!¡±

    A chance to repay a favor had emerged. He would bring Grandma Thienika a Void Emperor Calamity¡¯s blessing.

    It was now his true objective.

 Chapter 77 - Buddhist Pill Gourd

    Raphael sat before Kwan Yuu''s Solar Consciousness which radiated an unhealthy, violet luminescence. Crimson streaks, like jagged scars, marred its surface. There was no mistaking it. This was contamination. The poison from that crimson gas. It hadn¡¯t simply ravaged his physical form, those toxins had burrowed into the very soul of the Vampsquitoe Queen.

    "Grandma Thienika?" Raphael glanced towards a massive root nearby. ¡°This Solar Consciousness¡­ it appears to be contaminated, what should I do?¡±

    The root extended, tapped the soul lightly with a delicate grace. Then after a moment of silent observation, Thienika''s voice resonated.

    ¡°You are correct, young bull. This soul has been eroded.¡±

    ¡°Damn. It would¡¯ve been nice to absorb her essence as is. She was a potent entity.¡± He sighed, but then his gaze landed on that object resting near his hooves, an item he hadn''t truly grasped the true potential of.

    ¡°You used the ¡®Buddhist Pill Gourd¡¯ to cleanse that red gas from my blood. Do you think it can also work on purifying this soul?¡±

    He watched as the giant root nearby began swaying gently, and from the rhythm, Raphael understood. The tree was deep in contemplation.

    ¡°Hmm¡­" Thienika''s response came after what seemed like an eternity. ¡°¡­It''s¡­ worth a try. Listen closely.¡±

    Before she began her instructions on how to utilize this precious fruit, he commanded the script to take notes. ¡°Zhu Jian, come closer.¡±

    The Sagewood Script materialized. ¡°I¡¯m ready, Master!¡± It buzzed eagerly.

    ¡°Now Raphael, let me show you how the Buddhist Pill Gourd truly works.¡±

    Thienika extended a root towards the Gourd. As she touched it, images, smells, even those subtle, yet familiar vibrations of her ancient essence filled the cave. She was sharing her knowledge with them. It was an honor.

    ¡°The Buddhist Pill Gourd is more than just a receptacle for tainted blood. Consider it a refining cauldron. A trinity. Composed of three distinct, yet interconnected ¡®bellies¡¯ that harmonize to purify, condense and amplify. Within each chamber reside ancient potential.¡±

    She then elaborated further.

    "The first belly. This is where you will input your source material - blood, essence, or¡­ a soul, in this instance.¡±

    And as if on cue, a diagram materialized above the gourd. It was a cross-section revealing three chambers within. Each chamber possessed a distinct color, pattern, and function.

    "Call it the ''Essence Ingester¡¯.¡± The first belly was labeled. This one glowed ruby red.

    ¡°The Essence Ingester will absorb the source material then begin sifting it, separating the potent from the corrupted. It¡¯s akin to winnowing grain. Think of it like a weaver removing tangles from delicate threads before creating a masterpiece."

    She explained those delicate machinations of this section to Raphael, who¡¯d never thought of refinement as a creative endeavor.

    ¡°Hmmm, that makes sense." He nodded, as Zhu Jian buzzed with those inscribed details.

    ¡°Once the separation is complete, the next phase begins¡­¡±

    An arrow appeared connecting the Essence Ingester to the second belly. This one was amber.

    ¡°We call it the ''Purge Vessel¡¯."

    Thienika revealed. ¡°The ¡®Purge Vessel¡¯ is the crucible. Within this space, those corrupted essence are further refined and purged of toxins. It''s like extracting venom from a serpent''s fang. What remains, is then transformed into a potent medicine. It can be a liquid or a pill. You get to decide, Raphael.¡±

    Raphael was amazed. "Amazing, go on.¡±

    ¡°The final stage¡­ The refined essence then flows into the ¡®Heart Chamber''. And within that sacred space, it¡¯s cleansed with potent energies.¡± The third belly was labeled, this one was a gentle green.

    ¡°It is within this final chamber that true refinement occurs. Within the Heart Chamber¡­ purity is returned. Harmony is achieved. Thus ensuring that those essence you imbibe are pure and beneficial." Thienika emphasized the importance of this last step, for without it, the cycle wasn¡¯t complete.

    The lecture concluded with: ¡°Theoretically, the Buddhist Pill Gourd should also be able to refine Solar Consciousness. Have you understood my lesson, young Raphael?¡±

    This was exactly what Raphael had been waiting to hear! He¡¯d hoped, surely there was a way to utilize this relic for his Soul Orbital that now felt so¡­ human!

    ¡°YES! And thank you, Grandma Thienika, you are wise indeed.¡±

    Zhu Jian had also absorbed the lecture. "I have it all, master.¡±  It entered Raphael¡¯s head, allowing him to easily comprehend the knowledge.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

    Raphael smiled. His mind was a canvas. And upon that canvas, an intricate blueprint of the ''Buddhist Pill Gourd¡¯s¡¯ inner workings appeared. He understood now.

    ¡°It¡¯s time.¡± He beckoned the tainted, purple Solar Consciousness closer. It floated obediently above the gourd.

    "Now, let the refinement process begin!"

    Raphael carefully opened the gourd''s mouth. The purple Solar Consciousness drifted inward. The gourd hummed as it began its sacred duty. He watched with bated breath.

    The Essence Ingester glowed a bright ruby red. Within its confines, the purple soul churned. Then those crimson streaks pulsed more violently before they separated from the main orb. They flowed towards the amber ¡®Purge Vessel¡¯.

    This process took a while but he waited patiently, observing the interplay of color and light.

    Then, in the amber belly, the crimson streaks solidified. They shrunk into pill-sized orbs, each pill radiating with those dreaded energies from that crimson-red gas. He would store these away, for such potent toxins may be useful in the future.

    Finally, after those fumes of purification dissipated, a radiant, purple sphere flowed into the emerald-green ¡®Heart Chamber¡¯. Within that gentle emerald light, the last vestiges of contamination vanished, leaving behind a soul¡­ cleansed and whole.

    ¡°DONE!¡±

    ¡°Such ease!¡± He was amazed. This Buddhist Pill Gourd was indeed a powerful relic!

    The Gourd¡¯s mouth opened and a purified Soul Consciousness emerged, but it was smaller now.

    "Hmm. It seems those poisons truly were potent. But at least it¡¯s clean now." Raphael wasted no time and absorbed the soul.

    His Cosmic Mind Sea resonated. And a familiar tingling sensation had his focus returning inwards, towards the blue sun at its core as the soul was directed to orbit its center.

    After refining that essence into a Soul Planet, he eagerly tried to incorporate this planet into the vacant spots on his ¡®Astro Soul Orbital¡¯, however, it wouldn¡¯t work. He''d tried countless times, pushing, forcing, but to no avail.

    Each time, that planet trembled violently as if repelling his will!

    BOOM!

    ¡°Damn!¡±

    One particularly forceful attempt had his Soul Orbital buzzing with an energy that he knew well, a premonition of a spectacular backlash. It would erase the soul completely.

    This realization forced him to abandon that dream. It wasn''t meant to be.

    ¡°That damned discrepancy between those cultivation methods!¡± He could almost hear Shao Jin''s bellowing laughter at his failure, for this was a human¡¯s way, something a proud, ancient bull wouldn¡¯t attempt.

    His options were limited. He¡¯d already wasted so much time refining this. "What do I do with it now?" he whispered into that vastness of galaxies and stars.

    Then an audacious idea, an insane gamble appeared.

    "What if¡­ I turn it into a ''Soul Moon''?"

    He carefully maneuvered that planet towards his Shadow Blood Soul Planet. ¡°Surely, with enough pressure¡­ I can force it into orbit.¡±

    He began compressing the soul¡¯s essences, shrinking it, but the process was proving more difficult than he¡¯d expected. His initial attempt at simply pushing, like he''d done earlier had the soul screaming.

    "ARGHHH! NOOOO!" It shrieked. The memory of her demise resurfaced.

    He was crushing her!

    "Damn¡­!" Raphael had to find another solution, otherwise, this soul would vanish! He wouldn''t let this hard-earned prize be wasted.

    He observed those two other bodies ¨C The ¡®Shadow Blood Planet¡¯ and its radiant Soul Moon, then, ¡°What if¡­ I create a path for it? Like a gate?¡±

    Using a portion of his blue Sun''s energy, he carefully began weaving those golden and black energies into an intricate web that formed a large spherical grid above that soul, and then carefully began directing that soul toward it, bit by bit until finally it locked in place.

    BOOM!

    A radial wave had his Cosmic Mind Sea vibrating but instead of shattering, it pulsated with delight. He was successful! However, his creation was unstable! It would take time and effort to prevent these bodies from annihilating each other.

    For three days straight, Raphael remained in his meditative state, diligently sculpting a new path, a celestial road for his newest acquisition. His spirit energy took charge, coaxing, pushing, and molding that Soul Planet until finally¡­

    ¡°Haa¡­"

    He let out a contented sigh. The task was complete!

    ¡­

    "That was exhausting.¡± Raphael''s eyes snapped open. Below him was a pool of water. It had a subtle sweet, metallic scent.

    "What''s this? It looks like¡­."

    He¡¯d been so absorbed in his Cosmic Mind Sea that he hadn¡¯t realized his body had sweat so much, that a large pool of water had formed.

    A comforting voice entered his ears: "It''s your sweat, Raphael. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve absorbed the excess water and the harmful essence it contain into my roots. That water should be suitable for drinking if you want to.¡±

    ¡°Oh, thanks, Grandma¡­¡±

    ¡°Tell me, young bull. How did the assimilation process go?¡±

    With an arrogant smirk, Raphael summoned his Soul Orbital. He wanted her to see his achievement. He wanted Thienika to be amazed by his ingenuity and strength.

    WHOOSH!

    ¡°Hmmm¡­!¡± Thienika gazed upon his magnificent Soul Orbital with disbelief.

    "A Soul Orbital? But¡­ but that¡¯s¡­¡±

    ¡°It is the way humans cultivate. How¡­?"

    She¡¯d never encountered anything like it! A beast who could utilize a human¡¯s soul-refinement technique. Both Beast Cultivation and Human Cultivation Dao?

    She focused her perception. "And¡­ Is that¡­ A Soul Planet? But how? That¡¯s truly impossible!" Then her surprise deepened, ¡°It has a Soul Moon and what is THAT?¡±

    Raphael felt his heart racing, but this time it was from pure excitement. Those praises he¡¯d craved were about to be showered upon him!

    He couldn''t hold back his grin. He had her truly baffled.

    ¡°That, Grandma Thienika, is a Soul Satellite!¡±

    ¡°S¡­S¡­ Soul¡­Satellite?" she repeated. A dreadful chill went up her ancient roots. Her voice, always so confident and firm, now shook as if the wind itself was questioning her very existence. She felt extremely old.

    ¡°A-aah¡­ Truly, a genius you are, young bull. A Soul Satellite. Such a magnificent invention¡­ truly something¡­"

    "HAHAHA! Thank you, Grandma! But there¡¯s more¡­¡± Raphael¡¯s monstrous head dipped down to conceal his blush.

    He quickly canceled his Soul Orbital and summoned Zhu Jian who eagerly unfurled. A list of his new abilities had appeared:

    ¡­

    Logia Mist: Emits a thick, swirling purple fog capable of disorienting, stunning, and even trapping targets within terrifying, individualized illusions.

    Purple Blood Nest: A massive, pulsating nest crafted from a horrifying mixture of shadow essence, blood magic, and potent toxins. Within it, a monstrous entity is currently gestating.

    ¡°That¡­ what¡¯s that? I feel something dangerous about this¡­¡±

    Hallow Fate Enigma: Conjures multiple dark red Circular Spell Diagrams that launches a variety of weapons ¨C swords, spears, axes ¨C crafted from condensed blood, shadow, and acid. These weapons not only strike with physical force, but also gradually poison their targets.

    ¡°Oh, Magnificent!¡±

    Blood Drain: A touch-based attack that sucks blood out of target with your horns. The drained blood then replenishes your own ¡®Blood Pool''.

    Crimson Storm Vortex: conjure multiple bloody vortexes that pull and crushes even the hardest defenses!

    Blood Pool Upgrade: Capacity increase tenfold!

    ¡°Even more stamina! Truly something!¡±

    Shadow Wings Upgrade: Capacity Increase, can now hold 500 bats.

 Chapter 78 - Grandma Thienika

    "Haa¡­ these new powers."

    Raphael couldn¡¯t help but grinned.

    The Sagewood Script hovered before his eyes. A new list had materialized, detailing the amplification to his techniques and the unlocking of the rare arts bestowed upon him from his new Soul Satellite, which he dubbed, ¡®Purple Eye¡¯. It glowed gently upon that Blood Shadow Planet, a treasure from his recent ordeal.

    He laughed with an eagerness to practice them, but this will have to wait until he returned to the Golden Prism Citadel.

    After absorbing Zhu Jian, he brought forth the crimson pills stored within his gourd and carefully poured them out before him.

    They weren''t the size of regular medicines sold in the human marketplaces nor those candies he used to sneak from the kitchen pantry¡¯s. These pills were much bigger.

    ¡°Hmm. Perhaps useful against those fools who want a taste of a Golden Bull Thork¡¯s hooves. Or maybe even Lu Ignis himself."

    Raphael was truly impressed with how potent they were. He chuckled as he imagined slipping one into Tajmani¡¯s breakfast, then dismissed those dark, yet delicious thoughts of revenge with a shake of his horns.

    ¡°Now isn''t the time. Focus!¡±

    He then tucked those red pills into his shadow for future use.

    ¡°You¡¯ve done well, Raphael. Your strength is now at the 5th layer of the Nightmare Calamity Stage.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Raphael, who¡¯d been engrossed in his power up session looked around the muddy cave wall, ¡°Oh, you¡¯re right!¡±

    He was almost back at his prime level again! A few layers away and he would once more challenge those at the peak of might.

    ¡°Kwan Yuu¡¯s soul is powerful indeed! To think I was only at the peak of the Calamity stage moments ago. This Purple Eye Soul Satellite is truly a game changer.¡± He snorted and stretched, relishing in this burst of strength, then a bold idea had his golden form trembling with an urgency.

    BOOM!

    He stomped his hoof.

    And without warning, began expelling potent, golden energies towards the pulsating roots that surrounded him. The air crackled! The earth shook! It was a terrifying display of his chaotic essences that had Thienika¡¯s heart dropping as she watched this bull¡¯s cultivation rapidly decrease: from 5th layer to 4th layer, to 3rd layer.

    ¡°Raphael, what are you doing? No¡­STOP!¡± She urged but it was too late. Her roots were already eagerly devouring his offering like a thirsty sponge soaking up a ocean.

    Her admonishments were in vain, for Raphael had a far different agenda in mind.

    ¡°AHHH!¡± He yelled as he pushed harder. More essences oozed, the tremors shook her being with delight as his cultivation dropped from 3rd Layer to 1st Layer Nightmare Calamity Stage.

    Then as if by a limit his ancient lineage couldn¡¯t overcome, he fell flat.

    Raphael looked pale, but his breathing was calm, his hooves no longer trembled. It would appear as if he was at peace with his decision, or perhaps death had already claim his sanity.

    ¡°What¡­ have you done?¡±

    ¡°This will help you recover faster Grandma!¡±

    He was now weaker than when he¡¯d first arrived in Yama Yaguai. A bull Calamity of meager power, however, he didn¡¯t regret his choice. Not one bit, ¡°After all, didn¡¯t you tell me earlier that your life force was depleted? I thought this would help.¡±

    ¡°You are a reckless bull,¡± Thienika laughed.

    "But this generosity? It¡¯s beyond my wildest imagination, for never have I, Thienika, The Draconic Star Lumber encountered a creature who would so readily sacrifice for a being they¡¯d only known for a day, much less a dying one at that.¡±

    The tremors and rustling of her roots didn¡¯t match her words. It was as if they celebrated with joyous thrum,

    Raphael snorted. ¡°It''s nothing Grandma. You saved my life and taught me about the Buddhist Pill Gourd. Compared to those, sacrificing a little Solar Essence is just a thank you.¡±

    There was a moment of silence. Then Raphael heard sobbing noises.. However, he couldn¡¯t see here face, so he only guessed that she was weeping. But when he observes her roots, they were wagging excitedly

    And it was then, she truly understood what she¡¯d witnessed, for in a world where taking and devouring was paramount, Raphael¡¯s selflessness was a beacon of hope, ¡°Raphael¡­ There are no words in my ancient tongue that could truly express this feeling of gratitude.¡±

    She then gathered resolve which had helped her survived countless wars and cataclysmic events of the past. ¡°Now then, to answer your unvoiced question about those ¡®Why¡¯s¡¯, and those ¡®How¡¯s¡¯¡­. Well. It¡¯s simple, with your generous gift, I have enough strength to participate in the Great Divine Tribulation. I can contend.¡±

    Her hope touched his very essence and reminded him of a goal he had almost dismissed as being childish.

    ¡°Hooooray! WE can finally get Void Emperor Sindoll''s blessing! We''ll both participate! WE WILL SUCCEED!" Raphael¡¯s boisterous holler shook that cavern and causing more dirt to fall down upon him from the openings in the roots above.

    ¡°Yes¡­¡± She smiled at the sight of the happy bull. ¡°But¡­ before you jump into those fires that illuminate our shared aspirations, what is it that you desire Raphael? Don¡¯t you have dreams, or goals? Surely they are more potent than gratitude.¡±Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

    ¡°I¡­¡± he then paused to ponder for a bit. ¡°You see Grandma¡­ it¡¯s this¡­ I want to be¡­ human¡­¡±

    The answer shook the cave even more, but this time it wasn¡¯t the roots dancing or dust falling. It was the air.

    ¡°HUH!¡±

    Thienika¡¯s response was an echo, then, she suddenly understood, this wasn¡¯t just the ramble of an ancient mind, there was logic and reasoning buried there.

    She simply said, ¡°I see.¡±

    ¡®Could it be that those ancient souls he acquired has merged with his essence and granted this desire? Hmmm¡­ This bull is truly unique. To have those potent energies of both human and those from a lineage of might? Truly interesting.¡¯

    She then voiced her observation, "If you want more than just an imitation of their form, Void Emperor Sindoll''s methods might be the answer you seek. It is said she¡¯s capable of transforming creatures into their true heart¡¯s desires.¡±

    Her words had Raphael laughing again as he envisioned a day when he¡¯d be able to walk upright, hold those tomes in his own hands, not those clumsy hooves that he was getting used to, and perhaps even become a King to a generous queen. He was now fantasizing about an entirely new life.

    Such joy!

    ¡°ALRIGHT! Let¡¯s do this!¡±

    His roar reverberated and caused the earth beneath him to ripple. This action of his revealed a large clam. The color was a calming violet.

    ¡°Hmm. What¡¯s this? Never seen one like it before¡­¡± He was intrigued.

    A root extend to caress it.

    "A magnificent find, indeed." Thienika''s voice had a touch of amazement as she revealed its discovery.

    ¡°This clam. You were clinging to it when I discovered your injured form, young Raphael. I¡¯d forgotten about its presence in my efforts to heal you.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­ This clam?¡± As his gaze linger upon its form and its peculiar streaks, he remembered something.

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ what crashed into us back in that red rift. A creature from another world? And it¡¯s here? Still alive? Could it contain treasures?¡±

    ¡­

    Whoosh! Whoosh!

    His wings flapping slowly, Raphael hovered above the Dark Swamp Gorge. Below, a chain of chaos played out.

    The ground rumbled and trees swayed, not from a passing storm but something far more unsettling. Massive roots erupted from the muck, shattering earth and uprooting trees. Creatures scattered while crying with a primal terror as a collective panic rippled through those who¡¯d called this treacherous landscape home for so long.

    "I¡­ never expected her roots to run so deep within this gorge." Raphael gasped. He was truly awestruck by the scale of what he was witnessing.

    From his aerial vantage point, he saw Thienika¡¯s true form slowly emerging. Those ancient roots stretched for miles. This realization shook him.

    And then he saw it¡­ Her enormous, tree trunk lifted from the ground. Mud splattered, and ancient stones crumbled.

    "Magnificent¡­" Such power emanating from a being whose form resembled something he¡¯d only read in books about ancient Gods. It made him shiver.

    A cacophony of shrieks, grunts, and howls erupted as nearby creatures observed this spectacle with terror, confusion and perhaps even a dash of curiosity.

    "What is that thing?!¡±

    ¡°Its a¡­ a¡­ a moving forest!¡±

    They huddled together, those brave enough, craned their necks, for even the mightiest Calamities paused their duels to watch the emergence of this colossal being.

    As the tree unfurled, those smaller trees around were simply uprooted. Leaves were scattering as if the wind was afraid of being devoured.

    ¡°Move! We don¡¯t want to be trampled on today!¡± A group of intelligent fungi yelled.

    Then, finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Thienika stood before Raphael in all her pale and withered glory.

    It was truly a sight to behold even though her magnificent silver bark was now covered in patches of grey rot, and her once vibrant star-leaves were riddled with holes and tears, the remnant of her former glory radiated in waves.

    Raphael couldn''t help but be amazed by the sheer size. Her branches stretched toward the sky, and her roots spread out across miles, creating a tangled web that connected her to every inch of the gorge.

    This wasn''t a mere tree. This was an ecosystem. A world unto itself.

    "She¡­ is¡­ HUGE!¡±

    Before him, Thienika hovered in the sky. She began shaking her ancient branches, flinging off clumps of mud. A shower of dirt and pebbles rained down. Then her roots retracted inwards, which anchored her form.

    She was ready.

    ¡°Ok, Grandma Thienika! Let''s go!¡± Raphael was eager to get started on their journey.

    ¡°Wait¡­¡±

    She stopped him and something incredible happened.

    BOOM!

    Thienika''s colossal form exuded a brilliant glow which lit up the Dark Swamp Gorge. And then it shrunk.

    Her body contorted as branches became limbs, leaves spiraled into elegant formations, and her roots became neatly flowing. It was a beautiful dance.

    Creatures that had witnessed those early events now gasped! ¡°Impossible! It transformed? A wood nymph? Could it be?¡±

    Raphael watched, utterly speechless.

    Thienika now stood before him in a humanoid figure, old and withered. She towered over him. Her silver bark was creased and aged, forming a delicate face with closed, wrinkled eyelids. She possessed limbs. They were lanky, but impossibly strong, and each fingertip had sharp nails that could easily shred his golden hide if she wanted to.

    Her head bore magnificent antlers, that of a stag¡¯s pride, with a faint glow dancing around its tips. And her long, flowing hair weren''t made of fur but thinly woven translucent roots; her ancient arteries and life essence were evident there.

    She wore a beautiful robe made of moonlight woven by ancient sprites from a time long gone. It was so delicate. Her leaves from her Draconic Star Lumber lineage had folded into an arrangement that resembled a majestic flower at her rear. The glow was hypnotizing, the colors swirled gently.

    In one hand, she held a staff crafted from the heartwood of a fallen star. It had a soothing yet powerful energy about it. Her eyelid snapped open briefly and revealed her white pupils. They pierced through Raphael''s soul with an intensity that had him cowering for a moment.

    "This form is much better for travelling.¡±

    She stamped her staff against the air.

    WHOOSH!

    A green ripple spread outward. Those nearest beasts, unable to resist the unseen force, instantly fell into a deep slumber, leaving behind a tranquil silence in its wake.

    ¡°She¡­ You¡­ can transform? Really?¡±

    This was another spectacle he hadn¡¯t anticipated.

    Thienika sighed softly as she looked down at her new form. Her strength had returned, partially. It wouldn''t be enough to survive the Great Divine Tribulation to claim the Void Emperor¡¯s blessing, however, the bull before her had offered something more precious than any medicine or elixir.

    Hope.

    She adjusted her flowing robes with one hand. "I¡¯m ready to go, now.¡±

    ¡°YES! Hop on!" Raphael laughed excitedly.

    This was it. A shared destiny.

    "We will conquer. You¡¯ll get your blessing Grandma!"

    He watched eagerly as she hoisted her lanky form upon his back, carefully adjusting the ¡®star-flower¡¯ at her back to avoid crushing her delicate leaves.

    Raphael took off into the sky with a swiftness and grace befitting a Calamity on a mission.

    "Remind me, where are we going again?" Thienika asked with her head cocked slightly as she gazed upon that crimson horizon.

    "Black Wind!"

    ¡°Black Wind? That''s Qi Hawk''s territory. Hmmm¡­¡±

    ¡°Yeah, you know him?¡±

    Hearing that name, she saw a vision. It unfolded like a star chart, guiding her toward a place in her ancient past.

    A small hawk, younger and far less imposing than his current form was buzzing around her branches, chirping. It preened its feathers with an arrogant grace that had her ancient heart chuckling.

    She lightly swatted its backside with one delicate tendril, ¡°Little one. One day you will rule those skies, but for now, your arrogance must be tempered. Humility is the way.¡±

    The vision faded.

    Thienika smiled. "Yes. I know him.¡±

    Raphael snorted, "Let''s go then!¡±

    He¡¯d made his decision, for this bull, there was no backing down. He would keep his promise.

    He would bring Grandma Thienika a Void Emperor Calamity''s blessing, even if it meant obliterating the entire Yama Yaguai.

    With a final burst of golden lightning, they were gone, hurtling toward the heart of Qi Hawk¡¯s territory.

 Chapter 79 - Jade vs Purple

    A flash of vibrant light split the tranquil sky above Nestoria as the Skybridge Dais activated. Raphael burst forth in a rush of wind that had the rainbow-hued clouds scattering. On his back, perched gracefully, was Thienika. She had her lanky legs crossed as she held her staff; a picture of regal indifference.

    Below, an enchanting vista unfolded: verdant fields teeming with delicate flowers, serene jade-colored ponds reflecting a perfect azure sky. It was a realm with potent, yet soothing energies, unlike that treacherous swamps they¡¯d left behind.

    Thienika glanced around. ¡°That Qi Hawk¡­ to think he created something this serene¡­?¡± she mumbled with amusement as Raphael navigated through the floating structures with ease.

    He noticed a questioning gaze upon him and smirked. ¡°I know. He surprised me too, Grandma. I didn¡¯t expect a ¡®Marble World¡¯ to be this beautiful.¡±

    ¡°Hmm. That mischievous little fledgling¡­ always so brash and eager for confrontation¡­¡±

    ¡°Grandma, you knew him when he was¡­ small? That must have been millions of years ago.¡±

    ¡°Ahahaha, indeed. Even Emperor Calamities, start as fragile hatchlings, impatient, ambitious, and full of grand ideas. He often boasted, saying one day, the skies and the realms beyond it would bow before his might. To think he''s achieved it? Truly wondrous.¡±

    Then, with a gentle touch of her staff, she drew a magnificent scene in the air that mirrored that memory she¡¯d shown him.

    Raphael watched with a growing curiosity and a smile as a smaller Qi Hawk zoomed across her branches, bumping into ancient runes and nearly causing a forest fire from his reckless wingspan.

    It was indeed a magnificent spectacle.

    Then it faded.

    ¡°He doesn''t seem the type to allow a bull into his haven, not the one I knew. And one with your potency, Raphael, well. He despises your kind."

    ¡°Ahahaha, you¡¯re right, Grandma. But¡­ I did him a favor. You see¡­"

    As they continued their journey, Raphael recounted his daring escapade into the Bronze Serpent Emperor¡¯s domain and the bargain he¡¯d struck with Qi Hawk to retrieve that precious ¡®Void Eye¡¯.

    He¡¯d left out a few gory details like his battle with Lu Lingxue and the feast. After all, this wasn¡¯t something a kind grandma needed to hear.

    Thienika listened intently. ¡°Such arrogance that hawk possesses. I suppose even old age hasn''t fully tempered his ambitions. Hmm, what is his plan?¡±

    She then paused, her eyes narrowed for a moment, ¡°So it was you who gave that arrogant snake a beating? I would have love to witness such a spectacle.¡±

    "I sure gave him a taste of my hooves! He even lost his tail! It was hilarious, you should¡¯ve seen the look on his faces.¡± Raphael burst out laughing.

    "Hohoho. Good! Good! This is how a true Calamity should act!¡±

    ¡°Right, Grandma?!¡± He smiled at her approval and then slowed his flight speed a bit as they arrived in range of his Citadel. He pointed his massive head towards a golden glow below. ¡°Look! It''s ahead. That¡¯s the Golden Prism Citadel.¡±

    BOOM!

    Suddenly a large explosion had both bull and tree shifting their gaze. Below them, within a grand courtyard paved in white marble, was a scene that ignited Raphael¡¯s curiosity.

    Two figures moved in a blur of green and purple! The sound of blades clashing and thunder echoing came.

    ¡°Is that¡­¡±

    Raphael watched from above. He recognized them instantly.

    ¡°It¡¯s Little Lu, and¡­ That princess! What are they doing?¡±

    It was Lu Jade and Qi Fenwei.

    They were locked in battle, but it wasn¡¯t the clumsy strikes of drunken thugs nor frantic swings.

    No, these movements were a ballet of death, an exhilarating display of skill and potent essence unleashed.

    WHAM!

    Lu Jade bent his body backward with an unnatural grace, barely dodging the descending arc of Qi Fenwei''s ¡®Archon¡¯. Its orange eye flickered as her blade cleaved a chunk out of the pillar Lu Jade had used as leverage moments before.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    He retaliated instantly.

    ¡°Solar Beam!¡±

    A blinding green blast shot forth from his ¡®Jade Sun Cycle¡¯.

    ¡°Hmph, the audacity!¡±

    Qi Fenwei reacted instantly, her reflexes were as honed as any sword master¡¯s as she repositioned ¡®Archon¡¯ and met the incoming attack head on.

    WHOOSH!

    The eye upon the blade dilated then the beam was consumed!

    ¡°Redirect!¡± She swung the blade downwards, sending a crescent of emerald energy towards Lu Jade.

    Lu Jade didn''t panic. Instead, he laughed with a terrifying arrogance that had those watching from a distance yelling out in amazement, ¡°Such audacity! He¡¯s facing that slash head on?!¡±

    "Come on, bird brain! Let¡¯s see what your cheap borrowed techniques can do!¡±

    He slithered toward the attack, but just as the emerald energy was about to shred him.

    ¡°Limiter On!¡±

    His serpentine form shrank! Now he was a slender vine with scales no larger than a pinky finger. With effortless grace, he weaved over the blade and flicked his tail at her face.

    ¡°Limiter OFF!¡±

    And in that instant, his tail enlarged, slamming into her with bone-jarring force.

    ¡°ARGHHH! This little¡­!¡± Qi Fenwei was sent flying into a nearby jade pillar. Cracks radiated outward from the point of impact, as her armor glowed, absorbing the shockwave.

    ¡°You¡¯re quite sturdy! But I¡¯m just getting warmed up.¡± Lu Jade coiled around another pillar and chuckled, feeling the potent essence she¡¯d accidentally infused his domain. Such a wondrous gift from a worthy opponent!

    Qi Fenwei landed, sheathed her blade ¡®Archon¡¯, and then unleashed ¡®Lullaby¡¯

    ¡°Whisper!¡±

    She vanished from sight.

    ¡°That technique!¡± Lu Jade remembered that flash, and those elegant movements from their previous encounter as he¡¯d witnessed her humiliating his older sister. ¡°She''s trying to disrobe me!¡±

    "Not this time! Phantom Willow Grass ¨C Crystallization!¡±

    His entire body glowed, a brilliant emerald green aura exploded outward as the grass that adorned his scales solidified into an armor of blades and thorny protection.

    He stood ready. But was it enough?

    WHOOSH!

    ¡°Where¡­?¡±

    A chilling sound, that of steel against bark, had Lu Jade frantically glancing around those shifting shadows. He felt multiple strikes across his hide. Those phantom energies were cutting, slashing, but they weren''t deep, not yet!

    ¡°DIE!¡± She appeared behind him, but this time, her strike was different. She used the blunt side of ¡®Lullaby¡¯ as a hammer, aimed to smash. He was ready!

    BOOM!

    He raised one of his monstrous Phantom Willows as a shield. "Willowing Hands!" It took the blow.

    ¡°Damn! His defense¡­! That grass¡­ It¡¯s hardened!¡± QI Fenwei yelled. She was baffled and couldn''t hold back her insults ¡°Damn snake! Why won''t you just yield?!"

    This time, however, there was a tinge of respect lacing her words, ¡°Such strength¡­"

    "You have to make me, bird!¡±

    He launched an emerald flame straight at her location but it was no use.

    SLASH!

    She cleaved his flames in half and laughed at his futile attempt to overpower her, but then¡­

    ¡°She¡­ She¡¯s coming back down!" He noticed a whirlwind forming. Those razor sharp blades were circling above. This was a deathly melody!

    "Lullaby ¨C Tornado Song!¡±

    The pressure had him hissing with dread. ¡°I won¡¯t survive a direct hit!¡±

    He instinctively called upon his Sun Cycle.

    ¡°SHIELD!¡±

    A golden shield flared before him with his essence depleted to almost nothingness, but it wasn¡¯t enough. Those slashes were ripping, tearing, It was collapsing!

    His only hope?

    "Limiter ON!"

    His form contracted! With a speed rivaled only by those blood-sucking insects, he slithered away from his shield.

    BOOM!

    He was mere inches from certain death as QI Fenwei crashed through the ground in a whirl of blades and anger!

    "Damn¡­ he¡¯s too slippery!¡±

    She rose from the crater. Her amethyst armor radiated anger now, those feathers were ruffled and her blades buzzed, for it seem she¡¯d met an opponent worthy of her true skill. This would not be an ordinary spar anymore, she thought! This annoying emerald serpent deserved more.

    Qi Fenwei was getting serious!

    ¡°Is¡­ Is that how you want to play, damn snake?! Don¡¯t blame me, when this ends¡­!¡± She unsheathed Archon while simultaneously holding her magnificent Lullaby. Since their sparring match started, this was her first time wielding both blades simultaneous.

    "I¡¯m honored! Truly honored!" He wasn''t mocking her. This escalation, it fueled his ambition. She wasn¡¯t holding back any longer. This was thrilling, a test he¡¯d desperately craved!

    Lu Jade felt a shiver of anticipation. He could sense the shift, that immense power surging. The air around her buzzed and then black lighting began to crackle along the edge of her blades.

    ¡°This¡­ She¡¯s about to unleash her true might."

    Then as the air itself darkened before his trembling gaze. He heard a chilling declaration that his heart recognized instantly.

    ¡°Black Heaven Ripper!¡±

    Qi Fenwei¡¯s blades slashed downward and a dark, imposing God of Death, clad in a midnight black armor, materialized before them. His twin swords, as tall as an average house, dripped venomous black blood that sizzled and smoke when they touch the ground below.

    This was a vision that had even the bravest bird-creatures scrambling back with cries of, "This energy is too much!"

    ¡°NO!¡±

    "PHANTOM WILLOW GRASS ¨C SHIELD!¡±

    BOOM!

    Lu Jade attempted to deflect this incoming attack with his most trusted technique, weaving his grasses to conjure a colossal protective wall that he hoped would withstand that incoming wave, those blades.

    However, even as he felt his strength draining he knew it wasn¡¯t enough!

    The Black Heaven Ripper was too powerful!

    And those swords¡­

    "I¡¯m¡­" His final words, lost to those shadows.

    Then as his world was about to end, a golden blur appeared, It crashed before him in a flash of might that shattered the earth!

    The impact had everyone shielding their eyes because they saw an enormous golden hoof materialized from that glow. It slam against those shadowy blades! And as a bellow resonated. It shattered their arrogance.

    ¡°GOLD PRESS!¡±

    Lu Jade gasped, for the figure that descended was unmistakable, those horns, the black wings, those eyes¡­

    ¡°BIG BROTHER!"

    Qi Fenwei recognized her nemesis. "That BULL?!¡±

    ¡°Lu Jade!¡± Raphael spoke softly as he watched those black swords dissolving, as his hoof dug deeper and crushed the God of Death, ¡°You okay, little buddy?¡±

    The embrace of brotherhood, that warmth¡­ It was as if the sun itself was shining just for them. It brought tears to Lu Jade¡¯s emerald eyes, even as his scales were being stained crimson by a familiar scent that flowed from Raphael¡¯s hide.

    "Big Brother! You¡¯re back!¡±

 Chapter 80 - Reckless FOOL!

    ¡°Thank you, Big Brother Raphael.¡± Lu Jade slithered over to his savior. ¡°That Black Heaven Ripper! I was almost turned into minced meat back there, truly dreadful, however, truth be told¡­ I was eagerly anticipating facing her full might. That sword is a terror. Perhaps I could incorporate some of its energies into my Phantom Willow Grass technique¡­ if only¡­¡±

    Raphael laughed at his friend''s rambunctious spirit and gently patted him on the head with a massive hoof.

    "You did well, Little Lu. You¡¯re more skilled now. Stronger. Just be careful. Don¡¯t try those risky things alone, next time!¡±

    "Right, right.¡± He giggled as his tail flicked with delight. Those compliments! They truly did wonders for a soul that used to get scolded and beaten.

    ¡°Skill, my feathers!¡± Qi Fenwei interrupted their joyful reunion. ¡°Damn BULL! Step aside! I¡¯m not done punishing that SNAKE!¡± Her violet wings fluttered. Archon was still aimed at Raphael and glowed menacingly.

    Before Raphael had a chance to respond or even take a breath to calm down, a voice with such a gentle tone yet potent power echoed through the courtyard.

    "The duel is over, why not lower your sword child?"

    ¡°HUH? Who said that?!¡± Qi Fenwei¡¯s gaze darted around, trying to locate the source, but saw only shattered tiles and quivering bird-creatures in the distance.

    "Up¡­ here."

    She looked up and her pupils dilated.

    There, perched upon the back of the golden bull was a figure wearing a simple, yet elegant robe that had her feathers rustling. Her silver bark skin radiated untold strength.

    ¡°You! WHO do you think YOU ARE to scold ME?! Get down HERE, before I cut that BULL to PIECES!" Qi Fenwei¡¯s voice came out loud, fueled by her pride. This arrogance and disrespect wouldn''t stand!

    Her words caused Raphael to snort. ¡°How DARE you speak to GRANDMA that way?!"

    His shadow wings unfolded.

    But just as a wave of energy was about to be unleashed, Thienika placed a reassuring hand on his head.

    ¡°Calm yourself, Raphael, there¡¯s no need for bloodshed, for that girl merely echoes her father¡¯s flaws, and rightly so.¡±

    Thienika hopped off his back with a gentle grace that contradicted her lanky form and landed elegantly.

    Turning her ancient gaze toward the defiant princess, she spoke. ¡°Your haughtiness, it is familiar. You must be one of Qi Hawk''s daughters. Hmmm, you share his aura from back when he was still a hatchling.¡±

    ¡°WHAT? You¡­ You profess to know my Father?" Qi Fenwei glared and aimed her blade at Thienika.

    This old lady, this grandmother the bull called her, there was a subtle pressure of a Calamity permeating her. But this didn¡¯t make sense.

    ¡°Who ARE YOU?!"

    Thienika shook her head in disappointment. "That brash arrogance, so much like your father. That poor hawk, he hasn''t trained his children in manners, it seems.¡±

    "You DARE berate MY father! YOU¡­ a mere¡­ Saint Ruler?!!"

    ¡°Tsk, she¡¯s even bolder than Tajmani!¡± Raphael couldn¡¯t help himself. It seemed boldness, arrogance and stupidity, they were truly universal emotions.

    Qi Fenwei, seeing that this stranger, this ''grandma¡¯ the bull so dearly protected was merely a Saint Ruler, didn''t hesitate. Those fools deserved to be punished!

    ¡°DIE, YOU WRETCHED TREE!¡±

    With a scream, Qi Fenwei thrust forth with Archon. It would appear, death by blade was their new visitor¡¯s welcome. But just before the blade hit¡­

    BAM!

    She stamped her staff against the marble platform.

    ¡°Wha¡­¡± The world itself, the clouds, even the very air itself shifted as Qi Fenwei found her body frozen mid-flight. Her attack was halted mere centimeters from Thienika¡¯s nose.

    ¡°How¡­?¡± Her wings buzzed frantically! She struggled against the invisible force but couldn¡¯t break free. This was power she hadn''t felt before. It was terrifying.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    ¡°What just happened?¡± Raphael¡¯s hooves pounded anxiously against the ground as he watched the scene unfold before him.

    Lu Jade hissed, ¡°That tree just stopped a Nightmare Calamity? Her technique is truly something.¡±

    The implications of seeing Qi Fenwei immobilized were terrifying. His body instinctively wanted to bow in submission.

    ¡°How is this even possible?" He couldn''t even articulate his conflicting emotions properly now.

    But alas, as the seconds stretched and Qi Fenwei¡¯s struggles intensified. The unseen chains that bound her movements began to fracture.

    ¡°She¡¯s breaking free!"

    And in a blink¡­

    CRACK!

    She broke the restraint. Her Archon blade slashed towards Thienika¡¯s face!

    BOOM!

    A colossal gust of wind erupted outward. The  nearby balconies groaned and a few even chipped from the sheer pressure!

    They¡¯d all thought the old woman was dead, but as the winds subsided, they witnessed something even more shocking!

    Her majestic blade had connected! It rested upon that wrinkled, silver face and didn''t even leave a scratch. It seemed she was indeed, laughing at those efforts.

    Qi Fenwei stared in disbelief. ¡°H¡­ HOW is that possible?!¡± Her wings flapped nervously. "I''ve never encountered such resilience, such strength! Archon can cleave even a mountain in half, and yet¡­ this woman¡¯s face is tougher than a mountain!" Her heart hammered. It wasn''t fear exactly, but she''d never been so humiliated before. This was a side she''d always kept hidden.

    Qi Fenwei quickly flipped back, putting a safe distance between herself and that stoic grandma. Then seeing that no attacks came, nor those blood-red roars she''d anticipated, she sheathed her blade and cupped her fists.

    "Who are you, venerable master?¡±

    The shiver in her voice had Raphael smirking.

    ¡°It¡¯s wise of you to recognize true power, Princess Fenwei, for some battles are won before the first strike.¡± Then Thienika¡¯s ancient, weathered face stretched into a delicate smile that had both Raphael and Lu Jade shuffling their hooves and tail nervously because never had she display a semblance of joy so openly, and what did it mean for them?

    She continued in that soft tone, "That haughtiness you so eagerly displayed has been quelled, and your spirit, it is ready to accept new knowledge. That pleases me, it truly does. Your father? Is he present? I would be very interested in renewing old acquaintances.¡±

    "My father? He¡¯s unavailable at the moment. He''s currently engaged in¡­ secluded meditation. He has great things to prepare, for the Great Divine Tribulation. Surely you¡­¡±

    She then noticed a raised staff and knew better than to question. Qi Fenwei then bowed her head with a hint of annoyance.

    ¡°It is a¡­ pity." Thienika nodded sadly. She¡¯d been hoping to see how that fledging she¡¯d met eons ago was doing.

    ¡°Very well. Then, I bid you farewell¡­ Grandma.¡±

    She cast a fleeting glare towards both Raphael and Lu Jade before turning around and spreading her wings. Then as a flash of blue light echoed, she was gone.

    This time, it was permanent, or was it?

    ¡°Finally some peace.¡± Raphael muttered with a sigh.

    Thienika smiled as her youthful energies slowly began to drain once more. ¡°Seems your feathered friend has inherited some of her father¡¯s impatience. Hohoho! But such are those traits that make ruling, a thrilling adventure.

    Now then. Tell me about this ¡®Little Lu¡¯ you keep mentioning. You haven''t introduce us."

    ¡°Oh, RIGHT!¡± He then turned toward the emerald snake, who was still slightly trembling.

    ¡°Grandma Thienika, meet Lu Jade. He¡¯s like a brother to me.¡±

    ¡°Lu¡­ Jade? That name¡­ it¡¯s familiar¡­¡± Thienika narrowed her eyes. She could sense a potent energy deep within this serpent. It was a well of untapped potential, brimming with ancient strength. But from this little runt?

    Lu Jade hissed respectfully, "Blessing upon you, Elder Thienika."

    He was observing them, ¡®Why does he¡­ Big Brother Raphael¡­ calls her ¡®Grandma¡¯?¡¯

    He¡¯d been hiding and meditating in this Citadel, eagerly seeking the peace those treasures had offered and refining his essence for the upcoming battles that demanded his true potential be unleashed. He''d hoped to finally stand shoulder-to-shoulder with his ''Big Brother'' and together, they¡¯d carve a path of greatness through Yama Yaguai.

    And now his brother was here and he wasn¡¯t alone.

    ¡°Where wasss Big Brother all thisss time?¡±

    Raphael began sharing his adventure since he left Nestoria a few days ago. As he narrated, his gaze fixated on his companion. He watched with dread as those emerald scales paled to a ghastly green as his pupils dilated. It was as if he were reliving that ordeal with them.

    Then, the tears came.

    "Hooooow¡­? BIG BROTHER! YOU¡­ YOU¡­" Lu Jade couldn''t finish his sentence.

    The terror of losing his newfound family was painful. He quickly slithered over to Thienika. He then wrapped himself tightly around one of her lanky legs and began crying profusely, his tears now raining down on her silver bark scales.

    "Thank¡­ Thank¡­ you! Y-You SAVED¡­ him¡­¡± His words choked him.

    Thienika gently patted him with a calloused hand. "There, there little snake¡­ No need to cry. That ordeal has passed. Look! Your brother is safe. We are family now."

    Lu Jade sniffed and wiped his tears away with his tail before looking up with eyes that radiated something more ancient than the years he''d walked these lands.  A silent understanding bloomed between him and Thienika.

    ¡°Family¡­" He whispered in awe before looking towards Raphael.

    ¡°Lu Jade. I¡­ well¡­ she¡­¡±

    Raphael stammered.

    ¡°She¡¯s a Draconic Star Lumber. Even the Void Emperor has to show her some respect. And most importantly. We¡¯ve made a promise. She¡¯s gonna participate in the Great Divine Tribulation with us, and I¡¯ll give her my blessing when we win!¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    "You¡­ I mean, WE will enter the Trials TOGETHER?¡±

    Lu Jade couldn¡¯t comprehend.

    "Grandma! W-we¡­"

    He was cut off by a terrifying bellow: ¡°FOOLISH!¡±

    Qi Fenwei¡¯s violet figure came rushing towards them with her blades sheathed! It seemed she¡¯d returned.

    ¡°H-huh? Why is she back? Didn¡¯t she just leave?¡± Raphael was puzzled.

    The princess landed with an impact that caused the floor to crack, and without a greeting nor a polite salutation, strode over with fury blazing. A spectacle worthy of her Emperor father.

    ¡°You are truly a FOOLISH bull! Who in their RIGHT MIND would go through all that¡­ those horrifying dangers and¡­ earn¡­ Sindoll''s¡­ blessing¡­ only to give it¡­ AWAY?!"

    She¡¯d observed them from afar. And the sheer absurdity of what she''d overheard had her bleeding rage.

    This recklessness! This stupidity! She had to scold him before her father found out, for if he ever hears about what Raphael planned to do with that blessing, his fury would surely rain upon their entire territory! Such a thing was unprecedented in Yama Yaguai, a dishonor of epic proportions!

    This was unforgivable!

    Such a reckless fool this bull!

 Chapter 81 - Table Discussion

    Within the Golden Prism Citadel¡¯s magnificent courtyard, a small, circular table, crafted from polished wood, stood before the gold walls. Around it, four figures were seated: Raphael the bull, Lu Jade the emerald serpent, Qi Fenwei the Black Wind princess, and the elderly, yet imposing Thienika. Upon the table, an assortment of berries, fruits, and a silver pitcher that radiated warmth, rested invitingly.

    Thienika picked up her cup, which was filled with a glowing amber liquid. She took a delicate sip.

    ¡°Sunshine Wine¡­ Hmmm, it has been ages since I¡¯ve tasted something this delightful.¡± She placed her cup back upon the table before turning her weathered gaze upon Qi Fenwei. ¡°Now then, you were saying earlier?¡±

    Qi Fenwei snorted softly. She picked a juicy purple berry with a talon and popped it into her mouth. The moment the fruit touched her tongue, it melted instantly, releasing a burst of sweetness and a surge of potent energy.

    ¡°The upcoming Great Divine Tribulation. It¡­ will be different, a bit¡­ strange compared to previous ones.¡± She wiped her talons delicately with a silk handkerchief.

    ¡°Hmm. How so?¡± Lu Jade inquired. He was coiled comfortably near the edge.

    ¡°You see. From what I¡¯ve gathered¡­ Void Emperor Sindoll has grown tired, she has decided to implement a change, this time around, a monumental shift to our understanding of Yama Yaguai.¡±

    She then paused for effect, for she also enjoyed being the center of attention, then continued, ¡°She is allowing teams to participate to earn their share of the Blessing.¡±

    "WHAT?¡± Those around gasped! This news was truly earth-shattering.

    ¡°How can that be?¡± Lu Jade couldn''t hold back. This proposition seemed so ludicrous, and yet It came from someone close to Emperor Qi Hawk. Could it be true?

    Qi Fenwei grinned, ¡°How indeed? Isn''t this thrilling?" She then took a moment to compose herself as excitement surged through her feathers.

    "This news is not yet public, but surely, it won¡¯t be long until those whispers make it to those gossiping vipers and those arrogant apes in their isolated mountains.

    Previously, only a SINGLE victor was granted Sindoll¡¯s blessing. This is how those Great Divine Tribulations of the past have always been, a competition of bloodshed and destruction that only favored the strongest, leaving those with less might to weep for their dead, but now, teams will be competing, teams of no more than 5 members.¡±

    ¡°That''s not all. To reflect this change, Sindoll is amplifying her blessings. In past centuries, the victor received only 100,000 years of potent, divine energy. But now! Those that emerge victorious¡­ they will earn a portion of 500,000 years!¡±

    ¡°Five hundred thousand¡­?¡± Lu Jade felt a shiver of delight! This news was as intoxicating as that Sunshine Wine. If this were true then¡­ "This is fantastic! For ussss, I mean!"

    His excitement was met with Raphael nodding, ¡°I¡¯m not gonna lie Princess, those years do sound amazing.¡± He was tempted.

    Thienika gently interrupted, ¡°For those entering as a team, how will her blessing be distributed?¡± She had witnessed many attempts at fairness throughout her long life but those results were never what they intended to be.

    "That¡¯s where things become tricky, venerable lady. The blessing¡­ it will be divided EQUALLY among the victors. Therefore, fewer members mean a larger share for each.¡± She glanced at the bull and the serpent before them, a sly smirk appearing. "Those foolish teams, eager to dominate will probably seek to fill their slots with powerful entities and spread their gifts thinly, hoping that strength in numbers will overcome skill. But a well-coordinated team with exceptional, skilled individuals has a chance of becoming the true victor, and savor more.¡±

    Her tone had Raphael tilting his head with intrigue as he began strategizing.

    Lu Jade, however, was jumping up and down excitedly!

    ¡°It issss fate! Thisss newss¡­!¡±

    ¡°Settle down, Little Lu.¡± Raphael tried calming his overly enthusiastic friend then directed his blood-soaked eyes towards QI Fenwei with a burning question: "Are all teams required to have five participants at maximum, no more, no less?¡± His tail swished slightly.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!

    QI Fenwei answered, ¡°No. The minimum is TWO, and those without full rosters simply risk spreading the rewards less. And so those teams that aren¡¯t confident in their ability or strength, they seek quantity rather than quality. Such fools! But then their blessings will be diluted. It is their choice after all, so who am I to judge their lack of skill.¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Thienika sipped her wine gracefully as she reflected on this new information.

    ¡°Your insight is quite revealing, young princess. Thank you.¡± Her wrinkles and ancient silver eyes softened slightly. ¡°Now tell me¡­¡± She glanced towards Qi Fenwei. ¡°I assume you have a proposition for us, correct?¡±

    "A¡­ Proposition?¡± Raphael and Lu Jade repeated, confused. They hadn¡¯t considered the possibilities yet, but weren¡¯t they meant to be a team? It would appear as if their grand, wise and terrifying ¡®Grandma Thienika¡¯ had already formulated a plan.

    ¡°Well, little princess. Will you join our team?¡±

    Thienika''s direct question shattered their thoughts as their attention fixated on the princess, waiting, hoping!

    Raphael couldn''t deny her strength, they¡¯d seen it firsthand. But her attitude¡­?

    Lu Jade also couldn¡¯t help but dream for a moment. Those fears he harbored vanished. Such strength! She could protect them from¡­ "If sssister attacks again, Princessss¡­ You''ll save me right?¡±

    He¡¯d seen how effortless her movements had been, and that blade of hers¡­ It had a life of its own!

    Their stares had the opposite effect as she simply snorted. ¡°Join YOUR team? You¡­ A BULL, that SERPENT¡­ and HER?¡±

    She rose from her seat, scoffing. "I appreciate the offer¡­ ¡®Grandma Thienika¡¯, but I REFUSE!"

    They watched in disappointment. Then as if those words and her dismissal hadn¡¯t cut deep enough, she elaborated further while pointing a sharp talon at each of them:

    "The BULL! Hmmm, almost an Emperor, sure, but still too weak at only 1st Nightmare Calamity layer! He reeks. His ass fumes are truly potent. No thank you.¡±

    ¡°My ASS FUMES?! Are they really that bad, Grandma?¡± Raphael¡¯s hooves pawed anxiously on the marble. Those insults, how familiar, how brutal they were.

    Qi Fenwei ignored him then turned toward his friend who stared back in disbelief. ¡°You¡­ The Serpent. You¡¯re a Saint Ruler¡­ 5th layer. Pathetic! And those sniveling noises every 5 minutes, I hate crybabies. It¡¯s unbecoming of a true warrior." She then added insult to injury, "You don¡¯t impress me, not at all!"

    "That¡¯sss not true! I am strong! Big Brother even said ssso!¡± He puffed out his chest in protest. ¡°And you¡­! Princessss, I forced you to use your true powers! Remember!¡± He recalled that technique that had his scales turning pale.

    Qi Fenwei merely rolled her eyes, ¡°Tsk, that was fifteen percent of my power, snake, FIFTEEN! A mere fraction of my true essence." Her casual dismissal stung.

    ¡°And you¡­ Grandma Thienika. Saint Ruler¡­ 1st layer¡­ the WEAKEST being that might enter the Great Divine Tribulation. You won''t even last a minute. Hmm¡­¡± She paused, focusing her keen eyes that radiated a soft glow as if she were seeing something no one else could. Her expression hardened.

    "It''s far worse than I anticipated. You''re essence is unstable. Unbalanced. Your strength is slowly draining.¡± Her observations shocked Lu Jade who recoiled.

    "You''re¡­ injured? She¡¯sss dying? But how¡­?"

    Ignoring his outburst, Qi Fenwei finished her assessment with a chilling truth.

    ¡°At this rate, she won¡¯t last another few months.¡±

    "Don¡¯t speak falsely, Princess. I¡¯m aware of my predicament, young one, but my life isn¡¯t what matters here." Thienika glanced toward Raphael with a serene calm. "He wants me to live. Therefore I will endure.¡±

    This scene, this conversation, had a solemn, finality that hung heavy, it choked even those who thought themselves above compassion.

    "Now you see,¡± QI Fenwei interjected with annoyance and slammed the table. She watched as the bull nudged those translucent roots with a worried look.

    ¡°Clearly¡­ your team isn¡¯t suitable¡­ for someone¡­ of MY caliber.¡±

    ¡°You make it sounds as if you''re the strongest! Perhaps in this tiny bird nest of yours, you are, however, what about outside? Now answer! What makes YOU¡­ so GREAT?¡±

    Raphael''s snort came out a little too arrogantly even for himself, for it seems her insults, was bringing back his worst memories of suffering at Tajmani''s hands.

    "My strength? You want to see it? Well then. Prepare yourself for TRUTH, you ungrateful BULL!¡±

    QI Fenwei''s retort was fierce. She stepped forward with the grace of a dancer, every feather resonating with the might of her ancient lineage. Her aura intensified to a blinding yellow that had the nearby clouds parting with fearsome cracks.

    She stood tall and her wings buzzed softly. Her eyes glinted like precious stones. And for a moment, the golden courtyard was transformed into her domain.

    ¡°My essence, its purity, has been amplified by the very winds that govern our realm. I am QI FENWEI, of the 5th Layer Nightmare Calamity Stage, for it is I who was destined to inherit the skies, I who command the Black Wind Lightning techniques of my Father!¡±

    ¡°My blades,¡± she unsheathed them fully to reveal their true beauty, ¡°Archon! Lullaby! They are weapons forged by celestial beings, gifted to my Father by the very gods themselves!"

    "I¡¯ll have you know¡­ my armor has withstood blasts even dragons tremble before, and my speed is unmatched! I dance between the cracks of reality, and feast upon the very fears of those who crawl!"

    Those pronouncements, bold, arrogant and terrifying in their truth were truly frightening.

    ¡°And lastly¡­" she tilted her head with a coquettish tilt, "I¡¯m quite beautiful¡­ if I may say so myself.¡±

    Raphael couldn''t utter a single retort as she continued.

    "You see? You all pale in comparison. Now if you don¡¯t mind. I¡¯ll take my leave. Good luck¡­ ¡®losers¡¯.¡±

    And with a final, graceful flourish, she vanished from the Golden Prism Citadel. It was as if she¡¯d never been there.

 Chapter 82 - Four Techniques

    The courtyard of the Golden Prism Citadel was now quiet. The only sounds emanating were those coming from Qi Fenwei''s echoes of arrogance as it faded into the gentle buzz of those crystals atop those magnificent pillars, and the delicate rustling sounds that came from the silver pitcher resting upon the table that Thienika had conjured with her root tendrils.

    Inside the pitcher, the Sunshine Wine was almost done.

    ¡°She sure is full of herself, isn¡¯t she? Hahahaha!¡± Raphael couldn¡¯t contain his laughter, but his mirth subsided as a flicker of worry had him gazing towards his ancient friend.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry Grandma. I promise¡­ I¡¯ll get you that Void Emperor¡¯s blessing. Even with just the three of us, we can win. We''ll show her! We¡¯ll show the whole damn Yama Yaguai what a BULL, a SNAKE, and a TREE can DO!"

    Thienika smiled and gently patted Raphael¡¯s massive hoof, ¡°You truly are a noble soul, Raphael, that kind heart will propel your essences for sure.¡± She¡¯d heard similar promises of victory before, so many times. But for him, there was a different quality to his words, she thought.

    She had to admit that even though she doubted his pronouncements of grandeur, his dreams of victory were something she wouldn¡¯t deny him. Especially, after the sacrifices he¡¯d made for her.

    Lu Jade was silent.  But then¡­

    "Oh! RIGHT!"

    Lu Jade''s exclamation had their attention shifting as a terrifying truth dawned: "BIG BROTHER and I! We¡­ We already have passes to the Great Divine Tribulation, but YOU GRANDMA¡­? You have NONE!¡±

    A chill raced through Raphael''s massive frame as he watched his elderly companion stare at the empty space before her. ¡°Oh shit! I forgot about that.¡± Then quickly realizing he''d uttered something truly inappropriate, he apologized, ¡°Ahem, sorry about the language, Grandma.¡±

    It was now that the implication he¡¯d happily dismissed during their conversation with Qi Fenwei came rushing back to his golden hide like hungry wasps. This wasn¡¯t simply about him or little Lu¡¯s ambition to gain power and those years! It was her LIFE!

    Lu Jade explained, ¡°You will need to participate in the ¡®Selection Trials¡¯, Grandma Thienika. Every territory hostsss their own Trialsss. And from what I¡¯ve overheard, Emperor Qi Hawk¡¯sss Trialsss will be held a few weeks before the main event. I haven¡¯t learnt of the actual date yet. I''ll have to inquire about it from that princess.¡±

    This was their predicament now.

    Thienika watched their anxiety as she sipped her Sunshine Wine. She remembered battling countless other beasts desperate to survive, of her own humiliating defeats, they left a bitter taste that made this wine¡¯s sweetness bland.

    ¡°Why do you have passes to the Great Divine Tribulation already? Didn¡¯t you say the ¡®Selection Trials¡¯ haven''t begun? You¡¯re not cheating the system, are you? If your passes are actually the expired ones from 10,000 years ago, the organizers will find out and severely punish you.¡±

    Raphael quickly assured her with a confident shake of his horns. ¡°It''s okay Grandma, no need to worry, we did things legitimately. We earned them after completing a secret mission for Qi Hawk.¡±Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    ¡°Hm, it all started to make sense,¡± Thienika concluded.

    Lu Jade was now smiling brightly. His gaze shifted toward Thienika, and he asked:

    "Now tell us Grandma. Why are you ssso weak? You''re a Sssaint Ruler of the first layer. But I sssense your sstrength should be much greater. What truly binds you?"

    The question had the old tree releasing a sigh as her eyelids drifted closed. She was remembering past times when her roots spanned the galaxies and her touch could mend even creatures shattered into dust by fate itself.

    ¡°It is a long story¡­ filled with joys, betrayals, pain and dreams that once were reality." She then shook those thoughts away and decided to share only the truth that mattered to their predicament.

    ¡°Let¡¯s simply say that my core has been wounded. It occurred millennia ago. Now, I have to preserve my essence with care, I cannot afford recklessness, hence I am only capable of utilizing four techniques in my current state."

    Raphael leaned forward. "FOUR TECHNIQUES?"

    Thienika smiled, ¡°Fear not, for these techniques are sufficient. Even those who call themselves Emperors, well. Should they dare face me unprepared, they too will understand. I am, after all, a descendant of the Draconic Star Lumber lineage. I possess strength.¡±

    Her final words weren''t arrogance or pride, but rather a declaration of truth for those who''d followed her.

    Raphael watched her ancient lips as words formed. "I shall bestow their wisdom upon you. So we can be better prepared as a team.¡±

    In those few heartbeats as her essence buzzed and a warm breeze permeated the Citadel with sweet aromas, he learnt:

    ¡­

    Royal Guard: A defensive maneuver that involves perfectly timing a block the instant an attack makes contact. Its potency depends on the opponent''s attack strength and speed. This skill then halts the aggressor in a stasis field, freezing their movements for a few seconds. A skill to buy precious time or deliver the killing blow.

    Regal Counter: A more potent version of her ''Royal Guard'', this skill allows for not just a nullification of an attack, but also sends that force back toward those unfortunate attackers, effectively mirroring their ill intent in a delicate, yet devastating dance.

    Natural Phenomenon: This technique allows her to take damage sustained from any entity and redirect it elsewhere. Once activated, the injury or damage sustained is contained within a translucent sphere made from a compressed leaf. This ''Leaf Orb'' then acts as a conduit for transferring the damage elsewhere. However, the transference of energies must adhere to a delicate balance.

    If the damage is inflicted by a living being, it can only be redirected to another living being. If the damage originated from an inanimate object, the redirection must target a similar object.

    The only exception to this rule is to absorb those energies into her own essence, which often results in a backlash. For only those at higher tiers could control and withstand such chaotic transference. It¡¯s a technique best employed by skilled practitioners, such as herself.

    Primal Hellain: With this skill, Thienika can conjure five massive, Draconic Star Pillars around a target. These pillars will then rotate, enveloping the targeted creature or entities within their radiant embrace.

    As they spin, they will absorb a small amount of ¡®Soul DNA¡¯ from those imprisoned. Later, with a flick of her staff, Thienika could project this ¡®Soul DNA¡¯ and recreate those trapped essences into a powerful mirror copy. This perfect doppelganger exists concurrently with the original. The replica¡¯s strength, appearance and skills, they will be identical, and any damage the replica sustains will be transferred to the original as ¡®Star Essences¡¯. This transference, it will locate its target even if they are in those realms beyond, and upon contact with their core, the replica''s damage will be imprinted! A technique only available to her ancient lineage.

    ¡­

    Lu Jade and Raphael stared, stunned. They hadn''t anticipated Thienika¡¯s techniques to be so versatile and¡­

    ¡°Amazing!¡± Lu Jade uttered.

    Raphael felt chills racing across his hide. ¡°OH! So that¡¯s how you stopped Qi Fenwei¡¯s sword!¡± He suddenly understood why her confidence hadn''t faltered, for indeed her might was unquestionable, at least that¡¯s what he felt at the moment.

    But then, he remember that energy draining from her. "Her condition¡­" If she uses her skills repeatedly then her Solar Essence will deplete and brings her closer to death

    He rose to his full, imposing size.

    "Grandma, don¡¯t worry! I WILL get you that PASS!¡±

 Chapter 83 - The Selection Trial

    The skies above the central territory of Black Wind was bombarded with screeches, chirps, and the rhythmic beating of massive drums. They created a powerful rhythm that had even the clouds above dancing. Below, creatures of varying sizes and lineages had gathered, forming a breathtaking spectacle.

    A grand, circular stage adorned with dazzling gold accents, floated serenely in the center of this open-air venue.

    Upon the stage, a troupe of Sky Dancers in flowing azure silk robes moved gracefully. Their wings were tipped with colorful feathers which created intricate patterns as they manipulated the very air itself, conjuring bursts of rainbow-colored wind. It was a mesmerizing display of artistry and power that captivated the hearts of every creature.

    This wasn''t simply a spectacle for entertainment. This gathering was all in anticipation of the ¡®Selection Trials¡¯¡ªthe selection process to determine those worthy enough to represent Black Wind Territory at the upcoming Great Divine Tribulation.

    Apart from the eager contestants who would be participating, a sea of spectators thronged the venue, eager to witness the Trials unfold.

    A few perched upon massive floating rocks that orbited lazily, while others found comfort within gigantic tree canopies nearby or atop the numerous platforms the organizers had constructed specifically for this momentous occasion.

    Even the bravest insects huddled in cracks, craning their tiny heads for a peek at the stage below. They were all there to witness, to cheer, to judge, and most importantly, to savor the essences from the battles they envisioned.

    ¡°Oh, how I crave those succulent roars and taste of blood, just a drop.¡± A tiny Vampsquitoe whispered with anticipation. Such was the brutal nature of their world.

    On a massive platform, elevated above the crowd, stood two figures in brilliant yellow silk robes. They were Elders Feng Huo and Lei Lang. Their white feathers, indicative of their advanced age and potent Solar Essences, fluttered in the rainbow colored breeze coming from the stage.

    And behind them, crafted from purest gold and studded with dazzling gemstones, was Qi Hawk''s throne.

    ¡°And THAT¡¯S how a grand performance is conducted!¡±

    A final blast of potent energies created a blinding flash of colors that sent shockwaves rippling through the gathering as the last dancer left the stage, leaving a magnificent echo behind, truly unforgettable.

    "ROAR!"

    "Such grace! Such beauty!"

    "Magnificent! Truly something else! Encore! Encore!"

    The crowd shouted their approval! Their whistles and claps reverberated in the open air.

    ¡°The Emperor, he has truly impeccable taste indeed!¡± one enthused.

    Another added, ¡°Yes! Such dedication to art!¡±

    They were all pleased with this display of skill.

    After their cries subsided, the two elders approached the edge of their platform and spread their massive wings. A silence then fell across the crowd.

    "Greetings!" Elder Feng Huo spoke in a resonant, baritone voice that carried with a certain authority they couldn¡¯t deny.

    "A wondrous performance indeed, for we in Black Wind Territory¡­ well, we embrace the beauty of the art as well as its power to destroy. And this is our message to those who call this place their home, as well as those from afar who bear witness, for today, this chaotic scene will be the catalyst for our dominion over the skies above."

    His words were met with cheers and claps that had some nearby bats scrambling with fear. It truly was deafening, this energy.

    Then, his companion, Elder Lei Lang continued:

    "It is with great joy that we welcome you to this momentous occasion. From this place, at this moment of creation, many brave souls below us, you all are about to challenge your limitations and push boundaries to discover your true potential. Those who emerge victorious, shall be granted a reward that could easily elevate even the lowliest insect to a force of reckoning.

    Those brave, strong, and most of all, skilled contestants will be given entry to¡­ The Great Divine Tribulation. They shall bear our banner, defend our pride, and carve their name upon the celestial monument of fate.¡±

    After a magnificent golden image of constellations appeared above, he then let out another thunderous proclamation. ¡°FOR BLACK WIND!¡±

    His speech and shared ideals resonated deeply with the crowd. For those who sought a higher power and had honed their skills to the utmost, they all craved this opportunity! Those in the crowd whose dreams mirrored those of the elders also couldn¡¯t help themselves but to scream their ideals!

    "BLACK WIND!"

    "BLACK WIND!"

    ¡°BLACK WIND! BLACK WIND! BLACK WIND!¡±

    Everyone chanted this motto and recognized it¡¯s power.

    But Elder Lang wasn¡¯t finished. He showcased the greatest moments from their past triumphs in vivid colors that had the colors around them dulling.

    ¡°Three souls native to our domain have ascended from these very trials to claim victory in the Grand Divine Tribulations over the past three hundred millennia! They brought our banner glory! Today¡­ WE AWAIT ANOTHER HERO! But will you heed this call! Those who seek eternal life¡­ STAND STRONG!¡±

    The echoes from his heart had many chanting louder as their bodies shook. This display had even those who hadn''t considered the possibility of becoming a god, drooling for a glimmer of hope in their hearts and minds. It was as if they''d seen the stars align before them.

    A vision of endless power and pleasures.

    ¡°BLACK WIND! BLACK WIND!¡±

    Their chanting was silenced abruptly by an energy so powerful that everyone involuntarily bowed their heads. The clouds parted in awe! The air crackled! It was him!

    From the heavens, a colossal bird descended. His massive black wings, tipped with blinding-white, cut through the sky, with a radiance that extended for miles.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

    Those who¡¯d only heard whispers of his might or the exaggerated stories now gaped!

    This wasn''t just the Black Wind Emperor! This was their King!

    His retinue trailed close behind in a breathtaking vision of loyalty and strength. And within their midst was his most favorite, a daughter that was worthy of the gods.

    Qi Fenwei was dressed in vibrant green silks and a magnificent head piece that had her wings ruffling. Such pride and respect she exuded, for she had never been so honored in their court. Such a fortunate opportunity. It made her feathers sparkle.

    "Emperor Qi Hawk!¡±

    The chants grew louder and more enthusiastic as he descended towards his throne with a casual grace that sent chills running through their bodies.

    ¡°Emperor Qi Hawk!"

    With a gentle wave of his hand, their reverence and cries ended, he then waited for the cheering to die down entirely before clearing his throat. A small tremor followed that act.

    Then as if bored with such trivial things as waiting on insects to compose themselves, he commanded:

    "LET THE SELECTION TRIALS BEGIN!"

    That statement, so abrupt, so powerful, was music to the ears.

    The two Elders in their fancy, bright yellow outfits who were flanking the throne hopped off with glee. They¡¯d both hoped for a swift Selection process so they could spend more time bathing in their Fire Pools. It was such an arduous thing being so magnificent and influential in Yama Yaguai, they thought to themselves with shared sighs.

    They reached their destination. A large, intricately carved platform had been specially crafted from Oreng Earth and imbued with Solar Essences from their lord.

    "Hmmm¡­"

    They adjusted their flowing robes with a subtle and knowing smile that calmed anyone who stood within earshot.

    "Excellent! As per the pronouncements from our esteemed Emperor - Qi Hawk. Let us proceed with the selection of those who are deemed worthy of claiming the ancient glories bestowed upon those who emerge as victors in The Great Divine Tribulation! FIVE HUNDRED will be chosen!"

    ¡°Five Hundred?¡± Their announcement was met with mixed emotions.

    ¡°This year will be mine, MINE I SAY! Those lesser creatures, they can simply kneel and watch my might, as my feathers shine like the dawn!" A Golden Crane at the 5th Layer Nightmare Calamity shouted.

    His sentence had his peers releasing a flurry of insults and boasts. It would appear they weren''t simply eager to win. No. They were also ready to remind those watching that power and arrogance truly did go hand in hand.

    "Such arrogance. These birds." Lu Jade watched from a safe distance in the crowd. Thienika was by his side.

    ¡°Our mission is simple: REDUCE!¡±

    That utterance from the elders instantly hushed the pandemonium below them.

    Elder Lang continued, ¡°Over TEN THOUSAND of you stand eager, but sadly, this reality cannot reflect the aspirations of grandeur for this Trial require a much more succinct solution that won¡¯t require our Emperor¡¯s precious time and energy to be diluted.

    Fear not, my little hatchlings, for we have come up with a different Trial than in the prior years."

    This mention of change was music to many who had experienced that brutal first round selection method from previous centuries where weaker and slower opponents were simply crushed without any mercy. It would seem their emperor was more compassionate.

    But wasn¡¯t this simply those old birds¡¯ hopes for less work to be done? These were the thoughts resonating through many folks watching below.

    ¡°The Emperor Qi Hawk, the magnanimous, wise and patient soul that he is, has devised a new method of elimination that will bring swift results. And to guarantee fairness, every step in the Selection Trials, will be visible to all who stand before us!¡±

    "Hmmm, interesting." Thienika glanced towards Lu Jade, then asked, "Do you think Raphael will do alright?"

    Lu Jade responded, ¡°Oh¡­ it is obvious that Big Brother will be one of those five hundred to win. No beast here could withstand his might. Those skills he showed me? My jaw dropped to the very ground upon witnessing what he did. I truly can¡¯t wait to become strong. To squash those who insulted my scales. That¡¯ll be such a wonderful reward!"

    Their chat was interrupted by a blinding emerald flash below which expanded into a portal.

    ¡°A gateway? It''s¡­ cold!"

    Then a collective gasp followed!

    From within that spiral, a snow-covered, treacherous landscape with icy winds howling emerged.

    This revelation of their Emperor¡¯s method for weeding out those deemed worthy had the creatures buzzing:

    "A new realm to be traversed?¡±

    Elder Lang spoke, ¡°Behold! A realm of snow and ice and dangers that will cull your ranks to find those worthy of representing Black Wind!

    To be succinct, and for the pleasure of Emperor Qi Hawk whose schedule is burdened, I say this. We the guardians of these Trials and upholders of justice, shall not have you compete against each other in grueling one-on-one combats like last time. Instead, we shall have a¡­ Race!¡±

    ¡°All ten thousand of you! YOU are now RACERS!"

    "A race? Against each other?¡±

    ¡°What the hell is this about?¡±

    Many were baffled by this revelation.

    ¡°This sounds fun, for me, hahaha.¡± One Golden Hawk couldn''t concealed his excitement because his wings were trained to fly since birth. He then released a mighty bellow to add emphasis on his confidence.

    This holler had his comrades mimicking him and soon a wave of braggadocio and claims of, "This race! I will win!¡± resonated throughout that chaotic venue.

    ¡°Silence!¡± Elder Feng Huo shut up the excited chatter below. ¡°This is no simple footrace! To claim a spot among the chosen, you must prove your strength! Prove your cunning!¡±

    Beside him, Elder Lei Lang spread his wings, summoning forth a gust of wind that sent those weaker beasts scrambling. "As such. This race comes with challenges and obstacles that those whose heart is true will overcome with swiftness. And for those that lack might, this course will be their grave."

    ¡°This year''s Trials is called The Race of Ten Thousand Souls!" Elder Feng Huo announced with a dramatic flourish, for indeed wasn''t a well-chosen name just as potent and efficient as a well-crafted technique?

    Then both elders, in a demonstration of unity, explained the rules.

    ¡°All participants shall now race each other to the finish line. But there¡¯s a twist. You see, it¡¯s not about speed alone.¡±

    Elder Lang added with a sly smirk, "Along the way, you shall be required to prove your worth, your power. This is done by earning Merit Points. The more you amass, the higher your chances. Simple, isn''t it?¡±

    The crowd buzzed with curiosity. Even participants whose skills lay more in deception or trickery rather than brute force were now intrigued.

    Elder Feng Huo elaborated, ¡°Merit Points are awarded for each opponent you overcome, so to speak. Defeat those before you on this path. Each fallen soul nets you ONE point! However, if the fallen one already possessed Merit Points, then these points will be transferred over to the victor.¡±

    ¡°You may claim victory by slaying them or¡­¡± Lang chuckled darkly, ¡°forcing them to utter a single word¡­ ¡®Yield¡¯.¡±

    "But that''s not all! Should you be fortunate enough to reach the finish line within the top TEN? Well then¡­ You will be awarded a bonus, ONE HUNDRED points!¡±

    ¡°You will have THREE DAYS to complete the course, and the clock shall begin ticking the instant ALL enter this portal. Waste no time on regrets nor mourning those who¡¯ve fallen beneath your heels, or your claws, or¡­ however those destinies play out. After all, Yama Yaguai is a place of might. And such is our Emperor¡¯s will, isn''t it?¡±

    ¡°Now! To ensure fairness and a level playing field, you will all approach in an orderly fashion to receive ¡®Qi Hawk''s Mark¡¯. After you¡¯ve been branded with Qi Hawk¡¯s special marker, we¡¯ll be able to keep perfect track of all your activities; this includes points tracking and fair elimination. Now, step forward and ENTER!"

    Their final declaration was followed by the appearance of a glowing purple seal above the portal.

    Down below, ten thousand eager participants shuffled nervously into multiple rows that resembled a serpent¡¯s tail, before moving forward to receive their ¡®mark¡¯.

    Raphael¡¯s hooves tapped anxiously against that Oreng Earth platform. He was in line to received the mark. As soon as it stamped, something within Qi Hawk stirred and he immediately looked that way.

    His eye widened upon recognition. ¡°WHAT is that bull doing down there? Haven''t I GIVEN him a Pass already?!" His question was directed at Qi Fenwei, who stood beside him.

    A puzzled Qi Fenwei answered, "Father, you¡¯re right. What¡¯s he doing down there? Huh, could it be¡­?" She recalled her previous encounter with Raphael and that imposing old woman, and suddenly understood.

    ¡°It must be for her! He¡¯s participating to win a pass for his companion, Thienika. He calls her ''Grandma''.¡±

    Hearing that name, ¡°Thienika? A Grandma?¡± Qi Hawk became intrigued. The name resonated within his ancient memories. ¡°That name. It sounds¡­ familiar. Hmmm. I must meet this companion. But the trial is still ongoing."

    He wanted to summon the bull and that Grandma before him right away, his curiosity couldn''t be contained. However, as he observed the thousands of creatures still waiting for the branding to conclude, he decided to wait until the trial was over.

    Qi Hawk settled back into his throne. He then gazed upon those lines of eager contestants. His thoughts went back a couple thousand years to a tranquil forest where he¡¯d first met her. ¡®If that bull¡¯s companion is truly HER¡­ well, I should prepare a welcoming gift. Something befitting a Draconic Star Lumber.¡¯

 Chapter 84 - The Race of Ten Thousand Souls

    A sea of eager faces gazed down upon the platform below. Among those expectant creatures, a small emerald serpent was practically vibrating with excitement.

    ¡°Big Brother!¡± Lu Jade hissed excitedly as he spotted a familiar golden figure moving towards the massive portal.

    "You can do it Big Brother! This trial isss a piece of cake!"

    Raphael who¡¯d been casually strolling towards the entrance heard his friend''s encouragement and paused briefly. He glanced up with a confident grin stretched across his muzzle before he gave a slight nod. ¡°I won¡¯t fail.¡± His hooves touched the icy surface of the portal and his enormous form vanished from view.

    Shortly after Raphael¡¯s entrance, those who remained rushed through as well, disappearing in a flurry of scales, feathers and claws. It was a chaotic scramble that lasted until finally, the last competitor who was a nervous-looking tortoise, was sucked into the emerald vortex.

    The gateway pulsated one last time before snapping shut.

    Beating war drums and whispers permeated the venue as they watched the stage below transform.

    Qi Hawk, who had been observing this process with his single white eye, straightened upon his throne.

    "Hmm. Reality Thwart ¨C Almighty Sight."

    Tossing forth a finger, he focused his potent Solar Essence into his eye. Next, A series of blinding flashes illuminated the audience.

    WHOOSH!

    Multiple large screens, suspended in mid-air around the venue materialized.

    They flickered into existence.

    Within each screen, breathtaking scenes of icy wonder, jagged mountains, frosted plains, and glaciers  appeared. They showcased the very contestants they¡¯d cheer earlier and were now scattered across that frozen expanse.

    ¡­

    Meanwhile, within that very realm of snow and ice¡­

    Raphael¡¯s hooves crunched on the snow. He shivered slightly as the cold wind howled around him and bit into his golden hide with a ferocity that he''d rarely experienced.

    "Hmm¡­ quite the ambiance.¡±

    He scanned the desolate landscape and noticed a massive holographic timer ticked down above. Although this place was massive, the timer was visible from everywhere inside to maintain fairness.

    ¡®Three days, and I have to be within the top ten. Not a problem at all.¡¯ He was confident in his thinking. His journey through Yama Yaguai had hardened his resolve.

    He wasn¡¯t afraid, not anymore.

    He took a step forward but froze. He''d sensed a chilling killing intent, but it had no scent nor form. His instincts were tingling in warning but were too vague to act upon. He glanced around but couldn''t pinpoint a target.

    "Where is it coming from?¡±

    ¡°Die!¡±

    The attack came from below!

    A figure materialized from the ice beneath him and plunged a dagger upwards towards his belly!

    ¡°Huh?!¡±

    He reacted instinctively. With a powerful flap of his wings, Raphael levitated a few feet and dodged the blow by millimeters. His jaw dropped when he saw two menacing crimson eyes inches from his snout.

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ A Black Rock Scorpion!?¡± He was baffled. He¡¯d sensed no presence, no sound, no vibration. It was as if this creature had blended seamlessly with its surroundings, using the ice itself as camouflage.

    Then something even more dreadful occurred, for just as he tried regaining his balance, another scorpion, even larger, launched itself from the clouds above his head.

    ¡°Damn¡­ there¡¯s TWO!?¡±

    They were flanking him, both above and below, each massive claw wielded a dagger that was glowing with black fire.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    They moved in unison. It was obvious they had trained for years.

    Raphael thought, ¡®How could these Scorpion bastards formed a team so fast? It¡¯s barely been two minutes since we entered. Or could it be they were a team before we entered?¡¯

    He abandoned his thought process and quickly retaliated by releasing a radial burst of electricity, however, both attackers immediately and swiftly retreated before they could get hit.

    ¡°Brother Clamper! That bull controls electricity!¡±

    ¡°SO WHAT?!¡± Another scorpion, larger than the first hissed. ¡°He''s only a 1st layer Nightmare Calamity, a newbie! It¡¯s our lucky day! And together, WE can take him. Then feast on his entrails!¡±

    This declaration had Raphael¡¯s blood burning. ¡®So these punks think they can crush me and steal my Merit Points?¡¯ He let out a chilling chuckle as he watched them flanking him. ¡°You have picked the wrong bull to mess with!¡±

    And without waiting, he lashed out with a burst of energy.

    ¡°Lightning Tail Lash!¡±

    BOOM! CRACKLE!

    Yellow sparks flew!

    The attack was potent but clumsy as it struck a patch of ice inches away from his approaching attackers, sending them tumbling backwards as he''d hoped but not at all the way he wanted, for if he¡¯d been more familiar with this form then they would¡¯ve been skewered.

    ¡°Huh? They¡¯re so fast¡­!¡±

    As they recovered and regroup, he notice a glow above their head that had appeared moments before. These scorpion bastards each had ¡®Merit Points¡¯ flashing ominously:

    ¡®Clamper - 1 Point¡¯

    ¡®Pincer - 3 Points¡¯

    ¡°Hmm¡­ so they¡¯ve defeated FOUR already? Trying to claim my points so early in the game. NOT GONNA HAPPEN¡±

    Raphael thought of finishing these annoying bug off quickly and escaped this confrontation before more show up. However, this  was shattered the very next second.

    He had to show those insects that challenging a Golden Bull Thork meant certain annihilation. And so he roared:

    ¡°Raging Bull Roar!¡±

    BOOM!

    The powerful sonic attack that shook the very ice beneath his hooves blasted those Black Rock Scorpions backwards, even those who¡¯d been lurking in nearby crevasses found themselves tumbling head over heels as their ears bled from that noise.

    They all cried.

    ¡°What was that?!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s that bull!¡±

    ¡°The bull with black wings and golden fur! We¡¯re not messing with that!¡±

    Raphael snorted, ¡°Hmph! Nothing is going to stop me from winning that Pass for Grandma.¡±

    "What is that bull rambling about?" Clamper picked himself up from the ground and growled.

    ¡°He thinks he can take us? We¡¯re only getting started.¡± Pincer was already formulating another plan with his brother. But just as they were about to charge Raphael, they got interrupted.

    WHOOSH!

    A dark shadow swept over them. They looked up!

    A magnificent Golden Crane landed gracefully behind Raphael. Its golden feathers radiated a powerful aura that pushed them back. And resting on its shoulder, they saw a massive hammer, crackling with blue lightning.

    ¡°It''s that maniac, Yellow Flash!" Clamper hissed and trembled.

    "And look! He¡¯s already earned 5 points!" Pincer added.

    They knew better than to stick around, not when this beast was present, especially not with their current point count, they¡¯d be targeted for sure.

    They quickly scuttled away, leaving Raphael to face the newcomer.

    While yawing, Yellow Flash stretched his wings and released a powerful wind blast towards Raphael. ¡°Well, bull. You¡¯re standing on my hunting ground now.¡±

    Raphael felt his hooves trembling slightly. ¡®5th Layer¡­ That bird¡­ he''s as strong as Qi Fenwei.¡¯ He''d hoped to ease into this Trial, to amass points gradually but fate, it seemed had other plans.

    Before Raphael could even voice a comeback, Yellow Flash struck!

    BOOM!

    His massive hammer came crashing down!

    Raphael barely had time to react.

    ¡°Shadow Teleportation!¡±

    He materialized instantly behind Yellow Flash and lashed out with:

    ¡°Wing Slashnado!¡±

    Hundreds of crimson blades exploded outward, aiming for Yellow Flash¡¯s back!

    "Fhm, child''s play.¡±

    Yellow Flash smirked and didn¡¯t even bother to turn, he swung his hammer with the precision and speed of a veteran warrior. His muscles rippled as he executed his technique.

    ¡°Hyunda Blizzard!¡±

    The hammer spun with blinding speed! Azure lightning exploded. It created a cyclone that deflected those crimson blades effortlessly, and within that heart of chaos¡­

    ¡°CLONE!¡±

    BOOM!

    Five golden duplicates came into being. And in an instant, Raphael was surrounded!

    ¡°This power! The pressure is so strong! He can even make copies of himself?!" Raphael was astonished.

    ¡°Your point is MINE, bull!¡±

    The six hammers slammed down simultaneously.

    CRASH!

    The impact was devastating. Raphael unleashed a blast of purple fog but it was futile, their attack had already broken through his defenses, throwing him backwards and shattering the ice.

    He coughed out blood. He could feel his bones creaking under the weight of those blows.

    Yellow Flash laughed, ¡°You¡¯re truly pathetic! Give up now, bull, and perhaps¡­ I¡¯ll only break one horn as a trophy!¡±

    He swooped downwards with his hammer raised high as he yelled, ¡°Heavenly Sky Hammer - Smashing Destruction!"

    ¡°Shadow Blood Resolve!¡±

    Raphael desperately activated his hidden trump card. A dark shield materialized around him. He thrust his horns above to meet the incoming hammer head on.

    ¡°Hahahah! Foolish bull! My Heavenly Sky Hammer is unstoppable! Now die.¡± Yellow Flash put his back into that attack.

    As soon as it touch his horns¡­

    BOOM!

    A blinding explosion engulfed them. Other contenders nearby felt the shockwave rippling. They turned and watched, for even from this distance, the fight¡¯s intensity had them recoiling.

    "That energy! It¡¯s¡­ a Nightmare Calamity 5th Layer! Who dares to challenge that beast?!¡±

    The answer was obvious.

    And as the dust settled within that newly formed crater, they saw Yellow Flash standing over the broken, bloodied form of a Golden Bull Thork. It was motionless, eyes closed, its chest no longer heaving.

    Yellow Flash stood triumphant upon his defeated opponent¡¯s golden hide and spat.

    ¡°That''s point number 6 for me.¡±

    He licked his lips and turned.

    "Now for my next prey!"

    ¡­

    At the outside venue, where hundreds of screens displayed the carnage-ridden trials of survival. Lu Jade watched the horrifying spectacle unfold with his scales now pale green.

    "Big¡­ Big¡­ BROTHER!"

 Chapter 85 - Time To Hunt

    ¡°WOW!¡±

    A collective gasp swept across the crowd. Those who''d been boasting about their abilities or making predictions moments before, now stood frozen while gazing upon the carnage-ridden scenes flickering on the monitors above.

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ over already? That fight between the bull and Yellow Flash? Didn¡¯t the commentator just announce its commencement a few milliseconds ago?

    ¡°No! Something¡­ It''s not right."

    ¡°Such swift brutality!¡±

    ¡°Poor Golden Crane¡­ His mother will be furious!¡±

    These whispers of awe, tinged with dread, resonated, eventually finding their way into a horrified emerald green serpent¡¯s ears as he watched that very battle play out.

    "Big¡­ Big¡­ BROTHER! No¡­ no, no, NO! It can¡¯t BE!¡± Lu Jade was trembling, but not from dread, but excitement.  He looked at Thienika and shouted, "He¡­ He¡­ won¡­ the fight already!?"

    Thienika focused her attention on a very peculiar scene unfolding.

    Within a crater, formed by the clash of a bull¡¯s determination and an arrogant crane''s folly, lay a massive feathered body. The magnificent Golden Crane with a lineage known for its speed was now crumpled, immobile, its golden plumage dull and its wings were twitching uncontrollably.

    And above that defeated form, a golden hoof was firmly planted.

    "Impossible!"

    "Yellow Flash is¡­ subdued?!¡±

    ¡°How?¡±

    "That damned bull¡­ It¡¯s laughing! So arrogant!"

    The crowd erupted once more. They were confused, yet astonished. Even the announcers, whose job it was to paint the scenes with dramatic commentary were speechless.

    Only Thienika and Lu Jade had a glimmer of an answer to this shocking revelation.

    ¡°It¡­ it has to be the ¡®Logia Mist¡¯, yessss!¡± Lu Jade¡¯s realization was bittersweet.

    ¡­

    From those depths of that battleground, a memory materialized, and within it, truth unfolded as scenes flickered.

    FLASHBACK!

    ¡­

    Within the heart of the crater, shrouded in purple fog, a terrifying scene played out.

    ¡°This¡­ This purple haze¡­! I can barely see?!¡± Yellow Flash¡¯s arrogant confidence vanished instantly. ¡°Where the hell¡­ did this haze¡­ come from?"

    The Logia Mist was seeping into his very being. His eyes were burning, and his once-sharp vision was becoming blurry as he watched a figure moving towards him with dread. But who?

    "Who''s there?"

    Before him was a scene ripped from a bad nightmare, for his own reflection was gazing upon him with pity. Such weakness he beheld, it shook even his own being. He wanted to rush forth and help himself from those ghostly claws extending!

    ¡°Get AWAY FROM ME!¡± He screamed in a voice more akin to a frightened hatchling than a mighty Golden Crane who''d slaughtered many with its potent techniques.

    The illusions created by Raphael¡¯s ability, fueled by Kwan Yuu¡¯s lingering darkness, was wreaking havoc upon the arrogant Crane¡¯s mind.

    BOOM! BOOM!

    ¡°No! I don¡¯t want to die! Mommy! SAVE ME!¡±

    His pleas came echoing from his shattered soul as he tried to flee.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t real¡­! None of this is real!¡± Yellow Flash was running through a strange scenery while attacking multiple shadows who darted out at him from all angles. He was so terrified.

    Within the frantic swipes of his hammer, Raphael saw a golden opportunity, ¡°Taste my hooves, bird-brain!"

    ¡°GOLD PRESS!¡±

    With a terrifying thud, the Golden Bull Thork landed upon Yellow Flash¡¯s back, crushing him into that crater. The impact had him gasping for breath as he fell unconscious, and surrendered to the fog¡¯s embrace, while whispering,

    ¡°Just a dream¡­ Just a dream¡­"

    ¡­

    "Such power¡­!¡± Lu Jade uttered with an awestruck fascination. He had heard of this Logia Mist technique from his Big Brother, but he had just now seen its effect in action. Even a 5<sup>th</sup> Layer Nightmare Calamity was subjected to its potent illusions.

    Thienika spoke softly, ¡°To make those of a greater cultivation stage cower and hallucinate? Truly amazing.¡±Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    ¡°Hmm?¡±

    Qi Hawk leaned forward with an intensity that had even his most trusted advisors shifting nervously. He was watching Raphael''s victory play out on the massive screen with a focused intent that those lesser creatures couldn''t even fathom comprehending.

    "Hmm¡­ Interesting. That mist¡¯s potency exceeds those I¡¯ve encountered.¡±

    He¡¯d known this bull possessed some skills that had allowed him to escape Lu Ignis¡¯s domain. But after consuming the ¡®Devil Star Fruit¡¯ and the repercussions it triggered, he thought that bull had become weaker.

    But now?

    "He¡¯s more cunning than I anticipated." Qi Hawk then glanced at his daughter with a very suspicious look. ¡°Hmm.¡±

    ¡­

    Meanwhile, within the frosty landscape¡­

    ¡°Ha! What an idiot!"

    Raphael snickered as he observed golden particles that resembled snowflakes rising from where Yellow Flash had been moments before. His vanquished opponent was now merely a fading memory within this race track.

    The rules were simple: to stay within this realm, you had to fight.

    And those who lost¡­ well, they simply ceased to exist within the Trial, for their physical forms would vanish and be sent back to the venue outside to nurse their bruised pride.

    He glanced down. The ¡®Heavenly Sky Hammer¡¯ was truly a sight to behold with its intricacies and electric aura.

    Too bad its owner was a moron, he thought to himself with amusement before adding it to his shadows, for he might have a use for this trinkets, perhaps a gift for Bat General Kong, or maybe a toy for Melissa.

    His hooves tapped impatiently on the snow as he scanned his surroundings with blood-red eyes, searching for those holographic arrows that directed all contenders to the final destination.

    There! A faint blue arrow hovered ahead. It pointed towards a towering glacier.

    ¡°Hmm, only one path? But there were many contestants¡­¡±

    He then noticed faint, colorful trails leading toward other snowy landscapes and mountains, there were at least a hundred paths to choose from; each led to the same destination. And each path was being traversed by countless beasts, eager to reap benefits. Some sprinting, others galloping like himself, and a few just calmly taking a nap as if this contest wasn¡¯t worthy of their attention.

    Such fools, he thought with a hint of Shao Jin¡¯s arrogance creeping back into his system.

    ¡®Perhaps its best I keep moving before others get any bright ideas about claiming my points.¡¯

    Above his head, now displayed 6 points. These he earned from defeating Yellow Flash.

    He was about to spread his mighty black wings and take flight, to soar above these clumsy insects who crawled on those icy paths when another thought crossed his mind. ¡°If I fly above, everyone will notice me, that¡¯ll attract unwarranted attention. Not a smart choice for someone who still desires to get another Pass.¡±

    He recalled the earlier fights and saw that most of the clashes were initiated by a simple action, the perception of an easy target.

    Raphael¡¯s gaze fell on two Calamities battling it out on a distant hill. One was a massive, two-headed rhino with 4 points hovering above its skull and the other was a winged panther.

    He could smell the burnt flesh from their exchange of attacks even from this distance. It was truly a battle to savor, but the panther was losing, his point count was zero, a delicious meal for a rhino.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ 4 points¡­ and those other ones earlier had a combined 4 as well¡­"

    He watched as another creature, a tiny insect, flitted past. It was buzzing, ¡°Don''t forget, 1 point per kill!¡±

    And this was the game he''d have to participate in. A morbid scorecard.

    After shaking his head and dismissing that sight of death, Raphael then started his journey. He chose a path that led through a dense forest.

    The tall trees were covered in snow. It muffled his hooves against the frozen earth as he navigated those twists and turns with ease, occasionally hopping over fallen branches and dodging roots that had sprung up like snakes from the cold ground.

    An hour later¡­

    Raphael paused at a fork in the path. Two arrows, a pale green and azure blue, flickered above. They pointed in opposite directions.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ which one?¡±

    His decision, however, wasn''t left to his new, more gentle self.

    No. It was his primal, that inherited instincts of a Calamity to dominate, that had him summoning his Generals.

    "KONG!"

    "MELISSA! COME!¡±

    WHOOSH!

    A terrifying sight manifested that had the little ravens perched nearby scrambling to escape.

    His two powerful commanders appeared beside him in their glory. Their dark essences radiated in waves, a sight that would make even seasoned competitors flee.

    They waited patiently, both eager to please their lord and show how efficient their new evolutions were against anyone who¡¯d dare challenge them this day.

    "I have a plan.¡±

    Raphael then whispered, ¡°Each of you shall lead two hundred of our finest shadow warriors. Go. And amass points for our cause. But DO NOT be too bold. Remain hidden in the shadows. Act weak to force your opponents to lower their guard, then strike at the opportune time. Do you understand? Especially you Kong, NO Dragon unless necessary!¡±

    "Hmm¡­ this strategy. You¡¯ve finally grown into a true leader, Master." Kong smiled. This bull was more than meets the eye.

    Even Melissa, who had wicked schemes and seductions brewing within, had to agree. His words were wise and practicality. Truly a shame to waste on simple souls like those participating today.

    "Consider their points yours, Master!" She said while twirling her whip menacingly. "If they see me coming then¡­" her words of violence and terrifying possibilities didn''t need to be said for her glowing pink eyes were already showcasing her true potential to bring harm, and revel in it.

    WHOOSH! BOOM! CRACK!

    Within seconds, hundreds of Shadow Bats erupted from Raphael¡¯s wings, following his trusted commanders in a silent swarm of death.

    "Now then¡­"

    Raphael wasn''t done. He¡¯d made a promise, and that promise would be kept, no matter the cost. He wouldn¡¯t leave any room for chance.

    From his shadowy wings, another figure manifested. This one wasn¡¯t elegant like Melissa, nor had the sheer, primal ferocity that his commander Kong possessed.

    It was a bizarre creature. One that resembled a bat but with a monstrous head and a jaw that split open in four segments. Its eyes were large and bulging with thin pink slits. Its massive abdomen had a vibrant red energy emanated from its segmented chitinous layer, and within, multiple bulges like those possessed by the Vampsquitoe were evident. This new addition was a treasure of chance, it truly stole his breath away.

    Its arrival was less thunderous than the previous summons but somehow, this buzzing had the trees around them leaning further into the wind as if in a morbid bow of respect.

    "Master, Bat Major Buzzer at your service.?¡± Its mandibles clicked respectfully.

    "Hm, It''s chosen to call itself Bat Major Buzzer. Clever. But, enough with the formalities. I have a special task. One that will grant you an even greater title!¡±

    He then smirked before whispering his orders. This new creature who had inherited a sliver of Kwan Yuu¡¯s Will had a definite purpose brewing for her.

    Buzzer listened intently as instructions were issued. ¡°It will be my honor to serve Master!¡± she said before disappearing into the trees with a faint orange trail.

    Raphael watched her go. He then lowered his head, closed his eyes and activated his echolocation.

    "I need a suitable prey¡­ Someone powerful, with¡­ lots of points!"

    Pulsing sounds began painting a clear map before his minds¡¯ eye. His monstrous ears twitched and caught screams of battle. His senses picked up a faint, but potent pulse of energy nearby. It was coming from the western portion of that frost-covered woods.

    "I got it! TARGET¡­ LOCATED!"

    "Time to hunt."

    He vanished in a burst of yellow lightning.

 Chapter 86 - Driller Killer

    Deep within the frozen forests of the ''Race of Ten Thousand Souls'', a flurry of snow billowed skyward as two figures clashed.

    WHOOSH! CRACK!

    A colossal polar bear with a single Merit Point glowing above its head, swiped its claws with terrifying speed. This was Bai Xue. Trees in its path snapped like brittle twigs as a chilly gust of wind followed its strike, reaching out towards its nimble opponent.

    Q¨©ng L¨¸ who was a green mantis of magnificent splendor and whose two Merit Points glowed above its head, adroitly leaped backward to avoid the blow. Its segmented legs moved with an effortless agility that had the frost-covered ground cracking beneath.

    Bai Xue laughed menacingly, ¡°Hahaha! Your head almost adorned my claws, little mantis!¡±

    Q¨©ng L¨¸ smiled as it extended its long, slender arms. ¡°You might be larger in size, bear, but what I have is SPEED!¡±

    And with a flicker that resembled lightning strikes, Q¨©ng L¨¸ vanished, then instantly reappeared behind its lumbering foe. With a synchronized downward chop from both arms aimed at the bear¡¯s neck¡­

    ¡°Ice Armor!¡±

    A layer of ice materialized and encapsulated the colossal bear in a protective shell that had those blades of the mantis skittering across its surface, leaving only faint scratches behind.

    ¡°GIVE me your points!¡± Bai Xue roared as it whipped around and swiped blindly with its claws that now resembled sharp black blades.

    This time, however, Q¨©ng L¨¸ met the attack head-on. Its forelegs crossed, it deflected the blow with ease.

    Bai Xue¡¯s eyes widened with a mixture of astonishment and disbelief. "How DARE you block my attack, little mantis?!"

    ¡°Heh, don''t forget bear, we''re both Nightmare Calamities of the 2nd layer.¡± Q¨©ng L¨¸ countered. It tapped the bear¡¯s chest lightly, ¡°You might be big in size, but your skills¡­ they are LACKING!¡±

    This humiliation, the audacity of being scolded by a creature so small had Bai Xue¡¯s fury exploding, for surely weren¡¯t bears known throughout Yama Yaguai as masters of both strength and agility, and wasn''t he, Bai Xue known as the terror of the icy mountains! How could this be?

    ¡°You dare to scold ME? You insignificant insect?! DIE!¡±

    He charged forward! His massive form crashed into the mantis with a force that had the trees around them trembling in terror!

    WHOOSH! CRACK!

    Q¨©ng L¨¸ was sent flying into the frosted pines, as Bai Xue was already upon it.

    However, just before his claws could claim its prize, a green glow surrounded Q¨©ng L¨¸ and in a heartbeat¡­

    ¡°Sage Mode ¨C One With the Wind!¡±

    Its form vanished from sight before reappearing beside the charging bear!

    "What?! NO!¡±

    WHAM!

    A powerful kick from the mantis¡¯ legs slammed against the bear¡¯s face, sending it tumbling backwards into the trees as more snow cascaded from their lofty branches.

    Bai Xue crashed through a dozen trees before finally coming to a halt, half buried in the snow.

    It lay stunned, its ears ringing, but before it could even shake off the cobwebs, a terrifying sensation that had its eyes wide with dread and its heart beat like a frenzied drum in its snow-laden chest cavities had it whimpering.

    It could feel it¡­

    "Something is behind¡­ ME?!¡±

    And just as those words were about to become whispers¡­

    WHAM!

    "ARGH!"

    Another kick landed square on its back, throwing him up into the sky like a giant, furry football as more of its pride and essence shattered, leaving a trail of snow and blood as evidence of that kick¡¯s accuracy!

    He could see the clouds above now, as he flew!

    Q¨©ng L¨¸ gracefully landed and watched its opponent¡¯s ungainly ascent.

    Then¡­If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    BOOM!

    Q¨©ng L¨¸ vanished once more!

    He then reappeared high above the bewildered and slowly descending bear.

    "Heh, too slow, bear!"

    With those words as motivation, he coiled its lean form, gathering momentum before unleashing an attack that shattered even the snowflakes above in silent reverence.

    ¡°Cyan Hammer - Fist of Justice!¡±

    Those legs, strengthened by that green aura, shot downwards in a devastating combination that mirrored an ancient fighting technique from the praying mantis lineage. It struck the bear''s chest with a force that was both fluid and brutal.

    CRACK! CRACK!

    ¡°ARGH! DAMN YOU!¡±

    The sound of bones breaking resounded through the forest as Bai Xue crashed onto the frozen ground, leaving a massive, crater-shaped imprint of defeat and snow.

    The bear struggled, ¡°No, not yet¡­ I can¡¯t¡­!¡±

    But before he could gather the energy he needed for retaliation, a horrifying sound of something skittering on ice sent chills across his bruised snout.

    ¡°Screeeech!¡±

    Then a green blur came slashing! It tore through his ice armor effortlessly. ¡°My armor! Impossible?!¡±

    ¡°HAAA! Cyan Scythe! Taste death, bear!¡±

    Q¨©ng L¨¸¡¯s mantis limbs had become even deadlier! Those sharp edges gleamed ominously and within seconds¡­

    Bai Xue''s massive frame, which moments before towered over his agile opponent, was now being torn apart, sliced, diced, and rendered into a bloody mass upon the pristine snow! He howled in agony, then a few moments later, he transformed into particles of light and vanished. There was only a crater, and the faint scent of defeat lingered.

    Q¨©ng L¨¸ watched, then glanced at the points above him. Now there were FOUR! Such a delicious bounty he¡¯d earned.

    Just as he was about to savor his victory¡­

    ¡°Hmm. It seems I¡¯ve arrived at an opportune moment.¡±

    A deep, booming voice shattered the peaceful silence. Q¨©ng L¨¸ paused. Those keen insect eyes of his dilated. It seemed his celebration would have to wait, or did it?

    WHOOSH!

    A monstrous shadow loomed over him. He turned and his blood ran cold.

    BOOM!

    The ground buckled before him. He looked up to discover a golden hoof mere centimeters from crushing his delicate face.

    ¡°Damn!¡±

    He reacted instinctively. His movements that had just earned him victory was now a savior as he flicked backwards.

    ¡°Dodge!¡±

    He watched the hoof slam into a patch of frost. The impact pulverized it, sending icy shards flying in a deadly radial burst.

    Above, perched upon a small snowy mound stood the Golden Bull Thork.

    "Hmm. Such impressive agility, little mantis.¡±

    Raphael wasn''t even trying to hide his presence. He stood boldly amidst the shattered trees with his massive horns sparkling, his black wings stretched and flapping lazily as he observed this skilled opponent.

    "You¡¯re too slow, bull!" Q¨©ng L¨¸ hissed arrogantly. He''d faced stronger, mightier creatures. This bull, was nothing but a mere distraction.

    He then noticed those six points glowing above the bull. The greed that had propelled him to the Nightmare Calamity stage came crashing down. He would steal this bull¡¯s points!

    ¡°Such a pathetic display, hiding like a coward! Surely your Solar Essence is as weak as your wings. Come now! Let me relieve you of that burden!"

    "Is he mocking me?" Raphael frowned. "Try it, if you have the balls."

    Then his voice hardened as he stamped a hoof onto those icy ground beneath, creating a spiderwebbed network that extended outwards.

    "ELECTRIC SCALE PRISON!"

    BOOM!

    He¡¯d trapped himself within a bronze cage of scales, each radiating with lightning that danced between those spaces as a deterrent.

    "Trying to hide from my killer move within that dome of scales? PATHETIC!"

    Q¨©ng L¨¸ didn''t hesitate. This was his chance, and a free meal for his trouble! Those points would easily boost his score. The mantis lunged forward!

    ¡°CYAN SLASHER!¡±

    SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

    He unleashed a furious flurry of kicks and slashes at the ¡®Electric Scale Prison¡¯!

    But the shield was holding!

    "Damn!" He couldn¡¯t pierce it!

    ¡°Time for something a bit special.¡± Q¨©ng L¨¸ took a deep breath and then activated his most powerful, devastating technique!

    "Sage Mode - Godly Speed!"

    CRACK! BOOM!

    The world shifted as green energy erupted.

    He became a blur!

    "HAHAHA! Now¡­"

    Those arrogant words were lost as his movements amplified a thousand-fold. He became a blur of emerald-green, darting around that scale prison, striking with terrifying might.

    And as Raphael watched on, he struggled to keep up with Q¨©ng L¨¸¡¯s assault as the air itself seemed to crackle with untold energy.

    "This mantis is truly fast.¡±

    ¡°I am Q¨©ng L¨¸, the Godly Mantis. This speed¡­ it is mine to control!¡± A smug voice echoed, but he was moving too fast for even Raphael to pinpoint his location. He was everywhere!

    ¡°Your POINTS! It will be MINE!"

    Those words had him roaring back, ¡°We¡¯ll see about that, mantis!¡±

    Then with a final desperate act, ¡°Sage Mode - Duplicate!¡±

    Q¨©ng L¨¸ became four!

    Each mantis, wielding razor sharp limbs that were buzzing.

    "Nowhere to hide, bull!¡± They spoke in unison as they combined into one figure and dashed high into the sky, becoming a faint green blur, they gathered momentum and spun, sending a chill throughout those who¡¯d seen that technique earlier, those poor souls who were now ash and forgotten memories in their wake.

    WHOOSH!

    Raphael looked up with dread, but deep inside his beastly core a burning hatred for arrogant fools rose. He would give this insect a truly terrifying burial.

    "Cyan Driller! Dieeee!¡±

    Q¨©ng L¨¸ descended like a tornado. His form was now impossible to see.

    BOOM!

    The mantis crashed down on the ''Electric Scale Prison'' with unimaginable power!

    The impact shattered the yellow dome, sending those razor-sharp scales flying into the nearby trees and ice formations. They cracked and crumbled upon impact with its force.

    But within those shards, amidst the dissipating smoke, Q¨©ng L¨¸ stood triumphant¡­

    Or was he?

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± His cocky smile vanished as he frantically scanned the now-shattered prison.

    ¡°Where is that bull?¡±

    From below came a voice.

    ¡°Right behind you, little mantis. Nightcrawler cancel!"

    Q¨©ng L¨¸¡¯s eyes widened as he saw the bull¡¯s forms materializing from a tree¡¯s shadow. His body moved, ¡°Dodge!¡± However,

    CRASH!

    A golden hoof came crashing onto his delicate head. The force of the impact sent shockwaves through the icy ground and crushed his form deeper.

    ¡°GOLD PRESS!¡±

    He heard his bones snapping, felt his Solar Essence leaking, his vision dimming. It was then a chilling realization struck! It was no longer about victory or defeat in this contest.

    ¡°This is death!"

    He struggled in vain against that golden hoof, but his vision was being swallowed by shadows as his last whisper of despair were meant only for the frozen air above, "This isn¡¯t speed¡­ This is¡­ oblivion¡­"

    ¡­

    Raphael hopped off the mangled green remnants, and with a final sigh of content. Above him, his points were now totaled TEN!

    He continued his hunt, deeper into the frozen realms.

 Chapter 87 - Iâ€™m Not A Lizard!

    ¡°Rai Shen Long ¨C GO!¡±

    BOOM! CRACKLE!

    An ear-splitting roar tore through the icy landscape. A wave of pure golden lightning, laced with black shadows erupted and engulfed a large, green frog. It was a display of terrifying might.

    ¡°Ribbit! Ribbit! AHHH! Not lightning¡­! I¡¯m weak against it!¡±

    The frog shrieked with a panicked fear as it was blown backward. It landed with a heavy thud in a shower of snow, leaving a crater-shaped imprint as evidence of its encounter.

    A shadow moved towards the motionless form with radiant splendor bouncing from its armor. It was Bat General Kong, radiating power and a chilling disregard for anyone  who dared challenge his master.

    As the miniature lightning dragon shrunk and coiled gracefully around his spear, Kong let out a smug snort. ¡°Hmph, your points now belong to my Master.¡±

    From behind, one of those lesser Shadow Bats that hadn¡¯t been granted permission to partake in this slaughter rushed forth with his tiny claws shaking as if he¡¯d struck gold.

    "Oh, great and strong Bat General Kong! Your powers are mighty! But didn¡¯t Master instruct you not to use the dragon lightly? Perhaps there is a chance he could¡­ be in trouble with this recklessness?"

    This admonishment, or rather this attempt at logic from a creature so pathetic, infuriated the general. "Be QUIET!"

    The tiny bat, startled by his Commander''s outburst, quickly retracted his claws and vanished into the throng of his more quiet and obedient comrades who were diligently feasting on those energies the now fading frog was giving off.

    ¡°Those small fry¡­" Kong shook his head and was about to deliver a proper chastisement for such audacious words spoken within his hearing, when a voice that had both himself and those trembling shadows straightening to attention came booming,

    "Impressive. You took down that froggy in one attack. Its Solar Essences was quite potent."

    A figure, as large as the golden bull himself emerged from behind a towering glacier. Its dark scales glistened in the cold air. It moved with a lazy arrogance, for this creature, it seemed had been watching from afar, and its patience, well, it had been rewarded by this demonstration.

    He was a Komodo Dragon of imposing physique with scales as thick as armor plating. Sharp claws extended from each foot and its long forked tongue flicked lazily.

    ¡°You¡­ will be a worthy meal, Bat.¡± It then grinned, showing a maw filled with razor-sharp teeth.

    "My name is Kozu. Remember it. It¡¯ll be your epitaph."

    Kong raised an eyebrow. Such arrogance from this lizard, but hadn¡¯t he just crushed a much larger, and stronger creature with ease. He let out a chilling laughter then retorted, ¡°Silence lizard. The only prey here, is YOU!"

    "You¡­ you¡­ called me¡­ a lizard?¡± The Komodo Dragon''s dark scales pulsed with fury. It was an insult he couldn''t tolerate. For in this ancient world of might makes right. Lineages were respected, revered, and those with dragon blood, those of his ilk¡­

    They were at the very top, or so he believed until a small bat with a shiny stick told him otherwise. This had to be fixed!

    ¡°I''M A DRAGON!¡± He roared!

    And with a swiftness that defied his size, Kozu unleashed his tail in a devastating whip, cracking the ice beneath those who trembled and sending a volley of sharp, frozen shards toward Kong.

    WHOOSH! CRAACK!

    Kong gracefully backflipped, avoiding the shards by millimeters. He landed in a crouch and aimed his spear with a cocky grin.

    "Stay out of this, shadow pests! I''ll destroy this lizard myself!¡±

    Those words were met with cheers of ¡°Finish HIM, GENERAL KONG!¡±

    ¡°Rip out his scales!"

    ¡°I want his heart!¡±

    His legion was truly loyal, Kong thought to himself as their battle cry resonated across the frozen wastes and was echoed by the arrogant Komodo''s roar.

    ¡°You called me a LIZARD, AGAIN!?¡± Kozu''s outrage could be heard for miles. His eyes burned with an intensity that melted the ice near his face.

    ¡°You, a damned Saint Ruler bat, dares to challenge me?! I''ll eat you ALIVE!¡±If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    BOOM!

    He slammed a massive foot onto the ground with enough force to trigger a miniature tremor, sending shockwaves rippling outward that shattered ice, splintered trees and had the bats army scrambling.

    Dozens of boulders launched into the air from his brute strength.

    They hurtled towards Kong!

    WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

    Kong didn''t flinch. He stood firm!

    Then¡­

    His spear became a whirlwind of golden fury!

    ¡°Shadow Serpent Pierce!¡±

    CRACK! BOOM!

    Each strike was swift and precise. Boulders shattered! They exploded into dust before him.

    It was a masterful display of combat prowess. And those cowardly bats hiding in trees were truly stunned, they couldn¡¯t hold back those whispers:

    ¡°Such strength!"

    ¡°He cut those boulders apart!¡±

    Their respect had Kong smiling.

    He then charged!

    They met.

    A brutal dance of fangs and claws, teeth and spears unfolded. It was a primal clash of brute strength! The air rippled with roars, hisses, and the screeching sound of metal on scales.

    ¡°I''M a Dragon!¡±

    After being stabbed, Kozu slammed his tail into Kong''s chest, sending the bat flying backwards, coughing blood! But Kong, unfazed by the blow, landed lightly and with an arrogant gesture that had those loyal Shadow Bats cheering louder, flicked away a few drops of blood clinging to his spear.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got some moves lizard, I¡¯ll admit that! However, my master DESIRES your points! You can only blame fate for this encounter!"

    He raised his spear high.

    Darkness coalesced around its tip, a terrifying omen.

    ¡°Sir! General! Is it our turn now?! Let us DESTROY this lizard!" One brave Shadow Bat flew a little closer, for surely wasn¡¯t victory was theirs?

    However, those cheers and those thoughts of assisting were cut short.

    "Silence! This will be a SWIFT victory! One that will prove MY WORTH to Master!"

    Kong narrowed his gaze towards his target, ¡°Lizard, my Master has bestowed me with this magnificent technique, and you will be its victim today.¡±

    "HOLLOW FATE ENIGMA!¡±

    WHOOSH! CRACKLE!

    His voice, infused with ancient Solar Essence reverberated across the frozen forest before a chilling phenomenon began unfolding!

    Dozens of dark, spatial ripples appeared in the air, encircling the unsuspecting Kozu who stared with dread.

    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

    And as if by decree from the very heavens, a rain of golden spears erupted from each ripple with blazing tips!

    Each projectile buzzed with those dark shadow and crimson blood essences.

    This was a vision of pure, unrestrained aggression, worthy of even the mightiest Emperor Calamity.

    The clearing exploded with light.

    Screams echoed, then subsided. It went on for a full minute before the Hallow Fate Enigma dissipated, leaving a faint, black and yellow smoke, and within that dissipating mist was a terrifying sight to behold.

    The proud Komodo Dragon was now a mere shadow of his former arrogance, his once beautiful scales were marred with dozens of puncture wounds, and his once fierce gaze dimmed, replaced by a dazed terror as blood oozed, forming crimson pools around him.

    He was truly close to defeat.

    ¡°STILL alive, lizard? Just hand over those points already.¡± Kong¡¯s voice was laced with boredom now, it was clear that he was only waiting for the final blow before feasting on those juicy essences radiating around those wounds.

    Kozu''s rage was stronger than death, however, and even as his vision blurred from the blood loss, he¡¯d rather be incinerated than simply ¡°yield¡± to this annoying Shadow Bat, this mere SAINT RULER.

    "Damn you¡­ BAT!¡± He hissed with frustration as his pride welled up and overshadowed common sense. He slammed a massive foot onto the frost and then as his jaws opened in a desperate last stand, to utter those words of defiance and perhaps even an arrogant, "You picked the wrong opponent bat! I¡¯ll end you here and¡­"

    A wave of dizziness struck his core that caused his words to end with a blood-filled cough, but even within his blurry vision and that despair seeping into his heart like venom, a hope surfaced in a whispered plea.

    "SSSSSssssseraphhhhhhhina! Where¡­ the¡­ hell¡­ are¡­ YOU! Come¡­out¡­ nowwww! Do you hear me you bastard! I need your hel¡­¡± He couldn''t finish his words of command as they were drowned out by another cough that sprayed crimson upon his scales.

    "Who is this ''Ssssseraphhhhhhhina'' he¡¯s summoning?¡± Kong questioned. He hoped that it wasn¡¯t another powerful Calamity, for surely with his current strength, there would be no chance.

    Then the earth rumbled.

    A colossal figure emerged.

    ¡°You truly are a pathetic specimen.¡±

    "Oh no¡­¡± Kozu¡¯s head slumped in defeat.

    This was worse.

    WHOOSH!

    From the very ground beneath those fighting creatures, a massive Wormpede emerged. She was as large as Lu Ignis had been back in those scorched palace floors of his. This new contender¡¯s body was thicker than Raphael, her segmented exoskeleton had sharp dark thorns and her countless legs were slicing through the trees with ease as they danced an ancient but chilling melody.

    "Why are you only appearing NOW? You useless¡­¡±

    Kozu coughed before he remembered, there was a pecking order even in hell, for he dared not anger a Calamity whose soul she could consume, his savior.

    "Ss¡­ ss¡­ sister¡­" He trailed off and almost passed out from exhaustion and blood loss.

    This Wormpede¡¯s name was Sssseraphhhhhhhina. And she glared at Kozu¡¯s battered form before sighing, "Truly, you Komodo Dragon have fallen in status. How pitiful. To get your ass kicked by a mere Shadow Bat.¡±

    She laughed and her pronouncements had those lesser creatures scurrying away as Kong straightened, for in those jaws of hers he saw a threat far greater than those Scorpion twins combined, a true contender.

    "This fight¡­ has become more interesting.¡±

    Kong held his spear steady as she approached, ¡°Well then. I don''t mind if it''s you, lizard¡­ or you, worm!¡± He pointed at his battered opponent. His Shadow army was buzzing impatiently behind. ¡°Both of you. Come at me! I¡¯LL claim those points for my Master!"

    Sssseraphhhhhhhina hissed, ¡°Such braggadocio, little bat. I AM a Calamity at the 2nd Layer! You¡¯re just a lowly SAINT RULER!¡±

    She flicked her segmented tail menacingly.

    "Kozu, step aside. This pathetic insect needs a lesson about who¡¯s stronger in Yama Yaguai. I will crush him with ease.

    Now you bats¡­" Her massive head descended until it was mere feet from Kong''s tiny figure.

    "What?!"

    Kong barely even came up to one of her knees, but he wasn¡¯t scared, not really, only a bit nervous.

    ¡°Oi, Shadows, you 200 deal with that lizard! It seems he''s still got some fight in those pathetic scales of his. I''ll handle this WORM!"

    ¡°ROGER THAT GENERAL!"

    With eager screeches, the Shadow Bat army charged forth and began swarming around Kozu¡¯s semi-unconscious form with their extended claws!

    BOOM!

    A radial burst of flames, infused with electricity erupted as Kong slammed his spear onto the icy ground!

    A grand, magnificent but extremely horrifying show! He was charging up for those truly terrifying moves his master had taught him.

    And Sssseraphhhhhhhina was coming closer, ready to crush this insect, this bat!

 Chapter 88 - The Slithering Torturer

    ¡°Kyaaa! Please spare us! We yield! We YIELD!¡±

    This pitiful cry for mercy was met with amusement, and a hint of disgust as a menacing voice countered, "Master desires your points. And as such, I¡¯m afraid¡­ I cannot do that!¡±

    The speaker wasn''t only a hulking beast, nor a creature with razor sharp fangs or claws dripping venom. It was worse.

    A curvaceous figure with long black scales hovered above three trembling, brown creatures with intricate structures on their backs, it was Bat General Melissa. She observed her prey with a cool detachment as her tail swayed back and forth.

    ¡°How¡­ How can you be so¡­ cruel!?¡± One of the Temple Crickets, whose delicate antennae twitched nervously, dared to utter this condemnation.

    They had sought refuge in this section, hoping to survive the first day by simply hiding amidst these jagged ice formations. Their tactic seemed foolproof until her scent, that perfume of hers and the buzzing had their dreams shattered. She found them.

    "You''re at the peak of the Saint Ruler stage. A powerhouse! You¡¯re even capable of facing early Calamities and yet¡­ You choose to terrorize us? How despicable!"

    This Temple Cricket, a little bolder than its brethren, chirped in protest. It took a hesitant step towards her and continued. ¡°Why? Surely¡­ you can easily amass points by slaying those of a greater cultivation?¡±

    He ended with a whimper. This truth was undeniable: those who crawled should bow to those who flew. There was a pecking order, an unspoken rule that they¡¯d been told from birth. However, Melissa¡¯s reaction solidified those very rules in a harsh manner.

    ¡°Perhaps, you have a point," she chuckled with a coquettish tilt of her head and that pink monocle that had always brought chaos. ¡°However, efficiency trumps logic in a race for points. My duty to Master is paramount, and I cannot be bothered to waste time chasing after stronger opponents. Besides¡­ those that run in terror at my beauty are already at an advantage, you see. For this Trial is truly about exploiting opportunities, wouldn''t you agree?¡±

    She casually flicked her whip towards a nearby cricket. Its chitinous shell cracked, and it fell with its legs twitching. Its cries fueled Melissa¡¯s mirth!

    ¡°You dare scold me! I was about to give over my points willingly! My goodness¡­ what a bitch!" It coughed blood. This was its final insult to this snake lady before its form dissolved into light particles.

    Hearing those words of judgement, she sighed dramatically. ¡°Foolish little thing. You dare question my judgment?¡± She then slithered over the trembling survivors, then with an arrogance befitting her new form, flicked her tail.

    ¡°I''m here to amass points, quickly. And I am not at all interested in fairness. If you''ve a problem with that then you shouldn¡¯t have entered the Selection Trials.¡± She giggled darkly, ¡°This isn¡¯t about your pride, or your lineage, it¡¯s about serving those above, those who have greater ambitions, you¡¯re simply¡­¡±

    ¡°Stepping¡­ stones?" The words slipped out with a shivering resignation.

    ¡°That''s right, little cricket. Stepping stones!¡±

    And without wasting anymore time¡­

    WHOOSH! SNAP!

    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Those cries died a swift death as a pink glow engulfed her tail which she then used to snatch their shivering forms with a brutal yet swift move! She coiled and squeezed those fragile shells in her grasp that caused more screams.

    They tried to pry her tail apart with their thin limbs. But it was futile! She was too strong, and even as their forms struggled against her crimson veins, she relished in those cries of agony and defeat.

    ¡°Please¡­ mercy! Mercy! WE YIELD! Have¡­¡±

    Melissa interrupted with a cruel twist. ¡°Mercy?¡± Her tail constricted even tighter. ¡°You¡¯ll find NO mercy from ME! Fuhuhu. Your points are now MINE!"

    Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!

    Those crunching sounds made a morbid melody before she tossed the bodies aside. They vanished into dust, leaving only a faint scent of herbs and chitin behind and a total of 10 points above Melissa¡¯s head.

    ¡°Hmmm, not bad.¡± She was about to stretch out luxuriously and savor her dominance, but a prickling sensation across her scales. Something was coming! And it was fast, a blur.

    WHOOSH!

    With lightning reflexes she ducked! A sharp blade swished overhead, inches from slicing off her head. Adrenaline fueled her thoughts, ¡®Such speed?! Who dares to attack me!¡¯ She quickly recoiled to assess the situation before hissing, ¡°Hmm¡­ such aggression.¡±

    She watched as a crimson drop of blood splattered the pearly-white icy ground below, leaving behind an image she wouldn''t forget, for this was her blood!

    "WHO are YOU?¡±

    Before her, landing with six black legs splayed, was a large ladybug.

    Its red shell, adorned with six glistening white dots, had a chilling beauty. It held a rapier, sharp and slender, that glowed as those tiny antennae twitched rapidly. This was Lady K¨­h¨©, she stood defiant.

    "You! That whipping technique you just used. Why?! Such unnecessary force on such delicate creatures? Those were babies! Children! Surely there were other less cruel means to attain those paltry points. Shame on you, snake, shame on you. Are you truly this depraved? To be so¡­ so¡­¡±

    ¡°So what?!¡± Melissa retorted dismissively.

    "What¡¯s it to you? And why are you even standing here lecturing me on morals, little bug? You saw my strength. And yet¡­¡± she uncoiled her tail menacingly as it slashed and those violet arcs she released had the ice trembling. ¡°You are still here. Don''t make me laugh.¡±

    ¡°Perhaps¡­ this pathetic insect wants to end up like those crickets. Squashed!¡± Her tongue flickered.

    This time, however, her threats, and that intimidating swagger had no effect. Lady K¨­h¨© wasn''t a foolish creature. Those ruby red eyes weren¡¯t simply glaring with judgement. There was a primal fury that had the air itself crackling with a potent crimson glow. This tiny creature before her¡­

    It wasn¡¯t weak!

    Lady K¨­h¨© pointed the tip of her rapier at Melissa, as those little wings upon her shell began to spread, revealing delicate black patterns on their underside that was beautiful but extremely poisonous to those who gazed upon it for too long. It was a deterrent, she''d learnt it the hard way, centuries ago.

    ¡°Pick on someone YOUR own SIZE, snake! And leave those poor Temple Crickets to heal from your pathetic display!¡±

    Hearing this, Melissa burst out laughing, ¡°Fuhuhu, you''re sso small, ladybug¡­ Are you sssupposed to be my sssize? Hahaha!¡±

    It would appear this insect, was an optimist indeed! For those who have never tasted despair¡­ surely they were blessed by heavens above, or were simply fools, walking a blind path. This, she would teach those tiny wings and sword wielding claws with brutal grace.

    But fate¡­ it had another lesson to teach her.

    BOOM!

    A shockwave erupted from the lady bug! A ruby-red aura blazed, consuming everything around them.

    "What the¡­?!"

    She''d underestimated this insect.

    This was no simple bug. It was a Calamity.

    ¡°This potent Solar Essence¡­" Those words were choked back into Melissa''s throat by the oppressive, scorching energy that now filled the clearing. Her smug smile instantly vanished as that pink eye of hers went wide with terror, for above her head was that undeniable signifier of a Calamity¡¯s strength.

    Lady K¨­h¨© was a Calamity of the 6th layer.

    She''d have to try harder than usual, Melissa concluded as her thoughts turned from amusement and hunger to one of grim acceptance and a new respect.

    This was bad. Very, VERY BAD.

    ¡°Prepare to meet your downfall, snake! You''re about to experience what it feels to be¡­ hopeless! Those tricks of yours won¡¯t work now. This time¡­ I, K¨­h¨© the Red Blade of Justice will¡­¡±

    Melissa didn¡¯t give her a chance.

    She lashed her tail in a swift, unexpected movement and interrupted her boasting with a crack!

    "HA!"

    She wasn''t a Saint Ruler by fluke. Her skill with the weapons she wielded and the speed she''d mastered from her copied essence, they wouldn¡¯t let this insect get any hits. It was time for a dance!

    ¡°Bring it ON, ladybug! And those pitiful cries of yours¡­? Ssssave them for your dying mother!¡±

 Chapter 89 - Galloping Away!

    ¡°Huff! Huff!¡±

    Raphael''s heavy breaths echoed as he galloped through the dense, frost-covered forest. The ground shuddered beneath his mighty golden hooves that had become more adept at manipulating those snowy patches.

    He wasn''t alone.

    ¡°Stupid, fast-ass bull! Hurry up! We''re losing him!"

    This screeching voice belonged to Bowland, a colossal rooster with snow-white feathers. He was so massive that his wingspan could easily overshadow a small hut. A bronze bowl with ancient carvings and a faint glow was held firmly in his left talons as he flapped his wings furiously. Those massive talons were adorned with rings of bronze that had strange green jewels. He looked like a warrior, a king in this domain of flying beasts.

    Behind him, gliding effortlessly with powerful strokes, was Tsunet, a magnificent yet bizarre sea creature. She was as blue as the deepest ocean. Her sleek, elongated body had four muscular arms tipped with razor-sharp claws. These arms moved with a fluidity that could even make those most seasoned warriors envious. A long, sinuous tail, tipped with a sharp fin, trailed behind her as her large gills, situated on her shoulders pulsated in sync with her heart beat. Those white, pupil-less eyes surveyed the trees below with an intensity and focus that pierced Raphael¡¯s hide.

    ¡°His pace is ridiculous!¡± She yelled back in an annoyed tone, before her four muscular arms throbbed and extended, creating a vortex. This unseen force amplified her speed to ridiculous levels as she caught up to Bowland.

    ¡°We¡¯re BOTH at 7 points. Remember our deal, chick-shit, we split the bull''s points EQUALLY.¡± Her voice resonated. Those who''d dared challenge her in the past knew the true depths of her fury, however, she was at a disadvantage, at least in these skies above.

    ¡°I will, I will. But first we have to catch him!¡± Bowland had a demanding tone, a cocksure arrogance that even Tsunet hated. However, those thoughts of ripping his eyes out vanished as a new tactic came to mind.

    ¡°Now listen to my command, fish-breath. SLOW that BULL DOWN, just enough for me to immobilize him completely, with this." He then gestured toward the bronze bowl with a prideful arrogance. "My SONIC BOWL!¡±

    Tsunet rolled her eyes, ¡°Don¡¯t command me, chicken! And keep those smelly nicknames to yourself! I''ll do what needs to be done!¡± But despite her irritation, she surged forward. Her tail whipped through the air, as a blue aura pulsed around her form and pushed her closer to their target.

    Below, Raphael glanced back, "Damn¡­ they''re gaining! That FISH is up to something.¡±

    He¡¯d been focused on his echolocation, mapping out this forest route, but those heartbeats were getting closer, it seemed these creatures possessed a speed that rivaled his.

    A shiver of apprehension coursed down his golden hide. He decided on caution. He then unleashed his inner lightning.

    ¡°Electro Speed!¡±

    WHOOSH!

    His speed doubled instantly, sending shockwaves across those trees as the surrounding landscape blurred into streaks of white, green, and grey. He was now galloping over many high protruding stone pillars with jagged tips

    ¡°Damn! He¡¯s faster than I thought!¡± Bowland said in amazement.

    Tsunet¡¯s eyes widened as his form was getting further away. She cursed and then activated a technique.

    ¡°Hydro Tendrils - Bind!"

    She hissed.

    From the spaces between her gills, a dozen cerulean tendrils shot forth, they darted towards their fleeing target with a terrifying accuracy that only she could control!

    Within seconds, they''d ensnared Raphael¡¯s massive hooves and legs. The pressure was immense. Those unseen forces pulled him, slowed his movements, creating an opportunity her companion was ready to capitalize on.

    "NOW, BOWLAND!¡±

    Her ally didn''t need to be told twice.

    WHOOSH!

    He swooped down with the Sonic Bowl. Those jewels in his bronze rings now radiated a green so intense. It seemed as if he were feeding those energies with every swift stroke of his wings.

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    ¡°Time for a taste of my music, you stinking bull!"

    As he neared his target, his talons moved across the bowl¡¯s rim.

    ¡°Sing for ME!¡±

    HUMMMM!

    A low frequency pulsated. It hit Raphael like a sonic wave, but it wasn''t a blast. This sound had a subtle, hypnotic quality that made his very essence vibrate. His movements were becoming sluggish, his hooves were stumbling as those eyes of his began to droop, and within them, he saw the pillars below becoming thicker.

    He thought, ¡®What¡¯s happening?¡¯

    His vision blurred, his body swayed. The strength in his hooves drained.

    "I¡­ can''t¡­"

    He tripped!

    ¡°Oh¡­ FUCK! NO!¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s falling!¡± Tsunet hissed, baffled. "BOWLAND! YOU IDIOT! Why didn''t you tell me he would lose consciousness so I could prevent him from falling with my¡­¡±

    ¡°YOU told ME NOT TO GIVE ORDERS, remember FISH-FACE!¡±

    Their bickering and blame-trading echoed down towards their target whose fall had a devastating result.

    CRASH!

    Raphael¡¯s massive form impacted the ground, creating a small crater of snow and dirt, but as if that force were a bucket of cold water upon his brow ridges, his consciousness snapped back.

    ¡°Hmmm¡­¡±

    ¡°Shut up! I¡¯ll do this MY WAY!¡±

    Tired of Bowland¡¯s incessant chatter and commands, Tsunet dipped downwards with a flick of her powerful tail. She dove towards the ground, her white, pupil-less eyes locked onto the fleeing bull below. She was a predator, and this bull, it was a prize worth capturing, even if it meant defying that arrogant chicken.

    ¡°Hmph! Arrogant fish, you''re lucky your partnership is still valuable to me. Otherwise¡­¡± Bowland trailed off, his words lost in the wind as he followed Tsunet''s descent.

    Raphael glanced behind him, "Damn, they''re coming again!¡± His hooves pounded on the fractured earth frantically. He was running out of options.

    The landscape had shifted drastically. Earlier, they''d exited the thick forest and entered a treacherous zone filled with towering pillars that jutted out at impossible angles, they resembled the fossilized remains of ancient, monstrous serpents.

    With a burst of ingenuity, an idea sparked! ¡°Maybe¡­ I can use these pillars to my advantage. Yes! This might just be what I need!¡±

    WHOOSH!

    He skidded to a halt and spun around.

    ¡°Gold Carnage!¡±

    From the depths of his essence, six golden bulls manifested with terrifying speed. They were larger than before.

    "CRUSH THEM!"

    Raphael roared.

    The six bulls charged forward! Their golden forms slammed into the unsuspecting pair, knocking several pillars askew!

    From above, Tsunet and Bowland couldn¡¯t comprehend.

    ¡°Araah! The pillars are crashing and those golden bulls are charging at us! Tsu Tsu hurry and protect us!" Bowland shrieked as they barely dodged those thundering, gold-plated hooves.

    "You useless bird!¡± Tsunet snarled at Bowland''s fear, but even she, whose pride had always come before logic had to acknowledge the sheer power of these new threats. They would be trampled!

    She didn''t hesitate.

    "Divine Bubble!¡±

    WHOOSH! BOOM!

    A large sphere of glowing, cerulean water materialized. It encapsulated her and Bowland in a protective embrace as debris from those falling pillars crashed into them with a thunderous roar that sent shockwaves rippling outwards.

    Those pillars, dislodged by the bulls, fell, striking the golden horde also with a devastating effect.

    CRACK! BOOM!

    Their magnificent, yet temporary bodies were flattened instantly. They reverted back to liquid gold that sizzled and then solidified, trapped within the confines of those massive, black and grey rocks, mere streaks now.

    "Hah! Such a pathetic attempt." Tsunet scoffed.

    Bowland watched the golden liquid with a chilling shiver as his talons tightened their grip on that bowl. This bull¡­ he was more cunning than he''d anticipated. However, escape¡­ that wasn''t an option for his points were needed.

    He had a score to settle.

    "Cocka-dooly-doo! Stinking BULL, DON¡¯T think you can escape us! Tsu Tsu, hurry AFTER HIM!"

    "I told you, YOU DON''T COMMAND ME!"

    "Hmph. Fine¡­ Fine!" Bowland¡¯s irritation at her stubbornness and the fear in his heart wouldn''t diminish their hunt.

    They soared higher into the sky. They weaved between those massive stone pillars, searching for the fleeing bull¡¯s silhouette. But he¡¯d vanished! They couldn¡¯t see him!

    ¡°Where is he?!¡± Their panic increased. And just when they were about to abandon their pursuit and search elsewhere¡­

    "There! I see him!¡±

    Tsunet pointed. ¡°He''s headed towards those rocky mounds!¡±

    ¡°After HIM! NOW!¡±

    They swooped downward, wings beating and tail slashing, catching up with ease, for even with that bursts of speed, their target was nowhere as swift as themselves. They had him cornered!

    They were upon him!

    ¡°Your points are MINE!"

    Their attacks struck simultaneously!

    WHOOSH! CRACK! BOOM!

    Just as they were about to claim their prize¡­

    The bull shattered and dissolved into shards of golden light. And from those fragments, a horrifying truth unfolded before their wide eyes.

    Within that shattered form was a pulsating crimson ball of energy that resembled blood magic!

    A blinding flash of crimson energy erupted, engulfing those talons and fangs. It expanded outward in a swirling vortex.

    Before they could comprehend¡­

    BOOM! CRACKLE!

    They were pulled inwards! A horrifying, violent rush of energies and suction had their very essence wavering, and then. They saw a faint glow coming from a distance below.

    ¡°Wha¡­ what''s¡­?¡± Tsunet coughed and her tail whipped desperately but couldn''t latch onto anything, she could feel her very blood being drained by this crimson vortex. It wasn''t simply a spell. No.

    It was blood and Solar Essence, and rage!

    ¡­

    At that very spot, a Golden Bull Thork chuckled.

    "Time to turn up the heat."

    He lifted his head. His horn glowed with a menacing orange hue as the ''Helios Sphere'' grew larger.

    ¡°HELIOS STREAM!¡±

    WHOOSH! BOOOM!

    The golden beam ripped forth. It slammed into the swirling vortex and obliterated Bowland and Tsunet instantly. It was truly a spectacle of brutal efficiency.

    They vanished.

    And above him, Raphael¡¯s score updated.

    He was now at 35 points.

    ¡°Onwards¡­¡± He galloped forward once more.

 Chapter 90 - Bat Generalsâ€™ Achievements

    Deep within a cavern hidden amidst the jagged stone pillars, Raphael sat in a meditative posture. His massive golden form was enclosed within an Electric Scale Prison.

    ¡°Huff! Huff!¡±

    He took a deep breath and swallowed a handful of glowing pills he¡¯d withdrew from his Buddhist Pill Gourd earlier, they tasted like rotten eggs and mud, but their restorative properties were undeniable. His exhausted muscles throbbed with gratitude as his depleted Solar Essence slowly returned.

    "Damn those shadow bastards!" He muttered with a hint of annoyance, for although he hadn¡¯t personally engaged in many confrontations since entering the icy realm, his essence reserves had taken a significant hit. This exhaustion wasn''t from dodging projectiles, nor clashing against monstrous claws and fangs, no, rather it was those who loyally served him that were slowly, but surely draining him.

    His magnificent wings were the source of his exhaustion.

    Each shadow bat he conjured, be it soldier, assassin, or commander required his Solar Essence to exist! This truth had him pondering. ¡®If this trial last for three days, then what happens when I run out of energy? I might be ambushed and that would be truly disastrous!¡¯

    He¡¯d seen firsthand what those Calamities did to those lesser than them!

    He shuddered then glanced at his golden hooves, they looked so powerful, capable of shattering mountains if he unleashed their true power, but for now, that would have to wait.

    ¡°Gotta prioritize those points!¡±

    After an hour of diligently absorbing pills and medicine, his golden glow slowly returned.

    Raphael''s eyes flickered open.

    And he sensed something amiss.

    His left and right wings were twitching uncontrollably! ¡°Hmmm, that sensation! My wings¡­ they¡¯re tingling, intensely! This can only mean¡­ Kong and Melissa! Those two are clashing with powerful adversaries."

    Then, as his curiosity peaked, he thought, ¡®Maybe a peek at their battles wouldn''t be too much of a distraction¡­ right?

    ¡°Black Pool!¡±

    A swirling vortex of inky black energy materialized with a familiar pop, it extended, connecting him to the place his subordinates were embroiled in.

    Within the darkness, he saw images of chaos.

    ¡­

    First, a massive snowy mountain shrouded in clouds. And beneath the clouds, a desperate battle was ongoing. One he couldn¡¯t ignore.

    "Kong! That damn worm¡­¡±

    CRASH! BOOM!

    He watched in horror as Bat General Kong was flung through the air! He crashed into the mountainside with a devastating impact that shattered both snow and stone!

    The tremor had even Raphael shifting uncomfortably. Such force!

    ¡°This creature is¡­¡± He had no time to even ask his Sagewood Script for clarification, as a more terrifying scene took shape before his wide open, bloodshot gaze!

    "Damn you worm! YOUR tail is too powerful!" Kong was trapped within the rocks, his armor cracked. His wings struggled to unfurl, they wouldn¡¯t move. And the blood oozing from his snout, was freezing the instant it splattered onto the icy rocks around him.

    This wasn''t simply a flesh wound. That strike had broken a few bones.

    ¡°I can¡¯t¡­" He was doomed, he thought. ¡°Those teeth! So close¡­ she is going to¡­ to eat¡­me!¡± But then, as that massive Wormpede¡¯s shadow encompassing him, his essence resonated.

    BOOM!

    Kong was enveloped in an aura of yellow lightning! And with those bolts crackling furiously, his primal will to fight was ignited.

    ¡°RAAIIII SHEEENN! LOOOONG!¡±

    He¡¯d hoped to activate the dragon and repel that monstrous maw that was mere centimeters from devouring him but those efforts, those hopes were too late.

    GULP!

    With a terrifying gulp, Kong was swallowed whole! His cries became muffled within the depths of her stomach.

    But Sssseraphhhhhhhina didn¡¯t savor her victory. She paused, her colossal body that resembled a nightmare began to tremble, her form was constricting and expanding like a beating heart in pain.

    "What the¡­¡± Her abdomen began expanding. The ruby scales across her exoskeleton began to separate and with them came a realization that chilled her core more so than those frozen plains.

    ¡°A buzzing sound. Inside my belly? What is¡­¡±

    And from those very jaws of hers, from within her very throat¡­

    CRACK! CRACK! BOOM!

    Lightning erupted!

    ¡°This energy¡­ It couldn¡¯t¡­ be!¡±

    ¡°RAIIIIII SHEEEEENNN LOOOONG! RISE!"

    WHOOSH!

    A colossal golden dragon of pure destructive power came blasting forth, tearing its way through her intestines and scales with its sharp claws as it bathed its surrounding in a fiery golden shower of lightning.

    ¡°That¡¯s Kong¡¯s dragon!" the bat army was amazed.

    The lightning dragon didn¡¯t simply emerge, it began wrapping itself around that terrifying, massive body! Coiling, squeezing, its ancient jaw then bit with the crushing strength of a thousand falling boulders onto Sssseraphhhhhhhina¡¯s head.

    ¡°My eyesss!¡±

    Sssseraphhhhhhhina writhed frantically, trying to break free, but her monstrous body was no match for Rai Shen Long, its ferocity was amplified by Raphael¡¯s Solar Essence.

    BOOM!

    With a final, terrifying twist, it slammed her onto the ground. It then stood upon her crushed form with pride radiating as it savored her whimpers.

    And from the shadows within, from the heart of that mangled flesh.

    Bat General Kong materialized in a burst of blood and guts!

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    ¡°Tsk, You taste terrible, worm.¡± He then glanced down at his stained bronze armor. ¡°And that smell¡­ How am I going to get this off?!¡±

    "GENERAL KONG!"

    One of the shadow bats he''d left behind flew to his side and landed gently.

    "Report."

    "We have claimed the life of that¡­lizard. Kozu is no more!¡± it buzzed triumphantly.

    "Excellent work, shadow brethren. Master will surely reward your efforts."

    "Really!"

    "Master is truly generous!" A chorus of excited screeches and flapping wings had Kong smirking. His Master would be pleased. They had proven their worth.

    He stood victorious with his spear stained with blood. And upon his head, a magnificent 16 points glowed as a signal of dominance.

    ¡­

    ¡°Why is she fighting alone? Does she despise the other bats so much?¡±

    Back in the safety of his hidden cave, Raphael observed the scene unfolding within the Black Pool.

    His trusted commander, Melissa was locked in a deadly dance with a formidable opponent. The fight was confusing.

    ¡°I gave her two hundred Shadow Bats but¡­ they¡¯re not there? Not a single one¡­ Why?¡±

    Shao Jin¡¯s battle instincts urged him to intervene, after all those points they gathered, if she lost then all his efforts would be for nothing. However, another urge to let the play unfold was also appealing. He wanted to assess his Commander¡¯s capabilities now that she was fully transformed.

    And he wanted answers!

    The Black Pool flickered, offering a better view.

    ¡­

    Melissa¡¯s lithe form danced across the snow, dodging a flurry of attacks. It was a desperate, frantic struggle for survival. Each attack from Lady K¨­h¨©, that damn ladybug had its own special melody.

    She could hear its anger resonating in each blade strike.

    ¡°Die, snake! I¡¯ll squash you like a bug!¡±

    Melissa hated being labeled a snake! And this humiliation fueled her anger! She wanted to rip that bug''s wings off and shove them into its mouth. But this battle demanded patience and cunning.

    She''d underestimated her opponent''s speed.

    K¨­h¨©, with her six legs moving faster than the eye could track and her ruby shell glowing, buzzed past Melissa like a hummingbird on a sugar rush. And with each attack, the wings upon her shell release potent toxic particles, a mixture of ash and something else.

    ¡°Hmmm¡­ she must have evolved. Truly a formidable opponent!¡± She was a 6th layer Calamity. That much was clear, and to make her situation even more terrifying. That glowing energy above K¨­h¨©¡­ it was 12 Merit points!

    ¡°Perhaps my shadow army would have¡­ no! Master ordered a covert operation!¡± Melissa couldn¡¯t use them, not yet. This was bad, very, very bad.

    WHOOSH!

    A final deadly arc came slashing! This blow was aimed to end their encounter, to claim her tail as a trophy, such malice those ruby eyes showcase.

    ¡°Yield!¡±

    ¡°Tsk!¡±

    Reacting instinctively, Melissa parried the blow with her Sun Cycle.

    CLANG! BOOM!

    Sparks showered. She was flung backwards with a bone-jarring impact into an icy wall.

    The impact left a massive crack in the wall! It also rattled Melissa''s skull, but her tail coiled!

    Melissa was back on her tail before K¨­h¨© even had the chance to close the distance, or gloat over her impending victory. This tenacity was unsettling.

    Lady K¨­h¨© landed gracefully, she flicked the blood from her rapier then walked with slow, deliberate steps towards her injured opponent who was wiping a trail of blood from her lips as she straightened, looking unfazed,

    "Hmph! Pathetic! You''re not even worth of MY full strength, snake! This battle is a mere game for me!" she scoffed as her gaze fell upon the points hovering above Melissa''s head, such a delicious snack!

    "Just like those fragile crickets YOU crushed earlier. I¡¯ll make you SUFFER true humiliation! A lesson you won¡¯t soon forget!¡± Her voice had an edge that she hoped would trigger fear within Melissa, but it didn''t. Not one bit.

    Seeing that arrogance, that pride fueled her own anger, Melissa thought, ¡®This ladybug! She has a death wish indeed. But now is not the time to indulge in idle chit-chat.¡±

    She slithered upward, meeting her opponent''s gaze.

    ¡°Tsk! I gave you a chance to REPENT, snake! But now¡­ I¡¯ll end you! You dare challenge a warrior of MY lineage!?¡±

    K¨­h¨© erupted with power, her crimson shell glowing a brighter red as potent black and red energy coursed through her. She raised her rapier skyward.

    "PIERCE!¡±

    The delicate blade grew rapidly, extending, as if reaching to the very heavens above as those ancient runes across its surface came to life with the intensity of a sun¡¯s gaze. She then thrust that now impossibly long weapon toward her target with an anger and speed that could shatter mountains in two, but Melissa wasn¡¯t standing there waiting to be skewered! She wasn¡¯t that kind of girl! No!

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± With a flick of her wrist, she activated the ¡®Sun Cycle''s¡¯ transformation ability.

    BOOM!

    A burst of light engulfed her and a magnificent pink armor materialized around her body with sharp edges. But its intricate designs, that brilliance¡­, they died a quick death as her enemies¡¯ weapon came crashing down upon her.

    ¡°SHIELD!¡±

    Her ¡®Sun Cycle¡¯ didn''t simply act as a blunt weapon or a defense, no! It was a tool of unimaginable power that had saved her from obliteration time and again.

    CRACK! WHOOSH! BOOM!

    The ¡®Sun Cycle¡¯ expanded, forming a shield! It tried to deflect that impossibly long, radiant rapier! But the attack¡¯s speed was truly on another level.

    The rapier¡¯s tip pierced the shield, shattering the core instantly and continued through, aimed directly for Melissa¡¯s heart with a terrifying accuracy!

    Melissa watched, petrified, but in that brief moment of impending doom, she wasn''t thinking about dying.

    No¡­

    Her gaze settled on her opponent''s smug smile.

    ¡°What a delicious taste!" she thought to herself. ¡°Fear! Anger! Greed! And above all that, the bitter sting of pride¡­ truly¡­ you ARE powerful!¡±

    ¡°SHIELD! Now!¡±

    Her armor buzzed! Then those panels protecting her midsection bulged inwards as if repelled by those very potent energies surging toward it with her Solar Essences flaring in desperation.

    BOOM! CRACKLE!

    The rapier impaled the armor, but its deadly momentum was slowed just inches from her belly button!

    The explosion, however, still sent her reeling backwards.

    "Damn¡­ I¡­ underestimate¡­¡± She coughed blood. She could feel her insides trembling, as her bones creaked!

    "Is this how I end?"

    But even as these thoughts of defeat whispered to her heart and tail. Something clicked.

    Her attacker was too close!

    "Now!"

    K¨­h¨©¡¯s ruby red eyes glowed as she watched her attack sink into that snake''s flesh. She thrust her rapier until they were at breathing distance. "You are finished, snake! Those arrogant, cruel words of yours earlier? It was a delight to squash them! Any last words before I mop the floor with your brains?¡±

    In response, Melissa smirked and shouted, "Open¡­ Your¡­MOUTH!¡±

    "WHAT?!¡±

    Reflexively, as if she¡¯d been commanded by her very essence, K¨­h¨©''s mandibles parted, "Huh¡­? Why¡­"

    ¡°That¡¯s all I needed. Now¡­¡± Melissa whispered triumphantly before unleashing her true trump card with those lips of hers stretching into a vicious grin that could make even a bloodthirsty god tremble before the inevitable.

    "Goodbye, Lady Bug.¡±

    Her attack was swift and ruthless. She spat out a black orb directly into the ladybug''s open maw.

    "Huh¡­ Wha¡­?!" The lady bug¡¯s antennae twitched as her taste receptors were assaulted by something that didn¡¯t taste sweet nor sour, It felt bland, metallic and¡­ it wouldn¡¯t dissolve!

    Her grip faltered from her rapier and she stumbled backwards.

    "Bitch what¡­ have you¡­ fed me?!!!¡±

    K¨­h¨©¡¯s panicked resounded as she desperately try to pry her mandibles apart, but those sensations she thought were choking, it had a life of its own!

    She then attempt to use a purging technique to eject this foreign object from her being, however¡­

    ¡°No! WHY won''t it come out!¡±

    Melissa didn''t wait. She watched with fascination as her opponent staggered around. Such a magnificent display of fear. She then reached forward, ignoring the agonizing pain of having her armor pierced, grabbed the handle of the rapier that now felt as if it were hers to command and¡­

    YANK!

    The crimson blade slide from her bleeding, ruptured flesh.

    She ignored the pain as the blood trickled. The vision of a greater reward for her patience overshadowed her body''s pleas for reprieve.

    ¡°Fuhuhu¡­ You are STRONG! You are MIGHTY, LADYBUG! However, those powerful legs and your potent energy¡­ they cannot stop you from acting like an IMBECILE! You are driven by rage! And such raw emotions, it blinds you, making you predictable and vulnerable.

    This is your lesson! Enjoy it!¡±

    Her words and that dripping blood she licked had K¨­h¨© even more anxious. She wanted answers, not riddles and pronouncements from a snake whose belly should be splattering on the ground, or perhaps¡­ her tongue should have been decorating those icy grounds!

    ¡°What¡­ do you¡­ MEAN?! TELL ME, BITCH!"

    ¡°Simple, you¡¯re about to be obliterated.¡±

    Then, she noticed her throat was itching and swelling.

    ¡°NOOOO! You¡­ You bitch¡­ What have you done! No¡­ No! NOOOOOO!¡±

    Her questions were answered in the most horrifying way as¡­

    ¡°Hisssss!¡±

    ¡°HISSSS!¡±

    ¡°Hisss!¡±

    From within her swollen body, hundreds upon hundreds of those wretched Shadow Bats came streaming out like a torrent!

    They were pouring out of her eyes, ears, nostrils! Her mandibles couldn¡¯t even snap shut!

    "Remember those Temple Crickets? Now you join them in oblivion.¡± Melissa laughed cruelly as she watched her rival''s final dance play out.

    "This¡­ is¡­ KARMA! No! I won¡¯t¡­ ARGHHHHHHH!"

    Her scream echoed then those bloodthirsty, starving shadow bastards, consumed the lady bug.

    She vanished.

    The silence that followed was truly unsettling.

    Those who¡¯d watched this spectacle from the big screens wondered, ¡®Who rules those icy realms now?¡¯

    Melissa casually wiped the blood from her chin. "Those annoying bugs¡­ Always so predictable. What treasure did you leave behind¡­ hmm? A fine haul indeed. Such a magnificent rapier¡­¡± she¡¯d picked it up then a grin spread across her face.

    "Aren¡¯t I impressive?" Melissa praised her own cunning and intelligence.

    Her triumphant words reached another entity. At the entrance of his secret cave, hidden deep within the mountain of frozen pillars, a certain Golden Bull Thork was watching and smiling.

    He now had 71 Merit Points.

 Chapter 91 - A Poisonous Friendship

    The icy wind whipped through the frosted trees and carried with it the faint scent of blood and burnt feathers. Above the frozen expanse, a squadron of Shadow Bats patrolled the skies.

    ¡°Scan¡­ scan¡­ scan¡­" One whispered while scanning the icy paths below. They were hoping to find easy targets.

    "Master wants points! Find those with weak essences! Don¡¯t attack those above our tiers unless they initiate a confrontation.¡± These instructions had been beaten into them for the past hour. And as such, this was their way now.

    Back in the safety of his cave, Raphael watched through their eyes. His massive golden form lay still, taking a much-needed respite within the confines of his Electric Scale Prison. Each bat was an extension of his senses, which fed him a constant stream of sights and sounds from the battlefield. It was a brutal yet necessary strategy. His survival depended on their vigilance.

    Suddenly, he noticed something interesting happening, A burst of energy.

    "Hm, what¡¯s that commotion?"

    WHOOSH! BOOM!

    He zoomed in and watched as several trees were being blasted apart by something radiating potent fire energies. And through the billowing smoke and snow, he recognized those two figures.

    ¡°Those Scorpion brothers! They¡¯re still alive?¡±

    Their opponent, this time, was much bigger and was no pushover.

    ¡°It¡¯s a large, purple raven.¡± He mumbled. ¡°Its beak is wickedly sharp¡­ Its horn¡­ that fiery blade.¡±

    ¡°Damn bird! You move like a drunken snail!¡±

    The smaller scorpion, Clamper, lashed out with a speed and accuracy that was surprising, for his Scorpion Tail Strike had come within millimeters of ripping those feathers from that terrifying raven''s wings.

    "Watch OUT, Brother!¡± Pincer, the slightly larger of the two, yelled this warning while skillfully dodging a blow aimed at his head from the fiery blade!

    WHOOSH!

    With a swiftness that made the very air itself moan, Pincer dashed behind a massive frost-covered tree, narrowly avoiding that fiery arc that had his shell tingling with potent heat as it cleaved through a few trees and set them aflame.

    The orange and blue flames were hot, but their warmth felt distant to both scorpions. Such was the privilege of possessing strong Solar Essence in their bodies.

    ¡°You should yield! Now!" Huo Yan¡¯s wings flapped angrily. This fight was meant to be a swift victory. He then landed and charged another attack. But this time, he underestimated his opponents.

    They were Black Rock Scorpions after all. Patience, agility and knowing how to work together, these were their innate power.

    ¡°Now BROTHER! It¡¯s our turn!¡± Pincer hollered.

    They charged! Their forms moved so quickly! Like twin shadows, they attack!

    CLANG! WHOOSH!

    They met their enemy head on. Pincer¡¯s strike deflected the flaming blade. And within that moment of distraction. Clamper acted with a vengeance he¡¯d never felt before.

    ¡°My Tail! It yearns for your entrails, NOW! Your points! They belong to me!¡±

    His strike slammed into Huo Yan¡¯s exposed backside, catching it by surprise and before that raven could react or even utter a single word¡­

    CRACK! CRACK!

    ¡­both dagger¡¯s tips with their potent black glow found a home within the raven¡¯s eyes.

    "NOOOOOOOO!" Its cries about power and dominance ended with a dreadful splatter that was both terrifying, and truly awe-inspiring to those who witnessed it.

    Their opponent stood no chance.

    Their combined attack had silenced the Calamity.

    As the flames across the magnificent raven¡¯s body slowly flickered before finally vanishing with a sad little echo, both scorpion brothers could only gasp in relief.

    ¡°We did it! We did it, Brother!"

    ¡°42 Merit points! So much!¡±

    "HAHAHA! I told you we were unstoppable together!" Pincer puffed his chest with pride. "Now then, let¡¯s divide the points."

    "We promised to split the points equally," Clamper was annoyed. He watched as those radiant numbers above his brother''s head increased - 126 points! - while his own remained at 122. It wasn''t simply the injustice of those 4 points that had him fuming. No.

    It was that arrogance, that smugness, the blatant disregard for the oath they''d sworn to uphold as twins. He¡¯d thought their brotherhood was more potent than points.

    Pincer scoffed, ¡°You call that equal? Brother. It was my strike that finished that Raven! Your daggers barely scratched its pathetic wings. You simply distracted it, and that''s all.

    Besides, someone has to be the leader, right? And as we both know, I¡¯m bigger. Stronger. And my techniques¡­¡± He slashed his dagger menacingly, causing the air itself to crackle with dark energy. "Well, they are far more refined. So be grateful, Clamper, for those 122 points. And next time, don¡¯t whine like a hatchling! It¡¯s truly pathetic.¡±

    ¡°You¡­ you¡­!" Clamper was speechless. His brother¡¯s audacity was truly galling. How dare he break their pact so easily. He wanted to retaliate, to challenge Pincer, but he decided on a wiser approach.

    ¡°Hmph! You just WAIT! Pincer, one day, I''ll claim ALL of your points! You''ll be begging for mercy at my claws."

    He then scurried off in a huff. This humiliation. Clamper wouldn¡¯t forget it, not today, not ever.

    His brother, however, was unfazed.

    ¡°Oh, really? You¡¯ll have to train a thousand more years to achieve that feat. Now then¡­¡± He dismissed his brother¡¯s complaints with a wave and then happily surveyed his surroundings.

    This was his day! He would claim more!

    ¡°Those trees ahead look perfect for ambushing. Hmmm, if my memory serves me right, wasn¡¯t there a herd of Musk Oxen in that area? They¡¯re slow. Clumsy. And their Solar Essences are quite potent, so their points must also be high. It¡¯s time for a feast! Yes. A feast for Pincer, hahaha!¡±

    As he was about to dash into that forest, a strange, prickling sensation hit him. It was subtle, barely there, but undeniable.

    ¡°This¡­ What is it¡­?¡± Pincer paused mid-step. His instincts were screaming at him. Danger was lurking nearby.

    "Brother? Do you¡­ sense it?¡± Clamper who¡¯d been sulking in the shadows behind Pincer, also sensed this unnerving aura, it was like a chilling breeze against their backs.

    "Yes, I do¡­" Pincer narrowed his eyes and scanned the area. ¡°Someone is watching us.¡±

    He couldn''t pinpoint the source. There was no scent, no sound, only an overwhelming premonition of something hiding in the shadows.

    "Show YOURSELF!¡± His eyes darted from tree to tree, a bold yet reckless thought consumed him. ¡°Or perhaps, you¡¯d like to taste my blade?!¡±

    And in a flash, he acted.

    WHOOSH!

    With a speed honed through millennia of battles, Pincer flung one of his black daggers towards the trees.

    CRACK!

    The sound of metal piercing flesh followed by a pained gasp had both scorpions crawling to the point of impact.

    A Shadow Bat with a shattered wing lay there.

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    "Huh, is that a¡­ Shadow Bat?" Clamper said, puzzled. This wasn¡¯t simply an encounter with a scout who¡¯d dared get too close, there was something off.

    ¡°Hmph, trying to sneak up on us. Serve him right, brother.¡± Pincer was pleased with his swift reaction. "Such a pitiful creature actually take part in this trial? Hahaha!¡±

    ¡°Brother what¡¯s that?¡±

    Darkness suddenly exploded outwards. The ground beneath their feet crackled, then a massive, gaping Black Pool expanded from the spot where the bat had vanished moments before.

    And then a terrifying surprise shattered their amusement.

    "What the¡­"

    From the swirling black depths, a colossal figure materialized! It was the bull¡ªthe GOLDEN BULL THORK!

    At first, they were stunned by this sudden appearance.

    "This¡­ This isn''t possible?! It was just¡­ a shadow?!" Clamper was trembling.

    ¡°Could it be¡­? No, it can¡¯t be!" His brother, however, had a different reaction. A terrifying yet thrilling truth that had his blood boiling was taking shape. ¡°This bull possesses some type of ancient spatial warping power. Truly something, but it matters not! His 71 Merit Points¡­! It¡¯s enough! Attack, NOW!¡±

    Fueled by his ambitions and greed, Pincer didn''t hesitate. He darted forward with a shout,

    "DIE!"

    His brother followed with a slightly slower reaction.

    Clamper added his intentions: ¡°Crush him brother! And let us SHARE his points!¡± He licked his daggers as he dashed in a flanking maneuver that they¡¯d perfected.

    Raphael found himself trapped within their ¡®Pincer Attack¡¯.

    It was a technique he hadn''t witnessed before. Blades of dark energy, sharp as a hawk¡¯s talons, erupted from the ground, each perfectly timed with the Scorpion¡¯s movement, forming a deadly maze around him.

    He tried to break free!

    ¡°ELECTRO SPEED!"

    WHOOSH!

    Golden lightning crackled around him as he dodged and weaved between those shadowy blades, but Pincer and Clamper were relentless.

    Their attacks intensified. Each blow, infused with potent Solar Essence, seemed to anticipate his every move, as if they''d fought him countless times, their familiarity with his techniques felt almost terrifying!

    ¡°This is¡­¡±

    Raphael was struggling. He¡¯d hoped to simply overpower them, crush them with brute force but it would appear as if these brothers were more cunning than he''d anticipated. They hadn''t attacked blindly, instead their black claws were probing his defenses with an efficiency that had his monstrous heart pumping a little faster.

    Then as if they¡¯d decided it was time to end this pathetic dance, their assault changed.

    They sheathed their daggers and materialized large, black shields. These shields were crafted from the hardened exoskeletons of their fallen brethren, each engraved with ancient runes and emanating a dark aura.

    ¡°Taste our ancestors¡¯ wrath, BULL!¡± Pincer yelled as he slammed his shield forward.

    Their movements, mirroring each other, formed a pincer! They were compressing him, hoping to crush his bones. Such brutal tactics, but who was he to judge.

    ¡°HRAAA!¡± Raphael roared, desperately trying to push back. He unleashed a radial burst of lightning, hoping to stagger his attackers.

    CRACKLE! BOOM!

    The energy wave struck their shields, and for a moment, it seemed as if his attack would work! The shields crackled and shuddered, but Pincer and Clamper held firm, their eyes narrowed with that dark determination that had him flinching.

    They were too strong!

    "Damn it!"

    Raphael watched as they pressed in closer with their shields inches from crushing him!

    He had to act!

    "NIGHTCRAWLER!"

    In an instant, his golden form dissolved into shadows. The scorpions slammed their shields together.

    CLANG!

    They met with a bone-jarring impact, their own momentum sent them staggering backward!

    ¡°Where did he¡­?¡±

    Pincer glanced around. He couldn''t comprehend. His opponent''s movements defied his logic, but then¡­

    From behind him, a menacing cold aura materialized as a voice whispered, ¡°Right HERE, Scorpion¡­¡±

    ¡°WHOA!¡±

    Before he could even react.

    BOOM!

    A golden hoof slammed into Pincer with the full force of a Calamity¡¯s might!

    He was thrown into a nearby pillar. His exoskeleton shattered! He landed in a crumpled heap. His proud black exoskeleton he¡¯d so diligently polished were now covered in snow and blood.

    ¡°Pincer!¡± Clamper screamed.

    He''d witnessed his brother''s humiliation. He discarded his shield, his bloodlust now outweighing any rational thought. With a furious shriek he charged at Raphael!

    ¡°YOU DARE!?¡±

    He swung his dagger in a brutal downward arc, aiming to cleave the bull in two!

    However, Raphael¡¯s reaction was swift. He didn''t even have to turn to face his attacker. He simply¡­ shifted his weight.

    ¡°MOVE IT!¡±

    WHOOSH!

    Pincer¡¯s limp form, caught between a blade and a hoof was then tossed towards Clamper who had his pupils dilating with horror. He couldn¡¯t pull back his attack.

    STAB!

    ¡°ARGH! You! YOU¡­! Idiot!¡±

    Pincer¡¯s scream of agony reverberated through the frozen woods. He coughed out a mouthful of blood.

    ¡°Why¡­ why did you attack ME?!¡±

    ¡°Sorry! Brother! I¡­ It was an accident. I wasn''t¡­¡±

    Clamper tried to defend his actions, but it faded in an instant as another hoof manifested above him.  This sight had him pissing himself from dread, he couldn¡¯t hold back.

    BOOM!

    "GOLD PRESS!"

    Raphael didn''t hesitate.

    Clamper was flattened!

    His entire body was pressed against the ice with a sickening crunch. He coughed out a few lengths of his intestines.

    His vision blurred. His delicate antennae were the first to shatter into fragments before the rest of his being began to resemble a colorful painting. He wanted to scream. He wanted to beg for his life, but his jaw wouldn¡¯t move!

    ¡°I¡­ yield¡­ YIELD! MERCY!¡±

    His final word was a whisper. A whimper of regret.

    This time, however, the Golden Bull Thork didn¡¯t take a bite out of his prize, neither did those hooves crush the scorpion into oblivion.

    He just stood there, radiating might.

    ¡°Hmph, puny creatures¡­¡±

    Raphael was savoring the moment. The sheer terror emanating from them. It had his monstrous heart throbbing. This power, it was intoxicating, yet something else he couldn¡¯t define, was also bubbling to the surface.

    It was guilt.

    He dismissed this instantly.

    Raphael turned his attention toward their point totals, the delicious prize he had won through cunning and brute force. The lights above their mangled forms were truly magnificent.

    ¡°Yes! Those points! My reward!¡±

    Raphael stretched out his golden hooves, ready to claim those points as his when¡­

    "I YIELD! Please¡­ spare¡­ me! W-we¡­ beg for your mercy! We¡¯ll give you all our points. EVERYTHING! JUST don¡¯t eliminate us!¡±

    Raphael paused. He¡¯d heard those pleas before, but not from a proud warrior such as these. This wasn¡¯t arrogance anymore. This was desperation.

    ¡°Hmm, such pathetic insects, begging for their life, how truly amusing.¡±

    "Brother, your humiliation is truly inspiring! But pleassssse! BULL, spare us!¡±

    Their whimpers fueled his arrogance, ¡°You dare ask this of me, after trying to skewer my intestines? You have no honor! No pride!¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll serve you! ANYTHING! Just tell us what to do!¡±

    ¡°Be your¡­ slave even! Please!¡±

    Raphael was intrigued now. ¡®These scorpions¡­ what if¡­?¡¯ He thought deeply. Those earlier battles, his Generals struggles, the injuries they¡¯d sustained. The pain he''d felt from replenishing their energies.

    It all came flashing back to his blood-soaked gaze.

    A plan was forming.

    "Hmm¡­¡±

    He then decided on a gamble, an opportunity presented by their cowardice.

    ¡°Very well. I¡¯ll spare your lives. This time, but¡­¡± He lowered his massive head menacingly. "Should you betray me¡­¡±

    The threat didn''t need further elaboration.

    ¡°WE UNDERSTAND! We won''t! I promise! I promise! We¡¯ll be good!¡±

    ¡°Transfer your points to ME, NOW!¡±

    A hazy white light shot from their forms, they converged before Raphael¡¯s horns. And within seconds, his total points increased to 319.

    He was now in the top 1000! This made him smile.

    ¡°Now, GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!¡±

    He watched as they slowly picked themselves up. Their black shells were marred and cracked. Their bodies were trembling, and their eyes had a dazed look as they limped away.

    ¡°Hmph, such fragile fools! To think they could ever challenge ME!¡± He basked in his victory, for truly weren¡¯t those who crawled before him simply fodder for his grand ambitions.

    He was now counting his points when he heard a sound behind him. It was a skittering that seemed familiar. He quickly turned and saw the two scorpions.

    "What the hell do you want?!" Raphael glared down at them with an anger that had those claws retracting with a speed even he couldn¡¯t comprehend. ¡°I said PISS OFF didn''t I?"

    "F-forgive¡­ our impudence, mighty bull, but¡­¡±

    ¡°We have a proposition that we¡­ we believe will benefit us all. You see¡­ We are strong. The skills we possess are unique and the scorpion venom we have is capable of weakening even the strongest Calamities. We have a partnership with a¡­ a very potent healer. He would be glad to join your team, if¡­¡±

    Clamper was about to finish his statement when his brother cut in with their true motive.

    ¡°We would be honored to hunt alongside you. Even those insects that fly and those who burrow, they all FEAR us! We are the BLACK ROCK SCORPIONS! And with you by our side, their POINTS will be ours to command!¡±

    His voice held such a strange charisma that Raphael¡¯s hoof tapped nervously.

    ¡°We''ve observed your battle, and we believe, together we can achieve greatness! There is strength in numbers. Your wings and those shadows they house¡­ surely they are depleting your essence?

    We can be your claws, while you, oh magnificent one. You can be our shield, a truly unbreakable one. And with our combined might, surely those who survive this dreadful trial will tremble at our every step. We will be legends!

    What do you say? Will you accept our proposal? We are called Pincer and Clamper, at your service. And you are¡­?¡±

    "Hmm¡­¡±

    Raphael was truly tempted. He thought of the battle ahead. He¡¯d survived encounters with Nightmare Calamities, but at a cost. His ¡®Shadow Bat Legion¡¯ while efficient against weaker opponents, could easily be decimated by powerful adversaries.

    His current strength and his recently earned techniques¡­ ¡®None of these things guarantee my safety.¡¯

    ¡°What do you say bull? Join our team?¡±

    They¡¯d all been waiting for his verdict. And after a few moments of silence¡­

    ¡°Fine!¡± Raphael¡¯s agreement had the scorpions trembling. It would appear as though he''d accepted their proposal.

    ¡°Excellent! Excellent!¡± Pincer cried joyfully. His claws clicked excitedly.

    "You won''t regret this, mighty bull. WE are the strongest Scorpion duo in all of Yama Yaguai! Our venom is potent. Our tails, swift and deadly! And our knowledge of the Trials is unsurpassed!"

    His brother Clamper added, "We will ensure your victory!"

    ¡°Hmph!¡±

    Raphael was impressed, not so much by their braggadocio, but by their tenacity. To be crushed, to lose all those points, and then return with a proposition that benefited him, this was a move many wouldn¡¯t have conceived of. These scorpions were more cunning than those haughty serpents in Hebikuni.

    Those were thoughts that made him smile now.

    ¡°Don¡¯t get too excited, scorpions! This is just a temporary arrangement. Once we get those passes, our paths diverge. Now then, what are your names again? I¡¯ve been too busy squashing insects to remember."

    ¡°It is an honor to formally introduce ourselves, BULL. I am PINCER, and this is my brother, CLAMPER. And you are¡­?¡±

    "Raphael.¡±

    "Welcome to the team, RAPHAEL!¡±

    They bowed respectfully, before Pincer straightened his form. It was as if he¡¯d just been granted the most prestigious title, a leader amongst equals, and with a gesture that revealed more about his leadership than his words ever could.

    "Now then! Let us depart. There''s a hunting ground nearby. It¡¯s filled with weaklings and their delicious points. Follow us. We''ll ensure you reach the TOP TEN ranks with ease, hahaha!"

    "Lead the way." Raphael followed, but kept his guard up. He¡¯d seen firsthand how easily alliances could shatter; how greed could corrupt even those whose moral had been forged in a crucible.

    It would appear as though fate¡¯s play had taken an interesting turn. Their shared ambition for greatness would be one he wouldn¡¯t soon forget.

 Chapter 92 - Bull Mountain Demon

    The icy wind whipped across Raphael''s golden hide as he stood at the edge of a precipice. Below, a chaotic scene unfolded. Creatures clashed in a frenzy of claws, fangs, and elemental energies. It was a brutal battle of survival.

    "Such a magnificent view, Bull. Those below are ripe for the taking. Their points beckon us!¡± Pincer¡¯s black claws were tapping impatiently against the frozen earth.

    His brother, Clamper, came closer with his tail twitching with anticipation. ¡°A simple ''Gold Press'' and those pathetic weaklings will be begging for mercy. It¡¯ll be a piece of cake for a mighty bull like you. And those points? They¡¯ll be ours to share.¡±

    Raphael blushed, their flattery was amusing. He could sense their greed, but wasn¡¯t this his true nature as well? He then puffed out his chest and assumed a more domineering stance. "Hmph! You two go ahead and soften them up. I''ll join you shortly.¡±

    He wanted to observe them, to test their loyalty.

    ¡°But¡­¡±

    ¡°We''ll be overwhelmed!¡±

    Their protest didn¡¯t sway his resolve. ¡°I¡¯m testing your strength. Show me what you''ve got, scorpions. And remember, no backstabbing or your shells will be my next meal.¡± He glared menacingly.

    They shivered and didn¡¯t need further encouragement. With a synchronized nod, Pincer and Clamper rushed towards the edge and plunged into the ravine below.

    ¡­

    At the bottom of the ravine, a chaotic battle raged. Trees were being uprooted, ice shards flew about, and a mixture of growls and roars resonated. It was a feast for those whose bellies craved chaos, and those souls that were watching on from the screens outside were cheering with delight.

    ¡°Such a magnificent clash of might!¡±

    "That Panda Bear with Angel Wings! She¡¯s truly a terrifying beast!"

    ¡°Look at that rhino go, charging so valiantly, but his horns are no match for that monstrous tail strike!¡±

    The creature in question was a large female panda with short white wings, she stood triumphantly over a tiny rhino that lay groaning on the ground. She was massive, with thick, black fur and a pair of horns that curved backward.

    ¡°HAHAHAHA! Your pathetic horn charge is useless against my Jade Star Tail, little runt! Your points¡­ they¡¯re mine now, hahaha!¡±

    She raised a hand, ready to claim her prize. But as her claws were mere centimeters from touching the rhino''s fading form¡­

    WHOOSH!

    ¡°Behind you, fat ass!¡±

    "DIE!¡±

    A flurry of black had those who were cheering, now screaming.

    The two scorpion brothers attacked! They¡¯d been watching, waiting for an opportunity and now it was theirs!

    Pincer slammed his shield into her flank, sending the panda creature stumbling!

    Clamper was even faster! He launched himself onto her back, digging his razor-sharp claws into her flesh!

    ¡°ARGH! You bastards! How dare you?!¡±

    She was furious and lashed her tail, trying to dislodge Clamper who was dodging the emerald glows. The tail¡¯s tip, however, connected with Pincer who was flung away with a groan.

    He was breathless, his shell felt like it had been crushed. ¡°She¡¯s strong! Truly strong!¡±

    Clamper¡¯s claws had found their mark and were now tearing into her flesh. Blood, thick and black, oozed from her wounds.

    ¡°You¡¯re a disgrace! You attack from behind?! Cowards! I shall teach you a lesson you won''t soon forget!¡±

    The panda was enraged. She reared back and unleashed a sonic blast from her gaping jaws!

    WHOOSH!

    "Panda''s Fury!"

    The shockwave sent the brothers tumbling backward as Clamper yelled, ¡°Damn, her voice is potent!¡±

    Pincer, however, had recovered. ¡°Brother, finish her OFF!¡± He launched his shield at the panda. The impact momentarily staggered her.

    "Now, Clamper!¡±

    They attacked simultaneously! Pincer with his daggers and Clamper with his scorpion sting.

    They were about to deliver the final blow!

    Then¡­

    BOOM!

    The ground shuddered! A deafening tremor shook the clearing and sent shockwaves radiating outwards.

    "What the hell¡­?"

    "Where is that energy coming from?!"

    A massive golden hoof materialized out of thin air and crushed the panda.

    "ARGHH! NOOOO!" The creature beneath was flattened. Its screams were instantly silenced, then it exploded into a mist of light and vanished.

    The scorpion brothers looked up with jaws agape.

    ¡°Holy¡­"

    "It¡¯s¡­ It¡¯s¡­¡±

    "The Bull?"

    Raphael towered above them. The expression on his face was a sinister smile that had their hearts pounding in their chest cavity. He¡¯d watched their fight from afar. And at the opportune moment¡­

    He struck!

    Without a word, Raphael bent down and the points from their vanquished enemy was absorbed.

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    And above his head, 402 points were now evident for those who were watching to see.

    "He¡¯s¡­"

    "He took ALL the points! Such greed¡­"

    Pincer and Clamper felt a tinge of betrayal. They¡¯d fought so hard and this damned bull simply appeared and stole their prize! They¡¯d have to voice a complaint.

    ¡°You promised to SHARE, bull!¡± Pincer shrieked angrily.

    ¡°This isn''t fair! We had a deal!¡± Clamper added with a whimper.

    Their protest was met with a bored snort. ¡°Hmph! This is compensation for your earlier ambush. Besides, it¡¯s far easier this way, isn''t it?¡±

    ¡°Easier?¡±

    "What does that mean?¡±

    They were puzzled, but as if their questions didn¡¯t warrant an actual response, he continued, ¡°From now on, WE hunt TOGETHER. I¡¯ll share a few points. But I¡¯ll still be keeping the majority. You¡¯ll get stronger. That¡¯s what truly matters. And if anyone dares to question our methods¡­¡±

    He then glanced towards a distant battle, a fiery one that was shaking the very foundations of the trial realm.

    ¡°We¡¯ll simply squash them, won¡¯t we?¡±

    "But¡­"

    ¡°That''s too¡­"

    ¡°Keep up.¡±

    Raphael dashed off towards that fiery clash with his hooves kicking up plumes of snow and ice as his monstrous figure left behind a path of destruction. It was as if he were carving a path towards his destiny.

    And with a mixture of reluctance and fear, those scorpions followed.

    ¡°Wait for us!¡±

    ¡­

    Hours later.

    ¡°Hah! You thought your pitiful hide could withstand my venom, you pathetic worm!¡±

    Pincer slammed his shield into a fleeing, crimson centipede, sending it sprawling onto the frost-covered ground. It twitched, then vanished into particles of light. Another soul devoured by the trials.

    ¡°Excellent work, brother! We¡¯ve earned back everything we lost, and more!¡± Clamper counted the points hovering above his head. His claws clicked excitedly as those numbers flickered. They were now at 134 points.

    ¡°And all thanks to that bull!" Pincer looked at Raphael with a slight frown.

    Raphael yanked off the wings of a bird and smashed its face before stealing its points.

    For the past few hours, they had been hunting. Raphael, alongside Pincer and Clamper had rampaged through the icy landscape with an efficiency that had many of the less skilled competitors trembling. They were a force to be reckoned with.

    "You were right, Pincer! This alliance is a good thing! Who knew hunting together could be so rewarding?¡± Clamper was giddy. ¡°This bull is a beast, a true Calamity. With his ¡®Gold Press¡¯ and our cunning tactics, we can easily defeat anyone. Even an Emperor Calamity wouldn¡¯t stand a chance!¡±

    "Indeed! Indeed!" Pincer agreed, his claws clicked again in delight as he observed their latest vanquished victim who was a furry creature with a beak and wings.

    This pigeon-like creature glared at them before gasping, "You''re all¡­ poisonous. So cruel!¡±

    ¡°That, my feathery friend, is our nature! Embrace it or¡­ well, you¡¯ve already chosen the other option.¡± Pincer laughed sinisterly as he brought down a claw and severed the creature¡¯s head with a swift strike. It dissolved into particles before he could finish its pathetic pleas.

    "Now then, it''s time to choose our next prey.¡± Pincer rubbed his claws together.

    But before he could even finish his declaration.

    BOOM!

    A terrifying tremor shook the earth, causing the ground beneath their feet to crack. It resonated throughout the trial realm.

    "What was that?!" Raphael¡¯s monstrous form staggered slightly.

    "Impossible! What could have triggered such a powerful tremor?!¡± Clamper hissed frantically as he clung to a nearby boulder.

    Pincer, ever the pragmatist, quickly checked their surroundings. He looked at the timer, which still had two days remaining. "The race¡­ It''s not over! And this isn¡¯t Qi Hawk''s doing either, so¡­ WHAT THE HELL?!¡±

    As their voices of shock and concern echoed throughout the frozen landscape, a spectacle unfolded before them that stole their breath away and would haunt them for a long, long time.

    From the ground, massive chunks of earth and ice began to rise. Those slabs of rock and roots, some larger than Raphael himself were moving in one direction!

    "The earth! It¡¯s levitating on its own!¡±

    They weren¡¯t the only ones who¡¯d noticed this anomaly. A collective gasp had other birds flying higher and those who¡¯d been locked in duels scrambling to safer grounds.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen anything like it!"

    "What¡¯s happening?"

    "Is¡­ Is the world falling apart?!"

    Their bewilderment and fear were valid. The skies above rippled with a cacophony of shrieks, roars, and horrified whispers, for it seemed a Calamity of unimaginable might was stirring, and its rage had even the very elements themselves trembling.

    Raphael watched as a nearby frozen river began to bubble, then it erupted in a geyser of steaming, boiling water. He turned towards the scorpion brothers whose claws were now digging frantically into the frozen earth.

    They looked back at him, ¡°BULL, what do we do?"

    "Follow me!" He didn¡¯t need to explain. The curiosity that had fueled him was now a fire, and following those uprooted slabs seemed as good a way to appease that yearning as any.

    He galloped forward. The other creatures were doing the same thing; flying and galloping. Almost every contestant in this race were attracted to this mass level of destruction.

    ¡­

    "Damn! Those fires!"

    An hour later¡­

    Raphael stood at the edge of a massive precipice, overlooking a vast, molten lake below. His nostrils flared. The stench of sulfur and ash were overpowering. It was a scene of fiery destruction.

    A river of liquid fire stretched across the horizon as far as he could see, dividing the frozen landscape in two!

    And from this molten flow, hundreds upon hundreds of fiery pillars erupted. They stretched to the very sky. Together, these pillars released a energies which created a widespread energy wall where no one could pass through.

    ¡°Those energies, they¡¯re similar to¡­ Fire Pool essences, but more menacing. I¡¯ve never encountered anything like it before, could this be a natural phenomenon?¡±

    ¡°Fire Pool? But that¡¯s impossible!¡± Pincer hissed.

    His brother Clamper agreed, "We¡¯re inside a Marble World! It¡¯s IMPOSSIBLE for a Fire Pool to erupt here, unless¡­ unless¡­ this is all Qi Hawk¡¯s doing? But why would he do this?¡±

    Their questions were abruptly silenced as a horrifying realization dawned.

    Across the blazing expanse, hundreds of creatures were trapped. They lay motionless upon the molten rocks. A few were struggling to rise, their forms were shrinking, as if dissolving into those very embers they were drowning in.

    "They¡¯re¡­fading?"

    ¡°Who could be responsible for such brutality.¡± As soon as Raphael said this, they heard it. A booming laughter that sent tremors through the very air itself.

    ¡°MUWAHAHAHA! BOW before true POWER, you pathetic weaklings! This is MY domain now! My Artificial Fire Pool will be your DOOM!"

    Raphael¡¯s gaze locked onto the levitating earth chunks. They were converging toward a massive, floating mountain structure nearby, amplifying its grandeur and potency with each impact.

    ¡°That is¡­¡±

    The mountain structure itself was already terrifying with its jagged peaks. But what truly shocked them was the creature it housed. It was growing out of it, as if nature itself had chosen this entity to be its champion.

    Two massive arms, crafted from black rock with an infernal glow, stretched towards the heavens. Lava dripped from their fingertips!

    The creature''s chest was colossal, its span was as large as a hundred trees! And its head¡­

    ¡°That face¡­¡±

    It was adorned with blazing horns as large as Raphael himself. A giant nose-ring adorned the creature¡¯s snout, which was blasting plumes of steam that could easily incinerate a lesser creature in a heartbeat. This was an imposing visage, and they were all frightened.

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ IT''S¡­¡±

    Pincer and Clamper couldn¡¯t contain their shock as their claws clicked nervously. ¡°That¡¯s the Bull Mountain Demon - GASTAROID!¡±

    Other surrounding creatures who had paused hunting for points also starts commenting.

    "Gastaroid?! But why is he here?!¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s that damn freak of nature doing in the Black Wind Selection Trials?"

    "If he''s here¡­ we''re all DOOMED! That demon won''t allow anyone to reach the finish line!"

    And they were right. Those pillars formed an impregnable wall. It blocked all paths to the finish line. They were trapped!

    ¡°Impossible! I can¡¯t get through! It¡¯s everywhere!¡± A mole-man burst from the earth beside Raphael. He was coughing, his fur was singed. He looked close to death.

    ¡°I¡¯ve tried to burrow through the earth but¡­ It¡¯s useless! Those flames! They¡¯re even present underground! There¡¯s no way to get past them! I¡¯m doomed!¡±

    His pronouncements were confirmed as a panicked bird came flying down.

    ¡°It¡¯s no use! I¡¯ve tried to fly over, but¡­ I can¡¯t! There''s an blazing energy wall above those pillars. The heat is too intense! Not even teleportation seems to work.¡±

    "Hmm, not even teleportation. Seriously? That mountain thing can actually blocked this many participants?"

    Raphael watched as Gastaroid continued absorbing those chunks of levitating earth, they¡¯d now formed a massive arm that slammed downwards with a thunderous boom that shook the very foundations of the ¡®Marble World.¡¯

    ¡°Because it¡¯s GASTAROID!¡± Pincer screamed.

    ¡°We are trapped within a SMALL ¡®Marble World¡¯! This trial realm was hastily constructed, and as such the demon could manipulate its limitations! It¡¯s a prison! And we are his prey!¡± Clamper¡¯s words were laced with dread.

    "So this is it¡­? Is there really no way around?¡±

    "MUHAHAHAHAHA! There''s NOWHERE to RUN, insects! You are ALL DOOMED!"

    Gastaroid¡¯s demonic laughter reverberated across the ravaged land. Not only was he an impenetrable fortress, but he was also the claimer of their points.

 Chapter 93 - Emperor Julian Ringtail

    A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. The spectators¡¯ attention was glued to the massive holographic screens that showcased the carnage unfolding within the Selection Trial''s Marble World.

    ¡°That fire! It¡¯s EVERYWHERE!¡±

    ¡°Poor little rabbit. I really thought she had a chance.¡±

    ¡°Those scorpions!¡±

    "And that damned Gastaroid!¡±

    Thienika watched with a growing concern as a familiar fiery energy appeared across one of those screens. Those molten pillars and that river of lava¡­

    ¡°He''s powerful indeed.¡± She couldn''t help but express her admiration, but beneath her awe was a dreadful knowing. This wasn¡¯t simply a Calamity, no. This was destruction, and she feared what would become of her young bull companion whose loyalty mirrored the purest of gems she¡¯d seen.

    Beside her, Lu Jade felt his scales turn pale. "That mountain is preventing everyone from reaching the finish line. What¡¯s that thing¡¯s deal?!" His tiny emerald eyes darted frantically across those glowing screens, ¡°I wonder¡­ will Big Brother be okay?"

    His question was met with silence. Thienika had no answers, for even she, whose roots had tasted the nutrients of countless trials, could only offer a sliver of hope. "Your brother is strong, Little Lu, he''ll find a way."

    ¡­

    "This is outrageous!" Elder Feng Huo slammed his talons against the platform. His magnificent white feathers were ruffled as those eyes of his glared with outrage.

    "Why is Gastaroid there?! Such blatant disregard for the Selection Trial''s rules!¡±

    His companion, Elder Lei Lang nodded with a grim expression. ¡°This is unacceptable, Emperor Qi Hawk. This Selection Trial cannot go on like this, otherwise, there will be NO ONE left to represent Black Wind, aside from that blasted Bull Mountain Demon! We must intervene, immediately!¡±

    They both turned towards their emperor, whose single milky white eye was fixated on the screen showcasing Gastaroid¡¯s rampage.

    "Hmm?" Qi Hawk finally acknowledged their presence with a bored glance. ¡°Gastaroid is indeed strong. I can sense the shell of my Marble World fracturing from his potent Solar Essence. A Peak Nightmare Calamity. Hmm, impressive.¡±

    Those words, spoken so casually as if this entire event was nothing but a play for his amusement, baffled them both.

    Were their ears deceiving them?

    "But your Majesty! We suggest you¡­" Just as they were about to suggest a course of action, a familiar sound came crashing through the distant sky.

    ¡°Boboboboho! Boboboboho! Kyah-kyah-kyah!¡±

    Turning and looking in the distance, they saw a figure dashing across small clumps of clouds below its feet while singing cheerily and acting jovial.

    ¡°Is that¡­?¡±

    ¡°WHOA!¡±

    Within an instant, before the elders could speak, that figure crossed hundreds of meters and appeared right beside Qi hawk¡¯s throne. This figure even had its elbow resting on Qi Hawk¡¯s shoulder!

    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

    ¡°Such boldness. Who is he?¡±

    He was a lemur. But unlike any they¡¯d ever seen before. His brownish-white fur had streaks of black lightning. A long, black-and-white ringed tail trailed behind him, and it swished carelessly in Qi Hawk¡¯s face as if the being he was touching wasn¡¯t an Emperor. His mischievous golden eyes glanced around the stunned gathering.

    In one hand, he held a massive wooden staff, and upon it, six wine gourds of varying sizes were attached. These gourds crafted from jade, amber and even bone, radiated with a potent, intoxicating aroma that could make even the most disciplined monk crave a sip.

    He was taking a big gulp from one that was golden, then smacked his lips with a loud ¡°Ahhh!¡± before he spoke with that same casual, carefree demeanor.

    "Hawk! My friend, I hope those snacks I sent earlier weren''t too sour. You¡¯ve gotten fatter, I see, hahaha! Perhaps those rumors about your nightly escapades with those maidens in the ¡®Harem of a Thousand Desires¡¯ weren''t exaggerated? Truly impressive! Boboboboho!"

    His jovial laughter shattered the stunned silence.

    "Emperor Julian Ringtail!" Both elders shrieked in unison. They bowed their heads in respect.

    The crowd also gasped.

    "The Wanton Playboy! Emperor Julian is here!"

    "I¡¯ve heard tales about his adventures in the human realms¡­"

    "Truly a magnificent beast!"

    A chilling silence then settled upon the venue. The festive mood evaporated. A tense anticipation hung heavy. They all knew, those gathered there, who this being truly was¡­

    Emperor Julian Ringtail, a legend of Yama Yaguai!

    Not only was he an Emperor Calamity, but he was also infamous for his exploits in both the beast and human realms, a master of deception, transformation, and truly, a being who¡¯d unleashed chaotic consequences upon those who offended him.

    Their fears weren¡¯t unfounded, for this lemur was the sole reason why Dinosaurs were almost extinct.

    The tale was whispered across those territories:

    A few millennia ago, a young, arrogant dinosaur prince, while frolicking near the peak of a majestic mountain, had a sudden urge to relieve himself. The results of his poor bowels control angered the mountain¡¯s protector, for that peak was a sacred space.

    Emperor Julian, who was meditating within a secret chamber near that peak¡¯s heart, felt something land on his most sacred herb garden, his ¡®Patch of Eternal Youth¡¯ with a chilling splat.

    He was furious!

    ¡°Boboboboho! Such disrespect! Such arrogance!¡±

    He¡¯d burst forth, transformed into a colossal white ape with fangs the size of small trees and promptly decimated that prince¡¯s entourage before turning his rage upon the prince.

    ¡°You¡­ dare¡­ shit¡­ ON MY MOUNTAIN?!¡±

    He then grabbed that prince and beat the poor thing against every boulder within a hundred-mile radius. He then devoured it whole.

    But it wasn''t simply vengeance he¡¯d unleashed!

    No, this Emperor wasn¡¯t done.

    He then transformed into a magnificent phoenix. Its flames, blue, purple and orange, blazed with the fury of a thousand suns! And those flames¡­ they spread across that entire Dinosaur territory.

    ¡°You will ALL pay for THIS transgression!¡±

    It took months for the flames to subside, and by then, the formerly majestic land of towering trees, ferns, and those ancient lizards was nothing but charred ruins.

    Few of the dinosaurs escaped.

    And those survivors were now forced to live in fear, hiding in remote corners of Yama Yaguai, forever haunted by the memory of the ''Wanton Playboy''s¡¯ wrath.

    "Hmph, that monkey.¡± Elder Feng Huo mumbled, his gaze fixed on Julian¡¯s casual swagger.

    "Why is he HERE?¡±

    Those were questions they wouldn''t dare to ask, not openly, because there was bad blood between their Emperor and this lemur, a truth that even those whispering spectators acknowledged with a chill.

    It all boiled down to a scandal that was both whispered with reverence and fear, for Julian Ringtail, it was said, had a weakness.

    He loved beautiful things!

    And in Yama Yaguai, none were as beautiful, as elegant, nor as skilled as their Emperor Qi Hawk¡¯s daughters.

    It was rumored, that many millennia ago¡­

    Emperor Julian had¡­

    Slept with Qi Hawk¡¯s beloved daughter ¨C Qi Wella.

    She was a majestic creature, with silver and gold feathers that commanded the sunlight.

    He¡¯d transformed into a peacock, those legends said, and wooed her with a grand dance of a thousand colors. Their coupling, it had lasted for days.

    Until¡­

    Qi Hawk found out.

    His rage, they said, was truly terrifying. He¡¯d confronted Julian, and they fought a duel that shook the very heavens, and as a final punishment to this wanton playboy, he stole Julian¡¯s favorite gourd, the one that contained the rarest wines brewed from celestial dews and dragon¡¯s tears. It was a prize Julian treasured above all else.

    And as Julian sat beside Qi Hawk, with a carefree smile, sipping wine and watching those unfolding events.

    "Hmm¡­ Hawk¡­ your daughter, she was quite a handful! Truly magnificent!¡± He winked slyly.

    Those words sent a chill through Qi Fenwei. Those rumors¡­ They were true!

    ¡°This is why I prefer to travel alone. Family drama is simply too messy, and those grudges they carry are truly absurd.¡±

 Chapter 94 - The Wanton Lemur

    ¡°Gulp, gulp, gulp¡­¡±

    The silence within the grand venue was as thick as the tension it housed. Emperor Julian Ringtail, a picture of unrestrained indulgence, tipped his golden wine gourd, draining the last drop.

    ¡°Ahhh, so refreshing." He sighed contentedly, then with a flick of his wrist, tossed the empty gourd onto a nearby cloud. It bounced with a soft ¡®poof¡¯ and settled beside several other discarded gourds.

    He¡¯d emptied five during his short journey to Black Wind.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ I seem to have¡­ run out of wine.¡± He grumbled, then turned those mischievous golden eyes towards Qi Hawk.

    "Brother Hawk, old friend, be a good sport and sponsor me with a few more bottles, hmm? You know I¡¯m a connoisseur of those rare vintages you keep tucked away.¡± He then gave Qi Hawk a wink as his ring tail swayed back and forth playfully.

    "Emperor Julian, you are truly a guest of questionable taste, sir.¡±

    "Indeed! To even¡­"

    Those elders, whose duty was to uphold decorum, felt their blood pressure rise, but they bit back their indignant remarks, for even a whisper could spark a confrontation between these ancient rivals. They understood all too well how swift, how brutal those repercussions could be.

    Within those countless platforms and grand stands where those who¡¯d come to witness this magnificent Selection Trial sat or hovered or even stood. A chilling wave of panic resonated, leaving behind only the sounds of dripping sweat and occasional gulps as their ears twitched nervously.

    They had front-row seats to a potential disaster! A calamity of unimaginable proportions if those emperors decided that today was a good day for bloodshed.

    Thus they dared not speak because just one irritation was enough to lit a fuse and the fight might kill them off before they could even blink!

    ¡°Hmm? Are you ignoring me, Brother Hawk? That¡¯s not nice. We¡¯re brothers, aren¡¯t we?¡±

    Julian¡¯s words were laced with faux hurt that no one believed, especially after witnessing what he¡¯d done to those dinosaurs, but what happened next had even the spectators with the strongest bladders pissing themselves.

    He vanished!

    ¡°Where¡­?¡±

    Then reappeared in a flash of smoke before Qi Fenwei, who stood beside her father''s throne.

    Her feathers ruffled! She took a step back with her eyes wide. ¡°You¡­¡±

    ¡°My, my! Look at you, little Fenwei, you¡¯ve grown so much! Those wings¡­ so magnificent! And those curves¡­¡±

    Julian¡¯s hand reached out to caress her cheek, his fingers lingered a little too long on her jawline before moving downwards towards her chest, those delicate feathers were now inches from being touched. But before his fingers could make contact with her sensitive plumage she recoiled, those feathers on her headpiece were shaking as she backed away with a hiss.

    ¡°Stay away from me, you¡­ you¡­ lecherous monkey!¡±

    ¡°Tsk, tsk, tsk.¡±

    He ignored her protest. ¡°Such fire, such spirit, I like it! You are becoming a plump woman, just like your elder sister. Boboboboho!¡±

    "Qi Wella¡­¡± Her name slipped from his lips, "Those memories¡­ she was truly delicious. We¡­¡±

    ¡°RINGTAIL!¡±

    BOOM!

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    A wave of potent energy erupted from Qi Hawk. It slammed into Julian like a tidal wave, throwing him back several meters! The wind from that blast ruffled Julian¡¯s fur. His tail straightened in surprise. But his playful demeanor remained, even as his staff rattled.

    ¡°Brother Hawk! Why such hostility?!¡±

    "Stay AWAY¡­ from my daughter!" Qi Hawk¡¯s single eye glowed with an intensity that melted the edges of his throne, sending droplets of molten gold dripping onto the jade tiles below with sizzling sounds that were chilling.

    ¡°Ok, ok, I understand, your daughters¡­ well, they are your treasures aren''t they?¡±

    Julian chuckled, seemingly unfazed by Qi Hawk''s outburst. He¡¯d seen this rage before. It was a familiar thing from their tumultuous past. And those who were watching on, the silence, the expressions of sheer terror¡­ it fueled his mirth.

    He was truly a being of chaos.

    But then, he did the unthinkable.

    He hopped!

    He leaped onto the throne and sat beside Qi Hawk, slinging his staff carelessly over his shoulder.

    ¡°So¡­ about those wines?¡± He gave Qi Hawk a cheeky grin. ¡°You know¡­ I can see those bottles tucked away in that milky white orb of yours, Brother Hawk. Just a few sips¡­¡±

    The audience gasped. They stared in disbelief, the sheer audacity! It was as if those two Emperors were a couple.

    ¡°That¡­ monkey¡­"

    ¡°He¡¯s sitting on the throne!¡±

    ¡°Right next to Qi Hawk!¡±

    "He''s going to DIE!"

    The elders were speechless. They wanted to intervene. To draw their swords and cleave that lemur into a thousand pieces. But they knew, deep down¡­

    It was futile!

    They¡¯d be ashes before their blades even left their scabbards. Such was Julian Ringtail¡¯s terrifying power. They could only watch, their hearts pounding, their hands trembling as they removed their hands from their hilts with a dreadful, silent resignation.

    Qi Hawk was seething. This humiliation, this blatant disregard for his authority, it was unforgivable.

    ¡®Tsk, this damn lemur¡­ of all times he could visit, he chose NOW! I should eliminate him right here, right now for this insult before my subjects! Such disrespect! But¡­¡¯

    His thought was interrupted by a more pragmatic one, an unwelcome reminder of Julian¡¯s most potent ability:

    ¡®¡­his ¡®Mimic¡¯ technique! That damned technique can copy up to 80% of its target¡¯s power, and there¡¯s no time limit on its use. The only limiting factor is Solar Essence. My Void Eye is still undergoing evolvement! I can''t afford to let this furball ruin it. Must¡­ control¡­ my feathers! Must¡­ calm down¡­¡±

    He took a deep breath and his right hand unconsciously gripped his armrest with such intensity those gems began cracking.

    Then a revelation struck, it calmed his rage and a sly smirk took its place.

    ¡®This isn''t a coincidence! It¡¯s impossible! This bastard! He¡¯s been observing the Trials! That means¡­¡¯

    ¡°Ringtail.¡± He finally spoke. ¡°Is this¡­ Gastaroid¡¯s rampage¡­ YOUR doing?¡±

    He pointed towards the area below the stage where the eliminated participants would reappear. It was a chaotic scene of bodies piling up, each one more battered than the last.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ Perhaps, maybe?¡± Julian shrugged casually.

    ¡°You¡­ KNOW?!¡± The elders were aghast, but then those dreadful rumors of his past deeds¡­ those stories of how easily this Lemur went from laughter to bloodshed. It had them silencing their inquiries with a terrifying realization. They were dancing with fate.

    ¡°I held my own Selection Trials a few weeks ago, Brother Hawk. But unfortunately for Gastaroid¡­ well, he¡¯d been in seclusion, and missed it. When he awoke, the Trials were over. Those who were deemed worthy, had already been chosen. Such bad luck, for him, I thought.¡±

    Julian chuckled, took another sip of wine before continuing, ¡°Fearing that Gastaroid might lash out, I decided to appease him, you see? I offered him a proposition. I told him that my BROTHER HAWK hasn''t hosted his Selection Trials yet. I even vouched for him, saying you would GLADLY allow him to participate. Covertly, of course.¡±

    He shook his head sadly. ¡°I never expected him to be so bold! I mean¡­ to reveal himself so brazenly and to actually block those native Black Wind participants from reaching the finish line? This isn''t what I promised, Hawk, it truly is not. I am truly, truly heartbroken.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re heartbroken?" Qi Hawk wanted to unleash his Void Eye and blast this furry bastard into oblivion, but he controlled his essence. There were more pressing matters, and this wasn''t his mess to clean up.

    He glanced at the screens, then turned towards Julian. ¡°So, what do you PROPOSE I do about Gastaroid, Ringtail? At this rate, all of my participants will be eliminated. And I¡¯ll have NO ONE to send to the Great Divine Tribulation. Such a humiliation this would be!¡±

    ¡°Hmm, I understand. But let¡¯s simply wait and see, shall we, Hawk? Patience is a virtue, a virtue that will reward us with a thrilling spectacle.¡± Julian winked.

    He then added, ¡°Besides, if none of those pathetic weaklings can get past that fiery wall, then they don¡¯t deserve a spot in the Great Divine Tribulation, do they? Only the strongest should enter that arena, don''t you agree? It¡¯s about quality, not quantity.¡±

    ¡°Hmmm, perhaps you¡¯re right, Ringtail.¡±

    Qi Hawk¡¯s subtle agreement had the elders trembling once more. Their Emperor acknowledging this lemur¡¯s logic?!

    It was truly a day of horrors!

    ¡°Now then, I wonder¡­¡± Julian hopped off the throne. His eyes scanned those flickering screens, searching, ¡°Where is that bull that defeated my friend Yellow Flash¡­? Hmm¡­ Ah, there you are!¡±

    And in a heartbeat, his furry paw pointed, ¡°Look, Hawk, isn¡¯t that your champion?¡±

    Qi Hawk¡¯s gaze followed, his single white eye settled upon a familiar, golden form galloping across a frozen wasteland. ¡°The bull¡­¡±

 Chapter 95 - The Unstoppable Gastaroid

    ¡°He¡¯s insane! Truly, truly insane!¡± Pincer claws clicked nervously against the frozen earth. He clung to a jagged rock as he peered over the precipice, observing the chaotic spectacle below.

    ¡°That damn Gastaroid¡­! He¡¯s not letting anyone pass. What a bully!¡± Clamper added.

    A stray molten boulder whizzed towards them.

    ¡°Move!¡±

    BOOM!

    Raphael didn¡¯t hesitate. He unleashed a blast of golden energy from his horns. The ''Helios Sphere'' struck the boulder and shattered it into a thousand fiery fragments that rained down harmlessly.

    ¡°Such power! But will it be enough?¡± Pincer wondered.

    Raphael ignored him. He was fixated on a number that hovered above Gastaroid''s colossal head.

    ¡°2,367 Merit Points!¡±

    ¡°That many¡­?!¡±

    Pincer and Clamper gasped, but their shock was quickly replaced by a chilling awareness of the carnage that had unfolded. It was littered with countless bodies. Some lay motionless, others were fading away into particles of light.

    Each had ¡®0 points¡¯ displayed above their heads.

    Gastaroid wasn¡¯t simply hovering there, no! He was relishing in this feast of points!

    His massive arms, crafted from molten rock, were pounding the earth, creating fissures that spewed forth jets of searing flames. And those pillars, those dreadful fiery sentinels that guarded his Artificial Fire Pool¡­ well, they were dancing.

    Each time they slammed into a creature, Gastaroid¡¯s count increased!

    ¡°This is bad.¡± Clamper shook his head.

    Gastaroid alone had singlehandedly eliminated over 2,000 opponents from this race and he wasn¡¯t allowing anyone to pass by his barrier.

    ¡°Muwahahaha! Is THAT all you got, weaklings?! It would appear I got MY hopes up for nothing. There are only WEAKLINGS in Black Wind!

    LISTEN UP, you fools! YIELD before my MIGHT and hand over ALL of your POINTS! I will BREEZE through this Selection Trial and earn a spot at the Great Divine Tribulation! However, I won¡¯t allow weaklings like YOU to participate in such a GRAND event. If you can¡¯t even get past ME, what use are you lot participating in the Great Divine Tribulation? DIE!"

    His words were punctuated by a terrifying display of power. He intensified the heat emanating from his ''Artificial Fire Pool'', sending waves of molten energy that crashed against the contestants!

    From those depths of the fiery stream, massive, flaming hands erupted. They swooped out, incinerating a group of unlucky creatures who were desperately trying to climb one of those pillars.

    "Muwahahaha!¡± His laughter was a chilling display of destruction that had even the bravest souls cowering.

    ¡°3,001 points!¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s¡­ He¡¯s already earned THREE THOUSAND POINTS!?¡±

    The scorpions gaped. Such a spectacle!

    Raphael watched as a few desperate creatures below, ignoring Gastaroid''s pronouncements, decided to challenge his fiery wall.

    ¡°We can break it!¡±

    "Unite our strength!"

    They combined their powers. They unleashed their most devastating attacks, but to no avail. It was like throwing pebbles at a mountain. The barrier stood firm.

    ¡°This is unfair!¡± Clamper¡¯s shriek echoed Raphael¡¯s thoughts. ¡°Gastaroid belongs to Kongming Mountain, Emperor Julian''s territory! He shouldn''t be HERE! in Black Wind!¡±

    ¡°Crying won¡¯t help us win!¡± Pincer scolded his brother before adding, ¡°We¡¯ll just wait and see. That bastard doesn¡¯t have infinite Solar Essence. He can''t keep this up for much longer.¡±

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    He looked at Raphael, whose massive golden horns were glowing faintly.

    ¡°We should find a better vantage point. Somewhere relatively safe to observe the situation.¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡± Raphael nodded. ¡°Those fools below are blindly attacking. We should capitalize on this chaos to amass some points, but let¡¯s do it from a safe distance. I don¡¯t want to get cooked today.¡±

    As they walked away, a triumphant grin stretched across Raphael''s muzzle. He was truly enjoying himself. This trial was proving to be more entertaining than he''d anticipated.

    ¡°Hey, bull!¡± Clamper suddenly spoke up, ¡°How come your points are rising when¡­ you¡¯re not¡­ eliminating anyone?¡±

    ¡°Clamper is right, bull! You''ve been with us the WHOLE TIME. Yet somehow¡­ your points are increasing? How is that even possible?"

    Raphael paused. He glanced at those scorpions, their curiosity was almost endearing. He could tell them about his Shadow Bats and how efficient they¡¯d become at harvesting points, but those secrets were his to keep, at least for now.

    "That," he said with a mischievous grin, "is a SECRET!¡±

    And without another word, he galloped off, leaving the scorpion brothers baffled and wondering what advantage this bull Calamity had hidden up his hooves.

    ¡­

    CRACK!

    A colossal ice shard shattered into a million glittering pieces after Raphael''s golden hoof slammed down with dreadful force.

    "I yield!" A whimpering voice cried from beneath.

    "Hmph! Another pathetic soul, offering his points so easily." Pincer claws clicked excitedly as a faint white light shot from their vanquished prey.

    Their points updated:

    Raphael: 517

    Pincer: 193

    Clamper: 189

    ¡°We¡¯ve amassed so much! Just a few more and we¡¯ll be among the top 10.¡±

    "Truly magnificent, this bounty!¡±

    For the past 58 hours, since their alliance, the trio had rampaged through the frozen wastes, crushing, incinerating, and scaring those unfortunate enough to cross their path. Their success was evident, both in their staggering point totals and the dread they instilled in others.

    ¡°Ah, such a sweet aroma. I want more!¡± Clamper licked his mandibles and wiped blood from his brow.

    ¡°Brother, relax! We can take a short break. After all, didn¡¯t we just eliminate seven opponents in a row? My tail stings even hurt a little." Pincer suggested as they settle beneath the shade of a snow-laden tree.

    ¡°Perhaps, but what if those other Calamities have already reached the finish line? That wouldn¡¯t be good for us, would it?¡± Raphael¡¯s words had them thinking.

    ¡°Gastaroid! Has he been defeated? Or did he simply give up on his quest to crush everyone and dash for the finish line?¡±

    Pincer snorted in response. ¡°Impossible. That Bull Mountain Demon is not one to back down from a challenge, especially when his pride is involved. If my memory serves me right, isn¡¯t that idiot fixated on surpassing his current limitations?

    He¡¯s stuck at the peak of the Nightmare Calamity stage, 9th Layer. The only way for him to transcend his limitation,  is to be blessed by the Void Emperor. He won¡¯t let a few pitiful insects stop him! Not now, not ever!

    But if that bastard is still holding the line¡­ then it means no one has made it to the top ten yet! Our opportunities, they are still within reach!"

    ¡°Enough with the guesses and speculations.¡± Raphael was getting impatient. He¡¯d had enough of this endless theorizing.

    He wanted answers!

    "I¡¯m going to check on Gastaroid. You two, coming?" He glared at them expectantly.

    ¡°Wait! Wait for us, bull!"

    "Damn! Such speed!"

    They scrambled after him.

    ¡­

    Sometime later, they arrived to discover a shocking scenery.

    ¡°Muwahahaha!¡±

    ¡°Oh no¡­"

    ¡°He¡¯s¡­ still there?¡±

    The trio stood once more upon that precipice, gazing down at the scene below.

    The Bull Mountain Demon, Gastaroid, was still there. His form was even more colossal, and his power seemed to radiate with an even greater intensity. He was a fiery titan, laughing amidst a sea of molten rock and broken souls as he juggled massive, molten boulders with ease, sending those who dared to approach screaming in terror.

    Above his head, those numbers continued to climb.

    ¡°How is that even possible?¡± Clamper was dumbfounded. He¡¯d never encountered a being with such reserves of Solar Essence.

    Pincer shook his head in awe. ¡°Is this¡­ is this what a peak Nightmare Calamity truly is? Endless energy? Unstoppable might?¡± He shuddered, then his gaze shifted towards Raphael who was gazing intently.

    ¡°Then imagine¡­ an Emperor Calamity.¡± Pincer¡¯s words had a chilling effect on Raphael.

    ¡°An Emperor Calamity?¡± He¡¯d tasted those heights before, those potent energies of the ''Devil Star Fruit''. It had been a fleeting glimpse of absolute power. But it came at a cost.

    ¡°Will I ever reach it again?¡± His  thoughts were shattered by a terrifying bellow.

    "Muwahaha! COME you weaklings! DIE in droves!"

    Gastaroid slammed a molten fist onto the ground.

    BOOM!

    A shockwave rippled outwards. It cracked the earth, scattering fiery debris!

    From those fissures, a torrent of magma erupted.

    Raphael watched with a dreadful fascination as a wave of desperate creatures, exhausted and weary, charged Gastaroid''s barrier.

    "We can''t give up!¡±

    "BREAK IT!"

    But they were like ants attempting to topple a mountain. Their attacks bounced harmlessly against that wall of fire.

    Among them were several powerful Calamities! Some were even at the 5th to 7th Layer of the Nightmare Calamity stage, and yet, despite their combined might, their valiant attempts to break those fiery chains, they couldn''t put a dent in Gastaroid''s defenses. He was truly a monstrous force!

    "This is bad, brother. If those powerful Nightmare Calamities can''t even dent Gastaroid¡¯s barrier¡­ How the hell are WE going to cross the finish line in time?!" Clamper''s fear was a whisper that mirrored Raphael''s anxieties.

    ¡°Time¡­¡± Pincer¡¯s claws clicked anxiously against the rock. He looked up at the holographic timer that hovered menacingly above.

    FOUR HOURS REMAINING!

    The numbers blinked with a dreadful finality. It would appear that time truly was slipping away, and Gastaroid was the only one enjoying this Selection Trial.

    "Muwahahaha! TASTE despair you WEAK SHITS!  That is what I like! All of you INSECTS cower before the mighty BULL MOUNTAIN DEMON!

    For HALF A MILLION YEARS¡­ I¡¯ve been STUCK at the peak layer! The only way for ME to break through now is to be BLESSED by Void Emperor Sindoll! You insects DON¡¯T deserve such a privilege!

    Thus¡­ I¡¯ll have to end you ALL right HERE!"

 Chapter 96 - Shao Jinâ€™s Anger!

    The frozen landscape was littered with bodies whose hopes of reaching the finish line was now nothing but fading whispers.

    Time was ticking away.

    The holographic timer above was a menacing reminder of their dwindling chances. It displayed:

    TWO HOURS REMAINING!

    "We have to act, BULL! NOW!" Pincer''s voice was frantic.

    "This is our last chance!" Clamper added as his claws clicked anxiously.

    "What''s the point of all this effort? We gathered points. We survived! And for what?! To be stopped by a mountain?!" Clamper''s despair was evident.

    Raphael ignored their pleas. He was locked in deep contemplation. His massive golden form emanated a chilling aura that had the scorpions cowering slightly.

    He observed Gastaroid. The potent energies resonating from that monstrous mountain was almost as fearsome as Lu Ignis¡¯s.

    ¡®To face this Bull Mountain Demon head-on¡­ It''s pointless! None here, not even those 7th Layer Calamities, can defeat him. What to do? What to do¡­?¡¯

    He was pacing restlessly. Then an idea took root. It was a gamble.

    ¡®Gastaroid and I¡­ We are both bulls. Perhaps I can coax him into letting us pass. Yes. That¡¯s the only way.¡±

    WHOOSH!

    Raphael decided to give his idea a try. He spread his black wings and took flight. He flew towards Gastaroid, carefully navigating around the flaming debris and searing blasts that erupted randomly from those dangerous flame pillars.

    ¡°Hmm?¡±

    Gastaroid, who was currently demolishing a pack of terrified, fire-breathing weasels, noticed Raphael¡¯s arrival.

    He paused and settled his molten vision on the approaching golden figure with a bored curiosity.

    Those who watched on from the screen outside gasped.

    ¡°Look! It¡¯s the bull! What is he doing?!¡±

    ¡°Is he going to attack?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s¡­ He¡¯s going to DIE!¡±

    They¡¯d all witnessed Gastaroid¡¯s devastating might. Any creature, beast or insect foolish enough to challenge the Bull Mountain Demon¡­ well, they simply ended up as ash.

    And those ashes? They were a nice addition to Gastaroid''s already fearsome appearance.

    ¡°Are you the NEXT challenger who desires to be SQUASHED, bull?¡±

    His voice was a rumbling echo that had Raphael''s hooves trembling. But he stood firm. ¡°No! No! I wouldn''t DARE, mighty Gastaroid!¡± He shook his head vehemently.

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard of your strength. The might of your earth and flame magic. Truly you are an inspiration to those of our bull lineage.¡± He then lowered his massive head as if in awe, and hoped his words would have their desired effects.

    Gastaroid seemed to be listening.

    Seeing this, Raphael pressed onward, ¡°You see, Gastaroid. We are both BULLS! In a way. And we share a desire to conquer. To dominate! Therefore¡­¡±

    He carefully laid out his plan: ¡°Why not allow me and my two companions to pass? Surely, you will secure a spot within the top TEN. Allowing three more to join you wouldn''t be a big deal, would it? Besides we are willing to ASSIST you in the Great Divine Tribulation, should you require our hooves and pincers.¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­?¡± Gastaroid seemed intrigued.

    Those watching on were stunned.

    ¡°He¡­ He¡¯s actually LISTENING?!¡±

    ¡°This bull, he''s CRAZY! He¡¯s trying to NEGOTIATE with Gastaroid!¡±

    ¡°What a brave, or perhaps foolish soul!¡±

    Sensing a glimmer of hope, Raphael pressed his advantage, "You should also consider the repercussions of having EVERYONE else fail, Mighty Gastaroid. Surely, Emperor Qi Hawk wouldn¡¯t simply watch as his entire Selection Trial crumbles before him.

    Allowing a few more to reach the finish line, wouldn¡¯t it appease his mercy? After all, having only ONE participant representing his territory in the Great Divine Tribulation, while others boast of hundreds¡­ that would be a stain on his reputation, don''t you agree?"

    His words had a profound effect. Gastaroid paused, those molten arms that were preparing to crush another ant-like creature stopped mid-motion.

    "Hmm¡­" He stroked his chin thoughtfully.

    Raphael¡¯s well-crafted arguments had swayed the Bull Mountain Demon.

    ¡°That bull! He¡¯s good!¡±

    ¡°He''s right about the points!¡±

    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    "If Gastaroid lets a couple more through¡­ I''ll be first in line! I''ll yield! I''ll do ANYTHING!¡±

    Desperation was palpable as those who¡¯d given up hope now saw an opportunity for escape.

    "Hmm¡­ Five hundred points¡­ You¡¯ve amassed a considerable number of points. Far more than those insects I¡¯ve crushed. And your words¡­ they hold a truth I cannot deny.¡±

    Gastaroid laughed.

    "Muwahahaha! It is true, we are BOTH bulls, in a way. Very well, bull. I¡¯ll allow you and your companions to pass."

    ¡°Really?¡± Raphael, Pincer and Clamper were pleased to hear this.

    ¡°However¡­¡± He paused for dramatic effect before uttering his condition. "There is ONE¡­ condition, bull. BOW before me for 30 seconds, and the path will be opened.¡±

    ¡°Bow?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± Raphael was stunned! It was far simpler than he¡¯d imagined. All he had to do was bow and their journey to the finish line would be guaranteed!

    ¡®I¡¯ve bowed to Tajmani, for my entire human existence! I¡¯ve licked her boot heels. This¡­ this is nothing! I can do this! After all, this is for Grandma Thienika! If I can save her life with a simple BOW! I''ll do it!¡¯

    He glanced back at the scorpion brothers, "What do you say, guys?"

    ¡°Do it, bull! Bow!¡±

    ¡°Those points! And that blessing! They¡¯re worth a little humiliation, right?!¡±

    They were practically begging him. The desperation was clear.

    Raphael, now more determined than ever, lowered himself onto a nearby platform. He stood before Gastaroid, preparing to give him the most spectacular bow.

    ¡­

    Outside the Marble World, on the screens, millions watched with bated breath.

    "Oh no! Big¡­ Big Brother¡­" Lu Jade watched as Raphael readied himself. It was a spectacle he couldn¡¯t fathom.

    ¡°He¡¯s going to bow before that monster?" His scales blazed with anger. It was humiliating! But what could he do?

    Thienika remained expressionless. She sipped her Sunshine Wine, but her ancient heart, it knew.

    And within, she whispered truth for those who couldn¡¯t hear: "Such a difficult path he walks, but his heart, it¡¯s good. This sacrifice, I will not forget."

    ¡°Seems I was wrong about that bull.¡± Qi Hawk clenched his fist in disgust. He¡¯d expected more, a fierce battle. A clash of titans! Not this¡­ this¡­ pathetic display of submission.

    ¡°That bull. I knew he was pathetic.¡± Qi Fenwei scoffed, amused by his eagerness to kneel. She''d hoped for a more entertaining confrontation.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ Boboboboho.¡± As for Julian, he filled his mouth with wine and casually watched the monitors.

    ¡­

    Back within the Trial realm.

    "After this BULL has knelt before me, I will allow SIX more to join him. A gift from my magnanimous heart!¡± Gastaroid¡¯s declaration had the remaining participants rushing towards his barrier with hopeful glee.

    ¡°Pick ME! I¡¯m strong!¡±

    ¡°I can fight! I¡¯ll serve you!¡±

    They were desperate, willing to do anything to secure a spot in the top ten.

    Raphael stood frozen with his hooves rooted to the spot. He was ready to bow, he¡¯d convinced himself of this necessity¡­ But something was happening. Something he couldn¡¯t control.

    He tried to lower his head. His muscles tensed, preparing for the act. But his body refused to obey.

    ¡°What¡­?¡±

    ¡°Why¡­ won''t it move?!!¡±

    He tried again, forcing himself. His hooves slid forward a few inches, his head dipped, but it wouldn''t go lower.

    "BOW! BOW! BOW! Just BOW already! It¡¯s easy. You''ve DONE it MANY times before. PLEASE bow! PLEASE bow!"

    His internal pleas came as a struggle that mirrored those very thoughts he¡¯d buried deep, those times when he was forced to lick boots and endure humiliation from his former master.

    But today?

    It felt different.

    A searing pain shot through him. His horns buzzed! He felt it, his Solar Consciousness cracking! Golden streaks of pure essence swirled wildly, a dreadful premonition, as an ancient, primal resistance surged forth,

    ¡°NO!¡±

    ¡°WHAT the hell¡­?!¡±

    Raphael couldn¡¯t explain. It was as if another entity was wrestling for control! His massive form trembled, he could feel his hooves scraping against the ice in a desperate attempt to brace for a fall. It was then those memories came flooding in.

    He was back in the Bloodthorne palace, serving his cruel mistress.

    ¡°Slave, wipe the dust from my boots.¡± Tajmani¡¯s cold command had him kneeling before her delicate feet. He bowed his head submissively.

    But this time¡­

    Something changed!

    He heard those voice of rage from his former self: ¡°I won¡¯t be your slave anymore!¡±

    And then¡­

    The scene crumbled. He was no longer in that pathetic human body.

    He was a bull! A golden bull of immense power!

    ¡°RAAAAA!¡±

    His roar echoed. It was a roar of defiance! A primal scream that shattered the very foundations of his being.

    Seeing this delay, Gastaroid said, ¡°Why¡­ aren¡¯t you bowing yet, BULL? You''re keeping a lot of people waiting. HURRY up and bow!¡±

    ¡°I''m¡­ trying¡­ to! But¡­¡± Raphael¡¯s words came out as a strangled, rasping growl as he forced himself lower, but those golden cracks across his Solar Consciousness¡­ They intensified.

    He couldn¡¯t ignore the pain. He felt something taking over, replacing his anxieties with a rage that was so ancient, so overwhelming¡­

    Those memories of a bull¡¯s life flashed before his eyes. He was no longer Raphael.

    He was Shao Jin!

    And just as his forehead was inches from touching the ground¡­

    BOOM!

    He snapped!

    ¡°FUCK YOU! I, SHAO JIN, BOW TO NO ONE!¡±

    A blinding, golden light erupted outward from him in a radial blast of pure Solar Essence.

    The shockwave threw the nearby creatures backward!

    "What the¡­?! He¡¯s attacking?¡±

    "He¡¯s¡­ He¡¯s CRAZY!¡±

    "That bull, he just threw away his chance! OUR CHANCE!"

    They stumbled with a mix of disbelief, anger, and fear.

    ¡°That fool! All he had to DO was BOW! And now¡­ because of HIM! We¡¯re all doomed!¡± A frustrated bird-creature with singed feathers cried out, before rushing towards Raphael.

    ¡°KILL that arrogant bastard!¡±

    "He must pay for his defiance!¡±

    They all wanted his blood.

    But Raphael¡¯s rage was now a crescendo. He couldn''t control his monstrous form. Shao Jin¡¯s ancient will had taken over completely, fueling his every action as the golden cracks in his Solar Consciousness grew even larger, encompassing his very being.

    ¡°GOLD PRESS BLIZZARD!¡±

    He didn¡¯t simply stomp the ground, he unleashed a wave of annihilation!

    BOOOOM! CRAAACK!

    Hundreds of golden hooves, radiating with the power of a thousand dying suns, materialized! They rained down!

    ¡°AAAAAAAAA!¡±

    Screams echoed as those unfortunate creatures were crushed instantly beneath that golden onslaught. And while those who survived scrambled back with horrifying yelps of despair, another roar, another attack had their heartbeats matching those hooves¡¯ dreadful thunder.

    ¡°HELIOS STREAM!¡±

    WHOOSH! BOOM!

    A devastating beam of golden energy, twice as large and potent as any he¡¯d unleashed before, erupted from his horns.

    It struck Gastaroid¡¯s massive, molten arm!

    The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the entire Marble World! Gastaroid staggered, a deep, jagged fissure appeared upon his arm. Molten rock dripped like tears as a chilling silence fell across the battlefield.

    ¡°What¡­ he actually wounded Gastaroid?¡±

    The spectators watched in stunned disbelief. It was a spectacle they¡¯d never imagined witnessing!

    ¡°Hmm?¡±

    Gastaroid glanced at his shattered arm and then¡­ he laughed. It was a thunderous laugh that shook the very heavens.

    "Muwahahaha! To actually wound ME?! You DO have some capabilities, bull! It seems you''ve tasted the WILDNESS of an Emperor Calamity.

    AHAHAHAHA! Perhaps¡­ if I ABSORB your Solar Essence¡­ I''ll breakthrough! Sindoll¡¯s blessing might NOT be the only solution after all. Come, BULL! Show me what you¡¯re MADE OF!¡±

    His shattered arm began to regenerate, the molten rocks around him coalescing with a horrifying speed, they reformed into something larger and more menacing, those horns on his head glowed, and even those fissures on his chest began emitting a red that was blinding.

    He was ready for war!

    The battle was ON!

 Chapter 97 - Blood Moon Descent

    ¡°RUN!¡±

    ¡°GET OUT OF THE WAY!¡±

    ¡°HE¡¯S COMING!¡±

    Screams of terror echoed as a barrage of blazing boulders rained down from the sky. Those unlucky creatures who were too slow or too stubborn to flee Gastaroid''s wrath were crushed beneath molten projectiles and dissolved into light particles that vanished with a whisper.

    Even Pincer and Clamper, whose agility rivaled the swiftest desert winds, found themselves struggling as their claws sliced through those falling projectiles.

    ¡°Damn that BULL! He¡¯s going to get us all KILLED! Why wouldn¡¯t he just bow?! Why?!¡± Pincer shrieked in frustration as he narrowly avoided a molten rock that sizzled as it struck the earth near his tail, sending a wave of heat that would have singed a lesser scorpion.

    Clamper was cowering behind a jagged ice formation. ¡°Why did we ever trust this arrogant, self-righteous bastard! We should have just left him to be crushed! At least then¡­ maybe we could have reached the finish line already! Why?! Why?!¡±

    The holographic timer blinked menacingly. Each seconds off was reminding them of their dwindling hopes:

    ONE HOUR REMAINING!

    And yet, amidst this chaotic scene, Raphael stood defiant. He was a golden beacon against the crimson sky above as he faced hundreds of blazing boulders that were meant to shatter him.

    That imposing Bull Mountain Demon was looming above like a God of War.

    "Muwahahaha! Is THAT ALL you GOT, bull?! WHERE is that SPARK from earlier? The one that dared to defy ME?!¡± Gastaroid watched with amusement as Raphael struggled against his relentless barrage.

    But Raphael wouldn''t yield.

    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

    With each fiery projectile he blasted, more came raining down. It seemed like an endless assault. This Bull Mountain Demon, he was playing with him.

    "Hmmm¡­¡± A sinister grin stretched across Raphael¡¯s muzzle as an idea ignited, "It''s my turn now!"

    He focused his Solar Essence, his horns buzzed, a black energy materialized and then¡­

    WHOOSH!

    From between his horns, a black beam shot outwards. It soared towards the heavens with a horrifying speed that had even Gastaroid flinching!

    The beam then exploded into a massive ''Black Pool'' that spread across the sky with unimaginable speed and began consuming those hundreds of molten boulders.

    "What?!¡±

    Gastaroid was stunned. It was the first time he''d witnessed such a technique, but he was a Peak Nightmare Calamity! He didn¡¯t panic, not really. His pride wouldn¡¯t allow such a display, at least not in front of those lesser insects.

    ¡°He¡¯s absorbing my rocks?"

    Then, before his very eyes, the impossible occurred!

    Above Gastaroid, a second ''Black Pool'' appeared, and from its swirling depths¡­

    ¡°No way!¡±

    WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

    ¡­the very boulders he''d launched, came raining back down!

    ¡°He redirected my attack?! Impossible! This bull¡­¡± Gastaroid¡¯s astonishment was short-lived as he reacted swiftly.

    He snapped his fingers.

    And those very boulders that were about to crush his monstrous form, changed trajectory! They converged on his horns and merged with them which amplified their size and made them even more deadly.

    ¡°Hmph! You¡¯re clever, bull! But it''ll take more than cheap tricks to defeat me!¡±

    He then summoned two massive pillars from his ''Artificial Fire Pool¡¯ below. They erupted from those blazing depths with terrifying speed and shot towards Raphael.

    ¡°Take THIS!¡±

    Realizing the pillars¡¯ speed, Raphael reacted instinctively, ¡°Black Pool!¡±

    But instead of being consumed by his shadow magic¡­

    "What?!"

    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    The pillars passed right through!

    They slammed into his face, sending him hurtling backward!

    He crashed onto the ground with a deafening thud that shattered ice and sent a wave of tremors that had even those furthest from the impact point, scrambling.

    ¡°He¡¯s down!¡±

    ¡°The bull is FINISHED!¡±

    ¡°Those pillars, they¡¯re too powerful!¡±

    Those watching from outside the Marble World were on the edge of their seats.

    They couldn¡¯t believe their eyes!

    ¡°Did he just lose?!¡±

    ¡°No¡­ NO!¡±

    Raphael wasn¡¯t done.

    Enraged by this humiliation, he roared and launched himself back into the sky.

    ¡°ELECTRIC TAIL LASH!¡±

    His massive tail, crackling with golden lightning, whipped those pillars away like twigs. They were sent hurtling down with a thunderous BOOM!

    CRASH!

    ¡°NOOOOOOOOOOO!¡±

    The pillars crashed onto a group of creatures below. Their forms vanished instantly, leaving only faint wisps of smoke and dust as evidence of their unfortunate encounter.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ More points.¡± Raphael¡¯s total count increased by five as he looked down at the carnage.

    Above, Gastaroid watched and chuckled.

    "Look at you, bull, profiting from MY pillars. If you''re that greedy¡­ WHY DON¡¯T YOU HAVE SOME MORE!¡±

    He then unleashed a wave of fiery pillars, dozens upon dozens, each more massive, more potent than the last. They surrounded Raphael, trapping him within a deadly inferno.

    And as if that wasn''t enough!

    From the heart of his ''Artificial Fire Pool'', a horrifying legion materialized!

    ¡°Bull Demon Gods! ARISE!¡±

    Hundreds upon hundreds of figures, resembling Gastaroid, emerged from the molten depths. Each one was armed with weapons of fire and stone. They were smaller, but their sheer numbers were overwhelming.

    They rushed toward Raphael!

    ¡°KILL!¡±

    ¡°CRUSH!¡±

    ¡°OBEY!¡±

    The Bull Demon Gods grasped the pillars. They then launched into the sky, surrounding Raphael from all sides.

    "That¡­ That BULL¡­ he¡¯s DONE FOR!"

    "No one can withstand such power!"

    "He¡¯s about to be ATOMIZED!"

    The spectators watched in terrified awe. Even Qi Hawk, who¡¯d been observing the trial with a detached amusement, straightened his feathers. "This¡­ is getting interesting.¡±

    But Raphael¡­

    ¡°Grrrrr¡­¡± He growled. Drool trickled from his jaws, but his resolve didn''t falter.

    He faced this impossible challenge with a bravery that was more Shao Jin than Raphael, for wasn¡¯t he, even at a mere 1st Layer Nightmare Calamity, still a Golden Bull Thork?

    He unleashed a technique he''d been saving. A skill he''d planned to use only during the Great Divine Tribulation, a last resort. He¡¯d never thought he''d need it so soon, but this Bull Mountain Demon¡¯s power was forcing his hand.

    "ECLIPSING VEIL ¨C SANGUINARY MOON!"

    BOOM!

    Crimson energy exploded!

    His horns dripped blood, and from those droplets, a massive red orb materialized above. It pulsed, and then it shot skywards!

    The air crackled!

    A chilling red glow spread across the heavens.

    And then, it was there!

    A blood moon, as large as Gastaroid himself, descended. It cast a dreadful crimson light that had the spectators gasping.

    ¡°What is¡­ that?¡±

    "A¡­ Blood Moon?"

    "It''s dripping blood!¡±

    From the moon''s depths, a concentrated beam of pure crimson energy shot down, bathing the landscape in a horrific yet mesmerizing Bloodshine.

    And those who gazed upon its brilliance¡­

    They froze.

    They stumbled!

    They could feel their essence waning.

    Their limbs became sluggish, as if bound by an unseen force!

    And then, they saw it¡­

    Crimson tendrils, thick as snakes, erupted from the ground. They snaked around their bodies, constricting, pulling!

    It was the Blood Roots, fueled by the Sanguinary Moon¡¯s blood magic.

    Even the Bull Demon Gods were caught in its grasp!

    "What¡­ what¡¯s happening?!"

    "My powers! They¡¯re fading!"

    "GET¡­ these¡­ roots¡­ OFF ME!"

    But their struggles were futile, for Raphael¡¯s technique, the one he¡¯d stolen from those Bloodthorne Knights, it was amplified by his monstrous Solar Essence. It was a truly terrifying display of blood magic!

    Even Gastaroid, the mighty Bull Mountain Demon felt the effects.

    "NO! It¡­ It can¡¯t be! HOW can a 1st Layer Nightmare Calamity IMMOBILIZE me?! Not only ME, but¡­ EVERYONE within this pathetic Marble World???"

    His molten arms, which were about to pulverize Raphael, were now encased in a mesh of crimson tendrils. His movements, halted.

    He was trapped!

    The answer to his bewilderment was simple, yet terrifying:

    Raphael¡¯s ¡®Eclipsing Veil ¨C Sanguinary Moon¡¯ was a stolen legacy, a technique that defied the limitations of his current cultivation level. In the hands of Lorial, the Platinum Blood Saint, it had been a potent force, capable of draining the life essence of those pesky Vampsquitoes back in the Dark Swamp Gorge.

    However, within Raphael¡¯s grasp, a Nightmare Calamity who had absorbed potent blood essences, this technique¡¯s potency had been amplified a hundred-fold.

    Its influence spread like a crimson plague.

    All who were exposed to its Bloodshine, they suffered the same fate!

    Raphael, seeing his opportunity, roared!

    ¡°NOW!¡±

    His black wings unfolded, summoning forth over 400 Shadow Bats. They buzzed excitedly and their crimson eyes radiated his will.

    ¡°DESTROY them ALL!¡±

    ¡°YES, MASTER!¡±

    From his wings, Bat General Kong and Bat General Melissa materialized.

    ¡°For Master!¡±

    ¡°It shall be my pleasure!¡±

    They led the charge! Their movements were a blur of shadow and lightning.

    Claws ripped through the Bull Demon Gods, pillars snapped, wings were torn!

    Within a heartbeat, those who¡¯d stood so confidently beside Gastaroid were reduced to shattered rock and flickering embers.

    ¡°It¡¯s time to repay that arrogance.¡±

    WHOOSH!

    Raphael flew straight toward the immobilized Gastaroid, he channeled his Solar Essence into his horns. It churned and his golden flames intensified. He was unleashing his full might.

    ¡°Helios Stream!¡±

    BOOOOM!

    The beam struck Gastaroid¡¯s chest with devastating force!

    It obliterated his torso!

    Even the fiery wall behind Gastaroid received a faint crack.

    ¡°HAHA! Finally! It''s over!" Raphael laughed. His massive form swayed from exhaustion, but the thrill of victory¡­

    ¡°Kong! Melissa! Return!¡±

    His shadow army converged back into the depths of his black wings.

    With a final sigh of relief, Raphael landed on a nearby platform.

    His ¡®Sanguinary Moon¡¯ slowly began to fade, releasing its captives from their crimson prisons. The Blood Roots withered. The Bloodshine dimmed.

    ¡°Impossible! He¡­ he defeated Gastaroid?!¡±

    ¡°That bull! He¡¯s incredible!¡±

    Some even began to cheer, but those cheers were quickly replaced by a chilling realization.

    That fiery wall¡­ it still stood!

    But before their despair could fully bloom, a sound they knew, one that haunted those past 58 hours of their existence had them looking up in horror.

    ¡°Muwahahaha! You¡­ didn¡¯t think¡­ THIS¡­ was OVER, did you?!¡±

    The molten earth surrounding Gastaroid began to shift, they merged together, repairing his shattered torso and head. He glared down at Raphael with his horns now larger, more menacing.

    ¡°You¡¯ve angered ME, BULL!¡±

 Chapter 98 - Shen Shao Jin!

    ¡°He¡¯s an unkillable DEMON!¡± Clamper screamed as he rolled out of the way of a blazing rock.

    Gastaroid¡¯s rage was a tangible force now. The heat emanating from his molten form had transformed the once-frozen landscape into a vision of hell. Ice melted into steaming pools. Trees crackled and burst into flames. Even the very air itself seemed to warp and shimmer with unbearable heat.

    ¡°Muwahahaha! BURN, you INSECTS! BURN!¡±

    The Bull Mountain Demon¡¯s laughter was a recipe of destruction.

    "This¡­ This is insane!" Pincer couldn''t believe his eyes. Their situation was truly hopeless.

    The holographic timer above flickered:

    THIRTY MINUTES REMAINING!

    "Brother! We have to get out of here! We¡¯re going to DIE!" He was no longer thinking about Merit Points, not when his own exoskeleton was starting to feel a little too warm for comfort.

    But where could they flee?

    ¡°We¡¯re trapped, brother¡­ TRAPPED!¡±

    Everywhere they turned, flaming debris rained down, molten fissures snaked across the ground, and monstrous Bull Demon Gods rampaged with a gleeful abandon.

    Even the skies above were no safe haven, for Gastaroid had transformed the very clouds into burning rain, how terrifying!

    Those contestants who''d survived this long were now desperately trying to escape. Their screams were haunting echoes of despair as their forms flickered. Many dissolved into particles of light and vanished along with their ambitions.

    ¡°I¡­ I can¡¯t move!¡±

    ¡°Help!¡±

    ¡°MERCY!¡±

    Their cries were nothing but fleeting whispers in this arena of annihilation.

    Above, Raphael was struggling.

    ¡°Wing Slashnado! Wing Slashnado! WING SLASHNADO!¡±

    He unleashed a relentless barrage of attacks with his massive black wings as those crimson blades ripped through the falling debris, but Gastaroid¡¯s attacks were endless!

    For every boulder Raphael obliterated, two more took its place. The sky was a tempest of fire, constructed by the Bull Mountain Demon¡¯s rage.

    He could feel his strength waning. He was breathing heavily. His golden hide was now marred with burns and singed fur. Gastaroid¡¯s Solar Essence was an endless torrent of power compared to his dwindling reserves.

    "Hmph! I commend your efforts, bull, truly, I do. But you are forgetting one crucial truth: This is MY domain! My power is LIMITLESS!

    Today I¡¯ll make you SUBMIT to me, you damned bull! You are the ONLY 1st Layer Nightmare Calamity to last this LONG against me in direct confrontation! Your Solar Essence¡­ it is meager, pathetic! But your BODY¡­¡±

    His gaze, burning with avarice, settled on Raphael¡¯s struggling form. ¡°It is already an Emperor Calamity! What a WONDERFUL find! I will ABSORB you into MY mountain and BOOST my STRENGTH!¡±

    He then gestured towards his monstrous form.

    ¡°These pillars¡­ they will do. They are pieces of the very THING that sustains my BODY. With these THREE ''Demonic Bull Pillars'', I will suck you DRY and turn your pathetic form into my FOURTH pillar. NOW¡­ GO!¡±

    From the depths of his molten chest, three pillars, crafted not from flames, but from pure, black obsidian rock, erupted!

    They shot towards Raphael with terrifying speed.

    ¡°No¡­!¡±

    Raphael tried to activate another ''Black Pool'', but it was futile!

    WHOOSH! CRACK! BOOM!

    The pillars smashed through his defenses and encased him, forming an impenetrable, rotating formation.

    "ARGHHHHHHH!"

    The pillars pulsed with a dreadful, draining energy that was ripping away at his very essence, breaking down his golden hide, shattering his bones, and causing a pain he hadn¡¯t felt since he was trapped within Kwan Yuu¡¯s cauldron!

    "It¡­ It burns! MAKE IT STOP!¡±

    He was being cooked alive!

    Outside the Marble World, those watching on winced.

    ¡°Big Brother¡­¡± Lu Jade¡¯s voice trembled.

    ¡­

    Within Raphael¡¯s Cosmic Mind Sea, a storm was brewing!

    His ¡®Astro Soul Orbital¡¯ rippled wildly, as if about to shatter.

    His Solar Consciousness, that brilliant blue sun, began to crack! Golden tendrils, remnants of Shao Jin¡¯s ancient essence seeped out. They were pulled relentlessly toward those ''Demonic Bull Pillars''.

    ¡°Yes! I can already FEEL it! That body of yours, it''s truly remarkable! Soon, it will be MINE!¡±

    Gastaroid laughed triumphantly.

    To accelerate the process, he stretched forth a hand. "Feed! GROW STRONGER!"

    The energy drain intensified.

    Within Raphael¡¯s Cosmic Mind Sea, chaos reigned!

    His ''Purple Eye Soul Satellite'' exploded!

    Then the ¡®Soul Moon¡¯ followed suit.

    Each detonation sent a wave of agony through Raphael¡¯s being, both mentally and physically.

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    "NOOOOOOOOOOO!"

    He screamed. And as those remnants of his stolen powers flickered, his ''Shadow Blood Soul Planet'' was about to meet the same fate¡­

    But then¡­

    A brilliant white light, small yet impossibly potent, materialized! It was the mysterious white Solar Consciousness that belonged to Raphael, the human essence he¡¯d once been.

    It darted across the chaotic expanse with a speed that defied comprehension.

    It reached the shattered ¡®Soul Moon¡¯, and in a flash of blinding brilliance¡­

    It was whole again!

    And the ''Purple Eye Soul Satellite¡¯? Restored!

    ¡°What¡­?!¡±

    Even Shao Jin¡¯s essence paused, as if in awe.

    Then that little white sun, buzzing softly, did the unthinkable¡­ It shot towards Raphael''s Solar Consciousness and began repairing its fractured form!

    ¡°This¡­ This essence! Impossible! IT¡¯S mending his SOLAR CONSCIOUSNESS?! But HOW?! HOW?!¡±

    ¡­

    On the outside, the ''Demonic Bull Pillars'', which were glowing with a malevolent energy, dulled.

    The energy flow reversed.

    Gastaroid watched in horror.

    ¡°What the¡­ It¡¯s not working! My pillars! They¡¯re¡­ being absorbed!?¡±

    The pillars¡¯ essences, meant to drain Raphael, were now flowing back into him, revitalizing him, empowering him!

    ¡°Damn it! NOOOO!"

    He felt his cultivation level dropping. From 9th Layer Nightmare Calamity to 8th Layer!

    ¡°I have to stop this, now!"

    He tried to recall the pillars, but they were no longer under his control.

    ¡°They¡¯re¡­ defying ME?!¡±

    Desperate, Gastaroid unleashed another attack.

    ¡°DIE, BULL!¡±

    Hundreds of molten meteors came raining down upon Raphael. They struck those demonic pillars.

    BOOM!

    The explosion was devastating! The very earth itself trembled!

    ¡°That bull! He¡¯s¡­ he¡¯s been OBLITERATED!¡±

    Smoke and dust obscured the scene, but as those who¡¯d witnessed it from afar waited for the chaos to settle, a blinding light began to emanate from the heart of that devastation.

    The light grew!

    And then it burst! It expanded outwards in a wave of millions upon millions of glittering particles that rose to the very heavens above!

    "What¡­?!"

    The spectators looked up, shielding their eyes, their jaws dropped, as within those particles, they saw it¡­

    An entity of unimaginable splendor.

    ¡­

    The blinding light particles began to settle.

    A hush fell upon the crowd.

    First, a massive, golden leg, ending in a cloven hoof, materialized. Then, with a burst of potent energy, the rest of the entity took form.

    He stood tall, towering like a beacon of golden might. It was Raphael. But this¡­ this was no simple bull. This was something else entirely.

    He was now bipedal, standing upright like a man, with massive bull¡¯s legs ending in hooves that radiated a faint golden glow. His arms, however, were humanoid, each ending in a hand with five, razor-sharp claws. In his right hand, he gripped a colossal hammer sparkling with azure lightning. Around the hammer¡¯s shaft, a yellow dragon, Rai Shen Long, coiled while discharging electricity as if eager for battle.

    Two magnificent golden horns, larger and more imposing than before, adorned his head, the segments along their length were spinning rapidly with a chilling hum. His long golden mane billowed in the wind. Steam oozed from his nostrils, and his blood-red eyes blazed with a primal intensity. His massive black wings spread outwards, laced with bronze scales, and from their edges billowed a translucent fabric that was both beautiful and menacing.

    This was ¡®Abyss Nylon¡¯, woven from his potent blood essence and shadow magic. It was a crimson-black material that shifted and moved with a life of its own. It swirled around him, forming a loose covering for his lower body and those explosive privates that now throbbed with a terrible heat! Another length of Abyss Nylon was wrapped around his bulging left arm; a crimson vortex of blood essence swirled around it.

    His tail, tipped with a wickedly sharp, golden point, crackled with electricity.

    Most striking of all, however, was the gaping hole in his chest. Within it, three ¡®Demonic Bull Pillars¡¯, now compressed into a sphere of translucent gold, pulsated. Then, as if guided by an unseen hand, the sphere emerged. His chest began to mend, leaving behind smooth, unblemished golden hide as the sphere floated upwards towards his snout. The pillars, swirling within, transformed, condensed, and with a final click¡­

    They formed a solid black nose ring that slotted perfectly into place.

    He snorted, and a plume of steam shot outwards, incinerating a few unlucky snowflakes in his path.

    His transformation was complete.

    This new form, the ¡®Golden Bull Thork ¨C Evolved Form ¨C Shen Shao Jin¡¯, was a fusion of Raphael¡¯s essence and Gastaroid¡¯s ¡®Demonic Bull Pillars¡¯. It was a powerful blend of ancient bloodlines. Their shared bull lineage had amplified the transformation, granting him unimaginable might.

    He hovered before them.

    ¡°What¡­ the?!¡±

    "The BULL! He EVOLVED!¡±

    "He''s not DEAD?!¡±

    The spectators stared in awe. The silence was deafening!

    Even Gastaroid, who was still regaining his footing after the devastating ''Helios Stream'', stumbled back in shock as he watched those pillars that had sustained his mountainous form vanish!

    ¡°My¡­ my pillars¡­?¡± He couldn''t comprehend, and then he felt it.

    His Solar Essence, his very life-force, it was weaker!

    ¡°8th Layer! I¡¯ve been reduced to 8th Layer?!¡±

    And before him stood the bull, that damned bull whose essence was now radiating at 2nd Layer Nightmare Calamity.

    The irony was not lost on him. The power he''d meant to steal, it had empowered his foe, how pathetic.

    His humiliation was evident. He had to regain what had been stolen.

    ¡°You¡­ YOU DARE?!¡±

    He roared, gathering those remnants of his molten essences that now bubbled with a dreadful intensity. Then he charged a chaotic blast of lava energy between his horns.

    ¡°You will PAY for this! I shall reclaim what is MINE!¡±

    WHOOSH!

    The lava blast shot towards Raphael!

    But he was ready. He''d tasted this power before, during those agonizing moments within that cauldron, he¡¯d learnt to adapt, to absorb, to evolve!

    ¡°CONDENSED BLOOD BARRIER!¡±

    Raphael thrust out his left hand, the crimson vortex swirling around it intensified, and before him, multiple translucent barriers materialized, each displaying potent blood essence.

    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

    The lava blast crashed into the barriers! They shattered!

    But as the searing energy reached its intended target¡­

    WHOOSH!

    Raphael simply¡­ swatted it away with a casual swipe of his new hammer, the ¡®Heavenly Sky Hammer.¡¯

    ¡°Such pathetic flames¡­¡± He laughed, feeling those ancient whispers of Shao Jin resonating within.

    ¡°Time to end this.¡±

    He charged forward!

    ¡°Hyunda Blizzard!¡±

    The hammer spun!

    Azure lightning crackled!

    It became a cyclone of destructive power, blasting those molten meteors Gastaroid was desperately flinging aside with a grace and strength that stunned even the most seasoned warriors watching.

    And as he reached his foe¡­

    BOOM!

    The hammer slammed into Gastaroid''s mountainous backside, sending tremors rippling through the ¡®Marble World¡¯.

    ¡°He actually sent that Bull Mountain Demon flying?!¡±

    ¡°UNBELIEVABLE!¡±

    Gastaroid¡¯s massive form, dislodged by the blow, tumbled through the air, those cries of agony shattered the heavens! And within that chaotic descent¡­

    CRASH!

    He collided with the fiery wall, shattering it!

    The impact sent Raphael reeling backwards, but he steadied himself. His hooves were digging into the frozen earth as he watched the barrier crumble.

    A path appeared.

    Those who had been trapped had their hopes rekindled. They didn¡¯t waste those precious seconds!

    ¡°The barrier¡­ it¡¯s down!¡±

    ¡°We can get to the finish line! NOW!¡±

    Hundreds of figures dashed through the opening, creating  a chaotic stampede of hooves, claws, and wings!

    Among them were Pincer and Clamper who had a renewed lust for victory.

    ¡°Brother, let¡¯s go! Ten minutes remaining! WE have to reach the finish line, NOW!¡±

    They noticed their ally, that golden bull whose strength they¡¯d so readily used to amass points, he was slumped against a rock, wheezing. He was tired.

    ¡°Should we help him?" Clamper asked with a flicker of concern.

    But his brother scoffed, ¡°Don¡¯t be a fool! He¡¯s dead weight! We¡¯ll only lose precious time! Let him rot!"

    And with a final, chilling click of their claws, they sped off. Their ambitions overshadowed any sense of gratitude.

    ¡­

    "Damn¡­ those bastards¡­" Gastaroid groaned. He watched as hundreds of figures dashed past him like shooting stars.

    ¡°They¡­ think they can CLAIM the NUMBER ONE position?!!!¡±

    He straightened his monstrous form and turned his burning gaze toward Raphael. ¡°You¡­ BULL!¡±

    He wanted to unleash his wrath, to crush him, to absorb his potent essences. But the timer above¡­

    It ticked down mercilessly.

    NINE MINUTES!

    He¡¯d wasted too much time, and his pride wouldn''t let him lose to a mere 2nd Layer Nightmare Calamity, nor those insects, not this time.

    With a final, earth-shattering roar, Gastaroid launched into the sky. He was heading towards the finish line!

    ¡­

    Raphael watched them go. His breaths came in ragged gasps.

    ¡°Those scorpions¡­ ungrateful bastards!¡±

    He was exhausted. But his journey wasn''t over. He glanced at the timer¡­

    EIGHT MINUTES!

    His eyes narrowed. He still had time! He could still win this!

    He extended a hand.

    ¡°BLACK POOL!¡±

    BOOM!

    A black vortex appeared beneath his hooves. He began to sink into its depths.

    And vanished.

 Chapter 99 - Race To The Finish Line

    The final hour was a frenzy of motion. Hundreds of contestants resembling shooting stars, streaked across the sky towards the finish line that was hundreds of miles away.

    They were propelled by the dwindling hopes of victory and a deep primal need for survival that only this trial could truly ignite within a soul, and those whose essence were truly weak, well they would soon know.

    Among the hopefuls, two scorpion brothers, Pincer and Clamper, soared side-by-side as they navigated a dense forest. They had managed to recover most of their lost points during their brief, but brutal alliance with Raphael, and now, they wouldn''t fail.

    They''d claim a spot amongst the chosen!

    "That¡¯s¡­ ten more! They¡¯re in front of us!¡± Clamper hissed with a mixture of annoyance and urgency as they zipped past a flock of mangled, groaning, feathered creatures that were struggling to maintain flight. Their broken wings were pitiful, for they resembled burnt paper bags with sticks inside.

    Those unlucky birds, they hadn''t been trampled upon by hooves nor burnt by those beams of golden fire, rather those were self-inflicted wounds, a consequence of desperation, and a truly dreadful sight to behold.

    "Tsk! They¡¯re a nuisance! Our goal is to catch up with THAT pack! Brother Pincer. Can we push our speed a little harder?¡±

    His brother scoffed, ¡°Relax, Clamper! You worry too much. And besides¡­¡± He pointed ahead. ¡°See that silver slug? It¡¯s carrying over 80 points! Its fat ass is practically begging to be overtaken!¡±

    ¡°It is true, a worthy opponent. If we defeat it, those points¡­!¡± Clamper nodded, but his excitement faded as he glanced upwards, those hopes dashed,

    ¡°DAMN those flying bastards! They''ve gone ahead!¡±

    ¡°Hmph! Pathetic birds, relying solely on wing speed. Our strategy, brother. It¡¯ll pay off, I guarantee. We¡¯ll simply have to¡­ Huh?¡±

    A dreadful truth had him shivering uncontrollably.

    ¡°Brother¡­ Do you smell¡­ fire?¡± He whispered fearfully before they saw it.

    A colossal orange glow, like that of an exploding sun had engulfed their rear.

    "Oh no! Run!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ It¡¯s Gastaroid!"

    They turned and saw the imposing form of the Bull Mountain Demon laying waste to everything in its path.

    "Move it! Get OUT of MY WAY, insects!"

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    Before Pincer or Clamper had a chance to fully comprehend his urgency, the world around them shifted.

    BOOM!

    He rushed past! The scorching air from his passage slammed into the scorpions.

    They crashed!

    But they¡¯d been lucky. His attack wasn''t aimed at them. He was focused on reaching the finish line.

    "Such a powerful presence¡­!¡± Pincer¡¯s whimpers reflected the other unfortunate contenders that also noticed this colossal entity as his form blurred and then vanished.

    They¡¯d been left behind, again.

    Gastaroid wasn''t simply walking, flying, nor teleporting.

    He was blazing!

    A trail of molten lava followed his path, incinerating everything in his wake, turning those majestic, snow-laden trees into charcoal husks as his speed intensified! Those who saw him from behind or were unfortunate enough to be flying a little too close, gasped as they realized their fate.

    ¡°Oh no, it¡¯s the Bull Mountain Demon!¡±

    ¡°Gastaroid is COMING!"

    ¡°HURRY! Get out of his way before¡­¡±

    But those pleas for survival ended as a horrifying BOOM! engulfed their final moments. Those wings, feathers and delicate scales became mere ashes now, floating on the wind.

    The tremors and radiant fires left a chilling reminder, it was as if a God of destruction had awaken!

    Gastaroid didn¡¯t even acknowledge their pleas. He barreled through the sky.

    ¡°Muwahaha! First place is MINE!¡±

    He gazed ahead, his burning eyes focused. It was in the distance, but getting closer, and closer now.

    The Finish Line!

    A magnificent archway made of purest platinum, infused with spirit energy was shining.

    This wasn¡¯t a mere opening, or a pathway. This was a gateway! Those who entered this arch, would be granted access to the Grandest competition, a chance to fight for Sindoll¡¯s blessing, for the ultimate reward. And as he gazed upon that prize, Gastaroid realized he didn¡¯t see anyone else there.

    ¡°I am the FIRST!¡±

    With a roar that shattered the remaining clouds, he increased his speed.

    BOOM!

    Then in a blink, he arrived. The impact shattered the earth beneath his monstrous form. Black smoke billowed out, obscuring his presence.

    He waited.

    A short while later, a blur of yellow had him turning.

    WHOOSH!

    A Golden Eagle landed with a heavy thud. It was breathless, its wings tattered. ¡°17th¡­ Damn¡­ that demon¡­ He got here first!¡± It was a devastating blow to its pride.

    And then a figure resembling a massive, frost-coated Mammoth appeared. It trumpeted triumphantly. It wasn¡¯t speed they relied on.

    ¡°23rd¡­ Not bad¡­¡± It then slumped beside the Golden Eagle, sharing in the bitterness.

    More and more creatures crossed the finish line, each with varying speeds, strengths, and sizes. They expressed a collage of emotions: exhilaration, despair, and most importantly¡­ relief.

    Among them, were Pincer and Clamper.

    "NO! We didn''t make it in the TOP TEN!" Clamper screamed, dismayed.

    ¡°Shut it, you fool!¡± Pincer snapped. "We might not be within the TOP TEN. But surely, we¡¯ve earned a spot within the TOP FIVE HUNDRED.¡±

    This was truth, the only solace he could cling to now.

    They looked ahead. The timer above displayed a terrifying truth.

    THREE MINUTES REMAINING!

    "THREE minutes?!¡±

    ¡°Oh no! I can''t¡­" A frantic, buzzing sound filled the air as a few late-comers, exhausted and drained, came rushing towards that arch. But it was too late.

    "The race¡­ IT¡¯S¡­"

    BOOM!

    The timer reached zero. And with it, a profound silence settled as if nature itself had halted its breath in anticipation.

    ¡°The Race of Ten Thousand Souls¡­ is OVER!¡±

    That voice echoed throughout the Marble World and beyond it, those realms where dreams, ambitions and hopes of those trapped inside, were now being projected with terrifying, accurate certainty.

    "No¡­"

    "Please¡­!"

    Those still struggling to reach the finish line. They vanished into particles of light as screams of despair echoed before those radiant specks joined the cold wind.

 Chapter 100 - Top Ten

    The open-air venue buzzed with excitement as 500 creatures, representing the cream of Black Wind''s warriors, assembled on a massive platform.

    They stood in an orderly manner: soaring birds, lumbering beasts, and skittering insects. They showcased a kaleidoscope of colors and sizes.

    The Race of Ten Thousand Souls was over, and the time had come for rewards to be handed out.

    Elder Feng Huo and Elder Lei Lang hovered before the participants. Their magnificent white feathers ruffled in the gentle breeze.

    ¡°Mighty contestants! Venerable spectators!¡± Elder Feng Huo''s booming voice resounded through the venue.

    ¡°We gather here today to celebrate those whose courage, whose cunning, whose sheer tenacity, has brought them victory in the Race of Ten Thousand Souls! And for those who¡¯ve come to support, those voices that cheered and jeered, we the Elders of Black Wind, also extends our gratitude, for without your presence, this culmination of destinies wouldn¡¯t have been possible.¡±

    His companion, Elder Lei Lang continued, ¡°To those who have fallen, we offer our condolences. Their sacrifices¡­ will not be forgotten. But for those standing here today, before us, YOU have proven worthy! YOUR Solar Essences are potent! YOUR ambitions burn bright! AND YOUR names shall be etched upon the celestial monument of Black Wind, for all to gaze upon with reverence!¡±

    His words were met with a thunderous roar of applause.

    ¡°Black Wind!¡±

    ¡°Black Wind!¡±

    ¡°Black Wind!¡±

    The chants were fueled by a collective excitement and the joy that comes with witnessing dreams, ambition and hopes colliding.

    Amidst the cheering throng, Lu Jade anxiously scanned those 500 contestants assembled. His gaze darted from one imposing form to another. He searched desperately.

    ¡°Where is he¡­?¡± His tiny heart pounded with worry, for his brother, the one who had rescued him from his sister¡¯s wrath, was nowhere to be seen.

    ¡­

    "Now, the moment you¡¯ve all been waiting for!" Elder Feng Huo silenced the crowd and unfurled a massive scroll. Intricate runes danced across its surface.

    ¡°The results are tallied! Every soul claimed, every challenge surmounted! And those bonus points, they''ve been awarded with fairness!¡±

    BOOM!

    As if his words were a catalyst, a large scoreboard materialized. It hovered in mid-air, showcasing the names of the 500 participants.

    They were listed in ascending order, starting from the contestant with the lowest points to the highest. But the top ten¡­ they¡¯d not yet been revealed.

    The anticipation was as tangible as the wind that carried their hopes, their dreams.

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­undoubtedly¡­number ONE!¡± Gastaroid¡¯s booming voice resounded with those droplets of lava hitting the platform below, and the flames from his arms burned with arrogance.

    His declaration was met with nods and grudging silence.

    Even Pincer and Clamper who''d witnessed him crushing everyone who dared to challenge his authority back then, knew there was no disputing that fact.

    He was the first to arrive, they''d seen it! His power was evident in every charred husk that lay near the finish line!

    ¡°He is a monster! But¡­ Brother!¡± Clamper remembered Raphael. ¡°That bull back there. Perhaps¡­ we were fools to abandon him.¡±

    His brother simply responded, ¡°It¡¯s his fault we¡¯re not among the TOP TEN! That arrogance! He¡¯d have us ALL killed, if we¡¯d stayed. Now silence. I want to see those who bested us!¡±

    Finally, the moment arrived.

    ¡°In TENTH place¡­!¡± Elder Lei Lang spoke, and the scoreboard shifted. It began revealing the names.

    ¡°Stone Tortoise - 252 Points!¡±

    A colossal tortoise with moss-covered shell shuffled to the front with a humble, but victorious nod that had many creatures shaking their head, some with whispers of ¡°Tsk! I should have¡­¡±

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    ¡°In NINTH place¡­!¡±

    ¡°Skyfire Cheetah ¨C 278 Points!¡±

    A magnificent, slender cheetah with golden flames dancing across its fur, purred with delight as it landed on the platform with a grace that had many admiring its speed, surely it had been the fastest among them.

    And the list continued¡­

    ¡°In EIGHTH place¡­!¡±

    ¡°Azure Winged Serpent ¨C 281 Points!¡±

    ¡°In SEVENTH place¡­!¡±

    ¡°Jade Horn Rhino - 296 Points!¡±

    ¡°In SIXTH place¡­!¡±

    ¡°Crimson Claw Mantis ¨C 311 Points!¡±

    ¡°In FIFTH place¡­!¡±

    ¡°Golden Eagle ¨C 353 Points!¡±

    ¡°In FOURTH place¡­!¡±

    ¡°Shadow Panther - 389 Points!¡±

    As those names were revealed, one after the other, the creatures stepped forward with pride and exhaustion. They had endured! Those battles they fought, those risks taken, it was all worth it now.

    ¡°In THIRD place¡­¡± The tension now was palpable. Even Emperor Qi Hawk straightened his form, he was gazing at the scoreboard, wondering if his selection this year would bring him victory or humiliating defeat at the upcoming Grand Divine Tribulation.

    ¡°¡­Lightning Serpent ¨C 417 Points!¡±

    From the shivering crowds below, a massive, blue snake with streaks of lightning that crackled across its body slithered forward with a victorious snort.

    Its arrival was met with cheers!

    But then¡­

    ¡°In SECOND place¡­¡± Elder Feng Huo paused for a moment.

    A hush fell once more as the name that appeared on the scoreboard was so bold, so outrageous that the entire venue began buzzing, and not with those wings of excitement, but confusion.

    ¡°¡­GOLDEN BULL THORK ¨C 637 points!¡±

    "WHAT?!"

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ It¡¯s IMPOSSIBLE!¡±

    ¡°How could HE be SECOND place?¡±

    ¡°That BULL! I saw him fall! And besides¡­ those hooves, they never crossed that finish line!¡±

    This pronouncements, they weren¡¯t simply disbelief, for many of those who¡¯d been desperately struggling to get past that Bull Mountain Demon, they''d seen Raphael¡¯s demise. They¡¯d witnessed it with their own eyes!

    Even Gastaroid who was enjoying his moment of guaranteed victory, his smile vanished!

    ¡°How DARE that Bull¡­! HE¡­ He¡¯s cheating! He¡­ He never crossed! FIX THIS, you damn ELDERS! Or are YOU being PAID by Emperor Qi Hawk to commit such blatant favoritism?!

    Your EYES are as dim as your pathetic Emperor¡¯s heart, for he¡­¡±

    ¡°SILENCE!¡±

    BOOM!

    His accusation was cut short by a terrifying blast of energy! Elder Feng Huo and Elder Lei Lang who were both at peak Nightmare Calamity, unleashed their potent auras!

    ¡°You DISGRACEFUL¡­ BULL MOUNTAIN DEMON! Do you think you can insult our EMPEROR with those pathetic lies and ridiculous pronouncements! You¡¯re lucky you are even breathing in our territory! Control your tongue, BEFORE we RIP IT OUT!¡±

    "Your pitiful insults¡­¡± Lei Lang¡¯s glare had even the bravest beast cowering. Gastaroid was no exception, those flames on his head sputtered.

    After that rebellious bull had been silenced, Elder Feng Huo straightened his robe. He then addressed the dumbfounded crowd.

    ¡°The Golden Bull Thork¡­ is indeed the SECOND place contender! There is no mistake, and those who dare question the validity of our observations, and that of Emperor Qi Hawk¡­ they shall meet a fate far worse than those insects that were crushed earlier. NOW! BE SILENT!"

    He then gestured towards the empty second-place platform, ¡°Step forward!"

    From the crowd, a shadowy figure shuffled to the front.

    ¡°Huh? That''s¡­ not the bull.¡±

    "It¡¯s¡­ a Shadow Bat?"

    ¡°This is madness!¡±

    On the platform, a creature with a bloated red belly hovered gracefully. It was Bat Major Buzzer!

    ¡°What¡­ is that thing?¡± Those who didn''t recognize it were truly baffled. They''d never seen anything like it, but Lu Jade who watched from above, his scales were now shining! He was so relieved.

    ¡°Big Brother, you did it! Hahaha!" He couldn''t contain his excitement. He turned to Thienika. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s¡­¡±

    ¡°I know. A Shadow Bat. Truly cunning.¡± Her words had a tinge of amusement. That bull, he was full of surprises.

    Suddenly¡­

    ¡°Oh¡­ no way!¡±

    The shadow bat dissolved!

    It melted into a black pool that spread across the platform.

    And then, from the heart of that darkness¡­

    A majestic golden figure materialized.

    It was Raphael!

    "That bull¡­" Even Qi Fenwei was stunned.

    Raphael glanced towards the audience, his bloodshot eyes surveyed them. He then let out a roar that shook the venue.

    ¡°ROAR!¡±

    A chaotic energy was unleashed which scattered their doubts and whispers. He was a Golden Bull Thork! And he''d earned second place!

    A short while later, as the shock subsided, Elder Lei Lang cleared his throat and announced:

    "And now¡­ for FIRST PLACE! Bull Mountain Demon ¨C Gastaroid. With a total of THREE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED and NINETY EIGHT points! A new RECORD!¡±

    Gastaroid landed heavily upon the first place platform. He grunted but his molten eyes were fixated upon Raphael, burning with an intensity that had even those bravest warriors taking a step back.

    He wouldn¡¯t forget this humiliation!

    His plans were already forming!

    Next, the moment arrived. 500 gold-plated invitations materialized before the winners. These were their ¡®Passes¡¯ to the Great Divine Tribulation, artifacts of immense value, imbued with the Void Emperor''s essence.

    As the invitations were handed out, a frenzy of cheers and congratulations had many buzzing their praises while others wept in joy. Such was the beauty of this momentous occasion.

    Those tears wouldn''t last though. Those that didn¡¯t succeed would carry a bitter memory.

    Gastaroid who was eager to get away from those irritating reminders that his dominance wasn''t absolute in this realm, flew off with a frustrated roar, ¡°This¡­ It isn''t¡­ over, BULL!"

    ¡°He¡¯s eager to flee, I see." Qi Hawk glanced at Julian, "Ringtail, don¡¯t you have a mountain to return to? Don¡¯t you have those beautiful maidens waiting? You''ve already enjoyed the show you came for, it''s best you leave."

    ¡°Hmmm, not yet. I have time. Besides, don''t the ancient ones advocate for the bonding of brothers? Why would I leave my ¡®Brother¡¯ behind in this time of peace and celebration, surely, you understand, no?¡±

    Julian had moved closer now, he was practically leaning on Qi Hawk, attempting to nuzzle his head.

    ¡°Get¡­ OFF!¡±

    Qi Hawk swatted his face with a feathered arm, then rose from his throne.

    ¡°The Selection Trials are now officially over!¡± His announcement had the crowd erupting.

    And with a final, booming flap of his majestic wings, he vanished, taking his daughter and the Elders along with him, leaving the newly ascended champions to enjoy their moment of glory, or lament their losses.

    The stage was set for the true event, the grandest competition of Yama Yaguai¡ª

    The Great Divine Tribulation!

 Chapter 101 - Lower Your Feathers

    With a whoosh of rainbow-colored wind and a delicate rustling of leaves, Thienika and Lu Jade landed gracefully on the platform where Raphael stood. They were surrounded by others who''d earned the right to participate in the Grand Divine Tribulation. Some congratulated, others glared with envy, but the trio paid them no mind.

    "Grandma! Look! I got it!" Raphael grinned, handing over a golden invitation. ¡°Just as I promised, your pass! We can finally¡­¡±

    Thienika smiled and shook her head. "Keep it, Raphael. We need to leave this place at once."

    Her urgency confused him. ¡°Leave? But why?¡± He glanced at Lu Jade, searching for an explanation.

    ¡°Greed, Big Brother. Greed always carries a cost."

    His words were barely spoken before a terrifying roar erupted from the edge of the platform!

    ¡°YOU! Give me that pass! I DESERVE IT!¡±

    ¡°PISS OFF! You lost to me during the race!¡±

    ¡°YOU CHEATED! Give it to me!¡±

    A monstrous boar with its tusks dripping blood, charged toward a smaller bird creature, whose wings were trembling as those golden invitation flickered, inches from being stolen.

    It was the beginning of chaos!

    WHOOSH! CRACK! BOOM!

    Those who hadn¡¯t emerged victorious in the Race of Ten Thousand Souls weren¡¯t simply going to accept their loss. They''d risked their lives, they¡¯d endured humiliation, and their ambitions wouldn''t simply vanish. No, they were there to claim those invitations one way or another!

    And the easiest way?

    Steal those who possessed the passes!

    ¡°GIVE it to ME!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s MINE!¡±

    ¡°Kill them all! Take their treasures!¡±

    Within seconds, the peaceful celebration descended into anarchy.

    A flurry of claws, fangs, and potent Solar Essences exploded across the venue. The delicate Sky Dancers¡¯ prior graceful movements were now replaced with panicked flaps as they took to the skies.

    Even the holographic scoreboards shattered like brittle glass. Fairness was only possible until those with the power, or those who craved it took what they wanted.

    This was Yama Yaguai¡¯s truth, a lesson for those whose heart still held a shred of hope for peace or order in this ancient land of brutality.

    ¡°Grandma let¡¯s go.¡±

    Thienika wasted no time. She hoisted herself onto Raphael¡¯s back.

    Lu Jade was already perched upon one of Raphael¡¯s horns. ¡°Such a mess those fools are making, but for ussss? I think we¡¯ve gotten away at the perfect time, hahahaha!¡±

    His words were lost in the wind as Raphael spread his humungous black wings and shot into the azure skies. They were gone.

    ¡°Greed can turn even the most noble heart into a wretched, bloodthirsty thing.¡±

    ¡­

    Rainbow-hued winds danced gracefully through the grand halls of Qi Hawk''s palace within the ethereal realm of Nestoria. It was a place where serenity reigned. Or at least, it did until a certain mischievous lemur arrived.

    Within the heart of this palace, within the Emperor¡¯s throne room, sat Qi Hawk. He was flanked by Elder Feng Huo and Elder Lei Lang.

    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

    His daughter, Qi Fenwei, was present as well, a look of annoyance was flashing across her delicate face every few seconds. She''d hoped this meeting would be a swift, concise affair. Now, however, with the presence of a certain lemur lounging carelessly beside her father¡¯s magnificent golden throne¡­

    This would be a truly dreadful day.

    "Ringtail¡­" Qi Hawk''s milky-white eye narrowed as he glared at Julian Ringtail, who was busy emptying yet another wine gourd with a vulgar slurping sound that echoed through the chamber.

    "Why have you followed me back here? Your presence is unwelcome."

    Julian was unfazed. He laughed. "Don''t be like that, Brother Hawk. What¡¯s a little visit between friends? Surely you aren''t so cold-hearted as to deny a thirsty lemur a few sips of your divine wine collection. It¡¯s those ones brewed from dragon tears right? Hmm, I haven''t tasted those in millennia. Come now¡­ Be generous. Share!¡±

    He wiped his mouth with the back of his furry paw as a few droplets of wine splashed onto the pristine jade floor.

    "Tsk! You dare wet my floor with those filthy paws, Ringtail? Clean it up!"

    ¡°Hmph! You¡¯re a tyrant, Hawk.¡± Julian scoffed, but he summoned a small cloud. It floated down and began diligently sopping up the spilled wine, ¡°So stingy! You used to be so generous, remember? But those days are long gone¡­¡±

    He sighed dramatically, hoping to guilt Qi Hawk, but his efforts failed to sway the Emperor, for the very sight of that lemur resting his feet on that throne had his feathers ruffled.

    The elders glanced at each other. Their disapproval of Julian¡¯s presence was evident.

    ¡®This lemur¡­ He¡¯s disrespecting our Emperor. We should act!¡¯

    But that thought died in their hearts, for none dared to even twitch. They were aware of what Julian was capable of, and frankly, they preferred peace, not annihilation.

    As for Qi Fenwei¡­

    Her patience was at its limit! She¡¯d endured enough of his wandering eyes and those vulgar slurping noises.

    ¡®The faster he leaves the better¡¯, she thought to herself. But her duties demanded she stay.

    After the cloud absorbed the last drops of wine, Julian squeezed its damp form above his open mouth.

    ¡°Ahhh, delightful!¡±

    "Nasty lemur." Qi Hawk shook his head and turned his attention towards Qi Fenwei. ¡°Where are they? Did you deliver my message?¡±

    ¡°Yes Father, I did! Don''t blame me for THEIR tardiness.¡± Qi Fenwei retorted. ¡°Should I forcibly drag them here, on your command?¡±

    Her suggestions, though tempting, were dismissed. Qi Hawk had his own agenda. ¡°No need for that, daughter. Patience. We will wait.¡±

    "But, Father I¡­¡±

    ¡°Enough!¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­ waiting? Who could possibly be so special as to keep Brother Hawk waiting? Surely they are not one of those maidens from your ¡®Harem of a Thousand Desires?¡¯, hmmm?¡± Julian smirked. He looked mischievously at Qi Hawk.

    Just as QI Hawk was about to unleash his fury, the grand black doors to the throne room creaked open.

    ¡°Hmm, is that them?" Julian¡¯s as well as everyone¡¯s attention shifted.

    A familiar figure stepped into the chamber.

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ THEM.¡±

    Raphael stood tall, radiating an aura of power. Upon his magnificent golden horn, Lu Jade was coiled, while on his shoulder, the lanky figure of Thienika rested.

    ¡°Oh¡­ They¡¯re here for tea?¡± Julian peered at the group. This meeting seemed rather informal for an Emperor¡¯s gathering.

    ¡®Hmm¡­ Brother Hawk hasn¡¯t kicked me out yet. This can¡¯t be that important.¡¯

    Raphael surveyed the room and offered a nod of acknowledgement, ¡°Princess Fenwei. Elders. It¡¯s been a while.¡± He then noticed Julian, and asked, "And this lemur? Who is he?¡±

    "That¡¯s Emperor Julian Ringtail, Big Brother! He¡¯s an Emperor Calamity.¡±

    Lu Jade¡¯s whispers, filled with a hint of dread, had Raphael''s hooves tapping nervously. An Emperor?

    "Oh, an Emperor. Well then¡­" Raphael cleared his throat and was about to offer a greeting.

    ¡°Ignore him. This lemur is NO ONE important.¡±

    "What!" Julian felt a prickle of shame, but he brushed it off with a casual shrug. ¡°Ah¡­ Brother Hawk always knows how to make a guest feel welcome, truly delightful.¡± He took another gulp of wine, savoring the moment.

    "Now then¡­¡± Qi Hawk ignored the lemur and stood up. His single white eye was fixated upon the elderly woman perched upon the bull¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡®Is it truly¡­ her?¡¯

    And as if sensing his thoughts, Thienika hopped off Raphael¡¯s shoulder. After landing, she walked with a graceful gait, occasionally, her staff clicked softly against the jade floor. Her calm and unreadable stare had him cowering. Without bowing are offering any pleasantries, she said:

    ¡°Hatchling. You¡¯ve grown into quite a¡­ significant figure. BUT, I see, that attitude of yours? It still needs a bit of work.¡±

    "YOU DARE to FART in the EMPEROR''S face?!" The elders were outraged. Their Solar Essences flared as they released potent auras meant to crush this disrespectful tree-woman.

    But before their fury could fully manifest¡­

    BOOM!

    Qi Hawk released his own aura. It was a powerful burst that instantly silenced the elders. He strode towards Thienika and those that had the fortune of being witnesses gasped.

    He knelt!

    His single milky white eye was filled not with arrogance but respect! He lowered his head and spoke with a soft, gentle tone.

    ¡°Forgive¡­ my earlier dismissal, Venerable Thienika. Blessings upon your ancient roots, and may your starlight leaves grace these skies once more. It is with a heart full of reverence, that I, Qi Hawk, Emperor of the Black Wind, welcome you to my humble abode.¡±

    The sight of their mighty emperor, kneeling before an elderly woman had the entire court speechless. Qi Fenwei couldn''t comprehend.

    ¡°Father¡­?¡±

    She¡¯d never seen him bow to anyone. Not even to the Void Emperor Sindoll did he offer such humility!

    The Elders also stared, dumbfounded.

    ¡®This¡­ This is UNREAL!¡¯ They shook their heads in disbelief.

    Even Julian Ringtail straightened up. He was baffled. ¡°Why¡­ is Brother Hawk showing HER¡­ so much respect? He''d never shown ME that! WHO IS SHE?!"

 Chapter 102 - Forceful Submission

    "Hmm, it HAS been a while, hatchling." Thienika gently patted Qi Hawk''s feathered head as she recalled their last meeting.

    It had been millennia since that fledgling had chirped annoyingly around her branches, begging for secrets only those of her ancient lineage truly grasped. He was so persistent.

    Now, however, this was a being of immense power, a leader and Emperor of a formidable territory. She couldn''t help but smile at how time truly had a way with fate.

    ¡°AHEM.¡± Qi Hawk stood and straightened his feathers with a dignified air as his essence flared for a moment. He then turned towards the elderly woman, and those in the court watched as their mighty Emperor spoke with a respect that made them nervous.

    "Venerable Thienika, how have you fared these past million years? What brings you back to Yama Yaguai?¡±

    The question had her smiling softly as she glanced towards Raphael. ¡°My purpose is to participate in the Great Divine Tribulation. This bull has promised to keep my starlight leaves dancing. A folly, perhaps, but one I''ve decided to embrace, for his heart is true.¡±

    Those words baffled Qi Hawk. ¡°But WHY? With your STRENGTH¡­?" He was about to ask for clarity, for surely wasn¡¯t she a legend, a being that those even of his standing were taught to revere and respect, but then he realized¡­

    Something was wrong.

    Her aura, her essence¡­ it was weaker than he''d anticipated.

    "Void Eye - See!"

    He focused his potent energy with a whispered command. A milky white light shot from his eye. And in that instant, he saw the truth that had been hidden.

    Thienika wasn¡¯t simply at the Saint Ruler Stage!

    She was at the 1st Layer! The LOWEST layer! And her Solar Essence was dwindling and flickering as if a candle in the wind about to be snuffed out.

    ¡°If this¡­ If this continues¡­?¡± Qi Hawk gasped, but his whispers were trapped beneath his feathers.

    He couldn¡¯t hold back his question any longer.

    ¡°Venerable Thienika, YOUR POWER¡­ it has drastically diminished.¡±

    Her response, it was soft.

    ¡°My core, Qi Hawk¡­ it is injured. A dreadful affliction from a time long past. If I don¡¯t receive the Void Emperor''s blessing¡­¡±

    ¡°So THAT¡¯S why you¡¯re participating in the Great Divine Tribulation?!¡±

    He then recalled her power, from those days when his wings had barely even sprouted feathers. She was a magnificent being of unimaginable might. A force that made even the ancient dragons tremble!

    ¡°What¡­ WHAT could have POSSIBLY damaged your core to such an extent? To¡­ reduce you to¡­ this?¡±

    She simply shook her head, her weathered face betraying no hint of the anguish her words carried. ¡°Some wounds¡­ Qi Hawk. They never truly heal, not with simple herbs, nor blood rites.¡±

    "I see." He nodded.

    ¡®If she doesn''t want to reveal the source, I won¡¯t pry. Her secrets are her own to keep.¡¯

    But he also couldn¡¯t simply stand back, not while the starlight leaves she bore were fading!

    ¡°Those trials are treacherous. Many will seek to claim your life and to use you as a stepping stone for their own ascension.¡± He stretched his hand towards her with a gentle yet firm resolve, ¡°Allow me to assist, Venerable Thienika. It is the least I can do for an old friend.¡±

    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    ¡­

    "What¡¯s happening?!¡± Raphael¡¯s hooves shuffled nervously as he observed Qi Hawk approach. There was a look in the Emperor''s eye that made him tremble, a determination to heal. But would this kindness be received?

    His answer came swiftly, for in those milliseconds as their Emperor¡¯s hand were mere centimeters from touching her fragile silver-bark scales.

    BOOM! CRACKLE!

    A brilliant white light shot out from Qi Hawk¡¯s palm. It struck Thienika and engulfed her form and caused her to levitate slightly.

    She screamed!

    It was a sound of dreadful agony, a resonance that angered Raphael.

    ¡°No! Stop! STOP IT! You¡¯re¡­ HURTING HER!¡±

    Fueled by a protective fury, he charged towards Qi Hawk

    "Big Brother!"

    Lu Jade cried out but their pleas for mercy were in vain.

    As Raphael¡¯s monstrous hooves neared the Emperor¡¯s imposing form.

    BOOM!

    A wave of potent essence blew them backwards.

    Raphael crashed into the wall near the entrance. His massive form slumped onto the jade floor. He coughed out blood.

    His vision blurred.

    ¡°Such POWER¡­!¡±

    Thienika¡¯s screams subsided, shortly after, but he couldn¡¯t see her through his hazy, blood-filled gaze.

    ¡°Is¡­ Is she¡­ dead?!¡±

    And then¡­

    He watched in amazement as she slowly descended. She was no longer radiating the gentle pale hues of starlight, but a vibrant, emerald aura that shined with renewed life!

    ¡°This¡­¡±

    Qi Hawk¡¯s energies faded and he stepped back. "That is my gift, Venerable Thienika. I hope it proves sufficient.¡±

    She glanced at her hands and at her roots that was now brimming with the vigor of a thousand blooming lilies. ¡°Hmm¡­ Calamity Stage, 1st Layer! I have ASCENDED!¡±

    Her words were more a question to her very being than those that stood before her.

    Raphael and Lu Jade scrambled towards her and examined her condition.

    ¡°Grandma, are you okay?!¡±

    ¡°We thought¡­ those lights¡­¡±

    Thienika interrupted. ¡°Qi Hawk has gifted me Solar Essence I lacked. The earlier tremors and that pain? It was his Solar Essences, surging into my broken core. He has stabilized my condition, at least for now."

    Qi Hawk nodded and settled his gaze on her frail form with a hint of sadness. ¡°The afflictions you bear are still present. And I cannot fully heal them. I lack the skills needed. But fret not, old friend, for I¡¯ve placed a seal upon your core. It¡¯ll prevent your Solar Essence from draining further.

    However¡­ be warned! Should you overexert yourself during the Great Divine Tribulation, or should your form be badly damaged. Then my seal might shatter. Use this gift wisely, Venerable Thienika."

    "I understand, Qi Hawk." She patted his shoulder as a gesture of gratitude.

    Raphael puffed out his chest and strode towards her. He stood protectively. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Grandma Thienika. I WILL protect you, at ALL cost! We WILL win that blessing!"

    His confidence, his audacity! Qi Hawk couldn''t help but be amazed. ¡°Ahaha, good! GOOD! That¡¯s the spirit, bull! You better protect Thienika. And for good measure¡­¡± He turned to his daughter. ¡°Fenwei. YOU will be joining their team for the Great Divine Tribulation.¡±

    Qi Fenwei bristled. "WHAT?!¡±

    ¡°But Father, I already have a team. We''ve been practicing! We¡¯re strong! I¡¯ve even told you about them! Why this sudden change?!"

    "Don''t argue with me, daughter." Qi Hawk''s voice had a chilling tone.

    "But¡­!¡± She couldn''t understand his reasoning. The hours they''d spent honing their skills. The strategies they¡¯ve concocted and the bonds they¡¯d formed¡­

    She turned her back to her father and stomped a foot, ¡°I refuse! You already knew about them, didn¡¯t you?!¡±

    Her defiance, the disrespect! The memories of Julian¡¯s previous insult to his lineage came rushing back in a horrifying flood that he couldn¡¯t control.

    BOOM!

    He unleashed his aura! It was potent, overwhelming!

    Qi Fenwei gasped! She felt her delicate form being crushed by an invisible force. She stumbled! She fell to her knees, coughing up blood.

    "DARE¡­ to DISOBEY me?!¡±

    ¡°Fenwei!¡± Julian, whose reflexes were always faster than any other¡¯s quickly intervened. He appeared before her and neutralized Qi Hawk¡¯s power. ¡°Calm yourself, Brother Hawk. There¡¯s no need for this¡­¡±

    "STAY out of THIS! Ringtail. This is a FAMILY MATTER!¡±

    ¡°I cannot. She¡¯s injured! Don¡¯t you see?¡±

    Julian was about to help her back to her feet but¡­

    ¡°Do NOT touch me! You lecherous beast!" Qi Fenwei swatted his paw away with her bleeding wing. She¡¯d rather die, than be pitied.

    She then stood. Her eyes, still defiant, but a glimmer of submissiveness was now evident. She bowed her head slightly and with a shaky voice that had the elders gasping,

    ¡°As¡­ you¡­ command¡­ Father¡­¡±

    "Ahaha¡­ Good! Now then¡­¡± His aura subsided as he returned to his throne with satisfaction ringing in his tone. ¡°Tonight, there shall be a feast in honor of our guests. You are all invited. And now, Elders¡­¡±

    Qi Fenwei didn''t hesitate. She fled the throne room in a storm. Her anger and humiliation were tangible energies that even the guards dared not gaze upon.

    Raphael, Lu Jade, and Thienika bowed their heads. ¡°We are grateful for your generosity, Emperor Qi Hawk.¡±

    ¡°Hmm, go! Refresh yourselves.¡±

    As they exited the throne room, Raphael couldn''t help but overhear a heated discussion taking place.

    "That lemur! Ringtail! GO HOME!"

    ¡°But¡­¡±

    It was Qi Hawk. He sounded irritated as the grand doors closed.

    Raphael smiled, ¡°What a day! It seems even emperors have troubles they can¡¯t escape.¡±

 Chapter 103 - Feathered Nest Gala

    "Grandma, you''re a Calamity now! Ahahaha! It''s amazing! Just wait until you get Sindoll¡¯s blessing then you¡¯ll be much better.¡±

    Raphael couldn¡¯t contain his excitement as he swaggered through the grand corridors of Qi Hawk¡¯s palace. He¡¯d been deeply worried for Thienika, whose frail form and diminished essence had tugged at his newfound sense of compassion.

    Now, however, his heart was light.

    She was stronger.

    And with some of her powers restored, maybe, just maybe¡­ they could win those precious years at the Grand Divine Tribulation.

    However, his blissful thoughts had Lu Jade coiling his serpentine form tightly around the bull¡¯s magnificent horns with a huff of disapproval.

    ¡°Big Brother¡­ settle down¡­ Settle down! That arrogance, Qi Hawk has merely helped her reach Calamity 1st Layer. We will be facing off against countless Nightmare Calamities! Beings that make Gastaroid look like an ant!¡±

    His harsh truth didn''t simply resonate in those cold walls but also in Thienika¡¯s heart as she watched Raphael¡¯s expression change from glee to concern.

    ¡°The journey ahead will be treacherous, Raphael. But Little Lu has a point. We should temper our joys. We can celebrate after we¡¯ve attained the precious years, hohoho!¡±

    "Ahahaha, you''re right, Grandma. But still¡­ It¡¯s a relief." Raphael smiled again, and even Lu Jade relaxed a little bit. It felt strange being scolded by a tree, however, truth and respect for those above demanded it, he concluded.

    Then as if fate itself had a wicked sense of humor and wanted to add a bit of flavor to their somber reflections on the harsh reality of Yama Yaguai and their predicament¡­

    Before them, a cloud of smoke appeared.

    ¡°Boboboboho!¡±

    Julian Ringtail emerged.

    He stood there with his tail swishing back and forth playfully. His mischievous grin had both Raphael and Lu Jade cringing, for they could sense lewd thoughts emanating from that lemur''s gaze as it moved up and down Thienika¡¯s form with an intensity they¡¯d never seen.

    ¡°Venerable Thienika¡­ My, my¡­ you looked beautiful! Those starry roots and that delicate form¡­ Boboboboho!¡±

    He then hopped closer and started circling her with an urgency that had her staff crackling ominously. His paws twitched as if wanting to touch. And in that moment before he could even sniff her, or perhaps even taste her.

    Thienika spoke with a calmness that contradicted her irritation.

    ¡°Julian Ringtail, I see that your eyes for beauty have not diminished. A trait I commend.¡±

    She then stamped her staff against the floor.

    BOOM!

    A wave of energy erupted!

    ¡°What the¡­?!¡±

    Julian was blasted backwards.

    Those who witnessed his demise from nearby balconies gasped. ¡°That woman¡­! She attacked Emperor Julian Ringtail?!¡±

    Their astonishment was short lived however, for within milliseconds he reappeared, and landed gracefully before them.

    ¡°HAHAHAHA! I knew it, I knew it! You still have that FIRE in your hips, Venerable Thienika! Such a potent beauty!¡±

    "Thissss¡­ isss awkward!" Lu Jade hissed to Raphael as his scales paled. ¡°We¡­ We should just slither away.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, perhaps¡­" But before they could flee this awkward encounter, Julian turned to Raphael and gave him a wink.

    "And YOU, bull! That was one helluva show earlier! I''ve never seen Gastaroid so¡­ so¡­ well¡­ HUMILIATED! To have HIS power siphoned like that? Boboboboho!" He laughed. "You¡¯ve got guts. I like it!"

    Then, with a flick of his wrist, he extended an invitation. ¡°Come visit me one day. We¡¯ll drink the finest wines. Those brewed by the fairies! I know you¡¯ll enjoy them, hahaha!¡±

    And then he vanished in a puff of smoke.

    Raphael scratched his head. "What was THAT all about?¡±

    "He¡¯s a bit¡­ peculiar¡­ and quite lecherous¡­ Big Brother. Let us forget about this."

    ¡°Yeah, but the wines he mentioned¡­¡± Raphael pondered briefly about that offer. ¡°Maybe¡­¡±

    "Don''t even consider those temptations! His offers are rarely genuine!"

    As they continued onward, their earlier conversation faded into chatter about a more immediate issue.

    "I wonder what delicious meals Qi Hawk will be serving tonight,¡±

    ¡°Food¡­ yes¡­!"

    They were famished. And a feast, especially one hosted by a powerful Emperor Calamity, well, that was a reward in itself, they¡¯d all agreed. Soon, their discussion shifted toward attires, and what to wear to an Emperor¡¯s party.

    ¡­

    Nestoria, Qi Hawk''s magnificent Marble World, contained the glow of a thousand rainbow-colored winds. They danced elegantly between the floating islands, carrying with them the sweet fragrance of exotic flowers and a palpable air of excitement.

    Tonight was a celebration!

    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    "Welcome to the ''Feathered Nest Gala''!" a majestic peacock announced as it fluttered near the venue''s entrance.

    And within the Gala, pure delights awaited those who''d been granted access.

    Hundreds of bird-creatures, dressed in elegant attire that glittered with gemstones and feathers, flocked towards the venue. They walked with a grace and poise unique to those whose wings dominated the sky. Some strutted with companions while others chatted and gossiped. The venue was a constant flow of buzzing and chirping.

    The Gala itself was a breathtaking sight.

    Upon a massive, floating platform were beautifully arranged tables. They were laden with the most exotic fruits imaginable. Golden pears that tasted of sunshine, crimson grapes that throbbed with potent juices, star-shaped berries whose juices could rejuvenate.

    Such decadence!

    And around those tables, servants in white silk garment moved with silent efficiency while offering drinks in crystal glasses and pouring wine.

    Upon the stage, a troupe of dancers moved to the rhythmic beats of large, heartwood drums and the delicate melody of jade flutes. The rhythm resonated across that Gala. It had many guests bopping their feathered heads and tapping their talons as their hearts swayed.

    Those lucky enough to have partners twirled on floating platforms that were rotating slowly to a melody of love. It was a truly a romantic, unforgettable sight.

    And amidst this grand venue, overlooking the festivities from a lavish table draped in violet silks, sat Emperor Qi Hawk.

    Beside him, on an even larger throne, lounged Julian Ringtail.

    "Boboboboho! Such beauties! Such grace!¡± He was clearly enjoying the Gala¡¯s decadent atmosphere as he gulped down an entire bottle of ruby-red wine in one go.

    ¡°Ahhhh! Divine!¡± He wiped his mouth with the back of his paw, then his gaze landed on a pair of beautiful hummingbirds with wings tipped in silver.

    "Excuse me, Brother Hawk.¡± With a mischievous grin, Julian vanished!

    He reappeared before those hummingbirds, this time, however¡­

    He wasn¡¯t a lemur anymore!

    ¡°My, my! Such beautiful hummingbirds I see gracing these humble skies tonight, truly, truly, breathtaking.¡± He had transformed into a stunning white peacock with a tail that fanned out in a dazzling display of iridescent blues and greens. His voice was smooth and seductive.

    Those ladies, clearly mesmerized by his beauty and charm, giggled.

    ¡°Flattery¡­ It suits you.¡± One of them replied as they found themselves encircled by his magnificent feathers and a hand that was resting too close to her chest for comfort.

    ¡°Perhaps a dance later, my beauties?¡± He smoothly slung an arm around each of them, before whispering words that had their feathers ruffled and hearts fluttering.

    And within a blink¡­ he was gone.

    He whisked those beauties away to a private booth tucked behind a waterfall of moonlight.

    ¡°That bastard! He¡¯s up to his lecherous tricks again!¡± Elder Feng Huo who¡¯d witnessed the abduction hissed, a bit too loudly, with jealousy evident in his words.

    He¡¯d also hoped to chat up a few fine ladies, but who would choose his wrinkled self when there was a younger, more extravagant peacock with rainbow colored feathers offering those temptations of ecstasy. Such a pity.

    His companion, Elder Lei Lang, nudged him. ¡°Settle down, Feng Huo. There are plenty of ladies in the crowd and for you, there is the finest wine in Yama Yaguai. Let us savor this night, my friend.¡±

    ¡°True, true¡­¡± Feng Huo reluctantly agreed, as he watched more wine being poured into their glasses, a small comfort.

    ¡­

    At the opposite end of the venue, Raphael strolled leisurely through the crowds with a massive grin. On his shoulder, perched Thienika, and around his horns, Lu Jade was coiled.

    "Such¡­ opulence! And those snacks¡­¡± Lu Jade''s eyes were wide with delight. ¡°I¡¯ve never witnessed so many, especially, not those ones from the human territories. Look Big Brother! Aren¡¯t those Chocolate Covered Strawberries?!¡±

    ¡°They are alright, I suppose, but why are these humans so obsessed with covering fruits in brown sugar?!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be such a grump, Big Brother! Let us enjoy ourselves. Thissss isss a celebration!"

    As they debated the merits of human cuisine, a waitress in violet silks hovered before them, offering drinks on a silver tray.

    "Honored guests, what can I get for you?" She bowed respectfully. They were, after all, Emperor Qi Hawk''s VIPs.

    "Sunshine Wine! Do you have Sunshine Wine?" Thienika¡¯s request made Raphael¡¯s hooves tremble.

    ¡°You want Sunshine Wine, Grandma? The last time it made you dizzy.¡±

    "It¡¯s quite potent. However, It is a celebration after all, and one should savor such moments,¡± she countered gently with a smile.

    "I¡¯ll pass. Thank you.¡± Raphael shook his head. Wine wasn¡¯t his cup of¡­ well, he¡¯d never had a ¡®cup of wine¡¯ before, he admitted internally.

    He remembered the warnings from Butler Long:

    ¡®Raphael, wine dulls the senses! Keep your wits sharp! You must always be wary of your mistress¡¯s mood, for Tajmani''s temper¡­ it is a fickle thing, indeed.¡¯

    ¡°I¡¯ll have one also." Said Lu Jade.

    "Right away.¡±

    The waitress offered a glass of the amber-hued liquid to Lu Jade and Thienika. She gracefully took it. The wrinkles on her silver-bark face softened.

    Then she glanced at Raphael. "Are you certain you wouldn¡¯t like to taste it? Perhaps¡­¡± She held out her glass, ¡°A small sip, just for luck?¡±

    Reluctantly, he accepted. "Hmm, very well.¡± Raphael brought the glass to his lips and took a tiny sip.

    It was a mistake.

    The moment the sweet liquid touched his tongue, a burst of warmth spread through him.

    "Woah¡­" He paused, savoring the flavor. It had an earthy, floral taste with a hint of spice that tingled on his tongue. It was a pleasant sensation and suddenly he couldn''t remember why he disliked wine in the first place.

    Those stern warnings from Butler Long were replaced with a yearning for more.

    "Delicious!" He gulped down the rest of the glass and with a eagerness that shocked Thienika,

    ¡°MORE!¡±

    He practically chased the waitress as she backed away, flustered.

    ¡°Y-yes, sir, of course.¡± She hurriedly retrieved another bottle and poured, hoping this beast wouldn''t drink it in one go, for surely those elders would scold her if their guest ended up unconscious or started destroying the venue! Such would be a dreadful tale to tell their grandchildren.

    ¡­

    "That bull sure loves to drink! HAHAHAHA!"

    ¡°Hmm, this fruit salad is truly a magnificent combination of flavors."

    Raphael was seated with Lu Jade and Thienika at a table nearby Emperor Qi Hawk, where the elders and other court officials chatted leisurely while enjoying decadent dishes.

    Raphael¡¯s massive hooves were tapping against floor as he laughed loudly and shared tales of his battles.

    "And THEN¡­ Gastaroid blasted those insects with lava! He roared, ''You¡¯re all FOOLS!¡¯"

    He took another gulp of ¡®Sunshine Wine¡¯ and smacked his lips.

    "Big Brother, that¡¯s your fifteenth bottle¡­" Lu Jade pointed with his tail towards the empty bottles that had begun cluttering their side of the table, and he was a bit concerned now, "You''ve had quite a bit, perhaps you should¡­¡±

    Raphael cut him off. "Nonsense, Little Lu! We¡¯re celebrating! A toast to Grandma Thienika¡¯s ascension! To our future victory!¡± He raised his glass again, and before his companions could stop him, he downed another glassful.

    Qi Hawk laughed. "He reminds me of myself in my younger years. Those tales of adventures and glory, they always tasted better with wine!¡±

    Thienika sighed and shook her head. "He needs to slow down. I don¡¯t fancy carrying an unconscious bull through the skies."

    She and Lu Jade quickly snatched the remaining bottles away before he demanded more.

    "Hmph! But I was enjoying myself!" He grumbled, sounding a bit slurred now. Those blood-soaked eyes of his looked tired, yet a hint of that fire remained.

    They spent another hour chatting, enjoying the festivities, and sampling the exotic delicacies.

    ¡°Such a delightful Gala, Emperor. But it seems Raphael is no longer capable of appreciating your generosity,¡± Thienika commented while glancing towards her drunken companion who was now snoring loudly.

    Qi Hawk said, ¡°Ahaha, you are right, his gullet is exhausted. But the night is still young! Surely, you can stay a bit longer, no?¡±

    ¡°We appreciate your hospitality, Emperor. But we should take our leave, I think a few hours of rest would do wonders for us.¡±

    ¡°Very well then, I bid you all a good night.¡±

    With a final nod, Thienika hoisted Raphael onto her shoulders. He grunted, stirred briefly, but his eyes remain closed.

    Lu Jade gave a bow, then followed them out of the venue with a slithering grace.

    As they exited, they overheard snippets of conversation.

    ¡°Ringtail, you troublesome lemur! Get out of my palace! NOW!¡±

    ¡°Awww¡­ come on Hawk, don¡¯t be like that. Those concubines of yours¡­"

    They then shook their heads and exited, eager to escape those shenanigans.

 Chapter 104 - A Stolen Vessel

    THUD!

    Raphael¡¯s hooves hit the golden platform of the Golden Prism Citadel with a resounding thud, and his massive form stumbled, barely catching himself before crashing into a jade pillar. He swayed precariously, his breath reeked of sunshine wine and regret.

    ¡°You drank yourself into a STUPOR! How embarrassing, Big Brother!¡± Lu Jade¡¯s reprimands had his emerald scales pulsating, for wasn¡¯t he supposed to be a powerful Calamity, a fearsome Golden Bull Thork?

    He was assisting Thienika in carrying the bull as his form shifted to that of a massive emerald snake, but it was necessary.

    "Oh, hush Little Lu¡­." Raphael grumbled. Those potent liquors Qi Hawk¡¯s had so generously shared with them, and which he''d eagerly devoured, now had him seeing double.

    Thienika observed this scene with a shake of her head. She¡¯d seen stronger creatures succumb to the allure of intoxicating beverages.

    ¡°It¡¯s better to nip this in the bud. Lu Jade, take him to his chambers. He needs rest. His cells are troubled.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Grandma.¡±

    But just as Lu Jade nudged Raphael¡¯s massive, stumbling form toward the entrance with a sigh of resignation, a radiant orange slash of energy came crashing downwards.

    It aimed straight for Raphael¡¯s back.

    "CAREFUL!"

    Thienika reacted instantly.

    ¡°Royal Guard!¡±

    She thrust her staff forward!

    BOOM!

    A translucent shield, unseen by regular eyes but radiant to those with potent essences, materialized around them.

    And the attack was effortlessly deflected.

    ¡°Huh?¡± QI Fenwei landed with a grace befitting a warrior. "Well well well¡­"

    She sheathed Archon as she walked towards them. "Your reaction time is impressive, old lady. I¡¯ll give you that, but it won¡¯t save your fragile little roots when facing the true monsters that¡¯ll be at the Great Divine Tribulation, those Emperor Calamities and their spawns of terror, they¡¯re coming!¡±

    Her eyes then settled on Raphael¡¯s form and that farting ass of his made her grimaced. ¡°This bull! He''s PATHETIC! He can¡¯t even defend himself? Surely there has to be a mistake?¡±

    "He''s drunk, that''s why," Lu Jade hissed back, but his explanation only fueled her frustration.

    "I know a way to sober him up."

    ¡°What do you plan on¡­?¡±

    But Lu Jade never got to finish his sentence. Qi Fenwei, without another word, grabbed Raphael by his tail and began dragging his massive, drunken form towards the glistening, golden doors leading to the Citadel''s training grounds.

    ...

    A few minutes later¡­

    BOOM! CRACKLE!

    ¡°HRAAA! What the¡­?!¡±

    Raphael¡¯s shriek resounded through the vast training ground as his golden hide tingled with a sudden jolt of pain that shattered his drunken reverie and had him seeing stars he so loved dancing in black sky above.

    Qi Fenwei had unleashed a potent black lightning bolt!

    "You¡­ you BITCH!¡±

    Raphael was furious, but that fury also cleared his head as he glared at his attacker who stood before him.

    ¡°We were having fun! A few drinks! And YOU DARE interrupt?!¡± He stomped his hooves angrily, but his action was more of a tantrum, for he felt unsteady still.

    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    Qi Fenwei ignored his insults. Her gaze had sharpened and an icy fury descended upon everyone present; even Lu Jade¡¯s scales trembled in their coils.

    She spoke with a menacing attitude, ¡°You are all TOO WEAK! To think I¡¯m stuck with a bunch of pathetic, weaklings. A Calamity 1st Layer who can barely control her power. An arrogant little Saint Ruler snake with a penchant for crying. And this BULL, whose main strength lies in consuming excessive amounts of alcohol! This is MY fate? This is what I was destined for?!¡±

    Her fury had the very air in that space submitting to her dominance. ¡°I cannot defy MY FATHER. Thus, I am STUCK with your pathetic team. MY ONLY solution is to whip you lot into shape BEFORE those trumpets announce the Great Divine Tribulation, because if this is how we arrive, my name, MY lineage will be a joke for those vultures who¡¯ll watch us get eliminated!¡±

    She¡¯d spent the past couple of days training with her team, and they''d made progress. It was a squad she¡¯d picked after the gruesome mission back in the Crimson Blood Gorge a few years ago. They were a potent mix of Calamities with varying skills, each handpicked to compliment her strengths, and in a few months, they would''ve been ready to face anyone!

    "But now¡­"

    She shook her head and turned to face Raphael, her blade, ¡®Lullaby¡¯ was unsheathed. It glowed with a potent blue light.

    ¡°I''ve already assessed the other two. They''ll provide¡­ MINIMAL assistance, but YOU¡­ You are a variable. SHOW me, bull, if you are worthy to stand by MY side, for I, QI FENWEI, HATE useless things.¡±

    Her words. He¡¯d heard them countless times from those he served in his former life. It angered him!

    ¡°HRRAAAA!¡±

    He charged. It was a reckless assault.

    But she¡­

    Qi Fenwei simply¡­ sidestepped! She was fast!

    WHOOSH! SLASH!

    In a heartbeat, she''d slashed at his ankle!

    Raphael stumbled. He went crashing down. He rolled once, twice, then landed face-first onto the training ground¡¯s floor.

    ¡°You¡­ pathetic creature. Is this all you¡¯ve got?¡± She stared at him with a terrifying disappointment. ¡°Get up and attack! Or do you simply enjoy being flat on your face, inhaling those dreadful ass fumes?!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m still¡­ a little¡­ drunk.¡± He tried to explain, but his words only fueled her ire.

    "Excuses. Excuses! Such weakness!¡± Qi Fenwei thrust her blade towards his exposed, smelly backside with a shriek of indignation and an intense desire to punish. She¡¯d seen this arrogance, this reliance on brute strength from many of the participants, but to be forced to be on this bull¡¯s team for such a prestigious event.

    She couldn¡¯t allow this dishonor to stand!

    His backside¡­

    It would be her new training target!

    WHOOSH!

    ¡°Damn you!¡±

    Raphael snorted and activated his Shadow Teleportation.

    He vanished in a burst of black essence and then reappeared above Qi Fenwei with a bloodcurdling roar, ¡°GOLD PRESS!¡±

    BOOOOOM!

    His golden hooves materialized above her. It pressed down with unimaginable force! The air around them groaned as potent gravitational energy had those nearby jade-encrusted lamps dimming in fear of being crushed!

    ¡°She¡¯s¡­ she''s done for.¡± Lu Jade could only say.

    This was a potent technique, and anyone who dared to challenge it¡­ they¡¯d be paste.

    But QI Fenwei simply¡­smirked.

    Then with a casual flick of her wrist¡­

    SLASH!

    The golden hooves shattered! They dissipated like mist!

    ¡°Outdated! Is THIS all you have to offer?! Hmm, such a pity¡­ I had hoped for more.¡± QI Fenwei shook her head. Her eyes radiated boredom and a growing disappointment.

    ¡°Wow¡­" Lu Jade was awestruck, he glanced towards Thienika, ¡°She¡­ She just¡­¡±

    Thienika remained impassive. But within her heart. ¡°That girl¡­ her speed¡­ her swordsmanship skills! And that aura¡­ I haven¡¯t witnessed such refined mastery since I faced those Dragon Warriors in Fol Ash!¡±

    ¡°Outdated¡­?¡± Raphael growled. ¡°Then¡­ TRY this! HEAVENLY SKY HAMMER ¨C HYUNDA BLIZZARD!¡±

    BOOM!

    From behind his form, he summoned that magnificent hammer. And as he gripped it tightly with his right hand, he unleashed its power!

    A blue whirlwind shot forth. It became a cyclone of electrifying fury.

    ¡°Impressive, he can control a stolen weapon with ease¡­?¡± Thienika thought.

    Qi Fenwei¡¯s eyes narrowed as she drew a perfect circle with ¡®Lullaby¡¯.

    "Whisper!¡±

    The air shimmered. And with a hum, the circle expanded into a translucent white disc.

    Within the disc, a blinding flash!

    WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

    Hundreds of sword duplicates came flying out! They were smaller, slender, but moved with that same elegance and terrifying precision as Qi Fenwei¡¯s.

    They clashed with the Hyunda Blizzard!

    Sparks flew. Energies collided. The training grounds shook with the force of their encounter. But it was a one-sided battle!

    Raphael¡¯s attack, powerful as it was, paled in comparison. It was being overwhelmed, shattered!

    And before he could even understand why those stolen moves were failing¡­

    SLASH!

    A final strike shattered his confidence completely. She unleashed a blinding bolt of black lightning from her sword tip that sent that ¡®Heavenly Sky Hammer¡¯ flying back from his grasp with an echoing, metallic clang! It landed behind him.

    "That hammer¡­" Qi Fenwei glared at him. "A stolen weapon! That technique you used, It was also stolen from that pathetic Golden Crane! Are you nothing but a fraud! An imposter?!¡±

    ¡°You pathetic, talentless BULL! Do you have NO originality?!¡± She sheathed her blade and stood before him with a disappointed sigh.

    ¡°Damn you!"

    Her words were cutting!

    They stung deeper than any blade. Raphael trembled.

    He looked at his hooves, his wings, at his massive golden form that radiated power he hadn¡¯t truly earned, not in those ways that made him unique.

    It was true.

    He was nothing but a vessel of stolen power.

    This realization shattered his arrogance. He remembered a time long ago.

    He stood in a clearing. It was near a babbling brook, and his body wasn¡¯t a monstrous bull, but rather a young, human teen. In his grasp, he held a wooden sword, and before him stood Butler Long.

    ¡°Focus, Raphael! Swordsmanship isn''t simply about wielding a fancy blade. It¡¯s about understanding its sharp nature, finding those paths that make your technique, yours alone."

    He smiled gently and added, ¡°A sword is nothing but an extension of your will. But first, you must master its grasp.¡±

 Chapter 105 - Solar Blood Spirit

    Flashback¡­

    The crisp morning air permeated as Raphael watched, awestruck, from behind a pillar. It was in that open training ground near the edges of Tajmani¡¯s estate where they were allowed to practice. Before him was Butler Long wielding a sword.

    Each time he moved, his blade became a blur of crimson light as the air itself sung a melody of destruction. Butler Long was showcasing a mastery over a technique he¡¯d called ¡®Crimson Dance of a Thousand Cuts¡¯, truly magnificent!

    But for Raphael, that technique¡¯s intricacies were lost to a much more somber realization.

    ¡°I¡­ I could never be this skilled. My movements are clumsy. I¡¯m weak! Even those guards make fun of my physique, and call me ¡®scrawny¡¯. I hate it!¡±

    His thoughts were consumed with self-doubt, which only amplified the anxieties he was battling. And his predicament, it wasn¡¯t simply about those insults he''d endured, nor those beatings. No.

    It was deeper.

    It was something that had him tossing and turning in his tiny, servant quarters.

    His bloodline powers, they hadn¡¯t awakened yet.

    That morning, as they were both seated on the grass, enjoying a breakfast of rice porridge and dried meat after a particularly grueling training session where he¡¯d had the misfortune of getting his ass beaten by Butler Long, Raphael couldn¡¯t contain his despair anymore.

    ¡°I¡¯m almost fifteen, Butler Long, and my powers¡­ they¡¯re still¡­ dormant. I¡¯m far older than Princess Tajmani, and yet she¡¯s already awakened her Solar Blood Spirit. Why? What am I doing wrong?" His voice quivered with the agony of this constant reminder, his humiliation.

    Butler Long, ever patient and kind, placed a reassuring hand on Raphael¡¯s head and gently ruffled his short, dark purple strands.

    ¡°Raphael, life is like a race. Some are born with a head start. But it¡¯s NOT about who arrives at the finish line FIRST. It¡¯s about the JOURNEY, the experiences acquired along the way, those lessons we learn. Those tribulations we overcome.¡±

    ¡°Hmmm¡­"

    ¡°Do not compare yourself to Tajmani, for I can sense it. Your potential for growth, it¡¯s FAR greater, believe me, It truly is! All you have to do is practice, practice, practice!¡±

    His words were fuel to Raphael¡¯s waning resolve. He was about to ask for further guidance, perhaps even beg for a demonstration of that potent crimson blade technique once again, but¡­

    ¡°Slave! WHERE¡¯S MY BATH WATER?!¡±

    Tajmani¡¯s shriek came from the balcony above and shattered their moment of peace.

    ¡°Tsk! She couldn¡¯t wait one more hour. The nerve of that brat.¡± Butler Long muttered angrily as he stood up.

    ¡°Be humble, Raphael, and go attend to your sister. After all, aren¡¯t WE all simply ants crawling beneath those who¡¯ve earned a throne? Remember¡­ family is everything, and blood¡­ well, It¡¯s the thickest bond we share. ¡°

    Raphael gritted his teeth as he mumbled, ¡°But why do I always have to fetch her water? We have a new plumping system! All she has to DO¡­ is turn those valves¡­ and¡­ why me?¡±

    ¡°Raphael¡­"

    His words died as Butler Long gave him a look that had his tail between his legs as he hurriedly scurried away to appease his mistress¡¯s unreasonable demands, for surely weren''t those warnings of ¡®discipline and order¡¯ the only reward he''d ever get for challenging the system?

    ¡­

    Another time¡­

    ¡­

    ¡°Stupid dust!¡±

    Raphael stood within Tajmani¡¯s lavish chamber, sweeping the floors. He¡¯d been at it for hours, desperately trying to eliminate any speck of dust, pollen or stray insect that might trigger his mistress¡¯s volatile temper.

    ¡°Hmph! The estate is equipped with air filters that are even capable of sucking up cobwebs and yet she has me sweeping?¡± He mumbled, frustrated. But complaining was a privilege reserved for those of noble blood, not servants. He''d learnt that lesson long ago.

    Just then, a Psiphon Car came to a stop outside the window. Two Blood Knights stood guard beside it after they helped the Queen out.

    Raphael was oblivious of this. He continued to sweep, unaware that Queen Ewa Nier and her daughter was approaching. Suddenly, he heard their voices coming from behind the door.

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ the Queen!¡±

    He shivered. The sight of Queen Ewa Nier always filled him with dread. Her chilling eyes could pierce even a Golden Bull Thork''s defenses, and his own heart which wasn¡¯t even worthy of her disdain, it pounded with a dreadful rhythm.

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    ¡°What should I do?¡±

    He didn''t have time to decide on a proper course of action, for their voices were getting louder. Those footsteps of power were right at the door!

    He instinctively hid behind the luxurious, velvet curtains by the window.

    "Mother!" Tajmani''s voice had a lilting sweetness that was always a facade, he¡¯d learnt, after countless beatings.

    He peered through the gaps. He saw her and her mother. They neared the bed.

    "My darling, your aura is glowing brighter. I can tell something excited has happened, right?¡± Ewa Nier inquired gently as she sat beside her daughter and brushed her luscious dark purple strands with a caring gesture that he''d never experienced.

    How strange, this relationship they shared.

    ¡°Hmmm. Mother¡­¡± Tajmani¡¯s face darkened a bit as her gaze drifted toward the floor in embarrassment. ¡°There is this¡­ this BOY at the academy that I liked.¡±

    "A boy¡­? Is he from a noble lineage?"

    ¡°Well¡­¡± Tajmani paused, she was nervous.

    Raphael had sensed her unease which wasn¡¯t uncommon whenever her mother questioned her motives or showed an interest that could easily be misconstrued as affections. It was truly a strange yet fascinating family affair.

    ¡°Continue, daughter. I won''t allow any useless boy to taint my bloodline!¡±

    Tajmani gulped.

    "He¡­ he''s¡­ from¡­ the¡­"

    ¡°Thump, thump¡­ Thump¡­ thump¡­¡±

    The secret she was about to reveal was shattered by a sound only those with keen earing perception would recognize, a heart¡­

    It was beating loudly!

    And from that heart came whispers of fear.

    "WHO DARES eavesdrop?!"

    A chilling aura exploded outward! A powerful energy blast tore through the heavy velvet curtains as if they were cobwebs before revealing the cowering figure behind them.

    BOOM!

    ¡°Raphael?!¡±

    ¡°Mother¡­ he¡¯s spying on us!¡±

    Tajmani¡¯s words were lost to Raphael¡¯s ear, for he was sent hurtling through the window, thrown outwards like a discarded ragdoll!

    He tumbled through the sky, desperately trying to grasp something, anything to stop his fall. But there was nothing!

    ¡°NOOOOOO! This is how I die?!"

    Just before he crashed onto the paved stone below¡­

    WHOOSH!

    A blinding flash of blue radiance burst from his chest! It shot upwards toward the heavens.

    ¡°Hmm?¡±

    Ewa Nier¡¯s eyes narrowed as she peered out the window. Her gaze followed the stream of sapphire energy with curiosity, "That boy¡­? What is he¡­?¡±

    Then, a magnificent sight unfolded before them.

    Raphael''s blood began to coalesce, it took shape in the sky. It was forming a creature of exquisite beauty.

    He screamed in agony. But his screams were drowned out by the whispers of those witnessing.

    ¡°That boy, is¡­ he AWAKENING?!"

    They were right.

    He was!

    A sapphire dragon appeared! It¡¯s body was thin and elegant, with pretty silver eyes and a tail fin. Its form was unique. It moved gracefully, as if dancing to a melody only it could hear.

    This was the manifestation of Raphael¡¯s ¡®Solar Blood Spirit¡¯.

    "A¡­ ¡®Spring Blood Dragon!¡¯ There¡¯s NO MISTAKING IT! Such a potent Solar Blood Spirit! How could he possess it?¡± Her words were laced with awe and bitter disappointment, for she couldn''t allow this. It wasn''t possible!

    She knew the history of this particular spirit within their bloodline. The legends surrounding it! And now¡­

    A ¡®slave boy¡¯ possessed what she¡¯d hoped her daughter would inherit.

    Such injustice!

    Little Tajmani, who had also been watching with awe, cautiously asked, ¡°Mother¡­ what is that blue WORM doing around my DOG?¡±

    "Tajmani, you fool. It¡¯s a Solar Blood Spirit!¡±

    She then explained with a hint of irritation, ¡°It¡¯s a manifestation of an individual''s soul nature that we cultivate. They come in varying forms and abilities, some are weak, but potent ones¡­ they¡¯re quite valuable, especially in accelerating tedious practices.

    This one¡­ the Spring Blood Dragon! It''s one of the rarest and most potent Blood Spirits within our Bloodthorne Lineage, second only to the Star Blood. A magnificent sight, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    But even as she was schooling her daughter about this phenomenon, she was remembering those stories of how few, even among the gifted Bloodthorne Elders had awaken the ¡®Spring Blood Dragon¡¯, those that had, were legends.

    They''d commanded unmatched power and unlimited Blood Pool.

    The most recent¡­

    ¡°He is my husband now, but¡­¡±

    She glanced at Tajmani whose abilities paled in comparison to even the average Blood Knights. It was a truth that had fueled her bitterness.

    ¡°She is nowhere near this boy¡¯s level."

    Her thoughts went to her husband, the King himself¡ªRazel Louche Bloodthorne.

    He¡¯d also awakened a ¡®Spring Blood Dragon¡¯ a Crimson one! And after claiming his throne. His power, his cultivation had advanced at an alarmingly fast rate. But this was the son of her rival, of that wretched woman, Haleema. It wasn¡¯t possible, and yet¡­ here it was.

    ¡°I can¡¯t allow this! This has to be rectified.¡±

    "This will not stand. That boy¡¯s Solar Blood Spirit¡­ it should be MINE! I shall claim it! I''ll tear it out of HIM and graft it onto Tajmani! Even if he DIES!¡±

    Ewa Nier didn¡¯t hesitate. She dashed outside the window!

    ¡­

    "Huh, what is this thing?¡± Raphael coughed blood as he looked up. His body was aching. His bones felt as brittle as  twigs. His Sapphire Spring Blood Dragon had wrapped itself tightly around him.

    "It¡­ It feels warm¡­¡±

    He reached out to touch its form, and the instant he did, he felt a strange energy flow into him. His wounds began to mend. He could sense the potent energies of his ¡®Solar Blood Spirit¡¯ healing him.

    ¡°So THIS¡­ is¡­ my power?¡± He was in awe.

    And as his blood sang,

    ¡°Die!¡±

    A chilling voice came from above!

    It was Queen Ewa Nier.

    She hovered above him and with a terrifying grin, she extended both her hands. They radiated a potent crimson aura as she attempted to rip away the sapphire dragon.

    ¡°You¡­!¡± Raphael was shocked, for he¡¯d never imagined the Queen¡¯s fury could be so direct!

    "That little runt¡¯s Solar Blood Spirit shall BELONG to MY DAUGHTER!¡± She laughed as tendrils of her blood lashed forth, enveloping him in a desperate attempt to claim that which defied her desires.

    However, in her haste¡­

    ¡°That scent¡­ He¡¯s coming! DAMN that Butler Long!¡±

    Her concentration wavered as she felt a familiar, but unwanted aura approaching from a distance.

    "There¡¯s no TIME¡­! If I can¡¯t steal it¡­ then I shall¡­ SEAL IT AWAY!"

    Raphael became overwhelmed by darkness! He felt his Solar Blood Spirit shrinking, its warmth was fading and being consumed by an unseen power.

    And then everything went black.

    ¡­

    "Hmm¡­ that light¡­" Butler Long landed beside Raphael''s unconscious form with a soft thud as a subtle wave of crimson energy moved around him. He glanced towards the Queen¡¯s chambers, "I saw a strange light, just now. And I sensed a powerful flow of Blood Essence¡­ Huh¡­ what happened to Raphael?¡±

    He quickly checked the boy''s pulse. It was faint, but stable. He then picked him up and headed towards the medical wing. He''d figure out what happened later.

    Meanwhile, above¡­

    Ewa Nier smiled and withdrew her blood back into her fingers.

    ¡®So it¡¯s true. That old man truly is obsessed with this pathetic child. Perhaps, perhaps¡­ this could work to my benefit.¡¯

 Chapter 106 - Gold Radius

    Flashback¡­

    Raphael lay upon a bed the medical ward. His breathing  was shallow, and his brow creased in pain. Beside him, Butler Long paced anxiously.

    He¡¯d been there for hours, ever since he found Raphael unconscious beneath Tajmani¡¯s chamber windows. He couldn¡¯t fathom the situation. Why was that boy thrown out the window? It didn¡¯t make sense. He questioned the guards but neither of them revealed anything.

    A physician dressed in a pristine white uniform entered the room. He held his hand gently above Raphael''s chest, his eyes glowing a soft emerald as he scanned the boy¡¯s condition.

    After a few moments, the physician straightened and turned to Butler Long, ¡°He¡¯s stable, Butler Long, but there is a slight damage done to his Solar Consciousness. This could result in temporary memory loss and confusion, but it should heal over time, given his young age and potent Bloodthorne linage."

    ¡°Thank you, Doctor.¡± Relief washed over him like a wave. ¡°I am in your debt.¡±

    The physician smiled and bowed respectfully, "It was my pleasure, Butler Long."

    Once the physician left, Butler Long¡¯s gaze settled on Raphael. He was frowning.

    ¡°What could have triggered this ailment? Was it Tajmani?¡± He shook his head. Those pranks and beatings the princess often inflicted, they never resulted in this kind of affliction, not this potent, this sinister!

    Then, he remembered.

    It was Ewa Nier!

    "It HAS to be HER! She did something! But WHAT?"

    ¡­

    A short while later¡­

    ¡­

    "Raphael?¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±

    Raphael stirred, his eyes fluttered open. He was greeted by Butler Long''s worried face and those gentle pats on his back.

    ¡°Butler¡­ Long?¡± He blinked, trying to remember how he¡¯d even gotten there, his mind felt hazy, and there was a throbbing migraine attacking his temple.

    "You''re finally awake! How are you feeling, my boy?"

    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t¡­¡±

    He tried to sit up, but his head spun. ¡°The last thing¡­ I remember was¡­ I¡­ was cleaning¡­ Princess Tajmani¡¯s room. And¡­ then¡­" He looked at his surroundings. ¡°And now I¡¯m¡­ HERE?¡± He was confused..

    Butler Long pulled him into a hug and patted his back gently. "There, there, it''s alright, Raphael. You''re safe. You''re home now."

    He was comforted.

    ¡°Butler Long, I¡­ I want to continue my swordsmanship lessons. Remember? We stopped because¡­ the princess wanted¡­?¡±

    ¡°I understand, Raphael.¡± Butler Long nodded and gently disengaged from the hug. ¡°You¡¯ve been working hard. You mentioned crafting a new technique, right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I think¡­ I called it¡­ ''Spiral Dance¡¯¡­ no¡­ ¡®Spinning¡­¡¯¡± He was trying so hard to recall, but something was interfering with his thought. He shook his head.

    ¡°No matter, we can continue later, ok Raphael?¡± Butler Long smiled. He was glad that his memories hadn''t entirely vanished.

    ¡­

    Back to the present.

    Raphael¡¯s hooves shuffled impatiently as his mind returned.

    "That move, I remember it. And also what that wench Ewa Nier did to me. She suppressed my¡­ my¡­ my power!

    My Solar Blood Spirit! I had a Sapphire Spring Blood Dragon! A power even that queen couldn¡¯t claim, a gift meant for me!¡±

    The realization had his massive form trembling. Then his awareness was pulled inwards towards his ¡®Cosmic Mind Sea.¡¯

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    He saw it.

    BOOM!

    A small, blue orb was being violently ejected from his sun center. And as it traveled outward, it devoured the blue radiance from the sun, leaving it a brilliant golden-white.

    Within his Cosmic Mind Sea¡­ a new star was being born!

    This was his true Solar Consciousness.

    ¡°Mine¡­"

    The blue orb grew larger and larger. It radiating a potent energy that rivaled Shao Jin''s power. And then, in a blinding flash of blue light¡­

    ¡°ROAR!¡±

    A magnificent, serpentine figure uncoiled! It soared upward with a grace befitting a celestial being. It was Raphael''s Sapphire Spring Blood Dragon. Its lengthy body shimmered with thousands of blue scales and its eyes radiated an ethereal silver.

    Its arrival was nothing short of spectacular, for from its very breath.

    ¡°Coronal Mass Ejection!¡±

    WHOOSH! CRACKLE!

    A wave of pure blue energy, laced with silver, pulsed outward and shattered the remnants of Ewa Nier¡¯s influence that had clouded his soul for so long. He was truly free!

    And from those waves of power¡­

    A new ¡®Astro Soul Orbital¡¯ came into being around the dragon. It was empty, but the possibilities it represented were beyond anything Raphael could have imagined.

    This was his true power!

    The Sapphire Spring Blood Dragon didn¡¯t hesitate.

    It was no mere decoration. It swam through his Cosmic Mind Sea, coiling around planets and stars, a force that defied logic. Even his ''Shadow Blood Planet'' trembled as this Dragon came near.

    "I am free.¡±

    ...

    Outside, within the Citadel¡¯s training ground, Qi Fenwei was growing impatient. "Will you stand there frozen in FEAR forever, bull? Or have you FINALLY accepted your pathetic existence?¡± Her words dripped with venom.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be an idiot, Princess!¡± Lu Jade shouted in frustration. "He¡¯s not afraid! Can¡¯t you sense the energy emanating¡­ It¡¯s like¡­" He couldn¡¯t find the right words, but he could sense it. He was witnessing something magnificent.

    Thienika¡¯s staff began to thrum gently, "That aura¡­" She watched as a resonance of something both ancient and new spread around the bull. "He is remembering his truth!"

    Raphael¡¯s eyes snapped open. They now blazed with an eerie silver light. He snorted hot air which brushed against his black nose ring. The crimson face of the ¡®Abyss Nylon¡¯ that adorned his form flickered before settling on a vibrant blue.

    He glared at QI Fenwei, who scoffed.

    ¡°So you want to see what I can DO?!¡±

    He growled and those segments on his horns began spinning rapidly.

    Red blood trickled from their tips.

    But it wasn¡¯t simply red, no, it was transforming!

    ¡°His blood essence¡­¡± Qi Fenwei whispered in awe. It was turning a brilliant blue, laced with silver particles.

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ truly magnificent!" Even Thienika was stunned.

    Raphael laughed.

    Then he extended his right hand, and the blue blood converged. It was condensing into a sword.

    ¡°Not¡­ DONE yet!¡±

    He drew golden sparks from his soul and began to infuse the sword with it!

    ¡°Hmm¡­ You think I¡¯ll simply stand here and watch?¡± QI Fenwei¡¯s wings flared as she observed the delicate changes taking form, a worthy opponent perhaps?

    In a blink of an eye, she vanished.

    ¡°Light Bodies!¡±

    Twelve forms, mirroring her silhouette, materialized. They charged toward Raphael from multiple directions.

    He watched them come, then, as if channeling those very memories of Butler Long¡¯s training and that yearning for something uniquely his own, he smiled.

    ¡°This¡­ will¡­ be¡­ EPIC!¡±

    ¡°Here¡¯s a NEW MOVE for you¡­ DON¡¯T DIE!"

    He roared.

    ¡°Gold Radius!¡±

    WHOOSH! BOOM! CRACK!

    The air exploded with energy!

    A sapphire-gold radial wave of countless sword slashes spread outwards in an orbital! It had the force of a supernova!

    Qi Fenwei¡¯s clones were unable to withstand the sheer power and shattered!

    Only her true form remained! And even she¡¯d been forced to cut a hole through those incoming blades of sapphire-gold to escape annihilation.

    She landed, breathing hard. Her amethyst armor had a few scratches now, the first time in centuries.

    "Have¡­ another!¡±

    With a defiant grin, he unleashed ¡®Gold Radius¡¯ once more, forcing her to backflip to safety.

    "Not bad, bull, but is THAT all?!" She landed gracefully, and her blades hummed as she observed his newfound mastery.

    ¡°Tsk, tsk¡­ Not¡­ even CLOSE.¡± Raphael¡¯s reply had the ground trembling.

    Then with his silvery-blue eyes now staring at her, he yelled.

    ¡°SAPPHIRE SPRING DRAGON!¡±

    ¡­

    And deep within his ''Cosmic Mind Sea'' a draconic flow of blue energy ripped through his sun!

    ¡­

    WHOOSH!

    And those watching on from the training ground, they witnessed a spectacle far more terrifying and elegant.

    "What is happening to the ground?!"

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ It¡¯s¡­"

    Blue blood!

    It rose from the ground like an ocean, erupting with a life force!

    "Big Brother¡¯s BLOOD¡­¡± Lu Jade eyes widened. He then saw it, and pointed it out to Thienika who gasped.

    A fin!

    A silver dorsal fin was cutting through the waves of blood, creating a frothy wake!

    Qi Fenwei hovered nearby, observing this new emergence.

    ¡°What¡­ monstrous creature¡­ resides within those depths?!¡±

    And then,

    It emerged!

    BOOM!

    A colossal dragon with magnificent silver-blue blues, and upon its head, six brilliant silver eyes glowed with an intensity that rippled space.

    Its body was long and sinuous, coiling gracefully as droplets of blood cascaded, leaving a brilliant trail. At the end of its tail, a silver fin flicked, creating a miniature whirlwind.

    Upon its sleek hide, strands of silver hair flowed with each motion. Silver strands were also present above its six piercing eyes.

    Three eyes on each side of its head blinked slowly. It gazed upon those before it with curiosity.

    It roared.

    Its breath was a cloud of blue steam.

    Even Rai Shen Long, the golden lightning dragon coiled around Raphael¡¯s hammer, shrunk back. Its potent energies faded in the presence of this truly majestic Spring Blood Dragon. It was larger, more imposing and it radiated the essence of Raphael''s newfound mastery over his own blood.

    This dragon wasn¡¯t simply a creature of scales and claws. No, this was a being of pure majesty. A being that had even Thienika, the ancient Draconic Star Lumber, bowing her head in respect.

    It was a sight that left the onlookers speechless and awestruck.

 Chapter 107 - Sapphire Spring Blood Dragon

    Within the Citadel¡¯s expansive training ground, a dazzling display unfolded before the awestruck gaze of Lu Jade and Thienika.

    The Sapphire Spring Blood Dragon swam joyously through the newly formed blood spring. It dipped and weaved, occasionally letting out a playful roar.

    ¡°So magnificent¡­" Raphael couldn''t help but smile. His heart was thrumming in sync with the dragon''s movements. This was a power unlike anything he¡¯d experienced before, a truth belonging to him, and him alone.

    His new companion¡¯s six silver eyes gazed upon him with affection, and in its pupils, Raphael saw a reflection of his own ambitions, that desire to surpass the limitations fate had so cruelly placed upon him. It was exhilarating.

    ¡°Is that a¡­ Blood Dragon?¡±

    Qi Fenwei whispered.

    Leaning on her staff, Thienika stepped forward and told her, "Not just ANY Blood Dragon, Princess. It¡¯s a Spring Blood Dragon. One of the rarest and most potent Solar Blood Spirits native to those TINY creatures in the Bloodthorne Empire. ¡°

    Qi Fenwei¡¯s was taken aback. ¡°What?! But then HOW can this BULL summon it?! His Solar Blood Spirit is supposed to be a Golden Bull Thork! How is this even possible?¡±

    Even Thienika was puzzled, ¡°Strange indeed¡­" She glanced at Raphael whose aura now had a dual resonance, one of ancient golden flames and now a chilling silver-blue. A smile crept across her weathered face.

    "It seems¡­ my grandson possesses DUAL Solar Blood Spirits. What a fascinating development. This changes everything.¡±

    Her words ignited Lu Jade¡¯s excitement, "Wow¡­ Big Brother, you are truly POWERFUL!¡± He couldn¡¯t help but laughed. His pride knew no bounds as he watched the Spring Blood Dragon dance, for surely with such power at their side, those lesser Calamities wouldn¡¯t stand a chance.

    ¡°Tsk! So what if he has DUAL Solar Blood Spirits? He¡¯s STILL far weaker than ME!"

    Qi Fenwei couldn''t tolerate this show of awe being directed towards an opponent, especially a bull whose arrogance and ass fumes she¡¯d tasted firsthand!

    She sheathed ''Lullaby'' and drew ¡®Archon¡¯. It buzzed with an eager ferocity, and its orange eye glared menacingly.

    "Let me show you what TRUE STRENGTH is!"

    She charged energy.

    And then¡­

    ¡°Archon ¨C Destructive Steller Beak!"

    WHOOSH! CRACK!

    A horrifying wave of orange energy erupted from her blade.

    It cleaved a path through the blood spring.

    It solidified, growing larger with every heartbeat until a gigantic, phantom beak, radiating potent Solar Essence with its edges sharp enough to sever mountains in half materialized, it then soared towards Raphael with the velocity of a meteor!

    This was a technique worthy of her lineage!

    ¡°Hmm? Sapphire Spring Blood Dragon ¨C GO!¡±

    Raphael¡¯s command had the beast roaring forwards, for it was his innate nature this creature reflected, and as such, his desires to dominate and conquer were its driving force now.

    The Sapphire Spring Blood Dragon launched itself at the phantom beak. The pool of blue blood beneath churned wildly and parted as the dragon''s body cut through it.

    The clash was a breathtaking!

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    BOOM! CRACKLE!

    A massive explosion engulfed the training ground!

    Qi Fenwei¡¯s technique was potent! The Steller Beak ripped through the dragon¡¯s defenses and blasted it backwards. Its head almost snapped off and a few scales even chipped!

    "Hahaha, you¡­"

    Her victorious laughter died in her throat! For in that moment as the dragon recoiled¡­

    WHOOSH!

    Its tail fin whipped around! And with a terrifying, yet fluid movement, a crescent of silver-blue energy shot towards Qi Fenwei!

    ¡°WHAT?!¡±

    She quickly positioned ''Archon'' before her. ¡°Absorb!¡± she whispered. The eye on her blade opened wider. It was ready to consume.

    Then, she saw it.

    ¡°Impossible! He¡­¡±

    BOOM!

    A golden blur materialized behind her.

    ¡°Gold Press Kick!"

    Raphael unleashed his new attack.

    And QI Fenwei launched into that oncoming crescent of silver-blue energy.

    "ARGH! YOU DAMNED BULL!¡±

    The impact was devastating.

    Her magnificent wings flickered, and then one of them vanished as a dreadful crack resonated and blood splattered the golden walls!

    ¡°How¡­ how DARE YOU?!¡±

    Clutching at her ruined wing, QI Fenwei gritted her teeth as pain shot through her. She¡¯d been underestimated.

    And now her anger would be appeased!

    She hovered above the blood ocean.

    ¡°That¡¯s IT! You¡¯ve pushed me TOO far! You¡­ pathetic little¡­BULL!"

    She release a monstrous bellow and her true power erupted!

    However¡­

    BOOM!

    From beneath, the Sapphire Spring Blood Dragon burst forth with is jaws agape and eyes ablaze. It grabbed QI Fenwei¡¯s slender form and dragged her beneath the surface of the blood spring as it roared in victory, echoing Raphael¡¯s will, and then, with a final plunge, they vanished!

    Lu Jade gasped in disbelief.

    "She¡­ she¡¯s been swallowed by that DRAGON!¡±

    "This is¡­ INSANE!"

    A short while later¡­

    BOOM!

    A blast of black lightning exploded from within the depths of the blood spring. It shot skyward, parting the blue liquid before a terrifying sight had them backing away.

    Qi Fenwei emerged. Her wings were fully restored and ruffling with rage!

    ¡°Now I¡¯m really pissed off!¡±

    She drew Lullaby alongside Archon, both blades were now in her grasp, ready to sing a song of devastation and revenge!

    ¡°You¡¯ve ACTUALLY forced ME to open the ''Black Wind Lightning Gate''?! You¡­ BULL! Prepare to DIE!¡±

    The very air around her started to ripple. The Citadel¡¯s foundation trembled, and even those crystals embedded upon the magnificent pillars outside began flashing ominously. This was a power that could shatter reality, a Nightmare Calamity''s true wrath!

    Then¡­

    ¡°Black Heaven Fury - Ten Thousand Lightning Strikes! DESTROY!"

    From her heart, from her blades, from the very wings she¡¯d inherited.

    WHOOSH!

    A horrifying bolt of concentrated lightning, laced with secrets her ancestors had mastered over millennia, struck!

    Raphael stood there staring, for he could not move!

    Her attack was too fast! It surpassed the light barrier of speed. He hadn''t anticipated this level of power, and even his ''Shadow Blood Resolve'' seemed useless in the face of her wrath.

    But just as that black lightning was about to cleave him in half¡­

    "REGAL COUNTER!"

    Thienika appeared before him and slammed her staff down. And the unthinkable happened!

    WHOOSH! BOOM! CRACK!

    Qi Fenwei¡¯s attack¡­ it was reflected!

    It twisted back upon her with an amplified intensity that had her screeching in terror as she struggled to control those very energies she¡¯d unleashed!

    ¡°No¡­ MY ATTACK¡­ STOP!¡±

    She was blown backwards as the lightning crashed against the ground near her, causing a small crater to appear in the training ground.

    She landed on her ass. The impact stunned her.

    Thienika stood before them and spoke calmly.

    ¡°ENOUGH! From this day, until the Grand Divine Tribulation concludes¡­ YOU ARE TEAMMATES! And teammates DO NOT attempt to murder each other.

    You have both erred! Raphael, your recklessness is appalling! You should be ashamed of yourself!

    And you, QI FENWEI¡­ That anger? Those bloodthirsty desires, I understand them. You carry a warrior''s spirit. But unleashing such power, for such a trivial reason? Against those you have pledged to fight alongside? You are a disgrace to your lineage! Your Father, Emperor Qi Hawk¡­ he would be ASHAMED!¡±

    Her words had them both hanging their heads in shame. Their anger, their pride¡­ they withered beneath her rebuke.

    ¡°Now, stand! The Great Divine Tribulation is right around the corner. We should be training together. Honing our skills. Concocting strategies that¡¯ll crush those who dare challenge our might. Not wasting our energies on pointless squabbles!¡±

    ¡°Yes, Grandma¡­¡±

    Reluctantly they both agreed . Raphael canceled his Spring Blood Dragon and Qi Fenwei sheathed both her swords

    ¡°Hmph!¡±

    Thienika then softened her tone. ¡°Lu Jade, come here.¡± He slithered closer and wrapped himself gently around her staff.

    She patted his scales. ¡°Now then. Is this what you also desire?¡±

    Her question had both bull and bird confused. But before they could inquire¡­

    ¡°Let¡­ bygones¡­ be BYGONES.¡± Lu Jade said softly, reflecting her wisdom. He was a creature of ancient strength and knowledge, and this feud between those who would stand beside him?

    He¡¯d seen its result before.

    QI Fenwei stared at Raphael with a begrudging respect. ¡°Hmph, your ¡®Gold Radius¡¯¡­ It¡¯s not completely useless, however, there¡¯s room for improvement, perhaps I can help you improve it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in MIND.¡± Raphael gave her a hesitant nod, but deep down he knew, without that arrogance she exuded, that fire that burned with his, they wouldn¡¯t last long at the Trials.

    For those who crawled with weakness were meant to be devoured!

    That was Yama Yaguai¡¯s truth.

 Chapter 108 - Great Divine Tribulation

    Over FOUR HUNDRED figures stood shoulder-to-shoulder upon a Skybridge Dais. It was a massive, circular platform, hovering amidst the azure skies above Black Wind territory. Rainbow-colored winds danced around them.

    The Great Divine Tribulation had arrived.

    "Mighty champions!"

    Elder Feng Huo''s sharp gaze surveyed those before him, those who¡¯d endured the Selection Trial and earned the right to participate in Yama Yaguai''s grandest event, "You stand upon the precipice of destiny! Before you lies a path fraught with peril, but also one that promises unimaginable rewards!"

    "Indeed!" Elder Lei Lang added. ¡°You have proven yourselves worthy, for those who stand before us you are Black Wind¡¯s chosen!

    Now go! Fight with valor, for Black Wind! For glory! And for the Void Emperor¡¯s blessing!¡±

    His words ignited a fiery enthusiasm that caused the creatures on the Skybridge Dais to roar back with a unified might.

    "BLACK WIND!¡±

    "BLACK WIND!¡±

    "BLACK WIND!"

    Amidst the cheering throng, four figures stood together.

    Raphael¡¯s golden hide radiating confidence, Lu Jade in his slender emerald form, the ancient and imposing Thienika leaning upon her staff, and Qi Fenwei, dusting off spittle from her amethyst armor.

    This was their team!

    Their destinies intertwined, they were ready to face the challenges ahead. But within their shared gaze, a unspoken truth also flickered, ¡®This could be our last moments together.¡¯

    BOOM!

    The elders activated the ¡®Skybridge Dais¡¯. Its runic engravings glowed, and the platform was enveloped in a blinding white light.

    ¡°May the odds be ever in your favor."

    Then, they were gone.

    ¡­

    The elders hovered above the now empty Skybridge Dais. A profound silence had settled over the venue, not only here, but also across Black Wind.

    "They¡¯ve all gone¡­" Elder Feng Huo said.

    "It seems all of Yama Yaguai has gathered to witness this event, even the trees have sent roots to that place." Elder Lei Lang laughed softly, "Well, let''s hope for a good show, my friend."

    With a final nod, they too vanished.

    ¡­

    WHOOSH!

    FLASH!

    FLASH!

    FLASH!

    FLASH!

    Countless beams of light pierced the sky above a desolate desert landscape.

    They descended, each one materializing a creature upon multiple platforms. These platforms were circular and constructed from a variety of materials.

    Raphael materialized with a jolt.

    ¡°Woah! What¡¯s¡­!¡±

    He was surrounded by a vast expanse of red sand dunes that stretched as far as the eye could see. It felt hot. Even the air tasted dusty and parched.

    And in the distance¡­

    ¡°Those are¡­?¡±

    Massive, imposing tornadoes of sand spiraled dangerously. It was a sight that made him feel small and insignificant.

    "We''re in the Desolate Huang territory, Big Brother. Thissss is Red Ant Emperor Lala Zhen''sss domain." Lu Jade, who was coiled on Raphael¡¯s horn, explained with a hint of awe. "And those are ¡®Sandnados¡¯. They¡¯re dangerous. One touch could strip your flesh from your bones.¡±

    ¡°Sandnados?¡± Raphael was baffled.

    QI Fenwei gestured with an annoyed huff. ¡°Look! THAT¡¯S our destination!"

    Raphael¡¯s gaze followed.

    He saw it!

    It towered into the clouds, easily a thousand meters tall, crafted from those very grains of sands they stood upon, yet those grains, they weren¡¯t ordinary, rather they resembled gold dusts.

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    It was the Grand Ant Mound!

    The structure itself was as majestic as any palace Raphael had seen, but what truly made it imposing was those details. It had thousands upon thousands of intricate tunnels and openings that extended outwards and inwards. These radiated an energy that had his very core shaking, for it seemed that wasn¡¯t merely a home, rather it was an extension of the very soul who¡¯d crafted it.

    This was the venue for the Great Divine Tribulation, an ant¡¯s domain!

    He then noticed eight other large platforms aside from the one he was standing on. Each one hosted a diverse array of creatures who were just as awestruck by their surroundings.

    They were the contestants!

    Some were whispering nervously while others puffed out their chest. A few were even glaring at each other, sizing up their potential rivals as they waited anxiously for the event to begin.

    Suddenly¡­

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    Raphael¡¯s platform began moving. It glided effortlessly through the air while avoiding the massive Sandnados. He was amazed. ¡°We¡¯re flying¡­?¡±

    It wasn''t simply their platform.

    The other platforms were also moving!

    They were all heading towards the Grand Ant Mound!

    WHOOSH!

    ¡°Hold on tight! It¡¯sss about to get bumpy!" Lu Jade coiled tighter.

    Their platform reached an enormous entrance into the side of the Grand Ant Mound. It was an opening so wide, a spaceship could easily pass through.

    "Look! Those banners!"

    As they flew through the tunnel, a breathtaking sight had them gasping. They were now within a colossal, dome-shaped arena, but what truly caught Raphael¡¯s attention was the crowd.

    Millions upon millions of creatures occupied the stands that encircled that vast space!

    A magnificent rainbow of colors and sounds greeted them, even the air itself vibrated with a primal energy that made him shiver!

    ¡°This is¡­¡±

    He¡¯d never witnessed anything like this before. Even the grandeur of Qi Hawk¡¯s ¡®Feathered Nest Gala¡¯ paled in comparison.

    "Welcome, challengers, to the Grand Mound Arena!"

    A booming voice echoed across the expanse, causing the crowd to roar even louder.

    "They¡¯re HERE!"

    "Let the GAMES BEGIN!"

    "The BULL! That damned BULL who humiliated Gastaroid!"

    "He¡¯s cute!"

    ¡°I want his hide!"

    "And those Scorpions looks dangerous!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s MY line, insect! Get your mandibles out of my face!¡±

    A cacophony of cheers, jeers, threats, and even a few marriage proposals permeated. It was an exhilarating blend of chaos and anticipation.

    Those who¡¯d already entered were being showcased on massive screens suspended above the arena. Their names were announced. Those favored by the crowd received a thunderous welcome while those less popular were greeted with boos and jeers.

    Raphael swallowed hard.

    "Eighteen million¡­ There are at least EIGHTEEN MILLION creatures here!" He¡¯d never experienced anything like this. His hooves trembled as a wave of nervousness washed over him.

    He noticed some of the other participants were smiling and waving at the crowd.

    ¡°Should¡­ Should I also¡­?¡±

    His hoof twitched, then with a hesitant gesture¡­

    He waved!

    ¡°ROAR! That¡¯s the bull! My Champion!¡±

    ¡°Go BULL! We¡¯re rooting for YOU!¡±

    ¡°Crush Gastaroid! Rip his horns OFF!¡±

    The crowd erupted. The noise was deafening!

    Raphael¡¯s eyes widened. He was stunned by their enthusiasm! His fear vanished instantly and a grin spread across his muzzle. This was incredible!

    He waved again, this time higher.

    "WOOOOOOO!"

    The crowd went wild!

    In that moment, Raphael was the STAR of his world! Such happiness. Such joy!

    He¡¯d never felt so¡­ free!

    ¡­

    WHOOSH!

    Nine platforms representing the nine major territories, lined up, forming a perfect orbit around a grander platform at the arena''s center.

    At the center, stood Emperor Lala Zhen. He was a colossal red ant, with mandibles the size of small trees, a terrifying yet strangely endearing sight. He held a magnificent red-yellow banner that swayed gently. it depicted ancient glyphs that illuminated the space around him with a faint, golden glow.

    "WELCOME, mighty warriors! Glorious spectators! Honored guests!¡±

    His voice amplified by a thousand fold, reverberated throughout the Grand Mound Arena and those lands beyond, causing even the skies above to tremble with his authority!

    The crowd erupted with deafening cheers.

    "LALA ZHEN!"

    "LALA ZHEN!"

    "LALA ZHEN!"

    He raised a claw, silencing them instantly before commencing with his speech that had every ant, insect, beast and even the dust within that stadium dancing.

    ¡°Every TEN THOUSAND YEARS we''ve gathered within these hallowed grounds to witness an event that transcends mortal comprehension, the very struggle for survival that those who crawled, or slithered or even those whose wings carried them across the starry sky know so well! An event we¡¯ve come to call¡­¡± He paused.

    ¡°¡­The GREAT DIVINE TRIBULATION!"

    The moment those words were spoken, a blinding light engulfed him as the crowd roared thunderously. It was a sound that could rival a thousand colliding stars in its magnificence.

    ¡°Such a wonderful reception. It truly warms this ancient heart of mine, ahaa!¡± Lala Zhen laughed joyously and then waited patiently for their enthusiasm to dissipate.

    ¡°The origins of this event began a million years ago at Void Emperor¡¯s Sindoll¡¯s decree. Those who survived that first clash were granted gifts that could make even the most fragile become Gods. Truly treasures from the heavens above!

    However, that first trial was different. Instead of those who¡¯d earned the title Calamity participating, it was rather the weakest of our ilk, mere children of Buddhist Pill Stage.

    And they fought each other to death for a chance to ascend, for the gifts Void Emperor Sindoll granted that day had no price, only tears of those who perished in their desperate efforts. Such a sight, it saddened even the mountains!¡±

    His voice, now softened with a solemn reverence had everyone listening intently.

    Raphael shivered. This was indeed a wondrous tale.

    Lala Zhen¡¯s speech continued:

    ¡°The victor, of that first Trial was a creature whose might and ruthlessness could make even the stars themselves quiver. It was a human with a heart that burned brighter than even my flames! He was truly a terror.¡±

    "A Human?!¡± Raphael was stunned. He couldn¡¯t believe his ears. A human had won that first trial?! That story had never been mentioned in the Sagewood Script, surely the ancient texts would have included such a momentous event. Perhaps this was an exaggeration to fuel the crowd¡¯s excitement.

    He wasn¡¯t alone in his disbelief.

    ¡°Huh, a human, I never would have considered it possible!¡± Qi Fenwei was also intrigued by the story.

    ¡°Humans are pathetic weaklings. How could one of their ilk even fathom winning such a prestigious trial¡­?¡± Lu Jade hissed quietly.

    Even Thienika had her gaze fixated intently, she was savoring every word of this story.

    ¡°That human! His name was¡­ Kong Bai!¡± Lala Zhen¡¯s massive mandibles extended towards the very heavens above as he shouted, ¡°The last time I saw him¡­ He was an Emperor Calamity! A second layer no less!¡±

    An image of a massive glowing man of pure white with wings of fire were projected on the massive screens for all to behold¡­

    "Truly something!"

    ¡°A human has reached those heights!?¡±

    ¡°Amazing!¡±

    Everyone in the arena applauded!

    Even those whose hearts hated humans, those whose very soul trembled at their touch, couldn¡¯t deny Kong Bai¡¯s strength, for he was truly a legend! The first man to have conquered Yama Yaguai.

 Chapter 109 - Rulers of Yama Yaguai

    ¡°Ahhaha. Truly a beautiful story of triumph over hardship, and how fate had its way with those brave souls. But enough about the past!¡± Lala Zhen clapped his claws together with a thunderous BANG.

    It had Raphael covering his ears as more tremors shook the arena.

    "I, Emperor Lala Zhen, formally introduce those who have ruled Yama Yaguai since before that very first Great Divine Tribulation concluded, those whose might and cunning have shaped our lands! Those we call EMPEROR CALAMITIES! Those whose Solar Consciousness exceeds TEN million years! Our MIGHTY guardians of those territories!"

    "First¡­"

    He gestured towards the eastern peak of the arena.

    ¡°The ruler of Ho Eastern, the most brutal serpent this land has seen! The one whose tail can shatter the heavens! He is the Bronze Serpent Emperor¡­ LUUU IGNISSSS!¡±

    BOOM!

    A geyser of fire, crimson and orange, erupted from the platform as a chilling sound of ancient magic being unleashed reverberated.

    The energies were potent and deadly, so much so that those who¡¯d thought themselves accustomed to the scorching heat of Yama Yaguai¡¯s Fire Pools were scrambling for water to appease their now parched throats! It was truly a mighty display of power.

    Then, as that fiery energy began settling¡­

    "Hmmm¡­?¡± The flames receded after a figure slithered into view. It was Lu Ignis.

    His imposing form was coiled around his magnificent golden trident which amplify his aura. His eyes had an intense ruby glow, and upon his chin, his beard swayed, as if in contempt for those beneath him.

    Such arrogance, those whispers confirmed.

    He surveyed the arena with a chilling smile. His eyes lingered upon Raphael for a second. Those who saw it couldn''t help but gasp as the bull shivered, feeling his hide tingling. It was a glare that promised a gruesome end!

    Lu Jade coiled tighter around his Big Brother¡¯s horn, ¡°It seems Father isss still unhappy about ssssister¡¯s demise¡­ Big Brother! We¡¯re going to be dead soon.¡±

    Suddenly, a gentle breeze swept through the stadium, quelling the searing heat with freshness. It had those who¡¯d been sweating wiping their brows in relief as they exclaimed:

    "Another Emperor Calamity has arrived!"

    "Second¡­¡±

    Lala Zhen¡¯s introduction had their attention focused on the opposite side of that platform where a swirling vortex of ice and frost was forming with a sound they couldn''t articulate, a hum that froze those nearest to it.

    ¡°From the icy peaks of Yunyin! A ruler whose cold gaze is said to freeze even the most potent flames of desire! She is¡­ SILK YUNE!¡±

    WHOOSH!

    A radiant white light engulfed the audience close by the frozen gates, and when the icy gusts of winds had cleared¡­

    "Wow!¡±

    "She¡¯s¡­"

    ¡°Beautiful!¡±

    Even Raphael, whose heart couldn¡¯t be swayed by those seductive snakes and bird maidens of Black Wind gasped.

    Stepping through the now-shattered gateway was a woman unlike any he''d ever seen.

    She resembled a human.

    But behind her, flowing with an ethereal grace that made the wind dance with envy, were nine massive, translucent tails that rippled as if she were swimming in an ocean of frozen air!

    And at the tip of each tail?

    ¡°Is that a Silver Ice Fox?!¡± Lu Jade couldn''t believe his eyes. They were legendary creatures!

    Even those who''d lived in Yama Yaguai for millennia hadn''t encountered one before, and to have nine growing from her tail?!

    It was a display of power that had them mesmerized.

    Those foxes had bright eyes like a thousand tiny stars as their white fur danced. Each possessing a single glowing, silver horn upon their foreheads, they were a magnificent sight.

    Silk Yune herself, though a Calamity of immense power, was even more breathtaking!

    She looked as elegant and graceful as a snowflake, with delicate, porcelain-like skin and a flowing gown of white silk that flowed with an iridescent pink hue. Long, silver hair cascaded down her back like a frozen waterfall.

    She glanced towards those frozen figures below with ruby red lips that had even the mightiest beasts, and those who¡¯d thought themselves immune to such mortal emotions, blushing! Truly a goddess, a being of absolute elegance and power.

    She glided past them to a spot beside Lu Ignis as ice crystals showered the arena floor.

    Their Solar Essences were polar opposites!

    "Oh, how exciting! FIRE and ICE, truly something, ahaa!¡±

    Lala Zhen¡¯s laughter had the audience sweating even more, some even wondering if they''d picked the right attire to impress their Emperor that day.

    Then a wave of warmth washed over them. This new heat canceled out the chill and left a humid fog that intensified the concerns of those who feared getting their furs and feathers dampened.

    This display, however, was simply a prelude.

    Silk Yune and Lu Ignis were ancient enemies, a truth they both acknowledged with a chilling silence and the occasional hissing or snort.

    ¡°Third¡­¡±

    As Lala Zhen was about to introduce the ruler of Kongming Mountain, a playful voice came echoing, ¡°Hey! You¡¯re looking sexy today, Snowy! Those silver foxes are a nice touch. Perhaps I can spend a night or two at your mountain?¡±

    WHOOSH!

    Julian Ringtail appeared beside the Emperors¡¯ platform. He was already helping himself to a platter of snacks that had the nearby servers backing away. ¡°Hmmm. These deep-fried beetles are divine! Why didn¡¯t I consider dipping them in oil earlier? Hmmm.¡± He glanced at Silk Yune.

    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°Boboboboho! Do you want a taste, my snow white? Here, I¡¯ll feed it to you just like old times."

    ¡°Stay away, Monkey! Your smelly ass won¡¯t set foot in MY domain! I¡¯ll freeze you solid and hang you as a warning to those who dare to touch my tails, you hear me?!¡±

    Silk Yune¡¯s response was as cold as the ice she commanded, but beneath that anger, Lu Jade detected a hint of fondness. The elders in Hebikuni had spoken about how those two Emperors had a unique relationship, and it seemed that those stories were true. It was a scandal.

    "Hmmm¡­." Lu Jade¡¯s amusement was cut short by a realization, "But wouldn¡¯t that be good? If those two joined forcesss. Their alliance would be unstoppable.¡±

    ¡°Let them be. Such ancient loathing cannot be appeased so easily. We must be vigilant. This event is about survival, not romance and gossip.¡± Thienika¡¯s words carried a truth even Raphael acknowledged.

    ¡°Fourth¡­"

    As their attention returned to the center, a ghostly chill swept through the arena, for even the very sand grains seemed to tremble.

    The platform above rippled, then a dark portal, laced with a faint purple hue appeared. And those unfortunate souls watching saw skeletal hand materialize.

    ¡°He''s coming.¡± The whispers were hushed.

    This was death, and that entity was here!

    "From that forgotten land where souls silently slumber, where even the light of the day does not shine! We call this place¡­ The Undying Valley. And within that decaying realm, there exists a ruler who commands a legion of the UNDEAD!

    He¡¯s a creature of pure necrotic essence¡­ He is¡­ ANAKIN VADER!¡±

    As the name echoed and the black mist pouring forth, a figure emerged from the shadowy gateway with the very creatures whose deaths were mourned following him. A truly gruesome sight.

    It was a man in black, flowing robe that resembled a shroud. Upon his face he wore a helmet that was a skull of ancient rhino! His dark gaze peered down upon the crowd and frightened those even with the strongest wills.

    There was no mistaking it. This was death, the bringer of eternal slumber, and even those arrogant Emperors now had their aura¡¯s dimming, for who dared to challenge such a potent power, not even their own children were safe from his gaze.

    ¡°If you cherish your dead, do not bury them within his domain, for he will resurrect those corpses as HIS, to fuel his ambitions and to appease the worms that wriggle in the very soil of HIS reality.¡± Lala Zhen''s warnings resonated as he watch Anakin Vader gracefully glided to his spot beside those icy tails of Silk Yune.

    Then another wave of potent energy had the audience sweating, but this wasn¡¯t heat nor cold they felt. It was something wet, accompanied by a wave of salty air.

    ¡°Fifth¡­¡± Those drums were beating!

    ¡°From the churning depths of Jingling Ocean. A creature whose song can lure any being into his watery realms, even those whose lungs aren¡¯t meant for the ocean''s embrace¡­ he is¡­ MERMAID MERLANDO!¡±

    SPLASH!

    The shouts and roars of their leader''s introduction were drowned out by the sound of rushing water and a display so grand.

    A gigantic wave crashed over those who stood before that gateway before them, they were soaked, some even coughed salty water as it dripped down to the floor and formed a pool.

    Then from its heart a majestic figure emerged.

    He had a magnificent turquoise tail swishing within a bubble of water. His upper body was that of a young and healthy man; his broad chest was bare. His skin was a vibrant blue adorned with black tattoos, and upon his brow rested a single white horn.

    His blond hair flowed gracefully around his muscular shoulders. His piercing blue gaze swept across the crowd and settled on a familiar serpent.

    "Lu Ignis.¡±

    ¡°Your time has run dry, snake. You promised to return my trident after the last Great Divine Tribulation ended. It has been 10,000 years. Are you simply going to ignore my pleas or are you going to hand it over?¡±

    "Perhapssss your memory isssss waning, little fish.¡± Lu Ignis casually adjusted his position on his golden trident that glowed with embers that had Mermaid Merlando¡¯s watery domain evaporating.

    He then arrogantly hissed back.

    "Let''sssss simply sssay¡­ that YOUR magnificent weapon hasss served well as my bed. After all, these sharp edges are a perfect deterrent for insects who¡¯d want a taste of a slumbering Calamity¡¯sss tail? I dare sssay those nights, I slept soundly indeed upon these comforting bronze pointssss." He smirked wickedly, and those who witnessed it shivered, for even those who called themselves Emperor feared the Bronze Serpent¡¯s wrath.

    ¡°If you want it BACK, MERMAID, then¡­ You¡¯ll have to take it! By FORCE! Ahahaha!¡±

    Mermaid Merlando didn''t bother with any more words, he simply snorted as another vortex of water materialized around his tail fin, which then carried his imposing form to a throne opposite his nemesis. Those energies had many backing away, especially those unfortunate souls with thin hides. Such a pity.

    ¡°Sixth¡­¡±

    ¡°From underground depths of Subterranean Gorge¡­ Elux Badger!¡±

    Lala Zhen continued his boisterous proclamations as the next platform glowed with anticipation and then with a guttural growl, something burst forth that caused a minor earthquake!

    Dust billowed outwards, blinding everyone who¡¯d forgotten to bring along their protective eyewear.

    ¡°He¡¯s messy!¡±

    ¡°He also brought his wife?!¡±

    ¡°Truly, a powerful pair they are!¡±

    From that chaotic cloud came two figures.

    One, massive and imposing with dark-grey furs that rippled, was Elux Badger. He seemed annoyed with everything around him, but his gaze was focused on one thing only, those platforms that host the victors of the Selection Trials.

    The battles! Such a magnificent event to come, he¡¯d thought.

    Beside him, slithering sensuously was a gigantic centipede, Worchilla. Her exoskeleton was radiant red, each segmented plate was studded with onyx gems. Her numerous legs, adorned with golden bracelets, moved rhythmically. Her beauty was undeniable, it had many of those lesser scorpions gazing on with awe.

    She wore an elegant gown of translucent black spider silk, held in place with a ruby clasp.

    Upon reaching his throne, Elux Badger promptly tossed himself onto it and grunted, ¡°Hasn¡¯t this DAMNED thing started YET?¡± Then he extended his claws to pull that sexy creature onto his lap, ignoring her amused laughter as he buried his snout into those curves he adored.

    ¡°You old grump! We JUST arrived! You need to learn some patience, Elux, even for events like this, hahahaha.¡± She chuckled.

    He didn¡¯t bother replying, only squeezed those jade bangles tighter with those dark eyes.

    ¡°Seventh¡­¡±

    ¡°From lands where colorful winds howl! Whose lightning bolts can shatter the thickest hides¡­ he is¡­ QI HAWK!¡±

    As Lala Zhen¡¯s words were being swallowed by the cheers and waves, the air crackled. And a familiar figure had many of the contestants bowing their heads.

    It was Qi Hawk.

    His arrival was nothing short of epic, for he didn¡¯t need a portal, nor an announcement, nor fanfare. He simply soared into the arena. His black and white feathers were so massive that they blotted out the sun briefly. He¡¯d arrived from the heavens above! He then settled gracefully into his assigned corner.

    ¡°Brother Hawk!"

    Julian¡¯s jovial greeting was met with utter silence and a stony glare that had the Lemur sighing.

    ¡°Such bad blood between friends, it truly does dampen the festive mood.¡± His whispers were barely audible, even as he tried again, ¡°Hawk! How¡¯s that¡­?¡±

    Qi Hawk ignored him entirely, those attempts at conversations were meaningless, for he was now observing a certain serpent coiled smugly on its trident across the arena. His gaze, burned with an intensity that only those who¡¯d tasted betrayal could truly understand.

    Lu Ignis, watched his nemesis with a chilling smirk and thought, ¡®Tsk, so THAT¡¯S how you do it, you feathery bastard! Wait until I wrap my tail around your neck and squeeze so hard that¡­ Huh?¡± He glanced at Qi Hawk¡¯s single, milky-white eye. ¡°Why is he¡¯s still wearing that damn eyepatch? Hmph, damn pretender, I know that Void Eye has already fallen into your socket.¡¯

    ¡°Hmm, that snake.¡± Qi Hawk didn¡¯t have to read his mind, he could sense exactly what Lu Ignis was thinking.

    Finally, it was time for the last territory ruler to be announced.

    But unlike the other eight emperors, this entity''s entrance wasn''t a blaze of fire, nor a flurry of snow, but a calming blue glow that descended upon the arena.

    ¡°Lastly¡­¡± Lala Zhen bowed his head; his mandibles brushed against his chest.

    The other emperors who¡¯d been glaring at each other or stuffing their faces, paused their shenanigans to mimic this gesture of submission. They all trembled.

    ¡°And finally. From the very heart of Yama Yaguai where balance is maintained, where even the wind must obey her whims. We humbly give our salutations and reverence to the ruler of Skydom¡­ Void Emperor SINDOLL!¡±

    BOOM!

    A beam of pure sapphire light, thin yet potent, descended upon them through the opening above.

    It expanded and then shattered into thousands of delicate, iridescent butterflies with fairies dancing on their backs. Their wings sparkled with starlight.

    Even from this distance, Raphael felt a chill and warmth, for he¡¯d glimpsed this phenomenon briefly before. That time when his life was being hunted by Lu Ignis.

    ¡°Such magnificence! To think those mere specks hold this much power?¡± As powerful and arrogant she was, Qi Fenwei couldn¡¯t contain her awe.

    ¡°Those are merely extensions of her will, young one. Sindoll rarely reveals her true form, choosing instead to watch from the sky.¡±

    Lu Jade looked up at those dancing butterflies. They flitted across the arena. It was a show of beauty and power that had even the most cynical of the spectators mesmerized.

    They circled the massive platforms.

 Chapter 110 - A Team Effort

    Raphael stood there craning his head upwards as he look at all those powerful rulers of Yama Yaguai. He felt a burning sensation in his chest.  It was a primal fear he¡¯d thought he''d overcome.

    ¡®These are the rulers of Yama Yaguai, the apex predators.¡¯

    He watched as those beings of ancient power exchanged greetings. Their words were barely audible, but their Solar Essences radiated in waves that made his hooves tremble.

    He then recalled his earlier encounter with Lu Ignis, that moment of utter helplessness within the ''Scorching Veil Domain'' and a grim reminder that he was still at the bottom, a mere 2nd Layer Nightmare Calamity.

    Raphael was pulled back to the present when he heard a loud voice:

    ¡°Greetings, honored guests! Mighty contenders! I welcome you all to the 108th Great Divine Tribulation!"

    Above the central platform, a large black ant with mandibles larger than Raphael¡¯s horns, hovered effortlessly. He wore golden armor that reflected the blinding sunlight, and in his grasp, he held a staff of black metal.

    This was Muburt, Emperor Lala Zhen''s right hand, the director of the Great Divine Tribulation.

    ¡°Now then, before we commence. Let me say a few words¡­¡± He coughed. ¡°Every ten thousand years, we gather within this sacred arena, to witness an event unlike any other, where the strongest, most cunning and tenacious amongst us, those who¡¯ve carved their paths with a will that cannot be broken, will clash!¡±

    The crowd roared.

    ¡°Boboboboho! This speech is truly captivating!¡± Julian Ringtail laughed.

    ¡°Such dedication! This is what I call an event! Hmmm, do you think he¡¯ll mention me? Surely, an ant knows my deeds, right?¡± He whispered eagerly, but Qi Hawk just gave him a bored stare.

    ¡°Now then¡­¡± Lala Zhen, pleased with his assistant¡¯s skills, decided it was time to formally begin the event. He gestured towards Muburt, ¡°I, Emperor Lala Zhen, formally hand over control to Muburt.¡± He extended his banner.

    ¡°This banner represents MY authority! Muburt will be overseeing the Great Divine Tribulation!¡±

    His declaration was met with the clicking of countless mandibles and bows of subservience from the ant denizens that occupied most of the stadium. It would appear as if their loyalty was absolute, a truly terrifying magnificent thing to witness.

    "As you command." Muburt bowed respectfully before taking the banner.

    Then, Lala Zhen flew to the top, where those majestic beings awaited, ¡°My friends, my enemies, my equals. it¡¯s been a while.¡±

    ¡°Indeed.¡±

    ¡°That ant is growing stronger each millennia, I¡¯ve noticed.¡±

    ¡°So rude!¡±

    He ignored them and chose an empty spot between Anakin Vader, whose very presence had him shivering, and Qi Hawk, who looked bored. He settled comfortably.

    Below¡­

    Muburt coughed. He held the banner, and its golden glow illuminated him as his voice rang out across those stands:

    "The Great Divine Tribulation will be divided into FOUR stages, and each stage carries rewards for those who emerge VICTORIOUS!

    The victor will be granted FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND years of potent Solar Essence by Void Emperor Sindoll! A gift beyond imagination! Now! I know some of you are impatient, so let us proceed.¡±

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    He then extended his left arm. From its tip a faint violet light flashed that expanded and quickly manifested itself into terminals.

    On each of the nine platforms, dozens materialized before those eager contestants. They were curious.

    ¡°Each team may now approach the terminals to register your roster.¡± As soon as those words were spoken, Muburt¡¯s sinister smile vanished, leaving behind only a hint of nervousness.

    ¡°However, there has been a¡­ a¡­ slight change to this year¡¯s format. This change was dictated by the Void Emperor and as such we must abide by it, so no complaints, please.¡±

    Then as if revealing a secret no one was meant to know until this very moment, he announced:

    "THIS YEAR! The Trials are TEAM EFFORTS!¡±

    WHOOSH!

    Those words struck like thunder!

    ¡°WHAT?!"

    "TEAM EFFORT?!"

    ¡°That¡¯s BULLSHIT!¡±

    The participants were stunned! They glared at Muburt, and those who were near those terminals, they instantly began unleashing their frustration.

    ¡°That¡¯s not fair! We weren''t informed!¡±

    ¡°It was supposed to be an individual competition!¡±

    "This CHANGES everything!"

    Those who were descendants of the Emperors, whose privileges extended to receiving those ¡®important details¡¯ beforehand, they simply smirked at their opponents¡¯ outrage and misfortune.

    "We can¡¯t change those rules! THEY were set by the VOID EMPEROR!" Muburt yelled, attempting to appease the unrest.

    "Form a team! TWO minimum and FIVE members max. Choose wisely!¡± He then hurriedly explained, "You are allowed to create temporary alliances, and should you be fortunate enough to reach the final stages, those who SURVIVE can then claim the reward as their own!

    But for now, TEAMWORK is paramount! Without a team, YOU will be disqualified!¡±

    "You think I need a team, you insect?!" Gastaroid had had enough of this nonsense. He wasn¡¯t about to be subjected to such ridiculous rules. He was the strongest here! His strength had been proven during the Selection Trial! And he was certain, with his fiery might, he would crush any team who dared to challenge him.

    "I, Gastaroid! I am a ONE-MAN ARMY! You¡¯re all PATHETIC!¡±

    And those in his immediate surroundings, they knew what challenging this Bull Mountain Demon meant! They quickly dispersed as if trying to outrun his volcanic shadow that extended toward their platform.

    "I DON''T need a TEAM! DO I look WEAK to you?!" He glared at Muburt. ¡°I¡¯ll CLAIM those blessings! They¡¯ll be ALL mine! I won¡¯t share with anyone!¡±

    "That idiot¡­ He''s going to regret those words." Lu Jade shook his head. They were fortunate indeed to have a heads up!

    ¡°The rules truly are unfair, Big Brother. We were lucky that Princess Fenwei informed us earlier about the change." He then glanced towards Qi Fenwei with gratitude.

    Hearing this, Raphael nodded his thanks and then added, "It¡¯s the least she could do after trying to chop us into pieces. But she¡¯s right. This event will be a blood bath. There¡¯s no room for solo acts, at least not in the first few rounds."

    "SCREW sharing!¡± Gastaroid wasn¡¯t the only one who was livid.

    "Those rules are bullshit!¡±

    ¡°I demand a change!"

    Their pleas and outcries didn¡¯t sway Muburt''s will.

    He calmly raised a claw. "As I''ve stated. This is the Void Emperor''s decree. If you wish to protest, take it up with her directly after the Trials."

    He gestured to the terminals. ¡°You have thirty seconds to form a team. Make your choice! Or be DISQUALIFIED!¡±

    He then added with a mischievous grin that made those creatures whose hides were weak cringe. "I¡¯ll be personally dealing with anyone who dares to question these rules again. You¡¯ve been warned!¡±

    His words had those rebels silencing themselves.

    They knew better than to disrespect an Emperor''s right hand. After all, wasn¡¯t he a 9th Layer Nightmare Calamity?

    Gastaroid was the exception to that fear. He gritted his teeth and scowled. But he knew better than to challenge the Void Emperor¡¯s decree. "Damn that Sindoll! Such a troublesome proposition!" He then reluctantly turned to survey his surroundings with a sneer as his massive fists clenched and unclenched.

    ¡°Time to find those who are worthy of my might!¡± He glanced at the contestants nearby, who were already flocking to the terminals and hurriedly registering their team rosters. But as soon as they saw him approaching, they vanished!

    "GET AWAY from ME!"

    ¡°He¡¯ll¡­ KILL US all!¡±

    ¡°Remember that mammoth he crushed during the Selection Trial? Its poor mother has been weeping for days¡­¡±

    Their cries were whispers of terror. None dared to team up with this Bull Mountain Demon.

    Because they knew that Gastaroid would betray them in the end, after all, they were oppressed by him during the Selection Trial, and if they could get back at him in this Great Divine Tribulation, they would do it.

    This was Gastaroid¡¯s new reality, ¡®These weak bastards!¡¯ In that moment of crushing solitude, he was about to lit his fuse when he heard:

    "GASTAROID! Over here!¡±

    That bold and clear call made him pause. He turned his head, trying to locate its source. His horns tilted forward, his gaze settled upon a golden figure with magnificent black wings.

    It was Raphael. And he was beckoning him to come over.

    "What the hell? This bull¡­"

    He was shock. wasn¡¯t this the bull he wanted to crush? The very bull who humiliated him and stole his power? Why was this bull beckoning him over?

 Chapter 111 - Breath Takers

    Raphael approached the terminal with his team. He extended his finger and sent a sliver of energy onto the terminal''s surface. Instantly, it flared to life.

    A holographic screen materialized.

    Upon it were intricate diagrams and empty spaces waiting to be filled.

    ¡°Insert your invitation pass here.¡±

    He carefully slipped his gold-plated pass into the designated slot, and as soon as it was secured, a confirmation sound that resembled a bell chimed.

    ¡°Registered ¨C Raphael, Golden Bull Thork ¨C Nightmare Calamity 2nd Layer.

    Territory ¨C Black Wind.¡±

    His information was displayed for a few seconds before vanishing.

    ¡°Next."

    Beside him, Lu Jade, in his smaller form, extended his tail and tapped the terminal with a soft hiss, ¡°Ok¡­ ok¡­ it¡¯s registering¡­ Yessss! It¡¯s done!"

    Qi Fenwei and Thienika followed suit, their registrations also confirmed without a hitch.

    The terminal then displayed the team''s details:

    ¡­

    Team Name: ( Empty )

    Leader: Qi Fenwei

    Members:

    Lu Jade (Saint Ruler 5th Layer)

    Thienika (Calamity 1st Layer)

    Qi Fenwei (Nightmare Calamity 5th Layer)

    Raphael (Nightmare Calamity 1st Layer)

    ¡­

    ¡°We need a name for our team.¡± QI Fenwei remarked casually. ¡°Choose something that inspires fear! That¡¯ll intimidate those insects into surrendering their points!"

    ¡°Hmm¡­ a name¡­?¡± Raphael wracked his brain, but nothing surfaced. This pressure to think, he¡¯d never encountered it, nor did he enjoy it, not one bit!

    ¡°How about¡­ ¡®The Emerald Serpents''?¡± Lu Jade suggested.

    He was met with scoffs and laughter, even Thienika had her wrinkled face contorted.

    ¡°No, little serpent, surely there¡¯s something more fitting.¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­ I¡¯ve got it!¡± Raphael then gave them a name that encapsulated his aspirations to conquer and his team¡¯s unique blend of fearsome individuals.

    ¡°We¡¯ll call ourselves: The Breath Takers!¡±

    ¡°The Breath Takers?¡± QI Fenwei smiled, she liked it.

    Lu Jade quickly input their team name into the terminal, and with a final click.

    ¡°Registered: The Breath Takers.¡±

    Raphael then noticed a commotion behind him on the platform. He saw a familiar figure, a colossal Bull Mountain Demon, fuming as those contestants nearby gave him a wide berth.

    Gastaroid.

    ¡°That idiot¡­ he still hasn¡¯t found a team.¡±

    He glanced at his companions. "We¡¯ve still got one spot left, what do you say?¡±

    Before he could finish his sentence, Lu Jade hissed urgently, ¡°Big Brother! Reconsider! That beast is a TRAITOR! Surely you remember those treacherous acts of his? He¡¯ll abandon us at the first sign of danger, or devour our souls when we¡¯re asleep! Please, I beg you.

    DO¡­ NOT¡­ invite¡­ that¡­ demon!¡±

    Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    ¡°Too late, little buddy. It¡¯s already decided.¡±

    Raphael had made up his mind. Those fears, they wouldn¡¯t hold back his ambitions to win, ¡°GASTAROID! You wanna join our team? We¡¯ve got one spot left."

    Qi Fenwei and Thienika shook their heads. This bull was truly insane. They¡¯d watched those scenes, witnessed Gastaroid''s brutality. However, their disapproval was a mere whisper in the chaotic webs of destiny¡¯s calling, for those who dared to play against fate¡¯s game¡­

    They were either blessed with unimaginable fortune¡­ or crushed beneath its indifferent heel.

    ¡°Hmph! Damn BULL, what sort of tricks are you up to this time?¡±

    Gastaroid glared at Raphael. His horns pulsated with molten energy as his massive form approached with the stoic arrogance of one who knew his worth.

    ¡°There¡¯s no trick. I just think you''re SUPER STRONG, and you¡¯d be a great addition to our team, really."

    His words were a blend of honesty and desperation, for wasn''t there a saying amongst those powerful creatures,

    ¡°Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer?¡±

    Gastaroid scoffed, then looked around him. He was in a bubble alone while everyone else had already formed teams.

    "These WEAK bastards¡­ they fear me, rightly so. But¡­¡± He glanced at the timer, those numbers ticked down menacingly.

    ¡°Twenty¡­ Nineteen¡­¡±

    ¡°Damn!¡±

    He had to make a choice.

    ¡°MUWAHAHAHA! Very well. I¡¯LL join your little team. But don¡¯t think we¡¯re friends. The moment I see my chance¡­ I¡¯LL crush you all. YOUR souls will be fuel for my ascendency! This¡­ I VOW!¡±

    His laughter had Lu Jade recoiling in fright as he hissed, "He is not even hiding his intentions! We¡¯re doomed!¡±

    ¡°Settle down, Little Lu, we¡¯ve faced greater dangers together.¡± Raphael nudged his friend reassuringly, however, his thoughts mirrored those concerns.

    ¡°If he tries anything¡­ I¡¯ll crush him!¡± He¡¯d tasted a sliver of that Bull Mountain Demon¡¯s true strength.

    This was a gamble indeed.

    Gastaroid strode forward and presented his invitation.

    ¡°The Breath Takers? Hmph.¡± He snorted. "What a ridiculous name!"

    He then slipped his pass into the terminal and with a final click.

    ¡°Registered: Gastaroid, Bull Mountain Demon - Nightmare Calamity 8th Layer.¡±

    ¡­

    "Welcome back, mighty contenders!" Muburt addressed the audience.

    It was time for the first stage!

    The holographic screens showcasing the platforms vanished. And in their place, a large map materialized.

    ¡°This is¡­? A map?¡±

    Raphael¡¯s question was answered by Muburt with a sly smile.

    ¡°It¡¯s not simply an map, BULL! It¡¯s the representation of the Great Divine Tribulation¡¯s HEART. Within its depths reside the challenges we¡¯ve crafted to appease the ancient decrees of the Void Emperor. And each stage shall test your limits!¡±

    He pointed towards the map, ¡°The first stage is called¡­ ¡®Desolate Sands¡¯."

    ¡°Desolate Sand?¡± The name alone had a few participants shivering, for it was a realm known for its harsh conditions, unforgiving terrain, and those ancient, monstrous beasts that lurked beneath the dunes.

    ¡°And because there are 4500 contenders present, this first round, you will be facing each other as¡­ Territories!¡±

    This revelation was met with gasps! It was truly a twist they hadn''t anticipated.

    "Territories?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not fair! We came here to compete individually, not as¡­¡±

    ¡°Silence!¡± Muburt¡¯s thunderous command had their complaints fading. ¡°This is a TEST of unity, of loyalty, of that unspoken pact that binds those who share the same desires, ambitions, and those flames that burn within, for we in Yama Yaguai are not meant to live in isolation forever, are we?¡±

    Then with a gesture that had his banner swirling, Muburt showcased a specific image, an oval shape with black, red, and blue colors.

    "Desolate Sands is the breeding ground for Kepfu, a species known for its potent essences that can enhance Solar Consciousness. Hidden within these sands are countless Kepfu Eggs. Your mission is to amass as many as you can within the allotted time period."

    He paused for a moment as the crowd buzzed.

    ¡°But that¡¯s not all! To better identify your team members, and to prevent accidental slaughter within your territory, a color coded flag will be displayed above each of you."

    He stamped his staff against the platform.

    BOOM!

    And with a dazzling burst of light, 4500 spectral banners materialized. Each one bearing the insignia of its corresponding territory:

    Black Wind ¨C black

    Ho Eastern ¨C red

    Yunyin ¨C pink

    Desolate Huang ¨C brown

    Jingling Ocean ¨C blue

    Kongming Mountain - yellow

    Undying Valley ¨C purple

    Subterranean Gorge ¨C orange

    Skydom - white

    Above Raphael¡¯s head, a magnificent black banner now swayed proudly.

    "That¡¯s¡­ mine?¡± He whispered in awe. It had a faint silver glow, the essence of Qi Hawk.

    Muburt continued. ¡°Each territory will be judged by the TOTAL number of Kepfu eggs collected, however, there¡¯s a twist! You are free to act as you please while amassing the eggs! Betrayal? Deception? Annihilation? Those options are yours to command! Embrace those primal instincts that have brought you to this very moment! Make them your strengths.

    And at the end of this stage¡­ any territory with LESS than ONE HUNDRED members remaining¡­ well, they will be eliminated from the Great Divine Tribulation!

    The timer has already begun! Those THREE HOURS ahead will be a exemplification of those who truly DESIRE to stand above all others!¡±

    "MUWAHAHA! Music to my ears.¡± Gastaroid smashed his fists together. His molten eyes were blazing!

    "KILL!"

    "DESTROY!"

    "BLOOD! I crave BLOOD!"

    The audience roared. They were eager for a good show, one worthy of their Emperor¡¯s decree!

    Muburt stamped his staff.

    BOOM!

    And then, in a flash of golden light¡­

    All 4,500 participants vanished.

    ¡­

    A massive, globular object materialized in the center of the arena. It was a transparent sphere. It radiated with a vibrant mix of colors.

    As the sphere spun slowly, hundreds of smaller screens began emerging from its surface, each showcasing the deserted landscape of the ¡®Desolate Sands¡¯ stage.

    "Behold! From these screens, we watch as destinies are rewritten! As alliances are forged! And as those with weak hearts are devoured!"

    The audience watched with a mixture of excitement, apprehension, and bloodthirsty anticipation, for they knew what was about to unfold.

    Within those sandy realms, pure violence was about to begin!