Meanwhile, in the White Domain.
Lyrus: Hmm. Interesting. These guys have found a treasure. Not just any treasure, but an ancient one. This Dehedra is something else. We really hit the jackpot this time. At first, I only planned to tame it because it was too strong, and then use its bloodline to upgrade my experiments. But none of us knew that this creature itself is an ancient treasure that we can extract from infinitely.
Looking into a pool, Lyrus saw what was happening on the shoreline near the Black Sea.
Lyrus: Let them continue this fray for a while. They might even ascend into the Saint Realm if this keeps going.
Then Lyrus called for Nigel, Nuxar, Rester, Tyron, Remus, and Rion, and they instantly materialized, teleported to his side.
Nigel: "Master?" (He was confused, shocked that they had been transported without warning, and also awed by the overwhelming power that had summoned them.) "Greetings, Master."
Nuxar: "Greetings, Master."
Nuxar and Nigel had successfully taken full human form, now bearing tempest-blue angel wings and frost angel wings. They had evolved into angels themselves, both rising to the Ancestral Lord Rank after their transformation—without tribulation, since they were in the White Domain. A week ago, when the others departed for the Wildlands to capture the Dehedra, Lyrus had also evolved them into angels.
Rester: "Greetings, Master."
Remus: "Master! Greetings, Master."
Tyron: "Master."
Rion: "Master."
They were already in human form from head to toe, without a trace of bestiality left in their bodies. A week earlier, they too had been transformed into humanoid individuals, integrating twelve beast origin orbs to increase their power. Rion had already broken through and become an Ancestral Lord Rank powerhouse.
Lyrus: "Return to Avalon and tell your other brothers to stop whatever they are doing. All of you must go to the end of the continent—to the shoreline near the Black Sea, where your brothers and sisters are currently keeping the Dehedra in check. They have stumbled upon a treasure that will allow everyone to break through to the Ancestral Lord Rank with ease—and perhaps even to the Saint Realm. Don't tell them that I already know what's happening. I'll turn a blind eye this time, so make yourselves stronger."
All of them gazed into the pool, witnessing what was happening in the Wildlands—where all their brothers and sisters had already advanced to the Ancestral Lord Rank and were still growing stronger while devouring the Dehedra.
Nigel: "Yes, Master."
Lyrus: "Also, take this."
A golden orb, ten meters wide, materialized before them. It looked like an artifact, with black markings at the base and white markings at the top.
Lyrus: "That might be helpful later. Go."
When Nigel touched it, the orb vanished and was directly stored inside his spiritual realm.
Nigel: "What is this, Master?"
Lyrus: "It's my personal treasure. Think of it as a backup plan—something like a weapon that will save your lives if anything goes wrong. Just a precaution."
Nigel: "This… Thank you, Master."
All of them were in high spirits as they vanished from the White Domain.
They arrived at Avalon, but the sky was already blackened, like the end of the world was coming. They quickly scattered to fetch the others from their independent realms and sect areas. Hearing about such a heaven-sent gift, everyone immediately abandoned their cultivation, rushing out from their realms and shooting through the skies like bullets toward the depths of the Wildlands.
The fastest were the three dragons, who had once again evolved into true dragons. Now, much more terrifying and powerful, they had become four-limbed dragons, ascending to the Ancestral Lord Rank after devouring the failed experimental dragon legions. And now, another gift awaited them—sent directly by their master—to push them even further.
Nigel, Nuxar, and Rion did not lag behind, while the others, though slower, were eventually keeping up.
---
Bulgaria City.
At the city walls, Goldoba and Vicky stood guard. Hordes of beasts were once again rampaging, but this time they were only low-ranked creatures, easily slaughtered. It seemed they were all fleeing from the Wildlands.
Early in the morning, the city had been struck by an earthquake measuring 8.7, followed soon after by another of 10.5 magnitude. Such earthquakes were abnormal, for they had never experienced them before—unless caused by a rampaging Ancestral Lord Rank beast. And now, the blackened sky spanning thousands of miles over the Wildlands could already be seen from Bulgaria.
Goldoba: "Whatever lies deep within the Wildlands, it must be a terrifying beast—or perhaps forces—fighting each other. Judging by this scale, they must be Ancestral Lord Rank powerhouses."
Vicky: "But these clouds… they look like tribulation clouds."
Goldoba: "There's no such tribulation of this scale. Even for a Saint Realm powerhouse, it would never summon such a massive storm. Whatever it is, it's beyond us. Have you contacted Avalon?"
Vicky: "I did. Denise said everything is fine. She didn't specify what's happening, only told me it's not something we should meddle with. She also said Thomas wants us to stay out of it."
Goldoba: "That's a warning. What about the Eisien family, do they know anything?"
Norton: "No. But with such scale, this is definitely not something we should get involved in. Madam Leticia also instructed me to safeguard Bulgaria and to stay out of Avalon's business. She warned me about Thomas—said he has a terrifying beast, far stronger than any Saint Realm creature."
Goldoba: "The Ventouso?"
Norton: "Exactly. So you've done your research too, huh."
Goldoba: "With such a terrifying Divine Realm powerhouse at our doorstep, wielding the bloodline of an ancient clan, I have no choice but to stay vigilant for the city's safety. I also need to keep them in check."
---
Meanwhile in Avalon. Denise, Luke, and Tristan were gathered atop the observatory tower, with Thomas standing beside them.
Denise: "I've already sent the message the way you wanted it implied, Elder."
Thomas: "Good."
Luke: "But what is really happening out there? Why has everyone rushed into the depths of the Wildlands?"
Tristan: "And this blackened sky… it's terrifying."
Thomas brandished his divine sense, probing the chaos.
Thomas: This… how come they're immune?
Tristan: "What did you find, Elder?"
Thomas: "They're safe. They've captured something for Lyrus, and they're the ones causing this commotion. But this darkened sky… this is no joke. Such a thing has only ever existed in myths—not in public history. It's the Heaven's Annihilation Wrath, which reduces anything it strikes to ashes. Even a Divine Realm powerhouse, or a Celestial Realm powerhouse, would be destroyed—let alone anyone weaker."
Denise: "Then they're in grave danger."
Thomas: "No, they're not. Lyrus's companions are immune. Even I'm surprised to witness it. But these are his people—directly connected to him. We've already seen countless impossible things happen around him; this is just another added to the list. The three of you, return to your independent realms and continue cultivating."
Tristan: "Yes, Elder."
The three of them left.
Thomas: At this rate, these youngsters might catch up to me soon. Their growth is heaven-defying. In mere weeks and months, they've reached levels that should take lifetimes. Even among the ancient clans, this kind of progress is unheard of. But Lyrus and his companions… they're pulling it off. And that creature— (his gaze lingered on the black sphere holding the Dehedra) —that's an absolutely powerful existence. How in the world did they manage to capture it?
---
Shoreline of the Black Sea.
The miles-wide, deep, dark crater was now turning into a sea. Seawater rushed in, filling the vast depression left behind by the previous battle. The body of the Dehedra had been dragged onto land, where the group continued to devour it, decapitating and turning its endlessly regenerating flesh into orbs they consumed without pause.
Dehedra: Savages.
Watching his body being devoured and reduced to orbs, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow for himself.
Dehedra: This is… the power of plunder. How can you all possess it? It's impossible to plunder the natural prowess of others and turn them into your own sustenance—unless you belong to the Void Race.
Vigil: "Void Race?"
Dehedra: "Yes. The gluttonous devourers of the cosmos, scavengers and cleaners of the universe. But they cannot exist in this plane—only in the Void. How is it that you all share their nature?"
Horus: "This is Master's gift. A blessing to make all his subjects stronger."
The Dehedra stared at them, and when his gaze tried to pierce their bodies, he found another eye gazing back at him. That gaze was far stronger than his divine sense—yet disturbingly familiar.
Dehedra: "You said before that your master is human. But such power cannot be possessed by a human."
Ishvel: "Master is special."
With a single strike, Achilles slashed through the newly regenerated twenty heads. Ishvel immediately condensed them into orbs.
Dehedra: "Hmm. Dozens of mythical-ranked entities are coming this way—fast."
Vigil: "Those are our brothers and sisters. Looks like they want to join the fun. Perfect. I was planning to call them once I reached the threshold of Ancestral Lord Rank—or even the Saint Realm."
Dehedra: "You really think my body is nothing more than cultivation material? You—"
Sedestro: "Don't worry, old man. Once your body stops giving us strength, we'll let you go and hand you over to Master as ordered. Master said even if just a single piece of you remains alive, it would be enough. Hihi."
Suddenly, Murus arrived.
Xukhar: "Murus?"
Murus: "Seems like everyone stumbled upon a treasure. Mind if I join the feast?"
Yalzar: "Sure."
Murus had been deep in the southern part of the Wildlands when he saw the commotion in the sky. He had come to investigate, never expecting to find the others capturing the Dehedra—and devouring it alive.
Vigil: "Surprising. You've already become an Ancestral Lord Rank powerhouse."
Murus: "Well, Master guided me in my progress, and I ascended just a day ago thanks to his advice. I thought I'd boast about it when I saw you all, but clearly, that plan isn't feasible anymore."
Yalzar: "Enough talking. Join the feast."
Murus sank his teeth into the Dehedra's body.
Murus: "What potent energy! Just one bite feels like a week of hunting and devouring beasts in the Wildlands."
Dehedra: My body…
He felt sorry for himself, seeing his form taken advantage of by these savages.
Murus: "Who's this hideous guy?"
Vigil: "It's the Dehedra. Don't mind him. Just keep devouring. He's an old man who never stops yapping."
Dehedra: "You—!"
Then, forty more individuals arrived.
Sauron: "There really is a feast here. Hehe."
Devora: "Oh my, what a delectable aroma."
Silvio: "Such appetizing meat."
Three more Ancestral Lord Rank dragons joined in, feasting on the Dehedra's body. Ishvel introduced the orbs, and soon everyone was consuming them.
August: "Oh, hahaha! Such potent energy. This is heaven-sent from Master!"
August began assisting Ishvel in turning the Dehedra's body into orbs for all to consume.
Vigil: "Hey, old man, is there a way for you to sprout more heads? This isn't enough for all of us to devour."
Dehedra: "What the hell do you think my body is?"
Vigil: "Well, if you don't tell us, this suffering will just drag on. Weeks might pass before we hand you over to Master. Can you really endure watching your body devoured piece by piece for weeks?"
Dehedra: "Argh… Let it absorb more elemental prowess or abilities. That way, more heads will sprout. But I've already consumed nearly all the beasts in this region. It won't be enough."
Titus: "Then let's use this."
Thousands of beast origin orbs manifested.
Dehedra: This…! (He was shocked by their purity.)
Titus: "But his body will definitely grow stronger after eating even one."
Ishvel tossed two orbs at the Dehedra's body. Instantly, twenty heads sprouted, only to be decapitated by Ishvel and turned into orbs. He ate one.
Ishvel: "This one has double the energy of the previous ones. Feed him more."
A hundred more orbs were thrown in, and the Dehedra's body sprouted 152 heads.
August: "Ohh… This torrent of energy!"
Thunder. Crackle.
August instantly reached the threshold of mythical rank. Lightning of the Heaven's Annihilation Wrath descended upon him.
August: "Hmm. This thunder is just itchy compared to what I've experienced before."
Horus: "This old man said it's the Heaven's Annihilation Wrath. Sounds cool, right? Just think of it as another powerful source of energy for us to devour."
August: "You're right. This thunder is almost as potent as the essence of this dragon."
Horus: "It is."
The Dehedra fell silent, stunned that these beings were immune to lightning that could instantly kill celestials.
Minutes passed, and more and more of the beasts present ascended to the Ancestral Lord Rank. The tribulation lightning grew stronger and stronger.
Dehedra (thinking): If this continues, Heaven's Judgment will descend. If that happens, even these creatures might be annihilated. Let's see how they handle that.
In time, the Dehedra's body grew colossal again, ascending to the Ancestral Lord Rank as well, now bearing two thousand heads. Thousands of beast origin orbs had been fed into him, pushing his potency far beyond what it once was.
Dehedra: "Never did I imagine you all had such treasures to push my body to this degree. But you overlooked one thing—you've made my body even stronger. Will your master still be able to tame me?"
Titus: "That's no longer your body to control. All of those orbs were refined personally by Master, and his power lies within them. The integration process has already begun inside you. Don't be sly, old man. Even if you return to your body, it will only serve as another prison."
Vigil: "You also keep looking at the sky. The thunder has intensified. Something big is about to strike."
Dehedra: "Tsk."
Before long, dozens of them reached the peak of Ancestral Lord Rank, ready to become Saint Beasts.
Zakhar: "Your body seems limitless. Who are you, old man?"
Dehedra: "Hahaha! Someone you could never imagine exists."
Zakhar: "Hmm. A god? A Primordial Sovereign? Or perhaps a Primordial Dragon?"
The Dehedra fell silent.
Dehedra (thinking): These younger generations… they know too much. I scoured the dwellers of this region with my divine sense, and none had such knowledge. How could they know—unless they are tied to the seven sealed ones in the Source Realm of this continent?
Vigil, Titus, Zakhar, Sedestro, and Xukhar fell silent. They already knew of such beings from their last meeting with Master and Thomas.
Titus: "You seem to know a lot, old man. But we're not tied to them—only to our Master."
Vigil: "Though now I'm curious. Who are those seven sealed ones? The God of Domination? The Moonlit Sovereign? The God of Arts and Petrification?"
Dehedra: "Hmm… interesting. Yes, one of them is the God of Domination. I never knew the others. But the seal is breaking—they'll escape soon. For my own safety, I want to negotiate with you and your master. I'll leave this region in exchange for information."
Vigil: "Unfortunate. We don't negotiate. But the good news is—we're planning to leave this continent soon anyway."
Titus: "Escape and negotiations are impossible. Master wants you to become one of us."
Sedestro: "And all the information you hold will be extracted eventually, once you meet Master. Whatever secrets you hide, Master will read you cover to cover like a book."
Dehedra: "Tsk. You place such blind trust in your master… Now I'm truly curious who he is. I've sensed no one stronger in this region—besides the sealed ones, the eighteen Divine Realm powerhouses of the Empire, a single Divine Realm powerhouse, and the Divine Beast Leviathan, who is grievously wounded. No others. Unless… they've masked their presence."
Sedestro: "Our Master cannot be sensed by anyone. Even we cannot sense him. He is incomprehensible."
Dehedra (thinking): That gaze… it's familiar. But I can't recall where I've seen it before. Their master truly is something.
He looked again at the sky, where the clouds grew ever more intense.
Dehedra (thinking): Tsk. These monsters will soon become Saint Beasts. If they continue to grow, I'll have no chance of escape. And they've already said my body has been integrated with those orbs… I'll never regain control. Unless… I use that forbidden ability. But if I do, my soul will dissipate, and I'll reincarnate. It will take thousands of years to reach this realm again. Haaah… I'll observe for now.