Cairen remained still for a few seconds, feeling every pulse of energy coursing through his body. The world around him now seemed somehow denser, more real. But also, quieter.
He remembered why this had happened. He remembered the words of Princess Ling when she met him.
'Survive and show all your strength… I'm curious about what you can do.'
It was those damned words that now made Cairen understand.
That was her goal from the very beginning, it was because of her that the crown prince came after him. It was entirely intentional. He didn't know why she had done it, but…
'I'll deal with this later… for sure.' Cairen thought, trying to push the negative thoughts to the back of his mind.
He then closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and focused on the new feeling.
His eyes suddenly opened, and his vision changed. Cairen could somehow see the flow of Qi around him. He could feel every thread of energy nearby. Like an extension of his consciousness through his eyes.
Cairen slowly moved his hand, and the chain rose effortlessly. The connection seemed even more natural, more fluid.
Cairen then decided to check the changes.
'Status.'
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[Fallen System]
Name: Cairen Veyrith
Age: 16
Bloodline: Fallen Human (Grade 3), Fallen Narakai (Grade 3), Fallen Elthar (Grade 3)
Titles: *** ******** ***
Cultivation: 2º Stage of the Affinity Awakening Realm
Passive Abilities: Narakai Physique
Active Abilities: Spiritual Eyes
Fallen Abilities: Shackles of the False Genocider, The Serpent's Plague, Veil of Blindness
[Missions]
--------------------------------------------------------------
Cairen analyzed his newly acquired abilities.
He focused his mind, and then his vision changed again, returning to normal after feeling a tremendous pain in his eyes. And also a slight emptiness.
"Spiritual Eyes…" he murmured to himself.
That was what he instinctively activated, but it required something like fuel. Which he didn't have much of, except for the remaining fallen energy he had absorbed.
He then focused on the ability.
[Spiritual Eyes: By concentrating energy into your vision, you can discern energy patterns, track movements, and predict reactions.]
Cairen took a deep breath. He had finally received an active ability. But to use it, unlike the fallen abilities, it required some type of energy as fuel. Which he still did not possess.
"2° Stage of the Affinity Awakening Realm…"
Cairen murmured. Absorbing the two princes had been enough to break through to the second stage of the realm. His body had been tempered and adapted to fallen energy.
Now, only the last stage remained, bodily evolution. Where the cultivator would instinctively perceive a connection between Heaven and Earth, being able to absorb Qi directly into their dantian.
Cairen took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his newly discovered strength. But he decided to think about it later. He knew he could not remain there for long.
Others could appear at any moment, especially Princess Ling.
Cairen's heart did not beat with fear, but with caution. The girl had power, she was unpredictable. And he had no idea how her true bloodline functioned. Cairen took a step back and then another.
Finally, with an agile leap, he launched himself through the forest using the chain. Disappearing among the shadows and trunks.
***************************************************************
While Cairen ran, Princess Ling, in turn, was at a considerably long distance.
The body of a young man from the Blue Sparrow Sect lay on the ground, broken and partially disfigured. Blood splattered on her boots, but she didn't care. On the contrary, a cold, satisfied smile lit up her face.
"So, he survived the surprise attack… and still had the strength to kill the two… father… it seems I've finally found him." She said in a soft voice, almost seductive, as she licked her lips with satisfaction.
She heard the cries for help from the communication stone. But didn't even move a foot to help.
Next, she kicked the young man's body so that it crashed into the nearest tree without hesitation. The impact was brutal, but she didn't care. Now the young man was truly dead.
She slowly turned, her eyes glowing with amusement, and began moving again, searching for the next victim.
***************************************************************
Cairen, at some distance, felt a shiver run down his spine. Even with his new bloodline, he knew he couldn't underestimate the princess. It wasn't fear, but a recognition of the threat.
He remembered Mei Ran again, her death, all the small moments that made her truly unique in his eyes. Each memory reinforced his new determination.
He could no longer remain still and wait. He now had a reason. Justice for her? No, revenge? Perhaps a combination of it all.
At that moment, Cairen was high up in one of the giant trees. Just below, he saw two rogue cultivators hiding.
He sighed. Perhaps he couldn't face Princess Ling now. He didn't understand the limits of her bloodline, nor her true strength. But he could strengthen himself. Faster than she could imagine. All it would take was…
"If only five alive remain to advance to the next stage, then no matter what I do, everyone else will die… so why not make myself stronger?" he murmured to himself.
The anger and the frustration transformed into fuel for his new determination. This was the new world where only the strong would survive. He could not be a mere spectator.
He could not be the false genocider who let himself be carried by fate.
As he looked at the two strangers below, Mei Ran's mischievous smile struck his mind like a hammer. He could not change the past. But he could become stronger, more relentless. And never again allow something like that to happen.
Determination shone in his eyes.
"I will grow stronger… no matter how. When I am ready, I will face Ling." He said, his voice low, firm, carrying a new determination as he endured a new pain.
Suddenly, his eyes transformed, every inch of them turning into a deep darkness like an abyss.
It was the perfect moment to test the fallen ability of his new bloodline.