Clark did not fall. Instead, he remained standing as everyone watched in stunned silence. The remnants of willpower swirled around his body, which had been disfigured by the fire.
But that will had invaded Clark's mind. Greed agitated its core. It refused to depart from the world of the living. A paradox: though it was just a remnant of a dead soul, it desperately clung to life.
It attempted to seize control, but suddenly—the remnants that had formed into the Mad Sun's specter... found itself vulnerable. It received a powerful punch from Clark, even as he hovered on the edge of consciousness.
Clark's voice boomed, his face both majestic and terrifying: "You think you can invade my inner world? No, a thousand times no! You will never succeed!"
Almost instantly, Clark's presence overwhelmed the Mad Sun's. A deep, ominous black aura began to envelop him, radiating intense discomfort. Yet, the Mad Sun's will continued its struggle.
Clark surged forward: "I feel the greed raging in my heart! I can devour you!"
He lunged. The Mad Sun's will felt sheer terror. In a flash, Clark seized it by the throat. The Eye of Void manifested and completely absorbed it.
Clark's body was tempered by that will, even though it was merely a remnant.
Memories of the Mad Sun flooded Clark's mind.
He saw how the Mad Sun had built a magnificent city on a vast island, beloved by its people, who adored him in return. He had a wonderful wife and children.
But he left to repel invaders.
Upon his return, he was horrified. His lands were scorched, his people slaughtered—their blood and souls utterly drained.
In fear and dread, he entered his palace throne room.
He found his wife in the arms of a strange, bearded man with thick, dark hair on his hands.
His children were dead.
His wife moaned before him as he wept bitterly.
She gestured for him to look away, but he understood: she had betrayed him.
He cried out, "Where did I fail? What did I lack to deserve this?"
His wife didn't respond, her moans only growing louder.
Rage erupted!
A fierce battle ensued. The man who had destroyed his island was none other than the Venerable One—the same being who, after that war, became known as the Conqueror of the Mad Sun!!!
Back in the real world, light coalesced into nine colors, enveloping Clark's body.
Yi Lian screamed, "It's the Aura of Void Manifestation!"
Gene shouted, horrified, "Has he achieved it?!"
Cha Hua replied, "No, not yet. His body is being refined by it. Even as a remnant, it will elevate him to the stage of Soul Manifestation!! At that stage, a mortal body is purified by the Waters of Destiny, and the Heavens acknowledge!!"
With a powerful wave of his hand, Clark dispersed the light. His injuries vanished, and his face became even more pristine. He landed heavily on his feet, his demeanor majestic and formidable.
Clark spoke, scratching his chin, his fangs exposed: "That was a good meal! Heh heh heh!"
He thought to himself, How pitiful, Mad Sun. You were lost in a world of love, shattered by betrayal, and crushed without even achieving revenge.
In his mind, Gene glared furiously at his rival, pure hatred burning in his heart.
Yi Lian asked, "What remains now?"
Suddenly, the earth shook as if something immense stirred in its depths. Their legs trembled. "What's happening? Why is the entire area shaking?"
The tremors subsided after minutes. Everyone was tense except Clark. Gene remained calm too: "As long as Clark isn't worried, things are still under control."
Clark declared, "I expect that sound is answer enough. The true Legacy has appeared!!!"
They all rejoiced at the approaching end of this farce.
"Hey, Mimic," Clark commanded. "Come and lead the way."
Silently, the Mimic led them. They all followed.
Clark focused: "No new skills or notifications. My refinement has increased, and I've reached Level 15. My energy has grown:
· Strength: 25
· Mana: 14
· Stamina: 30
· Durability: 20
· Qi: 6"
Clark laughed, "My power has truly increased!"
Even Gene grew stronger, but not like Clark. He only reached Level 8 and still felt inferior to Clark, who chuckled inwardly at his achievements.
They passed through a thicket. A intense light erupted. The Legacy door was magnificent, but locked. Everyone was puzzled except Clark, who laughed: "The door requires sacrifices."
Clark approached Proteus and his brothers. He slung an arm around his shoulder and whispered, "Remember when I said, 'Your time to die hasn't come'? It seems it has now."
Their throats went dry with fear. Proteus stumbled away from Clark, his face twisted in terror. Clark said, "Just die easily."
The Mimic approached, touched one of the great door's ornaments. A stone pedestal emerged. Clark laughed, "All I have to do is place your heads on this altar."
Cha Hi looked on coldly, thinking, It's good I didn't swap with Alyssa so she wouldn't have to see this.
Gene thought too, This is the fate of ants. Only the strong rule this world. Morality doesn't matter—only how you rule. Are your hands hard or soft? In my case and Clark's: they are hard. So, naturally... He lunged, beheading one of them with his sword!!
Everyone was shocked by Gene's move, even Clark, who quickly laughed, "Ke ke ke, everyone wants you dead! To escape this damned labyrinth, hurry up!"
Proteus was stunned, fear gripping his heart. He clung to the legs of Minister Franz, his spiritual father, weeping, "Please, Father, save us! Have you forgotten your sons? Please, you old fool, save us!"
The Minister didn't respond, his face cold. Gene carried Ethan's severed head and placed it on the stone pedestal. A stream of blood began to flow. Ethan's blood formed a face on the stone door.
Clark said, "How magnificent! Your deaths will be immortalized as art!"
They lost all hope, their faces pale. "Nothing matters now. Their fate is sealed. If your death is decreed, no one can stop it."
He beheaded the two—Proteus and the other. Clark laughed, placing the heads happily, covered in blood.
Their faces appeared. Clark laughed, "One head remains uncut." He looked coldly at the Mimic, "Your purpose is over. I sentence you to die for your master. Yes, me."
Terrified, it clung to Clark's legs, begging for mercy, pointing at the others to be killed: "My lord, I am your servant. Kill them, but spare me! Please, my lord, I will serve you, do anything you wish."
Clark coldly beheaded it without a second glance. Cha Hua thought, Such cruelty! But the world demands those like them!!
The Mimic's face appeared, completing the puzzle. The door opened, revealing a giant hand that reminded him of the Mad Sun's will—but it was black, covered in thick dark hair, radiating a pouring aura.
It grabbed Gene and Clark, and the door slammed shut behind them!!
To be continued....