Part 1: Return to the Valley of Mist
The journey was silent, swift as a shadow among twisted trees and the whisper of a mist that never slept. Passing through the waterfall, the echo of water couldn't mask the stench of damp, dried blood, and ashes, nor the stale air of defeat.
The Valley of Mist was no longer a fortress. The caves, barely lit by flickering lanterns, oozed cold and despair. The protective formation sputtered on the verge of extinction; the walls, covered in moss and cracks, seemed to weep.
Crossing the barrier, Samael felt the weight of reality. Empty gazes, patched robes, children huddled in the corners, the few disciples with sunken eyes, shivering between fever and hunger. A small boy timidly tugged at his robe, dirt-stained fingers—seeking protection, or maybe just hope.
The twins, pale, clung to each other. Elders with bloodied bandages and gaunt faces, Great Elder Lilith standing tall with difficulty, her golden eyes dulled by pain but lit with relief.
"Patriarch…" Lilith's voice was a trembling whisper of joy and resignation. She coughed blood, drops falling between her feet, but her hands never let go of her staff. "We felt the energy… Is it true? The Zhao…?"
"The Zhao have been wiped from the map," Samael's voice rang out like a bell among ruins. He let his determination spread through the air. "And I haven't returned only with vengeance. I've returned with a future."
Instantly, the System projected the truth before his eyes, cruel and honest:
[STATE OF THE MORNINGSTAR CLAN] Rank: Grade 9 (on the verge of extinction) Population: 37 active members Family Luck: 2,000 / 20,000 Resources: Critical Status: Smoldering ruins
"Elders, Kael, Lilith, Twins," Samael ordered, his voice a whip and a refuge. "Gather everyone. Today we stop surviving and start conquering."
Part 2: The Treasure and the Celestial Roulette
In the privacy of his chamber, Samael dropped to his knees, trembling. He opened his palm—the spatial ring shone with a blue flash.
[SYSTEM TUTORIAL: Patriarch] Eye of Destiny Investment and Reimbursement (profit x2 to x10,000 depending on gratitude) Celestial Roulette: prizes that transcend mortal logic
[Opening Sky-Grade (Mid) Treasure Chest...] A golden light flooded the space. The objects appeared wrapped in halos. Samael could almost feel the latent power, the scent of lotus, the heat of celestial forging, the promise of change.
[REWARDS OBTAINED:]
Ether Heart Pill (Grade 7): bittersweet essence, healing and burning warmth
Sword Bone Elixir (High Earth Grade): metallic fragrance, shines like ice
Sword "Northern Whisper": cold to the touch, lethal hum
Essence of Reborn Phoenix Fire: liquid flame, an ancient sigh
2x Twin Lotus Pills: petals that beat, scent of lost childhood
5x Sea Breaker Pills: briny bitterness, promise of power
50x Bone Forging Pills: burning dust
Technique "Stellar River Script": ethereal scroll
Formation "Veil of the Dark Nebula": black pearl, cold mist
1x Roulette Ticket (Low Sky Grade): glows red and gold, beats like a heart
Samael smiled. The clan's fate hung by a thread… or a wager.
Part 3: The Great Distribution and the Reborn Flame
In the stone plaza, disciples and elders formed a tense circle. The air was electric and full of fear.
"For years we have been hunted," Samael began, his deep voice piercing bone and spirit. "They called us trash. Today, that ends here."
He advanced towards Kael.
The "Northern Whisper" sword flickered, an icy song.
The Sword Bone Elixir gave off a sharp aroma.
Kael trembled, tears ran down his face without shame. "For me…?" "Drink and take what you deserve," said Samael.
Kael fell to his knees, pressing the sword to his forehead. Drinking the elixir, his body arched in spasms and a bestial scream burst from his chest. His muscles swelled, his eyes blazed with sword intent so fierce that everyone stepped back. [DING! Investment Detected.] [CRITICAL HIT x500. Reimbursement: "Void Sword Manual: Dimensional Slash" (Low Sky Grade).] Kael sobbed, but from rage and faith.
Lilith's hands trembled as Samael handed her the Phoenix Essence. "Aunt, the fire never dies in our blood." She swallowed it, and her hair shone ablaze, her aura scorched the air. For the first time in years, she smiled. [DING! Investment Detected.] [CRITICAL HIT x100. Reimbursement: "Purgatory Flame" (Fire Seed, Grade 6).]
He offered the Twin Lotus Pills to the twins. "This clan will live to protect you, and the world will learn to fear your name." Upon consuming them, pink and violet light enveloped them. Petals spinning around, the mark of Destiny vibrating. For an instant, the air shrieked, the mist swirled, and both cried with relief and vertigo. [DING! Investment Detected.] [CRITICAL HIT x1,000. Reimbursement: 2x Void Protection Amulets (Mid Sky Grade).]
The rest was a collective ecstasy:
Elders drinking Sea Breaker Pills, breaking limits amid sweat and gasps, bones crunching, screams turning to laughter.
Disciples swallowing Bone Forging Pills, some falling to their knees, others screaming in euphoria, lights bursting in their veins.
The plaza vibrated with hope and power. For the first time in years, the Valley of Mist smiled.
[DING! Massive Investment Completed.] [Family Luck increased: 2,000 → 4,800.]
Part 4: Conspiracy in the Golden City
Far away, the gold and shadows of the Golden City hid fear and betrayal. In a talisman-lined chamber, Patriarchs Chen and Liu sweated in terror.
"The Zhao Ancestor is dead!" Chen hissed, crushing a cup in his hand. "What do we do? What if Samael comes...?" "We must contact the North. Alaric Valois," Liu replied, biting his lip, voice trembling. "If we tell him the twins are alive… he'll send monsters." "And the City Lord?" Chen asked, voice hollow. "That Sacred Origin elder won't tolerate chaos."
Liu nodded, eyes blazing with paranoia. "If Samael wreaks havoc, the Lord will intervene. We are order, we are the survivors." Both knew they trembled on the edge of the abyss, and the northern wind brought only doom.
Part 5: Celestial Roulette and the Race Against Time
In his cave, Samael swallowed the Ether Heart Pill. The taste was fire and ice, his foundation solidifying, crack after crack healing in a burst of inner light.
The System vibrated, cold and absolute: [Condition Met: The Clan can initiate war.] [NEW MISSION: PURGE OF THE GOLDEN CITY] Objective: Exterminate the Chen and Liu Clans before the North arrives. Time limit: 7 days. External Threat: Valois Family. Neutral Threat: City Lord. Reward: 10,000 Luck + Superior Sky Chest. Penalty: Total Annihilation.
Samael took a deep breath, feeling the pressure like an iron ring around his chest. Time roared in his ears.
"System, use the Roulette."
The Celestial Roulette unfolded: A titanic circle, with floating runes, flames and darkness spinning. Ancient symbols danced, echoes of laughter and cries, fragments of possible futures. The spin was thunder and whisper, light and shadow mixed. Each turn a promise of power or disaster.
The pointer spun, humming among white, gold, red auras… The fate of the clan hanging by an invisible thread.
Samael narrowed his eyes, the voice of his lineage, of the dead, of dreams echoing: "Today, Morningstar bets again. May luck fear us."