The tornado finally began to lose its power.
The fierce winds slowed until they became nothing more than a gentle breeze, stirring dust across the stone floor. Above the manor, the dark clouds gradually dispersed, allowing the afternoon sunlight to pierce through the mountain mist. The crushing pressure that had enveloped the estate lifted at last.
Outside, the Sovereign Manifest protectors lowered their hand seals, and the shimmering boundary shield dissolved. Guards, servants, and laborers throughout the estate all breathed sighs of relief as the storm finally came to an end.
The moment the winds supporting him disappeared, Shawn fell.
There was nothing graceful about it. He crashed hard onto the stone platform, limp and utterly drained. Thin crimson cuts covered his body, and his clothes hung in tatters. Every breath came with effort. His core had only just formed and remained unstable, leaving him too weak to lift his head or even push himself upright.
He lay motionless in the silence that followed, looking small and broken.
Morgan stepped forward, immediately taking control of the situation. Whatever hesitation he had shown earlier was gone.
"Clara, fetch the restorative vials," he ordered, his voice cutting cleanly through the silence.
He pointed toward the primary array pillars.
"Clear the broken crystal fragments. Reset the secondary boundary seals. Move."
The servants hurried to obey, scattering across the laboratory to carry out their tasks. Within moments, the familiar order of the laboratory had returned, with Morgan once again firmly in command.
Morgan approached the platform and pressed two fingers against Shawn's neck before extending his divine sense into the boy's body.
Boulder stepped to the opposite side, his aged eyes fixed on Shawn.
"The core is stable," Morgan said, his brow furrowing as he examined the internal pathways. "His body isn't rejecting the World Energy. The meridians have survived the crystallization process."
Boulder leaned closer, studying the lingering energy beneath Shawn's skin.
"These pathways aren't normal, Morgan."
"Explain."
"Their structural alignment has changed to accommodate the energy," Boulder replied quietly. "There is still raw World Energy flowing through his veins, far beyond what a normal awakening would leave behind. This process has completely altered his foundation."
Morgan slowly withdrew his hand and looked down at Shawn's still body.
For the first time in many years, the corners of his mouth lifted into the faintest hint of a smile.
He had devoted an entire decade to this project, sacrificing fortunes, lives, and eliminating anyone who stood in his way. Even the fall of Starborn had been tied to this pursuit.
Now, the results of those ten years lay before him.
"It is done," Morgan said softly.
He did not stop there.
Morgan was meticulous by nature. He refused to reach a conclusion until he had confirmed every detail for himself.
Closing his eyes once more, he extended his senses beyond Shawn's physical body, probing deeper toward the essence of his existence.
Then his eyes snapped open.
Something had interrupted his perception.
It was not a force pushing him away.
It was more like an impenetrable wall.
His attention immediately shifted to Shawn's hand.
The black ring resting on his finger had changed completely.
Its once polished surface no longer reflected light.
It absorbed it.
With every heartbeat, the darkness within the ring deepened, giving the impression that a fragment of endless night rested upon Shawn's finger.
For the first time since the experiment had begun, Boulder's expression changed.
"...Morgan."
Morgan said nothing.
He already knew something was wrong.
Silence settled over the manor.
The humming of the machinery faded into the background. The servants held their breath. Even the smallest sound seemed to disappear.
Then the darkness surrounding the ring began to move.
It did not erupt or spread violently.
Instead, it unfolded.
Shadows stretched across the stone platform before slowly rising from the floor, taking the shape of a human figure.
At first, it was only a silhouette.
Then details gradually emerged.
A long robe.
A hand resting calmly at his side.
Flowing silver hair.
Finally, the figure opened his eyes.
Morgan's heart skipped a beat.
Before his mind could recognize who stood before him, every instinct he possessed urged him to step back.
He obeyed without hesitation.
It was not fear.
It was instinct honed through countless years of survival.
Boulder remained where he stood, his old eyes fixed upon the figure.
"...Vexer."
The manor fell completely silent.
Vexer paid no attention to Morgan, Boulder, or the powerful cultivators surrounding him.
His gaze rested only on the injured child lying upon the platform.
He looked over Shawn's torn clothes, his bloodstained skin, and the countless wounds left behind by the awakening.
"I see," Vexer said calmly, his voice devoid of surprise, anger, or any other emotion.
"The memories have returned."
He watched Shawn quietly for another moment.
"You've grown..."
He paused briefly.
"...Though not in the way I had hoped."
His gaze slowly swept across the laboratory, taking in the ancient machinery, the damaged platform, the open ceiling, and finally the people gathered around Shawn.
"So it has finally come to this."
As the final words left his mouth, he slowly raised his right hand.