The Mystical universe

Each Divine Ability Vision was not created equal, and geniuses naturally produced stronger and more profound visions. Generally speaking, the source of the vision determined its strength and potential. A vision could be formed through mastering an elemental concept, mastering battle intent, materializing bloodline power—which was the most common method—harnessing an innate divine might, cultivating a martial skill of Earth grade or higher, or receiving a bestowed divine might. The last was an innate divine power passed down under specific conditions, either before death or as part of an inheritance.

There was no single best method, but some were inherently stronger than others. A Divine Ability Vision formed from an Earth-grade martial skill or a basic flame concept would naturally be weaker than one born from a Heaven-grade skill or a fusion concept, such as lava, which combined the burning nature of fire with the weight of earth.

Besides the strength of the concept itself, visions could be strengthened through different levels of materialization. They began as illusory, taking only a vague shape, before becoming more solid until they fully materialized. From there, some could further condense into a rock-solid state, and in exceedingly rare cases, reach the level of crystallization. These final two stages were extremely difficult to achieve, only attainable by Sovereign Spirit Realm cultivators. Creed's Ancient Giant Vision, though powerful, was only at the materialization level, meaning he had not yet reached Moon Sovereign Spirit Stage.

The past month had been fruitful for everyone. Su Yao and Xue Qing had both reached half-step Intent Materialization, a significant step that required extensive accumulation before taking the next leap. The three foundational stages of cultivation were considered beginner levels, while the next two—Innate Spirit and Intent Materialization—marked the transition into advanced cultivation. Intent Materialization did not have minor stages like the previous realms but was instead measured by the number and quality of divine ability visions a cultivator had created. Su Yao and Xue Qing, having reached the Sun Spirit Stage, were refining their divine senses and beginning to create their first divine ability visions. If they succeeded in materializing them to the crystallization level, their visions would be stronger than even those of Creed.

Tang Hao and Thorin had reached Moon Spirit Stage, while Raizel had advanced to Black Gold Spirit Stage. The only one who had yet to break through was Kaeln, who sat inside a large tent, brows furrowed in deep thought.

By all logic, he should have broken through to Innate Spirit Realm three weeks ago, yet each attempt ended in failure.

"Breaking through Innate Spirit usually requires opening the sea of consciousness and awakening divine sense, but my sea of consciousness was already opened from the start. I can already control divine sense, and mine is even stronger than usual." He raised an eyebrow as he expanded his divine sense to its limit.

Fifty meters.

One hundred meters.

Five hundred meters.

One thousand meters.

Five thousand meters.

Ten thousand meters.

Here, it stopped.

Even while sitting inside his tent, Kaeln could sense everything within a kilometer radius with perfect clarity. Beyond that, up to ten kilometers, his perception blurred due to interference from various forces in the wilderness. That was still an astonishing range. Typically, a cultivator at Bronze Spirit Stage could extend their divine sense up to one hundred meters. At Gold Spirit Stage, it would be around a thousand. At Profound Spirit Stage—the peak of Innate Spirit—it would be fifty thousand. Kaeln's current divine sense had already reached the level of a Black Gold Spirit cultivator, if not higher.

Of course, it hadn't started that way. Over the past few weeks, even without breaking through, his mental strength had continued to grow. From an already impressive five thousand meters, he had now doubled his range.

"Whenever I cultivate, my sea of consciousness is nourished by the yellow energy released from the Sun Spirit Crystal the Titanic Crow bestowed upon me. That's likely why I've progressed so fast. Maybe there will be a change when I reach the threshold for Moon or Sun Spirit Stage. For now, if anyone asks, I'll just say that I'm at Black Gold Spirit. Which I probably am—just through a slightly different path."

With that, Kaeln stood up and exited the tent.

It was time to return to the sect.

There were just over two and a half years left before the Coiling Dragon Competition, and they would need every moment to get stronger.

Outside, everyone was already waiting for him. The Yun clan members, too, had packed up their things. Yun Che, who had been overjoyed with their discoveries over the past month, was practically glowing. It seemed as though fortune had followed them every step of the way, as they repeatedly stumbled upon patches of rare medicinal herbs—some of which were even believed to be extinct.

His grin stretched from ear to ear.

Seeing Kaeln and the others emerge from their seclusion, he quickly approached them with an elated expression.

"Ahh, you guys truly are my lucky charms. Our harvest this time has been… beyond abundant." He let out a hearty laugh, his sunken eyes gleaming with satisfaction, before throwing an arm over Tang Hao's shoulder.

"Even you, fatso, didn't bring shame to your brothers for once."

Tang Hao instantly shoved him away. "Tss, don't touch me, you freak. Who brings shame to my brothers? You've only just started to recognize my grandeur, that's all."

"Right, right," Yun Che rolled his eyes before turning to Kaeln and Raizel, wrapping an arm around them both. "You two are always welcome in my clan. I'll even gift you a few of my miraculous mystic pills."

He then attempted to kiss both of their cheeks, only for them to swiftly evade.

"Sure, bro, but let's keep our distance, okay?" Raizel floated a few steps away, waving him off nonchalantly.

Not far away, the Yun clan members collectively sighed, looking exasperated at their young master's antics.

Meanwhile, Creed stood atop an ancient tree, his back resting against the bark. He watched the scene below with amusement before leaping down.

"Young Master, it's time to leave. Since we're no longer searching for treasures, we can rush toward the empire with minimal stops. This should allow us to return much faster than when we came." His voice was calm yet firm.

Yun Che nodded, regaining his composure. "We'll follow your arrangements, Uncle Creed."

He turned to his clan members and waved his hand. "Let's move!"

With his hands behind his back, he stepped lightly onto the ancient trees, leaping far into the distance.

One by one, the Yun clan followed.

Kaeln and the others waited a moment before setting off after them.

Raizel turned to Kaeln, his brows furrowing slightly. "You feel that?"

Kaeln met his gaze, and in that brief exchange, an understanding passed between them.

"Yeah," Raizel said. "I have this weird feeling, like something is calling me deeper into the forest."

"You too?" Thorin, who had been listening, was taken aback. He had been feeling the same pull, an inexplicable sense of foreboding.

Seated on ancient tree branches, Su Yao and Xue Qing exchanged puzzled glances. Clearly, whatever was affecting the boys was not influencing them.

Tang Hao scoffed. "Pft, acting all mysterious." He crossed his arms but still glanced around warily, just in case something unexpected happened.

Kaeln paused for a moment, trying to think of an explanation, but he couldn't come up with anything. He was still too inexperienced to fully grasp what was happening.

"In any case, heading in that direction will only bring trouble. We're not far from the Thunder-Winged Desolate Dragon Clan, so we should head back for now. If we get the chance, we'll return before the Coiling Dragon Competition."

"That's cool with me," Tang Hao replied nonchalantly.

Su Yao nodded. "We shouldn't fall too far behind the Yun clan either."

With that, the group prepared to take flight. Kaeln, now at the Innate Spirit stage, could finally fly using spiritual energy, though it was still a bit clunky at his level. Innate Spirit cultivators used telekinesis to lift their bodies, sometimes forming elemental wings to boost their speed. Flying became smoother and more natural at higher levels, particularly above Black Gold Spirit Stage, when one's spiritual strength was significantly enhanced.

Despite their different flight styles, their speed was breathtaking. Su Yao, with her strange wind energy, and Raizel, wielding lightning and thunder, were particularly fast.

Each of them took to the sky, their elemental energies manifesting behind them as magnificent wings.

Tang Hao's wings shimmered with yellow, formed from his sand dragon energy—a fusion of earth, metal, and draconic origin. Raizel's wings crackled with golden and purple lightning. Thorin's were a fusion of crimson and black flames, a mix of life and death fire. Kaeln's were golden and radiant, burning with solar flames infused with light. Xue Qing's wings gleamed like ice crystals, infused with the power of Eira Borealis, the Ice Empress. Su Yao's wings, unlike any other, shimmered in a mysterious purple hue, her wind energy clearly belonging to a higher tier.

Among the five, there were more than seven different mystic elements, including the five basic ones.

In a burst of power, the youths turned into five streaks of light and disappeared into the sky.

Moments after they left, three figures emerged in the same spot.

It was the princess of the Heavenly Demon Territory and her two companions.

They hadn't been far behind Kaeln's group, arriving only minutes later. The young demoness floated into the air, gazing toward the fading lights of the departing youths.

A wicked smile graced her lips. "What an interesting group. So many handsome boys, and the girls are almost as pretty as me. Their cultivation is shocking for their age, though, of course, it's nothing compared to me."

Her gaze lingered longest on Su Yao before she descended gracefully to the ground. She tiptoed playfully around the area, kicking at fallen leaves, appearing carefree as ever—but in truth, her curiosity had been piqued.

Turning toward one of her companions, a seductive warrioress named Morgana, then towards the other, she smirked mischievously.

"Sylvia, why did that boy resemble you so much?"

Morgana, who had been observing silently, narrowed her eyes. She had noticed it too. 'Surely that wasn't a coincidence, right?'

Sylvia simply smiled. She had expected them to ask. Seeing her little brother here had been a surprise.

'You've grown strong, my cute little brother,' she mused. 'And you've made some interesting friends.'

Just as she was about to speak, her expression suddenly twisted in pain. A sharp cough escaped her lips, followed by a mouthful of blood splattering onto the ground. Her face turned pale, and her knees buckled beneath her.

"Sylvia!"

Morgana reacted instantly, catching her before she collapsed.

"What's happening? Are you okay?" The demoness quickly appeared at her side, worry flashing across her usually playful eyes.

Sylvia took a deep breath and forced a weak smile. "I'm fine. It's just… an old battle wound acting up."

Her attempt to reassure them only deepened their concern. Morgana and the demoness exchanged glances, both of them thinking the same thing.

'A battle wound? But she hasn't fought anyone in months…'