(cont.)
As we laid out our plans and assigned tasks, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. The path ahead would be challenging, but together, we're stronger than any other force and will conquer everything. The Lost City of Aztara awaits, and with it, the chance to shape our destiny.
= Vonte: ( looks around the room, filled with my trusted allies and family. )" Together, we will face this challenge. The Lost City of Aztara represents not just an opportunity, but a test of our strength and unity. Let us show the world the power of the Royal Cosmos Sect! "
..
Maliha and Amir, with their expertise as assassins, would take a few selected disciples and head out ahead of the main group. Elder Thadon, would also accompany them with a few selected disciples and tamed magical beast. Their mission would be to gather intelligence and scout the terrain, ensuring that we were well-prepared for the challenges ahead.
-
= Maliha: ( her eyes sparkling with determination, looked at Amir and Elder Thadon. ) " We have a lot of work to do. Let's make sure we bring back the information that will give us the edge we need."
= Amir: ( nodding , a fierce glint in his eye.) "We'll get it done. You can count on us."
= Elder Thadon: " With our combined skills and strength, we will ensure that we will gather the information needed to succeed! "
...
= Vonte: " This quest will prove as our first major test to prove our strength, resolve and unity as a new sect in this world! But, together, we will face whatever dangers lay ahead and carve each of our names in the hearts of those oppose us and show the might of The Royal Cosmos Sect! Amir + Thadon, you guys can go and get ready to head out whenever you're ready, the rest meet me at the back mountains for a little spare, but first I need to talk to Maliha. "
.. ( waits for a bit)
After a moment, the grand meeting hall cleared out—Amir and Elder Thadon leaving through a space rift to begin preparing their scouting unit, while Lily and Anastasia walked side-by-side to lead their own training session with the female valkyrie legion. It was now just the two of us. Silence lingered as I turned to Maliha, her presence calm but sharp. Her long dark curly hair flowed gently behind her shoulders, those alluring crimson eyes focused entirely on me, unwavering. Without saying a word—I took a step forward, pulled her close, and gave her a long, passionate kiss.
= Maliha: * softly blushes and smiles *
"…What is it, Von?"
= Vonté: "You've done amazing so far my love. I wanted to reward you personally, not just as your sect master… but as your man."
( With a flick of my wrist, I pulled up my system and summoned three items before her using 3 normal gacha tickets )
DING *
= GS: ( Selected: 1x Normal Gacha Ticket, 1x Medium-Tier Beast Contract Crystal, 1x Essence-Boosting Pill )
( 7 normal gacha tickets, 1 golden ticket and 2 premium gacha tickets remaining )
-
I placed the items from the system gently into her palm. The Gacha Ticket glimmered with a pulsating rainbow light, the Beast Contract Crystal hummed with residual divine energy, and the Essence Pill gave off a soothing golden glow.
= Vonté: "The ticket is yours—just apply a little of your energy/aura into it and you'll gain something amazing . The crystal is to help you inside my Inner World and the essence pill, it'll help you for your next breakthrough … You've earned it, Maliha."
= Maliha: * eyes widen slightly *
"A ticket? Isn't this one of your abilities that grants you insanely powerful skills !? … I—Von, you're spoiling me again…"
= Vonté: "No. I'm simply giving you a piece of your destiny. Now, follow me for a bit. I want you to choose a beast worthy of walking beside you from this point forward."
( I then opened a dark purple portal laced with golden constellations—is was the gateway to my Inner World. )
swoosh *
The moment we stepped through, we were greeted by the infinite starry expanse of my personal realm. A vast paradise filled with wild mountain ranges, holy lakes, volcanic valleys, and insanely lush plains where hundreds of powerful magical beasts roamed freely. As we stood at the front open canopy of the new Tamer Pavilion where the clone of myself has created to better cater to the magical beast, a wave of ancient essence rippled through the land, alerting the beasts of my arrival.
= Vonté: "Choose freely, my love. You may only resonate with one or two for the moment, but they will serve you well forever."
growl… trumpet… roar… *
After a few minutes of walking through the vast lush fields past numerous magical beast of old and new, Maliha suddenly paused. Her aura flickered. Two different beasts from opposite ends of the plains locked eyes with her—and responded.
THUMP * * THUMP *
A massive silver-and-green behemoth began stomping toward us. Towering with crystalline tusks and a celestial glow swirling across its jade hide.
= GS: ( Beast Identified: Mutant Celestial Jaded Ivory Tusk Elephant — Lower Demi-God Rank 2 )
A creature born of divine earth and star essence. Calm but indomitable.
Then—
WHOOOSH *
Flames crackled in the distance as a sleek, obsidian-furred two-tailed wolf emerged from the dark flame valley. Its eyes blazed with purple hellfire as its tails danced like molten shadows.
= GS: ( Beast Identified: Dark Flame Elemental Two-Tailed Wolf Queen — Lower Lord Rank 2 )
Both roared simultaneously—bowing their heads to her.
= Maliha: * whispers in awe *
"…They're calling me."
= Vonté: "Then answer."
( She then proceeded to take out her Beast Contract Crystal letting a little of her aura into it and in a flash of light, both beasts were sealed into her soul as her bonded companions. A ripple of power surged through her body. )
DING *
= GS: ( Host's Companion Maliha has formed a dual bond with two magical beasts. Minor realm breakthrough achieved. )
= Maliha: * slightly trembling from the surge *
"I… I feel it… I broke through…"
= Vonté: * walks closer and kisses her forehead *
"This is only the beginning. One day, you'll rival even me. But for now… just keep walking beside me and become even more stronger! But, there's one more surprise for you, HAHA. "
As the resonance settled within her core and the contract marks shimmered across her hands, I reached into my spatial inventory once more. A flick of my fingers summoned a beautiful, rose-gold storage ring engraved with arcane sigils and a subtle starlight sheen.
= Vonté: * takes her hand gently *
"This is yours too… something I prepared a while back, waiting for the right moment."
( I slipped the ring onto her right thumb. )
= Maliha: * eyes glisten *
"A storage ring? Wait, Von… what's inside?"
= Vonté: * smirks *
"Take a look."
..
= GS: ( Maliha's Storage Ring Contents )
200 Million Platinum Coins. ( 200,000,000 )
3x Mid-Tier Essence-Refining Pill
3x Grade-3 Healing Elixirs
1x Divine-Threaded Valkyrie Battle Cloak (Auto-Repairing, High-Resistance)
5x Beast Bonding Incense Sticks (Used to calm and strengthen connection with magical beasts)
1x Soul Attunement Scroll (Improves spiritual clarity and internal control)
2x Moonlight Shadow Daggers (High Agility Boost, Lightweight)
1x Protective Flame Talisman (Single-use shield that negates one mortal-level fatal strike)
2x Random Innate Passive Ability Books
…
= Maliha: * completely stunned *
"Von… This… you've been holding onto all of this for me?"
= Vonté: "Of course. You're not just any sect member—you're my partner. I don't want you running into anything unprepared."
= Maliha: * eyes mist slightly before hugging me tightly *
"…I'll make you proud, Von. I promise I'll protect our people just like you would."
As she nodded, her crimson eyes fierce and unwavering, the beasts roared within her soul once more—as if confirming her place among the strong. The stars above pulsed, responding to her vow. A new bond was deepened. A new guardian of the Royal Cosmos Sect was born.
( As she hugged me tightly, the stars within my Inner World glowed a little brighter. )
…
= Vonté: ( softly )
"Take your time familiarizing yourself with those two… they'll serve you well."
( brushes a strand of hair from her cheek, eyes filled with affection )
"And once you've stabilized your realm a bit more, Thadon + Amir will be awaiting your arrival somewhere near the secret realms exit with the other chosen disciples. But for now… I have a mountain to shake! See you later baby.
-
With one last lingering glance and a reassuring nod, I turned and exited the private meeting chamber, letting the heavy gold-engraved doors close behind me with a soft thoom. The atmosphere shifted the moment I stepped out into the open air of the upper palace tier. A pulse of wind stirred my robes as the powerful aura I'd been suppressing gently bled into the environment.
I vanished from sight with a blink-step, reappearing high above the rear mountain range that had been hollowed and fortified into our sparring zone—a massive expanse of reinforced mineral stone that shimmered with protective runes, elemental barriers, and cultivation-forged terrain. The skies above rippled with kinetic force, and standing below me were all the cousins and division elders, each radiating the might of mid/peak God-ranks and semi-immortal rank pressure awaiting with fiery anticipation.
-
Perched on a higher ledge above the vast plateau were Father Antonio and Grandpa Klemu, the latter sitting cross-legged on Kazmïk's colossal draconic head, his long silver beard fluttering in the wind. Kazmïk's emerald scales shimmered under the afternoon light like fallen stardust.
= Grandpa Klemu: "Hoh… looks like our young emperor has arrived. Let's see how well they can push you today."
= Father Antonio: smirking "Remember to hold back, son. Just a little ! "
WOOSH *
With a flicker of space and nature essence combined, I appeared directly in the middle of the plateau.
= Vonté: "Alright, Dev. Amirah & Elders. Let's make this a spar worth remembering. You'll be facing the Verdant Celestial Flow martial style today… something I developed to balance both chaos and serenity, cosmos and nature. Come at me together. Show me what the Royal Cosmos Sect is truly cultivating."
-
= Grandpa Klemu: "Let's see if they can survive five minutes against the boy this time."
= Antonio (arms crossed): "They won't. But the pain will be good for them."
-
= Dev: "Cuz, you better not hold back too much!"
= Amirah: "I wanna see how big the gap really is!"
= Guts: "Heh. Don't go cryin' when I crack your ribs, kid."
-
= Vonté: (voice low, calm, hands behind back)
"Begin when ready."
No stance. No preparation. Just presence.
The others didn't wait.
-
= Kenzo: "Formation Sigma!"
—BOOM!—
The ground shattered beneath them. Beverly launched forward, her Molten Dragon Art fully ignited.
"Solar Rage: Crimson Leviathan!"
A flaming serpent with golden armor raced toward Vonté like a falling meteor.
From above, Kenzo called down freezing clouds:
"Dark Ice Essence Storm: Thousand Ice Fang Bloom!"
Dark purple ice fangs materialized, spiraling downward like drills of death.
= Amirah and Dev:
"Let's combine it—Chrono Rift Blades!"
They warped time briefly, appearing on either side of Vonté with curved energy sabers drawn.
= Guts: (leaping, massive claymore ablaze)
"SKY-TOWER SMASH!!"
-
= Vonté: (smiling softly, exhaling slowly)
[ Verdant Celestial Flow — Second Form: Comet Palm Bloom ]
BOOM!!
With a single twist of my wrist and a light push, a spiraling explosion of compressed cosmic qi blew back the leviathan flame, exploding it mid-air into embers.
Swiftly tilts my head.
[ Verdant Celestial Flow – Third Form: Heavenleaf Mirage Step ]
-
Vonté blinked out of time. Dev and Amirah's sabers passed through phantoms of light. He then reappeared right behind them just as quickly.
= Vonté: "Too slow."
—SLASH—
My scythe moved on its own, a red blur as it carved the air in a crescent slash. It sliced Dev's aura barrier in half and knocked him into a massive mountain wall that left a massive crater.
CRACK!
Amirah turned — too late — and vines shot from under her feet , wrapping around her ankle and flipping her onto her back mid-air.
= Beverly: "Still standing?! Then take this!"
She summoned a miniature solar core from her chest.
"Dragon Core Detonation!"
-
= Vonté: [ Fifth Form: Cosmic Bloom Barrier — Nebula Veil ]
I rotated my palm and summoned a translucent dome of constellations and rotating leaf sigils.
The solar explosion struck the veil… and was absorbed.
Vonté flared his fingers — and returned the energy as a compressed beam of molten stellar vines, blasting Beverly back into the mountains wall.
CRASH!
= Elizabeth: "I won't let you go untouched!"
She extended a glowing bow formed from light and storm energy. "Primordial Shot: Heavenbreak Bolt!"
The arrow tore through space like a divine javelin.
(HUMMMM…)
The scythe spun once, deflected the arrow, and then — independently — launched itself like a predator.
SHING!!
It reappeared beside Elizabeth and stopped just an inch from her throat, humming like a heartbeat. She froze instantly.
= Kenzo: (leaping from above, covered in frost-armor)
"Last chance! Take this seriously ! "
[ "Dark Ice Style: Absolute Crystal Guillotine!" ]
The skies blackened. A massive spear made of pure black diamond ice appeared — the size of a mountain!
Vonté finally moved fully.
-
= Vonté: (chanting)
[ Sixth Form: Starbloom Ascension Vortex ]
He raised his arm, cosmic vines started wrapping around his arms and chest while glowing with a golden starlight.
WHOOMMMMM
A galactic whirlpool erupted beneath him. With a stomp, Vonté exploded upward like a comet, met the descending black ice guillotine, and then,
PUNCHED IT INTO NOTHINGNESS
The shockwave that followed rippled through the entire valley, toppling numerous trees and small mountain peaks in the distance. The others were thrown backward like leaves in a massive storm.
Only Guts remained, bruised and battered, bleeding from one eye.
= Guts: "I'm not… I'm not done yet, brat…!"
He lifted his massive claymore , now surging with the last of the power from his bloodline.
= Guts: "Titan Form: Celestial Warborn!!"
His body doubled in size, armored with sacred stone and highly dense bones.
He charged.
Vonté's smile increased even more.
= Vonté: COME !
[ Verdant Celestial Flow – Seventh Form: Grave of Ten Thousand Roots ]
He stabbed his scythe full of nature essence into the earth.
Suddenly, the entire battlefield quaked. From all around, giant celestial roots and vines burst forth like godly spears — wrapping, slamming, and crushing Guts' Titan Form in mid-charge.
The roots spiraled around his body and locked him in mid-air like a prisoner caught in nature's wrath.
-
= Antonio (from the sky): "Enough. If this were war, you'd all be corpses."
= Grandpa Klemu: "Heh. Didn't even draw blood. He's still holding back."
= Kazmïk: "RROOOAAARRRRR."
The battle was over.
Smoke rose. Powers faded. The air was quiet.
…
= Vonté: (still calm, now spinning the blood red scythe in slow circles)
"Each of you fought well. But unity and technique won't matter… unless you move as one. Next time, don't come at me one by one."
The others, bruised but not broken, nodded, breathing heavily.
= Dev (groaning): "You've turned into a monster, bro."
= Amirah (wiping blood from her lip): "Next time, we team up properly. That was suicide."
= Vonté: (smiling)
"Good. That's exactly what I wanted to hear."
..
• YOU'VE REACH CHAPTERS END •
Thanks for reading and see you in the comments !