Chapter – 50 – The Origin Heart
Lucien sat at his desk, sifting through the papers Maisy had brought him, when Celbeth's presence filled the doorway of his chamber. The afternoon light streamed through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the ornate furniture.
"So," Celbeth began, crossing his arms, "what are your plans to help Princess Sylvie?"
Lucien set down the parchment with a measured sigh, leaning back in his chair. "I'll think about it. There's still plenty of time before the competition. For now, I should focus on other matters—things far more important than these political games."
Celbeth nodded, a hint of understanding in his eyes. "That's true. I'm heading out as well. I need to teach Evelyn, and who knows—today might be the day she finally achieves her breakthrough."
"That's good." Lucien offered a faint smile. "I should also return to my cultivation."
Celbeth gave a curt nod and pulled the door closed behind him, the latch clicking softly into place.
Lucien sat motionless for a long moment, ensuring he was truly alone. Then, finally, the tension in his shoulders eased.
Finally... I'm alone. Let's see all the rewards I obtained from completing those missions.
He closed his eyes and summoned the system interface. A cascade of notifications flooded his vision, golden text scrolling rapidly before him.
[Congratulations! Mission Completed: Hollow Grave of Death Pit]
[The Heart of Undying Death God — Acquired]
Lucien's breath caught. The Heart of Undying Death God? What is this? System, explain.
A new window materialized, filled with ancient, almost ominous text:
[The Heart of Undying Death God]
A heart that once beat within the chest of a Death God who refused to perish even after the end of creation. Though its owner was slain, the heart continues to pulse across eternity, denying the very concept of death.
Abilities:
Eternal Heartbeat (Core Ability)
As long as the heart continues beating...
Destroy user's brain? Regenerates.
Cut user in half? Regenerates.
Burn user to ashes? Reforms.
Destroy every cell? The heart recreates his body.
The only way to kill him is to destroy the Heart itself.
Lucien's eyes widened as he processed the implications. Immortality... true immortality. System, how do I strengthen this Undying Heart?
[Eternal Heartbeat is the user's core immortality ability. The heart cannot remain vulnerable forever. The best solution is to evolve the heart through cultivation or merge this heart with other compatible hearts.]
Merge... hmm... I already have the World Tree Heart inside my body. A dangerous idea sparked in his mind. System, merge the Undying Heart of the Death God with the World Tree Heart.
[Merging... 10%...]
A sharp jolt of pain shot through Lucien's chest.
[Merging... 12%...]
He gasped, clutching at his sternum as something deep within him began to shift and writhe. His eyes darted around the room—doors, windows. In a flash, he sealed them all with a wave of his hand, layers of astral energy locking every possible entrance.
What's happening?! The World Tree Heart belongs to life—it grants me control over roots and vines, regeneration, the ability to absorb life energy from the surroundings. And the Undying Heart gives me Eternal Heartbeat... but if you think about it, they're opposites. Life and death. Did I make a mistake?
[Merging... 25%...]
The pain intensified tenfold. Lucien gritted his teeth so hard he feared they might crack. His veins bulged against his skin, visible like dark rivers beneath the surface, pulsing with an unnatural light that shifted between verdant green and abyssal black. Blood welled at the corners of his mouth, trickling down his chin.
No going back now. The decision has been made.
With supreme effort, he forced himself into a cultivation position, legs crossed, hands forming the meditation seal. He closed his eyes and surrendered to the process, letting the system do its work.
The merging consumed half a day. Time became meaningless as Lucien's consciousness drifted between agony and oblivion, his body a battlefield where life and death waged war.
[Merging... 97%...]
[Merging... 98%...]
[Merging... 99%...]
[Merging... 100%...]
[Congratulations! Your Heart of Undying Death and World Tree Heart have combined to become...]
[The Origin Heart]
[Passive Abilities Unlocked]
Eternal Pulse
The Heart beats with the rhythm of existence itself.
The User never ages.
Immune to disease, poison, curses, and soul decay.
Every heartbeat restores Health, Astral Energy, Soul Power, and Stamina.
The stronger the User becomes, the stronger the Heart beats.
Army of the Fallen
Can permanently bind powerful souls. Unlike ordinary necromancy:
They retain intelligence.
They retain cultivation.
They retain techniques.
They obey absolutely.
[The First Pulse — LOCKED]
Realm is too low.
Lucien's eyes snapped open.
He felt... different. The air around him seemed to hum with recognition, as if the very fabric of reality acknowledged what had just been born within his chest. He placed a hand over his heart and felt it beat—slow, powerful, eternal. Each pulse sent waves of vitality through his entire being, replenishing him on every level.
This is... too powerful. I cannot let anyone see this, ever, unless the situation absolutely demands it.
He flexed his fingers, feeling the astral energy within him—not just restored, but amplified. The Origin Heart was a perpetual motion engine of power.
I've only unlocked two abilities, and they're already this formidable. It's practically immortality... but what is the First Pulse? I can't use it yet—I'm still too weak. So many abilities remain locked behind higher realms.
A laugh escaped him—low, almost manic with relief and exhilaration.
Hahahah... finally, this is becoming truly interesting. I used to think I was powerful until I met Zarah. I must never stop striving. I don't know what kind of unknown enemies I'll face in the future. The only reason I survived the merging is because my body could handle it—thanks to the Abyssal Body Core Physique. Had I been any weaker, I would have died. I need to be more careful.
He rose from his meditation posture, stretching muscles that felt impossibly fresh, as if he'd just woken from the most restful sleep of his life.
And for the treasures I looted from those other Realm Masters on the last day—I'll sell them and get as much gold as I can. My system's forge panel is still locked. I wonder when it'll be unlocked... hmm. Maybe I could sell those items to the system directly. System, can I sell items?
[Yes. You can sell items through the sale panel. Gold earned will be transferred directly to your dimensional pocket.]
Sweet. Let's see...
He opened the sale panel and began feeding items into it—relics, artifacts, weapons, cultivation treasures, all gathered from the corpses of his enemies. The system offered generous prices, and Lucien felt a satisfied smile cross his face.
At least I won't feel cheated selling to the system. And I can use these gold coins in the real world.
The transactions processed quickly, the numbers climbing steadily.
Done. Wow... I got 5 million gold coins. Well, I did kill a lot of people. Nice.
A sudden pulse in his mind interrupted his thoughts—someone was contacting him through his Echo Crystal. The artifact, embedded within his consciousness, allowed for telepathic communication between those who were connected.
Oh, it's Delian.
He accepted the connection, and her familiar presence filled his thoughts.
"Seems like you finally remembered you have a lover," Lucien said, a teasing edge to his mental voice.
Lady Delian's laughter echoed through the connection, warm and sultry. "I would never forget you or that night, my wicked beast. It's just that I've been catching up with everything."
"Mm, I would never let you forget that night—even if you wanted to." His voice dropped, playful and dark. "I remember you were not able to walk the next day. So, what made you remember me, My sneaky viper?"
Her mental voice turned breathy, carrying the weight of shared intimacy. "The preparations for war against the Modric Family are complete. Since they're desperate, they'll likely do everything to survive. I'm sending four hundred Realm Masters. The chances of losing are next to zero, but I thought... if you wanted to add something?"
Lucien considered her question, his gaze drifting to the window. "No, I don't think I need to add anything. You've been waging war for years, Delian—I know you understand this better than anyone. But... I have a feeling they might use something demonic. They're desperate. I wouldn't be surprised if they have some legendary artifact they've been saving for revenge. Make sure you prepare for that as well. Marson Modric was a peak Spirit Forge Realm Master—he must have left something to his brother for situations like this. Just look out for it."
"You're right," Delian admitted, her tone turning serious. "This might be the biggest war I've ever waged. But right now, my husband is annoying me so much..." She sighed dramatically. "Agh. I wish you were here. You could have relieved my stress like that night."
"Maybe," Lucien said, his voice dripping with suggestion.
"Ah, I almost forgot," Delian continued, her tone brightening with mischief. "The Astral Academy will start this week. Prepare yourself—women are going to try to win your favor. Don't fall for just anyone. I'll see you there, after all... I'm the wife of the principal of Astral Academy."
Lucien chuckled. "Don't worry. Lucien Vale is not cheap. And who's going to be my instructor?"
"There's a woman who will teach your batch," Delian said. "She wants to meet you as soon as possible."
"Well then, I'll have to wait for it. Looking forward to seeing you again, My sneaky viper."
"Until then, my giant beast."
The connection faded, and Lucien was alone once more.
In a palace chamber shrouded in darkness, two figures lay entwined on a lavish bed, their bare bodies gleaming with the sheen of recent passion. Anne rested her head against Prince Andrin's chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
"Tomorrow is a big day for you, Anne," Andrin murmured, his fingers tracing idle patterns along her bare shoulder.
"Yes," she replied, her voice soft but filled with determination. "Once we clear this hurdle, you'll become emperor, my lord."
Andrin's hand stilled. "By the way, did you get any information about My Sister Sylvie? What are her plans regarding not having a champion?"
Anne shifted, propping herself up on her elbow to look at him. "I just received information that she went to meet a noble from the Vale family."
"The Vale family?" Andrin's brow furrowed. "I've never heard of them. Are they powerful?"
"They were called a fallen family," Anne explained. "But over the last few months, there have been many reforms. They used to be viscounts, but now they've regained their position as nobility. A rising house."
"Is there someone particularly strong in Vale House?"
"There are rumors," Anne said carefully. "Since Lucien Vale returned from the Ancient Breach, there's talk that he's reached peak Spirit Forge Realm. It could be true, but I don't think it'll be a problem. We don't know his achievements in the Ancient Breach, either. Since he was with Delian Alde, I'm assuming most of the work—any achievements he might have—were likely because of the Alde family's support. I don't see him as a threat."
Andrin nodded slowly, accepting her assessment. "A peak Spirit Forge Realm isn't a threat to you, anyway."
Anne's lips curved into a confident smile. "No. It isn't. After all..." Her eyes gleamed with hidden power. "I have my Pure Yin Physique... and my System."
Author Note:
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