Chapter 31: The End of the Storm
The ancient seal beneath the First King's Throne continued to tremble.
Crimson and black energy intertwined, illuminating the entire palace.
Everyone instinctively prepared for another battle.
Even Caelum Ardent narrowed his eyes.
Whatever was sealed beneath the throne...
It was ancient.
Far older than the Celestial Court.
Suddenly...
The seal stopped shaking.
Silence returned.
A single drop of crimson-black blood floated into the air.
It wasn't violent.
It wasn't terrifying.
Instead...
It radiated an indescribable sense of freedom.
As if nothing in existence could bind it.
The Supreme Villain System appeared.
[Ding!]
Primordial Rebel's Blood Fragment Detected.
Compatibility: 100%
Would the host like to absorb it?
Knox looked at the floating blood.
He did not rush forward.
Instead, he asked,
"What will happen if I absorb it?"
The System replied,
[Host's physique will evolve.]
[Authority will increase.]
[Memories of the Primordial Rebel will remain sealed until the host is strong enough.]
Knox nodded.
"Then... absorb it."
The drop of blood flew into his chest.
BOOM!
A crimson-black light enveloped his body.
Pain surged through every bone and meridian.
Yet Knox didn't scream.
He simply stood there, enduring it.
After several moments...
The light disappeared.
[Ding!]
New Physique Unlocked:
Current Release: 1%
Effects:
- Increased cultivation speed.
- Strong resistance against Heavenly Laws.
- Greatly increased vitality.
Then, unexpectedly...
He smiled.
"So it accepted you."
Knox looked at him.
"You aren't stopping me?"
Caelum shook his head.
"Not today."
Everyone was stunned.
Alexander frowned.
"He's... leaving?"
Caelum glanced at the group.
"Our meeting was never about winning."
"It was about confirming something."
He looked directly at Knox.
"The era has changed."
"Grow stronger."
"When we meet again..."
"There will be no interruptions."
A golden portal opened behind him.
Before disappearing, he said one final sentence.
"I hope you survive long enough to disappoint Heaven."
Then...
He vanished.
The battlefield was over.
No cheers echoed.
Only exhausted sighs.
Everyone realized they had survived another impossible encounter.
Kael laughed loudly.
"Hahaha!"
"Looks like we're still alive."
Even Orion chuckled.
"I was sure we'd die at least twice today."
Alexander looked at Knox.
"Three times."
Seraphina couldn't help but laugh.
For the first time in days...
The atmosphere felt light.
Knox sheathed his sword.
"Let's go home."
Lyra blinked.
"Home?"
Knox looked around the ancient palace.
"The Abyss."
"For now..."
"This is our home."
A warm smile appeared on Lyra's face.
She quietly whispered,
"Home..."
The First King's Palace had changed completely.
Destroyed walls were repaired.
Gardens once covered in ash now bloomed with black and silver flowers.
Abyss citizens returned to their daily lives.
Children ran through the streets without fear.
For the first time in centuries...
The kingdom felt alive.
Knox stood on the palace balcony.
Watching the city below.
Footsteps approached.
It was Lyra.
She carried two cups of tea.
"I thought you'd still be working."
Knox accepted one cup.
"Thank you."
She smiled.
"I've noticed something."
"What?"
"You never actually rest."
Knox looked at the distant horizon.
"I rested once."
"It lasted an entire lifetime."
Lyra didn't understand what he meant.
Only Knox knew.
He was talking about his life on Earth.
The two stood silently.
Enjoying the cool evening breeze.
After a while...
Lyra spoke softly.
"When I first met you..."
"I thought you were a heartless villain."
Knox raised an eyebrow.
"And now?"
She smiled.
"I think you're just terrible at expressing yourself."
Knox laughed quietly.
"That's surprisingly accurate."
They both laughed together.
For the first time...
There was no war.
No destiny.
No enemies.
Just two friends enjoying a peaceful sunset.
Far behind them...
Seraphina quietly watched from a corridor.
She sighed.
"So..."
"I'm already too late?"
She turned away before anyone noticed her.
But a faint blush remained on her face.
The storm had ended.
And a new chapter of their lives...
Was just beginning.
End of Chapter 31