"Elder Guardian!" Lucas called out.
The moment his voice rang out, the space around him stirred. Shadows twisted and coiled as tendrils of darkness slithered forth, converging into a figure that slowly emerged from Lucas' own shadow.
As the form solidified, the surrounding space trembled under his presence, unable to withstand the sheer weight of his aura. It shuddered as if on the verge of collapse.
"This moon is pitifully weak," the Elder Guardian said, his deep voice reverberating through the air. "It cannot even endure a fraction of my presence."
He was clad in an ancient black robe embroidered with intricate golden patterns. Near his chest, a sigil gleamed—a symbol of the Celestial Heaven Clan.
This man was Lucas' guardian, his sole purpose to ensure his young master's safety. Just like NOX's Shadow Uncle, he was a Rank 9 Awakener, an existence that stood at the pinnacle of power in the Lower Realm.
To understand his significance, one must first grasp the nature of this universe—
The universe was divided into two vast realms:
The Lower Realm – A boundless expanse filled with countless Lower Planes, each unique in geography, civilizations, and power structures.
The Upper Realm – A domain beyond mortal reach, where only those who surpassed the limits of the Lower Realm could ascend.
Lucas and NOX came from a Lower Plane known as [Mythrandis], a galaxy-dominant plane where empires and powerful clans ruled.
Across the Lower Planes, countless cultivation systems flourished. Some pursued Wizardry, others wielded the arcane arts of Mages, while some walked the path of Immortality, Dharma Cultivation, or Martial Arts.
To simplify the complexity of these systems, all paths of cultivation were classified into nine ranks—a universal framework. However, these ranks were merely broad designations, failing to encapsulate the intricacies of each discipline.
For instance, Rank 1 differed across systems:
In Dharma Cultivation, Rank 1 was known as the [Dharma Seed Realm].
In Immortal Cultivation, it was called [Qi Refinement Realm].
In the Mage System, practitioners at Rank 1 were known as [First-Class Apprentices].
Most cultivation paths in the Lower Realm followed a similar progression—advancing through nine major realms before their practitioners could even dream of ascending to the Upper Realm. Rank 1 marked the beginning of the journey, while Rank 9 was its pinnacle—except for those who transcended into the realm of Astral Rulers.
Given this hierarchy, one could only imagine the immense power wielded by the Dark Heaven Clan and the Celestial Heaven Clan—to assign Rank 9 Awakeners as mere guardians to their young heirs. It was a testament to how much they valued NOX and Lucas.
Despite his status, the Elder Guardian looked remarkably young, appearing no older than his mid-thirties.
His sharp gaze scrutinized Lucas, and the moment their eyes met, the space around them fell deathly still. This was no mere staring contest—it was a silent clash of willpower and patience.
A Rank 9 Awakener against an Unranked Awakener. Under normal circumstances, Lucas wouldn't stand a chance.
But this situation was far from normal.
Seconds stretched into minutes, yet neither of them relented. Lucas' eyes burned, misting over as his mortal body strained under the pressure. His limits crept closer.
And then—he blinked.
He lost.
"Good. Good. Good…!" The Elder Guardian suddenly burst into laughter, his voice echoing with approval. His face lit up with rare delight.
"You've finally cast aside that excessive kindness," he said, eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
For four years, he had silently observed Lucas' every action. As his guardian, it had been his duty to watch over him. But from the very beginning, he had been repulsed by Lucas' overwhelming kindness.
At first, it had been amusing—an endearing trait of an adorable child. But as time passed, his amusement turned to frustration. He watched Lucas reason with scumbags, save every worthless fool, and get taken advantage of by so-called friends—all except that NOX kid.
The Elder Guardian had remained silent through it all. He did not interfere, for this was also a test—a form of training.
Their family was an Empyrean Clan, a hegemony ruling over the Lower Planes. Their future heir could not afford to be weak. Could not afford to be foolish.
But tonight—tonight was different.
The way Lucas handled those brats had filled the Guardian with such joy that he nearly performed flips in the shadows.
And yet… even he had felt a chill while watching.
Lucas had shown kindness, but also cruelty. A terrifying balance between the two. Those children would likely never recover from this night—their minds scarred, his voice haunting them in their dreams.
As the Elder Guardian basked in his pride, Lucas' voice pulled him from his thoughts.
"Elder Guardian, I need your help with something."
His tone was polite—not just out of respect for the Guardian's strength as a Rank 9 Awakener, but because this man was also his close relative.
The Elder Guardian stood with his arms crossed, his head tilted slightly upward, a proud smile still lingering on his face.
"Lay it out, kid… What do you need from me?" he asked, not even bothering to look at Lucas.
"I need you to send your avatar to protect someone," Lucas said. Then, after a brief pause, he added, "Covertly."
The moment those words left Lucas' mouth, the Elder Guardian's smug expression froze. His eyes instantly narrowed as he turned to Lucas, his gaze filled with something between disbelief and disappointment.
His face practically screamed:
'Damn kid, I just praised you. Can't you let me be proud for a moment before dragging me into your simp business?'
He cursed Lucas inwardly.
With a deep sigh, he asked, "Must it be my avatar…?"
One had to understand—even an avatar of a Rank 9 Awakener was enough to annihilate entire armies of Rank 8 Awakeners. Yet here was Lucas, requesting such power to protect a single person.
Just to be sure, the Elder Guardian asked again, "You're certain about this?"
Lucas turned to meet his gaze. "Yes. It must be your avatar." Then, without giving him a chance to protest, he added, "Elder Guardian, please ensure the safety of this man… and his newborn daughter. NOX and I owe him at least this much."
His voice carried a weight of guilt, and his expression was filled with sadness.
Seeing Lucas attempting to guilt-trip him, the Elder Guardian quickly cut him off. "Alright, enough with the guilt act," he said, exasperation clear in his tone.
Raising his hand, he condensed a single drop of blood—a deep crimson sphere swirling with unfathomable power. With a flick of his fingers, he let it fall to the ground.
In an instant, the drop of blood expanded, twisting and morphing, until a second figure emerged. A perfect duplicate of the Elder Guardian stood there—a blood avatar, forged from his essence.
"Who am I protecting?" the avatar asked impatiently.
Lucas offered a kind smile. "His name is Karthikeya. He resides in Bharat Country, within the Genesis Realm…"
He quickly provided detailed information about the Dharma Sword God from his past life.
The Elder Guardian arched a brow.
To his knowledge, Lucas had never met this person. He had never even set foot in the Genesis Realm, which loomed above them like a second moon.
And yet… somehow, he knew everything about this man.
More than that, there was a rare respect in Lucas' voice when he spoke his name.
Intrigued, the Elder Guardian studied his young master carefully. Who exactly was this Karthikeya, that he was worthy of Lucas' efforts?
After a brief pause, the blood avatar stepped through space, vanishing into a rift.
Lucas watched it leave before flashing a sheepish smile at his guardian.
"Second Uncle, I need your help with one more thing."
He deliberately emphasized Second Uncle, knowing full well that addressing the Elder Guardian this way would leave no room for rejection. After all, what kind of uncle could be so heartless as to deny his adorable nephew?
The Elder Guardian's eye twitched.
"You brat… Are you asking for a beating?" he growled, his voice deepening as his eyes turned red in an attempt to intimidate Lucas.
But just as he was about to reprimand him further, his gaze suddenly snapped toward NOX's courtyard.
His brows furrowed.
A flicker of darkness stirred in the air—unsettling, malevolent.
His expression hardened. "Devil Power…?" he muttered.
Without hesitation, he expanded his vision.
A red, ominous glow spread across his pupils, revealing the twisted scene unfolding in NOX's courtyard.
And what he saw…
Was terrifying.
Countless eerie eyes manifested, covering the entire courtyard in an unholy spectacle. The very air felt corrupted, drenched in despair.
All around, academy students collapsed to the ground, their faces contorted in silent screams, their minds breaking beneath the sheer weight of NOX's Evil Eyes.
Even as a Rank 9 Awakener, the Elder Guardian found himself uneasy.
But before he could dwell on it, he sensed something else.
Four Rank 2 assassins lurked in the shadows, their presence carefully concealed.
His lips curled into an amused smirk. Finally, he thought. That lazy excuse of a Guardian NOX had would be forced to do something for once.
However, his amusement was short-lived.
Because the Lazy Guardian never moved.
Instead, he saw NOX.
Not only was NOX unfazed, but he effortlessly killed all four assassins—playing with them like a predator toying with prey.
And then, the most absurd part.
He wasn't even using energy.
The Elder Guardian's expression darkened. That shouldn't be possible.
For a cultivator, even the weakest techniques required some form of energy manipulation.
But NOX?
He was breaking the fundamental laws of reality itself.
A heavy silence followed before the Elder Guardian let out a long, weary sigh.
His gaze returned to Lucas. "It seems a terrifying monster has emerged in the Ashborn lineage."
Lucas' expression shifted immediately.
He understood that the Elder Guardian was talking about NOX.
Concern flickered in his eyes as he asked, "Did he kill anyone?"
The Elder Guardian narrowed his eyes. That was an odd question.
Still, he answered, "Just a bunch of Rank 2 assassins." His voice was casual, as if it was nothing worth mentioning.
Lucas sighed in relief, reassured that NOX hadn't killed any academy students.
Not because he cared about their lives.
No, he couldn't care less about their worthless existence.
What concerned him were the consequences their deaths could bring upon NOX.
The Elder Guardian blinked.
Wait… What?
He had expected shock, disbelief, or even some concern from Lucas upon hearing that NOX had killed trained assassins with ease.
Instead, Lucas had sighed in relief?
Had Rank 2 Awakeners really become that weak in Lucas' eyes?
Or had their young master finally turned stupid?
Shaking his head, the Elder Guardian decided it wasn't worth the headache.
"What is it that you need again?" he asked, resigned to his fate as Lucas' ever-suffering Guardian.
At least he was hardworking. Unlike that lazy excuse of a Guardian NOX had, who considered even talking to be too much effort.
Lucas didn't delay.
After a brief pause, he began detailing the events that would unfold tomorrow—and what the Elder Guardian must do.
As Lucas spoke, the Elder Guardian's expression gradually darkened.
His amusement faded, replaced by solemnity, concern… and anger.
Anger directed at the Human Supreme Society.
By the time Lucas finished, the Elder Guardian was left shocked.
If Lucas' words were true…
If what he foresaw would truly come to pass tomorrow…
Then it wouldn't just be this Lower Realm that descended into war and chaos.
It would be the entire universe.
And worst of all—
This war would directly entangle the Dark Heaven Clan and the Celestial Heaven Clan.
The Elder Guardian gave Lucas a long, unreadable look before silently retreating into his shadow.
Seated on the bench, Lucas' gaze drifted once more toward the Genesis Realm, looming above like a celestial deity watching over them.
He let out a quiet sigh.
"How many lives will be sacrificed tomorrow… all for the ambition and greed of others, masked as 'justice' and the 'greater good'?"
Lost in thought, he sat there, his eyes admiring the distant splendor of the Genesis Realm…
As the long night slowly faded, the dawn ascended like Sun' Chariot, casting its light upon a fate already set in motion.