The entire clan remained kneeling as Alm and Bruno reflected in shock on all these phenomena. At this moment, above them, the portal that connected to the underworld trembled and closed completely, making the whale look up and sigh.
’We’ve spent practically everything we gained from Almin’s tribulation, along with a good portion of the Cerberus bloodline.’ Alm spoke, trying to shift the focus. ’We managed to create the connection, but it was so unstable that just thinking about crossing made the sensation of death palpable. We would be killed by spatial laws immediately, without even really reaching the underworld.’
The whale landed on the ground, and Bruno activated the celestial rune, absorbing all the infinite power of faith into him. He felt the entire rune vibrate and contort, reaching the absolute limit of stored power. However, he realized that on the other side of the portal, there was still ten times more of this power directed towards them. Unfortunately, the connection was too short and unstable, and they couldn’t collect everything in time.
’Having more QI to burn is not the solution; we need to get stronger to ensure the crossing and the return. Maybe in the Body Destruction Realm, it’s possible.’ Bruno said, focusing on the people around still with bowed heads.
Alm commented, scoffing, ’It seems we were already considered gods elsewhere even before Ruri had that idea of making people worship us.’
The whale turned its gaze toward the girl, and Ruri immediately ran joyfully to their side. When she held their arm, she knew exactly what to do; soon, the whale transferred everything to her hero rune, and the golden power illuminated the world.
’According to the technique I learned, the power of faith is a type of law that forms from the three life energies of the followers. It’s something that blends with QI and the Heaven’s Will itself, allowing it to manifest and direct it to the owner.’ Bruno commented, while the golden power of the hero immediately made all the Cerberus lift their astonished faces.
’People adore a specific figure with their image in mind. Since it contains the essence of their lives, this power carries a certain will... so the massive amount of this law that we couldn’t absorb quickly exposed our past forms. Well, our past efforts have borne fruit.’ Bruno concluded and nodded to the whale.
The Cerberus, looking at them, saw in the midst of the golden power again the giant shadow of the two-headed Cerberus.
"I’ve lived a lot and had many forms across universes. Currently, I’m a human, but this is just a passing shell; my true form..." Bruno began a strange speech, adding many confusing and senseless phrases. Everyone listened in astonishment, and no one, not even Bruno, remembered the rest.
Ruri at his side initially thought they were just talking nonsense... but she felt some truth in those words and immediately felt lost. She took a deep breath, thinking; one day, her master would trust her and tell her everything.
After a while, the whale then took out the bone club again, and a cold spiritual voice echoed for everyone. "I have received your blessing, and you must earn the same! The demonic diagram is with me, and I will follow it and transfer your orders at the right time."
"Supreme Elder Vrix!"
Vrix was the name of the ancestral Cerberus who founded the Bloodthirsty Light sect. All the Cerberus now recognized that voice, so looks of envy permeated the crowd.
"I will give you the benefit of the doubt, only because of our past connection. Just go with the flow and continue acting like nothing has changed; at the right time, I will give the orders." The whale then spoke softly. "Regarding the fluctuations of punishment, say that Vrix tried to create something secret."
According to Vrix, all the major clans knew of his existence. He was like a thorn to others; everyone feared him for not knowing how he had stayed alive until now; thus, using him as an excuse was convenient.
The whale turned to the rest of its group and waved. Alm and Bruno wanted to leave as quickly as possible. They had no trust in these Cerberus, and they hadn’t forgotten to completely loot all the treasure from this clan.
Before, they planned to burn almost all the stolen resources and use the water rune that Almin received. Along with Almin’s firepower, they would bury the entire clan, and with the power of ice, erase the most powerful Cerberus they could, taking their bloodlines.
In the end, Vrix surprised them by handing over everything as a sign of loyalty. Seeing the two souls, he seemed to think they were a Cerberus like him. Or perhaps he felt their connection with the Cerberus coming from the power of faith in the underworld; neither Alm nor Bruno were entirely sure.
The Nether Hound clan was number four in the abyss since Vrix led it, and they had an astronomical amount of accumulated resources and treasures; the spatial inventory was now overflowing. But everything changed, and they could leave without losing anything... or almost...
’Don’t be an idiot! We can kill them all now and take everything.’ Alm grumbled mentally, but Bruno ignored him vehemently.
The entire whale group gathered, and the Yin and Yang tattoos lit up. Ruri received an immense amount of QI and covered everyone with mental power; soon, the whale used all the remaining laws of the earth to dig again.
The Cerberus saw them leave in silence and stood there for several minutes after the group’s departure.
The clan leader was the first to clench his fists in a sudden movement. His logical mind decided to act after a while, and everything he saw and felt became vague and unreal...
But that golden power was different; his body and soul remembered it and refused to deny it. That made everything he knew about the world turn upside down. He could only feel reverence and inferiority before it. And that striking first impression of the divine Cerberus was firmly engraved in his soul by that golden energy.
Alm and Bruno knew the power of the hero well, and they always used Ruri, mindful of that fact. The power of the hero was dominating, subjugating the mind and soul of anyone unsuspecting.
"The divine Cerberus... he clearly had no trust in us..." The clan leader murmured, and everyone around heard, thinking the same. "We have to execute everything perfectly; this is the opportunity given by the heavens to our clan and bloodline."
Everyone listened, and their hearts beat frantically. All Cerberus knew the legends of where their race originated; it was their greatest pride and, at the same time, their greatest ambition. Returning to the place of origin represented the goal of all Cerberus, no matter their age. And now, in front of that small entrance, they glimpsed the goal ahead of them. Because of their bloodlines, they too could tell it connected to the Underworld.
Far away, the whale was quickly digging its way back to the realm of the seas. Meanwhile, Vrix was inside the spatial inventory, partly incredulous, partly shocked, partly dissatisfied. Before him was a small circular core containing a newly formed soul.
That soul looked at him in a pure and curious way, and Vrix didn’t know where to begin. He was now officially the spirit of a weapon, the bone club. And the only mission given by the divine being was...
’I don’t have time to deal with newborns, teach everything and make it grow.’ The whale said as it placed him in the inventory and began to dig. ’Forget your life as an evil cultivator; if you teach anything evil, I’ll refine your soul and use it as energy to make it grow faster.’
Alm and Bruno didn’t forget to read all of Vrix’s memories. Believing he would be useful, Bruno decided to keep him alive, sealing him inside the bone club with a runic storage seal. Thus, the entire Cerberus bloodline was stored along with him after a quick modification to the seal.
Alm didn’t care to spare this Cerberus before, but everything turned upside down, and now they left only with Vrix’s bloodline. Despite being a pure Cerberus, this bloodline was already so thin and worn that it was almost laughable.
’Don’t get so irritated; let’s take a different path from our other life. Let’s resolve things by uniting people, not by killing and using them as we please.’ Bruno mentally said to Alm, clearly dissatisfied with the outcome.
’We stopped getting high-level resources, and there’s no guarantee that they won’t betray us. Later, we’ll have to eliminate them, and in the realm of ashes, we won’t be able to collect their bloodlines; everything will be lost due to this stupid ’kindness.’ Alm retorted.
’Look back. Almin, Langrum, Loeus, and even Ruri are calm and happy with their gains and results. If we had committed a massacre, it would only bring a bitter taste to everyone. In the end, everyone wants to live with a clear conscience and without generating karma.’ Bruno replied gently.
Alm just snorted; Bruno knew that Alm didn’t need to be reminded to focus on Ruri in his hands. Alm was always focused on her regardless of everything else, ignoring all. Despite the exhaustion of using her mental power, she seemed radiant and excited. In the end, even Bruno wanted to see how far this would go.
***
Inside the realm of seas, twelve hours had passed since Goku departed. Calirer was with several close members near the hole they exited, waiting for them. A deadly silence permeated among all, eagerly awaiting their return.
The only audible sound was the air being swept and broken by two small wyverns in the skies. They were Runula and Deryu, who were together, battling against each other.
This had become a frequent occurrence lately. Deryu had reached the end of the Foundation Establishment Realm, but due to a lack of food or bloodline to devour, his cultivation didn’t progress as quickly. The powerful abyssal beasts, which could feed him, were guarded by Runula, but the whale prevented her from giving them easily.
So, if the tough newborn wyvern wanted to eat, it had to fight. Runula, at the sixth level of the Elemental Condensation Realm, was too much for him; Deryu couldn’t even scratch her scales.
The two crossed the air and collided, while Runula enjoyed Deryu’s fierce insistence. He roared and raved, attacking in fury and hunger. Then, he coiled his serpentine body around her and writhed with all his might, but obviously, nothing happened. His mind always became numb in a fight, and he couldn’t reason. Runula sensed this, remembering her own version not long ago, reflected in him.
After some time, Deryu’s scales lit up, and his claws cut through the air, making even the space vibrate. All of Runula’s dragon blood vibrated, and her body petrified for a second.
The attack hit her wing, but only a slight crack appeared. At that moment, Runula stopped and waved, satisfied. He managed to use his bloodline and seamlessly merge it into his attack. Slowly, he was learning to use his attributes.
That was the goal of the entire training, and for Runula, it was also a significant learning experience. According to the whale, teaching was always an exchange, and she always learned as much as Deryu in other ways.
Runula then remembered Ruri’s words and landed on solid ground, looking at Deryu from afar. She struggled to put on the sternest expression she could.
He, in turn, fell shortly after the attack, exhausted. When he rose and saw her looking at him, he stood up excitedly. He quickly ran to her side.
Far away, Calirer watched the scene of the two small wyverns with a smile. Deryu approached and lowered his head, so Runula snorted as if she were only half satisfied and took a large beast out of the inventory.
"Deryu is very stubborn and dominant... I understand. If Runula keeps her calm and shy personality, he will never respect her, and she will have to live submissive to him," Calirer muttered, nodding in satisfaction. "Both Ruri and Runula have become tough and merciless with him but always reward him and show the result of his effort. That way, he is being educated to have respect..."
"Or to never chase after others if he wants to stay alive. After all, I read that hybrid dragons are known for that." Ruri’s voice cut through Calirer, making her jump. The whale suddenly emerged from the hole, with Ruri holding onto his arm.
The whole group emerged from the hole with light eyes, and then they saw from a distance the two small wyverns eating, and soon, a warm smile blossomed on their faces. Runula and Deryu were eating side by side, and their tails gently intertwined. A subtle gesture, but one that everyone understood the meaning of.
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