Less than a day remained until the entrance test for new disciples. Since they didn’t have time to forge everything now, Alm and Bruno focused on their other gains. They had about three hundred million Essentia Crystals, from the branch they raided and the demons that attacked the harpy planet.
They still had a lot to read, including the Dao of the Devil God, but now they had another priority. They took out the figure they were directly responsible for creating. He had a divine soul like them, his body seemed fine, but for some reason, he wasn’t waking up.
Alm and Bruno internally inspected him again; his cultivation was at the fifth level of the Spirit Fusion Realm. If he didn’t wake up, he would miss the sect’s entrance test. Now that they were safe, Alm and Bruno decided to investigate his soul and memories directly.
Entering his mental sea, they saw only a broken and tiny fragment of a soul. If they didn’t have a divine soul, they would never notice the level of this soul. This guy had shattered his soul, leaving only a minimal fragment there, and divided the rest into the Yin and Yang runes they left for him to study.
Without hesitation, Alm and Bruno activated those runes and destroyed them, releasing all the soul power sealed within them.
They manipulated that and reconstructed the shattered soul... it was ironic that they saved this soul from being destroyed before, then recovered and reincarnated it, and now were reconstructing it again.
When he stabilized, Bruno gently searched through his memories. Bruno, being the Yang soul of life, did this without risking causing damage.
It took only a few minutes for Bruno to emerge. After a heavy sigh, he explained everything he saw. His name was Maelik, and since time passed differently between universes, he was currently a thousand years old.
Maelik lived surrounded by love from his parents. Malieka was a demoness who took care of him very well... maybe too well. She and her husband Rhug even had four more children afterward. Unsurprisingly, just like that egg, besides a divine soul, this hybrid of demon and beast seemed to be blessed by the heavens.
His two bloodlines were abnormally powerful and worked together harmoniously. Any member of powerful races, regardless of bloodline, always had a minimal chance of being born with an atavistic bloodline, becoming much more powerful, or suffering a mutation. It was something as rare as a deity, but Alm and Bruno already understood that the Heaven’s Will purposefully rigged the fate dice so that people close to it were terrifying.
But, despite having all this, Maelik didn’t care about cultivating; he just wanted to live peacefully. And so he lived for almost nine hundred years, his start in divine cultivation showing how lazy he was.
Unsurprisingly, the heroes took some time, but they invaded that universe to investigate the hero’s death and the emergence of a likely missionary. At that moment, all survivors were investigated.
Malieka and Rhug, who were closest to the divine Cerberus, were quickly hunted. And at that moment, Maelik realized the reason the divine Cerberus left the runes for him to study; he should have used the time he gained to become strong and protect his family.
As a result, Malieka and Rhug saw they couldn’t escape and chose to die. This way, their souls would be taken to reincarnate, and the heroes wouldn’t capture them. Their children had nothing to do with the events and would be spared, while the two preferred not to be caught and leak information about the deity that saved and blessed them.
Maelik saw the two leave the world calmly with a smile on their faces. They lived a few hundred happy years, but everything was interrupted because of him, who only wanted to live peacefully, avoiding his responsibility.
In the end, the heroes noticed something wrong with all that soul power in the formation having disappeared. Investigating, they noticed there was a birth right after everyone was freed, and very strange phenomena occurred when Maelik was born. They had to investigate this hybrid.
Maelik was lucky to notice this, so he fled quickly. The universe was very large, and the heroes were just simple Heroic Heirs who received the mission to investigate.
This only lasted a few years, and Maelik focused on studying the knowledge left by Alm and Bruno during that time. He knew he had a divine soul and that if the heroes caught him, he’d lose his freedom.
Eventually, he found himself cornered and made the move to shatter his soul. A fragment remained in the body, which they’d hardly notice. The heroes would read his memories crudely and wouldn’t even enter his mental sea to see that dying soul. He also took care to use Alm and Bruno’s teachings, and changed some memories related to the Yin and Yang runes and the things inside them.
The plan was simple: they wouldn’t find anything wrong and would just kill him. With the death of his body and possessing a divine soul, he wouldn’t be taken by the celestial laws, just like Alm and Bruno weren’t. So, he’d find a new body, restart his cultivation, and focus his life on avenging his parents.
But… nothing went as he planned.
The heroes didn’t see anything wrong with his soul or memories. However, they found something in Maelik’s body that left them ecstatic. Bruno had no idea what it could be, only knowing what one of the heroes, who was a demon beast, said upon discovering it.
"He has an ancestral bloodline, I’ve seen something like this in my universe. This variant of his is very powerful! I feel a terrifying beastly connection, Lord Norgar will reward us greatly!"
The heroes didn’t kill Maelik. After reading his memories, they just placed a domination rune in his mind and took him away from the universe.
The destination was the underworld, in Devil’s Mountain. His memories after being dominated were confusing, but he saw flashes of a likely Heroic Founder coming from the queen’s universe. He was in his human form, but was clearly a demon beast.
Then, everything went dark, and Maelik woke up already as a slave soldier in that place. Quickly his power blossomed and he was named the leader of the slaves.
"Variant? What the hell is that…" Alm reflected, surprised. "Well, in our universe we didn’t have contact with ancestral races, we know very little about them."
Bruno thought for a moment and mentioned something that always intrigued him. "Dem Zarn was also from the Ancestral Devil race, something that carries ancestry in its name. It’s a demon race specialized in death Yin; why would the Chaos Yang Dragon give him its heritage and power? And why did Dem Zarn use his Yang power so naturally as if he didn’t suffer any loss?"
Alm nodded. He was also shocked at the time, but didn’t have much time to think about it. If Dem Zarn was from an ancestral race, this ’variant’ might be something related to those races they didn’t know, giving them unknown capabilities.
In the midst of their thoughts, Alm and Bruno suddenly felt something, and the Vorion appeared in their hand. The whale turned to a corner of the cave with murderous eyes. There was nothing there, but the space seemed to tremble slightly.
"Oh, why so violent? Did I interrupt something?" The sarcastic voice of the little Fey sounded as she appeared.
Mistie approached and saw that figure lying in the center of the cave. She widened her eyes and turned to the whale. "You brought another outsider and didn’t tell me? You know it’s against the rules for an outsider to be here, right?"
The whale snorted and sheathed its saber. Then it spoke lightly. "He’s in a coma and won’t wake up. I can’t abandon him, and he’s not in a condition to take the test."
Mistie blinked and sighed. "I see, it doesn’t matter anymore. I came to give you the news: the counselors approved it. You’ll receive a unique position in the sect that never existed. We’ll create and give you the role of Chief Rector of the Sect. This new position will have the power to redefine the sect’s internal rules regarding disciples. But, if the counselors or I don’t agree, we can call for a vote to overturn it."
She waved, and an indigo tablet appeared and floated to the whale. It took it, then waved and tossed a spatial ring to Mistie.
"Inside are some random weapons I made a long time ago, back when I was still on my home planet. They’re not immortal, but they’ll be an entry card to attract followers of the Merchant God. When they settle here, I promise to provide a monthly amount of immortal weapons with varied rune seals."
Mistie checked the contents excitedly; there were hundreds of weapons made from mortal materials. But all of them were proof that the disciple was really from the Yinblood sect. As she prepared to leave, Alm and Bruno thought of something and asked:
"This galaxy of ours is the largest and most powerful among the demons, right? Have there been other ancestral demon races here, on the level of the Ancestral Devil?"
She looked doubtful and said, "Hm? Yes, there are very old records about demon races in this galaxy. You’d hardly find old things related to demons anywhere else."
"This friend of mine who’s unconscious is from an ancestral demon race that I don’t know, mixed with a demon beast. He’s unconscious for an unknown reason… the only clue I have is that he had a ’variant’. Do you know anything about that?" The whale spoke calmly, but in the same second saw the little Fey widen her eyes.
"Variant?" She murmured, stunned, and rushed to the young man named Maelik.
Mistie checked something internally, and her face twisted. "This…" she didn’t finish and focused on checking something else.
After a few minutes, she huffed heavily and said, "I’m sure, his demon bloodline comes from one of the first demon races that emerged from the Ancestral Devil. They are called Mara demons."
This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēwebnovel.com.
She checked something again in Maelik and spoke confidently, "All powerful ancestral races, unlike our Chromaraic ancestors, don’t have a common spiritual root from today’s era."
Alm and Bruno listened, surprised; they had never heard of this. A spiritual root was formed in the Heaven Stage Realm, being identical in all races. Its power created a link between the body, soul, and the heavens, allowing the cultivator to float through the skies easily.
"These roots are called Innate Variant Roots. The spiritual roots of today’s races are just something basic and useful; but you can’t say the Variants are better. This variant root could be something much worse than a common spiritual root, or something much better with unique properties giving affinity to a natural or rarer element. It was a strange and unpredictable lottery. Currently, everyone’s roots are basic, but they’re all useful for their purpose; it was an evolution of all species that benefited everyone," Mistie explained calmly.
"As for this friend of yours, half Mara. His variant root is… I think damaged… at first glance, it looks like a common and perfect spiritual root, but if you look at its base, you’ll see there’s a space for a rune that’s empty." Mistie spoke thoughtfully. She couldn’t confirm anything and could only suppose based on the ancient texts she read about. "Maybe this friend of yours will never wake up. His soul and body are connected to the heavens by his variant root. With it in this state, it’s as if his body has no energy to wake up."
Alm and Bruno sighed internally; they couldn’t have known about this variant root. It was like the Fey said: at first glance, it seemed like a common and healthy root. If they didn’t know where to look, they’d never find it on their own. Then they thought of something and asked doubtfully:
"How are you sure he’s a Mara?"
"This race has a strange peculiarity: they are incredibly weak in common situations. I can feel an ancestry in his demon bloodline because of my experience, but at the same time, his power is so pathetic on the surface, it leaves no doubt." She spoke calmly. Then, seeing the whale’s doubtful look, she explained in more detail.
The Mara were a unique and feared demon race, not for their individual power, but for their ability to influence other demon races. It was limited to demons only, but when activating their bloodline power, demon allies are stimulated and their natural power is increased; while enemies suffer a natural suppression, causing discomfort even in much more powerful demons.
The Mara are considered extinct throughout the universe. But like the Chromaraic, Mistie knew there must be some hidden somewhere; the universe was very large after all.
There are almost no records of them, but the current galaxy they live in is known for being inhabited by the most powerful demons. This race once existed there, and many detailed records exist about them.
The reason for the ’extinction’ of the Mara is a well-known fact: the demon races united to eradicate them due to the fear their powers caused. The Mara could form demon alliances and destroy any race while suppressing their enemies.
"I see, thanks. I think I know what happened, maybe I can fix it." The whale spoke calmly, and Mistie’s eyes lit up. "The disciple test starts in half a day, I’ll try to wake him up by then."
She nodded, curious to see what the whale would do, but she had a lot of work now that she had received that spatial ring from him. She wanted to say something but controlled herself and bit her lip lightly. Then, she turned and disappeared into the void.
’What are you planning?’ Bruno asked, not fully understanding Alm’s intentions.
’He’s perfectly healthy. His only problem is the lack of something minimal in his body,’ Alm began to speak softly. Then he thought of something and a green screen appeared in front of them.
[Miracles available: 03]
[Celestial Points for use: 50]
[NOTE: With each use of a miracle, the point cost for that miracle multiplies by 3]
[Natural Life Miracle] [30 Celestial Points]
[Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Rebirth Miracle] [30 Celestial Points]
[Space-Time Miracle] [270 Celestial Points]
Bruno immediately understood. Before, when Ruri died, they couldn’t use the Rebirth Miracle to revive her; and it was still the same. The first time they used it, they received the knowledge that they could only revive themselves.
But after using the Space-Time Miracle several times, they concluded that with each use of a miracle, it’s like its level increases.
Logically, the Rebirth Miracle was currently at level 2. The first level was something individual, but at level 2 there should be some additional benefit.
’If it was someone completely dead, I think it would be impossible. But since it’s just something minimal in the physical body, it’s perfectly possible that we can just ’heal’ something simple in a miraculous way now.’ Alm spoke calmly.
Indeed, it should be possible. But it definitely wasn’t worth the cost of 30 celestial points. This miracle, when used on them, could completely revive them after using an unparalleled suicidal power... but, to Bruno’s surprise, it was Alm who wanted to do this without hesitation.
Suddenly Bruno realized something. ’Hey, we practically gave him life and all; but you don’t consider him as a child you’re responsible for, do you?’
’Shut up,’ Alm spat dryly and used the miracle. ’Accept.’
A flood of information entered their minds. The Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Rebirth Miracle, at its current potential, could be used on allies to revive only one of the factors; either physical, or mental, or spiritual. If someone was already dead, it was impossible to use it at the current level; but in Maelik’s current situation, it was indeed perfect.
It took a few seconds, then they magically felt a pulsating rune sprout again in his body and fix itself in his variant root. Only at that moment did Alm and Bruno think of something.
’His root was clearly stolen. If now this identical one appeared... the celestial laws didn’t allow cloning. So... was the one with the hero destroyed?’
Bruno spoke, and Alm took a deep breath. Maybe they had dug up a big problem for the future.