Transmigrated with my corruption system

Chapter 188: Chapter 187: Glory & Splendor

Elsewhere, back inside the Greyson Residence, a devilishly handsome youth came into sight, his figure currently sprawled across the ground.

To an ordinary eye, one wouldn’t be wrong to assume he was locked in a peaceful slumber.

But that illusion was shattered a few seconds later as his eyes suddenly fluttered open, revealing a pair of striking crimson eyes. Yet within them, there wasn’t the slightest trace of grogginess.

Regaining his bearings, Ulric slowly rubbed the back of his head as he rose to his feet. An uncanny smile slowly carved its way across his face.

It seemed he had lost himself while exploring the wonders of his new Advanced Training Chamber. But it wasn’t for naught. During that time, he had acquired far more in-depth knowledge than the system description had displayed.

It wasn’t simply a large room as he had naively assumed at first, but a seemingly never-ending expanse.

He had tried exploring deeper, but had been constrained by an incredibly heavy pressure pressing down on his spirit.

Another reminder that though his body had far surpassed the limits his peers could only dream of, his soul was still relatively weak.

It would be best if he found a way to strengthen it quickly. If not, it could develop into one of his greatest weaknesses.

Still, that wasn’t what weighed most heavily on his mind. He had a feeling that if he were able to explore the depths of his Advanced Training Chamber, there would be even more benefits to reap.

Perhaps its effectiveness would increase by leaps and bounds. From twice his regular training speed to three times, or perhaps even more.

The sheer thought flooded his body with exhilaration. He couldn’t simply wait for the future. All he had to do was grow stronger before he could grasp it in the palm of his hand.

But even as it was, the training chamber had proved far more effective than he had anticipated.

Besides the fact that his aether reserves had been fully replenished after channeling some of it to Elira, he could sense that they had actually grown.

Previously, he had tried everything to increase his reserves naturally through meditation. But nothing had ever worked.

Only after his recent discovery of killing stronger beings and stealing their energy had he found a way to increase his aether reserves.

But now, with his Advanced Training Chamber, they had grown from fifty-seven drops of aether to sixty in a single night! Sure, he had used a few heavenly treasures. But at this point, he had a horde of them.

He suspected that if he could corrupt them, they would boost his pace of generating even more aether.

At the thought, he almost broke into a fit of laughter, only managing to suppress himself through sheer will.

At this pace, it wouldn’t even take the months he had calculated to fully refine his transcendent art to the peak of D-rank. Maybe it would only take a few weeks... or even days.

The thought alone was pure madness. But the more he walked the path to power, the more that seemed destined to become his new normal.

Walking to the edge of his lord’s quarters, he stared out through a massive window into the endless horizon as he sank deep into his thoughts.

Only snapping out of his trance when a large golden orb rose in the distance, spilling waves of radiant gold across the sky.

As sparse rays filtered through the window, they illuminated the figures sprawled across the ground behind him, still snugly asleep.

But now they were slowly nudged awake by the dawn of a new day.

Sensing their sluggish movements, Ulric’s fists clenched slightly as a quiet sigh slipped past his lips.

"It’s time," he muttered.

His words carried to them just as they fully woke.

"Huh?" Amber and the rest muttered groggily. The previous night had been a little too intense.

Proof of it lingered as their bodies felt pleasantly sore. But it had all been more than worth it. Having been apart from Ulric for so long, or at least that was how they saw it, the previous night had been nothing short of otherworldly.

And now that they were awake, they couldn’t help but crave more.

As the youth’s words echoed into their ears, they wanted to ask what he meant. But a single glance at his frame was enough.

They didn’t even need to look into his eyes to sense the yearning burning deep within him. Tempest could no longer contain him.

At the realization, excitement flashed across each of their faces as they remembered Ulric’s promise of endless adventures... beyond the city. They could finally experience them together.

With multiple emotions flickering across their faces, they rushed forward and surrounded the youth.

"Really?" Lyra squealed.

Ulric smiled softly before gesturing for them to wash up.

Normally, they would have rushed off obediently. But this time, they tried dragging him along. He could already see the lewd, needy glints flashing in their eyes.

The bunch of greedy girls wanted more.

If he were an ordinary man, he might have been afraid of being sucked dry. But Ulric harbored no such fears.

If anything, his stamina far outclassed all of the girls combined. He had a feeling that if he wanted, he could keep going for days before collapsing from exhaustion.

It was just that heavier and more urgent matters rested on his shoulders.

That was why, in the next instant, he waved one hand.

Instantly, a cloud of darkness sprang into existence, encapsulating his form for a few seconds. When it receded, every trace of impurity clinging to his body had been corroded away.

Leaving him refreshed as he slipped into his robe once more.

As one grew powerful, they eventually outgrew the need for many daily activities regular mortals relied upon, such as eating, resting, and even bathing. Either they simply surpassed such needs or developed far more efficient methods.

With most of the girls possessing extreme elemental control after their talents advanced to SSS-rank,

they could do the same if they wished.

But he doubted they would.

Just because someone possessed the means to do something didn’t mean they always would.

Besides, some people simply enjoyed the mundane because it reminded them of who they were.

Whatever the case, it hardly mattered.

Before they could pull off another one of their antics, Ulric’s figure suddenly vanished.

In the next instant, a series of sharp cracks echoed as he swatted each of their plump asses.

Eliciting surprised gasps as they hurried off into the distance, their faces flushing slightly.

Smiling faintly at the sight, Ulric let out a slow breath before his figure vanished once more.

***

As Ulric announced his departure, news of it spread like wildfire.

Across the Greyson Residence, then throughout the whole of Tempest, all within the span of a few hours.

Inside a grand throne chamber, several elders stood in silence.

The emblems of the Greyson Residence were embroidered upon their robes as they stared at the empty throne before them.

The silence lingered for a long while before Rysten finally let out a heavy sigh.

He had always known this day would come, and he had prepared himself for it.

But even then, he couldn’t help but feel a void forming deep within his heart that he feared no one would ever be able to fill.

Staring into the distance, a small smile tugged at his lips as his gaze settled upon the Awakening Hall where it had all begun.

He could still remember with startling clarity the day the youth awakened an S-rank talent that overturned his fate overnight.

He remembered the wager he had made with Mistress Aria, and so much more.

Taking a slow breath, he paused before shaking his head.

This was no moment for sadness.

It was one of unparalleled joy.

The young lord was finally spreading his wings, leaving the muddy waters behind to explore the great seas.

At the side, Mistress Aria wore a wistful smile.

Graegor even more so as he chuckled softly beneath his breath.

He had no doubt that the young lord’s power would grow monstrously after taking this step.

His only regret was that he wouldn’t be there to witness the world’s reaction to such an anomaly.

But even so...

He had already seen enough.

***

Elsewhere across Tempest, within the Silver Blood Residence, inside a secluded chamber.

A young girl sporting short dark hair and pale eyes paced restlessly as emotions she thought she had long buried resurfaced.

Gnawing relentlessly at her. Regret.

All of it stemming from the day she annulled the marriage contract with the youth.

She could still remember it vividly.

He had been nothing more than a scrawny youth, cast aside by the world around him and destined to live as an ordinary mortal.

At least, that was how it was supposed to be.

But all of that had changed in a single day.

And from then on, he had never been the same.

Which couldn’t help but make her wonder.

What if... She had never annulled the marriage contract?

Would she now be among the few standing beside him? She could have allowed herself to sink into those thoughts.

But she didn’t. None of it mattered anymore.

She was now merely a lowly noble girl, while he had risen into a figure she could never hope to reach.

Bathed in glory and splendor.