Stepping through the teleportation array, light flared and twisted before setting the group down in the center of the Galactic Myriad Sectâs registration pavilionâa vast hall of translucent jade that spanned for kilometers, its towering pillars etched with runes from countless races, the open ceiling revealing swirling streams of mana drifting above like living auroras.
Disciples of countless species bustled around massive crystal counters, auras ranging from First to Fifth Calamity filling the vast registration hall with a constant, low hum of power.
The air was thick with mingled scentsâstarlight herbs blooming in floating planters, distant thunder from lightning-affinity cultivators testing nearby, the faint metallic tang of blood from beastkin warriors. Voices echoed in hundreds of languages, laughter mixing with sharp challenges, the floor of polished jade vibrating faintly under thousands of footsteps.
Thalia motioned toward a quieter pavilion along the hallâs edge, where fewer people milled about and tall barriers of privacy runes shimmered like heat haze.
"You eight should head to the private registration station," she said, her voice calm yet authoritative.
"Itâs set aside for high-potential arrivals. The elders there will be looking for personal disciples."
Keysa rested gentle hands on Fay and Siaâs shoulders. "Stay with us a moment," she murmured, emerald hair swaying as vines curled protectively around her.
"We have much to discuss."
Fay and Sia shared a glanceârelief, curiosity, and a hint of nervesâbefore nodding and stepping aside with their masters.
The eight Primavus made their way toward the pavilion, the crowd parting in quiet deference, auras brushing against them like testing winds as whispers trailed in their wake.
"First Calamity... but that pressure..."
"Wings like those... what race?"
"Their bloodline feels... strange?"
Nia grinned, her blood-red flame eyes sweeping the hall.
"Hehe, Weâre already famous. Iâm loving it."
Vaeloriaâs blood-moon gaze stayed calm.
"Focus. Weâre here to grow, not to pose."
Seris smirked. "We can do both."
Yonna laughed. "Definitely both."
Sonnaâs wings fluttered nervously, but her smile held steady.
"Itâs a bit overwhelming... but exciting."
Thalion adjusted his glasses, taking in every detail.
"The diversity here... is beyond my expectations."
Caelan elbowed Kael.
"Bet I get more offers than you."
Kael snorted.
"Dream on."
They reached the pavilionâa smaller hall of translucent crystal walls that muted external noise, queues short and orderly, elders in gray robes watching with sharp eyes from elevated platforms.
They joined the shortest line, behind a pair of scaled dragonkin arguing quietly about trial placements.
Minutes passedâtense, anticipatory.
Finally, an elder beckoned them forwardâa stern woman with silver-streaked hair and eyes like polished obsidian.
"Step into the array, one at a time," she said, voice clipped but professional. "It evaluates existenceâname, age, rank, bloodline."
The array was a circle of glowing runes on the jade floor, humming softly.
Vaeloria stepped in first.
Light washed over her.
Results projected in golden script above.
[Name: Vaeloria Originat
Age: 230,012
Rank: First Calamity
Bloodline: Divine]
The elderâs brow rose faintly.
One by one, they followedâsame bloodline rank for all, ages drawing varied reactions.
The group was a bit confused as to why their bloodline rank didnât show as Paragon in the scanâonly Divine. Thalionâs sharp mind raced through possibilities: if the true Primavus nature was revealed, it would draw Eternal Clans like blood in water, wars over recruitment or suppression.
Better this wayâhidden strength, underestimated.
They exchanged subtle nods, the secret safe.
An elder at the registration station cleared his throat.
"Next up are the placement trials: one-on-one duels against opponents of similar rank. Keep going until youâre defeatedâeach win means facing a tougher challenger. How well you do will decide your resources, housing, and whether a master takes interest."
The group made their way to the sectâs central arena districtâmassive rings suspended on mana platforms, encircled by spectator galleries that stretched for kilometers. Billions observed from afar, their auras buzzing with anticipation.
As they walked the jade avenues, hidden masters conversed in shadowed balconies above.
One Ninth Calamity elder, an ancient elf with leaf-like ears, murmured to another.
"Those younger onesâthe girl with flame eyes, the twins, and the other three women... dense auras for their age. Also, having a Divine bloodline? Rare potential."
A human elder nodded.
"The 28-year-old and the twins especially. Under 30 with that pressure? Theyâll draw Primary Disciple offers quickly."
A beastkin master grunted.
"The older ones are solid, but that woman... 230,000 years for First Calamity? Slow talent, perhaps."
Unaware, the group discussed in the waiting pavilion overlooking the rings.
Nia cracked her knuckles.
"So... whoâs first? Iâm ready to burn through a few."
Caelan grinned.
"Me or Kael couldâ"
Kael cut in.
"Iâll go if no one else wants the spotlight."
Seris smirked.
"Always the show-offs."
Yonna laughed.
"Let one of the âoldâ ones handle it first."
Sonna smiled softly.
"Iâm fine waiting..."
Thalion adjusted glasses. "Well.... itâs more logical to test the waters with our strongest impression."
Vaeloria stepped forward silently, blood-moon eyes cold as winter night.
"Iâll go."
The group turned.
Nia raised a brow.
"You sure? Theyâve been side-eyeing your age like youâre past prime."
Vaeloriaâs lips curved faintlyâstone-cold killerâs smile, the Last Sovereign awakening.
"Good. Let them underestimate."
Vaeloria walked to the ring with measured steps, her black wings rustling softly like whispers in the wind, aura flaring subtlyâa dark chill that made the surrounding air thicken and the jade platform beneath her feet hum faintly.
The massive arena ring stretched fifty kilometers across, its boundaries marked by shimmering mana barriers that pulsed with the sectâs neutral power, spectator galleries filled with billions of eyes from every race, their murmurs a distant roar like ocean waves crashing on unseen shores.
Her first opponent waited at the centerâa human male in simple gray robes, sword already drawn, a First Calamity aura radiating steady confidence. His blade gleamed with basic intent, eyes narrowing as he sized her up, lips curling into a smirk.
"So, what are you supposed to be?" the swordsman called, voice echoing across the ring. "Some kind of bat-winged freak? Come on, tell me your powersâmake this interesting before I cut you down."
From the waiting pavilion, Nia shook her head slowly, blood-red flame eyes glinting with knowing pity. "Speaking to her in a fight is the first wrong step," she muttered, crossing her arms.
"Vaeloria doesnât chat. She ends."
The others noddedâSeris smirking, the twins exchanging grins, Thalion adjusting his glasses with a faint smile.
Vaeloriaâs blood-moon eyes remained cold, unblinking.
She drew her Divine-ranked weaponâa sleek lunar sovereign sword, blade forged from moon-forged silver that absorbed light, hilt wrapped in shadow-silk.
It hummed faintly in her grip, eager... and immediately she activated a talent.
Nosferatu Moon Harvest activated.
Moonlightâborn of her Celestial Fox bloodâflowed into the blade unseen, quiet and voracious, drawing in the ambient essence hidden in the realmâs lunar whispers.
With the Law of Darkness fully unleashed, the ring sank into shadow, light collapsing in on itself in hushed waves. The humanâs sword intent faltered as the world went pitch black, and in a rush of fear, he swung blindly.
"Whatâ?"
Vaeloria movedâher sword flashing once, twice, thrice in perfect silence.
SHK! SHK! SHK!
The first strike cut his sword arm clean at the elbow, moonlight leeching his blood-essence mid-swing. The second drove through his shoulder, darkness spilling like ink through his veins. The third carved across his chest, the Law of Blood holding the wound wide and frozen.
He dropped, gasping, defeated in secondsâbody convulsing as the harvest pulled his life force away.
The barriers lifted.
Vaeloria sheathed her sword, as her expression remained unchanged.... start to finish.