Chapter 146: Gifts, Bounties, and Power

Ash opened his physical eyes in the realm—body surging with new power, smile widening.

"Feels good."

[Just ridiculous...] Elysia muttered, her voice a mix of exasperation and pride.

"Heh, this is just the beginning of our path, isn’t it, my dear~" he said before standing up and summoning Primordia with a wave of his hand, the blade humming eagerly in his grip.

Elysia’s presence pulsed—scanning his existence once more, golden light sweeping through his avatar in the inner universe and his physical form simultaneously.

[Scan complete. Updated evaluation, Master... and this time, it only shows your weaknesses.]

Weaknesses:

Race Population Stagnation

: Only 8 Primavus members (excluding Master). Bloodline network underdeveloped—shared evolutions limited, clan-wide boosts weak. No legion, no widespread influence.

Critical – A lone Progenitor is powerful, but a race of billions is unstoppable. Current numbers cap potential synergy.

Low Number of Targets

: Master does not have enough affection from powerhouses for further improvement.

Moderate – Rank-copying demands 95%+ bonds; current network too small for rapid ascension.

Inner Cosmos

: Master’s inner cosmos needs continued improvement.

Emerging – Vast but underdeveloped; lacks populated worlds, diverse structures, and symbiotic life to amplify growth.

Optimal Paths Forward:

Mass Primavus Creation (Immediate Priority)

: Use progenitors title, inner universe + Desire Manifestation to birth thousands—beasts for defense, humanoids for leadership.

Sub-Nexuses for rapid growth.

Unlock full Juvenile Stage synergy—clan-wide evolutions, shared power spikes.

Affection Network Expansion

: Target high-rank cultivators with potential 95%+ affection.

Copy ranks faster, stack seeds for custom Laws.

Universe Fortification

: Develop inner cosmos—add worlds, stars, life. Tie more power to it...

Reduces isolation weakness, turns "internal" into omnipresent.

Rule-Breaking Exploration

: Explore more galaxies... and possible universes. This allows the Nexus to expand her knowledge and power.

Breaks further from Normality.]

-----

Ash cracked his neck, Primordia humming at his side.

"Hmm, although the Primavus race is most critical. I still want to put it off for now... I will handle that as I cultivate the first World properly. In the meantime.... I plan to take the next step down the path of the sword."

[Not bad, honestly the only reason it’s not listed as a weakness is because of how rare it is to have a Max Sword Aura even in the Stellar Sovereign Rank.] Elysia said before continuing.

[The next step is intent, which is much more powerful and dreadful that Aura could ever be. While your Aura as the ability to manifest itself and warp the battlefield... Intent is not as flashy, but it is subtle and deadly.

To form an intent with your weapon, you must form a reason for swinging you blade.... For example, if someone had a Killing Sword Intent... even the most basic cut will kill if the intent is active.]

"Oh... that’s interesting." He muttered before he began. He didn’t know what was needed, but with Elysia helping him it wouldn’t take nothing but a bit of time.

-----

The grand council chamber of Nocturne Prime’s central citadel was a fortress of eternal night—walls of black crystal veined with glowing crimson blood-runes that pulsed like a living heart, the air thick with the metallic tang of ancient essence and suppressed rage.

Crimson moonlight filtered through high arched windows, casting long shadows across the obsidian table where the Nocturne elite gathered.

The Patriarch—tall, abyssal-eyed, his presence a swallowing void—sat at the head, flanked by the Matriarch, her elegant form radiating cold, unyielding power.

Around them, five Late Stellar Sovereign elders sat in silence, their ancient faces etched with millennia of conquests and betrayals. Other Branch Leaders—ten in total, from distant Nocturne outposts—filled the seats, auras flaring subtly like caged storms. Among them was Kaelthyr, Ash’s Master.

The air was thick with tension—rumors of Liam’s late return had already sparked unease. A servant in crimson robes slipped in, bowing deeply as he set a small, neatly wrapped box on the table.

"A gift, my lords," he said quietly. "Sent through the void-mirror. No name given."

The Patriarch’s dark eyes narrowed. "Open it."

An elder waved a hand—blood-chains unwrapping the box, revealing a fist-sized gemstone that glowed with faint rose-pink light.

The gem activated on touch.

A holographic projection bloomed—Ash, standing in a vast rose-gold cosmos, white hair flowing, dual-hued eyes glinting with mischief, twelve wings folded behind him.

"Uhh, hello?" he said playfully, knocking at the "screen" as if it were glass, chuckling softly.

"Oh, right, this thing is already recording. Silly me. Now, you may be thinking... impossible, he should be dead, right? Or maybe you’re familiar with those flames from before? Who knows—you’re a bunch of old fucks."

Gasps rippled—elders grimacing, Branch Leaders leaning forward in outrage.

Kaelthyr’s face paled, shock widening his eyes. ’Shit.... what has this brat gotten himself into now?’

[Host... you need to make contact with him soon. His most recent progression is simply staggering... According to the current tracker... He even passed you, even after stepping into Early Stellar Sovereign.]

Kaelthyr didn’t respond but continued watching.

Ash continued, snarky smile widening.

"Well, I just wanted to say hello... and enjoy the gift, as there will be many more presents to come... Ho ho hoooo~"

The projection switched to video: Ash stepped out from the shadows in Liam’s private quarters aboard the flagship, Primordia gleaming. Liam froze in shock, scythes appearing, the clash, Calamity Laws igniting.... and then Ash’s blade slipping past the guard, severing the head clean.

The chamber exploded in fury.

"Impossible!" an elder roared, slamming a fist that cracked the table.

’No, he didn’t...’ Kaelthyr thought with wide eyes.

The Matriarch’s cold beauty twisted into a snarl, aura flaring like freezing void.

"He mocks us.... with the death of my son!"

The Patriarch’s abyssal eyes darkened to black holes, presence crushing the air—servants dropping to knees, gasping.

"Continue."

Inside the box, Liam’s severed head materialized—eyes wide in frozen shock, silver hair matted with blood.

Another projection: Ash smiling, holding the head aloft. "Consider this a special delivery.... Thought you’d want this back."

The projection faded.

Silence—then chaos.

Branch Leaders shouted—demands for war, hunts.

An elder’s face contorted in rage. "He dares?!"

The Patriarch lifted a hand, and silence sliced through the air.

"Bounty," he declared, his voice like tombs unsealing. "On Ash Originat. Five hundred worlds. Five hundred billion mana stones. Spread it—not just across Venia, but throughout our Home Galaxy. Every shadow, every star. He must die."

The Matriarch nodded, eyes ice. "And his ’gifts’... we’ll return them tenfold. Contact the Crown Prince and Princess."

Orders flew—arrays activating, messages rippling across galaxies.

The hunt began.

And Nocturne seethed.