After Shia, the rest of the Veil of Shared Visions was completely zoned out by Ash.
By now Ash thought heâd come to terms with the whole trauma of his past and what not. Yet, heâd known for years the Shiaâs feelings were more complex that what he could see. His life before his awakening well, it was rough and borderline torture.
Yet, since the day heâd gained the ability to see affection Shia had it for him. One might think it grew more after he got his bloodline or after he became even better looking. Yet, that wasnât the case at all.
After he got his items, the only time he really seen Shia, it was the day he left for good.
So, there was no time for her to even gain more affection from any of those factors. Yet here she was in the biggest moment of her cultivation path; she was rambling about family matters.
It was a bit of confliction truly, but he wasnât about to think of it too deeply. Honestly, the only reason he paid these thoughts any mind was because he was ready for the event to end.
"Iâll just let whatever happens... happen," he thought with a shrug.
As the thought passed, the event concludedâthe domeâs light fading to a gentle, expectant glow, murmurs sweeping through the millions like wind through ancient leaves.
At the heart of the Pavilion beneath the dome, a door openedâreality curling inward with the gentle sigh of a cosmic breeze.
The portal formed as a grand arch woven from shimmering threads of law, parting like curtains dusted with starlight, while above, words in flowing golden script glowed softly, pulsing with a calm, inviting warmth:
âNext Event - The Canvas of Harmonious Revelationâ
As the door swung open, the zafus slipped inside one by oneâcushions gliding forward in calm procession, dissolving into streams of essence that flowed through the arch like fireflies drifting back to the dawn, the passage smooth and weightless, carrying each participant onward into the next realm.
They entered a vast, boundless hall of otherworldly beautyâa circular expanse without walls, where endless horizons of soft, shifting light flowed like a living aurora.
At the center rose a stage of condensed starlightâsleek and radiant, faintly humming with hidden power, grand enough to cradle galaxies yet close and familiar in its presence.
Around it, participants floated in gentle suspension, some drifting in quiet orbits, others gathering in hushed conversation, the space alive with the subtle pulse of countless essences awaiting their moment.
A celestial woman appeared at the edge of the stage, her voice ringing through the hall like harmonious chimes, clear and effortless, reaching every drifting soul.
"Welcome to the Canvas of Harmonious Revelation," she said, spreading her arms with grace as the stage glowed beneath her, her essence forming delicate, shifting patterns that swirled in the air.
"Here, each participant will create a unique masterpieceânot with paint or music, but with the pure essence of their own power. Draw from your principles, ideas, talents, or deepest insights, and bring forth something that reflects the harmony of your path."
"It could be a weapon shaped by your will, a realm born from your beliefs, a melody woven from pure concept, or any form your essence finds true.
These creations will drift across the Canvas for all to see, study, and find inspiration inâsparking understanding across different paths, where one prodigyâs harmony fuels anotherâs growth."
As she spoke, fleeting essences danced across the stageâswirling flames shaping phoenix wings, void threads spinning impossible shields, lightning weaving storms of perfect orderâeach fading softly, a quiet reminder of limitless possibility.
"Now... who will start the showcase?"
---
As the second event began, the beings in the Eternal Spire issued a notice about Ash. Yet they didnât know his name, he had no fate lines, and no trace of karmaâhe was a total mystery.
Layla and Archie didnât help matters either; despite persistent questions from leaders and progenitors, and even threats from the Void Serpent Progenitor and Eternal Frost Giant Progenitor, they simply smiled and watched the spectacle below with delight.
"Since you wonât give any information, donât be sorry for the consequences." The Void Serpent Progenitor hissed.
Even at those words, the two didnât so much as flinch.
But when the Progenitor pulled out a communication device, Seraphielâs gaze lifted from the ground straight to her.
She didnât know much about Ashâs power, and none of the beings here cared about things like the Eternal Clans, so they wouldnât have seen his display back in Venia.
"Dig all you want... but laying a finger on him is like trying to harm a phoenix," she said, her words sending ripples through everyone present, especially the Dragon representative.
"Phoenix! Are you claiming this boy as your own?" the Frost Giant called out, gripping the edges of his throne. His voice rose but carried a measured toneânone of these beings were fools.
They knew only a handful of beings could truly challenge the Phoenix Progenitorâand none of them were here. Honestly, it was a shock to see Seraphiel present at all.
Seraphiel stayed silent, simply turning her gaze back to the event. The others, seeing this, swallowed hard but didnât dare go against her.
If they couldnât act themselves just yet, theyâd send the next best thing...
Their Scions.
----
During the event, Ash lounged lazily in the air, with Elysia perched unseen on his stomach.
He remained beside Aurelia and Elara, and unlike the last event, he found this one genuinely interesting.
Watching the unique talents of these beings fascinated him.
As the third day officially passed, he blinked with a smile and said to Elysia,
âWell, make sure everyone is prepared and ready to go.â Elysia giggled, covering her mouth with her tiny hands.
âRoger that!â