Solar Blood Masters (160)

Chapter 160 - Gaia’s Solar Blood Masters

One hundred million years ago, before the Great Gaia Suppression by the Cosmic Council, the sun blazed radiantly across the planet. Vast blue oceans, teeming with life, stretched for miles. The land was equally breathtaking, a tapestry of vibrant forests, towering mountains, and sprawling plains where diverse creatures coexisted peacefully.

Within this vibrant world, a flourishing empire stood as proof of the ingenuity and power of its inhabitants.

The Ava Varium Empire. Sleek, silver towers pierced the sky, adorned with intricate carvings. Statues of majestic beasts and powerful Solar Blood Masters were erected throughout the city, radiating an aura of ancient wisdom and might.

Advanced machinery, humming with inexplicable energy, was seamlessly integrated into the very fabric of this world, a harmonious blend of technology and nature that was both beautiful and awe-inspiring. It was a civilization far more sophisticated and advanced than anything that existed in the present, the birthplace of the ESBMC (Elite Solar Blood Master Council).

In a lavish courtyard, a group of children played a game. They sat in a circle, legs crossed, levitating three feet above the ground, each one radiating the potent Solar Essence of a burgeoning Blood Master. An iron ball, swirling with multicolored energy, hovered in the center of their circle.

“Mental Soccer.”

The game was simple, yet challenging. Whoever possessed the strongest mental discipline could manipulate the ball, drawing it towards their side of the circle and holding it there for fifteen seconds. It was a rudimentary exercise, but it taught these young Solar Blood Masters how to control and balance their powers, a foundation for their future mastery.

A large dragon, possessing scales with a thousand hues of gold and bronze, its 7th Layer Void Emperor Calamity cultivation radiating in waves, flew overhead. The children, however, were unaffected by its oppressive Solar Pressure. This showed the potent bloodlines that flowed within them, and perhaps… the presence of a being even stronger nearby.

Atop the dragon sat Arlof Louche Longtier Bloodthorne. He was dressed in a magnificent robe of gold and black, adorned with intricate dragon motifs. His skin was dark, his eyes shone with a golden light, and his presence radiated an air of noble authority.

He glanced down at the children and a nostalgic smile touched his lips.

“Ah, Mental Soccer. Those were the good old days. Right, Drake Ho Orien?”

“Indeed, Master Arlof. The good old days," the dragon rumbled a deep, resonant sound.

Suddenly, a sonic boom pierced the tranquil sky.

A sleek, silver spaceship descended, landing gracefully upon a nearby platform. Arlof and Drake Ho Orien flew over, landing just as the ship’s doors hissed open.

Twelve figures emerged. They were humanoid, with translucent white skin. Each wore an orb-like helmet filled with swirling water. They were the White Century race, an intergalactic species whose delicate physiology couldn't withstand Gaia's atmosphere. It was toxic to them.

Leading them was Rel Louche Longtier Bloodthorne. He was tall and muscular, his skin as dark as Arlof’s, but his hair was a vibrant purple, cascading down his back like a waterfall. He wore majestic armor, each piece radiating a potent Solar Essence that had even Drake Ho Orien bowing its head respectfully. Rel’s presence commanded respect, for he was not simply a powerful warrior, he was a diplomat, a leader, and the most influential member of the ESBMC.

Arlof greeted Rel, "Brother, you’re back from your travels?”

“Yes, and I’ve brought these representatives to conduct some… important matters. You are welcome to join us,” Rel replied, gesturing towards the spaceship.

“Oh, no, I’ll sit this one out. Intergalactic bureaucracies give me a headache,” Arlof chuckled, waving a dismissive hand.

The leader of the White Century delegation scoffed. “Hmph, a limited capacity for intellect is often the bane of a planet’s longevity.” He turned to Rel. "Come. Let us conclude this advisory swiftly. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can depart this… distasteful planet.”

Rel, unfazed by the insult, smiled. “Yes, I understand your urgency. Right this way.”

Unlike Arlof, Rel understood the delicate balance of power within the universe. He knew that despite his own immense power, they were but a speck of dust in the grand scheme of things. It was vital to maintain good relationships with other species, other civilizations.

He then turned back to Arlof.

"Oh, I almost forgot.” Rel handed him a small, mechanical oval container. “Take this.”

“What is it?”

“A Draconic Star Lumber sapling. A gift from the White Century’s home garden. It’s quite rare, a dwindling species. I was told it can only be fostered by Draconic Fire.”

“Oh, I see.” Arlof glanced at Drake Ho Orien, whose bronze scales now glinted with excitement. “A new addition to our garden, Drake?”

“Yes, Master Arlof.” The dragon rumbled happily.

Rel nodded and then led the White Century representatives towards the meeting room.

As they departed, Arlof watched them go and spat on the ground.

“Distasteful planet, he says?! Hmph! If my brother wasn’t here, I'd show him what distasteful truly MEANS! Those arrogant bastards…!”

…

Arlof and Drake Ho Orien arrived at his mansion on one of Ava Varium’s floating isles. The mansion was a magnificent structure of silver and gold. It hovered serenely amidst a lush garden filled with exotic plants.

They entered a vast workshop, a space humming with the soft whirring of advanced machinery. Autonomous Agents, sleek metallic figures with glowing eyes, moved about efficiently, repairing a damaged spaceship. Tools floated beside them, guided by an unseen force, as sparks flew and metal hissed.

Arlof walked over to a nearby counter. He placed the oval container upon its smooth surface and opened it. Inside, nestled within a flower pot filled with swirling Fire Pool essence, was a Draconic Star Lumber sapling. Its leaves, shaped like miniature stars, shimmered with an ethereal, silver light, dancing gently as if to an unheard melody.

“This… is a Draconic Star Lumber?” Arlof tilted his head, scrutinizing the delicate plant. “I've never seen anything like it.” He stepped aside, allowing Drake Ho Orien a better view.

“I haven’t either, master,” the dragon rumbled.

“Feed it some of your flames, Drake,” Arlof instructed, gesturing towards the sapling.

Drake Ho Orien hesitated. "Master, are you certain? My flames… they are potent. I fear I might incinerate this delicate flower."

“Don’t be a fool, Drake! My brother Rel wouldn’t give me a dead plant. Now, do as I say!”

With a reluctant snort, Drake Ho Orien unleashed a torrent of fire upon the sapling. The heat was intense, forcing the Autonomous Agents to retreat to a safe distance.

When the flames subsided, Arlof and Drake Ho Orien stared in astonishment.

The Draconic Star Lumber was not only unharmed, but it had also grown! It was now as tall as a man, its silver bark glistening, its starlight leaves dancing with renewed vigor.

“Magnificent,” Arlof breathed, captivated by its beauty.

He reached out a hand and gently touched one of the leaves. It felt smooth, cool, and strangely… lifelike.

He observed the tree’s trunk. Beneath its translucent bark, he saw a network of pulsing veins, bones, and arteries throbbing with energy. "This… tree… its makeup is similar to a human’s. How peculiar."

He poked the trunk with a finger.

And then… he heard a giggle.

“That tickles!” a sweet, feminine voice said.

“WHAT?!” Arlof stumbled back, startled. "You’re… sentient?! And you can… speak our language? HOW?!”

The tree giggled again.

“I learned your language from the flames, human Arlof Louche Longtier Bloodthorne, and dragon Drake Ho Orien.”

“You… learned from the flames?” Arlof was baffled. “That's insane! I have to tell Rel about this.”

“That isn’t all I’ve learned. I've also absorbed your planet’s culture… from those flames.”

Arlof was stunned. A tree that could harness memories from flames? This was an invaluable treasure! He had to know more. “Your abilities… are they limited to flames?”

“No, Master Arlof. I can also read information from the soil… anything my roots touch,” the tree replied.

“Amazing! Simply amazing! Right, Drake?!” Arlof turned to his dragon companion with eyes shining with excitement.

“Yes, master, truly amazing,” Drake Ho Orien rumbled, its tail wagging excitedly. It then unleashed another torrent of flames, eager to see the tree grow even larger.

FWOOSH!

The heat was intense, even scorching Arlof's robe.

“Drake! Warn me next time!”

“Sorry, Master.”

“It’s fine.” Arlof watched as the Draconic Star Lumber grew taller and its starlight leaves glowed.

He smiled. “I shall call you… Thienika. The Tree of Knowledge. From now on, you serve me.”

“Yes, Master Arlof. I am pleased with my new name. And I pledge my allegiance to you,” Thienika replied joyously.