Solar Blood Masters (159)

Chapter 159 - Sindoll

THUD!

Lamon descended upon an expansive platform.

A squad of guards snapped to attention and their potent 1st Layer Emperor Calamity Solar Pressure washed over Raphael’s team. It was a display of power, a silent warning, a test, and it had Lu Jade instinctively coiling his serpentine form tightly around Thienika’s roots.

Thienika, however, remained impassive. Then with a casual exhale, she released a wave of her own Solar Pressure and their intimidation tactic backfired spectacularly.

BOOM!

The guards were blasted backwards! They crashed into the walls, coughing up blood.

“What…?”

“That tree woman…!”

“Her power…!”

They scrambled to their feet. Their earlier arrogance was shattered. They’d been tasked with guarding this sacred space, a duty they’d performed flawlessly for millennia. Yet, this frail-looking tree woman… She’d overpowered them with a single breath?!

As they tried to regain their composure and those shattered egos, Berrelkitiary landed before them. “That’s enough. Clear a path for the Void Emperor’s guests.”

The guards recognized her tone and didn’t question those commands. They parted and created a wide path for Raphael’s team and their butterfly fairy escort.

Berrelkitiary led them down a long, expansive corridor lined with glowing crystals. The air sung with a soft, otherworldly energy.

They eventually reached Sindoll’s palace gates. Two massive creatures stood guard.

They were Hydra Cloud Butterflies. Colossal and imposing. Possessing wingspans easily exceeded a hundred meters. Their bodies were a swirling vortex of white and grey clouds, constantly shifting and reforming. Multiple heads, each adorned with long, elegant antennae extended from their cloud bodies. Their 2nd Layer Emperor Calamity cultivations radiated in waves that had even Raphael taking a step back.

Berrelkitiary approached the gates and spoke to the Hydra Cloud Butterflies in a language that Raphael’s team couldn’t understand. It was a series of clicks, whistles, and soft hums.

The gates opened.

They entered and were escorted through another corridor, and it was in that hall that they first glimpsed her.

Sitting upon a massive, cloud throne, its wings outstretched in a magnificent display of power and dominance, was a Draconic Butterfly Fairy. It was easily five times larger than Lamon and its scales shimmered with a thousand hues of azure, gold, and violet. A magnificent display of Sindoll’s aura.

Its gaze was potent and unwavering. It settled upon Raphael. It seemed to pierce through his very being, judging, measuring, and leaving him with a sense of dread he’d never known.

He felt something explode within his mind. Unlike those guards’ Solar Pressure, this was… different. Subtler. Soothing, yet… deadly. This is Void Emperor Sindoll. She is so big… and… scary… but… her presence… It feels… off.

He couldn't place it.

Berrelkitiary approached the throne and bowed respectfully. “Your Majesty, I have brought the guests you requested.”

A voice, calm and soothing, echoed in their minds. “You’ve done well.” But the Draconic Butterfly Fairy didn’t move its mouth.

Raphael turned to Lu Jade. “Did… Did you HEAR that? It was like a whisper! Did… it come from that fairy?”

“Yes, Big Brother,” Lu Jade replied. He was equally puzzled. “It sounded like… she’s speaking directly into our minds.”

The Draconic Butterfly Fairy bowed its head. “Void Emperor Sindoll has arrived.”

Raphael was even more confused. Isn't THAT large creature the Void Emperor? What’s going on here? Are there TWO of them?

The Fairy’s head touched the ground. And upon its back, a swirling, purple portal materialized.

From the portal, a caterpillar emerged.

It was a strange, yet magnificent sight.

Its body was plump and light green, it glistened as it moved across the Draconic Butterfly Fairy’s back with a swagger that was both calm and… sexy. Two large eyes, one a brilliant blue, the other a deep emerald green, seemed to see everything. Its tiny mouth, barely visible beneath its plump cheeks, was set in a serene smile. A delicate blush adorned those cheeks. Its numerous legs moved with an effortless elegance as a faint, golden light emanated. She was dressed in simple, yet elegant garments of light blue silk adorned with tiny, silver stars that twinkled. Above its head, a godly halo glowed. And its antennae twitched playfully.

This was Void Emperor Sindoll’s true form – the Supreme Caterpillar Sage.

Despite her diminutive size compared to that Draconic Butterfly Fairy, her 8th Layer Void Emperor Calamity cultivation radiated an oppressive power that had the very air in the chamber trembling. She was a force of nature.

She was the strongest being in all of Yama Yaguai.

“So… that’s Sindoll?” Raphael stared, dumbfounded.

Even Lu Jade and Qi Fenwei, seasoned warriors of Yama Yaguai, were taken aback. This was their first time in the Void Emperor’s presence, a truly humbling experience.

Sindoll, in her Supreme Caterpillar Sage form, nodded to Berrelkitiary, then turned her multifaceted gaze upon Thienika. "It’s been a while, teacher."

Teacher?

Raphael, Lu Jade, and Qi Fenwei exchanged stunned glances. Sindoll, the strongest being in Yama Yaguai, called this withered tree… teacher? Just what was Thienika's background? The questions was unanswered, for only Thienika and Sindoll shared those ancient secrets.

Sindoll then glanced at Raphael and his team. "Let's talk privately," her voice resonated softly within their minds.

The world around them shifted and blurred into streaks of light and color that mirrored a hyperspeed jump through the very fabric of reality itself.

And then…

They were in another dimension.

A vast, empty expanse of swirling violet and gold, with a tangible energy that was both soothing and terrifying!

‘Just what sort of Void Dao did Sindoll comprehend to be able to create this space in an instant?’ Qi Fenwei marveled.

She had a thrill she hadn’t experienced since mastering the ‘Black Wind Lightning Gate’, for she was now in the presence of true power, a privilege indeed.

She glanced at Raphael, who was drooling like a lovesick fool, then at Thienika, that imposing and enigmatic tree whom Sindoll called teacher. Just who IS she?

Thienika offered a deep, respectful bow.

“My Emperor, it has been millions of years since our paths diverged. To reunite at such a perilous time, when my health is failing… I am eternally grateful for this opportunity.”

Her voice faltered. She stumbled. Her roots trembled as a stream of purple blood oozed onto the invisible floor.

"Grandma!” Raphael rushed to her side. His heart was aching at the sight of her weakened form. He turned to Sindoll and spoke with desperation, "Please, Void Emperor, heal her! Give her my blessing! All of my 100,000 years! I don't need it! She does! Please, save her.”

Lu Jade, witnessing Raphael’s sincerity, his unwavering devotion to their grandma, also spoke up, “Please, Your Majesty, take my blessing as well. My 100,000 years… It’s hers! Just heal Grandma Thienika. I beg you.”

Lu Jade then glanced pleadingly at Qi Fenwei.

His plea, however, was met with a scoff.

“You expect me to give up my hard-earned blessing? You’re both fools! I risked my life in those trials! I battled countless Calamities! I mastered new techniques! And you expect me to simply hand over my reward to some… tree?! No! I won't! Those 100,000 years will be MINE!” Qi Fenwei’s words were sharp, laced with an arrogant pride that had Raphael’s blood boiling.

“You’re selfish!” Lu Jade hissed and his emerald scales flared. “Grandma helped us win the Great Divine Tribulation! She protected us! She healed us! And you’re being so ungrateful! How can you be so cruel?!”

“And you’re being foolish! Both of you! Wasting your precious years on a dying tree!” Qi Fenwei retorted, glaring at them with utter disdain.

“You…!” Raphael was furious. He couldn’t believe her audacity.

BOOM!

He unleashed his Solar Pressure.

Qi Fenwei was blasted backwards! She tumbled through the empty expanse, a violet blur, before finally regaining her footing hundreds of miles away.

“Where…?” She was disoriented and confused.

Isn’t that bull just a mere 2nd Layer Nightmare Calamity? How can he push me back this far?!

I wasn’t prepared… he caught me off guard. Yes, that’s it.

She convinced herself and with a huff, spread her wings and began the long journey back. She wasn't upset with Raphael, she understood his pain, she simply didn't voice it. Such were the harsh lessons her upbringing taught, a stoic arrogance that masked her true feelings.

Meanwhile, Raphael pleaded with Sindoll, “Void Emperor! Please… heal her! She’s dying! I’ll do anything! Just… save her.” A single tear trickled down his cheek.

Sindoll watched his display of emotion. Her multifaceted gaze shifted.

She slowly crawled over to Thienika and stopped beside her wilting leaves. “To think you’ve held out all these years… Why didn’t you come see me sooner, teacher? You knew I would have done anything in my power to…”

“No, my Emperor. I didn’t want you to make such a sacrifice for me. This… is what I deserve.” Thienika’s voice was soft.

Sindoll looked at her thoughtfully. “Hmm, you haven't changed.”

"Sacrifice? What are you two talking about?!" Raphael was confused.

He couldn't comprehend their cryptic exchange. He demanded answers, “Can you heal her, or NOT?! Please, Void Emperor! We've come this far! We’ve faced countless dangers! We’ve earned this blessing! Please, I beg you… save her.”

Sindoll turned her gaze back to Thienika. “Teacher, you didn’t tell him, did you?”

“Tell me what?” Raphael pressed, his desperation growing.

Thienika coughed, a racking sound that sent shivers down Raphael's spine.

“Grandson Raphael… I have intentionally misled you… please… forgive me.”

She paused, gathering her strength before continuing. “My condition… it’s incurable.”

“No! It… can’t be!”

“WHY? Grandma! You said Sindoll’s blessing would help… HOW?!”

Raphael and Lu Jade stared at Thienika in disbelief, and fear, and anger. Their voices were laced with desperation. They demanded answers.

“For you to understand… we have to go back… one hundred million years…”

With a trembling root, she touched Raphael's forehead.