Solar Blood Masters (158)

Chapter 158 - Skydom

Thienika, now a colossal being of unimaginable power, a peak Void Emperor Calamity, turned her ancient gaze upon Lingshi. He hovered before her like a broken, bleeding mess.

He looked up at her in sheer terror. He finally recognized the entity he’d been so casually insulting.

"You… You're… Thienika… the Draconic Star Lumber…?" He shuddered. He’d heard tales of her power, of her ancient lineage, but he’d never imagined…

He started to apologize, “Venerable Thienika… I… I didn't…”

But Thienika simply stared down at him with an icy detachment. And with a thought…

Lingshi was atomized.

His body dissolved into a cloud of green particles. Even his Solar Consciousness, a potent swirling vortex of green and white, was shattered, fragmented into countless, smaller orbs.

Thienika extended a root. It snaked outwards, gathering the particles, the Solar Consciousness fragments, drawing them towards her. She cradled them gently, then turned her gaze to Raphael’s shattered form.

Her starlight leaves trembled as if weeping, yet her resolve remained.

With a power that defied the very laws of reality, she began the process of mending Raphael’s broken body.

First, she gathered his severed limbs, his horns, his wings. They floated towards her, drawn by an unseen force. Then, with meticulous care, with roots that pulsed with a gentle, healing energy, she began stitching them back together more precisely this time.

Bones reconnected with soft clicks. Flesh knitted. Scales reformed, gleaming with a healthy, golden sheen. Even the ‘Abyss Nylon’, that crimson-black fabric that was as much a part of him as his own blood, re-wove itself, wrapping around his form like a protective shroud.

Next, she took Lingshi's Solar Consciousness fragments and with a swift movement, compressed them, molded them, shaped them into a single, radiant green sphere. A Soul Planet.

She then gently placed the Soul Planet within Raphael’s Astro Soul Orbital. It settled into a stable orbit, adding to the chaotic yet harmonious dance of celestial bodies within his Cosmic Mind Sea, a true exemplification of how her loving intentions were his salvation, a gift for his kindness.

Finally, she turned her attention to Raphael’s Solar Consciousness. The yellow, blue, and small white suns hovered before her. She gazed at them for a moment. And then, with a final burst of her potent Solar Essence, which she’d gathered from the very essence of Yama Yaguai and its broken heart, she began the process of merging them with his revitalized body.

The crowd watched in awe.

“What is she… doing?”

“That Solar Consciousness… it’s so potent! So… chaotic!”

“And those roots… they’re glowing! They’re mending his body!”

“Is this… some kind of ancient healing technique?”

Many were puzzled. They’d never witnessed such a display of skill. Others were simply too terrified to even fathom what was happening.

They wanted to leave. To escape this oppressive Solar Pressure that was crushing their very being.

But…

Thienika’s roots, those colossal tendrils of starlight… they had encompassed all of Desolate Huang! There was nowhere to run. They were trapped and forced to bear witness to this glorious resurrection!

After a while, Thienika’s power began to dwindle. Her starlight leaves dimmed. Her roots retracted. Her branches lowered. She was shrinking to her weakened, frail form.

But… she was content, for she’d done what she’d set out to do. She’d saved her grandson.

And then, she saw it.

Raphael’s eyes flickered open.

He was alive!

“Huh…?” He blinked in confusion.

“What… What happened? Where… am I…?”

He looked around, taking in the devastated landscape. His gaze then settled upon Thienika, her weathered face creased with worry as she stood before him in her colossal, Draconic Star Lumber form.

“Grandma…?” He reached out a hand, touching one of her massive roots.

Her starlight leaves trembled. And then…

She began to weep.

Tears, not of sorrow this time, but of relief, of gratitude, flowed down her bark like a gentle rain.

She was about to speak, to express the depth of her feelings, but words failed her in that moment,

Then…

BOOM!

A blue light descended from the heavens.

It engulfed Thienika, Raphael, Qi Fenwei, and Lu Jade.

And then…

They were gone.

The oppressive Solar Pressure also vanished. The air lightened. The spectators could breathe again.

They stared up at the empty sky.

“Void Emperor Sindoll has taken action!”

Whispers of fear and speculation occupied the stands.

“She’s going to annihilate them!”

“They defied her laws! They disrupted the Great Divine Tribulation!”

“They’re DOOMED!”

Gastaroid, who was still reeling from his defeat, watched the spectacle unfold with his molten eyes narrowed.

"What about MY blessing?! According to the rules… WE won this Great Divine Tribulation! Lingshi is DEAD! And Lu Ruby was taken by that bastard Lu Ignis, which is clear grounds for elimination! We, the Breath Takers, are the rightful victors! Where is MY reward?!”

He vanished from the Black Wind platform and reappeared on the central stage.

“Lala Zhen! I DEMAND my blessing! Now!”

Lala Zhen, also puzzled by Sindoll’s sudden intervention, could only offer a placating gesture.

“Calm yourself, Bull Mountain Demon. Patience. We must await Void Emperor Sindoll’s decree.”

Gastaroid grumbled, but he knew better than to challenge the Red Ant Emperor's authority, not in his current, weakened state.

He settled down.

And everyone in the arena stared up at the sky, expectantly, waiting for the Void Emperor’s judgment.

…

SWISH!

Raphael arrived in a flash of blue light to find a soft yet sturdy cloud surface beneath his hooves, which made a slight tremor. Disoriented, he turned, watching as Lu Jade and Qi Fenwei landed softly beside him. Thienika, though smaller now than her colossal Draconic Star Lumber form, still towered above them.

Their ethereal platform was encircled by large, golden-blue pillars. Atop each pillar, glowing orbs of energy illuminated the cloudy environment. A small squad of butterfly fairies, each radiating the potent essence of a 1st Layer Emperor Calamity, spread about the platform protectively.

This, Raphael guessed, was a Skybridge Dais, which meant they were inside a Marble World: Sindoll’s Marble World – Skydom.

How powerful is Skydom compared to the other territories? Raphael thought. They didn’t even make it to the final round of the Great Divine Tribulation, which just goes to show how many powerhouses reside in Yama Yaguai. But… with so many Emperor Calamities, ineligible to compete… and with Sindoll’s regular blessings… perhaps Skydom is the strongest territory overall.

One of the butterfly fairies, a vision of delicate power, floated towards Thienika. Her butterfly wings was a kaleidoscope of iridescent blues and greens, it fluttered gently as she approached. A long, twin white tail trailed behind her, adorned with sparkling silver dust. A pretty silk gown, woven with threads of moonlight, flowed around her form, accentuating her curves, her bouncing breasts. Jewelry, crafted from crystals and pearls, adorned her arms and legs. In one hand, she held a staff of immense power.

Her squad, though outwardly respectful, were secretly wary of Thienika. They’d witnessed her terrifying display of power during the Tournament of Calamity, and they were certain, those energies were stronger than even Sindoll’s. Thus, they acted cautiously.

“Greetings, honored guests. I am Berrelkitiary, leader of this squad stationed at the Skybridge Dais.” Her voice was melodic, like a gentle chime.

She then gestured towards the platform’s edge. “If you would follow me.”

With a sharp whistle, she summoned her mount.

From the swirling clouds below, a colossal Draconic Butterfly Fairy emerged. Its wingspan was immense, easily twice as large as Raphael’s own. Its scales glowed with a thousand hues of azure and gold, those wings were pure works of art, and upon its majestic head, two long, elegant antennae that pulsed with violet light twitched inquisitively. Its 1st Layer Emperor Calamity aura was palpable. It bowed its head respectfully before Berrelkitiary.

Raphael stared in awe. To have such a magnificent creature as a mount… This place is truly unreal.

Berrelkitiary gently stroked the creature’s head. “This is Lamon, my loyal companion.”

She then gestured for Raphael’s team to approach. “If you would be so kind as to mount.”

They climbed onto its broad back, where a circular platform, a saddle of sorts, was attached. It was surprisingly spacious, easily large enough to accommodate all of them, even if Thienika were to revert to her true form.

Lamon spread its wings, creating a gust of wind that had Raphael’s mane billowing as it lifted. It ascended towards a spectacular starry sky. Below, a breathtaking vista unfolded.

Floating trees, with homes nestled within their branches, dotted the landscape, it was an ethereal cityscape. Serene creatures, some relaxing on their porches, enjoyed the tranquil breeze. Other Draconic Butterfly Fairies, some carrying cargo, others flying freely, soared through the air.

As they passed, some of the creatures below pointed and whispered nervously as their Solar Essences recoiled slightly.

Isn’t that the tree from the monitors? The one that suppressed Yama Yaguai?

The one whose Solar Pressure surpassed even Sindoll’s…

WHOOSH!

Another Draconic Butterfly Fairy approached with its wings beating in sync with Lamon’s. A woman, perched upon its back, noticed Thienika. She waved to Berrelkitiary.

“Berrel! It’s been a while, darling! Where are you escorting these… esteemed guests?”

“To the Void Emperor’s palace. They are the victors of the Great Divine Tribulation.”

“We… WON?!” Lu Jade couldn’t contain his excitement. His scales practically vibrated as his tail thrashed against Raphael's horn. “We did it! Big Brother! We’re going to meet Void Emperor Sindoll! This is AMAZING!”

Qi Fenwei, who'd been silent throughout their flight, nodded. A sense of relief washed over her. She hadn't disappointed her father.

Raphael grinned. He glanced at Thienika, eager to share his joy, but his smile faltered. Her vitality was fading rapidly, her leaves were wilting, her bark turning a sickly grey. And from her roots, purple blood oozed.

“Berrelkitiary, can you HURRY? Grandma Thienika… She’s injured! We need to get to Sindoll… NOW!”

Though slightly offended by Raphael's tone, Berrelkitiary composed herself, "Of course."

She bid farewell to her friend and instructed Lamon to increase its speed, “To the palace, Lamon. Swiftly.”

Lamon dipped its massive head, surged forward and shot towards the palace.

Raphael gently caressed Thienika's shriveling roots. “Grandma, don’t worry… you’re going to be okay… Sindoll will heal you. We’ll get those 500,000 years. We’ll restore your starlight leaves… I promise…”

His words, though laced with a fierce determination, were also a desperate plea, a prayer whispered into the very heart of Yama Yaguai.

Thienika smiled weakly. “I know, Raphael. I know…” She patted his hand reassuringly, but deep down, she knew it was already too late. Her core was shattered, its light extinguished. Yet, she wouldn't burden her grandson with her despair. Not now. Not while his hope burned so brightly.

QI Fenwei watched their exchange, her sharp eyes missing nothing. She knew, Thienika wasn’t going to make it. This old tree was dying. It was a chilling truth, but one she wouldn't share with Raphael. Not yet.

Her thoughts were a silent acknowledgment of the cruel reality that governed their existence. In Yama Yaguai, death was a constant companion, a shadow lurking just around the corner, and no amount of Solar Essence, or divine blessings, or even the most potent of bloodlines… could truly escape its cold embrace.