In the high skies above the clouds, two figures are seen fluttering through the air; one young and one old. If anyone saw them, they would have been surprised.
These two people were both Transcendents, but the most surprising point was how young one of them was.
This person had long golden hair, but it was not smooth and silky like the elves. Instead, it was dry and messy. His eyes were blue and sharp, exuding confidence and pride, while his complexion was pale white.
The older Transcendent also had similar defining features, but they were not related by blood. They simply originated from the same group.
They wore similar outfits, strange metallic arm bracelets, and ankle bracelets that swished and swooshed with water inside.
Around their necks was a glowing pendant that emitted a soft red light from time to time while they were flickering through the sky at high speed.
As they were flying past the sky above the World Tree, the younger Transcendent asked, "Elder Gustavo, why don't we stop and check out this giant tree? The air around here is very pleasant—so much better than the ocean breeze."
"Young Master Judas, please do not cause any trouble for this old man. Remember that Master Lucian only permitted us to go check out the situation in the Wildlands to gauge how much time we have left until the eruption of the Cataclysm." Elder Gustavo said.
"We better not cause trouble for the Master. Otherwise, it will be hard for the Master to answer to the High Council."
"Fine, fine. Whatever you say, Elder Gustavo."
Judas took one last glance at the World Tree before leaving the region unwillingly, continuing their forward flight to the west.
At the same time, Elder Evergreen casually glanced up at the sky, in the direction that they had left. He pondered for a moment before standing up from his wooden seat.
"Are you going somewhere, Elder Evergreen?" Lilith asked, noticing the elder was leaving the camp.
Elder Evergreen nodded and said, "I'm going to go on a trip. It might take a few days to weeks before I return. Inform the others of my departure for me."
"You can leave it to me… but why the suddenness?"
"Let us just say I feel like exploring the world a little."
Elder Evergreen gave a light smile before heading off, taking a few steps to disappear into the distance.
Traces of the earth being manipulated was left behind in the form of slanted fist pillars sticking out from the ground.
Before Lilith was able to inquire further, Elder Evergreen was already gone.
"Miss Lilith, there are some things I don't understand about this text. Can you help me translate it?" A scholar walked over and asked.
Lilith pushed her thoughts to the back of her mind before turning to the scholar.
"Alright."
…
"Elder Gustavo, it seems like someone is…"
"Breaking through to the Transcendent Realm."
Elder Gustavo said, narrowing his eyes and gazing into the distance.
Judas nodded.
Shortly after, he showed an expression of doubt and said, "However, this does not seem like an ordinary Transcendent Phenomenon. It is way too big!"
They had not realized at first as they were shuttling through the clouds. But once they flew above the clouds or below them, they soon discovered the abnormity of the cloud cluster.
"Right. The grander the Transcendent Phenomenon, the greater the potential of the individual. Whoever is breaking through to the Transcendent Realm either possesses a uniquely powerful element or has unparalleled talent in Awakening Cultivation."
"The biggest Transcendent Phenomenon recorded in the Geyser Kingdom history was said to be around 500 miles. This Transcendent Phenomenon was performed by the High Priest. The Sea Emperor was slightly inferior, amounting to 495 miles. However, this Transcendent Phenomenon has got to be at least 1000 miles big…" Judas stated.
"Haiz…"
Elder Gustav sighed emotionally and said, "Perhaps, in the future, this person will breakthrough into the fabled realm above Transcendent. Unfortunately, we might not have enough time to see it happen. Who knows how many people will survive once the Cataclysm erupts this time?"
"I don't whether the Cataclysm is real or not, but we should befriend and bring this person to the east. The Geyser Kingdom will provide better opportunities to nurture this person."
"Don't even think about it. The Overseers will be watching. We must not interfere with anything in the Crawford Kingdom. We are only going to check the situation in the Wildlands, then return home. Is that clear, Young Master Judas?" Elder Gustavo warned.
Judas shrugged and said with a sighing tone, "Whatever you say, Elder Gustavo."
…
The moment Aria returned from the spiritual memory world, the void-like portal in the eye of the clouds above the Capital collapsed.
The wind grew stronger, swirling the tumultuous whirlpool of cloud in the skies above and sweep objects off their feet on the ground below.
For a moment, the sky brightened from the brilliant flash of lightning, and the world went silent. After that, the deafening crackles of thunder was heard.
Two large streaks of lightning; one blue and one purple, intertwined while descending towards Aria like two coiling dragons.
Boom!
The force of the twin lightning dragon immediately shattered the ground upon impact. Aria's body disappeared in the bright flash of light, and powerful pressure blew away all the surrounding palace guard!
"Aria!" Elizabeth immediately cried out.
"Don't go!" Heinrich held his wife back and warned, "It's too dangerous!"
Elizabeth dropped to her knees and stared at the scene before her in disbelief. It was the first time she witnessed a Transcendent Phenomenon that could potentially kill the person achieving Transcendence.
"How can the baptism from a Transcendent Phenomenon be so powerful?" She muttered.
Other Transcendents would get a baptism in a steady stream of light, but Aria was struck by everything in a single shot instantaneously.
After the twin lightning dragon clashed into Aria's body, they did not get discharged and disperse into the air. Instead, they weaved and coiled around Aria's body like it was trying to strain her while her body hovered in midair.
However, if one looks carefully, the twin lightning dragon did not actually touch Aria's body. There was a tiny gap between them like some invisible spatial force was preventing the two from contacting.
Aria's eyes snapped open with two streaks of tears running down her cheeks, but her expression was determined.
The twin lightning dragons of blue and purple immediately roared as they began to deform and sucked into Aria's glabella like a powerful vacuum.
Once the entirety of the two lightning dragons was devoured into Aria's Ice-Lightning Seed, traces of remnant lightning flickered across her eyes.
Bzzt!
Aria's body slowly descended, and her feet landed on solid ground. A few strips of electricity immediately escaped and ran across the shattered ground like snakes before dispersing into nothing.
Shortly after, Heinrich let go of his wife after determining the situation was safe. Elizabeth shot to her feet and made her way over.
"How are you feeling, Aria? Are you alright? Does it hurt anywhere?" Elizabeth asked with concern.
Aria was confused by Elizabeth's overly concerned and began waving her hands and feet, studying her body's condition.
After determining her body was in perfect condition, she wiped her tears and temporarily pushed her sorrow aside before shaking her head.
"I'm fine, Mother. It does not hurt anywhere."
"Does that mean you're a Transcendent now?" Elizabeth asked with a bit of doubt.
Heinrich also glanced at Aria with suspicion and commented, "Aria's Transcendent Phenomenon was unprecedented. Not only was it big, but the process was also long, and the baptism was instantaneous. However, the power coursing through her body is real. There's no doubt in my mind that Aria has achieved Transcendence successfully."
After Elizabeth sensed the power in Aria's body, she agreed with a nod.
"Try testing your strength, Aria," Elizabeth suggested.
Aria nodded.
She distanced herself from Leon's parents with a few steps and closed her eyes, feeling the power in her body. At this moment, she felt like she was filled with energy and wisdom.
The Ice-Lightning Seed had changed into crystallized form after absorbing all the ice-lightning power from the twin lightning dragons.
However, that was not the only Transcendent Crystal existing within Aria's sea of consciousness. There were vague forms of two other Transcendent Crystals that revolved around the Ice-Lightning Transcendent Crystal.
They were like transparent glasses, an empty shell.
Despite that being the case, they were gradually growing more distinct at a slow but steady rate. The soul core emitted soft particles of light that fluttered over to the two hollow Transcendent Crystals like glitter.
In the sky, the dark clouds were still present.
However, they slowly dissipated after exhausting their power of lightning. Despite that, Aria raised her hand to the sky, and the dispersing dark clouds began to gather once more.
In a short moment, the rumbling thunder was heard, and the flashes of lightning were seen brightening the dark sky.
Bzzt!
A strip of lightning descended and danced around Aria's fingertips harmlessly before zapping around her body playfully like a tamed pet.
The lightning was entirely under her control, and the scene appeared especially beautiful, like Aria was some goddess of lightning.
"Truly extraordinary!"
A distant exclamation was heard.
Judas' eyes lit up when his gaze landed on Aria's fairy-like figure and became enraptured, compelling him to descend from the sky and greet her.
"Young Master Judas!" Elder Gustavo growled in warning, but it was too late.
They had already exposed themselves.