Chapter 91: The Call of the Heavenly Tribulation
The lingering magic of the sanctum finally dissipated, leaving behind a silence far more profound than before. Kael stood tall, the recent trials having not only honed his spirit but also visibly enhanced his aura. The air around him pulsed with a dormant power, the kind that threatened to shatter reality if unleashed without caution. His wives, equally refined by their own trials, emanated a collective strength that was both beautiful and formidable.
Aelisa, her violet chains now merely shimmering remnants, watched Kael with an unreadable gaze. Her earlier defiance had softened, replaced by an intense curiosity, a predatory interest that transcended simple allure.
"So," she purred, her voice a low hum that still carried a hint of mischief, "the Sovereign of Sin recognizes his throne. But a throne without a world to rule is merely a fancy chair, wouldn't you agree?"
Kael met her gaze, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Every king must first conquer his kingdom. My path is just beginning." He glanced at his status window, the Overflow EXP and the MAX Skyshatter Realm highlighting the imminent hurdle. Heavenly Tribulation. The phrase alone was enough to send a shiver down the spine of any cultivator. It was the ultimate test, a baptism by divine fire, meant to either forge a true ascendant or grind them to dust.
"Heavenly Tribulation," Selene murmured, her silver eyes glinting with a mix of anticipation and solemnity. "The very fabric of existence will challenge you, Kael. It's not just power; it's destiny."
Evelyne stepped closer to Kael, her hand gently touching his arm. "We've faced so much together. But this… this is yours to walk alone. Or at least, to face the brunt of."
"Don't sound so grave," Thalaria interjected, a crackle of lightning around her. "It's a step forward, a glorious evolution! We'll prepare for it, support him however we can from the outside."
Valeria nodded, her gaze fixed on Kael with unwavering trust. "Your will has carried us through countless dangers. This will be no different."
Nysera, her recent transformation as the Scarlet Hexmistress making her aura subtly darker yet undeniably powerful, simply squeezed Kael's hand. Her silence spoke volumes – a promise of unyielding support.
"Indeed," Kael affirmed, his voice resolute. "This is a threshold. And like all thresholds, it must be crossed." He looked back at Aelisa. "You speak of a path. Do you have insight into this Tribulation?"
Aelisa tilted her head, her veiled form exuding an ethereal grace. "Oh, my dear Sovereign. The Heavenly Tribulation is unique to each individual. It judges your essence, your accumulations, your very destiny. For someone like you, who has embraced both the sacred and the profane, who wields both light and shadow, it will be… spectacular." Her voice deepened, a genuine awe coloring her tone. "My mother, Lilith, has spoken of such unique tribulations. They are rare. And they are often accompanied by… profound consequences."
"Profound consequences?" Kael raised an eyebrow.
"Success means unparalleled ascension," Aelisa mused, circling him slowly. "Failure… well, oblivion is the kindest outcome. But for one touched by the Crown of Dominion, or now, the Throne of Ascendancy, there are other, more interesting possibilities." Her eyes, though veiled, seemed to bore into him. "It can draw the attention of… entities beyond your current comprehension. Powers that seek to either cultivate or crush rising stars."
The implications sent a chill down Kael's spine, not of fear, but of invigorated challenge. Aelisa was no mere temptress; she was a herald of deeper mysteries.
"Where does one prepare for such an event?" Kael asked, his gaze sweeping the now ordinary-looking sanctum. The ambient magic was gone, the flame crystals dimmed.
"Not here," Aelisa replied, waving a hand dismissively. "This sanctum merely served its purpose in refining you. The Tribulation chooses its own time and place. It will call to you when you are truly ready, when your essence can no longer be contained by this realm. You will feel it. A pull, an inexorable summons."
She took a step closer, her voice dropping to a whisper meant only for him. "But before that, there's the matter of my freedom, isn't there? The chains are broken, yes. But my 'willing dominion'… that is a far more complex affair than mere magic." Her veiled face was inches from his, and he could feel the subtle tremor of energy radiating from her, a promise of untold pleasures and dangerous knowledge.
[Quest Update: Seduce or Conquer Aelisa — Phase 2 Activated] Objective: Gain Aelisa's Willing Dominion. Reward: Trait — Vision Beyond the Veil (See through all illusions, shapeshifts, and cloaks)
Kael's eyes flickered to the updated quest. It wasn't about breaking chains anymore; it was about bending a will as formidable as his own. And the reward, Vision Beyond the Veil, seemed more crucial than ever, especially if Aelisa's hints about higher powers were true.
"A complex affair, indeed," Kael acknowledged, his voice low. He could feel the eyes of his wives on them, but his focus was entirely on the succubus. "And what precisely does 'willing dominion' entail for a being such as yourself?"
Aelisa's smile widened, hidden yet palpable. "Oh, Sovereign. It entails… everything. True surrender, born not of force, but of desire. A merging of wills, a shared journey to untold heights. Or, perhaps, a delightful ruin." She paused, her head tilting. "It means you must truly claim me, Kael. Not just my body, but my essence, my lineage, my very purpose."
The weight of her words settled around them. This wasn't a casual dalliance; it was a profound, potentially transformative, union. And the mention of her Royal Lilin Duskkissed Bloodline and her mother, Lilith, added layers of ancient power and cosmic intrigue to the proposition.
"A fascinating offer," Kael said, his gaze unwavering. "One I will consider carefully. But for now, we have a world to return to, and a Tribulation to prepare for."
Aelisa stepped back, a soft, amused chuckle escaping her lips. "As you wish, my Sovereign. The world awaits your ascension. And I… I will be watching. Close by."
With a final, lingering look that promised future encounters, she shimmered and vanished, leaving behind only the faintest wisp of lavender.
Kael turned to his wives, a thoughtful expression on his face. "We need to find a suitable location for the Tribulation. A place where I can face it without endangering any of you, or innocents."
Selene immediately responded. "A secluded peak, perhaps? Or a desolate plain. The fewer active formations and Ley Lines, the better. Less interference for the Heavenly Dao."
"It should also be a place of potent ambient energy," Evelyne added. "To support you through the sheer drain such an event will cause."
"We will begin searching immediately," Thalaria declared. "And refining ourselves further. If the Tribulation draws 'entities,' we need to be stronger, too."
Valeria reached out, taking his hand. "No matter what comes, Kael, we're with you. Always."
Nysera, her gaze still carrying the echo of the recent battle, simply nodded. Her bond with Kael now felt deeper, scarred and forged anew.
Kael looked out of the sanctum's entrance, towards the distant horizon. The path ahead was clear: prepare for the Heavenly Tribulation, understand the true nature of Aelisa's 'willing dominion,' and ascend to a power that would draw the attention of gods and devils alike. The game had not just gotten deeper; it had become cosmic.