Chapter 132

Jason prepared for their departure, the sisters at his side. The majestic flying ship awaited them, hovering just above the palace grounds. He stored the Leviathan's palace within his spatial ring, marveling at its compact brilliance. As he turned to board the ship, a glint of black caught his eye.

Beneath the spot where the palace had once stood, a monolith of black stone loomed ominously.

The system spoke in his mind, its tone urgent. [This is one of the monoliths of the grand formation binding Olivia Celeste. Its destruction is essential to her freedom, but beware—it's a magnet for powerful creatures drawn to its energy.]

Jason clenched his teeth, determination flashing in his eyes. "I won't let this stand."

Without hesitation, he stepped off the ship and descended into the deep ocean. The monolith loomed before him, its surface pulsating with dark energy. As he stared at it with venom, his senses screamed a warning.

From the abyss, a massive kraken emerged, its tentacles propelling it toward him with alarming speed. Jason's eyes narrowed as he recognized the creature—a peak existence in the realm, its strength amplified by the monolith's corrupting influence.

A kraken, a peak existence in the realm, swam dangerously fast toward him. Its countless tentacles writhed, and its eyes gleamed with an ancient, predatory intelligence. The system explained that the monolith had been nourishing the beast, helping it grow in strength over centuries.

Jason smirked as he felt the sovereign blood within him resonate with the ocean. The kraken froze mid-charge, its immense body trembling as it was overwhelmed by the sheer authority Jason exuded. He extended a hand, and the kraken bowed its head in submission, its ancient instincts yielding to the will of the Leviathan's heir.

"You serve me now," Jason declared, his voice carrying the weight of the sea itself. The kraken let out a low rumble of acknowledgment. Jason pointed toward the monolith. "Destroy it."

With a deafening roar, the kraken surged forward, its massive tentacles coiling around the monolith. The ancient stone cracked and groaned under the beast's power before shattering into countless fragments. The oppressive aura that had filled the ocean dissipated, and Jason felt a surge of satisfaction as the first step toward freeing Olivia was complete.

He turned back toward the ship, the kraken lingering nearby as if awaiting further commands. Jason's smirk softened into a determined expression. This was just the beginning.

Meanwhile, in a prison realm, Olivia Celeste sat in a grand palace, her blue eyes gazing at the endless night sky. She was a vision of ethereal beauty, her flowing gown shimmering faintly under the starlight. As she watched the heavens, a faint crack appeared in the fabric of space, a small yet profound disturbance.

Olivia smiled, her expression radiant with hope. She placed a gentle hand on her belly, her voice soft yet filled with love. "Jason… I knew you would never forget me."

Jason returned to the ship, his expression lighter, though his thoughts lingered on the weight of his mission. Ramla approached, her face lined with concern.

"You seem… relieved," she said softly. "What happened down there?"

Jason took a deep breath, his voice steady but carrying the weight of his memories. "I destroyed a monolith. One of many binding someone I care about—a woman by the name of Olivia Celeste."

"Olivia?" Adea asked, her curiosity piqued as she stepped closer. "Who is she?"

Jason leaned against the ship's railing, his gaze distant. "Years ago, I fell into a chasm and was flung by an unstable portal into another world. That place was a prison even if it was a vast world. The world itself rejected me—it wasn't meant for someone like me. But Olivia was there. She's been imprisoned in that place for who knows how long."

"How did you escape?" Nea asked, her voice careful but curious.

"A portal expelled me after three years," Jason replied, his tone bittersweet. "But Olivia… she knew the truth. She knew the world would only tolerate me for that long. She didn't tell me, not until the very end."

"Why?" Ramla asked gently, her brows furrowed.

Jason's jaw tightened for a moment before he answered. "She thought that if I knew, I'd spend all my time trying to save her instead of improving my cultivation, she was the one who taught me Soul Cultivation. And I guess… she wasn't wrong." He looked down, his expression conflicted. "If I'd known, I would have tried everything—anything—to free her first, no matter the cost. But I failed her, even though she didn't let me see it that way."

The sisters exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from sympathy to resolve.

"You're not failing her," Ramla said firmly. "You're still fighting for her now."

Jason nodded, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Destroying that monolith was just one step. There are more out there, and each one keeps her bound to that prison. I won't stop until every last one is gone."

"Another woman to add to your endless list of loves," Adea teased, trying to lighten the mood.

Nea smirked, folding her arms. "We should start a ranking system."

Jason chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You'll meet her one day. For now, we have a long road ahead."

"Give me a minute, let me see if I can make this ship steer itself." Jason said with a smile as he gestured for them to wait for him inside the ship.

Jason then stepped onto the helm, or at least what it resembled a helm. he gazed out at the endless horizon from the window. The soft hum of the ship's mechanisms filled the air.

He placed his hand on the ship's wheel, his fingers lightly tracing the polished surface. 'System,' he thought, his stance steady but curious, 'can you take control of this ship and fly it to our destination?'

The system's familiar voice chimed in, calm and precise. [Affirmative. The ship's navigation and flight capabilities have been integrated with my functions. I can pilot it directly to the Empire of Dawn with optimal efficiency.]

Jason nodded, stepping back from the helm. 'Do it.'

[Acknowledged. Adjusting course now.]

The ship's movements shifted subtly, the wheel turning on its own as the vessel steadied itself. Jason felt the smooth acceleration as the ship gained speed, its trajectory unwavering. The formations and mechanisms flying the ship adjusted themselves to their destination, and the energy flowing through the ship seemed to harmonize with the system's control.

Jason crossed his arms, watching as the ship navigated effortlessly through the skies. A faint smile tugged at his lips. "I could get used to this."

Jason then stepped into the chamber where the sisters had been resting. The glow of the ship's interior cast a soft light on their transformed features. They turned to face him as he entered.

His eyes lingered on them, a smirk playing on his lips as something primal flickered in his gaze. He approached slowly, the weight of his presence palpable. "You know," he began, his voice low and steady, "I feel amazing right now. Better than I've felt in a long time."

The sisters exchanged curious glances, sensing the energy radiating from him.

"Destroying that monolith… It's a big step toward freeing Olivia. It feels like a burden's been lifted off me." Jason said as he neared them slowly.

Ramla tilted her head, smiling warmly. "That's wonderful, Jason. You've worked so hard to get here. She's lucky to have someone like you fighting for her."

Nea huffed, her arms crossed, though her expression softened. "And what about us? Do we get a moment of appreciation too?"

Jason's smirk deepened, his gaze locking onto Nea's. "I was getting to that," he said, his tone teasing yet affectionate. "You've been by my side through all this. You deserve recognition, too."

Adea chuckled, her voice light. "Recognition, huh? What does that mean, exactly?"

Jason leaned back slightly, his smirk turning into a grin. "It means I feel like celebrating. And I think we all could use a little… indulgence after everything we've been through."

Ramla blushed slightly, while Adea raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eyes. Nea rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the faint upward twitch of her lips.

"Well, if you're planning something, it better be good," Nea said, trying to maintain her usual aloof demeanor.

Jason laughed, stepping closer to them. "Don't worry," he said, his voice carrying a promise. "I'll make it worth your while." Jason said as he began taking off his clothes.