Chapter 43: Ascendance (3)

The sky turned dark.

The Port City of Palana usually experienced a natural transition between day and night, aided by a small sun and a moon orbiting this vast continent.

Deep within the dense forest...

A faint purple light began to glow in the darkness, illuminating the trees with its shimmer.

Some wild monsters had ceased their activities, retreating to rest in preparation for the battles of the coming day.

By the edge of a lake reflecting the glimmering stars...

A small yet elegant pavilion stood in serenity.

Xue Shaoran, a Tianjiao from the Blood Clan, meditated atop a stone in the center of the starlit lake.

An aura of tranquility enveloped Xue Shaoran's body, complemented by a delicate crown hovering above his head.

"Arov Quills."

Xue Shaoran's crimson eyes bore into Arov, who was meditating on the surface of the lake.

At first glance, Arov appeared unusual.

He lacked the normal energy fluctuations typical of other practitioners, yet his strength had already qualified him to reach the Quasi Realm.

It was as though he had strayed onto the wrong path.

"Do you understand the consequences of being lost on the wrong path?"

Arov kept his eyes closed, meditating silently.

"I will never be able to comprehend the Archetype, will I?"

"Indeed, that is one of the consequences."

Blood elemental energy began to condense, forming a singular mass.

"As a 'Pathless,' you are destined to never grow stronger."

The blood mass dispersed once again, merging with the starlit lake.

"It is a universal rule: those who are 'Pathless' cannot break through to the next level of power."

"Long ago, the monsters of this world believed they had reached the pinnacle of strength. They could crush mountains with a finger, split the sky with their will, or even shatter space itself if they so desired."

Whoosh—

The night wind blew, tossing their long hair skyward.

"But they were wrong. They realized they could grow no further, until one among them uncovered the truth."

The starlit lake turned crimson.

The blood-tainted water swirled clockwise, orbiting Xue Shaoran as its center.

"Cultivation is not about the strength of numbers or statistics, but about efficiency, control, and stability within oneself."

The blood separated from the lake water, rising behind Xue Shaoran to form a circle.

"You spoke earlier of the concept of leveling."

Pure dark energy gathered in Xue Shaoran's palm.

"But that is nothing more than a barbaric, dishonorable method—like slaughtering living beings and extracting their essence to crudely enhance one's body. Following that path, you will never grasp the Archetype or advance to the next stage."

The dark energy expanded, intertwining with the blood elements behind Xue Shaoran to form a circular pattern.

"There is another universal rule for those who have attained an Archetype. They cannot be defeated by entities lacking an Archetype."

Darkness and blood spiraled into a flawless Yin-Yang circle.

"You wretched fool. A being without purpose, clawing at the edges of your limits with fractured power. Tell me—do you dare call yourself worthy?"

It was as if those crimson eyes could pierce the smallest fragments of Arov's soul.

"I may be unworthy, but I hold one conviction: I will wield this power with unwavering belief and righteousness, untainted by lies or deceit."

I possess an unshakable belief—that I am prepared to embrace everything, even if it means starting over and risking everything.

Arov's eyes gleamed with unyielding determination.

Xue Shaoran smirked.

"Good. Now you are ready for the next step."

Let us proceed.

"The path I follow is Sanguum Tenebris, a path well-suited for our Blood Clan, which draws strength from blood and darkness."

The elements cracked and scattered in the air.

"What is a Path like?"

Arov looked at Xue Shaoran with curious eyes.

"A Path is the mastery of an individual's power system. For instance, that Yggdrasil girl accompanying you earlier likely follows the Path of Sylvasus Eon. Most Yggdrasil beings adhere to this path due to its perfect compatibility with them."

Path? Why does it sound familiar...

"Then, what Path do I have?"

"I don't know. You'll have to discover it yourself. However, Elementalists like you typically follow the Path of Unity."

What aligns with me?

"What are the benefits of this Path?"

"There are no benefits."

"It's more akin to a belief. Every Path has six Phase, just like Sanguum Tenebris. However, Paths become irrelevant once you reach the Sage Realm, as beings at that stage can directly influence reality."

Xue Shaoran spoke with a hint of melancholy, as if longing for the feeling of strength.

"Still, I recommend you take up a Path rather than wander aimlessly as a Pathless."

"... Can you recommend one for me?"

Xue Shaoran chuckled.

"Heh, you're asking the right person."

Clap—

The snap of Xue Shaoran's fingers echoed in the night.

Blood-red light mixed with the golden hue of the moon, projecting unfamiliar names into Arov's vision.

1. Path of Crimson Depth

2. Path of Solstice Shard

3. Path of Woven Fates

4. Path of Silent Hanger

5. Path of Ashen Vanguard

6. Path of Ivory Rift

7. Path of Verdant Stride

8. Path of Emberwake

9. Path of Shadowcurrent

10. Path of Lunar Trace

11. Path of Gilded Spire

12. Path of Sundering Truth

13. Path of Aetherial Crest

14. Path of Shattered Bloom

15. Path of Duskroot

16. Path of Etherbound Flame

17. Path of Crownfall

18. Path of Abyssmarch

19. Path of Frostward

20. Path of Solvent Tide

21. Path of Embervein

22. Path of Shadowkind

23. Path of Eternal Sunshine

24. Path of Tempest Echo

25. Path of Bloodroot

26. Path of Silent Erosion

27. Path of Horizon's End

28. Path of Voidspine

29. Path of Emberclap

30. Path of Radiant Depth

31. Path of Lunatic Thread

32. Path of Ironblight

33. Path of Prismatic

34. Path of Starborne Warden

35. Path of Incadantion Gale

36. Path of Luminshade

37. Path of Withered Fracture

38. Path of Ashen Gale

39. Path of Obsidian Will

40. Path of Frostborn Stride

41. Path of Etherflow

42. Path of Cindervault

43. Path of Twilight Wardensville

44. Path of Dustwoven Truth

45. Path of Stormhollow

46. Path of Crimson Fractura

47. Path of Anti-Spiral

48. Path of Burning Accord

49. Path of Nightthorn

50. Path of Shimmering Decadence

51. Path of Ethereal

52. Path of Hollow Shard

53. Path of Starlight Maw

54. Path of Cinderwake

55. Path of Duskspire

56. Path of Paleformation

57. Path of Silent Torrent

58. Path of Voidrend

59. Path of Ironcrest

60. Path of Emberrift

61. Path of Frostvein

62. Path of Crimson Carnage

63. Path of Hollow Step

64. Path of Ashen Crown

65. Path of Lunar Grasp

66. Path of Solstice

67. Path of Starshard

68. Path of Glimmering Depths

69. Path of Obsidian Crystal

70. Path of Wraithwoven

....

.... 

The list stretched endlessly.

"Argh! That's enough, enough!"

Damn it!

The overwhelming influx of information about Paths was too much for my mind to handle.

I can't even remember them anymore.

"The ancient warriors used countless Paths to achieve the Sage Realm. This is just a fraction, but I suggest you follow only one Path."

"There are already this many? And this doesn't even include the Phases within each Path..."

This was terrifying... This world is too overwhelming! I want to leave this place right now.

"Ah, and I notice you haven't even formed your First Fragment yet."

Xue Shaoran reached for the thin crown hovering above his head. With a single touch, a tiny shard separated from the crown.

The once-perfect crown broke into numerous fragments.

"You… what are you doing?"