Chapter 33 – Academy Life, Family Drama, and a Brewing Storm

Chapter 33 – Academy Life, Family Drama, and a Brewing Storm

Nova Academy, a prestigious institution where genius gods enrolled, was located in the 30th Heaven Domain. The academy was divided into three sections, each tailored to specific cultivation realms. The lowest division admitted only Primal Nexus Realm cultivators, allowing students to drop out freely if they wished. The second division catered to Inferno Realm gods, training them to their limits before advancing them to the final division, which nurtured Horizon Realm gods before sending them out into the world for self-discovery and strength refinement.

"Woah, really? I'm envious of that school! Having access to great teachers and free resources… Ugh, if only I weren't so mediocre," a young god muttered, gazing at the mystical academy from a distance, his tone filled with longing.

Beside him, an old man listened silently, his expression complicated.

The youth turned to him and asked, "How about you, old man? If you had the chance, would you go there?"

The old man hesitated, his eyes flickering with regret and nostalgia.

"I was once a student there, but due to an unfortunate incident, I was punished to stay here for a hundred thousand years…"

He looked at the academy in the distance, sighing deeply. "If you're truly talented, everyone will favor you. But if you have no background to rely on, some jealous young master will definitely strip you down and make your life miserable."

His voice trembled slightly.

The young god, though confused, didn't press further. He simply nodded in silent understanding.

Meanwhile, inside the academy, Althea sat cross-legged in cultivation, her breathing calm and controlled.

Her ascendant core pulsed, radiating power.

A breakthrough was near.

"Haaah… Finally. I've tempered my foundation, and my ascendant core has reached its limits. I'm about to step into the Perfect Primal Nexus Realm."

She sighed, stretching her stiff limbs before standing up.

"I should call Big Brother Cirus and beg for some medicine," she muttered excitedly, dashing out of her dorm.

She quickly entered the private messaging stone room and transmitted a message to Cirus, asking him to meet her outside the academy. Within seconds, a reply arrived.

A meeting was set.

Hours Later –Outside Nova Academy, in a private pavilion, Althea met with Cirus, who had recently advanced to the Inferno Realm.

"Brother, you pay for this," Althea said shamelessly, pointing at the luxurious pavilion rental counter. "I don't have any money on me right now. Mother didn't deliver my allowance this week."

She pouted, pretending to be sad.

Cirus' brow twitched, but he remained silent. Without arguing, he stepped forward and handed the 10,000 Primal Energy Stones to the receptionist with a cold expression.

Althea grinned, watching her brother's irritation with amusement.

As they entered their private room, Cirus brewed tea, pouring a cup for Althea before sitting down himself.

"Here, take it."

Althea took a sip, savoring the warmth. But she didn't forget her real goal.

"Brother, I'm about to break through to the Inferno Realm. Can I borrow some of your herbs? No artifacts or money—just herbs!"

The atmosphere fell silent.

Cirus stared at her, his expression unreadable.

Althea felt nervous, sensing his simmering frustration. She quickly waved her hands, trying to act innocent.

"B-Brother, I'll definitely pay you back this time! I swear!"

But even as she said it, she knew she was lying—her debts to Cirus were endless. She couldn't even remember how much she owed him anymore.

Cirus' brow twitched again.

"Is it a guaranteed success?" he asked coldly. "If not, I won't bother letting you borrow anything."

Althea's heart skipped a beat. She knew she had worn down his patience over the years.

"Brother, please!" she pleaded. "I can already feel a tiny flame forming beside my ascendant core. This is my perfect chance to succeed!"

Cirus' expression softened slightly.

"Really?"

"Yes! Why would I lie about something as important as this?"

Althea seized the moment and quickly changed the topic.

"Besides, Brother, you have connections. I heard that the Princess of the 30th Heaven likes you. It's all over the academy. You're rich—you can spare some resources, right?"

The moment she finished speaking, Cirus' aura turned cold.

Althea froze.

"Do you want resources, or are you here to blabber nonsense?" His tone was dangerously calm, sending a chill down her spine.

"I-I'm sorry, Big Brother!" Althea quickly corrected herself. "I really need the herbs! I don't want to be overshadowed by my little sisters' growing strength."

Her sincerity finally softened Cirus' cold gaze.

"...Fine."

Without another word, he tossed a storage bracelet toward her.

Althea caught it instantly, beaming with joy. She quickly put it on, scanning its contents in excitement.

Cirus watched her reaction, his mood lightening slightly.

After a moment, he spoke again.

"By the way, did you hear the news about the 18th Heaven?"

Althea sipped her tea, her curiosity piqued.

"Yeah, I heard about it. The secret realm there was chaotic. There was a talented guy named Wutian, but they discovered he was a demon. That's all I know."

Cirus nodded, setting down his cup.

"It's more than that, though."

Althea raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What else happened? I only heard the rumors from other students."

Cirus' eyes gleamed with pride, though his expression remained calm.

"There were two girls who killed Wutian and nearly destroyed the entire secret realm."

Althea's heart skipped a beat. She had a guess, but she didn't want to believe it.

Cirus smirked, enjoying her expression.

"Those two girls… are our newborn little sisters, Ella and Olivia."

Althea was stunned.

"...Really? How do you know?"

Cirus took a leisurely sip of his tea.

"Mother was here yesterday. She personally confirmed it."

A smug smirk tugged at his lips as he watched Althea's expression shift between shock, excitement, and frustration.

She was proud of her younger sisters—but also irritated at how far they had already surpassed her.

And Cirus, seeing her reaction, simply chuckled.

18th Heaven DomainMeanwhile, rumors spread across the 18th Heaven Domain like wildfire.

An unknown pair of siblings had dominated the Secret Realm, nearly destroying it entirely. Their unmatched talent left many terrified and curious, as no one knew their identity.

In marketplaces, people whispered in awe.

"Those two girls were monsters! They humiliated thousands of lesser gods, making them eat dirt multiple times," an Inferno Realm god said, shuddering.

"Yeah! And I saw Wutian—he was killed in a single punch! His lifeless body was kicked around like trash," another added.

"What?! That's terrifying… Playing with a dead man like that is just disturbing," a stall owner murmured, shivering.

Nearby, a young woman paused upon hearing the conversation.

Her disheveled green hair swayed slightly, her expression twisting with malice.

"Wutian…" she whispered.

Her fingernails dug into her palms, her aura growing unstable.

This woman was none other than Lea—Wutian's lover.

And she would not let this go.