Chapter 62: Trial of the Eternal Flame

Chapter 62: Trial of the Eternal Flame

Kael stood motionless at the center of the Nameless Sovereign's tomb, staring at the twelve spectral figures circling him—each cloaked in divine light, each pulsing with the weight of a realm beyond his own.

The air was thick. Reality strained under the pressure.

[Inheritance Trial Active — Objective: Defeat all 12 Projections]

[Bonus Objective: Survive Celestial Storm Unassisted — Reward Multiplier x2]

Kael adjusted his grip on the Phantomspike Fangblade. His armor shimmered faintly, runes glowing to life with each breath he took. Though surrounded, he felt no fear. Only potential.

"I don't need to win," he whispered to himself, "I just need to endure."

The first projection charged—a crimson knight from the Worldpiercer Realm. Kael blocked the halberd strike with a clash of sparks, countered with a low sweep, and unleashed a Phantom Slash.

[Hit Landed: Worldpiercer Projection — HP - 3,000,000]

A second projection descended with a hail of starfire. Kael leapt, mana wings flickering into existence for an instant as he spun through the air. Every second tested the limits of his resolve.

Blades. Light. Thunder. Pain.

The twelve moved as one mind.

Kael fought with desperation and brilliance—dodging just in time, trading blows where needed, and channeling his fury through the blade.

[System Alert: HP at 20%]

[Emergency Skill Available: Ember Rebirth — Trigger?]

Kael clenched his jaw. "Not yet…"

And then—he saw it. A break in their formation. He surged forward, blade trailing divine light, and impaled the sixth projection's core.

[Projection Destroyed — EXP Gained: 5,000,000]

More phantoms began to fall one by one. The trial wasn't just about power—it was about tenacity, pattern recognition, willpower.

At the edge of his stamina, as the eleventh projection collapsed, the sky above the sanctum ignited.

[Celestial Storm Initiating — Survive for 3 Minutes]

Bolts of light fell from the heavens, aiming to vaporize. Kael tucked, rolled, surged between arcs of divine wrath. One bolt clipped his shoulder—his armor cracked.

He screamed. But stood.

Three minutes of chaos.

Three minutes of survival.

And then… silence.

The last bolt faded. Kael stood, shaking.

[Trial Complete: All Objectives Fulfilled]

[Bonus Achieved: Celestial Storm Endured Solo]

[EXP Reward: 100,000,000 × 2 = 200,000,000]

[System Level Up! 16 → 20]

[EXP Remaining: 96,500,000 / 110,400,000]

[New System Feature Unlocked: Sin Points System Activated]

[Sin Points: +1,000,000]

[Item Acquired: Celestial Flame Token (Unique)]

[Title Earned: The Flame-Bound]

[Quest Registered: SIN VAULT — First Blood]

[Objective: Spend Sin Points in Sin Shop to unlock hidden abilities, bloodlines, and taboos.]

Kael dropped to his knees.

He exhaled, not in exhaustion—but revelation.

The tomb's sovereign voice returned, now softer.

"You are no longer the spark. You are now the flame. But flame must be fed... or extinguished."

The light faded. The path behind Kael shimmered open, connecting him back to the Sacred Pearl dimension.

Kael stood, body wounded, soul burning.

And grinned.

[STATUS WINDOW: KAEL VIREN]

Level: 20

EXP: 96,500,000 / 110,400,000

Realm: Starforged Realm — Tier 9/9

[Heaven Tribulation Pending — Breakthrough to Sunbound Realm Locked]

HP: 12,800 / 12,800

Mana: 14,600 / 14,600

Base Stats (+60% passive harem link, +20% Physique Buff, +500% Divine Weapon Buff):

Strength: 188 → 338 ×5 = 1,690

Endurance: 172 → 309

Willpower: 196 → 314

Charm: 218 → 348

Intellect: 164 → 263

Dexterity: 176 → 282 ×5 = 1,410

Bonded Wives (Realms):

Evelyne — Moonglade Realm — Tier 8/9 (Power Consolidation)

Selene — Skyshatter Realm — Tier 9/9 (Inheritance Meditation)

Thalaria — Sunbound Realm — Tier 2/9 (Training)

Nysera — Skyshatter Realm — Tier 1/9 (Sealed)

Valeria — Skyshatter Realm — Tier 3/9 (Training)

[EXP Sharing Active — 50% EXP from Bonded Kills received]

[PET PANEL]

Emberfang — Flame Tiger Cub (Tier 3) — Ash Devourer — Outside Dimension

Vira — Sky Serpent Hatchling (Tier 2) — Storm Pulse — Resting

Cultivation Realms:

Initiate Realm

Essence Drawn Realm

Veinwoven Realm

Soulroot Realm

Starforged Realm

Sunbound Realm

Moonglade Realm

Skyshatter Realm

Worldpiercer Realm

Heaven's Echo Realm

Celestiaflame Realm

Worldbreaker Realm

Eternal Crown Realm