The hours dragged on like centuries inside the Federation's outpost. The air was heavy with the scent of herbs and burnt incense, the silence broken only by the faint hum of runic arrays keeping Stephen alive. He lay motionless on the bed, his body covered in dark, web-like patterns that pulsed faintly — signs of a collapsing soul sea.
Outside, Lyra Blaze stood frozen, her back pressed to the cold stone wall. Her eyes were red and swollen, the tears never quite stopping even when she tried to wipe them away with her sleeve.
The healers' words kept echoing in her head.
Even if he's saved, the boy will never cultivate again. His soul sea is too damaged… he'll be reduced to a commoner for life.
A single, shuddering breath escaped her lips as guilt tore through her chest. It should've been me, she thought. I was the one they ambushed. Not him.
Her trembling fingers reached into her storage ring, pulling out a small, crystal sphere that pulsed faintly with crimson light — her last resort. The moment she brought it out, footsteps sounded behind her.
Kael Blaze — her Fourth Uncle — emerged from the infirmary, his crimson armor marked by the insignia of a blazing spear that shimmered faintly with runic heat. The man's presence filled the corridor like a tidal wave. His sharp gaze immediately landed on the sphere in her palm.
He reached her in two strides and caught her wrist firmly. "Lyra," he said, his tone low but firm, "I know what you're thinking. But are you truly prepared to use this? Even the Ancestor herself only created ten such clones in the last hundred years. She entrusted you with two before going into seclusion — one you already used in the wilderness against that Grandmaster beast. If you use this one now, you'll have no protection left."
Lyra met his gaze, her eyes glistening but unwavering. "Fourth Uncle, you know me. I've always followed my heart. I'd rather die than live knowing someone else suffered because of me."
Kael sighed deeply, the weight of years evident in that single breath. "Fine. Do as you please," he said quietly. "But remember — in half a month, you must return to the clan. Preparations for your breakthrough to the Apprentice Realm have already begun. And you're to head to the Capital before the next semester starts."
She nodded once, her expression calm but resolute. Without another word, she turned and slipped into the room, closing the door softly behind her.
Stephen lay before her — pale, still, fragile. The once-strong aura that had filled the rift now flickered like a dying candle. The dark corruption covering his body had started to creep higher, nearing his heart.
Her heart clenched. "I won't let you die like this," she whispered.
With trembling fingers, she crushed the sphere in her palm. A searing light burst forth, bathing the room in warm amber radiance. From within the glow, a figure emerged — a woman of ethereal beauty, draped in flowing orange silk that shimmered like firelight. Her long hair cascaded behind her, and a small diamond-shaped mark glowed faintly on her forehead.
The air seemed to bow around her as she opened her coppery eyes.
"Child," the woman said softly, her voice carrying both warmth and immense authority. "I've told you before — there's no need for such formality between us."
Lyra fell to her knees despite the words. "Ancestor Liliana… please," she whispered, tears welling up again.
Lilian Blaze, the matriarch of the Blaze Clan and one of the strongest beings alive, reached out and gently lifted her up. "Now tell me," she said, her gaze sliding toward the unconscious boy. "What has happened?"
Lyra's voice trembled as she explained everything — the rift, the ambush, the curse that ate away at Stephen's soul. By the end, she was sobbing openly.
"Ancestor… please save him," she pleaded, clutching Liliana's hand. "If he dies, how can I live with myself? I couldn't—" Her voice broke.
Liliana's lips curved in a faint, knowing smile. She brushed a strand of hair from Lyra's cheek. "You've fallen for him, haven't you?"
Lyra froze, her cheeks turning crimson. She looked away but nodded stiffly.
A soft chuckle escaped Liliana. "Very well," she said. "Let's see what can be done."
She turned toward the bed, examining Stephen's condition closely. Her brows furrowed for a brief moment before she straightened. "Call Kael in."
Within moments, Kael entered the room and bowed deeply. "Ancestor."
Liliana listed a series of rare materials, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Fetch these from the Federation vault. Tell them I am the one asking."
Kael didn't hesitate. Within minutes, he returned with a heavy bundle, sweat trickling down his temple.
Liliana began her work. She laid the materials around the bed in a precise circular formation and raised her hands. Runes shimmered into existence midair, one after another, weaving together into a glowing network that pulsed with ancient power.
Her projection flickered slightly — even for a clone, the effort was immense.
The materials ignited one by one, releasing beams of light that converged upon Stephen's body. His forehead glowed faintly, and then — to everyone's astonishment — tiny sprouts of grass began pushing through the cracks in the floor around him, swaying gently as though drawn by his aura.
Liliana tossed a Grandmaster-grade crystal into the air. It hovered above Stephen, releasing an ethereal blue glow that poured into his body. Vines covered in runes sprouted from the ground, weaving tightly around him until he was enclosed in a cocoon of living energy.
"This," Liliana said softly, "is an opportunity. If he can grasp it, he won't just survive — he'll transform."
Inside that cocoon, Stephen drifted between consciousness and oblivion. Darkness pressed in from all sides, cold and suffocating. But then — a faint light stirred within his soul sea. The tiny blue sprout — his Aspect Soul — trembled and began to shine.
A voice, ancient and calm, echoed in his mind.
Focus, child. Breathe. The path to the Apprentice Realm lies before you.
He clenched his fists and fought against the consuming cold, channeling every ounce of willpower he had left. His body burned and froze, broke apart and rebuilt itself in endless cycles.
Outside, the runes around the cocoon flickered violently. Stephen coughed blood from within, his life force wavering.
Lyra's heart sank. "Ancestor, what's happening?"
"His blood qi isn't condensed enough," Liliana said gravely. "If he can't pass this step, he'll fail — and his soul will shatter."
Lyra hesitated only for a moment. Then she bit her finger, and a single drop of her blood — deep crimson and glowing faintly with flame runes — appeared on her palm.
"Lyra!" Kael's voice thundered. "Stop this madness! You're risking your foundation! We've done enough — if he dies, that's his fate. You are the future of the Blaze Clan!"
She turned to him and gave a weak smile. "During those days in the rift, when everyone else only saw me as the clan's heiress, he treated me like a person. He protected me without hesitation. How can I stand by and watch him die?"
Kael turned toward the Ancestor, desperate. "You can't let her—"
But Liliana merely smiled faintly. "You know as well as I do, Kael — when a Blaze loves, they love once and forever. If I stop her and he dies, she'll never forgive me. Let her follow her heart."
Lyra flicked her finger. The drop of blood flew into the cocoon — and the vines drank it greedily. The room trembled as a wave of transcendent energy erupted outward, pulling the very essence of heaven and earth into the cocoon.
Kael shielded his eyes as the storm raged. Lyra slumped to her knees, pale as snow, breathing heavily. She swallowed a recovery pill and forced herself to stay conscious.
An hour passed. Then another.
Finally, the violent energy began to calm. Cracks appeared on the cocoon's surface, glowing with blue light before it shattered into motes of dust.
Stephen sat cross-legged on the bed, his body faintly luminous. He took a deep breath, and a puff of black smoke escaped his lips — the remnants of corruption being purged. His eyes opened slowly, revealing a deep ocean-blue hue that shimmered faintly with runic light.
He rose unsteadily and dropped to one knee before Liliana. "Senior, thank you for saving me. I will never forget your kindness."
Liliana waved her hand dismissively. "Thank me? You should thank her."
Stephen turned to Lyra, only to find her staring at him, tears welling once again.
"You absolute idiot," she sobbed, rushing forward. She threw her arms around him and buried her face in his chest. "Do you have any idea how worried I was? How dare you make me cry like this?"
He winced as she bit his shoulder in frustration but said nothing, simply placing a hand on her back and holding her quietly.
When her sobs finally began to fade, Liliana cleared her throat with a faint, teasing smile. "Come now, little one. Let the boy rest. You can scold him later."
Lyra froze, face turning crimson. She let go reluctantly and took a step back.
Liliana's gaze softened as she looked at Stephen. "Remember this, boy — power commands respect. Without strength, you can't protect what you cherish. Train hard, and never waste this second chance."
Stephen bowed deeply. "Yes, Senior."
With that, Liliana's projection began to fade, her voice lingering even as the light dissolved into the air.
"The fire of destiny burns bright in you both. Don't let it go to waste."
The room fell silent. Only the soft sound of Lyra's quiet breathing remained — and the steady beat of Stephen's heart, stronger than before.