Unsealing Emptiness

Chapter 466: The Empyrean.

The people of Phoenix City remained unperturbed throughout this period.

Their trust in the Celestial Phoenix had been established for generations. Not even a full-blown battle between Sages could shake it.

However, today would be the day that their hearts really shook with fear.

Ember exited the Phoenix’s nest in her new form.

She was a red-scaled Dragon with twisted white horns stretching to the back of her head. Her ash-colored wings cast such large shadows that the peasants would mistake it for a cloudy day.

Her snake-like body floated so naturally in the sky above the city as if it was swimming in water.

If a look at her majestic visage wasn’t enough to deter a thousand hearts, the aura that she exuded would finish the job.

Fire elementals of the Spiritual Essence were so attuned to Ember’s presence that sparks of blue fire appeared before dissipating in sync with her breathing.

Her slitted eyes scanned the entire city, sending chills to whoever was being examined.

For the first time in their life, the people of Phoenix City were fearful. This kind of feeling could only be ignited in their hearts at the sight of the Phoenix.

Just then, Spiritual Essence gathered, and as if declaring war against everyone, Ember roared at the sky. A beam of fire shot straight up, parting any clouds that were in the way.

Tremors were felt throughout the area as everyone witnessed this spectacle.

But just then, the Celestial Phoenix came out of her nest as well.

*KREEH!*

The screeching voice came followed by a shadow of the Phoenix which quickly came face to face with the giant floating Dragon.

Both beasts stood only 50 meters apart, though Ember was bigger in size, the aura of the Celestial Phoenix overshadowed hers.

As the Phoenix screeched once again, Ember stopped shooting fire at the sky.

Looking into her eyes, Ember understood that the Phoenix was serious.

"Do not repeat these childish antics in my home!" The deep voice of the Celestial Phoenix was heard reprimanding the floating Dragon.

She was a territorial beast, and no such beast would ever tolerate another being flaunting their power in their territory.

Ember replied, "I got ahead of myself..." Her voice was deeper than before, befitting of a Dragon, but still, people could recognize that it was her.

The Phoenix understood that it was due to power ecstasy, but it still annoyed her.

Warning her with another sharp glare, she dived straight down and disappeared into her nest again.

On the other hand, the giant Dragon in the sky also quickly shrunk in size until normal peasants couldn’t see Ember’s human figure floating above.

Looking at her hands, she stretched her muscles, muttering,

"I had almost forgotten this feeling of being so free... This human form is really restricting."

...

In the estate, Rai waited together with Ozul and the trio in the garden.

They had also witnessed the scene of Ember shooting fire at the sky.

"Lord really looks majestic in that appearance," Rai had commented, smiling widely as he appreciated the red scales on her body.

He had a long coat in his hands, enough to cover two people at once.

"What is that for?" Raven asked, its design was feminine.

"Lord just transformed. She will be naked, no?" Rai replied in a condescending tone, his eyes sparkling at the thought.

"You really want to see that, don’t you..." Zier narrowed his eyes at him. Raven stepped a little closer to Ozul as well.

"Ahem..." Rai coughed, not taking heed of their comments. They were kids, after all, it didn’t concern an adult like him.

Right at that instance, Ember appeared in front of them.

There was no sound, no wind, no Spiritual traces; she just appeared as if coming into existence.

"!!!"

Ozul stepped back unconsciously.

His eyes saw her before he sensed her presence!

Still, unlike with the Celestial Phoenix and with Old Gu, he could still feel Spiritual Essence from her. Just that, he couldn’t make any estimations of her strength.

’It is like looking at an ocean and trying to judge its depth... It is impossible...’ Ozul felt like trying to stare into a never-ending hole.

Ember’s dragon horns had changed their shape. Instead of the sleek and smooth from before, they had gotten rougher. The tips even broke off into two with a touch of red hue.

As she stood face to face with Rai, she noticed the long overcoat in his hands,

There was a thin smile on her lips as she spoke, "As you can see, I already have clothes."

Indeed, as she said, she wasn’t naked contrary to Rai’s expectations. Even though she had transformed into her original form, her clothes hadn’t torn apart.

However, Rai wasn’t disappointed.

Smiling wildly, he could only comment, "You look as beautiful as ever, my Lord."

"You are more excited than you should be," Ember knew that grin. She spoke like she knew something more than she let on.

"You are an Empyrean now, my Lord! I can massacre to my heart’s content!"

Raven and Zier gave each other a knowing glance. It was exactly what they had expected.

"No no... You are excited for something else."

"Huh?"

Ember’s smile never left her face. She added ominously, "You are excited about becoming a Sage, aren’t you?"

"Uhm... no?" Rai replied in an unsure manner. He wasn’t trying to become a Sage at all.

"Oh well, it doesn’t matter if you are excited or not."

"Hm. I do remember some business that I have to take care of..." He suddenly rubbed his head, as if it was something he shouldn’t have forgotten at all.

But before he could take a step back, he felt his world turn around.

In the next second, he was on the ground, unable to fathom how he had fallen.

The trio and Ozul looked on with amusement while those working in the estate continued doing their tasks pretending they hadn’t seen anything.

"It would do you well if you don’t run, my dear," Ember told him with a tone of finality.

Rai’s body deflated on the ground. He knew that tone more than anyone else. Now he could only resign to his fate.

Ember then faced the trio, "As for you lot."

"I will ready you all for the worse as well."

Zier gulped, each word uttered by Ember felt like destiny and he wouldn’t be able to escape it.

’So this is an Empyrean...’ He could only marvel at the power and authority wielded by such an individual.

Raven and Blaze, on the other hand, were only thinking about how they could reach this level.

"You, on the other hand," Ember then looked at the only remaining concern of hers, "Well I don’t know what to do about you..."

"I have found a better path. You do not need to worry," Ozul replied offhandedly.

Even if he couldn’t gauge her power, her emotions were still bare before him. Although it was faint, he could find traces of concern in her.

’It must be because of the upcoming war.’ He concluded.

"Very well, I can only trust you on that," Ember nodded, dragging Rai inside with her.

. . .

In another Realm, Old Gu was sitting on a street bench, watching children fight for bread across the street.

Behind him stood Minho, who did everything for him.

"So?" Old Gu began.

"She has become an Empyrean."

"That fiery brat?" Old Gu said with amusement.

"Yes, Master. She used the Phoenix for protection, so no one even tried to interrupt her."

"Hm... An-" Old Gu was about to say something when he stopped, adorning a serious face.

Minho felt something was off, but kept his quiet as he was all too familiar with this situation. And just as he had expected, as he blinked, there was another figure sitting next to his Master.

It was a plump old lady with aged wrinkles and in simple robes.

Her frail appearance shouldn’t be the judge of her strength since Minho couldn’t even see her movements.

"Why are you here, Baoshi?" Old Gu asked in a grumbling voice. All cheerfulness disappeared from his tone.

She was the Virtue of Temperance, sent by the Lord of Shadows to convince Old Gu to join their side.

"You know why I’m here."

Old Gu grunted, "I will give you the same answer as that brat."

"From the looks of it, you are already against that brat, so why not join us?"

"Even if I go against him, I will go against him on my own. Why should I join your side for such a small thing?"

Baoshi sighed as she also watched the children fight over the bread. They both stayed silent after that, amusing themselves with the bloody brawl in front of them.

By the time the children had come to an agreement to share the bread, it had already gotten dirty.

"What are you so afraid of, old man?" She broke her silence after a few minutes.

Old Gu narrowed his eyes, "Baoshi, you were smart, unlike others. Is that a serious question?"

Baoshi smiled, her face getting more wrinkles, "But of course. How can anyone expect the great Sin of Wrath to be afraid of anyone?

"What are you trying to say? Don’t play riddles with me, old woman."

"Me? I’m playing riddles? Old Gu, you suddenly disappeared for all these centuries and refuse to partake in worldly affairs, yet I can see in your eyes that you aren’t tired of life.

You tell me what riddles you are playing. You refuse to join either side, why?"

Old Gu remained silent for a few seconds before replying seriously,

"Because neither aligns with my interests. On one side is that brat. Although he is centuries old, he still acts childish since there have never been any setbacks in his life."

"And why not the Demonic Emperor, the Lord of Shadows? He is second only to ’Him.’"

Old Gu finally turned to look her in the eyes,

"Are you seriously asking me why I don’t want to join the man who wants to rebel against God?" His face deadpanned, looking at her as if she had asked the most stupid question ever asked.

Baoshi shook her head, knowing full well that she would not get any real answers from him.

"I have extended our offer and it will stand forever."

"Yeah yeah, shoo now." Old Gu waved his hand, not wanting to look at her even for another second.

Baoshi disappeared from her spot just as quickly as she had appeared.

Minho finally breathed a sigh of relief, thankful they hadn’t started a fight.

"Anyway, tell me about the kid." Old Gu resumed his conversation from earlier, adopting his cheery personality again.