In the real world, Mira's body, which had been in deep meditation, began to glow. A formidable aura emanated from her, pushing back the ambient energies around her.
Her previously intangible soul now had a tangible presence in the physical realm.
As she slowly opened her blood-red eyes, they sparkled with a newfound clarity and depth. Taking a deep breath, she felt the power coursing through her, every inch of her being vibrating with the energy of the Soul Transformation Realm.
She stood up gracefully, the air around her crackling with raw power. The Absolute Yin Scythe, sensing its master's ascension, shimmered and appeared beside her, its frosty blade gleaming menacingly.
She nodded inwardly and gave it a casual swing. A loud screeching sound resounded throughout the temple as a thin line formed on the ground, wall, and ceiling before a trail of ice was left in its wake.
A subtle smile graced her lips, and she gave her new scythe a few more swings. However, within a second, the entire temple, other than the altar, was covered in ice and scratches. She didn't even have to channel her energy to achieve this; it was just one of the functions of her new scythe and powers.
'I could get used to this.' Her smile widened. She put her scythe on her back, not wanting to return it to her soul just yet, and looked around the temple.
With a wave of her hand, all the ice in the room exploded and disintegrated.
Glancing at the altar, she noticed that there was no more energy. When she looked up, the spires weren't producing anything either.
'I guess that's it.' She surmised, a little disappointed. 'I wish there was more.'
While the gains were great, more than she could've hoped for, she expected something a little more… spectacular.
An artifact, treasure, bloodline… something, anything that actually seemed like a reward.
Shaking her head, she reigned in her greed. 'I achieved what I wanted-No, needed. I should be satisfied with that for now.'
Suddenly, a light shone from the altar, and an ornate grey Spatial Ring dropped onto it.
Mira's interest was piqued, so she immediately grabbed it and formed a connection with it.
However, when she tried to check what was inside, she felt something blocking her.
She frowned for a moment, trying it a few more times before she shrugged and tossed it into her Storage Space.
'I take it back. This place really knows how to treat its guests.' She chuckled, feeling much more satisfied. Regardless of whether the Spatial Ring had anything in it, she now had something tangible to take back.
After giving the temple another look over, even using her new and improved Soul Sense, she left having not found anything else.
As soon as she stepped out, the scenery around her changed.
The once quiet temple grounds now resonated with chaotic energies, blurring Mira's vision temporarily. The clear sky above was replaced by a swirling vortex of colors.
Mira quickly deduced that she was being sent out of the Secret Realm. She braced herself, not knowing what to expect. The colors around her grew brighter and more intense, and a strong pulling sensation took hold of her body, like an invisible thread guiding her to an unknown destination.
She felt weightless, floating through this myriad of colors, her mind clear but her senses overwhelmed. Time seemed to lose its meaning.
After what felt like both an eternity and a mere moment, the bright colors started to fade.
Mira found herself back where they started, right in front of the Lake of Ascendancy.
However, the atmosphere seemed a bit off…
"How dare you humans take our treasures and leave?! Today, you will pay for your crimes with your lives!" A Rank 10 roared, standing in front of his clansmen. They stared at the humans, the five Sects and their leaders, their energies flaring as they prepared to go to war.
Many of them had increased their strength by multiple levels and were confident they could cause the human race to go extinct today. High off of the new power they received, the Shadowfang Clan marched forward, their eyes set on the members from the Battle Maiden Sect.
The leader still remembered the fact that one of its strongest, most promising youths was killed by them.
"Hoh~?" Aelina floated up, amused. She stared down at the 'large cat' unflinchingly. "What can you even do about it if I want to leave?"
Aelina twirled her fingers, sending out a wisp of Qi. Nobody thought much of it until a void portal opened up around a group of Rank 8 Shadowfangs before swallowing them whole. All everyone heard until the portal closed was the screeches of pain as they were torn apart before everything went silent.
"Go ahead and try." A large grin crept up on Aelina's face. Afterward, she glanced at Mira and winked before staring down at the multiple beast clans ready to go to war.
Mira grimaced as multiple powerful eyes shifted to her. One of them felt particularly familiar. Her eyelids started to twitch with annoyance.
'Is that scaly red-eyed chameleon-like fucker staring at me?' Another twinge of annoyance rang through her.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere around them intensified, with both sides, humans and beasts, staring at Aelina in shock, fear, awe, anger, and respect. Nobody expected her to make such a move so boldly.
For god's sake! They were literally in the middle of enemy territory!
The Rank 10 was practically shaking with anger by now, but it hesitated. Aelina's attack was too quick and too weak. Yet, it killed his clansmen without him being able to do anything.
In fact, because of this move, all beast clans that were ready to pounce paused.
The message she gave was clear: "Come at me, and you'll be left with nothing."
Nobody wanted their Clans to be exterminated so easily. Not to mention, Aelina was a continental powerhouse. Killing her was anything but easy.
Could they protect their Clans while attacking her? Unlikely.
The cold silence of anticipation hung in the air as the two opposing forces stood on the precipice of war. Every movement was scrutinized, every breath held, waiting for a trigger to ignite the tension.
Whispers amongst the various beast clans began to fill the atmosphere, the unity they once exhibited now cracking under Aelina's show of power. The Rank 10 leader of the Shadowfang Clan stood paralyzed, the weight of his responsibility and the fear of Aelina's prowess anchoring him in place.
The once fearsome beast clans now looked at each other, uncertainty clouding their judgment. They were torn between their thirst for revenge and the survival of their clans.
Mira's gaze darted around, assessing the situation. She noticed small groups of humans and beasts discreetly beginning to edge away from the brewing conflict. The powerful eyes that had been previously fixated on her were now shifting focus, trying to gauge the reactions of their own clansmen and the human sects.
Suddenly, a deep roar echoed through the area. Another Rank 10, the leader of the White Tiger, stepped forward, massive muscles rippling and eyes filled with a strange mix of rage and respect.
"This isn't the way, Shadowfang," he declared, locking eyes with the Shadowfang leader. "We may look down on the humans, but throwing our lives away recklessly serves no one. Aelina is not to be trifled with. We need to think this through."
The Shadowfang leader, still reeling from the shock of Aelina's prowess, hesitated before gritting his teeth. "Brother Tiger, they have stolen from us, killed our kin! We cannot just let them leave!"
Aelina, floating above, chuckled lightly, her eyes playful yet deadly. "Make your choice quickly, beasts. My patience isn't infinite. Either come at me and face the consequences or slink away with your tails between your legs."
A few younger beasts growled at her audacity, but the elders held them back, sensing the dire consequences of acting impulsively.
Mira saw the scene getting worse and activated the [Hidden World] technique to the fullest. She sneaked over to Aelina's side, with only a few eyeing her dangerously. Everyone could feel the bloodline pressure she released despite the fact that most of it was reigned.
Her natural presence just emanated a superior, unparalleled aura that couldn't be ignored.
Aelina smiled and motioned for Mira to stand next to her.
'Tch. Annoying.' Mira rolled her eyes but still walked over. She had an idea of what Aelina wanted to do, and she wasn't against it.
Behind them stood Nova, Seraphina, Rayna, Eden, Everly, and many other Soul Transformation and Mortal Shedding Realm cultivators.
Suddenly, mixed in with the crowd, Mira sensed something that caused her eyes to widen, but before she could do anything, Aelina spoke.
"I guess you beasts have grown cowardly over the years, but what can you expect from a gathering of animals? A shame, really. I was looking for a challenge when I forced you to become cattle for the human race."
BOOOOM!
