The group of three, Syne, Ivy and the corpse puppet had long since reached the edge of the massive lake, their figures swiftly disappearing beneath the surface as they dove deep into its murky depths. Surrounded by the cold, dark water, they remained untouched by its damp embrace. Their qi surged effortlessly, pushing the water away from their bodies, creating an invisible barrier that kept them dry and pristine. Not that it mattered much—cultivators of their level had long surpassed the need for trivial things like oxygen or warmth. They could thrive in the harshest environments without breaking a sweat.

As they plunged deeper, the world above faded into a distant memory. The stillness of the underwater expanse was broken only by the soft, glowing ripples of their qi. Ivy's sharp eyes caught sight of something intriguing below—a large, looming shadow.

With a quick gesture, she pointed toward an underwater cave that lay hidden beneath layers of rock and sediment. Syne nodded in understanding.

In a blur of movement, they surged forward, their speed unmatched as they closed the distance in mere seconds. The entrance to the cave was wide and dark, as if calling out to them into its depths. Without hesitation, they slipped through, and in an instant, they emerged from a shimmering pool of water into an entirely different world.

The cave they found themselves in was unlike anything they'd ever seen. It was large and vast, glowing with an ethereal light that bathed everything in a rainbow of colors. Massive, prismatic crystals jutted out from the cave walls and ceiling, their surfaces pulsing with energy and casting soft auroras of light that danced across the stone floor. The air hummed with a subtle, otherworldly energy that seemed to radiate from the crystals themselves, filling the cave with a surreal, almost dreamlike atmosphere.

Syne’s eyes widened in appreciation as he took in the sight before him. "Well, this is… something else," he muttered, his voice barely a whisper as the vibrant colors reflected off his purple hair.

Ivy, too, seemed mesmerized by the dazzling display of light and energy that surrounded them. "It’s beautiful," she said softly, her voice tinged with awe as she stepped further into the cave, the glow from the crystals casting vibrant patterns across her small figure.

“Ivy, these aren’t just any ordinary minerals," Syne muttered, his voice heavy with realization as his sharp eyes scanned the crystalline cavern around them. "These are spatial crystals and tribulation stones." His tone was now serious, the weight of his discovery sinking in. He placed a hand thoughtfully on his chin, his brows furrowed in concentration. "No wonder our divine senses couldn’t penetrate this place," he added, glancing around, his eyes taking in everything within the cave.

Ivy, who had been absentmindedly floating beside him, lazily spinning a large crystal on her finger, paused mid-motion. Her gaze snapped to him, confusion flashing across her face. "Wait, are you saying these things actually blocked our senses?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. The idea of something preventing their divine senses from working seemed almost impossible. They were among the most powerful beings alive, and yet this cavern had managed to cloak itself so perfectly.

Syne gave a slow, measured nod, his expression serious. "Exactly. These spatial crystals are infused with an incredibly dense Space Law. Their structure distorts reality itself, making it nearly impossible for anyone outside to detect what's within." He gestured to the glowing shards embedded in the cave walls. "They bend and warp space, creating a natural barrier."

Ivy, now paying more attention, stared at the crystal in her hand as if seeing it for the first time. She could feel the faint hum of spatial energy vibrating from its core, an energy so profound that it felt like the laws of reality were shifting with every pulse.

"And these tribulation stones…" Syne continued, his voice quieter now, almost reverent. "They’re infused with the power of the heavens themselves. When someone reaches a critical point in their cultivation, the heavens test them with tribulation. These stones have absorbed that raw, destructive force." He walked over to one of the glowing rocks embedded in the wall, placing his hand on its surface. "The energy is volatile, chaotic. With this kind of power woven into the very fabric of this place, it’s no wonder no one can sense it. It’s practically invisible to the heavens and the earth."

Ivy’s eyes widened as the gravity of Syne’s words hit her. "So… this entire place is shielded? Not just from us, but from any divine presence?"

Syne’s lips twisted into a large smile. "Exactly. It’s a sanctuary, hidden away from even the eyes of the gods themselves. The combination of spatial law and heavenly power makes it untouchable to anyone at our level. No matter how strong we are, we wouldn’t have sensed this place if we searched for a thousand years, what a treasure!"

Ivy let out a low whistle, finally understanding the magnitude of what they had stumbled upon. "That’s… kind of insane," she admitted, handing the crystal over to the corpse puppet as if its weight suddenly grew heavier.

Syne nodded, a rare spark of intrigue lighting up his usually laid-back expression. "Interesting indeed," he muttered, his voice laced with anticipation. "Let’s keep going—see what else this place is hiding."

Ivy giggled, her voice a playful melody. "Sure thing captain! Let’s go, Deddy!"

Syne blinked, raising an eyebrow. "Deddy?"

"Oh, that’s what I call this puppet," Ivy said cheerfully, gesturing to the tall floating figure beside her. "Deddy, 'cause she's dead, ya know?"

Syne sighed internally, trying not to let the irony of her words grate on him. How could someone so cute say something so... unsettling? It didn’t seem to bother her in the slightest. With a shake of his head, Syne led the way, Ivy skipping along, humming a little tune as the group ventured deeper into the shimmering crystalline cave.

************

"I guess it's time," Lilith whispered, her gaze fixed on the shimmering pillar of energy still pulsating in the far distance, completely dismissing Mael, as he lay still on the ground, blood pooling beneath him from his gaping wounds.

'Is this really my only option?' She thought, her fists tightening as the silver light qi continued to swirl around her form like an ethereal cloak. She looked like a celestial being, a moon goddess who descended from the heavens.

With a heavy sigh, Lilith slowly descended, her feet touching the ground near Mael's battered form. Her expression cold, devoid of any emotion.

Mael, still grasping for breath, let out a raspy chuckle, his voice surprisingly defiant for someone with his insides exposed to the open air. "Do you really think you've won, girl? That you have me where you want me?" His eyes, despite his present state, gleamed with a twisted confidence.

Lilith didn't respond. Her cold red eyes locked onto his dark crimson ones, her expression one of sheer disgust. She twisted her lips as if even acknowledging his presence was beneath her. Seeing this Mael smiled "I suppose I should have expected nothing less from..."

Before Mael could finish, Lilith's hand shot out like a viper, slamming into his face with a force that made the earth beneath them quake. His skull cracked audibly against the ground, dirt and debris flying outward from the impact. She leaned down, her voice low and venomous. "Nothing but a winged dog."

And, without hesitation, she raised her other hand, her fingers forming a deadly point. In one swift motion, she drove her hand into his chest, piercing straight through his heart. Mael's body jerked, his red eyes wide with shock, as the light in them flickered and then began to fade. His aura, once terrifying and vast, faded away into nothingness, as his body slumped lifelessly against the earth.

"Noooooo!!!!" Khalifa's deafening scream tore through the air. Her hands clamped over her mouth as if trying to stop the horror from spilling out, but her wide, tear-filled eyes betrayed her disbelief. She floated helplessly in the distance, trembling. "Y-Young M-Master," her voice weak, barely more than a whisper, choked by her sobs.

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Lilith glanced toward Khalifa, her gaze cold and unyielding. She scuffed at the sight, her lips curling into a disdainful sneer. Mael's body lay limp before her, the life already drained. With a slow, deliberate motion, Lilith withdrew her hand from the wound, her fingers slick with blood. A frown tugged at her features, her expression hardening with disdain.

Slowly she closed her eyes, trying to calm her mind, lifting her hand closer to her face. Suddenly The blood on her hand began to shimmer and vibrate, responding to her will. It lifted, defying gravity, coalescing into a small, glowing red sphere. It hovered above her palm, pulsing faintly like a heartbeat, its light casting eerie shadows on her face.

With a flick of her wrist, a glass tube materialized, smooth and translucent. In one fluid motion, the sphere of blood drifted into the tube, sliding in as if obeying an unspoken command. Lilith sealed it with a sharp snap, her fingers lingering on the tube for a moment before she tied it on her waist, next to another glass tube containing another red orb, also tied there.

"I hope I’m wrong about this," she muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible. Her jaw tightened, frustration flashing in her eyes. The next instant, her form blurred, a burst of silver light exploding from her as she shot into the sky, leaving behind a gust of wind and the shrieking sounds of Khalifa's screams.

Without a moment's hesitation, Khalifa pushed through the air with desperation, dashing towards Mael's broken figure, or what was left of it. His body was in ruin. There was a massive diagonal slash across his chest, a gaping hole where his heart should have been, and his once-proud, handsome face was reduced to a mangled mess inside the crater that Lilith had left. The man she revered was unrecognizable.

Khalifa's legs buckled as soon as she reached him, her body collapsing beside his. Her knees hit the blood-soaked ground hard, but she didn't care. She tried to speak, her lips trembling, but the words wouldn't come out. Her throat felt like it was closing up, suffocating her. Tears welled up in her eyes, and they spilled over. She pressed her hands hard against her thighs, squeezing as if to hold herself together. She let out a strangled gasp before dropping her entire weight onto his ruined form. Her clothes and skin staining deep red with his blood.

"What do you think you're doing?" A familiar voice echoed, sharp and filled with authority.

Khalifa jolted upright, startled. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest as she scrambled to her feet, spinning around and darting her eyes in every direction. "M-Mael, is that you?" She stammered, her voice shaky, recognizing his voice, but unsure of where it was coming from.

"Who else would it be?" Mael's voice scoffed, as if the question itself was absurd.

It was then that Khalifa realized the voice wasn't coming from his mutilated body laying in front of her, nor from anywhere around her. No, it was in her mind. The revelation hit her like a cold wave, and her breath quickened. Just as she was about to respond, something else caught her attention.

Her eyes shot to the deep diagonal wound in Mael's chest. A soft, unnatural crunching sound filled her ear, like bones shifting and knitting together. Then, to her horror, small movement began to ripple beneath the skin. Before she could fully process what was happening, a large, grey, muscular arm burst through Mael's torso. It shot out with violent force, blood, bright glowing red, spilling everywhere.

"What the f.." Khalifa gasped, stumbling backward, her legs giving out as she fell to the ground in shock. Her heart raced as she stared at the grotesque scene unfolding before her eyes. Slowly, the arm moved, the hand opening like a grotesque flower, revealing a figure hidden inside.

Emerging from the open hand was Mael, perfectly whole, perfectly alive. His hair wild, shocking white, flowing down his back, and his deep crimson eyes gleamed with intensity. His clothing was nowhere to be seen, his muscular frame radiated an aura of dominance. His bat-like wings, curling around his form like an armor of shadow. However, rather than his original size of four meters he was currently standing at an approximately six foot two. Still, the power that radiated from him was undeniable. His face, now restored to its unmistakably handsome features, twisted into a smirk as he stood tall before her.

Khalifa could hardly breathe, her chest rising and falling rapidly, her excitement overwhelming. "You're alive? I thought," she began, her voice trembling with emotion.

"You thought what?" Mael's deep voice cut through the air like a blade. His crimson eyes bored into her, and the weight of his presence made her heart falter.

Khalifa's smile faded as she lowered her head slightly, her voice barely above a whisper, "I thought I'd never see you again." The innocence in her tone was almost childlike, a stark contrast to her appearance, wearing black tightly fitted clothing that left little to the imagination.

Mael, still completely naked yet unbothered, slowly raised his hand and placed it gently on her head. His previously stern expression softened into something resembling a smile, though it was faint.

"One day," he began, his voice low but filled with unwavering resolve. "I, Mael, will stand at the pinnacle of this world, casting my shadow over all those beneath me. I would never die in a place like this."

His words resonated deep within her heart. Mael, no longer the towering giant he once was, locked his eyes with hers. Khalifa, who once could sit comfortably on his large shoulder due to their size difference, now stood almost at eye-level with him. But she still felt dwarfed by his overwhelming aura.

"So," he continued, "never will I allow you to have thoughts like those again, or I might really have to kill you." His words, though threatening, carried an undercurrent of affection, a rare show of softness from a man such as Mael.

Khalifa's heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat. It was so rare for Mael to speak to her like this, and to even touch her head. She treasured every moment, knowing how fleeting they could be. A smile spread across her face, radiant with joy, as she nodded vigorously. "Y-Yes, Young Master, never again will I ever doubt you."

"Good," Mael said solemnly, his deep voice carrying tremendous weight. His hand, once resting gently on Khalifa’s head, now lifted, leaving her feeling a sudden emptiness. Her heart sank, and she couldn't help but long for the warmth of his touch again. He turned away, his gaze fixed on something distant, something only he could see. His back, broad and powerful, rippled with muscle beneath his skin, radiating strength and authority.

"I've learned some very interesting things today," he continued, his voice calm. "It's time to put that corpse puppet you’ve been using as a body to rest. For what we’re about to do, we’ll need to cripple ourselves... end our cultivation."

Khalifa’s eyes widened in shock, the horror of his words sinking in like a blade. "Become... a cripple?" The thought was unthinkable. To give up the power she had sacrificed so much for, to willingly sever her connection to cultivation—she could hardly process it. Her mind raced, filled with fear and disbelief.

But then, as quickly as the fear had taken hold, something shifted within her. Her eyes softened, and a radiant smile blossomed across her face. The doubt melted away, replaced by unwavering trust. "Yes, Young Master," she said, her voice steady, full of devotion. No hesitation. No fear.

Her hand swiftly piercing through her chest, blood flowing down her already bloodied outfit.

If Mael commanded it, there was no questioning. If it meant standing by his side, she would follow him even into the abyss, no matter the cost.