Sparks of lightning danced around the golden core on top of the Blood Titan’s palm. The gem had a crystalline structure with numerous glossy facets. Calron could see the chains of lightning condensed within it as they kept ricocheting off the inner walls.

The feeling of familiarity returned. The same sensation he’d felt when he first saw the Ivy Green Python’s core. But this time, it was magnitudes stronger. It was almost as if the Titan core was calling for him.

“How do I use it?”

Calron started to reach out for the core, but stopped himself midway.

In response to his question, the Blood Titan glanced at Martial who was lounging on the window.

“Eat it.”

The black pig replied with a grin, his curly tail swaying in mischief.

The Nature Titan observed Martial for a few seconds before nodding at the Blood Titan. The giant then stepped closer to Calron, urging the young man to take it.

“I’m afraid none of us really have the knowledge of how to use the Titan core properly. Martial was the only one with Taranis when he conducted the experiments, so I’ll trust his word on that.”

Looking at the goofy expression on Martial’s face, Calron nodded and grabbed the Titan core from the giant’s hand. The black pig was annoying, but Calron knew Martial didn’t actually mean him any harm.

The instant Calron’s fingers made contact with the glassy surface of the core, he felt a slight tingle in his nerves. And that was it. It didn’t seem any special now that Calron was holding it.

“Here it goes.”

Calron took in a deep breath and, without hesitation, swallowed the Titan core in a single gulp. Sparks of lightning sizzled around his neck, followed by a flash of scalding heat. The gem was turning burning hot inside his body. He could feel the scorching crystal slide down his gullet and then… nothing.

“How do you feel?”

The tiny dove flew over and asked Calron, her curiosity unhidden.

“I felt it burning inside my throat for a few seconds, but then it just-“

Just as Calron was in the midst of talking to the Nature Titan, his heart abruptly shuddered.

*thump*

Calron’s eyes widen as a wave of lightning unexpectedly discharges from him. The shockwaves momentarily pushed back the three Titans before the Blood Titan swiftly formed a crimson barrier, halting the invisible force in its tracks.

Calron could see the Titans saying something to him. However, his ears were ringing with static electricity and all he could hear was the rumbling of thunder. Deep within his stomach, the Titan core began pulsating and started to dissolve into countless golden particles. They rose from his stomach and made their way towards Calron’s heart. The same place where the dao circles resided.

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The particles gradually aligned themselves to form a thin membrane around the heart’s valves and commenced enveloping the whole organ. Only now did Calron realize what those yellow-golden particles were.

It was essence.

Astonishingly, the dao circles remained dormant and let the essence wrap itself around the heart without resistance. Calron took a closer look at what was happening and noticed that the golden membrane molded itself around the edges of the dao circles, keeping them unobstructed and unhindered from any movement. It was like an unspoken understanding had been established between the two systems.

Calron was speechless. He thought the Blood Dao would at least attempt to fight back at the foreign intruder, but it calmly accepted the essence. He could sense that the two systems were not truly merged together, only co-existing side by side. If Calron had to explain, it felt like his body was wrapped in two layers. He could use either of the layer as his ‘skin’, but not together at the same time.

How did Taranis achieve this?

Calron pondered, but his thoughts were soon interrupted when his heart finally melded with the golden membrane and a new source of energy rushed into his veins.

Essence.

A tsunami of golden essence poured into his veins. Calron started to laugh, as tears rolled down his cheeks. His long-lost power was once again reunited with him. A part of him had been afraid that he’d never get to be a cultivator again and forever lose his element.

With knowledge far surpassing his old self, Calron raised his hand and drew in all the essence in the vicinity. There wasn’t much lightning essence in the surroundings, but that didn’t matter to the current Calron. He was someone with a power equivalent to a Heavenly stage cultivator. A vortex of golden essence rapidly swirled above him as he channeled all the essence towards him.

A cacoon of lightning orbited around Calron as his essence storage propelled higher and higher at an alarming rate.

1st rank Spiritual stage… 3rd rank Spiritual stage… 7th rank Spiritual stage… 9th rank Spiritual stage…

BOOM!

A loud explosion reverberated as the gales of lightning pushed everything away from Calron in the center. The crimson barrier held steadfast with the Titans watching the scene unfold with excitement. Martial’s eyes seemed blurry as he gazed at Calron with emotion.

Are you watching this, Taranis? Your dream is becoming a reality today.

Yet the tremors didn’t stop there.

1st rank Vajra stage… 5th rank Vajra stage… peak Vajra stage…

Calron’s demonic white hair fluttered with the sonic waves as he broke into Saint stage. He tried to force his way into the 2nd rank of Saint stage, but it was at this moment that all the lightning essence had run out. This was an isolated dimension, and there wasn’t much lightning essence to begin with. Despite that, Calron was still satisfied. He’d recover his old cultivation and should easily be able to surge to the peak of Saint stage with enough essence.

Calron squeezed his fists together. Long whips of lightning crackled around his knuckles and swirled over his robes. With his lightning back, Calron’s connection to his old partner was once again established.

As a 4th circle path walker, Calron could sense traces of the World’s Law around him. It was now that he could finally see the bond that tied the azure lightning to his soul. He couldn’t yet decipher it. However, in the future, he’ll come to its truth. Calron wanted to bring out the azure lightning, but he could see the Divine Element was in a terrible state. Without essence, the element had been under starvation for a long time. It wasn’t even conscious now. Yet, Calron could see the new essence was nourishing the azure lightning, and soon, it’d be awake once again.

Meanwhile, the quakes gradually subsided as Calron stood still with his eyes closed. He attempted to use his Blood Dao, and watched as the lightning retreat into his heart as the red energy seeped out of his robes. He tried to bring out the lightning at the same time, but failed unsurprisingly. There should be something that he’s missing. But that was for later. He could now hear the Titans’ yelling in the background.

“Are you alright, you bastard?”

Martial’s hollering buzzed in Calron’s ears.

“Yes, I’m fine. In fact, I’m better than fine.”

Calron smiled as he slowly opened his eyes and felt the new power thrum within his body.

“What’s wrong with his eyes, Blood?”

Contrary to what Calron expected, the Titans appeared to be taken aback. He heard the Nature Titan mutter to the Blood Titan with a worrying look on her face.

“I don’t know. This is the first I’ve seen the Titan core used on a path walker.”

The Blood Titan whispered, his gaze fixed on Calron.

“Hey, what’s wrong? Why are all of you looking at me like that?”

Calron patted his face to see if something was growing out of his head. There was nothing. His face was the same as before.

“Take a look, bastard.”

Martial then summoned a giant silver tower shield and floated it in front of him. The surface of the shield was pristine enough to reflect light, and on it Calron saw his face.

No, more accurately, his eyes. They had changed yet once again.

His left eye had the same blood-colored irises. But his right eye was different.

“Was this supposed to happen?”

Calron turned to the Titans as he stared at his reflection.

One eye was colored blood-red, and the other…

… golden like the titan core.