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Chapter 147: The Journey Begins
The divine radiance slowly dispersed.
It had never been meant to last forever.
As the light faded, Shen's body returned to its original state. The shattered ground settled, dust drifting down like fallen ash. Outwardly, he appeared no different from before—yet within him, a quiet, profound power continued to circulate, flowing through his meridians like an endless river.
Saen's breathing grew unsteady.
"Master… what just happened?"
Before Shen could speak, Lare stepped forward. His gaze was deep, as though he were staring beyond the mortal realm itself.
"Shen has received an engraving from God Sael."
The words struck like thunder.
Saen's pupils shrank.
"A… divine engraving?!"
Lare nodded slowly.
"Yes. A blessing granted by a higher existence.
It marks the beginning of his evolution—
the first step toward godhood."
Silence followed.
Shen lowered his head.
For a moment, his shoulders trembled. Tears fell soundlessly, soaking into the dust below. Memories of fallen comrades, shattered vows, and unfulfilled promises surged through him like a raging tide.
Then—
He exhaled.
The trembling stopped.
Shen wiped his tears away and raised his head. His eyes no longer carried sorrow alone, but something far heavier—resolve sharpened by suffering.
"For all this time," Shen said softly,
"I believed I had no need for gods."
His fingers slowly clenched.
"But now I understand."
A faint pressure spread through the air.
"I will climb to the heavens themselves.
I will crush that evil at its root.
And I will bring my friends back—
no matter the price."
Saen swallowed hard.
"How… can you do such a thing?"
Shen did not answer immediately.
He turned and extended his hand—pointing toward Sael.
Sael stiffened.
"…Me?" he asked, his voice shaking.
Shen stepped forward and grasped Sael's hand. From his sleeve, he produced a simple glove, stitched with ancient threads that appeared ordinary—yet carried an unfathomable depth.
The glove slid over Sael's hand.
The moment it settled—
A sharp pulse erupted.
Sael's body froze as his vision flooded with blinding clarity. His pupils transformed, reflecting a pure, untainted light.
The Pure Eye awakened.
Sael gasped, staggering back.
"What… is this power?"
Shen smiled faintly.
"Destiny has chosen you."
A cold wind swept across the land.
Far away—one thousand two hundred kilometers from where they stood—a colossal mountain pierced the sky. Its presence alone crushed the surrounding air.
Saen followed Shen's gaze.
His face turned pale.
"T-That mountain…" he whispered.
"Death Mountain."
His voice trembled as realization struck him.
"Master… are you truly going there?"
He clenched his fists.
"To the Universe One Gate?"
Saen hesitated before asking the question burning in his heart.
"Is it true… that beyond it lies another universe?"
"A realm where the gods themselves dwell?"
Shen stood still.
His robe fluttered as an invisible force gathered around him—not violent, not oppressive—only unyielding will.
Slowly—
He smiled.
"Yes."
That single word echoed like a vow carved into heaven.
"The heavens are not unreachable," Shen said calmly.
"They are simply unchallenged."
The wind howled.
The path ahead was soaked in blood, trials, and destiny.
And yet—
The journey had already begun.
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