"Deth, there must be Immortal Princes nearing the end of their lifespans right? Those who have failed to break through to the King Stage," Finn said calmly. "Can you locate one for me?" Deth's eyes shimmered with a golden light as he searched the vast threads of life and death. After a moment, he nodded. "There is one a hundred miles from here. He has eleven years left before his hundred million years expire. He has spent the last million searching desperately for a Life Essence Pill. To no avail."
A slow smile formed on Finn's lips. "Give me one. I will offer it to him, and he will become a loyal servant." Deth obeyed, producing the pill with a swirl of green-black mist, and even handed him several more without being asked. Finn accepted them, then gestured dismissively. "Return to your duties. If I require your aid again, I will call." Deth bowed once more before dissolving into the air like mist at dawn.
Finn understood the landscape of the First Realm very well. Its countless slave nations bound to Immortal clans, its hidden Immortal experts lurking in the shadows, and the countless forces that would crush any rising power without hesitation. Before making any move, he needed a solid foundation. Securing an Immortal Prince was an excellent first step, a powerful ally whose authority and experience could anchor his plans. It was strength he could claim as his own, without leaning too heavily on the immeasurable power of his seven seniors. This was how Pantheon would begin. Quietly, strategically, unshakably.
Finn suddenly sensed a powerful aura pulsing a few miles away, a thousand year old beast. Curious, he moved toward it. In this forest, where even Immortals hesitated to tread, beasts roamed freely, claiming the land as their sanctuary. Soon, he reached a clearing and found a Ruby Haired Horse grazing calmly, its crimson mane shimmering like flowing flame. This breed was renowned for its cultivation talent and sharp intelligence, nearly equal to a human's. At a thousand years old, its foundation was firm and its strength undeniable. Finn's eyes brightened. This was no ordinary beast, this was the perfect mount for him.
After going over to the field where the aura was emitted, Finn stepped closer to the Ruby Haired Horse, expecting it to rage out or flee, yet it neither panicked nor bared its teeth. Instead, it calmly met his gaze and lowered its head in a deep, deliberate bow. Confused, he muttered, "This… was easy." Then Deth's voice echoed softly through the coin, audible only to him. "While most humans cannot sense it, beasts can feel the Life and Death aura within you. Any creature, regardless of cultivation, will serve willingly, provided you assist in their growth as a reward. Of course, you could force them, but true loyalty is earned, not taken."
Finn knelt beside the Ruby Haired Horse, running a hand along its blazing mane. "You shall be called Yang," he said, inspired by the fiery aura radiating from its body. Yang lifted its head, eyes glimmering with understanding, acknowledging the name. Finn then gave it clear directions to Azure City, where the Immortal Prince lives. Though the city lay a hundred miles away, Yang's extraordinary cultivation and stamina meant the journey would take barely an hour and twenty minutes. The horse moved with effortless grace, muscles rippling, barely stirring the earth beneath him, carrying Finn swiftly toward their destination.
Finn arrived at the towering gates of Azure City, only to be stopped by guards who informed him that animals were forbidden within the walls. Nodding, he led Yang to a shaded spot beneath a sturdy tree and fed him a Life Essence Pill to restore his strength that was barely depleted. But, it was a reward for his service. Around the base of Yang's neck, Finn fastened a delicate golden energy string, a signal to all that this was no wild beast, but a companion with an owner. With a final pat, Finn turned and stepped into the city for the first time, following the luminous marker Deth had left as his guide.
Finn's eyes widened as he walked through the streets, marveling at Azure City's towering spires and ornate architecture. In all his past lives, he had never seen anything so grand. Cities of ordinary people could not compare. This was a place reserved for cultivators, nobles, and the extraordinarily wealthy. The streets bustled with finely dressed individuals, merchants calling out wares beyond ordinary imagination. His gaze landed on a shop displaying gleaming armors and elaborate garments. Smiling to himself, Finn stepped inside, eager to select clothes befitting someone of his newfound stature and power, garments that would not conceal but announce his presence in this city.
Finn selected a striking set of black-and-gold garments and armor, along with matching masks, the total cost reaching three thousand gold notes. That was more than many nobles would dare spend in one purchase. Slipping into the robes, he felt the pressure of the coming authority settle on his shoulders, appearing as a King yet to claim his throne. He donned the mask, sealing it with a potent concealment charm that also veiled his voice. From this day forward, he would be known as Shadow Dragon, allowing the subtle display of a Golden Core cultivator. Ready to roam the world, his ordinary appearance would remain Finn, a perfect disguise few would ever glimpse.
Finn arrived at the bustling Cheerful Inn, its warm lanterns and lively chatter a sharp contrast to the streets outside. Approaching the front desk, he requested a VIP room, his demeanor commanding enough to earn the immediate respect of the innkeeper, who bowed slightly as he led Finn inside. Across the hall, Finn noticed the room of the Immortal Prince he had come to meet, its door guarded by subtle yet unmistakable energy. Tomorrow, he would make his move, beginning the first step of a journey that would span realms, defy fate, and carve his name into the bones of the Nine Realms.