The Edge of the Great Desolate Forest.
The sky was filled with the roar of beasts.
A massive Blue-Scaled Dragon descended from the clouds, its wings stirring up a hurricane. Standing on its head was Ryuu Bichi, the Dragon Maiden of the Ancestral Dragon Nest.
Her azure armor gleamed in the dim light, hugging her athletic figure. Her dragon horns glowed with bio-luminescence.
"So, the Secret Realm is finally opening," Bichi murmured, her slit-pupiled eyes scanning the gathered crowd. "I want to see if this Ryuzaki Divine Son really has three heads and six arms."
She did not underestimate him. But as a descendant of the Azure Dragon Emperor, she refused to believe anyone was invincible.
"In this Era of Strife," she smirked, touching her twin swords, "invincibility is just a lie told by the weak. If I can't kill him, I can at least escape."
Nearby, a Nine-Headed Golden Lion roared, its golden fur burning like a sun. A Swallow-Sky Sparrow circled overhead, its dark aura withering the trees below. The Primeval Races had arrived in force.
Southern Sky City.
Ryuzaki Haruto and his entourage stepped out of the Sky Palace.
Immediately, thousands of eyes locked onto them. Haruto, dressed in simple white robes, looked like a deity taking a mortal stroll. His presence naturally dominated the space.
Haruto. It's been a long time."
A melodious voice, soft as a nightingale, drifted through the air.
Haruto stopped and turned.
Descending from a floating boat was a woman who could only be described as a masterpiece of the Creator. She wore flowing white robes embroidered with blue clouds. Her hair was like a waterfall of ink, and her skin glowed with the luster of fine jade.
She possessed the Congenital Dao Embryo (Wait, no—Sayaka has the Dao Embryo. This woman has the Congenital Dao Heart). Her aura was perfectly in tune with nature, making the wind and flowers dance around her.
This was Minamoto Yuna .
She was the Saintess of the Minamoto Clan. Technically, she was Haruto's aunt (his mother Lady Shizuka's younger cousin), but she was only twenty-four years old—a peerless beauty in her prime.
"Sister Yuna," Haruto smiled warmly, changing his address from 'Aunt' to 'Sister' at her glare.
"That's better," Yuna landed softly in front of him, her eyes curving into crescents. "You've grown taller. And more handsome."
Standing next to Haruto, Minamoto Sayaka bowed respectfully. "Saintess."
"Sayaka," Yuna nodded. She glanced between Haruto and Sayaka, sensing the lingering resonance. A teasing glint appeared in her eyes. "I see you two have been... close."
Sayaka blushed furiously and looked down. Haruto remained thick-skinned.
"Where is Ruri?" Haruto asked, changing the subject. "I expected that noisy little stalker to be glued to you."
"Ruri is in secluded cultivation," Yuna laughed, covering her mouth with her sleeve. "She was throwing a tantrum because the Elders wouldn't let her come. She swore that when she gets out, she'll stick to you like glue."
"Let her cultivate," Haruto shuddered slightly. "Peace is nice."
"So, Haruto," Yuna stepped closer, her scent of orchids filling his nose. "Are you going to let Big Sister protect you in the Secret Realm?"
Haruto raised an eyebrow. "Protect me? Sister Yuna, aren't you afraid of spraining your waist?"
"You brat!" Yuna playfully tapped his forehead. "I'm the Saintess! Show some respect."
The male cultivators watching this scene were grinding their teeth into dust.
"First the Dao Embryo Sayaka, now the Saintess Yuna? Does the Ryuzaki Divine Son want all the beauties of the Minamoto Clan?" "Life is unfair!"
The Activation of the Mirror.
Suddenly, the voice of the Void Sect's Grand Elder boomed across the sky.
"Attention! The Celestial Void Secret Realm is officially opening!"
"Due to the danger of the Gray Fog, the Elders of the Immortal Lineages have decided to activate the Ancient Sacred Weapon!"
HUMMM.
A beam of light shot up from the Ryuzaki camp. A massive bronze mirror floated into the sky, expanding until it was the size of a mountain.
The Mirror of Heaven.
The surface of the mirror rippled like water, then cleared to show the interior of the Great Desolate Forest. It was a live broadcast.
"This mirror will allow the outside world to watch the trials," Ryuzaki Kenshin announced. "It ensures fairness... and allows us to save any genius who is about to die."
Haruto glanced at the mirror. "A live stream, huh? The Elders really know how to put on a show."
"Let's go," Haruto flicked his sleeve.
"Yes, Divine Son!"
Behind him, Ryuzaki Kenji (Seq 10), Ryuzaki Yukino (Seq 7), and the newly loyal Ryuzaki Raijin (Seq 5) followed. Minamoto Yuna and Minamoto Sayaka walked beside him.
It was a lineup of monsters.
The Forest Entrance.
The group arrived at the edge of the Great Desolate Forest in minutes.
The Gray Fog was thicker here. Roars of mutated beasts echoed from the depths. The air smelled of ozone and blood.
"The entrance is ahead," Kenji pointed to a swirling vortex of space. "Those with Celestial Tokens can enter the core area. Those without can only explore the outer ring."
As they approached, Haruto felt a gaze burning into him.
He turned his head.
Standing on a hill nearby was a group from the Fujiwara Clan.
In the center stood a young man in golden robes. His right arm was exposed, glowing with blinding golden runes. Fujiwara Gen (The Little Saint).
Gen looked at Haruto, his eyes filled with provocation. He raised his golden arm and clenched his fist, crushing the air.
"Heh," Gen sneered. "So that is the Divine Son? He looks delicate."
Next to Haruto, Ryuzaki Kenji stiffened. His hand went to his sword hilt, his knuckles white.
"That's him," Kenji hissed, his voice filled with resentment.
"Who?" Haruto asked lazily.
"Fujiwara Gen," Kenji spat. "A year ago, we fought over a spirit mine. He used his cultivation advantage to defeat me in three moves. Then he spread rumors that the Ryuzaki Sequences are trash compared to the Fujiwara."
"Oh?" Haruto's eyes lit up. "He defeated you?"
"Yes..." Kenji lowered his head in shame. "I disgraced the Clan."
Haruto patted Kenji's shoulder. "Don't worry. I'm a very protective person."
Haruto turned his gaze back to Fujiwara Gen. He didn't look at Gen's face. He looked at his Right Arm.
His Supreme Bone pulsed in his chest. It was hungry.
"That arm..." Haruto licked his lips. "The Hand Bone of a Saint King."
"Kenji," Haruto whispered.
"Yes, Divine Son?"
"Remind me later," Haruto smiled, a smile that made Kenji shiver. "I need to... borrow something from that guy."
"Borrow?"
"Yes. An arm."
In the Shadows.
Far behind the main groups, Prince Seiryu pulled his hood lower. He watched Haruto enter the vortex, hatred burning in his gut.
"Just wait, Haruto," Seiryu hissed. "Once I get the Dragon Bone..."
He rushed into the forest.
Behind him, unseen by anyone, Princess Kaguya slipped into the shadows, following her beloved fool into the jaws of death.