She moved like a composer, weaving soul fragments into potions that could grant temporary immortality, forge fates, or preserve dying consciousness.
"Alchemy is not ingredients," she murmured. "It's harmony between soul and material. It's resurrection, it's transmutation... it's evolution."
She reached toward a collapsing spirit beast and bound its last breath into a pearl the size of her palm. Life and memory held fast within crystal.
From this, Asher unlocked Soul Extraction and Fusion Art, capable of crafting unique soul-based treasures, merging soul shards into condensed tools or even restoring shattered remnants of sentience.
Valeris's final orb welcomed her with a slow, aching silence.
A field of fallen cultivators. Wounds too grave. Breath too faint.
And amidst them all knelt a man in plain gray robes, eyes closed, hands held just above each chest. His soul pulsed outward—not loud, but steady, rhythmic. His power did not shake the skies.
It reminded her of a lullaby.
One by one, a heartbeat returned to those who had none. Their chests rose shakily. Eyes opened. Weak, confused—but alive.
"I don't force life," he said. "I merely remind the soul it's not finished yet."
His technique was Spirit Reclamation Pulse—an ethereal wave that rebalanced broken spirit vessels, stabilized soul injuries, or even tugged a spirit back from the brink of dispersal.
When Valeris returned to the chamber, her heart ached—both from the memory and the knowledge she now carried.
As the echoes of the visions faded, Asher and Valeris opened their eyes together.
Their bodies shimmered, haloed in the essence of those they'd inherited from—violet flickers in Asher's chest, silver arcs trailing Valeris's fingers.
"Our realm has increased," Valeris whispered, her voice laced with awe and calm control.
Asher nodded. "We've reached the peak of the Saint King Realm."
The power within them was undeniable now—steady, vast, and deep like an ancient river. They had surpassed mortal limits. It was time to leave this world behind… and resume the search for Asher's true home.
Valeris turned, her expression unreadable for a moment. "Should I inform them?" she asked, referring to the maids and butlers—those once-slaves they had rescued and given shelter to, who now served their mansion with sincere loyalty.
Asher shook his head slightly. "Just leave a note. I'm sure if we meet them face-to-face, they'll insist on following us—or worse, try to ascend with us unprepared. This is a journey meant for us alone."
Valeris understood. It wasn't out of cruelty, but necessity. Still… they deserved something.
"I'll leave soul orbs for them," she said gently.
With a wave of her hand, nine small orbs—each shimmering with a soft, warm glow—appeared. Each contained a minor soul technique or blessing, drawn from the remnants of her own power. She knelt and placed them upon a fine lacquered tray in the main hall of the mansion, setting each one with care beneath small nameplates. Beside them, she slid a folded note sealed with her sigil.
The message was simple.
"To our family in spirit—
We thank you for standing by us. These gifts will protect you, guide you, and bless your path forward.
Do not seek us. Your journey belongs here.
With honor and gratitude,
Then, without further ceremony, they rose into the sky—two streaks of light vanishing into the heavens. Behind them, the skies trembled faintly, and a ripple spread across the world like a final farewell. This chapter is updated by Novel~Fire. (n)et
The mansion remained quiet, its protective formation humming lightly.
Then the heavy wooden door creaked open. A tall butler named Dren—once a slave, now a proud steward—stepped in, his brow furrowed. They had not seen the lord and lady in days. Meals left untouched. No steps in the courtyard. No energy signatures from the cultivation chamber.
He searched every chamber… but found only silence.
Until he reached the main hall.
There, on the tray beneath the soft morning light, glimmered the nine soul orbs—warm and undisturbed. The note beside them caught his eye. He opened it with trembling hands.
Within moments, Dren's eyes widened. He rushed out, calling for the others.
They gathered quickly—maids, butlers, even the young boy who helped clean the library.
Together, they read the message. Silence followed, thick and heavy with emotion. Some teared up. Others smiled softly.
"They've left…" someone whispered.
"To reach a place beyond this world," Dren said, straightening. "But they didn't forget us."
"They gave us gifts…" a maid murmured, cupping one of the soul orbs gently in her hands. "They cared."
The entire household stood in solemn reverence, bathed in golden light pouring through the windows.
And high above—where no mortal eye could reach—two figures soared past the stars, beyond the veil of the world, and pierced through the shimmering boundary of the Galaxy Membrane.
Asher and Valeris flew with unmatched speed. Their bodies shimmered like comets, streaking through the void. Their current pace was over a hundred times faster than what they had once achieved—a testament to their newfound strength at the peak of the Saint King Realm.
They traveled in perfect harmony, gliding through the star-lit sea, until finally, they reached the very edge of their galaxy.
With a shared look, they pierced through the galactic boundary.
The scenery changed. Vast emptiness greeted them, filled only by distant, swirling lights—other galaxies, each one beating like a heart in the cosmic dark.
Behind them, their galaxy faded into a gleam. Before them, the path to the Universe's edge stretched like an endless corridor.
"You know," Valeris said mid-flight, her voice carried through soul transmission, "we still have to reach the limit of this universe."
Asher nodded, eyes steady on the horizon.
After leaving the galaxy, he had once again activated Absolute Appraisal, and the results had surprised even him.
They were from a Star-Mid Level Galaxy.
There were two more galaxy ranks: the High-Level Galaxy and then the Peak-Level Galaxy—each containing their own vastness, challenges, and mysteries.
"Which means," Asher said quietly, "there are still two more ascensions waiting for us. Two more trials before we can even hope to leave this universe."
Valeris smiled faintly. "Then I suppose we'd better not slow down."