Chapter 110: The Awakening of the Saints and the Army of Shadows
I. The Silence After the Pressure
When the gravity matrix deactivated, the Training Chamber did not fall into silence. Instead, the air filled with a vibrant hum—the sound of Qi being voraciously absorbed by bodies that had been emptied and stretched beyond their limits.
Samael, standing in the center, watched the steam rising from his family's skin. His violet eyes glowed, activating the Patriarch's Vision to evaluate the harvest.
—"Pain is the chisel," Samael said, his calm voice cutting through the charged atmosphere. —"And you are the masterpiece."
II. The Shadows: The Silent Death
Samael looked first toward the darkest corner of the room. There, where the torchlight could not reach, the darkness seemed to have texture, like a viscous liquid.
—"Malak," Samael called.
The shadow condensed. What emerged was not a common hooded figure, but an entity that seemed made of solid night and razor-sharp edges. Malak, the leader of the Legion, stepped forward. His presence was no longer that of an ethereal servant; it carried the weight of a mountain. Being linked to Samael's soul, the Patriarch's growth had violently dragged Malak upward.
[System: Linked Subordinate Analysis]
Name: Malak, the Reaper of Silence.
Rank: Mythic.
Current Cultivation: Saint Realm - Stage 1 (Initial).
Evolution: He has transcended his pure spirit form. He now possesses a Solid Shadow Body, capable of interacting physically with the world or becoming intangible at will.
Awakened Ability: Saint Assassination Domain. He can hide his killing intent even from experts of the Mid-Saint level.
Behind him, 100 pairs of red eyes ignited in the gloom. The Shadow Legion.
Troop Level: Origin Realm - Stage 9 (Peak).
—"Master," Malak's voice sounded like dry leaves being crushed. —"My legion can now infiltrate high-level sects. One hundred Origin Realm experts await your command. One word from you, and the Bronze Citadel will wake up without its officers."
Samael moved his head in a slow nod, satisfied. He now possessed a personal army that could raze small nations in a single night.
III. The Empress and the Phoenix: The Ascent to the Saint Realm
The most drastic change, however, occurred in the center of the hall. Two pillars of light—one icy blue and one crimson red—erupted toward the ceiling, forcing nearby disciples to recoil.
Seraphina Morningstar: The Patriarch's wife floated inches off the ground. The Frost Crown upon her head was no longer translucent; it was solid, real. Her skin glowed with a divine light. As she crossed the threshold into the Saint Realm, the blocks in her mind partially shattered.
Fragmented memories flooded her mind: A throne made of frozen stars... thousands of subjects kneeling... a poisoned wine glass offered by a friendly hand... the betrayal. Seraphina opened her eyes. They no longer held only maternal warmth; there was an ancient depth, a regal authority that made even Kael instinctively lower his gaze.
[Target: Seraphina]
Status: Partial Memories Unlocked (10%).
Physique: Supreme Yin Lotus Body (Awakened).
Cultivation: Saint Realm - Stage 1.
For a second, her eyes were not Seraphina's, but those of the ancient Empress. —"I remember... betrayals," she murmured, touching her temple. —"I remember worlds burning. But this time..." she looked at Samael, and the warmth returned, "this time, I have someone to hold the sky with me."
Lilith Morningstar: Beside her, the Great Elder roared. The flames surrounding her took the shape of a shrieking Phoenix. Years of stagnation and poison were burned away in an instant. Lilith visibly rejuvenated; fine wrinkles vanished, and her red hair regained the luster of fresh blood.
[Target: Lilith]
Cultivation: Saint Realm - Stage 1.
Evolution: Ash Phoenix Rebirth. Her fire now possesses healing properties for allies and devastating effects for enemies.
—"I have crossed the threshold," Lilith said, fire-tears evaporating on her cheeks. —"Samael... you have returned dignity to our blood. Now I can protect this clan with the strength of a true Saint."
IV. The Elders: The Semi-Saint Bottleneck
Further back, the other three Elders of the Council (Marcus, Livia, Sela) rose. Although they had not reached the Saint Realm like Lilith, their progress was monstrous by normal standards. They had consolidated their foundations in the stages of the Semi-Saint Realm.
Elder Marcus (Blacksmith): Semi-Saint (Perfection Stage). His skin looked like bronze. He was only one step away from enlightenment. "One more hammer blow," he thought, clenching his fists, "and I will break the sky."
Elder Torian: Now Semi-Saint Stage 4, he stood tall alongside the other elders, ready to break his own limit at any moment.
Elders Livia and Sela: Semi-Saint (High Stage). Their auras were stable and dense. They were no longer simple Origin cultivators; they could now exert limited spatial pressure.
V. The Golden Generation: Kings of Origin
Finally, Samael reviewed his brothers and sisters. They were the spearhead.
Kael (Sequence 1):
Cultivation: Origin Realm - Stage 9 (Peak).
Status: His physical body is already at the level of a Semi-Saint due to the gravity training. He only needs an epiphany regarding his "Sword Path" to break the barrier.
Note: He is a combat beast. He can kill Low Semi-Saints with brute force alone. Kael looked at his hands, closing his fist. The air exploded inside his palm from the pressure. —"I feel... that if I hit something, it won't just break. It will explode," Kael murmured, a predatory smile appearing on his face. He grabbed the Magma Fang and, for the first time, felt it was light as a feather.
The Ice and the Fire: The Twins Violeta (The Empress of Frost - Sequence 2): She no longer simply emanated cold. The space around her looked brittle, like glass about to shatter.
Cultivation: Origin Realm - Stage 8 (Mid).
Evolution: Her spatial affinity has fully awakened. She no longer needs to "cast" ice; she freezes the coordinates of space.
Linked Weapon: Silent Winter Blade. It floats beside her, vibrating in resonance with her pulse.
Eris (The Living Catastrophe - Sequence 3): If Violeta was absolute stillness, Eris was a leaking nuclear reactor.
Cultivation: Origin Realm - Stage 8 (Peak).
Evolution: She has purged the impurities of her fire. She now wields Concentrated Ruin Flame.
Physique: Qi Combustion Engine. Her energy recovery is 300% faster in frantic combat. —"I have so much energy I feel like I'm going to vomit fire," Eris growled, her teeth baring. —"I need to hit something. Now."
The Storm and the Mind: Xylia and Cedric Xylia (Sequence 6): She shook off the dust with imperial elegance. Blue sparks danced on her skin like obedient pets.
Cultivation: Origin Realm - Stage 9 (Initial).
Secret Note: Her Empress Soul is merging with her current body. Her "Command Aura" can now mentally suppress lower-level enemies before the fight even begins.
Cedric (Sequence 5): He sat gasping, but his gray eyes moved at a terrifying speed. The Saint Array Core Samael gave him orbited his head.
Cultivation: Origin Realm - Stage 7 (Peak).
Evolution: Multiprocess Mind. He can calculate and sustain 12 defensive formations simultaneously.
Elara: In a corner, almost invisible, was Elara. She hadn't advanced as much in brute strength, but her presence had become... non-existent.
Cultivation: Origin Realm - Stage 5.
Specialty: Void Stealth. She has learned to erase her thermal and spiritual trail. She is a ghost with knives.
VI. Military Strength Summary
Samael deactivated the System interface. The outlook was overwhelming.
Supreme Leader: Samael (Saint Stage 3).
True Saint Level: Seraphina, Lilith, Malak.
Semi-Saint Level: Marcus, Torian, Livia, Sela.
Origin Level (Peak/High): Kael, Violeta, Eris, Xylia, Cedric, Shadow Legion (100 units).
Elite Troop: 50 disciples (Origin Stages 1-3).
—"Listen well," Samael's voice boomed. —"A week ago, we were refugees hiding in the desert. Today, we have enough power to challenge a Second-Grade Empire."
He walked toward the exit, where the desert waited. —"But the world does not know it. And that is our greatest advantage." He looked at Elara and Violeta. —"Prepare the infiltration. Malak will cover you from the deep shadows."
—"Kael, you come with me to the front gate." Kael smiled. —"Are we going to be subtle, brother?" —"We are going to be... arrogant," Samael corrected. —"We are wealthy, foolish buyers with too many resources. Make them want to rob us. Make them underestimate us."
Samael turned to Malak. —"If the auction goes wrong... I want the Bronze Citadel to become a ghost town before the first drop of rain hits the ground." —"It will be a pleasure," the shadow replied.