Part One: Awakening
(Xuanfang Tower)
As Taiyu and Qinghuan stabilized Arceus, a sudden surge of energy backlashed at them, causing them to drop their Qi, and the array weakened. "Oh no, State Preceptor", said Qinghuan. Concern spread across her face. She released her Qi and reinfused it with an array. Taiyu did the same. They then restabilized the array, "What was that?" asked Taiyu, confused. Xuanyu glanced at Qinghuan. At that moment, the core of Arceus appeared in the room above his body, positioned over his heart. "So, he managed it", said Qinghuan, relieved.
As they watched, the golden dense core immediately reentered Arceus's body. The hostile energy around his body dissipated and vanished. Qinghuan and Taiyu retracted their Qi, and the magical array vanished. They stood up from their sitting positions. Xuanyu watched as Arceus's body stabilized. He moved closer and sat down next to Arceus, holding his hand. "It will take a while for his body to heal and for the core to fuse with the other one to return to its original form", explained Qinghuan. Both she and Taiyu were exhausted, but she showed no sign of exhaustion.
"Since everything is fine here, I have to go check on the other one", said Qinghuan. She, along with Eunuch Gao, flashed off. Taiyu looked at Arceus with a pleased expression, "Forgive me my lord. I have exhausted my power, so I'll retire to my room", said Taiyu. His face shows signs of exhaustion. He flashed off. Xuanyu remained looking at Arceus, with such intensity and care, with a sense of warmth.
As Arceus's condition finally stabilizes. Elsewhere, Zhinu remains unconscious. Xinyu and Qingyu help Shangyu.
(Fengyong Palace)
"Do you think brother is okay?" asked Qingyu. Concern written over her face, slightly squeezing her fist. "He will be fine, little sister", said Xinyu, as a smile appeared on his face as he glanced at her. Yet the worry behind it was noticeable. They walked into the courtyard and rushed straight to the hall, unable to enter because the barrier set up by Xuanyu still posed a problem. As they stood at the entrance of the hall beside the barrier, Shangyu, who had been lying on the floor of the hall, conscious but unable to move, slightly lifted his head and noticed them. "Siblings", said he. His voice was soft, but his lips were readable.
Xinyu started to bang against the barrier as panic set in his mind, unable to think of how to break the barrier. At that moment, Qingyu remembered something, "Brother, the barrier was set up by Father using his inner force, right?" she asked. A curious expression filled her face as she looked at Xinyu. "Yes, it was, why?" Xinyu confused. "Good, then I can break it", said Qingyu, confident as her face lit up. "How are you going to break a barrier set by our father?" asked Xinyu, uncertain and worried. He knew that attempting to break the barrier could cause severe backlash of inner force. "You know the backlash of inner force if it goes wrong could kill you", explained Xinyu. His words were fueled with worry.
"It will be fine, I possess a similar foundation and mark of inner force like my father, that's why I possess a Phoenix core", explained Qingyu. A smile appeared on her face as if she was comforting Xinyu. Although he knew this uncertainty still lingered in his mind, the outcome was uncertain. Xinyu nodded reluctantly, and Qingyu proceeded to channel inner force in her palms. Xinyu worried looked on as he stepped back to give her some room, "Please work and be safe," Xinyu thought.
Unable to move, Shangyu, with his head slightly lifted, looked up. He reached out his hand regardless of the pain it would cause, for he sensed Qingyu's plan. "Stop, don't," he thought. The pain was visible on his face as he reached out his hand. Qingyu then slammed her palms against the barrier, ripple spread across the barrier. Qingyu then coughed up blood and got pushed back by a huge force of energy. Xinyu was shocked, reacted fast, and caught her in time, having tensely monitored her. She looked at him, with soft smile and jumped back up and again slammed and pressed her palms against the barrier.
Xinyu, visibly worried, could do nothing because he knew that this was the only way of breaking the barrier. Qingyu struggled as she released more of her inner force, which now resembled Xuanyu's fiery red flames. The barrier broke and scattered like glass. Qingyu gave a small smile as she looked at Shangyu, who had tears flowing from his eyes. She collapsed instantly.
(Xuanfang Tower)
As he stared at Arceus, Xuanyu suddenly felt an uneasy energy surge, "Qingyu," he thought.
(Crown Prince Palace)
"Do you think he will be alright?" asked Qingtian. As she sat beside him, with tears in her eyes, staring at Zhinu. "I cannot say, My Lady, it is difficult to know considering what occurred", said the Grand Imperial Physician (Su Qi).
"The emperor arrives!"
As Zhi'an entered the room, Qingtian wiped her tears and stood up. "Greeting, Your majesty", said Su Qi, as he bowed. Zhi'an signaled for him to rise. "Why are you here?" asked Qingtian. Her voice filled with anger. Zhi'an looked at her, despair filled his eyes and face, unable to answer her question. "Why are you here!!" shouted Qingtian, fury burning in her eyes and words. "He is my son", said Zhi'an. The pain in those words was visible as his eyes were tearing up. It felt like his throat choked, a feeling Zhi'an was not familiar with. Walked closer to Zhinu, lying on the bed. He sat down slowly and softly reached out his hand, placing it on Zhinu's chest.
"Forgive me", said Zhi'an. He sobbed uncontrollably, his tears creating huge spots of wet drops on the blanket. Everyone lowered their heads. Qingtian stared endlessly at them.
(Fengyong Palace)
"Qingyu!!" yelled Xinyu. He rushed to Qingyu, catching her as she fell to the ground. "Little Sister", said Shangyu softly. "You are fine", said Xinyu as he held her. His words were trembling in his mouth as his arms and hands were. "Yes, I will be", said Qingyu softly with a smile. She tried to comfort Xinyu. "I did it, go help elder brother", said Qingyu. Her voice was soft and fading. Xinyu shook his head in disagreement. Shangyu sobbed and called out her name, but his pain was so great that he stopped midway. Qingyu fell unconscious. Xinyu panicked but knew he had to remain calm. He placed her down, "Little sister, you be fine, I'll be right back," he said.
Xinyu then headed towards Shangyu, "Elder brother", said Xinyu. His words were fueled with a sense of sorrow and sadness. He lifted Shangyu and placed him in his arms, "You be fine brother, both of you will be fine", whispered Xinyu softly. His face said all the fear was written as clear as day. Shangyu was unable to move but forced himself; he held Xinyu's hand and gave a soft smile. Shangyu's eyes slowly started closing themselves unable to stay open; he fell unconscious.
"Elder brother", said Xinyu loudly. Not knowing what happened, Xinyu started shaking Shangyu wildly to wake him up as he cried. Both his siblings were unconscious, and he did not know what to do. "What do I do?" he asked himself. Fear seeps into his thoughts. He started to cry harder.
[Middle-Ring]
(Medical Department)
"Grandfather", said Jinxi. His voice was soft and dry. Jinhui instantly stood up and rushed to his side. "Yes, I am here", whispered he softly. Jinhui helped Jinxi sit up straight. Jinxi's eyes were blurry, but as they cleared, he saw where he was, "The Medical Department," he sighed. "Yes, I am glad you are awake and relieved", said Jinhui, releasing heavy sigh, "Grandfather, relieved?" asked Jinxi curious. "Yes, if you hadn't woken up, I would have notified your father and older brother", explained Jinhui. Jinxi nodded.
Jinxi glanced out the window, and a strange feeling hit him. "What is that?" he asked. His expression is hard and confusing. "That would be the leftover of Shangyuan's energy; it should dissipate when he wakes up", said Jinhui calmly. Jinxi nodded.
(Crown Prince Palace)
Zhi'an sat and sobbed next to Zhinu on his bed. He had placed his hand on his chest, sensing and feeling his son's life force slowly dissipating.
"Grand Empress Dowager arrives."
Qinghuan entered the room. Qingtian stood still and slightly bowed, "Greetings, Your majesty." She then rose. "Great-grandmother, I did not know you were coming", said Zhi'an, distressed. "Your majesty, I have come to help the young crown prince", said Qinghuan. Hope filled Qingtian's face. "Really," she said, and Qinghuan nodded. Qinghuan approached Zhinu as he lay on the bed, "I had no intention of ever using this, but know it calls for it", said Qinghuan, reluctantly. "What is it?" asked Zhi'an, curious and worried. "Do not worry, it won't harm Zhinu. It is a drop of the pool of Godly Blessings from the God Realm", said Qinghuan. Zhi'an, shocked, stood still. Qingtian, in disbelief, lowered her head and then glanced at Zhinu. "How is that possible?" asked Zhi'an. His face was riddled with confusion. "It was collected by my ancestors before the Fall of the God Realm, given to them as a gift by the Prime of the Heavens", explained Qinghuan boldly. "What does it do?" asked Su Qi, curiosity written in his words.
"The pool of Godly Blessings is a small pond in the God Realm that is filled with pure energy in the form of water that has formed because of the pure good deeds of the divine and further enriched by the care of the Primes. Drinking or taking from the pool was strictly forbidden by the Primes; even the High Gods and Primordial Gods could not touch it, unless given directly by a Prime as a gift. The pool can heal all ailments, divine even godly ailments. It has the power to defeat death itself and even possibly allow someone born without a core to develop a core", explained Qinghuan as she waved her hand, and a small jade glass bottle appeared in her hand. The small bottle shone with a Godly light unseen by anyone in the room.
"Just an invention would be very helpful to cure ailments in creations", said Su Qi, interested. "Yes, it would, but life is meant to be lived and experienced. The approaching Mortal Realms would surely seek this as it would be quite empowering to them. It would give them instant divinity", said Qinghuan. Her words are clear and serious with a sense of sarcasm at the end. Qinghuan then opened the small bottle with her Qi, and, using her Qi along with her inner force, guided the small, faint drop towards Zhinu's mouth. Zhinu swallowed the drop, and his complexion immediately cleared and brightened. Zhi'an placed his hand on Zhinu's chest, "I can sense it, his core is forming". He said as joy filled his face and heart. Qingtian wept and sat down next to Zhinu, gently hugging him.
With Zhinu being cured and safe by the Godly Blessing drop. Shangyu and Qingyu are both now unconscious. Elsewhere, the darkness begins to march and grow greater and stronger.