After what felt like an eternity, Blake finally sensed the faint tremor of a breakthrough. His eyes sharpened as he focused everything on pushing into the mid grade.
The blood within his body began to boil violently, heat surging through his veins. Wisps of blood-colored vapor seeped out from his skin, only to be swiftly pulled back inside by the Silent Sutra. As a 5th-rank sutra, its effects were profound, stabilizing his body and suppressing any wasted energy.
"The key to advancing to the mid grade lies in increasing blood concentration—filling it with strength far beyond that of ordinary blood," Blake recalled.
"As for advancing to the high grade, the bones must be refined through destruction and repair, forging them into something far sturdier than before."
With a final push, Blake broke through successfully, stepping into the mid grade of the 2nd rank.
"My strength has at least doubled compared to before."
He clenched his fist, feeling the solid, undeniable power flowing through him. This wasn't a dream—this strength was real.
Morning arrived soon after. Blake ended his cultivation session, had breakfast, and then headed back to the mansion to resume his duties—cleaning and mopping as usual.
***
Far away from the Silverwing Empire, within one of the hundred rooms of the Triss family, a boy slowly opened his eyes, staring at his surroundings with confusion and disbelief.
"Wasn't I killed by those traitors?"
"This place… isn't this where I lived before leaving this world?"
"Have I… returned to the past?"
Before he could process his thoughts, voices sounded from outside the room.
"Miss, we aren't even allowed to be here, much less meet the Seventh Young Master."
"Humph! I'd like to see who dares stop me," a girl snapped coldly. "And if anyone does, I won't hesitate to tell my grandfather how the Triss family bullied me."
The guardian immediately fell silent. She knew exactly who the girl's grandfather was—before him, even the proud and arrogant Triss family had no choice but to lower their heads.
The girl pushed the door open and looked towards the man on the bed.
The gaze that met hers was filled with countless emotions.
"Ray… are you okay? W-why are you staring at me?"
Halfway through her sentence, she lowered her head, her cheeks flushing slightly. For some reason, she couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes.
"I'm fine, Stella. You didn't need to worry about me."
Ray's voice was calm and gentle as he nodded at her.
"Huh? Why do you sound so different?" Stella asked, concern flickering across her face. "Are you really alright, or should I call the physicians from my family?"
"Don't worry," Ray replied as he got out of bed. "I'm fine. In fact, I've never felt better in my life."
"Huff… that's good." Relief washed over Stella before her expression hardened.
"Now tell me—who did this to you? I swear I'll break every bone in their body and hang them upside down at the Triss family gates."
"Don't worry," Ray said reassuringly. "Once I've fully recovered, I'll make them pay the price for scheming against me."
After confirming he was truly fine, Stella reluctantly left the room, her expression shy as Ray mentioned needing to change clothes.
"This is wonderful…"
"To think I've returned to the past—right before the battle for the position of Family Head."
"This time, everything will be different."
Ray's eyes gleamed dangerously.
"I, the King of Gods, will reclaim everything that was once mine. Anyone who dares stand in my way… will be destroyed."
"But first, I must increase my cultivation."
"With higher cultivation, I can gain the favor of the Stargaze family. With their support and my strength, becoming the Family Head of the Triss family will be inevitable—and I'll marry Stella."
"And when the Heavenly Stair reopens, I will ascend as a Heavenly-grade God."
Ray was someone who knew the future—its secrets, its turning points—and he intended to use every one of them to rise.
But first… cultivation.
He sat down cross-legged and searched through his memories. After two minutes, he made his decision.
"I'm only a 2nd-rank mage. That won't be enough to win the Family Tournament."
"I'll cultivate both the warrior and mage paths."
"Sword God Sutra—6th rank, peak grade. The fastest way to increase killing power, and it places less strain on the soul.
After all, any sutra above the 5th rank burdens the practitioner's soul. That's why higher beings focus on only one or two sutras."
"Flaming Sword Lord Sutra—6th rank, peak grade. Perfect for the mage path. Combined with the Sword God Sutra, it will grant explosive power."
"When I reach the 6th rank… I'll merge them."
"With a sword in my hand and flames of death surrounding me… who would dare block my path?"
Ray began cultivating the Flaming Sword Lord Sutra, aiming to rapidly boost his explosive power and reach the 3rd rank as soon as possible before shifting focus to the Sword God Sutra.
Elsewhere within the Triss family…
"He's still alive? Are you certain?"
"Yes, my lord. It's nearly confirmed. Miss Stella didn't appear sorrowful when she left his room."
"Idiots. My brothers are nothing but useless trash."
"They couldn't even kill that disgraceful bastard."
"Stella can only be mine. By marrying her, becoming the son-in-law of the Stargaze family will be effortless."
"Sirius—when that bastard leaves his room, inform me immediately."
"This time, I'll make sure he dies."
"Yes, my lord!"