The Gate of Ancient Gods was fully open.
A裂 in reality stretched across the sky.
Inside it—
Endless darkness.
Endless whispers.
Endless madness.
A colossal eye stared out.
Cold.
Ancient.
Hungry.
"Insignificant lifeforms…"
A voice echoed in every mind.
"Return my power…"
"Or perish…"
Seren dropped to one knee.
Blood leaked from her mouth.
Mira's formation trembled.
Elara struggled to stand.
Even Immortal cultivators nearby were collapsing.
Only Arin remained upright.
Wings spread.
Crown blazing.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Pressure Resistance: MAX
Arin stepped forward.
"Your era ended."
"This one is mine."
Ancient God Fragment Attacks
The eye narrowed.
A beam of oblivion fired.
Reality melted.
Mountains ceased to exist.
Arin crossed his arms.
"Dragon Sovereign Barrier!"
Golden scales layered.
Boom!!!
He was pushed back kilometers.
Blood dripped from his lips.
But he stood.
Elara cried.
"Stop! You'll die!"
He smiled.
"If I fall…"
"Who protects you?"
Family Resonance
Suddenly—
Auren's heart glowed.
Ardyn's mark ignited.
Dragon and phoenix energy intertwined.
They resonated.
With Arin.
With Elara.
With fate.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Bloodline Resonance: Activated
Family Link: Divine Tier
Light enveloped them.
A massive phantom formed.
Dragon body.
Phoenix wings.
Human crown.
The Sovereign Guardian.
Seren stared.
"…That's our family?"
Mira whispered.
"A collective divine construct…"
Kharos' Last Move
Kharos emerged.
Half-corrupted.
Half-mad.
"Give me the power!"
He rushed toward the core.
Arin roared.
"Not happening!"
He merged with the phantom.
"Family Art — Eternal Sovereign!"
The Guardian raised its blade.
Forged from love.
Blood.
Will.
Slash.
The beam split.
The gate cracked.
Kharos screamed.
Erased.
Soul.
Body.
History.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Void Herald Eliminated
Fate Line Severed
Final Clash
The Ancient Eye widened.
"No—!"
The Guardian thrust forward.
Piercing the core.
Divine light exploded.
BOOOOOOM!!!
The realm collapsed.
Time froze.
Then shattered.
Aftermath — White Space
Silence.
Arin floated.
Holding Elara.
Auren clung to him.
Ardyn slept peacefully.
Seren and Mira drifted nearby.
Alive.
Barely.
A golden fragment descended.
Pure.
Perfect.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Godhood Fragment Acquired
Progress: 1/7
Return
Light flashed.
They reappeared in Frostwind Palace.
Safe.
Whole.
Victorious.
Heaven trembled.
Upper Realm panicked.
"The gate is destroyed!"
"The Emperor survived!"
"He's collecting godhood!"
Arin looked at his family.
Smiled softly.
"Home."