The Return of Kaelen Viremont

Chapter 7: Awakening of the Dragon-Elephant

The sun dipped low over the canyon, spilling molten gold across the jagged cliffs. Kaelen Viremont’s white robes caught the light, gleaming so brightly that he seemed less like a man and more like a young immortal walking upon sunlight itself. Each step he took across the canyon floor carried a quiet authority. The world seemed to bend subtly to his presence, yet beneath that effortless grace lay an ancient solitude, a weight born from countless battles, past failures, and the venom still coursing through his veins.

The Creation Divine Art pulsed relentlessly inside him, assimilating the demonic essence of the Venomous Mad Python. In just half a day, Kaelen had shattered two bottlenecks, reaching the pinnacle of the Ninth Heaven of the True Martial Realm. Each heartbeat echoed like thunder through the canyon. Mortals would have bowed or fled.

From the shadowed cave behind him, Seraphina stirred. She stepped into the fading light just as Kaelen paused, his figure framed against the fiery sky.

She caught her breath.

He looked so radiant, so otherworldly. For a heartbeat, she hesitated, unwilling to disturb the sight before her.

“You’re awake?” Kaelen’s voice carried across the canyon, calm and firm. His eyes softened as he approached. “These past few days... they must have been hard on you.”

Seraphina met his gaze, determined despite the grime and exhaustion on her face.

“For my brother who saved my life, Seraphina will do anything,” she said firmly.

Kaelen raised a brow. “Brother who saved your life?”

“My name is Kaelen,” he corrected gently, a faint smile touching his lips.

“I’m Seraphina,” she said, extending her hand. “Then from now on... you’ll be Seraphina’s Brother Kaelen.”

Before he could respond, a sharp voice rang through the canyon.

“Ninth Princess. I’ve finally found you.”

Seraphina’s head snapped toward the sound. Recognition lit up her eyes.

“Sister Fianna!”

From the mouth of the canyon, a tall, poised figure emerged, draped in flowing crimson. Her gown clung to her flawless figure, while her long black hair fell like ink. Her eyes were sharp as tempered steel, radiating an imposing presence few could withstand.

Even Kaelen, at the peak of his cultivation, could feel it, a subtle pressure from her aura that was quiet yet terrifying.

Fianna approached confidently and took Seraphina’s hand. Her gaze shifted to Kaelen.

“Who are you? Why are you so close to the Ninth Princess?”

Seraphina spoke quickly, her cheeks flushed.

“Sister Fianna, you’re mistaken. Brother Kaelen is the one who saved my life.”

Fianna’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of unreadable thought passing through them. She said nothing more and turned away, leading Seraphina with her.

“Brother Kaelen, I’ll go with Sister Fianna first! I live in the Eldravan imperial palace. Don’t forget to visit!”

Seraphina’s voice rang out, urgent yet playful.

In an instant, Fianna’s figure rose gracefully into the night sky and vanished from sight.

Kaelen’s brow furrowed.

True flight.

To achieve it through martial cultivation, one had to surpass the True Martial Realm, Spirit Realm, Sky Realm, and Divine Martial Realm, finally reaching the legendary Titled Martial Realm.

Fianna alone demonstrated a level of mastery beyond imagination.

Back in the cave, Kaelen allowed himself a moment of quiet. His gaze fell upon the clay pot of herbs and the torn fabric Seraphina had used to bind his leg.

A small, warm smile tugged at his lips.

“Seraphina...”

On the dry grass lay a worn, leather-bound manual and a folded note written in elegant handwriting:

“Brother Kaelen, this ‘Ancient Dragon Elephant Fist’ is one of the Eldravan royal family’s three great martial inheritances, a Heaven-rank combat art. I wish to give it to you, so please do not refuse. It is only a small token of my gratitude.”

Kaelen’s eyes gleamed.

A Heaven-rank martial art, rarer and more powerful than Yellow, Profound, or Earth-rank martial arts.

His instincts warned him that treasure and danger were inseparable.

He tucked the manual into his robes and glanced at the ink-dark sky.

Fianna appeared again, her crimson gown catching the faint starlight. Her aura radiated the overwhelming presence of a Titled Martial Realm master.

Behind her, a blazing phoenix made of pure flame unfurled its wings, its cry shattering the silence of the night. The cave glowed as brightly as noon beneath its radiance.

Kaelen met her gaze calmly.

“Senior Fianna, what brings you back so suddenly?”

“You’re calm,” she observed, a faint smile touching her lips.

Her storage ring shimmered, producing a vermilion brocade box that landed at his feet.

Kaelen frowned.

“And this?”

“That girl’s identity is more complicated than simply being the Ninth Princess of Eldravan,” Fianna said coldly. “Stay away from her. Do not ruin her future. Ignore my warning at your peril.”

She glanced at the box.

“Inside is a Heaven-rank pill. It is enough to let you live comfortably in a small place like Ebonvale Prefecture City. As for anything beyond that... forget it. For someone like you, reaching the dragon gate is nothing more than a childish dream.”

Fianna vanished, leaving Kaelen alone with the silent cave and the tempting artifact.

Instead of yielding, Kaelen laughed, his laughter sharp as it cut through the night.

“What’s so amusing?” Fianna’s voice echoed back, taut with caution.

“You understand neither friendship nor loyalty,” Kaelen said coldly. “Some bonds cannot be replaced by treasure.”

With a single step, he crushed the brocade box beneath his boot.

The Heaven-rank pill turned to dust, rendered completely useless.

Fianna’s eyes widened as killing intent surged from her.

“You...”

“You what?” Kaelen’s voice thundered. “Who are you to decide another person’s fate? Stop talking and fight if you want me dead!”

The air trembled.

A vast, unyielding battle aura erupted from Kaelen, tearing through the heavens.

Behind him, the colossal Creation Furnace appeared, radiating abyssal darkness and a devouring power that few could withstand.

A cry split the night.

Fianna’s Fire Phoenix Martial Soul, proud and regal, trembled, its wings shivering against the darkness.

“You... awakened a Martial Soul?”

Fianna’s voice trembled.

Only those with supreme talent or ancient bloodlines could wield such power, and Kaelen’s presence proved that he possessed it.

Her icy composure quickly returned.

“Impressive, but meaningless. Your cultivation is shallow. Compared to true geniuses, you are still a lifetime behind.”

“My path is mine alone,” Kaelen replied, his voice steady and unwavering. “It is not yours to judge.”

She turned, her crimson gown becoming a streak across the horizon, leaving him alone with the Ancient Dragon Elephant Fist manual and the memories of Seraphina’s care.

A faint grin curved across his lips.

“My future... is mine to decide.”

Three days later, the roar of his strikes shook the canyon.

Behind him, the phantom image of a colossal dragon-elephant rose into the air, its tusks like mountains and its roar like thunder.

Mountains crumbled beneath his fists, every strike fueled by his mastery of Dragon Elephant Power.

Three strands of Dragon Elephant Power now coiled within him, multiplying his destructive power exponentially.

One dragon-elephant, ten, a hundred. The power seemed to have no limit.

His Creation Divine Art ensured that no limit remained.

The canyon wind whispered around him, carrying dust and fragments of stone.

Seven days had passed since Fianna’s departure.

Each strand of Dragon Elephant Power pulsed within him, eager and waiting to be unleashed.

If Fianna returned now, she might not dare speak to him as she had before.

Kaelen’s eyes gleamed.

Ahead of him lay limitless potential, unbound by realm or restriction.

Ahead lay the path he alone would carve.