The wind whispered through the ancient forest as Lucian followed the voice in his mind—his newly awakened master, Michael.
"Let's begin your training," Michael said. "But first… we leave this place."
Lucian turned from the waterfall that had revealed the hidden path to his destiny. The sound of crashing water faded behind him as they stepped through the forest. The ring on his finger glowed faintly with every step, guiding him toward something greater.
"Now," Michael continued, "I need to understand what kind of divine body you possess. I sensed it earlier—powerful, dormant, untouched."
Lucian tilted his head. "How do I awaken it?"
"Normally, one must be born with a compatible cultivation technique to unleash the full potential of their body. You've been held back."
"Fortunately," Michael chuckled, "I possess millions of techniques. And for you—I've selected one worthy of your blood."
A scroll of golden light unfurled in Lucian's mind.
"This is a Demigod-tier cultivation technique… The Heaven Absorption Tactics."
Lucian's heart trembled as he sat down cross-legged on the forest floor.
"Circulate it as I guide you. Breathe. Feel the heavens in your lungs… the stars in your veins."
He obeyed.
Then—BOOM!
A shockwave of golden light erupted around him, and the entire section of the forest trembled. The clouds above parted. His body surged with unfamiliar power. His skin glowed like molten starlight. His blood burned—not with pain, but with power.
Then the visions came—ancient, distant, divine.
A colossal celestial dragon, woven from stars, soaring through galaxies.
A radiant seraphim angel, crowned with halos of flame and wings of gold, descending upon a battlefield of gods.
Lucian gasped as the truth struck his soul.
"So this is… my true self…"
Michael's voice returned, calm but thrilled.
"Indeed. Your Divine Star Dragon Body is one of the rarest physiques in all existence. And your Royal Seraphim Bloodline—a bloodline said to belong to the first-born angels who served the Heavenly Emperor himself."
Lucian stood slowly, glowing with divine energy. His aura was no longer like a mortal's. The ground beneath him had cracks from the sheer pressure of his presence.
"You've never used your body or your bloodline to even 1% of their potential," Michael said.
"Now look at you… soaring through cultivation ranks like a storm."
His cultivation surged—mid Rank 3, then late, and then—early Rank 4, Spirit Realm.
Lucian was stunned.
"What about my eyes?" he asked. "They reacted too."
Michael grew serious.
"Your eyes… must wait. They are not yet ready. They are part of the Top Ten Sacred Eyes—their power is immense, but volatile."
"You may awaken them at peak Rank 5, but the risk of backlash is high. The safest time is once you reach Rank 6, Origin Realm."
Lucian nodded slowly. "I understand."
He looked down at his hands, once weak, now trembling with divine strength.
"Let's go back," he said softly. "My family must be worried."
As Lucian walked through the glowing forest, the leaves shimmered under his divine pressure. Behind him, the sky itself seemed to ripple in awe.
In the distance, the Valerion clan—broken, hidden, lost—was about to feel hope again.
And somewhere, in the deepest parts of the heavens… an ancient power stirred.
The future Sword God had begun his ascent.