As James completed the awakening of his Beast Space, he found himself in tiny soul form gazing deeply into the center of the newly formed realm where Ironfang's Beast Core floated, glowing faintly…Beating slowly…Steadily…
Ba-dum. Ba-dum.
Like a human heart echoing in the stillness of a void.
That familiar rhythm. That unmistakable pulse.
His first tamed beast.
His most beloved companion.
Still alive.
Something inside James tight and knotted for so long finally began to unravel.
His chest, once burdened with sorrow and guilt, suddenly felt… light. Lighter than it had in years.
For the first time in long time after sacrifice of Ironfang. He could breathe without pain. And just as that warm peace began to settle in....
WHOOSH!!!
The surrounding elemental mana Phoebus Light and Erebus Darkness which had been circling him like twin serpents during the formation of the Beast Space, suddenly flared brighter!
Instead of dispersing…
They surged into him again!
FWOOM!!!
A tidal wave of elemental energy crashed into his body, flowing through his veins, his aura, his bones like a flood meeting its destined ocean.
His body trembled
His aura shattered and rebuilt in a single instant!
Then
BOOM!!!
His cultivation erupted.
He was breaking through.
From 2nd Star Early-Stage Ascendant
Straight to 2nd Star Peak-Stage Ascendant
in a single, fluid motion.
CRACK!
The sound of unseen shackles breaking echoed within his soul.
The breakthrough was perfect.
No resistance. No inner demons holding him back.
No sorrow. No guilt. No fear.
Only
Hope. Peace.
And the radiant warmth of reunion.
The bond with Ironfang, once thought lost, had not only endured…It had become the catalyst for his evolution.
As the last wave of light dimmed around him, James slowly opened his eyes.
They glowed faintly, one eye kissed by golden light, the other veiled in deep shadow.
Balance.
Harmony.
Power.
And in his heart, a silent vow echoed
"We rise… together."
----
Meanwhile, just a few steps away, Jack, Emma, Ava, and little Sofia stood frozen in place, their eyes locked on James as the unexpected breakthrough unfolded right before them.
"He's breaking through!" Jack exclaimed, his voice a mix of disbelief and overflowing joy. When Jack creating Beast Space something like this never happened, he only create Beast Space realm with Pure liquid eleven elemental mana in it.
"Light and Darkness mana… it's merging into his aura perfectly," Ava whispered, her eyes gleaming in awe. Even for an Angel, what she was witnessing was extraordinary.
All of them beamed with silent delight. Their smiles, genuine, heartfelt, spoke louder than words.
Because this wasn't just a normal achievement.
This was rare. Not just the awakening of the Beast Space…But a double-stage breakthrough in one go.
A feat that required not only a clear mind, but exceptional talent and James had just proved himself as a true Beast Tamer Ascendant.
----
On the other side, James remained seated, immersed fully in the storm of transformation within.
He could feel everything
His muscles are stronger. His senses are sharper.
His connection to mana is deeper, more profound.
And within the depths of his Sea of Knowledge…
His Beast Space shimmered bathed in vibrant light and darkness mana.
At its core, Ironfang's Beast Core pulsed gently, beating like a sacred drum.
Ba-dum… Ba-dum…
Alive. Healing. Waiting for his return.
James opened his eyes slowly.
A profound brilliance shone within them like the birth of a star.
His lips curled into a peaceful, radiant smile.
With calm and composed steps, he stood and began walking toward his family, who were already waiting with eyes full of hope and pride.
The moment they saw him approaching
Jack stepped forward first, unable to hold back his excitement. "Dad! Did you open the Beast Space?"
James nodded firmly. "Yes."
Just that one word. And it was enough.
Everyone's smiles lit up like fireworks in their hearts.
"Congratulations, James!" Ava said, her voice warm and filled with sincere joy.
"You're awesome, hubby!" Emma cried as she jumped into his arms, hugging him tightly. "You really did it. You awakened the legendary Beast Space… and even broke through to 2nd Star Peak Stage Ascendant!"
"Dad, you're super cool! You're my superhero!" little Sofia cheered, bouncing with joy. Too short to reach his chest, she hugged his leg instead, giggling like a fluttering bell.
James let out a hearty laugh. "Haha…"
He reached down, gently patting Sofia's head.
"Thank you… all of you. For always believing in me. And supporting me."
He looked around....At his son Jack's proud grin,
At Emma's tearful smile, At Ava's glowing gaze, At Sofia's boundless energy.
And for a moment…
James's heart felt whole.
Full.
Complete.
'If only time could stop here… in this perfect moment,' he thought silently, a soft ache blooming in his chest. 'In the future, no matter what trials come… I just wish my family can stay happy like this. Always & forever.'
WHOOSH...
Outside, a gentle breeze whistled through the trees, brushing against the house like a whisper from the heavens.
And inside
Laughter bloomed. Smiles blossomed.
Like the warm sun rising after a long, endless winter.
----
Due to the awakening of his Beast Space and his breakthrough to the 2nd Star Peak Stage Ascendant, subtle yet powerful changes began to manifest in James's body transformations that marked his evolution not just in power, but in presence.
Before this moment, James looked like a man in his early forties weathered by years of experience and burdens. But now…
He looked like he was barely in his thirties.
His already well-built six-foot frame became even more refined. His muscular physique now radiated power every line chiseled, every contour sculpted to perfection. His six-pack abs tightened into sharper definition, as if carved from stone.
His skin, once toughened by time and battle, now gleamed with a smooth, jade-like luster resilient, yet ethereal.
The most dramatic change was in his hair once a simple mix of black and white, now infused with a subtle yet mesmerizing brilliance. Hints of silver and midnight blue danced through each strand, giving him a uniquely aura.
And finally
His eyes....Once deep and dark….Now deeper than darkness itself.
They had become like twin abysses, voids that seemed to gaze through reality itself. Anyone who met his gaze would feel a pull like falling endlessly into a starless sky.
James hadn't just broken through in Ascendant Stage.
He had been like reborn
Stronger.
Sharper.
Ascended.
A true Beast Tamer Ascendant both feared and revered in history with the help of Ancient Beasts Taming Technique that lost in history.
------
To Be Continued....!!