One week later.
Deep in the forest clearing that had become their temporary stronghold, Drake sat cross-legged amid swirling qi. Pills from the shop, beast cores, and the compounded 1% bonuses from his summons pushed him forward relentlessly.
His dantian thrummed. Qi condensed, meridians expanded. A soft crack echoed in his body.
[Ding! Breakthrough: Mid Foundation Establishment achieved! Physique further enhanced. Lifespan extended +150 years. Combat power increased significantly.]
Drake opened his eyes, exhaling a thin stream of frosted breath mixed with faint embers. He felt stronger—sharper. Still far from invincible, but no longer prey.
Nearby, Aokiji lounged on an ice throne, Itachi stood motionless like a shadow, and Yamamoto sat cross-legged, Ryūjin Jakka resting across his knees, heat rippling the air around him. The 100-man army bundle trained in formation at the perimeter—silent, obedient.
A passing merchant caravan had stopped earlier for water. Overheard gossip drifted to them.
"…Jade Lotus Sect delegation still at Heavenly Sky Clan. Arranged marriage for their young miss, Lian Xue, to Lin Hao—the second son. Supposed to be the crippled one's spot, but he's long dead."
Drake's expression shifted. Lian Xue.
Fragments of the original body's memories surfaced: a gentle girl from a neighboring sect, betrothed to him years ago when he was still promising. Meetings at joint gatherings. Quiet conversations under cherry blossoms. She had never mocked his decline—only looked at him with quiet pity when the meridians failed.
He remembered her clearly now. Not love, perhaps. But respect. And she had been tied to him.
"This…" Drake murmured, "…is perfect."
Aokiji tilted his head. "…Marriage? Troublesome timing."
Itachi's voice was calm. "A public event. High concentration of elders, disciples, guests. Vulnerability disguised as celebration."
Yamamoto grunted. "A fitting stage for judgment. If they discarded the boy so easily, they deserve the fire that comes."
Drake nodded slowly. "Exactly. We crash the wedding. End the clan on their happiest day. No survivors among the elders and those who celebrated my 'death.' The rest… we'll see."
He looked at each summon in turn.
Aokiji shrugged. "…Lazy, but efficient. I'll freeze the escape routes."
Itachi: "Illusion will break their minds before blades touch them."
Yamamoto: "And flames will cleanse what remains."
Drake stood. "Prepare. We move on the ceremony day."
Cut to Heavenly Sky Clan main peak.
The grand plaza was decorated in red silk and floating lanterns. Lotus banners mingled with eagle emblems. Guests from allied sects filled the seats. Happy music drifted.
Lin Hao, dressed in ornate groom robes, approached Lian Xue in a private pavilion before the ceremony. She stood serene, white-and-lotus-pink dress flowing, cultivation steady at Foundation Establishment peak—same as him.
"Xue'er," Hao said smoothly, "you look radiant. Soon you'll be part of Heavenly Sky. Forget the trash who was supposed to stand here."
Lian Xue's expression cooled. "I agreed to this alliance for our sects. Not for your words."
Hao's smile faltered. "Still defending a dead cripple? He fell off a cliff because he was weak."
Her eyes flashed. A faint lotus qi gathered at her fingertips—ready to strike.
Hao sneered. "What? Gonna punish me for speaking truth? You're nothing special."
Before she could act, a heavy hand landed on Hao's shoulder. Lian Xue's father, Jade Lotus Sect elder, appeared.
"Enough," he said sternly. "This marriage is necessary. Our sect needs Heavenly Sky's protection against demonic incursions. Swallow your pride, both of you."
Lian Xue lowered her hand, lips tight. Hao backed off, but his eyes burned with humiliated rage.
The ceremony began.
Music swelled. The clan patriarch presided. Lin Hao and Lian Xue stood at the altar platform. Vows about to be exchanged.
Suddenly—screams from the main gate.
Heads rolled. Gate guards beheaded in a single invisible slash.
Then the massive jade gate exploded inward—pulverized into dust by invisible heat pressure.
Smoke cleared.
An elderly man in white haori stepped forward. Bald, scarred, eyes like burning coals. Ryūjin Jakka rested on his shoulder, the air around him shimmering with oppressive heat.
Yamamoto.
The clan elders shot to their feet. Nascent Soul ancestors in seclusion stirred, faces paling.
"That aura… late Nascent Soul? No—bordering Soul Transformation!"
"He's equal to our ancestors!"
Before panic could spread, frost swept in from the side.
Aokiji appeared, marine coat billowing, casual as ever.
He raised one hand.
"Ice Age."
A colossal wave of absolute zero rolled across the plaza. Disciples who tried to retaliate—Foundation Establishment, early Golden Core—froze mid-step, bodies encased, then shattered into glittering powder when they tried to break free.
Screams cut short.
From above, black flames flickered.
Itachi descended silently, Susanoo's skeletal arm manifesting just enough to loom. Crimson eyes spun.
Those elders attempting to flee—Golden Core and Nascent Soul—locked eyes with him.
Tsukuyomi.
In an instant, they were trapped in endless illusion. Faces twisted in horror. Some clawed at their own throats. Others drew swords and plunged them into their hearts. Bodies dropped, lifeless.
The plaza fell deathly silent.
Then, from the shattered gate, a lone figure walked through the smoke.
Drake.
Taller, broader, aura steady at mid Foundation Establishment—but the killing intent rolling off him was thick enough to choke. Ice rimed one fist, faint embers danced on the other.
Behind him, the 100-man army fanned out in formation.
The remaining clansmen—disciples, outer elders, guests—stared in frozen shock.
Lin Hao's face drained of color.
Lian Xue's eyes widened, hand flying to her mouth.
The third elder, Lin Zhan, staggered forward. "Lin… Drake? Impossible—you—"
Drake's grey eyes swept the crowd.
No words yet.
Just the promise of judgment.
The Heavenly Sky Clan, once proud and untouchable, stood on the edge of annihilation.
Shock rippled through every survivor.
[To be continued…]