**Chapter 70: Vault of the Tyrant Flame**
Kael stood at the base of the towering celestial gate, black runes pulsing across the vault's obsidian arch. Ancient power thrummed through the stones beneath his feet, and he exhaled slowly, centering himself. This wasn't just an inheritance—it was a crucible of flame, forged by the wrath of a warlord who once challenged the heavens.
> \[Trial Initiated — Legacy of the Tyrant Flame]
> Objectives: Survive, Conquer, Claim the Flame
> Estimated Difficulty: S+
> Rewards: EXP 100,000,000 | Sin Points 1,000,000 | Skill: Tyrant's Judgment Flame
As he stepped through the gate, the chamber warped into black crystal terrain, lined with fire-rimmed pathways. Visions of burning kingdoms and celestial slaughter danced in the air—echoes of the warlord's past.
But the trial began not with a duel—but with a horde.
Thousands of monsters surged forth—ash-horned raptors, skeletal hydras, magma serpents. The realm was overflowing with beasts beyond count, their strength scaled to upper realms.
Kael cracked his neck, smiling. "A banquet of power."
His divine blade hummed, and he lunged.
---
**Vault Battle: Kael's Wrath Unleashed**
Each swing of his blade painted arcs of silver flame. Bodies disintegrated before impact. The system chimed rapidly:
> \[Monster Defeated — Flameborn Efreet]
> EXP: +500,000 | Sin Points: +5,000
> \[Monster Defeated — Molten Basilisk]
> EXP: +750,000 | Sin Points: +8,000
> \[Monster Defeated — Tyrant Moth Queen]
> EXP: +1,000,000 | Sin Points: +15,000
> \[Chain Kill Bonus Activated — +5% EXP Multiplier]
> \[EXP Gained: +8,400,000]
> \[Sin Points Gained: +112,000]
His stats surged. Each strike built momentum, every kill pouring strength into him. For weeks inside the vault, Kael hadn't rested. He had become a force of nature.
> \[System Level Increased — 31 → 32 → 33 → 34]
> Realm Tier Advancement: Moonglade Realm, Tier 2 → Tier 6
"Tribulation only comes at Tier 9," Kael reminded himself. "Until then, I rise."
He crushed another charging beast with a shockwave of fire. Behind him, a mountain of corpses dissolved into ash.
> \[EXP Remaining for Next System Level: 112,280,000 EXP]
> \[Sin Points Total: 5,032,000]
---
**Outside the Dimension — Time Flows Differently**
Only hours had passed outside, but weeks had gone by within the Sacred Vault.
Selene walked out of the dimension to check on the others, her body still radiant from her Skyshatter breakthrough. The wind curled around her, sensing her new power.
Thalaria, who had recently returned from scouting the storm-washed plains, narrowed her eyes. "You've changed."
Selene nodded. "Inheritance changes more than strength. It stirs memories… truths. I needed to breathe."
Evelyne remained inside, eyes closed in meditation, feeding her newly expanded lunar flames with pure ambient mana. She wouldn't leave until Kael emerged.
Back in the temporary base camp, Valeria stirred soup while Nysera painted defensive blood glyphs around the camp.
Thalaria, always brash, sat down beside them. "How long has he been in there?"
"Over a week by now," Valeria said.
"I miss him," Nysera muttered. "It feels strange not having him nearby."
Selene stepped in, her presence shifting the mood. "He's alive. Burning with purpose. I could feel it the moment I stepped out."
The women grew silent for a moment.
"I'll be rejoining him soon," Selene added. "But Thalaria…"
Thalaria stood up. "I'm coming with you."
"You'll be subject to the same limit. Only one can enter at a time," Selene warned.
"Then wait until I'm done. If that place is as powerful as you claim, I need it."
They exchanged firm nods. Valeria smiled wistfully. "We're all running toward him in our own way."
---
**Vault Core — Boss Chamber Activates**
At the deepest chamber, a throne of obsidian and fire rose.
> \[Boss Encounter Detected — Flame King's Remnant]
> Difficulty: Overlord Class
Kael approached, fire clinging to his boots. The remnant—an echo of the warlord's soul—lifted its molten blade.
> \[WARNING: Combat Initiating — Final Sin Synchronization Possible]
Kael grinned. "Finally… something worth my full strength."
---
**STATUS WINDOW: KAEL VIREN**
* **System Level:** 34
* **EXP:** 10,600,000 / 122,880,000
* **Realm:** Moonglade Realm — Tier 6/9
* **HP:** 42,000 / 42,000
* **Mana:** 49,200 / 49,200
**Stats (with buffs):**
* Strength: 735 ×2.1 ×2 = **3,087**
* Endurance: 700 ×2.1 = **1,470**
* Willpower: 712 ×2.1 = **1,495**
* Charm: 802 ×2.1 = **1,684**
* Intellect: 610 ×2.1 = **1,281**
* Dexterity: 684 ×2.1 ×2 = **2,869**
**Sin Points:** 5,032,000
**Bonded Wives:**
* **Selene** — Skyshatter 9/9, Moon/Shadow
* **Evelyne** — Moonglade 8/9, Ice/Lunar Flame
* **Thalaria** — Sunbound 3/9, Lightning
* **Nysera** — Skyshatter 1/9, Blood/Curse
* **Valeria** — Skyshatter 3/9, Nature/Wind
**Pet Panel:**
* Emberfang — Flame Tiger Cub (Tier 3)
* Vira — Sky Serpent Hatchling (Tier 2)
**Cultivation Realms:**
1. Initiate
2. Essence Drawn
3. Veinwoven
4. Soulroot
5. Starforged
6. Sunbound
7. Moonglade ← Current
8. Skyshatter
9. Worldpiercer
10. Heaven's Echo
11. Celestiaflame
12. Worldbreaker
13. Eternal Crown
14. Primordial Ascendant
15–18. Origin Flame (Locked)
**Skills:**
* **Divine Weapon Buff (Passive):** +200% Strength & Dexterity while equipped.
* **Heaven's Sigil:** +15% resistance to elemental/spiritual damage.
* **Harem Bond (Passive):** +30% stat share per bonded wife in battle; +12% if away.
* **Sacred Union:** Triggers major EXP gain, dual realm sync.
* **Tyrant's Judgment Flame** *(Locked — pending trial completion)*
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**Next: Chapter 71 — Wrath of the Warlord's Remnant**