Day One: Investigation Begins
The formal investigation commenced at dawn. Anthonio stood in a specialized examination chamber surrounded by five Sovereign-level instructors, each wielding detection formations designed to reveal hidden secrets.
Master Veyron led the team, his expression professionally neutral but eyes sharp with suspicion. "Anthonio Crimsonhart, you're here voluntarily to address concerns about your cultivation progression. We'll be conducting comprehensive essence analysis. Any objections?"
"None," Anthonio replied calmly, the Ring of Crimson Shadows working overtime to suppress his true Transcendence 9-Star cultivation.
The formations activated, scanning his essence channels, his cultivation base, his power signature. Anthonio maintained perfect composure while internally managing the suppression—allowing them to see Transcendence 1-Star with "unusual properties" but nothing that would reveal dual primordial essences or pseudo-divine quality.
"Interesting," one instructor murmured. "The essence signature is definitely irregular. But I'm reading Transcendence 1-Star, stable and properly formed."
"The crimson variant seems to be an authentic mutation rather than external influence," another added. "Likely caused by the Heart of the Crimson Storm as reported."
Veyron frowned, clearly expecting more damning findings. "Run the secondary scan. Check for hidden artifacts, concealed techniques, forbidden methods."
More formations activated, probing deeper. Anthonio felt sweat forming—this level of scrutiny was dangerous. The Ring could hide his cultivation level but not perfectly mask everything.
"I'm detecting... something," an instructor said slowly. "An artifact of some kind. But it's deeply integrated with his cultivation base. Possibly the suppression ring he reported using to stabilize his Broken Veins transformation?"
"That's correct," Anthonio confirmed. "The Ring of Crimson Shadows. It helps manage essence flow irregularities from my unusual channels."
It was technically true—the Ring did manage essence flow, just not in the way they thought.
The examination continued for two grueling hours. By the end, the investigation team looked frustrated but couldn't identify anything definitively forbidden or dangerous.
"Results are... inconclusive," Veyron admitted reluctantly. "Your cultivation appears legitimate if unusual. We'll need to schedule follow-up examinations to track your progression over time."
"Of course," Anthonio agreed. "Though I'll be away from Academy grounds for the next few days. Personal cultivation matters that require privacy."
"How convenient," Veyron said coldly.
"Master Veyron, I'm cooperating fully with authorized investigation. If you have specific accusations rather than vague suspicions, please state them formally. Otherwise, I have legitimate cultivation work to attend to."
The instructor looked like he wanted to argue but had no grounds. Dean Victoria, present as administrative oversight, spoke up.
"The initial examination shows no violations. Mister Crimsonhart is free to continue his activities. We'll schedule follow-up sessions when he returns."
Anthonio left the examination chamber feeling drained but victorious. The investigation had found nothing definitive—exactly as planned.
Three more days, he thought. Three days until I'm beyond their ability to examine or control.
Day Two: Final Preparations
With the investigation temporarily concluded, Anthonio focused on final Ascension Trial preparations. He needed to reach a remote location where the heavenly tribulation wouldn't destroy Academy property or endanger students.
But first, he had personal matters to address.
Seraphina came to his quarters that evening, her silver eyes holding a mixture of determination and need. The moment the door closed, she was in his arms, kissing him desperately.
"Tomorrow you leave for the tribulation," she said between kisses. "And there's a real chance you won't come back. That heaven will judge you unworthy and kill you. I can't—I won't let you go without—"
He silenced her with a deep kiss, his hands moving to her clothes. "I'm coming back. I promise."
"You can't promise that. No one controls heavenly judgment." Her hands worked frantically at his belt. "But tonight, I need you. Need to feel you, have you, be completely yours one more time before you risk everything."
They stumbled toward the bed, shedding clothes frantically. When they were both naked, Anthonio paused to simply look at her. Seraphina was breathtaking—ice-blue hair spread across his pillow, silver eyes dark with desire, her pale skin seeming to glow in the candlelight.
"You're beautiful," he murmured, his hand trailing down her body. "Perfect in every way."
"Then make love to me like I'm perfect. Like I'm the only woman who matters. Because tonight, that's what I need to believe."
He kissed her slowly, deeply, taking his time. His hands explored her body with deliberate attention—cupping her breasts, teasing her nipples until she gasped, trailing down her stomach to the heat between her legs.
"Already so wet," he said, his fingers sliding through her slick folds. "So ready for me."
"Always ready for you," Seraphina breathed. "Only you. Forever you."
He pushed two fingers inside her, curling them to hit the spot that made her see stars. Seraphina's back arched, her hips rising to meet his hand, desperate for more friction, more pressure, more everything.
"Please," she moaned. "Don't tease. I need you inside me now."
"Not yet." He withdrew his fingers and replaced them with his mouth, his tongue finding her clit. Seraphina cried out, her hands tangling in his hair, holding him in place while he devoured her.
He took his time, alternating between broad strokes of his tongue and focused attention on her clit, occasionally pushing his tongue inside her to taste her essence. Seraphina writhed beneath him, her thighs trembling, her breath coming in desperate gasps.
"Anthonio—god—I'm going to—"
"Come for me," he commanded against her flesh. "Let me taste your pleasure."
She exploded, her orgasm crashing through her with such intensity that ice literally formed on the sheets around them, her Divine Essence responding to overwhelming sensation. Anthonio continued working her through it, prolonging her climax until she was sobbing his name.
When she finally came down, trembling and oversensitive, he moved up her body and positioned himself at her entrance. "Ready?"
"Yes. Please. I need you."
He pushed inside slowly, savoring every inch as her tight heat enveloped him. Seraphina's inner walls clenched around him, pulling him deeper, and they both groaned at the sensation.
"Fuck," he breathed. "You feel incredible. Every time, you feel perfect."
"Then move," she demanded. "Stop being gentle and fuck me properly. I want to feel you tomorrow when you're facing tribulation. Want the memory of tonight to burn in every cell."
He complied, his hips beginning to move with increasing intensity. His hands gripped her thighs, spreading her wider, allowing him to drive deeper with each thrust. Seraphina met him thrust for thrust, her cultivation-enhanced body easily handling the intensity.
"Harder," she gasped. "Don't hold back. Use me. Claim me. Mark me as yours."
Anthonio increased his pace, the bed creaking beneath them, his cock driving into her with relentless power. Seraphina's breasts bounced with each impact, her mouth open in continuous cries of pleasure.
"Touch yourself," he commanded. "Make yourself come on my cock while I fill you."
Her hand moved between them, fingers finding her clit. Within seconds her inner walls were fluttering around him, another orgasm building rapidly.
"That's it," he growled. "Come for me again. Show me how much you need this. Need me."
"I do—oh god—I need you so much—forever—always—" Her words dissolved into incoherent cries as she came again, her pussy clenching around him like a vice.
The sensation pushed him over the edge. He buried himself deep and came hard, filling her with several powerful pulses. Seraphina moaned at the feeling, her body milking every drop from him.
They stayed connected for a long moment, both breathing hard, sweat cooling on their skin. Then Anthonio carefully withdrew and lay beside her, pulling her into his arms.
"I love you," Seraphina whispered. "Come back to me. Promise you'll come back."
"I promise. Nothing—not heaven, not tribulation, not destiny itself—will keep me from coming back to you."
They lay together in comfortable silence, then Seraphina shifted position, straddling him. His cock, still semi-hard, began responding to her proximity.
"Again," she said firmly. "We have all night, and I intend to make the most of it. I want to exhaust you so thoroughly that when you face tribulation, you're thinking about this instead of fear."
"Greedy woman."
"Your woman. And yes, greedy for you. Always." She positioned herself above him and sank down slowly, taking him inside again with a satisfied moan.
What followed was slower, more sensual. Seraphina rode him with rolling hips, taking her time, building pleasure gradually. Her hands braced on his chest, her ice-blue hair falling around them like a curtain, her silver eyes never leaving his.
"I love watching you like this," Anthonio said, his hands moving to her hips to guide her movements. "So beautiful, so powerful, so completely mine."
"Always yours." She increased her pace, chasing another orgasm. "In this life and every other, I'm yours."
They made love three more times that night—once with her bent over the bed while he took her from behind, once with her pressed against the wall while he held her up and drove into her, and finally in the early morning hours, slow and gentle and emotional.
By dawn, they were both exhausted, satisfied, and deeply connected. Seraphina fell asleep in his arms, and Anthonio held her while watching the sun rise through his window.
Today I leave, he thought. Tomorrow or the next day, I face tribulation. And then everything changes.
Day Three: Departure
Anthonio prepared to leave the Academy quietly, but word had spread. Several people gathered to see him off.
Kael approached first, clasping his shoulder. "Good luck with whatever cultivation matter you're handling. Be safe out there."
"Thanks, Kael. Take care of everyone while I'm gone."
"Always." The protagonist smiled, completely unaware that the person he was wishing luck was about to attempt something that could make him more powerful than Kael's Divine Essences.
Dean Victoria appeared next, maintaining professional distance but her eyes holding desperate concern. "Four days," she said quietly. "You have four days before I can't hold the investigation anymore. Please come back safely."
"I will."
Lyra materialized from shadows. "My sister told me what you're attempting. It's insane. But I hope you succeed." She hesitated, then added, "Come back. Seraphina needs you. And despite everything, I think I'm starting to actually like you."
"High praise from you."
"Don't let it go to your head."
The others appeared in turn—Aria wishing him luck with characteristic enthusiasm, Cassandra warning him not to die stupidly, Elena offering quiet support, Lyanna practically vibrating with concern.
Finally, Selene emerged from the shadows, kneeling before him in full view of everyone.
"Master," she said formally. "This servant wishes you success in your endeavor. Please return safely to those who need you."
Her public display of devotion was calculated—establishing their relationship openly while framing it as servant to master rather than sexual. It gave her plausible reason to be invested in his success.
"Thank you, Selene. Protect the others while I'm gone."
"With my life, master."
Anthonio departed the Academy grounds, heading toward the Crimson Mountains where he'd first begun his cultivation journey. It seemed appropriate—starting and ascending in the same location.
The journey took a full day. He used the time to meditate, to center himself, to prepare mentally and spiritually for what awaited.
As night fell, he reached the remote peak he'd selected. It was far from civilization, high enough that tribulation clouds wouldn't endanger anyone, isolated enough that he could face heaven's judgment alone.
This is it, he thought, standing at the peak and looking up at the stars. The moment that determines whether I ascend to Sovereign or die trying.
Young master, the Shadow Heart spoke solemnly, you've prepared as well as anyone could. Your power is exceptional. Your comprehension is complete. Your conviction is absolute. Now comes the final test—whether heaven judges you worthy of transcendence.
If I fail?
Then your story ends here, and someone else will write what comes next.
And if I succeed?
Then you become something unprecedented—the youngest Sovereign in centuries, wielding dual primordial essences at pseudo-divine quality, with meta-knowledge of reality's structure. You become truly unstoppable.
Anthonio sat in meditation position at the peak's center and began channeling his Twilight Sovereign Essence. Crimson lightning and void shadows spiraled around him, building in intensity, creating a beacon that reached toward the heavens.
I, Anthonio Crimsonhart, challenge the heavens for Sovereign ascension. Judge my worthiness. Test my conviction. Determine whether I deserve transcendence.
The sky answered.
The Ascension Trial Begins
Clouds gathered with supernatural speed, swirling above the mountain peak in a maelstrom of essence and power. Lightning—not mortal lightning but heavenly judgment—crackled through the darkness.
The first tribulation bolt struck.
Anthonio raised his hand, his Twilight Sovereign Essence manifesting as a shield. The bolt hit with devastating force, testing his power, his control, his resilience. Pain exploded through his body as heavenly lightning sought to unmake him at a cellular level.
First trial: Power. Prove you have strength worthy of Sovereign realm.
He endured, his dual primordial essences absorbing the attack, transforming heavenly judgment into fuel for advancement. The pain was excruciating but manageable.
The second bolt struck before he'd fully recovered from the first. This one was stronger, testing whether he could handle sustained assault. Then a third, fourth, fifth—nine bolts in rapid succession, each more powerful than the last.
By the ninth bolt, Anthonio was on his knees, his body smoking, his cultivation channels burning with absorbed power. But he'd survived.
First trial passed. Power confirmed.
The tribulation clouds shifted, and suddenly Anthonio found himself in a mental landscape—a projection of his own consciousness made manifest by heaven's judgment.
Before him stood all the people he'd deceived. Kael, looking betrayed. Seraphina, crying. His teammates, his lovers, his father, everyone he'd manipulated or used.
Second trial: Conviction. Face the consequences of your choices. Justify your actions or be destroyed by guilt.
"I used you," Anthonio said to the phantom Kael. "Befriended you while stealing everything meant for you. Your artifacts, your heroines, your destiny. I'm the villain in your story, and I make no apologies for it."
"Why?" phantom Kael asked, pain in his voice.
"Because I refuse to die. The original story had me dying in months, killed as a villain. I rewrote that story to survive. Your destiny was collateral damage."
"You could have worked with me instead of against me."
"No. Because working with you meant accepting a supporting role in your story. I chose to make it my story instead. I chose survival over honor, ambition over friendship, power over morality. And I'd make the same choices again."
The phantom Kael faded. Phantom Seraphina approached next.
"Did you ever really love me?" she asked. "Or was I just another heroine to steal, another piece of his destiny to claim?"
"I love you," Anthonio said firmly. "That's the one genuine thing in all my manipulations. You weren't part of the original plan—I was supposed to claim you strategically, but I fell in love for real. That's my weakness and my strength."
"Prove it."
"I'm here. Facing tribulation that could kill me, pushing for power that will let us be together openly without fear of consequences. I'm risking everything for a future where we don't have to hide. If that's not love, I don't know what is."
Phantom Seraphina smiled and faded. More phantoms appeared—all the people in his life, all the relationships he'd built and manipulated. To each, he spoke truth. Not justification, not excuses, but honest acknowledgment of what he'd done and why.
Second trial passed. Conviction confirmed. You don't regret your choices, don't hide from their consequences. Heaven respects that honesty.
The mental landscape dissolved, and Anthonio found himself back on the mountain peak. The tribulation clouds had changed color—now golden rather than dark, beautiful rather than threatening.
Final trial: Worthiness. Heaven judges your karma, your impact on the world, whether reality is better or worse for your existence.
This was the test that killed most cultivators. Objective power and subjective conviction could be developed, but worthiness was judged by forces beyond mortal control.
The golden clouds descended, surrounding Anthonio in light that penetrated every aspect of his being. Heaven examined his entire life—every choice, every action, every consequence of his existence.
Actions Judged:
Stole artifacts meant for protagonist: Negative karmaBut used them to save lives during competition: Positive karma
Deceived friend and teammate: Negative karmaBut prevented his death through strategic intervention: Positive karma
Built harem through manipulation: Negative karmaBut elevated each woman's power and status: Positive karma
Claimed heroines meant for protagonist: Negative karmaBut gave them genuine love and protection: Positive karma
Rewrote destiny for personal gain: Negative karmaBut created new possibilities beyond original story: Positive karma
The judgment continued, weighing every action against its consequences, every selfish choice against its beneficial outcomes. Anthonio stood in the golden light, feeling heaven itself deliberating his fate.
The balance is... complex. Your actions are selfish, manipulative, often cruel. But their results are beneficial more often than harmful. You've created more good than evil despite your villainous methods.
However, your greatest sin is meta-knowledge—understanding reality as written fiction, treating people as characters. This is unprecedented and difficult to judge.
Yet your greatest virtue is also meta-knowledge—you saved yourself and others from predetermined fates, rewrote tragedy into possibility.
The balance is... acceptable. Barely. You are flawed but not evil. Selfish but not entirely heartless. Manipulative but capable of genuine love.
JUDGMENT: WORTHY
Ascension approved. Proceed to Sovereign realm.
The golden light exploded outward, and power flooded Anthonio's body. His Transcendence 9-Star cultivation base shattered and reformed as Sovereign 1-Star, his essence quality evolving further, his understanding of reality deepening exponentially.
The Twilight Sovereign Essence transformed from pseudo-divine to truly divine quality, the fusion of crimson lightning and void shadows reaching perfect unity. He could feel his consciousness expanding, touching the fundamental principles governing existence itself.
ASCENSION COMPLETE: SOVEREIGN 1-STAR ACHIEVED
Anthonio stood at the mountain peak, his body glowing with transcendent power, his cultivation aura visible for miles. He'd done it—survived tribulation, passed judgment, ascended to Sovereign realm at seventeen years old.
I'm Sovereign, he thought, feeling the vast new power coursing through him. Beyond investigation, beyond control, beyond anyone's ability to truly threaten me.
Congratulations, young master, the Shadow Heart said with genuine pride. You've achieved what was thought impossible. You are now the youngest Sovereign in kingdom history. And your dual primordial essences at divine quality make you more powerful than most Sovereign 3 or 4-Stars despite being only 1-Star yourself.
How strong am I exactly?
At full power? You could fight evenly against Sovereign 4-Star cultivators. Maybe defeat Sovereign 3-Stars with certainty. You're not the strongest Sovereign in the kingdom, but you're far from the weakest. And you'll only grow stronger from here.
Anthonio spent the next hour consolidating his breakthrough, ensuring his new Sovereign cultivation was stable and properly formed. Then he began the journey back to the Academy.
Three days until the investigation deadline. But I'm Sovereign now. They can't touch me anymore.
Time to return and face all the consequences I've been avoiding. Time for complete honesty, for truth, for the final confrontation with destiny itself.
END OF CHAPTER 36