ERA OF DESTINY-Chapter 150: THE BIRTH OF BONES AGAINST THE WEEDS– I

Silence lingered long after Kiaria’s words fell.

The Yaksha battalion stood frozen, unable to breathe. Even Rok forgot to move. No one had ever witnessed such a thing.

A King apologizing.

"Ms. Rok," Kiaria said calmly, "you do not need to refuse."

He met her trembling gaze without pressure.

"My apology is not charity. It is responsibility."

He continued evenly, "When a mistake is committed in someone’s name, the burden does not fall on the one who acted alone."

His voice did not rise.

"The one whose name was carried must also bear the pain."

Ms. Rok covered her mouth, her body stiff with anxiety.

"Please... please do not do this, my Lord," she said, panic breaking through her composure.

Kiaria tilted his head slightly.

"If you do not accept my apology," he asked, "is there another way you would accept responsibility being returned to you?"

Her breath caught.

"I... I accept it," she said hurriedly, face burning with embarrassment. "I accept it."

She turned sharply toward Rok, eyes blazing with restrained fury.

The Yaksha Queen stiffened. Several warriors clenched their fists, their killing intent barely restrained.

But Kiaria stood there.

No one dared move.

"Since the matter is resolved," Kiaria said, turning away, "return to rest and training."

His gaze swept the battalion.

"We enter the ruins soon. What awaits us there will be harsher than war."

With that, he left.

–

Kiaria opened his eyes.

He was seated once more within the Pseudo Palace. Celebration echoed through the halls–relief, laughter, voices raised in gratitude for survival.

Yet two presences were missing.

"Aizrel," Kiaria said, stepping forward, "where are Shade and Sister Lainsa?"

"They went to the Ghost Prison," Aizrel replied. "Fairy Fu Cai accompanied them."

He hesitated.

"They were... displeased."

Kiaria nodded and turned without another word.

–

The Ghost Prison was quiet.

Diala and Princess Lainsa were already returning when Kiaria arrived. One glance told him enough.

Fairy Fu Cai was gone.

"How long was I–" Kiaria began.

Diala stepped forward and handed him a ring.

"She left this for you."

Kiaria inspected its contents. Three books. Cultivation resources arranged with precision.

With a wave of his hand, the books floated out.

The first–green–contained detailed records of herbs and shrubs native to the borderlands.

The second–yellow–documented refined fire-control methods essential for alchemy.

The third–blue–held medicinal techniques, meticulous and complete.

Kiaria smiled.

"As expected of a Body Truth Chrysanthemum Fairy," he said quietly.

"Even amidst battle, she observed. Even while departing, she prepared paths for the future."

His gaze sharpened.

"For the children."

–

"Dia," Kiaria said, turning, "inform the others. We will depart in secrecy after Geng and Mimi awaken their talents."

Diala nodded. "I will take care of it."

"Sister," Kiaria continued, facing Princess Lainsa, "I will need your help."

"To vitalize their meridians," she replied calmly.

"I’m always ready."

Kiaria stepped forward and started walking.

"Sister," Kiaria said as they walked together, "I am planning to construct a pavilion outside the fortress before we leave. I will also expand the Dandelion-Feather Land."

Princess Lainsa turned slightly, listening.

"Geng and Mimi will cultivate there. With the protection of the green robes, they can move freely throughout the land without hesitation. Others will be restricted, and because of that, people will gradually rely on them and follow them without resistance."

Princess did not answer immediately. Her steps slowed as she considered his words.

"The idea of a pavilion is not bad," she said at last. "But do not assume that reliance will last. If someone plots carefully, your arrangement could collapse entirely."

Kiaria nodded, as though he had already reached the same conclusion.

"That is exactly what I expect," he replied calmly. "For a period of time, it will succeed–and that time is what matters. It will be enough for them to strengthen themselves."

His gaze remained forward.

"What comes afterward depends entirely on their judgment and perspective."

Princess sighed softly.

"Little brother," she said, "you are becoming sharper. More calculating than before. And that worries me."

She looked at him carefully.

"Strength and wisdom are virtues, but relying on them too much can blind you with confidence."

Kiaria reached out and held her hand, stopping her steps.

"Sister, I understand your concern," he said quietly. "But if I restrain myself now, what will I do when a truly unfathomable enemy appears?"

He met her eyes steadily.

"You’ve seen it during this war–the personalities of leaders, the weight of their wills. If I hesitate before such people, where will hope come from for those who rely on me?"

Princess remained silent, unable to refute him.

"Perhaps this path will lead to my death," Kiaria continued. "But if my death gives birth to hope for the future, then it will not be meaningless."

Princess shook her head faintly, a helpless smile appearing on her lips.

"I can never win against you with words," she said. "You always dig beneath them."

Kiaria released her hand and turned away.

"Come," he said simply. "We lack time."

They left the Ghost Prison together.

Through spiritual transmission, Kiaria spoke calmly.

"Evil Spider. The Ghost Prison is no longer required."

"As you wish, Master," the response echoed.

Moments later, the Ghost Prison dissolved into nothingness.

–

At the edge of the Dandelion-Feather Land, Kiaria knelt and pressed his palm against the ground. The World Tree Seed responded instantly, resonating with his presence.

Hidden spores–buried earlier for wartime contingency–awakened. The land expanded outward as dandelions spread for more than a mile in every direction.

At the heart of the land, the dandelions vanished.

The earth trembled as a vast terrace platform rose from below, supported by six massive beams that anchored it to the land.

Kiaria and Princess stepped onto the platform together.

The moment their feet touched it, space folded.

They vanished.

They reappeared beneath the borderland, inside an underground palace hidden deep below. The World Tree Seed pulsed violently, responding to Kiaria’s presence.

Golden willow branches extended outward, guiding them forward through the ruins. Though the palace was broken and ancient, it still carried the dignity of royalty.

At its center stood a Golden Willow Tree.

Its vines extended gently, wrapping around both of them. Kiaria felt it immediately–the same motherly warmth he had sensed before.

"Are you the Motherland?" Kiaria asked softly.

The leaves rustled in response.

The tree offered two things–a pagoda and a single branch.

Kiaria accepted them both.

When he opened his eyes, they were standing inside the pavilion.

He understood at once why the branch had been given.

Kiaria ascended to the twelfth floor of the pavilion. There, he planted the Golden Willow branch and poured several drops of Spiritual Spring onto its roots.

The branch took hold instantly.

It grew, extending golden vines downward through all twelve floors, illuminating the entire pavilion with soft radiance.

Nothing else was added.

Every floor remained empty.

Kiaria stepped back, satisfied.

He and Princess left the pavilion without another word.

–

Kiaria and Princess Lainsa returned to the Pseudo Palace.

Preparations were already complete. Companions gathered quietly, spatial rings sealed, formations dismantled. No one spoke loudly.

Kiaria said nothing.

He walked to the throne and sat.

The moment his body settled, his consciousness descended inward.

–

Within his Sea of Consciousness, Dragon Emperors waiting.

"Grandfathers," Kiaria said calmly, "I have a doubt."

"Spit it out," the Golden Dragon Emperor replied without ceremony.

"For an Earth-elemental bloodline," Kiaria continued, "what weapon is most suitable–especially if the bearer is a girl with innate spatial ability?"

The Golden Dragon laughed.

"What is there to think about?"

"Wanxiang Zhenchui."

The answer came without hesitation.

Kiaria nodded once.

"A good name," he said. "Then I’ll forge Wanxiang Zhenchui."

Golden Dragon Emperor transformed into Human form.

While looking at transformation, Kiaria’s gaze accidentally noticed pagoda’s presence.

He hovered towards the distant floating island.

An entire floating island revolved around it, silent and immense. Kiaria walked toward the stone-like entrance and placed his palm against the door.

The imprints flared.

He was drawn inside.

Green flames ignited one by one, illuminating the darkness of the first floor. Broken artifacts lay scattered–ancient tools, shattered weapons, remnants of eras long erased.

Before each item, a flame burned quietly.

Kiaria moved among them.

His gaze stopped at a chunk of ancient Ruyi ore.

He reached out and took it.

"What else?" he thought.

The pagoda responded.

The green flame shifted, guiding him toward Dimai Jianhua–and a pitch-black stone that swallowed light itself.

Kiaria paused, surprised.

It knew.

A staircase leading upward came into view, but an invisible barrier blocked him from stepping on. The restriction was absolute.

He did not force it.

When he turned back, the flames had moved again–hovering above a massive black cauldron.

Kiaria approached.

Its surface was carved with countless patterns, forming something like a map. When his fingers touched it, space twisted.

He was pulled inside.

–

It was not a map.

It was a land.

The moment Kiaria realized this, gravity surged violently. His body slammed into the ground, bones screaming under the pressure.

He struggled, crawled, then retreated.

Back in the pagoda, he exhaled slowly.

So this was prepared for the children, Kiaria thought. There’s no need for me to force their awakening.

–

He stepped out of the pagoda.

With him emerged the materials–Ruyi ore, Dimai Jianhua, the pitch-black stone, and the massive cauldron itself.

The Azure Dragon Emperor stared.

"Brat," he said slowly, "your luck is peaking."

His gaze locked onto the cauldron.

"I’ll forge Wanxiang Zhenchui," he continued, "and restore the cracked Black Sea Cauldron."

"Black Sea Cauldron?" Kiaria repeated.

"Yes," the Azure Dragon Emperor said. "Look at its carvings. If my guess is correct, you accidentally stepped in that land, don’t you? Anyway, what you saw is real."

He explained calmly.

"The cauldron contains a cultivation world. Within it lies the Black Sea–an endless pitch black sea that absorbs impurities, poisons, corrosion, and whatever that can make refining fail."

His tone sharpened.

"Anything refined within it reaches absolute purity. And when released, the Black Sea can annihilate anything in the wielder’s path."

Kiaria listened in silence.

"Your realm is not enough to restore it fully," the Azure Dragon Emperor continued. "Wanxiang Zhenchui is an Earth Realm weapon. It requires immense flame essence."

He glanced toward the others.

"Give us an hour."

"We’ll handle it."

Kiaria smiled faintly.

"Since my Grandfathers wish to practice," he said lightly, "who am I to stop you?"

With that, he withdrew.

The Sea of Consciousness quieted once more.