Kṣaya was a man who lived in the shadows of his own mind. For a long time, he believed the Second Elder was hiding a secret solution to his problems. Kṣaya was a clever and patient man, but after weeks of testing the Elder's willpower, he had finally reached his breaking point. He realized something important: the Elder was brave enough to die for himself, but he would commit any sin to protect his religious group, the sect.
The Second Elder fell into the dirt, crying and begging. "King, please understand," he sobbed. "All sect leaders have made a sacred Heavenly Oath. We promised never to use the forbidden magic. If we do, it will cause a terrible disaster that will shake the entire world. Please, King, change your mind."
But Kṣaya had already decided to fight against the laws of nature itself. "I do not care, Elder," he replied coldly. "Do you think because I let you live, you have the right to argue with me?"
"No, King, I did not mean—"
"Shut up!" Kṣaya shouted. "You still dare to question me? Just because there is a prophecy about me doesn't mean I am weak. You have brought me nothing but trouble!"
The Elder pleaded one last time, "King, please do not hurt the sect. Even if I tell you how to do it, it will be useless to you."
Kṣaya frowned, feeling curious. "Why? What is the problem now?"
"It is because I only know the words of the ritual," the Elder explained in a hollow, tired voice. "I do not have the strength to make it happen. It is called the Deep Vortex Mantra. It is an ancient and terrifying power that can only be performed by someone who has reached a cultivation level higher than Level 8. I am not that strong."
Kṣaya looked down at his own hands. Inside his body, he felt the power of eleven hundred years of stolen life energy. It was humming through his veins like a dark storm. A cruel, determined smile grew on his face.
"I will do it," Kṣaya whispered.
The air felt heavy after he spoke those words. Attempting a Level 8 mantra was like trying to become a god or choosing to be destroyed forever. But for Kṣaya, who was already living on time he had stolen from others, there was no other choice. He was ready to tear the heavens apart if it meant finding the girl who dared to threaten his throne.
The Talk of the Day
The desperation of a king is a scary thing to see. Kṣaya has crossed a line and can never go back. By forcing the Second Elder to reveal the Deep Vortex Mantra, he is not just hunting a young girl—he is inviting a cosmic disaster that could break the entire world. The Elder's choice is very sad; he saved his sect from being destroyed by the King, but he had to give up his soul and the safety of the world to do it.
In the streets, the common people are gossiping. They have no idea that their King is trying to grab a power that is meant only for gods. They pray for someone to save them, but they might soon find that the fight between the King and the Prophecy will leave nothing behind but ashes.
The "Great Search" for the girl has changed. It is now something much more dangerous: a King who is willing to become a monster just to kill a ghost from his future.