ERA OF DESTINY-Chapter 153: THE BIRTH OF BONES AGAINST THE WEEDS– IV

Geng and Mimi stood side by side, eyes fixed on the translucent cauldron. Their breathing had unconsciously slowed. Doubts filled their minds, yet neither dared interrupt.

Kiaria extended his arm.

The Earth Core Green Fire within the cauldron condensed slightly and rose out in a controlled stream. It hovered before him, dense yet obedient.

His fingers began forming hand seals–steady, unhurried.

The remnant flame shifted shape gradually until it mirrored the exact outline of the cauldron itself.

At the same time, inside the real cauldron, the fire reshaped into the same cauldron form–flame within vessel, vessel within flame.

The blood remained suspended at the center, untouched.

"This," Kiaria said calmly, "is Flame Concealment."

"Now. Come and touch the cauldron."

Both of them stared, mouths slightly open.

From beneath Kiaria’s feet, tiny dragon-flame sparks scattered like drifting ash. Two sparks shot toward them and touched their fingertips.

A sharp sting.

They snapped back to awareness.

"I reminded you," Kiaria said without looking at them, "do not lose yourself while refining."

"Come."

Geng swallowed. "Isn’t it hot?"

Kiaria did not answer.

They stepped forward carefully and placed their palms against the cauldron.

Both froze.

A breath they did not realize they were holding escaped at once.

"It’s... neither hot nor cold," Mimi murmured. "Like a resting cauldron."

Geng’s thoughts raced.

How?

"Read. Learn. Experiment. Practice."

Kiaria answered without turning.

Geng stiffened.

He heard my thoughts.

"I will practice well," he said quietly.

Mimi glanced at him suspiciously.

Is Master speaking directly to Brother Geng?

"Now," Kiaria continued, "next step."

His hand seals shifted.

The flame-cauldron between his hands began rotating slowly – steady like a balanced top.

Simultaneously, the physical cauldron rotated at the same pace.

Geng narrowed his eyes.

Despite the outer rotation, the flame structure inside remained stable.

After several revolutions, the purpose revealed itself.

The continuous motion generated vacuum insulation in the space between flame-cauldron and real cauldron. At the same time, the inner flame began spiraling in the opposite direction.

The suspended blood trembled slightly as fire from all sides began penetrating inward.

Kiaria reduced the distance between his palms.

Inside, the flame-cauldron constricted.

Pressure increased.

Mimi leaned closer.

"Why isn’t it boiling?" she asked.

"Good," Kiaria replied.

"Blood contains water to maintain fluidity. If I increase heat directly, its structure will collapse and properties will be lost."

"Instead of extreme temperature, I apply pressure."

Inside the cauldron, the blood thickened visibly. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"The moisture within is already turning to vapor," he continued, "but pressure compresses it before violent expansion occurs."

The red deepened.

"It is becoming viscous. Temperature and pressure are controlled – not extreme. Therefore, it will not boil."

Geng nodded slowly.

Now he understood.

"Core technique," Kiaria said.

His split hand seals merged.

New seals formed in rapid succession – each precise, without wasted motion.

When the final seal stabilized, the blood suddenly divided into two portions.

Two flame whirlpools formed beneath them.

The whirlpools absorbed fire continuously, drawing it inward while stripping controlled amounts of impurity from the crude blood.

A thin black ash layer formed on the surface.

"One cycle," Kiaria said.

Geng blinked. "That... is one cycle?"

"Yes."

He glanced at Geng.

"I can reach this state without a cauldron. Inside one, even faster."

"But speed teaches nothing."

Geng remembered the old man scenario.

Time.

If such a moment came again, only a Grade One pill – refined perfectly – could be given within that limit.

Kiaria continued.

"When a pill fully condenses, remove it."

"Press lightly. The impurity shell will break."

"If you wish to continue refining, do not solidify. Continue cycling until absorption slows."

"You will feel it."

"The pill’s essence interacts with your flame."

"When the absorption rate decreases, it has reached its limit."

Inside, the blood continued cycling.

Gradually, it reached the peak of Grade Six refinement.

"Completed," Kiaria said calmly.

"It now requires solidification."

The flame stabilized.

"Earth Core Green Fire differs from beast flame. A sixth-grade peak pill refined with it equals seventh-grade potency."

He looked directly at Geng.

"You are not to attempt Grade Six peak."

"If you reach that level, lightning tribulation will form."

"Depending on potency and strikes, it may be fatal."

Geng’s back straightened unconsciously.

"For saving lives," Kiaria added, "sixth grade is sufficient."

He glanced briefly at Mimi.

"And do not worry. Completing even one cycle is not simple."

Mimi flushed faintly and looked away.

Inside the cauldron, the refined core began solidifying.

Kiaria continued instructing as the solidification phase concluded.

The refined core stabilized.

With a subtle motion of his hands, the inner flame-cauldron separated into two portions. The Earth Core Green Fire condensed into two vial-shaped streams suspended in midair.

The Coiled Twin Dragon Cauldron vanished.

The twin vials descended into Kiaria’s palms.

He turned toward them.

"Show me your hands."

They obeyed.

The vials dissolved into light and reformed as dense pearls – crimson with intricate green markings carved across their surfaces.

"Crush this Bloodline Pearl."

They hesitated only a breath before obeying.

The pearls shattered.

A surge of green-red essence burst outward and engulfed their bodies. Flame flared along their limbs.

"Sit cross-legged. Direct it to your Sea of Consciousness."

His voice was steady.

A monochrome wave flowed from Kiaria’s crown and washed over them, calming the violent surge instantly. The burning sensation faded into controlled warmth.

They sat and guided the essence inward. The green robes shimmered softly, stabilizing the flow.

"Open your eyes."

When they did, Kiaria stood within both of their Seas of Consciousness simultaneously.

The Earth Core Green Fire Essence from Bloodline Pearl recognized its origin and submitted naturally.

The remnant consciousness of Roga Rong’s Bull Beast Flame stirred for a moment, then bowed beneath Kiaria’s presence.

No force was required.

Authority alone subdued it.

In the next instant, Kiaria withdrew.

Geng and Mimi opened their eyes together.

He was no longer before them.

They turned toward the pavilion entrance.

Kiaria stood there, back facing them.

He waved his hand once.

Two spatial rings formed midair and settled onto their fingers.

The final gift.

Kiaria looked out across the Dandelion-Feather Land.

"Geng. Mimi."

"It is time for us to leave."

Their throats tightened.

"Remember what I have shown you. Leadership within the fortress. Justice without favoritism. Benevolence without weakness."

"I am leaving responsibility in your hands."

"This is not an order to execute once."

"It is a standard by which you will measure yourselves."

Geng stepped forward. "Master, just give us commands. We will not disappoint you."

Kiaria’s tone did not soften.

"I hope so."

"The fortress contains many tribes. After war, routines collapse. When structure breaks, unrest follows."

"Watch carefully and resolve conflict wisely."

"Transform coexistence into unity."

"Discrimination does not disappear. It buries itself. Handle it before it resurfaces."

They bowed deeply.

"As you wish, Master."

They straightened their backs.

Kiaria was already gone.

Geng and Mimi knelt.

They kowtowed.

Each movement carried memory – from their first meeting to this moment of inheritance.

Tears fell, but neither sobbed.

"Master," Geng said quietly, "we will protect those in need."

Mimi lowered her head.

"The pavilion, the fortress, alchemy, weapon refining, authority – everything you entrusted to us... we will honor through our mastery."

"Wait for our results."

–

Meanwhile, Kiaria entered the fortress.

The tribes lay scattered in drunken sleep. Only his companions remained alert.

He nodded.

They nodded back.

Ready.

Kiaria stepped toward Ru and Yi.

"A spare ring."

Yi handed him one without question.

Kiaria vanished into the dungeon.

He walked to the final prison chamber. With a wave of his hand, the shattered remains of the treasure hunters disappeared into the spatial ring.

He returned to the fortress entrance.

Without ceremony, Kiaria and his companions departed toward the ruins.

–

Geng and Mimi ran through the Dandelion-Feather Land.

They reached the fortress.

Empty.

Too late.

Geng grasped Mimi’s hand.

"It is our turn now."

"Not to meet his expectations."

"To surpass them."

"But without greed."

Mimi nodded slowly.

After a moment, she spoke softly.

"Brother Geng... I still feel his presence."

"As if he is watching."

Geng looked toward the sky.

"I feel it too."

He exhaled.

"That is natural."

"After all... he is a God."

An hour passed.

Though only three days had been spent within the fortress, Kiaria, Diala, and the Princess had formed a quiet attachment to its people.

No one spoke as they crossed the kilometer-wide Dandelion-Feather Land.

The night was luminous.

Golden dandelions shimmered across the plains, guiding their path until they reached the very edge of the borderland.

Ahead stood the same steep cliff they had once descended.

There was no bridge.

Beyond the border, the ruins were swallowed by darkness. No wind crossed between lands. No sound traveled from either side.

Diala’s fingers tightened around Kiaria’s hand.

Before he could act, the land responded.

Across the Dandelion-Feather Land, every blossom detached at once. Countless golden lights rose into the air and gathered, forming the silhouette of a colossal tree – the Motherland that had guarded this realm for millennia.

"Motherland... is that you?" Kiaria asked, his voice calm, almost gentle.

No words answered.

Instead, the luminous tree dissolved.

The dandelions reassembled into a vast golden bridge stretching across the abyss. Rose-pink carvings shimmered along its surface, bordered by silver-white edges that glowed softly against the night.

"Understood," Kiaria said.

Azriel clenched his fists. Ru and Yi exchanged uneasy glances.

"Patron... is this possible?" Azriel asked. "It is dandelion, not stone. It cannot bear our weight."

"You are correct," Kiaria replied. "It will not bear yours."

He stepped forward slightly.

"But it will bear mine."

"Shade. Take them into your Void Ring."

Shade nodded. The Princess entered first, followed by the others without protest.

Soon, only Kiaria and Diala remained.

Kiaria turned back once, looking toward the distant fortress.

A faint smile appeared.

Diala studied him.

"Was that happiness... satisfaction... or something else?"

Kiaria lowered his gaze toward the land.

"Dia," he said quietly, "this place felt like home."

"And the one beneath it... like a mother."

He knelt and placed his palm against the earth.

"Motherland. Take care."

The ground stirred.

A massive white dandelion – large enough to fill both their cupped palms – bloomed before him. Its light was strong enough to illuminate a quarter mile of darkness.

At the same time, a silver bloom of equal size floated gently toward Diala.

"Thank you for the parting gift, Motherland," Kiaria said.

Diala bowed her head slightly and whispered her gratitude as well.

Kiaria bent forward.

Diala leaned onto his back without hesitation.

He carried her.

Stepping onto the luminous bridge, Kiaria activated the Star-Feather Technique.

Without looking back, he walked forward across the sea of light.

Behind them, the Dandelion-Feather Land shimmered quietly under the night sky.

Ahead, only darkness waited.