Awakened: The Ascendancy: A LitRPG Wuxia Series (The Heavenly Throne Book 10), page 1
The Heavenly Throne
Awakened: The Ascendancy
Yuri Ajin
Lit Orange
Copyright © 2022 Yuri Ajin
All rights reserved
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
Introduced by Lit Orange
Translated by Nevena Markovich
Edited by Sanja Gajin
Edited by Teodora Pecarski
The Heavenly Throne 10
Awakened: The Ascendancy
If the most powerful masters of cultivation can acquire the most well-guarded secrets of the universe, their path toward greatness will be eternal — and so shall their legacy.
Kai has been doing well in achieving his goal of taking over the entire Avlaim region. Step by step, he has been advancing on this difficult road, but even this is only the beginning.
Now he has to work on bettering not only himself, but his entire organization as this is the only way to obtain enough resources and power to find and save his friends.
But change is not an easy thing, and few people like it.
With his actions, Kai disrupted centuries of stability and drew too much attention to the Avlaim region. Unions and factions of both Insulaii and other worlds have become interested in the actions of a talented novice.
No one wants to stay behind in the upcoming changes. Sooner or later, the Eternal Path Temple will have to face all the serious players of the Trial Worlds. Because this is yet another place where power and skill reign.
The place where cultivation reigns supreme!
PROLOGUE
Exhausted, she exhaled heavily. The stone she was sitting on was cold and rather uncomfortable.
“You did a great job, Lady Lilith.” The keeper of the Heavenly Complex bowed. “I’m sure that Lord Kaiser will be satisfied.”
“I’m sure he will. It’s a shame that he won’t be able to come here anytime soon, busy as he is meditating. Let’s go up.”
The Spirit nodded. Using the Complex’s arrays, it began to rise into the air along with Lilith. A minute later, they reached the highest available point, from which they could see the entire Accelerated Time-Space, illuminated by an artificial sky. A week ago, when the repair of the Complex had just been completed, it hung over Kaiser’s Ark like a Heavenly Haven. It had received a new form a new title, but there was nothing in it. It was a completely empty giant sphere.
It took Lilith and her three Divine Stage cultivators only seven days to fill this place according to Kai’s instructions. They moved four large islands here from the outside world, having previously evicted all sentient life forms from them. Each of these islands was supposed to become a training ground for representatives of one of the four levels of True Mastery, so they were equipped with corresponding arrays. Additionally to already being a part of the Complex, these arrays added the option to fight with recorded images of both ancient and current cultivators, including Kai himself. The result was a proper, self-contained miniature world, equipped for the development of cultivators and beasts, which were also included since there were plenty of them on Kaiser’s Ark.
In addition to the arrays, underwater labyrinths filled with artificial anomalies, guards, treasures, and unique development halls were also created on the islands. They were divided into four levels, each of which was intended for Masters of a certain stage. So far, only three levels had been completed. The last one, which was supposed to be a test site for Divine Stage cultivators, was still being designed and finalized. Сreating obstacles for cultivators of this stage required rare resources that weren’t easy to obtain.
The underwater labyrinth was the only area of Accelerated Time-Space where the restrictions of Insulaii didn’t work on a permanent basis. And while such places weren’t uncommon among large organizations, they were rather expensive. To procure one, Kai had to spend a large sum of money on special artifacts, which would be enough for five thousand years of perpetual work. Zones, where Holy Lords and Divine Stage cultivators could test their true strength, were also created, but they were temporary and they needed to be saturated with Runes before use.
“I think we can finish for now. Everything is ready for preliminary use,” Lilith murmured with a nod. “Let’s return to the Training Hall.”
“As you command, my lady.”
In the next moment, they found themselves in another area of the Heavenly Complex. There, they were met by Ragnar, Nyako, Ron, and Anatos. Seeing Lilith, they all bowed briefly, following Temple etiquette.
“Is everything ready?” Nyako asked.
“Yes. Time acceleration can be launched. The space is well equipped,” Lilith replied. “Is the first wave of settlers ready?”
“They’re all here, my lady,” Ron said, holding up a translucent bluish orb.
Inside the spatial artifact were several thousand representatives of all seven tribes who were supposed to become the first inhabitants of Accelerated Time-Space. According to Kai’s plan, the first wave would spend a month of System time in the Complex, but for the settlers, more than forty-four years would pass. During this time, mortals would reproduce and form new generations of Temple cultivators. However, as Accelerated Time-Space could accommodate no more than a hundred thousand mortal souls, the Temple couldn’t send too many people there at once. Most likely, some of them, especially the most talented ones who would become True Masters, would have to return to the outside world early so as not to overload the Complex.
As the Temple needed to increase its power as soon as possible, and considering that the basis of most of Insulaii’s organizations consisted of Divine Stage cultivators, Ragnar, Nyako, Ron, and Anatos would also go to Accelerated Time-Space. Kai’s order was simple and clear: “Become Divine Stage cultivators and hone your skills as much as possible in the process.”
Thus, Kai gave the four Holy Lords not only Transformations that could temporarily grant them the perfect foundation, which for Masters of their level cost as much as fourteen million Runes, but also Gabba’s knowledge on the development of old soul layers.
The cultivators were warned about the negative consequences of any acceleration of time, most of all the impossibility of surpassing the Advanced Stage in the future, but after some thinking, they decided that the good outweighed the bad and that the risk was worth the reward. Ultimately, they never hoped to reach such heights.
However, some still doubted it. Hiro decided not to join the first wave. On one hand, he dreamed of reaching at least the beginning of the Advanced Stage, but on the other, he was now a Temple apprentice. He had more opportunities here than he had in his native clan. Unsure of what to do, he asked Kai for some time to think.
As for the rest of the Masters, they remained in the outside world for the time being. The Exorcists and Elementalists who had recently joined the Temple together with Shan Wu, the ex-student of frost troll Gabba, had not yet earned such a privilege. The souls of Divine Stage cultivators were too “heavy” for Accelerated Time-Space, which meant that everyone else, including mortals, would have to leave so that at least one such individual could develop there. Therefore, Lilith, her three elders, and Shaw would have to wait for their turn. Not to mention that it was dangerous to let go of such important and powerful members until the Temple had accumulated sufficient power and before it gained the opportunity to replace them with someone else. After the launch, Accelerated Time-Space would be almost completely cut off from the outside world, and to establish a connection, the internal flow of time would have to be normalized first.
“Let us begin then. Spirit, transfer me,” Lilith spoke when an alarmed voice suddenly sounded in her head.
“Attention! A single unauthorized entry through the island’s barrier has been detected! Issuing a combat alert!” Ulu informed them of possible danger.
The gazes of the five cultivators met. In the blink of an eye, they found themselves in a tower — the Earth Haven. They were moved there by the Complex’s Guardian Spirit, with whom Ulu also contacted.
Without saying a word, they rushed outside. Ulu had given them the coordinates in advance.
***
Sometime Earlier
A wonderful starry night. Silence. Empty streets of the inner city.
“Stop!”
An unexpected loud cry made the young man halt and turn around.
More than a dozen people emerged from the alley, led by a cultivator on the Opening of Acupuncture Points level. About fifteen or sixteen years old, they were all older than him.
“You’re Ryu Araki from the Sixth Team, right?” asked a Soul Stage cultivator.
Ryu frowned.
“So what if I am?”
“Be polite, brat!” someone from the group shouted. “Big brother Ako is stronger than you!”
Ryu chuckled. The smile on his face spoke of self-confidence.
“For now.”
The sound of a loud slap echoed through the empty street. Sitting on the pavement, his cheek burning, Ryu stared dumb
“Look at his face!”
“Gonna cry, baby?”
“Are you going to run to your mom?”
The taunts made Ryu clench his fists, rage burning in his soul.
“Our master wants to talk to you,” Ako said calmly. Unlike his friends, he seemed more interested in his task than in making fun of Ryu.
Glancing at him, Ryu stood up, bared his teeth, and stuck out his middle finger.
“You and your master can both go to hell! Who are you to tell me what to do?!”
Sighing, Ako glanced at his thugs.
“Teach him a lesson,” he said, nodding at Ryu.
A second later, a group of thirteen cultivators charged at Ryu. As the Temple rules forbade the use of ki, weapons, auras, and Forces outside designated areas, such as private homes, arenas, Hunting Zones, workshops, Training Complexes, and so on, or without the permission of one of the Acolytes, Ryu managed to fight back. And even though he was a much more skilled fighter, quantity outweighed quality. Having surrounded him, the thugs made quick work of him.
Suddenly, someone else jumped into the crowd. Before anyone had time to react, three thugs were already knocked out. Standing aside, Ako grimaced, but he didn’t come to their aid.
“Who’s that bastard?”
“Oho! He brought a friend!”
“Show them what we’ve got!”
The chaos didn’t last long. In the end, Ryu and his friend were badly beaten.
“And now,” Ako glanced at the moaning duo, “the grand finale.”
Four guys approached Ryu and his friend. There was the sound of rustling, followed by the murmur of pouring liquid and laughter.
“Ryu Araki and Gradz Kontewilski,” Ako spoke up when his friends were done relieving themselves. “Tomorrow before noon, you are to come to the second educational complex, which is in the north part of the city. There, you’ll find the office of the Ninth Team. If you don’t, we’ll come back.”
“Asshole!” Ryu croaked, spitting. “You’ll be expelled!”
“You wish.” Ako chuckled as if he knew something important and looked pointedly at the boy. “If you don’t come tomorrow, Ryu, we’ll also visit your little sister.”
With that, he motioned for his friends to follow him, leaving the beaten-up Ryu and Gradz to lie in puddles of urine.
After a while, Ryu groaned and began to struggle to his feet.
“Why did you come anyway?” he spat, displeased.
“I heard your voice,” Gradz mumbled in return. “Thought I should help.”
“How was that helping?! Because of you, they’re threatening my sister! I didn’t ask for help!” Ryu yelled angrily. “Stop meddling!”
“How is that my fault?!” Gradz shouted back, jumping to his feet, and shoved Ryu back into the puddle. “This is the thanks I get for trying to help you?! Fuck off! Some fucking friend you are!”
“Asshole!” Ryu shouted but got no answer. Gradz had already left.
Unable to hold back his rage, Ryu screamed in frustration and punched the wall with his fist.
Why is all this happening to me? he thought, tears welling up in his eyes. Why?! Those bastards! How dare they do this to me?! I’ll kill them all! Every one of them! I hate them!
Preoccupied with his thoughts, Ryu failed to notice a man observing him from a distance.
Just as I thought, nothing will come out of it right away, Six noted to himself. Despite all his potential, the boy is too proud, hot-tempered, and immature. His vanity is his biggest obstacle. Raised with silver spoons in their mouth, the team never knew difficulty. At this rate, they will never change. They will never become True Warriors. I need to break them before I can fix them. For now, I’ll continue to observe. I must force him to admit his mistakes, see the error of his ways, and turn to the team for help. This will be the first step on a very long and difficult journey.
Suddenly, it got brighter around him. Glancing at the sky, Six saw a growing light.
What is that? he wondered, trying to understand its nature as the space near him distorted.
“Can you tell me where I can find Brother Kaiser?” a melodious female voice sounded behind him.
Jumping back and turning around, Six froze. His eyes met the gaze of a beautiful Sylph with long snow-white hair. It didn’t take him long to recognize Derek von Everstein’s youngest daughter, Diana von Everstein. A fifth-stage Holy Lord and Master of Six Small Stars.
“It’s just that I wanted to join his Eternal Path Temple.” She smiled innocently, slowly closing her third eye. “They told me I could find him here.”
Too bad dad won’t like this, she thought, remembering her father’s orders.
***
While news of the strange happenings in Avlaim was spreading across the Trial Worlds, a rather rich bounty was posted on the bulletin board at the Mercenary Guild on Ferox.
Wanted
Shacks Eldivize
Alive and unharmed
Reward: negotiable (from two million Runes up)
Details at the Guild’s administration building
For a reward, contact the Guild or the continent of Zwei (Ferox), Mirai City, Southeast Quarter, Bright Moon Clan
Signed, the head of the Bright Moon Clan, Ciel Eldivize
Chapter 1
THE HARVEST
PART 1
Diana was surrounded in less than two seconds, forced to come face-to-face with artifacts filled with energy and Force particles. Varying in shape, size, and color, they had one thing in common — they were ready to unleash their strongest techniques at any moment.
“Who are you?!”
“Lady Lilith, we’ve already met.” The girl turned around with a smile. “I’m Diana, daughter of Derek von Everstein, head of the Eighth Division.”
“That still needs to be confirmed,” Lilith retorted calmly. “How did you find this place? How did you get inside? And, most importantly, why?”
“How did I find this place?” Diana tilted her head thoughtfully, ignoring the artifacts aimed at her and the pressure of the cultivators’ auras. “Well, I followed Brother Kaiser. Rather, the trail his movements left behind. It took a while, but it wasn’t difficult. I entered the same way, in fact. I came to join you.”
“That’s absurd!” Nyako exclaimed, displeased. “The barrier above the island is an array masterpiece! It can’t be located and overcome so easily!”
“Really? I didn’t know that. My bad.” Diana shrugged and smiled again, pointing at her third eye. “I didn’t have any difficulties with it.”
Her reply made all the Temple members turn gloomy. To be told so blatantly that their defenses meant nothing against the Everstein clan was downright insulting.
“Put these on.” Lilith threw Diana a pair of spirit and strength-blocking artifact handcuffs. “And then we’ll continue the conversation.”
“Don’t tell my father about this,” Diana asked, folding her palms pleadingly. “Please?”
But she got no reply. The six cultivators continued to stare at her. Seeing that she’d get nowhere if she didn’t comply, Diana sighed and put on the handcuffs.
“Now, let’s get you to jail,” Lilith grabbed the chain attached to the handcuffs, causing Diana’s body to tremble briefly. “This way, miss, if you’d be so kind.”
“What?” Diana asked in surprise. “Jail? What for? I just wanted to join you and meet Brother Kaiser!”
“Tell that to the court.”
“Court? What court?”
***
Three days later, Kai’s meditation ended. With his willpower overburdened, he had to interrupt the work of all the clones and force them into hibernation. He needed to rest. Urgently.
“Welcome, my lord,” Ulu greeted him, lying at his feet.
Kai nodded.
“What happened these days? Be brief. Main events only.”
“Yes, my lord.” The dog got up. “So far, there have not been outstanding individuals from other factions. They are still learning about what opportunities serving the Temple can provide them. Soon, all of them, including Shan Wu, will begin to take significant steps toward earning Personal Contribution Points. Their admiration for the technologies of the Belteise Empire and the quality and quantity of information about various aspects of cultivation that you have added to the Temple’s library is growing rapidly. As you predicted, they will soon begin to actively transfer their factions’ resources to the Temple to earn more Contribution Points and expand their abilities.”
