dark descendent lurking fate

1. The Final Warning

The night air crackled faintly around Ash. He sat cross-legged atop the Lin estate's highest roof, his spiritual sea wide open and turbulent.

Shen Mu stood behind him, arms folded, robes rippling in a wind no one else could feel.

> "You've seen the thrones. You've felt their pull. But now listen clearly, Ash—once you unleash your true potential, you invite the judgment of the heavens."

Ash didn't flinch.

> "I know."

> "You do not understand," Shen Mu snapped. "Heavenly Tribulation is not just lightning and storms. You've stolen thrones without permission. You've gathered forbidden spirits. You are not on the path—you're tearing it apart."

Ash opened his eyes. The wind whispered. His gaze was calm, yet filled with iron resolve.

> "Then let it come."

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2. The Quiet Before the Wrath

Ash stood the next morning in the middle of an ancient, secluded valley just outside the town. Lin Yue and Qi Rong were still asleep, unaware. Shen Mu had led him there silently, without another word.

He removed his outer robe and dropped it to the ground.

He took a deep breath.

> "Come," he whispered to the sky. "I know you're watching."

For a few moments… nothing.

Then the world shifted.

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3. The Heaven Breaks

A deep rumble rolled across the land.

The clouds above twisted like serpents, thunder roared louder than armies, and a spiral of lightning-black mist formed directly above Ash's head.

Shen Mu, hovering behind, narrowed his eyes.

> "It's starting. You called it too soon. You have no formation. No shield. No tribulation anchors."

Ash smirked.

> "I have nine spirits and three thrones. That's enough."

And then—the sky fell.

A spear of lightning tore through the clouds and struck the earth.

But it didn't hit Ash.

It struck Mrit.

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4. The Bond of Spirits

Mrit, the nine-horned bull spirit, bellowed as he stood to protect Ash. His massive form took the brunt of the strike, his horns glowing with molten light.

> "I serve the Monarch," Mrit growled. "Not the heavens!"

The next bolt came, aimed directly for Ash's crown—but Vulcan stepped forward, raising a shield forged in core-fire and thunder metal.

> "You'll have to break me before touching him!"

And one by one, Ash's spirits—Vyren, Gorran, Yin Yang Lion, the twin eagles, the green dragons—emerged and stood in a ring around him.

> "We stand together!" the spirit voices echoed.

> "He is not alone."

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5. Ash Steps Forward

As the tenth bolt came crashing down like judgment itself—Ash raised his hand.

He didn't dodge.

He didn't block.

He absorbed it.

The wind throne surged to life inside him, spinning wildly. The beast throne roared, and necromantic shadows crawled over his arms. Three thrones pulsed inside his soul, and Ash stepped forward, lightning coursing through his blood.

> "You think I'm afraid?" he growled at the sky.

> "You think I was born to kneel?"

He raised both arms, his nine spirits howling, and the sky screamed in rage.

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6. The Wrath Yet to Come

Shen Mu stared at him with a rare look of awe.

> "He's doing it…"

But then, the clouds began to spin faster. Black turned to violet. The second phase had begun.

> "Ash!" Shen Mu shouted. "This is only the first trial. The real tribulation hasn't even started!"

Ash clenched his jaw.

> "Then I'll keep going until the heavens run out of rage".