"Seraphina, in the whole history of Dalu and the Seven Saintesses... was there ever anyone like me in the past?" Vahn asked, his tone steady but serious.
His blue pupils locked onto hers, unblinking.
In response, she slowly shook her head. "No, Vahn. In the previous eras there was never a person like you connected to the destiny of the Seven Saintesses. You’re the only one who is truly unique. I don’t know why or how. But the prophecy says you are the source of our strength. Maybe that’s why we were all married to you when we were still too young to decide for ourselves.
The Seven Holy Lands arranged it to keep you close to us. But unexpectedly, Kevin Woodinson of the Alchemy Land stole you away. I don’t know his reasons, but I’m glad you’re here now, as my husband. And I’m sure the others will accept you too. It’s only a matter of time."
Vahn gave a slow nod, but inside, his thoughts churned.
So they really don’t know they’ve been stealing my power all this time. That explains why my system doesn’t register them as enemies. The true culprits are the top dogs of the Seven Holy Lands. Whether they did it to save humanity or for their own selfish agendas... I don’t care. When the time comes, I will seize my destiny with my own hands. Those who wanted me to stay weak and pathetic — they are my true enemies.
---
Meanwhile, in another part of White Lotus, a meeting was being held that night.
"So the Saintess of Darkness infiltrated our sanctuary right under our noses and harmed one of our disciples, is that what you are saying, Law Enforcement Head?" Dimidium asked in mocking tone
He sat in a lotus position on the main seat at the low table.
Around him, Orsted, the 3 top law enforcers led by Ross Von Silva, and the five Supreme Elders were seated.
Orsted and one man older than him, were standing to show respect.
Ross Von Silva was a middle-aged man. His silver hair was neatly combed, his posture straight. He wore a finely woven white robe with a five-petaled white lotus emblem on his chest. His eyes were sharp and respectful.
"Yes, Patriarch. That is what the clues indicate. The remnants of dark elemental energy still linger there. And I am deeply ashamed of my failure. If you wish me to resign from this duty, I would not hesitate."
From his tone, it was clear he meant it.
Dimidium barked a low laugh. "Ross, you sound far too eager to resign. Do you not like your job?"
"No, Patriarch, you are just imagining things," Ross replied, keeping his tone casual.
Their banter hinted at a relationship more familiar than mere superior and subordinate. There was something else there, a closeness that made some of the exchanges almost a private joke.
Dimidium sighed helplessly.
Then the elderly man beside Orsted spoke up,
"Patriarch, Law Enforcer Head, this is no time to joke. My nephew has been crippled, and I demand justice for that. I want that brat dead, or expelled from the sect at once."
Everyone in the hall narrowed their eyes, looking displeased.
"Insolence! You are only an Outer Court elder. How dare you raise your voice before your superiors?" one of Ross’s men snapped.
"We do not care about your scumbag nephew, Roland."
Patriarch Dimidium raised his hand, silencing the room.
Turning his gaze on Elder Roland, he continued,
"That boy’s existence is far more important than your worthless nephew. And do not think for even a moment that we are blind to his outrageous deeds within our sanctuary. It is only because of your reputation that we granted him leeway. Yet he did not repent, and you did not teach him discipline. The punishment he received is more than justified."
Roland lowered his head under the weight of hostile stares, but the way his fist trembled told another story. He would not let this matter rest.
Dimidium’s domineering voice resounded once again,
"But we cannot let this infiltration pass unchallenged. Send words to the Darkness Creed. Demand an explanation as to why their Saintess interfered in the matter of Destiny’s Child like this. Do they any secret motive to defy the Treaty? We will have our answer."
A storm was brewing, and this time, it was not for Vahn.
---
In another place, hundreds of thousands of kilometers away.
Inside a dark hall faintly illuminated by firelight where shadows twisted and swayed like living things.
A woman sat on a throne with her legs crossed, her presence exuding quiet dominance.
Below her stood another figure, gazing up at the throne with unrelenting eyes. Her face was veiled by a layer of darkness, as though concealing something forbidden. From her forehead sprouted a pair of elegant demonic horns, and from her back extended eight spider-like legs that twitched with a chilling rhythm.
Her skin was not dark, but extraordinarily fair and smooth. Her hourglass figure and plump bosoms gave her the allure of a deadly temptress, beautiful yet terrifying.
"So, why did you go to meet him right after rejecting him Lilith?" the woman on the throne asked. Her tone was neither gentle nor harsh, only calm and calculating.
"Nothing, Mother. I just felt a sudden impulse to know his mind. To see how he views the world," Lilith replied without blinking, her voice equally steady and calculating.
"And did you get your answer?" her mother pressed.
"No. I did not have enough time," Lilith admitted.
"I see. But you could have brought him here and taken the answer for yourself. Why did you not do that? Are you growing soft, Lilith? Have you already begun to fall for that boy?"
From her mother’s voice, no one could tell if she was angry or amused. It carried no obvious emotion, yet Lilith could sense her fury slowly rising, little by little.
That’s why she remained silent.
Her mother continued,
"You very well know how important he is for our plan. And yet at your first meeting, you ignored him like an immature child and returned empty-handed. Now you suddenly started playing hide and seek.
Tell me, Lilith, what do you want?"
"That, even I do not know, Mother," Lilith answered, her voice mixed with rare uncertainty. "What should I do?"
The woman rose from the throne, her mature figure revealed in the flickering light. She was voluptuous and breathtakingly beautiful, like an older version of Lilith, though her face bore none of the corruption her daughter carried.
"There is only one thing you can do for now."
Her declaration resounded in the hall like a decree carved into stone.
"Prepare for the Seven Saintesses Competition. This time I won’t accept failures."