Kent knelt before the radiant figure of the Goddess of Life, his voice heavy with emotion. “Thank you… thank you so much. You’ve brought her back. You’ve lifted a weight I thought I’d carry forever. Please, ask me anything. Tell me—what can I do for you?”
The goddess’s gentle smile softened the air around them, her golden light pulsating faintly. “As I said before, stop acting purely on emotions. Consider this a favor—a favor you may repay in the future. But,” her expression turned serious, her eyes piercing through his, “if you can’t change your cultivation path, you won’t be able to help me when the time comes.”
Kent furrowed his brows, confusion written across his face. “What do you mean? What’s wrong with my path? Tell me, and I’ll change it, no matter how difficult it may be. Even if it’s filled with thorns, I won’t hesitate to cross it.”
The goddess’s radiant smile faded, replaced by a solemn expression. “Everything lies before you, Kent, yet you are blind to it. Look at this sage.” She gestured toward Paras, who stood silently nearby. “His path is clear and structured. Disciple Sage, Elder Sage, King Sage, Emperor Sage, Eternal Sage, Brahma Sage, Divine Conscious Sage, and, finally, God Sage. His path is fixed, a ladder he climbs steadily.
“But you, Kent, are different. Your path is not laid out for you. Becoming a Demi-god is not your path. The demigods also need to follow a cycle, Origin God, an Old God, or perhaps one above all? Beyond that, there are higher realms: the Formless, and then the Godly Cycle, where eternity itself becomes your playing field. You must claim your steps and forge a path no one has walked before. Dragons have their path, demons have theirs, and so do humans. You, Kent, must find yours.”
Kent’s gaze dropped to the ground, his thoughts swirling. “Goddess,” he said after a moment, “I’ve already taken my first steps on the path of the demigod. What can I change now? Isn’t my path already set?”
The goddess’s tone softened, though her words were heavy with meaning. “That is something I cannot tell you. Unlike others, you are both a body maze and a cultivation maze—an anomaly in this world. This sets you apart from sages, dragons, or demons. Your potential is limitless, but it is also untamed.
“Find your own path, Kent. Do not let the games of gods or demons dictate your destiny. Instead, use their power to fuel your journey. Believe in yourself and your choices. But remember, if you waste another hundred years walking someone else’s path, you will lose the opportunity to set foot on your own.”
Kent clenched his fists, his jaw tight as he absorbed her words. Finally, he bowed his head. “Thank you, Goddess. I will remember your wisdom and find my way.”
The goddess’s smile returned, her luminous presence soothing the tension in the air. “You are welcome. Remember my favor, for the time will come when I will ask for repayment.”
Kent nodded solemnly, his resolve firm. “I won’t forget.”
The goddess raised a glowing hand and placed a single finger on Kent’s forehead. A wave of warmth and light surged through him, and he felt a golden drop descend into his soul space.
“I have granted you a half-drop of godly intent,” she said, her voice echoing with divine authority. “This is my gift to you for your role in the sacrifice ritual.”
Kent’s eyes widened in confusion. “Sacrifice ritual?! Godly intent? What does it do?”
The goddess chuckled softly. “Godly intent is the essence of divinity itself. It can merge with anything—a leaf blade, thin air, or even a grain of sand—and transform it into a weapon of unmatched power. This intent is what you need to truly ascend to godhood. Cultivate it, nurture it, and learn to multiply it.”
Her words left him awestruck. “But… I didn’t conduct the ritual. How did I earn this?”
The goddess’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Oh, you did. You killed the demon prince before the ritual on Mount Meru was complete. Your actions completed the sacrificial cycle, which is why I offered you Yaga energy. That energy now circulates through your body, empowering your every move.”
Kent’s gaze turned inward as he sensed the energy flowing within him—a golden current coursing through his veins. He bowed deeply, gratitude etched into his every feature.
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As the goddess began to fade, Paras approached Kent, his expression a mix of reverence and hope. “Young man,” he said, his voice calm yet firm, “your potential is unlike anything I’ve seen in my centuries of existence. Come with us to the Eternal Sanctuary. There, you can learn to harness your power and refine your path.”
Kent hesitated, his thoughts still heavy with the goddess’s words. Before he could respond, a familiar voice cut through the air.
“Wait.” Lady Ignira stepped forward, her fiery aura subdued but still commanding attention. She smirked as she approached Kent, her eyes flickering with curiosity and… something else. “You have the strangest aura of any man I’ve ever met.”
Kent raised an eyebrow, unsure how to respond. Ignira leaned closer, her smirk widening. “Take my advice, Kent. Go to the desolate desert lands. It’s a dangerous place, but it holds something crucial for your dragon evolution. Trust me—when you reach the Fire God Realm, you’ll thank me.”
Kent’s eyes narrowed. “Why are you helping me?”
Ignira chuckled, stepping back. “Let’s just say I have a soft spot for promising individuals. Besides, it’ll be entertaining to see what you become.”
With that, she turned and disappeared into the horizon, leaving Kent to ponder her words.
As the mountaintop cleared and the remnants of the battle faded into memory, Kent stood silently.
“Kent, please follow us to the sanctuary. I will pass all my knowledge to you. I will also grant a part in this Yaga energy as promised. Please, listen to my word.” Sage Paras asked in a requesting tone.
Kent slowly nodded his head without replying. Several thoughts raining in his brine. Till now he only thought of becoming a Demi-god and late fight to reach the origin god position. But all his plans changed now entirely