My Descendants Are My Power

[Blackwood 300 Years]

That day, within the Patriarch's Realm, the Forebearer vanished.

It wasn't until a full ten days later that the Forebearer reappeared within the Patriarch's Realm, resuming their usual position observing the Blackwood clan.

"Forebearer, your... your aura..."

Though Olivia no longer possessed a physical form, she remained a unique presence within the Blackwood clan.

The moment Ethan reappeared, she detected his change.

While unable to sense the Forebearer's aura directly, she perceived a subtle shift, as if he had grown... stronger!

Over the years, she had entertained countless theories about the Forebearer's true nature, but eventually, she ceased speculating.

She understood that despite the Forebearer's enigmatic nature, their dedication to the clan was absolute, mirroring the unwavering loyalty of every Blackwood member.

The Forebearer's will was the clan's will.

Olivia would obey any command without hesitation.

"Indeed."

Ethan offered a slight nod, acknowledging Olivia's delighted expression.

Exhaling slowly, his gaze swept across the clan members within the space, carrying an almost palpable weight.

"I am ready."

...

[Blackwood 360 Years]

Only two years remained until the century mark prophesied by Elder Phil.

As the deadline approached, a strange and somber atmosphere descended upon Sunshine Mansion.

Even within the Emerald Empire, countless eyes watched the mansion closely.

It seemed everyone knew that in two years' time, the monstrous prodigies of Sunshine Mansion would clash with the Blackwood clan in a battle for the ages.

Yet, strangely, aside from Julian at Radiant Sky Grotto and Mary at Crystal Crest, there was no news of any other Blackwood members.

Even those two seemed solely focused on honing their psychic powers, making no other moves.

The Rising Stars rescued from Kylin Mountain Roberts had also vanished without a trace.

"Two years... No matter what, I will open the Heavenly Path Psychic Sanctuary."

Atop Crystal Crest, intricate formations materialized above Phil, layering upon each other before ascending into the clouds.

It was a display of Advanced Mastery, a celestial manipulation of wind and cloud.

The formations vanished into the sky, leaving no trace.

Mary and Samuel sat beside Phil.

"I can feel it," Phil said to Mary, "the Heavenly Path's projection is encroaching upon Sunshine Mansion. The century mark is upon us. Are you Blackwoods prepared?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

He knew that despite Mary's presence at Crystal Crest, she possessed a secret means of communication with the rest of her clan.

"Yes."

Mary's curt nod and subsequent silence drew Phil's brows together.

"I don't know what you Blackwoods have been planning these past years, nor if you can truly aid me. But know this: we have only one chance. Once I open the Heavenly Path Psychic Sanctuary, if the Heavenly Path achieves Advanced Mastery, neither you nor I can stop them."

Mary simply nodded again, her silence fueling Phil's frustration.

...

Meanwhile, at the ancient battleground of Endless Forest, a pair of eyes opened, so black they seemed to devour all light.

Taking the eyes as their epicenter, a wave of dark energy rippled outward, emanating a terrifying aura.

Druids cultivating psychic powers around the battlefield felt the shift.

Their faces paled, and they hastily ceased their practice, taking to the skies to escape the epicenter of the terrifying energy.

"Such potent deathly aura!"

"This isn't our Druidic aura, it's human psychic power! Curse them, who dares use our sacred grounds for their own ends?"

"Quickly, report back to Lord Apostle and the elders!"

As the Druids fled, the dark energy above the battlefield coalesced, forming a swirling mass of black clouds.

Within the clouds, a pair of colossal eyes materialized, their gaze fixed upon a lone figure meditating at the center of the battlefield.

Nathan!

He had been meditating for years, his clothes now little more than tattered rags that seemed ready to disintegrate at the slightest breeze.

The man once known as the 'Steadfast Patriarch' in Azure Cloud now exuded an even greater sense of composure and serenity.

His dark eyes slowly returned to their normal state as he murmured, "Forebearer, your child is ready. The Death Coffin is ready to return."

As if responding to his words, the Patriarch's Soul Brand resting on his chest gently rose into the air.

A single word materialized before him: "Good."

"Yes, Forebearer, I will retrieve the Death Coffin now."

Nathan reached out, taking the Soul Brand back into his hand.

He rose to his feet and turned towards a specific direction – the location where the two Druid elders cultivated their psychic powers.

With each step he took, the entire battleground trembled.

Wisps of dark energy rose from the ground – the restless broken soul of the fallen warriors.

These broken souls, one after another, joined the procession behind Nathan, forming a vast army that stretched as far as the eye could see.

The storm clouds above mirrored his movements, gathering and churning with increasing intensity.

"Boom!"

Thunder roared across the sky.

...

The world was in constant flux.

The Druids residing near the Three Realms of Azure Cloud had also undergone significant changes over the years.

After countless battles against Azure Cloud, with tribes both falling and rising, they had gradually formed larger communities beyond the borders of the Three Realms.

However, instead of launching further attacks on Azure Cloud, they adopted a defensive stance.

The Divine Bird Tribe had suffered losses, and their revered Forebearers were in seclusion, recovering from their wounds.

Naturally, the responsibility of guarding against human Basic Mastery Psychics at the borders of the Three Realms of Azure Cloud fell upon the shoulders of Elders Shane and Lester.

This Druid alliance, led by Shane and Lester and comprised of twenty-some tribes, had established a Druid city – Oakdale City.

Unlike human cities, Oakdale City embraced nature.

Its walls were formed by massive vines, woven together by Druidic rituals that commanded the power of the forest.

The Druids lived within this living fortress, resembling ants bustling within their intricate nest.

Totems, both floating and grounded, were scattered throughout the city.

At the heart of Oakdale City, several figures opened their eyes.

Each one was a Druid Apostle or High Priest.

"Mr. Nathan has finally caught up."

Within a pool of lightning, Mike opened his eyes, arcs of electricity dancing within them.

His prime spirit had long been observing the ancient battleground.

As he watched the lone figure and the tempestuous storm clouds gathering above, a smile spread across his face.

He had not remained stagnant over the century.

His strength had grown, and his breakthrough to Basic Mastery had earned him the esteemed position of an elder.

He no longer feared the Blackwoods as enemies.

He had known for a long time that a family like theirs, facing such circumstances in Azure Cloud, would eventually turn against the Emerald Empire.

And so it had come to pass.

The enemy of his enemy had become his friend, which was why he had been aiding Nathan all these years.

As for Arnold... Mike knew that the talented Rising Star had simply been frightened by the Blackwoods.