Inside the sleek, silver-glass cabin of the Pushpa Airship, Devi Sudhi sat with serene authority, flanked by two stunningly beautiful warrior women—the most trusted of her personal guard. These two had been by her side even before she ascended to her role as the sovereign of the Nivaria Kingdom. Clad in flowing robes that shimmered with protective enchantments, they remained ever alert, their presence exuding both elegance and lethality.
Turning slightly, Devi Sudhi addressed the warrior on her right, her voice calm yet commanding. "How much longer until we reach the Forbidden Ice Ruins?"
The bodyguard offered a respectful nod before answering. "The journey was initially estimated to take three days, Your Grace. However, with the speed of the Pushpa Airship, we will arrive in two. One day has already passed."
Sudhi nodded, her eyes drifting to the frost-tinged horizon visible through the glass panels. The ancient lands of the Forbidden Ice Ruins held many secrets—and perhaps, today, a miracle.
As the quiet hum of the airship carried them forward, a goddess seated to her left stirred. Dressed in a vibrant yellow ghagra-choli adorned with divine patterns that shimmered like liquid sunlight, Devi Gami, a being of Godhood-level cultivation, broke the silence.
"Devi Sudhi," she said, her tone measured, "a short while ago, the spiritual energy flowing toward the Forbidden Ice Ruins was abruptly disrupted."
Sudhi turned sharply. "Do you know the cause, Devi Gami?"
"I activated my semi-divine skill—Jyotir Vidya—to peer through the veil," Gami replied. "A massive Realm Tribulation is taking place there. Entry for deities at our level is nearly impossible while it is active. But from within it, I sensed two unmistakable presences: a Godhood-level artifact, and... a Heaven and Earth Object."
A hush fell over the room. The mere mention of such a treasure sent a chill—not from fear, but from awe—through everyone present.
"Could it be," Sudhi asked slowly, "that the Heaven and Earth Object itself is undergoing the tribulation?"
Gami shook her head gravely.
The air grew tense. All inside the airship understood the implications: if a Heaven and Earth Object could survive a tribulation, it might be used to ascend into the Divine Realm. That kind of power was beyond comprehension—it could make or break empires.
The tension grew until Devi Suli, a high-ranking cultivator with silvery eyes and steel resolve, raised her voice. "Everyone, compose yourselves. Control your emotions."
Order restored, she turned to the general seated to her right—Devi Jhanji, a battle-hardened warrior and one of the sharpest minds of the Nivaria military.
"If this is truly a Divine Heaven and Earth Object," Sudhi asked, "what are the chances we can claim it? Or... is this some trap laid by the Blizzardheart Empire? What do you think?"
Jhanji's response was firm. "I don't believe this is a conspiracy. That said, if such an object truly exists, then by right of territory, it falls under Blizzardheart's claim."
She paused, her expression grim. "And as you know, battles between Godhood-level cultivators are forbidden. However... if you command it, we can demand an explanation from Emperor Isman—regarding the incident involving our borderlands."
A cold smile touched Devi Sudhi's lips. "He will answer."
As the Pushpa Airship surged forward toward destiny, a different battle was unfolding deep within the Hidden Ice World.
---
Far below, in a realm unseen by mortal eyes, Adarsh struggled.
Reborn into a tiny, fragile body, his soul carried the memories and divine essence of a powerful past life. Yet now, he found himself utterly powerless. His Divine Sense couldn't control the infant form. His Divine Power, though intact, was being refined by the system—purified into something stronger, more condensed.
Adarsh could feel that this Pure Divine Power was available to him... but it couldn't be channeled through the frail vessel of his body. Frustration surged.
"System," he asked inwardly, "what's happening to my body?"
> [Host, your new body is at Level 0. It is incapable of enduring your Divine Power. For nine years, it will remain in a dormant state, comparable to a normal child. Your Divine Soul will begin to merge with this body only after this period.]
"Nine years?" Adarsh echoed, incredulous. "Then... who controls this body until then?"
> [Your Soul Essence resides within. A new soul, born from your own, has formed in this vessel. It lacks your memories but will slowly recover them. Over time, it will strengthen and eventually merge with your Divine Soul. The memories from your past life are not Divine Memories and cannot be directly retrieved.]
Adarsh was stunned. "So... I will regain my memories?" he whispered, the revelation sending ripples through his soul. The idea of rediscovering who he once was filled him with a strange blend of fear and hope.
He composed himself and asked the question burning at the edge of his thoughts. "Then how do I protect this fragile body during the Realm Tribulation?"
> [You must wait until the Blood Seed completes its first evolution. Once it evolves, your awarded skill—Control Power—will activate. Only then can you influence the tribulation.]
Adarsh remembered now—the system reward: Control Power. When his Divine Power was depleted, he had fainted before examining it.
"System, show me my skill panel."
> Skill Panel
1st Skill: Control Power
[Control Power] – Grants absolute control over one's body, soul, power, and abilities.
Level 1: [Note: Until age 9, usage is restricted to soul and objects connected to it.]
Reading the description left him breathless.
"This... this is more than a power. This is potential incarnate. If I can master this, I could manipulate every aspect of myself—every muscle, every breath, every thought."
He marveled at its future potential, even as he realized its current limitations. For now, the skill couldn't be applied to his body—only his soul and soul-bound objects. But there was hope: the Blood Seed.
It was not yet linked to his soul. It was evolving. Gathering mysterious energy, it had begun to shift. A black-red root unfurled from the core of the seed and stretched outward, winding itself around his infant heart. The root glowed faintly—not entirely physical, yet not ethereal either.
Using his Divine Sense, Adarsh observed in awe as the roots expanded further. They connected to every artery and vein, forming a seamless fusion between his circulatory system and the Blood Seed's tendrils.
They pulsed together. One life. One rhythm.