Legend of the Divine Archer

Wei Xi, standing close to Yan Jin, couldn't contain his grin as he approached. "Big bro, I knew you'd make it to the top, but third? I didn't expect to be the one lagging behind."

Yan Bai, still trying to comprehend the chaotic turn of events, glanced at Gu Zhun's defeated form sprawled beneath the altar. "Don't count this guy. He's a cheater anyway," Wei Xi added, disgust dripping from his words.

"But why does he have corrupted energy?" Yan Bai asked, his brow furrowing as he studied the remnants of the dark aura that still flickered around Gu Zhun's broken body.

"He's been working with the Bloodwitches for a while now," Wei Xi replied, his tone darkening. "It's probably how he got as far as he did. And he's likely the one responsible for Yan Ming's death."

Yan Bai's expression hardened at the mention of Yan Ming, a flash of fury crossing his face. He turned to the altar, his gaze locking onto the core that pulsed with immense power. "Since the top three are here," he said, gesturing toward Yan Jin and Wei Xi, "let's claim our reward."

Together, the three of them climbed the steps of the altar, each step a symbolic ascent toward the pinnacle of their trials. The crowd watched in hushed awe, the cheers morphing into a reverent silence as the three victors stood before the crystallized core, its rhythmic thumping resonating like a heartbeat.

The glow of the core intensified, casting an ethereal light over the trio as they reached the upper platform.

Positioning themselves in a dignified triangle around the core, they sat cross-legged and began their meditation, the energy in the air thickening with anticipation. The ancient runes etched into the stone beneath them began to shimmer, lighting up in a radiant gold that spread across the platform.

A low hum filled the space, a sound that resonated deep within their chests, vibrating through their very bones.

Slowly, pillars of light rose from the ground where they sat, enveloping each of them in a radiant glow. The light lifted them from the stone, their bodies levitating effortlessly until they hovered at eye level with the core, suspended in the air like celestial beings. The core pulsed, brighter and more intensely than before, its energy focusing and condensing as it prepared to bestow its reward.

Three beams of energy shot forth from the core, each one wrapping around Yan Jin, Yan Bai, and Wei Xi like a protective cocoon.

As the three victors hovered within the radiant cocoon of light, the core of the vein throbbed with an otherworldly energy that resonated in waves, vibrating through the very fabric of the labyrinth. The pulsating heart of the core began to release tiny red light orbs—each one like a droplet of molten rubies, glowing with the essence of life.

These light balls shimmered and danced through the air, filling the platform with a warmth that could be felt deep in the marrow of their bones.

The red orbs swirled around the three champions, drawn to their cocoons like moths to a flame. One by one, they entered the protective light, merging with their bodies and flooding their veins with the concentrated vitality of the vein. The sensation was overwhelming, a rush of warmth that surged through them, igniting their senses.

It was like drinking the sun's essence, a burning yet invigorating feeling that left them breathless and alive.

Inside Yan Jin's blood, something began to stir. The nine-headed hydra that had long represented his potential writhed and twisted as the energy poured in. Each light ball breathed new life into the hydra, scales that had once been faint and ethereal now solidifying into a gleaming mosaic of iridescent armor, reflecting light with a hypnotic, almost liquid shimmer.

The fangs, once mere shadows, grew sharp and imposing, dripping with an aura of lethal promise. Its eyes gleamed with sentience, burning with a predatory intelligence that spoke of primordial hunger and untamed power.

Deep within Yan Jin, the formation of his second and third foundation pillars began. The energy crystallized into solid form, each pillar bursting into existence with the force of a cosmic collision. They were like towering monoliths, each carved from an unbreakable stone that glowed with inner fire, their surfaces etched with intricate runes that pulsed in time with his heartbeat.

As they formed, Yan Jin could feel his strength multiplying, his senses sharpening, his very being expanding as he became something more—something closer to a purified lord.

Meanwhile, from within Wei Xi's cocoon, a sound echoed that sent shivers through the crowd. The high-pitched scream of a wyvern, fierce and wild, cut through the air like a knife, resonating with a primal fury that shook the stones of the arena.

It was as if the creature itself was roaring back to life within him, its serpentine form coiling tighter around his core, its scales vibrating with the power of the vein's energy. The scream grew louder, a symphony of battle cries that echoed across the platform, declaring Wei Xi's ascension with an untamed, defiant pride.

From Yan Bai's cocoon, the ground beneath seemed to tremble as the deep, resonant roar of a dragon filled the air. It was a sound that carried the weight of mountains, a rumble that could be felt in the pit of the stomach, like thunder rolling over distant peaks. The roar was majestic, powerful, and absolute, shaking the very sky above.

It was as if a dragon had descended from the heavens, claiming its dominion over the world below. Within Yan Bai, the dragon's image blazed brighter, its scales rippling with energy, its wings unfurling as if ready to take flight. His entire body seemed to pulse with raw, draconic might, each roar a demonstrating his unyielding will.

The energy was so abundant that the red light balls began to overflow from the altar, spilling out into the open air. They drifted away from the platform like drifting embers caught in a gentle breeze, carried up into the sky before cascading down over Pine City. The glowing orbs rained upon the city like a delicate drizzle, each droplet shimmering with the crimson hue of life.

They fell softly, brushing against skin and stone, warming the hearts of everyone they touched. It was as if the first snow of winter had arrived, but instead of cold, it brought warmth and joy.

Cheers erupted from the crowd as the red lights danced around them, children reaching out with laughter to catch the orbs, their faces lit with wonder. Elders looked on, tears glistening in their eyes as they felt the gentle caress of the vein's blessing, a reminder of ancient times when miracles were still possible.

The air was filled with the soft glow of the red orbs, their gentle descent painting the city in hues of scarlet and gold. It was a scene of ethereal beauty, a moment that felt timeless, as if the heavens themselves had opened to bestow a gift upon Pine City.

The people reveled in the spectacle, their voices rising in joy and awe. "It's like the vein is blessing us!" someone shouted, their words carried by the jubilant chorus of the crowd. "We're part of something bigger!" another added, their eyes fixed on the glowing orbs that filled the sky.

The city basked in the glow, the radiant light of the vein touching every soul, binding them to the triumph of the champions who stood at the core.

For a moment, Pine City felt united under the crimson sky, as the light of the vein washed over them, binding the people in shared wonder and a renewed sense of hope.

The absorption of the vein's energy continued for hours, each of the champions locked in their own transformative battle against the surge of power flowing through them. The cocoon of light around them pulsed rhythmically, casting a brilliant, shifting glow over the altar as the red light orbs slowly began to diminish in number.

Wei Xi was the first to emerge, his cocoon bursting open with a crackling surge of energy that sent arcs of lightning dancing across the platform. His body, now brimming with vitality, radiated a sense of explosive power that was impossible to ignore. Muscles rippled beneath his skin, each sinew infused with the sheer might of his Imperial Storm Wyvern bloodline.

His aura had transformed, no longer just an abstract feeling but a palpable force—wild, chaotic, and destructive, like a storm on the brink of eruption.

Behind him, the shadow of his bloodline beast loomed—a wyvern, vast and serpentine, its scales crackling with lightning and eyes glowing with predatory fury. The wyvern's wings unfurled in an image of wrath and dominance, a living storm captured in the form of a beast. The creature's roar echoed faintly, a reminder of its boundless destructive potential.

Above Wei Xi, three halos spun slowly, each one a symbol of his newfound power. The halos gleamed in hues of electric blue and silver, rotating like celestial rings that reflected his connection to his bloodline. With each movement, they emitted bursts of energy, crackling with the same intensity that surged through Wei Xi's veins.

Yan Bai was the second to emerge, his cocoon dissolving into a cloud of frosty mist that spread across the altar, lowering the temperature around him. As the mist cleared, his silhouette was revealed, paler and more ethereal than before. His presence was like a sharp winter wind, cold and unyielding, but pure and crystalline.

Yan Bai's countenance had shifted; his skin seemed almost translucent, glowing with a faint icy sheen that gave him an otherworldly aura. His Imperial Ice Dragon shadow manifested behind him, a majestic and fearsome creature cloaked in layers of frost and shimmering scales of blue and white.

The dragon's icy breath wafted around Yan Bai, chilling the air and leaving a thin layer of frost on the stones beneath him. It exuded an aura of pristine coldness, its presence both beautiful and terrifying. The creature's eyes glowed with a deep, frigid light, piercing through the cold mist as if judging the world below.

Above Yan Bai's head, three halos hovered, each one radiating a pure, cold light that spun in perfect harmony. They were like ice rings, transparent and luminous, reflecting the serene yet ruthless nature of his bloodline. The rings emitted a faint, echoing hum that chilled the heart, adding to the overwhelming sense of imperial majesty that surrounded Yan Bai.

Yan Bai's aura was calm but lethal, a glacial force that promised unyielding strength. His icy breath misted in the air, and with every exhalation, it was as if the very temperature around him dropped a degree, drawing gasps from the spectators who could feel the palpable chill of his power.

Yan Jin remained within his cocoon the longest, his form shrouded in a swirling mass of crimson and black. He could feel the shadow of a fourth pillar beginning to take shape within him, a monumental force that promised to elevate him beyond his current state. But as the red orbs from the core diminished, the flow of energy began to wane, leaving him no choice but to end his absorption prematurely.

Reluctantly, Yan Jin allowed his cocoon to dissolve, emerging in a burst of dark, fiery energy that contrasted sharply with the brilliance of his peers.

His presence was immediately commanding, exuding a devilish, imperial aura that radiated like the gaze of a monarch surveying his domain. Yan Jin's aura was different—darker, more intense, and infused with a domineering presence that seemed to bend the very air around him.

His transformation had painted him with an aura that was neither wholly celestial nor entirely demonic but something in between, something uniquely his own. It was the aura of a ruler, a conqueror, and a devil all at once.

Three halos hovered above his head, each one spinning with a slow, deliberate grace. They were dark, almost shadowy, with faint glimmers of gold and crimson that hinted at the vast potential hidden within. They rotated like the rings of a forbidden planet, exuding an aura that was equal parts awe-inspiring and fearsome.

Yan Jin's presence was oppressive, his aura a constant reminder of his newfound status as a Purified Lord. He was the embodiment of authority, the weight of his power palpable to all who dared to look upon him.