Solar Blood Masters (187)

Chapter 187 - Void Emperor Qi Hawk

THUD!

Lu Ignis tumbled out of a swirling red portal in a heap on the floor of the grand medical palace within Hebikuni. His scales were scorched and cracked. He was a mess, a far cry from the imposing figure who had entered Silk Yune's Frozen Tundra Domain just hours earlier.

“Emperor!”

The Sun Imperial Guards stationed around the room stared in stunned silence. They were nervous. They’d never seen their Emperor in such a disheveled state, not even after his most brutal battles.

Whispers of “What happened?” and “Is he injured?” rippled through their ranks like a chilling breeze.

Lu Ignis coughed as plume of black smoke erupted from his nostrils, it stung their eyes. He slammed his tail against the floor.

WHAM!

“Damn that Qi Hawk! That feathered bastard! To think he’s become stronger than me?! Such humiliation! I’ll have my revenge! One day… I will crush him! I’ll rip his feathers out one by one and use them to decorate my throne room!”

He glared at the cowering guards, then his gaze drifted towards the distant peaks of his Marble World. ‘Now that Qi Hawk has become so powerful, I’ll have to remain in hiding for a while. Sindoll… Yes, she can protect me from his wrath. I’ll have to go to Skydom first thing tomorrow and…’

The door creaked open, and Wu Gurang emerged, flanked by two Silver Ice Foxes dressed in medical attire. She’d been tending to Lu Ruby and was startled by the commotion.

“Lu Ignis! What’s going on here? Why are you causing such a ruckus? And where is Silk Yune? I thought she’d be accompanying you. Surely, you two have settled that dispute of yours by now regarding Lu Ruby’s treatment.”

She observed Lu Ignis’s scorched scales. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“Did you… fight against Silk Yune, Lu Ignis? You’d better pray that you didn’t lay a single scale on her! Because if you have… you can kiss your daughter’s treatment goodbye!”

“What?! You dare speak to me that way?! A mere 1st Layer Emperor Calamity?! You’re in MY domain, fox! You best do well to remember that!”

“What have you done to Silk Yune, Lu Ignis?! I’ll have you know that I can dispatch of your daughter faster than you can take care of me.” Wu Gurang was fearless. She glared at Lu Ignis, daring him to challenge her authority. She’d witnessed Thienika’s power during the Great Divine Tribulation and knew that even at 1st Layer Emperor Calamity she could rival even Lu Ignis’s might, and he’d just had the wind knock out of him.

Lu Ignis growled, his scales rippled with barely contained fury, ‘Tsk! This fox wench!’

‘Should I tell her about Silk Yune’s demise? She’ll find out the moment she leaves Hebikuni anyway. No, my daughter’s health is my top priority. Silk Yune mentioned she had Void Water at her mountain. I’ll send my elite forces to retrieve it while I keep these bastards busy with lies. Yes, that’s the best recourse.’

He snickered internally, almost forgetting about Qi Hawk’s looming threat for a moment.

…

Within the opulent confines of Qi Hawk's palace in Nestoria, Raphael slumbered peacefully on a comfy bed of feathers. He stirred slightly, mumbled incoherently, then his eyes fluttered open.

“Hmmm… Where am I? Am I dead?”

“Nope. You’re still alive.”

“That voice…?”

Raphael’s vision cleared. He looked up and saw Qi Fenwei’s large head staring down at him.

“Where am I?” he asked, startled. He realized he was nestled within a nest of her feathers and blushed crimson.

“Fuhuhu,” Qi Fenwei was amused by his reaction. “You’re so much cuter now, Raphael. Like a fledgling.”

“Hey! I’m not a cute baby! Or a cute… anything!” He scrambled out of the nest and rolled onto the floor, eager to escape her gaze and those feathers.

During his indignant outburst, a question surfaced, “Who brought me here?”

A calm and powerful voice resounded through the chamber.

“I brought you here.”

Raphael turned and saw Qi Hawk sitting upon his throne observing him thoughtfully with his Void Eyes.

“You… you rescued me from Lu Ignis and that lady fox? What happened?”

Before Qi Hawk could answer, Qi Fenwei placed a feather gently upon Raphael’s head.

“My father scared away Lu Ignis and defeated Silk Yune. He then fused her soul with yours.”

“What?!” Raphael couldn't believe it. “That’s… that’s ridiculous! There’s no way…”

She gestured towards the space between his horns.

A small, white orb, the size of a soccer ball, hovered there. Within its translucent surface, a chibi version of Silk Yune glared menacingly at Qi Fenwei and Qi Hawk. She was wearing a miniature version of her white silk gown, her nine tails swished angrily and her face was contorted in a furious scowl.

“There is no way…” Raphael reached up and touched the orb. It was real.

He sat in a meditative posture and directed his awareness inwards, towards his Cosmic Mind Sea.

He observed his Teterahek tree.

A new fruit had appeared on one of its branches. A large, pale-pink sun center, radiating the potent aura of a Silver Ice Fox. It throbbed with a unsettling energy, and beside it, an empty Astro Soul Orbital hovered.

‘Qi Fenwei was telling the truth… But this is insane! With Silk Yune’s power… just how much has my overall Solar Essence Density increased?’

He checked and was stunned. His Solar Essence Density was still 8 million kelvin.

‘How can this be?! It should have increased exponentially now that Silk Yune’s Solar Consciousness is a part of my Teterahek!’ He was puzzled. He’d figure this out later.

He returned to reality and expressed his sincere gratitude to Qi Hawk.

“Emperor Qi Hawk, thank you. For saving my life. And for… this gift.” He gestured towards the orb between his horns. “I am in your debt.”

“You flatter me, Raphael,” Qi Hawk replied. “I’ve only returned the favor. You returned my Void Eye. Because of you and that little friend of yours… I’ve ascended to higher realms.”

He unleashed a sliver of his Solar Pressure. Raphael felt its oppressive weight and understood. Qi Hawk was now a 1st Layer Void Emperor Calamity. Second only to Sindoll.

“Where is Lu Jade? Is he safe?” Raphael inquired, concerned about his friend.

Qi Fenwei replied, “He came by a year ago for some training. But we don’t know where he is now.”

She picked Raphael up and began nuzzling him affectionately.

“Hey! Stop that! I’m not a toy!” He squirmed in her grasp.

“You’re so much cuter than you were as a bull. You smell better too,” she chuckled, sniffing his hair.

“Hey! Stop sniffing me! Emperor Qi Hawk, control your daughter!”

“Enough!” Qi Hawk clapped his hands softly, and the playful banter ceased.

“Raphael, even though I’ve fused Silk Yune’s Solar Consciousness with yours, she is an Emperor Calamity. And very rebellious. It’ll be challenging to tame her power, but with your unique abilities and those secrets within your blood… I’m confident you’ll succeed.”

“Oh! So that’s why my Solar Essence Density remained unchanged?”

“Indeed. Taming Silk Yune will not be easy. It'll take time and mental discipline. But when you do… you’ll have access to her potent Solar Essence. And your power will increase exponentially. I assure you.”

“Thank you, Emperor.” Raphael was both excited and slightly terrified by this revelation.

“One more thing, Raphael… Lu Ignis won’t be causing you any more trouble. Your presence in Yama Yaguai is now under my protection. You’re free to travel wherever you please. Just don’t cause any major trouble. I can’t protect you if you anger Sindoll.”

“Thank you again, Emperor Qi Hawk. You are truly magnificent.” Raphael bowed respectfully. “If I may, I’d like to visit the human world.”

Hearing this, Qi Fenwei looked saddened. But Qi Hawk smiled.

“There is a human settlement miles away from the outskirts of Yunyin Territory. I’ll send you there right away.”

Before Raphael could respond, a black rift opened up in space. It sucked him inwards, then vanished.

Qi Fenwei was annoyed. “I wasn’t finished playing with him yet!”

“Since when have you become so… cheery, Fenwei? Do you also want to go to the human world? I can create a disguise for you.”

“No, Father. I have duties here.” She turned and left the chamber with her wings drooping slightly.

Qi Hawk watched her go, pondering his daughter’s sudden interest in the human Raphael.