Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 268

Chapter 268: lost..

Gard pressed his artifact against Aiden’s chest and whispered, “Plunder the Lucifer Martial Spirit.” His intent was clear—he aimed to steal something far superior to the White Sword Martial Spirit Aiden possessed. Why settle for less when he could have something as powerful as Lucifer’s spirit?

As the book in his hand began to glow, Gard grinned maliciously. “It’s coming… mine now,” he muttered, his eyes gleaming with sadistic joy. Meanwhile, Aiden felt his soul being ripped apart. It wasn’t the first time this had happened—Gemini had done it before—but the glow of the artifact was too strong, signaling that it was successfully tearing away his connection to Lucifer.

The book, forbidden and ancient, scoured Aiden’s soul for the connection to Lucifer. Like all Martial Spirits, Lucifer was bound by a thin but unbreakable connection—normally impossible to sever by conventional means. However, this forbidden artifact was crafted for precisely this purpose: to steal it.

As the book searched deeper, pulling at the bond between Aiden and Lucifer, he felt his very soul splitting. Pain surged through him as the artifact’s power coursed through his body, tearing at the fabric of his being. Gemini worked furiously within him to block the book’s influence, but it was futile.

Myne and Nexus rushed toward Aiden, their faces filled with desperation. But Gard’s Martial Spirit had created a field that blocked their approach, rendering them powerless to reach him, even with their strength. It was as if time and space had been warped around Gard, making their efforts useless against the artifact’s overwhelming power.

“Yes, yes, any time now,” Gard laughed ecstatically, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. But suddenly, the glow from the artifact stopped.

“What? What just happened? Why did it stop?” he questioned, panic creeping into his voice. He quickly looked down at the book in his hand. “No… no, no, no, no!” he screamed as he watched the forbidden book turn to ash and disintegrate, scattering into the air.

As Gard clenched the remnants of the ashes in disbelief, Aiden slowly stood up, coughing up blood but still alive.

[Fortunately, he targeted Lucifer, thinking it was a normal Martial Spirit. The artifact wasn’t able to break its connection as it was tied down by celestial laws, but it did leave your soul damaged,] Nexus’ voice echoed in Aiden’s head.

[If it had been any other Martial Spirit, the connection would have been severed, and you would’ve died on the spot,] Myne added with relief.

Aiden’s soul was unique—this was his second reincarnation, and his existence was further fortified by the energy of the Cube. This special bond allowed him to survive the catastrophe that might have otherwise ended him.

Though battered and weakened, Aiden had once again narrowly escaped death.

As soon as the artifact vanished, Myne rushed in and bound Gard with swift precision, along with the remaining Dark Chain members. “This scum must have waited for the right moment,” Leisa, one of the Saint Kings, said in disgust as she stepped forward.

“Kill him and torment his soul,” Myne commanded, and the others swiftly obeyed. Gard’s physical body was destroyed, while his soul was captured and sealed into the Lamp of Ash Thunder, a hellish realm where he would endure eternal torment under the fierce might of thunder.

Aiden glanced at the lamp, watching Gard’s soul being tortured. He sighed and turned his gaze to the ashes of the artifact. “It might have been a one-time use item,” he mused.

“Perhaps,” Nexus agreed, “but it was still powerful enough. It even managed to locate the connection between you and Lucifer. But once it realized it was dealing with more than just a Martial Spirit from this world, it stopped altogether, losing its purpose.”

Aiden nodded. “After all, Lucifer isn’t a Martial Spirit—he’s an authority, not bound by the laws of this realm. They may seem similar, but in essence, they are entirely different.”

Nexus added, “That’s what saved you in the end. The artifact couldn’t handle something beyond the limits of this world.”

Aiden chuckled, “I doubt this artifact was even from this world.”

[You’re right. It’s not from this realm but from the Upper Divine Realm,] Nexus confirmed with a nod.

“Hm, that seems plausible,” Aiden agreed, standing up slowly. “How bad is the damage?” he asked, his voice a mix of exhaustion and frustration.

[Your soul is 57% damaged. It will take a long recovery period to get back to your peak,] Nexus informed him.

“Great, more delays. Just when I thought I could finally meet Serina and Shelly after this,” Aiden sighed, sitting down heavily on the ground.

[They’ll be waiting for you in the Divine Realm,] Nexus reassured him.

Aiden nodded. After his conquest against the Black Chain and their fall, his thoughts had often drifted to Serina and Shelly. He had learned that both of them had already ascended to the Divine Realm, leaving him behind.

“I really wonder what caused them to ascend so fast,” Aiden mused aloud, curiosity clear in his voice.

Just then, Myne approached him and sat beside him, quietly healing his injuries with a warm glow emanating from her hands. “You’ll catch up to them soon,” she said softly, offering him a reassuring smile.

As Aiden sat, recovering from the immense toll the battle had taken on him, his people worked diligently to establish a new order. The site where the Black Chain once ruled was now under their control, and plans for a new sect were already being drawn up.

Myne continued healing him, her energy weaving through his body as she mended his physical wounds, but the damage to his soul would take far longer. Even Nexus had mentioned that Aiden’s recovery would require not just time, but a deep connection with powerful soul-repairing resources.

Days passed, and during this time, Aiden observed as his people turned the Black Chain’s stronghold into the foundation of a new sect. Buildings were reinforced, the dark aura of the previous rulers was replaced with a vibrant energy, and new recruits from Aiden’s forces were assigned key roles. The old Black Chain followers, now captured or dead, had left behind a wealth of resources and knowledge that Aiden’s people quickly absorbed.

In the grand hall, where Raven once commanded, a ceremony was being prepared. Banners bearing the new sect’s symbol—a twin-bladed sword entwined with flames and light, symbolizing Aiden’s dual Martial Spirits—were hung throughout the space.

One day, Myne approached Aiden. “It’s time,” she said with a soft smile, gesturing for him to follow her.

Aiden, still not fully recovered but looking far better than before, rose to his feet. As they walked through the halls, he could see the transformation taking place. His people were dedicated, their loyalty unshakable after witnessing his power and leadership. He could hear murmurs of respect and reverence as he passed by, though he remained silent, focused on the moment ahead.

They entered the grand hall, where a crowd of his closest allies, warriors, and new disciples had gathered. At the center stood a throne-like seat, carved from obsidian and adorned with gems that shimmered with mystical energy.

Nexus’s voice echoed in his mind. [They’ve chosen you as the leader. The sect is yours now.]

Aiden stopped before the seat, looking out at the gathered crowd. Myne stepped forward, raising her voice to address the assembly. “Today, we crown Aiden, the one who has freed us from the chains of darkness, as the leader of this new sect! Under his rule, we shall rise stronger than ever!”

The crowd erupted in cheers, their voices filling the massive hall.

As the cheering subsided, several of Aiden’s closest allies approached him, holding ceremonial tokens that symbolized leadership and authority. Among them was Leisa, a Saint King, who held a crown forged from the remnants of the Black Chain’s shattered power. She knelt before Aiden and presented the crown.

“Aiden,” Leisa said with a respectful bow, “you have saved us from the tyranny of Raven and the Black Chain. It is only right that you lead this sect into a new era of strength and unity.”

Aiden accepted the crown, its weight both literal and symbolic. As he placed it on his head, a surge of power ran through him, an oath to lead these people not just with strength, but with the wisdom he had gained through hardship and experience.

“I accept,” Aiden said, his voice firm. “We will build this sect not on the ashes of the past, but on the foundations of something far greater. Together, we will rise to new heights, and when the time comes, we will ascend.”

The crowd erupted once more, hailing him as their Sect Leader.

From that day forward, the Black Chain’s territory became the foundation for Aiden’s new sect. Its name echoed through the realm: The Sect of the Twin Flames, a symbol of Aiden’s power, resilience, and the unity he had brought to his people. And with every passing day, as his body healed and his people grew stronger, Aiden knew that he was one step closer to his ultimate goal—reuniting with Serina and Shelly in the Divine Realm.