Fortune Dew

Normally, even the dead remains of cultivation experts deep into the Divine realms wasn't something even Divine Grade metals could hope to bruise on one strike. However, the essential portions that made up the being of the Shadow Blade Ancestor had been devoured by Elder Ren.

Hence, against even Sky Grade metals, which were a step below those of the Divine Grade, his bones were reduced to a heap of bony rubble.

"Now then, shall we begin what you all were invited here for,"

Elder Ren said lightly, before vanishing as though he had never been there.

Osric's gaze had never left the cocoon of darkness, and was well aware of the moment it disappeared as well, revealing the seven kids once again.

And to his astonishment, their expression was an epitome of calmness, and could even be said to have gained an edge of coldness. It appeared that, instead of getting scared, that attack only got them irate.

For a moment, Osric didn't know how to react to this. It was as though they were wholly confident no harm could befall them, so long as they were within the Clan's premises, that is.

Was this the confidence one felt when a huge force backed you?

It was then the young lad suddenly understood. Hadn't he also felt fearless when he faced a montrous genius like Elder Adrian who could kill him with a gaze? Wasn't it because he was absolutely confident his safety was guaranteed? Wasn't it because he knew his protector would always protect him at any conceived danger?

Osric exhaled lightly, before his gaze suddenly turned sharp. That, though, depending on his decision, might change this very night.

And he hoped his decision was the right one, because, should he end up being wrong, then his fall was imminent.

It was then his gaze snapped towards a spot. Although, what beheld his eyes was… nothing, his senses assured him his secret protector was definitely at that very spot. He had no idea how possible that was, but what he knew was that, his senses had always been able to pick up their presence, even when said protector had erased their presence.

Although he could sense them out, what Osric had never seen about this protector of his was their appearance. He didn't know if they were a male or female.

The only time Osric could have said he saw their appearance was during the time the Patriarch introduced them to him. Even then, that had only been a Soul Body that was purposely distorted by the main body so he couldn't decipher their appearance or gender by their figure.

This was to be expected, after all, they are a secret guard. In the case Osric confronted a troublesome opponent that could read his memories, they would always be a trump card, unknown to all but Osric himself.

But, Osric had always wanted a more intimate relationship with them. And he had no doubt his protector knew about this, but couldn't do a thing about it.

The role of a Hollow Guard didn't condone such cordiality, after all.

The young lad sighed before his eyes returned to the platform below. It appeared the Awakening Ceremony was beginning.

*

Below, a man stood before the seven kids. And from his appearance, it appeared he was also a Fahren. His black hair was just as beautiful as any other Fahren, and his silver eyes reminded Osric of Elder Adrian.

"Young Masters and Mistresses, today, you all will be stepping onto the path of we cultivators. I have nothing to say since you all are already aware of the process."

The man waved his hands and the Formations in the air rippled, revealing a white bowl placed gently on a pitch black pedestal.

Pointing to this bowl, the young man spoke with a smile playing at his lips.

"As per the decision of the Elders, Young Mistress Seina had been chosen to be the first. This would be followed by Young Master Conrad, Young Mistress Louise, Young Master Kaito, Young Master…"

The expression of Conrad darkened almost immediately. Although Seina was stronger than him, it couldn't be denied that he was still older by a few months. And just by virtue of that fact, he should have been the first. However, it seems the Elders had thought otherwise.

'Curses! Why does she always have to be before me?!'

He thoughts rang, but he dared not utter it out. Barring the punishment he would receive from his mother aside, just the cold expression on Seina's face made it impossible for him to summon the courage.

Moments later though, he forgot about such things as his gaze grew serious. After all, Seina was stepping towards the bowl.

"Goodluck!" The young man said before vanishing without a trace.

Seina examined the bowl before her. Its pitch black was rather ominous, however, its content was anything but.

Her eyes glowed as she beheld the liquid that rested gently inside the bowl. It shone a radiant golden color, its heavenly fragrance bombarding her senses, sending her into euphoria.

This liquid was called Fortune Dew.

Just like how Assimilation Rites needed Fortune to successfully strip away Talents from the Heavens, Awakening Ceremonies, however, needed it to attract the Heavens.

However, the amount needed was so miniscule even a Mortal Clan wouldn't feel a pinch in their Wells of Fortune. Let alone a Divine Clan on the ranks of the Fahren Clan.

However, unlike the raw, pure form Assimilation Rites required, Fortune needed to be converted to a liquid form to perform Awakening Ceremonies.

The reason for this wasn't complex. While it was true Fortune was extremely valuable to any growing or grown organization out there, its raw, unbridled form was extremely detrimental to Mortals.

Just a wisp of it could explode any Mortal to blood fog. And yet, it was this same Fortune that was needed during Awakening Ceremonies. To curb that, Fortune was condensed into liquid, and the result was what was named Fortune Dew.

Without hesitation, Seina dipped her dainty finger into the liquid and dripped a drop on her tongue. While it was without doubt that Fortune was a little more tame in its liquid form, that didn't mean it was advisable to swallow it in gulps.

After all, in its liquid form, it was just… a little more tame. In big quantities, however, it was just as dangerous as a wisp of its raw form.

The moment the drop of Fortune Dew saturated Seina's being, black clouds appeared over the Awakening Coliseum, turning the already dark night into a blackness the likes of which none present in Coliseum had ever witnessed.