Against The True Gods

The Chimera Tendril, as Caine had decided to name this new treasure, would fuse into his spine and completely rewire his nervous system.

Not only would this finalize the countless changes he had made to his body during the Trial of Fate, but it would also allow the Chimera Tendril's abilities to manifest fully.

Its first and most fundamental ability was control—absolute control. Not only over his body and qi but also over all his aspects.

Through the Chimera Tendril, he would gain the ability to manipulate every part of himself as though they were extensions of his mind.

Consequently, the effects of the Ninefold Boundless Lifeheart would extend to his aspects.

This meant he could heal his soul, mind, existence, or any other part of himself if they were ever damaged.

On top of that, the Chimera Tendril would become the vessel of his Primal Will, which could now move independently through him, monitoring his body at all times. It would heal him or address any issues automatically, as needed.

But the most significant ability, the one that had inspired the idea of the Chimera Tendril in the first place, was Star Fusion.

Star Fusion was a process Caine had first begun to conceptualize during the Perfected Folds stage of the Blood Realm. At that time, he had decided to refine his body further using Intents, Essences, and Quintessences.

However, the idea had solidified in his mind only after forming his Dao Heart, when he realized the only way to fully harness his stars' powers was to use his Dao Heart as a vessel.

Star Fusion would allow Caine to infuse his stars and True Wills into all his aspects.

It wasn't just a matter of tempering or refining his aspects. No, he planned to integrate the influence of his stars into the very foundation of his existence.

This process wouldn't merely mutate his aspects. It would transform his entire being into a vessel capable of wielding the immense power of his stars.

The Chimera Tendril was the ideal tool to achieve this transformation, not only because of the unparalleled control it granted him but also because of the malleability it temporarily bestowed upon his body during the fusion process.

WHOOOOSH! SHAH!

Caine's body, which had just begun to stabilize, suddenly roared back to life. The Chimera Tendril pulled upon the power of his stars, meticulously reshaping all his aspects from the ground up.

It was during this process that Caine would finally utilize the last treasure he had prepared for this transformation: the True Strings of Fate.

As his body was reshaped and reformed, the bundle of golden and silver strings dove into his Dao Heart, fusing with its structure.

Moments later, from his two Dao Hearts, new strings of fate shot out, connecting to the Chimera Tendril and further mutating his aspects, weaving themselves into the very fabric of his being.

The Ninefold Boundless Lifeheart had completely repaired Caine's foundation, granting him a quasi-immortal body strong enough to withstand fusion with the Chimera Tendril.

The Chimera Tendril, seizing the opportunity presented by his chaotic, restructuring body, initiated the Star Fusion process. Amid this transformation, with his aspects temporarily broken down, the strings of fate rooted in his Dao Hearts began to fuse into every part of him.

The purpose was singular: control, control, and more control.

The True Strings of Fate had virtually limitless potential, but for now, Caine focused on a single use.

By embedding the strings into his Dao Hearts, he enabled them to generate their own threads. These threads, once fused into his aspects, allowed him to control every facet of his being through his Dao Heart and, indirectly, his True Will.

This intricate series of procedures, each step carefully calculated and planned, was designed to transform Caine entirely, addressing and resolving countless issues within him.

RUMBLE!

Caine's body trembled as his existence rippled, reshaped by the infusion of his stars' essence and True Wills.

His aspects, one by one, morphed and evolved as the Chimera Tendril burrowed deeper into him, becoming an integral part of his being.

As this transformation unfolded, his True Will expanded in both width and depth. Through the strings of fate now embedded within him, his control over himself grew sharper with every passing second.
Explore stories on My Virtual Library Empire

The sensation was intoxicating. For a brief moment, Caine's mind blanked, overwhelmed by the bliss of absolute oneness over his own existence.

And yet, the changes continued.

***

Elder Larisse reclined in her chair, her expression thoughtful as she absentmindedly caressed her chin.

She now wore her Holy Knight armor, a pristine white adorned with blood-red runes that radiated a palpable killing intent.

"What do you think?" a masculine voice echoed from the shadows.

Elder Larisse's chair pivoted slowly, turning her to face the expansive windows behind her. From this vantage point, she gazed out over the capital and its bustling streets.

"About?" she asked, her voice as cold and unyielding as ever.

"The kid."

Larisse shrugged, her tone indifferent.

"Decent at best, mediocre at worst. I see no depth in his character, no spark to his Will."

A low chuckle resonated from the darkness.

"But isn't that exactly what you'd expect from a snake? What good would its stealth and slow slithering be if its light was visible to all?"

Her frown deepened. "Am I supposed to praise a noble brat for falling from the skies, forced to crawl pitifully on the earth while we climbed higher?"

"Why should I honor the mighty for their fall? If the light is too bright for him, then he's worthless."

The voice chuckled again, softer this time.

"Oh, my dear Larisse… a man without pride, a man with nothing to lose and everything to gain…"

"…is a god wreathed in scales," she finished, the words leaving her lips in a whisper.

Elder Larisse rose from her seat, her expression unreadable. "We'll see."

With deliberate steps, she exited the room, her armor glinting faintly in the dim light.