Chapter 14: Maliketh's Third Inheritance And Noctherion, The Black Dread
Whooooosh
Whhhrrrrr
Hoooooowl
Sssshhhhh
BOOM!
CRACK!
RUMBLE...
KRA-KA-BOOM!
The familiar roar of wind and thunder filled the air. It was the second time Yu Feng had entered this strange space. Unlike before, he wasn't panicked. Calmly, he observed his surroundings.
But this time, he didn't arrive directly in front of Maliketh. Instead, a massive bridge stretched out before him, leading toward a towering gate. Still, Yu Feng remained composed. As a former Elden Ring player, he instantly recognized where he was—on the bridge to Maliketh's domain.
"Roar!"
Fortissax suddenly appeared on Yu Feng's shoulder, licking his face affectionately. Startled, Yu Feng stared at the dragon.
"You little guy... You can come here too?" he murmured. "Come to think of it, maybe your becoming my martial soul is related to this place..."
As he walked forward, Yu Feng reflected. Crumbling Farum Azula... it has been in my mind since I came to this world. How could Fortissax not be connected to it?
Soon, he stood before the colossal gate. Looking around and seeing no Tree Sentinel guarding it, he sighed helplessly and walked inside.
Finally, he reached the altar.
There, as before, stood Maliketh—the Black Blade—at the center, awaiting him.
"You are finally here, my successor," Maliketh said solemnly. "I did not expect we'd meet again so soon. You are worthy of the title I gave you."
Then, Maliketh's eyes shifted to Fortissax on Yu Feng's shoulder.
"How is the Lichdragon with you, boy?"
Yu Feng blinked in surprise. "Isn't Fortissax with you? Like the Black Blade?"
Maliketh shook his head. "No... he didn't come with me... Wait... maybe he knows."
At the word he, Maliketh trembled—not in fear, but in battle-thirst. His golden eyes turned southwest, where a sea of storm and thunder churned in the distance.
Following Maliketh's gaze, Yu Feng too looked southwest—and suddenly, he felt it.
A terrifying bloodline suppression weighed down on him. A thunderous dragon roar echoed from the stormy distance.
Yu Feng's body began trembling uncontrollably. Blood trickled from his ears, eyes, and nose. Even Fortissax quivered violently.
Just when he thought he would collapse, Maliketh's powerful aura burst forth, shielding them both.
"Hah... hah... hah..."
Only then did Yu Feng and Fortissax begin to breathe normally again.
"He... he is..." Yu Feng rasped.
"Don't think about it, boy," Maliketh interrupted. "With your level, it's best to forget it for now. When you are stronger, you may seek him."
Yu Feng nodded bitterly. He understood. He was far too weak now.
Of course, he knew who it was—Dragonlord Placidusax, the hidden boss of Crumbling Farum Azula, the original ruler before Maliketh arrived. A being as powerful as a god—perhaps even beyond.
After a while, Yu Feng stood up and approached Maliketh again.
Seeing him come closer, Maliketh extended both hands. In one palm lay a weathered book; in the other, a ring—embedded with four glowing, divine soul rings.
Yu Feng stared in shock.
Maliketh explained, "On my right hand is your third inheritance—the Talisman Crafts Art. I wrote it myself. It contains methods and materials for creating powerful talismans."
"However, the materials from my world don't exist here. I had to modify it to fit the rules of this realm."
"The talismans are divided into grades, matching the cultivation realms of this world—from first grade to ninth."
"First grade aligns with Soul Master, second with Great Soul Master, third with Soul Elder, and so on. Ninth-grade talismans match the power of Titled Douluo. Some even surpass them."
"And beyond that are Divine Talismans, meant for god-level beings. Though this world calls them gods, in my prime they were mere ants beneath my feet."
"Time has eroded my divine power... but this knowledge will aid your rise."
He lifted his left hand.
"The ring—this is your second inheritance. The God-Given Ring I gave you before was just a gift. This ring is different. I forgot to bestow it earlier."
"I will give you a new divine soul ring every time you break through ten levels. This way, you won't waste Fortissax's potential by attaching a weak ring."
"And yes," Maliketh added, eyes gleaming, "I heard your thoughts about Destined Death. You were right—not to bind a soul ring to it. This world is unworthy."
"When you reach level 100... I will help you add a soul ring to it."
Yu Feng received the book and ring, stunned by the overwhelming gifts. His hands trembled in excitement.
Then he asked Maliketh in confusion, "What's special about the ring?"
Maliketh smiled.
"This second inheritance also grants you a mount—Noctherion, the Black Dread. A Spectral Steed... like Torrent."
"When I severed Destined Death, some power escaped into the void beyond death. In that rift, Noctherion was born—not from flesh, but from broken oaths, fallen champions, and the weeping will of denied fate."
"He is a wound in reality, given form. A fragment of my power... and Destined Death's essence."
"He roamed the edges of the afterlife, devouring forgotten spirits, growing ever stronger."
"His three current abilities are—"
1. Abyssal Phase: Noctherion can phase through matter and energy, bypassing barriers, walls, and even time-space rifts. He and his rider become briefly intangible.
2. Dreadwake: While galloping, he leaves behind shadows that slow time and drain life. Plants wilt, enemies feel pain and fear, and the undead turn to ash.
3. Echo of Destined Death: Once per battle, Noctherion can channel a phantom slash of my own blade through you. A wave of black flame and golden-red energy that ignores armor, shields, and regeneration.
"This mount will serve you well."
"Now grow stronger," Maliketh said at last, voice low but powerful. "Your fourth inheritance is the most important of all... and I await the day you are ready."
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