Chapter 469: A World with Arcane Masters

The Divine Eagle Empire was a formidable power established three centuries ago. Its founder reached the peak of human capability as a Sword Saint. Before this dynasty, the land had been ruled by the Snow Wolf family – Aige. Their empire was forged by the man rumored to be closest to divinity.

At its zenith, the Snow Wolf Empire commanded dozens of duchies and over a hundred principalities. Eight Sword Saint-level warriors served under their banner. The Snow Wolf King’s word became law across the realm, unchallenged by any.

Yet even the mightiest empires fall. After two centuries of decline, the Snow Wolf Empire crumbled. The rising Divine Eagle faction seized power, establishing new order from the ruins – thus began the Divine Eagle Empire. The once-glorious Snow Wolf descendants became hunted remnants. Though they staged rebellions using their remaining resources initially, their power waned over time. Commoners embraced stability, forgetting past glories. The Snow Wolf lineage faded into obscurity.

Three centuries later,

the Divine Eagle Empire flourished while the Snow Wolf bloodline neared extinction. Only a few wretched descendants remained, constantly evading imperial hunters. Some abandoned their heritage entirely, adopting new identities as obedient subjects.

The sole remaining torchbearer was Valen, last direct descendant of the Aige family.

“Ancestor, our family ends with me.”

After three days and nights of relentless pursuit, betrayed by kin and bereft of retainers, Valen’s cockroach-like Vitality had saved him. Yet the Aige family’s demise was sealed – traitors had sold their final stronghold, possibly including this mountain housing their ancestor’s tomb.

Exploiting a timing gap, Valen came to perform final rites before destroying the tomb. He planned to burn his ancestor’s remains himself – better ashes than trophies for enemies.

“Our descendants failed you. Even my cousin betrayed us, selling our last assets to Divine Eagle lackeys. Uncle Froy sacrificed himself holding off three hundred Divine Eagle Guards – a mere third-tier knight against such odds…”

Valen placed the family head’s medal before the grave. “No woman would want me now. Let our legacy end where it began.”

Checking the sun’s position, Valen knew he must depart. The Divine Eagle Guards would soon see through his ruse, and no second Uncle Froy remained to cover his escape.

“If only I’d been born centuries earlier…”

Valen’s survival proved his cunning. As imperial quarry since childhood, he’d only escaped recent capture due to political turmoil weakening pursuit efforts.

Clang!

As Valen prepared to demolish the tomb, the magic circle flared.

“Why’s the Formation activating?”

This mountain held only their founding ancestor. Aige’s legendary status during life demanded a royal tomb, not common burial. Records told of Arcane Masters personally constructing its defenses during interment.

Arcane Masters!

Now mythical figures, these beings cared nothing for earthly conflicts, gazing starward like detached gods. That Aige had befriended such entities spoke volumes of his power.

Before Valen could react, blinding light erupted. The ground shook violently –

CRACK!

A skeletal hand thrust from the grave, nearly grazing Valen’s nose. He fell backward, stunned.

“Freedom at last.”

Zuo Meng emerged from shattered stone, ignoring the terrified descendant. He inhaled deeply on the hillside, savoring air untainted by grave dust.

All Creator-related memories were gone now. Unlocking the bamboo scroll world’s Transcendent powers came at cost – stricter mental seals. His golden seed contingency had transformed into…

A system.

This self-made construct would remind him to escape this world, preserving purpose even through identity changes. Exit would restore forgotten memories.

“You’re the current Aige heir?”

Zuo Meng turned to the frozen Valen.

“Ghost… or living?” Valen stammered. Resurrection didn’t exist here – except perhaps through Arcane Masters’ equivalent exchange. But what price could balance a life?