Vampire's Slice Of Life Chapter 1203: The Phoenix Providence

[The Eighth Volume: Marionette of Chaos]

A realm of perpetual twilight and tempestuous seas, where colossal waves met the angry sky, formed the backdrop.

To navigate such a desolate expanse demanded immense fortitude and an unyielding spirit, lest one succumb to despair.

A solitary silhouette, a mere speck against the maelstrom, traversed the nocturnal fury, guided by a distant beckoning.

Within the vortex's heart, an ephemeral calm presided.

A faint luminescence emanated from below, veiled by an ethereal haze.

Descending with lightning speed, Lith perceived a rune stone radiating a vibrant emerald hue.

Ancient, enigmatic characters were inscribed upon it, yet their meaning was inexplicably clear to Lith.

[End of the tutorial.]

[Do you wish to continue?]

Lith’s pulse quickened, a wave of awe mingled with disbelief washing over him.

If enduring this brutal storm and unforgiving environment was merely an introductory phase, what trials awaited beyond this point?

What untold dangers and predicaments would he confront should he proceed?

An immeasurable duration had passed since Lith last encountered a genuine challenge. Within his own cultivation realm, he remained unparalleled, and even confronting an opponent a realm higher posed no significant hurdle.

Life had begun to lose its luster, bordering on monotony.

From his very inception, struggle had been an alien concept. Power, riches, and companionship – every conceivable desire had been fulfilled.

At this juncture, the imperative to jeopardize his existence held no sway.

His demise would undoubtedly bring sorrow to his kin, an act of utter folly for any rational being.

Despite this stark realization, a profound sense of anticipation stirred within Lith’s core.

He marveled at the internal conflict, the dissonance of his own emotions.

To press onward or to retreat – the question presented a formidable quandary.

An unknown force within Lith resonated, seemingly attuned to his internal debate.

A gentle radiance traced the network of veins in his hands, culminating at the tip of his index finger, whence a searing heat radiated outwards.

Swiftly, the fiery crimson morphed into an inky blackness, suffusing Lith’s entire being.

As he became wholly enveloped, a delicate, warm luminosity coalesced within his nascent Qi core. This nascent energy gradually disseminated throughout his body via his meridians, and a magnificent pair of wings unfurled from his back.

The phenomenon vanished as abruptly as it had manifested.

Nevertheless, its fleeting presence was enough to send tremors through Lith.

His breaths grew shallow, his heart’s rhythm accelerated.

This event transpired some time prior. Within the Astral World, Lith had successfully navigated the trials of the Chosen Ones, thereby inheriting the Phoenix Providence.

At that moment, and even presently, the true significance or utility of this inheritance remained elusive. However, the quandary he now faced was instantly resolved by its resurgence.

The Phoenix symbolizes rebirth, the eternal cycle of death and renewal, profound transformation, and unyielding resilience.

It signifies an ascent from utter ruin, rejuvenation through purifying flames, the understanding that death is but a transient phase, the emergence of a transformed self distinct from the former, and the tenacious endurance of absolute annihilation, only to arise once more.

While no assurance existed that this Phoenix Providence would directly aid him, its very manifestation provided Lith with the impetus for his decision.

"Comfort has never fostered greatness!" Lith declared, a surge of adrenaline coursing through him, igniting an restless fervor.

"Whether I perish or find my way back, I cannot say, but this burgeoning power is an auspicious omen in itself. Or so I fervently hope."

After a brief silence.

"Damn it, let’s go all in!"

Such unbridled enthusiasm was a rare occurrence.

Lith harbored an intense desire to plunge into the unknown, to personally witness the wonders that lay beyond the tutorial’s confines.

Thus, embodying the spirit of an impulsive, hot-blooded youth, he opted to proceed.

An emerald radiance flared, engulfing him completely.

The rune vanished, taking Lith with it, and the storm's eye reverted to its solitary vigil.

.....

Within a lavish chamber, upon a silken cushion, cascaded silver locks stirred gently.

The proprietor of this noble mane awoke with a start, his gaze sweeping about with a mixture of bewilderment and curiosity.

Observing his own quivering hand, Lith released a soft exhalation.

"Recalling that moment still stirs my blood. It was undeniably one of the finest choices I’ve ever made. I harbor no regrets."

The silken coverlet slipped away. Lith’s bare feet met the polished floor, and his powerfully built legs—adorned with intricate Calamity tattoos—carried him towards the full-length mirror positioned in the room’s corner.

A lean, sharply defined abdominal form graced a towering frame, complementing a chiseled visage crowned by long, silver hair...

"Long hair truly suits me best," Lith mused, observing his hair and physique after a considerable interval.

Multiple tattoos marked his skin, yet they imparted an aura of intimidation rather than ugliness.

Six small, blood-hued hexagrams were vertically etched behind his ear. The origin of this 'Calamity' remained a mystery, though he suspected it might prove useful in the future.

As his thoughts dwelled on these markings, the chamber door swung open, revealing the entrance of two captivating women. One exuded a stoic, cool demeanor, while the other possessed an air of professional composure.

For a fleeting moment, the attendants panicked, not finding Lith in his bed. However, their anxiety subsided instantly as they saw him standing before a mirror, nearly unclothed.

"Master."

"Master!"

Both exclaimed in unison, rushing forward to embrace him from behind.

Feeling their gentle hold, Lith turned and offered them a tender hug.

"We were terribly worried," the short, blonde-haired Fei grumbled.

"Mm," the tall witch, Sylvia, hummed in agreement.

"For nearly a month, you showed no signs of activity. Had it not been for our blood connection, we would have assumed..." Fei trailed off with a sigh, unable to complete the thought.

Lith stroked her back, then kissed the top of her head, mirroring the gesture for Sylvia.

"I kept you girls worried."

"You did. And you know, I attempted divination to understand your condition, but nothing emerged. This is the first time I've encountered such an issue," Fei complained, tightening her grip on Lith.

It was then that Lith's memory returned to Fei's origins. She hailed from a distinct lineage, her people renowned as Seers, masters of all things related to time.

Sylvia, conversely, embodied all the admirable traits of a witch, possessing various abilities that complemented Fei's perfectly.

Nevertheless, their skills were not the focus; it was Fei's recent statement that seized Lith's attention.

"You can perform divination on others effectively?" Lith inquired.

"Yes," Fei replied truthfully. "If an individual significantly surpasses my strength, I can perceive faint glimpses of my desired outcomes through divination. However, for those weaker than me, I can easily observe their past, present, and future."