The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order

Chapter 2005: A new Core Member of the Scarlet Alliance

After two and a half weeks, Cain finally opened his eyes, and a sensation of comfort washed through every fiber of his being. The wounds he had sustained in the brutal clash with Azazel had fully healed. His soul and mind no longer trembled with exhaustion; instead, they pulsed with steady vitality.

Once he was certain his condition was stable, Cain projected his mind across the Scarlet Crown. The city was alive, thrumming with activity. Cultivators filled every courtyard, plaza, and training hall, their auras rising like waves as they tempered themselves through battle formations, meditated at the Scarlet Pillars, or submerged in the crimson pool to forge Scarlet Seeds. The city was functioning exactly as he had envisioned: a living crucible, raising warriors faster than any Heaven in the Everstreif Empyrean World could hope to match.

Satisfied, Cain prepared to teleport into the Samsara Arsenal Module. Yet, just as he began to shift his will, he felt a foreign aura cutting through the sky—fierce, steady, undeniably powerful. It carried his own psychic imprint within its resonance, proof that she had once touched his scarlet power and been marked by it.

Cain’s eyes narrowed.

"Divine Sea."

A meaningful light gleamed in his gaze. He dismissed the thought of leaving and instead chose to wait for her arrival. With her speed, it took little more than half an hour before a graceful yet imposing figure appeared on the horizon, descending toward the Scarlet Crown.

Divine Sea could not suppress the awe that flickered across her face as her eyes swept over the floating city. It was no mere fortress—it was a miracle. Its aura alone surpassed her own Heaven. Every street and pillar radiated order, power, and inevitability. Even before stepping within, she understood: this city was a weapon.

Before she could move further, a figure approached at high speed, stopping with perfect composure. He clasped his hands respectfully.

"Lady Divine Sea," he said, his voice smooth, steady, and formal. "I am Minxet, one of the Six Chief Councilors of the Scarlet King."

Minxet’s expression was flawless, his bearing dignified. Though he faced an Archdeity, there was no fear in his eyes, no tremor in his voice. It was not arrogance nor disrespect, but the unwavering calm of a man who carried his King’s authority. As the voice of Cain, he could not afford hesitation.

Divine Sea studied him in silence. Her sharp gaze scanned his essence, and she noted the perfect fusion of soul, body, and will. The Conquest Incarnate Synthesis Cain had performed was no secret—it had been displayed openly for the world to see, and word of it spread like wildfire. Many Archdeities could transplant souls into new vessels, but this flawless integration... this was something far beyond. It was conquest turned into a method.

She did not allow herself to be distracted. She had come here with purpose.

"I wish to meet the Scarlet King," Divine Sea said directly. "I did not secure a previous appointment. I trust that is not a problem?"

Minxet bowed slightly. "Of course not. The Scarlet King will receive you immediately. Please, accompany me."

She followed him into the Scarlet Crown. At once, a storm of subtle pressure washed over her. Countless scanning formations brushed across her skin, cataloging her movements, dissecting every fluctuation of her aura. Though invisible to the eye, she could feel energy signatures locking onto her position—beams of destructive force, each one capable of piercing her defenses if she gave them reason to fire.

And that was not all. As she walked deeper toward the city’s heart, Divine Sea detected four overwhelming Archdeity auras emanating from vast pavilions placed at the cardinal points. Three of them sharpened their focus on her the instant she neared the inner ring of the city. She understood the message perfectly: one false step, one hint of hostility, and those predators would strike like tigers. Survival would be possible only through retreat—and even then, she would not escape unscathed.

Her respect for Cain’s preparations deepened. This was not merely a city of cultivation; it was a fortress designed to repel Archdeities and maybe even kill them.

At last, they reached the colossal castle at the city’s core. Vital energy radiated from its walls, so pure and abundant that simply breathing here could slowly elevate one to the level of a Prime Deity over tens of thousands of years.

Minxet offered her a courteous bow before departing, leaving her before the throne room gates. With a low rumble, they opened.

Divine Sea took a steadying breath and stepped inside.

At the far end of the grand chamber, upon a throne carved of radiant red crystal, sat the Scarlet King. Cain’s aura was unrestrained, his presence so vast that even she, a Middle Archdeity, felt her body tremble under its weight. His power filled every corner of the chamber, as though the air itself carried his will.

Yet she did not lower her head. Her spine remained straight, her eyes unyielding. She was weaker, yes, but still a master of the Everstreif Empyrean World. She would not bow to aura alone.

Cain smiled faintly at her resistance. With deliberate effort, he reined in the surging flood of power, allowing the room to ease. His voice, when it came, was warm and courteous.

"Welcome, Honored Partner of the Scarlet Alliance, to the Scarlet Crown. Tell me, Divine Sea—what brings you here?"

She met his gaze, her eyes steady, her voice clear. "I am a woman who prefers to go straight to the point. And I believe you are the same."

Cain’s expression shifted to solemnity. His eyes, glowing faintly with the power of the Flow, pierced into her soul and ego. He nodded once, signaling her to continue.

"Your strength has been proven," Divine Sea said. "The alien still gathers power, but the battle above RainbowSky Heaven showed the truth: you and your allies are unmatched. Therefore, I wish to become a Core Member of the Scarlet Alliance."

Through the Flow, Cain saw the sincerity in her heart. He also saw the greed and self-preservation entwined with it. She was not here out of loyalty, nor out of belief in his cause. She came because he was the strongest, and aligning with strength was the only logical choice.