Chapter 3

In order to boost my power, Ruby transferred her spiritual energy to me daily and reshaped my physique using the Dragon Orb. Her Dragon Essence fused seamlessly with the remaining phoenix blood in me, causing my cultivation to skyrocket.

Maverick Snow, my father-in-law and the King of the Dragon Tribe, gathered rare cultivation resources for me daily, leaving me to consume immortal elixirs like ordinary food and play with divine weapons as if they were simple toys.

"How incredible!" I exclaimed, catching Ruby, who was beside me, off guard.

"What's got you so worked up, Ryder?" Ruby asked. She was a pampered princess and was the apple of King Maverick's eye, so she naturally didn't know how miserable I had been in my past life.

"It's nothing. I was just caught up in the joy of the moment. Why don't we call it a night, Ruby?" I asked as I flashed her a charming smile, prompting her to blush deeply.

Our spiritual energies merged after spending the night together. Then, along with the water-element techniques Ruby had taught me, I managed to reach the State of Perfect Equilibrium. I had just turned 18 years old at that point.

I sneered as I recalled all the scorn and abuse I used to deal with. I knew that with the power I had now, Silas was nothing to me. I would make him pay for everything sooner or later.

I devoted myself to cultivation in the Dragon Palace, laboring day and night without rest. After all, I had been taught a harsh reality in my past life.

I knew that just being better than Silas wasn't going to cut it. I had to become way stronger. I was doing it for myself and for Amber, who gave up her life to save mine.

The Dragon Palace was a legendary sanctuary for cultivation that many could only dream of, leading Silas to choose Ruby in his past life.

However, living in luxury over the years among bountiful treasures and beauties caused Silas to abandon his training. He surrendered entirely to worldly vices and lust, fooling around behind Ruby's back and letting his power weaken.

King Maverick eventually had enough of him. He sent him a divorce paper and drove him back to Aetheria.

Despite that, Father and Mother still showered Silas with endless affection, caving to his every demand. He was bound to become the King of Aetheria if nothing unexpected had happened.

Unfortunately, I had returned from the Forsaken Reaches.

In my past life, I had wandered the Forsaken Reaches with no one by my side and no one to depend on. Silas only knew that I had stumbled upon a miraculous opportunity, ignorant of the countless times I had walked the edge of life and death.

The climate was harsh and unpredictable, and the Demon Clan and ancient beasts often roamed the area.

I was once chased by the Ravener for three days straight. I ran day and night, so exhausted that I was coughing up blood. Thankfully, a sandstorm hit just in time, blinding the Ravener and forcing it to retreat.

On another occasion, I fell into a swamp and nearly lost my life, but Amber refused to let go and pulled me to safety.

I was physically weak, and Amber was still young. I was forced to devote myself entirely to cultivation and grow stronger in order to survive the Demon Clan's pursuit and the dangers posed by wandering enemies.

I exhausted everything I had just to stay alive. I had no time to think about the throne and glory. I only wanted to live peacefully with Amber and had no ambition for anything else.

That changed when I ducked into a cave to hide from a sandstorm and got attacked by thousands of bats that ate my flesh. Amber was still young and hadn't unlocked her powers yet, so she could only stand by and watch me suffer. That ordeal lasted for seven days straight.

Valentina Blackhart, the Vampire Queen, urged me to abandon Amber and forge a blood pact with her. She said that if I became her thrall, I would gain power and get to command the bat pack to conquer lands for the Demon Clan.

I chose death over submission.

Just when things were looking worse, Amber walked out from the flames. She had transformed into a phoenix covered in fiery feathers.

She unleashed the Sacred Flame, which instantly incinerated the surrounding demons. Valentina escaped in panic, while I barely survived.