Rite Of Divine Judgement [I]

After waking up earlier one morning, Zhang Xiu Ying went to the training ground and began practicing the Infernal-Beasts technique with her parents. Since they all used the same fire technique, albeit with different beasts manifestations, it was much easier for them to practice together.

Except for Ju Feng, who was not fire affiliated, but still prefer to watch their trainings. For two years now, his family had been engaging in those mock combats to sharpen their skills. They had resolved to improve their arts due to unforseen enemies like the demons of Nether.

Already, it was two years since the last visit of the titan lord to their cave. The last time he came, Lord Luyang had conversed briefly with Zhang Xiu Ying about her true nature as a demigod. Zhang Xiu Ying knew she was a demigod after inheriting the Asuran bloodline and hadn't undergone any heavenly tribulations for her advancements.

Naturally, demigods were born with bronze cores and would avoid divine tribulations until they reached the deadly ascension stage. She was aware of those facts, but she wasn't expecting the rest of what the titan lord had told her.

Zhang Xiu Ying closed her eyes as she clearly recalled the words of their conversation.

"Lady Zhang, it's true we met not too long ago, however, I see you and your family as people I've known for ages. That's why I've been taking you all as my long lost relatives. If you don't mind being one, of course."

"Really?"

Zhang Xiu Ying asked as she looked at the titan lord, who was radiating honesty and trustworthiness, in disbelief. Lord Luyang, who had saved their lives, wanted to be their relative? Of course, they would accept. He totally deserved their trust in him.

"Not at all, lord Luyang. We don't have many relatives left in the first place. Totally fine by me, and I believe my family won't mind too."

"Good. First, let me talk to you about your son. I sincerely commend your effort in keeping him safe and teaching him. But if you really want to do him more good, you must allow him to go and learn more from the world outside. When you are facing a very powerful enemy, knowledge is the key. Knowledge of how to face and defeat your enemy. Now, let me ask you this. What do you know about yourself?"

"Myself? What about myself, lord Luyang?"

"Just call me uncle Luyang, and I'll call you Xiu Ying as families. Okay?"

Lord Luyang said with an easy smile on his face.

"Yes, Uncle Luyang."

"Alright then, Xiu Ying. Tell me, what do you know about your becoming? Anything you can tell me?"

"I know I inherited the Asuran bloodline and was born a demigod."

"Indeed. Tell me, your divine powers, did they manifest before you form your silver core?"

"Yes, when I was in the bronze core stage. Why, uncle Luyang?"

"Please, allow me to make a confirmation first."

"What confirmation, uncle Luyang?"

"I will tell you in a moment, Xiu Ying."

The titan lord had taken out a small talisman, and after activating it, the talisman had burst into a radiant golden light.

"Hm, as I thought. Your halo light is yellow-gold, which means you were born a true demigod. You are a true demigod, Xiu Ying."

"What?"

"Yes, Xiu Ying. Although rare, it's highly possible to be born a true demigod in a mortal world instead of the Luminance realm. But that's not the point, Xiu Ying. You see, there's something important you need to do as a true demigod if you want to be stronger."

The titan lord had looked at her with a trace of compassion before continuing.

"Do you know about the Rite-Of-Divine-Judgement?"

"The passage rite for the demigods? Yes, I know of it."

"It's a rite you should to undergo. True demigods will awaken their divine selves after passing the rite of judgement. As you are already aware, there's no harm in the rite for any demigod. Just a little test to see if you are deserving of the divine powers of godhood. But the rewards are of its worth."

Taking a few steps away from Zhang Xiu Ying, lord Luyang lifted his head with his keen eyes appearing to be set on the distant future.

"If you pass the trials, you'll also have your demigod awakening. Your Asuran traits will truly come to fore. However, if you fail, you will never have true divine traits when you become a god. You will only keep the level of divine traits you have when you ascend. Only, if you fail the trials, Xiu Ying. But its better to do it before ascension. If you ascend before awakening your divine self, your godhood divinity will never be the like that. Xiu Ying, think about it, will you?"

"I will, uncle Luyang. Thank you for letting me know."

Zhang Xiu Ying had immediately discussed it with her family. At first they had expressed their concerns about sending Ju Feng off to a sect, and the whole rite thing. But eventually, they had agreed with the words of the titan lord. If lord Luyang believed it was important for her and her son, she would trust him on it. But for now, she was not in a rush.

Snapping back to the present, Zhang Xiu Ying nodded to herself in self assurance. She would be taking the rite in a month's time. She had been preparing for it for the past two years, and she would be ready for it by then. Zhang Xiu Ying looked at her parents, and her son who was training on his own by the side, and wondered about her ascension that was still far away.

What if she ascend sooner than she anticipated? Who will take care of her family? And if she were to refuse ascension, she would not be able to ascend to the heavenly realm in the future. For her family, she wouldn't mind staying in a mortal world, but what if her family members reached ascension, especially her son. She wouldn't be able to follow them to the heavenly realm, and that would be heart-wrenching.

She would decide when it was time. But for now, she had to give everything to get stronger, and be able to protect her family. She made her way to the cultivation chamber to engage in meditation for her inner peace.

Two months later, Zhang Xiu Ying was ready for the rite of judgement, and was faced with two choices. Either to be stronger or to remain weak. After choosing to be stronger, Zhang Xiu Ying communicated with titan lord Luyang and arranged the preceding with him. Her family members also followed her to meet lord Luyang, before bidding farewell, and returned home.

"Xiu Ying, as I said before, since you are a fire element affiliate, your rite of judgement would be at the valley of the gods. Remember, there are three phases to the rite. Who you are in this universe [Manifestation], where you are in the universe [Discovery], and why you are here in this universe [Existence]. They'll test your strength, mentality and spirituality. But don't worry about all these, you are much more stronger than you look. Look inside yourself, and you will see you have more than enough strength in there."

"Thank you, uncle Luyang."

Lord Luyang activated the portal to the valley of the gods, and the two of them entered the swirling circle of the transportation energy.