NOVEL NEXT Chapter 155: Clan Integration and Internal Conflict
The immediate, overwhelming joy of reunion was quickly tempered by the cold politics of the Nether Realm.
Vahn's Grandfather, a behemoth of a dragon in his human form, called an immediate, formal gathering.
"My son, the Dragon Lord Velzard, will handle the necessary rituals later. First, you must understand your place," the Grandfather boomed, his voice resonating with ancient authority.
Vahn was formally introduced to the entire Necrotis Clan. All of the were powerful and volatile individuals. He learned that the Main Wife and the three concubines who had plotted his destruction and exiled him had been sentenced by Velzard to the Cold Prison—a place of perpetual suffering—for their betrayal.
However, their children (Vahn's half-siblings) still lived around the house, cultivating and holding various positions.
Vaylin, standing close to Vahn, whispered a sharp warning: "Little brother, their mothers may be imprisoned, but their resentment is not. They view you as the reason their families were humiliated and stripped of status. Be careful. They may not attack openly, but they will look for any weakness."
The political tension was thick enough to cut with Vahn's sword. He was the exiled prince, the trigger for the clan's internal strife, and now, the vulnerable successor.
Later that evening, after the exhausting introductions and political maneuvering, Vahn retired to the opulent quarters assigned to him. He was tired, but the urgency of the Void Dragon Seed kept him awake.
His door opened quietly, and his mother, Luminaire, entered, carrying a small flask of calming spiritual tea. She sat gently on the edge of the bed and beckoned Vahn close.
"Come here, my boy," she said softly, patting her lap.
Vahn, a powerful King who had just fought the Heavenly Dao, found himself instinctively obeying. He rested his head in her lap, feeling the soft comfort of a love he had been denied since birth.
Luminaire ran her fingers through his black hair, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Tell me, Vahn. Tell your mother everything. How did you live all these years?"
Vahn began to recount his life, starting from his arrival on Dalu, his initial weakness, his struggles for survival, and his rise to power, carefully excluding the parts about his transmigration and the Divine Bonding System. He spoke of forming his Dynasty, conquering the barbarians, and learning the hard lessons of command.
Vaylin, having sensed their bond, entered the room and leaned against the doorway, listening with keen interest.
"Little brother, don't forget the important parts," Vaylin interjected with a smirk. "Tell Mother about your two wives and your child."
Vahn looked up at his mother and smiled tenderly. "Mother, I have already settled down. I have two wives: Seraphina, the Saintess of Light, and Lilith, the Saintess of Darkness. And we have a daughter, Eterna."
Luminaire was speechless. The information that her son had already married, and had two powerful wives and a child, stunned her. She felt a little pang of sadness for having missed such pivotal moments, but pride quickly replaced it.
"Two wives and a child..." Luminaire murmured, a tear rolling down her cheek. "I am overjoyed, my son. Truly. To have found such love on that desolate world."
She then added, with a wistful smile, "You know, I was also a Saintess from a different world when I met your father. A Saintess of Celestial Light, sent here to kill him, but I fell in love instead."
Luminaire's expression turned grim, the light in her eyes dimming slightly. She leaned closer, sharing a dark secret only known in the higher realms.
"Vahn, my child, you must understand something about your wives, Seraphina and Lilith, and all the Saintesses of the Primodial Elements. They aren't just exist in Dalu; they are born in many other worlds, often far more primitive."
Luminaire paused, her voice dropping to a serious whisper.
"They are not just powerful cultivators, Vahn. They are Slavery Tools crafted by the higher order of existence. Their true purpose is absolute slavery To the Heavenly Gods—the highest powers that manage the cosmic Daos. The purity of their Primodial Elements makes them perfect energy vessels for the Gods who want to interfere in mortal worlds."
After hearing this, Vahn's body tensed, shocking him more than the existence of the Void Dragon God. The Divine Bonding System and the mysterious benefits he and his wives received suddenly gained a terrifying context.
His wives weren't just powerful; they were targets, property of the Gods.
Vahn clenched his fists, the blood draining from his face, replaced by the cold, pure rage of the Void. His Eye of Heavenly Dao swirled with chaotic light, confirming the horrifying veracity of Luminaire's words.
Slavery Tools? The thought alone was an unbearable insult to the dignity of his Queens.
"No. I will not let that happen. They are my wives, I will protect them no matter what," Vahn said coldly, his voice laced with absolute conviction. The love he felt for Seraphina and Lilith transcended any cosmic law.
Luminaire smiled proudly, recognizing the unyielding devotion that mirrored his father's own fierce nature.
"Good. You have the fire your father has. You want to know how I fell in love with him?"
She settled back comfortably, lost in memory.
"It's because he knew all about the Saintesses and he vowed to protect me if I became his bride. He promised me true freedom from the Heavenly Gods' chains."
Luminaire's expression turned mischievous, then conspiratorial,
"But he also has this... perverted nature, which I learned later on when he introduced me to his other wives. I cursed him for lying to me. He was a rascal, and a big liar…"
Vaylin, who had been listening with an amused smirk, suddenly coughed violently, interrupting the flow of memories.
"Ahem, Mother dearest, perhaps you should stop," Vaylin advised, her eyes flicking nervously toward the doorway.
Luminaire paused, finally sensing an extra presence. She turned and realized her husband, Velzard Necrotis, the Dragon Lord, stood silently leaning against the doorframe, his wild black hair shadowing his face. He had clearly heard the tail end of his wife's affectionate complaints.
Velzard pushed off the frame and stepped fully into the room. He walked over to the bed, the immense pressure of his cultivation making the very air crackle, but his gaze was fixed only on Luminaire.
"A rascal and a liar, am I?" Velzard's voice was deep, resonant, and tinged with feigned hurt, though the love in his eyes was unmistakable.
Luminaire simply laughed, reaching up to take his hand. "Darling, you were terrible, but you were my terrible."
Velzard then turned his attention to Vahn, his expression softening to the paternal intensity Vahn had witnessed earlier.
"Vahn," Velzard began, his voice dropping in severity. "What your mother told you is the truth. The Saintesses of the Primodial Daos are creations of the highest order—perfect tools for infiltration and resource harvesting. They carry binding seals that only truly powerful, ancient bloodlines, like ours, can perceive and combat."
Vahn nodded, his primary concern surfacing. "Father, I must know how the Gods enforce this slavery. Is it a spiritual seal? A curse? And can the Necrotis Clan break it entirely?"
Velzard looked at Vahn, a surge of paternal pride mixed with battle-hardened realism in his eyes.
"It is both a seal and a curse, deeply woven into their very essence. As for your question—can we break it entirely?" Velzard paused, his gaze hardening. "We may not be able to break it, son, but I think only you can. If you can control the Void Power within you, you maybe able to do what we couldn't. I managed to suppress your mother's seal enough that the Celestial Gods rarely dare interfere with her directly."
He rested a heavy hand on Vahn's shoulder. "But before that we must address your issue. The Void Dragon God's Seed must be eliminated. And maybe then you gain full control on that power.
Your wives are now Necrotis. Their safety is our Clan's highest priority. We will not allow the Heavenly Gods to claim what belongs to the Void Dragon Clan."