The glowing ring floated gently down to Jason, radiating an ancient, otherworldly aura. As it settled into his palm, Jason felt an immediate connection, like the ring itself was alive and responding to his touch. The Leviathan's voice resonated around him, deep and commanding.
Jason slid the ring onto his finger, and instantly, his spiritual sense expanded into a vast spatial realm contained within the artifact. It was a trove unlike anything he had imagined—artifacts, treasures, and an array of resources that could elevate a cultivator to the heavens. Yet what caught his attention most were two items of immense significance.
The first was a glowing crystal key, radiating a faint blue light and etched with intricate patterns resembling the scales of the Leviathan. Jason instinctively knew it was the key to the underwater palace where he now stood—a labyrinthine stronghold of immense power.
The second was a peak emperor-grade ship, resting grandly within the spatial ring's storage. It was sleek yet imposing, its hull crafted from a shimmering metal that seemed to ripple like liquid under sunlight. Intricate runes covered its surface, glowing faintly with the energy of ancient formations. The Leviathan's voice explained its significance.
'The Leviathan's vessel, forged in the Abyssal Depths and refined over millennia. It is yours to command, capable of traversing any terrain—sea, sky, or even the void between worlds. It is your key to the endless horizons that await you.' The words came into his mind, as if a mechanism started as soon as he gazed at the ship.
Jason's breath caught in his throat. A ship of this grade wasn't just a means of transportation—it was a fortress, a weapon, and a sanctuary all in one. With it, he could travel across the vast seas, explore uncharted lands, and even challenge the heavens themselves.
'I think I can destroy the empire if I so wished… dangerous thinking, Jason. But the choice is there now.'
As Jason gazed at the treasures within the spatial ring, a deep stillness settled over the chamber. The presence of the Leviathan, once so commanding and pervasive, was gone. The absence was profound, leaving Jason alone with his thoughts and newfound responsibilities.
He exhaled slowly, the weight of silence pressing on him. The Leviathan had left him with immeasurable power and resources but had also taken its enigmatic guidance with it. Jason realized that from this moment on, every decision, every step forward, would be his own.
The spatial ring pulsed faintly on his finger, a reminder of the legacy he now carried. "Thank you," Jason murmured into the void, unsure if the Leviathan could hear him. "I'll make it count."
Sometime later…
The sisters sat together on the plush bed, the air thick with an unspoken bond that hadn't existed before. Ramla brushed her now deep-blue hair with her fingers, her once-brown eyes shimmering like the ocean under sunlight.
Adea leaned back, examining her reflection in the polished surface of a nearby mirror. Her own hair and eyes had undergone the same transformation, glinting with an otherworldly radiance. Nea sat cross-legged on the bed, staring at her hair as if it were a stranger's, her expression a mix of bewilderment and reluctant acceptance.
Ramla broke the silence with a soft laugh. "Well, I never thought… you know, that one time with a man could do this to us." She gestured to her hair and eyes, her tone teasing.
Adea raised an eyebrow, her voice dry but laced with humor. "One time? Speak for yourself. I think we've been dragged into a whole other plane of existence here."
Nea snorted, finally breaking her silence. "Dragged? That's an understatement. I'd say we were flung headfirst into it." She tugged at a strand of her hair, still not entirely convinced it belonged to her. "Seriously, who knew a man could be so… potent?"
Ramla giggled, shaking her head. "Potent is an understatement. But… I don't feel weak. If anything, I feel stronger than ever." She clenched her fist, sensing the power coursing through her veins. "Like I've been reborn."
Adea nodded, her tone turning thoughtful. "It's strange, isn't it? I can feel the change in me, in my very core. It's like… I'm connected to something greater now. Something vast and endless, like the ocean."
Nea crossed her arms, her lips pursed in a pout. "Well, I'm glad you're both feeling all enlightened and powerful. Meanwhile, I'm over here wondering how I'm supposed to explain this to anyone back home. 'Oh, yes, my hair's blue now. Why? Because of a guy.' That'll go over well."
Ramla burst out laughing, covering her mouth as tears of mirth pricked her eyes. "Nea, you're impossible."
Nea cracked a reluctant smile, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "Maybe, but I'm not wrong."
Adea tilted her head, her expression softening. "Jason… he wasn't just a man, though. What we've been through—it's not something you can explain to others. It's something you feel, something you carry with you."
Ramla nodded, her gaze turning distant. "He's changed us, hasn't he? Not just our appearance, but who we are."
Nea sighed, lying back on the bed and staring at the ceiling. "Yeah, well, I guess we'll see what kind of people we've become. For now, let's just figure out how to deal with the fact that we're apparently glowing."
The three sisters exchanged a look, and then laughter erupted between them, a sound of relief and camaraderie that echoed in the lavish room.
Jason entered the room, balancing three plates of food, and set them down on the table without much ceremony. His gaze swept over the sisters, noting Ramla and Adea's lingering smiles and Nea's subtle glare as she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.
"Food's ready," Jason said simply, pulling a chair around to sit. He leaned back, his expression calm but with a faint trace of humor in his voice. "Looks like two of you don't mind being here. The third… still deciding, I see."
Ramla laughed softly, brushing her hair behind her ear. "We're here because we trust you, Jason. And after everything, I think you've earned that."
Adea smirked, nudging her plate closer. "He's also brought food. That always helps."
Nea snorted, crossing her arms. "Trust? I wouldn't go that far. Let's just say I'm not leaving my sisters alone with him."
Jason raised an eyebrow at her, leaning his elbows on the table. "Fair enough. I wouldn't expect anything less from you."
Nea blinked, caught off guard by his straightforward response. She had braced herself for a sarcastic remark or a teasing jab, but his nonchalant acceptance left her momentarily speechless.
Ramla looked between them, her lips twitching into a smile. "Nea, maybe you should just eat before you find another reason to glare at him."
Adea chuckled. "She's running out of excuses, you know."
Nea shot both of them a look, her cheeks tinting slightly. "I'm not glaring. I'm… cautious."
Jason shrugged, taking a bite of his own food. "Cautious is fine. You've got your reasons. Just don't let it ruin your appetite."
Nea hesitated before finally picking up her fork, though she made a point to keep her eyes on her plate.
The sisters exchanged a glance, the tension easing as they settled into the meal. Jason didn't push further—he didn't need to. They would all find their place in time, and he was content to let that happen naturally.
"So… as you can see, you three have changed dramatically. Not only your hair and eyes, mind you." Jason smiled with mirth at the sisters.
The three of them huddled closer.
"You have become cultivators now." Jason said with a bright smile.
"How can that be? Where we came from, people are all mortal. There were legends about those who settled there, legends about erecting walls and defenses to defend from the worms outside. Could they have been cultivators?" Adea couldn't help but ask. Jason guessed that she was the most erudite of her sisters. At least in the fantasy genre.
"That may be true, yes. No one could make those walls if they weren't cultivators. They must have settled there and the knowledge of cultivation died with them since the Qi there was pretty much non-existent. The worms there must've been able to cultivate by borrowing deep underground to find Qi spirit veins or something of the like." Jason went a tangent, only noticing the bewildered stares from the girls. Making him chuckle.
"Enough about that. Now I'll teach you all about cultivation."
Jason gathered the sisters in the main chamber of the underwater palace. The ambient light from the glowing corals painted the room in shades of blue and green, adding to the serene atmosphere. The three sisters sat cross-legged on cushions before him, their postures attentive but varied—Ramla leaned forward slightly, eager to absorb every word, Adea rested her chin on her hand with quiet curiosity, and Nea maintained a guarded expression, though she listened just as intently.
Jason began, his voice steady and practical. "Cultivation isn't just about gaining power or ascending to higher realms. It's about balance—understanding your body, mind, and spirit, and aligning them with the laws of the world around you. What you've undergone isn't ordinary. The transformation you experienced was fueled by my Yang energy, but it's only the beginning. You need to cultivate that energy or risk stagnation—or worse, imbalance."
He gestured for them to close their eyes. "First, we'll focus on sensing your inner energy. Take a deep breath, let it flow naturally, and try to feel the core of your being. That's where your essence lies."
The sisters obeyed, each reacting differently. Ramla's face relaxed almost immediately, her breathing becoming rhythmic. Adea frowned slightly, her brows furrowed as if analyzing every sensation. Nea struggled the most, her jaw tightening with frustration.
Jason observed them, then adjusted his approach. "Don't overthink it, Adea. Feel, don't analyze. And Nea, stop trying to force it. Energy isn't something you can control with willpower alone—it flows when you let it."
Nea shot him a glare, but her shoulders relaxed as she followed his advice. Slowly, the tension in her face eased.
After several minutes, Jason spoke again. "Now that you've found your energy, focus on its movement. It should feel like a current, steady and unending. Guide it gently, as if steering a ship, but don't try to bend it to your will."
Ramla opened her eyes first, her expression glowing with awe. "I can feel it. It's like the ocean inside me, endless and alive."
Adea nodded, her gaze distant but calm. "It's… different than I imagined. Like a river carving its path through me."
Nea hesitated before speaking, her voice quieter than usual. "It's there. I just… don't know what to do with it yet."
Jason gave a rare smile. "That's fine. This is just the beginning. In time, you'll learn to shape and cultivate that energy into something stronger. For now, let's focus on refining what you have."
He stood and motioned for them to follow. "The next step is absorbing the natural energy around you. The treasures in this palace are rich with elemental essence. I'll show you how to draw from them without overwhelming yourselves."
As they stood, the sisters exchanged a glance. There was no laughter or teasing now—only determination.