Building an Eternal Dynasty: The Eternal Legacy System

A Flame That Refuses to Die

The emotions that had been simmering in the depths of Austin Salvatore’s heart for years, he could keep in no longer.

The hurt that he had harbored within himself for many years, came rushing back as if fresh. The pain felt so accustomed to him that at times, it felt as though it was a part of himself.

Time and time again...

He reached out to hope, thinking that the darkness wasfinally over. And time and time again... His hope was snatched away before he can truly have it in his hands. After his cultivation had begun to falter, those around him left him without asecondthought.

After all the praise they had given him, the former prodigy had become a disappointment in their eyes.

Those words he had been hearing lately. Whispers all around him that he was a fallen prodigy, with their pitying glances and sarcastic smirk. It had hurt them even more than a blade.

Then Akeno awakened. For the first time in years (which felt like an entire life time) light had finally entered his darkened world. This time around he had thought fate hadn’t abandoned him after all.

Perhaps this truly was a fresh start.

Perhaps all that he had endured had only been leading him to something greater. He allowed himself to believe in his dreams once again. But before he could grasp those dreams in his hand... Before the tiny flame of hope that had flickered to life, could become a roaring fire...

Silence.

Nothing. As if it was being extinguished by the very heavens. The disappointment struck him with so much force that the weight of the world would have seemed to weigh lesser than this invisible mountain.

His fingers clenched themselves into his sleeves so hard that his knuckles were white. He didn’t even realize that his hands were shaking. Frustration.

Bitterness.

Regret. Helplessness. His anger and resentment toward the people that left him, then had hope that his dreams would not turn to dust yet, exploded in his heart. ”Victor watched him from several feet away.”

He was quiet, and his gold eyes were as stable as ever.

No pitiful glance. No sarcasm. No disappointment.

Just pure understanding. An understanding that one can never get until they have gone through what you’re currently going through. After leaving the man to process it for a few seconds, he spoke in a voice that had a peaceful calmness to it, ”In all things beneath heaven...”

”...there can be no true rebirth without first passing through destruction.”

He paused and gave Austin time to think. ”...

And what you’re facing today...”

”...is nothing more than another trial.”

He paused briefly.

A faint smile appeared upon his handsome face.

”I believe in you.”

”So...”

”Do not degrade yourself.”

The simple words struck Austin’s heart harder than any cultivation technique ever could.

His body trembled.

His eyes gradually reddened.

During these painful years...

Who had truly believed in him?

His father.

Only his father.

The rest of the Salvatore Family had never openly mocked him.

But silence could often wound more deeply than ridicule.

The sympathy...

The disappointment...

The regret hidden inside countless gazes...

Austin had seen them all.

Yet today...

The Family Patriarch whom he had only just met...

Placed such unwavering trust in him.

His lips trembled slightly.

For the first time in years...

The darkness inside his heart cracked open.

A warm light quietly entered.

Victor slowly lifted one hand.

There was no violent surge of spiritual power.

No dazzling phenomenon.

Only a ripple in space.

The next instant...

A massive black saber-ruler appeared within his palm.

Its body was pitch-black, heavy beyond imagination, and covered with countless ancient runes.

Although it emitted no pressure...

It naturally radiated an indescribable sense of weight.

Victor extended it toward Austin.

”Take this.”

”The Black Mountain Saber.”

”It can be used both as a weapon...”

”...and for body tempering.”

Austin stared blankly.

His breathing unconsciously stopped.

Before he could react...

Victor produced another jade slip.

Then...

A flawless medicinal pill whose fragrance alone refreshed the soul.

The pill was perfectly round.

Its surface shimmered with brilliant spiritual patterns as if countless stars had been compressed into something no larger than a thumb.

Victor calmly placed everything into Austin’s hands.

”And this cultivation scripture.”

”And this pill.”

”Take them as well.”

Austin froze completely.

His hands shook.

His throat tightened.

”...Patriarch...”

His voice barely escaped his lips.

”I...”

”I’m merely...”

”A cripple.”

”Why...”

”...would you value me so highly?”

Victor looked directly into Austin’s eyes.

There was not the slightest hesitation in his expression.

Instead...

His voice carried unquestionable certainty.

”You must understand.”

”The heavens move with unyielding strength.”

”Thus...”

”A noble man must strive constantly toward self-improvement.”

”It is never temporary failure that determines one’s future.”

”It is whether one still possesses the courage to continue walking.”

Victor gently placed the final item into Austin’s hands.

Then...

He reached forward.

His hand lightly rested upon Austin’s shoulder.

The movement was simple.

Yet Austin felt an indescribable warmth flow through his entire body.

It was not spiritual power.

Nor was it some cultivation technique.

It was encouragement.

Trust.

Expectation.

Things he had almost forgotten existed.

Victor withdrew his hand.

Without another word—

His figure quietly blurred.

Like morning mist dissolving beneath sunlight...

He disappeared completely.

Only the gentle breeze remained.

Austin stood motionless.

He lowered his head.

His gaze rested upon the treasures in his hands.

The Black Mountain Saber.

The jade slip.

The flawless medicinal pill.

His vision slowly became blurry.

For several moments...

He simply stood there in silence.

Then—

A familiar ancient sigh echoed inside his mind.

”...Sigh...”

”I truly believed...”

”...you were merely a disciple from an ordinary family.”

The aged voice carried genuine astonishment.

”And yet...”

”...who could have imagined...”

”...that your family possessed such terrifying foundations.”

Austin’s eyes immediately widened.

His expression transformed into surprise.

”Master!”

”You’ve awakened!”

”Where have you been all this time?”

Joy overflowed from his voice.

Ever since arriving at the Sovereign Blessed Land...

Akeno had remained completely silent.

Austin had feared something terrible had happened.

Now...

Hearing her voice again...

His heart finally relaxed.

After a brief silence...

Akeno slowly answered.

”...I...”

”...did not dare manifest.”

Her voice sounded unusually complicated.

Austin blinked.

”...What?”

He could hardly believe what he had just heard.

His teacher...

The legendary Purple Flame Empress.

A Grand Saint Realm expert during her lifetime.

Someone who once stood near the summit of countless cultivators.

Such an existence...

Actually admitted...

She had not dared appear.

Austin found it almost impossible to understand.