Indeed, an extraordinary spectacle had formed around Kael.
His body was enveloped in a seven-colored aurora, each hue representing a different elemental force—water (blue), fire (red), wind (cyan), earth (yellow), light (white), darkness (black), and the lightning (purple) he himself commanded. In an instant, it was as if the heavens had descended, silencing all sound; the elements resonated in harmony, whispering to the world itself.
Above the lord's manor, countless streams of magic converged into radiant bands of light, as though celebrating Kael's ascension. The elements intertwined in the sky, their brilliance dazzling, their density ten times greater than usual. The phenomenon drew the attention of countless citizens across the city.
People flocked toward the manor, curious about the commotion, while cultivators among them paled slightly, recognizing the significance.
A celestial phenomenon!
Such an occurrence was possible only when a cultivator with an exceptionally profound foundation broke through to a new realm. For ordinary practitioners, it was unthinkable. Anyone capable of triggering this phenomenon had undoubtedly achieved a monstrous level of accumulation, their potential beyond imagination—hence the heavens' acknowledgment.
But since when did Lefay City harbor such a figure? And within the lord's manor, no less!
Speculations ran wild as imaginations soared. Who could have caused this? Who possessed such peerless potential?
Unaware of the uproar he had stirred, Kael himself was startled by the spectacle, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes.
Triggering a celestial phenomenon was unexpected, yet the benefits far outweighed any drawbacks. A faint smile soon touched his lips, as if he had already devised a response.
"Kael, you've summoned such a grand celestial phenomenon!" Amelia exclaimed beside him, her usually aloof demeanor shattered by awe. The spectacle was visible across the entire city, a testament to the terrifying depth of Kael's foundation and his boundless potential.
Even she was left breathless—proof of just how earth-shaking this breakthrough would be.
The seven-colored radiance lingered in the sky, its glow so vivid that Kael could observe it clearly through the window. He, too, was awed by the sight.
These luminous bands carried the essence of seven elemental forces, causing magic to surge and condense—especially around the manor. Cultivating here now would undoubtedly accelerate one's progress exponentially.
Of course, the accelerated cultivation speed held little significance for Kael at his current level, but for practitioners below the seventh tier—and even for Amelia to some extent—it was an immense boon.
The seven-colored radiance gradually faded from Kael's body, and the resonant hum of the elements quieted into silence. For a moment, the room was utterly still, as if the absence of sound spoke louder than any noise.
Kael's eyes became crystal clear, his elemental aura receding as he smiled at Amelia and walked unhurriedly to her side.
"Kael, you seem... different," Amelia said suddenly after scrutinizing him carefully.
Kael blinked in surprise. "Different? How?" Had his breakthrough to the eighth tier brought about some peculiar change? He was genuinely curious.
Amelia nodded emphatically, her clear, water-like eyes sweeping over him before she declared after a long pause, "You really have changed. You seem more... ordinary now..." But the moment the words left her lips, she shook her head. "No, that's not it. Your aura feels more subdued, yet there's an inexplicable charm about you—it's hard to look away..."
Seeing Kael again, she felt an indescribable, almost mystical sensation.
Kael laughed heartily, pulling Amelia close and wrapping an arm around her slender waist. "Then take a closer look. What exactly has changed?" Pressed against him, Amelia's body softened at his overwhelming masculine presence, her cheeks flushing crimson.
"You—!" Amelia feigned annoyance, though her starry eyes only stoked Kael's desire further. In high spirits, he tightened his grip on her waist and captured her lips in a kiss.
Though they had been together for some time, Kael had rarely found opportunities for intimacy with Amelia. Now, with the perfect alignment of timing and mood, he wasn't about to let this chance slip away.
Amelia's face burned scarlet, her eyes betraying a shyness she couldn't conceal. She resisted weakly, but her strength was no match for Kael's fervor—soon, she was utterly swept away by his ardor.
After the kiss, Kael and Amelia didn't take things further—now was hardly the ideal moment. Nearly the entire population of Lefay City was converging on the lord's manor, and Kael needed to make an appearance.
"Amelia, let's go out and see what's happening." Kael's gaze flickered with a peculiar light as he observed the growing crowd outside the manor, already strategizing how to handle the situation.
Hand in hand, the two stepped forward. With a light cough from Kael, the manor's gates swung open, revealing dozens of armored soldiers lining his path. Jett, too, hurried over in haste.
"Lord Count, what caused such a grand phenomenon in the skies above the manor?" Jett had been startled—he'd spent the past days preoccupied with managing the Frosthorn Steeds, as settling nearly a hundred of them was no small task.
Kael smiled. "It was triggered by my breakthrough." There was no need to hide this from Jett, who would soon be his subordinate. Besides, advancing in strength was cause for celebration. On this continent, power commanded respect, and flaunting it served as a deterrent to any would-be troublemakers.
"You… broke through?" Jett was stunned. Though he'd long recognized Kael's limitless potential, he hadn't expected him to ascend to the eighth-tier mysteries in mere days. The difference between the seventh and eighth tiers was monumental—it marked true entry into the ranks of the continent's elite.
What shocked Jett even more was that the lingering celestial phenomenon overhead had been summoned by this young count! How could someone so young possess such an unfathomably profound foundation? Talent and foundational depth were entirely separate matters. Kael's genius was understandable, but how had he built such an unshakable foundation that it moved the heavens themselves? The faster a prodigy advanced, the more unstable their foundation tended to be—yet this defied all logic!
Jett nearly blurted out: "Are you some kind of monster who started cultivating in the womb?"
Noticing Jett's bewildered stare, Kael understood his thoughts perfectly. With a faint smile, he stepped forward. Countless eyes immediately locked onto him—commoners, soldiers, and the handful of cultivators in Lefay City. Most of the plains' residents had gathered here, the majority being ordinary folk, all gaping dumbstruck at the celestial spectacle above.
These commoners had never witnessed such a phenomenon before, while the cultivators among them understood all too well what it signified—their excitement was palpable.
"Everyone." Kael's voice carried a trace of refined mana, calm yet resonating clearly across the square before the lord's manor, as if echoing directly in each person's ears. The effect was electrifying, instantly sharpening their focus.
This was a technique only possible after Kael's breakthrough to the eighth tier—infusing his voice with mana allowed it to penetrate everywhere, even more domineering than the Golden-Horned Lion King's metallic sonic waves.
"I am Kael, newly appointed by the Sacred Council as the Lord of the Three-Thousand-Mile Lefay Plains and the Continent's newest Count." His tone was measured, but the revelation sent shockwaves through the crowd.
Who could have imagined that this young man before them was the ruler of Lefay Plains? Instantly, the square erupted in murmurs and exclamations, everyone astonished by the announcement.