Shadow Prime

Anarchy reigned everywhere with all the death and destruction as worlds crumbled domains and systems shattered and stars were annihilated in this Apocalypse. Be it mortals or ghosts, immortals and demons, gods and devils non were spared, and they fell like flies as they were slaughtered in this catastrophic war that would end the cosmos.

The Divine world, a place that use to have the most beautiful skies, with the earth covered in lush greenery brimming with vitality as all the creatures roamed the land, swam in the seas and soared in the skies a true Paradise was now a dead land lacking any of its former glory.

There were no more blue skies and a grey smog covered the firmament, the now desolate lands were barren and covered in craters littered with mountains of corpses of different species with most not being whole and only having parts and pieces and rivers of blood flowed while chaotic streams and astral winds blew from massive spatial cracks that with the largest stretching for countless miles and the destroyed powers of heaven and earth continuously failed to heal these wounds due to the terrifying residual will that lingered.

A beautiful and Grand Divine palace stood in the void at the center separated from all the chaos and untainted by the filth of the outside world.

The Grand Hall of this palace. There were five people present with two men seated, a handsome middle aged man dressed in black clothes with serene appearance and a calm smile on his face sat on the throne at the head and the second slightly lower to his side with a sword in his arms its hilt resting on his shoulder his head lowered slightly with his eyes shut resting silently seeming to merge into the shadow of the middle aged man on the throne, while the other three; two men and one woman stood accros the hall facing them.

Of the two men one wore a complete dazzling Golden armor standing gallant like a Divine war god giving off a violent aura of destruction, as if his very presence would destroy existence itself while the other wore black and white dressed like a gentle immortal scholar and gave off an unfathomable unpredictable and illusory air.

Beside them stood an extremely beautiful woman that wore a dress that shone whiter than snow as if made of the purest white light radiating a Holy and pure aura of life, like a Divine celestial maiden untainted by the dust of mortals.

"Mors, are you really going to just sit there and do nothing but quietly watch all this." The vibrant woman stepped forward and complained in her beautiful voice to the handsome middle aged man seated on the throne.

"Sigh, we've had this same conversation countless times already, and I'm going to repeat the same thing I've always said again. There's nothing for me to do." The middle aged man sighed exasperatedly.

"Don't you even care that so many children have already died to this senseless destruction!?" She yelled in complaint.

"I'm the Overgod of Death Vita. What does it matter to me how many people die or are upset from too many deaths? It's part of my job not to care how many die, as long as people die my purpose is fulfilled. There can never be too many deaths." Mors waved lazily at the lady.

"I know you're the Overgod of Death, but this is a little too much even for you right!?" She yelled again in frustration.

Mors frowned slightly. "Can you calm down and stop being so loud?"

But this only seemed to provoke her more. "No I can't. How can you even say that how can you expect me to calm down while my children are getting slaughtered!?" She yelled.

Mors shook his head dismissively while placing a finger to his forehead "Will you please stop yelling? You're the Overgod of life for heaven sake, and even though you consider all creation your children you watch them kill each other every day, so what difference does it make if someone else kills them a little faster than usually, I mean you don't hear me complaining."

This response however displeased her even more. "If they kill themselves when they're competing then fine, but I don't want outsiders doing that, now do something!." she yelled even louder causing the palace to shake.

Mors massaged his temples groaning. "Seriously stop yelling, I don't even know why you keep bugging me with this annoying conversation. Why don't you go bother the others instead they don't seem to be doing anything important just go nag at them."

He was already getting a headache from this particular topic.

"Humph, of course I already tried talking to them but Fate only ever says 'it's fate,' leave it up to fate' and Eversor's even worse he directly made his move but only ended up causing even more destruction than necessary while still failing to accomplish anything, It's really annoying so do something and make them stop killing my children!." By this point her voice was so loud it caused even the void to vibrate.

Mors stood from his seat an walked past her and the other two Overgods. "Alright alright, just please stop yelling. jeez, You women are so unreasonable when you want something." He grumbled under his breath as he stopped at the center of the hall.

Somewhere an unknown number of lightyears away peering through space, there was a great war taking place presenting a scene of soldier versus soldier, General versus General and Battleship versus Battleship. It was a truly grand sight a true Battle between immortals as Divine abilities and colorful explosions crisscrossed covering the void firmament. However if one was to look closely they would notice that it was a complete one sided massacre as one side completely suppressed their opponents who suffered one casualty after another and even though they fought back frantically their morale had already collapsed and as more fell they fell into despair.

Not too far behind the rapidly advancing invaders a Majestic man stood in the void, fully dressed in white he gave off a sacred yet domineering aura as he overlooked the event like a spectator.

However, everyone participating in this battle knew he was no spectator he was the leader of the invaders.

He had been watching quietly when suddenly the void space in front of him rippled slightly and a lifelike middle aged man image condensed in front of him.

"Hello young man." Mors voiced with a gentle smile as his image completely took form.

"Who're you?" he said not turning his indifferent gaze from the Battle.

"My name is Mors. I'm the Overgod of Death." Mors said unhurriedly not minding his indifference.

"Oh, another Overgod, and what pray tell do you want?" He said almost absentmindedly.

"Well you see young man, the thing is this whole parade of yours has really upset someone with the incessant killing, So I'm here to ask that you to please stop." Mors smiled calmly.

"Oh, I upset someone? But I've already upset a lot of people with my little conquest here so it doesn't really make a difference to me. Then again aren't you the Overgod of Death, what does it matter to you how many people I kill and upset?" he turned over to Mors before returning his gaze to the battlefield.

Mors shook his head smiling wryly. "That's what I said. Alas she won't stop yelling unless I move, and even though I have no problem with your work since she does and doesn't welcome you I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to kindly pack up your whole business and leave."

The white clad man chuckled softly. "How Foolish, truly foolish." his gaze suddenly sharpened as his eyes locked onto Mors.

"Hmph, Who do you think you are to think you can show up and tell me what to do? You expect me to leave just because you feel like it just because you're an Overgod?"

"Even the Overgods from my universe dare not make demands of me and they kneel in my presence. Yet not only do you speak to me without kneeling, you even dare make demands of me with such a stupid excuse? Such insolence!" He harrumphed coldly.

"Be careful with your words young man, remember who you're speaking with. I like to consider myself a rather flexible Deity and most of the time I let a lot of things slide, but one thing I cannot and will not tolerate is the callous arrogance of fools who do not give me the basic respect I am due"

"Just because I have no problems about your assault on my world doesn't mean I'll accept disrespect." Mors said emotionlessly.

The man laughed uproariously as if he had just heard the worlds funniest joke "Disrespect? Do you know who I am, do you know who you're talking to?" The man spok mirth and disdain plain in his eyes.

"I am the Sacred creator, even Overgods kneel in my presence, and you dare talk to me about respect ha ha, laughable"

"Soon after I have conquered this world you and all in this world will also fall to your knees at my feet answering to my every beck and call you foolish Overgod." He said condescendingly his face dark.

Mors sighed shaking his head in abject disappointment "Sigh, You really should learn about respect."

"Hmph..!" with a wave of his hand he directly sent an imperceptible energy wave that destroyed the image projection that stood before him.

Back at the Divine palace, Mors shook his head sighing pitifully then turned returning to his throne.

"Sigh I've done my best. It truly is a shame though."

As if knowing something terrible was coming the others stepped back out of his way as he passed between them. They knew how seriously Mors took his respect, he was the most easy going among them and tolerated almost everything like a kind elder, however there was only one thing that he never tolerated and that was disrespect.

The three of them shared a look, then Vita said softly. "Now what?" and just like they thought, even though they had expected it his next words made them shudder.

Mors responded as he walked. "Now well that's easy. Little cub!"

"I've suddenly grown bored of this little charade, put an end to it will you and make it disappear, I don't want to see another outsider." Mors said.

As soon as his words concluded, the man that had been seated time resting all this time opened his eyes. "Yes Sir."

Standing and stepping out of the shadows, he raised his sword to his shoulder and walked past the Overgods with soft yet firm steps exiting the hall under their gazes.

Vita turned back to Mors as he retook his seat. "Isn't that too much?"

"Didn't you want me to do something?"

"Well yes, but did you have to send him?" Her voice quivered, a hint of fear flickered in her eyes.

"I already said it earlier, there's never too much. Anyone that lacks and refuses to learn respect is scum and such trash should be destroyed" Mors added indifferently.

At this she fell silent. she knew he wasn't going to change his mind no matter what she said, even though she was the reason he even bothered to move from his comfort zone, now he had been offended and there was only one consequence for that.

The mysterious scholars voice rang at this time. "Heralds of a new era."

As the words left his lips, the man stepped out of the palace his voice echoed as he vanished

"Shadow world, my heavens my laws."

In that moment it was like the veil of a shadow spread covering the whole world and the battlefield and when it faded everything fell into silence.

Darkness. Quiet, cold, lonely, desolate, darkness. was all his consciousness was aware of until a voice so distant it echoed like a whisper.

"Rex!"

"Rex Wake up!" That foreign yet familiar voice came again this time closer.

"Rex!" this time it came from right next to him.

"Irene?" a bright light suddenly shone through the darkness as he turned to the voice's origin illuminating the petite figure of the beautiful eight year old girl beside him.

"Hah, you're alive, thank goodness " she heaved a relieved sigh .

"What were you thinking going against lucious like that, were you trying to get yourself killed?" she fumed.

"He insulted my mother." he gazed blankly at the girl as he felt the severe pains running through his body, especially the bump at the back of his head which was bursting with pain .

"So you went and straight up challenged him to a duel, did you think that you could compare who was stronger between yourself and a cultivator?" she breathe in exasperation as she bent down beside him.

"I couldn't just do nothing." He said as he sat up.

"You alright? Don't feel down, you can't win every time, you'll get them back next time.

"Luckily I got here in time before things got out of hand. if lucius and his goons had gone for blood you wouldn't be feeling anything, and there wouldn't be anything anyone could do about it because he's a cultivator and you're not. And I didn't say you couldn't do anything about his insults, you could always get back at them and there's tons of ways you could do it and be the on getting the last laugh if you used that head of yours, instead of falling for their childish plots. seriously I thought you were smarter than that." She reprimanded as she helped him to his feet.

"I wasn't thinking. you're right I could've done better, but I guess you can't always win. Great that's it for round one, time for round two. Since plan action didn't work time for plan brains." He nodded palming his fist a sharp glint in his eye.

"You're going back? didn't you hear the first part of what I just said." she said dumbfounded. She had just wanted to comfort him only for this to happen.

"Of course I did. You said I could always get back at them, why?" he looked confused.

"You... Ugh. Let's just get you cleaned up, come on we're gonna be late." she grabbed his wrist dragging him off not bothering to continue stopping him from what he was thinking.

She knew he was doing it on purpose, but she also knew that that was just the kind of person Rex was. He didn't look for trouble ,but he wasn't afraid of it. If you offended him he might choose to just shrug it off, but if dared insult his loved ones in front of him, then he would throw all reasoning out the window drag you down to the grave even if he had to use his teeth he would bite you.

It was an annoying aspect about him that always made her worry, angry and laugh at the same time. But that was just the kind of person he was and that protectivness was probably what she liked the most about him.

She smiled remembering the first time she had met him.

Three years ago on a dark cold stormy night, a set of twins had just arrived in the city with their parents both with heavy injuries as they had been attacked by bandits just before they had arrived at the burning lotus city, they had nowhere to go and no one was willing to help a bunch of strangers with nothing to offer. Even the apothecaries and alchemists shut their doors in in their faces.

She remembered that enraged little five or six year old kid kick down the doors to the Alchemy Hall insulting them to their faces at their own door step, that had caused quite a commotion.

After the pair of twins and their parents had been treated he had still given them some resources before sending them off not expecting anything in return only asking that the twins would always protect each other and that would be his payment.

She had cried back then because she had never seen anything like that kind of selflessnsee before and never would ever again.

It had to be known that the Alchemy Hall was a colossus that no one in the Burning lotus kingdom was willing to offend, as it was the headquarters of all alchemists in the kingdom.

But he had done all that offending them all for someone he didn't even know for nothing in return. It had touched her and drawn her to him.

He had been bullied and warned several times to stay away from her but he never blamed her.

She was the granddaughter of a very influential alchemist from the guild but she was his only friend in the city. Rex had always wondered why someone like her would pay any attention to him, but she never told him that, it was that that had attracted her attention, and would only smile whenever she asked till today.

"Just be careful okay, and try to stay out of trouble." She said as they ran.

In the Burning lotus kingdom cultivators all had supreme status. Even the weakest ones were treated as nobility standing above all the commoners, they were capable of doing almost anything and getting away with it no matter how virtuous or vile.

That was because of cultivation. Cultivation experts had terrifying abilities. They could break walls with their hands, hear sounds as quiet as the footsteps of an ant, walk on water, breathe fire, become impervious to weapons, fuse their energy with the clouds, sustain themselves by absorbing energy instead of eating food, and even track enemies by locking down onto their souls....

Cultivators are the strongest existences in this world, so even the weakest novice level cultivators are highly respected with no one wanting to offend them. Instead they rather try as much as possible to curry favour with them.

...

A few minutes later Rex and Irene arrived at the Royal academy. The academy was a large institution created by the Royal family. It was how the Royal family found and recruited youngsters that had awakened a spirit root. In other words, those having the potential to become cultivators.

It was where all youngsters yearned for, but it only opened its opened its doors one day a month to the public.

On this day all youngsters from the age of nine and below were welcome to take the Spirit root test. Everyone at the age of nine and below had a chance of awakening a spirit root at any time but above that age you could forget about it as it was common sense that it would be impossible.

Anyone that joined the academy would immediately be given a nble title regardless of their former status.

Which meant a poor family from wherever in the kingdom could instantly become a noble family, as long as their descendants happened to luckily awaken a spirit root.

The Royal academy provided the best environment, resources an teachers for cultivation for its students, so it had a fatal attraction to the younger generation and many wanted to join. However, they had to fulfill two conditions.

One you must awaken a spirit root, This rule was compulsory or you couldn't join. It doesn't matter how much money you paid or whatever background you had. If you didn't fulfill this you could forget it.

Second you had to pay an immense sum of money to register. However not all commoners could afford this price, so they had to sign contracts binding themselves to the higher ranked noble clans and families, this way the clan would pay the fee.

You could also directly join the Royal family and join the academy free off charge but this meant becoming a direct subordinate to the Royal family and you would have to obey their orders.

Today was the day the academy opened its doors to the public, so the academy's gates were packed with children being led by their elders here to take the spirit root test.

Rex and Irene arrived here as well.

Many people were gathered around the entrance to the academy. The vast majority of the people there were richly dressed noblemen. Countless

carriages filled up the space in front of the academy, and the various nobles chatted to each other.

Rex and Irene had arrived here as well.

"There's so many people here today and so many nobles too. I've attended the test several times already, but I still can't help but feel nervous." Irene clenching tightly on to his sleeves.

"Nobles? Every single student of the academy is a noble. We'll also be joining their ranks soon. So there's no need to be afraid." Rex laughed, clenching his fist a fervent determined light burning in in his eyes as he looked at the academy gates.

He had taken the spirit root test several times since he turned five, the first time his father had accompanied him through these very gates. He could still remember that encouraging smile his father had given him.

That was one of the last memories he had of him since then he had left to fight against the Savage Barbarians invading the border and even though he had turned out to not have awakened a spirit root after taking the test before and even though a spirit root was not detected then he still never gave up.

One day he would make his father proud. After he awakened his spirit rootw, he would work hard and cultivate to the peak then he would go bring his father back from the front lines.

"Hmph. Those commoners and country bumpkins have also come. Aren't they just dreaming?" A far-away noble laughed.

There were some commoners amongst the hundreds of people crowding the square, and some lower rank nobles like Rex.

Usually, those lower rank nobles and commoners were also looked down upon.

The nobles of the capital were an arrogant lot who generally looked down on people. Thanks to being under the tutelage of his father, Rex wouldn't pay too much heed to that group of self-centered, arrogant nobles.

The entire crowd was clearly delineated into two camps. A circle of nobles who conversed casually, and another with commoners and other lower rank nobles.

At the moment, two armor-clad warriors were standing in front of the academy gates, barring all entry. After a while,the gates opened and a black-robed official stepped out. Stopping in front of the crowd, he smiled and said in a bright voice, "The Spirit root test is about to commence. All of the recruiters for the various major clans and families are ready as well. Everyone who is here for the test, please follow me into the assessment hall."

Under the guidance of the academy official, all of the people were walked into the academy grounds.

The entire road was constructed from symmetrical limestone tiles, wide enough to allow multiple horse carriages to cross simultaneously. On each side of the tiles were trees, lakes, artificial mountains, beautiful pavilions training grounds...

A large group of uniformed patrolmen were walking around the area. Many sharp eyes were staring all around from hidden areas, and despite it being the daytime, they still did not show the slightest sense of relaxation.

As Rex walked past a series of training grounds, a young, but soft shout had gotten his attention from the side. A mere glance would show a small group of 10 year olds being taught some martial art drills by a middle aged man. Rex understood in his heart that these children were disciples from the previous generation.

Walking past the training grounds, the academy official led them into a large Hall. This was where he would undergo the Spirit root Test.

Within the Hall.

The great hall of the cathedral had a floor paved with marble, and hanging above was a massive crystal chandelier. It could easily fit the hundreds of people who entered yet still feel spacious.

In the very front of the great hall, there were a line of chairs, seated upon which were representatives and recruiters of each of the great noble clans and families.

Directly in the middle of the great hall was the testing location. There was a large standing instrument embedded with multiple crystals arranged from small to large at the sides with the largest at the top. There was also a central translucent crystal, about a meter above the ground.

The black robed Academy official smiled and said in a clear voice, "The testing location is right in the center. All testees, please come one at avtime. No one else can enter the circle in the center. All testees, please get in line. Family and friends, please step to one side."

"First."

The bald old man pointed at the crystal ball and said, "Place your hand atop the crystal ball. We will test for your spirit root and affinities."

The first testee was an Eight or nine year old young man. That young man nervously placed his right hand atop the central crystal ball. Immediately, the entire crystal ball began to emanate a hazy grey light as it was activated, but it quickly dimmed

The old man coldly announced, "Age, nine. Spirit root, none. You cannot cultivate."

The instrument was deactivated, and the youngster quietly departed.

A burst of noise from nearby.

"Silence." The bald elder coldly said, and immediately a large group of nobles no longer dared to speak.

"Next."

One after another youngster was tested. Of the first ten, none met the requirements. Right now, a young man stepped up to the instrument and nervously placed his hand on the testing Crystal.

The Crystal lit up as it was activated, but this time the lowest crystal s at the side lit up with a whitish light.

The bald elder glanced at the scrap of paper in his hands, and emotionlessly said, "Age, nine. Spirit root, present. Grade, low." The judgment of the

bald elder had just determined the fate of this Child.

"Oh, how wonderful!" The first person to shout with joy was not the young man. Rather, it was his father, a bald, middle aged, gentlemanly looking person.

They were commoners, it was quite rare for commoners to be lucky enough to awaken a spirit root, most people that did awaken one were from the noble families.

It was common knowledge that if a single parent had a spirit root then the child had an at least 50℅ chance of awakening a spirit root, and if both parents did then that would almost be a guarantee as their child had an at least 99% chance of awakening one.

"Quiet!" The bald elder snapped in a cold, unhappy voice.

Immediately, the ushers came and escorted the young man and his father to where the line of Noble clans and family recruiters sat.

Many envious eyes were cast towards the young man.

As time went on, the people in the main hall grew more and more numerous. The magical testing event would go on for the whole day, so most people didn't see the urge to come right away at the beginning. When Irene's turn came, the line of test-takers had already stretched out the main doors of the Hall.

"Next." The bald elder said again, directing his gaze at Irene.

She stuttered lowering her head. "Um, s sorry I don't want to be a cultivator. I'm not here to take the test, I came with a friend."

"Since you're here, just take it, it's okay," the man encouraged.

"Rex." Irene turned nervous.

He smiled encouragingly and patted her head "it's okay, go I'll be cheering for you."

She nodded and balled her little fists "Mm. I'm off."

"Hrm?" The bald elder's eyes shone as she stepped up, and he immediately activated the test mechanism.

As Irene placed her little palm on the crystal, in just a few seconds, the crystals on the sides suddenly released a burst of green light. Soon, the green light

rushed to the top of the crystal column. The soft shine of the green light, was like a light green rainbow.

"Supreme Spiritual Roots!" The official and several others cried out at almost the same time. Rex saw a crazed look in their eyes.

The elder read from the paper in his hand his voice faintly quivering with excitement, "Age, Eight. Spirit root found, Wood Element Supreme Spirit root. Excellent absolutely marvelous, haha. Young lady you have the potential to be a supreme cultivator, and an extremely powerful one at that."

The crowd exploded into an uproar.