I am Villain Cultivator
Chapter 42: Kaal Arrival

Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Kaal Arrival

Divya stood at the precipice of decision. her heart was racing.

The weight of a thousand eyes pressed upon her disciples, elders, and even the distant gaze of her Grandfather. She knew the truth in her bones: she was not Samrat’s equal in raw power, let alone a match for the Storm Dragon who had shattered him.

Kevin’s words hung in the air like an open wound—Do you dare?—not just to her, but to the honour of the entire Kilvis Clan.

She knew the truth. She wasn’t as strong as Samrat, nor did she possess the raw destructive force of Kevin’s Lightning Qi. Her strength lay in the potential in the unawakened depths of her bloodline, the dormant fire of the Black Phoenix that slumbered beneath her calm demeanour.

"I may lose," she thought. "But I will not run."

The silence of the crowd pressed on her like a mountain, waiting, watching for her answer.

With a deep breath, Divya stood.

Her jade-green robes flowed like water around her figure, the gold embroidery of phoenix feathers catching the sunlight. She didn’t speak. She didn’t glare. She simply stepped forward.

And then she leapt.

A single, graceful motion.

From the elevated platform of the spectators’ stands, she soared through the air like a wisp of emerald wind. Her descent was silent, elegant, effortless. She landed in the centre of the arena, opposite Kevin Haze, her feet barely making a sound upon the stone.

The barrier dome pulsed anew, recognising the entry of a new challenger.

Gasps rippled through the audience.

Kevin raised a brow, his storm-lit eyes reflecting a spark of intrigue.

"So, the Black Phoenix dares to spread her wings," he said, his voice calm but edged. "Even after watching your stronger kin fall."

Divya met his gaze without blinking.

"I don’t need to be the strongest," she replied, voice clear and measured. "I just need to remind you, Storm Dragon, the Kilvish Clan doesn’t bow to arrogance."

Kevin smirked.

"You have pride. I respect that. But pride won’t protect you from lightning."

Divya slowly reached behind her back and drew her twin Chakram. a circular chakram, each the size of a dinner plate, forged from Tusk steel rare metal that absorbs light, giving the blades a matte, void-like darkness.

They hummed faintly, reacting to the flicker of Qi now rising around her

Far above the thundering roars of the arena, within the high tower of the Kilvish Clan’s ancestral hall, two figures stood in silence, watching.

Patriarch Charles Kilvish, his long, silver-black robes shimmering with the essence of shadow Qi, stood by the open terrace, his gaze locked on the distant duelling ground. Beside him stood the Grand Elder, William Kilvish, his face tight with restrained emotion.

From their vantage point, they required no eyes to witness the events unfolding below. Their spiritual sense painted every motion, every clash, every breath of combat in crystal detail.

"This is not looking good," Charles said quietly, his tone calm but heavy. "With your son’s defeat, morale across the younger generation has dropped. The pride of the Kilvis Clan has been bruised."

William Kilvis clenched his jaw. His hands trembled slightly, not from anger, but from disappointment.

"This must be that damned scoundrel Adaeze’s trick," he muttered bitterly. "Sending his prodigy to humiliate us in front of our own. Hmph... and to think my son Samrat was defeated by someone younger than him... It’s a disgrace."

Charles didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he narrowed his eyes at the arena where Divya now faced Kevin, a storm gathering above and heat rising below.

He turned and walked toward the ledge.

In the blink of an eye, Charles Kilvis disappeared from the tower, leaving only a ghostly ripple in the air.

Just as Divya stepped forward to answer Kevin’s challenge, the air itself shuddered.

A crushing pressure descended on Sea Realm cultivation, vast and unyielding. The crowd instinctively bowed as Patriarch Charles materialised above the arena, his presence alone quelling the rising chaos.

Everyone, Kevin, Divya, the audience, even the elders, felt their Qi seize up as an overwhelming presence descended from above. His Sea Realm cultivation exuded power so vast that even the protective barriers of the arena trembled under his aura.

Then, he spoke his voice thunderous yet composed. Each word carried into the hearts of every Kilvish disciple.

"The final round of the True Dragon Competition was meant to decide the heir among our four finalists. The winner would be crowned the Young Shadow Dragon, the rightful inheritor of the Kilvish legacy."

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle.

Then, his gaze fell on Kevin Haze, the Storm Dragon, and a wry smile touched his lips.

"But this challenge... this bold arrogance of the Storm Clan... has given me a new idea."

He turned to the crowd, his voice ringing like a war drum.

"From this moment forth, whoever defeats the Young Storm Dragon shall be crowned our Young Shadow Dragon. The title of the Kilvish Clan’s true heir will not just belong to the strongest among us, but to the one who defends our pride."

Murmurs spread like wildfire, energy rippling through the crowd.

Charles’s voice deepened.

"Do you know what makes us giants in the Azure Continent? It is not simply our mid-Legend rank cultivation techniques. Nor is it the awakening of Shadow and Gravity upon reaching the Blessing Realm."

He lifted a hand, and shadows danced at his fingertips like living memory.

"What makes us great, what has always made us great, is our history, carved into time with the blood of those who tried to destroy us. Our ancestors did not yield. They rose through slaughter, through betrayal, through fire and steel."

His eyes swept across the crowd, Divya, Ashen, and even the injured Samrat, watching in stunned silence.

"So I ask you now, children of Kilvis... Show me that pride." With that, he vanished once more, like a shadow fleeing into the night.

The arena erupted.

The weight of shame lifted. What was once humiliation turned to determination. Fury to fervour. The words of the Patriarch spread like wildfire through the hearts of the Kilvish Clan.

From the elder stands, Elder Alvin nodded slowly.

"I must say... the Patriarch is in a different league entirely. Just his words alone turned our disgrace into honour. And now, defeating Kevin isn’t just revenge... It’s the final trial for the title of Young Shadow Dragon."

He narrowed his eyes.

"But with Samrat defeated... and Ashen surrendered... only my granddaughter, Divya, and that boy Kaal remain eligible."

Back on the field, Kevin Haze stood with his arms crossed, lightning flickering along his skin. He smirked faintly.

"At least the Patriarch of the Kilvish Clan is worthy of my respect," he said. "The rest of you... not so much."

He cracked his knuckles and turned toward Divya, ready to resume the match.

But before he could take a step, Elder Varun appeared with a flicker of light.

"You’ve just finished a high-level battle. You need to rest and recover your Qi. The next match will commence after three hours."

Kevin scoffed, brushing off the concern.

"No need. I can continue—"

But then, his eyes widened.

A voice rang through his mind, calm and absolute:

"Return. That’s enough."

It was Elder Adaeze speaking through the spiritual sense.

Kevin’s brows furrowed. He clenched his fists but ultimately nodded. He could not disobey.

With a sharp sigh, he walked to a quiet corner of the arena and sat cross-legged, taking pills to restore his Qi and mend the injuries inflicted by Samrat’s Gravity Qi.

Moments Later...

A distant figure appeared, and the crowd surged to their feet. That person is Kaal

Kaal had arrived. Accompanied by Mia and Jane, he strode confidently into the arena, his steps calm but heavy with intent. Whispers turned into cheers.

The crowd roared. They remembered the youth who had slain the Earthcore Blood Queen. If anyone could restore the Kilvis Clan’s pride, it was him.

But this time, Kaal looked... different.

His once-dark hair had turned a luminous, snowy white, and his crimson red eyes gleamed like molten rubies. His height had grown, his presence sharper, darker, more dangerous.

From the stands, Ashen narrowed his eyes, and his blood ran cold.

."What...?" he muttered, stunned. "In the novel, Kaal’s appearance never changed... This is wrong. This is all wrong..."

A dangerous resolve settled over him.

"He’s becoming a spotlight-stealing villain... I can’t allow him to exist."

From another corner, Divya exhaled in relief.

She had felt the pressure of the entire clan’s expectations press down upon her. But seeing Kaal arrive, radiant and transformed, she knew she would no longer have to bear that burden.