"Oh, you have advanced that far to be wary of me. That is good." Petting it on the neck, his hands moved around as maps made of spirit energy formed in the room. Soon, a map of the majority of the city and its outskirts were visible. "I am someone from a different "Dimension" for one."
*Fwish!* A red-white flame appeared. The man-god Shango looked healthier than before. For once, he actually was fully dressed and not like an ancient wild warrior. In his left hand was a box covered in ancient seals. In the right was a letter.
"It is done, Leroy." Shango handed the box over and stood to the side looking at the projections. Eyes calculating different outcomes from a warrior's perspective. "Way more aggressive approach than before. If you did this in the previous Dimension, you would have developed into that of a War Champion or maybe something... dangerous."
With the presence of the man-god Shango, Leroy's personal memories up to the surface more. His entire demeanor changing a little. HIs posture turned more relaxed.
"That would not have been good at all." Leroy opened the box somewhat nervous. Inside were various shaped glass that looked like jewels at first glance. But in actuality, it was solidified Soul Fragments. With the glass acting as a safe container for them. "This Safe Haven is better than the last, correct?"
"Yes. With the Runes in place and all the energy put into the Inscriptions, if this Dimension is destroyed, the entire area will reappear in your Internal Space in the Next Dimension after some time. Protected from those who can see the future a lot more than we predicted." Shango's eyes glowed with ancient fire a little. A huge smile forming on his face. "Defintely a lot easier to work when you are not wasting power on Aspects right now. Then again, you did reduce the spirit energy around the Ancient Orchid City Ruins greatly."
"That is fine by me. Makes it harder for the Demon Beasts in the area to develop into a problem while allowing those who travel the Eastern Desert to move easier. Friend and Foe alike but that is life." Leroy rubbed the solidified Soul Fragments injecting them with an additional dose of spirit energy and strengthening the runes a little before handing them back. "Will they go to a good place or.."
Shango took the box back then sent it away through a small Dimensional Distortion. The Flaming Snake eyes shined seeing this. In the brief window of time, its increase in strength allowed it to see something in the opening call to it.
Something in a very far-off Dimension wanted to meet.
"They will be reborn in a safe place. The letter, are you not going to read it?" Shango was curious on the contents really.
"Nope. Save for when I am dying or something. I mean she had a whole life after everything happened so... it is kind of weird. At least I can move other matters without feeling off. So do the others check out?" Leroy was more interested in the matters of those the man-god was checking into for him. "The other members of the African Pantheon are not getting all riled up are they?"
"Yes. Wei Nan, Zhu Xiangjun, and Zhang Ming have broken enough away from Nie Li that their futures are free. Nie Li's connection with the City Lord Mansion made it easier. If you proceed with your plans like you are, they will be perfect for the "Honor Guard" to you. Ye Hong, unfortunately, does not fit the criteria. I would be wary of him for now." The man-god sat down in a chair and conjured up flame images of people moving about in the Dark Moon Compound. "If this succeeds, Demigod/Demititan status for you in the Pantheon is assured. The others are more than satisfied."
"Hopefully I do not fail like last time." Spreading from his soul, images appeared inside circles made of pure soul energy. "Medicine, Fire, Lightning, Sound, Death, and Beasts. Defintely a start for sure."
Every Champion developed Aspects once they were strong enough. It allowed them to do more than they could inside the Dimensions they traveled to. As well as give them an extra method of gaining strength. Especially needed since the Flame Vortex Core was a support type.
"Shen Xiu is something else." Shango said offhand. "Reminds me of your late wife. When will you tell her about.. well you?" As always he wanted to make sure his champion kept ahold of his "humanity" at all costs. Especially after what happens to a few of the others. 'If he slips like his friend Hector, I do not know what will happen. Maybe he will become an enemy that the other Pantheon's will turn wary of?'
"I have no idea." Leroy shrugged. "I told her before I will tell more as trust is built. But considering we are about to make moves towards the outside forces in Tiny World, it is not a good time maybe. Yang Xin is quite wary of me as Liang Yu and definitely upset that I will not go the route of an Alchemist as Shen Yue. Both of those are ok since business is not affected by it. Personal comfort can wait a little more."
The notion of sleeping with those that were the physical age of the original Shen Yue was disgusting to him. They were kids after all despite appearance. It just felt wrong. At the end of it, it was a personal preference and a moral preference that he would debate over as he did in the previous Dimension with Liang Jian who thought it would be great if he had someone to share moments with.
Merging souls and taking someone's place was not an excuse to bang children. Others could do it no problem, but he would not. As well as make a Harem, it just seemed so... exhausting to maintain as well as an entire kingdom.
"Hmm, I suppose. Can't do much without money, that hasn't changed since I was a human." Shango shook his head not wanting to get into money talks. He was after all, awful at saving money for personal use.
'Such a weird individual.' The Flaming Snake eyed them both back and forth. Then noticed the eyes contained the same dancing flames at times. Just one was red-white and the other blue-white. 'He is from a different Dimension... so this cannot be his father right? No that doesn't feel right. I should just ask.'
Seeing the Flaming Snake stretch up to his ear, Leroy gave his attention over to the beast.
"What is this .. man?" The Flaming Snake barely wanted to call Shango that.
"Technically my Ancestor. Like really far back one at that. One that failed to keep his descendants from being sold." Leroy gave the man god an angry look. He was still Petty over the matter. The same as his other friends who were sent away back then if the last time he spoke to them was correct. "But it is water under the bridge. Hopefully, I do not turn into a Deity like that. Hell knows I will most likely suck at it."
"A word of warning before I go." Leroy looked at him with an arched brow. "Your soul.. the Flame Vortex Core, never let the Aspect of Death grow stronger than that of Medicine. It will not matter for Fire and Lightning due to your connection to me, but it must never surpass Medicine. Do not do to Nie Li what you did to Ye Xinghe. Especially to the Heavenly Marks Family. I rather we both not get in trouble again."
"Sure...." Leroy blinked at him and watched as the man-god disappeared into flames. "Why did he only mention just the core and not the Star Dragon as well? Could swear it was all fused." Pondering on that for a little bit, he went back to looking at the maps. "Time to those recruits and take expedition teams to train for later issues and the attack against the Dark Guild, Abyss Prison Realm, and the Nether Realm later. Power is needed with the others in the further stretches of land."
With the departure of Shango, the changes to Leroy returned. personal memories retracted. The flaming Snake was shaking
"Humph, I am not weak." The Flaming Snake grumbled. "Take me with you and do not leave me here guarding! I can wipe out more than the humans at the Gold Rank can! Leave my underlings here to guard!"
"Very well, the Black Star Tiger cub will stay as well since it is so enthused about patrolling for now." Shen Yue could sense the overall bloodlust in the Demon Beast. It was not a problem considering the Beast Manual would prevent certain matters, as well as the "Connection" from it being able to rebel. "Best time to gain forces since the city needs inhabitants."
*Knock Knock!* A few hits on the door alerted him to the presence of a late-night visitor. It was Shen Xiu who was restless for several reasons. Namely, the material she went to collect early having a few odd cracks in the structure. Instead of going into work matters, the two just talked the night away.
The Flaming Scarlet Fox and the Flaming Snake chatting to the side quietly as well.
Early morning left an odd picture, however. Shen Yue was going over his cultivation and making improvements. Shen Xiu had fallen asleep to the side and rolled about a little. She ended up with a few papers stuck to her face.
"Ahhh!" Shen Xiu stretched a little. Blinking and pulling the paper away, she stared at Shen Yue who looked so peaceful while working. "I see you are still working away since we stopped chatting."
"You are correct. I like to work, not much to do about that." Shen Yue gave a smile then went back to the papers in front of him. A few scribbles and he was done with a written method to improve the Fire Body Technique. "Seeing things on paper always helped to find a few ways of improvement still."
Shen Xiu wrinkled her nose a little. It was moments like this she noticed that his speech was different. As if the matters he was going over was something he has done several times before. In fact, the way he passed on the policies for the city improvement was in steps of a seasoned politician and leader.
Walking over she leaned over the papers staring at him. Everything he was working on had several addendums to them and markings for those who need to watch out for matters depending on gender and blood type. Which to Shen Xiu was off. The blood type stuff introduce was so odd.
"Are you some kind of monster that stole my nephews' soul?" It was a joke but she was very right. Seeing how Shen Yue didn't laugh she felt awkward. "I was just joking."
"But what if I did?" He looked up not even staring at her very impressive cleavage that was right there in his face. "What if I am a monster from another Dimension, that merged his soul with your nephew, what would you do?"
*Babump! Babump!* Shen Xiu's heart was beating loudly in her chest. The Flaming Snake and Scarlet Flaming Fox woke up from it. Both demon beasts felt a weird sensation building in the air.
"Well, I am waiting?" Shen Yue didn't look away still. His tone was completely serious without a hint of a joke. "I will repeat if I must, if I.."
"That is just not funny!" Shen Xiu yelled. She trembled somewhat grabbing his face. "You are different but not a monster! You are Shen Yue the Patriarch of the Dark Moon Family!"
*Smooch!* Shen Yue pulled her into a kiss. It was after all very easy to do. Despite herself, Shen Xiu didn't fight it. Not at first anyway. A simple push against his head and she let go. Out of breath slightly, she was confused but also angry.
*Whack!* A smack across the face that actually managed to draw blood. She stormed out of the room immediately after. But not without shouting at him.
"Don't forget we have the matter in an hour or so! Do not be late!" Shen Xiu closed the door pretty quickly. The Scarlet Flaming Fox barely making it on her shoulder in time.
"Hmmm, taste good. Really good." Shen Yue wiped his lips and circulated his spirit energy to heal himself. "Haa, why are women always so powerful in a fit of rage? Must have a method to make that a continuous technique."
"Hmm, you should have coiled around her, not let her escape." The Flaming Snake moved up to take its usual place on him. "Can't leave if they can't move."
"That sounds very... rapey. And I have heard a lot." Shen Yue shook his head as he cleaned up a little. "Remind me to have you take an ethics class for one."
"What the hell is ethics?" The snake stretch to look him directly in the eyes. "Will it make me stronger?" He received a pain expression instead of an answer. "Will it?" The snake was quite adamant for an answer.