The soft, golden hue of morning filtered through the heavy curtains of the Supreme Pontiff's private chamber.
The silence was soothing, broken only by the gentle rhythm of breathing—one steady and calm, the other slightly uneven, as though weighed by lingering worries.
Bibi Dong's long, delicate eyelashes fluttered before her violet-pink eyes slowly opened.
For a moment, she stared blankly at the carved ceiling, her mind hazy with sleep.
Instinctively, she tried to sit up, but her gaze fell upon the warm figure curled into her side.
Her daughter, Qian Renxue, slept soundly, her head resting lightly on Bibi Dong's shoulder, her breathing soft like that of a little girl.
A frown creased Bibi Dong's flawless brow.
Why… is she here?
Then, as if lightning struck her thoughts, it all returned.
The previous night.
The explosion.
The sky… tearing apart.
And the boy—no, the unknown being—crashing through her roof like a comet.
Her body instinctively checked for damage.
With a flex of her internal energy, she cycled her soul power through her meridians.
Everything responded normally.
Her cultivation remained undamaged, her body intact.
A quiet sigh of relief escaped her lips.
As she lowered her gaze, her cold eyes softened, warmth stirring in her chest.
Her daughter, normally distant due to the layers of deception between them, clung to her like a lost child.
A soft chuckle left Bibi Dong's mouth—a sound that hadn't graced these walls in years.
Moments like these… perhaps they were the only anchors left holding her from drowning in hatred.
With uncharacteristic gentleness, Bibi Dong caressed Qian Renxue's golden hair before softly shaking her awake.
"Wake up, Renxue."
The young woman stirred, her eyelids fluttering before golden irises blinked in confusion.
"Mother… you're awake?"
Her voice trembled slightly before turning hurried and worried.
"Are you… are you alright? I—when I came, you—"
"I'm fine,"
Bibi Dong assured her with a soft smile, an expression reserved only for this girl.
"You can relax. It will take more than a falling sky to finish me."
Still, Qian Renxue checked her pulse, her soul power brushing against her mother's skin for reassurance before reluctantly easing her anxiety.
The two shared a rare, peaceful moment—talking not as ruler and Holy Maiden, but as mother and daughter.
They spoke briefly of memories, of Renxue's worries, of lingering shadows that both bore in their hearts… and eventually, their conversation returned to the strange boy who fell from the heavens.
The being unlike any spirit master… the anomaly that shifted the entire continent overnight.
Meanwhile… elsewhere in Spirit Hall—
Within a secluded sacred chamber, the boy—Clark Kent ):
His body lay still, but his consciousness drifted through layers of dreams.
In his dream, it was a peaceful, familiar world.
He walked through the halls of Smallville High, laughter echoing beside him.
Lana Lang, his teenage crush, smiled at his side.
He remembered the simple joys of youth—carefree days, awkward smiles, and warm afternoons.
Then, his mother—Martha Kent—appeared in his mind's eye, her comforting embrace wrapping around his younger self.
Memories of homemade pie, evening talks, and unconditional love flooded him.
The scene shifted.
The scenery twisted mischievously, showing flirtatious scenes—moments with Selina Kyle, her lips brushing his in a dark Gotham alleyway; playful kisses stolen by Zatanna; the quiet strength of Diana, the Amazon Princess, as she rested in his arms.
Memories and fantasies, tangled into one chaotic, warm illusion.
And then…
A phone notification sound pinged in his dream.
Clark blinked.
A strange pop-up appeared before his eyes—almost like a bad mobile game ad—with a single kiss emoji attached to it.
『💋 Special Invitation—Travel to Another World?』
He chuckled in disbelief. "Well… what kind of weird ad is this?"
Out of curiosity, he tapped 'Yes'.
Another screen popped up.
『Choose Your Powers: Naruto? Gojo Satoru? Goku? Demon Slayer Breathing Techniques?...?Others?』
Clark stared, amused. "Do I look like I need any of those? I'm already Superman," he muttered with a grin.
Ignoring all flashy options, he selected 'Other'.
『Input your desired ability without exceeding the balance of your original powers.』
Clark thought for a moment.
"…How about I take my real body… along with a dimensional space connected to countless young suns of various types… gradually appearing over time?"
A moment later—
『Request Accepted.』
A final message appeared.
『Do you desire a harem?』
Clark gave a knowing grin.
"Was that even a question?"
As a man of culture Ahem he absolutelyyyy will not choose ,,
His thumb pressed 'Yes' without hesitation. (0__0)
Another prompt blinked—
『Choose Time Flow Ratio between Worlds.』
After a brief thought, he adjusted it:
『One year in any world you reside equals 12 hours in all other worlds.』
"Perfect," he whispered, before yawning, leaning back onto the soft bosom of his mother Martha, letting slumber take him.
…Until it all changed.
The peaceful warmth vanished.
He was drifting in endless space, his body shimmering in ethereal light, his mind swallowed by nothingness.
A deafening silence.
Then a violent pull—his consciousness snapped away.
BOOM!
With a sharp gasp, Clark Kent's eyes flew open.
His chest heaved, sweat beading on his forehead as reality came crashing back.
Unfamiliar ceilings.
Unfamiliar scents.
A world unknown… and yet, somehow… destined.
His journey had only just begun.
─── End of Chapter ───