This is crazy.
Taking both Sin and Bronya in one go is just on my mind. I didn't expect for Bronya to reside in Sin's residence!
Fortunately, Seele and Veliona watched over them. One of them stayed inside Sin's residence. This time, it was Seele's turn. I saw her standing in the front gate.
Her footsteps rustled. She went straight to locking me in an embrace. She buried her face on my chest.
"Tian…"
My head pat made her visibly happier. She turned her head upwards. She tiptoed on her feet and pecked my lips with hers. It was soft and light. I felt the affection hidden beneath them. It didn't differ from the 'heavy' action we did. This felt refreshing.
"How are they?" I asked.
"They are taking it better than Sirin. Their current realm allowed them to enter a state of cultivation."
In short, they slept through the Nine Yin Locking Seals' side effects. Sirin's case was very special. She enhanced her Innate Yin to a whole major realm—at the peak stage at that. That was why she experienced that kind of torment.
Suddenly, I had the urge to cup Seele's face. The attire she wore isn't her typical Stygian Nymph battlesuit. It is the Herrscher of Rebirth's.
Seele's entire being emitted a trace of elegance. The pure white dress highlighted her innocent face. Her long blue hair dropped to her waist. The ethereal aura of immortal cultivations added to the mix.
If there was a word to describe her, it would be a goddess.
Seele is my goddess…
The face of the Tuna Goddess flashed in my mind. Somehow, I can see her letting out jealous pouts.
"Hum."
Seele let out the jealous pout. She sensed my thoughts.
"Thinking of Sister Kiana while I am here…"
"So thinking of Veliona is fine?"
"Um."
This question broke her jealous streak.
"...Go inside. We can't delay it for long."
A hint of concern appeared on her blue eyes. Seele gets jealous, but when it comes to the serious concerns, she still knows what to do.
She let go of her embrace. I stepped into the front gate.
Just then…
A future projection appeared.
To my shock, my vision went past the imaginary barrier. It glanced at countless worlds before arriving at a special world. The symbol of infinity, woven by the color of stars, remained static. The future projection, my figure, is like an insignificant ant compared to it. Yet, the power he possessed far outclassed it.
"Shatter the false infinity… and reach… immortal… ao."
He let out these words before dissipating into nothingness. My vision soon returned to normal. The imaginary barrier blocked it successfully.
…
I fell silent for a moment.
Seele saw through my abnormality.
"Did something happen?"
"I encountered a future projection."
I didn't bother hiding this thing to Seele.
"I… We also encountered it before."
Hearing from her words, everyone on the Divine Transformation Realm encountered their future projections at least once. It is the indicator of a guaranteed breakthrough to the Dao Integration Realm, the eighth level of immortal cultivation.
There are four thresholds for it. First is to raise the fused body and soul as well as the divine consciousness to the level of the Dao Integration Realm. Second is to comprehend the essence of a 'Dao'. Third is the establishment of a 'feat' related to the selected Dao to raise one's "status". Fourth is the fusion of body, mind, soul and Dao into one.
Out of them, the most difficult to accomplish is the second one. Comprehending the essence/core of the Dao at the pinnacle of Void Refinement Realm is far more difficult than the entire journey to the pinnacle of Void Refinement Realm.
The second most difficult was the creation of a 'feat'. It must be outstanding enough, recognized by the Dao itself, to push one's status upward.
Aside from them, the most confusing thing is the "future" projection. We already confirmed the 'fog' covering the Past and Future. How can they still exist now?
Finally, there is the abnormal state of that future projection of mine. It is, by far, the strongest one I have seen.
Comprehending the Dao is easier with the ultimate grade spirit roots. That removes any need of going into Amphoreus for it.
This leaves behind the second most difficult thing:
My Dao Integration Realm "feat" lies in Amphoreus.
"You thought a lot just now. Did you find something?"
Seele tilted her head in curiosity.
"Mhm. I might have a trip to another world soon."
"Another world? But isn't Sister Kiana blocking the outside world?"
"Immortal cultivation, in many ways, circumvents the laws of the Imaginary Tree. It won't surprise me to see it happen."
A trace of worry appeared in her eyes.
"Will you be fine?" She asked.
"Yes. I won't pull it off again."
"That's good."
My arbitrary actions against IX is a constant reminder. I can't do it again, lest I hurt their feelings.
I can't have that punishment from happening again…
*****
Looking at the two new arrivals, Veliona was startled. Mei asked her straightforwardly:
"Alchemy Master. Are there pills that increase an Innate Yin's power?"
She immediately frowned. She looked at Mei's purple eyes.
Her heart sank.
'That look…'
Veliona was too familiar with it. That was Seele's obsessed look. Only, Mei's was several times stronger. It was so chilling to see it first-hand.
Veliona directed her gaze to the invisible person hiding under a starry-like ink. She has a vague feeling that this girl is the same.
'Why are there so many crazy women around him..?!'
Veliona was the first witness to Seele's descent. She fully understood why Seele turned out to be one, but she herself wouldn't turn like that.
Her thoughts passed in a flash.
"Why are you asking for it?"
Veliona asked tentatively.
"I heard it can be used to increase spells' power."
"Is that so? It only happens in isolated cases…"
Like Seele, Veliona took the path of Alchemy. They made up for the Peak Master of the Alchemy Vein. Her knowledge is extensive enough to refute Mei's "answer".
'She's lying. Is she for that reason?'
She felt it was extremely underhanded. It wasn't just Mei. Griseo was hiding. Presumably, Mei knew of her presence, too.
It was a 'free pass' to get Shi Tian to make a move. Sin was fine. The two talked about that matter. It was Bronya who popped out of nowhere and took advantage of the situation. Even Veliona felt it was a cowardly move. Seeing two girls—Shi Tian's students atop all—show intentions to pull it off left an unsavory taste on her.
'Wait a minute…'
Wanting to increase one's Innate Yin meant they somehow heard about the confidential personal issues between Shi Tian and the two girls.
Veliona recalled her memories of the past one hundred and twenty years.
She did not…
'..!'
She let a word of it slip out.
The person she talked to was none other than Queen Mei.
Veliona went silent. Mei's inquiring look turned dull.
A sigh rang out.
"Please excuse her. It's my fault."
Queen Mei, donning her Herrscher Battlesuit, appeared out of thin air. She looked at Mei and made a decision.
"You must have realized it by now. Your silence is your affirmation."
She glanced towards Veliona.
"...We need to talk about this. All of us. Including the peeping tom."
Griseo's ink fell off, revealing her figure.
The women's confrontation on the Moon began.