"Wait, so Thomas caused the Beast Tide?" Andrew asked, raising an eyebrow, before pausing and letting out a sigh. "Yeah, that makes sense."

"What is that supposed to mean?!?" Thomas protested.

"That we are inevitably the cause of all our own problems?" Andrew replied. "I didn't mean anything personally, just commenting on how things tend to go."

"Hey, I didn't cause Horace." Victoria retorted.

"Well, he's only a problem because he has a crush on you, and he wouldn't have a crush on you if you weren't you, so…" Andrew countered, wiggling his hand back and forth.

"Dude, I think that's victim blaming." Greg commented.

"I'm not saying she did anything wrong, I'm just saying that there are reasons why things happen, and invariably those reasons tend to stem from us and our actions." Andrew replied with a shrug.

Greg shook his head. "Sure, but that's like saying you wouldn't have lost your parents if you didn't have parents in the first place. It's true, but how is pointing it out going to help anyone?" He paused before turning to Thomas. "Though yeah, you kinda screwed the pooch with the whole draining cores thing. Why didn't you stop after the first time they committed suicide on you?"

Thomas grimaced. "I was going to kill them anyway! That was the point of hunting them! I knew I wasn't actually hurting them, so why would I have to stop?!?"

"I dunno, I feel like if something you're doing causes people to literally kill themselves to get away from it, it's a good sign you shouldn't be doing it." Greg retorted. "Like, there are tons of ways to make someone's life miserable without actually hurting them. That doesn't mean it's okay."

"But again, I was already going to kill them!" Thomas protested. "I was already doing the bad thing to them! Why should it matter if I drain their core in the process?!?"

"Just because you're killing them doesn't mean anything you do to them in the process is okay." Andrew shook his head. "Like, just because you're killing a cow doesn't mean you can start butchering it while it's still alive."

"I know that, but I wasn't torturing them, I was just draining their cores!" Thomas retorted.

"Okay, then just because you're killing a cow doesn't mean you can scare them so badly they have a heart attack." Andrew rolled his eyes. "Obviously you were terrifying these creatures, or they wouldn't have felt the need to kill themselves."

Thomas's expression twisted, before he let out a defeated sigh. "I honestly thought they were just doing it to spite me. Like, an 'I see you're draining my energy, so I'm going to blow myself up so you don't get it' type thing."

Greg paused. "Huh… I guess that's fair." He shrugged.

"It would be, if animals were capable of spite." Andrew retorted.

"Dude, I've owned a cat before. Animals are definitely capable of spite." Greg commented.

"No they- damn it, people need to stop attributing human motivations to instinctual actions." Andrew grumbled. "Look, animals don't have the capacity to consider their actions in that way. If they could, they wouldn't be animals. Animals don't have ulterior motives, they don't feel spite, they don't hold grudges, and if you think they do, you're missing whatever you did to cause that behavior. Or they're crazy and acting irrationally. Animals can have mental illnesses too."

"Okay, but he wasn't going after animals, he was going after Rune Beasts." Greg pointed out. "Rune Beasts are intelligent, so they are capable of spite."

"Actually, that's only Spirit Beasts." Victoria commented. "Essence and Qi Beasts are still basically animals."

"Hey, who's side are you on?" Thomas frowned at her.

"What? It's true. The facts don't change just because I don't like them." Victoria retorted.

Thomas sighed. "Yeah… damn it! Why do I keep fucking things up!" He groaned, burying his face in his hands.

"I think you aren't very observant." Andrew offered. "You get so focused on whatever you're doing, you block out everything else. Kinda the opposite of Greg, which kinda makes sense? You're both kinda opposites. You overfocus, he lacks focus."

"Kinda like you care too much and Chris doesn't care at all." Greg nodded.

"I don't care too much!" Andrew protested.

"You kinda do." Chris commented.

"You think everyone cares too much." Thomas rolled his eyes.

"No, no, I recognize that I care less than anyone probably should." Chris replied, shaking his head. "But I still think Andrew cares too much. There's a point where you care to the point of hurting yourself unnecessarily over things you can't change, and I think he hits it."

Andrew opened his mouth to protest, before snapping it shut with a scowl. Chris had a point… he had spent a lot of time being bitter over things that were never going to change. "And when did you figure that out?"

"Oh, I've been talking to Amy." Chris shrugged. "She has a lot to say about Andrew."

Andrew blinked. "You've been talking to my sister?"

"Well, she's been talking to me." Chris corrected.

"Why has my sister been talking to you?" Andrew frowned.

Chris paused. "Because I'm there?"

"Should I mention I've been talking to Sarah?" Thomas whispered to Greg.

"My Sarah or his Sarah?" Greg asked, raising an eyebrow.

"His. He's been talking to your Sarah." Thomas replied. "At least, according to his tasks."

"Wait, do you mean talking or 'talking'?" Greg frowned. "Cause if you're just talking, then that's nothing, but if you're 'talking' he should probably know."

Thomas paused. "What if we're 'talk'-ing?"

Greg raised an eyebrow. "I don't know what that means."

"Well… the interest is there, but there's no intent behind it." Thomas explained. "Like, she's cute, fun to talk to, a huge geek, but… I mean, you've seen how rushing into things has been working out for me." Thomas sighed.

Greg cocked his head. "Fair… eh, I'd wait for there to be some intent before saying anything. He only needs to know if there's a chance that something is actually going to happen."

Thomas nodded as they turned back to Chris and Andrew. "I'm still not comfortable with you and Amy discussing me." Andrew grumbled, crossing his arms

"I'll keep it in mind." Chris nodded.

"Right, so, back on topic." Victoria interjected. "We caused the Beast Tide, and now we have most of the territory in Chris's world. What are we going to do with this?"

"The Cultivators are trying to use my energy." Chris frowned. "I don't like it. They aren't even connected to my world."

Victoria rolled her eyes. "Okay, so we need a place for people to cultivate. What else?"

Greg shrugged. "This is your World, dude. I don't even know where we are, let alone where we'd want to go. Honestly, if we're going to talk about this, we should probably talk to your parents. Maybe that Horace dude too. Oh, and Tiffany."

"True…" Victoria muttered.

"Got it." Chris nodded as Albert, Melissa, Horace, and Tiffany appeared in the room. "Hey, so, we're talking about where we're going and we need your advice."

"I'm going to murder you!" Tiffany growled.

"What- just happened." Horace looked around, wide-eyed. This whole place was weird and now he'd just been moved! He was a Unification Realm Cultivator! He couldn't just be moved!

"I suppose the question is where you can take us." Melissa replied, taking the sudden shift in stride, placing a hand on Albert's shoulder to keep him calm. "Can we go to different worlds?"

"No, that's-" Victoria began, shaking her head, before Chris cut her off.

"Actually, we can." Chris interjected. "Not World worlds, obviously, but I can split my world to find other sections of this World, like Earth and Azza in my World."

Victoria blinked. "Is- is that a good idea?"

Chris shrugged. "It's just another place to be."

"But there's no real benefit to going to a different world, either." Greg added. "Unless we're going to completely abandon this world, we should probably find a place to build up our power here."

"True, but it's still an option." Chris replied.

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"What are we trying to do? Keep our people safe or resist the Hidden Blades?" Melissa asked, raising an eyebrow. "Because to keep our people safe, a new world with a fresh start may be the best option. But if you wish to resist the Hidden Blades… then you will need a sect of your own."

Horace frowned, confused. "The Hidden Blades? What do they have to do with any of this?"

"They're going Empire." Victoria waved dismissively, ignoring him as he began to sputter. "Do you think we should go to the Champions of Battle or Wisdom's Curse?"

Tiffany snorted. "Sure, trade one shitty sect for two more. That's a great idea."

"The Champions of Battle are nothing like the Hidden Blades!" Albert growled.

"Of course they are!" Tiffany retorted. "If they weren't, they wouldn't survive the Hidden Blades!"

"Just because you resort to underhanded methods doesn't mean everyone does!" Albert countered. "The Champions of Battle are noble warriors!"

"Sure, you keep telling yourself that." Tiffany rolled her eyes.

"Actually… I was thinking you four could start your own sect." Melissa interjected. "The Hidden Blades are prepared for the Champions of Battle and Wisdom's Curse, and two established sects won't trust you enough to let you be as involved as you need to be."

"But isn't the point of a sect all the knowledge and resources they can provide?" Andrew frowned. "I mean, we can probably handle resources, I guess, but we know fuck all about cultivation."

Victoria paused. "Actually… I may have a solution for that. If I can convince him."

"Victoria, I'm flattered, but as learned as I am, I cannot support an entire sect." Horace shook his head. "You need knowledge of alchemy, crafting, arrays-"

"Not you!" Victoria snapped, shooting him a dirty look, before turning to Chris. "Can-" She hesitated, before letting out a sigh. "Can you bring Beatrice here?"

"Yes." Chris nodded.

They waited for a moment, but no one appeared. "Uh, Chris? Beatrice?" Victoria prodded.

"Yeah?" Chris raised an eyebrow.

"Are you going to bring her here?" Victoria asked, confused.

"Oh, no." Chris shook his head.

"But you said you could!" Victoria exclaimed.

"Yup. It is absolutely within my capabilities." Chris agreed.

"So why aren't you bringing her here!" Victoria growled.

"Because I have no idea who Beatrice is." Chris shrugged.

Victoria blinked, before groaning as she buried her face in her hands. "Damn it, Chris! Why didn't you just say that!"

"Why did you assume I knew someone I've never met?" Chris replied, raising an eyebrow.

Victoria glared at him for a moment, before sighing and sending out a Spirit mist and using it to project an image of Beatrice. "Her. Bring her."

"Sure thing." Chris nodded, and a moment later, Beatrice appeared with a yelp.

"Vict- uh, Lady Victoria?" Beatrice looked around nervously. "What- is there something I can help you with?"

"We need to talk to Obanonos." Victoria replied.

Beatrice blinked. "What?"

"It's okay." Victoria assured her. "There's- well, there's a lot we need to talk about, but at this point, secrets are kinda pointless. Which…" She hesitated for a moment. "Fuck it, Beatrice and I are dating."

"Victoria!" Beatrice exclaimed.

"You're what!?!" Albert yelled.

"That- Oh." Melissa cocked her head with a thoughtful expression.

"You- like women?" Horace asked, stunned.

"Ha! Called it!" Tiffany cackled.

"Victoria, you can't- this isn't- what!?!" Albert sputtered.

"Dear, she's an immortal being who can switch sex at will. She can love who she wants." Melissa sighed.

Greg turned to Victoria. "Have I mentioned how much I like your mom? Cause seriously, she's great."

Albert froze, before letting out a groan and burying his face in his hands. "Calvin. I still have Calvin. Calvin will be normal." He muttered to himself.

"Albert!" Melissa snapped. "She is still our daughter!"

"I know, I just want one child I can actually understand!" Albert retorted, before turning to Victoria. "Victoria, I will always love you, but every time we talk my head starts to pound worse than the morning after the King's coronation celebration!"

Victoria nodded. "I know, Dad. It's okay."

Beatrice glanced between them with a shocked expression. "You- you don't mind? Really?!?"

Albert sighed. "As my wife said, Victoria can't be judged by normal standards. She can do what she wills with her life."

Beatrice blinked. She couldn't exactly argue with that, now could she?

"Right, well, with that out of the way, Beatrice, we really do need to talk to Obanonos." Victoria interjected, getting things back on track. "We're considering starting our own sect, and his knowledge would be invaluable."

"Who is this Obanonos?" Melissa asked with a frown. "How is he related to Beatrice?"

"Beatrice is actually the reincarnation of an ancient Cultivator who comprehended the Reincarnation Rune, and now the Avatar of that Rune, Obanonos, accompanies her through each life, gathering more and more knowledge as he does." Victoria explained.

"Of course she is." Albert groaned.

"Am I dreaming? I have to be dreaming." Horace muttered to himself, pinching his arm.

"Eh, compared to the other four, it's not that bad." Tiffany shrugged.

Horace blinked at her. "The other four?"

"You have a lot to catch up on." Tiffany snickered, patting him on the shoulder.

Obanonos finally appeared on Beatrice's shoulder, glaring at Victoria. "I do not appreciate you sharing my secrets without my consent!" He snapped. "You may trust these people, but I do not! You had better be prepared to take responsibility for the consequences of sharing this!"

"Well, if you get screwed over by this, we'll be right there with you." Greg commented. "Not that I see that happening… I mean, as long as you stay in Chris's world, you're pretty much untouchable."

Obanonos blinked. "Who's what now?"

"My world. This." Chris waved his hand at their surroundings. "I own it. I am it. I make the rules for it. And no one can die in it."

Obanonos frowned. "Prove it."

"Sure." Chris shrugged.

"Wait, Chris, before you do anything-" Andrew quickly interjected, getting cut off as the room they were in was suddenly flattened! "Motherfucker!" Andrew cursed as they all reformed. "Damn it, Chris!"

"Did- did I just die?" Albert muttered, eyes wide.

"I believe we did." Melissa nodded, looking numb.

"I hate you. So much." Tiffany growled, glaring at Chris.

"That hurt." Horace grunted.

Chris frowned at Horace. "But it didn't kill you… weird."

"Are you okay?" Victoria asked Beatrice, who had an unfocused, stunned expression, putting an arm around her.

"That- I- I just died!" Beatrice exclaimed, turning to Victoria. "Victoria… what- what is going on here?!?"

Victoria's expression twisted. "It's- Chris don't you say a fucking word!" She glared at him, so he closed his mouth and shrugged. Victoria turned back to Beatrice. "We need to have a long conversation after this, but for now… the town has been destroyed by the Beast Tide, so everyone is stuck in Chris's world and we're sort of on the run, but it also means the Hidden Blades no longer have any hold over us, which means we can actually fight them, but in order to fight a sect, we kinda need a sect of our own, and we've come to the conclusion that it'd be best to create our own sect, but for that we need knowledge, which Obanonos has, and we would really appreciate his help."

Beatrice blinked. "Okay… I have questions, but… okay. We'll help you. How could I not?"

Victoria smiled, pulling her close. "You're the best."

Beatrice smiled back. "I know."

"Okay, so, we can make a sect." Greg interjected. "Now what? I mean, recruiting should be easy because we can just give anyone the system and boom, they're a Cultivator, but we still need a location. We can't really cultivate in Chris's world, not to mention all the resources we need to get from somewhere."

"Hold on." Andrew raised a hand. "What if- okay, so we're the basis of the sect, right? So as part of that, everyone in the sect should be connected to Chris's world, right?"

"I don't know about everyone, but at least the core members, yeah." Greg nodded.

"Well, if we make it everyone, then do we actually need a location?" Andrew replied, raising an eyebrow. "Once they're connected to Chris's World, he can pull them in from anywhere. We could send them out to explore and gather resources across the entire world, while still only ever being a portal away!"

"Okay, but where would they cultivate?" Greg asked.

Andrew shrugged. "Wherever they are. It isn't like they'd need to worry about staying safe at that point."

"That's great for the martial Cultivators, but those who focus on crafting need facilities to ply their trade." Obanonos pointed out. "Without a location for the sect, where would these facilities be?"

"We can set up facilities anywhere." Greg commented. "Either me or Chris, no problem. We would need to set up somewhere, but it doesn't have to be anywhere specific and we can move at any time." He began to nod. "I'm starting to like this idea. A decentralized sect. Of course, it would mean we only get people willing to be connected to Chris's world…"

"Not necessarily. We could have a sort of… probationary level where they just have access to the system, and not the sect itself." Thomas offered. "They wouldn't necessarily be real members because we couldn't bring them here, but we could still support them and help them get stronger to face the Hidden Blades."

"I don't know if we really want to spread the system that much." Victoria frowned. "You know what happens when the system gets too widespread."

"I wasn't thinking we'd give it to everyone-" Thomas retorted.

"No, but you give it to one person, then they give it to a friend, then they give it to a friend, and so on and so on until everyone has the system and freaking Immortals show up to destroy everything again!" Victoria countered.

"What if we make it so that the only people who can spread the system are the people willing to be connected to Chris's world?" Greg offered. "And we make sure they know they shouldn't spread it around too much."

Victoria's expression twisted. "That could work… but if we're being that selective, then why not limit it to just people connected to Chris's world? There's always going to be an excuse to spread the system to more and more people, because it can help everyone. But until we're ready to spread it to everyone… I think we should just keep it to our people."

Greg frowned. "But that still means we can only recruit people willing to connect themselves to Chris's world."

"Honestly, if people aren't willing to accept immortality in exchange for a little bit of influence, we probably don't want them in our sect anyway." Victoria shrugged.

"Okay, now I really have some questions." Beatrice muttered.

"As do I." Horace agreed.

"I believe we all do." Melissa commented. "And I believe we should all have a long discussion about what this sect will actually entail."