''I don't see the point of leaving her, someone who clearly does not belong to this realm, here any longer.''

As if piercing through Yan Shi's thoughts, the Heavenly Shura added.

No one could refute her words. In reality, Yan Shi had no reason to stay in the Central Divine Realm anymore. Her mission was over, and she needed to go back to where she belonged to.

''I...''

''Yan Shi, was it?''

The pitiful and weak Immortal immediately tensed up the moment Wen Zhuwei called her name. The difference between them was simply too significant for her to relax.

''We need you, so come back. It isn't as though you guys won't meet again, hm?''

''Ah...''

Kierra could sense something unusual about the Heavenly Shura's words, but she wasn't sure what it was exactly. Taking a step back, it also seemed like Yan Shi was... worried about something.

''Go back.''

When Kierra pushed Yan Shi's back, the latter appeared bitter but then obediently walked toward Wen Zhuwei. Kierra wasn't concerned whether Yan Shi would be hurt since she had marked her with mana, and she also had some other motives.

After checking Yan Shi's condition, which was reverted to normal by Kierra, Wen Zhuwei nodded contently.

''Thank you for your cooperation. Then, if fate allows, she shall cross paths again.'' The Heavenly Shura performed a Taoist greeting, not forgetting to add:

''Though, I would reckon we will meet very soon.''

''Wait a minute.''

''...?''

Fearlessly, Kang Shuren stepped forward. Thinking that her previously shameful actions had been buried, she wore her usual emotionless voice and expression.

''What about me?''

Wen Zhuwei flashed a smile. Her glistening silver eyes seemed as though they would pierce through everything in existence.

''Unfortunately, I do not have time to teach you anything, junior.'' She said. ''Still, you can learn my arts from a certain shameless cosmic beast, one that I am sure Kierra over there knew quite well. ''

At this obvious jab at Cosmos, Kierra's playmate, the archwizard narrowed her eyes quietly. She had somewhat expected Cosmos to play around a bit, but to sneak on an Immortal Emperor...

'You did well, my friend.'

Kierra felt proud.

She reassured Kang Shuren before turning to the Heavenly Shura one last time.

''What is happening up there?''

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Hearing an Immortal, who was supposed to be someone who lacked no time, uttering the phrase 'I don't have time' was quite suspicious. Clearly, there was some sort of big problem in the realm above.

''I can't answer that question, unfortunately.'' The Heavenly Shura shook her head with a wry smile. ''However, there is one piece of advice I can give you right now—don't get too attached to this world... if you don't want to be pained.''

''...''

A heavy silence lingered in the room.

This sentence from one of the strongest implied something ominous, and Kierra didn't like it.

''Ah, for my precious junior.''

Completely discarding the serious tone, the Heavenly Shura spoke as if she had just had an epiphany.

''If you want to advance faster, I suggest practicing a Dual Cultivation method. The more talented the partner is, the faster you will be able to grow.''

''...Okay?''

''Okay. See you!''

With that, the two Immortals left as if carried by the wind, leaving the four inside the spacious room.

''D-Dual cultivation...!'' Bai Qing covered her face in embarrassment, casting glances at Kang Shuren.

August patted her shoulder. She felt like she was seeing her adolescent daughter!

Even though she never had a kid.

Meanwhile, Kierra and Kang Shuren herself were deep in thought. If they were to select the most talented partner for the latter, would Kang Shuren have to sleep with one of the dragons or phoenixes?

That sounded quite unpleasant and frankly disgusting.

'In the first place, I wouldn't do it with someone I don't really know...'

Right then, the golden eyes behind the blindfold turned to Kierra. Now that she thought about it... Kierra was already at the peak of the Core Formation Stage, and how long did she cultivate for? Nine months?

So, um...

Wasn't she the most talented cultivator, technically?

It seemed Kierra also realized this, and the two stared at each other for a while.

----------------------------------------

rustle—!

The wind blew strongly under the starry sky, causing loud screeches and drowning out the sound of their boots grazing the grass.

Trailing behind Wen Zhuwei, Yan Shi couldn't shake off this ominous feeling that she had.

This was the Immortals' Realm. It didn't have a name, as everyone wanted to name it on their own... and they couldn't agree. Fundamentally, it didn't look too different from the realm directly below except for a few details.

For instance, since it was closer to the stars, the night sky here was noticeably more impressive than that of the Central Divine Realm. Moreover, since only world-class cultivators lived here, the density of qi in the atmosphere was thicker, causing more and more supernatural phenomena to occur.

It felt more mythical, like seeing a world inside a folk tale.

Nevertheless, it wasn't something Yan Shi had particularly cared about. It was just that she noticed these details as she observed the path Wen Zhuwei was leading her on.

She recognized it.

''...Are we going in alone, Empress?''

''Call me comfortably. Also, yes.'' Wen Zhuwei replied. ''The others... they are busy holding other fronts.''

Yan Shi inadvertently gulped.

Although she had participated in these raids a bit, she still couldn't get used to them.

Soon enough, a different landscape slowly appeared beyond the horizon, replacing the fresh plain they were walking on. There, everything was dyed in a lifeless grey, and nothing closely resembled 'life' could be seen.

Instead, grotesque creatures with purple skin, seeming to be messes of randomly fused animals, roamed. Their movements were slow and unresponsive, yet their strength couldn't be underestimated.

Each one of them was as strong as a cultivator in the Tribulation Stage.

They were once ordinary creatures, which unfortunately got infested by unknown energy coming from distant asteroids. Recently, this wave of poisonous energy was infecting the realm so fast and so severely that the Immortals, the supposed pinnacle of all creatures, panicked.

Even eccentric loners like Wen Zhuwei had to work with others.

''Did you just have disrespectful thoughts?''

''Oh, no, no, no...! How dare I...''

The Heavenly Shura had an excellent sixth sense. The matter with her inheritor, as well as the matter with the woman who claimed to be a 'wizard'...

She had an inkling.

Kierra... would be the catalyst for a series of unprecedented, unprovoked chaos that would uproot the entire realms. If this world had any hope of surviving, it would be her.

Grinning, Wen Zhuwei brushed her hair behind her ear, and the next moment, a pitch-black blindfold covered her silver eyes.

'For now... let's have some fun.'