Chapter 18: Welcome Back

I focused on my seed, trying to guide its transformation like I had during my last breakthrough. But something was different this time. The energy patterns were more complex, more... willful. Where before they had been like a gentle stream, now they reminded me of ocean currents, deep and powerful and not entirely predictable.

The first hints came as ripples in my inner world, spreading outward from the seed in waves of golden light. The stellar core pulsed, each beat sending sparks of qi racing through my meridians.

It was beautiful, in a terrifying sort of way.

"Qi patterns intensifying," Azure reported. "Detecting significant qi accumulation in your lower dantian."

I remembered Senior Sister Liu's lengthy explanation about the dantian being the "foundation of all cultivation, the crucible where essence is refined into power, and the wellspring from which true strength flows."

After ten minutes of similar metaphors, I still wasn't entirely sure what she meant. Was it physical? Spiritual? Both? Neither? If someone were to dissect a cultivator (not that I was volunteering), would they find an actual dantian, or was it more like a concept, an idea given form through cultivation?

Cultivators had a peculiar talent for making everything sound profound while explaining absolutely nothing - rather like those politicians who could talk for hours without actually saying anything of substance.

Still, at least I could feel where the energy was gathering, even if I couldn't quite grasp what exactly was gathering it or how. The whole thing made my head hurt if I thought about it too much, which was probably why most cultivators just accepted it without question.

Right now, though, I had more pressing concerns than philosophical questions about cultivation anatomy.

The gentle ripples turned into waves, then into something that felt like a spiritual tsunami building up behind a dam of pure willpower. I could feel the pressure mounting, my inner world straining at its boundaries.

Then the dam broke.

The first wave of expansion hit like a tsunami of pure force. My inner world stretched and warped as the seed began to evolve, its stellar core brightening until it rivaled a supernova in miniature. The single leaf that had marked my previous breakthrough began to shimmer, its edges bleeding light into dimensions I couldn't quite comprehend.

"Primary transformation beginning," Azure reported, his usual calm voice tinged with what might have been excitement. "Inner world boundaries expanding. Current size: 35 cubic meters... 42... 51..."

I watched in awe as my seed underwent its metamorphosis. Streams of energy spiraled around the stellar core in a whirlpool pattern forming structures that defied normal geometry.

The second true leaf burst into existence, not content with merely existing in normal space, it seemed to bend reality around itself as it grew.

The first leaf pulsed in sympathy, creating patterns of light and energy that danced through my expanding inner world. Together, they danced, their movements sending ripples through the very fabric of my inner universe.

"Fascinating," Azure mused. "The two leaves are working in perfect harmony, creating a stabilization field throughout your inner world. The spatial matrix they're generating... it's like they're weaving a foundation for future creation. Your inner world is being primed for actual cultivation work – you can soon start building landscapes, forming spiritual springs, maybe even experimenting with basic weather patterns."

I barely heard him. The transformation had reached its peak, energy coursing through my spiritual pathways like liquid starlight. My inner world felt alive in a way it never had before.

Then everything... shifted. The chaos of the breakthrough settled into a new order, the wild energies finding their proper channels. The seed stabilized, settling into its new form like it hadn't just rewritten several laws of physics.

My inner world expanded one final time, the boundaries stretching outward until they settled at a comfortable 55 cubic meters. The two leaves, now fully formed, cast their strange light across this newly expanded space, their glow reflecting off walls that seemed to exist in more dimensions than strictly necessary.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Status Update:

Soul Essence: 450/450 (Upgraded!)

Spiritual Essence: 350/350 (Now with extra sparkles)

Physical Essence: 350/350 (Feeling buff)

Inner World: 55 cubic meters of prime metaphysical real estate

Special Features: One quantum star with two reality-bending leaves

Finally reaching the Third Stage of Qi Condensation meant I could start the real work of creation. Like Azure had mentioned, I could finally begin shaping my inner world, but first I needed to choose a primary cultivation method.

The basic qi gathering techniques that had carried me this far wouldn't be enough anymore - the real cultivation methods were kept in the sect archives. Like all disciples in the peak of the Second Stage, I'd been told to report there once I broke through to select my primary cultivation method.

"Reviewing your current status," Azure announced with what sounded like pride. "Third Stage Qi Condensation achieved in three months - putting you in the top 15% of outer disciples for cultivation speed. At this rate, you could qualify for the Outer Disciple Tournament when they begin in six months."

"The ones where disciples fight each other for a chance at becoming inner disciples?" I shook my head. "Not unless I'm absolutely certain I can handle myself. I've seen the aftermath of those trials - half the participants end up in the healing pavilion, and those are the lucky ones."

"A pragmatic approach," Azure agreed. "Unlike some protagonists who rush into every challenge regardless of preparation."

"Exactly. I'm not going to risk getting crippled or killed just because of pride or impatience. Inner disciple status would be great, but not if I have to gamble my cultivation base to get it."

"At least your current progress should grant you access to decent cultivation methods," Azure observed. "Though given your unique situation, perhaps something adaptable would be most beneficial."

He had a point. Whatever method I chose needed to work with my tendency to... travel. Something flexible enough to handle different types of energy, different rules of reality—

The familiar sensation of reality becoming optional interrupted my planning. I felt myself becoming lighter, that telltale sign that my soul was about to take another interdimensional field trip.

"Dimensional resonance detected," Azure confirmed, his tone almost apologetic. "Worldwalker's Sojourn activating."

I sighed, already resigned to what was coming. At least this time I was prepared – sort of. My cultivation base was stronger but more importantly I had the Tri-Essence Harmony Method. Which meant that even in a world without qi, I should still be able to defend myself using my soul essence alone. In theory, anyway.

At least whatever reality I landed in this time, it had to be better than Two Suns. Even with my questionable luck, the universe couldn't be that cruel twice in a row.

Right?

"Just... please don't let it be zealots this time," I muttered as reality began to fade. "I'll take anything else. Demon realm? Sure. Death world? Been there. Just no more sun-worshipping psychopaths."

"Calculating odds of landing in a worse scenario..." Azure began.

"Don't you dare finish that calculation."

The last thing I heard was Azure's amused hum as everything went dark.

Not the gentle darkness of closed eyes or even the dramatic darkness of unconsciousness. This was that special kind of void that said "Reality? We don't do that here."

Then the world exploded back into existence with the clash of steel on steel and the thundering of hooves. The bitter taste of blood filled my mouth, and my ears rang with the sounds of battle cries and screaming.

"Tomas! Stop standing there like a lost sheep and help us with the barricade!"

I opened my eyes to find a burly man with a woodcutter's axe waving frantically at me from behind a hastily constructed wooden barrier.

Oh no.

No, no, no.

I knew this scene. I'd lived this scene. This was the exact moment I'd arrived last time, when—

I looked up. Two suns blazed in the alien sky - one blood red, one electric blue.

"You have got to be kidding me," I muttered.

"Welcome back to Two Suns!" Azure said with inappropriate cheerfulness. "Though technically, given the temporal loop we seem to have encountered, this might be the same Two Suns as before. Just... reset?"

Status Update - Current Body:

Name: Tomas the Miller's Son (Again)

Level: N/A (Still No Cultivation)

Core Essence:

* Soul Essence: 450 units (Unchanged - Soul Transferred)

* Spiritual Essence: 0 units (Previous: 350 units)

* Physical Essence: 12 units (Previous: 350 units)

* Skills: Grain Milling, Basic Farming

Special Note: We've been here before. Literally.

"Watch out!" Someone yanked me behind the barricade as an arrow whistled past. A young woman with a pitchfork glared at me. "Has fear addled your wits, Tomas? The raiders will be here any moment!"

Maya. This was Maya. Who I'd watched die last time, killed by a Sun-Touched raider during the seventh hour.

"I'm... processing some things," I managed.

"Different universe, same moment," Azure mused. "Fascinating! Though perhaps we should focus on the immediate survival situation before delving into the metaphysical implications?"

Right. Because last time hadn't exactly ended well for anyone involved.

"Tomas!" The burly man - Henrik - slapped my shoulder. "By the twin suns, I can't believe you're still standing after taking that hit to the head. But we need every able body now. The raiders are almost through the east gate!"

Maya thrust a rusty sword into my hands. "Here. Try not to stab yourself with it."

The same sword. The same words. Everything was exactly as it had been before.

But this time... this time I knew what was coming.