26
“My lady, it seems he has become much stronger since the last engagement. I remember then that he took twenty-nine recovery pills but this time. It is one per three hours and the enemy already looks like they will fold soon.” one of the maids said with high praise in her eyes.
Long Yun nodded, “He has a better understanding of the laws than they do. So it’s obvious that the only differences are quality of qi and accumulation of qi. But he is a dragon while they are just humans. His Qi reserves obviously can match someone in the Monarch realm and his qi quality is much higher than theirs. They should have brought more men or researched tactical formations longer.”
Long Yun was going to continue but she noticed the servant entering.
“My lady, Miss Bing of the Rain Pavillion requested to visit you.” said the servant.
“Bring her in.”
Long Yun looked at Gao Jian whose face was glued to the screen.
“Do you feel any regret for not taking that pill now?” Long Yun asked with raised eyebrow.
Gao Jian turned from the screen to her.
“No, I didn’t trust him to guarantee that I would rise again.”
Long Yun turned away and looked back to the fight. Even though he was now on the passive side as his qi recovered, he only acquired flesh wounds which were healing just as fast as he was getting hurt.
“Everybody who took that pill that day. We saw large leaps in our abilities. Our cultivation methods were tailor made for us and our skills determined their path and could bring out hundred percent of their ability. When I look back and think about what if I would have said no.. I feel a bit overwhelmed..” Long Yun picked up the tea bowl and took a sip.
“But then I think about the type of perverted asshole he can be and I get this righteous burning in my chest but.. Ironically, even my friends think I am acting spoiled if I object to him. He put a lot of time into my needs. Whether it was to take a break from training and just walk around the city with me. Shopping or trying new foods. He always took the time for it and we both know that other men wouldn’t do this. My best friend's husband is a perfect example.”
Long Yun put the bowl down.
“Here he isn’t anything much. He was only able to make it to the forty floor with his ability that is prizes as a genius back home.”
Long Yun gave Gao Jian a smile and turned to Goddess Bing who walked through the door in a beautiful white dress that sparkled with every step.
“Goddess Bing, what is the reason for this visit?” Long Yun stated bluntly.
Goddess Bing took a seat and gave a charming smile.
“I wanted to discuss cooperation but I know that as a man and one of the most talented within this world, the City Lord wouldn’t care about a treasure that could help a woman like us out. So I came to you to see if you wish to discuss partnership.”
Goddess Bing took out a jade token and slid it on to the table. One of the maids grabbed it and passed it to Long Yun. Who studied it’s contents before looking at a Goddess Bing with the same expression.
“If this is what you are seeking then I don’t really understand why you are coming to me. My cultivation has nothing to do with using such tricks. I also do not have subordinates who rely purely upon their looks and men's weaknesses. Such a cooperation doesn’t have any leg room now. Please provide me a logical reason or leave.” Long Yun stated her terms and handed the token back over.
Goddess Bing eyes flickered with a trace of confusion.
“Though the main purpose of the ruins is scripture for women. The other things all retain to women in general. No matter their methods, the fruits can keep you at your prime for thousands of years, there are cultivation places that make it easier for women to sense the laws of the world. Plus some other stuff that we aren’t entirely sure of.”
Long Yun took her eyes off the fight and turned to Goddess Bing.
“I see but I also have fruits that prevent the signs of aging. I also have an alchemist that can turn them into pills or Elixirs to strengthen the effects. As for the cultivation places… I don’t see much use of those. I am sure you can feel the Essence density here, yes?”
Goddess Bing nodded her head and sigh.
“I see. I apologize for wasting your time.”
Goddess bing stood up and made her way towards the door when the City Lord walked in with swagger, his clothes torn and bloodied but a smile plastered his face.
“Oh, Miss Bing. What brings you over?”
Long Yun sighed as she missed the last of the fight. She would have to rewind it later.
“She wanted to invite me out to see a ruin of some female expert specializing in charms.”
City lord raised an eyebrow and with a slight shake of his sleeve the jade token appeared in his hand. He closed his eyes before smirking.
“You should take a look at the scripture. Sometimes such things have a way of opening up gates that we previously didn’t even realize were closed. Saying this, the scripture ability might not assist you but it might offer you insights into a skill that could save your life. Plus I feel like she wasn’t best at using desires to conquer her enemy but sword.”
Long Yun looked at her husband for a long minute before she shrugged. Goddess Bing's eyes lit up upon noticing the change in demeanor of Long Yun.
“Who else is working with you?”
“Cloud Se Asgard and Celestial Spirit Sect. While my elder found the ruins, it is primary for women and thus we sold some information to the female cultivators. However, there are about sixty martial monarchs and at least twenty martial emperor bandits nearby. We don’t know if they are more as my Elder focuses more on scouting the ruins and he was injured by a formation within. Thus he couldn’t put too much effort into the bandits.”
Long yun looked at her husband who had a peculiar smile on his face.
“Let us know when you are going to the ruins.”
Goddess Bing said she would and left. Long Yun looked at her husband with a not so satisfied expression.
“What is the real reason you want to go there?”
He only shrugged and dropped down onto the couch. Laying his head in Long Yun’s lap.
“I spotted the ruins before but didn’t know what they were. However, you know how much those bandits really hate me from depriving them of women to work out their frustration on. Plus I think that group is the only female group. If I am right, I am going to take them in. “
Long Yun didn’t speak any further and rewinded the fight.
“Why did you switch from a sword to spear? Your best and strongest attacks are all sword moves?”
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“Spear is better for facing multiple enemies. As you saw, I also danced around a lot and defended a lot of strikes from my blind spot by twirling the spear behind me. If I had a sword only, I would have to move a lot more and that could open up a lot more opportunities.” He shifted a bit so he could point out times when he blocked a strike in his blind spot.
“Most of my injuries came from those strikes. I had no choice but to divert them to places that weren’t vital or would hold me up.”
Long Yun nodded and pointed out another issue.
“How about here? If you block that strike, you still could have killed that guy. Why did you let him strike you?”
Long Qiu blushed, “I know you think I am a supreme expert within this world but even I can’t block seven guys without making mistakes.”
Long Yun rolled her eyes. “The fight should have gotten easier after taking out two more. How come you piled up more injuries?”
Long Qiu sat up and looked Long Yun in the eyes.
“Let’s go training. I want to see how long you can concentrate on holding up a formation while battling seven people.”
He stood up and tugged on her arm. Long Yun finally broke out into a smile as she tugged him down. Her head falling onto his shoulder as her legs kicked up behind her.
“Calm down. I’m only teasing.”
Long Qiu snorted, “teasing, right.”
**
I stood outside the door of the Jingyi room. Although I all but ignored her, I still paid attention to her. Ensuring that she was well taken care of, after all. Chances of that child being mind were too high to begin with.
Long Yun walked out and held up a device. I grabbed it and looked at the data before my shoulders drooped and I felt like that guy out in left field right under the ball but it bounced out the mitt.
“Why are you looking like I took away your favorite treat? You already knew she was your child. You should try and understand how Li Wei would feel.”
I shot Long Yun a glare before marching into the room with my chest poked out. I spotted Li Jingyi pretty fast as I rounded the corner and the bed curtains. She sat up against the backboard while holding a toddler that looked like it could fit in my palm.
I brushed the wet nurse aside and picked up the tiny thing. Holding her before my eyes.
“What did you name her?”
Li Jingyi didn’t speak as she watched me cradle the child within my palms. Slowly rocking as the tendril of my qi cleanse the child’s body. Ensuring it would live a healthy lifestyle even if she wasn’t talented.
“I haven’t thought of a name. What do you think?”
Shit, asking me to name someone. Like asking me to picked out clothes that doesn’t say, something I want to fuck you in.
Hmm, I can’t think of anything good. Let’s just go with something that sounds nice.. Long Gengxin? Um, Long Bing.. Long Che Che.. no..
Jingyi giggling interrupted my thinking.
“How about Li Ling?”
I wiped the metaphysical sweat of my brow as I held the girl up.
“So Li Ling. Aren’t you going to become overlord in the future? Killing thousands with one sweep of a sword. Enchanting millions with one turn of your head. Crushing peers' morale with every step.”
Long Yun and Jingyi giggled and I chose to ignore them. Giving a single glance to the middle aged woman that walked in.
“Is this your daughter? And where is the girl's father? How could he be practicing at a time like this?”
Jingyi and Long Yun both looked at the older woman and burst out in giggles. The woman frowned only for a second as she reached for my daughter. I didn’t know who Jingyi's mother was but this woman definitely didn’t smell or look like she was in a royal position.
I shot her a single glance which froze her stiff.
“This is my aunt, Aunt Li Dai. Aunt, this is the father of the child, City Lord, Long Qiu.”
The woman's eyes widened as she looked at me then she bowed.
“My apologies, I didn’t know.” Miss Li's eyes turned to Li Jingyi. “Also what are you going to do about Li Wei.”
“Nothing. I already told him that I slept with Long Qiu. He decided to announce our divorce to my father and left the palace a while back. Though, I doubt he will succeed in gaining revenge of any type.” She shot me a weird look.
I ignored the both of them as slowly paced about while gently rocking my daughter.
Back on Earth, right now, I would be at the apex of feelings. Feelings of fear at being a father figured. Wondering if I have the right to guide someone so young. What if I ruin her mentality? My personal isn’t exactly the best and a lot of my past on Earth constructed this desire to just have fun. Here, it emphasizes my bad habits.
Tsk, but what if I ended up having more kids? What if they end up having kids and then I have a bunch of little runts running around? Right now, do I have anything to call home? Sure Emperor Li wants to use me to gain something but his dreams might not be realistic or what he showed me isn’t everything. And do I really want to ride a bus off a cliff with someone? No, I don’t want to.
So, what kind of situation can I manage that would put me in the best position to provide for a family not yet grown? If I can grow out of this sect, it would be a huge powerhouse and protection. However, there are always more powerful people out there with all types of personalities. Some people don’t even need reasons to do something, ain’t I a great example of this?
I move my eyes away from my daughter and out the large window.
Mm, Earth used a lot of technology to dominate Earth. Even in movies, Technology was quickly catching up with supernatural threats. So I should copy them.
Mixture of high-tech and amazing abilities. Wait, didn’t Ironman use powerful armored suits to beat up Captain American and Thor. Tsk, I can make these nerdy types focus on that. They are adept at taking random thoughts and turning it into reality.
“Hey, husband.. Did you hear us?” Long Yun's voice jerked me out of my thoughts.
I cracked a smile, “nope.”
I took a step towards the exit and realized that I still had my daughter in hand and she might not be able to survive stepping through the void. Mm, let me put her down first.
***
“Hey, you nerds. I have a project for you to research. Gather up. Gather up.” I yelled as I walked through the slide doors into the bunker turned into a research lab.
Elder Chang walked out of her office with red eyes. Like she just worked a seventy-two hour shift and got not a wink of sleep.
“Palace Lord, we are still working on the other project and not even forty-percent of the way through. The implications are just too hard for us to solve with our man-power and current knowledge.” she said as she rubbed her eyes and yawned.
I shrugged and tossed a stack of papers on the table.
“You can pause that and work on this. This should be easier to implement with our current system. If it's too troublesome, then let’s outsource some parts. Don’t have to do everything in house. The less important parts, here, here, and here.. Can all be done using other sources. Plus we have a wide range of contacts outside that have bought our ships to research right? Throw them a bone and they will be super willing to handle it.”
Elder Chang and a few other heads of different crafting groups turned into R&D nerds. They shifted through the project that had limited amounts of information because I wasn’t some billionaire tech nerd. I just spam a lot of marvel movies like most people.
Elder Chang scratched her cheek as she stared at the crappy pictures and looked at me. At least, say something, damn! I know my drawing skills might not be all that great but the possible rune formations should have more than made up for that, right?
Right?
Elder Kong took a single glance at the paper in his hand before pointing out some problems he found. Cough, I was an alchemist. I just want to point this out. The formations we needed to use are entirely different to say a blacksmith or a formation master who learned thousands of different arrays.
“This is problematic but I understand what you want to get down. A kind of propulsion system to increase speed. However, I don’t understand the purpose of the gravity runes here on the legs when you should have a stability array and gravity array near the center of the body to affect the centermass. Balance is necessary in all things.
“Also here, here and here.. I can’t tell what the drawing is supposed to simulate but I guess this is hollow space between layer a and b and there is some kind of equipment here that will have extra modules similar to the ship design?” he lifted his head up and looked at me for confirmation but..
Cough, I just thought mechanic shit went there. Isn’t that where Ironman had his plasma guns and stuff at?
Elder Qiao snorted, “I can understand why you might have added these things to make the suit fly but they are unnecessary. Golden Cores can fly on their own for a limited time but their fighting power will be focused on the ground. Thus having these arrays is counterproductive. We could focus more on emphasizing the user's natural ability.
“For example, a thousand dragon strength arrays in the arms to increase strength and durability. A linkage array to combine it with the ten thousand horse sweeps land array in the legs. This will give us much more room to add in different offensive or utility modules that can only further enhance the user's personal abilities.”
Elder Chang nodded, “but the major issue is this core thing. It has a similar array to the city modified but I don’t think that it will be capable of supporting such a large amount of formations. This array is meant to stay on passively and convert and draw in essences from the heavens. However, it still has delay when activating and that delay can take up to three hours. Ignoring that, we currently don’t have anything to hold liquid essences in. Thus this design is a bit impractical.”
I tapped my chin like I was really thinking about all these problems. Then I raised my hands while widening my eyes, like I had the solution.
“You guys figured it out.”
I turned around and fled.