I spend a few minutes filling both Jin Chin and Yalei on my reasoning for picking He Wen, to which they hesitantly agree.

The mindset of the world is to prioritize the growth of those who are talented. To take someone less skilled or average to as the front runner just makes little sense to them. Naturally, there may be exceptions, but generally, that's the process.

I feel like they are just assuming that I’ll buff him to where it doesn’t matter.

Which is true, but not the point.

After a few more minutes of discussion and filling them in on the plans before we head out, they leave the building and me to take care of some other things.

Well, I guess I should get moving myself.

What ensues is a flurry of me moving from place to place. Searching out each of my followers while giving out the improvement documents that I had worked on earlier. And if any there are any tips that would be better shown than read, I try to lead them through it.

Considering that I have over 850+ followers now, this takes a while.

Like two days, non-stop.

But I spend the time wisely. Even as I move, I try to keep using the spirit stone condensation, albeit at a lower efficiency, to keep it low-key. Only a fraction of what I could do normally.

Which is still around a spirit stone a minute.

But at the least the amount of qi flowing could still be viewed as me cultivating while I walk. A colossal amount, but considering that I'm considered one of the geniuses and in a 'safe place' this is somewhat still normal enough to pass off.

To not raise suspicions too much, I funnel the spirit stones directly into my space bracelet. Once again, strange. Just enough that people can assume it’s one of the strange things that geniuses do to get stronger.

Running around like this allows me to meet two people who came to join the group, but haven’t formally joined yet.

Mao and Ling, the eldritch twins from the Radiant Library and Eldritch Enclave.

Standing at the crossroads between the towers. Just them two.

Their colorless black hair fluttering in the non-existent breeze. Their otherworldly pale skin is certainly not making this any less creepy.

…

…

That feeling has come back.

The one of something more occurring. Beyond the realm of sight and senses.

There should definitely be more people around at this time, right?

I mean there are at least 850 people living here now.

… though this is a big area. And it is a strange time of day.

It only takes another moment of strangeness before things seem to settle.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Mao steps forward, her bright voice disturbing the surrounding air.

“Young Master, it’s good to see you again! I hope you were still okay with us joining your group?”

Ling seems to break from that strange air, as well.

“Mao! You shouldn’t just ask for that immediately. I’m sorry, Young Master. She’s just been so excited, since we got permission from the Head Librarian to join your group.”

She gives a side glance to her sister, who has the grace to look a little embarrassed. She offers a faint, yet warm, smile.

“Ever since you indulged her chats on those ancient ruins, she’s been begging to come visit.”

It’s a little different, how she’s treating me. Much more casual than society would usually allow for our current relationship.

But I prefer this over the stuffy way that people normally act. Especially when I genuinely like being around them.

Ling coyly nudges her sister before smirking. Laying out a whopper of a comment.

“She’s saying that, but I’m not the one who was hugging her pillommphmpmh.” “Woahwoahwoahwoah, such beautiful weather today, huh?!”

Mao practically tackles Ling, covering her mouth desperately, while speaking over Ling’s muffled words.

…

I want to know more.

I make no attempts to fill the silence and just listen intently for more. Which embarrasses the two of them, causing them to move on. Contrary to what I wanted.

“Soo… are we able to join?”

I’m not shameless enough to use my conversation scan to have them expound on it.

“Yeah, it’ll be great having you both with me. We’ll just need you to join the contract.”

They give each other a complex look, causing me to realize this may not be as simple as an affair as I thought.

Ling confirms my thoughts.

“If we do this, we’ll need to base our selves here.”

I get the feeling they aren’t talking about the fortress.

“Our others won’t be able to stay here anymore, but we’ve already talked it over with them. Things will change a bit, but we’ll still be here.”

She hesitates before asking a question.

“Are you okay if we change a bit?”

I need to be firm.

“Yes. Of course. We’ll work through this together.”

A smile on the likes of Mei Lin’s shines on both of their faces. A smile that speaks to the uncertainty that both of them likely have had in their lives for a long, long time.

Considering their clearly strange qualities, I’m sure it hasn’t been easy.

Either way, they both close their eyes and the entire world goes silent.

Not just quiet.

But silent.

Nothing.

Pounding. Eternal. Silence.

…

This is the silence that I imagined could drive higher realm cultivators mad. And from what I can gather, only I can sense it. Because I know.

Moving to sit down, their faces crunch up in concentration, clearly going through a major effort.

Only a short while later, I can see a shimmer forming behind the two of them.

From which a couple of familiar faces come up.

The other pair of twins. The ethereal male pair.

Both have colorless white hair, with equally pale skin. A perfect contrast in hair to the female pair that I know.

But this situation doesn’t seem malevolent. Not even slightly.

Just as if they like family, looking out for each other.

Both brothers look at each other with a smile before raising their hands to place them on their sister’s heads. Which is when I can physically see a change happen in Mao and Ling.

Mao’s hair changes color, matching the brothers pure white. While Ling’s hair somehow gets even darker.

Somehow, it also seems like their presence has increased. Giving them one that in some ways feels even more solid than a normal person.

All while this happens, the brothers fade away more and more. All until they disappear.

The girls sit there, still, for a bit and I can see a few tears fall down their cheeks.

The best thing I can do for them right now is give them this moment.

After a few minutes more, they wipe their tears and stand-up. Giving me a strained smile, with Ling being the first to speak.

“So, how do you like the new look?”

I give them the brightest smile I can muster, along with a thumbs up.

“You guys look amazing. It’s a great change.”

This seems to help with their fluctuating emotions, calming them down a bit.

“Yeah. We do, don’t we?”

They give each other a look and take a breath, before moving forward together.

““Where’s this contract then? Let’s get signing!””

…

…

With only a few details later, I find myself with two eldritch cultivators under the contract. And now ready to start building a library for our group.

Eh, that seems like a good choice. Especially with all the documentation I’ve been throwing around.

… I might have to set up a lot of security for it, though, with all the secrets we have.

Either way, on to the next thing.

Grabbing He Wen and making a gun.