A few days later, a gold ring was placed into the gap between two rocks for a few hours.

In the Inner World, there was a very somber gathering. Ruanfu had stopped to rest, and because of the accelerated time of the Inner World a month-long rest would be equivalent to an hour on the outside world. During this break, Sage as well as the other Tiankong Siblings had gathered to remember someone important. The Tiankong Clan had a funeral service many years ago in honor of their father, but at that time the grave had been empty. After defeating the Violet Light Sect, Sage finally recovered King’s remains. Since then he’d been hurrying around worried about his own survival and revenge. The Tiankong Siblings had come to visit during those times, but for some reason on this voyage they all chose to get together and visit his tomb.

There was just something about the upcoming events that had made them all think of King and want to spend some time in remembrance. They made offerings and lit incense, then poured libation onto the grave and drank the night away. King was the only member of his species he had ever met, and with Sage’s help he was able to have the big family he always wanted. Ruanfu had resolutely decided to follow King’s dream, which at this time she was busy bragging about to the others. Sage chuckled and then snuck away, not wanting to get drawn into this confrontation. He was worried they would start making demands for him to capture Demonic Beasts for them like King had in the past. Even if most humans considered them beasts or monsters, for him it felt far too similar to kidnapping brides.

They mourned, partied, and spent time together for a few months, taking a vacation from the important business of building a clan they had all been involved with recently. They were Demonic Beasts after all, creatures with lifespans tens of times longer than humans. They were happy to take the time to rest and relax. Many Demonic Beasts would slumber for years at a time to digest a meal. Predators would take in most of their energy from other Demonic Beasts, while the prey consumed spiritual plants. Yet, they were on a much higher level than normal animals, so the usual cycles that would take days or months took place over years and decades. They covered much more territory and finding the proper food took them much longer.

Of course, that was only for the Demonic Beasts in the wilds. In the Inner World, the Tiankong Clan had it easy. There was a whole continent full of Spirit Insects for them to hunt. While they weren’t as fulfilling as greater beasts, they could make up for it with quantity. Yet, they seldom resorted to that. With the Human Seal they could eat human food and sample all sorts of delicious foods. The Prosperity Company had chefs on staff that prepared food for them and they lived a life of decadence. Without any responsibilities and such grand treatment, they were always happy for an excuse to head to the Inner World for a time.

While they were busy relaxing, the Soul Clone was doing the complete opposite.

There was a grim look on his face as he carefully stitched symbols onto a layer of thick silk. In these few years his skill as a Weaver and Tailor advanced drastically. He had no idea what his actual rank in the professions would be if he were to be tested as he didn’t focus on increasing his abilities to handle different materials, but his skill drastically increased. He worked tirelessly to improve the quality of the textiles he wove as well as the formations he could embroider onto them. Each time he finished a garment it would be hung onto a wooden mannequin, and he’d stare at it for a time to identify his failures and where he could improve.

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He filled a whole warehouse with these wooden mannequins, creating the illusion of an army at attention. Even so, he didn’t let up, working tirelessly to craft even more of them. Every few days he’d leave his personal workshop and tour the larger shops that were busy weaving the Steel Silk threads into cloth. The weavers of the cultivation world used Qi techniques to do their weaving, while the mortals had hand operated pattern looms. Sage was no specialist in loom technology, but he had still spent a few months creating a mechanized loom. The Soul Clone had done that many years ago at this point. The machinery was powered by Spirit Stones, and used a modified Flying Message type of magical device as a shuttle. He wasn’t an expert in operating a pattern loom, but it was easy enough to automate the moving parts, especially since he didn’t care about the cost. He spent a few thousand Spirit Stones on each loom, not wasting his time on trying to be cheap or reinventing things like he had in the past. He had many thousands of Dragoons to make armor for at the time.

At this time, the Hoplites were busy experimenting with different patterns and layering other threads into them. Sage was no weaver or textile expert on Earth, so he could only rely on experimentation. They created a bolt of fabric and then he used it to cloth a few more wooden mannequins. Over and over again he continued this process, spending years in dedication to this pursuit. Finally there came a day when Ruanfu reached their destination and Sage had to stop. A massive warehouse had already been filled with his works, but he was out of time.

The Tiankong Siblings left the Inner World and got to work, making preparations while others carried out many large chests of goods. There were many rushing back and forth, years of planning finally being put into action. Half the warehouse was already emptied out before Sage made a final decision and sent it out to the Universe Ring. In his true body, Sage slowly removed his robes. He lifted an exquisitely detailed long coat off the mannequin, then removed a set of outer and inner robes. By the time he was finished dressing he had draped fully four layers over his body. Then he placed a tall and elaborate hat upon his head and appeared outside of the Universe Ring.

There was a large lion-like Demonic Beast in front of him with a dozen Dragoons holding it in place. He walked up and lifted his foot onto a step before mounting the saddle on the back of the giant beast. Then he grasped the reins and looked to his sides where he saw the Tiankong siblings in other garments of his manufacture while mounted on other ferocious beasts. He looked back and saw the rest of their large procession, organized in neat columns. Then he raised a hand and threw it forward, raising a cheer from his people as they marched forward.

Their banners waved in the wind, adding a majestic touch to the ferocious assortment of giant beasts and their elaborately dressed riders. They passed down a wide street through the middle of a large city, with many of the normal people stopping to watch the large procession. Surprisingly, there were no guards that stood out to stop them. Sage’s troop finally stopped in front of a large set of gates. He looked up and stopped to admire the character upon them: ‘Zhu’.