Change Merit Trials... Commence!

A few days later, at the hotel’s reception, Elena had sent its direction to Heian Ciemnosc's Universal Conveyance.

"How was the meeting?" Heian Ciemnosc asked as he entered the reception, Fera behind him, contented and whose eyes brightened upon seeing her momm- no, her big sis. Elena welcomed Fera's hug and patted her head as she responded to the fat- no, her husband. "As the Headmaster's personal disciple, Biston is a qualified Leading Student. Sahnyr was very eloquent, too. But she kept asking about you. We've reunited with every other team leader and were enlightened about the Change Merit Trials' structure."

"Fill me in," Heian Ciemnosc walked to Elena. Fera hurried into the hotel to find her big bros and sisters to brag about how much their team leader spoils her. Heian Ciemnosc took Elena's waist with his left hand, encircling her back, and walked into an elevator. Elena nodded and was nonlackadaisical to his moves. “It will be divided into 3 phases. The first will be passive participation from everyone, from the First Step cultivators to those above the Broken Crystallization realm. There are tests and even trial by fire the hosts had placed on stage.”

“There will be cultivators above the Broken Crystallization realm participating?” Heian Ciemnosc asked with a slight frown. Elena nodded and slowly spoke again, “Yes, but nothing changes. Only if someone accepts a duel from another party can one fight. This is only for the second phase. The first phase is all about collecting resources in the Semi-Dimension. The second phase is about fighting others for those resources. One cannot simply attack each other once the second phase starts.”

“To vie for resources from others, the aggressive party has to know who and which person has certain item. If the former’s knowledge is erroneous, they will lose a chance to vie for resources. While everyone else who is honest will uphold their 3 chances. However, only those in the Second Step can participate, and those even a few months of reaching a stage earlier than another cultivator can’t pick a fight with the latter.”

“There are no losses so far. Only the third phase has an elimination system. It is also a bit of a tournament. When phase 3 arrives, the teams from every organization will be put up against the world. They can either choose from 3 different elimination styles. One is until the last man standing, where both teams will send their members until the last one remains on a 1v1 continuous duel. Another is a team vs team style, where an all-out attack is imminent.”

“The last elimination style is a team leaders’ duel. That’s all we know about the 3 phases. The first one is indicated to be beneficial for every overlord organization, and we can take every single flora, seed, Fauna, and even dirt grains if we will it.” Elena said, leaning her right shoulder on him. “The second phase is a quick match against a few individuals to have even more resources. This way, even the Obscure Orb Sect we know of sent a few hundred peak First Step cultivators. The resources this will give the Wrath Nihility Academy will be tremendous!”

“I’ll have Violet lead every CO, Cari, Arla, and you to reap as many as possible then. How come we can pick everything?” Heian Ciemnosc nodded and asked. Elena hugged his back in return with her right arm as she answered. Her arm felt soft and slightly muscular, just perfect. And she was very proactive, too. Needless to say, she was content with Heian Ciemnosc’s arrangements for the Academy. “They had already collected the reserves and kept them elsewhere in another Sub-Dimension. They won’t keep them but plant them back into the Semi-Dimension once the event concludes. Amusing, no?”

“Mn, the Academy needs to have those peculiarities in the future.” Heian Ciemnosc spoke suggestively. Elena didn’t waste a second to nod. Her right cheek rubbed up and down on his left cheek as she assertively said, “I’ll have it in mind. It will be one of my aspirations to vie for the Headmaster’s position.”

“Oh, right. Is Biston aware of your ambition? What did he say?” Heian Ciemnosc asked, rubbing her left side as she softly moaned through her nostrils, barely audible. Elena rolled her eyes comfortably and dreamily said, “Yeah, but he doesn’t seem to care. For all we both know, the Headmaster is training a Vice headmaster. Besides, with you by my side, even if Biston wanted to vie for the Headmaster position after you dominate his wife through some bedding, how can he bear to face me?”

“Bwahaha,” Heian Ciemnosc couldn’t hold it and chuckled out loud, the sound of it making Elena entranced, to say the least. He looked at his Elena looking at him with honeyed eyes. After all, she had just made him laugh… Heian Ciemnosc said. “Since when do you just see me as a woman’s nightmare? Should I go for any woman from any man trying to threaten your position from now on? How about I steal Arla from Frank? What if the club leaders don’t want to accept you as a new one because there are already ‘too many’ of us.”

“Mm, not bad. If Arla becomes your personal maid, she can be of use.” Elena said seriously, truthfully looking for her husband’s pleasure and commodities. Heian Ciemnosc was startled. He looked at Elena and knew she was serious, but he only shook his head and tapped her bum ‘beratingly’ before saying. “Arla is a good girl. I don’t need to separate her from her loved one to help us or you. Don’t speak nonsense.”

“Okay,” Elena obediently nodded 3 times in his neck, cutely, and leaned on him like a cat. Heian Ciemnosc thus walked his wife to her hotel room and cultivated together. Many things were still urgent, such as solidifying his path. Before they entered her hotel room, however, and just 3 days away from the event starting, Heian Ciemnosc threatened his wife. “I’ll tell Arla about your convictions. See how many times she seduces me in front of you.”

Elena: “...”

. . .

3 days later, it was the start of the Change Merit Trials. A Low Godly Station from a Fourth Step organization could reach a population higher than a Minor Kingdom. And that’s without considering the Supreme Kingdom they were overlords of and the others they controlled.

Right now, hundreds of billions of eyes were already set in one place, in a room or in public, looking at one of many screens above or the ground where the panels could show them a respective angle, if they wanted. At this moment, close to 10 million people were standing in a plaza, surrounded by mighty figures, hosts of the Change Merit Trials, and upper echelons of other overlord organizations.

Most of these organizations didn’t bring their leader, merely sending those with high status, such as a Supervisor, an Elder, a Clergy Enforcer, and so on. Currently, the plaza was long enough to hold about 20 million people sitting cross-legged, with at least half a meter separating them from anyone else. It was spacious, and there were empty spots in between. Around them, in the bleachers, everyone was watching their organization’s members excitedly looking around, trying to find their upper echelons to gain extra confidence.

Belonging to an overlord organization, these people weren’t nervous or insecure. Although they were aware of their greatness, even if most weren’t sure others were as strong as themselves. In any case, among the 10 million or so people in the plaza, Heian Ciemnosc and his entourage were together but were mostly quiet and calm. They didn’t stand out. It was impossible to spot them by differentiation, even for a Second Step cultivator in the Step’s later realms.

Only by using one’s medallion could they directly spot them, but those below were prohibited from using their medallion within until the Semi-DImension started. With gran array formations preceding and protecting any Godly Station, only fools would dare to break that rule. The Fourth Step organization hosts didn’t care about taking the medallions away. Firstly, that would be stupid, and secondly, too much hassle.

Heian Ciemnosc looked in the direction of a dozen Supervisors looking at him with hidden meaning. Heian Ciemnosc nodded towards them. He had already secretly told his COs to protect Elena and treat her more important than him. She was like that in his eyes anyway. On the other hand, Elena was secretly told of Heian Ciemnosc’s concern for her safety. Thus, Elena said nothing and felt proud of having an overprotective husband who might even collocate an entire army for her sake.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

At this moment, a sudden pressure within the atmosphere befell the people in the plaza. Silence ensued without discussion and silenced the entire place. Even those watching from far away became silent and solemn. When they saw a few feet descend from a few camera angles until a figure’s back fully showed, their eyes showed excitement, and their minds rose in excitement. Thus, a voice sounded at first from someone wearing the Obscure Orb Sect’s emblem and pale purple robes.

“I am the Obscure Orb Sect’s Grand Elder, Jolden. From today onwards, I am one of this event’s co-hosts.” Great Elder Jolden said as he raised his hands, and a miniature moon-like black eye with outlined eyelashes with bright, sparkly purple appeared behind him. The eyelids spread open, revealing the empty whiteness inside. This mixture of colors wasn’t well-mixing, but it gave everyone a strong impression when seen for the first time.

“Woooh~,” Fera exclaimed suddenly. She pointed at the white, pale Grand Elder in the sky and said, “This grandpa is the one who taught me a few things. Thanks to him, I could meet my Big Bro.”

Heian Ciemnosc looked at that person more carefully and noticed the Grand Elder was a Pale Demon. Like a White or Light Elf, there were no Elemental Demons, but there were white, silver, and moon ones. However, a rare one was a Pale Demon, whose features were mostly human and were the only ones who specialized in tail attacks, if they had one. It was said most Demons unlock an Art when breaking into the Third Step that is perfect for them, just like with any other Race that has managed to reach that far.

However, this Pale Demon had orange hair, was slightly old, and was apparently Fera’s benefactor in some ways. When Heian Ciemnosc saw the eye behind the Grand Elder, he felt it was really cool. Just then, another 3 figures appeared as they took positions and stood side by side with Grand Elder Jolden. One was a black female Human, another was a strange Beast in his humanoid form, and the last was a human-sized Yellow Titan who looked peaceful, crafty, and innocent at once.

“Let me present you to Bai Yue’er, the Golden Terra Sect’s Grand Elder. Bajo, the Phosphorescent Flower Sect’s Grand Elder, and Diego, the Interchanging Dust Dynasty’s Heavenly Protector.” Grand Elder Jolden spoke as he introduced everyone to the crowd, who were already aware of their existence. They were famous in the entire Existence. But the crowd was too solemn and engrossed to react crazily as Heian Ciemnosc expected.

He looked around, and just as he raised his eyebrows, looking at the utterly silent plaza and bleachers, he heard a mental message delivered safely into his head. “Young noble, I will leave Fera in your charge for the time being. But she is returning with me after it is over. Please show her how to take care of herself… further.”

Heian Ciemnosc looked up at the Obscure Orb Sect’s Grand Elder after the words finished ringing in his head. They were clear and genial, definitely not smelly like those of other people. Heian Ciemnosc nodded ever-so-slightly at the Grand Elder right before the black woman, Bai Yue’er, announced. “The first phase will start soon, but before that…”

“Any team that returns with all of its members will be rewarded with an item of their choosing which cannot be stolen by others in the second phase. To the teams who do the best, they will be given a prize of 100,000 coins, no matter the Step you’re in. There will be criteria to dictate when a team attains the maximum points. Lastly, the 100 participants with the best scores will be granted 5 items of their choosing, even those that do not belong to the Semi-Space. As long as it isn’t demanding for a Relic directly but for its ingredients instead, everything else might be possible.”

“Rules may change according to the state that everyone is in once the first, second, and third phase commences. It will be announced to everyone at the same time. But these 3 rules are definite for the 3 phases. No fighting is allowed unless permitted, with the exception of the first phase, where you can only hunt or capture other Fauna. Any accidental or collateral action will be investigated. And after the event ends… you will be punished.” Bai Yue’er’s Godly voice was stern and deadly cold at the end of her words.

She continued, her voice returned to ‘normal’ and became somewhat easygoing. “Second, extorting or threatening others to accept your duel will be met equally as violative as incurring into an unorganized fight. Thirdly, and last. Any cheating or trick within the Semi-Dimesion that grants you an unoriginal advantage will be treated as an insult. You will see, for yourselves, what it means to insult us Godly powerhouses if you decide to do so.”

“If there are no questions about it, I’ll let my comrade Bajo deliver you a great piece of news.” Bai Yue’er’s words were calm and cheerful when she finalized her speech, stepping backwards and gesturing towards Bajo with her right arm. The latter nodded. His eyes were spectacularly big, and unlike Bai Yue’er, who had long brown hair and was Human, he was a Beast that reminded Heian Ciemnosc of a flora’s mutation. It was truly something…

“For another 7 days, the Change Merit Trials will grant every participant an extra opportunity.” Grand Elder Bajo’s voice was swift and low but also smooth. He seemed good-natured and immediately gained positive brownie points in Heian Ciemnosc’s brain. Bajo continued, unaware of Heian Ciemnosc’s opinion of him and uncaring. “The plaza has been installed with an array formation for… cultivation.”

Cheeers! Hurrraaaaaaah! Clamor~!!

“You may now sit and meditate. Treat this as a gift on our part to the Existence’s talents. We should continue to work harder for the first evaluation between the Heraxle Clan’s Universal Land.” After the cheers, Bajo spoke again, his voice soothing everyone’s nervousness and excitement, if there was any for the former. As soon as he finished speaking, he waved his hand as a layer of steam surrounded everyone.

“... Sit down, cultivate well, and you might breakthrough here.” Heian Ciemnosc’s eyes widened as he directly dropped down and said. As he spoke, his words were becoming lower and almost inaudible. The sight from the others also obscured, and only a remnant of a shadow remained before they disappeared from Heian Ciemnosc’s naked eyesight. He didn’t dare take his medallion out, but he trusted his COs to know what to do if they didn’t hear him, which he believed they did.

Tap- fwuoosh~. Just as Heian Ciemnosc planned on focusing these 7 days to see if he could leave behind the ‘elementary’ stage of solidifying his path and reach the ‘early’ stage at least. He heard something, and with the same notion, he turned his head to the side to see his Elena sitting cross-legged and hard, going all out at cultivation with windy electric currents coursing all around her body.

Elena did the same and looked at him, befuddled. Just as they placed one hand on the ground and planned to move towards each other, they heard a smooth voice, low and soft, speak to them briefly before dissipating.

“This is a little gift from brother Jolden. Do not disturb anyone else.”

“...” - “...” The voice left, and so Heian Ciemnosc and Elena became startled. She looked at him, their eyes communicating instantly. Elena asked if this was about Fera, and Heian Ciemnosc answered positively. Afterwards, her eyes softened, and she continued crawling towards him. When she cuddled right next to him, the steamy cubicle she was in closed down and was filled with mist. Heian Ciemnosc’s cubicle doubled in pure energy and isolation as Elena let out a soft moan in comfort.

Rustle, rustle, pshift pshift pshift pshift~... Elena got comfortable but with clothes. She formed her nest under Heian Ciemnosc’s chin and all over his torso and lap. Like a kitten, Elena squirmed and softly moaned until finding her spot. Thus, opting for a smallish, improvised cross-legged position on top of him, she began cultivating, covering Heian Ciemnosc with her windy electric currents. Heian Ciemnosc wasn’t hurt, as would anyone else, even with Wind elemental affinity.

Instead, Heian Ciemnosc felt a somewhat cool, refreshing sensation entirely unique to him. Only a few certain Elemental behaviors would give Heian Ciemnosc a cold sensation. He didn’t waste any time and directly employed his dual cultivation method. He was no longer a teenager but a young man. Eventually, Heian Ciemnosc’s Spirit Sense and Soul detected some particular familiar fluctuations near him. He didn’t care about being sneaky and directly injected his dark Power Energy through the mist screens, one after another.

From then on, Heian Ciemnosc started cultivating together with everyone on his team, enjoying the old times when he and his team were only around 10 randoms getting to know each other. With his sweet Elena on his lap with the status as his wife, that much is different compared to how the past looks like right now. How different could it be in a decade? Or in five? How about in a millennium?

The future was unpredictable… to a certain degree. When one lives thousands of years like days, wisdom and patience have a much too different meaning. It’s simply greater and grander.

Before the days could go by, up in the skies, one of the grand figures, representatives of this event, looked down. He turned to face Jolden after a few minutes of staring at a spot in the array formation and barked with a slightly high tone. “Hey Jolly, is that the brat you tweaked the array formation for? I don’t think it was that necessary. Look, he is fooling your toy.”

“...” Jolden, aka Jolly, looked down and saw Heian Ciemnosc’s dark Power Energy seamlessly connecting to other cubicles in the mist. His underchin made an act of appearance before slowly relaxing. Looking at the only host that remained quiet, Jolden shook his head and said. “Just let it be. I didn’t break any rules. It’s only right they receive 2 cubicles’ worth of pure energy. As for what he’s doing, isn’t that his value?”

“Tsk, did they have to be so close together?” The representative didn’t let go just yet and added. Jolden turned around and gave him an ‘aish’ face before finishing up. “Yes, that was important. Very. Now shut it and let us meditate in peace, fatty.”

“Tsk… tsk…” The ‘fatty’ tsked twice as if unconvinced and continued to look at Heian Ciemnosc’s improved cubicle. He only ceased after a few more minutes, returning to meditate for the upcoming first phase.

…