The Little Black Monster

Another 2 months passed by. In the last 2 weeks, Heian Ciemnosc, Elena, Jing Evan, and the other students took the vessel to return to the Middle Godly Station. 4 months have passed since the start of the Change Merit Trials, and the time for the 3rd phase to begin arrived.

As a global announcement throughout the Existence, the 3rd phase would start at the start of the fourth week. When the Wrath Nihility Academy's vessel was just a few hours from mooring in the Godly Station, it was the 3rd week's 4th day. Heian Ciemnosc and Elena were already seen as the Academy's prodigies from this generation, alongside Arla, Fengli, and even Aleksander, whose lethal abilities were shown in the 2nd phase. This Change Merit Trials to serve the Academy comprehend its many potential individuals, either by outsiders or its members.

After arriving back at the Godly Station, what Heian Ciemnosc did first was to check on his people. Biston and Sahnyr weren’t seen much during the 2nd phase, and their shown prowess was marginal, but they would also participate in the 3rd phase. There was nothing stopping them from going all out in the following tournament-like stage. They might not be ambitious enough to go against what even the upper echelons of the Academy thought was better and not interested in becoming the Headmaster other than for its magnificent status. But they were immensely competent fellows if one could become the Headmaster’s disciple.

Heian Ciemnosc supervised his team members, who had gained a little boost in these 3 months with most of their time spent in bitter, secluded cultivation. Even then, Cari was the only one who didn’t have too much talent for cultivation. This meant his progressing speed would be slower than his COs, not that it wouldn’t reach far. That only depended on the individual. A talentless cultivator might die of old age before anything else, and a talented one might get themselves killed before accomplishing great things.

In the second case, Heian Ciemnosc wanted to ensure his COs would live long enough to achieve as much as they hoped or dreamed, although that was already difficult within itself. Still, the team leader was glad to see his people progress. Even little Gloria managed to breakthrough several stages. The fearsome trio broke through together until the 5th stage, middle level. Violet was just one step behind in the early 5th stage.

Oleg and Victor followed suit in the 4th stage, early level. Aleksander was in the 3rd stage, early level. Meanwhile, Gloria reached the Spirit Birth realm 7th stage. That 1st phase had been an impeccably good source for gaining ingredients, which Heian Ciemnosc turned into pills, sending them in batches to his spoiled COs. During his stay at the Academy, Heian Ciemnosc simply focused on practicing and spending time with his brand-new, beyond-perfect stable cultivation base and foundation.

He attempted to create Earth grade weapons and armor, small ones. But even after 2 months of trying, he still failed and managed to only complete a few steps before it all turned into solid and nicely shaped waste. He still needed Neutral Energy to finish them or at least attempt most of the process. But he still valued the experience gained. On the other hand, Elena bitterly cultivated, spending a third of her cultivation alone and the rest within Heian Ciemnosc’s embracing.

Any cultivator became used to sitting cross-legged or lying in meditation to cultivate. But Elena and a few others in the future became used to sitting while hugging Heian Ciemnosc with their arms and legs as he either moved or they instinctively twisted their hips and jolted them up and down. It was insanely efficient, however. So besides feeling intimate and well-attended, whoever dual cultivated with Heian Ciemnosc would master the skill of sleeping sex.

Elena broke into the peak of the Broken Crystallization realm 4th stage, a shy step away from the 5th stage. Heian Ciemnosc had studied his experiments in attempting to forge Earth grade items, further increasing his knowledge and familiarization with a Second Step’s forging. When he was still in the Academy, his Master would constantly observe him and see, on his back, the young her that worked hard to attain what she became today.

Lady Calisneia remained silent until the end of his stay in the Academy, spending most of her time in meditation, holding her body and Soul from further breaking. Heian Ciemnosc naturally understood this, but all he could do in return was let her survive in peace, thinking hard about how to save her, no matter the cost. 2 months passed like this, and the vessel carrying the Academy’s students returned to the Middle Godly Station.

… On that same day, after checking on his people, Heian Ciemnosc walked outside their designated hotel and vip bedrooms for a stroll. He was thinking about Fera, who had remained with the Obscure Orb Sect, breaking into the Second Step, as he and Elena had already done. This girl had incredible energy manipulation skills. If she could advance into the Neutrality realm as soon as possible, she would easily gain contend for a good spot in the 3rd phase’s final results.

The 3rd phase would proceed smoothly but without a division. Broken Crystallization realm and Neutrality realm cultivators would participate, but after the battle royale section, they would only face those of equal cultivation at the beginning, where one would fight for points in order to advance. But only if too many participants remained after each mini-stadium had its winners. If not, it would proceed as intended and immediately start its elimination section.

“Big Broootheeer!” Just as Heian Ciemnosc was thinking, he heard a young girl’s shout, girly and shrill. The next thing his naked eyesight took in was a little Fera rushing towards him with a slightly low stance. Her arms projected from her shoulders as she faced the ground and tightly shut her eyes. Behind her were a few guards wearing obscure gray robes of different sexes, wearing the Obscure Orb Sect.

Thud, rustle~, rub~. When the guards saw Heian Ciemnosc, they stopped and relaxed, sweating as they looked at him, slightly wary. By then, Fera had bumped her little head on Heian Ciemnosc’s sternum, immediately stopping in her tracks, turning everything silent. Finally, she slowly moved her little feet forward, hugging Heian Ciemnosc’s waist as she drove the rest of her body to stick to his. She looked up with a teary face and said. “Biiig Brother! I’ve missed you! Why did you return so late?! I barely heard from the Big Sisters, so I had to escape!”

Fera pouted, not looking like the determined, scary young girl to face a Broken Crystallization realm 5th stage enemy cultivator within the First Step like before. Heian Ciemnosc tilted his head to the left without reacting, wearing a casual, almost indifferent expression. His pale red lips moved as Fera pouted even more, “What about it? Do you think I will care after you left again?”

“Not fair! You left without bringing me with you. I was so close to the Second Step, but I wanted to wait for you to breakthrough! But you didn’t come back, stinky Brother. Who treats their precious little sister like this? Ah??” Fera retorted, finally putting a little grin on the right corner of Heian Ciemnosc’s mouth. She continued, rubbing her nose on his fashionable dark coat. “In the end, you abandoned me. I accepted my Sect’s help and used them to breakthrough without you!”

“Oh, yeah? How did they help you?” Heian Ciemnosc asked, holding the back of her shoulders as he did. However, she remained fearless and started firing away as her mouth moved like lightning. “They gave me 2 vitality array formations, 1 Artifact for breaking through, which worked well with the Self Void puppet you bought me, and a bunch of pills for the Second Step, concocted by the Sect’s Elders!”

“Oh… such a little girl thirsted after by so many. Does she even remember me?” Heian Ciemnosc was genuinely surprised, feeling the Fourth Step organization wasn’t fucking playing around. Fera heard his words, and without hesitation, she rubbed her face left and right on her big brother’s tummy. “Mnaaah, dun’t care. You’re my big Bro. I only listen to you. I might have a Master, but I had my Big Bro first. If you’ve taught me something, then… it’s family first, hehe.”

“Mn~...” Heian Ciemnosc tilted his head further to the left, lifted his right hand, and started to pet this dummy girl’s head. Fera murmured contentedly for tens of seconds before he stopped and lifted her face. Smooching her forehead, he glanced at the guards behind Fera before turning around, holding Fera’s left wrist in his right hand. “Let’s go. They won’t bother you again. I also told them to notify your fellow sect members.”

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“Mn,” Fera nodded and didn’t look back. She didn’t care even if he didn’t say a word to her Sect. Still, since Heian Ciemnosc made an effort, it represented his care for her well-being in every way! All Fera could do was appreciate it and not waste his efforts, obediently nodding her head and acquiescing, although she also learned a little more about how to behave in annoying situations.

“Woo! That’s right, Big Bro.” Fera tugged his dark coat’s sleeve like a little girl after reacting like one, remembering something. When Heian Ciemnosc looked down at her, she continued, “I only needed one vitality array formation. Can I give the remaining one to Gloria? As my sister, and since she’s my senior, I must show respect.”

“Oh, good girl.” Heian Ciemnosc nodded, affectionately rubbing her head again. Fera smiled, showing her canines, and giggled. Then, Heian Ciemnosc added in a calm tone, “Is this how you treat your Sect’s seniors, though?”

“Ah…” Speechless and taken aback, Fera the Clever decided to back away and start acting coy. Rubbing her face on his forearm and hugging it, she cutely said. “Big Brooo, have you learned any new recipes? I want to have it. When I grow up, I need to be a capable wife, no? I’m no civilian, but if I can’t cook better than one, why even call myself a good girl? I must be a really, really good girl!”

“...” Heian Ciemnosc rolled his eyes, but there was no denying this future daughter-in-law! She was already so well-behaved, making Heian Ciemnosc wonder how she would become after she was naturally, definitely not manipulated into marrying his first son with Elena. Would she call him Daddy? Gosh! Just thinking about gaining her as an actual daughter made the hidden fatherly instinct within him burn. If Heian Ciemnosc could only start making daughters left and right and spoil them all with his money. Sigh, sigh, sigh…

After reuniting with the good girl, Fera, Heian Ciemnosc brought her to visit stores and restaurants until night came. They met in the morning and returned to the Concealed Ornament Team’s hotel late at night. Elena was meditating while the other COs were banging the shit out of each other, including Aleksander, the sometimes stoic assassin, and a really proactive Gloria. With Fera between them, Elena and Heian Ciemnosc slept on the bed without meditation, simply resting like the civilian folk do.

. . .

Finally, it was the start of the 4th month’s 4th week. The 3rd phase had come, and more than 4,000,000 participants showed to the 3rd phase. The 2nd phase simply consisted of vying for the harvest materials, ingredients, and resources. There was no ranking nor a reward depending on the former as in the first phase. However, the 3rd phase will have both, and although there would be a champion at the end of it all, the team with the best participation will gain equal benefits as that champion.

In the primary zone, millions of spectators sat on bleachers, one after another. It was bustling, and although the middle was the same, the whole stadium had become several times broader. Sets of bleachers were placed one behind another, with the rear of each covered in a concealment array formation and an illusory array formation so those behind could see right through and even zoom in to look at the platform as if it was in front of them.

There were more than a million spectators on each side of this semi-rectangular platform, and there were also several rows of bleachers, allowing for a vastly and bizarrely high number of people to watch the incoming shows in the flesh. This time, no virtual world or through camera angles would be used. Only one’s eyes and even a restricted Spirit Sense could observe the fights on the platform.

This also meant the possibility of injury, crippling wounds, and death. Everything was valid, from poisoning to using one’s pets and mounts, and nothing could be changed once the battling style was decided. It was either a last cultivator standing, a team fight, or captain vs captain from each team. Teams could only be re-assigned by the already existing teams that entered the Change Merit Trials and cannot add or expel members. No new ones could be created, and if there are 3 or fewer team members after the royal battles, they will be forced to face the rest of the tournament on their own.

However, if a team lost its members until only 3 or 1 remained, either by death, disqualification or taking them out of the following fights, the team could still survive and not be disbanded even after reaching that number. It was meaningful only at the beginning of the tournament section, not afterwards. In any case, Heian Ciemnosc didn’t worry. All a Neutrality realm cultivator could do to Broken Crystallization realm cultivators in the battle royale was to intimidate them.

This way, his COs and Elena will definitely pass. Fera should also be alright. No one in the same stage as hers should be her match, even though she’s been in that cultivation base for only a few weeks and a month. She was a big, powerful, good young girl in his eyes. She couldn’t lose.

“... To all participants, the 3rd stage will soon start. All cultivators are to step into the free zone. Non-participants should return to the bleachers. Minus 15 minus for the 3rd phase’s battle royal section to start.” At this moment, as the bleachers had many Fairies wearing robot cosplay and carrying beverages and snacks for cultivators, and the people sitting chatted and waited for the event to resume, a female voice resounded everywhere in their chests and ears.

“Grand Elder Bai Yue’er has spoken! The Goddess!” - “Hell yeah, it’s time to beat some bitches!” - “Hey, you can’t say that! That’s sexist.” - “... And some bastards!” - “Congratulations, you’re a normal person now.” - “It’s about to start?” - “It’s about to start!” - “Hell yeah!” - “HEELL~ YEAAH!” - “I wonder who will the dark horse be!” - “There are so many candidates. How about the Wrath Nihility Academy?” - “I don’t know if the dark horse will come from them this time. But, hell, have you seen their handsome students? I would not mind cheering them up beforehand…” - “Tsk, typical women.” - “Yolo bro, yolo.”

The crowd was already loud, with many colors flying around as drinks and food entered mouths, and the mood around the stadium was insanely good. However, after the Golden Terra Sect’s Grand Elder spoke, everyone became noisier, although the mood also improved, something that seemed impossible just now. Many looked at the 8 most famous and seemingly most capable organizations’ groups.

The Phosphorescent Flower Sect is adept in the Earth element, poisoning, and detoxification. Although the Obscure Orb Sect is seen as the strongest almost everywhere in the Existence to the general public. In the upper echelons of the Existence, it is the former that holds the largest prowess. They had been allies for Eras, but before that time, it was known their Second Step organizations fought each other nonstop, taking 4 Universes as their battlefield and each owning half of them. It was madness.

In the end, they became allies, and now, they’ve become one of the most potent powerhouses not in the Existence only but the whole Heraxle Clan’s Universal Land. Thus, the Phosphorescent Flower Sect was deemed the organization with the greatest chance of winning again. However, they almost never brought a dark horse into the fray. Even their most talented participant was an ‘ordinary’ cultivator in most of the world’s eyes.

The Obscure Orb Sect, although best in stealth and the art of the assassins and countering it, their principal strong point lies in their ability to seamlessly cooperate with fellow sect members. They weren’t powerful at their beginning baby steps. They simply evolved as they fought against a fearsome enemy, now an ally. They had to. Otherwise, they would’ve been exterminated and wouldn’t have one of the alliances the world envies all year.

In correlation to these two, there was the Wrath Nihility Academy now, appearing out of nowhere in the Change Merit Trials for the ‘strongest’ organization from all over the Existence. It was like the third party that unknowingly came to a middle-aged couple as a 20-year-old blonde student, only to stay in their lives and become their lover.

As of today, it is known that they have become active in understanding one another. Their upper echelons have had a few talks, and their juniors are already advancing towards something else. Half the Academy’s students were married to the Phosphorescent Flower and Obscure Orb Sects’ disciples. The other half were still at the dating step, trying to find their ideal partner. Even those already married from the Sects engaged in a polyamorous status.

They couldn’t resist the Academy’s charm, but who could? The Wrath Nihility Academy was monstrously adequate at forming relationships and connecting with other organizations. Even more, now that the Heraxle Clan themselves supported the Wrath Nihility Academy’s progress and transition into the Third Step. The Sects couldn’t be a match, and their higher-ups could only see that the future looked bright, full of talented children… many children.

It was a pity that those ‘special’ ones like the Academy’s Headmaster’s disciple, the increasingly notorious Elena, the unrestrained Arla, and the famous little black monster were unavailable. The millions of disciples that wanted to court them were too many… But nothing like one’s fellow students to feel that depression and disappointment in their allies.

The other 5 notorious organizations. The Kiinta Pavilion, Liechu Nao Grotto, Flourishing Empire, and the Interchanging Dust Dynasty still held a good enough chance to beat everyone else in this tournament. Although the results would be more wasteful and challenging, they could still win above everybody else.

It was only that this one peculiar, famous person had taken a lot of interest from every spectator and upper echelon watching the 3rd phase from their organization’s individual territory or in the Middle Godly Space Station. This was the Wrath Nihility Academy’s little black monster, Heian Ciemnosc, who had mysteriously disappeared during the 3 months and returned to the Academy.

Everyone was curious to see if he had been bitterly, harshly training in order to surpass everyone’s expectations. They had already proved with their eyes if the rumors about his prowess were true, and only they knew if they felt astounded or disappointed. But every single one of them wanted to see the little black monster’s results and rank in the tournament rise to the top! But only if he could…

…