Preparations And Briefing

Veeem... veeem... veeewwwm...

In space, as spaceships flew towards the Mistaken Fissures Upper Kingdom and parked at its space stations orbiting around the Kingdom, only a few Fleets were kept in the outskirts of the Kingdom's spatial territory. However, only one stationed itself far from the Mistaken Fissures Kingdom and became invisible before halting. This was no Fleet but the Crimsonbreaking Faction's Space Station.

The Crimsonbreaking Faction didn’t install stealth array formations to their spaceships, but the mobile Space Station, as a whole, has one. It is of utmost importance, and its model is the best in the world. While some of its spaceships do have stealth to turn invisible or at least undetectable to radars, it isn’t standard or a forte in the Crimsonbreaking Faction.

After the Space Station turned invisible and stopped, the Crimsonbreaking Faction inside was on the move. Every civilian could see that tens of thousands of vessels were temporarily reserved for soldier units’ use only. Auxiliary units would remain behind to aid the soldier units also remaining behind in any emergency situation. This wasn’t a problem, and it only meant an extra day or two of vacation, but it signified something big happening again. The Carrier wasn’t touched and remained in the port, but slightly less than half the spaceships were leaving.

Heian Ciemnosc was traveling in one of those vessels with his Team and others. The Frigate’s commander was also flying with them towards the port, and his uniform was striking with the dark coat on. The Frigate’s commander was on another floor in the vessel, but her authority was already felt in the hundreds and hundreds of soldier units within. They were just a part of the Frigate’s assigned crew, and they understood some were going there only to protect the retreat.

However, it was too soon to talk about this situation’s main event. The Interchanging Dust Dynasty still had 1 month to prepare with all the Third, Second, and First Step organizations invited to help. While the First Step cultivators were fewer in numbers— since only those with patrons who owned spaceships could bring them for free, and the Third Step cultivators were more like guards, the Second Step cultivators were the leading players in this operation from the Interchanging Dust Dynasty.

“To your Fighters and positions. 1 minute before the Frigate departs!” The commander shouted in the vessel, instructing the others nearby whose personnel belonged to her Frigate. Heian Ciemnosc looked back at his Team as his teammates were between him and Beto. After Heian Ciemnosc proved, time and again, his capabilities against Soul Spirit realm cultivators, he gained a good spot in their eyes. Although Moy was still stronger— much stronger than him, Heian Ciemnosc wasn’t as weak as when he first joined them.

During this event, the Team would advance in cultivation, let alone Heian Ciemnosc, who had a much lower real than them. Thus, the opportunities a monstrously talented fellow like Heian Ciemnosc could achieve here were enormous, and the Team saw through it and was not shy to let him feel the pressure of their expectations.

Beto nodded at Heian Ciemnosc and shouted without voicing it from his lips but silently through his eyes, “Go.”

Whoosh, tap tap- step, step, step, step…!! When the vessel descended, and Heian Ciemnosc saw that signal, he turned and rushed out in flight before their vessel landed flat. He was followed 2 or 3 meters behind by his teammates and Beto. His feet landed on the port’s floor and clanked before hurriedly taking steps towards the Team’s Fighters. There, he saw a few auxiliary units give the Ornament a few longing glances and squeaky clean wipes before flying outside the port.

They were still protected by the grand array formation, but they had to move aside and let Heian Ciemnosc and his teammates hurry out of their Faction’s base. It was the same in other berths, and as Fighters flew, Frigates rapidly readied to advance as Destroyers were to take between 3 and 5 minutes, and Cruisers at least 10 minutes and 20 at most. It mostly depended on how filled their ammunition for rocket storage was because, at any moment, this event might result in a flash war.

Whoosh- veeem! Veeeem!...

Heian Ciemnosc flew his Ornament, leading the formation as they rushed towards the Frigate’s hatch for Fighters. His teammates formed a rectangle behind him as Beto guarded the rear. They went at maximum speed before halting and slowly advancing when they were just 50 meters from the Frigate. The hatches were already opened, and Fighter flew into them smoothly. Heian Ciemnosc calculated in under a second and chose his and the Team’s entry.

Vee- wheeeeshh~~! Heian Ciemnosc went into the hatch with the Team following right behind him. The space’s noise vacuum dissipated, and sound returned, blasting his unordinary eyes with deafening sounds as the Ornament and other Fighters before and behind him rushed to the hangar. If they were ordinary ears, he would have definitely become deaf.

When crossing through the tunnels and arriving at the hangars, Heian Ciemnosc rapidly chose a spot and led everyone there. His teammates followed, not crashing with other Fighters, as other soldier units did the auxiliary units’ work and helped verify everything was in order. When the Team finally docked and hung from the hangar’s ceiling, Beto came out of his Bulldog Fighter, followed by his teammates. They flew directly below, and Beto spoke to a soldier unit who nodded and relayed information to the medallion.

There were still a few seconds left before the Frigate had to take into space. Heian Ciemnosc saw many other Fighter Teams waiting below their Fighters or beside them, as not all Fighters could hang from the ceiling. A few seconds later, their medallions heated up, and the Frigate commenced its departing from the Crimsonbreaking Faction’s base. A perfect-definition holographic screen was activated inside the hangar, and everyone could see the home they barely rested in being left behind.

“Sigh,” Beto sighed and rested his right forearm on Heian Ciemnosc’s left shoulder, although he had to raise it more than necessary to do that. “When we come back, many things might change. Hey, if we sell some of our harvested goods… we might have enough to buy an Offensive Frigate, right?”

“Yup, assuming we survive, take industrial amounts of resources, and were never targeted by other Teams inside the Dimension.” Ruo Wei said, shrugging her shoulders before turning around. Beto grimaced slightly, and Heian Ciemnosc crossed his arms as he silently bid farewell to his wives. He didn’t know what awaited him, and things might get awkward, but Heian Ciemnosc was not scared.

Heian Ciemnosc also wanted to use this event to his utmost advantage and battle and steal resources from either nature or lives to grow stronger faster without making him even doubt a ripple occurred in his cultivation path. It was significant to achieve a higher level, and nobody would wait for him if something out of his hands happened and he couldn’t deal with it.

“Hey, relax. You have to first go through the test of visiting an old buddy. Who knows, they might end you before we’re even sent to the Dimension, huh?” Sandra came and tapped Heian Ciemnosc’s left shoulder. She didn’t have to raise her hands too much, and it looked more fitting for her to do it than Beto. Heian Ciemnosc looked at her and nodded upwards. Sandra smiled and patted his shoulder a few times before leaving his side.

“...” Heian Ciemnosc looked at the screen until it was turned off, and the stealth made it impossible for his Spirit Sense to see through. His Spirit Sense had increased from 500,000 km to 800,000 km when breaking into the Heaven-Breaking realm. When he broke into the Soul Spirit realm, it increased to 1,000,000 km. He was more than capable of overseeing a few districts in the Space Station and still reaching its grand array formation from afar, but he couldn’t just break through it to stare at his wifeys.

Heian Ciemnosc turned and walked away with the rest of his Team. The Third Step soldier unit in charge of their military unit was a mechanic Heian Ciemnosc knew, so they engaged in small talk to compare theories of more creation and the forging profession along the way. The commander wouldn’t receive visitors now, and everyone who could participate would be sent to the Mistaken Fissures Upper Kingdom when they arrived. Thus, they had nothing to do but to prepare mentally to see an authentic Upper Kingdom, even if it was limited to an individual territory.

… A couple hours later. The Frigate finally had the Mistaken Fissures Upper Kingdom’s silhouette showing from afar. Heian Ciemnosc, the Team, and thousands more in the Frigate walked to the screens to see its glorious image. It was as gigantic as Heian Ciemnosc remembered Upper Kingdoms to be. This one had tons of land and not many bodies of water, but the Fauna below must be incredibly diverse.

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An extra hour later, Heian Ciemnosc watched as their Frigate went past the space stations orbiting around the Kingdom without any warning, without being stopped, and as if it was their home. Before he could gain enlightenment, Clanton walked over to him, jumped, and patted his left shoulder. “This is the privilege of being the one and only Crimsonbreaking Faction, baby!”

“...” Heian Ciemnosc looked at Clanton deadly before grinning and shaking his head. It didn’t take long before Heian Ciemnosc and his Team were instructed to the personnel, main hatch, where the other couple thousand soldier units to participate were waiting for it to open.

This time, Beto led their Team, with Heian Ciemnosc at the end and Moy positioned before him. As they waited for the hatches to open, they made a ‘pssfft’ noise for half a second, following which sunlight struck the soldier units, and pure energy invaded the Frigate. Everyone walked out without needing to be told and exclaimed as they felt their bodies relax. Their pores welcomed pure energy mixed air into their willing bodies.

“Woaaah, feel this… it’s how an Upper Kingdom should feel!” - “Mn! The Crimsonbreaking Faction will own a Supreme and Divine Kingdom in the future! Just you wait…” - “Yup, you’ll die of old age or under someone else’s foot by then!” - “Bwahaha!” - “Kahaha!” - “These are the Interchanging Dust Dynasty’s people?” - “Look at that, Heavenly Tutors, Heavenly Attendants, and Heavenly Children. Hm, not bad.”

“Welcome to the Mistaken Fissures Upper Kingdom! Today, I will be your guide… Heian Ciemnosc?! The black monster!!” A young woman walked before the exit/entrance to the berth the Frigate docked, and glanced at everyone already out and stepping out of the main personnel hatch excitedly before introducing herself. But as she was amidst her job, she saw Heian Ciemnosc’s pervertedly handsome face and humble yet fashionable dark coat.

Her words made the Crimson soldier units change their expressions slightly, but the Team Heian Ciemnosc was part of tensed up and surrounded him with their backs facing him. Similarly, the guide’s words attracted the other heavenly people from the Dynasty to look towards their Frigate’s berth. Frowns and suspicious faces walked towards them, wishing to know the truth. In under a minute, tens of thousands of heavenly people neared them.

“...” A heavy silence fell on the people of the Crimsonbreaking Faction’s Frigate, but the commander didn’t say a thing, and she let the situation develop however it would. Heian Ciemnosc looked at the heavenly folk and said nothing, keeping his mouth shut when suddenly…

“Oh my- gooood~! It’s him!” - “My, ah, gods be damned, my!!” - “So handsome, is he a husband with a harem? What would his requirements be?” - “Woah! That dude is here! He actually came?!” - “Yeah! What’s his cultivation realm?” - “Does he know how dangerous it is?” - “Ah, man, we don’t want trouble with the Crimsons. Gotta protect the growing Gifted, I guess.” - “Pff, right? Sigh, what we do for potential allies.” - “I’ll warm his bed while you protec-” - “No!”

‘They seem… nice?’ Heian Ciemnosc was astounded and confused, but not turn into a hopeless stupid. His legs walked forth on their own, letting him escape his Team’s protective formation and be the first to walk out of the berth. Bypassing the guide, she looked at him with admiring eyes and wished to see him display his heroic capabilities! Her eyes said it all.

“Woaha! Way to go, champ! Huh? You’re in the Soul Spirit realm already?! Weren’t you in the Blossoming realm… less than 2 years ago?! What the fuck?!” A Third Step Heavenly Child from the Dynasty flew over and smoothly landed before Heian Ciemnosc, nearly sending the latter flying a couple meters backwards, but Heian Ciemnosc managed to take his feet’s Claws Out and clutch into the ground. It wasn’t stabbed through— too hard for Second Step Heian Ciemnosc, but a couple marks were made, which were enough for him to stabilize himself.

“What?!!” Nevertheless, the exposing words to which Heian Ciemnosc never even planned to hide from the Third Step Heavenly Child brought tantamount shock to the Interchanging Dust Dynasty’s people. The guide brought her tightened fists below her neck and looked at Heian Ciemnosc’s back how a little girl would to her big brother and/or father, which she crazily admired. Meanwhile, the craziness outside the Frigate’s berth only increased.

“Heian Ciemnosc, hey, Heian Ciemnosc!! Have you given birth to any children yet?!” - “How do you cultivate so fast? Do you still eat others?!” - “How do you do it to grow taller? Are you sure you’re not ⅓ Titan, ⅓ Giant, and whatever else?!” - “When did you join the Crimsonbreaking Faction? Will you join the Heraxle Clan afterwards?!”

“Alright, alright! Enough!!” Suddenly, a majestic voice sounded from the sky. The heavenly folk surrounding Heian Ciemnosc, wanting to touch his muscles but not daring to be rude, became shocked and nearly fell to their knees. Not because they were hurt but because the voice was one everyone in the Dynasty had the utmost respect for. One close to the Celestial herself!

“Mighty Heavenly Watcher!” - “A Heavenly Watcher is receiving the black monster?... Can we still make him feel like at home in the base?” - “Ah…” - “It’s the venerable Heavenly Watcher Gorzh!”

While a figure was shadowed by the superficial sun from above and everyone looked up, including Heian Ciemnosc and his Team, some heavenly folk and Crimsons spoke, muttered, and exclaimed. Heian Ciemnosc’s darkest eyes darted left and right before he could finally discern the figure’s appearance. It was an old man, an Elf, seemingly of pure ancestry, and was one of the most powerful people Heian Ciemnosc had ever met. His darkest eyes widened as he looked up until his head lowered its chin to look at the mighty elder standing before him, 3 meters tall.

“Everyone, disperse, you’re blocking traffic.” The Heavenly Watcher said. The heavenly folk respectfully bowed before stepping away. The Crimsons looked at the Heavenly Watched with semi-widened jaws, and he looked at them. “Forgive this little inconvenience. My Dynasty has prepared a rich banquet for everyone. It will start in 3 hours since some fellows are still descending. Please. Follow your guides and enjoy your time here. Our operation might cost others’ lives, and we were willing to exert our treasury for your enjoyment beforehand. It’s the least we could do.”

The old Elf said and straightened his back, becoming super imposing as his voice became slightly duller and cold, and his attitude changed slightly, too. “These are not my words but my Celestial’s. Do not disappoint her. Our home is yours as well.”

“...I-” Heian Ciemnosc understood those words were for the others and that this old Elf was planning something else with him. He wanted to say something, but the elder looked down at Heian Ciemnosc and nudged his head. But then, just as the elder wanted to express something, Beto hurried with a set of flurry steps and questioned the Heavenly Watched under everyone else’s eyes. “Sir, what is the Dynasty trying to do with one of my Team’s members?”

“... Admirable kid,” the elder said as he turned his head towards Beto. Beto felt some pressure but didn’t back off, and Heian Ciemnosc kept looking up at the tall old Elf. Beto wanted to try again, but the elder lifted his hand, waved it, and brushed some words at Beto. “We know of Heian Ciemnosc, the ‘black monster’s’ importance. It is precisely because of this that Celestial Isayid has invited this little fellow to her chambers. Do you want to come, too? And question her, too?”

“Ah, no- I…” Beto was astounded, and while those words seemed provocative, the old Elf spoke them casually and without weight. The pressure wedging on Beto’s body also left, making him realize it was just the elder trying him out. The elder flashed a smile and passed his left hand over Beto’s head as if to caress him but only touched the air surrounding it. His left arm looked really long, and the long, brown robes didn’t help. This Heavenly Watcher was an image impossible to miss in a crowd of billions.

“It’s alright. The Celestial will only… entertain little fellow here for a couple minutes. He will be back to your Team before the banquet. You might say something now if you must,” the elder said. Beto felt his mindset clear a little, and he felt like his path to becoming a Third Step cultivator suddenly became easier. Heian Ciemnosc finally looked in another direction, and he switched his darkest eyes between the old Elf, Beto, and the air above the latter’s head.

“I understand, I apologize for overreacting,” Beto said, bowing and clasping his hands to the elder. The old Elf furrowed his eyebrows and shook his head, “As I said, it’s alright. I will proceed, now. Are you ready, Heian Ciemnosc?”

‘Not even asking me if I’m willing? Oh…’ Heian Ciemnosc carefully thought, cautious to not let this unsurpassable mountain become aware of his thought explicitly. He gulped and nodded. The old Elf nodded in return and threw some pale violet dust around them. When Heian Ciemnosc looked up at the scintillating dust, slowly feeling surrounded by a foreign force with an ultimate connection with something as vast as a grand array formation, Heian Ciemnosc’s sight became black, but the pale violet dust and glow from them remained.

VRRRRRPP~!!!- Pfwuop!

“!” Heian Ciemnosc suddenly opened his eyes, feeling as if they were closed all along, but they weren’t, and he felt them wet after becoming dry as if he hadn’t blinked for days. The sensation made him scrunch up his face and shake it before opening his darkest eyes again. He saw the old Elf’s medium-long hair, all white and combed backwards from his forehead to the middle atop his head.

Then, changing his sight to stare ahead, he observed the slender back of a female in a pale gray robe, unaffiliated with an organization’s status. Heian Ciemnosc’s darkest eyes exaggeratedly widened, but it was reasonable… considering Heian Ciemnosc felt her many times more powerful than the Heavenly Watcher beside him!

…