It Begins, Reunion

In the 32nd year, 11th month, 4th week, and 2nd day of the new Change. Interconnecting Rupture Dimension.

Fwiush! Whiiiiiiiiii~~... stlee- FUTOMP- FUTOMP! Out of nowhere, in the open land with prairies, some hills, and a small forest behind, 2 Fighters dived from the sky. Their motors were smoking as they fell, whistling through the air sharply before suddenly stopping. Array formations activated, thankful, before flickering and turning off completely. However, the gravity array formations were intact. The Fighters consisted of a Bulldog type and a unique one.

When the Fighters came down, they sent an explosive wave outwards, expelling clouds and forcing air to rush away as they continued to fall at a slowed pace. They safely landed on the grass after a couple minutes with utmost precision. In under a minute, after a vast Spirit Sense scanned the surroundings, careful not to be discovered, the Fighters’ hatch and cabin opened to let more than a hundred cultivators fly out in an orderly fashion and land on the green grass in cautious formations.

“... Sir, what should we do now?”

Heian Ciemnosc walked out of the Ornament and was last from both Fighters. He stored the Bulldog type and kept his Ornament on the ground. When he walked towards the group of First Step young cultivators, he was approached by a youngster with short hair and a face that spoke of leadership.

“You’ll obey everything I say from now on. Don’t worry about anything else. Got that?” Heian Ciemnosc said after scrutinizing the young fella’s face and sensing everyone looking at him as if expecting a maybe, maybe not confrontation. He was still the Crimsonbreaking Faction’s outcast, after all. Barely 3 of these cultivators were from his incomplete Fleet, far from enough to make a stand.

“...” The kiddo looked up at Heian Ciemnosc fearlessly, frowning as thoughts underwent behind his eyes, inside his head. Heian Ciemnosc was patient, and after another 3 seconds, the young fella nodded, “I understand, sir. Everyone’s ready to move.”

“Ge-” Heian Ciemnosc was about to take something from his Covert Space bags and hand it to this young fella when his Spirit Sense felt something. He turned around, and the youngster waiting for instructions became confused as he and the other First Step cultivators looked in the same direction as Heian Ciemnosc. Just then, as if waiting for this moment, the ground parted several kilometers away, and a gargantuan Monster. It had pincers protruding from its head, like a centipede but had a beastly body and hind legs without forelegs.

“!!” The First Step cultivators checked with their modified medallion, which had all information on Faunae and flora. They became scared silly as they identified the monstrosity. The youngster standing before Heian Ciemnosc shouted and pointed at it, yelling, “We have to run! It’s a Midnight Legged Rhino! It should be in the last realm of the Second Step! Sir! The Fighters!!”

“Shht!” Heian Ciemnosc sounded a noise with his slightly protruded lips, like calling a dog. The First Step cultivators, however, went still and looked at Heian Ciemnosc as if waiting for whatever he had to say. Heian Ciemnosc looked at them as the Monster came running at them. Its low ‘stomps’ gradually became louder, and the ground started to tremble beneath their soles.

“Stay, don’t make this any more difficult than it already is.” Heian Ciemnosc said, admonishing the youngster but speaking to everyone else. He controlled the Ornament with his dark Soul and Spirit Sense as it flew back up, using its smallish engine to its lowest levels in order to not shoot into the sky. Then, he said to the baffled First Step younglings. “Just stay.”

Whooooosh~! Stomp, stomp, stomp…

Heian Ciemnosc’s Ornament overflew the Monster’s head, but the latter seemed to ignore it. Its eyes were still locked onto the tasty, easy prey before it. Heian Ciemnosc cursed in his head as the thing was indeed in the last realm of the Second Step. More specifically, it was in the Light realm 1st stage and should have ended hibernation from breaking into it not too long ago. Their arrival was like a snack before morning.

All-Devastating! Heian Ciemnosc faced the incoming Midnight Legged Rhino directly, and his darkest eyes showed signs of turning wholly dark around the sclera. The First Step cultivators faced his back, so they couldn’t see. Hence, they weren’t affected as Heian Ciemnosc’s Soul Art flew to the Monster’s head, effortlessly crushing the already negligent defenses around its inner being and Soul. A deep imprint of profound fear was instilled into the Midnight Legged Rhino, forcing it to suddenly turn around and chase after his Ornament as if it was actually going after it.

“Boss!!” The leading youngster shouted, excited and overwhelmed in emotion. The paleness of his countenance swiftly left his skin as color returned to it. The same happened with the other younglings as they sighed in relief. The youngster became aware of his calling and shrunk his neck, looking back at the others to see if they heard him. They did but didn’t seem to mind, and the youngster felt like everything he did was within reason or even good.

“Now, get these and plant them whenever we reach a different area,” Heian Ciemnosc said as he turned around and finally took those things he wanted to hand over to the young fella. The latter stared at the detection devices and nodded, holding them cautiously before placing them in his Covert Space bag. Then, he looked up and asked Heian Ciemnosc, “Si- boss, but only the harvest areas can be touched. Won’t we be looked down on by others if we d-”

“No. We won’t touch what we shouldn’t, but will everyone else do the same?” Heian Ciemnosc interrupted the youngster and asked, turning his head towards the others as he did. Once he caught their attention, he finished. “These are not for us, but others. Just leave them as you were taught. I made plenty more, and mine have better concealing methods.”

“Yes, boss,” the youngster said, not daring to ask again as he went to the others and distributed the detection devices to them. They were cylindrical objects the size of a child’s arm and as thick as an adult’s fist. One just had to take the lid off, which was the size of an adult’s hand, and it would activate everything by itself.

“Boss black monster, how are we to move? Not all of us will fit in your Bulldog,” a young girl asked as Heian Ciemnosc passed the First Step cultivators, preparing to move out, deciding where to go, and planning to answer the constant calls his heated medallion received. He looked at the gal and said, as his dark Neutral Energy formed a carpet, extending in the air and smoothly falling on their shoulders, passing their bodies like a reading screen array formation, and becoming solid under their feet. They couldn’t even feel the dirt anymore.

“Don’t move and behave. We’ll move this way.” Heian Ciemnosc walked behind them and took his medallion out, “I will speak with the rest. Don’t interrupt me unless our devices intercept someone.”

“Yes, boss!” The crowd loudly clamored before falling silent. The dark screen Heian Ciemnosc created didn’t have Elemental particles, but Heian Ciemnosc’s Spirit Sense read throughout their area and noticed many dangerous Fauna he shouldn’t mess with, even with his current cultivation base. He used Wind particles to hide their scent and Earth element to erase their traces as the dark ‘carpet’ flew upwards.

…Beep! “Aagh, Heian Ciemnosc? Is that you?!” After reconnecting with the medallion as he finally answered the call, Heian Ciemnosc heard none other but Riquel’s voice through it. He smiled and didn’t say anything, making the other side worry for nothing before suddenly speaking, “Sigh, it’s been some time, little fella.”

“Wha- what does that mean? Little fella? Hey! I remind you- ah, alright, Senior. Sorry…” Riquel seemed to be interrupted by someone, halting his self-defense words. Heian Ciemnosc could hear Yun Tang’s voice saying something to Riquel before the latter cleared his throat and said, “Ahem! Black monster brother, the Obscure Orb Sect, meaning me and my people, have regrouped with the Phosphorescent Flower Sect. We’re at these coordinates… When are you coming? Should we move a little? We were lucky to appear in the Dimension nearby. We practically saw each other falling together from the distance, haha!”

“Well, the Crimsonbreaking Faction wasn’t as lucky. Not even we fell near each other. I can see their beacons, but it will take us at least 18 hours to reunite again.” Heian Ciemnosc said in a dull tone. The laughing on the other side ended. Riquel spoke again after a short, awkward silence. “The Interchanging Dust Dynasty is also near us. We’ve contacted them and accorded these coordinates for the following 18 days… When do you think you can meet us?”

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“Hmm…” Heian Ciemnosc looked at the planned mobilizations the other 3 had drafted and mentally nodded before replying. “Oh, the Crimsonbreaking Faction might arrive at the first and second meeting locations in 3 and 8 days, but I might be missing for now. I want some things… Don’t wait for me. Not many things will happen for the time being. Just help everyone else focus on harvesting.”

“Mn, just so you know, black monster brother,” Riquel said after strongly nodding. Heian Ciemnosc waited for the response as Riquel cleared his throat, checking the aerial road as he did. At least it was fortunate Heian Ciemnosc wasn’t near Fauna that flew and dominated the skies, or he would’ve been exposing his might left and right. Riquel commented, “The Interchanging Dust Dynasty have said they detected unusual interference elsewhere. Their rivals should be entering the Dimension with us. Do you know what that means?”

“Oh… The Dynasty’s people can trace the enemy now. They didn’t have a way to open the Dimension. They’re using the Dynasty’s key to simulate another one on their side, right?” Heian Ciemnosc replied with his darkest eyes narrowing. Riquel nodded heavily and said, “Yes! But they didn’t come empty-handed. They are slowing down the process. It will be at least 3 months before the Dynasty’s devices work as intended. We have that much time before preparing for anything.”

“Okay,” Heian Ciemnosc nodded and immediately cut the call off. Riquel was definitely left speechless, but no more words were necessary. Heian Ciemnosc stored his medallion and looked at the First Step cultivators under his care, and directed his words at them, “You can reunite with the rest of our coalition, the one we prepared, or stay with me and pick more things on our way. I will protect you wherever we go.”

“Eh?” - “Ah!” - “Uuh…” - “Huh…” The First Step cultivators immediately looked back at Heian Ciemnosc when he shouted after processing his words, which was immediate. They were left dumbfounded at the notion. However, they weren’t from socially focused or peaceful organizations, and they weighed the pros and cons they would face in that situation. However, maybe because the leading youngster had the situation under control and ample management skills. They all decided in one go.

“We stay!!” Their yell surprised Heian Ciemnosc, but he nodded at them expressionlessly as they came across a field where harvest was forbidden. He looked at them and called out without specifying who, “Put the device down! I’ve already scanned the field. Don’t waste time.”

“...” Heian Ciemnosc’s voice was calm and cold, making it seem like a serene order but reprimand at the same time. Yet, the cultivators didn’t feel ostracized or belittled, just fine. One of the youngest jumped from the screen and flew towards the fields. He felt no array formations or detection devices activating when he overflew it. Only then did they understand Heian Ciemnosc’s worry. The Interchanging Dust Dynasty never worried about their forbidden fields to harvest… before.

Before, there wasn’t a Tortoise Glabella Pavilion trying to boycott or impede their progress, merely facing altercations from each other while feeling hostility. Now, they were not only at each other’s throats. One was even directly after the opportunity of becoming a stronger organization, one with Godhood nature!

Whoooosh… After the cultivator planted the detection device, once he lifted the lid and its body sunk underneath for who knew how many meters, he flew back to the screen from below, lost in his thoughts. Others immediately warned him that he was about to break his forehead… It was no joke. The resistance they felt from this strange miscellaneous Art was tremendous, and black monster was a Second Step cultivator who was highly praised by other commanders after the 2 months of intensive close-quarters and energy combat.

Wfhoosh~. However, the cultivator realized late and was about to clash his head. Yet, instead of meeting death, the cultivator felt his body trespass the dark carpet and fly higher up. The notion was strange, but he understood it well. It was a fun Art!

… Afterwards, Heian Ciemnosc continued bringing the kids around, letting them have their merit earned after scanning the fields and set to the next shortly after. If it was a forbidden field to harvest from, they would immediately leave after observing the surroundings. If it was a field they could harvest, Heian Ciemnosc would let them fill their pockets. The rules were the same as always, if there are 3 stalks, take 1. If there are 5, take 2. If there are 2, let it pass. It wasn’t new or complicated, as usual.

They didn’t meet more Fauna during their journey, at least not above Heian Ciemnosc’s cultivation base. They were Heaven-Breaking realm or worse. Heian Ciemnosc sent a typical dark sword energy and cleaved the babies into 2. Or penetrated their weak spots and harvested their Spirit Heart-Links. These were more important to him than finding rare herbs, plants, or halves.

They were also top-notch, quality materials for Earth grade armor, and if Heian Ciemnosc wanted to learn to create Sky graded weapons and armor, he had to start with that. The First Step cultivators didn’t mind. It can be counterproductive and affect them negatively if they don’t eat those Faunae without preparation, or they would explode, poison themselves, or melt while ingesting them.

The first day passed by quickly, and Heian Ciemnosc’s group rapidly swept for dozens of fields, harvestable or not, and did as intended with such. Starting from day 2, at midday, they started seeing some fields that were harvested already, so they ignored them and went to look for others. This was understandable, as they could take any they wanted from the Dimension when everyone was first sent in, but they would find others and follow in their footsteps. They couldn’t continue harvesting nonstop.

Instead of just overflying them, Heian Ciemnosc stopped and stepped down to take the detection devices out of their holes to configure and improve them. He wouldn’t do this with every other field he saw, but these were from other Crimsons that passed by here previously. They were his people. Why not?

Thus, Heian Ciemnosc stopped at each harvested field and those forbidden to harvest— the latter type was taken care of by his cultivators, who already knew the drill and did their job efficiently and faster. They spent another 3 days like this, peacefully harvesting more and more fields they found along the way. After the 8th day, they came across hundreds of fields that weren’t harvested because the Crimsonbreaking Faction had detoured to meet with the Obscure Orb Sect, Phosphorescent Flower Sect, and the Interchanging Dust Dynasty’s people.

Heian Ciemnosc had one of the direct medallions’ communications to talk among large distances, similar to how the Fast-Alarming talismans worked, but of which only a Third Step Craftsmaker can forge with their higher-leveled Soul and Vigor Energy. The other one was Beto, who was by no means an under qualified soldier unit. He is one of the cultivators at the peak of the Second Step, the longest of all other Crimsons. And one of the ‘leading figures’ of Crimsonbreaking Faction’s coalition to defend the heavenly fellas.

Either way, Heian Ciemnosc did not have to worry about his Team or the Crimsonbreaking Faction lacking leadership. It would be nice to reunite with Riquel, that fella who chose a good time to become a person praised in Heian Ciemnosc’s darkest eyes… and mind. He could spend some time harvesting and looking for things he might need to practice and was too lazy to take the slow road of creating, selling, and buying again.

Besides, it had been a long time since Heian Ciemnosc could leave his post and do as he wished. He adored the freedom of being able to separate from duty and just live like a rogue cultivator would, desperately trying to find ways to survive… But he wasn’t tempted. Heian Ciemnosc only admired such people. Never got jealous, though.

… What started as a field trip, never better put, became a long journey of 3 months where Heian Ciemnosc brought the kids around the places the other major organizations from their side didn’t have time to explore. They weren’t too greedy and left a hundred fields’ space between their harvesting line and outwards to let those other organizations gain something if they wanted to send groups to harvest some while they waited.

All they could use was Fighters, though. And other than building a base of operations, the coalition couldn’t do much. Creating armored vehicles was practically useless, and there was no point in forging a navy despite the large bodies of water in the Dimension, especially those near the most precious lands. Fighters were decisive, faster, and deadlier in this situation, where both sides fought for a common goal.

Fortunately, although not by much, Heian Ciemnosc met some lands with rare flora. These rare riches could only sprout randomly in the Dimension and didn’t have a system to come to life as it is with Sub Dimensions and Semi Spaces. Heian Ciemnosc found a cold hill layered with frosty grass, which became a puddle of blue lava hours after he picked a blue flower atop it.

Another was a worm-shaped root that turned the surrounding 400 km and 8 km underneath into the softest, mud-like, barren lands with hundreds of thousands of tiny Aberrations birthing into the Dimension’s world. Lastly, Heian Ciemnosc picked a flower similar to a sunflower, but instead of petals and pistil, it had flesh and a beating heart in the middle of its inner body.

When Heian Ciemnosc picked this rare, mutated plant, the air around him turned into a hazy hue of Fire. Its level was too negligent, but in tens of thousands of years, if Heian Ciemnosc returned, he could find a beautiful place to cultivate the Fire element flawlessly. This much was obvious from his nature reading. Heian Ciemnosc was left feeling commendable…

When Heian Ciemnosc planned his return and meditated on his dark carpet, the First Step cultivators, used to seeing him become silent out of nowhere whenever a thing from nature happened or popped out of nowhere, let him rest and meditate while munching on a few grass blades, flowers’ stems, and just chatting with their arms up and resting their backs on the dark carpet. Tough and impenetrable, but comfy after one gets used to it.

Suddenly…

“!” Everyone was startled by what they saw in front as Heian Ciemnosc slowly exited his meditation session and looked ahead, bothered and lazily. ‘Annoyance…’

…