Meeting In Space

Later that day.

Walking through the corridors, Heian Ciemnosc looked at his Universal Conveyance, ignoring the glances the Soldiers around him gave him. The base was no longer moving, and everyone knew they had arrived at a crucial covert operation, but only some could take place in it. But, at least one thing was known: Heian Ciemnosc was sought after because of his nature reading and experience dealing with specific objectives.

What captured Heian Ciemnosc’s attention was the news from what Calisneia and Milyy had done several months ago. For starters, there were images of space where the battle had seemingly happened. At that time, other than being unconscious, Heian Ciemnosc was shoved into another, one only beings could form at their cultivation realm, and existences complete.

Thus, even with his evolved nature reading after achieving the 6th level of the [All-Devouring Force Chronicles], Heian Ciemnosc didn’t know anything about what happened. All he knew was that Milyy needed a month to recuperate from her injuries. But that she dominated someone more powerful than her.

This worried Heian Ciemnosc, as a being’s injuries could only be so worse off if it took more than a few seconds to mostly heal. Those that needed periods of time had to be seriously dangerous. Milyy had many wounds and ailments she needed to recuperate from after the battle. If Heian Ciemnosc didn’t feel useless, then he was an idiot.

Thankfully, Calisneia was here and gave Milyy enough alchemy products to do so before Heian Ciemnosc woke up. Otherwise, he might’ve fallen unconscious again due to humiliation. Either way, Calisneia gave a few unique, vital pills and incense to the Faction’s upper echelons. Only they were allowed to know that Her Excellency was staying with them.

When the battle happened, many rumors echoed throughout the Existence, and it didn’t take more than a couple days to spread worldwide. The Universal Land had gotten out of control! Beings fought one another, and there were even rumors of existences making a mess everywhere!

Many sources claimed to see the being in charge of the Existence’s inner security fleeing after not even half an hour since the strange glow and fiery lights started. However, others also noticed the arrival of someone of utmost importance: Lady Calisneia, Her Excellency!!

It didn’t take extra days to group to put the clues together. Heian Ciemnosc was never seen, but it seemed like a Supreme Kingdom targeted the Wrath Nihility Academy, and this asked for help from the Crimsonbreaking Faction. One thing led to another, and, in the end, Heian Ciemnosc was caught and nearly killed in action by a Fourth Step organization.

This theory raised eyebrows everywhere in the Existence, feeling the shame of such anecdotes lower their image in the rest of the world, let alone the Universal Land. As for those in the Universal Land, they frowned upon hearing the news, but nobody was interested in the Supreme Kingdom that abused their status and power. Instead, they were interested in knowing the beings in charge and all other parties who partook.

Thus, news was quickly spread, and sources from Fourth Step organizations close to the Heraxle Clan divulged the possibility of the being in charge, their identity, and their cultivation base. Then, considering the acclaimed daughter of Her Excellency’s recent breakthrough into the Fifth Step… no expert was needed to know the being in charge was crushed by a greenhorn.

However, after a week since the incident happened, more clarifications appeared! The Existence’s protector’s identity was discussed, and after a few days more, it was more or less theorized to be someone… No matter whether that was true or not, only the highest powerhouses in the world would know the truth. The Heraxle Clan would also know who got crushed by a seemingly old, decrepit, and possibly dying powerhouse that has only been hidden for the past million years.

The discussion raged, adding salt and spices to the wound known as humiliation. A powerhouse so high nobody dared to name it, not even the Fourth Step organizations after graciously welcoming them after the 10 year war under their respective Existential Sixth Step organization would dare seek an audience just because they wanted, was dominated in a few seconds by another powerhouse of the same level.

Those powerhouses had the intelligence, property, and capabilities to turn even Supreme Kingdoms into washed mushed mud, spreading in space for tens of thousands of years until becoming new meteors traveling everywhere.

Their every act brings consequence, and if any of them were to go all-out, they would create mini-Disasters everywhere their battlefield moved. They could move at the speed of light when they used all their Essence and cultivation base, and some could even teleport! Although only some Lords from yore were known to have this ability.

As for their full-on capacity in terms of destruction, lethality, and massive areas they could affect at once, it was unknown. No existence concerned themselves with matters that didn’t include a Universal Land-wide war. Well… usually. Naturally, this image was destroyed when the incident presented itself.

But, at the same time, although it placed the Heraxle Clan’s image slightly lower despite its already rumored managing ethnicity, it elevated the Wrath Nihility Academy’s prestige which shouldn’t have been able to gain any more. This was the result of a powerhouse like Her Excellency backing the Academy!

‘Master… you have to be so strong…’ Heian Ciemnosc closed his Universal Conveyance, letting it rest into his wrists as the purple starry smoke returned beneath his skin. He raised his chin and looked ahead while Soldiers and Officers kept murmuring. They weren’t respectful, not entirely. But at least they weren’t rude or directly looked at him for trouble.

“So, they are like… together?” - “Why would the Chairwoman choose a person like him? I mean, it’s understandable. He has a future, but… so soon?” - “Love at first sight!” - “That’s what others always say…” - “I believe her. She said that to me, and we’re still together!” - “She did so when she saw your dick, bro. You can’t speak for others.” - “What?! Honey, that isn’t true, right?” - “Hmg…” - “Honey?!” - “Both!” - “...”

“Shh! Ma’am has the right to have anyone she wants. Have none of you read one of the most famous after-Great Sage-Change biographies?” - “Indeed! Anyone else can also have a little bit of fun when in power. Why can’t she?!” - “Except, she isn’t having fun, she’s… forming a family?” - “Right! That little baby calls all women Heian Ciemnosc is rumored to be ‘mommy’ or ‘mother’ while calling her maids as aunties. There’s no way the little, intelligent one doesn’t know what’s happening.”

‘... So much drama, they must be bored.’ Heian Ciemnosc thought as he gazed at a few of them on his sides. The Faction has started building and selecting new territory within the base to create more buildings capable of simultaneously lecturing millions of soldier and auxiliary units. Not in the same building or hall, but overall.

Then, Heian Ciemnosc walked into the Carrier’s main hangar, where he immediately noticed with his naked eyesight that his Eternal Return Team and a few other elite Teams would accompany him into the covert operation. Heian Ciemnosc headed their way while hearing more people talk and chat about the current state the Faction was in.

“Commander, can I ask you one thing? Please~? My team members are worried, and I want to relieve their minds.” - “Sigh, what is it?” - “Heehee, I knew you’d understand me so well, after all… Are the Crimson forces learning more things, sir? I was just wondering… why all commanders, vice commanders, Officers, and co-leading team leaders are learning together out of nowhere~.” - “I can’t say much, but I will confirm something. Everyone will learn to fight the same way our elite troops can.” - “Wuah! Then, what about the elite fellas? Do they get something else?” - “Of course… but that, I can only whisper it in your ear when…” - “Rawrr!”

“Sir, what have you learned all this long?” - “It’s nothing you should ask, Parlo. Mn, be a little more patient. After this covert op, we’ll move somewhere safe. Probably where no distractions would face us. I heard the various Fourth Step organizations heavily debate nowadays. That Heian Ciemnosc’s ‘family’ is truthfully becoming scary, no?” - “Sir, don’t change the subject! While you were gone, the team leader has been lecturing these weeks to be immune to your eloquence!” - “...”

“Listen to me. Focus on meditating. Don’t neglect cultivation, but set your mindset at a maximum state. We’ve learned space fighting to the degrees we didn’t know we’d have. In the future, our experience and training will complement everywhere else. I need you to do your best in these upcoming months. Understood?” - “Yes, ma’am!” - “Heard, ma’am.” - “We will, ma’am. Other Teams are catching up. We have to show the way, not look from behind. Hua!” - “Hua!” - “Hua!” - “Hua!”

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‘... Things are becoming something else, alright.’ Heian Ciemnosc contemplated. He stepped up his pace a little and reunited with his Team. Everyone was ready, and nobody bothered to see Cara and Ruo Wei holding hands as if content to go on an excursion. Only they knew how difficult it was to be so carnal after their partners trained their bodies to love their pleasure, only to be separated one way or another. However, their will was strong!

“Team Leader!!” The Eternal Return Team echoed. Silence descended everywhere like a wave crashing down on burning candles as they were put off en masse, and Heian Ciemnosc’s back gained so many eyes from Auxiliary Soldiers to Security Elders that he felt chilling spikes imaginarily stabbing his backside.

“Team Leader, young black monster, welcome!” - “An honor to serve together.” - “Nice meeting you at last. I hope we can work as good as you’ve been rumored to work, haha.” - “So handsome! Pleased to meet you!” - “Team Leader, young black monster, we’ll depend on you for this time.”

“... oh.” Heian Ciemnosc nodded. He looked at everyone before him whom he’d be leading into the covert operation the Phosphorescent Flower Sect called the Faction for and felt more pressure. He was a co-lead in an incomplete Fleet, while these people were directly under the main force and knew the world’s ways better than him. However, for this time around, Heian Ciemnosc would be the only small guidebook they might need to survive if Heian Ciemnosc’s guesses were not guesses in the end.

“Team Leader Heian Ciemnosc, or my alias. Both are fine, no matter what you want to call me. I can only direct our following steps once briefed on the situation. I’ve been informed that the Phosphorescent Flower Sect has sent a Carrier to act as the meeting place. We’ll talk about what to do afterwards.”

“...” The other Team Leaders nodded at Heian Ciemnosc’s words. They were understanding, and didn’t ask more questions, exactly how Heian Ciemnosc liked it. He started wondering if someone pulled the strings to bring him the best type of soldier units out of habit, but he instantly remembered this was a special occasion and dropped the matter before even forming a thought around it.

Beep. “Co-leading Team Leader Heian Ciemnosc, present yourself with the commanders in charge of the hangar.” Heian Ciemnosc felt his medallion heat up before receiving a message in his head. He looked at his Team members, who nodded at him and walked towards the hangar’s tower control.

“Team Leader, young black monster, welcome!” - “An honor to serve together.” - “Nice meeting you at last. I hope we can work as good as you’ve been rumored to work, haha.” - “So handsome! Pleased to meet you!” - “Team Leader, young black monster, we’ll depend on you for this time.”

Step, step, step, step…

“... Yes, Ma’am, put me in charge- ah! Young black monster, come here!”

Just as Heian Ciemnosc walked up the stairs leading to the tower control, he watched commander Choliac talk with an Officer who nodded in affirmation. The commander looked at him and called him out. The other commanders under commander Choliac turned towards Heian Ciemnosc, and their gazes immediately burned on his body. Heian Ciemnosc felt his pale skin sizzling, and his uniform felt a little hot. Of course, the latter didn’t affect Heian Ciemnosc in any way.

“Reporting!” Heian Ciemnosc took a formal stance and greeted before resting after the commander nodded towards him. The other commanders looked at Heian Ciemnosc, continuing their scrutiny until one of them said, “His bodily strength… it’s commendable! Who would’ve thought he had this sort of talent? It’s spectacular…”

“Indeed. Heian Ciemnosc received many hits during his recruitment. I made sure it was so,” besides the first female cultivator to speak, the person who was once Heian Ciemnosc’s direct commander spoke. The other commanders cracked in chuckles, but commander Choliac remained silent as he walked inside with Heian Ciemnosc on his side.

“Our ally has no further requests, only you and an elite Team to follow and cooperate under your direct command. Do you understand?” Commander Choliac looked at Heian Ciemnosc and spoke, quieting the chuckles and garnering Heian Ciemnosc’s attention.

“Yes, sir,” Heian Ciemnosc calmly saluted and nodded as he affirmed. He then looked around at the team of experts communicating and checking everything, all at once, as the commander nodded and elaborated. “You’ll secure their lives. We haven’t gotten any information regarding the covert operation’s details. Only the Chairwoman knows about it, among other organizations’ leaders.”

“Considering she accepted and seems to trust you to help in this covert operation…” Commander Choliac looked down at Heian Ciemnosc, gaining his attention again, and continued without crossing the line. “Then you might have an idea of what’s waiting for you. Remember, the Phosphorescent Flower Sect isn’t an ally at the same level as the Interchanging Dust Dynasty. Do as you wish, but always…”

“Prioritize the Faction. Oh, I will,” Heian Ciemnosc finished the words the commander purposely delayed saying. Heian Ciemnosc noticed the commander was a bit under pressure. This made Heian Ciemnosc realize the importance of this covert operation, and he was even bold enough to add, “But I also want to declare, here and now, under all my superiors’ eyes. I will make another ally for our home.”

“...!” The commanders didn’t say something. They merely nudged their heads upwards, lifting their chin as if proud of something, but this was just a gesture. Heian Ciemnosc’s declaration was a nameless subject who wasn’t even an Officer, let alone a vice commander. This gesture wasn’t honorable. It was to hold Heian Ciemnosc accountable if he didn’t achieve his promises. And they were big promises.

“So be it,” commander Choliac, the only one to not lift his chin, neutrally said. He didn’t nod or encourage Heian Ciemnosc, letting him back on the results of his actions. Then, commander Choliac walked further into the tower control. Heian Ciemnosc looked at the commanders, including his current and previous direct superiors, bowed, and turned around to follow the big boss.

“The Bellink Supreme Art is said to be old, but the origin of Genoa’s Descent Supreme Art is also shared with the former. It isn’t known well, and only those upper echelons on both Sects know what others don’t…” The commander briefed Heian Ciemnosc. He narrowed his eyes and continued, “It’s nobody’s business, so there is no problem if they hide things from us despite wanting to call us their temporary allies.”

“But things are different in a new Change, young black monster,” the commander’s indifference almost disappeared as he went on. “This old history goes long before these Sects were created, even before the Great Sage was born. It’s just rumors, but you will learn to understand that even legends are… forgotten truths.” The commander said, placing Heian Ciemnosc into a slight trance that didn’t last and broke with the following words.

“Sometimes, the old, ambitious Golden Terra Sect is targeted by others. Then, without hesitation, they are aided by the Phosphorescent Flower Sect. The Golden Terra Sect might be an Overlord, but they were never ambitious. This is something well-known. Their ‘hidden’ ally is always there to block a massive invasion from other organizations, in case any strong Fourth Step organization joins their enemy’s side.”

“You’ve learned the Bellink Supreme Art. What do you know of it so far?” The commander’s words weren’t left in silence. Heian Ciemnosc immediately casually answered, “It enhances one’s Soul. It grants some physical defense, too. But it is focused to actively guard against Soul attacks.”

“It can enhance one’s body and potential, but I think that’s only in thin, small chances and slim possibilities, even if there are any.” Heian Ciemnosc said, and the commander nodded. But what he didn’t tell commander Choliac, he thought in his head. ‘Only those with a Bloodline can enjoy its enhancement. And if my theories aren’t wrong… One can even awaken a Bloodline if they are worthy of one.’

“Yes, their enigma is long-lasting, passed through the world, Existences, Universal Land, throughout the entire Universal Lands… But they don’t last long, unlike other similar stories. Well,” the commander said, looking at Heian Ciemnosc with assertiveness before saying, “It’s time. Leave and attain your commitment, young black monster. It’s supposed to take at least a couple weeks to know the results of… whatever our leaders are planning. Good luck.”

“I’m grateful, commander Choliac.” Heian Ciemnosc bowed before turning and stepping away. Heian Ciemnosc left the tower control behind and reunited with his Teams again. He ordered them to prepare and sit tight on their Fighters’ warm seats. The hangar became silent as they left the Carrier silently, assuring this covert operation was as little attention-drawing as possible.

The Crimsonbreaking Faction’s Space Station wasn’t near the meeting place, and a Fighter would need at least 3 hours to arrive at the meeting place. Only 2 hours remained before it started, so there wasn’t a hurry yet. The Fighter group would move towards the accorded coordinates while the base changed their location to temporarily anchor themselves and continued training.

The Fighters would be picked by Heian Ciemnosc’s Defensive Frigate so they wouldn’t have to take a long, tiring walk back home after working hard for the Faction. While the number of participants might be low, ultimately negligible compared to any other operation, its difficulty can only be measured after knowing more. And with how this was a covert operation, it already augmented the danger and uncertainty of the tasks at hand. These were the greatest ‘no-nos’ every cultivator would consider in their cultivation path.

“... Ready?” Heian Ciemnosc asked into their group channel. The silence lasted 0.3 seconds before Clanton yelled and raised his left fist in his cabin, “What ready?! I’m excited! This is every Soldier’s wish, Team Leader!”

“Ready!” - “Hell yeah!” - “Agh, boys!” - “Come on, young black monster’s leading. Let’s gooo!!”

Heian Ciemnosc could practically hear all his Team members grin. Thanks to Clanton, any barrier Heian Ciemnosc didn’t care about crossing before initiating the trip was erased. It could be heard in everyone’s voices and their desire to push the pedal of their Spirit Sense into maximum speed!

“I’m starting a Rychly Transporting Formation Array. My dark Neutral Energy will reach you. Just let your Fighters’ systems handle it. I’ve already checked your babies,” Heian Ciemnosc said, making some jolt their necks backwards. They had all heard of Heian Ciemnosc’s methods, but it was still pretty new to experience it. They watched as dark Neutral Energy flew towards them, and their Fighters gained an intense trembling that could only be discerned from within.

“Advance, out of the pot.” Heian Ciemnosc ordered. The Fighter group separated by Teams and flew out of the Carrier’s hangar together in a simple turtle formation with Heian Ciemnosc in the middle. Their alienation was flat, and they formed a Fighter shape as they exited the Carrier and went full speed ahead according to the global universal focus.

Veeeeeeeeeeem, veeeeeeeeem, veeeeeeeem, veeeeeem, veeeeem, veeeeem, veeeem…

The Carrier’s hangar they exited wasn’t the main hangar, and this one was facing the opposite side where their destination lay. Heian Ciemnosc guided his Fighter group as it arched through space, detouring the enormous Carrier and regrouping in the Fighter-shaped formation before starting their engines. Thrusters off, they sped in the distance.

The Carrier had just momentarily parted from the port. As the Fighter group departed, digital and holographic screens appeared everywhere in the Carrier, showing their departing lights until not even the enhanced zoom of their surveillance array formations couldn’t see them anymore.

The personnel watched through digital screens in hallways, modules, and even in the bathrooms. Higher-ups and upper echelons were observed through holographs as the Carrier returned to the base, strikingly beautiful in the middle of pure darkness.

But, in a bedroom with a perfect angle to see the Fighter group depart was a young woman holding a tiny, little baby, aiming at the empty space as if she knew what was happening and who left. The carmine red-haired beauty played with the little baby before returning her to fill her belly with the exhausted maid on the bed.

…