Planet Gate Realm, Shadow's Insight
3 days later. Returning to the Turtle Hiding Region's south. At the center, where the Turtle Fortress' foundation was in the process of slowly finishing preparations.
Heian Ciemnosc stood before Tulla, Tania, Grietta, Elyor, Floris, and Anastasia. They were in front of Heian Ciemnosc's mansion, which was already filled with their people. Not only Heian Ciemnosc's core circle, but their soldier units and a few select officials under their command. They were sitting with their bums on the grass and their legs semi-extended forwards. Heian Ciemnosc made them enter meditation for a day before opening his darkest eyes and revealing his plans to them.
“What I am about to teach you isn’t something anyone in the world knows about,” Heian Ciemnosc’s calm, soft, and quiet words opened their eyes and hearts as their ears tickled. They stared at Heian Ciemnosc sternly, ready to learn under no other but him.
“Although the Soul Race claims its knowledge, it is only because of it that they evolved as a civilization and became as mighty and important as the Universal Lands’ one of the mighty powerhouses to last since time immemorial. Without this knowledge, they would’ve been struggling to procreate between their Race and cultivate their Souls as their cultivation base progressed. Even now.”
Their eyes widened slightly. Heian Ciemnosc didn’t create more expectation as he directly popped a scroll before everyone’s eyes. He lay it on his lap and explained with his hands unfolding it open. “The Soul-exalting Old World parchment has been in my hands since I was still a student in the Wrath Nihility Academy. Today, I’m going to present to you a set of memories with everything you must know from it.”
“I’ve gathered the information and hidden knowledge this parchment can grant its user. The tales of the importance of this parchment are just words from other living beings who felt bored. There is no need for me to keep this to myself when we’re going to face something as dangerous as what the future is holding for us.” Heian Ciemnosc explained, as his group cultivation method spread out, with the tip of his shapeless dark limbs of dark Vigor Energy landing on their glabella this time.
“I’ve given this knowledge to my Master and wives back at home. Now, I’m granting it to you. You’ll slowly unlock the information you’ll need the most, and the knowledge you earn through your efforts will be rewarded with knowledge from my set of memories of this parchment. Read it, train, and practice it.” The set of memories smoothly entered their foreheads without causing pain, but their heads felt heavy from the set of memories becoming permanent there.
“Eh? You had already given it to Mothers? Why haven’t you given it to me yet? Hmm…” Anastasia opened her eyes after receiving the memories, feeling exalted and jealous at the same time. Heian Ciemnosc shook his head, ignored her, and continued. “For some of you, this will enhance your speed efficiency towards a Godly Soul. The moment of your breakthrough into the Godhood Step will come earlier than anticipated. So, do well.”
Heian Ciemnosc’s darkest eyes calmly looked at them, just as his voice preached into their ears. Elyor, Tania, and Grietta were already frowning with their eyes closed. Since their cultivation base was the highest, and they had been attempting the Godly Soul level of their Soul cultivation after reaching the Crystalshine, one level above the Goldshine. They immediately unlocked sets of memories more than others.
“Eh? Since it’s that useful, why are you giving it to me now? I’m barely at the Life-Long realm, my worries to reach Godhood are still far away from me,” said Anastasia, who pouted slightly and frowned a bit. Tulla turned to look at her and casually commented, “Because you’re his daughter.”
“Ah, is that right?” Anastasia blinked and kept silent. Heian Ciemnosc looked at them before beginning a small session of group cultivation outside his mansion to introduce them to the Soul-exalting Old World parchment’s methods. “I will teach you this before attempting my breakthrough into the 10th stage. I will look elsewhere to continue my cultivation while the Region is developed to its fullest. And all things are ready.”
Elyor, Grietta, and Tania nodded. Heian Ciemnosc nodded back and commenced the lesson. Anastasia contentedly listened with utmost earnest, valuing each set of words coming out of her father’s mouth with her Soul.
An hour later, they stood up and reunited with their subordinates inside Heian Ciemnosc’s mansion. They were within some compartments where people could sit and cultivate from ten thousand to tens of thousands in each compartment. Their highest official would show them the benefits first before Heian Ciemnosc spread his group cultivation method to the rest.
Like this, time passed by, and the Region continued developing…
. . .
1 year later.
The watchtowers at the cliffed coasts were finished. In the west, the watchtowers were placed behind and south of the forts, which were still halfway through being finished. 5 watchtowers would remain, more or less, between the forts. The northernmost fort in the west was a few tens of thousands of kilometers away from the foot of the western mountain range half, while the southernmost left an empty area to its south where another 5 watchtowers were spread.
When everything was finished, they would form an impenetrable wall protecting the Region’s inner perimeter, consisting of all towns, cities, and Small Cities. The center was formed by the villages, Medium Cities, and the Fortress with its 4 large watchtowers.
To the southern cliffed coasts, 25 watchtowers were placed before the forts, which were only several tens of thousands of kilometers away from the cliff, unlike in the west or east. The watchtowers were built like a barricade of 3 for a few angles, but they didn’t block the front of all forts.
In the east, the forts and watchtowers synergy was similar to the west, with the only difference being the watchtowers were closer to each other when compared to the west. On the other hand, the Medium Cities planned around the Turtle Fortress were paired in twos for the north, east, and west. Only the north had an extra pair near the fortress.
Seen like this, it looked as if the south was preparing to protect the Turtle Hiding Region’s north from a southern invasion of another Region force. However, it also looked like the south was aiming towards the north. It was all a matter of perspective.
… In the center, the Turtle Fortress’ foundation had been finished, and the walls’ perimeter were now in their planning phase, next in line. But in that center, Heian Ciemnosc’s mansion had been in closed doors all year long, leaving it looking ghastly empty, with the outer appearance that translated to one’s heart as dark and lonely.
“…!” Heian Ciemnosc lay in his bed, with the 3 Fairy lovers beside him, taking a break from him. Although he rarely moved, the pleasure his mere body gave them would exhaust their mentality if they frolicked too much, which they often did. However, that also helped them advance a little faster in their slow Soul cultivation and solidifying their foundation.
Heian Ciemnosc suddenly opened his darkest eyes. His expression became severe, and even Sara frowned inside his inner universe, calmly meditating on the Soul-exalting Old World parchment. Suddenly, a darkish layer painted his back’s surroundings like a new layer of energy with a strange, white-blue glow outlining it.
It took a similar shape as Heian Ciemnosc’s sitting cross-legged position. This took much of Heian Ciemnosc’s attention instead of his breakthrough into the 10th stage. As soon as he broke through, his mind was suddenly flushed with images and sensations.
It was as if Heian Ciemnosc traveled from lukewarm water to a spot of cold, fresh, thin water in a river. It washed his skin and made him feel like he was entering a new world, but the sensation wasn’t all that important. What made his head rumble was the familiar feeling of… breaking into another realm!
“Wake up,” Heian Ciemnosc lightly whispered before his mind was fully taken by the images flowing through his mind like a vomit of memories torturing his brain and making his body undergo strange improvements. More than anything, his Spirit Sense, which he barely felt its maximum range increase to a Divine Galaxy’s size, became abundantly larger.
If his calculations were correct, his Spirit Sense stopped growing after reaching the size of a Universe. However, its efficiency and capabilities were limited to that of a Starlight Universe, the ‘weakest’ among all other Universes’ classifications.
If that was the case, Heian Ciemnosc might not feel an increase in Spirit Sense range for some time. Instead, its efficiency would experience the subsequent evolutions. For example, he might surpass the Spirit Sense of Godly cultivators while still in the Third Step!
On the other hand, the amount of dark Vigor Energy in his Dantian exponentially increased, overwhelmingly surpassing the little bit of increase he barely felt when breaking into the Silhouette realm 10th stage.
As he began feeling a new realm breakthrough, Heian Ciemnosc felt 3 different mouths all over his body as his 3 Fairy lovers started pleasing him worriedly. They were actually worried, making Heian Ciemnosc somewhat speechless. But he was too busy breaking into the Planet Gate realm to shake his head or grin.
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Heian Ciemnosc finally felt his inner universe showering with copious dark Vigor Energy. Phantom images of planets, asteroids, Kingdoms, and even unidentified forms of life, like chunks of floating land in space, blinked in and out of existence. When he felt he was about to solidify this image, he woke up abruptly from his breakthrough and his sight returned to his cultivation bedroom.
“Aaahh~~…” - “Wuaaaahh…” - “Master, we- zzzzz…” All at once, the 3 Fairies fell on his body, limp and trembling with utmost ecstasy. Heian Ciemnosc panted as he recovered himself. Then, he looked at the Fairies as he felt endless biting from his groin. He looked at Lu Cren, who was currently powerlessly straddling him.
They were sent to endless heavens when Heian Ciemnosc broke through. However, not only were they granted divine pleasure, their cultivation bases attained the Central Formation realm 7th stage. That was a great speed considering they were still in the Mythical realm intermediate stages 8 years ago.
Heian Ciemnosc softly caressed their backs and arms before saying between breaths, “It’s alright. I just broke… into the Planet Gate realm…”
However, Heian Ciemnosc was still processing it with a surprised expression, which gradually became a frowning face. His cultivation base was now at the Planet Gate realm shallow stage. Yet, he felt he was already at the peak level, only needing ‘inspiration’ to breakthrough again.
Heian Ciemnosc remained in his bedroom before recuperating his breath. He chatted with Sara while dressing the filthy Fairies, reeking of him, and stepped out while letting them rest. Because he stopped the group cultivation method when imminently breaking through the next realm, the mansion became lively by the time he exited his cultivation bedroom.
“Ah, Father!” Anastasia exclaimed as Heian Ciemnosc’s subordinates looked up, waiting for him to appear. Then, her eyes’ contents shrunk while his subordinates’ eyelids expanded with incredulity. Subsequently, Anastasia’s eyes glowed with excitement as she read the much stronger aura coming from his body. “Congratulations, Father!”
“!!!” The commotion spread to the rest, including the soldier units and Officials who benefited greatly from this year’s group cultivation session. Everyone looked up at Heian Ciemnosc, who calmly stared back at them from a floor above, a few tens of meters above the main entrance.
‘With this, things change.’ Heian Ciemnosc thought as his darkest eyes roamed before landing on Anastasia. His voice reached everyone as if he loudly projected it, but it sounded soft and low beside their ears. “I will trek on a journey across the Lsefattern Kingdom. I might not return for a couple years. Whoever wants to come, wait for me before the entrance. The rest, leave.”
With that calm speech, Heian Ciemnosc returned to his cultivation bedroom to pick his Fairies up. Of course, the soldier units didn’t think they were offered a trip from their chief’s words. It was directed at his daughter and core circle. They immediately paid their respects to everyone present before stepping out of the mansion.
On the other hand, Heian Ciemnosc’s people became thoughtful. The only ones who knew the vast differences between the Mythical realm to the Life-Long realm, and the difficulties of cultivation through the Planet Gate realm, grew excited after their initial utter shock.
Heian Ciemnosc used this time to consolidate his thoughts and pacify his mind, with Sara giving him temple massages. When he returned to the main entrance and saw no one there, he walked down the stairs and exited the mansion. Then, he saw Grietta, Elyor, Anastasia, her maids, and his subordinates, including Etherea.
Rosina was also there, waiting for Heian Ciemnosc, a little anxious. Heian Ciemnosc looked at them before looking at the sky. He seemed slightly focused on something else within his mind. Evans flew towards them from a few tens of thousands of kilometers away, probably finished tasting another poor Fauna.
“Mm, alright. We’ll go to a far Region from the Stormy Calm Sea. There’s a tournament everyone can join. If you want, you can play a little while we’re out.” Heian Ciemnosc said as he nodded at everyone, stopping before Rosina. “What is it?”
His calm inquiry lifted Rosina’s slight anxiety as she nodded before replying in a stable, soft voice, “The rest of the Team doesn’t want to part with Team Leader, but they are focused on directing the processes while you’re not present. I… I wanted to come, regardless. The advisors in my military unit will follow the procedures according to my seniors.”
Heian Ciemnosc nodded, placing his left palm on Rosina’s left shoulder. “Still feeling alienated from me? Beto would’ve been glad to have you in his Team, more than me, back then. Come then. Let’s break that ice.”
“Yes, Team Leader.” Rosina bowed before following his back. Anastasia joined them as Evans rapidly approached from the distance. Elyor and Grietta nodded at him, before Grietta said in a light tone, “Tania will also remain here. She wants to do more for the operation before things get complicated. She and Ramirez will work together.”
WHOOOOOSH! THUMP… FLUTTER, FLUTTER.
Heian Ciemnosc nodded before walking towards Evans, who heavily landed on his garden and became astounded when looking at Heian Ciemnosc. He flapped his wings, congratulating his owner for his abrupt breakthrough. Heian Ciemnosc calmly rubbed his feathers before looking at everyone behind him.
“… … …” Heian Ciemnosc was startled to see everyone silently staring at his back as if stunned still. He grinned and profusely blinking before inviting them to Evans’s back. “What are you waiting for? I’m not going to break into the next stage by staying in one place, right?”
“…” Everyone fell silent again. Heian Ciemnosc’s words were true, but that’s because Planet Gate realm cultivators needed to travel out in space. Some died after spending their 350,000,000 years of lifespan amidst Elemental Poisoning, incapable of achieving the Universal realm. Yet, Heian Ciemnosc, the black monster, only wanted to travel to another Region?
After Heian Ciemnosc’s Fairies hopped onto Evans’s back, the latter was used to them, and greeted them like a gallant gentleman who didn’t prey on his very own children if it wasn’t for Heian Ciemnosc’s intervention. Then, everyone else joined them. After Evans’s back was filled with roughly enough people to cover ⅛ of his back, he flew into the skies, isolating the air and wind from his body.
… The several days-long trip began. Evans spent 9 days before he flew everyone out of the Stormy Calm Sea. They stopped a few times to bathe in the seawater, including Grietta and Elyor, who made many corny romantic scenes with Grietta’s late pregnancy only making things more silly and joyous.
They didn’t stop cultivating, as Heian Ciemnosc wasn’t in a time when he could afford to waste it. His group cultivation method also aided Jing Evan, but he ignored it and kept flying while keeping various areas noted in his mind for the next time he was allowed to laze around. By then, the territory he could explore might have expanded already.
Meanwhile, Heian Ciemnosc kept pondering about the images in his mind and the sensations he felt when breaking into the Planet Gate realm. For this matter, who else to aid him but his Soul-ish wife, Sara?
Heian Ciemnosc couldn’t see those images again, but he could remember the feeling as he broke through. Moreover, Heian Ciemnosc had the heavy feeling that another such a strange event would occur soon. It wasn’t as immediate as ‘at any moment’, but it was sooner than one would expect it.
It was almost like the Planet Gate realm was an insult to him, and nature was simply giving him a free pass through what he… as Shadow… already knew. Of course, who created the world? Shadow. Who placed life into it? Shadow and World Tree. Who is more adept to cultivation and needs no further experimentation or knowledge from the secrets of the world? Namely, the existence of planets and Kingdoms?
In the world? No one else but Shadow.
Heian Ciemnosc could understand that, and he could go through his memories from the Kingdoms he devoured, from the planets and little Kingdom Seeds to the Hollow or failed Kingdoms that existed even at the beginning of the world’s times.
However, Heian Ciemnosc had the sensation that he would enter a breaking through state if he did that. Thus, he wanted to first complete his thoughts on the moment he broke into the Planet Gate realm, attaining its first stage; the shallow stage. With Sara, they both went through it as their mental state became more and more engrossed in their studies.
“… Hey, Heian Ciemnosc. When do you think you created my world?” At some point, Sara asked during the days they traveled outside the Stormy Calm Sea. Heian Ciemnosc’s Spirit Sense checked the people sitting cross-legged behind him. His Fairies, daughter, her maids, his seniors, and subordinates were calmly cultivating without wind or air flinging their hair or smacking their faces.
He closed his eyes and faced ahead, intertwined his fingers as he always does, and spoke directly into his inner universe without needing to form a Soul-ish body. “It couldn’t be me who did it. I wasn’t existing anymore at that time.”
“Eh?! So you know something about my world? I’ve been through some special circumstances when I passed to this one, but in the end, I no longer trust my memories. My seniors and Masters might’ve sent me to the past or future without knowing! They might have even mistaken the method to send me away! I even became like this…” Sara immediately bombarded Heian Ciemnosc with newfound doubts.
“Don’t ask too many things… At least not those with answers which we are not ready for, yet.” Heian Ciemnosc grinned and said, feeling slightly helpless. Sara became stunned silly. Thus, Heian Ciemnosc calmly offered some more words, “Whatever method was used, it protected you well. As for their intention, I’m sure it was to look for help… to rebuild— not to protect.”
“…” Sara became silent… and saddened. As if a truth she denied acknowledging became solid like steel… as true as any thought, before her face. Heian Ciemnosc didn’t stop there. His words became quiet across his inner universe, “To cross between worlds… Do you think it can happen, and that everything will be fine? Right now, do you think your world was bigger than the world I initially created?”
“What do you mean?” Sara felt a tinge of fear and couldn’t help but immediately ask. His wording also made her feel dejected. Heian Ciemnosc’s voice became quieter. He spoke while embracing Sara with his inner universe, as if it suddenly grew limbs that pertained Heian Ciemnosc’s very fundamentals and… essence.
“Don’t mistake traveling between world and time, or both, when only one of them has occurred. You’re here, and to me, nothing else matters. When I take my world back, I will no longer leave it to the hands of these impertinent imbeciles. I will recuperate everything, and that includes the lost vestiges from the past. Rebuilding your old home is but one of my concerns. Yet, none of that matters compared to my family, my people.”
“You… have a lot to walk before achieving that,” Sara responded with a few tears spilling from her always vigorous countenance. She huddled in his darkness, feeling safe and soft in his embrace. With those words parting her lips, Heian Ciemnosc enveloped her with every ounce of his dark energy, Spirit Sense, dark Soul, and natural force.
“Hush, now… It was all my fault for allowing my weakness. This time, there will be no more opportunities. Just me, us, spreading the world as I meant it to be… Within our hands.”
A calm, soft, quiet voice, that was also dragged on and hoarse. Sounding most terrifyingly seductive, charismatic, and soulstealer, but also terrifyingly enchanting, hypnotic, and irresistible; echoed in Sara’s Soul. Directly from Heian Ciemnosc’s will.
“Zzzz…” Sara slept soundly.
…
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Sara: (ᴗ˳ᴗ) |[(*´ｪ`)]|zZＺ.