Mortal Realm, Capital Planet of the Hoborg Empire, The Lunar Paragon, Core Area.
Laeroth who at first was interested, then turned hesitant when he heard about the restriction, became stupefied and then excited by the benefits she proposed. After calming down, he then asked with some doubts in his voice. “I've heard of Immortal Layer scriptures since it seems that most Peak powers have a few... Does that mean that what you call Divine Layer scripture, is related to the level above the Immortal Layer? May I ask how you came into possession of them?” Since they lived in the Mortal Realm, it was already hard to get Immortal Items and scriptures, then forget about something stronger. Although by using simple logic, one would conclude that she lied, his intuition told him that it may not be the case and that it could be the biggest opportunity of his life. As one's cultivation level increased, so did their intuition. It helped him survive many life and death situation in the past, so he could not dismiss it easily.
“Sometimes taking high risks gives high rewards. Suffice to say that I do have some of those scriptures. As for the why and how, you'll know more once you join.” She said in a cold voice, disdainful of his wishy-washy attitude. She already gave him so much benefits and he was still hesitant? If he didn't recognize the situation, then she would find someone else. After all, if she was in the Divine Realm, just the mention of her name and her desire to recruit people would shake the Realm and a unending numbers of applicants would come banging on her door to join her newly-created organization. “I'll give you the same ultimatum that I gave Marc and Illia, which is that you have until xiao Yang begins to cultivate to choose. If I don't have any answer from you by then, I will consider it a refusal.”
Listening to her speech, Laeroth stopped talking to ponder deeply, knowing that the choice he was about to make will have a great impact on his life, while the rest were talking to each other, waiting for the food to arrive. A few minutes later a few waiters appeared in the core area with plates of delicious-looking food, which they put down on the 'tree-table'. After every plates and jugs of beverages were settled on the table, they bowed slightly and left the group alone.
After tasting the food in front of them, they all exclaimed in pleasure at the exquisite and delicious food, Marc said with a smile on his face. “Brother Laeroth, your cooks are getting better and better at their craft. You really taught them well.” The question roused him from his thoughts and prompted him to reply to Marc in a modest tone. “Although I taught them to cook, they are also very talented. As the idiom says 'even the cleverest housewife cannot cook without rice.' I could be the best teacher in the Mortal Realm, but if the students were bad at learning, then there would be nothing I could do.”
“That's true.” “Makes sense.” Everyone nodded to his argument and continued to enjoy the food and beverages while exchanging stories with each other. Only Bai Yue, little Yang and Laeroth did not participate much in the conversation and only listened to the side.
After everyone finished eating, Guang Hua proposed to go see the different mansions that the Grand Elder talked about earlier since they did not have anything else to do today. Laeroth declined under the reason of thinking about Bai Yue's proposition, however the rest agreed enthusiastically.
After departing from the restaurant, Marc and Illia contacted the officials responsible for creating a list of the available mansions and asked them to send the list to them through their holo-bracelets. A few seconds later, a file containing that list appeared in the latter, to the pleasant surprise of everyone present. Bai Yue noted indifferently. ”Very efficient.” Indeed, as most people were aware, administrations from almost every organizations were usually painfully slow when they were supposed to do their jobs. [A/N: I may be a bit salty, alright.] It seemed to the group that the Grand Elder probably pushed those lazy officials to finish the task as quickly as they could. They may even have been threatened to be this efficient. That thought prompted a smile of schadenfreude to appear on her face, which was noticed by the Fox parents. The two then combined what she said to her smile and ended up guessing her thoughts, which made them slightly laugh.
“Alright, now that we have the list, let's check the locations. Mhh...” Illia then looked at the family of four and asked. “Where would you like to live? There are many places available. And even if the mansion is not to your taste, it can also be demolished and rebuilt.” The two fox parents then looked at Bai Yue and said. “We'll follow what senior Bai wishes.”
Bai Yue then began to ponder out loud. “Let me think. Since we need easy access to the different organizations when little Yang will start to cultivate, I reckon that a mansion close to the crescent plaza would be perfect.” Guang Hua nodded and said. ”That makes sense. If little Yang joins an organization, he will be able to practice and make friends with other people. After all, although he has us, it would be bad if he didn't get used to how other peopleacted and end up getting taken advantage of.”
Hearing Guang Hua's comment, Bai Yue nodded and added. “Also, if he wants to practice by battling, we can buy a house close to the forest and I can install a teleporter in it. That way we'll have quick access to it. Well, it would be mostly for you three, since I don't really need to fly all the way if I wanted to go there.” That last comment puzzled slightly the old looking couple, while the other two recalled that she could teleport, so they nodded with a smile. Hei Qiang was surprised of one thing, though. “Is senior proficient in formation?” Bai Yue answered mysteriously. “If it's about killing, I am very proficient in many aspects of it. As for other crafts... Let's just say that I slightly knowledgeable.” She then added in her mind. “After a few million years, and with a bit of talent, anyone could be good in a lot of Divine layer professions. Let alone knowing how to set up Mortal Layer teleport formations.”
Out loud she said to Marc and Illia. “Since we've decided, show us the ones from the closest to the crescent plaza to the furthest, and we'll decide then.”
Having decided how to proceed, the group began to visit dozens of elaborate and beautiful mansions. Many of them were beautiful, but in their views, were always lacking something. After spending the next few days visiting many places, a tinge of dreariness started to take root in the whole group's mind. After all, the mansions were obviously beautiful, however, after a while, anyone would get bored of it. Even the guides were starting to become a bit fed up. However, they kept at it since the others did not find the right one yet.
However, after they arrived at the latest mansion they were supposed to visit, Bai Yue, who stayed mostly silent throughout the visits, besides the occasional 'Not this one.' or simply 'No.', said in an interested voice. “I have a good feeling about this one.” When everyone heard her, they rejoiced inside, since her comment implied that their monotonous quest in search of the perfect place to live in may reach its end soon.
Indeed, they arrived in front of a gate carved with fantastical creatures to mortal cultivators, such as dragons, phoenixes, qilins, etc. Those pure blood mana beasts did not exist in the Mortal Realm, which ended up creating numerous legends pertaining to their prowess. Nonetheless, some mana beasts could be found in this Realm possessing traces of those bloodlines, which made them a lot stronger than similar level ordinary mana beasts and cultivators.
The beautiful gate was in the Qin Empire style [A/N: Chinese style gate] with a tall wall encasing the whole property. The group with their high cultivation could see many formations inscribed on the wall for protection, hiding what was inside, etc. Since it was the property of the Imperial family, the native couple could bypass the formation easily and enter with the others by connecting their holo-bracelet AI to the spirit in charge of the property's every formation.
Once the gate opened, they all stepped inside with anticipation. Since Bai Yue used her Divine sense to feel everything inside, she was the only one not surprised of the picturesque scenery since she already scanned the whole place. As for the others, they were all charmed by the beautiful view. What was in front of them was a colossal forest garden with a paved road zig-zaging between the trees and other ponds, with even a sinuous river running through the property with several small bridges allowing people to get across.
Once they followed the road for a few minutes, they started to see the mansion appear. It was of the same proportion as the forest, which meant it was quite expansive. However, it did not feel out of place with the forest. On the contrary, it felt very natural, as if it was created at the same time as the forest around it. On reaching the door to the lobby, something flashed inside the fox couple's mind, after which Hei Qiang looked at Guang Hua, held her waist and said with a discreet smile full of happiness. “Hua'er, it seems that your wish has been granted already.” To which she replied with amazement. “When I told you that I wanted that house's style on a grade 3 planet, I never thought we would get it so quickly. I really like it.”
Bai Yue hearing their conversation turned to them and said with the corners of her mouth slightly raised up. “When I used my Divine sense to scan the property, I was certain that you too would like it. But let's not waste time. Instead we should look around the whole place.” They smiled at her and said. “En.” [A/N: En is one of the way Chinese say “Yes”. I think in some novel they use Un. But when I looked it up on google I found En. Let me know in the comments if I'm wrong.]
After that small interaction, they kept looking around the different buildings that were reminiscent of a small palace with its different buildings.The latter's number were numerous and could be found all around with their own functions. There were kitchens, private quarters, dining rooms, studies, etc. A few pavilions were even around the small lake that was behind the house and all over the forest as they were used to admire the peaceful scenery.
They all took their time to finish the visit which ended up taking a few hours. Once they went everywhere on the property, Bai Yue noted. “The formations are a bit too weak in my opinion. Although they can stop a Level 7 cultivator, a Level 8 would not have too much trouble breaking it, let alone a Level 9. I will have to modify them to improve them. The defense formation and mana gathering are the ones I'll improve in priority. I'll also set one up that you will all like.”
Hei Qiang then asked. “Could senior tell us what level they would become?” The masked woman replied. “Well, it can't be better than Peak Mortal Layer, since everything in the Mortal Realm is restricted to the Mortal Layer by the Realm's Laws. But since you all have a shallow cultivation, it won't impede your cultivation too much.”
To which he responded. “It's already great to have that level of formation. Even in our clans, only the highest Elders could get a Peak Mortal Layer mana gathering formation.” After that topic was concluded, she asked, despite already knowing their answers. “So, are the two of you okay with this property? Or do you want to visit other mansions?”
Guang Hua and Hei Qiang then answered simultaneously. “I love this place, so it's okay for me.” “I'm convinced.” Having her guess confirmed she turned towards Marc and Illia and commanded. “We'll take this mansion then. You should notify the people who need to be notified. Also, since I will have to modify the existing formations and even install new ones, I will need some materials. I will give you a list and you will deal with it, however you see fit. I only want the result. Although, since your Grand Elder said any expenses would be taken care of by the Imperial Family, you shouldn't have too much trouble dealing with everything.”
Listening to her instructions, they both nodded and Illia asked. ”Do you still need our help going around?” Bai Yue then said. “Yes, at least one of you will follow us around to show us the important places that we need to take not of. If the two of you want, you can live here with us. There are certainly enough room for everyone.”
Marc then impulsively answered. “It would definitely be simpler for us to stay here. That way we won't have to waste time going from our place to here.” Illia rolled her eyes at his impulsiveness, but also ended up agreeing with his decision, since his argument made sense to her.
“It's perfect then. While we are on the subject of moving here, there is something that I have to make clear.” Hearing Bai Yue's words, the two put their entire focus on what she was about to say. “You will be allowed to live with us only until little Yang starts cultivating. After that, if you accept my proposition, then you will naturally be allowed to stay, since you would have joined our family. Otherwise you will have to leave.” After stopping to ponder for a few seconds, she added. “You will also have to take a vow of loyalty to my family. I haven't thought of a name yet,
[A/N: I'm still thinking. I can't base it on their last names since they are all different. If you have any idea, let me know] but I'll let you know when I do. As for your positions, it will depend on your skills. But the benefits will also be plenty. You can be assured of this.”
Illia nodded with a solemn expression and said without letting her husband talk. “Don't worry, Lady Bai. You'll know our answer very soon.” Bai Yue was pleased to deal with such a clever woman. After all, some people prefer stupid and impulsive people, as they are easier to manipulate. However, she had the opposite thought. As, although gaining the loyalty of smart people may be hard, but once you get it, they will be a lot more useful than the stupid ones. Also, they would not drag you down by doing or saying unwanted things.
As for her specifically, she may even be strategist material. “Well, I don't need to decide on anything yet. We'll probably spend around a hundred years in the Mortal Realm to give Little Yang enough time to reach the Immortal Level. That gives me plenty of time to observe her and even train her. The Mortal Realm will be the theory, the Immortal Realm the practice, and the Divine Realm the real thing, I expect. My blood is boiling when I think of it!” She thought before looking towards the mansion entrance form the outside. “The first steps of this new adventure are done now that we found a place we can call home in this Realm. The only thing I can do now is to wait for this cute child to grow up and start cultivating.” After finishing that thought she turned to the three people that started to take their place in her heart and smiled at them while thinking. “My new family.”
End of Arc 1 (My new family)