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And the hope I had laid within a ring I extorted out of the High Administrators back then when I killed Uroboros. I had a special Ring that I was going to use on Earth, but that’ll come in handy here as well! It gives no stat boosts or special abilities, save for a single one.
And it was called “Cosmic Ring of Space Shifting”.
“That dull-looking ring, is your idea?” The Crane Empress asked me, her sharp golden eyes beginning to doubt her disciple.
“Please, master, is that the face you should give to your honest disciple?” I asked her. “This Ring only works with Cosmic Energy, but… Well, let me show it to you.”
We moved behind the palace into a lotus garden. I kneeled on the floor and touched the black-colored ground with it. By activating the Ring’s effect, a crack in space opened as a portal in space opened. Right now, it has no connection at all.
“What’s this?!” She asked. “A portal in space! I never was able to fully master the Dao of Space, and all those that did have perished, yet you…”
“It is just the ring’s powers; I am not doing this.” I said. “However, by spending roughly two thousand cosmic energies, I can open a Spatial Gate connecting to another place. My limit right now is two Gates.”
“I see, so you could… theoretically connect to that wicked island with that monstrous devil…” She sighed. “Or you could connect it to that other area, but won’t the monsters be able to come through it as well?”
“That’s the great thing about it; only I can pass through it; nobody else can.” I explained. “However, I can choose who to bring with me and simply place them inside my Inner Realm.”
“You have an Inner Realm!” She was shocked. “So you are indeed an Immortal then!”
“Ah, well, it is more like a fake Inner Realm? It is called Purgatory, where I seal demons.” I said. “But I am slowly expanding it to become my own Inner Realm, it works like one in terms of being able to store things and people inside and bring them with me.”
“Such bizarre skills you possess… But I do understand, yes.” She sighed. “I could give you many suggestions on what to do; I could even order you to do as I say. But I want to hear what you have in mind.”
“First, I want to stay here until night and then go to that island. And then I’ll stay there and come back later.” I said.
“Okay, I suppose that’s acceptable. However, you must be very careful once you go. That monster is living there in isolation. The Heavenly Demon is the strongest and most despicable Demonic Cultivator. Someone who has killed millions of innocents just so he could rise to power.” She said. “However, just like me, he shares a similar fate. Nonetheless, if possible, ignore him. Do not walk into his territory, and simply examine the surroundings and tell me the patterns and how the tree’s workers do their things. Don’t engage in any conversation with the demon.”
Despite being a survivor like her, she really, really hated him. And I believe they might have worked together to fend off the invaders, but she really doesn’t want to address her. Based on what she said, though, he’s similarly afflicted with this "disease.”.
“U-Understood, I will try not to do so. But if… We need his help eventually. I have to admit it, master, but I might ask for his help.” I said with honesty.
“…” She remained silent, giving me a side eye like birds do. “Fine, do as you may. Whatever the case, come with me. As you said you were going to stay for a day here, I need to first give you a test.”
“A test?” I asked as I admired the beautiful lotus garden.
“Yes, you will be given three different tasks, and you must accomplish them within 24 hours!” She said. “If you can’t do that at the very minimum, I will not accept you as my disciple.”
“Okay… Got it.” I nodded; I had no time to doubt myself. “Tell me what they are, master.”
“First, you will eliminate a thousand of those metal beasts running around the island.” She said. “Second, you will gather thirty Starlight Grasses, which you can gather on Starlight Hill right below the metal tree. And third, you will slay one of the big ones.”
“That’s all?” I asked.
“Do you think it will be easy?” She smiled. “I know you’re strong, so don’t think I gave you an easy task. And by the big ones, I mean the really big ones.”
She pointed into the distance. What seemed like a small mountain of silver was in fact a crab-shaped, gigantic mech. Something that I would usually only see in mech anime or shows from Japan. It was at least over a hundred meters tall.
“Oh…” I gulped saliva. “No, yeah, that’s fine. I think I can do it?”
“You’re so confident; well, show me through your actions that your confidence is justified.” She smiled. “For now, follow me. I will first show you around and explain to my people what you are. They’re the last survivors of several different clans, which I brought to this island. All of their Elders died in the war against the invaders, leaving them all to my care, sadly.”
“So there aren’t any more Immortals?” I wondered.
“No, there are a few ones. They’re not well enough, though. Although not infected with this disease, their Meridians were almost broken in the war, and they cannot exert their power.” She said. “The Starlight Grass is the last ingredient I need to prepare a concoction that could help them heal their meridians, you see. But it is located right below that tree, surrounded by thousands of dangerous beasts and watched over by that giant crab-like metal monster.”
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“So the Starlight Hills… Ah, got it. So that’s why the missions are about that. I thought they were just random, but they’re all related to helping you save the Immortals. How many are they?” I asked.
“…Only three, and very young ones, rather spoiled and golden spooned. But it’s not like there’s any other hope. Once I pass away from this illness, this world will be left in their hands.” She said. “I must procure to teach them to be responsible for the people, but before that, I need to heal them.”
“I see; it makes sense, Master.” I nodded. “But I won’t be giving you up either; I will do my best and at least try to see if I can cure your illness, okay?” I grabbed her delicate hands; her fluffy feathers were very soft to the touch.
“Anna…” She smiled a bit, giving me a head pat and pecking my forehead with the tip of her long, pointy beak. “Your intentions are pure, I can tell, but that doesn’t mean you should treat this lightly. For now, know the place, learn about the people, and then complete your test.”
She showed me around, as I was forced to interact and talk with the many people in the city. From children to adults, even some elderly. She told me there were roughly two thousand people living here. It was much more than in the demon village. They also already had a leader unlike them, so it was clear my mission here wasn’t leading them.
“Bald Monkey Immortal! Hi!”
“Your head hair is very long, though!”
“Your armor is shiny!”
“What’s your name, big sis?”
On the way through the village, a dozen children appeared, running to greet me. I noticed the sharp gaze of Hue Xian. It was an if, even though this was a test.
“Ah, please don’t call me a bald monkey; I am named human!” I said. "Also, yes, the armor is very shiny. You can touch it if you want; it’s really tough. Give me your best punches and kicks!”
“Alright!”
“Ya! Ya! Hyaa!”
“Take this!”
“Baaam!”
All their little attacks didn’t even hurt; it made me only laugh at how adorable and fluffy they all looked. I patted their heads and let them climb over my body, carrying them over my arms and back with ease, despite how heavy they would have been for a normal person.
Once I was done playing, I gifted them some cookies from Earth. After confirming they wouldn’t harm them, they ate them happily, saying they had never tasted something so sweet before.
“Those are so good!”
“So yummy and sweet!”
“Woaaaah!”
"Alright, children, that’s enough.” Hue Xian said. “Isn’t it about time for lunch? Go back to the orphanage.”
“Okay auntie!”
“Thank you, big sis!”
“See ya!”
They quickly ran, entering a huge building at the end of the street. Apparently none of the children here had their parents left; they were all orphans living inside that orphanage, which Hue Xian maintained.
“After the war, there were many children, children left with no home to go back to, no families, alone.” She said. “It is my duty as the Heavenly Empress to give them a place to call home and to protect them. They are the future of our world, after all.”
“That is very true.” I nodded, smiling. “Lady Hue Xian, do you like children? It seemed you are really used to dealing with them; I even noticed a motherly tone in your speaking!”
“W-What? What are you talking about? I do certainly love them as my children, but I have never had one of my own.” She said, sighing. And then looking into the skies. “I... I have never.”
“A-Ah, well… Anyway, is it time to start the test?” I asked.
“Yes, make sure to finish it before dinner.” She said. “I will be waiting for you back in the palace. You’re free to enter and come out of the barrier.” As she said that, a system window popped up.
[A New {Special Quest} has been generated: {The Heavenly Empress’ Test}!]
[Rank: SS+]
[After having learned everything about the world of Bestia, you’re left with many goals to achieve. Yet you must first tackle the stones to move the mountain. Complete the three-step Trial that the Heavenly Empress has left for you within 24 Hours to officially become her disciple.]
[Step 1: Hunt one thousand Mechanical Beasts: 0/1000]
[Step 2: Gather Starlight Grass from the Starlight Hill: 0/30]
[Step 3: Hunt the [Giant Crab-type Mechanoid (SS+ Rank)]: 0/1]
[Completion Rewards]: [???]
[Failure Penalty]: [Favorability With Beast People -1.000] [Favorability With The Heavenly Empress: -10.000] [Inability to become the Heavenly Empress Disciple.]
[Time Condition]: [24 Hours]
[If you cannot complete the quest within 24 Hours, it will be automatically shown as a Failure.]
Alright, it’s there. Time to get this done with.
“{Summon Familiar}”
I Summoned all my Familiars again, explaining to Fang Shuan the test I was given as we moved outside of the village, leaping off the tall walls and landing over the jungles once more. It didn’t take too long before more Mechanical Chimeras appeared, attacking in large packs of dozens at a time. They were really aggressive and bloodthirsty.
“So that Crane Lady was a Venerable like my father?!” Asked Fang Shuan as he swung his spear, impaling three beasts at once and blowing their bodies into pieces with a Ki Blast.
BOOOM!
“Most likely, yes. She also killed three Constellations, who were most likely the culprits behind this invasion.” I said. “I had no idea there were robot constellations; you know something new every day, I guess.” As I explained, I used Gram and my Gauntlet to punch and slash the mechanical beasts into pieces of scrap within seconds.
SLAASH!
Meanwhile, Snow, Violet, and Shiro were slowly learning how to better use their Ki energies. Violet was now channeling them into his long scythe-like claws, and as auras of demonic venom Ki surged from them, waves of powerful purple Ki slashed through the mechanical beasts, melting their metal exterior.
Snow conjured a snowy Aura, each of his claw attacks came with a shockwave of Ice Ki, which froze our foes and left them paralyzed. Violet finished them off with his powerful scythe attacks. Lastly, Shiro generated a small Aura of Strengthening Ki, giving us a nice boost to our Vitality, Health, and Strength.
“She must have been really mighty, and unlike my father, she stayed in her world…” Sighed Fang Shuan. “It is clear who is more honorable, I suppose…”
“I guess so; don’t let that bum you down, though.” I said. “We’re getting closer to the Starlight Hill! Do you see that small mountain over there?” I pointed in the distance.
“Yes?” He wondered.
“That’s actually a monster we need to defeat.” I laughed.
“R-Really…?” Fang Shuan was left almost speechless. “…I am beginning to feel like my own world wasn’t the only one that has gone through horrendous difficulty through the Awakenings.”
“There must be worlds out there that went through even worse awakenings than your world and this one combined too.” I said, looking into the blue skies. “Well, what matters now is to complete this test. And there are even more of you guys around! You’re really generous, aren’t you?”
I greeted over a hundred more mechanical beasts surrounding us in a tight formation. I was going to gladly take all their EXP to accumulate further. The moment I finally increase my Level Cap, I’ll probably get over a dozen levels right away as a result.
“ROOAAR!”
They charged forward, most of them enchanted with their electromagnetic energies. My sword and my gauntlet greeted them as explosions of golden ki erupted, engulfing the jungles with golden flames.
BOOOM!
As the battle ensued, however, I noticed a new type of foe approaching. Not beast-like, but humanoid in shape.
And their techniques and attacks were charged with both Ki and Electromagnetic Energies.
What is the meaning of this?!
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