Pardofelis' alien-like story opened up Elysia's mind. It was akin to a storybook found in Shenzhou's ancient writings. Though Pardofelis did not go deeply into the important details, the mention of Shi Tian's capabilities surpassed her expectations.
With their brief ten minute meeting, Shi Tian's existence behind the renowned anti-honkai factor was confirmed. When Elysia tried to ask Pardofelis about the more 'personal' details, she refused to budge. The two settled on maintaining contact before Pardofelis left.
"Immortals." Elysia muttered under her breath. "If it was them…"
Her thoughts remained unknown as she looked at the cafe table in a daze.
*****
Four months.
I looked at the sleeping Kiana sprawled all over atop me. She stuck closely to me like an octopus. Her naked body touched mine. Strands of her long white hair remained messy. Her regular breathing showed she was in her deep sleep.
Back then…
She lasted for three days tops before needing to rest for one day. My Golden Core physique tired her out. I had to refrain from using some other extensive dual cultivation tricks.
It's different now. Both our bodies are in the early Golden Core Realm. My advantage to her is my dual cultivation trait, Five Elements Yang spirit roots, and my mastery over the Dao of Yin-Yang.
Kiana took me head on for three weeks before needing to rest. Her former cheeky outlook was shattered by my prowess. She became the Tuna who never won.
The biggest advantage to Kiana's new realm is the improved effect of the creation qi. Our cultivation speed continued to skyrocket amidst all the hacks we are using. Seele's Tao Gifts helped a lot.
Coupled with the Tao Gifts from Kiana's Golden Core breakthrough, my mind and qi realms reached the middle stage.
{Body: Middle Golden Core (6%)}
{Qi: Middle Golden Core (3%)}
{Mind: Middle Golden Core (2%)}
Several decades' worth of progress, all compressed into the span of four months. This is all in exchange for Seele's opportunity… for her suffering.
I did not dilly-dally during the dual cultivation sessions. The mysterious space created by my Xinhai Sutra's [Great Accomplishment] mastery, dubbed the [Enlightenment Sea], allows me to automatically comprehend techniques and recipes alike.
The number of 'slots' increased from five to ten with the Golden Core breakthrough. I used all ten slots to comprehend the [Xiutian Art]. Its [Great Accomplishment] mastery is rapidly increasing, in turn improving our dual cultivation sessions.
The last four months, however, I used the ten slots to comprehend the [Soul Stirring Netherworld Blade].
The [Soul Stirring Netherworld Blade] does not have any mastery. The slots are used to simulate the success over devouring these four high-leveled mental powers. If it proves to be successful, I can exploit the remaining two Herrschers of this Bubble World, possibly even the Herrscher of the End—granted I have the power to defeat her.
These, along with Seele's opportunities, showed how much fortune the world of honkai has.
"Hm…"
Kiana finally woke up.
"Good timing. We have something to do today."
I patted her buttocks, gesturing to move away from atop me. The Tuna, however, remained stubborn.
"I still haven't gotten my revenge…" She murmured as she opened her eyes.
"You will never get it."
"Let me try again..!"
*****
A week later, Shi Tian and Kiana emerged from the palace. The help of dual cultivation tricks rendered Kiana powerless, forcing her to focus on the matters at hand.
Only, she could not help but be addicted to Shi Tian's presence. The feeling of their minds and bodies intertwining is something she never got tired of.
'I can't remember the sensation of cultivating normally…'
This absurd thought entered Kiana's mind before flying away. She tightly held Shi Tian's right arm as they stepped into the foot of the mountain.
Seele remained asleep as she floated cross-legged mid-air.
"Another fifty two years…"
Kiana heard his muttering. Her heart turned heavy. Shi Tian noticed her changes immediately.
"Don't worry. Our task today will help her."
"Mn."
A few seconds later, Veliona appeared beside the two. She did not experience any significant changes. The unchanging characteristic of a Golden Core True Lord showed itself to the trio.
"There are three things we need to watch out for…"
Four months of simulation ensured a high chance of this task's success.
First, Veliona is responsible for dragging out the soul stained with the Honkai's will. She will continuously use her power over death, weakening the connection between the soul and its tainted part.
She is the only one who could utilize her Herrscher Authority. The Authorities of Shi Tian and Kiana are completely blocked off by this world.
Kiana's role this time is to use her evolved supernatural power over the Dao of Space. She is to establish a confinement zone to ensure nothing goes wrong. She is also the main controller of the fifth grade formation.
Finally, Shi Tian is responsible for using the [Soul Stirring Netherworld Blade] to the tainted part, breaking it down before leading it towards the Ten Direction Body Art's mysterious space, renamed as "Chaos Furnace".
In-between these steps, Shi Tian has to try refining a small portion first. Whether or not to destroy or to continue absorbing is up to its reaction.
The three went into work. Shi Tian gave the other two a set of fourth-grade talismans and fourth grade restorative pills.
The mountain where they are present is enveloped by a low fifth grade formation. It was the sole fifth grade item he got from the draw.
With it as the main formation and over fifteen varying fourth grade sub-formations, the power it can exert reached the late Nascent Soul Realm. That was the same Nascent Soul Realm whose destructiveness covers an entire star (solar) system.
Disregarding destructiveness, the [Dharma Laws] it exudes is on-par with Shamash's full-powered attack!
This accumulation is what gave Shi Tian the confidence to fight against this Bubble World's Herrscher of the End.
The four slumbering bodies floated up to their side. Not once during the four months did they wake up. It is naturally resulted by the suppression of a Golden Core Realm spiritual consciousness.
Veliona looked at Shi Tian. The latter nodded at her, gesturing at the beginning of this task.
The simple swing of the scythe dragged out the tainted soul once more…