"The future? I see."
"...What else did you hide?"
Oops.
I composed myself and headed straight to the Moon after the breakthrough. I did not expect for Kiana to mention about an encounter with her "future self". I quickly recalled the times I met mine and Kiana's "future selves". Those meetings are the precedent of obtaining the Dao of Mirrors.
"I did not particularly hide it. I forgot to mention it…"
I genuinely forgot about those encounters. Aside from giving small hints, they had no other effects.
"Hum. So, what was it?"
"It's most likely your future self."
"Then I am uber talented!"
I pinched her nose that was about to grow taller.
"That guarantee doesn't mean you won't face any dangers. Don't be too complacent. Who knows if…"
Her eyes widened before it turned serious. She understood what I implied—of something bad happening to me.
"Don't. Don't even think about it."
"Sorry."
"Hum…"
My apology worked. Kiana no longer had that reprimanding look.
"By the way, where's Sirin? I saw her just now."
"That…"
Her smile explained everything.
*****
Thirty years of rapid development elevated Earth's overall level. Solving the basic world problems such as world hunger paid off extremely well. With the basic welfare provided by the Federation—food, lodging, and jobs—manpower flowed endlessly. What came after a period of time was reproduction.
Most of the worlds' cultivators are in the Qi Refining Realm. Their fertility rates remain the same as mortals'. Only after the Foundation Establishment Realm do cultivators face a sharp decrease of fertility.
Even, Qi Refining Realm cultivators tend to have higher fertility compared to mortals. A strengthened physical body greatly contributes to it. Add to that the mortals' reproduction rates, Earth's population showed a rapid increase.
From 7.1 billion, it doubled to 14.6 billion. Immortal cultivators make up 6.5 billion while the rest are mortals. Accommodation and the likes were resolved by the Federation with floating cities as well as the spatial folding technology.
Due to these, a frenzied atmosphere appeared on Earth. Reproduction rates skyrocketed as most mortals aspire to have a child with spirit roots. It also helped that the Federation itself incentivizes the appearance of children with spirit roots.
The surge of the workforce single-handedly solved most of the Federation's problems. Earth's current prosperity is closely tied to it.
That, and the most esteemed President.
"I should have retired sooner!"
Theresa slumped on the desk with her heightened chair. A trace of fatigue could be seen on her pupils.
"I could have been drinking bitter gourd juice while reading HOMU comics at home…"
She sorely regrets becoming the Federation's second President. It was supposed to be a ten-year term per President. Theresa would have retired by the year 2038. Everything changed with the arrival of the Law Enforcement Hall.
The purge of corrupt officials deterred anyone who harbored malicious thoughts.
Then came Shi Tian's Divine Transformation Realm breakthrough. The second Sun hanging in the sky for three decades had long evaporated corruption. That power was the living proof of their statuses.
Since then, the next generations of officials have more integrity than the last. The basic salaries and incentives received by officials increased correspondingly, in turn increasing their satisfaction.
Theresa was the one who pulled it off, hence they gave her a big "surprise". The amendment about the ten-year term turned into a fifty-year term. Everyone in the Council agreed; even the masses did.
Theresa was not only the mascot, but also the Leader that changed the world. Forget fan clubs, it is typical nowadays for a 'Theresa Cult' to pop up now and then.
This, however, meant that Theresa had to sit in the President position until 2078. When she tries to show even a tiny intent of resigning, the Council will flock to her side and beg her not to.
Everyone's life—save for Theresa—is satisfactory. Be it for practical benefits or idealism, nobody wanted Theresa to retire. The entire fiasco ended up with Theresa promising everyone she will find a worthy successor.
"And this entire thing is a scam. Why did it work on Bronya, but not me?"
Theresa looked at her petite figure. Nothing changed in the last thirty years. She was still stuck in the body of an elementary school student.
When she saw Bronya's changes during the Golden Core Realm, Theresa was exhilarated. Her motivation in immortal cultivation lies here.
She reached the Golden Core Realm. Nothing happened.
She reached the Nascent Soul Realm. Nothing happened still!
"...No. Blood..?"
Perhaps due to her fatigue, her thoughts began to wander off. Theresa recalled the tantalizing scent for the nth time.
The Moon Spirit Root is a documented mutant spirit root outside of the ten elements. People who possess it have a great affinity for practicing water, yin, and moon based techniques. It is the "ultimate softness" that complements the "ultimate hardness" (i.e., Sun Spirit Root).
It just so happened that there was someone in this world whose talents far exceed that of the Sun Spirit Root.
"If I drink it… His blood…"
Theresa has zero substantial evidence supporting her thoughts except her instincts. It has been a long time since she believed that Shi Tian's blood surpassed the bitter gourd juice by light years.
The only thing stopping her from doing so was shame. Theresa is Shi Tian's aunt-in-law. Doing such a shameful thing as drinking his blood was no different from infidelity in her eyes.
It feels very illegal.
"Should I ask him directly?"
The frustration she felt over her stumped growth accumulated over the years. Theresa barely restrained herself, lest she would have gone straight to Shi Tian and asked for 'blood'.
"Yes, I should just ask him. No need to complicate things."
"Ask what?"
"Eek!"
Theresa jumped out of her seat. She looked back and saw Shi Tian standing behind her. Her heart throbbed uncontrollably. Theresa could not calm down.
"W-why did you come to me?"
Shi Tian fell silent.
'How should I tell her?'
His Hexagram Spirit instantly broke through the sixth level upon his breakthrough. His third-level understanding of the "Past" aspect throttled it all the way up. Divining urgent matters to attend to became trivial for Shi Tian.
Surprisingly, the most urgent one came from Theresa.
'Inner demons from not growing up…'
He did not rush to laugh at her. It has always been Theresa's concern since back in the days.
Moreover…
'I didn't expect Teriri to think about me.'