Himeko was left without words.
She was aware she missed out on a lot of things—and by that, she meant a lot.
After the first hundred years, Himeko slowly devolved into a sleeping princess. The things she could not do in the past became easily achievable now. Slacking off, drinking while watching movies, sleeping whenever she wants…
It was a dream come true for a thirty-three year old career oriented woman like her.
In the end, Himeko's sleep gradually became longer up until now.
'How long did I sleep..?'
She used a specially-made alarm clock—a fourth-grade artifact made by Welt Yang—to wake herself. She stayed up for the past few days, which was how she came upon Theresa.
Looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar Headmaster, Himeko recalled her earth-shattering changes.
First was the time she saw Theresa's transformation into big Theresa. Himeko saw through her bitter gourd arc. She chugged the undrinkable bitter gourd juices and shakes as if they were nothing, all to grow up.
When she saw Theresa's efforts actually bear fruit, her jaw dropped.
Now that she heard Theresa talk about "joining forces" to take her nephew-in-law's heart, Himeko's looks towards her turned complex.
"W-what? You don't want to?"
Theresa's question brought her back to reality.
There is no point in delaying matters such as meeting Shi Tian. The open secret of his partners ending up as his wives made Himeko no exception.
She wanted to see how good he was that allowed him to capture others' hearts.
"Forget it, I'll come with you." She rubbed her forehead. "But I wanted to point something out. We… or rather, you cannot be as open as others when it comes to it."
"Why? Others' opinions are not that important."
Theresa dropped yet another bombshell.
"I will talk to my niece… about this matter."
"..."
Himeko only had one thing to say:
'Where's our small and adorable Headmaster?!'
*****
The matter of Amphoreus and the twelve high-level sect officials taking action were kept top-secret. Earth remained unaffected save for the seclusion frenzy the sect's high-level officials undertook.
Later on, everyone saw them break through the Void Refinement Realm one after another. The people of Earth took it as a good thing, more so when they received the education about possible external threats and the likes.
Though the Federation did not frame all of the cosmos as lawless, they made the population aware of the universe's dangers. Having more high-level cultivators meant having more reassurance.
The wave of cultivation frenzy and population explosion occurred for the nth time. The planet where everyone originated, Earth, became the most sacred place in the solar system.
With an absurd population multiplication rate, a lot of things were developed on this budding immortal civilization.
"I didn't know you needed licenses nowadays!"
Sushang voiced her complaints to Senti. They are currently strolling the streets of Shenzhou.
As the place where Mount Tai—and in turn, the Wushi Dao Sect—is situated, it is extremely prosperous. Cultivators of all sorts, even those bearing animal-like features, could be seen everywhere.
There are floating islands, pavilions, establishments… even floating boats are present.
"There are way too many humans these days."
Senti commented calmly, completely contrary to her character.
"Was that why you didn't tell me about it until now?!"
"...Pfft..!"
Her facade was broken by her laughter.
As one of Senti's best friends, Sushang's comical reactions are a marvel to look at. Senti enjoyed messing with her, much to Sushang's exasperation.
"I will get back at you someday…"
She did not stop laughing despite Sushang's "threats".
Originally, Sushang entered into a seclusion two hundred years ago. Earth's ballooning population had just been sent to other artificially-made life planets at that time. She did not know that two hundred years later, the usage of flying artifacts required licenses.
The city nearest to Mount Tai has a special flight ban for all cultivators.
In the end, Senti's "prank" almost cost the poor officer his soul. He did not make things difficult for Sushang upon hearing she is one of the Wushi Dao Sect's high-ranking officials.
"Who are we meeting again?"
Sushang could not resist asking Senti. The reason she was brought out was to explore the changes in the past two hundred years. Senti mentioned bringing someone else with them.
Soon, they entered one of the floating pavilions. It is one of the few places where the flight ban—a restriction belonging to a city-wide sixth-grade formation—was lifted.
Senti walked straight to the front desk. The receptionist immediately recognized her. She stood up, straightened her back, and said respectfully:
"The top floor is prepared for your presence, esteemed guest."
"Hm, hm."
With a simple nod, Senti placed her hands behind her back. Sushang saw her 'performance' and felt… envious.
'I can do it too. Faceslapping too!'
It remains unknown whether her exposure to recent literary trends are good or bad.
"If you are thinking of emulating me, feel free to do so."
As if knowing what was on her mind, Senti looked at her smugly.
"I also tried faceslapping once. It's not that bad."
"..."
Sushang wore the face of someone who had been betrayed.
"Since when did you do these things?!"
"Heh. I got bored when everyone went into seclusion."
"...Well, it's my fault then."
Her enlightenment came all too suddenly. Sushang had been reviewing Shi Tian's experiences on controlling a 'Path' when she was struck with a sudden enlightenment. That was how she went straight from the late Divine Transformation Realm to the early Void Refinement Realm.
Since then, the Blade Mantra received its 14th edition.
Senti saw her best friend's guilty look and coughed.
"Don't think too much about it. The old timer's one to blame too. Her session is still ongoing now."
Before long, they sat on the pavilion's highest floor. It is situated amidst the clouds, making the entire sight beneath nothing but a sea of blue and white. The main highlight of the dining pavilion was the scenery at nighttime.
Unfortunately, they chose to mess around in the morning.
Sushang kept asking Senti about the things she tried out. Roleplaying as a peerless immortal, pretending as a civilian to "faceslap" others, making others hallucinate they have a system…
Senti experimented with countless novel troupes in real life.
"Faceslapping isn't that good. Everything feels empty after the reveal…"
"You are spoiling everything for me." Sushang complained. "Now there is no suspense left."
"Eh, if the old timer's here, she would have convinced you to remain in seclusion longer."
Sushang vehemently shook her head at the thought of her 'entertainment' being taken away.
"The Dao of the sword follows one's heart. Senior Hua will understand me."
Just as they were about to banter more, Senti's long awaited guest arrived.
"It seems like I disrupted your time."