Chapter 148: Golden Lord Erica
Back in the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect.
A massive gathering of energies converged within one of the sect's secret interdimensional domains. Before the mouth of a sealed cave stood Great Elder Rukia, her arms folded, a faint smile curling her lips.
"It's about time you've broken through, young woman," she murmured. "I still have much to teach you…"
Thunder rumbled deep within the cave, and waves of heat escaped despite the layered seals. Energy from the surroundings streamed inward like rivers of light, and each pulse of power made the ground quiver.
Eventually, the flow began to wane. The oppressive heat faded, and the rumbling quieted to silence.
Rukia stepped forward, pressing her hand to the main seal while chanting in the spiritual tongue. Layer after layer of intricate wards collapsed, and with a low creak, the cave's stone door opened.
From within emerged Erica. Her aura radiated the majesty of a newly ascended Golden Lord, though her robes were in tatters and her skin streaked with the residue of expelled impurities. She stretched lazily, as though she'd merely woken from a nap.
"Ah, Master. Finally broke through… but I guess Shay and big sister Chris beat me to it," Erica said, feigning nonchalance.
Rukia chuckled. "Christy, yes. Shayleaf… I'm not so certain. She left the sect for the sole purpose of breaking through, thanks to her unique constitution."
"Unique constitution?" Erica tilted her head. "She seemed a bit unstable before she left, but was it that bad? Wait—where is she now?"
"She's out with your El Onyem," Rukia replied smoothly.
"Ehh?! Just the two of them?!"
"And Christy, of course."
"Of course! …Wait, why was I left out?!"
"You were in the middle of your breakthrough."
"You could have woken me up!"
The bickering dragged on until Rukia finally managed to settle the fiery young woman down.
"Erica," Rukia said, her expression shifting to something more serious. "I know you're in love with that Onyem of yours, so I'm going to start teaching you some… other lessons."
Erica flushed. "Wha—?! Master, when did I—"
"Let's cut to the chase," Rukia interrupted. "Don't worry, your secrets are safe with me. All three of you girls secrets. Mmm well Shayleaf isnt secretive like you and Christy so I guess you 2?" She gave a reassuring smile and a thumbs up that somehow didn't feel reassuring at all.
"…Why do I feel like there's something wrong with that smile?"
"It's your imagination. I'm a Great Elder, after all." She smirked. "Now go wash up—we start a crash course soon."
Erica muttered about "foreign lands" and "strange masters" as she retreated to clean herself, wondering exactly what she'd just gotten herself into.
Three days later.
News of Erica's ascension spread through the sect, the Soloman Clan, and the Brawlmanica Kingdom. Congratulations and celebrations echoed far and wide.
At first, Erica basked in it. But as days passed, she began to grow restless. Sitting in her cave house after a cultivation session, she sighed, her thoughts inevitably drifting toward Elton.
She recalled some of Rukia's so-called "teachings" and flushed crimson.
"Master is terrifying… but for El Onyem, who'd never make the first move, I—I'm willing to… sacrifice myself. Hehe… Even if big sister Chris is bolder and already ahead in experience… it doesn't matter! I'm of age now… so it's fine!"
Her muttering continued, the blush deepening as her mind wandered into dangerous territory.