Archwizard K’s Journey In The Cultivation World

Case 118: In the wake of gods.

Somewhere above the clouds.

[...]

Atop the scale that dwarfed even the most magnificent mountain, a lone entity sat, gleefully watching over the world with much interest. It was its world to rule. Even though its conception was rather an accident—a result of chains of unlikely possibilities connecting to one another—it wasn't going to let its life remain a coincidence.

Born as the universe's sole divinity, Eon was neither arrogant nor delusional. For it, gaining absolute control over these creatures called 'humans' was only natural.

It was instinct.

Instinct existed in every living organism, and most acted accordingly. Yet, humans and some other animals could suppress their instinct for other gains, be it an immediate advantage or a future one.

In other words, rationality.

Eon couldn't be called a 'rational' being. It was crude, narcissistic, frustratingly naive, yet somehow, like a child, bore a strong curiosity. Curious about mankind's strive for freedom, about mankind's resilience, their affectionate nature, and their own hypocrisy.

Curious about man's rationality.

Eon's flame flickered in the dark, burning the star-filled canvas with its bleach-white color.

Even if the darkness of the universe were vast, its flame would someday cover every corner of this realm. At that time, an all-powerful ruler would be born, but for now, Eon would have to continue that dream another day.

Because the sun had risen again.

[So we meet once more, human.]

Tall, tall in the tallest sky, there was a colossal, glowing ball of fire. It burned so intensely and shone brighter than anything, reminding one of the almighty sun. Slightly beneath that, a lone woman's silhouette could be spotted.

The distance between the two was significant. However, Eon could still tell her expression—disgust.

Without a change on her face, Kierra pointed her finger downward, triggering the sun's descent. Once in motion, the sphere of pure energy rolled down an invisible path, gaining momentum as it traveled.

[Cruel Sun—10★]

For the ordinary, the scene must be similar to how an extinction event would look like. Yet when the sky was blasted with such heat that the ocean beneath them began to boil, only Eon's flickering flame remained unburdened.

Meanwhile, in the Central Divine Realm.

''Whew...''

Tapping her fingers against the armrests, August heaved a sigh.

It had been a long, long while since she had felt this kind of nervousness. Was it back when Kierra came up to her with empty eyes?

August shook off those thoughts.

It wasn't time for reminiscing or revisiting traumas. At this crucial moment, she, along with the women currently in the room, was responsible for preventing the destruction of a world.

Everybody was tense. Tense enough that not even a word was uttered, even after a long time.

Each clutched their sword of staff; eyes dutifully closed in a brief window of respite, and before long—

——————!!

A rumble that seemed to shake the entire world's foundation occurred. Furniture fumbled, people's exclamations could be heard, and the worst possibility... had arrived.

A brief silence fell amidst the chaos.

Perhaps there was a certain expectation of it despite the sheer magnitude. The women, one by one, stood up and steadied themselves, some taking longer to stabilize than the others. They were awaiting the news coming from the frontline.

[Green Camp reports; an estimate of thirty thousand enemies spotted. One anomalous entity suspected to be a 'Heavenly Venerate' is among them. Requesting support.]

[Black Camp reports~! Eh... we got a ton of enemies here! But I think we can handle them!]

[Red Camp reports; upward of a hundred thousand enemies spotted. Requesting support.]

[White Camp reports! The Heavenly Venerate has appeared! Oh, god... it looks like a mythical giant...! Requesting support!]

Some gulped, hearing the continuous messages sent through the communication device.

''Let's go.'' August gently cracked her neck. ''Phoenix. Don't ever let them through.''

''I know, know.'' Diamante nonchalantly replied. ''You, too, don't underestimate their power and let them win.''

It was decided that in the likely scenario of both Heavenly Venerates appearing at the same time and at different locations, August and Diamante would each lead a part of the crew and confront them, stalling for Kierra's return.

The Sword Empress would have the master-disciple duo of Tian Yun and Yu Chen accompanying her, while the phoenix princess would take Mie Xieren, Bai Qing, and Kang Shuren. The remaining member, Yan Shi, was entrusted to Wen Zhuwei, the Heavenly Shura.

''I'll go to the north.'' Diamante sighed. ''We can probably leave the small fries to the peeps here... and the wizards, I suppose.''

''I agree. We'll head south, then.''

''...''

''...''

For a moment, there was something that held them from immediately departing. Although being enemies fighting over a woman, they had spent many years around each other, and that had certainly created a bond—however twisted that might be.

''...Really, don't die.''

''I know. Kierra would be sad.''

''Heh, I guess that's true.''

Finally, they took off into the sky, heading in opposite directions.

Behind them, there were the reinforcement combatants of the Immortals, with Wen Zhuwei standing ahead of them all. Yan Shi was somewhere among the bulk of people, trying to calm down her nervous heart.

Soon after, they would also depart, knowing that it would be the only last battle to determine the outcome of this whole war.

At the same time, somewhere not of this world.

''M-Master, are you sure this is the correct way...?''

''I d-don't know...! But we'll have to trust...''

''Trust who?! We're alone here!''

''Uuu...''

Along the path where green flames were devouring plants and lost souls roamed, a lone little girl and her pet fox treaded. The girl had healthy, pinkish-orange hair with a pair of curious orange eyes. If one were of the continent Linoel, they would immediately recognize her similarities to a certain celebrity phoenix who was adored by the Crimson Wizard, Diamante de Soleil.

It was a bit of an understatement to call her 'timid,' but the little fox perching on her shoulder appeared even smaller, seemingly terrified of the littered human bones and skulls across the street.

The Underworld.

A place of absolute principles, where not even Kierra was able to bypass the installed rules completely. It was where the King of Underworld lived, where the dead would be able to find their eternal rest with his aid.

A century or so ago, Kierra unexpectedly crossed the border and entered this place. Startled, the king himself tried to confront this living entity... tried. He was quickly convinced that it wasn't worth it in the slightest to battle the archwizard.

Yet, as Kierra would come to find out, the Underworld was something different from what she had imagined. Although still largely mythical in nature, it was established by somebody—someone not even the king knew—and had served its purpose for millennia.

It changed Kierra's perspective on life and death. She used to think it was 'nature,' something only the mighty gods would have permission to intervene, but it turned out to be completely opposite of that.

What she learned was that death itself could be treated, and the forces of the Underworld would be the same as the forces of the usual world.

And that was why Shen and Lan were here—to gain the support of the Underworld.

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