Chapter 225: Circumstances of Christy, Erica, and the Blue Star Mountain
Christy currently sat in a large room filled with books, scrolls, maps, and many other forms of literature in piles across the floor. The room she was in was on the second floor of the sect's main building. There was all sorts of literature on the table she was seated at. She was deeply focused on a book with intense interest before a faint knock came at the door. Shia let herself in after saying "excuse me," walking past the piles of literature to stand beside Christy.
"Oh Shia, I almost didn't notice you. Has anything happened, or have you also grown interested in this treasure trove of knowledge and history?" Christy asked as she slightly glanced at Shia before returning her gaze to the book before her.
"Lady Christy, you certainly are incredibly studious in your quest for knowledge and history," Shia said with a slight smile before her expression became serious. "The demon invasion has begun. Apparently, a huge breach in the void completely collapsed, creating an enormous passage into Desert Star Red. It is most likely around the lands in the Southern Central Region, as predicted mainly by you all."
Christy finally released her focus on the book as a serious and thoughtful expression appeared on her face. "So the time has finally come. Preparations have been made, so it's fine."
"That's not all," Shia spoke up as an even more serious expression crept across her face. "Apparently, there was an extremely terrifying anomaly that created the breach. It seems to be far larger than anticipated. For whatever reason, the disturbance never reached the sect's place, as if it was strangely blocked off. That being said, things have truly become chaotic, and bit by bit it seems that in the process our sect's location is being discovered more and more. Though maybe not to the point of major concern just yet."
"Ugh… it's too soon for that, especially with Gege currently in seclusion to gain more control of that Treasured Orb. What is Shay's status right now?" Christy asked in a calculating tone.
"She is currently in semi-seclusion, still working on enhancing her Great Tree Creation Art," Shia replied.
"Alright, just as planned. I suspect that once she gains a certain level of mastery with that ability, not only will it be extremely useful in the future, but it will also be the moment she completely breaks through into the Mortal Shedding Realm," Christy said with a smile.
"As for you, Lady Christy?" Shia asked with a curious smile of her own.
"Well, of course it's when I reach a certain mastery of my Kokon Tengan. Our cultivation paths have been greatly elevated and refined, guiding us as we're on the most perfect path to breakthrough! Hehehe, it's all thanks to Gege! And by proxy, I'll be able to aid my fellow clansmen to some extent, such as you, Shia. Even though your bloodline in our clan is a lot weaker, I can greatly stimulate your potential with my Kokon Tengan along with various resources," Christy said as she puffed out her chest, her breasts protruding proudly as she looked on with a wry yet subtly excited smile.
"Then I will count on you, Milady," Shia said with a bow.
"Has Erica already made her own preparations with her Soloman Division?" Christy asked.
"Yes, she's already on it. Also, ahem, Envoy Joe-Pine has gone back to the outer sect to prepare to eventually accept the incoming members of our clan and the Soloman clan as per the agreement. This is also most likely along with some of our friends from Brawlmanica and the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect who voluntarily want to become part of our sect," Shia said with a blank expression.
"Alright. Then I'm certain that a Shayleaf doll clone is on Joe-Pine's person. We will not allow anyone to discover our sect's Dimensional Gate to this place, so we'll utilize the teleportation method with Shayleaf as a proxy once more," Christy said with a sharp expression.
"As you wish, Milady," Shia bowed before leaving.
Christy sat in thought before once more returning to her book.
In another area of the inner sect, a small section of land with a few buildings had been renovated. Signs that read "Soloman Division" could be seen in different places. Within the main building, a group of twenty-five Soloman clan members, including Erica and Rija, were present with the two standing before the others. Erica looked sharply at everyone before her with a grim expression.
"Remember what I taught you! These things are precious when it comes to explosive surprise attacks. They are all imbued with a portion of my magical attributes, which even an Early-Stage Mortal Lord can't resist without suffering terribly. You all are experts of my Soloman Division in our White Star Radiance Sect! On top of that, you are promising members of our Soloman clan. Never forget that! War isn't all about brute strength and explosions, but it's also about strategy, intuition, planning, and working together with others. For example, while it may be extremely difficult even with our current strength, I, both Vice Sect Masters, the other two Arch Guardians, and the Sect Master are capable of stalling a Middle-Stage Mortal Lord with teamwork and strategy, even as Gold Lords. Expand your horizons!"
Erica gave such a grand speech that it left everyone in awe, while Rija simply rolled her eyes. That being said, she also felt inspired, and she knew Erica wasn't just spouting nonsense. Even she found it amazing how Erica could create certain magics, turning them into one- or two-use devices capable of unleashing extremely destructive attacks or traps that almost anyone could activate.
On top of that, Erica had taught an inferior version of the skill, since that magical art was mostly unique to her. Others could certainly learn their own variation, but it was an extremely difficult and even dangerous process especially for those without talent or innate abilities.
After the lecture ended, the Soloman Division began to head out to carry out a mission specifically assigned to them as a small reserve force. Rija gave a slight sigh as she moved forward, thinking about how things had progressed up to this point. She led the division onward while Erica remained in the sect, continuing her own preparations.
"Tch, the bratty noble kid has really grown up into someone powerful and charismatic. Hmph, Mr. Elton, you've done such a good job that I'm very jealous. Of both of you, for that matter…" Rija thought to herself before shaking the thought away and pressing forward.
Some time later, Erica entered the sect's main building, made her way up to the second floor, and approached a particular room. The space resembled a mix between a laboratory and a manufacturing chamber, everything neatly organized. She walked toward a designated area and sat down on a mat filled with intricate magical inscriptions, with a formation glowing faintly beneath it. Taking a deep breath, she began meditating as white flames slowly flowed around her body before swallowing her completely, forming what looked like a steaming cocoon of liquid white fire.
Inside the cocoon, Erica's eyes remained closed as she focused. Through her mind, she could sense every single device engraved with her unique magic each one hidden within the sect grounds and even those carried by her Soloman Division members who had already departed. Most of all, she could feel her connection to Elton, which pulsed steadily within her spiritual sense.
Suddenly, the cocoon rippled. Portions of the white liquid fire rolled off, bubbling and distorting as they began to morph. Minutes passed as the mass took form until, at last, it shaped itself into a small toddler appearing around one or two years old. The child had long brown hair laced with flickering white flames, a sharp and burning gaze, and tiny white flame robes made from Erica's magic. She looked exactly like a younger version of Erica herself.
The toddler blinked, looking around in brief confusion before a spark of wisdom entered her gaze. "Really, this is quite a profound magic. Fire clones aren't anything new, but this… This is definitely not something that belongs on a lower continent. The principles behind it vaguely defy the logic of this world as I've come to know it. I was only able to practice this thanks to El Onyem helping me evolve my bloodline. But seriously, Elder Rukia and Master Bluesonics are something else… I get the feeling Elder Rukia herself doesn't fully understand the profundity of this ability since she can't practice it or at least not in its true form."
The child paused for a while, then a determined expression crossed her face as she gazed at the cocoon containing her true body. "Once I master this ability to the point where I can mirror my body completely, I'll definitely break through into the Mortal Shedding Realm without question."
…
High above the skies in the "Old Blue Star Sect's Grave" lands of the Southern Central region floated a giant blue, rainbow-colored sphere of light filled with dense mist that had become faintly transparent. War had already erupted below, as waves of demon alliance invaders and native forces from the Pocket Dimension fought the forces including White Star Radiance violently, their clashes tearing through the land with bloody sacrifice.
Within the barrier surrounding the misty mountain, the blue, phantom-like entity floated high in the air, gazing downward with an expression mixed between confusion and sadness. "This place… I have vague memories of this land, but it looks nothing like it did back then…" he murmured, a hint of bitterness surfacing in his tone. His gaze sharpened suddenly. "Hmm? I sense Master's aura somewhere around here."
At that very moment, six magical aircrafts streaked across the sky from the distance, rapidly surrounding the mountain top wrapped in the shimmering blue sphere. Inside, the Blue Mountain Star Clan members were still struggling to process everything that had happened.
"Who are you to invade our lands like this?!" a mighty voice boomed, filled with overwhelming power. The sound crashed into the sphere with immense force, shaking the barrier violently. The blue rainbow sphere trembled under the weight of the pressure before once again becoming still.
The blue entity didn't even glance at the speaker. His focus remained locked on one of the the others for the six incoming groups, his eyes narrowing with intrigue.