Inside the Tian Clan hall, Tian Master looked straight at Rien and asked with a grave expression,
"How are we supposed to do this? We can't attack all the Soul Towers at once."
Rien met his gaze calmly.
"We don't need to attack all the Soul Towers. We only need to defeat the strongest Soul Tower commander."
Miss Yin turned toward Rien, her brows knitting together.
"The Soul Organisation is extremely powerful. Many people believe they have connections with deities—divine beings… even gods."
A trace of nervousness slipped into her voice.
Rien looked at her, completely composed.
"That's not a big problem for me. But we must prepare for a war between cultivators and gods."
Tian Master glanced at both of them, then lowered his head with a sigh.
"We need time. We must gather the strongest cultivator clans and empires before the Soul Organisation finds out."
Rien nodded and leaned back on the couch casually.
"Yes. If cultivators stand on our side, we can create a new era for the 11th Universe."
Still deep in thought, Tian Master stood up and left the room.
Kuto rolled his eyes and looked at Rien.
"So… do you actually have a plan?"
Rien smiled faintly.
"I don't need a plan. If I want, I can walk straight in and destroy the Soul Organisation."
He paused, then added,
"But that would be boring. And first, we need the cultivators."
After a While
Rien and Kuto entered the bathroom, both wrapped in towels.
"Woah…" Kuto muttered, staring at the massive square bathtub carved into the floor.
"This place is ridiculous."
Suddenly, Tian Master's wives entered the bathroom with bright smiles.
"Hello, dear boys. We're here to help you bathe."
Rien glanced at them calmly and stepped into the tub.
"I can bathe myself."
Kuto flexed his muscles proudly.
"Forget him—help me!"
He leaned back in the bathtub as Tian's wives gathered behind him, their hands resting on his chest and arms.
"Woah… this is real heaven," Kuto sighed, closing his eyes.
Rien gave him a flat look.
"Just pray Lan doesn't find out."
Kuto waved his hand dismissively.
"Relax! My life, my rules."
After some time, both of them stepped out of the bathroom.
"We're glad we could help," Tian's wives said, smiling warmly—especially at Kuto.
"I'd love another helping sometime," Kuto said dreamily as they walked away.
Rien suddenly patted his shoulder.
"Kuto."
No response.
Rien pinched him hard.
"Ow! What was that for?!" Kuto snapped.
Rien gestured forward. Lan Xia was standing there.
"I have some errands to do," Rien said calmly—and vanished down the corridor.
"H-Hey… Rien!" Kuto shouted, then slowly turned back.
"Lan… I can explain."
She walked toward him with a dangerous smile.
"Did you enjoy your bath?"
Before he could answer, she grabbed him and dragged him back into the bathroom.
Some Time Later
Rien sat comfortably in his room.
"You finally came," he said.
Kuto stumbled in, his face red and covered in slap and pinch marks.
"Wow," Rien said, barely holding back laughter.
"I honestly didn't think you'd survive."
Kuto collapsed onto the bed, groaning.
"My entire body hurts…"
Rien took out some medicine and began applying it to the bruises.
"Ouch! Hey—be gentle!" Kuto yelled.
"I am being gentle," Rien replied calmly.
Kuto hugged a pillow and winced.
"Noon baths are cursed."
Next Day
Everyone gathered in the Tian Clan court.
"We leave for the Shuan Clan today," Tian Master announced.
Miss Yin nodded.
"I hope they agree to our proposal."
"It won't be easy," Rien said calmly,
"but if we don't try, we'll never know."
Tian Master departed with his elders and guards.
Lan Xia shot Kuto a sharp glare.
"H-Hello," Kuto said weakly.
She ignored him completely and walked away.
Rien turned to Miss Yin.
"So… is there any festival today in this clan?"
Tian Master's wives clapped excitedly.
"You're right! According to ancient records, today is the day the Cosmic Emperor created the 11th Universe!"
Rien rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"I don't remember creating the 11th Universe today…"
One of the wives blinked.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing," Rien replied calmly.
"Let's explore the festival."
Festival Grounds
The streets were filled with laughter, lights, shops, and cheerful crowds.
"People are really enjoying themselves," Rien said.
Suddenly, Kuto stopped.
"What's that?"
At the center of the road stood a massive, glowing crystal.
"That's the Divine Crystal," Tian's wives explained.
"It measures cosmic energy and assigns ranks."
"I want to try!" Lan Xia said excitedly.
Kuto went first, placing his hand on the crystal. It glowed black.
"Black?" Lan Xia whispered.
The crystal's owner rushed over and adjusted his glasses.
"Rank: Tian Huang."
Gasps echoed through the crowd.
Lan Xia placed her hand next. The crystal glowed yellow.
"Tian Huang, 7th Grade," the owner announced.
She jumped happily.
Miss Yin smiled and patted her head.
"Two more grades, and you'll reach Xu Sheng."
Miss Yin then stepped forward.
"Let's see mine."
"Xu Sheng, 4th Grade," the owner announced.
Everyone froze. Even Tian's wives were shocked—the second-highest rank in cultivator history.
Finally, Rien approached, carefully dividing his cosmic energy down to quarks and leptons.
"I'm ready."
Before his hand could touch the crystal, it exploded from the pressure alone.
Miss Yin sighed.
"Just as I expected."
She grabbed Rien by the ear and dragged him away.
"What did I tell you?!"
"I tried my best…" Rien muttered apologetically.
Tian Master's wives clapped excitedly.
"This boy is terrifyingly powerful!"
Nearby, the crystal owner desperately gathered the shattered remains of his Divine Crystal.
Kuto looked at Lan and rolled his eyes dramatically.
"Yeah, yeah… you're stronger than me," he muttered, surrender written all over his face.
Lan didn't even stop walking. She suddenly turned back and smacked the top of his head—harder this time.
"Stronger?" she scoffed. "You live under my control. Don't forget that."
She walked off after Rien, her steps calm and confident.
Kuto stood there for a second, rubbing his head with a wounded expression.
"Ow… that was completely unnecessary," he complained, then paused.
A small grin crept onto his face.
"…But wow, her hand is really soft."
Shaking his head and still rubbing the sore spot, he hurried after them, muttering,
"I might survive this… eventually."