Another day dawned, and Bastian continued his journey toward his objective. In the distance, an unexpected sight came into view. A peculiar round object was visible in the same direction as his intended destination.
Bastian journeyed for a considerable time to draw near to the round object. Even from a distance, it appeared as a barrier rather than a solid object—an immense dome. With closer inspection, the barrier seemed constructed from thousands of luminous small runes suspended in the air, forming an impenetrable wall.
From the exterior, Bastian could discern nothing within due to the barrier obscuring his vision. He opted to encircle the dome in search of an entrance. However, circumnavigating the enormous structure was not a simple task; it was as colossal as the city of Mixundor. A full day's journey running full speed while he observed the barrier led him back to his original starting point.
Contemplating how to gain access, Bastian's attention was drawn to a massive stone in the distance. As he approached, he realized it was a fallen monolith. With little effort using his magic, he managed to move it and discovered inscribed words on one side.
The carved message was in Mandarin and translated to "Your life is the price to enter." Puzzling over its meaning, Bastian suddenly recalled something. He walked toward the solid barrier, creating a small cut on his palm to let blood flow, and gently pressed his bloodied hand to the barrier. Astonishingly, the point of contact began to dim, and the effect spread until it was large enough for Bastian to pass through effortlessly.
With his guard raised Bastian entered the dome, his sword in one hand, a backpack of utilities on his back, and the Dream Ferret perched on his shoulder.
Inside, Bastian was awestruck by the sight of a massive landmass hovering in the air an enormous hole in the ground, yes, the huge chunk of land was floating, held in place by three colossal metallic chains. Despite his typically unflappable nature, this sight left him wide-eyed and speechless.
The Dream Ferret regarded Bastian with a mix of confusion and fear, having never witnessed such an expression on him before. Just to confirm, Bastian attempted to wield his magic, which predictably failed.
Bastian advanced until he could peer into the immense chasm, confirming that a fall from such a height would indeed be fatal. From his backpack, he retrieved a sturdy hook with a plan in mind. This hook could potentially save him from a fall off the chains—a scenario that seemed likely as he had not discovered any other means of reaching the floating landmass.
Before embarking on that course, Bastian decided to rest. It was late, and he intended to confront the challenge of traversing the chains with full preparation.
As morning dawned, the Operator drew Bastian's attention to another issue. Beyond the barrier, dozens of high-level Spirit Beasts stood still, gazing at the barrier.
Bastian could not comprehend the situation, but he identified at least three Great Demon Apes, each towering nearly ten meters tall, assuming a defensive stance. These were among the mightiest Spirit Beasts he had encountered.
However, these Spirit Beasts seemed entranced, making contact with the barrier before vanishing into thin air. The Operator remarked:
"Master, They are contributing their energies to the barrier!" Bastian, taken aback, noticed that not even a trace remained after they vanished. Catching his breath, he exclaimed:
"The barrier seems to have control over them!" The Operator explained:
"Master, I sensed their energy transferring to the barrier and the floating island through the chains!" Bastian directed his gaze toward the chains and decided:
"Let us proceed swiftly." Gathering his belongings, Bastian departed from his previous campsite, ensuring he left before encountering any potential dangers.
Approaching the metal chains, he experienced a tingling sensation and skillfully mounted the chain, utilizing his body's mastery and control to move securely but swiftly. In one hand, he held a hook securely attached to a long rope strongly tied around his waist.
Bastian had underestimated the journey across the metallic chain; it took a considerable amount of time, fraught with danger. Yet, after navigating the huge, robust chain for a lengthy duration, he finally reached his destination—the floating island.
Once on the floating island, Bastian settled onto the ground, his breath heavier than after a night spent with his women. Surveying his surroundings, he observed several remarkable features. Nearby, another stone base similar to the one he had previously discovered piqued his interest.
Upon inspection, he discerned that it was a Teleportation Base, far more advanced and potent compared to his own. He dedicated time to thoroughly study and analyze each feature of the structure.
Advancing further, Bastian encountered a meticulously maintained garden, featuring a lively pond teeming with Water Spirit Beasts. Crossing a lengthy wooden bridge, he reached the vicinity of a grand palace, ensuring he avoided any potential traps.
The palace walls were adorned with intricate paintings that captivated Bastian's attention, prompting him to decipher the narrative they conveyed. His past experiences in deciphering encrypted messages came in handy, allowing him to recreate the story in his mind and proceed safely.
Not far from the palace entrance, he discovered several structures differentiated by size and purpose, their labels aiding in identification.
The first of these structures that captured his focus was the Library, replete with books. At its center, an open book lay atop a lectern. Bastian approached cautiously, perusing its contents. The book recounted the tale of the last sanctuary for humanity.
"Once, a mighty cultivator named Yako attained Immortality. Yako, born noble amidst poverty, liberated the land and its people from the United Kingdom's enslavement. He also thwarted various attempts at plunder and subjugation by 'outsiders.' Over millennia, the land progressed but eventually, they encountered challenges that were common to the entire planet.
In a bid to safeguard humanity, Yako crafted this floating island—a divine artifact. On it, twelve 'Hidden Realms' existed to safeguard the populace, along with treasures and invaluable resources. As the planet deteriorated, Yako believed it was nature's retribution. This floating island could soar to the skies, averting tsunamis that devastated nations. Additionally, the island's barrier could shield against 'Solar Flares' and 'Meteors.' Unfortunately, temperatures skyrocketed by thousands of degrees during the day, plunging into freezing depths at night. The population of millions dwindled daily, thousands at a time.
In a final attempt to protect humanity, Yako directed his energy to the barrier. May fortune favor us."
Completing the reading, Bastian continued exploring the palace. Not far off, he encountered the Throne Hall. On the throne stood a massive skeleton, adopting a regal pose. On the floor, Bastian noticed a splendid scepter and crown. Approaching the skeleton, he discovered a sizable core clutched in one hand and another substantial Power Stone held in the other—both larger than a human head.
Thoroughly examining the skeleton, he located a white stone the size of a fist on its right arm bones. Bastian understood the ritual for inheriting the Godly Artifact, allowing his blood to fall onto the stone. A dizzying sensation washed over him as his blood made contact. After a few moments, the Operator's voice sounded in his mind. Bastian entered his Mind Space, surveying his surroundings. The Operator congratulated him:
"Master, you have obtained a formidable Godly Artifact!" Bastian requested a comprehensive analysis of the artifact and soon received the following information:
"Master, this artifact is multifunctional—it can fly and defend. It contains dozens of Hidden Realms, an 'Herbarium' with millennia-old herbs, a Library, and a vault housing countless treasures." Curious about a Spirit Vessel, Bastian inquired. The Operator responded:
"Master, the records span millennia, but the Spirit Vessel's existence was fleeting." Bastian nodded and inquired further:
"Can we integrate its functionalities into my artifact?" The Operator confirmed:
"Master, you can." A sly smile curved Bastian's lips, and he ordered:
"Let us do it!" Following his command, the Operator incorporated the island's powers and features into his Godly Abode, preserving rooms and the throne hall while adding enhancements.
After some time, the Operator signaled Bastian's attention:
"Master, an external Teleportation Base has been discovered. It's long-range and directed far elsewhere." Bastian instructed:
"Retain it." The Operator complied, infusing Bastian with energy, causing his arm to heat momentarily.
Bastian opened his eyes, facing the imposing skeleton. With a single thought, he exited the palace. Now he commanded the entire complex, and without delay, he departed the barrier's confines, noticing that the entire structure had vanished.
Initially planning to extend his exploration, recent events made Bastian cautious of risking much for minimal gain. However, the sudden environmental pressure shift prompted quick thinking. He decided to use the recently acquired Power Stone to recharge.
While charging the Power Stone, he invited his women to cultivate outdoors as well, eager to return home soon. After absorbing energy from the environment, Bastian established a teleportation base for future use. Without further ado, he teleported everyone back home in a single swift motion.
Upon arriving home, Bastian took the time to step into the enhanced Godly Abode. He headed directly to the central hall, where intricate arrays were sketched and stored on the walls. In the middle of the hall, a Power Stone stood, providing energy for the entire artifact.
Bastian had never ventured into this central hall before, but he was eager to decipher the formations and arrays embedded in this artifact. Understanding them could significantly enhance his craftsmanship. The Operator patiently guided Bastian through each array formation, explaining their control mechanisms. This made it remarkably easy for Bastian to grasp the artifact's complete functionality, as well as comprehend its underlying structure.
Time flew by as Bastian delved into studying and comprehending the construction of the Godly Abode as a whole. This knowledge would empower him to fashion something similar in the future or even refine the existing creation.
To test his newfound insights, Bastian conceived his inaugural High-Level Artifact, deemed a Godly Artifact. He meticulously crafted a series of powerful cannons that harnessed 5-kilogram fireballs, designed to explode upon impact with their targets.
These weighty cannons boasted a self-loading, aiming, and firing mechanism. They held the potential to pulverize an entire mountain with each cannonball. A hundred of these cannons adorned the artifact, capable of launching a million cannonballs. The entire creation was stored within a spatial formation array, its encryption confined within a small stone. This stone possessed a unique feature: an ownership blood spell was cast upon it. Crafting the entire artifact took an entire month of meticulous effort.
Once the artifact was complete, Bastian placed a drop of his blood upon it. Instantaneously, the Operator drew Bastian's attention, notifying him that his Artifact could now be integrated with the Godly Abode, which was now fortified with a potent offensive capability.
Upon hearing the Operator's words, Bastian felt a surge of satisfaction. His efforts had undeniably borne substantial fruit. The Godly Abode was now equipped with a Runic Array Formation for defense and a comprehensive Artillery for offense. To further conceal its abilities, it boasted an Illusionary Array. The abundance of space was one of the single features within its limits, the “Herbarium” now was akin to a forest, rich with adversity. As the floating island, the Godly Abode now had flight capabilities, a plethora of accumulated resources, and a more than substantial currency reserve. The artifact also harbored an extensive collection of categorized books in its numerous libraries.
Cultivating with pure energies was no longer a significant challenge, yet Bastian aspired to further improvement, not by himself, of course. He intended to embark on another journey, wherever the Teleportation Base would lead him.
Following breakfast, they convened in the Family Hall to deliberate the trip's possibilities and strategies. Bastian was well aware of the hazards posed by venturing far from the continent. Many factors demanded consideration and attention, as well as meticulous preparation for the expedition itself.
Before embarking on their distant voyage, several matters required resolution. Bastian initiated the process of addressing them one by one. This involved the preparation of defensive weaponry, given their lack of knowledge about the destination. The only hint they had was from descriptions of the outsider, apparently hailing from Turkey or a nearby region, based on the sword he carried.
Their cultivation levels continued to advance steadily. Bastian had successfully solidified his Elder-level cultivation across most of his paths. Except for Asha and Yana, his female companions had all attained Guru levels, with the sole deficiency lying in Mind Cultivation. To address this, Bastian devised a plan. He constructed a specialized chamber for their cultivation — more akin to a study environment. He curated numerous scrolls containing the knowledge he had amassed, covering subjects like Sciences, Communication, Cultivation, and Magic. This space was enhanced with a Time Acceleration Array for optimal results. As for Asha and Yana, they would begin to cultivate Tai Chi.
Lastly, Bastian opted to brief Liara and the Emperor about the impending journey. He extended an invitation for them to join him for coffee at Dana's Maid Coffee, taking advantage of the opportunity to supply them with provisions sufficient for five years.
After an entire year of preparations for himself and cultivation for his women, they stood ready to embark on their journey. To ensure a trouble-free departure, Bastian positioned the massive teleportation array within an enclosed cave.
Prioritizing safety, Bastian assembled all of his women within the confines of the Godly Abode. He bore a fully equipped backpack on his back, secured his inherited sword to his waist on one side, and fastened a leg holster on the other side. Within this holster rested his ingeniously crafted weapon: a potent and fully automatic machinegun, capable of firing a hundred razor-sharp bone projectiles per cartridge.
Bastian had dedicated considerable time to developing this weapon artifact like a machine gun. He was inclined to distance himself from weapons from his former life, yet his security took precedence. The Automated Spitting Bones worked as a machine gun harnessed a Power Stone to propel each sharp bone fragment at twice the speed of sound. Encased within each cartridge, enhanced by a spatial formation array, were a hundred of these sharp bone pieces, propelled by a spring mechanism. The design bore semblance to an antiquated single-handed flintlock, constructed from Mithril and intricately carved wood. The notable divergence lay in the triggering mechanism, obviating the need for a traditional "hammer." Bastian had also elevated the security protocols by incorporating an ownership blood spell.
The holster, fashioned from leather and snugly adjusted, featured a blood-activated opening mechanism, accessible solely to the rightful owner.
It was time for them to begin their journey, and Bastian believed it was important for all of his women to be prepared. Although they would be staying inside the Godly Abode, Yana and Asha had undergone intense training for a year and had both achieved the Master Level of Tai Chi. Additionally, Asha, a little angel, had also acquired the Master Mage level of magic quite easily. Yana, a white tigerkin, was still at the Advance Mage level, but Bastian remained optimistic.
Regarding Julya, Renee, Maleen, Aleena, Ileana, Samantha, Samira, Aria, Maya, Luna, Saori, Yume, Aurora, and Esha, all of them have developed exceptional healing and alchemic abilities. Although this knowledge was challenging to measure, Bastian recognized that he could rely on most of them to bring him back from the brink of despair. Their proficiency in crafting pills and elixirs has reached the level of great masters, with the purity of their concoctions being unmatched.
Trisha and Sue had achieved the Guru level in Martial Arts, but their magic remained at the Grand Mage level. Bastian speculated that this may have been due to their race, but he noted that their interest in craftsmanship set them apart. In a surprise turn of events, Dressa had finally stabilized both her Magic and Martial Arts at the Guru level. As a human, it was not easy for Dressa to master magic, but with Asha's help, their domain over the Arrays Formation was superb.
All of them had also studied science, math, and communication, and had constantly practiced and tested their knowledge. Bastian's efforts had yielded incredible results, and it was common for them to engage in conversations about their preferred topics.
By his side, his Shadow Panther stood ready, and perched on his shoulder was his Dream Ferret. With their companions gathered, they ventured onto the Long-Range Teleportation Base, propelling themselves toward an unfamiliar destination.
Another day dawned, and Bastian continued his journey toward his objective. In the distance, an unexpected sight came into view. A peculiar round object was visible in the same direction as his intended destination.
Bastian journeyed for a considerable time to draw near to the round object. Even from a distance, it appeared as a barrier rather than a solid object—an immense dome. With closer inspection, the barrier seemed constructed from thousands of luminous small runes suspended in the air, forming an impenetrable wall.
From the exterior, Bastian could discern nothing within due to the barrier obscuring his vision. He opted to encircle the dome in search of an entrance. However, circumnavigating the enormous structure was not a simple task; it was as colossal as the city of Mixundor. A full day's journey running full speed while he observed the barrier led him back to his original starting point.
Contemplating how to gain access, Bastian's attention was drawn to a massive stone in the distance. As he approached, he realized it was a fallen monolith. With little effort using his magic, he managed to move it and discovered inscribed words on one side.
The carved message was in Mandarin and translated to "Your life is the price to enter." Puzzling over its meaning, Bastian suddenly recalled something. He walked toward the solid barrier, creating a small cut on his palm to let blood flow, and gently pressed his bloodied hand to the barrier. Astonishingly, the point of contact began to dim, and the effect spread until it was large enough for Bastian to pass through effortlessly.
With his guard raised Bastian entered the dome, his sword in one hand, a backpack of utilities on his back, and the Dream Ferret perched on his shoulder.
Inside, Bastian was awestruck by the sight of a massive landmass hovering in the air an enormous hole in the ground, yes, the huge chunk of land was floating, held in place by three colossal metallic chains. Despite his typically unflappable nature, this sight left him wide-eyed and speechless.
The Dream Ferret regarded Bastian with a mix of confusion and fear, having never witnessed such an expression on him before. Just to confirm, Bastian attempted to wield his magic, which predictably failed.
Bastian advanced until he could peer into the immense chasm, confirming that a fall from such a height would indeed be fatal. From his backpack, he retrieved a sturdy hook with a plan in mind. This hook could potentially save him from a fall off the chains—a scenario that seemed likely as he had not discovered any other means of reaching the floating landmass.
Before embarking on that course, Bastian decided to rest. It was late, and he intended to confront the challenge of traversing the chains with full preparation.
As morning dawned, the Operator drew Bastian's attention to another issue. Beyond the barrier, dozens of high-level Spirit Beasts stood still, gazing at the barrier.
Bastian could not comprehend the situation, but he identified at least three Great Demon Apes, each towering nearly ten meters tall, assuming a defensive stance. These were among the mightiest Spirit Beasts he had encountered.
However, these Spirit Beasts seemed entranced, making contact with the barrier before vanishing into thin air. The Operator remarked:
"Master, They are contributing their energies to the barrier!" Bastian, taken aback, noticed that not even a trace remained after they vanished. Catching his breath, he exclaimed:
"The barrier seems to have control over them!" The Operator explained:
"Master, I sensed their energy transferring to the barrier and the floating island through the chains!" Bastian directed his gaze toward the chains and decided:
"Let us proceed swiftly." Gathering his belongings, Bastian departed from his previous campsite, ensuring he left before encountering any potential dangers.
Approaching the metal chains, he experienced a tingling sensation and skillfully mounted the chain, utilizing his body's mastery and control to move securely but swiftly. In one hand, he held a hook securely attached to a long rope strongly tied around his waist.
Bastian had underestimated the journey across the metallic chain; it took a considerable amount of time, fraught with danger. Yet, after navigating the huge, robust chain for a lengthy duration, he finally reached his destination—the floating island.
Once on the floating island, Bastian settled onto the ground, his breath heavier than after a night spent with his women. Surveying his surroundings, he observed several remarkable features. Nearby, another stone base similar to the one he had previously discovered piqued his interest.
Upon inspection, he discerned that it was a Teleportation Base, far more advanced and potent compared to his own. He dedicated time to thoroughly study and analyze each feature of the structure.
Advancing further, Bastian encountered a meticulously maintained garden, featuring a lively pond teeming with Water Spirit Beasts. Crossing a lengthy wooden bridge, he reached the vicinity of a grand palace, ensuring he avoided any potential traps.
The palace walls were adorned with intricate paintings that captivated Bastian's attention, prompting him to decipher the narrative they conveyed. His past experiences in deciphering encrypted messages came in handy, allowing him to recreate the story in his mind and proceed safely.
Not far from the palace entrance, he discovered several structures differentiated by size and purpose, their labels aiding in identification.
The first of these structures that captured his focus was the Library, replete with books. At its center, an open book lay atop a lectern. Bastian approached cautiously, perusing its contents. The book recounted the tale of the last sanctuary for humanity.
"Once, a mighty cultivator named Yako attained Immortality. Yako, born noble amidst poverty, liberated the land and its people from the United Kingdom's enslavement. He also thwarted various attempts at plunder and subjugation by 'outsiders.' Over millennia, the land progressed but eventually, they encountered challenges that were common to the entire planet.
In a bid to safeguard humanity, Yako crafted this floating island—a divine artifact. On it, twelve 'Hidden Realms' existed to safeguard the populace, along with treasures and invaluable resources. As the planet deteriorated, Yako believed it was nature's retribution. This floating island could soar to the skies, averting tsunamis that devastated nations. Additionally, the island's barrier could shield against 'Solar Flares' and 'Meteors.' Unfortunately, temperatures skyrocketed by thousands of degrees during the day, plunging into freezing depths at night. The population of millions dwindled daily, thousands at a time.
In a final attempt to protect humanity, Yako directed his energy to the barrier. May fortune favor us."
Completing the reading, Bastian continued exploring the palace. Not far off, he encountered the Throne Hall. On the throne stood a massive skeleton, adopting a regal pose. On the floor, Bastian noticed a splendid scepter and crown. Approaching the skeleton, he discovered a sizable core clutched in one hand and another substantial Power Stone held in the other—both larger than a human head.
Thoroughly examining the skeleton, he located a white stone the size of a fist on its right arm bones. Bastian understood the ritual for inheriting the Godly Artifact, allowing his blood to fall onto the stone. A dizzying sensation washed over him as his blood made contact. After a few moments, the Operator's voice sounded in his mind. Bastian entered his Mind Space, surveying his surroundings. The Operator congratulated him:
"Master, you have obtained a formidable Godly Artifact!" Bastian requested a comprehensive analysis of the artifact and soon received the following information:
"Master, this artifact is multifunctional—it can fly and defend. It contains dozens of Hidden Realms, an 'Herbarium' with millennia-old herbs, a Library, and a vault housing countless treasures." Curious about a Spirit Vessel, Bastian inquired. The Operator responded:
"Master, the records span millennia, but the Spirit Vessel's existence was fleeting." Bastian nodded and inquired further:
"Can we integrate its functionalities into my artifact?" The Operator confirmed:
"Master, you can." A sly smile curved Bastian's lips, and he ordered:
"Let us do it!" Following his command, the Operator incorporated the island's powers and features into his Godly Abode, preserving rooms and the throne hall while adding enhancements.
After some time, the Operator signaled Bastian's attention:
"Master, an external Teleportation Base has been discovered. It's long-range and directed far elsewhere." Bastian instructed:
"Retain it." The Operator complied, infusing Bastian with energy, causing his arm to heat momentarily.
Bastian opened his eyes, facing the imposing skeleton. With a single thought, he exited the palace. Now he commanded the entire complex, and without delay, he departed the barrier's confines, noticing that the entire structure had vanished.
Initially planning to extend his exploration, recent events made Bastian cautious of risking much for minimal gain. However, the sudden environmental pressure shift prompted quick thinking. He decided to use the recently acquired Power Stone to recharge.
While charging the Power Stone, he invited his women to cultivate outdoors as well, eager to return home soon. After absorbing energy from the environment, Bastian established a teleportation base for future use. Without further ado, he teleported everyone back home in a single swift motion.
Upon arriving home, Bastian took the time to step into the enhanced Godly Abode. He headed directly to the central hall, where intricate arrays were sketched and stored on the walls. In the middle of the hall, a Power Stone stood, providing energy for the entire artifact.
Bastian had never ventured into this central hall before, but he was eager to decipher the formations and arrays embedded in this artifact. Understanding them could significantly enhance his craftsmanship. The Operator patiently guided Bastian through each array formation, explaining their control mechanisms. This made it remarkably easy for Bastian to grasp the artifact's complete functionality, as well as comprehend its underlying structure.
Time flew by as Bastian delved into studying and comprehending the construction of the Godly Abode as a whole. This knowledge would empower him to fashion something similar in the future or even refine the existing creation.
To test his newfound insights, Bastian conceived his inaugural High-Level Artifact, deemed a Godly Artifact. He meticulously crafted a series of powerful cannons that harnessed 5-kilogram fireballs, designed to explode upon impact with their targets.
These weighty cannons boasted a self-loading, aiming, and firing mechanism. They held the potential to pulverize an entire mountain with each cannonball. A hundred of these cannons adorned the artifact, capable of launching a million cannonballs. The entire creation was stored within a spatial formation array, its encryption confined within a small stone. This stone possessed a unique feature: an ownership blood spell was cast upon it. Crafting the entire artifact took an entire month of meticulous effort.
Once the artifact was complete, Bastian placed a drop of his blood upon it. Instantaneously, the Operator drew Bastian's attention, notifying him that his Artifact could now be integrated with the Godly Abode, which was now fortified with a potent offensive capability.
Upon hearing the Operator's words, Bastian felt a surge of satisfaction. His efforts had undeniably borne substantial fruit. The Godly Abode was now equipped with a Runic Array Formation for defense and a comprehensive Artillery for offense. To further conceal its abilities, it boasted an Illusionary Array. The abundance of space was one of the single features within its limits, the “Herbarium” now was akin to a forest, rich with adversity. As the floating island, the Godly Abode now had flight capabilities, a plethora of accumulated resources, and a more than substantial currency reserve. The artifact also harbored an extensive collection of categorized books in its numerous libraries.
Cultivating with pure energies was no longer a significant challenge, yet Bastian aspired to further improvement, not by himself, of course. He intended to embark on another journey, wherever the Teleportation Base would lead him.
Following breakfast, they convened in the Family Hall to deliberate the trip's possibilities and strategies. Bastian was well aware of the hazards posed by venturing far from the continent. Many factors demanded consideration and attention, as well as meticulous preparation for the expedition itself.
Before embarking on their distant voyage, several matters required resolution. Bastian initiated the process of addressing them one by one. This involved the preparation of defensive weaponry, given their lack of knowledge about the destination. The only hint they had was from descriptions of the outsider, apparently hailing from Turkey or a nearby region, based on the sword he carried.
Their cultivation levels continued to advance steadily. Bastian had successfully solidified his Elder-level cultivation across most of his paths. Except for Asha and Yana, his female companions had all attained Guru levels, with the sole deficiency lying in Mind Cultivation. To address this, Bastian devised a plan. He constructed a specialized chamber for their cultivation — more akin to a study environment. He curated numerous scrolls containing the knowledge he had amassed, covering subjects like Sciences, Communication, Cultivation, and Magic. This space was enhanced with a Time Acceleration Array for optimal results. As for Asha and Yana, they would begin to cultivate Tai Chi.
Lastly, Bastian opted to brief Liara and the Emperor about the impending journey. He extended an invitation for them to join him for coffee at Dana's Maid Coffee, taking advantage of the opportunity to supply them with provisions sufficient for five years.
After an entire year of preparations for himself and cultivation for his women, they stood ready to embark on their journey. To ensure a trouble-free departure, Bastian positioned the massive teleportation array within an enclosed cave.
Prioritizing safety, Bastian assembled all of his women within the confines of the Godly Abode. He bore a fully equipped backpack on his back, secured his inherited sword to his waist on one side, and fastened a leg holster on the other side. Within this holster rested his ingeniously crafted weapon: a potent and fully automatic machinegun, capable of firing a hundred razor-sharp bone projectiles per cartridge.
Bastian had dedicated considerable time to developing this weapon artifact like a machine gun. He was inclined to distance himself from weapons from his former life, yet his security took precedence. The Automated Spitting Bones worked as a machine gun harnessed a Power Stone to propel each sharp bone fragment at twice the speed of sound. Encased within each cartridge, enhanced by a spatial formation array, were a hundred of these sharp bone pieces, propelled by a spring mechanism. The design bore semblance to an antiquated single-handed flintlock, constructed from Mithril and intricately carved wood. The notable divergence lay in the triggering mechanism, obviating the need for a traditional "hammer." Bastian had also elevated the security protocols by incorporating an ownership blood spell.
The holster, fashioned from leather and snugly adjusted, featured a blood-activated opening mechanism, accessible solely to the rightful owner.
It was time for them to begin their journey, and Bastian believed it was important for all of his women to be prepared. Although they would be staying inside the Godly Abode, Yana and Asha had undergone intense training for a year and had both achieved the Master Level of Tai Chi. Additionally, Asha, a little angel, had also acquired the Master Mage level of magic quite easily. Yana, a white tigerkin, was still at the Advance Mage level, but Bastian remained optimistic.
Regarding Julya, Renee, Maleen, Aleena, Ileana, Samantha, Samira, Aria, Maya, Luna, Saori, Yume, Aurora, and Esha, all of them have developed exceptional healing and alchemic abilities. Although this knowledge was challenging to measure, Bastian recognized that he could rely on most of them to bring him back from the brink of despair. Their proficiency in crafting pills and elixirs has reached the level of great masters, with the purity of their concoctions being unmatched.
Trisha and Sue had achieved the Guru level in Martial Arts, but their magic remained at the Grand Mage level. Bastian speculated that this may have been due to their race, but he noted that their interest in craftsmanship set them apart. In a surprise turn of events, Dressa had finally stabilized both her Magic and Martial Arts at the Guru level. As a human, it was not easy for Dressa to master magic, but with Asha's help, their domain over the Arrays Formation was superb.
All of them had also studied science, math, and communication, and had constantly practiced and tested their knowledge. Bastian's efforts had yielded incredible results, and it was common for them to engage in conversations about their preferred topics.
By his side, his Shadow Panther stood ready, and perched on his shoulder was his Dream Ferret. With their companions gathered, they ventured onto the Long-Range Teleportation Base, propelling themselves toward an unfamiliar destination.
