The Lantis Republic. Celestial Island. The Prince's Manor.
The Prince's Manor. Shin's private estate and the only place where the Prince of the Lantis Republic could get a good night's rest. Typically, there would be less than twenty people in the mansion, including the servants, to ensure that Shin and his family had ample privacy. Shin could meditate and cultivate in peace while watching his four children play happily in their verdant yards.
However, on this day, that privacy contract of the Prince's Manor had been broken. Over a hundred men and women graced the mansion. The majority of them were aged elders, donned in luxurious robes that were only available for the wealthy and influential. Some of them were middle-aged warriors, those that held the highest positions within the Lantis Republic and the final minority of them were elites of Shin's generation. Even the three remaining Spirit Saints of the Lantis Republic had rushed over!
All of them had busy schedules, some had even left their vital positions just to make time to visit the mansion. And there was a very good reason why...
"How long has he been in that state?" A concerned voice echoed out behind Kanari's face.
"Five days..." The former Duchess replied in a flat tone. "Ever since I'd got back from the Himmel Empire, he's been cultivating like that."
Kanari's mission to the Himmel Empire was a short one. Due to Shin's prompt warnings, Saint Firebird was given the world's greatest protection, with several Spirit Saints watching over him and deterring any foe from attacking. Furthermore, Guardian Sword basically sent half of all their resources to fortify Saint Firebird's position, making it near impossible for the Black Masks to strike. Hence, Kanari really didn't have to expend any resources during her stay at her former home. Alas, it was her current home that gave her a headache.
"Isadore, what do I do?" Kanari scratched her skull, completely at a loss of words. "I won't be able to forgive myself if something happens to Shin while I'm in the Himmel Empire."
"It's not your fault," the Master of the Hall of Whispers stroked the hair of his childhood friend. "No one could have guessed that Shin would attempt to cross the second barrier of mortality this quickly… Even by his standards, this is absurd!"
That was right. Shin was a Rank 79 Spirit Emperor, but that didn't mean that he would easily become a Spirit Venerate anytime soon. Lady Seph was the most excellent example. She only became a Spirit Venerate when she had untied all of her past heart knots and purified her soul from eternal self-loathing. And that was when she had about two centuries worth of experience.
Even if one could factor in Shin's abnormal circumstances, he wasn't due to pass the second barrier of mortality until he was forty or fifty years old. A good decade or two away.
"Still..."
"You don't have to worry about a thing! How many times have we seen Shin in these kinds of situations? He always came out on top!" Isadore reflected. "You should have more faith in your husband!"
"It's not that I don't have faith in him, but..."
"I get your worries," Isadore shook his head. "After all, it's the second barrier of mortality… Once he crosses it, he'll be reborn in a new fleshy body while you're left behind to grow old and wrinkled. Don't worry! I doubt that Shin cares about how beautiful you are on the outside! It's the inside that counts!"
Aghast, Kanari widened her eyes and slapped the silver-haired man on his biceps. "Y-You! I'm not that old yet!!!"
"Hahaha, I'm joking! Joking!" Isadore raised his arms up in surrender. "Besides, you would definitely become a Spirit Venerate before you reach your first century! You'll get to age backwards just like Lady Seph, so you don't have to worry that much!"
"You asshole..." Kanari blushed while gently tapping her face. "I don't think I have that many wrinkles..."
"Hmmm, what did you say?"
"N-Nothing!" The Princess hurriedly swung her hand behind her back and bit her lower lip. "Anyway, I should go check on Shin…"
"Yeah, please do that. The members of Guardian Sword are getting quite restless. I don't think that I can hold them back any longer. Sooner or later, they will storm the mansion to see if their Master is alright." Isadore remembered the scenes of protest back at his office.
"Okay..."
Kanari sighed and walked deep into the halls of her manor. Being the mistress of the house, the guards didn't block her way or impede her progress. In fact, many of them opened the door for Kanari to pass through. She sauntered down the quiet passageways, dreading the walk back into her daughter's room where her husband was found cultivating. When Kanari first returned to the Lantis Republic, Cassiel was distraught, thinking that she'd caused something to go off in her father. Fortunately, Kanari had arrived home in time and was able to quell her daughter's nerves else, who would have guessed what psychological damage it would have caused the impressionable ten-year-old?
"Aunt Tian, may I come in?" Kanari knocked on the door, calling out the only one in the room other than Shin that she knew.
"It's open."
"..." The wooden doors creaked as Kanari edged her petite body through the narrow gap between them. The first thing that Kanari saw was the image of her husband in a deep meditative state, as droplets of black grime escaped from his outer pores. By his side, the Saint of Time was carefully observing Shin, ready to pounce in with the necessary assistance if need be. However, with the presence of a particular blonde woman, it seemed like Longyu Tian's attendance wasn't really required.
"Lady Seph… I didn't know that you were here as well." Kanari said softly.
"I had some free time," the blonde healer shook her head. "Not to mention, it's the fifth day since Shin entered this state. I have to check for any irregularities."
"So? Are there any?"
"Oddly enough, no..." Lady Seph frowned as she shared the good news. "In fact, his body seems to be in perfect condition. He's already shed his fleshy body and rebuilt a new one. The grime that you're seeing is all the impurities leftover from his original one."
Hearing the news, Kanari's face flashed up in delight: "That means that Shin is fine, right? We don't have to worry anymore?"
"Yes and no..." Longyu Tian's uninspired voice echoed out once more. "Based on Shin's current state, he should have woken up many days back, given that there's nothing wrong with him. Breaching the second barrier is difficult, but once he'd passed it, Shin should instantly regain his consciousness. Yet..."
"He's still in a coma." Lady Seph frowned, unsure of how to diagnose the unique situation that was her disciple's ascension. "A healer's worst nightmare is seeing an ailment and not knowing how to diagnose it. Shin should have woken up by now, and he certainly doesn't need five days to get used to his new powers. I don't know what to do..."
"What can we do?" Longyu Tian snorted. "No one can become a Spirit Venerate with outsider help. Shin has to fight off whatever is going on within his soul to advance. There's nothing we can do but wait and have faith in Shin's abilities."
"Have faith…" Kanari dropped her shoulders and stared at her husband's placid expression. There was never an instant in Kanari's life that she lacked faith in Shin's abilities. After all, he'd defied all expectations time and time again. Alas, it was called the second barrier of mortality for a reason. Many talents, ones that were slated for greatness had fallen at this bottleneck, becoming fooder for the history books. Furthermore, Shin had been stuck here for five days, an oddity, to say the least.
Leaning in on the meditative man's forehead, Kanari planted a simple kiss and whispered softly: "Don't make me wait too long… We are all waiting for you to wake up."
"Than maybe you should kiss me harder?"
"!!!"
As the familiar voice reverberated through everyone's ears, they all snapped their heads to look at the man seated at the centre of the room. Both his eyes, which had been securely shut for the past five days, were now fully opened as vast amounts of spiritual energies spewed out from his pores. His skin was sticky and dirty, but it was quickly washed off by a coat of water, giving the man a new glossy appearance. And most dazzlingly, the man flashed the most disgustingly bright smile one could make.
"Honey, I'm back."