It was in the late morning when I found Tulip sitting on a rock and watching the horizon. She was deep in thought, so I didn't disturb her and sat by her side.
After a few hours passed, she finally regained her senses and I said, "I'm glad to see that I am not the only one improving."
She jumped in surprise and smiled before replying, "I won't let you become more powerful than me and leave me behind in the dirt."
"Oh?" I raised an eyebrow and continued, "Someone's feeling confident. Let's see how stronger you've become."
The urge to fight could be seen in my eyes. We sparred together for some time, and naturally, I was the victor.
"Not bad, you are in the Early Third Divinity stage in the Laws of Fire," I praised her when we stopped.
"I just broke through to this stage this morning. It seems you got stronger as well," she replied, and I was glad to see that she wasn't dispirited by the loss. In fact, I could see that her determination managed to rise.
"I reached the Late-Third Divinity stage when I finished climbing the second staircase. While my comprehension of my three laws didn't exactly improve very much, the improvement in my soul allowed me to break through. I can also feel that I don't need much time to enter the ranks of Sovereigns."
"That's good to hear," she smiled and nodded. "What about Pangu?"
"It was about time that I was finally remembered," Pangu complained, and went on in a dramatic tone, "Oh, how the mighty creator of the universe has fallen."
Tulip looked surprised when she heard the voice and asked, "You can talk now?"
"The ability to speak is one of my several fantastic powers."
I rolled my eyes but didn't answer my new sword spirit. After we returned to our rooms, I said, "The next step in our journey is to locate the other blade shards. Pangu, Do you know where they are stored?"
"I can only sense the general location areas, I need to see a map first."
I had a strange expression on my face as I asked Pangu, "Do swords have eyes to see with?"
"There are other ways to see without eyes."
"We should probably seek Senior Brother Sun for help," said Tulip.
Although I did not like the idea of talking to Emperor Sun more than necessary, returning the the Mansion of Night was disadvantageous to us at the moment. I sighed, "Fine, we don't have a lot of choices, so let's ask for his help. And Pangu? Please don't speak in the Emperor's presence, even though I know that you will do the exact opposite."
"You can count on me," he said, but whether he wanted me to count on him for talking or staying silent, I didn't know. We walked to the great hall in the sect where the emperor was reading a document. Once he saw us, he smiled, but his smile was clearly forced and he seemed troubled.
"Senior Brother," we greeted.
"My dear Junior Brother and Sister, it is good that you have come!" he said bitterly.
"What's wrong?" Tulip asked.
"You will know this sooner or later so I might as well tell you what's going on."
"Tell us what?" I asked and narrowed my eyes.
"My spies have discovered an organization, or more precisely a cult, has spread its existence in the worlds. I fear we are late in this discovery."
"What about Richard, does he know?"
"I just came back from the Mansion after informing Master of this. But I honestly don't know whether to laugh or cry, Richard doesn't bother with the small matters of the realms and worlds."
This wasn't Richard's character at all, and I could sense his annoyance, and anger even, when the Emperor said those words. That was enough for me to know that he was spouting nonsense and that Richard was invested in this matter.
"Can't you take a batch of top-level cultivators and destroy them?" Tulip asked.
"That is the problematic part. They have infiltrated many powers, so we don't know who to trust," he replied bitterly.
"What is the name of this cult?"
"The Grey Lotus. In any case, with your current cultivation stages, you won't be able to help in this matter, so just focus on growing stronger."
He sighed and said, "Let's put this matter aside. I am sure you came to talk to me about something."
I nodded and replied, "We indeed did. We need a map of China."
"That would take some days at most to arrange. What do you intend to do while waiting?"
It seemed that my original plan of staying here wasn't going to work, so I said, "I plan to visit my family and friends, I haven't seen them in quite a while now."
He nodded and said to me, "Come to me at noon. I shall send you to your country for some days, then bring you back here."
We left the hall and took a stroll on the edge of the river. I suddenly asked, "Do you want to come with me?"
Tulip shook her head and said, "I wish to go back to my former magic school. I want to catch up with my friends as well."
"Fair enough." At noon, we went to the hall once again and waited for the emperor to come.
"How many days do you intend to stay?" I asked her.
"As long as I can," she answered. And then, without any signal, she gave me a small kiss and said, "I wasn't going without doing that."
I could've stood there, stunned, trying to remember who am I, for all the day if Senior Brother Sun didn't enter. Tulip acted normal as if nothing had happened a few minutes ago. But now, I realize how strong my feelings for her have grown.
"Ready?" the Emperor asked. We nodded and touched his hand. With a flash, I found myself outside my house.
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Updated on 6/2/2025
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