The people of the continent of Sekkonthia found themselves engulfed in a new wave of worry. Following the earthquakes that had shaken their world a mere 12 hours ago, a sense of foreboding loomed overhead as thick, dark clouds gathered to blanket the once serene heavens. The atmosphere crackled with an unsettling energy, leaving the inhabitants below to exchange anxious glances and murmur about the ominous signs that now painted the sky. Whispers of uncertainty and fear spread among the populace as they braced themselves for the unknown, their hearts heavy with anticipation of what this unexpected phenomenon might herald.
The mysterious phenomenon that had shrouded not only the continent of Sekkonthia but the entire planet in an unsettling aura vanished as quickly as it appeared. The people, initially gripped by fear and uncertainty, breathed a collective sigh of relief. The sudden and enigmatic occurrence became a topic of discussion for years to come, leaving an indelible mark on the planet's history. Speculations and theories circulated among the inhabitants, creating a sense of curiosity that lingered in the collective consciousness of the world. Though the skies returned to their normal state, the memory of that peculiar event would forever remain etched in the minds of those who witnessed the momentary disturbance of their familiar celestial canvas.
Azrael floated gracefully above the sky, accompanied by Bianca. Unlike his previous method of utilizing the power of great daos to soar through the heavens, he was now employing his newly attained bone-forging cultivation. In this realm, cultivators developed intricate veins within their bones, allowing all the essence energy within their blood to permeate these skeletal structures. This unique transformation bestowed upon cultivators the remarkable ability to defy gravity and take flight through the vast expanse of the sky.
"How does it feel?" Bianca inquired, her eyes filled with curiosity.
"Perfect," Azrael responded, his voice resonating with unwavering confidence.
"The heavenly dao..." She paused, contemplating her words. "It seems your theories are correct."
Azrael smiled with profoundness. "Well, I am correct, but..." He then looked above, as if piercing through the illusions of any ceiling. "The truth is deeper and more dangerous than my previous theory."
"That's why I need to perfect this cultivation system until I have time. Until that 'monster' woke up."
"Woke up? Is the heavenly dao sleeping? But it did react to you..." Bianca's words were cut off.
"Not the heavenly dao, honey," Azrael said. "You mean?" Bianca's eyes were in pure shock when she realized Azrael's implications.
"After you guys were reborn in this reality, I had a feeling that something was off with my previous theories. And so I suspected it, and voila, after I woke up, that guess became more evident. I don't know why that 'monster' was not taking any actions. Even with my comprehension, I can't comprehend that being. I tried my best in this reality, in the dream world, or even in my millions of years in monochromatic dimensions where the restriction was hidden, where i battled the restriction. I was trying to identify its existence, but all I can detect is a vague feeling. But I am sure that there's something beyond this cosmos. That's what I am sure of."
***
"Where are my two sisters?" The elf princess, seated alone near the window in an exclusive inn, voiced her concern. "The mystic realm is about to open, and yet I can't even detect their presence. Are they truly concealing themselves from me?"
The elf princess, adorned in a gown that seemed to mirror the hues of moonlight filtering through the leaves of ancient forests, sat alone near the window. Her golden-blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders, complementing the ethereal grace that surrounded her. Eyes as deep as the starlit sky held a regal and commanding presence, betraying a wisdom far beyond the mortal realms. The delicate features of her face were sculpted with an otherworldly elegance, accentuating the timeless beauty that marked her as royalty.
"But why?" she asked, puzzled.
Knock, knock.
"Princess, the mystic realm is about to open," reminded her maid cultivators, powerful beings in their own right, with at least profound sovereign cultivation. This was a testament to the favor and protection granted by the Queen of the Elven Kingdom to her cherished daughter.
"Sigh, although we are not blood-related, that elf queen still dotes on me a lot."
Although she possessed formidable power and a mental capacity beyond the comprehension of ordinary cultivators, for some reason, she couldn't shake the feeling of attachment to the queen, her adopted mother. When she gazed upon the queen, memories of her mother in the dream world and the tragedy that befell her would flood back. If not for her husband, she, too, would have met a similar fate.
"Okay," she responded. Rising gracefully, she shifted her attention in a certain direction. "Well, if my sisters are not coming, then let them be. Don't come crying if our husband is in that mystic realm, sleeping peacefully, and I can do this and that. Hehehe."
***
Azrael walked toward the direction where the crowds were heading, the people around him seemingly oblivious to his presence. Bianca had already left after they entered the city of Moonrise, having traveled with Azrael for several months. This was now a moment for her sister, and she didn't want to monopolize Azrael's attention. Referring to Moonrise as a city was an understatement; it was so vast that it contained literal "cities" within it, capable of housing millions of people without any issues. This expansive capacity meant that the influx of people did not significantly impact the traffic flow.