A few weeks had passed since Lian returned to the Albedo Clan. During this time, all the new members were properly accommodated, finding their place within the community. The integration happened gradually, with Lian and the other cultivators from the Enchant Clan working side by side to establish a new sense of identity.
One of the first steps was the removal of their second names or any previous ties they had with their old clans. Artemis and the other cultivators personally dedicated themselves to this task, aware that in order to move forward and create a new story, it was necessary to let go of the shackles of the past. Thus, they freed themselves from the old bonds and started exclusively adopting the name of the Albedo Clan.
Over the years, the fusion between the two clans would become increasingly consolidated. The descendants of the Enchant Clan cultivators began to be born and raised in the heart of the Albedo Clan, fully merging with their new family.
With Lian's help, they built a new building dedicated exclusively to soul cultivation. This building represented a significant milestone in the clan's evolution and growth, offering its members an environment conducive to this peculiar cultivation method.
The dedicated area was connected to a large formation and provided a much greater boost to these cultivators than they had within their old clan. Gradually, the benefits of the new building and the study of soul cultivation began to manifest. The younger members of the new Albedo Clan experienced significant progress in their development with new possibilities.
Driven by a sense of duty and determination, the griffins established a new nest around the defenses of the Albedo Clan, assuming the role of protectors and guardians for all members. They became the living shield that safeguarded the clan, keeping a watchful eye on the borders and being ready to defend everyone in case of threats.
Lian, along with the help of the Divine Tree, unleashed their power to create a dense forest surrounding the entire barrier and the areas around the clan. This forest, nourished by lakes of a bright and mysterious liquid, emanated a sacred and divine aura. The lakes constantly provided nutrients to all the vegetation around, creating a lush environment.
Over time, divine herbs would sprout in this small forest, filling the air with a mystical and sacred aura. These special plants possessed mystical and sacred properties, further elevating the atmosphere within the clan.
This new location became the home of the griffins and the few dark elves living in the clan. The natural environment, rich in energy and sacredness, contributed to the maintenance of their spirits and balance.
After everything was settled, Lian directed his attention to forging a new personal weapon. Aware of the power and rarity of mithril, a metal that few in the Divine Plane were capable of manipulating, he imagined that with the help of the Gnome and his limited knowledge, he could at least create one weapon.
Mithril was known for its special nature, capable of absorbing and retaining the essence of the surrounding laws. However, this same characteristic could become a threat if not handled with mastery and proper technique. Attempting to shape and refine mithril using fire laws recklessly could result in an explosive reaction, releasing a terrifying and potentially dangerous power.
After days of unsuccessful attempts, Lian came to the conclusion that he wouldn't be able to meticulously master the laws and manipulate mithril alone. Although his forging techniques were considered divine in the mortal plane, he recognized that he still had much to learn and improve compared to the skilled dwarves of the divine plane.
In this moment of reflection, a face appeared in Lian's mind: Meili's face, a talented and skilled young woman he had met before. He remembered her charming smile and realized that perhaps she was the capable assistant to aid him in this endeavor.
After being summoned, within a few hours, she was impeccably dressed and displaying a radiant smile in front of Lian. Her eyes shone with evident joy and enthusiasm. Lian didn't quite care about it, as his objective was obvious. That said, he dedicated several days to training and teaching her all the details about mithril manipulation.
After weeks of hard work, Lian and Meili had a slight hint of success in the forging process. However, Lian came to a difficult conclusion: the laws of this mortal world seemed unable to refine a large quantity of this precious metal enough to create a weapon.
Faced with this reality, Lian had an idea: what if he used the mithril to create smaller accessories instead of a complete weapon? Determined, Lian began forging six small accessories, each with a specific function.
Lian was a natural body cultivator; he never fought nor intended to use anything other than a weapon to fight. He had to increase his power quickly because the danger was lurking, so he decided to forge some accessories for the group he personally trained. It was a way to indirectly increase their strength.
Meili and Lian worked tirelessly, and with each passing day, Meili made great strides in improving her skills while slowly getting closer to Lian. Until finally, they were almost ready.
During the night, they decided to rest. Lian was meditating alone in his house near a tree under the moonlight. Laughter from cheerful conversations could be heard from inside the house.
Every night, Meili made sure to visit Lian's mother before resting. She carried with her a carefully chosen gift. Upon arriving at Lianna's house, Meili was greeted with a warm and joyful smile, displaying the affection and happiness that this visit brought to both of them.
As the days went by, Riria, Edea, Wei, Shiho, Saya, and Lianna would regularly gather at the house with Meili, where they would joyfully talk for hours as if they had been friends for a long time. Lian began to have a bad feeling about this union, though. Still, he decided it was better not to think about it to prevent a headache before necessary.
Rumi, being the youngest, always accompanied his sister. Lianna welcomed him with affection and dedication, demonstrating genuine maternal affection. Everyone there seemed very happy together, and joy could be felt in the air.
During this period, Lian turned 18 years old. At this age, mortals would marry and start a family. In the world of cultivation, you were also recognized as a full adult.
Lianna and all the other girls seemed to have changed their attitude drastically after this milestone. Riria and Edea always seemed to be close to him during the nights, showing a need for closeness and affection that was more intense than before. Wei, Shiho, Saya, and Meili constantly sought physical contact with him, whether through hugs, touches, or affectionate gestures.
Lian frequently experienced headaches, understanding that his mother, Lianna, was orchestrating this behind his back. She wanted her son to be happy and surrounded by beautiful women. He wondered if Lianna had forgotten he was an old monster with tens of thousands of years of experience. 'She should know such things aren't really effective against me. But then again, perhaps that was just her maternal side turning her blind,' he thought.
'Despite being surrounded by people, Lianna hadn't overcome the death of her husband and the suffering of the past years. It seems she is focusing all her efforts on helping me overcome my own wounds,' he also concluded in his head.
Lian, reflecting on his actions, recalled an old saying: "The people who have suffered the most in life are the ones who understand the pain of others the best and always seek to care for and help others."