After three days in a deep sleep, Lian fully recovered. Alone in his room, he sensed the sweet aroma of the girls infused in his clothes, reminding him of the tears they shed while waiting for his recovery.
Lian truly believed his death was imminent. While he had some confidence in surviving a celestial punishment, he was in a Mortal Plane with scarce and incomplete laws. Realizing he was facing celestial annihilation, he understood that his fate was sealed.
The power from the heavens attacked his physical body and mind directly, completely ignoring the natural power of the Gnome, which emanated from the same source. This annihilation penetrated all his acupuncture points, eliminating any resistance.
Desperate, in the last moment, Lian redirected the celestial annihilation into his small divine world. As soon as it entered, a surprising transformation occurred with the divine tree.
All the leaves and branches shone brightly as if the tree was a deity incarnate. It became the queen of that world, but the power from the heavens was relentless and extreme. A confrontation of magnitude that only Zeke, at his peak, had witnessed, began.
The astral winds of this battle completely overturned the land, mountains, and all the laws that governed that small world. When cracks appeared in the divine tree, Lian once again believed he was doomed. However, to his utter astonishment and terror, the divine tree took control, almost devouring the annihilating power.
If the lightning had been slightly more intense, he would have perished; the lack of complete laws made all the difference. His body almost turned into a bloody mist by a hair's breadth. His only option was to gather his soul, a fragment of his blood energy, and the small world inside his heart, which was still intact.
With only a few drops of blood energy remaining in his heart, Lian held onto the hope that the "Root Gate" could assist him in his regeneration. However, he was still far from mastering the "Seven Cyclone Gates Soul Art" technique for such a feat.
His salvation arrived when Lian sensed, with his soul, the proximity of Riria. The divine tree immediately established communication and, using all of Riria's natural Qi, brought that Qi into the small world, activating the four lotus petals and maximizing the regenerative power.
Sitting on the bed, Lian felt renewed. Although his entire body had regenerated quickly, his heart still carried remnants of the celestial annihilation, requiring an additional three days of recovery.
As he directed his consciousness into the small world, Lian realized that the mithril and accessories he had created were perfectly intact and safe. As he observed the surroundings, he felt that everything was shining with a spirituality that didn't exist before.
Lian had a moment of sudden realization. This power from the heavens was extremely nourishing for the world, which was previously completely stagnant and now finally flourishing.
He approached the divine tree and placed his hand on its trunk, feeling all the changes emanating from it. His soul shuddered with an annihilating electric current running through his being.
The divine tree was slowly mastering each of the celestial runes within it. As the runes disappeared, the ground pulsed with vitality and energy. Lian was certain that this world needed the power coming from the heavens.
The world was expanding rapidly, which meant that it would naturally need more of this celestial "fertilizer." Lian had a premonition that he would constantly be targeted by celestial laws. He narrowly escaped this time, but if he didn't have more effective defenses next time, his luck might not repeat itself.
The heavens were attacking him not only because of the technique he had created but because he represented a threat in his entirety. His extremely powerful technique, the world contained within his meridians, and the divine tree were all involved in this imminent danger.
If he desired to live and reach the Divine Plane, he would have to survive the mortal blade pointed at him from the heavens. His body was currently his weakest point. As a pure human, he didn't have many means to remedy this weakness.
"A pure human..." While his mind was filled with thoughts, Lian caught a glimpse of a distant future. It was at that moment that the door to his room opened.
Riria gently slides open the door to the room, making as little noise as possible to not disturb the tranquil atmosphere. Her eyes are filled with emotion, well up with tears, as she spots Lian sitting on the bed. Joy overflows in her chest, and she swiftly moves towards him, jumping into his arms.
Her body fits perfectly in Lian's embrace, and Riria tightly presses her head against his chest, her tears wetting his clothes.
After a few seconds, she calms down, and their heads turn toward each other. Their eyes meet, and with a smile illuminated by pure happiness and great impetus, Riria moves toward Lian's lips.
The touch of their lips is soft and intense. Riria surrenders to the moment, allowing herself to be carried away by all the sensations that the kiss awakens in her body and soul. Time seems to stand still as the kiss lingers.
Riria slowly separates her lips from Lian's, her heart beating heavily. A shy look fills her eyes, and her breath is still somewhat irregular. Blush takes over her face, tinting her cheeks with an intense red, but she doesn't move an inch, holding onto Lian's body firmly as if she wanted to merge with him and never be apart again.
Lian admires the new version of Riria, who was encouraged by Lianna to always take a step forward whenever possible. After returning from training, she had completely healed the scar on her face, which had been caused just before Lian awakened her soul and memories.
Riria was now a transformed woman with a strong and powerful heart. She had total confidence and strength to fight for what she desired. Her appearance had also changed. Her determined gaze added an irresistible charm.
After shifting her cultivation to something closer to an elf, her half-high elf lineage manifested intensely. Her body had gone through a new phase of growth in recent years, combining the pure and delicate appearance of an elf with beautiful curves and the seductive beauty of a human fairy.
Lian designed the clothes to enhance Riria's beauty. A beautiful emerald dress was created, with rune and flower details embroidered in gold. The collars descended gently just below her shoulders, revealing her beautiful and flawless clavicle and neck, arousing curiosity and fascination in everyone regarding her round and seductive twin peaks.
Suddenly, Lian felt a strange flow of Qi coming from below his belly button, and his mind started to blur. With a quick reversal of Qi, he forcefully interrupted this mental state.
Now he understood the cause of the previous incidents involving Meili. He remembered everything but couldn't comprehend why he had lost control. This altered mental state was very similar to when the first gate was opened.
In his memories, he only awakened from this trance when the new gate interrupted the circulation of Qi. There was probably still a missing key piece for complete awakening.
After a few moments of contemplation, Lian gently caressed Riria's face and retrieved a shiny object in front of her. It was a silver flower-shaped ornament made of mithril, intended to be worn in Riria's long, soft black hair.
With a gentle movement of his hands, a gentle wind surrounded her hair. Two large braids are created, each ending with a shining silver rose. Near her head, a small lock of hair is delicately joined and secured by a larger accessory made of multiple silver roses.
Quickly, a pure and divine aura can be felt from a long distance. The entire adornment radiates a soft and impressive power. Riria displays a wide and sweet smile on her face.
"You're spoiling me with so many gifts," Riria says softly. "The other sisters will be upset if you don't spoil them in the same way," Riria added, beaming.
During that night, the young group and Saya gathered at Lian's house, concerned about confirming his complete recovery. It was at that moment that Lian learned that Meili had recently left, determined.
During her stay, everyone became aware of the impressive growth of the commercial guild she led. Selling the products, she forged herself, and with her exceptional vision for trade, Meili established a new headquarters in the capital, aiming to compete with the already established guild there.
Meili was truly happy and motivated, but at the same time, there was a fierceness in her gaze. She made it clear to everyone that she would go to the capital and return as a worthy Dwarf, capable of creating something that Lian could no longer ignore.
All the girls felt that something had happened between Meili and Lian. Intense glances were directed at Lian, everyone seeking an opportunity, but Meili, despite her appearance resembling an extremely young human, managed to get ahead.
Unaware of the thoughts of others, Lian temporarily thanked Meili for finding his motivation. Now he had a valuable clue on how to open the next gate, and thanks to her, he had an enlightenment and forged a new astonishing technique.