Two days passed within the cold castle, completely imbued with Yin. During this time, all fifteen women advanced to the Foundation Establishment Realm at intervals of a few hours. However, they soon stagnated, still getting used to collecting Qi on their own and absorbing it. Alm and Bruno watched but weren’t worried; in this extremely dense Qi environment, they could learn quickly, and in the future, they wouldn’t face this issue anymore.
On the fifth day, Almin and Langrum broke through to the next level for the first time, but the speed quickly accelerated, raising them several times. On the tenth day, both reached the fifth level of the Foundation Establishment Realm.
"They’ve stabilized, and there won’t be much more improvement. Time to start absorbing everything else," Bruno said casually.
During these ten days, they devoted themselves to deep meditation on the previous battle and on everything that reflection could do with the Behemoth Bloodline. Even in the previous universe, they never explored the laws of earth that much. However, by breaking the chains of the mortal world and reaching an impossible realm, all the laws became an open and straightforward book; thus, they thought they understood enough of them.
Now, after a profound analysis, they sadly realized that they were like frogs at the bottom of a well. The laws of earth were much more complex than the basics everyone understood. And now, in the queen’s universe, where the laws became more powerful and different, it seems that these laws reverted to their most primitive roots.
On Earth, Bruno received an extremely rigorous and comprehensive education. When remembering the reflection using electric power through the laws of the earth, a scientific understanding came to mind. There are many natural materials that can generate electricity; this is called piezoelectricity. Certain minerals in the soil have piezoelectric properties; when subjected to pressure, compression, or vibration, they can generate an electric current.
On Earth, which is a mortal world, there are various types of minerals with this property. In this universe, there must be infinitely different types, and with the power of the Behemoth, it can replicate and amplify this property easily. It was a simple thing, but... if they had thought carefully, they would have noticed it before.
As for the magnetic and gravitational control coming from the laws of the earth, they did notice and used it a bit in the Divinestone Clan. However, when they started physical cultivation and saw a very apparent improvement in their bodies, they completely lost interest in that. Now, they saw through the reflection that these properties can be an extremely flexible support in their techniques and movements.
’I think it’s better, from now on, to stop picking up new techniques and focus on what we already have. Trying to hold more than we can grasp almost got us killed, and we didn’t develop anything properly.’ Bruno said casually.
So, they focused on raising the cultivation level but soon felt extremely frustrated. Physical cultivation was already extremely difficult, and now, thanks to the array, even basic collection cultivation has become complex and time-consuming. With all the remaining Qi, they should easily reach the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm with the help of the tattoos. Yet, after five days, when everything was absorbed, they only reached the sixth level.
The whale opened its eyes calmly, sensing the sixth level they reached a few seconds ago. Then, at that exact moment, two muffled sounds in different directions reverberated, and everyone else who was calmly talking stopped in shock.
’It was the array. Ruri and Almin received a portion of our Qi and advanced another level without doing anything.’ Alm said coldly with a sigh.
They then looked at everyone and felt their final cultivations. All fifteen women, in the end, stabilized the elemental realm and reached the first level. Langrum and Almin did not evolve further; Langrum probably had some difficulties due to her bloodlines and the current lack of Yang Energy from her male harem. As for Almin, he had an extremely thin life force, as if he were a hundred years older; still, thanks to the array, he elevated at this moment to the sixth level.
Loeus was the standout in terms of numbers. His body was being well worked and nurtured with the help of his master Langrum. He, in this environment, managed to reach the fifth level of the Qi Gathering Realm; he was three years older than Ruri, and his body could go much further, but he lacked experience.
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As for Ruri, even though she’s very young, she reached the sixth level of the Qi Gathering Realm. As the whale carefully observed everyone’s cultivation, they noticed Ruri’s gaze in their direction. Today was her twelfth birthday.
The whale then waved, and she ran to their side, smiling. "Twelve years old, growing up fast," they said, looking at her calmly.
They met her when she was ten, and now she has changed quite a bit. She must be around five feet tall now, and her facial features were maturing and becoming more defined. Upon closer inspection, her muscles developed well with the training of physical armed techniques, but some distinctly feminine characteristics were already apparent, like her waist narrowing and slight protrusions on her chest.
The whale then sighed. ’How they grow up fast...’ Bruno thought to himself, resembling an astonished father mentally comparing old and current images of his child.
’Would you prefer her looking like a child forever? Your lolicon instincts are getting the better of you.’ Alm responded, needling.
’You... whatever. Well, her beauty is starting to bloom. In a few years, she’ll attract as much attention as us... but in very different ways.’ Bruno added, after ignoring Alm’s venomous words.
Ruri smiled under the whale’s invasive gaze, puffing out her chest, as if reading their thoughts and trying to highlight her growth. From a distance, everyone observed this with strange looks. Until the whale calmly opened its mouth.
"Have you thought about the path you’re going to take?"
"I will save everyone from my people. And then..." Ruri answered, waving, but when she wanted to continue her words, the whale cut her off.
"Great. Your gift is outside, let’s go." The whale spoke, getting up and waving for everyone to move along.
As soon as they descended the stairs, they noticed that it wasn’t just that room that was dark and filled with Yin. The entire internal area of the castle, which was once bright and full of life, now resembled the dark and cold interior of a cave.
When they moved in a straight line, just like before, they were amazed. It didn’t take even half an hour to reach the large exit gate. It was as the whale had said; it now owned and controlled a large part of the castle, and the previous illusion was deactivated. But the surprises only increased when they crossed the gates.
As they exited the castle, it was as if they had emerged from the earth, and now they were in front of a sunny, warm, and vibrant day. There was no sign of the morbid and death-filled place from before; even the previously dry black soil now had gently sprouting green plants! They noticed this in astonishment. To complete the scene, in some places, small trees could be seen growing with vitality.
While everyone stood in shock, the whale spoke, stroking Ruri’s hair. "It wouldn’t have been much of use to make you clothes now, as you’re growing too fast. So, since you’ve decided to save your people, you’ll need a place for them, right?"
Everyone heard this, and the five Montide women immediately turned to the whale in extreme enthusiasm; this place seemed like a pure paradise straight out of a fairy tale. Ruri, on the other hand, took a deep breath, extremely excited, with teary eyes.
"In the future, when you’re strong enough, this place can be used to house them. Here, no one can easily invade, so you and they can live peacefully in a secure home. But you mustn’t make the same mistake as in the past by isolating yourselves from the world. I’ll leave various things to help you cultivate, and those capable must go out and interact with the world." The whale spoke calmly, and all five women were already breaking down in tears.
"Well, that’s for the future. Let’s go; we still have to complete the mission in the village." The whale finished and walked towards the distant exit.
But as soon as they took a few steps, they felt a hand grabbing them, trying to hold them in place. It was Ruri, looking up at them intensely.
"Hm? What’s wrong?" The whale spoke lightly.
"My mission is to save my people, and I will!" She said firmly. "But I won’t stay with them. My wish... is to always be with the master." She finished seriously, and everyone around looked at the whale even more strangely.
"You’re a persistent child. Grow up first and fulfill your mission." The whale huffed and turned forward after lifting her and placing her on their shoulder.
Ruri remained silent as the whale walked; when she spoke those words, her heart seemed to want to leap out of her chest. She then muttered something to herself without anyone hearing. "He didn’t understand what I meant?" She carefully reflected.
But looking at herself on his shoulder, she quickly understood and waved, reinforcing her conviction. ’At the moment, I’m just an accessory to him... but time is on my side!’ she thought to herself, clenching her fists.
’Master said I was growing up fast and looked at me in approval. In a few years, I’ll have other weapons to use and convince him to accept me. Even if it has to be by force!’
At that moment, Ruri experienced an irrational determination. Although, at that moment, she didn’t recognize the true nature of this feeling, the future would make her recall this moment with nostalgic fondness. That was the first time she realized, even without fully understanding, the flame of love burning in her chest.