As soon as everyone entered the city, an immense pressure immediately fell upon them, petrifying them. The whale looked up and smiled; in the skies, hundreds of divine cultivators from the four Empyrean families emerged.
It was as the behemoth had mentioned in the past. The first seal didn’t mean much and could be restored in a few centuries. But the destruction of the second was a red flag for the four families; they had to thoroughly investigate, sparing no efforts. And if the third were destroyed, even the heroes of the divine world would be alerted and would immerse themselves in this ascending planet.
At that moment, all those cultivators released their cultivations, suppressing all mortal life forms. Their initial focus was the Three Extremes Sect, where the seal was located.
The whale nodded gently, with the tattoos lit up, and the formation covering the whole place trembled. There was no energy to stop someone from entering, but they could use the formation to remove that pressure. Everyone breathed deeply, feeling safe with the comforting presence of the whale among them.
Langrum was summoned. While they couldn’t replenish the formation’s energies, a few hundred cultivators would have to guard the entire forest. Even though the place was vast, they wouldn’t need many; Alm and Bruno would know if anyone breached the formation. Quickly, the results of the massacre against the twelve families spread like wildfire everywhere. Obviously, there would always be idiots in search of riches and secrets, but after the first few attempted invasions, everyone would know what they were dealing with.
From today on, the city would only be the capital of this place, and the entire sacred forest, which was once a desert, now belonged to them. Langrum would have to care for and slowly expand everything around. The birth rate would naturally multiply, but Almin could help explode it with his pills.
In this place lived demons who would face a lot of prejudice from people. To avoid problems, strict control of who enters and leaves initially would be necessary. After a few centuries and new generations arise, this would dissipate, and the place could be a little less restricted.
Vuard was summoned, along with Loeus, who woke up. The whale ordered them to get ready; soon, the plans from a distant past would be initiated. The four Empyrean families would quickly investigate this place; after all, they had destroyed the twelve families that served them.
Ruri was on the whale’s back, awake. Things needed to be prepared quickly. Alm and Bruno replenished some of her Qi, and she sealed Corin’s bloodline. He absorbed the bloodline of the High Elves from one of the families; soon, his appearance would become similar to theirs.
Revka was taken by Thea to one of their residences. Everyone was excited but exhausted. Now, everything was prepared; they just needed to wait for the guests. Then the whale and Ruri entered the castle.
Ruri seemed fine on the outside, just exhausted and slightly physically injured, which didn’t seem to be a problem. But mentally, they felt her mind extremely disturbed and distant.
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Bruno used his soul to invade and analyze her. After a few minutes, he returned with a serious expression. The reason was known to Alm, and Bruno just confirmed it.
They pushed her to the absolute limit. The rune she received from her past merged with her soul and was slowly being absorbed. However, they had to use their divine soul to trigger that rune, forcing all of its power into her at once.
That rune was a key connection to her past life. If Ruri had absorbed it slowly, nothing would have happened; only the knowledge of the Dao would have followed. But after their interference, thanks to their divine power, it awakened much more in her than just her past knowledge; many memories and feelings surfaced together.
Alm and Bruno sighed as they entered the room. For many, having their past memories again might seem like a good thing, but it was more like a curse. Celestial laws erased memories for a reason: people wouldn’t be able to handle what they went through with who they once were. All the fears, evils, and attachments came together. Dealing with their current problems was already difficult for most; dealing with past issues? It was madness.
The whale sat on the bed, placing Ruri in front of her a little distance away. Silently, she stared into their eyes intensely while Bruno healed her with the power of faith.
Her mind was a mess, but as she looked at them, a calmness washed over her and stabilized. Ruri didn’t exude any fluctuation or outward emotion; she sealed everything within herself. Bruno was reminded of someone very close who did exactly the same, but he stayed silent, as if waiting for a script to unfold.
Alm spoke calmly to the whale. "Don’t let things from the past affect you. You must have had a family, friends, loves..."
"No, I’ve always been alone. Now I remember... almost all of my memories have come back... but I don’t regret it." She replied coldly.
Alm and Bruno sighed again. Right after they used the miracle to revive themselves, she hadn’t had time to absorb everything yet; Ruri was still the same. But now, her gaze and expression had turned cold and indifferent—her previous personality was taking over.
Bruno said mentally, seriously. ’We have to bring back our Ruri before it’s too late. In the worst-case scenario, she’ll become someone with two opposing personalities talking to each other; that would be eerie and disturbing... wait!’
’How?’ Alm didn’t care and asked tensely.
’Didn’t Almin say she turned into that before? When we returned, she changed again... you know... we’re her connection to this life.’ Bruno said calmly, sensing his reaction.
Alm sighed heavily, feeling Bruno’s intentions. He was ready to retort, but his eyes focused on the woman in front of him. That cheerful little girl they cared for and taught everything... they tried to give her everything she never had. Her childhood was almost destroyed, but they tried to create new happy memories in her to replace it. In the end, they overdid it, and things escalated into something much bigger.
Now... everything about her seemed cold and dry. That radiant, happy smile they fought to nurture, Alm felt a pang at the thought of losing it. If they didn’t do something, the personalities would truly blend together. Most likely, they would find a balance, reaching a middle ground, or perhaps she could have two personalities, which was disturbing to imagine. The future was completely uncertain, and Ruri certainly wouldn’t be the same.
"Ruri, don’t you want a reward? We missed many of your birthdays, I’ll do whatever you want." Alm spoke to the whale, in an almost desperate test.
But... her face and gaze didn’t even flinch. She just nodded gently and spoke calmly and politely. "The master has already given me everything, I now only wish to end the family that cursed us. Having you by my side is already the greatest gift."
Alm felt a bitterness hearing those words. Ruri would never reject such an opportunity. If they offered, she would accept; they taught her to trust and reciprocate trust. There shouldn’t be pride in accepting help or benefits, those truly close would never demand something in return; it was enough to be loyal and help each other without any intention. Yet this person in front of him... clearly avoided creating a debt.
’Can’t you see? Only a strong memory can make our Ruri’s personality predominant. If we keep it always active, the other will blend in and weaken.’ Bruno said with conviction.
As Bruno spoke this, he felt something that frightened him. Alm let his emotions flow freely, then took a deep breath and spoke. ’Alright. You were always her target in the past, now I’ll do it right.’
The whale looked at Ruri firmly; in a split second, Alm saw a strange glint pass through her gaze. Bruno saw it and grew serious. Alm sensed something was wrong; Bruno immediately spoke, cutting through his thoughts.
’That... it’s just her personality blending in. If you don’t act soon, it’ll be too late!’
Alm sighed and accepted, he didn’t want to think much anymore. His feelings told him what he really wanted to do and guided him. Controlling the whale, he spoke to her calmly.
"I have something to show you. Come closer."
Ruri nodded expressionlessly and walked up to the maximum limit, sitting cross-legged. She was in front of him, their legs touching. The whale just reached out, descending to the much shorter woman and gently touched her head.
"Close your eyes."
Alm’s voice sounded softly, and Ruri obeyed immediately. She felt as if an electric current of memories invaded her mind, plunging her into another place.
All her senses, vision, and even part of her soul were replaced. Her consciousness was transported into Alm, who showed her not only images but everything his soul and body felt.
As she opened her eyes in her mind, Ruri found herself in front of a small house amidst a lush bamboo forest. Distant mountains adorned the horizon, while the orange sky of the late day seemed hand-painted. The sun bidding farewell between the mountains cast a golden glow over everything, and a gentle breeze caressed the air, carrying with it a fresh and relaxing scent.
"This is the place where I used to live before everything happened."
A calm voice echoed, and Ruri turned to see a figure beside her. It was very similar to Alm, but physically a bit sturdier, emanating an aura of youthfulness. She immediately recalled the vision of one of her master’s split souls, one that radiated infinite Yin, was very much like this figure in front of her.
"This was my self... according to my memories, I cherished it like this," Alm’s voice was soft as he spoke. "Come, I want to show you something."
The young figure of Alm took a step forward and waved, inviting her to follow. Ruri moved, floating like a spirit, just observing and feeling, unable to interact with the environment around her.
She felt enveloped by the nostalgia of his words, feelings from him overflowing in her chest. Floating along a path of bamboo, immersed in the gentle sounds of the nearby river waters and the melodious singing of birds returning to their nests. Nature seemed to dance around her, inviting her to surrender to its serenity.
As dusk settled on the horizon, they reached a majestic gorge. The sun, now a golden sphere sinking in the west, painted the sky with shades of orange and red, while the twinkling stars began to dot the firmament.
Ruri watched the scene before her, then noticed around, several bamboo cut and lined up. Two wooden benches were strategically positioned, and next to them, a simple crib was being carefully prepared, accompanied by a collection of baby items. It seemed like a skillful hand was slowly working day by day, awaiting a new addition.
"This is the last day of the happy and peaceful memories I have. Isla was already pregnant, and I used to come here with her. We would discuss the name and the future of the child to come while watching the sunset," Alm said slowly, with emotion in his voice, as he gazed at the horizon.
Silent seconds passed, and Ruri could feel and see everything he felt at the time, even his current feelings were being transmitted. Hope, joy, and peace filled him completely. There, it was as if he was floating on the clouds of the sky.
Alm looked at her, his icy demeanor melted. Her body was there, completely ecstatic; he spoke softly. "It’s the little things that matter most. We lived together without any conflict. It was a simple life... but that day was perfect, I thought it would last forever."
"I’ve already told you about my pain, my hatred, my bad moments... now I’m showing you my happiness. I managed to do everything I did and get where I got because I wanted to feel this again..."
"I forced myself to forget all the good in my memories. I sought to live on hatred and the moments of greatest suffering... but, if I had remembered the good things... maybe everything would have been different."
"Life is like that, it shows you heaven and hell and quickly turns your world upside down. You’re never in control, but don’t do as I did. Believe in the moments you lived with us, focus only on that and don’t let yourself be hardened. Your mind is the only one that judges moments as good or bad; everything is a lesson."
"Your memories showed you hell, I also lived through hell. But now you also feel heaven through me; surely that also exists within you. The bad moments are your deep wounds, but the wound is where the light enters and strengthens you."
Ruri listened to everything, and her mind turned inside out; she became immersed in it, and soon Alm’s longing also passed through her. The two remained motionless in silence as minutes unfolded gently, and the night enveloped them completely. Under the cloak of darkness, all memories seemed to freeze in time.
In the next moment, Ruri felt herself returning to her own body, opening her eyes to find her master’s gentle gaze upon her. Quickly, her heart began to beat irregularly, and tears flowed freely, as if a dam had burst.
Alm reached out to gently hold her face, radiating warmth and comfort. Ruri felt irresistibly drawn to him. Her body moved slowly closer, acting on instinct.
Being so close, they could feel their breaths mingling, so close they seemed to be one. Alm’s eyes met Ruri’s, and he saw the old Ruri resurface before him. It was the Ruri he had brought back to the surface, and now he needed to keep her there.
With a firm gesture, he slid his hand to her neck, bringing her even closer. In an ethereal instant, their lips met, surrendering to a connection that only existed in their happiest memories.