Mistie stared intently at the whale, quickly searching for words to convince him. Sensing her intent, the whale calmly said, "I’ve got a plan. It might not seem like it, but the dwarves have hidden potential that can be tapped. I’ll return with more resources for the sect. Until then, my brother needs your help with something serious."
Mistie’s eyes widened at this, and the whale continued, "Ruri recently became an ancestral Empyrean." At that moment, both Mistie and Nebai were stunned. "We don’t know exactly how, but it seems like a stable and focused mind is the key. As for Quirio... you’ve noticed that he only appears stable on the surface."
Follow current novels on freewebnσvel.cѳm.
The whale looked deeply into Mistie’s eyes. "There are things I can’t do, and if Quirio doesn’t stabilize, he’ll never advance like Ruri. Using karmic blessings when you can naturally break through seems like a waste. So, use this time together and help him. Who knows, he might be grateful later."
"I’ll do my best. But... it doesn’t change the fact that going alone is foolish," Mistie replied seriously.
Alm and Bruno huffed, but they weren’t irritated; they were pleased. They noticed that this Fey was genuinely concerned, not because the whale was important to the sect, but because she considered him someone very close. When she was with him and his group, it was one of the rare times she could be herself, not the sect leader.
"I’ve gotten to where I am because I take risks all the time. If I’m still alive, it’s because I’m smart enough to run at the right moment; I’m not a greenhouse flower like most young people—you know that. Or do you really think anyone could put me in mortal danger? I’ll return safely; I’ve got a wife and many people waiting for me. Focus on your current mission."
After the whale said that, Mistie hesitated a bit but eventually agreed. She knew the whale and Nebai had private matters to discuss, so she left, still worried.
The whale turned to Nebai, and she nodded, saying, "The planet of the Four Great Ancestral Nations did indeed receive a visit from the hero. But according to reports, he ordered several companions to do the investigation. He seemed in a hurry and, even with a serious situation, stayed only briefly before leaving."
Alm and Bruno sighed in relief, though they were still doubtful. They had arrived on that planet without attracting attention, then went to the Larinar market, and from there, straight to the Immortal Crane world.
In other words, they hadn’t drawn attention; it was their group, with that incident against the young Kun Peng, that did. Aside from those young people in the Void Forest who saw their arrival amid the chaos, few people who really noticed them remained on the planet.
And among those who stayed, most were Kun Peng members or random cultivators recruited from the galaxy. If the hero had been directly involved, everyone remotely connected would have been found and their memories searched.
But only the companions investigated? They wouldn’t have dared go too deep with the young Kun Peng. As for the others across the galaxy, only a few would be initially found. There’s a real chance that these companions only investigated the people in the city and the Immortal Crane world.
Seeing the memories, where Ruri and her group defeated the Kun Peng, they probably deduced that they were involved, with Ruri as the leader. The fight against the assassins who worship the God of Wealth wasn’t witnessed by common people since no one was strong enough to watch.
In short, initially, the whale didn’t stand out for people to notice. Of course, over time, no one was so foolish, and they’d realize something was wrong.
’We believe those Kun Peng wings were the gifts given. In fact, that event drew so much attention that it covered us, turning into the golden present.’ Bruno reflected.
Obviously, the investigation into the event wouldn’t end there. Eventually, they would find the culprits. But in the short term, they could consider themselves safe. However, since when had they been so lucky?
’Heaven’s Will gave us the optional mission, probably already knowing that we could only complete it at this Convention. It might take centuries to find the den of those bastards; and Zaimo and Nebai also don’t seem like they’ll advance anytime soon; if that really happens,’ Alm pondered coldly. ’There’s a risk we’re wrong in our deduction; many random variables could happen. But I’d say we have no options. And this is a great opportunity to be recognized by the dwarves, something that might never happen again.’
’Hm?’ Bruno was confused, but he immediately connected the dots.
The God of Wealth worshipers’ goal is to hunt down the followers of the God of Merchants, who happen to be practically all dwarves. They also received the information Nebai mentioned about the Convention’s treasures.
Knowing that the dwarves would do anything to get the Forge God’s relics, would they miss such a good chance to kill them in large numbers?
"Nebai, tell all the dwarves to stop what they’re doing and return to their galaxy. This Convention will be very important for everyone; we’re going to do something big. It would take too long to find the God of Wealth followers’ den. But they’ve opened their doors for us to walk right in."
The whale spoke slowly, and Nebai’s eyes widened, understanding what he meant.
"You’ll lead us again. Everyone will be happy and return home immediately," she replied, excited.
The whale ended the conversations. In a day, he would return to go to the dwarves’ galaxy. First, he had to solve another problem...
A few minutes later...
"No! I want to go with master!" Ruri roared.
She was in the middle of everyone in the group, and the whale informed her of the events, already expecting this reaction.
"It would be great to have you along, but there are other priorities. You have to absorb the scales, and that will take a long time. That is the top priority. After this convention, we’ll need to raise cultivation quickly to enter the sealed black worlds."
The whale spoke calmly, and Ruri’s eyes trembled with frustration. "The others have an even more important task. They must recruit people and train them, but that’s secondary. The most important thing is to use those wills I sealed in everyone to refine yourselves. With that, it should be enough to become Ancestral Empyreans." (Chapter 630)
Everyone in the group clenched their fists, feeling guilty for not being able to accompany the whale, forcing him to take the risk of going almost alone. Only Ruri had reached that level, while the others needed time; if they went with him, they’d never have the chance to advance.
"Zaimo and Thea will go with me. Zaimo could gain a lot in the dwarves’ galaxy; it’s worth him trying his luck and getting closer to his race. As for Thea, who isn’t an Empyrean yet, her skills will be essential for my plans," the whale said straightforwardly.
"But…" Ruri tried to argue but couldn’t find a valid reason.
"I’ll be back in a little over three months. When I return, things will get hectic. This is a rare moment of peace that you all should take advantage of," the whale concluded, and everyone except Ruri nodded in agreement.
The whale spent the rest of the day finalizing all the changes to the new array. The dronic beasts officially became soldiers in the array, with Deryu taking on the role of squad leader. Runula, who was already in the old array, was promoted to general. In the future, Ruri would form new armies, and Coltia could lead them.
Alm and Bruno hoped that, by the time they returned, everyone in the group would have formed a cohesive unit. They weren’t worried about the level of the recruits since everyone in the group knew how to teach and had a good eye for recognizing potential. Talent didn’t matter as much as willpower and honesty; everything else could be achieved with time.
Alm and Bruno had to promise to bring gifts and also reward Ruri appropriately if she met her goals. She reluctantly agreed, but what shocked Bruno was knowing that her main reason for not wanting to stay was not being able to be by his side when he did something shocking and possibly bloody.
’She’s learned to enjoy some very specific things because of us… she’s turned into a legit Villain’s Disciple,’ Bruno remarked, but Alm ignored him. He was more concerned about something else but soon felt reassured; there was no doubt in his mind that the whale would return safely.
As the day passed, Thea and Zaimo joined the whale, and they arrived once again at the Larimar market, ready to finally head to the dwarves’ galaxy.