Duality of Shadows

[01 Side Quest Available!]

[Create a new celestial seed for the Nine Star Tree.]

[Reward 01: +30 Upgrade Points]

The source of this c𝓸ntent is frёeweɓηovel.coɱ.

[Reward 02: Main Quest Unlocked]

Alm and Bruno read the message with thoughtful expressions. ’Celestial seed for the Nine Star Tree... We have no idea what that is, but the Nine Star Tree Sect must know for sure,’ Alm remarked.

They remembered they had promised to visit that sect after the convention. But if it was something important to Heaven’s Will, they definitely couldn’t ask for information directly. They needed to find a way to make it safe.

’We also need to check on those three. They haven’t made contact in ages. From the array, we know they’re alive and still in this universe, but the fact that they haven’t sent a single message means things must be complicated,’ Bruno muttered.

Alm nodded in agreement. The Nine Star Tree Sect was the oldest in the universe, even though it was currently ranked fifth in power. They already knew that heroes used the biggest sects to handle their work. It was easy to deduce that the newly arrived heroes were using that sect to investigate this entire universe.

’The three must be working nonstop. Ruri mentioned she hadn’t seen them in the Black Sealed Worlds, even though she encountered some members of that sect. They must be avoiding contact to keep from leaving a trail that leads back to us,’ Bruno added.

Alm then coldly noted: ’There’s also that place where the Divine Inquisitors are created, and where the primitive races of this universe live. Everything is connected to that sect. We’ll have to investigate it sooner or later, but that manipulative Heaven’s Will seems to have other plans.’

They reflected on the looming danger. Due to the behavior of those three, they knew that heading to that sect meant getting dangerously close to the heroes. Knowing the pattern of escalating danger they always faced, once they completed this side quest, the main quest would be even more challenging.

’We need to be prepared and have a solid reason to meet them,’ Bruno said, pulling out the newly crafted hammer, called Eraser.

Alm began manipulating the hammer’s laws, while Bruno focused on the power of faith. After a moment, Bruno found a connection with Gaia from the planet Pristine.

’Collect some leaves from the Nine Star Tree; now we can move them,’ Bruno ordered.

Gaia nodded and carried out the task. Afterward, Alm left the planet Gloom. In space, with a smooth motion, the hammer’s Prana law pulsed. Meanwhile, Bruno opened a path using the law of faith. The union of the two laws created a small crack in space.

Quickly, they activated the inventory rune and used its devouring power to pull through whatever was on the other side. The process only took two seconds, and then the crack sealed.

They took deep breaths. The effort to do this had burned 90% of their Qi. Still, they managed to bring almost everything; only a third was lost forever. But it was already impressive that they had succeeded. If it was small, non-living things, they could now bring them from the other universe.

Alm analyzed the outcome and the costs: ’We can burn a third of what we have and move to any point within this universe,’ he stated. ’If we use 90% of our Qi, we can also open a passage to the underworld. It’ll be stable enough for several people to cross.’

Nebai and the dwarves used to combine the Prana law with a formation, consuming lots of resources to travel. It was cheaper and simpler than conventional spatial formations, but still costly. Alm and Bruno, however, had to handle everything themselves.

The whale returned to the planet and first visited the Larimar market. Upon arrival, they found Nebai smiling. They took a good look at her and her obvious joy. Suddenly, Bruno noticed something: "Hm? Are you pregnant?"

She nodded immediately. Bruno smiled internally, understanding the situation. They had sent Zaimo to the sealed worlds for a week, and then he rested for another week.

When they could see each other whenever they wanted, the two worked hard and saw each other little. But now, with limited time and not knowing when the whale would take him away again, they made the most of every day together.

The whale handed some leaves from the Nine Star Tree to Nebai. "They came from the legendary Nine Star Tree. Hold a secret auction in another market. Let it slip that this will be available beforehand, but sell it in five parts, in different auctions. I need to lure that sect. They’ll realize this wasn’t just a one-off find, and when it’s done, they’ll be desperate to know who got it and if there’s more."

Nebai nodded, her eyes shining. Bruno continued: "The profit from the auctions is yours; a gift for your achievement. And in the end, sell the information that it came from here for an exorbitant price. They’ll pay anything to know, and I’ll still get what I want."

The redheaded dwarf was beaming, imagining the astronomical sums each piece would fetch. As for the information afterward, she’d make sure to charge double the previous profit. That tree didn’t exist anywhere else; there was no competition, so she could do as she pleased and still be fair.

The whale turned back to the sect. Bruno smiled mentally, while Alm cursed at the waste of resources.

When they returned to their building, they were greeted by the entire main group. They were excited; Quirio had Mistie on his shoulder, and in his arms was a baby. It was the size of a newborn human baby, with wide-open eyes, calmly observing everything.

The incubation time had finally ended, and now the baby was active in the world. When they saw the whale arrive, everyone smiled and gathered around.

As they’d mentioned before, it was a girl. Although she was the size of a human, a pair of small yellow wings on her back revealed her connection to the Feys. Her eyes, however, were red, showing the demonic roots she inherited from her father.

Her skin was white and smooth, but black and yellow lines, like runes, were scattered across her body. They were similar to Quirio’s but much more complex and intricate. Even though she was just a newborn, natural laws bent before her, forming a unique aura.

"We were waiting for you," Mistie said, glancing at the whale. "She needs a name."

Bruno thought for a moment and finally named her: "Hmm... Purimu. In an ancient language, ’Puri’ is tied to wholeness or completeness, and ’Mu’ represents a connection to nature. She comes from many races, but she’s complete, without losing her natural essence."

After Bruno spoke, Mistie and Quirio nodded, satisfied. Alm, however, dryly added, ’Stay away from her as she grows. I don’t want to see you having those disgusting thoughts again.’

’I never had disgusting thoughts!’ Bruno snapped angrily.

The mood was light, and everyone was in good spirits, especially Zaimo, who was also being congratulated, as he’d be the next to become a father. However, Alm and Bruno noticed that Ruri was pretending to be happy; she felt a subtle bitterness. The two sighed—there wasn’t much they could do.

In fact, it was probably for the best. Nebai and Mistie could take care of their children in peace, while Ruri and the others didn’t have that luxury. If they took many years off to focus on motherhood, they’d fall far behind in power, and eventually, they wouldn’t be able to keep up.

The whale gently comforted Ruri, then withdrew to go into isolation.

They would have to wait for the auctions and for the sect to contact them. That way, they could negotiate and get information about the celestial seed. Going there directly would mean relying on the sect’s goodwill, risking drawing more attention than necessary to get what they wanted.

As for the origin of the tree’s leaves, they would just say they found a legacy in some Black Sealed World. Among the places Ruri had visited, there were old battlefields and other ancient locations. Claiming that would be convincing, since they were just leaves, and Alm and Bruno had drained all their vitality to make them look like ancient relics.

As they reflected, they thought about the system. After creating a new race, they had accumulated many points.

[Available Upgrade Points: 200]

[Available Celestial Points: 110]

The celestial points weren’t that useful at the moment, since everything was too expensive. It was better to save them until they had more. As for the upgrade points, they had a clear purpose.

[Immortal Level] [Chaos Laws – The great mist where it all began] [200 Upgrade Points]

[Accept?] [Yes / No]

They eagerly accepted. This was another immortal-level knowledge. With their understanding of Yin and Yang laws, they had already created extraordinary things. Now they were curious to see what this new understanding would bring.

This time, they asked Liumi to wake them from meditation as soon as Nebai contacted them. After two months, they were finally summoned. However... the call was very different from what they had expected.

"Master! Nebai! She’s been captured by the heroes!"