Chapter 288: Chapter 286: You... What Is Your Cultivation?
The sea was once again calm, though a light rain still pattered down from above.
Seeing her emerge from the water, Javier Sinclair strode toward her. "You’re out?"
Celeste Grant smiled and nodded. "Hehe, darling, I’m out! Oh, right, let me introduce you. This is the Divine Beast, the Black Tortoise. It’s a friend of Ruby’s and is coming to stay with us as a guest."
She then introduced Javier Sinclair to the Black Tortoise on her shoulder. "Black Tortoise, this is my husband. He’s one of us."
The Black Tortoise lifted its head slightly.
Its gaze fell on Javier Sinclair, a hint of wariness in its eyes.
It then spoke in a human tongue. "You’re this female cultivator’s Taoist Companion? That’s not right... Why can’t I sense your cultivation?"
’This... this is all wrong! There are only two reasons I wouldn’t be able to sense someone’s cultivation: either they’re a complete weakling with no cultivation to speak of, or... their cultivation is so far above mine that they’ve concealed it, making it impossible for me to detect.’
’This female cultivator is in the Void Refinement Realm herself, so her Taoist Companion couldn’t possibly be a weakling. That means this man before me is incredibly strong. His cultivation must be far above my own.’
"You... Who are you? What is your cultivation level?"
’Since when was there another expert of this caliber in the Cultivation World? And what are the odds I’d just casually run into him?’
The Black Tortoise had only awakened from its long slumber a year ago. During that time, it had overheard conversations among the cultivators on passing merchant ships. They said that among all the cultivators of the Immortal and Demonic Paths, the strongest was a Demon Cultivator named Javier Sinclair. His cultivation was said to be unfathomably deep, having already reached the Transcendance Tribulation Stage.
’No, no... I must be overthinking things. It can’t be that much of a coincidence.’ But even as it had that thought, the Black Tortoise subconsciously stretched its neck out, its beak opening and closing as it spoke. "You wouldn’t happen to be that Demon Cultivator, Javier Sinclair, would you?"
Celeste Grant smiled and nodded. "That’s right! So you’ve heard of my husband, Black Tortoise. He is indeed Javier Sinclair. As for his reputation... well, the other cultivators call him all sorts of names—Demon, Old Fiend Sinclair, The Archfiend, The Exalted One, The Blood-Venerate... There are a lot, really. Haha, but don’t mind the details... that’s not important. And as for his cultivation, my husband is a Transcendance Tribulation Stage cultivator. He’s considered pretty strong among those on the Immortal and Demonic Paths, I guess. His cultivation is just a *little* bit higher than yours." As she spoke, she held up her hand and made a pinching gesture with her thumb and index finger, indicating it was just a tiny bit stronger.
The Black Tortoise: "..."
The Black Tortoise fell silent.
’It didn’t know how to describe the complex emotions swirling within it. Its entire turtle existence was in shock. This man really *was* that Demon Cultivator, Javier Sinclair.’
’He was the only cultivator in the entire Cultivation World to have reached the Transcendance Tribulation Stage.’
’So, human female cultivator, are you even listening to yourself speak?’
’She said this Demon Cultivator, Javier Sinclair, was just a "little bit" stronger than me? Is that what you call a "little bit"? The kind of "little bit" that could annihilate me and turn me to ash with a single wave of his hand?’
’Is he really that strong?’
Javier Sinclair said nothing, but he released his cultivation’s aura. The Black Tortoise sensed the immense pressure. It instinctively raised its defenses, and a circle of runes materialized around its body.
Javier Sinclair’s gaze swept over the Black Tortoise as he commented lightly, "Your cultivation isn’t half-bad." As he spoke, he retracted his aura, once again appearing as if he had no cultivation at all.
But the Black Tortoise no longer dared to believe for a second that this man had no cultivation.
Celeste Grant said with a smile, "See? His cultivation is just a little stronger than yours."
In the blink of an eye, the Black Tortoise’s form landed on the ground, transforming into a giant turtle several meters wide that now occupied the deck. It quickly shook its head and said, "No, no, I am no match for Your Eminence. I have heard passing cultivators speak of you before. To meet you in person is this Black Tortoise’s great honor."
At that moment, the Black Tortoise truly believed that the couple meant it no harm.
’After all, with my current level of cultivation, they had no need to deceive me. The man before me could snuff out my life as easily as crushing an insect. Even if he wanted to force a contract on me, I wouldn’t have the slightest power to resist with my current cultivation. And yet... they really were just inviting me to their home as a guest.’
’I’m so glad I didn’t get into a conflict with this female cultivator, and especially that I didn’t harm her. Otherwise, I would have definitely provoked a supreme expert and made an enemy of him.’
Javier Sinclair extended his hand and gave a light flick of his finger. The Black Tortoise’s massive form shrank, landing neatly in his palm.
He then casually passed it to Celeste Grant and said lightly, "Since you’re a friend of Ruby’s, you’re one of us. You’re welcome at our home."
The Black Tortoise’s heart warmed with a little happiness.
’They actually considered me one of their own.’
Celeste Grant placed the Black Tortoise back on her shoulder. "Let’s go, Black Tortoise. Ruby will be so happy to see you."
The Black Tortoise nodded slightly, also feeling a little happy.
"Then I shall impose."
Celeste Grant gave a small smile.
’This little turtle is so polite, and endearingly silly. It’s actually quite cute.’
At that moment, Javier Sinclair’s gaze shifted to Celeste Grant’s shoulder.
Javier Sinclair’s eyes fell upon the Black Tortoise.
This little turtle looked like a turtle, but it was clearly different from an ordinary one. Though small, it had a majestic air, and a spectral, snake-like shadow was coiled around its body. It was said that only when the Black Tortoise was in battle would the coiled snake manifest as a physical entity rather than a mere shadow.
Celeste Grant looked at Javier Sinclair and said with a smile, "Darling, let’s set sail for home. We won’t use spatial teleportation this time. The Black Tortoise has lived in the sea its whole life and has probably seen very little of the outside world. This is a perfect chance to show it around and have some fun along the way."
Javier Sinclair nodded slightly.
"Mm."
’As long as she’s happy.’
Seeing that it was still raining, Javier Sinclair raised his hand slightly. With a twitch of his finger, the rain instantly stopped.
The large ship, which had been moored near a reef in the open sea, began to move slowly across the water. Then, it gradually lifted off the surface, flying towards the horizon.
It flew on until it left that stretch of sea behind and entered the clouds.
Standing on the ship, Celeste Grant looked down at the open sea below. ’Oh, right... Jocelyn Grant never showed up. Oh well! She’ll appear when she’s supposed to. I’m not going to wait for her.’
’I’ve found the Black Tortoise, so let’s just head back for now.’
"Oh, right..."
Celeste Grant slapped her forehead. "What about our son? I can’t just forget about my own son!"
"Don’t you worry about him."
Javier Sinclair walked to Celeste Grant’s side and wrapped an arm around her waist. He smiled faintly and said, "That kid’s a crafty one. With his current cultivation, who in the entire Cultivation World could possibly get the better of him? He’s grown up now, so let him spread his own wings. We don’t need to worry about him. From now on, let’s just focus on living our own lives together." He was completely at ease when it came to their son.
Celeste Grant smiled faintly.
’Their son really had grown up. It was time to let him fly on his own; he couldn’t live under his parents’ wings forever.’
