Hello, dear readers! Here's your chapter!
The first case of my new detective story is available on youtube, along with the first chapter being available on patre0n if you're interested. it's a story following a detective and a new police officer who partner together to resolve crimes committed or linked to extraordinary beings. The setting is a 1920 style parallel world.
Do check the first case of 'Everlight City's Extraordinary Investigations' : https://youtu.be/BKCr9mg4OeQ
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Flowing Stars Archipelago, Earth
Of the three, Feng Ling and Sergei had both trodden more than half of the Early First Void Seed Level, which seemed slow if it happened at lower Ranks, but at the Void Seed Stage, it was beyond fast.
As for Wang Ling, his cultivation had seen almost no progress, which was actually normal, as improving even one level may take more than a hundred years even for geniuses, especially at the Late Stage Void Seed Rank.
In cultivation, the higher one went, the slower the progress.
Fortunately, Wang's talent was relatively outstanding, with a high chance of reaching the Peak of the Void Seed Rank.
As for going further?
The odds were very low, though his situation was still better than 99% of cultivators who could not even hope to reach the Foundation Building Rank.
In any case, the three of them were immediately able to sense the powerful Void Qi mixed with Elemental Energy from the two women's aura, which stunned them speechless immediately.
However, unlike Sergei and Ling, whose cultivation was still too low, Wang Ling perceived something else from their aura.
It was a vague sense of pressure.
As a Mid-Late Stage Void Seed cultivator (Eighth Level), Wang Ling should not have felt any pressure from someone who had just broken through to the Void Seed Rank, no matter how talented.
After all, if a supreme genius could still fight beyond their major level at the Core Formation Rank, at the Void Seed Rank it was impossible.
At most, one could struggle against someone one level higher, and nothing more.
'The pressure isn't great, so it's most likely they would only be able to resist one or at most a few moves from me, but it's already beyond abnormal... And what's going on with that strange aura? It feels like they've only reached the First Level, but also not exactly...'
Despite having many questions, Wang Ling kept them bottled up inside.
After all, no one liked nosy people, and the more time passed, the more determined he became to follow the Mikhailovs, both to gain some protection and to improve his cultivation's prospects, so he was not about to screw it up by asking what he should not ask.
Seeing the shocked looks on the other three's faces, Liya retorted with a smug grin.
"We're just basking in our husband's brilliance. So, do you like the surprise I got for you, sister?"
On the side, Bryn rolled her eyes, though the slight upturn of her lips' corners betrayed her amusement.
As for Sergei, once the shock wore off, he let out a few chuckles, thinking about how similar Ling and Liya were, with both enjoying teasing each other on every possible occasion.
In the past, it was mostly his wife doing the teasing, but seeing the current redhead, he had a feeling that the roles were about to be reversed.
Hearing Liya's playful words, Ling set her hands on her round hips and replied in mock seriousness.
"I haven't seen you for half a year, and you're already thinking you can make fun of me, MeiMei [A/N: Little sister/close younger female friend]? That won't do! I need to remind you who's the oldest in this family!"
Seeing the two throwing banter at each other without caring about the other's presence, Sergei turned his head toward Brynhild and asked.
"How are Demian and Seraphine? Do they need our help?"
Turning her focus toward the older man, Brynhild shook her head slightly and replied.
"They're fine, and no, those two can deal with the refinement themselves. In fact, it's better if no one knows where they are. It's safer that way."
Knowing she was right, Sergei nodded before continuing his queries.
"Speaking of which, what happened to you back then? With that talisman I gave you, you should've landed at most a few Islands away, and with your previous strength, it shouldn't have taken you so much time to find an Island to contact us."
At that question, Bryn started recounting the previous events, only omitting the parts that were linked to Demian and his Perks.
After she told them everything they needed to know, a glint of chilling light appeared in Wang Ling's eyes as he commented.
"So, that's why these Wolven rats kept eluding our search. They're using Secret Realms to hide themselves."
Nodding her head, Bryn added.
"They should also have some of the Federation officials helping to cover their tracks. My guess is that the Mist Mountain Island's governor, or someone below him, should be involved in this case."
Nodding his head, Sergei mentioned.
"Actually, it's both. When you four disappeared, Hall Master Wang and your Aunt Ling were sent by Elder Eldoria to deal with the problem. After seizing that Governor and interrogating him, we've found all those involved with the Wolven Pleasure Consortium and dealt with them. Most were executed, and only a few 'light' offenders were crippled. Unfortunately, we couldn't find their base of operation, but it seems like you stumbled into it and took care of it for us. I don't know if I should call you lucky or unlucky."
On the side, both Feng Ling and Adeliya had stopped joking with each other to listen to the conversation.
Hearing Sergei's words, Liya asked.
"What about that Void Seed Demon who attacked us previously?"
Shaking his head slightly, Sergei replied with a wry smile on his face.
"He also escaped. The thing is, a Void Seed expert trying to hide is extremely difficult to find. Unless a few Void Sapling Elders dedicate their time to sweep the entire region, or that Demon shows himself willingly, then there's not much chance that we could find him."
At that moment, Wang Ling interjected.
"The problem is that the King-Grade Demon in question might not be the only infiltrator present in the Federation. The best course of action would be for a few powerful Void Seed cultivators to hunt them down discreetly, but for that to succeed, not only would they need to be powerful, but also be able to hide their presence from the enemy. I could theoretically do it, but I'm already swamped with tasks already, so I don't have the time."
Hearing his words, Bryn and Liya glanced at each other, with the former cocking her brow as if to question the other, while the latter nodded her head with a confident smile.
Seeing the wordless exchange between the two women, Wang Ling had a vague guess, which was immediately confirmed by Bryn's following words.
"My mother and I will take care of it. You only have to send us any information about strange incidents, like disappearances, Demon sightings, etc., and we'll deal with the investigation."
While his brows furrowed slightly, Wang Ling replied.
"You've only just broken through, correct? If the enemy is only at the Early Stage Void Seed level, then I'm sure you could at least defend yourself, but what about if you end up with someone at the Mid Stage or even Late Stage like me? Or worse, what if there are multiple enemies at these levels? I know you two are monstrously talented, but each Major Level in the Void Seed Rank is a chasm that's virtually impossible to cross."
With a calm smile hanging on her lips, Liya replied with a few reassuring words.
"Mister Wang, you don't have to worry for us. We're not reckless. If we can fight, we will, but if we can't, we'll just flee."
Hearing her words, a wry smile appeared on his face as he retorted.
"The thing is, if the strength difference is too high, you wouldn't even be able to flee. I really think you're underestimating how much stronger someone at my Stage is compared to yours."
Shaking her head, Liya replied, the calm expression she wore not changing in the slightest.
"Again, we're not reckless. If I say we can flee, then we can. I can't speak for those at the Void Sapling Rank, but even a Peak Void Seed cultivator could not stop us if we wanted to run away. Trust me, I wouldn't joke with my life or my daughter's."
Seeing the confidence in her eyes, Wang Ling hesitated before recalling all those incredible feats the four had performed since they had arrived in the Federation a few years prior.
'Maybe I'm being too conservative, trying to apply my own situation with theirs. Normal people and monstrous geniuses are ultimately different, I guess.'
Letting out a sigh, he stated.
"Very well. I'll take care of the information side of things. But you two must stay in the Outer Region under Bright Star Island. It's not that I don't think that other Inner Islands officials won't help, but it's better to rely on our own people. At least, with Elder Silk, General Mikhail and myself ready to help you when needed, your safety would be much greater."
The genuine concern in his voice brought a warm feeling to Liya's heart, whose expression gained a hint of warmth as she replied.
"We'll follow your suggestion. Also, once my daughter is done with the treasure refinement, and both she and our husband return, I'll ask him to give you the same gift he's given to Sister Ling, Brother Sergei and the others."
Hearing her words, Wang Ling felt his heart skip a beat, his breathing becoming more hurried, while a hint of shock and desire appeared in his gaze as he recalled how quickly the couple's cultivation had been progressing lately.
Seeing the amused smile on the oldest redhead's face, Wang Ling felt a tinge of embarrassment at his own excessive reaction, prompting him to let out a cough before explaining honestly.
"I'm sorry about my reaction. It's just that I've had some guesses about that 'gift' of yours, and being allowed to receive it made me briefly lose control of my emotions."
Waving away his apology, Liya replied.
"There's no need to apologize. Anyone in your place would have reacted in the same manner. The things my husband is looking for in people around him are loyalty and a certain level of character. As for having a bit of greed, it's completely acceptable. Even the four of us are guilty of it, let alone others."
The young woman's words made Wang realize how right his previous decision of following the four had been.
After all, since he had hoped to receive some extraordinary benefits while not being part of the Mikhailovs' inner circle, Wang Ling had been ready to be treated like a servant, which, once those four became Transcendents, would still be an honor for him.
However, it seemed like he had been overthinking, as although he was aware of his own place as a subordinate, the lady whose beauty rivaled an Immortal Empress still treated him respectfully.
Letting out a relieved sigh, all his previous 'scheming' vanished from his heart, leaving only genuine respect behind, prompting him to state with a smile.
"I, Wang Ling, swear to follow Lord Mikhailov and the three lady Mikhailovs. If you have any order, do tell me and I'll do my best to accomplish it."
In life, sometimes you had to take some risks, jumping from a metaphorical cliff with no idea what was waiting for you below, in the hope of obtaining great rewards.
Either you smashed your body down on the ground, you plunge into the water, or you find yourself able to fly in the sky.
In this case, Wang Ling felt like he was about to take off as he heard Liya's positive response to his pledge.
"For now, there's none, but we'll let you know once we do."
Seeing the man who was not only much more powerful but also more experienced than him and his wife pledging himself to his student and his wives, Sergei felt a slight sense of surrealism, though it was quickly replaced by a feeling of relief as he thought.
'With so many strong people around them, even with Ling and I having been surpassed in cultivation, Demian and the girls should be much safer during this period when they are still too weak to face those Emperor-Grade Demon Beasts. Who could have guessed that in barely a few years, the young lad who had no cultivation whatsoever would have caught up, and even surpass my fifty years of cultivation... Life is truly unpredictable, isn't it?'
Although his feelings were a bit complicated, in the end, the handsome man with slick short hair was still glad for the four Mikhailovs.
At that thought, Sergei's lips curved into a warm smile as he suggested.
"Why don't we go back to Bright Star Island? Take a few days' rest, and you two can start on your hunting missions. What do you say?"
The two women grinned back at him, with Bryn commenting.
"Being outside for so long, I've missed home and the Mansion's people."
As for Liya, she added.
"A long bath and a good sleep in our bed is all I ask."
With the mother and daughter's agreement, the group swiftly left Green Mountain Island and rode the Void toward Mist Mountain Island.
With their speed, it took only one day, though Ling and Sergei had to be carried by the others as their Void Mastery was lower than the others.
Still, the two had come to accept the situation and did not let out a word of complaint, though it was unknown what they were thinking inwardly.
Once they reached Mist Mountain Island, it took them two more days to arrive at Flowing Wind Island, where they were able to have priority use of the teleportation circle through their status as Great Enforcers.
Less than an hour later, the group found themselves in the pavilion set on the Serene River, where they all sat down to chat longer around some hot drinks and pastries.
Half an hour later, Wang Ling left after receiving an urgent message from one of his subordinates asking for his help.
As soon as the man left, Liya let out a long breath before commenting.
"This place really makes me feel at peace."
Letting out a few giggles, Ling retorted.
"It's not called Serene Mansion for nothing, you know?"
Her words brought an amused smile to the redhead's face, who then fell silent for a few moments while enjoying the tranquil atmosphere.
It was only when her ears caught the sound of a small animal scurrying away on the other bank of the river that Liya stopped daydreaming and turned toward Ling and Sergei with a much more serious expression as she changed the conversation topic.
"Now that we're alone, I can ask you something that's been on my mind lately. Do you know how we can go back to the Origin Islands?"
Seeing the surprise on the other two's faces, Liya explained.
"The reason I'm asking that is that now that we've reached the Void Seed Rank, Demian and the three of us want to get married. The thing is, I'd like for Demian's father to be present, but since he's still on the Origin Islands, we need to find a way to bring him here..."
As these words left her lips, a slight frown appeared simultaneously on the couple's faces, with Sergei replying.
"If you were still at the Core Formation Rank, then it wouldn't be a problem. At most, you'd have to pay some price to get in and out with some people. But now that you've reached the Void Seed Rank, I don't think they'll let you through. That place is forbidden for anyone at Tier 4 or above who isn't part of the Immortal Crimson Autocracy. The only solution I see is that you send someone there in your place..."
Once he stopped speaking, Ling added.
"Well, if you could hide your current cultivation from them, it would also work, but I'm not sure if that's even possible. From what I heard, the Origin Islands are full of extremely powerful Arrays, from defensive to investigative and even offensive ones. Calling that place an impregnable fortress is putting it mildly."
Hearing these words, Liya's delicate brows furrowed slightly before she felt a light tap on her shoulder.
Turning toward Bryn, Adeliya then heard the former suggest.
"Why don't we ask Sera? She might have an answer, don't you think?"
With the frown turning into a thoughtful expression, Liya replied.
"It's worth a try. I'll tell her right now."
Noting the mother-daughter exchange, neither Sergei nor Ling understood why the young dark elf was supposed to have an answer to that impossible question, or even how they could contact her in the first place, though neither of them commented.
Instead, both of them chose to stay silent while observing Liya's following actions.
As soon as the words left her lips, the oldest redhead closed her eyes and, through the Soul Bond, started explaining the situation to Seraphine and Demian in the hope that the former would have a solution.
It took a few minutes before she received a response, although Liya was not exactly surprised.
After all, through the Soul Bond they shared, she could sense the others' state, and from the overflowing lust that emitted from the two horny dogs, it was easy to guess what they had been up to since she and Bryn left them.
Still, neither Liya nor Bryn would blame them, as they would have done the same if the roles were reversed.
Five minutes later, Liya opened her eyes, and the slight tension in her face had all but vanished, leaving a light smile in its stead.
Noting her expression, Ling asked curiously.
"Did you speak to Xiao Zi? What did she say?"
Turning her gaze toward the Asian woman, Liya responded with a hint of delight.
"She said that she'll take care of it, but we need to wait for her to finish refining her treasure."
Feeling surprised, Sergei then asked in a tone filled with doubts.
"The Arrays in question are said to be able to stop even the strongest Tier 5 cultivators, and there are even rumors that state that the Formations can even block Transcendents. I'm sure that once you all reach Tier 6, with your talent and comprehension, it'll be possible to bypass them, but now...?"
After throwing a knowing look at each other, the mother and daughter's faces were graced with a similar beautiful smile before Liya replied cryptically.
"Let's just say that Sera's means are beyond normal..."
Despite feeling a great urge to ask for more information, Sergei and Ling opted to keep their questions to themselves while Ling replied with a smile hanging on her lips.
"Well, if you're right, then I'm happy for you. The three of you have been waiting for that wedding for a while now, haven't you?"
Brynhild nodded, while Adeliya responded in a tone filled with complicated emotions.
"We have, yes. I just wish my parents were still alive to see it..."
Letting out a sigh, the redhead felt her daughter's hand gently grabbing her own as the younger woman said softly.
"I also miss grandpa and grandma, but I'm sure they'd be happy to see the four of us getting married. Especially Demian. I mean, he's always been their favorite."
Hearing the hint of fake resentment in her tone, Liya let out a few chuckles as she commented.
"Well, they had two daughters and two blood-related granddaughters, so, of course, they'd treat Demian like a treasure. Especially since he was so adorable when he was young. Always the polite and respectful little boy..."
Her description of Demian brought out a few chuckles from Bryn, who added.
"I guess he was. A bit TOO polite and respectful, if you ask me. But I can understand why he acted that way..."
Feeling intrigued, Ling started asking questions about Demian's childhood, which quickly turned into funny anecdotes about his life, from the time he started to talk and called Seraphine 'shat', which made the young girl sulk for a few days back then, to the time he went to train in the penthouse gym for the first time and dropped a weight on his foot, breaking one of his toes.
The following conversation was filled with laughter and cheerful smiles, with each of the four chiming in from time to time with their comments and comparisons with their own childhood.
At one point, they even switched to Bryn and Sera's amusing past moments, which made the former blush a few times with embarrassment, though she did nothing to stop her mother's retelling.
After all, these anecdotes were part of her past, and with so many moments forgotten, she felt a sense of warmth when hearing about them after all these years.
Time for cultivators was like water in a bucket full of holes: It was impossible to retain.
And thus, time fleeted by, with days turning into weeks, weeks into months, and more quickly than they expected, a year and a half went by while no one paid attention.
During that period, Adeliya and Brynhild had been extremely busy.
Most of the time, they went to hunt the Demon Beasts and Evil cultivators hiding in the Federation's Northern region following the vague clues Wang Ling sent them.
On many occasions, it was either a false alert or something that could have been dealt with by Tier 3 or below cultivators, though they did find a few Evil Tier 4 beings.
Among them, the majority was swiftly dealt with by the duo's incredible martial prowess, except for one time when they found themselves facing a High Late Stage Demon Beast hiding in ambush close to the Federation's northern border.
By that time, the two women had dealt with a few Void Seed cultivators relatively easily, which had slowly made them lower their guards.
Fortunately for them, the Demon Beast in question was a Grey-spiked Python, a 'dragon-beast' race whose blood contained some hints of dragon bloodline.
How was this a good thing?
Well, dragons were inherently lustful, and those with their bloodline, no matter how thin, also possessed that characteristic.
Thus, when two women as stunning as Immortals appeared in front of it, the Python quickly took human form and captured them alive, sealing their cultivation so quickly that Bryn and Liya only realized what had just happened when it was already over.
Before the Demon Beast could do anything else, however, they had immediately disappeared, leaving him with only impotent rage.
As for Bryn and Liya, they had both teleported to Demian's side, where Seraphine had to take a few hours to help them unseal their cultivation, or it might have taken the two days, or even weeks, to do it on their own.
Frightened by the experience, the mother and daughter duo chose to stay by the young man's side for more than a week to be 'comforted', though it was unknown if they were as distressed as they claimed or had simply been using it as an excuse to enjoy a bit of four-way 'fun'.
Still, as Bryn and Liya were about to get back to their 'hunt', the latter commented jokingly.
"After what happened, I have half a mind to let Lydia become one of Dem's women. That way, we'd cut the time it would take to reach the Void Sapling Rank by at least two, right?"
However, her suggestion was quickly rejected by Seraphine, who believed that three women were already enough and their cultivation speed was more than sufficient.
On the side, Brynhild stayed silent as she had come to appreciate the Moon Elf woman after both her mother and herself spent many friendly 'dates' with her between hunting missions.
After all, unlike her younger sister, Bryn had never been one to care about her husband having other women.
She was not sure if it was because she had been the 'last' woman among the three to admit to her own feelings, or if it was because of her previous life's memories, when Demian was actually going for Bryn's, or back then, Viktoria's, mother, but she would not mind having more 'sisters'.
Of course, that was only on the premise that the number stayed reasonable and that Demian still had time to dedicate to her.
After all, the more women her lover bonded with, the faster all of their cultivation would become.
Especially after having been so easily captured by that Peak King-Grade Demon Beast, the young woman's pride in her talent and strength had completely disappeared, with a growing desire for greater power and cultivation speed replacing it.
The cultivation world was anything but safe, and the stronger they became, the safer they would be.
And from what she could tell, her mother, Adeliya, seemed to feel the same, or there was no way she would have suggested something like that, even if she framed it as a joke.
However, seeing the sulking expression on Sera's face, Bryn knew that, unless Demian himself explicitly agreed, there was no way for any new 'sisters' to join them.
Shaking her head inwardly, the golden-skinned redhead thought amusedly.
'Oh well, I have a feeling that it's only a matter of time before it happens anyway...'
Thus, time resumed passing, with each of them busy with their own activity.
In that manner, at the end of that year and a half, the last speck of unrefined Realm Barrier was completely assimilated with her own Qi.
As soon as it happened, the entire Secret Realm started shaking, startling those still inside.
Gregorov, who was previously busy cultivating, was awakened by the large tremors around him, prompting him to mumble with hesitation.
"Is it a sign that Lady Mikhailov is about to finish refining the Realm into a treasure?"
Indeed, the man, along with a few important members of the Greywood and Wallace families, had been informed a year and a half ago about the young woman's intention and instructed to wait until it was over to leave the Realm itself.
Of course, each of them had to either swear a Soul Vow to keep it secret or choose to become the Mikhailovs' retainers.
Among those present, none chose the first option, as following those four was clearly the most promising path for them.
Even Gregorov, as an official, once he had been given a few more pieces of information about the four people's real status in the Federation, along with their potential to reach the Peak of Transcendence, had immediately chosen the second option.
And the result was that, in only a year and a half, all Foundation Building cultivators from the Greywood and Wallace families had reached the Peak of Tier 2, with Mark Greywood and Louis Wallace, the two External Deputy Chief Operatives, even breaking through to the Core Formation Rank.
Even Gregorov broke through to the Late Stage Core Formation, and he had a feeling that it would take at most a decade to reach the Peak, maybe even less.
While the people inside the Secret Realm had different thoughts, Seraphine exclaimed.
"The External merging part is finally finished. Now, I just have to imprint the Core with the needed Runes and merge a trace of my soul inside, and I can turn this Realm into a bead."
On the side, Demian was observing with interest the different changes happening to that massive Realm, studying the complicated operations of Void Qi and Elemental Qi, while listening to the young woman's detailed explanations.
Of course, his own comprehension was much lower than Seraphine's own, but he had still been able to catch some hints of understanding here and there during that time, which was enough to increase his Qi mastery by leaps and bounds, and in turn quickened his cultivation speed further.
A few more days went by, and the Secret Realm that was larger than Demian's previous life's Earth started decreasing in size until it became only as big as a small marble, with its grey-blue surface shimmering with mysterious runes.
Grabbing the small orb, Seraphine's expression turned delighted as she said.
"And it's done. Now we can go home, so I can start merging the bead into my Lower Core. It'll be safer than doing it here. What do you say?"
Nodding his head, Demian replied.
"Once you merge with it, it'll be time for our wedding and..."
Seeing the hesitation on his face, Sera grabbed his hand and finished his sentence in a gentle tone.
"And I'll find a way for us to get back to the Origin Islands so we can get Uncle Roman to be there for our wedding."
Seeing her loving gaze, Demian's previous hesitation vanished, replaced by acceptance as he said.
"You're right. The three of you are. The past is the past, and there's no use holding on to it. Plus, even if I don't agree with what he did, he did it for the right reasons, so it'd be stupid to keep resenting him for it."
Uttering these words made him feel as if a great weight had lifted from his heart, prompting him to add, while smiling at the woman he had grown to consider more precious than the rarest treasure.
"Let's go home, Love."