"Ah… This feels like I slept for another five hundred years!"
Seventeen years of exposure to immortal cultivation pushed Earth's technological prowess to leaps and bounds. The commercialized intercontinental-class flying ships alone is straight out of a sci-fi film produced in the early 2000's.
Not to mention the city sprawling with floating isles, high-rise buildings, designated honkai combat zones, Soul Tempering Tower…
Heck, there are even licenses for using flying swords within each city's airspace.
Li Shushang looked around eagerly like an excited child. The passing pedestrians acted as if they hadn't seen her, however. All of it is because of the woman walking in front.
"Who asked you to seclude yourself for seventeen years?"
"Hehe…"
She did not say anything to retort Hei Xuanyuan. For once, she literally is the founding emperor of Shenzhou. Her snobbish attitude came off as being strict and sharp-mouthed to Shushang.
What's more, she freeloaded on the Physical Cultivation Vein for almost two decades. The ancient Shushang is extremely embarrassed to have done so.
"Well, you are not to blame. I know someone who did the same."
"You mean…"
"The one and only."
There is only one person who could be called the First Cultivator. He is the first not only because he is the Dao Ancestor; but also because he is the strongest cultivator.
Sin Mal's hand in writing his feats further fueled the public's respect for him. He is a major player in the decisive battle against the Honkai. He is also the one who taught others immortal cultivation, thereby the current Earth's prosperous state.
Li Shushang met him once during the time Otto set out his plans for the Imaginary Tree.
"What a pity. I want to talk to him!"
Hei Xuanyuan gave her a side glance. The current Shushang treaded immortal cultivation. Sensing the hidden sharpness within her, Hei Xuanyuan chose not to speak.
'Fifth level Tao Heart… Is it genuine curiosity or..?'
Thinking of the women surrounding Shi Tian, Hei Xuanyuan felt genuinely helpless.
'If we hadn't known him for years…'
Shi Tian's reputation as a scumbag might have spread far and wide.
The two wandered around for five days. Even so, it wasn't enough to cover all of Earth's changes.
For example…
"The things you called phones… How come they are invisible now?"
"Cars… Aren't they supposed to traverse the land? They are flying now?"
"Teleportation array..?"
"Star Network… Isn't it called the Internet?"
Hei Xuanyuan answered some of Shushang's questions, though she remained helpless for the others.
'I shouldn't have secluded for… wait a minute.'
She recalled something and hastily took out a jade slip. It was left in front of her room's door. Along with it was a brief message stating this item's purpose.
'To catch up what I missed…'
Hei Xuanyuan took a quick glance at it using her spiritual consciousness. All sorts of information followed.
"..."
She blankly looked at the jade slip that introduced the changes in the past five years. As much as she wanted to scold herself, she could not do it.
"Ahem. Take a look at this."
"Hum?"
Shushang caught onto the jade slip she threw. Once she used her spiritual consciousness, countless information entered her mind. It took a few seconds for her to process everything. Though her enthusiasm diminished a bit, she still wanted to see these new things herself.
"This is very useful!"
Shushang wanted to ask why Hei Xuanyuan didn't give it to her early on but prevented herself from doing so.
Just like that, Hei Xuanyuan's face was saved. Li Shushang achieved her goal of gaining a preliminary understanding of this new Earth.
A single message interrupted their trip.
Hei Xuanyuan appeared to be in a daze. It took a while until she came back to herself.
She faced the still oblivious Shushang and asked:
"Don't you want to meet him?"
"Ah? I do. I have a lot of questions with the [Blade Mantra 2.0]..."
"Then let's go."
*****
Turns out, I wasn't the only one who liked to go into seclusion. Nearly everyone did. Although, they did one thing better than me.
Their scheduled seclusions are akin to rotations. It won't work if all of us go into seclusion. At the very least, there has to be a select few left to run the sect as well as Earth's development.
This time, Fu Hua and Bronya are in seclusion. It is Rita's turn to manage the sect, and she did so exceptionally.
I sat on a confectionary table. The teacups themselves are ready. The exquisite engravings present on them showed their intricacies. I could see the delicate process of its creation.
My thoughts wandered until the person I am waiting for arrived. She carried a teapot emitting faint white fog. Wearing the same maid outfit I could remember, Rita strolled with an elegant gait. Her steps are neither hurried nor slow; striking within the perfect balance.
Our eyes met. Her dark pink pupils showed no hesitation in meeting mine. This stare-off lasted until she placed the teapot above the table. She poured onto the teacups before sitting down.
All of my thoughts corresponded to her actions. I worried whether she would remain standing as we talked. It was as if she saw through a portion of my thoughts and acted upon it.
…
No wonder she is Schicksal's perfect maid.
"This should be our first meeting."
"Yes. The Young Miss spoke quite a lot about you, Sir."
"Miss Durandal… We can arrange for a spar sometimes."
"She will be glad to hear it."
With a common ground, our conversation flowed very smoothly. The topic went from Durandal down to her official affairs. In-between, she refilled my emptied teacup several times.
"I have heard about Miss Durandal's position at the Sword Peak. I hope she becomes its Peak Master."
For a moment, she paused.
"I heard there are some problems in that position. Will my words help in that regard?"
"Absolutely. I will make sure to relay your orders."
I nodded to her response.
I heard that one of the most popular Vein is the Sword Vein. Part of it came from Sin Mal's effort. All of the world knew that I possess a sixth level Tao Heart belonging to the sword path. Many people once pushed Mei, my sole student, in that position, but she declined. Without any suitable candidates, no one dared to touch the Sword Vein's Peak Master position, leaving it for the Elders to manage.
Durandal became the leader of these Elders, though I have a hunch Rita helped her a lot behind the scenes.
"Actually, there is one more thing I want to ask of you." I looked straight into her eyes and continued, "I want you to take up the Nascent Soul Realm breakthrough materials."
******
A/N: Bonus Chapter (2/2)