Pov: Vik
I felt a soft tongue licking my face. I slowly opened my eyes and saw a black cat with glowing green eyes sitting on my chest and licking my face.
Yawn! I took a big yawn. Now that I have this human body, I can yawn. With my previous snake body, I could only make a hissing sound when I tried to yawn. As I woke up, I first got Pushpa off my chest and slowly rose from my bed. I stretched my arms a bit and rubbed my eyes to wake up. While I did this, Pushpa meowed at me and started rubbing her head against my body. I thought she didn't want to leave my chest, so I picked her up again. I then walked out of the room I created next to the main hall. When I stepped out, I saw the main hall of the Anonymous hall again. I realized I need a proper layout for this place that lasts.
Right now, the place can change its scenery at my will. It currently looks just like the forest outside, but it should have a permanent design. I imagined it as a hall surrounded by stars, galaxies, and the cosmos, with pillars made of bright golden light. In the center would be my seat, a simple wooden chair, and around it would be many chairs made of bright jade. In front of those chairs would be a long table that looks like a desk.
After imagining all this, I told the system, "System, I want to change the layout of this hall to the one I have in mind."
System: "Okay, host. I will do it. Also, I need to talk to you about a few things."
After the system's announcement, the hall layout changed. It instantly became exactly as I imagined, but there were still some differences. My seat, while just a simple wooden chair, was higher than the others. It sat on a platform made of dark stones with bright yellow stairs leading up to it. In front was my disciple's chair, made of white jade, along with a similar white jade table for each chair.
I thought it mostly looked good, but this setting made me seem more like an emperor than a teacher.
System: "Host, you need to understand that you are the master, and it is normal for a master to sit higher than their disciples."
Vik: "Okay, system, I understand that. Now be quiet; I need to refresh myself."
Saying this, I walked out of the Anonymous hall towards the nearby pond. Even though I now have all the facilities in the Anonymous hall, I still prefer to bathe in the open pond. On my way, I met Lu Xiaoran and Roman. I guessed they also liked bathing in this pond.
When they saw me, they both greeted me.
Lu Xiaoran: "Good morning, master."
Roman: "Good morning, master."
In response, I said, "Good morning, disciples. I hope you both have freshened up and taken a bath."
Lu Xiaoran and Roman: "Yes, master."
Vik: "Okay, wait for me in the main hall. I have changed the layout there, so don't be surprised. Take a seat in the empty chairs, and I will arrive soon. I also want to talk about some important topics."
Hearing my words, they both nodded. After bowing to me, they walked toward the Anonymous hall. I continued toward the pond. When I reached the pond, I slowly took off my robe and changed into my snake form, as it is easier to swim this way. Seeing me transform into a snake, Pushpa looked surprised but quickly realized it was me. She began to climb onto my head without showing any fear towards my snake form. However, when I tried to take her with me into the water, she looked frightened and jumped off my head. She refused to go near the water no matter how hard I tried to convince her. It seems true that cats fear water.
Sigh. I sighed as Pushpa ran away every time I tried to take her into the water. I knew she didn't like it, but I was used to bathing daily. Even as a void-traveling expert, I still take baths. Generally, someone who reaches higher realms in cultivation doesn't need to eat, bathe, or freshen up like regular people. So, I wanted Pushpa to bathe like me since it's important for pets to stay clean every day. As her owner, it's my duty to make sure Pushpa stays clean.
I gently wrapped my tail around her and, without giving her time to react, took her into the pond with me while she meowed.
Now, after washing up with Pushpa, I walked toward the Anonymous hall with her on my shoulders. She still had wet fur from the bath and looked irritated. Occasionally, she scratched my head, showing her anger, but honestly, her actions made her seem even cuter to me.
When I reached the Anonymous hall, I entered the main hall. There, I found both Lu Xiaoran and Roman sitting in jade chairs with tables in front of them. When they saw me, they both stood up and bowed, to which I nodded. Soon, I reached my seat on the platform made of dark stones. To get to that platform, I had to climb some golden-looking stairs.
After sitting in my simple wooden chair, dark brown in color, I addressed my disciples. "Disciples, today we will not have your regular class. You are strong enough already, so I've changed your curriculum. It's time for us to experience the world outside this forest. Only through hardship will you grow stronger from here on. Today, we are going to Azure Mountain City. Do you have any objections?"
Hearing my words, both of them looked excited. Lu Xiaoran even had a determined look and said, "Master, I am ready now. I know you expect us to do our best, and we will. Master, I promise I will make you proud. And thank you, even if you don't say it, I know you are doing this to help me."
I replied, "Lu Xiaoran, you don't need to thank me. You are my disciple, and it's my duty to help you with every problem. What kind of master leaves their disciple alone in hard times? Now, get ready; we are leaving now."
After this, I asked Roman, "Roman, do we need to prepare anything to visit the city? Do I need an identity?"
Roman: "Master, usually there wouldn't be a need for that. Once we enter the city, I can create an identity for you with my contacts. It's better if we enter directly without going through any checks."
Vik: "You have a point, but don't worry. We will teleport directly inside the city. I think it's also essential for you two to have new identities since, in the world's eyes, both Lu Xiaoran and Roman are dead. It would be best for you to take on new names, but we can handle that after visiting the city. Remember, I will open a portal to Azure Mountain City, so grab anything you need and come here."
Hearing my words, Roman said, "There's no need for that, master. I keep all the necessary items in my space rings, so we can go right now if you want."
I almost forgot that Roman was like a walking warehouse. I thought I should assign him the task of managing the items in the Anonymous hall. That will be for the future, though, as I currently don't have any items in this hall other than this system and its products.
System: "Control your language, host. I am not a flawed system."
Vik: "Sorry, system. I didn't mean to insult you, but can you give me the coordinates for Azure Mountain City? I want to create a portal to that city myself. You know, one of the perks of reaching the void-traveling realm is some control over space. I want to try that power."
System: "Okay, I will give you the coordinates, but please don't mess up this time."
Vik: "Come on, system. You know I am a responsible snake. I don't like doing things the wrong way, so don't jinx it."