Altria could barely contain her excitement. The urge to unleash one technique after another surged within her, but she forcefully held herself back. Her heart was beating too fast, her mind too loud.
She wanted to go wild right here and now but she held back. She hurried into her house and went straight to the training room.
The room was massive, expanded by spatial formations far beyond its physical size. The floor and walls were pure white, tiled with smooth, seamless plates that reflected light softly, making the space feel endless and clean.
Altria drew a deep breath.
Then she moved.
Booomm~~!!
She performed attack techniques first, then defensive formations, followed by sensory skills. Movements she had only dreamed of for hundreds of years flowed naturally from her body. Every strike felt crisp.
Every defense responded instantly. Her senses stretched outward, clear and sharp.
Her heart pounded violently in her chest. Sweat rolled down her forehead, her expression glowing with excitement and disbelief. She didn't stop.
Again and again, she practiced. No, she unravelled herself after a long time.
Only when exhaustion finally caught up to her did she collapse onto the floor. She lay there, breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
Her body was sore, her limbs trembling, yet a wide smile stretched across her face.
She closed her eyes, savoring the feeling.
Then suddenly, her eyes snapped open.
A thought struck her.
Was she the only one the Deity had apologized to?
Or… were the others the same?
'My status now has risen to that if a wife. That's why I could do all the things I can do now... can others do the same?'
The moment the question formed, she could no longer stay still. After a short rest, she stood up and walked out of the house. She used Cleaning Technique on herself to, took her sword, and left the house.
A strange sense of freedom wrapped around her entire being. It felt unfamiliar, yet intoxicating. Like a weight she had carried for centuries had finally been lifted.
She moved quickly through the skies and soon arrived at Roxy's Island. Her Soul Sense swiped through the house.
For the first time, she felt how the people closest to her felt spiritually. Altria imprinted their presence in her soul. They felt her presence as well.
Their Soul Sense observed her from all directions.
She landed in front of the house. All five were already there, standing together inside the living room.
The group turned to Altria. Their mark was gone as well. Altria looked at their eyes.
Their eyes told everything. They had heard it too. They smiled at Altria. Eyes full of emotions.
Altria felt the same as well. Her lips quivered.
Altria stepped forward, clenched her fist, bowed slightly, and spoke with a steady voice despite the tears welling in her eyes.
"I am Altria Wuji! Pleased to meet you!!"
Altria said loudly. Addressing everyone in the room.
For a moment, silence reigned. They tried to get hold of themselves.
Then Roxy stepped forward. Her eyes burned with emotion as she returned the gesture.
"I am Roxy Wuji! Pleased to meet you as all well!"
One by one, the others stepped forward.
"I am Kyra Wuji. Pleased to meet you."
"I am Maline Wuji. Pleased to meet you."
"I am Liora Wuji. Pleased to meet you."
"I am Elayne Wuji. Pleased to meet you."
Their voices echoed softly. It was strange.
They had known each other for a long time. Yet this felt like their first true meeting.
For the first time, they stood there not as bargaining chips of great families, nor as vessels of a supreme deity, but as individuals. Proud women with their own will. Their own identities.
Their own names and acknowledged by the Deity.
A Wuji. A Person. Above all... free.
"Heh~"
A smug chuckle echoed around them. All six froze.
The same ethereal voice Altria had heard echoed in all of their Soul Sea again.
Their eyes widened before trembling violently. Heat rushed to their faces, and they blushed deeply. Embarrassment flooded them as they realized the deity may have been watching the entire time!
Even the introductions!! Despite knowing each other for so long they still introduced each other like they are meeting for the first time. With such intense emotions as well!! Such embarrassment.
The atmosphere turned awkward. Then Altria gathered her courage and spoke out loud.
"Lord Deity… did you hear everything we said?"
Another chuckle echoed.
"Yes."
Their embarrassment deepened. Before it could spiral further into existential embarrassment, golden particles suddenly appeared in the air. They shot toward the center of their foreheads and sank into them, disappearing into their Soul Seas.
'!!!'
Instantly, the turbulence within them calmed.
All six exhaled softly.
Their minds became clear. Their emotions settled.
Silent awe filled their hearts as they felt the sheer power behind such a simple act. None of them spoke, yet all of them could feel his presence clearly.
It was not everywhere. It was with them. Within their souls.
They instinctively remembered the mark that had merged with their soul essence. It was likely because of that connection.
The thought that they shared such an intimate link with the most famous and influential Deity of the First Heavenly Domain made them shiver.
Yet strangely, they didn't feel exposed.
They felt safe. Secure. As if wrapped in a warm embrace they couldn't put into words.
Altria shook her head lightly and suggested they sit down and talk, sharing how they felt after everything that had happened.
They talked through the afternoon, emotions flowing freely.
The Deity remained silent all this while, as if absent. Yet all of them knew he was there, listening. And that was enough.
They didn't stay over like before. One by one, they returned home, eager to cultivate after so long. Excitement filling their heart.
Altria glided through the air fast, slowing down gradually as she noticed the distant sun setting.
Orange light painted the world, casting warmth over floating islands and lands of countless colors.
The view was breathtaking.
She stopped and watched until the sun fully disappeared. Only then did she return home and secluded herself in her room....
Altria took a deep breath to calm her pounding heart. She began cultivating. Her sense merging with the environment and sensing the ambient energy in the atmosphere.
Heaven and earth energy moved towards her and seeped gently into her body. It passed through her skin, muscles, and bones, then flowed into her meridians. Altria relished the feeling of Heaven and Earth energy seeping through her being.
It was exhilarating!
The energy traveled toward her core, circulated throughout her body, and finally settled within her once more.
At that moment, Altria realized how deeply important being a cultivator was to her. The weight of that identity pressed on her heart, heavy yet comforting.
Only after losing something do you truly understand its value...
That saying was not wrong at all.
She steadied her heart, silenced her thoughts, and fully immersed herself in cultivation, losing herself in the long-awaited sensation she had finally regained.