After a year and a half of detached time cultivation, we decided to leave. Staying inside was good, but it created bottlenecks in our cultivation that needed a perfect state of mind. So we emerged - it was about two months outside time, considering our hunting, eating, and three-way relationship that took most of it.
When emerged from the small island which used to cover the book, the book in my hand disappeared. The barrier reappeared and the temporal pages reversing some causal relationships, returned to my hands. It's just I could in theory go in and enter it again but I can't bring it out.
The artifact is bound by many of karmic and space time laws that it was impossible for anyone other than Nie Li who had the heavenly vine in soul realm nor the inheritance of Emperor Kong Ming to use except some one like me, an anomaly. After all the young supreme calculated from great heavenly change cultivation when he is nearly immortalized to sense the past and present.
We decided to keep knowledge of the Temporal Demon Spirit Book secret. Well I decided, they followed. Given the situation, of not having access, her next request was to bring people from city to learn from here. Well I don't care much about the city other than these young ladies and my old parents there.
Ziyun says this is what the people of our small world wanted. However, I had a long discussion with her about the principle of energy conservation and communism. There is not enough for everyone born to reach supreme in this world. Then it went on from who gets to decide and whatever. This is a cultivation world not exactly known for magnanimity and sharing.
Then I explained about Nie Li. From the laws of heaven, time and karmic laws, it went onto form a mini lecture on why Heaven doesn't want him to know about existence of this treasure as of now since he has to go through several tribulations to achieve greatness.
In doing so any anomaly causing by someone will cause fate backlash in normal cases. During our days inside the book, I'd already explained various aspects of living in a cultivation world - protagonists, heavenly will, destiny, systems, villains, sons and daughters of destiny, young masters, fiancé agreements, the importance of keeping a low profile... all from my knowledge of the previous world not even the demon spirit book possess.
It took some heavy convincing for them to keep quiet, but they understood the specialty of this divine item. With its ability to lock onto spacetime, people could quickly become experts, and the amount of minor worlds and information inside was another opportunity.
Nie Li had already published most publishable content to families in Glory City, so not much help was needed. For Nie Li's case, I described it as him not knowing its location yet. It was always his. I just got special access.
Now Ziyun was legend rank 4 with snow wind law cultivation, Ning'er was Legend rank 5 beginner with lightning law cultivation, and Yu Yan was heavenly fate 2 realm like myself. She and I went away first to obtain her storage rings and other items (since she was heavenly fate, she was pretty confident). It didn't take long since I could open space-time portals to places I'd visited or within a 500km radius.
We came back and left for the nether realm. This time the two girls were very knowledgeable and used advanced movement techniques. I decided not to teleport, and it took them four days to reach the nether realm entrance, which we again found using my LoHP trial and error technique.
I changed my appearance, hid my cultivation at legend rank peak using the new optimized technique that was inherently part of my cultivation method. If I used heavenly energy, it would still be found out, but we could use demon spirit abilities powered by heavenly energy.
The girls wanted to find and kill the demon lord, but knowing that guy was a future reincarnation of an expert with destiny tied to Nie Li, I expressed such possibilities. Such actions might lead to others discovering the possibility of life and cultivation environments outside the nether realm, potentially leading to Glory City's discovery through tracing us by divination or curiosity about our identities.
Besides, they were now sure Glory City would emerge victorious in any attack with their participation, and the last attack hadn't ended too badly for us. So they abandoned that thought.
I explained our reason for coming was to find and understand the strength of the person responsible for Yu Yan's plight. Using divination on items obtained from the fight with two legend rank beasts who'd assaulted her, we got a vision of Zhu Long - a 7 heavenly fate demon dragon lying in the extreme regions of nine-layered death lands in snowy peaks. We couldn't attack him now.
So we spent our days in the nether realm, learning about a senior rune master at the Jade Sea family who'd created many new weapons and devices. I tried sensing him with his soul signature, but it looked like Nie Li had already gone back.
***
We inquired about the nine-layered death lands and available information for venturing inside, then went there, entered the death lands. The harsh landscape stretched out under a blood-red sky - craggy rocks and desolate plains as far as the eye could see. We explored the terrain, and after confirming Zhu Long wasn't possible to defeat at our current power levels with absolute certainity, we decided to just explore and look around.
We recovered one of Yu Yan's possessions under her guidance - it was deep underground, bound by law inscriptions. We found many crafting materials and even some god fragments of chaos law god from other places, plus other things. Yu Yan went inside the ring world to go through all the found treasures while I decided to head back.
Suddenly, we noticed a figure emerging from the mists - a young man with an air of confidence and mystery. We met the beautiful guy named Xiao Yu. Looks like the Netherlord had already sensed the new and deep law fluctuations from both Ye Ziyun and Xiao Ning'er - two new demi-gods. And if he happened to look at me, he might have seen a mortal(?) with no cultivation and the spiritual goddess of fire Yu Yan going with them, unearthing treasures. Maybe that got him interested, so he sent her.
"Greetings young lady, my name is Xiao Yu," he said, reaching out to gently take my hand. With a graceful movement, he pressed a light kiss to the back of it - both respectful and slightly provocative.
"Forgive my boldness. I merely wished to make a new acquaintance in this unforgiving land. May I ask who you are and what brings you to this desolate place?" He went straight to me first.
Well the ladies behind me where all knowing smiles. I didn't react as they wanted and continued on. "It doesn't concern you, does it Mr. Gentleman?" I replied. "Why are you here at Nine Layered Death lands? To get to know new people?" I released my legend rank aura and law energies.
"Oh, no need to be alarmed," he said, unperturbed. "Ah, a girl of mystery. How intriguing. I respect your wish for secrecy. I'm merely interested in why such unknown and very young three demi-gods come this deep into death-lands. I'm just interested in getting to know you and possibly traveling together."
Ye Ziyun raised an eyebrow. "We're searching for treasures. It's rumored there are valuable artifacts hidden here. And you?"
He said yes and shamelessly followed us back. "Are you interested in the Nether realm master's disciple selection trial?"
"Yes, we've heard of it, but it's still a month away. Yes, we planned to participate," Xiao Ning'er replied.
After we followed back and decided to stay at rental places in Nether City, we exchanged some items and obtained lots of coins. I changed back to my normal figure. But Xiao Yu believes I am putting on an illusion. Went to the market to experience anything worthwhile. But somehow, certain high-profile people already knew this Xiao Yu. We came across some monitoring with him, so we disappeared and went back to Glory City using a portal leaving him there.
Not long after, we applied very concealing and multiple barrier defensive arrays (that prevent leaving nether realm, not entering it) to the already present barrier that the dark guild used to travel to Glory City.
Nie Li hadn't made any array connecting their minds since many had reached black gold rank peak, with Duan Jian being legend rank 2. I transformed back to Chi Tao personality while Ning'er and Ziyun went to find their families.
Ziyun's grandfather had come earlier, but Nie Li missed him leaving since he'd remained in nether realm city for so long. Looking at her legend rank 4 cultivation, the city lord and Ye Mo were astonished.
We met with Nie Li and the team later. Looks like he'd been missing Ziyun very much. He observed the changes quickly and was surprised to see our very high cultivation bases.
We explained going on an adventure to northern plateau and islands, obtaining treasures and new techniques, and finally to nether realm. He was kind of irritated that I get to enjoy such trips with ladies. But he is kind of cute. Damn it. I need to make my priorities straight.
I entered meditation and ladies left on their own business. Like that after two weeks, we'd gone to each of our families and provided them with cultivation elixirs and more standard techniques we'd obtained. More shareable ones.
Now Glory City had about ten legend ranks other than Nie Li and our group from the family heads. Genius class students in the academy had many silver ranks. My family and Nie Li's family were provided areas near the city to move from our original homes for becoming two new noble families.
I provided "Introduction to Laws for Dummies" and "Common Sense for Dummies" books I'd made in the mean time, published under the name 'Albert Einstein' to cultivation libraries in Glory City. It was revolutionary to the young thinkers.
We set course for Nether City again for the test prepared by Nether World Master with Nie Li's group. Since we had time and I enjoyed moving in groups with them, we followed along instead of teleporting at once.
Several group members reached Legend rank on the way to nether realm. Well it's like this: when Ye Ziyun and we were missing, Nie Li connected rest of their sould together using thunder-god meteorite sword's array and now everyone's progress is complementary.
Ziyun was approached by Nie Li to add her in, but knowing the complexities surrounding that dude she didn't. We reached Nether realm and went to the Jade Seal family camp. Seeing Nie Li and big groups of very young demigods and legend ranks they were surprised.
We decided to search the first levels of nine-layered death lands. The fog consumed us. I was with Xiao Ning'er, so she was safe with me, but Ziyun got separated, as did Nie Li and others. I traveled with Ning'er for a while and obtained a spirit origin fruit. Through our soul realm connection, we went to look for Ziyun.
Ah, there she was... along with Xiao Yu and Nie Li.
We met up. Xiao Yu obviously recognized Ning'er, but seeing me, she asked, "Have we met before? You seem familiar."
"Oh, you forgot me so easily? Can't you recognize them both?"
"You... are her. Why are you still in illusion or hiding?"
"No, there's no illusion here. I told you before I was a man. Our previous meeting was the illusion." Nie Li seemed interested, so I just answered simply. Xiao Yu seemed very surprised and awkward by the answer.
Later we traveled together while I observed Xiao Yu and Nie Li's actions. They went to Death God's tomb, but I stayed back with Ning'er and Ziyun. While resting over the rock, some Wugui and northern nether people came to rob us, but they didn't leave even after girls showcased their demi-god rank auras, but they stepped forward in challenge. I turned and looked at their leader. So I released heavenly fate realm aura converging singly onto him. He came down peacefully with flattering smile. The one who stepped forward before became unconscious, and those left picked them up and departed.
We left soon annoyed by next groups of young masters. The next day, the trial started. There wasn't any death involved, just many tests checking control, purity, and depth of soul force. Finally, before the tower of black flames, I suggested that if we became disciples of those selecting us, we'd most probably be separated. But they still agreed to go independently since we could communicate easily, it won't be much of a problem.
Yu Yan stayed with me. I went up while masking myself to avoid unwanted fights with young masters or demon lords, going all the way to first place. The flames never did anything to my body, but my soul refined some and my fate soul increased somewhat. Yu Yan also came out over my shoulders, refining the flames.
On the fifth floor, a celestial qilin came straight to attack me. I hit it with heavenly fate power in an acupoint in its jaw, causing its jaw and tongue to lose control. Seeing that guy's poor situation of being chained, I used LoHP to check his condition and sent a mental message about cultivation flaws I'd found. It was happy as a puppy afterward. I fixed its jaw and went up the floor.
On the sixth floor, I reached the anatta mental state I'd already developed, which got activated as the surroundings were designed to observe this phenomenon. Seeing no one around other than the lords viewing myself, I ventured to the seventh layer. Seeing boiling black flame everywhere, I sat down and cultivated, which made my third heavenly fate star slowly form by consuming those black flames.
Sensing someone started ascending to the seventh realm steps, I stopped my law cultivation and went to the eighth floor - a floor of comprehension not shown in the plot. I was given three sets of techniques and supposed to give a minimum of five flaws each.
It was like it was made for me. I inspected each and wrote over ten flaws for each. I was teleported to grassland with many heavenly fates in front of me, and even Xiao Yu was there but not any other contestants.
Ming Fei, the nether realm master, stated: "You are the most talented candidate among all present. You were able to go beyond the limitations of the divine continent and advance to heavenly fate on your own. And as the person who managed to clear the eighth layer, we allow you to choose a master for yourself from here. Let me explain myself - I am Ming Fei, from the..."
(The explanation went on to the last person.)
"I choose you, Nether realm master, as my master. Please take care of me." I said with a martial bow.
I accepted his soul seal, though I could destroy it anytime. I sent him a mental message:
"I've brought Yu Yan with me, and I know she has an enemy named Zhu Long who will most probably trouble you. As compensation, please accept these alchemy pills useful for heavenly fate realm experts... I obtained them preserved from certain ruins. I have two bottles with two each. You can check their veracity later."
I gave him highly diluted phaseless fruit essence in a storage ring. He didn't decline and was amazed a little while later. I went to chat with Xiao Yu.
"I never thought you were a heavenly fate. You fooled us until you released aura inside the tower."
"If you want to become one, I could help you." Looking at her skepticism, I added, "You can come to either me or Nie Li. He can also help you."
Later I engaged with the Heavenly Note sect's envoy and recommended Ning'er and Ye Ziyun. I also secretly gifted her the same pills during a small handshake while she congratulated me with smile. Even people here are so decent.
It's impressive how quickly she picked up on the incentive I offered.
A day later, the selected ones were called. Unsurprisingly, Nie Li and I were in the same group, as was Lu Piao. Nie Li seemed to have reached Legend rank 5. It seemed the inheritor of Kong Ming tried to enter his mind, but with higher cultivation base and no Yu Yan to escape to, Nie Li went from legend rank 1 to 5 absorbing the essence of that inheritor of Kong Ming.
Ziyun and Ning'er were a little disappointed to see me separate, well they were pretty okay with before. Why the long face now? Oh I get it. You two wanted me to come to heavenly notes like a girl right. Nope. Not happening. I am making myself straight. I am a God taking baby steps. I need to strive to achieve perfection.
We returned to Glory City for three months, but first went with Nie Li and friends to the endless desert, where he was in a daze for a moment after falling unconscious. There wasn't any episode of Ziyun and Ning'er picking up previous life memories since I'd already extracted temporal pages from them. I picked him up as he fell and opened a portal in the middle of the desert to Glory City. Everyone was taken back.
"If you could make portals already, why did you make us walk?" Lu Piao asked me, enraged. "Where's the fun in that?" I replied with a chuckle after admitting Nie Li to care.
I went to the city lord and submitted an upgrade to the ten thousand demon spirit array using LoHP, writing down many flaws and solutions. I stopped my secrecy since my interactions with them wouldn't attract much attention from here. Then I went to my parents and spent time with them, informing them of future adventures and leaving some elixirs for family members.
A week later, I met with Ning'er in her room at the city lord's mansion. We cuddled and spent the night, after which I told her:
"I'll be leaving for a while to other distant places." Before she could say to take her along, I continued, "For you, it'll be over in an instant, but I'll be going to a distant land for maybe years. But I'll return to a time point within a day. If not, no...I will be alright, I promise."
After some consolations, I stood up and took a long breath. It was my first time going through this, so... here we go. I activated the realm portal and shield together at the expense of creation energy. A star-shaped portal opened in front of me to the familiar scenery I'd imagined. I took a step forward, entered, and the portal closed from behind.