"Wah!
"Tanah Manu memang sesungguhnya Tanah Suci!"
"Haaa... Jika bukan karena pencuri jahat itu, kami mungkin takkan pernah mendapat kesempatan untuk meninjukkan kaki di Tanah Manu dalam hidup kami."
"Ya! Dan tanpa dukungan Kaisar Ascendant Neo-Dawn, rakyanku pasti tersesat di dalam Neraka Gelap! Terima kasih kepada surga yang kami berada di sini!""
Suara-suara yang tak terhitung jumlahnya terdengar seolah-olah para kultivator dari seluruh Galaksi No-Name berjalan melintasi jalan berlubang batu ke Tanah Manu, memasuki istana kuno yang ditakhtarkan dari inti Bintang Solar. Udara di sini menyimpan kedaulatan yang megah dan kaya akan esensi, sehingga setiap nafas terasa memuaskan, memberi dorongan ingin menyucikan diri di hadapan pemilik istana itu dalam rasa syukur dan penghormatannya.
Perbincangan galaxi akhir-akhir ini tengah menggunakan topik-topik tentang Kekaisaran Neo-Dawn, Kaisar Ascendant Neo-Dawn, Santo Bumi Luo, dan Tanah Manu. Para kelompok yang berjalan di jalan berbatu emas seperti ular melengkok menggelembung melintasi setiap arah menuju gerbang raksaksa besar yang dilapisi platinum dan dilukis dengan gambar bintang terbenam yang sedang terbenam di antara lapisan awan yang tebal.
Bintang terbenam itu memancarkan sinar solar yang lembut namun jauh melebihi bintang mistis yang memiliki lima Sabuk Cahaya Mistis. Tak ada pun bahaya yang terkadang melihat cahaya surgai itu langsung; tidak ada rasa sakit pun yang dirasakan. Nyaris menggoda setiap makhluk hidup untuk menyaksikan keagungan dan kemewahannya yang luar biasa.
Garis-garis seperti ular itu memang terlihat seperti pengibaran agama dari setiap arah galaxi, dengan para individu yang berpakaian unik dan sikap berbeda-beda berada di sekitar mereka. Meskipun mereka bergerak pelan, setiap langkah dijaga kehati-hatian, namun kelompok-kelompok itu tetap berbincang saat menunggu pintu terbuka.
"Aku penasaran, apakah Kaisar Ascendant Neo-Dawn akan menjual produk-produk dari Garis Alkimia Neo-Dawn? Kudengar ada produk yang bisa menciptakan bintang solar alami! Itu akan sangat berguna bagi cuciku untuk mendirikan fondasi yang luar biasa."
"Tanah Manu... gerbangnya begitu indah! Lihat, Pak, ada bintang yang sedang tenggelam di dunia!"
"Kudengar si pencuri meloloskan diri dengan seluruh harta karun. Pertemuan ini bertujuan untuk menentukan apa yang harus dilakukan."
"Meloloskan diri? Mustahil! Para Sages yang hebat pasti terlalu tangguh untuk membiarkan seorang cacing licik yang berani mencuri dari kami hidup atau meloloskan diri dengan seluruh kekayaan kami. Maksudnya, benar, kan?”
Fikir-fikiran bahwa gudang-gudang mereka yang kosong dikosongkan adalah tak terbayangkan hingga membuat para kultivator secara insting menentangnya. Lebih baik mereka meyakini hal ini sebagai taktik pemerasan untuk mengambil sebagian harta karun, lalu pulang dengan perasaan menurun namun dibenarkan. Bagaimanapun, barang-barang mereka dicuri di hadapan mata. Itu semua karena keamanan mereka yang buruk, jadi mereka menanggung tanggung jawab. Mereka tidak boleh mengeluhkan bahkan setengahnya yang dikembalikan.
Di dalam koridor dalam Tanah Manu yang luas dan dihiasi dengan lukisan-lukisan pemandangan esotetis dan ilustrasi fenomena surgawi yang indah, para orang penting seperti Sages berdiri sebagai pengawal untuk mengawasi para profesional yang akan memasuki aula utama.
Masing-masing berdiri di hadapan sebuah pintu kerajaan yang tingginya besar dan dilukis dengan rune-rune esotetis yang menyerupai segungguang bintang surgawi yang beragam, beberapa besar, yang lain kecil, sementara semuanya bergerak hidup seperti orbit tak terlihat dari sebuah Wilayah Bintang. Sungguh menakjubkan untuk mengamatinya.
Di salah satu dari delapan pintu, Sage Imentet berdiri di samping Luo Ning. Keduanya sedang berbincang tentang topik-topik acak, dan senyum di wajah mereka cukup untuk menimbulkan rasa iri di dalam hati. Sage Imentet adalah seorang kecantikan yang secara fisik menakjubkan, namun pakaiannya sedikit lebih sederhana hari ini, condong untuk menutupi area yang cukup banyak daripada sebelumnya. Meskipun demikian, lengkung tubuhnya yang menggairahkan dan senyum putihnya yang bersinar terus-menerus mampu mencuri hati banyak orang.
"Apakah Kaisarku akan tiba?" tanya Sage Imentet untuk memastikan karena topik yang mereka bahas sebelumnya akhirnya usai.
Luo Ning mengerutkan bibirnya sedikit dan menggenggam pipinya, yang membuatnya tiba-tiba tampil seperti gadis kecil yang penuh ketidakpastian. Ini membuat Sage Imentet tidak tahan, lalu membelai pipi kanan Luo Ning dengan jari manisnya yang langsung.
"Kamu begitu lucu," kata Sage Imentet sambil menanggung tatapan marah dari Luo Ning dengan senyum yang cerah dan tak tercacau. Siapa pun yang melihatnya tidak akan tahan, kan?
Jika ada orang lain di sini, Luo Ning pasti akan lebih profesional dan kurang rileks dengan ekspresi wajahnya. Namun, karena hanya Sage Imentet yang ada, ini adalah tanda bahwa Luo Ning sangat santai dengan dirinya sendiri.
Setelah tatapan marah, Luo Ning melipat lengan dan menjawab, "Aku tidak yakin."
"Kamu sudah bilang ini beberapa kali, tapi kamu berhasil menghubungi dia setiap kali, kan? Tidak bisa kamu hanya bertanya?" kata Sage Imentet. Dia telah menjadi jembatan bagi delapan Sages untuk meminta bantuan agar para warga galaxi ini dikumpulkan di sini untuk diskusi penting mengenai masa depan galaxi mereka.
"Bukan masalah sederhana," jawab Luo Ning dengan putus asa.
"Itu selalu jawabanmu, tapi baiklah. Aku memilih untuk mempercayaimu," kata Sage Imentet sambil menyerah. Ia telah belajar dari Sage Amunet bahwa Kaisar Ascendant Neo-Dawn ini adalah ahli utama dan bakat hebat dalam Dao Alkimia, yang sudah menjadi Santo Alkimia Duniawi dengan kedalaman liniaus yang kebanyakan alkimis tidak punya, serta kekuatannya luar biasa.
Kekuatan itu terutama berkaitan dengan kesulitan dalam memahami informasi menggunakan seni ramalan. Hampir mustahil kecuali untuk informasi standar yang sangat terbatas, yang mengisyaratkan seseorang yang terampil melindungi diri dengan baik terhadap seni tersebut. Apalagi Luo Ning, Asisten Alkimisnya, selalu mengantarkan kawannya dan memiliki cara untuk menampilkan kekuatan yang setara dengan seorang Sage yang Tercerahkan untuk sementara waktu.
Jika bukan karena beberapa alasan yang ditentukan oleh Sage Amunet, mereka pasti akan mengasumsikan orang ini adalah seorang ahli dari Alam Jiwa Resonan — sebuah Supreme Sage! Namun, menurut apa yang ia dapatkan dari Luo Ning, Kaisar Ascendant Neo-Dawn ini telah membunuh seorang Sage yang Tercerahkan dan memberinya darah esensi yang telah disempurnakan untuk digunakannya dalam seni mistis itu.
Dia ingin bertemu dengannya. Mereka semua ingin.
"Goresan setiap kuas mengandung keinginan untuk istirahat, sama sekali mengekspresikan kebebasan akan dan ekspresi ketenangan seperti matahari terbenam di langit yang tinggi," sebuah suara bergaung tidak jauh. Duo ini menemukan seorang wanita berjalan dengan rambut hijau zaitun yang sederhana, sekaligus seorang pria berotot yang buta, berotot, dengan postur tinggi yang menghadap mereka dengan ekspresi bingung. Jelas, ketika ia melihat lukisan itu, ia hanya melihat bintang setengah dan horisontal.
"Penglihatan seni kamu semakin baik," suara seorang wanita lain bergaung saat keluar dari bayangan sosok besar tersebut. Ia memeluk seekor anjing kecil yang tengah tidur nyenyak di antara bukit yang montok, sedang menyuup dengan mutiara yang bersinar. Mutiara itu memancarkan esensi solar yang sangat konsentrasi.
Qing Qiumu, Wei Si, dan Yue Songli sedang berjalan melewati delapan hal yang memberi Qing Qiumu kesempatan untuk mengembangkan mata pengiraannya dalam merasakan niat seniman dan makna setiap lukisan.
Ketika Sage Imentet melihat Qing Qiumu dan Yue Songli, ia tetap gemetar di dalam hatinya. Qing Qiumu memiliki aura Hukum yang kuat dan mengejutkan. Ketika Luo Ning memberitahu secara pribadi bahwa Kaisar Ascendant Neo-Dawn ini telah memberikan Benih Titah kepada Qing Qiumu dan istrinya yang lain, Liu Suyin, ia tersentuh.
Sebuah ombak cepat rakus muncul seketika di dalam hatinya ketika ia menyadari bahwa Kaisar Ascendant Neo-Dawn ini telah memberi Luo Ning, seorang Santo Bumi, cara untuk meningkatkan kekuatannya ke tingkat Enlightened Sage. Menyinggung seorang Worldly Saint Alchemist sama saja dengan menyinggung setiap Sage yang dapat dibeli dalam galaxi yang mengelilingi.
Benih Titah adalah harta karun tertinggi yang Sages dan Enlightened Sages rela mematikan untuk mendapatkannya. Namun, ini selalu bergantung pada keadaan. Jika Qing Qiumu tidak memiliki dukungan, Benih Titah yang ia olah akan diekstraksi dari jiwa-nyata oleh setiap Sage tanpa ragu. Sementara, Yue Songli yang merupakan seorang Zirkunfeksi, akan lama ke sana sudah menjadi Zirkunfeksi atau Zirkunfeksi Langit dari seorang ahli.
Dengan keindahannya yang secara fisik begitu menonjolkan, terutama payudara yang hampir tidak tertandingi dan menentukan dengan setiap gerakannya, cukup untuk menyebabkan banyak para kultivator pria ingin memilikinya hanya dengan itu saja.
Luo Ning menyapa Yue Songli dan orang lain dengan sopan, lalu berbalik ke Sage Imentet sambil bertanya, "Kapan gerbang-gerbang itu terbuka dan orang-orang boleh masuk ke istana?"
"Seharusnya tidak lama lagi. Sage Amunet harus melakukan persiapan terakhir sebelum kita mulai, jadi mungkin sekitar satu jam."
"Mata Sage Imentet tak pudar dari melihat tubuh bundar Yue Songli. Luo Ning memeluk pinggang Sage Imentet. Sage hanya bisa tersenyum pahit sambil berkata, "Itu istri Tuan yang disayangi. Kecuali kamu ingin berbagi tempat tidur dengannya, alangkah baiknya kamu tidak mengekspresikan apa-apa."
"Tentu saja tidak! Aku hanya menghargai karyanya," kata Sage Imentet sambil tersenyum mencibir dengan ekspresi yang jujur. Kedua mereka sangat dekat setelah pertempuran hebat itu, dan jelas hubungan mereka jauh dari sederhana.
Di ruang lain, Cao Cuifen sedang memeriksa pintu gerbang menuju aula utama yang memiliki rune esotetis dan desain indah yang sama dengan yang lain. Grey Rose berdiri di sampingnya.
Sage Khonshu sedang berjaga di sit.
"Woah!"
"The Land of Manu is truly a divine land!"
"Haaa...If not for that villainous thief, we might never get a chance to step foot on the Land of Manu in our lifetimes."
"Yeah! And without the Neo-Dawn Ascendant Emperor's support, my people would have been stuck in the Dark Void! Thank the heavens that we're here!"
Countless voices resounded as cultivators from all over the No-Name Galaxy traversed the bricked paths across the Land of Manu, entering the divinely ancient palace that was forged from the heart of a Solar Star. The air here carried an inherently majestic presence and was abundantly rich in essence, making each breath incredibly satisfying, bestowing a heartfelt desire to prostrate to the owner of the palace in gratitude and worship.
The talk of the galaxy recently had been the Neo-Dawn Empire, the Neo-Dawn Ascendant Emperor, Earth-Saint Luo, and the Land of Manu, and the groups that were traveling on foot through the golden-bricked paths like a slithering serpentine from every direction making their way to the gargantuan double gates coated with platinum and emblazoned with the golden imagery of a setting star amidst a layer of thick clouds.
The setting star emitted gentle rays of solar essence that far exceeded a Mystic Star with five Mystic Radiance Belts; there was no harm in viewing that solar light directly either, producing zero discomfort from looking. It was almost as if it was beckoning lifeforms of all types to bear witness to its greatness and awe at its quality.
The snake-like lines that formed truly looked like a religious procession from every direction of the galaxy, with individuals of unique clothing and bearings everywhere. While they traveled slowly, each step as careful as the next, the groups didn't remain silent during their wait for the opening of the doors.
"I wonder if the Neo-Dawn Ascendant Emperor is going to sell some of the products from the Neo-Dawn Alchemical Lineage. I heard that there's a product that could create a natural Solar Star! That would be incredibly useful for my granddaughter to forge exceptional foundations."
"The Land of Manu...the gates are so beautiful! Look, Uncle! There's the star setting upon the world!"
"I heard that the thief got away with all the treasure. This meeting here is all for the sake of determining what to do."
"Got away? Impossible! The great Sages are way too powerful to allow a conniving little worm that dares to steal from us to live or leave with all our wealth. I mean...right?"
The mere thought that their vaults that were wiped clean were gone for good was too horrifying to consider that cultivators instinctively went against it. They much rather believe that this was an extortion tactic to take some of the treasure, sending them on their way after with downcast, but justified emotions. After all, they had their things stolen under their noses. That was all due to their poor security, so they bore responsibility. They shouldn't complain about receiving even half back.
Within the Land of Manu's inner corridors were as spacious and embellished with decorative paintings of esoteric sceneries and beautiful depictions of celestial phenomena, the genuinely important individuals such as the Sages stood guard to oversee the future professions entering the main hall.
They each stood before a kingly door of great height and covered in esoteric runes that resembled a myriad of different Solar Stars, some large, others small, while they all moved animatedly like a Stellar Region's unseen orbit. It was wonderfully mesmerizing to observe.
At one of the eight doors, Sage Imentet stood beside Luo Ning. The two were talking about random topics, and the smiles on their faces were enough to instill a sensation of envy within their hearts. Sage Imentet was a devastatingly charming beauty, yet her clothing was slightly more modest today, leaning toward covering a considerable amount of skin rather than before. Despite that, her fantastically mouth-watering curves and gorgeously white teeth that were flashed continuously in a smile were able to ensnare the hearts of many.
"Will your Emperor be arriving?" Sage Imentet asked to confirm as the topic they were previously discussing was eventually worn out.
Luo Ning pouted her lips slightly and puffed her cheeks, shockingly displaying a cute look that was rife with uncertainty. This made Sage Imentet unable to resist, moving her slender fingers to pinch Luo Ning's right cheek.
"You're so cute," Sage Imentet took the retaliatory glare of Luo Ning with a bright, faultless smile. Who could resist?
If there was anyone else here, Luo Ning would certainly be more professional and less relaxed with her facial expressions. However, since only Sage Imentet was here, it was a clear sign that Luo Ning's guard was rather down with her.
After that glare, Luo Ning folded her arms and replied, "I'm not sure."
"You've said this a few times, but you've contacted him each time successfully, no? Can't you just ask?" Sage Imentet had been the connection for the eight Sages to ask for assistance to bring the citizens of the galaxy here for this grand gathering and important discussion regarding the very future of their galaxy.
"It's not that simple," Luo Ning replied helplessly.
"That's what you always say, but fine. I'll choose to believe you," Sage Imentet gave up on probing for an answer. She had already learned from Sage Amunet that this Neo-Dawn Ascendant Emperor was both a premier expert and prodigious talent of the Alchemic Dao, already a Worldly Saint Alchemist with a depth of lineage that most alchemists didn't remotely possess, and he had an extraordinary strength.
The strength was mostly associated with the difficulty of grasping information using divination arts. It was nigh-impossible except for some standard information, heavily suggesting someone with the skill to guard themselves sufficiently against those arts. Moreover, Luo Ning, his Alchemic Assistant, carried his cauldron and possessed the means to temporarily exhibit the strength of an Enlightened Sage.
If not for a few reasons determined by Sage Amunet, they would have assumed this person was a Resonant Soul Realm expert-a Supreme Sage! That said, according to what she obtained from Luo Ning, this Neo-Dawn Alchemic Saint had slain an Enlightened Sage and gave her the refined essence blood for her to use with that mystical art.
She wanted to meet him. They all did.
"The strokes of each brush contain a will to rest, completely exerting a freedom of will and an expression of serenity as the sun sets on the lofty sky," a voice echoed out not too far. The duo found an emerald-haired young woman with a simple-looking, muscle-brained, beady-eyed, bald man of hulking presence and height standing behind her with a baffled expression. It was clear that when he saw the painting, he just saw a half-star and a horizon.
"Your discernment of art is improving by the day," another woman's voice resounded, walking out of the shadow of the hulking figure. She had a hyena cub that was snuggled peacefully between her great, fleshy mountains, resting in the valley suckling on a glowing pearl. The pearl was emitting a rich solar essence that was highly concentrated.
Qing Qiumu, Wei Si, and Yue Songli were walking the eight halls and observing the paintings that lined the walls. Yue Songli was giving Qing Qiumu an opportunity to cultivate her eye of discernment when it came to sensing an artist's intent and meaning of each painting.
When Sage Imentet saw Qing Qiumu and Yue Songli, she was still shaken internally. Qing Qiumu had the aura of Law within her, and it was surprisingly strong. When Luo Ning informed her in confidence that this Neo-Dawn Ascendant Emperor had given an Edict Seed to Qing Qiumu and his other wife, Liu Suyin, she was flabbergasted.
A wisp of ravenous greed flashed in her heart temporarily when she realized that this Neo-Dawn Ascendant Emperor had given Luo Ning, an Earthly Saint, means to elevate her strength to the Enlightened Sage level. Offending a Worldly Saint Alchemist was no different than offending every Sage that could be bought within the surrounding galaxy.
Edict Seeds were supreme treasures that Sages and Enlightened Sages would absolutely kill for. However, that always depended on the circumstances itself. If Qing Qiumu had no backing, the Edict Seed she refined would have been extracted from her soul without mercy by any Sage. Meanwhile, Yue Songli who was a Pure Catalyst, would have long since been a Yin Cauldron or Heaven Cauldron of some expert.
And given her astonishing sensual natural beauty, especially that unrivaled and nearly obscene chest of hers that bounce slightly with each movement, enough to cause even her to feel the urge to bury her head between them and experience bliss, there was bound to be countless male cultivators that would want her on that alone.
Luo Ning greeted Yue Songli and the others respectfully and then turned to Sage Imentet with an inquiry. "When will the gates open and people are let into the palace?"
"It shouldn't take much longer. Sage Amunet has to make preparations before we begin, so perhaps an hour or so." Sage Imentet explained, her eyes glued to Yue Songli's curvaceous figure. Luo Ning pinched Sage Imentet's waist. The Sage could only bitterly smile.
"That's his Majesty's beloved wife. Unless you intend to share a bed with him, it would be best not to have any ideas." Luo Ning warned through spiritual transmission.
"Of course not! I'm just appreciating the work of art," Sage Imentet chuckled apologetically through a feigned grimace. The two were incredibly close after that devastating battle, and it was clear their relationship was far from simple.
In another hall, Cao Cuifen was investigating the door to the main hall that possessed the same esoteric runes and fantastical design as the others. Grey Rose stood next to her.
Sage Khonshu was standing guard here. In truth, this was an Incarnation of his, formed with the littlest of power, and only here perfunctory. Besides Sage Imentet, each of the Sages was resorting to using Incarnations rather than being physically present themselves. They were inside the hall, either making last-minute preparations or discussing their itinerary of topics.
Eventually, Cao Cuifen's ocular spell was dismissed as she pursued her lips with dissatisfaction. Those runes were extraordinarily profound, and she could barely grasp any details regarding their function or purpose. The only detail she could discern was that it served as a protective veil against piercing, spiritual perceptions.
Sage Khonshu was a handsome young man, and seeing Cao Cuifen who was dissatisfied with her inspection, he smiled as he offered a few words, "This door and its runes were created by an ancient expert at the Supreme Sage, so the profound powers it possesses is difficult to determine, and even us Sages have only grasped a bit of their properties. But we do know each door contains an Ascension Art of the Mystic Dao."
"An Ascension Art?" Cao Cuifen was startled.
Sage Khonshu nodded as he looked back at the door, "It's an Ascension Art that can supplement any cultivation method."
"An art that supplements cultivation methods? Is that where the legend stems from about an opportunity to become a True Sage if one enters the Land of Manu?" Cao Cuifen wasn't shy about exchanging words with Sage Khonshu. Furthermore, Sage Khonshu could sense the tone of her words and her demeanor suggested her internal belief of standing on equal terms with Sage Khonshu, perhaps even exceeding him. This wasn't his first time sensing such a demeanor within others, but the first time he felt it from an Earthly Saint.
There was a saying in their galaxy that riding a great sun blessed one with great light. In a way, it was extremely similar to the Myriad Yore Continent's saying: "To rise, one can ride on the lap of a dragon."
However, when he thought of the fact that this Neo-Dawn Ascendant Emperor was likely an extraordinary expert and a peak-tier Worldly Saint Alchemist, he decided to place her talking on equal levels aside and reveal a smile.
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