《My Master Is A Tsundere》


 Chapter 1 - I Choose You!

    Today was a peaceful day. The sun was shining brightly and cast a shadow across the land.


    There was a young man walking beside a mud road. He looked exhausted. His breathing was rough and haggard.


    "Water... The heat is killing me..."


    The young man looked left and right as he walked. His lips were parched and beads of sweat poured from his forehead.


    This dying young man''s name is Rant Valo. He is the son of an earnest farmer, but because of complicated reasons, he had to leave home.


    "Hey! Don''t just call me dying when I''m still alive and kicking!"


    Rant Valo was currently having delusions to himself. He talked to empty air.


    "Tch"


    Rant Valo clicked his tongue and continued his journey. It was as if he didn''t just break the fourth wall or something.


    After walking 3 steps forward Rant Valo fell into a trap.


    "Ouch.. WHO WAS IT THAT PLACED A TRAP RIGHT BESIDE THE ROAD!?"


    Rant Valo''s temper was clearly not good. He was the one walking so why was he complaining? He should be more careful instead.


    "Why do I have this damned constitution! If it weren''t for this constitution, I would''ve lived a peaceful life in the village. Then I would''ve married Zaria, hehehehe"


    Drool spilled from Rant Valo''s mouth. He imagined the village''s beautiful maiden pressed down under him. His eyes gleamed brightly and he found a bush to hide in.


    Rustle Rustle Rustle


    Dozens of minutes later, a satisfied expression left Rant Valo''s face as he exited from the bushes. He fixed his creased shorts and patted his butt.


    "That was so good. Zaria-chan is the best!"


    Rant Valo resumed walking. But a few steps later he suddenly stopped and widened his eyes in realization.


    "Ah, I busted one without thinking. Now I''m dehydrated..."


    With that, Rant Valo fell face first towards the ground. His greatest regret was not losing his virginity sooner.


    "I choose you!"


    But before his consciousness fully faded, a sweet voice called out to him. Choose him for what?


    "Is this heaven?"


    Rant Valo took a deep breath of the sweet and fragrant smell he was smelling. There was a satisfied expression on his face as he continued doing so.


    "Have you had enough, young man?"


    A sweet but angry voice talked to him.


    "Ahh, I''m even hearing a cute voice in heaven!"


    Rant Valo still couldn''t open his eyes as it was glued shut by his lack of hydration. So he thought that he was in heaven already.


    Smack!


    "C-cute? How dare you insult this young maiden!"


    There was a sudden burst of pain from Rant Valo''s forehead. He was shocked so his tightly shut eyes opened widely.


    "A kid?"


    Smack!


    "Ow, ow, ow, ow! What was that for!?"


    Rant Valo was smacked on his head again. He felt dizzy and nauseated.


    "Here, a gourd of water"


    The perpetrator gave him a gourd filled with water. Without thinking much, he drank it all in one go.


    "Whoa! My body feels so light"


    Rant Valo was in amazement as he felt his body refreshed all over. He even found an old scar on the back of his palm disappear.


    "Wait, was that drugged!?"


    Rant Valo stood up in haste and took on a defensive stance. He thought that he was hallucinating. He heard stories of men feeding children with drugged candies and taking them home. It was said that you''ll lose your most important thing if it happened to you.


    Rant Valo gripped tightly at the pendant hanging on his chest. It was a gift from Zaria, the village maiden. It was his most prized possession.


    "Is that what you say to the person who just saved your life? Young man, you have guts"


    Rant Valo''s eyes opened like he can''t wait for his eyeballs to fall out. There was a beautiful kid in front of him! She was wearing a white robe and looked otherworldly.


    There was an enchanted expression in Rant Valo''s face for a few seconds before it faded after focusing on her chest. There was nothing but plains there. His little brother was not responding.


    "Tch"


    Rant Valo clicked his tongue in annoyance. He didn''t know he would meet an unripe kid in the forest. He thought he was gonna lose his virginity, you know!? There was a lack of interest on his face as he looked at her.


    "Young man, why are you so disappointed?"


    The kid spoke to him how an elder would. She clearly saw his impure gaze earlier. There were black lines forming on her forehead as she realized what he was disappointed at.


    "You''re just a kid. Go away. You don''t want me to do something lewd to you, right?"


    There was an evil grin on Rant Valo''s face as he said so. He slowly licked his licks as he looked at her. There was a fire burning in his eyes.


    "Eek! Pervert! Pervert! Pervert!"


    The kid looked at him in fear. She didn''t know why but she felt fear like he would truly do what he said if she didn''t listen to him.


    "Yes, I''m a pervert! Now go away!"


    Rant Valo was annoyed at the kid and walked straight forward. It was not that he was a pedophile. He just didn''t want this kid to be affected by his curse.


    Ever since Rant Valo was born, there was a curse in his body. No matter what he does, there will always be one thing that will be unfortunate in his daily life. Anyone near him gets affected by the curse and suffers because of it. He didn''t want this young looking girl to get hurt because of him.


    "Young man, stop ordering me to stay away! I said, I choose you!"


    "Hahhh? Why do you even keep calling me ''young man'', are you perhaps, delusional?"


    There was a hint of mockery in Rant Valo''s voice as he said so. He looked down at the small girl, emphasizing their height gap to her.


    "I might look like this, but I''m older than your great great grandmother you know!?"


    The young girl shouted at Rant Valo in anger. There was a displeased expression on her face.


    "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Whatever, brat"


    Rant Valo didn''t pay attention to her ramblings and continued on his way. He didn''t know why, but he feels so energetic. He can reach the next town peacefully at this rate.


    "Wait!"


    The young girl looked at him up and down. She scrutinized every single detail.


    "Wh-what''s with your gaze?"


    Rant Valo felt chills running down his spine when he saw her looking at him so seriously. He felt like a fish about to be eaten.


    "I see, I see. So that''s why"


    The young girl suddenly said so after peering at him so seriously. There was a faint smile hanging on her lips like she just found a new toy.


    "I''m leaving. Weirdo!"


    Rant Valo couldn''t take it anymore and walked away. Being with this girl, his warning bells are ringing. He can feel a dangerous aura from her.


    "Hehehe. Young man, are you sure you''re gonna leave like that?"


    There was a teasing smile on the girl''s lips.


    "Of course, I don''t want to deal with a brat like you!"


    Rant Valo answered from far away. He was walking farther and farther.


    "Are you sure, Cursed Child?"


    The young girl''s grin became wider. Rant Valo stopped walking. He gripped his fists tightly.


    "Where did you hear that?"


    Rant Valo''s words were shaky as he spoke without turning his back.


    "Hehh, did I perhaps hit a sore spot?"


    The young girl''s voice was carefree. She inspected her nails like it was not her problem.


    "YOU!! WHO ARE YOU!?"


    Rant Valo ran towards the young girl and gripped her shoulders tightly. His eyes were bloodshot. It was like she slaughtered his family.


    "Let me proudly introduce myself. I''m called the Youngest Saintess in the world. The youngest Mana Dominion Magic Cultivator in all of history. My fame reaches the ends of the world. Etch this onto your puny mind, the name of your new Master¡ª Floriana Sabina!"


    There was a thunderous boom as lightning appeared in the clear sky. It struck 100 meters behind Floriana Sabina.


    "Morjana, who?"


    Rant Valo''s mind was blank. He expected to hear a famous name but this name, he wasn''t familiar at all!


    "Flo, ri, a, na, Sa, bi, na!"


    Floriana Sabina was displeased at how Rant Valo forgot her name so quickly.


    "Don''t you want to cure your curse, young man?"


    "Of course, of course! Oh great Hariana, help me!"


    Floriana Sabina was irritated at him messing up her name again and again. She bawled her fist and punched him in the jaw. UPPERCUT!


    "Ugh!"


    Rant Valo kissed the ground and rolled a few times before finally stopping.


    "Like I said, I choose you! So quickly kowtow and call me Master!"


    Floriana Sabina repeated her words earlier with a snort. She pointed at the ground in front of her, gesturing for Rant Valo to kowtow there.


    "Can you really cure my curse?"


    Rant Valo was still doubtful and walked in front of her carefully. She was packing some strength for her size and he kinda feels uneasy getting near her again.


    "Of course, quickly kowtow"


    "Really?"


    Rant Valo was about to kowtow but looked at her again to confirm.


    "Just kowtow already! You idiot!"


    Floriana Sabina grabbed Rant Valo''s hair and dragged it towards the ground.


    Ow! Ow! Ow!


    After hitting Rant Valo''s head on the ground three times, she stopped.


    "Now call me, Master!"


    "No! I don''t wanna!"


    Rant Valo struggled to free from her grip on his hair. But to no avail could he escape.


    "Mas! Ter! Call me Master!"


    ...


    "Master..."


    Rant Valo answered weakly. He almost lost all of his hair from her grip! It was a disaster! He has no choice but to comply.


    Where was the peaceful life that he was promised?

 Chapter 2 - Are You Perhaps Recognizing Me As Your Master?

    "Disciple, have you ever heard of cultivation?"


    Floriana Sabina was walking behind Rant Valo. She has already changed her earlier address of him to ''Disciple''. They were headed towards the nearby town.


    "..."


    Rant Valo continued walking like he never heard her. There was despondency reflected in his eyes.


    "Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina walked in front of Rant Valo and tilted her head as she asked.


    "..."


    There was still no reply from Rant Valo.


    "Tch"


    Floriana Sabina cracked her knuckles with an audible pop.


    "A, ah, ahh I did! I did!"


    When Rant Valo heard the knuckle popping sounds he was reminded of his fate earlier. He can only reply. He didn''t want it to happen again! That was the worst uppercut he ever had!


    "Reply sooner, Disciple. Otherwise, it will be your last"


    Floriana Sabina relaxed her arms and her eyes flashed as she spoke. There was a dangerous glint in it.


    "R-right.."


    What do I do? This kid is crazy! She''s gonna kill me sooner or later. I heard that there are Foundation Establishment cultivators in the nearby town. They should be able to stop her.


    "I''ll explain cultivation to you, Disciple"


    Floriana Sabina walked forward and overtook Rant Valo.


    "First, there are 2 Major Cultivation Paths in this world. Do you know why?"


    Floriana Sabina stopped and waited for him to answer.


    "..."


    Rant Valo tried to go around her but the hem of his clothes was tightly gripped to. He tried to move but it wouldn''t budge. He swallowed his saliva carefully.


    "Disciple... Do you want to die?"


    Floriana Sabina looked up and there was a murderous glint reflected in her eyes. Rant Valo slowly turned his neck and saw her scary face. He felt like he will truly die right here and then.


    "Eek! Please don''t kill me! Please don''t kill me! I''m still a virgin!"


    There was panic in Rant Valo''s eyes as he kowtowed to her repeatedly.


    "Are you really worried about that?"


    Floriana Sabina lifted Rant Valo''s chin and slowly moved her lips closer.


    "Why don''t we get rid of it so you can go on peacefully?"


    Floriana Sabina moved her mouth to his left ear and whispered quietly. Rant Valo''s eyes opened wide in horror.


    "Master, please don''t joke around. Your body is divine and a puny mortal like me could never taint it!"


    Rant Valo''s mind whirred and he came up with something so he won''t become a dead eunuch. There was a fawning smile on his face.


    "Of course, I was joking with you. But I wouldn''t mind doing the former, you know?"


    There was a big grin on Floriana Sabina''s face. She raised her finger to her neck and made a cutting motion.


    Gulp!


    Rant Valo swallowed a mouthful of saliva. This kid is really crazy!


    "Now answer my earlier question. Do you know why there are only 2 Major Cultivation Paths?"


    "No!"


    Rant Valo answered instantly, fearing that she would really take his life.


    "Then I''ll explain it to you. Listen carefully"


    There was a serious look on Floriana Sabina''s face. She started to explain carefully.


    "The 2 Major Cultivation Paths are the Magic Path and the Sword Path. They became popular because these two were very practical to everyone"


    "..."


    "..."


    "Is that it?"


    Rant Valo thought that the explanation will be long and will dive into the history of the world but all he got was a half-assed answer. If not for fear of getting beaten up again, he would''ve ratted her out as a faker.


    "That''s it. Simple right?"


    There was a proud smile on Floriana Sabina''s face. She looked pleased with herself.


    "Y-yeah"


    Rant Valo was absent-minded, seeing the proud smile on Floriana Sabina''s face. He couldn''t help but think that it wouldn''t hurt to chat with her till they reach the town, right?


    "In the Magic Path, there are 5 Major Cultivation Stages. These are the Mana Condensation, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, and Mana Dominion. Remember, reaching Mana Condensation takes talent, but reaching the Mana Dominion stage takes both talent and hard work. So don''t slack when you start cultivating"


    Floriana Sabina continued her explanation. She specifically warned Rant Valo at the end of her words.


    "Wait, I''m gonna cultivate?"


    Rant Valo asked in amazement. Even if she''s pretending to be a Mana Dominion expert, her advice is on point. He heard that reaching the Mana Dominion stage is so hard that countless talents have been stuck at the Peak Nascent Soul stage.


    "Of course. Why do you think I choose you?"


    Floriana Sabina was bored out of her mind. So she went around the world and picked this guy after seeing him bust one out beside the road. Such bravery is something she fancy.


    "What about luck? I heard that there are Heavenly Treasures that can boost cultivation?"


    Heavenly Treasures are rare and valuable. They are in the form of plants, fruits, ores, etc. These form naturally and using them for your own use boosts your cultivation. There was a tale of a man who skipped Core Formation and reached Nascent Soul stage directly when he consumed a Heavenly Treasure.


    "Of course, that''s another factor, but with your constitution, would you even worry about luck?"


    True. With his cursed body, Rant Valo has no hope of finding any Heavenly Treasure. He bet that when he accidentally did, someone would come and take it.


    "Yeah... It would be impossible"


    "Now that you know the 5 Major Cultivation Stages in the Magic Path. Wanna hear the 5 Major Cultivation Stages in the Sword Path?"


    Floriana Sabina offered with a smile on her face. She was enjoying teaching someone clueless about the basics of cultivation. Since Rant Valo is here in a rural part of the world she expects him to know less than her.


    "Please do"


    Rant Valo thought that it has been a long time since he had a conversation with anyone so it was fun having her talk with him even if she''s pretending to be a Mana Dominion expert.


    "Oh wow, why are you suddenly polite?"


    Surprise was plastered on Floriana Sabina''s face as she looked on. Her smile turned into a teasing smile.


    "Are you perhaps recognizing me as your Master?"

 Chapter 3 - Wait, Should I Just Kill Him?

    Black lines appeared on Rant Valo''s forehead. Just when he''s thinking that she''s fun to talk with. She destroys the goodwill he formed.


    "Who would see a brat like you as their Master?"


    That was what Rant Valo was supposed to say, but he didn''t dare say it out loud. He already looks like a beggar with all the beating he has suffered.


    "In the Sword Path, there are also 5 Major Cultivation Stages. These are the Sword Apprentice, Enlightened Sword, Heart Formulating, Sword Spirit, and Blade Dominion. These stages are equivalent to the 5 Major Cultivation Stages for the Magic Path"


    Floriana Sabina explained while swinging her hands like she was holding the sword.


    "Why have I never heard of this?"


    Rant Valo was confused. If the Sword Path is also a Major Cultivation Path then why has he never heard of their cultivation levels before?


    "That''s because this is the Beslor Magic Kingdom"


    Currently, they are inside the rural part of the Beslor Magic Kingdom. It is a kingdom that rules over 12 Dukedoms. The king was said to be a Peak Nascent Soul stage cultivator. It is said that this kingdom is the most powerful in the region.


    "What does that have to do with it?"


    There were question marks on Rant Valo''s head.


    "Look, the ''Magic'' in the Beslor Magic Kingdom means that they chose the Magic Path. That is the reason why the Magic Path is known by the populace more than the Sword Path"


    Rant Valo was enlightened. He thought about all he knew was related to the Magic Path. There are only few things he knows in the Sword Path.


    "There''s a river over there!"


    Rant Valo ran towards the river crossing the road. The water was crystal clear and fish can be seen swimming against the flow of water.


    "Disciple, what are you doing?"


    Floriana Sabina was following Rant Valo closely and he suddenly ran forward. She suddenly got curious when she saw him looking at the water intently.


    Floriana Sabina crouched beside the river and looked over at the silver fishes. The fishes swam towards her. Their mouths opening and closing.


    "Hungry?"


    Floriana Sabina smiled at the fishes. Her cute innocent expression gave off a heavenly charm.


    "How can I eat the fishes when she''s being so caring for the¡ª not. She just swiped her hands and all of the fishes were thrown towards the dry ground," was what Rant Valo thought.


    Rant Valo was paying close attention to Floriana Sabina''s every movement. She''s an enigma for him. His guess was that she is a 10th Mana Condensation stage cultivator.


    "With that power, she can kill me 100 times over without me realizing"


    Rant Valo sighed in depression. His curse even attracted an expert.


    "Here!"


    Floriana Sabina carried all of the fishes in her arms. They were big and still flopping around. Though they couldn''t escape Floriana Sabina''s grasp.


    "It''s not like I got it because I''m hungry!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted and looked away.


    Growl~~~~


    When she did, her stomach created an audible growl. Her face turned red from embarrassment.


    "I- That was not me!"


    Floriana Sabina dropped all of the fish on the floor and ran away. She hid behind a tree and covered her blushing face.


    "Why did I mess up on my first time leaving the Sect? I even embarrassed myself in front of my first disciple. Uuuuuuu"


    Floriana Sabina was in a dilemma. She has always been stuck inside the Sect, cultivating. She never interacted with people outside. Now her first interaction was an embarrassment.


    "Wait, should I just kill him?"


    A dangerous glint flashed in Floriana Sabina''s eyes. She looked at Rant Valo who was beside the river.


    Rant Valo was gutting the fish when he suddenly felt a chill on his back. It was particularly cold on his neck.


    He looked behind him and saw nothing but trees. He sighed in relief realizing that it was only his imagination.


    Rant Valo continued gutting the fishes. In total there are 7 fishes. He gutted them one by one and let their guts flow to the river.


    "Disciple, how are you so good at doing this?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo''s skillful movements and couldn''t help but praise him.


    "I was always left alone in the village so I had to prepare my own food"


    Rant Valo answered in a low tone. He didn''t feel comfortable talking about his past.


    "Hehhh~, Do you want me to help you?"


    Rant Valo looked at Floriana Sabina in shock. It was as if he just saw a ghost.


    "W-what''s with that look?"


    Floriana Sabina saw Rant Valo looking at her oddly and couldn''t help but feel unease.


    "Nothing. It was just the first time someone helped me prepare food"


    Rant Valo moved a little from the rock he was sitting on. This opened a space for Floriana Sabina to sit beside him.


    "Hmph! It''s not like I''m doing this because you look pitiful or anything!"


    Floriana Sabina sat beside Rant Valo and snorted. She picked up a fish that was not gutted yet.


    Floriana Sabina observed Rant Valo gut the fish. She took notice of how he guts the fish.


    Floriana Sabina started gutting the fish in her hands. It was still alive so it was wriggling in her hands.


    A small blue knife appeared on her hands and she started to remove the gills. Poke, Push, Scrape. Nothing came out when she tried to remove the gills.


    "Eh?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at the fish in her hands at the five fishes Rant Valo has already gutted. They look the same yet why was it so hard?


    Floriana Sabina continued observing Rant Valo. She paid careful attention when Rant Valo removed the gills of the sixth fish. Rant Valo poked the gills, pushed his knife in, and scraped the gills out.


    "Ehh?"


    Floriana Sabina was even more confused. She didn''t know why it worked for Rant Valo yet it didn''t work for her.


    "Hmm? What are you looking at?"


    Rant Valo saw Floriana Sabina looking at his hands and couldn''t help but be confused.


    "Hmph! I realized that gutting fish is unbefitting as your Master. Gut this fish yourself!"

 Chapter 4 - Busting One Out From A Pendant

    What happened to helping him?


    Rant Valo was left sitting by himself in a daze. He can''t understand what got her angry.


    Rant Valo shrugged his shoulders and gutted the rest of the fish. He looked at the fish and couldn''t help but feel sad.


    "In the end, she''s the same as the others..."


    ...


    "Disciple, what are you doing now?"


    Floriana Sabina watched as Rant Valo picked up twigs and branches on the ground. They were beside a forest so there was an abundance of them all over the place.


    "I''m collecting branches and twigs"


    Rant Valo answered without enthusiasm. Floriana Sabina frowned at his reply. She found his lack of enthusiasm irritating.


    "Tch. Alright, I''ll help you only this once!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted. She circulated her elemental mana and guided it to pick up the twigs and branches scattered around the area.


    The twigs and branches flew up in the sky and formed a big pile in front of Rant Valo. Rant Valo''s mouth was opened wide after seeing such a display of power.


    "So this is the power of 10th Mana Condensation stage cultivators..."


    Rant Valo whispered to himself. His eyes shone with hope for a bit before quickly dying down. No one knows what just went through his head.


    "Kukuku. Amazing, right?"


    Floriana Sabina opened her legs and crossed her arms together. She smiled proudly while doing that pose.


    "Y-yeah..."


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but say so after seeing the big pile of branches and twigs in front of him. He guesses that it reaches at least 2 floors high.


    "What are we even gonna cook?"


    Rant Valo could not help but sigh wearily. This was too much help.


    Rant Valo grabbed an armful of branches and twigs and dumped it next to the pile. He put enough distance to not ignite the big pile when the small pile was ignited.


    He arranged the branches and twigs. He grabbed a thick stick and grabbed a small branch. He started drilling the branch with the stick using his palms.


    "Disciple, what are you doing?"


    Floriana Sabina asked in curiosity.


    "I''m starting a fire"


    While gritting his teeth Rant Valo answered. He was vigorously drilling the branch with his stick.


    "Huh?"


    There were question marks floating on top of Floriana Sabina''s head.


    "But I''m a Fire Element Magic Cultivator"


    Rant Valo stopped moving. As if a machine that was not oiled properly, looked at her slowly.


    "You''re a what?"


    "Fire Element Magic Cultivator"


    Floriana Sabina replied calmly. There was Innocence on her face as she said so.


    Rant Valo face palmed himself. He was drilling the branch for a whole minute here. His palms were already red from spinning that branch.


    "Why didn''t you say earlier!?"


    "You didn''t ask"


    Floriana Sabina shrugged her shoulders and looked away. She kicked a rock and acted like it was not her fault.


    "..."


    Rant Valo couldn''t argue with her correct logic. Where did she even come from?


    Speaking of which, he doesn''t know much about her at all. She just came at him and ''invited'' him to be her disciple.


    Rant Valo looked at the darkening sky and looked at the innocent-looking girl in front of him. His thoughts were on the fact that such a young girl is not at home happily eating dinner with her family.


    Whoosh!


    A small ember of fire appeared on Floriana Sabina''s finger. It was white in color and flew forward. The small pile of branches and twigs lit up and a bright yellow fire started.


    "Whoa! That was so cool"


    Rant Valo was mesmerized by the beautiful flickering white ember of light earlier. He thought that it was a failure but it turned out to be capable of lighting the fire.


    "Hehe, I''ll teach this to you someday"


    Floriana Sabina chuckled and sat down in front of the fire. She was sitting with her back proudly straight.


    "Really?"


    Rant Valo looked at her with a yearning smile. Such a convenient power will allow him to live alone much easier.


    "Disciple, don''t you trust your Master?"


    Floriana Sabina grinned at him confidently. Rant Valo couldn''t help but think that she might actually be willing to teach him. He thought all this time that she was just using taking him as a disciple as an excuse to make him her slave.


    ...


    "Here, it''s not seasoned though"


    Rant Valo offered a fish skewered on a stick to Floriana Sabina. It was the same fish ''they'' gutted earlier.


    "Thanks"


    Floriana Sabina took the fish and placed it on top of the flame. The fish sizzled as the water boiled off.


    Rant Valo sat in front of her and did the same. The fire crackled as they cooked their fish.


    "Say, what are you doing here, M-master?"


    Rant Valo opened his mouth and asked. He didn''t feel comfortable calling her Master that''s why he stuttered. It was a question that he has been meaning to ask since earlier. It was something he thought to ask when he saw such a young girl in the middle of nowhere.


    "Me?"


    Floriana Sabina thought for a bit and stared at the stars in the sky. She slowly started speaking.


    "I always lived inside the Sect cultivating. My Master never allowed me to leave its premises. Then one day when I overtook everyone in the sect, I ran away"


    There was melancholy in Floriana Sabina''s voice as she talked to him. She clearly remembered some painful memories.


    "I see, you''re the opposite of me then"


    Rant Valo nodded in realization. So that''s why she was here. He also realized that she was basically the exact opposite of him.


    "I can understand what you mean. As a Cursed Child, you are someone people don''t like to keep near them. Whilst I was someone my sect wanted to keep forever"


    Floriana Sabina looked straight at Rant Valo''s eyes and spoke with emotion. Her eyes reminded Rant Valo of his late Mother.


    "Though, I didn''t expect you to bust one out from a pendant. HAHAHAHA"


    Floriana Sabina suddenly laughed out loud. Her words were full of mockery. She couldn''t help but remember the scene she saw earlier when Rant Valo hid behind a bush. She saw him take out a pendant and bust one out whilst grasping it.

 Chapter 5 - Im Not A Brat!

    "You saw that!?"


    Rant Valo stood up and asked her with a flustered face. His face was blushing till his ears. He couldn''t help but grabbed at the pendant hanging on his chest.


    "Hehehe, I didn''t look at your little brother. I just saw your horny face"


    Floriana Sabina said with a teasing smile. She can''t wait to see his face when she shows him that she collected some of it.


    "Are you a pervert!?"


    Rant Valo was fuming. He embarrassed himself in front of a child like this. His reputation will take a nosedive if others hear this. Wait, he doesn''t have any good reputation to begin with. Nevermind.


    "You should look at your reflection in the river waters and ask that question again"


    Floriana Sabina was laughing so hard that she was hugging her stomach. She still kept the fish over the fire though.


    "Grrr. You cheeky brat!"


    Rant Valo had enough of it and pinched her cheeks. He was shocked at how elastic it was. It was like he was squishing tofu.


    "Stop! I''m not a brattt!",


    Floriana Sabina pulled his hands away and pushed him down. She sat on top of him and her hands were touching the ground.


    "Peh, lies. No matter how I look at you. You still look like a 9-year-old brat"


    Rant Valo spat at the side and looked down at her mockingly. He pushed her aside and stood up.


    "Hmph! I''m still older than you by many times over!"


    Floriana Sabina dusted her hands and checked if the fish were dirtied. She managed to keep the fish away from the ground even when she pushed Rant Valo down earlier.


    "Then how old are you!?"


    Rant Valo asked her aggressively. He wanted to expose her and embarrass her.


    "Y-you idiot! You don''t just ask that!!"


    Floriana Sabina was startled by his question and got angry. She slapped Rant Valo in the face. Rant Valo flew several meters and embraced the ground.


    "What a strong brat..."


    Rant Valo lost consciousness. His head was shaken so much today that he wonders if he already has brain damage.


    "Hmph!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted and continued grilling her fish.


    ...


    The next day, Rant Valo woke up from the chirping of the birds. He looked around and saw that he was lying on pieces of leaves.


    There were 2 overcooked fishes beside him. The sticks were planted on the ground forming a scene of a fish standing.


    "Really?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but be disappointed by the state of the fishes. His hunger almost disappeared seeing their horrible appearance.


    "Whatever, food is food"


    Rant Valo ate the food slowly and tried to not taste the bitter burnt parts. He stood up slowly to wash his face by the river. His body ached all over and he walked bit by bit.


    After splashing his face with the cold river water, he approached the campfire. He saw Floriana Sabina meditating on a floor of leaves.


    She opened her eyes as if sensing his presence. Rant Valo couldn''t help but twitch his face when he remembered that there were clearly 7 pieces of fish that he gutted yesterday and he only got to eat two.


    "Thanks"


    Rant Valo''s words were oozing with sarcasm as he thanked the now awake Floriana Sabina.


    "Hmph! It''s not like I cooked it for you because I felt bad, okay?"


    As usual, Floriana Sabina snorted and went back to meditating. What she was actually doing is cultivating.


    Cultivators enter meditation to cultivate. Cultivating improves a cultivator''s strength and advances their stages.


    "Okay"


    Rant Valo was annoyed just seeing her face and walked beside the river. He grabbed a long sharp branch and waited for fish to swim beside the river.


    Rant Valo had experience with spearfishing. A river passed beside their river and he learned to spearfish there. It was something he had to get good at quickly so he could eat. That is why he is good at it now. He is confident he can do it even with his aching body.


    He waited for a bit before seeing a slow white fish move with the river current. He stabbed forward and pulled back. When he looked at the tip, the white fish was struggling on it.


    Rant Valo slammed the fish with a rock to kill it. He didn''t want it to jump back into the river after catching it. Fish are actually tenacious when their life is on the line. Even if they''ll eventually die of blood loss, they''ll still try to get back into the water.


    He waited for another fish to come and this time it was a red one. He stabbed forward and pulled back. When he looked at the tip there was no fish. He looked down at the river and saw the fish swimming calmly.


    Rant Valo tried to catch it several more times but it was too fast for him to catch. He stopped after trying 5 times and getting nothing but tiredness out of it.


    Rant Valo caught several silver fishes and a few white ones. He didn''t know what the difference between these three fishes are but the white ones are few in numbers and the red ones are rare but fast and hard to catch.


    Rant Valo came back to the camp after gutting all the fishes. He saw the dead fire and couldn''t help but facepalm himself. At their current state, asking her to start the fire would only embarrass him.


    Floriana Sabina opened her eyes and saw the fishes in Rant Valo''s hand and her eyes glowed brightly. She snapped her fingers and a white ember flew and started the fire. She even controlled some branches and twigs to fly toward the fire.


    Rant Valo was amazed at her gluttony. She did everything without him even asking when she saw the fishes.


    "Disciple, what are you waiting for? Cook them quick!"


    Floriana Sabina couldn''t just say that she burnt one fish and overcooked the rest to him could she? If Rant Valo was that good at gutting fishes then she believes that he can cook it well too.

 Chapter 6 - Disciple, Give Me One

    "No way! Get your own fish!"


    Rant Valo was not willing to get ordered around by her after she ate almost all of his fishes and she slapped him so hard! She had been acting spoiled and he didn''t like it.


    "Disciple, I helped you start the fire and gather the twigs and branches! I also laid you on top of leaves"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo with a pout. She looked just like a bullied kid.


    "Fine. But only two fish!"


    When Rant Valo saw the face she was making. He couldn''t help but feel guilty. True she even helped him start a fire and gather twigs and branches. From what she said, she helped him sleep properly last night.


    "Tch. Stingy!"


    Floriana Sabina clicked her tongue in annoyance. She just woke up from cultivation and she''s hungry so two fishes are definitely not enough.


    "Alright, three but that''s all"


    Since Rant Valo had an abundance of fish, he decided that it would be fine to share more with her. Just to appease her anger. He doesn''t know what she''ll do with her hunger. If whatever, she acted violently again, it will be his loss.


    "Good Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina gave him a thumbs up and waited for him to cook it patiently.


    There is rarely any seasoning in the wild so Rant Valo couldn''t season the fishes in any way. He can only cook it and hope that the fish doesn''t need seasoning to be edible.


    Rant Valo found a sharp stick and skewered the scaleless fishes on it. He did it for three of the fishes and held two with one hand and the last one held within the other.


    He rotated the fishes every now and then. He made sure to not burn the outside. He cooked the insides of the fishes till they''re all juicy. He then seared the fish by placing it directly on top of the flame.


    "Done!"


    Rant Valo gave the fishes to Floriana Sabina. He stood up to get a big leaf and disinfected it by placing it directly on the flame for a bit.


    "Disciple, this tastes good!"


    Floriana Sabina was munching down on the still piping hot fish. It was like the heat didn''t even faze her. She was on her last fish.


    "It doesn''t have any seasoning though"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but be taken aback by her attitude. It was the first time he ever cooked food for someone. Seeing her appreciate his cooked fish filled him with a weird sensation. Rant Valo plans to use the big leaf as a plate for the cooked fish.


    "But it''s still good!"


    Floriana Sabina interjected. She already finished the third fish. She was licking the juices on her fingers. The tip of her tongue touched her finger and wrapped around it slowly.


    When Rant Valo saw her do that, his face couldn''t help but blush. That was too stimulating for a virgin like him to handle. Even if she looks like a young girl. When she does it like that, his imagination ran wild.


    "Gulp!"


    Rant Valo swallowed his saliva. He quickly pulled his gaze away when he saw that she was about to look up.


    "Disciple, can I get more?"


    "Alright"


    Rant Valo decided to relent and gave her three more fishes. Since she liked it, he will indulge her.


    Rant Valo ran out of the silver fishes and started to cook the white fishes. He cooked it similar to how he did with the silver ones.


    When he bit into it, it tasted sweet and melted into his mouth. He even felt a warm feeling enter his stomach.


    "Oh! Disciple, where did you get that fish?"


    Floriana Sabina saw the fish Rant Valo was eating and asked in curiosity.


    "It just swam beside the river"


    Rant Valo answered her honestly. Since she can just look over the river and see them.


    "Really?"


    Floriana Sabina was clearly doubtful. She looked at Rant Valo''s face and saw his clear eyes devoid of lies.


    "Yes"


    Only then did Floriana Sabina believe in him. She watched him bite and munch on the fish with glee like he was eating a heavenly cuisine.


    "That''s a Spirit Fish you know?"


    Floriana Sabina blurted out. She can see the characteristics of the Spirit Fish in the fish Rant Valo was eating.


    "What Spirit Fish?"


    Rant Valo did not have an idea of what a Spirit Fish is, but from hearing the name and tasting it, he can imagine that it was somewhat precious.


    "It''s a fish that lives by absorbing elemental mana"


    "Seriously?"


    Rant Valo looked at the fish skeleton in his hands and swallowed the fish in his mouth. He couldn''t believe that this fish was that amazing. It could even absorb mana.


    "Disciple, give me one"


    Floriana Sabina wanted to try one of these fish herself. She has never eaten one before.


    "No way, cook one yourself"


    Rant Valo had already given and cooked for her six of the silver fishes. He did not like the feeling of spoiling her.


    "Then teach me!"


    Floriana Sabina wanted to eat the white fish so badly that she shook Rant Valo''s arm to beg him to teach her how to cook. She never ever cooked in her long life so it''s something she was curious to learn.


    "You saw what I did earlier, right? Just do the same!"


    Rant Valo freed himself from her hands and continued eating his Spirit Fishes.


    "Hmph!"


    Floriana Sabina now had no choice but to try and cook the fish from her memories. She pondered on what Rant Valo did.


    Only when she thought that she gave it enough thought did she start. She cooked the fish for a while. Then she seared it.


    "..."


    "..."


    Rant Valo was looking at the black mass in front of him. It was a wonder for him how the hell did she mess it up when she saw him do it 3 times with 3 fishes each time. Is she actually that bad at cooking?


    "What the hell is this?"


    "I don''t know... it just burned!"


    Floriana Sabina couldn''t find any excuse. She swore that she just did what Rant Valo did earlier but it didn''t end up the same. It was even worse than what she cooked last night!


    "You didn''t just sear it, you burned it!"

 Chapter 7 - Little Flori

    "You wasted my Spirit Fish!"


    Rant Valo went over and pinched Floriana Sabina''s cheeks.


    "Dishsipol, shtop!"


    Floriana Sabina struggled and pulled his hands off her cheeks. Her cheeks were red from where Rant Valo pinched her.


    "How did you burn that fish?"


    Rant Valo asked with a frown on his face. Such a good fish was actually wasted by her. If it weren''t for her childish form he would''ve punched her. That fish was just that good and he''s willing to fight someone to get it.


    "I don''t know... Disciple, why did you have to do that!?"


    Floriana Sabina massaged her aching cheeks and stood up. There was fiery anger in her eyes. One look and Rant Valo felt like he looked directly at a demon king.


    "Uh, it was on impulse! Besides, you did that on purpose didn''t you!?"


    Rant Valo felt cold sweat fall on his back when he saw her eyes. He remembered that he is in the right so his confidence went up.


    "Hmph! It''s because you''re bad at teaching!"


    Floriana Sabina''s cheeks went a deeper shade of red as she felt embarrassed cooking such terrible food. It was even worse than the one she made yesterday! It''s crazy! It must''ve been this guy''s fault!


    "M-me!?"


    Rant Valo was shocked at Floriana Sabina''s shameless blaming. It was not logical yet he couldn''t help but find any fault in it at all. It was true that he was the one who told her that she saw him watch how to cook and she even copied what he did.


    "That''s right! If it weren''t for your incompetence I would''ve cooked an overcooked one!"


    There was pride on Floriana Sabina''s face when she said so. It was like she was on the side of justice or something.


    I''m not sure if that is something you''re supposed to be proud of...


    Rant Valo looked at her proud pose weirdly. He wondered what kind of life she must''ve lived to end up being so bad at cooking that she''s proud of overcooking her food.


    "You''re just bad at it! Here I''ll show you!"


    Rant Valo wouldn''t take this lying down so he grabbed another Spirit Fish and started to cook it.


    "First, put the fish far from the flame. It may not heat up quickly but what we''re doing is cooking the insides till it''s about to be cooked"


    Rant Valo explained with a sneer. He wanted to see her face when he showed her how intricate his skills in cooking were!


    "Hmph! I bet that''ll turn out raw anyway"


    Floriana Sabina hmph''d and looked away when he looked at her.


    "I''ll show you the cooking skills of someone who cooked for himself for 10 years!"


    Rant Valo grinned widely. His confidence was from having to cook his own food for 10 years since he was 7 years old. He already made all the mistakes possible for cooking fishes in that span of time. He wouldn''t make such an amateurish mistake right here.


    "How do you know when its center is about to be cooked? You poke its body. If it''s a little springy yet firm then it should be time"


    Rant Valo skillfully poked the fish with a stick. He poked it a few times every 10 seconds and when it passed his criteria he removed the fish from the flame.


    "Here, look, you see how the meat in the center is a little raw? That''s what you want for a perfect seared fish"


    Rant Valo sliced the fish and steam floated upwards. He showed the center to Floriana Sabina and it was a little raw.


    "Hmph! I bet you''ll burn it later!"


    Floriana Sabina couldn''t accept his results. She is someone who is talented! What nonsense raw center was he saying?


    "I''ll show you!"


    Rant Valo was still confident in himself. He took Floriana Sabina''s words as nothing more than a rambling from an amateur.


    "Sear!"


    Rant Valo placed the flat side of the fish directly on the flame and the skin started to sear. It formed a delicious skin exterior. The juices flowed and bolstered the fire.


    Rant Valo flipped it over and did the same on the other side. When he was sure that the fish was seared perfectly, he grinned proudly at Floriana Sabina.


    He looked over at her and saw that she was not responding. Her eyes were entirely glued at the stick of fish in his hands.


    Whoosh!


    The fish in Rant Valo''s hand disappeared. It appeared in Floriana Sabina''s hand and she took a big bite with her small mouth. The juices flowed down her lips seductively.


    "Delicious!"


    She couldn''t help but exclaim loudly. It was just too delicious! The fish meat was cooked perfectly. It was not the same as the overcooked fish she had last night plus the delicious taste of a Spirit Fish.


    Her eyes glazed over at the delicious food she''s eating.


    Rant Valo was speechless at her. He didn''t expect her to just up and steal his Cooked Spirit Fish.


    "Hic! Hic! Huh, why am I crying?"


    Floriana Sabina wiped her eyes with her wrist and saw tears. She stared blankly at the fish in her hands. A hazy and blurry memory floated in front of her.


    A little girl cheering happily as she watched her mother grill a Spirit Fish. The mother cooked the fish skillfully and with care.


    A little sprinkle of salt and the mother rested the plate of piping hot fish in front of the little girl. There was a smile on the girl''s face as she took a spoonful and blew on it.


    "Mom! Delicious!"


    The little girl exclaimed to her mother after eating it with delight. A satisfied motherly love oozed from her smile.


    "Yes, eat up, Little Flori"


    With those words, Floriana Sabina came back to her senses. She looked around her and found that she was back in front of the campfire.


    Rant Valo was looking at her with a cheeky grin on his face. He looked like he just won the biggest victory of his life.

 Chapter 8 - And Here I Thought You Would Teach Me!

    "See! You even cried from my cooked fish!"


    "..."


    Floriana Sabina sat there and stared blankly at the fish in her hands. She didn''t even respond to Rant Valo''s mocking remarks.


    "Hey!"


    "..."


    "Hey!!"


    "..W-what?"


    Floriana Sabina came to her senses and saw Rant Valo''s face was staring at her up close.


    "You were not responding"


    Rant Valo moved away and stood up. He looked down on her before saying.


    "Is something the matter? Was it bad or was it good?"


    "It was..."


    Floriana Sabina looked at the fish bones in her hands and reminisced the taste and flavor by licking her lips. She recalled what she saw earlier. After a while, she stood up and walked away.


    "Bad!"


    "Huh!? Hey! Where are you going?"


    A vein popped out on Rant Valo''s forehead. He clearly saw her munching on his cooked fish with gusto. If that wasn''t proof that it tasted good then why is she acting weird all of a sudden?


    Floriana Sabina ignored him and walked towards the river. Rant Valo couldn''t see her anymore when she was walking along the riverbanks. She peered off into the water looking for something.


    When she saw a white fish swimming about, a splash appeared in the water and the fish floated to the surface.


    Floriana Sabina opened her palms and the fish floated in the air towards her hands. She grabbed the fish tightly. There was a small hole on its head from her earlier strike.


    A tear formed in her eyes. She stared at the fish and murmured.


    "Mother..."


    Floriana Sabina looked forward and stared into the distance. She sobbed to herself while holding the fish tightly.


    A few minutes later, she wiped her tears with her sleeves and caught several more white fishes. She went back to the campfire and saw Rant Valo waiting for her with a grumpy face.


    "What happened?"


    Rant Valo asked her while staring straight into her eyes.


    "Nothing"


    Floriana Sabina shrugged and walked to where she was sitting earlier.


    "Stop pretending. Your eyes are still red"


    Rant Valo noticed the redness in her eyes. It was a telltale sign of someone who just cried herself out.


    "E-eh?"


    A mirror suddenly appeared in Floriana Sabina''s hands and she looked at her face. She saw a little girl who was red in the eyes and looked like she was bullied.


    Rant Valo was taken aback when the mirror appeared in her hands. He looked at her hands and saw two rings.


    "Is that a Storage Ring?"


    Storage Rings are pockets of space squeezed into a ring. They are used by cultivators to store their everyday items. It is a very convenient item to have if you''re traveling far.


    "Hmph! Yes!"


    Floriana Sabina returned the mirror into her Storage Ring and turned around to avoid Rant Valo''s gaze.


    "A-and you know..."


    Floriana Sabina fidgeted to herself. She turned around while still avoiding Rant Valo''s gaze.


    "I would like you to teach me how to cook Spirit Fish!"


    Floriana Sabina blurted out. She was embarrassed by what she said. She was supposed to be the master here. What is she doing learning from her disciple?


    "H-huh..."


    Rant Valo was taken aback by her. She suddenly bowed for him to teach her how to cook a fish. Did she hit her head or something? Wasn''t she supposed to be the master here?


    "You don''t want to..?"


    Floriana Sabina was nervous that Rant Valo would reject her request. She looked up at him with an embarrassed expression.


    "I don''t disagree, but why the sudden politeness? You sound like a brat for once"


    All Rant Valo experienced when he was with this brat who forced herself to be his master is violence. If it wasn''t violence then it would be a burnt fish.


    It was an odd feeling seeing her suddenly being polite.


    "Geh! And here I thought you would teach me!"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo in anger. It was like Rant Valo forced her to do horrible things. The fishes in her hands dropped to the ground and made plopping sounds.


    When he saw Floriana Sabina was about to punch him in the guts, Rant Valo reacted quickly.


    "WAIT!!"


    Floriana Sabina stopped and looked at him like he was a dead fish. The traces of the little girl who just cried earlier were gone from her face.


    "Have any last words, Disciple?"


    There was an impassive expression on Floriana Sabina''s face as she looked at Rant Valo. It felt like she was looking at him like a bug.


    "I''ll teach you! I''ll teach you! Put your fist down first"


    Rant Valo panicked when he saw that she was seriously gonna punch him in his guts. He just ate and if that fist landed he was sure that she would make him vomit all of it out. His internal organs might even be damaged with that strong fist of hers.


    "Really?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo suspiciously.


    "Of course! See, I''ll even teach you how to gut the fishes you dropped on the ground"


    Rant Valo was sweating bullets seeing that she''s still not putting her fists down. He could only promise more stuff so she can calm down.


    "Heh, good job, Disciple. You just escaped death"


    Floriana Sabina put down her fist and looked at Rant Valo with a smile.


    Rant Valo felt chills run down his spine when he saw her smile. It was similar to the feeling he felt yesterday.


    "Yes, ma''am!"


    ...


    Rant Valo carried all the fishes while Floriana Sabina crossed her arms as they walked towards the river.


    Floriana Sabina was walking in front while Rant Valo followed from behind. He looked at her in fear. Was she really planning to kill him right there and then?


    "Gulp!"


    Rant Valo swallowed a mouthful of saliva.


    "So? What do we do now?",


    They arrived at the river and Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo coldly.


    "First, we should wash the fishes first"


    Rant Valo moved closer to the river and washed the fishes that fell on the ground. He couldn''t help but notice the small holes located on their heads. It was like a sharp needle poked their heads and passed through the other side.


    He gulped another mouthful of saliva when he realized that she was capable of doing that. Today he has been drinking his saliva like water.

 Chapter 9 - I Did It, Disciple!

    "Hahahaha..."


    Rant Valo laughed dryly and pretended like he didn''t notice the holes on the fish''s heads. He sneaked a peek at Floriana Sabina.


    When Floriana Sabina saw Rant Valo looking at her, she raised an eyebrow. Rant Valo straightened his back when he saw her do that.


    "Now that the fishes are clean, we can start gutting them"


    Rant Valo pulled out a kitchen knife from his bag and inserted it inside the fish''s gills.


    "Look at what I''m about to do"


    Rant Valo reminded Floriana Sabina. When he was sure that she was looking he started to remove the gills of the fish.


    "Push deep and push the gills out in an angle like this"


    Rant Valo stabbed the gills deeper and moved the knife at an angle. When the tip of the knife was revealed, it came together with the gills.


    "Now repeat it to the other side"


    Rant Valo did the same on the other side.


    "Got it?"


    Rant Valo asked Floriana Sabina. Floriana Sabina simulated what he did with her mind and only then did she nod.


    "Now try it"


    Rant Valo gave the knife to Floriana Sabina. She grabbed the knife and picked up a fish. She inserted the knife into its gills and pushed it out at an angle.


    Nothing came out when the tip of the knife revealed itself.


    "Huh?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo in puzzlement. It was similar to what happened when she tried to copy what he did yesterday.


    "You didn''t push hard enough"


    Rant Valo had experience in the subject so he knew what she did wrong. He motioned for her to start again with his hands.


    "Alright. I''ll try to push harder this time"


    Floriana Sabina grabbed the knife and started to remove the gills of the fish.


    Flingggg~


    The head of the fish was sliced cleanly in half.


    Rant Valo gulped when he saw that. Was she trying to tell him something..? Gulp! No way, right!?


    "Oops"


    Floriana Sabina''s brows furrowed when she realized that removing the gills of a fish was not as easy as she thought. She couldn''t but admire Rant Valo a little.


    When Rant Valo saw Floriana Sabina furrow her eyebrows, his body shivered. And when he saw her smile of admiration he thought that he saw the grim reaper.


    "I''m dead..."


    Rant Valo murmured to himself. He prayed silently that she will not torture him.


    "Dead? You mean the fish?"


    Floriana Sabina heard what he said with her sensitive ears. As a cultivator, her senses were magnified. She can even hear a pin drop from miles away if she focuses.


    "N-nothing"


    Rant Valo was nervous all over. Floriana Sabina just said that she will kill him just like the fish! He slowly moved away in fear of her doing the same to him.


    "Disciple, where are you going?"


    Floriana Sabina noticed Rant Valo slowly moving away. She thought that it was her imagination at first but when he was 10 steps away she knew that it wasn''t her imagination anymore.


    "Uhh..."


    Rant Valo tried to think of an excuse but nothing came to his mind. He looked up trying to feign ignorance.


    "Tch. Was I that bad so you''re running away?"


    Floriana Sabina thought that Rant Valo was running away since she was not easy to teach.


    "N-No! No! No! No! You''re very good!"


    Rant Valo forced a smile on his face. His smile was not convincing at all to Floriana Sabina.


    She thought that Rant Valo was just making up an excuse to appease her.


    "Hmph! Just teach me, okay?"


    Floriana Sabina''s confidence took a hit when Rant Valo kept being like that. She was never good at cooking so having realized that she was not talented at it took her confidence down a notch.


    When Rant Valo saw her pitiful face, he realized that she was genuinely feeling down. It dawned on him that he might have misunderstood her.


    "Alright"


    Rant Valo helped Floriana Sabina remove the gills of another fish. Rant Valo held her hand and *plop*. The gills were removed.


    "It worked!"


    Floriana Sabina excitedly called out. Rant Valo realized that as a cultivator, she does not have excellent control over her strength. So he guided her hands with his hands and applied the appropriate strength to remove the gills of the fish.


    "Yeah!"


    Rant Valo also felt hyped after succeeding to teach her something. It was a new feeling that he never felt in his life in the village.


    "Have you gotten the correct strength?"


    Rant Valo asked her so he can decide if he will still guide her using his hands.


    "Hmmm... I think not yet"


    Floriana Sabina did the hand motions earlier with her hands but she didn''t feel that it was right.


    "Alright, I''ll get another fish"


    Rant Valo grabbed another fish and started to guide Floriana Sabina again. He grabbed her hands and moved them gracefully. He applied what he learned over the years to her hands.


    After removing the gills of almost all the fishes, Floriana Sabina was finally confident that she could do it herself. So she grabbed a fish and tried to remove its gills.


    Plop


    The gill was removed successfully.


    "Yes! I did it, Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina was excited. With this, she can start to slowly relive that memory of her mother.


    "I''m gonna cook the most delicious Spirit Fish, Mother..."


    Floriana Sabina murmured to the air. She gazed out into the distance remembering the silhouette of her mother.


    "What happened?"


    Rant Valo also looked into the distance but he saw nothing. He asked Floriana Sabina in curiosity.


    "Nothing!"


    Floriana Sabina replied grumpily. This guy is really awful at times.


    "Now that I remember it. I haven''t asked your name yet, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina has been with Rant Valo since yesterday but she never seemed to have asked for his name yet. She only calls him Disciple this, Disciple that.


    "My name?"


    Rant Valo was surprised that she even remembered to ask his name. He thought that he''ll spend a few years without her ever knowing his name since she was never interested in asking about it.

 Chapter 10 - It Is Passable Right, Disciple?

    "My father is surnamed Valo and my mother gave me the name Rant"


    Rant Valo answered her question nonetheless. He won''t lose anything anyway.


    "Rant Valo. Rant Valo..."


    Floriana Sabina murmured Rant Valo''s name to herself. She made sure to remember it.


    "What a nice name"


    Floriana Sabina smiled gently at Rant Valo. It was the first time Rant Valo saw Floriana Sabina smile so gently. What he couldn''t believe was that it was directed towards him.


    Seeing him dazed like that embarrassed Floriana Sabina. She stood up and walked to sit atop a boulder beside the river.


    "Say, Disciple. Do you think your parents loved you?"


    Floriana Sabina stared into the distance. Her eyes were not focused as the silhouette of her mother resurfaced in her mind.


    "I think they once did... but they eventually stopped caring for me"


    Rant Valo was reminded of how his parents loved him in the past. They would dote on him and spoil him even though they just had a hard time farming outside.


    "Huh... You see, my mother once loved me so much. So so much in fact, that I wanted to see her again..."


    Floriana Sabina was forlorn. She can''t remember much about her mother but from what she recalled recently, she felt her love for her mother. It was so strong that even a tiny piece of their memories together held such strength.


    "Really? What happened?"


    Rant Valo was curious. He saw another glimpse of the little girl she was ought to be.


    "Nothing. Let''s go! Teach me how to gut the fishes"


    Floriana Sabina realized that she has been getting too emotional. It was not befitting for a Master like her to do so.


    "Huh?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t keep up with her and just followed her with his gaze as she picked up a fish.


    "Disciple, let''s go!"


    Floriana Sabina cheerfully pumped herself up. Cooking is something she wants to learn. Not just for her sake, but also for her mother''s sake.


    "O-oohh"


    Rant Valo could only go with the flow and teach her how to gut a fish. He grabbed a knife before speaking.


    "You slice the underside of the fish at its belly"


    Rant Valo slit the underside of the fish and red blood came out. It exuded a strong fishy odor.


    "This is the guts of the fish"


    Rant Valo removed all of the guts inside the belly of the fish with the knife. It all came out including the worm-like intestines of the fish.


    "Ew"


    Floriana Sabina couldn''t help but be disgusted when she saw the guts of the fish, especially the intestines. From what she knows that''s where the poop of the fish is.


    "You''ll have to get used to this"


    Rant Valo smiled as he grabbed another fish and gave it to her. He nudged at her and she accepted it.


    Floriana Sabina held the fish nervously. Even though she was a cultivator, she was not someone who has dwelled in violence too much.


    Her Master kept her locked up inside the sect to cultivate. She doesn''t have much battle experience.


    "Okay..."


    Floriana Sabina imagined that she was just cutting a training dummy. It was one of the things she used to test out her combat techniques with.


    Slice!


    "What!"


    Rant Valo saw the fish get sliced cleanly in half from its underside. It was like someone filleted the fish.


    "Uh, oops"


    Floriana Sabina awkwardly looked at the bisected fish. She didn''t know that her control for strength has always been lacking. She guesses that being locked up cultivating made her lose fine control.


    Rant Valo face palmed himself. Why does she have to repeat what she did just earlier? Doesn''t she feel pity for this fish''s poor souls in the afterlife? They must''ve been flopping furiously over there.


    "Here, try again. Use the tiniest strength that you can use"


    Rant Valo gave her another Spirit Fish. He silently prayed for that fish. It might become the third victim today if she doesn''t get this right.


    Floriana Sabina closed her eyes and concentrated. A while later she opened her eyes and exhaled a deep breath.


    "Hah!"


    Floriana Sabina did a tiny incision on the underside of the fish and the fish was not cut in half. She looked at Rant Valo happily.


    "I did it!"


    Rant Valo was surprised himself. He didn''t think that she would be able to do it so fast considering that it took him teaching her for a while before she got to remove the gills of the fishes earlier.


    "Nice!"


    Rant Valo opened the incision and when he touched it red blood came out. He used the knife to show her the next step. The part where you simply have to push everything out with the knife.


    The guts came out and when Rant Valo saw it, he couldn''t help but be bewildered. They were all sliced in half! It seemed like she still had a long way to go.


    He couldn''t really understand if cultivators were supposed to be that inconsistent with their control of strength.


    "It is passable right, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo excitedly. She was slowly learning how to cook. It was not like boring old cultivation. She never felt such a thrill before.


    "Uh, maybe?"


    Rant Valo didn''t really have any special use for the guts so he didn''t mind that she sliced them in half. Perhaps it will be easier for the other fishes in the river to feast if they are sliced like that.


    "Hmph! You''re just jealous that I did it better than you!"


    Floriana Sabina was not happy with his reply. She only made one mistake and gutted the fish perfectly the next try.


    "..."


    Rant Valo was speechless at her self-centered ego. What happened to the little girl earlier? Please give her back, would you? Not this gorilla.


    "What''s with that look? Have a problem with me, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina raised her chin and looked at Rant Valo like some princess of a kingdom.


    Ah, the spoiled brat came back. Damn it!

 Chapter 11 - Fuahh~ That Felt Good

    Rant Valo silently cursed himself for shooting himself in the foot. He didn''t expect that teaching her how to gut a fish will raise her ego.


    "Nothing"


    Floriana Sabina only stopped looking intensely at him after he said that. She grabbed the other fishes and gutted them.


    Slit Slit Slit Slit


    One by one the fishes were gutted by Floriana Sabina. She was smiling throughout the process. Her visage from afar looks innocent until you see the guts splattered around her.


    "Done!"


    Floriana Sabina washed her hands in the river. She looked at Rant Valo proud of her work.


    "What''s next, Disciple?"


    Rant Valo looked at the gutted fishes and nodded in satisfaction.


    "We should remove the scales of the fish"


    Rant Valo actually forgot to descale the fish earlier. It was a rookie mistake since fishes are much easier to descale when they''re not gutted yet.


    "Like this"


    Rant Valo grabbed the knife from Floriana Sabina and used it to scrape the scales off the fish. The scales went flying through the air as they were removed. Some stuck on Rant Valo''s hands, arms, and clothes.


    "Disciple, that''s so messy"


    "That''s what I hate about this"


    Rant Valo agreed with Floriana Sabina. Compared to removing the guts of the fish, descaling them makes a lot of scales fly everywhere which smells a strong fishy odor.


    Rant Valo continued scraping the skin of the fish till all of the scales were gone. He flipped it over and did the same thing all over.


    "Done"


    Rant Valo gave the fish to Floriana Sabina so she could inspect it. Floriana Sabina looked at the fish and found that there was not a piece of scale left on the skin.


    "Disciple, this seems easy"


    Floriana Sabina grinned in confidence. She gave the fish back to Rant Valo and grabbed another one.


    "Watch"


    Floriana Sabina swiped the knife along the skin of the fish and almost all of its scales flew through the air.


    "Eughh"


    Floriana Sabina looked at her arms and touched her face. There were scales all over her.


    "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but laugh seeing her appearance. It looked like she was peppered with fish scales. There were even some on her red hair.


    "URGGHHH! Disgusting! Why is descaling a fish so hard!?"


    Floriana Sabina shook her arms and tried to remove as many scales stuck on her hair as possible. She desperately tried her best to remove most of it but there were some that she could not remove easily.


    Floriana Sabina looked at the laughing Rant Valo and got an idea.


    "Disciple, help me!"


    Rant Valo''s cheeks twitched when he heard what she said. He looked around and pretended that he wasn''t the one she was calling for.


    "DI, SCI, PLE!"


    Rant Valo was startled at her anger. He didn''t expect that fish scales disgust her so much that she''s basically fuming.


    "Alright. Alright"


    Rant Valo used his hands to pat the fish scales off her body. He can smell the fishy odor from her body so much.


    "Done"


    "Really?"


    Floriana Sabina touched her body all over and couldn''t feel any more scales stuck on her body. Only then was she satisfied.


    "You still smell though"


    Right when she was about to smile she was reminded by Rant Valo and couldn''t help but frown at his lack of sensitivity.


    "Hmph! You smell like one too!"


    Floriana Sabina wouldn''t let Rant Valo ride over her head so she replied back in anger.


    "I''m gonna take a bath. Don''t you dare peek!"


    Floriana Sabina glared at Rant Valo before she left to take a bath. Rant Valo could only stare at the fishes in helplessness.


    Floriana Sabina stopped after making sure that she was far away and cannot be seen from Rant Valo''s location. She walked near the bank of the river and found a small channel that she could bathe into.


    Floriana Sabina removed her articles of clothing one by one. She stopped and didn''t remove her underwear. She was worried that Rant Valo would peek since he can even bust one out from a pendant.


    "Hahhh~"


    Floriana Sabina relaxed her body when she entered the water. She slowly rinsed the slimy fishy odor on her body.


    A bottle appeared in her hands. Floriana Sabina tilted it upside down and a white viscous fluid came out. She rubbed it all over her body.


    When Floriana Sabina was done rubbing it all over her body she finally rinsed herself.


    Another bottle appeared in her hands, this time it was a golden-colored viscous liquid. She rubbed it on her hair and it bubbled.


    Floriana Sabina scrubbed her scalp thoroughly before rinsing it with the clear river water.


    Floriana Sabina closed her eyes and rested her head against a flat rock. The river water flowed and brushed her body causing her to moan in ecstasy.


    "Ahh~ That feels good"


    Floriana Sabina felt like she was being massaged by an expert masseur. Her sore body was being refreshed. The fatigue from her travels left her.


    "I should do this more often"


    Floriana Sabina murmured quietly. She thought about her past and couldn''t help but be curious if there was a time when she did this thing with her mother.


    She couldn''t remember anything no matter how hard she tried to remember. After a bit, she opened her eyes and stretched her arms and legs.


    Floriana Sabina closed her eyes for a bit before opening them shortly after. Only then did she remove her underwear.


    She washed for a bit more before finally wearing a new set of clothes.


    "Fuahh~ That felt good"


    Floriana Sabina stretched her arms and walked back towards where Rant Valo was.


    Right when she was about to, a shadow ran towards her back. It opened its mouth as its sharp fangs bit her neck.


    "Agh!"


    Floriana Sabina looked over and saw a girl crouching on the ground in pain. There was blood leaking from her red lips.


    "Who are you?"

 Chapter 12 - How’s Your Bath, Master?

    The girl was wearing a black cloak over her body. Her face was hidden under the hoodie. Floriana Sabina only saw the girl''s white skin from her bleeding mouth.


    "!!!"


    The girl noticed her looking over and turned around to run. She transformed into a black shadow that entered the forest.


    "Hmph!"


    Floriana Sabina humphed and the girl fell down to the ground. Her cloak was sticking to her skin as she was pressed down.


    "You won''t get away."


    Floriana Sabina walked towards the girl and removed the hood that was covering her face.


    It revealed a beautiful pale-skinned teenage girl who had blood dripping from her lips. Her irises were red in color. It gave her the feeling of an exotic beauty.


    The girl winced her eyes in pain when the hood was removed. She looked at Floriana Sabina pitifully.


    Floriana Sabina furrowed her eyebrows. She never heard about a race that has such features.


    "Who are you?"


    Floriana Sabina asked the girl once again. The girl averted her eyes when she saw Floriana Sabina staring straight at her.


    "Not gonna answer, huh?"


    Floriana Sabina grinned evilly. She walked towards the girl who was pressed to the ground and a bundle of rope appeared in her hands.


    "There!"


    "Kyaa!"


    Floriana Sabina tied the girl''s body and hands behind her back. The force pressing the girl down quickly disappeared and she crawled like a caterpillar towards the forest. Floriana Sabina pointed her finger at the lips of the girl and light flowed from her fingertips towards the girl.


    Floriana Sabina held the ends of the rope and dragged the girl through the ground. She brought her to where Rant Valo was.


    Rant Valo saw Floriana Sabina wearing a fresh set of clothes as she dragged a body towards him. He went stiff when he saw that.


    "Was that her victim before?"


    Rant Valo swallowed a mouthful of saliva and hoped that he was wrong. He forced a smile on his face and greeted Floriana Sabina.


    "How''s your bath, Master?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at him impassively and threw the girl towards him.


    "Deal with it."


    "Huh?"


    Rant Valo looked down and saw the pitiful eyes of the girl begging him to spare her. Just what is this exactly!?


    "What''s this????"


    Rant Valo looked at Floriana Sabina in confusion. What did she mean by, "deal with it"?


    "Sell her."


    Floriana Sabina answered impassively. She sat in front of the rock where the fishes are and started to descale them slowly.


    Nudge Nudge


    "Are you okay?"


    Rant Valo poked her and asked. She shook her head vigorously. There were tears building in the girl''s eyes and she looked at him pleadingly.


    "You can''t speak?"


    The girl nodded her head. She looked at Floriana Sabina.


    "So she shut your mouth? How?"


    Rant Valo looked at the girl''s mouth and saw that there was nothing blocking it. He tried to open it with his thumb by pulling her lower jaw down. It wouldn''t budge no matter how hard he tried.


    "Is this the power of cultivation?"


    Rant Valo asked her and the girl nodded her head again. The girl looked at Floriana Sabina again but this time fear was reflected in her eyes.


    "What should I do with you?"


    Rant Valo pondered over this matter. The nearest town is still a long way to go. He will have to bring the girl with him if he wants to sell her.


    Besides, he never even encountered slaves. He only heard of them from the other villagers when they were talking. So he wasn''t sure how to sell someone as a slave.


    The girl looked at him pleadingly again. She was really getting desperate.


    "Master, can we keep her instead?"


    Rant Valo was still against the idea of calling her Master but he just had to do it. He saw that she was halfway through all the fishes. She''s actually doing a good job after peppering herself with fish scales.


    "Hah? No."


    Floriana Sabina glanced at Rant Valo in annoyance and continued to descale the fish in her hands.


    "How about removing the seal for her mouth?"


    Rant Valo compromised. He was curious what the girl had to say for herself.


    "She tried to bite me. So no. She can easily bite a mortal like you."


    Floriana Sabina didn''t look at him but her decision was pretty clear. She did not like this girl at all.


    Rant Valo thought for a bit before coming up with an idea.


    "Hey, promise me that you won''t bite me?"


    The girl just stared at him blankly. She avoided his eyes when he looked at her long enough.


    Growl~


    Rant Valo looked down and the girl blushed. Her stomach just growled from hunger.


    "I have an idea."


    Rant Valo stood up and went towards Floriana Sabina and grabbed a fish that she already descaled.


    "Hey! What are you doing?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at him in anger. She grabbed the fish and put it back in place.


    "I taught you how to clean the fish!"


    Rant Valo protested and grabbed the fish again.


    "Hmph! Just one!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted and didn''t pay Rant Valo any more attention.


    Rant Valo went to the campfire and saw that the fire was still burning. He added more twigs and branches. He blew on the flame and waited for it to grow.


    When the fire was big enough, he cooked the fish. He made sure to make it look as appetizing as possible.


    He went back near the river and found Floriana Sabina skewering the fishes she already descaled.


    "Disciple, that smells good."


    Floriana Sabina smelled the cooked fish and looked over. She saw the fish in his hands and couldn''t help but gulp. Her mouth was watering just seeing that fish.


    When Rant Valo saw how she looked like a little girl who hasn''t eaten for days he knew that his plan would succeed.


    "This is not for you!"


    Rant Valo hid the fish away from Floriana Sabina''s eyes.


    "Tch. Stingy."


    Rant Valo went towards the girl and saw her absentminded appearance. She was just like a prisoner waiting for their turn on death row.

 Chapter 13 - Big Brother, I Want To Lick

    Rant Valo got in front of the girl and smiled at her. The girl looked at him pleadingly again.


    "Stop making that face. Look, I have food for you."


    Rant Valo showed her the Spirit Fish that he cooked. The girl smelled the fish and her eyes shined. Rant Valo even saw her throat move.


    Rant Valo moved the fish left and the girl looked left. He moved it right and the girl looked right. He moved it up and the girl looked up. He moved it in circles and the girl followed the fish with her eyes.


    The girl stopped and looked dizzy. Her eyes reflected anger as she looked at Rant Valo.


    "That''s much better."


    Rant Valo smiled seeing that she stopped making that pleading face. Rant Valo was just a villager and he didn''t like seeing someone making such a face.


    The girl was startled by his words. She looked away and avoided his gaze.


    "If you promise me that you''ll not bite me or attack me, I''ll give this to you."


    Rant Valo told her with a smile. Rant Valo looked at her face covered by the hood and couldn''t help but notice the paleness of her skin. In contrast, her lips were blood red.


    The girl stared at the fish in hesitation. She looked at Rant Valo and at the fish alternately. When Rant Valo saw that she was still not giving in, he placed the fish directly in front of her face.


    Rant Valo saw the girl''s throat move multiple times. Her eyes became entirely glued to the fish in his hands.


    "But before that, promise me."


    Rant Valo hid the fish behind him and stared at her eyes seriously. The girl looked away and slowly nodded her head.


    "A promise is a promise, okay?"


    Rant Valo stared at the girl and saw her nod again. Only then was he satisfied.


    "Master, she promised!"


    Rant Valo shouted at Floriana Sabina.


    "Hahhh?! What''s the difference?!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted back. She was beside the campfire looking at the fishes in her hand and at the flame. She was still not sure if she can cook them.


    "I''ll help you cook that later! Just unseal her first!"


    Rant Valo shouted back towards her. His throat felt coarse shouting that loud.


    "Really!?"


    An excited voice answered back, Rant Valo saw Floriana Sabina running towards him with the fishes skewered in her hands. She ran with a pata pata sound.


    "Yes."


    Rant Valo answered. Floriana Sabina pointed her finger at the girl and snapped her fingers.


    "Puh!"


    The girl let out a breath of air. She tried to open and close her mouth.


    "That was so scary."


    The girl said with a captivating voice. She looked at Rant Valo and smiled.


    "Thank you, Big Brother."


    The girl looked at Rant Valo in gratitude. Then she looked at Floriana Sabina in fear. She realized that she was just in the palm of Floriana Sabina''s hands when she snapped her fingers.


    She actually met such a powerful being.


    "You''re welcome. Here."


    Rant Valo smiled back at her and moved the fish in front of her lips.


    "Please hold it for me, Big Brother."


    The girl started gulping down the fish bite by bite. Every time she takes a bite Rant Valo had to move the fish closer to her mouth.


    She finished the fish quickly and she licked Rant Valo''s fingers that were still holding some fish.


    "Hey!"


    Rant Valo felt an electrifying feeling when the girl licked his fingers. The fact that she looked the same age as he stimulated him a bit.


    "But Big Brother, I want to lick your delicious fingers too."


    The girl licked her lips as she said so. Her red irises stared straight at his eyes.


    Gulp


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but swallow a mouthful of saliva. As someone who is a virgin, he wouldn''t be able to endure such stimulation. His eyes were glued at the red lips of the girl.


    Smack


    "Fueh?!"


    Floriana Sabina smacked the girl''s head with the fishes in her hands. The girl flinched and looked at her fearfully.


    "Stop seducing my disciple or I''ll turn you into a mute forever."


    Floriana Sabina stared at the girl coldly. As Rant Valo''s Master, it is her duty to protect him.


    The girl looked away and avoided her cold eyes.


    "And you, Disciple, she obviously had malicious intentions yet you still fell for her tricks."


    Floriana Sabina glared at Rant Valo. Rant Valo went back to reality and realized that his little brother was standing like a pillar.


    "Ah, yes."


    Rant Valo looked at the girl in fear. Floriana Sabina said earlier that she tried to bite her. Then wouldn''t that mean that if she wasn''t tied up she would''ve eaten him!?


    "I thought you promised me!?"


    Rant Valo pointed at the girl in anger. He was a villager through and through. Learning that someone planned to eat him kick-started his survival instincts.


    "Big Brother, I never promised that I can''t lick you?"


    The girl tilted her head as she stared at Rant Valo in confusion. Rant Valo furrowed his eyebrows at her. She was obviously planning to eat him yet she was still pretending to be innocent.


    "Don''t do it again!"


    Rant Valo''s heart was beating so fast at the thought that he was almost eaten. He vented his unease by shouting at her.


    "Okay, I guess?"


    The girl nodded her head still confused.


    Rant Valo calmed himself by breathing in and out in intervals. When his heart finally calmed down he opened his mouth to talk to her.


    "Who are you?"


    "Me?"


    The girl looked at him blankly. There was no response from her.


    "..I can''t..remember..?"


    The girl said in shock and confusion. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn''t remember her name. She looked around her in confusion and saw the forest around her.


    "Huh? Where am I?"


    The girl was shocked at her realization. She was like an entirely different person compared to before.


    "What do you mean you can''t remember?"

 Chapter 14 - Don’t Get Any Weird Ideas!

    Rant Valo raised an eyebrow at her response. Is she still pretending? Was this her tactic to lure me and eat me?


    Rant Valo still could not fully trust her yet.


    "Huh, why am I crying?"


    The girl looked lost. Tears were streaming down her face.


    "I can''t remember anything yet why could I feel a pain in my chest?"


    The girl still had her body tied up, but if her hands were free, she would''ve clutched her heart.


    "What are you saying?"


    Rant Valo looked at her in puzzlement. She really can''t remember anything?


    "No. No! Why is this happening to me!!"


    It was like a demon broke loose when the girl started struggling to escape from the ropes. Too bad the rope was from Floriana Sabina and it is very durable.


    "W-what''s happening to her?"


    Rant Valo moved closer towards Floriana Sabina in fear. Her crazed expression and actions shook his soul.


    "Is her soul damaged?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at the girl violently trying to escape. She analyzed with her eyes why a girl who seemed normal earlier reacted like that.


    The hood covering the girl''s head was removed from her violent movements and it revealed her black hair and pointed ears. It was not mentioned earlier but the girl hid her head under the hood again when Floriana Sabina was dragging her.


    "She is-!"


    There was a look of enlightenment on Floriana Sabina''s face as she looked at the girl. A flash of curiosity sparkled in her eyes.


    "She is?"


    Rant Valo looked at Floriana Sabina and waited for her to finish her words.


    "A vampire!"


    Floriana Sabina said with amazement on her face. It was her first time ever seeing one. She only heard about them in books. Seeing them in person was very different.


    "Vampire? What''s that?"


    Rant Valo who was a country bumpkin had no idea what a vampire is. He looked at Floriana Sabina and the girl in curiosity. "So she was a vampire," he thought.


    "It''s a subrace of the Demon Race. They drink the blood of humans as their nutrition source."


    Floriana Sabina explained while still looking at the girl intently.


    "But wait¡­ Why is there a different feeling from her? Almost like a Succubus?"


    Floriana Sabina held her chin while pondering the matter over. She read in the book most of the characteristics of the subraces of the Demon Race. So she was quite familiar with their features.


    "A Demon!?"


    Rant Valo shouted out loud. He heard that Demons were the enemy of the Human Race. They do cruel things against Humans such as torture, drinking blood, eating their flesh, etc. He couldn''t help but slowly inch backward.


    The Demon Race is one of the intelligent races in this world. No one knew when they came to be, but they have been the enemy of Humans since the dawn of history.


    Almost all of the Demon Races cultivate the Darkness Element. A sinister element that can curse someone or do extreme acts of evil.


    "Is she perhaps a hybrid?"


    Rant Valo looked at Floriana Sabina in front of him in wonder. He wasn''t sure but she seems to be able to see through the girl in front of them.


    "A hybrid?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but feel that too much stuff was being revealed to him all of a sudden today. His villager brain could not keep up.


    "Hybrids are offspring of two entirely different subraces or sometimes, even races."


    This was the first time Rant Valo learned that other races can copulate and give birth to a hybrid. What kind of existence were they giving birth to?


    "So you''re saying that she is a Vampire and Succubus hybrid?"


    Rant Valo asked Floriana Sabina.


    "Yes. And she seems to have a major flaw due to her being a hybrid."


    Floriana Sabina answered candidly. She looked at the girl with pity in her eyes.


    "Flaw?"


    Rant Valo looked at the girl and couldn''t see any flaw other than the fact that she was screaming hysterically. It couldn''t be that her flaw was this, right?


    "Yes. Hybrids have one flaw or more. This one seems to have a damaged soul."


    Floriana Sabina looked sad as she stared at the girl screaming while bound by the ropes. She was shouting that she couldn''t remember her name and all. She was almost like her who forgot her mother but has forgotten more important things.


    Floriana Sabina''s heart softened as she reached this thought.


    Floriana Sabina walked towards the girl and touched her forehead with her finger. The girl fell down on the ground with a thud.


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but gulp when he saw how easily she took care of the girl. Did she kill her?


    "I put her to sleep."


    Floriana Sabina crouched and combed the girl''s hair. There was gentleness reflected in her eyes. This girl was just like her. They have both forgotten important things.


    "Alright, Disciple. We won''t sell her."


    Floriana Sabina said as she looked back at Rant Valo. Rant Valo was still confused about why she suddenly changed her attitude. It was almost like she was not dealing with a demon.


    "But she''s a Demon!"


    Rant Valo protested. She almost ate him earlier. If they had to kill her then he would gladly say yes. Although he never killed anyone before, there was still lingering fear in his heart after what happened earlier.


    "Don''t worry. Take this."


    Floriana Sabina removed one of the rings from her finger and threw it towards Rant Valo. Rant Valo caught it with both of his hands.


    "This is..?"


    Rant Valo looked at the ring and saw a green gem embedded in it. It was glowing faintly.


    "That''s a Magical Device. It is in the form of a ring. It can protect you three times from any fatal physical attacks before it loses the mana inside it. By then, give it to me so I will recharge it for you."


    Floriana Sabina explained with a warm smile on her face. Somehow, Rant Valo felt that she was warmer to him today.


    "Don''t get any weird ideas! It''s not like I gave it to you because I care for you or anything!"


    Geh! He was wrong!

 Chapter 15 - Secret

    Rant Valo couldn''t understand why Floriana Sabina suddenly changed her attitude. Every time when he thought that she was actually not bad she will always pull something like this.


    "Alright. Thanks."


    Rant Valo could only thank her. This was a precious object that can save him from the attacks of this girl three times. If he didn''t have this then he wouldn''t be assured with Floriana Sabina keeping that girl.


    Rant Valo wore the ring on his ring finger and was surprised to see that it expanded to fit him properly. He was just testing if it actually fits but this ring actually changed its size for him.


    "Heh, surprised? That''s just one of the features of that ring."


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo smugly when she saw the amazement on his face. Teaching a country bumpkin was the best.


    "What''s a Magical Device?"


    Even though Rant Valo was living inside the Beslor Magic Kingdom, he was ultimately still a villager. He was not that knowledgeable about the advanced stuff.


    "Magical Devices are objects created by high stage mages. These devices have features in them. For example, this Ring-type Magical Device has the feature to protect against any fatal physical attacks."


    Floriana Sabina touched the ring on Rant Valo''s finger and a green halo encapsulated his body. Rant Valo opened his mouth wide when he saw it.


    "There are also multiple grades for these Magical Devices."


    Floriana Sabina continued.


    "Then, what grade is this ring?"


    Rant Valo asked in curiosity. What grade would a ring that can protect you from any fatal physical attacks be?


    "Secret."


    Floriana Sabina winked at Rant Valo as she said so. She was worried that he would return the ring when he heard how precious it actually is.


    "Wha-!"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but be downcast. She held him in suspense only to not say it in the end. It almost feels like she was doing it on purpose.


    "Disciple, help me carry her."


    Now that Floriana Sabina''s heart has softened towards this girl, she wouldn''t drag her through the ground again. Rant Valo could only forget about his earlier question and help her.


    They brought the girl under a shade of a tree. It was cool so she won''t feel hot.


    "There."


    Rant Valo gulped multiple times when he carried the top part of the girl in his arms. Her sleeping face was too alluring for a virgin like him.


    He almost went and pecked her lips. There was really something wrong with him whenever he was around this girl. There was an irresistible charm coming from her.


    "Pervert!"


    Floriana Sabina noticed his lewd gazes and shouted at him in anger. He was so low to the point that he would attack a defenseless girl.


    Rant Valo was shaken out of his reverie and his heart went cold. This was a Demon! Why was he getting attracted to her?


    He raised his guard up and resisted her charms with all his might. He remembered that this girl was half-succubus. Then wouldn''t that be the reason that she has this irresistible feminine charm surrounding her?


    They laid her down slowly.


    "What now?"


    Rant Valo looked at Floriana Sabina and asked. He was really not feeling safe when he was looking at this girl. His virgin body wouldn''t be able to resist her charm if he stayed any longer.


    "Just let her rest."


    Floriana Sabina said as she grabbed the fishes that she left beside the river and came back.


    "Disciple, teach me how to cook these."


    Floriana Sabina said excitedly. Rant Valo could only go to the campfire with her and he started to teach her how to cook the fish again.


    "Here, watch properly."


    Rant Valo did the same thing and cooked the fish to perfection. Viola! Another tasty fish.


    Floriana Sabina still could not understand how he could cook such a perfect fish. Just seeing the fish salivates Floriana Sabina. She quickly grabbed the fish and ate it.


    "Hey!"


    Rant Valo wanted to stop her but it was already too late. She already started munching on the fish greedily. Just like before, the hot fish didn''t affect her. She bit and swallowed the fish like a hungry bear.


    "Dishipol, did yow chey shomthing?"


    Floriana Sabina asked as she continued to chew her food.


    "Ah, nothing."


    Rant Valo could only give up seeing her like that. Sometimes she acts like a proper master, sometimes she acts like a little girl, and now she''s acting like a glutton. He really didn''t know what to do with her.


    "Can you cook it now?"


    A few minutes later, Rant Valo asked after seeing that she was done with the Spirit Fish.


    "Hmm¡­ I almost get what you mean by when the center was about to be cooked."


    Somehow, Rant Valo felt like she used the same ability that she used to know what race the girl was earlier. He had an inkling that this was how she knew that he was a Cursed Child.


    Rant Valo didn''t know what stage a cultivator had to reach to have an ability like that, but he was sure that it couldn''t be a low one.


    His evaluation of Floriana Sabina couldn''t help but rise higher. His thoughts that she was a conman or someone who tricks people before murdering them was slowly disappearing from his mind the more he gets to know this little girl.


    He looked at her seriously. He watched her try her best to cook the fish in her hands. Maybe, just maybe, she''s the real deal after all.


    When that thought appeared in Rant Valo''s mind, his body moved on its own. His legs caved in and kneeled on the ground.


    "Master, please, help me cure my curse!"


    Rant Valo was pleading. He kowtowed on the ground three times. Tears formed in his eyes as he realized that this was his only chance to have the normal life that he wished for.


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo and smiled happily. Her eyes showed an unusual affection.


    "Ohhh, so all this time you were just pretending?"

 Chapter 16 - Then Teach Me, Disciple!

    Floriana Sabina said teasingly. The happiness in her eyes betrayed the meaning of her words. Rant Valo almost couldn''t take her seriously seeing her act like that. But to show his sincerity, he admitted it.


    "Yes. I really didn''t want to recognize you as my Master, but the events that transpired today have changed my mind. Starting right now, Disciple Rant Valo will always listen to you."


    There was sincerity in Rant Valo''s voice as he said so. There was also determination in it. His determination to live a normal life.


    "Hmm! I knew. I was waiting for this moment you know?"


    Floriana Sabina flashed Rant Valo the most beautiful smile that he has ever seen. It was a smile so pure and innocent that he had hallucinations that he was in heaven.


    "Master!"


    Rant Valo felt heartened seeing her recognizing him. He became one step closer to his goal of living a normal life.


    "Hehe, Disciple, because of that you get a reward!"


    Floriana Sabina looked down at Rant Valo who was looking up at her from his prostrating position.


    "A reward?"


    Rant Valo looked at her in puzzlement. He didn''t expect to suddenly receive a reward from her.


    "Yes, and I know you will like it."


    Floriana Sabina smiled at Rant Valo teasingly. Her eyes were full of smiles when Rant Valo looked at it. Rant Valo''s heartbeat quickened in anticipation when he saw her smile.


    "Then please!"


    Rant Valo lowered his head and pleaded to her. He already recognized her as his master so he was also curious about what she had for him. If she gave him another Magical Device then he would gladly take it!


    "Here!"


    A book appeared in Floriana Sabina''s hands and she offered it to Rant Valo. When Rant Valo saw that she was giving him a book, his smile froze. This was not the Magical Device that he was expecting to get.


    "A-a book?"


    "Do you have a problem with it?"


    Floriana Sabina saw the disappointment in Rant Valo''s eyes and couldn''t help but be taken aback.


    "Ah, nothing."


    Rant Valo could only pretend that he was not disappointed. He kind of expected too high when he thought that she would give him another magical device.


    "Hmph! Be grateful! This is the cure to your curse, you know?"


    Floriana Sabina snorted and took back the book.


    "No, no, no! I''m sorry!"


    Rant Valo panicked when he heard that it was the cure to his curse. He would be too stupid if he didn''t take it from her.


    "Heh! I changed my mind!"


    Floriana Sabina said with a cheeky grin on her face. When Rant Valo saw that, his hopes were crushed. He was really stupid. He allowed such an opportunity to pass him by because he thought that it was not valuable.


    Rant Valo felt regret crush his heart right now.


    "I will do anything! Master!"


    Rant Valo looked up at Floriana Sabina pleadingly just like a puppy. Floriana Sabina tried to push him off but he was sticking to her like bubblegum.


    "Get off!"


    "Master, the book!"


    Rant Valo still didn''t stop when he heard her words. Who knows when he will see that book ever again if she really keeps it.


    "Hmph. You leave me no choice."


    Floriana Sabina snorted and pushed Rant Valo away using her mana. Rant Valo suddenly felt a strong force push his body away. He saw Floriana Sabina float high into the skies. His mouth opened wide when he saw how high she was flying.


    "A strong cultivator!"


    That''s when Rant Valo realized that she was really the real deal. The little bit of doubt still left in him was gone in an instant. His heart felt awe at her.


    "Disciple, do you want this book?"


    Floriana Sabina wagged the book in her hand in front of her just like a stick. She was acting like Rant Valo was a dog and the book in her hand was the fetching stick.


    "Yes, Master!"


    Rant Valo nodded his head vigorously. This book is his hope and dream. If he got it perhaps he could still go back to the village and marry the village maiden, Zaria.


    "Then teach me, D-disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo while flying high in the sky. Her robes flapped with the wind.


    "What?"


    Rant Valo''s head stopped when he heard what she said. He couldn''t comprehend any of it. It was like they were talking about a topic that he was not aware that they were talking about.


    "Well, you know, I''m bad at cooking and all¡­ so I wanted you to teach me!"


    Floriana Sabina fidgeted her hands together and looked away bashfully. As his Master, she was getting embarrassed for asking him to teach her.


    "Of course!"


    Rant Valo hurriedly nodded his head. If teaching her how to cook was the price then he will gladly take it. He has nothing to lose anyway.


    "Hmph! Here!"


    Floriana Sabina floated downward towards him. She hmph''d and threw him the book. Rant Valo caught the book and hugged it in his chest just like how one would hug a baby.


    "Thank you!"


    Rant Valo looked at Floriana Sabina with gratitude in his eyes. When Floriana Sabina saw that in his eyes she looked away in embarrassment. Her cheeks flushed red as she looked away.


    Rant Valo ran towards the tree where the girl from earlier was resting and rested his back on its strong trunk. Floriana Sabina stared at the skewered fishes by the side and pondered what Rant Valo taught her earlier.


    She wanted to try cooking it by herself. She wanted to leave Rant Valo alone for a while so he could read the book.


    Rant Valo looked at the book in his hands in excitement. He saw no title on its cover.


    He flipped it open to the first page and read the words written on it.


    "How To Fix Erectile Dysfunction: A Thorough Guide"


    Rant Valo''s eyes became as wide as saucers when he understood the meaning of the title. He flipped through all the pages and found an accurate description of how to cure ED.


    "YOU LITTLE BRATTT!!!"


    Rant Valo shouted in anger.

 Chapter 17 - Joke My Flames!

    Floriana Sabina looked over in the direction of Rant Valo.


    "This guy¡­"


    Floriana Sabina clenched her fist in anger. She walked towards Rant Valo.


    Rant Valo was also walking towards Floriana Sabina. He was gripping the book tightly. There was unconcealed anger on his face.


    The two met midway and saw the other party angry but they didn''t care.


    "What the hell is this!?"


    "Who are you calling a little brat!?"


    The two shouted at the same time.


    "Answer me!"


    "No, answer me!"


    "Nnnnn¡­?"


    As the two were bickering with each other on who will answer who. The girl who has been resting under the tree opened her eyes. She looked around her, lost.


    She looked at the two who were fighting with each other.


    "Look at this book! Why does it say, ''How To Fix Erectile Dysfunction: A Thorough Guide''? That''s not my curse!"


    "Hahh!??? I clearly gave you the Luck Fate Manager book! Where did you even get that? Wait, are you perhaps..?"


    Floriana Sabina squinted her eyes as she stared at Rant Valo and looked down at his crotch. Rant Valo quickly covered it with his hands. His face was red.


    "W-what are you doing!?"


    "I''m checking!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted at him while still looking at his crotch. She saw strong vitality flowing at Rant Valo''s crotch.


    "Pervert!"


    Floriana Sabina suddenly shouted and her face went to a deep shade of red. She saw something that she shouldn''t have.


    "Why me!?''


    Rant Valo shouted back at her. He was confused why he was the one who became the pervert when she was the one who looked at his crotch.


    "You made me look at it on purpose!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted while covering her face in embarrassment. She never saw anything like that in her long life. Her maiden heart couldn''t take something like that.


    "I didn''t!"


    "Aha, Ahahahahahaha"


    Suddenly a sweet laugh echoed out and the two who were bickering with each other stopped and looked at the girl who was now resting her back on the tree. There were tears in her eyes as she laughed. Her body was still bound by ropes.


    "What are you laughing at?"


    Rant Valo asked her in a deadpan face. He couldn''t even care if she was a demon. She''s bound by ropes so he was not afraid of her. Floriana Sabina nodded her head and also looked at her questioningly.


    "Nothing. You guys just looked like a couple."


    "Hahh? A couple? With this guy? No way!"


    Floriana Sabina was the one who spoke. She looked at the girl like she just heard a silly joke.


    "She''s just a brat!"


    Rant Valo spat in anger. There was no way he would fall for a little kid like her. His goal was Zaria, the village maiden! Anyone else is irrelevant.


    "Stop calling me that!"


    Floriana Sabina turned around and looked at Rant Valo in anger when she heard him call her a brat again. She was really not a brat. She has lived longer than his great great grandmother. So calling her a brat is a massive disrespect to her seniority.


    "A brat who could only play jokes!"


    Rant Valo wasn''t fazed by her angered face. He was angry that his dignity as a man was questioned. What if Zaria heard about it and was turned off? That will be worse than death!


    "Perverted Disciple who busts one out with a pendant!"


    Floriana Sabina wouldn''t let herself be on the losing side so she quickly dug Rant Valo''s wounds. Rant Valo''s face fell when he heard her say that in front of the girl. Even if she was a demon, Rant Valo would still feel conscious when someone else knew that he did something like that.


    "A Master I will never recognize again!"


    The girl: "..."


    Why did she feel that she made it worse? She regretted what she said.


    "Fake disciple!"


    "Hahh?? Explain the book then!"


    Rant Valo moved closer to Floriana Sabina and towered over her. He was using his height to intimidate her.


    "Tch. I''ll show you."


    Floriana Sabina floated in the air and towered several meters higher than Rant Valo. Rant Valo''s cheeks couldn''t help but twitch when he saw her fly. He forgot in the heat of the moment that she was a cultivator.


    A white ball of flames appeared in Floriana Sabina''s right hand. It didn''t emit any heat and just floated silently.


    When Rant Valo saw the white ball of flames, he felt his confidence crash to the ground. The last time he only saw a spark and it started a campfire. He can only guess what that ball of flame can do to him.


    "Master, I was just joking!"


    Rant Valo did a 180 in his attitude. He flashed a fawning smile on his face and looked at her just like a disciplined disciple.


    "Hmph! Joke my flames!"


    Floriana Sabina threw the ball of flame at Rant Valo. When Rant Valo saw her do that, he quickly dashed away. His fawning smile disappeared just like a scammer when they got your money.


    "No! Master! Please! I''ll behave!"


    Rant Valo''s frantic voice sounded as he ran for his life. Floriana Sabina watched the ball of flames chase him with a smile on her face.


    Growl~~~


    While the ball of flames chased Rant Valo, Floriana Sabina heard a growl and looked back to see the girl smiling awkwardly.


    "I''m hungry..."


    Only then did Floriana Sabina remember that this girl was still here. Her smile quickly changed to a sweet one as she looked at the girl.


    "Do you want some blood?"


    Floriana Sabina asked as she extended her wrist at the girl. There was concern on her face as she did so.


    The girl looked at her timidly. She can still remember the strength that this little girl possesses. She couldn''t help but have some reservations. The last thing she wanted was to get lured into a trap by her.


    "Don''t worry. My blood is clean."


    Floriana Sabina thought that she was worried about the purity of her blood so she reassured her.

 Chapter 18 - That Felt Oddly Good...

    The girl shook her head. Her eyes were entirely focused on Floriana Sabina''s wrist.


    "I won''t bite."


    Floriana Sabina offered her wrist to her. The girl looked at it reluctantly before finally revealing her fangs and biting into it.


    "Ah!"


    A moan escaped from Floriana Sabina''s mouth after she felt the girl bite into her wrist. She covered her mouth in embarrassment. The ball of flame that was chasing Rant Valo dissipated into thin air.


    Rant Valo ran for a while and when he looked back he saw that the white ball of flames was not chasing after him anymore. He looked around to find Floriana Sabina and saw the girl biting into her wrist.


    "Wha-!"


    Rant Valo ran towards them hastily.


    "What are you guys doing!?"


    Rant Valo shouted at them. He heard that when a vampire bites a human they will turn into a vampire. He was worried that Floriana Sabina will turn into a vampire.


    His life might just become forfeit if she decided to drink his blood! There was no way he could resist.


    "Ah.. I''m feeding her.."


    Floriana Sabina covered her mouth as she struggled to suppress the moans coming from her mouth. The way the girl drank her blood was oddly pleasurable. She only heard that having a vampire drink your blood hurts.


    "But you will turn into a vampire!"


    Rant Valo said to her while looking at her anxiously.


    "Perverted Disciple, a vampire bite doesn''t just turn¡­ ah¡­ y-you into a vampire. The vampire has to inject¡­ t-their mana into you before it can happen."


    Floriana Sabina tried her best to explain to Rant Valo while covering her mouth. At times, her moans leaked out as she was speaking.


    "Oh, really?"


    Rant Valo looked at them in enlightenment. He relaxed but quickly tensed up when he realized something.


    "But she can inject it into you anytime, right?"


    Rant Valo asked fearfully. This girl was a demon. There was no way that she would pass on the chance of transforming a human into a vampire.


    "Puah~! Thank youuu."


    The girl stopped drinking Floriana Sabina''s blood and released a breath of satisfaction. It was as if she drank a cold Bora Cola on a hot summer day.


    "That felt oddly good¡­"


    Floriana Sabina looked at her wrist with a dazed expression. She was savoring the feeling of pleasure that she felt when the girl was sucking her blood out.


    "Good?"


    Rant Valo looked at her in puzzlement. Was she a masochist or something? He clearly saw the sharp fangs of the girl bite her skin. If that wasn''t painful then what is?


    "It might''ve been because she is a succubus and a vampire hybrid."


    Floriana Sabina shook her wrist to get out of her daze and explained to Rant Valo. Her mood has improved somewhat after feeding the girl.


    Floriana Sabina went forward to the girl and started untying the ropes that bound her.


    "Wait, you turned into a vampire!"


    Rant Valo raised his arms in defense when he saw her free the girl. He thought that Floriana Sabina was freeing the girl because she was now a vampire.


    "I''m finally free!"


    The girl stood up and stretched her arms. Compared to her earlier appearance, she looked more energized.


    "Please don''t eat me!!"


    Rant Valo looked at her fearfully. The bedtime stories about demons that he heard from his mother flashed through his eyes.


    "Big Brother, I won''t eat you, or rather¡­ not yet."


    The girl looked at Rant Valo with a grin. She licked her lips seductively as she looked at Rant Valo.


    Gulp!


    Rant Valo gulped audibly when he saw her seducing him. His rationality was slowly whittling away as the thought of pushing her down flashed through his mind.


    But then a white light flashed in his mind and the image of Zaria, the village maiden appeared. Instantly, he regained his rationality.


    "Wow!"


    The girl exclaimed to herself when she saw Rant Valo''s eyes regain their clarity. She thought that Rant Valo would surely come after her with his lust. It seems like she was wrong.


    Her interest in Rant Valo increased. She licked her lips again. She approached Rant Valo. Floriana Sabina raised her hands to prepare in case the girl suddenly attacks Rant Valo.


    "Hey, Big Brother, want to name me?"


    The girl whispered into his ears. Rant Valo felt his ears tingle when her breath touched his earlobes. His face turned red from embarrassment.


    "W-what that hell are you doing!?"


    Even though Rant Valo regained his clarity. He still couldn''t help but react when she was being this proactive. He walked backwards away from her.


    "Ow!"


    The girl tried to follow him but when a ray of sunlight touched her skin, she moved back in reflex. There was a burnt smell in the air as her skin was burnt by the sunlight.


    "Hmph! Ungrateful bastard!"


    The girl screamed at Rant Valo who was blanketed by the sunlight. She squinted her eyes at the bright light that covered Rant Valo. Her eyes seem to be very sensitive to light.


    The image of Floriana Sabina overlapped with the girl in front of him. Rant Valo couldn''t help but think that she became similar to Floriana Sabina.


    "What the¡­?"


    Rant Valo was speechless when he thought that he had to deal with two Floriana Sabina''s now. He could only attribute this to his cursed luck.


    "As I thought¡­"


    Floriana Sabina murmured as she observed the girl. She also realized that the girl acted similarly to her. She hated to admit it, but that was how she is.


    "You thought what?"


    Rant Valo was still angry at her so he spoke to her with a lack of respect. If she only showed her sincerity by helping him cure his curse properly then he wouldn''t have acted like this, but she just had to give him a cure for ED.


    That was the greatest insult to a man in Rant Valo''s book. His little brother has never found a little sister yet so he couldn''t help but be conscious about it.


    "She is a newborn vampire!"


    Floriana Sabina revealed to Rant Valo.

 Chapter 19 - You Are A Hybrid

    "A newborn vampire?"


    Rant Valo repeated Floriana Sabina''s words in confusion. How was she a newborn? The girl clearly looked like someone who is the same age as him.


    "You know that humans can turn into vampires, right?"


    "I do."


    "Humans that recently turned into a vampire are called newborn vampires."


    Rant Valo looked at the girl in front of him in shock. If it is as Floriana Sabina said then she is actually a victim of a vampire. He couldn''t help but pity her when he thought about it.


    Then was she a villager around this area? Rant Valo thought as he looked at her. But no matter how he looked at her, she didn''t fit his image of a villager.


    "Hmm? You seem to know a lot about vampires."


    The girl looked back at Floriana Sabina with interest in her eyes.


    "Of course! I have read a lot of books about the subject, you know?"


    Floriana Sabina couldn''t help but boast to the girl.


    "Then tell me¡­ why can''t I remember my name and my past?"


    The girl said with a serious look in her eyes.


    "From what I have read, vampires should be able to remember their past including their name."


    The transformation of a human to a vampire is not that violent for the victim to lose their memories. Rather, it only involves pain as the body changes to a vampire body. Such as the growth of sharp fangs, sensitivity to sunlight, and red eyes for example.


    "Lil sis, I don''t remember my name and my past."


    The girl said to her with a blank face. If what she said is true then wouldn''t she be very pitiful then? She will be the only vampire to forget her past in all of history!


    "You are a hybrid. A succubus and a vampire hybrid to be exact."


    Floriana Sabina explained after seeing the way the girl looked at her.


    "A succubus?"


    The girl looked at her hands and looked at Rant Valo in the distance. Her eyes widened as she realized something.


    "So that''s why I felt like assaulting that guy over here!"


    "Yes. And that also explains why you can''t remember your past and your name."


    Floriana Sabina nodded at the girl''s words and continued her explanation.


    "Why?"


    The girl asked in confusion. What was the difference between being a vampire and a half-vampire, half-succubus hybrid?


    "This may sound like a shock to you but¡­ Succubi are born through sex."


    Floriana Sabina explained carefully. There was a serious meaning in her words.


    "Sex? Isn''t that how everyone is made?"


    "Yes, but there is a difference. You were raped to death."


    Floriana Sabina bit her lips after saying that. She looked away from the girl''s eyes.


    The girl widened her eyes in shock. Then doesn''t that mean that prior to this, she was raped to death? Shivers ran down her spine as she imagined how horrible that could''ve been.


    "But I''m alive and well!"


    The girl looked panicked and shouted the one that confused her the most. She didn''t want to accept that she was raped to death. She can''t remember any of that happening. That will be too horrible.


    "You were revived by your grievances. The darkness element in the surroundings gathered around you and used your grievance from being raped to reshape your body into a succubus."


    Floriana Sabina explained bitterly. She only read about it before but now there was someone who experienced something like that in front of her.


    As a woman, her heart couldn''t fathom how scared and angry she must''ve been to be revived by the darkness elements in the air. Being raped to death was basically the worst thing that could happen to any girl in the world.


    "I¡­ but I don''t feel hate or anger¡­"


    The girl clenched her fists in frustration. If she couldn''t even remember anything then how could she exact her revenge. She looked at Rant Valo and an idea popped into her head.


    "Big Brother, can I taste your blood?"


    Rant Valo was surprised at her words. Why would she want to taste his blood now? Does she think that he was the one who raped her??


    "I''m a virgin! I didn''t do it!"


    There was panic in Rant Valo''s voice as he shouted at her.


    "What are you talking about, Big Brother? I just couldn''t resist the smell coming from your body."


    The girl licked her lips as she stared at Rant Valo.


    "???"


    Rant Valo was confused. Did he really smell that bad for her to say that?


    "I smell?"


    "Yes, it is something that entices me¡­Ahhh"


    The girl took a long whiff of the smell coming from the air and let out a breath of satisfaction.


    Rant Valo felt weird when he saw her inhale his smell as if it was some kind of addicting drug. He sniffed himself and found that he just smelled like grilled fish.


    "Oh, so you liked my grilled fish after all!"


    Rant Valo shouted in understanding. That explains it.


    "No. It was different from the fishy smell you have. Your blood smell delicious."


    The girl stared at Rant Valo''s neck intensely. Her throat moved as she gulped a mouthful of saliva. The more she smelled the smell coming from Rant Valo, the more she wanted to taste it.


    "My blood?"


    "Now let me taste your blood!"


    The girl covered her head with her hood. Then with a flash, she arrived in front of Rant Valo and bit into his neck.


    Floriana Sabina appeared right beside her and quickly pulled her away.


    "Noo! My blood!"


    The girl stretched her arms towards Rant Valo to grasp him, but Floriana Sabina held her back. She only got a little sip but it tasted heavenly. She even felt her cultivation base rise quite a fair bit.


    "Don''t just pounce on my disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina flicked the girl on her forehead.


    "Ow! Lil sis, I''m sorry..."


    The girl flinched backwards and rubbed the red spot pitifully.

 Chapter 20 - Extend Your Index Finger, Master

    The girl can still remember the strength that Floriana Sabina displayed earlier.


    "I''m tying you again!"


    Floriana Sabina went forward and started to bound her again.


    "No, please! I''m willing to take him as my master, as long as I get to drink his blood every day!"


    The girl pleaded desperately. Floriana Sabina stopped and looked at the girl doubtfully.


    "I don''t know why, but I know I can take someone as my master!"


    The girl explained hurriedly. She feared that Floriana Sabina would continue and bound her up. She finally got her freedom again, plus there was her revenge.


    "Ohhhh, really?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at the girl suspiciously. She wanted to keep this girl since she was pitiful, but from what she displayed, she clearly meant them harm. She first bit her in the neck but it didn''t hurt her as her cultivation was high enough.


    "Ouch, my neck''s bleeding¡­"


    Rant Valo walked wobbly. He held his neck and stopped it from bleeding. Blood flowed from his hands to his elbow.


    "Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo worriedly.


    "Did you turn him into a vampire!?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at the girl furiously. The girl cowered back when she saw the way Floriana Sabina was looking at her.


    "I didn''t!"


    The girl shook her head vigorously to show that she really didn''t turn him into a vampire.


    "Disciple, take this."


    Floriana Sabina tossed a round object towards Rant Valo. Rant Valo managed to catch it with both his hands. It ended up getting stained with his blood.


    "A medicinal pill?"


    Rant Valo looked at the medicinal pill in his hands reluctantly. There was blood in it and he didn''t like the idea of eating his blood.


    "Swallow it!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted when she saw that Rant Valo was still not taking the pill. Rant Valo hurriedly ate the pill in a panic.


    The pill entered his body and a warm energy flowed inside his veins. It traveled to his neck and the wound started to close up immediately.


    "Ah, my blood¡­"


    The girl looked at the wound close with reluctance. The strong smell of the blood in the air tickled her appetite. She felt like there was gourmet food in front of her but she couldn''t eat it.


    "It''s not yours!"


    "Eugh!"


    Floriana Sabina smacked the top of the girl''s head with her palms.


    "Lil sis, I''ll become stupid if you keep doing that¡­"


    The girl couldn''t help but say. Her head already hurts from the way it was treated ever since earlier. She was knocked unconscious by Floriana Sabina with a touch of her fingers, she was flicked just earlier, and now, she was smacked in the head.


    "You don''t even remember anything! Hmph! Make sure you take him as your master."


    Floriana Sabina snorted when she saw the girl look at her pitifully. Floriana Sabina stood up and let go of the girl.


    "Thank you, Lil sis."


    The girl thanked and stood up from her sitting position.


    "Hmph!"


    Floriana Sabina just snorted and looked away.


    "Big Brother! You can become my master!"


    The girl shouted at Rant Valo excitedly. She licked her lips when she saw the blood splattered on the ground. If she was desperate she would''ve eaten the ground with the blood.


    "Eek! Stay away!"


    Rant Valo ran backward when he saw her look at him like that. He was traumatized. He felt like his life flashed before his life when she pounced at him earlier.


    "Give me a name and you can become my master!"


    The girl eagerly said.


    "Disciple, she''s saying the truth. I read that some demons are capable of taking in masters."


    Floriana Sabina explained when she saw Rant Valo act like that. It will also be an opportunity for her Disciple to have someone to protect him. He was pretty weak after all. Plus, the girl can be trusted more.


    "Really? What''s this master thing about?"


    Rant Valo asked carefully. He moved farther into the area covered by sunlight.


    "I will listen to your words from now on!"


    The girl explained with excitement in her voice. She wanted to take Rant Valo as her master so badly.


    "Really?"


    Rant Valo stopped in his tracks and looked at her carefully. He saw that she seemed to not be lying.


    "Yes, Master!"


    The girl nodded her head. When Rant Valo heard her call him master, a weird feeling appeared inside him. He felt pleased hearing her say that.


    "Okay!"


    Rant Valo''s mind worked quite simply. His experience as a villager made his worldly experience clearly lacking. He was the greatest example of a gullible person.


    The girl grinned and looked at Rant Valo like he was her prey.


    "Let''s start with the contract!"


    The girl approached Rant Valo slowly. She flinched at the sunlight hitting her skin but still continued ahead. She was determined to take Rant Valo as her master no matter what.


    "Extend your index finger, Master."


    The girl kneeled in front of Rant Valo. Rant Valo carefully extended his finger towards her.


    The girl looked at it and swallowed it in her mouth. Her tongue rolled around Rant Valo''s index finger.


    "Why are you licking my finger again!"


    Rant Valo tried to pull his fingers again but he couldn''t do it. The girl was clamping her mouth at his finger tightly. He feared that she would bite it off if he pulled it too hard so he stopped.


    The girl continued wrapping his finger with her tongue inside her mouth.


    "Why does this feel good¡­"


    Rant Valo felt his little brother saluting. He felt like there was a heavenly feeling coming from his index finger.


    "Ow! Why did you bite me!"


    Just when Rant Valo was enjoying the feeling from his fingers, the girl bit it with her fangs. His finger bled inside her mouth. She drank it all slowly. There was an expression of bliss on her face. She writhed in pleasure as the taste of Rant Valo''s blood assaulted her tongue.


    "Ish pawt ohf da chontract!" ( It''s part of the contract! )

 Chapter 21 - A Master-Slave Contract

    A while later the girl stopped licking his fingers. She then licked her lips as she savored the flavor of Rant Valo''s blood.


    Rant Valo raised his finger and looked at it. He tried to find his wound but there wasn''t any.


    "It healed?"


    "Yes, master."


    The girl said with a smile on her face. She sat on the ground with her legs.


    "Why did you have to lick my fingers?"


    Rant Valo asked her with puzzlement on his face. He really didn''t feel that it was part of any contract.


    "It was part of the contract!"


    The girl insisted.


    "Really?"


    Rant Valo looked at her doubtfully. He can''t feel any contract whatsoever.


    "Master, just be patient."


    The girl said. She watched him patiently like a cat.


    That was when Rant Valo suddenly felt something inside him. It flowed inside his body like a snake. A strange black mass of energy flowed inside his body.


    "What the hell!"


    Rant Valo shouted in panic. He can feel something crawling under his skin as it travels inside him.


    The black mass of energy reached his head quickly. It hit the center of his soul without any stop. It then sank inside his soul slowly. Soon after, there was no trace left of the black mass of energy.


    "Where did it go?"


    Rant Valo felt up his face as he tried to sense it again, but no matter how much he looked, he never felt it again.


    "-ter! Master!"


    "Disciple!"


    The girl was in front of him and was calling at him repeatedly. Floriana Sabina was shaking him repeatedly.


    Unknowingly to Rant Valo, he fell unconscious when he felt the black mass of energy flow inside him.


    "What happened..?"


    Rant Valo said as he raised his body.


    "Disciple! You''re okay!"


    Floriana Sabina rubbed Rant Valo''s head in relief. She thought that the girl killed her disciple.


    "Hmph! What the hell did you do to my disciple!?"


    Floriana Sabina turned around and looked at her hostilely. She looked like a mother whose son was just bullied.


    "Lil sis, my master is fine!"


    The girl raised her hands in fear. She slowly backed away. She was afraid that Floriana Sabina would attack her suddenly.


    "Stop talking nonsense!"


    Floriana Sabina stood up and a strong powerful pressure enveloped the whole area. The birds in the surrounding forest flew away in haste.


    "Master¡­ I think she''s not lying."


    Rant Valo stopped Floriana Sabina when he saw that she was about to lose control. Floriana Sabina looked back at him and there was still anger on her face.


    "Why didn''t this stupid ring work anyway!?"


    Floriana Sabina tapped the ring on Rant Valo''s finger and hit it. A green barrier surrounded Rant Valo when her finger hit the ring.


    "It actually worked now??"


    Floriana Sabina was fuming after seeing that the ring only worked right now when she was the one who attacked it. It was supposed to protect anyone from any fatal physical attacks. Why didn''t it stop the girl earlier?


    "Master, I can see a connection between me and that girl."


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but say when he saw that she was in her own world. Floriana Sabina heard his words and looked at the girl suspiciously.


    "Are you sure?"


    "Yes, Master. I can feel like I can order her anytime I want to."


    "You can?"


    Floriana Sabina asked in surprise.


    "Then order her to kill herself!"


    Floriana Sabina said coldly. Rant Valo was taken aback by her words. The girl looked at them panicked.


    "Please Master, No!"


    The girl pleaded in a pitiful voice.


    "I think I should name her first?"


    Rant Valo said as he felt like there was something urging him to name the girl.


    "What do you mean?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him in puzzlement. Why does he need to name her?


    "From now on, you are called Veia!"


    Rant Valo shouted and then a majestic presence descended from the skies.


    It was almighty and an all-encompassing kind of power. It locked onto Rant Valo and the girl. Darkness element mana gathered from the surroundings and a bridge formed between their hearts.


    "Wh-what the!? This is the Heavenly Judge!"


    Floriana Sabina exclaimed in shock. The Heavenly Judge is the all-encompassing power that attacks cultivators when they try to reach a higher stage.


    When you are attacked by it, you were supposed to pass its challenge, and only then would it let you go. She couldn''t understand how that same Heavenly Judge is now here.


    "Mmmm Master!"


    Veia squirmed in ecstasy. She felt her connection to Rant Valo''s heart. She felt so close even though she was a distance from Rant Valo.


    "I can feel power¡­"


    Rant Valo murmured as he felt his connection to Veia. He felt like he could snuff out her soul with a thought. He wanted to try it as it gave him a powerful feeling but stopped when he realized that he may actually kill Veia.


    A series of words then entered Rant Valo''s head.


    "As the master of Veia, you are obliged to feed her your blood as her food."


    "As the servant of Rant Valo, the (!@*UU$#(%, your very being is his."


    A cold and emotionless voice of a man rang out inside their heads.


    "Who!?"


    Rant Valo shouted in fear. It felt like the voice whispered directly into his ear. It was a very eerie feeling when there was no one around him.


    "Did you hear the voice of the Heavenly Judge?"


    Floriana Sabina asked as she guessed.


    "Yes! It was cold and emotionless."


    Rant Valo described what he heard to her in detail.


    "It really is the Heavenly Judge!"


    Floriana Sabina exclaimed. If it was the Heavenly Judge then there was definitely something wrong with this contract.


    "What contract did you give him?"


    Floriana Sabina asked as she looked at Veia. The pressure Floriana Sabina exerted earlier was already gone after it was canceled by the majestic presence that came from the Heavenly Judge.


    "A Master-Slave Contract."


    Veia answered truthfully.

 Chapter 22 - Master Smells Good!

    "How can you know something like that!?"


    Floriana Sabina shouted in shock. A Master-Slave contract that requires the Heavenly Judge to descend means that it is very strict.


    "What were the terms of the contract?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Veia.


    "I get to feed on master''s blood every day, hehehehe"


    Veia giggled and drool leaked from her mouth as she imagined drinking Rant Valo''s blood every day. It was so delicious that she believes that she won''t be able to live without it.


    "You!!"


    Floriana Sabina wanted to hit Veia when she saw her act like that. It annoys her because this strict contract is made in front of her. If she knew that Veia would''ve made such a contract, she wouldn''t have allowed her.


    "Veia, are you sure about this contract?"


    Rant Valo still feels that this contract was very unfair for Veia.


    "Yes, master!"


    There was a satisfied smile on Veia''s face as she answered Rant Valo. It made her happy to be able to drink Rant Valo''s delicious blood.


    "Uhhh¡­"


    Rant Valo didn''t know what to say when he saw her look so happy about it. He can only look away embarrassed.


    "Why do you even taste my disciple''s blood as delicious?"


    Floriana Sabina asked from the side. This was something that was bothering her since earlier. Veia basically sold all of her rights just to drink a mortal''s blood every day.


    "Hmmmm¡­ I don''t know, Lil sis, but it just smells and tastes good!"


    Veia pondered and her mouth watered when she imagined the taste of Rant Valo''s blood again.


    "Tch"


    Floriana Sabina clicked her tongue when she saw how genuine Veia''s expression was. She didn''t find any falsehood from it which means that she does not have any malicious intention.


    Wait, could it be¡­


    Something clicked in Floriana Sabina''s mind as she looked at Veia who was still smiling happily.


    "You improved your cultivation from Rant Valo''s blood!?"


    Floriana Sabina shouted in shock. If it is true then it could mean that Rant Valo''s blood is very special.


    "Uuwah! Lil sis, how did you know?"


    Veia moved back in surprise at the realization that Floriana Sabina knew something she never said. Fear crept in her heart at the realization that Floriana Sabina is not just a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator like she thought.


    "So you did!"


    Floriana Sabina finally knew what drove this girl to make that strict Master-Slave Contract with Rant Valo. She didn''t expect her to be this cunning.


    "What''s this about improving your cultivation?"


    Rant Valo looked confused at the side. He was a mortal through and through. His father is a farmer, and his mother is also a farmer. There was no way that his blood could improve the cultivation of vampires.


    "Master, to be honest, Veia can improve her cultivation by drinking your blood."


    Veia fidgeted as she told the truth to Rant Valo. She felt embarrassed that her intention had been revealed to her master so suddenly.


    "Why?"


    Rant Valo asked in confusion. He was only a mortal. Aside from the fact that he was cursed.


    "I don''t know, Master."


    Veia shook her head.


    "Could it be, because of my curse!?"


    Rant Valo exclaimed in shock. His curse is actually this powerful!? That''s so OP.


    "Curse?"


    Veia tilted her head in puzzlement. She didn''t know what he was talking about.


    "I hate to admit it, but I have a curse."


    Rant Valo admitted painfully. Talking about his curse really sets his mood down.


    "Master has?"


    Veia moved closer to Rant Valo and sniffed his face.


    "I don''t smell any curse from Master?"


    Veia tilted her head in confusion. She could only sniff how delicious smelling Rant Valo was.


    "Really? Could you even smell curses?"


    Rant Valo asked her doubtfully.


    "I don''t know. But Master smells good!"


    Veia shook her head and then grinned cheekily.


    Geh, Rant Valo''s mouth twitched at her response. She basically admitted that she was just spouting bullshit about smelling curses earlier.


    "You say that my Disciple smells good?"


    Floriana Sabina asked as she understood something.


    "Yes, Lil sis."


    Veia answered candidly. Remembering that she is stronger than what she lets on made her more dangerous. Veia does not understand her intentions.


    "As I thought."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head to herself. She was right about her doubts earlier.


    "Anyway, how did you even know that contract?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Veia curiously. It was something that was bothering her since earlier.


    "It just appeared in my head when I woke up!"


    Veia replied.


    "Just now?"


    Floriana Sabina clarified. Veia was just unconscious a little bit earlier after all.


    Veia shook her head.


    "When I woke up inside a cave yesterday."


    Veia answered as she remembered.


    "So you were like any vampire out there. They are also able to form contracts and find their masters."


    Floriana Sabina nodded in understanding. It makes sense to her who has read books about Vampires before. What bothered her right now is how could the contract she knew be capable of calling down the Heavenly Judge.


    "Aww! I thought I knew it in my past life."


    Veia was saddened by the fact that what she thought was her clue to her past life is just actually something all vampires are capable of.


    "There''s no way you would remember anything from your past life as you were revived by the Darkness Elements."


    Floriana Sabina waved her hand in denial. She read how brutal the transformation of a human to a succubus could be.


    The souls of the humans who could turn into succubi would have to be dissipating for a long time before they would be revived. Their memories would have already dissipated into nothing by the time that they were revived. The only thing left would be the most important part of their soul.


    "So I can''t recover any of my memories? How can I have common sense then?"


    Veia asked the thing that bothered her the most. If she lost her memories then how could she be capable of speech?

 Chapter 23 - Master, She’s Bullying Me!

    "I don''t know."


    Floriana Sabina looked away from Veia who looked at her deadpan after hearing her response. Veia was expecting her to explain it to her but it turned out that she also knew nothing about it!


    Seeing that Floriana Sabina won''t be able to help her, Veia turned to Rant Valo.


    "Master, is your name Rant Valo?"


    She wanted to confirm what the voice earlier told her. The voice told her that she was now the slave of someone named ''Rant Valo''.


    "How did you know?"


    Rant Valo turned to her in surprise. As far he knew, he never told her his name.


    "So I was right! Hehe"


    Veia giggled after seeing Rant Valo''s surprised expression. Her master is really interesting.


    "You didn''t answer me!"


    Rant Valo complained in faked annoyance. In truth, he was very happy that she became his slave. With that contract, his life is safer than ever when she is around him.


    "You''re not being honest, Master."


    Veia shot Rant Valo a seductive look as she teased him.


    PAK!


    "Hueh!"


    Veia looked at Floriana Sabina who smacked her in the head.


    "Why did you hit me, Lil sis?"


    Veia tried not to get angry as the little girl in front of her is very strong.


    "Stop seducing my disciple. And don''t call me ''Lil sis''. Call me ''Grandmaster''"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Veia in annoyance. This girl never learned her lesson.


    "Master, she''s bullying me!"


    Veia hid behind Rant Valo. She acted all scared behind him.


    "..."


    Rant Valo didn''t know what to say. Was he supposed to say that he can''t do anything about her too or should he just ignore her? But as her master, it doesn''t seem too appropriate to do so.


    "Hmm! Master, why are you not protecting me?"


    Veia''s cheeks were pouted as she looked at Rant Valo.


    "I can''t¡­"


    Rant Valo looked at her pleadingly. He wanted her to stop making his life difficult for him. There was no way he could oppose that little demon with red hair.


    "Master is useless!"


    Veia crossed her arms in a pout.


    SMACK!


    "Gueh!"


    Floriana Sabina smacked Veia at the back of her head. Seeing her act all spoiled irritated Floriana Sabina. She felt like she was seeing a vampire-succubus hybrid leech.


    "Master~!!"


    Veia shook Rant Valo as she hid behind him. Rant Valo was so annoyed at her but he had no idea how to defuse this situation.


    "What do you want?"


    Rant Valo asked her angrily. He finally couldn''t take it anymore. Even his villager temper is not enough to take her actions.


    "Hehehe, I was just playing around, Master."


    Veia giggled awkwardly after seeing Rant Valo get angry. As the Slave in the contract, she feels some amount of intimidation from her Master.


    "..."


    Rant Valo really didn''t know what to do about her. He felt like he was interacting with a child.


    "Seeing that you are so playful. Where is the cave you said you woke up in?"


    Rant Valo asked her similar to how an adult would talk to a child.


    "Umuu? Is Master interested in me?"


    Veia raised her eyebrows in delight after hearing Rant Valo''s words.


    "...Yes."


    Rant Valo wanted to say no but since it was true he didn''t feel like lying for such a little thing is petty. He was pretty interested in how she was revived. As a villager, it was the first time that he was hearing about such a thing.


    "I knew it! Master likes me!"


    Veia ran towards Rant Valo and hugged him. Her bountiful melons pressed onto him. His little brother rose in attention at the delicious melon.


    "Ah.. uhhh¡­. Veia¡­"


    Rant Valo struggled to control his hands from doing lecherous things. The faint intoxicating scent coming from her body and the sexy body she has stimulated him greatly.


    "Hmph! Pervert!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted after seeing Rant Valo act like that. She couldn''t help but look at her flat plains and instantly felt inferior.


    "Hehe, is Master perhaps turned on? I wouldn''t mind, you know?"


    Veia''s red irises stared straight into Rant Valo''s eyes. Her womanly charm was overflowing from her body. Rant Valo gulped seeing her act so aggressively.


    "Ah¡­ I-..."


    Rant Valo''s eyes swam around as he tried to control his sanity. He pushed her away and grabbed the pendant on his neck. It was shaped like a leaf.


    "Zaria-chan¡­ Cleanse my soul!"


    Rant Valo closed his eyes as he imagined Zaria, the village maiden''s innocent face in front of him. The moment he did that, clarity returned to his eyes. It was similar to the sage mode but different.


    "Master! No matter how aggressive I got, you still didn''t budge. What integrity!"


    Veia sighed in amazement at Rant Valo''s ability to resist her charms. She didn''t know how other men would react to her doing that but she was somehow sure that they would not be able to resist.


    "I''m a sage¡­"


    Rant Valo murmured to himself. He felt inner peace at the moment. The power of the sage mode was showing itself!


    "Veia, lead the way. We''re going to the cave that you woke up from."


    Rant Valo opened his eyes exaggeratedly. He wanted to change the topic quickly. Getting charmed by this slave of his would lose him his saved up virginity for Zaria the village maiden.


    "Okay¡­"


    Veia could only nod her head, depressed. She somehow felt disappointed that her master didn''t want to do it with her.


    "Disciple, wait!"


    Just as they were about to leave, Floriana Sabina stopped them.


    "Hm?"


    Rant Valo turned around in confusion. Why did she stop them?


    "Disciple, you haven''t taught me how to cook a fish properly yet!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted in embarrassment. Asking her disciple to teach her is really shameful. She felt like she didn''t deserve to be his master.


    "Oh, I almost forgot!"


    Rant Valo smacked his palm at the realization. So many things happened at the same time that he almost forgot about his promise to her.

 Chapter 24 - You Are Not Cursed

    "Wait! Why do I even have to teach you!?"


    Rant Valo suddenly remembered something crucial. She never made her end of the deal with him. How could she expect him to do the same?


    "Okay, let me see the book!"


    Floriana Sabina opened her hands. Rant Valo gave her the book that fell to the floor earlier after he fainted.


    Floriana Sabina flipped open the book and her face instantly went red when she saw the title.


    "Wh-what is this??"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo like an unoiled gear.


    "I don''t know! You gave it to me!"


    Rant Valo was upset and he saw her act like she didn''t even know what it was.


    "I¡­ Where did this come from? Hahahaha¡­"


    Floriana Sabina''s hands burst into white flames and the book turned into ashes that flowed with the wind. Rant Valo''s mouth twitched when he saw how fast the flames turned the book into ashes. If that thing touched him earlier then he would''ve disappeared from the world.


    "Ehem, I don''t know what you are talking about."


    Floriana Sabina coughed and pretended that nothing happened. Another book appeared in her hand and it looks entirely like the book she burnt earlier.


    "Okay, this is the correct one."


    Floriana Sabina did a quick flip and opened the book. She made sure that she didn''t retrieve the wrong one from her storage ring.


    "Here, Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina gave the book to Rant Valo. Rant Valo flipped it open and written in the title was ''Luck Fate Manager''.


    "What does this even mean?"


    Rant Valo looked at Floriana Sabina in bewilderment. The title does not make sense to him.


    "It''s the Luck Fate Manager book!"


    Floriana Sabina iterated.


    "I mean, what does the title mean?"


    Rant Valo clarified.


    "It is the book that will manage your luck!"


    Floriana Sabina said with a proud smile on her face.


    "My luck?"


    Rant Valo looked at her in confusion. How could a book manage his luck?


    "Do you know why you are unlucky?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him with a teacher-like attitude.


    "Isn''t it because I was cursed?"


    Rant Valo asked her confused. Why should he manage his luck when he was cursed to be unlucky?


    "You are not cursed."


    Floriana Sabina smiled widely after saying so.


    "I''m not?"


    Rant Valo was even more confused. Then why was he so unlucky then?


    "You aren''t, Disciple. In fact, you are the luckiest person in the world right now!"


    Floriana Sabina said with excitement in her voice.


    "That doesn''t make sense¡­"


    Rant Valo pondered to himself. How is he the luckiest person? Ever since he met her, there was nothing but trouble for him. He was also kicked out of the village. If that was considered lucky then the world doesn''t make sense!


    "Just getting me as your Master is the luckiest thing in the world! It takes luck that has reached an inconceivable level to have me end up there by chance and to meet you."


    Floriana Sabina smiled sweetly. There was a hidden meaning behind her words.


    "Are you really a Mana Dominion expert?"


    Rant Valo asked doubtfully. He was still not sure since the idea of her being that strong with her small body really doesn''t connect in his head.


    "Yes. Want to see why?"


    "I will really accept you as my Master if you do so."


    Rant Valo spoke to her seriously. If she was really the real deal and the book she gave him was the real deal then he could really be considered to be the luckiest person in the world to meet her.


    "Watch closely. I will create a Mana Domain around me."


    Floriana Sabina walked far from Rant Valo. She stood still and suddenly the air suddenly stopped moving. The air was frozen and sound was nonexistent.


    Rant Valo saw Floriana Sabina speaking but there was no sound that reached him. He opened his mouth to speak and there was no sound that came out.


    "This is one of the features of a Mana Domain."


    Suddenly Floriana Sabina''s voice rang inside his head. He looked at her who didn''t open her mouth in bewilderment. It was just like when that cold and emotionless voice talked to him!


    "Don''t be scared, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina smiled at him seeing that he was panicking after hearing her voice inside his head.


    "You are not a cultivator yet, but if you were, you would have noticed that the Mana in the air is not moving at all. In fact, they are now under my control. No matter what element they are, even if they opposite my element, I can control them as if they were my main element."


    Floriana Sabina''s voice continued to sound inside his head. Rant Valo was finally convinced by her. He has never heard of such a capability. He would have to ask someone to verify it, but for now, he would bet that she really is a Mana Dominion Stage expert.


    "Master!"


    Rant Valo bowed towards her. It was his way of thanking her and the official start of their Master-Disciple relationship. He finally found a way to cure his curse, and he even found out that he was the luckiest person in the world because of it.


    "Fumu, Disciple. You''re a good one."


    Floriana Sabina removed the Mana Domain and walked forward towards Rant Valo. She went and rubbed his head.


    Rant Valo didn''t know what to feel having a little girl rub his head, but if she was a Mana Dominion Stage expert then it would be natural that she would be much older than him.


    "Come, teach me how to cook this fish!"


    Floriana Sabina urged him towards the campfire.


    Veia who was standing from the sidelines looked down at the wet ground under her. There was pee all over it.


    The fear she felt when that Mana Domain appeared was insurmountable. It was like she was against the whole world. It felt like every mana around her was hostile.


    She quickly ran towards the river to wash.

 Chapter 25 - Hmph! Only My Disciple Can Taste It!

    Rant Valo looked at the spot Veia was but didn''t see her there. All he saw was a puddle of water. Somehow, that puddle of water smelled good from far away.


    He was about to call her so she could watch but he still didn''t find her when he looked around. He forgot about it and proceeded to teach Floriana Sabina.


    "Master, watch carefully."


    Rant Valo cooked the second last spirit fish in the fire. He seared it at the end to give it a delicious crust.


    "Mm, Disciple. I finally understand!"


    Floriana Sabina''s eyes sparkled as she looked at Rant Valo. She quickly grabbed another Spirit Fish and grilled it in the flames.


    She grilled the fish slowly, rotating it every now and then. She waited for the center to be just about cooked. She used something called a Divine Sense to feel the inside of the fish.


    A Divine Sense is a part of the soul of a cultivator. It is capable of extending far away. Cultivators use it to scan the area around them and to inspect objects. It could even be used to scan the body of lower-stage cultivators.


    Floriana Sabina moved the fish closer to the flame and seared it. The flame expanded as the hot oils from the fish hit the flames.


    "Done!"


    Floriana Sabina gave the fish to Rant Valo. Rant Valo looked at it carefully. He analyzed the crust and nodded in satisfaction.


    "I didn''t know Master had talent in cooking!"


    Rant Valo was amazed at the speed that she learned from him. He was sure that this was comparable to what he cooked earlier.


    Rant Valo looked around and found Veia walking over.


    "Veia! Want to taste the fish that Master cooked?"


    Rant Valo found Veia walking from the river. Her hair was still wet as she walked forward. Though, she was only walking on the shades of the trees.


    "Fish?"


    Veia looked at the fish in Rant Valo''s hands and smelled it from far away. Her mouth watered when the smell entered her nose.


    "Grandmaster, can I?"


    Veia looked at Floriana Sabina fearfully. As a cultivator, she felt her body be disconnected from the mana in the air. For a Magic Cultivator like her, it was bad news to be disconnected from the mana in the air. That''s because Magic Cultivators use the mana in the air to recover their energy. They also use most of the mana in the air to conjure their cultivation techniques.


    If they could not do so, the Magic Cultivator in the Mana Domain would be forced to conjure cultivation techniques using purely their mana. It would not only be exhausting, but it would be depleting them faster.


    That is why Mana Dominion Stage experts were considered to be unbeatable unless you are also one. Only Mana Dominion Stage experts are capable of fighting against them. Even if there are thousands of Nascent Soul Stage experts there could only be one conclusion and that is a defeat for the Nascent Soul Stage experts.


    "Hmph! Only my disciple can taste it!"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Veia coldly. This girl took advantage of her disciple and even tried to seduce him many times. She went and focused a little bit of her Mana Domain towards her earlier as a warning. If she wanted, she could have focused more of it towards her but she would implode from the pressure.


    "Okay¡­"


    Veia moved behind Rant Valo in fear. This little girl seems to hate her.


    "Master¡­ Here Veia, you can have a bite."


    Rant Valo didn''t know what to do with Floriana Sabina. She was getting aggressive at Veia for no reason. He moved the fish towards Veia for her to bite.


    "But Master¡­"


    Veia looked at the fish reluctantly. She looked at Floriana Sabina and saw her frowning at her. She gulped and just forgot about it.


    "Haha, Master. I''m already full from drinking your blood earlier."


    Floriana Sabina grinned victoriously after seeing Veia back off.


    "Really?"


    Rant Valo swung his head and looked at Floriana Sabina. He saw her grinning at Veia. He finally understood what made her scared.


    "Don''t worry, I will cook one for you later, okay?"


    Seeing that Veia would not budge since Floriana Sabina was the one who cooked it, Rant Valo compromised. He didn''t know how far the Master-Slave Contract could take him with her, but he knew that he could snuff her soul when she really tried to threaten him.


    That''s why he was acting so casually around her right now. He was still apprehensive towards her but he couldn''t help but pamper her after looking at her beautiful face.


    "You''re the best, Master!"


    Veia moved forward and hugged Rant Valo tightly. Rant Valo was surprised at the two melons that pressed onto him. His smile turned blissful for a moment before it was replaced with a deadpan face. He would never forget Zaria for melons! He was a man of integrity!


    Floriana Sabina looked at them in shock. She didn''t expect Veia to do something like that to Rant Valo so suddenly.


    "Hmph! Perverts!"


    Floriana Sabina pouted. There was nothing she could do if Rant Valo was the one who cooked the fish.


    After a while, Veia finally let go of Rant Valo. She was smiling happily as she stood there.


    Rant Valo turned his attention towards the grilled fish in his hands. He smelled it and the umami scent of the fish tickled his nose.


    "Hamu, *munch munch*, it tastes delicious."


    Rant Valo slowly took a bite of the fish Floriana Sabina cooked and savored the flavor inside it. Aside from the fact that it was still hot, it tasted entirely like what he cooked. No seasoning, just delicious meat and good cooking.


    "Of course! I was the one who cooked it after all!"


    Floriana Sabina grinned smugly after seeing Rant Valo savor the fish in his mouth. She finally learned how to cook Spirit Fish just like how her mother in her memories did.

 Chapter 26 - It Looked Similar Outside Okay???

    "I was the one who taught you!"


    Rant Valo didn''t like her attitude so he argued back.


    "I gave you the cure to your curse!"


    Floriana Sabina widened her eyes at Rant Valo''s words. They had an equal exchange so she didn''t think that it was right for him to argue that he was the one who taught her.


    "Okay. Okay, Master. Let me read it first."


    Rant Valo did not know what to say after she said that so he just shooed her away. He flipped open the book and started reading it.


    A few minutes later, Rant Valo had read the whole page of it.


    "So I have the Golden Luck Constitution?"


    Rant Valo looked at Floriana Sabina and asked after he closed the book.


    "Yes. I found that your soul was unique. It is gold in color and there was a slow but steady stream of luck flowing into it."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head at Rant Valo''s words. This was something that she found out when she used her Divine Sense to scan him before.


    It gave her a thorough understanding of what he was experiencing in life. It was written in a book that she read before. People with the Golden Luck Constitution were called Cursed Child because of the way they affect the luck of those around them.


    For example, if Floriana Sabina stood next to Rant Valo and she was a mortal, most likely, a tree branch would fall on her head.


    Cultivators go against the laws of nature as they seek immortality. So in a sense, they have immunity for something like luck which is a part of the laws of nature.


    "So you saw it in my soul?"


    Rant Valo asked her. It was something that he was curious about. How she found out that he had this constitution when even he did not know about it.


    "Yes, Disciple. Your soul is shining gold. I would not mistake it."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head. His soul was like the sun in the dark void when it was compared to any soul that she has seen before.


    "So that''s why¡­"


    Rant Valo finally understood. He was not unlucky, to begin with, it was those around him that was unlucky. He was not cursed but rather blessed with a Unique Constitution.


    A Unique Constitution is a type of talent constitution that has something special in their bodies or souls.


    "Master, is your soul really gold?"


    Veia asked Rant Valo curiously. It was her first time hearing about such a thing.


    "I have never seen my soul before, but since Master says so. I trust her."


    Rant Valo smiled confidently at Floriana Sabina. He is still not sure about the fact that she was a Mana Dominion Stage expert but he was at least 70% sure about it. If anything, he trusts her because she gave him hope to remove this curse or rather, better utilize the blessing in his body.


    "Master¡­"


    Veia looked at the way Rant Valo looked at Floriana Sabina and couldn''t help but admire Floriana Sabina. She made her master trust her so much just by giving him a book.


    "Hmph! Disciple, you are not wrong!"


    Floriana Sabina smiled widely when she heard what Rant Valo just said. It filled her with satisfaction.


    "But she can be mischievous at times!"


    Rant Valo spat out. He was still upset about the time that she gave him a book for curing ED. He was certain that she did it on purpose.


    "It looked similar outside okay???"


    Floriana Sabina rolled her eyes at Rant Valo. She was also embarrassed about it so she didn''t want to dwell on it too much.


    "Yes. Yes. Whatever, Master."


    Rant Valo ignored Floriana Sabina and sat on the ground cross-legged.


    "So, how do I cultivate?"


    Rant Valo asked Floriana Sabina. He was just a villager farmer before. He never even dreamed of cultivating. The only thing on his mind before was curing his curse and marrying Zaria.


    "You want to cultivate now?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo. Cultivating takes time, and doing it right in the middle of the forest is not a good idea. You are leaving yourself too vulnerable to the elements.


    "Yes, is it bad?"


    Rant Valo asked her. He was excited to experience cultivation and change his life! He will come back to the village and marry Zaria! That is his goal and the fuel to his determination.


    "It is bad. Monsters could easily sneak up on you and kill you."


    Floriana Sabina explained to Rant Valo. She may not have gone outside but she still had that much common sense. She was totally not speaking from experience.


    "Oh, so where should I cultivate?"


    Rant Valo asked her. He wanted to know so he could find a place.


    "A confined space. Usually, caves are used if you are in the forest or somewhere remote."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him. Cultivating in a confined space will give the cultivator a peace of mind to cultivate without any worry. Otherwise, it might affect their cultivation if they were always on their toes.


    "A cave¡­ I feel like we talked about it earlier¡­"


    Rant Valo suddenly felt like they already talked about a cave before. He looked around and his eyes rested on Veia.


    "Ah! Veia!"


    Rant Valo finally remembered it. Veia woke up from a cave and since it has only been a day since she left it. It should still be nearby.


    Rant Valo''s eyes filled with excitement to find the cave. He will solve their doubt of why Veia woke up in that cave and possibly some clues to her past. Then he will find a place to cultivate in the meantime. It was killing two birds with one stone!


    "Master?"


    Veia looked at Rant Valo confused. She was startled that her master suddenly looked at her and called her name so passionately.


    "Let''s find the cave!"


    Rant Valo shouted at her in excitement.

 Chapter 27 - Grandmaster, Do I Look Good?

    "My pleasure, Master!"


    Veia replied excitedly. She walked along the banks of the river as she led them forward.


    Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina followed her. They soon came to the spot where Floriana Sabina took her bath earlier. Veia stopped and picked up something on the ground.


    "A hairpin?"


    Veia said as she looked at the thing in her hand. It was a white flower hairpin.


    Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina looked at it in curiosity.


    "Master, do you own this?"


    Rant Valo asked Floriana Sabina. Although he never saw her wear one, she took a bath here so maybe she dropped it.


    "I don''t."


    Floriana Sabina shook her head. She never wore any hairpin.


    "Veia?"


    Rant Valo asked Veia as she was the only one other than Floriana Sabina who had been to this place.


    "Master, I don''t recall wearing hairpins before."


    Veia also shook her head.


    "Really? Then who could have dropped it here in the middle of the forest?"


    Rant Valo wondered as he stared at the flower design of the hairpin. It was something an innocent girl would wear, he reckoned.


    "I don''t know, Master. You want it?"


    Veia offered the hairpin to Rant Valo. She has no use for it anyways. Since her master seems to be interested in it, she may as well just give it to him.


    "Why don''t you wear it, Veia?"


    It was a passing thought in Rant Valo''s head. The only one among the two of them, Veia and Floriana Sabina, who barely fits the description of an innocent girl is Veia.


    "Me?"


    Veia looked at Rant Valo weirdly. She just randomly picked up a hairpin and her master wanted her to wear it. Who knows what happened to the owner for it to be left here?


    "Yes. I think it suits you well."


    Rant Valo explained. He can definitely picture Veia wearing the hairpin.


    "R-really?"


    Veia blushed hearing Rant Valo''s words. It filled her with joy hearing him say that.


    "Mm"


    Rant Valo nodded his head at her. Veia ran to the river and washed the dirt away from the hairpin. She then wore it on the left side of her head.


    "How do I look, Master?"


    With a twirl, Veia showed off herself wearing the hairpin. Her face was blushing red a little.


    "Beautiful!"


    Rant Valo didn''t expect that his passing thought would actually be so correct. It didn''t just fit her, it fits her really well!


    "Hehe. Thank you, Master!"


    Veia went forward and kissed Rant Valo on his cheek. Rant Valo was stunned at her sudden action. He was basically petrified.


    "Wh-what are you doing? Kissing my disciple¡­"


    Floriana Sabina went red after seeing Veia''s bold move. She covered her face in embarrassment.


    "Grandmaster, do I look good?"


    Veia focused her attention on the blushing Floriana Sabina. She could only call her Grandmaster since she is very strong.


    "Hmph! NO!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted at Veia''s cutesy act. For some reason it annoys her.


    "Master¡­ Grandmaster is bullying me again.."


    Veia looked at Rant Valo pitifully. Floriana Sabina has been nothing but harsh to her.


    "Hahaha¡­"


    Rant Valo didn''t know what to do with Veia acting like that. He was more powerless when it came to Floriana Sabina.


    "Mouuuu, Master, why are you laughing at me?"


    Veia pouted at Rant Valo. She didn''t expect him to laugh at her getting bullied. It made her good impression of him take a big dip.


    "Nothing. You are just like a child, Veia."


    Rant Valo explained with a smile seeing her pout at him. Somehow, having her company doesn''t feel bad.


    "Hmph! You finally noticed! She''s nothing but a child!"


    Floriana Sabina agreed at Rant Valo''s words. It was something that she has been noticing for a while now. Veia has been acting really childish ever since the Master-Slave Contract was completed.


    "I''m not a child!"


    Veia pushed out her bountiful melons to prove that she''s not a child but an adult. Floriana Sabina was left speechless at her. She has no counter for that move.


    "See!"


    Veia smiled victoriously seeing that Floriana Sabina has no more rebuttal.


    "Master?"


    Veia saw Rant Valo staring at her chest in a daze. Rant Valo snapped out of his daze and chanted his Zaria Mantra to calm his heart.


    "Come on, let''s go!"


    Rant Valo did not want to dwell on the topic so he urged them to move forward. Veia had no choice but to follow his orders with the Master-Slave Contract so she led the way.


    Floriana Sabina followed after them with a frown on her face. She was really upset with what Veia did. She looked at her own chest and felt lonely.


    The trio walked silently along the river banks. They witnessed fishes jump up above the river water.


    Across the river there was a big brown bear. It clawed at the jumping fishes and bit them.


    Rant Valo gulped seeing the bear munch on the fish like it was nothing. Blood leaked from the bear''s mouth as it noticed them. It glared at them with its menacing eyes.


    If it weren''t for the river dividing them, Rant Valo bets that the bear would have already pounced at them.


    They continued walking for a while. They saw a venomous snake hanging on a tree. Floriana Sabina noticed it and led them away.


    The sky was getting dark and they arrived in front of a waterfall. The sound of the water rushing down deafening.


    "Master! It''s behind the waterfall!"


    Veia shouted so Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina could hear her. She walked along the sides of the waterfall and entered behind it.


    Behind the waterfall was a small cave opening. It barely fits one person.


    Veia entered it. Rant Valo looked at the tight space with a little fear. He was feeling claustrophobic seeing it.


    Rant Valo swallowed his fear when he saw Veia getting deeper. The inside was very dark. Floriana Sabina snapped her finger and a small bright white flame lit above their heads.

 Chapter 28 - Master, Want To Get Married?

    Rant Valo was in the middle while Floriana Sabina was last to enter the cave. The bright light above their heads alleviated Rant Valo''s fears.


    They went deeper for about a minute before they finally reached a wide cave. The cave was moist and damp. The rock surfaces were shiny because of the thin film of water flowing downward.


    Large stalactites hang from the inside of the cave. There were torn clothes on the ground at the side.


    Rant Valo went forward and picked it up. The fragment of cloth broke apart easily when Rant Valo tried to rip it apart.


    "This cloth looks old."


    Rant Valo said as he looked at the broken pieces of cloth in his hand. He threw it back to the ground. He only picked it up out of curiosity.


    "Master, I woke up over there."


    Veia pointed at the spot where the fragments of clothing were.


    "What? Were you using this as your bed or something?"


    Rant Valo asked in wonder. The fragments of clothing do not even cover the floor enough for Veia to lie down on it.


    "Yes. I woke up naked over there¡­"


    Veia said quietly. She toned down her voice as the thought that she may have been raped there plagued her mind. It now makes sense that she woke up naked.


    "Where did you even get the black cloak from?"


    Rant Valo asked her. It was what she was wearing since he first saw her.


    "I found it deeper inside the cave, Master."


    Rant Valo nodded his head. He looked at the passage leading deeper into the cave and couldn''t help but swallow his saliva in anxiety. The feeling of claustrophobia is welling up within him.


    "What are you getting scared for? Go!"


    Floriana Sabina came behind Rant Valo and smacked his back. She noticed earlier that he was acting scared in front of the cave. Now he was even getting scared of entering deeper.


    "Master, are you scared?"


    Veia asked Rant Valo. She also saw that Rant Valo was acting weird like he was scared of something.


    "Of course not! I''m a man you know?"


    Rant Valo forced himself to act tough and led the way inside. He would rather face his fears than see Veia look down on him because he was scared of tight spaces.


    Rant Valo entered deep inside the cave. There was no sound other than the sound of their footsteps and the constant dripping of water. There was also no light ahead.


    The dark and cramp space of the cave slowly magnified Rant Valo''s fears. He felt like the cave would suddenly come crashing down on him.


    He even imagined that a monster would jump out from the darkness.


    Without him realizing it, Rant Valo was frozen in fear. His legs were shaking and he couldn''t move forward anymore.


    "Master, are you okay?"


    Veia came behind him and asked seeing that he stopped moving. She looked ahead and saw that nothing was blocking the way forward.


    "I- I changed my mind, Veia. You can go first."


    There was an obviously forced smile on Rant Valo''s face as he said to her.


    "Okay, Master."


    Veia nodded her head slowly, seeing that Rant Valo was smiling forcefully. Rant Valo moved away and allowed her to move ahead.


    "Hmph! Boastful pervert!"


    Floriana Sabina hmph''d seeing Rant Valo''s failed attempt at impressing Veia. She even felt good that Rant Valo failed.


    "Wh- I''m not! It''s just too dark¡­ and cramped¡­"


    Rant Valo wanted to argue back at her but he lost confidence when he looked forward at the dark and cramped space inside the cave.


    "Hmph!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted at his pathetic attempt at lying.


    "Master and Grandmaster are pretty close huh?"


    Veia noticed that they were chatting at the back and couldn''t help but say so.


    "Ah, yes?"


    "Me? Close with this pervert? He''s only my disciple!"


    Rant Valo was confused at her words while Floriana Sabina denied it with a snort.


    "Hehehe, Master, want to get married?"


    Veia suddenly blurted out.


    "WHA-??"


    "HEY!"


    Rant Valo was shocked speechless at what Veia suddenly said. How did it come from him and Floriana Sabina being close to her asking him to marry her?


    Floriana Sabina was angry at Veia''s words. She''s definitely doing this on purpose to rile her up!


    "I mean, I can''t live without Master now can''t I?"


    Veia said as she turned around and stared at Rant Valo''s eyes. There was a hidden meaning in it.


    Rant Valo didn''t know what to reply to her. Technically she was right as he had to feed her his blood according to the contract.


    The thought of marrying her in the future appeared inside his head. He imagined her smiling at their wedding and then before he could think further that imagination was ripped apart by a blinding white light.


    Zaria-chan''s face appeared in his mind. Her silhouette is wrapped by blinding rays of light. She brought peace and calm inside Rant Valo''s head.


    "Just kidding!"


    Veia suddenly said, seeing the serious look in Rant Valo''s face and the angry expression in Floriana Sabina''s face.


    "Hmph! You better be!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted at Veia. The thought of binding her with ropes again appeared in her head.


    "I''m sorry but I disagree."


    There was an absolute calm in Rant Valo''s face as he said to Veia. He didn''t hear what she said earlier as he was focused on Zaria in his mind.


    "Wha-! That''s cruel, Master! How can you deny the moves of a maiden like me!?"


    Veia looked at Rant Valo flabbergasted. She may have been raped in her past life but her body was already revived. Her body is as pure as it can be!


    She didn''t expect him to say that after seeing the serious look on his face earlier. It soured her mood suddenly.


    "Serves you right! Lewd demon!"


    Floriana Sabina couldn''t let the chance to mock Veia go so she mocked her. There was a smug smile on her face.

 Chapter 29 - D-Disciple! Wh-What Are You Doing??

    "Grrrr¡­"


    Veia gritted her teeth in frustration. She touched her face and felt that it was still the beautiful face that she has. There was no reason for Rant Valo to deny her moves so calmly.


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    The trio walked deeper into the cave without any noise other than their footsteps. They didn''t talk to each other. Rant Valo was disinterested in talking as the image of Zaria is still floating in his mind.


    His claustrophobia seems to have gone away with Zaria''s image in his mind. It brought him a sense of calm and a sense of peace. It was like there is nothing in the world that will sway his determination.


    The trio finally reached another cave opening. It was a large space. There were racks of hanging clothes and a chair. All of the furniture was very old and dilapidated.


    It was like this place was never cleaned in decades.


    "It stinks!"


    Floriana Sabina held her nose as she walked inside the cave. It smells old and moldy. There was a weird stench hovering in the air.


    "What is that smell?"


    Rant Valo was also pinching his nose from the smell. It smelled kinda rusty but also rotten.


    "What do you mean, Master?"


    Veia asked after seeing that they were covering their noses. She doesn''t smell anything from the place other than the old and damp smell. It smelled similar to what was in the cave they passed earlier.


    "You don''t smell it, Veia?"


    Rant Valo asked her in bewilderment. The rotten and rusty stench was too strong for him to handle. It was like he was inhaling rust inside his lungs.


    "I do not, Master?"


    Veia tilted her head cutely. She sniffed the air but she still couldn''t smell anything bad.


    "Was that where you got that black cloak?"


    Rant Valo asked Veia as he pointed at a bunch of black cloaks hanging on a cloth rack. It all looks similar in size and appearance to the one Veia was wearing.


    "Yes, Master. I quickly got this one and exited the cave as I was feeling hungry."


    Veia explained to Rant Valo. Floriana Sabina picked up one of the black cloaks hanging and there was an expression of amazement on her face as she examined it.


    "This is a hide of a Core Formation Greybat. I never thought I''d see one in this place¡­"


    Floriana Sabina suddenly said. Rant Valo and Veia looked at her in wonder. How could she know such a thing?


    "Are you sure, Master? I don''t think stuff from Core Formation stage experts can just be lying inside a cave."


    Rant Valo expressed his doubt at her words. He was a villager but even he knew how rare and valuable stuff from a Core Formation monster is. It was a price that even he is not capable of imagining.


    "I''m sure of it. I have held one before 200 years ago."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head seriously. She really didn''t expect that they would stumble into a treasure cave like this.


    "200 years ago!?"


    Rant Valo jumped back in fright at what she said. He must be imagining things, right!? There''s no way a young-looking girl like her is more than 200 years old!


    "What? Have a problem with that?"


    Floriana Sabina raised an eyebrow at Rant Valo''s exclamation of shock. She was displeased at the way he was looking at her like a monster.


    "N-no¡­"


    Rant Valo really didn''t know what to say. He consoled himself by thinking that she was just spouting bullshit to scare him. It was very effective though he thought.


    "So that was why this black cloak lasted longer than the furniture inside this cave!"


    Veia suddenly exclaimed in understanding. It was something that bothered her when she first entered this part of the cave.


    "Yes. For a lewd demon, you have some use left for your brain."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head at Veia''s words sassily. Veia frowned at Floriana Sabina''s words. Floriana Sabina has been rude to her for a while now.


    "What do you mean by that, Grandmaster?"


    Veia forced a smile on her face. She was scared of Floriana Sabina''s strength but she has her master to rely on!


    "Stupid demon!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted at her.


    "Hey, hey, stop it!"


    Rant Valo went over in between them. He feared that they would go all out and fight if he didn''t stop them.


    "Hmph!"


    "Master¡­"


    Floriana Sabina turned around and snorted while Veia looked at Rant Valo pitifully like she was just bullied.


    "Veia¡­ you should not argue back with someone like her."


    Rant Valo cautioned Veia.


    "Yes, Master¡­"


    Veia looked down like she just made a horrible mistake.


    "Wha-! What do you mean by that!?"


    Floriana Sabina heard Rant Valo''s words and pulled his shoulder so he would face her. Rant Valo fell over as he was not prepared for her suddenly pulling his shoulders.


    He fell down towards Floriana Sabina. He accidentally pushed her down because of it.


    "D-disciple! Wh-what are you doing??"


    Floriana Sabina was under Rant Valo. Rant Valo was supporting himself using his hands.


    "Your face is too close!"


    Floriana Sabina slapped Rant Valo by reflex. Her face was a bright shade of red.


    "Ugh!"


    Rant Valo was smacked away to unconsciousness.


    "Master!"


    Veia ran towards Rant Valo and checked his breathing. She sighed in relief when she noticed that he was still breathing.


    "Why did you do that to master!?"


    Veia stood up and bared her fangs at Floriana Sabina. Her sharp vampire teeth were shining sharply.


    "Wh-what did I do?!"


    Floriana Sabina realized her mistake and ran towards Rant Valo''s side. Her strike earlier was very strong. She feared that he got injured from her strike. A medicinal pill appeared in her hands and she fed it to Rant Valo.


    "What did you feed my master!?"


    Veia looked at Floriana Sabina warily. She was ready to attack her.


    "Relax, Stupid lewd demon! I fed him a medicinal pill. He should wake up in a while."


    Floriana Sabina explained to Veia while trying to hide her blushing face.

 Chapter 30 - Master Stinks!

    "Calling me a stupid lewd demon¡­ I''m gonna bite you!"


    Veia finally had enough of Floriana Sabina''s relentless rude remarks. She ran forward towards Floriana Sabina with her fangs bared towards her.


    Floriana Sabina who was blushing suddenly grinned smugly.


    Veia didn''t notice her grin and just continued charging forward. Her fangs bit into Floriana Sabina''s neck.


    "AHHHHHHHHH!!!"


    "Kekeke, that''s what you get for trying to attack me. Stupid lewd demon!"


    Veia was rolling around on the floor shouting as she endured the pain coming from her fangs.


    "My fangs¡­"


    There were two broken pieces of Veia''s fang lying on the floor. The moment she bit into Floriana Sabina''s neck she felt like she was trying to bite onto solid rock.


    Her fangs broke and the pain instantly assaulted her. It was so painful that she''s crying and snot was coming out of her nose.


    Rant Valo who was peacefully sleeping on the side woke up from the loud commotion she was causing. He looked around and saw Veia rolling around on the floor in pain.


    "What are you doing, Veia?"


    Rant Valo asked her in puzzlement. He just woke up and he suddenly saw Veia rolling around on the floor. For a moment he thought that his brain was damaged.


    "Master!!"


    Veia heard Rant Valo''s voice and ran to his embrace.


    "Master, you have to avenge me, ow¡­"


    Veia''s tears and snot were all over Rant Valo''s shirt as Veia huddled him in comfort. Drops of blood leaked down from her mouth.


    "What happened!?"


    Rant Valo turned his head towards Floriana Sabina in stupefaction.


    "Hmph."


    Floriana Sabina looked away and just hmph''d at him. She thinks that the stupid lewd demon deserves it.


    "Did you hit her?"


    There was a shocked expression on Rant Valo''s face as he imagined the worst possible scenario.


    "Master, she did! I was just trying to protect you from her!"


    Veia shouted from the sidelines. Now that she saw a chance, Veia wouldn''t let it go to take a jab back at Floriana Sabina.


    "Wha-!?"


    Rant Valo looked at Floriana Sabina in disbelief. Fear enveloped his heart as the thought of Floriana Sabina trying to kill him was etched deep into his mind.


    "Disciple, don''t listen to that stupid lewd bitch!"


    Floriana Sabina panicked when she saw the change in Rant Valo''s expression. It was like he was looking at something abominable. Her heart ached when she saw that.


    "No¡­. I trusted you¡­. Why is this happening to me!?"


    Rant Valo''s eyes were unfocused as his mind was swallowed by the fear of death. This was the result of the stress he got in recent days. He didn''t feel that his life was safe anymore.


    "Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo worriedly. Rant Valo''s mind was losing its sanity albeit slowly but surely.


    "Master??"


    Even Veia was confused at what was happening. Rant Valo was overreacting at what was happening. She didn''t expect it to lead to this conclusion.


    "What''s happening?"


    Suddenly, dark lines appeared on the ground. It enveloped this whole part of the cave.


    Black fog appeared out of thin air and enveloped all of them.


    "This feels familiar!"


    There was a look of bewilderment in Veia''s face as she felt the familiarity coming from the dark fog. It was like she was in the embrace of her parents.


    "When was this magic circle here!?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at the black lines on the ground in bewilderment. It was something called a Magic Circle. In the old days, it was called Array Formations, and even Star Patterns.


    Magic Circles are designed and set up by a Magic Cultivator. It is very powerful. It can block attacks, attack others, and gather mana. There were other uses but those are rare.


    Floriana Sabina ran towards Rant Valo in panic.


    There, she saw Rant Valo standing up and black lines were flowing around his body. His eyes were unfocused just like a corpse.


    "Oh no! The magic circle is affecting him. The only mortal here!"


    Floriana Sabina exclaimed in fright. The magic circle is clearly at the Core Formation level. It can instantly kill any mortal it wants to.


    "Wait, he''s not dead yet!"


    Floriana Sabina suddenly felt a faint pulse of life coming from Rant Valo''s heart. It was glowing oh so faintly.


    "It must be because this magic circle is too old!"


    Floriana Sabina quickly realized why Rant Valo was still alive. Otherwise, if the magic circle was at full power he would have turned into dust in a matter of milliseconds.


    STOMP


    Floriana Sabina stomped on the ground of the cave. The cave shook as the spot she stomped on broke apart.


    The dark lines flickered and then disappeared. The black fog also slowly dissipated into nothing.


    A deep voice suddenly rang out. It was full of hate and killing intent.


    "My legacy of 500 years has ended abruptly¡­ I have sealed this cave from the inside, yet you still managed to enter! Now die!!"


    "..."


    "huh?"


    Floriana Sabina braced herself but nothing happened after waiting for a while. While Veia looked around stupefied. The voice kinda felt familiar¡­


    Cough


    Rant Valo opened his eyes wide in shock. He felt like his life was not in his hands anymore when the black lines entered his body. His mind went insane.


    "Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina heard Rant Valo cough and relief was written on her face. She went forward and embraced him. This disciple of hers just almost died after teaching her how to cook Spirit Fish. She wouldn''t let him die before she could fully teach him cultivation!


    "M-master!"


    Contrary to expectation, it was Veia who said that. She hugged Rant Valo from behind. She also felt fear when Rant Valo was acting crazy earlier.


    "You girls..."


    Rant Valo was still confused at the two. He still did not know entirely why Veia was rolling around on the floor and why it seemed like Floriana Sabina did something to Veia.


    "Master stinks!"


    Suddenly, Veia broke the silence. She sniffed Rant Valo and he smelled like rotten meat.

 Chapter 31 - Master, Now Praise Me!

    "What do you mean?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but retort at her. He looked at her annoyed.


    "Uwah, she''s right!"


    Floriana Sabina sniffed Rant Valo when she heard Veia''s words. The moment she did, a strong rotten smell assaulted her nose.


    "You''re messing with me, right? RIGHT???"


    Rant Valo looked at them anxiously, but they avoided his gaze when he looked at them.


    Sniff sniff


    "Sh*t! You guys are right!"


    Rant Valo sniffed himself and he suddenly felt like he stuck his nose inside a rotten corpse. It was so horrible that he who rarely curses- cursed! What a shock this was!


    "Why do I smell like this!?"


    Rant Valo expressed his grievance by bellowing loudly. His voice echoed inside the cave walls.


    "You don''t take a bath, Master?"


    Veia couldn''t hold back her curiosity and asked him.


    Rant Valo was taken aback by her answer. He didn''t have the chance to have one since so many things happened today and yesterday.


    He opened and closed his mouth like a fish but no words came out of his mouth. His conscience is holding him back from lying to her. He only stared at her silently and didn''t reveal the truth.


    "Really, Master, you have to take a bath or no girls will like you okay?"


    Veia took Rant Valo''s silence as him agreeing with her. She explained to him why he''s single with an innocent smile.


    Rant Valo froze at her words. Her words stabbed him in the heart.


    "Stinky disciple, stop chatting, and let''s get going!"


    Floriana Sabina was getting impatient from the side. She has been watching them talk since earlier but now she''s bored like a sloth. She wanted to get this cave exploration finished earlier because there is something off about this cave.


    "Okay¡­"


    Rant Valo''s mood turned down when he heard her call him a stinky disciple. He couldn''t help but feel conscious especially since two girls are with him.


    "What were you girls even arguing about earlier?"


    Rant Valo''s curiosity was piqued as he remembered that he didn''t really understand the situation earlier. Something about those black lines that appeared on his skin made him lose his rationality.


    "Stinky master, it''s her fault!"


    "Stinky disciple, she tried to bite me again!"


    Veia and Floriana Sabina replied back to him instantly at the same time. Their faces both filled with grievances towards the other.


    "Stupid lewd demon, stop playing the victim!"


    "I''m not!"


    Floriana Sabina and Veia argued back and forth. Rant Valo was watching them argue again from the sides.


    He felt like he just disturbed a hornet''s nest, and he was bitten by both at the same time when they both called him ''stinky''. He swore to himself that he will clean himself thoroughly when they get out of the cave.


    "Why are you guys arguing again?"


    Rant Valo asked them with a wry smile on his face.


    "Master, she broke my fangs! Look!"


    Veia revealed her two broken fangs. Rant Valo''s face couldn''t help but twitch when he saw how her two fangs were broken. Chills ran down his spine as he imagined the pain that must have come with it.


    "Hmph! You attacked me first!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted at Veia''s pathetic attempt at playing the victim. She was in the right as she only defended herself and Veia was the one who hurt herself.


    "I was defending Master from you!"


    Veia retorted back at Floriana Sabina. All she wanted was to protect her Master but she got her fangs broken¡­ It was a major loss! How can she even drink her Master''s blood now!?


    "Hahhh??"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Veia with a raised eyebrow. This stupid lewd demon really has guts!


    "..."


    Rant Valo has no words for himself. He felt like he just disturbed the hornet''s nest again but with a stronger shake this time.


    "Master, she''s bullying me again¡­"


    Veia went over and hugged Rant Valo''s arm. Her eyes were pitiful as she looked at Rant Valo pleadingly.


    "Disciple, don''t get deceived by that stupid lewd demon!"


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo anxiously. She was worried that Rant Valo would side with Veia with the way she was acting. Her good impression of this half-vampire, half-succubus is taking a nosedive.


    "WAITTTT!"


    Rant Valo couldn''t take their constant arguing anymore and raised his arms to stop the both of them. His palms were inches away from their faces as he stopped them.


    "Veia, why did you attack Master?"


    Rant Valo looked at Veia first and asked her. He''s not gonna lie, she seems to be the one who started this all with the way she''s acting.


    "I was trying to protect you!"


    Veia answered immediately. She knew that she was in the right anyway. It was her duty as the slave to protect her master.


    "Protect me from what?"


    "Her!"


    Veia pointed at Floriana Sabina.


    "ME?"


    Floriana Sabina widened her eyes in shock like she just heard the most absurd thing in the world.


    "Why?"


    "She slapped you unconscious and fed you a weird pill!"


    Veia answered candidly. A smile appeared on her face as the thought of Rant Valo praising her entered her mind.


    "That''s all?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t really understand this slave that he got. She attacked just because he was knocked unconscious. It was not like he was gonna die from her slap, right? Right?? (Rant Valo suddenly thought that she may be right...)


    "Yes, Master! Now praise me!"


    Veia looked at Rant Valo excitedly as she waited for his praise.


    "Master, why did you break her fangs?"


    Rant Valo ignored Veia and turned his head to Floriana Sabina.


    She crossed her arms before answering him.


    "She was getting on my nerves!"


    Floriana Sabina said as she turned her gaze away from him.


    "Really?"


    Rant Valo was speechless at her. Did he just get himself a petty master? The truth must have been that his luck is still bad in a way.


    "Hmph! Yes!"


    Floriana Sabina turned away when Rant Valo went to look her in the eyes. Somehow, she felt like she was the one in the wrong here.

 Chapter 32 - Disciple, Do You Want To Start Cultivating Now?

    "That''s so petty¡­."


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but murmur when he saw her turn away. He smiled wryly to himself.


    She''s really acting like a spoiled brat. What happened to her status as his master?


    "Wait, could you get off me now, Veia?"


    Rant Valo looked to his side and saw Veia still hugging his arms. Her huge melons were so erotic that his little brother couldn''t help but salute.


    "Ehehe, master¡­"


    Veia chuckled and finally let go of Veia. She licked her lips secretly as she did it on purpose.


    "It stinks so bad!"


    Suddenly Rant Valo''s nose was assaulted by an iron-y and rotten smell. It smells like iron was floating in the air.


    "Oh my god!"


    Rant Valo covered his mouth and tried to keep himself from puking.


    The floor and walls were stained with a black liquid. It was so black like it was left there for centuries. There were skeletons scattered around the place.


    "This is¡­"


    Floriana Sabina frowned at the scene in front of her. She is a cultivator so her mental fortitude is much stronger than Rant Valo who was merely a mortal so she could endure it.


    Veia hugged Rant Valo''s arm again. This time there was fear in her eyes instead of the usual playful one that she has.


    "Was the owner of this cave a killer?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but say. He can somehow guess that the black stains were dried and old blood. The amount of it was so nauseating.


    He even saw their wrists cuffed to the wall. They probably died here without getting the chance to escape.


    "This is so brutal¡­"


    Floriana Sabina brushed that dust off a skull as she said so. There was a feeling of melancholy from her.


    "Veia you still can''t smell it?"


    Rant Valo looked at Veia who was still hugging his arm tightly.


    "S-smell what Master?"


    Veia was quivering a little bit as she looked at the skeletons around her. For some reason, she was feeling extreme fear from her heart. Like this has something to do with her past.


    "The smell of blood and rotten flesh¡­"


    "I don''t, Master. Is that bad?"


    Veia looked at Rant Valo worriedly. The thought that something was wrong with her nose worried her a little bit.


    "No."


    Rant Valo shook his head and walked deeper into the cave. He counted and there were around 11 skeletons here.


    His mind couldn''t help but imagine what horrible things went through in this place. They were probably tortured before they were killed.


    Rant Valo was keeping himself from puking through sheer will. As his life was only in a village 4 days ago, this was something that is hard for him to fathom.


    "Do you want to go deeper, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo and asked. There were traces of concern in her eyes. The way she is seeing it, Rant Valo would not be able to go much deeper. There are probably things inside that he wouldn''t be able to handle.


    "I¡­"


    Rant Valo bit his lips in indecision. On one side he wanted to know why Veia woke up in this cave and on the other, the fear of the unknown and the dead in this cave overwhelmed his sense of calm.


    "Master, you don''t have to if you don''t want to¡­"


    Veia looked at Rant Valo straight in the eyes. She can tell that he was doing this for her.


    "Veia¡­"


    Rant Valo was even more conflicted when she said that. As her master, he wanted to show her that he is deserving of it. It was his first time having a slave and he wanted to do it right, but the challenge he is facing right now seems to not want that.


    "Disciple, you don''t have to go anymore. The cave deeper is blocked by a Magic Circle. Look there is a barrier."


    Floriana Sabina scanned the deeper part of the cave with her Spiritual Sense and she found that there was a Magic Circle inlaid in the cave walls leading deeper into the cave.


    She picked up a random stone from the ground and threw it forward. It stopped and bounced mid-air as if it hit an invisible wall.


    That was the straw that broke the camel''s back and Rant Valo finally convinced himself to not continue forward.


    "You would probably not survive deeper, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina warned Rant Valo in worry that he would insist on going deeper.


    "Don''t worry, I won''t throw away my life yet."


    Rant Valo forced a smile on his face. It was true that he couldn''t die yet. He still needs to marry Zaria.


    Remembering Zaria eased Rant Valo''s tensed-up nerves somehow. She was really his savior.


    "Let''s go."


    Rant Valo led the way out with melancholy. He looked back at the skeletons and the black blood scattered around and his determination firmed up.


    He was gonna get strong not just for the sake of going back to the village and marrying Zaria but also for Veia''s sake plus the other skeletons. He wanted to know what lies behind the mystery of this cave.


    For now, he would cultivate first and get stronger.


    The trio was already familiar with the way out and they quickly reached the place where the black lines appeared.


    Veia looked at the cloaks and grabbed them all after hesitating for a bit. Floriana Sabina didn''t say anything when she saw her do that.


    Veia stopped hugging Rant Valo''s arm a while ago. She was now carrying the cloaks in her arms.


    They continued and finally reached the place where Veia woke up from.


    The old clothes were still scattered around.


    "Disciple, do you want to start cultivating now?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo.


    "Is this place good?"


    Rant Valo asked her in confirmation. He also had the idea to cultivate here.


    "Yes. This place is perfect for you, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head.


    "Master, can I drink some of your blood first before you cultivate?"


    Veia asked Rant Valo timidly. Since her fangs are broken, she felt awkward asking for his blood right now.

 Chapter 33 - Stupid Disgusting Lewd Demon!

    "You want to drink my blood right now?"


    Rant Valo reiterated.


    "Yes, master. I.. I need it to regrow my fangs."


    Veia explained to Rant Valo timidly. She fidgeted her fingers shyly.


    "You can do that!?"


    Rant Valo asked Veia in shock. He never knew Demons are capable of regrowing their teeth.


    "Yes, master. I don''t know why but I can feel that if I drink your blood then I can regrow my fangs."


    Veia was not sure about it herself. She had no knowledge about vampires but her instincts are telling her that she can regrow her fangs through Rant Valo''s blood. The only problem she has right now is how she will drink his blood.


    "That''s so convenient¡­"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but say. He felt somewhat jealous of her.


    Rant Valo unsheathed a knife from his waist and pointed the tip of it to his wrist. He gulped as he was about to slit his own wrist.


    "Wait! Master, why don''t I lick the knife first?"


    Veia stopped Rant Valo on his tracks. When Rant Valo heard what she said, he couldn''t help but think that he had hearing problems.


    "You''re gonna lick this knife?"


    Rant Valo looked at Veia and the knife alternately.


    "Yes, master. My saliva can help heal your wound when I finish drinking it."


    Veia explained to Rant Valo with a smile.


    "You''re so convenient, Veia."


    Rant Valo praised her.


    "Ehehe, master¡­"


    Veia felt glad that Rant Valo praised her. It brought the feeling of butterflies in her stomach.


    "Tch. Stupid lewd demon, stop seducing my disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina was annoyed at her acting like a girl in love with Rant Valo. She was just a slave yet she''s dreaming of falling in love with her master.


    "Hehe, jealous?"


    Veia looked over at Floriana Sabina teasingly. She was taller than Floriana Sabina so she ended up looking down on her.


    "Hmph! Who would be jealous?"


    Floriana Sabina snorted and looked away. There was no way she would be interested in a baby like Rant Valo when compared to her age.


    "Yes, yes, grandmaster."


    Veia stopped teasing Floriana Sabina grabbed the knife from Rant Valo''s hand and started to lick it.


    The way her tongue moved across the blade made Rant Valo''s nose bleed a little bit. He wanted to move his eyes away but it was like a black hole that kept sucking him in.


    "Snap out of it!"


    "Ow!"


    Floriana Sabina smacked the back of Rant Valo''s head. She saw him gulping hard while watching Veia lick the knife and she couldn''t resist the urge to smack him.


    "Why did you do that?"


    Rant Valo massaged the back of his head as he looked at Floriana Sabina puzzledly.


    "You were gulping like a dog in heat."


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo coldly. She has never seen someone so perverted as Rant Valo.


    "Wha- I was!?"


    Rant Valo was in shock. He didn''t even notice that he was gulping. All he remembered was his eyes getting sucked into watching Veia lick the knife.


    "You were. Perverted disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina was disgusted at Rant Valo. He didn''t even notice that he was gulping his saliva like water.


    "..."


    Rant Valo had nothing to say. He felt like he would only make it worse if he tried to defend himself. He wiped his nosebleed awkwardly.


    "Hmph!"


    Seeing that Rant Valo didn''t try to defend himself. Floriana Sabina was even more displeased.


    "Done, master!"


    Veia exclaimed in excitement. She handed the knife to Rant Valo. It was fully covered in her saliva. Light from the balls of light in their heads was reflected on the wet surface of the blade.


    "Okay¡­"


    Rant Valo looked at the knife appalled. Now that he saw it in front of himself. He was reminded that it was actually saliva.


    He grabbed the knife firmly. Veia giggled when she saw the way Rant Valo was acting.


    "Here goes nothing!"


    Rant Valo slit his wrist and his scarlet red blood flowed down his arms.


    "Ah, master''s blood!"


    Veia quickly rushed over and started to gulp Rant Valo''s blood. Her excited expression was quickly replaced with pleasure.


    The taste of Rant Valo''s blood made her feel like she was in heaven. It was like a psychotic drug for her. It made her nerves tingle from drinking it.


    "Stupid lewd demon!"


    Floriana Sabina saw the way Veia was acting like she was being pleased in her flower buds. She felt disgusted seeing it in action again.


    A few seconds later Veia stopped and there was a look of reluctance in her face. She wanted to drink more but the amount that she drank yesterday plus the amount she drank today might lead to Rant Valo''s death from blood loss.


    It was such a pity that her master could not generate unlimited amounts of blood for her. If he could, then she would be the happiest vampire in the world!


    "What are you daydreaming for? Stupid disgusting lewd demon!"


    Floriana Sabina couldn''t help but say when she saw the expression of bliss and reluctance in Veia''s face. Her nickname for Veia has even gotten longer because of it.


    "Ah¡­ nothing!"


    Veia''s mood was lifted after drinking Rant Valo''s blood and she smiled at Floriana Sabina teasingly. There was a feeling of victory in that smile.


    "What''s with that look?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Veia with an annoyed look. She really regretted not killing this Demon instantly before.


    "Master!"


    Veia wanted to tease Floriana Sabina more but then she saw Rant Valo''s pale expression from the corner of her eyes.


    "I feel light-headed¡­"


    Rant Valo held his head in pain.


    "Did I drink too much??"


    Veia asked Rant Valo in panic. She felt really bad seeing Rant Valo in pain. The feeling of ecstasy that she had earlier had quickly disappeared into nothing.


    "..."


    Rant Valo wanted to say more but he didn''t have the energy to continue doing so. He felt his eyelids grow heavy as he fell unconscious.


    "Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina''s worried face was the last thing that Rant Valo saw. He couldn''t help but feel bad for himself. He was slapped, smacked, and now fainting because of blood loss. His life recently was such a joke that it''s not even funny.

 Chapter 34 - Just This Once… Ill Allow It!

    Rant Valo felt like he was lost for a long time. He opened his eyes and saw nothing but darkness.


    He looked around and still saw nothing but the dark void.


    There he saw an image of a handsome man. So handsome in fact that he even had thoughts of asking him to be his boyfriend.


    Rant Valo quickly shook that thought out of his head. He reminded himself that he was a straight man. He wouldn''t become something like that.


    He still has to marry Zaria, you know!?


    The man spread his arms outward and suddenly a bright ball of light appeared in front of him. The ball was so bright that Rant Valo was blinded like a flashbang.


    Rant Valo opened his eyes and found himself staring at a valley. It was a very deep valley. He instinctively squeezed that valley and a moan sounded out of nowhere.


    "Ahn~ Master¡­"


    Rant Valo suddenly opened his eyes wide and looked up. He saw Veia''s usual playful face with a tinge of worry clouding it.


    "V-veia!?"


    Rant Valo moved backward in shock. He looked around and saw that he was still in the cave. He didn''t see Floriana Sabina anywhere.


    "Did I hit a wall?"


    Rant Valo tried to move backward more but all he felt was a hard wall but when he looked around it didn''t seem to make sense that there was a wall behind him.


    He turned around in confusion and that''s when he saw the angriest face that he ever saw Floriana Sabina did. There were even flames appearing around her.


    "I''m sorry I am a wall okay!?"


    Floriana Sabina shouted at him with a red and angry face. There were drops of tears leaking out from the side of her eyes.


    Rant Valo blinked his eyes to confirm that he wasn''t seeing things. He then realized that the flames floating around her were actually real. It wasn''t just his imagination!


    He closed his eyes and waited for the slap but it never came. He opened his eyes and saw Floriana Sabina tearing up.


    "Disciple! I''m glad you are okay..! Sob Sob"


    Floriana Sabina wrapped her arms around Rant Valo''s neck and cried like a baby.


    Rant Valo stared at Floriana Sabina who was crying in his arms in shock. He never thought that she would cry this way. He even expected to be smacked to death but that never came.


    He raised his hands and hesitated for a bit before finally deciding to rub her back.


    "It''s okay, Master. I''m alive and well."


    "Hic. I thought you died! Your heart stopped so¡­ so I thought¡­ Uwaaaaa"


    Floriana Sabina remembered what happened when she felt Rant Valo''s pulse earlier. There was no beating from his heart and he was as peaceful as a corpse. She didn''t even have the energy to scold Veia.


    "Master¡­"


    Rant Valo was really taken aback by how Floriana Sabina was acting. He thought that he was just some random disciple that she found on the side of the road but it seemed like he was more special in her heart.


    He realized that Floriana Sabina''s youthful appearance does not lie. She was really just like a little girl. Spoiled, and now crying her guts out.


    Rant Valo waited for a while before Floriana Sabina finally stopped crying. Floriana Sabina turned around as her face turned red in realization at what she did. She quickly wiped her tears away.


    Floriana Sabina turned back at Rant Valo and there were obvious signs that she cried on her face. She stared at Rant Valo with a poker face as if nothing happened.


    "Master, are you okay?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but ask when he saw her appearance.


    "What do you mean, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina put on a confused face as she asked.


    "I mean, you cr-... right?"


    Rant Valo was about to mention that she cried but Floriana Sabina quickly used her finger to hush his mouth.


    "WHAT do you mean, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina repeated what she said earlier but this time there was a threatening glare coming from her eyes. Rant Valo gulped hard when he saw that. He felt like he was being stared at by the grim reaper.


    "I- I don''t know anything!"


    Rant Valo quickly straightened his back and stared straight. He didn''t dare stare straight into Floriana Sabina''s eyes.


    "Good!"


    Floriana Sabina''s scary eyes were quickly replaced with a sweet smile. It was so sweet that Rant Valo felt like what he saw earlier was just some illusion.


    "..."


    Rant Valo was speechless. He felt an experience of a roller coaster of emotions from interacting with her just now.


    "Master¡­ Can I cry?"


    A warm hand wrapped around Rant Valo from behind. Rant Valo felt the two huge melons pressing on his back. His little brother quickly saluted like a junior officer seeing the commander.


    Her frail voice was so alluring to hear when it was whispered directly to his ear. This was the first time that Rant Valo heard this kind of voice from Veia.


    "You can?"


    Rant Valo answered back instinctively. His mind felt lost after experiencing the odd Floriana Sabina who didn''t smack him and now Veia who was usually playful is acting in melancholy.


    "Really, Master. You should say ''You can cry on my shoulder however you want.''. You don''t sound masculine at all¡­ but that''s what I like about master anyway¡­"


    Veia twirled her hair in her fingers as she spoke softly to Rant Valo''s ears. Rant Valo felt his ears tingle when he heard Veia''s voice. His little brother twitched several times in reaction.


    SHE LIKES ME!?


    Rant Valo''s eyes opened wide in shock. He stared into nothing and random thoughts ran inside his head.


    The thought of pushing her down right now even passed through his head but he remembered that Floriana Sabina was there with them.


    He looked at Floriana Sabina and just saw her staring at him and Veia impassively. Chills ran down Rant Valo''s back when he looked into her eyes.


    "Just this once¡­ I''ll allow it!"


    Floriana Sabina gritted her teeth in anger as she said so.


    WHAT WILL SHE ALLOW!?

 Chapter 35 - Im Just Kidding! Tehehehe

    "??????"


    Question marks appeared on Rant Valo''s head as he looked at Floriana Sabina. There was an indescribable feeling coming from her.


    "What''s with that look, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina felt awkward when she saw the way Rant Valo was looking at her.


    "What do you mean by you''ll allow it?"


    Rant Valo said nervously. He looked at her weirdly and there was a conflicted expression on his face.


    He was conflicted about what to do. Should he just reject Veia since he already had Zaria in his heart or should he just brush it off?


    "You can cuddle!"


    Floriana Sabina''s face turned red after saying forcefully.


    "Why do I need your permission, though?"


    Rant Valo asked her in bewilderment. There was nothing between him and Floriana Sabina anyways. And she''s just his master.


    "I-I¡­"


    Floriana Sabina looked around in panic. Rant Valo was right that there was no need for him to ask for her permission. Rant Valo''s personal life is not something his master should interfere with.


    "I''m just kidding! Tehehehe"


    Veia had been holding back her laughter for a while now. She burst into laughter when she saw that they were actually talking about permitting them from cuddling.


    Tears were falling down her eyes from laughing too much.


    "Liar!"


    "You-!"


    Rant Valo clenched his fist at Veia. He so wanted to hit her for playing with his heart like that. Floriana Sabina went even redder when she realized that Veia was just messing with them again.


    "Hehehehe, I mean. Master is so cute when he''s flustered!"


    Veia giggled to herself as she remembered the shock and fluster in Rant Valo''s face earlier.


    "I thought I already said that I would refuse you!"


    Rant Valo was the most embarrassed of them as he thought of how his heart was played by her twice. Once earlier and now again¡­ She''s really doing it on purpose!


    "Master is so silly. Of course, you would reject me now. We barely knew each other."


    When Rant Valo looked at Veia right now. There was a feeling of confidence and an odd sense of wisdom coming from her. It was very bizarre for the usual Veia.


    "Veia! S, top, se, du, cing, my, di ,sci, ple!"


    Floriana Sabina walked step by step and reached in front of Veia. She raised her head towards the much taller Veia. It made a very comical scene of a young girl trying to stand up for her big brother.


    "It''s because master¡­ so cute¡­"


    There was an infatuated expression in Veia''s eyes as she murmured. Floriana Sabina heard it loud and clear but Rant Valo couldn''t since he''s not a cultivator yet.


    "Stop daydreaming!"


    Floriana Sabina smacked Veia in the head with a jump. She really had enough of this stupid lewd demon.


    "And you! Since you seem better now, go cultivate already!"


    Floriana Sabina turned around and ordered Rant Valo.


    "Yes, Master."


    Rant Valo had nothing more to say seeing that she wants him to cultivate. He sat down in meditation.


    "..."


    Rant Valo sat there for a while before opening his eyes again.


    "Uh¡­ how do I cultivate again?"


    Rant Valo asked Floriana Sabina awkwardly. He just went with the flow and forgot to ask how to cultivate first.


    "Follow the book!"


    "Oh okay."


    Rant Valo opened the book she gave him earlier and started to read the first paragraphs. After a few minutes of reading, he looked up at Floriana Sabina with a puzzled face.


    "Is this really how you cultivate?"


    "Hmm? Why?"


    Floriana Sabina tilted her head to the side cutely.


    "It says here that I should feel the luck in the air and absorb it into my Core."


    Rant Valo opened the book and showed her.


    "I can''t read it."


    Floriana Sabina took a glance at the page but she saw nothing coherent.


    "You can''t? Oh, you can''t read?"


    Rant Valo was confused at first but realization quickly came to him that Floriana Sabina couldn''t read.


    "Disciple, don''t look down on your master! I can read a single book in 10 minutes. That book is just really really special."


    Floriana Sabina puffed up her chest in a boast. Reading is a very simple thing for her.


    "Really?"


    Rant Valo looked at the text in the book and still saw that he could read it. There was still confusion on his face but since it''s something that can cure his ''curse'' then he doesn''t really care about the specifics.


    "But shouldn''t I be taking in mana from the surroundings?"


    Rant Valo asked curiously. This was his first time cultivating but it doesn''t mean that he is entirely clueless on the process.


    "That''s where you are different, Disciple."


    There was a sly grin on Floriana Sabina''s face.


    "I won''t cultivate the Magic Path?"


    Rant Valo could still remember her lessons about the Magic Path the other day. Why did she even teach him that?


    "You would. I''m just not sure how different."


    Floriana Sabina herself didn''t know much about the subject since she couldn''t read the book herself. She had only read rumors about it when she read some ancient text.


    "What?"


    Rant Valo was still confused.


    "Just cultivate and you will see!"


    There was an excited smile on Floriana Sabina''s face. She wanted to see what the difference this book or rather, the cultivation manual would bring to Rant Valo.


    "Okay."


    Rant Valo was also curious about what is so special about the thing that will cure his ''curse''. So he fixed his posture and remembered what''s written inside the book.


    He closed his eyes and started to follow the cultivation manual.


    Cultivation manuals are books or texts that guide a cultivator towards a Path in cultivation. Because there are infinite ways of reaching Heaven, there is also an infinite number of cultivation manuals.


    Rant Valo saw nothing but emptiness when he closed his eyes. For some reason, it gave Rant Valo a very familiar feeling.


    Rant Valo didn''t know how he should absorb an abstract idea like ''luck'' so he just imagined himself being lucky and people around him were unlucky.


    A small white dot appeared in the center of the darkness. It was like a lone star in a vast universe.

 Chapter 36 - D-Disciple! Put Me Down!

    What is this thing in the center of this dark space?


    I looked at the small white dot that was slowly growing in size in front of me. It grew in size slowly but surely.


    I touched it and it scattered around the dark space inside me. It all went in one direction before coming back down to the same spot earlier. It was very peculiar.


    I stopped and opened my eyes. I saw Floriana Sabina, or rather, Master staring at me intently.


    "Oh, are you done, Disciple?"


    There was some confusion in Master''s face now that I looked at it.


    "I don''t know what this dark space inside me is. And there is a bundle of light in the center."


    I asked in puzzlement. I''m nothing but a farmer myself in the past so this is something new to me.


    "That is your Core."


    My master explained with a smile on her small face.


    "My core?"


    I have heard of it vaguely in the past but I don''t really its specifics.


    "Yes, Disciple. Most beings in the world have Cores. Cores are the place Magic Cultivators store their mana. Sword Cultivators store their mana in their flesh."


    My master was as knowledgeable as ever. She answered my question confidently.


    "So it was a Core¡­"


    I murmured to myself. I now knew what to do so I quickly closed my eyes and cultivated again.


    I once again saw the white dot in the center of my Core. I touched it again and the white light scattered into an arc that quickly returned to the center.


    So this was mana¡­


    I imagined it again. I''m the luckiest person and the people around me are unlucky.


    When I thought of that, I felt the air around me vibrate faintly. It was so imperceptible that I thought that I was just imagining it, but I''m quite sure of it.


    Suddenly, the white dot in the center grew into a sizable sphere. It got brighter and brighter. Then a small thread separated from it extending to the boundary of my core.


    When it reached the boundary, I felt something flow inside my body. It was soothing and calming. It even made me tingle in pleasure for a bit.


    The white mana now flowed around my Mana Channels before finally returning to my Core located at my navel.


    When the loop was closed I felt strength well up inside me. Like I can lift up an adult human with relative ease.


    ¡­


    Rant Valo opened his eyes and saw Floriana Sabina gaping wide in shock. She was acting like she saw something ridiculous.


    "Disciple, what did you do!?"


    Floriana Sabina held Rant Valo''s shoulder as she asked excitedly. What she saw earlier was so amazing and out of this world.


    "I cultivated?"


    Rant Valo asked Floriana Sabina confusedly. Did he do something wrong?


    "You''re already at the 1st Mana Condensation stage, Disciple! Th-that''s so fast!"


    Floriana Sabina was breathing so excitedly that she stuttered. Her disciple just cultivated so fast that she even felt quite inferior.


    "Wait, how long was I cultivating?"


    Rant Valo suddenly asked. He suddenly felt that he just did something awesome.


    "You opened your eyes after one day then after two days here you are! So three days!"


    Floriana Sabina counted in her hand and when she finished she pushed three of her fingers towards Rant Valo''s face.


    "THAT FAST!?"


    Rant Valo stood up in a panic. He looked around him and pinched his cheeks to see if he was actually dreaming or not.


    "Master! You''re so awesome!"


    "M-me!?"


    Floriana Sabina asked flustered. She didn''t expect to be praised by Rant Valo so suddenly.


    "Yes, Master. Without your help, I wouldn''t be able to cultivate this fast!"


    Rant Valo told her excitedly. He was really glad that he took her as his master.


    "H-hmph! Of course! I''m your master after all!"


    Floriana Sabina was flustered at first but she quickly grew smug. She felt proud that she had such a good disciple!


    "Thank you, master!"


    Rant Valo went forward and lifted Floriana Sabina into the air.


    "D-disciple! Put me down!"


    Floriana Sabina''s face went red as she flopped her legs around. She didn''t feel comfortable being lifted by her disciple.


    "O-okay¡­"


    Rant Valo also felt embarrassed about what he just did on impulse.


    "Nngghh..?"


    Veia who was sleeping from the side opened her eyes from all the noise that they made. She looked up and saw Rant Valo lifting Floriana Sabina.


    "Master¡­ Carry me too! Funya funya"


    Veia, who was still sleepy, opened her arms wide towards Rant Valo like a baby who wanted to be carried.


    Rant Valo looked at her awkwardly. He didn''t really want to carry someone like her who is so ''big''. His nose might bleed from the stimulus.


    "Master is ignoring me¡­"


    Veia murmured and she fell back to sleep.


    "Master, what''s with her?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but ask Floriana Sabina curiously. She seems so sleepy as if she didn''t have an inkling of sleep last night.


    "I don''t know, but she has been sleeping ever since she drank your blood."


    Floriana Sabina explained to Rant Valo.


    "That long??"


    Rant Valo was surprised. He didn''t expect that she was sleeping that long and she even continued her sleep.


    "Yes. Now, Disciple, do you want to test your strength now?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo. She wanted to see what strength that cultivation manual will bring to Rant Valo.


    "Yes, master."


    Rant Valo was also curious so he nodded his head.


    "Let''s go outside, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina and Rant Valo left the cave. They entered the tight space leading outside.


    SPLAAAAAAAAAAAAAASHHHHHH


    The sound of the raging waterfall was heard after they left the cave. Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina moved to the side and left the waterfall. The sun was shining above their heads.


    "This is a wide enough space."


    Floriana Sabina and Rant Valo stopped over a small clearing beside the waterfall. It was a 2-meter patch of green grass; enough for Rant Valo to test his newfound strength.

 Chapter 37 - Did I Perhaps Overdo It?

    "So how should I test my strength?"


    Rant Valo stood opposite of Floriana Sabina and asked. He really never had experience with cultivators so he didn''t know how they test their strength.


    "For now, Disciple, you can use your fist to punch me."


    Floriana Sabina really didn''t expect much from Rant Valo''s strength as he just reached the very first step in Magic cultivation. So she just casually offered him to strike her.


    Since Rant Valo does not know any cultivation techniques then testing his brute strength should be enough.


    "Are you sure?"


    Rant Valo asked Floriana Sabina. He was feeling confident right now so he was worried that his punch would actually hurt her.


    "Hahhh? Can you hear yourself, Disciple? Just punch already."


    There was ridicule in Floriana Sabina''s voice as she spoke. This disciple of hers really got too cocky quite quickly. Because of that, she will make sure to teach him the difference between their strengths!


    "Okay.."


    Seeing that Floriana Sabina was confident in her defense, Rant Valo didn''t dilly-dally anymore. He pulled back his arms and prepared for a straight punch.


    "uuOOHHHHH!"


    Rant Valo charged at Floriana Sabina with his arms pulled back like a bowstring.


    Pata pata pata


    Rant Valo''s footsteps were heavy and firmly gripped on the ground. Then with a boom from his feet; he pushed forward as he punched out.


    The air hissed a little due to the friction of Rant Valo''s fist.


    THUD


    Rant Valo''s fist hit exactly at Floriana Sabina''s outstretched palm. A small gust of wind appeared around them as Rant Valo''s strong momentum was stopped short.


    "A-amazing!"


    Rant Valo''s eyes were shining as he looked at his fist which was absolutely stopped by Floriana Sabina''s small hand. It was so disproportionate that he tried to pull back his fist to rub his eyes when he realized that he couldn''t pull it back at all!


    Floriana Sabina''s strong grip on his fist made Rant Valo speechless.


    Floriana Sabina grinned a little when she saw the panic forming in Rant Valo''s face as he realized that he couldn''t escape her grip.


    Floriana Sabina pulled Rant Valo and with a full swing of her arm, she threw him forward towards the ground.


    Rant Valo suddenly felt his vision blur. His balance was broken and the last thing he saw was the clear and beautiful blue skies.


    THUD THUD THUD


    Rant Valo crashed towards the soft grass and made a small indent on the ground. He rolled a few times before he stopped.


    "..."


    Floriana Sabina was shocked speechless at the strength that she just used. She swears that she only meant to throw him to the ground.


    "Did I perhaps overdo it?"


    Floriana Sabina laughed dryly. She wanted to teach him the difference between their strength, but not to this extent! He must have broken some bones in the process.


    "Muuuu..? I felt Master''s aura over here¡­Aiya! My skin.."


    Veia, who was sleepily walking out of the waterfall, suddenly flinched backward when the sun''s rays hit her skin. As a vampire, her skin was particularly sensitive to the sunlight.


    It was akin to shining a 500-watt laser to her skin. It was painful and her skin burned very quickly under it. Veia''s skin was smoking a little bit as she looked at it painfully.


    "Master¡­.."


    Veia moaned in pain. She was instinctively wanting to find her master. She has not drunk her Master Energy Drink for so long that she''s already feeling trippy.


    "I can smell Master!"


    Suddenly, Veia caught a whiff of Rant Valo''s smell. She turned her head towards where Floriana Sabina was and saw her.


    "Tch. She''s there."


    Veia clicked her tongue in annoyance. She was really annoyed at this little girl. If she wasn''t so strong then she would have already taken her master away from her.


    Veia covered her head with the cloak and hid her hands into her sleeves. She walked out of the shadow and approached Floriana Sabina.


    "Where''s master?"


    Veia asked.


    Floriana Sabina turned around and saw Veia covering her skin with the cloak. Veia was squinting her eyes as the bright light of the sun hurt her eyes.


    "..Uhhh¡­ there."


    Floriana Sabina suddenly felt awkward. She didn''t know how she should explain what she just did to Rant Valo. She eventually pointed her fingers towards Rant Valo who was still on the ground far from them.


    Veia turned her head and followed Floriana Sabina''s fingers. Her mouth gaped when she saw her master unconscious and covered in dirt.


    "Master!"


    Veia ran towards Rant Valo in worry. Her precious master, her delicious blood source is lying on the ground unconscious!


    "Master, wake up! Master!"


    Veia shook Rant Valo and tried to wake him up. He was not responding and Veia suddenly felt her heart sink.


    But before she could worry further, she saw Rant Valo''s eyelids twitch.


    "mmM? What happened? Oh right!"


    Rant Valo was still groggy when he opened his eyes but he suddenly remembered what happened. He instinctively stood up but quickly fell over.


    "Oww! My arm..."


    Rant Valo looked at his arm that was bent in a weird shape and his groggy mind suddenly went alert in shock.


    "MY ARM! What happened??"


    Veia, who was holding Rant Valo in support, was shocked when she saw Rant Valo''s arm bent in a weird way.


    "What did you do to my Master!?"


    Veia turned her eyes and saw Floriana Sabina walking toward them step by step. Veia''s fangs were already regrown and she bared it towards Floriana Sabina like a snake.


    "...I''m sorry, Disciple! I only meant to teach you the difference between our strengths but I never thought that it will end up this way¡­ Here''s a Grade 7 Bone Regenerating Pill. It will fix you right back up."


    Floriana Sabina felt awful when she saw Rant Valo''s bent arm. She really didn''t expect that Rant Valo was that weak or rather, her control of her strength was still lacking.


    This may have resulted when she broke through her bottleneck a month ago. She was still not acclimated to her new strength.

 Chapter 38 - Shut Up! Shut Up! Shut Up!

    Rant Valo felt bitter as he looked at the pill. He thought that it was unfair that she could just thrash him and be done with it with a pill, but since it was her who taught him the ins and outs of cultivation, he really had no choice but to endure.


    Rant Valo opened his mouth since he couldn''t get the pill himself with his one arm broken and he used the other for support.


    Floriana Sabina fed the pill to Rant Valo. Veia, who was watching from the side, felt jealous. She wanted to feed her master¡­ but since the pill was not hers then she couldn''t.


    Gulp


    Rant Valo swallowed the pill forcefully. It was hard to swallow the pill with the absence of water to push it down.


    The moment the pill entered his stomach, Rant Valo felt a strong and hot feeling escape from his stomach. It flowed into his body and flowed inside his veins. When it reached his left arm, an intense pain suddenly assaulted his senses. He felt like the bones in his arms were being forcefully rearranged.


    The bent in his left arm quickly fixed itself. The damaged tissue around his broken bones was healed without any suspense.


    The bones reconnected themselves without any problems. The intense pain stayed in his arm for a while before it slowly faded away.


    Rant Valo was finally able to take a breather when the pain faded away. He let out a long breath of relief.


    "Wow! Such an amazing medicine¡­"


    Rant Valo was amazed. He swung his arms around and found that it felt even better than before. He clenched and unclenched his hands and felt nothing out of place. Other than the fact that his movements felt much more free and relaxed compared to before.


    "Of course! That''s a Grade 7 Medicinal Pill you know?"


    Floriana Sabina smiled smugly when she saw the astonishment in Rant Valo''s face. Seeing someone like Rant Valo astonished by it makes her feel superior.


    "Grade 7?"


    Rant Valo''s mouth twitched when he saw her smug face. She was the cause of this and yet she''s still acting smug. Such a brat¡­ Of course, Rant Valo wouldn''t really say it towards Floriana Sabina. Otherwise, he would break his other arm. He''s sure of it.


    "Medicinal pills have different grades. For example, a Grade 1 pill can at best heal superficial internal injuries and there is no guarantee that it would work for higher stage cultivators. The pill you just ate can even heal the internal injuries of an Early Nascent Soul stage cultivator. So be glad at your master''s sacrifice!"


    Floriana Sabina went all out with her explanation. Since Rant Valo was just a farmer from a village then it was natural that he didn''t know such in-depth stuff about cultivation. So it was her duty as his master to explain it to him in detail.


    Rant Valo was stumped when he heard that the pill he just consumed could actually heal the internal injuries of Nascent Soul stage cultivators. He even wanted to go back in time and stop himself from swallowing it. It was such a waste of valuable resources.


    Rant Valo finally knows why Floriana Sabina is so spoiled. It was because she was really rich! She''s like a princess.


    "Why did you feed me that kind of pill!?"


    Rant Valo was clawing his hair out in frustration. He could have used it in the future. And yet he wasted it for something like a broken bone.


    "Aren''t there any lower-grade pills that can also heal bones?"


    Rant Valo asked her. He was sure that there were even though he doesn''t know much about pills. It was just a rational deduction on his part.


    "There are but I don''t have any¡­"


    Floriana Sabina explained awkwardly. She also didn''t want to waste such a precious pill for just a mortal wound. That''s because higher-grade pills can usually heal poisons and wounds from elemental mana.


    "..."


    Rant Valo was speechless. So that''s why she didn''t give him any. His feeling of unfairness earlier disappeared as she was willing to use such an expensive pill to heal him.


    If it were other people, Rant Valo was such that they would keep the pills for themselves and just look for a physician to heal him. His feelings became complex now that he thought that far.


    He really didn''t know if he was lucky or unlucky by getting her as his master. One, she was really violent and unpredictable. Second, she was willing to expend her valuables for his sake.


    "Can''t I just have taken only half of the pill or something?"


    Rant Valo was still not willing to let it go. The thought that he wasted a Grade 7 pill really made him dizzy. He felt like he just drank a golden soup that he only needed a spoonful of.


    "Ah."


    Realization suddenly appeared on Floriana Sabina''s face. She realized that she could have actually only given Rant Valo an eight of it and it would still work and fix his broken arm.


    "You-!"


    Rant Valo suddenly felt like puking blood. So she messed up! He could have used the pill at some other time.


    "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! That was just a Grade 7 pill anyway! I even have a Grade 9 pill!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted in frustration and embarrassment. She knows that it''s her fault but he didn''t have to say it!


    Floriana Sabina suddenly grew boastful at the end of her words. It was true that a Grade 7 pill is the worst pill in her arsenal. For her, such lower-grade pills have barely any effects if she was wounded. That was the main reason why she didn''t carry any Grade 6 and below pills.


    It would only be a waste of storage space if she carried something that is absolutely no use to her.


    "Forget it!"


    Rant Valo stood up angrily. Since it already happened then he would not say anymore, but in the future, before he swallows any pill, he would make sure that he makes the best use of it!

 Chapter 39 - Master… Wanna Do It?

    Unlike Floriana Sabina who was used to squandering her things due to her high cultivation stage, Rant Valo was much more miserly. His life was not one of luxury so he tends to value expensive stuff more.


    "Hmph!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted at Rant Valo. She really didn''t know what to say to her disciple! She fed him a pill that healed his broken bones but all he did was complain and complain and complain!


    It was just a Grade 7 pill!


    "Veia!"


    Rant Valo was reminded of Veia''s presence. He smelled her usual intoxicating fragrance and couldn''t help but relax. Compared to the always fiery Floriana Sabina, someone like Veia is really a huge contrast.


    "Master, hehehe¡­"


    There was drool leaking from Veia''s mouth as she looked at Rant Valo. She was very eager to drink her Master Energy Drink once again. To savor her master''s blood every day is her dream! If it was possible, she would like to drink it every minute¡­


    "Do you want to drink my blood again?"


    Rant Valo''s tone was gentle as he asked Veia. He was more willing to spoil her compared to Floriana Sabina who would surely only grow smug when spoiled.


    "Yes!"


    Veia happily smiled at Rant Valo. She can finally drink her master''s blood again!


    Rant Valo pulled the knife on his waist and prepared to cut his wrist again.


    "Wait, master! I have fangs now!"


    Veia stopped Rant Valo before he could continue. She already regrew her fangs recently so having Rant Valo cut his wrist is pointless. Rather, having her bite into his neck was more pleasurable for Veia.


    "Woah! That was fast!"


    Rant Valo was amazed when he saw her fully grown fangs. It looked exactly the same as before.


    "Yes, Master! I grew another pair of fangs when you went unconscious. It took 3 days though¡­"


    Veia explained in lament. If it grew in one day then she would have been able to drink her master''s blood the next day. Having her hibernate for 3 days just to grow her fangs is really inefficient.


    "That explains it."


    Rant Valo nodded his head in understanding. Vampires are really amazing people.


    "Now, master¡­"


    Veia''s eyes glowed with excitement as she approached Rant Valo slowly.


    Rant Valo tilted his head sideways. It gave Veia the opening so she could bite into his neck much more efficiently.


    "Ahhmu."


    Veia''s new fangs bit into Rant Valo''s soft flesh. His blood happily gushed out of the two holes Veia made. It flowed into her stomach and made her body squirm in pleasure.


    Rant Valo on the other hand was also feeling a surreal pleasure from Veia drinking his blood. It was one of the side effects of having a half-succubus drink your blood. Normally, having a vampire drink your blood is a very painful process.


    This was one of the reasons why Rant Valo became very willing to have Veia drink his blood. His blood can regenerate anyways.


    A few minutes later, Veia finally stopped. Red blood leaked from her mouth as she moved away from Rant Valo''s neck.


    The wound on Rant Valo''s neck quickly healed in the blink of an eye. Veia used her fingers to savor the droplet of blood that leaked from her mouth.


    "Puahhh~"


    Veia let out a breath of satisfaction. Her master''s blood is even more delicious today. It was a faint difference but with her tongue''s sensitivity to blood, she managed to detect it.


    "Master you taste different today."


    "I do? I reached the 1st Mana Condensation stage just recently."


    Rant Valo was puzzled at first but quickly came to a realization. He just reached the 1st Mana Condensation stage so it might have made a difference in the composition of his blood.


    "Wow¡­ Master, does that mean that you''ll get tastier if you advance in cultivation stages??"


    There was some excitement in Veia''s voice as she imagined the sheer possibility of Rant Valo''s blood tasting better and better. Her mouth unconsciously watered when she imagined what her master''s blood would taste like if he reached the Foundation Establishment stage.


    "I guess so?"


    Rant Valo felt awkward when he saw the excitement in Veia''s face. She was looking at him like some food.


    "Ah¡­ Did I offend you, Master?"


    Veia noticed Rant Valo''s awkwardness and the tinge of trepidation hidden within his eyes. She realized that she may have said something wrong.


    "It''s nothing, Veia. I''m just tired."


    Rant Valo was reminded that the girl in front of him is actually a Demon. He reminded himself to be careful when around her in the future. He doesn''t know what will happen if she suddenly decides to suck him dry.


    "Anyways, Master¡­ wanna do it?"


    Veia pulled her cloak upwards and slowly revealed her slender legs. She made sure that it was done under the shadow of the tree. There was a seductive glow in her eyes as she looked at Rant Valo invitingly.


    Rant Valo gulped when he saw her inviting him. His manly instincts started to run in overdrive and his breathing became haggard.


    He closed his eyes and the image of Veia revealing her slender legs and the abyss that was located above it that was her flower. Then the image of Zaria''s holy image appeared beside it.


    Suddenly, a furious expression appeared in Zaria''s face and she attacked the image of Veia in Rant Valo''s mind with an illusory holy sword.


    CRACK


    The image of Veia cracked like broken glass. The fissures were spreading slowly.


    The face of Zaria became concentrated and she swung the holy sword again. When it hit the image it finally shattered into broken fragments of glass.


    The shards of glass faded away and Rant Valo''s mind was put in peace once again.


    When Rant Valo opened his eyes, it was a serene calm. Veia was stumped once again when she saw the pure eyes of Rant Valo. Her lust died down when she saw that.


    "Veia, don''t do that again. I don''t want to do it with someone that I don''t love. Even if it meant that I will not lose my virginity forever!"

 Chapter 40 - You Would Die, Disciple

    Rant Valo''s voice was firm as he declared with a serious and determined face.


    Veia was shocked out of her wits. Her master just denied her again! This was the fourth time!


    2 times she confessed to marrying him and the other two were her asking him to do it with her¡­ Just what was she lacking!?


    She pouted and turned away in disappointment. When Rant Valo saw her do that, a wry smile formed on his face.


    "Are you done?"


    Floriana Sabina''s cold voice rang out from the side. Rant Valo looked over and saw that she was not pleased for some reason.


    "Wh-what is it, Master?"


    Rant Valo felt chills run down his back when her eyes met his. It was like a beast was biding its time to attack its prey.


    "Hmph! Nothing!"


    Floriana Sabina turned away from Rant Valo with a snort. Rant Valo scratched the back of his head in confusion. First, Veia was acting weird, and now even his master. Just what was happening?


    Rant Valo was left by himself so he walked towards the river bank and washed his face. But for some reason, two frowning girls were following behind him!


    If it was not daylight, he would surely think that they were bandits.


    Rant Valo kneeled on the river bank and washed his face. The two girls stood by the side and watched him without saying anything. Rant Valo pretended that they were nothing but air as he continued to wash his face.


    "Uhhh¡­ is something wrong?"


    Rant Valo got fed up quickly and couldn''t help but ask but to no avail did they respond.


    STAREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE~


    Rant Valo felt helpless. He only said that he wouldn''t do it with women that he didn''t love but now both of them are acting like this! Could it be that he should do it with women that he didn''t love!?


    Shivers ran down Rant Valo''s spine when the thought appeared in his head. DIsgust welled up inside him. The sheer thought of it made him wanna puke.


    He was a loyal man with integrity! He''s gonna marry Zaria-chan for sure!


    An idea suddenly formed in Rant Valo''s head. He chuckled evilly as he looked at the both of them from his peripheral vision.


    "Mannn, I would like to take a piss in the river right now! I''m gonna take my pants off now!"


    Rant Valo shouted exaggeratedly. He peeked sideways and saw Veia''s eyes were shining while Floriana Sabina was impassive. His cheeks couldn''t help but twitch when he saw them acting way different than what he thought they would do.


    "I''m really gonna take them off! Really! Seriously!!"


    Rant Valo did not give up and continued to repeat his words while he placed his hands on his shorts and acted like he was gonna pull them down. But it only made Veia''s eyes shine in anticipation whilst Floriana Sabina was still looking at him impassively. For Floriana Sabina, Rant Valo was just a baby considering their age gap so it would just be like watching a baby pee in front of her.


    Gulp


    Rant Valo felt his mouth parch from their actions.


    He stopped pulling down his shorts and walked away from the river bank. He got hungry from trying to shake them off.


    He went under a tree and picked some of its fruits. The fruits were lying low so he was able to pick plenty without expending too much energy.


    He took a generous bite and the fruit''s juices exploded inside his mouth. The sweetness and the tanginess of the fruit were so perfect that Rant Valo quickly picked another one.


    The two girls that shadowed him sneakily plucked a couple of fruits when he was not looking their way.


    Rant Valo felt the feeling of being watched disappear so he turned his head towards his two shadows. His mouth twitched when he saw them hiding their hands behind their backs while fruit juices leaked from their mouths.


    He didn''t need to ask to know why they stopped looking at him.


    "Wow! This fruit is actually a Red Star Apple!? In the middle of this forest!?"


    Floriana Sabina suddenly shouted in shock. She looked at the red fruit with a big bite in her hand.


    Rant Valo was surprised at her sudden outburst and couldn''t help but look over. This time, Floriana Sabina did not hide the fruit behind her.


    "Disciple, you''re so lucky! You even found this rare fruit!"


    Floriana Sabina generously praised Rant Valo. Since this fruit is one of the rarest fruits out there.


    "Red Star Apple?"


    Rant Valo muttered in confusion. He never heard any fruits like that.


    "A Red Star Apple is an apple variant that only bears fruit every 1000 years. It is a rare fruit that can help purify your mana! It even works on all cultivation levels. It was said that the higher your cultivation was when you ate this fruit, the better its effects would be!"


    Floriana Sabina explained to Rant Valo and Veia who were similarly making a confused expression.


    PUHHH!


    Rant Valo spat the fruit in his mouth in shock. He wasted another precious resource! He should have saved this fruit and only eaten it when he was at a higher cultivation stage.


    "Ah, the fruit!"


    Rant Valo cried out in frustration when he realized that he just spat out that fruit.


    "Still, do they normally bear fruit this much?"


    Floriana Sabina stared at the tree with dozens upon dozens of Red Star Apple hanging on it. Usually, they only bear 5-13 apples at a time according to a book she once read.


    "What would happen if I stopped eating this apple right now?"


    Rant Valo asked Floriana Sabina. He was hoping that he could stop right now so he could take full advantage of the effects of the fruits in the future.


    "You would die, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina explained innocently like it was no big deal. Rant Valo immediately scrambled to take another bite of the apple.


    "Wuhhy though¡­ munch munch"


    Rant Valo chewed as he asked. He feared that if he stopped chewing for a second then he would lose his life.


    "The fruit has certain requirements for its effects to work, too little then it will trigger your mana in an explosion, and eating too much has no added benefits or any side effects."


    Shivers ran down Rant Valo''s spine. He felt like he had been shivering too much today.

 Chapter 41 - Watch, Stupid Disciple!

    Rant Valo slurped the apple juices in the fruit in his hands exaggeratedly. He was afraid that if he missed some juices, it would be too little since he already spat out a significant amount.


    A dozen seconds later, he was left with the core of the apple. He broke it apart and picked the seeds in the core.


    "I will keep these seeds¡­"


    Rant Valo grinned evilly at the thought of having a farm of these fruits back at the village when he returns there. Since this was a rare fruit that only bears every 1000 years then when he sells them, he would make a fortune!


    "That wouldn''t work, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina was looking at the daydreaming Rant Valo like he was some idiot. She didn''t expect that a villager farmer like Rant Valo didn''t know this simple fact about apples.


    "Why?"


    Rant Valo looked at her in confusion. From his experience, seeds can be planted and grown.


    "Apple seeds don''t work that way, Stupid Disciple. They grow different variants whenever they are planted. So if you grow that seed, it will likely become a normal apple tree. Besides, do you even think that you would need this apple after it starts to bear fruits 1000 years later?"


    Rant Valo was hit by Floriana Sabina with reality. The fact that apple seeds do not work like conventional seeds that he was familiar with frustrates him.


    Then the realization that it was actually a rare tree that only bears fruit every 1000 years, he can bet confidently that he would be dead by then.


    Rant Valo looked at the seeds in his hand; depressed. He gripped them tightly before throwing them off onto the ground. Such a waste of effort and hope.


    He looked at the tree reluctantly before he walked towards its trunk. The trunk was about 2 feet in diameter. Rant Valo hugged the tree and started to climb it.


    "What are you doing, Stupid Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina was now looking at Rant Valo like his brain suffered from brain damage. Her opinion of her disciple is taking a nosedive.


    "I''m gonna pluck all the fruits!"


    Rant Valo shouted halfway from the top of the tree.


    "I can keep that tree inside a Tree Bag, you know?"


    Floriana Sabina used her hands to shout at Rant Valo who was already at the top of the tree, picking some Red Star Apples.


    "Huh, you said Tree Bag? What''s that?"


    Rant Valo didn''t look at Floriana Sabina but proceeded to pick Red Star Apples. In his opinion, this was more important than talking to her.


    "Tsk. It''s a kind of bag that can store any trees inside it!"


    Floriana Sabina clicked her tongue in annoyance at Rant Valo''s lack of common knowledge. She didn''t know that her naive disciple could be this annoying.


    "A what?"


    Rant Valo immediately swiveled his head and looked at Floriana Sabina in bewilderment. He must have only heard it wrong. There''s no way there is a kind of bag that can store any trees, right? Right??


    "Just come down here!"


    Floriana Sabina pulled down Rant Valo using her elemental mana. Rant Valo felt his body grow weightless as he was taken down from the tree.


    "What the!"


    He hugged the fruits he was keeping in his shirt. He made sure that none of it fell when he was floating downwards.


    "Watch, Stupid Disciple!"


    A brown sack-like bag appeared in Floriana Sabina''s hand when Rant Valo touched the ground. She pointed its opening towards the tree.


    The ground suddenly shook vigorously as the tree was slowly uprooted. The ground cracked and the tree was lifted into the air before it grew smaller and smaller until it was about the size of a bonsai tree. The bonsai-sized tree was sucked into the bag and disappeared inside it.


    "And done!"


    Floriana Sabina tied the opening of the bag securely. The tree was now kept inside it which can be retrieved anytime the owner of the bag wants to.


    Rant Valo''s mouth was opened wide after seeing the tree got uprooted and shrunk before being sucked into the bag. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief. He never heard of something like that.


    "Kukuku, amazed? You better be!"


    Floriana Sabina grinned smugly at Rant Valo. Seeing her disciple shocked truly never gets old. She wants to shock him more.


    Veia was looking down at the hole left on the ground. She also couldn''t believe what she just saw. It felt like she was sleepwalking or something. If it weren''t for the fact that her eyes still sting from the bright sunlight reflected on the ground then she would believe otherwise.


    Rant Valo was genuinely amazed at what just happened so he didn''t mind seeing the smug look on Floriana Sabina''s face.


    "It''s truly amazing!"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but exclaim. Being with her is truly expanding his horizons.


    But suddenly the surroundings grew cold. It was as if a storm suddenly appeared out of nowhere.


    "What happened?"


    Rant Valo looked at Floriana Sabina who then frowned. She recognized this aura. It was the aura from the cave earlier!


    Veia suddenly felt her blood boil from excitement. It was like there was something there that could complete her existence.


    "Master¡­ Something is calling for me inside¡­"


    Veia murmured and suddenly jumped into the hole.


    "Veia!"


    Rant Valo called for her but she didn''t listen. In her eyes, there was only the hole and it was calling for her blood.


    "Master, save Veia!"


    Rant Valo turned towards Floriana Sabina who was frowning deeply. She reacted quickly and a flaming hand suddenly appeared out of nowhere and it grabbed Veia who was free-falling into the hole.


    The hand pulled Veia and dragged her towards Floriana Sabina.


    "ARGHHH!! MY BLOOODDD!!"


    Suddenly, Veia screamed as she felt her blood flow out of control. It was as if her blood was rebelling against her.


    "Veia!"


    Rant Valo shouted at her worriedly. He could see the deep pain that was etched onto Veia''s face.


    "Ma- s- ter¡­"


    Veia reached out towards Rant Valo before Floriana Sabina suddenly threw her back inside the hole.

 Chapter 42 - Smart Disciple!

    "What did you do!?"


    Rant Valo shouted at Floriana Sabina who suddenly threw Veia back into the hole.


    "Her body would explode if she was kept in here longer!"


    Floriana Sabina''s face was grim as she explained. She felt the changes that happened inside Veia''s body. It was as if her blood suddenly changed owners.


    Her blood would explode out of her body if she was kept in here longer. Whatever it is that was calling for Veia, it wanted her to enter the hole.


    Rant Valo was at a loss for words when he heard what she said. If it was true then what she did was the correct action, but somehow, it pained Rant Valo when he saw her pleading for his help.


    The cold atmosphere quickly disappeared as if nothing happened. The hole in the ground silently sealed itself.


    "What the¡­"


    Rant Valo watched in stupefaction as the hole closed just like a wound.


    "We better save Veia!"


    Rant Valo shouted at Floriana Sabina. Veia''s life and death status are unknown and it is better if they make a move now. Otherwise, they might arrive too late.


    "Calm down, Disciple!"


    Seeing the panicked look in Rant Valo''s face, Floriana Sabina decided to calm him down first. They wouldn''t be able to save Veia if they were hasty. They would only be prone to making mistakes.


    "How can I calm down!? Did you see the fear in her face earlier!?"


    Rant Valo snapped at Floriana Sabina. He was aware that Floriana Sabina has arguments with Veia but that shouldn''t be a reason for her to stop him so she could dilly-dally.


    "Do you know where that hole leads to?"


    Floriana Sabina asked the out of control Rant Valo. He clearly saw the ground close itself earlier so it would be impossible to dig downwards since the ground seems to be under a Magic Circle.


    "I- I do not¡­"


    Rant Valo finally realized the crux of the matter. He was powerless. To dig a hole like that would only be wasting time.


    "Wait, Veia said that she felt something call for her inside. The only thing around here that she is related to is inside the cave!"


    A sudden spark of insight appeared in Rant Valo''s head. He could still clearly remember Veia saying that she felt something calling for her. It may be due to her origins as a half-vampire, half-succubus hybrid demon.


    "Smart Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina was impressed at Rant Valo''s deduction skills. He was unlike the Rant Valo that she knew that is always stupid. She pouted when she realized that it may be because Veia is in danger that he was being smart.


    "No time to lose!"


    Rant Valo ran towards the waterfall and entered the small crevice into the cave. Floriana Sabina ran after him and they both entered the cave together.


    A few minutes later, they reached the spot where they stopped last time.


    "The barrier is gone!"


    Floriana Sabina exclaimed when they reached the room with the 11 chained skeletons.


    "Really!?"


    Joy took Rant Valo''s face as the thought of a hope of saving Veia appeared. If the barrier disappeared then it should be related to what happened outside earlier.


    "Careful, Disciple. This time, I''ll go first."


    Floriana Sabina stopped Rant Valo when she saw him sprint towards the entrance. It was a flight of stairs leading downwards. The path ahead was dark. It was as if they were staring into the abyss when they looked into it.


    "O-ooh"


    Rant Valo was taken aback by Floriana Sabina taking the lead. He thought that she hated Veia, but it doesn''t seem to be the case.


    "I-it''s not like I''m doing this to protect you or anything!"


    Floriana Sabina blushed in embarrassment when she saw the way Rant Valo looked at her.


    "Thank you, Master."


    Rant Valo didn''t have the energy to argue with her so he just expressed his gratitude to her. Although it was a short time together, he already cared for Veia so her help was very appreciated.


    Floriana Sabina raised her right hand and pushed forward. A bunch of white flames suddenly appeared and flew ahead. The white flames stopped at predetermined distances to light up the way forward.


    "Wow¡­"


    Rant Valo was amazed at the power displayed by Floriana Sabina. He was reminded again that she was actually a high stage cultivator.


    "What are you looking at? I thought you wanted to save Veia?"


    Floriana Sabina ran downwards and reminded Rant Valo.


    "Right."


    Rant Valo nodded his head and followed her downwards.


    "I will only do this once, Disciple. Then I would be even with that demon!"


    Floriana Sabina suddenly said when they were running down. Rant Valo raised his head and looked at her confused. He quickly looked downwards to pay attention to his footsteps. Unless he wants to go down the ''shortcut'' way by rolling downwards.


    Floriana Sabina suddenly floated and she waved her hand towards Rant Valo. Rant Valo felt his body grow weightless again as he was taken by her into the air.


    Now with flight, Floriana Sabina boosted herself and Rant Valo and flew deeper. Running down the stairs only wastes more time so Floriana Sabina decided to fly instead.


    "Whoaaa!"


    Rant Valo felt the scenery blur backwards as he sped up. It only lasted for a few seconds before they reached the end.


    There was a large dome and a scarlet red light was glowing in the center.


    "A-AHHHHH!!"


    Veia can be seen lying down as she struggled. Her blood leaked from a wound on her wrist and her blood glowed with a blood-red light.


    "Veia!"


    Rant Valo quickly noticed Veia''s situation. Floriana Sabina was frowning at the scene. She can discern what was happening from the way this was setup. It was a blood sacrifice! A very strong one, even.


    "Let''s go, Master!"


    Rant Valo urged Floriana Sabina. He was anxious to save Veia. He can clearly feel the pain Veia was feeling right now as it was transmitted into his ears from her screams.


    "Wait, Disciple. Something is wrong¡­."


    Floriana Sabina murmured as she stared at the scene with squinted eyes.

 Chapter 43 - Hehe, I Want Your Death!

    "What do you mean?"


    Rant Valo asked Floriana Sabina. He wanted to save Veia already.


    "Look, there is a coffin in the center beside Veia."


    Floriana Sabina pointed right beside Veia and Rant Valo looked over. He saw a scarlet red coffin. It was closed and who knew what''s inside it.


    It had decorations of skulls and bats lined with gold on its sides. The glowing blood of Veia flowed under it. It was an eerie sight to behold.


    The coffin suddenly shook as if it was an egg that was about to hatch.


    "Tsk. You''re just a Core Formation brat and yet you dare be insolent in my presence!?"


    A surge of wind appeared around Floriana Sabina. It was a pressure that enveloped the whole dome. Floriana Sabina levitated into the air and she disappeared.


    Right above the coffin, Floriana Sabina appeared instantaneously. Her speed was so fast that it was like she teleported above the coffin.


    Floriana Sabina did some hand seals and swatted her hand towards the closed coffin. The coffin opened with a bang and a dried-up corpse can be seen inside.


    The dried corpse suddenly opened its eyes and its bulging eyes stared straight into Floriana Sabina in anger before it quickly fell into fear.


    "Senior, what is your purpose here?"


    The corpse''s voice was hoarse but fear can be discerned from its voice. It stared at Floriana Sabina in dread. It can''t sense the cultivation level of this little girl floating on above it!


    It can only mean two things, either she has a precious artifact or she has a much higher cultivation stage. He was more inclined to believe in the latter seeing that she''s acting so boldly.


    "Stop your blood sacrifice!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted at the corpse. This puny corpse wanted to do a blood sacrifice in front of her. It was something that was abhorred throughout the world. Anyone seen doing it will be hunted down by many cultivators as it violates the morality of the world.


    "Senior! This is going too far!"


    The hoarse voice of the corpse sounded again. This time it contained indignation. It clearly thought that she was being unfair here.


    "Huh!?? What did you say?"


    Embers of white flames appeared around Floriana Sabina. The corpse can feel the strength hidden within their innocent-looking external appearance.


    "Senior!! What do you want?"


    The corpse was anxious. He was currently at his weakest state and he couldn''t even sense the cultivation stage of this little girl in front of him.


    "Hehe, I want your death!"


    Floriana Sabina chuckled at the corpse. She was currently in a bad mood right now and this corpse is a godsend. She can release all of her pent-up anger to it without any care.


    "Senior, have mercy!"


    The corpse''s hoarse voice pleaded to her. It doesn''t need to be a genius to know that those embers of flames can burn him to ash. His revenge would be all over without even starting if that happened.


    "Too late!"


    Floriana Sabina waved her hand and the many embers of the white flame floating beside her fell down like judgment day. The corpse''s eyes suddenly bulged out and it flew away to dodge the embers of the white flame.


    "G-grandmaster! S-spare him!"


    Another hoarse voice sounded out from below. This time it was from Veia. She was still struggling from the pain of having her blood forcefully sucked out of her. Her voice was already hoarse due to screaming painfully for a while.


    "Lewd demon, you are not under his mind control. What are you saying?"


    Floriana Sabina did a quick scan of Veia''s head and she found out that there was nothing that was controlling her mind to say words that only benefit the corpse.


    "Underling, you did well!"


    The corpse was overjoyed when Veia pleaded for his mercy. He didn''t know how but they seemed to know each other. It doesn''t matter to him as long as he survives this ordeal. He will surely exact revenge on this little girl in the future too.


    Considering his talent, reaching the Nascent Soul stage won''t take too long. At that time he can fight equally with her.


    The corpse thought that Floriana Sabina was only a Nascent Soul stage cultivator. It was beyond its mind to imagine that a Mana Dominion stage cultivator would be here.


    "I- I will k-kill him myself!"


    Veia gritted her teeth as she said so. She looked at the dried-up corpse hatefully.


    "Hooohh... How? You''re not even a Foundation Establishment cultivator."


    Floriana Sabina looked at Veia mockingly. Even a weakened Core Formation stage cultivator can easily kill any Foundation Establishment cultivator. Nothing more to say about cultivators below that.


    "Kill me? KEKEKEKE. At my peak, I was a Peak Core Formation stage cultivator. It is enough to kill you a million times in a second right now. If you weren''t a necessary catalyst for my recovery. I would have killed you right now!"


    The corpse sneered at Veia. Even a cornered mouse will fight back against a cat. Much less to say about a weakened tiger against an ant, like her.


    "I can remember it vaguely! Your face¡­ Your smell¡­ and your attitude! It''s you!!"


    Veia''s face was warped into a frenzy as she looked at the corpse hatefully. It was like she was looking at someone who murdered her entire family.


    "You can remember it!?"


    There was shock in the corpse''s face as it looked at the frenzied Veia. It really hadn''t thought that she could still remember what happened to them in the past.


    "So it was this guy¡­"


    Disgust appeared in Floriana Sabina''s face. So this was the guy that raped Veia in the past. It was even more so a reason for her to kill him right here, right now.


    "I don''t remember it, and I don''t want to remember it at all. I only want to be with my master! But, but¡­ some fragments of my memories appeared inside my head when I entered this place¡­"

 Chapter 44 - Good Disciple!

    "I don''t remember it, and I don''t want to remember it at all. I only want to be with my master! But, but¡­ some fragments of my memories appeared inside my head when I entered this place¡­"


    Veia screamed hysterically. Anyone who has been raped would never want to remember it. It was a physical and psychological trauma that would make their stomach churn just thinking about it.


    Her days these past few days have been happy. She found herself a master that would care for her. Just the fact that he was willing to chase her down here is proof.


    But alas, some fragments of her soul must have been trapped in here and failed to dissipate fully so it merged with her soul. The vague memories were both alien and familiar to her.


    She doesn''t remember anything else besides this corpse in front of her. It was the source of her strong grievances and also her trauma.


    "I never thought that such a thing is possible¡­"


    The corpse murmured to itself. It was not well versed in the subjects about the soul as it hadn''t reached the Nascent Soul stage. Only at that level would cultivators touch upon the mysteries of the soul.


    "Hmph! Just letting you breathe longer makes the air in here stink!"


    Floriana Sabina finally had enough of this corpse. She hates this rapist through and through. She did a slicing motion between it and Veia.


    An illusory blade appeared and sliced in the middle of Veia and the dried corpse. A thin red line appeared between them and was sliced without any resistance.


    "NOOOO!! HOW DID YOU KNOW!?"


    The corpse roared in agitation. Even Nascent Soul stage cultivators should not be capable of sensing his Blood Origin Thread. Unless¡­


    "DON''T TELL ME-! YOU''RE A MANA DOMINION CULTIVATOR!?"


    The fear in the corpse''s bulging eyes could not be anymore evident. The realization that it was facing the strongest existence in the world made its dried heart beat furiously. It turned around and quickly flew away for its life. Revenge was good, but dying is not good. It could only swallow its thoughts of revenge right now.


    "Hmph!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted and pulled the corpse that was flying away. The corpse had no strength to resist as it clawed outward hoping to stop itself from moving backward.


    "SENIOR, HAVE MERCY!"


    The corpse shouted back in terror. The power that was displayed by this little girl is beyond it to resist.


    "I will seal you in this place. When Veia returns here in the future it will be the deciding factor whether you will live or die. If you lose to her, you die. If you win, you win."


    Floriana Sabina made a long sequence of hand seals. A bright white flaming cage appeared around the corpse and shrunk down into its body. The cage disappeared and the corpse fell down into the coffin with a thud. She swiped her fingers across and closed the coffin shut.


    "-!"


    The corpse couldn''t open its mouth as it was also sealed by Floriana Sabina. This corpse is too powerful for her to give it the ability to speak. If on some odd day someone wanders here, he wouldn''t be able to talk to them.


    "Stupid lewd demon, this key is yours."


    Floriana Sabina threw a white and illusory-like key to Veia.


    Veia was breathing in and out deeply. The feeling of having her blood out of her control was such an awful experience.


    She raised her hand and barely caught the key. A look of gratitude appeared on her face as she looked at Floriana Sabina.


    "T-thank you, Grandmaster!"


    Floriana Sabina blushed when she saw that Veia was being really sincere.


    "Hmph! I didn''t do it for you!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted and turned away. She flew towards Rant Valo who had been running forward to catch up to them.


    "Hahhhh, hahhhh, hahhh¡­ You left me¡­"


    Rant Valo complained as he caught his breath. The adrenaline rush he felt earlier was so strong that he didn''t even care if he was tired, he just ran towards them. Now that things have calmed down, his adrenaline rush died down and the toll on his body appeared.


    "Good disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina nodded in satisfaction at Rant Valo doing his best to help. Even though he did not do much, it was still something. He was still the reason that they have gotten into this place at such a quick pace.


    "Master, don''t leave me behind like that."


    Rant Valo had finally caught the majority of his breath and said to her. He got worried earlier when Floriana Sabina suddenly disappeared and the next thing he knew was that the enemy was already defeated.


    "You were too weak, Disciple. Maybe next time."


    Floriana Sabina didn''t just leave Rant Valo earlier because she was feeling so, but because if she somehow makes a slip-up it will be Rant Valo paying the price. Considering Rant Valo''s cultivation level, that price could have been death.


    "What was that corpse anyway?"


    Rant Valo had been meaning to ask this question ever since he saw Floriana Sabina open the coffin and then when it flew into the air.


    "It was a weakened Peak Core Formation stage vampire demon."


    Floriana Sabina explained to Rant Valo.


    "It was also the reason Veia was in her current state..."


    Floriana Sabina continued. Since Rant Valo was quite far, it would be hard for someone like him who was not a cultivator to have heard what they talked about in the center.


    "It was!? Why didn''t you kill it?"


    Rant Valo looked at the coffin in shock. That powerful corpse was the person that Veia will take revenge on.


    "The stupid lewd demon asked for it herself. She probably wants to kill it herself in the future."


    Floriana Sabina was reminded of the determination that was in Veia''s face earlier. She can only vaguely remember it but the grievances were ingrained into those remnants of her soul that she absorbed.

 Chapter 45 - Rest Well. I Will Avenge Everyone…

    "So it was her decision¡­"


    Rant Valo looked at Veia from far away and couldn''t help but pity her somehow. She was finally free from her past, but her past was not planning to free her.


    "Veia, are you okay now?"


    Rant Valo sprinted towards her. At this time, the best he could do was console her. She must be pretty fragile right now.


    "M-master!"


    Veia jumped into Rant Valo''s embrace. Having her master by her side is really relieving. One of the reasons that she had the determination to do her revenge herself was to make Rant Valo''s trouble of going in here worth it. If she didn''t show that she''s now a strong woman then would she have a chance at him in the future?


    "Veia¡­"


    Rant Valo wasn''t sure why he was feeling so close with her right now. He only spent a short amount of time with her, but he realized that he already valued her just like what he does with Floriana Sabina.


    Having them by his side was better compared to when he was always alone in his village. The feeling of loneliness that he felt in the past was well worth it if he could spend the next few with people that truly feel happy being with him.


    Although there are times when he was confused by their actions. He just chalked it up to himself. He does not have a lot of social experience after all.


    "No more hugging!"


    Floriana Sabina saw that they were hugging more and more and moved in to separate the two of them. She always had the feeling that she was being threatened when she sees the two of them being so close to each other.


    "Ahaha¡­"


    Rant Valo separated from Veia awkwardly. Somehow, the way Floriana Sabina has been looking at them was like she was looking at a PDA couple.


    "..."


    Veia wanted to hug Rant Valo more but when she saw that Floriana Sabina is really adamant, she gave up. She was her savior. Her words are currently absolute.


    "Why did you save Veia anyways, Master?"


    Rant Valo suddenly thought. He vaguely remembers her saying that she''s doing it to get even with her.


    "Hmph! None of your business."


    Floriana Sabina was too embarrassed to admit the real reason that she saved Veia. For her, it was totally unlike a master if she revealed it.


    "I want to thank you again, Grandmaster."


    Veia walked forward and crouched in front of Floriana Sabina. She clasped Floriana Sabina''s hand together with hers.


    "Awawawawawaw¡­ Disciple, save meeee-!"


    Floriana Sabina''s face went red from embarrassment. Getting thanked this sincerely was something that she had never felt before.


    "AHAHAHAHA"


    Rant Valo laughed seeing that scene. The stress of Veia''s unknown life and death situation was finally lifted from his shoulders. If they are already like this then it means that life has really returned to normal.


    "What are you laughing at?" x2


    Both Floriana Sabina and Veia were displeased when they saw that Rant Valo was laughing at them. They suddenly felt like they were clowns and he was the audience.


    "Nothing, it was just that I never thought that this would happen earlier."


    Rant Valo explained while wiping the tear from his eye. The ups and downs of life are truly unpredictable.


    "Really, I feel like Master is just mocking us both¡­"


    Veia pouted her mouth.


    "Disciple, you should take things like this more seriously!"


    Floriana Sabina snarled at Rant Valo angrily.


    "Right? Veia?"


    Floriana Sabina turned her head and smiled at Veia. Veia was taken aback by Floriana Sabina''s kind attitude but she quickly recovered and smiled back.


    "Yes, Grandmaster!"


    Veia felt her relationship with Floriana Sabina improve drastically. It was unlike what it was just a moment before. Right now, she could feel a sort of bond, a camaraderie between each other.


    "Let''s go now, Disciple!"


    "Let''s go, Master!"


    Floriana Sabina and Veia pushed Rant Valo and held Veia''s hand as they pushed Rant Valo together.


    "Wai- Hey! Stop pushing me!"


    Rant Valo was powerless as they both pushed him towards the stairs outside.


    "Let''s fly."


    Before long, they reached in front of the stairs and Floriana Sabina suggested. They would have to walk a long way just to go up and out of this part of the cave.


    Veia nodded her head and grabbed Floriana Sabina''s hand tighter.


    Floriana Sabina held onto the hem of Rant Valo''s clothes and carried him together with Veia as they flew upwards very fast. In the blink of an eye, they were already at the top.


    Rant Valo was speechless. It felt like Floriana Sabina got faster or it could just be his imagination.


    "They were probably victims here too¡­"


    Veia looked at the 11 chained skeletons in front of them and felt sorrow. They most likely experienced the same things as her but didn''t have the chance to revive.


    "Let''s bury them."


    Veia decided. She would feel better if she buried them. Her conscience was telling her that leaving them like this would be going against herself right now. Now that she already remembered her grievances.


    "Un."


    "Mm."


    Floriana Sabina and Rant Valo both nodded their heads together. They finally knew that the culprit for their deaths was just deeper in this cave.


    Floriana Sabina and Rant Valo helped Veia move the bodies outside. It didn''t take more than 2 returns since Floriana Sabina carried the bulk of them with her elemental mana.


    It was already night and they reached the place where the tree was uprooted earlier. It was a wide and spacious hole, enough to fit all the 11 skeletons.


    "May the Heavenly Judge, bless your next life!"


    Floriana Sabina did a small prayer and waved her hand. A huge mound of dirt was removed from the ground and covered the hole that the tree was uprooted from.


    "Rest well. I will avenge everyone¡­"


    Veia did her own prayers to the side. She doesn''t know who they are but she was sure that they must have experienced horrible things just like her.

 Chapter 46 - Mashhterrrr, Youuu Look Deliiicious…

    "I pray for your souls to rest in peace."


    Rant Valo did a silent prayer. He didn''t know them but he was sure that he had to pray for them. They were victims of a horrible fate.


    A serene glow suddenly appeared on the ground. It was like a heavenly light was pouring from the heavens. A bundle of dark smoke floated up into the air before slowly turning white. The white blobs of smoke turned around and looked at Floriana Sabina, Veia, and Rant Valo and beautiful faces with a smile appeared.


    There was serenity as the souls of the 11 skeletons were finally set free. They all then looked at Veia and murmured inaudibly.


    "They are honoring my promise¡­"


    Veia spoke in wonder. She can hear what the souls were saying. They were basically expecting the good news in the afterlife.


    "Amazing¡­"


    Rant Valo was once again amazed by the wonders of the world. If it weren''t for Floriana Sabina, he would have never seen such beautiful scenery. He looked at Floriana Sabina and smiled.


    Floriana Sabina was looking at the passing souls and resolving grievances in the air. She noticed Rant Valo''s smile and turned towards him.


    "Ew, you''re creepy, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina couldn''t help but blurt out. There was an uncomfortable feeling that welled up inside her when she looked at Rant Valo''s smile.


    "..."


    Rant Valo was speechless by her disgust. Even if he was used to being an outcast, it still hurts him when she says something like that.


    "Hmph."


    Floriana Sabina took a peek at Rant Valo and saw that he was frowning and she just snorted. He''s just her disciple. He should know his place.


    "Mashter¡­"


    Veia''s energetic and determined eyes from earlier were gone. It was replaced by a lazy and drunk feeling. It was as if she drank alcohol heavily.


    She went towards the frowning Rant Valo and wrapped her arms around his neck.


    "V-veia, what are you doing?"


    Rant Valo wanted to free from her grip but it was unusually strong. It was like he was trying to force open a vice grip.


    "Don''t escccape, Masssster¡­ This is natuuural for cooouples!"


    Rant Valo blushed when he heard her say couples. He was still a virgin and he never had any intimate relationships like this so his little brother saluted again.


    "W-wha-! The gall!"


    Floriana Sabina was taken aback by Veia''s proactive approach. She doesn''t know if she was just pretending to be drunk or what.


    "Granddddmasterrrrr, hugggg massteerrr too!"


    Veia looked at Floriana Sabina and gave her an inviting look.


    "What is she daydreaming of?"


    Rant Valo who was stuck in her arms couldn''t help but say. She was acting like she was sleepwalking while drunk and half-conscious.


    "Something good, probably, right, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina''s face was unhappy as she watched Rant Valo enjoy the feeling of Veia''s large watermelons. Rant Valo felt awkward when she mentioned it.


    "Uhhh, probably?"


    Rant Valo forced a smile on his face as he tried to not feel the watermelons touching his skin.


    "Perverted Disciple!"


    SMACK


    Floriana Sabina slapped Rant Valo on the face. Her face was red and so was one side of Rant Valo''s face. There was a red handprint on it.


    "Why!? I didn''t do anything!"


    Rant Valo protested to her angrily. At first, he was in heaven, then in the next moment, he was in hell. He really can''t understand her sometimes. The goodwill that he formed for her quickly evaporated into thin air.


    "Mashhterrrr, youuu look deliiicious¡­"


    Veia stared at Rant Valo''s neck hypnotically. It was as if she was looking at a delicious piece of meat that only a 5 star Michelin chef can cook up.


    "Ow!"


    Rant Valo felt her sharp fangs dig deep into his neck as his blood was greedily sucked by her. Rant Valo quickly felt lightheaded from blood loss. She was sucking so much blood that he was starting to feel scared.


    "Stop!"


    Floriana Sabina hit the back of Veia''s head with a hand chop. It knocked her out and she passed out, still biting onto Rant Valo''s neck.


    "Ow Ow Ow Ow¡­"


    Rant Valo felt her sharp fangs dig deeper into his flesh as her unconscious body slowly fell to the ground. Floriana Sabina waved her hand and Veia''s fangs were freed from Rant Valo''s neck.


    "She must be really tired¡­"


    Floriana Sabina said helplessly. Veia wasn''t acting like herself so she really can''t feel anger for her not caring for Rant Valo''s state. It may have just been an instinctive reaction on her part.


    "My head¡­ I feel like I''m flying¡­"


    Rant Valo held his head in pain and confusion. Having lost a lot of blood, Rant Valo''s brain could not think straight anymore. It was like he was on drugs.


    "Ughh¡­"


    Floriana Sabina rolled her eyes at Rant Valo. Now she had to take care of the two of them. A medicinal bottle appeared on her hand and she uncapped it. She shook it on her hand and a blood-red pill fell out.


    Floriana Sabina looked at the half-conscious Rant Valo and pushed the red pill into his mouth. It quickly dissolved inside his mouth and traveled into his stomach where it was absorbed into his blood.


    When the dissolved red pill touched his blood it triggered a spontaneous reaction. Rant Valo''s blood multiplied like crazy. Rant Valo soon recovered from his blood loss and looked around confused.


    "What happened?"


    He was acting alert as if nothing happened as he looked around. He felt that his memory a few seconds ago was quite blurry. He couldn''t quite recall it.


    "You suffered from blood loss, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina explained to Rant Valo who was already slumped on the ground.


    "Huh?"


    Rant Valo was still confused which was typical for anyone who suffered anemia or hypoxia. It results in the lowering of the function of the brain.


    "Just rest. I''m gonna cultivate."


    Floriana Sabina couldn''t be bothered to explain it to him anymore so she just sat down and cultivated.

 Chapter 47 - It’s My Betrothal Gift To You, Master

    "???"


    Rant Valo looked around still confused. He looked at Veia who was sleeping on the grass. She was sleeping quite soundly.


    "What happened earlier?"


    Rant Valo murmured to himself. He sat down beside Veia and observed her sleeping face. She was breathing faintly and so calmly that it was as if what happened down inside the cave earlier was just a dream.


    "Nnn¡­"


    She moaned and hugged herself. There was an excited smile on her face.


    "Massterr¡­ I''m gonna eat you up¡­Uhehehe"


    Veia murmured in her sleep. Her smile turned into a perverted grin at the end of her words.


    "..."


    Rant Valo was speechless at her sleep talking. He felt weird having someone dream about him. It was even more so when it''s a lewd dream.


    "Hm? *sniff sniff* I can smell master¡­"


    Veia lifted up her nose and sniffed in Rant Valo''s direction.


    "How strong is her sense of smell?"


    Rant Valo''s mouth twitched at her ability to smell him even in her sleep. Was he really that smelly?


    "Ah! Master!"


    Veia suddenly opened her eyes wide and was surprised to see Rant Valo''s face looking down at her.


    "What were you dreaming?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but ask. Even he became curious about her dream after hearing her talk in her sleep.


    "Ah! I forgot!"


    Veia sat up in surprise. Just when she was about to remember her dream, it faded away. Rant Valo didn''t know what to say. He wanted to know it but she went and forgot it...


    "Master, how long was I asleep?"


    Veia asked. She felt like she had been sleeping forever.


    "I don''t know. I don''t remember what happened a few minutes ago."


    Rant Valo shrugged his shoulders at her. He also didn''t know anything. He somehow forgot a few minutes of his life.


    "We''re the same, Master. Maybe, we''re destined?"


    Veia blurted out with excitement in her eyes. The idea of being destined with Rant Valo was such a promising idea.


    "Idiot, it doesn''t work that way."


    Rant Valo flicked Veia on her forehead.


    "Ouu¡­ Master, that hurts."


    Veia flinched when Rant Valo flicked her. She rubbed her forehead in pain.


    "Stop saying nonsense things and help me catch fish. I feel hungry."


    Rant Valo had been oddly feeling hungry. It was like he was drained of a lot of blood or something. Rant Valo who forgot what happened earlier was totally clueless that it actually happened.


    "Okay!"


    Veia stood up energetically. She fixed her hood on her head and left the shade of the tree. She followed Rant Valo as he walked to the river. The raging waterfall was near so it was still quite deafening.


    "Do you know how to catch a fish?"


    Rant Valo asked her.


    "Don''t you catch fish with nets?"


    Veia pondered. She never had experience with fishing. At least, even with her memories of her past gone, she still has most of her common sense and fishing wasn''t in it.


    "Okay. I''ll teach you."


    Rant Valo picked up a long branch from the side and broke its tip off into a pointier one. He gave it to Veia and Veia took it confused. How was this related to catching a fish?


    "Just stab any fish you see in the water."


    "Stab?"


    Veia was very confused at this point. She can''t even make sense of what she''s hearing.


    "It''s called spearfishing. It''s quite useful, you know?"


    Rant Valo explained. As someone who has lived as a village outcast, his expertise in this field is very much approaching the master stage.


    "Oh! Master, you are so knowledgeable!"


    Veia was suddenly enlightened. Her opinion of Rant Valo rose up.


    "Now try it."


    "Okay! I''ll show you what I can do, Master!"


    Veia excitedly held the long sharp branch. She approached the river banks and looked into the clear water. She saw a bunch of red fishes and instantly thrust into one.


    SPLASH!


    A big fountain of water was raised into the air. Her thrust was like a giant rock slamming into the water.


    "I caught one, Master!"


    Veia raised the long sharp branch into the air and excitedly showed it off to Rant Valo. Rant Valo''s mouth was wide open as he looked at the falling water and the still struggling red fish.


    "That''s the red one I couldn''t catch!"


    Rant Valo suddenly exclaimed in excitement. He went forward and inspected it.


    "Do you like the fish, Master?"


    Veia asked with a cheeky grin on her face.


    "I do! I wanted to catch this before."


    Rant Valo repeatedly nodded his head. He can still remember failing to catch the red one a few days ago.


    "Take it, Master!"


    Veia gave the red fish to Rant Valo. He removed it from the sharp branch and held it in his hand. The fish still struggled as it hadn''t died yet. He had to grip onto it tightly just so it won''t escape.


    "Thank you, Veia!"


    Rant Valo was genuinely thankful for her. He ate a Spirit Fish before and they were white and fast, but this red fish is even faster! A Spirit Fish is already tasty, how tasty would this red one be?


    "It''s my betrothal gift to you, Master. Hehehe"


    Veia chuckled to herself. Having Rant Valo take it was just a bait. What she wanted was to give it to him as her betrothal gift!


    "Isn''t it supposed to be the other way around??"


    Rant Valo was confused at her suddenly giving him a betrothal gift. He never heard of a girl giving the man a betrothal gift.


    "So you accept it! We''re betrothed now!"


    Veia said excitedly. She can''t live without her master, and that is figuratively and literally.


    "Wait, no!"


    Rant Valo immediately denied her. He didn''t want to be betrothed to someone he didn''t love!


    "I''m just kidding, Master. Why are you so put off of marrying me?"


    Veia laughed at Rant Valo. She then pouted at her last sentence.


    "Stop playing with my heart!"


    Rant Valo complained to her. At this rate, he wouldn''t know what was real and what''s not.

 Chapter 48 - Like The Fish Last Time!?

    "I won''t say no if it''s Master though¡­"


    Veia murmured silently. Rant Valo didn''t quite hear it as the sound of the waterfall was loud.


    "What''s that?"


    "Nothing! I''ll catch more red fish for Master!"


    Veia smiled at Rant Valo and went to the river bank to catch more fish. She watched the water carefully, making sure that the fish could not escape.


    Rant Valo could only hold the fish in his hands as he watched Veia catch another one. He wanted to know what she said earlier but if she said that it was nothing then he could only shrug his shoulders.


    "Pam!"


    Veia thrust the sharp branch with a loud shout. The water was calmer this time as Veia was more prepared this time. She lifted the sharp branch or rather, the wooden spear high into the air and laughed excitedly.


    "I caught another one, Master! This is so easy! Hahaha!"


    Veia who was still covered by the dark cloak was already wet from head to toe. She moved the tip of the spear to Rant Valo and Rant Valo took the fish to his hands. He let down on the grass the already dead fish on his hands and held tightly onto the other.


    "I''ll kill this one so you can catch fish faster."


    Rant Valo unsheathed his knife and stabbed at the fish''s head. It destroyed the fish''s brain which made it promptly die. Rant Valo set it beside the first one on the grass.


    "Why did you stab its brain, Master?"


    Veia was curious. She couldn''t understand why he had to do that.


    "So it does not escape. It happened to me once before. And it also makes the fish last longer."


    Rant Valo explained to Veia. He could still remember that time when he first spearfished and the fishes he caught just flopped back into the water even though there''s a hole in their body.


    The struggle of a fish when it is out of the water stresses its body out. This makes the meat of the fish much easier to spoil so it is a way for you to preserve a fish longer if you kill it immediately. Rant Valo learned this from a passing merchant in exchange for a couple of fishes.


    "Ooohhhh! Master is so knowledgeable!"


    Veia was once again wowed by Rant Valo''s knowledge of this type of activity. It made her choice of pursuing her Master more and more appealing. If she could live forever with such a reliable master husband in the future she would be the happiest half-vampire, half-succubus wife ever!


    "It''s just something I learned from someone else."


    Rant Valo shook his head. He didn''t think that he deserves the praise since he got it through barter with a merchant.


    "Don''t be humble, Master! You''re amazing!"


    Veia wanted Rant Valo to have more confidence and pride in himself.


    "Yeah, okay."


    Rant Valo just nodded his head at her. He himself knows that it''s not something to be proud of.


    "Mmm! I''ll catch more fish for Master!"


    Veia was satisfied with Rant Valo''s response and went back to fishing.


    A dozen minutes later, a large pile of red fishes was now on the grass beside the river. Rant Valo was looking at it apprehensively.


    "V-veia, aren''t you catching a little bit too many?"


    Rant Valo''s voice was shaky. He felt like they were catching all the red fishes available in this river. He didn''t think that it would be good for the environment if all the red fishes just disappeared.


    "Don''t worry, Master! We still got plenty to catch!"


    Veia just shook her head and reassured Rant Valo. If you look at the river right now, it was practically like she hadn''t caught any fish. It was still the same as before. Besides, she''s also having fun!


    "Oh! You guys are catching fish! Gah! So many!"


    Floriana Sabina walked over. She was taken aback by the large pile of red fishes. It was like she just walked into a fish market or something.


    "Master¡­ stop her."


    Rant Valo pleaded from the side. At this rate, Veia would never stop catching any red fishes until they are extinct from this river.


    "Hmph! Why do I have to listen to you?"


    Floriana Sabina turned her head with a snort. She was the master here.


    "Please?"


    Rant Valo did the ultimate attack of saying ''please''. 95% out of a time it would work for anyone.


    "Hmph! I''m not doing this for you or anything! Veia, stop fishing, let''s cook now!"


    Floriana Sabina blushed and stopped Veia. Veia''s pointed ears twitched when she heard the word ''cook''.


    "Like the fish last time!?"


    Veia ran over to the two of them and asked with excitement. That fish from before was very delicious. It was the best cooked fish she had in her life!


    "That''s right, Veia. It will be even more delicious!"


    Rant Valo nodded his head at her. He was confident that this red fish will be even more delicious than that Spirit Fish from before.


    "Oohh!"


    Veia''s eyes shone from excitement.


    "Anyways, Master. What kind of fish is this?"


    Rant Valo looked at Floriana Sabina and asked. Since she knew instantly what a Spirit Fish was then she ought to know what this faster fish even is.


    "Hmm¡­ A Red Flash Fish, Red Lightning Fish, Red Char Fish? Could this fish move fast underwater?"


    Floriana Sabina wasn''t sure herself. She had only read descriptions of it. She hasn''t seen one before in her life.


    "Yes, it''s very fast. Right, Veia?"


    Rant Valo nodded his head and turned to Veia for confirmation.


    "It''s speed is okay."


    Veia could catch the fish with a bit of effort so she doesn''t think that it was ''that'' fast.


    "Then it should be a Red Flash Fish. It should be like a flash of red light when it swims when you try to catch it. At other times, they just swim in a relaxed manner."


    Floriana Sabina explained to both of them since she was the most knowledgeable here.


    "But it''s slow though¡­"


    Veia wanted to object since it was not as ''fast'' as her description.


    "Enough of that, Veia! Let''s go, cook!"


    Rant Valo said to Veia in excitement. Just the name of the fish made his mouth water. He can''t wait to cook it and give it a taste.

 Chapter 49 - Lets Have A Feast, Disciple!

    "Yes, Master!"


    Veia shouted excitedly. She threw the wooden spear to the side and ran towards Rant Valo.


    "So, how do we start, Master?"


    Veia asked with her eyes shining with excitement. She was especially curious about cooking.


    "Hmph."


    Floriana Sabina snorted when she saw Veia acting so close to Rant Valo. Even though she already accepted Veia, she still finds it annoying.


    "First, we have to clean the fish, or in other words, we have to gut and descale the fishes."


    Rant Valo explained to her. Veia nodded her head in understanding.


    "I''ll watch you first, Master."


    Veia watched as Rant Valo gutted and descaled the fish. She was wowing all throughout the process.


    "Now, you try it."


    Rant Valo gave the knife to Veia. Veia proceeded to first gut the fish and she struggled for a bit. Rant Valo had to help her. And when she descaled the fish, it went pretty smoothly.


    "I did it, Master!"


    Veia said excitedly. She managed to gut and descale her very first fish!


    "Hmph! What a sloppy job. Watch!"


    Floriana Sabina hmph''d and grabbed the knife in Veia''s hands. She picked up a fish and smoothly gutted and descaled it.


    "Here!"


    Floriana Sabina smiled smugly at Veia.


    "Grandmaster, you''re so good!''


    Veia didn''t notice the smugness on Floriana Sabina''s face and just looked at her in awe. She didn''t expect Floriana Sabina to also be so good at it.


    "I-it''s nothing! It is expected of me."


    Floriana Sabina blushed at Veia''s words. Hearing Veia''s praises made her feel embarrassed.


    "Grandmaster is awesome!"


    Veia said with excitement.


    "I will teach you then!"


    Floriana Sabina suddenly said.


    "Thank you, Grandmaster!"


    Veia thanked Floriana Sabina before they both entered their own world. Rant Valo was left to the side looking at them with a smile. He liked the idea that they were getting along well.


    "I better prepare the campfire."


    Since they were already far from the campfire that they made before, Rant Valo planned to make another one. He left them alone and walked deeper into the forest.


    He picked up dried branches on the way. He also made sure to pick up twigs so the fire would start easier. After having an armful of branches and twigs, Rant Valo returned to them.


    He came back and saw a bunch of red fishes laid on top of wide leaves. They were all cleaned.


    "What the¡­"


    Rant Valo was speechless. He was greeted by Floriana Sabina and Veia who were standing on the side with proud smiles.


    "Welcome back, Master!"


    "Let''s have a feast, Disciple!"


    Veia and Floriana Sabina both greeted Rant Valo at the same time.


    "I''m back?"


    Rant Valo instinctively nodded. He felt that there was something different about them. It was like they became closer to each other.


    "Now, now, let''s cook!"


    Floriana Sabina urged Rant Valo. Rant Valo went to the side and dropped the branches and twigs in his arms.


    "Could we even finish all of it?"


    Rant Valo asked uneasily. He glanced at the long row of fishes laid on the wide leaves. He felt like he could feed a whole village with it.


    "To be honest, Disciple, I''m also not sure."


    Floriana Sabina replied with a forced smile. Even she thinks that all of that fish is too much for them to eat.


    "It''s all Veia''s fault¡­"


    Rant Valo said weakly. They would be forced to eat all of that fish or otherwise it would spoil. He didn''t like the idea of wasting food especially since he actually experienced not being able to eat anything before.


    "Don''t worry, Master! If you cook it, I''ll eat it all!"


    Veia reassured Rant Valo confidently. She was sure that she could eat all of that fish if it was cooked by Rant Valo just like before.


    "Alright, let''s get to cooking!"


    Rant Valo didn''t want to worry about it anymore. They will just have to fill themselves to the brim! He pumped himself up and clenched his fists.


    "Let''s cook!"


    "Let''s go, Disciple!"


    Veia and Floriana Sabina also pumped themselves up excitedly.


    Rant Valo picked up a fish and stabbed it with a stick. Veia and Floriana Sabina went and copied him.


    "Only get three fishes. Otherwise, it would be too hard to cook too many."


    Rant Valo warned them. He tried cooking with four fishes before and it only led to a mess. Cooking three at the same time was already impressive as you have to hold 2 fishes in one hand, though you switch between both hands.


    "Yes, Master."


    Veia nodded her head in understanding. Floriana Sabina was already aware of all of this so she went and stabbed a stick through three fishes and Veia did the same.


    "I''ll show you first how to cook the fishes. Can you light up the campfire, Master?"


    Rant Valo went towards the campfire and asked Floriana Sabina. Floriana Sabina flicked her fingers and a small ember of a white flame shot towards the branches and twigs. The campfire burst into a bright flame that immediately died down.


    Rant Valo sat on the ground beside it and started cooking the fishes. A few minutes later, he cooked the fishes to perfection. The appetizing aroma of the cooked Red Flash Fishes wafted through the air. It made Veia and Floriana Sabina salivate just from the smell.


    "It smells so good¡­"


    Veia closed her eyes as she sniffed the delicious umami smell in the air.


    "I wanna try cooking this time, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina volunteered to cook next. She wanted to try cooking again and to also impress Veia. Rant Valo watched as she cooked the three Red Flash Fishes. A few minutes later, the second batch of delicious-smelling cooked fish was done.


    "Amazing! You''re just like Master!"


    Veia was in awe of Floriana Sabina. It was like she was looking at a second Rant Valo.


    "Hmph! I''m his master after all!"


    Floriana Sabina lifted her chin proudly. Being praised by Veia was really satisfying for her. She can''t get enough of it.


    "Uh, I actually taught her that¡­"


    Rant Valo interjected from the side.

 Chapter 50 - I Am Veia… Who Is Veia?

    "You didn''t have to say that!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted in embarrassment. Having it revealed by Rant Valo only made her look petty.


    "I wasn''t lying¡­"


    Rant Valo spoke with a forced smile. Floriana Sabina is acting spoiled once again. He can''t even get angry at it anymore as he slowly got used to it these days.


    "Hehehe. I somehow feel jealous between Master and Grandmaster."


    Veia giggled as she watched them argue again. She has seen it a lot of times and she felt that it was now a normal occurrence. There was also a sense of inferiority in her as she watched Floriana Sabina be so close with Rant Valo.


    "Jealous!? You can take him for yourself!"


    Floriana Sabina blurted out in anger. She didn''t like arguing with Rant Valo one bit. She never met anyone who even dared to act so freely around her. To be honest it was a refreshing feeling for her.


    "Really!?"


    Veia''s eyes sparkled in joy. If she could pursue Rant Valo without Floriana Sabina''s interference then it would be a done deal. You don''t even have to doubt it anymore that he would marry her!


    "A- NO! I made a mistake!"


    Floriana Sabina quickly corrected herself. If this lewd demon is let loose then who knows what Rant Valo would end up to be. She still has to groom him to be one of the strongest in the world.


    "You can''t take back your words!"


    Veia said from the side. Floriana Sabina was fuming. Rant Valo was watching both of them amusedly. Somehow, he felt like Veia was acting pretty similar to him on how she deals with Floriana Sabina.


    "Come on, we still have many to cook!"


    Rant Valo stopped them. He placed the cooked fishes on top of another wide leaf and picked up more fishes to cook. Floriana Sabina and Veia stopped reluctantly. Veia was especially unwilling as it concerned her future with Rant Valo.


    Rant Valo taught Veia how to cook as Floriana Sabina cooked herself and she gave some pointers to Veia from the side.


    A few hours later they were finally done. Rant Valo was biting into a fish and tears were coming out from his eyes. This fish was so delicious that he felt like everything he had eaten in his life was just dirt.


    He was crying exactly because of that feeling. He ate dirt all his life. Such a waste, he thought.


    "Why are you crying, Master?? Dish ish shoo good!"


    Veia moaned in ecstasy as she ate the Cooked Red Flash Fish. Floriana Sabina was wolfing down on the Red Flash Fish silently on the side. She had no time to focus on other things besides eating this fish in front of her.


    "That''s exactly why I''m crying¡­sob"


    Rant Valo replied as he tried to hold back his tears. He looked at the rest of the Cooked Red Flash Fishes and worry soon filled his heart. If they ran out of these fishes then how would he be able to live anymore!? It was like experiencing heavenly comfort then suddenly thrown back to reality.


    "Muuuu¡­ Master, don''t cry. I can understand your feelings."


    Veia patted Rant Valo''s back. She can exactly understand his feelings as she also felt that way when she first tasted Rant Valo''s blood.


    "Why are you both crying?!"


    Floriana Sabina looked up after finishing the fish in her hands and was taken aback when she saw the both of them crying their guts out. They were like refugees starved of food then suddenly given a Michelin star meal.


    A dozen minutes later, the trio was stuffed full. Rant Valo''s eyes were glazed. He felt like he couldn''t move anymore. Floriana Sabina was sitting cross-legged as she cultivated to dissolve all of the food in her little stomach.


    Veia was lying on the grass as she stared at the blade of grass to her left. She was absent-minded. Unknown thoughts were going through her head.


    "AHH! Who am I? What am I?"


    Veia suddenly stood up and shouted in pain. She held her head as she looked around desperately. She saw Rant Valo and shook his shoulders. Rant Valo thought he saw the river to the afterlife from the vigorous shaking.


    "V-veia! You''re killing me!"


    Rant Valo shouted dizzily. He can''t even think straight anymore and so was his vision.


    "Who am I!?"


    Veia didn''t listen to Rant Valo and only stared at him straight into his eyes, demanding his answer. Rant Valo who was dizzy got more dizzy as he got confused from her actions.


    "You are Veia!"


    Rant Valo replied to her. She looked up and let go of Rant Valo. Rant Valo plopped down onto the ground. His head got dizzier and he felt his stomach churn. He barely stopped himself from vomiting.


    "I am Veia¡­ Who is Veia? What am I?"


    Veia looked at her hands as she stared into the sky. She was asking philosophical questions to herself more than Rene Descartes ever did to himself. (AN: A philosopher renowned for his way of proving his own existence)


    "Veia?"


    Rant Valo held his stomach as he looked at Veia in puzzlement. She was acting unlike herself. It kinda reminded him of the time when he first met her. Only this time, it seems to be worse.


    "I¡­ Where am I?"


    Veia looked around her in confusion. She swiveled her head in Rant Valo''s direction. Her face was the embodiment of confusion.


    "Who am I?"


    There was a desperate look on Veia''s face as she asked Rant Valo. She forgot who she was and now she was looking for herself.


    "You are Veia! Veia! You are scaring me!"


    Rant Valo felt fear well up inside him as he looked at Veia''s desperate face. It was like Veia had been possessed by a ghost. It was both familiar yet unfamiliar at the same time. It was a very eery feeling for Rant Valo.


    "Veia¡­ Veia¡­ My name¡­"


    Veia looked at her hands and murmured in a crazed manner. A lost expression was on her face.

 Chapter 51 - You. Own. Me

    "My name is Veia... My name is Veia... No that isn''t right..."


    Veia held her head with both of her hands. Her eyes were unfocused as she tried to make sense of her mind.


    "What''s happening to her?"


    Rant Valo looked at Veia worriedly. She was acting crazy all of a sudden. There were no signs and it suddenly just happened.


    "She''s confused."


    Floriana Sabina who was cultivating from the side opened her eyes. She stared at Veia seriously.


    "I mean?"


    Rant Valo retorted. He could see that she was confused.


    "Her soul is unstable."


    Floriana Sabina continued. Veia''s soul right now was showing signs of collapse. It was as if something disturbed her soul.


    "That bad!?"


    Rant Valo exclaimed in shock. He had heard that the soul is one of the most precious things a person has besides their heart, brain, and Core.


    "Yes. And her soul is getting shakier and shakier. If she''s not treated quickly, she would turn into an idiot."


    Floriana Sabina explained grimly. A soul is very delicate. One mistake and it could cause the person to turn into an idiot. So something like this happening naturally would most likely lead to turning into an idiot.


    "Master, what do we do now?"


    Rant Valo asked her hastily. He was very worried about Veia''s wellbeing right now. She could turn into an idiot at any moment.


    "Simple."


    Floriana Sabina smiled and walked towards Veia. She touched Veia''s forehead and Veia who was acting all confused closed her eyes and fell over.


    "Hiyaah!"


    Floriana Sabina was hit by the falling Veia and screamed. She was much smaller and she hadn''t paid much attention so she fell to the ground with Veia.


    "Are you okay, Master??"


    Rant Valo ran over and rested Veia carefully to the side before picking up Floriana Sabina with great care.


    "Master, are you okay?"


    Rant Valo asked Floriana Sabina who became absentminded. Her eyes gained focus and she quickly blushed red in embarrassment.


    "L-let me go!"


    Floriana Sabina pushed Rant Valo away. Her heart was beating fast.


    "O-okay..."


    Rant Valo could only move farther away from her. Floriana Sabina stood by herself and patted her dress.


    "How is Veia?"


    Rant Valo asked worriedly. She was still lying on the grass silently. She was unconscious.


    "S-she''s just asleep. She will wake up later."


    Floriana Sabina stuttered as she replied. Somehow, she felt awkward speaking with Rant Valo right now.


    "I see. What a relief."


    Rant Valo breathed a sigh of relief. He could finally rest his rapidly beating heart.


    He didn''t know much but he was sure that he could trust Floriana Sabina. He had interacted with her enough times that he was sure about her character. Besides, she also became close with Veia recently.


    Rant Valo waited for a while and Veia still did not wake up. The day quickly turned into night and Rant Valo oddly didn''t feel any hunger. It was as if the fishes he ate earlier lasted for longer.


    Rant Valo realized something while staring at Veia''s face for the past few hours. She was really beautiful.


    Her face is like jade that was carved by angels. Her lips were just supple enough that anyone would fall into to kiss it. She had pointy ears which were characteristic of a vampire. Her fangs are unseen but Rant Valo was familiar with their sharpness.


    He continued observing her as he had nothing to do. He wanted to continue their journey to the nearest town but he was worried that something might happen to Veia if he embarked on the journey right now so he scrapped that idea.


    She had dark black hair. Her irises were red, well, Rant Valo couldn''t see it right now but he could imagine it.


    He continued downwards. Her neck was very daint and her collarbone was very attractive. Rant Valo felt his will almost collapse as he continued observing her body.


    Her body was very beautiful that he was sure that no man would be able to resist her beauty and charm. He even wondered why he wasn''t willing to just eat her up as she already offered herself many times.


    Down to her chest, it was very big. Rant Valo could guarantee that it was the biggest he has seen. At least, D or even E.


    "Cut that out! You''re creepy."


    Floriana Sabina smacked Rant Valo on the back of his head. She had been watching him leer at Veia for a while now. He hadn''t even noticed her doing so. He was that focused on leering at Veia.


    "Why did you hit me!?"


    Rant Valo was angered. Who wouldn''t? After getting smacked on the back of their head without any warning.


    "Hmph! If you don''t stop that. I will castrate you right now."


    Floriana Sabina eyed down at Rant Valo. Rant Valo realized that she was not joking and sweat beaded on his back. His little brother hasn''t entered any little sister yet. It would be a disaster!


    "O-okay! I''m sorry."


    Rant Valo quickly apologized and stopped looking. He was about to stand up and move farther away but a soft hand held onto the hem of his clothes.


    "Huh?"


    Rant Valo looked down and saw Veia smiling at him teasingly.


    "Master, you can stare at me however you like... Come here..."


    Veia whispered. Rant Valo moved his ears closer and what he heard next made his little brother almost escape from excitement.


    "You can even look under if you want..."


    There was a sly grin on Veia''s face. Rant Valo''s face turned red. Veia was being too proactive! He quickly chanted his Zaria Mantra before he could sigh in relief.


    "V-veia, I don''t think that''s appropriate."


    Rant Valo forced a smile on his face. If he didn''t have the Zaria Mantra then he would have surely lost himself and pushed her down. Good thing he managed to keep his sanity.


    "Why not? Master is Master. You. Own. Me."


    There was an inviting look in Veia''s eyes which was clouded with lust. Her hands moved to caress Rant Valo''s leg as it slowly moved upward.

 Chapter 52 - Why Are You So Horny?

    "STOP!"


    Rant Valo stood up and was breathing haggardly. It took a great deal of his mental capacity for him to resist his urges. Veia looked at him with pitiful eyes before saying,


    "You don''t want to?"


    Rant Valo forcefully closed his eyes and turned around. He sat down and started cultivating.


    "Oh, a pretty good response, disciple. You get 100 points."


    Floriana Sabina spoke in awe. She had her body ready to stop Rant Valo if he lost his rationality. She wanted to know the extent of Rant Valo''s will. That''s why she didn''t stop them from the start.


    "Inhale...exhale...inhale...exhale¡­"


    Rant Valo repeated his breathing exercises. He cleared his mind and calmed down his raging little brother.


    "Master¡­"


    Veia held her hand out towards Rant Valo with a yearning expression. She was feeling all gritty and ready but her master is still the same. Evading all and every one of her advances.


    "And you, why are you so horny?"


    Floriana Sabina stood in front of Veia. Veia looked up from her lying position and saw Floriana Sabina''s angry face. She pulled back her hand shyly. There was a wry smile on her face.


    "..."


    Veia looked away and pretended to not notice her. Her eyes were swimming about in panic.


    "Hey, are you listening?"


    Floriana Sabina kicked Veia''s side lightly. Veia twitched and hid her face on the grass.


    "If you don''t explain yourself¡­ I''ll feed you cooked fish again!"


    There was a wicked smile on Floriana Sabina''s face as she said so. She was entirely serious.


    "I-I''m sorry! It won''t happen again!"


    Veia quickly turned around in panic. She didn''t want to eat cooked fish again! She slowly got confused and confused till she completely lost herself. She didn''t know why it happened but she wanted to be spared from experiencing it again.


    "Hmph! I don''t believe you, Veia! Say something more believable."


    Floriana Sabina had no trust in Veia''s words whatsoever. She knew that Veia would try to make a move on Rant Valo again. It was in her nature.


    "I¡­ I won''t make a move on master for a week!"


    Veia shouted forcefully. It was the most sincere she could do. Any longer and she won''t be able to endure it.


    "Good."


    Floriana Sabina smiled at her. She could believe something like this but something like forever is just too impossible for Veia to do.


    "Anyways, why did you suddenly make a move on my disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina raised an eyebrow. She wanted to groom her disciple to be the strongest Magic Cultivator in the world and this lewd demon wants to corrupt him.


    "My body felt hot and Master was there so¡­"


    Veia sat up and spoke shyly. She felt guilty just saying it.


    SMACK


    A fan appeared on Floriana Sabina''s hand and she smacked it on Veia''s head.


    "Ouh!"


    Veia howled in pain. It was so sudden. She felt the top of her head using her hand to alleviate the pain.


    "That''s not a valid reason. If your master doesn''t want to do it. Don''t force yourself into him."


    Floriana Sabina spoke coldly. She wanted Veia to learn this as a lesson. Otherwise, if she left for a day, her disciple might become corrupted.


    "I understand¡­"


    Veia nodded weakly. She knew that Floriana Sabina was right, but her master is just so¡­ damn¡­ delicious smelling! Whenever she drinks his blood, she becomes horny. Something about him is just so attractive.


    "Good. Now, relax. Don''t eat cooked fish anymore."


    Floriana Sabina let her go and sat down in front of Rant Valo to cultivate.


    "Um¡­ Grandmaster, how did you know that cooked fish made me confused?"


    After a short while, Veia asked Floriana Sabina. It was something that was bothering her mind. She obviously realized it herself as she felt the effects firsthand, but she couldn''t understand how Floriana Sabina also knew.


    "I''m not stupid. It''s the only thing you ate."


    Floriana Sabina opened her mouth and spoke. Veia widened her eyes in realization. She kinda felt stupid now that she asked something so obvious.


    "Thank you."


    Veia bowed and started to cultivate. She could barely remember Floriana Sabina to be the one who knocked her out. Although she can''t remember much, she can faintly remember the unbearable pain that she was going through back then. If she wasn''t knocked out, she could have become an idiot.


    Floriana Sabina faintly smiled after hearing Veia''s words. Veia is not a bad girl, she is just confused and couldn''t control her new body yet. As someone who was reborn into a new body, she ought to be unfamiliar with it.


    Similar to how a baby is unable to walk. She was like that, her sexual urges due to her succubus blood made her lust after Rant Valo. She is sure that over time, Veia would be able to gain control of it.


    A dozen minutes later, Rant Valo opened his eyes and breathed a big sigh of relief. He finally cleared his mind. He looked around and was taken aback when he saw Veia cultivating.


    The images in his mind resurfaced but a very big faint image of a beautiful village girl appeared in his mind. It was Zaria-chan. She swung her huge sword and smashed all of the lewd images to pieces.


    Rant Valo sighed again after knowing that he became immune to Veia''s charm once again. He didn''t want to feel that powerlessness ever again. It was like he was about to lose control of his body at that time. Her charm was just that strong.


    "So everyone is cultivating¡­ huh."


    Rant Valo looked at Floriana Sabina and Veia who were cultivating before sneaking away. He walked farther and farther till he couldn''t see them anymore.


    He hid behind a huge thicket and let loose a huge amount of stress. That part of the forest rustled very loudly that night. An hour later, Rant Valo came out of the thicket with a relieved smile. He could only pent up so much. Releasing all of it made his mind more clear.

 Chapter 53 - You’re Amazing, Disciple!

    Rant Valo returned and laid down on the grass just around them. His mind is currently in sage mode. He looked at the stars and a thought appeared on his head.


    Will I be able to touch one someday?


    Rant Valo dreamed. The beautiful expanse of the stars in the sky was so huge.


    What am I thinking? I''m not even that strong yet.


    Rant Valo sighed and admired the stars for a bit more before sitting up to cultivate. Rant Valo''s mind is very clear right now.


    Rant Valo saw the empty space inside his core. There was a bundle of white light in the center. A thin white thread extends from it to his body. Mana flowed from the bundle of white light to circulate inside his body.


    Rant Valo felt the strength it gave him and how it flowed through the various Mana Channels inside his body.


    Mana¡­


    Rant Valo imagined all of the mana in the surroundings entering his mouth. A mini tornado appeared and funneled towards his mouth. The surrounding mana entered Rant Valo''s body very freely.


    Floriana Sabina opened her eyes and raised an eyebrow. She closed her eyes again with a smile hanging on her face. Rant Valo saw a flood of white lights entering his core. It was like a dam was opened inside him.


    Suddenly, white lights left his flesh and joined the stream of mana entering his core. These was the medicinal properties from the Red Star Apple he ate earlier.


    Large bits of black clumps left the white light. It all traveled towards Rant Valo''s intestines. The medicinal properties of the Red Star Apple essentially purified the white mana that Rant Valo absorbed and separated the impurities to his intestines to be excreted out.


    The white clump of light in the center of his core slowly grew bigger and bigger. Another thin thread appeared and twined around the first thread. It reached the ends of his core and connected with his body.


    Rant Valo felt his body change drastically. His senses felt more alive and sensitive. He opened his eyes and awe was on his face. He clenched his hands and felt the change of his strength.


    "Did I improve a cultivation stage?"


    Rant Valo muttered in shock. It felt so fast and easy that it was like he was just daydreaming. He looked around and still saw the surroundings dark. It was like only a small amount of time had passed.


    "Congrats, Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina was smiling happily as she looked at Rant Valo. There was pride for her disciple that only a master like her could feel. Rant Valo had his mouth open in shock at the confirmation.


    The only thing he did was literally just imagine the mana in the air around him to enter his body. He thought cultivation was supposed to be hard. There was confusion on his face as he looked back at Floriana Sabina.


    "Really? It felt so easy¡­"


    "Of course! Your talent is above mine after all. No one has more talent in the world than you do!"


    Floriana Sabina explained with her chest puffed out. She picked him and put him on the path to cultivation. The achievement was basically hers.


    There could be even a divine Grade 10 talent in the whole wide world, but if that person was not able to set foot on the path to cultivation, it will all be for naught. That is why even if the talent wasn''t hers, she still deserves a lot of credit.


    "I will cultivate more!"


    Rant Valo was filled with determination. Since he was still in sage mode, he was more serious than ever. He wanted to get strong fast so he could return to his village while flying in the air valiantly and marry Zaria-chan.


    "Good!"


    Floriana Sabina was overjoyed when she saw Rant Valo close his eyes to cultivate again. Rant Valo already lost most of the prime chance for a human to cultivate. He was already 17 years old. For humans, the prime chance starts at 7 years old.


    At 7 years of age, the child becomes capable of cultivation. So Rant Valo had 10 years'' worth of prime chance to catch up with others. The prime chance only lasts till the age of 25 so Rant Valo is slowly running out of time.


    Rant Valo took a deep breath and relaxed. He continued cultivating till it was dawn. He opened his eyes and instead of feeling tired, he was very refreshed and energetic.


    "I- I feel so strong!"


    Rant Valo exclaimed to himself. It was totally unlike what his strength was last night. He even asked himself why he hadn''t cultivated before.


    "So fast!"


    Floriana Sabina was staring wide-eyed at Rant Valo. She just scanned his body and he was already at the 5th Mana Condensation stage. It only took Rant Valo a single night of cultivation to jump four minor cultivation stages. If the old geezers back at her sect heard this, they would do their all just to take possession of Rant Valo.


    He was already destined to become one of the powerhouses of the world at this point. There was no more question about it. She felt even more glad that she took him as her disciple.


    "What stage am I at, Master?"


    Rant Valo asked Floriana Sabina. He is unfamiliar with cultivation so he couldn''t understand what cultivation stage he is at. He can certainly feel that he got stronger, but he couldn''t quantify it.


    "You are at the 5th Mana Condensation stage. You''re amazing, Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina clapped her hands in excitement. Rant Valo looked at her in disbelief.


    "I felt like I only drank water¡­"


    Rant Valo murmured to himself. This night was truly so surreal. He released some stress and after that managed to even improve his strength so much.


    "Hehehe, you should be proud of yourself, Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina patted Rant Valo''s back seeing that he was still surreal about it. She could understand his feelings. It happened to her in the past before after all.

 Chapter 54 - Test My Disciples Strength

    Inside Rant Valo''s core is a huge mass of white light in the center with 5 thin threads intertwining with each other as they connect to his body. The mana flowed from the center of his core to the threads to his body and back. It was all cycling inside Rant Valo''s body in a closed loop.


    "Master, I wanna test my strength!"


    Rant Valo gripped his fist tightly. He wanted to know what''s the difference in his strength.


    "You can have a spar with Veia."


    Floriana Sabina suggested. Since it didn''t end well when she was the one to test Rant Valo''s strength, she was a bit afraid of doing it again. Who knows what would happen if she couldn''t control her strength this time.


    "Okay."


    Rant Valo nodded his head. He looked at Veia and closed his eyes to clear himself of any unnecessary thoughts. Some lewd thoughts about Veia were still lingering in his mind as he just released some pent-up stress last night.


    "Veia, my disciple wants to have a spar with you."


    Floriana Sabina called out to Veia. Veia opened her eyes groggily. She was quite deep into cultivation and couldn''t make sense of what was happening in the surroundings for a bit.


    "Master? Okay."


    Veia looked at Rant Valo and nodded her head. There was a trace of bitterness in her heart when she looked at Rant Valo. Her pride as a woman took a hit so many times with him. He always rejects her advances.


    "Just spar. Test my disciple''s strength."


    Floriana Sabina reminded Veia. Veia stood up and walked farther from Rant Valo. She took a stance with her palm pushed outwards.


    "Master, punch my palm with all your strength."


    Veia spoke. Rant Valo looked at her palm and nodded his head. He wouldn''t have dared to punch Veia if he didn''t know that she was actually very strong.


    "Here I go!"


    Rant Valo ran forward with his arms pulled back and when he was at the right distance, he released a punch towards Veia''s palms. The wind generated by his fist rustled the grass on the ground.


    BAM


    Veia did not move back an inch, but Rant Valo rebounded backward. Veia''s palm was like a steel wall. His punch couldn''t make it budge at all.


    "Are you okay, Master?"


    Veia asked worriedly when she saw Rant Valo rebounded backward. Rant Valo shook his hand in pain.


    "I-I''m okay."


    Rant Valo replied with a smile. Even though it hurt for him, as her master, he couldn''t show any weakness.


    "Master¡­"


    Although Rant Valo didn''t show it, Veia was still capable of seeing through his intentions. Her heart felt fluttery again. She was like a maiden in love. Anything that Rant Valo did for her just pulls her strings.


    "Ehem! Continue!"


    Floriana Sabina coughed when she saw Veia acting all lovey-dovey again. She really couldn''t control herself.


    Rant Valo opened and closed his right fist and allowed the pain to fade away. He took a stance again and this time he was in front of Veia. He wanted to see how strong he would be if he didn''t build up momentum like earlier.


    "Ready?"


    "Yes, Master!"


    Veia responded with joy on her face. She already forgot her bitterness from being rejected by Rant Valo multiple times. There was only happiness inside her right now as she helped Rant Valo test out his newfound strength.


    "HaH!"


    Rant Valo threw a punch at her palm. Rant Valo''s body shook from the vibration. He felt his whole arm ache as the feeling of punching a steel wall couldn''t be any more similar.


    "How is his strength?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Veia. Veia thought for a bit as she opened and closed her palms to try and quantify the strength that Rant Valo has displayed.


    "He is about at the peak of the 5th Mana Condensation stage for his physical strength."


    Veia replied. For Magic Cultivators, their physical strength is not the same as Sword Cultivators. Sword Cultivators may even have double or ten times the strength of a Magic Cultivator in the same cultivation stage. What Magic Cultivators excel at isn''t in physical strength but in their magic.


    "Really? He''s already at the peak of the 5th Mana Condensation stage in physical strength. How would his magic turn out to be?"


    Veia''s face was filled with excitement as she thought of Rant Valo''s current strength. His Unique Constitution is really showing off its strengths.


    "I¡­ I don''t remember any magic techniques¡­"


    Veia spoke awkwardly. She could only circulate her cultivation but she could not utilize it. If she could, she would have attacked Floriana Sabina with magic techniques when they first met, but since she didn''t have any, all she could do back then was to attack with physical attacks.


    "Okay. I will do it. I will set up layers of barriers that will break at each level of cultivation stage."


    Floriana Sabina replaced Veia in her position. Rant Valo still felt his arms ache from his earlier punch but he could manage it. He rotated his arm to try and stretch his muscles.


    "I only know one magic technique."


    Rant Valo said. In the cultivation manual that Floriana Sabina gave Rant Valo, he could only see one Magic Technique. So that''s why he only mastered one.


    "Just give it your all, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina responded with a smile. She wanted to see what Magic Technique the Cultivation Manual that she picked up has. She was more so excited to see it being used by Rant Valo.


    "Fire Shield!"


    Floriana Sabina waved her right hand in front of her and a semi-translucent orange wall of fire appeared. She waved her left hand in front of her right hand and the semi-translucent orange wall of fire separated into ten different layers. The first one was completely orange and opaque, while the last one, which was in front of Floriana Sabina, was a transparent orange barrier.


    The closer it got to Floriana Sabina, the clearer and stronger the barrier of flames was.

 Chapter 55 - My Mana Failed Out Of My Control!

    "Are you ready?"


    Rant Valo asked Floriana Sabina. Floriana Sabina nodded her head and Rant Valo closed his eyes. Rant Valo thought of the words that were written in the cultivation manual. This would be the first time that Rant Valo would use it.


    "Tide of Bad Fortune!"


    Rant Valo pushed both of his hands towards the barrier where Floriana Sabina was and the mana within his body flowed through his mana channels in a predetermined path. When it all came out of his hands, it was like a gush of water in a spring.


    The white gush of mana hit the first barrier and passed through it without care. It continued onward like an unstoppable force. It passed through all the barriers and hit Floriana Sabina. Floriana Sabina didn''t flinch when the white mana hit her but she felt odd.


    Rant Valo''s mana wasn''t supposed to pass through all of her barriers. What''s more, is that there doesn''t seem to be any damage in any of it. Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo confused. Rant Valo looked back at her with the same confused expression. Even he wasn''t sure what happened here.


    Suddenly, the first barrier shattered into pieces like broken glass and dissolved into red mana that flowed downward before scattering into the air.


    "Am I that weak?"


    Rant Valo felt his confidence take a hit when he saw that all of the other barriers were basically untouched. He expected to at least break through 5 barriers since his cultivation is already at the 5th Mana Condensation stage. He closed his eyes to try again. This time he was serious.


    But before he could gather his mana to attack again, the second barrier broke like glass. It was similar to what happened to the first barrier earlier. Rant Valo looked at the barriers in confusion.


    "Master, what is happening?"


    "I-I''m not sure, but I didn''t feel the barrier expending any energy. It just broke apart without any warning. As if my magic just failed."


    Floriana Sabina explained. She was also confused about what was happening. She was sustaining the barrier with a small amount of mana and usually, when an attack hits a barrier it would trigger a huge consumption of her mana. Even if her mana capacity is large, her mana consumption didn''t change at all.


    This was similar to how when sustaining a magic technique. Some Magic Cultivators would be unable to keep their magic techniques up for less than a minute. And then the magic technique would collapse easily and the mana would dissipate into the air. It was exactly that, but even more confusing as Floriana Sabina was sure that her control over her mana was very good.


    She was already a high-stage cultivator and the magic technique that she just used was something that only Mana Condensation cultivators would use. That''s why the barrier wasn''t white like her flame but orange. It was far weaker than her real strength.


    "Try again, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina suggested to Rant Valo. Rant Valo nodded his head. Seeing that no more barriers break, he wanted to try it again to see if anymore would break. Rant Valo closed his eyes but before he could do anything further, the third barrier broke too. It was similar to the last two.


    The fire element mana in the surroundings was getting concentrated from the failing magic technique of Floriana Sabina. Floriana Sabina closed her eyes and tried to feel if she was doing anything wrong. It was too odd for her to fail a Mana Condensation magic technique three times.


    Rant Valo didn''t close his eyes this time but waited. This time the fourth barrier also broke. It was like a very slow domino process. Rant Valo felt that this magic technique was too slow if that was the case.


    "Wha-!"


    Floriana Sabina exclaimed in shock. She saw it clearly as she was closing her eyes and feeling her mana. She saw her mana fail uncontrollably. It was like a stronger force bent it to failure.


    "What happened, Master?"


    Rant Valo asked her in puzzlement. He suddenly saw her exclaim. It was like she was given the shock of her life. Floriana Sabina swallowed her saliva nervously before looking at Rant Valo.


    "My mana failed out of my control!"


    There was a look of disbelief on Floriana Sabina''s face. Rant Valo was bewildered. Even though he didn''t know much about cultivation, as a citizen of a Magic Kingdom, he knows that mana is basically in full control of the user.


    Veia was looking at the side bored. She couldn''t really understand anything that was happening. She was just focused on looking at her master. He was as dazzling as ever.


    The trio waited for a while more and the fifth barrier broke as well. It took a lot longer than the last one.


    "Is this the effect of my magic technique?"


    Rant Valo grabbed the cultivation manual and looked at it in wonder. This could be the only plausible reason as he only used it on the barriers. If so, then it means that it does work, but it was still too slow to Rant Valo''s liking.


    "I think that''s all it, right?"


    Floriana Sabina said with a sigh. Rant Valo''s cultivation is only at the 5th Mana Condensation. She wouldn''t expect it to be able to break the other barriers anymore. She tried to dissipate the barriers but nothing happened.


    "Master?"


    Rant Valo asked after noticing Floriana Sabina frowning. Floriana Sabina tried to dissipate the barriers again but nothing still happened.


    "I- I can''t dissipate them at all!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted in extreme shock. She never encountered something like this before. The barriers continued sucking a constant stream of mana out of her to sustain their forms but she couldn''t control them at all. It was like someone else was controlling her barriers.


    "I will disconnect them!"


    Floriana Sabina disconnected her mana from the barriers and what happened next shocked her. It was unlike all of the logic she has known about mana at all.

 Chapter 56 - Does She Like You Too?

    The barriers that she had set up slowly glowed a dark red. Then the highly concentrated fire elemental mana in the air slowly reduced. It was like the barriers were sucking the fire element mana in the air. Floriana Sabina had never heard of something like this before.


    The barriers took in the impure elemental mana in the air. It resulted in the barriers darkening in color. It was like someone splashed black in a vivid orange painting.


    "Oh no!"


    Floriana Sabina pushed both of her hands outwards. A huge white transparent dome covered all of the barriers as a loud explosion occurred. The huge dome barrier shook ever so slightly. A huge flame covered all of the grass inside it. It was like someone spilled fuel inside and lit it on fire.


    "What just happened, Master?"


    Rant Valo jumped back in fright when the barrier suddenly exploded. He didn''t expect them to do that. Especially since they were all just dissipating since earlier.


    "My barriers ran amok! They absorbed the impure fire elemental mana in the air. The impurities must''ve wreaked havoc inside the barriers causing them to explode."


    Floriana Sabina felt like clawing at her hair. It defied all that she has known about mana. She thought that by disconnecting her mana from the barriers they would dissipate, but the opposite happened instead. It was like dropping a coin yesterday is not the same as dropping a coin today. It was like today the coin just fell upwards instead of downwards which should have happened. Logically.


    "How did it do that?"


    Rant Valo had his mouth opened wide in shock. Even though he was inexperienced when it comes to cultivation he still heard some news about cultivators. He never heard of any magic techniques that could absorb the mana in the surroundings by themselves. It was impossible! It should have been, but that was not the case from the events that transpired today.


    "I don''t know. We should try it again, Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina wasn''t really sure about it herself. She has to do it one more time to get a good understanding of it. Only then would she be able to explain it with confidence. As his master, she ought to only give him accurate information. It would be leading him astray if she did otherwise.


    "Try it again!?"


    Rant Valo shouted at her like she was crazy. Well, she was crazy. It was a strong explosion and who knows if it suddenly exploded in front of their faces when the huge dome barrier was still not set up.


    "I would like to."


    Floriana Sabina responded with a smile. She was curious about how it works. She herself is basically at the summit of cultivation but when she encounters something that she has never heard of before, it triggers her passion for magic. Something like this could lead to her getting stronger, and even reaching a higher cultivation stage!


    "What if that exploded on us?"


    Rant Valo asked with a troubled expression. He''s too weak and if that explosion hit him, it would be the end of him. He can''t take any risks considering that his little brother hasn''t entered any little sister yet. Plus, he still wanted to marry Zaria-chan.


    "You''ll be okay! I''m strong after all."


    Floriana Sabina puffed her chest confidently. It was true. Any harm that could come to Rant Valo''s way could be easily taken down by her. Her strength is no joke after all. That explosion was just like someone throwing a snowball at a mortal. It was harmless.


    "If I die, I wanna marry Zaria at least."


    Rant Valo sighed as he agreed to her. Even in death, he would not let go of the chance of marrying Zaria. Floriana Sabina''s cheeks twitched after hearing him say that. He was basically saying that some girl should marry a dead man. How cruel could he be? He wouldn''t even let go of a living person.


    "Zaria? The girl I saw in your pendant?"


    Floriana Sabina could still remember seeing Rant Valo''s pendant when he hid in the bush when they first met. Although what he was doing back then was not a pleasant sight to see, Floriana Sabina could still remember some details.


    "Yes! I plan to marry her."


    Rant Valo nodded his head with a smile that reached his ears. Being reminded of her brought a smile to his face. Veia who was admiring Rant Valo twitched her ears when she heard his words. There was a look of realization and disbelief on her face.


    "So that''s why you wouldn''t touch me, Master!"


    Veia shouted in shock and realization. She finally understood why Rant Valo didn''t want to accept her advances. It was all because he already had a girl in his heart. She could feel her heart breaking into pieces after realizing that. Her master¡­ is already taken¡­ What a tragedy!


    "Why didn''t you tell me earlier, Master!"


    Veia shouted in a grieving voice. If only she knew earlier, she wouldn''t have gotten her hopes up. It was like dangling a carrot in front of her only to later know that it was already owned by another rabbit.


    "You didn''t ask?"


    Rant Valo shrugged his shoulders at her. No one would just randomly say that they already had someone in their heart. It would just be awkward. If she asked, he would have come clean. It was just that he was not used to being proactively approached by a girl so he hadn''t been able to respond properly.


    "Mouuu!"


    Veia pouted her cheeks at hearing Rant Valo''s response. He basically turned it into her fault now. She couldn''t even rebut it as he was absolutely right.


    Veia looked at Rant Valo with a deadpan expression for a while. Rant Valo felt awkward seeing her stare at him with a straight face. It was like he was being scrutinized. But then Veia''s eyes suddenly glowed brightly. She thought of an idea!


    "Does she like you too?"


    Veia asked with fervor. If she didn''t then she would still have a chance!

 Chapter 57 - The Law Of Luck

    If she does, then she would make him forget about her with her charms! She''s confident that she could do it as that girl would not have a chance at being near Rant Valo in the future as much as her.


    "..."


    Rant Valo looked away and whistled. To be honest, he wasn''t really sure. It was just a one-sided thing on his part, but he was confident that she would have said yes if he asked. He was just socially awkward in the village.


    "She doesn''t?!"


    There was joy on Veia''s face as she looked at Rant Valo''s face. Rant Valo felt a pang in his heart when he heard her words. It was like she was doing it on purpose out of spite after he rejected her advances so many times.


    "I think?"


    Rant Valo answered unconfidently. Even he was not convinced with his own words. Veia''s eyes glowed much brightly after hearing that.


    "Yey! I still have a chance!"


    Veia''s face was full of joy as she jumped up and down. Rant Valo didn''t know what to say seeing her become happy at his unrequited love.


    "1 week, Veia."


    Floriana Sabina couldn''t help but remind Veia after seeing that she was being excited right now. It would not be long before she made a move if she wasn''t reminded. Her heart is over her mind whenever Rant Valo is involved. Just like a maiden madly in love.


    "..Yes, Grandmaster¡­"


    Veia''s energy went down immediately after being reminded by Floriana Sabina. She nodded her head bleakly. Floriana Sabina was satisfied after seeing Veia''s response.


    "Good. Now, Disciple. Let''s try it again."


    Floriana Sabina turned to Rant Valo and said with a smile. Rant Valo could only smile back wryly. He could not object to her so he went forward in front of her again.


    Floriana Sabina waved her hands again and the same 10 fire barriers were set up. Rant Valo closed his eyes again and channeled his mana through his Mana Channels. Rant Valo opened his eyes and a gush of white mana was released from his hands.


    It hit all of the barriers and this time, Floriana Sabina avoided getting a direct hit from the white gush of mana. Floriana Sabina closed her eyes as she concentrated on what was happening inside the barriers.


    A few moments later, the barriers started to crack one by one. Floriana Sabina watched her mana slowly collapse before eventually stopping the magic technique from working.


    "I still can''t understand how your magic technique works, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina furrowed her eyebrows. Even with her experience, she couldn''t explain this phenomenon. Rant Valo was awed by how mysterious his magic technique works, but he couldn''t appreciate it as it is really very slow acting. Even if he used it in battle, his enemy would have already attacked multiple times before the magic technique took effect.


    "Master, doesn''t the magic technique have any descriptions?"


    Veia, who has been looking at Rant Valo for a while, suggested. From what she could understand from her common sense, magic techniques usually have explanations of how they work.


    "No there aren''t."


    Rant Valo''s cultivation technique is very mysterious. It only shows a small part of it at a time. Only when Rant Valo gets stronger would it show more. It should be because he was still too weak when he read the magic technique that it didn''t give him the description.


    "Wait, when did you last check your cultivation manual?"


    Floriana Sabina''s eyes suddenly widened in realization.


    "3 days ago. Why?"


    Rant Valo was confused at her response. The manual for Mana Condensation stage cultivators is very straightforward and it was all already revealed to him. Although the magic techniques for the different minor cultivation stages of the Mana Condensation stage were hidden.


    "That''s it, Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina exclaimed in realization. Rant Valo''s face was in confusion. He couldn''t understand what she was getting at.


    "Check it again, now!"


    Floriana Sabina urged Rant Valo. Rant Valo could only nod his head and open the cultivation manual. He was shocked to realize that he could see more of its contents.


    "T-there''s so many!"


    Rant Valo saw 4 more magic techniques listed in the cultivation manual. He looked at the pages where he found the magic technique, ''Tide of Bad Fortune''. He saw a new page next to it. It contained a long description of the magic technique.


    "What does it say?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo in excitement. Since she herself could not see and read the contents of the cultivation manual as it only works for the one who had Rant Valo''s unique constitution. Rant Valo read its contents and made a brief summary.


    "It says that this magic technique disrupts the fortune of what it hits. It will make them inherently unlucky for a while."


    Rant Valo explained. He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. He couldn''t understand what it meant.


    "Fortune? Like luck?"


    Floriana Sabina was caught up in thought after hearing Rant Valo''s words. She analyzed what it meant for a while. Before long she opened her mouth to give her view of it.


    "I think it deals with one of the Supreme Laws of the world. The Law of Luck."


    Floriana Sabina explained with doubt. She was not sure about what she said herself as the Law of Luck could not be touched by someone from the Mana Condensation stage. Even she herself couldn''t do it.


    "Supreme Law? Law of Luck?"


    Rant Valo''s face was in utter confusion. He encountered more terms that he was not familiar with. He felt his head ache just hearing their names.


    "Yes. A Supreme Law is one of the foundational laws of the universe."


    The Supreme Laws of the universe govern a specific part of reality. With one Supreme Law missing, the whole universe would not be the same. They are believed to be only touchable by the gods. So Floriana Sabina was very confused that Rant Valo could use it. That''s why she was having double thoughts if she was actually right.

 Chapter 58 - Disciple, Think About It

    "What laws are you even talking about?"


    Rant Valo was in bafflement. He thought she meant the laws like the laws of the kingdom but it doesn''t seem to be the case.


    "Laws, the laws that make the world around us work."


    Floriana Sabina said as a matter of fact. Rant Valo tilted his head in confusion. Whatever she was saying, it doesn''t click in his mind.


    "Put it like this. If you heat up a pot of water, it boils right? The process of the water boiling after being heated could be considered a law."


    Floriana Sabina sighed after seeing Rant Valo''s lack of understanding. She could only dumb it down to his level.


    "Boiling water is a law? I thought laws were like the things enforced by the kingdom."


    In Rant Valo''s mind, the laws are those that people have to follow. Like the different laws set for agriculture that he was very familiar with as a farmer villager.


    "No, no, no. Those are mortal laws. I''m talking about the natural laws. These laws are made by no one. They just exist right from the beginning, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina became slightly frustrated trying to explain it to Rant Valo. For her, it was common sense, but for Rant Valo who would have normally never had touched upon such a high level of knowledge, it was alien to him.


    "Ohhh! I finally understand."


    Only after Floriana Sabina''s diligent explanation was Rant Valo able to finally understand what she meant. It still didn''t make sense for him, but at least for now, he knows that they are entirely different from each other. It was like date and date are not the same. The other is a date considered time, while the other one is about spending your time with your love partner.


    "Good. Now Supreme Laws are like the fundamental laws in the universe. All of the stuff that exists is governed by the Supreme Laws."


    Floriana Sabina continued her explanation. The Supreme Laws are very elusive and mysterious. They are very hard to understand. That is why only gods are said to be able to touch upon them.


    "Then what are the laws which are not fundamental in the universe?"


    Rant Valo asked in curiosity. If there was a supreme law, there should also be a ''normal'' law.


    "The Elemental Laws are Fire, Water, Earth, Air, etc. They are all around us. The boiling water example I gave you earlier is a small part of the Water law."


    Floriana Sabina explained. There are so many elements in the universe that not everyone knows about all of them. What she gave were the ones that are very common in their world.


    "Isn''t that supposed to be a Fire law? Since you used heat."


    Rant Valo was confused. You need to put a pot of water under a flame to boil it. That should have been a Fire law in Rant Valo''s opinion. Because the fire made the water boil.


    "Nope. Disciple, think about it. Is the water on fire?"


    Floriana Sabina shook her head. What he said was entirely wrong. It isn''t how the laws work.


    "No. It''s water. How can it be on fire?"


    Rant Valo responded almost immediately. Even if the water is boiling, he could tell that it was not on fire. He was not that stupid to mistake something like that.


    "Exactly. The water is just in a different state because of the Fire law, but it is still inherently a part of the Water law."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head at Rant Valo''s words. The water is simply boiling but it is still water. It''s not like the water ignited when it boiled.


    "Ah, I understand now."


    Something clicked within Rant Valo''s mind after she explained all of that. He could now say with confidence that he understands how the basics of the natural laws work.


    "Good."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head in satisfaction. Although it took a while, Rant Valo was still able to understand what she said. She was satisfied with that. She can''t really expect much from her disciple''s villager brain.


    "Are you guys gonna stop yet?"


    Veia was looking at them bored as she rested under a tree. They were talking about confusing stuff that her head started hurting just from hearing them. In the end, she decided to just stare at the sky. But she still wanted to interact with her master so she couldn''t help but look from time to time.


    "You should have listened, Veia."


    Rant Valo thought that it was a pity that Veia didn''t listen to their discussion. It was really beneficial for his understanding of cultivation and he thought that Veia would have gained more from it as she was in a higher cultivation stage than he did.


    "But master¡­ it''s too boring."


    Veia slumped to the ground. Even though it was her master telling her so, their topic was just really something that flies over her head. Even if she was forced to listen to it, she wouldn''t be able to put any of it inside her head.


    "Sigh"


    Rant Valo sighed at her laziness. He decided that he would at least teach it to her if she asks about it in the future.


    "Disciple, test it out on a tree!"


    Floriana Sabina suggested from the side. She wanted to see how Rant Valo''s magic technique works for living things like a tree. It would be very interesting in her opinion. As trees are very sturdy, how would bad fortune affect them?


    "A tree?"


    Rant Valo was puzzled by her request. He thinks that nothing would happen to a tree anyway even if he tried. There''s nothing for a tree to be unlucky about.


    "Yes! Test it out on that one."


    Floriana Sabina pointed at a lone tree on the side. It was a lush green tree of unknown species.


    "Alright. Tide of Bad Fortune!"


    Rant Valo could only nod his head at her request. He closed his eyes and channeled his mana. A white gush of mana once again escaped from his hands.

 Chapter 59 - I’ll Make You Kiss Me

    The mana hit the tree without any obstructions. All of the mana was absorbed by the tree after hitting it. The tree stayed silent and still for a while before yellow specks appeared on some of its leaves. The tree barely started withering before the leaves started turning green once again.


    "I guess the vitality of a tree is too strong for your magic technique to affect it, Disciple."


    After seeing that the tree was basically unharmed, Floriana Sabina turned to Rant Valo and spoke. Trees are inherently filled with vitality. They are the symbol of vitality for all living things in the world. Because trees can live for so long if no harm comes their way.


    Rant Valo nodded his head in understanding. He didn''t expect much from happening but seeing the leaves showing signs of withering before quickly recovering is something he has never seen.


    "Wait! Master, didn''t it affect you? It hit you right?"


    Earlier when Rant Valo used the magic technique, Floriana Sabina was hit with it but nothing happened yet. Rant Valo was worried that since the magic technique can affect a living thing like a tree then it should have also affected Floriana Sabina.


    "Hm? I don''t feel any different though."


    Floriana Sabina turned her head to Rant Valo. Even after so long she has not noticed anything weird happening to her. It was like the magic technique was entirely harmless to her.


    "Really? What if you suddenly dry up like a dried corpse?"


    Rant Valo''s imagination was running wild. He saw the tree wither and for a human, it would be the equivalent of drying up like a corpse.


    "Disciple, stop saying something like that!"


    Floriana Sabina felt her back shiver from fear. Humans don''t have as much vitality as trees and if she was truly affected then it would turn her into a walking dried corpse.


    "Ah, right. I''m sorry. I was just worried."


    Rant Valo immediately apologized. She was right. He was basically cursing it to happen to her by mentioning it.


    "Hmph! If I turn into a walking corpse I''ll make you kiss me so you''ll be disgusted!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted at Rant Valo. He was being too insensitive with such things as something like that could really happen. She could only think of the worst punishment she could think of right now that involves what he just said.


    "K-kiss me!?"


    Rant Valo was bewildered by what she just said. He couldn''t help but sneak a peek at her small lips. His mind immediately imagined it. His face quickly turned red from embarrassment.


    "I- I didn''t say that!"


    Floriana Sabina''s face also turned red from embarrassment. She said something embarrassing without thinking too much into it. She immediately regretted speaking in anger.


    "Grandmaster, you-!"


    Veia looked at Floriana Sabina with wide eyes. She thought that Floriana Sabina would not be a rival but from the looks of it. She''s also a potential rival. She couldn''t help but raise her guard up around her. She must protect her master''s first kiss!


    "Y-you guys were just hearing things!"


    Floriana Sabina clearly didn''t know what to do in this situation. She didn''t expect to blurt out something that embarrassing without even realizing it. Her face was turning redder and redder until she was red till her neck.


    "I didn''t hear anything!"


    Rant Valo suddenly shouted to both of them. His face was still red but he looked at them dumbly like nothing happened.


    "Yes! You didn''t hear anything."


    Floriana Sabina immediately went forward to support Rant Valo''s words. If ever, they were just making it less awkward for each other. This way they can just tell themselves that it never really happened and they will just forget that it ever happened.


    "..."


    Veia was speechless at the both of them. They really did their utmost just to deny reality and to avoid being embarrassed.


    "R-right, what are we doing next, Master?"


    Rant Valo nervously asked Floriana Sabina. Even though he said he didn''t hear anything, it was obviously a lie and her words were still replaying inside his head.


    "W-wanna try it on a live fish?"


    Floriana Sabina''s eyes swam around before she finally thought of something. Since they already tested it on a magic technique and a living tree then the next thing would be to test it on an animal.


    "Y-yes!"


    Rant Valo was nervously smiling back at her. He walked towards the river and closed his eyes to concentrate.


    "Wait! Disciple, are your mana reserves enough?"


    Floriana Sabina couldn''t help but remind Rant Valo. After all, he has already used the same magic technique several times. He still hadn''t had the chance to rest yet.


    "Ah, I think so?"


    Rant Valo really wasn''t sure. He looked at his core and still saw that there was still some mana inside it. He still hadn''t exhausted most of it.


    "Rest first, Disciple. I''m sure that your core doesn''t have enough mana to use."


    Floriana Sabina stopped Rant Valo before he could go any further. Depleting one''s mana is like a death wish. Only someone crazy would do so because there is a chance of losing their cultivation and the extreme headache that followed afterward would hurt so much that you would wish you were dead.


    "There are still some."


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but speak up. He was sure that he could cast at least one more magic technique before his core became empty.


    "You''re wrong, Disciple. That''s likely to be your foundational mana."


    Floriana Sabina shook her head. There are two types of mana inside a cultivator, usable mana and foundational mana. The usable mana is what the cultivators use to cast their magic techniques these could be replenished easily with rest. While the foundational mana is meant to keep the cultivation stage of the cultivator. If they expend their foundational mana, the cultivator would regress or most likely lose all of their cultivation.


    "Foundational mana?"


    Rant Valo became confused by her words once again. Whenever Floriana Sabina speaks, there would at least be one word that Rant Valo would not understand the meaning of. It was very frustrating and confusing for him.

 Chapter 60 - Good Morning, Master!

    Floriana Sabina then proceeded to explain to Rant Valo the difference between foundational mana and usable mana. It took a while but Rant Valo was able to understand that he should not use his mana right now.


    "So, I just have to rest and it will fill back up again?"


    "Yes, Disciple. You could also cultivate and replenish it yourself, which would be several times faster."


    Floriana Sabina replied with a smile. Teaching this disciple of hers is really fun sometimes. It''s like she''s raising a baby.


    "I see."


    Rant Valo nodded his head and sat down to cultivate. He was really excited to try it out on a live fish so he chose the faster option. He doesn''t even feel that tired so he just cultivated.


    Veia was watching Rant Valo very intently. Similar to how he was watching her when she was unconscious yesterday. She was suppressing her urges to pounce on him right now. Rant Valo''s defenseless look was really tempting for her.


    A few hours later, Rant Valo opened his eyes. He immediately saw Veia who was staring at him without blinking her eyes.


    "Good morning, Master!"


    Veia greeted Rant Valo joyfully. Seeing her master opening his eyes was very fun for her.


    "Morning? It''s clearly afternoon already."


    Rant Valo looked up and saw the sun was hanging high up in the sky. If it was morning it would still be hanging low in the east.


    "Don''t fret about the details, Master!"


    Veia shrugged off Rant Valo''s words. She was clearly looking for some snu snu from her master right now. Basically, she''s hungry for his blood.


    "Let me guess, you want to drink my blood?"


    Rant Valo immediately guessed. Veia was acting so energetic that he immediately became suspicious of her.


    "Ah, I''ve been found out!"


    Veia reacted in a playful manner. Rant Valo was right. Her mouth is looking for that signature masternium that she got contracted for.


    "Alright. Just don''t drink it all."


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but remind her. For some reason, he felt some faint fear of her drinking so much of his blood that he loses consciousness. He didn''t know it, but it was the effect of Veia doing exactly just that. He may have not been able to remember it, but his body clearly remembers it.


    "Yes, Master!"


    Veia found it odd that Rant Valo said that. After all, even she herself forgot about that from happening. She immediately placed her fangs on Rant Valo''s neck and started sucking on his blood. Her body quivered from pleasure as she drank his blood.


    Rant Valo started feeling the pleasure coming from her sucking on his blood. It was a weird feeling for Rant Valo as it was supposed to hurt when a vampire is sucking on your blood. Nevertheless, he enjoyed it.


    "Puah~!"


    A few minutes later, Veia let go of Rant Valo''s neck. Her eyes were clouded with pleasure. Her body quivered from time to time. It was like she just had a ''sensational'' experience.


    Even Rant Valo was panting a little bit. The pleasure from her drinking his blood just made his little brother stand up on attention. A very natural but weird experience for Rant Valo. He would have to release some pent-up stress after this one. Rant Valo reckoned that it will be a lot of ''stress''.


    Floriana Sabina was looking at both of them with a deadpan expression on her face. Although she knew that Veia only drank Rant Valo''s blood, it was clearly like they did just something else. Her mood immediately became sour after thinking of that.


    "Are you guys done yet?"


    Floriana Sabina asked them with the same deadpan face.


    "Y-yes, Master."


    Rant Valo didn''t know why but he was feeling nervous for her all of the sudden. It was like he did something that he was supposed to feel guilty about.


    "Hmph!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted at hearing Rant Valo''s response. She was very upset right now.


    "Master, that was good¡­"


    Veia was eyeing Rant Valo with a lustful grin. She was looking down at Rant Valo''s waist. It was as if drinking Rant Valo''s blood opened some sort of lustful demon inside her.


    "V-veia?"


    Rant Valo immediately felt danger when he saw Veia''s dangerous eyes. His virginity was at stake. He wanted to save it for Zaria! The love of his life.


    SMACK


    "OW!"


    Floriana Sabina went forward and hit Veia on the head. Veia felt pain and held her head as she looked at Floriana Sabina with pitiful eyes.


    "Stop bothering my disciple. Hmph!"


    Floriana Sabina hmph''d and turned away. She walked towards Rant Valo and pulled him to the river. She can''t let that lewd demon lead her disciple astray.


    "Disciple. Let''s test it out on a fish!"


    Floriana Sabina immediately said after arriving at the river bank. She wanted to see what would happen to the fish.


    "Okay¡­ Tide of Bad Fortune!"


    Rant Valo closed his eyes and channeled his mana. It was released into the water and hit several fishes. Rant Valo opened his eyes and looked at the fish he just hit.


    "Nothing is happening?"


    Rant Valo said with confusion.


    "Just wait, Disciple. You saw that it took a while before."


    Floriana Sabina hushed Rant Valo and excitedly looked at all of the fishes swimming about. There was a childlike excitement on her face.


    A few moments later, a huge splash happened and a big brown bear appeared. It took almost all of the fishes in the water and scooped it all into its mouth. Some managed to escape, but all of the ones hit by Rant Valo''s magic technique were eaten.


    "W-was that the effect of the magic technique?"


    Rant Valo''s mouth was twitching as he watched the bear swim in the water and continue eating the fishes with great familiarity. It had probably eaten these fishes all throughout its life that''s why it''s very familiar with catching it. The bear continued eating fishes till it slowly got closer and closer to them.

 Chapter 61 - Why Are You Hiding Behind Me!?

    "It''s getting closer!"


    Rant Valo exclaimed in fear. The bear looks so strong. It could probably rip him apart with a swing of its claws. Rant Valo couldn''t help but hide behind Floriana Sabina.


    "Why are you hiding behind me!?"


    Floriana Sabina turned back to look at Rant Valo with a frown. She was being made into a meatshield right now.


    "You''re strong right?"


    Rant Valo didn''t care about his pride anymore. That bear is so scary for him to care. He would rather hide behind a little girl than get ripped to shreds.


    GUOOOHH!!


    The bear clearly saw them on the river banks. The bear suddenly accelerated as it moved towards them at a quick pace. The water on its way was parted with its big body pushing it away.


    Floriana Sabina raised her head and looked down at the bear. This bear was too weak for her to even care about it.


    "You''re just a stupid Forest Bear!"


    Floriana Sabina created a big ball of red flames and threw it onto the head of the bear. The bear''s eyes were opened wide in shock as it saw the big flames. It had never something like that in its whole life.


    The big ball of red flames hit the bear and cooked it to a crisp. Its body burned in flames as the high temperature of the ball of flame slowly burnt its outside and cooked its inside.


    "Disciple, do you want to try some bear meat?"


    Floriana Sabina turned her head to Rant Valo and flashed a cute smile. Rant Valo felt his cheeks twitch from the sheer absurdity of what just happened. It only took one attack from Floriana Sabina and the bear was gone. It didn''t even have the chance to scream in pain.


    The only thing that it could do was stare at the big ball of red flames with its eyes opened wide. It was probably too shocked to even have screamed. It died pathetically. Just silent and incinerated.


    "Bear meat? Is that even edible?"


    Rant Valo had never heard of anyone eating any bear meat. Even the merchants that pass through their village from time to time never mentioned such a thing. So Rant Valo was very confused right now since he never thought that it was actually edible.


    "Don''t you know, you can eat any meat in the world, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo oddly. Any meat in the world could be eaten. There are only so few meats that could poison you and even those could be properly eaten with proper procedures.


    "You can??"


    Rant Valo reacted in shock. His eyes blinked repeatedly in confusion. Even his villager brain couldn''t imagine something like that to be possible. Admiration was building up in his heart as he realized that Floriana Sabina has been teaching him so much about the wide world.


    It was really fun on his part. He gets to learn about the world while getting strong. There''s no one out there that wouldn''t want to explore this fantastic world full of mysteries and cultivation powers.


    "Of course. Try slicing the bear and you could probably still eat the meat under the burnt skin."


    Floriana Sabina scanned the bear quickly with her Spiritual Sense. She found out that the bear still had edible meat inside. Unlike the meat that was closer to the skin which was very much so burnt. Which they couldn''t eat.


    It would be a very awful taste to eat burnt meat. That much should be common sense.


    "Okay."


    Rant Valo approached the bear slowly. When he was close enough to the bear he could even smell the aromatic fragrance of its meat. There was also a mix of the burnt smell but Rant Valo could still tell that it was an umami-packed meat.


    Rant Valo unsheathed his knife and started carving away the burnt parts on the bear''s arm. After removing most of the burnt parts in one spot. He slowly cut into the cooked meat under it.


    "Wow! It smells really delicious!"


    Rant Valo exclaimed in amazement. His eyes went round. He never tried bear meat before so he was very curious about its taste. He sliced a big chunk of the cooked meat and stabbed it with the knife before pulling it out.


    "I know right?"


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head as if she already expected this from the beginning.


    "Have you tasted one before, Master?"


    Rant Valo asked Floriana Sabina curiously. She sounded like she already had one before. And from the tone of her voice, she had probably enjoyed it too.


    "Yes! It was cooked by someone from the sect. That bear was so delicious my mouth is still watering to this day."


    Floriana Sabina''s mouth opened wide and drool escaped from her mouth. She was imagining the bear meat that has been served to her hundreds of years ago.


    "I''ll take a bite then."


    Rant Valo couldn''t wait anymore and took a big bite of the bear meat. He chewed on it and its texture surprised him. It was totally unlike what the meat he has been eating before was like. This was quite chewy as the bear was very muscular.


    Munch Munch


    "It tastes a little sweet and it''s very grainy."


    Rant Valo talked as he chewed the bear meat in his mouth. It was also somewhat mild as it has no fat to help with its flavor.


    "Disciple, gimme some!"


    Floriana Sabina went towards Rant Valo and pulled a large chunk from what''s left on Rant Valo''s knife. She then pushed it down her throat and ate all of it.


    "Mmmmm! It''s different but it''s still great."


    Floriana Sabina''s eyes glowed from the delicious taste of the bear meat. She was a little bit disappointed about it as it was not up to her expectations. It was a very different taste from what she ate before but she could recognize some parts of the taste that were quite similar.


    "..Why can''t I eat meat?"


    Veia was sulking from the side as she watched Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina chow down the bear meat with gluttony. She could guess just from looking at them that it tastes very delicious.

 Chapter 62 - Cold!

    "Isn''t my blood tasty enough?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but retort after hearing Veia''s voice.


    "But the meat seems so delicious!"


    Veia responded snappily. She was jealous that they could both earth meat without any consequences.


    "You wanna take a small bite? Just a small one so its effects would not be severe."


    Rant Valo offered the meat on the knife to Veia. Veia creased her eyebrows and thought about it. She could still faintly remember what happened back then when she ate the fishes.


    "Just a tiny bit."


    Veia plucked a small piece from the meat and took a bite. She munched on it and analyzed the flavor.


    "Mmm¡­ It''s very bland."


    Veia only tasted coarse meat. It had no seasoning to begin with. It was just plain old meat. She swallowed it after a couple of chews.


    "Do you regret eating it?"


    Rant Valo asked her with care. If it was not up to her satisfaction then she would be suffering later for nothing.


    "I do."


    Veia replied with a wry smile. She thought that it was some high-quality tasting meat but it was just bland meat. Even dried meat jerkies are more appetizing than this one.


    "Tell us if you feel strange."


    Rant Valo was worried that she would go crazy again. Although it was just a small piece it was still something that could cause an adverse reaction from her soul.


    "Master, why are you so worried about me? Are you perhaps attracted to me already??"


    Veia quickly noticed that Rant Valo has been acting awfully worried about her. He was never like that before. So she immediately thought that it was because he started being interested in her.


    "Nope. I''m just worried that my slave will go crazy again."


    Rant Valo replied flatly. He was not one bit interested in her. Rather, he was physically interested in her body but he was not emotionally attracted to her. And Rant Valo is someone who cares more about his emotions rather than his little brother''s reactions.


    "Awww¡­"


    Veia was disappointed after hearing Rant Valo''s words. She was once again shut down by him. At this point, Veia was already used to it so she didn''t react as strongly as before. Being shot down by Rant Valo was just that frequent.


    "Master, we should go across the river."


    Rant Valo suggested to Floriana Sabina. They have already stayed on this side of the river for so long that he made no progress on his travel whatsoever.


    "We may as well do so, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head. She walked forward and stepped on the river water. The next thing that happened shocked Rant Valo.


    "Y-you''re stepping on water?"


    Rant Valo watched as Floriana Sabina stepped on the river water. It was like another ground for her to step on.


    "I don''t want my dress to get wet."


    Floriana Sabina turned her head and continued forward. Rant Valo could only follow her and swim through the cold river waters.


    "Agh, this is too cold."


    Rant Valo endured the cold as he dipped in the water deeper and deeper. Veia followed after him and also dipped into the water. She was not like Floriana Sabina who was capable of walking on water.


    Veia held onto the hem of Rant Valo''s clothes and crossed the river with him. The strong river currents would have already pulled Rant Valo away if he was still just a mortal, but now that he was already a 5th Mana Condensation stage cultivator, his body was already strong enough to fight against it.


    "Finally, we made it. Brrrrr! Too cold..."


    Rant Valo walked out of the water and immediately froze when he felt the cold winds brush onto him. It was like a freezing wind just brushed against him when in fact, it was just a normal wind.


    "Cold!"


    Veia screamed as the cold wind also touched her wet cloak. Her thin body was freezing from the cold.


    "Heh. You guys should get used to it."


    Floriana Sabina snickered when she saw both of them freezing from the cold. She was glad that instead of walking across the river, she walked on top of it.


    "...Easy for you to say¡­"


    Rant Valo grumbled on the side. It was very unfair for her to say that to them after she didn''t even a single drop of water touch her skin.


    "Hmph! If you''re even a tiny bit as strong as me, then you could have also walked on the water."


    Floriana Sabina snorted after hearing Rant Valo''s grumble. She worked hard for her cultivation so it was natural for her to use it when need be.


    "Okay. Okay."


    Rant Valo nodded his head repeatedly to stop her from boasting anymore. She was starting to act like a spoiled princess once again. He was annoyed by it every time she does it.


    "Hmph! Now you know!"


    Floriana Sabina turned her head away and walked away.


    "Wait, we should start a camp first. We need to dry our clothes."


    Rant Valo stopped Floriana Sabina after seeing her continue on her way. It would not be fun to travel inside the forest with wet clothes on. It is naturally cool inside a forest so walking inside it with wet clothes is like entering a cold domain.


    "We already got everything in this place. We should speed up our pace."


    Floriana Sabina waved her hands and a hot gush of air dried Rant Valo and Veia''s clothes in no time.


    "Wow. Thank you. You should have done this sooner."


    "I''m not your slave. I''m only doing this so we can travel faster!"


    Floriana Sabina turned her head away and walked further ahead. Her small face was slightly blushing.


    Rant Valo and Veia followed Floriana Sabina deeper into the forest. They left the cooked carcass of the bear on the other side of the river since carrying it with them would only hinder their speed. Plus, they could still capture and cook other animals in this forest.

 Chapter 63 - Y-You Believe Me?

    They entered deeper and deeper into the forest. Soon, the thick canopy of the trees above have already covered the sun. It was like an entirely new world inside this forest. There were various different animals moving around.


    There were squirrels, mice, and even birds flying across the trees. It was certainly a diverse environment. From the distance, a large moose could even be seen. It was so big that you would think that your eyes are deceiving you.


    "I''ve never been this deep into a forest. Are you sure we aren''t going the wrong way?"


    Rant Valo was only following Floriana Sabina earlier. A week ago, he was following a mud road so he wouldn''t get lost. But this was a big forest that cut straight into the direction of the town. They couldn''t be sure that they wouldn''t become lost.


    "Disciple, do you know that I can see the town from here?"


    Floriana Sabina asked with a tinge of a smile on her face. As a high-stage cultivator, her Spiritual Sense reaches far and wide.


    "Really? Well, I believe you."


    Rant Valo was skeptical at first, but he just decided to trust her for once. She already proved to him that she was very strong. Making such claims right now for her is not too much.


    "Y-you believe me?"


    Floriana Sabina was surprised that Rant Valo immediately believed her. Usually, he would be too untrusting for something ridiculous like that. Of course, for Floriana Sabina, something like that is just common sense.


    "Eh? Are you okay? You actually want me to not believe you?"


    Rant Valo was puzzled at her response. It felt natural for him to believe her after all that happened.


    "N-no. I''m just not used to it, Disciple."


    They headed deeper and deeper into the forest. Without them realizing it, the moon has already shown itself above them. The bits and pieces of the moon''s rays passed through the canopy of the trees, creating a very beautiful and mesmerizing scene.


    "It''s like we''re seeing a holy light¡­"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but say. He could still remember the descriptions of it from the stories that he was once told when he was young.


    "Eek, don''t mention that, Master. I felt shivers running up my spine when I heard it."


    Veia jumped a little bit when she heard Rant Valo mention ''holy light''. Veia didn''t know this, but demons are very weak against this so-called ''holy light''. Her body was simply reacting to it instinctively.


    "Anyways, what do you guys want for dinner?"


    Floriana Sabina asked both of them. They were already traveling for a long while now. They ought to eat something already.


    "A deer?"


    Rant Valo immediately suggested. He saw one before and since the predators of this forest seem to always hunt deers, he thought that maybe they tasted delicious.


    "Why are you even asking me?"


    Veia looked at Floriana Sabina like she was looking at someone purposely making a fight with her.


    "Maybe you would like to taste it?"


    Floriana Sabina thought that Veia would like to taste the meat once again. After all, nothing happened to Veia after all this while. It''s definitely because she only ate a small piece.


    "It would probably just taste as bad as the bear meat."


    Veia responded with disappointment. Just remembering that she actually risked herself for another session of craziness just to taste bland bear meat is just depressing. If only she knew that her master''s sense of taste is bad.


    "You are very picky, huh. I wonder what kinds of food you were eating in your past life."


    Floriana Sabina thought in wonder. For Veia to have such a sensitive palette could only mean that she was already used to eating very high-end and delicious foods.


    "..."


    Veia immediately went silent after hearing Floriana Sabina''s words. It was something that she didn''t like to be reminded about. After all, back in the cave, she just received small bits of her memories of her past life.


    "I''m sorry. I thought that you were okay with it already."


    Floriana Sabina apologized after seeing Veia act like that. She didn''t expect that Veia still hadn''t gotten over her past since she seemed chill about it when she learned about it the first time.


    "I''m fine, Grandmaster."


    Veia flashed a smile onto Floriana Sabina. Floriana Sabina smiled back and they both continued walking forward. Rant Valo was following them from the back and question marks were floating on top of his head. They suddenly had some deep connection at the end that he couldn''t understand.


    "There''s a deer!"


    Rant Valo pointed from the back. He was looking around to find one and he finally saw one. The deer was lying under the tree and was hiding behind a small bush. But the bush was not hiding the deer from Rant Valo''s perspective. It was totally exposed.


    "Disciple, good job!"


    Floriana Sabina gave Rant Valo a thumbs up before a huge flaming dragon appeared behind her. The flames were deep orange in color and they lit up this whole part of the forest. The flaming dragon fell on top of the deer and cooked it without any suspense.


    "!!"


    Rant Valo was alarmed when he saw the huge flames, especially when it hit the bush beside the deer. It was a fire hazard. The whole forest could burn up because of it. He doesn''t want to be cooked alive.


    "Easy!"


    There was a cheeky smile on Floriana Sabina''s face as she looked at her deed. She controlled the flames much better compared to when she did it with the bear earlier. The skin was only just slightly burnt.


    "Ew."


    Rant Valo immediately noticed the melted eyes of the deer. It was so repulsive seeing it like that. The bear before got burnt but this deer just got cooked with its eyes still open wide.


    "Yuck."


    Floriana Sabina also noticed the eyes of the deer and a ball of fire flew from her hands to the face of the deer. It burned the whole face and the eyes disappeared from their view.


    "Well, that''s one way to do it."


    Rant Valo commented from the side.

 Chapter 64 - Ahhh!! Master, I’m Coming!

    "Hehe."


    Floriana Sabina chuckled to herself. Cooking seemed to have become so much easier when she used her magic techniques.


    "Wait, the fire is spreading!"


    Rant Valo quickly noticed that the bush was set on fire and it slowly spread to the surrounding bushes. This forest is basically the home ground of the fire.


    "Kukuku, don''t worry, Disciple! I''m the Youngest Saintess in the world for a reason."


    Floriana Sabina said with supreme confidence. She looked at the spreading flames and raised a hand into the air. She opened her palm and closed it exaggeratedly. Suddenly, the flames went off with a puff of smoke. She killed all of the flames with a simple hand motion.


    "What kind of magic technique is that?"


    Rant Valo asked in amazement. Seeing something like that in person was so breathtaking. It was like the flames followed her command.


    "It''s something you will learn after reaching the Mana Dominion stage. Anyways, time to dig in!"


    Floriana Sabina did not dwell on it further but walked towards the cooked deer. She ignored the still-smoking flesh and pulled a chunk of meat off. She took a bite and happily munched on it.


    "Uwaaa! This is really good."


    Floriana Sabina exclaimed in amazement. The taste of the deer meat was quite earthy and the meat was quite firm.


    Rant Valo went forward and unsheathed his knife to cut a small portion. He tried to grab the portion he cut with his hands but it was very hot. He blew on his fingers as touching that hot deer meat was quite painful.


    He looked at Floriana Sabina happily eating the deer meat as hot steam escaped her mouth. She was totally unaffected by the heat.


    "Master Floriana, why are you not affected by the heat of the meat?"


    Rant Valo asked in wonder. He saw her do it so many times in the past already and he never really had the chance to ask her. It always confuses him whenever he sees her do it.


    "Master Floriana? What the hell, Disciple Rant?"


    Floriana Sabina took notice of Rant Valo''s different form of address to her. It startled her as she was not used to being called that way.


    "I just think it suits you better, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo didn''t really have any particular reason to change his form of address to her. It just makes it easier for the readers to distinguish between him and Veia. Ehem. The fourth wall is not supposed to be broken.


    "You''re just making your life harder, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina glanced at Rant Valo and sighed. She never told him to do something like that. It was just unnecessary in her opinion.


    "I guess? Anyways, why does the heat not affect you?"


    Rant Valo shrugged his shoulders at her. It was not that inconvenient for him to call her ''Master Floriana'', it was just one added word anyway.


    "Hmm¡­ Isn''t it obvious? I''m a Fire Element Magic Cultivator!"


    Floriana Sabina tilted her head and looked at Rant Valo peeringly. She was looking at him like he was an idiot. After all, Rant Valo had already seen her use flames so many times that he ought to have realized that he was a Fire Element Magic Cultivator.


    "Ah! So your main element was the reason."


    Rant Valo immediately understood. He just hadn''t thought of it that way. That the main element of the cultivator affects their immunity to that element too. Because Floriana Sabina is a Fire Element Magic Cultivator, she is immune to things related to fire like heat.


    "Yes, Disciple. Veia, what''s with that look?"


    Floriana Sabina turned and looked at Veia who was looking at them once again in envy. She was glancing at the deer from time to time. It looked like she had something to say but held it in.


    "Veia, if you want to taste it, you can have a small piece."


    Rant Valo offered. He carved out a small piece of meat for Veia to eat. He picked it up and blew onto it before passing it to Veia. Veia looked at the meat with disinterest.


    "You don''t want it?"


    Rant Valo asked in confusion. She was acting like she didn''t even want to eat it when she clearly glanced at it repeatedly earlier.


    "I''m not interested in the meat, Master. I just thought that it''s envious to like unseasoned meat."


    Veia replied with a frown on her face. She was sure that even if she took a small piece of that deer, she wouldn''t like it. After all, when she tasted the bear meat, it tasted very bland. That was because it was unseasoned. She doesn''t want to risk her own soul just to eat bland meat.


    She wanted to experience what they were experiencing right now. No high expectations from the meat. Just happy after eating the unseasoned meat.


    "You can drink my blood?"


    Rant Valo tilted his head and exposed his neck to Veia. If she couldn''t eat the meat then she could just drink his blood. It seems that she enjoys it after all.


    "Yes! Master, you read my mind!"


    Veia said with excitement overflowing on her face. She went forward and bit Rant Valo''s neck. Floriana Sabina watched as they both squirmed in pleasure. Her face was deadpan as she looked at both of them.


    She couldn''t believe that they were getting off from sucking blood and having their blood drunk. Though Floriana Sabina is also guilty of enjoying Veia''s blood sucking. She was once bitten by Veia on her wrist when they first met.


    ...


    A short while later,


    "Ahh! Such a sweet flavor! Ahhh!! Master, I''m coming!"


    Veia tiptoed as she ran towards Rant Valo. She just came back and there were berries on her bosom. After drinking Rant Valo''s blood, she went to look for other sources of food to eat. She then found a sweet berry bush which she ate some.


    "Woah! Veia, that looks really good."


    Rant Valo praised as he looked at the berries she was carrying with her arms.

 Chapter 65 - A Good Berry

    "Where did you get these berries?"


    Rant Valo asked Veia as he picked up a berry and placed it inside his mouth. He took a bite into it and the delicious, sweet and slightly tangy berry juices burst inside his mouth. It was an explosion of berry flavor.


    "WOAHHHH!! This berry is really good!"


    Rant Valo picked up another berry and looked at it intently. It was a round yellow berry. It was similar to a blueberry but it was yellow in color.


    "Oh, that''s a yellowberry."


    Floriana Sabina said after seeing the berries. She had seen some illustrations of it in some books.


    "You want one, Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo offered to her the berry in his hand. Floriana Sabina picked it up and ate it.


    "Mmm. A good berry."


    Floriana Sabina closed her eyes in satisfaction as she munched on the yellowberry. She was savoring its sweet flavor.


    "Master, I found them over there on the small ledge. It was growing on top of cracked rocks."


    Veia pointed to a place a bit far from them. It was where she stumbled into these yellowberries.


    "This is a good source of energy, Veia. Are there more?"


    Rant Valo kept getting one berry after another. It was all going inside his mouth where he chewed and enjoyed the sweet flavor.


    "There are more, Master. I can get more if you want."


    Veia suggested to Rant Valo. It was just a short trip. She could take a lot of yellowberries at a time so she would be able to get all of it in no time.


    "Thank you, Veia."


    Veia left after Rant Valo''s thanks to get more yellowberries. After eating all of that meat the past few days, Rant Valo was appreciative of the yellowberries that he was eating. It was nice to have a change of pace.


    Rant Valo was holding the yellowberries inside his arms. They were still on their stalks so Rant Valo was able to hold onto them fairly easily.


    "You want to eat some more?"


    Rant Valo saw Floriana Sabina glance at the berries so he offered it to her. Floriana Sabina nodded her head and plucked a yellowberry. Soon, Veia came back with an armful of yellowberries. Rant Valo had no choice but to put down the yellowberries that were in his arms.


    "This berry will be our snack for a whole week."


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but say after seeing the small pile of yellowberries. Veia had dumped the yellowberries in her arms together with the yellowberries that Rant Valo placed on the ground. The ground was still covered in bits and pieces of grass so Rant Valo wasn''t too worried that it would get dirty. If ever, they could just wipe the yellowberries or wash them if they pass a nearby water source.


    "We can also dry it, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina suggested from the side. These many yellowberries will hinder their movement. After all, they had to carry it within their arms.


    "Do you know how to dry fruits, Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo asked her in curiosity. It would be a surprise for him if she actually could. After all, she always acts like a spoiled princess.


    "I don''t, but we could try."


    Floriana Sabina shook her head in denial. She was never given the chance to do life activities like drying fruits. She mostly focused her time on cultivating. It was one of the reasons why she became the Youngest Saintess in the world.


    Her sacrifices and hard work have paid off. She became a strong cultivator fast. It''s not that bad since cultivation gives the cultivators a long lifespan. It''s much better to cultivate first before enjoying life. Because the younger the cultivator is, the faster and easier they could cultivate.


    "Well, I can dry fruits."


    Rant Valo smiled at her. It was something he learned from the village. Although he rarely did it, he still had experience in drying fruits.


    "Oh! Teach that to me too, Disciple."


    Rant Valo''s words took Floriana Sabina''s interest. She wasn''t that shy anymore when learning from Rant Valo. She already learned a lot of stuff from Rant Valo that she didn''t care about it anymore. Rather, she was excited to learn new stuff.


    "First, we need a rectangular woven rattan. But¡­ I would still have to weave it."


    Rant Valo looked around and smiled wryly at the forest. They had no ready-made woven rattan here to use. He would have to make one.


    "A woven rattan? I think I have some."


    Floriana Sabina closed her eyes and looked inside the contents of her Storage Ring. She opened her eyes shortly after and a large rectangular woven rattan appeared in her hand. It was at least a meter long and 2 feet wide. It was big and so sudden that Rant Valo was taken aback when he saw it appear in her hands.


    "Great!"


    Rant Valo was overjoyed. It will now make his life easier. He didn''t have to make a new one. He was still having flashbacks of when his weave would unravel. He didn''t want to experience it again.


    "Now what?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo.


    "Second, we should wash the berries. So we need to find a body of water first."


    Cleaning the fruits is the first step. It removes dirt and the bugs crawling on the fruit.


    "Geh. You should have said that first."


    Floriana Sabina was displeased as she put the woven rattan back inside her Storage Ring.


    "It was more important to have a rectangular woven rattan first or it would not even be possible to dry the yellowberries."


    Rant Valo retorted. He had already thought through most of this stuff. If he didn''t have a woven rattan he would have to make one and in that amount of time, he would use the time to find a body of water while weaving the rattan. That was his thought process so having Floriana Sabina act all displeased also displeased him.

 Chapter 66 - I’ll Dry Them For You

    "It''s already deep into the night. I think we should sleep first."


    Rant Valo suggested to them. He yawned as he stood there. Walking for so long was very tiring.


    "Sleep? Aren''t you already a cultivator, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at him oddly. Cultivators are meant to have a strong body and long-lasting endurance compared to mortals. It was odd for him to be sleepy right now.


    "Really? I''m feeling very sleepy though."


    "It must be because your body is still not used to being a cultivator. It thinks that you need sleep right now when you actually don''t need any."


    Floriana Sabina theorized the reason for Rant Valo''s sleepiness. After all, Rant Valo''s strength grew very fast. It was basically unthinkable to even grow in strength that fast.


    "I guess?"


    Rant Valo nodded his head at her theory. It makes some sense to him so he thinks that it should not be too far from the truth.


    "So do you still want to sleep?"


    Floriana Sabina eyed Rant Valo.


    "I''ll try to stay awake. *yawn*"


    Rant Valo yawned as he followed Floriana Sabina as they went looking for water sources to wash the yellowberries with. They talked about some senseless things while walking until they found a lake just before dawn.


    "Quite a big lake. Just perfect."


    Rant Valo stopped being sleepy after walking for a few hours. Now he was quite energetic in fact. It was unlike what he was feeling last night.


    Rant Valo walked over to the lakeside. He carefully placed the stalks and stalks of yellowberries into the water. He shook them in the water and carefully scrubbed their surfaces. He inspected them a few times and washed some he missed before placing them all on top of the rectangular woven rattan.


    "What do you do now, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina watched as Rant Valo walked over to the side and sat down beside the rectangular woven rattan.


    "We could do two things with it. We either flatten them or just dry them the way they are right now."


    Rant Valo explained to them. There are different ways to prepare a fruit before drying it. Some are done to speed up the process, some to make the dried fruit last longer, over all you have different options depending on your purposes.


    "Flatten them? Why?"


    Veia asked curiously. Even she herself couldn''t wrap her head around that reasoning. It sounds like an unnecessary step to her.


    "Yes. If we flatten them, they will dry faster as the skin of the fruit is broken and the water contents of the fruit will evaporate much faster."


    Rant Valo explained patiently. Given that they were not like him who had experience in drying fruits.


    "Where did you even learn all of this stuff, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina tilted her head. Rant Valo was just a villager yet he seems to be very knowledgeable in this subject.


    "Well, my father was a failed scholar. It was something he learned while studying in a faraway city."


    When Rant Valo was still not avoided like a plague in the village, his father used to teach him many basic life skills. This included the preservation of fruits. His father grew up as a farmer and coupled with what he learned when he was still studying to be a scholar, he became really knowledgeable on what happens when drying fruits.


    "I thought you were as clueless about the world as the average farmer, but it seems I was wrong about you, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina had genuine praise for Rant Valo. She was already impressed that he was very good at spear fishing and cooking fishes. Now she was even more impressed.


    "Hehehe, It''s nothing."


    Rant Valo became embarrassed at her praise. It was rare for her to do something like that. She only does it when he advances in cultivation. So having her do it for a life skill he knows is just satisfying.


    "Master, you did great!"


    Veia couldn''t really make sense of what was happening but seeing that Rant Valo seemed pleased to be praised, she joined in. She couldn''t have it that only she did not praise her master. She was her master''s slave after all.


    "Thanks, Veia."


    Rant Valo smiled back at Veia. Being praised was really nice. It felt like all of the time he was alone in the village was worth it.


    "Now, what will you do, Disciple? Will you flatten them or not?"


    Floriana Sabina asked as she placed her hands on her knees and looked down at Rant Valo. Her beautiful and silky long hair draped down her head and swayed with the wind. Rant Valo couldn''t help but do a double-take when he saw that.


    It was like Rant Valo was looking at a different person. She even seemed mesmerizing at that moment.


    "Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina tilted her head when she saw Rant Valo staring at her blankly.


    "Ah, yes. I''ll flatten them since we''re out here and don''t have much time to dry the fruits."


    Rant Valo quickly shook his head to remove the unnecessary thoughts in his mind. His heart was beating quickly for some reason he couldn''t comprehend.


    "I can dry them with my flames, right?"


    Floriana Sabina thought out loud. Her flames are very hot and could essentially speed up the drying process.


    "Y-yes. We could do that."


    Rant Valo didn''t know why he stuttered but he acted like nothing just happened.


    "Alright! I''ll dry them for you, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina pumped herself up. Having some use for her magic techniques is really fun. It makes all of that hardwork she put into cultivation worth it.


    "Wait, I''ll arrange them first."


    Rant Valo removed the yellowberries from the stems and lined them up neatly in the rectangular woven rattan. After a short while, he finished lining them all up but there were still quite a lot of yellowberries that didn''t fit so he gave them to Veia who held them in her arms.


    "Done. You can dry them now. .....But don''t burn them, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo''s words were about to end there but he had flashbacks of her burnt cooking so he couldn''t help but remind her for good measure.

 Chapter 67 - It’s Just Like Candy

    "Don''t worry, Disciple! I have been fixing my lack of control these past few days."


    Floriana Sabina smiled confidently at Rant Valo. These past few days whenever she was cultivating, she was actually consolidating her strength and increasing her precision when controlling her mana.


    "I''m still worried¡­"


    Rant Valo smiled wryly. Seeing her being so confident didn''t alleviate his concerns at all.


    "Really? You don''t have trust in your master? I''ll show you!"


    Floriana Sabina pouted her mouth at Rant Valo''s lack of trust towards her words.


    Floriana Sabina did a lifting motion with her right hand and the rectangular woven rattan was raised up into the air. It floated there silently. She closed her eyes and opened them shortly after. A small red snake left her left palm and swirled around the woven rattan.


    It turned into a mini flaming tornado that surrounded the woven rattan. Rant Valo felt the high heat of the flames and moved backward a little bit. The fire tornado swirled round and round as hot air was pushed above it. It sucked all of the moisture inside the yellowberries.


    Inside the flaming tornado, the yellowberries slowly shrank in size. Rant Valo and Veia waited for a few hours before Floriana Sabina was done drying the fruits. The flaming tornado disappeared in a puff of smoke as the grass under it was burnt to ashes. The woven rattan dropped downwards and created a cloud of ashes.


    The yellowberries on the woven rattan were now a deep orange in color. They have shrunk considerably in size compared to before as the moisture inside them has dried off.


    "... They''re rock solid."


    Rant Valo poked one of the yellowberries with a finger and it felt like a rock that was stuck on the ground. It didn''t budge at all. He pulled it off the woven rattan and placed it inside his mouth.


    "How is it, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina watched Rant Valo expectantly. She wanted to know if she did a good job with drying the yellowberries.


    "Eugh, it''s like I''m chewing on rocks!"


    Rant Valo bit hard onto the dried yellowberries and it just cracked into pieces. It was not the chewy dried yellowberries that he had expected. The flavor was very sweet and with a sour taste.


    "Is it really that bad?"


    Floriana Sabina felt disheartened seeing Rant Valo''s response. She was proud of her work and seeing it being criticized didn''t feel good. She crouched down and picked up a piece. She threw it inside her mouth and chewed on it.


    "MmmMmm¡­ It''s just like candy."


    Floriana Sabina spoke as she chewed on it. The hardness of the dried yellowberry was just like candy. She didn''t find anything wrong with it at all.


    "Let me try too!"


    Veia grabbed one for herself and chewed with them.


    "Yum. It''s really good, Master."


    Veia commented as she went to get another one for herself. It was very tasty and sweet. It was something that tickled her food palate.


    "I don''t like these."


    Rant Valo shook his head at their responses. He didn''t like the hard texture of the rock-hard dried yellowberries. He had never eaten something like it.


    "You''re being picky, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina frowned at Rant Valo. She thought that it was already quite good.


    "I like them soft and squishy. Not rocks."


    Rant Valo mocked. A vein bulged on Floriana Sabina''s forehead after hearing Rant Valo''s words.


    "Hmph. What did you just say?"


    There was a sinister smile on Floriana Sabina''s face. It was something she made and it being called rocks just insulted her. Her pride couldn''t take something like that.


    "Hahaha¡­ I was just joking. I mean I wanted to try the soft and squishy ones."


    Rant Valo avoided her eyes and scratched the back of his head awkwardly. Seeing her smile just made chills run down his spine.


    "I see."


    Floriana Sabina flashed a fake smile. Rant Valo turned away in fright and collected the dried yellowberries on the woven rattan. He pretended that nothing just happened right now. Veia was crouching beside him as she ate one dried yellowberry after another.


    "Um, Master Floriana, do you have a jar?"


    Rant Valo had moved all of the dried yellowberries in a corner on the woven rattan. All he had to do now was put it into a container. The problem was he didn''t have any. And only Floriana Sabina who has a Storage Ring could possibly have one.


    "Here. But say please, first."


    A big glass jar appeared on Floriana Sabina''s hands and she teased Rant Valo with a wide smile on her face. She looked just like a little girl bullying an older kid.


    "..."


    Rant Valo''s mouth was opening and closing just like a fish as he couldn''t find anything to say with what she just said. On one side he wanted to just get the jar and say please, but on the other side, he felt embarrassed saying please seeing her smile like that.


    "What''s the problem, Disciple? It''s just one word."


    Floriana Sabina''s smile became wider and wider seeing Rant Valo look away when she looked straight into his eyes.


    "...please."


    Rant Valo''s voice was silent as a mosquito''s buzz. Floriana Sabina smiled in satisfaction after hearing it. She didn''t make it hard for Rant Valo anymore.


    Rant Valo accepted the glass jar from her hands and his face went red from embarrassment. She was being oddly dominant right now that Rant Valo was caught off guard. He placed all of the dried yellowberries inside the glass jar before closing it tightly.


    "Master, I''m still eating those!"


    Veia complained after seeing him store all of the dried yellowberries inside the jar. She had been enjoying munching on them as a snack for a while now.


    "Okay, here. I''ll take the other yellowberries in your arms."


    Rant Valo passed her the jar as they will still make more batches. Having her eat more is not a problem. He took the yellowberries that were in her arms to his and started the cycle once more by placing the yellowberries in neat rows on the rectangular woven rattan.

 Chapter 68 - Can We Hold Hands?

    "Done."


    Rant Valo moved away after placing most of the yellowberries in neat rows on the rectangular woven rattan. Floriana Sabina stepped forward and she did the same motions she did before. The rectangular woven rattan rose into the air and a small red snake escaped from Floriana Sabina''s palm.


    The snake swirled and the yellowberries were dried. A few hours later, Rant Valo stopped Floriana Sabina. He became worried that it would become as hard as rocks again.


    "Okay, I''ll stop."


    The fire disappeared into nothing and the woven rattan fell to the ground. The yellowberries were stuck to it so they didn''t scatter all over the place.


    Rant Valo bent over and grabbed a piece. He placed it inside his mouth and chewed.


    "This! This is better."


    Rant Valo''s face was dazed as he enjoyed the soft and chewy texture of the sweet and tangy dried yellowberry. This was what he was looking for. Eating that rock-hard dried yellowberry was just an insult to this delicacy.


    "Let me try, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina crouched and ate one. Her eyes widened as amazement filled her face.


    "You''re right!"


    She exclaimed while chewing on the dried yellowberry.


    "Master¡­ is it really that good?"


    Veia looked at the glass jar on her arms and the dried yellowberries that they were eating. She was confused because she thought that this rock-hard dried yellowberry already tastes good. How would that taste any different?


    "Try it."


    Rant Valo grabbed a dried yellowberry with his fingers and moved it in front of her mouth. Veia''s eyes sparkled seeing Rant Valo''s gesture and she ate the dried yellowberry. And of course, while licking Rant Valo''s fingers in the process.


    Rant Valo pulled his hand in reflex. He shivered a little bit as he felt his spine tingle from that.


    "W-why did you have to do that?"


    Rant Valo asked her as he stuttered.


    "Master is delicious! Hehehe."


    Veia teased him as she chuckled. She chewed on the dried yellowberry in her mouth and her mouth formed an ''o''. It was like she just had a eureka moment.


    "..."


    Rant Valo was speechless at her. He looked at his slimy fingers and felt the temptation to lick his own fingers to see if he really tastes that good. But Veia''s saliva was on it so he threw the idea out of his head. He instead walked towards the lake to wash it.


    "Master, you''re right!"


    Veia exclaimed as she bent over to get another one. It was kinda addicting eating these soft and chewy dried yellowberries.


    "I told you. Hahaha."


    Rant Valo laughed brightly. It was a great feeling to prove yourself right.


    "Why don''t we make more?"


    Rant Valo suggested. And so, they spent a whole day drying up all of the yellowberries that they have. It was actually quite a lot and it filled 3 jars full of dried yellowberries.


    "I don''t think I''ll get bored of this as a snack."


    Floriana Sabina said as she walked. They were now moving farther and farther from the river as the town was not in that direction.


    "Yeah."


    Rant Valo nodded his head in agreement. Eating something this delicious; there''s no way he would get bored of its taste.


    Veia was silent as she munched on one dried yellowberry after another. She already became addicted to it.


    "Are we near the town yet?"


    Rant Valo looked at Floriana Sabina as he asked. This path that they were taking is different from the conventional one. If they took the mud road it would have taken longer but he would have been able to estimate the distance.


    Right now they were still in the middle of a forest, there was no clearing in sight. If Floriana Sabina wasn''t here then Rant Valo wouldn''t have the guts to even do this.


    "We''re about two-thirds of the way, Disciple."


    Rant Valo felt relieved after hearing that. It shouldn''t take a few more days to reach the town at this rate.


    "Veia, don''t you want to drink my blood anymore?"


    Rant Valo turned to his left at Veia who was still eating the dried yellowberries. She had been the number one consumer of it.


    "Hm? Oh, right! I''ll drink your blood now!"


    Veia was a little bit confused at first as she was minding her own business and eating but she quickly remembered that Rant Valo''s blood was very delicious. She hugged Rant Valo and bit into his neck.


    Rant Valo was caught off guard by her attack. His neck was bitten into and blood was sucked out of his body.


    A few seconds later, Veia released her mouth from Rant Valo''s neck and released a satisfied breath.


    "Puah~ Master''s blood really tastes very good."


    Veia''s eyes were clouded with lust as she stood there and looked at Rant Valo. Rant Valo was still feeling the pleasure from her drinking his blood. Every time she does it, he never gets tired of it.


    "..."


    Floriana Sabina was watching them squirm in pleasure earlier. It was not a pleasant sight for her. It was like she was watching them do something lewd in broad daylight.


    "Let''s go."


    Floriana Sabina spoke to both of them and she walked ahead. Both Rant Valo and Veia looked at each other and followed after her. Veia''s fingers touched Rant Valo''s hand.


    Rant Valo turned to look at her and he saw her looking at him shyly.


    "Um, Master, can we hold hands?"


    Veia''s face was red as she looked up at Rant Valo in embarrassment. Her hand was open right beside Rant Valo''s hand.


    Floriana Sabina''s ears perked up when she heard Veia''s words. She heard what she said loud and clear.


    "H-hold hands!?"


    Rant Valo exclaimed in shock. This was something he would never dream of. Someone actually asked to hold his hand. They would steer away from him back in the village, yet here was Veia, doing just the exact opposite.


    Rant Valo''s hand slowly moved towards Veia''s hands in an attempt to hold hands with it.

 Chapter 69 - Why Are You Holding My Hand!

    "STOPPP!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted to both of them. There was panic on her face as she went in between them and blocked Rant Valo from Veia.


    Rant Valo was startled by her shout and he pulled his hand back. Veia was watching Rant Valo''s hand move closer but disappointment immediately took her face when she saw him pull it back.


    "Stop seducing my disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina glared at Veia. She was clearly not happy at Veia''s attempt to hold Rant Valo''s hand.


    "G-grandmaster¡­ It was just in the heat of the moment."


    Veia was startled by her outburst and panicked. She looked at Rant Valo to ask for help, but Rant Valo also couldn''t do anything so he just looked away and pretended that he didn''t see her look over.


    "You''re not permitted to stay 5 meters around my disciple! I thought we had a 1-week agreement of not making a move towards my disciple."


    Floriana Sabina snapped at Veia. Having Veia seduce her disciple on her watch was something she would not tolerate. Her disciple is destined for good things. Not to be corrupted by a succubus like her.


    "I''m sorry¡­"


    Veia held her head down. What Floriana Sabina said was true and she couldn''t deny anything of it. She couldn''t help but sneak glances at Rant Valo. Rant Valo was awkwardly standing on the side. Even if he wanted to, there''s nothing he could do.


    "Hmph! Let''s go, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina grabbed Rant Valo''s hand and pulled him together with her. They walked ahead while Veia was following right behind them. She was downcast and she looked up and her eyes suddenly opened wide in shock.


    ''G-grandmaster''s h-holding Master''s hand!''


    Veia was bewildered after realizing that. She didn''t even have a chance to hold Rant Valo''s hands yet Grandmaster already did. She couldn''t help but feel that the world is so unfair towards her.


    Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina didn''t notice it themselves. As for Rant Valo, he thought nothing of it when she held his hands and it soon disappeared from his thoughts.


    Floriana Sabina by reflex, moved their hands together forward and backward in a swinging motion. Rant Valo noticed it and looked to his hand holding Floriana Sabina''s hand.


    "Ah, we''ve been holding hands?"


    Rant Valo said in confusion. He didn''t notice it.


    "What? Kyaa!"


    Floriana Sabina was confused and when she looked at her hand she pulled it back in surprise.


    "W-why are you holding my hand!?"


    Floriana Sabina shouted at Rant Valo in panic. Her face was blushing red from embarrassment.


    "You held it?"


    Rant Valo felt confused when she blamed him when he didn''t remember ever taking her hand.


    "I-I¡­ Awawawawawa"


    Floriana Sabina flustered after realizing that she was holding onto Rant Valo''s hand this whole time. She looked around and saw Veia looking at her with a disappointed face.


    "Grandmaster, you just wanted to touch Master''s hand this whole time?"


    Veia spoke while her voice shook. It was like she couldn''t believe what she was seeing right now.


    "I-I didn''t!"


    Floriana Sabina panicked and looked at Rant Valo who was looking at her weirdly.


    "H-hmph! What''s wrong with me h-holding hands with my d-disciple!"


    She puffed out her chest and looked at both of them. She was trying her best to act like it was not wrong.


    "Grandmaster, do you perhaps like my Master?"


    Veia''s eyes were glowing when she said that. There was curiosity in her eyes.


    "ME!? Like him? NO WAY!"


    Floriana Sabina pointed at herself before pointing at Rant Valo like she just heard the most absurd thing in the world.


    "Why are you blushing then?"


    Veia asked with a smile on her face.


    "I-I''m not!"


    Floriana Sabina denied her as her face became redder and redder.


    "Don''t worry, Grandmaster! I don''t mind sharing Master!"


    There was a cheeky grin on Veia''s face as she spoke.


    "That''s not what I mean!"


    Floriana Sabina denied fervently. She was cutely panicking as she looked at Rant Valo to ask for help.


    "I think Master Floriana does not see me that way."


    Rant Valo interjected after seeing that it was getting out of control.


    "Aww, Master, you didn''t have to reveal it. It was fun teasing Grandmaster."


    Veia pouted at Rant Valo. Everything she said just now was something she just made up. After seeing Floriana Sabina''s reactions, she couldn''t help but continue and tease her more.


    "Really? You were doing it on purpose!"


    A fan appeared on Floriana Sabina''s hand and she smacked it on top of Veia''s head.


    "Ouw!"


    Veia felt a sharp pain come from the top of her head. Floriana Sabina did not hold back when she hit her.


    "Hmph! Let''s go. You''re now to stay 10 meters away from my disciple."


    Floriana Sabina snorted and continued on ahead. Veia was left standing there with her mouth agape.


    "1-10 meters!? That''s too much!"


    Veia shouted in injustice. 5 meters was already unbearable but staying 10 meters away from her Master would only make her yearn for him more.


    "Hmph! Reflect on what you just did."


    Floriana Sabina did not yield. She was upset that Veia just made her embarrassed like that.


    "Master¡­"


    Veia looked at Rant Valo and pleaded for his help with her eyes.


    Rant Valo sighed and could only console her.


    "If you make Master Floriana happy, she might forgive you."


    Rant Valo left her alone soon after.


    "Okay¡­"


    Veia followed them while walking with her head lied low. She was thinking of ways to make Floriana Sabina happy. It was the only way she could get nearer to her Master again.


    ''I have an idea!''


    A light bulb switched on inside Veia''s head.


    "Grandmaster, why don''t I massage your shoulders?"


    Veia ran in front and kept a 10-meter distance from Rant Valo while speaking to Floriana Sabina.


    "Hmph! Do I look like I need some massage?"


    Floriana Sabina snorted and turned her head away. She was clearly still upset.


    "Hmmmmm¡­ How about I drink your blood again?"


    Veia suggested with a smile on her face. She remembered that Floriana Sabina enjoyed it when she drank her blood back then.

 Chapter 70 - I Laughed Now

    "D-drink my blood?"


    Floriana Sabina was taken aback by Veia''s suggestion.


    "Mm! You enjoyed it right?"


    Veia nodded full of energy.


    "I¡­ okay"


    Floriana Sabina was about to say no but when she remembered what she felt when Veia once drank her blood, she couldn''t help but yearn for it.


    "Hehe, here I go."


    Veia walked towards Floriana Sabina. Floriana Sabina closed her eyes as Veia held her shoulder as she bit into her neck.


    "..Ah! ..mmmM¡­"


    Floriana Sabina moaned as she felt the pleasure of her blood being sucked by a vampire-succubus demon hybrid. Her body felt tingly all over. It was like she was being caressed all over her erogenous zones.


    Rant Valo''s little brother raised high into the air after he saw that scene. He looked away but was immediately attracted by Floriana Sabina''s lewd moans. In the end, he just stared at them as he gulped his saliva.


    "What ish dish.. I-it feels better than before¡­"


    Floriana Sabina felt her mind slowly going blank as Veia slowly sucked on her blood. It was something that she has never felt before. Her mind was slowly succumbing to confusion.


    "Ahh! ¡­"


    Floriana Sabina moaned loudly and covered her mouth. It was embarrassing hearing herself moan like that.


    "Puahh! That was tiring¡­ Hahhh hahh"


    Veia released her fangs from Floriana Sabina''s neck and panted. Sucking Floriana Sabina''s blood became tiring after she started moaning more and more.


    "..."


    Floriana Sabina looked at Veia with a weird gaze on her face. There was a complicated look on her face.


    "Is this what you feel after you get your blood drunk?"


    Floriana Sabina turned her head to Rant Valo and asked him. It felt so good that she was still confused by what was what.


    "Y-yes."


    Rant Valo stuttered as he replied. He suddenly felt guilty. It was like he was caught doing something bad.


    "I see¡­ it can''t be helped huh."


    Floriana Sabina pondered to herself and sighed.


    "Grandmaster, can I stay nearer to Master now?"


    Veia wiped her mouth and asked Floriana Sabina with excitement on her face. She did something that made Floriana Sabina. She expects her to retract her restriction.


    "No. In fact, stay 100 meters away from him."


    Floriana Sabina flashed a fake smile to Veia. If this was what Rant Valo was feeling whenever his blood was sucked by Veia then it was better she just stayed farther away from him.


    "W-why!?"


    Veia shouted back in astonishment. It was totally not like what she imagined this to be. She expected her to allow her to be near her master once again, but it turned to something much worse.


    "You''re corrupting my disciple."


    Floriana Sabina''s eyebrows were knit together as she looked at Veia.


    "I¡­ but that''s unfair!"


    Veia replied indignantly. Her master was her lifeline. Just being in his presence makes her happy.


    "Hmph!"


    Floriana Sabina ignored Veia and snorted. She was the master here. No one would be able to defy her.


    "Master Floriana, isn''t that a bit too harsh?"


    Rant Valo furrowed his eyebrows as he asked her. He felt pity for Veia. She was looking like she just had the biggest setback of her life.


    "What is?"


    Floriana Sabina asked like it was a weird question to ask.


    "Why are you putting her far away from me?"


    Rant Valo with a confused expression on his face. This was something that was bothering him.


    "Think about it, Disciple. Are you still in love with Zaria?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo seriously. This was something that he should know himself.


    "I am."


    Rant Valo replied immediately. There was no hesitation in his words.


    "Then don''t get too close to Veia. She''s slowly making you forget about Zaria."


    Floriana Sabina explained to Rant Valo. It was something that she noticed. If Rant Valo loses the thing that drives him to cultivate, e.g. returning to the village and marrying Zaria, it would be the biggest blow to his determination. His cultivation might even stagnate.


    "I understand."


    Rant Valo was not stupid. If she said it so, he could still look back on what had happened these past few days. It was true that he was really getting slowly more attracted to Veia that he was forgetting his initial goal.


    Rant Valo closed his eyes and released a deep breath. This time, he won''t let Veia''s temptations corrode his determination.


    "It''s good that you understand, Disciple. I''m trusting your words on that."


    Floriana Sabina was satisfied with Rant Valo''s response. It was what she was looking for. It was a good thing that Rant Valo was able to understand this. If he didn''t, it would mean that he has already lost his way.


    Floriana Sabina would have no choice but to cripple him after that and to let him at least, live a satisfactory life. As he won''t be able to reach greater heights in cultivation anymore.


    As a Mana Dominion cultivator, Floriana Sabina does not want to waste her time on grooming a disciple with a doomed future. Although she already became attached to Rant Valo, it was not enough for her to change her mind if that time truly comes.


    "I will do my best."


    There was a renewed vigor in Rant Valo''s eyes. He looked at Veia and closed his eyes and prepared himself mentally.


    He walked towards her with heavy footsteps.


    "Veia, starting from now, please stay away from me. When you need to drink my blood, you can only drink it in a bowl."


    This was Rant Valo''s ultimatum. He knows himself. He knew that if Veia tempted him more, he would surely fall to her side.


    "M-master!"


    Veia panicked when she heard Rant Valo''s words. It was like her world fell to ruins. This is a dream. This is not real. Veia tried her best to deny this reality in front of her.


    "You''re joking, right? Hahaha. I laughed now Master, so please tell me you were just joking."


    Veia desperately tried to hold onto the ropes of hope. She couldn''t let it end like this. Her plan of marrying her master and living with him forever would be in shambles.

 Chapter 71 - I’m Not Gonna Give Up!!

    "I''m serious."


    Rant Valo looked back at Veia dead in the eye. He had regained the determination that he had almost lost.


    "M-master¡­"


    Veia felt her heart crumble into pieces. Her master, her hope, her sustenance, and her love¡­ has abandoned her. Tears formed in her eyes and they slowly dripped down her cheeks before hitting the ground.


    Veia''s pale white face was full of sorrow. Just when she was about to succeed, her master pushed her away. It was all so close. Her dream of marrying her master.


    "Veia¡­"


    Rant Valo didn''t feel good seeing Veia crying like that. Even he felt that he had gone too far. He bit his lip and was about to reach his hands out towards her when Floriana Sabina stopped him.


    Rant Valo turned to Floriana Sabina and she shook her head slowly. As if to say that he shouldn''t do it.


    Rant Valo furrowed his eyebrows in pain before pulling back his hand and standing straight. This was a choice he had to make one day. Doing it later would only be detrimental to his growth. This was his chance to do it sooner.


    "Master?"


    Veia had seen the shadow of Rant Valo''s hands and she looked up when she saw him pull it back. Her heart that had already crumbled into pieces became more fragile. The rekindled hope was snuffed out before it could even reach her.


    Rant Valo looked away when he saw her look in his direction. If he looked at her right now, he might become soft.


    Veia bit her lips when she saw Rant Valo look away. It was bitter. She felt very bitter. She clenched her fists together and jumped at Rant Valo.


    "I''m not gonna give up!!"


    Veia tackled Rant Valo to the ground. Her face was full of determination to not give up. Floriana Sabina was too shocked by the emotion in Veia''s face to stop her. Rant Valo and Veia ended up rolling a few feet away.


    "Let''s run, Master!"


    Veia stood up and held her hand out to Rant Valo. She was planning to elope with him. It was the only thing she could think of to salvage this situation she was in.


    Rant Valo ignored Veia''s held-out hand and stood up on his own. He patted his body before silently looking at her.


    Veia froze in place. She looked away as tears once again fell from her eyes.


    "Veia, I.."


    Rant Valo opened his mouth to speak but he was interrupted by her.


    "Don''t. Don''t say anymore, Master. I understand. You don''t want me anymore."


    Veia''s voice was shaky. She wiped her tears away and stood up straight.


    "Veia, I didn''t say that. I only want you to stay away from me."


    Rant Valo tried to console her.


    "Master, can I leave?"


    Veia opened her mouth to ask.


    "L-leave? Where?"


    Rant Valo asked bewildered. It was so sudden that his emotions were in a jumbled mess.


    "I want to come back as the woman Master will marry no matter what."


    There was determination in Veia''s eyes. Her words were entirely serious. Not just that, she was also serious about Rant Valo so she was willing to part with him to become something that he will not be able to resist.


    "V-veia¡­"


    Tears formed in Rant Valo''s eyes. He couldn''t believe it. That someone would go this far just to become his wife. It was very moving for Rant Valo who has been avoided like a plague in the village.


    Floriana Sabina was shocked at Veia''s strong feelings that she would even be willing to go this far. Even she herself felt moved by it.


    "Master, can I leave?"


    Veia iterated once again after Rant Valo didn''t respond to her. Just being in here right now felt so stressful to her. It felt like she didn''t belong here. It was a lonely feeling after being with them for so long.


    "No. Veia, you can''t. You''ll be with me forever. Don''t worry."


    Rant Valo didn''t care anymore and he hugged her. Whatever cultivation? Whatever strength? If he was gonna lose Veia in the process then he wouldn''t do it.


    If she was left to roam around without any memories of anything, who knows what would happen to her? She might be taken advantage of especially with her stunning looks. As her Master, Rant Valo didn''t like the idea of someone taking advantage of her.


    Something inside Rant Valo is telling him to keep her. That she was his. No matter what happens that won''t change.


    Rant Valo didn''t know it, but the feeling that he was feeling right now is a side effect of the Master-Slave Contract. It was a bind between two lives that won''t be destroyed by something so simple.


    "M-master¡­"


    Veia''s knees gave out and she fell into Rant Valo''s embrace. Her master''s words struck her heart. The broken pieces slowly started gathering together. And this time, it will be stronger than in the past.


    Hope was once more formed inside Veia''s heart. She wanted to be with her Master. She wants to please him. To do whatever he wants right now.


    "W-wait, Veia! Why are you pulling down your panties!?"


    Floriana Sabina was dumbfounded when she saw Veia slowly pull her panties down. It was so sudden that Rant Valo didn''t even notice it.


    "H-huh?"


    He looked down at Veia who had pulled her panties halfway down her legs. His eyes froze in place and he became speechless from shock.


    "??? I-I don''t know. I just did it on instinct..."


    Veia quickly pulled back her panties. Her face was blushing red after realizing that she just did something bold. It was so bold in fact that she herself wasn''t prepared for it.


    "''Instinct'', huh."


    Floriana Sabina grimaced at Veia''s words. If that was instinct, then what would it be if she did it of her own will? Would her clothes magically disappear or something?


    "I-I''m sorry Master!"


    Veia immediately bowed to Rant Valo. It was her time to redeem herself but she just did something so scandalous. Her heart beat fast in worry.

 Chapter 72 - Aren’t You Mad At Me?

    "It''s okay, Veia. Your Master will treat you better starting from now on. You just have to promise me one thing."


    Rant Valo patted Veia on the head and Veia purred in delight. It was her first time being patted by Rant Valo and it made her squeamish.


    "Sigh, in the end. It still happened."


    Floriana Sabina sighed in helplessness. She wanted to avoid this. Veia would only want to do lewd stuff with Rant Valo. And now, this emotional barrier was broken completely. They won''t have any misgivings with doing it with each other anymore.


    "Veia, I want you to wait. Wait, when I return to my village. If Zaria-chan agrees, I''ll take in both of you. Of course, if you want to, you could still be my servant."


    Rant Valo''s eyes were misty as he spoke to her about the future. It felt so surreal to him. Just a week ago, he had been at his lowest point. And right now, he was even making a serene promise to a girl.


    Rant Valo was amazed at the ups and downs of life. If this was his compensation when he was avoided back in the village then he wouldn''t complain.


    "Maybe, it wasn''t so bad after all."


    Floriana Sabina whispered to herself. Rant Valo''s words had put her to ease. As long as he has the determination to reach the highest point in cultivation, then Floriana Sabina wouldn''t mind it. But for some reason, there was this aching inside her heart. It was so faint that Floriana Sabina didn''t even notice it.


    "Yes, Master! I''m so happy!"


    Veia''s teary face was brimming with happiness. Having her Master finally recognize her was like a dream for her.


    "I''m glad you understand, Veia."


    Rant Valo smiled back at her. It was a good feeling that he was able to resolve this very peacefully. He still felt a tinge of fear and sadness when Veia said that she wanted to leave. It was like those times again back in the village.


    "Hehehe¡­"


    Veia giggled in happiness. She was just like a maiden who was madly in love that got her love returned.


    "Let''s go, you two love birds."


    Floriana Sabina beckoned them. It was starting to become painful to watch for her. She had somehow become the third wheel.


    Rant Valo and Veia laughed together before following after her.


    Now that Rant Valo and Veia had decided to wait, Floriana Sabina was finally able to have the outcome she wanted.


    Still, as Floriana Sabina continued walking. The unnoticeable pain inside her heart started to slowly grow stronger. It reached the point that her mood started to sour.


    "Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina stopped walking and called out to Rant Valo. Her heart couldn''t take what she was feeling anymore.


    "Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo stopped and turned to her.


    "Ah, nothing¡­"


    Floriana Sabina didn''t know why she called Rant Valo. As the pain sank deeper into her heart, she looked at Veia happily walking beside them like nothing ever happened earlier. She felt a tinge of envy that she didn''t know where it came from.


    "Okay?"


    Rant Valo continued walking ahead. It still confused him that she stopped him.


    "Veia, aren''t you mad at me?"


    Floriana Sabina turned to Veia as she asked. Veia was the one who was most affected by all of this and she was also the greatest winner.


    "Yes, Grandmaster? Why would I?"


    Veia turned to Floriana Sabina as there was still a smile plastered on her face. She became so happy that she couldn''t even control her emotions anymore. It was so surreal after all.


    "''Why would you?'' I almost caused you to run away from your master."


    Floriana Sabina was stupefied that Veia was not acting like she was mad at her at all. For her, it was not making any sense as it only happened because she wanted to have Rant Valo become the strongest cultivator out there.


    "I don''t mind. I know you were doing it for Master. In fact, I''m even thankful to you for allowing me to express all of my emotions to Master."


    Veia smiled brightly. Even if Floriana Sabina started all of that, it was exactly because of that that she was very thankful for her. If it didn''t start at all, she would only have confused her master.


    Now that her master has promised her that he would take both of them as his wives, it puts her at ease. She realized that if her master couldn''t become the strongest cultivator, his dreams would all be in shambles. As long as he stays steadfast to his initial goal, then she is happy.


    "That''s some great thinking, Veia."


    Rant Valo praised from the side. Even he himself thought that she would have some bad blood against Floriana Sabina because of what happened, but Veia proved him wrong. It was so satisfying hearing that for Rant Valo. He knows that if they were fighting against each other, it would only make it awkward for him who was in between them.


    "Hehehe, praise me more."


    Veia giggled in happiness. She enjoys her master''s praise the most.


    "Hahaha, you''re the best servant out there."


    Rant Valo decided to abide by her demands and praised her once again. Interacting with her after what happened earlier has become easier. It was like there was a small connection between them, besides the one from their Master-Slave Contract.


    "Hehehehe! Master!"


    Veia tried to open her arms and hug Rant Valo, but she immediately became conscious of it. She held back and just giggled. She will respect her promise with Rant Valo.


    Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina noticed her holding back and they couldn''t help but be impressed by her within their minds. Floriana Sabina sighed and kept the pain inside her heart hidden.


    And so, the trio continued on their journey once more. After the drama that pushed Veia and Rant Valo closer together.


    They hunted wild animals along the way and slept another two days before finally reaching the outskirts of the town. It was the start of a new story for them.

 Chapter 73 - The Unfortunate Young Man

    It was a very bright day. The sky is clear with small clouds passing by. There was a huge forest that extended farther than the eye could see. Beside it was a town that expands 13 hectares. It was enclosed in a huge cobblestone wall with city guards watching over the surroundings.


    On one of its cardinal sides, a gate was open. Lines of carriages are waiting in line. Right beside that was a short queue of people.


    Rant Valo, Floriana Sabina, and Veia are one of the people waiting in line. They had just arrived from their long journey in the forest.


    "Have you been here before, Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo turned his head to the back and asked Floriana Sabina. Rant Valo was the first in line with Floriana Sabina and Veia following behind him.


    "Nope."


    As a Mana Dominion cultivator, Floriana Sabina wouldn''t bother with visiting such a small town. She could just fly from point to point after all.


    Rant Valo turned to Veia but he ignored her after remembering that she has no memory of her past. He would only be wasting his time by asking her.


    "Next!"


    A staunch guard shouted from inside the small gate for pedestrians. He was wearing iron armor. Except, it was not shiny, but cloudy in appearance.


    Rant Valo''s group moved forward and the guard inspected them. He lifted his chin and started eyeing them from head to toe.


    "Hm, a villager kid, and who are these?"


    The guard looked at Floriana Sabina and Veia in surprise. In this town, he could recognize almost everyone who comes to here. Even if he doesn''t know their names, he would still know that they were villagers.


    These girls in front of him are in no way villagers. One look at their bodies and he could tell that they were raised in a sheltered environment. Away from any sort of menial work.


    "I¡­"


    Floriana Sabina was about to speak but she was interrupted by the guard.


    "Little girl, did he kidnap you or something? Wait, no, that couldn''t be right. This kid looks so weak¡­ Hmmm¡­ Tell me your names."


    The guard pondered for a while. He couldn''t make any heads or tails of why they were here.


    "Floriana Sabina."


    "Veia."


    Floriana Sabina and Veia replied candidly. There was no point in keeping their names a secret.


    "Hmmm¡­ not in the missing list either. I guess you can pass."


    The guard was looking into a list. It included the names of people who went missing. It was normal for people in this world to go missing without any trace. There are so many things happening in the world that people just tend to go missing without any explanations.


    "Thank you."


    Rant Valo thanked the guard before entering the town.


    This was Rant Valo''s first time in a town. He looked around and the quality of the houses amazed him. It was unlike the thatched houses that they have back in the village. The houses here are either made with wood or stone.


    It was very strong and a stark contrast to the difference in the quality of life between the two.


    There were also crowds of people moving about. Some of them are carrying sacks of unhusked rice and some other grains. All in all, it was very bustling in Rant Valo''s eyes.


    "Are you amazed, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo with a smirk on her face.


    "Yes. If possible, I want to settle down here."


    Rant Valo nodded his head in a matter-of-fact manner. Living in this town would be much better than living back in the village.


    "Make way! Make way!"


    A loud bellowing sounded from far away and a horse-drawn carriage appeared on the brick streets at a blazing fast speed. All of the people on the street moved away except for one young man. He was totally oblivious to the carriage that was running towards him.


    The young man turned around when he heard the loud noise of the carriage and it hit him just as he saw it. It was like he was a ragdoll when he was thrown towards Rant Valo''s direction and landed in front of him.


    "Ugh¡­"


    The young man groaned in pain and tried to stand up with great difficulty. Yet he failed. He looked down and to his horror, his legs have been bent into a weird angle.


    "Ah, AHH! AHHHHHH!!! MY LEG!!"


    He screamed in terror. Tears streamed down his face as the pain finally settled into him. He was clamping onto his thighs to try to ease the pain but even that was not helping him.


    "..."


    Rant Valo''s group was speechless at what happened. Floriana Sabina and Veia turned their heads to look at Rant Valo. Now that they looked at the young man, he was the one in front of Rant Valo when they were waiting in line.


    Somehow, they knew why this young man has been hit. It was because he was unlucky. And he was unlucky because he stood too close to Rant Valo.


    Rant Valo looked back at Floriana Sabina and Veia in confusion. He didn''t know why they were looking at him. He was oblivious to the fact that it was his constitution that caused this young man''s misery.


    "Tch."


    A tanned burly man walked towards them with a displeased look on his face. He glanced at Rant Valo''s group before walking towards the screaming young man.


    When he neared him, he kicked him on his bent leg.


    "AHH! WHY DID YOU KICK IT!?"


    The young man''s eyes turned red as he looked back at the tanned burly man.


    "Hey! Stupid lad. Next time, watch where you are going. Take this as your lesson."


    The tanned burly man sneered at him before leaving. It was as if he just came to kick the young man and insult him.


    The young man could only watch in helplessness as the tanned burly man got into his carriage and drove it away. The crowd that has gathered around has started to leave after seeing that it was not that interesting.


    "Disciple, go fix your mistake."


    Floriana Sabina nudged Rant Valo.

 Chapter 74 - Nale Narene

    "My mistake?"


    Rant Valo turned to Floriana Sabina in confusion.


    "Yes, it was your mistake. He was the one in line after you."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him who was totally oblivious that it was his fault.


    "Ah¡­ I forgot about my curse after not affecting anyone for so long."


    Rant Valo just remembered it now. Floriana Sabina and Veia hadn''t been affected by it that it already slipped past his mind.


    "Go on, Disciple. This will be the first step in removing the effects of your unique constitution towards others."


    Floriana Sabina urged him.


    "Okay."


    Rant Valo nodded his head before approaching the now squirming-in-pain young man.


    "Hey, are you okay?"


    Rant Valo asked him with worry on his face. Just looking at the way the young man''s leg was bent made Rant Valo feel pity and guilt towards this young man.


    "Y-you think?"


    There was a helpless expression on the young man''s face. He doesn''t look okay at all! Why does he have to ask him that? It sounded like mockery in the young man''s ears.


    "Uhh, yeah. I''ll help you get home."


    Rant Valo felt awkward from the young man''s reply. He crouched down and offered his shoulders to him.


    The young man looked at Rant Valo''s shoulders for a few seconds before finally deciding to take him up on his offer. He has no one to help him go back after all. It would only make him more ashamed by staying in this street a second longer.


    "My name is Nale Narene. What''s yours?"


    The young man introduced himself. He grunted in pain as he hopped his way with Rant Valo''s help.


    "My name is Rant Valo. A villager."


    Rant Valo replied with a smile. This guy was very likable in his opinion. He was unlike the villagers that shunned him. He was also the type of guy that people would like just by looking at his oval face.


    "Oh, what village are you from? I know most of them. And are they your friends?"


    Nale Narene chatted with Rant Valo as his interest was piqued. He then noticed Floriana Sabina and Veia following after them and his curiosity was immediately attracted after he glanced at Veia''s face under the black cloak.


    "I¡­ My village is far away from here. And yes, they could be considered my friends."


    Rant Valo decided to not tell him which village he was from. He still felt bitter about it after all. And he was also aware that revealing that Veia was his servant and Floriana Sabina is his master would only confuse Nale Narene.


    "Really? That must have been a long journey then. Could you introduce me to that young beautiful friend of yours?"


    Nale Narene grinned at Rant Valo. He glanced at Veia one more time and his heart couldn''t help but skip a beat.


    Hearing what Nale Narene said made Rant Valo have the urge to drop him to the ground.


    "W-wait, why did you stop supporting me! I''ll fall down! I can''t support my body with only one leg!"


    Nale Narene panicked as Rant Valo slowly moved away from him.


    "..."


    Rant Valo watched in silence as Nale Narene pleaded for help. Floriana Sabina and Veia was stunned by what Rant Valo was doing, and Veia chuckled at the scene.


    "Hehehe, Master, you''re being too overprotective of me. I''m so happy¡­ Ow! Grandmaster, why did you hit me!?"


    Veia was fidgeting shyly before Floriana Sabina smacked the back of her head with a fan.


    "Oops, my hand moved on their own."


    Floriana Sabina pretended as she looked away.


    "Grandmaster¡­ you keep bullying me!"


    Veia looked at Floriana Sabina indignantly. She had been bullied by Floriana Sabina too many times now.


    "I get it now! She''s your girlfriend, right? I''m sorry, Rant! It was just a joke, okay? Help me before I fall over!"


    Nale Narene immediately understood when he saw Veia acting like that. He realized that Rant Valo was upset because he showed intentions of courting Veia.


    "Hmph. As long as you know."


    Rant Valo snorted a bit and continued supporting Nale Narene.


    "So petty¡­"


    Nale Narene murmured with a wry smile. If only he knew, he wouldn''t have said something so insensitive.


    "Where are we going?"


    Rant Valo asked him after they encountered an intersection.


    "Just straight. My household is just straight ahead."


    Nale Narene pointed and they continued going ahead until they reached the entrance of a huge mansion. There were burly guards with swords hanging from their sides lined up on the gate,


    "Are you sure? This looks like the house of a noble."


    Rant Valo looked at Nale Narene and asked him in confusion. Nale Narene doesn''t have the features of a noble in his opinion. He immediately became doubtful after seeing it.


    "What? Do I not look like a noble to you?"


    Nale Narene pulled his head back in bewilderment. He was bewildered that Rant Valo didn''t think of him as a noble.


    "Are you?"


    Rant Valo was shocked by his words. He looked at Nale Narene more carefully and he was immediately able to notice from his tattered clothes that they looked somewhat expensive looking.


    "Young Master Nale!"


    A guard noticed them and was able to recognize Nale''s face. He shouted towards them as he ran over.


    "Sebastian."


    Nale Narene greeted the guard with a wry smile. Being seen like this by one of his guards embarrassed him.


    "Young Master Nale, what happened to you?"


    The guard asked with worry on his face. He looked all tattered over and dust was all over his clothes. There were some bruises and wounds all over him. And his left leg was bent! It was like he was run over or something.


    "I got ran over by an idiot."


    Nale Narene gritted his teeth in anger as he was reminded of what just happened earlier.


    "... I- I see, I''ll help you get inside."


    The guard was speechless after realizing that his guess was actually correct. He then helped Rant Valo take Nale Narene inside the mansion.

 Chapter 75 - Troublemakers

    Rant Valo, Floriana Sabina, and Veia entered the mansion together with the guard and Nale Narene. The moment they entered the mansion, Rant Valo''s mouth fell open in amazement.


    The inside of the mansion was very huge. The hallway was filled with various artistic paintings and some delicate pottery was aligned on the side. Expensive-looking chandeliers are hung high above every few meters.


    "So this was what a noble''s house looks like¡­"


    Rant Valo murmured with awe.


    "Please wait here for a bit before I get the madam."


    The guard told them before he helped Nale Narene enter deeper into the mansion. They were left standing by the entrance, admiring the beautiful decorations.


    A few minutes later a ruckus suddenly appeared at the entrance of the mansion. Two people arrived and they were arguing with the guards at the entrance.


    "Let us in! Show us that Nale Narene''s stupid face!"


    "Why won''t you show how badly injured that stupid Nale Narene of yours is? Are you scared?"


    There were sneers on both of their faces. One was a man while the other was a woman. Their clothes were expensive and about on par with Nale Narene''s.


    "Young Master Garbet and Young Mistress Janette, please relax. Our Young Master is not in any state to see visitors."


    A guard hastily explained to them. His face had a forced smile on it.


    "Hahh?? I heard that Nale Narene was escorted here by someone. Why can''t we? We''re still his ''friends'' after all."


    The one that spoke was Janette Jerna, a daughter of a prominent household in this town. She was engaged to the man beside her who was the son of another prominent household that was on par with hers. His name was, ''Garbet Lohun''.


    Janette Jerna has a fine and refined face and white skin. Garnet has remarkably well-defined features on his face making him the dream husband for many women in this town. Together, they formed a pair of a match made in heaven.


    "Just let us enter. It''s not like we''re gonna kill him or something."


    Garbet Lohun spoke to the guard in a hard tone. The guard could only reluctantly back down and allow them to enter.


    "Hmph! You finally know your place, huh."


    Janette Jerna snorted as she passed by the guard. They both entered the mansion under the helpless watch of the guards.


    "Oh, who are these people?"


    Janette Jerna exclaimed when she entered the mansion. She spotted Rant Valo''s group and focused on his shabby clothes.


    "Tch, the Narene Household has really fallen so low, huh. Even villagers can enter their mansions. Why am I even surprised at this point?"


    Janette Jerna sneered after seeing Rant Valo''s villager''s clothes.


    "I know right, just look at this girl, she''s even wearing her hood inside. How disrespectful! The Narene Household should be ashamed of themselves."


    Garbet Lohun joined in on her mockery. They both looked down at Rant Valo''s group before ignoring them and continuing ahead.


    "T-these guys¡­ what the?"


    Rant Valo was speechless at what just happened. They were only silently standing by the side and they got criticized for no reason. He couldn''t help but become angry.


    Even though Rant Valo became angry, he couldn''t say anything as what they said was exactly true. In the end, he just silently fumed as they waited.


    Before long, a tall and beautiful middle-aged woman appeared and greeted them.


    "Oh my, why did the guards not guide you to the Guest Lounge? Come here little ones. You must have been standing there for so long."


    The middle-aged woman guided them to a room. This was their Guest Lounge. It was much more exquisitely decorated as if to show the visitors their wealth.


    "My name is Viynia Narene. I''m Nale''s mother. Thank you so much for bringing him home safe. I honestly don''t know what''s happening in the world anymore. So many problems have cropped up. As of now, this is the only gift that we could give you."


    Viynia Narene passed them a small token with a big star on its front while there were words ''Narene'' engraved on its back.


    "?"


    Rant Valo grabbed the token and looked at it, perplexed. He doesn''t know what it could be used for.


    "That''s a token for a scholarship in the cultivation school here. With it, you can reach the 5th Mana Condensation stage without any problems as long as you work hard in cultivation. Pretty helpful for a villager like you, right?"


    A warm smile appeared on Viynia Narene''s face. It was obvious that she was very sincere with the gift.


    "Uh¡­ Thank you?"


    Rant Valo wanted to decline but seeing the look on her face made it awkward to do so. He was after all already at the 5th Mana Condensation stage. He could only stash it away inside his pocket.


    "No need to be so grateful. Our Narene Household still had some dignity to uphold after all."


    Viynia Narene continued entertaining them while deeper inside the mansion was Nale Narene being treated by a medical practitioner.


    "Ow! Stop!Stop!Stop!Stop! That part hurts!"


    Nale Narene exclaimed in pain as his leg was forcefully returned to its proper place. His leg was dislocated and had to be put back in place. Otherwise, there is a chance that it would become like that permanently.


    SLAM


    Suddenly, the door to the room was opened with a loud bang.


    "Nale Narene, how unlucky of you. This must be heaven''s will for you to be injured like that."


    Garbet Lohun mocked as he gallantly entered the room. Fear appeared on Nale Narene''s face when he saw them enter together.


    "Come on, this must be heaven telling you to give us the token."


    Janette Jerna opened her hands as if to accept something from him.


    "I don''t have the token."


    Nale Narene shook his head at both of them.


    "How many times are you gonna use the same excuse over and over again?"


    Garbet Lohun raised his head and looked at Nale Narene with disdain.

 Chapter 76 - Trouble Coming Their Way

    "I really don''t have it."


    Nale Narene repeated with a forced smile on his face. Garbet Lohun gripped his collar and pulled him towards his face.


    "You still think your Narene household is the ruler of this town, huh?"


    Hostility was brimming from Garbet Lohun''s voice.


    "I-I don''t, but I really don''t have it anymore!"


    Nale Narene replied fearfully. His eyes displayed a fear similar to what a mouse has when it is spotted by a cat.


    "Tch! Where is it?"


    Garbet Lohun could see from the way that Nale Narene was acting that he didn''t really have it. After all their household has already fallen low from the highs of nobility in this town. He could only release Nale Narene with a fit of anger.


    "I.. I don''t know."


    Nale Narene''s legs were trembling from fear. He was having flashbacks of the things that happened between him and them.


    "If I have to, I''ll drag that slut of a mother of yours!"


    Garbet Lohun left the room together with Janette Jerna who didn''t forget to snort at him.


    "You should have just obeyed Big Brother Garbet from the start."


    Nale Narene stared at her with anger as he tried to contain his emotions. His household has really fallen so low to allow these hoodlums to trample over their dignity in their own land.


    Rant Valo was discussing the injury of Nale Narene with his mother when Garbet Lohun burst inside the room.


    "Slut! Where is the token?"


    Garbet Lohun swiveled his head in Viynia Narene''s direction. He was overflowing with disdain towards her.


    "I¡­ I don''t have it."


    Viynia Narene replied with fear plastered on her face.


    "Hohh, your son just said the same thing before we broke his other leg."


    A sinister smile formed on Garbet Lohun''s face. Viynia Narene felt her heart stop and panic immediately overtook her face.


    "M-my son! Why!?"


    Tears fell from her face as she imagined the pitiful state of her son who already broke his leg to have his last functioning one broken too.


    "He was too non-compliant. I had to straighten him up a bit."


    Garbet Lohun picked on his teeth as he replied to her. He was being so casual that Viynia Narene believed his words fully.


    "V-villager! Give me the token!!"


    Viynia Narene turned her eyes towards Rant Valo who was looking at the scene in stupefaction. Her eyes were bloodshot as desperation filled her. The only thought in her mind right now is to save her son.


    "...Sure, I don''t need it anyway."


    Rant Valo furrowed his eyebrows in displeasure and threw the token to her carelessly. She caught it with both of her hands and immediately offered it to Garbet Lohun with her head bowed.


    "Please, leave my son alone."


    She pleaded as more tears continued to fall from her eyes. Instead of pitying her, Garbet Lohun raised his leg and kicked her away causing the token to fall to the floor.


    "Stupid bitch! Why did you give this token to a villager?"


    Garbet Lohun picked up the token and wiped it with his clothes.


    "And you! What did you just say? You don''t need this token?"


    Garbet Lohun''s sharp eyes turned to Rant Valo. There was a strong sense of hostility coming from him.


    "Are you deaf? I don''t need it."


    Rant Valo was already upset when they looked down on him at the entrance. Now with Viynia Narene''s shameless actions of taking her gift back, he already had enough of it.


    "Hahhh!?? Who do you think you are? Do you think a villager like you has the power inside this town? Don''t you know that I''m backed by the Lohun and Jerna household? We are the strongest here in Narene Town. Even these Narene''s don''t dare to speak when we tell them to bark. Just what qualifications do you have to speak to me like that?"


    Garbet Lohun walked with raised shoulders towards Rant Valo who was sitting on a chair before he stopped and looked down at Rant Valo with eyes full of disdain and superiority.


    "Qualifications? You''re just at the 4th Mana Condensation! How laughable. You look to be about 25 years old already. If I was like that at your age I would have banged my head onto tofu till I die."


    Rant Valo mocked him. His confidence was flowing like a raging river. He had after all already reached the 5th Mana Condensation stage.


    "H-how did you know?"


    There was panic on Garbet Lohun''s face when he heard Rant Valo mention his exact cultivation stage. Realistically, only the ones that are familiar with him should know about it.


    "I told him about it. Do you have any problem with it?"


    Floriana Sabina stood up and stared daggers at Garbet Lohun. She was already done enduring and watching how her disciple deals with them.


    "B-brat! Knowing my cultivation stage doesn''t mean you''re so great! You probably just found out about it from Nale Narene."


    Garbet Lohun gritted his teeth in anger after being talked to like that by a little girl. It was one thing to be disrespected by a villager. Now, even a little girl is disrespecting him.


    "Oh..? Why don''t you try me?"


    Floriana Sabina made a pulling motion with her fingers to insinuate him to attack her.


    "L-little brat!"


    Garbet Lohun was pulled by Janette Jerna to stop him from attacking her.


    "Hey little girl, want to hug Big Sister?"''


    Janette Jerna flashed Floriana Sabina a sweet smile. She was fond of kids and this little girl was cute in her opinion.


    "H-huh!?"


    Floriana Sabina was flustered when Janette Jerna opened her arms to hug her. It was so sudden that her mind couldn''t process it.


    "I''m not gonna hurt you. Big Brother Garbet, you should stop scaring her. She''s just a little girl."


    Janette Jerna calmed down Garbet Lohun. She didn''t want him to hurt a little girl like Floriana Sabina.


    "Little Sister Janette, but she''s being too disrespectful!"


    He replied to her indignantly. In his opinion, disobedient kids should be taught a lesson. Especially since she''s with that villager over there.

 Chapter 77 - Rant Valos First Fight

    "Just look at how cute she is!"


    Janette Jerna crouched down and pinched Floriana Sabina''s cheeks. It was causing her face to turn as red as an apple.


    "Dwon''t pwinch mai chyiks!"


    Floriana Sabina complained to her before pulling Janette Jerna''s hands off her cheeks.


    "Huh?"


    Janette Jerna was confused as Floriana Sabina threw her across the room.


    BANG CRASH


    It shattered a few decorations, and Janette Jerna was facing the ceiling as she panted. Her body ached all over, and the feeling of being thrown was scary in itself.


    "You!"


    Garbet Lohun pointed at Floriana Sabina in shock. She just threw an adult woman across the room with her petite body. It was something a little girl should not have been able to do.


    "You want to be thrown too?"


    Floriana Sabina raised an eyebrow and asked him.


    "N-no¡­ Just who are you?"


    Garbet Lohun shook his head and stuttered. He immediately became curious about her identity. Only if she is a cultivator would she have been able to throw Janette Jerna across the room.


    "Etch this onto your mind! I am the Youngest Saintess in the world and a Mana Dominion stage cultivator, Floriana Sabina!"


    Floriana Sabina raised her head and stood atop a chair in a flashy manner. For some reason, her white dress swayed as if there was a wind blowing inside. A loud thunderous boom sounded from afar as if to time with her introduction.


    "Morjana? Who?"


    Garbet Lohun looked at her with a perplexed look on his face. He has never heard her name, and he wasn''t even able to remember it correctly. ''Yep, this kid was spouting bullshit.''


    "Not Morjana! Why does everyone forget my name every time I introduce myself!?"


    Floriana Sabina complained in anger and gave a murderous glance at Rant Valo. Rant Valo felt sweat fall on his back as he was reminded once again of when he also forgot her name. After giving Rant Valo a short hmph, Floriana Sabina turned back her attention at Garbet Lohun and gave him a murderous stare of his own.


    "Like I care about your name!"


    Garbet Lohun shouted back at her.


    "Can I kill him?"


    Floriana Sabina''s voice was barely audible, but Rant Valo was able to hear it very clearly.


    "No! That''s too much!"


    Rant Valo immediately answered back at her. If she killed him for something that minor, it would only make things harder for them.


    "Hmph! You''re lucky my disciple is nice."


    Floriana Sabina turned around and sat back on the chair. She had enough of him.


    "Tch! Why don''t I have a match with your disciple then!?"


    Garbet Lohun shouted at her in anger. He felt like he was being humiliated by her saying something like that. She was just a little girl. She was probably lying in an attempt to scare him.


    "A match?"


    Garbet Lohun got Rant Valo''s interest. Rant Valo has been itching to fight with someone close or equal to his cultivation level so he would be able to acquire some battle experience.


    "Why? Are you scared, villager?"


    There was mockery in Garbet Lohun''s voice as he looked at Rant Valo. It was a done deal, in his opinion, for him to defeat Rant Valo. Once he did that, Rant Valo would not be able to complain when he kicked them later.


    It was such a perfect plan to dominate them who had disrespected him.


    "Why would I be?"


    Rant Valo answered back with a confident smile on his face. Even if they didn''t use their cultivation techniques, he was still much more powerful than he was.


    "Heh! Dare to attack me first?"


    Garbet Lohun sneered in disdain. He was letting him attack first so he could gauge how strong he was. If he were just a weakling pretending to be strong, then he would stop holding back.


    "Why don''t you do it?"


    What sucks is that Rant Valo had the same idea as he did. As Rant Valo hadn''t gotten the chance to have a fair fight with anyone else besides Veia and Floriana Sabina, it would be a good chance for him to gauge how strong he actually is compared to the other cultivators of the world.


    ''This kid¡­ is he just pretending, or is he capable of taking a punch from me?''


    Garbet Lohun furrowed his eyebrows when he saw Rant Valo propose that he go first.


    "Don''t you regret this!"


    Garbet Lohun decided to attack. He was impatient and letting him talk continuously with Rant Valo without actually doing anything only irked him more.


    Garbet Lohun threw a punch at Rant Valo''s face. They were standing far apart, but it still happened quickly as their cultivation levels were relatively high.


    Rant Valo watched as Garbet Lohun''s fist approach his face. Instead of dodging, Rant Valo wanted to try catching it with his hand. With a quick raise of his hand, Rant Valo easily caught Garbet Lohun''s mighty fist. It pushed on him quite hard, but he was able to resist its force somewhat.


    "What!?"


    Garbet Lohun was surprised that Rant Valo was able to block and catch his fist so easily. He was hoping for him to dodge it before launching a counterattack. Instead, he was caught off guard because Rant Valo didn''t do what he expected him to do.


    "My turn!"


    Rant Valo grinned at him, and while still holding Garbet Lohun''s hand, he threw a punch at his guts. Garbet Lohun tried to pull back his stomach to avoid the fist, but his other hand was still in Rant Valo''s hand. Rant Valo pulled on Garbet Lohun''s hand to prevent him from escaping his range.


    With a heavy grunt, Garbet Lohun took a strike on his guts. Rant Valo released his fist, and Garbet Lohun stumbled backward. There was a sharp pain in his stomach, like whatever he had eaten was being pushed back towards his throat.


    "Gehuhg¡­"


    Without any choice anymore, Garbet Lohun turned to the side and vomited whatever''s inside his stomach. It released a powerful stench as Garbet Lohun''s digestive juices scattered on the carpet.

 Chapter 78 - The Villager Rant Valo

    "B-big Brother Garbet!"


    Janette Jerna was tilting her head to the side and watching the fight unfold. She couldn''t help but shout when she saw her Big Brother Garbet get a punch in the guts. He was not her blood brother, but instead, he was her lover. It was just something they decided to call themselves with.


    Garbet Lohun raised his head and looked at her looking at him in worry. His heart felt sour after knowing that she just watched him lose a fight. He forcefully swallowed the vomit that was about to come up his throat and faced Rant Valo.


    "I''m not done yet!"


    He shouted as he wiped the stains from his mouth. He was standing shakily as the blow still disconcerted his body.


    Rant Valo furrowed his eyebrows when he saw that Garbet Lohun was still not giving up yet. It was one thing for Rant Valo to win a fight against Garbet Lohun with their physical strengths, but he would absolutely not be able to win in a fight using cultivation techniques.


    Rant Valo thought hard and knew that this was his only chance right now. So instead of waiting for Garbet Lohun to recover, Rant Valo closed his eyes and felt the mana inside of him.


    He circulated them in a specific manner and released them out at both of his palms, pointing towards Garbet Lohun.


    "Tide of Bad Fortune!"


    As a result, a white flow of mana flew through the air and landed perfectly on Garbet Lohun. The moment it touched Garbet Lohun, he felt a tingle in his spine. He looked at Rant Valo with an indignant expression.


    "Why did you attack!? Are you a coward?!"


    Garbet Lohun screamed at Rant Valo. He felt unfair and injustice that Rant Valo actually attacked him when he was not ready yet.


    "I¡­"


    Rant Valo scratched the back of his head in awkwardness. It was true that he was a coward to attack when his opponent was not ready yet. But Rant Valo knew that it was his only chance to win as the effect of the Tide of Bad Fortune is very slow.


    "Huh? Was that just a dud?"


    Garbet Lohun looked at his hands in confusion. He could swear that it was mana that Rant Valo threw at him, but he felt nothing different.


    "I think?"


    Rant Valo smiled awkwardly. It was hard for him to judge whether his cultivation technique actually worked against him. Even for Floriana Sabina, he didn''t notice any effects.


    Contrary to what Rant Valo knows, it affected Floriana Sabina back then when she blurted out that she wanted to kiss Rant Valo. Its effects are diverse, and you can''t say what it would be.


    "You! You actually tried to scare me!"


    There was fury in Garbet Lohun''s face as he looked at Rant Valo. His eyes turned bloodshot, and he closed his eyes. Then a few moments later, he opened his eyes and shouted.


    "Fire Wave!"


    A small wave of fire appeared in front of him and attacked Rant Valo. It was a meter in height and a meter in length. It was swift, and panic immediately formed on Rant Valo''s face.


    He didn''t have anything that could block that attack. What he feared actually happened.


    But as the wave of fire traveled, it actually turned to the side and hit the wall instead. Garbet Lohun looked at it comically as it burst into a bright flame after hitting the wall.


    "W-what?"


    There was confusion on his face as he looked at where it had hit and at the scorch marks on the carpet. Its trajectory was entirely different from what he expected it to be. He never even knew that it could turn! What the hell is happening over here!?


    "Hahaha! It actually worked!"


    Rant Valo laughed after seeing that it didn''t go as Garbet Lohun wanted it to be. He finally knows that it actually works on people. It was even more effective than he thought it would be.


    "What do you mean? Was it that attack you did at the start!?"


    Garbet Lohun''s eyes bulged in shock after realizing that it was the cause of this bizarre effect.


    "Yes! Thank you for helping me experiment on it."


    Rant Valo thanked Garbet Lohun with a wide smile on his face. His mood turned for the better after knowing that his cultivation technique has a tremendous effect on cultivators.


    "Come on! Attack me again!"


    Rant Valo used a finger motion to incite Garbet Lohun to attack him once again. He wanted to see if it still works. So, of course, Rant Valo went behind Floriana Sabina and watched while using her as his shield.


    "Shameless disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted after seeing that Rant Valo actually dared to hide behind her. However, she didn''t stop him but instead focused in front of her at Garbet Lohun.


    Garbet Lohun was fuming. This villager was making him so mad that he thinks he''s about to go bald! That''s right. He''s malding right now!


    "TAKE THIS! Serpent Flames!"


    A fire snake appeared from his hands. It flew directly towards Floriana Sabina''s face very quickly. But just as it was about to reach Floriana Sabina, it split into many pieces that dissipated into the air.


    His cultivation technique failed to execute properly, and Garbet Lohun watched all of this with wide eyes.


    He could feel himself going crazy. He had been cultivating since he was little, and he had used this cultivation technique a lot. However, this sort of thing only happened when he was still learning it. It had been so long since he last saw this effect happen.


    "Who are you!?"


    Garbet Lohun asked Rant Valo with dread on his face. What Rant Valo just did was something that he would not even be able to imagine in a million years.


    "Me? I''m just a plain villager. Just like what you said."


    There was mockery in Rant Valo''s voice as he replied to Garbet Lohun. He was mocking him for looking down on him just because he was a villager.

 Chapter 79 - Garbet Lohun Harbors A Grudge

    "Tch."


    Garbet Lohun clicked his tongue in anger. Rant Valo was just mocking him, and it hurt him deeply.


    "Big Brother Garbet!"


    Janette Jerna has already stood up, and she caught Garbet Lohun''s attention. Her face was filled with worry for him, while there was fear in her eyes every time she glances at Rant Valo.


    "Little Sister Janette¡­"


    Pain. That was the only emotion on Garbet Lohun''s face as he looked at her. It looked like she was really hurt, and she still had the energy and focus on caring about his well-being. She was such a perfect woman in his eyes.


    "We should just leave..."


    She spoke to him very weakly. If Garbet Lohun continues his fight against Rant Valo, it would only be a disadvantage for him if he cannot use his cultivation techniques. Plus, there was still the cloaked woman who was silently watching the scene unfold.


    "But-!"


    Garbet Lohun was not willing to just leave. His lover was hurt right in front of him, and the perpetrators were also right in front of him. If he didn''t fight back, he wouldn''t consider himself a man.


    "No! I can''t lose you, Big Brother Garbet..."


    Janette Jerna became hysterical as she continued her attempt to dissuade Garbet Lohun from continuing. She can feel that they were at a disadvantage. If the fight escalates any further, Garbet Lohun may easily lose his life.


    "Little Sister Janette¡­"


    Garbet Lohun gripped his fist tighter and came to a decision.


    "Hmph! I''ll come back in the future to conclude this fight."


    Garbet Lohun snorted and lifted Janette Jerna into his arms before leaving the scene. He was filled with bitterness as he showed his back to Rant Valo.


    "Hmph! Weakling!"


    Floriana Sabina couldn''t help but respond. There was anger on her face as she looked at them.


    Garbet Lohun halted in his footsteps and gritted his teeth. He closed his eyes and shook the thought of turning back out of his head. This will not be the end. He swears he will make them suffer, especially that little girl.


    After Garbet Lohun and Janette Jerna left, the room was left in a chaotic mess. There was a small fire burning beside the wall, and the carpet was covered with scorch marks. In addition, some decorations had shattered, and some had fallen out of place.


    It looked like the room was split in half as one side was a total mess while the other was in its original state.


    "M-my baby!"


    Viynia Narene was snapped out of her revere as she remembered that Garbet Lohun said that he broke the other leg of her son. She left the room in panic without caring for her noble image anymore.


    "Tsk."


    Veia clicked her tongue after seeing Viynia Narene leave. She was upset that that woman dared to take back her gift to her master. If Floriana Sabina didn''t stop her, she would have already ripped her to shreds.


    "What do we do now, Master?"


    Veia turned her head to Rant Valo. She was clueless about what they should do now. They ruined the place, and the host just left them alone.


    "Just wait."


    Rant Valo sat on the couch and relaxed. They would come to them sooner or later.


    "Okay."


    Veia nodded her head, and the trio waited in the room as they chatted casually.


    A while earlier, Viynia Narene reached the room where Nale Narene was being treated. His leg was already snapped back in place, and he was drinking water to ease the stress that his body felt. After all, having your leg dislocated is very traumatizing for your body.


    "My son!"


    Viynia Narene slammed the door against the wall. It was with such a strong force that the room shook a little.


    "M-mother."


    Nale Narene jumped back in shock after seeing her haggard expression. She didn''t have the noble elegance that she had earlier.


    "Nale!"


    As a mother, it scared her that something happened to her baby boy. She ran towards Nale Narene and embraced him tightly. Then, tears fell as she started crying.


    "Mother¡­ Did they do anything to you?"


    Nale Narene asked as he started patting his mother''s back. He felt sadness and grief. This wouldn''t have happened if his father hadn''t died. Hate was born inside Nale Narene. Hate towards his late father for dying and leaving them alone in this world.


    "No¡­ What about you? How''s your leg? Let me see. I''ll give it kisses to heal you."


    There was desperation on Viynia Narene''s face as she held Nale Narene''s face and looked at him directly in the eye. She started going down and inspected his bandaged leg. She started giving it kisses as her motherly instinct kicked in.


    "M-mother! I''m not a kid anymore. Why are you still kissing my leg?"


    Nale Narene awkwardly peeled his mother off him after seeing that she was getting too into it.


    "Huh? Wasn''t your other leg broken too?"


    Viynia Narene finally realized that Nale Narene''s other leg was actually okay. She opened and closed her eyes repeatedly to make sure she wasn''t actually dreaming. She even turned her head away, and her son''s other leg was still in good condition.


    "What do you mean?"


    Confusion appeared on Nale Narene''s face as he watched his mother comically try to prove that what she was seeing was actually real.


    "The bastard Garbet said he broke your leg."


    Viynia Narene replied with a blank face, while fury was evident in her voice when she mentioned Garbet Lohun''s name. She was still confused about what was happening.


    "No, Mother, he didn''t. You can rest at ease now."


    Nale Narene grabbed Viynia Narene''s hand and caressed it to ease her pounding heart.


    "I¡­ Thank you, son."


    Viynia Narene realized that Nale Narene was comforting her, and she went forward to hug him. She was thankful that she still had this son of hers. Otherwise, she wouldn''t know what to do in this world without her late husband.


    The mother and son continued embracing for a short while longer before they released each other.


    "Are they still here?"


    Nale Narene asked his mother in a voice filled with worry for Rant Valo and the rest.

 Chapter 80 - Nale Narenes Decision

    "Y-yes."


    A complicated expression took over Viynia Narene''s face. She remembered what she did to Rant Valo.


    "Are they okay?"


    Nale Narene asked with worry on his face. Even though he doesn''t know Rant Valo that much, he was still someone who helped him from the hundreds of passersby on the street. It was proof of Rant Valo''s kindness.


    If Rant Valo were hurt because he brought him to his house, it would be something he would feel guilty about. After all, as a guest, Rant Valo should be treated with utmost care.


    "They¡­ I''m not sure."


    As Viynia Narene didn''t actually turn back and look if Rant Valo and the rest were hurt, she couldn''t say for sure. The only thing in her mind back there was her son.


    "Not sure? Anyway, let''s go meet them."


    Nale Narene pulled back his head in surprise at Viynia Narene''s response. He felt that it was weird that his mother didn''t know when she was with them earlier.


    Nale Narene brought his mother with him as they went to the Guest Lounge.


    What Nale Narene saw shocked him¡ª The door was left open, so he could take a peek inside. It was a mess.


    He turned his head to Rant Valo, Floriana Sabina, and Veia, who happily chatted from the side. It was like the mess was not there in their eyes.


    "Rant Valo?"


    Nale Narene called out to Rant Valo, who was busy talking with the others. Rant Valo heard the call and turned his head.


    "You''re here."


    An amusing smile appeared on Rant Valo''s face when he saw Nale Narene and his mother. He thought that the show was about to start.


    "Yes. What happened exactly?"


    Nale Narene walked towards them as he looked around in puzzlement. This room contained costly properties such as antiques and rare paintings, and for it to be destroyed just like this made him feel sour inside.


    "Ask your mother."


    Instead of answering him, Rant Valo pointed at Viynia Narene using his nose.


    "Mother?"


    Nale Narene furrowed his eyebrows as he turned his head to look at his mother. There really was something going on here that she was hiding from him.


    "I¡­"


    Viynia Narene bit her lips in reluctance. She knows that what happened would be known to her son if she talked about it.


    "Ms. Narene, do you want me to reveal it instead?"


    Rant Valo gained confidence after seeing her act so cowardly. He wanted to show Nale Narene the true colors of his mother.


    "...Alright."


    Viynia Narene turned away from her son and looked at the ground as she started explaining everything that happened. Except for the fight as she became absentminded watching it midway.


    "Mother¡­"


    Nale Narene gripped his fists. It was hard for him to swallow that his mother would actually take back a gift that she has already given. And it was even in such a rude manner. But he could understand. It was for him.


    Everything¡­ Everything was for him. For some reason, he felt as if he was the most unlucky son in the world. First, his father died trying to harvest a scarce heavenly material, and now, his mother threw away her dignity to appease their enemy¡ªall for him.


    "Why! Just why!!"


    Nale Narene scratched at his head with a crazed expression. Why was he so unlucky? Why is it all happening to him? Is life that against him living peacefully?


    "My son¡­"


    Viynia Narene''s face contorted when she saw the way her son was acting. She knows what he was going through. She could relate to some of it as his mother.


    "Mother. I''ve decided. We will give up the ownership of this town to the Jernas."


    Nale Narene straightened his back as he came to a decision.


    This town was under their control. It was a feudal system where the Narene controls everything from tax to the most minor of goods that enter the city. However, when his father, a cultivator in the 9th Mana Condensation stage, died, their foundation collapsed.


    No one can carry the heavy responsibility called ''Town Management'' anymore. Seeing this opportunity, the Lohuns and Jernas teamed up to seize control of the town.


    Their household is at the Count-level. So starting from the bottom, it would be Baron, Count, Viscount, and so forth. Which means their titles have prestige and power over the area surrounding the town.


    And as the rightful heir of his late father, Nale Narene naturally inherited the position and title, but he was too weak. So finally, today, he would give it all up.


    "Give up!? You can''t!"


    Viynia Narene screamed at Nale Narene. It was their only lifeline left. The only thing that her late husband had left them. If they lose this too, they would be losing their very being.


    "Mother, I will give it up today, but one day¡­ One day, I''ll take it all back."


    A fiery sheen appeared in Nale Narene''s eyes. He was determined to grow stronger and come back stronger. He would take everything that he had lost.


    "My son¡­"


    Bitterness filled Viynia Narene as she watched the heroic figure of her son right now. She was ashamed. She was very ashamed that she couldn''t protect her son.


    "Rant Valo. I know now that you are a cultivator and even a strong one at that. Therefore, I request of you to take me with you on your journey."


    Nale Narene extended his arm towards Rant Valo in an exaggerated manner.


    "Huh? I refuse."


    Rant Valo was taken aback when Nale Narene did all of that speech just to ask him to take him with them. Rant Valo already had enough problems with Veia and Floriana Sabina. He didn''t want to add another. Besides, the guy tried to court Veia.


    Rant Valo didn''t want to allow any men to stay near her. She was, after all, very lustful. If she one day couldn''t control herself and pounces on Nale Narene, he would regret it very much. There would be a crack in their relationship that would never mend.

 Chapter 81 - The Reason For The Fathers Death

    "R-refuse?"


    Nale Narene seems to have been taken aback by Rant Valo''s response as he could not react to it properly.


    "Yes. I don''t think I need to listen to you, right?"


    Rant Valo calmly responded to him.


    "You don''t, but aren''t you feeling pity for me right now?"


    Nale Narene tried to give Rant Valo a way to rationalize helping him, but Rant Valo wasn''t buying any of it.


    "Nope. First of all, I don''t know you aside from what I have seen earlier. And secondly, I''m pissed at your mother."


    Rant Valo shook his head at Nale Narene''s words. There was no way he would feel pity for someone he only got to know for less than a day. He was, after all, treated quite badly in the village, and he still doesn''t know if Nale Narene would do the same and abandon him just like what the other villagers did to him.


    "I''ll explain everything to you and have my mother apologize!"


    Nale Narene pleaded to Rant Valo, and he even bowed towards him to show his sincerity. However, his mother was shocked and tried to make him stand straight when she saw him bow to a villager.


    "Nale! What are you doing? Quickly, stand straight. You''re a noble!"


    Viynia Narene tried to convince him to stand up, but Nale Narene was stubborn. He resisted her with all of his body, and any of her attempts were all useless.


    "Mother, please, this is our only chance."


    Nale Narene whispered to her in a grim voice. He didn''t want the family''s noble line to end in his hands. It would be the most shameful thing that he could ever do, so in his opinion, this much was nothing. It''s just a sacrifice for a better and brighter future.


    "Nale¡­"


    Viynia Narene saw Nale Narene''s determined eyes as he looked at her while bowing towards Rant Valo. She swallowed hard and looked away from her son.


    "Okay¡­"


    Viynia Narene conceded to him. If Nale Narene was this stubborn, then she couldn''t do anything anymore. She would only be antagonistic towards him if she continued.


    "I still refuse."


    Rant Valo''s voice sounded from the other side of the room, and the mother-son duo couldn''t help but turn their heads towards him.


    "Even with this??"


    Nale Narene wasn''t able to take Rant Valo''s response well as he exclaimed in bewilderment. It was impossible, in his opinion, for someone to not feel an ounce of pity when the person was practically pleading in front of them.


    "I don''t see any benefits in it for me."


    Rant Valo responded solemnly. The things that Nale Narene wanted to do were all to benefit himself selfishly.


    Rant Valo glanced at Floriana Sabina from the corner of his eyes and saw her encouraging him.


    "Don''t worry, Disciple. If you continue doing this, Nale Narene will reveal exactly what''s happening."


    Floriana Sabina was moving her lips imperceptibly, and only Rant Valo could hear what she was saying. Everything that Rant Valo did from the moment he refused Nale Narene has been Floriana Sabina''s idea.


    Rant Valo nodded his head in understanding at Floriana Sabina.


    "Benefits, you say?"


    Nale Narene stood straight and pondered to himself. He thought that being in the good grace of a noble like him would be enough benefit for Rant Valo. However, he didn''t expect him to become greedy at this point in time.


    "...What do you want?"


    In the end, Nale Narene bit his lips and decided to ask Rant Valo''s demands first. Then, it would not be too late to decide on what to do after he hears his demands.


    "I want to know what is happening towards your family and the reason behind it."


    Rant Valo answered him calmly. However, Rant Valo was feeling a little bit uneasy as he was not the type of person to do this. It was only because Floriana Sabina told him to do it that he was even doing it, to begin with.


    "Alright."


    Nale Narene nodded his head readily. If that''s what he needed to do to have Rant Valo take him with him outside of this town to grow stronger, it was reasonable in his opinion.


    Nale Narene proceeded to explain how his father exactly dies.


    In summary, his father died because he was harvesting a rare medicinal plant called "Evil Sacra Lotus." Contrary to what its name may suggest, it is a very safe plant. It just grows in places full of evil spirits.


    Evil Spirits are souls that have tried to depart the world but failed. They contain strong Darkness Element mana that corrodes the mana of anyone that has no immunity towards it.


    For example, Nale Narene''s father is a 9th Mana Condensation stage Water Element Magic Cultivator. He could create waves and waves of water simply from the water vapor in the air.


    But because he didn''t have any immunity towards the Darkness Element like Light Element Cultivators, he didn''t notice that his mana got corroded before an evil spirit attacked him.


    Because of his corroded mana, his attacks failed midway and were ineffective against the evil spirits. Unfortunately, that was also his last.


    They only found out about his death after they sent a subordinate to investigate.


    The news quickly spread throughout Narene Town, and the Lohuns and Jernas took advantage of it to work together against them.


    What could the ''Evil Sacra Lotus'' do, you ask? When eaten, the cultivator would enter into a protected state. In this protected state, their minds are clearer than water.


    They would be able to cultivate with the utmost concentration, leading to at least a 2x boost to their cultivation speed. And the Evil Sacra Lotus has many petals with effects that last for at least a week.


    It was the best headstart you can have against your peers who started cultivating from the same age and environment as you. Nale Narene''s father wanted Nale Narene to surpass the Eldest Son and Eldest Daughter of the Lohun and Jerna Household, respectively.


    In the end, it only led to his death due to his carelessness.

 Chapter 82 - Relationship Revealed

    "I understand."


    Floriana Sabina interrupted from the side. Nale Narene turned towards Floriana Sabina and furrowed his eyebrows. It was odd for him that Floriana Sabina responded instead of Rant Valo.


    Rant Valo also looked at Floriana Sabina in surprise. He was supposed to be the one to communicate her words to them. He didn''t know why she started speaking on her own.


    "We will allow you to follow us as long as we get that medicinal plant."


    Floriana Sabina explained to Nale Narene. He and his mother looked at each other in puzzlement. Her form was, after all, of a child''s.


    "Umm¡­ Is she your little sister?"


    Nale Narene couldn''t help but ask Rant Valo. Rant Valo was taken aback by his words and looked at Floriana Sabina to see if she was mad.


    Indeed, she was. Her eyes were looking at Nale Narene as if she was ready to bury them both six feet under.


    "N-No. Please don''t dig your own grave."


    Rant Valo had a wry smile on his face as he looked at Nale Narene. If Floriana Sabina went on a rampage, even he himself wouldn''t be able to stop it.


    "Huh?"


    Nale Narene tilted his head in confusion. Rant Valo was acting very weird, in his opinion. He didn''t even say anything wrong by calling her his little sister.


    "J-Just don''t call her that. She''s pretty sensitive about it."


    Rant Valo didn''t know how to explain it to him without revealing that Floriana Sabina was actually his master.


    "I see. She''s a shy one, huh."


    Nale Narene turned to Floriana Sabina and gave her a caring smile. When he did so, he couldn''t help but twitch his cheeks as he could feel that she was giving him a dangerous vibe when he looked at her.


    "Is her words, your words?"


    Nale Narene was still not sure if what Floriana Sabina said was what Rant Valo thought. He, after all didn''t know that she was not his little sister but rather Rant Valo''s master.


    "Yes. Anything she says will be my decision."


    Rant Valo nodded his head readily. It was his master''s decision. He should at least give her that much trust.


    "I understand. You sure have a unique relationship."


    Nale Narene glanced at Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina repeatedly with a weird look on his face. The way Rant Valo put it into words makes it seem that he was actually being controlled by his little sister which is a tad weird for Nale Narene.


    "Y-Yeah."


    Rant Valo scratched the back of his head awkwardly.


    "Anyways, I disagree. It is something I need to use to improve my cultivation. Please think of anything else."


    Nale Narene shook his head in the end. It was not a worthwhile trade, in his opinion. He would be losing a lot.


    He doesn''t even plan to rely on them to get stronger. He only plans to travel with them, so it would be easier for him to grow. And the Evil Sacra Lotus is something that he plans to take in the future when he''s strong enough.


    He couldn''t let them have it just for accompanying them on their travels.


    "Hohhh¡­ Are you sure that this Evil Sacra Lotus is worth more than being able to be taught by me?"


    Floriana Sabina had an amusing smile on her face as she stared straight into Nale Narene''s eyes. In her view, Nale Narene would be the one benefitting if he travels with them.


    After all, her pointers are enough to guide anyone through the path of cultivation very smoothly. It was not something that could be easily defined with money.


    "You?"


    Nale Narene looked at Floriana Sabina with an even weirder look. What she was saying now sounds like bullshit in Nale Narene''s ears. He didn''t even expect that a little girl would have the gall to say something like that.


    "...F-Floriana S-Sabina."


    Rant Valo couldn''t call Floriana Sabina his master right now without her permission, but when he called her with just her name plainly, he felt his back grow cold and shuddered. It was as if he was making a grave mistake by calling her name so plainly like that.


    "HM??"


    Floriana Sabina turned her head in Rant Valo''s direction. She was raising her eyebrow as she peered him up and down. She was just like a predator eyeing her prey.


    "What did you call me?"


    Floriana Sabina raised her voice, and there was anger bubbling under it. Rant Valo jumped in fright when he heard it. It was like his death was near.


    "I-I mean, Master."


    Rant Valo quickly corrected himself. Being under Floriana Sabina''s threatening glare is very stressful.


    "Hmph! Good thing you know. Otherwise, I would have disowned you."


    Floriana Sabina snorted and turned her head away. She was clearly still upset even though Rant Valo already corrected himself.


    "Yes, I''m sorry. It won''t happen again."


    Rant Valo could only appease her anger with a forced smile on his face. His forehead was dripping with sweat without him even noticing it.


    "Learn from your mistakes. Don''t do it again."


    Floriana Sabina spoke with an authoritative tone of voice as she scolded him.


    Meanwhile, Nale Narene and his mother were watching both of them with odd expressions on their faces.


    "Uh, are you guys roleplaying?"


    Nale Narene tried his best to smile at both of them as he asked.


    "NO!"


    "NO!"


    Floriana Sabina and Rant Valo both reacted at the same time. For Rant Valo, he just didn''t like the odd way Nale Narene was looking at him, while for Floriana Sabina, she took offense from it.


    "..?"


    Question marks were on top of Nale Narene and his mother''s heads as they became confused by their response.


    "Should I reveal it?"


    Rant Valo walked closer to Floriana Sabina and whispered into her ear. It was hard for him to continue enduring this.


    "Reveal it. I don''t care."


    Floriana Sabina didn''t care anymore. She was just upset about her relationship with Rant Valo being misunderstood.


    "She''s actually my master."


    Rant Valo awkwardly explained to them. It was even hard to believe it himself when it was coming from his own mouth.

 Chapter 83 - Veia Cant Hold Herself Back

    "..."


    "..."


    Nale Narene and his mother both looked at each other. They could both see the confusion on each other''s faces.


    "I see. You guys are too deep into your roleplay, huh."


    Nale Narene finally reacted to Rant Valo''s words.


    "No. I mean it. Really. She''s my master."


    Rant Valo awkwardly smiled, seeing that both Nale Narene and his mother looked at him with an understanding look.


    "Yes. Yes. We get it already."


    Nale Narene nodded his head repeatedly as if he truly understood what Rant Valo really meant without knowing that he actually misunderstood them.


    "I''m her disciple, and she''s my master."


    Rant Valo iterated once again. It was getting annoying for him to keep repeating this to them.


    "Wait, did you just say disciple? I thought she''s your ''Master'' and you have some Master-Servant kink?"


    Nale Narene felt confused about one thing and his thoughts leaked out without him realizing it.


    "Master-Servant kink?"


    It wasn''t Rant Valo nor Floriana Sabina that answered this time. It was Veia who has been silently watching from the side. She walked towards Nale Narene and stood in front of him.


    "Don''t you dare mention that phrase ever again when I''m here. The only one who could be my master''s servant is me!"


    Veia lifted her chin upwards and declared proudly. In her opinion, there''s no other thing better than being her master''s servant. She could feel a bond with him, which gives her shivers every time she tries to sense it.


    ''HUH!? WHAT IS THIS??''


    Nale Narene shouted inside his head in bewilderment. Hearing Veia proclaiming that she was Rant Valo''s servant made this situation even more confusing for him. Even his mother was taken aback by the sudden development.


    "Um¡­ Miss, are you roleplaying too?"


    Nale Narene carefully asked her with a forced smile on his face. She was even the girl that he wanted to court at first, but it turned out that she was already Rant Valo''s girlfriend.


    "No! Why would I roleplay about being my master''s servant? There''s no greater thing in the world than being his servant."


    Veia immediately denied his words. For her, who was a vampire-succubus hybrid, she liked Rant Valo''s blood very much. It was very delicious, and just the smell of his body was enough to drive her crazy.


    She didn''t want anyone to mistake that she was just roleplaying it. It would be blasphemy for her love for her master.


    Meanwhile, Rant Valo was blushing red. He felt like digging a hole and jumping into it to bury himself out of embarrassment. Just hearing Veia''s passionate words made him cringe but also feel a warmth inside his heart.


    "..."


    Nale Narene didn''t know what to do anymore. First, it was Floriana Sabina and Rant Valo. Now even this girl he wanted to court before was speaking weirdly.


    "Are you guys and girls really not roleplaying?"


    Nale Narene''s mother interrupted. She held her chin as she pondered to herself.


    "Yes. Even though I don''t want to admit it, what they said was true."


    Rant Valo replied to her with an awkward smile on his face. Now that he was talking about it to someone else, it somehow felt embarrassing to reveal it in the end.


    "Master?"


    "Disciple?"


    Both Floriana Sabina and Veia turned their heads towards Rant Valo with sinister smiles on their faces.


    "W-What?"


    Rant Valo felt his back start to sweat as he saw their smiles.


    "What do you mean that you don''t want to admit it?" x2


    Floriana Sabina and Veia both spoke in sync. When Rant Valo realized that they were speaking in sync, his body shuddered in fear. He knew that he f*cked up.


    "I''m just embarrassed!"


    Rant Valo quickly explained himself. Otherwise, he would not be able to sleep well later, and he can feel that his bones would be broken again if he didn''t explain it quickly enough.


    "Ah¡­"


    "Disciple¡­"


    Both Veia and Floriana Sabina''s eyes lit up in warmth at Rant Valo''s words. Even Floriana Sabina felt that Rant Valo was cute by being embarrassed to reveal their Master-Disciple relationship to others.


    "Master, just let me hug you this one!"


    Veia couldn''t hold it in anymore. She was feeling a strong urge to push Rant Valo down.


    "No! I know you, Veia."


    Floriana Sabina immediately stopped Veia from getting nearer to Rant Valo. She was already familiar with the way Veia operates. Every time she gets even a little love from Rant Valo, she would immediately have the urge to pounce on him.


    "Grandmaster, just once!"


    Veia pleaded with teary eyes as she tried to get past Floriana Sabina''s outstretched arm. Of course, she didn''t have the opportunity or even power to get past it. There''s just too big of a power gap between the two of them.


    "Still no."


    Floriana Sabina was unflustered by Veia''s unrelenting desire to pounce on Rant Valo.


    "Eighhiii---"


    Veia tried her best, but in the end, she still wasn''t able to escape past Floriana Sabina.


    Rant Valo watched all of this happen, and he once again felt like burying himself underground. He even didn''t want to associate with them anymore. If anyone asks, he would just say that he didn''t know them and leave.


    "I think I''ll just believe you."


    Seeing the awkward look on Rant Valo''s face, Nale Narene just decided to believe their words finally. If they were still roleplaying with this much, they would be having problems with their heads, and he didn''t think they had any.


    "Thanks."


    Rant Valo felt gratitude that he didn''t have to explain or reiterate anything to Nale Narene anymore.


    "No problem. If you guys can get the Evil Sacra Lotus, you can take it. I just want one petal."


    Nale Narene explained to them his decision regarding the medicinal plant that his father tried to harvest. The medicinal plant was also the reason why he wanted to get even a single petal. He wanted to taste and experience the medicinal plant that his father risked his life to gather.

 Chapter 84 - One Room For Two

    "It''s a deal."


    Floriana Sabina answered with a smile. It was a given for them to get the Evil Sacra Lotus anyway.


    "So when are we leaving?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but ask. It was an important question for him since he still wants to explore this town. As a villager, reaching a town is an achievement, so not exploring it would be a waste.


    "Tomorrow and my mother will not be coming with us."


    Nale Narene replied to Rant Valo.


    "What? Why am I not aware of that?"


    Viynia Narene was bewildered by Nale Narene''s words. She expected that she would be traveling with them. It didn''t even cross her mind that her own son would not want her to travel with them.


    "Mother, I know you can''t bear to part with me, but it will be dangerous, so I have to go with them alone."


    Nale Narene explained to her with a determined expression. His mother is the only family member he has left in the world. If he lost her too, he would not be able to forgive himself.


    "... I understand. You''re already old enough."


    Viynia Narene bit her lips in reluctance. As much as she wanted to follow Nale Narene, she understands that it was not a good idea for her to follow him when she was weak in terms of cultivation, and she also has no more hope of getting more stronger. After all, her talent was already long exhausted.


    "Thank you, Mother."


    Nale Narene felt heartened that his mother understood his intentions.


    "Just promise me that you will not die before achieving your goal."


    Viynia Narene felt a pang in her heart when she said the word ''die''. Just imagining herself losing her son makes her feel uncomfortable.


    "I won''t, Mother. I will come back and retake our household''s position as the owner of this town."


    Nale Narene reassured her with a smile. When Viynia Narene saw that, she was satisfied. As long as her son is confident in succeeding, then he will surely succeed without any doubts.


    The mother and son embraced each other with deep affection. Although the departure would only be happening tomorrow, the feeling of parting has already appeared inside their hearts.


    "Ehem."


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but interrupt them after seeing that they were stuck with each other for a while. It was getting awkward for the three of them to continue watching them.


    "Y-Yeah. I''ll guide you guys to your rooms. I hope you don''t mind staying here even after all that happened."


    He kind of forgot that people were watching, and they both got carried away. He just decided to offer them their rooms to hide his embarrassment.


    "It''s fine. Lead the way."


    Nale Narene brought them out of the Guest Lounge and deeper into the mansion. They stopped just outside of a large room with a king-size bed inside.


    "Rant Valo and this miss will be staying in one room, right?"


    Nale Narene guessed. After all, Rant Valo admitted that Veia was already his girlfriend. It shouldn''t be a problem for the two of them to stay in the same room. It might even be what they want to happen.


    "No!"


    Floriana Sabina rejected the idea almost immediately. Just the thought of Veia and Rant Valo staying in one room made her anxious. Who knows what Veia would do when they''re alone inside an enclosed space? She would most certainly not be able to contain herself.


    "Is there a problem?"


    Nale Narene became confused at Floriana Sabina''s response. In his mind, he knew he did nothing wrong by suggesting such a thing.


    "Yes! I would be the one sleeping inside the same room as him."


    With a lift of her chin, Floriana Sabina declared, and Nale Narene looked at her and Rant Valo with a suspicious look on his face.


    "You guys aren''t doing ''that'', right?"


    Nale Narene certainly had very wild imaginations right now. He thought of something he shouldn''t have thought about in the first place.


    "NO!"


    "NO!"


    Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina responded at the same time. It was impossible for that to happen, ever!


    "Hahaha, I was just joking."


    Nale Narene revealed with a smirk on his face. He clearly enjoyed doing it.


    "..."


    Floriana Sabina and Rant Valo felt like punching him in the face. He was being very annoying by teasing them like that. Even Veia was looking at him in a hostile manner.


    "Two rooms then."


    Nale Narene spoke and gave them the keys to the rooms.


    "I will be preparing for stepping down from my position as the owner of this town tomorrow. You guys can go and explore the town if you want."


    Nale Narene explained to them before he bid his farewell.


    Rant Valo''s group was once again left alone by themselves.


    "Did I do well, Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo asked Floriana Sabina with a smile on his face. It was a trial for him by Floriana Sabina. He was supposed to fix the curse that he gave to Nale Narene.


    "You did well, Disciple! In fact, Nale Narene could be said to be very lucky right now."


    Floriana Sabina praised Rant Valo generously. She was very proud of his work. Even though she had to intervene midway, it still didn''t change the fact that Rant Valo did well.


    "I''m glad."


    Rant Valo felt satisfied with being praised by Floriana Sabina. It was, after all, quite hard for him to interact with Nale Narene at first as there was still a fear that he would leave him one day. Just like what happened back in the village.


    "Master, can I drink your blood now?"


    Veia tugged on the hem of Rant Valo''s clothes. It has been almost a day since she drank his blood, and she was yearning for it once again.


    "Alright."


    Rant Valo slumped his shoulders in defeat. It was a good thing that his body quickly adapted and produced more blood every day. Otherwise, he would have died of blood loss long ago.

 Chapter 85 - A Familiar Fish Dish

    Rant Valo, Floriana Sabina, and Veia entered the room where Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina would sleep tonight. For now, they would use this room to get together while it was still not time to sleep.


    Rant Valo pulled his knife from the sheath on his waist and cut across his wrist. He used a wooden bowl from Floriana Sabina''s Storage Ring and collected his blood in it.


    When he first did this a few days ago, it was quite disturbing. Seeing his own blood be collected in a bowl was not something that he was used to. It was a good thing that he got used to it quite fast. As long as he thought that it was to feed Veia, he was able to calm himself.


    "Done."


    Rant Valo covered his wound with his other hand and used a small pea-sized medicinal paste to heal his wound. It was something that Floriana Sabina has as it was very effective in healing external wounds.


    At first, Veia suggested using her saliva as it has healing properties, but Floriana Sabina objected. Even Rant Valo felt that it would be disgusting, so her idea was shot down.


    Gulp


    Every time Veia sees Rant Valo''s blood in this bowl, she feels like she was looking at a supreme treasure. She couldn''t help but want to rush towards it and down it in one go.


    Rant Valo gave the bowl to Veia after seeing the eager expression on her face. He felt like it would not be a good idea to keep it from her any longer.


    "Thank you, Master!"


    Veia took the bowl and started drinking it sparingly with excitement. Instead of immediately swallowing it, she let it sit in her mouth as she savored its delicious taste. Only after a few minutes later would she swallow it down her throat.


    "It''s still hard to get used to this."


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but say as he watched Veia drink his blood as if it was a century-old fine wine. He wouldn''t have imagined that someone would actually be that into drinking his blood.


    "Hmph! I''m sure you just want her to bite you again."


    Floriana Sabina snorted at him. She knows that he enjoyed being bitten by Veia and having his blood sucked that way. He was just a pervert, in her opinion.


    "I can''t deny that."


    Rant Valo chuckled. He really did ''enjoy'' it.


    "See! Pervert."


    Floriana Sabina scolded him with a frown on her face.


    A dozen minutes later, Veia was finally done with drinking Rant Valo''s blood.


    "That was so good¡­"


    Veia''s eyes were glazed over as she was still high from drinking Rant Valo''s blood. It was like she drank booze laced with aphrodisiac but thousands of times much better.


    "Master, there''s a bed there¡­ We can do it."


    There was a lewd smile on Veia''s face as she approached Rant Valo. After drinking his blood, she became more of a succubus.


    "Not this again."


    Floriana Sabina sighed. This happens every time Veia drinks Rant Valo''s blood. Floriana Sabina was getting tired of it happening over and over again.


    "You stay here, Veia. Me and Rant Valo will go out."


    Floriana Sabina didn''t think that it would be a good idea to go out with Veia right now. They could only leave her inside and explore the town themselves.


    "Grandmasterrrrr~"


    Veia called out to her drunkenly, but Floriana Sabina just ignored her and closed the door.


    Rant Valo didn''t stop her because he knew that if Veia couldn''t control herself right now, things would become more out of control if he stayed near her.


    Floriana Sabina and Rant Valo left the Narene Mansion. They were not stopped by the guards as Nale Narene had already informed them that they would be staying for the night, and they could enter and leave freely if they wanted to.


    It was currently lunchtime, and the road was almost deserted. Everyone was either eating inside of their homes or eating inside restaurants.


    "Let''s eat there."


    Rant Valo pointed towards a restaurant filled with people. It was bustling and was very noticeable from the deserted streets.


    Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina approached the restaurant and sat on the seats right outside. They were facing each other, and a waiter approached them before giving them a menu. He was wearing a white long sleeve shirt with a black bowtie on his neck.


    "Welcome to Karbel Dining. What are your orders?"


    He greeted them as he held a small notebook and a pencil as he waited for their words.


    "Your best dish."


    Rant Valo didn''t even glance at the menu. He just felt like acting like a noble for today. Floriana Sabina glanced at him and smiled faintly.


    "I would like to have the same."


    Floriana Sabina was also curious what''s the best dish this place has to offer. It would certainly not be the best dish out there as this was just in a small town, but she was still looking forward to it nonetheless.


    "You got it!"


    The waiter quickly left after taking their orders.


    They waited for a while before the waiter came back with two plates of steaming white fish meat. For some reason, it looked very familiar to Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina.


    "..."


    "..."


    Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina smiled wryly at each other. They just had eaten a bunch of these a few days ago, now they were eating it again. Rant Valo didn''t feel like eating anymore.


    "Served in front of you is a rare Spirit Fish. It was said that it could improve your cultivation level. It is caught in¡ª"


    Just as the waiter was about to thoroughly explain the details of this fish, Rant Valo stopped him.


    "Stop. You don''t have to explain anymore."


    Rant Valo was upset that he was gonna eat these again. He was not in the mood to listen to the waiter''s incessant chatter about stuff they already knew.


    "Alright. Please enjoy."


    The waiter didn''t mind and left them alone.


    "Ahahahaha!"


    "Puh! Hahaha."


    Floriana Sabina was the first to laugh, and Rant Valo couldn''t help but laugh in concert. They thought that it was funny that they were eating the same fish that they could catch without much effort back beside the river.

 Chapter 86 - Working Like A Normal Mortal

    It took a while before Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina were able to calm down. The other customers of the restaurant were already giving them odd looks.


    "Why don''t we try this, Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo suggested to her with a smile.


    "Why not, right?"


    Floriana Sabina readily agreed, and they both used their forks to cut a small piece of the fish meat before picking it up and eating it.


    Munch Munch


    "Mmm! This is much better than I thought."


    Rant Valo exclaimed as he put another piece of fish meat inside his mouth.


    "Yes. It was properly seasoned compared to what we ate back in the forest."


    Floriana Sabina agreed with a bob of her head. What they ate in the forest was, after all, unseasoned. Rant Valo didn''t have any seasoning with him, and Floriana Sabina didn''t have any inside her Storage Ring. That''s because she simply doesn''t need some as cultivators didn''t have to eat.


    Floriana Sabina simply eats because it''s fun and tasting different delicious dishes is incomparable to anything. Even Rant Valo could already fast for a long time and not suffer the effects that a mortal would normally have  by not eating or drinking.


    "Now that we''re talking about it. We should buy some seasoning too."


    Rant Valo discussed with her. If they had seasoning, their travel would be much more enjoyable. They didn''t have to worry about eating anything bland.


    "We should do that."


    Floriana Sabina agreed. They both quickly finished their meal, and the waiter approached them once again to take their payment.


    "That would be 6 silver coins."


    The currency for mortal goods or goods below the Foundation Establishment stage was Gold, Silver, and Copper in this kingdom. Above that, they use Mana Stones, which are very expensive and are used for cultivation.


    Floriana Sabina and Rant Valo glanced at each other.


    "Are you paying for it?"


    Rant Valo asked her.


    "...I don''t have mortal money."


    Floriana Sabina looked away as she replied to him. She was, after all, a high-stage cultivator. Mortal money like Gold, Silver, and Copper is like dirt to her. There was no way she would have any with her.


    "Don''t you have anything to pay them with?"


    Rant Valo started to get nervous. He was a simple villager, and he didn''t know what would happen if they couldn''t pay their bills here.


    "Here."


    Floriana Sabina passed a transparent glass pebble with a red hue to it.


    "Huh? Are you playing with me?"


    The waiter''s facial expression quickly changed when he saw her passing to him a glass pebble. There were many of them in rivers. Although this one was transparent, he didn''t think that it was anything special.


    "We don''t have any coins with us¡­"


    Rant Valo said to the waiter with a wry smile on his face. He doesn''t know what Floriana Sabina was doing by giving him a pebble, but he didn''t have any choice. He could only bite the bullet and follow along.


    "Tch! And you dared to order food from me! How shameless!"


    The waiter fumed in anger. His voice resounded throughout the street as they were outside the restaurant. Some customers inside the restaurant even started looking at them.


    "What''s happening here?"


    A middle-aged man with a perfectly trimmed mustache approached and asked the waiter. He oozes the aura of a boss of the restaurant.


    "Boss, they ordered two Steamed Spirit Fishes, and then they said they have no coins to pay us with!"


    The waiter reported to him with an indignant tone. He was clearly upset. He felt like he was just tricked by them.


    "Huh, and? Did they offer other things to pay with?"


    The boss asked him with squinted eyes.


    "Yes! But it''s just a pebble! They are clearly insulting us."


    The waiter continued. Just the thought of it incensed him.


    "A pebble!? What the? Whose sons and daughters are you?"


    The boss turned to Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina with anger. He felt ashamed that someone just tried to pay them with pebbles. They were not playing restaurant here for two kids to pay them with pebbles.


    "We''re really sorry. We forgot to bring money with us."


    Rant Valo apologized with embarrassment on his face. It was a misstep on their part to forget to bring money. He just assumed that Floriana Sabina had some. That''s why he even tried to act like a noble earlier because he thought that they had money to splurge.


    "You''re not going anywhere! Come to the kitchen! I''ll make you work for your payment."


    The boss lifted Rant Valo''s shoulders and easily lifted him up. Compared to Rant Valo''s weight, the boss was clearly stronger by many times.


    Rant Valo was eyeing Floriana Sabina, trying to get her help. Instead of helping him, Floriana Sabina stood up and followed them to the kitchen. When Rant Valo saw that, he felt his heart fall. He was doomed. He was gonna work in a kitchen instead of exploring the town.


    Rant Valo thought that the boss would assign them harsh jobs. Because for Rant Valo, 6 silver coins is a lot. Turns out, the boss was very kind. He only gave them jobs that they could do with their abilities.


    Rant Valo was given the job of butchering meat, while Floriana Sabina was given the job of counting the coins. Rant Valo didn''t actually mind doing it, but he felt bored as he wanted to explore the town.


    There''s no point in being in this town if he couldn''t explore it. And contrary to Rant Valo''s expectations, Floriana Sabina started counting the coins without any complaints. In fact, she seems happy to do it.


    "Master Floriana, is it really that fun mindlessly counting coins?"


    Rant Valo asked her with a sigh. He just passed by her and he still needed to chop more meat. He just thought that it was a good opportunity to ask her about it.


    "It''s fun! It feels as if I''m just a normal mortal."


    Floriana Sabina smiled back at Rant Valo. It was a smile so beautiful and innocent that Rant Valo felt like he was seeing things.

 Chapter 87 - Treasured Seasoning And Spices

    "I-I see. It must be hard on you being a cultivator."


    Rant Valo stuttered. It was hard for him to wrap his head around a little girl saying ''normal mortal''. After all, it was not every day that he would hear something like that.


    "Mmm. After realizing that the boss would be giving us jobs, I became curious. It turns out it''s really enjoyable."


    Floriana Sabina explained with a smile. This task was entirely different than what she normally does as a cultivator. It was sort of relaxing, even.


    "Alright, I have to go now."


    Rant Valo bid his farewell to her at the counter and entered the kitchen.


    The two did their jobs until dawn. The boss looked at them as they both stood in front of him and, with squinted eyes, studied their facial expressions.


    "For your diligence and no attempt to escape. I would not be pursuing what you just did today. If I ever found out about it next time, even if it was from a different restaurant from mine, I would make you work for a week without rest. Understand!?"


    The boss was like a drill sergeant as he threatened them with a solemn face. Rant Valo nodded his head repeatedly in panic while Floriana Sabina nodded her head lightly.


    Now that he talked about it, she felt like experiencing a week working as a mortal. Just working for the whole afternoon was not enough to satisfy her desire to try out being a normal mortal.


    "You may leave."


    The boss declared, and Rant Valo pulled Floriana Sabina away from that place. He didn''t want to work for a week straight without any compensation.


    Rant Valo pulled  Floriana Sabina far away until they couldn''t see the restaurant anymore. Only then did Rant Valo stopped pulling onto Floriana Sabina. He rested his hands on his knees as he panted heavily.


    "Hmph! Why did you pull me with you?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him with a frown on her face. She, after all, wanted to try working as a mortal for a week straight.


    "We still need to buy seasonings and spices."


    Rant Valo replied to her candidly.


    "Tsk. Okay."


    Floriana Sabina clicked her tongue in annoyance. Rant Valo jumped back in fright when he heard it. It was like the sound of doom for him.


    "Why are you upset?"


    Rant Valo asked her with puzzlement on his face. He couldn''t understand what suddenly got into her that she became upset for no reason.


    "Nothing!"


    Floriana Sabina turned around and walked ahead of him. Rant Valo could only give up and follow her as they tried to find a market.


    As the sky turned dark, the lamp posts on the street were lit up by the Town Guards one by one. Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina walked alone together in silence. They were both swinging their heads left and right, trying to look for an open market or store that sells seasoning and spices.


    "Don''t we have money?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but say from the side. Too many things happened that he forgot that they had no money to buy any with.


    "We''ll just trade these dried yellowberries."


    A jar appeared in Floriana Sabina''s hand, and she lifted it towards Rant Valo''s face.


    "I see. That indeed could work."


    Rant Valo immediately understood. If the one they would be buying from is a trader, then they would be able to barter this jar of dried yellowberries for some seasoning.


    Soon, they found a stall that was selling mounds of powdered spices. There were chili flakes, crushed pepper, salt, etc., and they all formed pyramid-shaped mounds.


    "Mister, how much for a kilo of each?"


    Rant Valo called out to the man who had his back laid on a wooden chair. The man in question stood up and glanced at Rant Valo before replying.


    "1 silver."


    It was quite expensive as there were at least more than 20 different varieties of seasonings and spices sold here, and some are more expensive than others.


    "Can we trade it for this?"


    Rant Valo showed him the jar full of dried yellowberries. The man moved his eyes closer to the jar and looked at its contents.


    "Yep. I recognize this berry. I''ll double it for you for giving me such a rare commodity."


    The man started scooping up the spices, and Rant Valo waited in excitement. He knew that after this, they wouldn''t have to worry about eating bland-tasting food anymore.


    A few minutes later, Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina were walking back towards the Narene Mansion. The spices were already stored inside Floriana Sabina''s Storage Ring.


    They had also already gone around almost half of the town after finding a store that sells seasonings. The other places that they hadn''t been to were just mostly houses. There''s nothing for them to see there.


    Not long after, Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina came back. The guards glanced at them before letting them pass readily.


    Rant Valo unlocked the door to their room, and immediately, a crazed Veia pounced on him.


    "Master! I missed your presence¡­"


    Veia started sniffing Rant Valo as she embraced him tightly.


    "Hm? You smell like meat?"


    Veia sniffed Rant Valo''s chest like a dog. It was not surprising that Veia could smell the meat that Rant Valo was butchering earlier today. Her strong sense of smell is something that could even smell the delicious blood inside Rant Valo''s body.


    "A lot has happened¡­"


    Rant Valo looked away from her awkwardly. He didn''t even want to talk about it. It was embarrassing just remembering it.


    "You also smell like spices, Master."


    Veia added as she sniffed him once more.


    "We bought seasonings and spices."


    Rant Valo explained to her. Veia''s eyes lit up when she heard that. Although she couldn''t eat a lot, at least, she would be able to taste good food once in a while.


    "Yay! Master is really the best."


    Veia rubbed her face on Rant Valo''s chest. There was happiness bubbling on her face.


    "Enough of that. Go to your room."


    Floriana Sabina pulled Veia away from Rant Valo. She was being dangerously close to Rant Valo. One spark and she would be pouncing on him.

 Chapter 88 - Waking Up Beside A Beauty

    "Okay~~"


    Veia left them both alone with themselves. But just as Rant Valo was about to speak to Floriana Sabina, Veia''s head popped out from the door.


    "Master, you can come to my room later if you want."


    There was a playful smile on her face. And suddenly, a fan appeared in Floriana Sabina''s hand, and she brought it down to Veia''s face.


    "Awu! Grandmaster is still so mean."


    Veia closed the door reluctantly as she rubbed her nose in pain.


    Both Floriana Sabina and Rant Valo observed the door. Only when a few minutes had passed were they sure that Veia had already left.


    Rant Valo walked towards the bed and flopped his body on it.


    "Ahhh! So soft¡­"


    This would be Rant Valo''s first time sleeping in a bed as soft as this one. In the village, he would only be able to sleep on a hard wooden bed.


    "I''ll take this side."


    Floriana Sabina sat on the left side of the bed. The right side would be Rant Valo''s for the night.


    "Zzzzz¡­"


    Floriana Sabina waited for his reply, but when she looked at him, he was already asleep. She lifted her small hand slowly and moved it towards Rant Valo''s head. Her hand stopped midway before it slowly landed on Rant Valo''s forehead.


    "Good disciple."


    Floriana Sabina ruffled Rant Valo''s hair as he slept on his stomach. There was a satisfied smile on her face. This disciple of hers never disappointed her.


    Floriana Sabina pulled her hand back and sat on the bed cross-legged. She cultivated silently while Rant Valo slept soundly.


    The next day, Rant Valo woke up. He glanced at the window and saw that the sun''s rays were already flowing inside.


    "It''s morning already? It didn''t feel like I slept for long¡­"


    Rant Valo rubbed his eyes groggily. Sleeping on a soft bed made him want to sleep more.


    "Good morning, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina opened her eyes and greeted Rant Valo with a smile on her face.


    "Good morning, Master Floriana."


    It was a good feeling to wake up, and someone would be there to greet you. Rant Valo could not believe it sometimes that this was his life from now on. It was like the difference between heaven and earth compared to how he was treated back in his village.


    "Mm. Let''s go, but first, mmmmMM-!"


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head before yawning and stretching her arms. After a long night of cultivation, her blood vessels needed to be agitated.


    Rant Valo hopped down from the bed and stood up. He looked outside the window and saw many people moving from left to right and vice-versa. It was somewhat similar to how it was back in the village, but there were even more people.


    Floriana Sabina and Rant Valo left the room and went towards Veia''s room. Rant Valo used his knuckles to knock on the door.


    A few seconds later, an energetic Veia greeted them.


    "Good morning, Master!"


    Veia shouted with excitement. Seeing her master first thing in the morning was very nice. She kind of felt like they were married.


    "Good morning, Veia."


    Rant Valo had a good sleep, so he was in an excellent mood today. He greeted Veia with the sweetest and brightest smile that Veia has ever seen.


    "Waa! Master, you''re so handsome."


    Veia exclaimed in excitement. She was just like a maiden who has seen her crush.


    "Thanks."


    Rant Valo didn''t know how to respond to that, so he could only thank her with a wry smile on his face. Being called handsome was really embarrassing, especially when it came from a beautiful woman like Veia.


    "Master, why didn''t you come last night? I was waiting¡­"


    Veia spoke to Rant Valo with a downcast face. She was expectant that her master would come and sneak into her room, but he didn''t. In the end, she fell asleep due to boredom.


    "I just dropped on the bed, and the next thing I knew, it was morning."


    Rant Valo explained to her. Even though he didn''t really plan to go to her room, he could only appease her.


    "I see¡­ That''s a bummer then."


    Veia sighed in defeat. If her master fell asleep, then there''s nothing she could do.


    "Come on. Let''s go. That kid must''ve been waiting for us."


    Floriana Sabina reminded them as she urged them to go.


    "Alright."


    Rant Valo nodded his head, and they all headed towards the Guest Lounge because that''s the only other place they had been to inside this mansion.


    The moment they arrived, Nale Narene and his mother was already waiting for them. To their surprise, the damage to the room has already been repaired. It''s just that there were fewer decorations than before.


    "Rant, My mother and I are ready."


    Nale Narene stood up from his chair and informed him.


    "Aren''t you transferring ownership?"


    Rant Valo asked in confusion. Although he was a villager through and through, he could still guess that there were procedures to be done before someone could transfer their ownership of the town.


    "I already sent the governing city of this town a letter about the transfer. They would be the ones to handle it. We can leave now."


    The Governing City of this town is a city that handles the towns around it. This includes Narene Town and many other towns similar to it. They are in charge of collecting the taxes and passing down laws to the region.


    "Okay."


    Rant Valo nodded his head, and they all left the mansion together. The guards weren''t aware that this would be the last time they would be able to see Nale Narene and his mother until a couple of years later. Nale Narene didn''t want to inform them as they didn''t know what could happen.


    The Lohuns and Jernas might decide to take Nale Narene''s head so that they could be sure of the ownership of this town.


    Rant Valo''s group rode in a carriage leading to the west gate of the town. When they reached the gate, everyone departed except for Nale Narene''s mother. She was gonna use the carriage to travel back to her hometown.


    "See you in a couple of years, Mother!"


    Nale Narene bade farewell with a small tear in his eye, and Viynia Narene waved her hand from the window of the carriage in goodbye.


    Now, it was only Rant Valo, Floriana Sabina, Veia, and Nale Narene.

 Chapter 89 - Mushroom Troop

    "Where should we go now?"


    Rant Valo asked Nale Narene. He was after all the only one here who knew where the Evil Sacra Lotus was.


    "Northwest from here. We would encounter a swamp, and deep inside that swamp is where we will find the Evil Sacra Lotus."


    Nale Narene explained to them.


    "A swamp, huh. I have never been in one."


    Rant Valo felt excitement now that he realized that they were gonna go to a swamp. In the region surrounding the village that he was from, there were only plains and forests. There were no swamps there whatsoever.


    "I''m excited too!"


    Veia added from the side. Another adventure for the three of them, well, not three, but four now with the addition of Nale Narene.


    "Mm. It will be interesting."


    Floriana Sabina nodded to them. She was someone who hadn''t traveled much. There are still many things in the world that she hasn''t seen.


    Rant Valo''s group of four started walking northwest. There was a bit of forest on their way, and only when they passed would they reach the swamp.


    They walked under the blistering heat of the wide plains around the town. Before long, they were able to reach the edges of the forest.


    "Finally¡­ We''re out of the heat."


    Rant Valo released a sigh of relief. Walking under the heat of the sun was not fun. It was hot and sweaty.


    It was the same for everyone else, except for Floriana Sabina. It was like the heat was just an illusion for her. Rant Valo couldn''t help but become jealous after realizing that.


    "Kid, do you have a map?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Nale Narene and asked. Nale Narene thought that she was talking to someone else so he looked behind him but there was no one else besides him.


    "Me?"


    Nale Narene asked her in puzzlement.


    "Yes, you. Who else?"


    Floriana Sabina raised an eyebrow and looked at him like he was an idiot.


    "But you''re younger than me¡­"


    Nale Narene complained with a confused look on his face.


    "I just look like this but I''m several times older than your grandmother!"


    Floriana Sabina raised her chin upwards in pride.


    "G-grandmother? Both of my grandmothers died at an early age though¡­"


    Nale Narene had a forced smile on his face. She was not really making sense to him.


    "..."


    Floriana Sabina felt like smacking him on the head with two fans. He was such a dolt.


    "Just gimme the map."


    Floriana Sabina didn''t want to deal with him anymore and just opened her hand towards him, waiting for him to give her the map.


    "Okay?"


    Nale Narene passed to her the map from his sleeves. The confusion never left his face.


    "Hmmm¡­ so.... Disciple, here''s the map."


    Floriana Sabina stared hard at the map but she couldn''t make sense of it. In the end, she dumped the task to her disciple.


    "Let me see."


    Rant Valo took the map from her hands and looked at their surroundings and at the distant town.


    "This way!"


    Rant Valo pointed and they all followed him. Floriana Sabina used her Spiritual Sense to scan the area. To her surprise, they were really going in the direction of the swamp. Her impression of her disciple improved once again.


    Inside the forest, they encountered deers, buzzing insects, and different kinds of mushrooms. There was one in particular that Rant Valo stopped for.


    "Wait!"


    Rant Valo shouted and he crouched down towards the roots of a tree. He pushed the dirt off and snapped off a perfect-looking mushroom. It was brown and had a gelatinous texture.


    "What''s that, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him with curiosity on her face. This was her first time seeing Rant Valo stop for a mushroom. There were times back then that they encountered mushrooms but Rant Valo didn''t even glance at them.


    "It''s a Brown Mushroom. It''s very delicious and nutritious. We can make Cream of Mushroom Soup out of it."


    Rant Valo explained to them very eagerly. He was happy to share to them what he knew about this delicious mushroom.


    "Wow! Master, you know how to cook mushrooms too!?"


    Veia exclaimed in surprise. Her master was always surprising her. He was very knowledgeable about so many things that one day she would not find it surprising if he can even turn vegetables into meat.


    "Yes. We had a lot of these in the forest beside the village. It was one of my favorite."


    Rant Valo explained to her as he looked at the mushroom like it was his long-lost lover.


    "Master, let''s eat that for lunch!"


    Veia said to Rant Valo with excitement. She wanted to try the Cream of Mushroom Soup that her master would be able to cook with that.


    "Yes, of course. Why would I not cook one when I have some mushrooms?"


    Rant Valo chuckled at her. Even he was very excited to taste this Cream of Mushroom Soup. He had seasonings and spices with him. The taste would be absolutely out of this world!


    "But first, help me harvest more."


    Rant Valo told them before he crouched down once more and plucked several more mushrooms. Veia eagerly crouched beside him and helped him pluck some.


    Floriana Sabina looked around and circled trees to find if there were any Brown Mushrooms under them. Meanwhile, Nale Narene could only follow along and look for Brown Mushrooms with them. He would feel guilty otherwise.


    "I found more, Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina''s voice sounded. Rant Valo and Veia who had just finished harvesting the mushrooms on the spot Rant Valo first found them, rushed over to her.


    "Wow! This is like mushroom heaven!"


    Rant Valo exclaimed in amazement. There were at least several dozens of mushrooms growing from the ground. It was the first time that Rant Valo had ever seen so many in one place.


    They soon quickly harvested them all. Nale Narene didn''t help because he was having trouble fitting into the dynamic of the trio. He feels like he is just an outsider. He could only look around for mushrooms with a bit of distance from them.

 Chapter 90 - Dont Eat Raw Mushroom

    "This is already enough."


    Rant Valo looked at the dozens and dozens of Brown Mushrooms on the ground. They had gathered all of them in one pile.


    "Master, can you eat them raw?"


    Veia asked Rant Valo in curiosity as she picked one up and looked at it carefully.


    "You can, but there''s a chance you would start itching."


    Rant Valo knew this from experience. It happened to him when he decided to eat a Brown Mushroom raw one day. It was one of the worst experiences that he had.


    "..."


    "..."


    Veia, who had already thrown the Brown Mushroom into her mouth, looked at Rant Valo stunned. Rant Valo realized what she did and also looked back at her in shock.


    "Did you just..?"


    "Bleurgh!"


    Veia turned around and spat out the mushroom inside her mouth.


    A few seconds later.


    "Why didn''t you tell me that sooner, Master?"


    Veia asked Rant Valo with a pout. She was upset about it.


    "I was trying to explain it to you, but you just ate it without waiting for me to finish."


    Rant Valo replied to her with a dreary sigh.


    "Master is stupid¡­"


    Veia turned around and pouted exaggeratedly.


    "Rant, can you really eat these mushrooms?"


    Nale Narene asked Rant Valo with eyes filled with curiosity. It was his first time hearing that mushrooms could actually be eaten.


    "Of course. I''ve eaten quite a lot of them."


    Rant Valo nodded his head with a smile. He remembered the savory and delicious taste of the mushrooms he had.


    "I see. But is this really the only ingredient?"


    Nale Narene asked as he looked at the small pile of Brown Mushrooms.


    "No. There are other ingredients that we need, so we would have to go back to the town to get them there."


    Rant Valo shook his head and explained to him. If they want to make a Cream of Mushroom Soup, they would need to buy ingredients they currently don''t have. For example, they don''t have any milk cream, so they would have to buy that from a store.


    "I understand. Do you want me to get them for you?"


    Nale Narene offered to Rant Valo. Although he didn''t like the idea of being an errand boy, he was not a noble and he could only adjust. It was his chance to at least make himself helpful to the group.


    "You don''t need to. Me and Master Floriana will go."


    Rant Valo waved his hand at him. It would be better if he and Floriana Sabina go so they can buy more extra ingredients and put them inside the Storage Ring.


    "Really? I can carry stuff for you."


    Nale Narene seemed really desperate to be of help to Rant Valo. It was his first time being in such a group, and he couldn''t help but become anxious.


    "You can stay here and wait with Veia¡­. Ah, wait. Forget it. Let''s just all go together."


    Rant Valo thought of letting him, and Veia stay behind, so they all don''t have to head back to the town, but when he remembered that Veia was very lustful, he decided otherwise. It would be a disaster if she somehow weren''t able to hold herself back.


    "Uh, okay?"


    Nale Narene tilted his head in confusion. Things developed too fast for him to understand what''s happening.


    And so, Rant Valo''s group walked in the blazing heat of the sun once more and returned to the town. Once inside, Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina moved ahead of them and bought some extra ingredients. This time, they used some of the mushrooms they brought with them as their currency.


    To hide from Nale Narene that Floriana Sabina had a Storage Ring, Rant Valo, with the help of Veia''s occasional distractions, made sure Nale Narene wasn''t looking when they stored it inside the ring.


    A few hours later, they were now back inside the forest, and Rant Valo uncovered the small pile of Brown Mushrooms that they hid on purpose just in case someone walks through this area.


    "Are you cooking it now, Master?"


    Veia asked from the side as she watched Rant Valo use a steel pot and light a fire on some chopped logs. Nale Narene was looking at the pot in confusion. He didn''t see Rant Valo bringing that with him earlier. In the end, he thought it was just him not paying much attention.


    "Yes. I''m also excited to taste it after so long."


    Rant Valo nodded his head with an excited smile.


    "Master, I''ll watch you cook."


    Veia informed Rant Valo as she stood from the side. Her eyes were entirely focused on Rant Valo''s hands.


    "Can you explain to me what you are doing, Master?"


    Veia asked in curiosity. She wanted to learn this so she could cook for her master one day. She wants to be the best wife in the world in the future!


    "First, we wait for the cooking pot to heat up."


    Rant Valo said as he watched the cooking pot. He hovered his hand above the bottom of the pot and felt the temperature if it was hot enough.


    A few minutes later, Rant Valo grabbed a stick of butter from the side and chopped it into pieces before putting it on the hot cooking pot.


    "You melt some butter."


    "Mm."


    Veia nodded her head as she moved her face much closer to the pot. Her eyes were basically sparkling from amazement. Her master is just so knowledgeable of life skills that her admiration for him rises through the roof every day.


    "Next, you add the garlic, but I have to chop them up first while the butter is still melting."


    Rant Valo grabbed a flat wooden board from the side and started chopping some garlic on it. First, he smashed them and removed their hard skin before dicing.


    "Then I add it into the pot."


    Rant Valo pushed all of the garlic on the wooden board into the pot before mixing it. This time, a delicious and tempting aroma wafted into the air.


    Rant Valo grabbed the mushrooms on the side and tore them into smaller pieces.


    "Then, you add the mushrooms, but you have to chop them up or, in this case, tear them up to pieces so they will cook more evenly and easily."


    Rant Valo explained as he picked up the wooden spoon and mixed the pot once more.

 Chapter 91 - Cooking The Cream Of Mushroom Soup

    "It''s starting to smell good, Master."


    Veia commented from the side. It was mouth-watering, and the dish was still not even cooked yet.


    "Wait till I add the other seasoning and spices."


    Rant Valo flashed her a grin as he continued mixing the pot of mushrooms.


    "Disciple, you''re very good at cooking."


    Floriana Sabina praised as she sniffed the aroma wafting in the air.


    "Hehehe, it''s nothing. I only learned them casually."


    Rant Valo embarrassedly said with a smile as he continued cooking.


    Meanwhile, Nale Narene was looking at the wooden board intently. He was sure now, something weird was going on. He didn''t see that wooden board and cooking pot before, and he was sure of it.


    "Now, I''ll add thyme. This will make it smell even more aromatic."


    Rant Valo sprinkled some thyme inside the pot and continued stirring.


    "Then we deglaze it using some rice wine."


    Rant Valo opened a small bottle of rice wine and poured it into the pot. The bits stuck and caramelized on the bottom of the pot started to dissolve and join the ingredients inside the pot.


    "Is this an important step, Master?"


    Veia asked Rant Valo in curiosity. She couldn''t wrap her head around why he had to do it.


    "Yes. Those parts stuck at the bottom of the pot has the most flavor. If I didn''t deglaze it, the Cream of Mushroom Soup would be less flavorful."


    Rant Valo explained to her as he scrubbed the bottom of the pot with the wooden spoon, removing any stuck pieces.


    "That makes sense."


    Veia nodded her head in understanding.


    "Yes, now I just have to stir this for a little bit longer."


    Rant Valo continued stirring the pot for at least five minutes before he stopped and grabbed another ingredient.


    "Now, we flavor it with salt and pepper."


    Rant Valo opened a small jar and picked up a dash of salt before sprinkling it inside the pot. Then he used a pepper mill to add some pepper inside.


    "I can imagine the taste now, Master."


    Veia exclaimed from the side. Together with the smell and seeing the salt and pepper added, Veia could imagine the taste, albeit not that accurately.


    "Now, for the second good part."


    Rant Valo grinned excitedly when he thought of the next step.


    "We add broth! Beef broth, to be exact."


    Rant Valo opened a large sealed jar and poured its liquid contents into the simmering pot. This was something a store owner gave them after he knew that they were gonna cook Mushroom Stew. He was very nice and happy that Rant Valo gave him a lot of mushrooms.


    "Ohhh!"


    Veia exclaimed in amazement as she watched the broth pour into the pot. Rant Valo mixed it, and the thick consistency of the unfinished mushroom stew inside was lowered, making it more watery.


    "It doesn''t look that appetizing yet."


    Rant Valo looked at the dark-looking mixture of mushroom and spices. The final ingredient was still not added, which would finally make it a Cream of Mushroom Soup.


    "But it smells really delicious, Master."


    Veia sniffed a good amount of the aroma and she started drooling uncontrollably.


    A few minutes later, the stew was already hot enough as the broth Rant Valo poured in was cold.


    "Lastly, we add the cream which is the best part of this recipe."


    Rant Valo popped open a jar filled with thick milk cream. He poured it into the pot with excitement. It was the best and most delicious part of the cooking.


    Rant Valo mixed it all in thoroughly before adding a touch of herbs to top it off.


    The creamy and savory smell of the Cream of Mushroom soup assaulted Rant Valo''s senses. Veia gulped hard when she smelled it. It was so delicious smelling that ever her picky taste buds were sure that it would be delicious when she tasted it.


    "Disciple, pour me some already."


    Floriana Sabina extended her hand towards Rant Valo, which had a bowl in it. Her eyes were glancing at the pot in an obvious excitement to finally taste it.


    "Rant, I''m impressed by you. You deserve to be a chef."


    Nale Narene praised from the side. Even he who was a noble would surely hire Rant Valo just to taste this Cream of Mushroom Soup every day.


    "Really? This wasn''t anything special back in my village."


    Rant Valo shrugged his shoulders at him. He thought nothing of this because he knew that at least 90% of the people in the village could cook one, and it would taste very delicious. That''s how eating Cream of Mushroom Soup had become a tradition inside their village whenever there is a special event.


    "Your village must be a very nice place then."


    Nale Narene praised with a smile.


    "Ah, I think so?"


    Rant Valo wasn''t really sure, but he stopped seeing the good side of the village. It may have started after he was ostracized, or it could be after he lived alone for quite a while. The only thing that he could think that was good was that Zaria-chan was there.


    "Hm?"


    Nale Narene tilted his head in puzzlement. He thought that his words would make Rant Valo happy, but it somehow gave an opposite effect.


    "Nothing, just eat up. There''s a bowl over there."


    Rant Valo covered up his frown with a smile. He pointed at the grassy part where empty bowls were stacked on top of each other.


    "If you say so."


    Nale Narene looked at Rant Valo one last time before getting a bowl of his own.


    Veia also got her own bowl, and Rant Valo poured them each a serving of their own.


    Floriana Sabina put the soup inside her mouth without caring whether it was hot or not. She munched on the mushroom, and her eyes glowed brightly as the delicious taste burst inside her mouth each time she chewed.


    "This is really delicious, Disciple! You should cook this every day."


    Floriana Sabina exclaimed in amazement. This was really good that she thinks that she could eat it for days.


    "Every day would be too much. How about once a week?"


    Rant Valo scratched the back of his head awkwardly. He didn''t think that he would enjoy just eating mushrooms every day.

 Chapter 92 - The Swamp Waters

    "That''s good too! Once a week. Disciple, promise me that."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head excitedly. This Cream of Mushroom Soup tastes really delicious. Her mood right now was really great because of it.


    "Okay, I promise."


    Rant Valo smiled back at her. It was very gratifying to see others be so happy to eat his cooking.


    "Mm!"


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head strongly.


    "Veia, what do you think?"


    Rant Valo asked Veia who has been eating spoonful after spoonful.


    "Master¡­ I don''t think I can replicate this cooking level¡­"


    Veia turned her head to Rant Valo, and she looked like she was about to cry. Her eyes were starting to tear up.


    "W-Wait, what do you mean?"


    Rant Valo held her shoulder with his left hand in bewilderment. She was acting very weird right now.


    "I want to be the best wife and learn how to cook this dish, but it''s just too good, Master. I don''t think I can cook something like this."


    Veia sobbed as she felt her dream from earlier crumble into pieces right in front of her.


    "Don''t cry, Veia. I can teach this to you every day."


    Rant Valo patted her head with a comforting smile on his face. Veia acted just like a little kid, and he couldn''t help but treat her like one.


    "M-Master¡­"


    Veia''s eyes sparkled as she looked at Rant Valo. There was an indescribable emotion bubbling up inside her.


    "Just eat and enjoy."


    Rant Valo told her before he turned around.


    Nale Narene looked at Rant Valo and Veia acting so lovey-dovey with deadpan eyes. He felt like banging his head on a tree from the second-hand embarrassment that he was feeling.


    "W-What''s with that look?"


    Rant Valo was taken aback by the look Nale Narene was giving him. It felt like he did something wrong.


    "Nothing. I just thought that your roleplay is so good."


    Nale Narene''s cheeks were twitching as he replied to him.


    "Roleplay? She''s seriously my servant. You still don''t believe that?"


    Rant Valo reiterated to Nale Narene with a frown.


    "It''s okay. I don''t want to join your roleplays. I''m not into that."


    Nale Narene raised his hand and shook his head at Rant Valo. He thought that Rant Valo was trying to make him join the roleplay.


    "Okay?"


    Rant Valo nodded his head confused. He didn''t quite get what Nale Narene was trying to say, but nevertheless, he still nodded his head just in case.


    It took a while, but the group was able to finish the pot of Cream of Mushroom Soup quite quickly. Rant Valo wanted to save some for dinner, but alas, it was just too delicious for them to hold back.


    "Master Floriana, how far is the swamp?"


    Rant Valo asked Floriana Sabina as they walked through the forest.


    "Just a few minutes ahead."


    Floriana Sabina replied as they continued walking. She just used her Spiritual Sense to quickly scan in front of them.


    "I see. We should move quickly then so we could reach the Evil Sacra Lotus tomorrow morning."


    Rant Valo nodded his head before instructing them. All of them quickened their pace to reach the swamp much earlier.


    A few minutes later, a huge expanse of a watery forest appeared in front of them. Or, in other words, a swamp.


    There was no foliage, and there were basically just trees. The water was muddy and brown, with algae growing on top.


    "So this is a swamp."


    Rant Valo looked around and inspected the swamp water. It seems that they would have to trudge in this muddy water.


    "My dress will be dirtied."


    Floriana Sabina looked at the swamp water with a frown. She was wearing a white dress, and although it has self-cleaning properties, she didn''t want to walk through the water with it.


    "My cloak is already black, so I don''t mind."


    Veia added from the side. This cloak of hers already walked across a river, and it didn''t get soaked that much with water. And it was because it was made from a Core Formation Animal''s hide.


    "How about you?"


    Rant Valo turned his head and asked Nale Narene.


    "I don''t mind."


    Nale Narene shook his head. He was going to the place where his father died. There was no reason for him to turn around just because his clothes would be dirtied by the swamp.


    "Then let''s go."


    Rant Valo led the way, and they all slowly entered the muddy swamp water except for Floriana Sabina. Instead of walking into the water, she walked on top of it. It was similar to what she did back in the river.


    Rant Valo could only smile wryly after seeing her do it again. He just remembered what they did when she did that back then in the river.


    "She can walk on water!?"


    Nale Narene looked at Floriana Sabina with eyes opened wide. It was his first time seeing someone walk on water. He didn''t even think that it was remotely possible.


    "Well, she can fly. That''s just normal for her."


    Rant Valo explained to Nale Narene.


    "Wait, aren''t only Foundation Establishment stage and up cultivators can fly?"


    Nale Narene asked in bewilderment.


    "She could fly. Do you really need to ask me that?"


    Rant Valo asked him with a smile on his face. It was fun to see someone be shocked at seeing someone fly too. He also did the same when he first met Floriana Sabina.


    "S-S-She''s a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator!?"


    Nale Narene stuttered as he pointed at Floriana Sabina in utter shock. It didn''t even cross his mind that she was that strong. She looked just like a little girl, yet she''s already at that level.


    "Didn''t I tell you that she was my master?"


    Rant Valo asked Nale Narene in puzzlement. He already told this to him before. It shouldn''t have been surprising to him.


    "That wasn''t a roleplay!?"


    Nale Narene pulled his head back in disbelief. He thought that it was just a roleplay between the two of them. Similar to how one would play with a child.


    In his mind, Rant Valo was just roleplaying a Master-Disciple relationship with Floriana Sabina. He never thought that he was actually serious.

 Chapter 93 - A Hidden Swamp Surprise

    "Yeah, why would I even lie about that? You just didn''t believe me."


    Rant Valo shook his head as he sighed. It was not his fault that Nale Narene didn''t believe his words when he told him the truth.


    "Does that mean that Veia is actually your servant!?"


    Nale Narene suddenly thought of the roleplay between Rant Valo and Veia. He thought it was roleplay, but it seems that he was mistaken from Rant Valo''s words.


    "Yes."


    Rant Valo nodded his head candidly.


    "W-Wha-...? Why?"


    Nale Narene turned his head and looked at Veia with a face filled with confusion. He couldn''t wrap his head around why Veia would choose to be his servant. She''s so beautiful, and Rant Valo might be handsome, but there are better men out there.


    "My Master is delicious."


    Veia licked her lips seductively as she replied.


    "Delicious?"


    Nale Narene gulped, and his thoughts wandered into a forbidden place.


    "Y-You don''t mean?"


    Nale Narene asked her nervously.


    "Yes."


    Veia nodded her head as she thought that he was pertaining to the fact that she was drinking Rant Valo''s blood without realizing that Nale Narene actually didn''t know any of that at all.


    "...YOU! ARE! SO! LUCKY!"


    Nale Narene gritted his teeth in frustration. He wanted a girlfriend like her too! Veia was like the dream girl for the male fantasy.


    "Hahaha. I am."


    Rant Valo chuckled and gave Veia a suggestive glance. It was true that he was fortunate to have Veia. She was very dedicated to him, and if not for his desire to grow strong, he would have already bedded her.


    "ARGGHHH!! Why don''t you rub some of your luck on me?"


    Nale Narene was frustrated. He wanted to punch Rant Valo''s face so badly. He looked like he was delighted with having Veia. They looked just like a match made in heaven.


    "Sure?"


    Rant Valo nodded his head with a bit of confusion on what he meant. He didn''t quite understand what he meant by that.


    "You said that!"


    Nale Narene walked closer to Rant Valo and grabbed his hand. Rant Valo watched as Nale Narene controlled his hand and rubbed it onto his own face.


    "AHHHH!! Gimme luck!"


    Nale Narene screamed as he rubbed Rant Valo''s hand onto his face. He only stopped a few seconds later.


    ¡­


    "I''m sorry, I got too into it."


    Nale Narene apologized after he stopped. He quickly realized that he had been acting kind of rude. He just learned so many absurd things that he went crazy as he tried to think that it was just all a joke.


    "Don''t worry. You can use my hand when you''re feeling unlucky."


    Rant Valo joked with a chuckle. Nale Narene was acting very comically, and it tickled Rant Valo''s soft spots.


    "Y-Yeah. Okay."


    Nale Narene nodded his head reluctantly. He could tell that Rant Valo was joking, but at the same time, it seems like he was not.


    They continued walking through the thick swamp water slowly. The water reached about to their waists. Floriana Sabina towered over them as she walked directly on top of the water as if it was a gelatin-like substance.


    "What''s that?"


    Veia pointed towards a tiny square-foot island in front of them. It was dark green and had scaly-like features.


    "That''s an alligator!"


    Floriana Sabina exclaimed. She was on top of them and could very clearly see the distinct features of the alligator.


    "Alligator? What''s that?"


    Rant Valo looked at it in confusion. It didn''t look like an animal to him.


    "Alligator!?"


    Veia jumped back in fright. She immediately moved closer towards Rant Valo as she was the closest to the Alligator.


    "It''s a big lizard-like creature, Disciple. It''s a carnivore, so it eats anything that goes too close to the swamp."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him. She knew that Rant Valo was from an isolated village, and he basically didn''t have any contact with alligators. It was natural that he didn''t know what it was.


    "Shouldn''t you kill it?"


    Rant Valo asked her in nervousness. He didn''t want to be eaten alive here and now.


    "You can kill it, Disciple. You are strong enough."


    Floriana Sabina shrugged her shoulders and suggested to him.


    "Me? Alright."


    Rant Valo nodded his head and decided to give it a try. He wouldn''t lose anything anyway. His master was there to cover for him, so he doesn''t need to worry about being eaten.


    Rant Valo closed his eyes and circulated the mana inside him through his Mana Channels before releasing it from his palms.


    "Tide of Bad Fortune!"


    The white mana traveled through the air and hit the alligator straight on its face. To which, it didn''t react.


    "What was that? Was that light mana?"


    Nale Narene asked Rant Valo in curiosity. It was a white mana that was similar to light mana, but it didn''t act the same way.


    "It''s my magic technique. It''s very unique. Just watch."


    Rant Valo didn''t spoil him too much. Nale Narene could only nod his head and watch the alligator to see if anything was different with it.


    "Nothing''s happening?"


    Nale Narene couldn''t help but say after waiting for quite a while. So far, nothing was happening, but all of a sudden, crackling noises sound to their right as a tall tree started falling in their direction.


    "Run!"


    Rant Valo shouted as he moved backward. When they reached a place much farther than before, the tree finally hit the swamp water and crashed directly onto the alligator.


    The muddy and dirty swamp water splashed into the air and hit them.


    "Ugh¡­"


    Floriana Sabina looked at her dirtied dress with a frown. She snapped her fingers, and the mud fell to the water.


    Rant Valo, Veia, and Nale Narene were standing in silence as they looked at their dripping and muddy bodies. They didn''t know what to say.


    "...Was that your magic technique?"


    Nale Narene couldn''t help but ask Rant Valo awkwardly.


    "I want to believe that it wasn''t"


    Rant Valo replied awkwardly.

 Chapter 94 - A Nobles Arrogance

    "That was so cool!"


    Nale Narene exclaimed with eyes brimming in amazement.


    "Really?"


    Rant Valo widened his eyes in surprise. He only thought that his magic technique was interesting.


    "Yes! What was that, even!? It made a tree fall and killed an alligator. That''s so genius."


    Nale Narene shouted exaggeratedly. He was very excited to see something like that. He never heard about something like it before.


    "I know, right? Even me and my master couldn''t believe it at first."


    Rant Valo replied to him. It felt fulfilling that someone thought that his magic technique was cool.


    "I''m really surprised. If that''s what you, a villager, could get from learning from your master, how about me?"


    Nale Narene looked at Floriana Sabina with eyes sparkling from excitement. He wanted to learn cool magic techniques too.


    "...I don''t accept someone as arrogant as you. Don''t call my Disciple a ''villager''."


    Floriana Sabina''s veins on her forehead popped from anger. Nale Narene was being very rude right now.


    "Arrogant? It''s true, right? A villager like Rant Valo should have talent lower than mine."


    Nale Narene rationalized with her with a confident smile on his face. Rant Valo was furrowing his eyebrows as he tried to contain his anger. Nale Narene was very condescending right now. He felt the urge to punch him straight in the face.


    SLAP!


    A loud resounding slap sounded out from the swamp. Nale Narene held his cheeks in shock. He didn''t know what just happened. He turned his head and saw Veia looking at him with fiery eyes.


    "Insult my master one more time, and I will crush your throat!"


    Veia hissed with madness blazing in her eyes. She was very protective of her master. If she allowed someone to step on her master''s head just like that, then it would be the same as allowing them to step on her own head.


    Nale Narene gulped hard. It was like he was on the precipice of death. Her eyes spoke volumes of what would happen to him if he insulted Rant Valo one more time,


    "I-I''m not wrong."


    Nale Narene replied to her shakily. He was adamant at proving his point.


    "I don''t think so. My master is the most talented person in this world!"


    Veia grabbed Nale Narene''s throat in anger. She was crazy! Nale Narene''s heart was beating so fast in fear. This time, he knew that he f*cked up.


    "Y-You''re crazy.  Are you gonna kill me just for telling the truth!?"


    Nale Narene challenged her as anger also appeared on his face.


    "Your truth is just in your imagination."


    Veia spoke coldly before she started lifting Nale Narene high up in the air to suffocate him.


    "Veia!"


    Rant Valo shouted at her. Veia lowered Nale Narene and looked at Rant Valo like a cat who was caught stealing a fish.


    "Master?"


    Veia asked him with a tinge of fear in her voice. The Master-Servant contract affected Veia as an instinctive fear from Rant Valo appeared inside her.


    "Veia, that''s going too far. Let him go."


    Rant Valo shook his head at her. If he let her continue, she would end up killing Nale Narene.


    "But master, he insulted you! I can''t stand that."


    Veia responded in defense. She was only doing her responsibility as his servant, and she doesn''t think that she was doing anything wrong.


    "Veia, have you ever killed before?"


    Rant Valo asked her with a solemn look on his face.


    "No."


    Veia replied candidly. Never in her life did she kill. She doesn''t even think that she did in her past life.


    "Then, don''t do it. I don''t want the Veia I know to become a cold-blooded killer."


    Rant Valo spoke to her sincerely. He didn''t know how it would affect Veia if she killed Nale Narene. Even he himself would feel bad if he allowed him to die just like that. He had, after all, tried to help them with his best.


    "Master¡­"


    Veia''s eyes sparkled as her admiration for Rant Valo was once again boosted through the roof. Her master is really admirable. He was so nice and so thoughtful. She almost felt like worshipping him.


    "Mm."


    Rant Valo nodded his head at her. It was good that she understood his intentions.


    "Alright, Master. I''ll let go of this scum for now."


    Veia let go of Nale Narene and allowed him to splash into the swamp water. Nale Narene held his throat in pain. He almost suffocated throughout their conversation. He couldn''t help but look up at Veia in fear as he clutched his throat.


    "Good, Veia."


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but go forward and rub Veia''s head. She was very obedient to him. She didn''t let her emotions overtake her.


    "Mmmm¡­ Master¡­"


    Veia purred like a cat as she enjoyed Rant Valo''s touch. Floriana Sabina looked at them with deadpan eyes. They were really not able to read the atmosphere.


    "Hmph! Lovebirds."


    Floriana Sabina snorted from the side. She found it annoying that they were always doing that.


    "Hahaha¡­ My bad."


    Rant Valo chuckled to himself before moving his hand away from Veia''s head.


    "More master¡­"


    Veia held onto Rant Valo''s hand, and she looked at him with upturned eyes. She was just like a puppy begging for head rubs.


    "Later, Veia."


    Rant Valo smiled wryly at her. She was so cute when she acts like that. He almost succumbed to her desires, but he could see the cold eyes Floriana Sabina was giving him from the corner of his eyes.


    "That''s a promise!"


    Veia exclaimed in excitement. She found it exciting that her master would rub her head again later.


    "What''s with all the promises lately?"


    Rant Valo shook his head with a wry smile on his face. First, he made a promise with Floriana Sabina, and now he even made one for Veia. Who''s next?


    "Cough, I''m sorry, Rant. I got too heated, and I forgot to think before I act."


    Nale Narene coughed as he apologized to Rant Valo. He felt bad and also fear that Rant Valo had Veia, who was willing to kill someone just to protect him. He even has this Foundation Establishment stage master by his side.

 Chapter 95 - Sleeping On Tree Branches

    "If you do it again, I won''t stop Veia."


    Rant Valo replied to Nale Narene coldly. He was, after all, still a human being. He has his own pride to uphold. He was already very lenient by only allowing Veia to attack him. If possible, Rant Valo would have punched him square in the face.


    "I understand."


    Nale Narene nodded his head solemnly. He wouldn''t even dare to think of it again after all that happened. He could feel that he would be dead the moment he did it again.


    "Hmph!"


    Floriana Sabina eyed Nale Narene before she turned her head away. She didn''t like Nale Narene''s attitude. He only bent his knee because he was powerless. Who knew what he would do if he was more powerful than them?


    "Let''s go, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina beckoned Rant Valo before walking forward on the water. She avoided the huge log blocking their way as she knew that they would struggle to get over it.


    Rant Valo and Veia followed her. Meanwhile, Nale Narene sighed and followed them. He has no more choice now. It''s either he follows them, or he won''t get anything.


    After passing by the log, they continued deeper into the swamp. It soon reached nighttime.


    "It''s already dark."


    Veia mentioned from the side. She looked around, and all she could see was the dark swamp illuminated by the bright moon in the sky.


    "Mm. We have to climb the trees and sleep on the branches."


    Rant Valo replied to her. They couldn''t exactly sleep on the swamp water. That was impossible, and who knew what else was lurking inside it. Their only choice was to climb a tree and sleep on its branch.


    "Sleep on the branches? We''re just gonna fall!"


    Nale Narene replied from the side with a voice filled with skepticism. He doesn''t think that it''s a good idea to sleep on a tree branch.


    "Hm? You can sleep on the swamp water if you want."


    Rant Valo glanced at Nale Narene coldly. He even had the gall to complain.


    "I¡­"


    Nale Narene didn''t know what to say to that. It was true. He didn''t want to sleep in the swamp water. He would be cold, and some random alligator might even eat him.


    Veia glanced at Nale Narene with a raised eyebrow. If her master hadn''t told her to hold herself back, she would have slapped him on the face once again.


    "Hmph."


    Floriana Sabina snorted. She was very displeased with Nale Narene when he said that he had more talent than Rant Valo. It was such wishful thinking of his.


    Just her disciple''s talent would shock the world when it was found out. What does Nale Narene''s talent even count as?


    That''s right. Nothing. She didn''t like arrogant people like him. At first, she thought that he was a nice guy, but it seems like nobles will always be nobles. There''s this inherent superiority ingrained into them.


    "I''ll take this tree, you take that Veia, and Master Floriana, you can even sleep on the water since you can fly."


    Rant Valo gave out instructions before he sighed when he mentioned his master. It was very enviable that she was able to fly. If only he could also fly, he wouldn''t worry too much about falling into the water.


    "Hmph! Do you think that I would sleep on top of that algae muddy water?"


    Floriana Sabina snorted at Rant Valo. She didn''t even want to think about how she would be able to fly in her sleep, much less sleeping on top of muddy swamp water.


    "...No."


    Rant Valo replied with a forced smile. She was right. There''s no way she would do it, ever. His master is just like that.


    "It''s good that you understand."


    Floriana Sabina raised her chin.


    Rant Valo shook his head and climbed up on the tree that he chose. It was a curved branch that was just enough for him to rest his back on. With it, he would be able to sleep much easier and with less worry about falling.


    "Master, it''s hard¡­"


    Veia complained as she failed to even make it onto the tree, much less climb it.


    "Just hug the tree tight and use your foot to push into the tree''s trunk before climbing up."


    Rant Valo explained to her.


    Rant Valo had been climbing trees since he was small. It was something that they used to do in the village when he was still not ostracized. They would climb the tree and pluck the fruits on top. Or they would use it to just relax inside the cold breeze of the tree.


    "I''ll try."


    Veia nodded her head in understanding and tried to implement Rant Valo''s words. Before long, she was able to climb on top of the tree. She stopped at just the branch that she was supposed to sleep on.


    Nale Narene was left on the bottom, and he could only look for a tree of his own. He sighed and thought that it was a bad idea to have done what he did earlier.


    "Master, what do I do now?"


    Veia shouted towards Rant Valo. He was quite far away, after all.


    "Relax and lie your back against the tree. Then you should be able to fall asleep. Don''t worry. Just stay half alert while in your sleep. You would be able to avoid falling into the water."


    Rant Valo explained to her patiently. It was hard to do, after all. He was only able to do it after climbing a tree so many times that he memorized it.


    "I got it, Master!"


    Veia responded, and she happily laid her back against the tree. If it''s her master''s words, she believes and trusts it fully.


    Floriana Sabina looked at them and followed their examples. She also found her own tree and sat cross-legged on it. She wasn''t like them, who needs sleep. She just wants to be able to cultivate peacefully. Cultivation is akin to sleeping for her, after all.

 Chapter 96 - Darkness Mana In The Swamp

    The night quickly passed. Rant Valo was able to sleep quite well and Veia slept while putting her hands on her sides so she would be able to prevent herself from falling if she somehow slips.


    As for Nale Narene, he almost fell. Fortunately, his quick reflex saved him from falling down.


    Rant Valo, and Veia climbed down the tree while Nale Narene saw them wake up and also did the same. As for Floriana Sabina, she floated downwards.


    "We can''t really cook in the swamp for breakfast, so we can only walk further ahead and hope that we stumble onto a fruit-bearing tree."


    Rant Valo explained to the group. He has been the leader of this group for a while now so he immediately took charge the moment he woke up.


    "I understand, Master!"


    Veia nodded her head firmly.


    Rant Valo''s group continued walking through the muddy swamp water. Veia was looking left and right to see if any of the trees were bearing any fruits.


    It didn''t take long before Veia was able to spot one.


    "Master, look!"


    Veia pointed at a green fruit on a low-hanging tree. It was semi-elongated in shape and it was about as wide as 5 centimeters.


    "Oh, what fruit is that?"


    Rant Valo exclaimed as he looked at the fruit of the tree from afar. It was his first time seeing it.


    "That''s a Swamp Apple."


    Nale Narene was the one who spoke. He was aware of this fruit as some of it would get into the market of Narene Town.


    "Swamp Apple?"


    Veia tilted her head in puzzlement. It had such an odd name to it.


    "Yes. It''s just a mortal fruit. It doesn''t provide any benefits in cultivation. You could make jelly with it though."


    Nale Narene explained to her.


    "So basically it is our food for breakfast."


    Rant Valo spoke before moving closer to it. He plucked one and smelled it.


    "Mmm. It smells good."


    Rant Valo uttered with a smile. It had a fruity smell to it. A good sign that it was actually edible.


    "That''s not ripe. The ripe ones are kind of orange in color."


    Nale Narene interrupted from the side. Although he was still bitter about what happened yesterday, it would be bad if he didn''t try to improve their impressions of him.


    "Okay."


    Rant Valo nodded his head before letting go of the fruit and picking another one that was orange in color.


    "This one smells better."


    Rant Valo exclaimed in astonishment. It had a more sweet smell to it.


    "And it''s squishy."


    Rant Valo pinched the fruit in his hands and felt its squishy texture. It was like an avocado.


    "I''ll try it."


    Rant Valo declared before pinching a part of the fruit with his finger and peeling the skin off. The skin was brittle and breaks off easily so he peeled it cautiously.


    It revealed the yellow-orange fruit meat inside. Rant Valo took a small bite of it and started to chew.


    "Mmmm. It''s slightly sweet and has a soft creamy texture to it."


    Rant Valo spoke as he continued chewing. He then spat out a seed into the swamp water.


    "It even has seeds in its flesh."


    Rant Valo thought that it would just be fruit meat inside but it turned out that it also had seeds inside.


    After seeing that her master had already eaten one, Veia plucked her own and started chewing on it.


    "I like the taste, Master. Should we dry this too?"


    Veia commented before suggesting to Rant Valo. She wanted to taste this fruit while on their travels as she took a liking to it.


    "I think this one is not suitable for drying. It would just shrivel up and mold."


    Rant Valo replied to her. This fruit has a compact moisture inside that would be very hard to remove. Most likely, mold would just grow on it.


    "I understand, Master."


    Veia nodded her head as she sighed and just continued eating the swamp apple in her hand.


    Floriana Sabina was also chewing on one. Although she wasn''t saying much, her eyes were revealing the fact that she clearly enjoyed it.


    "This is good."


    Floriana Sabina mumbled silently. She spat her seeds straight into the swamp.


    Of course, just like a noble lady would, Veia spat the seed in her mouth onto her hand before throwing it into the swamp. Nale Narene noticed her actions and was taken aback. He never even thought that she would have such a lady-like demeanor.


    It took half an hour of chewing through Swamp Apples before Rant Valo''s group was satisfied. They continued deeper into the swamp and they would occasionally pick the Swamp Apples along the way.


    Rant Valo, Veia, Floriana Sabina, And Nale Narene were peacefully traveling through the swamp when all of a sudden, the surroundings suddenly got cold. The already cold water became ice cold to the touch.


    "Brrr¡­ Why is it freezing all of a sudden?"


    Rant Valo looked up into the sky and saw that the sky above was blue and very clear of clouds. It was an odd phenomenon.


    "There is Darkness Mana in the air and water around us."


    Floriana Sabina explained to them. The Darkness element is one of the most eccentric mana in the world. It was eerie and it created many weird phenomena in the world.


    "Darkness Mana?"


    Rant Valo turned his head in her direction.


    "Yes, it was only located in this area. I only felt it when it touched my skin directly."


    Floriana Sabina replied to him. She didn''t have her Spiritual Sense out so only when the darkness mana touched her skin was she able to detect them.


    "What''s in this place, exactly?"


    Rant Valo felt his spine shiver. It was cold and eerily silent deeper into the swamp. It was like something was waiting for them there.


    "A massive graveyard or a vengeful ghost."


    Floriana Sabina answered. Commonly in places where there are a lot of dead bodies or places where there is a strong vengeful ghost would the surroundings have a lot of Darkness Mana.


    "A ghost!?"


    Rant Valo jumped back in fright. It sounded scary to meet one in person, and Rant Valo was not gonna take his chances. That ghost might even have a cultivation of its own.

 Chapter 97 - The Unfortunate Ghost

    "Do you want me to scan it, Disciple? I prefer it if we don''t, so it would be more fun."


    Floriana Sabina smiled at Rant Valo. She thought that it was funny that Rant Valo was actually scared of ghosts.


    "It''s fine, Master Floriana. We''ll see when we get there."


    Rant Valo shook his head as he smiled wryly. Even he knew that it would not be fun if they spoiled themselves here. What would be the purpose of their adventure if they spoil themselves?


    "That''s the spirit, Disciple. I''m proud of you."


    Floriana Sabina smiled in satisfaction. It was the response she expected of him.


    "Thanks, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo smiled back at her. Her praises were really good. It gives him the confidence to believe in himself.


    The group went deeper and deeper into the swamp when the air around them suddenly got foggy. It was different from the normal fog as it is black in color. Meanwhile, the blue sky above was slowly fading away from view as they traversed deeper.


    "If I was still a mortal, I would most certainly be scared out of my wits right now."


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but say as they walked through the ice-cold water and the dark-silent surroundings. As he was a cultivator now, and his master was with him, his confidence was really high right now.


    "What if a ghost suddenly pops out and whispers in your ear?"


    Floriana Sabina snickered from the side as she teased him.


    "Don''t joke like that!"


    Rant Valo shouted at her. He looked around left and right in fright. He was proving more and more to Floriana Sabina that he was terrified of ghosts.


    "Hahahaha! I didn''t know my disciple was actually scared of ghosts."


    Floriana Sabina laughed heartily.


    "Master, ghosts are nothing. I''ll protect you from them!"


    Veia consoled Rant Valo with a smile on her face. She was being sincere right now and none of her words were false. She wanted to protect her master and if ghosts scare him then she would protect him from them. It''s that simple.


    "Thank you, Veia."


    Rant Valo smiled wryly at her words. He felt somewhat embarrassed that she said that.


    "No worries, Master!"


    Veia beamed a smile at Rant Valo.


    They walked deeper into the cold and dark swamp when faint whispers sounded around them. They were brisk and intermittent.


    "W-What''s that?"


    Rant Valo looked around them as the hairs on his body started to rise on end. He was a villager who was taught by his parents that ghosts were scary. It was only natural that he was feeling fear right now.


    "Wandering Ghosts. They are the spirits of dead bodies that weren''t able to let go of their past."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him. Although she hadn''t encountered one before, she still knew about them from her wealth of knowledge that resulted from reading thousands and thousands of books throughout her life.


    "G-Ghosts! They really are real!"


    Rant Valo exclaimed in terror. He didn''t even care about his image towards Veia and the rest. He was just that scared of ghosts.


    "Of course, they are real. Where do you think the bedtime stories of ghosts came from?"


    Floriana Sabina retorted Rant Valo with a raised eyebrow.


    "I-I see. Can we kill them?"


    Rant Valo asked her. He would become more fearless if he was able to kill those ghosts. Otherwise, he would just stay near Floriana Sabina.


    "Hmmm¡­ Why don''t you try to use your magic technique against them, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina held her chin in thought before suggesting to Rant Valo.


    "I''ll try."


    Rant Valo nodded his head. He was also curious if his weird magic technique would work against ghosts. If it does, he would happily use it to eradicate all of the ghosts in the world.


    Rant Valo closed his eyes and focused on the mana inside his Core. He channeled it through his Mana Channels and released it outside through his palms.


    "Tide of Bad Fortune!"


    Rant Valo shouted before a white gush of mana flowed towards the darkness in front of them. For some reason, the dark fog was pushed several feet away when it came into contact with Rant Valo''s magic technique. It hit a wandering faint white shadow and continued deeper in the darkness.


    "Woah."


    Rant Valo was amazed as he looked at the clearer visibility around them. The darkness was almost lifted and the bright sky above was now barely visible.


    "Wait, what''s that?"


    Rant Valo saw the faint white shadow in front of them. When he pointed at it, it suddenly turned around and the faint white shadow took on the shape of a man. His face was blurry and it was hard to see his facial features.


    He opened his mouth and started whispering words. Rant Valo immediately realized what it was.


    "It''s a ghost!"


    Rant Valo immediately hid behind Floriana Sabina.


    "Fufufu, look who''s scared now."


    Floriana Sabina giggled knowing that Rant Valo was hiding behind her.


    The ghost continued whispering eerily when a sudden gust of wind from above blew away the dark fog. The sun''s rays hit the ghost before it slowly and silently faded away into nothing.


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    Rant Valo, Floriana Sabina, Veia, and Nale Narene were speechless at what they just witnessed. The ghost was literally so unlucky that a wind blew away the dark fog protecting it from the sun.


    "I''m impressed, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina turned her head to Rant Valo and smiled forcefully. She didn''t expect that even a ghost would be affected by his magic technique. It was really surprising for her.


    As for Nale Narene, he somehow felt pity for the ghost. It was just minding its own business when Rant Valo''s weird magic technique hit it and then it was dead. It was even killed by the sun which could be said to be the scariest thing to it.


    "Master, I think you should not be scared of ghosts anymore."


    Veia smiled wryly at Rant Valo. She doesn''t think that Rant Valo has any reason to fear ghosts anymore when he just killed one, albeit indirectly.

 Chapter 98 - The Evil Temptation Of Power

    "Hahahaha¡­. Maybe I shouldn''t be."


    Rant Valo laughed weakly. He also didn''t expect the ghost to just up and die because of the sun.


    "Anyways, Master Floriana, I can only cast my magic spell 4 more times."


    Rant Valo turned to Floriana Sabina and informed her. His cultivation stage was still low so he could only do it a few more times.


    "I understand. I''ll protect everyone, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head in understanding. She spread her arms wide and closed her eyes. A long snake-like white flame left the palm of her hands. It circled around her before separating into a total of 16 white snakes.


    The white snakes had a white flame burning on their heads. They circled around Rant Valo''s group silently.


    "Let''s go."


    The group continued on ahead. The moment a wandering ghost comes too close to them, a white snake would rush towards it before biting it. The ghost would then burn in white flames before disappearing from the world.


    "Wow. That''s so convenient."


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but say after seeing the speed of the ghosts dying from Floriana Sabina''s magic technique.


    "Fufufu, that''s not the most powerful form of that magic technique."


    Floriana Sabina proudly raised her chin up and laughed. If she didn''t hold back, this whole swamp would have already disappeared from the map. It would turn into a dessert with a snap her finger.


    "Are you really a Mana Dominion stage cultivator?"


    Rant Valo asked her with a curious look on his face. He still couldn''t believe her words back then that she was a Mana Dominion stage cultivator.


    "Tch. You still don''t believe me?"


    Floriana Sabina clicked her tongue in annoyance and looked at Rant Valo with a displeased look on her face. She thought that Rant Valo would have already believed her words after witnessing her strengths so many times now.


    "It''s just too absurd to think of for me."


    Rant Valo replied to her honestly. A few weeks ago, he was just a humble villager that was ostracized. He couldn''t expect that his life would quickly change for the better. It was even so good that sometimes he would have stray thoughts that this was just a good dream.


    "I can understand that, Disciple. One day, I''ll show you the extent of my power. If you still don''t believe me then, I''ll disown you."


    Floriana Sabina let out a slow chuckle. Rant Valo couldn''t help but gulp when he heard her say that she would disown him. His life had already changed for the better when she took him in. He couldn''t imagine a life without her now.


    "Alright, Alright, I believe you, Master Floriana. Just stop joking about disowning me."


    Rant Valo sighed in defeat. He thought that she would not lie to him about something like faking her cultivation stage. There was nothing for her to gain if she does so, so he would bet that she''s actually being honest with him.


    "Hmph! You''re just afraid of me disowning you."


    Floriana Sabina snorted and turned her head away from Rant Valo.


    "Hahaha¡­"


    Rant Valo laughed dryly. She was right. He was afraid of being disowned by her. Though, that was not all the reason for it.


    "Master, don''t worry. If Grandmaster disowns you, I would not leave your side.''


    Veia couldn''t help but reassure him after hearing their conversation together.


    "Thank you, Veia. But I''d rather not be disowned by Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo smiled wryly at Veia''s assurance to him. It made him happy but it also made him anxious hearing it. The only good news about it was that Veia would not abandon him no matter what.


    "Mmm. Veia would always be Master''s."


    Veia had a wide smile on her face as she declared to Rant Valo. She was just like a young girl madly in love.


    Rant Valo looked at Veia with warm eyes. Her words really made him very satisfied. As a man, it is very reassuring to hear your partner say that she would always be yours. It awakens his dominating male instinct.


    "Get a room! Geez."


    Floriana Sabina looked at them with a disgusted look on her face. She wasn''t enjoying seeing them flirt with each other almost every day.


    "Do you really want that?"


    Rant Valo turned his head to Floriana Sabina and blinked his eyes repeatedly.


    "Argghh! Really! Stop teasing me!!"


    With a huff of anger, Floriana Sabina stomped her foot on the ground. She could tell that Rant Valo was teasing her on purpose and she doesn''t like it.


    "My bad. My bad. Hahaha!"


    Rant Valo laughed cheerily after seeing her complain. It was kinda fun teasing his master who always acts so superior.


    Nale Narene was several feet behind them. He was watching them interact with each other. He felt gloomy seeing them from afar. He felt alienated. This was his first time feeling this in his life. In all honesty, it left a sour feeling in his heart.


    ''Is it because Rant Valo is still here so his master doesn''t want to accept me?''


    Nale Narene thought to himself. He couldn''t help but think of the possibility that he was the one laughing with Floriana Sabina and flirting with Veia. How good would that life be?


    "Do you want power?"


    An old man''s hoarse voice whispered into Nale Narene''s ear. He jumped in fright when he heard it. He looked around just like a cat whose tail was stepped on.


    ''Who!?''


    Nale Narene shouted inside his head.


    "You don''t have to worry about that. I can give you power. Power, more than that little girl could ever give you. Kekekeke."


    The hoarse voice sounded on his ear once again. It was tempting and inviting.


    ''You can?''


    Nale Narene''s eyes opened wide in excitement. All he wanted was revenge. He wanted to take back Narene Town with an iron fist, and if he could do that sooner, he would do it.


    "Just listen to my words. I will give you the power you desire once you listen to me. Kekekeke."


    The hoarse voice laughed eerily. Its offers were very tempting for Nale Narene.

 Chapter 99 - The Evil Darkness Skeleton

    ''I''ll listen to you! Just tell me how I can get powerful.''


    Nale Narene answered back. He was a man who thirsts for power. If it was served on a plate in front of him, he would take it without any shame.


    "Continue following them. I''ll give you orders later. Don''t tell them about me. If you do, you will lose this opportunity. Kekekeke."


    The hoarse voice replied before fading away. Nale Narene looked around and saw himself walking in the swamp with Rant Valo''s group leading the way.


    ''I''ll have more power than Rant Valo.''


    Nale Narene smiled evily to himself. He couldn''t help but imagine stealing Veia from Rant Valo''s embrace. It would be the most fitting outcome for him.


    Meanwhile, Rant Valo''s group was totally unaware that Nale Narene had already colluded with someone else. They continued on for a few more minutes before land appeared in front of them. The dark fog here was much more dense and visibility was impossible.


    "How are we gonna traverse through that?"


    Rant Valo asked with a frown on his face. It would be impossible for them to see the way forward. They might even get lost inside if they aren''t careful.


    "We can use a rope, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina answered. If they tie a rope to the edge of the swamp, then they would be able to find their way back no matter which direction they go.


    "That''s a great idea, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo nodded his head vehemently. Floriana Sabina pulled a long rope from her Storage Ring before passing it to Rant Valo.


    "This might be too short, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but say after seeing the rope. It could at least only reach 100 meters.


    "Don''t worry. Trust me, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina smiled mysteriously. It was obvious that she knew something that Rant Valo didn''t know.


    "Okay."


    Rant Valo shrugged his shoulders. If it''s her words, he could believe it.


    Rant Valo tied the rope to a tree that was nearest to the land before they continued on deeper.


    There was basically nothing that they could see in front of them so they just walked in a straight line.


    A few seconds later, the dark fog around them suddenly cleared. It was as if there was something keeping the dark fog away from this area into a dome shape that covers this place.


    "Woah, what''s this place?"


    Rant Valo looked around in curiosity. The ground was entirely black and a three stories black shrine was standing in the center. The shrine was perfectly intact and showed no signs of damages.


    "Where''s the Evil Sacra Lotus?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but ask after seeing the spiritual plant nowhere. It was supposed to be in here from what Nale Narene had told them.


    "I don''t know. The guard we sent here didn''t dare to go any deeper. He just assumed that my father died because it had already been too long and there was no news from him."


    Nale Narene after seeing Rant Valo look at him.


    "I see."


    Rant Valo nodded his head in understanding. It means that they would still have to explore this place. It was really odd, it was as if there was a black wall around them as the dark fog was kept outside.


    "Let''s go inside first."


    Rant Valo walked in the lead, and Floriana Sabina dissipated her magic technique, causing the white fire snakes to dissipate.


    There was a staircase leading up inside the shrine. The building was shaped like an octagon. It was painted black and the edges of the roof were curved upwards.


    They passed through the entrance that was kept wide open. There was a coffin kept in the center of the first floor. It was also colored black while the floor was brown in color. It was as if the exterior of the shrine was painted black while the inside was kept intact.


    "Is this a mausoleum?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but say after seeing the coffin. Floriana Sabina nodded her head while Veia moved closer to Rant Valo.


    "Young Boy, it''s time for you to gain power! Kekekeke!! Open the lid to the coffin."


    The hoarse voice sounded into Nale Narene''s ears once again. This time it was very pronounced, as if it was whispering right beside his ear. Nale Narene nodded his head before carefully approaching the coffin.


    Rant Valo''s group also carefully approached the coffin. They were curious to see it. But before they could get any closer, Nale Narene ran towards the coffin. He clutched onto the edges of the lid before lifting it upwards.


    Black miasma escaped the coffin. It was different from the dark fog that they encountered outside. This black miasma felt alive and dangerous.


    "What are you doing!?"


    Rant Valo shouted in panic. Nale Narene just unleashed something ominous.


    A skeletal hand gripped the edges of the coffin and used its other hand to help Nale Narene push the coffin open. The coffin lid fell to the floor with a loud bang. It sounded like a stone hitting the wooden floor.


    A skeleton with black miasma oozing from its bones raised its torso. It turned to their direction before speaking.


    "The time for the lord to awaken has come."


    It was a different voice from the one Nale Narene heard earlier. It was more young but it was still hoarse.


    "An Evil Darkness Skeleton!"


    Floriana Sabina exclaimed from the side as she recognized the undead creature.


    "Hooh, young girl, you recognize me?"


    The skeleton turned towards Floriana Sabina. There was surprise in its voice. It couldn''t believe that a little girl just recognized it.


    "Of course, I''m the Youngest Saintess in the world after all."


    Floriana Sabina crossed her hands with a smug smile on her face.


    "A saintess? Kek, you''re dreaming. There is no way a saintess would come to this barren land."


    The skeleton chuckled at Floriana Sabina''s words. It didn''t believe an ounce of it.

 Chapter 100 - The Evil Darkness Skeleton Attacks!

    "So you know about Saintessess."


    Floriana Sabina smiled widely, hearing the skeleton''s response.


    "My lord was a Saint active 2000 years ago. Kekekeke"


    The skeleton boasted proudly. It was a voice filled with pride and arrogance.


    "Ohhhh¡­ really?"


    Floriana Sabina smirked, hearing the skeleton''s words.


    "Master Floriana, what is a Saint?"


    Rant Valo asked her in a voice filled with curiosity. He felt like an idiot listening to their conversation.


    "Saint or Saintess is a title given to those who reach the Mana Dominion stage using the highest quality of cultivation. Just the title alone would scare any sect out of their wits."


    Floriana Sabina explained to Rant Valo with a cheeky grin on her face. She was proud to tell him what her title actually means.


    "So that means you''re really amazing!?"


    Rant Valo looked at her in shock. He almost couldn''t believe that she was actually that amazing. Just listening to the fact that only those who use the highest quality of cultivation would be given the title is enough reason to know how much hard work it took for her to reach that cultivation stage.


    "Fufufu, of course. I''m not a small fry like my master was. That old geezer is not a Saint."


    Floriana Sabina smiled smugly and continued boasting proudly. She was enjoying making Rant Valo be amazed time and time again.


    "Kekekeke. You sure know a lot about Saints. Are you a daughter of one, perhaps?"


    The skeleton cackled in laughter. It found it amusing that a little girl knows so much about the highest part of the cultivation world.


    "I''m a Saintess. Do you want to admit everything, or I would have to pull it out of your pathetic Darkness Soul?"


    Floriana Sabina had a sinister on her face as she threatened the skeleton.


    "Admit what? Sure! I will entertain you humans. Kekekeke."


    The skeleton asked before realizing what she meant. It then cackled, entertained.


    "You''re surprisingly cooperative."


    Floriana Sabina was genuinely surprised. She thought that he would deny everything, but it seems that this skeleton was smart.


    "My lord is the Harbinger of Darkness. He was the first Darkness Element creature in this world since time immemorial. He once had the power bordering on immortality. His name is Lord Xeva! Kekekekeke!"


    The skeleton raised its arms in exaggeration. It was the very definition of a minion simping for his lord.


    "Xeva? Oh, that guy who was defeated because he pissed off an immortal."


    Floriana Sabina held her chin as she remembered something she read in a book before.


    "How dare you call my lord by his name! You will be my first sacrifice to my Lord!"


    The skeleton was infuriated by Floriana Sabina''s casual mention of his lord''s name. For him, it was something sacred that should always have a ''Lord'' before it.


    The skeleton''s bones started releasing enormous amounts of miasma. It all coalesced into his hand and formed a ghostly spear. There were glowing lines of purple carved on the spear''s body, making it appear baleful.


    "The Death Sundering Strike!"


    The skeleton shrilled in a loud voice. The ghostly spear made a horizontal movement in an attempt to slice Floriana Sabina''s body directly in half.


    "Master Floriana!"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but shout in worry. The power of the spear felt like an immovable mountain to Rant Valo. It was like there was nothing he could do to fight against it.


    "This is easy."


    Floriana Sabina chuckled. She tracked the quick movement of the spear with her eyes. It didn''t take her much effort to do so.


    She moved back a single step backward, but that step was perfectly calculated. The spear perfectly missed her just by a few millimeters. The skeleton''s fiery eyes changed color. It was shocking that she was able to dodge his first attack, and even perfectly at that!


    "How about this one? Lord Of The Dark World''s Pierce!"


    Suddenly, the dark fog from outside the shrine rushed towards the spear in an unstoppable manner. The dark fog rotates on the outside of the spear as the skeleton pushes his spear toward Floriana Sabina''s chest.


    "I feel like I would be bullying you. I will only use my toe to defeat you."


    Floriana Sabina shook her head before quickly disappearing into thin air. The skeleton immediately turned to his back and attacked Floriana Sabina who appeared behind him.


    "Oh, a fast reflex."


    Floriana Sabina moved her head back in surprise. She didn''t expect that this skeleton to be able to predict her next move.


    "Kekeke."


    The skeleton cackled as it continued its attack on her.


    "But not fast enough."


    Floriana Sabina smirked before kicking the spear away with her shoe. Of course, she used the part where her toe was touching her shoe to kick it away. She kept her words.


    "Gah, what!"


    The skeleton lost control of the spear before it flew out of its skeleton hands. It traveled to the ceiling of the shrine and shattered the ceiling.


    The spear came falling down and lodged itself into the wood floor, bringing dust with it.


    "See, easy."


    Floriana Sabina put down her leg and smiled in victory at the skeleton.


    "Kaka¡­ Kakakaka¡­. Kekekekeke!!"


    The skeleton chuckled before cackling madly. It was like something about this event was very funny to it.


    "What are you laughing at?"


    Floriana Sabina furrowed her eyebrows seeing the skeleton laugh so hard.


    "This was just a distraction! That stupid human boy has already reached the top of this shrine! Kekekekeke! The Lord will once again dominate the land!"


    The skeleton laughed uproariously. It was so happy that he bought enough time and distracted them just so his lord could guide the human boy to open his coffin.


    "What!?"


    Rant Valo turned his head and looked around. Nale Narene was nowhere to be found. It was obvious that he was the human boy the skeleton was talking about.


    "Hmph! Enough playing."


    Floriana Sabina snorted unhappily. She raised her hand into the air and snapped her fingers.


    Several white flaming balls of fire appeared behind her. She pointed her hand forward, and the white fireballs rushed to the skeleton.

 Chapter 101 - Lord Xeva Appears

    The skeleton opened its eyes wide in terror. It recognized that flame.


    "T-The Flame Of Eternal Light!! HOW CAN YOU WIELD THAT!?"


    The skeleton screamed in fear. It didn''t have any time to dodge before the white fireballs hit its body.


    "NOOO!!! LORD XEVA SAVEEE MEEE!!!"


    The skeleton screamed without any care to the world. The flames touched its bone and it felt no pain. But that is what scared it the most, its bones slowly turned into ashes. It was the most serene yet terrifying scene to it.


    "Useless! General Bard, I''ll save you only this time."


    An old and hoarse voice sounded inside the shrine. The dark fog outside the shrine rushed inside and condensed into a black liquid. It surrounded the skeleton''s body and extinguished the white flames.


    "Thank you! Thank you! Lord Xeva!"


    The skeleton who had lost several bones on its body kneeled on the floor and banged its head to the floor repeatedly.


    "Hmph. Next time, I''ll watch you die on your own."


    The hoarse voice sounded in front of them and the black liquid formed a solid body. The dark fog outside all rushed into it, which included several tens and thousands of unfortunate Wandering Ghosts. It left the skies outside clear, and free from the dark fog.


    It formed a dark shadow wearing a tattered black robe. It carried with it an enormous long scythe.


    "Hohh¡­ The rumors were true. You really are the embodiment of the Darkness Mana of the world."


    Floriana Sabina spoke in amusement. She looked at the new entity in front of them with a knowing look on her face.


    "Who are you? I can feel your power. I know all of the Saints and Saintess that exists in this world."


    Lord Xeva asked her with its eerie glowing red fire eyes. It has seen the rise and fall of so many Saints and Saintessess in the world.


    "My name is Floriana Sabina! The youngest Saintess in all of history!"


    Floriana Sabina stepped forward and lifted her chin proudly. She was the same as always, boasting about her title to everyone who asks.


    "Kekeke. The youngest? Certainly, the time I was sealed, you could be considered one of the youngest. I''ll tell it to you now. I reached the title of Saint in one thousand years! I have been away for two thousand years. I reached it faster than you did!"


    Lord Xeva laughed mockingly. It didn''t perceive that Floriana Sabina''s achievement was anything. It was just a joke in its eyes.


    "It took you that long? I gained the Saintess title just last month. And I''m just 543 years old. HAHAHAHAHA!"


    Floriana Sabina raised her chin much higher and laughed uproariously. She didn''t think that Lord Xeva would boast about something like that.


    "Y-You''re lying!"


    Lord Xeva''s red eyes flickered in shock. If that was really true, then she would truly be the youngest Saintess in all of the history of this world.


    "Even if I''m lying, you would be forced to believe me. Just look at my childish body. Ever since I was 12 years old, my body stopped growing because of my high cultivation stage. Now, my body is already permanently like this."


    Floriana Sabina grinned in victory. She didn''t say that she was the youngest Saintess in the world for nothing. She had all the facts to back her claim up.


    "Tch! Just what kind of a monster are you!?"


    Lord Xeva didn''t even dare to look down on her anymore. It could feel it. The enormous power contained inside her small body. She was not joking.


    "So, do you want to explain exactly what is going on in here?"


    Floriana Sabina looked straight into Lord Xeva''s glowing red fire eyes. It swayed silently as they both stared into each other.


    "Kekekeke! That''s the funniest thing I have ever heard someone ever say to me after I reached the peak of this world!"


    Lord Xeva cackled with its hoarse voice. It was a prideful entity. It wouldn''t bow down just because the youngest Saintess was in front of it.


    "Do you really want to fight me when you''re in such a weak state?"


    Floriana Sabina released her Divine Sense and flooded Lord Xeva''s body. A Divine Sense is the better version of a Spiritual Sense. It was actually what Floriana Sabina has been using all this time. She just wasn''t using the full extent of its power so it was only considered Spiritual Sense.


    "W-What is this Divine Sense!? Just how refined is your soul!???"


    Lord Xeva''s fire eyes burned brightly in terror. It could feel a soul-crushing pressure hitting its Darkness Soul. It was as if it was against that immortal that sealed it two thousand years ago.


    "I refined it using my flames."


    Floriana Sabina grinned smugly. She was having fun shocking this Saint again and again.


    "You''re crazy! Alright, I''ll tell you everything!"


    Lord Xeva screeched in terror. It didn''t think that someone would be bold enough to use the Flame Of The Eternal Light to refine their souls. Refining souls is something done when you reach the Nascent Soul stage and above. The more refined your soul is, the more power you can use from the same amount of mana.


    "Lord Xeva!"


    The skeleton from earlier objected in shock. It didn''t expect that his respected lord would lower its head so easily.


    "Shut up! If we fight right now, the most I could do is to heavily injure her. And that is if I was able to self-destruct my body."


    Lord Xeva explained to his stupid subordinate in anger. Its stupid subordinate was not able to read the room.


    "Hmph! If it weren''t for my disciple being here, I would have killed you earlier."


    Floriana Sabina snorted and turned her head away. She knew that if they started fighting right now, Rant Valo would most likely die. Unless she protects him, but that would only put her in a disadvantageous position against Lord Xeva.


    "Little girl, I might be weak right now, but do remember that I''m the oldest Saint in this world! The ones before me have already died. I know more tricks than you would ever have!"


    Lord Xeva answered back to her with a threatening glare. If it comes down to it, it would do everything in its power just to escape. And one day, he would come back for revenge.


    "Hmph! Enough chitchat. Explain to me what happened here."


    Floriana Sabina glared at Lord Xeva. It was taking too many roundabouts. It should just explain to her everything.

 Chapter 102 - Determined To Ascend To Immortality

    "I''ll speak, I''ll speak."


    Lord Xeva replied, annoyed.


    From its explanation, there was an immortal from outside the world that wandered here. Lord Xeva got too confident in itself and challenged the immortal before it was defeated without it even being able to fight back. After defeating Lord Xeva, the immortal sealed it instead of killing it because the immortal thought that it would be a shame for this world to lose a powerhouse like Lord Xeva.


    Now that Lord Xeva has returned, it plans to come back to the world and grow stronger to reach immortality. The immortal had made it determined to ascend.


    "So you want to ascend to immortality?"


    Floriana Sabina asked with a raised eyebrow. Ascending to immortality is not easy. Many have tried and most of them have died trying. Thus, only a few crackheads would dare to ascend nowadays. Most would just nurture their sects and families.


    "Yes. I want to grow stronger."


    Lord Xeva nodded its head. Before, it thought that it was already at the peak of the world and there was no point in ascending to immortality, but the moment it felt the insurmountable strength that the immortal displayed, it changed its mind.


    "That''s the spirit. We both have the talent to acquire the title of Saint and Saintess but if we don''t even try pushing ourselves much further, then what is the point of us cultivating? I don''t know what''s beyond our world, but I''m sure that we won''t regret it once we pass through that obstacle."


    Floriana Sabina solemnly motivated Lord Xeva. She reached the Mana Dominion stage after cultivating so hard. If all she only gets power, then she doesn''t think that it was worth it at all.


    She didn''t even want to cultivate. Instead, she was forced by her sect. So if she didn''t ascend and escape this world, then she would not be able to prove to them that they were wrong when they treated her like that.


    "Your outlook in cultivation is certainly much more mature than mine. You have my respect."


    Lord Xeva bowed its head slightly. Today, it was enlightened. It could feel the youthful vigor that it once had eons ago to start to come back. The next time it meets that immortal, it would crush the immortal under its hands.


    "My lord is¡­"


    The skeleton from earlier was shocked. It has never seen someone make his lord bow.


    "What about that kid?"


    Floriana Sabina glanced up at the staircase leading up the shrine. There was a head peeking at them. Nale Narene hid his head when he saw Floriana Sabina look in his direction. Nale Narene felt trepidation when their eyes met. It was different from the usual eyes that she looks at him with. It was an eye filled with anger.


    "I''ll turn him into my minion."


    Lord Xeva replied candidly. Just like what it did to the Evil Darkness Skeleton earlier, it would also turn Nale Narene into one.


    "That''s a fitting ending for him."


    Floriana Sabina snickered. She didn''t feel pity that Nale Narene would lose his humanity. She could guess that Lord Xeva had tempted him with power without even asking him. It was his purpose for this travel, after all.


    "Kekekeke. What''s wrong with being a Evil Darkness Skeleton? They would be able to live as long as I''m alive."


    Lord Xeva chuckled. It didn''t think that anyone would be losing anything by becoming its minion. That''s because their life would be bound to Lord Xeva. As long as it was alive, they would stay alive. For a human who had a short lifespan, becoming its minion was the best deal ever.


    "Sigh, so where is the Evil Sacra Lotus?"


    Floriana Sabina didn''t want to talk to this guy anymore. It was just boasting and boasting about itself.


    "Evil Sacra Lotus? I don''t know. This is a swamp so they could be growing anywhere."


    Lord Xeva answered her. It was sealed before and didn''t have any clear vision of the world outside. It could only talk to Nale Narene before because it used its powerful soul to communicate.


    "Tch. You''re more useless than my disciple''s servant."


    Floriana Sabina clicked her tongue in annoyance. She did all of that just to get a ''I don''t know''. Might as well not have asked him.


    "M-Master! Grandmaster is bullying me again!"


    Veia clutched onto Rant Valo''s arm. She felt insulted by what Floriana Sabina just said. She was not useless... she¡­ she can''t refute it at all!


    Veia couldn''t help but look up at the ceiling as she felt like a blade was plunging itself into her heart. She was useless, and she can''t deny it! How embarrassing to her master.


    Rant Valo didn''t respond to Veia''s complaint. He just looked at Floriana Sabina who was standing in front of that scary monster as if it was the most normal thing in the world.


    This time, Floriana Sabina looked more like a Master than what she usually looks like. Her confidence to stand equally with that shadow-like monster makes her look more valiant.


    ''One day, I would stand with Master Floriana in an equal position.''


    Rant Valo promised to himself. He clenched his fists as his determination to cultivate grew much stronger than before.


    "Let''s go, Disciple. I already found the Evil Sacra Lotus."


    Floriana Sabina urged him. After realizing that Lord Xeva had no idea where the Evil Sacra Lotus was, she just used her Divine Sense and scanned the whole swamp. She found many of them pretty easily.


    "Yes, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo nodded his head solemnly. He decided to himself that he would become more obedient to her as he knew that she would be the one that would groom his strength.


    Floriana Sabina led the way while Rant Valo and Veia tagged along behind her.


    "L-Lord Xeva¡­"


    Nale Narene walked down the stairs nervously. The being he was looking at was so enigmatic and scary. He doesn''t even know if he could really trust him.


    "Come here. I will bestow you the power you want. Kekeke."


    Lord Xeva chuckled hoarsely. Nale Narene approached him and Lord Xeva touched his forehead with his finger.

 Chapter 103 - Acquiring The Evil Sacra Lotus

    Rant Valo looked back behind them, and he could swear that he heard a faint scream. He shook his head and thought that it was just his imagination.


    "Master Floriana, was all that dark fog earlier actually Darkness Mana?"


    Rant Valo asked her in curiosity. It was a question that has been bothering him since earlier.


    "Correct, Disciple. It was a very pure one. That''s why it wasn''t scattering away from this place. Pure mana is very dense, and they tend to stay in one place."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him as they continued moving through the swamp water. This time, it was not as cold as before as the sun was already starting to heat it up.


    "So you knew from the start?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but guess. If she knew that the mana was very pure, then she should have also known about the coffins inside the shrine.


    "I didn''t. I only had a hunch. Otherwise, I would have never dared come here with you, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina smiled gently at Rant Valo. She doesn''t want her disciple to be put in any danger whatsoever, and bringing him to a place with a Saint sealed inside, is putting him in danger.


    She can''t afford to lose such a good disciple. Plus, she cherishes his company already. Her days would not be the same without him by her side.


    "I understand, Master Floriana."


    Although it was interesting, it was also a very stressful moment for him to be in the presence of such a strong powerhouse. One flick of Lord Xeva''s finger, and he would be dead.


    "Good, Disciple. One day, you would acquire the Saint title too."


    Floriana Sabina patted Rant Valo on the back. She didn''t even doubt that Rant Valo would acquire the Saint title. She was sure that he would reach it very easily as long as he doesn''t die early.


    "Of course!"


    Rant Valo smiled at her confidently. He could feel that his cultivation would not be easy, but that wasn''t just for him. For others, it would even be 100-1000x harder. He basically had a sailboat while others have to row with a spoon.


    "Master, I''m also sure that you would get the Saint title!"


    Veia added from the side. She was on her Master''s side no matter what. Even if he dreams of something absurd, she would believe that he could reach it.


    "Thanks, Veia."


    Rant Valo smiled happily. Being assured like this boosts his confidence. He would get the Saint title much faster the more confident he became. It may not be obvious, but your mentality in cultivation is also a great factor of how fast you could improve. That''s why determination is such an important aspect of it.


    Floriana Sabina continued leading the way before, a few seconds later, they stumbled onto a black lotus flower.


    "Is this it?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but ask. He hasn''t seen one, but he could guess that this was the Evil Sacra Lotus.


    The Evil Sacra Lotus was entirely black in color. It was hard to see the distinct features of it unless you look really closely. The only difference it had from a normal lotus flower was its color.


    "This should be it."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head before moving her eyes closer to the Evil Sacra Lotus. This was also her first time seeing it. She had only read descriptions about it in a book.


    "I guess we couldn''t see it on the way because the dark fog hid it."


    Rant Valo guessed. This Evil Sacra Lotus was around the area where they passed through earlier. They didn''t see it because the dark fog was the perfect cover for it.


    "Correct."


    Floriana Sabina agreed before pulling the lotus flower from its stem. She lifted the Evil Sacra Lotus Flower onto her face and smelled it.


    "This flower actually smells good."


    Floriana Sabina''s eyes glowed in amazement. She thought that it would not smell that good since it was a darkness-element Spiritual Plant.


    "Here, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina passed the flower to Rant Valo. He carefully took it with both of his hands. He was careful not to damage it.


    "How does this flower even work, Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but ask. He wasn''t sure if he should just eat it. He learned the hard way that he shouldn''t just eat anything when he ate the Red Star Apple before.


    "Later, before you cultivate, take one and swallow it directly. Don''t chew it."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him. She knew all of this stuff because of her diligent reading.


    "Why not? Does it taste bad?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but ask. It would make more sense to chew it before eating it.


    "Not really, Disciple. It would just have a much greater effect for a shorter period of time. For example, it would only last half the time if you chew it, but it would have double the effects."


    When you chew the petal, its spiritual and medicinal properties can escape more easily. Whereas, if you don''t chew it, your stomach would have to slowly dissolve the petal first. That was the underlying logic behind it.


    "I understand. My body wouldn''t be able to take double the effects?"


    Rant Valo nodded his head before guessing. He was smart, and he could tell that Floriana Sabina prevented him from chewing it for a particular reason.


    "Correct, Disciple. You make me so proud! You''re so smart."


    Floriana Sabina was amazed. The disciple that she found was really smart. He can catch fish, dry fruits, and cook. What else can''t he do!?


    "Hahaha¡­ It was nothing."


    Rant Valo felt embarrassed being praised by her so generously.


    "Master, Veia also thinks you''re smart!"


    Veia saw that Rant Valo was happy with being praised, so she copied Floriana Sabina. She doesn''t want to be the only one who didn''t praise her master, after all.


    "Thanks, Veia."


    Rant Valo nodded his head at her. She was so sweet by acting like that.

 Chapter 104 - A New Look For Rant Valo

    "Where are we gonna go now, Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo asked Floriana Sabina. They already got what they wanted on this journey to the swamp.


    "Hmm¡­ I heard that there would be a 10th Mana Condensation stage competition at a nearby sect next month."


    Floriana Sabina thought before she remembered something. This was just something she overheard when she was traveling around. She didn''t even remember it, only after Rant Valo asked did it come into her mind.


    "10th Mana Condensation stage?"


    Rant Valo was bewildered. What would they even do there? Watch?


    "You will participate, Disciple. You have to win and make your master proud."


    Floriana Sabina smiled cheekily at Rant Valo. She wanted to show the world how great her disciple was.


    "You''re right, Master Floriana. I could still participate in that competition."


    Rant Valo nodded in agreement. It would be easy for him to reach the 10th Mana Condensation stage. The only reason he was even still at the 5th Mana Condensation stage was because he never cultivated again after he last cultivated.


    "Right? Use the Evil Sacra Lotus Flower''s petals to reach the 10th Mana Condensation stage quickly and practice your magic techniques."


    Cultivation would be even easier when Rant Valo used the petals. Considering that he still hadn''t practiced other magic techniques yet, it would be the perfect chance for him to do so.


    "I understand."


    Rant Valo nodded his head confidently. Even though it would take place next month, he didn''t even think that he would lose.


    "Hehe, that''s my disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina crossed her arms and nodded her head in satisfaction. This was her disciple. She was excited to see his performance on the world''s stage.


    ¡­


    The next day, Rant Valo''s group was already out of the swamp. The reason it took them longer was that they didn''t return the same way. Instead, they continued going north.


    "Finally, we''re out of the swamp¡­"


    Rant Valo sighed in relief. Moving through that huge swamp was really hard. There were even alligators along the way. Most of them died to Floriana Sabina or Rant Valo, of course.


    "Master, my black cloak became sticky."


    Veia complained to Rant Valo with a downcast expression. She already liked wearing her black cloak, but it already became unbearable for her to wear after using it in the swamp for too long.


    "We have more of that. Right, Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo looked in Floriana Sabina''s direction. He still remembered that they put many black cloaks inside her Storage Ring. They found it inside the cave in the forest.


    "Mm. Here, Veia."


    Floriana Sabina opened her hand and another black cloak appeared on it. It was similar to the one Veia was wearing.


    "Thank you, Grandmaster!"


    Veia smiled gently towards Floriana Sabina. She forgives her for calling her useless. She took the black cloak from her hands and started undressing her old one.


    "V-Veia! What are you doing?"


    Rant Valo covered his eyes with his hands in panic. He didn''t expect Veia to strip right in front of him.


    "I''m changing my clothes? ¡­Oh, is Master aroused?"


    Veia looked at him blankly before she realized what Rant Valo was flustered about. She grinned teasingly knowing that her Master was seeing her body for the first time.


    "Who wouldn''t!?"


    Rant Valo retorted with his face red. She was acting so boldly again.


    "Hehe, so Master admits it. I don''t mind doing it in the open, Master."


    There was a lewd smile on Veia''s face as she felt her body slowly heat up.


    "Stop it already."


    Floriana Sabina smacked Veia on her head with a fan. She was still standing by the side and Veia dared to openly seduce her disciple.


    "Ow, Grandmaster. Why are you always hitting me?"


    Veia grumbled. All Floriana Sabina did to her was hit her again and again with her fan.


    "Stop teasing my Disciple. Otherwise, I would put you far away from him again."


    Floriana Sabina looked at Veia with sharp eyes. She wouldn''t hit Veia on the head if she wasn''t always teasing her disciple.


    "Okay¡­"


    Veia looked down with a dejected expression. She removed her black cloak without teasing Rant Valo this time.


    "And you! Stop looking at her."


    Floriana Sabina also smacked Rant Valo on his head. He could have just not looked when Veia was changing, but instead, he chose to look at her. He was just a pervert, in her opinion.


    "Y-Yes."


    Rant Valo nodded his head submissively.


    A few rustles later, Veia had already changed out from her old black cloak.


    "Disciple, do you want to change your clothes?"


    Floriana Sabina couldn''t help but ask him, seeing that his shorts were wet with muddy swamp water.


    "But I don''t have any clothes with me¡­"


    Rant Valo had a change of clothes with him before but it somehow disappeared on their journey. He didn''t know where he misplaced it.


    "Wear this."


    Floriana Sabina passed Rant Valo a long robe.


    "Thank you."


    Rant Valo thanked her before he hid behind a thicket and changed his clothes.


    He came out a few minutes later.


    "This feels too chilly¡­"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but complain. He wasn''t used to wearing something like this and his little brother was soaring through the sky.


    "Here, tie this loincloth and use it as your underwear."


    Floriana Sabina passed Rant Valo a loincloth. She could guess what he was talking about just from the way he was walking.


    "T-Thanks."


    Rant Valo smiled wryly. He hid behind the thicket once more and wore the loincloth. He tied it around his groin so his little brother wouldn''t feel chilly anymore.


    "How do I look?"


    Rant Valo turned around and asked her. He inspected himself. It was not bad.


    "You look like a sect cultivator."


    Floriana Sabina thought as she looked at Rant Valo. He was just like the disciples of sects. They also wear something like this.


    "Woah, is this from your sect?"


    Rant Valo exclaimed in amazement before he asked her.


    "Yes. Just use it for now."


    Floriana Sabina didn''t deny it. Although she doesn''t like her sect, after spending a long time inside it, she was still somewhat attached to it. If possible, she would just replace the higher echelons of it.

 Chapter 105 - Cultivating To Reach The 10th Mana Condensation Stage

    "I see. This makes me feel like you appreciate me, Master."


    Rant Valo smiled at her gently. Wearing the sect robe that his master attended from made him feel like he became closer to her.


    "Fufufu, Disciple. Your master will never be unfair towards you."


    Floriana Sabina chuckled as she reassured him. She was still his master. If she can''t even take care of his basic needs, she doesn''t think that she deserves to be his master.


    "I''m really lucky to have you as my master."


    Rant Valo beamed in delight. Her words reassured him of their relationship.


    "Of course you are lucky!"


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head candidly. Rant Valo is the luckiest man the moment she took him as her disciple.


    "Right, Veia. What do you think of my new look?"


    Rant Valo asked Veia who was behind a tree. She was peeking behind it and her eyes were sparkling as she looked at Rant Valo.


    "Master¡­. You look divine!"


    Veia praised. The way Rant Valo looks with the long robe was just so perfect. She felt like pouncing on him. She was just holding herself back by hiding behind the tree.


    "Really? Thanks."


    Rant Valo scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. She was just too overblown with her praises just as always.


    "Oh, right. Master Floriana, where would I cultivate?"


    Rant Valo asked in curiosity. He needs to be in an enclosed space to cultivate. Right now, they were in the middle of a forest.


    "I''ll build one for you right here."


    Floriana Sabina replied before she raised her hand into the air and brought it down to the ground. She closed her eyes and intense heat melted the ground under them. A small opening opened.


    The opening was sloped and red bubbling rocks can be seen inside. It finally grew to the size that an adult human could fit inside. Then a small room was created inside.


    Then after hardening the walls, Floriana Sabina removed her hand from the ground.


    "Wouldn''t we be cooked if we enter that?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but tell her his number one concern. The cave was glowing red hot and it would be impossible for them to stay inside without being cooked.


    "Don''t worry, Disciple. Do you know that you can make wind with fire?"


    Floriana Sabina smiled smugly at Rant Valo. She flicked her finger and a huge flame appeared at the top of the entrance to the cave. Rant Valo and Veia walked back from the heat.


    A dozen minutes later, Floriana Sabina stopped.


    "There! I made a small opening on the other side so the hot air made by the flame rose and sucked out the air inside the cave. In turn, the wind generated cooled the cave rapidly."


    Floriana Sabina explained. It was full of technicality and even Rant Valo only understood half of it.


    "So it''s safe to enter now?"


    Rant Valo asked her cautiously. He didn''t want to be cooked alive just because she made a mistake.


    "Of course! Trust me, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina answered confidently with a raise of her chin.


    "Alright."


    Rant Valo nodded his head and entered the cave very carefully. The floor and walls were very flat and smooth. It was like a molded plastic.


    Rant Valo was fascinated by Floriana Sabina''s amazing control. She could even control molten rock so precisely.


    "Wow, it''s merely warm inside."


    Rant Valo exclaimed in amazement. Although it was hard to believe. What she did earlier was really effective. It was not as hot as he thought it would be.


    "Hmph! And you even doubted me."


    Floriana Sabina snorted in displeasure. Her own disciple doubted his own master''s capabilities. Of course, it would leave a bad feeling for Floriana Sabina.


    "Hahaha¡­ I was just being cautious."


    Rant Valo defended himself with a wry smile on his face.


    "So, I can just cultivate here? How about the journey there?"


    Rant Valo asked her. He had to make sure that nothing was forgotten or he would be working hard for nothing if he missed the competition.


    "You can cultivate as much as you want, Disciple. I will fly us there."


    Floriana Sabina assured Rant Valo. She knew that it would be impossible for Rant Valo to cultivate and travel at the same time so she decided that she would just fly him there. It would just be easy peasy for her anyway.


    "That''s great. I''ll cultivate now."


    Rant Valo was satisfied with her arrangement. He sat crosslegged at the center of the room and closed his eyes before he started to cultivate.


    "Disciple, open your mouth."


    Floriana Sabina told him before she pulled a petal off the Evil Sacra Lotus Flower. Rant Valo opened his mouth and Floriana Sabina put it inside.


    Rant Valo knew what it was the moment it touched his tongue so he swallowed it in one gulp. It was somewhat hard to swallow without any water to push it down, but he did it anyway.


    Rant Valo looked inside his core. The 5 strands of white mana that connected to his body were still there. The mana flowed from the center of his core through the mana channels.


    Rant Valo imagined that he was sucking out luck off the surroundings. He breathed in and more white mana entered his body. He repeated that cycle repeatedly until he was able to create another strand.


    Rant Valo did it four more times before he stopped. The moment he did so, he felt like he was at the precipice of something. It was an illusory feeling, but Rant Valo was sure that it was real.


    The white clump of white mana inside his core had already occupied most of his core. It generated with it a strong feeling of power.


    ''Amazing¡­''


    Rant Valo thought inside his mind. Seeing the results of his cultivation, he couldn''t help but feel satisfied. He finally reached the 10th Mana Condensation stage after cultivating in repetition.


    "Master Floriana, I did it."


    Rant Valo opened his eyes and spoke to Floriana Sabina in excitement. Floriana Sabina was also cultivating on the side. She opened her eyes and greetedRant Valo.


    "You did it, Disciple."


    There was a beautiful smile on Floriana Sabina''s face. Her disciple just leaped in cultivation so quickly that she herself was astounded by it.

 Chapter 106 - Practicing The Different Magic Techniques

    "Master!"


    Veia came from the side and embraced Rant Valo tightly. She sniffed his chest as she took in her master''s scent.


    "Veia¡­"


    Rant Valo embraced Veia and patted her back.


    "Master, I want to drink your blood again!"


    Veia protested. She hugged Rant Valo tighter and tighter. She bared her fangs and was just about to bite Rant Valo''s neck when Floriana Sabina smacked her head with a fan.


    "Stop it! Veia, it had only been three days. What are you overreacting for?"


    Floriana Sabina scolded her. She couldn''t let Veia bite Rant Valo directly on his neck. It would only arouse both of them which could turn into a weird direction.


    "Really¡­ Grandmaster is always hindering me."


    Veia let go of Rant Valo with a pout. She looked at Floriana Sabina with a displeased expression.


    "Hmph! If you weren''t so lustful, I wouldn''t be."


    Floriana Sabina retorted back at her. The only reason she didn''t want Veia to interact too closely with Rant Valo was that she tends to escalate things in a sexual manner.


    "Disciple, here''s your book. Review the new magic techniques."


    Floriana Sabina passed Rant Valo''s cultivation manual to him. She had been safekeeping it all this time.


    "I understand, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo nodded his head. He flipped through the book and read through all of the magic techniques listed in it. The more his cultivation progresses it reveals more cultivation techniques to him.


    1st Mana Condensation stage, The Blessing Of The Four-Leaf Clover.


    2nd Mana Condensation stage, Luck Lock.


    3rd Mana Condensation stage, Fortune Boost.


    4th Mana Condensation stage, What''s Yours Is Mine.


    5th Mana Condensation stage, Tide Of Bad Fortune.


    6th Mana Condensation stage, Luck Union.


    7th Mana Condensation stage, Diving Magpie.


    8th Mana Condensation stage, The Flap Of The Lucky Phoenix.


    9th Mana Condensation stage, Lucky Dragon Breath.


    10th Mana Condensation stage, Tortoise Fortune''s Defence.


    It was a long list. Even Rant Valo was shocked by it. It was hard for him to fathom how he would even remember how to execute each of them. He couldn''t help but gulp. This sure was a challenge to tackle.


    The reason he didn''t practice the other magic techniques besides the Tide Of Bad Fortune was that he didn''t have the chance to try them at all.


    Rant Valo focused on the magic technique listed for the 1st Mana Condensation stage. It was about the luck brought by four-leaf clovers.


    He circulated the white mana inside his core and pushed it all inside his mana channels. Different from the Tide Of Bad Fortune, this magic technique cycled the mana inside his mana channels. It was written that the effects would boost the user''s luck.


    Rant Valo''s body glowed with a faint white light. He was like an angel that has descended to the world. With the minimal lighting inside the cave, it was even more pronounced.


    "Wow! You look so cool, Master!"


    Veia exclaimed in amazement as she watched her master glow just like a deity.


    Floriana Sabina couldn''t help but do a double-take when she saw Rant Valo glowing. She thought that she was imagining things as Rant Valo shouldn''t just start glowing.


    Rant Valo couldn''t hear anything from the outside. He was too engrossed in observing the circulation of the mana inside his mana channels. He made sure that it all circulated perfectly.


    Rant Valo released the magic technique and he could feel his body return to normal. He then focused on the second one. It was the ''Luck Lock''.


    Just as its name suggests. It locks the luck of others. Rant Valo furrowed his eyebrows. What did ''locking luck'' actually mean? It was such a weird choice of words in Rant Valo''s opinion.


    "Master Floriana, I''ll try out my magic technique on you."


    Rant Valo opened his eyes and said to Floriana Sabina. He closed his eyes when he saw her nod her head. He followed the mana channels that were written in the cultivation manual.


    Rant Valo opened his eyes, and a stream of mana escaped his eyes before hitting Floriana Sabina''s body. The moment it hit her body, Floriana Sabina felt an illusory chain lock her body up.


    She tried moving, and she actually could. She became confused and looked at her body. She felt the illusory chain lock her up before disappearing.


    "It didn''t work, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina told Rant Valo before she sighed and closed her eyes. It must be that Rant Valo''s magic technique failed that''s why the illusory chain disappeared quickly.


    "Really?"


    Rant Valo was bewildered. He could feel that his mana was still being drained constantly.


    Meanwhile, Floriana Sabina was trying to circulate her mana but it didn''t budge. She pushed harder and the mana finally circulated once again. It was like her mana was stuck on something.


    "Gohogh¡­"


    Rant Valo coughed a mouthful of blood when Floriana Sabina was finally able to circulate her mana again. She actually forcefully broke the Luck Lock that Rant Valo had set up in her body.


    "D-Disciple!?"


    Floriana Sabina opened her eyes when she heard Rant Valo;s violent cough and she was horrified by what she saw. He looked ghastly. It was like he jogged across the world as his face was pale and blood leaked from his mouth.


    "M-Master Floriana¡­"


    Rant Valo called out to her before he passed out. Rant Valo couldn''t hear anything anymore when Veia ran towards him and shook him. There was panic on her face. She was anxious. Her master just suddenly coughed out blood.


    Rant Valo''s consciousness entered inside his body. He saw his Core in disarray. All of the strands of mana that connected his Core to his body were severed.


    He couldn''t help but feel fear. He would become a cripple if his core was not fixed quickly. He desperately tried to control his mana, but they did not respond.


    ''Move!''


    Rant Valo shouted at his mana. He hoped that something would happen when he did that, but he was wrong. It was all the same. His mana was still unresponsive.


    ''F*ck!''


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but curse. His anxiousness was slowly mounting up the longer he looked at his broken core.

 Chapter 107 - Damaged Core

    Floriana Sabina held onto Rant Valo''s wrist in worry. She closed her eyes and used her powerful Divine Sense to sweep and scan the inside of Rant Valo''s body. The moment she did so, she saw the damaged core of Rant Valo.


    "This is a Mana Backlash."


    Floriana Sabina grimaced.


    "A Mana Backlash?"


    Veia repeated in confusion. She has never heard of that term before.


    "It happens when the cultivator fails their magic technique midway. The cultivator would suffer severe internal injuries because of it."


    A Mana Backlash is very dangerous because the internal injuries caused by it are very hard to heal.


    "T-Then, Master?"


    Veia gulped in worry. She was worried about her master''s health. Tears even started to well up in her eyes.


    "He''ll be okay. I''m here."


    Floriana Sabina assured Veia. Floriana Sabina wouldn''t let Rant Valo die like this. She would regret it for the rest of her life if she allowed him to die. She hadn''t even boasted to others about how great her disciple was.


    Floriana Sabina''s heart was beating like a drum. Even for her, internal injuries are very hard to cure. But fortunately, she has a Grade 8 Medicinal Pill.


    A pill bottle appeared in Floriana Sabina''s hand. She shook it and out came a single pill. She fed it into Rant Valo''s mouth but he wasn''t swallowing it. Floriana Sabina turned her head to look at Veia, but she gritted her teeth instead.


    It would be a disaster if she allowed Veia to do what she was about to do. Floriana Sabina bolstered herself. She opened a bottle gourd and drank the water inside it, but she didn''t swallow it yet. She then popped the pill inside her mouth.


    Floriana Sabina carefully lifted Rant Valo. She closed her eyes before locking her lips with Rant Valo. She pushed the pill down Rant Valo''s throat using the water.


    Rant Valo''s body didn''t react but silently took the water and pill inside his stomach.


    Rant Valo''s consciousness who was still having trouble realized that a powerful surge of energy entered his body. It flooded the damaged parts of his body and healed it in the blink of an eye. Rant Valo looked around in awe.


    He watched as the strings of mana that connected his core to his body were reconnected. Even the ruptured mana channels inside his body were healed. There was no injury that was left untouched. That included the scar marks that were left on his body from his childhood.


    Rant Valo opened his eyes and rapidly breathed in fresh air. He was hyperventilating as being that close to death scared him out of his wits.


    "Master!"


    Veia dove into Rant Valo and embraced him tightly. She was really worried that she would lose her master then and there. She didn''t even have the chance to do it with him yet.


    As for Floriana Sabina, she was panting. Her heart beat rapidly as she realized that she just gave her first kiss to her disciple. She couldn''t help but touch her lips in a daze.


    "Master Floriana, thank you."


    Rant Valo sincerely thanked Floriana Sabina. He knew that it could only be her that could have helped him heal his internal injuries.


    "Just like I said, I will not be unfair to you, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina smiled at him gently.


    Rant Valo''s eyes looked back at her with warmth. She was really the best master in the world.


    "Master, do you feel pain anywhere?"


    Veia asked Rant Valo as she looked him up and down. She was acting just like a wife who found her husband wounded.


    "I''m already okay now, Veia."


    Rant Valo smiled wryly, seeing that Veia was still concerned about him. He couldn''t believe that this would ever happen to him if he was still back in the village.


    "Really? I''m relieved¡­"


    Veia sighed loudly. She slumped her body on Rant Valo''s body and sniffled. Soon, tears were leaking from her eyes, and her snot was already on Rant Valo''s long robe.


    "V-Veia?"


    Rant Valo called out to her in worry.


    "Sniff, Sniff¡­ Master, don''t scare me like that¡­"


    Veia cried with her all. After the adrenaline rush, her heart couldn''t help but weaken in Rant Valo''s embrace. She was entirely all over him. Her heart wouldn''t be able to take it if Rant Valo died.


    "I''m sorry, Veia. It won''t happen again."


    Rant Valo rubbed her back to ease her. There was a calm smile on his face. Even though her snot was already all over his long robe, Rant Valo didn''t mind. As long as she was able to release her emotions, it was fine.


    "Promise?"


    Veia lifted her head and looked at Rant Valo with upturned eyes. She didn''t want it to happen again.


    "Of course."


    Rant Valo smiled seeing her like that. He rubbed her head and she purred just like a cat as she accepted him.


    "Alright, enough of that, lovebirds."


    Floriana Sabina interrupted them. There was a sour expression on her face. For some reason, seeing Veia and Rant Valo like that irked her. There was this unknown emotion that was inside her heart.


    "Y-Yeah¡­"


    Rant Valo pushed Veia away slowly. Her snot was very visible on his long robe. Rant Valo couldn''t help but shake his head with a smile.


    "Master, let me drink your blood first!"


    Veia demanded. She hadn''t drunk Rant Valo''s blood for almost four days now. Her tummy was already yearning for it.


    "Alright, Alright."


    Rant Valo conceded with her demands. Floriana Sabina looked at them with deadpan eyes before passing a bowl to Rant Valo.


    Rant Valo cut his wrist before filling the bowl with his blood. Veia waited for it in anticipation. She sniffed the smell of Rant Valo''s blood in the air. Her mouth opened wide as she started to drool.


    "Here."


    Rant Valo passed the bowl to Veia. He applied some medicinal paste on his wound which quickly healed it.


    "Thank you, Master!"


    Veia quickly downed the blood into her throat. There was no hesitation from her. A few seconds later, she released a sigh of satisfaction.


    "Hahh¡­ Master''s blood is so good."


    Veia''s eyes clouded as she became intoxicated from Rant Valo''s blood. Her succubus instincts were awakened as she started to look at Rant Valo weirdly.


    "Master¡­"


    Veia licked her lips seductively. She was like a predator that was about to pounce on her prey.

 Chapter 108 - The Effects Of Fortune Boost

    "Ouw!"


    Floriana Sabina smacked her fan on Veia''s head once more. She then looked at Veia coldly.


    "Stop seducing him."


    Veia dropped down her shoulders after hearing Floriana Sabina''s words. Her lust quickly died down after knowing that she won''t be able to achieve anything right now.


    "So, what happened to you, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo. She wanted to know why he suddenly suffered a Mana Backlash.


    "Uh¡­ I tried out my cultivation technique against you, Master Floriana, and you said that it didn''t work. But I still felt my mana being drained. Then I suddenly coughed out blood. I felt like my insides were rammed by a bull."


    Rant Valo raised his head in thought as he explained to them.


    "Hmmm¡­ that is odd. The only thing I can think of is that your magic technique actually worked on me and the restrictive feeling I felt on my core was the effect of the magic technique."


    Floriana Sabina held her chin in thought. She could still remember the restrictive feeling on her core just a few minutes ago.


    "Ah! It was my fault¡­"


    Floriana Sabina suddenly realized. When she broke that feeling of restraint on her mana, it was when Rant Valo coughed out blood. Knowing this, her heart felt heavy.


    "..."


    Rant Valo''s cheeks twitched. He sighed and looked away. Good thing that she managed to heal his core, otherwise he would have become a cripple for life.


    "I''m sorry, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina apologized with a downcast expression. She felt like a failure as Rant Valo''s master.


    "It''s okay, Master Floriana. I''m already healed."


    Rant Valo stood up and comforted her with a smile. He was already healed and it would only be a waste of time if they continued dwelling on it.


    "Disciple¡­"


    Floriana Sabina''s heart warmed after hearing Rant Valo''s words. She was glad to have such an understanding disciple.


    "I''ll try out the other magic techniques then."


    Rant Valo informed her before he sat down and closed his eyes. After all, he still needed to learn all of the magic techniques so that he could use them in the competition.


    "Mm."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head. Her disciple is really hard working. Even when he just suffered an accident, he immediately went back to cultivating.


    Rant Valo did a breathing cycle to relax his body. He was glad that his cultivation was still intact. If he truly lost it earlier, he didn''t know what he would do.


    Listed for the 3rd Mana Condensation stage, Fortune Boost. It boosts the luck of someone it was bestowed to.


    Rant Valo circulated his mana in a circle inside his body before pushing it all into his right hand. It stayed there, waiting for him to touch someone and bestow the Fortune Boost.


    "Veia, come here."


    Rant Valo opened his eyes and beckoned Veia. Veia moved closer to Rant Valo, and she sat in front of him.


    "What is it, Master?"


    Veia tilted her head in puzzlement.


    "I''ll try out my magic technique on you, okay?"


    Rant Valo informed her.


    "Yes! Do as you please, Master. This servant of yours will do anything for you!"


    Veia replied and straightened her back. She was proud to do this for her master. Her life and heart are already his, after all.


    "Alright, here I go."


    Rant Valo nodded his head solemnly. He brought his hand closer and grasped Veia''s arm.


    "Fortune Boost!"


    Rant Valo shouted briefly. His hands glowed with white light before the mana entered Veia''s body.


    "Ah~!"


    Veia felt a warm energy enter her arm and into her body. It was a pleasurable sensation and she couldn''t hold back her moan.


    "Stop making weird noises."


    Rant Valo smiled wryly as he felt his little brother stand in attention after hearing Veia''s moan.


    "It just felt good, Master¡­"


    Veia''s eyes were starting to change the way she looked at Rant Valo. Her inner succubus was starting to surface once again.


    "Hey, hey, hey! What are you guys doing?"


    Floriana Sabina opened her eyes and stood up. She approached them and looked at both of them.


    "I tried my new magic technique on her."


    Rant Valo replied to her.


    "Huh, ''magic technique'' you say. Hmph! Lewd demon!"


    Floriana Sabina looked at them suspiciously. But since she couldn''t really see them doing anything weird, she could only snort before leaving them alone.


    This time, when Floriana Sabina closed her eyes to cultivate, she used her Divine Sense to watch them. It was not like she was worried that they would do something lewd or anything!


    Rant Valo observed Veia. There was nothing different about her even when he used his magic technique on her.


    "Veia, do you feel anything weird?"


    Rant Valo asked her in curiosity. He wanted to know if she felt something weird from the magic technique he used on her.


    "Y-Yes¡­"


    Veia fidgeted her arms together as she shyly responded to him.


    "Wait, you do!? Where?"


    Rant Valo asked in excitement. He was curious how this ''Fortune Boost'' actually works.


    "I-Inside¡­"


    Veia pointed at her crotch shyly. She clamped her legs in shyness.


    "..."


    Rant Valo didn''t know why but he had the urge to smack her on the head with Floriana Sabina''s fan.


    "M-Master?"


    Veia raised her head and looked at Rant Valo with provocative eyes.


    "So you don''t feel anything? Okay."


    Rant Valo ignored her and closed his eyes once more. She was not gonna be of help to him at this point.


    "Master closed his eyes on me..."


    Veia pouted after seeing Rant Valo ignore her. She stood up, but just as she stood up, she tripped on her legs.


    "Ahh!"


    Veia fell towards Rant Valo and she pushed him down before her lips accidentally touched his. Veia was frozen as she widened her eyes in shock.


    Rant Valo opened his eyes and looked at her in shock. She just kissed him so suddenly. Rant Valo pushed her away before opening his mouth.


    "W-What are you doing, Veia?"


    Rant Valo''s heart beat fast as he asked Veia. He thought that she did it on purpose, and she even stole his first kiss!

 Chapter 109 - Stole Rant Valos First Kiss

    "I¡­ It was an accident!"


    Veia answered frantically. Her eyes swam around in panic. She was getting flustered that she kissed her master accidentally.


    "You stole my first kiss!"


    Rant Valo complained to her.


    "Your first kiss? Master, that wasn''t your first."


    Veia blinked her eyes in confusion.


    "What?"


    Rant Valo looked at her in bewilderment.


    "Grandmaster k-kissed you earlier¡­"


    Veia answered shyly. For some reason, her heart beat fast when she remembered what happened earlier.


    "????"


    Rant Valo widened his eyes in confusion. What does she mean that Floriana Sabina kissed him earlier. He doesn''t remember any of that.


    "It''s true. She gave you the pill by kissing you and pushing it inside your throat."


    Veia explained to Rant Valo. Rant Valo couldn''t help but touch his lips and look in Floriana Sabina''s direction.


    "Master¡­"


    Rant Valo had no words to say to her. Just the fact that she was even willing to go that far just to save him was worthy of his respect. She could have just made Veia do it, but instead, she did it herself.


    "Hmph! I didn''t do it to save you! I was just doing my duties as your master."


    Floriana Sabina snorted and turned her head away. Her ears were burning red as embarrassment overtook her.


    "I see. Thank you, Master."


    Rant Valo smiled at her gently. He felt really lucky to have her as his master.


    "Hmph!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted once again before turning her body away and continuing her cultivation.


    "Anyways Veia, why did you suddenly kiss me. Even if that wasn''t my first kiss."


    Rant Valo turned his head and raised an eyebrow. He didn''t find it romantic that she suddenly jumped and kissed him when he was focusing on cultivation.


    "I tripped, Master! I was trying to stand and I tripped on my legs¡­"


    Veia replied vehemently. But as she continued, she felt self-conscious that she was so clumsy as to trip on her own legs.


    "I see. Then it''s okay, Veia."


    Rant Valo sighed. He could only reassure her since it wasn''t her fault in the first place.


    "Mm! Thank you, Master!"


    Veia nodded her head cutely and thanked Rant Valo.


    "I will continue my cultivation."


    Rant Valo informed her.


    ''So 1st to 3rd done. Next, the 4th one.''


    Rant Valo thought. He then read the instructions for the 4th one before closing his eyes.


    Listed at the 4th Mana Condensation stage, What''s Yours Is Mine. Rant Valo was confused when he read it. He didn''t know how it would even work as there was no description of it written.


    Nevertheless, Rant Valo still circulated his mana according to what was written inside the cultivation manual.


    He circulated his mana from his right hand to his left hand. The mana traveled through distinct Mana Channels in his arms as it circulated. Now, the only last step was to touch someone.


    "Veia, can you come here again?"


    Rant Valo opened his eyes.


    "Sure!"


    Veia went forward and sat in front of him again.


    Rant Valo then grasped onto Veia''s arm. The moment he did so, he felt a suction force appear in his hand. His hand was stuck to Veia''s arm because of it.


    "Ahhnn~!"


    Veia moaned loudly. She felt the warm energy that entered her body earlier exit from inside her. It was also a pleasurable process that made her moan without her control.


    "V-Veia!?"


    Rant Valo shouted at her in panic. She was moaning again and he couldn''t help but feel weird about it he was only grasping onto her arm.


    "Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina had opened her eyes and was looking at Rant Valo coldly.


    "Wait, I didn''t do anything weird to her! She just moaned on her own!"


    Rant Valo desperately tried to defend himself.


    "Hmph! I''ll sit here."


    Floriana Sabina stood up from her position and sat on the side just between them.


    "Veia, why did you moan?"


    Rant Valo asked Veia with a forced smile on his face. It was really awkward now with Floriana Sabina here.


    "Master, your hand was so pleasurable¡­"


    Veia couldn''t help but say. There was a yearning expression on her face.


    "!!!"


    Rant Valo widened his eyes after hearing Veia''s words. He turned his head to Floriana Sabina in panic.


    "So you touched her?"


    Floriana Sabina asked as her face started to darken in anger.


    "Y-Yes, but-"


    Rant Valo tried to explain but before he could continue doing so, a fan hit him on the face.


    "Stupid disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted as she smacked him on his cheeks.


    "OW!"


    Rant Valo felt a sharp pain on his cheeks. He rubbed it to try and ease the pain.


    "You touched her! And even with me here! Pervert. Pervert!"


    "Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted hysterically as she continued smacking his body with her fan. She was disappointed at her disciple for not being able to contain his urges. Rant Valo tried to defend himself by raising his hands and shoulder to block it.


    "I-I did! But not where you think it was!"


    Rant Valo desperately tried to defend himself. At this rate, she would smack him to death as her smacks were starting to get more and more painful.


    "Excuses!"


    "Ow!! OW!!"


    Floriana Sabina didn''t believe an ounce of his words. She just continued smacking him as she tried to let go of the frustration inside her heart.


    "Ow!"


    "Grandmaster! Master only touched me on my arm. I even wish that he really touched me to where you were thinking¡­"


    Veia defended Rant Valo in a panic. She couldn''t just sit there and watch her master get smacked, defenseless.


    "Ow! It hurts!"


    "Then why did you moan?"


    Floriana Sabina asked her. She shouldn''t moan if Rant Valo truly only touched her on her arm. Of course, Floriana Sabina didn''t stop smacking Rant Valo.


    "I don''t know why but when Master touched me¡­ it felt good."


    Veia had a lustful smile on her face as she explained to Floriana Sabina. She couldn''t help it as she remembered the pleasurable feeling earlier.


    "Perverted demon!"


    Floriana Sabina swung her arm and smacked the fan on Veia''s body.

 Chapter 110 - Finding Something Unexpected

    "Ah! Grandmaster, you''ll ruin my skin¡­"


    Veia screamed as Floriana Sabina smacked her body.


    "I''m not even hitting your skin directly. Stop overreacting, you perverted demon!"


    Floriana Sabina raised her fan and smacked Veia once again.


    "Ahh! Ah!"


    Veia''s voice started to sound weirder and weirder.


    "Y-Y-You!! Stop making weird noises!"


    Floriana Sabina''s face went red as she listened to Veia moan. It was like she was doing something illegal right now.


    "Ahhh~!"


    Veia moaned louder after hearing Floriana Sabina''s words.


    "Now you''re doing it on purpose!"


    Floriana Sabina realized as she heard Veia''s moan.


    "Hehehe, Grandmaster finally stopped hitting me."


    Veia chuckled in victory. She moaned on purpose to put off Floriana Sabina.


    "Hmph! Perverted demon! I will let you go this time."


    Floriana Sabina snorted at Veia. Since Veia would only moan more and more, she could only give up and stop hitting Veia.


    "Hehehe~"


    Veia laughed to herself, which Floriana Sabina ignored in annoyance.


    "D-Disciple, test your magic technique on me this time."


    Floriana Sabina didn''t know why, but she stuttered when she talked to her disciple. There was something about him that was making her nervous.


    "Alright."


    Rant Valo nodded his head. It doesn''t make much of a difference for him anyway.


    "Master¡­"


    Veia slumped her shoulders downcast. She wanted to feel good from her master more.


    Rant Valo ignored her, opened the cultivation manual, and skipped the magic technique for the 5th Mana Condensation stage since he already learned it long ago.


    6th Mana Condensation stage, Luck Union. Compared to the 4th magic technique, this magic technique has a written description. It''s a magic technique that allows the user and another person to share their luck.


    ''This sounds good.''


    Rant Valo thought to himself. He just didn''t know how effective it would be.


    However, Rant Valo still followed the instructions written in the cultivation manual to learn how it works.


    Rant Valo circulated the mana inside his Core to his heart. It formed a stuffy feeling inside it. It was like something was gonna burst from his heart.


    "Master Floriana, give me your hands."


    Rant Valo called Floriana Sabina. Floriana Sabina opened her eyes and looked at Rant Valo before extending both of her small hands forward.


    "Relax, I''ll circulate my mana to the inside of your body."


    Rant Valo held her hand. He closed his eyes and focused on the mana inside his heart.


    As for Floriana Sabina, her heart was beating rapidly. The only time she held a man''s hands was when she instinctively held onto Rant Valo''s hand in the forest. Right now, having her two hands held so intimately made her blush.


    Floriana Sabina also closed her eyes as she waited for Rant Valo to circulate his mana to the inside of her body.


    Rant Valo pushed the mana from his heart to his left hand. He then slowly pushed it into Floriana Sabina''s body. Then to his right hand, a suction similar to the one that appeared when he grasped Veia''s arm earlier appeared.


    Floriana Sabina felt a warm and pleasurable energy enter from her right hand into her body. Then the suction force from Rant Valo''s right hand attracted it to her left hand as it started moving towards it.


    The warm energy entered her heart, and Floriana Sabina couldn''t help but jump.


    "Ah!!"


    Floriana Sabina quickly covered her mouth. She tried to hold back that moan, but it was just too powerful.


    "G-Grandmaster??"


    Veia turned her head to Floriana Sabina. She could see Floriana Sabina holding back her moans as she covered her mouth.


    "W-What is this, Disciple? Ahh!"


    Floriana Sabina couldn''t help but ask Rant Valo about it. It was weird as it was a constant stream of pleasure. Floriana Sabina never felt something like this before.


    The mana from Rant Valo''s left hand finally reached her left hand and entered into Rant Valo''s right hand. The moment the circle was completed, Floriana Sabina felt a connection between her and Rant Valo. It made her feel so close to him.


    "What''s this, Disciple?"


    She asked again as Rant Valo didn''t respond to her earlier.


    "It says that it connects our luck."


    Rant Valo explained to her.


    "Ohhh! That sounds interesting, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina exclaimed in amazement. She never thought that luck between two people could be connected. This should be something unique about the Supreme Law of Luck.


    "Yeah, I think so too."


    Rant Valo nodded his head in agreement. Though, he doesn''t know how this would actually work.


    "So¡­ what happens now, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina tilted her head as she asked. Instead of responding, Rant Valo let go of her hands.


    "Let''s just keep the connection. I also don''t know what happens with our luck connected."


    Rant Valo suggested to her. Since they have no idea, they might as well experiment with it.


    "Okay. We''ll do that, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head in agreement.


    "Hm? What''s this?"


    Floriana Sabina was just about to close her eyes when she noticed something sparkling on the floor. It was like a gem that was stuck on the ground.


    Floriana Sabina tried to pull it out, but it didn''t budge. She could only use her cultivation to pull it out. The moment she pulled it out, her jaw fell in shock.


    "What is this doing here!?"


    Floriana Sabina shouted loudly. This thing wasn''t supposed to exist here.


    "What''s wrong?"


    Rant Valo was taken aback by her sudden outburst.


    "T-THIS! Look at this, Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina showed the big gem that she just unearthed from the floor.


    It was red in color and was sparkling brightly with the light from the corners of the room.


    "What''s that?"


    Rant Valo asked in confusion. He doesn''t even know what it was. Though, it was really pretty.


    "It''s a Grade 8 Fire-element Mana Stone!"


    Floriana Sabina replied to him. A Mana Stone is a condensed form of mana. They form all around the world, and their main purpose was for cultivating faster. Using it, one would be able to absorb mana directly. Instead of having to absorb it from the air at a very slow rate.

 Chapter 111 - The Diving Magpie

    "A Grade 8 Fire-element Mana Stone?"


    Rant Valo repeated in puzzlement. He doesn''t have a clue what that is.


    "It''s something Mana Dominion stage cultivators use to cultivate. It''s very expensive. I only have a couple thousand of them with me."


    Floriana Sabina explained to Rant Valo.


    "Wow! That sounds really rare."


    Although Rant Valo still couldn''t fathom the rareness of this gem, he could still understand that it was really a rare object to find. At least, that''s what he understood from Floriana Sabina''s words.


    "Yes. That''s why I''m surprised to find one stuck in the floor."


    Floriana Sabina added. She simply used her powerful Fire-element cultivation to create this room. She didn''t expect to find a Grade 8 Mana Stone of the same element here.


    "Is this the effect of my magic technique?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but think so. After all, they had been sitting inside this room for a long time now. It was odd that they only found it now. The only plausible explanation was that Rant Valo''s magic technique caused it.


    "I think so, Disciple. Then this is the strength of your luck, huh?"


    Floriana Sabina agreed. Rant Valo''s luck was so overpowered that she could even find a Grade 8 Mana Stone randomly.


    "I''m actually this lucky?"


    Rant Valo looked at his own hands in disbelief. It certainly didn''t feel that way for him. Though, he sure did luck out when he became Floriana Sabina''s disciple.


    "Master, doesn''t that mean that you meeting me in that forest was also because of your luck?"


    Veia couldn''t help but think so. She had no memories of her past, and she was only wandering aimlessly when she found Floriana Sabina back then.


    "You might be right, Veia."


    Rant Valo had no choice but to agree with her words. Then, doesn''t that mean that he was actually lucky all this time, and he just hadn''t realized it? It gave Rant Valo chills.


    Luck is such an elusive and strange power. You wouldn''t know when it was doing its magic on you.


    "Let''s break your magic technique, Disciple. I don''t feel that it''s right that I take advantage of your luck. Who knows if this magic technique doesn''t have any negative side effects?"


    Floriana Sabina was not stupid. This kind of magic technique would surely have a side effect. They just didn''t know about it now.


    "I understand, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo nodded his head in understanding.


    "Let''s hold hands again."


    Rant Valo grabbed Floriana Sabina''s hands before closing his eyes.


    "I''ll pull out all of my mana that is inside you."


    Rant Valo informed her before he stopped the flow of his mana inside her body. He then pulled it all out with the suction from his right hand.


    "MmAh!"


    Floriana Sabina couldn''t help but let out a moan as the warm and pleasurable energy left her body.


    "See! Grandmaster, Master''s touch feels so good."


    Veia couldn''t help but prove her point when she saw Floriana Sabina moan after being touched by Rant Valo.


    "..."


    Floriana Sabina could not deny Veia''s words. She could only hold her mouth tightly and avoid moaning anymore. Thankfully, Rant Valo was done a few seconds later.


    "That should be it."


    Rant Valo let go of Floriana Sabina''s hand. He had already retrieved his mana that was inside her body.


    "That was good, Disciple¡­"


    Floriana Sabina murmured silently.


    "Hm? Did you say something?"


    Rant Valo perked his ears up. He thought that she said something to him.


    "N-Nothing! Disciple, cultivate more!"


    Floriana Sabina''s face turned red. She turned around and faced away from him. She didn''t know why those words came out of her mouth.


    "Okay..?"


    Rant Valo thought that she was acting weird. He shrugged his shoulders and read the cultivation manual before closing his eyes once more.


    "Hey, Grandmaster. It was good, right?"


    When Veia saw Rant Valo close his eyes, she nudged Floriana Sabina with her shoulders.


    "Y-You! Perverted demon! W-What are you saying?"


    Floriana Sabina''s face turned redder after hearing Veia''s words. She looked at her in a fluster.


    "You felt good, right?"


    Veia stared straight into Floriana Sabina''s eyes. There was a suggestive look inside her eyes.


    "I¡­ I didn''t¡­"


    Floriana Sabina turned her head away from Veia. She didn''t dare to admit it.


    "Come on, Grandmaster. I don''t mind sharing, Master."


    Veia grinned licentiously at Floriana Sabina.


    "Perverted demon! Go away!!"


    Floriana Sabina''s fan appeared on her hands once more, and she started smacking Veia with it. She didn''t like where Veia''s words were going.


    "Ouch! I''m just joking, Grandmaster! I''ll moan again! I''ll moan again if you continue!"


    Veia pleaded desperately. This time, Floriana Sabina''s smacks had force in them. She was probably letting off her anger at Veia.


    "Hmph! Moan louder, you perverted demon!! No one will hear you!"


    Floriana Sabina flicked her fingers, and a small dome surrounded Rant Valo that kept the noise outside.


    "I''m sorry!!"


    Veia stood up and ran away. It was her only choice left as Floriana Sabina was not stopping.


    "Hmph! Come here!"


    Floriana Sabina ran after Veia. Though, for some reason, Floriana Sabina was not using her cultivation to catch Veia. She was barely reaching her with the fan.


    They ran in circles around the room. As for Rant Valo, he was totally oblivious to what was happening outside. He just continued cultivating.


    Listed for the 7th Mana Condensation stage, Diving Magpie.


    Legend has it that a Magpie brings people luck. This magic technique summons an illusory magpie that will dive down from the sky and attack your enemy, from the bearer of luck to the protector of luck. That is the Diving Magpie.


    When Rant Valo tried to do what was written in the cultivation manual, he realized that it was significantly harder than the previous ones. This magic technique actually required him to circulate his mana in a very complex pattern.


    Even so, Rant Valo didn''t give up. In his opinion, this was just a small challenge. As this would be his first attack magic technique, Rant Valo wanted to learn it no matter what. The previous ones were almost useless in combat, after all.


    An hour later, Rant Valo opened his eyes. There was a confident smile hanging on his face.

 Chapter 112 - Veias Lap Pillow

    When Rant Valo opened his eyes, he was taken aback. He blinked his eyes as he watched Floriana Sabina run after Veia with a fan in her hand. She looked like a little girl running after her big sister.


    "Uh¡­ What are you girls doing?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but open his mouth to ask.


    "D-DISCIPLE!! A-Ah¡­ There''s a bug on her back and we are trying to kill it..."


    Floriana Sabina replied in a fluster and lied to cover herself up. Though, she averted her eyes when Rant Valo raised his eyebrow.


    "Phew! I finally escaped from her¡­"


    Veia sat on the floor and laid her back on the wall. They had been running around for longer than an hour.


    Rant Valo shook his head and decided to pretend that he didn''t see any of that. He had to keep his master''s dignity, after all.


    "Anyways, Master Floriana. Let''s go outside. I''ll show you my new magic technique."


    Rant Valo stood up and left the room. Floriana Sabina followed him, and soon Veia too after resting for a bit longer.


    "Disciple, just what is this magic technique? Can''t we do it inside?"


    Floriana Sabina couldn''t help but ask. She could slightly guess that this would be significantly different than the other ones.


    "Just watch, Master Floriana. Stand over there and erect a barrier."


    Rant Valo pointed in front of him. Floriana Sabina followed to where he pointed at, and stood there. She also erected a simple barrier in front of her with a flick of her fingers.


    "Ready?"


    Rant Valo asked her while Veia watched from the side.


    "Just do it, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina urged him impatiently.


    Rant Valo closed his eyes and looked inside his body. He reviewed the mana channels his mana should pass through to make sure that he got everything correctly. When he was sure that he got it right, his white mana traveled inside his body in a complex way.


    Then a small illusory Magpie appeared behind him. It was flapping its wings as it hovered in the air.


    "Diving Magpie!"


    Rant Valo opened his eyes and shouted out loud. The illusory Magpie let out a loud cry before diving down towards Floriana Sabina''s barrier. It made a black blur that swooped down swiftly.


    The illusory Magpie exploded into a bundle of feathers that slowly disappeared as they fell to the ground.


    "Wow! That was an attack magic technique! Well done, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina exclaimed and praised Rant Valo. She didn''t expect for him to use an attack magic technique against her. She thought that it would just be another of that weird magic technique that destroys barriers.


    "Hahaha, it was a bit hard, but it was worth it."


    Rant Valo laughed in satisfaction. Her praises are really nice.


    "Mm. You can fight against them now, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head. In her opinion, just with this magic technique, Rant Valo would be able to win against anyone in that sect competition.


    "Yes, but I still have more magic techniques to learn."


    Rant Valo agreed with her. He could now technically fight fairly well, but he doesn''t think that it was sufficient enough.


    "There''s more!? Disciple, you''ll be unstoppable!"


    Floriana Sabina was genuinely surprised. That cultivation manual had more magic techniques than she thought it would have. If Rant Valo learns more magic techniques, added with this attack magic technique, no one on the same Major Stage would be able to fight against him.


    "Yes. There are 3 more."


    Rant Valo nodded his head with a smile.


    "Wow! Then cultivate more, Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina urged him. She didn''t want to delay his cultivation any further since he still needed to learn more.


    "Alright, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo smiled at her gently. She was really a good master. She urged him to cultivate so he could quickly become stronger.


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head in satisfaction. She would finally be able to boast to the world how good of a disciple she has. It was why she wanted Rant Valo to cultivate more.


    "Perverted demon, I''ll not chase you anymore."


    Floriana Sabina told Veia before she entered back into the underground room.


    Veia beamed happily after hearing Floriana Sabina''s words. She followed Floriana Sabina with confident steps.


    Rant Valo sat down on the floor and read the cultivation manual immediately. He took in the instructions in it before he closed his eyes once more.


    Listed for the 8th Mana Condensation stage, The Flap of the Lucky Phoenix. It was also an attack magic technique. It summons a phoenix from the horizon that will flap its wings and send a huge arc of flames towards the target.


    This was very complex and complicated. It took Rant Valo about 3 hours just to master this one technique. He opened his eyes and let out a huge sigh. This magic technique took a toll on his mind. He didn''t think that he would be able to learn another one without resting.


    "Master, you look tired. Was this cultivation session hard?"


    Veia approached him. There was a concerned look on her face as she sat in front of him.


    "It was. I don''t think I''ll be able to learn the other ones easily either."


    Rant Valo nodded his head slowly in tiredness.


    "Here. I''ll let master rest his head on my lap."


    Veia patted her lap as she was sitting in a seiza position. Rant Valo wasn''t able to reject her when he thought of how comfortable it would be to rest on it.


    "Thank you, Veia."


    Rant Valo moved his body and rested his head on her lap while facing her.


    "M-Master¡­ If you look at my special place, I''ll become weird."


    Veia shyly complained to Rant Valo. She could feel his hot breath tickling her legs. It was a very stimulating experience for a vampire-succubus hybrid like her.


    "O-Oh."


    Rant Valo awkwardly turned his body to face the other way. Her words made him think of lewd thoughts about her.


    Floriana Sabina sensed that Rant Valo moved and she opened her eyes. What she saw made her open her jaw wide in shock.


    "W-What are you guys doing!?"


    Floriana Sabina reacted in alarm with a red face.

 Chapter 113 - Floriana Sabina And Veias Chat

    "Shh. Master is resting."


    Veia shushed Floriana Sabina. She looked at her, annoyed. In her opinion, her Master''s wellbeing is her priority right now.


    "Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina walked towards them. She looked at Rant Valo, who was about to fall asleep.


    "I guess I''ll let it slide this time¡­"


    Floriana Sabina sighed. Her disciple was tired, and it would be evil of her to stop him from getting his well-deserved rest.


    Soon, Rant Valo fell asleep. His breathing became slower and more relaxed.


    "Hmph. Always taking advantage of my disciple."


    Floriana Sabina snorted at Veia after realizing that Rant Valo was already asleep.


    "I just love Master that much¡­"


    Veia had a longing look on her face as she stared at Rant Valo''s face. She was willing to do anything for her master. The more she drank his blood, the more he took control of her heart. In the end, Veia was entirely smitten by him.


    "Love¡­"


    Floriana Sabina couldn''t deny Veia''s words. She has seen how Veia acts towards Rant Valo, and she was sure that Veia was doing it out of love.


    "Grandmaster, I love Master so much that I was even willing to share him with a woman that I have never met. That''s why I''m more willing to share him with you. At least, I know that Grandmaster is someone I could trust Master to."


    Veia spoke what was inside her heart. Her Master was destined for great things. She knew that he had a lot of priorities right now. She conceded herself by acceding to his desire to marry both her and that other girl. So that he could focus on his goals.


    "V-Veia, stop saying things like that."


    Floriana Sabina responded in embarrassment. Veia''s words suggested that she was in love with her disciple when she was clearly not.


    "I can feel it, Grandmaster. That one day you will also become Master''s woman."


    Veia replied with a serene smile on her face. From the early signs that she was seeing, she was almost 100% sure that Floriana Sabina will one day fall for Rant Valo.


    "M-Me? He''s just a kid in my eyes. Why would I fall for him?"


    Floriana Sabina''s face was blushing as she tried to deny Veia''s words. In her mind, it doesn''t make sense that she''d fall in love with her disciple. It would be a desecration of their pure Master-Disciple Relationship.


    "Age is just a number, Grandmaster. Just look at you. You look like a little girl when your age is much greater than what one would think."


    Veia didn''t even want to believe it at first that Floriana Sabina was more than 500 years old, but she didn''t have any choice but to believe it as Floriana Sabina''s strength is great enough of proof.


    "I know, but¡­ Veia, your words just don''t make sense to me."


    Floriana Sabina understood where Veia was coming from, but she still had her pride and all. If she starts a love relationship with her disciple, she would be ashamed.


    "Then¡­ once you change your mind, tell me, Grandmaster. I''ll make us a big and happy family!"


    Veia smiled at her kindly. She will make her Master the happiest man in the world!


    "Veia¡­"


    Floriana Sabina could see the determination and resolve that Veia has. She was determined to make her master happy, and she was resolved to do anything to achieve that.


    Several hours later, Rant Valo opened his eyes. He looked up at Veia with sleepy eyes.


    "Good evening, Master."


    Veia greeted him. There was a sweet smile on her face.


    "V-Veia!?"


    Rant Valo immediately stood up in shock. He looked at her smiling face and her lap repeatedly.


    "Did you enjoy sleeping on my lap, Master?"


    Veia asked him.


    "W-Why was I sleeping on your lap?"


    Rant Valo asked in a stutter. He still didn''t recall what happened before.


    "You were too tired, Master, so I offered you my lap, and you slept on it very comfortably."


    Veia explained to him with a teasing smile on her face. Rant Valo finally remembered after he heard her words. His face turned red as he realized that he slept on her lap for so long.


    "I see. Thank you."


    Rant Valo thanked her with an awkward smile on his face.


    "You can sleep on my lap whenever you want, Master."


    Veia nodded her head before she stood up. Having her lap slept on for so long made her legs feel numb.


    Rant Valo scratched the back of his head awkwardly. Though, he couldn''t deny that it was really comfortable sleeping on Veia''s lap. It was like he was sleeping on a soft pillow.


    "Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo nudged Floriana Sabina, who was cultivating just near him. She opened her eyes and looked at him. There was a weird look in her eyes.


    "Oh, Disciple. What do you want?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him with an emotionless face.


    Rant Valo was taken aback by her face. He immediately thought back to the past, but he couldn''t remember making her angry.


    "I want to test my new magic technique."


    Rant Valo replied to her. Since he doesn''t have any idea why she was acting so coldly, he could only forget about it.


    "Okay."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head and stood up. Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina exited the underground room. Veia was already outside. She was sitting on top of a rock as she allowed her legs to rest.


    "Oh, Master, and¡­ Grandmaster."


    Veia noticed the cold face Floriana Sabina was putting on. For her, who was always with Floriana Sabina, it was self-evident.


    Floriana Sabina only nodded her head at Veia in greeting.


    "Alright, Master Floriana. Stand there again. I''ll use another attack magic technique."


    Rant Valo stood at the same spot from earlier, and so did Floriana Sabina. Rant Valo took a deep breath and released it before he closed his eyes.


    This would be a tough magic technique to execute. That''s why he was slightly nervous.


    Rant Valo circulated his mana in a very complicated manner as it went left and right throughout his body before he opened his eyes.


    "Flap of the Lucky Phoenix!"


    Rant Valo shouted.

 Chapter 114 - The Little Beauty Amidst Destruction

    The moment Rant Valo shouted. A cloud of glittering red dust appeared on the horizon. It sparkled brightly in the night sky.


    It was said that the Phoenix is a sign of good luck and rebirth, a mythological creature that exists in the sun.


    Floriana Sabina and Veia''s eyes were attracted by it, and they couldn''t help but stare in amazement.


    The cloud of red dust moved rapidly towards Floriana Sabina. It slowly turned into a flaming orange phoenix. The phoenix suddenly flapped its wings backward. The flap of its wings generated a flaming red burst of flame that attacked Floriana Sabina''s erected barrier.


    The red burst of flame hit the barrier and scattered fire onto the surroundings. It was a beautiful scene on this dark night.


    CRACK


    Floriana Sabina heard an audible crack, and she immediately looked down towards her barrier. Cobweb-like cracks were visible in the center. It was as if someone smashed a floor tile.


    "!!?"


    Floriana Sabina''s calm face was immediately replaced with shock and bewilderment.


    "Master, I didn''t know you can wield the Fire Element!"


    Veia exclaimed. It was her first time seeing her master ever use a Fire Element magic technique. The only magic techniques she saw him use were his odd magic techniques that seem to have no element in them.


    "That was tiring."


    Rant Valo let out a sigh. Although that magic technique was very powerful, it was also very taxing to his body. He has never felt this drained, even when he used his other magic techniques. At most, he could only use this magic technique three more times before he runs out of mana to use.


    "Disciple, you make me so proud."


    Floriana Sabina opened her mouth. She was genuinely surprised that Rant Valo''s magic technique was able to crack her erected barrier.


    "This was an Early Foundation Establishment stage barrier. It should have easily repelled your magic techniques, but this crack is proof that you are very powerful. Your diligence is admirable, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina added in explanation. Her cold face from earlier was nowhere to be seen. It was replaced by a happy gleam.


    "Thank you, Master Floriana. I''ll do my best to do better so you can be more proud of me."


    Rant Valo bowed at her. If it weren''t for her, he wouldn''t even be able to realize that he was actually a talented cultivator. Everything he has now, he owes to her.


    "M-Mm."


    Floriana Sabina''s face blushed after hearing Rant Valo''s words. It was like he had seen through her intentions.


    Veia held her chin in thought as she watched Floriana Sabina and her master. She was thinking of an effective way to tie them up together.


    "Then, I''ll continue cultivating."


    Rant Valo bid her farewell before he entered back into the underground room. He was pretty excited to see how strong the other magic techniques would be. They should be powerful, that he was sure.


    The night quickly passed, and morning came. This time Rant Valo took 8 hours to learn the 9th Magic Technique that was called ''The Lucky Dragon Breath''.


    From the descriptions of the magic technique, it was capable of summoning the soul of an Azure Dragon that would temporarily take over the user''s body. Then it would control the user to release a jet of blazing flame from the user''s mouth.


    Just reading this technique made Rant Valo feel a headache. It required him to cultivate in a weird position. One moment he would be hand standing; the other, he would be arching his back. Rant Valo''s body was now all sore because of it.


    They were now back outside, and Floriana Sabina stood in the same position without Rant Valo saying anything. She already erected a barrier in front of her with a flick of her fingers.


    Rant Valo also didn''t say much. He sat down on the ground cross-legged as he conditioned himself. He closed his eyes and double-checked everything inside his body. Once he was sure that he could execute this magic technique successfully, he opened his eyes and stood up.


    "Master Floriana, be careful."


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but warn her in worry. He was sure that this magic technique would be stronger than the last one after he mastered it.


    "Just do it, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina urged him. She was impatient as always.


    Rant Valo took a deep, deep breath and released it. He closed his eyes and danced in front of her.


    "Puh-!"


    Veia couldn''t hold back her laughter after seeing the weird moves her master is making. He was moving like a hip hop and a pop dancer at the same time while acting like a kung fu master every now and then.


    Rant Valo suddenly halted and opened his eyes as he faced her before extending his right palm while pulling back his left palm.


    "Lucky Dragon''s Breath!"


    Rant Valo shouted fiercely. A massive shadow of an Azure Dragon appeared behind it. It exuded a pressure that made Veia almost submit and bow to it. This was the power of a Divine Dragon.


    The shadow of the Azure Dragon dove into Rant Valo''s body. Rant Valo closed his eyes as a severe pain hit his body. When he opened his eyes again, it had turned to an eye of a dragon.


    Rant Valo opened his mouth, and an orange-white hot jet of flame burst out. It hit Floriana Sabina''s barrier and easily passed through it like butter.


    "Eigh!"


    Floriana Sabina covered her face with her small arm, and the dragon''s breath was deflected away from her face to hit her body. Contrary to Rant Valo and Veia''s expectations, neither her clothes nor her body was affected by it.


    Floriana Sabina calmly watched as the dragon''s breath slowly died down.


    Once the magic technique was finished, Rant Valo stared at Floriana Sabina in shock. She just accepted his attack without even being affected by it in any way.


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but look around at the molten ground and Floriana Sabina''s pristine appearance. It was such a great contrast between destruction and beauty.

 Chapter 115 - Veias Scheme

    "Master Floriana looks so beautiful¡­"


    Rant Valo murmured in a daze. She was like a divine fairy so beautiful that even fire avoids destroying her godly figure.


    "Hm? What are you looking at me in a daze for?"


    Floriana Sabina noticed Rant Valo looking at her blankly. She raised an eyebrow as she asked him.


    "N-Nothing."


    Rant Valo turned away and gulped. He was just having weird thoughts about his master, who looks like a kid. Something was wrong with his head.


    "Anyway, you did well, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head in satisfaction. She looked down at the ground and at the damage done by Rant Valo''s magic technique. It was awe-inspiring for a 10th Mana Condensation stage cultivator like Rant Valo to easily destroy an Early Foundation Establishment barrier.


    "It was all thanks to the cultivation manual Master Floriana gave me."


    Rant Valo humbly replied to her. He didn''t dare to claim that his achievements were just because of his talent because his master also contributed to it.


    "Hmph!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted and turned her head away. Though, one would notice that her ears were faintly red from embarrassment. She was really easily embarrassed whenever her disciple praises her.


    "Master, Master. You looked so cool using that magic technique!"


    Veia got out of her reverie and stood in front of Rant Valo. Her eyes were shining from admiration. Her master is really the best!


    "Thanks, Veia."


    Rant Valo patted her head. She was just like a puppy when she acts like that.


    "Mm."


    Veia nodded her head happily. Just having her head rubbed by Rant Valo is enough to make her happy.


    "Veia, you haven''t drunk my blood for a while, right?"


    Rant Valo asked her as he suddenly remembered that he had been actually neglecting her these past few days. She must be thirsting for his blood now.


    "Yes. Yes! Master is really the best!"


    Veia hugged him in excitement. She was so happy that her master remembered her thirst for his blood.


    "Ghh¡­"


    Floriana Sabina didn''t know why but she felt irritated when she saw Veia acting so close to Rant Valo. It was like she was doing it on purpose.


    "Come, come. Master, let''s go inside so I can drink your blood."


    Veia locked her arm with Rant Valo as she pulled him into the underground room. When they were about to enter the underground room, Veia turned towards Floriana Sabina and smirked.


    A vein bulged on Floriana Sabina''s forehead after seeing Veia''s obvious provocations. Floriana Sabina breathed in and out several times to calm herself. She could guess that Veia was doing it on purpose to irk her.


    A few minutes later.


    "Hahh¡­ Master''s blood is delicious."


    Veia lowered the bowl she was holding. She had just drunk Rant Valo''s blood. Her eyes were slowly turning more lustful by the second. Rant Valo noticed it and ignored it. He thought that she would just calm down again soon, but Veia pressed her body against him contrary to his expectations. She started moving her hands across his body.


    Rant Valo was flustered and tried to escape. He promised his master that he wouldn''t do it with Veia yet.


    Meanwhile, Floriana Sabina was looking at the entrance of the underground room. What''s going through her mind is unknown.


    "Help, Master Floriana!"


    Rant Valo shouted from inside. He couldn''t move away from Veia''s clutches. He only realized it now, but her cultivation was actually already higher than his. After drinking his blood so many times, her cultivation had improved by leaps and bounds.


    "Hmph! Enjoy yourself, stupid disciple."


    Floriana Sabina snorted and turned her head away stubbornly. She doesn''t care about his love life at all. Whatever he does, she wouldn''t interfere. He''s just a kid anyway. Who knows? His cultivation might even improve by leaps and bounds after he does it with Veia.


    "Ahh!"


    Rant Valo''s loud voice sounded once again. This time it was from genuine panic.


    Floriana Sabina covered her ears as she tried to act like she heard nothing. But deep down, inside Floriana Sabina''s heart, an inner struggle was happening.


    ''My disciple, save my disciple from that perverted demon!''


    A Floriana Sabina shouted inside her heart.


    ''Hmph! Let him be. He''s much happier with his servant anyway. How dare he spoil her.''


    Another Floriana Sabina argued.


    Floriana Sabina shook her head. She was getting lost on what to do. She didn''t even know if what she was doing right now was right or wrong.


    ''I can feel it, Grandmaster. That one day you will also become Master''s woman.''


    Veia''s words echoed inside her head.


    "No! No! He''s just a kid!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted as she shook her head left and right in an attempt to get rid of her stray thoughts.


    Back inside the underground room, Veia stopped harassing Rant Valo. She looked up towards the entrance of the underground room with a frown.


    "V-Veia? Why did you stop?"


    Rant Valo had a blank expression on his face as he looked at Veia. Just when he gave up and stopped resisting, she actually stopped. The Veia that he knew wouldn''t be able to go against her instincts.


    "Master, please stay here no matter what."


    Veia pleaded to Rant Valo before heading out of the underground room. There was anger visible on her face. It was an anger that Veia has never shown ever since she met Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina.


    Veia stopped in front of Floriana Sabina, who was sitting on a large rock.


    "Grandmaster!"


    She shouted at her.


    "Veia? Are you done already?"


    Floriana Sabina''s face was blank, and it looked as if she lost her soul.


    "Grandmaster, are you really abandoning my master just like that? Just because you think he''s just a kid!?"


    Veia looked straight into Floriana Sabina''s eyes. If this were several weeks ago, she wouldn''t have dared to do this, but for her master''s happiness, she was willing to go against Floriana Sabina.


    "You already did it with him. What more do you want me to say?"


    Floriana Sabina stared back at Veia with her lifeless eyes.

 Chapter 116 - Floriana Sabina Gains Her Bearings

    "I didn''t do it with Master yet."


    Veia answered Floriana Sabina as she continued staring right into her eyes.


    "You didn''t?"


    Floriana Sabina''s lifeless eyes slowly lit up as hope appeared inside her heart. She peered into Veia''s eyes and tried to discern if she was lying or not.


    "Of course not. I... I don''t want to disappoint Master."


    Veia answered. She knew that even if Rant Valo gives her the okay signal now, he would one day be disappointed in her. What if her Master never cultivated again and just wanted to do it with her? That would be against her Master''s goals. He would never reach the peak of cultivation if that happened.


    "Then, what happened down there?"


    Floriana Sabina couldn''t help but ask. She became downcast as she realized that they may have done something else.


    "Master is still a virgin as ever. Except for his first kiss that you stole."


    Veia replied candidly. A smirk formed on her face at the end of her words.


    "I-I see."


    Floriana Sabina''s face went beet red at the mention of her stealing Rant Valo''s first kiss. Although, deep inside she felt a little bit pleased about it.


    "Though, I''m disappointed in you, Grandmaster."


    Veia''s face turned into a frown.


    "Why? Is it because I stole his first kiss?"


    Floriana Sabina furrowed her eyebrows together. That was the only reason she could think that Veia would be mad at her.


    "No. But because you didn''t stop me earlier. What if I truly lost control of myself and did it with Master? What happened to your words that he should focus on cultivation?! Was that all just a lie?!! DO YOU REALLY WANT MASTER TO REACH THE PEAK OF CULTIVATION OR NOT!?"


    Veia was panting as she angrily questioned Floriana Sabina. She trusted her that she would truly take care of her Master, but when the time came for Floriana Sabina to do her duty, she didn''t do anything! It was like she forgot that she was even Rant Valo''s master.


    "I... I thought he''ll be happier if he does it with you."


    Floriana Sabina looked down. She herself was confused about what she was doing.


    "No! Grandmaster, you know that in the end, Master would not be able to achieve anything if he gets addicted to doing it with me. That''s because I''m a succubus! If he truly does it with me, he''ll be craving it every second. My Master will love me more and yearn for me more, but I don''t want that! I want my master to be strong enough to resist the power of this cursed body that I don''t even want! I want him to love me with his true self..."


    Veia''s words were long and her face was already tearing up. In the end, she couldn''t hold back her tears at the end of her speech. Her tears began to flow down like an unstoppable waterfall. She was someone who had a dark past. She doesn''t want this life to be dark too. If her Master lost himself then he would just be a shell of his past self. He won''t be the same Master that she loves.


    "I... But he looked so happy being with you..."


    Floriana Sabina murmured with a disheartened face. She felt annoyed that Rant Valo was happier being with Veia so she decided to stop caring about what they would do together.


    "That''s not true! My master is also happy when he''s with Grandmaster. You just don''t want to accept it, because you don''t want to fall in love with Master!"


    Veia denied Floriana Sabina''s words with a vehement shake of her head. She wiped her tears as she sniffed in her snot.


    "But he''s just a kid..."


    Floriana Sabina answered softly.


    "That doesn''t matter! You are a cultivator, right? Shouldn''t you care less about age?"


    Veia answered forcefully. Her words were truths that hit deep into Floriana Sabina''s heart. Floriana Sabina wasn''t able to say anything in reply.


    Why did she even worry about their age gap? In love, age is just a number. Was it because of their Master-Disciple Relationship? Floriana Sabina knew that there were stories of other cultivators that started as Master-Disciple first before they got together and reached the same cultivation stage before marrying.


    What if Rant Valo also does the same? Floriana Sabina nurtures him to her level, then once they''re on the same level...


    Floriana Sabina suddenly stood up. She already got her answer.


    "Veia, Thank you."


    Floriana Sabina looked towards Veia gratefully. She had opened her eyes to a new possibility, to a new future with her disciple.


    "I''m glad that I was able to convince you."


    Veia wiped the tears on her face with a satisfied smile. She did it. Her Master and Grandmaster will finally get together. It made her want to scream in joy just imagining what would happen next.


    "Mm."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head before walking towards the underground room. She had some disciplining to do.


    "Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted once she was inside the underground room.


    "M-Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo shivered as he realized that he f*cked up. It wouldn''t make sense that Veia would suddenly just stop. It had to be some sort of scheme!


    "You failed your test!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted in answer. She could only pretend that it was a test of his will and that she planned it with Veia.


    "I knew it!"


    Rant Valo gritted his teeth in frustration. It was all so fishy from the start. Why would Floriana Sabina not stop Veia? Why would Veia lure him here? It was all a trap! It was a surprise test by Floriana Sabina. He finally understood why she acted cold to him last night.


    "What do you know? If you knew then you would have continued resisting!"


    "Ow! Ow!"


    Floriana Sabina smacked Rant Valo two times on the head with her fan. She was upset that her disciple even dared to give up his resistance.


    "Forgive me, Master Floriana!"


    Rant Valo retreated to the corner of the room in fear. She looked genuinely angered this time. Who knows what she would do with him? She may even castrate him! His little brother will never find a little sister if that happened!

 Chapter 117 - Floriana Sabina Shows Her Mature And Womanly Side

    "You dare ask for forgiveness!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted back at him in anger.


    "I''m really sorry!"


    Rant Valo curled his body in the corner and hid his face from her. She was not like the Floriana Sabina that he knew. She was more fierce and scarier. It was the Floriana Sabina of Rant Valo''s nightmare.


    "Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Not there!! Master Floriana, please stop!"


    ¡­


    It went on for a while. Only when Floriana Sabina''s wrist started to hurt did she stop. Rant Valo''s body was already black and blue. Even his mother would find it hard to recognize him now.


    "Hahh¡­ Hahhhh¡­ Finally, she stopped¡­"


    Rant Valo panted. His throat was already hoarse from all the shouting that he has been doing.


    "Disciple¡­"


    Contrary to his expectations, Floriana Sabina kneeled on the floor and hugged him tightly.


    "Ow! Ow! Holy sh*t!! Master Floriana!! Stop torturing me!!"


    Rant Valo could feel the bruises on his skin hurt more and more when she started embracing him. He thought that this was another form of her torture.


    "Ah, I''m sorry!"


    Floriana Sabina released Rant Valo. Her eyes were red for some reason. She pulled a pill bottle from her Storage Ring and got a pill from it. She then shoved it inside Rant Valo''s mouth before she continued embracing him tightly.


    "Ouch! Ouch. Ou¡­ Oh! It feels better."


    Rant Valo was still moaning in pain when his bruises started to heal. It was until he felt even better than what he usually feels.


    "What was that pill?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but ask Floriana Sabina, who was in his arms. He could feel that this pill that she just gave him was significantly different than before.


    "I-It''s a life-saving pill that I keep for myself."


    Floriana Sabina answered as she continued cuddling him. Rant Valo could feel her warmth being transferred to his body.


    "Master Floriana? Are you okay?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but ask her. He could feel that Floriana Sabina was acting very different compared to before.


    "Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina called him softly.


    "Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo raised his eyebrow as he also replied in a soft voice.


    "Do you love me as your Master?"


    Floriana Sabina pushed her face away from Rant Valo''s shoulders and looked at him in the eyes.


    "N-Not anymore. After what you just did."


    Rant Valo replied to her with a wry smile on his face. Who would even say that they love her after she just violently tortured them till she was satisfied?


    "Mm. I understand. Why don''t we start our relationship again?"


    Floriana Sabina mumbled to him.


    "What do you mean?"


    Rant Valo asked her in confusion. She would still be his master no matter what, even though she just treated him violently.


    "This time, you and I will be a normal boy and a normal girl."


    Floriana Sabina suggested with a smile on her face.


    "That doesn''t make sense."


    Rant Valo answered back. He just became more confused by her words.


    "I mean so that we can fall in love with each other¡­"


    Floriana Sabina whispered into Rant Valo''s ear. When Rant Valo processed her words, his heart skipped a beat. She couldn''t possibly mean that she wanted to start a love relationship with him??


    "That¡­ I''m not into kids¡­"


    Rant Valo replied to her. Although his words right now were not even entirely true as he could feel something arise from his heart towards her.


    "That wouldn''t matter, right? I''m much older than you, while I look very young. You can forget about that problem of yours."


    Floriana Sabina tapped Rant Valo on the nose. The aura she was exuding right now was entirely different than what Rant Valo always sees. She felt more womanly right now. The previous Floriana Sabina was a haughty little princess, but she was now a tempting mature princess.


    Rant Valo gulped. She was like an enchantress right now. Rant Valo never dreamed that he would see this side of his master.


    "Okay."


    Rant Valo nodded his head.


    Floriana Sabina grinned victoriously and let go of Rant Valo. She stood up and stood in front of him.


    "Hmph! Don''t you dare touch me now, Disciple. I-I''ll only let you touch me after o-our relationship progresses more¡­"


    Floriana Sabina was already back to her old self. Her face to her neck was entirely red from embarrassment.


    "Y-Yeah."


    Rant Valo blinked his eyes repeatedly. She was acting so different in contrast to what she was like earlier.


    "I''ll leave you alone, Disciple. Don''t you dare not resist Veia''s advances. Otherwise, hehehe."


    Floriana Sabina bid her farewell with a small ''warning'' to Rant Valo.


    Rant Valo gulped in fear. He didn''t know that his master was actually so scary. He couldn''t help but worry for his future.


    Rant Valo relaxed and rested his body on the room''s walls. He could finally relax now that she was gone. What happened to her? Why did she confess to him? Although Rant Valo could not deny that he did have thoughts about his master, it was still not at the level that he was in love with her.


    Soon, Veia came and peeked at Rant Valo. She looked at him curiously.


    "Master, are you okay?"


    Veia asked him with a worried face. She had been waiting outside for so long, and she couldn''t hear anything. Veia didn''t know this, but Floriana Sabina actually secretly erected a barrier that prevented Rant Valo''s screams from traveling outside.


    "Eh? You didn''t hear?"


    Rant Valo was taken aback. He was screaming so much that it would be weird that she didn''t hear about it.


    "Hear what, Master?"


    Veia became confused by Rant Valo''s words.


    "Nothing. Forget it."


    Rant Valo shook his head. If she didn''t hear it, then she might as well not know about it. It would just be embarrassing if he told it to her.


    Rant Valo stood up, but to his surprise. Something was different about his body. His muscles were more firm, and every movement of his was filled with power.


    "W-What is this?"


    Rant Valo looked at his hands in shock.

 Chapter 118 - Scheme Successful

    "What''s wrong, Master?"


    Veia couldn''t help but ask Rant Valo when she saw the shocked expression on his face.


    "I can feel that my body is much stronger than before! This is unbelievable. Just what did Master Floriana do to me?"


    Rant Valo wondered out loud. Her smacks that he thought were just punishment were just actually her way of strengthening his body. But why didn''t she inform him?


    "Grandmaster improved your strength??"


    Veia was bewildered. She thought that Floriana Sabina would have smacked her master many times, but she does not even see any bruises. Instead, her master looks the same and is even stronger than before.


    "Yes, I think so."


    Rant Valo nodded his head. Although it was unbelievable that she was actually strengthening his body all that time, he was forced to believe it as it was the only plausible explanation that he could think of.


    "That''s amazing! Grandmaster really cares so much about you."


    Veia exclaimed in amazement.


    "Hahaha¡­ I don''t think so¡­"


    Rant Valo chuckled wryly at her words. If only she knew what torture and pain he went through, she wouldn''t think the same.


    "Why not, Master? She seemed really angry when she went in here. So for her to actually strengthen your body instead, isn''t that proof that she cares about you?"


    Veia explained to Rant Valo.


    "Forget it. I don''t want to talk about what happened earlier."


    Rant Valo shook his head. Just remembering what happened earlier made Rant Valo feel the pain again.


    "Aww?"


    Veia slumped down her head reluctantly. She was still very curious about what really happened in here.


    "I''ll cultivate my 10th magic technique now, Veia."


    Rant Valo informed Veia before he sat down on the floor. He opened his cultivation manual and started reading through the instructions.


    "Mm."


    Veia nodded before she left the underground room so Rant Valo could have some quiet peace. She then went to find Floriana Sabina.


    Before long, she found Floriana Sabina sitting on top of a tree branch as she swung her legs back and forth.


    "Grandmaster?"


    Veia called her.


    "Oh, Veia? What is it?"


    Floriana Sabina asked with a relaxed smile on her face. After what happened inside the underground room, Floriana Sabina was not worried about anything anymore.


    "Grandmaster, what did you do to Master? He didn''t want to tell me."


    Veia asked her with a face full of curiosity.


    "Hmph! I smacked him till he was black and blue."


    Floriana Sabina''s face changed, and she snorted as she replied.


    "R-Really? But Master said that he became stronger."


    Veia raised her eyebrows in confusion. She didn''t even see any bruise on her master''s body. Or could it be hidden!? All of a sudden, Veia couldn''t help but become worried for her master.


    "Of course! That was because I strengthened his body by stimulating his muscles to grow stronger and harder. It''s a technique I happen to know."


    Floriana Sabina raised her chin in pride. She didn''t want to just hurt her disciple for nothing. It was what one would call, striking two birds with one stone. Veia sighed in relief after hearing her words.


    "I see. So did you say it to him?"


    Veia asked Floriana Sabina with a teasing smile. Floriana Sabina blushed when she heard Veia''s words.


    "I did! So what?"


    Floriana Sabina answered Veia arrogantly.


    "That''s great! I''m looking forward to it when Master tells me that he would also marry you."


    Veia replied with a joyous smile on her face. She could already see it¡ªthe time when Master would also ask to marry Floriana Sabina.


    "Hmph. Just wait. I''ll show you."


    Floriana Sabina snorted and turned her head away from Veia. She had this arrogance around her as she sat on the tree branch.


    "Yes!"


    Veia beamed happily at her words.


    A day later, Rant Valo opened his eyes. He had mastered the final magic technique for the Mana Condensation stage.


    Rant Valo exited the underground room and found to his surprise, that Floriana Sabina and Veia were chatting as they sat beside each other.


    "Veia? Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo called out to them in surprise.


    "Oh, Disciple! We have been waiting for you."


    "Master, you are done now?"


    Both Floriana Sabina and Veia greeted Rant Valo with a smile. Rant Valo thought that he was seeing things. He has never seen Floriana Sabina and Veia so close to each other.


    "Yes, I''m ready to try it out."


    Rant Valo nodded his head solemnly. This magic technique was very different from the previous magic techniques. It would protect him from his opponent''s attacks.


    "I''m ready, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo. She had already walked to her previous spot. The aftermath of what happened yesterday was still there, which made her spot especially obvious.


    "Master Floriana, this time, you will attack me."


    Rant Valo said to her.


    "Hohh. So you have a defensive magic technique with you?"


    Floriana Sabina smirked, hearing Rant Valo''s words. She could guess that he was going to use a defensive magic technique as she was the one to attack.


    "Yes, it''s a very odd one too."


    Rant Valo nodded his head candidly. It was apparent just how complex it was because this magic technique took him a whole day to master.


    "Tell me when you are ready, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina said to him. She rested her hands on her hips as she stood in front of him.


    "Tortoise Fortune''s Defence."


    Rant Valo murmured as he closed his eyes, and his body started to glow yellow. The dirt on the ground was sucked and compressed in front of him. It formed a wall of rock that floated as it waited for Floriana Sabina''s attack.


    "Ready."


    Rant Valo opened his eyes and said to Floriana Sabina.


    "Alright."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head, and a very tiny ember of white flame appeared from her hand. It traveled towards Rant Valo''s Tortoise Fortune''s Defence at breakneck speed. It then transformed into a giant outburst of white flame.


    FWOOOSHH


    The white flame hit against the Tortoise Fortune''s Defence.

 Chapter 119 - An Unfamiliar Forest

    The Tortoise Fortune''s Defence successfully deflected the white flames. Rant Valo could feel the sweltering heat coming from it as it passed by his body.


    "Argh!" Rant Valo groaned in pain as he stood behind his shield.


    Shortly after, the white flame disappeared. Rant Valo couldn''t help but turn around to see the damage it caused.


    GULP


    Rant Valo made an audible gulp as he looked at the burnt ground.


    "That was scary," Rant Valo said as he held his rapidly beating heart.


    The power of that white flame was so horrifying. Rant Valo couldn''t help but think that this was actually not the limit of Floriana Sabina''s strength. She could even display something much more brutal and violent. He couldn''t help but become hopeful of reaching a level someday when he could defend himself against such an attack.


    "I was right. That defensive magic technique of yours is already at the Early Foundation Establishment stage level. It could already defend against a very tiny ember of my white flame," Floriana Sabina said as she nodded her head knowingly.


    "W-What if my defensive magic technique couldn''t defend against it?" Rant Valo asked as cold sweat poured down his back. He was just a 10th Mana Condensation stage cultivator, after all. He didn''t know that he was actually so close to death then.


    "Don''t worry, Disciple. I can control my white flames very well. I also have my Divine Sense surrounding your body so I can know when there would be a stray white flame that will hit your body," Floriana Sabina said to reassure him.


    "That''s a relief." Rant Valo released a long sigh of relief. He would really be speechless if that weren''t the case.


    "Fufufu, I won''t let you get hurt so easily," Floriana Sabina said before giving him a wink.


    Rant Valo blinked his eyes repeatedly as he was not accustomed to her acting like that.


    Veia looked at both of them repeatedly. She had a knowing smile on her face. She then snapped out of it before running towards Rant Valo.


    "Master, you looked so cool earlier," Veia said to Rant Valo with her eyes shining from awe.


    "Thank you, Veia," Rant Valo said to Veia with a grateful look on his face. She was always uplifting him.


    "D-Disciple, I-I also thought that you were cool," Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo while stuttering in nervousness as this was her first time praising Rant Valo for something like cool-looking.


    "Thank you, Master Floriana." Rant Valo smiled at Floriana Sabina. She was trying so hard to act like Veia. It was somewhat adorable.


    "Hmph!" Floriana Sabina snorted cutely and turned her head away.


    "Anyways, I''m already done with practicing all of my new magic techniques. We can head out now," Rant Valo informed them.


    "Fufufu, that''s certainly true," Floriana Sabina chuckled in delight. She was finally gonna be able to show the world how great her disciple was.


    "I''ll fly us there," Floriana Sabina continued and flicked her fingers.


    A small wooden boat appeared in front of them.


    "Fly? In a boat? How is that possible?" Rant Valo asked with great puzzlement. He had seen boats rowing down the river before, but he has certainly never heard that they were capable of flight.


    "Just watch, Disciple," Floriana Sabina said with a smirk.


    Rant Valo and Veia could only listen to her words. The boat was fairly large, and their group easily fitted inside it. Floriana Sabina sat on the front seat while the others sat on the back seat.


    The boat then slowly floated into the air and suddenly zoomed away.


    "Woahhh!!" Rant Valo shouted in surprise and held onto the boat tightly. He looked down and watched as the forest that they were in disappear from his view.


    "See, Disciple? A boat can fly." Floriana Sabina smirked.


    "This is so fast!" Rant Valo exclaimed in amazement. The boat was basically moving faster than he could even see the landscape below them.


    "M-Master¡­ My legs feel wobbly¡­" Veia held onto Rant Valo. Her legs were shaking in fear.


    "Veia, don''t worry. I''m sure Master Floriana will keep us safe." Rant Valo reassured her.


    Veia looked up into Rant Valo''s eyes and nodded as she bit her lips. She held onto him tightly.


    A few hours later, Floriana Sabina started to slow down. The boat then landed inside another forest.


    "T-That was so scary," Veia said as she bit her nail as she still shook from fear.


    Throughout the journey, she had been hugging Rant Valo tightly. She didn''t open her eyes and merely waited for the boat to stop.


    When the boat stopped, only then was she able to relax.


    "It''s okay now, Veia," Rant Valo said as he rubbed Veia''s back.


    She was not really good with heights and fast speed.


    "Master¡­"


    Veia turned her head and looked into Rant Valo''s eyes warmly. She was delighted that her master was so concerned with her.


    "Cough." Floriana Sabina faked a cough as she stood beside them.


    "Grandmaster, Master is really nice," Veia said to Floriana Sabina with a turn of her head. There was a happy smile on her face. It was like she couldn''t wait to say it to Floriana Sabina.


    "I know, I know." Floriana Sabina nodded her head.


    She already knew that Rant Valo was nice. Veia didn''t have to say it to her.


    "Where are we?" Rant Valo couldn''t help but ask Floriana Sabina.


    They were now once again inside a forest. Rant Valo wasn''t even sure where they were as all he saw in their journey was a mountain passing by them quickly.


    "We are near that sect I was talking to you about," Floriana Sabina said to him.


    She remembered passing by here and hearing a group of cultivators chatting with her Divine Sense.


    "Oh, okay." Rant Valo nodded his head in understanding.


    This place should be very far from where they were. He couldn''t help but look around. There was this weird feeling of being alienated by a new place that you have never been to.


    "Look, there are people." Floriana Sabina suddenly pointed to the side.

 Chapter 120 - Popular With Girls

    "People?"


    Rant Valo turned his head to where she was pointing at. There were three girls walking together.


    "Hey, aren''t you excited? Senior Brother Khan will be fighting on stage."


    A girl from the group suddenly said with much excitement.


    "Yes, yes! I can''t wait for it next week."


    Another girl nodded her head excitedly in agreement.


    "What''s so good about Senior Brother Khan anyways?"


    A girl, much younger than the two, suddenly asked.


    "You wouldn''t know this as you are new to the sect, but Senior Brother Khan is very handsome! He''s also strong! Many girls inside the Outer Sect want to be his girlfriend."


    The first girl from earlier explained to her.


    "..."


    "Master, it seems like this ''Senior Brother Khan'' will be your opponent."


    Veia suddenly said to Rant Valo. They were all hiding behind a bush as the three girls passed them by.


    "Disciple, don''t worry. We will support you from the side if you think that you don''t have fans."


    Floriana Sabina gave Rant Valo a wink. She thought that he was worried that he wouldn''t have anyone to cheer him on in this unfamiliar place.


    "I''m not worried about that. I just want to ask. How am I gonna participate in this sect event?"


    Rant Valo stared into Floriana Sabina''s eyes. Something about this whole operation seems off now that he was here.


    "After the champion is declared, you will jump down from the skies and defeat him."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him with an excited look on her face.


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but facepalm himself. Her plan was so crude. Would it even be a proper way to challenge someone? It would just be rude to steal a champion''s limelight.


    "I think it could work, Master."


    Veia agreed with Floriana Sabina''s plan. She could imagine how valiant her master would look once he defeated the ''supposed'' champion of the sect tournament.


    "I''m not agreeing. I will feel bad for him. I''ll just defeat him anyway."


    Rant Valo crossed his arms in disagreement. He was a nice person. He wouldn''t just steal someone''s limelight just for the sake of it. For the champion, it would have been their only chance in life, but for Rant Valo, there are many chances.


    "Hohh, so you''re saying that you will win the sect tournament easily?"


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo, amused.


    "Huh? Didn''t I just break through your Early Foundation Establishment stage barrier?"


    Rant Valo blinked his eyes in confusion. Just that achievement alone was enough to prove that he was stronger than the people participating in the sect tournament. He doesn''t think the others could do the same as he did.


    "That''s true, Disciple. But you wouldn''t know."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head before shrugging her shoulders.


    "You''re right, but¡­ Whatever. I''ll do it."


    Rant Valo wanted to argue more with her, but since he doesn''t really know what to say to her in response, he just gave up and shrugged it off.


    "Fufufu. That''s more like it, Disciple. If you don''t make a grand entrance, it would not be my style."


    Floriana Sabina crossed her arms together as she nodded her head in satisfaction.


    "Master, I''ll cheer you on from the side."


    Veia said to Rant Valo with a smile.


    "Yeah, yeah."


    Rant Valo could do nothing to stop their excitement. They both looked really eager to see him make that grand entrance by falling from the skies and challenging the champion of the sect tournament.


    "Why don''t we gather intelligence first? About where the tournament will be held and when it will be."


    Rant Valo suggested to them. If they didn''t even know where and when the sect tournament would be held, then it would just all be for naught.


    "Sounds like a plan, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head.


    "Why don''t we ask them, Master?"


    Veia pointed to the three girls who were slowly disappearing from their view. They had talked for quite a while, and soon, they wouldn''t be able to catch up with them if they still dilly-dallied.


    "Let''s ask them."


    Rant Valo agreed with her.


    Thus, they all ran towards the three girls.


    "Hey!"


    Rant Valo shouted from afar as he ran.


    The three girls who were happily chatting with each other turned their heads back at the same time.


    "Yes?" x3


    They all asked in confusion. They were all deep into their discussions, and suddenly being called confused them.


    "Tell us about this sect tournament."


    Rant Valo answered before making a complete stop in front of them. Veia and Floriana Sabina were just behind him.


    "Are you a disciple of another sect?"


    One of the girls asked.


    "Ah, yeah. Kinda."


    Rant Valo nodded his head awkwardly. He doesn''t even know the name of the sect his master attended, yet he was wearing its Sect Robes.


    "That''s amazing! Are you a traveling Sect Disciple?"


    One of them looked at Rant Valo in awe. There was something about being able to travel as a Sect Disciple that made them astounded.


    "Yes."


    Rant Valo nodded his head once again. Technically, he actually is.


    "That''s so cool! You must be really strong then! What is your cultivation stage?"


    The girls started to flock over him. Being able to travel outside and this far from his sect means that he was already strong enough to protect himself.


    Floriana Sabina and Veia looked at Rant Valo and the girls coldly.


    "10th Mana Condensation stage."


    Rant Valo answered them honestly.


    "Wow! Your sect allowed you to travel with that cultivation? You must be already about to reach the Early Foundation Establishment, right?"


    A big busted girl pushed her body onto Rant Valo''s. Rant Valo couldn''t help but be taken aback. Why were these girls flocking over him? Was it really that amazing to be a traveling Sect Disciple? He couldn''t help but think that something was wrong with their heads.


    "Sort of."


    Since Rant Valo knew that he could already reach the Early Foundation Establishment stage if he took another cultivation session, he was technically what they were talking about.

 Chapter 121 - Reining In The Popularity With Girls

    "Uwaa! A real prodigy is in front of us! Now that I got a better look at him, he looks kinda handsome."


    The tall girl in their group exclaimed in amazement. She looked at Rant Valo up and down.


    "Right?"


    The big-busted girl agreed, joyfully.


    "Disciple."


    "Master."


    Floriana Sabina and Veia called out to him in cold voices.


    "W-What?"


    Rant Valo turned his head towards them like a cranky gear.


    "Stop flirting with them and ask!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted in anger. Veia nodded her head vehemently from the side.


    "Who is she?"


    "Your little sister?"


    "I think so too."


    The three girls discussed with each other.


    "HAHH?? Who are you calling his little sister?"


    Floriana Sabina walked towards them angrily.


    "She''s so fierce."


    "Do you think she''s on her period?"


    "Do kids get periods at that age?"


    The three continued ignoring Floriana Sabina. Their words made Floriana Sabina shake in anger.


    "I''m not a kid!!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted. It was so loud that the birds perched on the trees around them flew away.


    "Little girl, don''t worry. We won''t hurt you."


    The big-busted girl rested her hands on her knees and looked down on Floriana Sabina''s face.


    "Y-You!"


    Floriana Sabina was fuming in anger. She doesn''t know what to say anymore.


    "Now, now. Relax."


    Rant Valo went behind Floriana Sabina and patted her shoulders to calm her down.


    "Hmph! Ask them already."


    Floriana Sabina snorted in anger, but she allowed Rant Valo to massage her shoulder with his hands.


    "Alright."


    Rant Valo nodded his head with a wry smile.


    "What is she talking about? Ask away, Senior Brother!"


    The big-busted girl asked Rant Valo. She was very eager to answer any of his questions.


    "Where is this Sect Tournament happening?"


    Rant Valo asked her.


    "It will happen at Blue Jade Peak."


    The tall girl answered this time.


    "When?"


    Rant Valo continued asking them.


    "Next week! Starting early in the morning."


    This time it was the other girl who answered.


    "When is it gonna end?"


    This was what Rant Valo wanted to know. After all, he would only be making an appearance after the sect tournament had already concluded. This way, he can directly challenge the champion.


    "Huh? Before evening."


    The big-busted girl tilted her head in puzzlement before answering. Was it really that important to know when the sect tournament would end?


    "I see. Thank you."


    Rant Valo nodded his head in satisfaction before thanking them.


    "No problem, Senior Brother!"


    "You can find me at House 67A below Garden Peak!"


    "Will you watch the sect tournament with us?"


    They all chatted to Rant Valo. Rant Valo didn''t know what to do anymore.


    "I''m sorry, but I''ll be busy."


    Rant Valo could only say so before he was dragged away by Floriana Sabina.


    "Disciple, what do you think you are doing?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him as she held onto his arm.


    "They seem really nice."


    Rant Valo replied to her.


    "Hmph! They''re just trying to seduce you. Don''t talk with them again."


    Floriana Sabina snorted at Rant Valo. She didn''t want her disciple to grow that way. She was not gonna give her disciple to anyone.


    "Okay?"


    Rant Valo nodded his head reluctantly. He was baffled by what she just said.


    "Master, I didn''t know you were popular with girls."


    Veia said to him with a smile. She was genuinely surprised that her master got so popular with those girls so quickly. He only said a few words, and they were already all over him.


    "I don''t know either. It must be because of my cultivation?"


    Rant Valo shook his head. He was never that popular with girls. Even back in the village, it never happened before.


    "Of course it is. Now you know, Disciple. Your strength not only gives you power, but it also gives you women! But don''t you dare abuse it, or I''ll castrate you!"


    Floriana Sabina explained to him. Though, her words ended with a threat.


    "Of course. I already have Veia and Zaria, after all."


    Rant Valo nodded his head candidly. He also doesn''t think that it''s appropriate for him to have a relationship with girls he doesn''t know very well.


    "And me!"


    Floriana Sabina added with a shout.


    "Yes. I also have Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo smiled at her. He thought that it was pretty cute of her to say that.


    "Yes, Master. You have Grandmaster and me."


    Veia added before secretly giving Floriana Sabina a wink.


    "Uhm, sorry to disturb you, but¡­ We''ll go now, Senior Brother! If possible, we want to see you at the Sect Tournament."


    The big-busted girl, who now seemed to be actually the leader of their group, suddenly interrupted them. She bid their farewell to Rant Valo.


    "A-"


    Rant Valo just raised his hand and was about to bid farewell too when Floriana Sabina slapped his hand down. She gave him a warning glare. He could only watch as they slowly disappeared from view.


    "Now that they''re gone. Where do you want to stay, Disciple? In the forest or the nearby town?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo.


    "The nearby town. I''m sick of sleeping outdoors."


    Rant Valo yearned to once again sleep on a soft bed. It was his first time experiencing it in Nale Narene''s mansion. Every night before he sleeps, he was reminded of how soft it was because of the hard surfaces he was sleeping on outdoors.


    Plus, it had been a while since he had a bath. He cultivated for days that he hadn''t had the chance.


    "This way then."


    Floriana Sabina led the way to the nearby town. She noticed it when they passed by in the boat.


    "Okay."


    Rant Valo and Veia followed her. It didn''t take long for them to see the huge walls that enclosed the town.


    "This town was quite close."


    Rant Valo said as he looked at it upfront.


    "Let''s go inside, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina urged them. She was also quite curious about what this town has to offer.

 Chapter 122 - The Town Managed By A Tier 5 Sect

    When they entered the town, it was obviously much different compared to Narene town. People were walking around wearing Sect Robes. It was similar to what the three girls they met earlier wore.


    Plus, the guard merely glanced at them earlier. It was like he wasn''t even worried about the town''s safety, which was natural as these people wearing Sect Robes are cultivators.


    When there are cultivators around, safety is pretty much guaranteed. No one would dare mess around in the turf of these Sect Disciples.


    "There are more weapons shops and medicinal shops here."


    Rant Valo noticed as they walked through the streets. There were even fewer restaurants around.


    "Disciple, what do you think would be their best dish here?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him in excitement.


    "Another Spirit Fish?"


    Rant Valo replied as he smiled wryly. Although he liked the taste, it was not that delicious anymore after eating so many of it.


    "Hahahaha! Probably, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina laughed cheerily. The last time they ate at a restaurant in Narene Town, their best dish was a Steamed Spirit Fish. Who knows? It might be the same here.


    "Huh? What are you talking about? Master, Grandmaster?"


    Veia tilted her head in confusion. She was the only one who couldn''t understand what they were talking about. After all, when Floriana Sabina and Rant Valo ate in a restaurant in Narene Town, Veia was locked inside their room.


    "Do you remember the Spirit Fish we ate by the river in the forest?"


    Rant Valo asked Veia.


    "Yes. It was very delicious! But I can''t eat much of it¡­"


    Veia slumped down her shoulders, downcast.


    "Apparently, that fish is the best dish in a restaurant in Narene Town."


    Rant Valo explained to her.


    "Oh! I understand now."


    Veia finally understood. Indeed, it would be funny if the best dish in the restaurant here is also a Spirit Fish.


    "There''s a restaurant there."


    Rant Valo pointed in front of them. This restaurant doesn''t have any tables outside, so they entered it.


    "Good day, sir, and the beautiful misses."


    A waiter greeted them politely. He guided them to a four-seat table.


    Rant Valo sat on one side, while Floriana Sabina and Veia sat on the other.


    "What would you like to order?"


    The waitress asked after they were seated.


    "Your best dish!"


    Floriana Sabina answered immediately. There was no use thinking about it anymore.


    "I understand. Is there anything else?"


    The waiter smiled widely before asking them again.


    "Do you accept cultivation materials for payment?"


    Rant Valo asked in curiosity. The last time they ordered from a restaurant, they had to wash the dishes because they didn''t have any money to pay.


    "Of course! The Immoral Cleansing Sect owns this restaurant. We are more than willing to accept cultivation materials as payment."


    The waiter explained to them with a welcoming smile.


    "How is this as payment?"


    Rant Valo pulled out a cloth. He unwrapped it in front of the waiter.


    "This is¡­"


    The waiter moved his face closer to inspect the petal on the cloth.


    "I-Isn''t this¡­ a petal of the Evil Sacra Lotus flower!?"


    The waiter widened his eyes after recognizing the petal that Rant Valo unwrapped.


    "It is. Can we eat here with this?"


    Rant Valo nodded his head before he asked.


    "That is no doubt! If this petal is the real thing, you can eat here for three days straight!"


    The waiter nodded his head vehemently. Just the value of this single petal made him paralyzed in awe.


    "Take it then. We''ll eat here for three days."


    Rant Valo gave the cloth and the petal to the waiter. The waiter accepted it very carefully and with tender care.


    "Thank you, sir! If there''s anything you need to know, I''ll answer it."


    The waiter bowed his head in gratitude. The boss would surely be happy after he acquired something like this.


    "Tell us about this Immoral Cleansing Sect of yours."


    The waiter nodded his head before he started explaining it to them.


    This sect called the Immoral Cleansing Sect is located just beside the Beslor Magic Kingdom. If you forgot, the Beslor Magic Kingdom is the kingdom Rant Valo was from.


    And this town that they are in is under the jurisdiction of the sect. In other words, the sect runs this town. This is why there are so many Sect Disciples loitering inside the town.


    The sect is divided into three. The lowest one is the Outer Sect, then the Inner Sect, and the Core Sect that only the best of the best talents can enter.


    "I see. How powerful is the Sect Master?"


    Rant Valo finally understood what a sect is. In his curiosity, he asked about the strength of the Sect Master.


    "He is rumored to be a Peak Foundation Establishment stage expert."


    The waiter answered.


    "Oh¡­"


    Rant Valo was surprised he didn''t think that this sect would merely have a Peak Foundation Establishment stage cultivator. He honestly expected much better.


    "Anything else?"


    The waiter asked.


    "Thank you. We don''t have any more questions."


    Rant Valo replied in gratitude. The waiter then left to get their order.


    "Disciple, are you surprised how weak the Sect Master is?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him with a grin on her face.


    "Yes. I thought sects would have Mana Dominion stage experts."


    Rant Valo had high expectations about sects because of Floriana Sabina because from what Floriana Sabina has been telling him, her sect has many Mana Dominion stage experts.


    "There are also tiers for sects, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina answered.


    "I see. How many are there?"


    Rant Valo asked her curiously.


    "There are five tiers. This sect could be considered a Tier 5 Sect. Once someone reaches the Core Formation stage, they could then be barely considered a Tier 4 Sect, and so on. This is true for every other sect except for Tier 1 Sects. Those sects need to have multiple Mana Dominion stage experts to keep their status."


    Floriana Sabina explained in detail.


    This tier system is used all over the world. Those sects who fake their tiers are usually attacked by other sects who then plunder or assimilate their sects into theirs. Thus, it can be considered reasonably accurate to describe a sect''s strength this way.

 Chapter 123 - Eating A Sumptous Feast

    "That makes a lot of sense, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo was enlightened. This Immoral Cleansing Sect could then be considered one of the best Tier 5 Sects out there. After all, their Sect Master is already at the Peak Foundation Establishment stage.


    "Mm. Sects like these are usually the ones who accept disciples from the masses. Once these disciples feel that their sect is holding them back, they would transfer to a Tier 4 Sect."


    Floriana Sabina continued her explanation.


    "I see. So there is a low chance of them to increase their tier then."


    Rant Valo deduced. That''s because if the talents that the sect groomed moved to a higher tier sect, they would stay there. They would not entertain the idea of going back to their old sect.


    "Correct, but there are some who prefer to be a big fish in a small pond. So there are still some who return just so they can rule a sect."


    Floriana Sabina agreed before explaining it more in detail.


    This was Rant Valo''s first time listening to this, and he couldn''t help but be amazed that there was such a system that cultivators follow.


    "Here are your orders."


    The waiter suddenly interrupted. A waitress was following behind him as she pushed along a cart filled with dishes.


    "Wow! Master, they all look so good!"


    Veia exclaimed in amazement. She looked at the dishes with shining eyes.


    Floriana Sabina scanned the dishes as they placed them on the table to see if they were gonna be served Spirit Fish.


    "You don''t serve Spirit Fish?"


    Floriana Sabina couldn''t help but ask after looking at the dishes for a while.


    "Do you want one? Spirit Fish is one of our cheapest dishes."


    The waiter asked, perplexed.


    "Ah, no need. I was just curious."


    Floriana Sabina shook her hand. There''s no way she would want to eat Spirit Fish again after previously eating so many of them.


    "Very well. If any of you have any more orders, just raise your hand, and we will arrive at your side."


    The waiter informed them before he left. Rant Valo and the rest nodded their heads in understanding.


    Rant Valo immediately turned his head towards the dishes. There were chicken, duck, fish, and even some weird dishes he had never seen before.


    "Disciple, this restaurant is a hundred times better than that other one!"


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo with her eyes glowing. She inhaled a deep breath and took in the delicious smell of the dishes.


    "Yeah."


    Rant Valo agreed. He picked up the spoon and fork before he started eating.


    Meanwhile, Veia looked at the empty plate in front of her and the dishes served around her. She wanted to eat them, but she will go crazy if she does. In the end, she just resorted to giving the dishes a staring contest.


    An hour later, Rant Valo patted his full stomach. The plates on the table contained leftovers such as shells, bones, etc. Floriana Sabina relaxed on the chair as she still wallowed in the pleasure of eating those dishes.


    Veia had obvious stains on her mouth. She gave each dish a try. She just couldn''t help herself. They were all so mouthwatering to look at.


    "Why don''t we go?"


    Floriana Sabina stood up. Rant Valo nodded his head and followed her. Veia noticed them stand up and also followed.


    When they got to the streets, Floriana Sabina opened her mouth.


    "Disciple, we are gonna eat in that restaurant while we stay in this town. I will not take no as an answer."


    Floriana Sabina said without looking towards Rant Valo as she continued walking.


    "Of course. That was the best meal I had in my life."


    Rant Valo''s eyes were still blurry as he remembered the taste of the dishes they just ate. The Spirit Fish and the Cream of Mushroom soup are incomparable to what they just ate.


    He could guess that those dishes were naturally delicious, and they were complemented by the great skills of the restaurant''s chefs. It was simply a perfect combination.


    Shortly after, they found an inn to stay in for the night. It was Rant Valo''s first time staying in one, so he kept looking around just like the country bumpkin he is.


    "Master, is this your first time in an inn?"


    Veia couldn''t help but ask as she walked beside him.


    "Yes. So these are all rooms, huh."


    Rant Valo answered. They were walking in a hallway right now. There were doors on both sides, leading to rooms.


    "This is our room, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina said from the front. She stopped in front of a door. She then unlocked the door and entered the room.


    "Woah. That''s a huge bed."


    Rant Valo was flabbergasted. There were glowing stones embedded on the wall that illuminated a King-sized bed. Rant Valo, Floriana Sabina, and Veia could all fit in it without any problem.


    "Wait, we''re all sleeping on a single bed?"


    Rant Valo blinked his eyes repeatedly as he looked at Floriana Sabina.


    "Yes. Do you have a problem, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina tilted her head cutely.


    "No, but¡­"


    Rant Valo glanced at Veia at the end of his words. He implied that it would be a bad idea for him to sleep on the same bed with Veia.


    "Don''t worry."


    Floriana Sabina patted Rant Valo on his shoulder. She then glanced at Veia and gave her a wink.


    Basically, Floriana Sabina set this up for Veia and Rant Valo to be able to sleep together. Veia smiled happily in understanding. This was Floriana Sabina''s way of thanking Veia for convincing her back in the forest.


    "Alright."


    Floriana Sabina''s words reassured Rant Valo. If Veia ever tries to assault him in his sleep, she would stop her. Or at least, that was what he understood from her pat on his shoulder.


    "Disciple, are you gonna cultivate these seven days?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him in curiosity.


    "No. I feel like I''ll immediately enter the Early Foundation Establishment stage if I do so."


    Rant Valo smiled at her wryly. He wouldn''t be able to participate in the sect tournament if he became a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator.

 Chapter 124 - Veia Was Going Commando All Along!?

    "Then what are you gonna do?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo.


    "Let''s just explore the town."


    Rant Valo replied with a smile. It would be a good idea for him to familiarize himself with the environment and culture here.


    "Mm! Master, let''s go on a date!"


    Veia nodded her head in excitement.


    "Not a bad idea."


    Rant Valo smiled at her.


    "Yey!"


    Veia jumped up in joy. She''s going on a date with her master. And she''s gonna have some alone time with him.


    "W-What about me?"


    Floriana Sabina asked as she stuttered while he looked down shyly and played with her fingers.


    "You want to go on a date too?"


    Rant Valo looked at her in surprise. He couldn''t help but be reminded of her words back at the underground room.


    "No! Forget it! I didn''t say anything."


    Floriana Sabina''s face turned red as a tomato, and she averted her eyes.


    "Hahaha. Sure. We can go on a date too."


    Rant Valo laughed as he understood that she was embarrassed.


    "R-Really?"


    Floriana Sabina lifted her head and looked at Rant Valo with hopeful eyes.


    "Yes."


    Rant Valo smiled at her. She was just like a kid sometimes.


    Floriana Sabina''s face visibly turned happier as she imagined going on a date with her disciple.


    "Alright. Now that we have an inn to stay in. Where do you girls want to go for dinner later?"


    Rant Valo asked them both. It was not mentioned, but they paid the innkeeper 2 petals of the Evil Sacra Lotus Flower to book a room. This was an expensive room as it was well-maintained and the bed is large.


    "The same restaurant?"


    Floriana Sabina answered because that''s the only place she could think of.


    "The same restaurant? Not a bad idea, but I think we should eat at a different place. After all, we''re gonna be here for a while."


    Rant Valo replied to her.


    "Okay."


    Floriana Sabina still agreed anyway. Veia silently nodded her head. She was okay with anything since she wasn''t gonna be able to eat much anyways. She could only eat a little, or she would go crazy.


    Rant Valo and the rest took a quick bath in the inn''s shower room. They then left the inn and immediately noticed the darkening sky. It was almost nighttime.


    "Veia, do you want to buy clothes first?"


    Rant Valo suddenly said to Veia.


    "Clothes?"


    Veia tilted her head cutely. She didn''t even think that she would ever need clothes. She was comfortable wearing her black cloak.


    "Yes. I want to see you wearing a cute outfit."


    Rant Valo explained to her with a grin.


    "Huh? No way, Master! I''ll get cooked by the sun!"


    Veia protested to him. If she wore clothes other than her black cloak, her exposed skin would burn under the sun.


    "Not at daytime, of course. I''m talking about when we''re out, like right now. You can wear other clothes."


    Rant Valo explained to her as they continued walking.


    "Wahh! You''re right, Master!"


    Veia realized what Rant Valo meant.


    "Yes. Now let''s go find a clothing shop."


    Rant Valo nodded at her. They then looked around to find a clothing shop.


    After winding through several streets, they finally stumbled into the clothes section. There were open clothes shops lined along the street.


    "Wow. They really sell a lot of clothes here."


    This was the first time Rant Valo saw so many clothes sold like this. Back in the village, they were just sold a couple of sets by passing merchants.


    "Mm. Let''s enter, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head before urging them inside.


    "Good evening, Customer."


    A saleslady greeted them. She was standing in front of the store, waiting for customers to arrive.


    "Do you have any clothes that will fit her?"


    Rant Valo asked and pointed to Veia. The saleslady then looked at Veia.


    "We have a lot."


    The saleslady led them to a side where a lot of women''s clothes were hanging.


    "This one."


    She picked out a black frilly dress.


    "Looks cute. Do you want to try it on, Veia?"


    Rant Valo commented before asking Veia.


    "Yes, Master!"


    Veia immediately answered. She took the clothes from the saleslady and entered the changing room.


    A minute later, she came out.


    "Uuuu¡­ Master, it''s chilly¡­"


    Veia said as she held onto her crotch.


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    Rant Valo, Floriana Sabina, and the saleslady were all taken aback by her words. They all immediately realized what she meant.


    "Ahaha, we also sell underwear."


    The saleslady forced a smile on her face. Rant Valo couldn''t help but facepalm himself. Meanwhile, Floriana Sabina looked away in embarrassment.


    ¡­


    After a long while, Rant Valo and his group finally left the clothing store. Veia was red from her ears to her neck. She stuck close to Rant Valo as she tried to hide her embarrassment.


    "Master¡­ that was so embarrassing!"


    Veia exclaimed in frustration. The saleslady gave her a panty with a weird look on her face. It was like she saw her as an exhibitionist.


    "Cough. You didn''t tell us that you don''t wear anything down there."


    Rant Valo coughed and replied to her.


    "Muuu¡­ I''m sorry."


    Veia slumped her shoulders, downcast. It went over her head that she wasn''t actually wearing any underwear.


    She only realized it when she changed her clothes in the changing room. After all, she has been going commando ever since she first woke up that it became normal for her.


    "Forget it. Now you have underwear, at least."


    Rant Valo shook his head. His heart beat couldn''t help but speed up now. So all that time, there was only one barrier separating Veia''s little sister from the outside world. She was even so proactive with him before.


    "Disciple, you aren''t thinking of anything weird, right?"


    Floriana Sabina squinted her eyes as she looked at him.


    "N-No. Of course not."


    Rant Valo shook his head vehemently. She was so sharp that she even guessed what was on his mind.


    "Hmph! Pervert!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted in displeasure.


    They walked through the streets and found an open cake shop.


    "Cakes!"


    Veia immediately noticed the cakes displayed in the shop. Her downcast mood was washed away in an instant.

 Chapter 125 - Surprise Peck Attack

    "Cakes?"


    Rant Valo furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. As he was a villager, he had never encountered cakes in his whole life. Even in Narene Town, there hadn''t been any cakes.


    "It''s a delicacy, Disciple. Let''s buy it!"


    Floriana Sabina urged Rant Valo.


    "Are we gonna pay with petals again?"


    Rant Valo smiled at her wryly. They had been paying with petals all this time. At this rate, he wouldn''t have any left for cultivation.


    At the clothing store earlier, they''d paid with one and as a result, they needed to buy more clothes than they would ever need, as the petals were very expensive.


    "What else could we pay them with?"


    Floriana Sabina raised an eyebrow in response.


    "... Nothing."


    Rant Valo tried to think of one, but nothing came to mind. The only thing they could exchange was the petals. Floriana Sabina seemed to have other stuff but Rant Valo had long realized that they wouldn''t be able to use it.


    Floriana Sabina''s things were simply too high-level for the low-level cultivators of this town to recognize.


    "See. Then let''s just pay with petals again."


    Floriana Sabina smiled at Rant Valo. There was already a way for them to pay. Why still worry over the insignificant details?


    "The cake shop would end up selling us all their cakes."


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but say. The petal is becoming an infeasible way to pay. They would have to find a way to get a more flexible currency.


    "I can store it in my Storage Ring. What''s the problem, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina answered. Her Storage Ring could even stop the decay of food. Storing some cakes would not be a problem.


    "The problem is that the saleslady from earlier gave us weird looks when you showed your Storage Ring."


    Rant Valo explained to her. He was worried that someone would have an idea about her Storage Ring.


    "Just relax, Disciple. Let them come after us."


    Floriana Sabina smirked at the end of her words. She obviously doesn''t care if some low-level cultivators attack them.


    "Alright."


    Rant Valo could only nod his head. He was totally beaten by her argument.


    "Hello, do you accept cultivation materials as payment?"


    Rant Valo asked the shop clerk.


    "Yes."


    After his confirmation, Rant Valo showed him the petal, and the shop clerk sold all of the cakes he had on display. He was even going to bake fresh ones and deliver them to their inn.


    Floriana Sabina stored the cakes inside her Storage Ring without any worry while Rant Valo worriedly kept looking at the shop clerk.


    He was correct. The shop clerk widened his eyes in bafflement as he watched the cake disappear in front of his eyes. It was subtle, but greed appeared in the shop clerk''s eyes.


    "Let''s go."


    Floriana Sabina pulled Rant Valo along, and Veia followed them excitedly. Although Veia won''t be able to eat a lot of the cake, she would still be able to taste some, and that was enough to make her happy.


    Rant Valo looked back at the shop clerk. He was sure that the shop clerk was gonna plan something after he saw the light of greed from his eyes earlier.


    They explored the city some more before heading back into the inn. Then they entered their room.


    "This town is 100 times better than Narene Town."


    Rant Valo said to them.


    "I agree."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head in agreement. There were more shops, more variety, and more luxurious things like cakes.


    "Master, you still didn''t tell me if I look good in these clothes."


    Veia said to Rant Valo as she fidgeted while holding on to the hem of her dress.


    "Ah, yeah."


    Rant Valo immediately realized. He turned his body and faced her. He observed her seriously and nodded his head seriously.


    "Very cute!"


    Rant Valo answered with an exaggerated voice.


    "T-Thank you, Master."


    Veia blinked her eyes shyly and swung her body left and right in happiness.


    "Now, give me your blood!"


    Veia suddenly jumped on his body in an embrace and held onto him tightly.


    "V-Veia!"


    Rant Valo was surprised by her sudden actions. He tried to get her off but she didn''t let go.


    "Master, Veia thanks you from the bottom of her heart. Mwah ?"


    Veia whispered into his ears softly and gave him a short peck on the cheek before she let him go. She then jumped onto the bed and pretended that nothing just happened.


    As for Rant Valo, he was frozen in place. What Veia just did was so sudden and lovely that he couldn''t even process it.


    "D-Disciple!?"


    Floriana Sabina finally reacted. She felt that it was fishy that Veia jumped onto Rant Valo, and it turned out that she planned to kiss him on the cheeks!


    "M-Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo turned his head towards her and smiled forcefully.


    "Hmph! ... k-kiss¡­" (Let me k-kiss you too.)Floriana Sabina''s words were inaudible and Rant Valo could only make out some words.


    "Huh?


    Rant Valo moved his ears closer to her in an attempt to listen better.


    "Nothing!"


    Instead of hearing her words clearly, Floriana Sabina shouted into his ear. Her face was red from embarrassment. She then followed Veia''s example and flopped onto the bed to pretend that nothing happened.


    "Hehehe, Grandmaster, you were too weak."


    Veia turned her head towards Floriana Sabina and whispered to her while she was still blushing on her face.


    "Hmph. It was embarrassing¡­"


    Floriana Sabina replied to her softly.


    Meanwhile, Rant Valo was holding onto his ear. Her shout was really loud and it was even directly into his ear.


    "So where am I gonna sleep?"


    Rant Valo turned to the bed and asked them. Veia was occupying two-thirds of the bed as she was lying on it slanted. As for Floriana Sabina, she was lying vertically.


    "Here, Master."


    Veia moved to the side and patted the center of the bed.


    "In the middle?"


    Rant Valo blinked his eyes repeatedly. Somehow, he felt like something was off about this arrangement. Shouldn''t girls be sleeping beside each other? Why does he have to be in the center?


    "Where else, Master? Come, sleep, Master! I want to cuddle your right arm."


    Veia urged him. There was an excited grin on her face. Ahhh, she was finally gonna sleep on the same bed with her master.

 Chapter 126 - Waking Up With Two Beauties

    "Alright."


    Rant Valo didn''t think about it anymore. He crawled onto the bed and positioned himself in between the two of them.


    "Yey, Master! We''re finally sleeping together!"


    Veia exclaimed with bubbling excitement. This is the first time that she would be sharing a bed with her master.


    "Hmph. Disciple, don''t you dare touch Veia in weird places!"


    Floriana Sabina warned Rant Valo with a stern look. As the dutiful disciple he was, Rant Valo nodded his head at her.


    When Rant Valo was finally able to lie on the bed, Veia immediately grabbed onto his arm and cuddled it.


    "Ehehehe~ Master''s arm..."


    Veia giggled in happiness. She was just like a maiden in love. Well, she is.


    "..."


    Rant Valo didn''t know what to say to Veia. She was cuddling his arm like it was the most important thing in the world. It will take him some time to get used to being treated like this.


    "Disciple, give me your arm too."


    Floriana Sabina said to him from his left. Rant Valo acceded with her desire and gave her free access to his arm which she then slowly embraced.


    "Mmm."


    Floriana Sabina buried her face onto Rant Valo''s arm. She was in a daze while doing so.


    As for Rant Valo, he was contemplating his life''s decisions. What led him to this point? Why were two girls hugging him on the bed? He never even dreamed of something like this back in the village.


    Before long, they all fell asleep. It was a deep sleep that they all never had before. In a soft bed and hugging their beloved. It''s normal that it would be comfortable.


    Then morning came, and Rant Valo was the first to open his eyes. He slowly opened his eyes and looked around. He felt disoriented as he stared at the unfamiliar ceiling.


    "Huh?"


    Rant Valo felt a weight on his stomach. He looked down, and to his surprise, Veia was using it as her pillow.


    "Veia? Hey! Wake up."


    Rant Valo shook Veia''s shoulder in an attempt to wake her up.


    "Hmm? Master..?"


    Veia slowly opened her eyes groggily. Then a smile formed on her face when she recognized Rant Valo''s face.


    "Good morning."


    It was such a sweet smile that she was able to dazzle Rant Valo.


    "G-Good morning. Can you get off me now?"


    Rant Valo replied to her. He wanted her to get off him but instead, she slowly wrapped her arms around his waist.


    "Hehehe. Master, I love you."


    Veia whispered softly. Rant Valo felt his heart skip a beat when he heard her words.


    "I love you too, Veia. Now, get off me. You''re hugging too tightly."


    Rant Valo responded to her.


    "Grrr¡­ Master is too stingy!"


    Veia complained with a pout on her face. Rant Valo tried to sit up on the bed but he felt someone tugging on his left arm.


    "Ah, Master Floriana."


    Only then did Rant Valo remember that Floriana Sabina was also hugging his arm. He grabbed her shoulder and shook her.


    "Master Floriana, it''s morning already."


    Rant Valo said to her.


    A few seconds later, Floriana Sabina''s closed eyelids trembled. She then opened her eyes and looked at Rant Valo.


    "Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina asked, confused.


    "Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo imitated her and responded back.


    "Oh right, I slept together with you, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina finally remembered what happened last night. She was confused when she saw Rant Valo close to her on a bed.


    Rant Valo then tried to pull his left arm out of her embrace, but Floriana Sabina embraced it tighter.


    "Disciple, let me hug your arm for a while longer."


    Floriana Sabina said to him softly. She then buried her face into his arm.


    "Mmm. Rub Rub Rub"


    Floriana Sabina rubbed her face on Rant Valo''s arm with a joyful face.


    "Master Floriana, stop rubbing your saliva on me."


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but say awkwardly. When Floriana Sabina heard his words, she stopped, frozen. A few seconds later, she suddenly tightened her grip on Rant Valo''s arm.


    "You stupid disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted as she tried to crush Rant Valo''s arm. Of course, she didn''t use much force. She just made Rant Valo feel pain.


    "AHHH!! Stop! Stopppp!! Master Floriana, I was joking!"


    Rant Valo screamed in pain. She was crushing his arm so painfully.


    "Hmph!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted in anger and let him go.


    "Master, do you want me to massage your right arm too?"


    Veia said to Rant Valo with an evil grin. Rant Valo immediately realized what she meant, and his face turned to horror.


    "No, Veia!"


    Rant Valo shouted to her, and he escaped out of the bed. Being in between the two of them made him feel like his life is in danger.


    "Hehehe~ I was just joking, Master."


    Veia giggled seeing Rant Valo run away from the bed.


    "It''s already morning, let''s go explore the town again."


    Rant Valo ignored her and told them. There are different things available at different times in a city. For example, at night, there were more bars open. However, Rant Valo and the rest didn''t enter any.


    "Yes, Disciple. Let''s go to the cake shop and see if there are more cakes baked for us."


    Floriana Sabina suggested. The shop clerk was supposed to deliver it here at lunch, but she was eager to get the other cakes already.


    "Okay."


    Rant Valo nodded his head. And so, the trio left the inn and headed outside again.


    This time, Veia was wearing her black cloak. She was already out of her black frilly dress. Rant Valo couldn''t help but lament the fact that he wouldn''t be able to see Veia in the dress in daytime.


    After going through several streets, they were back at the cake shop. But it was obvious that it was still closed as the shop front is covered with wooden planks.


    "I guess we''ll come back later."


    Rant Valo said to them.


    "Aww¡­"


    Veia frowned unhappily.


    In a restaurant adjacent to the cake shop, a tall and muscular sect disciple sat together with a man at a table.


    "Is that them?"


    The sect disciple asked the man beside him. They were both looking towards Rant Valo''s group.

 Chapter 127 - The Arrogant Sect Disciple Lunatic Nerl

    "Yes, Young Master. That''s them. They were the ones rumored to be selling the petals of the Evil Sacra Lotus Flower, and I saw them use an unknown Magic Device."


    The man explained to the sect disciple.


    "Then let''s go."


    The sect disciple said to him. He stood up and approached Rant Valo''s group while the man followed him from behind.


    Rant Valo just turned around when he immediately noticed the man walking behind the sect disciple.


    "It''s the shop clerk."


    Rant Valo pointed to the man. Floriana Sabina and Veia immediately turned their heads towards him.


    "It''s him!"


    Veia pointed with excitement. She was just like Floriana Sabina. They both wanted more cakes to eat along their journey.


    "Are you the one rumored to be using the petal of the Evil Sacra Lotus'' flower to buy goods and services?"


    The sect disciple asked as he raised his chin to show his arrogance.


    "Yes, why?"


    Rant Valo asked in confusion. He had a bad feeling about this the moment he saw the shop clerk approach them with this man.


    "Give it to me."


    The sect disciple opened his hand. He demanded the petals from Rant Valo.


    "Huh? Why am I gonna give it to you?"


    Rant Valo looked at the sect disciple coldly.


    "Because this is the Immoral Cleansing Sect''s domain! If you dare resist, I Nerl Jared, will cripple you till you are at your deathbed!"


    Nerl Jared shouted to Rant Valo arrogantly.


    "Master Floriana, this is why I told you to be careful. This guy now thinks that he can order and threaten us."


    Rant Valo ignored him, and instead, he spoke to Floriana Sabina.


    "Tch. Just deal with him quick, Disciple. We want the cakes."


    Floriana Sabina clicked her tongue in annoyance and shooed the sect disciple as if he was a fly.


    "..."


    Rant Valo felt like he just wasted his breath talking to her. Rant Valo turned his head to the sect disciple and saw his face burning in anger.


    Rant Valo ignored him and talked with this little girl instead. Nerl Jared was not gonna let this go!


    "You impudent sect cultivator coming from god knows where dare to mess with me!?"


    Nerl Jared shouted with his voice full of anger. The passersby on the street immediately noticed the commotion and stopped to watch.


    "This guy is dead. He messed with the Lunatic Nerl."


    "Truly a pity. He even seems to have his little sister with him."


    "Shh! What are you guys gonna do if Lunatic Nerl heard you?"


    The crowd discussed with each other. Most of them were wearing similar sect robes similar to Nerl Jared.


    "Stop being so noisy. Hey you, shop clerk! Where are our cakes?"


    Rant Valo furrowed his eyebrows in displeasure. He slanted his body and looked at the shop clerk behind Nerl Jared.


    "Hmph. There are no more cakes for you! You sold me a fake cultivation material!"


    The shop clerk shouted with feigned anger. His words were obviously false, and its only purpose was to stir the crowd into his side. This way, they would only be acting out justice, and no one would blame them.


    "What the..?"


    Rant Valo was shocked at the shamelessness of the shop clerk. He never encountered someone who could lie with such a straight face and even in front of such a large crowd.


    "Did everyone hear that? This guy is a criminal!"


    Nerl Jared immediately saw this as an opportunity. He shouted to rile up the crowd. He secretly gave the shop clerk a thumbs up.


    "Master, do you want me to kill him?"


    Veia asked Rant Valo coldly. She couldn''t endure seeing the two lie so shamelessly.


    "K-Kill!? Veia, don''t kill them."


    Rant Valo was taken aback hearing Veia''s words. She suddenly became so violent.


    "But Master, he''s saying you''re a criminal when you''re not."


    Veia looked at Rant Valo with anger on her face. She couldn''t let anyone talk badly of her master.


    "I''ll deal with him myself."


    Rant Valo said to her. He doesn''t want Veia to kill. Rant Valo knew that people change after they have their first kill. Who knew what Veia would become once she kills her first victim?


    "Did you hear that!? They want to kill us to silence us!"


    Nerl Jared overheard their discussion and immediately made up a story to defame them.


    "Seriously? Lunatic Nerl seems to be on the good side this time."


    "Who knows? Maybe he''s just making this up too."


    "But I heard the girl say ''kill''. It must be true."


    The crowd''s discussion heated up. They knew that Lunatic Nerl always bosses people around and bullies them so they were still a little skeptical about his words.


    "Tch."


    Nerl Jared clicked his tongue in anger. The crowd was not even believing him.


    "Fufufu. This is turning into an interesting development, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina chuckled. Seeing Nerl Jared desperately try to rile the crowd against them, and fail miserably as the crowd knew better than to believe him.


    "F*ck! I''ll show you!"


    Nerl Jared heard Floriana Sabina''s words, and his eyes reddened in anger. He felt like she was looking down on him by the way she was casually standing there without any fear on her face.


    Rant Valo silently observed Nerl Jared. He was curious what attack this Sect Disciple would show him.


    "Light of the Heavenly Fallstreak!"


    Nerl Jared shouted as he moved his hands in a strange manner.


    Suddenly, the clear blue skies became cloudy, and a small hole appeared. This hole grew, and its light was focused on Rant Valo''s group.


    "Die!"


    Nerl Jared shouted towards them arrogantly. He was sure that they would not be able to fight against this attack of his.


    The light from the hole in the clouds suddenly brightened dramatically. Then a beam of light fell down towards Rant Valo''s group rapidly. Though, it was not falling at the speed of light as it was just made up of mana.


    "Tortoise Fortune''s Defense!"


    Rant Valo responded with a magic technique of his own.

 Chapter 128 - Lunatic Nerl Uses A Secret Magic Technique

    The brick road of the street was lifted up into the air and was compressed in front of Rant Valo. It formed the Tortoise Fortune''s Defense.


    Rant Valo lifted the shield to block the magic technique coming towards them from above.


    FWOOSHH


    The magic technique hit the shield causing it to melt to lava, but that was all that happened. The Tortoise Fortune''s Defense was still intact.


    "I-Impossible!!"


    Nerl Jared shouted in disbelief. This magic technique of his should have easily killed or incapacitated Rant Valo.


    "Are you an Early Foundation Establishment stage cultivator?"


    Rant Valo asked Nerl Jared. He put down the Tortoise Fortune''s Defense, and it shattered into hot molten rocks. Don''t misunderstand. Rant Valo simply stopped supplying mana to the magic technique. Otherwise, he would have been able to still use it.


    "W-What? How did you know?"


    Nerl Jared took a step back in shock. No one was supposed to know that he already reached the Foundation Establishment stage, yet this man in front of him does.


    "Idiot. I felt your strength from your magic technique."


    The insult just naturally came out of Rant Valo''s mouth. Wasn''t it obvious that he could feel his strength from his magic technique?


    "I-Idiot!? YOU!! Take that back!"


    Nerl Jared widened his eyes in anger when he heard Rant Valo''s insult. He was a prideful man, and being called an idiot in front of a huge crowd made him incensed.


    "Fufufu. Disciple, good job!"


    Floriana Sabina laughed and gave Rant Valo a thumbs up. She was satisfied with the way he handled the situation.


    Show your insurmountable strength before insulting your opponent for being too weak. That was her way, and Rant Valo did it very well without her even saying it. It was like he was just meant to be her disciple.


    "It''s nothing."


    Rant Valo shrugged his shoulders. He hadn''t even used an attack magic technique yet. He doesn''t even see this as a proper match.


    "Did you hear that? Apparently, Lunatic Nerl is already an Early Foundation Establishment stage cultivator."


    "That''s scary. No one will be able to resist him."


    "I thought he was gonna attend the Sect Tournament that was only for 10th Mana Condensation stage disciples? Did he actually accidentally cultivate to the Early Foundation Establishment stage?"


    "LOL. He must be pretty pissed about it so he was venting his anger on this young man, but it seems like he kicked an iron plate."


    "I don''t know how to feel about this. He reached the Foundation Establishment stage accidentally when most of us get stuck at the 10th Mana Condensation stage."


    The crowd discussed with each other. They couldn''t believe that Nerl Jared was already an Early Foundation Establishment stage cultivator.


    "Nothing? Me? Hehehe, Hahaha, HAHAHA! I''ll show you the secret magic technique that I have been keeping a secret."


    Nerl Jared''s body shook in anger. Rant Valo just pissed him to the max when he said that it was ''nothing''.


    "Hm?"


    Rant Valo furrowed his eyebrows at Nerl Jared. He was having a bad feeling about this. Thus, he  closed his eyes and channeled his trusty magic technique.


    "Tide of Bad Fortune!"


    Without even the chance to react, Nerl Jared was hit by the burst of white mana.


    "H-Huh? Are you trying to scare me? Don''t worry! This secret magic technique of mine has a 1% chance of resulting in a mana backlash. You still have a chance!! WAHAHAHAHA!"


    At first, Nerl Jared was confused, but when he realized that nothing happened, he continued his monologue.


    "Disciple, I don''t think we should even worry anymore."


    Floriana Sabina smiled at Rant Valo. The moment she heard ''chance'', she knew that Nerl Jared was doomed.


    "You''re right."


    Rant Valo sighed, knowing that he wouldn''t be able to fully display his magic techniques today.


    "Hey! Where are you going! Spear of Fallstreak!!"


    Blood leaked from Nerl Jared''s mouth as he shouted. He just used the secret magic technique.


    The hole in the clouds earlier suddenly brightened again. This time, it was a spear of light that fell towards Rant Valo''s group.


    "Fuhahahaha! DIE!!"


    Nerl Jared became the Lunatic Nerl he was known for. The spear of light traveled fast, but just as it got halfway, it suddenly shattered into dust.


    "Huh?"


    Those were Nerl Jared''s famous last words.


    "COUGH!"


    A huge amount of blood spattered onto the ground. Nerl Jared grasped onto his stomach and kneeled on the ground. He looked towards Rant Valo in disbelief.


    "Master, you''re amazing! You didn''t even touch him!"


    Veia exclaimed in amazement. Her master defeated his opponent without even touching a single hair of his.


    "W-Who are you?"


    Nerl Jared asked Rant Valo while blood poured out from the corner of his lips. He could feel that Rant Valo was the reason why his secret magic technique failed.


    "Me? I''m just a lucky villager."


    Rant Valo replied to Nerl Jared with a smile. Nerl Jared''s eyes bulged as he felt like Rant Valo was just messing with him. The anger plus the mana backlash caused him to faint.


    "..."


    "WOAHHH!!!"


    "HE DEFEATED LUNATIC NERL!!"


    "WHICH SECT IS HE FROM!?"


    The crowd around them cheered. This was the first time that they saw Lunatic Nerl be defeated so easily. Usually, it would just be the big shots in the sect that could defeat him.


    "Fufufu. Disciple, they''re cheering for you."


    Floriana Sabina chuckled happily. This is what she wants the world to do. She wants them to cheer for her disciple. It makes her feel proud of him.


    "It''s all thanks to Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo smiled back at her. He wouldn''t forget that his achievements were because she took him as her disciple in the first place.


    "Little Nerl!"


    A loud shout suddenly resounded from afar. It was the voice of an elderly man.


    With a whoosh, an elderly man wearing sect robes flew towards the unconscious Nerl Jared.


    "Nerl! Are you okay?"


    The elderly man lifted Nerl Jared from the ground and shook him, but he got no response.


    "You!!"


    The elderly man turned his head towards Rant Valo. His face was full of anger.

 Chapter 129 - Lunatic Nerls Grandfather

    "What?"


    Rant Valo asked as he furrowed his eyebrows.


    "You dare attack my grandson!"


    The elderly man shouted at Rant Valo angrily. His name was Nawa Jared. He''s Nerl Jared''s grandfather.


    "He attacked first."


    Rant Valo replied coldly. This elderly man is getting angry at him just because he fought back.


    "So you admit it!"


    Nawa Jared got an aha moment when he heard Rant Valo''s words.


    "Wha¡ª?"


    Rant Valo was genuinely confused at the elderly man. So what he was saying was that his grandson can attack anyone, but they can''t fight back? Talk about a privileged grandson.


    "Hmph! I''ll cripple you for attacking a disciple of my Immoral Cleansing Sect!"


    Nawa Jared snorted before he waved his hands around.


    "Light Spear of Fallstreak!"


    Nawa Jared shouted. This magic technique was the standard version of the secret magic technique that Nerl Jared displayed earlier. Basically, what Nerl Jared used was a forcefully used magic technique.


    The hole in the clouds from earlier glowed brightly again. This time it was a big and distinct spear of light that fell towards Rant Valo''s group.


    "Hmph! Using your seniority to bully my disciple."


    Floriana Sabina snorted in displeasure. She waved her hand to her head lightly, and a transparent orange barrier appeared.


    BOOM!


    The ground shook heavily. It was like a heavy object fell from the sky to the ground. The impact shook dust into the air that obscured Rant Valo''s group.


    When the dust cleared, the crowd was able to see Rant Valo''s group unscathed while Floriana Sabina was crossing her arms together as she looked at Nawa Jared coldly.


    "What!?"


    Nawa Jared was in utter disbelief. Someone was actually able to defend against his strongest magic technique, and she even did it so casually. Fear slowly gripped Nawa Jared''s heart. He realized that this group of three might not be as simple as he thought they would be.


    The reason he was even here in the first place was that he received a sound transmission from a Magic Device that someone was fighting against his grandson. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have even come here.


    "What what? You dare interfere in the fight between the young generation."


    Floriana Sabina said to Nawa Jared coldly. She was not gonna let anyone just take advantage of her disciple''s low cultivation to bully him.


    "Young generation? Look who''s talking? Little girl, tell me, you have a powerful Defensive Magic Device, right?"


    Nawa Jared mocked Floriana Sabina. He guessed that she has a powerful Defensive Magic Device. That''s because she shouldn''t have that kind of power to defend against his attack at her age.


    "I do."


    Floriana Sabina answered candidly. She did give Rant Valo one, after all. It was a pendant that would defend against any physical attack three times. Though, she didn''t make it clear to him that she actually didn''t use one.


    "Then let''s see how many times you can take my attacks!"


    Nawa Jared grinned widely after hearing Floriana Sabina''s confirmation. A Defensive Magic Device as powerful as that should have limited uses. It won''t be long before she won''t be able to defend against his attacks.


    With that said, Nawa Jared circulated his mana once again. This time, he attacked repeatedly.


    "Light Spear of Fallstreak! Light Spear of Fallstreak! Light Spear of Fallstreak!"


    Nawa Jared attacked three times consecutively. It was the same magic technique, but this time it would be hard for Floriana Sabina''s Defensive Magic Device to keep up. Usually, Defensive Magic Devices only have a maximum of three uses.


    He couldn''t help but grin victoriously after arriving at that thought.


    Of course, Floriana Sabina merely glanced at the three light spears falling towards them from the sky. The barrier was still set up so she wasn''t worried.


    "Master Floriana, why are you still wasting your breath on this oldie?"


    Rant Valo asked while the light spears fell to the barrier with three resounding booms.


    The crowd around them had already backed farther away. They were afraid of getting hit by the shockwaves of the blasts.


    "T-THIS IS!?"


    Nawa Jared clawed at his white hair in disbelief. Just how powerful is that Defensive Magic Device?


    "Disciple, this is how you flex your strength."


    Floriana Sabina smirked at Rant Valo. She was clearly having fun messing with Nawa Jared. Rant Valo''s cheeks twitched when he heard her words. He felt pity for Nawa Jared.


    "I don''t believe it! Your Defensive Magic Device should have a limit!"


    Nawa Jared was not willing to believe that these kids in front of him had access to such a powerful Defensive Magic Device.


    Nawa Jared sent five more attacks. It resulted in five more booms that even started to crack the ground around them. Of course, it was still unable to penetrate Floriana Sabina''s barrier.


    "W-Who are you people!?"


    This time, Nawa Jared was tired. His mana was almost depleted. Fear was evident on his face as he looked at the three of them.


    "Fufufu. Etch this name into your mind. I am the Youngest Saintess in the world, and a Mana Dominion stage expert, Floriana Sabina!"


    As usual, Floriana Sabina lifted her chin high up and introduced herself arrogantly. A thunderclap even sounded from afar at the end of her words.


    "..."


    Nawa Jared had a deadpan face as he looked at Floriana Sabina. He didn''t believe any shit that she said.


    "Stop messing with me! Who are you?"


    Nawa Jared shouted angrily, and he asked once again.


    "This is my master, Floriana Sabina, this is my servant, Veia, and I am Rant Valo, a villager."


    Rant Valo walked forward and introduced them one by one with a smile on his face.


    "What?"


    Nawa Jared became even more confused from his introduction. They had such an odd mix-up that it''s hard to believe what he just said.


    "Annoying!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted in annoyance. She flicked her finger, and an ember of white flame flew to Nawa Jared''s forehead in the blink of an eye.


    "..."


    It was silent and fast. Nawa Jared didn''t even have time to react before his body started to turn to ash in front of the crowd.


    "Master Floriana!?"


    Rant Valo turned his head to Floriana Sabina in shock.

 Chapter 130 - Shes A Cold-Blooded Killer

    "Hmph! Annoying old fogie."


    Floriana Sabina snorted in anger as she watched the ash scatter with the wind.


    "..."


    The crowd around them grew silent. Their jaws were opened wide. No words could describe the shock that they are feeling right now.


    "Master Floriana, how can you kill someone so easily?!"


    Rant Valo asked her in anger and confusion. He didn''t expect her to suddenly kill Nawa Jared.


    "He was annoying me. Don''t worry about it, Disciple. This is normal."


    Floriana Sabina explained to Rant Valo and reassured him. For her who has been in the cultivation world far longer than Rant Valo has, killing is just a part of life.


    "That''s not normal!"


    Rant Valo shouted at her. He, who has never killed anyone back in the village, doesn''t understand what she means.


    "It is, Disciple. If we didn''t kill that old fogie, he would have come back with revenge, so killing him makes our lives better and easier."


    Floriana Sabina insisted to Rant Valo. Revenge is common in the cultivation world. The best way to not allow an act of revenge to happen is to kill them before they even get the chance to.


    "But it''s still killing!"


    Rant Valo answered back to her.


    "You don''t understand, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina shook her head with a sigh. Her disciple still lacks the worldly experience to understand her.


    "What do I not understand!?"


    Rant Valo was not willing to back down.


    "Disciple, you don''t understand that you would still have to kill him later."


    Floriana Sabina replied to him calmly.


    Meanwhile, the crowd around them had already recovered from their shock.


    Most of them were shaking in fear. Nawa Jared is not just your average joe. He is a Sect Elder of the Immoral Cleansing Sect. His cultivation stage was said to be at the Mid Foundation Establishment stage. And if you didn''t know, the Foundation Establishment stage is divided into 4 levels, namely, Early, Mid, High, and Peak.


    Not to mention, the difference in power levels at the Foundation Establishment stage is not similar to the differences in power levels at the Mana Condensation stage. For example, a Mid Foundation Establishment stage cultivator can easily take on 5 Early Foundation Establishment cultivators. As for the Mana Condensation stage, a single difference in power level can be easily broken through brute force.


    This difference in strength becomes more pronounced the higher your cultivation level is. This is also why some Mana Dominion stage experts are called Saints/Saintesses and most are not.


    For Nawa Jared to easily die without even being able to fight back from Floriana Sabina''s attack, made them feel like they were standing before a behemoth. They didn''t even see her attack, and the only reason they were sure that it was her was that they noticed her hand move.


    "Call the Sect Leader!"


    A sect disciple in the crowd shouted. Immediately, all of the sect disciples in the crowd dispersed to either run away or to inform the Sect Leader.


    "Master Floriana, I didn''t know that you were a cold-blooded killer."


    Rant Valo looked at Floriana Sabina coldly and with disappointment evident on his face. He honestly expected better from her.


    "D-Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina felt her heart break when she saw the way Rant Valo looked at her. It was so cold and not the usual warm smile that he was giving her.


    "Master, I think Grandmaster is right."


    Veia added from the side. She agreed with Floriana Sabina''s words deep down. Although she couldn''t understand why, because she still doesn''t have her memories, she was at least confident that Floriana Sabina''s words are correct.


    "You too, Veia?"


    Rant Valo looked at Veia with even more disappointment. He expected her to side with him.


    "M-Master, don''t look at me like that. It''s just the way of the world. If you don''t destroy a threat at its budding phase, you will regret it in the future when you can''t destroy it anymore."


    Veia felt her heart ache seeing her beloved master look at her like that. She could only explain it to him and hope that he will understand.


    "Do I really have to kill to become a strong cultivator?"


    Rant Valo looked up onto the clouds above. He was not even sure if he should continue cultivating, knowing that he would have to kill other people.


    "You don''t have to, Disciple. That''s why I killed him for you. Otherwise, you would have to make that choice yourself in the future."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him. She was gonna do her duty as Rant Valo''s master. And if that needed her to kill people for him, she would gladly do so.


    "Master Floriana¡­"


    Rant Valo''s emotions couldn''t help but well up when he heard her words. She was really the best master that he could have hoped for.


    "Disciple, if you think I shouldn''t kill people, then I won''t. I will respect your wishes."


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo. She was worried that if she insisted, Rant Valo''s heart would grow cold for her. And she doesn''t want that. She wants her disciple to love her.


    "No."


    Rant Valo stood straight and looked into Floriana Sabina''s eyes.


    "I won''t stop you killing others in the future. Just don''t kill people when it''s unnecessary."


    Rant Valo responded to her solemnly. He was not gonna be a wimp. He will become a strong cultivator. As long as they don''t kill recklessly, then he could live with that.


    "Good disciple."


    Floriana Sabina smiled widely at Rant Valo''s words. He didn''t let her down. She was right to take him as her disciple.


    Rant Valo simply nodded his head at her. It was still fresh in his mind that she killed someone. It would take a while before he could recover from it.


    "Master, you''re so strong willed."


    Veia smiled sweetly at Rant Valo. She admired the fact that he quickly understood what they meant.


    "Thank you, Veia."


    Rant Valo returned her smile. Though it was still hard for him to accept what just happened.

 Chapter 131 - Running Away From Trouble

    "Let''s go, Disciple."


    After seeing that Rant Valo already understood her intentions. She grabbed ahold of his hand and Veia''s before flying into the air and disappearing from everyone''s sight like a blur.


    Several kilometers away from the town, beside a clear lake, Floriana Sabina appeared out of thin air.


    "Hup."


    She landed on the ground and let go of Rant Valo and Veia.


    "???"


    Rant Valo looked around, disoriented. She just suddenly took him somewhere. He wasn''t prepared for it at all. He only saw a blur, and he was back in the forest.


    "We should be far enough."


    Floriana Sabina said to them.


    "Why?"


    Rant Valo asked in confusion.


    "The Immoral Cleansing Sect should be alarmed by the death of their Sect Elder. We need to lie low for a while."


    Floriana Sabina explained to Rant Valo.


    "I understand."


    Rant Valo nodded his head in understanding. It makes sense that the Immortal Cleansing Sect would go around looking for the culprit.


    "Grandmaster, aren''t you strong enough to not worry about their retaliation?"


    Veia asked Floriana Sabina. It doesn''t make sense for her to hide from them.


    "We still need to attend the Sect Tournament, right? It will be embarrassing to barge into the Sect Tournament if they know us."


    Floriana Sabina explained to her.


    "Oh, I see!"


    Veia exclaimed as she understood what Floriana Sabina was trying to say.


    "Then, what are we gonna do now?"


    Rant Valo asked them, downcast. He still hadn''t managed to enjoy their stay in the inn and the food in that restaurant.


    "I don''t know, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina shrugged her shoulders. She also didn''t know what they should do because she just flew here.


    "Sigh."


    Rant Valo released a long sigh. He looked around to see if he could do anything.


    There was a large clear lake beside them. It was surrounded by a forest in the middle of nowhere.


    "I guess we''ll go fishing again."


    Rant Valo sighed again. He looked around the forest to find a long stick that he could use as a spear.


    "Yey!"


    Veia jumped up in joy. They will go fishing again! She looked at the clear lake to see what kind of fish they could fish.


    "Hmm¡­ There is a silver fish here. It''s different from the one back then."


    Veia said to them as she watched a silver fish swim in the distance. It was very visible in the clear lake water. The fish is long and shaped like an eel.


    "I''ll try to catch it."


    Rant Valo informed them. He walked into the lake and slowly approached the elongated silver fish.


    SPLASH


    Rant Valo thrust his wooden spear into the water. It hit the fish without giving it the chance to react.


    "I got it!"


    Rant Valo raised the stick. The elongated silver fish was impaled on the end of it.


    "Wow! Master is really skilled at spearfishing!"


    Veia exclaimed in amazement. It didn''t even take a minute before her master was able to catch the silver fish.


    "Disciple, let me see."


    Floriana Sabina took the fish from the stick and observed it thoroughly.


    "I don''t know what fish this is."


    Floriana Sabina answered in confusion. This was a fish that she has never read about before. It could either be a rare fish, or just a normal fish which should explain why she doesn''t know about it.


    "Huh."


    Rant Valo was surprised that even his all-knowing master doesn''t know what fish this was.


    "Isn''t it an eel?"


    Veia asked from the side. The way the fish looks to her was that it was an eel.


    "No no no no. An eel doesn''t look like this short Veia."


    Rant Valo immediately denied Veia''s words. An eel should be long, but this fish was short. It would be one odd eel then if it was one.


    "Let me try to catch more."


    Rant Valo said to them. If this really were just a rare mutated eel, then the next one he catches should be an actual eel that is long and not short like this one.


    "Okay, Master."


    Veia nodded her head. Rant Valo then moved into the water once again. He looked deep into the clear water for fishes.


    Before long, he instantly spotted one swimming casually.


    "Hyah!"


    SPLASH


    Rant Valo thrust his wooden spear into the water and into the body of the fish. He then lifted it up and gave the fish to Floriana Sabina.


    "It''s the same one."


    Floriana Sabina told them. This time, Rant Valo was sure that this was not an eel.


    "Let''s just cook it."


    Rant Valo suggested to them. They won''t find anything about it if they didn''t even try to eat it.


    "Mm. Good idea, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head.


    "Wait, let me catch another one for Veia."


    Rant Valo turned around and headed back into the lake.


    "No need, Master. I''ll just take a small bite from yours."


    Veia smiled at Rant Valo. She liked that her master remembered about her, but since she wouldn''t even be able to eat it, he might as well not catch one.


    "Okay."


    Rant Valo came back when he heard Veia''s words.


    He then went into the forest and collected twigs and sticks to start the fire.


    "Disciple, no need."


    Floriana Sabina walked toward Rant Valo.


    "Huh?"


    Rant Valo tilted his head in confusion. Wouldn''t they need twigs and sticks to start a fire?


    "Watch, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina smiled at him and did a slashing motion to a tree.


    WHOOSH


    A curved blade of fire appeared and chopped the tree in half. Its top half slowly fell to the ground. It made a resounding sound in this quiet forest.


    Floriana Sabina swung her hand more and the tree was chopped into equal logs of fire. She then waved her and some of the logs arranged themselves into a small circle. Then with a flick of her finger, a small white ember of fire flew to the campfire she just set up.


    Fwoosh


    The campfire lit up in white flames that quickly turned orange.


    "Done."


    Floriana Sabina smiled sweetly towards Rant Valo.

 Chapter 132 - Cooking The Unknown Eel-like Fish

    "That''s amazing."


    Rant Valo said to Floriana Sabina in awe. She made everything so simple. He didn''t even have to do anything.


    "Fufufu. Doesn''t cultivation make things more convenient, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo with a cheeky smile.


    "Yes, Master Floriana. I can''t wait to be able to do the same."


    Rant Valo nodded his head at her. Once he could do what she just did, camping would just be a piece of cake. It gave him another reason to be diligent in cultivation.


    "Now, let''s cook these fishes."


    Rant Valo said to them.


    First, he descaled the fish. Second, he gutted it. Third, he seasoned it with the spices and seasonings they got. And lastly, he cooked it in the flame.


    "Ohhh! Master, it smells delicious already!"


    Veia exclaimed as she smelled the aroma coming from the skewered fish sizzling on the fire.


    "I know, right? This fish seems to be a good one."


    Rant Valo agreed with her. Even he wasn''t sure if this fish would be much tastier than a Spirit Fish as it already smells good.


    "Disciple, cook it quickly!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted from the side. She was already eager to eat the fish. Her eyes were locked onto it like a lioness eyeing its prey.


    "Yes, yes. Be patient, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo cooked the fish slowly to draw out its delicious umami flavor. Of course, it only made Floriana Sabina even more impatient as she waited longer.


    "Done!"


    After a dozen minutes of agonizingly watching the fish cook, Rant Valo was finally done.


    Swoosh!


    Instantly, Floriana Sabina''s hand grabbed one of the fishes.


    Sni~ff


    Floriana Sabina took in a great sniff of the fish. Her nose was overloaded with the delicious aroma of the perfectly cooked fish. The seasonings and spices only made it even better.


    After giving it a good sniff, Floriana Sabina took a big bite of the meat of the fish. She chewed it as steam rose from the juicy meat of the fish.


    "Waaaaaa~! Delicious! Disciple, you got to try this!"


    Floriana Sabina''s eyes glowed brightly after giving the fish meat a couple of chews. The Spirit Fish that they had eaten was incomparable to this. It was like the difference between heaven and earth.


    Seeing that Floriana Sabina had already started to eat hers, Rant Valo blew on his still hot fish. He wasn''t like her who could eat food even if it was still piping hot.


    A few seconds later, Floriana Sabina had already finished her fish. She turned her hungry eyes towards the fish in Rant Valo''s hands.


    "Eek! This is my fish!"


    Rant Valo hid the fish behind him when he saw Floriana Sabina''s hungry gaze. That single fish did not even satiate her appetite. It was just like an appetizer to her.


    "Disciple, you can cook another one, right?"


    Floriana Sabina walked towards Rant Valo with a sinister grin. She kept looking at his arms that were hiding the fish behind him.


    "I''m also hungry, Master Floriana!"


    Rant Valo protested. If he gave her this fish, he would have to cook another one which would take a while to be done. He would grow even more hungry if that happens as the smell would stimulate his appetite.


    "Hmph. Forget it. Just cook more while you wait for yours to cool."


    Floriana Sabina stopped. She might as well just wait. She figured that it will be unfair for Rant Valo if she ate his share.


    Rant Valo released a sigh when he heard her words. He was finally able to relax. This fish almost turned this place into a bloodbath.


    "Master, I''ll cool the fish for you while you cook more."


    Veia offered from the side. She had been silently watching them all this time. It took a great deal of her will to stop herself from stealing her master''s fish.


    "Alright. Thank you."


    Rant Valo gave it to her without any worry. He knows that Veia understands what will happen if she ate all of it. She would become crazy.


    Veia took the still steaming fish from Rant Valo. She gave it a good sniff, and she couldn''t help but tingle in pleasure.


    As for Rant Valo, he grabbed his wooden spear and started fishing for more fish. It took him about a quarter of an hour to catch 20 more fish. It was enough for him and Floriana Sabina to split evenly.


    "Here, Master."


    Veia passed the fish she was holding onto to Rant Valo. There were obvious bite marks on it.


    "..."


    Rant Valo took it into his hand slowly. His cheeks couldn''t help but twitch.


    "Master, it was just so delicious I couldn''t help it..."


    Veia explained herself when she saw the weird look Rant Valo was giving the fish.


    "Ehem, I''ll just eat it like this."


    Rant Valo faked a cough before he took a bite into the fish. It was not as hot as before. It was now bearable and just at the right temperature.


    "MMM!"


    Rant Valo''s eyes widened as he chewed the fish meat. It was like he was eating something that shouldn''t exist in this world.


    After a few more bites, Rant Valo was already done with the fish. He couldn''t help but look at those fishes he caught earlier. They looked appetizing the more he looked at them.


    "I''ll cook more!"


    Rant Valo shouted with great vigor. Floriana Sabina nodded her head seriously. She was finally gonna get another one.


    After a while, Rant Valo cooked all of the fish. He was now eating it together with Floriana Sabina.


    "Delicious! We should just live here forever!"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but say. This was something that he didn''t even say when he ate the Spirit Fish.


    "I agree, Disciple. But we need to go to the more powerful regions."


    Floriana Sabina was in full agreement with Rant Valo. These fishes are simply too divine tasting for them to just leave this place.


    "Anyway, what is this place?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but ask.


    Rustle Rustle


    The bushes from the side of the forest were disturbed. Rant Valo, Veia, and Floriana Sabina turned their head towards it.

 Chapter 133 - Running Away From Trouble Again

    "Who!?"


    Rant Valo shouted in question.


    "Huh?"


    A man in the robes of the Immoral Cleansing Sect appeared. He looked at the three of them with a puzzled face.


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    Rant Valo, Veia, and Floriana Sabina immediately thought that they were caught, but the Sect Disciple didn''t react to them the way they expect him to.


    "Who are you guys?"


    The Sect Disciple asked with a confused face.


    "Why do you ask?"


    Rant Valo answered him with a question of his own. There shouldn''t be any reason for him to be asking them that question as they are in the middle of nowhere. Or he could just be really friendly.


    "This is the Immortal Lake of the Immoral Cleansing Sect?"


    The Sect Disciple replied to him.


    "What?"


    Rant Valo immediately widened his eyes in shock. He turned his head towards Floriana Sabina.


    Floriana Sabina averted her eyes and turned her head away.


    "Master Floriana... Did you accidentally enter the Immoral Cleansing Sect?"


    Rant Valo asked her with his cheeks twitching.


    "I-I think so?"


    Floriana Sabina tilted her head cutely in confusion.


    "Then¡­ the fish we ate?"


    Rant Valo asked as he gulped heavily.


    "T-These fishes are-!"


    The Sect Disciple noticed the cooked fishes lined up in front of Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina.


    "What fish are they?"


    Rant Valo asked with an awkward smile on his face.


    "You thieves!"


    The Sect Disciple shouted angrily as he pointed towards them.


    "Run!"


    Rant Valo shouted towards them. Without even thinking about it, Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina grabbed all of the cooked fish and ran with it. Veia followed them from behind.


    The Sect Disciple pulled a circular object from his pocket and whispered to it. Before long, several cultivators flew towards the lake. They were like shooting stars coming from the horizon.


    "Master Floriana! Fly us away!"


    Rant Valo shouted to her. He could see that she was not even trying. She was looking at the lake with reluctance. As if she couldn''t just leave it here.


    "But, Disciple, this lake is a treasure trove¡­ Munch Munch"


    Floriana Sabina replied to him before taking a big bite of a cooked fish.


    "We''ll come back later!"


    Rant Valo said to her. The cultivators that were flying in the air were about to reach them.


    "Hmph. Okay."


    Floriana Sabina snorted sadly before holding onto Veia and Rant Valo''s hands and disappearing together with them.


    The cultivators flying in the air stopped in midair. They just saw the three people in front of them disappear.


    "Was that the rare Displacement Magic Talisman?"


    A cultivator asked. He appears to be in his twenties.


    "I think so. Otherwise, we wouldn''t have seen them disappear in front of us."


    An elderly man replied to him.


    These people were all in the upper echelon of the Immoral Cleansing Sect. Though, it was not all of them as some of the upper echelons had come to the town to retaliate against Nawa Jared''s killer.


    "We have to catch them! How many Snake Fishes did they steal?"


    Another elderly man said to them while he gritted his teeth in anger. Those fishes that Rant Valo caught were called Snake Fishes. The name of the fish may sound mediocre, but it was a rare breed of fish that only grows in this clear lake.


    It was used to create rare Grade 1 and 2 Pills which is why they breed so many of them.


    "Reporting to the Grand Elder, they have stolen and cooked 22 Snake Fish."


    The Sect Disciple from earlier reported to the elderly man who was actually the Grand Elder of the Immoral Cleansing Sect.


    "22!? That''s 1/20th of the total population!"


    The Grand Elder was shocked. These Snake Fishes are not easy to breed. They would have to feed them rare Spiritual Plants just to breed a couple of them.


    "Search for them! The Displacement Magic Talisman should not have taken them far."


    The other elderly man shouted.


    "Yes, Sect Master."


    The cultivators around him bowed respectfully before flying in different directions.


    Meanwhile, Floriana Sabina had long appeared in a place several tens of kilometers away from the Immoral Cleansing Sect. Rant Valo held his head with one hand as he suffered from vertigo. Floriana Sabina just flew so fast for him to handle it.


    "Master, are you okay?"


    Veia asked him worriedly.


    "I''m fine."


    Rant Valo replied to her as he removed his hand from his head. The dizziness he was feeling had quickly passed.


    "Where are we?"


    Rant Valo asked. This place was entirely different from the forest they were in before. This place was rocky and mountainous.


    "I don''t know, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina shrugged her shoulders.


    "What are we gonna do now?"


    Rant Valo asked her. They had already run away from the Immoral Cleansing Sect two times.


    "Let''s hunt for food again after we finish these fishes. Munch Munch"


    Floriana Sabina answered Rant Valo as she continued biting into the fish in her hand. The other cooked fishes were floating around her.


    "Again? Okay."


    Rant Valo was already missing their life in the town. He didn''t have to hunt anything and the food would still taste delicious.


    "What? Do you have a problem, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina raised an eyebrow at Rant Valo.


    "N-No¡­"


    Rant Valo answered meekly. She was always so fierce with him.


    "What is that, Master?"


    Veia suddenly pointed far away. There was an animal with a large antler on its head.


    "I don''t know either."


    Rant Valo replied to her. He was a villager so he himself didn''t know what it was.


    "That''s a moose, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina answered. She was the most knowledgeable of the three. She had read and seen images of different animals in books even if she hadn''t seen them in person.


    "I guess we''re having moose meat for dinner."


    Rant Valo said to them. That moose was basically telling them to hunt it when it showed itself in front of Rant Valo''s group.


    "Yes! I wanna try it, Master."


    Veia nodded her head excitedly. She was curious what moose meat tastes like.


    "Let''s approach it carefully."


    Rant Valo walked towards the moose and hid behind a large rock.

 Chapter 134 - Rubble Moose

    "Mm!"


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head vehemently. She followed Rant Valo and also hid behind the rock together with Veia.


    "Is that really just a moose?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but ask Floriana Sabina after looking at the moose for a while longer.


    "Hmmm¡­ I think it''s a Spiritual Animal."


    Floriana Sabina held her chin in thought before answering Rant Valo''s question.


    "A Spiritual Animal?"


    Rant Valo furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.


    "A Spiritual Animal is an animal that could cultivate. Similar to that Forest Bear we encountered back in the forest beside the river."


    Floriana Sabina explained to Rant Valo in detail. Animals in the world are divided into two categories, Animals and Spiritual Animals. Animals are just animals, while Spiritual Animals are cultivating animals.


    "I understand."


    Rant Valo nodded his head in understanding. Back in the village, he only saw normal animals. Maybe there were some weird ones, but he doesn''t remember.


    Rant Valo then turned his head and looked at the moose one more time. It has a large antler that looks almost like a tree. There were hard rock-like protrusions on his back. It certainly doesn''t look normal. Unless that is what a moose really look like.


    "Is that really how a moose should look like? Isn''t the rock on its back odd?"


    Rant Valo asked Floriana Sabina. Even he who hadn''t seen a moose beforehand thought that it was odd.


    "Hmm. I think it''s a Rubble Moose. An Earth Element moose."


    Floriana Sabina replied to Rant Valo. A Rubble Moose cultivates the Earth Element. The larger the protrusions on its back, the stronger it is. Of course, it will also reach a point when it will stop growing. At that time, it would harden.


    "How powerful is it?"


    Rant Valo asked her curiously. He would just attack if it was actually weaker than his cultivation stage.


    "Do you really want me to tell you, Disciple? Isn''t it more fun if you find out yourself."


    Floriana Sabina smirked at Rant Valo.


    "... Alright."


    Rant Valo could only nod his head. He slowly approached the Rubble Moose. He moved from one large rock to another while Floriana Sabina and Veia were following behind him.


    Before long, Rant Valo was just within 20 meters of the Rubble Moose. He could see it chewing on some rocks which he found odd.


    "Are rocks really nutritious?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but turn to Floriana Sabina and ask.


    "They are. As long as you are an Earth Element Spiritual Animal."


    Floriana Sabina answered Rant Valo. As Earth Element Spiritual Animals can absorb the Earth Element Mana inside the rocks, they can be used as food.


    "I see."


    Rant Valo was surprised that something like that was even possible. He thought that the Rubble Moose was just going crazy.


    "I''ll attack it now."


    Rant Valo informed them. He closed his eyes and channeled his mana through his mana channels.


    "Lucky Dragon Breath!"


    Rant Valo shouted. It immediately caught the Rubble Moose''s attention, but it was too late as Rant Valo''s attack magic technique was already on the verge of firing.


    FWOOSH


    An Azure Dragon spirit entered Rant Valo''s body before controlling it and releasing a fiery breath.


    The Rubble Moose looked at the bright breath of flame coming towards it calmly. With a tap of its foot, a giant rock suddenly protruded out from the ground. It blocked the path of the dragon''s breath.


    Sizzle sizzle


    The hot dragon''s breath melted the rock and turned it into molten lava that bubbled to the side. As for the moose, a large amount of rock was lifted from the rocky mountain and embedded itself in the holes of its antlers. Essentially turning it into a huge wall.


    The moose turned its eyes towards Rant Valo who was still releasing the dragon''s breath. Rant Valo felt chills up his spine when he saw the moose look at him. He immediately stopped channeling his magic technique.


    After seeing that Rant Valo had stopped releasing the fiery breath, the moose lowered its head and rammed towards Rant Valo.


    Rant Valo knew that he would be thrown far away and down to the lower part of the mountain that they were in. He channeled his trusty magic technique.


    "Tide of Bad Fortune!"


    Rant Valo shouted and a gush of white mana flew towards the Rubble Moose. The moose was startled at first as it stopped in its tracks, but when the white gush of mana hit it and nothing happened, it continued its charge towards Rant Valo.


    "Oh no!"


    Rant Valo had no more choice but to run. Floriana Sabina and Veia were already far away. They watched as Rant Valo did his best to run faster.


    "Help me! Master Floriana! Veia~!"


    Rant Valo bellowed. The Rubble Moose locked onto his ass as it continued its charge.


    "Disciple! Use your magic techniques!"


    Floriana Sabina raised her voice and shouted to him. She wanted him to learn how to cope with this situation.


    "Agh."


    Rant Valo gritted his teeth. He turned around and faced the moose before challenging his mana rapidly. He executed the Diving Magpie magic technique.


    A magpie appeared above Rant Valo. When he saw that, he immediately ran again. The magpie didn''t follow Rant Valo but merely looked at the charging Rubble Moose before diving towards it like a hawk.


    KIIK KIIK


    The magpie shrilled before hitting the Rubble Moose directly on its antler. Rant Valo turned his head to look and he was surprised to see the Rubble Moose still charging towards him. It was like the Diving Magpie never had any effect.


    "Master Floriana!!"


    Rant Valo shouted much louder than before. He was on his wit''s end. He doesn''t think that any of his other magic techniques will be of help.


    "Do your best, Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted in reply. When Rant Valo heard that, he knew that she had no intention of helping him so he turned around and faced the Rubble Moose again.


    It was about 5 meters in front of him.


    "Tortoise Fortune''s Defense!"


    Rant Valo channeled his best or rather, his only defense magic technique.

 Chapter 135 - Double Execution

    In a way that Rant Valo never expected, the moose hit him. But that wasn''t the end. Rant Valo was surprised to find that the moose was blocked in front of him. It couldn''t move any further. It was like it was being held in place by something.


    Rant Valo immediately turned his head to Floriana Sabina who was hiding behind a rock. He smiled at her.


    "That''s not me, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina smiled back in reply. She was not using her cultivation to stop that Rubble Moose from advancing.


    "Huh?"


    Rant Valo immediately looked in front of him in confusion. He observed the Rubble Moose that was struggling in front of him.


    "What''s going on?"


    Rant Valo wondered to himself. He lowered his head and looked at the rocks that were on the Rubble Moose''s antlers.


    "Is my magic technique actually controlling the rocks in the Rubble Moose''s antlers!?"


    Rant Valo exclaimed in realization. If that were true, it would be so overpowered.


    "That''s amazing!"


    Rant Valo was excited. This means that he can use this magic technique to cheat against Earth Element Spiritual Animals.


    Seeing that the Rubble Moose was stuck in front of him as no matter how much it pulled back, it wasn''t able to release itself. Rant Valo tried to use another magic technique.


    Rant Valo closed his eyes to focus. This would be that first time that he would be using two magic techniques. It would not just be double the difficulty. It would be 10 times harder as executing two magic techniques side by side requires a lot of concentration.


    Rant Valo looked at the mana that was flowing inside him. These mana are being used to power the Tortoise Fortune''s Defense. He had to find a way to flow another set of mana to execute another magic technique without disturbing this flow. If he couldn''t do that, the Rubble Moose would attack him.


    Rant Valo spent a long time with his eyes closed. His mana reserves were slowly whittling down as the Rubble Moose started to struggle harder and harder.


    "Double Execution: Flap of the Lucky Phoenix!"


    Rant Valo shouted. He found a way to execute two magic techniques without interrupting each other!


    A bundle of orange particles gathered in the air above Rant Valo. It slowly took the form of a Divine Phoenix.


    KRIIIIIII~!


    The Divine Phoenix shrieked and dove down towards the Rubble Moose. The only thing the Rubble Moose could do was watch as the phoenix dove down before flapping back up and creating a huge slash of flame that hit it''s neck.


    SWOOOSH


    The neck of the Rubble Moose was separated from its body. Not long after, its dead body dropped to the ground.


    "Finally, it''s dead."


    Rant Valo released his magic techniques. That was the most stressed he had ever been all his life. He was basically at the mouth of death when that Rubble Moose was stuck in front of him.


    "Congratulations, Disciple. You defeated a Late Foundation Establishment stage Rubble Moose."


    Floriana Sabina left the rock and approached Rant Valo with a beaming smile on her face. She was proud that she was able to defeat the Spiritual Animal several levels above his cultivation stage.


    "Master Floriana¡­ I thought you abandoned me¡­"


    Rant Valo struggled to talk as he breathed in air to recover his lost stamina.


    "No way, Disciple. That was a good performance. I give you an A score."


    Floriana Sabina shook her head with a smile. She was really proud that Rant Valo was able to win.


    "What if I died?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but ask her. He was really fearing for his life back then. If he didn''t need to use his magic technique to defend and attack the Rubble Moose, he would have been shouting towards her repeatedly.


    "You wouldn''t, Disciple. I have my hands ready all this time. If you were really in any danger, I would be able to save you even from that distance.''


    Floriana Sabina explained to him. Of course, she wasn''t gonna let her one and only disciple die to a Rubble Moose. Besides, she still hadn''t made it clear with Rant Valo that she wanted him to marry her too.


    "Thank you, I guess?"


    Rant Valo smiled at her wryly. Although he believed her words, he really thought that she abandoned him.


    "Hmph! That''s right! You should be thanking me."


    Floriana Sabina raised her chin arrogantly. She was so proud right now that her disciple learned how to execute two magic techniques simultaneously.


    "Master, that was so scary!"


    Veia added from the side. If Floriana Sabina hadn''t stopped her, she would have ran to save her master. All this time, she was gripping her fists tightly as she watched her beloved master struggle against the Rubble Moose.


    After saying that, Veia went forward and hugged Rant Valo. She felt really scared. She even thought that she was gonna lose her master, but she still trusted Floriana Sabina as she knew that there''s no way that she would let her master die.


    "Thank you for the worry, Veia."


    Rant Valo returned her embrace tightly. He was really glad that she was here to comfort him.


    "D-Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina panicked and realized that she did it wrong. She ran to Rant Valo''s side and embraced him from behind.


    "Uhh¡­"


    Rant Valo smiled awkwardly when he felt her embrace him tightly from behind.


    "Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but ask her what she was doing.


    "Just let us hug you, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina replied to him with her face buried in his clothes.


    Rant Valo thought about it and gave up thinking too much about it. He allowed them to embrace him for a few minutes before they let go.


    "Master, you can sleep on Veia''s lap."


    Veia said to Rant Valo with a warm smile. It had been a while since Rant Valo last slept on her lap. She was eager to do it again.


    "Disciple, you can sleep on my lap too!"


    Floriana Sabina added from the side. She wants to try to let Rant Valo sleep on her lap.

 Chapter 136 - Double Lap Pillow

    "How can I even do that?"


    Rant Valo asked them in confusion. There were two of them, and how would he be able to lie on both of their laps?


    "Simple, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina smiled cheekily at Rant Valo. She sat on the ground and motioned for Veia to sit beside her in a seiza position.


    "Here! Lay your head in the middle of our laps."


    Floriana Sabina patted Veia''s lap with hers.


    "O-Okay, but it''s too hot."


    Rant Valo replied with a stutter. The sun was shining down on them as there was no shade around the area.


    "Here, a parasol."


    An umbrella appeared on Floriana Sabina''s hand, and she used it to cover the three of them.


    "That''s better."


    Rant Valo relaxed and laid down on both of their laps.


    "Fufufufu. Isn''t this fun, Grandmaster?"


    Veia chuckled when Rant Valo finally lied down on their laps.


    "You''re right. Fufufu."


    Floriana Sabina laughed together with Veia. They were enjoying giving Rant Valo a lap pillow together.


    Rant Valo''s body was very tired. His Core is almost empty of mana, so he quickly fell asleep.


    When Rant Valo opened his eyes again, it was already dark. Stars were shining in the dark starry sky.


    "Hm? Disciple, you''re awake."


    Floriana Sabina was the first to notice that Rant Valo had already opened his eyes.


    "Master! Good evening~"


    Veia turned her head to Rant Valo and greeted him with a smile.


    "How long was I asleep?"


    Rant Valo asked. He felt like he had slept forever.


    "The whole day, Master. It''s almost midnight now."


    Veia replied to Rant Valo.


    "Really? Isn''t it hard for you guys to sit there for too long?"


    Rant Valo asked them worriedly. He noticed before that Veia was stretching her legs after she gave him a lap pillow last time.


    "It''s okay, Master. As long as you can rest well."


    Veia reassured Rant Valo with a smile.


    "Disciple, are you well rested now?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him.


    "Yes. I feel much better."


    Rant Valo nodded his head at her and raised his body.


    When Rant Valo stood up, both Floriana Sabina and Veia extended their legs allowed them to rest.


    "Are you guys okay?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but ask again after seeing the indents of the rocks on their legs.


    "This is fine, Disciple. We are cultivators."


    Floriana Sabina patted her legs to remove the dust on them. The rock marks on her body also soon faded away.


    "Alright, I''ll cook a delicious meal for you girls!"


    Rant Valo stood up and declared to them with great energy,


    "Mm! Please do so, Master."


    "Yes, Disciple. If you don''t cook it well¡­ Hmph! I''ll never let you sleep on my lap again!"


    Veia and Floriana Sabina were both excited to taste Rant Valo''s cooking again.


    "Of course!"


    Rant Valo said to them with a smile. He felt obliged and energized to cook for them after seeing the way their legs look after giving him the lap pillow for a day.


    Rant Valo walked towards the moose. He pulled his knife from the inside of his robes and started cutting into the flesh of the Rubble Moose. Its blood had already leaked out through its neck long ago, so Rant Valo didn''t have to worry about it.


    He gave each part a check to see if they were soft. He did that multiple times and compared each meat to the other.


    It didn''t take Rant Valo long to find the softest part. It was similar to the tenderloin of a cow.


    "This should work well."


    Rant Valo said out loud. He sprinkled seasonings and spices on it while Floriana Sabina and Veia watched behind him.


    "We don''t have a fire?"


    Rant Valo stood up and looked at the two of them with a blank expression on his face. He was too into cooking a delicious meal for them that he forgot the most important ingredient for cooking, the fire.


    "Disciple, just who do you think am I? Fufufufu."


    Floriana Sabina laughed out loud when she heard Rant Valo''s words.


    "No way! Your flames will turn the meat to ash."


    Rant Valo immediately shook his hands in front of him.


    "Tch. I can control my flames, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina clicked her tongue in annoyance. She was not so bad that she couldn''t even control the heat of her flames.


    "We don''t have sticks to skewer the meat with."


    Rant Valo said to her.


    "Master, I kept some!"


    Veia showed him a bunch of used sticks with obvious burns and bits and pieces of fish meat stuck to them.


    "Wait, aren''t those the sticks we used for the fish?! You didn''t throw it away?"


    Rant Valo exclaimed in shock after seeing the bunch of sticks.


    "Teehee, I kept the sticks Master used."


    Veia knocked on her head and stuck her tongue out.


    "You¡­"


    Rant Valo didn''t know what to say. He grabbed the sticks from her and cleaned them by removing the bits of fish stuck to them using his knife.


    "There! Master Floriana, use your flame."


    Rant Valo held the meat skewered on a stick in front of Floriana Sabina.


    "..."


    Floriana Sabina blinked her eyes repeatedly.


    "What? Aren''t you gonna use your flame to cook it?"


    Rant Valo looked at her in confusion.


    "I didn''t mean that! I mean it like this."


    Floriana Sabina shook her head exaggeratedly. She pointed her palms towards the ground in front of her and a white flame blazed from her palm to the ground.


    FWO~OSH


    The ground in front of Floriana Sabina was heated till it melted into lava.


    "Done! Now cook over it, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo. The white flame disappeared and the glowing red ground can now be seen.


    "Oh! So this is what you meant."


    Rant Valo was surprised. He never thought about this. This should make it easier to cook. Instead of having Floriana Sabina use her flame to cook the meat.


    Rant Valo grabbed the sticks of meat and hovered them over the red lava.

 Chapter 137 - Fighting To Feed Rant Valo

    "This is cooking much better than I thought."


    Rant Valo exclaimed as he cooked the meat skewers over the flame.


    "Mmm~ Disciple, it smells good."


    "Master, your cooking always smells good."


    Floriana Sabina and Veia took a whiff of the delicious aroma floating in the air. They were both already hungry just smelling the meat.


    It took Rant Valo a few dozen minutes to cook the moose meat. When it was finally done, Floriana Sabina immediately took it from his hands and took a bite.


    "Delicious!"


    Floriana Sabina exclaimed before continuing to bite into the meat skewer.


    "Sigh. I''ll cook more."


    Seeing that Floriana Sabina was eating it so eagerly, Rant Valo decided to cook more.


    After an hour, there was a big pile of cubed cooked meat in front of them. It was all sitting on a polished rock. Rant Valo asked Floriana Sabina to make it so he can cook more meat. These cooked meats are removed from the stick so Rant Valo can cook more without worrying about running out of sticks.


    "That should be enough."


    Rant Valo said to them. He already felt bored cooking so much meat.


    "Disciple, open your mouth."


    Floriana Sabina grabbed a piece of meat from the pile and moved it towards Rant Valo''s mouth. Of course, Rant Valo didn''t say no and opened his mouth to accept the meat.


    "Nom¡­. Aw aw aw OWW!"


    The meat entered Rant Valo''s mouth and it took it a few moments for the heat of the meat to transfer him. It was scorchingly hot!


    "Puh! That was hot, Master Floriana!"


    Rant Valo spat the meat out of his mouth and complained to her. He was not like her who didn''t care about the temperature of the meat.


    "Was it? Hehehe¡­"


    Floriana Sabina chuckled awkwardly when she realized that she fed Rant Valo scorching hot meat.


    "..."


    Rant Valo didn''t know what to say seeing her act like that. She should have known that he wasn''t like her who likes to eat hot food.


    "Master, do you want me to feed you?"


    Veia suddenly suggested to him. She saw Floriana Sabina feed him so she became interested to feed him too.


    "Alright."


    Rant Valo opened his mouth and allowed Veia to feed him. Veia touched the cooked meat cubes and picked the coolest one. She then blew onto it before feeding it to Rant Valo.


    "Ahhh~"


    "Nom."


    Rant Valo took it into his mouth. His eyes widened from the taste of it. Although he cooked it, it was still a surprise as this was his first time eating moose meat.


    "Veia, you''re really considerate."


    Rant Valo said to her before he turned to Floriana Sabina and gave her a smirk.


    "Hmph! I''ll show you, Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted and grabbed another piece of meat. This time, she opened her palm towards it, and a small flame escaped the cubed meat and entered her palm.


    "There! This is cool now. Ahhh~"


    Floriana Sabina moved the meat towards Rant Valo''s mouth and fed him.


    Rant Valo was curious about what she did to the meat so he opened his mouth and accepted it.


    "???"


    Rant Valo''s face became puzzled and he looked at her with a weird gaze.


    "It''s cold, right?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him enthusiastically.


    "Ish tuu chold!"


    Rant Valo responded to her with his full mouth. The cooked meat that Floriana Sabina fed him was really cold. It was like it had been left outside and cooled. He didn''t expect that she could even do that.


    "Didn''t you want it cold?"


    Floriana Sabina tilted her head cutely in puzzlement. He didn''t want it hot so that means that he wanted it cold, right?


    "But this is too cold."


    Rant Valo swallowed the cold meat down his throat. It was not that tasty anymore when it''s that cold.


    "Hmph. Choosy, Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted and turned her head away. She didn''t know what he wants anymore.


    "Veia, I''ll feed you, and you feed me."


    Rant Valo turned to face Veia and spoke.


    "Gladly, Master!"


    Veia responded to him avidly. She opened her mouth and waited for Rant Valo to feed her.


    Rant Valo picked up a piece of cubed meat and blew on it before feeding it to her.


    "Mmm! Delicious, Master!"


    Veia exclaimed happily with her eyes closed.


    "Here, Master."


    Veia fed him another.


    As for Floriana Sabina, she was sitting beside them as she looked at them coldly. Her cheeks were twitching at Rant Valo''s obvious attempt to mock her.


    "Eat!"


    Floriana Sabina forced a piece of meat into Rant Valo''s mouth before Veia could do so.


    "Gohogh!"


    Rant Valo almost choked on the meat. To his surprise, the meat was just at the right temperature. He chewed it before swallowing it.


    "How was it?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him shyly with worry on her face.


    "Perfect temperature."


    Rant Valo replied to her.


    "I''m glad."


    Floriana Sabina smiled at him sweetly. She picked another cubed meat and sucked its heat before feeding it to Rant Valo.


    "Hey! It''s my turn Grandmaster!"


    Veia complained to Floriana Sabina. She stopped her from feeding it to Rant Valo.


    "Hmph. I''ll be the only one to feed him."


    Floriana Sabina snorted at her. She was upset at Veia for feeding Rant Valo so sweetly earlier.


    "Wha-! Let me feed my master!"


    Veia pushed Floriana Sabina away, but Floriana Sabina didn''t budge. After all, she was stronger than Veia.


    "No! You perverted demon should not."


    Floriana Sabina responded to her angrily.


    "Relax girls. Why don''t you take turns?"


    Rant Valo had no choice but to mediate them. At this rate, they would start to fight each other.


    "Thank you, Master!"


    Veia was overjoyed to hear her master side with her. As for Floriana Sabina, she snorted and obliged.


    "Whatever."


    Floriana Sabina said and moved out of the way.


    "Yey! Here, Master."


    Veia fed Rant Valo.


    It took an hour for them to finish all of the meat. Or rather, for Rant Valo to finish the meat. The two of them were just taking turns to feed him. He felt like his stomach was about to burst because of it.

 Chapter 138 - Clone

    "I''m so full¡­"


    Rant Valo held his stomach. They fed him so much that he felt like it was about to burst already.


    "Master, I want to drink your blood now."


    Veia whispered to Rant Valo''s ear.


    "Yes yes."


    Rant Valo grabbed a bowl and unsheathed his knife before he cut his wrist. He caught his blood in the bowl before he gave it to Veia.


    "Here."


    Veia took it with both of her hands and drank it greedily.


    "Puah~ Master''s blood is really the best."


    Veia said with satisfaction. No matter what she ate, they weren''t able to beat the taste of her master''s blood. His blood was just that delicious for her.


    "I''ll go cultivate¡­ oh wait, I can''t."


    Rant Valo was just about to close his eyes to cultivate when he remembered that he can''t.


    "Master Floriana, what do we do now?"


    Rant Valo turned his head to the side to Floriana Sabina, but she was sitting crosslegged, cultivating.


    "Do you want to learn alchemy, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina opened her eyes and asked him.


    "Alchemy?"


    Rant Valo tilted his head in confusion. He never heard of this ''alchemy'' word.


    "Yes. I don''t know alchemy, but I have books about it."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head and said to him.


    "Can I see them?"


    Rant Valo asked her. He was curious about this ''alchemy''.


    "This is the Foundation Basics of alchemy."


    A book appeared in Floriana Sabina''s hand and she passed it to Rant Valo.


    "Oh!"


    Rant Valo took it from her hand with curiosity on his face. He opened it and browsed through it.


    "... So alchemy is the creation of the pill?"


    Rant Valo asked her. This was something that was written in the book.


    "Basically, yes."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head. Alchemy is about mixing different Spiritual Medicines in a Pill Furnace to create a pill.


    "Hehhh¡­ Interesting."


    Rant Valo''s interest was immediately piqued, he continued reading through the book till morning. Veia was still sleeping when he put down the book.


    "Alchemy, Alchemy¡­ I want to try it."


    Rant Valo said out loud. Floriana Sabina who was cultivating on the side opened her eyes and spoke to him.


    "But you need to reach the Foundation Establishment to be capable of even creating the lowest Grade 1 Pill."


    Floriana Sabina''s words shot down his excitement.


    "Aww, really? Then, should I just not join this Sect Tournament?"


    Rant Valo suggested this to her. The more he saw it, the less beneficial this Sect Tournament was.


    "No, Disciple. If you really want to cultivate, I have a solution."


    Floriana Sabina shook her head and said to him.


    "What is it, Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo asked. He was eager to know her solution.


    "Clones."


    Floriana Sabina said only one word.


    "Clone? What''s that?"


    Rant Valo was oblivious to what the word ''clone'' meant.


    "A clone is another you. It contains your soul which also includes your memories so it acts like you."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him.


    "Do you have a clone, Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo suddenly thought. If clones are so good, then she should have one.


    "I don''t want to have one, because¡­ hehehe you''ll know later, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina said to him with a chuckle.


    "Do you want it or not? You can do more things after you get a clone!"


    Floriana Sabina persuaded him with a smile on her face.


    "Alright. Just do it. I trust you."


    Rant Valo agreed with her. It seems like a good offer in his opinion.


    "Wait, let me prepare your other body for you!"


    Floriana Sabina said to him and turned around.


    A small orb appeared in her hand. She grasped it and closed her eyes. Soon, it started to glow brightly as her mana was transferred into it.


    "Give me your hair, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina opened her palm towards Rant Valo.


    "Okay."


    Rant Valo plucked a hair on his head and gave it to her.


    Floriana Sabina dropped the hair on the orb and it flashed with a bright light. After the light faded away, another Rant Valo was standing in front of her.


    "Woah!"


    Rant Valo exclaimed in shock. Suddenly seeing another him was so creepy.


    "Ootoh."


    Floriana Sabina caught the other Rant Valo as it went limp and laid him on the ground.


    "Is that it? That''s my clone? But it''s not moving."


    Rant Valo was confused as he looked at the other him. It looks lifeless.


    "There''s another step, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina grinned widely.


    "W-What is it?"


    Rant Valo stuttered. Something felt off about her smile.


    Floriana Sabina took a stance in front of Rant Valo and pushed her palm forward.


    "Hah!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted. Suddenly, Rant Valo felt a strange force hit him and push him away.


    "Why did you hit me?"


    Rant Valo asked her in confusion.


    "Wait, is that another clone?"


    Rant Valo asked her in confusion. There was another Rant Valo standing in front of her.


    "No. This is your body, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina turned her head to him and smirked.


    "Ah!"


    Rant Valo immediately realized what was going on. He looked down and looked at his body. It was translucent and light passed through his body. Though, for some reason, he was wearing the same clothes on his body.


    "Prepare, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina warned him.


    All of a sudden, Rant Valo felt a crushing force tear him in half. It was like his body was a piece of paper and someone suddenly tore it apart.


    "AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!"


    It was unbearable pain. Nothing like what Rant Valo had ever experience. Random images appeared inside his mind and he felt like he relived his life in that instant. Every decision he made, every mistake he made, and every happiness he had, he saw it all.


    Then, it was silent. Rant Valo looked straight with empty eyes.


    "Disciple, this is why I don''t want to create a clone."


    Floriana Sabina said to him with a smile. There was excitement evident on her face. She was finally gonna get her own disciple. Not one that Veia would cling to, but hers!

 Chapter 139 - Confused Clones

    "W-What''s happening?"


    Veia opened her eyes. She looked towards Floriana Sabina in confusion.


    "I''m cloning my disciple."


    Floriana Sabina explained to her with a wide smile. Veia couldn''t actually hear Rant Valo''s screams as it was done in his soul body. A soul body is the body formed by the soul when it exits its flesh body.


    "Clone!? Isn''t that insanely hard?"


    Veia exclaimed in shock. Cloning is supposedly only done by powerful cultivators. No cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage would dare to attempt it.


    "Look around, I already prepared two bodies for him."


    Floriana Sabina pointed to two of Rant Valo''s bodies around her.


    After chatting with Veia, Floriana Sabina focused her attention on Rant Valo''s soul body. It was directly ripped in half. His eyes were unfocused. It looked like he lost his consciousness.


    A jar appeared in Floriana Sabina''s hand. She opened it and a burst of semi-transparent white soul energy escaped. It all flew towards Rant Valo''s ripped soul and healed it in real time.


    "P-Pain¡­"


    "P-Pain¡­"


    The two Rant Valo murmured. His consciousness slowly came back to him as his ripped soul body was healed. It completed the two halves and he ended up with two soul bodies.


    "M-Master Floriana?"


    "M-Master Floriana?"


    The two Rant Valo''s regained consciousness and saw her. There was still confusion on their faces.


    "Welcome back, Disciples."


    Floriana Sabina smiled.


    "Eh?"


    "Eh?"


    The two Rant Valo looked at each other blankly.


    "A mirror?"


    "A mirror?"


    They both said at the same time.


    "Anyways, I''ll put you in your respective bodies now."


    Floriana Sabina informed them. She waved her hand and the two Rant Valo''s entered the two empty bodies.


    "Hahhhh!"


    "Hahhhh!"


    The two Rant Valo''s opened their eyes and sucked in a great amount of air in sync.


    "Hello, Disciple 1 and Disciple 2."


    Floriana Sabina greeted the two of them with a smile.


    "Huh?"


    "Huh?"


    They both tilted their heads in confusion.


    "Wait, you''re the clone!"


    "Wait, you''re the clone!"


    They both pointed at each other.


    "Alright, stop."


    Floriana Sabina clapped hands together to get their attention,


    "None of you are the clone. You''re both Rant Valo."


    She explained to them.


    "..."


    They both looked at each other silently. They didn''t know what to feel about this situation.


    "You are Veia''s Rant Valo."


    Floriana Sabina pointed to the Rant Valo occupying the original body.


    "And you are mine."


    Then she pointed to the other one with a wide grin on her face.


    "???"


    "???"


    The two Rant Valo''s looked at her in confusion.


    "This is so annoying. Here! Practice this and sync your soul up together."


    Floriana Sabina threw a book to her Rant Valo. The other Rant Valo walked towards him and they both read the book together.


    "Sigh. Having your souls unsynced with each other only makes it more confusing for me."


    Floriana Sabina sighed. They would just keep saying the same thing until they both experience different things, only then would they think differently from the other.


    "Grandmaster, there are two Masters! I can feel it."


    Veia walked closer to Floriana Sabina and said to her excitedly.


    "No. Before you say it. You can''t do it with his original body or his clone."


    Floriana Sabina shook her head. She could guess what''s on Veia''s mind already.


    "I-I wasn''t thinking of that!"


    Veia denied Floriana Sabina''s words in a fluster.


    "Hmph! His original body would accompany you while the clone body would accompany me. This way, we don''t have to worry about getting his affection."


    Floriana Sabina snorted before explaining to her.


    "R-Really!?"


    Veia''s eyes shined with joy. She was gonna have her own master that was only for her.


    "Yes."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head with a smile.


    "Soul Link!"


    "Soul Link!"


    The two Rant Valo''s suddenly shouted. Their bodies glowed brightly and a link between their souls was formed.


    "Woah. It feels like I have two bodies."


    Rant Valo''s original body said in amazement.


    "You ''do'', Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina smiled at him proudly.


    "It feels amazing. It''s like I can do more."


    Rant Valo said to her. His clone opened and closed his hands to try it out.


    "You can use your clone to cultivate. This original body of yours can stay at that cultivation level."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him.


    "I understand, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo nodded his head in understanding.


    "Do you have a Pill Furnace, Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo asked her. If he wants to try making a pill, then he would need to have a Pill Furnace.


    "There."


    A Pill Furnace appeared in front of them. It was a small furnace with three stands. It had an opening on top where you presumably put the Medicinal Plants.


    "Thank you, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo thanked her and his clone walked to the Pill Furnace and sat in front of it.


    "You''re welcome, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina replied to him with a sweet smile.


    "Master Floriana, do you have these ingredients?"


    Rant Valo''s clone passed a list to Floriana Sabina.


    "I don''t."


    Floriana Sabina replied with a smile still on her face.


    "Then how would I practice alchemy?"


    Rant Valo''s clone looked at her blankly.


    "Practice getting the furnace on any temperature accurately."


    Floriana Sabina taught him.


    "But I don''t have any magic techniques that involve fire."


    Rant Valo''s clone responded to her.


    "Use this."


    Floriana Sabina passed Rant Valo''s clone a 15cm/6in rod. It was black in color and felt cold to the touch.


    "What''s this?"


    Rant Valo looked at her in confusion. This was just a metal rod.


    "That''s a Magical Device. Pour your mana into it and it will produce fire on the other side."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him. It is a Magical Device that converts mana into flame. It was used by cultivators who wanted to become an alchemist but couldn''t practice the Fire Element.


    "Oh! This is very convenient."


    Rant Valo was surprised that something like this exists.


    "Use it well, Disciple. If you have talent in alchemy, I''ll find you a master for alchemy."


    Floriana Sabina said to him with a faint smile on her face.

 Chapter 140 - Alchemist

    "Thank you, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo bowed to her. He was grateful that she was willing to help him this much.


    "Mhm."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head lightly.


    Rant Valo''s clone carried the Pill Furnace and walked to the side. He sat down cross-legged in front of the Pill Furnace.


    "Use this, Disciple. It will change to the color red if the temperature is exactly at 500 Celcius. Otherwise, it will turn black. Your goal is to keep it red for 3 hours."


    Floriana Sabina passed a black fabric to Rant Valo''s clone.


    "I understand, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo''s clone nodded his head solemnly to Floriana Sabina. He will do his best at this task. He placed the fabric inside the pill furnace before pouring mana into the black rod.


    The rod changed to the color orange and a small orange flame appeared on the other side. It was like a large burning match.


    Rant Valo''s clone placed it under the Pill Furnace and heated it.


    As for Rant Valo''s main body, he looked at his clone in interest.


    "I can multitask fairly easily."


    Rant Valo thought out loud.


    "Cool, right?"


    Floriana Sabina held her hips smugly.


    "Yes, but it was painful."


    Rant Valo smiled wryly. He didn''t even dare remember the pain that he felt back then. It was traumatizing.


    "Fufufu. At least you have a clone now."


    Floriana Sabina laughed. Clones are very useful as they can be used in a variety of ways. From scouting to a backup body, etc.


    "Does it have the same blood as this body?"


    Rant Valo asked her in curiosity.


    "It doesn''t. It cannot replicate your Unique Talent. Though it has a similar grade of talent to yours."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him. It is impossible to copy a Unique Talent as those are bestowed by the Heavenly Judge. The Heavenly Judge would rain down punishment if it was ever attempted.


    "So it also has a Grade 9 Talent?"


    Rant Valo asked her in surprise. That is so busted to have a clone with a similar talent.


    "Yes. Your grade of talent stems from your body anyway. By using your hair, the Divine Cloning Orb was able to recreate an exact copy of your body."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head at his words and explained them to him.


    "Can my clone also reproduce?"


    Rant Valo asked her as he held his chin in thought.


    "W-What are you saying!?"


    Floriana Sabina exclaimed in a fluster. Her face turned red in embarrassment.


    "W-What? Is that a weird question?"


    Rant Valo looked at her weirdly. She was acting so flustered from his question.


    "Stupid disciple!"


    A fan appeared in Floriana Sabina''s hands and she smacked Rant Valo with it.


    "Ow! Why are you hitting me again?"


    Rant Valo cried out in pain.


    "Hmph! You''re annoying."


    Floriana Sabina snorted and turned her head away.


    "What?"


    Rant Valo blinked his eyes repeatedly. What just happened? She suddenly got angry at him all of a sudden.


    "Master, are we gonna hunt another Rubble Moose?"


    Veia asked him curiously. It was already the next day and they hadn''t gotten anything to eat yet.


    "We''re already cultivators, Veia. We can survive a few days without eating. For now, my clone will focus on practicing alchemy."


    Rant Valo said to her. Cultivators can survive a long time without eating anything. Then there''s a point when they wouldn''t have to eat anything.


    "Then we''re not gonna eat? I understand, Master."


    Veia slumped her shoulders, downcast. She was looking forward to eating her master''s cooking today.


    "Do you want to drink my blood again?"


    Rant Valo felt bad seeing her act like that so he offered to her.


    "Yes!"


    Veia immediately nodded her head. She would gladly drink her master''s blood overeating food.


    Rant Valo grabbed the wooden bowl on the ground and filled it with his blood before passing it to her.


    "Delicious as always¡­"


    Veia''s eyes flickered with a lustful light as she looked at Rant Valo.


    "Hey, Veia. Control yourself."


    Rant Valo reminded her with a wry smile on his face.


    "I-I will, Master."


    Veia nodded her head solemnly. She sat down on the ground and slowly calmed her lust by waiting for it to pass.


    "Hmm¡­ It''s much harder than I thought."


    Rant Valo murmured. His clone was still not capable of keeping the fabric color red for more than a few seconds. This was much harder than he thought.


    Rant Valo''s clone was moving the flame farther and nearer under the Pill Furnace, but the temperature change was not instantaneous so it was hard for him to accurately control it.


    "Master Floriana, isn''t 3 hours too long?"


    Rant Valo''s original body turned to Floriana Sabina and asked. If just a few seconds was this hard enough, how would he be able to keep it for 3 hours? It would be 1000 times harder!


    "It''s not. That''s what you need to do if you want to concoct a pill."


    Floriana Sabina shook her head and said to him.


    "Alchemy is that hard!?"


    Rant Valo exclaimed in shock. Doesn''t that mean that he would have to concentrate really hard when he''s doing alchemy?


    "Of course it is. Why do you think there are only so few Alchemists out there?"


    Floriana Sabina retorted.


    "How many alchemists are there?"


    Rant Valo asked her curiously. He never thought about it, but he never heard of them before.


    "About 1 for every 10000 cultivators in the world."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him.


    "I see. So there''s not much."


    Rant Valo finally understood why he hadn''t seen or even heard about alchemists before.


    "Which is also why pills are very expensive. An alchemist can only concoct so many pills a day."


    Floriana Sabina added.


    "I''m gonna work even harder!"


    Rant Valo said to her solemnly. It would be their way of getting money.


    "Mm. Do your best, Disciple! Your master believes in you."


    Floriana Sabina said to him with a warm smile on her face. She would feel more proud if her disciple could become an alchemist, so she was particularly excited about his future.

 Chapter 141 - Foundation Establishment Clone

    Rant Valo''s clone closed his eyes and breathed in before releasing it slowly. He then opened his eyes, and it was full of resolve to learn alchemy.


    "I''ll do this."


    Rant Valo''s clone murmured silently. It then heated the Pill Furnace much more seriously.


    "By the way, Disciple. If your clone reaches the Foundation Establishment stage, it would be easier for it to control the flames."


    Floriana Sabina suddenly said to him.


    "Why didn''t you tell me sooner??"


    Rant Valo looked at her with a frown. His clone wouldn''t have had to suffer if she only told it to him before.


    "I forgot, Teehee."


    Floriana Sabina knocked her head and let out her tongue.


    "That''s not gonna make me forget it."


    Rant Valo replied to her with a cold face.


    "Ehehehe, Disciple. You hadn''t gotten that far, right?"


    Floriana Sabina giggled and asked.


    "I hadn''t but I would have if you told that to me sooner!"


    Rant Valo replied to her with feigned anger.


    "Anyways, how do I even cultivate to the Foundation Establishment stage?"


    Rant Valo asked her.


    "That''s easy. Just compress your mana into a ball. It was scattered around inside your Core, right?"


    "Yes, it was."


    Rant Valo nodded his head.


    "Control your mana and spin it around then compress it into a ball in the center."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him.


    "I understand. I''ll have my clone cultivate then. Oh, right, how did it even get cultivation?"


    Rant Valo suddenly thought and asked. His clone had similar cultivation as his original body. Shouldn''t it have none?


    "That''s the default cultivation stage when you make a clone with the Divine Cloning Orb. Pretty neat, right?"


    Floriana Sabina replied.


    "It is neat."


    Rant Valo nodded his head at her words. If it didn''t have any cultivation, then it would have taken him a lot longer to cultivate to the Foundation Establishment stage.


    "What element is it even using?"


    Rant Valo asked in thought. If it has the same cultivation stage as him, then it should have also used the same mana. His mana was very special, and he was curious if it was using the same mana.


    "Let me check."


    Floriana Sabina replied to him. She walked towards Rant Valo''s clone and touched his head.


    "Hmmmm¡­"


    Floriana Sabina sensed the mana flowing inside Rant Valo''s clone and analyzed it.


    "It''s a weird mana. I think it''s similar to yours, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina said and explained to him.


    "Really? Isn''t my mana because of my Unique Talent?"


    Rant Valo asked her in doubt. His mana was related to the Supreme Law of Luck. It wouldn''t make sense for his clone without the same Unique Talent to have it too.


    "I think it may have inherited some of your Unique Talent if that is the case."


    Floriana Sabina answered his doubts.


    "Wow."


    Rant Valo exclaimed in amazement. That would mean that he could also cast his magic techniques using his clone. Wouldn''t that mean that his combat prowess has increased?


    "That''s why I told you that clones are good."


    Floriana Sabina smiled at him smugly.


    "Alright, I''ll have my clone cultivate now."


    Rant Valo said to her. His clone looked inside his Core and focused on it.


    Inside Rant Valo''s clone, the Core was filled with white mana. It all glittered brightly like a starry sky densely packed with stars.


    ''Rotate.''


    Rant Valo''s clone thought to himself. The mana slowly moved and turned into a clockwise motion. It all slowly moved towards the center and accumulated there.


    ''Rotate!''


    The rotation of the mana created a vortex that filled the center of Rant Valo''s clone''s Core with packed mana.


    ''Compress!''


    Rant Valo''s clone controlled the white mana and compressed it into a ball. It started with a small clump that slowly grew in size. It then grew into a ball inside the Core.


    It floated there silently.


    ''Is it done?''


    Rant Valo''s clone thought. He observed the round white ball in the center silently.


    Suddenly, the white ball shook and started to show signs of collapse.


    ''Oh no!''


    Rant Valo''s clone immediately controlled the ball and spun it harder and harder until it was compressed to the limit.


    ''Compress!''


    The white ball slowly shrank in size and smoothed out. Before long, it was already a neat white ball in the center of Rant Valo''s clone''s Core.


    ''Finally¡­''


    Rant Valo''s clone sighed.


    He then opened his eyes and looked around. At that moment, his soul was synced up with his original body and memories flooded his mind.


    "Oh, I was cultivating for 4 days."


    Rant Valo''s clone said out loud.


    "Disciple! Did you do it?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him with a face full of curiosity.


    "I did. But what stage am I?''


    Rant Valo nodded his head and asked with puzzlement on his face. How would he determine his stage if he reached the Mid Foundation Establishment stage in the future?


    "Your core was pure in color, right?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him.


    "Yes. It was like a small pearl."


    Rant Valo nodded his head. His clone has a pearl inside his Core now instead of the cloud of mana that was inside his Core before.


    "You now need to make small balls of mana to revolve around it. 100 balls and you''re a Mid Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, and for every hundred you add, you increase in stages."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him.


    "That''s hard!"


    Rant Valo said to her in exclamation. How would he even compress his mana into a small ball if there were already a big ball in the center? It would be really hard to do so.


    "Of course it''s hard. Why do you think many struggles to cultivate?"


    Floriana Sabina retorted. That''s what makes cultivation special. If everyone could do it, then it would just be nothing special.


    "I see. Thank you for your guidance, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo bowed to her. He thought that he should be thankful that she was even teaching him. The best he can do is to cultivate hard.

 Chapter 142 - New Looks In The Town

    "Mhm. Good disciple."


    Floriana Sabina smiled in satisfaction.


    "We should head back to the town."


    Rant Valo said to them.


    "Yes. It has been 6 days already. Tomorrow is the Sect Tournament."


    Floriana Sabina agreed with Rant Valo.


    "What about my clone?"


    Rant Valo asked. If he brought his clone with them, he would be the center of attention.


    "Hmmmm¡­"


    Floriana Sabina held her chin in thought. He was right, it would be a problem if someone asks about his clone.


    "Why don''t Master say that it''s his twin brother?"


    Veia suddenly said from the side. Twin brothers look similar to each other anyway. There shouldn''t be any problem using that as an excuse.


    "But we''re still gonna get recognized."


    Rant Valo said to her. They were already seen by many people when Floriana Sabina killed Nawa Jared.


    "A mask. We can use a mask."


    Floriana Sabina got an idea.


    "Do you have one, Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo asked her.


    "I don''t, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina replied, downcast. It''s not like she has any reason to bring masks with her.


    "We can''t even buy one¡­"


    Rant Valo said to them. They could have sneaked into the town and bought masks but since they don''t have any money with them that they can use, then it''ll just be impossible.


    "Hahh¡­"


    Veia released a sigh.


    "Is there any other way?"


    Floriana Sabina held her chin in thought. She looked up to the sky and watched the clouds changing shape.


    "Clouds? Change shape?"


    Floriana Sabina thought out loud. Clouds change shape with the wind and that gives them a new appearance¡­


    "Ah!"


    Floriana Sabina exclaimed. She just had an ''aha'' moment.


    "Disciple, why don''t we change our appearances?"


    Floriana Sabina said to him. Once they change their appearances, they wouldn''t have to wear a mask or worry about being caught. It was the best solution of all.


    "That''s a great idea, Master Floriana!"


    Rant Valo was impressed by her. She quickly came up with a solution.


    "Fufufu! Of course! I''m Floriana Sabina, the Youngest Saintess in the world!"


    Floriana Sabina laughed smugly and boasted.


    "Yes, yes. Master Floriana is the Youngest Saintess."


    Rant Valo repeated her words with a smile on his face.


    "You know how to praise me, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina returned him a smile.


    "Grandmaster is the best!"


    Veia joined in. She was also thinking hard but as always, it was Floriana Sabina that was able to think of a solution.


    "Thank you, Veia."


    Floriana Sabina smiled at Veia. She was really happy to be praised.


    "Let''s go to the town!"


    Rant Valo shouted.


    ¡­


    Several hours later, they stood in front of the town. Their appearances were very different from earlier.


    Floriana Sabina had her hair done in a ponytail. She was wearing a pink robe with flower designs instead of her white dress. It was like she was wearing a yukata.


    Rant Valo and his clone were wearing a silk black robe. Their hair was also done in a ponytail. They look like samurais from a japanese movie.


    As for Veia, she was wearing a yellow robe. Her hair was also done in a ponytail. Though, it was hidden as she had a cloth veiling her face. Together, they can be called the Four Ponytail Team.


    "We look very different. They shouldn''t notice."


    Rant Valo said to them with nervousness. Even he didn''t trust his own words, and he was only saying it to ease his own nerves. His clone silently followed them from behind.


    "Don''t worry, Disciple. We''ll run away if they recognize us."


    Floriana Sabina reassured him.


    "Isn''t your style, ''To dominate'' or something?"


    Rant Valo looked at her with a deadpan expression.


    "Ahahaha¡­"


    Floriana Sabina looked away and laughed dryly.


    "What are we even gonna do in the town? We don''t even have money to spend."


    Rant Valo suddenly realized. The Sect Tournament would occur tomorrow so they would have to wait for a day.


    "I have a plan, Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina said to him with a cheeky smile.


    ¡­


    "This is your plan?"


    Rant Valo asked Floriana Sabina impassively. They were currently washing dishes inside a kitchen. The four of them were standing in front of sinks as they washed the plates.


    "Yes! We work here then we can use the payment to sleep in a small inn later for the night."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head proudly. As expected of her, she was always thinking of solutions.


    "Master, this plate has a stubborn stain."


    Veia passed the stained plate to Rant Valo. He accepted it and inspected it.


    "Ah, for this one, you press your finger on the sponge and scratch it hard. It will come off. See."


    Rant Valo demonstrated to her. He was experienced with this kind of stuff since he was always taking care of himself alone in the village.


    "Oh, so that''s how you do it."


    Floriana Sabina was standing in the center and she watched Rant Valo demonstrate it to Veia who was on the far right. As for Rant Valo''s clone, it was silently washing dishes beside Rant Valo.


    "Wait, what have you been doing before?"


    Rant Valo looked at her suspiciously. If she wasn''t doing that, then how was she able to remove the stains stuck on the plate?


    "I''m burning it to ashes."


    Floriana Sabina answered in a matter of fact manner.


    "... How many plates did you break?"


    Rant Valo looked at her with his peering eyes.


    "Uh¡­ t-two¡­"


    Floriana Sabina answered nervously and avoided his eyes.


    "You breaking the plates is costing us our salary!"


    Rant Valo admonished her. Even if she only broke two plates, plates are still expensive to replace especially in the restaurant that they are working for.


    ¡­


    Nighttime arrived and Rant Valo''s group walked out of the restaurant.


    "Phew. We''re finally done."


    Rant Valo sighed. After a long while of scrubbing and washing greasy plates, they had finally finished their shift. The boss of the restaurant paid them 1 gold coin each. It was a high salary, but since it was an expensive restaurant, it was only natural that they pay such a high price.

 Chapter 143 - A Vampire

    As for the payment for the broken plates, the boss deducted 1 gold from their salary. In total, they should have gotten two gold coins each.


    "This is my first time holding a gold coin."


    Rant Valo looked at the two gold coins in his hand in interest. It was quite heavy compared to the copper coins that he had held in the past. In this world, there are 3 types of currency for mortals. These are the Copper Coins, Silver Coins, and the Gold Coins.


    1 Silver coin is equal to 10 Copper coins, and similarly, 1 Gold coin is equal to 10 Silver coins, which means that they have 4000 Copper coins in total.


    "Here, Master. You keep it."


    Veia passed her gold coin to Rant Valo.


    "Here, Disciple. You also keep mine."


    Floriana Sabina followed Veia''s example and gave her gold coin to Rant Valo.


    "H-Huh? Am I the treasurer now?"


    Rant Valo asked them wryly. Nevertheless, he still kept the gold coins inside the pockets of his robe.


    "Come on, Disciple! Let''s head to the inn."


    Floriana Sabina urged him. She was eager to spend their hard-earned money. It was one of the satisfying things to do after getting your salary.


    "Alright, alright. Stop tugging me."


    Rant Valo and Veia followed her as they looked around for an inn.


    "This one! It only asks for 1 gold for a night."


    Floriana Sabina pointed to a wooden building on the side of the road. There was a sign saying ''A Gold For A Night''s Stay''.


    "I guess this inn is much better so we can pocket the other two gold coins."


    Rant Valo was satisfied with this inn. It was just gonna be used for one night anyway. They wouldn''t have to spend another night.


    "Master, look! There is a vampire!"


    Veia suddenly pointed to a woman walking on the street. She was wearing a black cloak as she walked when she jumped when she heard Veia''s words.


    "V-V-Vampire? Who''s a vampire?"


    The woman turned to them and asked in a stutter.


    "Sniff Sniff. You smell like a vampire¡­"


    Veia sniffed the air in front of the woman. Then she looked at her intently.


    "H-Huh? Aren''t you a vampire too?"


    The woman suddenly said out loud.


    "Ah."


    ''Sh*t! Why did I just say that??''


    The woman scolded herself.


    "You''re really a vam- puuhhuhh!"


    Rant Valo exclaimed in shock. He didn''t expect to encounter a vampire here.


    "Y-You!! Shut your mouth!"


    The woman ran to Rant Valo and covered his mouth.


    "Let go of Master!"


    Veia pushed the woman away from Rant Valo. She fell to the ground, and her hood fell off of her head. Her ears were similar to a human''s but her skin was very pale. It was like her skin was made of snow.


    "Ahh!"


    She moaned in pain, and you could see her fangs baring in the open. She had orange hair which was complemented by her orange pupils.


    She quickly pulled down her hood in reflex. She looked left and right, only when she was sure that no one realized that she was a vampire, did she direct her eyes to Veia.


    "Why did you push me!"


    The woman asked angrily.


    "You don''t harass my master when I''m here!"


    Veia raised her chin and said to her arrogantly.


    "So you''re a Servant Vampire. No wonder. Tsk. Don''t follow me or I''ll suck all of your blood!"


    The woman vampire warned. She stood up and walked away.


    Rant Valo looked at the place where she fell. There was a small bag on the ground. He picked it up and opened it.


    "W-Woah! There''s so many gold coins."


    Rant Valo opened the bag, and his mouth opened wide in shock. This was the first time in his life that he was seeing so much gold.


    "Hehehe, Master. We''re rich."


    Veia chuckled and gave a sneaky glance to the vampire woman walking away from them.


    "Shouldn''t we give this back to her?"


    Rant Valo said to Veia as he blinked his eyes.


    "We shouldn''t, Master! She''s rude!"


    Veia shook her head vehemently. There was no way she was gonna let that woman get back her money after covering her master''s mouth. In her eyes, that was harassment.


    "... Wasn''t it you that called out to her?"


    Rant Valo looked at Veia with an expressionless face.


    "Don''t worry about the little details, Master."


    Veia smiled at Rant Valo. He could only shake his head and go with the flow. It would be of help to them to keep this gold after all.


    "Let''s go to the inn."


    Rant Valo urged them. They all entered the inn. And instead of choosing the 1 gold coin per night room, they chose the 10 gold coins per night to squander the money that they got ''lawfully''.


    "Huph!"


    Floriana Sabina jumped onto the bed and flopped her face on it. It was not as comparable to the bed that they got from the other inn, but it was decent enough. It was soft, and she could sleep well in it.


    "Grandmaster!"


    Veia flopped onto the bed, and Floriana Sabina avoided her.


    "Hahahahaha!"


    "Hahaha! Veia you rocked the bed so much."


    Veia and Floriana Sabina laughed together happily.


    "Aren''t they acting like kids?"


    Rant Valo murmured as he watched them enjoy the bed together.


    "Come on, stop that. I want to sleep. It was not fun sleeping on those hard rocks for so long."


    Rant Valo said to them tiredly while his clone was standing behind him silently.


    "But disciple, you have a clone. How are we gonna fit on this bed?"


    Floriana Sabina said to him. They could barely fit on the bed before with the three of them, now there are four of them.


    "My clone will cultivate on the floor."


    Rant Valo replied to her.


    "Oh, I see. Then sleep on the center again, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina patted the center of the bed. She and Veia moved to the side and allowed Rant Valo to lay on it.

 Chapter 144 - A Sensual Massage

    "Do you want us to massage you, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo''s body up and down. Veia did the same, though she was looking at improper places.


    "M-Massage? What do you mean?"


    Rant Valo was confused by her words. He even thought that he was imagining things.


    "So you can relax, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina said to him.


    "I don''t need your massages. Come on, let''s sleep."


    Rant Valo lied on the bed face down. He closed his eyes and attempted to sleep.


    "I''ll massage you like this so you can feel refreshed tomorrow."


    Floriana Sabina pinched the muscle in Rant Valo''s waist.


    "Hey! That tickles."


    Rant Valo looked at her in annoyance.


    "Hehehehe."


    Floriana Sabina chuckled and gave Veia a knowing wink.


    "Like this!"


    Floriana Sabina and Veia both touched Rant Valo''s back in sync and started massaging it together.


    "Y-Y-You girls! Aha, Ahahahahahah!"


    Rant Valo couldn''t endure it anymore and he started laughing as instead of massaging his back, Veia and Floriana Sabina opted to tickle him.


    "See! You''re enjoying it, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina said smugly. Rant Valo was struggling on the bed and tried to avoid their hands to the best of his abilities. But it wasn''t possible.


    Floriana Sabina and Veia have cultivation stronger than his so it was hard for him to avoid them. Their speed and reaction speed were simply not something a Mana Condensation stage like him could compete with.


    "Stop!"


    Rant Valo sat up and raised his palms to block their hands in case they attempted to tickle him once more.


    "Master, let us massage you and we will stop!"


    Veia offered to him in exchange.


    "What kind of a servant are you!? You''re selling your master!"


    Rant Valo shouted to her as he was slightly annoyed by her.


    "Hmph! Stop picking on Veia, Disciple. Just accept your fate."


    Floriana Sabina snorted and said to him. She also wants to try and massage him.


    "A-Accept my fate?"


    Rant Valo repeated in nervousness.


    "Let us touch your body and massage you."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him.


    "Alright! Just don''t touch me in weird places."


    Rant Valo compromised.


    "Of course, Master! I''ll not touch you in ''weird'' places."


    Veia nodded her head with a meaningful smile. Rant Valo realized that she was not thinking of something simple.


    "You also can''t do lewd stuff to me!"


    Rant Valo added. Veia''s eyes made him worried that she was gonna do something like that.


    "Awww! Why do you have to say that? I won''t do lewd stuff to Master."


    Veia was unhappy. Though, there was a weird feeling coming from her gaze.


    "I don''t believe you!"


    Rant Valo replied to her. He knows what kind of a person she was. Or rather, he knows what kind of a succubus she was.


    "Disciple, I won''t do lewd stuff to you."


    Floriana Sabina tugged his arm and caught his attention.


    "R-Really?"


    Rant Valo asked her weakly with doubt on his face.


    "Now!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted. Rant Valo wasn''t able to react as his arms were pulled by both of them. They held him down to the bed.


    "What are you doing? Let go!"


    Rant Valo did his best to attempt to escape, but he was totally powerless when it comes to strength.


    "Let''s remove his clothes. Hehe."


    Floriana Sabina said to Veia with a giggle.


    "Remove my clothes!?"


    Rant Valo had to double-check his ears to see if they had any defects when he heard her words.


    "How else would we massage you?"


    Floriana Sabina retorted to him in response.


    "You can do it with my clothes on, right?"


    Rant Valo asked her nervously.


    "Of course not! This is a special massage, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina shook her head and explained to him.


    "Special!?"


    Rant Valo''s imagination ran wild hearing her words. Various scenes ran through his mind.


    "Like this, Master!"


    Veia ripped Rant Valo''s robe off. It was like she was a passionate lover desperately unclothing her partner.


    "W-Wait, Veia! Let''s talk about this!"


    Rant Valo talked to her in an attempt to persuade her but she simply ignored his pleas.


    "Grandmaster, the oil!"


    Veia asked Floriana Sabina with her free hand.


    "Here!"


    Floriana Sabina passed a bottle of clear oil to Veia. When Veia received the oil, she poured it on Rant Valo''s chest. Rant Valo wasn''t buffed so his chest was just average.


    "Cold!"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but exclaim in shock. He felt stimulated when the oil flowed down his body and tickled his skin.


    It was this time that Veia placed the bottle of oil on the floor. She then placed her palm on top of the oil and started rubbing it onto Rant Valo''s chest.


    "V-Veia! Stop rubbing that place."


    Rant Valo said to her powerlessly. She was stimulating him and it won''t be long before he loses his sanity.


    "Do you want me to massage your chest more?"


    Veia grinned as she asked Rant Valo.


    "Stop! Please!"


    Rant Valo pleaded to them. He felt like something was rising and it''s not the shield hero.


    "Too bad I can''t eat you up yet, Master."


    Veia said to him with disappointment evident on her face.


    Gulp


    Rant Valo gulped his parched throat after hearing her words. It was simply too stimulating. As expected of a vampire-succubus hybrid.


    "Veia, here''s the other one."


    Floriana Sabina passed another bottle to Veia after seeing that she had already rubbed the clear oil thoroughly on Rant Valo''s skin.


    "Thanks."


    Veia replied to Floriana Sabina. She then opened the bottle and tipped its contents to Rant Valo''s chest.


    This time it was a black liquid. It was viscous and sticky.


    "What''s this?"


    Rant Valo asked them in curiosity.


    "It''s a medicine, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina replied to him with a smile.


    "What kind of medicine is that!?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but exclaim in shock. He had never seen a medicine with such a sticky and disgusting consistency.


    "You''ll see in a few more minutes, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina responded to him calmly. Rant Valo gulped nervously hearing her words.

 Chapter 145 - Veias Kinks

    Rant Valo listened to her and silently observed his chest.


    "What is this feeling?"


    Rant Valo suddenly noticed an odd feeling coming from his chest. It was like his chest was tightening as Veia rubbed the black liquid on his chest more and more.


    "Ah!"


    Rant Valo felt something poke his skin. He looked down but saw that nothing was poking it.


    "Are you starting to feel it, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him with a cheeky smile on her face.


    "Ah! Ow! Ugh! Ow sh*t!"


    Rant Valo felt various and different feelings of pain start to assault his chest. It was like something was trying to escape from it.


    "Master Floriana, what is this!"


    Rant Valo shouted in pain. Whatever was happening to his chest, it was very painful.


    ¡­


    Rant Valo''s original body endured the pain for quite a while. It even caused his clone to stop cultivating and watch them on standby.


    "Hahh¡­ Hahhh¡­ Finally¡­"


    Rant Valo breathed haggardly. The pain finally started to subside.


    "Now, let''s remove it!"


    Floriana Sabina suddenly said.


    "Remove!?"


    Rant Valo looked at her in panic. What was she gonna remove?


    "We''ll remove this hard black film on your chest, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him after seeing the confused look on his face.


    "You''ll remove it!?"


    Rant Valo looked at her like she was crazy. If she removed that hard black film, which was the dried oil and the black sticky liquid, it would cause him immense pain. After all, the hard black film was firmly stuck to his skin.


    "Of course. Why not, Disciple? This was what we were aiming for."


    Floriana Sabina retorted.


    "What''s this, exactly?"


    Rant Valo asked her in worry.


    "You''ll see when we peel it off."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him. She then started removing a small part of the hard black film from the edges of his skin and slowly pulled it off.


    "Ow! Ow! Oww!!"


    Rant Valo moaned in pain as the hard black film was slowly removed from his chest. It brought with it his chest hairs which only made the pain 10 times worse.


    "There!"


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo. She stopped and looked at his chest in amazement.


    "Master''s chest looks so yummy¡­"


    Veia couldn''t help but mention from the side. Rant Valo''s chest was now full of buffed muscles. It was like he actually worked out.


    "What the¡­?"


    Rant Valo looked down at his chest in disbelief. He couldn''t believe that he has a chest full of muscles. He even got a six-pack. If the bodybuilders of the world heard this, they would have hunted down Rant Valo for cheating.


    "Tada! That''s your instant chest buff, Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina said to him proudly. There was a smug file on her face.


    "Chest buff?"


    Rant Valo looked at it, puzzled. He still couldn''t touch it as Veia and Floriana Sabina were still restraining his arms.


    "Now we can rest on your chest."


    Floriana Sabina said to him before she rested her head on his chest. Veia also followed and did the same thing as her.


    "For that!?"


    Rant Valo asked her in bewilderment. He suffered all of that just so they can rest on his chest. He feels like he had been scammed.


    "Mmmm. Disciple, we can rest now."


    Floriana Sabina moaned in delight. She hugged Rant Valo''s chest very tightly. Veia also did the same. They were both like sloths stuck to a tree.


    Rant Valo''s clone sighed and sat down to continue his cultivation. It would be a waste of his time to watch more as it would consume his time to cultivate.


    "..."


    Rant Valo looked at the ceiling with a deadpan expression. He looked down at his buffed chest, and he couldn''t help but be impressed by it. It was so muscular and hard to the touch.


    He thought that it was not bad to have something like that. The pain was very worth it as he could keep it.


    The trio soon fell asleep together.


    ¡­


    "Good morning, Master."


    "Good morning, Disciple."


    Veia and Floriana Sabina greeted Rant Valo while they were using his buffed chest as their support.


    "G-Good morning. You girls are heavy¡­"


    Rant Valo returned their greeting. He could feel their weight pressing on his chest as they used it as their support.


    "H-Heavy! Really, Master is stupid!"


    "Stupid disciple! I''m not heavy!"


    Veia and Floriana Sabina complained to Rant Valo. As girls, they didn''t enjoy being called heavy. It made them feel conscious about their body.


    "But you''re suffocating me¡­"


    Rant Valo insisted to them.


    "Hmph!"


    "Hmph!"


    Floriana Sabina and Veia snorted in annoyance. They lifted their arms from Rant Valo''s chest and crossed it on their chests.


    "Sigh."


    Rant Valo let out a bleak sigh and sat up. So many things happened last night. It was the most pain he had that he practically fell asleep like a log when they finished.


    "Master, did you like your new buffed chest?"


    "Right, Disciple. Did you like it?"


    Veia and Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo in curiosity and interest.


    "... I did."


    Rant Valo was reluctant to admit it but he still nodded his head nevertheless.


    "Hehehehe!"


    "Disciple is such a tsundere."


    Veia and Floriana Sabina giggled together. This was one of those rare times that they worked together to gain an advantage against Rant Valo.


    "T-Tsundere!? I''m not."


    Rant Valo immediately denied Floriana Sabina''s words. In his opinion, it would not be manly if he was called a tsundere.


    "Fufufu. Don''t worry, Disciple. I can understand tsundere language."


    Floriana Sabina smiled at him teasingly. She was enjoying seeing the red-faced Rant Valo.


    "What does that even mean?"


    Rant Valo smiled wryly in return.


    "Master, can I lick your muscles?"


    Veia suddenly said from the side as she fidgeted her fingers.


    "V-Veia!? What are you saying?"


    Rant Valo was bewildered at the way Veia was acting. It was one thing for them to give him a buffed chest, but it was another for her to request to lick his muscles.


    "I-I thought that Master would also taste delicious when I licked him¡­"


    Veia murmured and avoided their gazes.


    "Perverted demon!"


    "Perverted demon!"


    Both Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina admonished her at the same time.

 Chapter 146 - Barging Into A Sect Tournament

    "D-Don''t you want to lick Master''s muscles too, Grandmaster?"


    Veia asked Floriana Sabina as she fidgeted.


    "No."


    Floriana Sabina replied in a monotone voice. There''s no way she''s gonna lick her disciple''s muscles.


    "Ehhhh!?"


    Veia looked at Floriana Sabina in disbelief. She thought that Floriana Sabina was also like her since she was the one who suggested this to her anyway.


    "Hmph! You thought I''m a pervert like you?"


    Floriana Sabina snorted and raised her chin in pride.


    "Hah?"


    Rant Valo glanced at the two of them in thought. He left the bed and stood up.


    "Let''s explore the town one more time before we head to the Sect Tournament."


    Rant Valo said to them. His clone also stood up and waited beside him.


    "Okay!"


    "Yey, Master!"


    Floriana Sabina and Veia nodded her head.


    They explored the town''s shops and rare delicacies for a whole day.


    ¡­


    At the side of a mountain in the Immoral Cleansing Sect, a huge flat platform was in use.


    There was a thick crowd cheering around the platform. All of them were disciples of the Immoral Cleansing Sect. They were cheering for their beloved Senior Brother or Senior Sister.


    "Waaaaa! It''s Senior Brother Khan and Senior Brother Torse!"


    The girls in the crowd cheered loudly when a tall and handsome slim man entered the platform. In front of him was a slim man that was shorter than him. They were Senior Brother Khan and Senior Brother Torse respectively.


    "Torse! I''ll show you what it means to lose before a huge crowd with that arrogance of yours!"


    Khan shouted at Torse solemnly.


    "Haha, stop daydreaming! I have been the top 10th Mana Condensation disciple of this sect for years!"


    Torse chuckled hearing his words. It was like a joke for him.


    An old man with wrinkly skin and a bald head walked to the center of the platform.


    "This will be the final battle for this Sect Tournament! You both have done well to reach this point. Now, fight!"


    The old man disappeared from the platform with a blur. He reappeared outside the platform and watched the fight.


    "Light Judgement Spear!"


    Khan raised his right hand to the air, and a bright white spear appeared while floating in the air.


    "Light of the Heavenly Fallstreak!"


    Torse shouted similarly with a raise of his hand. The clear blue skies suddenly darkened, and a small hole appeared in the clouds. It created a beautiful fallstreak that falls to the ground.


    "Attack!"


    "Attack!"


    They both shouted, and their magic techniques were propelled forward.


    Khan''s light spear zoomed and aimed for Torse. Torse''s fallstreak fell and rapidly intercepted the light spear.


    Boom!


    The two magic techniques collided. Instead of destroying each other, the magic techniques resisted the other. They were stuck in the center of the platform. Both Khan and Torse could feel their mana being quickly drained as they struggled to push away the other magic technique.


    "Humu. They are equal in strength."


    The old man from earlier spoke in thought as he watched.


    "Sect Elder Andre, who do you think will win?"


    A female sect disciple asked him from the side.


    "That is hard to determine, young girl. Torse has been a 10th Mana Condensation stage cultivator for much longer than Khan. His foundations are solid. As for Khan¡­ He''s a good talent, but even that is not enough to determine the winner."


    The old man replied to her.


    "I see! Thank you, Sect Elder Andre!"


    The female sect disciple nodded in understanding.


    The two fought with different types of Light Element magic techniques. Their fight had turned into a battle of attrition as they tried to exhaust the other''s mana while preserving and recovering their own.


    In the end, it was Torse who won. He had more mana than Khan as he had been trying to surpass the whole Mana Condensation stage for so long.


    "Congratulations to Torse Ghin for winning this time''s Sect Tournament!"


    The Sect Elder Andre announced.


    "Ohhhhh!!!"


    "Waaaa!! Senior Brother Torse! I can bear your babies!"


    The crowd cheered for Torse Ghin. He had a smug arrogant smile as he stood in the center of the platform with a lot of attention.


    "These are four Evil Sacra Lotus Flower Petals. This will be your reward! It''s much better than the previous on¡ª"


    The Sect Elder was just about to pass the four petals to Torse Ghin when a loud voice interrupted them.


    "Halt! I demand a fight!"


    Rant Valo walked up the platform with a confident smile hanging on his face. His hair was still done in a ponytail. This time he was wearing his old sect robes.


    The crowd looked at Rant Valo in confusion.


    "Who are you?"


    Sect Elder Andre squinted his eyes and examined Rant Valo.


    "Me? I''m just a villager!"


    Rant Valo replied with a smile on his face.


    "A villager, you say?"


    Sect Elder Andre looked at Rant Valo with interest.


    "Hey you, shorty! Fight me!"


    Rant Valo pointed at Torse arrogantly.


    Floriana Sabina was watching from the crowd. She couldn''t help but nod her head in satisfaction. Her disciple has certainly learned from her.


    "S-Shorty!?"


    Torse looked at Rant Valo with disbelief and anger. He didn''t expect someone would dare insult him in front of the crowd. Besides, he wasn''t that short!


    "I accept! But we need to have a wager!"


    Torse walked towards Rant Valo with confidence. He wasn''t scared of anything right now. He was the strongest 10th Mana Condensation stage disciple of his sect right now. He didn''t believe that someone could get to his level.


    "T-Torse! Can''t you see that he''s not even a member of the sect!"


    Sect Elder Andre couldn''t help but say to him.


    "I can see that! I just can''t stand arrogant nobodies looking down on me!"


    Torse replied with anger.


    "A wager, huh? I''ll take all of your prizes."


    Rant Valo thought and replied with a smile. He was gonna get back the flower petals that he spent for free. It was not a bad deal.


    "Heh! Don''t come begging forgiveness when I win! I want you to strip naked and sit on that pole with your legs raised from the ground."


    Torse grinned evilly at Rant Valo.

 Chapter 147 - Fighting Torse

    "Yeah!"


    "Waaaa!! Senior Brother Torse is so cool!"


    The crowd cheered for Torse. They were angry that someone like Rant Valo disturbed their Sect Tournament.


    "Seeing that you both are eager to fight. I will be your witness!"


    Sect Elder Andre said to the two of them.


    "Do you both agree to the wager?"


    Sect Elder Andre looked at both of them and asked.


    "Yes."


    "Yes."


    They both nodded their heads and agreed.


    "Humu. Very well!"


    Sect Elder Andre nodded his head in satisfaction. He stood in the center once again, and Rant Valo stood to the other side of the platform.


    "I will give you both 3 hours to rest."


    Sect Elder Andre said to the two of them. If he didn''t give this rest time, Torse would be at a big disadvantage. After all, he just had a battle of attrition against Khan.


    After three hours, Rant Valo and Torse stood up from their positions.


    "Ready? Fight!"


    Sect Elder Andre glanced at the two of them and made sure they were ready before he shouted. He disappeared once again and appeared outside the platform.


    "Go, Master!"


    Veia cheered for Rant Valo. She was standing beside Floriana Sabina.


    "Tide of Bad Fortune!"


    Rant Valo shouted. A white gush of mana immediately flowed towards Torse.


    "Keh. Childish tricks."


    Torse dodged Rant Valo''s magic technique with a sweep to the side.


    "How about you take this? Light of the Heavenly Fallstreak!"


    Torse used the same magic technique he used earlier. It fell towards Rant Valo quickly.


    "Tortoise Fortune''s Defense!"


    Since Rant Valo already had experience fighting against Nerl Jared, he was prepared when Torse attacked him.


    The platform under his feet broke into pieces and formed a shield that blocked Torse''s magic technique.


    "Hey. Don''t you think that magic technique looks familiar?"


    A sect disciple watching from the crowd tugged his friend.


    "Maybe it''s just a common magic technique?"


    His friend replied in thought.


    "Is that all?"


    Rant Valo took down his defensive magic technique and it crumbled into pieces the fell in front of him. He looked at Torse in a carefree manner.


    "Tch! Light of the Heavenly Fallstreak! Light of the Heavenly Fallstreak!"


    Torse executed two magic techniques one after another. It both fell towards Rant Valo''s left and right sides. If he didn''t dodge or block, it would hit both his left and right shoulder.


    "Don''t you have other magic techniques?"


    Rant Valo furrowed his eyebrows as he said to Torse.


    "Hyperion''s Blast!"


    Torse responded to Rant Valo''s words and changed his attack pattern. The ground under Rant Valo''s feet suddenly glowed brightly.


    "That''s cheating!"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but shout. He hurriedly threw himself to the ground to dodge the magic technique.


    Suddenly, the spot where Rant Valo was standing released a bright white laser that traveled to the sky.


    "Gulp."


    Rant Valo was glad that he dodged the magic technique. If he tried to take it head-on, his defensive magic technique would not have been able to block it.


    "Running?"


    Torse grinned at Rant Valo.


    "Luck Lock!"


    Rant Valo used the magic technique that almost crippled him. A beam of mana escaped his eyes and hit Torse without giving him a chance to react.


    "What!?"


    Torse was surprised at Rant Valo''s attack. He patted his body and confirmed that he was still alive.


    "What did you do!? What was that attack?"


    Torse asked Rant Valo with a shout. He became anxious as Rant Valo would not just attack him with a beam of mana.


    "That''s just a dud."


    Rant Valo smirked at Torse. Realizing that Rant Valo was messing with him. Torse pointed his finger at Rant Valo and shouted.


    "Piercing Light¡ª Gohogh!"


    Just as Torse was executing his magic technique, he felt a barrier halt the movements of his mana. It was like his mana was stuck in traffic. He fell down to the ground and kneeled powerlessly.


    "I was joking. Sorry."


    Rant Valo grinned smugly and walked towards Torse with slow steps.


    "Y-You! What did you do to my mana!?"


    Torse raised his head and questioned Rant Valo with anger on his face.


    "It''s my magic technique."


    Rant Valo replied to him with a smirk. Floriana Sabina smiled in satisfaction seeing Rant Valo act like that. He was using her teachings well.


    "M-Magic technique?"


    Torse looked at Rant Valo in disbelief. He couldn''t believe that a magic technique could do something like this.


    "Stop! This fight is canceled!"


    Sect Elder Andre stood in front of Rant Valo and Torse to stop their fight.


    "What do you mean?"


    Rant Valo looked at him with a frown.


    "As you can see, Torse is not feeling well. It would be unfair if this fight would continue."


    Sect Elder Andre matter-of-factly explained to him.


    "Huh?"


    Rant Valo looked at Sect Elder Andre like he was looking at an idiot. Didn''t he just hear that he said that it was his magic technique?


    "Y-Yes! I''m just not feeling well. My fight with Khan earlier damaged my internal body!"


    Torse immediately hopped onto Sect Elder Andre''s words. He himself was not willing to admit defeat just like this.


    "Like I told you. That was my magic technique."


    Rant Valo reiterated to them. He thought that they simply didn''t understand his words.


    "Stop taking advantage of the situation!"


    Torse immediately shouted at Rant Valo with indignance.


    "W-Wha¡ª?"


    Rant Valo walked backward in disbelief. This was his first time encountering a situation such as this.


    "Disciple, don''t let them fool you! They''re trying to trick you! They don''t want you to win so easily!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted from the crowd. She could see that Rant Valo was lost from the situation. Thus, she could only guide him at this point.


    Rant Valo''s eyes immediately sharpened after hearing her words. He looked at Sect Elder Andre and Torse with anger on his face. They actually dared to trick him!


    "Even if I''m a villager, I won''t let this go!"


    Rant Valo shouted at them in fury. He may be naive at certain things, but that doesn''t mean that he was a pushover.

 Chapter 148 - Rant Valo Gets Serious

    Rant Valo raised his right hand and glowing yellow-orange lines flowed from his shoulder to his hand.


    "The Flap of the Lucky Phoenix!"


    Rant Valo shouted. A cry of a phoenix sounded from afar.


    Rant Valo also raised his left hand, and this time, glowing blue lines flowed from his shoulder to his hand.


    "Lucky Dragon Breath!"


    Rant Valo shouted once again. This time it was a different magic technique. That''s right, Rant Valo is Double Executing! Something he learned while fighting the Rubble Moose.


    "W-What kind of power is this!?"


    Torse shouted in disbelief. His eyes and mouth were opened wide as he watched Rant Valo''s magic technique take form.


    "This kid is not simple!"


    Sect Elder Andre shouted in shock. He can sense the power brimming from Rant Valo''s magic techniques.


    "Go, Master!"


    Veia cheered for him from the crowd. Though, she stood out as most of the spectators were frozen in awe.


    "Fufufu. That''s my disciple right there."


    Floriana Sabina said to no one. She was just proud to see Rant Valo look so cool with his magic techniques.


    The spirit of the Azure Dragon behind Rant Valo dove into his body. At the same time, the Phoenix materialized behind him.


    "What kind of magic techniques are that?! And he''s using them both at the same time!?"


    Sect Elder Andre was flabbergasted. These magic techniques should not exist in this world. Additionally, Rant Valo was even using them together. He never heard that cultivators could do that!


    Rant Valo opened his eyes, and the eyes of a ferocious dragon could be seen within them.


    FWOOOOOOUM~


    Rant Valo opened his mouth and released a long stream of dragon''s breath. It destroyed the parts of the platform on its path. Torse had nowhere to go, and just as the flames hit his body, Sect Elder Andre appeared in front of him and blocked the dragon''s breath.


    There was a shining shield of light on Sect Elder Andre''s arm as he defended from Rant Valo''s dragon''s breath. It deflected the breath to the surroundings, causing mass destruction on the platform.


    The Sect Disciples immediately ran farther back. The power of Rant Valo''s magic technique is no joke.


    Just as Sect Elder Andre was relaxing, the shield of light on his arm suddenly cracked loudly.


    Crack crack crackkk


    "Sh*t!"


    Sect Elder Andre cursed loudly. This magic technique was much stronger than he thought it would be!


    He was already on his wit''s end when he saw a bright orange bird fly towards them from the corner of his eyes.


    "W-What''s that?"


    Sect Elder Andre stuttered nervously.


    KIIIIII


    The Phoenix cried and dove towards Sect Elder Andre and Torse.


    Realizing that he would get killed if he didn''t protect himself, Sect Elder Andre pulled a pendant from his pocket. He broke the red gem on it, and a blood-red barrier surrounded the two of them.


    The Phoenix flapped backward, and a huge swath of orange flames flew towards Sect Elder Andre''s barrier.


    BOOM!


    The blood-red barrier shook violently as it endured both the dragon breath and the phoenix''s flap.


    "It was a good thing I still had that demon''s pendant¡­"


    Sect Elder Andre sighed in relief. That was scary. He almost saw his life flash before his eyes.


    "Hahh¡­"


    Rant Valo sat down on the ground tiredly. Executing two magic techniques at the same time is too taxing on his body.


    "Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina jumped onto the platform and supported him. Veia followed after her and also supported Rant Valo.


    "Master Floriana? Veia?"


    Rant Valo smiled seeing the two of them.


    "It''s okay now, Disciple. I''ll take over from here on."


    Floriana Sabina replied to him.


    "Mhm! Grandmaster and I will take care of it, Master."


    Veia also reassured Rant Valo with a smile.


    Floriana Sabina and Veia stood in front of Rant Valo, and they eyed Sect Elder Andre and Torse.


    "Who are you, girls?"


    Sect Elder Andre stood inside the barrier warily.


    "I''ll just let you know that you bullied my disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted in reply.


    "Huh?"


    Sect Elder Andre and Torse looked at her in confusion. Even the crowd around them was looking at her weirdly.


    "Sect Elder, this little girl must be joking, right?"


    Torse couldn''t help but ask. He stood up wobbly beside Sect Elder Andre.


    "She''s just a little girl. Don''t pay attention to her. Rather, pay attention to that young woman standing beside her."


    Sect Elder Andre replied to Torse.


    "I''ll never forgive those who take advantage of Master!"


    Veia shouted towards them angrily. She was her Master''s servant and it is her duty to protect her master.


    "Master?"


    Sect Elder Andre and Torse only became more confused hearing her words.


    "He''s your master? We give up. We''re gonna give you the prizes."


    Sect Elder Andre suddenly said. He opened his palms, and the four Evil Sacra Lotus Flower Petals were on top of it.


    "Give it to me."


    Floriana Sabina walked towards them and opened her palms.


    "Who are you guys?"


    Instead of giving the petals to Floriana Sabina, he asked.


    "Hmm? Are you giving it or not?"


    Floriana Sabina raised an eyebrow. She was starting to get annoyed by him.


    "Answer my question first."


    Sect Elder Andre insisted.


    "Hmph. Then, etch this into your mind!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted, realizing that he would not budge if they didn''t introduce themselves.


    "My name is Floriana Sabina! I''m the youngest Saintess in the world!"


    Floriana Sabina held her hips and raised her chin as she introduced herself.


    BOOM!


    A thunderous boom sounded from the distance at the end of her words.


    "Saintess? What''s that?"


    Sect Elder Andre looked at her blankly. He doesn''t have an ounce of idea what a Saintess is. Is she from a church or something?


    "Hmph! Ignorant fools."


    Floriana Sabina snorted hearing his words. She was starting to dislike him more and more.


    "Now, give me the petals."


    Floriana Sabina opened her palm toward Sect Elder Andre.


    "I can''t. The barrier is in the way."


    Sect Elder Andre replied with a shrug of his shoulders.


    "Didn''t you set this up!?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him angrily. He was annoying her on purpose.

 Chapter 149 - The Annoyed Floriana Sabina

    "I-I don''t know how to stop it¡­"


    Sect Elder Andre replied with a wry smile.


    "HAHH??"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Sect Elder Andre with her right eye. His reasons are so absurd.


    "It''s true! This is a Magic Artifact of a demon that I killed recently."


    Sect Elder Andre explained to her.


    "Hmph! Then, I''ll help you get out of there."


    Floriana Sabina snorted and clenched her right fist.


    BOOM


    Floriana Sabina swung her arm and gave the blood-red barrier a strong punch. The barrier shattered like glass before dissipating into the air.


    Floriana Sabina walked towards them and opened her palm.


    "Give me."


    Floriana Sabina said to him coldly.


    "O-Okay¡­"


    Sect Elder Andre gave her the petals fearfully. She just destroyed that barrier without breaking a sweat. She should be an expert in disguise!


    "What? Do you have a problem with me?"


    Floriana Sabina raised an eyebrow at Torse who was staring at her in disbelief.


    "N-No!"


    Torse responded immediately. His heart was beating so hard right now.


    "Hmph."


    Floriana Sabina snorted and turned around. She walked to Rant Valo''s side and gave him the petals.


    Rant Valo pocketed it when she gave it to him. He could use them to boost his cultivation speed once again.


    "Do you want me to kill them, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo. She was already itching to kill them, but she remembers Rant Valo''s words. She can''t kill them unless there is a big enough reason.


    "No."


    Rant Valo replied to her and stood up. He was not gonna become a cold-blooded killer. They were not even relevant to his life.


    "Let''s go, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo urged her. Floriana Sabina furrowed her eyebrows and nodded her head reluctantly. She held Rant Valo and Veia''s hands.


    "Hmph! We''re gonna leave now."


    Floriana Sabina informed them as she started to float in the air.


    "You can''t leave!"


    Suddenly, a loud voice resounded from afar. It was an old man with white hair and a long white beard. Floriana Sabina stopped in her tracks and observed the newcomer.


    "Who are you?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him coldly.


    "Sect Master!"


    Sect Elder Andre, Torse, and the crowd called out respectfully.


    "Mm."


    The Sect Master nodded his head at them. He then focused his eyes on Floriana Sabina''s group.


    "He''s the Sect Master?"


    Rant Valo looked at the Sect Master in interest. This old man was supposed to be the strongest cultivator in the region with his Peak Foundation Establishment stage cultivation.


    "Where are you going after wreaking havoc in my sect?"


    The Sect Master asked them coldly. He got an emergency transmission from Sect Elder Andre which is why he was here. Before long, several Sect Elders also arrived. They flew in the air just behind the Sect Master.


    "We''re leaving!"


    Floriana Sabina replied snappily. She was already annoyed by Sect Elder Andre, and now this old man was also annoying her.


    "You can''t!"


    The Sect Master blocked their way.


    "Disciple, can I at least cripple them?"


    Floriana Sabina turned her head to Rant Valo very slowly. She was very mad right now. If she can''t kill them, she would just destroy their cultivations.


    "You''re not gonna kill them?"


    Rant Valo asked her as he looked into her eyes.


    "Yes. I won''t."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head.


    "Alright."


    Rant Valo agreed.


    "Fuhahahaha!"


    Floriana Sabina laughed uproariously. She laughed for a while before looking at the Sect Master in the eyes.


    "You heard that? He permitted me."


    Floriana Sabina smiled sinisterly. The Sect Master couldn''t help but furrow his eyebrows. She was acting very weirdly.


    Floriana Sabina raised her hand and snapped it. Bright streaks of white embers flew from her fingers, and it hit the stomachs of all the Sect Elders, this included  Sect Elder Andre and Torse.


    The Sect Master was powerless to watch as his Sect Elders fell from the air one by one.


    "W-Woahhh!!"


    "My Core broke!"


    "Sh*t! We''re dead!"


    The Sect Elders cried out in shock.


    "What did you do to them?"


    The Sect Master asked her solemnly. Though, deep down, he was shaking in fear. He was just keeping himself steady as there were many Sect Disciples on the ground. His


    "Oops. They''ll die at that height."


    Floriana Sabina ignored him and waved her hand towards the falling Sect Elders. She softened their fall just enough so they wouldn''t die.


    "Agh!"


    Crack!


    "My back!!"


    The Sect Elders broke their bodies from their fall.


    "W-Who are you?"


    The Sect Master asked her fearfully. This time, he couldn''t pretend that he was not afraid anymore.


    "Tch. I''m Floriana Sabina."


    She replied. She was not in the mood to do her pose as she was very annoyed.


    "Let''s go, Master Floriana. We''re just wasting time here."


    Rant Valo urged her. She was capable of easily escaping here. She doesn''t have to confront them.


    "Hmph!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted before she disappeared together with Rant Valo and Veia.


    "Where did they go??"


    The Sect Disciples asked in disbelief. As for the Sect Master and the Sect Elders were reminded of the time 6 days ago when someone barged into their Core areas and stole their Snake Fish.


    "T-They were the thieves!"


    A Sect Elder exclaimed.


    "Listen up! I want everyone to shut up about what happened today! If anyone dares to spread it, I will personally kill them!"


    The Sect Master shouted towards the crowd. The crowd bowed their heads respectfully.


    "Yes, Sect Master!"


    They shouted in unison.


    Meanwhile, Floriana Sabina appeared in a forest. Rant Valo''s clone was sitting in cultivation under a tree.


    "What was their problem!?"


    Floriana Sabina suddenly shouted angrily. She hates everyone from that sect. If Rant Valo didn''t tell her to not kill, she would have razed it to the ground.


    "Relax, Master Floriana. You have already exacted revenge for me."


    Rant Valo calmed her down. Although he was also angry, he was already satisfied by what happened to them in return. He even saw Sect Elder Andre and Torse get their cultivations crippled. For him, that was enough. There was no reason to cause more unnecessary harm.

 Chapter 150 - Traveling To The Center Of The Continent

    "Hmph. I''m still not satisfied."


    Floriana Sabina snorted lightly and turned her head away in annoyance.


    "Since we''re done here, where are we going now, Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo asked her. He had already attended the Sect Tournament. There was no more need for them to stay here.


    "I don''t know."


    Floriana Sabina replied. She had no idea what to do anymore. It''s not like she knows all of the events happening in the world.


    "Why don''t we find a Tier 4 Sect?"


    Rant Valo suggested to her.


    "What are we gonna do there?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo blankly.


    "To compete in another Sect Tournament."


    Rant Valo replied to her.


    "We''re doing the same thing again? That''s just boring, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina replied to him with no interest whatsoever.


    "B-Boring?"


    Rant Valo was shocked by her words.


    "Oh, right! Why don''t we go to the headquarters of the Pill Master''s Association?"


    Floriana Sabina suddenly remembered a place. She had been to this place before to buy Medicinal Pills.


    "Pill Master''s Association?"


    Rant Valo reiterated in puzzlement.


    "The alchemy masters of the continent reside there."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him.


    "Woah! Really?''


    Rant Valo exclaimed in amazement.


    "Yes. While we''re at it. Why don''t I find you an Alchemy Master?"


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head. For Rant Valo''s clone to become successful in practicing alchemy, he had to have a master that is capable of teaching him to a very high level. Otherwise, his potential would just be wasted.


    "We''ll do that then, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo nodded his head at her. It would be a good change of pace. He agrees with her. It would be boring to join another Sect Tournament. It would be the same thing again anyway.


    "It''s good that you understand, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina smiled at him.


    "Master, before we go, can I drink your blood again?"


    Veia suddenly asked from the side as she fidgeted.


    "Alright."


    Rant Valo nodded his head in agreement. He quickly fed her his blood.


    After drinking Rant Valo''s blood, Veia walked closer to Rant Valo and hugged his arms close to her chest.


    "Ehehehe~ Master~"


    Veia called out to Rant Valo with a flushed face. She was just like a drunkard wife.


    "Let''s go, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo turned to Floriana Sabina and spoke.


    Floriana Sabina waved her hand horizontally in front of her, and a huge boat appeared. It was the same one that they rode on before.


    "Get on board."


    Floriana Sabina said to them. She once again took the front seat while Rant Valo and Veia sat in the back again.


    "Are you guys ready?"


    Floriana Sabina asked them to make sure that they were already on board.


    "Wait, my clone."


    Rant Valo''s clone stood up from the ground and sat beside Floriana Sabina.


    "R-Ready?"


    Floriana Sabina asked with a stutter. She suddenly felt nervous seeing Rant Valo''s cool and emotionless clone sit beside her.


    "Hi, Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo''s clone greeted her with a smile.


    "W-What?"


    Floriana Sabina asked with her face red.


    "Nothing."


    Rant Valo''s clone responded with a smile.


    "A-Anyway, we''re flying!"


    Floriana Sabina said to them.


    "Yes."


    Rant Valo nodded his head.


    And so, the boat once again flew through the skies. This time, they headed east, towards the center of the continent.


    The scenery flowed behind them like a flowing river of colors. This time, Floriana Sabina drove the boat much faster compared to before. Rant Valo and Veia could feel the momentum pushing their body backward.


    "We''re getting there."


    Floriana Sabina said to the two of them.


    A few hours later, the boat started to slow down. Below them was a city that encompasses the whole horizon. It was incomparable to the towns Rant Valo''s group had gone to in the past.


    "That''s so big! What kind of a city is that!?"


    Rant Valo exclaimed in disbelief. He never even imagined that a city could grow this big.


    "That is the Heavenly Pill City. There aren''t only Nascent Soul stage cultivators there. There are also Mana Dominion stage cultivators. In this city, it would be best for you to respect everyone you meet. You wouldn''t know if they were a Mana Dominion stage expert pretending to be weak."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him with a smug smile on her face. Seeing that disbelief on his face made her amused. She never gets sick of it.


    "Grandmaster, does this city accept demons?"


    Veia asked with worry evident on her face. She knows from Floriana Sabina that powerful cultivators could scan a wide area. She can even scan about 500 meters around her. What more for those supremely powerful cultivators?


    "You don''t have to worry about that. Just say that you''re my disciple''s slave, and they will turn a blind eye."


    Floriana Sabina said to her in assurance.


    "I see¡­"


    Veia nodded her head lightly. It definitely made her happy that she can go with them.


    "Anyways, we''re going down in that open field in the city. That''s the airport."


    Floriana Sabina said to them. The boat started to descend and landed on the concrete ground.


    "One Grade 7 Mana Stone."


    A guard stationed on the side opened his hand and demanded.


    A red transparent crystal appeared in Floriana Sabina''s hand, and she handed it over to the guard. This was a very high-grade solid mana formed underground.


    "Mm. You may go."


    The guard said to them. Floriana Sabina took the boat back into her storage ring before they proceeded forward.


    "Master Floriana, what was that?"


    Rant Valo asked her curiously. This was his first time knowing that there are airports and that they demand payment.


    "That''s the city taking an entrance fee and a landing fee for the airport."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him. These fees are in place to keep the city running as security is hard to maintain in such a high-level city.


    "Oh. I wonder how much they make."


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but think about the profits that the city receives each day.


    "It''s in the billions of Grade 7 Mana Stones."


    Floriana Sabina replied with a smirk.

 Chapter 151 - The Heavenly Pill City

    "B-Billions!?"


    Rant Valo exclaimed in shock and disbelief. He doesn''t even think that he has seen that many plant leaves in his whole life.


    "Unbelievable, right?"


    Floriana Sabina smiled widely, seeing Rant Valo''s face. She was really enjoying shocking him again and again.


    "Y-Yes."


    Rant Valo nodded his head. As for Veia, she walked with them blankly as she looked around.


    "Where is the Pill Master''s Association, Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo asked her.


    "It''s that building."


    Floriana Sabina pointed to a building at least a kilometer away from them. It stood out among the 1-2 story tall buildings in this city. It had at least 100 floors to it. The building is even so wide. Who knew how many people can fit inside?


    "Wow!"


    Rant Valo was speechless. That building looks like it was reaching for the clouds.


    "Let''s go."


    Floriana Sabina urged them. Both Rant Valo and Veia were looking at it in a daze.


    "Let''s just fly there."


    Floriana Sabina said to them. She grabbed both of their arms, and she flew towards the big building.


    After a few minutes of flight, they arrived in front of the entrance.


    The smell of different medicinal plants wafted in the air. The smell fills your senses with a sense of calm. People wearing different robes walked through and fro. They all had a sense of solemnity as they walked.


    "This feels intimidating¡­"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but say. Seeing this huge building and the dozens of people moving up and down the short flight of stairs made him feel insignificant.


    "Don''t worry, Disciple. I know someone here."


    Floriana Sabina reassured him with a smile. She then led the three of them, and they entered the building.


    "There are so many receptionist desks¡­"


    Rant Valo looked left and right. The only thing he could see was beautiful women standing behind a counter, taking orders from different kinds of people.


    "Halt! You demon over there! What is your business here?"


    A guard wearing thick golden armor moved his spear to block their passage.


    "U-Um.."


    Veia looked at the guard fearfully. He was exuding a strong aura that she knew she couldn''t resist.


    "Remember what I said, Veia."


    Floriana Sabina whispered to her. Veia nodded her head


    "I-I''m Master''s slave."


    Veia bowed and pointed to Rant Valo''s original body.


    "Hm? A 10th Mana Condensation stage trash, and¡­ this is an Early Foundation Establishment clone."


    The guard examined Rant Valo from head to toe. He then noticed Rant Valo''s clone that was shadowing him from behind.


    "Hmph. Pass."


    The guard didn''t say much. He moved his spear out of the way and Rant Valo''s group was able to proceed forward.


    "That was a tight security."


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but say to Floriana Sabina. The guard saw right through them.


    "Of course, Disciple. This is the headquarters of the Pill Master''s Association. There are very valuable pills contained here. It would be a huge loss if even one gets stolen."


    Floriana Sabina explained to Rant Valo in a matter-of-fact manner.


    "Why didn''t he check you?"


    Rant Valo asked in curiosity. The guard never even glanced at her.


    "Fufufu. That''s because he can''t see my cultivation stage. If he could, he wouldn''t have let us pass so easily."


    Floriana Sabina chuckled and replied.


    "What''s his cultivation stage anyway?"


    Rant Valo asked her.


    "He''s a Peak Nascent Soul stage cultivator. I would have crippled him for calling you trash, but this is not the right place."


    Floriana Sabina replied to him.


    "Woah. You''d cripple someone for that?"


    Rant Valo looked at her in surprise. As usual, as the villager he was, Rant Valo was very nice.


    "Of course!"


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head vehemently.


    "Uhh¡­"


    Rant Valo didn''t know what to say to her. He felt like that guard somehow got lucky.


    "Anyways, let''s go through the stairs, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina pulled the hem of Rant Valo''s clothes and led him to the staircase. There was a red carpet that leads to the top.


    "What floor are we gonna go to?"


    Rant Valo asked her with a blank face.


    "The top."


    Floriana Sabina replied candidly.


    "Ehh!? We''re gonna go up through the stairs to reach the 100th Floor!??"


    Rant Valo looked at her in shock. That will be too tiring.


    "We have no choice, Disciple. You can''t fly in here, or you will be kicked out."


    Floriana Sabina shrugged helplessly. If she had a choice, she would have flown them to the top instead of taking the trouble to walk through each stair step.


    "Sigh."


    Rant Valo slumped his shoulders, downcast.


    "Grandmaster, can''t Mana Dominion stage cultivators get an exception?"


    Veia asked. She was also against the idea of walking through one hundred floors with who knows how many stair steps in between.


    "Nope. Even Saints or Saintessess don''t have that privilege. After all, the Pill Master''s Association President is a Saint. He is very powerful."


    Floriana Sabina shook her head and explained to them.


    "Aren''t you stronger, Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo said with a smile.


    "Fufufu. I am, but I owe that guy."


    Floriana Sabina chuckled in reply. Rant Valo was right, she was much stronger than the Association President, but that doesn''t mean that she could do whatever she wants. He''s one of the best Alchemy Master''s in the world, after all.


    "I see."


    Rant Valo and Veia nodded their heads together. And so, without any choice, they walked through the stairs till they reached the top.


    "Even though I''m a cultivator¡­ my back hurts."


    Rant Valo said out loud as he held his aching back.


    "Look at your clone, Disciple. You only need to reach the Foundation Establishment stage, and it will just be a piece of cake."


    Floriana Sabina pointed to Rant Valo''s clone which did not have any obvious signs of fatigue.


    "I should have cultivated to the Foundation Establishment stage before we came here¡­"


    Rant Valo replied to her with a wry smile.


    "Halt! This is a forbidden area! State your business or I will attack!"


    A guard with thick golden armor etched with various symbols blocked their way with a spear.

 Chapter 152 - The Youngest Saintess

    "Hmph! Don''t you know who I am?"


    Floriana Sabina snorted and looked at the guard with her chin raised arrogantly.


    "W-Who?"


    The guard stuttered nervously. She was acting so confidently and arrogantly that it became obvious she''s not to be trifled with.


    "The Youngest Saintess in the world!"


    Floriana Sabina grinned at the guard.


    "S-Saintess Floriana!?"


    The guard looked at her in shock. He would never have expected in his life that the little girl in front of him was ''her''.


    "Hm? Do you have a problem?"


    Floriana Sabina raised an eyebrow at the guard''s reaction.


    "N-No. I beg your forgiveness, Saintess. This is just my first time meeting your esteemed self."


    The guard bowed to Floriana Sabina respectfully.


    "Call Xian Bao! Or I''ll drag him out myself."


    Floriana Sabina shouted to the guard in command.


    "The Association President is currently out."


    The guard replied with his head still bowed.


    ''Sh*t! It''s the real deal! No one would dare call the president by his name other than her!''


    The guard thought to himself. His back started to sweat heavily. He was just an Early Mana Dominion stage cultivator. He''s powerless against a Saintess. Much less, her, who was not just your average Saintess.


    "Tch. We''ll wait in his room then."


    Floriana Sabina clicked her tongue in annoyance and walked past the guard. Rant Valo and Veia followed after her silently.


    "Y-Yo¡ª" (You can''t go in there.)


    That was what the guard was gonna say, but he was ignored.


    "Hah~!"


    Floriana Sabina sat on the couch and rested her body on it.


    "Master Floriana, are you sure the owner of this place won''t be angry?"


    Rant Valo felt like he was standing on needles right now. What if that guy became angry and attacked her? They would have a huge fight.


    The room they entered had a huge pill furnace in the center. It had 5 feet compared to the pill furnace Rant Valo''s clone uses which only had 3 feet.


    There was a long couch set up in front of the pill furnace. It was designed for students or disciples to watch the Alchemy Master concoct a pill.


    "Don''t worry, Disciple. That Xian Bao doesn''t dare to breathe loudly in front of me."


    Floriana Sabina reassured Rant Valo with a confident smile.


    "I-I see."


    Rant Valo stuttered hearing Floriana Sabina''s words. It was too far-fetched, but he could only believe her.


    "Disciple, do you want to try practicing alchemy on that pill furnace?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him as she pointed to the huge pill furnace.


    "I can?"


    Rant Valo asked her. It seems really important and expensive. If it broke, he''ll have to rely on her to pay for it.


    "Don''t worry, Disciple. If you break it, I''ll even praise you."


    Floriana Sabian reassured him. Though, her words made Rant Valo''s face twitch in response.


    "..."


    Rant Valo had no words for her. Anyways, his clone walked up to the platform designed to allow the Alchemy Master to peer inside the pill furnace.


    "This is a really big furnace. Would I even be able to heat it up?"


    Rant Valo''s clone looked inside it. It was spacious enough for him to fit with room to spare. He couldn''t fathom what kind of medicinal plants is used to concoct in this pill furnace.


    "Just try your best, Disciple. So when you become strong enough, I''ll get you one."


    Floriana Sabina urged Rant Valo.


    "Alright."


    Rant Valo''s clone went down the platform and heated the bottom of it with his trusty black rod. A flame burst from the end of the rod and started to heat it up. Though, the flame was like an ant trying to cook an elephant.


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    Rant Valo, Veia, and Floriana Sabina looked at the tiny flame and the large pill furnace with twitching faces.


    "Ahahaha¡­ Maybe you don''t do it now, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina chuckled dryly. She forgot that he could only use the rod to heat the pill furnace up.


    "Y-Yeah."


    Rant Valo''s clone nodded his head.


    Thus, they waited inside the room while chatting with each other. Their topic ranged from cultivation to the different levels of Alchemy Masters.


    An hour later, the door to the room opened.


    "P-President! I need to tell you something!"


    The guard''s voice from earlier sounded out. Rant Valo and the rest focused their attention on them.


    "I''m busy."


    A deep male voice replied. Then he entered the room and closed the door. He was an old man with gray hair. He wore a purple-gold robe that reaches his feet.


    "..Huh?"


    He stared blankly at Floriana Sabina sitting on the couch. In reply, Floriana Sabina raised her hand and waved.


    "Long time no see, Xian Bao."


    Floriana Sabina smiled in greeting.


    "I must be dreaming."


    Xian Bao ignored them and walked towards the pill furnace. He waved his hand, and several medicinal plants with strong fragrances appeared on the table attached to the side of it.


    "Xian Bao¡­. Did you just ignore me?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Xian Bao coldly. She gripped her fist tightly.


    "Hiieeee! I wasn''t dreaming!"


    Xian Bao jumped in fright when he heard her words. He immediately turned his head and raised his hands in front.


    "I''m sorry, Floriana!"


    Xian Bao apologized with cold sweat pouring down his face.


    "Hmph!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted at him in reply.


    "Teach my disciple how to create pills!"


    Floriana Sabina ordered him arrogantly.


    "D-Disciple?"


    Xian Bao looked at her blankly.


    ''Did she just say, *Disciple*??''


    Xian Bao thought to himself in shock.


    "Yes. Do you have a problem with that?"


    Floriana Sabina raised an eyebrow at him.


    "N-No!"


    Xian Bao shook his head vehemently.


    "Then, are you doing it or not?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him coldly.


    "I will! Only if he has a talent for it."


    Xian Bao nodded his head immediately. It was obvious by now that he has some PTSD against Floriana Sabina.


    "If he doesn''t, have your disciple teach him!"


    Floriana Sabina ordered him.


    "Alright¡­"


    Xian Bao nodded his head reluctantly.


    "Disciple, did you hear that? If you''re talented, you''ll get the best Alchemy Master on the continent as your Master. And even if you''re not, you''ll still get the 2nd best."


    Floriana Sabina turned to Rant Valo and said with a smile.

 Chapter 153 - Hopeless For Alchemy

    "Yes. Thank you for the opportunity, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo bowed to her respectfully. As always, she was doing things for him.


    "Floriana, what about your sect? They are already looking everywhere for you. They should''ve already received news about your reappearance."


    Xian Bao suddenly asked her.


    "Hmph! Let them come! I''m much stronger than before."


    Floriana Sabina snorted arrogantly.


    "What did you say!?"


    Xian Bao looked at Floriana Sabina in disbelief.


    "Let them come?"


    Floriana Sabina repeated in confusion.


    "No! After that."


    Xian Bao shook his head.


    "I''m much stronger than before?"


    Floriana Sabina repeated.


    "Yes! That! What do you mean you''re stronger than before?"


    Xian Bao asked her with disbelief on his face. He couldn''t believe that this monster in front of him got even stronger than before.


    "Huh? It''s exactly as I said. I got stronger."


    Floriana Sabina looked at Xian Bao like she was looking at an idiot.


    "A monster."


    Xian Bao looked at her in disbelief. He couldn''t believe that she got stronger again. It had only been 2 months since she disappeared.


    "Hehehe. Who do you think I am?"


    Floriana Sabina giggled seeing the look on Xian Bao''s face.


    "So that''s why you ran away from your sect?"


    Xian Bao looked at her intently and asked.


    "I hate them all!"


    Floriana Sabina replied with anger in her voice.


    "Sigh. Aside from this kid? What do you want?"


    Xian Bao sighed and asked her. He doesn''t want to get involved with her feud with her sect.


    "We''re just exploring."


    Floriana Sabina replied to him.


    "If those old geezers heard you, they would surely lock you up again in annoyance. Here you are leisurely exploring when they are looking for you."


    Xian Bao said to her with a wry smile on his face.


    "Let them do whatever they want. They won''t be able to catch me anyway."


    Floriana Sabina shrugged her shoulders freely.


    "What did he mean, Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo asked her curiously. It seems like his master is actually a runaway from her sect.


    "Don''t bother with it, Disciple. I''ll tell you after you reach the Mana Dominion stage."


    Floriana Sabina winked at him at the end of her words.


    "Okay..?"


    Rant Valo furrowed his eyebrows and nodded his head reluctantly.


    "Anyways, can you test my disciple''s talent for alchemy now?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Xian Bao impatiently.


    "Here."


    Xian Bao passed a ring towards Rant Valo. He caught it with both of his hands with a puzzled look on his face.


    "That''s a Storage Ring, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him.


    "Oh!"


    Rant Valo looked at it with interest after hearing her explanation. He examined it carefully, but there doesn''t seem to be anything different about it from a normal ring. It was a metal ring with a red crystal center stone.


    "Do you know how to use it?"


    Xian Bao asked Rant Valo.


    "How do I use it?"


    Rant Valo asked in return.


    "Pour your mana into it. Then it should create a mental image inside your head of what''s inside. After that, you can pick any item, and it will appear in your hand."


    Xian Bao explained to him.


    "I see."


    Rant Valo nodded in understanding. He closed his eyes and poured his mana into the ring.


    An image of a dark space appeared inside his mind. It was a little disorienting as the image was in a three-dimensional format. Rant Valo looked inside it and saw different kinds of medicinal plants.


    "What are these?"


    Rant Valo opened his eyes and asked.


    "Do you know how to concoct pills?"


    Xian Bao asked him.


    "Uhh¡­ I still don''t know how to."


    Rant Valo replied awkwardly. The only thing he knew was to heat up a pill furnace. He wasn''t even capable of keeping it at a constant temperature.


    "Sigh. Then do you know how to extract the essence of a medicinal plant?"


    Xian Bao asked him with a sigh.


    "..."


    Rant Valo didn''t respond. His eyes slowly moved away and avoided Xian Bao''s eyes.


    "..."


    Even Xian Bao was speechless. He thought that Floriana Sabina came here because she was confident that Rant Valo was good at alchemy. Yet he doesn''t even know how to extract the essence of a medicinal plant.


    "Stop doubting my disciple, Xian Bao!"


    Floriana Sabina couldn''t help but speak up. She feared that Xian Bao would give up on her disciple just like that.


    "Alright. What can you do?"


    Xian Bao asked Rant Valo with a tired gaze.


    "I-I can heat up a pill furnace."


    Rant Valo replied with an awkward stutter. He wasn''t the least bit proud about it.


    "A good start, I guess. Then, how well can you keep the temperature constant."


    Xian Bao praised impassively. He already gave up on Rant Valo. If it weren''t for Floriana Sabina, he would have kicked him out long ago.


    "..seconds."


    Rant Valo replied so softly that even Xian Bao''s great hearing couldn''t hear it.


    "What?"


    Xian Bao asked Rant Valo in confusion.


    "A few s-seconds¡­"


    Rant Valo replied with a stutter and looked away.


    "Did you actually come here to waste my time? Come on, tell me."


    Xian Bao turned to Floriana Sabina and asked her in annoyance.


    "My disciple only started learning 4 days ago."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him.


    "4 days?"


    Xian Bao raised his eyebrow when he heard her words.


    "How long was he cultivating for?"


    Xian Bao asked her in curiosity.


    "3 weeks."


    Floriana Sabina replied.


    "Wha¡ª?"


    Xian Bao turned his head and examined Rant Valo from head to toe.


    "...Was he cultivating every day?"


    Xian Bao suddenly thought of something and asked her.


    "No. From what I can remember, he had only been cultivating for 5 days in total."


    Floriana Sabina replied to him. Xian Bao''s eyes opened wide in shock. He looked at Floriana Sabina and Rant Valo alternately.


    "What? Are you surprised? It''s natural! He''s my disciple, after all! Fufufufu."


    Floriana Sabina grinned smugly seeing the shock and disbelief etched on Xian Bao''s face. In the end, she couldn''t hold back her laughter.

 Chapter 154 - Fire Element Core

    "Which corner of the world did you find him?"


    Xian Bao looked at Floriana Sabina with disbelief still stuck on his face.


    "This continent. A rural part of a kingdom."


    Floriana Sabina replied to Xian Bao with a grin.


    "It''s both of your fortunes to meet each other, then."


    Xian Bao nodded his head in praise.


    "Fortune whatever. Are you testing my disciple or not?"


    Floriana Sabina said to him, annoyed.


    "Alright. Alright. You''re too impatient."


    Xian Bao replied to her a little bit annoyed too.


    "Take this."


    Xian Bao threw a red orb into Rant Valo''s hand. Rant Valo examined it intently. It was the size of a small marble ball, and it glittered when shone against a light source.


    "That''s a new invention. Swallow it and you''ll see."


    Xian Bao said to Rant Valo.


    Instead of listening to Xian Bao''s words, Rant Valo threw the orb to his clone who promptly caught it.


    "Oh, is that a clone of yours?"


    Xian Bao saw Rant Valo throw the orb to another person before he realized that it was Rant Valo''s clone.


    "Yes. Master Floriana made it for me."


    Rant Valo replied with a slight bow.


    "Hohh. I thought you didn''t like getting clones?"


    Xian Bao turned to Floriana Sabina and asked.


    "I don''t! But that doesn''t mean that I won''t get my disciple one."


    Floriana Sabina replied.


    While Floriana Sabina and Xian Bao were chatting with each other, Rant Valo''s clone swallowed the red orb. The moment he did so, he could feel the insides of his Core change.


    The red orb moved to his Core and sat in the center of it. But there was a problem, there''s already something sitting in his core.


    BOOM


    Rant Valo''s clone felt the inside of his Core explode. He immediately sat down on the ground cross-legged. He focused all of his attention to the inside of his Core.


    Rant Valo''s clone saw the sphere of mana floating in the center of his Core turn to dust after being hit by the red orb. The red orb then took its place.


    Suddenly, Rant Valo felt a huge wave of mana come from his surroundings. It entered into his skin''s pores and traveled through his body before entering his core.


    This mana was red in color, and it moved like a flame swaying in the wind. The mana mixed with Rant Valo''s original mana in a 50/50 ratio. After that, the mixed mana deposited itself onto the red orb. Before long the red orb was fully covered, and it had turned into Rant Valo''s new sphere of solid mana.


    Rant Valo''s clone calmed down his surging mana before consolidating his foundation.


    After a few hours of silence, Rant Valo''s clone opened his eyes.


    ¡­


    When Rant Valo''s clone swallowed the red orb, Rant Valo''s original body listened to Floriana Sabina and Xian Bao''s chat. Though, he quickly got bored. Instead, he pulled Veia to the side and chatted with her.


    "Master, what''s happening to your clone?"


    Veia asked him.


    "I''m not sure, but it''s- AHHH!"


    Rant Valo was just replying to Veia when he suddenly screamed in extreme pain. Floriana Sabina and Xian Bao couldn''t help but look at him in alarm.


    "Master!"


    Veia supported Rant Valo as he fell to the floor powerlessly.


    "Disciple, what happened!?"


    Floriana Sabina went to Rant Valo''s side in alarm. She also helped Rant Valo up.


    "Don''t worry. It''s just the start of the process of his clone''s transformation."


    Xian Bao reassured them. He was the one who gave the red orb, so he was familiar with how it works.


    "What''s going on?"


    Floriana Sabina furrowed her eyebrows and asked Xian Bao.


    "His clone just swallowed a Fire Element Synthetic Core. It can give anyone without an affinity with the Fire Element the affinity for the Fire Element."


    Xian Bao explained to them.


    "Then, Master is¡­"


    Veia said from the side.


    "Yes. Are you his slave? Your Master''s clone will also become a cultivator of the Fire Element."


    Xian Bao nodded his words at Veia''s words. He also noticed that she was a demon when he glanced at her.


    "That''s great!"


    Veia exclaimed with happiness written on her face.


    "Then, my disciple can also practice my magic techniques!?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Xian Bao in disbelief.


    "Of course. That''s a given."


    Xian Bao nodded his head at her.


    "Fufufu! My disciple will be the best! No, he''s the best!"


    Floriana Sabina laughed excitedly after hearing Xian Bao''s words. She was gonna become a master of a Fire Element cultivator! That means that Rant Valo can also use the same magic techniques that she does.


    "Let''s just wait patiently."


    Xian Bao said to them.


    As for Rant Valo''s main body, he stood up and sat on the couch, tired.


    "How is it, Disciple? Do you think that you can do it?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo with worry evident on her face. She won''t let anything go wrong with Rant Valo''s clone. After all, it was hers¡­


    "I think I can do it."


    Rant Valo replied to her with a smile.


    "That''s a relief."


    Floriana Sabina smiled back at Rant Valo.


    "Hmph. Master, pay attention to me too."


    Veia snorted with a pout. She sat beside Rant Valo and hugged his arms between her twin melons.


    "Ooooh. Interesting."


    Xian Bao looked at the three of them with a knowing smile on his face. He certainly didn''t expect this development at all.


    After waiting for a few hours, Rant Valo''s clone finally opened its eyes.


    "Did it work!?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo''s main body and asked with excitement.


    "It did."


    Rant Valo scratched the back of his head awkwardly. His clone stood up and walked towards them.


    "Ohhh! Certainly, I can feel the Fire Elements inside your clone''s Core, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina nodded in amazement as she examined Rant Valo''s clone with her eyes and divine sense.


    "Disciple, practice this. Quick!"


    Floriana Sabina threw a small booklet to Rant Valo''s clone and urged him.

 Chapter 155 - Alchemy Talent Worth Teaching

    Rant Valo''s clone caught the booklet and looked at its cover curiously.


    "The Basic Fire Wielding Magic."


    Rant Valo''s clone read the title before looking at Floriana Sabina in puzzlement.


    "Learn it then use it in front of me."


    Floriana Sabina explained her intentions to Rant Valo.


    "Alright."


    Rant Valo''s clone nodded his head and opened the book. He started to read its contents swiftly. Before long, Rant Valo had already understood the contents written in it.


    "So¡­ Like this?"


    Rant Valo opened his hand, and a small ball of flame appeared on it.


    "Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina jumped in joy. She immediately ran towards him and embraced his body tightly.


    "M-Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo''s clone returned her embrace, confused.


    "See! That''s my disciple."


    Floriana Sabina turned her head towards Xian Bao and boasted to him with a wide smile on her face.


    "Y-Yeah¡­"


    Xian Bao nodded his head as his cheeks twitched. He just witnessed another demon. The master is a demon, then the disciple is also a demon. Not in the sense of the other race, but in the sense that they were inhuman.


    "Now, try to heat up your pill furnace from before constantly, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo. The pill furnace from before appeared in front of her with a sweep of her hand.


    "Alright."


    Rant Valo''s clone nodded his head and sat cross-legged on the floor in front of the pill furnace.


    Rant Valo placed his palm under the pill furnace, and an orange flame appeared. The color-changing fabric from before was still inside, so it will be the indicator if Rant Valo is doing it properly. Before long, it suddenly changed color to red. It was a sign that Rant Valo was keeping the temperature at 500 C.


    "Ohhh! You''ve improved, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina exclaimed in amazement. Rant Valo had been keeping the flame at a steady temperature for more than a dozen seconds. It was better than his record of a few seconds before.


    "Ah."


    The flame went haywire when Rant Valo''s clone heard her words. He got distracted when she spoke.


    "Floriana, you need to learn to stop distracting alchemists."


    Xian Bao looked at Floriana Sabina with a frown as he admonished her.


    "... I''m sorry, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina was silent for a while before she apologized to Rant Valo. She recognized her mistake.


    "It''s okay, Master Floriana. I can do it again."


    Rant Valo reassured her with a smile. He started and focused again. A flame rose from his hand, and he repeated the process.


    Before long, the fabric turned red again. Floriana Sabina and the rest waited with bated breaths as Rant Valo focused hard.


    ...


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    "... I think it''s time for him to stop."


    Xian Bao looked at Rant Valo with a wry smile on his face. It had already been 3 days since Rant Valo first started. He could already tell that Rant Valo was quite talented in alchemy. It wasn''t a bad idea for him to give that red orb to Rant Valo.


    "I agree."


    "Master is too good."


    "Even though that''s also me, I also agree."


    Floriana Sabina, Veia, and Rant Valo''s main body nodded their heads together.


    "Phew."


    Rant Valo''s clone sighed in relief. He relaxed his body and stood up.


    "So? You''ll teach my disciple now, right?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Xian Bao.


    "Of course, of course. How could I turn away such a good talent?"


    Xian Bao nodded his head readily. If he still turned him away, then he will not be fit to sit in the position of Association President.


    "Good."


    Floriana Sabina smirked hearing Xian Bao''s reply.


    "Then, Disciple. We''ll leave you here with Xian Bao."


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo''s clone.


    "I understand, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo''s clone nodded his head to her and bowed.


    "Now, where should we go?"


    Floriana Sabina held her chin in thought. She left the room together with Rant Valo''s main body and Veia.


    "S-Saintess!"


    The guard from earlier sweated again when he saw Floriana Sabina''s figure.


    "What?"


    Floriana Sabina responded to him coldly.


    "I-I didn''t mean to offend the Saintess! I was just curious if the President got angry."


    The guard replied to her nervously.


    "Xian Bao? There''s no way he will dare get angry at me."


    Floriana Sabina replied leisurely.


    "I-I see."


    The guard nodded his head.


    "Anyways, we''re going now."


    Floriana Sabina said to the guard before they started walking down the long staircase once again.


    "I should have cultivated to the Foundation Establishment stage as we watched my clone heat that pill furnace up."


    Rant Valo said to them with regret in his voice.


    "There''s no use regretting, again and again, Disciple. Just deal with it."


    Floriana Sabina responded to him with a smile.


    "Master, do you want me to carry you?"


    Veia offered to Rant Valo.


    "... No. I still have my pride."


    Rant Valo looked at her before he shook his head. He wouldn''t allow a girl to carry him, especially Veia. After all, he will marry her in the future.


    "Are you sure, Master? I don''t mind."


    Veia asked him with worry on her face before she smiled at the end of her words.


    "I ''do'' mind."


    Rant Valo replied to her with emphasis.


    "Alright¡­"


    Veia nodded her head reluctantly. She just wanted to help her master, but it seems that her master is too shy about such things.


    After a long walk and many footsteps, Rant Valo''s group finally reached the bottom floor.


    "That was tiring."


    Rant Valo sighed.


    "That''s why I told you, Master."


    Veia replied to Rant Valo in retort.


    They walked towards the exit of the building and left.


    But just as they were leaving, a voice suddenly stopped them.


    "Saintess Floriana!"


    It was the voice of a middle-aged woman. She was standing in front of the exit with her red sect robes flowing with the wind. When Rant Valo took a good look at it, he realized that it was the same one that Floriana Sabina lent him.

 Chapter 156 - Floriana Sabinas Master

    "Who is she?"


    Rant Valo looked at the middle-aged woman curiously. She was wearing the same sect robes that Floriana Sabina gave him before. She said that it was from her sect, so it means that she''s also from Floriana Sabina''s sect.


    Her face were fair, and her red hair flowed with the wind.


    "She''s my Sect Auntie."


    Floriana Sabina replied to Rant Valo. She squinted her eyes as she looked at the woman.


    "Sect Auntie?"


    Rant Valo looked at the woman in surprise. He didn''t know that there were aunties in sects, but he could understand what she meant to Floriana Sabina.


    "S-Saintess Floriana! You still remember me!"


    The woman said to Floriana Sabina with a voice filled with emotion. She looked at her yearningly. There was also a relaxed smile on her face.


    "Hmph! I don''t!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted and turned her head away.


    "But Saintess, I was the one who changed your clothes when you peed yourself 500 years ago!"


    The woman said to her with a sad face.


    "Y-You! What are you saying!?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at the woman in shock. She didn''t expect that she would reveal her deepest and darkest secret just like that.


    "..."


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but turn his head to look at Floriana Sabina with a deadpan face. Somehow, he felt like his image of her inside his head was broken.


    "But it''s true, Saintess Floriana!"


    The woman repeated with a downcast sigh.


    "Stop it! Alright, alright! I''ll talk to you!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted in reluctance. She could understand what the woman was trying to do.


    "Fufufu. Thank you, Saintess Floriana."


    The woman bowed respectfully to Floriana Sabina. There was also a victorious smile hanging on her face.


    "Hmph. Scheming oldie!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted at the woman in annoyance. She doesn''t like her guts one bit.


    "O-Oldie!?"


    The woman looked at Floriana Sabina in disbelief. Her body was still young and she was even beautiful. Being called an oldie is just embarrassing!


    "Stop looking at me and lead the way!"


    Floriana Sabina said to the woman.


    "Y-Yes!"


    The woman then flew into the air. Floriana Sabina held Rant Valo and Veia''s hands before flying after her.


    They flew for a while before the woman stopped in front of a luxuriously designed cafe. It was obvious that the meals here would be crazy expensive.


    "Your Master is waiting inside."


    The woman stopped at the entrance and made way for Floriana Sabina. Rant Valo and Veia followed her inside.


    But just as they were about to pass the doorway, the woman stopped them.


    "Halt! I don''t know who you are to the saintess, but who do you think you are?!"


    The woman shouted at Rant Valo and Veia.


    "Qaha Byudin! What do you think are you doing to my disciple!?"


    Floriana Sabina turned around and admonished the woman angrily.


    "S-Saintess¡­"


    Qaha Byudin looked at Floriana Sabina fearfully. She never saw her act like that.


    "Hmph! If you don''t let them pass, I''ll simply leave!"


    Floriana Sabina threatened.


    "But they are-"


    Qaha Byudin tried to reason with her.


    "No buts! Let them pass!"


    Floriana Sabina interrupted her angrily. She wasn''t gonna let anyone bully her disciple!


    "Y-Yes."


    Qaha Byudin walked backwards and allowed Rant Valo and Veia to pass.


    "Thank you, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo entered the doorway and thanked her. She was always looking out for him, and he appreciates that.


    "Don''t worry about it, Disciple. She''s just an oldie."


    Floriana Sabina reassured Rant Valo with a smile.


    "Yes."


    Rant Valo nodded his head as he smiled at her.


    "You!"


    Qaha Byudin gritted her teeth in anger as she watched Rant Valo laugh with Floriana Sabina.


    Of course, Rant Valo just ignored her. She wasn''t a match to his master anyway.


    "Floriana, sit here."


    A red haired bearded old man called out to Floriana Sabina. He was sitting on a small table with only two chairs.


    "Alright."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head and sat in front of him.


    "Who are they?"


    The old man pointed towards Rant Valo and Veia with the point of his head.


    "One is my disciple, and the other is my disciple''s slave."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him frankly.


    "Disciple, huh?"


    The old man looked towards Floriana Sabina with a peering gaze. He then turned his eyes and started to examine Rant Valo and Veia.


    "A 10th Mana Condensation stage trash? I thought you were better than this, Floriana."


    The old man said to her in disappointment. He couldn''t really understand why she would take a 10th Mana Condensation stage trash as her disciple.


    "What did you say?"


    Floriana Sabina''s aura quickly changed. She pushed her body on the table towards his face as she looked at him coldly.


    "What? Aren''t my words true? You ran away from your sect. Now you even have trash with you. Aren''t you the ''Youngest'' Saintess in the world? What happened to that?"


    The old man said to her with a voice filled with disappointment and tiredness.


    "Take that back. Or I will make you disappear from the face of this world!"


    Floriana Sabina''s eyes became even colder. The eyes she was looking at the old man were like she was looking at a dead corpse.


    "I''m still your master no matter what happens so I''ll fight you if you aren''t gonna return to the sect obediently!"


    The old man didn''t budge against Floriana Sabina''s threats. Instead, he also threatened her.


    "I''m done! I''ll end all of this so I can have peace!"


    Floriana Sabina spoke to him coldly. It was like she just judged his death.


    "Die!"


    Floriana Sabina opened her palm towards the old man and shouted angrily. A bright golden flame escaped from her hands and attacked the old man.


    "W-What is this flame!? I never taught you this!!"


    The old man looked at the flames in disbelief. By this time, all of the other customers of the luxurious restaurant had already realized what was happening. They all rushed to the exit to escape.

 Chapter 157 - Killing The Clone

    The golden flame wrapped around the old man and started to burn his skin.


    "Tell me, Floriana! What kind of a flame is this!?"


    The old man shouted towards Floriana Sabina in panic. This was his first time encountering such an eerie flame.


    "You don''t have to know."


    Floriana Sabina replied coldly.


    "You! I''ll come back and restrain you with my main body!"


    The old man shouted towards her as his body started to turn into ash. He was powerless against the golden flame that Floriana Sabina used.


    "M-Master Floriana, what''s this flame?"


    Rant Valo looked towards the flame with a confused face. The flame was giving him a familiar vibe.


    "I learned this from your magic techniques, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina smiled at Rant Valo proudly.


    "Y-You learned this!? How???"


    Rant Valo asked her in disbelief. He doesn''t remember ever teaching her how it works. After all, she couldn''t see what was written in the cultivation manual book.


    "Fufufu. Disciple, don''t underestimate your master. I''m not the Youngest Saintess for no reason."


    Floriana Sabina smirked at him.


    "Then, what do you call this flame?"


    Rant Valo asked her curiously.


    "The Lucky Golden Flame? Does that sound good, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him with a smile.


    "The name is straightforward. I don''t think it''s bad."


    Rant Valo replied to her with a smile.


    "Right?"


    Floriana Sabina said to him with excitement. She had been waiting for a chance to use this flame of hers. She couldn''t help but be surprised. It certainly surpassed her expectations. It was more powerful than she initially thought.


    That old man''s clone hadn''t even gotten the chance to fight back against her.


    "Sect Elder Gnad!"


    By this time, Qaha Byudin who was guarding the outside of the inn realized what was happening. She watched as Sect Elder Gnad that she so respected burned right in front of her.


    "Don''t worry, Qaha! Run! She''s more powerful than before!"


    The burning old man shouted towards her in alarm. Qaha doesn''t have any clones. If she dies, then it would be the end of her life.


    "But..!"


    Qaha Byudin wasn''t willing to just leave him alone. The old man shook his head at her.


    Left with no choice, she turned tail and ran.


    As for Floriana Sabina, she was watching the exchange together with Rant Valo and Veia. She didn''t care if she ran away or not.


    "Isn''t he taking a while to burn?"


    Rant Valo furrowed his eyebrows as he looked at the old man who was still wrapped inside the golden flames.


    "That''s normal, Disciple. He''s also a Fire Element cultivator. Naturally, his body has resistance to fire."


    Floriana Sabina explained to Rant Valo.


    "Oh, I see."


    Rant Valo nodded in understanding. It was his first time knowing about such a thing.


    "So doesn''t that mean that you were able to eat hot foods because you had fire resistance?"


    Rant Valo suddenly realized. He could still remember Floriana Sabina eating piping hot foods like they were cold. She doesn''t even flinch when eating them.


    "That''s right. It took you long enough to realize, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head.


    "Ahahaha¡­"


    Rant Valo laughed awkwardly in response.


    ''F*ck! The trash is insulting me!''


    The old man had been watching their exchange all this time. He couldn''t help but curse Rant Valo. It was too bad that he couldn''t move his body while burning. Otherwise, he would have killed Rant Valo 100 times over.


    A few minutes later, the flame disappeared. All that''s left were ashes on the ground.


    "Finally."


    Rant Valo nodded his head in satisfaction


    "Why are you more satisfied with him burning than me, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo in amusement. She thought that he would be angry at her again. After all, she was technically killing someone in front of them.


    "He''s annoying!"


    Rant Valo said to her.


    "Puh! Ahahahaha! Not bad, Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina laughed. She realized what Rant Valo was doing.


    "Was my imitation of you that bad?"


    Rant Valo smiled awkwardly. He actually imitated her just then.


    "No. I almost believed it, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina shook her head with a smile still stuck on her face.


    "Hahaha."


    Rant Valo laughed with her.


    "Muuu¡­ Master, I''m feeling left out¡­"


    Veia tugged the hem of Rant Valo''s clothes shyly. She couldn''t understand why they were even laughing.


    "I was imitating, Master Floriana. Do you still remember when she killed Nawa Jared? I got angry, right? But she said that she killed him because he was annoying."


    Rant Valo explained to her lightheartedly. He already didn''t mind that Floriana Sabina killed Nawa Jared. He already understood what she meant back then.


    "Ohhh!! So that''s what you guys meant."


    Veia exclaimed as she finally understood what they were laughing about. She also couldn''t help but giggle.


    "Anyways, where are we going now, Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo asked her curiously. They had already finished their business here.


    "Let''s go roaming the lands, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina replied.


    "That''s a great idea."


    Rant Valo nodded his head.


    "Uhm, can we try to find my family?"


    Veia suddenly said from the side.


    "Your family?"


    Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina looked at her blankly.


    "Ah!"


    It took a while before they realized what she meant. They kind of forgot that she actually forgot her past. It hadn''t affected Veia that much so it didn''t stick in their mind.


    "We can just spread your face around the kingdom using the Royal Family''s authority."


    Floriana Sabina said to Veia. It was very likely that Veia''s family was still in that kingdom.


    "That''s fine with me, Grandmaster."


    Veia nodded her head in satisfaction. As long as she can get news about her family, then any method is better.


    "Then, let''s head back to the kingdom."


    Floriana Sabina said to them.


    Thus, she flew them to the airport of Heavenly Pill City before they rode on the boat and flew to the skies. They were headed back towards the kingdom.


    As for Rant Valo''s clone, it was left behind to learn alchemy from Xian Bao.

 Chapter 158 - Beslor Magic Kingdoms King

    Floriana Sabina, Rant Valo, and Veia stopped above a royal castle.


    "This is it?"


    Rant Valo asked.


    "I think so?"


    Floriana Sabina replied. They were all looking over the royal castle.


    "This is my first time seeing a castle."


    Rant Valo was but a mere villager. He had only heard rumors about the royal castle.


    "You already saw one of the biggest cities on the continent. This is not special anymore."


    Floriana Sabina said to him.


    "Yeah. Let''s go."


    Rant Valo nodded his head at her and urged them on.


    The flying boat flew down towards the royal castle. The people down below immediately noticed the boat slowly descending from the heavens.


    Inside the castle, a man was drinking wine while sighing. He was just about to take another sip when someone opened the door to his room with a loud bang.


    "Your Majesty! An immortal descended from the skies!"


    A guard wearing steel armor shouted to the man in alarm.


    "PUHHH!"


    The man, or rather, the king of the Beslor Magic Kingdom spat out the wine he just drank. He turned his head and looked at the guard in displeasure.


    "What immortal? Learn to knock!"


    The king rebuked the guard.


    "I ask for your forgiveness, Your Majesty. But this is an emergency!"


    The guard kneeled in front of the king respectfully.


    "What?"


    The king''s eyes widened in disbelief. Did he just hear ''emergency''?


    "There are three unknown people in the castle garden. They landed using a Flying Magic Device."


    The guard reported to the king.


    "Lead the way!"


    The king immediately realized the severity of the situation. A Flying Magic Device should not be owned by any parties under him. It could only mean that they were from a faraway place.


    "Yes!"


    The guard saluted. He then led the king through the castle''s corridors.


    They arrived in front of the castle garden. There was a teenage boy, a teenage girl, and a little girl standing there.


    "Where are they?"


    The king turned his head to the guard beside him and asked.


    "I¡­ I also don''t know."


    The guard replied.


    "What do you mean you don''t know!"


    The king slapped the back of the guard''s head. He was the one who called him yet he didn''t know where the visitors were.


    "My colleague just said that I should call Your Majesty since there were three people in the garden."


    The guard replied as he rubbed his aching head.


    "Figure it out! And who are those three?"


    The king shouted to the guard. He then looked towards Rant Valo''s group standing leisurely in front of them. They were all chatting with each other.


    "Y-Your Majesty! You came."


    A different guard ran up to them.


    "Those three are the ones who descended from the sky."


    The guard pointed to Rant Valo''s group.


    "Aren''t they just kids?"


    The king looked at the guard in confusion.


    "... I also couldn''t believe it, but it''s true. Your Majesty, those three descended from the sky riding a boat."


    The guard was speechless before he realized what the king was thinking. He then explained it to him.


    "That''s¡­ are you really sure? I just scanned those three. One is in the Mana Condensation, the 2nd one is a Foundation Establishment cultivator, while the last one had no cultivation at all!"


    The king asked the guard in doubt, and he explained to him his findings. He wasn''t willing to risk it since they could be powerful cultivators pretending to be weak.


    "Why don''t we go, Your Majesty?"


    The guard suggested to him. Since they can''t figure it out. They might as well ask them themselves.


    "Let''s go."


    The king nodded his head. The two of them plus the other guard from earlier walked towards Rant Valo''s group. Several guards were also arriving from all over the castle. They all pointed their spears in defense.


    "Uhh¡­ how may I address you?"


    The king asked them a little doubtfully.


    "Oh, it''s the king."


    Floriana Sabina spoke in surprise.


    "That''s the king?"


    Rant Valo looked at the king a little skeptically. Although the king was wearing a lavish cloak, Rant Valo was not that good at judging things.


    "Please call me, Veia, Your Majesty. This is my master, Rant Valo. The little girl is my Grandmaster, Floriana Sabina."


    Veia bowed towards the king respectfully. For some reason, she knows this procedure. It was like her body moved on its own.


    "What are you doing in my castle?"


    The king turned his head towards Veia. He thought that she was the leader of their little group.


    "We are here to request something from you, Your Majesty."


    Veia did a curtsied bow. Though, it didn''t look that good as she was wearing her black cloak.


    "Hohh, what is it?"


    The king squinted his eyes as he examined Veia.


    "I lost all of my memories, and I would like the king to spread my face across the kingdom in the hopes of finding my family."


    Veia explained to him.


    "Tell me who these two are."


    The king ordered her as he pointed his nose towards Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina.


    "As I said, they are R-"


    Just as Veia explained it to the king again, he stopped her.


    "Stop!"


    He shouted.


    "What I meant was ''what are their backgrounds''?"


    The king explained to her.


    "I understand, Your Majesty. Master Rant Valo is a 10th Mana Condensation stage cultivator. I''m a Mid Foundation Establishment Cultivator. As for Grandmaster Floriana Sabina, she''s a Saintess."


    Veia nodded her head and explained to the king.


    "S-Saintess? A church''s saintess or¡­"


    The king stuttered in shock when he heard Veia''s words.


    "A Saintess, saintess."


    Veia replied to him with a smile.


    "I-I see."


    Sweat poured down the back of the king. It''s a good thing that he was not hot-headed like in his early days. If he assumed earlier that they were weaklings, he would have been killed.


    "Hmph. A Mid Nascent Soul stage cultivator."


    Floriana Sabina snorted and said to the king.

 Chapter 159 - The Royal Familys Help

    "Yes, Saintess!"


    The king bowed to Floriana Sabina respectfully. No one who wasn''t close with him should know that he was already a Mid Nascent Soul stage cultivator. It was one of his trump cards against the monarchs of the surrounding kingdoms.


    "So, are you helping us?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him arrogantly.


    "Yes! Anything for the Saintess!"


    The king nodded respectfully. He couldn''t help but become excited. A Saintess should have a lot of valuable stuff with her. If she rewards him with it, it would make him happy.


    "Fufufu. You''re smart."


    Floriana Sabina laughed and praised the king. He sure knows where the benefits lie.


    The guards who were around the garden looked at their king in shock. They never saw their king act this respectfully to someone. It was like they were dreaming.


    And so, the king ordered a painter to paint Veia''s face. After that, the painting was copied throughout the kingdom.


    ...


    "I think that''s all, Saintess."


    The king said to Floriana Sabina. They were currently sitting at a table in the castle garden.


    "Mm. Good work."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head. She sipped the tea from her teacup leisurely.


    "Umm¡­ Saintess."


    The king said to her shyly.


    "Speak. You look like an idiot."


    Floriana Sabina looked at the king with disgust. This was her first time realizing that a king could act shy.


    "Y-Yes! Saintess, isn''t there¡­ a reward for me?"


    The king asked a little nervous.


    "A reward, huh¡­"


    Floriana Sabina held her chin in thought.


    "Here."


    A crystal appeared in Floriana Sabina''s hand, and she passed it to the king.


    "What''s this¡­"


    The king looked at the crystal intently.


    "A mana stone? No¡­ wait, this is a Grade 9 Mana Stone!?"


    The king suddenly realized. This time, his little doubts that she was not actually a Saintess faded away from his mind. He had only heard of them before. This was the first time he saw one.


    "Thank you! Thank you, Saintess! I''ll keep this in the Kingdom''s Treasury."


    The king thanked her profusely. This was something that he can''t even dream of having, yet she gave it to him.


    ¡­


    As for Rant Valo, he was currently walking through the hallway of the castle. There was a gaudily dressed woman walking beside him. She was wearing a light pink dress that flowed down her slender body. There was also a tiara worn on her head.


    "Princess, why do you keep following me?"


    Rant Valo asked her tiredly. He had been trying to shake her off for a while now, but she kept on insisting on following him.


    "Are you really a villager of our kingdom?"


    The princess asked him. Her name was Peiana Beslor. She was the 3rd Princess of the Beslor Magic Kingdom.


    "Yes. Just like I said, I''m just a nobody."


    Rant Valo nodded his head and said to her.


    "But why are you with the Saintess?"


    Princess Peiana asked him.


    "She''s my master."


    Rant Valo explained to her.


    "Then, you must be amazing! Why don''t you want to marry me?"


    Princess Peiana said to him with a smile.


    "I already have two, no, three girls in my heart."


    Rant Valo explained to her. Her words were the reason that he was feeling tired now. He never experienced something like this before. A woman was asking to marry him of her own volition.


    "Can I have a space inside your heart, then?"


    Princess Peiana poked Rant Valo''s chest with a smile.


    "It doesn''t work that way."


    Rant Valo shook his head as he kept walking forward.


    "Ehh? Aren''t impressive men supposed to have a harem?"


    Princess Peiana said to him with dejection on her face.


    "That''s not true. Who even told you that?"


    Rant Valo looked at her like she was crazy.


    "My father the king and my late mother told me when I was little that powerful men desire to have many beauties by their side. Aren''t you the same? You said that you already have three girls in your heart."


    Princess Peiana explained to him.


    "What? Sigh. I didn''t intend to have a harem. But those girls¡­ They melt my heart."


    Rant Valo sighed and explained to her. He couldn''t help but smile at the end of his words.


    "Really? That''s nice."


    Princess Peiana''s face changed. She quickly realized that Rant Valo''s emotions towards those three girls were not just lust. It was true love.


    "Alright, we''re here."


    Rant Valo turned to the door on their left. He then opened it.


    Once inside, Rant Valo saw Veia sitting in front of a painter. The painter paints Veia''s face from different angles. There were already various paintings completed that were scattered around.


    "Esteemed Guest, welcome!"


    The painter stood up and greeted Rant Valo. Veia couldn''t help but turn her head towards him.


    "Master!"


    Veia called out to Rant Valo happily. She was wearing a luxurious dress. Her face also had make-up on it.


    "Thanks."


    Rant Valo thanked the painter and walked towards Veia.


    "How are the paintings, Veia?"


    Rant Valo asked her. He looked around at the different paintings of her.


    "I''m satisfied with them, Master. I''m sure that my family will recognize me."


    Veia replied with a smile.


    "If they are still alive¡­"


    Veia added, downcast.


    "That''s great to hear. The only thing we need to do now is to wait."


    Rant Valo nodded his head at her.


    "Yes."


    Veia nodded her head and smiled. Though, it was filled with a faint melancholic feeling.


    "Rant Valo, don''t tell me that you want me to also be your servant so you would accept me!?"


    Princess Peiana moved back in fear and disgust as she looked at Rant Valo. She didn''t know that he had that kind of a kink. As a princess, it would be one of the things that she will never do.


    "No, no, no! What are you even saying?"


    Rant Valo waved his hands in denial. He couldn''t understand the brain of this princess.


    "Master, you like being called ''Master''?"


    Veia''s eyes shone as she looked at Rant Valo.

 Chapter 160 - The Princess Insistence

    "No, Veia! Don''t listen to her. She''s just making stuff up."


    Rant Valo shook his head, hearing Veia''s words. It would be bad if she thought that he liked being called ''Master''.


    "Geh. You''re even tricking her?"


    Princess Peiana stared at Rant Valo in disbelief.


    "Master?"


    Veia called out.


    Rant Valo turned his head to her, and he saw Veia grinning widely.


    "V-Veia, what are you planning?"


    Rant Valo gulped seeing Veia look at him so intently.


    "Nothing special."


    Veia returned to normal and just smiled.


    "A-Anyways, are you done?"


    Rant Valo forced a smile on his face and asked her. He could feel that she was planning something.


    "Yes, ''Master''."


    Veia replied with a smile.


    "Are you sure? Aren''t you still being painted?"


    Rant Valo asked in doubt. He remembers seeing the painter painting Veia when he came in.


    "That''s done already, ''Master''."


    Veia nodded her head.


    "Veia, can you stop?"


    Rant Valo asked her with a twitching face. Hearing her emphasize ''Master'' again and again is starting to annoy him.


    "But ''Master'', you like it don''t you?"


    Veia asked him with a teasing smile.


    "I don''t."


    Rant Valo replied candidly. It wasn''t even his intention to become her master before. It was all on her.


    "Hmph. Master likes a princess, I guess."


    Veia pouted and said in a bad mood.


    "Huh?"


    Rant Valo blinked his eyes at her. When did he like princesses?


    "Rant, can you come with me for a bit?"


    Princess Peiana beckoned Rant Valo to follow her.


    "Okay..?"


    Rant Valo followed her silently in confusion. They exited the room and appeared in the hallway.


    "Rant, do you really not want to marry me?"


    Princess Peiana asked him with a frown.


    "I don''t."


    Rant Valo replied frankly. It never even crossed his mind until she said it to him.


    "Alright."


    Princess Peiana nodded her head.


    "You''re giving up?"


    Rant Valo looked at her in surprise. He thought that she would insist on this for a long time. It seems that she wasn''t actually sincere with it.


    "No, Master."


    Princess Peiana replied with a smirk.


    "P-Please stop that! I feel bad. You''re a princess, and I''m just a humble villager."


    Rant Valo said to her frantically. People would look at him weirdly if they heard that a princess was calling him ''master''.


    "But you like it, don''t you, Master."


    Princess Peiana continued with a teasing smile on her face.


    "I don''t! Not at all!"


    Rant Valo shook his head and denied her. The only thing he was feeling now was guilt for making a princess say such a thing.


    "Hmph. You''re really not interested in me?"


    Princess Peiana snorted and asked.


    "I''m not."


    Rant Valo shook his head to clarify it to her again. She was really stubborn.


    "Sigh. Then, I''ll take my leave, Rant."


    Princess Peiana and bid her farewell. She doesn''t feel like she''s making any progress with Rant Valo whatsoever.


    "Take care, Princess Peiana."


    Rant Valo also bid her farewell. As she was the princess, his reply was particularly respectful.


    "Phew."


    Rant Valo turned around and released a long sigh of relief. Dealing with such a stubborn princess is annoying.


    "Muuu¡­ Master, I''m proud of you."


    Veia''s voice sounded from the door.


    "V-Veia!?"


    Rant Valo turned his head to the door and saw her looking at him from a tiny gap.


    "Master, you resisted the charms of the princess. That was a good thing."


    Veia opened the door and said to him with a smile.


    "Were you watching the whole time?"


    Rant Valo asked her with a wry smile on his face.


    "Yep."


    Veia nodded her head.


    "What is even going inside her head? I''m just a villager."


    Rant Valo said to her with a grumble. He can''t even believe that a princess like her would do that to him. He thought that she was acting very suspiciously.


    "You may think that you''re ''just'' a villager, but you''re not, Master."


    Veia said to him with a smile.


    "What do you mean?"


    Rant Valo asked her in confusion.


    "You are the disciple of a Saintess. Master, even if you claim that you are a simple villager, no one would believe you."


    Veia explained to him.


    "Ah, you''re right."


    Rant Valo realized what she meant when he heard her explain it. It was like they were trusting the fact that not Saint or Saintess would take someone as their disciple for nothing.


    "I also think that she''s still not done. Be careful, Master."


    Veia warned Rant Valo.


    "Huh. Okay. I''ll remember your words."


    Rant Valo nodded his head. He would just reject her again if she tries it again.


    ¡­


    "Rant Valo¡­ I''ll become your woman one way or another!"


    Princess Peiana said to herself inside her room. There was a wide grin on her face as she did so.


    "Princess Peiana, the setup is ready."


    A maid entered the room and bowed to her respectfully.


    "Well done. Prepare the second stage."


    Princess Peiana praised the maid with a smile.


    "As per your order, Princess Peiana."


    The maid nodded her head respectfully before leaving the room.


    "Fufufu! Rant Valo, I will ride your coattails and live a lavish life!"


    Princess Peiana chuckled to herself.


    ¡­


    Rant Valo walked through the hallway with Veia. It was already nighttime. The place was lit up by glowing stones embedded on the upper part of the walls.


    "Master, are you excited?"


    Veia asked Rant Valo with a smile.


    "It''s just food. Why am I gonna be excited?"


    Rant Valo replied to her. Currently, they were heading towards the dining hall to eat.


    "It''s royalty food! You said that you only cooked food for yourself. This time, you''ll experience the cooking of royal chefs."


    Veia said to him with excitement flowing from her voice.


    "... Alright. I''m anticipating the taste a little but that''s all."


    Rant Valo replied to her.


    "Mm. Do you want me to feed you later, Master? Since I''m technically your servant right now."


    Veia nodded her head and suggested to him with a smile.

 Chapter 161 - Meeting Magicus Inde

    "You don''t have to. I''m already a grown-up."


    Rant Valo shook his head and replied to her. She was really enjoying pampering him.


    "Muu."


    Veia pouted hearing Rant Valo''s reply.


    After walking through the hallways, Rant Valo and Veia finally arrived at the dining hall.


    "Oh, there''s a lot of people."


    Veia said from the side.


    There were at least 50 people were inside. It was a banquet with a lot of visitors.


    "The Saintess'' Disciple is here!"


    The announcer shouted.


    Immediately, every head in the room turned towards them.


    "That is the Saintess'' Disciple? He seems so plain."


    One of the guests commented with a frown.


    "I heard that he claims that he''s a villager. He''s just a lucky fish."


    Another added to the guest.


    "Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina called out from the side. She was already back to wearing her frilly white dress.


    "Master Floriana!"


    Rant Valo walked towards her with a smile. He wasn''t used to not seeing her for a day. It made him realize that he had actually spent a long time of his recent days with her.


    "Hmph. How are you, Disciple? I heard that the 3rd Princess is trying to woo you."


    Floriana Sabina snorted as she looked at Rant Valo, displeased.


    "I know right? She kept on insisting and insisting on marrying me."


    Rant Valo nodded his head as he complained to her.


    "Hoh, you rejected her?"


    Floriana Sabina raised an eyebrow in surprise after hearing Rant Valo''s words.


    "Yes. She was very annoying."


    Rant Valo nodded his head.


    "Hey! Did I just hear you say that the princess is wooing you and that she is annoying?"


    A handsome man wearing lavish clothes walked out of the crowd. He was wearing something that looks like a military uniform.


    "I''m not lying."


    Rant Valo replied to the man.


    "It''s Zagard Loen! He''s one of the Heiden Magic Kingdom''s envoys. I heard that he took a liking to the princess when he first saw her."


    A guest whispered from the side.


    "Hey, you! Shut up!"


    Zagard Leon obviously heard the guest''s words as he admonished him.


    "I-I''m sorry!"


    The guest apologized fearfully before he disappeared through the crowd.


    "Hmph."


    Zagard Leon snorted in annoyance. He returned his attention back to Rant Valo.


    "Do you dare fight with me!?"


    Zagard Leon shouted towards Rant Valo in a challenge.


    "Fight? What for?"


    Rant Valo blinked his eyes repeatedly. This guy just suddenly appeared and challenged him.


    "If you lose, you apologize to Princess Peiana and kowtow to her!"


    Zagard Leon shouted in reply.


    "Hey, hey, hey! Zagard! What are you doing? I was gone for a bit, and you''re already looking for trouble?"


    A man walked from the side and rebuked Zagard Leon with a frown.


    He was a white-haired young man in his early twenties. He wore a white robe with him to match his hair color.


    "Nale, don''t butt into this! I''m annoyed by this guy!"


    Zagard Leon replied to Nale fiercely.


    "Hah? Idiot! We''re the kingdom''s envoys!"


    Nale went over and smacked the back of Zagard Leon''s head.


    "What was that for?!"


    Zagard Leon looked at him in anger.


    "You and your troublemaker personality always give me a mess to clean up. This time, you''re messing with the disciple of a Saintess."


    Nale sighed as he replied to Zagard Leon.


    "But he called the princess annoying!"


    Zagard Leon replied in frustration.


    "We''re sorry about this sh*tshow that this guy made."


    Nale bowed his head towards Rant Valo''s group. He also pulled Zagard Leon''s head down with him.


    "I think it''s fine since you already apologized."


    Rant Valo replied to Nale with a smile.


    "Thank you. I''m Magicus Inde. A special envoy of the Heiden Magic Kingdom."


    Magicus Inde introduced himself to Rant Valo with a smile.


    "My name is Rant Valo. I''m a villager."


    Rant Valo also introduced himself.


    "A villager?"


    Magicus Inde raised an eyebrow after hearing Rant Valo''s words.


    "Yes. I''m just a humble villager. My beautiful and cute master here is the reason I''m even here."


    Rant Valo nodded his head humbly. He gave all the credit to Floriana Sabina.


    "Hohh¡­ You''re interesting, Rant Valo."


    Magicus Inde smiled in amusement after hearing Rant Valo''s words.


    Meanwhile, Floriana Sabina''s cheeks were flushed red.


    ''B-Beautiful!? A-And CUTE!?''


    Floriana Sabina''s mind short-circuited as she was overcome with a sense of satisfaction and happiness.


    "Thank you."


    Rant Valo nodded his head in appreciation.


    "Would you like to be my friend?"


    Magicus Inde asked him with a smile. He extended his hand for Rant Valo to shake.


    "Sure!"


    Rant Valo was genuinely surprised that someone offered to be his friend. He then took Magicus Inde''s hand and shook it.


    The moment Rant Valo shook Magicus Inde''s hand, he felt a jolt of electricity.


    "Y-Y-You!"


    Magicus Inde looked at Rant Valo in disbelief. It was like he saw something incredulous.


    "Why do I feel that you are so familiar?"


    Rant Valo said to Magicus Inde with a wry smile.


    "I''ve been looking for you!"


    Magicus Inde jumped to Rant Valo and embraced him. It was like he was seeing his long-lost brother.


    "W-Who are you?"


    Rant Valo asked him in confusion. Magicus Inde feels like a relative that he used to live with long ago. Though, he can''t put it into words.


    "We can''t talk here. Follow me!"


    Magicus Inde said to Rant Valo. He then pulled his hand.


    "W-Wait!"


    Magicus Inde pulled Rant Valo away from Veia and Floriana Sabina.


    "Master!"


    "Disciple!"


    Veia and Floriana Sabina followed after them. As for Zagard Leon, he followed them with a frown.


    "What is it that you want to discuss?"


    Rant Valo asked Magicus Inde. They were now in a faraway corner of the dining hall.


    "Wait, I''ll call my sister."


    Magicus Inde said to Rant Valo. He then looked at him blankly.


    After a few seconds, Magicus Inde returned to normal.


    "Done. Just wait, she''ll come in a bit."


    Magicus Inde said to him with a smile. His actions confused Rant Valo. Was he supposed to call someone? After all, he just stood there. He never called anyone.

 Chapter 162 - Magicus And Novi

    After a minute of idle waiting, a black-haired woman walked towards them. She wore a black dress and her hair was tied to a ponytail.


    The moment Rant Valo saw her, he felt mesmerized. She was the very definition of beauty. He couldn''t even take his eyes off her.


    "Oops. Don''t look at her too much. You''ll be charmed."


    Magicus Inde covered Rant Valo''s eyes with a wry smile on his face.


    "Big Bro, why did you call me?"


    The woman furrowed her eyebrows as she looked at Magicus Inde.


    "Shake his hand."


    Magicus Inde pointed towards Rant Valo.


    "Rant Valo, this is my little sister. Can you please shake hands for a bit?"


    Magicus introduced and said to Rant Valo.


    "Why are you even covering my eyes first?"


    Rant Valo pulled Magicus Inde''s hand away from his face and asked him with an awkward smile.


    "I''m sorry. My little sister is just too beautiful."


    Magicus Inde said apologetically.


    "Disciple, stay away from this woman."


    Floriana Sabina moved and stood in front of Rant Valo.


    "Right. Master, she is dangerous!"


    Veia followed Floriana Sabina as they both protected Rant Valo behind them.


    "Fufufu. Do you both feel threatened as a woman?"


    The woman laughed seeing their actions.


    "You girls don''t have to worry. My little sister will never date Rant Valo."


    Magicus Inde reassured them with a smile.


    "W-Who told you that we''re concerned about that!?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Magicus Inde in a fluster.


    "R-Right!"


    Veia nodded her head and agreed with Floriana Sabina.


    "Anyways. Just shake hands. You''ll know what I mean, Rant Valo."


    Magicus Inde said to him meaningfully.


    "Alright. Master Floriana, Veia, can you make way for me?"


    Rant Valo nodded his head. He was also curious as to why he felt familiar with Magicus Inde. If it could be explained when he shakes hands with this woman, then he would do it.


    "Y-Yes¡­"


    "Okay¡­"


    Floriana Sabina and Veia stopped blocking Rant Valo and the woman dejectedly.


    "Nice to meet you. My name is Novi Inde."


    Novi Inde shook Rant Valo''s hand.


    The instant Rant Valo shook her hand, he felt the same familiarity he had with Magicus Inde. But it was like she was another of his relative.


    "Oh, so this is why you called me here."


    Novi Inde looked towards her brother with a faint smile.


    "Yes. We should take him into our wing."


    Magicus Inde nodded his head at her.


    "Mm."


    Novi Inde nodded her head at his words.


    "Rant Valo, do you want to come with us?"


    Novi Inde asked him with a sweet smile on her face.


    "W-Why?"


    Rant Valo looked at them in confusion. Something about all of this felt weird.


    "He probably forgot it. Or it could be the first time he came to be."


    Magicus Inde said to Novi Inde with a frown on his face.


    "I think it''s his first time."


    Novi Inde replied with a shake of her head.


    "Fate must have brought us together then. We''ll be able to guide the little guy."


    Magicus Inde replied to her.


    "True."


    Novi Inde nodded her head.


    "Uhmm¡­ What is this talk about?"


    Rant Valo asked them inquiringly.


    "Basically, we want you to come with us."


    Magicus Inde turned to Rant Valo and responded.


    "But why?"


    Rant Valo was still confused.


    "We''ll tell you on the way."


    Magicus Inde said to him calmly.


    "Can''t you tell me now?"


    Rant Valo asked him with a frown.


    Magicus Inde didn''t say much. He glanced at Floriana Sabina and Veia beside Rant Valo.


    "Hey! What are you being mysterious for? I''m his Master!"


    Floriana Sabina asked Magicus and Novi Inde in annoyance. She couldn''t take it anymore after watching in silence for a while now.


    "Hmmm¡­ a Late Mana Dominion stage cultivator. Not bad as his master."


    Magicus Inde peered into Floriana Sabina. She felt like all of her secrets has been laid bare before him.


    "W-Who are you?"


    Floriana Sabina walked back in fear. She never told anyone that she was already a Late Mana Dominion stage cultivator. Only someone stronger than her should be able to tell.


    "Hahaha. It''s best that you don''t ask."


    Magicus Inde laughed seeing the fear in Floriana Sabina''s face.


    "Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo looked at Floriana Sabina in confusion. He never saw his master act like that.


    "D-Disciple, he saw through me! Don''t you know how significant that is!?"


    Floriana Sabina replied to Rant Valo in a stutter. Dread was visible in her eyes.


    "Don''t worry. I''m not that stronger than a Late Nascent Soul stage cultivator."


    Magicus Inde said to her with a smile.


    "Then why?"


    Floriana Sabina asked in puzzlement.


    "It''s related to Rant Valo''s origins. I can''t tell you."


    Magicus Inde replied to her calmly.


    "Tch. I can''t tell you, I can''t tell you! Why are you gonna take my disciple from me!?"


    A strong and majestic pressure exuded from Floriana Sabina''s body. Everyone inside the banquet hall froze and fell down to the ground powerlessly.


    As for Magicus Inde and Novi Inde, they both stood in front of her as if her pressure was nothing.


    "Hoh. A protective master. Not bad."


    Novi Inde smirked at Floriana Sabina as she examined her.


    "H-Huh?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at them in shock. She scanned them with her Divine Sense. The moment she did so, she felt their Late Nascent Soul stage cultivation.


    "How can you resist!??"


    Floriana Sabina stared at the two of them in disbelief. They were both exactly at the Late Nascent Soul stage, yet they could resist a Late Mana Dominion stage cultivator like her.


    "That''s none of your business. Seeing that you are protective of him, we will return him to you after a day."


    Magicus Inde said to Floriana Sabina calmly.


    "Tch. Are you really?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at them doubtfully.


    "Of course. You can trust us."


    Magicus Inde nodded his head and said to her with a smile.


    "That sounds like what someone you can''t trust would say."


    Floriana Sabina replied with a frown.

 Chapter 163 - The Female And Male God Fragment

    "Haha. That might be true."


    Magicus Inde laughed lightly at her words.


    "Then, let us reiterate. I, Novi Inde, in my name, vow to the Heavenly Judge that we will return Rant Valo tomorrow. Otherwise, may the heaven judge my sin."


    Novi Inde was the one who spoke this time. She took a vow with the Heavenly Judge. The strictest and most powerful of oaths. After she finished her words, a clap of thunder followed. It was a sign that the Heavenly Judge had heard their vow.


    "O-Oh¡­"


    Floriana Sabina looked at her in shock. She didn''t expect that she would do something like that.


    "I should do the same too."


    Magicus Inde smiled and repeated Novi Inde''s words. There was also a clap of thunder after he ended his words.


    "Then, we''ll take Rant Valo with us for tonight."


    Magicus Inde said to Floriana Sabina.


    "Let''s go."


    Magicus Inde beckoned Rant Valo. Rant Valo followed after him confusedly.


    "Disciple, take care!"


    "Master, please be safe!"


    Floriana Sabina and Veia bid their farewell to Rant Valo with worry.


    "I''ll be fine. I think I can trust these two."


    Rant Valo turned to them and reassured them with a smile.


    Afterwards, Rant Valo was taken by Magicus and Novi Inde inside a luxurious room.


    "W-What is that smell?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but cover his nose. It was something he never smelled before.


    "N-Novi¡­ Why didn''t you clean the room? Look, the bedsheet is still wet."


    Magicus Inde asked Novi Inde with his cheeks still twitching.


    "You just called me. I thought that it wasn''t anything special."


    Novi Inde shrugged her shoulders at him. How was she supposed to know that they were gonna bring someone else into their room?


    "Sigh. Never mind."


    Magicus Inde sighed powerlessly.


    "Let''s go to your room, Rant Valo."


    Magicus Inde turned to him and said.


    "Okay."


    Rant Valo nodded his head. And so, Rant Valo led the two of them to his room. He pondered about the smell and why the bed was wet. It didn''t smell like pee. Plus, he didn''t think that one of them would still pee in bed.


    It would probably be one of those things that he would never be able to answer.


    "Here we are."


    After walking for a while, they finally arrived in front of his room. He then led them inside.


    Magicus Inde waited for Rant Valo to close the door before he opened his mouth to speak.


    "First, let us re-introduce ourselves."


    Magicus Inde said to Rant Valo.


    "I''m the male fragment of the creator of this universe."


    Magicus Inde introduced himself to Rant Valo with a smile.


    "And I''m the female fragment of the creator of this universe,


    Novi Inde did the same with a smile.


    "Fragment? Creator? Universe?"


    Rant Valo looked at the two of them blankly.


    "Yes. Together, we created this universe."


    Magicus Inde nodded his head and explained to Rant Valo.


    "Does that mean that both of you are gods!?"


    Rant Valo looked at the two of them in disbelief.


    "No. We are ''a'' god. There is only one god and that is the both of us together."


    Novi Inde was the one to answer Rant Valo''s question.


    "This is so unbelievable¡­"


    Rant Valo looked at the ceiling. He still couldn''t take it in.


    "Can you show me proof?"


    Rant Valo asked them. He still had doubts if their words were true.


    "''You'' are the proof."


    Magicus Inde replied to Rant Valo.


    "What do you mean?"


    Rant Valo asked in confusion.


    "You are the manager of this world."


    Magicus Inde answered Rant Valo with a smile on his face.


    "Manager?"


    Rant Valo already felt dizzy. They were throwing him so many confusing terms that he was getting dizzy.


    "Yes. Do you have a special ability? Or talent?"


    Magicus Inde nodded his head and asked.


    "I-I do."


    Rant Valo replied in a stutter as he was still confused about what was actually happening.


    "It''s luck, right?"


    Magicus Inde asked Rant Valo with a faint smile on his face.


    "H-How did you know?"


    Rant Valo looked towards him in disbelief. He doesn''t remember revealing it in front of him.


    "I can see it. This world''s luck is flowing into your body."


    Magicus Inde replied to him.


    "Flowing?"


    Rant Valo asked in confusion.


    "Yes. You are like a water drain. The world''s luck naturally gravitates into you."


    Magicus Inde nodded his head and explained to him.


    "That explains it."


    Rant Valo finally had a clearer image as to why luck was constantly being absorbed by his body.


    "Since you are this universe''s manager. You naturally have the responsibility to grow into one that befits your status."


    Magicus Inde said to him.


    "Responsibility¡­"


    Rant Valo repeated in a murmur. Magicus Inde''s words resonated with his soul.


    "Since it seems like you have a powerful and good master, we won''t be personally teaching you yet. When it''s time for you to ascend, you need to find us."


    Magicus Inde explained to Rant Valo,


    "Alright."


    Rant Valo nodded his head solemnly. He already believed their words. It was like this was his purpose in living all along.


    "Here. This compass will point to us. It can work ''anywhere''."


    Magicus Inde passed a small wooden compass to Rant Valo.


    "I''ll do as you say."


    Rant Valo said to Magicus Inde.


    "Good."


    Magicus Inde nodded in satisfaction after hearing Rant Valo''s words.


    "We have to go. We still need to dual cultivate."


    Magicus Inde winked at Rant Valo and bid his farewell.


    "See you soon, Rant Valo."


    Novi Inde also bid her farewell to him. She left the room with Magicus Inde and closed the door.


    "Big Bro, why do you have to reveal to him that we dual cultivate?"


    Novi Inde''s pouting voice can be heard from outside.


    "Haha. Why are you acting shy? He''s just one of our creations."


    Magicus Inde''s words echoed outside the door.


    "But still¡­"


    Novi Inde''s words faded away as they left.


    "Dual cultivate?"


    Rant Valo repeated the term in confusion. He never heard about it before.

 Chapter 164 - Dreaming Of A Man Shouting Create

    "I should ask Master Floriana about it¡­"


    Rant Valo murmured to himself.


    He then walked out of the room and headed back to the banquet hall. He didn''t have to wait a day to meet up with them so he could just head back.


    Before long, he was back inside the banquet hall.


    "Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina immediately noticed Rant Valo approaching them from afar.


    "Master!"


    Veia also saw Rant Valo.


    They both happily ran towards him.


    "What did they do, Disciple?"


    "Are you okay, Master?"


    Floriana Sabina and Veia asked him in worry.


    "Don''t worry. They just talked to me about some stuff."


    Rant Valo replied to them with a smile.


    "Really?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo doubtfully.


    "Yes. They left when we finished talking."


    Rant Valo nodded his head and explained to her.


    "I see. That''s good then."


    Floriana Sabina smiled hearing Rant Valo''s words.


    "Come, Master, let''s eat."


    Veia tugged Rant Valo''s hands and pulled him towards the buffet served on a long table.


    ¡­


    "That was so delicious¡­"


    Rant Valo said as he rubbed his full stomach. Floriana Sabina and Veia walked beside him.


    "I wanted to eat, but I can''t¡­"


    Veia grumbled as she walked. She could only watch earlier as Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina ate a lot of the food.


    "Don''t worry. I''ll let you drink my blood later since I''m so full."


    Rant Valo said to her with a smile.


    "Yes!"


    Veia jumped up in joy. Her mood took a turn, and she walked beside them happily.


    "Disciple, why are you always spoiling Veia?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo with a pout.


    "Huh? She''s my servant, isn''t she? It''s normal that I spoil her."


    Rant Valo replied to her in a matter-of-fact manner.


    "Hmph."


    Floriana Sabina snorted hearing his answer.


    "Yes, Master! Spoil me."


    Veia went over and hugged Rant Valo''s arm.


    "Y-You!"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Veia in shock. As she was not willing to lose, she also did the same.


    "You girls¡­"


    Rant Valo walked with two girls hugging his arm with a wry smile on his face.


    After walking through the hallway for a while, they then arrived inside his room.


    "Alright. I''ll sleep now."


    Rant Valo said to them as he held the door.


    "What are you saying, Disciple? We''ll sleep here."


    "Yes! I also have to drink Master''s blood."


    Floriana Sabina and Veia looked at Rant Valo with a face that says that they are not leaving.


    "Wait! Don''t the two of you have a room for yourselves?"


    Rant Valo asked them with confusion on his face. He could still remember the king giving each of them a room for themselves.


    "We are used to sleeping with you, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo with a wide smile on her face.


    "Right! I want to sleep beside Master."


    Veia supported Floriana Sabina.


    "Your words may make someone misunderstand."


    Rant Valo eyed Floriana Sabina with a frown.


    "Fufufu. Let them misunderstand!"


    Floriana Sabina laughed and replied confidently.


    "Isn''t your Saintess image gonna get ruined?"


    Rant Valo looked at her with incredulity.


    "Does that matter? This is just a kingdom."


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo as she blinked her eyes at him.


    "..."


    Rant Valo was speechless hearing her words. It seems that if someone isn''t significant in the world then she wouldn''t care about their opinion.


    "Master, feed~ me."


    Veia pleaded to him from the side.


    "Alright, alright."


    And so, Rant Valo fed Veia with his blood again.


    "*Burp*. That was delicious, Master."


    Veia burped and said to Rant Valo. Red blood trickled down the edge of her lips.


    "Alright. Let''s sleep."


    Rant Valo said to them. He wasn''t in the mood to cultivate now. Magicus and Novi Inde''s words are still fresh in his mind.


    "Mm."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head. And once again, Rant Valo slept with the both of them on his side.


    ¡­


    It was a dark space. There wasn''t any light from the surroundings.


    After seemingly a long time has passed, a man appeared on the empty face. At first, he was the size of a grain of sand before he grew in size.


    "Perfect. Clean area and far from the others."


    The man murmured with a faint smile hanging on his face.


    He then spread his arms out and shouted.


    "Create!"


    Suddenly, a small white dot expanded in front of him. It quickly grew larger and larger until the man couldn''t be seen anymore.


    ¡­


    Rant Valo opened his eyes suddenly. He blinked his eyes and stared at the ceiling. He just had a weird dream. It felt so odd yet so familiar. It was like he was there when it happened.


    "Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina opened her eyes groggily as she looked at Rant Valo in confusion.


    "I just had a weird dream."


    Rant Valo replied to her.


    "Don''t worry, Disciple. We are here by your side. We can help you."


    Floriana Sabina moved her hand and rubbed Rant Valo''s forehead.


    "... Thank you, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo looked at her silently for a while before he opened his mouth. That dream was so confusing. What does it even mean?


    "Mm¡­"


    Floriana Sabina nodded before she fell asleep once again. These days, instead of cultivating, she had been sleeping beside Rant Valo.


    "I should cultivate instead."


    Rant Valo thought out loud. He sat up and crossed his legs before closing his eyes.


    "Huh?"


    Rant Valo immediately noticed the small shard of a flat shattered glass inside his mind. When he looked inside it, the scene from his dream was playing inside on repeat.


    "What''s this?"


    Rant Valo looked at it with interest. He rewatched what happened in the scene.


    ''Did Magicus and Novi Inde give me this?''


    Rant Valo thought to himself. He could remember them saying that he was the manager of this universe. But what does that even mean? If they are the creators, then do they even need a manager?


    Rant Valo stopped thinking about the shard. He then focused his attention into his core.

 Chapter 165 - The Diamond Pearl Inside His Core

    His core still hasn''t reached the Foundation Establishment stage. Meanwhile, his clone was practicing alchemy on the other side.


    "I should breakthrough."


    Rant Valo said to himself. He focused on his body and started sucking in the white mana in the air.


    He thought about what Magicus said when the luck of the world flows into him. Immediately after thinking of that, Rant Valo felt like a faucet had been opened inside him. Before, the mana entering his body was like droplets from a broken faucet. This time, it was like someone opened that faucet.


    ''Woah!''


    Rant Valo exclaimed to himself.


    His core was quickly filled with mana. The cloudy space inside his core was quickly compressed by the income of the new mana from outside.


    ''It-It''s turning into liquid!''


    Rant Valo exclaimed in shock. He watched as droplets of liquid mana condensed inside his core. It then slid down the walls of his core and pooled at the bottom.


    ''H-How am I gonna cultivate this?''


    Rant Valo asked himself in nervousness. From what he did with his clone, he had to create a vortex with his mana and create a solid ball of mana.


    ''For now, let me try creating a vortex.''


    Instead of stopping his absorption mana, Rant Valo decided to create a vortex using that liquid mana.


    Rant Valo controlled this liquid mana and made it spin in circles around inside his core. It was not hard to do so as it was heavy. Compared to spinning air, you need a lot of momentum and force to make a liquid spin.


    It spun and spun. At first, it was spinning like a turtle, but before long, it was spinning around very rapidly.


    Suddenly, Rant Valo felt his absorption of mana increase again. It was like someone broke the faucet from before. Mana rushed inside his core and immediately liquefied before joining the liquid mana vortex.


    ''Woah!''


    Rant Valo exclaimed in shock.


    Outside his body, Floriana Sabina and Veia immediately woke up in alarm. The air around them was spinning in a vortex. It was like a storm was brewing inside the room. The chandelier above them spun and shook rapidly.


    "D-Disciple is!?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo in disbelief. Rant Valo was just cultivating, yet it was creating this kind of an effect.


    "Master!"


    Veia called out in alarm. She had already moved far away from Rant Valo''s body.


    "Veia, don''t interrupt him!"


    Floriana Sabina reminded Veia. It would be bad if Rant Valo was interrupted now. This was a critical juncture for his cultivation. If he was interrupted, he would fail, and he would suffer from a mana backlash.


    "O-Okay."


    Veia nodded her head in a stutter hearing Floriana Sabina''s words.


    ¡­


    ''It''s working!''


    Rant Valo exclaimed in excitement. The liquid mana was slowly creating solid pieces in its center. It would not take long before he forms the solid ball of mana.


    Rant Valo watched as his core became fully filled with liquid mana. Several large pieces of solid mana were forming in the center of that vortex.


    BOOM!


    Rant Valo felt a thump inside his core. It was like something was trying to escape it.


    But just as his core was about to burst, a warm and soothing energy entered his stomach and supported the walls of his Core.


    ''Disciple, do your best!''


    Floriana Sabina''s voice sounded inside Rant Valo''s head.


    ''Yes!''


    Rant Valo replied to her. He then spun the liquid mana faster and faster until he couldn''t spin it anymore.


    More and more mana entered inside Rant Valo''s Core. As the pressure increased, more and more solid pieces of mana appeared inside his Core. It also became bigger and bigger.


    Then all of a sudden, all of his liquid mana suddenly turned solid. It was like a disturbed lake water that froze in the cold winter.


    ''Amazing!''


    Rant Valo exclaimed. At the same time that happened, the mana from outside stopped coming inside him.


    ''Now what do I do?''


    Rant Valo pondered as he looked at the frozen mana inside his Core.


    ''Why don''t I try compressing it?''


    Rant Valo thought to himself. He then controlled the outer part of the solid mana and compressed it inward.


    Surprisingly, it was very easy to do so. Rant Valo easily compressed the solid mana into a small ball. It suddenly changed its appearance from white to a transparent ball with a glossy sheen. It was like a diamond pearl was inside his core.


    A small sliver of liquid mana escaped the diamond pearl and connected with the walls of Rant Valo''s Core.


    BOOM!


    Rant Valo suddenly felt an explosion occur inside his body. That liquid mana traveled inside his body, and wherever it went, it made him stronger. He could feel each part of his body explosively rise in his strength. It didn''t feel like he just reached the Foundation Establishment.


    Rant Valo waited for all of it to settle. Before long the liquid mana reconnected with the diamond pearl and created a loop inside his body. Endless strength seemed to flow inside him.


    Rant Valo opened his eyes.


    "W-What cultivation stage am I on?"


    Rant Valo turned to Floriana Sabina who was holding his hand beside him.


    "C-Core Formation stage¡­"


    Floriana Sabina replied with a crooked smile on her face. Even she herself couldn''t believe that Rant Valo just jumped straight to Core Formation. It was like the Foundation Establishment didn''t exist in his cultivation.


    "Also, what happened around here?"


    Rant Valo asked as he looked around the room. Everything seems to be in a mess. The chandelier had fallen to the floor. The drawers and even the pillows on the bed were all over the place.


    "Disciple, you''re amazing!"


    Instead of answering his question, Floriana Sabina praised Rant Valo with an excited smile on her face.


    "What did you do, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him excitedly. She was excited to know what could cause someone to suddenly jump a whole cultivation stage.


    "I just remembered what Magicus told me."


    Rant Valo replied to her truthfully.

 Chapter 166 - What Is Dual Cultivation? & Princess Peianas Attempt

    "Really? What was it he said that caused you to jump from the 10th Mana Condensation stage all the way to the Early Core Formation stage?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo curiously.


    "He said that mana flows into me. Then, I imagined what he said, and everything seems to make sense now."


    Rant Valo replied to her.


    "Oh?"


    Floriana Sabina touched her lips in thought when she heard Rant Valo''s words.


    After thinking for a bit, Floriana Sabina opened her mouth again.


    "What else did he say?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo.


    "I''ll explain it all to you in detail."


    Rant Valo then proceeded to tell her what Magicus Inde told him.


    "Creator? God? Manager?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo in shock. What he just told her was unbelievable. Even Veia was looking at Rant Valo with eyes full of doubt.


    "Don''t you think they''re just conning you, Master?"


    Veia couldn''t help but ask Rant Valo.


    "Well¡­ I feel deep inside me that I can believe them."


    Rant Valo then explained to them what happened when he shook hands with both Magicus Inde and Novi Inde.


    "Hmm¡­ I want to see them again to confirm it."


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo as she held her chin in thought.


    "Why?"


    Rant Valo asked her with a furrow of his eyebrows. This was the first time he felt like they didn''t trust him.


    "Don''t worry, Disciple. I just want to confirm if they aren''t using any charming magic techniques. Although I''m somewhat afraid of their ability to know my cultivation stage, I''ll still try to find it out."


    Floriana Sabina explained to Rant Valo with a smile.


    "I see. Thank you."


    Rant Valo''s displeasure disappeared when he heard her words. They were just worried about him, so they had to see it for themselves.


    "Then, was there anything else that he said?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo.


    "Oh, yeah! I remember them saying that they both dual cultivate."


    Rant Valo remembered what happened when Magicus and Novi Inde left his room. They argued about something called ''Dual Cultivation''.


    "S-S-Shameless! Why did they teach you that!? Furthermore, they d-do it with each other!''


    Floriana Sabina''s face was red as she stuttered.


    "What do you mean?"


    Rant Valo looked at Floriana Sabina with doubt on his face.


    "Dual C-Cultivation is only done by couples! They are clearly brother and sister, but they do it with each other! Disgusting!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted to Rant Valo as she grimaced in disgust.


    "Wait! You couldn''t possibly mean that they do ''that''?!"


    Rant Valo instantly understood her words.


    "T-That''s what D-Dual Cultivation is, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina replied to Rant Valo in a stutter.


    "That''s¡­ I know they said that they are both god fragments. Then, shouldn''t it be fine? It''s more like selfcest."


    Rant Valo tried to rationalize it inside his mind.


    "It depends on who you ask, Disciple. But I think that they shouldn''t be doing such things."


    Floriana Sabina shook her head vehemently at Rant Valo''s words.


    "True."


    Rant Valo nodded his head. There are differing opinions on this topic. Whatever was the reason they do it in the first place, is the first reason they had to find out to judge if they should be doing it or not.


    "I think they''re doing it to join together? Because you said that they are the male and female fragments of the creator. Then, it could be possible that they are doing it to join again."


    Floriana Sabina explained what she thought to Rant Valo.


    "Why are they even split in the first place? What''s more, they are brother and sister."


    Rant Valo asked in thought. If they are brother and sister then that means that they are born from the same mother.


    "Oh! Then it could be possible, Disciple that they aren''t actually brother and sister. They could just be calling each other that."


    Floriana Sabina immediately realized when she heard Rant Valo''s words.


    "That''s more likely."


    Rant Valo nodded his head.


    "Mm! This is the answer."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head and smiled.


    "¡­"


    Veia''s eyes spun as she stood beside them. She couldn''t keep up with what they were talking about. Just when Rant Valo explained what Magicus Inde told him, she already became lost.


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, last night, inside the 3rd Princess'' bed chambers. She rolled around her bed with excitement.


    "Hehehehe! Once we do it, you''ll have no choice but to take responsibility."


    Princess Peiana giggled as she imagined her plans succeed. She was the princess of this kingdom, and she was destined to be married off to a prince, but she didn''t want any of that. This is why she was taking this chance to marry Rant Valo to leave this place.


    She had great ambitions as a person. It was something that couldn''t be done by a locked-up princess like her. Besides, Rant Valo doesn''t seem bad in her opinion.


    Although his cultivation is still low, he should grow in strength sooner or later with the Saintess teaching him.


    She couldn''t help but become excited about such a future. Roaming the lands with her future husband¡­ Hahh! It was simply bliss.


    Princess Peiana shook her head and left her dreamland. She still had to enact her plan or it wouldn''t work out in the first place.


    She sneakily left her room and walked towards Rant Valo''s.


    She checked every intersection for people. Then, after going around meticulously, she finally saw Rant Valo''s room.


    To her shock, Rant Valo entered the room with both Veia and Floriana Sabina hugging his arms.


    "W-What shameless character¡­"


    Princess Peiana looked at the scene in shock. In her disappointment, she just left. She walked back to her room, but she heard loud sounds in one of the rooms on her way. She listened to it, and her face instantly turned red. She ran back to her room without looking back.


    "What''s going on around me??"


    Princess Peiana threw herself onto the bed. She even wore nice underwear, but it was all for naught.

 Chapter 167 - Floriana Sabina Confronts Magicus

    "Let''s go, Master."


    Veia urged Rant Valo.


    "Alright, alright. Stop tugging on my arm."


    Rant Valo followed Veia. As for Floriana Sabina, she was leading the way.


    "Where is their room, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina asked.


    "I''ll guide you there."


    Rant Valo replied to her.


    Thus, Rant Valo guided Floriana Sabina as they headed for Magicus and Novi Inde''s room.


    Knock Knock


    They stood in front of Magicus and Novi Inde''s room.


    "Hello, who''s there?"


    Magicus Inde''s voice sounded from inside. It sounded like he just woke up.


    "It''s me."


    Rant Valo responded to him.


    "Rant Valo?"


    Magicus Inde opened the door slightly and looked at Rant Valo in confusion. He then moved his head back in surprise after seeing Veia and Floriana Sabina.


    "Why is everyone here?"


    Magicus Inde asked in puzzlement.


    "We want to confirm that you''re not using charming magic techniques on my disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina answered fiercely.


    "O-Oh¡­ Then, I''ll accompany everyone."


    Magicus Inde replied a little taken aback by Floriana Sabina''s energy. He then exited the door and closed it.


    "Huh?"


    Floriana Sabina blinked her eyes repeatedly. She could swear that she saw someone naked on the bed.


    "Anyways, let''s go get some tea."


    Magicus Inde urged them along.


    "Wait! Was that your sister naked on the bed?"


    Floriana Sabina stopped and confronted Magicus Inde.


    "My sister? Yes, she is."


    Magicus Inde replied with a ponder.


    "T-Then, why are you doing it with your sister?"


    Floriana Sabina asked with a stutter.


    "Huh? Didn''t Rant Valo tell you?"


    Magicus Inde looked at Floriana Sabina in confusion.


    "E-Even so! You''re born from the same mother!"


    Floriana Sabina said to Magicus Inde.


    "Hoh¡­ She''s not really my blood sister. We''re from different mothers."


    Magicus Inde looked at Floriana Sabina in amusement. He found it funny that she thought it that way.


    "A-Ah!"


    Realization appeared on Floriana Sabina''s face. Their guess earlier was correct.


    "That''s good to hear."


    Rant Valo also sighed in relief. If they were really committing incest, this b*** will be ba****d.


    "Hahahaha¡­ You guys are interesting."


    Magicus Inde laughed and looked at them in amusement.


    "Then, who are your mothers?"


    Floriana Sabina suddenly asked. She was still curious about this topic.


    "My mother is the wife of the head of our family, but my sister''s mother is our maid."


    Magicus Inde replied to Floriana Sabina with a calm smile on his face.


    "Ah! I''m really sorry for being so doubtful."


    Floriana Sabina realized that it was a bad topic to tread into. She quickly bowed her head and apologized to him.


    "I don''t mind. As long as this puts your mind at ease."


    Magicus Inde said to Floriana Sabina magnanimously.


    "Magicus. I''m curious. What does Dual Cultivation do to the both of you?"


    Rant Valo suddenly asked. It was something that has been bothering him for a while now.


    "Hmm¡­ Dual Cultivation makes us both stronger. Many couple cultivators use it all around the world."


    Magicus Inde pondered before explaining to Rant Valo.


    "I see."


    Rant Valo nodded his head in understanding. The world is really wide. He was learning so many things about cultivation day by day.


    "Do you want to know if I use charming magic techniques, right?"


    Magicus Inde turned his head to Floriana Sabina.


    "Yes."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head.


    "Alright. Observe us. I''ll shake Rant Valo''s hand."


    Magicus Inde said to her. Floriana Sabina nodded her head and focused her eyes on Magicus Inde and Rant Valo.


    "Rant Valo, let''s shake hands again."


    Magicus Inde turned and said to Rant Valo.


    "Okay."


    Rant Valo nodded his head. He then put his hand forward and shook Magicus Inde''s hand.


    "Hmmm..."


    Floriana Sabina watched as Rant Valo and Magicus Inde shake their hand. She employed her Divine Sense and wrapped the both of them. She even pushing it inside Rant Valo''s arm and tried to feel any energy trying to charm Rant Valo.


    "Did you find anything?"


    Magicus Inde asked Floriana Sabina as he took his hand off Rant Valo''s.


    "Nothing¡­"


    Floriana Sabina whispered in confusion as she stared at the floor.


    "Are you really the creator?"


    Floriana Sabina turned her head and looked up at Magicus Inde.


    "I am."


    Magicus Inde replied with a confident smile on his face.


    "That''s amazing¡­"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Magicus Inde blankly.


    "I''m really sorry for being presumptuous!"


    Floriana Sabina bowed her head all the way down. She felt bad now that this happened. She actually doubted her own creator.


    "I don''t mind. It''s hard for anyone to believe after all."


    Magicus Inde replied to her with a calm smile.


    "Mm!"


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head respectfully. She finally realized why this man could see her cultivation. It was because he was the supreme creator.


    "I''ll go back to my room if none of you have any more questions."


    Magicus Inde said to them.


    "Wait! I have a question."


    Veia raised her hand.


    "Ask me anything."


    Magicus Inde replied to her.


    "Why is your supreme self down here?"


    Veia asked Magicus Inde respectfully.


    "That''s because¡­ We felt bored."


    Magicus Inde smiled at her in reply.


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    Rant Valo, Floriana Sabina, and Veia all looked at Magicus Inde with dumbfounded faces. They never thought that the reason they were here was that they were bored. They almost thought that something big was gonna happen.


    "Surprising, right? It''s just that after spending so much time up there, you feel bored.''


    Magicus Inde explained to them with the same smile from before.


    "Any more questions?"


    Magicus Inde looked at each of them and asked.


    "None."


    All of them shook their heads.


    "I''ll go now."


    Magicus Inde opened the door and entered his room.


    "That was so cool!"


    Rant Valo exclaimed in excitement. Meeting the creator face-to-face. If that wasn''t the best thing in the world, then what is?


    "He was even so humble¡­"


    Floriana Sabina murmured as she stared at the door blankly.


    "He seems like a nice creator. I feel like I want to serve him instead of you, Master."


    Veia said to Rant Valo with a wry smile on her face.


    "Don''t joke like that, Veia!"


    Rant Valo said to her in feigned anger.


    "Ahahaha! I was joking, Master. I just wanna see your reaction."


    Veia laughed and explained to him.

 Chapter 168 - The Dukedom Of Cresta

    "Since when did you learn to tease me like that, Veia."


    Rant Valo looked at Veia with a wry smile on his face.


    "Don''t I do it all the time? Hehehe~"


    Veia replied with a giggle.


    And so, Rant Valo and the rest spent a whole week inside the castle. To Rant Valo''s surprise, Princess Peiana had already given up. She only speaks to him in a formal manner.


    One day, the king suddenly arrived in front of them. They were currently drinking tea out in the garden.


    "Saintess, there is news about Ms. Veia."


    The king said to them.


    "There is!?"


    Veia stood up in excitement. She looked at the king hopefully.


    "Yes. A dukedom claimed that they recognized her."


    The king nodded his head and explained to her.


    "Then, let''s go!"


    Veia said to Floriana Sabina and Rant Valo excitedly.


    "Relax, Veia. We still aren''t sure if they are really your family. Don''t get your hopes up."


    Rant Valo calmed her down with a calming smile on his face. If they ended up not being Veia''s family then she would just become disappointed.


    "I understand, Master."


    Veia nodded her head solemnly at Rant Valo.


    "Let''s head out tomorrow. Right, Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo turned to Floriana Sabina and asked.


    "That''s fine with me, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head before she continued sipping her tea.


    "Then, I''ll make preparations for the Saintess'' departure."


    The king bowed his head and left.


    "Are you excited, Veia?"


    Rant Valo asked her with a smile.


    "Of course, Master! If they are really my family, I''ll finally be put at ease."


    Veia nodded her head strongly. She tried to not expect too much just like what Rant Valo said to her.


    "If they really are your family, how am I gonna explain our relationship?"


    Rant Valo said to her with a wry smile on his face.


    "Don''t worry, Master! I''ll tell them that I''m your only woman!"


    Veia reassured Rant Valo. After all, she doesn''t know how her family would react to the news that Rant Valo had plans of marrying a lot of women.


    ¡­


    The next day, Rant Valo and the rest sat inside the boat. They were currently located in the same garden where they landed before.


    "Rant Valo, see you!"


    Princess Peiana waved her hand in goodbye. There was melancholy on her face. She wanted to escape her fate, but there was no chance for her. Rant Valo was already adored by the Saintess.


    "Saintess, I bid you farewell. If they aren''t really her family, then please come back, and we will entertain you again."


    The king also bid them farewell.


    "Thank you for everything!"


    Rant Valo waved his hands and thanked them. It was a fun time spending time in the royal castle. He felt like he lived like a prince for a week.


    "Rant Valo, don''t forget what I told you."


    Magicus Inde shouted from the side. He calmly watched them.


    "Yes, I won''t forget."


    Rant Valo bowed his head to him respectfully. Veia and Floriana Sabina followed his example and also bowed towards him.


    "The saintess is bowing to the Beslor Magic Kingdom''s envoy!?"


    The king looked at the scene in shock. There shouldn''t be a reason for the envoy to be respected by the Saintess. He was just a mere envoy. Their statuses are far apart with Floriana Sabina in the lead.


    "Hold on. The two of you."


    Floriana Sabina said to them. The boat floated into the air and flew forward. It then headed southwest towards the dukedom that was said to recognize Veia.


    After a quarter of an hour of travel, Rant Valo and the rest arrived at the dukedom. Its name was the Dukedom of Cresta. It was a dukedom with many provinces managed under it.


    Floriana Sabina landed the boat on farmland a bit further away from the capital city of the dukedom.


    "We''re here."


    Floriana Sabina stood up and left the boat. Rant Valo and Veia followed after her. They looked around in curiosity. The sun was covered with clouds so it was very comfortable.


    "Let''s go."


    Floriana Sabina urged them. They then walked towards the capital city.


    Before long, they reached the city gates. A guard stopped them and demanded a fee.


    "How much?"


    Floriana Sabina asked.


    "A 4th Grade Mana Stone for each person."


    The guard grinned at them.


    "Here!"


    Floriana Sabina threw a 7th-grade mana stone towards the guard.


    "What is this?"


    The guard didn''t recognize it due to its rarity. He examined it in front of him closely.


    "Wait, this is too pure!"


    The guard exclaimed in shock. He looked around, but he didn''t see Floriana Sabina''s group anymore.


    He could only scratch his head. How was he gonna explain this to his superiors?


    Rant Valo walked in the lead while they were inside the city.


    "This is the way."


    Rant Valo said to them. He used his Spiritual Sense to find the house of the Duke. If you forgot, the Spiritual Sense is an inferior version of the Divine Sense that Floriana Sabina always uses.


    Floriana Sabina and Veia didn''t say much. They just followed him.


    "This is a mansion?"


    Rant Valo looked at the huge castle-like structure in front of them. He almost thought that he led them the wrong way when he realized that this was what he saw in his Spiritual Sense.


    "Let''s go, Master! I''m excited."


    Veia didn''t care about the details. She pulled Rant Valo''s arm towards the entrance of the ''mansion''.


    "Alright. Stop pulling me, Veia."


    Rant Valo said to her. Even though he said that he still allowed her to pull him.


    A guard stood on the side of the gate.


    "Hello, this is a letter from the king."


    Veia passed the letter the king gave them before they left. It contains instructions and an introduction to Rant Valo''s group.


    "T-The king!?"


    The guard took the letter in alarm. He then rushed inside carrying the letter. Another guard took his place and watched over Rant Valo''s group.

 Chapter 169 - Family Reunion

    Inside the mansion of the Duke of Cresta, a man sat in his study room. He wrote and signed legal document papers.


    Suddenly, a knock came from his door.


    Knock Knock


    "What is it?"


    The man asked in a raspy voice. He was already getting into old age. Even though he was a Core Formation stage cultivator, time still caught up with him.


    "Duke Brandi, a letter from the king arrived."


    The guard''s voice sounded from outside.


    "The king!?"


    Duke Brandi immediately stood up before opening the door.


    "Who gave it?"


    Duke Brandi asked excitedly.


    "There are three people outside waiting."


    The guard replied to him.


    "Bring me to them!"


    Duke Brandi didn''t need to open the letter to know who arrived. After all, he had seen the portrait 2 days ago. He immediately sent a letter to the king saying that he recognized it.


    The guard then led Duke Brandi to the gate of the duke''s castle.


    "Y-You¡­"


    Duke Brandi stared at Veia in disbelief. He had finally seen his daughter after centuries. It was like the time she disappeared was just yesterday.


    He kneeled in front of her and cried.


    "I''m sorry!"


    Duke Brandi''s heart ached in pain. The pain in his heart that was covered by time has been reawakened. He couldn''t believe that his daughter was still living in the flesh.


    "W-Who are you?"


    Veia looked at Duke Brandi in confusion.


    "I-It''s me, Stella! Forgive me already! I know I wasn''t able to protect you back then, but I promise you that I''ll do anything just for you! If you want the dukedom, you can have it! Just¡­ just¡­"


    Tears leaked from Duke Brandi''s eyes like an uncontrollable dam.


    "S-Stella? Was that my name?"


    Veia asked him in a stutter.


    "You couldn''t have forgotten, right?"


    Duke Brandi raised his head and looked at Veia in disbelief.


    "F*ck! F*ck! F*ck! Tell me I''m dreaming! M-My daughter has amnesia¡­"


    Duke Brandi slammed the ground repeatedly. It cracked, shattered, and turned into dust under his fist.


    "Are you¡­ my father?"


    Veia asked him nervously. Seeing his reactions and hearing his words, she could tell how much pain and longing he had for her.


    "Yes, my baby girl! I raised you together with your mother."


    Duke Brandi nodded his head vehemently.


    "Then, mother¡­?"


    Veia asked him. Fear mounted in her heart. It looked like a long time has passed since her disappearance.


    "She¡­ She''s sleeping..."


    Duke Brandi replied with an awkward smile on his face.


    "..."


    Veia looked at Duke Brandi with a deadpan face. She almost thought that her mother had died.


    "I''ll call her right away!"


    Duke Brandi stood up and said to her. He then quickly entered back into the castle. He then picked up his wife and brought it outside.


    "Honey! Look!"


    Duke Brandi held the hand of an old woman outside. She looked towards Veia. It took her a while, but her eyes widened when she recognized Veia.


    "My daughter!"


    She shouted in her raspy voice. Tears welled up and fell from her face.


    Pain appeared inside Veia''s heart when she saw her mother. She was right. A long time had really passed since she disappeared.


    "Mother!!"


    Veia couldn''t hold it anymore. She ran to the old woman like a little kid. She then buried her face on her shoulder.


    "I-I don''t remember you, but the pain in my heart had to be real. You''re my mother¡­"


    Veia said to her full of emotion.


    "My daughter has come back¡­"


    The old woman then ran her fingers across Veia''s cheek.


    "You look as young as I remember..."


    The old woman cried at the end of her words. She felt pain. What happened to her daughter to lose her memories? It surely would be something horrible for the mind to imagine.


    "Mother¡­!"


    Veia embraced the old woman tighter. Seeing her old face and the melancholy on it hit her hard.


    "My daughter¡­"


    Duke Brandi joined them and embraced them.


    "Disciple, this is such a heartwarming scene. I can''t help but remember my mother."


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo with sadness in her voice.


    "Your mother?"


    Rant Valo asked her in surprise. He never even thought about her mother.


    "Yes. When you fed me that Spirit Fish before, I dreamed about it."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head. She could still feel and remember the taste of her mother''s cooking. Though, it was a faint and lost memory.


    "What is she like?"


    Rant Valo asked her curiously.


    "She''s¡­ very kind. She likes spoiling me with Spirit Fish."


    Floriana Sabina replied to him with a voice filled with sorrow.


    "Do you want to eat one after this?"


    Rant Valo asked her in worry.


    "No. You already fed me enough."


    Veia shook her head and smiled towards Rant Valo.


    "I guess. Haha."


    Rant Valo laughed hearing her words.


    "Really! Master, why are you two acting lovey-dovey over there when we are crying over here."


    Veia shouted to them with a pout. She heard Rant Valo''s laughter and couldn''t help but turn her head towards them.


    "Ah¡­ I''m sorry."


    Rant Valo immediately realized his mistake and bowed. He forgot that Veia and her parents are having a reunion.


    "Master, come here."


    Veia urged Rant Valo with her hand.


    "Okay¡­?"


    Rant Valo walked towards them with confusion on his face.


    "Mother, Father, this is my man."


    Veia introduced Rant Valo to her parents with a smile on her face.


    "Your man!?"


    Duke Brandi looked at Rant Valo in disbelief. He never thought that their daughter would return to them with a man.


    "Yes. I call him Master because we are that intimate already."


    Veia ended her words with a smile on her face.


    "..."


    "..."


    Duke Brandi and his wife looked at her with twitching faces. Somehow, they feel that she was not their daughter.


    "Eh? Why are you both looking at me weirdly?"


    Veia looked at the two of them in confusion.


    "Boy, what cultivation stage are you at?"


    Duke Brandi turned to Rant Valo and asked.

 Chapter 170 - Family Discussion

    "Early Core Formation stage."


    Rant Valo replied.


    "T-That high!? And I can''t sense your cultivation stage!"


    Duke Brandi looked at Rant Valo in shock. He never even dreamed that his daughter''s man would be like this.


    "Well¡­ Stuff happened."


    Rant Valo scratched the back of his head awkwardly. He couldn''t tell them how he reached the Core Formation stage.


    "You must have eaten a lot of Heavenly Treasure, huh?"


    Duke Brandi smiled knowingly at Rant Valo.


    "Y-Yeah."


    Rant Valo nodded his head with a wry smile.


    "Thank you for accepting my daughter!"


    Duke Brandi used both of his hands to hold Rant Valo''s hand. He looked at him sincerely.


    "Don''t sweat it."


    Rant Valo smiled back.


    "That''s a relief."


    Duke Brandi sighed after hearing Rant Valo''s words.


    "Why?"


    Rant Valo asked in confusion.


    "I thought no one would accept my daughter now that she had amnesia."


    Duke Brandi replied to him.


    "Ah. You shouldn''t have worried in the first place. Your daughter is quite beautiful."


    Rant Valo said to him.


    "A good son-in-law."


    Duke Brandi looked at Rant Valo in satisfaction.


    "S-Son-in-law??"


    Rant Valo looked at Duke Brandi in shock.


    "Yes. Why? Aren''t you one already?"


    Duke Brandi looked at Rant Valo with a teasing grin.


    "Y-Yeah. I guess."


    Rant Valo didn''t feel comfortable being teased by an old man like him.


    "Boy, I want to at least see my grandkid before I pass away."


    Veia''s mother interrupted them and said to Rant Valo.


    "M-Mother!"


    Veia''s face turned red in embarrassment hearing her mother''s words.


    "What are you getting embarrassed for? Didn''t the two of you do it already?"


    Veia''s mother matter-of-factly looked at her.


    "Mother!"


    Veia covered her mother''s mouth in embarrassment.


    "Don''t tell me, the two of you didn''t do it already?"


    Duke Brandi looked at the two of them in disbelief.


    "A-Actually, we don''t plan on doing it anytime soon."


    Rant Valo replied to Duke Brandi.


    "I-I see. That''s a shame."


    Duke Brandi lowered his head in sadness.


    "???"


    Rant Valo looked at Duke Brandi in confusion. Is that really something to be sad about?


    "A-Anyway, please enter our home."


    Duke Brandi raised his head and urged Rant Valo''s group inside.


    "Thank you."


    Rant Valo nodded his head at him.


    "T-Thank you."


    Floriana Sabina stuttered as she imitated Rant Valo.


    "Mm."


    Duke Brandi nodded his head in satisfaction. Such a respectful man. He could rest assured about his daughter''s future with him.


    The group then entered the castle-like mansion.


    "Uhh... Pardon me, but what is your name?"


    Rant Valo asked Duke Brandi as they walked inside side-by-side.


    "Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. Where are my manners? I''m Duke Brandi Cresa. I rule over the whole dukedom of Cresa."


    Duke Brandi introduced himself with a smile.


    "I''ll also introduce myself. I''m Rant Valo. Recently, I was just a villager, but my master changed that, so here I am."


    Rant Valo introduced himself confidently.


    "That''s surprising. I expected you to have come from a noble background."


    Duke Brandi said to him.


    "Is that really your impression of me?"


    Rant Valo asked in incredulity.


    "Yes. It is rare that a villager could become so powerful."


    Duke Brandi praised Rant Valo.


    "Thank you. I would have to repeat it that it''s thanks to my master."


    Rant Valo thanked him, and he glanced towards Floriana Sabina at the end of his words.


    "Hmph. You don''t have to thank me."


    Floriana Sabina snorted seeing Rant Valo look her way.


    "Ahahaha¡­"


    Rant Valo laughed awkwardly.


    "How long have you been cultivating?"


    Duke Brandi asked Rant Valo.


    "Actually, I''ve only been cultivating for almost two months."


    Rant Valo replied to Duke Brandi.


    "T-Two months!?"


    Duke Brandi looked at Rant Valo in shock. He never thought that someone could cultivate to the Early Core Formations stage this fast.


    "Don''t tell me that you used medicinal pill!?"


    Duke Brandi looked at Rant Valo with disbelief on his face. It would make sense why he couldn''t see Rant Valo''s cultivation stage as consuming medicinal pills to increase your cultivation has huge side effects.


    "No, no, no. I never took such a thing. It''s just my master''s great guidance."


    Rant Valo waved his hands at Duke Brandi.


    "Disciple, when are you gonna keep using the same lie again and again?"


    Floriana Sabina glanced at Rant Valo in annoyance.


    "Ah, we''re here."


    Duke Brandi interrupted them. They had already been through a lot of doors. Currently, they were inside a dining hall.


    "Please sit."


    Duke Brandi said to them before he sat on the master''s seat.


    Rant Valo, Veia, and Floriana Sabina followed his words and sat on one side of the table. As for Veia''s mother, she sat on the opposite side of the table and near Duke Brandi.


    "You must have a lot of explaining to give us. You can tell everything or not if you want."


    Duke Brandi said to them magnanimously. His priority right now was that his daughter was already found. There was no need to fuss over the other details.


    "I-I''ll tell you everything."


    Veia said to them with a nervous stutter. She then explained what happened. That included the fact that she was already a Vampire-Succubus hybrid and also the reason for it.


    "My daughter¡­"


    Veia''s mother went over the table and held Veia''s hand as tears welled up in her eyes.


    "T-That bastard! And you said that he''s still alive!?"


    Duke Brandi gritted his teeth in anger. His fist was clenched very tightly as he brimmed in anger.


    "Yes. But father, I''ll be the one to kill him."


    Veia said to him.


    "No! We''ll go there and kill him right now."


    Duke Brandi stood up and urged them.


    "Father-in-law, I think Veia should do it herself."


    Rant Valo opened his mouth and spoke to Duke Brandi.


    "Huh? Why?"


    Duke Brandi was taken aback when Rant Valo called him ''father-in-law'', but he quickly recovered.


    "That''s because Veia is independent now. She doesn''t need to be protected anymore. She''s stronger than before."


    Rant Valo explained to him with a smile. He then glanced at Veia warmly.

 Chapter 171 - Stella Cresa

    "But still¡­"


    Duke Brandi looked unwilling when he replied to Rant Valo.


    "Alright. I won''t interfere anymore."


    In the end, he sighed and gave up. He could understand where Rant Valo was coming from after all.


    "Thank you, Father."


    Veia thanked him with a smile on her face.


    "...I wish I could have done more for you, my baby girl."


    Duke Brandi shook his head as he looked at Veia. He had many regrets in this life, and Veia''s disappearance was one of them. Now, he regretted that more and more the more he thought about the suffering she must have suffered.


    "..."


    Veia could only look at him in bitterness. If she said she wasn''t upset that she wasn''t protected well, she would have been lying.


    "Father-in-law, I want to know what Veia''s real name is."


    Rant Valo said to him to relieve the sullen atmosphere.


    "Her name is¡­ Stella Cresa."


    Duke Brandi revealed to them.


    "M-My name is Stella¡­ Stella Cresa."


    Veia repeated Duke Brandi''s words.


    "What a beautiful name."


    Rant Valo complimented from the side.


    "Master, what do you prefer, Veia or Stella?"


    Veia turned her head and asked Rant Valo.


    "Hm? Veia of course. I''m used to it, and I''m the one to name you that."


    Rant Valo replied to her.


    "I see. Me too."


    Veia looked at Rant Valo with misty eyes and smiled.


    "V-Veia¡­"


    Rant Valo was mesmerized seeing her face.


    "Ehem."


    Duke Brandi couldn''t help but interrupt them. He didn''t know what to feel seeing his daughter flirt with a man he doesn''t know that well in front of him.


    "S-Sorry¡­"


    Rant Valo looked away awkwardly. Being seen by his father-in-law flirting with his daughter is very awkward.


    "Father, why did you have to interrupt?"


    Veia pouted as she looked at Duke Brandi.


    "I don''t feel well seeing my beloved daughter flirt in front of me."


    Duke Brandi replied with a thick skin.


    "Hmph."


    Veia snorted and turned her head away, imitating Floriana Sabina.


    "Anyways, Rant Valo, shall we discuss the marriage?"


    Veia''s mother interrupted them and asked.


    "M-Marriage!?"


    Rant Valo exclaimed in shock. He still had Zaria to come back to in the village. If possible, he would prefer it that he marry them all at the same time.


    "Marriage¡­"


    As for Veia, her eyes were unfocused as she imagined marrying her master. Such thoughts filled her with bliss.


    "Why are you flustered? Isn''t it the natural thing to do?"


    Veia''s mother eyed Rant Valo seriously.


    "N-No. It''s just that I still want to cultivate more before deciding on such a thing."


    Rant Valo quickly thought up a response on the spot.


    "I see. That indeed makes sense. Take your time then."


    Veia''s mother nodded her head in understanding after hearing Rant Valo''s words.


    "Thank you for your understanding."


    Rant Valo thanked her respectfully. It would really be awkward if he had to reveal that he had to marry more girls.


    "No problem. The both of you are still young."


    Veia''s mother smiled at them.


    "Mother¡­"


    Hearing the word ''young'', Veia felt a pang in her heart. She knew that a long time must have passed from her disappearance before she was reborn back in the cave.


    "Don''t worry about me. Just live a fulfilling life."


    Veia''s mother said to her.


    "Mother-!"


    Veia stood up from her chair and ran to embrace her.


    "There, there¡­ Just be happy, and I''ll be happy, Stella¡­"


    Veia''s mother rubbed her back as Veia embraced her tightly.


    Duke Brandi''s face twitched seeing them embrace each other. Ever since Veia arrived, she didn''t go to embrace him. It was always his wife that she embraced.


    "How long do you plan to stay?"


    Duke Brandi turned to Rant Valo and asked.


    "About a month, I guess?"


    Rant Valo replied to him. They didn''t have to go anywhere, so he didn''t think that they were in a hurry to leave. He would rather have Veia enjoy her time with her family.


    "A month¡­ Why don''t you live here? I''ll even hand the dukedom to you."


    Duke Brandi was unwilling to let his daughter leave his side after being away from her for centuries.


    "Sorry, but I''m not interested in ruling a dukedom."


    Rant Valo shook his head. He was just a villager who turned cultivator. He doesn''t think that it will be fit for someone like him to rule a kingdom. He would probably just end up making many mistakes.


    "Stella, why don''t you remove this hood?"


    Veia''s mother asked her curiously. She had noticed that Veia had been wearing a black cloak, and she covered her head with its hood.


    "I can''t, Mother. The sun burns my skin."


    Veia shook her head. She would much rather wear cute clothes in front of her master, but she just can''t. It was only possible at nighttime.


    "Oh, right. You''re a demon now."


    Veia''s mother stroked Veia''s hair lovingly. For her, it was like she was reliving the time when her daughter was still young and small.


    "Mm. I can''t do anything about it."


    Veia nodded her head.


    "You have someone who will trust you, right? That''s enough. Even if you can''t socialize with others. Just treasure the people around you now."


    Veia''s mother said to Veia.


    "Mm. I understand, Mother."


    Veia nodded her head just like a child.


    "That''s good. Alright, go back to your seat. Your ''Master'' must be feeling pretty lonely without you by his side now."


    Veia''s mother teased her as she urged her to go back.


    "M-Mother! That''s so embarrassing."


    Veia''s face turned red.


    "What? You aren''t embarrassed calling him Master, right?"


    Veia''s mother looked at Veia with wide eyes.


    "T-That''s true, but still¡­"


    Veia looked away, red-faced.


    "Fufufu. Alright, alright. I won''t tease you anymore."


    Veia''s mother reassured Veia with a smile on her face.


    "Mm."


    Veia stood up and returned to Rant Valo''s side.


    "Butler, order the chefs to prepare a banquet!"


    Duke Brandin shouted towards the butler waiting on the side of the door.


    "As per your orders, Duke Master."


    The butler bowed his head and left.

 Chapter 172 - Viewing Stellas Pictures

    "Do you guys want to see Stella''s pictures?"


    Duke Brandi turned to Rant Valo and asked.


    "You have? Please do!"


    Rant Valo was surprised. He immediately became curious what Veia looked like when she was still small.


    "F-Father! I want to see them first!"


    Veia was flustered when she realized that her master would see her pictures.


    "Hohoho. I''ll make sure you see them before I give them to Rant."


    Duke Brandi laughed seeing her reaction.


    "I want to see all of them, Veia."


    Rant Valo said to her.


    When she heard his words, Veia''s eyes swam around. She could feel their Master-Servant Contract acting up. She couldn''t resist his words.


    "A-Alright."


    Veia said as she failed to resist.


    "Y-You¡­"


    Duke Brandi was taken aback seeing his daughter act so submissive towards a man he didn''t know. For some reason, he felt jealousy in his heart. Someone stole his precious daughter''s heart!


    "Fufufu. Let''s go bring them in."


    Veia''s mother laughed seeing their reactions. She then led the way to a room. When they entered the room, it was obvious that it was taken care of really well over the past years.


    "This is Stella''s room¡­ Your room."


    Veia''s mother introduced Veia''s old room to them. She then glanced at Veia with a smile on her face.


    "Mother-in-law and Father-in-law really took care of her room."


    Rant Valo commented as he looked around. Everything was neatly put in place, and that includes the bed was fixed.


    "Of course. Although we never saw her again till now, we still think that she will return one day. And finally, she returned¡­"


    Veia''s mother went over and embraced Veia. As for Veia, tears welled up in her eyes.


    "Yes. Even when the maids and butlers complained that they were cleaning an empty room, we still insisted."


    Duke Brandi added from the side.


    "Anyways, this is where we kept her pictures."


    Duke Brandi bent over and grabbed a stack of papers at the bottom-most cabinet.


    "Woah. These are all paintings of her?"


    Rant Valo looked at the pictures in front of him. They were all realistic paintings of Veia. Veia looked really beautiful in all of them.


    "Yes. She looks cute doesn''t she?"


    Duke Brandi smiled with emotion.


    "Mm. This picture of a little Veia looks really well painted. It feels like she''s standing in front of me."


    Rant Valo nodded his head as he took a painting with a small little girl in it. She was holding a pink flower in her hand outside.


    "This is me..?"


    Veia browsed through her pictures one by one. Emotions welled up inside her. She could feel the happiness and innocence she had in the past. But all of that was taken by one vampire¡­ It was such a sad story that tears dropped down her eyes and onto the paintings.


    "Veia¡­"


    Rant Valo went over and embraced her from behind. This was his chance to show to his father-in-law and mother-in-law that he truly loves Veia.


    "Master¡­"


    Veia turned around and embraced Rant Valo. She cried over his shoulders like a baby.


    "Don''t worry, Veia. Everything is okay now."


    Rant Valo rubbed her back as he reassured her.


    "Mm."


    Veia nodded her head lightly. She felt relieved knowing that her master is with her now. He even accepted her with her past.


    "How sweet¡­"


    Veia''s mother was watching with a satisfied smile on her face.


    "Grrr¡­ I''m jealous. A man is hugging my daughter in front of me."


    Duke Brandi gritted his teeth in anger as he watched Rant Valo and Veia hugging each other. He felt like he was being left out as her father.


    After a while, Veia finally stopped. She browsed through her pictures together with Rant Valo beside her. She felt more at ease after being comforted by him.


    Meanwhile, Floriana Sabina was watching them from the sidelines. For some reason, extreme jealousy was bubbling inside her. Her heart was screaming that she wanted to be the one to do that with Rant Valo.


    She clutched her aching heart and looked away. Why did she even fall for someone young like Rant Valo? She was already 500+ years old. It doesn''t make sense.


    "Master Floriana, look! Veia''s so cute on this one!"


    Rant Valo called for Floriana Sabina, but when he looked around, she wasn''t there.


    "Huh? Where did Master Floriana go?"


    Rant Valo looked around in confusion.


    "Master, look at this one. Aren''t I cute?"


    Veia pulled Rant Valo''s attention back to the pictures.


    ¡­


    At the garden, Floriana Sabina stood alone.


    "Should I just leave?"


    Floriana Sabina thought out loud as she stared into the sky while wondering. Her relationship with her disciple was not improving by one bit. It was like they were destined to be in this kind of a relationship forever.


    "Do you want an advice?"


    A voice suddenly interrupted her. It was the voice of a man, and she was also familiar with it.


    "Who?!"


    Floriana Sabina turned around and scanned the area with her Divine Sense.


    "You won''t be able to find me."


    The voice continued.


    "H-How?"


    Confusion was etched onto Floriana Sabina''s face as she looked around her.


    "It''s me, Magicus."


    The voice introduced himself.


    "It''s you! How are you talking inside my head?"


    Floriana Sabina exclaimed in shock.


    "Aren''t I the creator? Haha."


    Magicus said with a light laugh.


    "Y-You are¡­"


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head.


    "Then, it should be natural that I can talk to you."


    Magicus said to her.


    "D-Did you hear?"


    Floriana Sabina asked as her face turned red from embarrassment.


    "I did. It was silly, honestly."


    Magicus replied to her.


    "S-Silly?"


    Floriana Sabina was taken aback by his words.


    "Yes. All you have to do is to become an attractive woman then Rant Valo will surely fall for you. You, looking like a little girl, is the only thing holding him back."


    Magicus explained to her.


    "That''s¡­ How can I do that?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him, unsure. She doesn''t know of any way to change her appearance.

 Chapter 173 - Banquet Night

    "Ascend. Finish the Mortal Realms and ascend, and you can change your appearance to an older form."


    Magicus said to her.


    "A-Ascend?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him in confusion.


    "That''s what you do after reaching the Peak Mana Dominion stage."


    Magicus explained to her.


    "Isn''t that hard? I''ve never heard any news of anyone succeeding that."


    Floriana Sabina asked him.


    "Of course it''s hard, but that doesn''t mean that no one in history has succeeded. Most of them were just forgotten."


    Magicus agreed with her.


    "I¡­ I''ll try to ascend."


    Floriana Sabina replied. She was still unsure if she could even succeed in this ascension thing.


    "Don''t try. Do it."


    Magicus'' voice sounded again.


    "Alright!"


    Floriana Sabina replied, pumped up. She was gonna ascend and grow her body, so her relationship with Rant Valo could take another step.


    "That''s the spirit. I''ll go now."


    Magicus'' voice was full of satisfaction, and he bid her farewell.


    "Okay. Thank you."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head in gratitude.


    ¡­


    "Master Floriana, where did you go?"


    Rant Valo saw Floriana Sabina coming back. He had been looking for her.


    "What? Did you miss me, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him with a smile on her face.


    "N-No. I just wanted to show something to you."


    Rant Valo said to her with a stutter.


    "What was it?"


    Floriana Sabina asked in curiosity.


    "Here."


    Rant Valo passed Veia''s picture to her.


    "Oh, wow. Veia looks really cute on this one."


    Floriana Sabina was taken aback after seeing the painting. Her heart skipped a beat seeing such a cute child version of Veia.


    "Doesn''t she?"


    Rant Valo agreed with her with a smile.


    "Master! Stop staring at that picture of me."


    Veia scolded Rant Valo with a pout.


    "What? You''re cute here."


    Rant Valo looked at her in confusion. He couldn''t understand why she was being embarrassed.


    "..."


    Veia''s face turned red, and she turned away. Her master calling her cute again and again made her heart flutter.


    A few hours later, they were finally done browsing through all of Veia''s pictures. It was such an emotional ride for her and Rant Valo. Even her parents cried as they were reminded of the past.


    "The banquet is ready."


    Duke Brandi said to them. They then headed back into the dining hall. There were already various mouth-watering dishes served on the table.


    "Wow. These look really good. Can you introduce it to us?"


    Rant Valo exclaimed as he looked at the dishes. He doesn''t know most of them so he asked for an explanation.


    "This is from a Wind Rhino. It''s very soft and delicious. It''s topped with a sweet caramel sauce¡­"


    Duke Brandi introduced each dish to Rant Valo. It was such a diverse banquet that it took him a solid 10 minutes to introduce all of them.


    ¡­


    "This Wind Rhino steak tastes really good."


    Rant Valo commented as he took a bite of the meat.


    "Mm! This Red Pig soup also tastes good."


    Veia nodded her head in agreement.


    As for Floriana Sabina, she kept eating food and taking it inside her mouth. She didn''t care if they were hot or not.


    They ate for a few hours as the banquet was for all of them to eat.


    "Since this is a rare and special occasion, I invite everyone to have a toast with me!"


    Duke Brandi raised his wine glass up into the air. Rant Valo, Floriana Sabina, and Veia joined him. They drank wine slowly. As for Rant Valo, since he was already a Core Formation stage cultivator, the wine was like juice to him.


    "Puah!"


    Veia''s face was red. The wine was strong enough to affect her, who was still in the Foundation Establishment stage.


    "Veia, let''s hope that one day you''ll remember everything."


    Rant Valo turned to Veia and smiled at her.


    "..No¡­ Master, I''m satisfied with the memories I have with you."


    Veia shook her head and replied.


    "Veia¡­"


    Rant Valo felt satisfied hearing her response.


    "My baby girl!"


    Duke Brandi exclaimed in sorrow after hearing Veia''s words. They were both hopeful that she would remember her past, yet she herself didn''t want it.


    "Of course, Father and Mother. If it came, I wouldn''t reject it. I just wouldn''t actively regain it."


    Veia explained to them with a smile.


    "Grrrr! You stupid son-in-law! Look at what you did to my baby girl!"


    Duke Brandi complained to Rant Valo with gritted teeth.


    "Ahahaha¡­"


    Rant Valo scratched the back of his head and laughed awkwardly. He didn''t know what to say after hearing his words.


    "Hehehe. Master is more important to me."


    Veia said to them with a grin on her face.


    "S-Stella, don''t say that¡­"


    Duke Brandi frowned hearing her words. It was like an arrow to his heart. It was painful.


    "I''m just joking. To be honest, I don''t really know what would happen to me if I remember my past and what happened back then. I''d much rather be the same me as now."


    Veia said to them. For her, remembering what happened when she was raped was the scariest thing. She doesn''t dare even think about it.


    "I see¡­ I''m sorry for not realizing that."


    Duke Brandi bowed his head towards her. He was realizing more and more that he was actually unfit to be her father if her wellbeing wasn''t his first priority inside his mind.


    "I''m thankful for you taking care of me. If there was a choice, I would gladly remember all of our memories in the past but it doesn''t work that way."


    Veia said to him with emotion on her face.


    "That''s true. If you could only remember the past while forgetting what happened to you because of that crazy vampire!"


    Duke Brandi nodded his head at her words.


    He feels angry whenever he thinks back to what they said the vampire did to his baby girl. He also felt pain inside and regretted that he wasn''t able to prevent such a thing from happening. If only he could''ve done better...

 Chapter 174 - A Month Later

    "Don''t worry, Father. Once I become strong enough to defeat that vampire, I''ll make him suffer under my own hands."


    Veia said to Duke Brandi with emotion on her face. She had long sworn to herself that she would exact revenge on that vampire.


    "That''s good. Make that vampire suffer for me. If it''s possible, bring his skull here, and I will hang it on our entrance as a trophy."


    Duke Brandi nodded his head and said to her.


    "That''s¡­ A little too brutal for the visitors isn''t it?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but speak out from the side.


    "Hah! That will only make my Dukedom more domineering! I don''t care what they think."


    Duke Brandi replied.


    "O-Okay¡­"


    Rant Valo smiled wryly hearing Duke Brandi''s words.


    "Where do you guys want to sleep?"


    Duke Brandi suddenly asked them. Since they''ll be staying here for a while then he had to ask them.


    "Uhhh¡­ What do you think, Veia?"


    Rant Valo turned his head to Veia.


    "Hmm¡­ I think we should sleep in my room, Master."


    Veia held her chin in thought before saying to him.


    "Alright. That''ll be fine."


    Rant Valo nodded his head.


    "Hohoho! You both don''t have to worry. The room is 100% soundproof."


    Duke Brandi winked at them.


    "H-Hahh..?"


    Rant Valo stared at Duke Brandi in incredulity. He couldn''t believe that his father-in-law would actually say such a thing.


    "Fufufu. The soundproofing in the rooms here is proven and tested."


    Veia''s mother winked at Rant Valo and Veia. One would wonder how it was proven and tested.


    "That''s great! Isn''t it, Master?"


    Veia turned to Rant Valo with a joyous smile on her face.


    "Y-Yeah!"


    Rant Valo forcefully nodded his head. He just went along with the flow. Though, he didn''t plan to ''prove and test'' the room''s soundproofing.


    ¡­


    "Wahhh!! I can finally sleep alone with Master!"


    Veia raised her arms high up into the air as she entered her old room. Rant Valo was following behind her. As for Floriana Sabina, she had been assigned another room by Duke Brandi. She couldn''t even join them as technically, Rant Valo and Veia were the only couple here.


    "Listen Veia, don''t you dare tempt me. I will not be able to hold back."


    Rant Valo said to her with a rebuking gaze.


    "But Master..!"


    Veia begged Rant Valo pleadingly.


    "No buts! Once I reach Master Floriana''s level, I will think about it."


    Rant Valo crossed his arms at her.


    "Hmph. Stupid Master."


    Veia snorted, and she jumped onto the bed before covering herself.


    "Sigh."


    Rant Valo sighed seeing her act like that. He then joined her on the bed, but he faced his body away from her.


    "Caught you~!"


    Veia suddenly turned around and wrapped her arms around Rant Valo.


    "Veia, what is it?"


    Rant Valo asked her with annoyance on his face.


    "Let''s just do it once, Master. You''re already quite strong¡­"


    Veia whispered into Rant Valo''s ear temptingly.


    "V-Veia! Stop that, or I won''t be able to hold myself back."


    Rant Valo hid his face onto the pillow and said to her.


    "Ehehehe¡­ I have you all for myself, Master. Do you really think that you would be able to resist me?"


    Veia giggled and whispered again.


    "Enough!"


    Rant Valo shouted. He then stood up from the bed with his pillow and laid on the floor.


    "H-Huh? Master, why are you sleeping there?"


    Veia looked at Rant Valo in panic. She didn''t expect that her master would resist her charms even to this point.


    "I don''t want to lose my virginity. It''s precious to me."


    Rant Valo said to her.


    "Masterrrrr!"


    Veia screamed in heartache.


    The next morning, Rant Valo woke up first. The floor was cold, but it was bearable for a cultivator like him.


    "I feel more tired than ever¡­"


    Rant Valo stretched his body as he left the room.


    "Ufufufufufu¡­ Was it tiring?"


    Veia''s mother laughed seeing Rant Valo stretching as he left the room. Her name was Janella Brandi.


    "U-Uhh¡­"


    Rant Valo didn''t know what to say to her. After all, he couldn''t just say that he slept on the floor just to avoid sleeping with her daughter.


    "Fufufu. You don''t have to say more. I can understand."


    Janella laughed at Rant Valo while nodding her head in understanding.


    "Ahahahaha¡­"


    Rant Valo turned away and headed for his master''s room.


    Knock Knock


    "Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo stood in front of her door.


    "Oh, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina''s voice sounded from the inside.


    "Do you want to eat breakfast together?"


    Rant Valo asked her.


    "Did you forget already? As cultivators, we don''t have to eat. Come inside and cultivate here with me."


    Floriana Sabina replied to him.


    "Okay."


    Rant Valo opened the door and entered her room. He immediately noticed Floriana Sabina who was sitting on the bed cross-legged.


    "Close the door."


    Floriana Sabina said to him. Rant Valo furrowed his eyebrows in confusion as he closed the door behind him.


    "Did you do it with her?"


    Floriana Sabina''s eyes sharpened as she stared at Rant Valo.


    "No. I didn''t."


    Rant Valo answered candidly.


    "Really? You both were left alone inside a soundproof room, and Veia is very sexually active."


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo skeptically.


    "Of course not. I even slept on the floor just to avoid her advances."


    Rant Valo shook his head and explained to her.


    "...Okay. I believe you."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head after staring into Rant Valo''s eyes for a while.


    "Come here. Cultivate beside me."


    Floriana Sabina patted the bed beside her.


    "Alright."


    Rant Valo nodded his head and sat beside her.


    "Disciple, do you know how powerful your cultivation currently is?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him.


    "I think I''m as strong as an Early Core Formation stage cultivator."


    Rant Valo answered.


    "No. That''s wrong. You''re already as strong as a Mid Core Formation stage cultivator."


    Floriana Sabina shook her head and said to him.


    And so, a month passed very quickly. Through sheer will, Rant Valo managed to protect his prized virginity while learning cultivation basics from Floriana Sabina.

 Chapter 175 - Saying Farewell And War

    Outside the Duke of Cresta''s mansion, a large group of people had gathered.


    "Thank you for letting us stay for a month."


    Rant Valo thanked Duke Brandi and Janella Cresa who were standing in front of them.


    "Don''t worry about it. I feel assured knowing that you are the one my daughter chose."


    Duke Brandi replied with a satisfied smile on his face.


    "Thank you for trusting me."


    Rant Valo bowed respectfully.


    "You better make me a lot of strong and healthy grandchildren. Hohohoho."


    Duke Brandi laughed as he said to him.


    "Y-Yeah¡­"


    Rant Valo nodded his head awkwardly. These in-laws of his really like to say such things.


    "Father, Mother¡­ I''ll come back after I kill that vampire."


    Veia went over and held Duke Brandi and Janella Cresa''s hands.


    "Mm! Mm! That''s my baby girl!"


    Duke Brandi nodded his head in satisfaction at Veia''s words.


    "Then, we''ll go now!"


    Rant Valo said to them.


    "Alright. See you guys soon!"


    Duke Brandi waved his hands in farewell. Rant Valo, Veia, and Floriana Sabina rode the boat and flew to the skies.


    "Master Floriana, are we going there?"


    Rant Valo asked her. He found out something from his clone a while ago


    "Yes, Disciple. I want to participate."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head and said to him.


    "Alright."


    Rant Valo nodded his head in response. Several hours later, Rant Valo''s group was back inside the Heavenly Pill City.


    The city had a different atmosphere this time. Everyone had solemn expressions on their faces. They all walked around carrying various weapons. Guards can be seen everywhere. Everyone seems to be tense.


    "It''s really happening."


    Rant Valo murmured as he looked around them.


    "Let''s go to the Pill Association."


    Floriana Sabina held both of their hands and took them with her. They flew fast and quickly arrived in front of it. Many people were coming in and out of the building. It was unlike before where only a few walk in and out in a second. Today, the flow of people was like a river. It was neverending.


    "There are so many people."


    Rant Valo commented as they walked inside. They then headed towards the stairs and headed up.


    After a long walk upstairs, they finally arrived back inside Xian Bao''s office.


    "So, are you guys gonna help us?"


    Xian Bao sat in front of them while they all sat together on a single long couch.


    "Yes."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head.


    "Why?"


    Xian Bao stared at her and asked.


    "Because I think it''s still my duty."


    Floriana Sabina replied.


    "Sigh. Alright then."


    Xian Bao nodded his head.


    "I''ll explain everything from the start."


    Xian Bao then proceeded to explain to them what has happened.


    It started a few months ago in the south of the continent. Demons from the other continent docked on the shore and took a large part of the south as their territory.


    No one thought much about it until it was too late. There were also such things happening in the north that had been kept hidden. Then news of it happening in the east spread too.


    And now, the forces of the demons were heading for the center of the continent. It was war. The demons have declared war. They want to take the whole Lilith Continent.


    "Why are they attacking at this time?"


    Rant Valo asked with furrowed eyebrows. There shouldn''t be a reason for them to attack the whole Lilith Continent which is the continent they are currently on.


    "It''s because of the new Demon King. There are 11 of them and the new addition made them 12. The new Demon King managed to convince and rally the whole Demon Continent to attack the Human Continents and their first target is the Lilith Continent."


    Xian Bao explained to them.


    "That¡­ can''t the Saints and Saintesses attack them in their homebase?"


    Rant Valo asked him. It should be the easiest out of this situation.


    "The problem is that no Saint of Saintess is willing to take on this risk."


    Xian Bao replied to Rant Valo.


    "That¡­ Then, are you joining Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo turned his head to Floriana Sabina.


    "Of course I''m, Disciple. Didn''t you hear what I said earlier?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo like she was looking at an idiot.


    "But this is a war, Master Floriana. It wouldn''t be that simple."


    Rant Valo said to her.


    "Don''t worry, Disciple. This is nothing for me. Besides you''re with me."


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo in assurance.


    "Huh? Does that mean that we''re going to the Demon Continent?"


    Rant Valo looked at her blankly.


    "Yep. Doesn''t it sound exciting?"


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head and said to him.


    "That''s crazy! There will be demons there who would be hostile with us."


    Rant Valo said to her.


    "That''s nothing to be worried about. We''ll just disguise ourselves as demons."


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo.


    "Huh? How?"


    Rant Valo looked at her blankly.


    "With this."


    Floriana Sabina showed a pill to Rant Valo.


    "Wait, isn''t this what Master Xian Bao was concocting this past month?"


    Rant Valo looked at the red pill in her hand in surprise. He could still remember seeing it being concocted by Xian Bao through his clone.


    "Yes. This pill can give you a demon''s features for a whole month."


    Floriana Sabina explained to Rant Valo.


    "A month? How many do we have?"


    Rant Valo asked her. A month isn''t that too long. If it runs out midway, then they would be chased by the demons out of the Demon Continent.


    "We only have 3."


    This time, it was Xian Bao who answered.


    "T-Three?"


    Rant Valo looked at him in disbelief. This would mean that if the three of them went together, then they would have to spend one month sabotaging the enemy. But what if it took longer? What would they do?


    "Don''t worry, Disciple. We have an extra one. Did you already forget that Veia is a demon?"


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo with a smirk. They wouldn''t need three but only two for both of them. Then the last one would be a spare.

 Chapter 176 - Traveling Southeast

    "But even so. Only one of us would get it."


    Rant Valo said to her with a frown on his face.


    "That doesn''t matter. I would be the one to use it. Disciple, you and Veia would be hiding underground. That way, you won''t be scanned by a powerful demon."


    Floriana Sabina explained to Rant Valo.


    "Then, how would we be able to escape?"


    Rant Valo asked her. If they hid underground then how would they leave later when it''s time for them to leave.


    "I''ll fly us out of there. They would not be able to catch up with us with my speed."


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo.


    "Ah, that''s reassuring then."


    Only then did Rant Valo nod his head in approval.


    "Mm."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head.


    "So when are we setting out?"


    Rant Valo asked Floriana Sabina.


    "Today."


    Floriana Sabina replied.


    "We won''t rest?"


    Rant Valo asked her in surprise. They had just flown here, and then they''ll fly again.


    "Rest? What is that, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina acted like she didn''t know what ''rest'' meant.


    "Sigh. Alright."


    Rant Valo sighed and nodded his head reluctantly. He was already a Core Formation stage cultivator already. He didn''t need any rest. It was just his habits.


    "Here are some more life-saving pills."


    Xian Bao passed several bottles of pills to Floriana Sabina.


    "Thank you."


    Floriana Sabina thanked him with a smile on her face.


    "No worries. That''d be the best I can do for humanity, at least."


    Xian Bao shook his hand at Floriana Sabina. He didn''t need her thanks as this was his way of helping humanity.


    "Disciple, let''s go!"


    Floriana Sabina said to him.


    "Already!?"


    Rant Valo reacted in shock.


    "Yes."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head. And so, the three of them walked down the long stairs again.


    They then rode the boat once they were back at the airport.


    "Where is the Demon Continent, Master Floriana?"


    Rant Valo asked her as he gazed out at the land around them. Sometimes, they would pass by a large city and sometimes they would pass by a village.


    "It''s southeast. We''re heading there right now."


    Floriana Sabina replied to Rant Valo.


    "I heard that seas are across oceans, right? Will we sail using the boat?"


    Rant Valo asked her curiously. This was technically capable of sailing in the ocean as long as they didn''t encounter any big waves.


    "What are you saying, Disciple? We''re gonna fly there all the way. Sailing in the sea would only slow us down."


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo like she was looking at an idiot.


    "I-I see."


    Rant Valo nodded his head in understanding. His limited knowledge of the world really made him look like an idiot in these kinds of situations.


    "It would take us days to even reach the edge of the continent. I''ll stop by when we find a large city on the way."


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo and Veia.


    "Okay."


    "Yes."


    Rant Valo and Veia responded with a nod.


    They flew for a few more hours. The sky had already darkened long ago, and they flew in the night.


    "You can see all of the light sources from here."


    Rant Valo looked around below them. He could see various light sources on this pitch-black night. The villages are especially obvious.


    "Is that city good enough?"


    Rant Valo pointed to a large city that was glowing like a sun in the dark. It would be hard to miss it.


    "Yes. But I think we should keep going, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head, but she didn''t slow down.


    "Huh?"


    Rant Valo looked at her in confusion. Didn''t she say that they would need to rest on the way? Even though they were already cultivators, it had been their routine to sleep on the night.


    "We don''t know if this city has already been taken by the demons. We have to be careful and avoid alerting our enemies about our move."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him.


    "You''re right."


    Rant Valo squinted his eyes and looked at the city as they passed by it. He looked down below the boat and examined the streets.


    "There are¡­no people?"


    Rant Valo said as he furrowed his eyebrows. It was weird for a city this large to have no people on the streets while the lights are turned on everywhere.


    "I fear that everyone is already dead."


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo grimly.


    "That¡­"


    Rant Valo stared at the city in disbelief. Such a large city had turned into a ghost city. No soul could be seen in sight. Everything was arranged orderly, and it looked from afar that the city was alive, but it''s actually not.


    "This is the war between demons, Disciple. The next time we arrive at the Heavenly Pill City, no one would probably accept Veia."


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo as the city disappeared behind them.


    "That''s¡­ What is the reason for them doing such a thing?"


    Rant Valo was speechless. He took his eyes away from the horizon and looked forward.


    "That''s what I would also want to find out."


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo. It was one of the purposes of their trip to the Demon Continent.


    "I understand."


    Rant Valo looked at the scenery in front of them in melancholy.


    Their travel continued for a few more days. Rant Valo was silent as he looked at the ghost cities on their way. There were no signs of life inside all of them. It was like someone took all of the civilians and teleported them out of the city.


    The eerie part was that there were no signs of damages to the surroundings. That was the thing that disturbed Rant Valo the most. What kind of power could possibly do such a thing?


    "What''s that?"


    Rant Valo pointed right in front of them. There was a bright flash of light shining towards them.


    "It''s blue?"


    Rant Valo saw blue at the edge of the horizon.

 Chapter 177 - The Seaside Beach

    "That''s the sea, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him.


    "Wow!"


    Veia stood up and looked at the sea in front of them in amazement. This was her first time seeing it.


    "Master Floriana, is this also your first time seeing the sea?"


    Rant Valo turned his head to her and asked.


    "Yes. It looked better in person than in the pictures I''ve seen."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head. As she was locked inside her sect, she didn''t have the chance to head towards the sea. Even when she escaped, she wasn''t able to reach this place. That''s because she mostly roamed around the land.


    "This is the most water I''ve seen in my life."


    Rant Valo said as his mouth formed an ''O'' as he stared at the sea. They rapidly approached it and before long, they were right on top of it.


    "It would be the most you would ever see, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo with a smirk.


    "Master and Grandmaster, can we take a swim?"


    Veia asked them with her eyes shining in excitement. She wanted to try swimming in the ocean. After all, she might not have the chance in the future as they would head back to the center of the continent.


    "Hm? You want to swim in this emergency situation?"


    Floriana Sabina raised an eyebrow at Veia.


    "I-I¡­ Of course not!"


    Veia shook her hands in a fluster. She forgot that they were heading for the Demon Continent in a rush.


    "Well¡­"


    Floriana Sabina held her chin in a ponder.


    "I don''t think delaying for a day is that bad."


    She continued.


    "Yay!"


    Veia raised her arms in joy.


    As for Rant Valo, he smiled. He also wanted to try swimming in the sea, but he knew that they were in a rush. It was nice that it was happening.


    "Alright. I''m slowing down."


    Floriana Sabina informed them. The boat then slowed down before it started to descend to the beach.


    Bam


    A light bump and they were landed on the beach. Veia immediately jumped out of the boat and stepped on the beach sand.


    "Ah! It''s hot!"


    Veia jumped back into the boat in reflex. The sand had been under the sun for too long, and they were blazing hot.


    "This is beach sand?"


    Rant Valo scooped a handful of the sand under the boat.


    "Yes. It looks and feel nice, right?"


    Floriana Sabina said to him as she also took a scoop of the sand.


    "Yes. It does. I wonder if we can take some home with us."


    Rant Valo nodded his head and said to her wonderingly.


    "We can, Disciple. But what are you gonna do with it?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo with confusion on her face.


    "It''ll be a souvenir for this trip."


    Rant Valo replied to her.


    "I see. Then let''s take a lot."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head. Suddenly, a shovel appeared in her hands.


    "W-What?"


    Rant Valo looked at her in incredulity. He didn''t expect her to actually take out a shovel.


    "What are you looking at me for like an idiot? Didn''t you say that you wanted to take the sand as your souvenir?"


    Floriana Sabina frowned seeing the face Rant Valo was making at her.


    "That''s true, but isn''t that going overboard?"


    Rant Valo asked her with confusion on his face.


    "What do you mean? There is a long beach all over the Lilith Continent. We can take as much as we want from one side."


    Floriana Sabina said to him matter-of-factly.


    "But it''s bad for the environment, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo said to her. He was a villager, and it resulted in him being an advocate for environmental protection. After all, they didn''t have any harvest in their farms when they didn''t take care of their land.


    "Hmph! Alright. We''ll take just one sack."


    Floriana Sabina snorted in annoyance. She gave the shovel to Rant Valo and an empty sack appeared in her hands.


    "Do your job, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo with her chin raised. She then stepped out of the boat and walked towards the sea.


    "G-Grandmaster! I can''t go out! The sand is hot!"


    Veia shouted to Floriana Sabina. She wanted to play in the sand, but it was really hot for her vampire skin to take. It was like she was being cooked under the hot by stepping on it.


    "Wait for the night."


    Floriana Sabina turned around and said to her with a smile.


    "A-Ah¡­ Grandmaster is so mean¡­"


    Veia''s cheeks twitched.


    "It''s your fault, Master! If you didn''t anger her then she would have helped me!"


    Veia turned to Rant Valo and pouted.


    "What? How did it turn to be my fault?"


    Rant Valo looked at her in confusion. She was blaming him for something he didn''t do.


    "Ahhhhh! Master, I''ll eat you now!"


    Veia screamed in frustration as she held her head. She then jumped on Rant Valo and embraced him tightly.


    "V-Veia!"


    Rant Valo escaped from her embrace using his cultivation. He then jumped out of the boat and looked at her smugly.


    "See if you can catch me."


    Rant Valo said to her teasingly before he walked towards Floriana Sabina calmly. It was as if he was telling Veia that he didn''t feel threatened by her.


    "I''ll show you!"


    Veia gritted her teeth in annoyance. A layer of Darkness Mana covered her soles like a sock. She then jumped out of the boat and stepped on the sand.


    "Hm? It worked!"


    Veia herself was surprised. She didn''t really think that it would work. It was just something she thought of randomly.


    "Master~!"


    Veia ran towards Rant Valo happily.


    "H-Huh!?"


    Rant Valo turned his head to her in shock. He noticed the black sock-like thing on her feet, and he immediately understood.


    "That''s unfair, Veia!"


    Rant Valo shouted before he ran away from her. Of course, they weren''t really using their cultivations. If they had, then they would have skipped across the ocean long ago.

 Chapter 178 - Frolicking In The Beach

    "Caught you!"


    Veia said to Rant Valo and wrapped her arms around him. Rant Valo allowed himself to be caught by her. Otherwise, he could have run faster than her even if they ended up using their cultivations.


    "Veia, let go!"


    Rant Valo struggled from her embrace. He pushed her away, but Veia''s strong grip was not letting him go.


    "No! Master you tried to bully me."


    Veia said with a happy smile on her face.


    "Veiaaaaaa!"


    Rant Valo screamed loudly.


    "Disciple, stop screaming like a girl. You can get out yourself, right?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo mockingly.


    "Y-Yeah¡­"


    Rant Valo smiled awkwardly at her. Couldn''t she see that he was just messing around with Veia?


    "So you like role-playing?"


    Floriana Sabina raised an eyebrow at Rant Valo.


    "..."


    Rant Valo didn''t know what to say to her.


    "Then, become my dog!"


    Floriana Sabina flew into the air and rode on Rant Valo''s shoulders.


    "W-Wait!"


    Rant Valo tried to avoid her, but he couldn''t.


    "Go! Fetch!"


    Floriana Sabina threw her fan towards the sea and it landed just about the water.


    Rant Valo looked at the fan in silence. He wasn''t gonna go fetch it like a dog. He still had pride as a man.


    "Master, do you want me to get it? I''ll act like your dog!"


    Veia said to Rant Valo with an excited smile on her face. She was really eager to serve Rant Valo.


    "Veia, what are you saying?"


    Rant Valo looked at her weirdly. He didn''t remember her being so masochistic.


    "Master is master, and I''m your servant. Isn''t it natural that I act like your dog?"


    Veia said to Rant Valo with a smile.


    "That''s true, but you''re not my dog, Veia."


    Rant Valo frowned at her words. If that is what she thinks about their relationship then he couldn''t help but worry.


    "Yes! I''m your loyal servant, Veia!"


    Veia pressed her body onto Rant Valo.


    "Disciple! What do you choose to do?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo while she was still riding on his shoulders.


    "To act like a dog or to make someone act like a dog? What kind of choices is that?"


    Rant Valo retorted awkwardly. He doesn''t want to choose any.


    "Hmmm¡­ So you want to act like a dog while ordering someone to act like a dog?"


    Floriana Sabina held her chin in ponder and said to Rant Valo.


    "No! Stop making me look like a weird pervert!"


    Rant Valo shouted at her.


    "Fufufu. I''m just kidding, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina chuckled, and she dropped down from Rant Valo''s shoulder.


    "Master is no fun."


    Veia said to him, downcast.


    "Come, Disciple. Let''s take a dip."


    Floriana Sabina pulled Rant Valo''s hand towards the water.


    "Yes, Master! Let''s go!"


    Veia followed Floriana Sabina''s example and also pulled Rant Valo''s hand.


    "Oooh! The water is cold."


    Veia exclaimed as they slowly go deeper and deeper into the sea. The waves slammed onto their bodies calmly.


    "Pueh! It''s really salty!"


    Rant Valo tasted the water. He got curious if the rumor that seawater is salty was true. Well, he managed to prove it himself. His villager''s common sense was satisfied.


    "They use this water to make salt, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo.


    "Is that why salt is very expensive?"


    Rant Valo asked her in curiosity. Salt is really expensive when they bought it before.


    "Not all salt comes from the sea. Some are mined underground."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him.


    "I see. Is there any difference?"


    Rant Valo asked her as he slowly dipped his body deeper into the water.


    "Master, I''ll wash your back."


    Veia said to him. She then started to take off his clothes.


    "Wait, Veia! I only have my undergarments¡­"


    Rant Valo''s words were too late as Veia had already taken Rant Valo''s robe off.


    "Ah¡­"


    Rant Valo looked at his naked body blankly. There was only a piece of fabric covering his crotch.


    "Wow, Master! Your abs look really good. Even though it was from Grandmaster, it looks really good on you!"


    Veia exclaimed as she examined Rant Valo''s naked body. She ran down her fingers across his thick muscles.


    "Disciple, you seem to be enjoying yourself."


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo in amusement. She found it funny that he was resisting Veia while not really resisting it.


    "I-I''m not!"


    Rant Valo shook his head in embarrassment.


    "Well, whatever. I''ll join in."


    Floriana Sabina shrugged her shoulders and walked towards them. A round rock appeared in her hands, and she used it to rub on Rant Valo''s body.


    "I''ll help you clean yourself, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo.


    "Wait, Master Floriana! Why are you joining in?"


    Rant Valo asked her in panic. He watched as Floriana Sabina gave another stone to Rant Valo.


    "Isn''t it natural that I take care of my disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo in a matter-of-fact manner.


    "..."


    Rant Valo was speechless at her. She even managed to use that as a reason for her shameless acts.


    "What? You don''t want to be cleaned by cute girls?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo with a frown on her face.


    "That''s not it¡­ We''re out in the open."


    Rant Valo whispered to her.


    "Huh? There''s no one watching us, Disciple. We can go crazy as much as we want."


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo with a tempting smile on her face.


    "That doesn''t really reassure me¡­"


    Rant Valo looked at her warily. She was taking advantage of this situation to further their relationship.


    "D-Do you really want me to grow up first before you''ll lay your hands on me?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo with misty eyes.


    "W-What¡­"


    Rant Valo looked at her in disbelief.


    "It''s okay, Disciple. I know you''re kind, and you have morals. I''ll grow up first."


    Floriana Sabina wiped the tears on her face.


    "When you grow up."


    Rant Valo nodded his head at her resolutely.


    "You promise?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo softly.

 Chapter 179 - Enjoying The Beach Bath Given By Two Beauties

    "Yeah."


    Rant Valo nodded his head again.


    "Alright! I''ll grow up soon."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head at Rant Valo in satisfaction.


    "Geez. What are the two of you doing? Flirting in front of me."


    Veia looked at the two of them with a pout on her face.


    "T-This is not flirting!"


    Floriana Sabina looked away from Rant Valo when she heard Veia''s words.


    "Sure¡­"


    Veia looked at her skeptically.


    "Anyways, can the two of you stop? It feels awkward for me."


    Rant Valo said to them with a wry smile on his face. He was only feeling nervous when they wash his body like this out in the open.


    "Stop? You aren''t enjoying it, Master?"


    Veia looked at Rant Valo, heartbroken.


    "...Whatever. Do as you like."


    Rant Valo shook his head and gave up. If they want it, then they can do it.


    "Yay! Now, Master¡­ Can I clean this place too?"


    Veia said to Rant Valo meaningfully.


    "Clean what?"


    Rant Valo looked at her blankly.


    "This!"


    Veia pointed below Rant Valo.


    "V-Veia! I thought we talked about this??"


    Rant Valo looked at her in disbelief. He didn''t expect her to be this bold.


    "What are you saying, Master? I''m talking about your feet."


    Veia looked at Rant Valo blankly.


    "Huh?"


    Rant Valo blinked his eyes repeatedly.


    "You weren''t talking about my little brother?"


    Rant Valo looked at her in confusion.


    "Hehehe. Did you want me to clean it?"


    Veia giggled at Rant Valo seductively.


    "N-No! Something weird will happen if you do that."


    Rant Valo shook his head immediately. The situation might escalate uncontrollably if he allowed her.


    "Hehehe."


    Veia continued giggling as she looked at Rant Valo with a teasing smile.


    "Raise your left foot, Master. I''ll rub it for you."


    Veia said to Rant Valo.


    "Okay."


    Rant Valo did as she said and raised his left foot.


    "Hahh... Master''s leg¡­ It looks so full of blood."


    Veia''s eyes shone when she looked at Rant Valo''s leg. There was a major artery inside it. This means that if she bit into it, then she would be able to suck a lot of his blood.


    "Veia, don''t think about it."


    Rant Valo reminded her nervously. He would really not be able to hold back if she bit his leg. That''s because her bites feel good.


    "Hehehe. Master, I won''t."


    Veia said to him with a smile. She then started to rub it with the stone. It removes Rant Valo''s dead skin cells.


    "Look, Master. I''m making you cleaner."


    Veia said to him as she rubbed off a lot of dirt off his body.


    "Y-Yeah¡­"


    Rant Valo still couldn''t fathom this weird situation he was in.


    "Disciple, don''t worry about it. You''ll get used to this."


    Floriana Sabina said to him with a smile on her face. She continued rubbing Rant Valo''s back gently and with care.


    "Get used to it? Does that mean that this will happen many times in the future?"


    Rant Valo asked them.


    "Of course. We''ll be like this forever, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head.


    "F-Forever¡­"


    Rant Valo stared off into the sky. They were cultivators, they can technically live for a long time. As long as none of them died prematurely, then he would spend the rest of time with the two of them.


    "What? Does that make you excited, Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo with a teasing smile on her face. She found it funny that Rant Valo became dazed when he thought about doing this again and again forever.


    "..."


    Rant Valo didn''t answer her.


    "Fufufu. I''ll take that as a yes."


    Floriana Sabina laughed. She then continued rubbing his body.


    "Master, your right foot."


    Veia said to him and Rant Valo switched.


    "Master, raise your right arm."


    "Disciple, raise your left arm."


    Veia and Floriana Sabina continued cleaning Rant Valo''s body diligently. They made sure to clean every nook and cranny.


    "Disciple, put your hands behind your back. We''ll clean your chest now."


    Floriana Sabina said to him. Rant Valo nodded his head, and they started rubbing his chest.


    "Fufufu. Master, what is this bulge."


    Veia said to Rant Valo as she looked below him.


    "That''s a natural reaction."


    Rant Valo replied to them.


    "Hehehe. That means that you''re just holding back."


    Veia laughed in satisfaction. Rant Valo reacting means that he saw her as a woman. She only needs to wait, and she will be one with her master!


    "Disciple, don''t you feel guilty having that bulge when a little girl is cleaning your body?"


    Floriana Sabina stared at Rant Valo coldly.


    "That''s because of Veia, okay!?"


    Rant Valo shook his head and denied her. He doesn''t want to be labeled as a lolicon.


    "Hehehe. Okay~, Master."


    Veia giggled and said to him. She obviously doesn''t believe him.


    "H-Hey!"


    Rant Valo was flustered. He was being teased by the two of them that his patience was about to run out.


    "I''m just kidding, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina said to him after seeing his face turn serious.


    "Yeah¡­"


    Rant Valo nodded his head. He knew that, but if it keeps on happening, then he would really not be able to hold back.


    "Take this, Disciple. It will calm you down."


    A green medicinal pill appeared in Floriana Sabina''s hand.


    "What is that?"


    Rant Valo asked her in curiosity.


    "This is a Soothing Heart Pill. It will make you serene and calm."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him.


    "Really? Then, I''m taking it!"


    Rant Valo immediately grabbed the pill from her hand and took it inside her mouth.


    When it entered into Rant Valo''s mouth, it immediately melted and entered his body. His senses suddenly feel much more relaxed. His mind became calmer. It was like he was an emotionless being.


    "Isn''t this too effective?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but say to her. It literally killed all of his emotions. It was like he was just a robot right now.


    "Fufufu. It worked, right? Look, the bulge is gone."


    Floriana Sabina laughed at Rant Valo and pointed below him.

 Chapter 180 - Playboy Rant Valo

    "What are we even doing?"


    Rant Valo asked them with an awkward smile on his face. He never thought that things will go this far.


    "Hehehehe. You don''t like it, Master?"


    Veia asked Rant Valo with a giggle.


    "No. I just realized that we should be going to the Demon Continent now."


    Rant Valo shook his head and explained to her.


    "That''s true, but it''s also important for us to relax once in a while."


    Floriana Sabina replied to him.


    After a while, Floriana Sabina and Veia finished washing Rant Valo''s body.


    "Disciple, can you clean our bodies for us?"


    Floriana Sabina asked with a smile on her face.


    "Master, clean my body."


    Veia also asked him.


    "W-What the hell are you two saying?"


    Rant Valo looked at the two of them, flustered.


    "Come on. Just this once, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina grinned at him.


    "This book is not that kind of a book, okay!?"


    Rant Valo replied to her with a shout.


    "Geez. Whatever."


    Veia rolled her eyes at him.


    "Let''s just wash each other, Veia."


    Floriana Sabina turned to Veia and said to her.


    "Yes, Grandmaster."


    Veia nodded her head with a smile.


    And so, Floriana Sabina and Veia cleaned each other''s bodies.


    As for Rant Valo, he was sitting on the beach watching them from afar. He was totally not enjoying this view.


    "Disciple, let''s go."


    Floriana Sabina said to him as she walked towards him.


    "Yes."


    Rant Valo nodded his head and stood up. They washed their sandy clothes before they took off once again.


    "Fuah~ That was nice."


    Veia rested her back on the boat as they flew forward.


    "Yes. It was fun."


    Rant Valo nodded his head at her.


    "Hehehe. You''re probably the one that enjoyed this the most."


    Veia gave Rant Valo a meaningful smile.


    "Hahaha¡­"


    Rant Valo laughed dryly. He couldn''t just tell her that if it weren''t for that Soothing Heart Pill then he wouldn''t have been able to hold himself back. That pill was really a lifesaver.


    "Master Floriana, is the world really this vast?"


    Rant Valo suddenly asked her.


    "Huh? What do you mean?"


    Floriana Sabina turned her head to him in confusion.


    "You know, the world is so vast. Before, my world was just my village and its surroundings. Now, I''ve even left the continent. Sometimes I can''t help but think that maybe I''m dreaming."


    Rant Valo said to her with melancholy on his face. His villager life took a huge turn when he met her.


    "Fufufu. You''ll get used to it, Disciple. The world is not just this. The world¡­ even I have never explored the Demon Continent, and there are even more continents out there. Most, we would probably never even set foot in."


    Floriana Sabina explained to Rant Valo as she looked out on the horizon.


    "If the world is already so big, then how about the skies?"


    Rant Valo looked up at the skies in wonder. He can''t help but become excited about it.


    One day, he''ll soar through the skies.


    "The skies¡­ It was said that there are countless worlds out there that are as big or even bigger than ours."


    Floriana Sabina replied to him.


    "That''s amazing. I''m really amazed by Magicus and Novi."


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but remember Magicus and Novi who claimed that they were the god fragments.


    "The manager of this universe, huh¡­"


    Rant Valo murmured.


    Their journey took on 3 more days continuously flying through the skies of the ocean. Before long, a coastline appeared on the horizon.


    The waves here had also become more violent. It was as if they were entering a disaster-stricken area.


    "So that is the Demon Continent."


    Rant Valo peered onto the horizon and tried to make up shapes on the continent before them.


    "I wonder what kinds of creatures they have over there."


    Rant Valo murmured in wonder.


    "Disciple and Veia, eat the pill."


    Floriana Sabina passed Rant Valo the pills that Xian Bao made. Rant Valo took one before he passed another to Veia.


    "Here, Veia."


    Rant Valo said to her.


    "Thank you, Master. Can you feed it to me?"


    Veia thanked him before she pushed her face forward and opened her mouth.


    "...Whatever."


    Rant Valo took the pill in his mouth before he went over and kissed her. He pushed the pill inside her mouth.


    "!!"


    Veia''s eyes widened in shock as she looked at Rant Valo.


    "What? Isn''t that what you mean?"


    Rant Valo said to her with a blush on his face.


    "Master¡­ I mean that you should put it inside my mouth. You didn''t have to kiss me."


    Veia explained to him with disbelief on her face.


    "R-Really?"


    Rant Valo was taken aback. His cheeks twitched.


    "Disciple! You''re learning to be a playboy, huh?"


    Floriana Sabina smacked Rant Valo on the head with her fan.


    "I-I really thought that''s what she meant."


    Rant Valo replied in a stutter. He looked at his hands in disbelief.


    "Though, Master, I like that you mouth-fed me instead."


    Veia said to him with her eyes flickering with love.


    "I¡­ You guys have been doing so much weird stuff to me that even I became weird!"


    Rant Valo shouted in complaint.


    "Fufufu. You''re learning, huh?"


    Floriana Sabina laughed at Rant Valo.


    "That''s not it!"


    Rant Valo shook his head.


    "Oh, right. Do I really have to swallow this? Aren''t I already a demon?"


    Veia looked at the two of them blankly.


    "Ah¡­"


    Floriana Sabina looked like she was just enlightened.


    "..."


    Rant Valo turned his head to Floriana Sabina and shook it. He went with the flow and forgot that Veia was already a demon, and he even mouth-fed it to her.


    "Master, come here. I''ll mouth-feed it to you too."


    Veia pushed her body closer to him.


    "...Alright."


    Rant Valo nodded his head before he kissed Veia and took the medicinal pill from her.


    "Happy?"


    Rant Valo asked her as he swallowed the pill.


    "Yes!"


    Veia responded with joy on her face. She liked doing intimate things with her master even if it''s only like this.

 Chapter 181 - The Demon Continent

    "Sigh."


    Rant Valo shook his head at her.


    "D-Disciple, me too."


    Floriana Sabina said to him shyly.


    "..."


    Rant Valo looked at her coldly.


    "Did you get jealous?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but ask her.


    "Hmph! W-Who would be jealous!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted and turned her face away from him.


    "Heh."


    Rant Valo smirked seeing her response. He then gave her back the extra pill.


    "Hmph."


    Floriana Sabina took it and swallowed it inside her mouth. She was upset that she wasn''t mouth-fed too.


    "Woah?"


    Rant Valo suddenly felt his body slowly change. It was like he was turning into something different.


    His skin turned paler, and his body changed its internal structure.


    "Huh? Did I turn into a demon?"


    Rant Valo turned his head to Floriana Sabina and asked.


    "Hm? Yeah."


    Floriana Sabina turned her head back to him and nodded her head when she saw him.


    "Is this effect really reversible?"


    Rant Valo asked her with worry on his face. It felt like his body changed for good.


    "Yes, Disciple. The medicinal effects of the pills are like conforming your body to a demon, but once the medicinal effect fades, then your body will return to normal on its own."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head and explained to him.


    "Alright."


    Rant Valo nodded his head and trusted her. They then slowly approached the Demon Continent.


    "Master Floriana, what do you think the Demon Continent will be like?"


    Rant Valo asked her in curiosity. The coast in front of them slowly grew larger and larger.


    "I think it will be full of chaos."


    Floriana Sabina replied to him truthfully.


    "How about you, Veia?"


    Rant Valo turned his head and asked her.


    "I think they should be organized, Master."


    Veia replied to him.


    "Why?"


    Rant Valo asked in puzzlement.


    "That''s because¡­ they are sentient too. They should at least be capable of creating a stable civilized society."


    Veia explained to him.


    "Wow. That may be correct."


    Rant Valo was surprised by her answer. Veia is really smart being the daughter of a duke. She must have been taught since she was young. Unlike him who had no prior experience with the world.


    "Shhh. We''re near."


    Floriana Sabina shushed the two of them. The Demon Continent were already before their eyes. Dark clouds were hanging in the sky. The land felt gloomy.


    "This¡­"


    Rant Valo looked around in curiosity.


    "Their continent has a different environment than our continent. This is the likely reason why they are so different from us."


    Floriana Sabina explained to him.


    "That makes sense."


    Rant Valo nodded his head. When you grow up, you took in the characteristics of your environment. It wouldn''t be strange for them to be so different from humans.


    "Halt!"


    Suddenly, a man wearing a lavish cloak stopped them. He was floating high up in the sky in front of them.


    "Who are you, people?"


    The man asked. He squinted his eyes as he looked at the three of them.


    "We''re coming back from the frontlines. There had been an emergency over there."


    Floriana Sabina immediately took the chance and spoke to the man.


    "Emergency?"


    The man furrowed his eyebrows.


    "Yes! One of the cities we took over got attack by a Mana Dominion stage expert."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head and explained to him.


    "Where''s your badge?"


    The man opened his hands at them.


    "B-Badge? We were never given any."


    Floriana Sabina couldn''t possibly say that they lost it. It would only make them seem more suspicious. Thus, she could only say that they were never given any in the first place.


    "None?"


    The man looked at each of the three of them.


    "None."


    Rant Valo replied somewhat nervously.


    "None."


    Veia replied.


    "Hm. Alright, go."


    The man moved out of the way and allowed them to go.


    "Huh?"


    Rant Valo looked at the man in confusion as they passed by him. He couldn''t believe that that actually worked. What they didn''t know was that it was a trick question by the man. The demons were never given a badge in the first place.


    "Don''t think about it anymore, Disciple. At least, we managed to get in without making any scene."


    Floriana Sabina smiled at him.


    "How strong was that man?"


    Rant Valo asked her.


    "He''s at the Early Mana Dominion stage. No¡­ He''s an Early Sword Dominion stage sword cultivator."


    Floriana Sabina replied to him.


    "That man was a sword cultivator!?"


    Rant Valo was surprised. This was his first time seeing such a high-level sword cultivator.


    "Yes. He sensed us the moment we appeared near the shore."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head.


    "Amazing. I wonder if they have peak cultivators at the shores of their continent."


    Rant Valo exclaimed in amazement.


    "They don''t, Disciple. He was only there because this area is directly facing the Lilith Continent."


    Floriana Sabina shook her head and explained to him.


    "I see."


    Rant Valo looked away from the man and looked in front of them. The vegetation here had black leaves. It was a stark contrast to what Rant Valo was used to back at the Lilith Continent.


    "It''s really different here."


    Rant Valo murmured.


    "So, where are we going now?"


    He continued and asked.


    "To the center of this continent. Presumably, the peak demons live there."


    Floriana Sabina replied.


    "We only have to assassinate the demon lord that is inciting everyone to attack the Lilith Continent, right?"


    Rant Valo asked her.


    "If possible, I''ll kill all of them."


    Floriana Sabina replied to him with a solemn face.


    "That¡­ Okay. That may be for the better."


    Rant Valo was taken aback by her seriousness. It would be hard to say if they would even be able to kill the demon lord that they were targetting.


    And so, the boat flew deeper and deeper into the Demon Continent. Turmoil was occurring all around the Lilith Continent as the demons kill and plunder each city that they could find.


    Meanwhile, the demons in the Demon Continent were organizing themselves in preparation for a great war.

 Chapter 182 - Military Conscription

    "Vice Demon Commander, a report has arrived!"


    A demon with sharp fangs saluted in front of a masked demon man. He also had the same pale skin.


    This was happening in front of a demon city where Rant Valo''s group was heading straight towards.


    "What is the report?"


    The Vice Demon Commander replied in a slow and calm voice.


    "The shipment has arrived!"


    The demon soldier replied.


    "Hoh, finally."


    The Vice Demon Commander smiled in amusement under the mask.


    "Head out!"


    The Vice Demon Commander shouted before he flew towards Rant Valo''s direction.


    "Yes, sir!"


    A 10,000 strong army of demons rose up into the air behind him. They were all wearing black metal armor that exudes a frightening aura.


    ¡­


    "Master Floriana, do you know how big is the demon continent? Is it as big as our Lilith Continent?"


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but ask Floriana Sabina after they flew for a few hours. He was reminded of the long flight times back in the Lilith Continent.


    "I don''t know, Disciple. Why do you even wanna know anyway?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo in irritation. She didn''t like the feeling that she couldn''t answer Rant Valo''s question.


    "Nothing. It just made me curious why the demons were even invading us in the first place."


    Rant Valo shook his head.


    "It''s probably because they want more land."


    Floriana Sabina explained to Rant Valo.


    "I see."


    Rant Valo nodded his head in understanding.


    "Huh? What''s that, Grandmaster?"


    Veia suddenly pointed in front of them. There was a black cloud rapidly approaching them from afar.


    "Those are demons!"


    Floriana Sabina pointed in shock. There were so many of them that they looked like a black cloud from afar. It makes ones'' spine shiver in fear.


    "D-Demons!?"


    Rant Valo looked at the rapidly approaching cloud in fear. Seeing so many demons fly towards them feels like death was looming over them.


    "Let''s hide!"


    Floriana Sabina then controlled the boat to drop down from the sky. It landed down at the foliage below.


    "Did they see us?"


    Rant Valo asked.


    "We''ll see if they pass over us."


    Floriana Sabina replied.


    ¡­


    "Vice Demon Commander, there are people in front of us."


    A soldier said to the commander as he flew beside him.


    "How many?"


    The Vice Demon Commander asked.


    "According to the scouts, three. They shouldn''t pose as a threat to us."


    The soldier replied.


    "Mm."


    The Vice Demon Commander nodded his head.


    "Uhm, Vice Demon Commander. Do you think that we can recruit them?"


    The soldier asked nervously. Speaking to their Vice Demon Commander is so nerve-wracking.


    "I permit. If they refuse, kill them!"


    The Vice Demon Commander replied without much thought. More people with them means that there is more chance of winning.


    "Yes, sir!"


    The soldier saluted in response. They continued flying towards Rant Valo''s group as they continued their pace.


    "You three over there! We''re conscripting the three of you!"


    The demon soldier from earlier shouted towards Rant Valo''s group.


    "H-Huh!? They noticed us!"


    Rant Valo shouted in confusion. He immediately feared for the worse. He can only hope that Floriana Sabina can defeat them.


    "Disciple and Veia, prepare yourself!"


    Floriana Sabina said to them. She watched the demon army slowly drop down and hover just above them.


    "The three of you. We want you three to join us. This is the 49th Vice Demon Commander''s Army."


    The soldier from earlier approached them as he walked on the ground.


    "What if we refuse?"


    Floriana Sabina asked with her arms raised in a guard stance.


    "Do you dare?"


    The demon soldier looked at her with a frown.


    "We don''t we just wanna know what would happen."


    Floriana Sabina replied to him.


    "Then, I''ll let you know. You''ll be killed if you refuse."


    The demon soldier replied and grinned lightly.


    "Killed? Isn''t that too harsh of a punishment?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him with a frown on her face. She couldn''t believe that the demons would kill someone just because they refuse to be conscripted to the army. They were even just passersby on their way. How unlucky.


    "Hmph. We have a war movement going on. If you don''t conscript then you''ll be treated as a traitor."


    The demon soldier said to her with a snort.


    "Is there really no other way?"


    Floriana Sabina asked warily.


    "You can die. That way you can avoid it."


    The demon soldier smirked at her.


    "Enough! Kill them if they continued refusing."


    The Vice Demon Commander shouted in annoyance. They were wasting time on three people.


    "Yes, sir!"


    The demon soldier saluted. He then turned his head back towards Rant Valo''s group.


    "Last chance."


    The demon soldier said as he eyed the three of them.


    "O-Okay. We''ll join the army."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head. They had to be lowkey or their plan would not work. Besides, she was also curious as to why the demons were even waging war.


    "Let''s go! I don''t know what cultivations some of you have, but if you can''t keep up then we''ll kill you."


    The demon soldier warned them with a sharp eye before he flew into the air. The demon army also followed, and they continued on their way.


    "Let''s go, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina urged them. Rant Valo and Veia flew to the air and joined the army. As for the boat, Floriana Sabina hid it back inside her storage ring.


    "..."


    Rant Valo nodded his head silently. This is not what they expected things to turn out to be.


    The trio followed the demon army as they speedily traveled back towards where Rant Valo''s group came from. They were at least as fast as Core Formation cultivators.


    "Veia, I''ll help you."


    Rant Valo said to her. The last time he checked, she was just a Foundation Establishment cultivator. He needs to help her keep up or she might actually be killed.


    "No, thanks, Master."


    Veia stopped Rant Valo from approaching her. She smiled at him confidently.


    "Don''t tell me you''re already a Core Formation cultivator too!?"


    Rant Valo looked at her in disbelief.

 Chapter 183 - Acting Like A Soldier

    "Hehehehe. You didn''t notice, Master?"


    Veia giggled at Rant Valo. She never really exposed to him her cultivation progress. She just silently did it when she had the time to do it.


    "I didn''t."


    Rant Valo replied to her with a smile.


    "Disciple, you should pay attention more."


    Floriana Sabina smiled at Rant Valo.


    "You knew too!?"


    Rant Valo turned to her in disbelief. It seems like he was the only ignorant one about it.


    "Of course. My cultivation is not a joke, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina replied to him with a smug smile.


    "I guess, you''re right."


    Rant Valo sighed. He should have been using his Spiritual Sense more. It was just not had been that long since he was a mortal so he wasn''t that used to using it continuously to scan people. Besides, he had no reason to scan the people inside the duke mansion at that time.


    "The three of you, shut up! You have to be looking all around and making sure that no ambush happens to us."


    A demon with a huge build and dark skin shouted at them. He looked at them angrily.


    "Sorry."


    Rant Valo bowed lightly. Inside, he was nervous. He can''t sense the cultivation of the people around him. It was like they have something that hides it from him.


    "Hmph."


    The demon snorted and continued looking forward.


    Rant Valo''s group was forced to silently follow them.


    ''Disciple!''


    Floriana Sabina''s voice suddenly sounded inside Rant Valo''s head.


    "Huh?"


    Rant Valo looked at her in surprise.


    ''Use your Spiritual Sense to communicate with me.''


    Floriana Sabina said to him through his mind.


    ''Like this?''


    Rant Valo tried it.


    ''Oh! You did it on your first try, Disciple!''


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo in amazement.


    ''Master, can you hear me?''


    This time, it was Veia''s voice that sounded inside his head.


    ''I can. Can the two of you hear me?''


    Rant Valo nodded his head and asked the both of them by simultaneously sending them the same voice transmission.


    ''I can.''


    ''Yes, Master.''


    Floriana Sabina and Veia replied with a nod of their head.


    ''Nice. We can continue our discussion then.''


    Rant Valo replied to them.


    ''Yes, Master.''


    Veia smiled at him. Somehow, hearing her master''s voice directly inside her head made her feel special. It was like she was one with her master. It may just be Veia being weird, but she liked it.


    ''That demon is rude.''


    Floriana Sabina said to them as she looked at the strongly built demon with a frown. She didn''t like that some demon could disrespect her.


    ''Are you gonna kill them, Master Floriana?''


    Rant Valo asked her in wonder. It would be easy for her. It was just that he wasn''t sure if she would win against the Vice Demon Commander.


    ''Later, Disciple. Let''s find out what their plans are first.''


    Floriana Sabina replied to him.


    ''Okay. How about the Vice Demon Commander? Do you think that you could win against him?''


    Rant Valo asked her in curiosity.


    ''He''s too weak, Disciple. I can defeat him pretty easily.''


    Floriana Sabina replied to Rant Valo with a grin.


    ''Hehehe. Then later.''


    Rant Valo laughed hearing her response. His nervousness has disappeared. He once again regained his confidence.


    He even smiled at the demons around them in a friendly way. The demons frowned in response. They didn''t know him and seeing him act so friendly with them made them think that something was wrong with his head.


    The army flew forward for a few more hours. They then reached back to the beach that Rant Valo''s group was stopped in.


    The demon from earlier appeared. He stopped the army from going forward and stared at it. He examined each soldier in front of him.


    Rant Valo''s group immediately turned around and looked away.


    "*whistle whistle*"


    Rant Valo whistled, pretending to be ignorant.


    "Hm?"


    The man squinted his eyes as he looked at Rant Valo''s back.


    "They look familiar¡­"


    The man cranked his head, but he couldn''t remember where he met them.


    "Whatever."


    He murmured to himself.


    "Pass!"


    The man shouted, and the demon army continued on their way.


    ''That was so close!''


    Rant Valo said to them. That man could''ve made things more complicated.


    ''That was a relief.''


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head. She would be forced to explain why they were in the demon army when they said that they were coming back.


    The demon army continued on their way. They flew above the ocean. Their silhouettes created a large shadow underneath them.


    ''Hm? They aren''t wearing any cloak?''


    Rant Valo suddenly noticed that the demons were not fearful of the sun like Veia. Some of them had the same pale skin, but it was like the sun was harmless to them.


    After a dozen days of travel, they were once again back at the Lilith Continent. The reason they took so long was that their flight speed was not as fast as Floriana Sabina''s boat.


    "Halt! Alright! We''re here at the Human Continent. Every one of you must hide from their sight. We will take cities by force then we''ll capture all of the humans!"


    The Vice Demon Commander stopped and turned around. He then instructed them.


    "Yes, sir!"


    The demons responded. Their voices echoed in the surroundings.


    "Good. Follow me! We''ll visit the nearest camp."


    The Vice Demon Commander nodded his head in satisfaction. He flew towards the north and the demons followed after him.


    ''Master Floriana, is there any way we can leak the location of the nearest camp to someone?''


    Rant Valo asked her. This is a great chance for them to act as spies. This way, they can have an advantage over the demons.


    ''It doesn''t work that easily, Disciple. They probably have camps deeper in the Lilith Continent. If we don''t clear those first, then it would be impossible for us to reach this camp sneakily. It would be like announcing to them that we know where their camp is.''


    Floriana Sabina shook her head and explained to him.

 Chapter 184 - Recounts Of Mael Khan

    My name is Mael Khan I was born in Poet Town. This is what happened before I got captured by the demons.


    I''m currently in front of the Royal Capital of the Nokan Kingdom. Duke Jerdon recommended me here. He was the man who took care of and assisted me in my Mid Foundation Establishment stage. I have gotten the rights to stand at the capital now that I''m a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator,


    I can still remember the start of my journey. This was all due to my brother Lohan Ben. I''m 21 right now. I heard that he got married last year. I bet his wife will be a beauty.


    I can''t help but envy him. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He has received the best education from the start yet he was too unruly and got dumped to my school. If I was him, I wouldn''t have been unruly and just learned with all my might.


    Now, I have a status of a Peak Foundation Establishment Magic Cultivator. I can''t wait and see his expression when he sees how powerful I have become.


    Though, I''m not a man with no virtue. I will remember his help. He was the catalyst that started the reaction to my growth.


    I heard that today the Third Princess will be having an announcement at the commoner''s region in the capital. From the stories I heard, she was said to be short but mind-bogglingly beautiful. It makes one yearn to have a chance to meet her.


    I gripped much more tightly to the recommendation letter Duke Jerdon gave me. I was supposedly recommended to be a disciple of the Royal Magic Tutor.


    I can''t wait to meet my future master! There are so many opportunities in this place. So many that I can''t even fathom all of them!


    Will I find myself a beautiful wife in this place? Just like my brother Lohan? I really cannot wait!


    ¡­


    I find myself walking among the crowded streets of Capital City. The people around me have at least 8th level Mana Condensation cultivation stages. This is a stark contrast to what I''ve seen in Klerv Dukedom.


    The common people are also dressed much better. Probably my brother wouldn''t be able to imagine something like this. I''ll write a letter to him later.


    I reached the square of the commoner region. I can only hear a single voice coming from that place. Compared to the lively crowd I''ve been to earlier. The crowd here is really quiet.


    "¡­conquer the Dukedom to the east! The Ferais Swords Kingdom has repeatedly tried to extort magical tools from our kingdom! Fellow citizens of the great Nokan Kingdom, prepare yourself!"


    There, standing on the podium. A woman was standing gracefully. She was emitting a strong sense of dignity and chivalry. Her beautiful brown hair flowed down her shoulders.


    She looked straight ahead with her clear and mature eyes. She has a small body, but it only highlighted her charm.


    Mael was left standing agape as he stared at the beautiful woman who was making a speech. She was the most beautiful woman he has ever seen.


    He didn''t care about the contents of her words. War or Dignity, he did not give a damn! This woman is so beautiful that he felt his face flush red.


    Mael  pounded his chest lightly to calm his beating heart. He never felt such a sensation before.


    "We will not let them trample our dignity!!"


    With her passionate words, the crowd threw their arms to the air. They were so excited that some even released their cultivation pressures.


    Mael felt stifled by the various cultivation pressures that were battering him from the crowd around him. He quickly left the crowd unless he wanted to faint there.


    How did the Mana Condensation cultivators endure the cultivation pressure there? There must be a Core Formation elder in the crowd for the pressure to stifle me.


    I looked left and right and asked the nearest person to me.


    "Hey bro, who is that beauty on the podium?"


    "Are you a country bumpkin? How can you not recognize the princess? She''s not just some ''beauty on the podium'' for ya''! She''s the pearl of the Capital City!"


    The man looked at Mael in annoyance. He really didn''t like being dragged out and getting interrogated. He didn''t like how Mael  called her. That was his idol you know!


    "She''s the princess?"


    Mael''s jaw has reached the floor. So she was actually a princess. There''s no way I would meet her.


    With that, his first love was extinguished as fast as it was created.


    ¡­


    "Master!"


    Mael  was kneeling in front of an old man with a silver beard. This was his first time meeting his supposed master.


    "Mmm. Stand up."


    The old man nodded his head in satisfaction and motioned for Mael  to stand up.


    This old man is the Nascent Soul stage cultivator assigned by His Majesty as the Royal Magic Tutor. He is the teacher of the children of His Majesty. He is a respected Water Element mage.


    One of his disciples has even reached the Peak Core Formation stage.


    "I would not immediately accept you as my disciple. You are aware that I teach the royal family, so I will not teach you if you disappoint me."


    The old man caressed his beard as he spoke. He was much taller than Mael  so he was looking down on him as he spoke.


    "Yes! I will follow your instructions even if it is swimming through fire!"


    With a determined voice, Mael  spoke to the old man. He looked straight at the old man''s eyes fearlessly.


    "Mmm"


    The old man nodded and left.


    ¡­


    Mael''s days passed by peacefully. He was cultivating a Core Formation cultivation manual his master gave him. He was to grasp and reach the Early Core Formation stage in 6-months. He was currently a stand-in disciple of the Royal Magic Tutor. As long as he does not pass this test he''ll not be considered as an official disciple yet.


    Today was the third week since Mael  started cultivating in the mansion of his master. War has erupted between the Nokan Magic Kingdom and the bordering Ferais Swords Kingdom. They are fighting in the Dukedom which is within the territory of the Ferais Kingdom.


    "Mael, follow me to the palace today. Assassinations have gotten more active recently. I don''t want you to die before failing my test."


    Master Nez is bringing me to the palace today. He said that I should be wary of Sword Cultivators. They are most likely an assassin sent by the Ferais  Kingdom. As a stand-in disciple which is being tested to be an official disciple, I''m one of their targets.


    Master also clarified that not all Sword Cultivators are affiliated with the Ferais  Swords Kingdom so I shouldn''t worry too much.


    I can already feel myself grasping the basics of the Core Formation cultivation method. Only a little bit more and I would reach the Core Formation stage.


    We entered the palace on foot. It was forbidden to fly inside the Capital City. Failing to abide by this rule means death by crippling their cultivation. Nascent Soul stage cultivators like master are not exempted from this rule.


    I cannot imagine how they will kill someone by crippling their cultivation. I''ve only heard that crippling cultivation only makes you lose your cultivation.


    We entered a beautiful courtyard inside the palace. Master stood there and called a maid. The maid then left after my Master said something to her.


    Master and I stood there quietly. We waited for about 10 minutes before someone arrived.


    It was someone I never expected to meet again so soon. It was the beautiful woman standing on the podium a few weeks ago. The Third Princess of the Nokan Kingdom. She still looked as beautiful as ever. The only difference is that she looked much more tired compared to before.


    The love that I thought was extinguished, was reignited again.


    "Teacher."


    The Third Princess bowed towards my Master. She was wearing a blue cloak today.


    "The war preparations must''ve taken a toll on you, Princess Lana."


    Master spoke with familiarity to the Princess. Since he is the Royal Magic Tutor, he has spoken to her many times, so it''s only normal that he spoke to her with familiarity.


    "This is..?"


    The Third Princess looked at me in curiosity. She wanted to know who I was.


    "Forgive my intrusion, Third Princess Nona. I have come today with my Master since it is dangerous for a future disciple like me to be alone."


    I bowed to the Princess. I can see my Master raising an eyebrow to the side. He must''ve been irked by my confidence that I will be his disciple in the future. I heard he has failed many before me.


    "Oh, nice to meet you then."


    The Third Princess quickly lost interest. She probably met the others who have failed before me. Thus, she only saw me as being overconfident.


    But, this all changed when the demons invaded.

 Chapter 185 - The Demons Base

    The demons attacked, plundered, and destroyed our kingdom. They even set up a city-wide magical circle that hid the destruction from the world. Once they fix everything up in the city, they removed the illusion and set up a trap.


    Many of us were not killed by the demons, rather, we were taken to one of their camps. We were treated like animals that are about to be slaughtered. The demons looked like us to some extent but they don''t see us as people at all.


    I forgot the passage of time at that place. It was so suffocating to live there.


    But one day¡­ something changed.


    An army of demons flew in from outside. They were so numerous that my legs grew weak. My clothes were already worn and tattered. I had nothing when compared to their gallant poses.


    What was weird was that one of the demons in the new army suddenly attacked. She swiped her small arm and the whole place was filled with white fire. No one was able to survive except the strongest of them all.


    ¡­


    "Master Floriana, there''s a guy trying to escape over there."


    Rant Valo pointed to one of the corners. They were currently inside a cave underground. The demons use this as their military base.


    "STOP!"


    A demon with flaring blue skin shouted towards them. There was visible anger on his face.


    "Hmph."


    Floriana Sabina ignored him and swung her arms once again. This time, it was towards the blue-skinned demon.


    White flames that didn''t emit any heat hit his body. It slowly started to burn his skin.


    The demon patted the white fire and instead of it extinguishing, it burned even brighter. It also spread to his hand and before long, he was already covered in white flames.


    "AHHHHH!!"


    The demon''s scream were worst than the sound of a dying pig.


    "..."


    Rant Valo looked at the scene. He can''t help but remind himself that they were also people.


    "No¡­ I will not be weak in the heart."


    Rant Valo shook his head. He watched the death of the demon straight on. No matter what happens, he''s already a cultivator. He should accept that they have to kill people on their journey through life.


    "I''ll end this."


    Floriana Sabina suddenly said solemnly. Her eyes changed color and everything suddenly burst into flames. Of course, she avoided the places the humans were locked in.


    "This looks so easy."


    Rant Valo couldn''t help but say to her. There weren''t even any resistance from them. The Vice Demon Commander were nowhere to be seen.


    "You! Look over here! I''ll kill all of these humans if you don''t stop and surrender."


    Speaking of, the Vice Demon Commander suddenly shouted to them from the ground. His palm were opened towards the cages of the humans. Panic could be seen from their faces. They became desperate and shook the bars of their cellar.


    "Shameless."


    Rant Valo gritted his teeth seeing the Vice Demon Commander resort to such tactics.


    "Oh? Why don''t you go and kill them?"


    Floriana Sabina turned her head to him and grinned confidently. The Vice Demon Commander felt weak when he saw her do that. It felt like nothing can stop her.


    "Hmph. I''ll do as you say."


    The Vice Demon Commander and swung his hand towards the cellars.


    "Wait!"


    Rant Valo stopped him.


    "Hm? So you were just bluffing earlier."


    The Vice Demon Commander grinned at them. His face contorted and it turned to one of mania.


    "WAHAHAHAHAHA! I''ll kill you all!"


    The Vice Demon Commander laughed out loud crazily.


    "Master Floriana¡­"


    Rant Valo turned to Floriana Sabina in worry.


    "Relax, Disciple. Everything is still under control."


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo with a smile.


    "Okay. I trust you."


    Rant Valo nodded his head at her.


    "Are you gonna stop or not?"


    The Vice Demon Commander asked them solemnly. His fingers moved like he was itching to attack the cellars of the humans.


    "Okay, okay. I''ll stop."


    Floriana Sabina replied to him. The white flames all around her suddenly disappeared like a puff of smoke.


    "What power¡­"


    The Vice Demon Commander was shocked at her insane control towards her white flames. It was something that he wouldn''t be able to do.


    "So..? What do you want to do?"


    Floriana Sabina stared the Vice Demon Commander in the eye.


    "I pledge allegiance to you!"


    The Vice Demon Commander suddenly dropped to the ground and kneeled with his head lowered.


    "H-Huh?"


    Floriana Sabina, Rant Valo, and Veia looked at the Vice Demon Commander in bewilderment.


    "We too!"


    Suddenly, hundreds of the surviving demons appeared. They had hidden themselves earlier and had only shown themselves now.


    Rant Valo, Floriana Sabina, and Veia looked at all the demons kneeling towards them in confusion. Rant Valo was dumbstruck. Scuh powerful demons are now kneeling to Floriana Sabina.


    "Oh, Demon Lord. Please! Take us under your wing!"


    The demons chanted towards Floriana Sabina. Respect were oozing from their bodies.


    "Fufufu. Alright!"


    Floriana Sabina grinned excitedly seeing the demons respectful to her.


    "Thank you for your grace, Demon Lord!"


    The demons stood up with respect on their faces. They looked at her worshippingly.


    "Alright. Who can represent all of you here?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at the all of them.


    "Me."


    A voice spoke up. It was a demon with a large horn on his head. He looked overbearing and imposing.


    "What''s your name?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him.


    "Demon Lord, my name is Herbert Kile. I''m the Demon Commander of this base."


    The demon replied to her with a respectful bow.


    "So you''re a rank higher than that guy?"


    Floriana Sabina pointed towards the Vice Demon Commander that they met before.


    "Of course."


    The Demon Commander nodded his head candidly.


    "Alright. Execute him for me."


    Floriana Sabina said to him with a wicked grin.


    "As per your orders."


    The Demon Commander bowed to her and headed towards the Vice Demon Commander.


    "D-Demon Lord! Please pardon my mistakes last time! It was the idea of my dead subordinate to take you in our army!"


    The Vice Demon Commander said to her in a panic. He knew that his life is forfeit if he didn''t say anything.


    "Oh, really?"


    Floriana Sabina smirked at him.


    "Yes! That subordinate of mine is already dead. Please forgive me for his mistakes!"


    The Vice Demon Commander bowed to her. Sweat poured down his forehead.


    "Hmph. Severe one of your arms."


    Floriana Sabina said to the Vice Demon Commander with cold eyes.


    "... Alright!"


    The Vice Demon Commander gritted his teeth, and he bit his arm before he ripped it off his shoulder.


    "U-Uwahhh¡­. That guy is crazy."


    Rant Valo looked at him in disgust. He could have just chopped it off. Why did he have to rip it off like a beast? It made Rant Valo feel sick.


    "Now, put it back."


    Floriana Sabina threw a small vial towards the Vice Demon Commander.


    "Thank you, Demon Lord!"


    The Vice Demon Commander was overjoyed seeing the small vial that Floriana Sabina gave him. He opened it and poured it on his wound before he reconnected his ripped off arm.


    "It''s healing!"


    The Vice Demon Commander exclaimed in awe.


    "Since you have already shown me your loyalty, I would forgive your mistake earlier."


    Floriana Sabina said to him with peering eyes. The Vice Demon Commander felt shiver run down his spine when he made eye contact with her.


    "Thank you! Glory to the Demon Lord!"


    The Vice Demon Commander had tears falling from his eyes as he kneeled to her once again.


    "As for you¡­"


    Floriana Sabina turned her head to the Demon Commander slowly. Panic immediately appeared on his face. He didn''t know what she would make him do.


    "If you can return all of these humans back to where they came from and prevent them from being killed by the other demons, I''ll accept your loyalty."


    Floriana Sabina said to him.


    "I''ll gladly do it!"


    The Demon Commander nodded his head without delay.


    "Mm."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head in satisfaction.


    "Disciple, did you like it?"


    Floriana Sabina turned to Rant Valo who was flying beside her and smiled.


    "Yes, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo nodded his head at her. This is the result he was looking for.


    "My disciple liked it so all of you should feel grateful towards him. Otherwise, I would have killed all of you!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted to the demons overbearingly.


    "Y-Yes! Thank you, Demon Prince!"


    The demons quickly bowed to Rant Valo. They titled him ''Demon Prince'' because he was the disciple of the Demon Lord. And yes, they thought Floriana Sabina was one of the Demon Lords.


    "Now, gather everyone and start moving these humans back to where they came from!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted to them.


    "Yes, ma''am!"


    The demons saluted her respectfully. They then lined up in formation before they moved and started freeing the humans.


    The humans who left their cellars looked at Floriana Sabina in awe and fear.

 Chapter 186 - Not A Demon Lord

    Before long, the humans were already gathered in front of Floriana Sabina. The humans cried in freedom. They finally met their relatives once again.


    "Disciple, you are very nice."


    Floriana Sabina said to him as they waited for the demons to finish freeing all of the humans.


    "Yes, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo nodded his head at her. He had always known that he acts nicely to all of the people he met. He can''t even kill anyone.


    "Is it because you are the manager of the universe?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo in thought.


    "... I don''t know."


    Rant Valo shook his head. He doesn''t even know what does being the manager of the universe mean.


    "Well, I will still like you, Disciple. No matter how much you change, I''ll always like you."


    Floriana Sabina said to him with an earnest smile.


    "Master Floriana¡­"


    Rant Valo stared at Floriana Sabina in the eye. There was an indescribable emotion welling up inside him.


    "Geez. Master and Grandmaster, what are you two doing staring at each other lovingly? I''m jealous!"


    Veia interrupted them with anger in her eyes.


    "Look around you. Everyone is looking."


    Veia said to them with a wry smile on her face.


    Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina looked around them and they saw the demons and humans looking at the two of them weirdly.


    "D-Disciple, I like your personality, your personality! It''s totally not love related!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted to Rant Valo in a fluster. She looked at the demons and humans around them. She was trying to change what their thoughts right now were.


    "D-Demon Lord, we''d like to express our apologies. We called your Husband the Demon Prince. We should change our address to him and call him the Demon Lord Husband!"


    The Demon Commander said to them with a bowed head.


    "Y-Y-You!? What are you saying?? He''s the Demon Prince! You didn''t make any mistakes!"


    Floriana Sabina said to the Demon Commander in a panicked voice.


    "Y-Yes¡­ I understand."


    The Demon Commander nodded his head reluctantly. He wanted to say something, but he didn''t dare to.


    "Hmph. I''ll lop your head off if you misbehave one more time!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted and said to him.


    "Yes, ma''am!"


    The Demon Commander straightened his body in salute.


    "And all of you, don''t think too deeply to what just happened. What''s going through your heads are wrong. We aren''t that way."


    Floriana Sabina looked at the humans coldly.


    "Y-You got it!"


    "Yes! I saw nothing!!"


    "What even happened?"


    The humans hurriedly nodded their heads hearing Floriana Sabina''s words. They just heard her threaten the Demon Commander who was so powerful. They wouldn''t dare to anger her after that.


    "Good."


    Floriana Sabina grinned at the crowd below them.


    "Let''s go, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina called out as she flew towards the exit of the cave.


    "Yes, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo nodded his head respectfully.


    "Oh, wait. You, come with us too."


    Floriana Sabina turned around and pointed to the Demon Commander.


    "Yes, ma''am!"


    He nodded his head and hurriedly followed after them.


    They flew out of the cave and distanced themselves 2 kilometers away from it.


    "Demon Lord, what do you want to talk about?"


    The Demon Commander asked her nervously. Her strong power were still fresh inside his mind. He doesn''t dare show here any hints of disloyalty. Not that he would lose loyalty to someone as strong as her. He even speculates that she''s actually making herself look like a child on purpose.


    "Do you know why the Demon Lords are following the order of the new Demon Lord to seize the Human Continent?"


    Floriana Sabina asked the Demon Commander.


    "I heard that the South Cloud Demon Lord wants to take over all of the continents in the world."


    The Demon Commander replied with a grim look on his face.


    "All the continents, you say? That''s crazy!"


    Floriana Sabina exclaimed in disbelief.


    "Yes, the South Cloud Demon Lord rose to power a year ago. He was one of the greatest talents in the Xenhawa Continent."


    The Demon Commander nodded his head firmly and explained to them. The Xenhawa Continent that he was talking about is the name of the Demon Continent.


    "That''s fast!"


    Floriana Sabina exclaimed in shock.


    "Yes. He managed to convince all of the Demon Lords to seize all of the continents in the world. Actually, this is not the only front line that we demons are attacking. We also have forces conquering the backwater Godbeast Continent."


    The Demon Commander explained further.


    "So, where is this South Cloud Demon Lord?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him grimly. So he really was the reason for all of this. She wonders what his goal is.


    "Only the Demon Lords do. Don''t the Demon Lord know?"


    The Demon Commander tilted his head as he looked at Floriana Sabina.


    "I don''t know. I only recently rose to power."


    Floriana Sabina shook her head. She lied. After all, she''s not really a demon or any demon lord.


    "Huh?"


    The Demon Commander looked at Floriana Sabina weirdly.


    "Did I say something wrong?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him in confusion.


    The Demon Commander didn''t say anything. He flew away from her slowly, and he raised his guards up.


    "..."


    Floriana Sabina, Rant Valo, and Veia looked at the Demon Commander curiously.


    "Are you really a demon?"


    A spear appeared on the Demon Commander''s arm, and he pointed it towards Floriana Sabina.


    "What''s the matter?"


    Floriana Sabina furrowed her eyebrows.


    "If you say that you recently rose to power, then I would have known about you!"


    The Demon Commander shouted to her angrily.


    "I mean, I rose to power to the level of a Demon Lord, but I did it far away from the demon continent. You see, I have been a slave there. I just managed to escape my slave status there."


    Floriana Sabina immediately understood what he meant, and she spouted bullsh*t to him.


    "I-I''m sorry for my rudeness, Demon Lord!!"


    The Demon Commander realized that he made a mistake. He kneeled to Floriana Sabina in the air.


    "Do you want to experience slavery?"


    Floriana Sabina grinned at him.


    "Please, forgive me!"


    The Demon Commander kowtowed to her.


    "He''s better than you, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina smirked at Rant Valo. She could still remember him resisting just to kowtow to her.


    "Of course. Who would accept a little kid as their master?"


    Rant Valo said to her with a mischievous grin on his facr.


    "Tch. Call me a little kid again, and I''ll cook you alive, Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina reacted to him angrily. She didn''t like it when she''s called a little kid.


    "..."


    Rant Valo knew his limits so he turned away from her and ignored her.


    "Hmph! That''s right. You don''t have the guts."


    Floriana Sabina snorted in displeasure.


    "Uhm¡­ Demon Lord, are you forgiving me or not?"


    The Demon Commander asked her a little unsure. He doesn''t know if she really forgave him or not.


    "Show me results, and I''ll tell you!"


    Floriana Sabina said to him with a raised chin.


    "Yes, ma''am!"


    The Demon Commander nodded his head straight and flew back towards the cave to command the demons in there.


    "Master Floriana, are we going back to the Demon Continent?"


    Rant Valo asked her. They already finished their goal here.


    "Not anymore, Disciple. How about we take every demon base under our wing?"


    Floriana Sabina grinned evilly.


    "That''s a nice plan."


    Rant Valo grinned at her too. They both felt that it was a good chance to topple the power of the demons that are deployed here.


    "Besides, this plan could also lure the South Cloud Demon Lord out."


    Floriana Sabina added with a smile on her face.


    "Yes. That''s true."


    Rant Valo nodded his head at her.


    "Anyways, Master Floriana, I have to cultivate for a bit. Can you protect me?"


    Rant Valo asked her.


    "Sure, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head.


    "Master, can I drink your blood again?"


    Veia suddenly asked from the side.


    "Why?"


    Rant Valo asked her in confusion.


    "It''s been a while since I drank it so I''m really hungry¡­"


    Veia replied with a pained look on her face as she clutched her stomach.


    "Alright. Let''s go down and you can drink it directly."


    Rant Valo nodded his head at her. They then flew downwards, and they entered inside the forest below.


    Once they were down st the forest below, Veia suddenly clinged onto Rant Valo''s arm.


    "Master, this time. Let me bite your neck."


    Veia said to him while she panted excitedly. She looked at him with hungry eyes.


    "You can''t. Don''t you remember?"


    Rant Valo asked her in confusion.


    "Master¡­ This time, I''m gonna drink a lot of blood. If I don''t bite you then you wouldn''t regenerate any."


    Veia explained to him solemnly.


    "It''s that serious?"


    Rant Valo asked her with a nervous gulp.


    "Yes. So please master, I really need a lot of your blood this time."


    Veia pleaded to him. She embraced Rant Valo''s arm in between her two melons.

 Chapter 187 - Its Time

    "Fine."


    Rant Valo nodded his head reluctantly. He also hadn''t felt the pleasure of her drinking his blood. It made him excited in anticipation.


    "Here, I go, Master."


    Veia said to him.


    "Just this once."


    Floriana Sabina bit her lips and watched them. She didn''t do anything to stop them.


    "Amm."


    Veia bit Rant Valo''s neck. Rant Valo expected a pain like before but nothing came. Instead, it was painless. Suddenly, he felt the blood in his body be sucked out by her.


    It made him senseless. It was like she was sucking his life, but there was also something in her saliva that were giving him a lot of renewed vigor. Her saliva was causing his body to crazily generate more blood. It was like that pill Floriana Sabina gave him long ago.


    "Ahh¡­"


    Rant Valo only felt pleasure. She was doing it so well that he couldn''t think anymore.


    Veia sucked his blood greedily. She swallowed it with pleasure etched onto her face. She felt hot all over. Her succubus instincts were kicking in as she satisfied her vampire instincts.


    It took Veia almost half an hour to finish drinking Rant Valo''s blood.


    "Puahhhh¡­"


    Veia released it, and her face was drunk in pleasure. It was like she drank booze.


    "Delicious¡­"


    Veia''s eyes were cloudy. She looked down at Rant Valo''s waist and couldn''t help but gulp. She wanted to drink his other ''life essence'' too.


    "Veia, you can do it."


    Floriana Sabina said to her. She had a solemn look on her face.


    The moment she heard Floriana Sabina''s words, Veia woke up from her drunken state.


    "Huh?"


    She looked at Floriana Sabina blankly. She never thought that Floriana Sabna would say something like that.


    "I feel like I''m being unfair by stopping you."


    Floriana Sabina explained to her.


    "Really?"


    Veia looked at her in confusion. She couldn''t understand what does Floriana Sabina mean that she was being unfair to her?


    "Yes. B-Because¡­ I-If I were bigger, I would have d-done it already with him¡­"


    Floriana Sabina said with her eyes turned away. She couldn''t look Veia straight in the eye.


    "Grandmaster¡­"


    Veia looked at her in shock. She didn''t know that that was the reason.


    "It''s okay, Grandmaster! I won''t do it. I promise I''ll let you do it first."


    Veia embraced Floriana Sabina. She knew that Floriana Sabina would rather be the first one.


    "Because, after all, I''m just master''s servant¡­"


    Veia said to her with melancholy in her eyes. She knew that her status is not that special so she would rather have Floriana Sabina who had the status of his master.


    "Veia¡­"


    Floriana Sabina returned Veia''s embrace with her face full of emotion. She felt grateful that Veia is like this to her.


    "Hm? What is it, Grandmaster?"


    Veia asked her with a smile on her face.


    "W-Why do I feel like your legs are wet?"


    Floriana Sabina asked her with disbelief on her face.


    "Ah¡­ I spilled some water."


    Veia replied with an awkward smile on her face. She released Floriana Sabina and looked away from her.


    "Pervert."


    Floriana Sabina said to her coldly.


    "I-I¡­ It was a natural reaction!"


    Veia said to Floriana Sabina in a fluster.


    "V-Veia¡­ Aren''t you gonna take responsibility..? You made it like this."


    Rant Valo said to Veia with his eyes drunk in the pleasure of Veia sucking his blood.


    "Master! Snap out of it!"


    Veia walked up in front of Rant Valo and slapped his face.


    "Ahh! Why did you hit me?"


    Rant Valo asked her with confusion on his face.


    "Master, you have to wait before you can do that. Remember your words before?"


    Veia scolded Rant Valo. He had to keep his virginity like he always says.


    "Y-Yes¡­"


    Rant Valo nodded his head reluctantly.


    ''Damn you, past me!''


    He couldn''t help but curse himself.


    "Cough. Let''s act properly, okay? What if the Demon Commander sees us?"


    Floriana Sabina faked a cough and said to them in rebuke.


    "Yes, yes."


    "Yes~"


    Rant Valo and Veia nodded their heads leisurely.


    "Anyways, I''ll go cultivate again."


    Rant Valo said to them. He then closed his eyes and sat down on the ground.


    "Will you break to the Nascent Soul Stage, Master?"


    Veia asked Rant Valo curiously.


    "Hell, no! I''m not that of a freak!"


    Rant Valo immediately denied her words. He doesn''t believe that he has that capability.


    "Fufufu. Really?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo skeptically. She would rather believe that he would be able to do it than himself saying that he can''t.


    "It''s true! That was just a freaky accident last time!"


    Rant Valo shouted to them.


    "We don''t believe you, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina said to him with a smug smile on her face.


    "Fine. I''ll show you both!"


    Rant Valo nodded his head angrily. He''ll show them how fast he can actually cultivate.


    Rant Valo closed his eyes and started to cultivate. He looked inside his core and stared at the clear core inside it.


    ''Hmmm¡­ Master Floriana told me that I have to increase the purity of my core to reach the Nascent Soul stage, but¡­ how?''


    Rant Valo stared at his clear core in confusion. It already looked pure. In fact, it was already transparent.


    ''What if I turn it into a diamond?''


    Rant Valo thought to himself. Aren''t diamonds really expensive?


    ''Alright! I got a plan!''


    Rant Valo nodded his head in satisfaction. He then started slowly breaking pieces off his crystal clear core.


    Before long, he had already made a rough outline of a diamond. He then started using the pieces he broke off to make a sandpaper. He used the sandpaper to polish it.


    After a while, he was left with a glittering diamond inside his core.


    ''I made the diamond. Why aren''t my cultivation improving?''


    Rant Valo wondered to himself. What Rant Valo didn''t know what that the diamond he made has no purpose for cultivation. It''s just an aesthetic thing.


    ''Whatever. I''ll just absorb more mana.''


    Rant Valo shook his head. The mana around him suddenly flowed inside him crazily. It created a rainbow whirlpool that can be seen from kilometers away. It contained a lot of mana that it made a deficiency in the surrounding areas while it made an overabundance around him.


    "M-Master is¡­"


    Veia stared at Rant Valo in shock. She didn''t expect him to ''actually'' do it.


    "Fufufu. As expected of my disciple."


    Floriana Sabina laughed seeing Rant Valo do the exact opposite of what he told them. He was doing exactly what they think he would do.


    "Grandmaster, aren''t we gonna get sucked in at this rate?"


    Veia asked Floriana Sabina worriedly. Their clothes, hair, and even the grass on the ground were being violently sucked inside the whirlpool of mana.


    "Relax, Veia. Hold my hand if you''re really worried."


    Floriana Sabina said to Veia confidently.


    "Okay."


    Veia nodded her head, and she grabbed Floriana Sabina''s hand and held onto her tightly.


    ''More.''


    Rant Valo whispered to himself. The instant the mana outside entered his core, it compressed to solid and clear mana.


    BOOM!


    Rant Valo heard an audible boom inside his core and the diamond in the center started shrinking.


    The solid mana from outside rushed towards it. Slowly, the diamond turned on a yellow hue.


    ''It turned gold!''


    Rant Valo exclaimed to himself in shock. The diamond he made turned into a golden diamond.


    ¡­


    "It''s finally time, huh?"


    Magicus who was sitting on a ledge with his sister turned to the horizon with a faint smile on his face.


    "Big Bro, what do you think will happen?"


    Novi asked Magicus with a smile on her face.


    "Of course, this universe will finally become independent."


    Magicus replied to her with a smile.


    "I know. I was just asking for the sake of it."


    Novi laughed lightly hearing Magicus'' words.


    "You¡­ Sigh."


    Magicus sighed hearing Novi''s words.


    ¡­


    Rant Valo suddenly felt his consciousness be sucked inside the golden diamond.


    BOOM!


    A powerful ripple spread throughout the whole universe. It was like someone just knocked onto the fabric of space.


    "G-Grandmaster! This is too strong!"


    Veia shouted to Floriana Sabina in alarm. It was like they were in the center of a massive storm. The trees around them had already been suck. There was only a barren land left in front of them.


    "Let''s go."


    Floriana Sabina pulled Veia away with her as she flew with her greatest speed. She was running away because the trees that got sucked into the mana whirlpool turned into dust. She doesn''t want to test out how long they can last inside it.


    DING


    Suddenly a loud bell sounded from the sky. Everyone in the world turned their heads towards the sky above Rant Valo.


    "The Heavenly Judge is coming down!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted in alarm.


    A golden thread dropped down from the sky. It entered the center of the mana whirlpool and touched Rant Valo''s body.


    The instant that happened, everything was suddenly put back in place.

 Chapter 188 - Seeing The Past

    "Huh?"


    "Huh?"


    Floriana Sabina and Veia looked around them in confusion. Everything was suddenly back in place. The forest was not damaged. It was the same as before. It was as if everything that just happened were a dream.


    The only different thing was that Rant Valo''s body was glowing golden. He was like a golden buddha statue.


    Inside Rant Valo, he saw a golden liquid enter his Core. It was viscous and thick. It moved like honey.


    ''What is this?''


    Rant Valo stared at it in awe. It looked so divine when he looked at it.


    The golden liquid slowly broke up into pieces that meld in place at the golden diamond he made in the center of his Core.


    Suddenly, Rant Valo felt his consciousness be sucked inside of the diamond.


    A bright yellow flame appeared on top of it. His golden diamond changed form. It took on the form of a slightly curved bowl. The flame burned inside it.


    ''What is going on¡­''


    Rant Valo stared at the lamp-like thing inside his Core. It glowed goldenly and emitted a heavenly aura. It was like he was seeing a universe in front of him.


    "Rant Valo, it''s time. This is what you were born for."


    Magicus'' voice sounded inside Rant Valo''s head. It sounded like he was speaking directly into his head.


    ''What I was born for?''


    Rant Valo asked Magicus in confusion.


    "Yes. You will now be the Manager of the universe. It happened much earlier than I expected, but this is fine. As long as it happens, then I''m satisfied."


    Magicus explained to him.


    ''That¡­ But I''m not ready.''


    Magicus replied to him sadly. He doesn''t want to be the manager of the universe yet. He hadn''t enjoyed his life as a mortal.


    "That is not for you to decide."


    Magicus replied in a solemn voice.


    "Can''t you delay it?"


    Rant Valo asked pleadingly.


    "I wish I could do that for you, but I can''t."


    Magicus replied apologetically.


    ''What will happen to me from now on?''


    Rant Valo asked Magicus with a tinge of fear in his voice. He was scared of what he would become after this.


    "I¡­ don''t have any guarantee."


    Magicus replied hesitantly.


    ''I don''t want to become the Manager then!''


    Rant Valo shouted to him angrily. He would rather live and enjoy his life together with Floriana Sabina than become a Manager of the universe.


    "No matter how you resist, it will inevitably happen. If it doesn''t happen in this lifetime then it will happen in your next."


    Magicus replied to him calmly.


    ''Then I''d rather destroy my cultivation!''


    Rant Valo shouted back in anger.


    "Do you dare to? You will die of old age. Your Master and your Servant will only be able to watch as you turn old and eventually lose your life."


    Magicus'' voice sounded inside Rant Valo''s head mockingly.


    ''That¡­ I don''t dare.''


    Rant Valo replied fearfully. Now that Magicus said it, Rant Valo lost his confidence to destroy his own cultivation.


    "So¡­ What is your decision?"


    Magicus asked him.


    ''I¡­ Alright. I''ll accept it.''


    Rant Valo agreed reluctantly. He had no choice. He wants to live forever so he can spend more time with those he loves.


    "Very well. Don''t resist the next step."


    Magicus replied to him in satisfaction.


    Suddenly, Rant Valo felt his soul expand. Well, it didn''t expand. It just felt that way.


    His soul encompassed the whole Lilith Continent in an instant before it suddenly encompassed the Demon Continent and beyond.


    BOOM


    Rant Valo could feel, see, and hear everything that was happening in the whole world.


    It didn''t stop there. He started sensing things that he had never thought were possible before. Most of them were things that he only heard as myths. Immortals, Dragons, etc. They were all so powerful and diverse.


    Then the scene changed, Rant Valo saw something. It was the past.


    ¡­


    There exists a place in a reality where nothing is everywhere. It is a very dark place. Light doesn''t move in that place. Sound cannot be made in that place. Movement is impossible unless you are a divine being.


    This place is called, "The Dark Void". It is a large place where infinity is incomparable.


    Suddenly, a faceless man appeared in that place. He first appeared as a point then it grew to a tiny man, before finally growing to the size of a normal man.


    After appearing, the faceless man looked around. His gaze peering through the dark void where even light cannot travel. He made a quick sweep of the vicinity with his peering eyes before mumbling to himself.


    "Perfect. Clean area, and far from the others."


    Unknowingly, the faceless man gained a face. He has a fine nose and sharp eyebrows. His mouth is curled up into a grin at the moment. The man spread out his arms to the sides. Then a word from an unknown language escaped his mouth.


    "Create!"


    A point in The Dark Void in front of the man suddenly expanded at rapid speed. Laws were created and modified as the man changed them to his whim. The man stayed in that position for a long time.


    ...


    Inside the rapidly expanding point is a young universe.


    This young universe is burning hot. Everything as far as the eye can see is the compressed subatomic particles that hit each other at unimaginable speeds.


    Just right before these subatomic particles form into stable atoms, the man outside this universe opened its eyes.


    "Too boring."


    At that moment, the young expanding universe suddenly stopped moving. The universe is frozen by an unknown force.


    The man flipped his right hand over. Pointing the back of his palm to the frozen universe.


    "Change"


    The frozen universe suddenly expanded very rapidly. The speed is more than 10x faster than before. The speed is so fast the subatomic particles inside the universe broke apart into super tiny particles.


    These super tiny particles are the basic building block of existence.


    The universe was only filled with super tiny particles.


    ...


    After an indefinite amount of time, the super tiny particles formed two types of elementary particles. These are the Yin and Yang.


    The two particles repelled each other. This sudden repelling force sped up the expansion of the young universe.


    The man outside the universe flipped his right hand again, returning it to its previous pose.


    The speedily expanding universe suddenly slowed down. The sudden slow movement forced the repelling particles to bump into each other.


    Different amounts of Yin and Yang elementary particles formed a diverse family of elements.


    Light, the element made purely of the Yang element.


    Darkness, the element made purely of the Yin element.


    Etc...


    Different kinds of elements sprung into existence. The repelling force disappeared as the Yin and Yang elementary particles formed more diverse elements. The new diverse elements formed atoms. These atoms contained differing amounts of diverse elements.


    ...


    The universe developed for a long time till finally all of the diverse elements has formed into atoms. The universe was then filled with giant stars.


    The man outside the universe smiled faintly.


    The man stopped holding its arms wide. It sat at a meditative position with its legs crossed and hands resting just before the knees.


    The now mature universe resonated with the man as it slowed down its expansion before finally coming to a stop.


    "This universe is worth its price."


    ...


    Billions of years later, the first lifeform started its evolution. By accident, random chemicals formed a simple life form. A tiny single-celled microorganism.


    This planet is a warm place. The liquid water served as the perfect catalyst for the creation of life.


    ...


    Fast forward 1 billion years, the single-celled microorganism has reproduced and covered the whole planet. Its descendants evolved differently in their own environments.


    In other parts of the universe, this step is happening simultaneously at different rates. Some faster, and some slower than the others.


    ...


    Half a billion years later, a single-celled organism swallowed another single-celled organism but didn''t break it down. This is the dawn of multicellular cells.


    With the inner cell serving as the energy producer, this single-celled organism finally evolved into a multicellular organism.


    ...


    That is not the end, this new multicellular organism possessed power beyond its single-celled counterparts. The evolved multicellular organism managed to find a way to break down the atoms into their diverse elements. This miracle changed the fate of this whole planet.


    The whole planet gained Magic. On this planet, the elements the organisms evolved to breakdown are the fire, earth, wind, and water elements. These resulted in the abundance of these elements in the atmosphere. With no more force pushing those diverse elements together, they stayed in their stable forms for a long period of time. Eventually, these will collapse back to some atom they randomly collapse to.


    This multicellular organism is a small blob of cells. Its skin is translucent. Some of its kind give off different colors based on the elements that they breakdown.

 Chapter 189 - The Birth Of Magicus And Novi

    The tiny single-celled microorganisms had enough time to develop their own method of breaking down the atoms without the help of an inner cell. These single-celled organisms do their job very slowly compared to the multicellular blobs that bounce around the planet.


    These single-celled organisms evolved independently of each other. Some overlapping together, forming domains abundant with those elements. And a rare few dominating areas leading to an overabundance of such elements.


    ...


    Another billion years later, the whole planet is now teeming with life. Towering trees dominate the land. Large fish swim through the ocean. The tiny blobs evolved into a bigger version. These blobs developed a core inside their bodies. These cores contain their broken down elements. Such an evolution was beneficial as it helped them store energy for a longer period of time.


    The diverse elements can be turned to any atom if enough is crammed into a tight enough space allowing these creatures to have an overabundance of nutrients and food. The only downside is that their cores are very fragile.


    If it broke, even a tiny crack can cause the blob to die due to the dense energy wreaking havoc throughout its body. Removing this core also causes the blob to die because of their reliance on this core as their nutrient and food source.


    Compared to the coreless blobs a billion years ago, they are certainly inferior in this aspect.


    The other creatures are descendants of the first core bearing blobs. These blobs swam through the oceans before finally developing fins. Then some grew legs and crawled on land. Some of the blobs didn''t evolve a core and turned into moss that evolved into the trees of today. The rest died out as part of the evolutionary process.


    ...


    Millions of years later, some of the creatures lost their cores as they found food around them. Eating other creatures is more efficient compared to making your own food from the atoms around you.


    ...


    Another million years have passed and the first human tribe has sprung into existence. They worship a god that is related to trees. They pray towards this giant tree in the center of their tribe.


    After several millennia, the human tribe has grown into several nations that span the whole planet. The giant tree which was worshipped for a long time gained sentience. The tree sowed its seeds everywhere. The seeds grew into proper trees. The cycle repeated itself for several centuries till one seed turned into a tree monster. This monster grew an army of its own.


    It marched across human cities. Using their roots as they sucked the diverse elements inside them dry. No one who was sucked survived after the event. It was called the "Treant March".


    Human civilization faced extinction 22 times before finally gaining its foothold.


    19 heroes sprung into existence, each of them created their own legacy. Some specialized in healing others, some specialized in combat, and some specialized in craftsmanship. Together, these 19 heroes bolstered the strength of humanity and fought back against the monsters living in the world. They carved safe places around the world by exterminating monsters left and right.


    ...


    It is exactly 2000 years after that event. The Progenitor Heroes died long ago. The only legacy left are the jobs that they made.


    Clerics, Mages, Weaponsmith, Assassin, Tank, Knight, Swordsman, Archer, and many other jobs were created from their legacy.


    Why is it that minor jobs such as a Weaponsmith were called a hero? It was in the power of the weapons that this hero created. Those weapons were classed as Legendary-class weapons today. No one in the present day is capable of creating another one thus the number of Legendary-class weapons is always constant.


    Different humanoid races sprung into existence all over the world. Elves evolved from Ancient Humans who still worshipped the tree till this day. Demons evolved from Ancient Humans who stayed in places filled with the Darkness element. Beastmen exist in different forms as they were influenced by the monsters and animals around them.


    This world has evolved into a world unlike what it was in the past.


    The man outside the now mature universe sighed. It stood up from its cross-legged position. It then looked at the universe intently for a while before speaking.


    "I have created everything, but I''m not omniscient."


    "Mortals believe that I''m omnipotent but that is not the case."


    "I only created the rules, the laws, but I do not know what unique combination those will create."


    "Thus, after a long long time, I have decided to descend as a mortal."


    The man held out his hand to the mature universe. It tugged its hand and a white string came out of the universe and rested on its hand.


    Using the string as an anchor, the man flew directly to the universe.


    ...


    The man found itself surrounded by darkness. Warmth spread throughout its body. It can feel at ease at this place.


    "Hmm? So this is what it feels like to be a fetus..."


    The man savored the warmth and instinctively familiar feeling inside of a mother''s womb. It tried moving around but realized that its fetus body tires out quite fast.


    9 months later.


    The stars in the sky at this night were oddly brighter than ever. Only a few that lived in this world realized such a fact.


    A man held a woman''s hand as she screamed at the pain of giving birth. Another woman, or rather, a doula is assisting in the birth. She has 20 years of experience assisting births all over the region.


    "A little bit more! You can do it, Lady Jaine!"


    The doula urged Jaine as she gave birth to her child. As for the man, it was her husband and also the father of the children inside her womb.


    The doula had her doubts as she saw Jaine''s large stomach. She quickly realized something in the process of assisting the birth.


    "Congrats! It''s a boy!"


    Gerbert and Jaine looked at their son who was drenched in blood and amniotic fluid. Gerbert sighed in relief seeing that it''s finally over. Jaine''s eyes opened wide as she also quickly realized something. She and the doula stared at each other. The doula nodded to her and they reached a mutual understanding.


    Jaine pushed with her all again. The doula handed the baby to a nearby maid.


    Gerbert was shocked silly as he saw that they were not done yet. He stared blankly till he heard the doula shout again, but this time with excitement.


    "It''s a twin! A girl!"


    With the doula''s loud shout, a ripple spread throughout the whole universe. The ripple was not noticeable to the creatures without cores in their bodies. To the creatures with cores, however, they sensed the fluctuation of the diverse elements in their cores.


    The stars the ripple passed through dimmed for half a second before shining much more brightly than before for half a second.


    The astrologists in the world looked on with wonder. Confused as to why the stars suddenly dimmed and shone brightly.


    ...


    A few minutes of preparation later, the doula handed the two babies to Jaine. Jaine was really exhausted after giving birth to two newborns, but she forced herself to stay conscious so she could see their peaceful faces.


    The girl will surely be a beauty in the future, and the boy will surely be a handsome gentleman in the future. Jaine assessed her two children with a loving gaze. She smiled faintly. She feels so satisfied seeing the two of them.


    The two newborns stared at Jaine and Gerbert with a weird expressions. The doula spanked them earlier but they didn''t cry. It happened once before in her career so the doula didn''t think it was that special.


    ...


    The brother and sister were Magicus and Novi. They were born in this world through the woman named Jaine.


    They learned, traveled, and enjoyed the mortal life before they finally met Rant Valo and Floriana Sabina.


    ¡­


    "So he saw our past, huh."


    Magicus murmured to Novi who was sitting beside him under a willow tree.


    "Mm. I wonder what he will do now."


    Novi said to Magicus.


    "Since he now know that everything has been created by us, would he decide to fulfill his duties or not?"


    Magicus replied to her.


    "He has a clone, remember?"


    Novi said to Magicus.


    "His clone..?"


    Magicus thought about Novi''s words.


    "Yes, we can use his original body to manage the universe while his clone would be satisfying his mortal desires."


    Novi nodded her head and explained to Magicus.


    "Alright. Let''s do that."


    Magicus nodded his head at her.


    "Then, Rant Valo, do you accept this arrangement?"


    Magicus said to Rant Valo directly to his mind.


    "..."


    It was silent. There was no response.


    "I want to be the dominant one in both of my bodies so I will still be the one who will love them, not my clone."


    Rant Valo suddenly said to him.


    "Fine. Have it your way."


    Magicus shook his head with a faint smile on his face.

 Chapter 190 - Her Wish Fulfilled

    "Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina called out to Rant Valo who was glowing golden. She couldn''t help but worry about him after everything was suddenly put back in place.


    Inside Rant Valo''s Core, the golden soul lamp glowed with a serene light. It was the color of Rant Valo''s soul in the first place.


    ''So this is my soul fire.''


    Rant Valo thought to himself. The fire in the lamp burned steadily. It was as if it will continue on till the end of time.


    ''Alright. I''ll ascend.''


    Rant Valo said to himself. Suddenly, his body outside slowly started to fade away.


    "Disciple!"


    "Master!"


    Floriana Sabina and Veia panicked seeing Rant Valo suddenly disappear right in front of them. They ran to where he sat. Floriana Sabina jumped and embraced the faint image of Rant Valo, but she caught nothing.


    "Disciple!!!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted in grief.


    "Master¡­"


    Veia gripped her fist.


    "Huh? Master?"


    Veia suddenly realized something. If Rant Valo died then she should have also died.


    "Veia?"


    Floriana Sabina also realized it. Rant Valo and Veia has a Master-Slave Contract. Veia would die if Rant Valo dies.


    "Master Floriana, Veia."


    Rant Valo''s voice suddenly sounded behind them.


    "Master!"


    Veia turned around in an instant and dashed for Rant Valo''s embrace.


    "Disciple?"


    Floriana Sabina looked at the Rant Valo in front of her in confusion.


    "It''s okay, Veia. Did I scare the two of you?"


    Rant Valo rubbed her back gently. There was a gentle smile on his face.


    "Disciple, is that really you?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo with tears in her eyes.


    "W-Why are you crying?"


    Rant Valo asked her in confusion. He felt pained seeing the look on her face.


    "N-Nothing! I''m not crying!"


    Floriana Sabina turned her head away and said to him.


    "Here."


    Rant Valo threw a golden apple into Floriana Sabina''s hand.


    "Master Floriana, if you take that apple, your wish will be granted."


    Rant Valo explained to her.


    By this time, Veia had already let go of Rant Valo.


    "What''s going on Master?"


    Veia asked Rant Valo in confusion.


    "Huh? What do you mean?"


    Rant Valo asked her in confusion.


    "You seem different from before¡­"


    Veia said to him as she stared at him squarely.


    "In what way?"


    Rant Valo asked her in confusion.


    "It''s like I want to bow and kowtow in front of you and do whatever you want¡­"


    Veia replied to him softly in disbelief.


    "Isn''t that how you are even before?"


    Rant Valo asked her in confusion.


    "I-I mean, it''s different from before. I can''t explain it."


    Veia said to him with a blush.


    "Oh, I see."


    Rant Valo nodded his head in understanding.


    "Disciple, where did you get this?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo in confusion. She could feel a weird energy inside this apple. It was like it was saying to her that something would happen to her if she ate it.


    "I made it."


    Rant Valo replied to her with a smile.


    "Made it..? I didn''t know that you were an apple farmer."


    Floriana Sabina said to him with confusion on her face.


    "That''s not what I meant. Like this."


    Rant Valo shook his head awkwardly after he heard her words. He then opened his hand in front of him and another golden apple slowly took form.


    "Woah! What the hell, Disciple???"


    Floriana Sabina looked at Rant Valo in disbelief. She never knew that Rant Valo was capable of something like this.


    "I''m already the Manager."


    Rant Valo said to her with a faint smile on his face.


    "The one Magicus and Novi were talking about?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him in disbelief.


    "Yes."


    Rant Valo nodded his head at her.


    "Then, how strong are you?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him with excitement on her face.


    "I''m an Early Core Formation stage cultivator."


    Rant Valo replied to her with a smile on his face.


    "Huh? What do you mean?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo with confusion on her face.


    "This is actually my clone body."


    Rant Valo explained to her.


    "Your clone? Then where is your original body?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him with furrowed eyebrows.


    "My main body is everywhere."


    Rant Valo opened his arms and said to her.


    "Everywhere?"


    Floriana Sabina looked around them but there were no trace of Rant Valo''s ''main body'' anywhere.


    "That''s because my main body is now the manager of this universe. I''m now the spirit of the universe."


    Rant Valo explained to her.


    "I see¡­"


    There was sadness on Floriana Sabina''s face as she heard his words.


    "Eat it now, Master Floriana. It will grant your wish."


    Rant Valo said to her with a smile.


    "Okay, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head at him.


    Floriana Sabina placed the golden apple into her mouth before she bit into it. Suddenly, the golden apple melted and entered her throat.


    She glowed a blinding glow like the sun for a few seconds before it slowly faded. What appeared in front of them was not the Floriana Sabina from before.


    Floriana Sabina stood tall. She had the body of a young woman now. Though, one point that you have to notice is that she''s still a washboard.


    "W-What happened? I''m bigger!"


    Floriana Sabina looked at her body in awe. She ran her fingers down her skin in disbelief.


    "I''m dreaming, right?!"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo frantically.


    "Wait, before you worry about that, you''re not wearing anything."


    Rant Valo covered his eyes and said to her. Her transformation broke her previous clothing, now she stood in front of him naked.


    "Hiyahhh!! Stupid disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina screamed. She swung her hand and gave Rant Valo a crisp slap.


    SLAP!!


    The sound rang through the forest endlessly. It even scared the birds away.


    "Ow!"


    Rant Valo opened his eyes and held his cheek in pain. It was like his cheek was seared on a pan with her slap.


    "No! Stop opening your eyes!"


    Floriana Sabina said to Rant Valo in a panic. She ran to him and covered his eyes with her hands.


    "W-Woah!"


    Rant Valo almost lost his balance.


    "Disciple, you''re shameless! You did this on purpose didn''t you!?"


    Floriana Sabina shouted to him in anger.


    "I didn''t!"


    Rant Valo raised his hands in surrender.


    "Hmph! I don''t believe you!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted while she kept Rant Valo''s eyes covered.


    "Huh? It''s hard?"


    Rant Valo asked her in confusion.


    "I''m sorry that my chest is not soft, okay!?"


    Floriana Sabina snapped at Rant Valo. She gripped his face angrily.


    "Owwww!! I''m joking! I''m joking! It''s soft! Really soft!"


    Rant Valo shouted to her in pain.


    "Hmph. You better be."


    Floriana Sabina snorted at him angrily. She then relaxed and stopped gripping his face. She just kept her hand covering his eyes.


    "Keep your eyes closed, Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina said to him strictly.


    "Okay¡­"


    Rant Valo nodded his head weakly.


    "If you don''t, I''ll kill you!"


    Floriana Sabina threatened Rant Valo coldly.


    "O-Okay!"


    Rant Valo nodded his head in fear. He was having flashbacks from the time he first met her. Even though he''s already stronger than her, her anger still scares him a lot.


    Floriana Sabina slowly removed her hand from Rant Valo''s face. She observed him carefully as she pulled her hand back. She was making sure that he wasn''t opening his eyes.


    What Floriana Sabina didn''t know was that Rant Valo didn''t need his eyes anymore to see. So, it was pointless on her part.


    Another piece of the black cloak Veia were wearing appeared in Floriana Sabina''s hand.


    "G-Grandmaster¡­"


    Only at this time was Veia able to open her mouth. She had been looking at Floriana Sabina in disbelief all this time. She admired every inch of her flawless body. She looked really beautiful that even though she''s a woman, she felt something for her.


    "Hm? Veia, help me cover his eyes."


    Floriana Sabina said to Veia solemnly.


    "Okay, Grandmaster."


    Veia nodded her head obediently. She went behind Rant Valo and covered his eyes with her hands.


    "Soft¡­"


    Rant Valo murmured.


    "Disciple, are you gonna stop or not?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo coldly.


    "Hahaha. I''m joking. I''m joking."


    Rant Valo laughed and said to her awkwardly.


    "Hehehe, Master. You can feel them as much as you want, you know?"


    Veia said to Rant Valo with a cheeky smile.


    "Veia! You''re so shameless!"


    Floriana Sabina said to Veia as she wore the black cloak.


    "Ehehehe. Grandmaster, we can do it with Master now."


    Veia giggled and said to Floriana Sabina.


    "Y-You!"


    Floriana Sabina''s face turned red hearing Veia''s words.


    "Look, I can touch this place now¡­"


    Veia said to Floriana Sabina as she slowly moved her hand towards Rant Valo''s crotch.


    "V-Veia! Stop!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted to Veia in a panic.


    "Why don''t we do it now?"


    Veia said to the two of them with a smile on her lips.


    Her hands stopped covering Rant Valo''s eyes.


    "You can open your eyes now, Master. We''re doing it now."


    Veia said to Rant Valo with a smile.


    And thus, the three of them went crazy that day at the forest.

 Chapter 191 - Time Continues On

    Three years passed silently.


    Rant Valo, Floriana Sabina, and Veia enjoyed their life together. Rant Valo had already forgotten about Zaria, or rather, he saw something unpleasant the moment he became the manager of the universe.


    ¡­


    In a village filled with bustling life, a young married woman sat on a log together with her husband as they stared into the horizon.


    "It''s almost been 4 months since Rant Valo left. I wonder what he''s doing. If he''s even alive¡­"


    Zaria murmured as she stared blankly.


    "What good is that guy, anyway?"


    Kleo Lomer asked Zaria. He was her husband.


    "You don''t know, but he always tries to be kind to me."


    Zaria said to him with a smile while her eyes kept staring into the horizon.


    "Hm? That guy likes you? Doesn''t he know that no one will approve the marriage of the two of you?"


    Kleo Lomer replied to her with a sneer.


    "Come on, Dear. He already left. You don''t have to be rude to him."


    Zaria turned her head to him with a frown on her face.


    "Hmph. Whatever."


    Kleo Lomer snorted at her.


    "I wonder what he''s doing."


    Zaria murmured to herself.


    "He''s probably dead."


    Kleo Lomer replied coldly.


    "... I hope not."


    Zaria shook her head. Although, there was an uneasiness visible on her face.


    ¡­


    "Boy, how is your Death Magic going?"


    Lord Xeva asked Nale Narene who was sitting on the wooden floor cross-legged.


    "It''s going well."


    Nale Narene replied cheerily. He was already bones. He had no more skin to smile.


    "That''s good. I''ll teach you more. Soon, I''ll ascend."


    Lord Xeva said to him. Nale Narene could feel that Lord Xeva was smiling towards him.


    "I understand, My Lord."


    Nale Narene nodded his head.


    ¡­


    "I wonder where they are¡­ Those kids."


    Duke Brandi murmured as he signed a paper on his desk. He was inside his study room.


    ¡­


    "Disciple, disciple? Disciple!"


    Floriana Sabina called out to Rant Valo repeatedly. He was in a daze as he stared onto the ground blankly.


    She was already at her adult form. This time, she was wearing a cute dress.


    "Ah, y-yes?"


    Rant Valo turned his head to her in confusion.


    "What are you in a daze for?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him in confusion.


    "I just remembered things three years ago."


    Rant Valo smiled at her bitterly.


    "Three years ago?"


    Floriana Sabina repeated his words in confusion.


    "Yeah. You remember Zaria, right? She already got married. When I scanned the whole universe, I found the two of them sitting on a log with wedding rings on their fingers."


    Rant Valo nodded his head heavily and explained to her.


    It was hard for him to accept that she already got married. Though, he doesn''t care about it anymore after three years of thought. He knew that she would stay as a mortal till her death while he would live forever. It was simply two different worlds.


    The only way they can live forever together is if Rant Valo helped her, but since she''s already married to someone, Rant Valo doesn''t care about her anymore.


    "Have you already gotten over her?"


    Floriana Sabina asked him worriedly as she ran her hand across his chest.


    "Yeah."


    Rant Valo nodded his head at her.


    "That''s good. Come, let''s go to Veia."


    Floriana Sabina smiled at Rant Valo. It was like sunshine as the sun''s rays were reflected on her teeth.


    "Alright."


    Rant Valo nodded his head.


    Thus, the two of them walked through the forest. They soon arrived in front of a thatched house.


    "Master Husband!"


    Veia called out to Rant Valo as soon as he entered the thatched house. Veia was sitting on a chair with a large bulge on her belly. She was pregnant with Rant Valo''s child.


    "I still can''t believe it that a succubus got pregnant."


    Floriana Sabina commented as she looked at Veia''s pregnant belly.


    Succubi are supposed to digest a man''s seed inside their womb, but Veia managed to get pregnant.


    "Ehehehe. I just thought that I really wanted a child then I got pregnant."


    Veia giggled at Floriana Sabina''s words.


    "I wonder when I''ll get pregnant¡­"


    Floriana Sabina murmured in a daze.


    "What? I thought you''re scared?"


    Rant Valo was taken aback hearing her words.


    "Hmph! It''s your fault that I''m not pregnant."


    Floriana Sabina turned her head away and snorted at him.


    "..."


    Rant Valo was speechless seeing her unreasonable response. It was her who said that she doesn''t want to get pregnant, so he avoided impregnating her.


    "Hehehe. Master Husband, if you become forceful, I think Sister Floriana would not mind."


    Veia said to Rant Valo with a smirk.


    "Ahahaha."


    Rant Valo laughed hearing her words.


    "W-What are you two saying?"


    Floriana Sabina asked the two of them in a fluster.


    "Hahahaha."


    "Hehehehe."


    Rant Valo and Veia laughed together.


    "Hmph! You two are bullying me again."


    Floriana Sabina crossed her arms and pouted.


    ¡­


    Another three years passed.


    "Tera come here! Come to auntie."


    Floriana Sabina opened her arms to a small toddler.


    She walked wobbly to Floriana Sabina and embraced her pregnant belly.


    "An, ti!"


    Tera called out to Floriana Sabina. She had sharp ears and pale skin. She looked exactly like Veia with Rant Valo''s features.


    "Awwww! You''re so cute."


    Floriana Sabina pinched Tera''s cheeks.


    "Ow!"


    Tera tried to pull Floriana Sabina''s hands off her face, but she couldn''t.


    "Sister Floriana, stop pinching Tera''s cheeks."


    Veia said to Floriana Sabina with a pout.


    "What do you mean? She''s so cute! I can barely keep myself from hugging him. If I wasn''t pregnant then I would have."


    Floriana Sabina replied to Veia like it was the most obvious thing in the world. She then turned her head to Rant Valo and gave him a cold stare.


    "W-What? I thought you wanted to get pregnant?"


    Rant Valo looked at her helplessly. She was always unreasonable like this.


    "Hmph!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted and ignored Rant Valo.


    "I told you, Master Husband. She won''t reject it if you became forceful for a night."


    Veia said to Rant Valo with a cheeky smile on her face.


    "Hahaha."


    Rant Valo laughed at her words.


    "Geez. Can the two of you stop talking about that? There''s a kid here."


    Floriana Sabina bit her lips unhappily as she looked at the three of them.


    ¡­


    Another three years passed.


    "Master Floriana, good luck on your ascension."


    Rant Valo said to Floriana Sabina with a confident smile on his face.


    "Fufufu. Since I have your good luck, then I''ll succeed."


    Floriana Sabina laughed confidently. She floated high up into the sky.


    Thunder crackled above her. A storm was brewing, and it was a strong one. Strong winds started to tug on the trees in the forest around them.


    "I''ll ascend!"


    Floriana Sabina shouted to the clouds in determination.


    A bolt of lightning crackled inside the clouds as if to respond to her. Floriana Sabina''s body brimmed with energy. She was at the very edge of the Mana Dominion stage.


    "Bring it on."


    Floriana Sabina punched the sky as if she was shadow boxing.


    BOOM!


    A thin strand of lightning fell down from the sky and hit her head.


    "...?"


    Floriana Sabina touched her hair in confusion. It was like the lightning tickled her. It wasn''t what she was expecting.


    "What the f*ck?"


    Rant Valo stared at the sky in confusion.


    "It doesn''t dare to hurt you, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo smiled wryly after realizing the reason why. It was scared to hurt her because it knows that she was his master. The lightning tribulation doesn''t want to offend the manager of the universe which was Rant Valo.


    "R-Really?"


    Floriana Sabina stared at the clouds with a wry smile. She didn''t expect Rant Valo''s ''good luck'' to be that effective.


    "Yeah. Just finish her ascension!"


    Rant Valo nodded his head and shouted to the clouds.


    Boom


    The lightning tribulation released a thunderous boom. It then shot 81 thin lightning bolts to Floriana Sabina. Each lightning bolt was absorbed inside Floriana Sabina''s body. Her body slowly disintegrated into nothing.


    "S-Sister Floriana!"


    Veia called out in alarm.


    "Don''t worry. That''s part of the process of ascension."


    Rant Valo said to her with a smile on his face.


    "Oh! Then, I trust you, Master Husband."


    Veia was enlightened and smiled at Rant Valo.


    They waited for a few minutes before a change happened.


    A golden light fell from the sky towards the spot where Floriana Sabina disintegrated.


    Slowly, particles of dust accumulated and formed Floriana Sabina''s new body.


    A dozen minutes later, Floriana Sabina was completed. She had her arms and legs extended outwards like a star. Although, she was entirely naked.


    Rant Valo had already cast an illusion to block this space. He doesn''t want anyone to see his master''s naked body. It was only for him to see and enjoy.


    "Ahhh! This feels nice."


    Floriana Sabina moaned in pleasure. She started moving her body while the golden light slowly faded away. She admired the flawless and smooth skin she now had.

 Chapter 192 - Their Current Daily Life

    Floriana Sabina lifted her hand and looked at it. She checked every part of her body, and she was satisfied with it.


    "This is amazing."


    Floriana Sabina murmured.


    "Master Floriana, you''re naked."


    Rant Valo reminded her with a wry smile on his face.


    "R-Right!"


    Floriana Sabina realized it, and she waved her hand. A red cloth wrapped around her body that slowly changed shape and turned into a dress.


    "Sister Floriana, is that something you just learned?!"


    Veia asked Floriana Sabina in awe. She had never seen Floriana Sabina do that trick before.


    "Yes. I instinctively know it."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head at Veia.


    "Oh! I can''t wait for the time I''ll ascend."


    Veia exclaimed in amazement.


    "Fufufu. You have to drink a lot of my disciple''s blood."


    Floriana Sabina laughed.


    "Yes, yes, yes! Master Husband, feed me!"


    Veia ran to Rant Valo and embraced him loosely.


    "Veia, take care of our children properly. We can do this later."


    Rant Valo berated Veia with a frown.


    "Y-Yes, Master Husband!"


    Veia nodded her head obediently. She went back and took care of their children.


    She crouched down and patted Tera''s head with a smile. Tera is now already a small kid. She could walk, and she could understand things.


    "Menova, mommy is back."


    Floriana Sabina flew towards the other cradle and lifted a cute baby girl inside. She looked exactly like Floriana Sabina.


    "Mama!"


    She clawed at Floriana Sabina''s face cutely. There was a wide smile on her face.


    "Disciple, look she''s so cute! Our baby is so cute!"


    Floriana Sabina flew to Rant Valo with a smile. There was a proud smile on her face as she showed the baby to Rant Valo.


    "She is cute. Just like you."


    Rant Valo said to her with a smile.


    "D-Disciple, why are you t-teasing me?"


    Floriana Sabina''s face turned red.


    "Hehehe. Why wouldn''t I? You both are so cute together."


    Rant Valo laughed at her.


    "Hmph! Stop saying that, stupid."


    Floriana Sabina snorted and murmured softly.


    "Master Husband, let''s go."


    Veia said to them. She had a smile on her face while she held Tera''s hand.


    "Alright. Let''s go back home."


    Rant Valo nodded his head and flew into the skies with them. They returned back into their home in a secluded forest.


    "Mommy, can I cultivate already?"


    Tera asked Veia as they flew.


    "Mm? You got inspired by your Auntie Floriana?"


    Veia asked Tera with a smile.


    "Yes. She''s so powerful."


    Tera nodded her head and said to her with shining eyes.


    "That''s good. When we get home, I''ll teach you."


    Veia said to her with a smile.


    "Thank you, Mommy!"


    Tera thanked her with a smile on her face.


    It hadn''t been mentioned but Rant Valo used his authority as the manager of the universe to remove Veia''s vulnerability to the sun. Thus, she had already been wearing a frilly dress. She wasn''t wearing her black and gloomy cloak from before.


    And so, Tera was also able to walk around freely without fearing the sun.


    ¡­


    It only took a few more minutes before they returned to their home.


    It was a serene forest. There were bamboo trees all around and large thick trees covering the skies. Rant Valo and the rest walked through a mud path that they had created after living her for many years.


    "Master Husband, can I teach Tera cultivation?"


    Veia asked Rant Valo carefully.


    "Cultivation?"


    Rant Valo stopped walking and turned around to face them.


    "Yes, Respected Father. I want to cultivate like Auntie Floriana."


    Tera said to Rant Valo with a bow.


    "Hm¡­ Alright. First, find out her element. If it''s not our expertise, we can find someone else to teach her."


    Rant Valo said to her after thinking about it for a while.


    "Thank you, Master Husband!"


    Veia bowed her head to Rant Valo. Their status never changed that much. It actually wasn''t Rant Valo''s choice. When he asked, Veia said that she wanted to be his servant forever.


    "No problem. Let''s go inside and eat."


    Rant Valo urged them all to continue walking.


    ¡­


    "Sister Floriana, let me try your cooking¡­"


    Veia said to Floriana Sabina. They were both standing in front of a makeshift stove.


    Veia scooped a spoon out from the pot in front of Floriana Sabina and took it inside her mouth.


    "How is it?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Veia with a worried look on her face.


    "Mmm¡­ It''s not burnt."


    Veia smiled at Floriana Sabina awkwardly.


    "...But the taste..?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Veia worriedly.


    "It''s delicious."


    Veia replied with a forced smile.


    "Hmph! Just be honest! I can''t improve if you keep sugarcoating it!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted and shouted to Veia angrily.


    "Okay! Don''t hate me for this."


    Veia nodded her head and said to her solemnly.


    "I won''t."


    Floriana Sabina replied with gritted teeth. She was very nervous.


    "It''s... like I''m eating sugar."


    Veia said to Floriana Sabina awkwardly.


    "That bad?"


    Floriana Sabina replied with a frown.


    She was cooking a meat stew. Veia was even surprised that it was sweet. She didn''t even see Floriana Sabina add any sugar in there. She got to have a talent for making weird tastes appear from foods.


    "Mm."


    Veia nodded her head solemnly.


    "Sigh¡­ Why can''t I cook?"


    Floriana Sabina sighed bleakly.


    "It''s okay, Sister Floriana. We have all the time in the world."


    Veia said to Floriana Sabina in reassurance.


    "You''re right. I should just be patient."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head at Veia.


    "Tera, come here."


    Rant Valo was sitting on the table, and he called Tera.


    "Yes, Respected Father?"


    Tera walked towards him in puzzlement.


    "Do you want to cultivate easily or hardly?"


    Rant Valo asked her solemnly.


    "H-Huh?"


    Tera had confusion etched onto her face.


    "This will decide how you would be cultivating."


    Rant Valo said to her.


    "I would choose easily, but since the respected father is asking me, then I''m choosing hardly."


    Tera replied to Rant Valo.


    "Oh."


    Rant Valo looked at Tera in surprise. He didn''t expect this little girl to be so smart.


    "What''s wrong, Respected Father?"


    Tera asked Rant Valo with a tilt of her head.


    "Nothing."


    Rant Valo replied to her and patted her head.


    "Go back and try to help your mother in the kitchen."


    Rant Valo said to her with a smile.


    "Okay, Respected Father."


    Tera nodded her head and left.


    She entered the kitchen where Floriana Sabina was being taught by Veia.


    "Mommy, respected father said that I should help out."


    Tera said to them.


    "Oh, hi dear. Come, mix this bowl."


    Veia pulled Tera into the kitchen. She gave her a bowl full of shrimp and seasonings.


    "I got it."


    Tera nodded her head. She stared at the bowl seriously before she used her hand and stirred it around. She stirred it until every shrimp was evenly coated with seasonings.


    "You''re doing good, Tera."


    Floriana Sabina turned her head to Tera and praised her.


    "Yes, Auntie Floriana."


    Tera nodded her head with a smile.


    "Hey! Stop staring at Tera and stir the pot."


    Veia rebuked Floriana Sabina. She was getting distracted when she was supposed to cook.


    "Y-Yes."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head and focused at the pot in front of her.


    "That''s already enough dear."


    Veia said to Tera and took the bowl from her hand.


    "Okay."


    Tera nodded her head. Her hand were stained with spices.


    "Wash your hand dear."


    Veia said to her.


    "Mommy, it''s sticky¡­"


    Tera complained to her.


    "Sigh. Alright, I''ll help you clean them."


    Veia brought Tera to a basin full of water. She placed Tera''s hand inside it and rubbed the seasonings off her hand.


    "Mommy, respected father asked me if I want my cultivation to be easy."


    Tera suddenly opened her mouth and said to her.


    "Oh, then what did you say?"


    Veia asked her in surprise while she continued rubbing the seasonings off Tera''s hands.


    "I said I want it to be easy, but since he asked it, my final answer was hard."


    Tera said to her.


    "What did he say?"


    Veia asked with a smile on her face. She felt proud just hearing Tera''s words.


    "He was surprised."


    Tera replied.


    "Fufufu. Your father must be really impressed by you."


    Veia laughed.


    "Mm."


    Tera nodded her head.


    "Alright. It''s done. You can go and play with Menova."


    Veia said to Tera with a smile.


    "Okay~! Thank you, mommy!"


    Tera bid her farewell to Veia before she ran out of the kitchen.


    ...


    Rant Valo was holding a piece of a twig in his hand. He poured mana into it and it glowed green. Suddenly, green sprouts grew from it.


    "This power is really impressive."


    Rant Valo murmured to himself.


    "I wonder where Magicus and Novi are¡­"


    Rant Valo murmured. He hadn''t seen them even with his ability to scan the universe. It was as if they were invisible to his senses.


    Knock Knock Knock


    Suddenly, the door to their home was knocked. Rant Valo furrowed his eyebrows. He stood up and opened it.

 Chapter 193 - A Sudden Visit

    "Hello, Rant Valo."


    It was Magicus.


    He greeted Rant Valo with a smile. Standing behind him was Novi.


    "Hello~"


    Novi waved her hand.


    They looked exactly as they did 9 years ago. There was nothing different about them.


    "You heard me?"


    Rant Valo asked Magicus in surprise.


    "I can hear everything if I want to. I just managed to listen in when you were talking about me."


    Magicus replied to Lawrend with a smile.


    "That''s amazing. I can''t even sense your presence."


    Rant Valo said to him in awe.


    "Who do you think I am?"


    Magicus asked Rant Valo with a faint smile.


    "Yeah."


    Rant Valo shook his head with a smile. He could understand why he could do it. He''s the boss while he''s just the employee.


    "We came by to see your two daughters."


    Magicus said to Lawrend.


    "Ah! Thank you for coming."


    Magicus bowed to Magicus.


    "Mm. Your two daughters are interesting."


    Magicus nodded his head at Rant Valo.


    "Hm? What do you mean?"


    Rant Valo asked him, confused.


    "Well, they are made with the seed of a manager. It''s natural."


    Magicus replied to Rant Valo.


    "Huh?"


    Rant Valo blinked his eyes. Magicus didn''t answer his question.


    "Let''s go inside. I''ll explain it to you."


    Magicus urged him.


    "Okay.


    Rant Valo opened the door widely and allowed Magicus and Novi to come inside.


    "Hello!"


    Novi waved her hand at Tera who were peeking at them behind a wall.


    "Hyah!"


    Tera hid when she realized that Novi saw her.


    "Such a cute creature."


    Novi commented when she saw Tera hide.


    "She''s very helpful. She already wants to become a cultivator."


    Rant Valo said to them with a proud smile on his face.


    "Oh, wow. She must be an inspired one."


    Magicus replied in surprise.


    "Yes. I think she''s very smart."


    Rant Valo nodded his head in agreement.


    "Where''s Menova?"


    Magicus asked Rant Valo.


    "Over there."


    Rant Valo pointed to the baby cradle at the corner of the room.


    Magicus and Novi walked towards it.


    "Wow. Your daughters are very beautiful."


    Magicus admired Menova as she slept.


    "Can I carry her?"


    Novi asked Rant Valo with excitement.


    "Sure."


    Rant Valo agreed.


    Novi lifted up Menova carefully. She embraced Menova within her bosom.


    "Hello, little cutie."


    Novi greeted Menova who just opened her eyes.


    Menova stared at Novi in confusion. She had never seen this woman in front of her before.


    "I''m Novi. This is Magicus, my brother."


    Novi introduced herself and Magicus.


    Magicus smiled when Menova looked at him.


    "Papa?"


    Menova called out to Magicus.


    "..."


    Rant Valo''s face darkened hearing her call Magicus her papa. He felt like he has been cuckold by Magicus.


    "Hahahaha. She must be confused by the aura I''m exuding. It''s very similar to yours, after all."


    Magicus laughed seeing Rant Valo''s reaction. As Rant Valo''s powers were from Magicus, he and Magicus exude the same energy. For a baby, it would be the strongest aspect that she would recognize from her father.


    "Oh!"


    Floriana Sabina just came out of the kitchen when she saw Magicus and Novi. They had been busy trying to cook, so they didn''t notice them arriving.


    "Floriana Sabina, hi."


    Magicus waved at her with a smile.


    "Thank you for your words back then."


    Floriana Sabina immediately bowed to Magicus.


    "Don''t worry about it. It''s good that things worked out."


    Magicus replied with a compassionate smile on his face.


    "Huh? What''s going on?"


    Rant Valo looked at the two of them in confusion.


    "Disciple, you see, Magicus helped me regain my courage to pursue you."


    Floriana Sabina said to him with a shy smile.


    "Wow. When?"


    Rant Valo asked in surprise.


    "Back when we were at Veia''s home."


    Floriana Sabina answered him.


    "That far back then?"


    Rant Valo looked at her in surprise. It didn''t even occur to him that she was having problems with him.


    "Yes. That''s why I''m very thankful for him."


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head.


    "Oh, it''s Magicus."


    Veia came out of the kitchen. She was taken aback when she saw Magicus and Novi.


    "Veia, I can see that you''re more free than before."


    Magicus smiled at her.


    "Yes, of course. It''s thanks to my Master Husband."


    Veia nodded her head in satisfaction.


    "Fufufu. The two of you must enjoy loving Rant Valo together, huh?"


    Novi laughed at the two of them.


    "We do."


    "I agree."


    Floriana Sabina and Veia looked at each other and smiled warmly. They had both traveled together with Rant Valo for so long. It would be weird if they were dissatisfied with each other. After all of the things that happened between the two of them.


    "Okay. Do you have something for us to eat?"


    Magicus turned his head to Rant Valo and asked.


    "Ah, yes!"


    Rant Valo nodded his head.


    "Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo turned his head to Floriana Sabina and nodded his head.


    "Got it, Disciple."


    Floriana Sabina understood Rant Valo''s meaning. She went into the kitchen and Veia followed behind her.


    "So, how was it?"


    Magicus suddenly asked Rant Valo after Floriana Sabina and Veia left.


    "It''s fun. I get to observe creatures I''ve never seen before. Like dragons, phoenixes, etc."


    Rant Valo replied with a pleased smile.


    "Do you think you can handle it?"


    Magicus asked Rant Valo solemnly.


    "So far, I think I can."


    Rant Valo nodded his head truthfully.


    "That''s good."


    Magicus nodded his head. He then sat down on the table together with Novi.


    "Actually, we''re gonna leave soon."


    Novi opened her mouth and said to him.


    "Huh? Where?"


    Rant Valo looked at her in shock. This was shocking news to him.


    "You know where we came from, right? We''re gonna go back soon."


    Novi replied to Rant Valo.


    "I see¡­"


    Rant Valo looked down.


    "It''s a good chance to ask you if you want to come with us."


    Novi said to him with a smile.


    "Come with you?"


    Rant Valo repeated her words in surprise.


    "Yes. It''s possible for you to leave this universe now that you are a manager. It would even be possible for you to start your own."


    Novi explained to Rant Valo.


    "That''s¡­ Amazing."


    Rant Valo replied in astonishment.


    "Back at the place where we came from, there is an infinite number of gods. Each of them had at least created one universe of their own."


    Novi explained to him.


    "Infinite?"


    Rant Valo''s mind went blank. Just the two of Magicus and Novi were so powerful to create a universe, yet they''re saying that there is a place where there are infinite gods with the same ability as them.


    "Mm."


    Novi nodded her head.


    "I''ll have to think about it. First, I want all of them to ascend first."


    Rant Valo replied to her.


    "Ascend? You know that it doesn''t mean much, right?"


    Magicus replied to Lawrend in a bit of confusion.


    "I know, but ascension means that they have worked hard. I want them to feel that they did something. That they are not only relying on me."


    Rant Valo replied to them with a smile.


    "Wise words."


    Magicus nodded his head in approval at Rant Valo''s words.


    "Thank you."


    Rant Valo smiled at him.


    "Food is here. Let''s continue this later."


    Magicus said to Rant Valo.


    "Yes."


    Rant Valo smiled at him. The three of them watched as Floriana Sabina and Veia served them food.


    Even though all of them don''t have to eat anymore, they still do it for the sake of the experience.


    "Mmmm¡­"


    Magicus took a bite of a pork meat stew. He chewed it and looked up as he tried to make sense of the flavors.


    "It''s¡­ overcooked and over seasoned."


    Magicus commented.


    "O-Overcooked and over s-seasoned¡­"


    Floriana Sabina repeated Magicus'' words, disheartened.


    "I think it''s good considering that you burn the food you cook."


    Novi comforted Floriana Sabina with a smile.


    "I¡­ Thank you."


    Floriana Sabina smiled wryly. It didn''t feel great when Novi said it that way.


    "Fufufu. You have a lot of time. Take your time."


    Novi laughed and said to Floriana Sabina.


    "Y-Yes!"


    Floriana Sabina nodded her head in a fluster. Her determination to cook better food was ignited.


    "I also think that it''s a great improvement."


    Rant Valo added from the side with a teasing smile on his face.


    "Disciple! Stop bullying me."


    Floriana Sabina frowned at Rant Valo.


    "It''s a compliment."


    Rant Valo smiled at her.


    "Hmph!"


    Floriana Sabina snorted and turned her head away.


    "Ahahahaha."


    Rant Valo, Magicus, Novi, and Veia laughed all together seeing Floriana Sabina''s reaction.


    "Why are you all laughing at me?"


    Floriana Sabina asked with a pout.


    "Because you never changed, Master Floriana."


    Rant Valo replied to her with a smile.


    "Hmph! I''m not happy."


    Floriana Sabina replied with an angry snort.


    "Anyways, let''s continue eating."


    Magicus said to them.


    Thus, they ate happily. They taste-tested each dish. Of course, it was Veia''s cooking that won. Floriana Sabina only received harsh criticism.


    The time has come for Veia to ascend and other actors to do the same.

 Chapter 194 - Everyone Ascends

    "Nale Narene. It''s time for me to ascend."


    Lord Xeva said to skeleton Nale Narene.


    "Yes, My Lord."


    Nale Narene bowed his head respectfully.


    His current strength was a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator. He was not like Rant Valo who could cultivate very fast. His talent was average at best.


    "Take care of things here."


    Lord Xeva said to him. He then left the shrine and flew to the skies.


    Billowing thunder accumulated above him. It was a thunderstorm that was several times stronger than a normal one. Or in other words, it was an Ascension Lightning Tribulation.


    "Lord Xeva¡­"


    Nale Narene watched silently.


    Lord Xeva floated in the sky silently. His cloak flapped with the wind and a serene atmosphere surrounded him. It was as if he was a tree that would never budge against the wind. In his case, he won''t budge against this Ascension Lightning Tribulation.


    BOOM!


    Thunder crackled above. Rain then started pouring down heavily.


    "Kekekeke. It''s coming."


    Lord Xeva laughed creepily.


    BOOOM!


    A bolt of lightning as thick as a bucket fell down from the sky. It hit Lord Xeva directly on his head.


    The lightning traveled across his body and created arcs of lightning.


    "Kekekeke. Not enough to kill me."


    Lord Xeva laughed at the puny attempt of the lightning tribulation to destroy his body.


    Suddenly, the clouds above churned. They compacted tightly and another bolt of lightning fell down.


    BOOM!


    It was at least as thick as an opened umbrella. Lord Xeva''s whole body was covered by the lightning.


    "AHHHHHH!!!!"


    This time Lord Xeva screamed in pain. The lightning attempted to destroy each part of his body at the same time. He was born out of the Darkness Element, and the lightning was attempting to purify it.


    The lightning faded and Lord Xeva was revealed. His cloak was no more. The only thing left was his white bones. He floated in the sky in pain as his soul flickered weakly.


    "This is scarier than I thought it would be. Kekeke."


    Lord Xeva laughed to himself dryly. He underestimated this Ascension Lightning Tribulation.


    BOOM!


    A tri-colored bolt of lightning suddenly fell from the sky. It contained blue, gold, and purple lightning. They twisted around each other before hitting Lord Xeva.


    "AHHHHHH!! I HAVE BEEN LIVING IN THIS WORLD SINCE THE BEGINNING!! I WILL NOT LET YOU KILL ME HERE!!"


    Lord Xeva shouted angrily. He used his rage as his fuel to keep himself from crumbling from the pain.


    "This is crazy¡­"


    Nale Narene murmured in fear as he stared at Lord Xeva who was suffering in the sky.


    "Ahh¡­"


    Lord Xeva looked at his hands that were disintegrating. He thought that he could easily pass this lightning tribulation as he had already lived for so long.


    "Lord Xeva!"


    Nale Narene shouted in alarm.


    "Lord Xeva!"


    Suddenly, skeletons rose from the ground and cried out in alarm. They all looked at the sky in panic.


    "What do I do now?"


    Nale Narene bit his lips in pain. If Lord Xeva dies, he wouldn''t be able to inherit any of his supreme cultivation techniques.


    Lord Xeva''s skeleton disintegrated into dust that scattered with the wind, but to Nale Narene and the other''s shock, his soul fire still floated in the sky.


    "What''s going on?"


    Nale Narene and the other skeletons stared at the sky blankly. Does this mean that Lord Xeva is still alive?


    Slowly, Darkness Mana gathered around them. It created a vortex with the soul fire as the center.


    "Kekekeke. I knew it. I won''t die that easily."


    Lord Xeva cackled in laughter. His body slowly reformed right in front of them. What was different was that he formed flesh. His skeleton body was no more.


    "W-Woah!! This is the first time I took on this form."


    Lord Xeva himself was shocked by his transformation. He thought that he would have kept his skeleton appearance.


    "Lord Xeva!"


    Nale Narene called out to him happily.


    Lord Xeva''s face was that of a gloomy handsome man. He had very pale white skin that seemed fragile. Black miasma oozed out of his body. A black cloak then took form and covered his body.


    "Kekekekeke! This is interesting. This power is unfathomable. I think I have a chance against that immortal from before."


    Lord Xeva laughed to himself. He finally got stronger again. His competitive spirit was once again ignited.


    "Lord Xeva!"


    Nale Narene called out to him.


    "Mm."


    Lord Xeva nodded his head at Nale Narene.


    "Here."


    A scroll magically appeared in Lord Xeva''s hand. He tossed it towards Nale Narene.


    "Thank you, My Lord!"


    Nale Narene caught it and bowed to him respectfully.


    "Take care of things here. You guys, listen to Nale Narene."


    Lord Xeva turned to the other skeletons and said.


    "Yes, Our Lord."


    The skeletons bowed their heads together.


    "Alright. See you."


    Lord Xeva waved his hand at Nale Narene.


    Suddenly, a golden light appeared from space. It slowly pulled Lord Xeva up, and it slowly got faster and faster.


    Nale Narene and the skeletons watched him disappear into heaven.


    "Ascension¡­"


    Nale Narene gripped his fists tightly. He had a new goal to reach. Once he settled things in Narene Town, he would pursue it with all of his heart.


    ¡­


    This time, 30 years had passed.


    Tera had already grown up into a beautiful lady. She was known to suck the blood of virgin men. Though, he was forbidden by Rant Valo to suck their life essences.


    Menova had also grown into a beautiful woman. She looked like Floriana Sabina''s sister whenever they stood beside each other. The only difference was that there was innocence in her eyes.


    "It''s time for Veia''s ascension."


    Rant Valo said to the three of them.


    "Mm."


    The three of them nodded their heads. They were pretty relaxed as they knew that Rant Valo would step in to save Veia if something happened to her.


    They watched Veia from afar. She was standing in a large crater on the ground. This was where they had been training their daughters.


    "Hehehe. Come! I don''t fear you."


    Veia shouted to the thunderstorm above her.


    Suddenly, the clouds disappeared. It was as if everything was just a dream.


    "Huh?"


    Veia blinked her eyes in confusion. She turned her head to Rant Valo.


    "Hey! Do your job properly!"


    Rant Valo shouted to the sky angrily.


    Slowly, the thunderclouds gathered again.


    "Do it!"


    Rant Valo urged the lightning tribulation again.


    The lightning tribulation suddenly gained energy, and it crackled with thunderous booms.


    Boom!


    A thin bolt of lightning fell from the clouds and hit Veia.


    "Ahh!"


    Veia screamed in pain. The lightning crawled all over her body causing her to feel pain.


    "Veia¡­"


    Rant Valo furrowed his eyebrows in worry.


    "Mother¡­"


    Tera watched on worriedly. Menova who was beside her, wrapped her arms around her shoulder.


    "Trust in your mother."


    Menova''s sweet voice murmured into Tera''s ears.


    "Mm. Mother will be saved by father if something happens."


    Tera nodded her head.


    The lightnign tribulation stopped after seeing that Rant Valo was frowning.


    "Continue!"


    Rant Valo shouted. He was squintjng his eyes as he watched Veia pant in the sky.


    Boom!


    Another lightning bolt fell from the sky. It was exactly similar to the first one. The lightning tribulation was scared of causing her more pain. It feared angering the manager of the universe.


    "Ah!"


    Veia screamed in shock. It was so sudden that she wasn''t able to prepare herself. It felt hot and tingly as it traveled inside her body.


    "The last one!"


    Rant Valo shouted.


    The lightning tribulation obliged and another lightning bolt fell from the sky and hit Veia.


    "Ahhh!!"


    This time, Veia''s voice turned into a moan. She panted heavily as she floated in the sky.


    "..."


    Rant Valo was speechless seeing her reaction. He was familiar with that state of her. She''s clearly turned on from being hit by the lightning.


    "Go away!"


    Rant Valo shouted to the lightning tribulation angrily. It immediately scattered into nothing, returning sunshine in the area.


    "What happened to mother?"


    Tera gripped Menova''s hand nervously. Don''t worry, she''s surely fine.


    "Veia, what are you doing getting turned on from your Ascension Lightning Tribulation?"


    Rant Valo asked her with a frown on his face.


    "M-Master Husband, it, it felt good¡­"


    Veia said to him while she rubbed her legs together.


    Slap!


    Rant Valo slapped Veia across the cheek.


    "That''s the lightning tribulation! It''s not me! Are you serious right now?"


    Rant Valo asked her angrily.


    "Ahh! Master Husband!"


    Veia jumped into Rant Valo''s embrace weakly. She was panted heavily.


    "It¡­ It''s you ordering the lightning tribulation so¡­ my body just submitted¡­"


    Veia replied to Rant Valo.


    "Pervert."


    Rant Valo called her coldly.


    "Ahh¡­ Take me home now."


    Veia pleaded to Rant Valo.


    ¡­


    "Respected Father must be disappointed in mother."


    Tera gripped her fist tightly. She swore to herself that she''ll not disappoint her father in the future.


    "Mm. We should work hard."


    Menova agreed with her. They then returned to their home, downcast.

 Chapter 195 - The Curtains Close

    200 Years suddenly passed by uneventfully. At this point, everyone had already forgotten Rant Valo. No one could remember or there wasn''t any record of his name anymore.


    "It''s time for our ascension, Elder Sister Tera."


    Menova said to Tera with a smile.


    "That''s correct. You go first."


    Tera urged Menova with a warm smile.


    "Yes!"


    Menova flew to the skies. A thunderstorm gathered above her.


    "Good luck, Sister! Don''t disappoint respected father!"


    Tera shouted to her with a wave of her hand.


    Menova nodded her head solemnly as she stared at the rolling clouds in the sky.


    "Come!"


    She shouted solemnly.


    Boom!


    A thunderous boom occurred as a thick lightning fell from the sky. It was different from what Veia encountered 200 years ago.


    Menova resisted it with gritted teeth. She tried her best to not show any pain as much as possible.


    "I''ll make respected father proud!"


    Menova shouted, full of determination.


    "That makes me happy."


    Rant Valo smiled from afar hearing Menova''s words full of determination to impress him. He had already fixed the issue of the lightning tribulation not attacking properly.


    "Geez, Master. You never told them the truth."


    Veia shook her head as she said to Rant Valo with a pout.


    "Well, it''ll be interesting what they can do with all of that pressure."


    Rant Valo replied to her with a smile.


    "That''s correct. You must pressure your disciples. Right, husband?"


    Floriana Sabina added to Rant Valo. She had already gotten tired with calling him disciple. She felt insufficient to keep calling her that when he was already the manager of the universe. Though, there are times when they secretly call each other like that.


    "Mm. The added pressure brings out the talent within people."


    Rant Valo nodded his head.


    BOOM!


    A lightning bolt as thick as a plate suddenly dropped down from the sky. It hit Menova''s head and caused her eyes to glow a purple glow.


    "I''m a seven element cultivator! This is nothing!"


    Menova shouted as she tried her best to endure the pain that was engulfing her whole body.


    Suddenly, her body disintegrated into pieces before turning into nothing. A seven colored pill-sized sphere was revealed. It silently floated in the sky.


    Boom!


    The small sphere exploded like a firework. It scattered rich and pure seven elements mana in the surroundings.


    "Sister!"


    Tera shouted in alarm. She looked towards Rant Valo''s direction. He saw her calmly watching the scene. Seeing him calm, she also calmed down.


    A vortex formed and all of the mana in the surrounding 1000 kilometers were pulled towards the center of the explosion. It was like a supernova explosion as the center collapsed into a blackhole that sucked everything around it inside.


    "Amazing."


    Rant Valo complimented as he watched on.


    "She''s creating a seven elements body?"


    Floriana Sabina asked Rant Valo a little unsure.


    "Yes. It''s one of the kind in this universe."


    Rant Valo nodded his head at her.


    "Amazing¡­ She''s so talented."


    Veia murmured from the side. She couldn''t help but anticipate what her daughter would be able to do.


    Back in the center of the explosion.


    It gathered together creating a cocoon of seven colored light.


    A bell chimed out of nowhere.


    Ding, Ding, Ding.


    It was the sound of the universe approving of her work.


    "With this, respected father will be impressed, right?"


    Menova said to herself inside the cocoon, where her new body was being formed.


    An hour later, the cocoon stared moving.


    Slowly, it peeled off life a flower with Menova inside. She glowed with a seven colored light. Her naked body was too blinding to clearly see.


    A seven colored dress appeared around her and covered her up.


    "I did it!"


    Menova turned to Tera and said to her with an excited smile.


    "Yes! Congrats, Sister!"


    Tera flew to her and embraced her. She was so proud of her right now.


    "Well then. It''s your turn Tera."


    Rant Valo said to her.


    "Yes, Respected Father."


    Tera nodded her head respectfully and flew to the sky.


    Boom!


    Another thunderstorm gathered above her. It swirled and swirled. This time, it was more chaotic and powerful. It was as if the world was out to destroy her.


    "Just how virgin men had she sucked the blood of?"


    Floriana Sabina asked them solemnly.


    "Uncountable. She''s a prodigy in her path, so I don''t mind."


    Rant Valo replied to her.


    "Mm. She''s always boasting to me how many she drains everyday. If you hadn''t stopped her from sucking their life essence too, then she would have made the whole continent devoid of fertile men."


    Veia added from the side.


    "Hahahaha. She''s a wild one, huh?''


    Rant Valo laughed at her words.


    "Geez, Master Husband, why are you laughing? It''s our daughter you know?"


    Veia pouted at Rant Valo unhappily.


    "Alright. Let''s focus on her."


    Rant Valo said to them.


    ¡­


    Tera stared at the clouds coldly. She wouldn''t let it stop her today. She would surely impress her father and make him apologize to her mother for slapping her that day.


    "Blood Ocean!"


    Tera shouted. An ocean of blood suddenly appeared around her. It was as if they had just been always there.


    It created a vortex with her as the center. She created a thick dome around her and shielded herself from the lightning tribulation.


    Boom!


    A thick bolt of lightning fell from the sky. It hit the dome of blood around her and scattered alot of it. Though, it was still left standing.


    Boom!!


    A bolt of seven colored lightning suddenly fell from the sky. It evaporated all of Tera''s blood ocean overbearingly.


    "Sh*t! The Heavenly Judge experimented the new seven element lightning on her."


    Rant Valo cursed. He then controlled his main body and stopped it from continuing to attack with the seven colored lightning. Frankly, now cultivator would be able to survive an attack of that strength.


    "Tera¡­"


    Veia watched on worriedly. It would be a big blow to Tera''s ego if she fails here.


    "Not yet¡­ Not yet! I won''t give up!"


    Tera shouted to the clouds angrily. There was nothing for her to use to protect herself from the lightning tribulation. She had saved up all of those bloods just for the sake of this. If she had the choice, she would have rather not sucked so many blood from so many people.


    BOOOOM!


    A lightning bolt that was as thick as a table fell over her head.


    "Ah, I''m dead¡­"


    Tera murmured in defeat. It hit her body and evaporated it into nothing.


    Veia: "Tera!"


    Menova: "Elder Sister!"


    Floriana Sabina: "Tera!"


    The three women shouted in alarm. As for Rant Valo, he was calm.


    Soon, Tera appeared. A horn had grew on her head. She also had very pale skin. She looked like a Demon Empress from afar.


    "Elder Sister!"


    Menova flew to her embrace. She felt so grieved seeing her disappear all of the sudden. The lightning tribulation is really a rollercoaster of emotions.


    "Menova¡­"


    Tera embraced her tightly.


    After a while, they let go of each other.


    "Respected Father, I have ascended."


    Tera said to Rant Valo solemnly while she flew towards him.


    "Mm."


    Rant Valo nodded his head.


    "So, please, apologize to what you did to mother that day."


    Tera bowed her head to him.


    "Fufufufufufu!"


    Veia couldn''t help but laugh hearing her daughter''s words.


    "Your mother liked me doing that. Hadn''t you noticed what kind of a woman your mother was?"


    Rant Valo said to her with a smirk.


    "Wha..?"


    Tera looked at the two of them, confused.


    "That''s right, my little baby. You did well. I''m so proud of you."


    Veia went to her and embraced her tightly.


    "But¡­ What was I fighting for all this time?"


    Tera asked her blankly.


    "You fought for me and for yourself. That''s enough."


    Veia said to her with a smile.


    "For me and for yourself¡­"


    Tera was still in a daze. She couldn''t fathom that her 200 years long wish was just her mother being a masochist.


    "Since the three of you are done, let''s go, shall we?"


    Magicus suddenly appeared out of thin air. Novi stood beside him.


    "Yes."


    Rant Valo nodded his head.


    And so, a black portal appeared in front of them. It looked the same from whichever direction you look at it.


    "Let''s enter."


    Magicus urged them and led the way inside.


    "Let''s go."


    Rant Valo urged his family. They all followed Magicus and Novi inside.


    Or rather, outside of the universe.


    The moment they exited it. They felt like they were locked in place except for Rant Valo. It was impossible for them to make any movement. The portal behind them closed.


    "This, is the universe."


    Magicus pointed behind them. He guided them and they were able to turn around and see the countless bright specks contained inside a large sphere.


    "This is our home?"


    Tera asked in a shaky voice. It looked so small and insignificant.


    "Yes."


    Magicus nodded his head.


    "So, Rant Valo. You''ll now inherit this universe from us."


    Magicus said to Rant Valo. Novi smiled beside him.


    Suddenly, power flowed inside Rant Valo''s body. He felt like he can do anything now. Distance was meaningless. Time was meaningless. Death was meaningless. He''s powerful now.


    "That''s the power of the whole universe I created."


    Magicus explained to him with a smile.


    "Amazing."


    Rant Valo was more than amazed. He couldn''t think of anything to say in gratitude.


    "Well, now¡­"


    Magicus waved his hand and his family shrank before entering his head.


    "Since you''re already a Shattered God, you have a small world inside of you. With this, you''ll be able to eternally spend your time with your family."


    Magicus said to Lawrend with a smile.


    "Eternal¡­"


    Rant Valo murmured in melancholy.


    "Let''s go."


    Magicus urged him.


    Suddenly, Magicus and Novi''s body melded into each other. The man, who Rant Valo has seen in his dreams has appeared again.


    They then shrank together and disappeared into the fabrics of the higher dimensions.


    THE END