Journey to the Upper World

LPE4-2782R Planet, Gar Wahger Federation

On a mountain overlooking a city, an old mansion could be spotted from miles away that is has become an iconic landmark. Alongside the mansion, a few evenly scattered residential houses and not because the area rural but it is actually a dwelling area of people with status and vast wealth.

It is a breezy afternoon and outside the mansion is an elderly High-Elven sitting on bench made of the finest marble while watching her two year old grandchild play on the grass.

The woman’s name is Lithe and despite her old age, traces of youthful beauty still lingers on her face and body. It was because of this godly and angelic appearance that the son of prominent cultivator came to promise her a life suited for a queen.

Though her life may sometimes become dull, having blessed with a grandchild is an ultimate joy for women like her. While she was enjoying the view of her innocent playful grandchild, the butler came to disturb her hour.

“Mistress, we have a visitor pretending to be fish vendor and he wants to speak with you.”

“If our guest is here for the boys, tell him they will be back by evening. If he wants to wait, receive him and I’ll tend to him later.”

“But Mistress, this man is an Ascendant and …”

*Swish

“Pardon me if I’ve let myself without your invitation but I’ve actually come to speak with you.”

The butler was interrupted and before Lithe could process her thought, she saw a human of an unfathomable power and having been married to a family of cultivator, this is the first time she is seeing an Ascendant.

“Thank you for gracing us with your presence.” Lithe stood and gracefully greeted the guest.

“I wish to talk to her alone and remember, you only saw a fish vendor, you understand?”

“I understand, my lord.” The butler bowed and rushed to leave.

When the butler can no longer be seen, Clay completely hid his aura and sit on the bench not far from Lithe. “I hope I’m not disturbing your peaceful afternoon.”

“This humble one is only an insignificant grandma and I hope to properly receive this lord inside our home.”

“Please be seated. There is no need to be very respectful as I don’t have time to enjoy pleasantries. I promised the protectors of this planet that I will leave as soon as possible.”

“If there is something this lord is in need of, I will call my husband now.” Lithe is puzzled as she thinks why such a figure came to visit.

“There is a saying that, if people have unfulfilled wishes when they die, that they will have a hard time peacefully entering the cycle of rebirth. He had been meaning to return an item. He got busy.”

Lithe was confused but two seconds later, Clay handed her a familiar necklace.

“Do you recognize that necklace?” Clay asked but when he turned to his side, he noticed an indifference on Lithe’s reaction. If there is a value on this necklace, it should have at least illicit an emotion but Lithe did not look moved.

Clay was expecting Lithe would burst to tears and cry about their love that never bloomed yet her reaction just now is proof of how one sided the relationship was.

Lithe slowly exhaled and said, “I was young.” After a brief pause, Lithe continued. “Too young and naïve and inconsiderately played with his feelings but after we broke up, I prayed that he may find his own happiness. There is really no need to return this necklace as it is a history I’ve long buried.”

“He died peacefully without resenting anyone.” Clay stood up and slowly walked away. “I’m sorry again for disrupting your peaceful afternoon.”

Clay wanted to say how Mur Brung had become a successful and a prominent figure and maybe remind this woman how blinded she was but he knew the reason of his anger is not Lithe. Back on earth, he had his own unfulfilled wishes and seeing Lithe’s reaction is causing those memories to resurface again.

The reason he had never approached Kirsten again and lived the rest of his life in regret back on earth is the very nightmare Lithe just showed him. To hear that their feelings was just a foolish mistake is making him remember those years he denied and refused to accept reality.

He had to leave otherwise, he may start bloodshed if he fails to control his emotions.

*Exhale

Since he had completed what he came for, it was time to leave.

Prior to coming, he wanted to ask more information about Mur Brung and maybe he could find clues about this universe yet after hearing the story about Liom, he had to rethink his plans. In the end, he still decided to return the necklace but now that she met Lithe, he how understands now bad this idea is.

From that story about Liom, an immortal by the name of Lord Lao was mentioned. Although the last name was not, the sect which this immortal belonged to is named Naya Temple. He had been trying to recall his past as the Lord Lao he knew is Lao Ayan and Ayan is just Naya in reverse.

Many languages are written in reverse and while it is possible this is case about Naya and Ayan, there is no certainty but is more than enough as a good lead. The other problem is that, there is no information whether Lord Lao is among those who detonated.

And the biggest mystery is this group called Nosfera. If they know the intricate workings of his self-made Veins, then they may have clues about this universe and maybe other universes.

“I’ll figure it out later.” Clay thought to himself. His bigger problems now are resources. It is true he has his Heaven Qi Veins but he needed herbs and information on how to refine them.

After a day, Clay teleported to the moon base of the planet where his new ship was parked. Unlike his original battleship, it is now replaced with a shuttle at least 100 meter in length.

Clay did not mind the rusty old look as long as he can use it to find and procure the needed herbs.

(Welcome Captain.)

A manly robotic voice greeted him. This ship was given to him by Mtello as part of their agreement and requested the settings of the A.I. to be properly modified this time. Since Alice is dead, he named his Doll, Alex after its baptism.

(Captain, I received a holographic call six hours ago from a cultivator called, Dalkaga. He said there is a proposal he wanted you to consider.)

“Did he leave a message?”

(No Captain. He is requesting an actual conversation. Would you like me to initiate contact?)

“Yes, do.”

*zzzssskkkk

There was a slight radio noise and after a few seconds, the room dimmed and revealed the whole body image of Dalkaga. Clay was surprised to meet a fellow human.

“Greetings, former Captain.”

“I was advised you have some interesting proposal. Please amuse me.”

“I like your temperament Dao friend. Well, we are heading to the Upper World and our safety is better ensured with a 1ST Phase Dao controlling our defensive barriers. Would you like to come?”

Clay was just thinking about asking and gathering information about the Upper World yet someone actually came to him instead. “I apologize for my rudeness. I hope this brother can kindly elaborate.”

“You’re not the first time. Mrggghhh.” Dalkaga cleared his throat then continued, “There are little hotspot planets in the Lower World and it is too crowded we humans have no place in it. While some become miners and join Divisions, some people would risk it. And that’s us. We want to travel to where Heaven Qi is in abundance.

Now, traveling to the Upper World without using the conventional methods is perilous but safety can easily be guaranteed as long as we have enough preparations and that include a 1ST Phase Dao controlling our barriers.”

The proposal indeed piqued Clay’s curiosity.

“It sounds like a plan. And the bad news?”

“Regardless of which hole we exit into, there is a 99 percent chance that we will be caught and be made slaves for 1,000 years. The idea is off putting but sacrificing a tenth of our lives minimum, for a chance of better resources is a pretty good deal. What more if our enslavers give us a chance to be absorbed within their organization. Suppose we are unlucky but let me remind you that even simple slaves there can improve their cultivation. It’s true there is no returning back but still better than stagnating here and die as an old man.”

Clay listened carefully and analyze for any inconsistencies. “And how abundant Heaven Qi is in the Upper World?”

“A rough estimate is that, every Living Planet has a Vein or two and that’s not counting major hotspot planets which can house all Ascendants of Navarum.”

“And you know of these information how?”

“During Galactic Alignments, a few of our seniors would send out messages and sometimes bribe those descending Upper Sects for information exchange. I will not blame you if you have doubts and I can lend you some Merits you can use to verify these information. And let me remind you, we can manage travelling to the Upper World even without a 1ST Phase Dao cultivator with us. But know that if you declined now, then you’ll find your own team and spend 900 years figuring out the next spatial tear.”

“I thank this Dao friend for his invitation. I will let you know in two days.”

*zzzssskkkk

The call ended and the room went back to normal.