Archwizard K’s Journey In The Cultivation World

Case 115: Meanwhile, in Central Divine Realm.

Soon enough, the little vacation in Linoel had to come to an end, prompting the crew to return to the Central Divine Realm.

It was mainly because August had finished her work, freeing any responsibility left in the continent. No matter what, the situation in the cultivation realm needed attention, and Kierra was not one to abandon her lovers to fend off themselves.

But, of course, she also had other intentions—ones important enough to make her leave the equally endangered continent of Linoel.

'It's probably fine. Cosmos can handle it.'

And so, she passed through the portal to arrive at the realm above, where the Immortals lived.

''Welcome back.''

Immediately, they were greeted by the Heavenly Shura, who bore a grim expression. Although the physical atmosphere here hadn't changed, with people flying in and out of her mansion, bearing the same grim expression as hers, things wouldn't look too promising.

''Come in. My house has rooms you all can use, and if you want to leave, I have someone to create the passage to the realm below as well.''

Because it had only been a month since the crew left White Lotus, there wasn't actually a need for a revisit just yet. Cultivators spent their time surprisingly peacefully, thanks to their tendency to pour time into training. Moreover, the people of the Central Divine Realm, except for some folks, weren't at all informed of the crisis the Immortals were facing.

A part of it was to avoid panic, but the main logic was simple—if even the pinnacles of cultivation couldn't do it, then the more ordinary surely couldn't.

The crew decided to stay in Wen Zhuwei's mansion for the moment.

The building, although not as grand as a palace, was spacious enough to host many guests, and in times such as now, it acted as a headquarters of sorts, becoming a meeting place for personnel of the allies.

This meant that even the wizards belonging to the towers were also present.

Immediately after settling down, Kierra grabbed a wizard in a white robe for a quick question. 

''Hey. Who acts as a commander-in-chief here?''

''Hicc—the Crimson Wizard...?! Ah, um... that lady called the Heavenly Shura is the commander of this war, ma'am...!''

''Do you guys properly report your locations and movements to her?''

''Y-Yes! I don't know about other towers, but our master told us to regard cooperation and communication highly.''

''Good.''

No wonder Wen Zhuwei seemed so busy.

Kierra would have grabbed the Heavenly Shura instead of this wizard anyway if only she hadn't left right after showing the crew their room. 

The archwizard patted the young wizard's shoulder before heading upstairs, walking toward the presence of Wen Zhuwei. At the end of the corridor, a noticeably larger door was situated.

''I've been expecting you, Kierra.''

Sitting at the end of the floor table was the person herself—still as a frame. Judging from the leftover teacups on the table, it was clear that she just had a talk with a group of people.

Without saying anything, Kierra closed the door and sat opposite her.

''Tell me the whole situation.'' She said, minding the fact that there was no time for pleasantries.

''Of course.'' Wen Zhuwei replied. ''Take a look at this.''

With a sigh, she snapped her fingers, pulling her qi onto the table to create an approximate map of the realm above. In reality, the realm itself was described as 'boundless,' but since people tended to live close together, combined with the humble number of Immortals, they only occupied a fraction of it.

And the invaders targeted precisely that area.

''Right after you left, the other side became more aggressive as time went on.'' Wen Zhuwei explained. ''We've seen stronger abominations appearing near the frontline these few days. I was actually considering calling for your help... until they arrived.''

''Are the wizards doing their jobs?''

''Yes, thankfully so.''

''Looks like they're not too useless, after all.''

Wen Zhuwei smiled bitterly at Kierra's remark. She was perhaps the only one who could say that about the competent wizards who, with great strategic minds and efficient techniques, were able to help repel the invaders.

Unlike most Immortals, who were often too proud of their lifelong achievements and chose brute force as their number one solution, the wizards were a calculative and nerdy bunch, always thinking of ways to destroy their enemies with the least effort. Even if they couldn't match the overpowered fiends in raw strength, they had... well, the Immortals to use.

The situation was a bit strange, but it was akin to 'muscles' finally reunited with 'brains.'

''But still, the frontline is struggling a bit. That is why we haven't been able to push it deeper.'' Wen Zhuwei pointed at the overarching line that circled the allies's territory on the map. ''We aren't ones without fatigue, and when they come in from all directions relentlessly like this...''

''Are all of the Heavenly Emperors and Empresses participating?''

''Yes, along with the tower masters, they are actively positioning themselves at the border.''

''I'm glad they took a liking to cultivation...'' She muttered afterward.

''They better be.''

If the haughty tower masters even committed troops here, it meant that the existence of 'qi' and cultivation greatly moved them. In other words, the bait was utterly destroyed, not just 'taken' anymore.

After sufficiently briefing the archwizard on the war, Wen Zhuwei switched to another topic.

''I heard from that child. Are there troubles in your homeland?''

''Hm...? I guess you can call it that.''

A few days prior, Kierra had actually sent Yan Shi back to the cultivation realm. Part of it was to roughly report what had happened in Linoel, which was the only reason Wen Zhuwei knew of it.

Rising to her feet, the archwizard lightly stretched out her arms before turning to the door.

''I may not be able to help you directly when the remaining corrupt gods strike.'' She said softly.

''What?!''

The Heavenly Shura's voice was sharp, as if she couldn't believe it. Perhaps it was reasonable, seeing that she had considered Kierra to be a key to winning this battle. But before she could ask the reason, the crimson eyes gazed back at her again,

''Relax. If luck is on our side, that scenario might not happen, and even if it was... you just need to hold out until I arrive. You, together with Au and Dia.''

''...So there's another threat on the other side.''

''Yes.''

''This can't be a coincidence, can it?''

''I suppose. In any case, good luck... to both of us.''

Leaving behind Wen Zhuwei, Kierra exited the room. This time, as she stood at the end of the corridor, she could see a familiar figure standing still, looking over the wooden fence.

''Welcome back, master.''

With a simple turning movement, her elegant red robe dragged on the ground a bit. Her cyan eyes, reflecting the afternoon's warm light, shone in a mellow shade.

''Yan Shi.''

''Yes, master.''

''I assume you have found them?''

''That much is only obvious, isn't it?''

''Hah, I guess so. Let's go, then.''

To where the secret weapon was.