Archwizard K’s Journey In The Cultivation World

Case 68: Closest to Heaven.

''Bai Qing, your left!''

''Eh? Wait, where did these ballistae come from?!''

''Activate the emergency defense magic, quick!''

''Okay—ack! We're dead!''

Two young women's painful wails could be heard in the rattling carriage. Once again, they had lost the magically simulated war game that Kierra provided when there was nothing to do.

''Too easy.'' August sneered.

''Mghm...''

''Ugh...''

They blamed their losses entirely on Kierra and August's unparalleled synergy!

Goddamn normies...

A few days had passed since their journey began.

Gradually, they became more and more regretful of the fact that they didn't choose to go by other methods. Riding a carriage was fine for the first day or so, but it quickly became unbearable afterward.

There was nothing to do.

In addition, all four of them didn't need to sleep, making it even more boring as time went by. 

''Who was the one proposing a carriage? This is unacceptable.''

''...It was you, Master Kierra. You said you wanted to admire the scenery slowly.''

''Oh.''

''...''

''Ahem. Nevermind that. Here, have some snack.''

Fortunately, Kierra still had quite a collection of magically simulated games that she created back in her old world. Specifically made to pull in the player's interest, they were games made to entertain people purely.

That was why even Kang Shuren, whose voice and face were synonymous with monotone and blankness, displayed emotions this time. If there weren't a big blindfold covering her eyes, she would seem just like any ordinary girl.

Regarding the blindfold, August actually commended her for wearing it. Training without sight was considered a hard but rewarding method for a swordswoman, which Kang Shuren was one.

Of course, the person herself was simply puzzled, receiving the praise without knowing the reason behind it.

She wore it to appear even more aloof and cool than usual, and although it was inconvenient, she quickly got used to it. Strangely, she felt an unusual fondness for the blindfold after almost a year. Now, she considered it an essential item, on par with her clothes or even her sword.

''Whew...''

As Kang Shuren cooled her head, she noticed August glancing out the window, her brows slightly narrowed. Soon enough, the Sword Empress spoke up.

''Darling.''

There was only one person in this carriage who she would call 'Darling.'

''Hm?'' Kierra lightly responded.

''Aren't you going to do something about that little stalker?''

Seeing the puzzled young women, August added. ''The one in red. She's been watching us ever since the beginning.''

''You mean the Immortal?''

''That was the term, yes.''

Kierra fell into contemplation.

Even after half a year, the Immortal woman who had been stalking her never left, but she didn't do anything in particular either. At some point, it was so peaceful the archwizard thought that she had really gained a stalker fan for a moment.

Kierra was honestly indifferent. It wasn't as though she didn't have obsessed people following her before.

Nevertheless, it might be alright to ask the woman directly.

''I suppose we can question her.'' She said flatly.

Hearing this seemingly casual conversation, Bai Qing and Kang Shuren looked at each other, sweat trickling down their backs. After all, not even the masters in the Tribulation Stage had seen an Immortal before, and now they were going to catch one?

Before they could ponder the method to capture such an elusive target, August suddenly thrust her hand into the air. In an instant, the space itself cracked, relinquishing the place for the Sword Empress's hand to go in between.

Then, the rift gradually widened, accompanied by vivid crushing noises. 

It was roughly the size of a person.

This somehow made the two young women feel unsettled. And right to their worries, the next moment—

''Mmph...!''

!!! ∑(° Д °ノ)ノ !!! ∑(° Д °ノ)ノ

Held by her throat, a woman dressed in red was pulled out of the rift, struggling in the air. Even with such a pitiful posture, her appearance immediately paralyzed them.

First of all, she had an unmistakably immaculate, symmetrical, and gorgeous face—mostly seen in those with high cultivation bases. In this realm, the more one cultivated, the more they became beautiful. Moreover, there was this uncannily sense of otherworldliness oozing from this woman's body, so much so that they recalled their first encounter with Kierra or August.

''Stay still if you don't want to die.''

As August's chilling voice descended, both the woman, Bai Qing, and Kang Shuren shuddered. At some point, numerous seals of worldly caliber had been placed on the woman's body, and an unshakable barrier had enveloped the inside of the carriage.

After completely restraining the Immortal, August abruptly threw her on the ground.

''Name.''

''Keuh! Kuh! Ugh...! Ah...''

''How fragile. Immortal... pfft.''

The woman choked again as she stared at August. It was the first time in thousands of years that she had been ridiculed this way. Feeling as though humiliated, she gritted her teeth.

''I said, name.'' August narrowed her eyes.

''!!''

When the Sword Empress's hand was about to grab her throat again, the woman finally yielded.

''Y-Yan Shi! My name is Yan Shi!''

''What are you?''

''An Immortal, of course...''

Nervous gulps came from the two behind Yan Shi. They were now witnessing a person who had overcome the Heavenly's tribulations and achieved immortality—an Immortal!

It was the end goal of every cultivator. The most coveted position in the entire realm...

Yet, even she seemed utterly powerless.

Kneeling on the floor, she looked infinitely more fragile than even Yu Chen, a mere master at the peak of the Soul Transformation Stage.

Once again, their respect for Kierra and August grew exponentially.

''Why were you following us?'' August continued.

''Why should I tell you?''

Inherently, Immortals were exceptionally arrogant, and rightfully so since they were so powerful. Yet, her opponents were quite wrong this time.

''...Is that so?''

''Keuh—!''

Yan Shi's head turned to the side. She felt her cheek tingling, which it wasn't supposed to be. A mere mortal... hurt her celestial body. While dazed like that, the elegant, gloved hand held her chin and turned her face forward.

What entered her vision was a stunning woman with light blue hair akin to the clear sky and majestic golden eyes. She was looking at her with a disdainful gaze. 

''Uh...''

Her heart skipped a beat.

Somehow, she could feel her chest tightening. 

It wasn't supposed to happen. This was clearly out of the ordinary.

Regardless of her feelings, however, August pressed the tip of her heel onto Yan Shi's hand, sneering.

''You... how truly shameless.''

In the Central Divine Realm, there existed a small group of people who were held in absolute honor. They were the strongest of the strong—zeniths of generations combined and the living dream of every cultivator.

They couldn't claim themselves as Heavenly Venerables as these titles belonged to those in the higher realm, but they were, deservingly, called Heavenly Lords.

At the moment, only three Heavenly Lords remained active in the power dynamic of Central Divine Realm, and they rarely stayed in the same space.

However, as the world celebrated its victory against the ultimate evil, the three gathered in Hanam to discuss the future of the realm and to simultaneously oversee the gathering of Dragons and Phoenixes.

For those witnessing this sight of the three Lords at the same place, it would feel borderline suffocating. Their auras were simply too radiant, making ordinary cultivators kneel involuntarily.

'''' ... ''''

And right now, the very same three Heavenly Lords were tensing up, cold sweat trickling down their back as they stared at the group in front of them.

How... did an Immortal get here?!