Chapter 133 - 133: The Barriers World (1/2)

For the past two days, Yun Che explained or more like retelling his stories from the tomb to Retsu, Mio and Kon. Since the System is still triangulating the apple, he had to explained to them manually about the Moon Empress or else he just passed them the system's trivia and they can read everything from it. Since Cang Yue was still passed out, it allows Jasmine to step out from his inner world using her gigai.

Both of them told them about the vault which houses the soul of Huan Xuyi or the Moon Empress and didn't spare any details including the fights with the elders as well as the encounter with the Isu warrior, Ares. The three of them were stunned as they discovered that the Isu race was sent to this world three thousand years ago and the apple was a technology or device created from their world. A world much more different and advanced than their original world.

As for the Apple, Yun Che explained to them that the device is currently under his control and it was harmless as a normal metallic golden ball. So, they don't have to worry about this thing running wild like the previous Moon Empress who went power hunger because of it. They were quite shocked that this small thing once terrorized the Profound Sky Continent three thousand years ago. They were also relieved that the Apple's power will not work on spiritual beings like them or godly beings like Mio. Looks like they don't have to think of ways to fend off the apple's power but they still have to be wary that there are other pieces of Eden still left in this world and their powers isn't limited to mind control. He also explained that only five out of eight pieces is somewhere within this world and the remaining three were probably taken to the Realm of the Gods. They had to raise their levels before making their way towards another continent to obtain the other pieces of Eden.

Since Cang Yue was still in hibernation, Retsu watched her body to observe any changes while Kon play around the harmless apple. Mio took this moment to snuggle herself with Yun Che earning a slightly jealous look from Retsu. But since she had him most of the time, she decided to let Mio have her turn which she reluctantly do so. Jasmine however sit beside him enjoying some of Retsu's bento prepared especially for long trips like this.

”Yuu-kun, I've been meaning to ask. What happened to that Li Yue girl? Did she lose her life within the tomb?” Retsu asked him while resting Cang Yue's head on her lap. Ever since she shown the Table Hopper technique, she wanted to know what kind of person Little Fairy would trust so much that she decided to teach that technique to her.

”No, I pushed her into the teleporting formation within the tomb to save her life. She probably somewhere random within the empire. Turns out she had her own reasons for entering that tomb. You might be surprised about her true identity.” He spoke as he softly caresses Mio's head.

”Ehh? What kind of identity she had? Then her name isn't actually Li Yue?” Kon suddenly spoke while pushing the harmless apple back and forth.

”No, that woman's name is Chu Yueli. One of the high ranking members of the Frozen Cloud Asgard. She is also Xia Qingyue's master. Although I didn't meet her directly but she was the who picked up Qingyue before she went back to the sect.”

Retsu wondered for a while before she spoke ”No wonder she had similar cold sensation just like sister Yuechan. She's from the Asgard as well. Wait, she had the surname Chu? Is she the relative of sister Yuechan?”

”More like a blood relative. She's Little Fairy's younger sister.” He answered earning a small shock from her.

”Eh? No wonder she knew the Table Hopper technique but sister Yuechan never spoke to us about her.” Retsu was indeed shocked as she found out that Chu Yuechan had a sister. A real sister.

”Before Little Fairy became one of us, she only thinks about cultivation and family bonds were nothing more than a trivial matter. She was once close with her sister but as her ice heart grows, she slowly pushed her away into thinking that she was alone the entire time and her sister was just a sister. Nothing more.”

”This ice heart technique really is a troublesome technique after all.” Jasmine speaks her mind while munching the bento Retsu gave her.

Yun Che smiled sheepishly as he spoke ”Haha.... kind of annoying actually. But, its because of that technique that they were able to evolve their arts as soon as it shatters. The funny thing is, when she regained her emotions and her ice heart shattered. She bonded with her younger sister once more and regained all that lost bond along with her familial love. For years they have been close but distant with each other but now, they reconcile with one another. Her younger sister thought that her weak strength maybe the reason they became distant and its only matter of time before she loses her elder sister again.”

Retsu tilted her head as she answered ”So, she joined the selection?”

”Hnnn, but her sect won't allow her to enter as she's one of their valuable assets.”

”Assets?” Mio suddenly spoke as Yun Che tend to use his modern day words sometimes.

Yun Che sweatdropped as his modern day terms tends to slip into his speech from time to time. Its about time he stopped such things but old habits die hard. ”Uhhhhh…it means important people. Anyway… she joined the selection using a different persona to avoid her sect from exploiting her. She was willing to go that far for her elder sister. Her dreams of becoming a strong duo with her has drive her to enter the selection.”

”But, imagined if she lost her life within the tomb, sister Yuechan would be devastated.” Retsu spoke with a sad tone. Little Fairy just regained her emotions and if her sister died without a burial, she would be devastated and resorted to become the cold hearted person she was before just to seal the pain of losing her younger sister. Even if she didn't seal her emotion, she might spend most of her time looking for her.

”That's why this lecher saved her life in the tomb and even capture her heart.” Jasmine suddenly spoke as she grunted from remembering his encounter within the tomb. ”Its not like that, like I said. I only did it because of Little Fairy. I didn't capture her heart intentionally.” He defended himself but knowing Jasmine, she won't let this matter go easily.

”So, you DID capture her heart.” Jasmine spoke while emphasizing the word 'did'.

”Capture her heart? ….Mou… Danna-sama, are we not enough for you?” Mio pouted while tightening the hug around him.

”Like I say, it's nothing like that. I only saved her life.” He sighs as he pats Mio's head affectionately. These girls knew he wasn't a lecher type of guy. It's just sometimes action speaks louder than words. A simple action can cause a ripple within a woman's heart especially a matter of life and death. Even if he saved a woman out of whim, they can't blame him for attracting the woman's attention. This is why they have to be with him at all times. To prevent this kind of attention.

”You have to know there are some aftereffects to a woman's heart because of it.” Jasmine spoke as this idiot disciple of hers always did things to women again. Even though it wasn't intentional, but sometimes he really needs to think about the after effect of his so called heroic action. Yun Che simply turned his head sideways as he spoke ”Maybe I didn't think things through when I saved her. Well, shit happens for a right reason.”

Retsu slowly placed Cang Yue's head on Minazuki's body before she hugged him from behind. ”*Giggle…. That why I love you, Yuu-kun. You always think about others rather than yourself. Personally, I don't mind a new sister.”

Yun Che started to sweat dropped as her spoke ”Yeah, I am not sure how Little Fairy would take it. That person is her beloved sister though. Besides, it was Mihawk who captured her heart. Not me. In her eyes, I am just a being who caused a ruckus at his own wedding.”

”Bastard, why do always the one who get the girls?” Kon sighs with his usual jealous tone.

Yun Che smiled sheepishly as he spoke internally ”Sigh, man….. I have to keep my actions in check. Saving someone might be good but it might cause some unwanted effects on women though. I died in the first place because of it. Then again, sometimes I do wish to be alone for once but things happened for a reason right?”

”By the way, you dumbass. Why in the world my level is stuck on Level 70? A message told me that the administrator needed to complete the main mission before I can proceed. What in the world is it talking about?” Kon suddenly asked him. He thought he might gain some levels after killing his opponents back then but all he got was a level capped notification. Which kind of bring his mood down after leveling up several levels.

”Me too, Yuu-kun. I am stuck on level 70 as well.” Retsu spoke behind his ear as well.

”Nee-san, you too? I thought your level probably reached level 74 or something. You did kill big pieces of meat back then.” Kon asked Retsu which she replied him otherwise.

Yun Che scratch the bridge of his nose as he wondered these two might ask him this kind of question later. Its about time he owes them an explanation. ”Sigh…. Both of you reached the level cap. Same as me.”

”Level cap?” The two jinxed at the same time.

”The system required me to reach the southern part of the world before it allows me to breakthrough to the level cap and ascend to the next realm. Not only me, it applies to any of my summoned companions as well.” He explained as Kon and Retsu nodded their heads.

Then, he continued ”Southern part of the world is the Illusory Demon Realm. A continent quite far away from the Profound Sky Continent where the next piece of Eden lies. However, if we were to fly there non-stop. We can reach that continent in three months' time.”

”That long?” Mio exclaimed. Jasmine just keep quiet as she still didn't possessed her spatial rip just yet or else she might arrived faster than anticipated. She also saw from the Apple that the current planet they're in is quite large and the distance between two continents is that massive.

He continued ”In order for us to breakthrough into level 71, we must reach that place. But, if we look in on the bright side, all experience will be stacked and restored to us once we reached the Illusory Demon Realm. So, gather as much experience points as you can before we make our way to the next continent.”

”Eh?!?! Demon realm? You have to go the realm of the demons?” Kon suddenly had a scared expression written all over him.

”Not real demons, you knucklehead. They're just normal humans but known as demons by the Profound Sky Continent's cultivators. They called them demons because most cultivators there have the strength of Emperor Profound Realm being the weakest. Imagine what kind of strength the strongest would have. Moreover, they have bigger profound energy pool than people in this continent. You can say they're humans with extra energy within them.”

”Haa, they're normal humans? That's a relief.” Kon let out a breath of relief. He might be a level 70 creature but he didn't have extra power-ups like Retsu and Yun Che or even Mio. His lion form was still a slightly bigger cub than his original lion form. Even if his attack powers was stronger, all he can do now is kill his opponent secretly by using the streak of light technique.

”That's what you're worried about?” Yun Che suddenly sweat dropped at his statement.

Kon suddenly had tick marks on his head and pointed his plushy arm at him. ”Of course you bastard, I am didn't possessed monstrous powers like you three. Then again, Kon-sama finally attained the pleasure of leveling up on to meet with a cap. Why are we staying here instead of going to the Illusory Demon Realm?”

”Like I said, I am not spending three months just to get there and some of my business in this continent aren't done yet. I need a transport fast enough to get us there in an instant.”

”You can just build one using the blueprint mode.” Jasmine suddenly interjects his and Kon's conversation. He did explained to them that the system can craft materials for him. Even so far as to create a modernized ship. If he really came from an advanced realm, travelling through thousands and thousands of kilometers won't even be a sweat.

”Easy for you to say and where in the world am I going to get the materials for it? The system is specific with materials with it didn't tell me where to find them. Besides..... In two years' time, we'll get there.”

”Two years?!? Kon-sama can't wait that long.”

”Deal with it. My system, my rules.” He retorted Kon's words only to have been suddenly went all four and feeling depressed.

Mio just giggled seeing both Yun Che and Kon were getting along with each other. Then again, a question pops into her head as well. ”Danna-sama… why is my strength is not capped like the others?”

”That's because your strength was already surpassed Peak Sky Profound Realm when I contracted you. So, your level is the only one in our group that's a little higher and isn't capped by the system. Same as Cang Yue as well.” He explained as Mio's strength did entered the realm of the Sovereign. He sometimes wondered what kind of powers Mio had even the Azure Dragon feared her back then? He also noted that Mio can cultivate two ways, that is consuming his energy and levelling up at the same time. However, energy consuming needed from his is a once a month method that allows her to jump a smaller realm instantly. If she's really low on energy and she initiate the method, she can easily jumped two levels just like in the trial realm. Not that he mind, as long as she asked from him. He instantly thought that technique is similar like siphoning experience from other players back in his original world.

Mio nodded her head in understanding but hearing Cang Yue's name suddenly spiked her interest. ”I wonder how strong Yue'er is going to be once she cultivated that technique.”

”Oh, she'll be much stronger than her current self. In two years' time, she'll reached the Peak of Sovereign Profound Realm.”

”Goodness!!! Is that technique really that powerful?” Retsu and Kon were instantly stunned. Cang Yue did explained how the Moon Empress was able to jump from ordinary mortal to peak of this world in an instant. That's how she was able to attained a legendary rank even the people from the selection would do anything just to obtain that technique. It was a good thing Yun Che was strong enough to fend them off. Now, that technique exclusively belong to Cang Yue alone.

Yun Che decided to explain the technique's nature to them. ”Her technique absorbs the Moon's energy to purify her body and elevated her cultivation. She is also able to use the energy of the moon in battle as well as having perks during the night. However, to trigger such absorption, she must expose herself to the Moon every night. The best day is during the full moon phase which occurred five days every month.”

”Only in full moon phase?” Retsu curiously asked.

”Yes, that's the only phase which gives her the highest energy output. Other phases work too but the energy isn't as strong as full moon. So that's why she needed at least two years to get to that stage.” All of them nodded in understanding as Yun Che finishes his explanation. Even if its not as easy as the system's leveling up but that technique can be considered powerful among mortals.

”Well, we better get started to improving our own cultivation as well. Just stack as much experience as you can before we make our way to the Illusory Demon Realm.”

”Hai!!!” Retsu, Mio and Kon instantly replied as they gained insights of gaining more experience points to level up their cultivation.

A few hours later, they arrived somewhere quite deep into the Blue Wind Empire. Judging from this kind of distance, no wonder there's no cultivator city within its vicinity. This place is also full of demonic beast as well as lower rank hollows. Suddenly, the harmless apple started to glow just like when they first found it earning all of their attention.

”Strange, that never happen before. I thought it was harmless.” Jasmine suddenly widen her eyes as the harmless apple in her hands suddenly glow.

”It was and it's still is…. If it glows, it must be reacted to something.” Then Apple's glowing seemed to be triggered by something and as soon as they turned their heads to the front. All of them immediately widen their eyes as they saw a massive dome barrier similar to the barriers within the tomb from before. The barrier was filled with Isu markings all over it. Since Retsu and the others never seen an Isu marking before, the sight left them speechless for a moment. But, the markings aren't the issue here. It was the size of the barrier that left them speechless.

”Man, that's one big barrier.” Yun Che spoke as the others nodded. The barrier isn't just big, it was massive. It was enough to cover the entire mountain range and probably hundreds of acres of land covered by it.

”Strange, why didn't we see it before?” Jasmine spoke next to him.

”Probably it was hidden entirely and only the apple can reveal it.” But they saw a bird flying towards the barrier but it didn't even stop to avoid it. But it simply phased through the barrier like it was nothing. So they concluded that the barrier was only visible to the one holding the apple as well as those who were in its vicinity.

[Ding…. Host has arrived near the boundary of the sanctuary protected by an Isu profound barrier. It is advised to enter the barrier on foot as system didn't detect any entrance in the air. Originally, only powerless people can enter the barrier while cultivators will phase through it and will never arrived at the sanctuary. Only the apple has the power to opened up the barrier and allowed the host to enter as a cultivator. The barrier suppressed any Profound Strength to the point that cultivators turned back into mortals but since host possessed the Apple, the barrier will not affect the host's and companion's powers.]

[Bear in mind that the people living in this sanctuary are powerless mortals or non-cultivators.]

As he read the notification, he nodded in understanding before turning his head towards Retsu. ”I see. Retsu, set Minazuki down here and we'll proceed on foot.”

”Hai…” In an instant, Minazuki set itself down in the forest before turned back into Retsu's asauchi form. Jasmine still refused to be seen by other people so she immediately entered his inner world to store her gigai before coming back out here as a soul form.

”Eh?!? Sister Jasmine, you can do that?” Mio was shocked enough as she seen Jasmine outside his body while floating.

”More like the system allowed her to.” Yun Che spoke with a flat tone.

”I can join all of you like this and mortals and cultivators can't even see me since I am protected by the system. Blame this idiot for not telling me the method before.”

”You didn't ask so I didn't tell.”

”Hmph…”

”Anyway, let's go to the sanctuary. I always wondered what kind of place Xuyi has created for her sanctuary.”

”What are waiting for? Let's go.” Kon shouted with enthusiasm while Yun Che slowly shoving the hibernating Cang Yue into a bridal carry. He can't expect his girls to carry her while he himself walked with empty hands.

The rest of the girls and Kon nodded before they travel towards the barrier itself. As expected, the Apple was reacting towards the barrier before it slowly opened up a doorway for them. The energy around the doorway slowly dissolve itself before opening up a circular tunnel leading into the barrier. Looks like the system was right. Since they are cultivators, it's impossible for the barrier to opened up like this. The Apple was just a backup key. Come to think of it, Xuyi was a cultivator as well. How did she walk freely into her sanctuary like this?

The moment they entered the barrier, what greets them next shocks them instantly.

”Beautiful….”

”How could this be…?”

”Oi…oi…it didn't even look like this from the outside.”

Retsu, Mio and Kon's reaction were priceless as they witness the beautiful scenery in front of them. When they entered the barrier, beautiful blue skies greeted them with flowery forest as far as the eye can see. Beautiful floating lights were everywhere as they could see as flowers and green grass surrounded their feet as well as beautiful massive waterfall in the distance. Even the air around them feels as if they steeped into a different realm. What shocks them was floating islands actually exist in the barrier. This is truly a different world compared to the harsh Profound Sky Continent. This is indeed a fantasy world or a paradise like in the novels. If cultivators of the outside world get a whiff of this, they will seize it by force and established a massive sect here.

Jasmine widen her eyes as she saw the beautiful world in front of them. ”That Xuyi, she was already this powerful? To be able to create a world like this….”

”She can create a separate realm within a barrier. Looks like she wasn't kidding on creating a sanctuary. We are still in the Profound Sky Continent but this is a realm within the barrier. Not a different dimension.”

”Yun Che, do you think this is an illusion?” Jasmine refused to believe this beautiful scenery is real. She instantly thought it was an illusion or she stepped into a different dimension.

Yun Che decided to touch the ground and flowers in front of him. Moreover, his sharingan didn't detect unusual abnormality from the realm to there's no way this beautiful world is an illusion. he shook his head. ”No, this is not. Its hundred percent real.”

Jasmine still refused to believe a mere mortal like her able to accomplished such feat. ”How? You must be at least a powerful divine cultivator to create a world like this. A mere Sovereign Profound Realm cultivators isn't powerful enough to accomplished this.”

”She had the apple, toots. With the apple and her strength, it's not impossible to accomplished such feat. Within this barrier, everything she thought can be turned into a reality. This is probably the world what she dreamed it would be.” Yun Che simply explained while holding the apple in front of him. This simple thing has give Xuyi the luxury of building her own version of paradise.

”Before she was greeted by the harsh reality of the world.” Jasmine continued his sentence.

He nodded and continued ”The barrier was able to sustain her powers as she created it through the apple. In the hands of a powerless mortal, this world might be an illusion but this is divine cultivator we're talking about. She was able to create a powerful Isu barrier before making her own version of the world. Explains why the barrier was able to covered tremendous distance. If we didn't have the apple, we might have phased through it without knowing such a world exist.”

”Goodness, such a beautiful world. I wish the Azure Dragon would put me in this world instead that cramped world of his.” Mio spoke as she admired the beauty of the world. Although it's not literally a different dimension, it was enough to give the feeling of otherworldly.

Mio just giggled on her statement before she commented ”Giggle…. Mio chan, I won't mind spending the rest of my life here. Then again, living my life as a mortal might be a boring thing.”

”Worlds like this is common in the Realm of the Gods but to see this kind of world exist in the mortal realm is enough to amaze me.” Jasmine spoke.

”Then again, it's not a separate dimension. It's a modified world within an Isu barrier. Still, I can't deny Jasmine's thought. I am pretty impressed she could create this realm.” He remembered this place as a new a separate realm in the barrier but Xuyi built this world on top of her hometown. A safe haven for non-cultivators.

”But, I don't know why. This realm is really peaceful. Although it's not like your inner world buts it's something.” Kon made his usual bad remark.

”Bastard…the inner world is my own realm. I am still developing it. Cut me some slack.” Yun Che sighs at Kon's statement before adjusting Cang Yue's position. He wanted her to be comfortable in his arms. If she was awake, she might have passed out from being too close with him. All of them proceeded to walk through the enchanted forest at the same time admiring its beauty. Xuyi really outdone herself this time as she was once stood on the peak of the world for two thousand years and its impossible that she won't be able to accomplished this kind of feat.

As they walk through the forest, they even saw ordinary animals which is quite common in this barrier's world. What impressed them was these animals didn't possessed any shred of energy unlike those demonic beasts outside. Retsu slowly spoke ”Even the animals in here are powerless as well.”

”Well, the barrier did suppress any cultivation of man and animals as if they are mortals. Animals were no exception as well.” Yun Che explained the nature of the barrier's power to them. It's been a while since he saw ordinary animals like this in this world of cultivation. If animals were stronger than humans, then how are those humans going to survive in this world?

Rustle…rustle….

The sound of rustling within bushes were suddenly heard as Yun Che and the others continued their walk. Since all of them had haki, they can sense a movement within it but decided not to do anything about it. The energy signature followed them until they reached this part of the forest but mortals in this realm are harmless. There's no use using their powers against them.

”Yuu-kun….” Retsu instantly contact him with the Tenteikura which he replied ”Just walk normally… don't show your cultivation or any strength at all. We don't want to freak it out.” Part of him wanted to fly out of the forest and searched the village through the air but what would those people feel when they witness flying people suddenly came into their village uninvited.

Unable to take it anymore, he spoke to his surroundings. ”Look, we don't like being followed. Why don't you show yourself? Don't worry, we won't hurt you.”

The rustling sound suddenly went quiet when he spoke those words but culprit didn't even show itself to them as if it went quiet. But, its signature was still among the bushes. Not even trying to get away.

”Looks like I have to take a drastic measure.” Yun Che slowly placed Cang Yue on the ground to free his other hand while the other supports her head.

”What are you doing?” Jasmine was curious what kind drastic measure he wants to do with the signature that's been following them for a while. Yun Che kept his cool before he turned his head towards Kon. With a creepy grin, he suddenly grabbed Kon by his body earning some struggle from him. ”Sorry, Kon.”

”You…what do you think you are doing to me?” Kon struggle a little but his strength was worthless in his plushy form.

”Do me a favor and gave our little guest a scare.” He grinned to his face before tossing him towards the bush. ”Ehhhh!!!” Kon instantly dived head first into bush as he was instantly tossed by Yun Che before he could react.

”Kyaaahh!!!” Finally, a girly scream was heard from behind the bushes where Yun Che just threw Kon. Whatever he just did, he finally gave their culprit a little scare. In an instant, a small figure instantly came out of the bushes as if she seen something unbelievable.

”A little girl?” Mio was the first one who react as she saw the owner of the energy signature that's been following them for a while.

”Why would a little girl following us?” Retsu tilted her head as she witnesses the little girl suddenly came out from those bushes. No wonder she detected a smaller signature through her eagle vision. She never expected the one following them would be a little girl. Moreover, she seems innocent as the intent came from her body was blue instead of red. It was a good thing that she managed to use the eagle vision while walking. It was hard to maintain at first but she did practice for several hours for the past two days and was able to control it bit by bit.

The little girl was small probably around the age of six as her size was smaller than average ten-year-old girl. She wore a small purple robe with a cloth tied around her waist. She was carrying some kind of pouch behind her made from cloth into a form of a backpack. As for her feature, she had a lovely hairstyle along with a long ponytail behind her tied with a ribbon. She also wore two ribbons tied on each side of her head used to hold her black hair. She might be a little girl but this she is quite beautiful despite being younger. Especially her big beautiful eyes and her cute nose. What kind of parents she had as they were able to produce this kind of daughter?

When the little girl saw all four of them excluding Jasmine, she tried to run away only had her ways being blocked by a large tree. She turned around before leaning against the tree with a scared expression.

Yun Che decided to slowly approach her while showing her a gentle face as gently spoke ”It's okay, don't be scared. We won't hurt you. We passed this area and noticed you behind the bushes. Sorry that we scared you.”

The little girl remained quiet but her scared expression is still there. Despite being probably around six or seven years old, she has a tough character for not crying in this type of situation. She even secretly followed them without knowing their true nature. But, she didn't expect her presence was detected before she could follow them.