—–

We ended up learning a lot of last night; there were more revelations than I would’ve liked to learn before bed. From Song’s appearance to perhaps the actual reason he exists within this form, and also even more things.

A Void Ruler that had not appeared in the original story… perhaps only because they never intervened with any world where the main story was centered, which was wherever my brother went to.

Master said that they had only gotten a single notification when it appeared, its gigantic tentacles trying to devour the world, tentacles made of hard metal and wires, covered on electricity that seemed to distort space and time.

The {Universal Computer}.

A weird name for a Void Ruler, but it could imply a million things. I always imagined the Void Rulers to be eldritch horrors; can something mechanical be…

Wait, yeah, they can be quite horrifying; we’ve seen how terrifying they can be with that mechanical Demon King.

Usually a Void Ruler’s names imply the Aspect of the Universe they represent.

The Bleeding Scream represents all of the Universes Suffering and Agony, the Pain that every living being goes through, their bleeding screams, a universal constant in every place where there are living beings.

The Boundless Abyss represents the endless darkness that encompasses everything, I think—the abyss that exists within people’s hearts and also of the eternal darkness that makes space, which swallows it all.

The Endless Hunger represents the never-ending desire of all living beings to eat and take from other things, their greed, gluttony, envy, jealousy, and so on… a terrifying being I’m glad I have yet to even hear about.

And so on… There’s many more, and perhaps even more that were never mentioned in the main story at all!

And now, the Universal Computer joins their barracks.

How did this one originate? And what does it represent?

Technology? Numbers? Computational calculations?

Maybe all of that and also artificial intelligence, which could even be catalogued as some sort of “sin” or perhaps an “universal constant” of life, which is always trying to recreate themselves.

I don’t really have any more clues than those, though…

“Hahh…”

It was already the morning of the next day, and I had woken up without moving an inch. I was staring at the ceiling while thinking about all of those things.

The Song that’s here is like a part of him, his “story,” stored within the World Record Core of the World of Bestia.

This small fragment of the core that was left behind when the Universal Computer attacked the planet, piercing its crust to reach the core and devour it.

It was stopped by the two Venerables, thankfully, but it still managed to “taste” this world, and perhaps because of that, it might have become obsessed.

But thanks to that attack, it was a possibility for this Son to be born, from that fragment left behind it couldn’t devour.

Master might have never been able to find this fragment if it wasn’t because the Void Ruler tried to eat the World Record Core directly after all…

Yet, even then, without my help and my sponsorship, this Record, this Story of Song stored within the fragment, would have never come to “life”.

Is this all connected? Or just a coincidence?

“Hm…”

I slowly sat on the bed, feeling a bit groggy. I realized Sara was nowhere to be seen, though I could faintly feel her presence far away. She was on the palace’s roof.

The rest of my familiars were also there, probably talking with Master; her strong presence remained in that place too.

I quickly climbed to the rooftop to see what was going on, finding master imparting upon my familiars with techniques and knowledge.

Especially to Sara.

“Like this?”

Sara was sitting cross-legged over the garden, floating above it, actually, while meditating and channeling the energies within her.

Black colored Ki began gathering inside of her chest, spreading through the rest of her ghostly body, and refining it.

“Yes, just like that, Sara, you’re quite talented,” nodded master. “Despite having a body that seems to be devoid of Life Ki, you can still channel Death Ki very easily! Only the Heavenly Demon can do this so seamlessly… Well, there was also a Sorcerer of Old, an ancient Immortal called Demi-Venerable of the Seven Nether Realms. He cultivated Death Ki and had Sorcery Techniques that could take control over the bodies of dead Cultivators.”

“So like a Necromancer?” wondered Sara. “Yeah, Anna is one too. Did you know?”

“Yes, but her Necromancy, as you call it… It wasn’t like his, nor did it channel your powers,” said Master. “It channels a bright power, a balance between Death and Life. Fang Shuan who is also like you, made by her, possesses this powerful energy. I think it’s called… Holy Nether Essence?”

“I had no idea…” said Sara. “I’ve already begun growing with just Death Ki, so thanks… Fang Shuan seems busy cultivating his soul right now, so I don’t know if I should bother him…”

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Sara looked at the stoic cultivator who was sitting on another side of the rooftop, his eyes closed, constantly concentrating on his soul.

She was looking at him for a while; it was as if she admired him or something. Maybe because he’s shiny? He does also have a handsome face.

Or perhaps… No, she was captivated by something else, the shape of his soul.

“Such a beautiful and strong soul…”

She seemed to have changed upon her resurrection as a specter after her death; her likes had changed too.

Perhaps now that she’s half-ghost, she considers souls before a physical appearance?

If then, indeed, Fang Shuan would have a beautiful soul.

Meanwhile, Violet, Snow, and Shiro were concentrating on their own training, which was sparring against one another while unleashing Ki Auras and Ki Techniques.

They were working very diligently. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a monster “train” at all, but I guess my guys are a bit different than the rest, heh.

I didn’t want to intrude on their own personal growth, so I quickly moved back to my room to take a bath, and then after getting ready for another day of training, someone knocked at my door.

“Young Lady Anna, are you awake yet? Breakfast is served in the dining hall.”

It was Yin Sheng, diligent as usual!

“Oh, alright!”

I walked out and met him, hugging him, mostly to feel his soft fur.

“Good morning, Yin Sheng! How do you feel?”

“A-Ah! I’m fine…”

He looked embarrassed as he quickly freed himself from my hug.

I wanted to caress his fur a bit more…

“Ah! Sorry, was that awkward?” I asked. “In my world, we usually hug those people we love or care for, family and friends.”

“Oh, so that’s how it is,” the cute fox boy giggled. “It’s fine, Lady Anna. I know your sincerity. To know I’m an important person to you… someone you consider your friend or family, it makes me feel very happy.”

He smiled cutely, his fluffy tail wagging.

Oh my gosh, isn’t he the cutest?!

“Awww! There’s nothing to be thankful about! You’re my bestie too, Yin Sheng! Come here!”

“E-Eh? Aahh!”

I ended hugging him a bit more!

After that, we moved to have breakfast, finding Wai Tian and Zero One chatting leisurely together. And then I noticed another face—an adorable one-winged half-crow and half-white crane boy who was happily eating breakfast while the two girls watched over him as they ate as well.

“Anna! Good morning!”

It was really him… For a moment, I thought everything was just a long dream at the end. But it wasn’t, this boy… he was really here.

The one that had gone through so much, the one that ended being used by the Constellations…

“Song…”

Just looking at him felt like I was trapped in some sort of dream, but it was all real.

“What’s wrong? Aren’t you going to eat too? I’m feeling really hungry! So I’ll eat everything if you don’t, hehehe!”

He giggled childishly as he started eating the spring rolls one after another!

“W-Wait a second, Song! Leave some for your big sis!”

I ran to the table, sat down, and quickly served food on my table. There were several bowls and plates with a lot of delicious foods that Master had left prepared.

“Good morning, Anna,” Wai Tian served me some black tea with herbs and a few spoons of honey. “Did you sleep well?”

“Ah, yep! No problem…!” I said. “Yeeeah…”

It’s better not to tell them I couldn’t sleep too well because I was overthinking things as usual.

“Well, I’m glad to hear that!” said Wai Tian. “Anyways, after breakfast, we should go back to train right away. Master said she’s making up a plan for what’s to come, but that we should concentrate on growing stronger.”

“Yeah, sure!” I nodded. “What about you, Zero One?”

“Oh? I’m fine, thank you,” Zero One smiled cutely. “I’ve managed to process everything and make my own assumptions, and also… Well, in resume, I’ve thought through things, and now I feel a bit better after accepting things as they are now and looking forward to the future, which we can still change.”

“Oh…”

“Dwelling too much in the past… is not good; to be regretful for things I never did, to feel sorry for what others did… it’s not good either,” she sighed. “The sins of my ancestors, of Mother… I don’t have any necessity to carry them. And… I believe that we can build something new together.”

She looked different than before.

Zero One had definitely changed through all these days we’ve lived with her.

The experiences she went through, all the things we did, all the fights, everything…

The truth that was revealed to her, the struggles of the past…

Despite being a Machine Lifeform like those invaders we had to fight and defeat, she was much different than them.

I don’t know if this is what her “Mother” intended, but it seems that she had finally left behind that…

The “Stigma” of being a Machine.

And she’s finally moving forward, realizing that she’s Herself.

A sense of identity even stronger than before.

A Resolve.

Amazing…

She said it so casually, but her words brought so much meaning.

She had already developed a heart, made of emotions and love.

But now she was already developing a Soul.

“I’m so happy you think like that, Zero One!” I congratulated her. “Uwaah! All my kids are growing up already! It’s like I’m a mother that’s seeing her little chicks grow into big rosters…”

“W-What nonsense are you talking about?!” Wai Tian muttered.

Wai Tian too! She had become so much more casual with everyone. She doesn’t treat me like I’m an immortal anymore, and she’s treating me like an equal, a friend.

It’s so niceeee!

My kids!

Sniff, sniff…

“A-Anna?” Zero One tilted her head without understanding why I was crying tears of happiness.

“It’s nothing… These tears are of happiness…” I cried. “You’re all so cute.”

“Eh?”

“Huh?”

“Hm?”

Yin Sheng, Wai Tian, and Zero One glanced at one another.

They really didn’t get it, haha…

“Heheh! Anna treats you guys like kids…” Song giggled, covering his beak.

“W-Wait, I didn’t mean it like that!” I cried.

As I faced their slightly angered expressions, I apologized for misunderstandings and then joined everyone on breakfast.

Although Song had already eaten every spring roll, leaving only one behind…

Ugh, the last soggy spring roll…

Well, it tasted nice; the tofu inside was fresh, and so were the veggies.

“Alright! Looks like you are all ready to begin training,” Master arrived just as we finished eating. “Shall we go to the rooftop? Now that you’re done with the tower, it’s better to relax and move on to a calmer meditation training. Song, do you want to come train with us as well? Your potential is greatly untaped, my son.”

“Oohh! Can I train? Really!” Song was really excited. “Okay! Okay! I’ll get my training clothes on! Wait! Where’s Papa, though? Haven’t seen him…”

“Your father?! Well…” master seemed slightly shaken. “He’s not joining us for today… He’s busy on his own things.”

“Eeeh? But didn’t you say you would stay with me?” Song cried. “Did you lie to me?”

“A-Ah! No! I would never lie to you, my son…” Master sighed. “It’s just… it’s complicated. Everything is…”

“Don’t worry!”

I stepped forward.

“I’ll go bring your papa asap; he’s just doing hermit meditation holed inside a mountain; just wait here, Song!”

“Really?! Okay! You’re the best, big sis!”

“Heheh! Leave it to your big sis!”

I winked at Master, who seemed confused.

“Anna?! What are you…?”

Suddenly, I used my [Cosmic Ring of Space Shifting] and swiftly teleported away by passing through a spatial portal.

FLUOSH!

Yep, I can easily escape the Inner Realm like this, heh!

“Now…”

I found myself over the terrace of the Heavenly Demon’s black palace, where I had left the Spatial Portal.

“Master! Where are you?”

No response.

Hmm…

“Hey crow head! Just come out already!”

Silence.

And then…

BAAAM!

A giant fist made of black flames reached me from the skies.

I blocked it with my Myriad Self-Art Aura.

And he appeared.

“Hah! You’ve grown sharper while training with the stuck-up woman, I see!”

An annoying crow-faced bastard appeared.

This is also my master!

“Master! Come with me!”

“Huh? What are you?!”

Before he could even escape my grasp, using all my aura to grab him, I rushed into the portal and…

CLASH!

“Aaack! Anna! What’s your problem?!”

My master landed on the table, breaking it in half.

As he groaned in pain, I smiled at Song.

“There he is, your father, Song!”

“Daddy!”

“Eh? What the…?!”

And then, Master’s crimson eyes opened wide.

“S-Song?!”

—–

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep