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Both of Maria’s new Titles were quite powerful. The first granted her a boost to the learning speed of any of her original martial arts when teaching mbers of the alliance.
It also allowed her to assign them quests and demand paynts or other contributions in return.
Most notably, it included a special ability called "Millenary Ghostly Teachings," which let her temporarily transfer her Martial Arts Mastery to any disciple for the cost of so System Points, lasting up to one hour.
That was enough to help them better grasp the intricacies of her techniques and gain a significant strength boost if the situation demanded it.
The second Title increased her Ki Regeneration Speed and Control based on how much fear her enemies felt toward her.
It also triggered a unique reaction within her, giving birth to a new type of Ki related to Fear—a "child" of Nightmare Ki.
"Interesting. This is useful for now... I’ve started caring less about Skills. Martial Arts feel truly limitless, free from the System’s restrictions."
Ding!
[The Title Skill: [Martial Arts Disciple: Lv10] has evolved into [Martial Arts Master: Lv1]!]
"Ah, a pleasant surprise."
Maria felt her understanding of her own Martial Arts deepen slightly. It wasn’t a dramatic change, but it was welco.
While trying to relax, Maria suddenly heard the bathroom door open. It was Lucifer... and Nyx!
"Mama! I heard you were taking a bath. Let’s bathe together! Heheh!" The girl quickly stripped off her clothes, tossing them aside before leaping into the warm pool.
SPLASH!
"Geez! I wanted a relaxing bath..." Maria sighed, gently patting her daughter’s head. "But what can I do when my cute girl cos running in naked? You’ve pretty much forced to wash you now..."
"Heheh!" Nyx giggled, swimming around the pool like an excited puppy. "This is the biggest bath we’ve ever had! It’s amazing!"
"Indeed, it is," Lucifer agreed, settling beside Maria. "Need a shoulder massage? You’ve worked hard."
"Ah, thank you... that feels wonderful," Maria sighed in relief.
"It was a fierce battle, but we prevailed," Lucifer said. "What now? Do we press onward?"
"Of course, but the next leg will take a few hours. I want everyone to eat and rest. We might arrive early tomorrow morning," Maria replied.
"I see. You still care deeply for your disciples," he chuckled. "I’m surprised no one died again."
"I know. They’re my strong children. They won’t fall to frauds," Maria smiled. "Dear , you’re really good at this!"
"Haha, I’ve been practicing," he said. "Nyx lets massage her shoulders sotis."
"They hurt a lot before, but he got better! I give him massages too!" Nyx giggled.
"Hahah, I see," Maria laughed warmly.
"We’ve all grown stronger on this journey, but you’ve advanced the most," Lucifer observed. "Just how many Immortal Domains have you absorbed already?"
"A lot," Maria admitted. "I can feel them stacking within my Soul Realm, greatly boosting my Ki Regeneration and Gathering Speed. If I could cultivate properly, I’d have broken through realms by now... ugh."
"Well, your Martial Arts benefit from it at least, right?" Lucifer asked.
"Yes, I believe so," Maria nodded. "For now, let’s just relax..."
.
.
.
Above the Low Heavens.
Above the Mid Heavens.
Atop the High Heavens.
A gigantic golden palace floated amid hundreds of beautiful yellow clouds and drifting islands.
Thousands of Immortals moved through its halls—an almost exclusive sect for those who had reached such realms.
Anyone below that level was swiftly excluded to lower palaces until they ascended further.
Yet even among these Immortals, a strict hierarchy existed. At its pinnacle sat he who ruled them all.
A colossal figure clad in golden armor, wielding a massive golden axe, gazing down at everyone as if they were beneath him.
Murim rested in the palm of his hand—quite literally—as his Aura overflowed with overwhelming Divine Power.
He was not only the ruler of the Heavenly Palace and the Murim Alliance.
He was the holder of Murim’s Divine Throne.
"We greet the great Heavenly Emperor, God of all Murim."
The final group of Immortals hurried into the conference hall, kneeling until the Emperor nodded, permitting them to rise and take their seats around the enormous golden table.
"Report."
His single word resonated through the entire palace, carrying crushing pressure into every body and soul present.
"We..." an elderly man stamred, hands trembling. "We lost the battle, Your Majesty."
"We’ve received reports that... that demonic madwoman killed your son," a woman with long blue hair and glowing golden eyes added.
"The Dharma Treasure, the Golden Buddha, was stolen by her," another continued.
"Reports also confirm the Sunlight Mountain Sect is gone!" a younger Immortal exclaid. "The mountain itself vanished... The Sunshine Empress is nowhere to be found!"
"Just like Glacial Mountain and Iron Fist?!" another gasped in shock.
"T-They killed one of the Heavenly Princes?!" an elderly woman cried.
"...He was useless," the Emperor spoke, his voice solemn yet ruthlessly cold. "If he fell to scum, he was lower than scum. Not worth any resources."
"...Yes, I suppose so, Your Majesty," the Immortals forced uneasy smiles.
"Iron Fist, Glacial Mountain, Sunlight Mountain... All were weak, lowly sects I welcod into the Murim Alliance out of rcy," the Emperor declared. "Their loss ans nothing to . The death of a Vampire Duchess was more concerning—it risked our alliance with the Lucarion Family. However, the Family Head, who has already arrived, stated he cared nothing for her fate."
"Well... that’s... reassuring?"
"Yes, yes... no cause for worry."
"We will remain supre regardless."
"Your Majesty, are you certain?" the youngest Immortal asked, face etched with concern. "Even if you deem them useless... that monster is accumulating power at an alarming rate. Reports indicate she’s heading straight for the Endless Grasslands, likely aiming for Heaven Touching Peak. That could bring her directly to the High Heavens..."
"And so what?" the Heavenly Emperor remained unmoved, emotionless. "What could scum like them possibly achieve? Nothing. They are so far beneath us—so far beneath —that I barely acknowledge their existence. Greater matters demand attention. Our alliance with the Upper Floors could elevate us far higher. If I play my cards wisely, we might even conquer a world of our own in ti."
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