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Arthur was also permitted to drink alcohol once Maria discovered he was far older than she had initially believed, a privilege entirely new to him.
He had tasted intoxication before, but now he possessed techniques to circulate Ki and swiftly restore sobriety once the celebrations concluded.
Despite all her efforts, Maria received no System Rewards, as no specific quest existed for her in this world. Murim was one of those rare "free-roam" realms where climbers could co and go as they wished.
Yet the strength, resources, and artifacts she had gained here were reward enough, treasures beyond asure.
Only yesterday, she had finally consud the last of the Immortal Domains and Celestial Immortal Realms belonging to the Heavenly Palace mbers, including the vast Heavenly Realm of the Heavenly Emperor itself, which had lingered hidden in the skies.
In total, after the wars, her Soul Realm had devoured more than three hundred pocket realms. The final eight, the largest of all, had co from the Four Heavenly Saints, the Heavenly Emperor, and the three Family Heads of the Crimson Order.
Her Soul Realm had expanded into sothing imnse, now at least five tis larger than the entirety of Yggdrasil, one of the Tower’s grandest worlds, where each of its seven continents rivaled Earth in size.
Resources flourished everywhere, endless for the taking. Her Alliance mbers, who could explore it freely, had nad it the "Heavenly Garden," a realm of breathtaking beauty and boundless bounty.
Her disciples were encouraged to roam its lands, hunt its beasts, and gather materials, though limits applied based on their ranks within the Alliance, restrictions automatically enforced by Maria’s Soul and its connection to her System.
All these treasures fueled their cultivation and the growing prosperity of the Murim World Alliance. Maria urged them to claim what they needed; she possessed far more than she could ever use, and their progress accelerated dramatically within the realm’s constant ti dilation.
The cities and settlents were carefully relocated to safe locations outside, and she even returned the mountains she had once taken, proving she harbored no true greed. She had acted only to protect those people.
Most of the Undead she had recruited remained in Murim, serving as her subordinates, except for those she chose to keep within her Soul Realm. The Ghostly Pagoda stayed behind as well, functioning as the permanent gateway between Murim and her inner world.
With a single thought, Maria could summon an even mightier army of both Undead and living warriors, always prepared for battle, stronger than ever before.
Under Maria and the Heavenly Demon, the new Murim Alliance had beco overwhelmingly powerful, securing a formidable position within the Tower. News of the three slain Vampire Family Heads spread quickly. Though filled with vengeance, the Crimson Order chose to flee Murim entirely and disband their Vampire Sect.
Olympus, having invested even less, offered no response, swiftly abandoning any lingering interest in the world. Around that ti, Diodes and Xiao celebrated their marriage, and it was joyfully announced that the Sunblade Damsel was expecting. This marked the first union between Olympus and Murim’s people.
Everyone knew the child would grow into a mighty Spartan warrior and an extraordinary cultivator. The Heavenly Demon watched the couple closely, already anticipating the day he might recruit that gifted youth.
As for Lin Ming, he relocated to the Heavenly Demonic Dragon Sect alongside the Poison Sect survivors. The Heavenly Demon personally welcod them and purified them of their Blood Art Curse, removing what he scornfully called "dishonorable and distasteful powers." Wu Lieng, now the sect’s First Elder, invited his remaining disciples, including the Dhampir siblings, who could finally live freely and happily in a spacious ho surrounded by their cherished seniors.
On the day Maria departed, several orphaned children had already knocked at the sect’s gates, seeking to learn Martial Arts after enduring Murim’s harshest cruelties. They were welcod with open arms.
The Heavenly Demonic Dragon Sect was no haven for the ruthless seeking greater killing prowess. It was a true ho for the lost, the mistreated, and those yearning for belonging. The Martial Arts taught there instilled survival, defiance against cruel Fate, and the strength to rebel against the heavens, forging new destinies together as family.
"Goodbye, Lady Maria! Please take care!" Wu Lieng wept openly as she left. "We will await your return!"
"We will keep training until that day arrives," the Heavenly Demon declared with unshakable confidence. "Go in peace. Do not worry about Murim. I will protect it."
"Byeee!"
"Please take care!"
"We wish you the very best!"
"Thank you for everything, truly," Kim Hua said, bowing deeply alongside her three fellow disciples.
"Thank you for your help!" Terion called.
"Yeah!" his sister echoed. "Bye-bye!"
"Goodbye, Jonathan, everyone. Take care," Lin Ming said softly. "Safe travels to you all."
"You truly changed this world. I am deeply moved," the White Mist Immortal sighed. "Thank you, from the bottom of my heart."
"Indeed!" Yoomyung nodded. "We will eagerly await your return soday!"
"We will remain forever grateful for what you have done," the Sunshine Empress said. "You spared our lives and granted us a second chance. Your benevolence will never be forgotten."
"Please visit again to see the baby. I’m sure he’ll be born by then!" Diodes laughed, waving one massive hand while gently cradling his wife in the other.
"Thank you for making this world a better place!" Xiao called, waving warmly.
Maria gazed at them all one final ti, standing with her family. A faint smirk touched her lips before she nodded and stepped toward the portal.
She shed quiet tears but kept them hidden.
This world had changed her more profoundly than she ever imagined.
So many battles, adventures, and cherished friends.
Leaving felt unbearably hard.
Yet she had to go.
"Thank you for everything, everyone. I’ll return. I promise."
Maria stepped through the white portal with her family, erging into the vast space between floors, an expansive hub filled with shops and even a gentle fountain.
Unlike earlier inter-floor areas, this one bustled with hundreds of players. Above them stretched an artificial blue sky complete with a glowing sun.
"Oh wow, what is this place?!" Nyx exclaid, eyes wide.
"It’s huge! Is this the next world?" Celes asked.
"No, this is just the area between floors," Maria smiled. "Shall we explore a little before moving on?"
They strolled together, buying trinkets and sampling foods sold by the players themselves. It was an enormous marketplace built entirely by climbers, offering treasures, crafted goods, grand inns, and bustling restaurants.
"So players can create things like this on their own, huh?" Lucifer mused, smirking. "Not bad at all."
"It’s wonderful!" Partner declared, devouring her tenth at skewer. "I love all the different ats from so many worlds!"
This brief outing allowed them to unwind, easing the heavy sorrow that had gripped their hearts upon leaving Murim.
Maria finally checked her Status after so long, greeted imdiately by a cascade of level-up notifications.
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[...]
[Your Level has increased from Level 479 to Level 490/500!]
[All of your Stats have greatly increased.]
[You earned 11,000,000 System Points.]
[You have received a new Divine Blessing: {Divine Blessing of Murim’s Heavenly Demon}!]
[You acquired the Title Skill: [Liberator of Murim: Lv1]]
[You acquired the Title Skill: [Slaughterer of Umbralheim Vampires: Lv1]]
[You acquired the Title Skill: [Crimson Order’s Greatest Enemy: Lv1]]
"Whew, three whole titles? And he actually blessed ?"
Their effects were straightforward. The first enhanced her charisma in Murim and granted stronger boosts to Martial Arts and Cultivation.
The second increased damage against Umbralheim vampires and allowed her to detect them effortlessly.
The final title provided substantial stat increases when facing Crimson Order mbers.
As for the Heavenly Demon’s blessing, Maria felt no imdiate change. She suspected it strengthened her Martial Arts or Cultivation in so subtle way.
But there was still more to co.
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