RE: Reality Smuggler (R-18)

After storing the newlywed's corpses, I looked at Tess and Zhu Li.

Tess, now in the form of Liao Lan, had a bitter expression, tears flowing from her eyes.

Zhu Li was even worse. At some point, she crawled to the bloodied bouquet and held it, weeping.

I can understand Zhu Li's behavior to an extent. Sure, she hated them to the bone, but she also had a connection to them, however abusive it may be.

"She needs alone time to let it all out." - I thought.

I then looked at Tess, who just stared at where the bodies were in a daze, her eyes flowing with tears.

"That's not normal. She is an Ascended, and her emotions should be more regulated. Also, she didn't have a connection to the couple and even hated them. Feeling sorry about it is one thing, but crying is another." - I thought.

"Tess? Are you alright?" - I concernedly asked through the crystal network.

Tess turned to look at me, her teary eyes filled with loss and melancholy.

"I am fine... It's just that I got too entangled with their emotions." - Tess explained.

"Because of reading their minds?" - I asked.

Tess nodded.

"Yes. By reading their minds, I saw the world through their eyes. You normally don't need to think too deeply when dealing with a villain, but I am forced to relate to their emotions and memories as if I stood in their shoes. Sure, without a doubt, they both deserved and needed to die. They were sick. However, they were not born like that. They were normal once. They could have walked a better path. Circumstances drove them into the monsters they became."

She then turned to look at Zhu Li. A complicated look flashed in her eyes.

"And not only that. Their desires... Their corrupted obsession. It was so strong that some of it rubbed on me." - Tess said.

The look in her eyes shifted to a lustful one but was pushed back almost immediately.

It seemed like reading minds comes with a price.

Reading someone normal is one thing, but someone crazy or corrupt can be dangerous.

"Will you be okay?" - I worriedly asked.

"I... Think so. I think time will cure this mental taint. I need time." - Tess nodded.

I couldn't help but sigh.

"Very well. Can you bring me up to speed about Zeng Wei? I need to know everything he knows." - I said.

"Yes, Iver..."

Tess then explained Zeng Wei's life, including essential points and conduct.

It took me 20 minutes to memorize it all. It wasn't too complicated.

"Thank you, Tess. Go and wash up, and then get some rest." - I said.

"Alright." - Tess nodded.

Then, after taking another complicated look at Zhu Li, she went inside the bathroom.

I then looked at Zhu Li, who seemed to have calmed down. She just looked down at the blood and flowers, sad.

"Hah..." - I sighed and kneeled.

"Zhu Li." - I said.

She didn't respond.

"Zhu Li." - I repeated.

This time, she twitched and turned her head to face me.

When she looked at me, who now looked like Zeng Wei, she looked complicated.

"... What do I do now?" - Zhu Li asked.

"You are now free, Zhu Li. Your shackles are broken." - I softly said.

"Am I?" - Zhu Li sadly asked.

Her eyes then turned to the flowers, a deep sense of loss in her. She spoke no more.

"... I can give you choices, Zhu Li. I can let you walk away with enough money to support your family and more. You can get a life, a career, a family. You don't need to suffer anymore." - I said.

"... And then what? The ghosts of my past would hunt me. I can never have a happy life again." - Zhu Li closed her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Hearing her, I pursed my lips. I hesitated for a moment before speaking again.

"... I have another proposal. However, this one would be the same as chaining you again." - I said.

"Would it give me a happy life?" - Zhu Li turned to me, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

"Perhaps. I offer you to become my Zealot. By becoming my Zealot, perhaps you may get over your past. And if that doesn't work out, I can help you delete it. I can give you a new start, a blank page. However, once you choose this, there is no going back. From that moment on, you would view me as your god. Forever." - I grimly said.

"..."

Zhu Li remained silent and turned her eyes to the flowers.

"If... If I can get over this pain... I am willing to pay any price." - Zhu Li said.

"... So be it." - I nodded.

I then placed my hand on the floor, pouring energy inside the building.

After pouring 1,410 points, I stopped. It was enough for a level 4 Dark Idol and convert her into a Zealot.

I then looked at her.

"Are you ready?" - I asked.

To my words, she nodded.

"I was ready for the last few years." - She replied.

"... Very well. Accept it." - I said, placing my hand on her head.

And then I placed the Mark of Zeal on her.

There was no resistance. She accepted it wholeheartedly.

Around ten seconds later, it was complete.

I took back my hand, and she looked at me with obedience and filial piety. The connection was established.

"My Master." - She bowed.

"How do you feel?" - I asked.

"I feel... better. It is more manageable." - Zhu Li gently smiled.

"Do you still want a new life?" - I asked.

"I... am unsure. I will live and see." - She said.

"It is your decision. Go wash up and head to sleep. We have a flight tomorrow." - I said.

"Yes, My Master." - Zhu Li bowed.

"And call me Young Master from now. I took over Zeng Wei's identity, after all." - I said.

"Yes, Young Master." - Zhu Li bowed again and left.

I then looked at the stained flowers and blood.

"Hah... time to clean this up." - I muttered.

I took the flowers and stored them with Zeng Wei and Liao Lan. I then took a towel and soaked most of the blood before using area sanitization on the rest.

I watched as the blood went up in black flames before disappearing. The room was clean, and the last traces of the newlywed's death were gone.

"... Convenient. I still like cleaning, though." - I muttered.

Cleaning makes me relaxed. It was the reason I didn't use Sanitization in Tess's house.

By this time, Tess exited the bathroom, wearing a bathrobe. That long black hair sticking to her fair Asian skin was exotic.

Honestly, Liao Lan was hot. And I mean, REALLY hot. Her personality was horrible, but I can't deny that she was hot. And now, Tess looked like Liao Lan.

I wanted to try doing it with her in that form, but I thought it would be too much. After all, we just killed them.

I would need many loose screws to do it tonight with her. Besides, I don't think Tess is in the mood.

Sure enough...

"Iver, I think I'll sleep early today." - Tess said and picked some clothes from a fancy closet.

"Hah... That's fine. I need to go and visit the other world, anyway." - I said.

In any case, I wanted to give Primrose energy affinity and see how the girls were doing.

"Hm. Okay. But remember that we need to drive to the airport nine hours from now. It doesn't matter if we are late since our new father lent us his private jet and crew for the next two months, but it would be out of character." - Tess said.

I cringed hearing New Father since my original father is a piece of shit, but then again, the father of Zeng Wei is just a very busy man who spoils his son rotten as compensation.

"Well... Although I don't view that highly, I don't reject calling him Father if it benefits me." - I thought.

"Alright. I'll be back in around 7 hours and 20 minutes. Sleep well." - I said.

"Okay. Good luck, Iver." - Tess said.

And with that, I went to the Ascended World.

 

...

 

Arriving at the left sphere, I noticed three things.

First, Primrose was still on fire. Literally.

She was still a long way from evolving.

Second, the Dark Idol leveled up to grade 8.

 

 

Name: Primrose's Spore Spreader

Type: Kin - Giant Spore Spreader - Land Variant (Amorphous Organic Living Structure)

Controlling Zealot: Primrose Goodman

Grade: 8(739,381/4,536,000) (Automatic grade improvement enabled)

Influence Radius: 1,280m(Grade 8) + 26,210m(Body)

Influence Power: 128(Grade 8) + 5,000(Body)

Passive Mental Energy Regeneration Boost: 128% (228% regeneration rate)

Praying Mental Energy Regeneration Boost: 384% (484% regeneration rate)

Energy Storage Capacity(Any): 4,152,816,440

Stored Energy: Basic Energy: 739,381(Stored), Evolution Energy A: 129,712(Stored), Enhancement Energy A: 129,712(Stored)

 

 

The Dark Idol is getting more OP. Although the influence is still lackluster compared to the Spore Spreader, it is already significant. The real thing is the regeneration rate. Just that passive regen is an absolute boon, not to mention praying. This is a psychic's holy land!

And the energy is also accumulating at a faster rate. It was around 4.3 points a second when I left, but now, it's 7.7. And the storage capacity increased by a lot, and it's still rising.

Like, for real, things are snowballing.

There were also the Evolution and Enhancement energies. They were added again.

And the third thing...

"Sir Iver!" - A familiar voice entered the sphere.

Looking over, I saw it was Zemira.

Zemira mostly remained unchanged, a 6-year-old child with chocolate-color skin, but her hair, eyes, and crystal became dark indigo.

"I see your evolution into a Mindweaver was successful." - I smiled and said.

"It is all thanks to Sir Iver's generosity." - Zemira bowed.

"I see. And what of the rest?" - I asked.

"I believe they will finish evolving within three or four hours." - Zemira replied.

"Ho... I look forward to it." - I smiled.

I then had Zemira analyzed.

 

 

Name: Zemira (Ic'thotl'itrod's Zealot)

Race: Ascended Mindweaver

Species: Kin (Human/Flora/Fungus hybrid)

Age: 5 days

Lifespan: 2,042

Gender: Female

Body Type: Human (Child, Rapid Growth)

Intelligence Level: Profoundly Gifted

Mental Energy: 275 (666) (Child, Rapid Growth)

Notable Racial Characteristics: High Overall Performance, High Pain Tolerance, Highly Enhanced Mind, Tenacious Mind, Fast Regeneration, Inherited Knowledge, High Evolutionary Potential, Night Vision, Partial Ambient Energy Sustenance, Fast Digestion, High Energy Crystal, Crystal Wavelength Communication(50 Miles), Shared Senses(Eyesight, Hearing), High Command Authority, Mental Curtain, Mental Affinity(Mortal 6), Susceptible to Hierarchy Commands.

Stable Evolutionary Branches: Ascended Mindweaver II

Description: The Ascended Mindweavers are the center of a Kin Community and long-distance communicators, able to reach up to 50 miles away. Thanks to their tenacious mind, not only can they withstand many connections at once, but they can also control gargantuan-class runic constructs. They are also incredibly gifted mental psionic and have strong combat potential. However, their most significant contribution to the Kin Species is their Mental Curtain, covering the innate weakness of the Kin Species to mental attacks. Because of that, they are priority assassination targets and are protected at all times.

Combat Ability Evaluation: Besides their superior bodies, skills, and intelligence, the Mindweaver boasts incredible mental potential, often used to protect their fellow Ascended or control gargantuan constructs. Although mainly employed outside combat, they can utilize their potent powers to unleash terrifying mental attacks and mental conditions. Although undeveloped, this child can kill you in over a dozen ways.

Reproductive Notes: All evolved female Ascended have a probability of siring either a regular Ascended or an evolved Ascended. However, if an evolved female reproduces with an unevolved male, the resulting child will always be unevolved. Hence, evolved female Ascended would instinctively and knowingly seek out males with desired qualities. There is also a small probability of producing a hybrid.

Eating Habits: Evolved Ascended can eat anything, but part of their diet can be absorbed through ambient energy and radiation, supporting their increased bodily needs for energy. Of course, they can also be sustained by eating high-nutrition foods.

 

 

Eh... What can I say? 666.

As expected, the mindweaver is certainly OP. It makes me want to see just how overpowered the Polymath is.

Yeah, I still didn't check it. It was low on my priority list.

However, I quickly noticed that she now had a 50-mile crystal network.

"That's useful." - I thought.

"Anything happened while I was away?" - I asked.

"Yes, Sir Iver. Lord Arnerd started to evolve. Before he started, however, he donated all of his remaining crystals." - Zemira reported.

"Hm. That explains the extra energy. Anything else?" - I asked.

"Yes, Sir Iver. Human activity has been spotted near us. I believe they belong to survivor camps, likely noticing the expansion of the Spore Spreader." - Zemira said.

"Took them long enough. What did they do?" - I asked.

"Except for killing some of our scouts, nothing as of yet." - She said.

"Hm. Anything else?" - I nodded and asked.

"Nothing else, Sir Iver." - She said.

"Good." - I nodded and turned to Primrose.

"Since I have the energy, let's put it to good use." - I thought.

First, I started absorbing the energy from the Spore Spreader. And this was the result.

 

Basic Energy: 904,387

Evolution Energy A: 149,839

Enhancement Energy A: 142,790

 

With my replenished energy reserves, I turned to Primrose and knelt next to her.

Placing my hand on her, I granted her Universal Energy Affinity 1. After waiting 2 minutes, I gave her the second level. After 4 minutes, level three. I continued until she reached level 5, spending half an hour. And after waiting for half an hour, I gave her level 4 Body Manipulation.

I'm fair when I do things.

 

Basic Energy: 904,387 -> 782,167

Evolution Energy A: 149,839

Enhancement Energy A: 142,790 -> 130,568

 

With this, it would take a few more hours until she evolves.

In the meantime, I took out some Chinese food I bought from some safe-looking vendors when buying flowers. Although I heard it is slightly less safe to eat Chinese street food due to poorer regulations, my Ascended physiology can take on minor food contamination.

"Go ahead and eat, Zemira. I already ate an hour ago." - I said.

"Thank you, Sir Iver!" - Zemira smiled and started eating.

While she was eating, I went out to train outside.

Since I didn't need to worry about making money, I decided to train my combat skills. 

I started from the basics, learning hand-to-hand combat through phantom training.

Following the images in my mind, I followed the moves, starting from the very basics.

After training for some time, I suddenly stopped.

"They finished evolving." - I thought and walked to the dome.

Crack* Crack* Crack* Shatter* Crack* Crack* Shatter* Shatter*...

One after another, the cocoons broke, revealing the evolved loli army.

I could recognize them all, but their hair, eyes, and crystal color scheme changed.

Vermillion, Violet, Amber, Light Gold, Emerald Green.

Out of the girls, there were also three exceptions. Two girls had sky-blue colors, and another girl had deep Indigo colors. They were likely two Pathfinders and a Mindweaver.

Right after they hatched, each of them turned to me and bowed.

"My Lord." "Sir Iver." "Iver." "Lord Iver." "Sir Iver." "My Lord." "Master Iver."...

"Well, at least it's better than the first time." - I thought.

Each of these girls was stronger than me on the evolutionary level and could probably kick my ass. Of course, that is assuming I don't use any of my borrowed powers.

"At ease." - I raised my hand.

The small girls raised their heads and looked at me.

"Today is a special day." - I said while looking at the girls.

"Today, you took the first step of becoming the pillars of our race. But know that this is just the first step! I will forge you to the top! I will make you the foundation of the future. This is a great privilege and responsibility. I do not have unreasonable expectations of you. All I want is for you to do your best. Am I clear?" - I asked with a scanning look. 

"Yes!" - The girls replied.

I nodded.

"Good. And today, there is one other thing to note. Today also marks the birth of the first Royalty of our race. Bear witness to the genesis of the first queen of the Ascended." - I said while looking at the left dome.

There was only half a minute now.

All the girls looked over as they watched with widened eyes.

The seconds ticked by until...

Oom*

I felt the crystal network tremor.

I felt that dominating presence.

She woke up.

A message echoed for over a thousand miles. Kin or Ascended, they all resoundingly heard it.

"By the holy investiture of Our God, the True Sun, I, Primrose Goodman, first of his Zealots, am the first Royalty of the Ascended!"