Feicui Long finished explaining everything that had happened in all this time: "So, that's all. I found you in a modified Draconic fortress and carried you to my new home."
Mariane looks at Feicui Long's face with a sad expression and hugs him: "Master, I'm so sorry for what you've been through, and I wasn't by your side at that moment..."
Feicui Long gently caresses Mariane's back and says: "It doesn't matter anymore, so you don't have to worry about me."
Mariane feels something strange about her master. She has spent more time with him than anyone else, even the other disciples. She knows him very well. He is a loving person, although he doesn't usually express it. He truly loves those close to him.
That means he can't be this happy. His happiness feels almost artificial, like a machine. Doubtfully, she asks: "Master, you... you sealed your... f..."
But Feicui Long quickly puts his hand over her mouth and says: "Don't worry, Mariane. More importantly, I remember when I took you with me for the first time."
Mariane wants to say something but sits down and lets her master narrate the story, even though this is like the fifth or tenth time she has heard it.
So, Feicui Long starts to tell the story.
...
On that day, I was returning from the universe's border after killing invaders. I could have used my power to teleport back to my empire, to the gate of my God Realm, or even directly into my God Realm itself. But this time, I wanted to see the universe, as I like to do from time to time.
On my way home, I saw a rare sight, a strange artifact in the middle of nowhere. From a distance, it resembled something between a coffin and a strange capsule.
This aroused my curiosity, so I approached to see it. But the closer I got, the stranger this artifact seemed to me, because the first thing I sensed was that it had been made by a being on the level of a Supreme God.
When I finally reached the artifact, I was even more surprised since it contained a human-like baby.
I stepped closer to touch it, thinking, who would put a baby inside this thing in the middle of nowhere? This world was inhabited, but the nearest civilization was about 25,000 km (15,534 mi) away.
I tried using my eyes, but I couldn't see anything. Something was blocking my vision.
You know, Mariane, there's nothing my eyes can't see in this universe, with only three exceptions: people in another dimension or another universe with laws beyond my control, people who use artifacts, and inscriptions to block my vision.
But these two can't really hide from me, since the first one I can see when they touch this universe or are around the universe even if they don't enter. I can also see the changes made even long ago in space, so even if they left, I could see them. Also, I can see them, although a bit restricted, since my eye skills are from my species, only that they are empowered by divine authorities and my technique that I created for it.
The second one, I can't really "see" them, but that makes it more striking because it's like a black point in a white map filled with colorful points. Since I can't see them, but I can see something like a black point, it just attracts more of my attention.
So, the only ones I really can't see are... people who are protected by a master of a universe, also called a universe creator, whether it's from this universe or another universe. Of course, if I have a higher cultivation realm and power, I can ignore this limitation, but if they are at the same level of cultivation and power or surpass me, this is the normal situation.
The reason behind this is the method. The protection doesn't block my sight; it directly cuts it through, overwrites the laws for a moment, and deceives my capacity to see the person or their future, past, and present. Every creator can only put this protection on a very limited number of people. The limit is very low, although it can grow with strength.
But I really don't think that's the case, because I not only used it to see who put you in it, but also to see the planet. And what I saw was that the planet was originally in another location, in the center of the universe. It was moved close to the universe border, but thanks to this, I could realize that this world was one of the most ancient planets that have existed since the birth of the universe.
This part is very important. It's true that I can see even that far into the past, but thanks to that, I can reach a time when the universe was still too young. Because of this, time is very unstable and fragile, which is why that period of time is seen with interference, or even more so, sometimes I couldn't see what happened. This situation wasn't that rare.
But perhaps you are thinking, What's the connection with you?
Simple, when I saw the world, at that moment in the past, the artifact and you were already on the planet, so someone at that moment in time was protecting you and probably moved the entire planet.
When I realized this, I prepared to turn around and leave. Even at that moment, I had already seen many things, from the fall of entire civilizations to the destruction and annihilation of others. A mortal child, although it made my heart ache a little, was not that much, but the lid of the artifact opened.
And beautiful baby you, saw me and even more, grabbed the fingers of my right hand, smiling innocently. Even I couldn't leave a baby in the jungle alone, and in that moment, I took you into my arms. Since destiny decided I had to find you, and even decided that the artifact, which, by the way, I realized later was an incubator, opened by my touch, I chose to follow that destiny. Mariane, you and I were destined to reunite.
Mariane forgot for a moment what she was saying, due to the new details Feicui Long told her at that moment.
…
After the explanation, Feicui Long remembered something and said, "By the way, Mariane, I almost forgot. I realized that you haven't fully integrated my blood. I suppose it's because they modified the formation of the crystal coffin I made to help you integrate it while you slept and protected you."
Feicui Long added, "So I'll help you do it. Come, take off your shirt and give me your back."
Mariane obeyed Feicui Long, but she asked him another question, "Master, I'm sorry that you had to choose between me and the treasures of the Dragon Clan, the Space Clan, and the Time Clan."
Feicui Long laughed a little, "Hahahaha, don't worry, don't worry. I actually told you they were those treasures to convince you to enter, but I gave those treasures to your senior sisters so they could continue taking care of the empire while I'm away. The ones that were in the coffin were my personal treasures, and at some point, I'll recover them or find others of that level."
As Mariane listened to this, she realized she had been tricked and was a little upset, pouting. Feicui Long pretended not to care about his treasures, though deep down in his heart, he knew how supremely rare and valuable they were. He probably wouldn't be able to obtain some of them again. This hurt him a little, but recovering his Mariane had no cost for him.
…
After helping her integrate his blood, the black hair resembling onyx began turning emerald green thanks to the power of Feicui Long's blood. With that, the two returned together after a few hours to the house, where a very annoyed Isabella was waiting for them.
Isabella wanted to complain to Feicui Long about something, but unfortunately, he didn't understand what. After all, he had only gone to spend some time with his favorite disciple, whom he had raised himself. He didn't think it was anything bad. At least no one in the Emerald-Golden Dragon Palace had ever said anything about it, and in the palace, Feicui Long allowed them to speak freely without censoring themselves since they were his most trusted subordinates.
To calm her down, Feicui Long promised to help her train as well, which, although a bit confused since she thought he didn't know much about cultivation, she accepted the offer.
Later, he assigned her one of the empty rooms next to Annie's. Although it didn't have furniture for the moment, it did have several high-quality mattresses. He had bought them in case he ever needed to replace the one on his bed, but he had forgotten about them. Maybe he should create an external storage to move the construction materials there in the boxes so he wouldn't forget what he had in the main one inside the house, he thought to himself.
In any case, Mariane had no problem. After all, she was also a battle-hardened cultivator. Besides, it was only temporary.
By the way, regarding the change in his hair color, everyone is confused by the sudden transformation except Mariane and Annie, but he isn't going to tell them why. He is also grateful for having been born with green eyes, which helps him conceal the change to emerald green.
The rest of the day, he works on Mariane's furniture. Obviously, he can't complete all of it, but at least he is close to finishing several pieces by the time night falls.
This time, he rests peacefully at night, although Isabella wants something else. He has no energy left, as using his soul to allow Mariane to integrate his blood exhausts him.
…
The next day, he continues working on the furniture while also starting to draw up the plans for the new storage. He isn't going to make the storage out of the precious emerald-colored granite, which, although far from being true emerald granite, an energy material, still looks beautiful and is something he likes.
It should be added that it is expensive for a mortal material. In fact, it is one of the main sources of income for the Sky Lion barony, as it is rare and beautiful. For construction, he plans to use common gray granite.
He is also thinking of making a path since he will soon have twice the workforce. Not because he has advanced in cultivation, which, while it does increase the number of golems he can create, is only a small increase, but because Mariane also possesses the Sovereign's Quartet and, in fact, has much more experience than him, a lot more.
Because of this, she will be able to speed up the construction a little. Time passes quickly…