Chapter 169: Chapter 169: The Next World
The following morning, Sam woke to find a woman with long, flowing white hair and striking blue eyes sleeping soundly beside him.
Her head rested on his arm, using it as a pillow.
She appeared to be in a deep slumber, completely exhausted.
It seemed the events of the previous night had taken their toll on her.
Despite her noble lineage, she couldn't endure more than a night of their intense encounter, which was quite surprising, given that her mother had once lasted an entire week.
"I would stay until you wake, but there are matters I must attend to," Sam whispered softly.
His voice seemed to reach her even through her deep sleep, as Helena let out a gentle, adorable groan.
Sam couldn't help but smile at her reaction, and he rewarded her with a tender kiss on her forehead.
He took one last glance at her peaceful form, still smiling, before quietly slipping out of the room.
He left the castle and soon arrived at another one of his domains, where several of his wives were gathered.
He had asked the system to send them an invitation to meet, as there were important matters that required their attention.
"Husband, why have you called us?" Nisha asked playfully as she swiftly claimed the seat beside him, wrapping her arm around his in a possessive gesture.
Ruby, noticing Nisha's bold move, narrowed her eyes in mild irritation.
However, when she spotted the empty seat on his other side, she snorted in mock disdain and took her place there, claiming the position as if it had been hers all along.
Aurora, on the other hand, pursed her lips slightly, watching the other two wives with a faint smirk.
They acted so smug and self-satisfied, but little did they know she had her own plans.
Without a care for the eyes watching her, Aurora confidently approached Sam, ignoring the rivalry altogether, and gracefully settled herself on his lap, resting her head against his chest.
The scene before them caused Lenora and Amelia to snort in frustration.
The envy was clear on their faces—they, too, craved the same attention and affection.
However, they were wise enough to restrain themselves.
As much as they were possessive and obsessive when it came to their husband, now was not the time to indulge in their competitive desires.
Sam glanced around at the women gathered before him, all strong and capable, each understanding the gravity of the situation.
"The creation of the tower has been successful," Sam began, his voice firm yet calm. "Have all of you had a chance to read the tower guide?"
"Of course," came the collective response.
Their readiness brought a satisfied smile to Sam's face.
He knew these women were not blinded by arrogance.
They understood the magnitude of what lay ahead.
"Good. Then you know what's coming in thirty days. What are your plans to handle it?" he asked, his gaze sweeping across the room.
Adriana was the first to speak, her voice steady. "The guide states that on the day of the 'Descent,' we will lose our cultivation entirely."
"Exactly," Sam nodded.
"As the guide explained, your cultivation base will be stripped away when the 'Descent' occurs, and you'll have to start from scratch. But here's something the guide doesn't tell you—although you'll lose your powers, you'll regain them much faster than before. If all goes well, you could recover your strength in just a few years."
Lorraine picked up where Adriana had left off. "The second thing the guide mentions is that on the day of the 'Descent,' hordes of beasts, monsters, demons, and other abominable creatures will invade the land, bringing chaos and destruction."
"Under normal circumstances, such threats would be manageable," Ruby added, her tone sharpening.
"But it's a different story when we'll be without our cultivation. That changes everything."
Silence fell over the room as each of them contemplated the immense challenges they would soon face.
The weight of the coming 'Descent' pressed heavily on their minds, as they considered how they would confront this calamity with their powers temporarily stripped away.
Despite the uncertainty that loomed, there was an unspoken resolve in the air.
Each of them knew what was at stake, and they would not face it unprepared.
Seeing their faces, Sam understood immediately.
"I know you're worried about what's coming, and I won't sugarcoat the truth," he began, his voice steady but serious.
His expression hardened as he continued. "It will be difficult—more difficult than anything you've ever faced. Only through sheer willpower will you have a chance to survive, let alone grow. But remember, for every struggle, there is a reward. You just have to give it everything you've got."
Pausing, Sam glanced at each of them before adding, "I won't say more than what's already detailed in the 'Tower Guide.' However, I'll offer this simple piece of advice: during the 'Descent,' you will lose your cultivation. But don't despair—your innate abilities, bloodline powers, and special constitutions, like unique physiques, will remain intact. Use that to your advantage."
He nodded, then turned his gaze to Mira. "Big sister Mira, your constitution is still somewhat damaged. Focus on training as much as you can, especially with [the Holy Sword, Colada]. Try to draw out as much of its holy power as possible to aid in your healing." Mira met his gaze and nodded silently, her face set with determination.
"One more thing," Sam added, addressing the group again.
"Any improvements or progress you've made in your abilities will also reset to the starting point. The only thing you can truly enhance now is your physical strength and your skill in wielding weapons. Train hard—this will be your lifeline."
He took a step back, eyes scanning them one last time. "I'll see you all on the day of the 'Descent. Take care."
With those final words, Sam disappeared from the Eternal City, leaving only the weight of his warning behind.
...
Sam suddenly appeared atop a mountain, its lush green trees and dense vegetation stretching out in every direction.
The tranquil beauty of the scene contrasted with the power that radiated from his presence.
As he stood there, another figure materialized beside him—an ethereal young girl, no more than five in appearance, with short golden hair and gleaming golden eyes.
She was dressed in an intricately detailed gothic outfit, all in shades of gold, giving her an otherworldly aura.
The moment she appeared, she wasted no time.
With a bright smile, she leaped into Sam's arms, embracing him tightly, in a manner strikingly similar to how Kate, Lily, and Jane always greeted him.
"Brother, I missed you!" she exclaimed, her small form burying itself into his chest.
Sam couldn't help but chuckle at his elder sister's display of affection, returning her hug with warmth.
What made the sight even more remarkable was the fact that this little girl, who acted with such childlike affection, was as ancient as life itself.
She was the embodiment of the World Tree of Kenkai—a primordial being. She was Raya.
"Raya, onee-chan," Sam murmured softly, his voice laced with fondness. She giggled in response, nuzzling her face against him with a playful energy.
"I'm sorry I don't visit you as often as I should," Sam apologized, his voice sincere.
Raya pouted cutely, her golden eyes gleaming with understanding. "It's alright," she said, her tone filled with a gentle teasing.
"This big sister forgives you. She knows her brother has important things to do." She punctuated her words by massaging his back as though comforting him.
Sam smiled and lifted her effortlessly into his arms, cradling her as if she truly were the small child she appeared to be.
Taking her hand in his, he spoke with quiet determination. "Shall we do this, Raya onee-chan?"
"Okie," she replied, nodding with an excited gleam in her eyes.
In that moment, her golden hair began to rise, defying gravity as if responding to an unseen force.
Her eyes glowed with an intense, radiant light, and a similar transformation began to overtake Sam.
The atmosphere around them pulsed with power as the air grew heavy with energy.
Then, from the ether, the Codex of the Supreme Immortal appeared before them.
Shisu, the codex's sentient soul, manifested with an overwhelming surge of energy.
The ancient tome opened of its own accord, pages fluttering with a supernatural wind until it settled on a single, intricate page.
Upon it was a vast and complex magic circle, adorned with symbols beyond mortal comprehension.
<The Second Chapter of the Circle of Creation: The Tower of Creation has been successfully activated>
Shisu's voice resonated through the air, a powerful and authoritative echo that seemed to come from the very essence of the world itself.
A distorted voice emerged from Sam's mouth, his eyes glowing with a fierce golden light. "Summon the Towers."
<Summoning the Towers>
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[A/N: If you enjoyed this chapter, please consider supporting it with a few Power Stones. And if you absolutely loved it, you can even contribute a Golden Ticket. Your support means a lot to me! Thank you very much! - Arigato! 🙏]