Krune showed Sterlena around the Mountain Sect, shamelessly taking credit for everything. Even if it was something completely created by Zamura or someone else, he went along the lines of, "I gave them the idea…."
And for some reason, Sterlena believed every single word he uttered, eyes widening from time to time as she inspected the depth of planning that went into the creation of the Mountain Sect.
"The sect even has a Sub-Realm?" She was shocked by this point, entering the Mountain Sect Sub-Realm.
"Yep, it's something we obtained as a reward from the Sub-Realm where the five Gods experimented with creating body cultivation. Most of our disciples originate from there," Krune replied, leading her to a massive arena where a competition was being held.
Of course, he was also surprised at the changes that had happened to the Mountain Sect in the time he had been away. All the buildings had been occupied, every department had enough personnel, and the treasures of the sect were being put to proper use to nurture more immortals.
Countless other buildings had also been erected within the Sub-Realm, whose size had expanded a lot since he had last entered it.
Zamura had explained that this was thanks to the Godly Veins that they had fused into it, spiking its growth. At present, its size was already a quarter of a continent, with most of the newly created space being empty.
Resources were being produced there, but there just weren't enough cultivators to roam that far.
"This Sub-Realm is rich!" Sterlena was shocked. "How much wealth have you accumulated here?"
"Probably a continent's worth," Krune said nonchalantly. "It's thanks to our limitless supply of Godly Energy, after all. We have three Cultivation Lotuses."
"There are three of them here?" She was shocked once again before massaging her forehead, muttering, "Ahh, I feel a headache already."
"Krune, you've returned?" The Seamstress quickly flew his way, surprised. "You've been away for so long that I almost forgot you."
"How's the sect's growth?" Krune asked.
"Oh, amazing, to be honest." She laughed in response. "We don't even need to recruit any cultivators. Those arriving from the Sub-Realm are more than enough. And recently, based on what the newcomers have said, it seems that most of those from the topmost layer have begun to arrive here. Things changed after one of the Gods allowed one of us to head there and show our might to recruit them."
"Why have the Gods done that?" Krune was confused when he heard that. "What do they gain from losing the cultivators that they have painstakingly accumulated for so many years?"
"I'm not so sure." She shook her head as she told him, "Only Gegrafikan knows about it. He was the one that made a deal with the Gods of that Sub-Realm, after all."
"It feels like I've skipped on a lot of important events." Krune smiled wryly before asking, "Where's Feifei?"
"She's cultivating," the Seamstress replied. "She has relegated most of the work to the Monster Geckos under her control and has only been cultivating ever since you left."
"If she's cultivating, then I won't disturb her." Krune nodded in response. 'We need all the strength we can to face her enemies anyway. Better not interrupt her focus.'
"What's the competition about?" he then asked, gazing at the massive arena below, seeing cultivators move together in groups as they fought the Monster Geckos that came along the way.
"Recently, Zamuria managed to create some powerful passive abilities. So, they are being used as a prize, with the winner being able to obtain a unique active ability," she spoke. "So, the competition is pretty fierce."
"It's only for Inner Disciples, though, so you can't participate," she spoke curtly, observing his intention to fight before asking, "Besides, I've already reached the God Trial Realm, but I still don't have the confidence of defeating you."
"What the hell have you been up to until now?"
"Well… it's a pretty long story." Krune smiled in response. "I'll tell you at a later date. I'll break through to the Semi-God Realm first."
…
"This Cultivation Lotus is bigger than yours…" Sterlena said in surprise, arriving above a Cultivation Lotus.
"Well, everyone broke through to become immortals on this, after all," Krune replied. "Plus, the founding members have already reached the God Trial Realm, not to mention the countless Core Disciples that have reached the Semi-God Realm."
"The refinement the lightning tribulations can unleash are beyond what I could create, at least, until now, that is." He smirked. Thanks to his comprehension, the power of his Tribulation Lightning would almost be on par with the Tribulation Lightning one would face to break through into the God Trial Realm.
It's thanks to his comprehension of the Tribulation Lightning Law already reaching the God Trial Realm, raising the potency of its effectiveness. Moreover, he was at the Nascent God Realm right now, able to use it at a stronger level than during the century when he was only at the God Core Realm.
"Once I reach the Semi-God Realm, my Cultivation Lotus would grow to become stronger." Saying so, he turned around, asking, "Sis, do you want to break through first?"
"Hmm... why don't we try to breakthrough simultaneously?" After a moment of thought, she suggested something that was insane.
"We'll definitely die!" Krune shook his head, refusing the initiative immediately.
"Well, it'll surely be interesting, don't you think?" She laughed, saying, "Besides, I wasn't asking your permission. I was just giving you a heads up."
Krune's eyes widened in shock as he quickly noticed dark clouds form in the sky, groaning. "Oh, come on! Are you actually the Calamity Laws in disguise?"
"Well, I've eaten up a good part of the Calamity Laws. So, you're not wrong to say that." She laughed, dragging him towards the Cultivation Lotus. "You should also start if you don't want to suffer for no reason."
"Just my luck." Krune wanted to cry as he had no other choice but to break through. It seemed Sterlena had no intentions to leave him alone.
Besides, with his current strength, their actions were indeed no suicide. Or at least, that was what he had thought until he noticed what happened in the skies.
The Tribulation Lightning changed shape, turning into actual dragons, emanating such a powerful presence that he was stumped for words for a moment.
His expression collapsed as he almost pulled out his hair. "…fuck me! Why again?"