The palace

"You should not underestimate the little one's drive, Theodore!"

"While things did not go as expected personality-wise, he seems to have reflected quite a bit."

Duunim said and pointed at the little machine spirit, quietly hovering on its seat.

The little lord had remained silent throughout the entire ride and Theodore was glad for it.

The heavenly tribulation lightning surely would destroy the car and everyone else along with it.

He shuddered at the thought and decided to enjoy the silence while it lasted.

"Are you sure it is not just playing dead?"

The butler smiled and then his smooth and pleasant voice did not attempt hiding his amusement:

"Far from it, Theodore. He has been diligently researching all manner of cultivation related information."

"Ever since you confined him, he has steadily accessed the net and archived it in his system."

"I assume that he is doing so to become better at berating you and pointing out your faults."

"While completely unconventional, he is still following his purpose. One should not underestimate the value of valid criticism."

This time it was the butler's turn to render Theodore speechless.

The idea of spending time arguing with a sentient machine spirit, whose insults would, no doubt, evolve was terrifying.

He noticed the luxury limousine begin its descend back towards the surface and began to think about what the island would look like:

'The butler's employer must be filthy rich. Definitely lives in a mansion, hence having a butler. I wonder if they are famous?'

The limousine flew through a sheet of white clouds and after a short second of darkness, emerged below them.

Into view through the window came a large city.

Theodore noticed that there was something odd about its outline!

Granted, they were still at altitude and quite a distance away so he could not see its details.

The closer they got, the more he was sure that the cities outline was moving!

The limousine was capable of astonishing speed and it would not take much longer to arrive.

As they got even closer, Theodore's guess was proven right.

Looking closer he could see, that the entire city was made up of large floating skyscrapers!

They were enormous and moved in a rotating ring pattern around the central hub of the city, itself a mass of tall administrative buildings and a spaceport for the off-world traffic.

At the base of each of these giant floating hotels were docking bays that had vehicles constantly arriving and leaving.

From above, the moving traffic and floating buildings looked like a steady river, winding its way around the heart of the city, that reminded Theodore of a lone pebble, at bottom of a shallow creek.

The hotels on Turia were famous for their levels of luxury. Some of the most famous culinary cultivators had residency positions here.

Their food made use of all manner of rare and special ingredients and greatly supported one's cultivation.

All manners of sea-dwelling creatures occupied the oceans below and cultivators hunted these dangerous beasts.

They provided the finest meat and were suffused with spiritual energy.

They were delicious as well as dangerous and if one's cultivation was lacking, the hotel staff would procure the meat for a fee.

Only the finest ingredients were considered by these celebrity chefs and so one had to be either very strong or extremely wealthy to acquire them!

At night, many yachts and cruise ships could be seen floating the seas, intent on all-out parties, or sublime romantic getaways.

These hotels did not just host hunting expeditions but they had all kinds of outdoor activities.

The richest of the arriving guests had acquaintances that lived on Turia and their days were never dull.

Famous auction houses and weapon workshops served a never-ending stream of customers.

"We won't be much longer."

Said Duunim, as the limousine entered a zone where air traffic was controlled by a machine spirit to prevent collisions.

Their designated path took them halfway around the circular outer edges of the city, intent on going past it.

Theodore's sense of expectation heightened.

He was slightly disappointed about missing out on seeing the inside of one of these hotels and so he looked forward to arriving at the butler's employer's mansion.

He never had much use for luxury.

His orphanage had always felt like a home to him but it was operated by the government and social workers.

There were few items of luxury in such a place.

Even after he received his scholarship his new place could barely classify as big enough as a condo.

He lived on his own, thankfully, but many families on Turia raised children in spaces of similar size.

Money indeed ruled this world too.

The more money you have, the bigger your house.

Theodore was immensely curious about the man's boss. To be able to afford a mansion here spoke volumes about their status!

He felt that, until he had gotten some answers, he would not stop feeling like he was constantly rolling with the punches.

The best possible outcome would be to be able to return to cultivate in peace as soon as possible.

The limousine had passed halfway around the city and begun to descend further, no longer restrained by air traffic control.

The nearest coastline came into view and the enormous man-made archipelagos that interconnected with each other.

Numerous islands dotted these regions and many were home to exquisite manors and sported all manners of traffic on the ocean.

The smallest boat Theodore saw was around the size of a big bus.

The biggest one was over a hundred meters long, with multiple decks and they drew long wakes in the crystal clear blue sea!

"Who exactly is your employer Mr. Duunim?"

Theodore asked, amazed at the sheer amount of wealth having been put on display in front of him.

The people that here clearly did not care about spending money.

To them, it was probably just another digit.

Duunim looked back at Theodore and his expression became hauntingly solemn.

Duunim seemed to regard the topic of his employer with utmost reverence, his expression one of respect and pride in his service

"Without a doubt the strongest existence on this planet, Theodore!"

"You are about to meet the most reclusive cultivator on Turia."

"I dare not use her name without her permission and she prefers to stay in seclusion."

"If she wants you to know her name she will introduce herself if she deems you worthy of it."

"She can afford to act as eccentric as she wants and no one would dare to suggest otherwise, do you understand Theodore? "

"This part is very important!"

"She must not be offended in any way."

Seeing the solemn expression on Duunim's face, Theodore was becoming more and more uneasy and his mind reeled back in shock of listening to the words the man just told him:

'The most powerful cultivator?! I thought the most powerful cultivator on Turia was the famous grand marshal of the defense force attached to this world?!'

'This butler's employer is a female cultivator and stronger than him?! What the hell?!'

The man in question was known as grand marshal Vaughn Siepert and he had reached the monstrous cultivation of level eight with major success.

He was celebrated for being a true prodigy and having mastered the law of the divine Dao of fire, with phenomenal success.

The man was a legend in the military and over a thousand standard years old. His fists could shatter the mountains and overturn the seas.

'No wonder this person could afford an island here. This level of strength was extremely formidable. And now I know what could persuade a machine cultivator to become a butler too.'

Almost as if to interrupt Theodore's thoughts, the limousine began its approach towards an island further out than the other ones.

No boats sailed around the area and the skies were clear of traffic as if the hustle and bustle of the world avoided this place.

The island contained a magnificent mansion, with extensive grounds around it.

Countless trimmed hedges and carefully manicured grass covered the island.

The island was home to beautiful groves of trees that covered the area in a mandala pattern, with the mansion at its center.

Beautiful arched walkways meandered on the grounds and exquisite wooden bridges hopped over clear streams.

Service staff was tending the flora with devoted attention to detail and Theodore saw security patrols that had deep levels of cultivation patrol the perimeter.

The limousine came to a stop at a dock, located on the northernmost tip of the island, and was greeted by a stern-looking woman wearing business attire, consisting of a black blazer and pants with professional looking high heels.

The woman's long hair was held in a refined ponytail and was the color of polished bronze.

She was beautiful and her eyes spoke of restrained curiosity as she focused on Theodore, the moment he stepped on the island after taking the little lord with him.

The woman emitted no excess energy and Theodore had no idea how strong she was.

He felt a carefully subdued sense of danger coming from this woman.

Her voice was, contrary to her appearance, icy cold and her words to the point as she addressed him:

"My name is Melissa and I am in charge of security here. You are the guest, a mister Theodore is that correct?"

Theodore nodded.

"Good. Follow me."

Theodore followed Duunim and Melissa to a pathway leading behind the mansion.

They bypassed the tended grounds and arrived at what could only be described as the shabbiest little shack Theodore had ever seen.

"..."

While Theodore was currently extremely confused, the little lord spoke up:

"What the f*** kind of shitty palace is this?"

"Where was this little lord taken during his arduous cultivation?!! "

"We recommend you start over lad, build our shrine six thousand times bigger than this at least. Humph."

"..."