The Founding (III)

Void Archives glowed, and Kate emerged. "Kate, Junior Brother was captured by the insects," Su Yan said, worried.

"He's okay, don't worry. This will give him a good harvest," Kate replied confidently.

"Since Yang Kai has been captured by the insects, it's not too long before he finds the treasure cave where the Soul Warming Lotus is," Kate thought to herself.

Kate walked towards the edge of Vimana.

"Kate?" Su Yan asked.

"I'll just call you Sis. Is that okay?" Kate asked.

"Yes, you can call me that," Su Yan answered.

"Sis, you should return. A lot of families are gathering at the Sect to recruit talents due to the appearance of the Cave of Legacy," Kate said. "I'll leave Vimana to you."

The Void Archives glowed and flew towards Kate, leaving a lotus tattoo on Su Yan's forehead.

"That tattoo is the mark and evidence that you have complete control over Vimana," Kate explained.

"Wait, how did you know that? And why are you doing this?" Su Yan asked.

Kate suddenly floated slightly upwards and hovered in the air.

"What? How can you..." Su Yan started to ask.

"Vimana, go back to the Sect," Kate commanded.

Vimana immediately flew back towards the Sect in just five seconds, leaving Su Yan surprised and confused.

Kate hovered in the air, deep in thought. "Now I just need to copy those treasures before Yang Kai discovers them," she mused. Determination filled her eyes as she prepared to make her next move.

Meanwhile, back at the sect, Su Yan decided to head to the Destitute Dragon Ravine first. "There are indeed more people here. Kate was right," Su Yan thought to herself as she observed the bustling crowd. "I should cultivate in our cave," she decided, leaving the Vimana hovering above the ravine.

Su Yan jumped towards the side of the ravine, and upon landing, she noticed the Vimana retracting its wings. "So it can do that too, huh? Wait, now it fits in the ravine," she thought, impressed. She controlled the Vimana to descend and stop in front of the cave entrance. After parking the Vimana, she jumped off and entered the cave, ready to cultivate.

As Su Yan sensed something unusual, she immediately ascended to the top of the ravine. Upon landing, she saw all the elders and the sect master gathered in front of her. Quickly, she paid her respects. "Disciple Su Yan pays her respects to the Sect Master and the elders," Su Yan said, bowing deeply.

"We're not bothering you, are we?" the Sect Master asked.

"No, Sect Master. This disciple is here," Su Yan replied respectfully.

"We're here to ask you something," the Sect Master said.

"Should we change location?" Su Yan asked.

"No, this is sufficient," the Sect Master replied, casting a barrier that isolated the whole ravine from the outside world.

"What is going on?" Su Yan thought to herself, feeling a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

"We're here to ask about a disciple named Kate Apocalypse. She was recommended by you," the Sect Master said. "You also came back with a flying artifact."

"Yes, I should start from the beginning when I met Kate," Su Yan said.

After some time, Su Yan finished recounting her experiences with Kate. "I see," the Sect Master said. "I believe that she knows something significant and is making preparations for it."

"Since there is no evidence that she's a spy, we can't imprison her," Elder Su Xuan Wu added.

"Plus, we don't know how strong she is," Elder Wei Xi Tong said.

"Her cultivation is not connected to her abilities. Her flying artifact named Vimana is an example of that," the Sect Master said thoughtfully.

"We need to address Kate's matters, but before that, what's happening between you and Yang Kai?" the Sect Master asked.

Su Yan blushed, caught off guard by the sudden question. "Sect Master, please don't say such things about my granddaughter," Elder Su Xuan Wu interjected.

"Well, due to the sudden chaotic Qi between you two, it's quite obvious," the Sect Master replied knowingly.

"Should I tell Kate to go to the Main Hall once the two of them arrive?" Su Yan asked, eager to change the subject.

"What should we do?" Elder Zhou Fei wondered aloud.

"Yes, let's ask her directly," the Sect Master decided.

"Then I shall do that," Su Yan agreed, grateful for the change in topic.

"Now, about the flying artifact?" the Sect Master asked.

"Kate left it in my care, Sect Master, giving me the mark on my forehead as evidence," Su Yan replied.

"Kate's prowess is mysterious," Elder Wei Xi Tong added. "Like those golden circles. We only know they do not use Qi, she can open ten at maximum, and she fires weapons out of them. She can also control their speed."

"There are also the chains that suppress you," Elder Su Xuan Wu noted.

"Not only that, she has some connection to Yang Kai. Her appearance might be the cause of his sudden improvement," Elder He Bei Shui commented.

"We'll know more once we ask her. Su Yan, I want you to be there too," the Sect Master said.

"Yes, Sect Master," Su Yan replied.

"Then let's end this here," the Sect Master said, disabling the barrier.

Su Yan watched them walk away, deep in thought about the upcoming encounter with Kate.

Not long after, Su Yan returned to the cave and began her cultivation.

After three days, Kate stopped her journey at a lake with a waterfall on its northern side. "Wow, this place is really beautiful," Kate said excitedly. "I'll clean myself here first." She removed her clothes and went into the lake. While floating in the middle of the lake, she reflected, "It's been two days since I copied those things, and now I'm left with 200 years of lifespan."

She thought about Yang Kai. "He's probably on his way back now. Or tonight, he should be taking revenge for the woman who has a map on her back. I can't really remember her name. Even with my brain, the names in a manhua are just too much to remember," Kate said as she swam towards the waterfall.

Arriving at the edge of the lake and close to the waterfall, Kate opened a single gate and a marvelous towel came out. Wrapping the towel around her body, she walked to the bottom of the waterfall, feeling the force of the falling water. "This feels good," Kate thought to herself. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a cave behind the waterfall.

"A cave?" Kate murmured, entering the cave with vigilance. The cave was not very deep. After a short walk, she saw a legendary treasure. "This wasn't in the manhua. What is this?" she wondered. Opening a gate, she retrieved a book. Kate opened it and found information about the treasure.

"It's the Dao Enhancement Lotus," Kate said, astonished.

"It's origin is from the Universe Furnace. This is good," Kate said, marveling at her find. She immediately sat down and began refining the Dao Enhancement Lotus.

After a day, she opened her eyes to find Yang Kai standing there, watching her. "Looks like you're done?" Yang Kai said, surprising Kate.

Kate immediately stood up, clutching her towel. "What are you doing here?" she asked, staring daggers at Yang Kai.

"First, I saw your clothes outside, so I searched for you and found you here," Yang Kai said.

"Since you're already here, let's go back together. You should go now; I'll follow after you," Kate replied, still clutching her towel tightly.

"Okay, but don't take too long," Yang Kai responded before turning and exiting the cave. Kate watched him leave, taking a moment to compose herself. After a few minutes, she dressed and gathered her belongings, ready to return to the sect.

Kate emerged wearing a beautiful battle dress from the Gate of Babylon.

"It suits you really well," Yang Kai said, giving her a thumbs up.

"Let's go," Kate replied, starting to fly away.

"Is she shy?" Yang Kai thought, immediately following her. While flying towards the sect, he couldn't help but comment, "You know, the color of your dress suits your jet-black hair and pearl-white skin."

"What are you doing?" Kate said, giving Yang Kai a cold look.

"Now that you mention it, you're also wearing light makeup," Yang Kai continued.

"Why are you describing my looks right now?" Kate asked, annoyed.

"I know you're beautiful, but not this beautiful," Yang Kai said.

"Now you're just picking a fight," Kate replied.

"Oh? Looks like we're here," Yang Kai said, seeing the silhouette of the sect.

"I see," Kate said, flying towards her temporary house while Yang Kai watched her fly away.

"I can't understand her. Is she shy or what?" Yang Kai thought to himself.

"I have to finish the Eight Difficulties Demonic Technique and master it," Kate thought to herself while landing in front of her temporary house. Before she could enter, another disciple approached her.

"Senior sister Su asked me to tell you that you need to find her as soon as possible," the disciple said.

"Did she say the reason?" Kate asked.

"Senior sister Su did not," the disciple replied.

"I see. Thanks, I shall do that," Kate said. They paid respects to each other, and Kate flew towards the Destitute Dragon Ravine to find Su Yan.

Upon arriving at the ravine, Kate saw Su Yan waiting for her. "You wanted to see me?" Kate asked.

"Yes, Kate," Su Yan replied, looking relieved. "The Sect Master and the elders have some questions for you. They're concerned about your recent activities and the power of your artifacts."

Kate nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I see. Let's go," she said, preparing herself for the meeting ahead.

As they flew together back towards the sect, Kate's mind raced. "I need to be careful. They can't know everything about me or the Void Archives," she thought, resolving to be as truthful as possible without revealing her deepest secrets.

"I know what to do!" Kate realized, an eerie smile spreading across her face.

"What are you planning?" Su Yan asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

"Sister Su, I'll tell you all something very important, so you have to back me up," Kate replied. Su Yan nodded, trusting Kate despite her apprehension.

The two of them landed in front of the Main Hall of the sect. The grand doors loomed before them, and Kate took a deep breath before stepping inside, Su Yan following closely behind.

Inside, the Sect Master and the elders were waiting, their expressions a mix of curiosity and suspicion. Kate and Su Yan approached them and bowed respectfully.

"Disciple Kate, you've been called to answer some of our questions," the Sect Master began. "We know that a cultivator must hide her power, but you are just too dangerous to be left unchecked. Your sudden appearance is mysterious."

"I'm sorry, but what the Sect Master said is true," Su Yan added, stepping forward.

Kate nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Then I shall explain, but please isolate this place, Sect Master, because what I'm about to say is top secret. And please call Treasurer Meng."

"Okay," the Sect Master agreed, turning to Su Yan. "Su Yan, call Treasurer Meng."

Su Yan nodded and quickly left to fetch Treasurer Meng. The Sect Master cast a barrier, isolating the hall from the outside world, ensuring no one could eavesdrop on their conversation.

Kate took a deep breath, preparing to reveal her secrets.

"Now I shall make up a story befitting a great villain helping the hero," Kate thought to herself, blocking her wicked smile with her hand. Not long after, Su Yan arrived with Treasurer Meng.

"What are you planning, brat?" Treasurer Meng demanded, glaring at Kate. "You've been corrupted by that Yang boy."

"Meng Wu Ya, you better shut up!" Kate shot back, surprising everyone in the main hall.

"Wha- WHAT DID YOU SAY?" Treasurer Meng retorted, taken aback.

"Being titled as the strongest in Tong Xuan Realm does not give you the right to insult my husband," Kate declared, further shocking everyone, especially Su Yan.

"What did you say?" Su Yan asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Did you just call Junior Brother 'husband'?" Su Yan asked, worry and hurt evident on her face.

"I'm sorry to tell you this now, but it's true. I'm his tenth wife, Senior Sis," Kate replied.

"Wait, how did you know about Tong Xuan Realm?" Treasurer Meng asked, his suspicion growing.

"I know all of it from Tong Xuan Realm to Starfield and our Star Field, the Heng Luo Star Field," Kate declared. "So a 3rd Rank Saint like you should shut up."

Kate's words surprised everyone, especially Treasurer Meng. "How did you know?" he demanded.

"I'm Kate Apocalypse, formerly known as Yu Xue, the Red Princess. I became Yang Kai's wife when we got trapped in the Chaotic Sea of Stars," Kate declared, her voice steady and resolute.

"I came from the future, and I plan to change the future of this world," Kate said with determination.

"Why?" Su Yan asked, her voice filled with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"Sister Su, Yang Kai will successfully break through to the Creation Realm, but he will be killed by beings from another universe. He used everything he had to protect everyone. I can still see everyone's sadness, so I decided to change it," Kate replied, her voice trembling with emotion.

"What happened?" Su Yan pressed.

"Husband was killed due to his forced breakthrough to the Open Heaven realm. He wasted thousands of years and, because of that, broke through to the Creation Realm late and died in battle," Kate explained.

"Then how did you manage to go back to the past?" Su Yan asked, her eyes wide with shock.

"I- I killed everyone and sacrificed everything to come here," Kate replied, shocking everyone in the hall, especially Su Yan.

"What did you just say?" Su Yan asked, confused and angry, as she immediately walked in front of Kate, her emotions boiling over.

"I sacrificed a lot of lives to get here using an evil technique," Kate said without hesitation. "This should make their anger flare up," Kate thought to herself, but to her miscalculation, she received a powerful slap. When she looked up, she saw Su Yan standing before her.

"I don't know if what you say is true, but doing all that just to change the future?" Su Yan started, but she was interrupted by Kate's laughter.

"You can say that because you're his first and his everything!" Kate shouted back, surprising Su Yan. "You all have been with him for thousands of years, but I! I only spent seven years! Just seven years!" Kate continued to shout, tears streaming down her face. "I was abandoned. Almost all of you had kids already and built a family with Yang Kai, but I... I have none. I don't even know what a real family feels like," Kate cried out, her voice filled with pain and longing.

The room fell silent, the gravity of Kate's words sinking in. The mood shifted as everyone began to understand the depth of her desperation and sacrifice.

Kate fell to her knees, her voice breaking with emotion. "I know that I did something that no words can explain. I killed you, your offspring, and everyone you know. Every single one. I killed all nine wives, their sons and daughters, his niece, his parents, everyone. But if it happens again, I'll gladly do it all over again, just to save the person who gave me a path to something warm, only to fall into the cold blood of his," Kate confessed, her words sending chills down the spines of everyone present.

"I will change husband's future this time so that you all will be happy and walk the warm path he paved for me with you all," Kate vowed.

"What about you?" Su Yan asked, her voice softening.

"I don't deserve him anymore. I don't care about the sins of killing everyone and everything, but the unforgivable sin of killing those he cares about is something that should never be forgiven," Kate replied, her voice filled with sorrow and determination. "I'll pave him a path where he can have the smile he gave me the first time I met him," she added, her eyes brimming with tears.

The room was heavy with silence as everyone absorbed Kate's words. The weight of her actions and the depth of her sacrifice were palpable, leaving the gathered and elders to confront the true extent of her love and desperation.

"But what you said is your account only," the Sect Master said, his tone skeptical.

"I know. For you all to believe me, I acquired a Noble Phantasm for the actions I've done killing everyone. The universe has given me the Sword of Rupture, Ea," Kate replied. She opened a gate on the ground, and the handle of Ea began to emerge. Grabbing the handle, she pulled out the sword and presented it to everyone. "This is Ea. It has the power to destroy everything," Kate announced.

Seeing the sword Ea, everyone was shocked and confused, and some had doubtful looks. "Looks like none of you believe me," Kate said. She then made a single strike with Ea, breaking the Elder's World Isolation Barrier effortlessly.

"Ea can destroy everything by slicing the very information of what it slashes. The thing that makes it strong is that it doesn't use Qi or anything. Opening a gate doesn't use anything either. And where do you think I got my weapons and flying artifacts like the Vimana?" Kate explained.

The room was filled with a mix of awe, fear, and skepticism. The elders could hardly believe what they were witnessing, yet the evidence was right before their eyes. The Sect Master, seeing the power of Ea firsthand, took a step back, his face a mix of concern and contemplation.

"We need to consider her words carefully," the Sect Master said, his voice now more measured. "If what she says is true, then we are dealing with powers and knowledge far beyond our current understanding."

Kate stood tall, holding Ea firmly. "I don't ask for your forgiveness or understanding. I only ask for the chance to change the future and protect the one person who gave me hope. Believe me or not, I will fulfill my mission."

Su Yan, standing beside Kate, looked at her with a mix of emotions. "We will find out the truth in due time. For now, let's work together to ensure Yang Kai's safety and future."

"That won't happen," Kate declared. "A cultivator's strength is built with hardships."

Su Yan, sensing something was off, began to speak but was cut off by Kate. "Sis Su, from here on out, support Husband, okay?"

"What are you planning?" Su Yan asked, concern etched on her face.

"I plan on leaving the sect and getting back my past cultivation," Kate replied, her Qi becoming increasingly chaotic.

"Kate, what's going on with you?" Su Yan asked, worry deepening in her voice.

"My body can't take my soul. I'm at the Creation Realm, after all," Kate said. "I've been suppressing my breakthrough, but I can't anymore." As she spoke, the World Baptism had already begun, forcing everyone to leave Kate alone to break through.

The air crackled with intense energy as Kate's breakthrough commenced. She floated upwards, surrounded by a tempest of chaotic Qi. Lightning crackled around her, and the ground beneath her trembled. The sect members watched from a distance, their eyes wide with a mix of fear and awe.

Kate gritted her teeth, focusing all her willpower on controlling the raging energies within her. She could feel her soul expanding, pushing the limits of her physical body.

"I will succeed," she thought to herself.

The World Baptism intensified, pouring more power into Kate. Her aura grew stronger, more refined, as she ascended to the Separation and Reunion Peak Realm. The storm of energy around her began to stabilize, and the chaotic Qi turned into a serene, radiant light.

After what felt like an eternity, the energy subsided. Kate descended gracefully, her presence now exuding a powerful and calming aura. She looked towards the sect members, who had been watching in silence.

"It's done," Kate said softly, her voice carrying a newfound strength.

Su Yan stepped forward, her eyes filled with a mix of relief and respect. "Kate, you've really done it."

Kate nodded, a determined look on her face. "I will continue my journey to protect Yang Kai and change our future. But remember, Sis Su, your support will be crucial. Together, we will ensure that he succeeds."