The Dead Forest

In the heart of a vast forest, the night air was cool and serene. Dr. Mei crouched near a small fire, stirring a pot of soup, the aroma wafting through the campsite.

"How long do you think Milady will take this time?" Dr. Mei asked, glancing at the silent surroundings.

"I'm not sure," Chu Yuechan replied, her eyes scanning the area vigilantly. "It depends on the level of the cultivation technique she's practicing."

"This should be the technique Milady plans to pass to you, right?" Dr. Mei probed.

"I don't know," Chu Yuechan admitted, her tone contemplative. "But judging by the aura, it feels like one of the highest-level techniques I've ever encountered."

"An ice cultivation technique," Dr. Mei said, a hint of envy flickering in her eyes.

Suddenly, Kate's voice interrupted their conversation. "You still have two slots for elemental affinities. Once I've fully mastered this, I can add Ice for you if you wish."

Both women turned to Kate, startled. "Milady, are you finished already?" they asked in unison.

"Not yet," Kate replied, her voice calm but resolute. "I'm close. Where are we?"

Dr. Mei straightened, a touch of embarrassment on her face. "I'm sorry, Milady, but we're not sure. The only thing we know is that we're far from any human settlements."

"I see," Kate mused, looking around the dense, shadowed forest. "Then let's set up camp here for now."

"As you wish, Milady," Dr. Mei said, bowing slightly before returning to her cooking.

The night deepened as the three of them prepared for another chapter of their journey in the mysterious wilderness.

As the first rays of sunlight peeked through the dense forest, Kate opened her eyes to the gentle warmth of the sunrise. Nearby, her two companions were engrossed in examining hologram screens floating before them. The moment they sensed Kate stirring, they swiftly knelt before her.

"Milady, it's good that you're awake," they said in unison, their voices filled with respect.

Kate stretched lightly before rising to her feet. "For now, let's set our base here," she declared. "We'll also begin the production of our mechs."

Dr. Mei tilted her head slightly, curiosity in her expression. "Does Milady have an idea for the materials we'll need?"

"Not yet," Kate admitted, her tone calm but decisive. "But we'll start researching the production methods for suitable materials here."

Dr. Mei stepped forward, a gleam of determination in her eyes. "Then, Milady, I request permission to enter the Planet Ur in the Void Archives."

"Milady's home planet?" Chu Yuechan asked in surprise, her gaze flicking between Dr. Mei and Kate.

"You may enter," Kate said, her hand moving gracefully as a shimmering golden portal appeared before her. From the portal, a book floated out, encased in an aura of frosty blue.

Kate handed the book to Chu Yuechan. "Take this it is the Ancestral Divine Ice Cultivation Technique. I want you to master it."

Chu Yuechan received the book with both hands, bowing deeply. "I will not fail you, Milady."

Kate's lips curled into a playful smile as she looked around the forest clearing. "But first," she said, her tone lighter, "let's build a cozy house here. I think it's time for us to enjoy a little comfort."

Her companions nodded eagerly, ready to carry out her commands as Kate began laying the foundation for their new domain. The forest, once silent, buzzed with the anticipation of creation and progress.

After a month of tireless effort, a majestic wooden house now stood in the middle of the forest, surrounded by breathtaking scenery. The house exuded both strength and elegance, seamlessly blending into the lush environment.

"We finally finished the house!" Chu Yuechan exclaimed, a rare smile gracing her usually composed face.

Her young daughter, Yun Wuxin, came running toward her with boundless energy. "Mom!" she called out, her laughter ringing through the clearing.

Chu Yuechan knelt to meet her, brushing stray leaves from Wuxin's hair. "You've been playing nonstop," she chided gently. "Take a little rest."

"Don't worry, Mom! Auntie Mei's mech simulation toy is so much fun!" Yun Wuxin replied, grinning widely.

Nearby, Kate and Dr. Mei approached, their conversation focused on the progress of their latest projects.

"I've configured the mech system to integrate both thought-based and physical controls," Dr. Mei explained, her tone confident. "This way, the driver won't get overwhelmed by complex maneuvers."

Kate nodded approvingly. "That should make piloting more efficient. Excellent work."

The peaceful atmosphere around the house, coupled with the hum of innovation, spoke of a harmonious balance between creation and relaxation, a sanctuary where they could thrive.

"How about the production line?" Kate asked, her gaze sharp and focused.

"The materials you provided, Milady, have already been transformed. I just need a little more time to finalize the production line," Dr. Mei replied confidently.

"Good. Once the production line for materials is operational, we'll start expanding our base," Kate said decisively. She paused for a moment, then added, "For now, you two can do as you wish. I'll cultivate for a while." With that, Kate turned and headed inside the house.

As the door closed behind her, Chu Yuechan turned to Dr. Mei. "How is it coming along?" she asked.

"It's progressing well," Dr. Mei said with a hint of pride. "The technology I acquired from Planet Ur for production is exceptional. It's leagues beyond what this world could provide."

"Milady spent a great deal of effort gathering those materials," Chu Yuechan said thoughtfully. "We must do everything we can to ensure her vision comes to fruition."

"That's true," Dr. Mei agreed. "The materials Milady obtained from Planet Ur are top-notch, thanks to its advanced technology. The production line should be complete in about five months. After that, we'll focus on mining raw materials from this planet and refining them into the necessary components. The foundation will finally be stable."

Chu Yuechan nodded, her resolve firm. "Then let's make sure everything is ready. Milady's plans depend on our dedication."

The two exchanged a determined glance, their commitment to Kate unwavering as they prepared for the challenges ahead.

In Kate's personal room, she leaned back on her chair, staring at the shimmering cards hovering before her. "I still have five more sets of random cards... I guess I should activate one," she said to herself, her voice tinged with anticipation.

As the set of cards split into three, glowing titles appeared above each. "Supreme Divine Treasures," she read aloud, her eyes widening. "Oh? The same level as the Soul Warming Lotus?" Her mind raced with possibilities as she analyzed the titles of the cards.

"The three cards are Starry Night Sea, World Tree Subtree, and Random Element Card," Kate read, her tone shifting to one of contemplation.

"This is tough... a World Tree Subtree?" she muttered, her gaze locked on the card. A glimmer of excitement crossed her face as she imagined the possibilities. Her thoughts ran wild, and before she realized it, she was salivating slightly, a strange mix of focus and eagerness etched across her face.

Catching herself, she wiped her mouth with a quick motion and chuckled softly. "I need to calm down... but a World Tree Subtree! This is going to be fun." Her fingers hovered over the cards, ready to make her choice.

"But what I need for now is strength," Kate muttered, her gaze fixed on the floating cards. "I can just copy the World Tree Subtree once I meet Yang Kai anyway."

She hesitated, her eyes darting toward the Starry Night Sea. "Then there's this... I don't even know what the Starry Night Sea does," she admitted, frustration creeping into her voice.

After a moment of silence, she let out a sigh. "For my progress, the Random Element Card is the best choice right now," Kate said, her tone tinged with reluctance. With a flick of her fingers, she regretfully selected the Random Element Card.

The other two cards burned into ash, and the chosen card shimmered before dissolving into light that entered her body. "I hope this gamble pays off," Kate muttered, steeling herself for what came next.

As soon as the light entered her forehead, a new screen appeared before her.

"Congratulations! You have gained a new element: Absorption Element."

Kate blinked in confusion. "Huh? Absorption? I can understand Light or Divine being elements, but Absorption? The hell?" she muttered, her eyebrows furrowing as she reread the screen. "How in the world does that qualify as an element?"

She leaned back, crossing her arms. "Shouldn't it be classified as a Law or something? Like... Law Manipulation?" Her expression soured. "Wait, that sounds even dumber." She sighed heavily, resigning herself to the strangeness of it all.

"In any case," she said aloud, trying to shake off her confusion, "I now have two complete elements Transformation and Absorption."

She leaned against her desk, her mind already racing. "The possibilities of combining these two elements... I might be able to create something entirely unique," she murmured, her lips curving into a small smile as she started contemplating the future.

"Should I tell Grandpa and Grandma about my current situation?" Kate mused, her eyes fixed on the glowing screen before her. She tapped her fingers on her desk, deep in thought. "They're only watching me because they want to observe and protect their world. But sometimes... they really do treat me like their grandchild."

She hesitated, her emotions conflicted, before her focus shifted to the five sets of cards floating around her.

"There are still four more Random Sets of Cards and one Skill Card. I might as well use them all now," Kate decided.

One of the sets floated in front of her, shimmering softly, before splitting into three cards. The titles of each card appeared above them in glowing text, catching Kate's attention.

"Let's see what we've got this time," she muttered, leaning forward as her curiosity took over.

"The Auxiliary Cultivation Methods," Kate read aloud, her interest piqued. "Oh? A support class?" she added, raising an eyebrow as she scanned the options.

"The first one is the Ancient Multi-Pill Refinement Method, the second is the 10,000 Array Plate Method, and the last is the Ancient Artifact Refinement Method," Kate read out. Her eyes lit up at the third option.

"Artifact refinement?" she repeated, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "I can give this to Dr. Mei. It's probably the best for her skill set."

Without hesitation, Kate declared her choice. "I choose the Artifact Refinement one."

The other cards disintegrated into light, while the selected card transformed into a glowing stream of energy. It flowed toward Kate, then vanished into her forehead.

Meanwhile, in the capital, a serious discussion unfolded.

"Shin, let's file for Kate's school dropout," Merlin said firmly.

"Is she really not coming back?" Shin asked hesitantly, his concern evident.

"If she were coming back, she'd be here by now or at least send us a message," Melinda said, her tone resolute.

"Don't forget that she's cultivating too," Merlin interjected. "If we believe what those two said, then it's not far-fetched to think she won't be returning anytime soon."

Shin nodded, his expression conflicted. "I see. Then I shall do as Grandpa says," he replied, his voice tinged with resignation.

"Then let's talk about the demons," Merlin said, his tone grave, instantly making the atmosphere heavy.

"The report mentions a significant number of demons appearing in a nearby forest," Merlin continued.

"What should we do?" Shin asked, concern etched across his face.

"With little to no information, we can't take direct action. The Royal Army is already equipped to handle those demons," Merlin replied.

"The real problem lies in the appearance of a Human Demon," Melinda added, her voice laced with unease.

"For now, the only thing we can do is wait," Melinda concluded, her words casting a shadow of uncertainty over the room.

"Wait?" Shin repeated, his voice tinged with frustration. "Can't we really do something?" he added, his fists clenching.

"If another Human Demon appears, that's another human life lost. And if neither of you is there to fix the situation, more people will suffer," Shin argued passionately.

Melinda sighed, her gaze sharp. "What do you want to do? Can you do something?" she asked pointedly.

"Plus," she continued, her tone softening slightly, "there's still a chance it's just a coincidence. What exactly do you propose to help the situation?"

Her words left Shin speechless, his determination faltering as he struggled to form a concrete plan.

But then, suddenly, the atmosphere shifted as an overwhelming sense of danger washed over the room. The three of them immediately became alert.

From the horizon, a jade scroll hurtled toward the Wolford house at supersonic speed, glowing with an ominous energy. As it approached, multiple magic barriers sprang into existence, attempting to halt its advance. However, the scroll smashed through every single one with ease, the barriers shattering like glass in its wake.

The scroll's trajectory remained unyielding until it crashed onto the table in front of Shin, Merlin, and Melinda. The sheer force of its arrival released a powerful shockwave that threatened to knock everything over. The three of them instinctively gave their all, channeling their mana to form a protective barrier around themselves and the room, managing to contain the blast just in time.

Panting slightly, Shin stared at the jade scroll, its surface glowing faintly with an intricate array of runes. "What... is this?" he murmured, a sense of unease creeping into his voice.

The jade scroll pulsed with a brilliant, chilling light before opening fully. A projection of Kate materialized above it, her expression cold and distant. Her gaze swept over the room, but it felt as if she were looking through them rather than at them.

"Grandpa, Grandma, and Shin," Kate began, her voice steady and detached, "from this point onward, I, Kate Apocalypse, sever my connections with you three."

Melinda gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as Kate continued. "As thanks for everything you've done for me, I will leave you with critical information."

The three exchanged uneasy glances as Kate's projection leaned forward slightly, her next words filled with gravity. "The Empire has fallen into the hands of demonoids."

"What?" Merlin barked, his fist tightening on the armrest of his chair.

"These demonoids," Kate continued, unfazed by the rising tension in the room, "are fully aware of their actions. Each one is extraordinarily powerful. I strongly recommend that you begin training immediately if you want any hope of surviving what's to come."

"Kate!" Shin shouted, his voice trembling with frustration and disbelief. "What do you mean the Empire has fallen?!"

Kate's eyes didn't waver as the projection carried on. "These demons are not natural. They are artificially created, which explains the sudden surge in their numbers."

The room fell into a stunned silence as her words settled over them like a suffocating blanket. Melinda's lips pressed into a thin line, her face pale as the weight of the revelation sank in.

Merlin slammed his fist against the table, the wood groaning under the force. "If the Empire has truly fallen, then we've been blind fools sitting idly in the storm's eye!"

Shin's hands curled into fists, his knuckles white as guilt and fear warred within him. "Kate..." he murmured, his voice cracking. The image of her, so distant and uncaring, gnawed at his resolve.

Kate's projection flickered for a moment before delivering one final, ominous statement. "Do with this information what you will. I have my own path to walk now."

With that, the light faded, and the projection vanished, leaving the three of them in a room that suddenly felt far colder and darker than before.

Melinda was the first to speak, her voice heavy with resignation. "If what she said is true... we're standing on the edge of a cliff, and the ground is crumbling beneath us."

Merlin nodded grimly. "There's no more time to waste. We need to act and act now."

Shin, his emotions swirling with hurt and determination, spoke softly but firmly. "We'll prepare. We'll train. If she's left us behind, then we'll prove to her and to ourselves that we can still protect what's left of this world."

At the same time, on Kate's side, the atmosphere was far more focused and calculated. Kate closed her holographic interface with a satisfied smirk. "And that should take care of it," she said, her tone calm yet resolute.

Chu Yuechan, standing nearby, straightened with a glint of excitement in her eyes. "Since Milady has severed her connection with the human race, we can now fully focus on our own operation!"

Dr. Mei, ever meticulous, stepped forward with a data pad in hand. "In about two weeks, the production line for various materials will be ready for full operation. Once that's completed, we can commence the manufacturing of the Mechs without delay."

"Good," Kate replied with a nod, her gaze sharp and commanding. She opened a Gate of Babylon, and a shimmering ancient book floated out, emanating a soft, golden glow. Holding it up, she turned to Dr. Mei. "This is the Ancient Artifact Refinement Method. From now on, I want you to become a cultivator and pursue the Dao of Artifact Refinement."

Dr. Mei froze for a moment, stunned by the gift. Then, she knelt down with reverence, her voice trembling with gratitude. "Thank you, Milady. This is... perfect. The Dao of Artifact Refinement is the ideal path for me. I will not let you down."

Kate's lips curled into a faint smile as she handed the book to her. "I expect nothing less. With your expertise and this method, we'll create artifacts that will redefine power in this world."

Dr. Mei clutched the book tightly, her determination evident. "I'll dedicate myself fully to this path, Milady."

"Good," Kate said, turning her gaze to the horizon, where their newly built base stood like a fortress of ambition. "We're building a future of our own, one that no one will be able to challenge."

After a month, Kate's base stood grandly amidst the glow of the setting sun, its structure radiating an air of power and ambition. Kate addressed her companions with a calm yet commanding tone.

"This will be our last meeting for the year," she began, her gaze sharp and unwavering. "We will now enter closed cultivation. Leave the material production on autopilot. Since it's currently processing an entire planet, we won't need to worry about running out of raw materials anytime soon."

Dr. Mei nodded in agreement. "Milady is correct. The copied version of the Small World is vast, and it will take a significant amount of time to exhaust its resources."

Kate's lips curled into a confident smirk. "Exactly. The starting world of the Martial Peak universe is a treasure trove in itself. Even Yang Kai referred to it as a 'big meat.' That should suffice for now."

Her tone turned resolute as she continued, "Once our cultivation is complete, we'll return to our original base location and begin the next phase of our plans. For now, our priority is to strengthen ourselves."

The group exchanged determined looks, fully understanding the gravity of her words. Kate's vision was grand, and to keep up with her, they needed to rise to the occasion.

Two years later, in a base amidst barren and desolate lands, a soldier entered a command tent, his expression grim yet focused. He saluted sharply before delivering his report.

"Sir, after we successfully drove the Demonoids away with the assistance of the Ultimate Magicians, we discovered something they referred to as 'New Ruins.'"

The commanding officer, a rugged man with a commanding presence, raised an eyebrow. "New Ruins?"

"Yes, sir," the soldier confirmed. "Its structure resembles a fortress, but it's entirely made of iron. The design is unlike anything we've seen before."

The officer leaned forward, his eyes narrowing in thought. "I see. If it's a fortress, there's a chance it could be a Demonoid base. Send the Ultimate Magicians to investigate immediately. We can't take any chances."

"Understood, sir!" The soldier snapped to attention, saluted, and swiftly exited the tent, leaving the commander to contemplate the potential threat.