Going Back

After some time, in a serene and well-lit room, Kate's eyes slowly fluttered open. A confident smile graced her lips as she sat up, feeling an overwhelming surge of power coursing through her body.

"Good," she thought to herself, clenching her fist and sensing the newfound strength. "I've successfully transformed my blood into Golden Blood, and with the Heretic God's Meridian from the Against the Gods universe, I feel far more powerful than ever before!"

She raised her hand, summoning a holographic interface the Character Creation and Customization (CCC) screen. Admiring the glowing projections, she began to review her enhancements.

"The CCC system has been invaluable for this," Kate murmured with a gleam in her eyes. "My blood is now Golden Blood, granting me unparalleled vitality and regeneration. My meridians are the legendary Heretic God's Meridian, enhancing my cultivation and energy flow. And my soul..."

Her voice trailed off as her gaze fell on the glowing icons representing her soul enhancements. "It now holds the Soul Warming Lotus for endless vitality and recovery, and the Dao Enhancement Lotus to amplify my comprehension of the Dao."

Kate leaned back, exuding an aura of absolute confidence. "With all these upgrades, I'm ready to take on whatever this world throws at me."

"I still have three sets of random cards, one skill card, and a full character card," Kate said as the cards materialized, floating gracefully in front of her. With a calm gesture, she reached out and selected one random set.

"For now, let's activate one random card," she said decisively. One set floated closer, splitting into three cards, each glowing faintly as a title appeared above them.

"Movement Techniques," Kate read aloud. Her eyes lit up. "This is good since I don't have any yet."

She scanned the cards as their details materialized.

"The first one is Startling Rainbow Escape this should be from I'm an Evil God, I think," Kate mused, recalling the technique from a book Xie Yan had once given her. "Definitely not an option; it's too flashy and situational."

Her attention moved to the second card. "The Seven Shadow Escape... I don't recognize this one, but the name suggests it could be useful."

Finally, her gaze rested on the third. "And the last is the Light of Escape Technique..."

Kate tapped her chin thoughtfully. "All of these sound incredible, but I need to make the right choice for my current situation." She closed her eyes briefly, weighing the options and their potential uses.

"Since I can always learn Xie Yan's technique later, I'll choose Seven Shadow Escape," Kate decided confidently. The card shimmered brightly before transforming into light and entering her forehead. The other two cards ignited into blue flames, vanishing into the ether.

Suddenly, a new screen materialized in front of her.

"Sacrifice? What does this new option mean?" Kate muttered, tilting her head. She tapped the screen, and another window appeared with detailed instructions.

"You can sacrifice cards to enhance one of your techniques or enchant the card into an artifact or create a new artifact," Kate read aloud, her eyes narrowing with interest.

"I see... this is definitely useful," she mused. Without hesitation, she selected every card in her possession, sparing only the Full Character Card.

As she confirmed the action, the selected cards began to glow and then combust into an ethereal fire. The Full Character Card dissolved into golden particles, joining the others as they burned away completely.

A new message popped up:

"Energy required for an artifact request: 20%. Energy required for an enchantment card: 40%."

Kate froze, her brows furrowing in disbelief. "Wait, what? That's way too much energy!" she exclaimed.

Her frustration boiled over, and she slammed her hands on the table. "Are you kidding me? All those cards, and you want this much energy?!" she shouted at the screen, her voice echoing in the room.

Unable to contain her anger, Kate vented, pacing back and forth. "Ugh! All that potential, and this system just keeps piling on limitations!" she ranted, her frustration simmering as she glared at the interface.

"Since that's the case, I better learn the Seven Shadow Escape technique first," Kate muttered, calming herself with a deep breath. She shifted back into her cultivation stance, sitting cross-legged on the plush mat.

Closing her eyes, she focused on the newly acquired knowledge embedded in her mind. Wisps of ethereal light danced around her, coalescing into seven faint silhouettes that mirrored her form.

"This technique... it's more profound than I expected," she thought, feeling the complexity of the movements and the essence of the escape technique integrating into her body. Her breathing steadied as she began cycling her energy, guiding it through her meridians and harmonizing it with the Seven Shadow Escape's principles.

Minutes turned into hours as Kate immersed herself in mastering the technique. Each shadow projection grew sharper and more defined, their movements seamlessly syncing with her own. A faint smile tugged at her lips.

"With this, I'll never be cornered again," she thought, her confidence solidifying as she pushed herself deeper into her cultivation.

The next month, Kate opened her eyes with a calm smile. "Looks like comprehending this technique is going to be harder than I thought. I've hit a bottleneck... but why?" she pondered, her mind searching for an answer.

Just then, the doors to her chamber opened, and Dr. Mei entered, her expression serious.

"Milady, congratulations on exiting your cultivation, but... the situation outside is complicated," Dr. Mei said with a hint of urgency.

"What happened?" Kate asked, standing up immediately.

"There is someone waiting for you outside," Dr. Mei replied. Before she could elaborate, a deep, resonant voice echoed through the space, cutting through the air like a blade.

"Come outside."

Kate froze as the voice reverberated in her ears. Recognition dawned on her, and her eyes widened.

"That voice..." she whispered, her body tense as a surge of memories flooded her mind. It was a voice she could never forget.

"The mysterious being!" Kate thought, her heart pounding. Without hesitation, she rushed toward the exit.

As she stepped outside, her gaze locked on a figure standing amidst the barren lands. The air around them seemed to ripple with immense power, and the aura they exuded was suffocating yet mesmerizing.

"It's you," Kate murmured, steeling herself for whatever was about to come.

"What are you doing here?" Kate asked, her voice calm but her gaze sharp.

"I'm here to send you back," the mysterious being replied, their tone emotionless yet commanding.

"I see," Kate said, narrowing her eyes. "Then, do you have a new mission for me?"

"No. Just do what you want. The Tong Xuan Realm is too easy for you, so I'll deliver you straight to the Star Boundary," the being said nonchalantly.

"WHAT?! I'm only at the Saint Realm, 2nd Stage! You'll kill me there!" Kate retorted, her voice rising in protest. "Plus, I have plans in the Tong Xuan Rea-"

Before she could finish, the world around her shifted. The barren lands vanished, replaced by a breathtaking yet alien expanse of vivid skies and towering mountains. The energy in the air was overwhelming, suffused with profound and foreign power.

"Eh?" Kate muttered, blinking in disbelief. She glanced around, recognizing the sudden change in scenery. Her expression twisted into a mix of shock and outrage. "Did she just...?"

Clenching her fists, her frustration boiled over. "Damn it! How dare she just throw me here without warning!" Kate shouted, her voice echoing across the vast landscape.

"I better hide first!" Kate thought to herself, scanning the unfamiliar landscape. Without hesitation, she took off, flying towards the dense forest in the distance. The towering trees offered a natural cover, their thick canopy shielding her from prying eyes.

"I don't know where the borders of the sects are in this place," Kate murmured, her expression tense as she weaved through the trees. "I need to find a city first preferably one where I can locate Yang Yan. But for now, survival comes first!"

Her instincts kicked in as she searched for a secluded spot to regroup and assess her surroundings. "This place is teeming with danger. I can feel it in the air," Kate thought. "I'll need to tread carefully."

As Kate steadied herself in the forest, a familiar, disembodied voice resonated from above.

"Hey, Kate! Turns out I really threw you into the wrong world. My bad!"

Kate froze mid-step, her face contorting with disbelief. "What?! You're joking, right?!" she yelled into the void, looking around frantically.

Before she could process the implications, the surroundings shimmered. Cracks formed in the air, spider-webbing outward until the scene shattered like fragile glass.

"Wait! WAIT!" Kate shouted, reaching out to grasp something anything as gravity gave way beneath her feet.

She fell.

The world around her dissolved into an abyss of swirling light and shadow. Wind howled in her ears as her descent quickened. Despite the chaos, fragments of landscapes and people flickered in the void around her, like memories playing on shards of broken mirrors.

Her heart raced. "This can't be happening again!" she thought, cursing the mysterious being.

The abyss deepened, and she felt the pull of an unseen force drawing her toward an unknown destination. Just as panic threatened to overwhelm her, a faint glow appeared below—her new landing zone, or perhaps another trial awaiting her.

Kate braced herself, gritting her teeth. "When I get out of this, I swear I'm going to find you, and we are going to have a long talk!"

Kate found herself surrounded by an endless expanse of dark space, stars twinkling faintly in the distance like scattered shards of glass. The vast silence was unsettling, yet strangely calming.

"Is this... a Star Field?" she murmured, her voice barely audible in the void.

Behind her, the faint hum of energy broke the stillness. A massive Gate of Babylon opened with an imposing radiance, and from it emerged the golden brilliance of Vimana, its sleek, gilded form shimmering like a beacon in the endless dark.

Kate ascended to the throne perched atop Vimana, her gaze sweeping across the void. "Once I get stronger," she muttered to herself, her tone sharp with frustration, "I'll definitely let her know exactly how I feel about this nonsense."

She leaned back in the throne, tapping her fingers against its armrest as she mused. "But first things first... What level of artifact is equivalent to the highest-ranked Noble Phantasm? Or... are there artifacts in the Ink Battlefield that surpass even those?"

Her mind raced with possibilities and uncertainties. Noble Phantasms were legendary weapons and tools, embodying incredible power. But artifacts from certain worlds, especially the Ink Battlefield, were shrouded in mystery and lore that hinted at unimaginable strength.

"If they're stronger..." Kate's thoughts trailed off, her gaze narrowing. "I'll have to adapt. Just using more power or firing more won't always solve the problem. I need a deeper understanding better strategies, better techniques. Otherwise, I'll hit a wall."

With a deep breath, she straightened in her seat. The stars seemed to stretch infinitely before her, a reminder of how vast her journey still was. "For now, I'll explore and grow. This Star Field might hold answers or challenges that will force me to rise to the occasion."

Vimana's engines thrummed to life as she directed it forward, cutting through the stillness of the void like a comet.

"Let's see what this place has to offer."

After a while, Kate sighed, resting her chin on her hand. "Even with the speed of thought, traveling through this Star Field feels endless," she muttered, her frustration evident. The vast emptiness of space stretched infinitely around her, a humbling reminder of the sheer scale of the Star Field.

"If this really is the Heng Luo Star Field," she mused, "then my first objective should be to find Xue Yue. I need her for the Finger of Flower Sword. But tracking her down in this expanse?" She leaned back, letting out a breath. "It's going to take a long time."

Kate closed her eyes briefly, sensing the ambient energy around her. It was abundant, dense, and perfectly suited for cultivation, especially at her current Saint Realm level. A small smile tugged at her lips. "At least the energy here is rich. If nothing else, I can use this time to cultivate and strengthen myself."

She directed Vimana to a drifting asteroid, its surface smooth and wide enough to act as a temporary base. Stepping off the throne, she sat cross-legged on the cool surface of the asteroid, her hands forming a cultivation seal.

The surrounding energy began to stir, drawn toward her like a vortex. Golden light radiated faintly from her body as she guided the energy into her meridians, refining and condensing it within her dantian.

"Every moment I spend cultivating is a step closer to surpassing my limits," she thought, her focus sharpening. "And if I want to survive the challenges ahead, I need to make every second count."

As time passed, the asteroid seemed to glow faintly from the sheer concentration of energy around Kate. The vastness of the Star Field became a backdrop to her relentless pursuit of strength.

After a year of cultivating in the starry silence, Kate was abruptly jolted from her meditative state by a massive explosion that shattered the tranquility. The shockwave rippled through the asteroid, throwing her off balance and sending tremors into her core. She coughed up blood, her body struggling to stabilize against the sudden burst of energy.

"WHAT THE HELL!" Kate shouted, her voice echoing in the empty expanse as she wiped the blood from her lips. Without wasting time, she leaped onto Vimana's throne, activating its controls. The golden craft surged forward, scanning the area as she prepared to investigate the disturbance.

As Vimana flew closer to the source of the explosion, another deafening blast erupted, the sheer force shaking even her formidable artifact. Kate grit her teeth, gripping the edges of the throne. "Another one?! It's only been three minutes!" she exclaimed, frustration and alarm etched on her face.

Through the glowing screen of the Vimana, she spotted two figures zooming past her position at incredible speed, their energy trails crackling like lightning in the dark void. The intensity of their auras left a pressure that made her heart race.

"Wait a second…" Kate narrowed her eyes, focusing on one of the figures. His aura was unmistakable a signature she had read about in the Void Archives. "Was that Yang Kai just now?" she muttered in disbelief.

Her mind raced. "If that really is Yang Kai, then this must be tied to one of his insane adventures. And judging by the scale of these explosions, it's something big." Kate hesitated for a moment, gripping the armrests of her throne.

"I should probably stay out of it... But if he's involved, this might be a chance to gather some high-level information or even rare artifacts." Her lips curled into a mischievous grin. "It's risky, but fortune favors the bold."

With that, she directed Vimana to follow the energy trails, keeping her distance but ready to intervene or escape if necessary.

After some time, Kate hovered silently aboard Vimana, observing the aftermath of the chaotic battle. Her gaze locked on the two unconscious figures sprawled atop a massive asteroid, the jagged surface cracked from their collision.

"They hit that asteroid way too hard, and they're still out cold," Kate thought, her tone dripping with a mix of amusement and disbelief. As she maneuvered closer for a better look, her eyes widened in recognition.

"Wait a second… isn't that Xue Yue?" she muttered, leaning forward as her gaze sharpened. Her mind raced with realization. "Ah, so this is the part of the story I've stumbled into. Interesting timing."

Just as she was piecing things together, a shimmering gate materialized in front of her, and from its glowing depths, a delicate pink orb emerged, radiating a soft, floral aura. Kate's lips curled into a knowing smile as she reached out to catch it.

"The Flowery Orb," she murmured, inspecting its gentle glow. "Perfect. I'll just leave this here for Xue Yue. Once she and Yang Kai perform the marriage ceremony, this will complement their connection beautifully."

She adjusted Vimana's position, preparing to descend and place the orb near Xue Yue. However, her movements halted when she noticed Yang Kai stirring in the distance, his figure rising and shaking off the lingering effects of the battle.

"Looks like Yang Kai is already making his move," Kate thought, smirking as she leaned back into her seat. "No need to get involved directly. Let's see how this plays out first."

Her hands hovered over the controls, ready to intervene if needed, but she decided to remain discreet, silently watching as Yang Kai approached Xue Yue.

After some time, Kate watched from afar, a mix of amusement and exasperation on her face. "Those two really can't wait, huh?" she muttered, shaking her head.

Suddenly, without warning, Vimana shimmered and vanished into thin air, leaving Kate startled as the ground beneath her figuratively disappeared.

"What the !" she exclaimed, her heart skipping a beat as she plummeted through the air. "It's a good thing I can fly," she muttered, quickly stabilizing herself. A faint aura enveloped her as she slowed her descent, landing gracefully on the asteroid's surface.

As the dust settled around her landing, the two figures stirred. Yang Kai and Xue Yue exchanged puzzled looks before turning their attention to Kate, their gazes sharp and filled with wariness.

"Who's the new arrival?" Yang Kai asked, his tone cautious, his body subtly shifting into a defensive stance.

Kate sighed inwardly, brushing herself off as she straightened. "Great. Just what I needed a round of twenty questions," she thought to herself.

"I can understand if Xue Yue questions me, but this brat?" Kate thought to herself, her irritation palpable. Without hesitation, she opened a single Gate behind her, summoning a blade of energy that shot straight toward Yang Kai.

"What the!" Yang Kai exclaimed, his reflexes sharp as he caught the energy sword with both hands, the force pushing him back slightly. His expression twisted in confusion and recognition. "This kind of attack… It's you!" he shouted.

Kate's steps were deliberate as she closed the distance between them, her expression a mix of annoyance and authority. "How dare you forget me!" she scolded. "We've been together since your first breakthrough, for such a long time!"

"Ehehe… I'm sorry about that," Yang Kai said sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "It's just that we've been separated for so long… I kind of forgot."

"Tch," Kate clicked her tongue, crossing her arms as she glared at him. Her eyes softened just a fraction, but her pride wouldn't let her let it go easily.

Xue Yue watched the exchange in silence, her brow furrowed as she tried to make sense of the sudden confrontation. "Yang Kai," she finally said, her tone curious. "Who exactly is this woman?"

Before Yang Kai could respond, Kate moved swiftly, her fist striking Xue Yue's gut with calculated precision. The blow made Xue Yue stagger and gasp in pain.

"If she were at her peak, I might have had a harder time," Kate thought, a smirk creeping across her face. "But with both of them injured, this is too easy."

"What the hell are you doing?!" Yang Kai shouted, his voice laced with both anger and confusion.

Ignoring him, Kate struck Xue Yue again, her attack unrelenting. Xue Yue gasped for air, dropping to her knees. Seizing the moment, Kate pulled out the Flowery Orb and forced it into Xue Yue's mouth.

Xue Yue immediately started coughing violently. "What did you feed me?!" she demanded, her voice strained.

"Just something to tie up loose ends," Kate replied coldly, her tone dismissive.

"Kate, stop this! What are you doing?!" Yang Kai yelled, fury evident in his expression.

Kate turned to him, her eyes gleaming with confidence. "Relax. I'm not going to kill her," she said

Yang Kai's eyes narrowed, confusion turning to anger. "My life and hers are connected because of the Soul Chain Artifact! You can't kill her!" he shouted, his voice desperate.

Kate met his gaze coolly, her smirk growing. "I know you won't interfere. You can't," she added, her words laced with a hint of mockery.

Yang Kai clenched his fists, his face red with frustration. "YOU!" he yelled, rushing toward her with a burst of energy.

But just as he moved, the air around them shifted. Ice spread across the ground, freezing the air and the space around them in an instant.

"What?!" Yang Kai exclaimed, taken aback by the sudden change.

Kate, unfazed by his reaction, glanced over her shoulder with a sly grin. "Then I'd better leave," she said casually. "I'll be waiting for you in that place."

With a flick of her hand, she activated her power and flew into the air, leaving Yang Kai and Xue Yue behind.

"Do you know that woman?!" Xue Yue asked, her voice sharp with frustration. "What did she feed me?!" she added, her anger rising as she struggled to catch her breath.

Yang Kai looked at her, exasperated. "I don't really know her, but whatever she gave you should be harmless. I know two people who ate one of those before," he explained, trying to calm her down.

Yang Kai narrowed his eyes. "Wait, why am I explaining this to you? You almost killed me!" he snapped, his temper flaring.

Xue Yue flinched, her own anger simmering. "Tch," she muttered under her breath.

He paused for a moment, then looked in the direction where Kate had flown off. His mind was racing. "I wonder what she meant when she said she'd wait for me in that place," he thought, his brow furrowing with confusion and unease.

Meanwhile, in the middle of nowhere in space, Kate was flying aimlessly. "I wonder why the Vimana suddenly disappeared," she thought to herself, a frown forming on her face. Then, as realization dawned on her, she stopped mid-flight. "Ah! I forgot I gave an access key for the Vimana to Su Yan!" she exclaimed, slapping her forehead in frustration.

Her expression softened as she processed the situation. "I see… so even if it's being used by someone else, it can still be summoned again," she muttered thoughtfully.

Kate came to a halt, and a massive gate materialized before her. From within it emerged the radiant Ship of Light, gleaming with brilliance against the void. "Then I'll just have to rely on you," she said, her voice tinged with determination as she entered the ship and took control of its advanced systems.

"Is your automatic mode available here?" Kate asked aloud. The ship's interface lit up, displaying a confirmation.

"The Ship of Light has the ability to scan space itself for its automatic flying mode. Let's head to the Shadowed Star!" she commanded.

With her order given, the ship accelerated, traveling at half the speed of light, its luminous trails streaking across the dark expanse.

Kate sighed, settling into her seat. "I'd better use this time to cultivate," she said to herself, closing her eyes as she began to focus, the ship continuing its journey through the vast, silent reaches of the star field.