NOVPUBElysia destroyed another three dangerous places to warm up and test her newly recovered spiritual flows using destructive-type divine magic. Regardless, she did it mainly to help the Artificial Hell Core with its causes.
"It’s done. The valuable items that survived the blast are definitely items worth keeping. Go pick them up and continue rebuilding this realm into the perfect hell realm you dream of, but without any evil energy, remember." Elysia reminded the Artificial Hell Core, which nodded repeatedly before disappearing into thin air.
"Can I explore this realm?" Zera asked permission while looking up at the sky.
She could see another dimension on the other side of the red-fire sky. Remembering the incident that happened to Miko’s little group last month in this secret realm, her curiosity was piqued.
"You have my permission. This realm has two dimensions, but the other side is still chaotic and unstable because of the last incident. Evil God’s remnants also hold many mysteries. Please be careful." Elysia gave her permission.
Her friends also wished to explore the Evil God’s ruins, but it was time for sleep. Elysia didn’t allow them to leave because it wasn’t the right time to explore the Artificial Hell Realm.
"Please come back in two hours. You also need to rest, Zera." Elysia reminded Zera before this girl left.
"Understood." Zera nodded and vanished into the void.
---
A few moments later, everyone rested in the second floor’s living room. Elysia lay relaxed on a family-sized sofa bed, reading the Sacred Heaven Grimoire while stroking the little fluffy creatures on her lap.
Luna, Lynn, Yuuki, Vanessa, and Yusagi transformed into their little forms. Three foxes, one cat-like white tiger, and a bunny had fallen asleep using her lap as a pillow.
The pink fairy, Yae, was also asleep there. Or rather, Yae fell asleep on Yuuki’s back, curling up comfortably with Yuuki’s fluffy tail as a bolster.
Elysia closed her grimoire after exchanging short messages with the Gods and Immortals of the Heaven Rank. She put it back into her storage space.
Everyone had fallen asleep because they finally felt relieved and safe but also a bit tired and needed some rest.
A magic circle formation on the floor was occasionally lighted up and dimmed, providing several benefits to improve one’s cultivation in sleep.
Elysia then leaned on the shoulder of the girl next to her.
Evelyn woke up, glanced to the side, took a comfortable position, and then put her hand on Elysia’s arm. "Not asleep yet?"
"Mm, I’ll sleep after Zera returns. She’ll be back in a few minutes." Elysia nodded slightly.
"Hmm-mm... That feels like a long time ago, Ely. We started out as dormmates with a good friendship, but we are now master and servant." Evelyn closed her eyes, reminiscing about the good past.
"Master-servant is just a pretext of formality. You’re still my good friend, Eve. We’re a big family now. You’ve entered my household." Elysia smiled gently. She recalled how she was first stranded in an unfamiliar world and made many friends.
"Nee, Ely... Are you really going to leave us here if we fail to return before winter ends?" Evelyn whispered softly, asking one thing that was still bothering her.
"Not entirely true. I will check your well-being first. If you are happy with your new life and choose not to return, I must let you go... It’s heavy on my heart, but I can’t be selfish to keep you all by my side forever." Elysia shook her head.
"You’re still the Ely I know. It’s okay to be a little selfish. You are our master and owner. We may not be by your side forever, but we will never ever leave you. So, please don’t leave us too. We’re always your faithful servants and followers." Evelyn looked at Elysia’s mesmerizing purplish-blue eyes.
Elysia replied with a nod and a reassuring smile. Her people returned with outstanding achievements to share, and it was all that mattered.
*Tap*
Zera stepped out of the void. She returned on time. Yet, Ely noticed Zera was dissatisfied with something.
"It seems like things didn’t go as you expected. Come here and rest. You’ve barely got any sleep in the last few days." Elysia tapped the bed next to her.
Zera was silent for a moment. Her exploration could have been better, and she got barely any harvest. Celestia was also dissatisfied.
Despite feeling annoyed, Elysia’s simple attitude made her calm and somehow happy.
She appreciated Elysia’s thoughtfulness, but she didn’t really need sleep. She actually got enough rest while looking after baby Elysia.
"Please allow me to enter your shadow, master. Celestia and I will rest there." Zera asked for permission, and Elysia gave a nod. Therefore, she immediately turned into particles of darkness and entered Elysia’s shadow.
---
The next day, all disciples and forest dwellers gathered at the forest gathering ground because a test would be held.
Regarding the training expedition in the deep ocean, they had to fulfill several conditions and requirements through a test, or they could not participate.
A three-hundred-meter-long river with three levels of current strength floated in the air. The river was only three meters deep, but several obstacles awaited them, ready to knock them into failure. 𝓷ℴ𝓿𝓹𝓾𝓫.𝓬ℴ𝓶
Morfina and Yae also registered their people to the participants who would be tested.
Elysia and Elysium members watched from the side while everyone was preparing. They would supervise and regulate the course of the test.
"Attention! I will explain the rules, and I will not explain them twice. So, please listen well." Sylvia clapped her hands and shouted like a fierce instructor.
The disciples, forest dwellers, elves, and fairies lined up in several rows. Sylvia then explained the rules.
"This test is only for anyone above 4th Rank or above. To pass the test, you must dive through these three types of magic rivers and pass all the obstacles. The river will separate you into a water ball at the finish line. You just need to hold your breath in the water ball for five minutes. After that, come out of the water ball, and you passed the test."
The conditions and requirements were simple. Many people were confident to pass this test because the obstacles were easy.
"One more thing. You can’t circulate your qi or mana in this river. So, do your best and don’t get thrown out. You only have two chances!"
Sylvia added one of the most challenging obstacles as if it meant nothing. Regardless, it greatly impacted those who previously felt confident in passing this test with ease.
"Who dares to try as the first?" Evelyn took out a book, ready to record the participants.
"Me. I’ll try for the first one." Gabriella raised her hand and stepped forward.
She was already wearing her tight-fitting swimming outfit from the Versatile Slime. Two chances, but she was confident she could pass this test in one try.
"6th Rank. Good. Then, enter the floating river." Sylvia blew a whistle.
"!!!" Gabriella took a deep breath, then jumped into the river.
The first river was swimming with the current, passing through various blocks and obstacle mechanisms.
Gabriella swam like an agile dolphin. She was almost thrown out when she arrived at the second river. It was swimming against the current, and many elemental snakes lurked everywhere, ready to throw her out.
"!!!" Gabriella’s feet were entangled by an elemental water snake, but she kept swimming while ensuring she wasn’t thrown out.
The last one was a river with many twists and unexpected mechanisms. She swam slowly and passed the surprise attacks from the surrounding traps.
She was trapped in a condensed water ball when she crossed the finish line. She held her breath for five minutes just fine.
When a senior outside gave her a signal, she crawled out of the water ball. The water pressure held her back, but she was strong enough to push herself out.
"Congratulation! You have passed the test well." Ella congratulated Gabriella with satisfaction. She then offered a warm towel.
"Thank you." Gabriella received the towel and immediately went to the nearest warm tent to dry herself. It was cold!
"Squawk!" The sea eagle was suddenly thrown out from the second river. He failed, but he couldn’t just accept it. Thus, he went back to queuing for his second chance.
"Pfft!" Gabriella covered her mouth. The Sea Eagle Emperor was the overlord of the sky, the boss on the ground, but a loser underwater.
