Hello, dear readers! Here's chapter 139 part 3! Enjoy!

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Bright Star City, Bright Star Island, Flowing Stars Archipelago, Earth

Omniscient P.O.V.

Having been relegated to a handsome third wheel, or fifth wheel in their case, Demian's attention had started to wander, although, benefiting from having some cultivation, a small part was still focused on the women's conversation, small, but enough to answer the rare questions directed at him.

The rest of his focus was on comprehending his Water Cycle Intent further, allowing him to realize how ridiculous the benefits he gained from his breakthrough were, although it was unknown how much was due to his Heart breakthrough, and how much was because of the Tri-Color Lotus now imprinted on his Dao Seed.

In any case, the result was frighteningly impressive.

Although his previous Water Affinity could not be said to be low, it was completely incomparable to his current one.

If he had to use a metaphor to describe the situation, it would be akin to someone going from being nearly blind to having beyond-perfect vision.

Describing the transformation as merely 'Improvement' was clearly not enough.

Only words like 'Reborn' may fit better.

Indeed, if the insights he gained previously when focusing on comprehending his Intent were like small trickles of water, it was now similar to a strong river flowing in his mind, with each flitting instant bringing noticeable improvements.

With that sort of speed, he really wondered which would come first: his Intent reaching Major achievement, or his breakthrough to the Foundation Building Rank.

Even if it was the latter, the former would certainly be achieved not long after.

'With that kind of boost, it won't be long before I can get back at those damn Demon Beasts. Aahh, who knows what they'd think if they knew exactly how much of a cheater I was? Trying to kill me and failing is the same as a death sentence for that bunch of demons.'

He exclaimed inwardly, a cold smile subconsciously appearing on his face before disappearing instantly as another sobering thought surfaced in his mind.

'Well, that's as long as I don't die stupidly until then. Well, my current Healing Factor is already ridiculous for my level, and I'm fairly confident that it should improve with my cultivation. So, unless I suddenly become suicidal, which I'm not, my life should be relatively safe. The only thing I need to pay attention to is them targeting those around me. After all, I may be able to survive even if I lose a few limbs and organs, but I doubt that even Teacher and Aunt Ling, with their cultivation, can do the same. If only they could benefit from my Perks, even if they don't get the other Physiology Perk's Aspects and only get a discounted version of the healing effect, they'd still be much safer than now...'

Pondering for a few moments, he then let out a sigh inwardly before deciding to take things as they came.

As for others benefiting from his Perks? Since he already knew that the latter would evolve as his cultivation increased, he would have to wait and see if it became possible for him to grant others access to them, without having to share a Soul Bond similar to the one he shared with Sera.

After all, from what he had noted, both of their Souls should grow progressively closer as they grew stronger.

For Demian, that situation was great in the case of a romantic relationship, not only helping them understand each other better, but also providing a slew of other benefits(mental communication, Soul 'GPS', etc.).

Some may find it intrusive, but both Demian and Sera were more than fine with it, each for their own personal reasons.

Having informed Bryn and Liya about the advantages and inconveniences of that 'set-up', they both agreed to the prospect, no matter if they would have to kiss goodbye to their personal mental space.

After all, for every gain there were losses, and in that case, the losses were truly minimal, even to the point that they may not even be considered losses at all, depending on the point of view.

That being said, it was only true for the four since they were, or would quickly become, lovers.

But asking Demian to Soul Bond with others, even those, like his Teacher and Aunt Ling, he was really close to, was truly asking too much from him.

After all, sharing that sort of extreme intimacy with others would be unbearable, especially since it would become permanent.

Mortals may not care as much since they had less than a hundred years of lifespan, but he could potentially live forever—whatever the word 'forever' meant—, so it was completely different.

Honestly, it was a bit of a conundrum, having to choose between his intimacy and his friends' safety and future potential.

Well, he had just started cultivating a few months ago, making him a true cultivation newbie, so there was no need to twist his brain into knots for now.

After all, all those close to him were at least at the Foundation Building Rank and thus had several hundred years of lifespan left, leaving him ample time to investigate if his Perks could evolve in the wanted direction.

In the meantime, he would cultivate assiduously, aiming to grow as quickly as possible to give himself more leeway for everything.

'From what Teacher and Aunt Ling told us, they're in their sixties and at the Peak of Core Formation. With my Perks, I should be able to do the same in half the time, right? Well, I'm already 18, much older than the normal age for starting cultivation in the Federation... Why don't I set a small goal? Peak Foundation Building in eight years, and Peak Core Formation in 25 years. I think that should be doable.'

Honestly, with his current advantages, comparing himself to others was meaningless.

After all, while others played in survival mode, Demian had pretty much access to some hidden game master features.

Because his cultivation was still low and so little time had passed, he did not realize the extent of his gifts, but it would not be long before he understood that entity's boundless generosity.

For now, Demain chose to keep his expectations relatively low, thinking it was better to be amazed than disappointed.

While his mind was filled with a myriad of thoughts, the group of women continued their shopping tour, picking so many different types of clothes, from outerwear like shirts and dresses to underwear like bras and panties.

Although the former were pleasing to the eye, Demian had to admit that his attention was on the latter, something that even Bryn, the one with the least romantic experience noticed, let alone Sera and Liya, with one being overtly perverted while the latter being a bit more discreet about her preferences, though it was unknown if it was because she was more conservative or simply because she had not yet crossed that line with him.

Whether those three chose so many pieces of risqué lingerie, with some that would give a nosebleed to even the most 'cultured' man, because they noticed his interest, or for themselves, Demian did not care one bit.

In either case, he was bound to enjoy a great show once they were back home.

Well, with Sera, at least.

As for the other two, it might take a few more days, waiting for him to cross his Tribulation first...

'Damn it! I'm starting to regret setting up that condition...'

He thought with some frustration, especially as he knew those three were doing it on purpose to tease him.

What, did they think he could not see the playful glint in their eyes?

Trying to hide it behind a poker face? Fat chance!

To be fair, they probably knew that he knew, but complaining inwardly helped him cope with the frustration.

Everyone had their flaws, after all...

Some time passed, with the young man doing his best to ignore the three women's enticing purchases and his own annoyingly vivid imagination, until the three finally ended the shopping session, with a few minutes spent in the fitting room so Lydia could take their measurements for a few pieces that the three wanted custom-made.

As for how they paid for the ridiculous amount of clothes they chose? Well, with the Moon Elf offering a great discount and Ling being present to pay for it all, it was merely a matter of moments before everything was properly folded and packed into their respective owners' Void Rings.

Another thing that Demian felt thankful for: No need for him and his teacher to hold the shopping bags.

Even if their strength would make it effortless, it was still much more comfortable without them needing to do it.

Before the group left the shop, Lydia gave them her Token signature, which was the equivalent of her phone number, and suggested that when they came to retrieve their custom-made orders, they should spend the day together.

With a gentle smile, Lydia added.

"As I understand, you're all new to this City, so I could show you a few places that I'm sure you'd find interesting. It'd also be a way to know each other better. After all, it's been such a long time since I found people I could enjoy spending time with that I'd regret it if I couldn't see all of you again."

Although she sounded genuine, Sera's intuition told her that the 'you' in her sentence may be heavily tilted toward a certain handsome man standing silently by her side.

Thus, she replied with a gentle smile matching the white-haired woman.

"With pleasure. The thing is, although the three of us can come, Demian here is about to face his Lightning Tribulation, so my Teacher and Uncle Sergei told him he had to prepare thoroughly and couldn't be too distracted. To be honest, if it wasn't because the three of us insisted on him getting one day of rest today, he'd have still been practicing right now. So, I think it's better for him to focus on that for the moment. I'm sure you understand, right?"

That answer brought a hint of disappointment to Lydia's Heart, though she showed none of it on her face and simply nodded with an understanding expression.

"Of course. Tribulations are extremely dangerous and need to be thoroughly prepared for. Next time, then."

This time, the purple-haired woman did not say anything, although whether it was Demian, Liya, Bryn, Sergei, or Ling, they all knew that the jealous elf was probably cursing the other woman's cunning in her mind, even though nothing but a grin was displayed on her face.

The Sergei duo, however, did throw an amused glance at Demian, something he pointedly ignored, his attention strongly attracted by the beautiful carvings adorning the entrance door, too captivated to notice the current tension between the two female elves.

'Such beautiful carvings...'

Having agreed on the next appointment, they swiftly said their farewell to the Moon Elf before they left the shop, the guard team previously standing outside then joining them.

However, as Sergei threw his Leaping Yang Fish Flying Boat, ready to return to the Mansion, two people suddenly materialized before them, stopping their momentum.

One was a handsome middle-aged man in uniform, and the other was a woman whose beauty made even the three Mikhailov women fall into a brief daze.

The man, someone they had met a few days before, exclaimed with amusement.

"When I said we'd meet again last time, I really didn't expect it'd be this soon."

After which the woman, with her curious gaze, examining Demian's figure, added, her tone making them understand her words.

"We need to chat."

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