--
**
[Profile]
Name: Cedric Stormrider
Age: 23
Race: Human IV
Classes: Irrelevant
Level: 2-star Planetary Grandmaster
Titles: Irrelevant
System Authority: MAX
Companion Beast: Aurelion (Radiant Sunlion) T8 Lv.9
Aptitude Rank: EX+
[Skills] - (omitted)
[Concept Laws]
Laws:
(Planar) - Five Elements (Perfected), Sword (Perfected), Space (Perfected), Time (Perfected), Astral (Perfected)
Concepts: Slaughter Intent (Perfected)
Unique Trait: 『Nine Extreme Sun Physique』(Intermediate)
[Domain]: ???
[Equipment]
Weapons: Solaris Edge, Vermillion Feather Sword Case
Armor: Star Sage Set, White Crane Immortal Robe
[Mandatory Task:]
: (Exempted)
**
'Even the Acala System can't fathom what I have become, huh?' Cedric grinned as he looked at his profile.
Cedric shared his experiences with Acala herself, but even with that, she couldn't give an accurate measurement of what he has truly become after returning from the Tower of Prodigies.
Cedric waved his hand and isolated them separately. He stretched and folded the space around them to isolate the explosion of energy they're releasing.
Just like that, the girls reached the Planar Traveler Realm. At this point, they're no longer in pain. Instead, they're feeling calm and enjoying the experience of their breakthrough.
After roughly an hour or so, both of them opened their eyes and released a relieved sigh. It was then followed by an expression of disbelief and wonder about where they currently are.
"W-where are we!?"
"This is...Cedric, what's going on here? What the hell is that tree?"
"Okay, relax, you two. One question at a time." Cedric chuckled as he sat in between them. "First, how do you feel? Good? Are you hurting anywhere?"
"I'm good," Erica replied, and Chrissy said the same.
"Fantastic. You two are planar travelers now. You beat Francis with your progress."
His words put a smile on their faces. But Erica wasn't one to be distracted. Still looking around, she asked, "Cedric, where are we? Did you take us here?"
"We're at a place called the Connate Spiritual Farm, love." Cedric grinned at her. "Yes, it is a farm. And yes, it is considered a small world with a complete set of concept laws. Also, yes. I was the one who brought us here."
"That tree..." Chrissy trailed off, staring at that growing tree from a distance. "...what is it?"
"It's called the Sacred Celestial Tree." Cedric replied, "And Princess, no. It's not a tree. At least yet. That one is but a young sapling. A matured Sacred Celestial Tree could easily pierce the skies and reach the starry skies above. It's branches could connect to other worlds, stars, asteriods...you name it, serving as a portal to them.
Additionally, it could even be responsible for the day and night cycles."
"That...this...wha—...how? I mean—..."
Even Erica herself doesn't know what to say or ask. She knew that Cedric wasn't lying to them, but even so, this was too much. She has never heard of anything like this. It sounds unbelievable, but she didn't doubt its legitimacy because she could feel the innate potential of that sapling.
Cedric sighed. He thought to himself, 'I suppose it's time to face the music. I can no longer hide this from them.'
"You see, my luck turned around because of an act of kindness from an old man I met at the RMC..." Cedric started stating his story.
He didn't go into detail about every encounter he had. He just highlighted a few important factors to make them understand how he ended up with his current status.
Cedric told them about eyes, explained the changes they brought to him, and explained how he turned his life around. He explained how he became the Sun Sage and the interactions he had with the leaders of humanity. He also revealed the fortunate accident that led him to meet the Ancient Titan - Big Han.
From here on out, just like what he had done with Acala, he shared his memories with them. This allowed the girls to see everything from his perspective and feel what he felt upon learning all of this.
They saw the trials he faced, his interactions with his fellow challengers, and bits and pieces of his training, but more importantly, they also caught a glimpse of how long he had endured his loneliness, all in the pursuit of becoming stronger just to ensure the safety of the world.
By the end of it, both Chrissy and Erica were silent. Cedric didn't disturb them. He let them digest everything that he had revealed to them so far. It was a lot, so he's not expecting them to comprehend everything overnight.
"So that's why you were particularly active yesterday," Chrissy lightheartedly huffed. She smiled at him as she lovingly caressed his face. "It's been that long for you, huh?"
Erica's eyes stung with unshed tears. She leaned into him and said, "10 years of loneliness—it's too long."
"It's worth it." Cedric just smiled in reply. "This is a once in a lifetime chance. Put anybody in position, and they'd most likely do the same."
"No, I disagree." Chrissy shook her head gently before leaning in. She smiled sweetly and said, "I could think about 10 instances to prove my point."
"You did it because you're you, my sweet and selfless prince."