XXIX

Shortly after rejecting Huan Caiyi, Rokas decided to mend the conflict between Li Suo and himself. Or try to, at the very least.

"Li Suo… I err, wanted to say sorry. I didn't mean to insult or upset you."' Rokas glanced around her figure, finding it hard to look her in the eyes. "It's just that the world isn't shiny rainbows all over. Not all malicious actions can be so easily forgiven. I… wanted you to understand my point of view. Not only that but I was in a volatile state of mind at that point in time… I hope you can understand that."

"So… will you forgive me?"

Li Suo nodded towards Rokas' heartfelt apology.

"You do?" Rokas smiled a little. "That's great. I genuinely thought you'd never talk to me again…"

"Mortal children have a tendency to be unruly, but none so much as you." Li Suo remarked. "To keep a grudge over the words you said, however, would be quite childish of me. I've come to understand the reasoning behind your actions… and even though I do not approve of your methods, I will no longer condemn you for them."

"That's a relief."

"You are a good child at heart, Long Ke. Not a saint… but deep down, you dislike harming others and gain satisfaction from aiding those in need." Li Suo looked into his eyes, seemingly seeing through him. "But… you also have a chaotic nature. One with the capacity for evil."

'Evil, huh…'

"Doesn't every person have the capacity for evil?" Rokas questioned, stroking his chin. "There are so many temptations in the world and sometimes… even saints can be pushed past the breaking point by others."

"I suppose… you would be right. However, you need to learn to temper yourself. Confront your issues with a calm state of mind rather than one full of fury." Li Suo instructed, observing Rokas nod slightly. "I am aware that it may be difficult given the berserk attribute's influence on your body but you should make an attempt, at the very least. The more you do so the more practised you become… eventually, you may gain complete control over your berserk attribute as Ni Xuan did."

"He was calm even at his full strength?" Rokas inquired.

"As calm as a flowing river." Li Suo nodded.

"I mean… it's worth a try."

"Do or do not, there is no try." Li Suo added, smiling a little. "The question is, whether you do it or not, Long Ke."

'Where did I hear that before… is that you, Master Yoda?' Rokas chuckled. "Alright, I'll do it."

"We will see."

[Li Suo (Empress III) Confidant Rank: 3 → 4]

~

In a lavish courtyard of the Blue Wind Imperial Palace, two shadows danced together. One was taller and more imposing… while the other was in another world of elegance. Naturally, the former was Rokas and the latter Cang Yue.

"I'm not that good at this fancy mancy type of dancing…" Rokas remarked after he stumbled once again, letting out a sigh of disappointment in himself.

"You weren't that good at using swords either a few years ago." Cang Yue chuckled, grabbing his hand as she looked at him with an infectious smile. "You will get better… just have faith in yourself."

"You can comprehend the profound arts of True Gods with swift ease and yet such simple footwork baffles you." Jasmine laughed as she observed with an amused expression. "Although, you do certainly lack the elegance of a prince. I suppose it would only be reasonable that a natural cave dweller such as yourself would struggle with such things…"

'Shut up… I'm trying my best >_<'

"Alright, I just need some more practice." Rokas nodded.

Through consistent practice, understanding and determination over several weeks, Rokas started becoming quite the dancer. First, he followed the instructions of Cang Yue and others more experienced than himself. Then he started imitating the things he had seen in his first life… and mastering them.

[Playing Billie Jean - Michael Jackson]

'Heee heeee…' Rokas moonwalked backwards, each smooth step carrying a certain undeniable charm. 'She was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene…'

[System: You want to become the King of Pop or what?]

'Uh… not really. Just vibing.'

[System: See, that is how creative professions tend to start. As hobbies.]

'You think I'm good enough?'

[System: You can be if you want to be.]

…

It had been over six months since the Seven Nation Ranking Tournament had come to an end. On this wonderful occasion, the Blue Wind Empire was celebrating the anniversary of Cang Wanhe's ascension alongside the victory over the other nations. A lively festival had commenced across the nation. The imperial court, especially, was buzzing with activity. Even prominent foreign figures had travelled far and wide to see the three individuals who had shaken the Profound Sky.

"Do I look handsome?"

Rokas wondered as he looked in the mirror. Wearing the royal outfit that Cang Yue had gotten for him, he didn't look nearly out of place as he would have a few years ago.

"You'd look more handsome if you smiled."

"You know I can't force a smile… I mean, this is what happens when I do." Rokas glanced in the mirror as he forced a smile, slowly beginning to look like a psychotic serial killer. "Yeah… no."

Cang Yue chuckled. "Just be yourself."

"That's what I'm best at." Rokas smiled, nodding slightly. "On another note… remind me why we have thousands of guests to one single lavish party? Isn't the point of those to have as few people as possible?"

"None of our guests are ordinary people in the slightest." Cang Yue emphasised, her sky blue eyes shining with charm as she pointed at his chest. "You should realise that you are amongst the most prominent figures in the entire continent. For that matter… over eighty per cent of our guests are either from a Sacred Ground or the Divine Phoenix Empire. Turning away such people isn't so simple for the nation with the lowest average strength, you know."

"One word from the Sword Master and they would all scram." Rokas chuckled. "Maybe…"

"Maybe you should be more receptive to our guests. You said you wanted to be more elegant and prince-like, did you not? You can start here."

"Well… alright. I'll be nice." Rokas nodded.

…

As the five princes made their appearance to the hall, there was barely a reaction. A few claps… but that was all. The hedonistic wastrels weren't all that popular, clearly, to the point that it was a violation. Some of them looked upset at the lack of fanfare.

"Isn't this an event celebrating the Blue Wind Imperial Family?" The second prince (formerly fourth) shook his head. "I couldn't quite tell."

"Ask that question to the legendary Sword Master, why don't you? The real star of this celebration is the prince consort and our dear sister." The first prince (formerly second) replied.

The doors sprang open again, revealing Rokas and Cang Yue. Hand in hand, they descended together under a raging wave of applause and cheering. Cang Yue's smile lit up the room while Rokas observed the horde of people, trying to see what notable guests had made their appearance. There was Xuanyuan Wentian, all of the Nation's Emperors, Feng Hengkong and Feng Xue'er amongst countless other powerful figures.

'Here come the princess offerings.' Rokas thought to himself.

[System: Blood for the blood god.]

Lastly, the Blue Wind Emperor approached with the aura of a true ruler. Truly, he could now hold his head as high as the skies before even such a crowd. With his daughter as a heavenly genius that even the Sacred Grounds fervently wish to recruit and his son-in-law as a living God, why couldn't he?

The celebration started with a banquet to get everyone acquainted. As Rokas and Cang Yue were casually talking to each other, the Black Fiend Nation's emperor slowly approached with a rather pretty young woman behind him.

"Sir Long Ke, it is truly an honour to speak to you in person." The Emperor smiled, lowering his head slightly.

'Can't you see I'm busy?' Rokas thought, turning to him. He made a slight smile as a reply. "Likewise. What's the purpose of that girl behind you?"

"Well… ah, I wondered if one such as yourself would be interested in another wi… concubine. A concubine, yes." The emperor nodded. "This is my daughter, an imperial princess of the Black Fiend Nation. She is our nation's number one beauty and my most precious jewel."

Rokas turned to Cang Yue who looked a little insulted. Then he turned back, shaking his head. "No, I have no intention of taking any concubines. No offence to your daughter, but…"

"Insolence." One figure walked up to the emperor with a deep frown. His eyes flashed with killing intent as he looked down on him with disgust. "How could that hideous hag feasibly be worthy of calling herself the Lord Phoenix God's bed warmer, let alone concubine? Open your eyes, or I shall carve them out for you myself."

"... Uh… Sword Master…" The emperor choked on his own words, both confused and frightened. "I did not mean to… offend either of you."

"Scram and never return." Xuanyuan Wentian coldly ordered, leading to both of them running away.

'Man said hideous hag… nahh, that right there was a violation.' Rokas chuckled. 'System, what did my blood do to this man?'

[System: He is your most devoted servant, clearly.]

"Was that necessary?" Rokas inquired.

"You seemed quite irritated by their presence, master. As such, I got rid of them in the most benevolent way possible. Would you have preferred if I killed them? If so, I will correct my mistake right away-"

"Hooold on. Are you completely bonkers?" Rokas shook his head. "No killing."

"As you wish. I will make my utmost attempt at avoiding actions that may be condemned as 'bonkers'."

'Does he even know what that means?'

[System: He has an idea.]

~

After the celebration, Rokas kept his word and took Feng Xue'er to the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace. It was a cold night in the Snow Region of Extreme Ice… although, daytime looked very much like nighttime in such a region. It tended to be full of clouds and rather gloomy until you reached the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace, where the clouds parted and would reveal the sunlight.

"So this is the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace… it's even more beautiful than I imagined."

Feng Xue'er remarked, looking over the entire region. She slowly descended as pure white snow fell from the sky. Stretching out her hand, she watched the snow gather as a curious child would.

"Snow like this does bring me back… to simpler days." Rokas looked up, gathering some snow himself in his outstretched palm. "I used to love curling the snow into messy orbs and just throwing them against surfaces… watching in awe as they broke apart. I would get into plenty of snow fights, actually… but I really hated losing them. Some people would go a little too far."

"Oh…? That sounds like a lot of fun, Big Brother Ke. Why don't we have one?"

"You want a snow fight?"

"Mn…"

"Sure, let's do it."

After flying around in a competitive round of snow fighting, Rokas and Feng Xue'er took a breather above the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace. Rokas had the edge most of the time, although he didn't abuse it too much. Feng Xue'er was too sweet to bully.

"For someone so kind, you are ruthless with the snow…" Rokas laughed.

"Big Brother Ke isn't mad at me… are you?"

"No, not at all. It's completely normal to be a little competitive."

"Big Brother Ke… how does it feel to go wherever you want?"

"I mean… Freedom, to me… is the best feeling in the world." Rokas replied, looking up into the heavenly blue sky. "Before I changed, I was mostly like a bird in a cage. I went where others depicted I should go and didn't have much say in those matters. Since then, I've lived in caves, seen mountain ranges, waterfalls, volcanoes, a sea of lava… you name it. I've found love, confidence in myself and grown so much from experience. If I had stayed in that cage… I would have never become the person that I am now."

"But, with all that freedom, you also have to remember your responsibilities." Rokas smiled, recalling something from the past. "For instance, you're going to be the Divine Phoenix Goddess someday. Sure, you'd have all the power to do whatever you want… but there are consequences for each action."

[System: The waffle is top-notch.]

"Don't worry, Big Brother Ke, I wouldn't abuse my power."

"I'm sure you wouldn't." Rokas smiled, stroking his chin. "Well, what I meant to say was that you should balance duty and your personal freedom.

"Oh… Xue'er understands." She nodded, smiling slightly. "Big Brother Ke, you do sound very wise for someone your age."

"Nah, I'm rambling nonsense half of the time." Rokas laughed.

"You're too modest sometimes…"

[Feng Xue'er (Hierophant V) Confidant Rank: 2 → 3]

After that, in respect to Xia Qingyue and her sect, Rokas opened the profound entrances of every member of the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace. This was so that they wouldn't suffer the rather grim ailments of the Frozen Cloud Arts. Although he expected no reward for the act, the Grand Palace Mistress still granted him the title of honorary Palace Master.

~

Two years later.

----------------

Name: Rokas / Long Ke

Alias: Perverted fiend, Prince Consort, Lord Phoenix God, Heavenly Demon, Honorary Palace Master

Race: Chimera

Identity: Lord Phoenix God

Age: 19 → 22

Timeline: 3yr, 8m, 15 days → 6yr, 6 months, 6 days

Profound Strength: Tyrant Profound Realm III → Sovereign Profound Realm III

----------------

[Stats]

Comprehension: A+

Strength: A- → A

Endurance: A++

Agility: B++

Profound Energy Quantity: A

Profound Energy Control: B++ → A-

Luck: F- → C

----------------

[Confidants]

The System (The World): 6 → 7

Jasmine (Fortune X): 6

Cang Yue (Lovers VI): 10 (MAX)

Murong Qianxue (Moon XVIII): 2 → 4

Xia Qingyue (Hanged Man XII): 8 → 9

Li Suo (Empress III): 0 → 4

Feng Xue'er (Hierophant V): 0 → 4

Xuanyuan Wentian (Death XIII): 0 → 3

Huan Caiyi (Emperor IV): 0 → 3

----------------

[Abilities]

Secret Ability: Consume

Special Ability: Inner World A

Unlimited Energy Works F-C

Sigma Male Grindset B

Profound Handle B- (Orange)

Star God's Broken Shadow B (Fourth Stage) → Star God's Broken Shadow B+ (Fifth Stage)

World Ode of the Phoenix B

Golden Crow's Record of a Burning World B

'EVERYTHING!!!' D+++++

Shared Growth A

Perfectly Balanced Blue Water B+

Blazing Water Arts A- → Poisonous Blazing Water Arts A

Shapeshift B

Charm B

The Great Way of the Buddha B- (Third Stage) → B (Fourth Stage)

Ice Flame A+

Essence of Creation A-

Bloodline: Nine-Headed Divine Chimera A+

Laws: Fire, Water, Lightning

Misc: Berserk, Divine Authority, Poison

----------------

'Only through diligence may the heavenly procrastinator grow'

Trial of Space unlocked.

Description: A gruelling trial that would challenge the physical and mental fortitude of any prospect to their very limit. It can only be attempted once and is nigh impossible to complete. However, if you were to succeed, all of Mo E's teachings would be yours alongside his origin of power. Doing your utmost in preparation is strongly advised.

Meditation/Comprehension Goal IX: Dedicate fifty thousand hours towards the Profound Way (21,539/50,000)

(Reward: Trial of Time)

Dual-Cultivation Goal VII: You Choose!

Reward: ?

----------------

Over these two years, Rokas took a little backseat to his cultivation and just enjoyed life. He was busy raising his lively daughter, marrying Xia Qingyue, keeping up appearances as prince consort and Lord Phoenix God, dabbling in plenty of dual cultivation and going around travelling once in a while. Being ahead of Yun Che and the Overlord of Blue Pole Star, he did grow a little complacent. It was only natural, however.

'Man said I can choose my own dual-cultivation goal?' Rokas frowned slightly. 'What's the catch?'

[System: The catch is that you have to select from a list of options. Here they are: ]

[Potential goal 1: Seduce Li Suo.]

'Bro… that's mission impossible.'

[Potential goal 2: Seduce Qianye Ying'er.]

'Do you have a Goddess fetish?'

[System: You do, not me.]

'... Man.'

[Potential goal 3: Temper yourself. Retain your semen for a year.]

'I'd have to be a bloody eunuch.'

[Potential goal 4: Release 3000 times within 24 hours.]

'What the fuck? You really want me to die from having too much sex? Don't tell me those are all of my options…'

[System: They are. What, you're not up for any of them? Such a shame… it seems that you've found your comfort zone.]

'Li Suo acts like my mother and has Unhorny EX, Qianye Ying'er… nevermind the distance, she'd probably loathe someone like me. Physically, cumming a hundred times, let alone three thousand times in a single fucking day is just absurd. That only leaves me with the choice of basically blanking both of my absurdly beautiful wives while keeping this exceptionally horny dragon body in check.'

'Do you… need an update for your operating system or something? Is there a logic error somewhere that needs fixing?'

[System: Sounds like you want the one million goal.]

'... One million what?'

[System: Releases, of course.]

'Wild… you are an absolute troll, you know that?'

[System: Possibly. Well, if you don't pick one of the four within 69s, I'll leave you with that one.]

'... I… you know what, fuck your bs dual-cultivation goals. They're more like guidelines anyway.'

[System: So it seems.]

'... Why do those three words seem so sad?'

[System: You don't need me anymore…]

'Don't start getting all dramatic, okay? I didn't mean it in that way. It's just that your goals were… unreasonable, you know?'

'System…?'

Rokas frowned, observing as his interface vanished into nothing. He couldn't call upon it anymore, either. After a while, Rokas gave in and picked one of the options he had been presented with.

'Okay, I'll take the second option. Just stop acting like a baby.'

[System: Ayyyy… the Rokas X Qianye Ying'er ship is official!]

'Official? Yeah, right. Man said seduce Qianye Ying'er as if I'm some heavenly womanizer…'

[System: Say what you will, but Qianye Ying'er fell in love with Scum Che.]

'... Fair enough.'

'But where are my Gundams?'

[System: Well, now that you just completed your 10k dual-cultivation goal, you gained the Essence of Creation from me. In essence… pun 100% intended… you will be able to create matter from your profound energy. Of course, this method consumes vast amounts of said energy but you're not lacking in that department, are you?]

'Create… anything?'

[System: Well, objects such as weapons for now. As you reach higher realms and/or gain a deeper understanding of this ability, you can branch out into other things… even life itself. If used correctly, Essence of Creation would be your key to successfully completing the Trial of Time.]

'Say no more…'

[System: Also… you shouldn't worry about meeting Qianye Ying'er. Distance is no problem.]

'Why's that? She'd have no reason to be anywhere near me.'

[System: Don't worry, my friend. Don't you worry.]

'... Okay.'

The repeated 'don't worry' from the System wasn't exactly reassuring.