LVIII

[Emperors and Gods tremble beneath the violet sky]

[Order Turns to Chaos]

[Chaos Turns to Order]

[Life Becomes Death]

[Death Becomes Life]

[The Sovereign rises to his Throne]

These were the words that the Heavenly Mystery God Canon revealed to the Three Old Ones… overwriting the True God prophecy entirely.

Immediately, they contacted the Eternal Heaven God Emperor.

…

[Divine Authority drastically improved in effectiveness.]

[Shapeshifting B → A]

[Comprehension: A+++ → EX-]

[Strength: A+ → A++]

[Endurance: A++ → A+++]

[Agility: A- → EX-]

[Profound Energy Control: A → A+]

[Profound Strength: Divine King I → Divine King V]

…

A few weeks would pass by as Rokas spent practically every waking hour comprehending the Heaven Punishing Manual which had all of Mo E's techniques. This had pushed him into the middle stages of the Divine King Realm alone, abusing the comprehension aspect of the 'Heavenly Procrastinator' way of growth. 

Shen Xi did not mind putting their sessions on pause temporarily… though, she didn't have much of a choice in the matter. Rokas was quite adamant about mastering the law of Space. Meanwhile, Li Suo recruited He Ling to his Inner World with a little convincing. After all, the siblings did not wish to be separated again.

Eventually, Qianye Ying'er made her return.

Rokas was well aware of her arrival, waiting at the edge of the Forbidden Land of Samsara. Rather swiftly, she had left the Violet Queen and descended.

"How did you attain the divine power of the Heaven Punishing Divine Emperor?" She immediately questioned.

"That's rather shallow of you…" Rokas remarked, chuckling. "No 'good morning, how was your day?' or even 'I miss you'."

"Well?"

"Hold on…" 

'Let's see how well this works…'

Rokas raised his finger as he shapeshifted into his titanium white long gold hair with a few golden strands. The Divine Authority of the Heaven Punishing Divine Emperor sealed out as he raised his head higher.

"Is this how you address your master… you, a mere mortal descendent of the Brahma Heaven God Clan?" Rokas questioned, testing out his new power. "Truly, how impudent."

"... No?" Qianye Ying'er frowned slightly, almost confused at her own reaction. "Forgive… me."

"If it is my desire, then I will naturally explain it to you. If it is not… then you simply don't need to know." Rokas stroked his chin. "Kowtow ten times as punishment."

"Yes, my lord."

Rokas observed as Qianye Ying'er went down on the ground and started hitting her head against the ground, breaking her mask.

'... It's practically effective to the point of mind control. Unless Ying'er is acting perfectly. Though, I doubt someone with her pride would be so willing to smash her head against the ground.'

Rokas reverted to his original appearance and let go of his Divine Authority. He clothes beamed her and she got a new golden mask.

"..." Qianye Ying'er blinked in surprise as she realised what she had been doing. "You…"

"Just a little testing." Rokas grinned slightly. "By the look of things, the successors of Mo E's subordinates cannot reject my will should I enforce it."

"..." The thought of being controlled was quite unsettling for Qianye Ying'er. "What do you intend to do with your newfound power?"

"You shouldn't fret too much… my intentions are quite pure."

[System: I thought that I should mention… your rebirth kinda fucked up the constellation tings innit.]

'What do you mean by that?'

[System: The date of the Day of Rippling Stars moved forward by a decent bit. You know, the day the Star Gods are at their strongest.]

'How much is a decent bit, exactly?'

[System: Well… it's in like three months now.]

"What will?" She questioned.

'... That's alright.' Rokas didn't complain, turning to Qianye Ying'er. "That's something you're going to have to figure out. Regardless, we're going back to the Brahma Monarch God Realm."

"For what… aren't you more than satisfied with your new position, Young Patriarch?"

"Hmph… I made you lot five Gundams and now you're going to use them my way."

"I'm intrigued… what is your way?"

"Operation Blitz."

…

After saying his farewells, Rokas hopped in the Violet Queen and dashed right into space. Meanwhile, Qianye Ying'er was inside the cockpit with him. 

"Surprisingly, you didn't overuse the Trans-Am this time." Rokas observed, seeing the Gundam's status. "It's almost as good as new."

"I know how much you love your Gundams."

"This… should work." Rokas unlocked the safety button for the Trans-Am Full Burst and prepared Gundam IV for one of his latest techniques. He closed his eyes, letting his mind become one with Gundam Exia. 

Once his thoughts meshed perfectly, he opened his eyes and slammed the button.

Gundam Exia's participle generation doubled… tripled… quadrupled… sextupled… multiplying over and over again, reaching a power that hadn't broken out in countless millennia. Its violet particles spread over dozens of Realms, covering them in its wondrous lustre. Though… the GN drive suddenly drew them closer, condensing into denser and more powerful particles.

Rokas raised its blades, extending them from their respective arms.

[System: I got the coordinates ready.]

'Forge a path for me, Exia…'

Using both blades in perfect synergy, he cut open a portal through space and dashed right through it.

Its speed was surreal for several seconds, transcending every other Gundam.

Although… it was hardly sustainable.

Flames burst from inside of its core, exploding spontaneously.

At the last moment, Qianye Ying'er grabbed him and teleported away.

Rokas took a deep breath, observing the Violet Queen implode from the inside.

[System: You forcing Exia beyond its limits and leading to its destruction is becoming quite the tendency.]

"Thank you." Rokas smiled slightly, leaving Qianye Ying'er's embrace. 'System, where are we now?'

[System: The edge of the Eastern Divine Region.]

'That's good enough.'

"Take me to the Brahma Monarch God Realm." Rokas turned to Qianye Ying'er. "Given your profound strength, it shouldn't take too long. Unless you don't recognise where we are…"

"We are in the Eastern Divine Region. The Fallen Lotus Star System." 

'Is she right?'

[System: Yeah, that's about right.]

"Alright, I suppose you don't need help navigating from me." Rokas nodded. "Take me to your home as fast as you can."

"What's the rush?" Qianye Ying'er frowned slightly under her mask.

"I have something to protect."

"Something to protect…"

Qianye Ying'er grabbed hold of him and went directly to the Brahma Monarch God Realm.

…

Upon Rokas' arrival, he took upon his 'Heaven Punishing Divine Emperor' appearance and his sheer aura had immediately gathered the pillars of the Brahma Monarch God Realm. Qianye Ying'er floated down from the sky first, letting go of his hand.

"Hear me, people of the Brahma Monarch God Realm!" Rokas' voice boomed across the entire Realm with an undeniable Divine Authority. "From this day onward, I, Long Ke, the Heaven Punishing Divine Emperor's complete inheritor… am your undisputed ruler!" 

Qianye Fantian, the Brahma Heaven God Emperor, kneeled and the rest of the Brahma Monarch God Realm followed. Even Qianye Ying'er had made her descent and lowered herself with the rest.

"With that said, rise and shine, my people." Rokas smiled slightly. "We're going to change the Universe… together."

~

"You've been up to a lot recently, from what I've sensed." Xia Qingyue stated from the cockpit of Gundam Virtue. "Too busy to talk to me?"

"Well… I've been very focused on my goals." 

"Who's this?" Qianye Ying'er joined him, tilting her head to see through Gundam Kyrios' camera. "Oh… she is quite the beauty."

Quite beautiful was an understatement. As she observed more closely, she recognised that they were equals at best. At worst… she could even be considered superior. The size of her bosom, the dark, alluring purple hair and glowing eyes… Rokas did not hide the fact that his favourite colour was purple, followed by gold.

She felt a drop of… insecurity.

Xia Qingyue's expression grew cold as her eyes slightly angled towards Qianye Ying'er. "You went back to her?"

"I wouldn't quite say that. She has just been helping me out with a few things." Rokas shook his head. "Listen, I want you to go to the Brahma Monarch God Realm. I plan to take the Eternal Heaven Pearl… and well, when I do, I want you to benefit from it alongside me."

"... I see." Xia Qingyue nodded. "I'll be ready."

"What's your name… are you the second or first wife?" Qianye Ying'er questioned.

"Does it matter to you? You'll never be one."

[System: She didn't have to bring out the flamethrower.]

"..." Qianye Ying'er's eyebrows twitched slightly. "We will see."

"We'll have plenty of time to catch up within the Eternal Heaven Pearl's world." Rokas ignored their beef, managing a smile. "By the way, how's your family reunion going?"

"Rather well, in truth." Xia Qingyue nodded. "Though… I've begun to long for you. My future isn't with my father or mother. It's with you, my husband. There's also something I want to experience, too… and it has been on my mind for quite a while."

"You want a child together?"

"How'd you know?" Xia Qingyue questioned.

"Just a feeling." Rokas smiled slightly. "You know, Ping'er wants a sibling too. It feels like there's nothing more that she wants than to be a big sister. I've been trying, to an extent… but you know, my luck is quite terrible. I'm almost beginning to believe that I'm all dried up."

"No, you're not." Xia Qingyue chuckled. "You're too young to be saying that."

"I mean… if any other man went as crazy as I did, they'd have a whole dynasty already." Rokas remarked, shrugging his shoulders.

"I'll give you a son." Xia Qingyue spoke with a tone of complete certainty. "Your first… that's a promise."

Qianye Ying'er frowned slightly.

"How can you be so sure?" Rokas questioned.

"A woman's intuition… I will see you in the Brahma Monarch God Realm when you're ready."

"..." Rokas raised an eyebrow as she shut down the video chat. 'A son would be pretty awesome after all of this is over…'

"Why don't you mind your own business?" Rokas turned to Qianye Ying'er.

"I was just curious… besides. I have some gifts for you."

She took out the Heretic God's wind seed and placed it in his palm.

"I believe this should aid you to some extent…"

Rokas raised an eyebrow as he observed the small and round dark green bead in his hand. "How did you attain this?"

"The system behind the Gundams led me to it." Qianye Ying'er replied, smiling slightly. "Quite the knowledgeable thing, it is."

"Thank you." Rokas nodded. "What of the cores?"

"I've slaughtered quite a great number of beasts, there's no need for you to fret." 

"Then we'll be in business soon enough."

…

Before his planned Operation Blitz, Rokas stood… beholding the beach Qianye Ying'er had shown him when they first met. It was a beautiful sight, as before. The sun was just setting while the warm shimmering water gently washed from side to side. Meanwhile, the Heavenly Demon Saber chilled in the sand.

"What are you thinking about?" Qianye Ying'er stood behind him, subtly removing her mask.

"The past, who I was…" Rokas admitted, looking up at the boundless sky. "I can't help but wonder, if my mother knew what had become of her son… would she be proud?"

"Why wouldn't she be? You're the person who will scale the heavens."

"... It's not all about power or talent. If I returned the way I am now… the door would shut in my face." Rokas countered, shaking his head. "The pursuit of power, the so-called Profound Way, is a path that rewards those who are willing to lose themselves in its chase. It makes people crawl to grasp any sort of power. It bends people to its way, changing them for the worse. It steals their time for promises of more yet, in the end, countless dedicate their entire lives without truly living for what is important. It… attracts the worst and corrupts the best."

Qianye Ying'er crossed her arms. "What of it?"

"This will be the last time that I crawl." Rokas determined. "I… am going to be a truly strong person. I won't hide and only use my powers for myself. I'm going to be someone I could truly be proud of… someone that others can look up to, someone my daughter can aspire to be like. A person that my mother can proudly say is her son. That person isn't going to grow from the persuasion or others manipulating me to do so…"

Rokas beat his chest.

'Me… I'm going to do it.'

"If I'm going to change the world… I'm going to have to change myself first." Rokas turned slowly, glancing at Qianye Ying'er. He slowly raised his left hand, offering it. "Won't you do it with me?"

"... I will."

Rokas chuckled, turning back to the beach.

"You know, a part of me thinks you want to laugh." Rokas remarked, grinning slightly. "I doubt you see the point… I suppose, if I was raised by the Brahma Heaven God Emperor, I'd be much the same. The cynical part of me would thrive."

"One thing you cannot say is that he did not raise me well." Qianye Ying'er stated, frowning slightly. "I've reached great heights that few can even dream of. I have power that is unmatched in all of the Realm of the Gods and I am not one with a soft heart. I am willing to do whatever it takes… I have no weaknesses. In regards to being the future ruler of the Brahma Monarch God Realm, I may as well be perfect."

"Perfect, huh… I suppose we've always had differing views on pretty much everything." Rokas remarked, smiling slightly. "As I see it, a ruler is the person who elevates everyone around him and raises them up… no matter how low they may be. It is the King who carries the hopes and dreams of his people on his shoulders. It's his sword that leads to wars and peace, his pen that brings wealth and prosperity, his charm and will that burns brightly even in the darkest of days… captivating and inspiring those who feel as if there is no hope."

"That is… the ideal King, to me."

"That is who you seek to be?" Qianye Ying'er questioned.

"... Yes, someday."

'I have a long way to go.'

"I'd like to see that…" Qianye Ying'er closed the distance between them, embracing him from the back. She dropped her head on his shoulder. "To think that you once so strongly objected to the thought of ruling… my, how you've grown. It's quite gladdening to see it firsthand."

"You're moving sly." Rokas remarked, smiling slightly as he grabbed her arms and lowered them to her side. "Buttering me up…"

"I'm not allowed to embrace you now?"

"After this is over… we'll have to see."

Rokas stepped away, grabbing his saber from the sand and resting it on his shoulder.

"No point in idling further… my mind is set." 

~

The Eternal Heaven Realm.

It was just another night in the Eternal Heaven Realm… nothing gave reason for anyone to believe that anything shocking would happen. Alas, it was then that the Blitz Gundam emerged at the heart of the Eternal Heaven Realm, having teleported through all of its defences and grasped its precious Heavenly Treasure.

The Eternal Heaven Pearl had been snatched away…

Of course, the Eternal Heaven Realm wouldn't leave it unguarded. Those who had witnessed it disappear instantly signalled an alarm. The entire core rallied in a state of panic. Meanwhile, the Blitz flew away.

The other BMR Gundams revealed themselves, unleashing their particles and opening a powerful teleportation formation from Ying'er's gathered profound cores straight to the Brahma Monarch God Realm. The Blitz was the first to go through, followed by the rest. Of course, while it was quickly closed, some of the enraged pursuers had managed to end up on the other side.

This group included Tai Yu, the head of the Eternal Heaven Guardians.

On the other side, a web-like entrapment formation had sprang and caught all of the pursuers dead in their tracks. It was split into cells, allowing the pillars of the Brahma Monarch God Realm to choose who would be set free. Naturally, the Gundams and the users within were let go.

"That was quite the ploy… although invading them would've been far simpler." The Brahma Heaven God Emperor remarked. "They still have quite the firepower to attack us, nevermind any possible allies that would jump at the opportunity to paint us as villains."

"It's not my intention to cripple the Eternal Heaven Realm… nor set it aflame. Now, as planned, you lot will earn your keep and protect me until I am done with my training."

"As you command, my lord."

The Blitz teleported away.

"You ambitious, greedy bastards… it's never enough for any of you, is it? You must take our Heavenly Treasure, the very same one that was intended to be shared and used for the greater good of the Eastern Divine Region…" Tai Yu cursed, attempting to break free with all his strength. "We should have combined our strength and crushed the Brahma Monarch God Realm after it gained those machines…" 

"Shared… among who, the talentless?" Qianye Ying'er scoffed. "What do you think three thousand years for three thousand pieces of trash would change? Hmph, my fiance will make proper use of your Heavenly Treasure. You may rest assured, Honourable Tai Yu. If anything… you should be grateful that the Eternal Heaven Pearl found itself to be in his possession."

"One day, you will be punished by the heavens…" Tai Yu frowned deeply. "The whole lot of you…"

"Long Ke is the Heavens you speak of." The Brahma Heaven God Emperor countered, chuckling. "After all, he is the inheritor of two Creation Gods. Who is more favoured than him? Who holds more right to judge and rule over the rest?"

"... No man is above the Heavens."

"He is no man." Qianye Ying'er countered.

Meanwhile, Rokas took out the Eternal Heaven Pearl and observed its heavenly blue allure. It was a rather small bead relative to Rokas' large palm… although its divine power was unmistakable.

"You, who dared to steal the Eternal Heaven Pearl so brazenly… do you truly believe that I would allow you to use it?" The Eternal Heaven's Great Ancestor, the spirit of the Eternal Heaven Pearl, spoke out against him.

"Are you speaking for the Eternal Heaven Pearl or for yourself?" Rokas tilted his head, pinching the pearl. "Are you its master… or servant?"

"Regardless of the answer, it would never favour you over me."

"Is that so?" 

Rokas closed his hand and allowed his blood to seep out, engulfing the Eternal Heaven Pearl.

"Argh…. Ah…. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Rokas glanced around as he heard the rippling cries of the Eternal Heaven's Great Ancestor. Before long, her spirit had been forced out of the Eternal Heaven Pearl and the Heavenly Treasure itself displayed a blazing scarlet aura around it.

"That's sorted." 

[System: Problem? Just give it some Rokas cells.]

…

Since the System confirmed that his Inner World would benefit from the Eternal Heaven Pearl and suck in more of its primordial energy the more living things he had inside of it, Rokas decided to empty it out. Already, he had already sent all the animals out and made them act like good boys in the Brahma Monarch God Realm. Its centre had almost become a massive zoo.

For now, he wanted to focus solely on his own growth with the Day of the Rippling Stars fast approaching… the rest would come after.

At the core of the Brahma Monarch God Realm, Rokas had prepared an especially powerful defensive formation should things go awry. As commanded, Qianye Ying'er escorted Xia Qingyue and they all met up before the formation.

"The Heaven Punishing Divine Emperor." Xia Qingyue remarked, stepping closer to him. "Quite the illustrious title."

"Some people are obsessed with the past." Rokas replied, smiling slightly. "Everyone here just started calling me that out of convenience."

"Not because you've impersonated him?"

"... Only slightly." Rokas shrugged.

"Mhm…"

Xia Qingyue embraced Rokas and he naturally held her even closer, stroking her violet purple hair while she dug her head into his chest. There wasn't any need for words… their warmth spoke for itself. They missed each other greatly.

Qianye Ying'er stood to the side, feeling some type of way.

It didn't get any better when Xia Qingyue floated up slightly, grabbed hold of his face and pressed her lips against Rokas' rather passionately. Rokas glanced to the side, seeing Ying'er's reaction for a split second. He silently exercised Divine Authority… just in case.

"Why don't we… save it for… the Eternal Heaven Divine Realm?" Rokas eventually pulled her to the side. He smiled slightly, shaking his head. "This hallway isn't exactly discrete."

"The Brahma Monarch Goddess had a slight taste of what we had witnessed and she's already seething inside." Xia Qingyue remarked, glancing at Qianye Ying'er. "I sense a great amount of jealousy… and insecurity. You feel it all slipping away from your hands. Once, you had complete control… it must sting to have reached such a point. A point where you're no longer needed nor wanted."

"For someone so pathetically weak, you certainly do like to talk." Qianye Ying'er frowned, her mighty profound strength seeping out as she stepped forward. "I…"

"Calm down." Rokas' eyes glowed a blazing orange.

She was suppressed, stepping back to where she stood.

"Yes… calm down and stand in the corner where you belong, you golden bitch. You are only stronger than me because you've had nearly a thousand years to cultivate. In terms of talent… you are inferior to me." Xia Qingyue's expressionless, cold, face changed as she grinned slightly. "After this, we'll settle our grudges. Don't you worry."

'... I've never seen Qingyue with black air force energy…' Rokas remarked. 'It seems that a catfight is almost inevitable.'

"Let's not delay further." 

Finally, Rokas took his wood spirits out alongside everyone else. Qianye Ying'er's frown grew the more of them she saw. Though, in the end, the people who caught her eyes the most were Cang Yue and Long Yinping. She had yet to see them in person, after all.

"For two months or so, daddy's going to be training inside of a thing called the Eternal Heaven Divine Realm. In there, a year on the outside would be three thousand years on the inside." Rokas explained to Long Yinping, patting her head. "So… a day out here would be almost like three years in there."

"But… I want to help daddy too." Long Yinping pouted slightly. "If I could get stronger for so many years… if I could grow up… I could really help. I don't want to be a little girl anymore."

"You'll only be a little girl once in your life." Rokas smiled, shaking his head. "I don't want to rob you of that. Enjoy it, Long Yinping… take your time to grow into a strong woman. There's no rush, nor do you need to fight my battles. Let mommy and daddy handle things, alright?"

"Mn…" Long Yinping lowered her head.

Rokas lowered himself slightly to embrace his daughter… although he didn't need to do so by much. Even before her seventh birthday, she was extraordinarily tall. 

"Although… no matter what happens, you'll always be daddy's little girl." 

Long Yinping's blue eyes lit up as she nodded. Qianye Ying'er's eyes widened slightly as she observed their interaction. Even her heart had been moved… slightly.

"Alright… I'll wait."

"Besides, you have all your friends here." Rokas turned to the wood spirits and Xiao Lingxi. "They'll keep you company."

He let go, watching Cang Yue cuddle their daughter right after.

"Ying'er… no matter what, you will protect every last one of these people and ensure their safety." Rokas commanded with a tone overflowing with Divine Authority. "Am I clear?"

"Yes, my lord." Qianye Ying'er did not hesitate. "I will fall before harm comes to any one of them."

'The irony of the Brahma Monarch Goddess saying that…' Rokas thought, glancing at He Ling and He Lin. 

"Good." Rokas smiled slightly as he took out his spare Gundams, one after the other. Quite a large portion of the hallway was filled with Gundams facing each other across it. "Should you need them… the Violet Queen's prototypes are all here."

"So that is the famed Qianye Ying'er." Huan Caiyi remarked, crossing her arms. "I can see why you gave Long Ke struggles."

"Struggles?" Qianye Ying'er questioned, tilting her head. "Who even are you?"

"Small wonder why Lady Yue has such a great distaste for you…" Huan Caiyi remarked.

"Another weakling talking down to me." Qianye Ying'er scoffed, shaking her head. "The sole reason you have a tongue to speak with is the man standing between us. Otherwise…"

"You're not helping yourself, Brahma Monarch Goddess." Cang Yue stated, turning to her. "It would be best if you didn't speak at all and did as you were bid."

"True enough." Rokas added.

"..." Qianye Ying'er sighed. "Come along, wood spirits."

"I don't like that golden-haired lady…" Long Yinping stated, glancing back at Rokas and Cang Yue. "Do I really have to go with her?"

"She won't do anything to harm you, I made sure of that." Rokas reassured her.

"Hm… okay."

With that, only Rokas, Cang Yue, Xia Qingyue, Li Suo and Huan Caiyi remained.

"Let's begin."

He took out the Eternal Heaven Pearl and opened its Eternal Heaven Divine Realm within his protective formation.