27

The women had to wait another day for Pef to strengthen the airship with some Earth rank bones, especially the nacelle and its link to the snake bones forming the scaffold of the vessel.

But somehow, despite the higher load, the airship moved roughly the same speed.

Pef had to land often though, and let the women rest a little. Air travel wasn't easy with so many people on board.

Still, after a month the Airship One arrived at the Smithtown Airport, to the joy of everyone involved.

Pef scanned the town, noticing it had grown again. The locals seemed to enjoy well-paid jobs, for some reason.

Large tracts of land had been deforested, for housing and furnaces. And now they were being cultivated, even using the new plants like cabbage or peppers.

Pef had a small garden set up for his cooking dreams, but others had taken it further.

'I could grow grapes too. Maybe apples and plums as well.'

'The maize is sufficient, Aspirant. The workforce will be fed and healthy'

'True. But there's more to life. Things should taste good'

The glove grumbled but didn't comment anymore. Fruits were quite common and harmless.

"There's even more smoke here! And so many airships" the women commented instead, staring down at the industrial center of the continent.

"I'll need to dig some canals. For irrigation and transport" Pef mused out loud.

A pair of silver eyes turned to watch the Sky rank smith with discerning eyes. Then they turned brown again, and filled with awe. "Ah, hubby is so smart. Today"

Pef kicked the woman out, sending her plunging into the grass below. Then he stepped outside the cradle and dragged it down, countering the hot air with his strength.

He was strong enough, after all. Soon, the ship arrived a few meters above ground and the Guardians descended with easy jumps.

As he folded the airship, he noticed a spiked maul approaching at high speed. And he smiled.

The weapon bounced off his shoulder with a minimal effect.

"You idiot! My face hurts..." Xie complained with a loud voice, annoyed at her lack of strength.

"You must be his last wife then...nobody else dares or bothers to hit the boy" Lin quipped from the side. Then she came closer to caress the maul like a cute baby.

Xie stepped back in surprise, letting Lady Lin pet and kiss the maul, farther away. Almost like the crazy was contagious.

"One last meal, before duty?" Pef asked, turning towards the Guardians.

They all nodded with hopeful grins and thumbs up.

Lin stepped near Pef, and asked in a calm and understanding voice "Xie is your last wife, right?"

Her tone promised violence and outdoor camping.

"Haha, what? You thought I would stop, at twenty wives?" Pef said in a light tone.

"I can count rings, husband. Only Xie has a ring" Lin replied with a smirk.

Pef nodded in defeat. Damn math!

The house had been extended while he'd been gone, now having a dozen foundries and rooms attached, and a much larger kitchen.

Lady Lin was very rich now, and could afford a better house. Plus, the family was larger as well.

Pef considered it for a moment before nodding to himself. A pool.

Every mansion needed a pool. And water toilets. But a pool was easier.

Two hours later, Pef entered the steamy basements, and stared at the naked beauties.

Seemed they abandoned clothes and just laid on wooden benches like in a sauna.

'Sauna and pool then. Not even sure how toilets should work'

'Xia will know. Anyway. Jian is ready and also Di. More Awakening time won't help.'

'Okay. Complete their indoctrination then.' Pef ordered in his mind.

"I brought some food, if anyone is hungry" Pef said gently, while laying the food trays down and building another ice wall.

"It's Pef. And...pain is over!" Di exclaimed, jumping to hug her husband. Jian joined as well, a bit slower and shy.

"Nobody came to warn us...and we're naked..." she whispered a bit embarrassed.

"And beautiful beyond belief. You'll need a veil, or you'd have to beat men off with a spear" Pef told her, then kissed her softly.

"I am?" Jian wondered in disbelief.

"Yeah, you are. I'm getting hot just looking at you" Di admitted with a blush.

Pef then went to check on Aria and Qin, who both still had more to go. He kissed their foreheads, and thumbed away their tears.

"Jian you feed Qin, please. I will help Aria" Pef ordered, holding a hand towards Di.

Soon, the pained women were fed and dressed in thin shifts, as the air cooled off.

"Don't go anywhere you two. I'm staying here now, till it's over" Pef said with a small hand wave. Aria sighed and turned away, while Qin smiled with a grimace.

"So, because my rank is higher I get less time?" Jian asked curious.

"It isn't rank. How much you can take, and how much you already have. Your fire qi is very strong. Tomorrow, you'll be Earth rank." he explained while patting her still fiery strands.

No wonder Volcanis sent Jian. He knew it wouldn't take long.

"And me?" Di asked sweetly. Pef cupped her face while reading her white aura.

"You, my dear...you need to fight. A dozen Core ranks, and then Nascent. But not yet.

You will rest for a week. You're too used to pain right now." Pef said softly, and kissed her brow.

As Pef reached his room, he pulled Jian inside and closed the door.

"Gah! Not my turn, yet..." Di Xi growled at the closed door and went to find another room.

"So? How do I become an Earth rank overnight?" Jian asked with a naive voice.

The hero laid himself on the bed, and grinned mischievously, while placing his hands under his head. "First, you take off that shift. Then, you take my clothes off. And then..."

"Huh? This is too easy" Jian muttered to herself, and leaned in to kiss Pef.

The next morning, Pef awoke in between two hot pillows, and rose his eyes to see an Earth ranked fire sage, smiling in wonder.

"Let's do it again!" Jian demanded in naive hope.

It wasn't simply the lovemaking, but Pef wouldn't refuse such a spectacular offer.

Maybe it would work.

'It won't work so soon, Aspirant' the glove said patiently.

'Doesn't hurt to try. Doesn't hurt at all' Pef replied with an inner grin.