After returning to the landing point on Black Tide Continent, Yvette stayed there for a day before finally deciding to head back to Ish Island before going to the Jadeite Continent.
This wasn’t just to check if the envelope she left behind had been tampered with, but also because her Pure White Touch’s evolution had reached a critical point.
She had a strong premonition that this evolution was no simple matter and would likely require a long period of dormancy.
Since that was the case, she naturally didn’t want to sleep outside; if she was going to rest, it should be in her own home.
Before long, Yvette shared this plan with Ice Rain and Abella. Initially, she intended to bid them farewell here—her plan was to return to Ish Island, while Ice Rain would continue her travels and Abella could do whatever she wished.
What surprised her was that both of them expressed a desire to visit Ish Island.
So they decided to go together. After all, Ish Island hadn’t had guests in a long time, and there were still plenty of vacant rooms in the estate’s villa.
As for their reasoning, Ice Rain’s was simply curiosity. She wanted to see what kind of isolated island could nurture a kind-hearted lady like Yvette.
Abella had different motives. She was eager to learn the magical knowledge masterfully held by Yvette. Before she could indirectly grasp those elements, she didn’t want to leave without understanding them.
A long time ago, Abella had always thought that her only option to achieve greatness was to find a deity-like power with a ruler and become a loyal servant. By accumulating merit, she could earn advancement opportunities, and ultimately rely on the sixth-level mother nest to transform from a lord into a commander.
However, after living alongside Yvette for so long, she had gradually learned about some rune knowledge. This realization sparked a new idea in her mind.
If following Yvette allowed her to learn more sophisticated magical techniques, what if she could, as a lord, overthrow a sixth-level commander and seize their mother nest, thus achieving a “path of strength” and violently advancing her rank?
Wouldn’t that mean she no longer needed to serve any high-ranking deities?
Of course, being a servant to Yvette was still being a servant, but her master was adorable and didn’t control her life or death; she would only occasionally absorb a bit of evolution factor from her, which was hardly harmful…
What? You say she has fallen and forgotten about revenge?
No, this was patience.
Among the awakened fragments of human memories, many portrayed individuals who had endured for years—only to reverse their fortunes after enduring the storm, especially that crooked smile; she had successfully integrated this knowledge, knowing that one day she would reverse their master-servant status, gazing at her shy yet flirtatious master with that very expression.
Yes, just thinking about that scene made her feel elated. For this ambition, enduring a little hardship seemed trivial!
……
A few days later, in Ish City, Central District.
Back at the familiar estate, Yvette landed her magitek motorcycle on the overgrown green lawn, looking at the dilapidated villa, now covered in deep green vines and thick dust on the windows, and couldn’t help but sigh.
Even without going inside to investigate, she could tell that Rosalyn hadn’t returned during this time; otherwise, given her nature, she wouldn’t have left this place in such disarray.
Stepping onto the stone steps, she turned the doorknob and pushed the door open, the smell of decay immediately hit her.
Not in a hurry to use wind magic for ventilation, she first turned her head to examine the tabletop where the letterbox was still resting. There were no signs that it had been opened. She wasn’t surprised; she silently collected the box and proceeded to push open the creaky windows, letting in the fragrant air of the surrounding plants to dispel the odors inside.
Not long after, Ice Rain and Abella began helping out. Ice Rain rummaged through the spiderweb-covered corner of the washroom to find a broom and dustpan, while Abella returned to the RV to fetch a cloth, dampening it with water magic, and began cleaning the tables and chairs inside.
The thorough cleaning lasted three whole days; by the fourth day, after relentless efforts, the estate finally regained its familiar appearance, allowing Yvette to feel comfortable enough to prepare for her upcoming long sleep.
At the top of her preparation list was the establishment of a medicinal herb garden.
Given her training in the dream world, she had become a competent potionmaker, and over the course of her 20+ years of travel, she had collected enough rare plant seeds, all stored in the RV. Although she didn’t know how long her state of dormancy would last, she sensed it wouldn’t be short. Thus, it was prudent to plant the long-growing medicinal herbs in advance.
However, a challenge arose: these seeds had differing temperature and humidity requirements. Therefore, she needed to set each in separate environments and use custom-made magitek devices to simulate conditions—essentially creating several mini-ecosystems.
After planning the herb garden, the next step involved the creation of undead creatures.
Utilizing the necromantic techniques from the Holy Spirit Sect and years of research on her advanced Soul Brain, she had devised a method to refine the souls of undead into small Soul Brains.
This would essentially transform the undead from semi-magical beings into artificially intelligent entities cloaked in undead shells.
Subsequently, by inputting corresponding generalized AI models, she could turn skeletons and zombies into alternative AI robots to maintain the estate and care for the herb garden.
It was a brilliant idea!
She was astonished by her own ingenuity!
Moreover, undead creatures had the additional advantage of being inanimate; unless they encountered a special existence like Zero, they couldn’t be infected by distortions.
The only drawback was their need for regular magical energy replenishment, but this was easily resolved by preparing a large magical energy reserve center, allowing the undead to sustain their own energy throughout the year.
……
Thus, though she had long reached the threshold for evolution, Yvette took over a year to finalize her preparations.
During this time, she established an array of herb gardens, built a sizable magical energy reserve station, and deployed over a thousand wandering AI skeletons throughout the Central District, assigning them patrol, cleaning, gardening, and maintenance tasks.
These skeletons were enhanced with rune firearms crafted by Yvette herself, capable of easily fending off first- and second-stage aberrations.
As for Ice Rain and Abella, even though they were willing to help, Yvette certainly wouldn’t integrate them into the dynamic models of this estate. After all, she wasn’t going to keep them confined to the island forever; the magitek motorcycle was right there in the yard, and they could leave at any time. With Abella around to watch over Ice Rain, the return journey should present no danger.
……
At the beginning of the second year, delicate snowflakes fell from lead-gray clouds, covering the rooftops, treetops, and grasslands of the estate, cloaking the island in a silver shroud.
On a chilly morning, Yvette opened the door to her house, and the frigid air filled her lungs. She walked through the light snow, conducting her final inspection of the estate.
First, she checked the herb garden.
It had been transformed from the original vegetable garden and animal enclosures, now featuring a massive glass greenhouse. Each greenhouse contained her handcrafted industrial-grade environmental simulation equipment. Some areas were warm and humid, enveloped in mist, while others were dry and cool, filled with bright light. This ensured that all medicinal herbs, regardless of preference, could thrive here.
There were also multiple skeleton soldiers stationed here, continuously guarding against any deceitful animals trying to sneak in and steal a meal.
Indeed!
As of now, there was no need for electricity—the AI skeletons were perfectly sufficient. The contrast to the past two hundred years was immense. This was the charm of technological advancement.
In the future, once her evolution concluded and the herbs had grown well, she could also attempt to brew the core product of Black Tower Pharmaceuticals—the active rune set. By integrating fixed spell patterns into the potion, anyone who consumed it would bind the corresponding spell to their bloodline, using it without burden, even requiring no psychic energy.
However, the downside of creating active rune sets was the high requirements for materials, techniques, and the breadth and depth of pharmacological knowledge. The failure rate was also exceedingly high, and even successful creations could conflict with one another, erasing the previously established bonds. Thus, generally speaking, it was best to fabricate high-end, distinctive, and multifunctional active rune sets, as low-tier ones were hardly worth the endeavor.
After inspecting the herb garden in the estate, Yvette continued forward, noticing that many of the skeletons were already hard at work gathering leaves on the lakeside and trimming green plants.
She observed them for a moment and then left that area, crossing the streets of ruins to reach the agricultural zone.
The agricultural zone was another area transformed into a herb garden, adjacent to the magical energy reserve center she had built. Numerous skeletons were bustling about, some going to replenish their energy, while the remainder served as permanent staff at the reserve center. In addition to maintaining equipment, they also handled security duties, each carrying rune firearms, ready to instantly eliminate any first- or second-stage aberration that dared to show itself.
Moreover, compared to two hundred years ago, the roads in the Central District had undergone a complete transformation. The once-blocked roads cluttered with rusty vehicles, toppled streetlamps, hardy ferns, and collapsed concrete blocks had all been cleared away by the skeleton soldiers, transported to other locations. The roads were now smooth and expansive, revealing a unique sense of neatness beneath the snow.
Could this count as exploiting the dead?
Yvette shook her head, dismissing those odd thoughts, and strolled through the flourishing Central District, ensuring that none of the skeletons were slacking off before returning to the estate, where she found Abella stepping out of the house to greet her with a respectful morning salutation: “Good morning, Mistress.”
Yvette responded with a simple “Hmm.”
“By the way, Mistress, I’ve recovered a bit more today; do you still need it?” Abella’s voice carried a deliberately sweet tone, her cheeks slightly flushed.
What she referred to was, of course, not what you might think, but rather the supply of aberration factors.
Many years ago, Abella had already returned to about the fourth stage of strength; as an aberration, her power was quite formidable.
So, for safety reasons, Yvette had continued to limit the concentration of her aberration factors through the act of absorption, preventing her from returning to her peak state of the fifth stage.
Initially, Yvette had thought that Abella would surely find this unbearable and choose to leave, but surprisingly, she had adapted to being treated like a dairy cow and willingly remained, following her wherever she went.
Later, upon inquiry, Yvette learned that Abella viewed this relationship as tuition; over the years following Yvette had been exposed to many elemental magical techniques. If she were to regain her full strength, she would certainly be far more adept than an average fifth-stage lord. Therefore, she thought it was completely justified for Yvette to demand so little in evolution factors from her, bordering on generosity.
Seeing the shy expression on Abella’s face, Yvette remained silent for a moment, saying, “You don’t need to speak in such an ambiguous tone.”
Supplying was supplying; anyone unaware of the situation might think she was doing something inappropriate with her maid.
“Oh,” Abella replied obediently, her expression turning more pouting as she thought why her mistress was lacking in any semblance of romance despite her careful efforts. She had read numerous romance novels left behind by the Origin Civilization, only to realize those painstaking lessons were falling on deaf ears.
“Besides, you don’t need to supply me with aberration factors anymore; I’m preparing to ‘ascend.’ Please go summon Ice Rain.” Yvette continued.
“Eh?” Abella was stunned, but quickly made her way back to the house to knock on the door of a guest room on the first floor—she and Ice Rain both lived on the first floor. The second floor was for the former owner, while the third floor was Yvette’s residence; only the first floor had spare rooms.
After calling Ice Rain over, Yvette looked at her with a gentle expression and said, “I will be resting here for a long period of time. Ice Rain, Abella will escort you back to the continent shortly. I don’t know how long I will be asleep… but once it’s over, I should head directly to the Jadeite Continent. You can wait for me there if we happen to meet.”
“Alright, kind-hearted lady,” Ice Rain said reluctantly, offering no objections.
She didn’t know why Yvette suddenly needed such a lengthy rest, but since her reason was related to cultivation, as a simple mechanical girl, she naturally wouldn’t doubt it. Besides, this trip on Black Tide Continent had indeed been quite long; she thought it reasonable for Yvette to rest at home for a while.
“Mistress, then I…” Abella started to say but paused.
Yvette turned to her, calmly stating, “I recommend you also leave with Ice Rain. During my rest, I won’t be able to teach you anything, and the highest-level aberration on Ish Island is only a third-stage elite. I suspect you wouldn’t find it appealing to remain without necessity.”
This statement made perfect sense. Abella was silent for a moment before gently nodding, “…Alright.”
Then, having exchanged no further pleasantries and agreed to meet again on the Jadeite Continent, Yvette stood in the estate, watching Abella drive the magitek motorcycle smoothly through the snow, ultimately disappearing beyond the leaden horizon.
The atmosphere of the estate fell silent once more, and the soft golden morning sun cast a long, lonely shadow behind her.
White snow dust continued to fall. Standing in the center of the estate, after a short while, her hair began to wave uncontrollably, swirling around, wrapping, and enclosing her… before swiftly coalescing into an impenetrable giant cocoon, with an oval surface radiating a jade-like glow.
Then, the cocoon heavily thudded into the snow, blending into the surrounding white, as if becoming part of the winter day.
……
Once instinctively encased in the cocoon, Yvette felt herself being enveloped by a deep wave of drowsiness, her consciousness plummeting, as if falling into an endless deep sea, embraced by cold tidal waves from all directions.
It was hard to tell how long time had passed until she opened her eyes again finding herself amidst an unknown ocean. The light above appeared distant and unreal, as if separated by a layer of water’s surface. Below, an unfathomable black abyss awaited her.
Strangely, her consciousness remained remarkably lucid and rational, without the slightest trace of fear or panic arising within her.
She remembered experiencing this scene long ago, during her initial infection with the aberration factor and the acquisition of aberrant power. She had entered this sea of consciousness, and now, she was back.
Right, what had she seen last time?
Thinking of this, she lowered her head, catching sight of a thick and shadow-like black tentacle suddenly emerging from the depths of the abyss, much like a lurking sea monster preparing to strike the drowning swimmer.
However, facing Yvette’s calm gaze, the movements of the black tentacle gradually slowed down, eventually coiling and appearing docile before her, like a large dog waiting for its master to pat.
Yvette made no sudden movements; instead, she watched the tentacle closely.
In the dream world, she had felt similar tentacles extending from Lianna, indeed they were stronger than her Pure White Touch, but since Lianna’s magical energy was limited, she could only summon three while conserving power, hence Yvette managed to dominate her through sheer numbers.
Now, the tentacle before her looked visually far more in line with the term “shadow,” appearing almost two-dimensional.
Then, recalling another detail, she shifted her gaze downward toward the black abyss below.
She remembered that the last time she came here, there had been a swirling mass of black and red liquid, but for some reason, she didn’t see it this time.
……
A week later, on a beach, the engine stopped, and Ice Rain jumped off the bike, the salty sea breeze tousling her blue hair. Turning back, she said, “Thanks a lot, Abella!”
Abella helped her take the motorcycle down from the roof, her dark hair glinting in the sunlight as her charming face broke into a smile: “After all, it’s the mistress’s task.”
“So, where are you planning to go next, Miss Abella?” Ice Rain asked curiously. “Want to travel together to the Jadeite Continent?”
Abella’s gaze swept over the vast expanse of the ocean, shaking her head. “No, I’m heading back to Ish Island.”
“Eh? Didn’t the kind-hearted lady say you didn’t have to go back?” Ice Rain was puzzled.
“What do you know?” Abella winked at her, saying with a playful smile, “It’s precisely in cases like this, by staying beside my mistress, I can solidify my genuine intentions and efforts!”
After saying this, without waiting for Ice Rain to grasp her meaning further, she hopped back onto the magitek motorcycle and set off in the direction of Ish Island, beginning her wait for her mistress to awaken.
In her view, what her mistress called sleep would likely last five or six years—maybe even seven or eight. As long as she remained loyally by her side, she believed that such adherence couldn’t fail to touch her mistress’s heart.
Perhaps it might even lead her to become Yvette’s pupil!
But…
Reality, as always, would prove itself to be quite unforgiving.
Little did she know that this wait would stretch into a century.
.
!
Book 2: Chapter 134: Return to the Island and Long Sleep
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