2155 2155. Stance

"That might be true," Cursed Reality declared. "Your sole existence is an interesting flaw. You ignore the limits of the ranks more than others, and your influence can make your companions achieve similar results."

"But all of that takes time to show clear results," Emperor continued. "You can touch our realm, but you can't defeat us. Waiting until you get a bit stronger is the best path."

"I won't ignore the bet," Noah stated. "Your words make sense, but I didn't get so far by being reasonable. You might have forgotten how the cultivation journey works, but I didn't. I have to face dangers to improve."

"That's the issue, isn't it?" Queen asked. "The higher plane doesn't have dangers anymore. There is only Heaven and Earth now."

Noah wasn't unaware of that problem. The issue was the main reason behind the travel to the Labyrinth. The death of the life dragon, the state of the higher plane, and the lack of other areas to explore created a grim scene devoid of opportunities.

It made sense for an expert like Noah to be out of options. After all, he had touched the peak of the cultivation journey. Only exceptional solid stage cultivators, Heaven and Earth, and beings outside the sky could pose a threat to his life.

"Let's face Heaven and Earth then," Noah exclaimed. "I know the rulers. They have yet to stick to their fairness. They won't be able to express the entirety of their power, so we have a chance to win."

"Don't you care about the losses that your approach will bring?" Cursed Reality asked before turning toward Vesuvia. "I thought humanity's future would have chosen to follow a different type of leader."

"He doesn't belong to humanity," Vesuvia declared, "But he can bring changes to its future. That's the best I have achieved in the years spent trying to find solutions."

"It will be bloody," Emperor commented.

"We are no strangers to blood," Vesuvia replied. "We didn't reach these heights by playing nice."

"Artamo's experiment also failed," June joined the conversation. "It's clear that you can't stay hidden here forever."

"We aren't hiding," Emperor scoffed.

"You aren't building a force capable of going against Heaven and Earth either," Noah continued. "The turtles and Vesuvia's city are valuable assets, but you almost ruined them."

"I think he likes me," Vesuvia chuckled.

"Not now!" June and Queen shouted at the same time.

"We might be similar in the end," Emperor stated while nodding at Noah.

"Can we get this over with?" Noah almost pleaded.

"Right, you must have paid a hefty price for your previous attack," Cursed Reality exclaimed while stretching an arm above his head.

The expert's hand pierced the fabric of space in the room to reach a distant area. Noah could try to send his mental waves through that passage, but he suppressed his curiosity.

Cursed Reality quickly pulled out an old-looking jug that radiated a dense aura. He opened the item and poured its contents into a new cup before handing it to Noah.<br/><script>ChapterMid();</script>

"This isn't as tasty as Queen's wine, but it can heal most injuries," Cursed Reality explained.

"My current state isn't the result of injuries," Noah whispered while taking a sip from the cup.

The ethereal blackness began to refill its insides with potential faster than ever as soon as Noah's tongue touched the liquid. The item didn't have healing properties, but it appeared able to help any process connected to that field.

"I thought similar treasures were almost extinct," Noah admitted.

"We didn't stay still during these long years," Cursed Reality proudly announced. "It's almost impossible to find drugs or similar items capable of affecting rank 9 existences, especially those near the peak of the cultivation journey. Yet, our long lives give us a chance if we are patient."

"How much of this potion do you have?" Noah asked while gulping down the entire cup and straightening his position.

June pulled Noah back on her lap, and the two exchanged a meaningful glance. Vesuvia began to chuckle, but Cursed Reality's answer prevented the imminent crisis. "Not much. Its effects also worsen after repeated use. It can save lives, but it shouldn't."

The reason behind that statement wasn't hard to guess. Rank 9 experts were worlds. The only severe injuries that they could suffer involved the integrity of their power, so stabilizing them might lead to a weaker state.

The liquid was better for relatively mild injuries since they didn't involve actual damage to worlds. That lowered its value, but Noah still acknowledged it as a priceless resource.

"How many resources did you accumulate throughout the years?" Noah asked as he straightened his position without leaving June's torso. He basically sat between her legs while ignoring the awkward gazes of the others at the table.

"Many," Queen responded. "You might call this hiding, but we prepared for the final battle. We didn't charge ahead without a plan."

"Why didn't you attack before the situation became so troublesome?" Noah asked. "I'm sure you weren't waiting for someone like me to appear."

"Your arrogance isn't misplaced, but you are wrong," Emperor sighed. "How can we even fight Heaven and Earth unless they decide to come out of the sky?"

Noah immediately realized that the matter would be more than troublesome. The sky was immense, and its insides were under Heaven and Earth's control. The various paths and cities contained countless experts and avatars, but they weren't even part of the main problem.

An army could have the power to invade the sky and seize initial victories against Heaven and Earth. However, defeating the rulers was impossible since they could hide in an immense environment and continue to throw assets at eventual invaders.

A long siege would obviously benefit Heaven and Earth since they had accumulated resources for far longer than any other force in the higher plane. It was also unclear whether the rulers had a core that could be destroyed, so killing them couldn't be easy.

"What did you plan to do?" Queen asked without hiding her amused tone. "Did you want to charge at the sky and break everything until Heaven and Earth showed up?"

"Pretty much," Noah admitted. "They would have to come out if I make a mess. It has always worked until now."

"You are quite brutish," Cursed Reality commented.

"What's your great plan then?" Noah asked.

"That should be obvious," Emperor declared. "Heaven and Earth will be completely exposed one day. The scales of fairness would also be against them at that time. I don't have to describe the event, right?"

"The breakthrough," Noah responded.

"Exactly," Queen exclaimed. "Heaven and Earth will have to come out that day. The whole world will also be against them. It will be the perfect time for an attack. I'm sure other forces are thinking the same, which is why everyone is waiting."

Truth be told, Noah couldn't find proper reasons to reject that idea. The plan was sound. His character and requirements weren't in line with it, but he understood its perks.

"I can't remain here," Noah eventually stated without showing his previous arrogance. "I'm not ready for the final battle. I have to keep facing dangers to grow. I'll give you the time to modify the Cursed Labyrinth, but I'll leave with Pellio and the others afterward."

"Leaving to go where?" Emperor asked. "There is only sky outside of the Labyrinth."

"I want to face the other forces waiting for the final battle," Noah explained. "Also, I have valuable companions out there. I also want to have a talk with the old Heaven and Earth."

"The old Heaven and Earth?" Cursed Reality frowned.

"The orange city," Noah exclaimed. "I'm sure you have seen it."

"Of course," Queen announced. "Still, what's your relationship with it?"

"Well," Noah scratched his head, "I guess we are allies."

Queen, Cursed Reality, and Emperor remained slightly stunned to hear that. The three fell silent as they exchanged meaningful glances. Something seemed to have changed in their stance.