The first thing the civilizations on the Cerulean Planet had done after the last flicker of the Rift disappeared was to place the new races in their determined territory.
The Cerulean Defense Force was spearheading the effort since it concerned their home planet.
The Elves had to relocate to their new location, where their Sacred Trees were waiting. All of the Sacred Trees were placed in the Heavensend Continent, where the land was bigger than the Comberth Continent so the issue of territory was not big one.
Furthermore, the territory of the Gling and the Elves was located on the other end of the Heavensend Continent, where most of that was wilderness, where not a sentient being stepped on.
The Elves had a way to connect with the Sacred Tree so they knew where they were going but the Gling only had the new Queen and the Hive, which was located quite far.
The new Queen was the smaller version of the previous one, so Long Wu could differentiate the two. After the Rift truly disappeared, the Cerulean Defense Force realized that it was their victory and knew that the news should be spread to the entire globe.
But first, they escorted the new races to their new home, where they had to develop things from the beginning.
“This is a temporary farewell.” Long Wu said to the Queen which looked like a small kid in Long Wu’s perspective. Despite the appearance, he knew not to underestimate her capability.
“Yes.” The new Queen actually feared Long Wu since he could even slay the previous Queen despite being fused with one of the Elves’ Sacred Trees. She knew that increased the strength manyfold, but the previous Queen was still defeated.
Long Wu chuckled when he saw the apparent fear in the new Queen’s eyes and reassured her.
“Well, from now on, our races need to at least have a good relationship. After all, we have the same planet on which we live. I believe that you can be a part of the peace we will try to maintain. Consider that. We are no longer enemies, so don’t worry.”
The Queen felt that since the strongest transcendent from the human race said that, she felt assurance and confidence that she could coexist with the other races, even the undead.
“Well, see you later!” Long Wu went along with the transcendent group and separated from the escorts.
The Queen looked at Long Wu until the transcendent group became a dot in the far distance before she turned around and sensed the location of her hive. Only after that did she go in the direction her instinct told her.
After everything, now was the time to settle down and tally everything they had after the Star Battle.
Most of the Cerulean Defense Force went to the Central Plains City to regroup. The transcendent group went to the vortex that connected to the Undead Secret Realm and planned to return to the Transcendent Academy.
A long trail of the soldiers caused a commotion but they managed not to startle any beast in the wilderness which was a plus. They had also reminded the Elves to be careful of the wild beasts roaming in the wilderness. This was the escort team’s duty to bring the Elves back to their Sacred Tree.
Everyone had their own assignments and for Long Wu, it was reporting his progress to the transcendent scientists about his experiences.
After walking through the Undead Secret Realm, he managed to reach the abandoned palace in the Thebes Independence Kingdom. He could feel a different air now that he had returned.
There was no fanfare since the news had not reached the populace yet but for those in high positions, they knew that the return of the transcendent group meant that they were likely to accomplish something great.
That was why the moment their agent reported about the movement of the transcendent group from the Undead Secret Realm, they were preparing to welcome the group back.
Overall, the civilizations on the Cerulean Planet welcomed another addition to their midst.
Long Wu was walking along with the transcendent group, this time with a confident stride to show that they had accomplished something that could affect the entire social structure.
The transcendent group was escorted by the usual transportation bus that came to the abandoned palace. The destination was set to the Transcendent Academy since most of them had left some months ago.
Now that they were returning, they could finally relax and rest. Furthermore, they could finally consolidate their gains during the Star Battle.
“Look at the front of the Transcendent Academy!” Hecates shouted suddenly and Long Wu smiled a little since he realized who the people that were crowding the front gate.
They were in their vehicles but even with their senses, they could feel that the reception was grand since they could recognize several high-ranking officials. It was unmistakable since their appearance and pressure were familiar.
“Well, we come home in glory. To think that they realized something was up with our return.”
“This time, we are in the limelight. Don’t embarrass the rest of us!”
The large bus convoy then stopped in front of the Transcendent Academy front gates as the transcendents came out one by one.
The crowd that received them was actually the students and the teachers who were tasked to guard the academy. They looked at the transcendents as if heroic figures came to their place which made things heated.
Long Wu also stepped out of the bus and in his view, all he could see was a sea of heads neatly in a row as they waved their hands to them.
‘I didn’t expect this. Looks like someone told them about the result of the Star Battle. I know who exactly is doing that.’ Long Wu thought while returning the waving people back with one.
The transcendent group walked on the paved road that led straight to the Transcendent Academy. Dozens of transcendent were fitted in the Main Hall and the one who received them was none other than the headmaster.
As for the crowd, they were restricted from entering the Main Hall for now and could only look from a distance.
“Everyone from the group that we sent to the Star Battle is here.” Kushina said with a loud voice. She looked at the transcendents and found that they had a proud expression on their face.
“How is the reception? Not bad, right?” she asked.
The transcendents nodded. Hecates did it too as well as Long Wu. But what surprised them was the swift action the headmaster took to do all of this.
Then Kushina clapped her hand which caused the sound to vibrate around the Main Hall while saying, “Then you became the witness of the aftermath of the match. We all could see the match through some screen that appeared on our cognitive suddenly but we don’t know the way the Cerulean Defense Force handles the aftermath. Tell me at least the gist of it. Everyone here can say what they think.”
With this, she wanted the transcendents to give everyone an objective view of treating the defeated races as the ones who had won. She believed that the treatment was as what she had expected from the Cerulean Defense Force.
“Well, there is the Second Division that escorted the Elves from their original homeworld to our planet. They are also the ones responsible for escorting the Elves to the newly located Sacred Trees.”
One person spoke up. Then the next.
“I am one of the few who saw the Queen of the Glings from close. Despite the fact that she looks like awakened from a deep slumber, she still could control her minions to obey her and not attack us. I know that can be accomplished through the Hive Mind but to see it firsthand is amazing. Whatever the case, she is a formidable being.”
“There is some disagreement between us and them.” Another spoke and this time, the voices of others were buried under this one. The voices of the transcendents could be amplified and that was what happened.
“It was a matter of consumption. The humans have their own ration to eat along with the dwarves but the undead were sustained by the undead element which can only appear on corpses of flora and fauna. That became the concern for the Elves since they wanted the corpses to be processed normally through nature.
“But we became the ones who had to bridge the difference. We told the Elves that the Undead only used the corpses for their own survival and did not disturb the others. We told the Undead not to get closer to the Elves when doing that. The Undead treated that like any other day with us, so their side was cleared. It was the Elves who made it slightly difficult. They had various requests which even caused headaches to the superiors in the Cerulean Defense Force.
“So we only solved the immediate problem that truly mattered. It turned out that the Elves were still holding on to their pride; in my view, they were too stubborn to accept new changes. But the Elves knew that they had overstepped so they relented. It was a difficult week.”
Many were surprised to hear that. They did not expect that the Elves were still able to make requests and even dared to overstep despite being the losers. Almost all of them frowned at this as they did not understand where the Elves had the confidence to do that.
“What should we do when it comes to the relationship between us and them?”
“It will be difficult to convince the Elves about their change in leadership. Fortunately, our stance is firm and not giving in too much!”
Comments came from the students and teachers who did not go to the frontline.
Tatsumi and Ame were in a place near the Main Hall and could hear the words of the transcendents that was present at the aftermath.
“I didn’t expect the Elves to be still stubborn. Perhaps they saw something that could be exploited.” Tatsumi muttered.
“But there is no way that our side will yield to them. Allowing them to coexist with us is already a great favor. Asking for more is a sign of arrogance.” Ame said flatly.
Tatsumi did not know what to say about that since he could see the reason for not yielding when it mattered but still showing their generosity when possible.
Then Kushina nodded after hearing all that. She knew that giving away their kindness could be seen as weakness so she was not surprised if the superiors in the Cerulean Defense Force strengthened their stance and refused some things vehemently.
Hearing that through the person in the field gave validation to what she had assumed.
Then there were more people speaking about their experience when the Cerulean Defense Force was dealing with the two new races. It caused the listener to wonder if this was true or just a dream.
But all of the people present knew that the matter was not done as the headmaster still stood in front of the transcendent group.
“Now that we have all heard the aftermath of the Star Battle, I will let all of you here in the hall and beyond know that there will be a banquet in the evening. For the returning transcendents, please prepare yourself in the best behavior if you want to attend. You are given time to rest and do whatever you want to do during this period before the banquet.” Kushina said all of this before she gestured for the transcendents to return to their own home.
The students and the teachers also returned to their duties. Basically, the crowd was dismissed since there would be no large activity other than the banquet in the evening.
At this buffer time, it was a time precious to some, while others used it to consolidate their power.
But Long Wu had an important matter and went to the presence he felt. There, he could see Tatsumi and Ame standing silently. It was the corridor that led to the training ground and they waited for him specifically.
Tatsumi, upon seeing the middle-aged man, knew that his teacher had come back.
“Congratulations on your win against the Queen.” Tatsumi said while slightly bowing and cupping his hand.
“Hahaha, that’s high praise I don’t deserve. I barely won against her.” Long Wu knew that fact and remained humble. He knew that he was still relatively weak compared to the one who could affect the entire civilization.
“But it must be serious that the Teacher had to use all his might against the Queen. Let’s see, Body Refining Technique, Eight Hidden Inner Gates as well as robust constitution and exquisite technique for attacking, movement and gears, that are necessary.” Tatsumi said what was on his mind.
Long Wu snorted but could not hide the smile that appeared on his face. Furthermore, he could see that his disciple was getting closer to the girl, probably because they were frequently close and did things together.
He would not comment on that.
“Congratulations, sir.” Ame also respectfully greeted him, similarly to what Tatsumi had done.
“Well, fine. I can accept a bit of flattery. Seeing the two of you here makes me proud as a teacher and someone who has closely seen your development.” Long Wu did not forget his purpose.
That was to oversee the progress Tatsumi had made as a transcendent. It just so happened that Ame was close to Tatsumi and also training together from the looks of it, so Long Wu just checked their progress.
He could see the faint Ether in their body. It meant that he could estimate their power level.
“To be able to reach where you are solely on your own, I feel a bit lacking as a teacher.” Long Wu said after sensing the presence that Tatsumi exuded.
‘If I’m not wrong, he is currently in the fifth heavenstage of the Nothingness Realm. He did it with only limited information, too.’ Long Wu thought while contemplating what was suitable for his disciple.
‘And I can perceive that the girl is guided by him and is increasing her strength with his guidance. They are truly talented.’
“No. It is precisely with a bit of direction from the Teacher that I can reach where I am today. So please accept my thanks.” Tatsumi replied, knowing that even a bit of direction could save him time.
“But you are both learning and teaching, are you not?” Long Wu said and Tatsumi knew that his teacher realized what he had done.
It was no surprise since the traces of his teaching would remain within someone and he knew that his Teacher could detect this.
“He is helping me greatly because he feels that helping me is also strengthening the people close to him.” Ame said after sensing a suitable opportunity.
“I can see that. Furthermore, you two are quite close. Tell me, what has happened here during my absence?” Long Wu wanted to know why Tatsumi became closer to Ame. As far as he knew, Tatsumi rarely let someone get close to him.
“Well…that’s….” Tatsumi did not know where to start. His stutter did not help either. To him, it was a complicated matter.
“I wanted him to teach me the way of the transcendent and he agreed. Although he felt reluctant at first but he started to accept the situation. Please don’t burden him with unnecessary things.” Ame said while trying to focus on the matter at herself.
She knew that Tatsumi had a complicated expression, thought and feeling toward her. That was why she took the burden upon herself and explained in a way that would make her the one who initiated things.
Tatsumi looked at Ame deeply as if something important was happening. He knew that he would answer half-heartedly if it were him.
‘Actually, I wanted her to see for herself the harsh world of transcendent. It's just that I didn’t expect her to be serious about it. No, it was more apt to call it an obsession. Though I don’t know what caused her to be like that.’ Tatsumi thought about things that he could not say.
“Oh, interesting. Continue.” Long Wu only curled his lips, hearing that. He could even perceive that the relationship between the two was not usual. But as someone who had a higher status, he was afraid that his interference would only make a greater mess so he could only let them tell.
“Yes. It is as she said, Teacher. But I need to emphasize that this is a mutually-beneficial relation so please don’t worry too much.” Tatsumi added.
Long Wu nodded in understanding. But he would not pry deeper for the sake of his disciple.
“Good. Now that you learned something from me and even taught other people, I suppose that you are more than capable of shouldering the responsibility of doing that.” Long Wu said before he continued, “But you must consolidate your transcendent energy until the peak of the Nothingness Realm. Other than that, you have to learn various techniques from your predecessor. At least use them as a reference if you want to create your own.”
Tatsumi nodded while Ame watched the two. They were learning and developing from each other so the effect became apparent.
“I understand. I will strive to improve myself both as a transcendent and as myself.” Tatsumi said with a determination that could not be shaken.
“I will learn as much as possible through him.” Ame added.
Long Wu knew that the two would make a good pair despite their teacher-disciple relation. Who was to say that their relationship would remain the same through time?
“Let’s go back to your residence. We can talk all we want there.” Long Wu gestured for Tatsumi to lead the way, as it would be Tatsumi’s place that would become the discussion place.
He also knew that time was plenty until the evening, so he decided to indulge in a deep discussion about transcendent-related topics.