Chapter 778 - The Tower Master
Three Standard Days Earlier. (One standard day is 24 earth hours long).
Princess Ceni laid on the cold ground, smiling idiotically recalling the recent events. (Read chapter 573 'Connection Continued'. The following events take place right after that)
She hadn't been this happy in a long time. Her body felt as light as a feather and she was truly in a state of utter bliss.
Just a single glance from Hao Xuan was enough to make her heart beat like a drum which was more than enough to reaffirm all her beliefs about their relationship.
"Tell teacher I am ready to join her."
Haeti was more than happy to hear that since that was one of the tasks he was supposed to accomplish.
"I will let the Tower Master know of my lady's decision. She will be so happy!" he shouted before vanishing in a puff of smoke.
Ceni didn't have to wait long for an answer. She had just gotten up to dust off her clothes when her bracelet started glowing. Its light got brighter and brighter until it covered her from top to bottom.
And when the light dissipated a moment later, she was nowhere to be seen.
Princess Ceni opened her eyes and found herself floating on the surface of a small pond.
"Where is this...?" she asked looking around befuddled.
The scenery had completely changed. She was in a garden surrounded by fields of flowers on all sides other than one where a stone pathway snaked down into a valley.
She took a few steps to get out of the pond and the moment she stepped on the pathway the scenery changed again. Now she was standing in an enclosed circular structure.
There were still a few colorful flowers growing here and there with nine large windows on all sides. She craned her neck to peer out of the closest window and saw a sea of white clouds underneath.
There were some landmasses floating about around the tower, each one with its own distinct theme from the looks of it. Some of them had nothing but greenery while others had castles and entire towns.
"Those are the personal residences of each of the disciples. You will also get one," a sweet voice came from behind Ceni, getting her attention.
The speaker was a young girl that looked even younger than Ceni herself.
"I'm Eres," she said with a smile, "We finally get to meet face to face." (Ch 564)
Upon realizing this young girl was her new Dao Master, Ceni immediately gave a respectful bow from the waist.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, teacher."
Eres giggled before skipping her way to Ceni. She grabbed her arm as if they were best friends, "Just call me Eres or Master Eres. I don't like all this formal stuff so don't hold back."
Princess Ceni had spoken to her before through the bracelet a few times but this was the first time they met in person, if that was indeed the case.
"T-Then, Master Eres, am I...really here? Or is this a dream or...?"
Ceni asked looking around. It seemed a little too 'fantastic' even for her.
Master Eres reached out and grabbed Ceni's left hand, pointing at the empty space.
"The bracelet brought you here. It is a treasure created by the finest craftsmen the Tower can find. Usually we just use it to communicate but it can teleport the wearer back to the tower one time before breaking. And since you accepted our offer, it needed to be done."
"So I'm really here..."
Ceni was even more impressed now. It was no easy task to create something like that even it could only be used once. And if they were just giving away what were potentially life-saving treasures to people that didn't even accept their offers then their backing must be impressive.
What little doubt Ceni had about this organization slowly melted away while Master Eres gave her a small tour.
Those landmasses floating outside the tower indeed belonged to disciples of the tower, of which she was going to be one.
It was basically a miniature world of its own where Ceni would be the supreme ruler. It would be her home away from home and the place she would cultivate and spend the majority of the next few years.
Princess Ceni signed a blood and soul contract that bonded both her soul and body to the Tower. It sounded quite daunting but the entire process only took a few minutes.
After that Eres brought Ceni to the top of the tower where another girl was waiting for them. She was sitting on the opposite end of a long table, drinking what looked like red wine but only a little thicker from a crystal glass.
"This is your older Sister, Cao Jie. You and her have a lot in common so she will be in charge of your progress from now on. Come and sit. I have to take care of a few things so you two talk.. Cao'er, introduce her to all the rules and procedures," Eres threw the words out before swiftly departing.