The Star Network is a prototype I thought of. It is a 'network' that spans the entire Federation, connecting them not just as a form of communication. Every single cultivator needs to leave an imprint onto it. In exchange, the Star Network serves as their anchor.
For the Golden Core Realm True Lords and above, it could repair their physical bodies upon its demise. For those below, it preserves a trace of their soul. Nothing could be done for them as things are now, but it prevents the complete destruction of their spirit. It is connected to the plan of establishing the first samsara in the universe, something to be left for others' Dao Integration Realm feats.
Other than that, we could communicate via chat groups as long as it is within the solar system. Bronya took some 'inspirations' every now and then, rewarding their creators richly, and implemented them onto the Star Network. Amongst them was the feature to see who is undergoing seclusion or not.
I scanned through the list of names in this twenty-two people group chat. Ten of them are in seclusion, including Leylah. I didn't hesitate to call out the rest who are active. Those who aren't in seclusion should have their Tao Heart to the eighth-level.
Surprisingly, the first to arrive isn't the Tuna, but Wendy. It's just that her clothes seemed to be the one she wore in her house. Her large hoodie contrasted with the pair of dolphin shorts. Her long legs are fully exposed in my eyes.
Immediately, I faced away from her direction. My mind remained converged onto myself.
"I believe it is best to change…"
"...Hm."
Her weak reply showcased her immense embarrassment. The sound of rustling formed a picture inside my mind—an embarrassed Wendy rushing to change her clothes.
"...It's fine… now."
Her words made me look towards her. She is now wearing the same Herrscher attire as she did during our meeting. The moment I met her eyes, she instinctively avoided it. A few moments later, she reverted it back to my eyes.
I haven't forgotten about our previous talks. She is my girlfriend. It's just that so many things happened all at once. I couldn't spend some time alone with her.
Thinking of it, I felt more guilty. I spent six months in Kiana's bedroom. I know it is to make up with all the dissatisfaction and frustration she felt. Still, being unable to commit to my responsibilities towards Wendy is my mistake.
Before I could speak, Kiana arrived. Words became stuck in my throat.
"Hm..?"
She gave me a confused look. She briefly looked at Wendy before returning her gaze at me. I couldn't tell whether she was jealous or something else from her neutral expression.
Kiana vented out her frustrations during that dual cultivation session. She feels jealousy too. Her decision back then is what built my current relationship with others. I cannot reject their kindness… their carefully considered affection. Still, I am doing Kiana grave injustice by choosing it. What was supposed to be hers alone is shared with others—
Me, that is.
'Do you two need some time alone?'
A mental transmission appeared inside my mind.
'No. We'll talk about it later.'
It took less than a minute for the twelve of us to be completed: Kiana, Sirin, Seele, Veliona, Bronya, Sin, Senti, Queen Mei, Theresa, Wendy, Anna, and Sushang.
"What's wrong with the old timer? To enter seclusion at this time…"
I caught wind of Senti's low voice. She sensed my gaze, making her shoulders jolt. Senti's back turned straight. Looking at her serious look, I didn't know whether to laugh or not. Just how did this naughty and carefree version of Fu Hua view me as?
Moving my gaze away, I briefly scanned everyone before looking towards Mars. We are currently outside its atmosphere. Its pale orange color is reflected on our eyes. The vast darkness formed nothing but coldness and desolation, making one seem small compared to the vast universe. People called this sensation the 'Observer's Effect'. Being high-level cultivators, we are exempt from it.
We could be just as vast as the universe.
"...We should have noticed it first." Seele became the first to speak out. "The Sea of Data is eroding the real world."
The moment she pointed it out, I sensed all sorts of Daos becoming active. The most prominent of them all is Kiana's Endless Void, followed by Wendy's Unfettered Gale. The latter's power intertwined with her HExagram Spirit, about to glean on information leaking out of Mars.
I reappeared right beside Wendy. I took hold of her wrist, interfering with her activities. All Creation acted upon her Dao, reversing it to the point she hasn't acted yet. I made sure to be as gentle as I could.
"Have you forgotten about what we spoke of before?"
"..."
Wendy didn't speak. She pursed her lips before looking down like a guilty child.
"Sorry."
She squeezed her words in a low voice.
"Just don't do it next time."
Several strange gazes landed upon me. I deliberated between telling my current status with Wendy or not… until I chose not to. I looked at her turning into a blushing mess. Wendy's reaction is slightly exaggerated. The trembling of her lips became the cherry on top. I cannot add onto her already chaotic thoughts now.
"Strange. The Sea of Data was something created by the Cocoon. I should have noticed it first."
Kiana spoke after a period of deliberation. She sent a serious gaze towards me.
"I tried to control it… but I cannot."
This time, it is my turn to be surprised. As she had said, the Sea of Data was formed when the Cocoon attempted an Embrace with Senadina. This process ultimately ended in failure. Its remnant power remained stable and dormant. It is also the core of the Mars' Supercomputer. Without it, storing people's 'existence' inside the huge supercomputer won't succeed. In terms of Project STIGMA, it is the Cocoon Fragment held by Kevin.
Everything collapses without it.
"Its most recent disturbance was a few days ago." Veliona commented. "Could it be because of the supervisor's heart demon?"
Her words caused everyone to think in this direction. The Sea of Data is originally 'docile'. It wouldn't "implode" like this, corrupting the real world with messy information and causing destruction all of a sudden. The Goddess, Leylah, suffering from Heart Demons became the most probable cause behind it.
The Sea of Quanta, Cocoon of Finality, and immortal cultivation's Heart Demon.
The combination of these three…
How come we created something this terrifying?