Just over 16 minutes ago, the Ellipsia Citadel encounters the same Realm Wave, and the usual protocol is followed.
An automated Citadel notification rings in all of the citizens' ears, and notices to seek shelter and go inside are all anyone can see or hear on their system interfaces.
While some of the newer Lords that have ascended in the last few years panic, the majority of the citadel is used to this event and calmly take fast travel orbs to the nearest public buildings before the wave hits.
Many feel a strange sensation, as if they are watching their own bodies bend in non-comprehensible directions, and slight ringing in their ears followed by nausea; but this is nothing out of the ordinary.
It ripples through the old structures within the Berserkers' bases, and for the first time in 3 days, Zashen gets 4 seconds of rest between near-death mental attacks.
Though, coming back to reality and having his mind and body bent and twisted while simultaneously healing himself could be considered an even worse and more difficult experience than just the normal mind tempering.
In fact, the very survival instinct Ember was digging for activates as the 1st Class Berserker fights for his life in a strange gravity wave. The red glow in the Berserker's eyes vibrates with what feels like sharp blades, as a part of the war-hungry monster's intent moves the ether in its mind in the absence of perceived time, on instinct alone.
While Ember grins and prepares to attack Zashen again with double the intensity, the wave travels through the High Orc tower as well.
Another daily notification rings in Ava's inner ear just a few seconds later.
However, back in the Lower Realm, at the time of the Realm Wave, everything seems to be moving along as if nothing out of the ordinary has happened.
Raven pauses, as she's still thinking over the gravity of Ava's message, but she shakes her head and responds a few seconds later.
"No. There is no problem. Moving the generals to these chambers used on 1st Class worlds is a necessary course of action. I fear they are missing out on potential by not borrowing stats while breaking through to the True Core Stage. One's True Core ability often mirrors their actions before and during the breakthrough itself, so an optimal environment where they can truly go all out without fear of destroying facilities or the world itself is needed...."
Raven stays silent again, and Bri just raises an eyebrow, waiting.
"So there is a problem, isn't there? What is it?"
Raven shakes her head.
"No, it's not a problem. There's actually good news. We have more time than we thought... I just don't know how much yet."
Even more intrigued, Bri listens carefully as Raven explains her thoughts and shows her the exact message Ava sent.
"Perfect. I'll have even more time to fulfill Jay's request. I won't have to drain too many worlds dry of resources. We can evenly and more slowly scrape profits off the top from just a few thousand. This works even better in our favor. Please do send me updates if you receive more. I have one last task to follow through on before we make our way to Kelfar, the 1st Class Demonic World. I'll see you in a few hours."
Raven nods, smiling with a bit less stress weighing down on her shoulders.
"Good, see you soon."
Their transmission link cuts off, and Raven is left alone in her dark cultivation room with sparkles of yellow threads still swirling about from her last session.
Bri, on the other hand, is no longer in the Apex Region's Association Headquarters.
She's with one of the Rising Emperor's left-behind body doubles, in the heart of the canyon of dungeons in the Crimson City.
The two of them enter the Crimson City labyrinth and dungeon-walk all the way to the top floor, where they find a Demon and a Dragon saturated with vibrant red divine energy.
At first, the pair get ready to attack, but once Bri pulls two containment cases from her storage to drop to the ground between them, they hear her out.
She looks down at one of the containment cases that is full of incredibly dense crystallized mana farmed from a 1st Class world.
"That right there is enough mana to bring this labyrinth to 200 floors. That would bring it to its next stage, a milestone in which you could close the labyrinth and succeed in your trial. With that, you'd be granted a one-way ticket home."
She looks to the other containment case.
"Before you return, you're going to need to get quite a bit stronger if you'll be of any use... There are a few things our leader wants you to take with you, as he cannot attend your departure himself."