"My Lord, you want to go into seclusion?" Jian Longchen asked, seeking confirmation.
"Yes. I will be in seclusion for 3 day. Until then, do not allow anyone to enter. Absolutely no one. Am I clear?"
Though puzzled, Jian nodded. "I understand, my Lord. I will keep watch."
"But... are you really going into seclusion with this lady?" he added, casting a strange glance toward Shirley.
If a man and a woman entered a room alone and called it seclusion, it was obvious what others might assume. He couldn’t imagine Lord Igaris using such a poor excuse for something so trivial.
Shirley blushed, understanding the meaning behind Jian’s gaze, while Igaris calmly replied before Jian could say more:
"This is no ordinary seclusion, Old Jian. We are going to attempt to cross the mortal world and touch the heavens."
Jian’s jaw nearly dropped to the floor as Igaris continued to explain.
"During this 3-day seclusion, our bodies may react in strange ways. We might experience disorientation, or even temporary dementia. That’s why this seclusion is necessary. If we emerge early for any reason, you must protect us without hesitation. Even if we want to get out before 3 days time, don’t let us out. Understand?"
Founder Jian scratched his head, still confused about what kind of strange seclusion this was, but he nodded with quiet resolve.
Inside the dimly lit chamber, Igaris gently closed the heavy stone door behind them.
Shirley stood near the center, slightly nervous, her eyes darting around the room. Candles flickered gently along the walls, and at the center was a wide formation drawn with strange symbols, pulsing faintly with light.
"So... this is it?" she asked, looking at him. "We’re going back?"
Igaris nodded with a calm expression. "Yes. The dive is ending soon. "
"Close your eyes, Shirley. Let go of all fear. Trust me, no matter what you see or feel, I will not let anything happen to you."
Shirley glanced once at his steady gaze and then obeyed, "I trust you, Igaris."
Moments later, both of their bodies collapsed to the ground with quiet thuds. Their souls had been successfully transferred.
Outside the room, Jian Longchen stood at the entrance like a loyal sentinel.
"Crossing the mortal world to the heavens... what kind of technique is that supposed to be? Dual cultivation?" he muttered, rubbing his chin. "My lord has truly reached heights I can’t understand anymore."
Even so, he stood proud and alert, guarding the door like his life depended on it.
[ Congratulations! You have successfully completed your second World Dive. ]
[ You will now be transported to Orca. ]
[ 10... 9... 7... 4... 2... 1... ]
[ Your Soul and Body have been successfully synchronized. ]
[ Current Rank: Mythic - 1 (Retained). ]
A brilliant light engulfed them.
The presence of the Martial Sanctuary dissolved, and with it, the scent of ancient dust and sacred silence.
Igaris opened his eyes and felt solid ground beneath him, not of stone slabs or ancient burial soil, but the familiar flooring of the Orca’s Dungeon.
Shirley blinked a few times and looked around, momentarily dazed. She clutched her chest, still sensing the echo of her Soul Core tremble from the final moments inside the Dungeon.
A gentle ancient hum vibrated through the walls, signifying tramsfer of another batch of world diver.
Igaris turned to Shirley. "We’re home."
"Yes, we are. But what should we give those collectors waiting outside? We forgot to bring the Collector’s Pearl. If we had, I could’ve brought out an ordinary martial art from my Master," she said worriedly.
"Don’t worry," Igaris replied with a calm smile. He reached into his Inner World and pulled out two ordinary martial art scrolls, holding them up.
Shirley’s eyes widened. "Wait, did you bring a Collector’s Pearl with you? Why can’t I remember that, Igaris?"
He shook his head. "No, it’s not that. Remember I told you about the Inner World within me?"
"Oh, right. You mentioned something like that. But... wait, are you saying you can store things in there too?" she asked, realization dawning in her eyes.
Igaris nodded. "Exactly."
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "And that means Evernight is also in there, right? That explains why I didn’t see her today. So that vixen really is still inside you?"
Igaris clicked his tongue but didn’t deny it. "Yes."
"I see..." Shirley fell quiet as they walked toward the exit of the Dungeon. After a few steps, she looked up again. "Can you send me in there too? Or do I have to become a fallen angel like her first?"
"I haven’t tried it on a human yet," Igaris said thoughtfully. "But if you want, I can try. You won’t be the only guest. There are others inside as well."
"Really? Then I’d love to see them," Shirley said, her eyes lighting up with excitement, her golden hair fluttering in the breeze.
"Calm down," he said, smiling. "Let’s get out of this dungeon first."
After handing over their declared loot to the collectors at the gate, the two of them left the Martial Sanctuary dungeon and stepped into the streets of Orca once again.
The familiar noise of the city greeted them, but everything felt different now. After facing death, secrets, and the ancient past inside the Sanctuary, this place felt quieter. Peaceful, yet somehow empty.
They walked together through the familiar roads until they reached the Shirley’s house. Her house stood behind a low stone wall, its garden blooming with flowers. It felt like a forgotten memory, warm and distant.
As they stepped into the yard, the door creaked open.
Aunt Sophia stood there, holding a dish towel. Her eyes filled with shock as she saw them. "You two are back," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
Then came the embrace, soft and full of warmth. A hug that said everything without words. A mother’s relief at seeing her children return from a storm they were never meant to face.
"I’m so glad," she whispered, her tears falling silently.