(Lian Li POV)
I tiptoed my way up the stairs, the rest of my sisters creeping up behind me.
All of us had changed into the sexiest lingerie we brought along for this trip and we're all prepared to stay up the whole night today.
Surprisingly, Cai Hong was already asleep in our room when we had returned from the baths, so we assumed that Master was also done with His bath.
Somehow, before I left the room, there was the unshakeable feeling that we had forgotten something but I managed to ignore it for now.
Leaning against Master's bedroom door, I slowly pushed it open, the well-oiled hinges making nary a sound as we entered the room.
Pushing open the doors to Master's room, I peered into it cautiously. The room itself was dark without even a single lit candle, which was rather weird since Master would usually leave at least a source of light on even when asleep.
I made my way to the bed with the other girls behind me, only to see the bed completely empty.
My heart sank, instantly thinking someone must have kidnapped Master away right under our very noses.
Just as I was about to let loose a roar of rage, Manami tapped me on the shoulder to hand me a folded piece of paper that she had found somewhere.
I summoned a small ball of light, prompting everyone else to gather behind me and peer over my shoulder.
I flipped the paper to see the words "To my cute disciples" written on one side of it in Master's handwriting.
Without hesitation, I unfolded it to reveal its contents to read it aloud.
"In case you girls come here, I went out for a walk, might be back late. Feel free to use the big bed if you want. Don't stay up too late."
"Master went out for a late night walk?" Eris muttered in disbelief.
"It appears so… Perhaps Master just wants some cool night air?" Diao Chan wondered aloud before sighing. "If only Master invited me too… We could have had some outdoor night rendezvous…"
Still… For Master to not inform us beforehand… I wonder if something happened to Master?
I stepped out onto the balcony, trying to see if I could find Master anywhere on the beach.
My eyes scanned the entire shoreline and found nothing, but something at the back of my mind was telling me that something was very different.
It took me a while before I realised what it was.
"Girls… Where is Master's sand sculpture of the dragon and himself?"
*
(MC POV)
I looked down at the city below, the streets filled with people enjoying the nightlife that the city offered.
Right now I'm standing on one of the palace roofs back at Jin city, having teleported myself here a few moments ago.
Worried that my disciples might come to my room to find it empty, I left a note on the bed just in case.
As much as I wanted to just enjoy the vacation time with my disciples, there's still some unfinished business here for me.
I extended my senses, looking through the Astral version of the world to find what I needed.
It took me a while to find the small purple ball floating in the corner of the palace gardens, hidden out of sight behind several tall hedges.
I flew off the roof to land in front of it, only for the old lady to step out of the shadows to stand beside the orb.
"Ofufufu~ What is the matter dear? Shouldn't you be on the beach now?" She chuckled, her voice as clear as a wind chime.
I narrowed my eyes at her, "You knew I would come here… Who are you?"
She smiled at me, "Who I am isn't important right now. The more important question is… Who are you?"
"What do you mean?"
The old lady tilted her head slightly at me, "I believe you have been asking yourself this question for some time now, yes? Ever since you gained access to this Origin power of yours."
"Maybe. Why?"
She chuckled, "It is through no accident that you have it. You should also know that with such a power there would be responsibilities that come with it, your identity that revolves around Origin."
"Perhaps… But does it really matter?"
She stared at me for a moment. It was obvious that that wasn't the answer she had wanted from me.
"Do you not wish to know what your true identity is?" She asked.
I shrugged, "Any other time, maybe. But right now, the most important to me are my disciples so I know who I currently am: their Master. It's as simple as that."
She scowled before shaking her head, "Can't say I didn't expect that from you."
"I take it we've known each other in some other life of mine?"
"Ofufufu~ Maybe."
"You are not playing the mysterious old lady well."
"I never said I was trying to play it like that. Ofufufu~"
Despite how questionable her actions have been thus far, I could not find myself to stay wary at her for long.
I'm not sure if this is some kind of Technique she is using or it's really because my subconscious remembers her from somewhere. For now, I'm going to assume the former.
I folded my arms, "So why can't you tell me what this Origin really is?"
"Ofufufu~ I did mention that it was not my place to tell you, no?"
"Yes, but why?"
"Well, I'm afraid that telling you the reason would also be giving away too much~"
I grumbled, "Fine… Then is it at least possible to receive instruction on how to properly use it? I know for a fact that all this while I've just been using a small portion of its potential."
"Hmm? Do pray tell how you came to that conclusion?"
"Got in a fight with a demon and she outclassed me with her use of this Origin."
She tilted her head to the other side, "Demon? No demon I know is able to… Ah… I see you've met Lilith. Ofufufu~ That girl is really a handful, seems like I will be quite busy for some time~"
"Yeah, well… Like I said, any instructions about it?"
"Oh, that is simple. All this while you're been pulling the power from the stars, yes?"
I nodded, not even questioning how she knew.
Her eyes seemed to glow slightly, "Have you tried… Being the star itself?"
I raised an eyebrow at her, not moving any other muscle as I stared at her questioningly.
"Ofufufu~ You asked me for help and that's the best I can give you, dear. What you do with my advice is completely dependent on you~"
I sighed, guess there's more things for me to study up on.
Shaking my head, I gave her a wave and prepared to teleport myself back to the villa, only for her to raise a hand to stop me.
"Hold on, dear. Aren't you here for him?" She asked, gesturing to the purple orb beside her.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot.
"But aren't you protecting that thing?" I pointed out, watching her carefully.
"Whatever made you think that, dear? I did say that thing will no longer be banished but killed. The only thing I neglected saying is who would kill it? I'm sure you would want to have a hand in its demise?"
I watched in fascination as the purple orb expanded to form a portal, floating silently about half a feet off the ground.
I raised an eyebrow, "That thing is inside?"
She nodded, "Interested?"
She did not need to ask me twice before I stepped through the portal without another thought. I was determined to carry out my own punishment again this stupid thing that dared to hurt my disciples!
I will make sure that by the time I'm done with it, this tentacled freak will regret to have ever existed.
Oh, this would also be a good time to try and 'be the star' like what she had suggested to me, seeing how I would have the most perfect punching bag right now.
No one, and I mean absolutely no one, hurts my disciples and gets away with such a thing.
Yes… I will personally rip that thing to shreds with my bare hands!
