That said, the population of celestial beasts wasn't exactly large. They were only about a few dozen in size, so the number of that caliber were even less.

Of course, Clara was only able to cultivate so quickly thanks to her dual cultivating with Dyon for so long. His soul talent had a great affect on his wives.

"Forget about me." Clara said softly. "How did they survive for so long?"

"Mia and Bella? I think it has something to do with the death qi. The Life Stone likely responded to their presence and sustained their lives with that qi. If it wasn't for that I think I would have made yet another big mistake."

Clara sighed. "It wouldn't have been your fault if a tragedy like that did happen. Who could have guessed that this would play out like this? Have you figured out why they reacted like that?"

"They weren't naturally born Dark Phoenixes, they are a necessity that Heavens mandated for its balance, so it was likely that their normal human bodies were clashing with the Dark Phoenixes slumbering deep within them.

"They had to be reborn, but the excess life energy of Soul Planet thanks to the Life Stone was slowing that process down and clashing with the work their souls had to accomplish This ended up rotting them from the inside out as life clashed with death.

"Eventually, life lost and they died, allowing their true Dark Phoenix selves to accomplish their task and help them be reborn. At least that's the old man's theory He's probably right considering his breadth of knowledge."

"So their parents weren't phoenixes?"

"Probably not. There's no information about Dark Phoenixes having to go through such a baptism. If their parents were phoenixes, they likely would have been phoenixes from the very start without having to suffer through such pain"

"Do they have their memories?" Clara asked nervously. It was no wonder she would. If they didn't, were these two little girls really Mia and Bella? It might be a different kind of death, but it was still a death nonetheless if what made them, them was lost

Dyon sighed. "Unfortunately, it doesn't seem that way."

Clara frowned, leading the couple into a moment of silence. It was no wonder they felt this way, it seemed the Mia and Bella they once knew were gone.

Dyon closed his eyes.

"I decided almost three years ago to never put anything above family any longer. Everything we do, we do together. I don't think I can stand to leave them there anymore."

Clara didn't need to ask to know what Dyon was talking about. He was definitely referring to the remnants of the mortal world.

After expanding the habitable planets from 6 to 10, there was still 1 that hadn't been colonized yet. It was one Dyon reserved for the people of his mortal world. But, if he had to be honest, he saw them as cowards, people who would rather stay in a cage than forge a path toward strength for themselves.

That said, Dyon also realized that the stagnated growth of the mortal realm geniuses might be connected to their lack of belonging. As a leader, it was his duty to fix this, he had to fix this.

Dyon probably shouldn't see them as family, after all, he had no true connection with any of them. But, the small bit of kinship he still had hadn't been snuffed out just yet

"I'll come with you." Clara said without room for discussion.

...

Dyon looked on to a large crowd of individuals. He realized now how much his perspective had changed in the past few decades In the past, such a gathering would seem obscenely large to him, a collection of several million people ought to be. But right now he only felt that they were small and insignificant. If he wanted to kill them all, would it even take more than a thought? Would he even have to lift a finger?

They didn't pick some grand location. In fact, it was simply an endless plain of grass.

Dyon sat on a small elevated hill, wearing his same sweat pants and white t. It had been so long since some of the older individuals here saw sweat pants that they inadvertently felt a sense of comfort.

Clara, who sat by Dyon's side, smiled slightly. 'He hasn't even tried to speak yet, but he's already done far better than I did.'

When Clara descended upon this world, she was almost like a goddess amongst mortals. Not only had she become far more beautiful than any woman they had ever seen due to her cultivation, she was forcibly reforming their lands with her absolute strength. Making people feel relaxed in such a situation was difficult.

Yet, even though Dyon had reached a realm of looks even beyond that, he somehow made them feel comfortable, as though he was their close friend. It also helped that Dyon's face was incredibly well known.

When individuals who survived Matriarch Niveus' strike saw Dyon, they were stunned. After all, they had already become old men and women, but Dyon looked like he had just celebrated his 21st birthday despite them knowing that he should be over 60 years old by now. The silent impact this had was strong. Who didn't want to live longer?

"I'm sure you all have mixed feelings about my appearance. It's been about 8 to 9 years now since the last time we appeared before you all. Those of you who acted as the parents, friends, mentors and family of those 36 young ones we took away you must have a lot of built up worry."

The crowd grew slightly tense at these words.

"The truth of the matter is that I didn't want to face you all because I was disappointed, disappointed in the choice you made."

A sunken feeling overtook what should have been a plane filled with bright sunlight.

"I know what many of you are thinking. Who am I to look down on you for your choices?"