The Innkeeper

While Lex had misunderstood the situation, assuming that the pressure he felt was not real, Mateo knew better. Without the suit he was wearing he would have died under that pressure. But as surprising as Lex's situation was, Mateo too was not someone ordinary. His experiences and background afforded him an understanding and comprehension that few had.

He recalled Lex's many abilities and affinities, and immediately joined the dots. Lex had an unusual affinity for Laws. Not any one specific law, or multiple laws, but just laws in general. He could physically touch that which had no physical form, and influence that which defined the fabric of reality.

Given this, it was not surprising that the gravity and pressure laws in the liquid could not hold Lex down. After all, his body was naturally affecting the very laws holding him down. He could just move them aside, though technically that is not how it worked.

"I'll need to reevaluate his training plan," Mateo murmured. He could not imagine how anyone outside the temple could make such a freak. The temple of fasting was one of the places where, in ancient times, humans would come to endure hardship and improve themselves. The more they could endure, the greater their attainments would be. Some of the humans personally guided by Lady Nuwa achieved even greater qualifications than Lex.

But that was due to the ladies' intervention. How could someone reach such a state without her aid and guidance?

Lex and Z must have a terrifying background.

As Mateo was contemplating his plans, Lex managed to enter a state where he completely ignored the pulverizing pressure crushing his very being. It was easier than expected, mostly due to the fact that Lex had been thoroughly training his mind. Now, even with his instincts screaming impending doom, Lex could calm himself down completely.

In fact, he did not waste his time while the liquid accumulated. At its current rate, it would take a couple of hours, so Lex began to cultivate. Ordinarily, one would need a very calm environment to cultivate, but for Lex it was not so. The more diverse situations he encountered, the more his technique could allow him to grow, and prepare him for various situations.

Right now, facing a pressure greater than even that of the Void but not taking any actual harm, Lex entered such a state that his technique started to prepare his body to tolerate such extreme environments.

Moreover, his body began to absorb minute amounts of the liquid. Besides its exaggerated weight, the liquid contained more energy than anything Lex had ever encountered. Not even the Blue Crystal Essence that the Lotus had once absorbed long ago could compare. After all, this liquid was fuel for the construction of a living, thriving world after all! The value of the liquid surrounding him could only be measured in the millions of MT, not even MP!

Of course, that was not important. The most important thing was… though Lex's body was tiny, the moment it absorbed even a microscopic speck of the liquid, his weight took a massive jump! Naturally his defense also increased monumentally, to the point where it rivaled, if not crossed the level Regal Embrace would have had at his current cultivation level. But that was a gradual process which could not be rushed.

Mateo naturally noticed Lex absorbing the liquid and his eyes wavered. This liquid was meant to be for celestial bodies such as planets and stars, not humans! But seeing as how Lex did not explode, he said nothing. It seemed the temple had been in hiding for too long, so Mateo was out of touch with contemporary cultivation.

A couple of hours later, Lex's tiny body was completely submerged though the tub was far from full. But that was enough for now. Lex could at least begin the process.

His spirit sense extended to his back and touched upon the sleeping consciousness of the Lotus. Gently, Lex nudged the Lotus, trying to rouse it from slumber. It took a few tries, but Lex eventually felt his tattoo warming up. It seemed that as the Lotus awoke, it automatically absorbed some of the liquid to replenish its energy.

"Wow, what's going on? I feel great!" the Lotus exclaimed, its voice full of energy and vigor!

The image of a young boy enthusiastically flexing his biceps popped in Lex's mind as he heard the Lotus' voice.

"My body is submerged in a special liquid to provide you with some energy. I'm about to ask you a very important question, so the liquid is in preparation for that."

"What's the matter?" the Lotus asked, though it was completely distracted. Underneath Lex's skintight suit, his tattoo was slowly moving across his skin, as if it was a young child playing in the bathtub for the first time.

When that thought occurred to Lex, he realized that technically, a majority of his workers were technically newborn babies. Given that, it only seemed fitting that Lex too now looked like a baby.

He pushed away the random thought and focused back on the Lotus.

"I have been informed that once you bloom, and form a planet, you will fall into a deep sleep, and eventually be replaced by a new consciousness. But if we create a bond, I'll be able to help you retain your consciousness, and overcome that obstacle. That way you will continue to live on as the new world."

The Lotus, which was dancing along excitedly just a moment earlier, stopped. Lex thought the news had shocked the Lotus, until it said, "I know. That's how it's supposed to be."

Lex tried to bite his lip, but his new teeth had barely emerged from his gums so it was harder than it seemed.

"I don't know if you're aware, but the Inn will be forming a new realm in a year. When that happens, it will be filled with extraordinary energy. I plan on being there for that, so you will likely absorb a lot of it as well. I don't know how that will affect you, but I think it will definitely speed up your blooming process. If you can continue to live, I don't see a reason for you to give up so easily."

"But… but…" the Lotus was having a tough time putting words to its thoughts. It was filled with both elation, and a certain dread.