Life is good.

  I've finally gotten used to living in this void space.

  I've collected a bunch of pets already, but I don't call them that anymore.

  Once Sam unlocked their human form, the others rushed to do the same. Apparently all they needed to transform was to ... "want it" enough.

  In their human forms I couldn't really call them my pets anymore. That just felt wrong. I debated a lot internally about what they are to me, but since I raised them from birth, I decided to call them my children.

  Initially, I wasn't sure what they would think about that, so we also discussed this together. Turns out... they already thought of me as their father.

  So now I'm a dad with 10 kids, though not all of them have their human form yet. Apparently the initial transformation is quite qi-intensive, and also the tribulation lightning thing is a bit of a gatekeeper. It worries we a little that they've been getting more intense lately. Sam's tribulation was one big dark cloud, Sirin and Caladrius recently both summoned a storm that lasted for several days. I've been doing everything I can to ensure their safety, but it's still quite worrisome. I do think I've made some formation art breakthroughs that would put several masters to shame thanks to this. Having lives at stake is great motivation.

  But anyway, having little humans running around is different from pets you know. Fortunately, they're all teenagers by the time they're ready to transform, so I don't really need to babyproof much around the house. Well, that and their skins are insanely tough. Our previous home, the Grand Pagoda, recently upgraded into a Four Seasons Courtyard. There is SO much space, I don't know what to do with all of it. We can all have a bedroom, a hobby room, and a cultivation room to do with as we please. There are just that many rooms.

  A loud *clang* interrupts my thoughts, and I hear shouting and a bunch of naughty words.

  Gora and Ikkaku must be fighting again...

  It's a good thing I taught them all defensive techniques before anything offensive. We do not have an infirmary yet...

  The naughty words however, seems like I need a different punishment system for that. What to do, what to do, ... Sometimes parenting feels harder than cultivating. Maybe parenting is a type of cultivation. Of the soul variety or something.

  ...

  Yesterday, the system gave me a demonic butler. Luckily he looks just like any other human. I guess he's only a demon on the inside. Maybe that's why his cooking is always so spicy?

  I do appreciate him though, my good butler Gerard.

  Maybe I should get him a gift. Perhaps one of my recent creations? No, I should make something specifically for him. Otherwise it wouldn't be a gift, but more like offloading my trash.

  I heard him mention using a sabre in his stories about his gladiator days. I think I can make that, I should still have enough soaked starsteel left.

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  "Sam, watch out!" I shout while dodging an attack coming my way.

  Sam dove out of the way just in time, as lightning made impact not half a second later, shattering the earth below.

  "Pay more attention Sam, one good hit and you're done for."

  "Elementals aren't that dangerous, we've beaten tonnes." Sam retorts with an air of arrogance. Is this that rebellious teenager phase I've heard so much about?

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  "Don't underestimate this one, it's a Royal Elemental for a reason. They pack a much heavier punch."

  Sam was hopping around constantly, shifting among the jagged rocks that made up most of this space. Everywhere they landed, a lightning bolt would strike not half a second later. "A little help over here!" Sam anxiously shouted after the tenth bolt missed him.

  Gora and Ikkaku were launching one technique after the other, unable to deal any real damage to the Royal Lightning Elemental's shield.

  We need to find an opening or this'll never end.

  "Everyone, I'll immobilize him, so start channeling your strongest techniques. I won't be able to hold him for long!" Gora shouted while activating her Chains of the Shaman-King technique.

  And that's our opening. Gora is so talented at controlling the battlefield really. In the past, I never would've expected myself to gain this much respect for a goblin. Well, she's no ordinary goblin is she. She's my dear little-

  "Stop daydreaming Henry, we need you here!" Gora says as she struggles to hold the Royal Elemental.

  Oops, not the time.

  "I'm coming, hold him down for just a bit more."

  "I CAN'T" Gora grunted through her clenched teeth.

  The Royal Elemental burst free from Gora's technique. His Qi feels like a mad dog, completely enraged and out of control. Flying anywhere and everywhere at once. He immediately focuses Gora, clearly feeling some animosity about her locking him down in chains.

  I jump at him before he can unleash another technique.

  Heavenly Fist Arts: 12 Precise Strikes!

  I strike the same spot 7 times, breaking his shield, and continuing my barrage of fists until I reach his core.

  His core cracked after I managed to land a direct hit. It was clearly a lethal wound as his Qi started flooding out. He tried to unleash more lightning, but he failed to control it and only wounded himself further. The thunderous clouds started dispersing and the main body dissipated shortly after, leaving only a core the size of my head.

  I should store the core before it loses too much energy.

  *Bingbong*

  "Good work everyone, let's head back."

  After the fight quest monsters reached the Dao Crystal realm, the system no longer summoned them to me, but rather me to them. Which was good, because my courtyard would not survive this type of onslaught.

  "Return"

  ...

  Home sweet home.

  Let's get started on Gerard's sabre. I think he has a few lightning techniques, right?

  ...

  This should do. I think I've outdone myself here, let's hope he likes it.

  Maybe I'll craft a few more items while I'm at it...

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  Another hatched egg later, and Sapphire joined the family. She's so adorably blue. Blue hair, blue eyes, and little blue scales all over her tiny body. Best part about it is, I've already discovered her first dislike. It's the best! I am actually floating on air! She dislikes violence! Oh Heavens be praised! I must make sure the others won't corrupt her.