Cruising through the Endless Void Nullrift until they reached its edge, where space was more stable, the "Shadow" opened a void portal to the nearest Dimensional Stronghold.


    A Dimensional Stronghold was an artificial dimension created to facilitate travel and trade to secluded and inessible ces.


    It was built for the convenience of both trade and travel.


    A few monthster, they arrived at the nearest dimensional stronghold.


    "Endless Rift Dimensional Stronghold? It seems we''re out of luck."


    Endless Rift Dimensional Stronghold was thergest public dimensional stronghold near the Endless Void Nullrift.


    After storing the ship in his personal storage dimension, Maximus led his wives inside.


    Registering a fake identity, they sessfully entered the dimension.


    "So many people!"


    "This ce is too crowded! Is this really a dimension?"


    It resembled a chaotic marketce, with a sea of people everywhere.


    If not for their strength, they would have been pushed around by the waves of the crowd.


    "Let''s get out of here and find a private residence. This dimensional stronghold is a public ce, so it''s bound to be packed," Maximus said.


    He couldn''t believe how densely packed this dimensional stronghold was.


    Larger than the Etherium Realm, yet so crowded, made him both frown and feel jealous.


    If the Etherium Realm had even half this poption, he wouldn''t need to venture out and collect corrupted causality points.


    Such a massive poption would be enough for him to grow stronger just by sitting back.


    After charging through the sea of people, Maximus found a ce, following the deductions of the Seal of Truth.


    "Gentlemen, this is a private residence. You can''t enter," a Tier 11 guard hurriedly said, seeing them approach.


    "How much?"


    "Only those with special status can own a residence here..."


    "Just tell me how much," Maximus asked impatiently.


    "Well... if you disregard all discounts, you need at least a billion origin coins to buy a property here. As for renting, it''s not an option."


    "Give us a ce to settle first. I''ll take a look inside," Maximus said, showing his ount bnce for evaluation.


    Even though he had isted the noise, the chaos was too much for him, let alone his wives.


    Every 10 meters, there would be a person sitting or trading their harvest in the Endless Void Nullrift.


    Because the Void Tide just ended, it was particrly chaotic.


    "Thene inside. I''ll show you around," the guard said, more enthusiastic now after seeing Maximus'' billion-coin bnce, thinking he was a noble individual.


    "Hmm."


    Fortunately, Maximus had left a few billion in his ount for emergencies. Otherwise, he wouldn''t even know where to stay.


    Soon after selecting a decent residence, Maximus and his wives settled in quickly.


    "Huh~ Finally, out of that misery!"


    "Damn, what kind of ce is this? Is this hell?!"


    "We were unlucky. This is the closest dimension we could find. Since staying here is free, nearly everyone in the Endless Void Nullrift is here," Maximus sighed.


    Understanding this, they calmed down.


    Fortunately, with enough money, they could still live decently.


    Although their residence was a bit small, it had everything they needed.


    A training room, workshop, research room, garden, living space—everything was equipped with advanced Tier 12 space-folding arrays, making the ce quite spacious.


    After settling down, they finally noticed their virtual interface notifying them that entry to the Virtual Realm was now avable.


    "Great, we can finally enter the Virtual Realm!"


    Without wasting time, they logged into the Virtual Realm, keeping their disguises, using the fake ount he created in the past.


    If they use their Virtual ount, someone interested could easily trace their tracks, which would render all their disguise and hiding useless.


    Once something big happened, just a little deduction could confirm it was them.


    "Mother! Father! I missed you!" Lily and the girls waved excitedly.


    Although they hadn''t seen each other in decades, they stayed in touch and messaged frequently.


    "Mothers, you''ve gotten slimmer! Is Father not feeding you enough?"


    "It''s because we''ve lost our appetite..."


    "Is the Endless Void Nullrift that bad?"


    "It''s fine, mostly,"


    "Can you tell us about the ce, it would be our next mission area."


    As his wives and daughters chatted, Maximus spoke with Liam to inquire about the situation in the Etherium Realm.


    "It''s the same as always, Father. Nothing noteworthy has happened during your absence."


    "That''s good. What about the next dimensional war? What''s your n?"


    A dimensional war had a cooldown of 1,000 years, with each preparation period taking the same amount of time.


    "I n to lead the Etherium Realm into another war after a few hundred years. With the Eryndor and Blood Races integrated into the Etherium Realm, we''ll have a better chance of winning."


    "Oh, are you confident? This time your opponent will be a Tier 10 dimension," Maximus warned.


    "Father, thest time, we were almost pushed back because only you and a few old-timers fought. Moreover, the people of the Etherium Realmcked experience and could only adapt slowly."


    "Now, after thousands of years of preparation and experience, coupled with my siblings joining the fight, I''m confident we''ll win."


    Hearing Liam''s confidence and thorough nning, Maximus nodded in satisfaction.


    "That''s good. Leaving the Etherium Realm to you was probably the best decision I made."


    "Thank you, Father," Liam smiled, pleased with the praise.


    "And you, Lux? How''s your rtionship with Alice?"


    "Uh… we''re alright," Lux muttered, blushing.


    "Just alright?"


    "Yes... Being with Alice gives me new feelings."


    "That''s good. Just continue what you''re doing, don''t treat Alice the same as those cold numbers," Maximus said, patting his son on the head.


    After chatting for a few more hours, Maximus left and met Iris in the Immortal Pce Virtual Domain.


    ...


    "What do you want?" Iris asked coldly as Maximus approached.


    "Can''t I just miss you, Sister Iris?"


    "Miss me? When have you ever visited me without needing something?"


    Sensing Iris'' mood, Maximus realized something was wrong.


    What had he done to upset her?


    Hmm?


    Suddenly, he remembered something.


    "Did Sister Iris know I was on a journey?"


    "Hmph, if not for your daughter, I wouldn''t even know you left the Etherium Realm!"


    "I thought Sister Iris already knew…"


    After all, he had borrowed some money from her and had briefly mentioned his n to train in the void.


    "So? You couldn''t even say goodbye? Do you treat me as a sister or not? Why couldn''t you just say a normal goodbye?"


    "This—"


    Feeling Iris'' emotional outburst, Maximus was shocked.


    Where was the mighty Sister Iris who could kill him with a p?


    Where was the majestic sister whose smile left him dazed?


    Sister, your image is falling apart!


    Calming himself, Maximus walked over and hugged Iris.


    He didn''t care anymore. They were in the virtual realm, and Iris couldn''t kill him even if she wanted to.


    Taking advantage of the moment, Maximus acted more brazenly.


    "You!" Iris muttered in shock, feeling Maximus hug her so presumptuously.


    "I''m sorry, Sister Iris. I didn''t consider your feelings. I thought saying goodbye was bad luck. I don''t want us to drift apart, so I never say it. Every second of every day, I want to see you. How could I bear to say goodbye?" Maximus coaxed.


    "Really?" Iris forgot that Maximus was still hugging her and gazed into his eyes.


    "Yes, if possible, I want to be by Sister Iris'' side forever."


    "Then stay beside me. I can take care of you."


    "Does Sister Iris really mean that? But how can I grow and protect you if I''m always by your side?"


    "I ventured into the void to make myself stronger, stronger than even you. I never want to see a day when I couldn''t do a thing when you''re in danger." MVLeMpYr-story


    Feeling touched, Iris calmed down.


    This junior of hers really knew how to coax a woman.


    At first, she had only intended to prank him, but now, feeling his warmth, Iris wanted to keep up the act.


    Maximus continued to sweet-talk her until his heart couldn''t take it anymore.


    Any more of this, and he would truly fall under to her knees.


    He really needed to train his will and spirit to resist such temptations.


    After they separated, they resumed their usual banter, talking about interesting things.


    Finally, after seeing Iris return to usual, Maximus brought up the subject of his visit.


    "Sister Iris, I—"


    "Just spit it out. I know you need something," Iris rolled her eyes.


    Although she had acted earlier, Maximus did usuallye to her when he needed something.


    "Hmm... I wanted to exchange origin coins for more strands of causality power."


    "How much?"


    "A few billion strands…"


    "What?! Are you trying to work me to death?!" Iris scolded.


    Condensing origin fragments wasn''t easy. Even at full capacity, Iris could barely condense a billion strands a year.


    "Please~ It''s for my cultivation. The sooner I get stronger, the sooner I can be with Sister Iris forever!"


    "Fine! You cunning brat, you really want to work me to death!"


    "Hahaha, Sister Iris is still the best! I''ll exchange with youter once I have enough funds."


    "Tsk!"