Elder Cultivator

Chapter 697

The fortress of the Void Scrying Sect was not prepared to withstand a serious assault. Their entire method of operation was to avoid being discovered in the first place, picking on those who were weak without it becoming obvious they even existed. With the help of the Reef of Serenitys harbormaster they had been doing that for at least a few years. Perhaps half of the ships thought lost to storms or shoals had truly been lost to them.

Despite it not being their intention to end up in their situation, they still put up a good fight. In most circumstances, they would have taken a significant amount of people down with them. While the forces of the Reef and Captain Wangis ship were certainly not without injuries, subtle effects greatly swayed how serious those injuries were. A small burst of energy knocking an attack off course, or felling one foe and allowing allies to fight together. Nothing anyone would notice as they were quite busy devoting their own focus to survival.

Every disciple of the Void Scrying Sect fought to the last, not that anyone was keen on letting them surrender to begin with. If it was easy they would capture the leaders to interrogate, but there was no scenario that upper realms invaders would be left to live. Anton understood that mentality from various systems, including systems on both sides of the spectrum as far as previous victories. Inistra had been on the losing end, though apparently not enough of a threat to completely wipe out and lose as a resource gathering operation.

There were a few oddities, however. The Twin Soul Sect being perpetual spies made sense, but the Void Scrying Sect didnt quite fit. They were more capable of hiding themselves than others, but why would they risk being present at all, when that could only remind the locals of what would happen? At least with Ceretos and Weos, they endeavored to destroy as much history as possible and leave only confusion after a cycle.

Or perhaps this was part of that, sect members staying behind and recruiting to manage their goals. Perhaps they would have begun hunting down those who remembered and causing a second wave of calamity.

Anton caught the attention of Jamilah and Wangi, nodding his head towards the inner structures. It wasnt the setup of a full sect, but they still had something like a library. As for their formations, they were easily dismantled.

A formation master too, are you? Jamilah asked.

If I can topple a wall does that make me an engineer? Anton grinned.

Fair enough, she conceded, But I have the feeling you know more than youd let on.

Never enough to claim the title of master, though, Anton shook his head. Then he began grabbing books and handing them to Jamilah.

She frowned. I can pick things up on my own.

Well, my storage bag is currently in someones custody, Anton said.

Jamilah busied herself with stowing things away, though she kept one eye on Anton suspiciously. What are you doing?

Handing you writings, Anton said.

Theyd better not be damaged.

Of course not, Anton said. Who do you think I am?

I still barely know, she said.

Wangi was also watching Anton carefully. Are you skimming everything?

Saying no would be true in only the most technical fashion. Just like saying he didnt have a single coin if he had a hundred. Im definitely checking them out, Anton said.

Some of these are local sects techniques, Jamilah pointed out. People dont like their secrets being revealed.

You got to see mine, its only fair, Anton said. Here we are, Anton said, holding up a pile of documents. The important stuff.

What about them? Jamilah asked. They dont look like techniques.

Anyone can make techniques and cultivation methods, Anton said. But not everyone can explain the motives of a group.

And these do? Jamilah questioned.

Unfortunately, they werent so foolish as to write everything down. However, its clear enough that they had some intention of taking over in a more permanent fashion, not just weakening your growth for the next cycle. Thats abnormal as far as I am aware.

Theyre not so strong Jamilah began.

Imagine in a century, when Bachtiar is at the peak of Life Transformation and organizes a coup with sects scattered all around Inistra, including all of the leadership positions of the main countries.

We would have stopped them, Jamilah said. Weve been finding Twin Soul Sect members for over a decade. They would never be strong enough.

Unless you never found any to begin with, Anton pointed out.

Certainly, but just because you came here and pointed out the harbormaster doesnt mean we wouldnt have eventually oh.

I figured it out because my techniques werent passing through here, Anton said. And then I sensed him in particular.

Captain Wangi looked between the two of them. I feel like there is information I am missing. But Im not certain I should know it. She inclined her head. I think I will go find my crew.

I should have been more careful, Jamilah said.

Its fine. She likes me. And in the worst case scenario, I can leave. Though that would be a loss for the Order.

... I forgot you started a sect.

Anton waggled his finger, I did not. I planted a branch.

What are your intentions?

I would like to see them grow big and strong like all of my grandchildren and disciples, Anton said.

If youre planning to conquer Inistra, we wont let it happen so easily.

Anton turned towards her. Please, do you think Im the type?

Its easier to believe than you being this, she gestured at him broadly.

And what is this?

A lovable grandpa who just wants to help.

You only like me because were not enemies, Anton said. Ask Bachtiar if he thinks Im a lovable grandpa. Hes still alive, right? Because I dont want to hear you guys let him die and reincarnate in the upper realms.

Weve taken precautions, Jamilah confirmed.

There was silence for a time, just the rustling of papers. Scrolls and tomes as well.

After a while, Anton turned the conversation to somewhere new all at once. Its easier to hand out cultivation advice to people who are struggling. If you want guidance you have to talk to me, or at least stand outside my cell for a few days.

I dont need it, Jamilah crossed her arms.

Im not asking for anything, Anton reminded her. This is good for me, and its what I want. Its good for both of us. She had nothing to say there. It will be dark when we get back.

So? Jamilah asked.

If you bring me my telescope, Ill show you my star, Anton grinned. Oh, and theres a really neat one nearby, if you take the chance to look up close. Its tiny but powerful.

Why do you like stars so much?

Anton shrugged, They were nice to look at. But mostly, my mentor liked them. And its not a bad idea to have a hobby related to your cultivation. There are a lot of insights to be had. Anton gestured around them, You like the Reef, dont you?

I suppose I do.

-----

Nowhere on the way back did Jamilah suggest shackling Anton again, and he certainly wasnt going to suggest it. They were a single step away from a formal proclamation of innocence to begin with. But first, he showed Jamilah the stars.

Most of my grandkids didnt get into the stars, you know? The one that did mostly cared about them as massive power sources for her formations.

That does seem rather practical, Jamilah admitted, looking into the telescope as Anton had set it up. Thats your home star? Its rather nice.

You can say its boring, Anton shrugged. Its quite plain. Only notable to me because Im from there.

Jamilah looked down, as if she could see Inistras sun. Ours isnt particularly exciting either.

Let me show you Azun, Anton said, redirecting the telescope. As he had a connection, it was easy to aim it by instinct rather than careful measurement. He wouldnt mistake something that just looked similar, or slip past what he wanted.

Jamilah frowned as she looked at it. Are you sure that one is closer?

It certainly is, Anton said. Except instead of being a million kilometers across, its in the low tens of kilometers. I suppose knowledge of astronomy was wiped out with many other things.

How did that happen? Jamilah asked.

Oh, Anton grinned, Let me tell you about star life cycles.

-----

A few days later, Jamilah brought Anton to see Bachtiar. We cant get anything out of him, she said. Though I did at least forcibly reveal his cultivation in front of others. His sect didnt like it, but they were also clamoring to kill him and erase him from the record.

And thats why you need me, Anton said.

She just nodded.

When the two of them entered Bachtiars cell, he just glared at them. Why is he here?

Why do you think? Jamilah asked.

A master of torture, I presume. But I wont crack. I have only secrets of the Azure Sails regardless. This false technique purporting to oust me as the Twin Soul Sect-

I dont really know what your angle is here, Anton said. Surely you should just be asking for us to kill you more quickly? Unless youre fond of torture.

Still just trying to drive a wedge between us, Jamilah shrugged. Even though we already slaughtered the Void Scrying Sect. Anyway, youre wrong. Hes just here to kill you.

I will not succumb to threats.

Seriously, Anton said. Does getting tortured give you extra contribution points after reincarnation or something? I dont get it. Not that it matters. Because you dont get to do that.

Your threats wont-

This isnt a threat. Im not going to ask any questions, Anton said. Spectral energy gathered around his arm. Im not going to stop. I just want the last thing you ever experience to be fear. Id say regret, but youll never get to that part.

Anton jabbed his arm through Bachtiars abdomen, the spectral energy ripping apart his dantian and cultivation. Anton hadnt personally performed such a task often, as theyd usually had formations to catch them, but he knew what to do. And with his energy suppressed, Bachtiar hadnt been able to fight back at all.

So thats it? Jamilah said shakily. Hes gone, and hell never reincarnate?

Not as anything that resembles Bachtiar, at least. So for all practical purposes, that is the end.

Its awful, Jamilah said. Though he deserved it.

He did, Anton said. And I think if he had lived his life in a way that accomplished anything good or lasting, it would not be the worst end.

Jamilah shook her head. I dont know. Even if I presume that after death I will not remember any form of reincarnation knowing that I would not would burden me.

Its not that bad, Anton said. Just make the best use of your time and dont think about it. I wasnt expecting anything before I became a cultivator, and then after I basically got back to that right away. In the grand scheme of things.

Sorry, what? Jamilah tilted her head. You speak like

Anton held up one hand, letting small motes of ascension energy dance around it. For this, I gave up ascension. He held up his other hand, And for this, reincarnation.

Can you teach me?

Youre too young, Anton said.

What does that mean?

Just what I said, Anton shrugged. Fleeting Youth is of minimal value to you, for much lost.

I ascension, at least, is not appealing to me, Jamilah said.

I wouldnt give up on it just yet. Not the entirety of the upper realms is full of awful people. Anton paused for a moment, Sure, the Exalted Quadrant and Trigold Cluster are pretty bad, but in the middle after you take out the Harmonious Citadel, there are some decent folk. I could point you towards them, if you were interested.

Im more interested in that Assimilation thing you spoke of.

Hmm Anton frowned. First we have to get you to the peak of Life Transformation. And make sure the Twin Souls arent around to slip away with that knowledge. That part will probably come about first though, so dont worry about it.

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