Elder Cultivator

Chapter 844

The amount of information Anton could gather from the next system over was rather minimal- but not nothing. For example, a planet with a population of millions or more had a fairly distinct feeling, and the changes in the flow of energy that humans caused either through simply living or formations were easy enough to pick out.

Just because he was keeping his distance to avoid making their new acquaintances uncomfortable didnt mean that he wasnt going to pick out as much information as he could. And he hoped they were doing the same in reverse. If this Shining Cooperative couldnt track Antons movements, they would have quite some time picking out actual enemies- though to be fair, there were some significant distances when people traveled with the tides of the world. Their arrival would be quite predictable.

Speaking of which, as Anton traveled he took stock of the overall flow of the tides. It would be much easier to predict the exact pattern during the last century or so, but by personally traveling to a wide area he could still gain some useful information.

There were some interesting stars along the way, but Anton was much more focused on the Shining Cooperative. They were clearly able to move between systems, and had more than a few under their control. Even just circling around a part of them, he counted over a dozen- and he knew they would have more. In some ways, it was a relief to know that another larger civilization had managed to grow in the lower realms besides themselves- though the Sylanis Cluster might have expanded to a similar size on their own, if things had gone differently. Either way, there were still very few groups capable of such a thing, with interstellar travel being nearly ubiquitous in the upper realms despite not actually being easier.

Meeting new people could go multiple directions, but Anton resolved that this one was going to go well. It wasnt a feeling but a choice. He and the others had learned so much. They would make this contact do well. And they were going to avoid running into any stupid pitfalls.

But for that to work, Anton needed to learn what he could as he passed by at a reasonable rate. He couldnt really learn much about average, everyday civilians without entering one of their systems- but he could at least learn from ships that he passed by. They werent actively avoiding him, at least, though some of them certainly changed trajectory when they sensed him. It would have been too late for them if he intended them harm, but Anton understood the instinct to shy away from dangers. And he couldnt help but be one of those.

-----

Glub glub glub, Three Squeaks said. Glurble blurble globule? The jelly gave no response. It simply allowed the tides to carry it along. Three Squeaks tapped Contented Grunt on the head, and the hippo began to bring them to the surface, a cushion of water supporting them.

Come on, the hippo said. This will never work if you dont take it seriously.

The stinging blobs are never going to talk or think! Three Squeaks said. They just dangle there! And its really hard to talk underwater!

Fine, but we are going to that reef and Im fairly certain something there can think.

Maybe, Three Squeaks said. But I know that these reefs are constructed naturally. This one doesnt seem that different.

A nip got his attention. Its too tall. Too powerful. He looked down to see Fearsome Mandibles signing that. Her sister was not with her- not finding the sea to be a particularly safe place for void ants. They did need air, after all, and they couldnt just refresh themselves by forming some with energy. Fearsome Mandibles had come up with some system where she grabbed an air bubble and brought it down with her, and though hed offered she didnt want any of the seaweed that had little pods of air. Maybe it would be too buoyant, though.

Well, it could just be a good location, Three Squeaks said. But well have to see. You ready?

Contented Grunt nodded. Time to sink. That was actually the easy part. And while Three Squeaks could swim, it was still easier to be carried around by someone who controlled water.

They sunk down past some jellies towards a reef. Three Squeaks saw a long, thin fish. Can you speak or understand? was what he tried to say. He did manage something vaguely like that through the power of natural energy, though he wasnt sure if it was correct because maybe he was supposed to allow the water to distort it? The amphibians of the Heavenly Lake hadnt been much help in that regard, because they were perfectly happy speaking into the air- including the archer fish. And oceans were very different.

The fish looked at him. Or at least, it had one eye on the side of its head vaguely pointed in his direction. But it certainly didnt look like it comprehended anything.

Three Squeaks decided that one was a no, and moved onto a blue fish. The bluefish responded. Yes. We speak. What are you?

Im a meerkat! Three Squeaks replied excitedly. Uh, just to be clear were not one thing here. Im a land mammal and she, he gestured below him.

Im a hippo, Contented Grunt said, her voice making the water tremble.

You seem very far from where you belong.

Where does anyone belong, really? But also yes. Were here to look for you! Or uh, people. How many of you speak?

All of us.

You mean all the blue ones, right? Or the blue ones that have your shape.

The tangs, yes.

So youre the ones who made this place like this? he gestured vaguely.

No. We just live here, the fish denied.

So it is naturally like this or?

At that point, part of the reef exploded. Once there were a large number of poofy yellow things, and then they scattered everywhere before turning into a cloud. And then a fish?

We are the ones, the sound that came from the creature was distorted not just by passing through the water, but coming from myriad tiny sources.

Oh. I was hoping it would be a fish, Three Squeaks admitted, looking at the creature that was definitely not a fish, despite being vaguely shaped like one right now. What had it been? Some sort of tube thing.

Your hopes mean nothing. What is, is.

Fair enough, Three Squeaks admitted. I didnt expect you to talk. It was made of a lot of tiny pieces. How?

We act as one. The energy that provides thoughts to you and I flows through us as a single being.

Okay, Three Squeaks said. Were just here to meet people. Id like to eventually introduce everyone to everyone else, but mainly it would end up being neighbors.

We have few neighbors, except the tangs. Of those with thoughts, the cloud replied.

Not where you would consider close, Three Squeaks admitted. But as things grow stronger, distance wont seem as far. What you might swim in a day now will become half a day soon enough.

Understandable. And the reef will grow. It will come to pass, given time.

Yeah. That, Three Squeaks said. He really wasnt sure what this thing was because it was mostly all goop? With a structure holding them together. He was fairly certain they werent supposed to naturally detach from that and form large fish shaped things, but that was clearly a learned cultivation related behavior. Speaking of which, he couldnt feel how strong this thing was. It was just a bunch of individual things to his senses at least.

Three Squeaks kind of wished he was talking to the stripy shark. That would have been less awkward. Even so, he managed to explain where they were from and more about his plans to explore the whole world- and hopefully promote harmony. Three Squeaks knew it would be a difficult task, but hey- hed already explored a significant portion of the planet, so why not add on another astronomical goal? Sure, it might only be like a tenth. Or less. But that was big compared to just the Lower Plains Coalitions fields.

When they finished their conversation and returned to the surface, Fearsome Mandibles had apparently managed to maintain her breath that whole time, with whatever air she had brought along. I dont like it, Fearsome Mandibles said.

Is it a threat? Three Squeaks asked. Do you think it will try to hurt us?

No. But it was all one thing.

I thought you liked cooperation? It was basically a colony.

Colonies are made up of many individuals, following orders. Not just pieces of something bigger. The Great Queen has pointed out why it would be better to allow some individuality. We can learn things. But I suppose that thing is growing stuff around it, so it seems fine. Even if I dont like it.

I thought it was weird too, Three Squeaks admitted.

Agreed, Contented Grunt said. It was larger than me, if you counted all of its bits as one. It was kind of like a grove of trees shedding their leaves and suddenly talking at you.

Yeah, thats it, Three Squeaks said. That was what was weird. It was like a plant. Without, like, being a plant at all. Some of the other things were eating sunlight though.

That would be the corals, Fearsome Mandibles signed. Theyre a similar thing, though apparently they drew the short end of the sapience stick here.

At least they werent choked out, Three Squeaks said.

-----

All the way back in Coalition territory at a later date, the Great Queen took her two princess aside. It is time, she signed. I have made the decision.

Its time? Fearsome Mandibles said excitedly. I get to go to the upper realms?

We get to be queens? Crossed Antennae said.

It is indeed time for you to be queens. Crossed Antennae. Fearsome Mandibles. I have studied your actions and found them sufficient to manage future growth on your own. First, Crossed Antennae. Because of your caution and care you will be planting the first of the colonies in the upper realms.

Yes! Crossed Antennae said, her forelimbs jerking in excitement. Its finally time to- wait what?

Fearsome Mandibles. Because of your aggression and protectiveness, you will be responsible for the colony here on Akrys.

... What? Fearsome Mandibles tilted her head.

I think I was quite clear, the Great Queen said. Do you have an objections?

I mean I do like it here, I guess, Fearsome Mandibles said. But dont you need someone with ambition to colonize the upper realms? Err, no offense. Youre just not pushy.

Which is the point. Crossed Antennae will be able to work at a measured pace. And you will be able to help deal with any issues that arise here. I trust your judgment on whether or not threats need dealing with.

So thats it? Crossed Antennae asked. Im just leaving?

Not immediately, of course. However, I have already arranged for a transportation ship. You will want the beginnings of a colony when you arrive, of course. There are food sources available, but they will need tending and a single void ant queen can only do so much. So you will need to build up a small colony of some tens of thousands here first. As for the ship the Great Queen spread her forelimbs wide. It is supposed to transition well to the upper realms, land freely, and take off when provided with sufficient natural energy, to allow further colonization. Obviously not all of this was testable. Thus, you will be assigned to the most important planet first.

And Im just staying here? Fearsome Mandibles asked.

I think you will do well, the Great Queen said. As the first princesses with names chosen yourselves, you have the initiative to manage almost anything.

I just didnt expect this. Its so fast.

By the time I was your age, I had a colony of millions, the Great Queen said. You do realize it has been decades? Normally, you would have flown to a colony and begun breeding immediately.

Speaking of which. Why cant we fly?

Because youre not good enough yet.

I mean why dont we have wings, Fearsome Mandibles asked.

Well, thats your own problem, isnt it? the Great Queen shrugged. Guess you didnt try hard enough.

Could we could we grow wings? Fearsome Mandibles asked.

Energy and intention drive void ant growth. So quite possibly, the Great Queen said.

Why didnt you tell us? Crossed Antennae asked.

I did, in general. For this specifically, you didnt ask. And I fly differently, the Great Queen said, displaying how she carved out the natural energy of the world and was drawn into the collapsing flow, moving with strangely rapid intention. For you specifically, your growth will be greatly accelerated among ascension energy. But I would suggest being careful to make sure you dont bloat yourself and become unwieldy.

How long? Fearsome Mandibles asked.

I expect you to actually found your colonies soon. But as for your sister leaving, I can allow for up to another year. And no, thats not short. But yes, you will likely not see each other again beyond that point. The same with any of us in the lower realms.

I will be lonely, Fearsome Mandibles said.

You? Crossed Antennae shook her head. Ill be the one actually alone.

Youd be surprised how not-lonely acting as a queen can be. And there are friends in the upper realms who will contact you eventually.

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