Elder Cultivator

Chapter 857

With both sides willing to negotiate, achieving basic agreements was fairly simple. The more difficult part was for Lynette to make a contract that was both easily understandable yet sufficiently thorough. While no contract could ever force someone to do something- at least, not via any methods Lynette was comfortable with using- it was better for it to be as clear as possible so that people didnt try to work around it. Some people simply tried to take advantage wherever they could.

In the case where treaties were completely ignored and forceful actions were taken, there were more appropriate responses. But if peace was possible, it was better for the alliance to keep that peace. There would always be plenty of problems to deal with, inviting more than necessary was simply unreasonable.

Required for the contract to be useful at all were more than a few things that either side would prefer to be secret if they werent forming a non-aggression pact. Such things as the exact borders of their particular factions. But ultimately, they had to accept that the other party was going to act at least vaguely reasonably.

Most at risk were Poriza and Inistra, as they were relatively closer to the Shining Cooperative. They were still tens of lightyears away, but they were still physically closer to them than the majority of the Lower Realms Alliance.

That reminded Lynette she had to include provisions about expansion. Ultimately some terms had to be set, so they picked a somewhat arbitrary distance beyond each of their systems in which either side would have to get permission from the other to spread into. That shouldnt be a problem for centuries yet, but having something in place for the future was useful.

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Now then, Lynette was going over further terms with Daris. We have to talk about ascension. They didnt have any information about the Shining Cooperative in the upper realms, so either those that did ascend cut their ties, or it was very infrequent. Either that, or they ended up in a different part of or completely outside the Scarlet Midfields.

What of it? Daris asked. It is a serious waste of good people.

Lynette nodded, not in agreement so much as to show she was listening. If you would elaborate, please.

Its fairly simple, Daris said. Each person that ascends removes their expertise from the Shining Cooperative, weakening us. And for what? Greater power for a short time. Until they are killed in the upper realms.

Lynette nodded slowly. I take it from your words that to your knowledge, most of your ascenders end up within the borders of the Trigold Cluster?

Thats right. Or at least, we assume so. Weve not had many opportunities, but we have tried to have some contact us. No messages ever returned, so either our techniques were faulty or they never got a chance.

It is reasonable to assume the latter, though there are some issues with upper and lower energy functioning differently, Lynette said. Considering the positioning of your systems, we would expect some portion to drift into the eastern Scarlet Midfields instead of the Trigold Clusters territory.

Well, Daris shrugged. We dont actually know much about that. Most of the information we have from the upper realms came from the Trigold Clusters spies, after all.

Understandable, Lynette said. Then let me offer an option for you to consider. We can have our agents in the upper realms draw in those of particular cultivation methods, allowing them to end up in a safe place. From there, they could either join the Scarlet Alliance in the upper realms or try to find their own way.

Daris frowned, not necessarily upset but more confused. You have people in the upper realms?

If they can send people to spy on us and sabotage us here, why not the reverse? And it is much more effective, Lynette said. Since power is only restricted when one follows the tides of the world to the lower realms. Meanwhile, those who have ascended have some advantages over those native to the upper realms. Thats part of the reason they established sects here, you might be interested to learn.

Daris nodded. We were aware that they wanted some portion of their spies to ascend to the upper realms, but not quite why. So they will be stronger?

Potentially, Lynette said. There are many factors that go into such things, of course. Individual temperament, cultivation method she shrugged. But learning to cultivate with natural energy here before handling ascension energy does seem to be advantageous. Which is another reason they are interested in stealing our resources.

Ah, I see, Daris nodded. I wondered about that. We had postulated that the upper realms might be a barren wasteland of some sort, but that would not explain how they have such powerful cultivators to send against us. He settled back into his chair, sighing. This is a lot of information to consider all at once.

We also have alternatives to ascension as you most likely have noticed already, Lynnette gestured towards one of the guards. We are not averse to sharing how these advancements can be achieved, once we know each other better.

And the price? Daris asked.

Its not a set thing. Ultimately, it must be beneficial for us. You seem unlikely to come into conflict with us, and having the Shining Cooperative kill a larger number of Trigold Cluster forces would be valuable. But ultimately we will have to work out what makes sense over time.

If Anton had anything to say about it- and he did- then anyone he deemed as a good person after getting to know them would certainly be able to learn the secrets. And ultimately, Lynette knew that simply being aware of the possibility could be a tipping point for the Shining Cooperative. Ultimately, the most important thing was determining they would not be enemies, at least before the end of the cycle. Obviously there was no guarantee that anything would last forever as new generations were born and old ones perished, taking their thoughts and feelings with them.

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Not knowing exactly how much to exaggerate his response time, Anton spent another week basking in the sun of the neighboring system before setting out. Once he was actually traveling, he didnt want to slow himself in the space between systems. Flying more slowly through the system around Ozemdu was fine, as that was only a matter of hours, but being out in the void for an extra day or three was not something Anton relished.

Since neither star was bound to him, he had to move at a normal speed, relying on his ability to draw on his other stars to keep himself empowered on his journey. He could still make his way between systems without any recovery, but it was much less pleasant.

He was glad that his presence had been requested and that nothing had gone wrong so far. Friendly interactions, or at least peaceful ones, were always much better in the long run. Anton never enjoyed having to kill people, and even if some of them deserved death, he could imagine different futures where they never ended up in such a position.

Death. Such an odd thing. Hed accepted it, even before the beginning of his cultivation journey. Even now, with centuries more life than he had ever anticipated, he still understood that death was inevitable.

But death was simply another part of the natural order. Another cycle, like the seasons- and the greater cycle of the tides of the world. Perhaps life would be easier without them, but they were what they were.

Of course, Anton was aware that in some ways, he was no longer part of one of those cycles. Though it wasnt a guarantee to begin with, he had given up any chance of reincarnation. Perhaps his soul energy might continue on, but none of it would be him afterwards.

Spectral energy had always been an oddity to him, but that was mostly because it was so rare. Even the Trigold Clusters Twin Soul Sect didnt seem to understand it that well, at least not in the lower realms. All that, and yet they relied upon it to bring their disciples to them when they died.

Anton truly didnt know if he should seek out more information on it, or continue to use it sparingly, only when necessary to deal with members of the Twin Soul Sect.

That was something he would have to answer over the next few centuries, making sure to leave enough time before the actual invasion. But first, he had friends or future friends to meet.

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As he approached the relatively small ship, Anton still found the Astral Spear intriguing. Saying the ship was better than what they had was incorrect, but there was certainly something that could be learned from it. Anton was aware of that, and he didnt even truly understand the working of greater formations or technology. Which meant there might be even more to it than he realized on the surface.

Astral Spear, this is Anton, he said as he approached, projecting his voice. Captain Kybele requested a meeting. Do you wish to meet upon the surface, or within your ship?

Incautious as it might seem to meet within something controlled by the enemy, Anton was at least confident that he could escape if they tried something. Moreover, even if they might normally feel secure there, having someone like him inside their ship might bother them.

But the response he received didnt particularly clear anything up. Sect Head Anton, Kybeles voice was projected by the ships systems. She sounded as if she had just woken up- and was trying to pretend that was not the case. We did not know when you would arrive, but my crew alerted me when they sensed your approach. I will gladly meet in whichever location you prefer.

To avoid a loop of people saying, We can do whatever you want, Anton simply made a decision. Im here now. So if you have an airlock that I can enter, I might as well come aboard.

Oh! the response came, Kybele clearly slightly surprised. Umm. We dont actually have a dedicated bay for such scenarios, but we do have one that would work. We just have to, uh, prepare it.

Anton pondered about telling them that he didnt mind going through what appeared to be a garbage disposal airlock, but it might bother them that he would know. So he decided to pretend to be unaware of them running to cleanse the room with their best fire cultivators. Anton passively took in the movements of the people aboard- their shielding technology was a bit lacking in that regard- and was impressed with the speed at which they worked.

Less than a quarter of an hour later, Kybele spoke to him once more- though hed heard her as she organized things throughout the ship. Sorry for the wait. The airlock is properly set up now. Its just on the side. Im sure youll be able to find it. Were opening the doors now.

Anton flew around to the room that no longer had traces of garbage- at least not that the people on the ship had been able to detect. Anton could still pick it out, but he saw no point in doing so.

Once inside, he waited a few moments. Then the outer doors closed behind him. A short time after that, the inner door opened to reveal Kybele standing there. Though he already knew that.

Greetings, Sect Head, Kybele said, bowing. It is an honor to meet you in person.

Technically, Anton thought that yelling at each other through space counted. But either way was fine.

To you as well. Im glad the Shining Cooperative was willing to meet in such an awkward place as this.

Its not so bad Kybele lied.

Is this the furthest from home youve ever been? Anton asked. Obviously you know how far Ive roamed.

It is, yes, Kybele said, glad for the partial change of topic. It was quite a journey to get here.

Its quite a trip. How are your supplies? he asked. Eating well?

As well as can be expected, she hedged.

Yes, well, if you get tired of rations I planted some gardens. Its not enough to feed everyone on the ship, but they could at least have a bite or two.

The gardens down there? Kybele asked.

Thats right.

I heard Daris raving about the cherries.

Well they are in season, Anton said. So theyll be some of the best right now.

The whole time, Kybeles senses hadnt stopped stretching towards Anton then shying away. She never lingered.

Right. Yes. She frowned. So youre stronger than all those people down there, right?

Anton smiled. There was a clear reason she wasnt the one in charge of the diplomatic answers. She was easy to read. But Anton liked that. What makes you so sure of that?

The fact that you had to hide away in another system so we wouldnt be scared, Kybele pointed out. And because I can feel it. Though its a bit are you injured?

Anton laughed. Im not. Though youre correct that I am not at maximum power right now. He could sense crew members straining their ears to listen in on the conversation. Obviously, he could have walled them off, but aside from causing trouble he also didnt really feel the need.

As Kybele had been scanning him for a while, Anton decided to be a bit less subtle in return. Interesting. He really hoped things worked out with the Shining Cooperative, because Kybele already had one foot into Assimilation. There was a clear connection between her and the ship- but also the crew. That would be an interesting one to see.

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