Elder Cultivator

Chapter 859

Even after having crossed the official border of the Exalted Quadrant into the Scarlet Midfields, Velvet did not assume she was safe. After all, the sects there hadnt even considered for a moment whether they should chase people before- even nearly to Xankeshan.

She didnt believe she was being followed, of course. But that was exactly the best reason to maintain caution. If there was someone that good, she couldnt afford to let her guard down for a moment. Until she reached Xankeshan.

Once there, she could truly relax. Either her friends and allies and all the best security they had would keep her safe or she would probably die without even knowing it. So there was no point in stressing about theoretical events she couldnt change.

Mostly, such thoughts were because of spending so much time effectively alone, passing through the various systems of the northern Exalted Quadrant. No matter how many people were on each planet she passed, she never had any real interactions. At least in the Chaotic Conglomeration shed made friends with Runa, or her mental state after the whole spying operation would have been even worse.

Who would have thought that going years or decades without being around friends was bad for people? Probably anyone who actually thought about it, but surprisingly few did.

Each planet felt more and more secure, as they entered the actual radius of the Scarlet Alliances control. It was nice for them to sometimes think of themselves as controlling everything between the Exalted Quadrant and the Trigold Cluster. But in reality, they only controlled a portion in the middle, spreading out from around Xankeshan, the former territory of the Harmonious Citadel, and the component sects that now made up the Scarlet Alliance like the Dark Ring and Dancing Slayer Sect.

When she finally arrived somewhere with proper ships that could speed up her journey, Velvet rejoiced. And soon enough, she was back home.

-----

Its a shame theyre not doing better in the war, Alva commented after Velvets surface level report. But if they were, wed probably have noticed the effects on the Exalted Quadrant a while ago.

Indeed, Catarina said. They dont seem to be taking the situation very seriously, but perhaps they are looking at it through some long term lens that makes the situation acceptable to them. Perhaps they see the war as a training ground?

Velvet shrugged. I wouldnt necessarily put it past them. Certainly, they are quite unwilling to assign any real powerhouses to the region. No Augmentation cultivators.

Timothy spoke up at that. Congratulations, by the way. Another breakthrough among us thats nearly everyone.

Speaking of which, why arent you in Augmentation yet? Velvet asked.

Me? Timothy shrugged. Perhaps I dont have it in me.

You were the first of us to reach Essence Collection. But perhaps the circumstances havent aligned. Velvet looked over at Alva. And dont think Im ignoring you. Youre just younger.

By less than a decade, Alva countered.

Practically a newborn, Velvet nodded.

You wanna fight?

No. Thats why Im in Augmentation.

But you did fight.

Thats just how it works, Velvet shrugged.

... Fuzz and Spikes are waiting for their last pups to grow, Alva explained. To ensure theres a sufficient population of stone wolves, or half stone wolves or whatever, to still exist if they happen to perish.

And then youre going on a training journey with them?

A journey for sure, Alva nodded. Training will probably happen. But you never know how such things will actually resolve.

How many pups have they even had, anyway? Velvet asked. I know that their population is still pretty small, but theyre a significant influence on Xankeshan.

Somewhere like a thousand now? Alva tilted her head.

... Wait, what? I thought they were at like, twenty.

Well, theyve had a litter every year or so for over two centuries now, Alva explained. You just dont hear about most of them because very few end up different like Aconite or Agom.

Thats still not that many, Velvet admitted. Though I suppose the total population is higher than that.

Maybe ten thousand? Alva shook her head. Theres only so many great wolves in the galaxy for them to seek out as mates. Theres a wide enough population here now theyre probably fine but she shrugged. Theyre adventurous. There could have been a lot more of them if they all survived even fifty years.

Dont Fuzz and Spikes have excellent growth methods for them?

Doesnt stop them from getting killed. Or trying something unique. Statistically, Aconite should have been one of the deaths. A few thought to take after her.

Velvet grimaced. I cant imagine that went well.

The ones who happened to be around her at the time survived. The others, not so much. Theres only so much a hearty constitution can do when you ingest enough poison.

Conversation about the wolves lasted for a while.

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Ultimately, Catarina said, returning to the topic of Velvets report. It seems that the Chaotic Conglomeration is a drain on the Exalted Quadrant, but wont be a threat unless some other large scale event weakens them.

Timothy nodded, Like many large scale empires they will last in some form for a very long time, but the right shock can make them collapse. Except here its not limited to a single planet. Even so, they could easily fracture into individual powerful sects.

Im afraid my attempts to sabotage their relationships wont have gone far, Velvet said. But I have gathered enough information that we might be able to pull on some strings.

We dont really want to fight them, Catarina said. Its just that we will probably have to. Meanwhile, the Trigold Cluster has been uncomfortably quiet as far as the upper realms are concerned. The complete report will be sent to everyone for later review. And well keep an eye on that comm you left, Velvet.

She nodded. High priority, but low security. I should be able to discern a genuine message, though.

Next on the agenda a new faction in the lower realms. A big one. Obviously were not directly affected, but we might have to ramp up production of ascension chambers. If the numbers are correct, well have to attune to a large number of new cultivation methods. And we might even get a flood of new arrivals. We dont want to lose out on anyone just because we couldnt handle things on our end.

I read that report, Velvet said. Its still in negotiation, right? And they were hesitant about ascending?

Yes, but we need to plan for potential scenarios, Catarina pointed out. And thats the one that most affects us. Besides, Anton is involved. The question is more what proportion of people will choose to ascend compared to Assimilation. Hes good at leading people towards either. She looked through her notes. Oh, we also need a dedicated device somewhere around fifty years from now. For non-humans. Engineer Uzun will be glad he has some warning for that one. At least its a single planet. What else was there?

Void ants, Timothy said.

... Right. Thats uh a bit of a tough one, Catarina admitted. Weve received some pure tech designs to replicate damaged parts. The message received indicates everything went well but thats one place we cant risk frequent communication or repeated physical exchanges.

I think I missed something, Velvet admitted. What about them?

Obviously this cant leave the room, Catarina said. Theyve set up their first colony in the upper realms. On the border worlds. They intend to eradicate any forward outposts people set up.

Ah Id heard the plans, Velvet said. I missed that it actually happened. Its kind of terrifying.

And yet, Alva shrugged. Most are only as dangerous as very smart ants. So like tiny humans without cultivation.

Obviously we want to avoid association, Catarina said. Since someone tried to eradicate them. And we cant even enquire about it too much without giving something away.

Why not ask Everheart? Velvet said. He should know.

Not it, Catarina said.

Not it, Timothy immediately followed.

The response was reiterated by everyone in the room.

... Cant we just send him a comm or something? Velvet complained. Why does someone always have to make a trip to his deathtrap?

Because one way we know hell inevitably be able to spy on our entire communications network. And the other, we can pretend he hasnt already cracked our transmissions, Catarina explained. If were lucky, the pure tech components will hold him back for another century.

We should just send Vari, Velvet said. Though for a single question maybe we should build up a list.

Nobody was going to press for visiting Everheart more often, so that was basically the end of that discussion.

-----

The outpost on Ozemdu was meant to be temporary. Something that could last some unspecified number of years and host an important meeting of diplomatic envoys. And it accomplished that task just fine.

The real question was why anyone had assumed it would end there. Obviously it was inconvenient for everyone involved to get there, but it was still basically central. Having it as a relay station for messages was not a terrible idea, and it was also good to keep in contact and not just suddenly stop talking to each other.

Poriza and Inistra were closer, but a message going through either of them would actually take even longer to reach the core of the Lower Realms Alliance.

Lynette and the others had all of those thoughts as the negotiations came to a close- and of course some of the good suggestions were from the Shining Cooperative.

Properly terraforming the planet to have self-sustaining life and not just a single- if expansive- garden was top priority. Along with that, setting up some local industry would be essential- everything imported from a hundred or more lightyears away would be many times more costly and should only be reserved for what could truly not be made on site.

Ive already started, of course, Anton said. I tossed seeds all around the planet a while ago. Well just need another few waves to cover the various different biomes.

... Do you want to lead that project? Lynette asked.

Ill plant stuff, Anton said. But obviously I cant find a perfect balance all on my own. And well want animal and insect life. I could take care of a farms worth or two, but Im not going to manage a whole planet of animals. He shrugged. I just got done doing something like that.

I dont think theres any particular rush for that, Lynette admitted. You also expressed interest in surveying the Shining Cooperatives planets?

Anton nodded. Look. I dont want to be a spy. But I also dont want them to hide big secrets because we didnt bother looking. And my main objective will really be what I say.

Theyll know, obviously.

Obviously. They just might not realize the full extent of my senses.

And you cant just interfere with local events.

I totally can, Anton disagreed. I want an official diplomatic status. Like head individual who pokes his nose into other peoples business.

... Well consider your application, Lynette said.

Hey, I dont want to cause trouble, Anton said. But sometimes its already happening and people wont admit it, and then when someone shows it to them he shrugged. I get that we dont want to start something with these guys. So get me a list of universal laws, and it better not have exceptions for people in fancy hats.

... At least you can avoid killing people.

Thats right, Anton said. Also, Ill very soon have every Assimilation cultivator in their region on my side.

Im not actually in charge of deciding any of these things, you know? Lynette said. ... But I can get their whole legal code and summarize the important parts for you. That will be a good way to learn about them anyway.

How exciting, Anton said.

Hey, you like plants. I like to see the hearts of humans written on a page, especially where it concerns what they bothered agreeing is right or wrong.

I hadnt considered that I might fundamentally disagree with what theyd decided, Anton sighed. But I should have. Theyre just another large country, more or less.

With at least one more layer of government.

Wonderful.

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