For the sake of making responsible choices, the group cored by the Hundred Stars tried to do research before taking up a bounty. Even following around soone was enough to get into a conflict, so ensuring the request was reasonable beca an important matter. They didnt always have much to go on, though. This particular one was just too good to pass up, with sufficient points to get the entire group to the fourth and final level of the Library, where they could finally begin their real goal. And the danger was minimal as well.
No, minimal was perhaps an overstatent. Nonexistent should be more correct. A single cultivator at the Essence Collection stage shouldnt be a threat to any of them unless they simply forgot to put up any sort of defenses. Perhaps Vari and Spikes who were only a stage ahead or the equivalent could be injured, if they were likewise solo.
But the target might not be the problem. Even if people tried to hide it, word naturally spread of an inflated bounty on this fellow nad Rouben. That ant competition. But only if others arrived almost simultaneously- it couldnt take more than a minute on the outside to subdue soone like this. On the short end, it would be a re instant- and that was many tis more likely.
The information beyond his na and cultivation level were sufficient to decide it was worth pursuing. Hed stolen a technique called the Essentia Lockbox, the fancy na aning nothing on its own but finding it had origins with the Twin Soul Sect and had perhaps been lost to ti gave them additional motivation. They couldnt be sure if it was already too late to prevent the Twin Soul Sect from hearing about it, if Rouben wasnt already working for them, but they couldnt afford for it to be easily available. It had apparently been locked away in one of the more secure layers, so returning it there would at least limit access. Destroying it might be preferable, though they couldnt be sure if Everheart would find out and produce consequences for them.
Rouben had gone toward the Gardens. Alvas brief cut through the area had given her so idea of what to expect, and with Fuzz navigating the area would be much easier. They just needed to pick up the right trail, which might involve a bit of guesswork. They had a physical image, but it didnt include useful things like scent. Simply the fact that the man passed through the area around the Library was too vague, with hundreds of scents at minimum every day. Fuzz and Spikes sniffed around anyway, but there was no guarantee anything would co of it later. Perhaps they might recognize soone who had been at the library, though whether or not that would help was a different matter.
As they began their trek in the direction of the Garden, which was basically just an area of wilderness that covered a good segnt of the planet they were on, Fuzz took note of so scents. These he had context for and not just from recently.
Twin Soul Sect Alva shook her head. Were they around because they were looking for this, or was it a coincidence? Either way, the chance that they were heading in the sa direction purely by accident was ignorable. Which ant they had to pass them.
A groups speed was limited by the slowest mber, and that was usually related to cultivation level. Vari was simply not able to keep up the sa level of exertion as everyone else. Spikes was at a similar cultivation strength, but was more trained for running. The ability to recover stamina quickly that helped out humans at lower levels of cultivation was overco by the fact that a beasts body would continue growing more powerful automatically. Body tempering excelled in consistent performance, but generally gave up slightly on the upper end of power since the user would have less energy to focus on key monts.
There was a simple solution to speed up the group. Vari just rode Fuzz with Alva. Spikes was familiar enough with them that Vari might have been able to ride her, but Fuzz was used to moving with a rider. One more made little difference to him. That technically made Spikes the slowest, but she was able to more or less keep pace with the Integration cultivators.
Knowing they shouldnt be more than a day behind their quarry, they expected to catch up well before he reached the Gardens- but only if they chose the right path. It wasnt as if there was only one path between two points on a planet. There were so annoying terrain features like rivers and what was either a salt lake or an ocean depending on who you asked. There were also mountains, of course, but the biggest factor is that Everheart didnt tolerate people climbing over the structures he made. Even if they were laden with deathtraps, it was generally safer to go through than over.
For the mont, they followed what seed to be the biggest pack from the Twin Soul Sect, assuming they would at least have a decent understanding of where they were going. Or maybe they were suicidal, because they chose to go through the Smithy.
Its not that bad, Hoyt said.
I dont think you get to comnt, fire cultivator, Timothy said.
You could still do it, Hoyt grinned. And Fuzz is fine as well.
Sa answer, Timothy grumbled.
The Smithy was located inside of a volcano. Not on top of, but inside. The main tunnels took a winding path right next to magma chambers in the mountain, with occasional bridges over pools of the sa. And if that was all there was, then even the fact that was hotter than lava got in a lower realm wouldnt have been a terrible setback. There were of course fire creatures looking for sothing to eat. And sothing else, in a way worse than all the rest.
*Clang*
The sound of a hamr striking an anvil was normally rather pleasant. Perhaps a bit loud and disruptive, but most people appreciated the industry it upheld at the very least. That was when other factors were normal, and the hamring didnt send out shockwaves of sound that threatened to collapse tunnels while also bowling people over or trying to send them tumbling into molten rock. The fact that the rock was dense enough most people wouldnt sink much hardly ant anything when it clung to everything like glue.
*Clang*
The volcano trembled. The sound was simultaneous with the shockwave pushing through the hallway they were in, though Timothy took a position in front to block it. The first ti hed made the mistake of attempting to completely negate the shockwave, and had been blasted backwards on a trajectory that would have collided with half of the others had they not dodged. This ti, he kept his focus smaller, not just deflecting so of the sound wave with his shield but also scattering it by forming rough surfaces with his energy instead of a flat plane. The ground cracked beneath his feet as he was sent sliding back several paces, but his efforts reduced the amount of trouble the others had to put up with. The wolves were particularly grateful, since their ears were more sensitive.
Im sensing two paths ahead, Alva said. Her senses could stretch further than the others. The group were following forged straight ahead, while the other tunnel curves around to the left. Theres so sort of treasure in the other path.
Sounds like a trap, Hoyt said.
But is going for the treasure the trap, Vari comnted. Or not being greedy thats the trap?
A question that needed to be asked, since with Everheart it could be either. It wasnt entirely random. Treasure usually had more danger near it, but an overabundance of caution in that regard sotis led people astray into sowhere even more dangerous, for no gain.
We have to keep up with that group, right? Catarina asked. Do we have a choice?
We do, Alva said. Were not far behind them now. If we follow directly after them, well run into them. If the other path leads us out the far side- and there are many that do- we can pass them up and perhaps get a sign of their quarry.
And people dont just seek equipnt for no reason, Hoyt pointed out. If it makes us stronger, passing it up could be a waste. This is said to be one of the best places for weapons and armor in the entire Tomb, as one would expect from the Smithy. If you can survive the traps.
There was no question there would be traps of so sort- in either direction, but most likely both. Before that, theyd have to pass through an open chamber and deal with the threats therein.
-----
Over the next several months, Anton kept in communication with the group from Rutera. There was nothing of great worth said, but it was a reminder that at so point they would have a more intentional eting. Before that happened, Anton wanted the support of as many people as possible. That included the Glorious Frostfla Mirror. Or whatever na they were trying right now. Which part of fire or ice went first in naming was a constant matter of contention, but as much as they internally fought about small things like that, the sect that was the combination of the Glorious Fla Palace and the Frostmirror sect was unified on the important matters.
That was good for Anton, because it ant more grandchildren in one place. And while so of the mbers of the sects still rembered their individual rivalries, the leadership was firmly united, with a minimal amount of quibbling even for a married couple.
Anish and Annelie had chosen to remain upon Ceretos instead of ascending, though they did not yet have a plan for Assimilation or another route of reaching a higher level of power. Perhaps they wouldnt. The peak of Life Transformation was still a respectable strength in the world- Anton just wasnt sure if it would be enough. He wasnt going to push anyone too hard, however. Sotis an outsider was a better judge of soones limits than the person themself, but most who had great achievents as cultivators reached a proper understanding of their own limits.
We will support you in this endeavor, Anish nodded. If we could ally with another system, our position would be more secure.
It is only a matter of them having sufficient strength, Annelie comnted. Her face remained emotionless, but that was rely for tis such as this- serious discussion. She would keep her calm during such situations no matter what happened, but starting with her generation the Frostmirror Sect did not fully cut off their emotions. When the ti was appropriate, she could smile and laugh as much as anyone else. Perhaps slightly less, but that was due to her individual personality. You said they didnt understand the sa form of cultivation we use?
That is true, Anton nodded, But I sensed they had sufficient power regardless. Even if they only have several ships of that sort- and I was led to believe there were more than a few- they should be as powerful as any of the great sects. I cant say for certain since we did not fight, but the ship might have even been able to give trouble.
From anyone else, that might not be a complent, Anish shook his head, But from you, it ans much. I would expect you to be able to wipe out a handful of Life Transformation cultivators in an instant.
In general, Anton agreed. Their defenses seed quite exceptional. Able to withstand the heat of the sun. I imagine even you would burn up with that intensity. Of course, resisting a consistent environntal hazard is easier than withstanding a concentrated attack. I might have riddled them with holes and left them to suffocate.
I doubt it, Annelie shook her head. That would be quite unlike you.
I ant in general, Anton shrugged, In terms of simple combat strategy, that would be efficient. And I would have been able to capture them as they passed out, so I could actually do that.
If they managed so sort of deception and return as enemies, I have no doubt youll be quite effective, Annelie nodded. Though in such a case I would have expected them to co for Ceretos regardless. Were they not curious about the planets here?
Its just that they were focused on the sun first, Anton explained. It seems that particular group wasnt ant to make contact with people, should they find any. Though now they might have to.
Yes, Anish nodded. I doubt they would want to risk an entirely new group when those you are familiar with would be more palatable. With your power, your opinion matters.
It is quite nice to be respected for that, Anton nodded. I almost wish it could be like the old days, where I was respected solely for my wisdom.
Grandpa, Annelie comnted. You went hunting in the dead of winter at a hundred years old so that we would not be hungry. Youve always been respected for the things you would do. You were a comforting power, even then. We just didnt know about how much stronger the world of cultivation was.
There wasnt much to say to that. He supposed that in a world where those he cared about had food and shelter, pure strength was towards the top of the list to maintain that way of life. He was just glad he wasnt going to be the only one, since he couldnt be around forever.
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