It was not unusual for people to track Antons movents. In fact, it would be strange if they didnt. As a powerful cultivator, his movents were of great interest to many people. If the spies had been closer to his own perceptive abilities perhaps Anton would have assud that was the case, but their glances were not directed primarily at him. Nor was the other most likely candidate the target- Lev. Yet Matija being the target was not actually unexpected either- and she was the one that the eyes landed on the most. A traveler from the stars was certainly an oddity, even with invasions being involved but Anton had the feeling that not all of the glances were simply curiosity. Nor did he believe all worked for continental forces.
But as long as no specific agreents were broken and nothing else happened, the Exalted Archipelagos spying was simply to be expected. Anton did keep track of the various faces he saw, just to be thorough. It was impossible for the Ruteran group to stay private anyway- not with sects from both continents inford about them. Anton just wished he could predict what response the Exalted Archipelago would have.
There was nothing along the road to cause them actual trouble. That would have required a serious army, one which Anton could have picked out half a country away. Brogora wasnt so distracted by the visitors that they werent taking care of their continental security.
Along the way, Anton explained his experiences in various towns and cities, as well as the previous relationship between Graotan and Ofrurg. For the majority of a century they had been at peace, but the early years of his cultivation dominated Antons mories.
Just over there was where we first t, Lev added to Antons details. I was nearly dead in a cave, my arm full of parasitic moss planning to control and devour .
Its good that your arm has recovered now, Matija comnted.
Its not, Lev said, letting it flop to his side. The wounds are so deep and so old, I dont know if its possible to fully recover. Nor do I know if it matters. In truth, Lev had done more damage to himself with his early connection to the Grandfather Willow- his limbs basically didnt work on their own. I certainly cant complain. I have thods to overco my weaknesses, and power I could have barely imagined.
You t before that war? Matija asked. But wasnt it a century ago and youre still young.
Lev shrugged, I certainly look young, dont I? By cultivator standards in fact, I might be. At least for my cultivation level. Id be closer to middle age in pure numbers. I would expect to live at least another two centuries, if I am not slain.
I see, she frowned. Our lifespans have expanded as we grew more prosperous. Living to your age would not be an oddity but we would expect to look more like more elderly.
Anton grinned, You were going to say more like , werent you? How old would you say I am?
Given what Lev said you should be at least two hundred, perhaps two hundred and fifty?
Much closer to the forr, Anton said. But Ill have you know I looked like this when I began cultivating.
Im pretty sure I began cultivating before him by at least a year, Lev nodded. Though my early progress was nothing remarkable.
I dont really know what I expected, Matija said. The way things are done here is quite different.
It is only through great practice that I did not gawk at your technology, Anton said. Different is absolutely the correct word. No doubt we can learn much from each other.
I am surprised how much you are willing to share, Matija said. We have been more cautious than you.
That is understandable, Anton said. Personally, if I find people to be decent I would not wish to hide anything from them. But the full understanding of that takes ti. Our initial interactions with your group were positive, but weve had so trouble with unfamiliar individuals in the past.
The invasion, Matija nodded. Thats concerning to hear about.
From what I understand, your world might not be of interest as a target, Anton shrugged. But I cannot say for sure without visiting.
Will you? Matija asked.
I dont know if that would be a good idea, Anton said. It is quite far.
Why would that- Matija stopped herself. Perhaps its better I dont get an answer for that, actually.
-----
Soon enough they arrived at their destination- the Grasping Willows. Matija was not able to change her own energy signatures to blend in with them, though the smaller ones mostly relied on touch to grab their prey. The Grandfather Willow, anwhile, was under Levs control- and along with Anton he was ready to protect Matija from any trouble.
She was suitably impressed by the Grasping Willows when they were demonstrated to her. When she entered the valley where the Grandfather Willow stood, she seed confused. Where did all the underbrush go? And all of the trunks? She used her scanner to curiously observe the dangling branches, keeping herself well clear of the grasping appendages. Or at least what seed to be a safe distance to her. These are all part of the sa thing?
Lev gestured towards the main trunk. Thats right. The Grandfather Willow. Its barely visible between all of the hanging branches, but it occupies this whole valley.
Matija took out another device, presumably to help her see further ahead. Whoa, youre right! Throughout that day, she excitedly scanned as much of the tree as she could- branches, roots, trunk, and leaves. No wonder we could sense this from space! she said.
Anton took Lev aside. I appreciate you giving her this opportunity. I know there is so risk
Lev shook his head. I understand that. But if they co to try to take it from , I am certain you will be ready to help provide a proper response. And I believe in her sincerity as much as you do. As well as her understanding that the information will mostly be put to good use.
Mostly, huh, Anton nodded. Id like to see this Rutera, but its a bit difficult, isnt it?
I certainly wouldnt go, Lev said. But I wouldnt fly around in space either. I imagine being so far from your Assimilation touchstone would be a problem for you?
I think so, Anton said. But I havent tested the limits, really. Distances away from Ceretos are difficult to comprehend.
-----
Deep within his own soul, Rouben finally found what he was looking for. He had expected sothing monuntal, a great source of power. A vault of knowledge. But here it was, a tiny speck. And how could it be anything else while still keeping its secrets hidden. He hadnt just searched for it, either. If his understanding of Essentia Lockbox was correct, hed created this point of connection to sothing that should have been lost to him.
Now the trouble was opening it. In theory he could uncork this seal like a bottle of wine- and if he did so carelessly it might spray everywhere like the sa. If these were really lost mories of his soul, he wanted to receive them gently.
The tiniest touch flooded his head with thoughts. mories ca to him of many things at the sa ti, yet he felt as if it was only a tiny fraction of what there could be. He retracted his touch, trying to settle the mories. Days of mories filled his head. Perhaps years, but not in a cohesive whole but scattered about randomly. Piecing anything together was difficult, but he managed to put sothing together with what he already knew. One important piece of information.
He slowly withdrew from within himself. His departure was soon- but before that he needed to answer the question of these strangely familiar individuals around him. Not just for them and because of the implicit threat of their presence, but also for himself.
His eyes opened. I have an answer, he said. I am not sure if it is the one you want, but the reason I know Falling Stars is because I created the technique.
The intensity of the gazes upon him increased, especially the one known as Hoyt. He thought he rembered that face, though it didnt quite fit. Perhaps it was rely soone else he knew. Do you rember what your na was? Hoyt asked.
It was strangely, that information hadnt seed important in the mories he possessed. Cultivation. A sect. People. But his own na hardly mattered. Even so, it was still there. I think it was Prospero? Prospero Vandale.
The woman known as Catarina inclined her head. It is good to see you again, Grand Elder Vandale. I had not expected this eting to be possible.
Please, dont, Rouben grimaced. He was much more familiar with that na still, at least for the mont. I dont think I deserve such an unfamiliar honor for sothing I can barely rember.
Also Hoyt said, It is awkward because you could be referring to .
That was it. For so reason, hed had the feeling it was his own face. But it was his son- no, his grandson. I the Order of Ninety-Nine Stars is in the lower realms, Rouben frowned. How is it that any of you are here?
I think the answer is fairly obvious, Hoyt said. The traditional way. And its One Hundred Stars now, since the technique is no longer incomplete.
Thats comforting, Rouben nodded. Though I cant say I actually rember as much as perhaps I should.
I have no doubt you will rember more given ti, Hoyt said. And practice.
Over the course of the next few days, only a small collection of mories were recovered- but it was enough to confirm that he actually was Prospero Vandale reincarnated. An impersonator might know of large events, but personal exchanges that wouldnt be noticed by anyone else were a different issue. Hoyt didnt actually have many more of those than anyone else, by his own will, but he had latched onto so mories more tightly.
We must be going now, Hoyt said as a ship was landing. We will pay for you to be taken off-planet. The ship captain is as trustworthy as they co. The rest of us have to resolve this bounty. And see if we can keep this technique out of the hands of the Twin Soul Sect permanently sohow.
He does lock up so things, Vari said helpfully. Perhaps we can convince him to do the sa with this. Especially since it was stolen.
The concealnt formation they had been staying within while waiting faded away as they stepped out of it, and Vandale was taken away- with a plethora of different communication options. Even if he wasnt fully the person they rembered, simply parting ways would be a terrible waste.
-----
Which one is your star? Anton asked. They had returned to the Order, and Matija had wanted to look at the observatory.
Its difficult to pinpoint from here, she said. The skies are mostly the sa, but Im not used to seeing our star being there, you know?
Anton nodded. Only during the day. I believe I pointed at the right cluster, based on the direction you departed in. It should be one of the closer ones as well.
Yeah, but I cant really see that well either, Matija admitted.
Ah, Anton shrugged. A fault of ours, I suppose. The telescope is intended for use with eye techniques.
I just realized, Matija said. I can just look it up. She pulled out a few small devices, placing one where her eye would be on the telescope. Anton could see information being pulled up on the others- images, even. I only have access to the information on the ship from here, so its kind of difficult but it should be that one, she finally pointed.
There was nothing remarkable about the star. It was fairly bright- but it ought to be as one of the closer stars. I see, Anton nodded.
And this is what your star looks like from Rutera, Matija said. Just let find it. See?
I have to admit familiar as I am, theyre not terribly different. A slightly different color and brightness, perhaps. Though that should be normal, as humans do best in a particular type of world.
Yeah Matija nodded. Its weird that were all the sa though.
It it? Anton said. I would imagine cultivators populated everywhere at so point in the long past. They have been traveling the stars for quite so ti, after all. Just not in quite the sa manner as yourselves.
Matija grinned, Its funny to hear they use old-style ships, she said. But Id really like to see one.
Theyre not much different from the skyships, he explained. You could probably take a look at one of them.
As she considered that, Anton thought about Rutera. He had a thought, but was unsure whether it could possibly work or if he should try it even if it would. But that was for another ti. For the mont, the trajectory of their current relations was positive. Perhaps in a decade or two theyd know Rutera well enough to think about going further.
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