From tiny points of light a barely fathomable distance away, the twin stars drew close until they were pulsing embers of warmth that Anton could almost reach out and touch. Even so, it took more effort just to reach that point than when he bound to Ruteras star mostly by accident. Part of it had to be the distance- even from Rutera, Okloi was still several tis further than the other systems had been. On the other hand, Anton felt the stars tugging against him alternately, as if either one might slip away.
His grip tightened on them, attempting to pull their power into him. Yet as one drew closer, the other pulled away, as if he were trying to pull together a pair of magnets. The closer they drew to him and each other, the more repulsion there was against all. Was it impossible, then, to Assimilate two stars at once? Perhaps he might still do them in sequence, but if they still rejected each other then his activities in the Okloi system would actually be limited instead of empowered. In the worst case, he might simply require two of his stars to function in a single system for no benefit.
That would be a disappointnt. One that he was unwilling to accept, unless he was certain that it had to be that way. As of now, he was barely persuaded. So there had been a little snag. What was that compared to nearly incinerating himself for his first Assimilation? He didnt intend to push himself to such lengths at this mont, as a disappointing failure would be better than wasting everything hed worked for, but nobody said cultivation was supposed to be easy.
He wrapped his hands around the two stars, pulling them closer. As they approached, they strained against him and each other, their power flaring in his palms, the heat scorching him. Yet the flas could not harm him, not at such a magnitude. Only if he let them run uncontrolled inside of him would he find himself concerned, especially with the backing of Ruteras star right next to him. The heat on his actual body was massive, though sothing he felt naturally adapted to with little need for natural energy to shield himself.
He continued to draw the twin stars close to himself. They had to at least exist together within his dantian, but he didnt need to force them to hug each other. He allowed them to retain so distance, but it was clear they were still far closer than they would like.
As he pulled them closer, feeling them wrestle against him, Anton worried briefly that he was making a mistake. The resistance was unlike anything hed encountered before- was there a Worldbinding cultivator working against him? If soone already had a prior attachnt, advancing further would be a danger.
He paused, feeling the pull as the stars kept their energy from him. No, this wasnt an active resistance, no conscious control of a cultivator. This was simple natural resistance that Anton imagined would go away completely if he chose to focus on just one target. But he found the struggle enjoyable. It was more pure than a life or death battle, the strain of exercise and the fatigue of a good days work.
Inside of his dantian, two orbs of fire pulled apart, straining at the limits of the space available to him but settling into place, orbiting around the edges of the space, a warmth of power flowing through them. Anton smiled to himself. Though his cultivation would advance naturally with training, it seed the main benefits ca upon securing more stars for himself, the hundredth star and beyond replacing the weaker motes of power he created for himself as he connected to actual stars.
Inside of his dantian, it took ti for things to settle down. Anton continued to ditate where he was for a day or two, perhaps longer, just to make certain everything was stable. It certainly wouldnt do to allow the power to explode inside him once more.
Eventually, he nodded to himself. He had succeeded. He couldnt be quite sure what the effects would be until he experienced them from a closer distance, but Anton was certain that the effect would be better than simply latching onto a single star. The test of his abilities was also beneficial, and Anton could feel the distance between himself and the stars he drew upon lessen slightly.
-----
During his short ti away, Anton had left rve in the care of a few individuals from Ceretos. He was still responsible for her actions, and keeping watch on her was best for both her sake as well as others. Many citizens of Rutera would like an opportunity to seek revenge on one of their enemies for those who had died- children, siblings, spouses, friends. It didnt matter that rve hadnt killed anyone. Anton wasnt even going to argue that she was innocent- because while she hadnt been successful, she still ca with the intent of war. Likewise, simply because circumstances forced her into the position didnt stop her from being responsible for her actions. Anton was well aware that she would have killed, just like she had to survive to her current cultivation level.
She wasnt being forgiven for nothing. Anton was taking so of the price upon himself, but her cooperation was also important to Rutera, and the rest of their alliance. The Sylanis Cluster was a greater danger than previously perceived, and rve had many other answers as well. Obtaining such information sooner would have been beneficial, but the prisoners had been surprisingly difficult. Not because of specific conditioning, but simply an aspect of despair the Sylanis Cluster developed in those they considered lower. Anton had suggested so thods for Rutera to connect with further prisoners, but Anton didnt have the ti to actively engage in such things on his own. Besides, even if they were official allies now Rutera needed to handle as much of its own affairs as it could.
rve still took a bit of work, but even though she didnt entirely believe Anton, she still allowed herself to indulge in her monts of freedom, and to dream. What do you think? Should I aim for Ascension, or Worldbinding?
Anton took the question seriously, of course. Her talent was sufficient that with his help she could manage either, even if she still wasnt certain of it- or that he would keep his promises. That would depend on what you want. Do you want to see the mightiest splendors in the universe, to struggle for the best there is to offer? Or can you remain content with the appearance of the mundane?
I dont really know how to answer those questions, rve admitted.
I will give you another perspective, then. Would you accept moving from a position at the head of the pack to the middle of a greater power? Or would you prefer to find yourself a king among those you knew?
I want to be strong. As strong as possible rve frowned. I dont feel like you chose either of those options, though.
You are correct, Anton said. My reasons for my choice were quite different but given your admission that you have none you care to return to, my personal choice of protecting my world and the majority of my family and allies will not appeal to you. In truth, I made that choice long before I realized what it ant. I gave up the path to the peak of power for it at least to my knowledge. Perhaps Assimilation might match the likes of Augntation and Domination eventually, but none on Ceretos have had the ti to find out.
I dont know much about Worldbinding besides its existence, rve admitted. Or how strong those other stages are. But I think none of those Ive heard of are that much stronger than any other Worldbinding cultivator. And if they were, they would have made it widely known.
Anton nodded, Good. Then we can hope they are still in the sa range of power though I and the others are still novices regardless. Hed only been an Assimilation cultivator for a bit more than two decades- compared to what he could only assu was centuries for so individuals. The main hope was to draw any Worldbinding cultivators away from their domains, should they need to combat them. Or, maybe, Anton himself could do sothing in Okloi. Back to your question, if you were particularly fond of so people, so place here, then I might suggest Assimilation. You seem to have had the misfortune to be treated as one of the lessers where you ca from, so it could suit you. Or if you choose to ascend, I can at least guarantee you would have access to proper allies and companions, not just competitors.
She had no imdiate response to that- Anton could see thoughts churning in her head. It was unlikely she would trust the promise of companions- but once she truly ascended, she would know Antons promises werent just empty. And of course, she would be free to follow whatever path she wanted though without any backing, the upper realms would be difficult.
-----
Attacks have begun to decrease in frequency and intensity, Nicodemo shook his head. Im sure youve noticed as well.
Thats right, Anton nodded. You are concerned about what it ans?
If were lucky, it ans that the presence of strong defenders here has caused enough damage to deter them, and theyre now hesitant to continue. Perhaps they might even end the war.
And you believe that? Anton raised an eyebrow.
You know better than that, Nicodemo sighed. Based on what weve learned recently, I have doubts that they would stop with just this. Weos tales indicate they could send more. So they should be preparing for more concerted attacks.
I would assu that as well, Anton admitted. Ive grown more adept at dealing with them, and at this point I do believe I outmatch their barriers adaptation, but I can only cover so much area. His range was slowly increasing with his cultivation, but it could take centuries before he could cover even a moderately sized planet. He wasnt ashad of needing others, though. Besides, if an attack was powerful enough he could simply move to et it as long as the area he left behind had its own defenders.
Nicodemo sighed, I rember just before we ca into contact with Ceretos, how we were so excited to explore the galaxy and find other life. Then it turns out three systems want to kill us for no good reason. Id rather my position be obsolete.
Hey, dont forget that the first system you ca in contact with was reasonable, Anton smiled. And it just turns out those guys that want to kill you got a head start. Im still hopeful that the galaxy is worth that exploration. Even the upper realms it certainly has so powerful, troubleso groups. But its not all bad.
Yeah, well Nicodemo shook his head. We were kind of expecting sothing different. Not more humans.
Its not a coincidence. Clearly, soone settled your world. But in a way, you should be glad. At least youre free from the influences of the upper realms.
For the mont, Nicodemo agreed. But perhaps because we werent good enough.
I imagine theyd be quite surprised with what you have developed. Rutera will be strong, it just requires so work with your cultivator foundations. With your technology to support you, youll be difficult to counteract.
If we dont get wiped out first.
Thats an eternal problem cultivators must deal with, it seems, Anton shrugged. Though perhaps we can change that, in our little local region. We rely have to overco a single significant foe, with three of us in the alliance. Anton grinned, intentionally leaving out the part that each of the Sylanis Clusters systems had more population than Ceretos, Rutera, or Weos. No need to bring down the mood. And once he got a chance, he was going to try a little excursion into Okloi. Just to test things out, though he intended to remain far from actual populated areas. He didnt want to provoke stronger conflict, not when they werent ready.
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