As might be expected, it was rather difficult to develop new formations to synchronize transmitters over a vast distance, and even more so when one wanted to convey complicated information. Anton had been expecting that to be an eternal project for Catarina and Everheart, but here he was re decades after the project had begun, looking at a printed technique from the upper realms, one that had a decent semblance of the insights that had been woven into the original. Yes, printed- with Ruteran technology. Modified, of course, into a unique machine of great price.
It was too bad that it had taken a month for the technique to arrive after it had overco the ti delays between them. In short, there was no way to rapidly trade techniques. They had to choose carefully what they wished to exchange. To the upper realms, they first sent Worldbinding techniques- they were less personal than Assimilation, but might still contain useful information. Catarina and the rest of the group already had access to nearly everything from Ceretos, and thus most lower realms techniques werent that interesting. In a sowhat selfish request, Anton had asked for a modern version of the Harmonious Citadels archery techniques to be one of those first transmitted from the upper realms. Everheart had a version that was over a century old, but seeing how they were developing would be useful.
Anton still wished they could personally exchange insights, comparing their divergent paths, but that would have to wait. Not forever, but the ti Anton spent with those who had now ascended would match the ti they were apart. All assuming, of course, that he lived that long. His internal examinations were still unclear about his lifespan. He wasnt feeling older as his cultivation grew, but neither did he feel younger. The one who might have the best insights into the subject he preferred not to discuss actual worries with.
-----
In front of Anton, sitting with him in the Sect Heads lounge was a man who he had a great fondness for but it was his benevolent nature that ant Anton didnt spend as much ti with him as he should. Elder Vincent was not a man of war, despite his technical ability to fight. And despite having a good sense for who could cultivate, the man was not suprely talented himself. Though Anton had to rember sothing important- it was abnormal for himself or anyone else to reach the peak of Life Transformation in a century. It just so happened there had been an unusual batch of cultivators all at the sa ti which was strangely more likely than a small number, according to what records existed.
A hundred and fifty years since you set on this path, Anton said. Im glad youve reached this point. Congratulations are in order.
The man smiled. He was younger than Anton, and maintained that look as his cultivation advanced. He didnt look to be in his pri like so, but he was at most middle aged. A few wrinkles, maybe so stray gray hairs. But Anton honestly didnt believe he would have felt right if he looked younger. Dont congratulate just yet, Vincent said. I have not yet taken the next step.
And yet, Anton countered, Most also dont reach the point where they could take this step. Besides, I have seen your devotion. I believe you will succeed.
I cant help but have doubts, Vincent sighed.
About what?
My talent. My chosen path. Whether its even possible and whether I should bother. If I dont make this attempt he furrowed his brow, I still have centuries of life to look forward to, doing what I enjoy.
If that is what you choose, I will not fault you, Anton said. That is rely a matter of priorities. You dont need more power to seek out disciples, or to provide guidance to those beginning their paths. But, Anton paused on the word, I sense that you would regret not making this attempt. You have to decide whether that regret would be greater than what might be lost if you fail.
Vincent sighed, How do you choose such a thing?
Anton shrugged, You just have to. I might suggest conveniently being rid of most of your worldly attachnts and near the end of your lifespan. Its a great motivator.
Vincent laughed, Perhaps I will. Or perhaps I wont. I suppose I could wait centuries and make the choice then.
If you seriously consider that option, dont forget Vandale, Anton warned. Though in your case, you wont necessarily be giving up an ambition. Its different for those going through Ascension.
Vincent nodded, Though it is quite appealing to have all of the upper realms to spread the One Hundred Stars, we have little structure to support people there, despite the amazing things I have heard. And my ambitions are not so wild that I cannot be satisfied with a few billion individuals to work with.
Dont forget Rutera and Weos, Anton said.
Im not sure they would be happy with poaching talented individuals.
Its called promoting immigration, Anton grinned. Besides, if its truly suitable for them it would be better. And maybe we should be creating branch locations already. Being centralized here in Graotan is not bad, given the availability of teleportation formations. Official locations in other systems seem prudent at this point.
Sounds interesting, Vincent admitted. But I have plenty to roam here on Ceretos for the mont. Maybe Ill change my mind next century. He stood up from the table after finishing his tea. I have made my decision. I dont know what will happen should I fail but dont expect anything spectacular no matter what happens.
Youre making the attempt at Assimilation, then? Anton asked.
Vincent nodded. The Order doesnt need anymore. Perhaps it hasnt needed since I recruited you that was the most impactful decision I made, thinking nothing would co of it. But I would still like to remain here for the Order, and see how far I can go.
-----
Anton watched, without interfering or being an oppressive presence, as Vincent made his way around the Order. But while observing such a thing was in a way an invasion of privacy, ignoring a potential Assimilation would leave potentially valuable cultivation insights by the wayside for no reason.
Vincent certainly didnt do any of the typical steps, as if there was such a thing for Assimilation. Except for one thing, which involved powerful sources of natural energy. Instead, he was just walking around the sect, talking to people and shaking hands. Elder Vincent was likely known by more people in the sect than Anton. Oh, sure, everyone knew Antons na. He was the Sect Head, after all. And while Anton was by no ans unfriendly he didnt know tens of thousands of people. Maybe hundreds of those in the Order, but that was it. Vincent, however, had recruited maybe one in ten- which was an insane proportion given the explosive growth of the Order in the last century and how many people were attracted to it simply from hearing about it.
There were standards for entry, of course. Not cultivation talent anymore, but asures of personality and morality. People didnt have to be flawless, but they had to strive towards what was right, even if they failed.
And Vincent was frequently out in the world finding those who were suited to join. More than that, he rembered those he recruited. The only reason hed been unclear on Anton near the beginning was because he had expected Anton to perish in his pursuit of cultivation rather than achieving rapid successes.
As Vincent moved between people, Anton felt it. The strings of connection, like those of Alaia- but not quite the sa. Alaias had been impersonal, a bond ford for the sake of convenience. This, on the other hand, was rely the strengthening of sothing that existed. Even if they only interacted with Vincent infrequently, everyone recruited by him rembered him fondly.
The differences between Worldbinding and Assimilation were more a matter of perspective than chanical differences. Both, at least, were a thod to step beyond the boundaries of Life Transformation without Ascension. Both allowed connecting to people or places, with rarer connections to concepts. Vincent had access to information on both, putting together this path for himself, as all had to.
Through the connections that Vincent was strengthening- they already existed, if not in the sa form- Anton felt small bits and pieces of the man lingering behind. A serious commitnt- if his thod failed or was not completed, the results would be devastating. Then again, how could he hope to step into the next stage without risk? That was not how cultivation worked. Though of course, the risks were lesser if one strode the right path for themself.
It took days for Vincent to pass through the whole of the Order, and when Anton thought he was finished, his task complete, Vincent stepped out of the gates of the sect onto the road. Certainly, not everyone Vincent had recruited would be present at the Order at all tis but seeking them out was likely less efficient than waiting for them to return. If he got in contact with them remotely, they might all co to him.
But that wouldnt have been Vincent, if he chose that route. Anton hoped things worked out for him as intended. He could possibly step over the threshold at any point or fail right before the end. And nothing Anton did would be able to help.
-----
By all of Antons calculations, his ssage to the Hidden System had passed into and then through their system so years prior at the latest. There had been no response- either sothing had caused a response to fail or more likely there had never been a response to begin with. It was possible it had been missed, despite being intentionally obvious, but Anton found it easier to presu that the system cut itself off on purpose and preferred to maintain its status.
He took a mont to visit each of the places he had left communications devices in the surrounding systems, finding them intact and undisturbed. That also didnt an anything. Perhaps they did not survey their nearby systems, or simply hadnt in the last decade or so.
Anton had simply hoped there would be a response. Knowing why they were isolated- outside of re speculation- could provide so catharsis. At a certain point, however, he was unsure if there even really was a system where he speculated. Now that he had returned, with so more experience under his belt, he felt not only the unnatural tides but also the presence of stars. His Assimilation made the latter possible- and he was quite careful to avoid forming any actual connection. With the tides as they were, he couldnt determine anything more. Was it a binary or other such system with multiple stars, or several systems packed closely together? He was curious, but no answers were forthcoming.
-----
Though Anton felt as if he were simply waiting, he was never truly unoccupied. Cultivation filled any gaps in his ti, but there were many responsibilities to fulfill. Though he wished it were otherwise, Ceretos didnt just remain at peace with itself all on its own. It required constant oversight and a bit of an implied threat. Assimilation cultivators were slowly forming throughout, which unfortunately made it more likely that there would be a return to competition of so sort.
Fortunately, resources and space were no longer limited in the sa way they had been. It was possible for people to expand outward rather than fight each other. Though Anton wasnt willing to settle for deferred troubles. Instead, he had to keep up with the other sects, arbitrating issues in so cases and in others simply overseeing deals. Hopefully, that would head things of permanently or at least as permanently as anything could be in the world. If nothing else, it should last until the arrival of a common foe in the next invasion.
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