Chapter 302
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Chapter 302
After he knew Birita was aware of his efforts, Anton took some more precautions to protect people. It was already known that he was teaching people to cultivate, but she hadnt taken action about that just yet. Showing too much favoritism for one individual might be a problem, though. They could be singled out and made an example. While such information might already be known, Anton avoided approaching people when there were watchers. He was becoming increasingly unsure of his policy to let things continue as they were, but the budding cultivations of his students and the information he now possessed brought a little confidence.
Biritas thugs had better things to do than stand around all day watching for Anton- and they would soon learn that when they realized he never got within eyesight of them. But while they were wasting a week or two assuming they would notice him getting close, he was continuing to go about his business.
This tree thistle, Anton discussed with Idalia, It shares the same properties as the milk thistle? Except increased in magnitude significantly.
I think so, Idalia nodded. Among other things, its supposed to be good for the liver.
Perhaps good for heavy drinkers?
She shook her head. Good for them? Probably not. Used by them sometimes. But its better for them to stop. The side effects arent great. After Anton explained Biritas actions, Idalia shook her head. Thats stupid. While it should theoretically help recover the damage to her liver to some extent, thats only in moderation. Taking that much of anything is just going to act more like a poison. And taking it while drinking is just asking to magnify the stomach issues it can cause. She has to constantly be feeling sick.
She appears to be quite irritable, Anton concurred.
Its not normally the sort of thing that Id say is potentially fatal, but huge swigs of the stuff I made? Idalia grimaced. Just how good are the bodies of cultivators?
Not that good, Anton offered. I didnt feel her taking steps to filter it, either.
So maybe she drinks herself to death, or bloats herself to death. Either might take a while. Then someone else takes over and continues everything.
Probably, Anton agreed. But in the course of those months you and the others grow stronger, a step or two at a time. I didnt observe any sort of proper training going on in their camp, and thats reflected in their lower ranking members. Theyre not even trying to teach the ground-level thugs how to cultivate. You and the others already can deal with them.
Sort of, yeah. But even if we take them out, all it would take is her flipping out to kill us all.
So? Anton asked. What do you want me to do? It was a sincere question, not some sort of deflection.
I dont know. Killing her now actually invites retaliation. If we can wait until she offs herself somehow, it might lead to a violent transfer of power that would weaken their position. If you could take out the right people or we could sway some to be reasonable it might work out. Idalia sighed, Because I do believe youre right that someone else would probably just move in afterwards. And despite the expenses, at least people arent getting killed. Mostly. The Gray Rock Sect wouldnt be a good replacement for her, though they might end up about the same.
Anton nodded. That all sounds about right.
If youre right and we could have Spirit Building people within a year if we can just hang on that long, we could control our own destinies. If she dies. Either we can have you do it or wait for the inevitable. Her doing it to herself, or pissing off some other cultivators. Idalia frowned, But if shes going through that medicine so quickly, if it doesnt bring her down shell run out. And then Ill have to find more. Once was hard enough, and I think I got lucky. If theres more, I could really use your help locating it.
Absolutely, Anton nodded. Im quite happy to provide information. And protection where its necessary. If there isnt more
I kept some seeds, Idalia replied. I could grow some, but I have no idea how long it takes and it would either seem suspicious or be too expensive or both.
That also sounds right. If it really needs to grow on deep forests around corpses, I could also set that up.
I wish you could just stay here forever.
It would be nice, but theres more to the world than here. Id prefer if every part of it was improved as much as I could. And of course, I dont have forever. Anton clarified, Ill be returning to my home with the others soon enough. We never planned to be here any longer than two years at most, and were past six months.
I understand, Idalia nodded. Just make sure to let us know before you go. So we can be ready.
If I can, I will. At the very least, I can get a message to you.
-----
Itll be fine, Alva assured him. Ill sense people way ahead.
Youve also gotten better lately, Annelie commented. Much more than most of the members of Glorious Flame Palace.
What can I say? he shrugged. Nobody likes dimming their fires. Were trained to be extremely open about things. Though its not always as easy as it seems.
-----
One day later, Alva stopped them. I found something. Or someone. She looked around, her energy mimicking the movement of her eyes to some extent. Or what used to be someone. I dont sense anyone nearby, but we should circle around just in case. If theyre hiding on the far side, I wouldnt necessarily pick them out before we were visible. Alva bent down towards a broken branch, looking closely. Then she sniffed. But I dont think anyones been through here in a while.
The three of them kept their energy restrained as they circled around, Alva in the lead with Anish one step behind to support her if something came up. He was the strongest of them, after all. A guardian of sorts, for the sake of improving the relationships between sects.
Eventually they found their way through the hills, until they came upon what Alva had sensed. A desiccated corpse.
Disgusting, Alva said, sniffing. But it doesnt smell bad. It hasnt started properly decaying. It just looks like this.
Is there any chance this is the work of a beast? Anish asked.
No way. Beasts dont rob people of their equipment.
Why not bury it? Annelie asked.
No respect for the dead, Anish commented.
Sure, but they had to know people would be looking for them, and it would be harder if they were buried, I think.
Because they werent planning to stay in the area, Alva decreed. The first group was further north. This is more recent. Alva turned her head, surveying the land around them. They were just passing through, and any delay in their presence being reported was enough.
What does that mean? Anish asked.
It means we need to hurry, Alva grimaced. Because this should be someone from the Whispering Watchers. Heading almost directly towards grandpa. She started sprinting down the hill to the south.
How many? Anish asked as he caught up to her.
Just one. But one might be enough. The lingering energy doesnt make it clear but based on that elder
Life Transformation, Anish commented. We know one of them had it out for him.
I cant believe theyd just- ugh. Annelie shook her head as she ran along with the others. Maybe they want a war. Sending an elder to kill him, and all.
Anish deliberately slowed his pace to subconsciously draw Alva back to a pace they could all sustain for what would likely be a very long day of running. They might have assumed that he is also an elder, given some of his characteristics. It wouldnt be such a political issue that way. If this is Elder Naheed, avenging a student would seem quite reasonable. Or perhaps they didnt care if it was reasonable.
What about killing the people who saw them? Annelie asked. That seems like they didnt want to be known to be present.
A good point, Anish agreed. We can take a short break to recharge when we get close to a significantly sized city and send out some messages including to the Blue River Gardens, for what little good it will do them.
Alva almost seemed as if she would insist that they run without stopping, but she knew that they could actually get there just as fast with the right breaks and they would arrive more while more effective. The messages also might be critical just in case things took the worst possible turn.
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Chapter 302
After he knew Birita was aware of his efforts, Anton took some more precautions to protect people. It was already known that he was teaching people to cultivate, but she hadnt taken action about that just yet. Showing too much favoritism for one individual might be a problem, though. They could be singled out and made an example. While such information might already be known, Anton avoided approaching people when there were watchers. He was becoming increasingly unsure of his policy to let things continue as they were, but the budding cultivations of his students and the information he now possessed brought a little confidence.
Biritas thugs had better things to do than stand around all day watching for Anton- and they would soon learn that when they realized he never got within eyesight of them. But while they were wasting a week or two assuming they would notice him getting close, he was continuing to go about his business.
This tree thistle, Anton discussed with Idalia, It shares the same properties as the milk thistle? Except increased in magnitude significantly.
I think so, Idalia nodded. Among other things, its supposed to be good for the liver.
Perhaps good for heavy drinkers?
She shook her head. Good for them? Probably not. Used by them sometimes. But its better for them to stop. The side effects arent great. After Anton explained Biritas actions, Idalia shook her head. Thats stupid. While it should theoretically help recover the damage to her liver to some extent, thats only in moderation. Taking that much of anything is just going to act more like a poison. And taking it while drinking is just asking to magnify the stomach issues it can cause. She has to constantly be feeling sick.
She appears to be quite irritable, Anton concurred.
Its not normally the sort of thing that Id say is potentially fatal, but huge swigs of the stuff I made? Idalia grimaced. Just how good are the bodies of cultivators?
Not that good, Anton offered. I didnt feel her taking steps to filter it, either.
So maybe she drinks herself to death, or bloats herself to death. Either might take a while. Then someone else takes over and continues everything.
Probably, Anton agreed. But in the course of those months you and the others grow stronger, a step or two at a time. I didnt observe any sort of proper training going on in their camp, and thats reflected in their lower ranking members. Theyre not even trying to teach the ground-level thugs how to cultivate. You and the others already can deal with them.
Sort of, yeah. But even if we take them out, all it would take is her flipping out to kill us all.
So? Anton asked. What do you want me to do? It was a sincere question, not some sort of deflection.
I dont know. Killing her now actually invites retaliation. If we can wait until she offs herself somehow, it might lead to a violent transfer of power that would weaken their position. If you could take out the right people or we could sway some to be reasonable it might work out. Idalia sighed, Because I do believe youre right that someone else would probably just move in afterwards. And despite the expenses, at least people arent getting killed. Mostly. The Gray Rock Sect wouldnt be a good replacement for her, though they might end up about the same.
Anton nodded. That all sounds about right.
If youre right and we could have Spirit Building people within a year if we can just hang on that long, we could control our own destinies. If she dies. Either we can have you do it or wait for the inevitable. Her doing it to herself, or pissing off some other cultivators. Idalia frowned, But if shes going through that medicine so quickly, if it doesnt bring her down shell run out. And then Ill have to find more. Once was hard enough, and I think I got lucky. If theres more, I could really use your help locating it.
Absolutely, Anton nodded. Im quite happy to provide information. And protection where its necessary. If there isnt more
I kept some seeds, Idalia replied. I could grow some, but I have no idea how long it takes and it would either seem suspicious or be too expensive or both.
That also sounds right. If it really needs to grow on deep forests around corpses, I could also set that up.
I wish you could just stay here forever.
It would be nice, but theres more to the world than here. Id prefer if every part of it was improved as much as I could. And of course, I dont have forever. Anton clarified, Ill be returning to my home with the others soon enough. We never planned to be here any longer than two years at most, and were past six months.
I understand, Idalia nodded. Just make sure to let us know before you go. So we can be ready.
If I can, I will. At the very least, I can get a message to you.
-----
Itll be fine, Alva assured him. Ill sense people way ahead.
Youve also gotten better lately, Annelie commented. Much more than most of the members of Glorious Flame Palace.
What can I say? he shrugged. Nobody likes dimming their fires. Were trained to be extremely open about things. Though its not always as easy as it seems.
-----
One day later, Alva stopped them. I found something. Or someone. She looked around, her energy mimicking the movement of her eyes to some extent. Or what used to be someone. I dont sense anyone nearby, but we should circle around just in case. If theyre hiding on the far side, I wouldnt necessarily pick them out before we were visible. Alva bent down towards a broken branch, looking closely. Then she sniffed. But I dont think anyones been through here in a while.
The three of them kept their energy restrained as they circled around, Alva in the lead with Anish one step behind to support her if something came up. He was the strongest of them, after all. A guardian of sorts, for the sake of improving the relationships between sects.
Eventually they found their way through the hills, until they came upon what Alva had sensed. A desiccated corpse.
Disgusting, Alva said, sniffing. But it doesnt smell bad. It hasnt started properly decaying. It just looks like this.
Is there any chance this is the work of a beast? Anish asked.
No way. Beasts dont rob people of their equipment.
Why not bury it? Annelie asked.
No respect for the dead, Anish commented.
Sure, but they had to know people would be looking for them, and it would be harder if they were buried, I think.
Because they werent planning to stay in the area, Alva decreed. The first group was further north. This is more recent. Alva turned her head, surveying the land around them. They were just passing through, and any delay in their presence being reported was enough.
What does that mean? Anish asked.
It means we need to hurry, Alva grimaced. Because this should be someone from the Whispering Watchers. Heading almost directly towards grandpa. She started sprinting down the hill to the south.
How many? Anish asked as he caught up to her.
Just one. But one might be enough. The lingering energy doesnt make it clear but based on that elder
Life Transformation, Anish commented. We know one of them had it out for him.
I cant believe theyd just- ugh. Annelie shook her head as she ran along with the others. Maybe they want a war. Sending an elder to kill him, and all.
Anish deliberately slowed his pace to subconsciously draw Alva back to a pace they could all sustain for what would likely be a very long day of running. They might have assumed that he is also an elder, given some of his characteristics. It wouldnt be such a political issue that way. If this is Elder Naheed, avenging a student would seem quite reasonable. Or perhaps they didnt care if it was reasonable.
What about killing the people who saw them? Annelie asked. That seems like they didnt want to be known to be present.
A good point, Anish agreed. We can take a short break to recharge when we get close to a significantly sized city and send out some messages including to the Blue River Gardens, for what little good it will do them.
Alva almost seemed as if she would insist that they run without stopping, but she knew that they could actually get there just as fast with the right breaks and they would arrive more while more effective. The messages also might be critical just in case things took the worst possible turn.
Chapter 302After he knew Birita was aware of his efforts, Anton took some more precautions to protect people. It was already known that he was teaching people to cultivate, but she hadnt taken action about that just yet. Showing too much favoritism for one individual might be a problem, though. They could be singled out and made an example. While such information might already be known, Anton avoided approaching people when there were watchers. He was becoming increasingly unsure of his policy to let things continue as they were, but the budding cultivations of his students and the information he now possessed brought a little confidence.Biritas thugs had better things to do than stand around all day watching for Anton- and they would soon learn that when they realized he never got within eyesight of them. But while they were wasting a week or two assuming they would notice him getting close, he was continuing to go about his business.This tree thistle, Anton discussed with Idalia, It shares the same properties as the milk thistle? Except increased in magnitude significantly.I think so, Idalia nodded. Among other things, its supposed to be good for the liver.Perhaps good for heavy drinkers?She shook her head. Good for them? Probably not. Used by them sometimes. But its better for them to stop. The side effects arent great. After Anton explained Biritas actions, Idalia shook her head. Thats stupid. While it should theoretically help recover the damage to her liver to some extent, thats only in moderation. Taking that much of anything is just going to act more like a poison. And taking it while drinking is just asking to magnify the stomach issues it can cause. She has to constantly be feeling sick.She appears to be quite irritable, Anton concurred.Its not normally the sort of thing that Id say is potentially fatal, but huge swigs of the stuff I made? Idalia grimaced. Just how good are the bodies of cultivators?Not that good, Anton offered. I didnt feel her taking steps to filter it, either.So maybe she drinks herself to death, or bloats herself to death. Either might take a while. Then someone else takes over and continues everything.Probably, Anton agreed. But in the course of those months you and the others grow stronger, a step or two at a time. I didnt observe any sort of proper training going on in their camp, and thats reflected in their lower ranking members. Theyre not even trying to teach the ground-level thugs how to cultivate. You and the others already can deal with them.Sort of, yeah. But even if we take them out, all it would take is her flipping out to kill us all.So? Anton asked. What do you want me to do? It was a sincere question, not some sort of deflection.I dont know. Killing her now actually invites retaliation. If we can wait until she offs herself somehow, it might lead to a violent transfer of power that would weaken their position. If you could take out the right people or we could sway some to be reasonable it might work out. Idalia sighed, Because I do believe youre right that someone else would probably just move in afterwards. And despite the expenses, at least people arent getting killed. Mostly. The Gray Rock Sect wouldnt be a good replacement for her, though they might end up about the same.Anton nodded. That all sounds about right.If youre right and we could have Spirit Building people within a year if we can just hang on that long, we could control our own destinies. If she dies. Either we can have you do it or wait for the inevitable. Her doing it to herself, or pissing off some other cultivators. Idalia frowned, But if shes going through that medicine so quickly, if it doesnt bring her down shell run out. And then Ill have to find more. Once was hard enough, and I think I got lucky. If theres more, I could really use your help locating it.Absolutely, Anton nodded. Im quite happy to provide information. And protection where its necessary. If there isnt moreI kept some seeds, Idalia replied. I could grow some, but I have no idea how long it takes and it would either seem suspicious or be too expensive or both.That also sounds right. If it really needs to grow on deep forests around corpses, I could also set that up.I wish you could just stay here forever.It would be nice, but theres more to the world than here. Id prefer if every part of it was improved as much as I could. And of course, I dont have forever. Anton clarified, Ill be returning to my home with the others soon enough. We never planned to be here any longer than two years at most, and were past six months.I understand, Idalia nodded. Just make sure to let us know before you go. So we can be ready.If I can, I will. At the very least, I can get a message to you.-----Itll be fine, Alva assured him. Ill sense people way ahead.Youve also gotten better lately, Annelie commented. Much more than most of the members of Glorious Flame Palace.What can I say? he shrugged. Nobody likes dimming their fires. Were trained to be extremely open about things. Though its not always as easy as it seems.-----One day later, Alva stopped them. I found something. Or someone. She looked around, her energy mimicking the movement of her eyes to some extent. Or what used to be someone. I dont sense anyone nearby, but we should circle around just in case. If theyre hiding on the far side, I wouldnt necessarily pick them out before we were visible. Alva bent down towards a broken branch, looking closely. Then she sniffed. But I dont think anyones been through here in a while.The three of them kept their energy restrained as they circled around, Alva in the lead with Anish one step behind to support her if something came up. He was the strongest of them, after all. A guardian of sorts, for the sake of improving the relationships between sects.Eventually they found their way through the hills, until they came upon what Alva had sensed. A desiccated corpse.Disgusting, Alva said, sniffing. But it doesnt smell bad. It hasnt started properly decaying. It just looks like this.Is there any chance this is the work of a beast? Anish asked.No way. Beasts dont rob people of their equipment.Why not bury it? Annelie asked.No respect for the dead, Anish commented.Sure, but they had to know people would be looking for them, and it would be harder if they were buried, I think.Because they werent planning to stay in the area, Alva decreed. The first group was further north. This is more recent. Alva turned her head, surveying the land around them. They were just passing through, and any delay in their presence being reported was enough.What does that mean? Anish asked.It means we need to hurry, Alva grimaced. Because this should be someone from the Whispering Watchers. Heading almost directly towards grandpa. She started sprinting down the hill to the south.How many? Anish asked as he caught up to her.Just one. But one might be enough. The lingering energy doesnt make it clear but based on that elderLife Transformation, Anish commented. We know one of them had it out for him.I cant believe theyd just- ugh. Annelie shook her head as she ran along with the others. Maybe they want a war. Sending an elder to kill him, and all.Anish deliberately slowed his pace to subconsciously draw Alva back to a pace they could all sustain for what would likely be a very long day of running. They might have assumed that he is also an elder, given some of his characteristics. It wouldnt be such a political issue that way. If this is Elder Naheed, avenging a student would seem quite reasonable. Or perhaps they didnt care if it was reasonable.What about killing the people who saw them? Annelie asked. That seems like they didnt want to be known to be present.A good point, Anish agreed. We can take a short break to recharge when we get close to a significantly sized city and send out some messages including to the Blue River Gardens, for what little good it will do them.Alva almost seemed as if she would insist that they run without stopping, but she knew that they could actually get there just as fast with the right breaks and they would arrive more while more effective. The messages also might be critical just in case things took the worst possible turn.
