Chapter 416
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Chapter 416
Dozens of arrows flew back and forth across the battlefield, each carefully controlled to minimize damage to the battlefield. People still had to live here, after all.
Thought it might have seemed like several squads of archers facing off against each other, it was merely two individuals. Anton and Kseniya fought, the trajectories of their arrows designed to be as difficult to predict as possible. The arrows targeting Anton were running into a snag, however. There were only so many ways to shoot a stationary target.
Kseniya had been far ahead of Anton at the beginning of his cultivation career, but hed gradually gained on her until the prime tempering in mid Life Transformation. The delay there had set him behind again, only for him to eventually catch her at the ninety-ninth star. Now he had taken one step beyond a very significant one.
Three energy bows formed the core of his offensive capabilities. Using his physical bows would improve his maximum power somewhat, but the fatigue would be another issue. His body was in fairly good shape for a two hundred year old man that had recently undergone a near death experience, but he preferred to minimize the strain. That was part of the reason he was standing still the other was as a sort of taunt.
While it might have seemed like an insult, Anton hoped to bring out the best in Kseniya through the restrictions he had placed on himself. Though he wasnt yet fully recovered, the increase in his energy was great enough that he could simply overpower Kseniya. After all, she was in Life Transformation still, while he took the next step. And unlike the Ascension level invaders, Kseniya had no special techniques to knock him down a peg. As for comfort in the current environment, Anton felt a much greater connection to the world than Kseniya had.
Three energy bows let him output the maximum amount of power he could continuously maintain, a serious challenge. The sky was filled with streaks of light and fire, one side trying to find a way through the wall of power while avoiding the incoming hail of arrows. It was expected that Kseniya would be worn down, as her recovery of energy was far more limited. And that was how it worked at first.
Now, Anton found that it took more than two or three of his own arrows to intercept one of hers. He could not simply remain stationary, and three bows was not enough either. He also had to think about how he was attacking. There were a few shots hed made where hed pulled the impact this was training after all. But Kseniya was more the type of Chikere, who did better when the situation was serious. He might have to bring a bit of risk into things, and Kseniya had already approved the possibility.
Almost immediately, he landed a hit. It didnt break through Kseniyas guard, but it staggered her for a moment. She hadnt been able to react, because the time it took the attack to reach her was practically nothing. His light arrows had been swift before, but their speed didnt even begin to approach actual light. Now, even if they still had vaguely comprehensible speed they were several times faster with more power behind them. Three more hit, but the fifth was dodged, Kseniya beginning her movements before the arrow was even fully released.
Not bad Anton muttered to himself. There was still a lot he could learn from her in the aspect of one-on-one duels, but he focused on another path.
The tempo of the battle increased, with Anton being forced to block some hits directly instead of deflecting them with arrows. Kseniya was actually forcing him to overspend his natural energy, and he was starting to feel the drain. But of course she would tire herself long before it truly mattered. Both of them knew what was coming, however.
Anton had five bows firing as he pleased, harrowing her from all sides, but she was still able to guide the battle to a more advantageous position for herself, where she had shelter on at least one side. Anton could have likely shot through the nearby cliff-face if necessary, but his attacks would have been hampered enough it was better to go around.
Then his attacks synced up, groups of five firing and combining into something like a single arrow as it approached Kseniya, forcing her to pull upon the limits of her power. Once, twice, three times and she began to stagger. The movements of her hands and arms could only do so much.
When one of Antons attacks was halfway to her, she pulled a crystal arrow. Her draw was slower and more methodical than the others, though most would have barely been able to comprehend the movements regardless. As the arrows came together in front of her, the crystal arrow she fired collided with them, breaking through. But instead of the attack turning towards Anton, it streaked off into the sky. Kseniya followed.
Anton let out a breath he hadnt known he was holding. It was a loss for the Order to have her moving on, but the younger generation could pick up the slack. Besides, they would probably need everyone they could to ascend if they were to establish some sort of presence in the upper realms.
Though hed somewhat gained the upper hand against his old teacher, Anton still found hed learned something from the battle. That was the optimal, where both sides were close enough in power to train each other. And he was more confident in what he could do in a serious situation as well. He didnt know his actual limits, and he knew that pushing himself too far could set back his recovery but he was confident he could handle any reasonable threat the world might throw at him.
-----
Confidence was good, as long as it was well placed. A proper understanding of ones own power was required for a cultivator. Because of that, Anton made sure he wasnt going alone to visit the Hardened Crown Sect. He had Velvet and Devon with him, as well as a number of up-and-coming members of the Order he needed to get more familiar with. He knew their names and strengths, but he didnt really know most of them to the level he might like. Then there was Kohar, because she was most familiar with the terms of all the contracts and treaties involved. Finally was Elder Paula of Marvelous Rabbit Mountain, as not only a witness but also a representative of Aicenith, since that was where the incident had occurred.
Thats right. Now can we get this over with? Kaluza looked her best to look both bored and authoritative at the same time. We wont even force reparations for this slander, so we can just be done with this.
Elder Paula reached into her storage bag, So you dont recognize any of these figures? She pulled out the bodies, reasonably well preserved. Because everything from their auras to their equipment indicates they were from your sect, and we found them intruding on our land with the guts to attack continental citizens.
Ive seen them, Kaluza declared, But they have nothing to do with us. These five have had their membership in the Soaring Air Sect formally renounced.
Kohar cleared her throat. She was the weakest person in the room, but she still held her own air of confidence. The announcement only came weeks after the incident, which is far from insufficient to meet the terms of the treaty. According to the definitions this constitutes an act of war. She turned her eyes to Naamah, If your offer of reparation is insufficient, we will be formally demanding the Exalted Archipelago follow through on sections seven, thirteen, and twenty-one, resulting in the complete destruction of your sect.
Thats completely invalid. They werent part of our sect.
Your word is not good enough, Elder Paula said, Especially as it came late. Then there is also the matter of the skyship that carried them.
There was no skyship, Kaluza countered. Not one of ours, at least.
Interesting, Elder Paula said, Because it was spotted a dozen times along its route, circling over the continent at extreme altitude. And I dont believe any others have skyships capable of such a route. Such a skyship violates she turned to Kohar, who read parts of various relevant sections.
None of this proves anything, Kaluza flipped around, Go ahead and make your claims if you dare.
Understood, Elder Paula said as she began to walk out. Kohar?
Kohar handed a stack of papers to sect head Naamah, For distribution. Our claims, as well as the declarations from the continents of Aicenith and Brogora combined that the Soaring Air Sect is hereby forbidden from coming within two hundred kilometers of the continents, as well as anywhere in the sea between them. Any vessel that carries one of them will be confiscated, and anyone who trades with them directly will be forbidden from setting foot on the continents for the next century.
Kaluza looked calmly back, You may make your threats, but the Exalted Archipelago will see through your ploy and support us. Anton was surprised at how confident she was with that declaration. The Soaring Air Sect couldnt have worked alone. We have no interest in trading with you anyway.
The silks you wear beg to differ, Paula said as the final word, but Kaluza didnt stop until she reached her airship and departed.
A question, Anton said to Naamah, Would you be obligated to stop me from shooting random arrows out over the sea?
She chuckled slightly, We need to escort you out of the boundary of the Exalted Archipelago. What you do after that is not our concern, but we take no responsibility for your life if you enter the wrong territorial waters.
Anton wouldnt have actually shot down the departing diplomatic ship, even if they sort of deserved it but he did strongly consider whether he could. For the moment, he had to contact the continent. It was a simple message, just declaring that the deal had gone as expected. That information would be disseminated to the ports, and trading with anyone from the Exalted Archipelago would be immediately halted. Anton wasnt sure how long that would keep up, but the favors he had would at least be enough to keep that up for a few months.
As for after that, he wasnt sure. A display of power would be necessary at some point, and he was unsure if it should be his own. The Exalted Archipelago still thought they were better, and while that was true in some part things were going to change. And some sects would likely be willing to give up trade with the Soaring Air Sect to keep up their newfound trade for different luxuries and resources that the continents had. The first to formally vote against the Soaring Air Sect would be the first to return to that trade. It was possible things could lead to war- but if the Exalted Archipelago was going to act as if they were at war regardless, that was how it would have to be.
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Chapter 416
Dozens of arrows flew back and forth across the battlefield, each carefully controlled to minimize damage to the battlefield. People still had to live here, after all.
Thought it might have seemed like several squads of archers facing off against each other, it was merely two individuals. Anton and Kseniya fought, the trajectories of their arrows designed to be as difficult to predict as possible. The arrows targeting Anton were running into a snag, however. There were only so many ways to shoot a stationary target.
Kseniya had been far ahead of Anton at the beginning of his cultivation career, but hed gradually gained on her until the prime tempering in mid Life Transformation. The delay there had set him behind again, only for him to eventually catch her at the ninety-ninth star. Now he had taken one step beyond a very significant one.
Three energy bows formed the core of his offensive capabilities. Using his physical bows would improve his maximum power somewhat, but the fatigue would be another issue. His body was in fairly good shape for a two hundred year old man that had recently undergone a near death experience, but he preferred to minimize the strain. That was part of the reason he was standing still the other was as a sort of taunt.
While it might have seemed like an insult, Anton hoped to bring out the best in Kseniya through the restrictions he had placed on himself. Though he wasnt yet fully recovered, the increase in his energy was great enough that he could simply overpower Kseniya. After all, she was in Life Transformation still, while he took the next step. And unlike the Ascension level invaders, Kseniya had no special techniques to knock him down a peg. As for comfort in the current environment, Anton felt a much greater connection to the world than Kseniya had.
Three energy bows let him output the maximum amount of power he could continuously maintain, a serious challenge. The sky was filled with streaks of light and fire, one side trying to find a way through the wall of power while avoiding the incoming hail of arrows. It was expected that Kseniya would be worn down, as her recovery of energy was far more limited. And that was how it worked at first.
Now, Anton found that it took more than two or three of his own arrows to intercept one of hers. He could not simply remain stationary, and three bows was not enough either. He also had to think about how he was attacking. There were a few shots hed made where hed pulled the impact this was training after all. But Kseniya was more the type of Chikere, who did better when the situation was serious. He might have to bring a bit of risk into things, and Kseniya had already approved the possibility.
Almost immediately, he landed a hit. It didnt break through Kseniyas guard, but it staggered her for a moment. She hadnt been able to react, because the time it took the attack to reach her was practically nothing. His light arrows had been swift before, but their speed didnt even begin to approach actual light. Now, even if they still had vaguely comprehensible speed they were several times faster with more power behind them. Three more hit, but the fifth was dodged, Kseniya beginning her movements before the arrow was even fully released.
Not bad Anton muttered to himself. There was still a lot he could learn from her in the aspect of one-on-one duels, but he focused on another path.
The tempo of the battle increased, with Anton being forced to block some hits directly instead of deflecting them with arrows. Kseniya was actually forcing him to overspend his natural energy, and he was starting to feel the drain. But of course she would tire herself long before it truly mattered. Both of them knew what was coming, however.
Anton had five bows firing as he pleased, harrowing her from all sides, but she was still able to guide the battle to a more advantageous position for herself, where she had shelter on at least one side. Anton could have likely shot through the nearby cliff-face if necessary, but his attacks would have been hampered enough it was better to go around.
Then his attacks synced up, groups of five firing and combining into something like a single arrow as it approached Kseniya, forcing her to pull upon the limits of her power. Once, twice, three times and she began to stagger. The movements of her hands and arms could only do so much.
When one of Antons attacks was halfway to her, she pulled a crystal arrow. Her draw was slower and more methodical than the others, though most would have barely been able to comprehend the movements regardless. As the arrows came together in front of her, the crystal arrow she fired collided with them, breaking through. But instead of the attack turning towards Anton, it streaked off into the sky. Kseniya followed.
Anton let out a breath he hadnt known he was holding. It was a loss for the Order to have her moving on, but the younger generation could pick up the slack. Besides, they would probably need everyone they could to ascend if they were to establish some sort of presence in the upper realms.
Though hed somewhat gained the upper hand against his old teacher, Anton still found hed learned something from the battle. That was the optimal, where both sides were close enough in power to train each other. And he was more confident in what he could do in a serious situation as well. He didnt know his actual limits, and he knew that pushing himself too far could set back his recovery but he was confident he could handle any reasonable threat the world might throw at him.
-----
Confidence was good, as long as it was well placed. A proper understanding of ones own power was required for a cultivator. Because of that, Anton made sure he wasnt going alone to visit the Hardened Crown Sect. He had Velvet and Devon with him, as well as a number of up-and-coming members of the Order he needed to get more familiar with. He knew their names and strengths, but he didnt really know most of them to the level he might like. Then there was Kohar, because she was most familiar with the terms of all the contracts and treaties involved. Finally was Elder Paula of Marvelous Rabbit Mountain, as not only a witness but also a representative of Aicenith, since that was where the incident had occurred.
Thats right. Now can we get this over with? Kaluza looked her best to look both bored and authoritative at the same time. We wont even force reparations for this slander, so we can just be done with this.
Elder Paula reached into her storage bag, So you dont recognize any of these figures? She pulled out the bodies, reasonably well preserved. Because everything from their auras to their equipment indicates they were from your sect, and we found them intruding on our land with the guts to attack continental citizens.
Ive seen them, Kaluza declared, But they have nothing to do with us. These five have had their membership in the Soaring Air Sect formally renounced.
Kohar cleared her throat. She was the weakest person in the room, but she still held her own air of confidence. The announcement only came weeks after the incident, which is far from insufficient to meet the terms of the treaty. According to the definitions this constitutes an act of war. She turned her eyes to Naamah, If your offer of reparation is insufficient, we will be formally demanding the Exalted Archipelago follow through on sections seven, thirteen, and twenty-one, resulting in the complete destruction of your sect.
Thats completely invalid. They werent part of our sect.
Your word is not good enough, Elder Paula said, Especially as it came late. Then there is also the matter of the skyship that carried them.
There was no skyship, Kaluza countered. Not one of ours, at least.
Interesting, Elder Paula said, Because it was spotted a dozen times along its route, circling over the continent at extreme altitude. And I dont believe any others have skyships capable of such a route. Such a skyship violates she turned to Kohar, who read parts of various relevant sections.
None of this proves anything, Kaluza flipped around, Go ahead and make your claims if you dare.
Understood, Elder Paula said as she began to walk out. Kohar?
Kohar handed a stack of papers to sect head Naamah, For distribution. Our claims, as well as the declarations from the continents of Aicenith and Brogora combined that the Soaring Air Sect is hereby forbidden from coming within two hundred kilometers of the continents, as well as anywhere in the sea between them. Any vessel that carries one of them will be confiscated, and anyone who trades with them directly will be forbidden from setting foot on the continents for the next century.
Kaluza looked calmly back, You may make your threats, but the Exalted Archipelago will see through your ploy and support us. Anton was surprised at how confident she was with that declaration. The Soaring Air Sect couldnt have worked alone. We have no interest in trading with you anyway.
The silks you wear beg to differ, Paula said as the final word, but Kaluza didnt stop until she reached her airship and departed.
A question, Anton said to Naamah, Would you be obligated to stop me from shooting random arrows out over the sea?
She chuckled slightly, We need to escort you out of the boundary of the Exalted Archipelago. What you do after that is not our concern, but we take no responsibility for your life if you enter the wrong territorial waters.
Anton wouldnt have actually shot down the departing diplomatic ship, even if they sort of deserved it but he did strongly consider whether he could. For the moment, he had to contact the continent. It was a simple message, just declaring that the deal had gone as expected. That information would be disseminated to the ports, and trading with anyone from the Exalted Archipelago would be immediately halted. Anton wasnt sure how long that would keep up, but the favors he had would at least be enough to keep that up for a few months.
As for after that, he wasnt sure. A display of power would be necessary at some point, and he was unsure if it should be his own. The Exalted Archipelago still thought they were better, and while that was true in some part things were going to change. And some sects would likely be willing to give up trade with the Soaring Air Sect to keep up their newfound trade for different luxuries and resources that the continents had. The first to formally vote against the Soaring Air Sect would be the first to return to that trade. It was possible things could lead to war- but if the Exalted Archipelago was going to act as if they were at war regardless, that was how it would have to be.
Chapter 416Dozens of arrows flew back and forth across the battlefield, each carefully controlled to minimize damage to the battlefield. People still had to live here, after all. Thought it might have seemed like several squads of archers facing off against each other, it was merely two individuals. Anton and Kseniya fought, the trajectories of their arrows designed to be as difficult to predict as possible. The arrows targeting Anton were running into a snag, however. There were only so many ways to shoot a stationary target.Kseniya had been far ahead of Anton at the beginning of his cultivation career, but hed gradually gained on her until the prime tempering in mid Life Transformation. The delay there had set him behind again, only for him to eventually catch her at the ninety-ninth star. Now he had taken one step beyond a very significant one.Three energy bows formed the core of his offensive capabilities. Using his physical bows would improve his maximum power somewhat, but the fatigue would be another issue. His body was in fairly good shape for a two hundred year old man that had recently undergone a near death experience, but he preferred to minimize the strain. That was part of the reason he was standing still the other was as a sort of taunt.While it might have seemed like an insult, Anton hoped to bring out the best in Kseniya through the restrictions he had placed on himself. Though he wasnt yet fully recovered, the increase in his energy was great enough that he could simply overpower Kseniya. After all, she was in Life Transformation still, while he took the next step. And unlike the Ascension level invaders, Kseniya had no special techniques to knock him down a peg. As for comfort in the current environment, Anton felt a much greater connection to the world than Kseniya had.Three energy bows let him output the maximum amount of power he could continuously maintain, a serious challenge. The sky was filled with streaks of light and fire, one side trying to find a way through the wall of power while avoiding the incoming hail of arrows. It was expected that Kseniya would be worn down, as her recovery of energy was far more limited. And that was how it worked at first.Now, Anton found that it took more than two or three of his own arrows to intercept one of hers. He could not simply remain stationary, and three bows was not enough either. He also had to think about how he was attacking. There were a few shots hed made where hed pulled the impact this was training after all. But Kseniya was more the type of Chikere, who did better when the situation was serious. He might have to bring a bit of risk into things, and Kseniya had already approved the possibility.Almost immediately, he landed a hit. It didnt break through Kseniyas guard, but it staggered her for a moment. She hadnt been able to react, because the time it took the attack to reach her was practically nothing. His light arrows had been swift before, but their speed didnt even begin to approach actual light. Now, even if they still had vaguely comprehensible speed they were several times faster with more power behind them. Three more hit, but the fifth was dodged, Kseniya beginning her movements before the arrow was even fully released. Not bad Anton muttered to himself. There was still a lot he could learn from her in the aspect of one-on-one duels, but he focused on another path. The tempo of the battle increased, with Anton being forced to block some hits directly instead of deflecting them with arrows. Kseniya was actually forcing him to overspend his natural energy, and he was starting to feel the drain. But of course she would tire herself long before it truly mattered. Both of them knew what was coming, however.Anton had five bows firing as he pleased, harrowing her from all sides, but she was still able to guide the battle to a more advantageous position for herself, where she had shelter on at least one side. Anton could have likely shot through the nearby cliff-face if necessary, but his attacks would have been hampered enough it was better to go around.Then his attacks synced up, groups of five firing and combining into something like a single arrow as it approached Kseniya, forcing her to pull upon the limits of her power. Once, twice, three times and she began to stagger. The movements of her hands and arms could only do so much.When one of Antons attacks was halfway to her, she pulled a crystal arrow. Her draw was slower and more methodical than the others, though most would have barely been able to comprehend the movements regardless. As the arrows came together in front of her, the crystal arrow she fired collided with them, breaking through. But instead of the attack turning towards Anton, it streaked off into the sky. Kseniya followed.Anton let out a breath he hadnt known he was holding. It was a loss for the Order to have her moving on, but the younger generation could pick up the slack. Besides, they would probably need everyone they could to ascend if they were to establish some sort of presence in the upper realms.Though hed somewhat gained the upper hand against his old teacher, Anton still found hed learned something from the battle. That was the optimal, where both sides were close enough in power to train each other. And he was more confident in what he could do in a serious situation as well. He didnt know his actual limits, and he knew that pushing himself too far could set back his recovery but he was confident he could handle any reasonable threat the world might throw at him.-----Confidence was good, as long as it was well placed. A proper understanding of ones own power was required for a cultivator. Because of that, Anton made sure he wasnt going alone to visit the Hardened Crown Sect. He had Velvet and Devon with him, as well as a number of up-and-coming members of the Order he needed to get more familiar with. He knew their names and strengths, but he didnt really know most of them to the level he might like. Then there was Kohar, because she was most familiar with the terms of all the contracts and treaties involved. Finally was Elder Paula of Marvelous Rabbit Mountain, as not only a witness but also a representative of Aicenith, since that was where the incident had occurred. Thats right. Now can we get this over with? Kaluza looked her best to look both bored and authoritative at the same time. We wont even force reparations for this slander, so we can just be done with this.Elder Paula reached into her storage bag, So you dont recognize any of these figures? She pulled out the bodies, reasonably well preserved. Because everything from their auras to their equipment indicates they were from your sect, and we found them intruding on our land with the guts to attack continental citizens.Ive seen them, Kaluza declared, But they have nothing to do with us. These five have had their membership in the Soaring Air Sect formally renounced.Kohar cleared her throat. She was the weakest person in the room, but she still held her own air of confidence. The announcement only came weeks after the incident, which is far from insufficient to meet the terms of the treaty. According to the definitions this constitutes an act of war. She turned her eyes to Naamah, If your offer of reparation is insufficient, we will be formally demanding the Exalted Archipelago follow through on sections seven, thirteen, and twenty-one, resulting in the complete destruction of your sect.Thats completely invalid. They werent part of our sect.Your word is not good enough, Elder Paula said, Especially as it came late. Then there is also the matter of the skyship that carried them.There was no skyship, Kaluza countered. Not one of ours, at least.Interesting, Elder Paula said, Because it was spotted a dozen times along its route, circling over the continent at extreme altitude. And I dont believe any others have skyships capable of such a route. Such a skyship violates she turned to Kohar, who read parts of various relevant sections.None of this proves anything, Kaluza flipped around, Go ahead and make your claims if you dare.Understood, Elder Paula said as she began to walk out. Kohar?Kohar handed a stack of papers to sect head Naamah, For distribution. Our claims, as well as the declarations from the continents of Aicenith and Brogora combined that the Soaring Air Sect is hereby forbidden from coming within two hundred kilometers of the continents, as well as anywhere in the sea between them. Any vessel that carries one of them will be confiscated, and anyone who trades with them directly will be forbidden from setting foot on the continents for the next century.Kaluza looked calmly back, You may make your threats, but the Exalted Archipelago will see through your ploy and support us. Anton was surprised at how confident she was with that declaration. The Soaring Air Sect couldnt have worked alone. We have no interest in trading with you anyway.The silks you wear beg to differ, Paula said as the final word, but Kaluza didnt stop until she reached her airship and departed.A question, Anton said to Naamah, Would you be obligated to stop me from shooting random arrows out over the sea?She chuckled slightly, We need to escort you out of the boundary of the Exalted Archipelago. What you do after that is not our concern, but we take no responsibility for your life if you enter the wrong territorial waters.Anton wouldnt have actually shot down the departing diplomatic ship, even if they sort of deserved it but he did strongly consider whether he could. For the moment, he had to contact the continent. It was a simple message, just declaring that the deal had gone as expected. That information would be disseminated to the ports, and trading with anyone from the Exalted Archipelago would be immediately halted. Anton wasnt sure how long that would keep up, but the favors he had would at least be enough to keep that up for a few months. As for after that, he wasnt sure. A display of power would be necessary at some point, and he was unsure if it should be his own. The Exalted Archipelago still thought they were better, and while that was true in some part things were going to change. And some sects would likely be willing to give up trade with the Soaring Air Sect to keep up their newfound trade for different luxuries and resources that the continents had. The first to formally vote against the Soaring Air Sect would be the first to return to that trade. It was possible things could lead to war- but if the Exalted Archipelago was going to act as if they were at war regardless, that was how it would have to be.
