Chapter 48
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Chapter 48
Hoyt didnt have the luxury of starting at range like Anton, which meant he had to deal with Ayotundes swift and sharp blade the moment they began. The Spirit Building cultivator was only holding back in terms of energy used, not technique. Hoyt used the momentum of his swings to parry the sword while dealing glancing blows to the man himself. However, he wasnt able to break through Ayotundes defense. The dark-skinned man was restraining his attacks, but his defenses had the full power of a Spirit Building cultivator.
With a forceful swing, Hoyt knocked the large sword back to the furthest extent of Ayotundes reach, seeming to nearly knock the sword out of his hands. On the backswing, Hoyt aimed straight for Ayotundes chest. With a flash even Anton found hard to follow, Ayotundes sword had crossed in front of the two warriors. Hoyts axe was flying through the air and he had a shallow cut along his forearm. Hoyt held up his hands, Ah a feint. And I fell right for it.
Ayotunde nodded, Your skills are sufficient as well. Next the girl. Show me your skill in formations.
Catarina first displayed a concealing formation. Anton hadnt been on the outside of one, and it was quite a strange experience. In one version she merely disappeared. It wasnt quite perfect, because he could sense traces of her energy, but then again he already knew where she was. If he did not, he could easily miss her. The second version she hid not only herself, but the table Ayotunde had set up for his papers. The wider range allowed Anton to see slight visual flaws but again, he knew where to look. If he were just passing by, he could easily overlook them. Ayotunde also tested Catarinas barriers, ramping up the power of his attacks until he broke through.
Good. All three of you pass. The payment shall be standard for a cultivator of your level, eighth or seventh with the formation user being one higher, at eighth. Combat pay is extra. Ayotunde produced contracts Anton was aware were quite standard. They were quite simple, as such things went. Obviously if they abandoned the caravan they would not get paid- though they could get partial payment if they had to depart the caravan along the way and properly got permission to leave. For the particular route they were going, it was unlikely to be relevant.
A tall man in fine clothes approached. His height limited the visual effects of his pronounced belly, which might have otherwise made him quite round. Idowu! Youre not hiring more guards, are you?
Ayotunde looked the man dead in the eye. Caravan Master Wilbur. You tasked me with protecting the caravan. I am merely doing so. Anton could see the sharpness in the mans eyes and almost feel it. The type of energy he cultivated was not a style Anton recognized, though he hadnt been exposed to that many types of cultivators. Mostly those from the Ninety-Nine Stars and those hed seen in Edelhull and Veron.
The tall man backed down. Alright. Fine. But I think those youve already hired will be quite sufficient.
With the addition of these three, it shall be enough, Ayotunde said agreeably.
The portly man sighed and turned to the trio of cultivators. A pleasure to meet you. I am Caravan Master Frank Wilbur. I deal mostly in herbs and spices. Normally we do not hire so many guards, but we have quite a number of attached groups this time.
There are a dozen others, Ayotunde explained, Mid to late body tempering. Then an equal number of early body tempering and non-cultivator guards.
All for a dozen wagons. It seems quite excessive to me, Wilbur shook his head, But at least were splitting the costs.
Guards stood four shifts during the night, with Anton being in the second. There wasnt much to do except look out at the darkness and up at the stars. He could only do so much of the latter to prevent his thoughts from drifting away. Even if there probably wouldnt be danger, he wanted to be as responsible as possible with his watch. Still, he could cultivate. He focused energy on his eyes and ears, picking out the sounds of myriad insects and the noises of nearby animals. His brain had to filter the large amount of stimulus he was receiving and make sense of it, and the more he practiced the better it was.
He circulated his energy through the rest of his body as well, and of course through the surface of his skin. He just needed some time or one more good push forward to reach the ninth star. Rescuing Pete and the others was emotionally satisfying, but the feeling was tempered by knowing there were so many more people still in captivity. Not just those he knew, but many others. The stars inside of him pulsed as he considered how strong he would need to be to change that. It couldnt be just himself, either. One man couldnt match a country. After all, even if he reached the very peak there would be others as well.
-----
A bolt of golden yellow energy streaked into the woods, spattering into the forest floor below the feet of a wolf. The creature turned to flee, and so did those around it.
... did you miss? Hoyt asked.
Theyre just wolves. Hungry, maybe, but this is wild area. They should be allowed to live here. Now theyll be a bit more wary of humans. Anton shook his head, And wolf tastes awful. Im not carrying a carcass with me for a bit of hide, either.
I havent sensed any magical beasts, Hoyt said.
They dont live close to the road, Catarina commented. But some of them might choose to come here. But Id be more concerned about bandits. We have too many guards.
Wouldnt the guards dissuade them from attacking? Hoyt asked.
Yes. But the caravan master and guard leader Idowu must know the value of the caravan. They would not hire so many unless there is something of value. But perhaps nothing will happen.
You dont sound convinced, Hoyt said.
Cultivators both prevent and attract trouble, Catarina said. Ofrurg feels like the sort of place that has more of the latter.
Well see, Anton said. Just remember to keep your eyes and ears open.
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Chapter 48
Hoyt didnt have the luxury of starting at range like Anton, which meant he had to deal with Ayotundes swift and sharp blade the moment they began. The Spirit Building cultivator was only holding back in terms of energy used, not technique. Hoyt used the momentum of his swings to parry the sword while dealing glancing blows to the man himself. However, he wasnt able to break through Ayotundes defense. The dark-skinned man was restraining his attacks, but his defenses had the full power of a Spirit Building cultivator.
With a forceful swing, Hoyt knocked the large sword back to the furthest extent of Ayotundes reach, seeming to nearly knock the sword out of his hands. On the backswing, Hoyt aimed straight for Ayotundes chest. With a flash even Anton found hard to follow, Ayotundes sword had crossed in front of the two warriors. Hoyts axe was flying through the air and he had a shallow cut along his forearm. Hoyt held up his hands, Ah a feint. And I fell right for it.
Ayotunde nodded, Your skills are sufficient as well. Next the girl. Show me your skill in formations.
Catarina first displayed a concealing formation. Anton hadnt been on the outside of one, and it was quite a strange experience. In one version she merely disappeared. It wasnt quite perfect, because he could sense traces of her energy, but then again he already knew where she was. If he did not, he could easily miss her. The second version she hid not only herself, but the table Ayotunde had set up for his papers. The wider range allowed Anton to see slight visual flaws but again, he knew where to look. If he were just passing by, he could easily overlook them. Ayotunde also tested Catarinas barriers, ramping up the power of his attacks until he broke through.
Good. All three of you pass. The payment shall be standard for a cultivator of your level, eighth or seventh with the formation user being one higher, at eighth. Combat pay is extra. Ayotunde produced contracts Anton was aware were quite standard. They were quite simple, as such things went. Obviously if they abandoned the caravan they would not get paid- though they could get partial payment if they had to depart the caravan along the way and properly got permission to leave. For the particular route they were going, it was unlikely to be relevant.
A tall man in fine clothes approached. His height limited the visual effects of his pronounced belly, which might have otherwise made him quite round. Idowu! Youre not hiring more guards, are you?
Ayotunde looked the man dead in the eye. Caravan Master Wilbur. You tasked me with protecting the caravan. I am merely doing so. Anton could see the sharpness in the mans eyes and almost feel it. The type of energy he cultivated was not a style Anton recognized, though he hadnt been exposed to that many types of cultivators. Mostly those from the Ninety-Nine Stars and those hed seen in Edelhull and Veron.
The tall man backed down. Alright. Fine. But I think those youve already hired will be quite sufficient.
With the addition of these three, it shall be enough, Ayotunde said agreeably.
The portly man sighed and turned to the trio of cultivators. A pleasure to meet you. I am Caravan Master Frank Wilbur. I deal mostly in herbs and spices. Normally we do not hire so many guards, but we have quite a number of attached groups this time.
There are a dozen others, Ayotunde explained, Mid to late body tempering. Then an equal number of early body tempering and non-cultivator guards.
All for a dozen wagons. It seems quite excessive to me, Wilbur shook his head, But at least were splitting the costs.
Guards stood four shifts during the night, with Anton being in the second. There wasnt much to do except look out at the darkness and up at the stars. He could only do so much of the latter to prevent his thoughts from drifting away. Even if there probably wouldnt be danger, he wanted to be as responsible as possible with his watch. Still, he could cultivate. He focused energy on his eyes and ears, picking out the sounds of myriad insects and the noises of nearby animals. His brain had to filter the large amount of stimulus he was receiving and make sense of it, and the more he practiced the better it was.
He circulated his energy through the rest of his body as well, and of course through the surface of his skin. He just needed some time or one more good push forward to reach the ninth star. Rescuing Pete and the others was emotionally satisfying, but the feeling was tempered by knowing there were so many more people still in captivity. Not just those he knew, but many others. The stars inside of him pulsed as he considered how strong he would need to be to change that. It couldnt be just himself, either. One man couldnt match a country. After all, even if he reached the very peak there would be others as well.
-----
A bolt of golden yellow energy streaked into the woods, spattering into the forest floor below the feet of a wolf. The creature turned to flee, and so did those around it.
... did you miss? Hoyt asked.
Theyre just wolves. Hungry, maybe, but this is wild area. They should be allowed to live here. Now theyll be a bit more wary of humans. Anton shook his head, And wolf tastes awful. Im not carrying a carcass with me for a bit of hide, either.
I havent sensed any magical beasts, Hoyt said.
They dont live close to the road, Catarina commented. But some of them might choose to come here. But Id be more concerned about bandits. We have too many guards.
Wouldnt the guards dissuade them from attacking? Hoyt asked.
Yes. But the caravan master and guard leader Idowu must know the value of the caravan. They would not hire so many unless there is something of value. But perhaps nothing will happen.
You dont sound convinced, Hoyt said.
Cultivators both prevent and attract trouble, Catarina said. Ofrurg feels like the sort of place that has more of the latter.
Well see, Anton said. Just remember to keep your eyes and ears open.
Chapter 48Hoyt didnt have the luxury of starting at range like Anton, which meant he had to deal with Ayotundes swift and sharp blade the moment they began. The Spirit Building cultivator was only holding back in terms of energy used, not technique. Hoyt used the momentum of his swings to parry the sword while dealing glancing blows to the man himself. However, he wasnt able to break through Ayotundes defense. The dark-skinned man was restraining his attacks, but his defenses had the full power of a Spirit Building cultivator.With a forceful swing, Hoyt knocked the large sword back to the furthest extent of Ayotundes reach, seeming to nearly knock the sword out of his hands. On the backswing, Hoyt aimed straight for Ayotundes chest. With a flash even Anton found hard to follow, Ayotundes sword had crossed in front of the two warriors. Hoyts axe was flying through the air and he had a shallow cut along his forearm. Hoyt held up his hands, Ah a feint. And I fell right for it.Ayotunde nodded, Your skills are sufficient as well. Next the girl. Show me your skill in formations.Catarina first displayed a concealing formation. Anton hadnt been on the outside of one, and it was quite a strange experience. In one version she merely disappeared. It wasnt quite perfect, because he could sense traces of her energy, but then again he already knew where she was. If he did not, he could easily miss her. The second version she hid not only herself, but the table Ayotunde had set up for his papers. The wider range allowed Anton to see slight visual flaws but again, he knew where to look. If he were just passing by, he could easily overlook them. Ayotunde also tested Catarinas barriers, ramping up the power of his attacks until he broke through. Good. All three of you pass. The payment shall be standard for a cultivator of your level, eighth or seventh with the formation user being one higher, at eighth. Combat pay is extra. Ayotunde produced contracts Anton was aware were quite standard. They were quite simple, as such things went. Obviously if they abandoned the caravan they would not get paid- though they could get partial payment if they had to depart the caravan along the way and properly got permission to leave. For the particular route they were going, it was unlikely to be relevant.A tall man in fine clothes approached. His height limited the visual effects of his pronounced belly, which might have otherwise made him quite round. Idowu! Youre not hiring more guards, are you?Ayotunde looked the man dead in the eye. Caravan Master Wilbur. You tasked me with protecting the caravan. I am merely doing so. Anton could see the sharpness in the mans eyes and almost feel it. The type of energy he cultivated was not a style Anton recognized, though he hadnt been exposed to that many types of cultivators. Mostly those from the Ninety-Nine Stars and those hed seen in Edelhull and Veron.The tall man backed down. Alright. Fine. But I think those youve already hired will be quite sufficient.With the addition of these three, it shall be enough, Ayotunde said agreeably. The portly man sighed and turned to the trio of cultivators. A pleasure to meet you. I am Caravan Master Frank Wilbur. I deal mostly in herbs and spices. Normally we do not hire so many guards, but we have quite a number of attached groups this time.There are a dozen others, Ayotunde explained, Mid to late body tempering. Then an equal number of early body tempering and non-cultivator guards.All for a dozen wagons. It seems quite excessive to me, Wilbur shook his head, But at least were splitting the costs.Guards stood four shifts during the night, with Anton being in the second. There wasnt much to do except look out at the darkness and up at the stars. He could only do so much of the latter to prevent his thoughts from drifting away. Even if there probably wouldnt be danger, he wanted to be as responsible as possible with his watch. Still, he could cultivate. He focused energy on his eyes and ears, picking out the sounds of myriad insects and the noises of nearby animals. His brain had to filter the large amount of stimulus he was receiving and make sense of it, and the more he practiced the better it was.He circulated his energy through the rest of his body as well, and of course through the surface of his skin. He just needed some time or one more good push forward to reach the ninth star. Rescuing Pete and the others was emotionally satisfying, but the feeling was tempered by knowing there were so many more people still in captivity. Not just those he knew, but many others. The stars inside of him pulsed as he considered how strong he would need to be to change that. It couldnt be just himself, either. One man couldnt match a country. After all, even if he reached the very peak there would be others as well. -----A bolt of golden yellow energy streaked into the woods, spattering into the forest floor below the feet of a wolf. The creature turned to flee, and so did those around it.... did you miss? Hoyt asked.Theyre just wolves. Hungry, maybe, but this is wild area. They should be allowed to live here. Now theyll be a bit more wary of humans. Anton shook his head, And wolf tastes awful. Im not carrying a carcass with me for a bit of hide, either.I havent sensed any magical beasts, Hoyt said.They dont live close to the road, Catarina commented. But some of them might choose to come here. But Id be more concerned about bandits. We have too many guards.Wouldnt the guards dissuade them from attacking? Hoyt asked.Yes. But the caravan master and guard leader Idowu must know the value of the caravan. They would not hire so many unless there is something of value. But perhaps nothing will happen.You dont sound convinced, Hoyt said.Cultivators both prevent and attract trouble, Catarina said. Ofrurg feels like the sort of place that has more of the latter.Well see, Anton said. Just remember to keep your eyes and ears open.
