Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 1012 - 1011 - Human Monsters

Lind went into seclusion for a time. No one bothered him as his work was mostly done but he kept an ear out if he was called.

His heart demons were barely formed but their roots were deeper than expected. He was an Immortal so forming a heart demon was not so easy but removing them was just as difficult.

He examined his heart and mind to find that he was rushing himself. He wanted to resolve the issues of the Fiends not only to save his family but to advance. He could cultivate in the current world but how much faster would he be without the tainted Qi?

Instead of having to cleanse it, he could storm ahead to refine the elements and Laws into his crystal. He was still only at the lower end of the Crystal Tier and his progress was abysmal.

Delenn could not advance any better than him either but also she still needed his bracelet to protect her foundation or she could face issues in the future. The girls he taught were strong but had suffered because of his actions.

He slowly confronted his emotions and reaffirmed his long view. Nothing could be done in an instant. He had made remarkable progress with discovering harmonic tempering in the first place.

Harmonic cleansing might work for other 6 elementals too if they found a way to ascend but he doubted they could.

The tainted Qi made the barrier between layers far more dangerous to other cultivators. His unique ability to convert Fiend Qi to natural Qi was what gave him the edge on top of being a True Lord.

He spent months resolving his heart demons and felt his body become lighter because of it. His Qi flowed like a storm and he reached the peak of the lower Crystal Tier.

"Never stop being humble. I should remember your advice more often, Qing." His beloved wife had survived a harsh life and taken the lessons to heart. She had become the foremost expert in resolving heart demons because of that.

The secret was always to admit one could be wrong or mistaken. Further that one could take a breath and examine why they do things when the chance arises. It was true the tumble from the spatial tunnel had left him disorientated and then later the situation with the Eternal Flame Sect left little time to contemplate, but he had far more chances since to do so.

He emerged from the alcove he took and spread his aura. He saw the man that had lost his arm was still alive but hard working. It seemed Teegan had been right. The man had been wrestling with his own heart demons.

The loss of the arm had pushed him to find himself as none of the darker thoughts were present on his face.

He also saw the gateway was operating as new people arrived. He frowned, however, as he felt a Crystal Tier hiding among them.

He disappeared from his current position and flew into the sky. It was a short journey and the Law Binding lessened the burden even more. He came in range of the newly arrived party as 2 of the demonesses he had taught greeted the newcomers.

"Welcome to Amber Scale City. We have the register here to check on surviv–" He saw she was cut off as the Crystal Tier flared their aura. It was a man who was very slim but wiry. His power was not to be underestimated.

"Filthy demons! Die!" A scythe appeared in his hands as his dark cloak fell to reveal a robe of pure white. It had a mark on it of the scythe in front of a field of gold. He did not recognize it but he casually caught the scythe as he appeared between them.

Pain flared in his palm but quickly vanished. Shocked looks were everywhere but no more so than the man himself.

His head was completely bald and his crazed eyes were steel gray. His power was great but Lind barely had to flex to snatch the scythe from him.

His expert senses quickly confirmed it was a peak grade 7 weapon. It was also refined in ways that were very innovative. As soon as he yanked it away, the man lost a good portion of his strength!

The weapon had enhanced him with no Qi fluctuation whatsoever!

"You are to be the envoys of the nearest Midas Throne city, correct?" He asked calmly as the group shivered under his gaze.

"Demon spawn must die! They have captured humans and must pay with their lives!" A tired sigh came from Lind. He was not unfamiliar with the attitude but it had become increasingly rare as he advanced.

Still, he had to concede part of that was the Fiend War. It unified the races and after a million years even long held grudges fell away between them.

"This scythe is specifically designed to nullify demonic elements. It also enhances your body. While impressive, it has no place here. Identify yourself and explain your actions." He stayed calm.

After cleansing his heart demons, his mind was incredibly clear. It showed how much he had been affected now that he looked back on his past actions.

"I need not explain myself to a beast! Humans are your lords and–" An amber scaled fist slammed into the man. It did not kill him but rendered him instantly unconscious. Lind glanced over to find an enraged Elder looking pale.

Teegan was not far behind him but he also noticed her rage. That was odd.

"I take it, you know this man?" The Elder shook his head but pointed at the symbol on the robe.

"The Cleaving Scythe Sect is a power that all beasts and demons know. They believe humans are the only true race. Even aether children are nothing to them despite being manifestations of Heaven and Earth!" Lind found his anger finally roused but he pushed it aside.

Supremacists were often the most insecure beings alive for various reasons but the danger was if they had someone charismatic leading them. Perfectly sane people could be convinced of anything if it was wrapped in pretty enough trappings.

"Are they one of the powers under Midas Throne?" That question was directed at the other humans. A woman came forward and frowned at the now unconscious man.

"I am Del. I was sent by Sun City's Lord to see if certain people had survived. I am sad to say they are allies of my city but they are only tolerated so long as they help fend off the beast tides." Lind closed his eyes and looked at Teegan.

She nodded that the information was correct.

"You did not think it prudent to exclude them from this situation?" They had planned to send detailed messages about what happened. It included the proof as well but he saw more than half the people in front of him squirm under his stare.

"They do not trust us, Maester Cord. We could have sent direct witnesses and it would not matter. The register is in that building. Check it and take what people wish to leave with you. That man does not stay. Send him back." Lind agreed with Teegan.

If the gateway was working on the other side already then it was a simple matter. He casually raised his hand and all were shocked as the gateway opened once again! Even Teegan was stunned at the casual display of his power!

"Have a safe journey!" His sarcastic tone was not missed as he tossed the man into the spatial tunnel like a rag doll. All noticed his head was protected by a faint Qi shield and knew he would be relatively fine.

The gateway snapped shut and he turned to leave.

He saw the hurt looks on the girls' faces and he patted their heads.

"Monsters need not be Fiends nor any particular race. You already know there are human monsters but do not judge the race by them." Their faces brightened and bowed to him. He laughed a bit and walked away as Teegan followed after him.

"You seem better, Maester Cord." He nodded.

"Heart demons, even faint ones, cloud the mind too much. Tell me about these Cleaving Scythes Sect and any others like them. I already suspect there are several others but any that will actually cause me trouble?" She understood what he was asking.

A True Lord was unique to beasts. Humans might not like it but even they could not defy Heaven and Earth.

She nodded at him and became grim.

"The Scythes are nothing. That man was a vice sect master as the Crystal Tier is the requirement for them but only to brag. They only have 2 to 3 of them at most. Compared to a true supreme power, they are nothing." She then looked around to make sure no one was nearby and pointed at her head.

[Continue.]

He made the connection between them.

[There are several powers like them but the reason they are not easy to ignore is the Eternal Blood Sect. They believe in purifying the blood of the races and only 1 race matters to them.]

With the moniker of 'Eternal' Lind knew what he was facing. To reach that height meant Crystal Tiers were not only the leadership but ancestors and Grand Elders had to exist. The Eternal Flame Sect would not fall, for instance, despite the sect master dying.

[Where are they?] He just needed a direction. If they were not in his way, he could ignore them. Teegan's face told him he was not going to like the answer.

[West.]