novelraw Chapter 108 - 107 - Encounter
Chapter 108 - 107 - Encounter
"Big brother, I did it!" A bright face smiled up at him as Lind felt a little shock looking at the 9 year old girl. It was nearing the end of their journey but Lind had been working with little Fey on her cultivation.
Her grandfather was escorting her home as they had failed to find a sect for her in the Saint Kingdom. Her potential was considered low and her being a girl was also not something the Saint Kingdom sects took easily. Lind thought them all fools.
A little guidance, a little patience, and honestly a little kindness, and Fey absorbed stances like a sponge. Her grandfather was a peak Soul Realm but his children had stayed with him to start a farm in Indelia. They all wanted Fey to have a better life.
And now, she broke a record Lind had set for the Frey Clan long ago. It was rumored the youngest Soul Realm was 10 years old, but a 9 year old stood before him. Lind had helped her breakthrough 2 realms a week and then polish her body foundation at the 9th tier until he felt it was safe to try.
LInd had been stunned how much his help worked. No elixirs, no pills, and no treasures were used, but now a new Soul Realm was born on the trip from the Saint Kingdom to Indelia. The Fortune Way was appropriately named.
Fey had awakened 3 elements. She had light, dark, and fire. He smiled and patted her head as she consolidated her tier 1 Soul Realm. Her grandfather cried in joy. His grandchild's future had been changed by the kindness of a stranger.
"This slip had altered techniques senior Hal. Have her temper her elements and use these altered Arts." Lind had tested tier 1 thru 7 Arts completely. Some of the World Realms, at the captain's firm insistence, had confirmed they could easily use the modified techniques. They had been stunned at the increase in power the Soul Arts had and had begun to ask Lind about his secrets.
He hid nothing.
He guided the comprehension he had learn but insisted these were only at the Soul Realm, yet several World Realms had sudden enlightenments on their own cultivation. Lind had noted down the changes and asked many questions.
He had become revered on such a simple trip across the Fortune Way. Since Lind Frey was not a scholar on 6 elements, Taren Cord now had a flavor that would separate him from his real persona.
The last few days of their trip was spent guiding Fey. She was his first disciple and he could not be prouder. The little girl happily improved but she only reached mid tier 1 of the Soul Realm when they finally came ashore.
"Big brother won't come with us?" A teary eyed Fey pulled at Lind's heart strings but he had a different destination from Petra. Even so, he had started the little girl on a solid path. It was so much easier for her to cultivate that she would likely catch up and surpass him in less than a decade.
"I will visit one day. I promise." Lind meant it. He bowed to Hal and the old man pulled him into an embrace.
"You are welcome at my home anytime, young man. Taren Cord is her master but I know she has to broaden her horizons. Thank you, thank you so much!" Lind happily returned the embrace and made his way up the dock to the harbor.
Much like Veritas, Petra was a major trade hub, but it seemed so much brighter compared to Veritas. There were no slaves, tension was lower, and Lind felt like the Qi was more potent as he moved.
It was likely just in his head, but he quickly found a local branch of the Sapphire Auction House. Unlike those on the Sarth Continent, the buildings here were covered in a pale blue material that sparkled. It marked those buildings under direct control of the Stardust Emporium.
Lind felt it was on the nose, but made it easy to find them. He entered the main lobby and entered a line to reception. He kept his stance loose and looked around. There was a board of commissions with stamps signifying realm and requirements on one side, but Lind knew most of that one would be like Veritas.
The line moved fairly steadily and unlike the Marina Adventurers Guild, there was no disruption. The sheer power of the Stardust Emporium curbed any foolish thought in the crowd. Lind relaxed as he finally came up to the young woman at the reception desk.
"How may I help you today sir?" Her violently pink hair and multi-colored skin revealed she was an aether child, but Lind quietly summoned a card from his ring. It was an instant change in her attitude as she bowed to him swiftly and infused Qi into a formation plate. "Please wait for an escort honored sir."
Lind nodded and moved aside. Her gratitude was evident as the next person started to unload about their treasures to sell. Lind waited off to the side until another young man came forward to escort him.
Lind followed him upstairs until he was led into a posh VIP room. The blue velvet chairs reminded him of the auction house in the Lotus Empire. He found himself missing the years at the Lotus Academy.
He knew it might take awhile for an elder or powerful member to arrive, but Lind was patient. He had only sipped at the provided tea when a knock sounded at the ornate wooden door.
"Come in!" Lind did not look up but his spine suddenly tingled in danger. He immediately looked up and was stunned at how he saw there. A scantily dressed woman with a lithe figure swayed across the room. Her skin was a pleasant mix of red and green while each eye was of a single color as well. Her aura was now clearly at the peak of Iron Tier compared to Stone Tier of before.
"Finally caught up to you, Lind Frey!" Lind was stunned she had identified him, but his card was tied as an ID so at least the Sapphire Auction House would know who he was by it, but he barely had time to register his real name before she pressed herself onto him!
She smelled heavenly but Lind felt only fear. She was far more powerful than him and clearly determined to take him!
"You were so mean to disappear so quickly over a year ago. I was transferred to Indelia after being part of your elixir trade. Are you here to give us more?" She spoke professionally but she was breathing in his ear! She was too close!
"Lady Mythra, please back off!" Lind nearly screamed but her teasing smile told him she was not going anywhere. He was about to push his harmony to resist but then the door banged open once more.
"GET OFF HIM NOW!" It was Su! How were these 2 here?! She had broken through to the Gold Tier if he was to guess and Mythra pouted as she was peeled off of Lind. He relaxed as Mythra was kicked out of the room.
"How?!" Lind spoke before Su could sit and she smiled apologetically at him.
"Your movements have been carefully observed by us over the last year and we assumed you were coming to Indelia for various reasons." Lind felt that was an underestimation but he still did not know how these 2 women could possibly be here ahead of him. "The Sapphire Auction House felt it was a good idea to distribute known members to likely destinations. Mythra came here and I was sent after."
Lind suspected the old alchemist behind this. He silently sent up a prayer to the old man and hoped he was well.
"Well, it does save time. I do have elixirs, but that is not the most important thing." Lind pulled out a jade slip from his storage ring. It was the final copy he kept from the boat trip. "I want copies of this sent in all directions. I am happy to pay but I do not want people to be charged for this information."
Su sent her senses inside and was shocked at what she found.
"Are you sure? You could make a killing with this." She knew the value with only a glance. It would revolutionize the cultivation world!
"I am sure. I want this to go as far as it can. Many will resist but the 6 elementals will not. I want to give them hope." Su smiled at him. Despite all the difficulties he faced, this boy had not changed.
"I will see to it. The profits from your elixirs more than cover this." That was a severe understatement. The elixir sales made Lind a God so far as the Sapphire Auction House was concerned. The lengths they went to to find him was evident of that.
Lind offered the peak grade 2 to low grade 1 elixirs he had made over his 6 months in the Saint Kingdom. His grade 3 elixirs were still off limits as it was unsafe to share them. He could not make many of them in his current situation anyway.
"Was there anything else?" Su liked Lind. He was a good customer and a kind man, but she noted his eyes were harder than before. Even so, he did not demand more for his elixirs.
"Yes, how is Cyntilla?" Lind was ready to pay, but Su waved it off. She pulled out a communication jade and listened. She frowned but would not hide the truth from Lind.
"It seems the Fang Clan has fallen out of favor in Darkmoor. Cyntilla is alive but she has not been allowed to return to the Lotus Academy. Beyond that, I cannot certify her condition." Lind frowned but he was powerless to help at that point. He nodded and then asked his last question.
"I am looking for various profession masters. Where is the best place to go?" Lind was progressing on his elixirs but inspiration was never a bad thing. He also wanted to know if he had a gift for anything else.
Su did not need the communication jade as she simply called up the map of Indelia and looked it over.
"Cimmeria. It is the massive location of various professions and will be holding a contest next year too. It is the best place to find all forms of professions." Lind nodded and paid the fee for that information. Su then chatted with him while Lind was updated on his family.
Now that he was outside the Lotus Empire, the restrictions were no longer important. Lind smiled to know his brother had broken through to the World Realm. His sisters had also done so. Teyla was pregnant and Teylin was trying hard to match her with his wife.
Lind smiled wide but then a slip was handed to him.
'My son, I miss you daily but now 2 Heavenly Maidens stopped by to assure me you are doing well. You are being good to them, yes?! They speak so highly of you and I am glad to know you treasure your bonds. Know that I am approaching grade 3 alchemist and will soon be beyond reproach if I want to talk to you directly.
I love you always, Mom'
Lind cried lightly and pulled Su into a hug. She panicked but then realized this powerful grade 3 master missed his family greatly. She was happy she could finally relay information to him without dishonoring her contract to the Lotus Empire.
"I am moving on, thank you so much." Lind smiled and walked out of the room. He stepped back out into the busy street and headed for Cimmeria. The home of artisans called to him.