Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 1085 - 1084 - Solon's Gift

"I take it you accept the terms of dissolution?" A minister in azure and silver robes looked expectantly at the delegation of Heavenly Maidens across from him. At the head of the group was True Maiden Nissa who seemed lost in thought.

"Sister Nissa?" Another Maiden made her pale gray eyes blink rapidly as she seemed to realize she had been asked a question.

"Yes, the terms are accepted." She was there for the final separation of the war towers from the Crescent City territory. The towers were ready to be dismantled and all resources had been removed.

The sole exception to that was a room where a dragon had taken up residence. He had been offered the tower as compensation but the man had simply said he had some things to resolve but he would be gone on time.

She placed an imprint on the jade slips and signed off the official scrolls for the records of the city.

"Thank you for all you have done for the city. Duke Petryn invites you to a feast to thank you for all you have done for us." The words were not hollow, strangely, to her ears. Nissa bows and leads the group out.

"Sister, was it wise not to review the terms?" Another Maiden broached the odd process they just witnessed but Nissa waved it off.

"The preparations are done and that man ensured long ago no trickery on Heaven and Earth. Am I to further embarrass myself by questioning him now?" Although her life had been spared, she had lost without a shadow of a doubt. She had only stripped herself of any honor she might have had.

The group marched out but then froze as they found a group of swordsmen in gray robes waiting for them at the entrance to the building.

"True Sword Disciple Elisha Starburst. What are you doing so far from your clan and sect?" Nissa recognized the voluptuous woman instantly as she had fought her many times.

Her dual sword style was a nightmare to deal with not least because it was but the tip of the iceberg. Her name was not simply something adopted for nobility but due to the signature battle style of her clan.

It did not matter the weapon, but their clan specialized in mastering their weapons to the point of creating an explosive burst of many weapons controlled by Qi. Most of them seemed to lean towards light or water elements but air and fire could easily add devastating effects to the mix.

Elisha was known as a 5 elemental cultivator that was able to explode in potential and with swords at an early age. She created the aptly named Starburst Art her clan was named for that few could fight.

Nissa was one of the few that could counter it.

The woman huffed and pulled back her hood to reveal luxurious crimson lochs of hair. Her eyes were like sapphires but her skin was the color of cream. Any man or woman would be drawn to her.

It was rumored many demons gave up their bloodthirsty ways to follow her into the Divine Sword Sect.

"I never thought to live to see the day you lost so badly. I wish I could say I would have done better but that dragon is a terror." The consolation did not make Nissa happy but her question being dodged annoyed her more.

"You would not be here without a good reason. You are the next Sect Master of the Divine Sword Sect and head of your clan. Why are you here?" Unlike Nissa, Elisha was an extremely important person.

"I would think that is obvious. Everyone seems to be dancing around it but we have a free Triple Maester just sitting around. How could I pass him up?" Nissa blanched. Was she serious? Did she think no one had been trying to recruit him all that time?!

"I think we–" Nissa was about to move the conversation when Elisha pulled forth her swords and began to blur to her sight. The flashes of light were hard to follow but the sword aura was fairly easy for her.

Elisha had one other rather unique skill as a blade master.

Sigils flew into the air until a message floated over the whole city for all to read.

{I, Elisha Starburst, officially offer my hand in marriage to Maester Taren Cord. He will then become the husband of the next leader of the Divine Sword Sect and the Starburst Clan Head!}

"By the spirits, is she serious?" Nissa could only curse in her head as one of the Maidens spoke aloud what the whole city had to be thinking.

It was a typical tactic of hers to corner her opponent if they evaded her attacks. It meant to Nissa that Taren Cord had evaded her. The man was leaving soon and now he was going to be forced to answer that message!

It was not a small thing to disrespect the Divine Sword Sect but she doubted he knew of the Starburst Clan! They were not to be trifled with!

Nissa was about to ask if she was insane when a man appeared between them. He was definitely not there before but he had not teleported either. He could not tear through space so how had he arrived?!

[You are fortunate my wife is by my side or you would have some difficulty not being killed by her. It seems my indirect rejection was insufficient so I will be blunt. Leave me alone.] It was only then that the realistic image flickered.

It was so good! Nissa could not help but admire it!

"It is why I came for you. I am not joking nor trying a tactic. It is you that has forced me to be this direct." Elisha smiled wide but Nissa felt sweat break out on her backside. She knew the woman was not happy!

[Your intentions are irrelevant. I have no intention of starting a larger war than I already have. Further, your goals are not mine. Good bye.] Nissa actually admired him at that moment. Her normal dislike for men had been dissipated for him already but his confidence at that moment had her admiration.

"You will make me your enemy? Over something so beneficial for us both? I suppose that litter of kittens should get my attention then?" Elisha's smile was bloodthirsty. She was not so callous but she was absolutely not above using such threats.

The image did not move but a tired sigh could almost be heard in her mind.

[I really did not want to do this.] The man held up his left hand but the blue sky suddenly filled with black clouds! What was going on? Was he using his status as a True Lord again?

It did not feel the same to Nissa but it was only then that shock filled her heart. The storm in the sky was familiar! Swords of lightning danced in profound patterns and she stared at Elisha who was just as shocked.

[Solon was much better at this but he still forced me to learn the damn thing. I refined it in memory of him. I miss him. I take it I need not explain myself further?] Taren Cord now looked at Elisha and she was pale faced.

It was the Starburst Art! How?! How did he know it?!

"HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT ART?!" Nissa wanted to know but it was one of the other gray robed disciples that screamed it.

[How? I was taught by one of my best friends. He wanted to ensure his children could learn it if the Fiends killed him. They did, so I had to make good on my promise. I did not know its name but it was passed down from an Inheritance from what I understood. Only blood relatives could enter it and he was one of the few left alive when I met him.]

He spoke calmly but even Nissa felt a shock in her system. That revelation made it clear Taren Cord was more than he seemed!

"I deman–" Elisha was now losing her cool but an aura finally slammed over her group.

[You demand nothing. I know what you want and I have no interest in laying down roots here. I have more pressing concerns. Besides, you are too late.] A smile crossed his face and the 3 war towers suddenly lit up.

It was ahead of schedule but they rumbled in the distance until they lifted into the air! It was not how it was supposed to happen but then lines of gold lit up along their surface before they broke apart and settled back down into neat piles of resources!

It was a further demonstration of how monstrous the man was! All the Sisters were with her! No one was left over there aside from a handful of guards!

[As I stated previously. Good bye.] The image flickered and died.

He had left while speaking to them! Compared to what he did for War Maiden Katara, it was simple but still it showed an incredible level of skill!

"FIND HIM! I WANT HIM BROUGHT TO ME ALIVE!" Elisha screamed but Nissa saw her cold eyes. Taren Cord had made an enemy today. Why he showed off knowing that Art made sense to her so she spoke up.

"According to Starburst Clan tradition. A master of the Art is a warrior unto themselves if they wish. Is that not correct?" Nissa was guessing but she knew that much from talking with Elisha herself.

The anger was replaced with a deep blush of rage.

"He cannot be a member of the clan! He is a dragon! Further he admitted as much! I demand–" Elisha was about to continue when a new person appeared behind her group. He had a massive sword across his back as tall as he was but his close cropped white hair and wrinkled visage revealed his age.

Even so, Nissa felt like a blade was at her throat.

"Calm yourself, child. You are acting like a brat and your approach was foolish to start with. I have warned you of this in the past. You underestimate the power of our sect and clan as a weapon. A True Lord has no need to fear us at all." The gravelly voice and piercing steel eyes made Nissa shiver.

"L–l–lord Starburst, he insulted–" One of the slim members of the group suddenly coughed up blood and collapsed from a simple glance!

"We will not further embarrass ourselves. Return to the sect. We will discuss this in full on our return." Elisha had her fists scrunched so tight blood was flowing from them but she nodded. The group collected the wounded man and left swiftly.

Nissa could only glance at the direction the towers had been in and wondered how much he had known. Had he known a peak Crystal Tier was watching the whole time? Had he known it was all a test? She did not know but she knew one thing.

The Heavenly Maiden Sect should never cross that man. Not ever.