Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 1121 - 1120 - Addressing the Storm Arts

The mess had been transformed. The bar could not be removed but the tables and chairs had only been attached by a formation. The wall was also transparent to let in the sunlight as the King sat on a throne that seemed to have grown out of the Strider itself.

His eyes between the vibrancy of his daughter and father, his hair was even brighter red than hers. The technique they practiced clearly affected their physical state. Lind smirked as it mimicked his own state.

As he had advanced, his harmony changed along with his dragon soul. Other 6 elementals had similar effects but none so drastic as his.

He had heard rumors of a handful that showed signs of it but were stuck at bottlenecks in the Heaven Realm. He offered some insights of course but his case was too damned unique.

The princess and prince sat to his left and right, with the prince being lower, but the former king, still dressed as a butler, stood behind the King.

Gilgamesh stood off to the right with Oz and Piercer of the Veil Immortal. All 3 knelt with their heads to the floor.

The servants set up some tea for brewing but they too bowed once it was set up.

Only Lind and Chu stood in front of the King. All masks were off for their side but Lind narrowed his eyes as he felt the cultivation of the king.

Peak Crystal Tier! The former king was only a mid Crystal Tier!

They were only considered a high power and barely at that, but the reason was a lack of Crystal Tiers and Shard Tiers. They were the backbone of power no matter how anyone looked at it.

A medium power had only Shard Tiers at the top with Sliver Tiers supporting them. A low power had only Sliver Tiers with all the backwaters having Heaven Realm at best.

Anything below that and you had to have the protection of an Immortal power or it would be crushed by others easily.

Bandits were not suicidal and knew who to attack and who to leave alone but even they had backing or they would be crushed on an Immortal's whims before the Corruption.

The intricate and complex patterns of power always annoyed Lind but for the moment he pushed it aside as the King looked at him gravely.

"You endangered my children. I should repay you in kind with that commoner girl's life." Lind did not move but he did glance at Chu. She bristled at his side.

The King smirked.

"My wife was the same. She was fire and often balanced me out. Still, I think you went too far." Lind sighed. He was once an emperor but was often told he did not act like one. Every time he met a noble he was reminded that was a damned good thing.

"My condolences and may her spirit find joy in a new life." Lind bowed low and Chu followed. The King arched an eyebrow but accepted it with a smile. His robes were a simple affair that allowed his arms to swing freely.

Lind saw no weapon but the material was not normal cloth. Fire Laws were seemingly woven into it!

The muscles on the man also showed he was no desk bound man either.

His feet rose as he crossed his legs and looked supremely relaxed. Lind noticed the former king flinching slightly and wondered what was about to happen.

"So, I read the reports but you are not a Radiant Tier. How do you explain what you have done to my kingdom?" It seemed they jumped to the most recent event. However, he noticed the princess looked sternly at her father. It seemed reasonable to ask but it was the 5th Prince that spoke up.

"Father, should we not thank him for saving us first? He risked so much and even protected us at the cost of a valuable tool. He then repaired the destroyed land of his volition without being asked." The prince seemed so bold at the moment but his Father's aura slammed onto him.

He stumbled a bit but then steadied himself as he looked at his father without flinching. Sweat was pouring off of him yet he was able to stand under the full aura of a Crystal Tier.

"So, it wasn't faked either. Not bad." A broad smile crossed the King's face and Lind already felt tired. A battle maniac. He was absolutely a battle maniac.

The aura lifted and the Prince bowed low before sitting down.

"As my honorable son just said, we owe you a debt for the lives you saved. That beast tide was annoying in that normal techniques and Arts had no effect at all. If not for your discovery of the parasitic plant, we would have lost many precious soldiers." Lind believed every word but the fire in the man's eyes was now all too familiar.

Chu looked confused at his reaction but he just waved her off. There was no point in explaining his history with battle maniacs.

"Now, how are you as strong as a Radiant Tier?" Lind knew it would not be easy to accept so he felt a demonstration was in order.

"Please observe." He made a smaller version of the Rebirth Storm Art and all were shocked as small clouds built between his hands. "This is the same storm I used to repair the damage I caused. It is harmless to us as you already know."

He then explained what the Storm Arts were with a few omissions as it would only bore the man. By applying principles of how storms exist in the world and using their power, he could create an attack or effect that spread over a massive area.

The black clouds almost became solid before he let go of his control. The instant he did, the clouds fell inwards to a tiny ball. They then turned green and dispersed safely on the deck. There was nothing alive in the metal deck so no change was noticed but the flare of power was felt by all.

The King was practically leaping out of his throne in excitement.

"So, you can control it?!" The former king and Princess Fyre held their heads in their hands. All doubts of King Risselle being a battle maniac vanished at that moment.

"I cannot. It is only when I release the Storm Art that the reaction occurs. I have been studying it but of one thing I am certain, it is beyond my ability to control. If I could, I would not have endangered us all that day." His grim face seemed to sap the joy from the man but only briefly.

"I heard you fought like a seasoned expert. I want to see what you are capable of." A vein throbbed on Lind's forehead. He knew it!

"Your Majesty, I am honored you have such a high opinion but I should remind you I am only standing her because my wife saved me. I was at my wits end with that fight." It was not entirely a lie.

He would have had to unleash his harmony and draconic abilities to win at that point.

"Bah, that was due to saving my people. I saw the defense you put up. Supplying Qi against a Radiant Tier attack would leave even me drained. Surely you could do more without that issue?" Lind could almost see the rest of the royal family trying very hard not to sigh nor hit their monarch.

The servants did not flinch but Lind had an easy out.

"Your Majesty, if you want to test your martial strength, there is someone far stronger than me." He bowed and laid his arms out to present Chu. She was preening with joy at his words but he had not lied at all.

In his current state, Chu was indeed far stronger but the King frowned.

"Lady Chu is strong but you are stronger. A lot stronger. I can feel it." Crap. The instincts of a battle maniac were to be feared.

"Brat! We are not here for you to fight! We have a serious discussion right now or we will take this back to the capital with the open court." The former king finally spoke and his words seemed to take the wind out of King Risselle.

"Hurry up and die old man!" The servants did not even flinch at that! Just what kind of King ran that place?!

"To reiterate, it was an accident the first time and confirmation the second time. I intentionally chose a harmless one but the plant growth was not intended. All it should have done was remove the Qi disrupting the area I put there by accident." Lind had never anticipated re-growing a whole forest like that!

The King nodded but then became serious as he put both his feet on the deck and sat upright.

"I am told you have asked about a place called the inverted mountain. In exchange, you are willing to teach us the techniques that improved not only the village we met you but the land under Marquis Song, correct?" Shock flooded his body! He could turn off the maniac side?! How?!

"I am in need of a lead to that place. A dire need. My knowledge is freely given for that." Lind did not hold back. He had already spoken to Piercer of the Veil Immortal and she revealed such a lead did exist.

"And if I withhold it until we can reclaim junior Mills from you?" Lind narrowed his eyes but sighed.

"Then every person that dies from this moment will be on your head." The tension in the room shifted but he did not react. He spoke a simple truth.

"You are either a madman or too bold for your own good. You say you are weaker than your wife but have no problem provoking me. You are aware she will die if she so much as steps towards me." Lind looked at him harshly at that.

A wave of his hand and a shattering sound was heard as several formations collapsed. True shock passed over everyone's faces at that.

"I am deadly serious, your Majesty. Your formations are flawed. Your Arts are flawed. While you feel safe due to your strength, the Corruption has robbed you of most of it. Chu." At his mention she flared her aura in full.

It was only then a feral look returned to the King's face.

"You can cure the Corruption! I knew it!" Those words were expected and made Lind laugh.

"I can improve your state, true, but that is all. How much is it worth to you, your Majesty?" Lind now looked like some devil offering a deal. The King leaned forward excitedly but he was not alone.

Lind was about to continue when his instincts flared. He looked north and frowned. Now now, why were they moving now?

"Chu, get Maester Cord. They are on the move." His words made the room freeze. Chu smirked and vanished into the shadows. "Majesty, you have enemies on the move. Lady Piercer of the Veil Immortal knows of what I speak. I suggest we head back to the capital post haste."

The damned Soulmancers were on the move!