novelraw Chapter 152 - 151 - Parade of the Masters
Chapter 152 - 151 - Parade of the Masters
Lady Estelle was cackling as Lind sat in an office in the Starfire House looking at her projection. Mythra and Su were with him. The former was laughing as well and Lind began to suspect they really were family, but Su was holding her head in her hands.
"You THREATENED Midnight?!" Su had said that sentence a few times now but Lind only nodded. He was not proud of losing his temper but it had felt cathartic after that psychological setup he had to walk through.
The man had a teleportation array in his office they used to come back to the surface! It was expensive, sure, but the fact remained there was no need to see all he had!
"It is fine, Little Su. A man should stand up for himself against fools." Estelle wiped tears from her eyes. Mythra patted Lind on the head like he was a little boy but he just rolled his eyes. When did he pick up another older sister?
"B-but Midnight is really powerful and can affect even the Sapphire Auction House!" Su made a point that made Lind cringe. He had lost his temper a bit but he was only now appreciating how much risk he took. The Midnight Guild was a dangerously powerful group not because of resources or pure strength, but knowledge and temptation.
Lind had not been tempted, but knowledge was still a powerful tool. Still, Lind had used his final card that shut up Midnight. A Forger could not be bound or held up. Anyone that did so would happily see many supreme and minor powers ally against them to win the favor of the Forger.
Lind had since learned many such tragedies occurred until it was a general truth all cultivators lived by. Forgers could make that big of a difference compared to a normal weapon refiner. Elixir masters were treasures, but Forgers were wielders of fate so far as cultivators were concerned.
Imagine weapons and armor not just customized for a cultivator's elements but their skills as well. An armor that is able to have greater capacity for Qi to defend that the realm of the cultivator wearing it was only possible through Forging.
Refined weapons had to prioritize elements and a few skills, but Forging could fit it all. Midnight had lost all options once Lind revealed he was a Forger. No force in Cimmeria would dare to harm a hair on Lind or anyone he held dear. Annabelle could walk directly into a slaver's den of nefarious origins and they would politely hold tea and make sure she got home safely without a scratch.
Lind was chagrined to know he had a skill that could have made his life easier instead of harder but he did not want to give up elixirs as they were so powerful. With Forging, his life in the Lotus Empire would have been a dream from what he understood. He would have been offered a place in Darkmoor Kingdom directly with any resources he requested. It was frightening how one fact could so vastly change a life.
Lind knew it would still be a cage, if very pretty, because he would face the same issue as those wanting elixirs. They would stop him from advancing to the World Realm forever.
"I am forever grateful, Lady Estelle and all of you, for all the help you have given me." Lind bowed and it made Estelle stop laughing entirely. She nodded at him but then turned back to business.
"All right, well now that is resolved for the moment, it is best to show results. It will cement your freedom and also grant opportunities. You may not like what his coming but it will be your new reality." LInd frowned but had already had several meetings regarding what would happen after his reveal.
One aspect that annoyed him was unavoidable audiences with the powers of Cimmeria and the visiting ones as well. He knew that would include Imperial Crown Prince Yor as well as others but a name kept coming already he would not be able to dismiss afterward.
"So I really have to meet with that man?" Lind's distaste was clear but all 3 women nodded at him. Estelle was disinterested but Su and Mythra looked in pity at him. Lind would be forced to meet with the Anointed Representative of Altair, Merrick. Could that title be more pretentious?!
"You might be interested to know you passed by the man recently." Lind's head snapped up at Lady Su's comment. She then tossed him a scroll and he swiftly looked it over. His dark green eyes narrowed like daggers to know Midnight had been entertaining the very man Lind wanted to avoid.
Had he seen him? Had Lind been seen by him?
"Knowing that old monster, he hid away an issue like that. Some poor girls were likely sacrificed–" Lady Estelle froze as the rage on Lind's face was clear. "Sorry, boy, but know that Midnight has strict rules. No one can abuse his people unless the activity calls for it. Even then, the employee has the power to stop it."
Lind calmed a bit but the thought of anyone falling into the Kingdom of Altair's clutches like that was his bottomline. He would not allow it! It was not a heart demon, it was literally an oath he made to himself when he realized how weak he was. He wanted strength to make that goal a reality.
"We need to move on, the parade starts soon." Mythra broke the tension and all of them took a breath to gather themselves.
"Very well, we have all the items ready and you will be putting on a demonstration at the end of the month. Till then, I suggest you all enjoy the show as you will only get this chance once a century." Lind and the other 2 women bowed as Estelle's image disappeared.
Su smiled as she pulled them up and Lind suddenly bumped into Mythra. Su had to think fast to catch her and only just barely did so.
"My apologies, I was distracted." Lind kept his face low but Su waved it off. Mythra was strangely silent but before Su could look, the aether child had practically run from her grasp. She tapped Lind a little hard on the head but said nothing as she left the room. What was that all about?
⬧⬧⬧⬧
The main competition of grade 4 and below aspiring masters had concluded with some excitement and promising pillars but now the true main event began. It had started as inspiration for the younger generation but now it became a true competition for old monsters to show off to each other.
The lowest grade would be high grade 4 while mid grade 5 was the highest expected. For many cultivators, this may be the only time to see such powerful items and how they could be made.
Unlike before, the coliseum was the end of the Parade of Masters, but it began at the main teleportation array. It was a main roadway between 2 points that could allow many to watch from lower and higher vantage points.
Lind was floating on an artifact with the elders of the Heavenly Maiden Sect. He was in his dark gray robes and black emblem, revealing his status as a peak grade 3 elixir master. Some were murmuring about it, but most simply bowed or nodded to him politely.
Imperial Crown Prince Yor was smiling like a predator that spotted prey but the masked woman next to him bowed deeply and Lind waved back to her. He wanted to ignore the prince but etiquette required him to bow back.
Still, all turned to the group milling about near the teleportation array.
Just as with the earlier competition, many of the members there were representatives of the respective powers. There were quite a few rogue cultivators mixed in, but they were far less than the earlier one.
After a certain point, even a master would need support for the resources they consumed to create what they wanted.
Lind recognized Master's Cain and Harold. They were in resplendent robes with the emblems of their shops prominent on each. He could not hear them but they were clearly arguing once more. Lind had begun to suspect they would argue until they died as it seemed to be what they lived for.
He was glad when the trumpets sounded and the marching began. Unlike with the younger generation, there were no unknown faces here, only celebrities. It was the red carpet of the competition.
Darkmoor brought Illistrad, the low grade 5 alchemical master who had reached the peak of tier 1 Sky realm. The dark pointed beard with harsh eyebrows made the man look like he was scowling but the demon waved and smiled. After the competition he was off to the Floating Isles to continue his cultivation journey.
There was also Scythia for alchemy, but the aether child was only at the high Diamond Tier yet also reached low grade 5. Apparently she had been nipping at Illistrad's heels for the last century. Her skin was a lovely blend of red, green, tan, and blue. She was the first 4 elemental aether child Lind had seen up close.
Darkmoor was not alone in the arena of alchemy but they were considered the hardest to beat.
Cimmeria had quite a few masters but the most prominent had to be Lady Beryl. She was a human who had pure white hair and tanned features. She was at the peak of the Diamond Tier but likely was able to reach mid-grade 5 after 3 centuries of competitions.
Heavenly Maiden Sect also had their own Master but Lind knew she was stuck at low grade 5. Even so, the fiery haired aether child was bubbly as she smiled wide. A pure fire element aether child that seemed to have been born for alchemy due to her heat and fire control skills was a lucky find. She was also fervent in Lind's sessions on element relations.
While alchemy had a few more notable people, the formations were also drawing attention this time around.
The Demon Empire had brought a massive man that had popped out of nowhere. He had midnight black hair with eyes that shone like gems even at night. He was at the peak of the Diamond Tier as well. He had cold fire, acid, poison, and metal for his elements. A formidable combination as always even in a demon.
Gregorl was legendary in formations in the last century as his formation plates had made large advancements in efficiency and potency. His ability to make the complex arrays had earned him a noble title in the Demon Empire but now he was here to crush the normally peaceful rivals in Cimmeria.
The Saint Kingdom had sent 2 notables, twins, that were excellent masters from the last contest. Sera and Hale were like mirror images. The girl was blonde haired and tanned skin while her brother was brown haired and pale as a ghost. The girl had light eyes but her brother had dark eyes.
If not for such clear similarity in their faces, many would suspect they were adopted together only. Lind was curious how that happened but Qi was the most likely culprit.
Their elements were opposed. Sera had darkness, earth, and fire while Hale had light, air, and water. They were responsible for several innovations on formations that needed multiple elements working together but wielded by different cultivators. Lind badly wanted to sit down with them as they were at the high Diamond Tier.
Heavenly Maiden Sect had a large portion in this area as well. The most notable of which was the Sky Realm master Prea. She was a 5 elemental, only missing darkness, but had risen above her difficulties and used formations to compliment her strengths.
Lind had used her treatise on formations all the way back in the Lotus Academy. While it was centuries old, she had stayed in the lower world to help others advance. This would be her last competition as she had to move forward or lose all her potential.
Her cream colored skin was gorgeous as her bright amber eyes looked over the crowds cheering for her. Her lithe body spoke of good training and Lind had seen her flatten arrogant Soul Realms to World Realms with only her physical prowess. She was an inspiration as her dark lochs floated on the wind.
The final section was the largest and the most sought after experts in the cultivation world. Refiners. Whether it be weapons, armors or artifacts, the refiners were a staple none could do without. A cultivator could continue without pills or formations but a weapon and armor were always needed. An artifact could be the difference between life and death.
Lind looked with anticipation as much as anyone as he saw his former Masters smiling up at him. He waved and Cain with Harold glanced at each other to smirk when they frowned. If not for the crowd, Lind had no doubt they would fight over who Lind had waved at.
There were easily 2 times the masters in refining compared to other professions combined. It was lucrative but essential so nurturing even a mediocre refiner led to the discovery of many hidden gems.
Lind saw that the Demon Empire and Darkmoor Kingdom masters glared at each other but did nothing else. A woman of pale lavender skin led the Darkmoor Kingdom masters. She had pale green hair with dark cobalt blue eyes. She was a tier 1 Sky Realm but only low grade 5 master. Yerwyn Cole was known even to Lind back in the Southern District but he had not known she was a demon until he got to the Lotus Academy.
The Demon Empire was led by an old man. He was not a demon, strangely, but a heavily scarred human with only 1 good eye. The dark eye stared out of the hideously scarred face as if his mortal enemy was in front of him. The demons following his massively broad shoulders all looked with respect at him. Lind had not been sure but he had to be the one always called Cyclops Disaster by people in the Lotus Empire.
A few battles ago, a human had seemingly lost his mind and dove into the battle between the Demon Empire and the Conclave in Rith. The man had slaughtered so many with powerful weapons that both sides forgot to keep fighting and just let the man kill until he was satisfied. He had only one eye even then but no one knew his story.
After the battle he joined the Demon Empire so long as he could bath his refined blades in blood. The demons loved him apparently. Lind knew his official title was Savage Sword, but no other name was known.
Divine Sword Sect had more crazies but Dred could not yet join them due to his inconsistency at grade 4. These men and women, however, held their swords as if they were children. Lind really worried about the mentality of people in that sect. So powerful but so obsessed.
Lind saw that the group was led by a fairly young woman. She was an aether child at the peak of Gold Tier. If she was in that group, she had to be a grade 4 master but Lind could not place her name in his head. She was gold, red, and tan so she had the perfect elements to be a refiner.
He consulted a slip in his hand and found her. She was called Jade. Lind found that odd but it was not his call what people were called. She had risen swiftly after fighting off a beast tide inside the Divine Sword Sect territory a century ago. She then quickly revealed a burning desire to refine and made swords to their exacting specifications.
Lind broke out in sweat as he read that it was sometimes difficult to evaluate her creations as she refused to let them leave her presence.
Seriously, what is wrong with that sect?
Lind watched the rest and noted some faces he only had names to before. He then became excited as they were going to see true masters at work. He hoped it would help him progress as well as the flying artifact made its way to the coliseum.