novelraw Chapter 167 - 166 - Special Dinner
Chapter 167 - 166 - Special Dinner
There was a strange alley in Cimmeria. Most that found it were discouraged by the rundown atmosphere but more than few older residents sometimes glimpsed something wondrous inside.
Fine stonework and a profound aura that left even a Sky Realm in awe to experience it. Those glimpses, however, could never be repeated. Guards had often heard reports but when investigated they only found the twisted wooden structures and a feeling of depression just being there.
The higher ups of the Stardust Emporium knew the truth but had no plans to intervene. This secluded area was now even harder to find as tables had been set up in the street and the smell of good food had begun to fill the air.
A little girl was running around following a floating artifact that changed colors as she tried to catch it. It would alter its speed depending on the colors but her peals of laughter made all smile that were there.
Masters Cain and Harold were relaxing with a pipe and ale as they rocked watching Fey simply enjoy the distraction. Mythra and Su were feeling a little frazzled with nothing to do but watching the little girl helped pass the time as the smells of food became distracting.
Inside the main building, Lind was working with Qing and Annabelle to cook with Shoti preparing an amount of meat any sane person would think was for an entire army. The 3 acolyte students were helping set up the main table.
Sutra was distracted by Fey as she had been stunned to see a 10 year old World Realm. Athena and Sabrina were humming as they enjoyed the break from their lessons.
Lind glanced over and saw Delenn leaning on her door frame but she seemed to be gentler than he had ever seen her. The moment he brought up the idea, she had been resistant but Little Fey had been running around in awe at the time and became his secret weapon.
Cuteness cannot be beaten!
The artifact was a work of Master Harold's but it was purely entertainment. Lind had been curious how it stayed afloat but the forces involved did not come to him even with Master Harold and Delenn explaining them.
"You are letting the vegetables burn." Delenn commented on his cooking but he only smirked at her as he slowly mixed the large pan in front of him as he used his Qi to distribute the heat more evenly.
"You seem to be having fun, Master." Delenn smacked the back of his head but held back her strength. Her aura was restricted so as not to hurt anyone unprepared, but Lind could tell she really was enjoying the company.
"I got it!" Both turned to see Fey was holding the artifact in her hands as the colors slowly shifted. Lind used his Eyes and saw that the Qi was nearly depleted in the item but he did not disabuse Fey of her victory.
"Let me see that, little one." Delenn called out and Fey happily came over. Lind had already told Fey that Delenn was his Master as a Forger. He also explained that Delenn had been stuck in this place for a long time. He did not delve into why but Fey had been fine with that as she simply called Delenn 'nice lady' and won the battle to hold the dinner here.
Qi flared as the artifact was changed before their eyes and Lind smirked to see Master Harold nearly weep as his creation was changed. Lind felt the more profound Immortal Qi flow and the artifact was transformed before their eyes.
Lind could no longer perceive how it worked but he had no doubt Delenn had changed it to work more efficiently. Sure enough, it began to float but it had not increased much in its speeds. Fey happily laughed as she hugged Delenn and began to chase the artifact again.
Delenn's dark eyes sparkled with happiness as she watched the little girl run off. Lind smirked as he finished his portion of the meal.
They began to gather around the pristine stone table covered by dark black cloth. The dark wooden chairs were very comfortable but Lind was curious where the furniture came from. It was too big to store in his Master's house but she did not seem the kind to keep such items in a storage ring.
Regardless, he was glad of it as the platters of meat and vegetables were set out and all gathered. Fey sat right next to him but the 3 women only smiled warmly at her. They all treated Fey as family and Lind appreciated it.
As all settled, Lind sent out a harmonic flow of Qi to draw attention. The goblets were also made of the same stone as the table but they felt warm. They could not be made to clink, however, so he used the effect.
"I have gathered you all here for 2 reasons. One, is that I wanted to celebrate all we have come through and show my gratitude for standing by me in adversity." Lind held up his goblet that had a fine ale inside of it at the peak of the Soul Realm. It was quite strong but pleasant on the nose and taste buds. "The other reason is to announce I will be leaving Cimmeria."
Fey instantly grasped the hem of his robes and he patted her head. Shoti, Qing, and Annabelle were not surprised but the first 2 were saddened as they could not leave the sect due to their duties. Annabelle, on the other hand, smiled as she had already secured permission to follow Lind when he left.
"So soon, lad?" Cain spoke up but Lind nodded.
"I have reached the peak of the Soul Realm but I have no way to progress. I have only seen a sliver of the world. I found a great help in a Ruin but I have also been inspired by all around me. Each piece moved me a step forward and perhaps I can find the key to a true breakthrough for 6 elementals into the World Realm." Lind saw several people frown but even Delenn had no ideas on how to help Lind.
She could wield all 6 elements, but she added them in the Heaven Realm to complete her dantian. She had no harmony and Lind had been assured that was true of all cultivators at that realm.
"You are already an important master my boy, surely you don't want to risk it?" Master Harold brought up a point many had already hinted at over and over to Lind but he smiled at them all.
"Were you satisfied when you reached grade 4?" His question made Harold and Cain look at each other. They had not been satisfied. They were still not satisfied. A true crafter was almost worse than a cultivator alone as they were obsessed with seeing what was next.
"Even so, you could destroy your foundation and sacrifice your abilities." Su spoke up but Mythra poked her. Lind smiled but he nodded at the truth of her words but then reached out to the whole table.
"I have a little for 2 centuries left. It sounds like a lot but time has a nasty habit of flying by. In the little over a decade it took for me to reach the peak of the Soul Realm, the people I met on my journey have already left me behind." Shoti looked down in embarrassment as others recalled how slow Lind's progress had been.
"I do not want to give up without trying. I may lose, but I will definitely lose if I do not try." It was a trope in stories to say such a thing but it did not make it any less true. Giving up was a certain fate but regrets would pile up if he did not keep pushing forward.
Little Fey already was beyond him and she would only pull farther away. He would be dead and buried before she reached the Gold Tier possibly while she remained very young.
Lind would rather try and fail than leave Fey to face that terrible day.
"Big brother, can I come too?" Fey's voice reached them all but Lind smiled as he knelt down to look her in the eyes.
"I wish you could but I can't guide you anymore unless I break through. You have my elemental theories but the World Realm is beyond me. I trust the Heavenly Maidens and Shoti with Qing will be there. I am with them, always." The clear statement of his intentions made Su and Mythra look hard at the women mentioned.
There were rumors about Lind's connections but that was his first public statement they had heard. He was holding the little girl as she cried but she did not try to insist on going.
"Will you come back?" All jumped as Delenn asked the question all wanted to ask but Lind only shrugged.
"I want to but I will not make a promise I may not be able to keep. I will do all I can to return and if I break through, I will certainly come back." Delenn nodded but then Lind held up the cup once more.
"I want to wish you all good health and good luck on your journeys in cultivation. I will send back any new breakthroughs I have on my theories and also for elixirs to the Maidens." Lind would not abandon the sect that had stood by him. "Let's eat together until we can meet again!"
He raised the cup and others followed save Fey who clung to Lind as if he would leave right that moment. He used his free hand to pat her head and hold her close.
The food helped lighten the mood as they all began to chat about their lives. The commonality was Lind but slowly they were building new relationships. Masters Cain and Harold already had connections with Starfire House but Mythra was an adopted daughter of Lady Estelle.
Shoti, Qing, and Annabelle left Fey to Lind as he shared food with her as her tears still trailed down her cheek. He was whispering to her and finally a smile cracked her face. He hugged her but did not let her go as he ate.
Delenn watched over it all and enjoyed a meal for the first time in a long while since she was exiled to the Mortal Realm.
The dinner had no more pronouncements and laugher filled the end as Lind had wished for. He knew his announcements would dishearten many but he was determined to find a way to the next realm.
Mythra and Su had to leave first as they had new duties calling them in Starfire House. Lind's supply of elixirs had never stopped and the grade 3 elixirs were spreading steadily. The Heavenly Maiden Sect already endorsed them so they were raking in money left and right.
Lind had it converted into several things.
He had set up an account for Fey. It allowed her family to come to Cimmeria and cultivate as well as get resources for her. He would be her Master going forward in all but fact as he could not teach the World Realm.
The other flow of resources went to the Frey Clan now that he was a Forger, no one could stop him from reaching out to his family once more. He also included some resources for the Lotus Academy but nothing too overt.
He was grateful for his time there but the isolation was not exactly a picnic.
The rest was to begin looking for grade 4 resources that would be held for the future. Lind did not want to be caught empty handed when he did break through.
Masters Cain and Harold moved off after that, taking some gifts for their apprentices that Lind had made. He thought about having them at the dinner but he suspected that would push Delenn's limits.
The 3 acolytes helped clean up but then they all looked at him and he saw tears in Sabrina and Athena's eyes. Sutra only nodded in respect at him. Lind noted Shoti staring at the former 2 but not even glancing at the latter. He had some ideas but he left it alone. It was not his place to pry.
Eventually it was just his 3 close women, Fey, and Delenn with Lind. Fey had passed out and he held her in his lap as she clung to him. He knew he had imprinted on her a bit but he had not fully grasped how much until now.
"You changed her fate, Lind." Delenn spoke and the tone was not only as his Master, but as in Immortal. "The Heavens tried to stop you but you overcame it. Do not do that again."
Lind nodded but he knew in his heart if any of his friends were in such dire straits, he would tempt death to save them.
"Do not lose yourself trying to advance. I am far happier to see you live out a good life than ruin yourself." Delenn stunned him with those words but he looked at her firmly and shook his head.
"I will not give up, Master. I cannot. I had this dinner to show my resolve as well as announce my intentions. I fully intend to break through and see you all again." Lind's eyes were firm and Delenn smiled as she held up her hands in defeat.
"I look forward to you proving us all wrong then, my disciple." Lind smiled and picked up Fey as they all headed back to the Heavenly Maiden Sect. His major event was done but he had to prepare for his departure before leaving. He also had some final lessons to impart to his 3 students.
Also, he wanted to slip away as too many eyes were watching him. The dinner was an announcement but holding it with Delenn hid it for a time. He trusted all that attended to keep to that secret. Lind looked at the pristine white tower and wondered when he would see it again. Lind carried Fey and smiled at the 3 women around him.
He had a rough adventure here or there but Cimmeria had been a massive improvement over the Lotus Empire. He would treasure this time, always.